Patent Application
20250052531
The present disclosure relates generally to safety selector levers for firearms. In particular, but not by way of limitation, the present disclosure relates to systems, methods and apparatuses for tool-less securing of a safety selector lever to a selector core.
Manually operated safety levers and firing mode selectors are ubiquitous and included on most firearms. Aftermarket selector levers (or safety selector levers) for the AR-15/M16 platform are a prime example and have seen many innovations in the areas of ergonomics and ease of attachment/removal. For instance, many ambidextrous levers have been devised, changes to lever geometry (e.g., shape, size, orientation, etc.) have been developed, and adjustments to the degrees of lever throw (typically shorter than the standard 90°) have been implemented.
However, many of these designs continue to use traditional pinned, or screw-type attachment means. In some circumstances, such pinned levers are difficult to mount on firearms without a set of roll pin punches and a vice, or other applicable tools. Some pinned levers are also susceptible to damage when the firearm is in operation (e.g., from errant hammer strikes or punch slippage). Some safety lever designs, such as those using screws, typically require a tool during install. Additionally, tools may also be needed during firearm operation, for instance, if looseness develops in the lever as a result of repeated use. Quick-change designs using spring-loaded detents, such as the Super Configurable Safety Selector from GEISSELE or the structure shown in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017/0176122, often allow movement between the levers and the center barrel/cam. Yet other designs, such as the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,085,720 assigned to FORTIS MANUFACUTRING INC, use a keyed interface between the lever arms and the center barrel/cam.
Accordingly, there is a need for an ambidextrous safety selector having tool-less attachment that provides a low-tolerance interface to the firearm with no humanly-discernable play.
Currently used safety selectors also tend to not have a high-visibility marking indicating the current mode or state (e.g., Safe, Semi/Fire, or Auto for example) of the firearm. While notches, ribs, and/or pointers are common, they are often difficult to see. In some circumstances, users apply their own solution, such as via ink or paint, to add a high-visibility marking to selectors. However, these tend to lack durability and often lack the visual quality of a factory-applied marking.
There is therefore a need for a high-visibility marking solution for safety selectors that is not only durable, but also cost effective.
The description provided in the description of related art section should not be assumed to be prior art merely because it is mentioned in or associated with this section. The description of related art section may include information that describes one or more aspects of the subject technology.
The following presents a simplified summary relating to one or more aspects and/or embodiments disclosed herein. As such, the following summary should not be considered an extensive overview relating to all contemplated aspects and/or embodiments, nor should the following summary be regarded to identify key or critical elements relating to all contemplated aspects and/or embodiments or to delineate the scope associated with any particular aspect and/or embodiment. Accordingly, the following summary has the sole purpose to present certain concepts relating to one or more aspects and/or embodiments relating to the mechanisms disclosed herein in a simplified form to precede the detailed description presented below.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a safety selector lever assembly for a firearm, including: a selector core, wherein the selector core includes: a first elongated section having a curved face and at least one angled face; a first extension and a second extension, wherein the first extension and the second extension are positioned on opposing ends of the selector core; wherein each of the first extension and the second extension include an extension aperture, and wherein the first elongated section is positioned between the first and the second extensions; a plurality of levers, wherein each of the plurality of levers includes: a proximal end and a distal end; a first recess that is shaped and sized to receive one of the first extension and the second extension of the selector core, wherein the first recess is positioned at or near a proximal end of a corresponding lever; a first pin aperture positioned at the proximal end of the corresponding lever; a pin, wherein at least a portion of the pin is shaped and sized to be received in the first pin aperture and the corresponding extension aperture; wherein each of the plurality of levers is removably coupled to the selector core, and wherein rotation of at least one of the plurality of levers to a first position enables firing of the firearm while rotation of at least one of the plurality of levers to a second position precludes firing of the firearm.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a safety selector lever assembly, wherein each pin includes: a distal end having an inner notch and an outer notch; a proximal end having a head; and a shaft positioned between the head and the distal end.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a safety selector lever assembly, wherein each of the plurality of levers further includes: a second pin aperture positioned at the distal end of the corresponding first recess; and a pin recess, wherein the pin recess surrounds at least a portion of the first pin aperture; and wherein: the head of each pin is shaped and sized to be received within the corresponding pin recess; and the removable coupling of each of the plurality of levers with the selector core is based at least in part on the shaft of a corresponding pin passing through the first pin aperture, the extension aperture, and the second pin aperture.