CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention generally relates to firearms, and more particularly to a trigger
housing mounting system for a trigger housing which may include a safety selector
mechanism suitable for a bolt-action firearm such as a rifle.
[0002] On some firearms it is desirable for ergonomic considerations, design constraints,
aesthetics, or other reasons, to position a safety selector that controls the firing
mode so that it must be contained within the stock assembly or another component that
can be separated from the receiver or action. Pistol grips as popularized by the AR-15
genre of rifles (adopted by the U.S. military as the M16 rifle) have been commonly
used on other types of modern firearms; often on rifles that were not originally designed
for pistol grips. On bolt action rifles modified to add a pistol grip, the safety
selector may be left in its original location typically alongside the back of the
bolt or on top of the buttstock behind the bolt, which is not easily accessed when
holding onto a pistol grip instead of cradling the stock. Hence, while acceptable
for bolt action rifles without a pistol grip, this top-mounted safety selector location
is inconvenient.
[0003] On firearms like the AR-15, where all of the fire-control components are contained
in the lower receiver, the safety selector remains in the same relative position and
does not hinder disassembly. If the fire-control group of components is connected
to the receiver or action, while the safety selector is attached or contained within
another component, it may be difficult to separate these components without disassembling
additional rifle parts. This is especially true for rotating safety selectors, like
used in AR-15 type rifles, where the cross shaft of the safety interacts with or intersects
part of the fire-control group to block the firing mechanism. Optimally, the safety
mechanism and selector switch should be strategically located to minimize the number
of components which need to be disassembled to access to the firearm's firing mechanism.
[0004] Accordingly, an improved and more conveniently located safety selector design is
desired for rifles with pistol grips other than the AR-15 rifle platform. A trigger
housing which is easily detachable from and lockable to the receiver is further desirable.
[0005] FR 2837276 discloses a firearm having a removable trigger assembly inside a housing made from
a polymer or composition material with a polymer matrix. The assembly is in two sections,
the first contained inside the housing, and the second accessible from the outside
once fitted. The catch for releasing the trigger assembly, so it can be replaced,
is located beneath a movable slider carrying the breech block.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention relates to a trigger housing mounting system for a firearm
as claimed in claim 1.
[0007] The present invention also relates to a method for mounting the trigger housing to
the receiver of a firearm as claimed in claim 12.
[0009] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from
the detailed description provided hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The features of the exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the
following drawings where like elements are labeled similarly, and in which:
FIGS. 1 and 2 are right and left side views respectively of one embodiment of a firearm
including a safety mechanism according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a partial right side view of the firearm showing the firing mechanism components;
FIG. 4 is a partial left side view of the firearm showing the safety selector and
pistol grip area of the firearm;
FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a removable lower assembly or stock of the firearm
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a partial left side view of the firearm with the lower stock removed;
FIG. 7 is a detailed view taken from FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is left perspective view of a removable trigger housing which houses the trigger
actuated firing mechanism components;
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view thereof;
FIG. 10A is a left side view thereof associated with the safety selector in a "safe"
firing mode position and the safety shaft engaging and preventing movement of the
trigger to disable the firing mechanism;
FIG. 10B is left side cross-sectional view thereof;
FIG. 10C is a left side cross-sectional view thereof showing portions of the receiver
containing additional firing mechanism components which interact with the firing mechanism
components of the trigger housing;
FIG. 11A is a left side view thereof associated with the safety selector in a "fire"
firing mode position and the safety shaft disengaging and allowing movement of the
trigger to enable the firing mechanism;
FIG. 11B is left side cross-sectional view thereof;
FIG. 11C is a left side cross-sectional view thereof showing portions of the receiver
containing additional firing mechanism components which interact with the firing mechanism
components of the trigger housing;
FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the trigger housing showing the safety selector mounted
therein;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the safety selector;
FIGS. 14 and 15 are left and right side views thereof;
FIGS. 16 and 17 are top and bottom plan views thereof;
FIG. 18 is a transverse cross-sectional view thereof;
FIGS. 19 and 20 are rear and front views thereof;
FIG. 21 is a right perspective view of the safety shaft;
FIG. 22 is a left perspective view thereof;
FIGS. 23 and 24 are right and left side views thereof;
FIGS. 25 and 26 are rear and front views thereof;
FIG. 27 is a transverse cross-sectional view thereof;
FIGS. 28 and 29 are top and bottom plan views thereof;
FIG. 30 is a top plan view of the trigger housing;
FIG. 31 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the receiver and trigger housing;
FIG. 32 is a bottom perspective view showing the trigger housing fully mounted to
the receiver;
FIG. 33 is a bottom perspective view of the receiver showing the trigger housing mounting
slot and related features;
FIG. 34 is a top partial cross sectional perspective view showing the trigger housing
in a rearward unlocked position attached to the receiver;
FIG. 35 is a top partial cross sectional perspective view showing the trigger housing
in a forward locked position attached to the receiver;
FIG. 36 is a top perspective view of the receiver body;
FIG. 37 is a top perspective view thereof showing the trigger housing in a rearward
unlocked position attached to the receiver;
FIG. 38 is a top perspective view thereof showing the trigger housing in a forward
locked position attached to the receiver;
FIG. 39 is a left side view of the receiver and trigger housing showing a lock pin
of a locking block assembly in an unlocked position;
FIG. 40 is a left side view thereof showing the lock pin of the locking block assembly
in a locked position;
FIG. 41 is a transverse cross sectional view of the receiver and trigger housing showing
the locking block and bolt with cocking piece positioned partially through the locking
block;
FIGS. 42 and 43 are top and bottom perspective views of the locking block;
FIGS. 44 and 45 are front and rear views of the locking block;
FIGS. 46 and 47 are top and bottom plan views of the locking block;
FIG. 48 is a side view of the locking block; and
FIG. 49 is an exploded perspective view of the trigger housing.
[0011] All drawings are schematic and not necessarily to scale. Parts given a reference
numerical designation in one figure may be considered to be the same parts where they
appear in other figures without a numerical designation for brevity unless specifically
labeled with a different part number and/or described herein. Parts described herein
with respect to certain figures may also appear in other figures. Furthermore, a general
reference to a whole figure number (e.g. FIG. 6) which may include multiple subparts
(e.g. FIGS. 6A, 6B, etc.) shall be construed as a reference to all of the subparts
unless specifically noted otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The features and benefits of the invention are illustrated and described herein by
reference to exemplary embodiments. This description of exemplary embodiments is intended
to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered
part of the entire written description. Accordingly, the disclosure expressly should
not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting
combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features.
