EP0886119B1 - Firing mechanism equiped with a total safety for small or medium calibre firearms - Google Patents

Abstract

The firing mechanism comprises a trigger (1) operating a hammer release catch (4) via a linkage (3). It has a lock in the form of a lug (10) projecting from the linkage to prevent any rotation of the catch except by pulling the trigger, when the lug on the linkage interacts with the catch via a drive lever (12). The catch and its drive lever rotate about the same axis (6), the lever having two arms (13,14) which interact with the lug and catch respectively. The lever can also have an extension which interacts with the moving element of an electromagnetic actuator controlled by an electrical signal.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for triggering full safety fire for a firearm individual of small or medium caliber, especially for a weapon including an electric triggering device shoot.

Current trip devices provide for a safety on the trigger of the weapon, which is combined with a blocking of the striker or hammer. Safety on relaxation either consists of a mechanical blocking by means of a lug, that is to say that any rotation of the trigger is prohibited, either to make the trigger independent of the weapon. The blocking of the striker prohibits any percussion of the primer, and the blocking the hammer prohibits its direct action on the striker. In some cases, the hammer can rotate, but safety then leads to the hammering of another part than the striker.

These devices have a number disadvantages. Thus, the security offered by a security of relaxation alone is relative, because nothing prevents pivoting trigger trigger, for example, causing the release of the hammer. If we adopt a security hammer or striker, the shooter must perform an additional action to erase it. Security is total, but the erasure of the security is not automatic.

We also know small and medium weapons caliber fitted with an electrical trip device shoot. The patent US2780882 thus describes a firearm individual whose triggering device is electric. This device includes a trigger which closes a switch supplying energy to an electromagnet.

In the event of failure of the electromagnet, one stroke trigger triggers a mechanical trigger of shooting.

Also known by European patent EP587504 a electric triggering device in which the active shooter by operating the trigger a target detection.

The shot is then triggered automatically by an electro magnet when a target coincides with a target point.

These known devices do not include security total. Thus vibrations and shocks may cause release of the striker.

In addition, the electrical trip devices known are bulky, complex and difficult to implement place inside a mechanically triggered weapon existing without completely modifying the mechanical release of the latter.

A first object of the present invention is to alleviate the disadvantages of the mechanisms described above in proposing a trigger device providing safety relaxation to which we associate total safety, erasure is automatic when firing.

A second object of the present invention is to propose a total safety firing trigger plus particularly suitable for a trigger weapon electric.

This device ensures triggering electric fire while retaining the organs of mechanical triggering of a given weapon. The triggering mechanical which can also be implemented by the shooter according to its operational needs.

The electrical trip device according to the invention is both simple and compact and it does not requires little electrical power to operate.

To this end, the invention provides a device for firing trigger for an individual firearm's small or medium caliber with trigger trigger a trigger by means of a rod to release a hammer percussion, the trigger itself being subjected to the action safety trigger, device characterized in that it comprises a locking means integral with the rod, means constituted by a lug projecting from the rod and pressing the trigger to prevent it from rotating and whose erasure is automatically controlled by the movement of the trigger, the trigger also being coupled to a drive lever cooperating with the lug to operate the trigger.

• la gâchette et le levier sont montés rotatifs autour d'un même axe de rotation,
• l'ergot est mobile entre les extrémités libres de la gâchette et du levier d'entraínement.

According to other characteristics of the invention:

• the trigger and the lever are mounted to rotate about the same axis of rotation,
• the lug is movable between the free ends of the trigger and the drive lever.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the drive lever comprises two branches, the first branch of which cooperates with the lug and the second branch with the trigger to train this by the action of the lug on the first branch.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the drive lever is extended by a tail on which comes to bear a mobile element of an actuator of the type electromagnetic to rotate the lever during a electric triggering of the shot and thus releasing the hammer percussion.

According to another characteristic of this embodiment the actuator is activated by an electrical control signal which is validated by the shooter by rotating the trigger following a course necessary to erase the means of blocking in rotation of the trigger.

According to another characteristic, the device for mechanical triggering of the shot is validated when the trigger ran a race longer than the race.

A very first advantage of the present invention resides in the simplicity of realization of the device which does not modify the functioning of the weapon and which is integrated by modifying only a minimum number of rooms.

Another advantage of the present invention lies in the erasure of the safety by a weak action of the shooter on relaxation.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is in the mechanical blocking of the trigger making safety total whatever the stresses, shocks or vibrations for example, which can be exerted on the trigger.

• la figure 1 illustre l'intégration du dispositif de déclenchement de tir selon l'invention dans une arme,
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique du dispositif selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, dispositif dans une position de repos,
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique de ce dispositif dans une position prête au tir,
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique de ce dispositif dans une position de tir,
• la figure 5 est une coupe transversale suivant ZZ de la figure 2 montrant la gâchette.
• la figure 6 est une vue schématique d'un dispositif de déclenchement de tir selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention, dispositif plus particulièrement destiné à une arme associant un dispositif de déclenchement mécanique et un dispositif de déclenchement électrique, ces deux dispositifs étant dans une position de repos,
• la figure 7 reprend partiellement la figure 6 pour illustrer le fonctionnement du dispositif de déclenchement selon l'invention en mode mécanique,
• la figure 8 reprend partiellement la figure 6 pour illustrer le fonctionnement du dispositif de déclenchement selon l'invention en mode électrique.

