US3768190A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Loading gate arrangement for single action revolver
Assignee: Sturm Ruger and Co Inc
•
Filing: 1972-01-03
•
Granted: 1973-10-30
•
Expires: 1992-01-03
Abstract
Abstract The loading gate arrangement for a single action revolver comprises a loading gate pivotally mounted on the frame of the revolver by means of a rearwardly extending longitudinally disposed pivot stud, the loading gate having an integrally formed hub portion that is disposed in front of the pivot stud and is formed with retaining flange and detent surfaces. A trigger interlock element connected to and movable with the trigger and a loading gate interlock element located on the loading gate pivot stud cooperate to prevent the trigger from being moved and the hammer from being cocked when the loading gate is open and to prevent the loading gate from being opened when the hammer is cocked. A spring loaded gate retainer and detent member having a horizontally disposed arm portion extending forwardly from the loading gate and a vertically disposed finger portion extending upwardly adjacent the loading gate cooperates with the retaining flange and detent surfaces of the loading gate to retain the loading gate in position on the frame and to releasably detain the loading gate in its closed position when closed and in its open position when open. A laterally extending lug portion of the cylinder latch cooperates with the detent surfaces of the loading gate and with the loading gate retainer and detent member to withdraw the nose of the cylinder latch from engagement with a cylinder latch notch of the cylinder when the loading gate is open.
Inventors
- 👤 W Ruger
- 👤 L Larson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:44
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41A; F41A19/00; F41A19/06; F41A19/42; F41A19/52; F41A17/00; F41A17/46; F41C; F41C3/00; F41C3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
354 words
In a single action revolver having a frame; a cylinder rotatably mounted in the frame; a hammer pivotally mounted on the frame; a trigger pivotally mounted on the frame, the trigger being rotated from its rest position to its ready-to-fire position by the hammer when the hammer is manually cocked; a loading gate pivotally mounted on the frame; and a cylinder latch pivotally mounted on the frame having a nose portion adapted to releasably engage a cylinder latch notch formed in the outer surface of the cylinder; the improved loading gate arrangement comprising a loading gate pivotally mounted on the frame by means of a rearwardly extending longitudinally disposed pivot stud, said loading gate having an integrally formed hub portion disposed in front of said pivot stud; loading gate and trigger interlock means having a trigger interlock element operatively connected to and movable with the trigger and a loading gate interlock element located on the pivot stud of the loading gate, said loading gate interlock element blocking movement of said trigger interlock element to prevent the trigger from being moved to its ready-to-fire position when the loading gate is open and said trigger interlock element blocking movement of said loading gate interlock elemenT to prevent the loading gate from being opened when the trigger is in its ready-to-fire position; loading gate retainer and detent means having retaining flange and detent surfaces located on the hub of the loading gate and a spring loaded retainer and detent member located in front of the loading gate, said retaining flange and detent surfaces and said retainer and detent member contacting each other to retain the loading gate in its pivotally mounted position on the frame and to releasably detain the loading gate in its closed position when closed and in its open position when open; and cylinder latch operating means having a lug portion of the cylinder latch that is operatively connected to and moved by the detent surfaces of the loading gate to withdraw the nose of the cylinder latch from engagement with a cylinder latch notch of the cylinder when the loading gate is open.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
354 words
In a single action revolver having a frame; a cylinder rotatably mounted in the frame; a hammer pivotally mounted on the frame; a trigger pivotally mounted on the frame, the trigger being rotated from its rest position to its ready-to-fire position by the hammer when the hammer is manually cocked; a loading gate pivotally mounted on the frame; and a cylinder latch pivotally mounted on the frame having a nose portion adapted to releasably engage a cylinder latch notch formed in the outer surface of the cylinder; the improved loading gate arrangement comprising a loading gate pivotally mounted on the frame by means of a rearwardly extending longitudinally disposed pivot stud, said loading gate having an integrally formed hub portion disposed in front of said pivot stud; loading gate and trigger interlock means having a trigger interlock element operatively connected to and movable with the trigger and a loading gate interlock element located on the pivot stud of the loading gate, said loading gate interlock element blocking movement of said trigger interlock element to prevent the trigger from being moved to its ready-to-fire position when the loading gate is open and said trigger interlock element blocking movement of said loading gate interlock elemenT to prevent the loading gate from being opened when the trigger is in its ready-to-fire position; loading gate retainer and detent means having retaining flange and detent surfaces located on the hub of the loading gate and a spring loaded retainer and detent member located in front of the loading gate, said retaining flange and detent surfaces and said retainer and detent member contacting each other to retain the loading gate in its pivotally mounted position on the frame and to releasably detain the loading gate in its closed position when closed and in its open position when open; and cylinder latch operating means having a lug portion of the cylinder latch that is operatively connected to and moved by the detent surfaces of the loading gate to withdraw the nose of the cylinder latch from engagement with a cylinder latch notch of the cylinder when the loading gate is open.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
