FIREARM WITH FOLDING BUTTSTOCK
First Claim
1. A firearm with folding buttstock comprising:
- a receiver;
a barrel coupled to a front end of the receiver, the barrel defining a longitudinal axis and an axially extending bore forming a projectile pathway;
an elongated buttstock defining a stock axis;
a hinge assembly pivotably coupling the buttstock to the receiver, the hinge assembly comprising a fixed front hinge element coupled to the receiver, a movable rear hinge element coupled to the buttstock, and a hinge pivotably coupling the front and rear hinge elements together;
the buttstock pivotably movable between an inline position, and an offset position in which the stock axis is laterally offset from the longitudinal axis;
a latch pin rotatably and slideably carried transversely by the hinge assembly;
a latching mechanism on a first lateral side of the hinge assembly comprising a latch member on a first end of the latch pin engageable with a latch recess on the first lateral side, the latching mechanism operable to maintain the buttstock in the inline position when the latch member engages the latch recess;
a locking mechanism on a second lateral side of the hinge assembly comprising a lock member on a second end of the latch pin engaging a lock recess on the second lateral side, the locking member operable to maintain the buttstock in the offset position when the lock member engages the lock recess; and
a latch spring biasing the latch member in an inward direction and the lock member in an outward direction with respect to the hinge assembly;
wherein rotating the latch member in opposing directions selectively engages the lock member with or disengages the lock member from the lock recess when the buttstock is in the offset position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A firearm includes a receiver, barrel coupled to the receiver, and buttstock. An openable/closeable hinge assembly comprising front and rear hinge elements pivotably mounts the buttstock to the receiver. A latch mechanism carried by the hinge assembly includes a latch pin having latch and lock members on opposing ends. The pin is both slidable and rotatable in the hinge assembly. When the buttstock is in an unfolded position in axial alignment with the barrel axis, the latch member engages a latch recess on a first lateral side of the hinge assembly to latch the buttstock in position. The buttstock may be pivoted laterally outwards about the hinge assembly to a folded position offset from the barrel centerline. Rotating the latch member engages the lock member with a lock recess on the hinge assembly to lock the buttstock in the folded position.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A firearm with folding buttstock comprising:
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a receiver; a barrel coupled to a front end of the receiver, the barrel defining a longitudinal axis and an axially extending bore forming a projectile pathway; an elongated buttstock defining a stock axis; a hinge assembly pivotably coupling the buttstock to the receiver, the hinge assembly comprising a fixed front hinge element coupled to the receiver, a movable rear hinge element coupled to the buttstock, and a hinge pivotably coupling the front and rear hinge elements together; the buttstock pivotably movable between an inline position, and an offset position in which the stock axis is laterally offset from the longitudinal axis; a latch pin rotatably and slideably carried transversely by the hinge assembly; a latching mechanism on a first lateral side of the hinge assembly comprising a latch member on a first end of the latch pin engageable with a latch recess on the first lateral side, the latching mechanism operable to maintain the buttstock in the inline position when the latch member engages the latch recess; a locking mechanism on a second lateral side of the hinge assembly comprising a lock member on a second end of the latch pin engaging a lock recess on the second lateral side, the locking member operable to maintain the buttstock in the offset position when the lock member engages the lock recess; and a latch spring biasing the latch member in an inward direction and the lock member in an outward direction with respect to the hinge assembly; wherein rotating the latch member in opposing directions selectively engages the lock member with or disengages the lock member from the lock recess when the buttstock is in the offset position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A self-locking pivotable buttstock hinge assembly for a firearm having a receiver and a buttstock, the hinge assembly comprising:
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a front hinge element configured for attachment to the receiver of the firearm, the front hinge element defining a longitudinal axis and comprising a first lateral side, a second lateral side and a plurality of knuckles each including a through hole collectively defining a pivot axis; a rear hinge element comprising a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a plurality of knuckles pivotably connected to the knuckles of the first element by a hinge pin, the rear hinge element movable between a closed position and an open position, the rear hinge element defining a mounting flange configured for attachment of the buttstock; a latch pin extending through a transverse passage formed between the first and second lateral sides front or rear hinge element, the latch pin being slidable and rotatable in the passage; a latch recess formed in the first lateral side of the front or rear hinge element which does not have the latch pin; a lock recess formed in the second lateral side of the front or rear hinge element which does not have the latch pin; an elongated latch having an inwardly projecting latching protrusion on one end of the latch pin; an elongated release button on another end of the latch pin having a locking element; and a latch spring biasing the latch in an inward direction and the release button in an outward direction with respect to the front or rear hinge element which does not have the latch pin; wherein when the rear hinge element is in the closed position, the latching protrusion engages the latch recess and latches the rear hinge element in the closed position; wherein when the rear hinge element is in the open position, the locking element is rotatable by rotating the latch to engage the locking element with the lock recess and locks the rear hinge element in the open position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for operating a folding firearm buttstock, the method comprising:
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providing a firearm including a receiver, a barrel supported by the receiver, a buttstock, and a hinge assembly comprising a front hinge element fixedly attached to the receiver, a rear hinge element pivotably attached to the front hinge element, and a spring-biased latch pin carried by the hinge assembly comprising an elongated latch member disposed on a first end of the latch pin and an elongated lock member disposed on a second end of the latch pin, the buttstock attached to the rear hinge element and movable therewith; placing the latch member in a horizontal orientation; engaging the latch member with a latch recess on a first lateral side of the hinge assembly, wherein the buttstock is in a latched inline position with respect to the barrel; disengaging the latch member from the latch recess by pushing the lock member towards the first lateral side of the hinge assembly; pivoting the buttstock laterally outwards about the hinge assembly in a first direction; contacting the lock member with a second lateral side of the hinge assembly opposite the first lateral side; rotating the latch member to a vertical orientation while maintaining contact with the second lateral side of the hinge assembly; and engaging the lock member with a lock recess on the second lateral side of the hinge assembly, wherein the buttstock is in a locked offset position laterally offset from and parallel to the barrel. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification