SAFETY SELECTOR

Abstract

A safety selector for a firearm includes a shaft configured to rotate within the firearm and a selector lever coupled to the shaft. A first selector slot is provided in the shaft, and a rotational constraint device is configured to restrict a rotational movement of the shaft as a function of the first selector slot in response to actuation of the selector lever. Additionally, a second selector slot is provided in the shaft, and the second selector slot is configured to provide a different rotational movement of the shaft as compared to the first selector slot when the rotational constraint device is engaged with the second selector slot.

Description

BACKGROUND

Firearms such as hand guns and certain types of rifles and shotguns may include a safety selector, or a safety switch, to alternately enable or disable the firearm from being operated. In some firearms, the safety selector may be located on the side of the receiver or handle, such that the operator may be able to selectively locate the switch in either the enabled or disabled position with the same hand that is used to pull the trigger. In some firearms, the operator's thumb and/or finger may be used to select the position of the safety selector.

Known safety selectors may have two or more positions. A first position may be configured to disable the firearm, which may be referred to as a safe mode. A second position may be configured to enable the firearm to fire a round of ammunition, such as in a semi-automatic mode of operation. Additionally, a third position of the safety selector may be configured to enable the firearm to fire in a full automatic mode of operation. In some examples, one of the modes of operation may comprise a burst mode, in which the firearm may be configured to fire a limited number of rounds, such as two or three rounds of ammunition, each time the trigger is pulled. In some types of safety selectors, there may be separate selector positions associated with automatic and burst modes of operation, such that there may be four positions associated with the safety selector.

For a firearm that is only capable of firing a single round of ammunition, known safety selectors may include two positions, the safe mode and the single firing mode, or semi-automatic mode. For a firearm that is capable of full automatic or burst modes of operation, typical safety selectors would have three or more positions. Accordingly, different types of firearms require different types of safety selectors based, at least in part, on the number of firing modes that are available for selection. Additional variations in safety selector designs may also be necessitated by different types of receivers or handgrips in which the safety selector is mounted to.

Operator preferences for the various selectable positions of the safety selector may also vary. A firearm manufactured and/or assembled for use in one country may have a different position associated with a mode of firing than the same firearm that is sold in a second country. For example, some operators may have a preference for a safety selector which is positioned at forty-five degrees from horizontal to indicate that a firing mode has been selected, whereas other operators may have a preference for a safety selector which is positioned at ninety degrees from horizontal to indicate that the firing mode has been selected. Accordingly, the firearm manufacturer or distributor may need to source and/or install different safety selectors on the same type of firearm in different countries and/or to otherwise accommodate different operator preferences.

Some firearms may allow for ambidextrous firing configurations, such that certain components may be rearranged to facilitate operation of the firearm by either right-handed or left-handed operators. For example, the safety selector may be removed from one side of the firearm and located on the opposite side of the firearm to accommodate access to the safety selector by the same hand that is used to pull the trigger. However, in known safety selectors, one or more screws are loosened and then tightened in order to remove the safety selector and then to reinstall the safety selector on the opposite side. The screws may be lost or damaged when the safety selector is repositioned.

Other types of safety selectors that accommodate different positions also require the safety selector to be completely removed from the firearm. The removal of components from the firearm not only takes time to perform, but also increases the likelihood that a relatively small component may be lost, contaminated, damaged or misplaced after it has been removed, which may result in the firearm becoming inoperable in the field.

This application addresses these and other problems.

SUMMARY

A safety selector for a firearm includes a shaft configured to rotate within the firearm and a selector lever coupled to the shaft. A first selector slot may be provided in the shaft, and a rotational constraint device may be configured to restrict a rotational movement of the shaft as a function of the first selector slot in response to actuation of the selector lever. Additionally, a second selector slot may be provided in the shaft, and the second selector slot may be configured to provide a different rotational movement of the shaft as compared to the first selector slot when the rotational constraint device is engaged with the second selector slot.

A method of assembling, or reconfiguring a safety selector on a firearm is disclosed herein. The method may comprise disengaging a rotational constraint device from a first selector slot provided on a shaft of the safety selector. The shaft may be located internal to the firearm, and the first selector slot may be associated with a first rotational orientation of a selector lever coupled to the shaft. The safety selector may be rotated relative to the firearm until a second selector slot is aligned with the rotational constraint device, and the rotational constraint device may be engaged with the second selector slot. Additionally, a retention device may be disengaged from the selector lever, and the selector lever may be repositioned in a second rotational orientation. The retention device may be engaged with the repositioned selector lever.

