Abstract:
A triple-barrel firearm includes three barrels in a triangular array mounted on a rear stock. The rear stock is connected to the firearm rearward of the firearm&#39;s trigger assembly by a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly in turn, includes a locking member and a manually-activatable release member whereby the rear stock can be pivoted between a first “fire ready” position distal with respect to the trigger assembly and a second “storage” position proximal with respect to the trigger assembly. The locking member automatically locks the rear stock in the first position or the second position. The release member unlocks the locking member upon manual activation thereof to enable pivoting of the rear stock from the first position to the second position or vice versa. The rear stock further includes an opening for a retainer for firearm accessories.

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to firearms, and more specifically, to triple-barrel combined firearms of the break-open, breech-loading type. 
         [0002]    In my prior patent, U.S. Pat. No. 6,935,063, I fully disclose and claim a triple-barrel shotgun of the foregoing type. In that patented device, each of the three barrels has the same gauge for receiving identically sized shells. If at least one of the barrels of this firearm were to be rifled to accept a standard rifle bullet cartridge, a combined firearm will result combining the advantages of a shotgun and a rifle in a unitary gun with substantially enhanced flexibility of use. For example, when hunting game, it would be desirable to have a single firearm that has the dual capability of using a rifle for long range and a shotgun for short range targeting. It would be further desirable to provide a firearm of the forgoing type that a folding rear stock so that the firearm could be collapsed into a more compact form when being stored away and/or not used. 
         [0003]    Accordingly, briefly summarized, the present invention provides a firearm of the break-open, breech-loading type having three barrels, at least one which preferably is rifled to accept a standard rifle cartridge and bullet of selected size, and the other two of which preferably are smooth-bore to accept shot gun shells of a selected gauge thereby producing a single firearm having the dual advantages and capabilities of both a shotgun and a rifle. Additionally, the rear stock of the firearm is hingedly connected to the firearm rearward of the firearm&#39;s trigger assembly. The hinge assembly includes a locking member and a manually-activatable release member whereby the rear stock can be folded or pivoted between a first “fire ready” position distal with respect to the trigger assembly and a second “storage” position proximal with respect to the trigger assembly. The locking member automatically locks the rear stock in the first position or the second position. The release member unlocks the locking member upon manual activation thereof to pivot the rear stock from the first position to the second position or vice versa. The rear stock further includes an opening for a retainer for firearm accessories. 
         [0004]    Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The invention will be better understood and the above object as well as objects other than those set forth above will become more apparent after a study of the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portion of the first preferred embodiment of the invention showing the breach of the gun in an open condition. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the first preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the first preferred embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein the dashed outline shows the barrel of the firearm in the “break open” position (breach open). 
           [0009]      FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of the barrel of the first preferred embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of a second alternatively preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4C  is a cross-sectional view of a third alternatively preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4D  is a cross-sectional view of the barrel of a fourth alternatively preferred embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4E  is a cross-sectional view of a fifth alternatively preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4F  is a cross-sectional view of a sixth alternatively preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a partially exposed side view of the first preferred embodiment of the invention of  FIGS. 1-4  schematically showing the trigger and firing mechanism thereof. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a frontal portion of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4  schematically showing screw-in choke tubes employed with the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a seventh alternatively preferred embodiment of the invention showing the firearm including a pivotal-folding stock assembly according to the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the alternatively preferred embodiment of the invention of  FIG. 7  showing the pivotal-folding stock in the folded or compact storage condition. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is enlarged portion of the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 9  indicated by the circle  10  in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a schematic view based upon  FIG. 10  showing activation of the locking/unlocking assembly of the pivotal-folding stock of the invention via opposed push-buttons mounted on the assembly. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a side view of an eighth alternatively preferred embodiment of the invention showing an open-frame pivotal-folding stock including resilient retainers for storing chokes and shotgun shells or the like within the interior space defined by the open framework stock. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is cross-sectional view taken along line  14 - 14  in  FIG. 13 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    With reference to the drawings, preferred embodiments of my new and improved triple-barrel combined firearm apparatus will now be described in detail, it being understood that the foregoing detailed description is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art and therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents falling within the broad scope of the subject matter described herein may be resorted to in carrying out the present invention. 
         [0026]    Substantially as depicted in  FIGS. 1-4A , the first preferred embodiment of the invention is similar to the triple-barrel shotgun shown and described in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,935,063, which patent disclosure hereby is incorporated herein by this reference and made part of this specification. Thus, a firearm is provided comprising first top barrel  10  resting on and between second and third bottom barrels  11  and  12 , respectively. The three barrels  10 ,  11 , and  12  which preferably are fabricated from a single piece of suitable gun metal, are joined to a suitable hand-grip  22 , which in turn, is attached to stock  14 . A recoil-cushion or shock absorbing pad  15  terminates the stock  14  at the distal rear extremity of the firearm. 
         [0027]    Stock  14  further includes a “break open” lever  13  which when actuated opens the breach and exposes the three rearward open chambers of the barrels  10 ,  11 , and  12  substantially as depicted in  FIG. 1 . In this “break open” or “breach open” condition of the firearm apparatus, the front of the firearm points downwardly as represented by the dashed lines  23  in  FIG. 3 . The trigger assembly  24  which allows an individual to fire the firearm also is supported on stock  14  and as disclosed in my prior &#39;063 patent can include various known trigger and firing pin arrangements including multiple triggers to achieve intended results of firing ammunition in a desired sequence with regard to the triple barrel configuration. A top barrel ventilated rib  30  is attached integrally and longitudinally to barrel  10  to help dissipate heat and provide support for a sight bead  31 . 
         [0028]    When the “break open” lever  13  is activated (i.e. pushed to the side), the breach is opened causing barrels  10 ,  11 , and  12 , and the hand-grip  22  to pivot downwardly about pivot pin connection  42 . This action ejects shells or cartridges from the barrels  10 ,  11  and  12  via the ejector assembly  40  and its associated ejector arms  41   a ,  41   b  and  41   c  all as more specifically described in column 3, lines 49-56 of my prior &#39;063 patent, incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0029]    In one aspect, the firearm apparatus of the present invention differs from my prior patented shotgun by the provision of at least one “rifle barrel” in the three barrel triangular arrangement shown. As is well known, a rifle barrel has an internal spiral groove or the like machined or otherwise formed into its interior surface to impart spin to the bullet or projectile traveling down the barrel. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, in the first preferred embodiment ( FIGS. 1-4A ), barrel  10  is smaller in diameter then barrels  11  and  12  (which are smooth bore or shot gun barrels) and has a “rifled” interior surface  10   a  running its entire longitudinal extent. More specifically, and preferably speaking, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4A , the barrel  10  is suitably dimensioned to accept a 45 caliber bullet whereas barrels  11  and  12  are suitably dimensioned to accept a 20 gauge shot gun shell, respectively. 
         [0030]    Of course, it will be appreciated that that dimensions of the individual barrels in the combined barrel array may be varied to meet individual requirements. Thus, in  FIG. 4B , a second alternatively preferred arrangement is depicted where the rifle barrel or bullet size is 30-06 and the shotgun shell size is 12 gauge whereas in  FIG. 4C , a third alternatively preferred arrangement is depicted where the rifle barrel  10  is suitably dimensioned to accept a 22 caliber bullet and shot gun barrels  11  and  12  are suitably sized to accept a 410 gauge shot gun shell, respectively. 
         [0031]    It will be appreciated further that with respect to  FIGS. 4A-4C , the different barrel configurations when viewed in cross-section, substantially as depicted, generally form a triangular array characterized by first, second and third barrels where one barrel rests on two lower barrels. It will be understood that the reverse arrangement ( FIGS. 4A-4C  rotated 180 degrees) could just as easily be adopted where two barrels rest on a single lower barrel, these latter arrangements are not being shown in the drawings to for the sake of economy of presentation. 
         [0032]    In order to select which barrel is operative when the trigger of trigger assembly  24  is pulled, the apparatus includes a safety and/or barrel selector switch  43  located behind “break open” lever  13  ( FIGS. 1 and 5 ). Operation of the switch  43  is effective via a suitable mechanism indicated generally by reference sign  110  ( FIG. 5 ) located in the stock above trigger assembly  24  to select a hammer and associated firing pin corresponding to the selected barrel, all as fully disclosed in my prior &#39;063 patent in connection with FIGS. 8 and 9 therein (column 4, lines 4-63), incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0033]    As schematically shown in  FIG. 6 , a conventional screw-in choke tube  100  can be removably attached to either or both shot gun barrels  11  and  12 . The choke tube  100  has a ported front end portion  101  and suitable screw threads  102  on its back end portion adapted to engage complimentary threads (unlabeled) suitably embedded in interior surface of the front portion of each barrel  11  or  12 . Choke tubes  100  can be employed to control the pattern of shot emanating from either shot gun barrel  11  or  12 , as is well known in the art. 
         [0034]    In yet another or seventh alternatively preferred embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 7-14 , the firearm apparatus of the present invention differs in another aspect from my prior patented shotgun by the provision of a foldable or pivotal gun stock  14   a . Stock  14   a , which preferably includes the usual cushion or pad  15   a , is pivotally joined or hinged to a rearward extension  60  of a portion of the firearm housing including trigger assembly  24  by way of a push-button-axle assembly generally indicated by reference sign  62 , the details of which will be more fully explained subsequently. 
         [0035]    Rearward extension  60  terminates in a reduced thickness tongue portion  64  of rectangular cross-sectional shape which, in turn, is adapted to be received within a suitable complimentary recess or channel  66  preferably of rectangular cross-sectional shape provided in stock member  14   a  ( FIG. 9 ). The rear wall  68  of recess or channel  66  provides an abutment stop against and with respect to confronting edge  70  of tongue portion  64  when the stock is pivotally folded or hinged about the pivot axis defined by push-button-axle assembly  62  between a folded compact storage condition and an unfolded fire-ready condition, substantially as indicated in  FIG. 8  by arrow  72  and the broken-line outline of stock  14   a . It will be appreciated that in the unfolded “fire-ready” condition, the stock  14   a  is located distally with respect to the trigger assembly  24  whereas in the folded “storage or non-use” condition, the stock  14   a  is located proximally to the trigger assembly  24 , substantially as depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
         [0036]    Push-button-axle assembly  62  not only supports foldable stock  14   a  on the rear portion of the firearm (extension  60 , tongue  64 ) for pivotal movement as aforesaid, but furthermore provides means for automatically locking the foldable stock  14   a  relative to the firearm in each of two conditions, i.e. folded/storage, and unfolded/operative or fire ready. More specifically, push-button-axle assembly  62  comprises a transverse insert located in a central, preferably cylindrical, recess  74  extending commonly through stock  14   a  and extension  64  ( FIG. 10 ). Central recess  74  terminates in a pair of opposed enlarged openings  76 ,  78  (preferably cylindrical) intercepting the outer surfaces  80 ,  82 , respectively, of corresponding opposed bifurcated portions  84 ,  86  of stock  14   a  as viewed in  FIG. 10 . In accordance with the invention, the common central recess  74 , indicated by dashed line  88 , defines an imaginary central rotation or hinge axis for the foldable, rotatable stock  14   a  relative to the extension  64  and therefor the rear portion or remainder of the firearm. It will be noted, that such hinge axis  88  lies generally transverse to the longitudinal barrel axis of the firearm. 
         [0037]    A pair of preferably cylindrical, opposed plunger members  90 ,  92  are disposed in central recess  74  separated by a resilient member, such as a conventional spiral compression spring  94 . The plunger members  90 ,  92  are suitably affixed to preferably cylindrical push-buttons  96 ,  98 , respectively. A pair of collars or bushings  104 ,  106  are respectively affixed or seated in the enlarged openings  76 ,  78 , and the push-buttons are, in turn, seated generally co-axially within bushings  96 ,  98 , substantially as shown. Collars or bushings  96 ,  98  are suitably fixed relative to bifurcated portions  84 ,  86  as by being press-fitted therein, respectively, whereas push-buttons  96 ,  98  are adapted, respectively, to travel or slide axially along axis  88  toward compression spring  94  when depressed inwardly ( FIG. 12 ). 
         [0038]    Turning for the moment to  FIGS. 10-12 , a radially extending key or locking lug  108 ,  110  respectively is fixedly seated suitably within a corresponding recess in each plunger member  90 ,  92 . Each locking lug  108 ,  110 , in turn, is adapted to be slidingly received in either one of two angularly displaced slots  112 ,  114  in each collar or bushing  104 ,  106  under the influence of compression spring  94  resiliently acting upon each plunger member  90 ,  92 , respectively. In this regard, it is to be noted that slots  112  and  114  are located on the inside annular edge of each bushing  104 ,  106 , respectively, and extend partially axially substantially as depicted to define a corresponding reception notch. For example, in  FIG. 11  (folded condition of stock  14   a ), locking lug  108  is shown engaging bushing  104  by being received within the reception notch defined by slot  112 . 
         [0039]    In accordance with the invention, the push-button insert assembly is suitable securely fixed to firearm extension  64  by suitable known means (not shown to avoid obfuscation). The bifurcated portions  80 ,  82  of stock  14   a  and the corresponding bushings  104  and  106  seated therein and affixed to stock  41   a  are freely supported on the insert and allowed to rotate about axis  88 . However, in two positions of the stock  14   a , namely, the folded condition and the operative ready-to-fire condition (see  FIGS. 7 and 8 ), the stock  14   a  is locked in place by the engagement of locking lugs  108  and  110  in their corresponding reception notches on bushings  104  and  106 , respectively. In order to unlock the stock  14   a  for movement between the folded condition to the unfolded condition or vice versa, all that is necessary is to depress push-buttons  96 ,  98  to cause the plungers  90  and  92  to travel toward each other axially (along axis  88 ) thereby compressing spring  94  and causing the locking lugs  108  and  110  to move axially inwardly toward each other into the enlarged spaces  76  and  78 , substantially as depicted in  FIG. 12 . When stock  14   a  then is moved to its new condition (position), and the push buttons  96  and  98  are released, either one of the slots  112 ,  114  depending upon the angular position of the stock will come into axial alignment with confronting locking lugs  108  and  110 , and the lugs will be resiliently urged to enter the appropriate reception slot by the action of spiral spring  94  thereby again causing automatic locking action of the stock  14   a  relative to the firearm in the new condition. 
         [0040]    Turning now to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , there is shown an eighth alternately preferred variation of the present invention wherein the folding stock  14   a , designated  14   b , features an “open frame” construction. A polygonally-shaped opening or recess  118  in stock  14   b  provides room for a transverse strut member  120  dividing the interior space defined by opening  118  into two compartments. In the first such compartment, located proximal to end bar  15   b , a transverse shot-gun shell retainer fence  122  is mounted substantially as shown. Fence  122  includes spaced retainer grooves, each suitably sized and shaped to resiliently engage and support a shotgun shell  124  or the like. In this manner, the first compartment can be used to conveniently store shotgun shells (or other ordinance) during use of the firearm. 
         [0041]    In the second compartment, defined by opening  118  in stock  14   b , located proximal to push-button-insert assembly  62 , a second transverse retainer fence  22   b  (similar to fence  22 ) is provided to resiliently engage and support a pair of chokes  100  ( FIG. 6 ), substantially as shown. In this manner, the second compartment can be used to conveniently store chokes during use of the firearm. 
         [0042]    As mentioned above, in one of its aspects, the present invention contemplates at least one of the barrels  10 ,  11  or  12  being rifled to accept bullets in lieu of shot gun shells to yield a single firearm that has attributes of both a shot gun and a rifle. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that arrangements where two of the three barrels are rifled, or even where all three barrels are rifled, or where the rifled barrel (or barrels) are positioned on the bottom of the triangular array (instead of on top as shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C  of the drawings) also are within the compass of the present invention. 
         [0043]    More specifically, in this respect,  FIG. 4D  schematically illustrates a fourth alternatively preferred arrangement where a pair of rifle barrels  10   b  and  10   c , respectively, are positioned below a smooth-bore (shotgun) barrel  11   a ; and  FIG. 4E  schematically illustrates a fifth alternatively preferred arrangement where each of the three rifle barrels  10   d ,  10   e  and  10   f , respectively, are rifle barrels having a “rifled” longitudinal bore  10   a  and wherein the caliber of each rifle barrel is different with respect to the others, i.e. barrel  10   d  is smallest, barrel  10   e  has a caliber larger than that of barrel  10   d , and barrel  10   f  has a caliber larger than barrel  10   e , substantially as depicted. It will be appreciated that in this alternatively preferred embodiment of  FIG. 4E , the location of each barrel of differing caliber relative to the other barrels is not critical. Thus, while barrel  10   d  of smallest caliber is shown positioned on top in  FIG. 4E , either of the other two barrels  10   e  and/or  10   f  might be positioned on top as well. 
         [0044]    Finally,  FIG. 4F  schematically illustrates a sixth alternatively preferred embodiment where each of the three rifle barrels  10   g  is a rifle barrel having a “rifled” longitudinal bore  10   a , and where the caliber of each rifle barrel  10   g  is substantially the same as the others, substantially as depicted. 
         [0045]    As above with respect to  FIGS. 4A-4C , the different barrel configurations of  FIGS. 4D-4F  when viewed in cross-section, substantially as depicted, generally form a triangular array characterized by first, second and third barrels where one barrel rests on two lower barrels. Here again, it will be understood that the reverse arrangement ( FIGS. 4D-4F  rotated 180 degrees) could just as easily be adopted where two barrels rest on a single lower barrel, these latter arrangements not being shown in the drawings for the sake of economy of presentation. 
         [0046]    An arrangement where all three barrels is a smooth bore or shotgun barrel is fully disclosed in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,935,063 (incorporated herein by reference). Thus, it will be clear that the unique combination of such triple-barrel “shotgun” and the folding stock of  FIGS. 7-14  also is within the contemplation of the present invention. 
         [0047]    In summary, it should be appreciated from the foregoing, that an important feature of the present invention is the novel combination of a triple-barrel firearm, regardless of the particular arrangement of the three barrels making up the array, with a folding stock (e.g.  FIGS. 7-14 ) and the annexed claims should be construed as and so broadly. 
         [0048]    As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, the same is apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly, no further discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation need be provided. 
         [0049]    Thus, while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications thereof may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use. For example, the hinge axis for the foldable, rotatable stock  14   a  relative to the extension  64  and therefor the rear portion or remainder of the firearm can be positioned vertically as viewed in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , in which case the stock  14   a  can be arranged to pivot or fold orthogonally relative to the remainder of the firearm or in a direction “in and out” of the plane of these drawing  FIGS. 7 and 8 , as will occur to a person of ordinary skill in this art. 
         [0050]    Hence, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications as well as all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification.