Damper apparatus for use with firearms

Abstract

Damping apparatus for use with firearms are described herein. An example firearm described herein includes a barrel assembly mounted in a frame of the firearm. A damper apparatus is axially disposed between a breech assembly and a portion of the frame of the firearm opposite a muzzle end of the barrel assembly, wherein the damper apparatus is operatively coupled to the barrel assembly and slidably receives a firing pin guide.

1 . A large caliber, small arm firearm, comprising:
 a barrel assembly mounted in a frame of the firearm; and   a damper apparatus axially disposed between a breech assembly and a portion of the frame of the firearm opposite a muzzle end of the barrel assembly, wherein the damper apparatus is operatively coupled to the barrel assembly and slidably receives a firing pin guide.   
   
   
       2 . A firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the barrel assembly is movably disposed within a receptacle of the frame and is pivotably mounted to the frame so that the barrel assembly pivots about a swivel hinge between a reloading position and a firing position, wherein the swivel hinge is substantially perpendicular to an axis of the bore. 
   
   
       3 . A firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the damper apparatus comprises an elastomeric spring to dampen a recoil effect experienced by the firearm when the firearm is discharged. 
   
   
       4 . A firearm of  claim 1 , further comprising a cushioning element disposed between a head portion of a firing pin guide and a portion of the frame, wherein the cushioning element axially opposes the damper apparatus. 
   
   
       5 . A firearm of  claim 4 , wherein the head portion of the firing pin guide engages a hammer of a trigger assembly and moves the hammer to a cocked or ready to fire position during a recoil effect imparted on the firearm during discharge. 
   
   
       6 . A firearm of  claim 1 , further comprising a breech block assembly coupled to the barrel assembly and having a cover that pivots between an open position and a closed position about a pin disposed parallel relative to an axis of the barrel assembly. 
   
   
       7 . A firearm of  claim 6 , wherein the cover engages a portion of the frame and moves to the closed position when the barrel assembly is moved from a loading position to a firing position. 
   
   
       8 . A firearm of  claim 7 , wherein the cover further comprises a firing pin head. 
   
   
       9 . A firearm of  claim 8 , wherein a breech block and the firing pin head of the breech assembly axially align with the damper apparatus when the barrel assembly is in the firing position. 
   
   
       10 . A firearm of  claim 1 , further comprising a catch assembly to lock the barrel assembly in the firing position relative to the frame. 
   
   
       11 . A firearm of  claim 10 , wherein the catch assembly is operatively coupled to a latch to manually move the catch to a locked position. 
   
   
       12 . A firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is configured to receive a first barrel assembly that is sized to receive a first caliber ammunition or a second barrel assembly that is sized to receive a second caliber ammunition different from the first caliber ammunition. 
   
   
       13 . A firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the firearm is removably coupled to a second firearm via an interface apparatus of the frame. 
   
   
       14 . A firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the firearm is a grenade launcher. 
   
   
       15 . A large caliber firearm, comprising:
 a barrel assembly pivotally coupled to a frame of the firearm;   a breech assembly coupled to the barrel assembly opposite a muzzle end of a barrel; and   a damper apparatus disposed between the breech assembly and a portion of the frame, the damper apparatus is spaced from and operatively coupled to the barrel assembly and provides recoil damping imparted on the firearm during discharge.   
   
   
       16 . A firearm as described in  claim 15 , wherein the barrel assembly pivots about a hinge pin in a lateral direction relative to the frame between a loading position and a firing position. 
   
   
       17 . A firearm as described in  claim 15 , wherein the damper apparatus comprises elastomeric springs alternately arranged relative to damping rings. 
   
   
       18 . A firearm as described in  claim 15 , wherein a plate having a firing pin guide protruding therefrom operatively couples the damping apparatus, the barrel assembly, and the breech assembly. 
   
   
       19 . A firearm as described in  claim 18 , wherein the firing pin guide is slidably coupled to the damping apparatus. 
   
   
       20 . A firearm as described in  claim 19 , wherein a head portion is threadably coupled to an end of the firing pin guide opposite the plate to engage a hammer of the firearm during a recoil effect when the firearm is discharged.