A further example method of assembling a safety selector on a firearm is disclosed herein. The method may comprise inserting a shaft of a safety selector within the firearm, and positioning the shaft relative to the firearm in order to orient one or more selector slots that correspond to a range of rotation of the safety selector. A rotational constraint device may be engaged with one of the selector slots, and a selector lever may be positioned on the shaft. Additionally, the method may comprise engaging a retention device with the selector lever to operably couple the selector lever to the shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a partial view of an example firearm with a safety selector.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example safety selector comprising two levers.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a reconfigurable safety selector.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an example safety selector in a partially disassembled configuration.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rotated side view of the example safety selector of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric view of the example safety selector of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a safety selector assembly.

FIG. 8 illustrates the safety selector assembly of FIG. 7 in a second position.

FIG. 9 illustrates the safety selector assembly of FIG. 7 in a third position.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example process for assembling and/or reconfiguring a safety selector on a firearm.

FIG. 11 illustrates yet another example process for assembling a safety selector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a partial view of an example firearm 100 with a safety selector 50 or a safety switch. Safety selector 50 may be located on a receiver 60 of the firearm 100. Safety selector 50 is shown on the left side 65 of the receiver 60; however in some examples, safety selector 50 may be located on the opposite or right side of the receiver 60. In some examples, safety selector 50 may be operated from one or both sides of the receiver 60, such as by including two operably coupled levers. Safety selector 50 may be located above and/or near a trigger housing 15 to enable operation of the safety selector 50 with the same hand used to pull the trigger, and without the hand being removed from the firing position.

Safety selector 50 may be configured to select one or more firing positions, such as a first position 10 associated with a safety mode. In the first position 10, the firearm 100 may be disabled from firing any rounds of ammunition. In some examples, first position 10 may be associated with a substantially horizontal position of the safety selector 50.

Safety selector 50 may be rotated or toggled from the first position 10 to a second position 20. The second position 20 may be rotationally offset from the first position 10 by a first angle of rotation. In some examples, the first angle of rotation may be approximately forty-five degrees from horizontal. In other examples, the first angle of rotation may be approximately sixty degrees of rotation or more. With the safety selector 50 located in the second position 20, the firearm 100 may be configured to fire one or more rounds of ammunition.

Additionally, safety selector 50 may be rotated or toggled from the first position 10 to a third position 30. The third position 30 may be rotationally offset from the first position 10 by a second angle of rotation. In some examples, the second angle of rotation may be approximately sixty degrees from horizontal. In other examples, the second angle of rotation may be approximately ninety degrees of rotation or more. Other angles of rotation associated with the second position 20 and the third position 30 are contemplated herein, with the second angle of rotation generally being greater than the first angle of rotation.

With the safety selector 50 located in the third position 30, the firearm 100 may be configured to fire one or more rounds of ammunition. In examples in which the second position 20 may be associated with a mode of operation which restricts the firearm 100 from discharging more than a single round of ammunition when the trigger is pulled, the third position 30 may be associated with a burst mode or an automatic mode of operation. In still other examples in which the second position 20 may be associated with a burst mode of operation which limits the firearm 100 from discharging more than a fixed number of rounds when the trigger is pulled, the third position 30 may be associated with an automatic mode of operation.

The switch 50 may be reconfigured to selectively provide for different amounts of rotational angle such that, in some examples, both the second position 20 and the third position 30 may be associated with the same mode of operation of the firearm 100. For example, both the second position 20 and the third position 30 may be associated with discharging a single round of ammunition when the trigger of the firearm is pulled. In a first configuration of switch 50, the second position 20 may be configured to provide the mode of operation at the first angle of rotation. In the first configuration, the switch 50 may be prohibited from being rotated to the third position. On the other hand, in a second configuration of switch 50 the third position 30 may be configured to provide the same mode of operation as the second position 20 in the first configuration, but at the second angle of rotation. In the second configuration of switch 50, the second position 20 may be non-user selectable.

Safety selector 50 may be configured such that the amount of rotation may not exceed the first angle of rotation associated with the second position 20. For example, safety selector 50 may be rotated or toggled between the first position 10 and the second position 20, and may be restricted from being rotated to the third position 30. A restricted mode of operation may prohibit the firearm from being operated in a particular mode of operation, such as automated firing.

In other examples, safety selector 50 may be reconfigured such that the amount of rotation may not exceed the second angle of rotation associated with the third position 30. Safety selector 50 may be rotated or toggled between the first position 10 and the third position 30. In some examples, the firearm 100 may be disabled from discharging any rounds of ammunition until the safety selector 50 is rotated to the third position 30, such that the second position 20 continues to provide a safe mode of operation. In still other examples, the second position 20 may effectively be non-user selectable.

Safety selector 50 may be reconfigured to operate in a number of different modes or positions, such as by allowing for different numbers of firing positions, or by allowing for different angles of rotation as between two or more firing positions. In some examples, the reconfiguration of the safety selector 50 may be accomplished by reorienting and/or repositioning the safety selector 50 within the receiver 60 as described with reference to one or more of the following example drawings.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example safety selector 200 comprising two levers, namely a first lever 210 and a second lever 220. First and second levers 210, 220 may be configured to provide ambidextrous use of the safety selector 200 by either the left hand or the right hand of the operator. Additionally, first lever 210 may be operably coupled to second lever 220 by a shaft 250, such that they move in unison with each other. Second lever 220 may be configured to concurrently indicate the same mode of operation of the firearm as the first lever 210 as the first lever 210 is rotated between two or more positions.

Shaft 250 may be configured to pass through the firearm receiver such that first lever 210 may be operated from one side of the firearm and second lever 220 may be operated from the opposite side of the firearm. One or both of first lever 210 and second lever 220 may be removably attached to the shaft 250. A retention device 225 may be configured to secure one or both levers 210, 220 to the shaft 250.

Additionally, one or both of first lever 210 and second lever 220 may be replaced with levers of different lengths, such that first lever 210 may be longer than second lever 220, or vice versa. Alternatively, one of the levers may be replaced with a non-selectable plug or endcap such that the safety selector 200 may be made operable from the right side or the left side, but not both sides at the same time. Accordingly, the safety selector 200 may be selectively configured to be compatible with a right-handed operator, a left-handed operator, or an ambidextrous operator.

First lever 210 and second lever 220 are illustrated as being aligned with each other, such that both levers would be in the same operating position at the same time, such as a generally horizontal position associated with a safety mode. However, the relative angle between first lever 210 and second lever 220 may also be set at some non-zero angle. Second lever 220 may be rotationally offset from first lever 210 by fifteen degrees, thirty degrees, forty-five degrees, or some other amount of rotational offset. By way of example, when first lever 210 is located in a second position, such as second position 20 of FIG. 1, second lever 220 may be located in a different position, such as third position 30, on the opposite side of the firearm.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a reconfigurable safety selector 300 comprising a shaft 350 that may be inserted into a receiver or body of the firearm. Two levers including a first lever 310 and a second lever 320 are illustrated, however in some examples safety selector 300 may be provided with a single lever. The first and second levers 310, 320 may be removably attached on either end of the shaft 350. First lever 310 may be removably attached to a first end of shaft 350 by a first attachment device 315. First attachment device 315 may comprise a spring-loaded retention stud that may be inserted into a receiving hole 352 in the first end of the shaft 350.

A spring 314 of the attachment device 315 may inserted into the receiving hole 352 so that an exposed retention stud 316 may be pressed from the exterior of the safety selector 300, such as by inserting a small tool through an attachment hole 312 located in first lever 310 to press attachment device 315 into the receiving hole 352. The tool may comprise any device or object having a smaller diameter than the receiving hole 352. For example, the tool may comprise a small Allen wrench, an awl, a needle, a toothpick, a stick, a pencil, or other similarly shaped devices. By allowing any number of tools or objects to be configured to mount the first lever 310 to the shaft 350, the safety selector 300 may be more readily configured in the field so that specific or additional tools do not need to be carried by the operator.