160 words
The revolver according to claim 1 in which the loading gate interlock element of the loading gate and trigger interlock means comprises a trigger interlock receiving recess formed in the rearwardly extending loading gate pivot stud, and a trigger interlock blocking portion of the loading gate pivot stud; the trigger interlock receiving recess of the loading gate pivot stud being adapted to receive the trigger interlock element associated with the trigger when the loading gate is in its closed position whereby movement of said trigger interlock element and movement of the trigger are permitted; the trigger interlock element, when received in the trigger interlock receiving recess, engaging and preventing movement of the loading gate from its closed position to its open position when the trigger is at its ready-to-fire position; the trigger interlock blocking portion of the loading gate pivot stud engaging and preventing movement of the trigger interlock element associated with the trigger when the loading gate is open.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
201 words
The revolver according to claim 1 in which the loading gate retainer and detent means comprises a generally vertically oriented loading gate retaining flange and, generally perpendicular thereto, a gate closed detent surface and a gate open detent surface all formed in the hub; a loading gate retainer and detent member having a generally horizontally disposed arm portion extending forwardly from the loading gate and a generally vertically disposed finger portion extending upwardly adjacent the loading gate, the finger portion of the retainer and detent member having a rearward retainer flange surface which bears against the retainer flange of the loading gate to retain the loading gate in position on the frame and an upper detent surface which bears against the gate closed detent surface of the loading gate when the gate is closed and against the gate open detent surface of the loading gate when the gate is open; and a detent spring which urges the finger portion of the retainer and detent member against the detent surfaces of the loading gate, said retainer and detent member being moved downwardly against the pressure of the detent spring when the loading gate is rotated from its closed to its open position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
The revolver according to claim 3 in which the loading gate cylinder latch operating means comprises, in combination with the gate open detent surface of the loading gate and the spring loaded loading gate retainer and detent member, a laterally extending lug portion of the pivoted cylinder latch which underlies the arm portion of the retainer and detent member whereby the pivoted cylinder latch is depressed to effect withdrawal of the nose portion thereof from engagement with the cylinder latch notch of the cylinder when the loading gate is open.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
201 words
The revolver according to claim 2 in which the loading gate retainer and detent means comprises a generally vertically oriented loading gate retaining flange and, generally perpendicular thereto, a gate closed detent surface and a gate open detent surface all formed in the hub, a loading gate retainer and detent member havIng a generally horizontally disposed arm portion extending forwardly from the loading gate and a generally vertically disposed finger portion extending upwardly adjacent the loading gate, the finger portion of the retainer and detent member having a rearward retainer flange surface which bears against the retainer flange of the loading gate to retain the loading gate in position on the frame and an upper detent surface which bears against the gate closed detent surface of the loading gate when the gate is closed and against the gate open detent surface of the loading gate when the gate is open, and a detent spring which urges the finger portion of the retainer and detent member against the detent surfaces of the loading gate, said retainer and detent member being moved downwardly against the pressure of the detent spring when the loading gate is rotated from its closed to its open position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
The revolver according to claim 5 in which the loading gate cylinder latch operating means comprises, in combination with the gate open detent surface of the loading gate and the spring loaded loading gate retainer and detent member, a laterally extending lug portion of the pivoted cylinder latch which underlies the arm portion of the retainer and detent member whereby the pivoted cylinder latch is depressed to effect withdrawal of the nose portion thereof from engagement with the cylinder latch notch of the cylinder when the loading gate is open.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
122 words
The revolver according to claim 2 in which a vertically disposed trigger bar is pivotally mounted on the trigger, the upper end portion of the trigger bar being disposed in front of the hammer and being moved vertically from its lower position to its upper position when the trigger is moved from its rest position to its ready-to-fire position, said trigger bar being formed with an interlock shoulder portion that comprises the said trigger interlock element the upward movement of which is prevented by the blocking portion of the loading gate pivot stud when the loading gate is open and that is received in the interlock receiving recess of the loading gate pivot stud when the trigger is at its ready-to-fire position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The revolver according to claim 7 in which the forward surface of the hammer is formed with a trigger bar notch and in which the upper end of the trigger bar is received in and is engaged by said trigger bar notch when the hammer and trigger are at rest with the trigger bar in its lower position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
The revolver according to claim 2 in which the trigger is formed with an upwardly extending arm having an interlock lug portion that comprises the said trigger interlock element the forward movement of which is prevented by the blocking portion of the loading gate pivot stud when the loading gate is open and that is received in the interlock receiving recess of the loading gate pivot stud when the trigger is at its ready-to-fire position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The revolver according to claim 3 in which the detent spring is an integrally formed portion of the loading gate retainer and detent member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The revolver according to claim 10 in which the detent spring is an integrally formed hairpin spring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The revolver according to claim 3 in which the detent spring is a separate coil spring that urges the loading gate retainer and detent member upwardly into contact with the detent surfaces of the loading gate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The revolver according to claim 5 in which the detent spring is an integrally formed portion of the loading gate retainer and detent member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The revolver according to claim 13 in which the detent spring is an integrally formed hairpin spring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The revolver according to claim 5 in which the detent spring is a separate coil spring that urges the loading gate retainer and detent member upwardly into contact with the detent surfaces of the loading gate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
126 words
The revolver according to claim 1 in which a vertically disposed pawl is pivotally mounted on the hammer, the upper end of said pawl being adapteD to engage the teeth of a ratchet provided at the rearward end of the cylinder, and in which the upper end of the pawl is provided with two vertically spaced ratchet engaging lugs, one of said lugs engaging a tooth of the ratchet and rotating the cylinder a distance equal to the radial angle between the chambers of the cylinder when the hammer is cocked, and the other of said lugs engaging a tooth of the ratchet to position a chamber of the cylinder in front of the loading gate opening of the frame when the loading gate is open.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
258 words
In a single action revolver having a frame; a chambered cylinder rotatably mounted in the frame and having a cylinder ratchet secured to the rearward end thereof; a hammer pivotally mounted on the frame; a trigger pivotally mounted on the frame, the trigger being rotated from its rest position to its ready-to-fire position by the hammer when the hammer is manually cocked; a vertically disposed pawl pivotally mounted on the hammer the upper end of which is adapted to engage the teeth of the cylinder ratchet; a loading gate pivotally mounted on the frame; and a cylinder latch pivotally mounted on the frame having a nose portion adapted to releasably engage a cylinder latch notch formed in the outer surface of the cylinder; the improved loading gate arrangement comprising a loading gate pivotally mounted on the frame by means of a rearwardly extending longitudinally disposed pivot stud; loading gate cylinder latch operating means that withdraws the nose of the cylinder latch from engagement with a cylinder latch notch of the cylinder when the loading gate is open; and a pawl the upper end of which is provided with two vertically spaced ratchet engaging lugs, one of said lugs engaging a tooth of the ratchet and rotating the cylinder a distance equal to the radial angle between the chambers of the cylinder when the hammer is cocked, and the other of said lugs engaging a tooth of the ratchet to position a chamber in front of the loading gate opening of the frame when the loading gate is open.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
258 words
In a single action revolver having a frame; a chambered cylinder rotatably mounted in the frame and having a cylinder ratchet secured to the rearward end thereof; a hammer pivotally mounted on the frame; a trigger pivotally mounted on the frame, the trigger being rotated from its rest position to its ready-to-fire position by the hammer when the hammer is manually cocked; a vertically disposed pawl pivotally mounted on the hammer the upper end of which is adapted to engage the teeth of the cylinder ratchet; a loading gate pivotally mounted on the frame; and a cylinder latch pivotally mounted on the frame having a nose portion adapted to releasably engage a cylinder latch notch formed in the outer surface of the cylinder; the improved loading gate arrangement comprising a loading gate pivotally mounted on the frame by means of a rearwardly extending longitudinally disposed pivot stud; loading gate cylinder latch operating means that withdraws the nose of the cylinder latch from engagement with a cylinder latch notch of the cylinder when the loading gate is open; and a pawl the upper end of which is provided with two vertically spaced ratchet engaging lugs, one of said lugs engaging a tooth of the ratchet and rotating the cylinder a distance equal to the radial angle between the chambers of the cylinder when the hammer is cocked, and the other of said lugs engaging a tooth of the ratchet to position a chamber in front of the loading gate opening of the frame when the loading gate is open.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
266 words
The revolver according to claim 17 in which loading gate retainer and detent means are provided, said retainer and detent means comprising a generally vertically oriented loading gate retaining flange formed in the hub of the loading gate and, generally perpendicular thereto, a gate closed detent surface and a gate open detent surface also formed in said hub, a loading gate retainer and detent member having a generally horizontally disposed arm portion and a generally vertically disposed finger portion, the finger portion of the retainer and detent member having a rearward retainer flange surface which bears against the retainer flange of the loading gate to retain the loading gate in position on the frame and an upper detent surface which bears against the gate closed detent surface of the loading gate when the gate is closed and against the gate open detent surface of the loading gate when the gate is open, and a detent spring which urges the finger portion of the retainer and detent member against the detent surfaces of the loading gate, said retainer and detent member being moved downwardly against the pressure of the detent spring when the loading gate is rotated from its closed to its open position; and in which the loading gate cylinder latch operating means comprises a laterally extending lug portion of the pivoted cylinder latch which underlies the arm portion of the retainer and detent member whereby the pivoted cylinder latch is depressed to effect withdrawal of the nose portion thereof from engagement with the cylinder latch notch of the cylinder when the loading gate is open.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
227 words
In a single action revolver having a frame; a cylinder rotatably mounted in the frame; a hammer pivotally mounted on the frame; a trigger pivotally mounted on the frame, the trigger being rotated from its rest position to its ready-to-fire position by the hammer when the hammer is manually cocked; a loading gate pivotally mounted on the frame; and a cylinder latch pivotally mounted on the frame having a nose portion adapted to releasably engage a cylinder latch notch formed in the outer surface of the cylinder. the improved loading gate arrangement comprising a loading gate pivotally mounted on the frame by means of a rearwardly extending longitudinally disposed pivot stud, said loading gate having an integrally formed hub portion disposed in front of said pivot stud; loading gate and trigger interlock means having a trigger interlock element operatively connected to the trigger and a loading gate interlock element located on the pivot stud of the loading gate that contact each other and operate to prevent the trigger from being moved to its ready-to-fire position when the loading gate is open and to prevent the loading gate from being opened when the trigger is in its ready-to-fire position; and cylinder latch operating means that withdraws the nose of the cylinder latch from engagement with a cylinder latch notch of the cylinder when the loading gate is open.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
227 words
In a single action revolver having a frame; a cylinder rotatably mounted in the frame; a hammer pivotally mounted on the frame; a trigger pivotally mounted on the frame, the trigger being rotated from its rest position to its ready-to-fire position by the hammer when the hammer is manually cocked; a loading gate pivotally mounted on the frame; and a cylinder latch pivotally mounted on the frame having a nose portion adapted to releasably engage a cylinder latch notch formed in the outer surface of the cylinder. the improved loading gate arrangement comprising a loading gate pivotally mounted on the frame by means of a rearwardly extending longitudinally disposed pivot stud, said loading gate having an integrally formed hub portion disposed in front of said pivot stud; loading gate and trigger interlock means having a trigger interlock element operatively connected to the trigger and a loading gate interlock element located on the pivot stud of the loading gate that contact each other and operate to prevent the trigger from being moved to its ready-to-fire position when the loading gate is open and to prevent the loading gate from being opened when the trigger is in its ready-to-fire position; and cylinder latch operating means that withdraws the nose of the cylinder latch from engagement with a cylinder latch notch of the cylinder when the loading gate is open.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
164 words
The revolver according to claim 19 in which the loading gate and trigger interlock means comprises a trigger interlock element connected to and movable with the trigger, a trigger interlock receiving recess formed in the rearwardly extending loading gate pivot stud, and a trigger interlock blocking portion of the loading gate pivot stud, the trigger interlock receiving recess of the loading gate pivot stud being adapted to receive the trigger interlock element associated with the trigger when the loading gate is in its closed position whereby movement of said trigger interlock element and movement of the trigger are permitted, the trigger interlock element received in the trigger interlock receiving recess engaging and preventing movement of the loading gate from its closed position to its open position when the trigger is at its ready-to-fire position, the trigger interlock blocking portion of the loading gate pivot stud engaging and preventing movement of the trigger interlock element associated with the trigger when the loading gate is open.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
122 words
The revolver according to claim 20 in which a vertically disposed trigger bar is pivotally mounted on the trigger, the upper end portion of the trigger bar being disposed in front of the hammer and being moved vertically from its lower position to its upper position when the trigger is moved from its rest position to its ready-to-fire position, said trigger bar being formed with an interlock shoulder portion that comprises the said trigger interlock element the upward movement of which is prevented by the blocking portion of the loading gate pivot stud when the loading gate is open and that is received in the interlock receiving recess of the loading gate pivot stud when the trigger is at its ready-to-fire position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
58 words
