Patent Description:
In particular, the present invention relates to a rifle preferably, but not necessarily, for hunting.

In still further detail, the rifle object of the present invention is of the type in which the rearming operations are performed by the user by axially manually moving the slide assembly.

In the prior art, rifles with the aforementioned features and operating modes are known.

In particular, embodiments of rifles are known which comprise a fixed main body grippable by the user, and a slide assembly manually movable by the user to rearm the round. In particular, it is known in such rifles to move the slide assembly between an advanced configuration and a retracted configuration and vice versa. Preferably, such known rifle solutions comprise a rearming trigger, or rearming lever, grippable by the user to carry out the aforesaid operations. Examples of said known prior art solutions are disclosed in documents <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative rifle solution to the known solutions of the prior art. In particular, the rifle solution which is the object of the present invention has a slide assembly suitable for sliding on the receiver in such a way as to open it at the top in the entirety thereof, while at the same time ensuring a predetermined, replicable and safe advanced shooting configuration.

Said object is achieved by means of the rifle according to claim <NUM>. The claims dependent on this request protection for further features and entail further technical benefits.

In addition, further features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the description provided below of the preferred embodiments thereof given as non-limiting examples in reference to the accompanying figures, in which:.

With reference to the accompanying figures, a rifle according to this invention is indicated, in the entirety thereof, with the numeral <NUM>.

The rifle <NUM> which is the object of the present invention comprises a plurality of components which by convention are defined as fixed, and a plurality of components which are defined as movable.

According to the present invention, the rifle <NUM> comprises a fixed main body <NUM>.

Such main body <NUM> is grippable or embraceable by the user, for example in shooting or aiming operations, comprising a stock and/or forend.

According to the present invention, the fixed body <NUM> comprises a barrel <NUM> which extends along an axis X-X. The axis X-X is therefore the barrel axis.

Preferably, with reference to movements or certain characteristics or components, "axial" is understood to mean movements or characteristics or components which occur or which are positioned parallel to said axis X-X, i.e. parallel to the barrel <NUM>. In some cases, such movements or characteristics or components are along the barrel axis X-X. Alternatively to the term "axial", the term "longitudinal" is also used.

According to the present invention, the main body <NUM> comprises a receiver <NUM>.

Preferably, the receiver <NUM> is made of a material belonging to the family of metals or metal alloys, or polymers, or polymeric materials, or composite materials.

According to the present invention, the receiver <NUM> has an upper opening <NUM>.

In other words, the receiver <NUM> has an opening <NUM> facing the vertical direction.

In still other words, the receiver <NUM> is a receiver "without a castle".

The receiver <NUM> is a hollow component suitable for containing components, shooting mechanisms, and bullets.

Preferably, the barrel <NUM> extends from the receiver <NUM>.

Preferably, the stock extends from the receiver <NUM>.

Preferably, the forend extends from the receiver <NUM>.

Preferably, the receiver <NUM> also comprises a lower opening <NUM>. The bullets enter through said lower opening <NUM>. Preferably, a magazine <NUM> is accommodated in the receiver <NUM>. Preferably, the magazine <NUM> is inserted into the rifle through said lower opening <NUM>. Preferably, the magazine <NUM> closes said lower opening <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the main body <NUM> also comprises a breech element <NUM> positioned at an axial end of said upper opening <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the breech element <NUM> extends in height, preferably in a vertical direction.

Preferably, the barrel <NUM> is mountable to the breech element <NUM> at an opposite end from the firing mouth of the barrel <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the breech element <NUM> is included in the barrel <NUM>: the breech element <NUM> is the axial end opposite the firing mouth of the barrel <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the aforementioned components, listed in a non-limiting manner, that are part of the main body <NUM> are all mutually distinct components.

According to an embodiment variant, the aforementioned components, listed in a non-limiting manner, that are part of the main body <NUM> are sometimes mutually integral: some components are mutually integrally connected to each other.

According to the present invention, the rifle <NUM> comprises a trigger assembly <NUM> operable by the user to carry out the shooting action.

The trigger assembly <NUM> is at least partly accommodated in the receiver <NUM>.

Said trigger assembly <NUM> comprises a trigger <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the trigger assembly <NUM> further comprises a hammer device <NUM> operable by the trigger <NUM>.

According to the present invention, the rifle <NUM> comprises a slide assembly <NUM> comprising a shutter group <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the shutter group <NUM> also comprises striker members operable by the actuated hammer device <NUM>.

More generally, the slide assembly <NUM> comprises components, the movements and actuations of which involve a shooting action and a rearming action, i.e. discharging the exploded case to the outside and loading the bullet from the magazine <NUM>.

According to the present invention, the slide assembly <NUM> is positioned on the receiver <NUM> at the upper opening <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the slide assembly <NUM> is positioned and has a shape suitable for closing said upper opening <NUM>.

Preferably, the slide assembly <NUM> slides on the axial edges <NUM> delimiting the upper opening.

According to a preferred embodiment, the slide assembly <NUM> comprises an assembly body <NUM> comprising dedicated guides <NUM> suitable for sliding on said axial edges <NUM>.

According to the present invention, the slide assembly <NUM> is axially movable by the user between an advanced shooting configuration and a retracted rearming configuration, and vice versa.

Preferably, the slide assembly <NUM> comprises a rearming handle <NUM>, or rearming trigger, or rearming lever, grippable by the user to perform the aforesaid operations.

According to the present invention, in the advanced or shooting configuration, the shutter group <NUM> engages the breech element <NUM>, thus completely closing the upper opening <NUM>. In said advanced configuration, the rifle <NUM> is therefore ready to execute the shooting action, acting with the trigger assembly <NUM>, in particular with the hammer device <NUM> engaging the shutter group <NUM>, in particular the striker members.

According to the present invention, in the retracted rearming configuration, the slide assembly <NUM> is positioned so that the upper opening <NUM> is open. This means that the upper opening <NUM> is accessible from the top. Preferably, the upper opening <NUM> is accessible both from the top and from the sides.

In the retracted configuration, the rifle <NUM> has discharged the cartridge case, and is ready to be brought back to the advanced shooting configuration. In said movement, the slide assembly <NUM> is therefore suitable for reloading a bullet which may therefore be the object of the shooting action.

According to the present invention, the rifle <NUM> comprises a recoil group <NUM> at least partially accommodated in the receiver <NUM> suitable for cooperating with the slide assembly <NUM>.

Preferably, the recoil group <NUM> is suitable for performing a thrust action on the slide assembly <NUM> to push it, carry it and keep it in the advanced configuration.

According to a preferred embodiment, the thrust device <NUM> comprises a thrust lever <NUM> suitable for carrying out a thrust action in the axial direction on the slide assembly <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the thrust lever <NUM> is rotationally movable around a lever axis R-R which extends substantially transversely.

Furthermore, the thrust device <NUM> comprises a thrust spring <NUM> which performs a torsional action on the thrust lever <NUM>.

According to the invention, the thrust lever <NUM> extends between a lever upper end <NUM> and a lever lower end <NUM>.

Said lever upper end <NUM> is suitable for engaging the advancing slide assembly <NUM> to push it into the advanced configuration.

In other words, the lever upper end <NUM>, for thrust, is suitable for engaging it in certain axial positions of the slide assembly <NUM> and for discharging the action of the thrust spring <NUM> thereon by pushing it axially.

According to the invention, in the retracted configuration, the slide assembly <NUM> engages the thrust lever <NUM>, pushing it into a retracted position.

In other words, in the retracted configuration, the slide assembly <NUM> keeps the thrust lever <NUM> pressed downwards.

According to a preferred embodiment, the slide assembly <NUM> comprises an assembly body <NUM> suitable for interacting with the thrust lever <NUM>.

Preferably, the assembly body <NUM> comprises a housing cavity <NUM> facing the receiver <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the thrust lever <NUM> is suitable for operating with the assembly body <NUM>, finding accommodation in said cavity <NUM>. Preferably, the lever upper end <NUM> is suitable for being accomodated in said cavity <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the cavity <NUM> is delimited by cavity edges <NUM>, <NUM> and the thrust lever <NUM>, and in particular the lever upper end <NUM> thereof, thrust engages a cavity edge <NUM>.

Preferably, the cavity edges <NUM>, <NUM> are a front cavity edge <NUM>, proximal to the breech element <NUM>, and a rear cavity edge <NUM>, distal from the breech <NUM>, respectively.

According to a preferred embodiment, the front cavity edge <NUM> is thrust engageable by the lever upper end <NUM>.

Preferably, the front cavity edge <NUM> is shaped to facilitate the lever upper end <NUM> resting thereon.

According to a preferred embodiment, the rear cavity edge <NUM> is specially shaped to allow the lever upper end <NUM> to slide.