Other characteristics, advantages and results of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the additional description given below for information only in relation to the drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 illustrates the integration of the firing trigger device according to the invention in a weapon,
• FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the device according to a first embodiment of the invention, device in a rest position,
• FIG. 3 is a schematic view of this device in a position ready for shooting,
• FIG. 4 is a schematic view of this device in a firing position,
• Figure 5 is a cross section along ZZ of Figure 2 showing the trigger.
• FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a firing trigger device according to a second embodiment of the invention, a device more particularly intended for a weapon associating a mechanical trigger device and an electrical trigger device, these two devices being in a rest position,
• FIG. 7 partially reproduces FIG. 6 to illustrate the operation of the triggering device according to the invention in mechanical mode,
• Figure 8 partially reproduces Figure 6 to illustrate the operation of the trigger device according to the invention in electric mode.

Figures 1 to 4 partially show a mechanism percussion classic of an individual firearm of small or medium caliber.

The weapon shown in Figure 1 includes in particular a trigger 1 which is articulated in rotation about an axis supported by the body of the weapon and driving by its rotation a rod 3 in translation, which controls a trigger and a percussion hammer 5. In Figure 2, the trigger referenced 4 is mounted articulated around a supported axis 6 by the body of the weapon and is constantly brought back into a hammer blocking position 5 by means of a spring reminder 7. The hammer 5 is mounted articulated around an axis 8 supported by the body of the weapon. Trigger 4 prohibits hammer 5 rotation via a lug-notch system known per se.

According to the invention, the rod 3 is provided with a means of blocking 9 which is here constituted by a lug 10 arranged in projection on the rod 3. This lug 10 is placed so that in the rest position, the trigger 1 is blocked by the trigger safety 11, which is shown diagrammatically on Figure 2 by an obstacle preventing any rotation of said trigger. The lug 10 comes to rest on the trigger 4 and gets stuck against the body of the weapon (hatched part) prohibiting then the rotation of this one and consequently a accidental departure of the shot.

According to the invention, a lever is also provided drive 12 coupled to the trigger 4. This lever 12 is has a V shape and is mounted hinged around of the axis of rotation 6 of the trigger 4. This lever 12 comprises a first branch 13 which is intended to cooperate with lug 10, and a second branch 14 which is intended for cooperate with trigger 4 through their free ends. The branch 14 of the lever 12 comprises a attachment means, such as a claw, on the trigger 4. Thus, the rotation of the lever 12 causes the rotation subsequent trigger 4 and thereafter releasing the hammer 5. When the trigger 11 is removed or cleared, the movement of trigger 1 is possible. The race still life of trigger 1 corresponds substantially to the distance separating the lug 10 from the first branch 13 of the lever 12, this stroke being used to offset the lug 10 and allow the rotation of the trigger 4 and therefore the departure of the stroke.

Figure 2 illustrates the mechanism in a position of rest where the lug 10 is in contact with the trigger 4 for perform a mechanical immobilization of the latter whatever the requests to which it could be submitted. The trigger 4 is thus jammed by lug 10 against the body of the weapon at the level of the part guiding the rod 3. The rotation of the trigger 4 is therefore impossible.

Figure 3 illustrates the mechanism in a "ready" position firing "in which the trigger 1 having been released is actuated to move the rod 3 by a distance d separating the free ends of trigger 4 and the first branch 13 of the drive lever 12. The lug 10 is then deleted relative to trigger 4 and, in this advanced position of the rod 3, the rotation of the trigger 4 is allowed. The erasure of the lug 10 constituting the safety therefore takes place during the detent automatically without additional intervention from the shooter.

Figure 4 illustrates the mechanism in the firing position where the shooter continued his action on the trigger 1 in actuating in rotation the first branch 13 of the lever 12 through the lug 10. This additional translation of the lug 10 drives so concomitant the triggering of the trigger 4 by the second branch 14 of lever 12 and consequently the simultaneous rotation lever 12 and trigger 4. The trigger thus releases the hammer 5 which begins its rotation according to arrow F1 for fire.

Figure 5 shows the relative position at rest of the trigger 4, lever 12 and lug 10 which comes to bear on trigger 4 and gets stuck against body A of the weapon.

Figures 6 to 8 illustrate a second mode of production of a triggering device according to the invention.

This device includes, like that described above a trigger 1 which leads to a rod 3 carrying a lug 10 coming to rest on trigger 4 and thus preventing rotation of this one and an accidental departure of the shot.

The trigger 1 is again normally blocked by a trigger safety (not shown).

When the triggering device is in a rest position (Figure 6), the lug 10 carried by the rod 3 is supported on the trigger 4 to prohibit its rotation. Lug 10 constitutes a total safety device which prevents accidental firing which could occur as a result of the release of lug 4a from the trigger 4 out of the notch 5a of the hammer 5 (FIG. 7). This set constitutes a triggering device shooting mechanics (M).

