Patent Publication Number: US-7905042-B2

Title: Handheld single shot firearm

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 61/134,060, filed Jul. 7, 2008 entitled “Palm Pistol”, having a common applicant herewith and being incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosures made herein relate generally to handheld single shot firearms and, more particularly, to handheld single shot firearms having a pistol grip that is gripped by the palm of a hand and having a barrel with a centerline axis that extends through the palm of the hand. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is well known that a firearm specifically configured for self-defense is useful and desirable in many situations and for many types of persons. In fact, a majority of states within the United States of America offer permits for concealed carry of firearms for personal defense. While conventional handheld firearms such as multi-round pistols (i.e., barrel over pistol grip configuration) can be carried in a concealed manner, there are many aspects of such conventional handheld multi-round firearms that are undesirable to some persons wanting a firearm strictly for defensive purposes. For example, for elder persons and/or those who are not overly familiar with firearms, examples of such undesirable aspects of conventional handheld multi-round firearms include but are not limited to the safety mechanism being cumbersome to operate especially in defensive situations, the safety and/or trigger operation being difficult for seniors, disabled or others who may have limited strength or manual dexterity, the use of the index finger for firing causing muzzle drift during firing, the overall appearance/ size of the firearm being undesirable, and the like. 
     Various types of handheld single shot firearms having a pistol grip that is gripped by the palm of a hand and having a barrel with a centerline axis that extends through the palm of the hand are known. In general, these handheld single shot firearms are specifically configured and/or intended for defensive purposes. These handheld single shot firearms are also generally more ‘user-friendly’ than conventional handheld multi-round firearms for persons and/or those who are not overly familiar with firearms or persons using them in an emergency and/or back-up situation. However, these known handheld single shot firearms each exhibit one or more shortcomings that limit their effectiveness. Examples of such shortcomings include, but are not limited to, using index finger to actuate trigger, non-existent or limited means for integral mounting of accessories, lacking interlock between breech access and firing function, lacking interlock between safety mechanism and the like. 
     Therefore, a handheld single shot firearm having a pistol grip that is gripped by the palm of a hand and having a barrel with a centerline axis that extends through the palm of the hand and that overcomes drawbacks associated with conventional handheld single shot firearms would be advantageous, desirable and useful. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide for a single shot firearm having a stock (i.e., a pistol grip) that is gripped by the palm of a hand and having a barrel with a centerline axis that extends through the palm of the hand. More specifically, firearms configured in accordance with the present invention can be fired using either hand without regard to orientation of the stock in that the stock is both ambidextrously and bilaterally symmetrical about the barrel centerline axis. This configuration makes such firearms functionally independent of a user&#39;s hand dominance or bilateral orientation. Furthermore, firearms in accordance with the present invention are configured using the thumb instead of index finger for firing, thereby significantly reducing muzzle drift to provide more accurate targeting. Accordingly, such firearms are especially well suited for applications such as, for example, home defense, concealed carry, and/or as a backup gun. They are also ideally suited for seniors, disabled or others who may have limited strength or manual dexterity. Additionally, firearms configured in accordance with the present invention are suitable for use by persons with phalangeal amputations. Thus, a skilled person will appreciate that a firearm configured in accordance with the present invention advantageously overcomes one or more shortcomings associated with conventional handheld single shot firearms that are intended primarily for defensive purposes. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, a firearm comprises a stock, a striker, a barrel, two safety release buttons, and two striker release triggers. The striker is moveably mounted within a cavity of the stock and is movable between a discharged position and a charged position. The barrel is attached to the stock and has a bore that defines a barrel bore centerline axis and that is configured for receiving therein a round of ammunition. Two safety release buttons are movably exposed at an exterior surface of the stock. The safety release buttons are diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the barrel bore centerline axis. Each one of the safety release buttons is independently movable from a respective at-rest position to a respective safety release position. The striker release triggers are movably exposed at the exterior surface of the stock and are diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the barrel bore centerline axis. The safety release buttons and the striker release triggers are diametrically aligned with a common axis. Each one of the striker release triggers is coupled to a respective one of the safety release buttons and to the striker in a manner whereby displacement of at least one of the striker release triggers from a respective at-rest position to a respective displaced position when the safety release buttons are each simultaneously in the respective safety release position allows the striker to be moved from the charged position toward the discharged position. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, a firearm comprises a stock, receiver body, a striker, a barrel, two safety-release assemblies, and a striker release assembly. The receiver body is mounted on the stock. The striker is slideably mounted on the receiver body. The striker is slideable along a striker displacement axis between a charged position and a discharged position. The barrel is pivotably mounted on the receiver body. The barrel is pivotable about a barrel pivot axis extending substantially perpendicular to a barrel bore centerline axis and is pivotable about the barrel pivot axis between an open orientation with respect to the stock and a closed orientation with respect to the stock. The barrel bore centerline axis is axially aligned with the striker displacement axis when the barrel is in the closed orientation. The safety release assemblies are movable mounted on at least one of the receiver body and the stock. The safety release assemblies are independently operable from each other and each include a finger engaging member exposed at an exterior surface of the stock. The finger engaging members of the safety release assemblies are diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the striker displacement axis. The striker release assembly is movable mounted on at least one of the receiver body and the stock. The striker release assembly includes two finger engaging members each exposed at an exterior surface of the stock. The finger engaging members of the striker release assembly are diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the striker displacement axis. The finger engaging members of the striker release assembly and the finger engaging members of the safety release assemblies are diametrically aligned with a common axis. The striker release assembly is coupled between each one of the safety release assemblies and the striker. The striker release assembly allows the striker to be moved from the charged position to the discharged position when the safety release assemblies are each simultaneously in a respective safety release configuration and at least one of the finger engaging members of the striker release assembly is subsequently moved from a respective at-rest position to a respective displaced position. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, a firearm comprises a stock, a receiver body, a firing mechanism, a barrel, a firing mechanism release assembly, and two independently operable safety release assemblies. The stock having an exterior contour that is generally symmetric with respect to opposing end portions thereof, a front edge portion thereof and at least a portion of opposing side surfaces thereof. The front edge portion extends between the opposing end portions and the opposing side surfaces. The receiver body is mounted within the stock. The firing mechanism is moveably mounted on at least one of the receiver body and the stock and is movable between a primer engaging configuration and a charged configuration. The barrel is pivotably mounted on the receiver body and is pivotable about the barrel pivot axis between an open orientation and a closed orientation. A centerline axis of a bore of the barrel is axially aligned with a firing pin of the firing mechanism when the barrel is in the closed orientation and the firing mechanism is in the primer engaging configuration. The barrel is pivotable about a barrel pivot axis extending substantially perpendicular to the barrel bore centerline axis. The barrel extends through the front edge portion of the stock. The firing mechanism release assembly is movable mounted on at least one of the receiver body and the stock, is coupled to the firing mechanism, and includes two finger engaging members each exposed at an exterior surface of the stock at a respective one of the opposing end portions. The finger engaging members of the firing mechanism release assembly are diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the barrel bore centerline axis. Movement of the firing mechanism release assembly from a respective at-rest configuration to a respective displaced configuration allows the firing mechanism to be moved from the charged configuration toward the primer engaging configuration. The safety release assemblies are movable mounted on at least one of the receiver body and the stock. Each one of the safety release assemblies include a finger engaging member exposed at the exterior surface of the stock at the front edge portion. The finger engaging member of the safety release assemblies are diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the barrel bore centerline axis. The finger engaging members of the firing mechanism release assembly and the finger engaging members of the safety release assemblies are diametrically aligned with a common axis. The safety release assemblies inhibit movement of the finger engaging members of the firing mechanism release assembly from the respective at-rest position to the respective displaced position until both of the safety release assemblies are moved from a respective at-rest configuration to a respective displaced configuration. 
     These and other objects, embodiments, advantages and/or distinctions of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification, associated drawings and appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a right frontal perspective view showing a handheld single-shot firearm in accordance with the present invention, wherein a barrel of the firearm is in a closed orientation. 
         FIG. 2  is a left frontal perspective view of the firearm of  FIG. 1 , wherein the barrel of the firearm is in the closed orientation. 
         FIG. 3  is a left rear perspective view of the firearm of  FIG. 1 , wherein the barrel of the firearm is in the closed orientation. 
         FIG. 4  is a right frontal perspective view of the firearm of  FIG. 1 , wherein the barrel of the firearm is in an open orientation. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 2 , wherein the firearm is in a striker charged configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is a right frontal perspective view showing certain components that reside within the stock of the firearm of  FIG. 1 , wherein such components are visible in view of the stock of the firearm being omitted and wherein such components are in a configuration corresponding to a striker of the firearm being in a striker charged configuration. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 2 , wherein the firearm is in a striker discharged configuration. 
