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A bolt assembly for an automatic firearm which operates using kinetic recoil energy that includes a floating bolt element, a rotatable locking bolt head and a return spring interposed between them, all in communication with the barrel. The bolt head is formed with a cylindrical portion having two crescent shaped projections located at diametrically opposite points along the circumference of the cylindrical portion. The barrel is formed with two diametrically opposite recesses associated with and shaped to correspond to the projections. The barrel is also formed with a pair of grooves, each groove associated with a recess such that the projections may enter and exit the grooves through the recesses. The grooves are staggered with respect to the recesses and have an angular extension such that the projections may enter and be retained within the grooves. The barrel is additionally formed with projecting edge guide grooves and the bolt element is formed with projecting edges that are...

InventorPaolo Benelli
Original AssigneeBenelli Armi S.p.A.
Current U.S. Classification89/185; 89/166; 89/172; 89/183
International Classification: F41D 306

View patent at USPTO
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Citations

Cited PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US2476232Nov 6, 1947Jul 12, 1949 WILLIAMS
US3110222Apr 5, 1962Nov 12, 1963GAS ASSIST SYSTEM FOR RECOIL ACTUATED FIREARMS
US3969983Sep 30, 1974Jul 20, 1976Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik Oerlikon-BuhrleBreechblock for automatic firing weapon
US4191089Apr 10, 1978Mar 4, 1980Steyr-Daimler-Puch-AktiengesellschaftBreech-closing mechanism for automatic rifle
US4389919May 3, 1982Jun 28, 1983Remington Arms Company, Inc.Firing pin block for firearm with a rotary breech bolt
US4398448Jul 31, 1981Aug 16, 1983The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyBuffered bolt assembly

Referenced by

Citing PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US5941005Jul 25, 1998Aug 24, 1999O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.Safety and bolt assembly system for firearms
US5983549Jul 24, 1998Nov 16, 1999O. F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.Inertial cycling system for firearms
US7237469Mar 4, 2005Jul 3, 2007Heckler & Koch, GmbHFirearms having a locked breech
US7311032Mar 4, 2005Dec 25, 2007Heckler & Koch, GmbHFirearms with gas pressure loading mechanisms
US7698987Jun 5, 2003Apr 20, 2010Gamma KDG Systems SAHeavy caliber firearm with enhanced recoil and control characteristics
US7946214Aug 27, 2008May 24, 2011RA Brands, L.L.C.Gas system for firearms
US7963061Sep 23, 2008Jun 21, 2011BrowningMagazine plug
US8056280Sep 23, 2008Nov 15, 2011BrowningFirearm having an improved forearm fastening mechanism
US8061260Jun 22, 2010Nov 22, 2011RA Brands, L.L.C.Gas plug retention and removal device
US8065949May 24, 2007Nov 29, 2011Remington Arms Company, Inc.Gas-operated firearm
US8079168Sep 23, 2008Dec 20, 2011BrowningFirearm having an improved firing pin locking mechanism
US8176837Oct 11, 2010May 15, 2012Firearm operating rod
USD661364Jun 21, 2010Jun 5, 2012RA Brands, L.L.C.Gas block

Claims

1. A bolt assembly for an automatic firearm which operates in an inertial mode using kinetic recoil energy comprising a barrel, a floating bolt element formed with a helical slot, a rotatable locking bolt head, a return spring interposed between the rotatable locking bolt head and the floating bolt element; the spring, rotatable locking bolt head and the floating bolt element in communication with the barrel, the rotatable locking bolt head formed with a cylindrical portion having two crescent shaped projections located at diametrically opposite points along the circumference of the cylindrical portion, the barrel formed with two diametrically opposite recesses associated with and shaped to correspond to the crescent shaped projections, a pair of grooves formed in the barrel, each groove associated with a recess such that the crescent shaped projections may enter and exit the grooves through the recesses, the grooves being staggered with respect to the recesses and having an angular extension such that the crescent shaped projections may enter and be retained within the grooves, the barrel formed with projecting edge guide grooves, the floating bolt element formed with projecting edges that are located in and guided by the projecting edge guide grooves, the locking bolt head including a shank having a lesser diameter than that of the cylindrical portion of the locking bolt head, a cavity formed in the floating bolt element for receiving the shank, the shank carrying a pin adapted to impart a rotary movement to the locking bolt head by engaging the helical slot formed in the floating bolt element, whereby the firearm is in a locked position when the crescent shaped projections of the cylindrical portion of the locking bolt head are retained within the associated grooves formed in the barrel by means of the return spring, whereby upon firing the firearm recoils, the floating bolt element maintains its position by means of the projecting edge guide grooves sliding over the projecting edges of the floating bolt element thereby compressing the return spring, the rotatable locking bolt head remaining in a locked position during compression of the return spring to provide a delay which permits the dissipation of pressures in the barrel after firing, the return spring upon being compressed to a predetermined level expands and exerts a force upon the floating bolt element causing the helical slot of the floating bolt element to impart a rotary movement to the rotatable locking bolt head through the pin carried by the shank, which causes the rotatable locking bolt head to disengage its projections from the associated grooves formed in the barrel causing the crescent shaped projections of the cylindrical portion of the rotatable locking bolt head to pass through the recesses formed in the barrel to put the firearm in an unlocked position to permit reloading.

2. A bolt assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shank of the rotatable locking bolt head includes a recess forming two abutments adapted to engage a cross pin carried by the floating bolt element to limit the relative axial movement between the rotatable locking bolt head and the floating bolt element.