The revolver according to claim 21 in which the forward surface of the hammer is formed with a trigger bar notch and in which the upper end of the trigger bar is received in and is engaged by said trigger bar notch when the hammer and trigger are at rest with the trigger bar in its lower position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
75 words
The revolver according to claim 20 in which the trigger is formed with an upwardly extending arm having an interlock lug portion that comprises the said trigger interlock element the forward movement of which is prevented by the blocking portion of the loading gate pivot stud when the loading gate is open and that is received in the interlock receiving recess of the loading gate pivot stud when the trigger is at its ready-to-fire position.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
230 words
In a single action revolver having a frame; a cylinder rotatably mounted in the frame; a hammer pivotally mounted on the frame; a trigger pivotally mounted on the frame, the trigger being rotated from its rest position to its ready-to-fire position by the hammer when the hammer is manually cocked; a leading gate pivotally mounted on the frame; and a cylinder latch pivotally mounted on the frame having a nose portion adapted to releasably engage a cylinder latch noTch formed in the outer surface of the cylinder: the improved loading gate arrangement comprising a loading gate pivotally mounted on the frame by means of a rearwardly extending longitudinally disposed pivot stud, said loading gate having an integrally formed hub portion disposed in front of said pivot stud; loading gate retainer and detent means having retaining flange and detent surfaces located on the hub of the loading gate and a spring loaded retainer and detent member located in front of the loading gate that contact each other and operate to retain the loading gate in its pivotally mounted position on the frame and to releasably detain the loading gate in its closed position when closed and in its open position when open; and cylinder latch operating means that withdraws the nose of the cylinder latch from engagement with a cylinder latch notch of the cylinder when the loading gate is open.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
230 words
In a single action revolver having a frame; a cylinder rotatably mounted in the frame; a hammer pivotally mounted on the frame; a trigger pivotally mounted on the frame, the trigger being rotated from its rest position to its ready-to-fire position by the hammer when the hammer is manually cocked; a leading gate pivotally mounted on the frame; and a cylinder latch pivotally mounted on the frame having a nose portion adapted to releasably engage a cylinder latch noTch formed in the outer surface of the cylinder: the improved loading gate arrangement comprising a loading gate pivotally mounted on the frame by means of a rearwardly extending longitudinally disposed pivot stud, said loading gate having an integrally formed hub portion disposed in front of said pivot stud; loading gate retainer and detent means having retaining flange and detent surfaces located on the hub of the loading gate and a spring loaded retainer and detent member located in front of the loading gate that contact each other and operate to retain the loading gate in its pivotally mounted position on the frame and to releasably detain the loading gate in its closed position when closed and in its open position when open; and cylinder latch operating means that withdraws the nose of the cylinder latch from engagement with a cylinder latch notch of the cylinder when the loading gate is open.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
201 words
The revolver according to claim 24 in which the loading gate retainer and detent means comprises a generally vertically oriented loading gate retaining flange and, generally perpendicular thereto, a gate closed detent surface and a gate open detent surface all formed in the hub; a loading gate retainer and detent member having a generally horizontally disposed arm portion extending forwardly from the loading gate and a generally vertically disposed finger portion extending upwardly adjacent the loading gate, the finger portion of the retainer and detent member having a rearward retainer flange surface which bears against the retainer flange of the loading gate to retain the loading gate in position on the frame and an upper detent surface which bears against the gate closed detent surface of the loading gate when the gate is closed and against the gate open detent surface of the loading gate when the gate is open; and a detent spring which urges the finger portion of the retainer and detent member against the detent surfaces of the loading gate, said retainer and detent member being moved downwardly against the pressure of the detent spring when the loading gate is rotated from its closed to its open position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
90 words
The revolver according to claim 25 in which the loading gate cylinder latch operating means comprises, in combination with the gate open detent surface of the leading gate and the spring loaded loading gate retainer and detent member, a laterally extending lug portion of the pivoted cylinder latch which underlies the arm portion of the retainer and detent member whereby the pivoted cylinder latch is depressed to effect withdrawal of the nose portion thereof from engagement with the cylinder latch notch of the cylinder when the loading gate is open.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The revolver according to claim 25 in which the detent spring is an integrally formed portion of the loading gate retainer and detent member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The revolver according to claim 25 in which the detent spring is an integrally formed hairpin spring.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
36 words
The revolver according to claim 25 in which the detent spring is a separate coil spring that urges the loading gate retainer and detent member upwardly into contact with the detent surfaces of the loading gate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |