Patent Application
20180187994
This invention relates to striker firing systems for firearms.
Firearm firing systems are generally either hammer based or striker based. In a hammer fired firearm, the trigger releases a hammer which impacts a firing pin. The firing pin, in turn, impacts the cartridge primer to fire the weapon. In a striker fired firearm, the trigger releases an internal striker with an integral firing pin. The firing pin portion of the striker impacts the cartridge primmer to fire the weapon. While striker fired firearms have many advantages over hammer fired firearms, a common disadvantage is a less “crisp” or “mushy” trigger feel compared to hammer fired counterparts.
In general, innovative aspects of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include a firearm firing system that includes a striker assembly and a fire control assembly. The striker assembly includes a striker housing, a striker disposed within the striker housing, and a sear bar coupled to the striker housing. The sear bar is configured to engage a sear engagement surface of the striker through an opening in the striker housing. The fire control assembly includes a cocking block and a transfer lever. The cocking block is configured to engage with and pivot the sear bar. The transfer lever is configured to transfer force from a trigger to the cocking block. This and other implementations can each optionally include one or more of the following features.
In some implementations, the striker housing is configured to be installed within a firearm slide.
In some implementations, the fire control assembly is configured to be installed within a firearm frame.
In some implementations, the sear bar includes a sear at a first end of the sear bar, the sear being configured to engage the sear engagement surface of the striker, where the cocking block engages the sear bar at a second end opposite the first end.
In some implementations, the fire control assembly includes a fire control housing with the cocking block and the transfer lever disposed therein. In some implementations, the cocking block includes posts that engage with corresponding channels in inside surfaces of the fire control housing such that cocking block is free to pivot and slide fore and aft within the channels.
In some implementations, the sear bar includes a sear at a first end of the sear bar, the sear being configured to engage the sear engagement surface of the striker, where the cocking block engages the sear bar at a second end of the sear bar, opposite the first end. The transfer lever is configured to be pivotally coupled inside a firearm frame such that a force applied from a trigger of the firearm to a first end of the transfer lever causes the transfer lever to pivot such that a second, opposite end of the transfer lever engages the cocking block, thereby, pivoting the cocking block and causing the cocking block to pivot the second end of the sear bar upwards and the first end of the sear bar downwards to disengage the sear from the striker.
In some implementations, the cocking block includes a cocking tab that is configured to engage a back surface of the striker housing to retain the striker housing stationary during a rearward movement of a firearm slide, thereby, cocking the striker. In some implementations, the cocking tab is integral to the cocking block. In some implementations, the cocking tab is housed within a channel in the cocking block and configured to slide within the channel.
In some implementations, the cocking block includes a lug at an end of the cocking block opposite the cocking tab, the lug being configured to engage a cam surface of a firearm slide.
In another general aspect the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a striker assembly that includes a striker housing, a striker disposed within the striker housing, and a sear bar coupled to the striker housing. The sear bar is configured to engage a sear engagement surface of the striker through an opening in the striker housing. This and other implementations can each optionally include one or more of the following features.
Some implementations include a spring disposed between the striker housing and a rear surface of the striker.
In some implementations, the sear bar includes a sear at a first end of the sear bar and a lip at a second end of the sear bar, opposite the first end.
Some implementations include a spring disposed between the striker housing and a rear surface of the striker, where the lip of the sear bar is in contact with an end of the spring such that the spring exerts a force on the sear bar which biases the sear of the sear bar to engage with the sear engagement surface of the striker.
In some implementations, the striker housing is configured to be installed within a firearm slide.
In some implementations, the sear bar includes a sear at a first end of the sear bar, the sear being configured to engage the sear engagement surface of the striker such that when a force is applied to a second end of the sear bar, opposite the first end, the sear bar pivots to disengage from the sear engagement surface of the striker.
In some implementations, the striker includes a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter larger than the first diameter, where the first portion of the striker is disposed within the striker housing, and where the second diameter is larger than an inside dimension of the striker housing.
In another general aspect the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a striker assembly that includes a firearm that includes a frame, a slide installed on the frame, a striker housing installed within the slide, a striker disposed within the striker housing, a sear bar coupled to the striker housing, and a fire control assembly installed within the frame. The fire control assembly includes a cocking block and a transfer lever. The cocking block is configured to engage with and pivot the sear bar. The transfer lever is configured to transfer force from a trigger to the cocking block to pivot the sear bar and, thereby, disengage the sear bar from a sear engagement surface of the striker. This and other implementations can each optionally include one or more of the following features.