[0013] In the description of embodiments disclosed herein, terms such as "attached," "affixed,"
"connected," "coupled," "interconnected," and similar refer to a relationship wherein
structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through
intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships,
unless expressly described otherwise.
[0014] The term "action" is used herein in its conventional sense in the firearm art as
meaning the mechanism that loads and ejects shells into/from the firearm and opens
and closes the breech (i.e. the area in the receiver between an openable/closeable
breech face on the front of the bolt and the rear face of the barrel chamber).
[0015] FIGS. 1-4 depict a firearm 20 with safety selector and interlock mechanisms according
to the present disclosure. In one non-limiting example illustrated herein, the firearm
20 may be a bolt action rifle.
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, firearm 20 generally includes a receiver 21, a trigger housing
22 detachably mounted to the receiver, a barrel 23 supported by the receiver, and
optionally a handguard 24 enclosing and circumscribing at least part of the length
of the barrel. Receiver 21 includes a front end 21c coupled to barrel 23 and an opposite
rear end 21b. The barrel includes an open front muzzle end 23a and an open rear breech
end 23b (obscured beneath the handguard) coupled to the front end of the receiver
21 in any suitable manner (e.g. threading, interlocking lugs, barrel or lock nut,
etc.). The barrel of rifle 20 defines a longitudinal axis LA and axial direction of
the firearm coinciding with the centerline of the barrel 23 and its longitudinal bore
formed therein between the muzzle and breech ends 23a, 23b (not shown) that defines
the projectile pathway. Handguard 24 if provided may be any type and coupled to the
front end of the receiver and/or the barrel.
[0017] Firearm 20 further includes a buttstock 30 extending rearward from the receiver 21
for placement against the user's shoulder when aiming the firearm held in a ready-to-fire
position to acquire a target. Buttstock 30 may be any type or configuration of buttstock
including fixed, adjustable and non-adjustable types, and folding and non-folding
types. The invention is not limited by the type of buttstock which may be used.
[0018] Firearm 20 further includes a lower assembly or stock 60, which in one non-limiting
embodiment is detachably mounted to the bottom of the receiver 21. Lower stock 60
includes a front portion 33, opposing rear portion 34, trigger guard 31 position to
enclose trigger 28, a pistol grip 27 rearward of the trigger guard, and magazine well
29 forward of the trigger guard. The magazine well is configured and structured to
removably detain and latch an insertable box type ammunition magazine via pivotable
latch 32 mounted to the lower stock 60 at the rear of the magazine well 29 (best shown
in FIG. 3).
[0019] In one non-limiting implementation, there are two mounting points which may be used
to secure the lower stock 60 to the receiver 21. Referring to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, a
front mounting features includes an upwardly open locking recess 130 in lower stock
60 configured with a raised central rib. Recess 130 receives dual laterally spaced
mounting lugs 132 projecting downwards from the front portion of receiver 21. One
of the lugs 132 (far or right lug) has a threaded hole and one lug (near or left side)
has a clearance hole. When the lower stock 60 is raised into place on the bottom of
the receiver 21, the lugs 132 are positioned on opposite sides of the raised rib central
which is received between the lugs. In one configuration, the bottom of the lugs 132
may be convexly rounded and the recess 130 on opposite sides of the central rib may
be concavely round by arcuate walls of the lower stock formed at the bottom of the
recess (best shown in FIG. 5). Once the upper is raised into place, a threaded bolt
131 is inserted through hole 99 in the left lateral side 68 of the lower stock 60,
passing through the clearance hole in the near side lug and engaging the threaded
hole in the far side lug. When tightened, the lugs 132 are pulled together to compress
the central rib in recess 130 of the stock 60 thereby securely holding the stock laterally
to the receiver while the bolt 131 also retains the lower stock vertically.
[0020] The second rear mounting feature can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5. A socket head cap
screw or other type threaded fastener 135 is inserted from the back of the firearm
through the receiver 21 and lower stock 60. An axial threaded hole 98 formed in the
rear of the lower stock receives the threaded fastener 135 extending through and from
a concentrically aligned hole in the receiver which secures the rear end of the lower
stock 60 to the receiver. Preferably, this fastener 135 should be secured first, which
helps brings the lower into a more consistent position and alignment relative to the
receiver 21 and trigger housing 22, and afterwards the front bolt 131 may next be
tightened lastly. However, in other possible lower stock mounting sequences, the front
bolt may be secured first before the rear bolt.
[0021] The fire control mechanism and safety will now be described.
[0022] The receiver 21 supports portions of the trigger-actuated fire control mechanism
operable to discharge the firearm 20. The fire control mechanism includes an axially
movable and elongated bolt 25 which may include a bolt handle 25a for manually operating
the action to form a closed or open breech in relation to the chamber formed at the
rear breech end 25b of barrel 23 which holds an ammunition cartridge. The bolt 25
is slidably moveable forward/rearward in an axially extending internal cavity 21a
of receiver 21. The bolt assembly comprises a slidable striker or firing pin 26 carrier
inside the bolt 25 for detonating a chambered cartridge when the firearm is discharged,
a main spring 35 which acts to bias the firing pin rearward in a cocked ready-to-fire
position, and a cocking piece 36 attached to the rear end of the firing pin (best
shown in FIG. 3). The foregoing firing mechanism components are mounted in and supported
by the receiver 21.
[0023] The trigger housing 22 supports the other portions of the firing mechanism which
operate together via pulling trigger 28 to release a cocked firing pin 26 for discharging
the firearm. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 9, the trigger housing 22 has a generally rectangular
elongated body defining an interior space 90 and various external openings to access
the space for housing various firing mechanism components described herein. Trigger
housing 22 may be removably attached to the receiver 21 by a variety of mechanical
means. In one embodiment, the trigger housing may include a plurality of laterally
extending tabs 91 which interlock with mating tabs formed in the underside of the
receiver (not shown) to suspend the housing from beneath the receiver. One or more
fastener openings 92 may be provided which receive fasteners therethrough to complete
securement of the trigger housing 22 to the receiver 21. In other possible embodiments,
fasteners alone may be used to secure the trigger housing to receiver. Other mechanical
methods or combinations of methods may also be used. The invention is not limited
by the type of means used to detachably secure the trigger housing to the receiver.
Preferably, the trigger housing 22 is securely attached to the receiver 21 of the
firearm to ensure that the relationship between the sear 38 and the firing pin cocking
piece 36 used to hold or release the firing pin 26 is maintained to prevent variable
trigger feel and uncontrolled disengagement. The trigger housing 22 cannot be removed
without first removing the lower stock 60 assembly from the firearm.
