US20250137743A1

US20250137743A1 - Trigger Mechanism for a Firearm

Info

Publication number: US20250137743A1
Application number: US18/986,208
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul T. Noonan
Original assignee: FM Products Inc
Current assignee: FM Products Inc
Priority date: 2023-10-25
Filing date: 2024-12-18
Publication date: 2025-05-01

Abstract

A firearm is disclosed. The firearm contains a lower receiver, a trigger contains an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the lower portion of the trigger is coupled with the lower receiver.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/545,744, filed on Oct. 25, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a firearm. More particularly, the present invention relates to a trigger mechanism for a firearm.

BACKGROUND

FIG. 1 depicts an exploded lower receiver 10 parts of a firearm known in the art. The lower receiver 10 parts comprise a fire selector 20 and a trigger mechanism to be positioned in an opening 101. The trigger mechanism known in the art comprises a hammer 25, a hammer spring 26, a trigger 30, trigger spring 40, a disconnector 35, and a disconnector spring 45. As known in the art, the hammer 25 is pivotally mounted directly to the lower receiver 10 with a pin 50 through apertures 60, 65. As known in the art, the trigger 30 is pivotally mounted directly to the lower receiver 10 with another pin 55 through apertures 70, 75.
Some known trigger mechanisms are complicated, unreliable, and expensive to produce. Therefore, improvements in a trigger mechanism for a firearm are needed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts a firearm as known in the art.

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of a firearm according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 3 depicts a side, cut away view of the firearm according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 4 depicts another side, cut away view of the firearm according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 5 depicts another side, cut away view of the firearm according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the trigger mechanism according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 7 depicts another perspective view of the trigger mechanism according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 8 depicts another perspective view of the trigger mechanism according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 9 depicts another perspective view of the trigger mechanism according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 10 depicts an exploded view of the trigger mechanism according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 11 depicts a side view of the trigger mechanism according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 12 depicts another side view of the trigger mechanism according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 13 depicts another side view of the trigger mechanism according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 14 depicts another side view of the trigger mechanism according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 15 depicts another side view of the trigger mechanism according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 16 depicts another perspective view of the trigger mechanism according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 17 depicts another perspective view of the trigger mechanism according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 18 depicts another perspective view of the trigger mechanism according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 19 depicts a perspective view of the firearm according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 20 depicts another perspective view of the firearm according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 21 depicts another perspective view of the firearm according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 22 depicts another perspective view of the firearm according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 23 depicts another perspective view of the firearm according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 24 depicts another perspective view of the firearm according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 25 depicts another perspective view of the firearm according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 26 depicts another perspective view of the firearm according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 27 depicts another perspective view of the firearm according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 28 depicts another perspective view of the firearm according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 29 depicts another perspective view of the firearm according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 30 depicts another perspective view of the firearm according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 31 depicts another perspective view of the firearm according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

FIG. 32 depicts another perspective view of the firearm according to some embodiments presently disclosed.