In some implementations, the sear bar includes a sear at a first end of the sear bar. The sear is configured to engage the sear engagement surface of the striker. The cocking block engages the sear bar at a second end of the sear bar, opposite the first end. And, the transfer lever is pivotally coupled inside the frame such that a force applied from a trigger of the firearm to a first end of the transfer lever causes the transfer lever to pivot such that a second, opposite end of the transfer lever engages the cocking block, thereby, pivoting the cocking block and causing the cocking block to pivot the second end of the sear bar upwards and the first end of the sear bar downwards to disengage the sear from the striker.
The concepts described herein may provide several advantages. For example, implementations provide a striker fired firearm with a straight-pull “1911 style” trigger instead of a hinged-style trigger. Implementations of the invention may improve trigger feel (e.g., “crispness”) for a striker fired firearm. Implementations may improve trigger controllability for striker fired firearms. Implementations may improve the practical accuracy and precision of striker fired firearms.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
Implementations of the present disclosure are generally directed to a striker firing system for a firearm. The striker firing system includes a striker assembly that is configured to be installed within a fire arm slide and a fire control assembly that is configured to be installed within a firearm frame. The striker assembly includes sear bar coupled to a striker housing. The sear bar includes a sear surface that engages with a striker disposed within the housing. The fire control assembly includes a transfer lever and a cocking block which act together to disengage the sear from the striker to discharge a firearm. The cocking block further operates to cock the striker within the striker housing by the rearward movement of the firearm slide. In some implementations, the striker firing system of the present disclosure are particularly adapted for use with a straight-pull trigger, such as those common in 1911 style firearms.
For simplicity, implementations of the present disclosure will be described in reference to a semiautomatic handgun, however, one skilled in the art would appreciate that one or more of the implementations described below may be incorporated into other firearms designs.
As used herein, the term “semiautomatic firearm” refers to a firearm which automatically extracts a spent cartridge casing and chambers a new round after each shot. The semiautomatic firearm uses a portion of the energy from a firing round to extract a spent cartridge casing from the fired round, cock the firearm, and chamber a new round with each pull of the trigger, but requires a separate pull of the trigger to discharge the new round.
As used herein, the term “non-semiautomatic firearm” refers to a firearm which requires a user to manually manipulate some mechanism of the firearm to chamber a new round after each shot.
As used herein, the term “automatic firearm” refers to a firearm which automatically extracts a spent cartridge casing, chambers a new round after each shot, and fires the new round in a repeating fashion with a single pull of the trigger. In an automatic firearm, this process repeats until the trigger is released or all of the ammunition in the firearm is expended.
As used herein, the terms “orthogonal” or “substantially orthogonal” refer to a relation between two elements (e.g., lines, axes, planes, surfaces, or components) that forms a ninety degree (perpendicular) angle within acceptable engineering, machining, or measurement tolerances. For example, two surfaces can be considered orthogonal to each other if the angle between the surfaces is within an acceptable tolerance of ninety degrees (e.g., ±1-2 degrees).
As used herein, the terms “aligned,” “substantially aligned,” “parallel,” or “substantially parallel” refer to a relation between two elements (e.g., lines, axes, planes, surfaces, or components) as being oriented generally along the same direction within acceptable engineering, machining, drawing measurement, or part size tolerances such that the elements do not intersect or intersect at a minimal angle. For example, two surfaces can be considered aligned with each other if surfaces extend along the same general direction of a device.
As used herein, the term “recoil forces” refers forces exerted on various components of a firearm (e.g., breech face, slide, frame, recoil spring) which balance the forward momentum of a projectile being discarded from the firearm. Recoil forces are generally experienced directly at the breach face and transmitted through the breach face to other components of the firearm.
As used herein, terms describing relative directions or orientations (e.g., front, back/rear, top/upper, bottom/lower, left/right) of various elements are used in reference to the perspective of a user holding a firearm. Thus, for example, the front edge or surface of a component refers to that edge or surface of the component that is nearest or facing the muzzle of the firearm when the component is properly installed in the firearm. Similarly, for example, the back edge or surface of a component refers to that edge or surface of the component that is farthest from or facing away from the muzzle of the firearm when the component is properly installed in the firearm. Likewise, for example, the top/upper edge or surface of a component refers to that edge or surface of the component that is nearest or facing the top of the firearm when the component is properly installed in the firearm and the firearm is held in a normal firing positon. Furthermore, for example, the bottom/lower edge or surface of a component refers to that edge or surface of the component that is nearest or facing the bottom of the firearm when the component is properly installed in the firearm and the firearm is held in a normal firing positon. Finally, for example, the right/left edge or surface of a component refers to that edge or surface of the component that is nearest or facing the right/left side of the firearm from the perspective of a user when the component is properly installed in the firearm and the firearm is held in a normal firing positon.