[0024] The firing mechanism components supported by the trigger housing 22 includes a dual
trigger mechanism including trigger 28 and trigger release member 37 which cooperates
with the trigger to release a sear 38. Trigger 28 is movably mounted to trigger housing
22. In one non-limiting embodiment as illustrated, the trigger is pivotably mounted
to the module about transverse pin 56 which defines a pivot axis of the trigger. The
trigger release member 37 is pivotably mounted to the trigger 28 about a second transverse
pin 40 which is disposed just rearward of the trigger pin 56. This defines a separate
pivot axis for the release member which is parallel to the trigger's pivot axis. Both
the trigger 28 and the trigger release member 37 pivot in forward and rearward axial
directions parallel to the longitudinal axis LA, as further described herein.
[0025] Trigger 28 has a vertically elongated body including a lower arcuately curved operating
end 43 for engaging a user's trigger finger and a vertically elongated upper sear
catch protrusion 44 protruding upwards from the operating end. Lateral mounting hole
46 receives transverse pin 56 to pivotably mount the trigger to the trigger housing
22. Sear catch protrusion 44 includes an upward facing ledge 48 configured and arranged
to selectively engage a mating downward facing hook-shaped sear catch 49 formed on
the sear 38 for holding the sear in an upright position until the firearm 20 is discharged.
[0026] The trigger release member 37 has a vertically elongated flat or plate-like body
defining an arcuately curved lower operating end 42 shaped for engaging a user's trigger
finger and upper extension 41 protruding upwardly from the operating end. Lateral
mounting hole 47 in the release member and mounting hole 61 in the trigger 28 receive
transverse pin 40 to pivotably mount the release member to the trigger 28. The release
member 37 is therefore supported by and movable in relation to the trigger. The operating
end 42 of release member 37 is slideably received through a vertical slot 45 in curved
operating end 43 of the trigger 28.
[0027] Sear 38 has a horizontally elongated body including catch 49 formed on the front
side or face, and an upwardly extending and vertically elongated firing pin catch
protrusion 50. Lateral mounting hole 53 receives transverse pin 54 to pivotably mount
the sear 38 to the trigger housing 22. Firing pin catch protrusion 50 defines a rear
facing blocking surface 51 which is configured and arranged to abuttingly engage a
mating front facing stop surface 52 formed on the cocking piece 36 of the bolt assembly
(see, e.g. FIG. 3). Sear spring 39 biases the sear 38 into an upwards blocking position
about pin 54 to force and positively maintain blocking surface 51 against stop surface
52 to prevent the release of the firing pin absent a trigger pull. In one embodiment,
spring 39 may be a helical compression spring; however, other types of springs (e.g.
torsion) may be used.
[0028] Trigger 28 in turn is biased into an upwards position about pin 56 by trigger spring
55. In one embodiment, spring 55 may be a helical compression spring; however, other
types of springs (e.g. torsion) may be used. Spring 55 acts on the vertical front
side or surface 66 of the sear catch protrusion 44 of trigger 28 at a point above
pin 56. This biases the trigger rearwards towards sear 38 which is mounted behind
the sear catch protrusion 44 in the trigger housing 22. This in turn also forces the
ledge 48 into positive engagement with the sear catch 49 on sear 38 for holding the
sear in the upwards blocking position with a cocked firing pin 26. Spring 55 may be
obliquely arranged to the longitudinal axis LA of firearm 20 to provide a line of
action (extending along the axial centerline of the spring between its ends) which
intersects the sear. This provides positive engagement of the ledge 48 on the trigger
sear catch protrusion 44 with the sear catch 49. The sear catch protrusion 44 of trigger
28 is pivotable forwards about pin 56 to disengage and release the firing pin 26,
as further described herein.
[0029] A spring 57 is disposed between and has opposing ends which act against both the
trigger 28 and trigger release member 37, as seen in FIG. 3. The spring 57 is located
above transverse pins 40 and 56 to bias the upper portions of the trigger and trigger
release member apart. This in turn biases the curved lower operating end 42 of the
trigger release member 37 to protrude forward beyond the curved lower operating end
43 of trigger 28 to maintain the release member. It bears noting that spring 57 is
typically smaller in size than and has a lower spring force than trigger spring 55
so that the rearward spring force of spring 55 dominates and maintains positive engagement
between the sear catch protrusion 44 and firing pin 26.
[0030] The firearm 20 may be discharged in the following manner. Referring to FIG. 3, the
firing mechanism is shown in a ready-to-fire position. With addition reference to
FIG. 9, the bolt 25 is forward in a closed breech position in battery with the barrel
23 wherein a cartridge is chambered in the breech end 23b. Firing pin 26 is held rearward
in a cocked position by sear 38 via engagement between blocking and stop surfaces
51, 52 of the sear and cocking piece 36 of the bolt respectively. The sear 38 is in
the upwards blocking position being held there by the trigger release member 37 which
similarly is in its upwards blocking position by spring 55. Trigger 28 is in a substantially
vertical non-pulled position.
[0031] To discharge the firearm, a user first pulls the exposed portions of the trigger
28 (via lower operating end 43) and trigger release member 37 (via lower operating
end 42) rearward. It should be noted that the user initially engages the lower operating
end 42 of the trigger release member 37 which protrudes forward of the trigger 28
in the normal un-pulled position (see, e.g. FIGS. 3, 7, and 8). The trigger release
member moves rearward compressing spring 57 against the sear catch protrusion 44 which
remains stationary at this stage until the front of operating end 42 of the trigger
release member 37 is flush with the front of the operating end 43 of the trigger 28.
It bears noting that trigger block pin 263 (see, e.g. FIG. 10B) blocks the trigger
movement until the trigger release is moved.
[0032] Continued pulling of both the trigger 28 and trigger release member 37 rearward together
(counter-clockwise in FIG. 3) now rotates the upper extension 41 and sear catch protrusion
44 of the trigger release member and trigger respectively forward (clockwise in FIG.
3) against the rearward biasing force of spring 55. The ledge 48 on the trigger sear
catch protrusion 44 disengages the sear catch 49 on sear 38. The sear 38 rotates downwards
(clockwise in FIG. 3) to disengage the sear blocking surface 51 from the firing pin
stop surface 52 on the cocking piece 36. The firing pin 26 is thus released and moves
forward assisted by main spring 35 to strike its forward end against and detonate
the chambered cartridge which is detonates to discharge the firearm.
[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, a mechanical safety mechanism is provided
which acts to selectively arrest and disable the foregoing firing mechanism. This
is intended to prevent inadvertent discharge of the firearm even if a trigger pull
is attempted while the safety is "on." Advantageously, the present safety mechanism
provides for a bolt action rifle the convenience of a side-mounted AR-15 style safety
selector with pistol grip both traditionally found only on conventional AR-15 semi-automatic
action type rifles.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 6-11 inclusively, a safety mechanism in one embodiment generally
comprises a safety shaft 80, a safety selector 70, and a safety operating linkage
such as control rod 100 operably coupling the shaft and selector together. The control
rod operates and controls the position of the safety shaft 80 via rotating the safety
selector 70, as further described herein. Both the safety shaft and safety selector
are mounted to the trigger housing 22.
[0035] The control rod 100 may be a wire-form linkage to allow actuation of the safety shaft
80 from a different location or even a different amount of rotation. The safety shaft
80 in the illustrated embodiment is disposed forward of trigger 28 and the safety
selector 70 is disposed rearward of the trigger in the trigger housing. This linkage
system allows the safety selector position to be less critical because it is not directly
contacting the trigger to arrest its movement. This is important because when the
safety selector is connected to a different component than the trigger housing, very
tight tolerances would be required to maintain a close relative position.
[0036] The safety shaft 80 extends transversely through the trigger housing 22 between right
and left opposing lateral sides 64, 65 of the housing and defines a pivot axis. With
additional reference to FIGS. 21-29 showing details of the safety shaft 80, the shaft
has a generally cylindrical shape and includes opposing ends 81, 82. A diametrically
enlarged operating protrusion 83 extends radially from a first end 81 of the safety
shaft in a direction perpendicular to the length of the shaft for coupling to the
control rod 100. In one embodiment, protrusion 83 may have an oblong or lobed shape
as illustrated. An aperture 84 is formed in protrusion 83 which receives a first hook-shaped
curved end 101 of control rod 100 (see also FIGS. 8 and 9). Because aperture 84 is
disposed radially distant and apart from the safety shaft 80, this arrangement provides
added leverage to easily rotate the shaft using rod 100 against the biasing force
spring 85. Spring 85 may be a torsion spring in one embodiment and biases the safety
shaft 80 into two rotational positions shown in FIGS. 10A and 11A. One end of spring
85 engages the trigger housing as shown and the other end engages hole 133 formed
in protrusion 83 (see, e.g. FIG. 21). Spring 85 helps stabilize rotational motion
of the safety shaft. Other types of springs may be used in other embodiments.
[0037] The safety shaft 80 is rotatable between a blocking position in which the safety
shaft disables the firing mechanism and an unblocking position in which the shaft
enables the firing mechanism to discharge the firearm. Safety shaft 80 comprises a
substantially flat operating surface 86 and a circumferentially adjoining arcuate
blocking surface 87 formed by full diameter portions of the shaft on either side of
the flat. The flat operating surface 86 is rotatable in radial position with the safety
shaft. The term "substantially flat" indicates that although the operating surface
86 may be considered flat with respect to the arcuate blocking surface 87, the operating
surface may in fact have a compound shape with portions of the surface 86 varying
slightly in angularity to other portions of the surface 86 such as by 10 degrees or
less; however, the overall profile of the operating surface may still be considered
flat. The "flatness" of the surface will be dictated in part by configuration of the
trigger 28 as explained below.
[0038] To enable the firing mechanism, the flat operating surface 86 is rotatable to a position
arranged approximately parallel to a front surface 66 of the trigger 28 when the safety
shaft is in the unblocking position. This provides a horizontal gap or clearance between
the front surface 66 and flat operating surface 86 which allows pivotable movement
of the trigger 28 sufficient to release the sear 38 and discharge the firearm by disengaging
the cocking piece 36 of the firing pin 26. This corresponds to the rotational "fire"
position of the safety selector 70.
[0039] To disable the firing mechanism, the safety shaft 80 is rotated to engage the arcuate
blocking surface 87 with the front surface 66 of the trigger 28 when the safety shaft
is in the blocking position. This prevents pivotable movement of the trigger sufficient
to release the sear 38 and discharge the firearm. Movement of the trigger-actuated
firing mechanism to discharge the firearm is therefore arrested. This corresponds
to the rotational "safe" position of the safety selector 70.
[0040] The safety selector 70 will now be further described. With additional reference now
to FIGS. 12-20 showing details of the safety selector 70, the safety selector comprises
a cylindrical control shaft 71 which extends transversely through the trigger housing
22 between the right and left opposing lateral sides 64, 65 of the housing when positioned
therein. The control shaft 71 defines opposing ends 72 and 73, and a pivot axis of
the safety selector 70. In one embodiment, the pivot axis of the safety selector 70
is located lower in trigger housing 22 than the pivot axis of the safety shaft 80.
An elongated selector switch 74 is disposed on a first end 73 of the shaft for operating
the safety selector via a user's finger or thumb. The selector switch 74 extends radially
in a direction perpendicular to the length of the control shaft 71 and may have any
suitable shape and a surface texture selected to facilitate grasping by a user in
some embodiments (e.g. ridges, knurling, etc.).
[0041] In one embodiment, the selector switch 74 may further comprise a firing mode indicator
79 adjoining end 73 of the control shaft 71. The indicator 79 may be circular in one
embodiment and have a diameter the same as, or in a preferred embodiment larger than
the diameter of the adjoining control shaft. An arrow 75 may be formed on the firing
mode indicator 79 which is rotatable to point to indicia comprising for example "safe"
and "fire" which optionally may be engraved in or otherwise marked on the lower stock
60 (e.g. lateral side 68) adjacent to the indicator. Other firing modes and indicia
may be provided.
[0042] In one embodiment, the safety selector 70 is mounted in the lower stock 60 and supported
independently of the trigger housing 22 such that removal of the lower stock from
the firearm 20 and receiver 21 removes the safety selector with the lower stock without
removing the safety selector from the lower stock or disassembling the safety or firing
mechanism components. FIG. 5 shows this arrangement in the lower stock 60 with the
control shaft 71 extending transversely and being received through apertures in opposing
lateral right and left sides 67, 68 of the stock. In one embodiment, the end 72 of
the control shaft 71 opposite the selector switch 74 penetrates lateral side 67 of
the lower stock 60 and is exposed for viewing by the user. End 72 may be provided
with firing mode indicia 77 (e.g. line, shape, etc.) which aligns with markings/indicia
(e.g. "safe" and "fire") emplaced on the right lateral side 67 of the lower stock
60 to signal whether the safety selector 70 is in one of the two operating positions.
Other firing modes and indicia may be provided.
[0043] It should be noted that the lateral sides 67, 68 of the lower stock 60 are spaced
apart defining an axially elongated internal cavity 69 which is upwardly open to receive
the trigger housing 22 therein when the lower stock is attached to the receiver 21.
[0044] According to another aspect, another benefit of the present design described here
is that the safety selector 70 is held in place by the trigger housing, and not with
a spring and plunger like the selector in an AR-15 rifle. Not only does this eliminate
parts, but it makes it possible to reverse a standard AR-15 selector to provide the
same function with the safety lever on either the left or right side. Eliminating
the drag from the spring loaded plunger also allows the safety to rotate more smoothly
and reduce the likely hood of the selector coming to rest in a partially engaged or
disengaged position.
[0045] FIGS. 12 and 13 are referenced now to describe this interface between the safety
selector 70 and trigger housing 22. The control shaft 71 of the safety selector 70
may have a stepped configuration defining a reduced diameter central portion formed
by spaced apart shoulders on shaft. A pair of inward facing and opposing abutment
surfaces 96 is formed by the stepped shaft 71. Abutment surfaces 96 abuttingly engages
mating outward facing abutment surfaces 97 formed on each side of the vertical slot
103 in the housing. In this arrangement, the safety selector control shaft 71 can
only be downwardly withdrawn from the slot 103 in the trigger housing 22, and not
laterally removed therefrom.
[0046] Once the lower stock 60 is separated from the receiver 21, the safety selector 70
can be removed from the lower stock just be sliding it laterally outwards. While installed
on the receiver 21, however, the trigger housing 22 prevents the selector from sliding
laterally out of the stock or trigger housing. If an ambidextrous style selector is
used, with a lever or switch 74 on each side which may be provided in some implementations,
it would first have to be disassembled for removal from the lower assembly.
[0047] With reference now to FIGS. 12-20, the control shaft 71 of the safety selector 70
further comprises a flat surface 76 and a circumferentially adjoining arcuate surface
78 formed on either side of the flat in the reduced diameter central portion of the
shaft. The flat surface 76 is rotatable in position with rotation of the safety selector
control shaft 71 via the selector switch 74. In one embodiment, the portion of the
control shaft 71 including the flat surface 76 may have a generally semi-circular
shape in transverse cross section, as illustrated in FIG. 18. This shape lockingly
mates with a complementary configured downwardly open vertical slot 111 formed in
a rotary cam 110.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 8-12, rotary cam 110 cooperates with the safety selector
70 and control rod 100 to impart rotational movement to the safety shaft 80 which
is inaccessible to a user when the lower stock 60 is attached to the receiver 21.
The rotary cam operates to convert rotary motion of the selector switch 74 and control
shaft 71 coupled thereto into substantially linear axial motion of the control rod
100 which moves the safety shaft 80 between the blocking and unblocking positions
by rotating the safety selector 70. Advantageously, this permits placement of the
safety selector 70 rear of the trigger 28 on the left lateral side 68 of the lower
stock for convenient use with pistol grip 27 formed on the lower stock.
[0049] The rotary cam 110 is mounted in an upwardly open recess 112 formed near the rear
end 105 of the trigger housing 22 (see, e.g. FIGS. 8, 10B, 11B). For point of reference,
the safety shaft 80 is disposed near the front end 104 of the housing 22. Recess 112
has an axial width which is slightly but not overly larger than the diameter of the
rotary cam body to allow the cam to be inserted downwards into the recess when the
safety mechanism components are installed in the trigger housing 22. The recess 112
may have a U-shape in transverse cross section and circumscribes a downwardly open
vertical slot 103 formed in the trigger housing 22. The slot 103 may extend transversely
through both the right and left lateral sides 64, 65 of the housing. The lower portions
of the recess 112 on each side of the slot 103 in trigger housing 22 are bounded by
bottom arcuate walls 95 which complement and engage the circular shape of the body
of the rotary cam 110 on each side of slot 111. The rotary cam 110 is seated and rotatable
on the arcuate walls 95 when fully installed in the trigger housing. The lower end
of the recess 112 is smaller than the diameter of the rotary cam 110 so that the cam
cannot fall through the vertical slot 103 in the trigger housing 22.
[0050] Rotary cam 110 has a generally flat disk-like shape which is substantially but not
perfectly circular in one embodiment as shown. In other embodiments, the shape may
be perfectly circular. Rotary cam 110 has a downwardly open vertical slot 111 for
upwardly receiving the safety selector control shaft 71 and an aperture 113 which
receives a second hook-shaped curved end 102 of control rod 100 which is coupled thereto.
Access through the trigger housing 22 for end 102 of the control rod to engage the
aperture 113 of the rotary cam 110 may be provided through an arcuate slot 114 formed
in the left lateral side 65 of the housing. The arcuate slot 114 is located to follow
the arcuate path of the curved end 102 of the control rod 100 as the safety selector
70 is rotated.
[0051] The control shaft 71 of the safety selector 70 is removably received in both of the
mating downwardly open slots 103, 111 disposed in the trigger housing 22 and the rotary
cam 110, respectively. Slots 103 and 111 may have similar heights and axial widths
which complement and are preferably slightly larger than the diameter of the safety
selector control shaft 71 sufficient to allow both insertion and rotation of the shaft
when positioned therein. Slot 111 of the rotary cam 110 has an open bottom end and
a closed top end with a shape complementary to the shape semi-circular shape of the
portion of the control shaft 71 containing the flat surface 76. Accordingly, the top
end of slot 111 has a mating flat surface 93 and arcuate surface 94 (see, e.g. FIGS.
9, 10B, 11B). This provides a relatively tight interlocking fit and engagement between
the control shaft 71 and rotary cam 110 such that rotating the shaft 71 concomitantly
rotates the rotary cam.
[0052] The safety mechanism is operated in the following manner. Safety selector 70 is first
assumed to be in the downward "fire" position shown in FIGS. 11A-C. The selector switch
74 is thus oriented obliquely to the longitudinal axis LA. In one embodiment, the
selector switch 74 may be disposed at approximately 45 degrees to the longitudinal
axis. The rotary cam 110 is oriented so that the lower rear quadrant obstructs the
vertical slot 103 of the trigger housing 22. The rear curved end 102 of the control
rod 100 is positioned at the rear of arcuate slot 114. The safety shaft 80 is in the
unblocking position with the flat operating surface 86 of the positioned parallel
to and facing the front surface 66 of the trigger 28. When the trigger is pulled,
there is sufficient clearance between the safety selector 70 and front surface 66
of trigger 28 to allow the trigger sear catch protrusion 44 to move and release the
sear 38 and firing pin 26 for discharging the firearm.
