# Patent

## Title
Sliding barrel breeching mechanism

## Abstract

Apparatus 10 comprises a receiver body 12 along with a trigger 14 for activating the firing mechanism and a lever 16 for opening the breech assembly to allow access to the chamber for receiving the shell/cartridge 56 at the rear of the barrel 18. The barrel 18 is secured to the breech 28 by an extension lug 58 having an internal transverse hole 61 therein which receives the extension lug pin 59 therein as the extension lug is inserted into the slot 60 on the top portion of the breech block 28 so that the breech can be opened and closed by lever 16. Also shown is the cartridge/shell 56 extractor 62 which comprises an extractor pin 68 along with an extractor spring 70. The barrel 18 comprises a front barrel support 64 and a rear barrel support 66 which each have a lower flange 65 thereon which slides to the front and rear in slot or track 67 in response to pressure from the barrel pin 72 and barrel spring 74 which occurs after the lever 16 is operated to free the barrel 18 from the breech block 28. Both pin and spring 68, 70 and 72, 74 are contained in holes in the rear of the rear barrel support 66.

## Background
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to firearms and, more particularly, is concerned with a sliding barrel breeching system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Mechanisms for opening a breech have been described in the prior art. However, none of the prior art discloses the unique features of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,447,977 to Holngren dated May 15, 1984, disclosed a multifaceted firing device.
While these mechanisms may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a receiver body along with a trigger for activating the firing mechanism and a lever or other means for opening the breech assembly to allow access to the chamber for receiving the shell/cartridge at the rear of the barrel. The barrel is secured to the receiver face by an extension lug having an internal transverse hole therein which receives the extension lug pin therein as the extension lug is inserted into the slot on the top portion of the breech block so that the breech can be opened and closed by the lever. Also shown is the cartridge/shell extractor which comprises an extractor pin along with an extractor spring. The barrel comprises a front and rear barrel support which each have a lower flange thereon which slides to the front and rear in a track on a barrel support member in response to pressure from the barrel pin and barrel spring which occurs after the lever is operated to free the barrel from the breech block. Both pins and springs are contained in holes in the rear of the rear barrel support.
An object of the present invention is to provide a firing mechanism that is simple to use.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a firing mechanism that is safe.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a firing mechanism that is simple and relatively economical to produce having relatively few moving parts.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a firing mechanism that can be used for different types of firearms including a muzzle loader or center fire rifles or shotguns being single or double barreled.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a section view of portions of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a section view of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of portions of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the barrel of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of portions of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a plan view and section view of portions of the present invention.



LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings.

    
    
        10 present invention
        12 receiver body
        14 trigger
        16 lever
        18 barrel
        20 action bar
        22 firing pin
        24 main spring
        25 main spring stop
        26 firing pin spring
        28 breech block
        30 support
        31 support pins
        32 cocking thumb piece
        34 cocking link
        36 cocking link
        38 slot
        40 sear
        41 sear pivot
        42 trigger-sear spring
        44 trigger link
        46 fulcrum post
        48 notch
        50 tab
        52 face of breech
        54 pivot pin
        55 primer
        56 shell/cartridge
        58 extension lug
        59 pin for extension lug
        60 slot
        61 hole
        62 extractor
        64 front barrel support
        65 flange
        66 rear barrel support
        67 track
        68 extractor pin
        70 extractor spring
        72 barrel pin
        74 barrel spring
        76 barrel support member
        78 slot
        80 stop pin
        82 stop pin lever
        84 extractor hole
        86 barrel spring hole
        88 front flange of sear
    
    


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate the present invention wherein a firing pin mechanism for a firearm is disclosed.
Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, therein are shown the present invention 10 comprising a receiver body 12 along with a trigger 14 for activating the firing mechanism and a lever 16 for opening the breech assembly to allow access to the chamber for receiving the shell/cartridge 56 at the rear of the barrel 18. FIG. 1 shows the breech block 28 and barrel 18 closed and FIG. 2 shows the breech block 28 and barrel 18 open. Also shown is the action bar 20 having a front portion for contacting the rear of the firing pin 22 and forcing the firing pin forward so as to contact the primer 55 of the shell/cartridge 56. The firing pin 22 has a firing pin spring 26 thereon which is mounted in a hole in the breech block 28. The action bar 20 is supported by upper and lower supports 30 near its front end along with upper and lower support pins 31 which also act as a rear spring stop near its mid-section having main spring 24 and front spring stop 25 thereon. Also shown on the action bar is internal, transverse slot 38 and notch 48 on its bottom surface. The cocking thumb piece 32 is shown for cocking the cocking links 34, 36 which operate on a fulcrum post 46 wherein the lower link 36 moves slidably in slot 38. Also shown is the sear 40 which pivots on sear pivot 41 and a trigger-sear spring 42. On the upper end of trigger 14 is a trigger link 44. Also shown is the trigger 14 which moves on pivot pin 54. The trigger 14 also has a tab 50 on its upper rear side. Also shown on the breech block 28 is the front face of the breech 52. The barrel 18 is secured to the breech 28 by an extension lug 58 having an internal transverse hole 61 therein which receives the extension lug pin 59 therein as the extension lug is inserted into the slot 60 on the top portion of the breech block 28 so that the breech can be opened and closed by lever 16. Also shown is the cartridge/shell 56 extractor 62 which comprises an extractor pin 68 along with an extractor spring 70. The barrel 18 comprises a front barrel support 64 and a rear barrel support 66 which each have a lower flange 65 thereon which slides to the front and rear in slot or track 67 of lower barrel support member 76 in response to pressure from the barrel pin 72 and barrel spring 74 which occurs after the lever 16 is operated to free the barrel 18 from the breech block 28. Both pin and spring 68, 70 and 72, 74 are contained in holes in the rear of the rear barrel support 66.
In operation, the gun of the present invention 10 is opened via the conventional top lever 16 and a cartridge/shell 56 is inserted into the barrel 18, the thumb piece 32 is cocked by pushing it forward which pulls the action bar 20 to the rear compressing the main spring 24 and engaging the front flange 88 of sear 40 into notch 48 on the action bar (the trigger/sear spring 42 holds the sear 40 front nose flange in the notch 48 and holds the trigger 14 against the rear of the sear arm 40). To fire the gun, the trigger 14 is pulled to the rear wherein it pivots on its pin 54 causing tab 50 to move link 44 which presses upward on the rear of sear arm 40 so that the sear pivots on its pin 41 and the sear nose flange 88 disengages from the notch 48 on the action bar 20 whereby the main spring 24 decompresses driving the action bar towards the barrel 18 wherein action bar 20 strikes the firing pin 22 and the firing pin strikes the primer 55 in the cartridge 56 and the gun fires.
Turning to FIG. 3, therein is shown the barrel 18 along with the extension lug 58 having a hole 61 therein for receiving pin 59 on its rear and the front face 52 of the breech 28 along with the front barrel support 64 and rear barrel support 66 each having a flange 65 on its lower end which flange travels to the front and rear in track 67 which is disposed in the forward extension portion of the barrel support track member 76 which is disposed to the front and underside of the breech block 28. It should be clear that the barrel 18 can slide to the front and rear in the barrel support member 76 as the lever 16 (not shown, see FIGS. 1 and 2) is operated wherein the barrel moves in response to the barrel spring 74 on barrel pin 72 as the lever 16 is operated which spring 74 forces the barrel forward which allows flange 65 to slide in track 67 of the track of the barrel support member 76 until the front of rear flange 65 contacts stop pin 80 operated by pivotable lever 82. If lever 82 is operated the pin 80 is moved into an outward position so as to allow flange 65 to move forward in track 67 to a point where flanges 65 align with mating enlarged slot areas 78 thereby allowing barrel 18 to be removed upwardly from support member 76.
Turning to FIG. 4, therein are shown the barrel 18, shell/cartridge 56, extractor 62, rear barrel support 66, flanges 65, barrel spring hole 86, and extension lug 58.
Turning to FIG. 5, therein are shown the barrel 18, shell/cartridge 56, extractor 62, extractor hole 84, barrel spring hole 86, extension lug 58, front and rear barrel supports 64, 66 and flanges 65.
Turning to FIG. 6, therein are shown the barrel support member 76, breech block 28, pin 59, slot 60, tracks 67, slot 78, stop pin 80, and pivotable lever 82 showing a related arrow to indicate the pivoting action. Also shown is a section view of the front and rear barrel supports 64, 66 showing how supports 64, 66 are removably insertable from support member 76. Flanges 65 are also shown.
In practice, the cocking sequence is the cocking thumb piece 32 is pushed forward so that the cocking links 34, 36 pivot against the fulcrum post 46 pulling the action bar 20 to the rear compressing the main spring 24. The nose 88 of sear 40 is pushed up into the action bar notch 48 where the main spring 24 compression pressure holds it in place. If cocking piece 32 is pulled back to the rear the bottom link pin 36 slides to the front of the slot 38.
In practice, the firing sequence is the trigger 14 is pulled wherein the tab 50 on the trigger pivots the rear of the trigger link 44 (FIG. 2) up thereby pushing against the rear end of the sear 40 to cause it to pivot upward. The front 88 of the sear 40 pivots down pulling the sear flange out of the notch 48 of the action bar 20 wherein the main spring 24 decompresses driving the action bar 20 forward to strike the firing pin 22. The firing pin 22 flies forward to strike the primer 55 and compresses the firing pin spring 26 whereby the gun fires and the firing pin spring the decompresses pushing the firing pin back to the unfired position. The firing pin 22 of the present invention 10 is a floating firing pin so that the action bar 20 should strike it only hard enough to overcome the tension on the firing pin spring 26. The action bar 20 should only be long enough to barely touch the firing pin 22 when the action bar is in the uncocked position and the firing pin is retracted from the firing pin hole.

