Firearm Sling Swivel with Nested Plunger and Detent Ball
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detachable sling swivels for firearms are prone to inadvertent detachment due to exposed plungers, which can lead to the sling becoming disengaged from the firearm unintentionally.
Innovation Solution
A sling swivel design featuring a knob coupled to a spring-biased plunger or actuator, allowing for quick detachment while minimizing inadvertent release, with a locking mechanism using spherical bearings and a cam surface to securely attach and detach from a swivel base, preventing accidental disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a plunger mechanism is used for quick detachment, then the sling swivel can be quickly removed, but the plunger is exposed to inadvertent operation causing accidental detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger is nested within a cavity in the swivel body, with only a small portion accessible through an opening. The detent ball is nested within a detent cavity that is accessible only when the plunger is depressed. This nesting protects the critical detachment mechanism from inadvertent operation while maintaining quick-release capability when intentionally activated.
Solution Approach 2:
A spring-loaded plunger acts as an intermediary between the user's intentional action and the detent ball. The plunger must be deliberately depressed to overcome spring pressure and release the detent ball, providing a mechanical mediation that prevents accidental activation while enabling quick intentional detachment.
2Productivity
If the plunger is made accessible for easy operation, then detachment is faster, but the risk of accidental activation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The critical detent ball mechanism is nested within a protected cavity that requires deliberate plunger depression to access. This nested configuration enables fast detachment when needed while preventing accidental activation by environmental factors or unintentional contact, thus resolving the conflict between productivity and harmful factors.
3Reliability
If the sling swivel is securely locked, then reliability is improved, but quick detachment becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The detent ball is preliminarily positioned to engage with the rounded portion of the plunger, creating a locked state that provides secure attachment. When the plunger is depressed, this preliminary engagement is released, enabling quick detachment. This preliminary action mechanism allows the system to maintain both secure locked state and easy release capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions between two dynamic states: a locked state where the detent ball engages the plunger for secure attachment, and an unlocked state where the plunger is depressed and the detent ball is released for quick removal. This dynamic switching capability resolves the contradiction between secure attachment and easy detachment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design ensures the sling swivel remains quickly detachable while significantly reducing the risk of inadvertent detachment, providing a secure and reliable attachment to the firearm.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-biased plunger or actuator
Implementation Method 2
a cam surface to securely attach and detach from a swivel base
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment is a sling swivel that may be removably attached to and detached from a sling swivel base mounted on or within a firearm. More specifically, the sling swivel of an embodiment may be quickly detachable while not substantially prone to inadvertent detachment. An embodiment includes a knob coupled to a spring-biased plunger or actuator, wherein rotating the knob operates the plunger or actuator to removably attach and detach the sling swivel with respect to a sling swivel base.