FIREARM TRIGGER

Abstract

A trigger element moves between a released position and an actuated position, and a first sear element is pivotally connected to the frame and having a striker engagement surface. The first sear element moves between a position where the striker engagement surface restrains the striker in the cocked position, and one where the striker is enabled to move to the firing position. A sear link element operably connected to the trigger element and to the first sear element is movable between a restrained position where the trigger element is in a released position and prevents link movement, and in which the link restrains the first sear element, and a released position where the trigger element is in the actuated position, enabling link movement. Additionally, the link enables movement of the first sear element to the released position. Detent screws allow for tailoring aspects of the trigger pull.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to firearms, particularly the trigger. Specifically, a drop-in adjustable trigger for the Remington 700 type of firearms.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Triggers are used to release a firing pin under a compressed spring force. The specific design of the trigger, specifically the interaction between sear surfaces and connectors and disconnectors, is crucial in the ease of firing of a rifle well. When a trigger is difficult to pull, lacks a smooth feel to the user, or has certain delays between each aspect of being pulled to firing, the accuracy of a shooter may suffer. Furthermore, many triggers are non-adjustable, have cumbersome safety mechanisms, and otherwise compromise the comfort and safety of an end user. Therefore, there is a need for an improved trigger design that allows for adjustment and operation so as to fit the needs of the user and provide a safer and more accurate firing platform. Furthermore, even when triggers can be adjusted, there is a risk with adjustment screws walking off their setting, and thus there is also a need for adjustment screws that prevent such a dangerous condition.

Triggers also generally face a tradeoff between desired performance characteristics such as light weight and smooth feel, and safety, in terms of resistance to unwanted discharge in response to a sharp shock such as when a firearm is dropped. Mechanism geometries that favor performance generally disfavor safety.

The following invention provides a trigger assembly for a firearm having a striker movable between a cocked position and a firing position. Said trigger assembly comprises of a frame and a trigger element that is pivotally connected to the frame. It is movable between a trigger released position and a trigger actuated position, where a first sear element is pivotally connected to the frame and having a striker engagement surface. The first sear element is movable between a first restraining position in which the striker engagement surface restrains the striker in the cocked position, and a first released position in which the striker is enabled to move to the firing position. A sear link element is pivotally connected to the frame and operably connected to the trigger element and to the first sear element. Said sear link element is movable between a link restrained position in which the trigger element is in the released position and prevents link movement, and in which the link restrains the first sear element in the first restraining position, and a link released position in which the trigger element is in the actuated position and enables link movement. Additionally, the link enables movement of the first sear element to the first released position. Adjustable, detent screws, allow for tailoring aspects of the trigger pull and improve safety by preventing settings from backing off over time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the trigger.

FIG. 2 is a view of the trigger in a first condition.

FIG. 3 view of the trigger in a second condition.

FIG. 4 is a view of the trigger in a third condition.

FIG. 5 is a view of the trigger in the fourth condition.

FIG. 6 is a view of the trigger in a fifth condition.

FIG. 7A is a view of the trigger of its condition in FIG. 2 in sequential order of operation.

FIG. 7B is a view of the trigger of its condition in FIG. 3 in sequential order of operation.

FIG. 7C is a view of the trigger of its condition in FIG. 4 in sequential order of operation.

FIG. 7D is a view of the trigger of its condition in FIG. 5 in sequential order of operation.

FIG. 7E is a view of the trigger of its condition in FIG. 6 in sequential order of operation.

FIG. 8A shows a sequence of the detent mechanism of the trigger assembly.

FIG. 8B shows a sequence of the detent mechanism of the trigger assembly.

FIG. 8C shows a sequence of the detent mechanism of the trigger assembly.

FIG. 8D shows a sequence of the detent mechanism of the trigger assembly.

FIG. 8E shows a sequence of the detent mechanism of the trigger assembly.

FIG. 9 shows the safety mechanism of the trigger assembly in various conditions.

FIG. 9A shows a cross-section of the trigger assembly with emphasis on the trigger safety mechanism.

