Patent Application
20230243612
A semi-automatic firearm may comprise a self-loading firearm whose action automatically cycles (i.e., ejects and rechambers) a new cartridge after each shot, but needs the operator to manually reset a hammer. The hammer needs to reset by relaxing the trigger before the next shot may be fired. Accordingly, only a single round may be discharged each time the trigger is depressed. In contrast, a fully-automatic (i.e., full-auto) firearm both cycles cartridges automatically and cycles (i.e., resets and releases) the hammer automatically as opposed to semi-auto firearms, which do only the former when the trigger is pulled. Consequently, for the duration of the trigger-pull, the full-auto rifle will fire multiple cartridges continuously until the full-auto firearm's magazine is depleted.
In firearms, a safety is a mechanism used to help prevent the accidental discharge of a firearm, helping to ensure safer handling. Safeties may generally be divided into subtypes such as internal safeties, which may not receive input from an operator, and external safeties, which may allow the operator to give input, for example, toggling a lever from “on” to “off”. Sometimes these are called “passive” and “active” safeties respectively.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments of the present disclosure. In the drawings:
Overview
A trigger assembly for providing a straight pull trigger may be provided. The trigger assembly may comprise a trigger shoe, a safety plunger, and a safety blade. The trigger shoe may comprise a trigger shoe cavity disposed between a trigger shoe first side and a trigger shoe second side. The trigger shoe may further comprise a safety plunger pocket. The safety plunger may be disposed in the safety plunger pocket. The safety blade may be slidably disposed in the trigger shoe cavity and be connected to the safety plunger. The safety plunger may retract into the trigger shoe from a safety plunger first position to a safety plunger second position when the safety blade slides in the trigger shoe from a safety blade first position to a safety blade second position.
Both the foregoing overview and the following example embodiments are examples and explanatory only, and should not be considered to restrict the disclosure's scope, as described and claimed. Further, features and/or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, embodiments of the disclosure may be directed to various feature combinations and sub-combinations described in the example embodiments.
The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While embodiments of the disclosure may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims.
Some firearms may use a straight pull trigger with a bottom hinged safety blade. With this configuration, however, if the safety blade's front face is pressed close to the hinge, the safety may not be disengaged. Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosure may provide a straight pull trigger with a straight pull safety blade to solve the aforementioned problem and ensure retraction of the safety regardless of where the safety blade front face is pressed. There may be several benefits of using a straight pull trigger assembly consistent with embodiments of the disclosure. For example, the trigger safety and trigger shoe may both translate in the same direction, limiting trigger movement to translational movement, as opposed to translational and rotational. The translational movement of the straight pull safety blade may eliminate the risk of not disengaging the safety of a bottom hinged rotational safety blade.
Safety blade 106 may comprise a safety blade compression device pocket 138, a safety blade arm 140, a first safety blade rail 142, a second safety blade rail 144, a safety blade first side 146, a safety blade second side 148, a safety blade retaining pin slot 150, and a curved safety blade surface 152. Compression device 108 may comprise a first end 154 and a second end 156.
As shown in
In this fully retracted position, safety plunger 104 may no longer extent into the safety frame pocket located in the frame of the firearm. While in this fully retracted position, trigger shoe 102 may no longer be in a locked position and, if pulled further in the first direction, trigger stirrup 110 may cause the firearm to discharge. Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosure may provide a straight pull trigger with a straight pull safety blade (e.g., safety blade 106) to solve the aforementioned problem caused by hinged safety blades and ensure retraction of the safety regardless of where the safety blade front face (e.g., curved safety blade surface 152) is pressed.
Second end 156 of compression device 108 may nest in a receptacle (e.g., safety blade compression device pocket 138) in the back of safety blade 106 while first end 154 of compression device 108 may nests in a small pocket (e.g., a trigger shoe compression device pocket 202) cut into an internal face of trigger shoe 102. Other embodiments of the disclosure may omit trigger shoe compression device pocket 202. A cut-out mid-section (e.g., safety plunger slot 136) of safety plunger 104 may allow safety plunger 104 to connect onto safety blade arm 140 of safety blade 106. A vertical circular cut (e.g., safety plunger pocket 120) in trigger shoe 102 may allow for safety plunger 104 to translate vertically only. As safety blade 106 translates horizontally, safety plunger 104 may translate vertically due to an angled surface of safety blade arm 140 on which safety plunger 104 is secured.
Safety blade 106 may have horizontal rails (e.g., first safety blade rail 142 and second safety blade rail 144) protruding from each side (e.g., safety blade first side 146 and safety blade second side 148) respectively, which may fit into corresponding cuts (e.g., first trigger shoe slot 128 and second trigger shoe slot 132) in trigger shoe 102. These rails and cuts may allow for safety blade 106 to freely translate horizontally, but not vertically, and may not allow for rotation of safety blade 106.
Safety blade retaining pin 122 may be situated such that it fits into a slot (e.g., safety blade retaining pin slot 150) in safety blade 106. This pin and slot combination may prevent safety blade 106 from travelling too far forward or rearward in the horizontal direction.
Compression device 108 may push safety blade 106 horizontally forward. This position may result in safety plunger 104 being raised above a top of trigger shoe 102 and nesting in a pocket of a firearm's frame insert, preventing trigger shoe 102 from translating horizontally rearward in the firearm. In this way, the safety mechanism may be engaged. By pushing horizontally on the front face (e.g., curved safety blade surface 152) of safety blade 106, safety blade 106 may be pushed backward. This may compress compression device 108 and, as referenced above, retract safety plunger 104 from the pocket of the firearm's frame insert and allowing trigger shoe 102 to translate horizontally rearward in the firearm.
Embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, are described above with reference to block diagrams and/or operational illustrations of methods and systems, according to embodiments of the disclosure. The functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order as shown in any flowchart. 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/acts involved.
While the specification includes examples, the disclosure's scope is indicated by the following claims. Furthermore, while the specification has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, the claims are not limited to the features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example for embodiments of the disclosure.
Under provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), Applicant claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/304,263 filed Jan. 28, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63304263 | Jan 2022 | US |