In the following description, like reference numbers are used to identify like elements. Furthermore, the drawings are intended to illustrate major features of exemplary embodiments in a diagrammatic manner. The drawings are not intended to depict every feature of every implementation nor relative dimensions of the depicted elements, and are not drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to clearly describe various specific embodiments disclosed herein. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the presently claimed invention may be practiced without all of the specific details discussed below. In other instances, well known features have not been described so as not to obscure the invention.
Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
Referring to FIGS. 2-5 and 19-32 , there is shown a portion of a firearm 200 in accordance with some embodiments presently disclosed. FIG. 2 depicts a perspective, exploded view of the firearm 200 and FIGS. 3-5 depict a cutaway, side view of the firearm 200. The firearm 200 may comprise, for example, a removable stock 205 (shown in FIGS. 22-25 ), a barrel (not shown), a removable ammunition magazine (not shown), a safety mechanism 221, and a lower receiver 250.
According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the lower receiver 250 comprises openings for accepting the internal mechanisms required to operate the firearm 200. For example, the lower receiver 250 may comprise a magazine well 255 (shown in FIG. 2 ) adapted to receive and hold the ammunition magazine. The lower receiver 250 may also comprise an opening 260 (shown in FIG. 2 ) configured to accommodate a trigger mechanism 80 (shown at least in FIGS. 7, 9 and 12 and described in more details below).
The firearm 200 can be of a variety of types. Examples of a firearm includes handguns, rifles, shotguns, carbines, and personal defense weapons. According to some embodiments, the firearm is a Colt AR-15 rifle or a variant of the AR 15. According to some embodiments, the firearm is a Colt AR-15 rifle configured to fire handgun ammunition using handgun ammunition magazine.
The firing mechanism 80 presently disclosed can be designed to replace the OEM trigger mechanism of the firearm 200, such as, for example, rifles, and provide multiple shooting modes, or can be designed as an OEM trigger mechanism.
FIGS. 6-9 and 16-18 are perspective views of the trigger mechanism 80 suitable for use in the firearm 200. FIG. 10 is exploded view of the trigger mechanisms 80 suitable for use in the firearm 200. FIGS. 11-15 are side views of the trigger mechanism 80 suitable for use in the firearm 200. According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the trigger mechanism 80 comprises a trigger 85, a trigger element 86, a hammer element 90, a disconnector 95, a hammer element spring 115, a trigger reset spring 110, a trigger element pin 125, a trigger spring 310, and a hammer element pin 130.
The trigger mechanism 80 is defined by a front 232, a back 234, a top 236, and a bottom 238. Throughout this disclosure, references to orientation (e.g., front (ward), rear (ward), in front, behind, above, below, high, low, back, top, bottom, under, underside, etc.) of structural components shall be defined by that component's positioning in FIGS. 6-9 and 16-18 relative to, as applicable, the front 232, the back 234, the top 236, and the bottom 238 of the trigger mechanism 80, regardless of how the trigger mechanism 80, or the attached firearm 200, may be held and regardless of how that component may be situated on its own (i.e., separated from the trigger mechanism 80).
According to some embodiments, the trigger mechanism 80 is configured to provide a single stage trigger mechanism that provides a single stage resistance which causes the firearm 200 to be discharged once the single resistance is overcome. The trigger 85 is configured to be pulled by the finger (for example, index finger) of the shooter to initiate the firing cycle of the firearm 200. The trigger element 86 may be connected to the trigger spring 310, which aids in moving the trigger element 86.
According to some embodiments, an upper portion 185 of the trigger 85 abuts a rear portion of the trigger element 86. According to some embodiments, an upper portion 185 of 9 the trigger 85 is configured to lift a rear portion 186 of the trigger element 86. According to some embodiments, an upper portion 185 of the trigger 85 is configured to pivot a rear portion 186 of the trigger element 86 in an upward direction. According to some embodiments, the trigger element 86 is rotatable about the trigger element pin 525.
According to some embodiments, the rear portion 186 of the trigger element 86 comprises a channel 405 (shown in FIGS. 10 and 17 ) configured to accommodate the upper portion 185 of the trigger 85. According to some embodiments, the rear portion 186 of the trigger element 86 comprises a channel 405 configured to accommodate a portion of the trigger 85.
According to some embodiments, the trigger 85 is rotatable about the trigger pin 525. According to some embodiments, a lower portion 285 of the trigger 85 compromises an aperture 225 configured to accommodate the trigger pin 525. According to some embodiments, a lower portion 285 of the trigger 85 is positioned away from the lower receiver 250. According to some embodiments, the trigger 85 is rotatable about the lower portion 285. According to some embodiments, the lower receiver 250 comprises an aperture 325 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 28-32 ) configured to accommodate the trigger pin 525. According to some embodiments, the lower receiver 250 a trigger guard 305 (shown in FIGS. 28-32 ). According to some embodiments, the trigger guard 305 comprises an aperture 325 configured to accommodate the trigger pin 525.
The safety mechanism 221 may be configured to disengage and engage the trigger element 86. The safety mechanism 221 may have at least a safe position and a fire position. When the safety mechanism 221 is in the safe position, the trigger element 86 is prevented from rotating and therefore firearm 200 is prevented from firing.
The hammer element 90 is rotatable about the hammer element pin 130 about a hammer rotation axis. The hammer element 90 is connected with the hammer element spring 115, which aids in moving the hammer element 90. According to some embodiments, the hammer element spring 115 may engage the hammer element pin 130 so as to allow the hammer element spring 115 to move the hammer element 90.
The hammer element pin 130 and the trigger element pin 125 are each configured to be mounted and secured within the opening 260 of the lower receiver 250. The hammer element pin 130 is configured to be mounted and secured within an opening 230 of the lower receiver 250. The trigger element pin 125 is configured to be mounted and secured within the opening 231 of the lower receiver 250.
According to some embodiments, the disconnector 95 is configured to seat at least partially within the trigger element 86. The disconnector 95 is rotatable about the trigger element pin 125 and biased by a disconnector spring 320, which is positioned within the trigger element 86. According to some embodiments, the disconnector spring 320 is positioned within an aperture 123 (shown in FIG. 10 ) of the trigger element 86.
According to some embodiments presently disclosed, the trigger element 85 has a ready position (shown in FIG. 3 ) and a fired position (shown in FIG. 5 ). When in the ready position, a rotation (known as a “pull”) of the trigger 85 moves the trigger element 86 to the fired position, thereby releasing the hammer element 90 and causing a firearm (for example the firearm 200), to which the trigger mechanism 80 is attached, to discharge.
The trigger 85 is configured to receive a pulling force from the firearm user, usually by way of a finger pull. The rotation of the trigger 85 moves the trigger element 86 into the fired position. When in the fired position, a pull of the trigger 85 does not activate the firearm. In order for the firearm to discharge again, the trigger 85 must be moved from the fired position to the ready position. The trigger 85 can have a variety of different shapes. For example, the trigger 85 can have a generally straight profile or a generally curved profile.
A trigger sear 150 of the trigger element 86 is configured to interact with the hammer element 90. The trigger sear 150 is positioned at the front 232 of the trigger element 86 and includes a generally flat uniform surface.
According to some embodiments, the trigger element 86 comprises an aperture 155. The aperture 155 is configured to receive the trigger element pin 125.
The hammer element 90 comprises a first hammer sear 160, a main body 165, an aperture 166, and a second hammer sear 170. The hammer element 90 is configured to pivot about the hammer element pin 130 between a ready position and a fired position, such that the hammer element 90 strikes a firing pin of a bolt assembly (not shown) of the firearm 200 as it moves from the ready position to the fired position. The hammer element 90 is spring-loaded so that the hammer element spring 115 powers the hammer element 90's movement between the ready position and the fired position.
According to some embodiments, the aperture 166 is configured to receive the hammer element pin 130.
The first hammer sear 160 is configured to interface with a portion of the trigger sear 150 of the trigger element 86. The first hammer sear 160 is retained by the trigger sear 150 (shown in FIG. 3 ) when the trigger element 86 and the hammer element 90 are in the ready position. According to some embodiments, the first hammer sear 160 is disposed across the entire width of the main body 165 of the hammer element 90.
The second hammer sear 170 is configured to interface with a disconnector sear 180 of the disconnector 95 when the trigger element 86 is in the fired position and the hammer element 90 is near the ready position. The second hammer sear 170 allows the hammer element 90 to be retained by the disconnector 95 if the trigger element 86 is held in a fired position. This is to prevent the hammer element 90 from constantly cycling from the ready to the fired position without the shooter having to pull the trigger element 86 from the ready to the fired position.
According to some embodiments, the disconnector 95 includes an aperture 400 configured to accommodate the pin 125. According to some embodiments, the disconnector 95 engages the disconnector spring 320 at a spring abutment surface 190.
The disconnector spring 320 has a first end and a second end as shown in FIG. 10 . According to some embodiments, the disconnector spring 320 is cone-shaped. According to some embodiments, the first end of the spring 320 is narrower than the second end of the spring 320. According to some embodiments, the wider end is placed in the aperture 123 (shown in FIG. 10 ). According to some embodiments, the spring 320 is retained in the aperture 123 due to friction between the walls of the aperture 123 and the second end. According to some embodiments, the disconnector 95 engages the first end of the spring 320 at the spring abutment surface 190 (shown in FIG. 10 ).
According to some embodiments, the opening 260 of the firearm 200 comprises side walls and a bottom wall (i.e. surface) 300 (shown in FIGS. 29 and 31-32 ). According to some embodiments, at least a portion of the trigger 85 protrudes through an aperture in the bottom wall 300 when the trigger mechanism 80 is placed in the opening 260 as shown in FIGS. 3-5 .
According to some embodiments, the trigger reset spring 110 is positioned at the back 234 of the lower receiver 250. According to some embodiments, the trigger reset spring 110 abuts the trigger 85. According to some embodiments, the trigger reset spring 110 is compressed when the trigger 85 is positioned away from the ready position. According to some embodiments, the trigger reset spring 110 urges the trigger 85 towards the ready position. According to some embodiments, the trigger reset spring 110 is positioned within an aperture 402 of the lower receiver 250. According to some embodiments, a fastener 403 is configured to retain the trigger reset spring 110 within the aperture 402.
The trigger 85 is configured to receive a pulling force from the firearm user, usually by way of a finger pull. The rotation of the trigger 85 moves the rear portion 186 of the trigger element 86 upward into the fired position. When in the fired position, a pull of the trigger 85 does not activate the firearm. In order for the firearm to discharge again, the trigger 85 must be moved from the fired position to the ready position.
According to some embodiments, the disconnector 95 includes the disconnector sear 180, and an aperture 167. The disconnector sear 180 is configured to retain the second hammer sear 170 if the trigger element 86 is held in the fired position, as described above. According to some embodiments, the aperture 167 is configured to accommodate the trigger element pin 125.
According to some embodiments, the safety mechanism 221 is configured to facilitate the switching of the firearm 200 between different operating modes. As mentioned above, each operating mode alters the behavior of the firearm 200. According to some embodiments, the safety mechanism 221 is switchable between multiple positions, such as a fire mode position and a safe mode position. The safety mechanism 221 is in communication with the trigger mechanism 80. According to some embodiments, the safety mechanism 221 is disposed in the opening 401 of the lower receiver 250. According to some embodiments, the safety mechanism 221 is a push button safety selector.
The stock 205 is configured to be positioned at a rearward portion of the firearm 200. The stock 205 provides an additional surface for a shooter to support the firearm 200, preferably against the shooter's shoulder. In some embodiments, the stock 205 includes a mount for a sling. According to some embodiments, the stock 205 is removably mounted to the lower receiver 250. According to some embodiments, the stock 205 is secured to the lower receiver 250 by a fastener.
According to some embodiments, the barrel (not shown) is positioned at a forward end of the firearm 200. The barrel provides a path to release an explosion gas and propel a projectile therethrough. According to some embodiments, the barrel assembly includes a rail system for mounting accessories (e.g., a fore-grip, a flashlight, a laser, optic equipment, etc.) thereto.
According to some embodiments, the trigger mechanism 80 comprises one or more spacers 311, 312 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 10-12 ). The one or more spacers 311, 312 may be a pin, a screw, a set screw, a full dog point set screw, or a dogleg set screw. According to some embodiments, the one or more spacers 311, 312 are at least partially positioned through the bottom wall 300. According to some embodiments, the bottom wall 300 comprises one or more apertures 315, 316 (shown in FIG. 3 ) configured to accommodate the one or more spacers 311, 312. According to some embodiments, the one or more spacers 311, 312 are adjustable to allow the user to change how much they protrude from the bottom wall 300. According to some embodiments, the one or more spacers 311, 312 are threaded through the one or more apertures 315, 316. According to some embodiments, the one or more spacers 311, 312 are threaded through the one or more apertures 315, 316 from the bottom wall 300. According to some embodiments, the spacer 312 is used to adjust a distance between the trigger 85 and the bottom wall 300. According to some embodiments, the spacer 311 is used to adjust a distance between the trigger element 86 and the bottom wall 300.
While several illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternative embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term “plurality” includes two or more referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A firearm comprising:

a lower receiver;

a trigger comprising an upper portion and a lower portion;

wherein the lower portion of the trigger is coupled with the lower receiver.

2. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the trigger is pivotably coupled with the lower receiver.

3. A trigger assembly comprising:

a trigger comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the lower portion comprises a first aperture;

wherein the first aperture is configured to accommodate a trigger pin.

4. A firearm comprising:

a lower receiver;

a trigger guard; and

a trigger comprising an upper portion and a lower portion;

wherein the lower portion protrudes from the lower receiver;

wherein the lower portion of the trigger is coupled with the trigger guard.

5. The firearm of claim 4, wherein the lower portion of the trigger is pivotably coupled with the trigger guard.