Abstract: A charging handle for a firearm includes a longitudinal body with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion includes at least one latch lever operable between a first position and a second position, the latch lever including a blocking plate. Moving the handle from the first position to the second position moves the blocking plate from a blocking position to a non-blocking position. The charging handle can be used with a firearm that includes a protrusion extending up from the rear-end portion of the lower receiver or from the recoil assembly. In the blocking position, the blocking plate is aligned with the protrusion and prevents the charging handle from rearward movement. When the blocking plate is in the non-blocking position, the blocking plate clears the protrusion to permit the charging handle to be drawn rearward.

Abstract: A charging handle for a firearm includes a longitudinal body with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion includes at least one latch lever operable between a first position and a second position, the latch lever including a blocking plate. Moving the handle from the first position to the second position moves the blocking plate from a blocking position to a non-blocking position. The charging handle can be used with a firearm that includes a protrusion extending up from the rear-end portion of the lower receiver or from the recoil assembly. In the blocking position, the blocking plate is aligned with the protrusion and prevents the charging handle from rearward movement. When the blocking plate is in the non-blocking position, the blocking plate clears the protrusion to permit the charging handle to be drawn rearward.

Abstract: A weapon system is provided. The weapon system includes a receiver and an operating group. The operating group includes a bolt at least partially housed within the receiver; an operating rod (op-rod) assembly arranged to axially translate within the bolt. The operating group also includes a carrier assembly, a bolt assembly, and a recoil assembly. The system further includes a hinge or pivot joint at a connection between the recoil assembly and the carrier assembly, a firing pin lock, an elastomeric cone interface between the bolt assembly and the receiver, a hollowed out piston, and/or tapering on the lug of the bolt assembly.

Abstract: A weapon system is provided. The weapon system includes a receiver and an operating group. The operating group includes a bolt at least partially housed within the receiver; an operating rod (op-rod) assembly arranged to axially translate within the bolt. The operating group also includes a carrier assembly, a bolt assembly, and a recoil assembly. The system further includes a hinge or pivot joint at a connection between the recoil assembly and the carrier assembly, a firing pin lock, an elastomeric cone interface between the bolt assembly and the receiver, a hollowed out piston, and/or tapering on the lug of the bolt assembly.

Abstract: A weapon system is provided. The weapon system includes a receiver and an operating group. The operating group includes a bolt at least partially housed within the receiver; an operating rod (op-rod) assembly arranged to axially translate within the bolt. The operating group also includes a carrier assembly, a bolt assembly, and a recoil assembly. The system further includes a hinge or pivot joint at a connection between the recoil assembly and the carrier assembly, a firing pin lock, an elastomeric cone interface between the bolt assembly and the receiver, a hollowed out piston, and/or tapering on the lug of the bolt assembly.

Abstract: A weapon system is provided. The weapon system includes a receiver and an operating group. The operating group includes a bolt at least partially housed within the receiver; an operating rod (op-rod) assembly arranged to axially translate within the bolt. The operating group also includes a carrier assembly, a bolt assembly, and a recoil assembly. The system further includes a hinge or pivot joint at a connection between the recoil assembly and the carrier assembly, a firing pin lock, an elastomeric cone interface between the bolt assembly and the receiver, a hollowed out piston, and/or tapering on the lug of the bolt assembly.

Abstract: A firearm assembly includes an upper receiver assembly having a front face and an aperture formed through the front face, and a feed ramp insert member removably coupled to the upper receiver assembly. The feed ramp insert member has a profile matching at least a portion of the aperture. The feed ramp insert member extends outwardly from the front face of the upper receiver assembly adjacent to the aperture. The feed ramp insert member is operative to interfere with incidental contact between a cartridge and at least a portion of the upper receiver assembly.

Abstract: An offset print unit includes a plate cylinder having an end, a rotatable plate cylinder support supporting the end and having a first bearing surface, a blanket cylinder having a blanket cylinder end, a rotatable blanket cylinder support supporting the end and having a second bearing surface and an actuating device for rotating the plate cylinder support and the blanket cylinder support, the first and second bearing surfaces contacting during a part of the rotation of the supports. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An offset print unit includes a plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder having an end and a blanket gear coaxial with the blanket cylinder, a drive axle or pinion supporting a gear driving the blanket gear and a blanket lift arm for selectively supporting the end to cantilever the blanket cylinder, the blanket lift arm being rotatable about the drive axle or pinion. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An offset web print unit includes a plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder, the plate cylinder being movable during a throw-off operation, and a tucker bar for tucking plates into the plate cylinder, the tucker bar having an axis movable with respect to the plate cylinder axis for reducing a gap during the throw-off operation.

Abstract: An offset print unit includes a plate cylinder having an end, a rotatable plate cylinder support supporting the end and having a first bearing surface, a blanket cylinder having a blanket cylinder end, a rotatable blanket cylinder support supporting the end and having a second bearing surface and an actuating device for rotating the plate cylinder support and the blanket cylinder support, the first and second bearing surfaces contacting during a part of the rotation of the supports. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An offset web print unit includes a plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder, the plate cylinder being movable during a throw-off operation, and a tucker bar for tucking plates into the plate cylinder, the tucker bar having an axis movable with respect to the plate cylinder axis for reducing a gap during the throw-off operation. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An offset print unit includes a plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder having an end and a blanket gear coaxial with the blanket cylinder, a drive axle or pinion supporting a gear driving the blanket gear and a blanket lift arm for selectively supporting the end to cantilever the blanket cylinder, the blanket lift arm being rotatable about the drive axle or pinion. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An offset print unit includes a plate cylinder having an end, a rotatable plate cylinder support supporting the end and having a first bearing surface, a blanket cylinder having a blanket cylinder end, a rotatable blanket cylinder support supporting the end and having a second bearing surface and an actuating device for rotating the plate cylinder support and the blanket cylinder support, the first and second bearing surfaces contacting during a part of the rotation of the supports. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An offset print unit includes a plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder having an end and a blanket gear coaxial with the blanket cylinder, a drive axle or pinion supporting a gear driving the blanket gear and a blanket lift arm for selectively supporting the end to cantilever the blanket cylinder, the blanket lift arm being rotatable about the drive axle or pinion. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An offset web print unit includes a plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder, a second blanket cylinder, an autoplating mechanism, and a throw-off mechanism including a single actuator both for moving the blanket cylinder from the second blanket cylinder and for moving the blanket cylinder to selectively contact the plate cylinder to permit autoplating while the blanket cylinder is thrown-off of the second blanket cylinder. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for preventing circumferential separation between the meshing teeth of a first gear and a second gear of a gear train. Exemplary embodiments of the invention include a first torque transmitting gear coaxially fixed to the first gear, a second torque transmitting gear in meshing engagement with the first torque transmitting gear, a third torque transmitting gear in meshing engagement with the second torque transmitting gear, and being rotatable about a shaft fixedly connected to a fourth torque transmitting gear which in turn is in meshing engagement with the second gear. The third torque transmitting gear is drivingly connected to the shaft via a pre-loaded resilient element formed by a first torsion spring and a second torsion spring. In an exemplary embodiment, the torsion springs are arranged such that windings of the first torsion spring are located within spaces formed between adjacent windings of the second torsion spring.