Methods and apparatus to secure a safety catch in a jammed position

#This patent issues from a continuing application which claims priority from International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/EP02/04007 which was filed on Apr. 10, 2002.

#This patent relates generally to firearms, and, more particularly, to a firearm such as, for example, a universal machinegun, having a movable safety catch and a cocking slide attached to the external side of the machinegun for selectively moving the safety catch.

#As used in this patent, the term “machinegun” is intended as a general term. It includes all portable self-loading firearms that have a cocking slide for manually reloading the weapon. This cocking slide may not be solidly connected with the safety catch, but may instead be moved back into its resting position away from the safety catch before firing a shot in order to avoid interference with the shooting process.

#The attached schematic diagrams depict a cross-section through a casing of an example light machinegun, viewed from behind. The figures illustrate the external parts of an example cocking slide. All other parts are known to persons of ordinary skill in the art and, thus, have been omitted in order to keep the diagram easily understandable.

#FIG. 1 illustrate the cocking slide in its resting position, with the handle in the inactive position.

#FIG. 2 illustrates the cocking slide in a partially retracted position, with the handle located in the active position.

#The casing (1) of the example machinegun shown in FIGS. 1-3 has the shape of a straight prism, and is molded or extruded from thin sheet metal. It has depressions or grooves positioned laterally opposite to one another, which form reinforcements. A longitudinal slot (3) is provided in the base of these grooves. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, a clamping bar (5), extends, in parallel and at a distance from this longitudinal slot (3). The clamping bar (5) is thickened at the bottom.

#The clamping bar (5) is firmly riveted either to a projecting protuberance or outside the groove accommodating the longitudinal slot (3) of the casing (1). The lower thickened part reinforces the clamping bar (5), and is configured in a single part with the same. Because of its thickness, the clamping bar (5) is resistant to bending.

#A recess (7), which can be seen in FIG. 1, is provided in the thickened part of the clamping bar (5). The recess (7) only penetrates the lower thicker part of the clamping bar (5).