Detonator assembly

Abstract

An improved detonator assembly for a black powder firearm having a breech block, a receiver, and a nipple. The detonator assembly comprises a primer and a primer carrier. The primer carrier has an axial bore dimensioned to receive the primer at one end and slip over the firearm nipple at the opposite end. The primer carrier has a lip that abuts the breech block rear end. A tab laterally extends from the lip to provide a handle for installing and removing the assembly and a visual indication that the firearm is primed.

whatWhat is claimed is:  
     
       1. A detonator assembly for a black powder firearm having a nipple and a breech block having an axial bore for receiving said detonator assembly, said detonator assembly comprising: 
       primer means having a cylindrical first portion and a generally flattened end; and a primer carrier having a first end, a first portion dimensioned to receive said primer means, and a second portion dimensioned for partially receiving the firearm nipple, said primer carrier second portion comprising first and second coaxial sleeve means defining an interior circumferential annular recess, said second sleeve means defining a sealing surface for sealing with the nipple.  
     
     
       2. The detonator assembly of  claim 1  wherein said primer carrier first end further comprises a lip. 
     
     
       3. The detonator assembly of  claim 2  wherein said primer carrier first end further comprises handle means integrally extending from a portion of said lip. 
     
     
       4. The detonator assembly of  claim 1  wherein said primer means is mounted in press-fit relationship to said first portion. 
     
     
       5. The detonator assembly of  claim 1  wherein said second sleeve means is deformable upon detonation of said primer whereby lateral forces imposed on said primer carrier are absorbed by said second sleeve means. 
     
     
       6. The detonator assembly of  claim 1  wherein said primer carrier first end has a rear surface defining a groove, said groove defining an annulus, said annulus being coaxial with said first and second sleeve means. 
     
     
       7. A firearm comprising: 
       receiver means having a firing pin;  
       trigger means for actuating said pin;  
       barrel means;  
       breech block means comprising a breech block having an axial bore;  
       nipple means disposed in said bore and communicating with said barrel; and  
       a detonator assembly disposed in said axial bore, said detonator assembly comprising primer means and a primer carrier, said primer means being engageable by said pin and having a cylindrical first portion and a generally flattened end, said primer carrier having a first end, a first portion dimensioned to receive said primer means, a second portion dimensioned for partially slipping over said nipple means and absorber means for accommodating deformation of said primer carrier on detonation of said primer whereby lateral forces imposed on said primer carrier are absorbed by said absorber means.  
     
     
       8. The firearm of  claim 7  wherein said absorber means comprises first and second sleeve means defining an interior circumferential annular recess, said second sleeve means defining a sealing surface for sealing with said nipple means. 
     
     
       9. The firearm of  claim 7  wherein said primer first end further comprises a lip which seals between said breech block and said receiver means. 
     
     
       10. The firearm of  claim 9  wherein said primer carrier first end further comprises handle means integrally extending from a portion of said lip. 
     
     
       11. The firearm of  claim 10  wherein said handle means extends outwardly from said breech block means whereby said handle means provides a visible indication that said firearm is primed. 
     
     
       12. The firearm of  claim 7  wherein said primer carrier first end further has a rear surface defining a groove, said groove defining an annulus, said annulus being coaxial with said first portion, wherein said groove receives a partial ring projecting from a front surface of the receiver means whereby the primer carrier first end is sealed. 
     
     
       13. The firearm of  claim 7  wherein said primer means is mounted in press-fit relationship to said first portion. 
     
     
       14. A primer carrier for a black powder firearm having a nipple, a primer and a breech block having an axial bore for receiving said primer carrier, said primer carrier comprising an outside surface, a first end, a first end portion having an inside surface and being dimensioned to receive the primer, and a second end portion dimensioned for partially slipping over the nipple, said second end portion comprising first and second sleeve means defining a circumferential annular recess said second sleeve means defining a sealing surface for sealing with the nipple. 
     
     
       15. The primer carrier of  claim 14  wherein said second sleeve means is deformable upon detonation of said primer whereby lateral forces imposed on said primer carrier are absorbed by said second sleeve means. 
     
     
       16. The primer carrier of  claim 14  wherein said primer carrier first end further comprises a lip. 
     
     
       17. The primer carrier of  claim 16  wherein said primer carrier first end further comprises handle means integrally extending from a portion of said lip. 
     
     
       18. The primer carrier of  claim 14  wherein said primer carrier first end further has a rear surface defining a groove, said groove defining an annulus, said annulus being coaxial with said first and second sleeve means. 
     
     
       19. The primer carrier of  claim 14  wherein said primer carrier is composed of a plastic material. 
     
     
       20. A firearm comprising: 
       receiver means having a firing pin;  
       trigger means for actuating said pin;  
       barrel means;  
       breech block means comprising a breech block having an axial bore;  
       nipple means disposed in said bore and communicating with said barrel; and  
       a detonator assembly disposed in said axial bore, said detonator assembly comprising primer means and a primer carrier, said primer means being engageable by said pin and having a cylindrical first portion and a generally flattened end, said primer carrier having a first end, a first portion dimensioned to receive said primer means, and a second portion dimensioned for partially slipping over said nipple means, said primer carrier first end having a rear surface defining a groove, said groove defining an annulus, said annulus being coaxial with said first portion, wherein said groove receives a partial ring projecting from a front surface of the receiver means whereby the primer carrier first end is sealed.  
     
     
       21. A firearm comprising: 
       
         a receiver having a firing pin;  
       
       
         a barrel;  
       
       
         a breech block mounted to said barrel and having an axial bore;  
       
       
         a primer being engageable by said pin and having a cylindrical first portion and a generally flattened end defining a flattened end surface; and  
       
       
         a primer carrier defining a first carrier bore, said primer carrier having a first end portion defining a partial second carrier bore coaxial with said first carrier bore, said first end portion defining a lateral surface, said primer carrier comprising a laterally extending tab and absorber means for accommodating deformation of said primer carrier on detonation of said primer whereby lateral forces imposed on said primer carrier are absorbed by said absorber means, said primer being disposed in said first carrier bore, said flattened end of said primer positioned in said second carrier bore and said flattened end surface of said primer is generally coplanar with said lateral surface, and said receiver supporting said primer carrier wherein said primer is aligned with said axial bore and said tab extends through said receiver to provide a visible indication that said firearm is primed. 
       
     
     
       22. The firearm of  claim 21  wherein said primer carrier has a deformable inner sleeve portion defining said carrier bore and an outer carrier portion radially spaced apart from said inner sleeve portion. 
     
     
       23. The firearm of  claim 21  wherein said primer carrier is plastic. 
     
     
       24. The firearm of  claim 21  wherein said primer slidably engages said first carrier bore. 
     
     
       25. A firearm comprising: 
       
         a receiver having a firing pin;  
       
       
         a barrel;  
       
       
         a breech block mounted to said barrel and having an axial bore;  
       
       
         a primer being engageable by said pin and having a cylindrical first portion and a generally flattened end defining an end surface; and  
       
       
         a primer carrier defining a first carrier bore having a central axis, said primer carrier having a first end portion defining a lateral surface, said end surface of said primer is generally coplanar with said lateral surface, said primer carrier comprising an integral protruding tab and absorber means for accommodating deformation of said primer carrier on detonation of said primer whereby lateral forces imposed on said primer carrier are absorbed by said absorber means, said primer being disposed in said first carrier bore and said receiver supporting said primer carrier wherein said primer is aligned with said axial bore and said tab extends through said receiver to provide a visible indication that said firearm is primed. 
       
     
     
       26. The firearm of  claim 25  wherein said primer carrier has a first end portion defining a partial second carrier bore coaxial with said first carrier bore, said flattened end of said primer positioned in said second carrier bore. 
     
     
       27. The firearm of  claim 26  wherein said first end portion defines a lateral surface, said flattened end of said primer defines a flattened end surface, and said flattened end surface of said primer is generally coplanar with said lateral surface. 
     
     
       28. A firearm comprising: 
       
         a receiver having a firing pin;  
       
       
         a barrel;  
       
       
         a breach block mounted to said barrel and having an axial bore;  
       
       
         a primer being engageable by said pin and having a cylindrical first portion and a generally flattened end; and  
       
       
         a plastic primer carrier having a deformable inner sleeve portion and an outer carrier portion radially spaced apart from said inner sleeve portion defining a first carrier bore, said carrier having a laterally extending tab, said primer being disposed in said first carrier bore and said receiver supporting said primer carrier wherein said primer is aligned with said axial bore and said tab extends through said receiver to provide a visible indication that said firearm is primed and wherein said inner sleeve portion comprises absorber means for accommodating deformation of said primer carrier on detonation of said primer whereby lateral forces imposed on said primer carrier are absorbed by said absorber means.