Self-Captured Detent Mechanism
AssigneeSmith & Wesson Corp.
InventorBrett Curry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A revolver has a detent mechanism providing positive mechanical engagement between the cylinder yoke and the frame. A housing mounted on the frame has a spring biased plunger that transversely engages a pin. The pin projects from the housing and engages a recess on the yoke when the revolver cylinder is closed. The pin is biased into engagement with the recess by the plunger to maintain the revolver closed and the chambers of the cylinder in precise alignment with the barrel during firing. Manual force applied to the cylinder can overcome the biasing force and permit the revolver to be opened and closed.
Claims16
A detent mechanism, comprising:
- a housing;
- a pin bore positioned within said housing, said pin bore extending longitudinally along a pin bore axis;
- a plunger cavity positioned within said housing and intersecting said pin bore, said plunger cavity extending longitudinally along a plunger cavity axis, said plunger cavity axis being oriented transversely to said pin bore axis;
- a pin having a tip, said pin being positioned within said pin bore and movable along said pin bore axis between a first position, wherein said tip projects from said housing, and a second position, wherein said tip is within said housing;
- an action surface positioned on said pin, said action surface being oriented transversely to said pin bore axis;
- a plunger having an end, said plunger being positioned within said plunger cavity and movable along said plunger cavity axis;
- a spring positioned within said plunger cavity and biasing said end of said plunger into engagement with said action surface of said pin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.