The first end of the shaft 350 may comprise an undercut flange 354, such as a male dovetail, onto which the first lever 310 may be coupled to. For example, a channel, an undercut slot, or a female dovetail located on the underside of the first lever 310 may be configured to slide onto the undercut flange 354. During assembly of the safety selector 300, the first attachment device 315 may be inserted into the receiving hole 352 and the first lever 310 may be mounted to the shaft 350, such as by sliding the first lever 310 onto the undercut flange 354 and over the top of the first attachment device 315.

In mounting the first lever 310 to the shaft 350, the retention stud 316 may be pressed into the receiving hole 352 by the underside of the first lever 310. With the first lever 310 located in the assembled position, the retention stud 316 may be configured to extend partially into the attachment hole 312. The retention stud 316 may comprise a smaller diameter portion which is forced into the attachment hole 312 by the spring 314, and a larger diameter portion of the first attachment device 315 located next to the retention stud 316 may be too large to be inserted into the attachment hole 312.

With the retention stud 316 inserted into the attachment hole 312, the first lever 310 may be fixedly attached or locked on to the first end of the shaft 350. For example, the undercut flange 354 may be configured to prohibit any rotational or longitudinal movement of the first lever 310 relative to the shaft 350, and the retention stud 316 may be configured to prohibit any translational movement of the first lever 310 relative to the undercut flange 354.

Similarly, second lever 320 may be removably attached to a second end of shaft 350 by a second attachment device 325. Second attachment device 325 may be configured similarly as first attachment device 315, and held in place with a spring force.

The shaft 350 may comprise one or more selector slots or grooves, such as selector slot 360. The selector slot 360 may be located proximate to the first end of the shaft 350. With the safety selector 300 inserted into the firearm, a rotational constraint device 345 may be configured to engage the selector slot 360. For example, the rotational constraint device 345 may comprise a detent pin positioned in the receiver next to the first end of the shaft 350 such that an engagement end 346 of the rotational constraint device 345 is inserted into the selector slot 360. The rotational constraint device 345 may also be configured to secure or otherwise retain the safety selector within the firearm so that it does not become dislodged during operation. Additionally, a detent spring 355 may be inserted into the receiver next to and/or in-line with the rotational constraint device 345 in order to exert a spring force that maintains the engagement end 346 of the rotational constraint device 345 within the selector slot 360.

The rotational constraint device 345 may be configured to limit the rotational movement of the safety selector 300 within the receiver according to the length of the selector slot 360. For example, the rotational constraint device 345 may be configured to contact one end of the selector slot 360 when the first lever 310 is located in a first position, such as first position 10 of FIG. 1, and the detent pin 345 may be configured to contact a second end of the selector slot 360 when the first lever 310 is located in a second position, such as second position 20 of FIG. 1. The length of the selector slot 360 may determine the angle of rotation that the safety selector 300 may be rotated through. For example, the length of the selector slot 360 may be associated with an angular rotation of forty-five degrees; however, other amounts of angular rotation are contemplated herein.

The shaft 350 may comprise a second selector slot 370. The second selector slot 370 may be approximately located on an opposite side of the diameter of the shaft 350 as selector slot 360. The second selector slot 370 may be a different length than the selector slot 360 to provide for a different amount of angular rotation of the safety selector 300. In some examples, the second selector slot 370 may be longer than the selector slot 360. By repositioning the safety selector within the receiver, the rotational constraint device 345 may be configured to limit the rotational movement of the safety selector 300 within the receiver according to the length of the second selector slot 370. In some examples, the length of the second selector slot 370 may be associated with an angular rotation of sixty degrees or ninety degrees of angular rotation; however, other amounts of angular rotation are contemplated herein.

Whereas two selector slots 360, 370 are illustrated as being provided at one end of the shaft 350, in other examples one or more slots may also be provided at the opposite end of the shaft 350. For example, a first selector slot such as selector slot 360 may be located at one end of the shaft 350 and a second selector slot such as second selector slot 370 may be located at the opposite end of the shaft. In still other examples, each end of the shaft 350 may comprise two or more selector slots to accommodate additional amounts of angular rotation of the safety selector. Each selector slot may be associated with a different amount of angular rotation, for example one or more of thirty degrees, forty-five degrees, sixty degrees, ninety degrees, one hundred and five degrees, one hundred and eighty degrees, other amounts of angular rotation, and any combination thereof. In some example safety selectors there may be three, four, or more selector slots provided on the shaft.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an example safety selector 400 in a partially disassembled configuration, in which a first lever 410 is disconnected from a shaft 450 of the safety selector 400. A retention device 415, shown protruding from one end of the shaft 450, may be configured to couple the first lever 410 to the shaft 450. The retention device may comprise a screw. In some examples, retention device 415 may be configured similarly as retention device 315 of FIG. 3. One or more selector slots, such as selector slot 460, may be provided in the shaft 450. Additionally, a second lever 420 is shown coupled to a second end 455 of the shaft 450.