[0053] To activate the safety, the user moves and rotates the selector switch 74 upwards
(counter-clockwise) to the horizontal "safe" position parallel to longitudinal axis
LA as shown in FIGS. 10A-C. This concomitantly rotates the control shaft 71 of the
safety selector 70 counter-clockwise. The rotary motion of the safety selector 70
moves or translates the control rod 100 axially forward. The curved end 102 of the
control rod moves forward in turn to the front of the arcuate slot 114. The rotary
cam 110 rotates counter-clockwise with the safety selector control shaft 71 such that
the vertical slot 111 of the cam becomes vertically aligned with and approximately
parallel to slot 103 of trigger housing 22. This would allow removal of the lower
stock 60 from the receiver 21 if the firearm 20 were to be disassembled at this point,
as already explained herein.
[0054] Counter-clockwise rotation of the safety selector 70 and accompanying forward movement
of the control rod 100 in turn simultaneously rotates the safety shaft 80 clockwise
(see again FIGS. 11A-C). The safety shaft 80 is now in the blocking position such
that the flat operating surface 86 of the shaft has rotated forward and the arcuate
blocking surface 78 has rotated rearward into engagement with the front surface 66
of the trigger 28. When a trigger pull is attempted, there no longer is sufficient
clearance between the safety selector 70 and front surface 66 of trigger 28 to allow
the sear catch protrusion 44 on the trigger to release the sear 38 and firing pin
26 for discharging the firearm. Instead, pivotal movement of the trigger is arrested,
thereby disabling the firing mechanism.
[0055] The vertical slot 111 of the rotary cam 110 is rotatable in orientation with respect
to the vertical slot 103 of the trigger housing 22 which remains stationary and fixed
in position when mounted to the receiver 21. In another aspect of the invention, relative
rotation between the rotary cam 110 and trigger housing 22 advantageously forms an
interlock mechanism which prevents removal of the lower stock 60 from the receiver
21 when the safety selector 70 is in the "fire" position. The safety selector control
shaft 71 is captured by the rotary cam 110 and the trigger housing 22, thereby preventing
the lower assembly from being removed. While a firearm should always be unloaded before
disassembly as dictated by responsible handling procedures, this mechanism is beneficial
in that it ensures the safety of the firearm is engaged before the lower stock 60
can be removed and the trigger assembly is exposed. It also prevents the firearm from
being re-assembled with the safety in the fire position.
[0056] When the safety selector 70 is in the "safe" position shown in FIGS. 10A-C, the vertical
slots 103, 111 of the trigger housing 22 and rotary cam 110 are vertically aligned
and fully open to at least the full diameter of the control shaft 71 of the safety
selector. This allows the control shaft and safety selector 70 to be withdrawn downwards
and removed from the slots 103, 111 with the lower stock 60 (in which the safety selector
is rotatably mounted as shown in FIG. 4) to exposed the trigger housing 22 and trigger
mechanism. Conversely when the safety selector 70 is in the "fire" position shown
in FIGS. 11-C, the vertical slots 103, 111 of the trigger housing 22 and rotary cam
110 are no longer vertically aligned and fully open to at least the full diameter
of the control shaft 71 of the safety selector. The lower rear quadrant of the rotary
cam now protrudes partially into and obstructs the slot 103 of the trigger housing
22 by a sufficient amount to prevent the control shaft 71 from passing downwards therethrough.
Rotary cam slot 111 is no longer vertically aligned with but rather obliquely orientated
to slot 103 of the trigger housing which traps the control shaft 71 of the safety
selector 70 in the cam. This prevents the control shaft and safety selector 70 from
being withdrawn downwards and removed from the slots 103, 111 when in the "fire" position
so that the lower stock 60 cannot now be detached from the receiver 21, thereby forming
an interlock mechanism.
Trigger Housing Mounting System
[0057] According to another aspect of the invention as described above, the trigger housing
22 which carries the trigger-actuated firing mechanism may be removably attached to
the receiver 21. One non-limiting embodiment of a trigger housing mounting system
200 utilizes a sliding T-slot arrangement in the receiver and trigger housing in combination
with secondary retention features which prevent unintentional sliding and dismounting
of the trigger housing.
[0058] The mounting system will now be further described in greater detail with initial
reference to FIGS. 9, 30-38, and 49.
[0059] Trigger housing 22 includes a top 201, bottom 202, front 203, rear 204, and opposing
right and left lateral sides 205, 206 extending axially between the front and rear.
A longitudinally-extending internal cavity 207 is formed in the trigger housing which
carries and supports the trigger-actuated fire control mechanism components (e.g.
trigger, sear, etc.) already described herein. Trigger housing 22 includes a lower
portion 260 which supports the trigger assembly 28 and an upper mounting portion configured
and dimensioned for detachable coupling to the bottom 211 of the receiver 21.
[0060] The trigger housing 22 may be formed of any suitable metallic or non-metallic material
(e.g. polymers, etc.). In one example, the trigger housing is formed of a light-weight
metal such as aluminum or titanium.
[0061] In one embodiment, the upper mounting portion 261 of trigger housing 22 includes
a plurality of laterally extending mounting flanges or tabs 91 which interlock with
mating flanges or tabs 208 formed in the underside of the receiver 21 to suspend the
housing from beneath the receiver. Tabs 91 are disposed adjacent to the top 201 of
the trigger housing and may share a contiguous upper surface with the housing. In
one arrangement, a pair of longitudinally spaced apart front and rear mounting tabs
91a, 91b is formed on the left lateral side 206 and opposing front and rear mounting
tabs 91c, 91d are formed on the right lateral side 205. Laterally open recesses or
cutouts 209 and 210 are formed between tabs 91a-b and 91c-d respectively which each
allow insertion of one of the receiver tabs 208 when mounting the trigger housing.
The tabs 91a-d may each have chamfered or radiused/rounded front and rear corners
(best shown in FIG. 30) to facilitate attachment to the receiver 21 and sliding thereon
as further described herein.
[0062] The bottom wall 211 of receiver 21 includes a longitudinally-extending trigger housing
mounting slot 212 configured and dimensioned for insertion of the top of the trigger
housing 22 with mounting tabs 91a-d. Slot 212 includes a front end 212a and opposing
rear end 212b. Tabs 208 formed on the underside of the receiver include a pair of
longitudinally spaced apart front and rear mounting tabs 208a, 208b formed on the
left side of slot 212 and opposing front and rear mounting tabs 208c,2081d are formed
on the right side of the slot (see, e.g. FIGS. 31 and 33). Tabs 208a-d may be formed
by an integral structural part of the receiver body of the receiver itself in some
embodiments, or may be separate structures coupled to the receiver. The manner of
forming the tabs is not limiting.
