Abstract:
A firearm slide dampening system in which the slide is associated with a rod. The slide moves rearwardly during recoil until it engages a novel floatingly mounted socket on a transverse axle. The rearward end of the rod carries a novel spring-biased head slanted and shaped to the slidably engage the socket to absorb energy the socket receives from the slide.

Description:
DESCRIPTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates to firearms with reciprocating slides for loading and unloading the firearm and, in particular, to gas operated auto-loading rifles in which the recoil of the reciprocating slide mechanism causes shock and vibration to the firearm during the firing cycle. 
     2. Background Art 
     Numerous arrangements have been suggested for decelerating and stopping the slide mechanism on a firearm during its rearward movement. Guide rods, springs and receiver stop means provide an arrangement for arresting the slide after its initial acceleration by gases diverted from the barrel as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,323 to Ruger. 
     It has also been suggested to use cam surfaces to decelerate breechlocks in guns as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,240,121 to Sefried. 
     The present arrangement provides a compact novel slide dampening arrangement utilizing in part the resilience of the rod slide spring employed to return the slide to its foreward rest position. This is particularly useful in auto-loading firearms having telescopic sights mounted thereon, since the shock delivered to these relatively fragile mechanisms is greatly reduced by this invention. However, it is useful in all auto-loading firearms to decrease the shock, vibration, and strain to parts heretofore considered normal in such reciprocating mechanisms. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Broadly, the present invention comprises a slide dampening mechanism including a rod and a return spring positioned forward of the receiver for dampening the vibrations and shock caused by the slide engaging the receiver during its recoil (rearward slide). The mechanism is a recessed socket block mounted for limited movement in the firearm which block is moved to the rear when the slide engages the block. The rod end is positioned between the block and block mount to cause the rod to move forwardly against the return spring as the socket block is moved rearwardly. 
     It is a feature of the invention that the recoiling slide travel is arrested without the use of additional resilient parts, such as rubber, plastic or other compressible materials which are subject to deterioration from solvents, age and other causes. All parts of the present, not employed in prior rifles, are formed of metal for long life without deterioration. 
     Another significant feature is that the shock-absorbing mechanism functions in a very short length of cycling while still providing the accessory cushioning effect. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view partially in section of a portion of a rifle having the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view along line 2--2 of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged side elevational view of the dampening mechanism when the slide is forward; and 
     FIG. 4 is a view similar of FIG. 3 with the slide in its rear position. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, rifle 10 includes stock 11, receiver 12, breech 13, external slide 14, forward scope mount 16, rear scope mount 17 and scope 18. Also shown is breech end of barrel 19, barrel 21, the forward wall 22 of receiver 12, cylindrical receiver extension 23 and internal slide channel 24 secured to bracket 26 at its rearward end. Within slide channel 24, internal slide 29, slide rod 27, floating cylinder socket block 28 and slide return coil spring 30. External slide 14 and internal slide 29 are attached through means not shown so they move together. Also shown in magazine latch 15. 
     Floating socket block 28 is mounted on stationary axle 31 for limited movement thereon as herein described. Axle 31 is fixed to the vertical walls of receiver extension 23 (see FIG. 2). Since circular openings 32 in the sides of floating socket 28 are slightly larger than the diameter of axle 31 (see FIG. 3), floating socket block 28 is permitted to move up, down, forward and rearward with respect to axle 31. Rod dampening head 34 is slanted to permit coil spring 30 to urged head 34 between axle 31 and the interior wall 33 of the floating socket 28. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 2-4, it is seen that when interior slide 29 is forward, coil spring 30 has sufficient force to orient floating socket 34 as shown in FIG. 3 with the upper surface 37 of dampening head 34 engaging and aligned with the upper interior curved wall 33 of floating socket block 28. In this position socket block 28 is lifted and moved forward so that axle 31 is positioned in the rearward lower portion of circular openings 32. 
     Upon discharge of the rifle, internal slide 29 moves rapidly rearward under gas pressure until its slide face 38 abuts floating socket block 28. Socket block 28 is then forced rearwardly to the position shown in FIG. 4 whereupon slide face 38 abuts stationary cylinder receiver extension 23 and stops. During this travel of slide 29 from the point when it first engages floating socket 28 until the floating socket 28 engages the axle 31, the momentum of the speeding slide 29 is in part absorbed and dissipated by causing floating socket block 28 to move rearwardly and downwardly. Further, energy is absorbed through the compression of coil spring 30 as slanted dampening rod head 34 moves forward in reaction to the reduction of space between axle 31 and upper area of socket wall 33. That portion of slide energy not absorbed during this dampening action is absorbed as slide face 38 reaches and engages receiver extension 23 to bring slide 29 to a complete stop. 
     The floating socket 28, axle 31, receiver extension 23, slide rod 27 and rod dampening head 34 are made of steel. No rubber, plastic or other resilient materials are used with the exception of coil spring 30 which is made of spring steel. The use of steel parts avoids the disadvantage of non-steel parts which include ageing and deterioration by solvent action.