Abstract:
The present invention is a spring-actuated, concealable revolver utilizing a flattened cylinder shape and a unique off-chamber placement of the cylinder when in a stowed safe mode. An extendable grip tag may also be employed to provide a further reduced profile. Various grip styles, unloading mechanisms and advancing actions may be employed with the revolver. Single and double action embodiments are disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Application claims priority as a non-provisional perfection of prior filed U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/691,229, filed Aug. 20, 2012 and incorporates the same herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of firearms and more particularly relates to a concealable spring-actuated revolver. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Personal defense is a matter of choice for individuals. Some choose to not have any, others prefer training in martial arts, some choose a weapon. Often times, that weapon is a small handgun, so the use of a small handgun for personal defense is well known. Private citizens conceal them in their clothing or other objects. Law enforcement and military personnel conceal them on their persons as a “back-up” weapon, in case their primary weapon fails or situations become dire. The ideal back-up weapon is ideally small and easily concealable. Their positioning is not to hinder the movement of the carrier. They tend to carry a few rounds of ammunition and maybe have some container or magazine to carry spare rounds. They tend not to be very accurate at a distance. 
     The present invention is a revolver suitable for a back-up weapon. It is a spring-actuated revolver with a small stowage profile suitable for concealment. Its structure provides a smaller profile than prior art revolvers while also providing a unique safety feature to prevent accidental discharge. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of revolvers, this invention provides a concealable spring-loaded revolver. As such, the present invention&#39;s general purpose is to provide a new and improved revolver that is compact, concealable, easily constructed, and safe when in a concealable configuration. 
     To accomplish these objectives, the revolver comprises a unique four-chambered cylinder. The cylinder, rather than being totally round, features two opposite flat sides. Ideally, the cylinder is spring actuated, though other means of rotating the cylinder, such as a ratchet mechanism, are possible. When not in use, the hammer resides over a solid space of the cylinder rather than over a chamber, providing a built-in safety system. An extendable grip is also provided, further reducing the weapon profile when not in use. 
     The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow. 
     Many objects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views. 
     Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation of one embodiment of a revolver according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the revolver of  FIG. 1  in a stowed orientation. 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the revolver of  FIG. 1 , in the process of cocking. 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the revolver of  FIG. 1 , fully cocked. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the revolver of  FIG. 1 , firing. 
         FIG. 6  is a rear elevation of the cylinder of the revolver of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevation of the cylinder of the revolver of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a front sectional view of the cylinder and barrel of the revolver of  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A, in a stowed orientation, with the frame and base pin removed for clarity. 
         FIG. 9  is a front sectional view of the cylinder and barrel  FIG. 8 , with the first cylinder ready to fire. 
         FIG. 10  is a front sectional view of the cylinder and barrel  FIG. 8 , with the second cylinder ready to fire. 
         FIG. 11  is a front sectional view of the cylinder and barrel  FIG. 8 , with the third cylinder ready to fire. 
         FIG. 12  is a front sectional view of the cylinder and barrel  FIG. 8 , with the fourth cylinder ready to fire. 
         FIG. 13  is a sectional view of an alternate cylinder embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a front sectional view, taken in front of the cylinder, taken along line B-B in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 15  is a side elevation of a second embodiment of a revolver according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a sectional view of the revolver of  FIG. 15 , with a stowed grip extension tang. 
         FIG. 17  is a sectional view of the revolver of  FIG. 15 , with a deployed grip extension tang. 
         FIG. 18  is a sectional view of the revolver of  FIG. 15 , with cartridge storage built into the grip. 
         FIG. 19  is a partial sectional view of an alternate cylinder design. 
         FIG. 20  is a sectional view of double action revolver in accordance with the present invention in a stowed orientation. 
         FIG. 21  is a sectional view of the revolver of  FIG. 20 , in the process of cocking. 
         FIG. 22  is a sectional view of the revolver of  FIG. 20 , fully cocked. 
         FIG. 23  is a sectional view of the revolver of  FIG. 20 , firing. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the revolver are herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Reference numerals indicated in the specification are consistent through all drawing sheets and indicate the following items: 
       100 —a single action revolver embodying the primary aspects of the present invention; 
       110 —barrel 
       112 —cylinder spring 
       114 —cylinder locking bar 
       116 —locking bar key 
       118 —locking bar pivot 
       120 —revolver cylinder 
       122 —cylinder chambers 
       124 —cylinder stop 
       126 —cylinder position lock grooves 
       128 —cylinder safety lock groove 
       130 —hammer 
       132 —hammer pawl 
       134 —locking bar plate 
       136 —hammer detent groove 
       138 —sear-spur 
       140 —trigger 
       142 —locking bar chamfer 
       144 —base pin 
       146 —rifling grooves 
       148 —rifled cylinder 
       150 —handgrip 
       200 —an alternate revolver embodiment 
       210 —alternate barrel 
       220 —alternate cylinder 
       222 —alternate chamber 
       224 —alternate cylinder stop 
       226 —alternate position lock groove 
       230 —alternate hammer 
       240 —alternate grip 
       242 —extension tang 
       244 —cartridge storage 
       300 —a double action revolver embodying the primary aspects of the present invention 
       310 —barrel 
       312 —cylinder spring 
       314 —cylinder locking bar 
       316 —locking bar key 
       320 —revolver cylinder 
       326 —cylinder position lock grooves 
       328 —cylinder safety lock groove 
       330 —hammer 
       332 —hammer pawl 
       334 —locking bar plate 
       336 —hammer detent groove 
       338 —sear-spur 
       340 —trigger 
       344 —drawbar end ramp 
       346 —drawbar 
       348 —guide pin 
       350 —handgrip 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a revolver  100  has the main components expected of a revolver, that is to say it has a barrel  110 , cylinder  120 , hammer  130 , trigger  140  and grip  150  all mounted upon a frame or receiver. Its internal workings, however, shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , however, reveal a different sort of weapon. First, the cylinder  120  is powered by a torsion-type cylinder spring  112  mounted beneath the barrel  110 . A pivoting locking bar  114  maintains the cylinder  120  against the spring pressure. The forward end of the locking bar  114  is a locking bar key  116  designed to interface with specifically positioned lock grooves  126 , 128  on a forward end of the cylinder  120 . The end of the locking bar opposite the key features a locking bar plate  134  which interfaces with a hammer pawl  132  pivotably mounted upon the hammer  130 . 
     When stowed,  FIGS. 2 and 8 , the cylinder rests in a unique position off-chamber from the bore of the barrel  110  (and consequently the hammer  130 ). It is held in this position by the locking bar key  116  residing in a specially positioned safety lock groove  128  (shown in  FIGS. 3 and 7 ). In subsequent use, the action of cocking the hammer  130  ( FIG. 3 ) drives the hammer pawl  132  against the locking bar plate  134 , pushing it upwards. The locking bar  114  pivots about its pivot point  118  and forces the locking bar key  116  downward, releasing the cylinder  120 . Immediate over-rotation of the cylinder is prevented ( FIG. 3 ) by a chamfer  142  in the locking bar  114 . The chamfer  142  stops rotation of the cylinder  120  by blocking one of its corners. Other structures may of course be utilized, including having other structure on the cylinder interface with the chamfer  142  or other movable blocking structure,; however, this embodiment is preferred. In the fully cocked position ( FIG. 4 ), the hammer pawl  132  has passed beyond the locking bar plate  134 , releasing it and thereby forcing the locking bar key  116  to move upwards into the next successive position lock groove  126 . In this position, the revolver is ready to fire ( FIG. 9 ) with a chamber  122  in line with the barrel  110  and hammer  130 . An interface with the trigger  140  holds the hammer  130  in cocked position. The illustrated mechanism is a simple spur-and-groove lock where a sear-spur  138  on the trigger  140  interfaces with a groove  136  on the hammer  130 . Other structures of sears may of course be used. Upon firing ( FIG. 5 ), the sear lock is broken and the hammer  130  begins to return. The pawl  132  rotates against the locking bar plate  134  and into a crevice in the hammer  130  until the pawl  132  is moved away from the locking bar plate  134  and returns to its position underneath the locking bar plate  134 . 
     The cylinder  120  provides a slim profile to aid in concealment. As can be seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the cylinder is uniquely shaped. There are limited lines of symmetry with the design of the cylinder and the outside surface of the cylinder proximate each chamber is not consistant relative to the axis of rotation of the cylinder. For purposes of this Application, I term this relation to be “non-radially symmetric,” as any symmetry in the cylinder is not necessarily tied to all of the radii of the cylinder (though some lines of symmetry may coincide with certain diameters). This design is intentional and ideally presents two opposing flat sides so that when stowed the flat sides are presented outward. It is, of course, possible for three ( FIG. 13 ) or even four sides to be flattened. The flattened profile crates four corners, in which the four chambers  122  should ideally reside. Accordingly, the cylinder position lock grooves  126  should also ideally be located in each corner. Arrangement of the cylinder, however, is determined by choice of the designer and the chambers  122  and cylinder position lock grooves  126  may be on any location of the cylinder  120 . The safety lock groove  128  is then positioned between two of the cylinder position lock grooves  126 , proximate a cylinder stop  124 . As the cylinder  120  cycles through the chambers  122 , the cylinder stop  124  is rotated about the axis of the cylinder until it interfaces with structure that prevents further rotation of the cylinder  120  ( FIGS. 8-12 ). For simplicity, cylinder stop  124  is depicted as a post extending from the perimeter of the cylinder; however, other structures on the frame or cylinder may be utilized. When stowed, the locking bar key  116  resides in safety lock groove  128 . This position presents at least two flat sides outward of the revolver frame, reducing the weapon profile. 
     Further enhancing the slim profile of the weapon is the placement of the cylinder spring  112 . The cylinder spring  112  is located outside the cylinder  120 , ideally below the barrel  110  of the weapon. The cylinder spring is may or may not be mounted in a non-concentric relation with the cylinder axle/base pin  144  (which is axially related to the cylinder), as shown in  FIG. 14 . A non-concentric relation allows for a stronger spring to be used to power the rotation of the cylinder. 
     Numerous alternate embodiments may be utilized. Another revolver  200  is shown in  FIGS. 15-18 , where a specialized grip is used to provide a still smaller stowed profile. A grip extension tang  242  is provided in the bottom of grip  240  that may be deployed into an extended position and thus provide a larger gripping surface ( FIG. 17 ). The tang  242  may be spring-loaded and actuated by use of a pressure plate or may be actuated by the cocking of the hammer or may be keyed to removal from a holster or any other means known in the art or later discovered. The tang  242  may also not be spring-loaded and may pivot or slide into position due to direct pressure on some part of the grip. The grip may also be specialized to contain spare ammunition  244  ( FIG. 18 ). As other embodiments are possible, it should be noted that the revolver in  FIGS. 15-18  utilizes an alternate hammer  230 , rather than a full hammer and trigger assembly, thus keeping the design simple and effective. Other embodiments include the use of strikers, including bolt-action style strikers (which for purposes of this Application and interpretation of the claims shall all be considered “hammers”). Like other features of the revolver, the location and structure of the cylinder stop  124  may be varied. As can be seen in  FIG. 18 , an alternate cylinder stop  224  is located on a rear surface of the alternate cylinder  220  and protrudes axially therefrom, rather than the radial extension of the first disclosed embodiment. The location of the cylinder stop  124 ,  224  may be anywhere on the cylinder (front, back, or side wall) or frame so long as it does not impede rotation of the cylinder until it is necessary to prevent over rotation. 
     Another alternate embodiment provides rifling grooves  146  in the chambers ( FIG. 19 ). This design facilitates a familiar multi-barrel, or “pepperbox,” configuration of the invention. Each chamber may then originate an individual barrel. 
     A double action embodiment  300  is shown in  FIGS. 20-23 . This embodiment utilizes similar elements as the single action embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a barrel  310 , cylinder  320 , hammer  330 , trigger  340  and grip  350  all mounted upon a frame or receiver. Like in the single action embodiment, the cylinder  320  is powered by a torsion-type cylinder spring  312  mounted beneath the barrel  310 . A pivoting locking bar  314  maintains the cylinder  320  against the spring pressure. The forward end of the locking bar  314  is a locking bar key  316  designed to interface with specifically positioned lock grooves  326 ,  328  on a forward end of the cylinder  320 . The end of the locking bar opposite the key features a locking bar plate  334  which interfaces with a pawl  332  mounted upon the hammer  330 . 
     Pulling the trigger  340  pulls forward on drawbar  346 , which is then biased downward by interaction of the guide pin  348  and end ramp  344 . Sear-spur  338  is a part of the drawbar  346  and pulls on hammer detent groove  336 , cocking the hammer  330  ( FIG. 21 ). This action, in turn, drives the hammer pawl  332  against the locking bar plate  334 , pushing it upwards. The mechanics then follow a similar pattern as described in the single action revolver, except that the downward pressure of the drawbar end ramp  334  and guide pin  348  move the sear-spur  338  out of connection with hammer detent groove  336 , releasing the hammer  330  ( FIGS. 22-23 ). 
     In practice, the most efficient method of reloading the revolver is a simple single action reload-style, which is to say open a reloading gate and release the cylinder  120  so that it may be rotated to facilitate reloading. Another method would be to utilize a frame with a breaktop feature so that the ammunition chambers are accessible for reloading. This structure tends to be simple to operate and utilizes few parts. The pivot for the breaktop may be located either above or below the cylinder and it may also be a horizontal, vertical or torsional pivot. Other structures, such as a swing out cylinder or a removable cylinder, are also possible. It should also be noted that while the two embodiments of the revolver are described as single action and double action, it may also utilize more advanced loading and advancing operational structures, such as being gas, recoil or blowback operated. No preferred ammunition style is described as any ammunition type with an internal firing primer may be used. Various grip styles may also be utilized for individual preference 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.