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a safety selector lever assembly, wherein: the inner notch and the outer notch include a different length, a different shape, a different depth, or a combination thereof.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a safety selector lever assembly, wherein the head of each pin is shaped to fit flush or substantially flush against one or more of: a receiver of the firearm; and the proximal end of a corresponding lever.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a safety selector lever assembly, wherein: the removable coupling of each of the plurality of levers with the selector core is based at least in part on the at least the portion of each pin passing through a respective one of the first extension and the second extension.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a safety selector lever assembly, wherein each of the plurality of levers further includes: a second pin aperture positioned at the proximal end of the corresponding first recess; a second recess, wherein the second recess is positioned between the first recess and the distal end of the corresponding lever; and wherein the second pin aperture connects the first recess and the second recess of the corresponding lever.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a safety selector lever assembly, wherein the second recess of at least one of the plurality of levers includes: a keyed detent, wherein the keyed detent is shaped and sized to be received within a notch of a corresponding pin when a distal end of the pin is pushed past the keyed detent.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a safety selector lever assembly, wherein the selector core further includes: a detent channel with a plurality of detent recesses positioned between the first elongated section and one of the first or second extensions, wherein the plurality of detent recesses are shaped and sized to receive an end of a detent pin to secure rotation of the selector core.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a safety selector lever assembly, wherein the detent pin includes a spring-loaded detent pin, and wherein: when the plurality of levers are in the first position, the end of the spring-loaded detent pin is biased into a first one of the detent recesses; and when the plurality of levers are in the second position, the end of the spring-loaded detent pin is biased into a second one of the detent recesses.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a safety selector lever assembly, wherein at least one of the plurality of levers and the plurality of pins includes a visual indicator to indicate a current state of the firearm, wherein the current state includes one of a FIRE state and a SAFE state.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a safety selector lever assembly, wherein, the plurality of levers include a first lever and a second lever, the first lever and the second lever positioned on opposing sides of a receiver of the firearm; and the selector core passes through the receiver.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a safety selector lever assembly, wherein the first lever and the second lever include one or more of: a different length; a different maximum depth or maximum height; and a different shape.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a safety selector lever assembly, wherein when in the first position, the first elongated section is oriented such that a trigger or sear of the firearm is pivotable to release a hammer of the firearm, or the trigger is movable in a linear direction, and wherein when in the second position, the first elongated section is oriented such that a trigger or sear of the firearm is prevented from rotating, or the trigger is prevented from moving in a linear direction.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method of using a safety selector lever assembly for a firearm, including: inserting a selector core through an opening on a side of a receiver of the firearm, wherein the selector core includes: a first elongated section having a curved face and at least one angled face; a first extension, wherein the first extension is positioned at a first end of the selector core and protrudes through the opening on the side of the receiver; wherein the first extension includes a first extension aperture; removably coupling a first lever to the selector core, wherein the first lever includes a proximal end, a distal end, a first recess shaped and sized to receive the first extension of the selector core, a first pin aperture positioned at the proximal end, and a first detent, and wherein removably coupling the first lever to the selector core includes: positioning the first lever such that the first extension is received in the first recess of the first lever; inserting a distal end of a first pin through the first pin aperture of the first lever, wherein the first pin includes at least one notch; and pushing the first pin such that the distal end of the first pin passes through the first extension aperture and past the first detent of the first lever, wherein at least a portion of the first pin passes through the first extension, and wherein the first detent is received within one of the at least one notch of the first pin.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the selector core further includes: a second extension, wherein the second extension is positioned at a second end of the selector core, the second end opposing the first end, and wherein the second extension protrudes through another opening on an opposing side of the receiver; and wherein the second extension includes a second extension aperture.