Patent US3721031A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3721031A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater repeating shotgun
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1970-08-24
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Granted: 1973-03-20
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Expires: 1990-08-24
Abstract
Abstract An underwater shotgun having a barrel rotatable relative to a firing mechanism. The gun is fired by jabbing it against a target such as a shark. After firing, the firing mechanism is positioned behind a second shell, in the barrel, and the gun is again ready for firing. The gun may be fired, without reloading, up to the number of shells contained within the barrel.
Inventors
- 👤 P Fletcher
- 👤 C Falterman
- 👤 W Griffith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:52
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41C; F41C9/00; F41C9/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
An underwater repeating shotgun which comprises: a barrel having at least two shell containing bores; a firing mechanism positioned behind the barrel; said firing mechanism being rotatable relative to said barrel such that the firing mechanism may be alternately positioned behind any of said shell containing bores; and said barrel having a longitudinal axis and being attached to said firing mechanism by a mounting means, said mounting means allowing longitudinal movement of said barrel but permanently preventing rotation of the barrel about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
An underwater repeating shotgun which comprises: a barrel having at least two shell containing bores; a firing mechanism positioned behind the barrel; said firing mechanism being rotatable relative to said barrel such that the firing mechanism may be alternately positioned behind any of said shell containing bores; and said barrel having a longitudinal axis and being attached to said firing mechanism by a mounting means, said mounting means allowing longitudinal movement of said barrel but permanently preventing rotation of the barrel about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The underwater repeating shotgun of claim 1 wherein the mounting means comprises a barrel retainer and a breech, and said barrel is keyed to said retainer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The underwater repeating shotgun of claim 2 wherein the barrel retainer and breech are pivotally connected and a breech lock maintains the barrel retainer and breech in a closed position for firing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The underwater repeating shotgun of claim 2 wherein the barrel is spring biased away from said firing mechanism and movable, against the action of said spring, into a position allowing contact between a shell within said barrel and said firing mechanism.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The underwater repeating shotgun of claim 4 further including a collapsible handle comprised of a plurality of telescoping rods and sleeves and a spline shaft means within said handle for rotating the firing mechanism relative to said barrel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The underwater repeating shotgun of claim 5 further including means on the end of said handle away from said barrel, said means being connected to said spline shaft for rotation thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
An underwater repeating shotgun comprising: a gun barrel having at least two bores therein; an annular shoulder on one end of said gun barrel; said shoulder on one end of said gun barrel; said shoulder being mounted within a barrel retaining breech; barrel retaining nut means cooperating with said breech for allowing rotation of said barrel and permanently preventing longitudinal displacement of said barrel when said annular shoulder is mounted within said breech; and a firing mechanism spring biased away from said barrel and movable, against the action of said spring, into contact with a shell within said barrel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
99 words
An underwater repeating shotgun comprising: a gun barrel having at least two bores therein; an annular shoulder on one end of said gun barrel; said shoulder on one end of said gun barrel; said shoulder being mounted within a barrel retaining breech; barrel retaining nut means cooperating with said breech for allowing rotation of said barrel and permanently preventing longitudinal displacement of said barrel when said annular shoulder is mounted within said breech; and a firing mechanism spring biased away from said barrel and movable, against the action of said spring, into contact with a shell within said barrel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-19 | 1976-09-18 | 1977-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-19 | 1980-09-18 | 1981-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-19 | 1984-09-18 | 1985-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |