Abstract: The cartridge indicator is a rod slidably mounted in a cavity in the breech slide of a firearm to allow checking for the presence of a cartridge in the chamber. The rod has a check end which protrudes out of the breech slide as biased by a spring at the chamber end of the rod in the cavity. The chamber end of the rod has attached a chamber pin which slides in a pin cavity in the breech slide. When the check end is pushed into the breech slide by the user, if the chamber has no cartridge, the chamber pin moves into the chamber and the check end is pushed into the breech slide thereby indicating an empty chamber. If the chamber pin encounters a cartridge, the check end can not be pushed into the breech slide.

Abstract: A mechanical tight cartridge casing release of the invention is preferably for inclusion with a large cartridge rifle bolt and includes a pivot mounting of a rifle bolt arm or handle to the bolt whereby, after the arm or handle is moved to an unlocked position, an application of a force to the arm or handle end wil pivot that arm or handle relative to the bolt surface such that an arm or handle forward shoulder engages a surface of the rifle receiver producing a lever action and providing a mechanical advantage to the force applied by an operator or shooter that arm or handle to "break loose" the spent cartridge casing from the barrel chamber, with the bolt to then be moved rearwardly to where the casing is ejected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lock system for firearms whereby an inexpensive, reliable and easy to use locking system is provided as part of a firearm and involves the formation of an opening formed in a strategically located part of the trigger assembly. The opening is appropriately sized and shaped to receive a conventional standard lock having a movable shank which is open and placed through the strategically placed opening in the trigger assembly and thereafter locked in place to affect the inoperative condition of the firearm. The lock can also be mounted as part of a holster which prevents inadvertent firing and removal of the firearm.

Abstract: A firearm which exhibits the geometric inability to jam. Further, the nature of the described firearm insures increased safety, versatility of calibers, ease of loading, higher potential capacity, unique gas operations, and reduced perceived recoil, over designs presently employed in the art of firearms manufacture.

Abstract: A two stage match trigger in which rearward movement of the trigger causes rearward movement of the sear in order to release the hammer. Rearward movement of the sear is resisted by a first stage spring plunger and by a second stage spring plunger. During initial travel of the trigger/sear, only the first stage spring plunger resists motion of the sear. At a point when the sear is close to disengaging from the hammer, the sear encounters the second stage spring plunger, thereby encountering resistance from both the first and second stage spring plungers. The effect produced is an increased force necessary to pull back on the trigger after the sear engages the second stage spring plunger. This provides cues to the shooter that the sear is nearing disengagement from the hammer. Therefore, any further movement of the trigger will cause the rifle to fire.

Abstract: An electronically activated safety mechanism for a firearm which introduces a simple obstruction to the firing-pin itself, thereby offering a high degree of simplicity and reliability. In a preferred embodiment, a solid cylindrical block is provided and is movable along a first axis between a first, safety position and a second, firing position through the action of a first solenoid. The firing-pin block includes a bore formed centrally therethrough which is in alignment with the firing-pin when the cylindrical block is in a second, firing position. Electronics entirely self-contained within the weapon may be used for both arming and disarming, with such capabilities taking the form of a voice-response unit, keypad with security code or other operator-specific configurations. In an alternative embodiment of this aspect of the invention, an off-weapon signaling unit is provided, for example, in the form of a watch, bracelet, or other item worn by an authorized user.

Abstract: A cocking trigger mechanism is disclosed. The cocking trigger mechanism includes a hammer element that is moveable between a front position and a rear position, and a drive part that is moveable between an uncocked position and a cocked position. The drive part is arranged to entrain the hammer element during its movement into the uncocked position. A striker spring biases the drive part into the uncocked position. A trigger causes movement of the drive part against the force of the striker spring from the uncocked position to the cocked position and actuates its release. When the drive part is moved independently of the trigger into the cocked position, it is held in this position until subsequent operation of the trigger. The hammer element is connected to a return spring that forces it into a rest position that is situated near its front position as long as the trigger is not operated so that it always assumes a defined position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for securing a firearm from firing by engaging a security lock to a slide at a butt end of the firearm. The security lock has a housing defined by a pair of sidewalls joined by a top plate that defines a slot for receiving a sight on the slide. A controller extends through a rear plate of the housing. A security member is operatively engaged to the controller for being moved between a first position for installing and removing the housing from the slide of the handgun and a second position in which the security member operatively secures the housing to the slide by being disposed between the rear portion of the slide and the handle of the firearm, thereby holding the slide in a partially rearward position with the firearm out-of-battery and the trigger mechanism of the firearm disengaged from the firing pin mechanism. A method of locking firearms is disclosed. The method discloses using a universal key for the lock.

Abstract: A locking device for guns, comprising a cylindrical locking pin housed in a housing cavity made in a suitable part of the revolver, having one operable head portion apparent on the external surface of the revolver and an opposite end portion, and a substantially helicoidal groove cooperating with a retention pin, the device locking the revolver when, upon operation with a suitable key, the said locking pin translates inside its housing cavity projecting one of its ends outwards the said housing cavity in order to cooperate with the striking surface so that the said projected end obstructs hammer cocking movement.

Abstract: A buttstock formed with a single piece of molded synthetic materials and contains two slots so that the rifle may be carried using a sling in multiple positions. The buttstock is designed to have the same size and occupy the same exterior envelop as a standard M-16 rifle buttstock but with far fewer parts and lower weight but without compromising strength. The buttstock comprises a buttplate, a shoulder, and a flange all held in spaced relationship with and integral with a panel. Two slots are formed in the panel near the buttstock, one parallel to the shoulder and the other parallel to the flange. Each slot is dimensioned to receive a sling.