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, further including: removably coupling a second lever to the selector core, wherein the second lever includes a proximal end, a distal end, a first recess shaped and sized to receive the second extension of the selector core, a first pin aperture positioned at the proximal end, and a second detent, and wherein removably coupling the second lever to the selector core includes: positioning the second lever such that the second extension is received in the first recess of the second lever; inserting a distal end of a second pin through the first pin aperture of the second lever, wherein the second pin includes at least one notch; and pushing the second pin such that the distal end of the second pin passes through the second extension aperture and past the second detent of the second lever, wherein at least a portion of the second pin passes through the second extension, and wherein the second detent is received within one of the at least one notch of the second pin.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, further including: rotating at least one of the first lever and the second lever, and wherein rotation of at least one of the first lever and the second lever results in a corresponding rotation of the selector core, and wherein each of the first lever and the second lever is rotatable between a first position and a second position; wherein, when in the first position, the first elongated section is oriented to allow firing of the firearm; and wherein, when in the second position, the first elongated section is oriented to preclude firing of the firearm.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a firearm configured for a selectable fire rate, the firearm including: a receiver having at least one opening and a firing assembly; a safety selector lever assembly, the safety selector lever assembly including: a selector core having a first elongated section, and a first extension positioned at a first end of the selector core, wherein the first extension includes a first extension aperture and is shaped and sized to protrude the opening; and a lever removably coupled to the selector core, where the lever includes: a first recess that is shaped and sized to receive the first extension; a first pin aperture and a second pin aperture positioned on opposing ends of the first recess; a second recess including a keyed detent; and a pin including a notch; wherein removably coupling the lever to the selector core includes: inserting one end of the pin through the first pin aperture such that it passes through the first pin aperture, the extension aperture, and the second pin aperture, wherein at least a portion of the pin extends past the keyed detent and the keyed detent is received within the notch of the pin; and wherein rotation of the lever results in a corresponding rotation of the selector core, and wherein the lever is rotatable between a plurality of positions, each position resulting in a different orientation of the first elongated section with respect to the firing assembly.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a firearm, wherein the lever includes a through hole extending from the second recess to an outside of the lever for removal of the pin from the lever.
These and other features, and characteristics of the present technology, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of ‘a’, ‘an’, and ‘the’ include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The present disclosure relates generally to a tool-less attachment of one or more safety selector levers to a selector core.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
Preliminary note: the flowcharts and block diagrams in the following Figures illustrate the functionality and operation of possible implementations of a safety selector lever assembly according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in each block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.
Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “under,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” or “under” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary terms “below” and “under” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. In addition, it will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being “between” two layers, it can be the only layer between the two layers, or one or more intervening layers may also be present.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, and may be abbreviated as “/”.
It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” or “adjacent to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected, coupled, or adjacent to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” “directly coupled to,” or “immediately adjacent to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.
Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the disclosure. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. Accordingly, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of a device and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and/or the present specification and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
Broadly, this disclosure describes a safety selector lever assembly, that may or may not be ambidextrous and includes at least one lever selectively fixed to a lever core (also referred to as a selector core) with minimal to no human-discernable play. In some embodiments, a pin (e.g., a polymer pin, a metal pin) with a keying structure can be inserted through the lever, even when the lever core is installed on the weapon, which allows for tool-less installation of the lever. To limit play between the lever and the selector core, one or more fit ribs (e.g., shown as ribs 2371 in
In some embodiments, each of the levers 102-a and 102-b is configured to receive, or includes, a keyed pin 104 (e.g., keyed pins 104-a and 104-b, respectively).
Furthermore, although a semi-automatic version of the selector core 106 is shown, in alternative embodiments, a fully automatic selector core can be used. In one non-limiting example, this core includes a flange extending from the middle of the face 120 and includes a rectangular recess in one of the cylindrical sections (e.g., the left fully cylindrical section 108-b) that interfaces with the auto sear.
As seen in
In some embodiments, a distal end of each pin 104-a and 104-b has two notches: an inner notch 118 (e.g., inner notch 118-a, inner notch 118-b) and an outer notch 119 (e.g., outer notch 119-a, outer notch 119-b). In some embodiments, the inner notch 118-a and 118-b may be longer than the outer notch 119-a and 119-b, though these roles/dimensions can also be reversed. In some cases, the outer notches 119-a and 119-b are shaped to be longer than a width of the keying detents (e.g., shown as keying detent 302 in
The distal edge of the outer notches 119-a and 119-b can be angled as can be the sides of the keying detents 402 and these angles can be flush to each other. As can be appreciated, this flush angled interface facilitates easier insertion and/or removal of the pins 104-a and 104-b. Alternatively, the length of the outer notches 119-a and 119-b can be selected so that little room in the outer notches 119-a and 119-b exists on either side of the keying detents 402 and in this way, there is little play between the pins 104-a and 104-b and the corresponding levers 102-a and 102-b.
In the illustrated embodiment, the heads 216-a and 216-b of the pins 104-a and 104-b are shaped to fit flush, or nearly flush, against a side of a firearm receiver (not shown) and/or flush, or nearly flush, against an inner face of the levers 102-a and 102-b which helps prevent the pins 104-a and 104-b for being accidentally removed.
In some embodiments, the levers 102-a and 102-b can also include receiving notches 220 that are shaped to snuggly receive the extensions 222-a and 222-b, respectively, of the selector core 106. In some embodiments, the extensions 222-a and 222-b may comprise any type of quadrilateral shape, such as, but not limited to, a rectangle, a square, a rhombus, a parallelogram, a trapezoid, and a kite.
A notch 116 (i.e., second recess 116) in each lever 102-a and 102-b can house the keying detents 302 and, when the pins 104-a and 104-b are inserted, the distal ends of the pins 104-a and 104-b can pass into and rest within the notch 116 (or second recess 116).
In some embodiments, one or more of the levers 104-a and 104-b and the pins 104-a and 104-b may comprise a visual marking or indicator. For instances, at least a portion of the pins 104-a and/or 104-b may be colored using a highly visible color like orange or red, which enhances the visibility of the assembly's state (i.e., state of the firearm, such as FIRE or SAFE). In some examples, only the heads 216-a and/or 216-b of the pins 104 may be visible when the safety selector lever assembly is installed in a firearm receiver. In such cases, the colored heads 216-a and/or 216-b may serve as an arrow or pointer to help point to a state on the receiver, often embossed as SAFE or FIRE on the receiver, or symbols representing these states.
As noted above, the selector core 106 can be an elongated structure with a circular cross section throughout most of its length. Alternatively, this can be referred to as a cylindrical shape. In some examples, the selector core 106 may have two fully cylindrical sections 108-a and 108-b bounding an inner partially cylindrical section 110 (also referred to as elongated section 110). The partially cylindrical section 110 may include the one or more angled faces 120. Additionally, the cylindrical portion of the partially cylindrical section 110 may have a first radius, where the first radius is smaller than a second radius of each of the two fully cylindrical sections 108-a and 108-b, as depicted in at least
One or both of the fully cylindrical sections 108 (e.g., cylindrical sections 108-a and/or 108-b) can include a detent channel 310 that wraps around part of a circumference of the fully cylindrical section 108. Each detent channel 310 can wrap around a portion (e.g., 90°, or some angle between 45° and 90°, such as 75° or) 60° of the outer circumference of a respective cylindrical section 108 (e.g., fully cylindrical section 108-a or 108-b). As an example, the detent channel 310 can wrap from a 3 o'clock to a 6 o'clock position when viewing the lever 102 from the side. The ends of the detent channel 310 can each include a detent recess 306 and 308 (see
In some examples, the spring-loaded detent pin 702 comprises an elongated cylindrical section and a tip 726 (e.g., a conical tip), where the tip 726 is shaped and sized to be received within the detent recesses 710. In this example, each of the two detent recesses 710 also comprise a conical/pyramidal shape that largely resembles the conical tip 726 of the spring-loaded detent pin 702. The detent channel 706 also comprises an internal channel 716 between the two detent recesses 710. A width of the internal channel 716 may be roughly equal to a width of the conical tip of the detent pin 702, which allows the detent pin 702 to move between the lower and upper detent recesses 710-a and 710-b, respectively, of the detent channel 706 as the lever(s) 104 and selector core 106 are rotated. For example, the tip of the detent pin 702 may be positioned in the first/lower detent recess 710-a when the lever(s) are in a first position and the firearm receiver is in the FIRE state. Further, when the lever(s) are rotated towards a second position, the spring-loaded detent pin 702 is back driven, which causes the tip of the pin 702 to be pushed out of the first/lower detent recess 710-a. As noted above, rotation of the lever(s) causes a corresponding rotation in the selector core 106. In such cases, the cylindrical section comprising the detent channel 706 also rotates (e.g., downward), which allows the tip of the detent pin 702 to move through the internal channel 716 and into the second/upper detent recess 710-b, where it remains seated until the lever(s) are rotated again. In this example, the firearm receiver is in the SAFE state when the pin 702 is in the second/upper detent recess 710-b. In some cases, a similar or substantially similar spring-loaded detent pin may be provided for the second cylindrical section comprising the second detent channel 706.
The pin 1600 is similar or substantially similar to the pins described herein, including at least in relation to
In this example, the second pin aperture 2367-b (i.e., positioned at the distal end of the first recess 2366-a) connects the first recess 2366-a and the second recess 2366-b. The second recess 2366-b comprises the keyed detent 2369, where the keyed detent 2369 is shaped and sized to be received within a notch (e.g., shown as outer notch 1664 in
A first operation 2802 comprises inserting a selector core (e.g., selector core 106 in
In some cases, the first extension is configured to protrude through the opening on the side (e.g., right side) of the receiver when the selector core is inserted into the opening. In some cases, the first extension further includes a first extension aperture.
A second operation 2804 comprises removably coupling a first lever to the selector core, where the first lever comprises a proximal end, a distal end, a first recess shaped and sized to receive the first extension of the selector core, a first pin aperture positioned at the proximal end, and a first detent (e.g., keyed detent). In some cases, removably coupling the first lever to the selector core further includes operations 2806-2810.
For example, at operation 2806, the method 2800 comprises positioning the first lever such that the first extension is received in the first recess of the first lever. At operation 2808, the method comprises inserting a distal end of a first pin through the first pin aperture of the first lever, where the first pin comprises at least one notch. Next, at operation 2810, the method comprises pushing the first pin such that the distal end of the first pin passes through the first extension aperture and past the first detent of the first lever. In some cases, at least a portion of the first pin passes through the first extension. In some cases, the first detent is received within one of the at least one notch of the first pin. In some examples, the method 2800 further comprises removably coupling a second lever to the selector core (operation 2812). In some cases, operation 2812 is optional (shown as optional by the dashed lines). In some cases, the selector core may further comprise a second extension, where the second extension is positioned at a second end of the selector core, the second end opposing the first end. The second extension is configured to protrude through another opening on an opposing side (e.g., left side) of the receiver. Similar to the first extension, the second extension may also include a second extension aperture. The second lever may also comprise a proximal end, a distal end, a first recess shaped and sized to receive the second extension of the selector core, a first pin aperture positioned at the proximal end, and a second detent (e.g., keyed detent). In some embodiments, removably coupling the second lever to the selector core comprises (1) positioning the second lever such that the second extension is received in the first recess of the second lever, (2) inserting a distal end of a second pin through the first pin aperture of the second lever, wherein the second pin comprises at least one notch, and (3) pushing the second pin such that the distal end of the second pin passes through the second extension aperture and past the second detent of the second lever. In some cases, at least a portion of the second pin passes through the second extension, which allows the second detent to be received within one of the at least one notch of the second pin.