A trigger controller 440 may be located at an approximate center of the shaft 450. The trigger controller 440 may be configured with a variable distance 480 that provides for a variable amount of trigger actuation according to the rotational position of the safety selector 400 within the firearm. In some examples, trigger controller 440 may be configured with a cross-section which approximates a rectangular structure. In other examples, the trigger controller 440 may be configured with a cross-section which approximates a triangular structure, a square structure, an oblong structure, other non-cylindrical geometric structures, or any combination thereof.

In some rotational orientations of the safety selector 400 within the firearm, the variable distance 480 may be approximately equal to the largest diameter or largest cross-section of the shaft 450, whereas in other rotational orientations the variable distance 480 may only be a fraction of the largest diameter of the shaft 450. Additionally, the trigger selector 440 may be offset from the longitudinal centerline of the shaft 450 in order to vary the amount of clearance 485 between the trigger selector 440 and one or more components associated with actuation of the trigger according to the rotational position of the safety selector 400.

Depending on the rotational position, the variable distance 480, and/or the amount of clearance 485 associated with the trigger controller 440, the firearm trigger may be substantially precluded from moving, such as in a safe mode, may be partially allowed to move, such as in a single firing mode, and/or may be allowed to fully move, such as in an automatic mode or firing burst mode of operation. In some examples, an optional clearance 495 (shown in dashed lines) such as a notch or slot, may be provided in or pass through a portion of the second end 455 of the shaft 450 in order to enable the automatic mode or firing burst mode of operation.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rotated side view of the example safety selector 400 of FIG. 4, in which a second selector slot 470 provided in the shaft 450 is partially visible. The first lever 410 is shown in cross-sectional view to further illustrate how retention device 415 may be configured to engage an attachment hole 412 located in first lever 410.

In mounting the first lever 410 to the shaft 450, the retention device 415 may be pressed into the face of an undercut flange 454 by the underside of the first lever 410. The undercut flange 454 is located at the end of the shaft 450 and may be inserted into a retention slot 464 in order to couple the first lever 410 to the shaft 450. Similarly, the second lever 420 may be removably attached to the second end 455 of the shaft 450.

FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric view of the example safety selector 400 of FIG. 4. A variable diameter of the trigger controller 440 is illustrated as a first distance 681 or width taken along one side of the trigger controller 440, and a second distance 682 or thickness taken along an adjacent side of the trigger controller 440.

An amount of clearance 685 between the trigger controller 440 and the exterior of the shaft at any one particular angular position may vary as a function of the rotational position of the shaft 450 as the variable diameter of the trigger controller 440 transitions between the first distance 681 and the second distance 682.

Additionally, the amount of clearance 685 provided on one side of the trigger controller 440 may be different than the amount of clearance on the opposite side of the trigger controller 440, such as when the trigger controller 440 is offset from the longitudinal centerline 405 of the shaft 450. The clearance 685 may also vary as a function of which selector slot 460, 470 is selected to control the amount of rotation of the safety selector 400. For example, the safety selector 400 may be configured such that either the first selector slot 460 or the second selector slot 470 is engaged with a rotational constraint device, such as rotational constraint device 345 of FIG. 3.

The attachment hole 412 is partially visible within a recessed portion of a channel 462 located within the underside of the first lever 410. The channel 462 may be configured to couple to a flange 452 located on the end of the shaft 450. In some examples, flange 452 may be configured similarly as undercut flange 454 of FIG. 4 or undercut flange 354 of FIG. 3. A retention device may be configured to pass at least partially through attachment hole 412 and into the flange 452. In some examples, the retention device may comprise a detent pin, a stud, a boss, a screw, other types of retention devices, or any combination thereof.

