Firearms and methods for operating the same

Abstract

Firearms and methods of operating the same are disclosed. An example firearm includes a barrel; a bolt head which is movable along a motion path; and a locking block penetrating the bolt head and being movable in a direction substantially transverse to the motion path between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking block locks the bolt head against movement along the motion path when the locking block is in the locked position. The firearm also includes a bolt head carrier which is movable independently of the bolt head over a lost motion path and an initial path, and which is movable with the bolt head over an end path. The bolt head carrier includes at least one surface positioned to force the locking block from the locked position to the unlocked position as the bolt head carrier travels the initial path. When moving rearward, the bolt head carrier travels the lost motion path before traveling the initial path. The locking block remains in the locked position as the bolt head carrier travels the lost motion path.

1 . A firearm comprising: 
 a barrel;    a bolt head which is movable along a motion path;    a locking block penetrating the bolt head and being movable in a direction substantially transverse to the motion path between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking block locking the bolt head against movement along the motion path when the locking block is in the locked position;    a bolt head carrier which is movable independently of the bolt head over a lost motion path and an initial path, and which is movable with the bolt head over an end path, the bolt head carrier including at least one surface positioned to force the locking block from the locked position to the unlocked position as the bolt head carrier travels the initial path, wherein, when moving rearward, the bolt head carrier travels the lost motion path before traveling the initial path, and the locking block remains in the locked position as the bolt head carrier travels the lost motion path; and    a handle to move the bolt head carrier.    
   
   
       2 . A firearm as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a housing defining a recess to receive the locking block when the locking block is in the locked position.  
   
   
       3 . A firearm as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a rear end of the barrel defines a recess to receive the locking block when the locking block is in the locked position.  
   
   
       4 . A firearm as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a firing pin penetrating the bolt head.  
   
   
       5 . A firearm as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the locking block is penetrated by the firing pin, wherein the locking block permits free movement of the firing pin when the locking block is in the locked position, and blocks the firing pin in a withdrawn position when the locking block is in the unlocked position.  
   
   
       6 . A firearm as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the locking block comprises a beveled surface to force the firing pin into the withdrawn position as the locking block moves from the locked to the unlocked position.  
   
   
       7 . A firearm as defined in  claim 1 , wherein, when the locking block is in the locked position, the locking block engages in a recess in a component that is integrally formed with or secured to the barrel.  
   
   
       8 . A firearm as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the locking block includes a base having front and rear guide surfaces, the bolt head carrier includes front and rear driving plates which interact with the locking block such that: (a) when moving rearward over the initial path, the front driving plate of the bolt head carrier engages the front guide surface of the base of the locking block to thereby force the locking block from the locked position to the unlocked position, and (b) when moving rearward over the initial path, the rear driving plate of the bolt head carrier engages the rear guide surface of the base of the locking block to thereby force the locking block into the locked position, and wherein at least one of the front guide surface, the rear guide surface, the front driving plate, and the rear driving plate is beveled.  
   
   
       9 . A firearm as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the firearm is structured to fire shot cartridges or other cartridges with a caliber of more than 15 mm.  
   
   
       10 . A firearm comprising: 
 a bolt head;    a locking block penetrating the bolt head and being movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking block locking the bolt head against movement when the locking block is in the locked position;    a bolt head carrier which is movable over an initial path and an end path, the bolt head carrier carrying the bolt head when the bolt head carrier travels the end path, the bolt head carrier including at least one angular surface to move the locking block from the locked position to the unlocked position as the bolt head carrier travels the initial path, the bolt head carrier being movable over a lost-motion path during which the bolt head remains locked by the locking block; and    an automatic charging mechanism to cycle the bolt head carrier when a shot is fired.    
   
   
       11 . A firearm as defined in  claim 10 , further comprising a housing defining a recess to receive the locking block when the locking block is in the locked position.  
   
   
       12 . A firearm as defined in  claim 10 , wherein a rear end of the barrel defines a recess to receive the locking block when the locking block is in the locked position.  
   
   
       13 . A firearm as defined in  claim 10 , further comprising a firing pin penetrating the bolt head.  
   
   
       14 . A firearm as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the locking block is penetrated by the firing pin, wherein the locking block permits free movement of the firing pin when the locking block is in the locked position, and blocks the firing pin in a withdrawn position when the locking block is in the unlocked position.  
   
   
       15 . A firearm as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the locking block comprises a beveled surface to force the firing pin into the withdrawn position as the locking block moves from the locked to the unlocked position.  
   
   
       16 . A firearm as defined in  claim 10 , wherein, when the locking block is in the locked position, the locking block engages in a recess in a component that is integrally formed with or secured to the barrel.  
   
   
       17 . A firearm as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the locking block includes a base having front and rear guide surfaces, the bolt head carrier includes front and rear driving plates which interact with the locking block such that: (a) when moving rearward over the initial path, the front driving plate of the bolt head carrier engages the front guide surface of the base of the locking block to thereby force the locking block from the locked position to the unlocked position, and (b) when moving rearward over the initial path, the rear driving plate of the bolt head carrier engages the rear guide surface of the base of the locking block to thereby force the locking block into the locked position, and wherein at least one of the front guide surface, the rear guide surface, the front driving plate, and the rear driving plate is beveled.  
   
   
       18 . A firearm as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the firearm is structured to fire shot cartridges or other cartridges with a caliber of more than 15 mm.