Curl:
We had a thread on this a while back, at which time I didn't understand them either, but now I own a Scott sidelock fitted with mechanical cocking-rod retractors so I'm now 'enlightened'!

The small 'plungers' in the action flats are depressed into the flats by closing the barrels, whereby they engage angled surfaces on the cocking rods, thus withdrawing the cockers from their contact with the tumbler breasts. These devices persisted on Scott-made guns for some time prior to the realization that they were entirely unnecessary!

This pic should explain all:

Hope this helps.