In conjunction with a view to generate a reflection of the firing behavior acting on the operator of a similar weapon model of an energetically stronger caliber, in particular a long rifle caliber, experiments have surprisingly shown that the use of a locked action system with integrated ejection device made possible by the present invention is particularly advantageous if the (semi-)automatic repeating process takes place by way of a direct gas extraction (DGI system). To a somewhat lesser extent, this also applies to a piston system, which in a normal case (which is to say, when using more energetic (long gun) ammunition) is known to be more comfortable to shoot than a DGI system under normal conditions. It is assumed that, in combination with the large number of parameters involved, there is a kind of compensation here, especially if the weapon models to be compared are represented by a standard M 15 model using .223 Remington and a weapon model configured with a 9 mm Para or .45 ACP caliber.

Irrespective of this, it may also be optional for the guide surface to be rigid and, in particular, to be part of a block arranged within the locking space.

In this way, no additional moving parts are required in the small firearm, and additional potential sources of malfunction are suppressed. In addition, such a further development can offer economic advantages, for example, through the ability of being integrated inexpensively into the manufacturing process and due to the expected low additional costs.

A rigid design can also include implementations that are inherently deformable. In particular, the block can be formed using a material that exhibits measurable and, in particular, visible deformations when the forces acting on the block during operation of small firearms are applied. This can have a damping effect on undesired movements (vibrations) of at least individual parts or assemblies in motion during the repeating process of the small firearms.

In a stricter sense, a rigid guide surface, in particular a rigid block forming the guide surface, can be understood as a component that does not exhibit any measurable and in particular no visible deformations under the forces acting on the guide surface/block during operation of small firearms. For this purpose, it may be particularly optional for the block to be formed using a steel the surface of which is optionally hardened and/or provided with a wear-reducing coating.

In turn, in other cases, it may be optional that the guide surface is arranged and/or configured to be movable, in particular movable within the locking space.

This may for example, be optional if space is temporarily required during the extraction process or during another section of the repeating process due to the geometric design of the locking space.

Such a design can also be advantageous if the locking surface is intended to perform a first task in a first position and a second task in a second position and, in particular, if the first and second tasks differ from one another.

It can be advantageous if the guide surface can be moved against a spring force from a rest position to a deflected position.

This ensures, on the one hand, that within each firing sequence, the guide surface reaches a defined position in its rest position at least once, even if a certain degree of contamination has built up inside the small firearm, for example during operation of the small firearm.

On the other hand, the spring can serve as a temporary energy store so that the energy absorbed by the guide surface can be transferred to the cartridge case (or the entire cartridge to be removed if no shot has been fired) in a subsequent section of the repeating cycle and can therefore actively influence the movement profile of the cartridge case/cartridge to be ejected.

It may be optional for the guide surface to form at least part of an edge area of the locking space.

This can, for example, be optional if the guide surface is configured to at least also favor the exit of the cartridge case.

It may be particularly optional for the guide surface to form at least part of the at least one bearing surface in a first working position and to form the guide surface in a second working position.

It may be provided that the guide surface can be locked in at least one working position, in particular in the first working position.

In so doing, the guide surface can absorb forces occurring in the shot in the first working position in its function as a bearing surface and, after unlocking, can be arranged to be movable into the second working position in order to be configured there as a bearing surface, for example, to favor the ejection of the cartridge case. Such a design can, in particular, save installation space on the small firearm. In addition, the guide surface is available as a bearing surface in the first working position, so that the load occurring during firing does not need to be distributed to other bearing surfaces, resulting in further advantages, for example, in the possibility of caliber selection or the durability and operational safety of the small firearms.

It may be optional that the guide surface forms at least one angle α relative to the barrel bore axis in the range between −15° and +15°, optionally in the range between −7.5° and +7.5°, optionally around 0°.

In this way, a largely uniform movement profile of the cartridge case/cartridge to be ejected is achieved, especially if the guide surface is at least predominantly configured to limit the entry of the cartridge case/cartridge into the locking space.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be advantageous if the guide surface forms at least one angle β relative to the barrel bore axis in the range between 12.5° and 65°, optionally in the range between 30° and 55°, optionally between 32° and 45° in the positive and/or negative direction.

Here, as for the specification of the angle α mentioned above, the positive direction should be defined following the clockwise direction and the negative direction following the counterclockwise direction when looking at the weapon in the direction of the muzzle of the barrel from above.

By providing an angle β set up in this way, greater influences on the movement profile of the cartridge case/cartridge to be ejected are achieved, which is particularly useful if the guide surface is configured at least predominantly to favor the ejection of the cartridge case/cartridge from the locking space. The movement profile can thus be significantly deflected.

Furthermore, it can also be advantageous if the guide surface itself includes at least one angle γ.

In this way, graduations for limiting the entry and favoring the exit of a cartridge case/cartridge can be combined particularly well and particularly favorably in terms of production technology.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be advantageously be provided that the guide surface includes at least one curvature and optionally at least one turning point.

This is, indeed, significantly more complex in terms of manufacturing technology; it can, however, contribute to particularly smooth transitions of the movement profile of the cartridge case/cartridge to be ejected and thus to a particularly “fluid” sequence of the entire repeating process and thus, ultimately, in the case of the design of the small firearms as a repeating weapon, increase the operating comfort and generally the functional reliability of the small firearms.

It is provided, with great advantage, that the guide surface provided within the locking space is configured and arranged in such a way that, the entry of a cartridge case which during the movement of the action from the closed position to the open position is limited due to the interaction of the ejector and extractor to a maximum of 0.8 times the diameter D₁, optionally at most 0.65 times, optionally at most 0.5 times, optionally at most 0.33 times, optionally at most 0.25 times and optionally at most 0.15 times the diameter D₁of the cartridge case seating area in its root area.

These results were surprisingly ascertained through experiments.

It can be assumed that smaller factors are particularly advantageous, but it remains inexplicable why the advantageous effects appear to increase in an almost parabolic fashion upon a drop below 0.45 times the value of the diameter D₁. In any case, from this point onwards there is a completely unexpected departure from a “linear” improvement in the sequence with further locking of the factor. It also appears to be advantageous if a certain degree of freedom to penetrate the locking space is maintained. Thus, it appears to be advantageous if a penetration of at least 0.01 times the value of the diameter D₁, optionally at least 0.02 times the value of the diameter D₁, optionally at least 0.03 times the value of the diameter D is possible. A constant reduction of the factor obviously therefore does not achieve the goal, so that there remains a certain lack of clarity as to the reasons for the particularly advantageous value ranges resulting under different boundary conditions.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided with great advantage that the guide surface provided within the locking space is configured and arranged in such a way that the exit of a cartridge case, which has entered the locking space during the movement of the action from the closed position to the open position due to the interaction of the ejector and extractor under the influence of the cartridge case under torque, is at least 0.5 times, optionally at least 0.7 times, optionally at least 0.8 times, optionally at least 0.9 times the amount of the entry; in other words, the return path is favored, in particular, supported by contact.

These results were surprisingly ascertained through experiments.

It can be assumed that larger factors are particularly advantageous, but it remains inexplicable why the advantageous effects appear to increase in an almost parabolic fashion when exceeding 0.66 times the value of the diameter D₁. In any case, from this point onwards there is a completely unexpected departure from a “linear” improvement in the sequence with further locking of the factor. It also appears to be advantageous if a certain amount of (residual) travel remains unsupported when the cartridge case/cartridge exits. It therefore appears to be advantageous if, for example, the exit is at least 0.01 times the value of the diameter D₁, optionally at least 0.02 times the value of the diameter D₁, and optionally at least 0.05 times the value of the diameter D₁without support, which is to say, without the influence of the guide surface. Even according to this, a constant increase in the factor obviously does not lead to the goal, so that a certain lack of clarity remains as to the reasons for the particularly advantageous value ranges resulting under different boundary conditions.

