Flare Gun

Abstract

A flare gun with a barrel configured to be released in a horizontal direction is described. In embodiments, the horizontally opening barrel provides greater accuracy and ease of mounting additional equipment to the flare gun. In embodiments, the horizontally opening barrel also includes an in built extractor system to automatically extract the spent shell casings as the barrel is released. A compact and reliable hammer arrangement has been disclosed that provides better protection against rust and is hence more suited for marine applications. This hammer arrangement can be employed in either a horizontal or vertical barrel configuration. Additionally, extractor systems and barrel release systems to be employed in either a horizontal or vertical barrel configuration are described.

1 . A flare gun comprising:
 a receiver comprising at least one of an upper member and a lower member; and,   a barrel comprising a proximal section and a distal section and positioned within at least one of said upper member and said lower member, wherein the distal section of said barrel is coupled to said receiver through a rotating hinge and the proximal section of said barrel is configured to move in a horizontal direction when said barrel is released.   
     
     
         2 . The flare gun of  claim 1 , wherein when said barrel is released, the distal section of the barrel pivots around the rotating hinge so that proximal section extends outward in a horizontal direction. 
     
     
         3 . The flare gun of  claim 1 , wherein said barrel is coupled to a barrel release lever and a spring that ejects the barrel in a horizontal direction when said barrel release lever is pulled. 
     
     
         4 . The flare gun of  claim 3 , wherein said spring is a flat spring. 
     
     
         5 . The flare gun of  claim 3 , wherein said spring is positioned on at least one side of said receiver. 
     
     
         6 . The flare gun of  claim 1  wherein at least one mount can be detachably attached to said upper member and/or said lower member for mounting equipment. 
     
     
         7 . The flare gun of  claim 6 , wherein said equipment comprises at least one of a sighting device, laser equipment, flashlight, and rifle. 
     
     
         8 . The flare gun of  claim 1  further comprising an extractor coupled to said barrel such that when the barrel is in a locked position, movement of said extractor is restricted and when said barrel is released the extractor is extended in an outward direction creating a cavity through which spent cartridges are automatically extracted. 
     
     
         9 . The flare gun of  claim 8  wherein said extractor is coupled to a spring positioned within the barrel causing said extractor to extend in an outward direction when the barrel is released. 
     
     
         10 . The flare gun of  claim 1 , wherein said barrel comprises a first section which is substantially cylindrical in shape and a second section which is substantially cuboidal in shape, wherein said second section is coupled to an extractor such that when the barrel is in a locked position, movement of said extractor is restricted and when said barrel is released the extractor is extended in an outward direction creating a cavity through which spent cartridges are automatically extracted. 
     
     
         11 . A flare gun comprising:
 a receiver; and   a barrel comprising a proximal section and a distal section and positioned within said receiver, wherein said barrel comprises a first section which is substantially cylindrical in shape and a second section which is substantially cuboidal in shape and wherein said second section is coupled to an extractor such that when the barrel is in a locked position, movement of said extractor is restricted and when said barrel is unlocked the extractor is extended in an outward direction creating a cavity through which spent cartridges are automatically extracted.   
     
     
         12 . The flare gun of  claim 11  wherein said barrel is coupled to a spring that constantly exerts force upon the barrel so that it remains in position when locked and wherein as the barrel is unlocked the spring exerts an opposite force on the barrel causing it to rotate. 
     
     
         13 . The flare gun of  claim 11  wherein said extractor is coupled to a spring positioned within the barrel causing said extractor to extend in an outward direction when the barrel is released. 
     
     
         14 . The flare gun of  claim 11 , wherein said barrel is configured to rotate in a vertical direction or a horizontal direction. 
     
     
         15 . The flare gun of  claim 11  wherein the distal section of said barrel is coupled to said receiver through a rotating hinge and the proximal section of said barrel is configured to move in a horizontal direction when said barrel is released. 
     
     
         16 . A flare gun comprising:
 a barrel comprising a proximal section and a distal section and configured to rotate in a vertical direction; and   a barrel release pin comprising a first section and a second section such the first section of said barrel release pin is configured to engage and disengage with the lower portion of the proximal section of said barrel to lock or unlock it and the second section of said barrel release pin is configured to move horizontally within a barrel pin guide.   
     
     
         17 . The flare gun of  claim 16  wherein said first and second sections of said barrel release pin are cylindrical in shape and the first section is aligned in a direction perpendicular to the direction of second section. 
     
     
         18 . The flare gun of  claim 16 , wherein as the first section of said barrel release pin engages with the lower portion of the proximal section of said barrel, the barrel is locked. 
     
     
         19 . The flare gun of  claim 16 , wherein as the first section of said barrel release pin is disengaged from the lower portion of the proximal section of said barrel, the barrel is unlocked. 
     
     
         20 . The flare gun of  claim 16 , wherein as the first section of said barrel release pin is disengaged from the lower portion of the proximal section of said barrel, the second section of said barrel release pin moves into the pin guide. 
     
     
         21 . The flare gun of  claim 16 , wherein as the first section of said barrel release pin engages with the lower portion of the proximal section of said barrel, the second section of said barrel release pin moves partially out of the pin guide. 
     
     
         22 . A flare gun comprising:
 a barrel comprising a proximal section and a distal section wherein the proximal section of said barrel comprises a cavity;   an extractor comprising a proximal section and a distal section wherein said extractor is configured to be positioned in said cavity and fit into the proximal section of said barrel; and,   a receiver coupled to said barrel and said extractor such that as the barrel is unlocked and rotated in a vertical direction, the distal section of said extractor is pushed by the surface of said receiver such that said extractor slides along a plane and extends itself in an outward direction and ejects the spent flare casings.   
     
     
         23 . The flare gun of  claim 22 , wherein the distal section of said extractor comprises a curved surface that allows it to slide and activate as the extractor is pushed by the surface of said receiver. 
     
     
         24 . The flare gun of  claim 22 , wherein the proximal section of said extractor comprises a semi-circular shaped section that allows the extractor to engage with the proximal section of the barrel and interact with flare cartridge rims. 
     
     
         25 . The flare gun of  claim 22 , further comprising a barrel release pin that comprises a first section and a second section such the first section of said barrel release pin is configured to engage/disengage with the lower portion of the proximal section of said barrel to lock/unlock it and the second section of said barrel release pin is configured to move horizontally inside or outside of a barrel pin guide. 
     
     
         26 . The flare gun of  claim 25  wherein said first and second sections of said barrel release pin are cylindrical in shape and said first section is aligned in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the second section. 
     
     
         27 . The flare gun of  claim 25 , wherein as the first section of said barrel release pin engages with the lower portion of the proximal section of said barrel, the barrel is locked. 
     
     
         28 . The flare gun of  claim 25 , wherein as the first section of said barrel release pin is disengaged from the lower portion of the proximal section of said barrel, the barrel is unlocked. 
     
     
         29 . A flare gun comprising:
 a barrel comprising a proximal section and a distal section;   a first spring coupled to one side of said barrel such that said first spring is configured to exert pressure on said barrel to push it in an opposite direction; and   an extractor positioned within said barrel and comprising a proximal section and a distal section such that the proximal section of said extractor is coupled to a second spring such that said second spring is configured to push said extractor in an outward direction.   
     
     
         30 . The flare gun of  claim 29  wherein said barrel comprises a first section which is substantially cylindrical in shape and a second section which is substantially cuboidal in shape and said second section comprises said extractor. 
     
     
         31 . The flare gun of  claim 29 , wherein when said extractor is extended in an outward direction it discharges spent flare casings. 
     
     
         32 . The flare gun of  claim 29  wherein said first spring is a flat spring. 
     
     
         33 . The flare gun of  claim 29  wherein said barrel can rotate in a horizontal direction. 
     
     
         34 . The flare gun of  claim 29  wherein said barrel can rotate in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         35 . A flare gun comprising:
 a handle portion;   a barrel portion coupled to said handle portion;   a trigger with a finger engaging end and a hammer engaging end;   a hammer mounted on the handle of said gun and configured for pivotal movement between a semi cocked position, a fully cocked position and a fired position; and   a hammer gear structure coupled to said hammer and comprising a first notch and a second notch;   wherein, in a semi-cocked position, the first notch of the hammer gear structure is locked with the trigger, wherein, in a fully cocked position, a second notch of the hammer gear structure is locked with the trigger, and wherein, as the trigger is pulled counter-clockwise from a fully cocked position, the trigger disengages from the hammer gear structure thereby releasing the hammer to strike a firing pin which sets off the flare.