Striker assembly 102 includes a striker housing 106, a striker 108, and a sear bar 110. Striker 108 is disposed within the striker housing 106. Striker 108 has a rod-like shape. In some implementations, as shown, striker 106 has two portions 116 and 118 having differing diameters (d1 and d2). Portion 116 has a smaller diameter (d1) than portion 118. Portion 16 is sized to fit within striker housing 106. Whereas, the diameter of portion 118 is slightly larger than the inside diameter (d3 shown in
A striker spring 112 is disposed between the rear inside surface 113 of the striker housing 106 and portion 116 of striker 108. Portion 116 provides a surface 128 on the striker 108 for the striker spring 112 to exert a force to push the striker 108 towards a cartridge primer and cause the firing pin 120 to impact the primer and discharge the cartridge. The front surface of portion 116 forms a sear engagement surface 122 for the sear bar 110. A lug 117 may extend from the rear surface of portion 116 to aid in aligning the striker spring 112 with the striker 108. With the striker assembly assembled, the coils of striker spring 112 surround lug 117.
A reset spring 114 is disposed between portion 118 of the striker 108 and an inner surface of a firearm slide (shown in
Sear bar 110 is coupled to the striker housing 106. Sear bar 110 can be pivotally coupled to the underside of striker housing 106 as illustrated in the figures. Sear bar 110 has a sear 124 at one end. Sear 124 extends through an opening 123 in striker housing 106 to engage the sear engagement surface 122 of striker 108. When engaged with sear engagement surface 122, sear 124 holds the striker 108 in a cocked position within the striker housing 106. In the cocked position, striker spring 112 is compressed against the inner surface 113 of striker housing 106. Sear bar 110 can be coupled to the striker housing 106 by coupling device 125, e.g., a pin, roll pin, spring pin, screw, or another appropriate coupling device. Sear bar 110 is pivotally coupled to striker housing 106 so that sear 124 at the forward end of sear bar 110 is moveable to engage and disengage with the sear engagement surface 122 of striker 108.
Sear bar 110 can include a lip 126 extending from sear bar 110 at the rearward end of the sear bar 110. Lip 126 extends through the bottom of striker housing 106 and engages with the end of striker spring 112 that is in contact with the inner surface 113 of striker housing 106. Lip 126 can be shaped to prevent the sear bar 110 from perching on the striker spring 112. In some implementations, the shape of lip 126 can use pressure exerted by striker spring 112 to bias the sear bar 110 to pivot sear 124 into engagement with striker 108. For example, lip 126 can be curved with an upper portion 126a being narrower than a lower portion 126b. The curved shape directs the force applied by the striker spring 112 to lip 126 downwards. The downward directed force biases sear bar 110 to pivot downward at the rearward end and upward at the forward (or sear 124 end) of the sear bar 110. Thus, absent another force at its reward end, sear bar 110 tends to pivot sear 124 into engagement with sear engagement surface 122 of striker 108. In other words, striker spring 112 biases sear bar 110 into a cocked position. Moreover, as striker spring 112 is compressed during cocking the force of striker spring 112 on lip 126 increases, thereby, helping to retain striker 108 in a cocked position. This feature may aid in preventing an inadvertent release of striker 108 and premature firing of the firearm.
Referring to
Fire control assembly 104 includes cocking block 134, cocking tab 136, cocking tab spring 138, fire control spring 140, transfer lever 142, and transfer lever spring 144 (referred to collectively as “fire control components”). The fire control components are installed within housing 132. As explained in more detail below in reference to
Cocking block 134 has a firing tab 146 extending from an upper surface. Firing tab 146 engages with the rearward end of sear bar 110. Cocking block 134 has a post 148 extending from both the right and left side. Posts 148 retain cocking block 134 in position within housing 132. Posts 148 are inserted within corresponding channels 156 in inner surfaces of housing 132. Posts 148 and channels 156 permit cocking block 134 to both pivot about an axis though the center of posts 148 and also to move longitudinally (fore and aft) along the channels 156.
Cocking block 134 has a slot 137 located rearward of posts 148. Slot 137 is configured to receive cocking tab 136. When installed in cocking block 134, cocking tab 136 extends out of an opening 139 at the top of cocking block 134. Cocking tab 136 is configured to slide in a relatively vertical direction within slot 137. Cocking tab spring 138 is disposed between the bottom of cocking tab 136 and a lower inside surface 137a of slot 137. Cocking tab spring 138 provides an upward force to cocking tab 136 biasing cocking tab 136 in an upward position.