[0063] Longitudinally spaced apart and inwardly open recesses or cutouts 213a and 213b are
formed in the receiver 21 on the left side of the elongated slot 212. Cutout 213a
is formed between tabs 208a and 208b. Cutout 213b is formed at the rear of tab 208b.
Similarly arranged on the right side of the elongated slot 212 are longitudinally
spaced apart and inwardly open cutouts 213c and 213d formed in the receiver. Cutout
213c is formed between tabs 208c and 208d. Cutout 213d is formed at the rear of tab
208d. The cutouts 213a-d open inwardly onto and are in communication with the mounting
slot 212. Cutouts 213a-d are contiguous in structure with and open inwards into the
mounting slot 212 so as to be positioned laterally adjacent to and adjoining the mounting
slot. Cutouts 213a-d are configured and dimensioned to receive mounting tabs 91a-d
of the trigger housing 22 therethrough.
[0064] It should be noted that formation of the cutouts 213 in the receiver and cutouts
209, 210 in the trigger housing is not restricted to physical cutting or milling fabrication
processes alone, and may be created by other means such as in the casting or molding
of the receiver and trigger housing. Accordingly, the term "cutout" is used herein
in a descriptive sense to convey the shape and nature of the feature, and not in a
restrictive sense with respect to the fabrication method used to form the feature.
[0065] Although two pairs of cutouts 213a-d and two pairs of mounting tabs 91a-d are illustrated
herein, in other embodiments a single pair of opposing and axially longer mounting
tabs 91a and 91d may be provided on opposite sides of the trigger housing 22. The
two longer mounting tabs 91a and 91d would then be paired with a single pair of axially
longer cutouts 213a and 213c. Accordingly, any number of mating mounting tabs and
cutouts may be provided which is not limiting of the invention. In yet additional
embodiments, non-opposing tab arrangements may be used.
[0066] Axially elongated left and right undercut slots 214a, 214b are cut or otherwise formed
in the bottom wall 211 of the receiver 21 on each of the left and right sides of the
mounting slot 212. Both undercut slots 214a-b are inwardly open towards the mounting
slot 212 and communicate with the mounting slot and cutouts 213a-d. On the left side,
undercut slot 214a extends continuously from beneath mounting tab 208a rearwards to
the rear end of cutout 213b. Similarly on the other right side, undercut slot 214b
extends continuously from beneath mounting tab 208c rearwards to the rear end of cutout
213d. When the trigger housing 22 is in the process of being mounted to the receiver
21, the mounting tabs 91a-d on the housing slide in the undercut slots 214a-b, as
further described herein.
[0067] It bears noting that undercut slots 214a and 214b do not extend vertically downwards
in a manner which penetrates through the bottom wall 211 of the receiver except where
the slots intersect the cutouts 213a-d which are in communication with the mounting
slot 212 (see, e.g. FIGS. 31 and 33). The undercut slots 214a, 214b further do not
extend vertically upwards in a manner which penetrates through the bottom wall of
the receiver. Accordingly, the undercut slots 214a-b have depth less than the thickness
of the receiver bottom wall 211 and are disposed between the exterior surface 211a
and interior surface 211b of the receiver 21. This defines and forms left and right
horizontal partition ledges or walls 215a, 215b with undercut slots 214a, 214b respectively
which limit the insertion depth of the trigger housing 22 when mounted to the receiver.
The upward facing top surfaces of the mounting tabs 91a-d on the trigger housing 22
contact the mating downward facing surfaces of partition walls 215a, 215b which properly
locates the tabs in the undercut slots 214a and 214b of the receiver, and further
prevent over insertion of the trigger housing into the axially extending internal
cavity 21a of receiver 21 which holds the movable bolt 25 (see also FIG. 3). Accordingly,
to achieve this functionality, partition walls 215a, 215b each have longitudinally-extending
linear edges within mounting slot 212 which are separated by a transverse distance
D1 less than the total transverse width D2 of the trigger housing 22 measured between
the outside edges of laterally opposite pairs of mounting tabs 91a, 91c and 91b, 91d
(see FIG. 30).
[0068] According to another aspect of the trigger housing mounting system, a secondary retention
feature in the form of a spring-biased locking block 220 is provided. Because the
trigger housing 22 is slidably mounted to the receiver 21 using the mounting tabs
and slot arrangement, the locking block prevents unintentional sliding and detachment
of the trigger housing during operation of the firearm.
[0069] Referring generally to FIGS. 9 and 30-49, the locking block assembly generally comprises
locking block 220, spring 221, and transverse lock pin 222. Locking block 220 is mounted
on the top of the trigger housing 22 rearward and immediately adjacent to mounting
tabs 91b and 91d. An elongated vertical and upwardly open socket 223 receives the
spring 221 therein. Spring 221 is oriented vertically within the trigger housing 22.
The bottom end of spring 221 engages lock pin 222 and the top end engages the underside
of locking block 220. Lock pin 222 is cylindrical and may have a reduced diameter
central portion 224 in some embodiments. This forms a spring seat between two opposing
laterally spaced apart shoulders on each side of the central portion (see, e.g. FIG.
49) to engage the bottom end of the spring 221 and help retain its position. The underside
of the locking block 220 may include a spring retention protrusion 225 (best shown
in FIG. 43) which engages and retains the top end of spring 221 in position on the
block. In one embodiment, spring 221 may be a helical compression spring. Other type
springs however may be used.
[0070] Lock pin 222 is laterally inserted through a hooked generally J-shaped locking slot
226 formed transversely through the trigger housing 22. Matched slots 226 are formed
in both the right and left lateral sides 205, 206 of the housing and extend completely
through the sides (seen for example in FIGS. 37 and 49). Locking slot 226 communicates
with the vertical socket 223 in trigger housing 22 which contains spring 221. In one
embodiment, the lock pin 222 preferably protrudes outwards beyond the lateral sides
for grasping by the user to manipulate the lock pin. The left side of the pin 222
protruding from left lateral side 205 may have an enlarged head which prevents full
insertion of the pin through the locking slot 226. On the right lateral side 206,
the lock pin 222 protrudes outwards and contains an annular groove which receives
lock ring 262 (see, e.g. FIGS. 37-38). This positively locks and retains the lock
pin 222 in position in the trigger housing 22 preventing lateral pullout.