FIG. 9B shows a cross-section of the trigger assembly with emphasis on the trigger safety mechanism, shown in the safe condition.

FIG. 9C shows a cross-section of the trigger assembly with emphasis on the trigger safety mechanism with the safety lever moved forward into a first position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the trigger mechanism 24.

There is a cassette frame 30 and corresponding cover plate 220. Multiple moving components of the trigger are retained and interact within the frame, while others are outside the cover plate.

The frame 30 has a predominantly quadrilateral shape, with a forward end 32 and an opposing rearward end 34, an upward end 36 and a downward end 40; an outer surface 42 running predominantly around the entire frame, and an inner surface 44 running in a predominantly corresponding manner opposing the outer surface. The frame has a front forward facing surface 46, an opposing back surface (not shown), and a rear forward facing surface 50. There is a lower gap 52 at the downward end of the frame and an upper gap 54 located at the upward end of the frame. Within the frame is an inner shelf 56 towards the forward end of the frame 32.

A trigger element 60 has a central section 62 with a pivot hole 63 therein through which a pivot pin 64 passes through. Extending downward from the central section is a blade 66. The trigger element has a forward arm 70 that extends forwardly and upwardly from the central section and has a curved hook section 72, referred to as the trigger, head at the forward most end of the trigger element. The trigger element has a vertical tapered tail 90 extending rearwardly and upwardly from the central section and having a forward-facing surface 92. The trigger forward arm defines a vertical threaded hole 74 a set distance before the hook-shaped end begins to form. A set screw 74′ goes all the way through the hole 74 to stick out the upward side. The hooked end 72 has a downward-facing surface 76. A primary trigger surface 80 of the trigger element is at a level below surface 76 and faces at an angle downwardly and rearwardly.

The trigger 60 resides within the frame 30 in an orientation that results in the blade 66 protruding from the downward end frame gap 52, the forward arm 70 of the trigger oriented towards the forward end 32 of the frame, and the tail end 90 of the trigger oriented towards the rearward end 34 and upward end 36 of the frame.

FIG. 1 further shows a first detent screw 100 with an overtravel stop 94 a second detent screw 102 with an overtravel stop 96, a trigger spring 104, a first elastomer element 110 and second elastomer element 112, a first ball bearing 114 and a second ball bearing 116. The detent screws are inserted into the frame 30 by one of the plurality of holes, discussed previously and further, and interact with other components of the trigger. The trigger spring interfaces with the second detent screw 102.

A bolt catch plate 120 in the form of a bent piece of sheet metal with opposing ends. It has a first end 122 having a first hole 124 and first curved extremity 126. An opposing rearward end 132 having a second hole 134 and a second curved extremity 136.

There is an elongated sear link 140 having first rounded end 142 with a primary sear face 144, an opposing second rounded end 150 with a top surface 152, an intermediate section 160 between the two rounded ends defining a pivot hole 162 and a web or bridge 164 defining an aperture 166.

In FIG. 1, adjacent to the sear link is an extension spring 170 with a first end 172 and a second 174.

FIG. 1 further shows a safety lever element 180 having a body 182 with a plurality of holes, a rearward oriented lever end 184, a curved opposing forward arcuate edge 186 having a thinned peripheral arcuate edge 190. There is an associated safety detent 192 and corresponding safety detent spring 194. The safety element body has a screw 196 having a partially threaded end and an opposing end having a head element that can accommodate a tool, such as a hex key in this embodiment, going through a rearward hole 394 in the frame 30. Adjacent to hole 240 is a forward safety slot 200, and a first detent space 202 and second detent space 204. The arcuate edge 190 is centered on pivot hole 206.

The safety element resides on the outer surface 223 of the cover plate 220, with its arcuate edge 190 interfacing with a protruding curved portion 226 coming from the outer surface oriented towards the cover plate's forward end 222. The cover plate further has an arcuate channel 230 and a plurality of holes corresponding to retaining and pivoting elements for trigger assembly components.

FIG. 1 further shows an elongated top sear element 250, having a forward end 252 with a rounded forward end surface 254 and defining a pivot hole 256. An opposing rearward end 260 has a rear surface 262 facing upwardly and rearwardly. A downward protrusion 264 has a bottom surface 270 facing downward and forward. A top sear spring 280 is partially within a cut-out portion 276 of the forward end of the top sear element.

A firing pin 282 having a rearward end 284 and forward end 286. Said with the rearward end having a downward protruding section 290 having a forward-facing surface 292.

FIG. 1 further shows the frame 30 and cover plate 220 having a plurality of holes with corresponding pivot pins and screws.

The bottom 40 of the cassette frame 30 defines a series of holes. A forwardly open bore 346 extends horizontally through the frame bottom 40 going from the forward end 32 of the frame in the direction of the rearward end 34, but does not go all the way through to the gap 52 of the frame. There is a first vertical threaded hole 350 going completely through the downward end 40 of the frame located towards the lower gap 52, a vertical hole 352 going completely through the bottom 40 of the frame located towards the forward end 32 of the frame, and a third threaded hole 353. The bore 346 travels perpendicularly through both first threaded hole 350 and second threaded hole 352. There is a first hole 354 perpendicular to the lower end 40 adjacent to the first elastomer element hole 350, and a second detent screw hole 353 that is angled at 5 degrees through the frame and is adjacent to the second elastomer hole 356′. In other embodiments, the angle may be different depending on the structure of the frame. A rearward receiver pin hole 414 and a forward receiver end hole 416 are located at the top end 36 of the frame. Below the upward gap 54 is a top sear frame pivot hole 420. Facing upward from within the inner shelf 56 is a spring pocket 386 to accommodate the top sear spring 280. There is an internally threaded forward plate retainment screw hole 390 located at the forward end 32 of the frame and towards the rearward end of the frame 34 is an internally threaded rearward screw hole 424. Also at the rearward end is an internally threaded safety lever retainment hole 394. A detent spring pocket 426 partially houses detent spring 194. Forward of that is a sear link frame hole 240. Forward of the sear link frame hole is a hole (not visible here) to accommodate return spring pin 384, to which the forward end 174 of the return spring 170 attaches. There is a trigger pin hole 400 within the lower gap 52 of the cassette frame.

The sear link pivot hole 162 registers with the frame pivot hole 240, allowing the sear link pivot pin 382 to pass through the channel formed by the registered holes when the sear link is oriented such that its end 142 faces in the direction of the cassette forward end 32. A safety drum pivot pin 380 protrudes through the safety drum frame pivot hole 234 to retain the safety drum 210.

The cover plate 220 has a forward receiver pin hole 412 at the forward end 222 of the cover plate, with a top sear cover hole 216 rearward to said hole 412, and a rearward receiver pin hole 410 located at the rear end 224 of the cover plate. Below hole 216 is a forward screw hole 392. Beneath which is a return spring post cover hole 236. Behind the curved protruding portion 226 is a curved channel 230, sear link cover pivot hole 242, detent ball support hole 244, safety drum cover pivot hole 212, and safety lever pivot pin cover hole 395. Below the curved protruding portion is a cover plate screw hole 422 with an adjacent trigger pivot cover hole 394.

When the cover plate 220 is placed on top of frame 30, their holes and channels are able to register. The rearward receiver hole 410 registers with rearward receiver hole 414; the forward receiver hole 412 registers with forward receiver hole 416 to allow the entire trigger assembly to be retained within a firearm receiver (not shown). Hole 216 registers with hole 420; hole 392 registers with hole 390; and hole 422 registers with hole 424. The detent spring pocket 426 registers with the cover plate hole 244 allowing the detent spring 194 residing within the pocket to protrude from the face of the cover plate.

Cover plate retainment screws pass through the cover plate holes 422 and 392 to thread into screw holes 390 and 424.

The safety drum 210 is an elbow-shaped piece having a first end having a boss element (not depicted) located towards and partially overlaying the sear link 160, a second end towards the tail 90 of the trigger element, and a pivot hole (not depicted) through which a pivot pin 380 passes through.

The safety element 180 rests on top of the cover plate 220 such that its arcuate edge 190 abuts the curved protruding portion 226. The safety element pivot hole 240 registers with cover pivot hole 395; the safety slot 200 partially overlays the curved channel 230, and detent spaces 202 and 204

The safety drum 210 is retained within the frame 30 by a pivot pin 380 passing through pivot hole 234, the hole in the drum, and when the cover plate 220 is properly aligned over the frame, through the cover plate hole 212. The safety mechanism is fully assembled when the safety element 180 is placed upon the cover plate 220 as described above. The drum may now properly move from a first position to a second position by pivoting upwards This movement is accomplished by pushing the safety element handle 184 upward to pivot the safety lever element downward about pivot pin 196 non-threaded portion. Said movement results in the boss element sliding along the safety slot 200 in the safety lever and down along the curved channel 230 of the cover plate, and the in the detent ball 192 being pushed downward against the spring 194 as the safety element lower portion 186 slides over the ball, resulting in the detent ball being retained within the safety detent space 202 in the first position to the detent space 204 in the second position as the spring pushes the detent through the available space. When in a first position, the drum is in a predominantly vertical orientation having the boss end oriented towards the bottom of the frame 52. In this first position the tail of the trigger element is able to move forward freely as the trigger element pivots. When in the second position, the safety drum pivots to a predominantly horizontal position where the boss end is oriented towards the top of the frame 36, resulting in the opposing end obstructing the path of travel of the tail of the trigger element 60.

FIGS. 2 through 6 depict an embodiment of a side-sectional view of the trigger assembly with all internal components installed within its cassette frame 30 at various conditions in the firing process. All parts are the same and those that are not explicitly labeled in one figure correspond to their labeled equivalent in another figure.

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a side-sectional view of the trigger assembly with all internal components installed within its cassette frame 30 at the condition of being cocked and ready to fire. A firing pin spring (not shown) applies a forward force 302 against the rearward end 284 of firing pin 282 allowing the protruding block 290 surface 292 to engage the top sear 250 at the top sear's rear surface 262. The firearm bolt (not shown) is in a closed position and allows the firing pin to engage the top sear, resulting in application of a load 304 on the trigger assembly. The trigger blade 66 can, but does not, pivot about pin 64. Sear holding force 306 is applied to the primary sear 144, which holds the mechanism in its unfired position.

Adjustment related components are visible from this view, including the first elastomer element 110, first detent 114, and first detent screw 100 towards the trigger pivot pin. At the forward end 32 are the second detent element 112, second detent 116, second detent screw 102, channel 346, and trigger spring 104.

The load 304 causes the bottom face 270 of the top sear 250 to be in contact with the top surface 152 of the sear link 140 in a static condition. The top surface 152 acts as a constant bearing surface between the sear link and top sear bumps to facilitate raising and lowering the top sear 250. It also results in the top sear 250 forward end 252 to partially compress the top sear spring 280. The force from the bottom face 270 against the top surface 152 of the sear link 140 and applies force to the sear link, which results in force being applied to the primary sear face 144, holding the mechanism in an unfired position. The secondary face 152 acts as a constant bearing surface between the sear link and top sear bump 264 to facilitate raising and lowering the top sear 250.

FIG. 2 further shows the tension spring 170 having the first end 172 connecting to the hole 166 of the sear link 140, to rotationally bias the upper end forward. The second end 174 of the extension spring connects to a pin 384 connected to the cassette frame 30 via a hole (not visible), located above the forward end 72 of the trigger element 60. In this condition the extension spring has a resting tension.

The first detent screw 100 is not in contact with the central section 62 of the trigger element.

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of a side-sectional view of the trigger assembly with all internal components installed within its cassette frame 30 at a second, threshold, condition before firing. In this second condition the primary sear face 144 of sear link is positioned just prior to slipping past 266 the trigger primary sear face. A firing pin spring (not shown) applies a forward force 302 against the rearward end 284 of firing pin 282 allowing the protruding block 290 surface 292 to engage the top sear 250 at the top sear's rear surface 262. The firearm bolt (not shown) is in a closed position and allows the firing pin to engage the top sear, resulting in application of a load 304 on the trigger assembly. Sear holding force 306 is applied to the primary sear 144, which holds the mechanism in its unfired position The trigger blade 66 is moved partially backward 310, the entire trigger element pivots clockwise 312 around the pivot hole 64. This causes the rearward end 90 of the trigger element to move forward 314, and the forward end of the curved hook 72 of the trigger to move downwards against the trigger return spring 104. This also results in the trigger primary sear face 80 sliding forward and downward with respect to the sear link's 140 primary face 144 toward the point of release 266 while still retaining it. The first detent screw 100 is not in contact with the central section 62 of the trigger element.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a side-sectional view of the trigger assembly with all internal components installed within its cassette frame 30 in a third condition where the primary sear face 144 has moved past 274 the trigger sear face 80, with the trigger blade 66 pulled back 310 past the point that the primary sear is released. This enables the sear link 140 to pivot counterclockwise 322 about the pivot hole 162, under the force of the top sear as motivated downward by the firing pin now released to proceed forward. The extension spring 170 has a limited spring force that is overcome by the greater firing spring force as transmitted, and serves only to return the sear to its position when possible. The first detent screw 100 is in contact with the central section 62 of the trigger element, preventing overtravel of the trigger element 60.

FIG. 5 depicts the pre-reset step of an embodiment of a side-sectional view of the trigger assembly with all internal components installed within its cassette frame 30 at a fourth condition where the trigger blade 66 is released by the shooter to allow it to reset in a forward direction 332 after firing. In this condition, the trigger element 60, top sear 250, and sear link 140 are blocked from fully resetting because the top sear is prevented from moving up completely until the bolt (not shown) is cycled to move the firing pin 282 back to the unfired position. The top sear spring 280 is compressed by the top sear, biasing it upward. With the trigger blade 66 released, it does not move forward and reset until the bolt has fully retracted. Until it retracts, the bolt (not shown) restraints the top sear 282 in the downward position shown. The top sear in the lower position restrains the link 140 from forward rotation. The forward end of the link with sear face 144 is thus prevented from lowering, and this prevents the trigger element from rotating to move the trigger lever forward. Although the sear surfaces 80, 144 are not interacting in the reset step, the adjacent portions of each element are interacting to control the reset process.

FIG. 6 depicts the trigger after the bolt has enabled reset, but before the bolt has fully returned to its rest position for subsequent firing. The top sear 250 has been released to move upward by the bolt moving clear. The link has been enabled to rotate forward under its spring biasing force to its forward rotated position, lowering the forward end. This enables the trigger lever to reset forward to the position shown. Because the bolt has not yet rested against the top sear (as shown in FIG. 2) there remains a gap between the sear surfaces 80 and 144 that has not yet been closed.

FIGS. 7A through 7E show FIGS. 2 through 6 depicting the sequence of operation of the trigger assembly.

FIGS. 8A through 8E show an enhanced cut-out and exploded views of the detent screw 100, elastomer element 110, and detent 114 engagement within the frame 30 during the course of installation and adjustment to the detent screw. Similar operations apply to the interactions between the second detent screw 102, second elastomer element 112, and second detent 116. The cassette frame 30 is only partially depicted.

FIG. 8A shows the elastomer element 114 inserted into a hole 354. In the preferred embodiment, 95A Viton may be used for the elastomer, but could also include rubber, polyurethane rubber, or other comparable materials. The detent screw 100 is positioned inside the cassette frame 30.

FIG. 8B shows the detent 114 being inserted through the thread holes 350 and placed into a channel 346 that is drilled perpendicular to the threads. The channel depicted is drilled through the entire part for simplicity, particularly when two detent assemblies are in close proximity to one another they may both have detents placed along the same channel.

FIG. 8C shows the detent 114 in contact with the elastomer component 110 during the detent set screw 100 installation.

FIG. 8D shows a hex key 360 inserted through the threaded hole, compressing the detent 114 against the elastomer component 114 and keeping the detent in place until the detent set screw 100 is installed.

FIG. 8E shows the detent screw 100 being turned until its grooves contact the detent 114. The elastomer element 110 pushes the detent into the detent screw's groove, creating a tactile click for every partial turn throughout the detent screw's adjustment range.

FIG. 9a shows a cross-section of the trigger assembly with emphasis on the trigger safety mechanism. The top sear 250 holds the firing pin 282 back in a cocked position. The sear link 140 is raised into position via the extension spring after firing and holds the top sear 250 in the cocked position. The sear holding force 306 is reduced due to the sear link decreasing the leverage against the trigger sear 80. The safety lever 184 is in a rearward position, connected to the frame by a pivot pin 196. The safety drum 210 is in a second, primarily horizontal orientation and that is engaged by safety lever slot 200 In this second condition, the drum is blocking the tail 90 of the trigger element 60 from moving forward, preventing the blade 66 from being pulled, thus blocking the sear link 140 from rotating.

FIG. 9b shows a cross-section of the trigger assembly with emphasis on the trigger safety mechanism, shown in the safe condition. The safety selector 184 is in a rearward position with the drum 210 in a primarily horizontal position, blocking the upper tail 90 of the trigger element 60 from moving forward, preventing the blade 66 from being pulled, thus blocking the sear link 140 from rotating The safety drum has two safety functions: first, the rear of the drum blocks the upper portion of the trigger to directly prevent trigger movement. Second, the forward surface of the drum prevents the link from rotating rearward, thus restraining the top sear from releasing. A detent ball 192 and spring protrude (not shown here, see FIG. 1 hole 244), and interact with hole 202 and hole 204 of the safety lever to provide detent positions for the safety to snap into either a first, “safe”, position when the detent is in hole 204, or a second, “fire”, position when the detent is in hole 202.

FIG. 9c shows a cross-section of the trigger assembly with emphasis on the trigger safety mechanism. The safety lever 184 is moved forward into a first position. This results in the drum 210 pivoting to a primarily vertical position, allowing space for the tail 90 of the trigger element 60 to move forward and the trigger blade 66 to be pulled rearward, thus permitting the sear link 140 to rotate. The safety lever pivots around a pin 196 and has slot 230 (not visible here but shown and described previously) that engages the safety drum 210 so that when the lever is in the forward position the drum is in the first vertical position, and when the lever is in the rearward position the drum safety is oriented in its second, horizontal position.

Claims

1. A trigger assembly for a firearm having a striker movable between a cocked position and a firing position, the trigger assembly comprising: a cassette or frame;a trigger element pivotally connected to the frame and movable between a trigger released position and a trigger actuated position;a first sear element pivotally connected to the frame and having a striker engagement surface, the first sear element movable between a first restraining position in which the striker engagement surface restrains the striker in the cocked position, and a first released position in which the striker is enabled to move to the firing position;a sear link element pivotally connected to the frame, operably connected to the trigger element and to the first sear element; andthe sear link element movable between a link restrained position in which the trigger element is in the released position and prevents link movement, and in which the link restrains the first sear element in the first restraining position, and a link released position in which the trigger element is in the actuated position and enables link movement, and in which the link enables movement of the first sear element to the first released position.

2. The trigger assembly of claim 1 wherein the first sear element is motivated to move to the released position by the striker.

3. The trigger assembly of claim 1 wherein the sear link element is motivated to move to the link released position by the first sear element.

4. The trigger assembly of claim 1 wherein the trigger element and the sear link element operably engage at a sear interface, such that movement of the trigger past a selected threshold enables rapid transition of the sear link to the link released position.

5. The trigger assembly of claim 1 including a safety lever operably connected to the sear link and movable between a first position enabling sear link movement and firearm discharge, and a second position preventing sear link movement and firearm discharge.