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(11) | EP 3 153 809 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | A FIREARM TRIGGER ARRANGEMENT, A FIREARM TRIGGER SYSTEM AND A FIREARM COMPRISING THE FIREARM TRIGGER SYSTEM |
| (57) The present invention relates to a firearm trigger arrangement comprising: a linear
rail guide (104) comprising a rail (106) and a carriage (108), wherein the linear
rail guide (104) comprises a linear rolling-element bearing (110), and a trigger (112),
wherein the trigger (112) is supported by the linear rail guide (104) and whereby
a linear sliding motion (114) of the rail (106) and carriage (108) relative to each
other is provided in response to a pulling of the trigger (112). A firearm trigger
system (308), and a firearm (102) comprising the firearm trigger system (308) is further
provided.
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Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a firearm trigger arrangement, a firearm trigger system, and a firearm comprising the firearm trigger system.
Background Art
[0002] A firearm typically comprises a firearm trigger arrangement actuating a firing of the firearm. More specifically, a pull of the trigger of the firearm trigger arrangement actuates, at the trigger point, movement of springs and/or levers by which stored energy may be released, for example, by a gun powder explosion or a decompression of a gas. A portion of the released energy is then converted, in the firearm, into the kinetic energy of the projectile leaving the firearm. A small amount of force on the trigger may thereby initiate a large force by which the projectile is pushed forward.
[0003] One of the most important aspects of firing accuracy is the trigger pull. The ability to perfect this step when shooting is vital for improving precision. A marksman may therefore optimize the grip of the firearm by selecting a firearm having a handle with the proper size and shape fitting the hand. A goal by practise shooting is to perfect of the pulling motion of the finger to avoid undesired movement of the firearm when pulling the trigger, which may lead to the shot being off mark.
[0004] The trigger-pull characteristics of the firearm may further influence the precision. Hence, improved performance during target shooting may be achieved by changing parameters such as size and shape of the trigger, the movement of the trigger, the length of the pull, and the pull weight.
[0005] It is, however, desirable to provide improved firearm trigger arrangements allowing for superior precision when shooting at a target.
Summary of the invention
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement of the above techniques and prior art. According to an aspect of the invention a firearm trigger arrangement is provided. The firearm trigger arrangement comprises a linear rail guide comprising a rail and a carriage, wherein the linear rail guide comprises a linear rolling-element bearing, and a trigger, wherein the trigger is supported by the linear rail guide and whereby a linear sliding motion of the rail and carriage relative to each other is provided in response to a pulling of the trigger.
[0007] A firearm trigger arrangement allowing for linear sliding motion of the trigger upon pulling is provided. The linear motion of the trigger reduces deflection of the firearm caused by the pulling of the trigger. In other words, the linear motion of the trigger is advantageous as transfer of a pivoting motion, which may be caused by the pulling of the trigger, is mitigated. This is in contrast to a conventional trigger arrangement comprising a pivotally housed trigger, for which the pivoting motion may be mediated to the firearm when pulling the trigger. Hence, an improved shooting precision is achieved by the linear sliding motion of the trigger.
[0008] The wording firearm should be construed as a handheld weapon such as a barrelled weapon, e.g. a rifle or a pistol, from which a projectile may be launched as a result of an actuation. The launching of the projectile may be driven by the action of an explosive force, i.e. by a gun powder explosion, or by means of compressed air or other gas such as for air guns or air rifles. The launching of the projectile may, moreover, be by means of stored energy in a string such as for a crossbow. To this end, the firearm may be a manual, semi-automatic or automatic weapon.
[0009] The firearm trigger arrangement should further be understood as the arrangement which provides motion of the trigger in response to the pulling. To this end, the relative sliding motion of the firearm trigger arrangement may, moreover, directly, or via a firearm trigger mechanism allow for transfer of energy to a projectile such as a bullet or arrow.