         FIG. 8  is a right frontal perspective view showing certain components that reside within the stock of the firearm of  FIG. 1 , wherein such components are visible in view of the stock of the firearm being omitted and wherein such components are in a configuration allowing the striker of the firearm to be moved to a striker discharged configuration. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 2 , showing details of a combination lock of the firearm of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  is a right rear perspective view showing details of the combination lock of the firearm of  FIG. 1 , such details being visible in view of the stock being omitted. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 2 , showing details of a sear-mounted striker-arresting device of the firearm of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 12  is a right rear perspective view showing certain details of the sear-mounted striker-arresting device of  FIG. 11 , wherein such details are visible in view of the stock of the firearm being omitted. 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  13 - 13  in  FIG. 2 , showing details of a latch-mounted striker-arresting device of the firearm of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 14  is a top view showing certain details of the latch-mounted striker-arresting device of  FIG. 13 , wherein such details are visible in view of the stock of the firearm being omitted and wherein the latch is in a barrel release position thereof and wherein the barrel is in a non-closed orientation thereof. 
         FIG. 15  is a top view showing certain details of the latch -mounted striker-arresting device of  FIG. 13 , wherein such details are visible in view of the stock of the firearm being omitted, wherein the latch is in a barrel securing position thereof and wherein the barrel is in a closed orientation thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a firearm  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The firearm  100  is a single shot firearm having a stock  102  that is gripped by the palm of a hand and having a barrel  104  with a centerline axis (BCA) that extends through the palm of the hand. In this manner, the firearm  100  can be fired using either hand without regard to orientation of the stock  102  in that the firearm  100  is both ambidextrously and bilaterally symmetrical about the barrel centerline axis (BCA). It should be noted that the centerline axis of the barrel is also referred to herein as the barrel bore centerline axis in that it defines a longitudinal centerline axis of a bore  105  of the barrel  104 . 
     The stock  102  has an exterior contour that is generally symmetric with respect to a first end portion  106 , a second end portion  108  (i.e., opposing end portions), a front edge portion  110 , and at least a portion of a first side surface  112  and a second side surface  114  (i.e., opposing side surfaces). The front edge portion  110  extends between the opposing end portions  106 ,  108  and the opposing side surfaces  112 ,  114 . A rear edge portion  115  is opposite the front edge portion  110 . The barrel  104  extends through the front edge portion  110  of the stock  102  in a manner whereby the barrel centerline axis (BCA) approximately bisects the stock  102  with respect to a vertical reference axis VRA and lateral reference axis LRA, which both extend through the stock  102 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the barrel  104  is pivotably attached at a first end portion  116  thereof to a receiver body  118  that is fixedly mounted within a cavity of the stock  102 . The barrel  104  pivots about a barrel pivot axis BPA between a closed orientation C (shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ) with respect to the receiver body  118  and an open position O (shown in  FIG. 4 ) with respect to the receiver body  118 . The barrel pivot axis BPA extends substantially perpendicular to the barrel centerline axis BCA and substantially parallel to the vertical reference axis VRA of the stock  102 . 
     Moving the barrel  104  from the closed orientation C to the open orientation O allows for various functionalities associated with firing the firearm  100 . One such functionality is that moving the barrel  104  from the closed orientation C to the open orientation O allows a round of ammunition  120  ( FIG. 4 ) to be installed into and removed from within a chamber of the barrel  104 . Examples of the round of ammunition  120  include, but are not unnecessarily limited to, a 9 mm round of ammunition, a .38 Special round of ammunition, a .357 Magnum round of ammunition or other type/size round of ammunition. As is discussed below in greater detail, movement of the barrel  104  from the open orientation O toward the closed orientation C causes a charging arm engaging surface  122  of the barrel  104  to engage a charging arm assembly  124  of the barrel  104 . The charging arm assembly  124  is slideably mounted on the receiver body  118  in a manner allowing the charging arm assembly  124  to move along an axis in a direction toward the barrel  104  (i.e., toward an extended position CAP 1  thereof ( FIG. 4 )) and in a direction away from the barrel  104  (i.e., toward a displaced position CAP 2  thereof ( FIG. 4 )). The charging arm assembly  124  can be selectively coupled to the firing mechanism in a manner whereby movement of the charging arm assembly  124  from the extended position CAP 1  to the displaced position CAP 2  causes the firing mechanism to be moved from a discharged configuration thereof to a charged configuration thereof. The charging arm assembly  124  is spring biased in the direction toward the extended position CAP 1 . Movement of the barrel  104  from the open orientation O toward the closed orientation C causes the charging arm surface  122  of the barrel  104  to engage the charging arm assembly  124  and to move the charging arm assembly  124  in the direction opposite the barrel  104 . In this manner, as is discussed below in greater detail, the charging arm assembly  124  causes a firing mechanism mounted on the receiver body  118  to be moved from a primer engaging configuration (i.e., discharged configuration) to a charged configuration (i.e., energized configuration). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , a barrel latch  126  is pivotably mounted on the receiver body  118 . Optionally, the barrel latch  126  can be mounted on the stock  102  or both the stock  102  and the receiver body  118 . A pivot axis LPA of the barrel latch  126  is located between a barrel engaging portion  128  of the barrel latch  126  and a manual control portion  130  of the barrel latch  126 . The pivot axis LPA of the barrel latch  126  extends substantially parallel to the vertical reference axis VRA of the stock  102 . The barrel latch  126  is pivotable between a barrel securing position BLP 1  ( FIG. 1 ) and a barrel release position BLP 2  ( FIG. 4 ). Preferably, the barrel latch  126  is resiliently biased toward the barrel securing position BLP 1 . The barrel engaging portion  128  engages a mating portion  132  (e.g., lugs) of the barrel  104  when the barrel  104  is in the closed orientation C and the barrel latch  126  is in the barrel  104  securing position BLP 1  thereby securing the barrel in the closed orientation C. The barrel latch  126  disengages from the mating portion  132  of the barrel  104  when the barrel latch  126  is moved from the barrel securing position BLP 1  to the barrel release position BLP 2  thereby allowing the barrel  104  to be moved from the closed orientation C toward the open orientation O. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the firearm  100  includes safety release buttons  134 ,  136  and triggers  138 ,  140 . The safety release buttons  134 ,  136  and the triggers  138 ,  140  are examples of finger engaging members. The safety release buttons  134 ,  136  are diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the barrel centerline axis BCA and are exposed at the front edge portion  110  of the stock  102 . With respect to the safety release buttons  134 ,  136 , diametrically opposed refers to the safety release buttons  134 , 136  being equally spaced away from the barrel centerline axis BCA by an equal distance and lying on a common axis. The triggers  138 ,  140  are diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the barrel centerline axis BCA and are each exposed at a respective one of the opposing end portions  106 ,  108 . With respect to the triggers  138 ,  140 , diametrically opposed refers to the triggers  138 ,  140  being equally spaced away from the barrel centerline axis BCA by an equal distance and lying on a common axis. The safety release buttons  134 ,  136  and the triggers  138 ,  140  are diametrically aligned with the vertical reference axis VRA (i.e., a common axis). Diametrically aligned with a common axis is defined herein to mean that, as viewed in a direction parallel with the barrel centerline axis BCA, the safety release buttons  134 ,  136  and the triggers  138 ,  140  reside on a common axis. As disclosed above, the firearm  100  can be fired using either hand without regard to orientation of the stock  102  in that the firearm  100  is both ambidextrously and bilaterally symmetrical about the barrel centerline axis BCA in view of the disclosed placement and orientation of the safety release buttons  134 ,  136  and the triggers  138 ,  140 . Furthermore, the front edge portion  110  of the stock  102  and the safety release buttons  134 ,  136  provides a proprioceptive straight line reference plane perpendicular to the centerline of the barrel  104  approximating a line of fire of the firearm  100 . 
     The triggers  134 ,  136  are concealed under protective covers  142 ,  144 . The protective covers  142 ,  144  are each biased to a respective at-rest position PCP 1  and are movable between the respective at-rest position PCP 1  and a respective open position PCP 2  ( FIG. 1 ). Each one of the triggers  138 ,  140  are accessible from the exterior surface of the stock  102  when the associated protective cover  142 ,  144  is in its open position PCP 2 . 
     The triggers  138 ,  140  are coupled to a firing mechanism of the firearm in a manner whereby depressing either of the triggers  138 ,  140  (i.e., moving inwardly with respect to the stock  102 ) allows the firing mechanism mounted on the receiver body  118  to be moved from the charged configuration toward the primer engaging configuration. Such movement causes a round of ammunition within the chamber of the barrel  104  to be discharged. The safety release buttons  134 ,  136  are coupled to the triggers  138 ,  140  in a manner whereby movement of either one of the triggers  138 ,  140  is inhibited until the both safety release buttons  134 ,  136  are depressed (i.e., moved inwardly with respect to the stock  102 ) and held in such depressed orientation. Thus, once both safety release buttons  134 ,  136  are depressed and simultaneously held in such depressed configuration, movement of depressing either one of the triggers  138 ,  140  allows the firing mechanism to be moved from the charged configuration toward the primer engaging configuration. Such interoperability of the safety release buttons  134 ,  136  and the triggers  138 ,  140  is one embodiment of a safety mechanism configured in accordance with the present invention. 
     It can be seen that a thumb is used for depressing one of the triggers  138 ,  140  to fire the firearm  100 . This is advantageous in that a firearm configured in accordance with the present invention can be fired by persons with phalangeal amputations. Furthermore, a thumb actuated trigger arrangement is also ideally suited for seniors, disabled or others, who may have limited strength and/or manual dexterity. Furthermore, a principal factor of inaccurate fire is lateral muzzle drift induced during trigger squeeze. The joint configuration of the stock  102 , the barrel  104  and the triggers  138 ,  140  result in a firearm configuration where a thumb is used for releasing the firing mechanism, which significantly reduces lateral muzzle drift induced during trigger squeeze. 
     An additional advantage of the configuration of the stock  102  and the barrel  104  is its low bore axis. Recoil forces are directed rearward, coincident with the barrel centreline axis BCA of the firearm  100 . This arrangement reduces muzzle rise that occurs in firearms having a bore axis that is above the centerline of the firearm  100 . The arrangement of a firearm in accordance with the present invention has dynamics similar to a rifle where the recoil force is directed rearward to the shoulder but in this instance, the palm is simply substituted for the shoulder. 
     The bisecting position of the barrel  104  with respect to the stock  102  provides for proprioceptive determination (i.e., hand-eye coordination) of barrel elevation, which largely mitigates the need for iron sights. Accordingly, in preferred embodiments, the firearm  100  does not include mechanical sights (e.g., iron sights). However, as shown herein, the firearm  100  can be configured for having mounted thereon (e.g., on the barrel  104 ) a laser sighting device  149  (e.g., a LaserLyte brand subcompact model V 2  laser sight, or similar). To this end, the barrel  104  can include an accessory mount  147  and/or have a tip portion thereof configured with helical threads, splines or the like. It is also disclosed herein that the accessory mount  147  can be configured to serve as a hand guard that prevents an operator&#39;s hand from protruding beyond the barrel  104 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-8 , functionality relating to the operation of the firearm  100  will be discussed in detail. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , one embodiment of a firing mechanism configured in accordance with the present invention includes a striker  150  slideably mounted on the receiver body  118  and a striker spring  152  that biases the striker  150  toward a discharged position SP 1  ( FIG. 7 ). The striker  150  is slideable along a striker displacement axis SDA between the discharged position SP 1  and a charged position SP 2  ( FIG. 5 ). The striker displacement axis SDA is axially aligned with the barrel centerline axis BCA. It is disclosed herein that the striker  150  is one embodiment of a firing mechanism. Other types of firing mechanisms (e.g., a hammer) are well known in the art. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 5-8 , a first safety release assembly  160  and a second safety release assembly  162  are movable mounted on the stock  102 . Optionally, the receiver body  118  could be configured for having one or both of the safety release assemblies  160 ,  162  mounted thereon. The safety release assemblies  160 ,  162  are independently operable from each other. The first safety release assembly  160  includes the first safety release button  134 , a first safety release linkage  164  and a first safety linkage biasing spring  166 . The second safety release assembly  162  includes the second safety release button  136 , a second safety release linkage  168  and a second safety linkage biasing spring  170 . Each one of the safety release assemblies  160 ,  162  are movable between a respective at-rest configuration RAC 1  (shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) and a respective displaced configuration RAC 2  (shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ). The first and second safety release assemblies  160 ,  162  are each biased to the respective at-rest configuration RAC 1  by the respective safety linkage biasing spring  166 ,  170 . 
     A striker release assembly  176  is movable mounted jointly on the receiver body  118  and the stock  102 . The striker release assembly  176  includes a striker sear  178 , a first sear linkage  180 , a second sear linkage  182  and the triggers  138 ,  140 . The striker sear  178  is pivotably coupled at a central portion thereof to the receiver body  118 . The first sear linkage  180  is engaged at a first end portion thereof with a first end portion of the striker sear  178  and is engaged at a second end portion thereof with the first trigger  138 . The second sear linkage  182  is engaged at a first end portion thereof with a second end portion of the striker sear  178  and is engaged at a second end portion thereof with the second trigger  140 . In this manner, depressing either one of the triggers  138 ,  140  from a respective at-rest position TP 1  ( FIG. 5 ) to a respective displaced position TP 2  ( FIG. 7 ) causes the striker sear  170  to rotate about a sear pivot axis SPA from a striker holding position SSP 1  (shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) to a striker release position SSP 2  (shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ). Similarly, movement of the striker sear  178  from the striker release position SSP 2  toward the striker holding position SSP 1  causes both of the triggers  138 ,  140  to move from the respective displaced position TP 2  toward the respective at-rest position TP 1 . The striker sear  178  is biased toward the striker holding position SSP 1  by one or more torsion springs  183  (shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 ). 
     Accordingly, it can be seen that the striker sear  178  holds the striker  150  in the charged position SP 1  when the striker  150  is in the charged position SP 1  and the striker sear  178  is in the striker holding position SS 1 . Displacement of either one of the triggers  138 ,  140  from the respective at-rest position TP 1  to the respective displaced position TP 2  causes the striker sear  178  to move from the striker holding position SSP 1  to the striker release position SSP 2 , thereby allowing the striker spring  152  to forcibly urge the striker  150  from the charged position SP 2  toward the discharged position SP 1 . In conjunction with achieving the discharged position SP 1 , a firing pin  153  of the striker  150  engages a primer of a round of ammunition disposed within the barrel  104 . As discussed above, both safety release assemblies  160 ,  162  must be in the respective displaced configuration RAC 2  for either of the triggers  138 ,  140  to be movable from the respective at-rest position TP 1  to the respective displaced position TP 2 . As can be see in  FIG. 6 , when the safety release assemblies  160 ,  162  are in their respective at-rest configuration RAC 1 , an interlock protrusion  173  of each one of the sear linkages  180 ,  182  is engaged with a corresponding one of the safety release linkages  164 ,  168  in a manner whereby such engagement inhibits movement of either one of the triggers  138 ,  140  from their respective at-rest position TP 1  toward their respective displaced position TB 2 . It is disclosed herein that the striker release assembly  176  is in a respective striker holding configuration when the triggers  138 ,  140  are in the respective at-rest position TP 1  and is in a respective striker release configuration when the triggers  138 ,  140  are in the respective displaced position TP 2 . 
     Functionality that a charging arm assembly can provide with respect to a firing mechanism is well known in the art. However, with respect to embodiments of the present invention, operability of the charging arm assembly  124  is distinct and advantageous based upon its reliance on the pivoting action of the barrel  104 . Accordingly, presented herein is a description of the manner in which the charging arm assembly  124  serves to move the striker  150  from its discharged position SP 1  toward its charged position SP 2 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  7 , the charging arm assembly  124  includes a charging arm  184 , a charging arm disconnect  186 , a charging arm spring  188 , a charging arm disconnect guide  190 , a disconnect pivot pin  192 , a disconnect stop pin  194  and a disconnect camming pin  196 . The charging arm  184  is slideably mounted on the receiver body  118  in a manner allowing the charging arm  184  to move along an axis in a direction toward the barrel  104  (i.e., toward the extended position CAP 1  thereof ( FIG. 4 )) and in a direction away from the barrel  104  (i.e., toward a displaced position CAP 2  thereof ( FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  7 )). With the striker  150  in its discharged position SP 2  and when the barrel  104  is moved from its closed orientation C to its open orientation O, the charging arm spring  188  urges the charging arm forward through contact of the charging arm disconnect guide  190  with the charging arm disconnect  186 . Mating surfaces of the charging arm disconnect guide  190  and the charging arm disconnect  186  in combination with force exerted on the charging arm disconnect  186  by the charging arm spring  188  cause the charging arm disconnect  186  to rotate about the disconnect pivot pin  192  (clockwise in  FIG. 7 ) to a striker engaging position (i.e., the position achieved when the charging arm disconnect rotates into contact with the disconnect stop pin  194 ). Rotation of the charging arm disconnect  186  occurs after the charging arm  184  moves sufficiently toward its extended position CAP 1  for causing the charging arm disconnect  186  to clear a disconnect engaging portion of the striker  150  (e.g., a disconnect lug  198  thereof). 
     Movement of the barrel  104  from the open orientation O toward the closed orientation C causes the charging arm engaging surface  122  of the barrel  104  to engage the charging arm  184  and displace the charging arm  184  from its extended position CAP 1  toward its displaced position CAP 2 . During a first portion of the displacement of the charging arm  184  toward its displaced position CAP 2 , the charging arm disconnect  186  engages the disconnect lug  198  of the striker  150 . Continued displacement of the charging arm  184  toward its displaced position CAP 2  (i.e., through continued movement of the barrel  104  from its open orientation O toward its closed orientation C) results in the striker  150  moving past its charged position SP 1 . Such movement past the charged position SP 1  allows the striker sear  178  to be biased to its striker securing position SSP 1  by the torsion spring  183  ( FIGS. 6 and 8 ) and causes engagement of the charging arm disconnect  186  with disconnect camming pin  196  to rotate the charging arm disconnect  186  about the disconnect pivot pin  192  (counter-clockwise in  FIG. 5 ) to a disengaged position with respect to the disconnect lug  198  of the striker  150 . Upon the charging arm disconnect  186  becoming disengaged from the disconnect lug  198  of the striker  150 , the striker spring  152  urges the striker  150  into contact with a sear engaging portion of the striker sear  178  (e.g., a sear lug  199  thereof) at its charged position SP 1 . 
     It is desirable and advantageous for the firearm  100  to include one or more ancillary safety mechanisms besides the safety release assemblies  160 ,  162  for precluding unintentional and/or unauthorized discharge thereof. Precluding an unauthorized person from firing the firearm  100  is one such situation where it is desirable and advantageous for the firearm  100  to include one or more ancillary safety mechanisms to address this potential situation. Precluding the unintentional discharge of the firearm  100  when the barrel  104  is being moved from its open orientation O toward its closed orientation C is another such situation where it is desirable and advantageous for the firearm  100  to include one or more ancillary safety mechanisms to address this potential situation. Precluding the unintentional discharge of the firearm  100  in the event that the striker sear  178  does not properly engage the striker  150  after the striker  150  has been moved to its charged position SP 2  is yet another such situation where it is desirable and advantageous for the firearm  100  to include one or more ancillary safety mechanisms to address this potential situation. Precluding the unintentional discharge of the firearm  100  in the event that the striker sear  178  releases from the striker  150  without the striker release assembly being displaced for causing such release of the striker sear  178  is yet another such situation where it is desirable and advantageous for the firearm  100  to include one or more ancillary safety mechanisms to address this potential situation. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the firearm  100  can include a combination lock  200  for selectively inhibiting movement of the striker  150  from the charged position SP 1  toward the discharged position SP 2 . Incorporation of the combination lock  200  allows only a person with knowledge of a multi-digit (e.g., 3-digit) combination to fire the firearm  100 . The combination lock  200  is positioned at the rear edge portion  115  of the stock  102  and includes a plurality of tumbler wheels  202 , a lock shaft  204  and a lock shaft spring  206 . The lock shaft  204  is slideably mounted within a mating passage of the stock  102  and each one of the tumbler wheels  202  is rotatably mounted on the lock shaft  204 . The lock shaft  204  is slideable between an at-rest position LSP 1  and a striker engaging position LSP 2 . The lock shaft  204  is biased to the at-rest position LSP 1  by the lock shaft spring  206 . When the lock shaft  204  is in its at-rest position LS  1 , it is disengaged from the striker  150  such that it does not inhibit movement of the striker  150 . The striker  150  includes a lock shaft aperture  208 , which is positioned such that the lock shaft  204  extends into the lock shaft aperture  208  when the striker  150  is in the charged position SP 2  and the lock shaft  204  is in the striker engaging position LSP 2 . In any known manner, the lock shaft  204  and the tumbler wheels  202  are jointly configured for allowing the lock shaft  204  to freely move between its at-rest position LSP 1  and its striker engaging position LSP 2  when the tumbler wheels  202  are set to a collective rotational orientation that corresponds to a multi-digit combination of the combination lock  200 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the firearm  100  can include a sear-mounted striker-arresting device  300  for inhibiting movement of the striker  150  from the charged position SP 1  toward the discharged position SP 2  in the situation where the striker sear  178  does not properly engage the striker  150  after the striker  150  has been moved to its charged position SP 2 . The sear-mounted striker-arresting device  300  is pivotably attached at a first end portion  302  thereof to a rear end portion  304  of the striker sear  178  and is pivotably engaged at a central portion  306  thereof to a fixed pivot member  308  of the stock  102 . Optionally, the fixed pivot member  308  can be integral with the receiver body  118 . A second end portion  310  of the sear-mounted striker-arresting device  300  engages a mating surface  312  of the striker  150  when the striker sear  178  is in the striker released position SSP 2  (see  FIG. 7 ). The mating surface  312  of the striker  150  that is engagable by the sear-mounted striker-arresting device  300  includes an engagement feature  314  (e.g., a notch) configured for being engaged by the second end portion  310  of the sear-mounted striker-arresting device  300  in a manner whereby the second end portion  310  of the sear-mounted striker-arresting device  300  engages the engagement feature  314  of the striker  300  to inhibit unrestricted movement of the striker  150  from adjacent the charged position SP 2  thereof toward the discharged position SP 1  thereof. Accordingly, the sear-mounted striker-arresting device  300  arrests movement of the striker  150  if the striker sear  178  fails to return to the striker holding position SSP 1  prior to the charging arm disconnect  186  releasing from engagement with the striker  150 . 
     Besides accidental firing of the weapon via accidental depression of the triggers, which is at least partially addressed by the safety assemblies  160 ,  162  and the triggers protective covers  142 ,  144 , an adverse situation can arise if the charging arm disconnect  186  fails or the striker sear  178  does not reset to engage the striker  150  upon closing of the barrel  104 . In short, the concern is, what if the striker  150  is charged about 90% of the way and the striker  150  is inadvertently released due to a failed charging arm disconnect  186  or the lack of the striker sear  178  properly moving to the striker holding position SSP 1 . The first safety feature of the firearm  100  to prevent this type of failure is the fact that the striker  150  is configured to not be engagable with a chambered round&#39;s primer until the barrel  104  is nearly 100% closed. This aspect covers a good portion of the concern. However, preferably, the firearm  100  will include a safety feature to preclude the potential for the striker  150  to accidentally fire right when the barrel  104  is achieving its closed orientation C in the case where the trigger sear  178  or charging arm disconnect  186  fails or malfunctions. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13-15 , the firearm  100  can include a latch-mounted striker-arresting device  400  for inhibiting unrestricted movement of the striker  150  from the charged position SP 2  toward the discharged position SP 1  in the situation where the charging arm disconnect  186  releases from engagement with the striker  150  prior to the striker sear  178  moving to its striker holding position SSP 1  and when the barrel  104  has nearly achieved or is in its closed orientation C (i.e., with the barrel latch  126  in its barrel release position BLP 2 ). Accordingly, the latch-mounted striker-arresting device  400  is specifically configured to preclude accidental firing of the firearm  100  when the barrel  104  is achieving its closed orientation C and the trigger sear  178  or charging arm disconnect  186  fails or malfunctions. The latch-mounted striker arresting device  400  is attached to the barrel latch  126  at a location between the barrel latch pivot axis LPA and an end portion of the barrel latch  126  adjacent the manual control portion  130 . In the depicted embodiment, the latch-mounted striker arresting device  400  includes a resilient strip of material such as spring steel. As shown in  FIG. 14 , the latch-mounted striker arresting device  400  and the barrel latch  126  are jointly configured for causing the latch-mounted striker arresting device  400  to be resiliently biased into contact with a surface  402  of the striker  150  when the barrel  104  is in an orientation between its closed orientation C and its open orientation O with the barrel latch  126  in the barrel release position BP 2  and for causing such contact to be discontinued when barrel latch  126  is in its barrel securing position BP 1 . The surface  402  of the striker  150  engagable by the latch-mounted striker arresting device  400  includes an engagement feature  404  (e.g., a notch) configured for being engaged by the latch-mounted striker arresting device  400  in a manner whereby unrestricted movement of the striker  150  toward the discharged position SP 2  is inhibited when the latch-mounted striker arresting device  400  is in contact with the surface  402 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , when the barrel  104  is in its closed orientation C and the barrel latch  126  is in a barrel securing position BLP 1 , the latch-mounted striker-arresting device  400  is not engagable with the engagement feature  404  of the striker  150 , thereby allowing unrestricted movement of the striker  150  from its charged position SP 2  toward its discharged position SP 1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 15 , the firearm  100  can include a loaded chamber indicating structure that is integral with the barrel latch  126 . The loaded chamber indicating structure includes an ammunition engaging member  500  fixedly engaged with and protruding from the barrel engaging portion  128  of the barrel latch  126 . The ammunition engaging member  500  protrudes into the chamber of the barrel  104  in a manner whereby, when a round of ammunition  120  is disposed within the chamber of the barrel  104 , the ammunition engaging member  500  engages the round of ammunition  120  when the barrel latch  126  is in the barrel securing position BLP 1  thereby causing the barrel latch  126  to be held in a particular orientation of the barrel securing position BLP 1  indicating that the round of ammunition  120  is within the chamber of the barrel  104  (e.g., slightly skewed orientation of the barrel securing position BLP 1 ). For example, when a round of ammunition is in the chamber of the barrel  104 , engagement of the ammunition engaging member  500  with the round of ammunition causes the barrel latch  126  to be in an orientation that secures the barrel  104  in its closed orientation and that is also slightly skewed with respect to the stock  102  and the receiver  118  when compared to the orientation of the barrel latch  126  when a round of ammunition is not in the chamber of the barrel  104 . In this manner, specific orientations of the barrel latch  126  indicate whether or not a round of ammunition is in the chamber of the barrel  104 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the barrel latch  126  has a an edge surface treated with a colored material (e.g., paint, anodizing, or the like) such that when the barrel latch  126  is in the orientation indicating that a round of ammunition is in the chamber of the barrel  104 , at least a  10  portion of the color treated surface is exposed. Otherwise, such color treated surface is not exposed to visual sight (e.g., is concealed by a portion of the barrel  104 ). 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of such inventive disclosures. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.