Patent ID: 7861450

Claim:
A cylinder release mechanism for a firearm having a frame defining an aperture with an annular opening on a breach surface thereof, a yoke rotatably mounted to the frame and having a cylindrical portion, a cylinder rotatably mounted to the cylindrical portion of the yoke, the cylinder release mechanism comprising: an extractor rotatably and reciprocally mounted in the cylindrical portion of the yoke, configured to engage the cylinder and having an annular ring fitted to be releasably inserted into the annular opening of the frame, wherein the cylinder is retained in a cylinder-closed position when the annular ring is inserted in the annular opening; a ratchet hub driver rotatably and reciprocally mounted in the annular opening of the frame, releasably engaged to the extractor and defining a rearward cylindrical opening; a hub drive center pin rotatably and reciprocally mounted in the rearward cylindrical opening of the ratchet hub driver and in the frame; and a cylinder release lever pivotally mounted to the frame and releasably engaged to the hub drive center pin; whereby actuation of the cylinder release lever reciprocates the hub drive center pin into engagement with the ratchet hub driver, the ratchet hub driver into engagement with the extractor and the annular ring of the extractor out of the annular opening of the frame, which releases the cylinder from the cylinder-closed position.