Preferably, said housing cavity <NUM> is positioned axially distally from the breech element <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, in the advancement operations of the slide assembly <NUM>, the recoil group <NUM> is suitable for engaging the slide assembly <NUM> in an axial position of the latter proximal to the breech element <NUM>, preferably at a distance which is less than <NUM> from the breech element <NUM>, preferably <NUM> from the breech element <NUM>.

Preferably, a final advancement stretch is identified, wherein the slide assembly <NUM> is proximal to the breech element <NUM>, and wherein said recoil group <NUM> is therefore suitable for acting in thrust on the assembly body <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the recoil group <NUM> is positioned and the respective components are designed to act only in said final advancement stretch of the slide assembly <NUM>.

Preferably, the aforesaid described levers cooperate with the slide assembly <NUM> in such a way as to perform the axial thrust action in said final stretch, assisting the manual action of the user and assisting the positioning of the slide assembly <NUM> in the advanced shooting configuration.

According to a preferred embodiment, the recoil group <NUM> comprises a stop member <NUM> operatively connected to the thrust lever <NUM> to keep the thrust lever <NUM> in a retracted position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the stop member <NUM> is suitable for engaging the lever lower end <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, said stop member <NUM> is adapted to keep the thrust lever <NUM> in the retracted position also, and sometimes particularly, with the slide assembly <NUM> disassembled from the receiver <NUM>.

Preferably, the thrust lever <NUM> operates only in the presence of the slide assembly <NUM> which is mounted to the receiver <NUM> and moved axially towards the advanced configuration.

According to a preferred embodiment, the stop member <NUM> comprises a stop lever <NUM> rotationally movable around a stop axis F-F.

Preferably, the stop axis F-F has an extension substantially parallel to the barrel axis X-X.

According to a preferred embodiment, the stop lever <NUM> comprises a first stop end <NUM> suitable for engaging the thrust lever <NUM> and a second stop end <NUM>.

Preferably, the stop member <NUM> comprises a stop spring <NUM> suitable for performing a thrust action on the stop lever <NUM>.

Preferably, said stop spring <NUM> is an axial thrust spring.

According to a preferred embodiment, the recoil group <NUM> further comprises a connecting device <NUM> for connecting the stop member <NUM> and the slide assembly <NUM>.

Preferably, by means of the connecting device <NUM>, the slide assembly <NUM> influences the position and the condition of the stop member <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting device <NUM> is suitable for engaging the stop member <NUM> depending on the axial position of the slide assembly <NUM> to command it into engagement with or disengagement from the thrust lever <NUM>.

Preferably, the presence of the slide assembly <NUM> influences the position of the connecting device <NUM> which in turn engages the stop member <NUM>, which is therefore commanded to disengage from the thrust lever <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting device <NUM> comprises a connecting lever <NUM> engageable by the slide assembly <NUM> positionable between a raised position, in which it is disengaged from the stop member <NUM>, and a lowered position, in which it engages the stop member <NUM>, disengaging it from the thrust lever <NUM>.

Preferably, the engagement between the slide assembly <NUM> and the connecting lever <NUM> causes the axial thrust and the lowering of the connecting lever <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting lever <NUM> comprises a slide engagement end <NUM> engageable by the slide assembly <NUM> and a stop engagement end <NUM> engageable to the stop member <NUM>.

Preferably, the slide engagement end <NUM> is arched to allow engagement and sliding of the slide assembly <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting device <NUM> comprises a connecting spring <NUM> which operates on the connecting lever <NUM> to keep it in the raised position <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting device <NUM> is positioned in such a way as to be closer to the breech element <NUM> than to the housing cavity <NUM>. Preferably, the connecting device <NUM> acts before the housing cavity <NUM> is in a position to allow the thrust lever <NUM> to enter.

According to a preferred embodiment, the rifle <NUM>, further comprises an intercept device <NUM> housed in the receiver <NUM> suitable for intercepting the slide assembly <NUM> in an undesired retraction movement. In particular, an undesired retraction movement occurs when the rifle <NUM> recoils or shakes.

According to a preferred embodiment, the intercept device <NUM> is suitable for intercepting the assembly body <NUM> which is the object of a retraction movement, for example a recoil.

Preferably, the intercept device <NUM> comprises an intercept lever <NUM> rotationally movable around a transverse intercept axis I-I.

Preferably, the intercept device <NUM> also comprises an intercept spring <NUM> suitable for exerting a thrust action on the intercept lever <NUM> to keep it in a rest and disengaged position.

Preferably, the intercept spring <NUM> is a torsional spring.

According to a preferred embodiment, the intercept lever <NUM> comprises a coupling end <NUM> and an inertial mass end <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the intercept lever <NUM> has the center of gravity thereof unbalanced towards the inertial mass end <NUM>, and is movable in rotation into an intercept position in which it is suitable for intercepting the assembly body <NUM>. In other words, the recoil action and said particular shape of the intercept lever <NUM> causes a rotation.

Preferably, the coupling end <NUM> is shaped to couple the slide assembly <NUM>.

Preferably, the assembly body <NUM> comprises a coupling portion <NUM>.

Preferably the coupling end <NUM> and the coupling portion <NUM> are specially shaped to engage each other.

According to a preferred embodiment, the trigger assembly <NUM> comprises a trigger box <NUM> which is at least partly removably accommodable in the receiver <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the trigger box <NUM> is insertable into the receiver <NUM> through said lower opening <NUM>.

Preferably, the thrust device <NUM> is housed in said trigger box <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the stop member <NUM> is also partially housed in the trigger box <NUM>.

Preferably, the connecting device <NUM> and the intercept device <NUM> are housed on the receiver <NUM> transversely engaged by a wall of the trigger box <NUM>.

The above-described movements and actuations of the various components, as well as the order of the accompanying drawings, are such as to describe the axial advancement actions of the slide assembly <NUM>. On the contrary, the same procedures take place in the retraction operations.

Innovatively, the rifle which is the object of the present invention amply fulfills the intended purpose.

Advantageously, the rifle which is the object of the present invention is an alternative solution to the known ones.

Advantageously, the rifle which is the object of the present invention comprises a recoil group specifically suitable for operating with the slide assembly to bring it into the advanced shooting configuration.

Advantageously, the rifle comprises, in the entirety thereof, the various components of the recoil group housed in the fixed main body, and only specific portions and/or ends of some levers act with the slide assembly.

Advantageously, the action of the recoil group is discharged in the final advancement stretch of the slide assembly.

Advantageously, the cleaning operations of the rifle are extremely simplified. Advantageously, in the configuration with the retracted slide assembly, there is ample access to the upper opening.

Advantageously, the thrust lever is commanded into a lowered position in such a way as to facilitate, simplify, and make the operations for disassembling the slide assembly from the receiver easier.

Advantageously, by mounting the slide assembly on the receiver, the recoil group engaged by the slide assembly commands into a position which is operationally ready to push the thrust lever.

Advantageously, the recoil group also comprises a dedicated intercept device suitable for preventing undesired axial sliding, for example following a recoil action, of the assembly body.

Advantageously, the intercept device is housed in the receiver, discharging the recoil action thereon.

Claim 1:
A rifle (<NUM>) comprising:
i) a main body (<NUM>), fixed, comprising a barrel (<NUM>) which extends along an axis (X-X), a receiver (<NUM>) comprising an upper opening (<NUM>), a breech element (<NUM>) positioned at an axial end of said upper opening (<NUM>);
ii) a trigger assembly (<NUM>) at least partly accommodated in the receiver (<NUM>);
iii) a slide assembly (<NUM>) comprising a shutter group (<NUM>), positioned on the receiver (<NUM>) at the upper opening (<NUM>) and axially movable between an advanced shooting configuration, in which the shutter group (<NUM>) engages the breech element (<NUM>), and a retracted rearming configuration, in which the upper opening (<NUM>) is open, and vice versa;
iv) a recoil group (<NUM>) at least partially accommodated in the receiver (<NUM>), suitable for cooperating with the slide assembly (<NUM>) comprising a thrust device (<NUM>) comprising a thrust lever (<NUM>) which is rotationally movable around a lever axis (R-R) which extends substantially transversely and a thrust spring (<NUM>) which performs a torsional action on the thrust lever (<NUM>);
wherein the thrust lever (<NUM>) extends between a lever upper end (<NUM>) and a lever lower end (<NUM>), wherein the lever upper end (<NUM>) is suitable for engaging the advancing slide assembly (<NUM>) to push it into the advanced configuration;
wherein the rifle (<NUM>) is characterised by the fact that the slide assembly is axially movable between the advanced advanced shooting configuration and the retracted rearming configuration by the user, and by the fact that in the retracted configuration, the slide assembly (<NUM>) engages the thrust lever (<NUM>), pushing it into a retracted position.