While the present disclosure generally describes an ambidextrous safety selector lever assembly comprising two levers positioned on opposing sides of a firearm receiver, in some embodiments, the safety selector lever assembly may be non-ambidextrous. In such cases, the safety selector lever assembly may comprise a single lever positioned on one side of the receiver and removably coupled to a first end of the selector core. Additionally, the second, opposing end of the selector core may be flat. For example, and with reference to
Additionally, while the present disclosure generally describes two positions for the levers and/or selector core (e.g., FIRE, SAFE), it is contemplated that three or more positions can be utilized in different embodiments. For instance, the levers and/or selector core can be rotatable between a first position (e.g., Safe), a second position (e.g., Semi Auto), a third position (e.g., Burst Fire), and a fourth position (e.g., Full Auto).
It should also be noted that other safety mechanisms (i.e., besides levers) using the same or similar attachment mechanism (i.e., the pins/retainers) to the selector core can be utilized in different embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of this disclosure. In one non-limiting example, a non-rotating safety (e.g., button head, slide safety) may be mounted to a linear cross-bolt safety which translates left-right (as opposed to rotating). For example, the rotating levers 102-a, 102-b can be replaced by a slide safety that is movable in the front-back direction, where the slide safety is positioned flush or substantially flush against a side of the firearm receiver. In such cases, the front-back movement of the slide safety translates to a corresponding rotation of the selector core 106, for instance, via a gear mechanism, a screw-and-nut system, a piston, or any other applicable linear to rotary motion converter. In some other cases, the safety selector lever assembly, for instance, using a fore-aft slide safety can be configured to be installed on a top side of the firearm receiver.
In some embodiments, the safety selector lever assembly comprising the non-rotatable safety (e.g., slide safety, button head, tang safety) can be ambidextrous or non-ambidextrous. That is, the slide safety or other non-rotatable safety selector lever assembly (e.g., tang safety) can be positioned on both sides of the firearm receiver. In other cases, the safety selector lever assembly comprising the non-rotatable safety can be ambidextrous but may include a single slide safety, for instance, on the top side of the firearm receiver. The slide safety may be movable (e.g., left-right, front-back, top-bottom, to name a few) within a channel. Additionally, the pin/retainer may be installed through a pin aperture on an outside face of the slide safety, where the pin aperture passes through the entire height/depth of the slide safety, and the bottom/distal end of the pin passes through the extension aperture in the selector core. In some cases, the extension aperture of the selector core may be shaped (e.g., tapered such that it is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, or maybe chamfered) such that the distal end of the pin can pass relatively easily into the extension aperture, but is prevented from accidental removal. Additionally, the non-rotatable safety (e.g., slide or tang safety) may be movable between two or more positions (e.g., first position=SAFE, second position=SEMI AUTO FIRE, third position=BURST FIRE, fourth position=FULL AUTO FIRE). In some examples, moving the non-rotatable safety may cause a corresponding movement (e.g., rotation) of the selector core with respect to the firing assembly. For example, when in the first position, the selector core may be oriented such that a trigger or sear of the firearm is pivotable to release a hammer of the firearm, or the trigger is movable in a linear direction, and wherein, when in the second position, the selector core is oriented such that a trigger or sear of the firearm is prevented from rotating, or the trigger is prevented from moving in a linear direction. Additionally, if the firearm is configured for burst and/or full automatic fire rates, the selector core can be oriented to a third position and/or a fourth position, respectively.
As used herein, the recitation of “at least one of A, B and C” is intended to mean “either A, B, C or any combination of A, B and C.” The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/291,720, entitled “Modular AR-Type Safety Selector With Lever Mounting Pins,” filed Dec. 20, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all practical purposes.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2022/053374 | 12/19/2022 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63291720 | Dec 2021 | US |