The triggering device according to this mode of realization of the invention differs from the previous one in that the lever 12, towards its end opposite to its two branches 13 and 14, is extended by a tail 24 which comes up to vicinity of a control rod 22 of an actuator 20 which constitutes an electric triggering device (E).

The actuator 20 is for example constituted by an electromagnet. It includes a mobile assembly formed by the rod 22 which is movable between a rest position and a position active when actuator 20 receives an electrical signal from command S, for example from a target detector.

The rod 22 is intended to come to bear on the shank 24 to force lever 12 to pivot about its axis 6. The branch 14 of the lever 12 rotates the trigger 4 which releases the hammer 5 as a result of the release of trigger pin 4a of trigger 4 out of notch 5a of hammer 5.

The triggering device according to this mode of realization of the invention can work, at the choice of shooter, mechanically or electrically.

When mechanical triggering of fire is desired (Figures 6 and 7), the shooter first clears the security trigger to allow it to pivot around its axis 2. Then the shooter rotates the trigger 1 which causes a displacement in translation of the rod 3 of so that the lug 10 approaches the free end of branch 13 of lever 12. After a stroke C1 of the trigger 1, lug 10 is in contact with branch 13 of lever 12 and rotates the trigger 4 by through its branch 14 which is engaged with the trigger 4. The lug 4a of trigger 4 is released from the notch 5a of the hammer 5 which is then in a position army. The hammer 5 is then released to strike a primer, in a manner known per se.

When an electrical trigger of the shot is desired, (Figures 6 and 8), the shooter first proceeds to clearing the trigger safety and rotating the trigger 1 following a course C2 which is less than the stroke C1 necessary to cause tripping shooting mechanics. At the end of this C2 race, the pin 10 is located in an intermediate position between the branches 13 and 14 of lever 12, position in which it no longer blocks the lever 12 which can therefore pivot (Figure 8).

To validate the electric triggering of the shot, it is necessary so that the shooter erases first the lug 10 which blocks the rotation of the trigger 4. This erasure is obtained during of stroke C2 of trigger 1.

Once the lug 10 has been deleted, the command signal S automatic firing can be sent to actuator 20, which causes the displacement of the rod 22 which bears on the tail 24 of lever 12 to cause rotation of the trigger 4 and release the percussion hammer 5.

Concretely the trigger drive mechanism 4 includes two separate rooms not directly related to each other the other, namely the rod 3 and the lever 12.

During a mechanical triggering of the shot by actuation of the trigger 1 following a race C1, it is the lug 10 of the rod 3 which comes into contact with branch 13 of lever 12 to rotate the latter and therefore the trigger 4. On the other hand, when an electric fire is triggered, the actuator 20 acts directly on the lever 12 to make rotate trigger 4, provided the shooter has validated this trigger by rotating the trigger 1 according to the stroke C2, less than the stroke C1 required for a mechanical triggering of the shot, which makes it possible to erase only the lug 10 which blocked the trigger 4 in rotation.

So we see that thanks to the lug 10 carried by the rod 3 total safety is ensured in a simple and reliable manner and that whatever the shooting mode chosen by the shooter. Of plus the device according to the invention allows until the last moment a choice by the shooter of the desired shooting mode.

Finally the structure of the firing device according to the invention is mechanically very simple and can be bulky. This device can therefore be adapted to integrate into any known type of weapon with mechanical release, allowing give these weapons a higher level of safety and have an electrically triggered firing capability.

Claims (7)

1. A fire release mechanism for a small or medium calibre hand fire arm incorporating a trigger (1) activating a sear (4) by means of a rod (3) to release a percussion hammer (5), the trigger itself being subjected to the action of a trigger safety device (11), characterised in that it comprises immobilising means (9) integral with the rod (3), means formed by a joggle (10) protruding with respect to the rod (3) and pressing on the sear (4) to prevent it from rotating and whose retraction is automatically controlled by the movement of the trigger (1), the sear (4) being additionally coupled to a drive lever (12) co-operating with the joggle (10) to activate the sear (4).
2. A fire release mechanism according to Claim 1, characterised in that the sear (4) and the lever (12) are mounted rotating around a same hinge pin (6).
3. A fire release mechanism according to Claim 2, characterised in that the joggle (10) is able to move between the free ends of the sear (4) and the drive lever (12).
4. A fire release mechanism according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the drive lever (12) comprises two branches (13, 14), the first (13) of which co-operates with the joggle (10) and the second (14) with the sear (4) to drive it by the joggle (10) acting on the first branch (13).
5. A fire release mechanism according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the drive lever (12) is extended by a tail end (24) onto which presses a mobile element (22) of an actuator (20) of the electromagnetic type in order to make the lever (12) swivel during the electrical release of fire thereby releasing the percussion hammer (5).
6. A fire release mechanism according to Claim 5, characterised in that the actuator (20) is activated by an electrical control signal (S) that is validated by the firer by pivoting the trigger (1) on a course (C2) so as to remove the rotation immobilising means (9) of the sear (4).
7. A fire release mechanism according to Claim 6, characterised in that the mechanical fire release mechanism is validated when the trigger (1) has followed course (C1) over the course (C2).

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