FIG. 7 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a safety selector assembly 700 installed in a firearm receiver 705. The safety selector assembly 700 may comprise a selector lever 710 operably coupled to a selector shaft 750. The selector shaft 750 may comprise one or more selector slots or grooves which may be configured to engage a rotational constraint device 720.

The rotational constraint device 720 may comprise a spring-loaded detent pin that is configured to remain engaged with the selector slot of the selector shaft 750 by a spring force applied by a spring 725. The spring 725 may at least partially be housed within a handgrip 785 mounted to the firearm receiver 705 and/or to a trigger housing 715. In some examples, the rotational constraint device 720 may be disengaged from the selector shaft 750 when the handgrip 785 is at least partially loosened and/or detached from the firearm receiver 705.

The safety selector assembly 700 is shown in a first position in which the selector lever 710 is in an approximately horizontal orientation. In some examples, the first position may be associated with a safety mode of the firearm.

FIG. 8 illustrates the safety selector assembly 700 of FIG. 7 in a second position in which the selector lever 710 has been rotated away from the horizontal orientation. In the second position, the rotational constraint device 720 remains engaged with the selector shaft 750. Additionally, in the second position, the safety selector assembly 700 may be configured to allow a trigger contained within the trigger housing 715 to fire one or more rounds of ammunition.

The second position may be associated with firing a single round of ammunition when the trigger is pulled, such as in a semi-automatic mode of operation. In other examples, the second position may be associated with a full automatic mode of operation or a burst mode of operation. Additionally, the safety selector assembly 700 may be configured to limit the distance and/or the amount of rotation that the trigger may move with the selector lever 710 located in the second position.

In some examples, the second position may be associated with a maximum amount of rotation of the selector lever 710 when the safety selector assembly 700 is in a first configuration. In some examples, the maximum amount of rotation may be approximately forty-five degrees. In placing the safety selector assembly 700 in the first configuration, the rotational constraint device 720 may be configured to engage a first slot of the shaft 750.

FIG. 9 illustrates the safety selector assembly 700 of FIG. 7 in which the selector lever 710 has been rotated away from the horizontal orientation to a third position. The third position may be associated with firing a single round of ammunition when the trigger is pulled, such as a semi-automatic mode of operation. In other examples, the third position may be associated with a full automatic mode of operation or a burst mode of operation.

The third position may be associated with a maximum amount of rotation of the selector lever 710 when the safety selector assembly 700 is in a second configuration. In some examples, the maximum amount of rotation may be approximately ninety degrees, such that the selector lever 710 may be rotated into an approximately vertical orientation. In placing the safety selector assembly 700 in the second configuration, the rotational constraint device 720 may be configured to engage a second slot of the shaft 750. In examples, in which the shaft 750 comprises two or more selector slots, the second slot of the shaft 750 may be longer than the first slot.

In the second configuration of the safety selector assembly 700, the rotation of the selector lever 710 from the approximately horizontal orientation illustrated in FIG. 7 may maintain the firearm in the safety mode of operation until the selector lever 710 is located in the approximately vertical orientation shown in FIG. 9, such that the safety selector assembly 700 may prohibit the firearm from firing any rounds of ammunition with the selector lever 710 located in the second position illustrated in FIG. 8.

In still other examples, in the second configuration of the safety selector assembly 700, the selector lever 710 may be configured to place the firearm in one or more additional modes of operation that may not be selectable when the safety selector assembly 700 is in the first configuration. For example, in the first configuration, the selector lever 710 may be limited to the safety mode and the single firing mode. On the other hand in the second configuration of the safety selector assembly 700, in addition to the safety mode and the semi-automatic firing mode, the selector lever 710 may also allow for selection of a burst mode and/or a full automatic mode of firing.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example process for assembling and/or reconfiguring a safety selector on a firearm. At operation 1010, a rotational constraint device, such as a detent pin, may be disengaged from a first selector slot located on a shaft of the safety selector. In some examples, the rotational constraint device may be disengaged from the first selector slot by loosening a handgrip or other structure to allow for a slight separation of the handgrip from the firearm. The rotational constraint device may be at least partially housed or located within the receiver, handgrip, other structure, or any combination thereof, such that by separating the handgrip from the receiver or body of the firearm, the rotational constraint device may be retracted from the first selector slot. In other examples, the rotational constraint device may be rotationally threaded into handgrip or other structure, so that the rotational constraint device may be alternately inserted into and removed from the first selector slot.

At operation 1020, the safety selector may be rotated relative to the receiver or body of the firearm. The safety selector may be rotated approximately one hundred and eighty degrees; however other amounts of rotation such as ninety degrees, one hundred and twenty degrees, etc. are also contemplated herein. In some examples, the amount of rotation of the safety selector may vary depending on the number of selector slots provided in the shaft. Additionally, the safety selector may be rotated and/or otherwise repositioned without removing the safety selector from the firearm.

At operation 1030, the rotational constraint device may be engaged with or inserted into a second selector slot. The second selector slot may be approximately located on an opposite side of the diameter of the shaft as the first selector slot. In some examples, the rotational constraint device may be engaged with the second selector slot in response to tightening or otherwise reattaching the handgrip or other structure to the firearm.

At operation 1040, a retention device may be disengaged from the selector lever. The retention device may be spring-loaded such that the retention device may be depressed within a hole of the shaft. In some examples, the selector lever may be removed from the end of the shaft after the retention device has been disengaged.

At operation 1050, the selector lever or levers may be repositioned with respect to the shaft. For example, the selector lever may be rotated about the end of the shaft by the same amount of angular rotation associated with the rotation of the safety selector at operation 1020. The selector lever may be repositioned with respect to the shaft such that the selector lever continues to indicate a safe mode of operation of the safety selector at one of the operator selectable positions.

At operation 1060, the retention device may be engaged with the repositioned selector lever in order to lock the selector lever to the end of the shaft. In the locked position, the rotation of the selector lever may operate to rotate the entire safety selector relative to the firearm by the same amount of angular rotation as the selector lever.

The second selector slot may be associated with a different amount of angular rotation as compared to the first selector slot. In some examples, the first selector slot may be configured to allow the selector lever to be rotated through a first range of angular rotation, and the second selector slot may be configured to allow the selector lever to be rotated through a second range of angular rotation. The second range of angular rotation may be larger than the first range of angular rotation.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example process for assembling a safety selector on a firearm. At operation 1110, the shaft of a safety selector may be inserted in, mounted to, or otherwise positioned within a firearm. In some examples, the shaft may be inserted within a housing located within a firearm receiver.

At operation 1120, the shaft may be positioned relative to the firearm in order to orient one or more selector slots that correspond to a particular range or amount of angular rotation. For examples, two selector slots may be associated with two different maximum amounts of angular rotation of the shaft.

At operation 1130, a rotational constraint device, such as a detent pin, may be engaged with one of the selector slots. The rotational constraint device may be installed within a handgrip or other component of the firearm, and in some examples the rotational constraint device may be engaged with the desired slot in response to attaching or otherwise securing the handgrip to the firearm.

At operation 1140, a retention device may be inserted in the shaft. In some examples, the retention device may comprise a spring-loaded retention stud or a screw that is inserted into a receiving hole or housing located in an end of the shaft. In other examples, the retention device may be pre-installed into the shaft.

At operation 1150, a selector lever may be positioned on the end of the shaft. The position of the selector lever may be determined to allow the selector lever to indicate two or more modes of operation, including a safety mode.

At operation 1160, the retention device may be engaged with the selector lever to operably couple the selector lever to the shaft. In some examples, the retention device may be configured to rigidly lock the selector lever to the shaft, such that the selector lever and shaft rotate in unison as a unitary component.

While some of the examples have been illustrated or described with respect to providing functionality for a rifle, some or all of the features may also be enabled for operation with other types of firearms including, but not limited to, a hand-gun or a shot gun.

Having described and illustrated various examples herein, it should be apparent that other examples may be modified in arrangement and detail. We claim all modifications and variations coming within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A safety selector for a firearm, comprising: a shaft configured to rotate within the firearm;a selector lever coupled to the shaft;a first selector slot provided in one end of the shaft;a rotational constraint device configured to restrict a rotational movement of the shaft as a function of the first selector slot in response to actuation of the selector lever; anda second selector slot provided in the end of the shaft, wherein the second selector slot is configured to provide a different rotational movement of the shaft as compared to the first selector slot when the rotational constraint device is engaged with the second selector slot.

2. The safety selector of claim 1, wherein the selector lever is configured to indicate two modes of operation of the firearm, wherein the rotational movement of the shaft associated with the first selector slot corresponds to a rotation of the selector level between the two modes of operation, and wherein the different rotational movement of the shaft associated with the second selector slot also corresponds to a rotation of the selector level between the two modes of operation.

3. The safety selector of claim 1, wherein the first selector slot includes a length, wherein the rotational constraint device is configured to traverse the length of the first selector slot in restricting the rotational movement of the shaft, and wherein a length of the second selector slot is different length than the length of the first selector slot.

4. The safety selector of claim 3, wherein the second selector slot is longer than the first selector slot, and wherein the second selector slot is configured to provide a greater amount of rotational movement of the shaft as compared to the first selector slot.

5. The safety selector of claim 3, wherein the first selector slot is configured to provide a maximum amount of rotational movement of the shaft of approximately forty-five degrees, and wherein the second selector slot is configured to provide a maximum amount of rotational movement of the shaft of approximately ninety degrees.

6. The safety selector of claim 1, wherein the selector lever is coupled to the shaft by a retention device, and wherein the retention device may be configured to allow for a change in relative rotational position of the selector lever with respect to the shaft.

7. The safety selector of claim 6, wherein the retention device comprises a spring-loaded stud configured to engage an attachment hole located in the selector lever, and wherein the spring-loaded stud is further configured to be depressed into a receiving hole of the shaft in order to change the relative rotational position of the selector lever.

8. The safety selector of claim 1, wherein the shaft comprises a first end a second end, and wherein both the first selector slot and the second selector slot are located in the first end of the shaft.

9. The safety selector of claim 8, wherein the second selector slot is located on an approximately opposite side of the first end of the shaft as the first selector slot.

10. The safety selector of claim 8, wherein the selector lever is coupled to the first end of the shaft.

11. A method of assembling a safety selector on a firearm, comprising: disengaging a rotational constraint device from a first selector slot provided on a shaft of the safety selector, wherein the shaft is located internal to the firearm, and wherein the first selector slot is associated with a first rotational orientation of a selector lever coupled to the shaft;rotating the safety selector relative to the firearm until a second selector slot is aligned with the rotational constraint device;engaging the rotational constraint device with the second selector slot;disengaging a retention device from the selector lever;repositioning the selector lever in a second rotational orientation; andengaging the retention device with the repositioned selector lever.

12. The method of assembly of claim 11, wherein disengaging the rotational constraint device from the first selector slot comprises loosening a handgrip from the firearm, and wherein engaging the rotational constraint device with the second selector slot comprises tightening the handgrip to the firearm.

13. The method of assembly of claim 11, wherein rotating the safety selector comprises rotating the shaft approximately one hundred and eighty degrees relative to the firearm.

14. The method of assembly of claim 13, wherein the shaft is rotated relative to the firearm without removing the safety selector from the firearm.

15. The method of assembly of claim 13, wherein the second selector slot is approximately located on an opposite side of the shaft as the first selector slot.

16. The method of assembly of claim 13, wherein repositioning the selector lever comprises rotating the selector lever by approximately one hundred and eighty degrees relative to the shaft.

17. The method of assembly of claim 11, wherein disengaging the retention device from the selector lever comprises depressing the retention device at least partially within a hole of the shaft.

18. A method of assembling a safety selector on a firearm, comprising: inserting a shaft of a safety selector within the firearm;positioning the shaft relative to the firearm in order to orient one or more selector slots that correspond to a range of rotation of the safety selector;engaging a rotational constraint device with one of the selector slots;positioning a selector lever on the shaft; andengaging a retention device with the selector lever to operably couple the selector lever to the shaft.

19. The method of assembly of claim 18, wherein two selector slots are associated with two different maximum amounts of angular rotation of the safety selector.

20. The method of assembly of claim 18, further comprising inserting the retention device in the shaft, wherein the retention device comprises a spring-loaded retention stud that is inserted into a receiving hole located in an end of the shaft, and wherein engaging the retention device comprises rigidly locking the selector lever to the shaft, such that the selector lever and shaft rotate in unison as a unitary component.

21. The method of assembly of claim 18, wherein positioning the selector lever on the shaft comprises rotating the selector lever relative to the shaft prior to engaging the retention device, so that the selector lever indicates a safety mode of operation.