In certain cases, it can be advantageous if the action is arranged within the receiver so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction and the bolt head is arranged in the action so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation extending in the longitudinal direction.

In this context, particularly strong positive effects have been observed with a configuration of the small firearm according to the present invention.

In other cases, on the other hand, it may be optional if the action is arranged within the receiver so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction and the bolt head is firmly connected to the action and optionally arranged in the receiver so as to be rotatable together with the action about an axis of rotation extending in the longitudinal direction.

In certain cases, it may be optional for the bolt head to include locking lugs.

In other cases, on the other hand, it may be optional for the action to include a movably arranged locking block and, in particular, to be configured as a breech block action.

Also in these contexts, particularly strong positive effects were observed with a configuration of the small firearm according to the present invention.

It may also be optional for the action, and in particular the bolt head, to be configured as an expanding head lock.

Also in these contexts, particularly strong positive effects were observed with a configuration of the small firearm according to the present invention.

It may be optional in certain cases for the small firearm to be configured as a long gun, in particular as a rifle.

This results in advantages both for official training purposes and for sporting use.

In other cases, on the other hand, it may be optional for the small firearms to be configured as handguns.

This results in advantages both for official training purposes and for sporting use.

The present invention also provides a method for operating small firearms, wherein a small firearm as described above is used when operating the small firearms.

The resulting advantages are apparent to the person skilled in the art from the description of the advantages of the small firearms and their optional configurations and are not repeated here for reasons of economy.

In the following, an optional configuration of the present invention is explained in more detail with reference to the figures of a single drawing. The description of the optional configuration should by no means be regarded as complete and exhaustive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A shows a right side view of a small firearm configured as a semi-automatic pistol (“self-loading pistol”);

FIG. 1B shows a right side view of a small firearm configured as a bolt action rifle;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the small firearm with the action open and the upper receiver part not shown for a better visibility;

FIG. 3 shows a further perspective view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the closing movement of the action with removal of a cartridge from the magazine (“cartridge feed”);

FIG. 5 shows a top view of a cross-sectional representation of the small firearm with closed action and cartridge in the chamber of the barrel (before firing) in a first embodiment;

FIG. 6A shows a top view of a cross-sectional representation of the small firearm with partially opened action and cartridge case still partially in the chamber of the barrel (immediately after the shot) in the first embodiment;

FIG. 6B shows a top view of a cross-sectional representation of the small firearm with partially opened action and cartridge case still partially in the chamber of the barrel (immediately after firing) in a further embodiment;

FIG. 6C shows a top view of a cross-sectional representation of the small firearm with partially opened action and cartridge case still partially in the chamber of the barrel (immediately after firing) in a further embodiment;

FIG. 6D shows a top view of a cross-sectional representation of the small firearm with partially opened action and cartridge case still partially in the chamber of the barrel (immediately after firing) in a further embodiment;

FIG. 6E shows a top view of a cross-sectional representation of the small firearm with partially opened action and cartridge case still partially in the chamber of the barrel (immediately after firing) in a further embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a top view of an otherwise identical cross-sectional representation of the small firearm with the action open in a first stage; and

FIG. 8 shows a top view of an otherwise identical cross-sectional representation of the small firearm with the action open in a second stage.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The drawing with the thirteen FIGS. 1A through 8 shows a single optional embodiment example of a small firearm according to the present invention. Identical components are given the same reference sign in all figures and need not be shown or visible in all figures or (re)described in connection with each individual figure.