Cocking block 134 has a cam lug 158 forward of posts 148. Referring briefly to
One end of fire control spring 140 connects to a bottom side of cocking block 134, rearward of posts 148. The other end of fire control spring 140 connects to a spring connection slot 160 in the housing 132, thereby holding fire control spring 140 under tension. Fire control spring 140 exerts a force on cocking block 134 that tends to pivot the rearward end of cocking block 134 downwards and pull cocking block 134 longitudinally forward within channels 156.
Transfer lever 142 is pivotally coupled within housing 132. Transfer lever 142 has an upper end 150 that engages with the base 152 of cocking block 134. Upper end 150 of transfer lever 142 is shaped so as to apply an upward force to cocking block 134 when upper end 150 of transfer lever 142 is pivoted forward. Transfer lever 142 has a lower end 154, opposite the upper end 150. Lower end 154 has a trigger bar engagement surface 155 which engages with a trigger bar (shown in
Transfer lever spring 144 is disposed between transfer lever 142 and an inner surface of housing 132. Transfer lever spring 144 applies a force to transfer lever 142 between pivot point 162 and the lower end 154 of transfer lever 142. This tends to cause the upper end 150 of transfer lever 142 to pivot in a rearward direction and the lower end 154 of transfer lever 142 to pivot in a forward direction, absent an external force applied through a trigger bar.
Fire control assembly 104 is disposed within frame 602. Trigger 606 is coupled to a trigger bar 608 that engages with the trigger bar engagement surface 155 of transfer lever 142. Trigger bar 608 extends from trigger 606 around a magazine well 614 in frame 602 to engage trigger bar engagement surface 155 of transfer lever 142.
Referring next to
Referring next to
Referring next to
Referring still to
In some implementations, sear bar 110 can be translationally coupled to striker housing 106. For example, sear bar 110 can be configured to move translationally along rails in the striker housing 106. For example, cocking block 134 can engage sear bar 110 to move sear bar 110 in a translational motion such that the sear 124 disengages from the sear engagement surface 122 of striker 108. In some implementations, sear bar 110 can be coupled to the slide of a firearm. In some implementations, the sear bar 110 can be coupled to a side or top of a striker assembly instead of the underside of a striker assembly.
In some implementations springs can be aligned with or coupled to components using pockets or holes in a component instead of posts or pins, as illustrated. For example, striker spring 112 can be aligned with striker 108 by a recess, pocket, or hole in the end of striker 108 instead of lug 117. Striker spring may rest within the recess, pocket or hole in the striker 108.
Although the striker firing system has been described above in reference to an implementation for use in a semiautomatic handgun, in some implementations the striker firing system can be incorporated into or configured for use in other firearm designs. For example, the striker firing system can be configured for use in automatic, semiautomatic, or non-semiautomatic pistols and rifles. More specifically, for example, the striker assembly can be configured for use in a firearm bolt (e.g., a bolt for a lever action, pump action, or bolt action firearm). Additionally, a similar fire control assembly can be configured for use in a frame, receiver, or stock of a corresponding firearm (e.g., a rifle or shotgun).
A striker firing system for a firearm can be manufactured by providing a striker assembly 102 and a fire control assembly 104 as described herein. A striker spring 112 can be installed within a striker housing 106. A striker 108 can be installed within housing 106 and in contact with striker spring 112. A reset spring can be placed over a firing pin end of striker 108. A sear bar can be pivotally coupled to an underside of striker housing 106. The striker assembly 102 can be installed within a firearm slide 604. The fire control assembly 104 can be installed within a firearm frame 602. A transfer lever 142 can be pivotally coupled inside frame 602 with a transfer lever spring 144 disposed between transfer lever 142 and an inside surface of frame 602. A cocking block 134 (or cocking block 1200) can be installed within channels 156 in frame 602. One end of a fire control spring 140 can be connected to cocking block 134 and another end of fire control spring 140 can be connected to frame 602.
In some implementations, fire control assembly 104 can be installed within a fire control housing 132. Transfer lever 142 can be pivotally coupled inside housing 132 with a transfer lever spring 144 disposed between transfer lever 142 and an inside surface of housing 132. A cocking block 134 (or cocking block 1200) can be installed within channels 156 in housing 132. One end of a fire control spring 140 can be connected to cocking block 134 and another end of fire control spring 140 can be connected to housing 132. Housing 132 can be installed within a firearm frame 602.
While a number of examples have been described for illustration purposes, the foregoing description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. There are and will be other examples and modifications within the scope of the following claims.
