Tilting Barrel Group Locking Device with Segmented Bolt and Safety Catch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking devices for tilting barrel groups in arms, such as rifles, face issues with unreliable closure and accidental opening due to geometrical and force-related reversibility, leading to compromised performance in both safety and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a bolt mechanism that includes an elastic element and a safety catch, allowing for a secure, irreversible closure of the barrel group, preventing unwanted opening, and featuring an adjustable design to maintain smooth operation and user-friendly handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking device uses inclined surfaces to ensure solid interaction and reliable closure, then the reliability of closure is improved, but the device complexity and friction phenomena increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is divided into separate functional components: a bolt for longitudinal movement, a plug for transverse movement, and a safety element. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function with simpler geometry, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable closure through coordinated action of multiple simple parts rather than complex inclined surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using inclined surfaces that create friction and complexity, the invention inverts the approach by using perpendicular or transverse interaction surfaces. The plug moves transversally to the barrel axis to engage with the bolt, creating a locking mechanism that relies on direct mechanical engagement rather than friction-based inclined planes, thereby simplifying the device while ensuring reliable closure.
2Reliability
If the locking device uses inclined surfaces with low angle to ensure good seal, then the reliability of closure is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased friction
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the locking mechanism itself. The seal is achieved through the precise fit and engagement of the bolt and plug components moving perpendicular to each other, rather than relying on inclined surfaces. This separation allows the locking action to be simple and easy to operate while the seal quality is maintained through the geometric precision of the engaged surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety element is designed to prevent premature or accidental opening before the user intentionally actuates the release mechanism. This preliminary protective action ensures that once closed, the locking device remains securely locked against unintended opening forces, while the user-actuated release provides easy intentional opening when needed.
3Reliability
If the locking device is designed for solid interaction to prevent accidental opening, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device incorporates dynamic movement sequences: the bolt moves longitudinally first, then the plug moves transversally to complete the locking action. During opening, the reverse sequence occurs. This dynamic, multi-stage operation allows the device to be stiff and secure during normal operation while providing a clear, controlled mechanism for intentional opening, preventing accidental opening while maintaining user-friendly operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug acts as an intermediary element between the bolt and the barrel group. It translates the longitudinal movement of the bolt into transverse locking action, providing a mechanical mediation that ensures solid interaction and reliable locking. This intermediary mechanism prevents accidental opening while maintaining ease of operation through the coordinated movement of the two simple components.
4Reliability
If the locking device uses a key-operated mechanism for secure closure, then the reliability of closure is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed to automatically complete the locking sequence once the user initiates it by moving the bolt. The coordinated movement of the bolt and plug components occurs automatically through their mechanical connection, eliminating the need for complex key operations. The user simply needs to actuate the release mechanism, and the device self-completes the secure locking action, combining ease of operation with reliable closure.
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 solution provides a reliable, irreversible closure of the barrel group, preventing accidental openings and ensuring smooth operation, while allowing for easy and intuitive handling, with adjustable components to maintain performance over time.
Implementation Method 1
a locking device (10) with a bolt (20) movable in a longitudinal direction parallel to a barrel axis (X-X), said locking device (10) comprising an elastic element (30) acting on said bolt (20)
Data Source
AI summary
An arm (1) comprises a main body (5), a tilting barrel group (2) fitted to the main body (5) and a locking device (10). The locking device (10) is acting between the main body (5) and the barrel group (2) and manually operable between a locked position, in which the tilting of the barrel group (2) is prevented, and a release position, in which the barrel group (2) is released from said body (5). Said locking device (10) comprises at least one sliding bolt (20) or plug, partially housed in the main body (5) so that, in the locked position, a portion thereof engages the barrel group (2). The device is further comprising a safety catch element (100), acting between the barrel group (2) and the main body (5), which acts in conjunction with the bolt (20) to maintain the locked position.