In the drawing, FIG. 1A shows a right side view of the small firearm 1, which is configured as a semi-automatic pistol and extends along a longitudinal direction X, a width direction Y and a height direction Z, including:

- a receiver 2, 2a, 2b
- a barrel 3 with a barrel bore axis A
- an action 8 with a bolt head 9,
  
  wherein the receiver 2 is configured to at least indirectly receive the barrel 3 including one locking mechanism area 4, one chamber 5, one guide area 6 and one muzzle 7 indicated in the figure, arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction X, as well as to at least indirectly receive the action 8 movably arranged within the receiver 2 along the longitudinal direction X from an open position I to a closed position II not shown and which action 8 includes the bolt head 9, wherein the bolt head 9 includes a breech face 11, as well as an extractor 12 and an ejector 13 not recognizable in this view and at least one locking piece 14, 14a, and 14b with at least one locking surface 15, 15a and 15b, wherein the locking mechanism area 4 in a not visibly represented form includes at least one bearing surface 16, 16a through 16f, with which the at least one locking surface 15, 15a and 15b can be brought into contact in the closed position II, wherein the locking mechanism area 4 moreover includes a locking space R, within which the at least one locking piece 14, 14a through 14f can be moved from an unlocked position III to a locked position IV in the region of the closed position II, and wherein furthermore within the locking space R, not visible in this figure, a guide surface 17 is provided, by way of which the entry of a cartridge case H, which is under torque M during the movement of the action 8 from the closed position II to the open position I is limited due to the interaction of ejector 13 and extractor 12, and/or the exit of the cartridge case H is favored.

FIG. 1B shows a right side view of the small firearm 1 configured as a repeating rifle, which is described in more detail in the other FIGS. 2 through 9 with various perspective and cross-sectional views and the contents of which can also be transferred analogously to small firearms configured according to FIG. 1A.

The small firearm 1 shown in FIG. 1B, which extends along a longitudinal direction X, a width direction Y and a height direction Z, includes:

- a receiver 2, 2a, 2b
- a barrel 3 with a barrel bore axis A
- an action 8 with a bolt head 9,
  
  wherein the receiver 2 is configured to at least indirectly receive the barrel 3 including one locking mechanism area 4, one chamber 5, one guide area 6 and one muzzle 7 indicated in the figure, arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction X, wherein individual positions are only shown and/or designated in the later FIGS. 2 through 8. The receiver 2, 2a, 2b is also configured to at least indirectly receive the action 8, which is arranged within the receiver 2, 2a, 2b so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction X from an open position I to a closed position II, which is shown here, and which includes the bolt head 9, wherein the bolt head 9 includes a breech face 11, an extractor 12, an ejector 13 and at least one locking piece 14, 14a through 14f with at least one locking surface 15, 15a through 15f, wherein the locking mechanism area 4 includes at least one bearing surface 16, 16a through 16f, with which the at least one locking surface 15, 15a through 15f can be brought into contact in the closed position II, wherein the locking mechanism area 4 further includes a locking space R, within which the at least one locking piece 14, 14a through 14f can be moved from an unlocked position III to a locked position IV in the region of the closed position II, and wherein, moreover, a guide surface 17 is provided within the locking space R, by way of which the entry of a cartridge case H under torque M during the movement of the action 8 from the closed position II to the open position I is limited due to the interaction of the ejector 13 and extractor 12 and/or the exit of the cartridge case H is favored.

FIG. 1B also shows a butt stock 21 and a fore-end 22, which are connected to the small firearm 1 and in this way in particular form part of the small firearm 1. Furthermore, the magazine well 23 is shown as part of the lower receiver 2b, in which magazine well a magazine (cartridge magazine) 24 is fixed, which magazine serves to temporarily store the cartridges P to be removed from it by the action 8 (in particular the bolt head 9) during the repeating cycle and fed into the chamber 5 of the barrel 3.

Also visible is the operating element 25, which the operator (shooter) can use to control the repeating process and which is also called the “loading lever” or “bolt handle.”

Finally, in addition to other, unmarked elements of the small firearm 1, the safety 26, or rather its selector element, which acts on a lock mechanism arranged inside the receiver 2 and not shown in detail here, and the trigger 27 to be actuated to release the shot are also shown.

FIG. 2 shows the small firearms 1 in a first perspective view. In order to better illustrate and explain the internal functions of the small firearms 1, the upper receiver part is blanked out so that there is a clear view of the action 8 with the bolt head 9. In the exemplary embodiment, the bolt head 9 has a locking piece 14 with six locking pieces 14a through 14f. The illustration also provides a good view of the breech face 11, as well as of the ejector 13 and the extractor 12, which, after later removal of the cartridge P, which is here still in the magazine 24, exert a torque M on the cartridge P, which is supported by its base on the breech face 11.

The view further provides a view of the rear side of the block 18, the front side of which protrudes into the locking space 4, which is not yet recognizable here, and forms the guide surface 17.

It can also be seen that the action 8 is arranged within the receiver 2, 2a, 2b so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction X and that the bolt head 9 is arranged in the action 8 so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation 10 extending in the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 3 shows another perspective view of the small firearm 1. In order to better illustrate and explain the internal functions of the small firearms 1, the upper receiver part is also blanked out here, so that in addition to the unobstructed view of the action 8 with the bolt head 9, there is now also a view into the locking space 4 and an edge area of the chamber 5 adjoining it in the muzzle direction.

The bearing surface 17 arranged in the locking space R of the locking mechanism area 4 is clearly visible.

FIG. 4 shows the small firearm 1 in a further perspective view, in which the action 8 with the bolt head 9 for feeding a cartridge P into the chamber 5 of the barrel 3 is illustrated in a movement from an open position I, as shown in particular in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, to a closed position II shown in the following figures and, for example, in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 5 now shows the top view of a cross-sectional view of the small firearm 1 with closed action 8 (which is to say, the action is in closed position II) and the cartridge P located in the chamber 5 of the barrel 3 (before firing) in a first embodiment in which the bearing surface 17 is formed by a block 18 projecting into the locking space R of the locking mechanism area 4 and arranged within the locking mechanism area 4. The block 18 is rigid and can be formed using a material that exhibits measurable and, in particular, visible deformations under the forces acting on the block during operation of a small firearm 1. Even if it is not immediately apparent from the illustration, the block 18 shown here should be understood as a component that shows no measurable and in particular no visible deformations under the forces acting on the guide surface/block during operation of a small firearm 1. For this purpose, the block is formed using a steel, the surface of which is optionally hardened and/or provided with a wear-reducing coating.

The block 18 can be replaceable or, as is to be assumed here, firmly connected to the barrel 3 of the small firearm 1.

The chamber 5 has a diameter D₁, which indicates the diameter of the cartridge case seating area in its root area, and a length L₃, which indicates the total length of the cartridge case seating area of the chamber, and is formed in an axial symmetrical manner about the barrel axis A, in the alignment of which the axis of rotation 10 of the bolt head 9 is also arranged.

The bolt head 9 is in a locked position IV in which the locking surfaces 15 (15a through 15f) of the locking pieces 14 (14a through 14f) are in operational contact with the associated bearing surfaces 16 (16a through 16f).

In longitudinal direction X, the barrel 3 includes the locking mechanism area 4 with the locking space R, the chamber 5, the guide area and the muzzle 7, which muzzle is only visible in other figures.

The chamber 5 is configured in such a way that its length L₃, which is to say, the total length of the cartridge case seating area of the chamber 5, and the diameter D₁, which is to say, the diameter of the cartridge case seating area of the chamber 5 in its root area, form a dimensionless quotient between one times root two and two times root two. Accordingly, the quotient lies in a broadly defined range between 0.66 and 3.66, optionally between 1.0 and 3.0 and optionally between 1.41 and 2.22.

FIG. 6A likewise shows a top view of a cross-sectional view of the small firearm 1 with the action 8 now slightly open and the cartridge case H already partially released from the chamber 5 after firing the cartridge P from the previously described figure in the first embodiment in which the bearing surface 17 is protruding into the locking space R of the locking mechanism area 4 and arranged within the locking mechanism area 4.

The bearing surface has an angle α relative to the barrel bore axis A, which is 0° or at least close to 0°. In other words, the bearing surface 17 and the barrel bore axis are approximately parallel, at least in this cross-sectional view, even if the bearing surface