Abstract:
A folding pistol comprising of a first elongated portion including a barrel, with a second elongated portion including a grip. The first and second portions being pivotally connected to each other and movable between a closed position in which the first portion and second portion abut each other to define a rectangular peripheral profile and an open position in which the second portion is angularly disposed with respect to the first portion; and wherein the pistol is operable to discharge when in the open position and in an inoperable condition in the closed position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/253,990 filed on Nov. 13, 2015, entitled “Folding Pocket Pistol,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       [0002]      FIG. 1  shows the left side view of the pistol folded for storage or transport. 
         [0003]      FIG. 2  shows the right side view of the pistol folded for storage or transport. 
         [0004]      FIG. 3  shows the left front view of the pistol folded for storage or transport. 
         [0005]      FIG. 4  shows the right rear view of the pistol folded for storage or transport. 
         [0006]      FIG. 5  shows the front view of the pistol folded for storage or transport. 
         [0007]      FIG. 6  shows the left side view of the pistol with the barrel unlocked and tilted up for loading. 
         [0008]      FIG. 7  shows the left side view of the pistol unfolded for firing. 
         [0009]      FIG. 8  shows the right side view of the pistol unfolded for firing. 
         [0010]      FIG. 9  shows the front left view of the pistol unfolded for firing. 
         [0011]      FIG. 10  shows the front right view of the pistol unfolded for firing. 
         [0012]      FIG. 11  shows the left rear view of the pistol unfolded for firing. 
         [0013]      FIG. 12  shows the right rear view of the pistol unfolded for firing. 
         [0014]      FIG. 13  shows the front view of the pistol unfolded for firing. 
         [0015]      FIG. 14  shows the rear view of the pistol unfolded for firing. 
         [0016]      FIG. 15  shows the left rear view of the pistol unfolded for firing. 
         [0017]      FIG. 16  shows the right side view of the pistol with the cover plate removed to show the internal mechanism and the interaction of the trigger/sear with the bolt. 
         [0018]      FIG. 17  shows the right side view of the pistol with the cover plate removed to show the internal mechanism and the interaction of the trigger/sear with the bolt. 
         [0019]      FIG. 18  shows the right side view of the pistol with the cover plate removed to show the internal mechanism and the interaction of the trigger/sear with the bolt. 
         [0020]      FIG. 19  shows an exploded view as seen from the left side with individual part names and a corresponding part number. 
         [0021]      FIG. 20  shows an exploded view as seen from the right side with individual parts visible. Not all fasteners are shown here for clarity. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  shows the left side view of the pistol folded for storage or transport. The pistol is the same size and shape as a standard credit card as viewed from the side with a thickness of ½ an inch as drawn. The present design is intended to provide a small, compact and comfortable design for a firearm that can be easily carried or stored when folded. At the same time, it is desired that the pistol should be comfortable and substantial enough when made ready to fire. The pistol has a full-size handle that unfolds from the frame to make a more traditional pistol shape and size. Care should be taken to provide the necessary safety features and so the pistol has a half-cocked position that makes the pistol safe for storage or transport whether folded or unfolded. In this current design the pistol is chambered for .22 caliber rimfire cartridges in short, long or long rifle variety. The pistol is sized properly to also fire .22 WMR, .17 HMR and .17 Mach 2 with only a change in the chamber. Accessory barrels in any of these other calibers could be made and switched out on the same gun with just one screw. The present design has a storage compartment built into the handle for spare cartridges or other necessary small items. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  shows the right side view of the pistol folded for storage or transport. The present design utilizes through holes in the upper corner of the frame to allow secure storage by means of a padlock. When locked, the bolt is captured in the safe position and cannot be made to fire whether folded or unfolded. The present design is shown constructed of mostly machined billet parts, both aluminum and steel. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  shows the left front view of the pistol folded for storage or transport. The pistol is safe in this position and cannot be made to fire. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  shows the right rear view of the pistol folded for storage or transport. 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  shows the front view of the pistol folded for storage or transport. The sight rail is a v-groove along the top of the barrel and frame. 
         [0027]      FIG. 6  shows the left side view of the pistol with the barrel unlocked and tilted up for loading. The barrel in this current design is unlocked by pressing the button just behind the pivot screw. Other means of locking and unlocking could be utilized. NEW: the barrel latch was relocated for safety reasons to the rear of the gun to lessen the likelihood of a person placing their hand over the muzzle while attempting to release the barrel latch. The latch itself was redesigned to a sliding lock instead of a push button to prevent accidental movement. An additional feature is incorporated to lock the barrel closed when the gun is cocked. A small tab on the lower side of the barrel interfaces with the bolt in the cocked position and also completes the latch mechanism. 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  shows the left side view of the pistol unfolded for firing. As shown, the pistol is still in the halfcocked position which is the safe position for the bolt. The trigger is captured by the recess in the bolt and cannot move. A single button on the left side of the handle of the present design is utilized to fold and unfold the handle. The button is spring activated and is simply depressed slightly to unlock the pivot. The handle locks in both the folded and unfolded positions. Other means of locking and unlocking could be utilized. The handle lock mechanism has been changed as we found that a right-handed shooter could accidentally unlock the handle and fold the gun when attempting to fire. It was determined that the mechanism had to change from a pushbutton to a latch that slides to limit accidental unlocking, especially during firing. 
         [0029]      FIG. 8  shows the right side view of the pistol unfolded for firing. The pistol is shown in the half-cocked position with the bolt flush with the rear section of the frame. 
         [0030]      FIG. 9  shows the front left view of the pistol unfolded for firing. 
         [0031]      FIG. 10  shows the front right view of the pistol unfolded for firing. 
         [0032]      FIG. 11  shows the left rear view of the pistol unfolded for firing. 
         [0033]      FIG. 12  shows the right rear view of the pistol unfolded for firing. 
         [0034]      FIG. 13  shows the front view of the pistol unfolded for firing. The smaller pocket in the handle receives the trigger when the pistol is folded. This locks the trigger in place and captures the bolt so the pistol is safe when folded. In addition, the trigger is positioned such that it will not fit into the pocket when the pistol is in the cocked or fired position. Therefore, there is a mechanical block that prevents the handle from being locked closed in any unsafe position. 
         [0035]      FIG. 14  shows the rear view of the pistol unfolded for firing. 
         [0036]      FIG. 15  shows the left rear view of the pistol unfolded for firing. The bolt is shown in the cocked position after having been pulled fully to the rear. NEW: with the addition of the barrel locking mechanism, now the barrel is locked once the gun is cocked by pulling the bolt rearward. The bolt has a new recess/boss that corresponds to the barrel latch/lock when in the cocked position. 
         [0037]      FIG. 16  shows the right side view of the pistol with the cover plate removed to show the internal mechanism and the interaction of the trigger/sear with the bolt. This is the cocked position with the bolt fully to the rear and the sear engaging the smooth front edge of the bolt. It shows also the new design of the bolt that interacts with the barrel locking tab as well as detail of the barrel latching mechanism. 
         [0038]      FIG. 17  shows the right side view of the pistol with the cover plate removed to show the internal mechanism and the interaction of the trigger/sear with the bolt. This is the fired position with the bolt fully forward and the firing pin is able to strike the cartridge rim. It should be noted that the current designs allows for zero interference of the firing pin with the chamber/barrel breech. This allows for “dry firing” of the pistol with no harm whatsoever. From this fired position the bolt must be pulled slightly to the rear in order to reload and place the pistol into the half-cocked position. Once the bolt is released and is in its forward (uncocked) position, the barrel can be unlatched and raised to load or unload. 
         [0039]      FIG. 18  shows the right side view of the pistol with the cover plate removed to show the internal mechanism and the interaction of the trigger/sear with the bolt. This view shows the bolt and trigger/sear in the half-cocked position. In this position the pistol is safe even if loaded since the bolt and firing pin cannot move forward. The trigger cannot be pulled either. The only movement possible from this position is to cock the pistol fully by pulling the bolt to the rear. In the unlikely event that the bolts slips before locking in the fully cocked position it will simply stop in the half-cocked position thereby preventing an accidental discharge. Only the barrel locking mechanism is different. The half-cocked position functions in the same way as a passive safety. 
         [0040]      FIG. 19  shows an exploded view as seen from the left side with individual part names and a corresponding part number. Not all fasteners are shown here for clarity. Descriptions are listed here with material selection as currently designed:
         1 . Barrel frame, aluminum or steel NEW: solid steel, one piece barrel (not a liner)     2 . Barrel liner, chrome-moly pre-rifled barrel liner NEW: this part is eliminated     3 . Frame cover plate, aluminum     4 . Pistol frame, aluminum     5 . Trigger spring     6 .  6   a  and  6   b  are identical push button springs NEW: the new latch springs are still identical to each other, but the pushbuttons have been eliminated.     7 . Storage compartment cover, injection molded plastic. NEW: the cover is now   aluminum     8 .  8   a  and  8   b  are identical push buttons NEW: sliding latches that are identical and replace the pushbuttons.     9 . Mainspring     10 . Bolt, steel NEW: modified to receive the barrel lock mechanism.     11 . Pistol handle, aluminum     12 . Trigger/Sear, steel     13 . Handle cover plate, aluminum       
 
         [0055]      FIG. 20  shows an exploded view as seen from the right side with individual parts visible. Not all fasteners are shown here for clarity.