Abstract: A ballistic optimizing system for use on a rifle comprises an axially movable weight threadedly secured to the end of a rifle barrel such that movement of the weight can be used to change vibrational characteristics of the rifle when it is fired. By damping vibrations of the barrel at the muzzle, a bullet can exit the barrel at the point of minimal vertical deflection so that accuracy is improved. To secure the weight element into a desired position, a tooth on a spring carried on the weight is received into one of a plurality of axial grooves equally spaced around the circumference of the rifle barrel. Additionally, a compression spring in an annular space between the barrel and the weight applies greater frictional engagement between the threads of the weight and the threads of the barrel so that alignment of the weight with respect to the barrel is improved.

Abstract: A handgun cartridge magazine floor plate for a handgun grip frame having a circular cut-out area in the front wall thereof. The floor plate has a flat body which attaches to the bottom end of a tube-type magazine and an extended front end section with a dome-like upwardly directed projection which fills the cut-out area when the magazine is in place in the grip frame. The projection blocks the cut-out area, extends the available gripping surface and enhances manual removal of the magazine.

Abstract: A firearm, namely an automatic pistol such as a Model 1911, 1911 Al or the like structured to include a first portion of an elongate spring rod mounted in a space in a grip panel, and a second portion of the spring rod positioned within a notch in a thumb safety lever adjacent the grip panel. The spring rod is positioned to continuously bias the safety lever into the on-safe position wherein components of the pistol such as the hammer and trigger are locked to prevent discharge of the pistol. The safety is normally-on so that the pistol cannot be discharged absent the shooter intentionally and continuously depressing the safety lever into the off-safe position in order to discharge the pistol. The safety lever is continually biased by the spring into the safety-on position, thereby the shooter must continue to depress the thumb safety lever, overriding the spring, in order to discharge the pistol.

Abstract: A device for supporting a hunting rifle, pistol or other firearm that permits the rifle to rotate to allow a full range of targeting while providing stable support in a confined area. The supporting device includes a base to support the device on a surface, a vertical supporting leg and a rest to support a rifle. One end of the supporting device is secured to the base via a swivel and the other end of the supporting device is secured to the rest via a swivel. The swivels provide rotational movement of the supporting leg relative to the base, and rotational movement of the rest, and consequently of the rifle, relative to the supporting leg. The swivels can be set at varying tensions or stiffness. The rifle can be attached to the rest. To aid in the transportation of the rifle and support device, the supporting leg can be folded and clamped onto a clamp of the rest, so that the supporting leg and base are parallel to the rifle.

Abstract: A module having a housing, a battery, control circuitry and electrical conductors. The battery and control circuitry are contained in the housing. The housing is adapted to be removably connected to the frame of a firearm. The electrical conductors are located on the housing and allow the battery and control circuit to be electrically connected to other components of the firearm. The housing can be connected at a hand grip section of the firearm and forms a substantial portion of at least one exterior side of the firearm at the hand grip section.

Abstract: A locking device for weapons or similar structures with an elongated hollow body intended to fit into the barrel of the weapon. The body is provided with at least two telescoping parts. A locking device is inserted in the body and is expandable in such a way that the body is fixedly locked in the barrel. The locking device includes locking members arranged around the periphery of one part and another part presses the locking members radially outwards against the inner barrel surface when the parts are urged toward one another in an attempt to press the locking device out of the weapon.

Abstract: A camera mount for firearms is provided, comprising a base plate; an intermediate plate operatively attached to the base plate; a dampening material, operatively attached between the base plate and the intermediate plate, for dampening recoil forces transmitted to the intermediate plate; and a mounting plate removably attached to the intermediate plate, the mounting plate including a camera attachment device for allowing attachment of a camera to the mounting plate; and an adjustment mechanism, operatively connected between the intermediate plate and the mounting plate, for allowing the camera to be aligned with respect to the firearm. The camera mount further includes a firearm mounting device, operatively attached to the base plate, for mounting the camera mount to the firearm. In one embodiment, the firearm mounting device includes at least one scope mounting bracket shaped and dimensioned to allow attachment of the camera mount to a scope on the firearm.

Abstract: In depositing an adhering, continuous, polycrystalline diamond film on a substrate by forming a refractory nitride interlayer on the substrate and depositing diamond on the interlayer in a vacuum chamber containing a microwave activated mixture of hydrogen and a gas including carbon, the crystal orientation of the deposited diamond, <111> or <100>, is selected by controlling the pressure in the chamber. Preferably, relatively higher microwave power is utilized at higher pressures.

Abstract: A structural connection wherein two structural members are joined at an angle of less than 180 degrees by a sheet metal connector, formed with an integral gusset at the longitudinal line of juncture, that is attached with a plurality of fasteners. The gusset reinforces the connection against forces acting perpendicular to the longitudinal line of juncture and the plurality of fasteners reinforce the connection against angular displacement of the structural members perpendicular to the longitudinal line of juncture.

Abstract: A soft multicomponent compound comprising a styrenic block copolymer having good elastomeric properties, a paraffinic oil, a crystalline polyolefin and a metallocene polyolefin having a density from 0.86 to 0.91, a molecular weight distribution less than 3, and good distribution of ethylene and from 12% to 30% by weight of one or more .alpha.-olefin monomers having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms. The metallocene polyolefin partly replaces the styrenic block copolymer in conventional soft compounds and provides the desired softness at significantly lower oil contents, thus avoiding surface tackiness and oil extractability.