Self-removing cover for percussion type firearms

• US 5,339,553 A
• Filed: 06/14/1993
• Issued: 08/23/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert M. Kearns
• Original Assignee: Robert M. Kearns
• Inventors: Kearns, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): BENTLEY, STEPHEN
• Application Number:
  US08/076,216
• Time in Patent Office: 435 Days
• Field of Search: 42/83, 89/30
• US Class Current: 42/83
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 35/02 Dust- or weather-protection caps or covers protecting-caps for trigger guards F41A17/54
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 9/08 Muzzle-loading smallarms; Smallarms with flintlock mechanisms; Accessories therefor

Abstract

A self-removing cover guard for muzzle leading firearms of the type having a nipple for receiving a percussion cap. The cover guard includes a plate or cup secured to the breech or drum of the firearm by the nipple; a spring loaded hinge connected at one end to the plate or cup; and a nipple cover affixed to the other end of the hinge for pivotal placement or displacement of the nipple cover on or off the nipple. The spring, which may be integral with the hinge, is biased to automatically remove the nipple cover off the nipple, and hence the percussion cap, when the firearm hammer is retracted from its un-cocked, cover holding, position. A sealant may be provided between the nipple cover and the nipple or cup to protect the percussion cap from moisture.

Claims

1. A nipple guard for percussion firearms having a breech into which is mounted a nipple for receiving a percussion cap engagable by a firearm hammer, said guard comprising:

a nipple cover for covering the percussion cap held on the nipple;

guard connection means mountable on the nipple for securing the guard to the nipple; and

hinge means extending between and connecting said nipple cover to said guard connection means for pivotal placement and displacement of said nipple cover over the nipple and hence over the percussion cap.

2. The nipple guard as described in claim 1 wherein said hinge means includes a spring for holding said nipple cover in a normally open, unprotective position with respect to the nipple and percussion cap;

said spring biased under tension when said nipple cover is held in a closed protective position over the nipple and percussion cap by the hammer.

3. The nipple guard as described in claim 2 wherein said spring is integral with said hinge means.

4. A nipple guard for percussion firearms having a breech into which is threaded a nipple provided with a shoulder;

said nipple operable to receive a percussion cap engageable by a firearm hammer, said guard comprising;

a nipple cover for covering the percussion cap held on the nipple;

guard connection means including a plate member defining an aperture for placement of a threaded portion of the nipple therethrough, said plate member mounted between the shoulder of the nipple and the breech for securing the guard to the nipple; and

hinge means extending between and connecting said nipple cover to the plate member of said guard connection means for pivotal placement and displacement of said nipple cover over the nipple and hence over the percussion cap.

5. The nipple guard as described in claim 4 wherein said hinge means includes a spring for holding said nipple cover in a normally open, unprotective position with respect to the nipple and percussion cap;

said spring biased under tension when said nipple cover is held in a closed protective position over the nipple and percussion cap by the hammer.

6. The nipple guard as described in claim 5 wherein said spring is integral with said hinge means and said plate member of said guard connection means.

7. The nipple guard as described in claim 4 further comprising sealant means between the nipple and said nipple cover to prevent moisture from contacting the percussion cap.

8. A nipple guard for percussion firearms having a breech into which is threaded a nipple provided with a shoulder;

said nipple operable to receive a percussion cap engageable by a firearm hammer, said guard comprising;

a nipple cover for covering the percussion cap held on the nipple;

guard connection means including a cup member having a base portion and a side portion defining a top opening, said base portion defining an aperture for placement of a threaded portion of the nipple therethrough, said base member mountable between the shoulder of the nipple and the breech of the firearm for securing the cup member to the firearm and said cup member mateably engageable with said nipple cover to provide an enclosure about the percussion cap when in a closed mode; and

hinge means connecting said nipple cover to said cup member of said guard connection means for pivotal placement and displacement of said nipple cover over the nipple and hence over the percussion cap.

9. The nipple guard as described in claim 8 wherein said hinge means includes a spring for holding said nipple cover in a normally open, unprotective position with respect to the nipple and percussion cap;

said spring biased under tension when said nipple cover is held in a closed protective position over the nipple and percussion cap by the hammer.

10. The nipple guard as described in claim 9 wherein said spring is integral with said hinge means.

11. The nipple guard as described in claim 10 wherein said spring is further integral with said cup member.

12. The nipple guard as described in claim 11 wherein said spring is further integral with said nipple cover.

13. The nipple guard as described in claim 8 further comprising sealant means between said cup member and said nipple cover for preventing moisture from dampening the percussion cap.

14. The nipple guard as described in claim 8 wherein said nipple cover and said cup member of said guard connection means are each provided with beveled sidewalls matingly engagable with one another.