## Claims

1. An apparatus for opening the breech of a firearm, comprising:
a) a barrel having front and rear ends and a top and bottom, a chamber for receiving a shell being disposed on said rear end, said chamber having top and bottom portions;
b) a front and a rear barrel support being disposed on said bottom of said barrel, each said barrel support extending downwardly from said barrel to an end, each barrel support having first and second sides and front and rear ends, a transverse flange being disposed on each said side of each said end of each said barrel support extending laterally away from each said barrel support;
c) a breech block being disposed on the firearm contiguous to said rear end of said barrel, said breech block having top and bottom ends, first and second sides and front and rear surfaces, said breech block having a slot therein, said slot being disposed on said front of said top end of said breech block, a slidable first pin having first and second ends being disposed adjacent said top end of said breech block so that said first end of said first pin is slidable transversely across said slot from a first position wherein the breech of the firearm is closed to a second position wherein the breech of the firearm is open;
d) a lever being disposed on said top end of said breech block, said lever being operable in substantially the horizontal plane by movement toward either of said first or second sides of said breech block, wherein said lever is adapted for moving said first pin back and forth between said first position and said second position;
e) an extension lug being disposed on said top rear of said barrel extending rearwardly from said barrel so that said extension lug rests in said slot when the breech of the firearm is closed, said extension lug having a hole therein, said hole being transversely disposed so as to receive said first end of said first pin when the breech of the firearm is closed and said first pin is in said first position so as to lock the breech in the closed position; and,
f) a barrel support member being disposed on said bottom, front surface of said breech block, said barrel support member having front and rear ends, top and bottom surfaces and first and second sides, said barrel support member extending toward the front of the firearm, said barrel support member being adapted to slidingly receive each said flange of each said barrel support so that said rear end of said barrel can move from a first position at said rear of said barrel support member to a second position toward said front of said barrel support member, wherein said barrel is secured to said breech block and the breech closed when said barrel is in said first position, wherein the breech of the firearm is open when said barrel is moved to said second position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a barrel spring being disposed between said front face of said breech block and said rear end of said rear barrel support, wherein said barrel is biased away from said breech block by said barrel spring, wherein said barrel is moved to said second position when the breech of the firearm is open in response to said first pin being moved to said second position by said lever.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a first and second track being disposed adjacent each of said first and second sides of said barrel support member extending from said front to said rear for slidably receiving therein each of said flanges on said front and rear barrel support members so that said barrel can be moved back and forth between said first to said second position.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each of said first and second tracks have front and rear enlarged slot areas therein, wherein said front and rear slot areas are complementarily sized and spaced apart as each said flange on said front and rear barrel supports so that when each said flange is aligned with the corresponding said enlarged slot area said barrel can be removed from said barrel support member by moving said barrel away from said barrel support member.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a second pin having first and second ends being disposed in either of said first and second tracks so that said second pin is movable laterally from a first inward position to a second outward position, wherein said first end of said second pin forms a stop in said track when said second pin is in said inward position so that either said front or rear barrel support is prevented from moving far enough away from said breech block to allow said flanges to align with said enlarged slot areas so that said barrel is not separable from said barrel support member.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said second pin moves away from said track when said second pin is in said outward position so that said front and rear barrel supports can move far enough away from said breech block to allow said flanges to align with said enlarged slot areas so that said barrel becomes separable from said barrel support member.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a pivotable lever having first and second ends being disposed on said side of said barrel support member adjacent said second pin, wherein said first end is adapted to move said second pin between said inward and outward positions and said second end is adapted to be operated by the fingers of a user.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a shell extractor being disposed on said rear end of said chamber to permit a shell to be extracted when the breech is opened.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said shell extractor further comprises an extractor spring disposed around an extractor pin.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said barrel spring is disposed around a barrel pin.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said rear end of said rear barrel support has a first and second hole therein, wherein said first hole receives said extractor spring and said extractor pin, wherein said second hole receives said barrel spring and said barrel pin.