[0010] The wording rolling-element bearing should be construed as a bearing which may carry a load by placing rolling elements between two sliding elements, e.g. the rail and the carriage. The sliding elements may according to some embodiments be referred to as races. The relative motion of the sliding elements causes the rolling elements to roll with low friction. The relative motion of the sliding elements may or may not comprise a sliding motion of the rolling elements. Hence, the wording linear sliding motion should be understood as a relative free movement between two parts, i.e. the rail and the carriage of the linear rail guide.
[0014] The linear rail guide may comprise the caged linear rolling-element bearing, also referred to as ball or roller bushing or shaft guiding, typically comprising a cage with balls or roller, which may be of hardened steel. The rotational motion of the balls or rollers relative to the rail allows for reduced friction and a smooth relative motion between the rail and the carriage. The caging may mitigate the balls or the rollers from falling out, even when the rail and the carriage are separated from each other. Hence, the linear rail guide allows for guiding and free motion along a one-dimensional direction.
[0015] A lower friction may, moreover, be provided by using a linear rail guide comprising linear caged rolling-element bearings. A smoother movement of the trigger is also provided. The arrangement of the rail and the carriage may further provide motion which is substantially one-dimensional. Hence, motions in other directions may be reduced, motion which otherwise may deflect the firearm when the trigger is pulled.
[0016] The linear sliding motion of the trigger further simplifies the designing of the trigger-pull characteristics of the firearm. Rotational motions which otherwise may be present when a conventional pivotable arranged trigger is pulled are thereby reduced.
[0017] The trigger may be supported by the linear rail guide by means of a distal end of the trigger being attached to the linear rail guide. A simple arrangement is thereby provided in which a major portion of the trigger is accessible to the marksman pulling the trigger.
[0021] Alternative arrangements for assembling the firearm trigger arrangement and attaching it to a firearm are thereby provided.
[0022] The firearm trigger arrangement may be adapted to be removably attachable to a housing of a firearm. A versatile firearm trigger arrangement which may be fitted, retrofitted and refitted to the firearm may thereby be provided. A simplified replacement of the firearm trigger arrangement may further be provided. A single firearm trigger arrangement may moreover be used for different firearms.
[0023] According to a second aspect a firearm trigger system comprising the firearm trigger arrangement described above is provided. The firearm trigger system further comprises a firearm trigger mechanism, wherein the firearm trigger arrangement is coupled to the firearm trigger mechanism such that the linear sliding motion of the rail and carriage relative to each other is transferred to the firearm trigger mechanism.
[0024] A simplified design of the firearm trigger system is provided by the transfer of motion between the firearm trigger arrangement and the firearm trigger mechanism being linear. A versatile firearm trigger system is further provided which may be fitted, retrofitted and refitted onto different firearms. The firearm trigger system may thereby be seen as a replaceable stand-alone-system or a kit adapted to be arranged on a firearm. A simplified replacement of the firearm trigger system may thereby be provided. A single firearm trigger system may moreover be used for different firearms. Hence, a marksman or another person may swap the firearm triggers system of the firearm. To this end, different firearm triggers systems may have different characteristics such as length of the pull, and the pull weight.
[0025] According to a third aspect a firearm comprising the firearm trigger system according to the above is provided. The function and benefits of the firearm are described above in relation to the firearm trigger arrangement and the firearm trigger system. The above mentioned features, when applicable, apply to this third aspect as well. In order to avoid undue repetition, reference is made to the above.
Brief description of the drawings
[0027] This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the enclosed drawings showing embodiments of the invention.
Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a firearm trigger arrangement according to one embodiment.
Figure 2 illustrates the same firearm trigger arrangement from another side view.
Figure 3 illustrates a side view of a firearm trigger arrangement according to another embodiment.
Figure 4 illustrates a side view of a firearm comprising a firearm trigger system.
Figure 5 illustrates a side view of a firearm trigger system.
Detailed description
[0028] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are rather provided for thoroughness and completeness, and for fully conveying the scope of the invention to the skilled person.
[0029] A firearm trigger arrangement will now be described with reference to figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a firearm trigger arrangement 100. Figure 2 illustrates the same firearm trigger arrangement 100 from a 90 degree angle with respect to side view of figure 1.
[0030] The firearm trigger arrangement 100 is adapted to be attachable to a housing of a firearm 102, illustrated by the dashed line. The firearm trigger arrangement 100 may further be arranged to be removable attachable to the firearm 102. A versatile firearm trigger arrangement 100 which may be fitted, retrofitted and refitted to the firearm 102 may thereby be provided. A simplified replacement of the firearm trigger arrangement 100 may further be provided. A single firearm trigger arrangement 100 may, moreover, be used for different firearms.
[0031] The firearm trigger arrangement 100 comprises a linear rail guide 104. The linear rail guide 104 comprises a rail 106 and a carriage 108. The linear rail guide 104 further comprises a linear rolling-element bearing 110, and a trigger 112. The trigger 112 is supported by the linear rail guide 104 and arranged such that a linear sliding motion 114 of the rail 106 and carriage 108 relative to each other is provided in response to a pulling of the trigger 112, as will be discussed further below.
[0032] The trigger 112 is in this arrangement attached to the rail 106. The trigger 112 is further supported by the linear rail guide 104 by means of a distal end 113 of the trigger 112 which is attached to the linear rail guide 106.
[0034] The linear sliding motion 114 should be understood as a relative free movement between the rail 106 and the carriage 108. A low friction linear sliding motion 114 may further be achieved by the rolling-element bearing 110. In other words, the rolling motion of the rolling-element bearing 110 provides the linear sliding motion 114.
[0035] The rolling-element bearing 110 offers a compact design of the linear rail guide 104. The rolling-element bearing 110 may prove low wear and may be insensitive to shocks and contamination. The rolling-element bearing 110 may be substantially noise free and may operate substantially free from stick-slip.
[0036] The rolling-element bearing 110 may comprise a ball bearing 116. The balls 118 of the ball bearing 116 are arranged such that they roll between the rail 106 and the carriage 108. The rail 106 and/or the carriage 108 may comprise a groove 120 shaped such the balls 118 fit within the groove 120, but are free to rotate in response to the relative linear sliding motion 114 between the rail 106 and the carriage 108. The balls 118 may or may not slide in response to the linear sliding motion 114, depending on how the balls 118 are arranged in the ball bearing 116. The grooves 120 may have a Gothic arch shape by which accuracy and rigidity of the linear rail guide 104 is improved.
[0037] The balls 118 are in contact with each of the rail 106 and the carriage 108 across small areas. The areas are set by the surface roughness of the rail 106, carriage 108, and balls 118 as well as to the extent, of which the balls 118 may be deformed, i.e. flatten, as a result of the experienced load.
[0038] The ball bearing 116 may be caged (not shown) which may mitigate the balls 118 from falling out, even when the rail 106 and the carriage 108 are separated from each other.
[0039] The carriage 106, rail 108 and ball bearing 116 may be of stainless steel, which may improve the durability of the firearm trigger arrangement 100 and provide anti-corrosion protection.
[0042] Linear rail guides in which the rolling-element bearing comprises ball bearings are typically used for small to moderate loads and highly dynamic motion, while roller bearings are used for high loads. For higher loads recirculating type roller guidance systems rolling-element bearings may be particularly suitable.
[0043] Figure 3 illustrates a similar fire trigger arrangement 200 as the firearm trigger arrangement 100 of Figures 1 and 2, but the trigger 112 is instead supported by the carriage 108 of the linear rail guide 104. The rail 106 is further adapted to be fixedly attached to a housing of a firearm 102. The rail 106 may, moreover, be removable attachable to the firearm 102. Other features, benefits and functions of the trigger arrangement 200 may otherwise be the same as for the firearm trigger arrangement 100.
[0044] Figure 4 illustrates a side view of a firearm 102 comprising a grip 302, a housing 304, a barrel 306 and a firearm trigger system 308. The firearm 102 is a handheld gun from which a projectile may be launched as a result of an actuation, i.e. as a result of the pulling of a trigger. It should be noted that the firearm may in other embodiments be, for example, be a rifle. The launching of the projectile may for example be driven by the action of an explosive force, i.e. by a gun powder explosion.
[0045] The firearm trigger system 308 comprises a firearm trigger arrangement 100 and a firearm trigger mechanism 400. The firearm trigger mechanism is illustrated by the dashed outline 402. The carriage 108 of the firearm trigger arrangement 100 is fixedly attached to the housing of a firearm 102. The firearm trigger arrangement 100 is coupled to the firearm trigger mechanism 400 such that the linear sliding motion 114 of the rail 106 and carriage 108 relative to each other is transferred to the firearm trigger mechanism 400, as will be describe in more detail below.
[0046] It should be noted that the firearm trigger system 308 may in other embodiments comprise a different firearm trigger arrangement such as, for example, the firearm trigger arrangement 200 disclosed above.
[0047] The firearm trigger system 308 is further arranged to be fitted, retrofitted and refitted onto different firearms. The firearm trigger system 308 may thereby be seen as a replaceable stand-alone-system or a kit adapted to be arranged on a firearm 102. A simplified assembly of the firearm 102 is thereby provided. The technical solution further facilitates simple replacement of the firearm trigger arrangement 100.
[0048] The function and benefits of the firearm trigger arrangement 100 and 200 are described above and to avoid undue repetition, reference is made to the above.
[0049] Figure 5 illustrates a side view of the firearm trigger system 308 comprising a firearm trigger arrangement 100 and a firearm trigger mechanism 400. The firearm trigger mechanism 400 comprises a release lever 404, a hammer 406 and two spring loads 407 and 408. The rail 106 of the firearm trigger arrangement 100 is arranged in contact with the release lever 404. The release lever 404 is in contact with the spring load 407, providing a spring loaded force 410 on the release lever 404. A protruding element 412 of the release lever 404 clamps the hammer 406. The spring load 408 stores energy for firing of a firearm 102, i.e. such that a bullet 414 may be fired from the firearm 102.
[0050] The function of the firearm trigger system 308 will now be described for the situation when a marksman pulls the trigger 112. The action of pulling the trigger 112 results in a force 309 exerted on the trigger 112. The force 309 is mediated to the rail 106 as the trigger 112 is fixed the rail 106. A linear sliding motion 114 of the rail 106 relative to the carriage 108 is thereby achieved, resulting in a linear displacement 312 of the rail 106. The linear displacement 312 of the rail 106 affects the position and/or angle of the release lever 404. Hence, the rail 106 will function as a sear actuating the firing of a firearm. In more detail, the release lever 404 is arranged to be pivotably movable 316 such that it may pivot as a result of the displacement 312 of the rail 106, i.e. by a force 314 exerted by the rail 106 on the release lever 404.
[0051] The protruding element 412 of the release lever 404 secures the position of the hammer 406. The securing is achieved by means of the spring loaded force 410 exerted on the release lever 404. Hence, the force 410 is a counter-force to the force 416 exerted by the spring load 408, such that the hammer 406 may be maintained in a retracted state until the trigger 112 is pulled. The spring loaded force 410 further acts as a counter-force to the force 314. The value of the spring loaded force 410 thereby sets the pull weight of the trigger 112.
[0052] When the displacement 312 of the rail 106 exceeds a critical value, the release lever 404 will pivot such that the protruding element 412 is released from the hammer 406 and the firearm fires. More specifically, stored energy of the spring load 408 displaces the hammer 406 forward such that the bullet is projected by a gun powder explosion ignited by the hammer 406 striking the bullet 414.
[0053] The critical value is reached at the trigger point of the firearm trigger system 308. In other words, the pull of the trigger arrangement 100 actuates, at the trigger point, movements of the springs 407, 408, the release lever 404 and the hammer 406 such that stored energy is released and to used to create kinetic energy of the bullet 414 leaving the firearm.
[0054] The release lever 404 may be arranged to first be displaceable such that the rail 106 is brought in physical contact with a release lever 404 prior to exerting a force 314 on the release lever 404.
[0055] The linear rail guide 104 may be movable such that the trigger 112 may be brought from an initial position to a firing position by a linear sliding motion. The firing position may correspond to the trigger point. The linear sliding motion of the trigger 112 may further be restricted in one direction by the linear rail guide 104 being movable from the initial position to the firing position along a first direction, but not being movable pass the initial position when moving in a second direction being opposite to the first direction. The trigger 112 may be brought back to the initial position by the spring loaded force 410. A reproducible pulling of the trigger may thereby be provided.
[0056] The skilled person in the art realizes that a firearm trigger mechanism 400 may be assembled in many different forms. The trigger point and the pull weight may for example be set by adjusting the spring loaded force 410 and the distance travelled by the rail 106 in response to the trigger pull.
[0057] In the above description the firing of a bullet has been described to comprise a gun powder explosion. The person skilled in the art, however, realises that alternatively compressed gas or air may be used to provide kinetic energy to a bullet.
[0058] The person skilled in the art further realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the release lever may alternatively comprise an electrical-mechanical switch whereby a mechanical movement is used to create an electric signal. The electrical signal may further be transmitted to an actuator which may release a hammer such that the firearm fires.
[0060] The trigger may be attached to the rail or the carriage by a fastening means. The fastening means may for example be a screw, bolt or glue.
[0061] Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage.
1. A firearm trigger arrangement comprising:
a linear rail guide (104) comprising a rail (106) and a carriage (108), wherein the linear rail guide (104) comprises a linear rolling-element bearing (110), and
a trigger (112), wherein the trigger (112) is supported by the linear rail guide (104) and whereby a linear sliding motion (114) of the rail (106) and carriage (108) relative to each other is provided in response to a pulling of the trigger (112).
2. The firearm trigger arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the rolling-element
bearing (110) is caged.
3. The firearm trigger arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rolling-element
(110) bearing is of recirculating type.
4. The firearm trigger arrangement according to any one of claim 1 - 3, wherein the
rolling-element bearing (110) comprises a ball bearing (116) or a roller bearing.
5. The firearm trigger arrangement according to any one of the claims 1 - 4, wherein
the trigger (112) is supported by the linear rail guide (104) by means of a distal
(113) end of the trigger (112) being attached to the linear rail guide (104).
6. The firearm trigger arrangement according to any one of the claims 1 - 5, wherein
the trigger (112) is supported by the rail (106) of the linear rail guide (104).
7. The firearm trigger arrangement according to any one of the claims 1 - 5 , wherein
the trigger (112) is supported by the carriage (108) of the linear rail guide (104).
8. The firearm trigger arrangement according to any one of the claims 1 - 7, wherein
the carriage (108) or rail (106) is adapted to be fixedly attached to a housing of
a firearm (102).
8. The firearm trigger arrangement according to any one of the claims 1 - 7, wherein
the firearm trigger arrangement (100, 200) is adapted to be removably attachable to
a housing of a firearm (102).
9. A firearm trigger system comprising the firearm trigger arrangement according to
any one of the claims 1 - 8, further comprising a firearm trigger mechanism (400),
wherein the firearm trigger arrangement (100, 200) is coupled to the firearm trigger
mechanism (400) such that the linear sliding motion (114) of the rail (106) and carriage
(108) relative to each other is transferred to the firearm trigger mechanism (400).
10. A firearm comprising the firearm trigger system (308) according to claim 9.
11. The firearm according to claim 10, wherein the firearm (102) is an air gun or air
rifle.