[0071] Locking slot 226 includes a bottom end 229, a recurvant top end 228, and a vertical
linear track 227 extending between the ends. Bottom end 229 is vertically aligned
with the linear track 227. Top end 228 however is vertically offset from the linear
track 227 and bottom end 229 of slot 226. The recurvant top end 228 is disposed at
a higher elevation than the bottom end 229 such that the portion of the locking slot
226 that contains the top end is vertically shorter than the portion containing the
bottom end and linear track. An upwardly turned ledge 230 is formed by the body of
the trigger housing 22 between the top of the linear track and recurvant top end 228
at a directional transition point as shown which retains the lock pin 222 in the shortened
portion of the slot 226 in top end 228 (see FIGS. 39-40).
[0072] Movement of the lock pin 222 from the bottom end 229 upwards in the linear track
227 to the recurvant top end 228 is resisted by the downward biasing force of spring
221 acting on the lock pin which urges the pin into the bottom end of the slot 226.
Once positioned in the recurvant top end 228, the lock pin 222 is retained in the
top end of the slot 226 by the spring 221 which acts downwards on the pin. The lock
pin 222 may conveniently be moved into or out of the recurvant top end 228 of slot
226 with a thumb and forefinger of one hand gripping on the opposite ends of the pin
which protrude slightly outwards in a lateral direction beyond each lateral side 205
and 206 of the trigger housing 22.
[0073] Lock pin 222 is movable between a locked position seated in recurvant top end 228
of the locking slot 226 and an unlocked position in the bottom end 229 of the slot.
In the locked position, spring 221 is partially and minimally compressible such that
locking block 220 is not vertically movable on the trigger housing 22 sufficiently
to disengage the trigger housing mounting slot 212 for removing the housing from the
receiver. This locks the housing to the receiver 21. The coils of the spring are now
compressed and closely spaced forming almost a solid stack or structure acting like
a retention pin. In the unlocked position, spring 221 is fully compressible and locking
block 220 is vertically movable which unlocks the trigger housing from the receiver.
Locking block 220 is movable between an upper locked position preventing sliding movement
of the trigger housing 22 when mounted to the receiver and a lower unlocked position
in which the trigger housing is slidable in the receiver.
[0074] The locking block includes a top 236, bottom 237, front 234, rear 235, and opposing
right and left lateral sides 238 extending between the front and rear (FIGS. 42-48
show the locking block 220 in greater detail). The bottom includes a pair of parallel
and laterally spaced apart mounting rails 231 form an axial passageway 239 therebetween
which receives the top portion of trigger housing 22 therein on which the locking
block 220 is mounted (i.e. upper portion immediately rearward of mounting tabs 91b,
91d at spring socket 223). This gives the lower portion of locking block 220 a generally
U-shaped configuration in front/rear view with the mounting rails 231 protruding downwards
from the bottom 237 of the locking block. Rails 231 may further protrude forward and
rearward from the locking block 220 creating front and rear extensions of the rails
to better stabilize and guide the vertical movement of the locking block.
[0075] With additional emphasis now on FIGS. 31, 32, 40, and 49, mounting rails 231 are
arranged to hug and slidingly engage the right and left lateral sides 205, 206 of
trigger housing 22. A vertical guide slot 240 is formed near the front end of each
mounting rail 231 each of which slides upwards and downwards on a mating vertical
guide bar 241 formed on opposite lateral sides of the trigger housing 22 forward of
the locking block 220 (see also FIGS. 31 and 49). Guide slots 240 may be formed on
the forward extensions of the mounting rails 231. The guide bars 241 and slots 240
may have a rectilinear cross sectional shape.
[0076] To prevent the locking block 220 from being ejected upwards from the trigger housing
22 by spring 221, a downward facing abutment surface 242 is formed on the right and
left lateral sides 205, 206 of the housing. The abutment surfaces 242 are disposed
at the upper terminal ends of the guide bars 241 and positioned to engage the tops
of the mounting rails 231, thereby limiting the maximum upward travel of the locking
block 220. In one embodiment, the abutment surfaces 242 may be formed on a downward
extension of the rear mounting tabs 91b and 91D on trigger housing 22.
[0077] Locking block 220 further defines a forward facing vertical surface 244 which slidably
engages a rearward facing vertical surface 243 of the trigger housing 22 when the
locking block moves up and down on the housing. Theses mating sliding surfaces contribute
to set the horizontal position of the locking block 220 on the trigger housing which
cannot move forward beyond the surfaces. To prevent rearward movement of the locking
block, a pair of upright protrusions 244 are formed on the trigger housing rearward
and behind longitudinally spaced apart from mating surfaces 243, 244. The protrusions
244 slidably engage the rear 235 of the locking block 220 which prevent rearward movement
of the block on the trigger housing. Engagement between the guide bars 241 and slots
240 further aids to fix the position of the locking block 220 on trigger housing 22.
[0078] Referring to FIGS. 42-48, the locking block 220 further includes a pair of laterally
spaced apart and upwardly extending locking protrusions 232. An axial channel 233
is formed between the locking protrusions 232 which slidably receives the firing pin
cocking piece 36 on the bolt 25 therethrough in some embodiments as shown in FIG.
41 (see also FIG. 3 and description above). In other embodiments where the configuration
of the bolt does not require an axial channel for the cocking piece, a single upwardly
extending locking protrusion may alternatively be provided instead of two. The invention
is not limited to either a single or double locking protrusion which is selected based
on the bolt configuration. The locking protrusions 232 are operable to selectively
enter the mounting slot 212 on the bottom of the receiver 21 when mounting the trigger
housing 22 thereto, as further described below.
[0079] A process or method for mounting trigger housing 22 on receiver 21 will now be described.
FIG. 31 shows the uninstalled trigger housing 22 positioned below the receiver for
mounting. The lock pin 222 is placed in the unlocked position at the bottom end 229
of the locking slot 226 so that the spring 221 remains compressible. The locking block
220 therefore is vertically movable (see also FIG. 39).
[0080] To install the trigger housing 22, the trigger housing is positioned below the receiver
21 to vertically align the mounting tabs 91a-d with receiver cutouts 213a-d. The trigger
housing is then raised upwards to insert mounting tabs 91a, 91b, 91c, and 91d through
cutouts 213a, 213b, 213c, and 213d in receiver 21, respectively. The top mounting
portion 261 of the trigger housing comes into the mounting slot 212. Tabs 91a-d enter
undercut slots 214a, 214b, and then abuttingly engage the underside of horizontal
partition ledges or walls 215a, 215b in the receiver as the trigger housing is pushed
upwards all the way. The tabs 91a-d are in a rearward position in undercut slots 214a,
214b. Concomitantly, the trigger housing 22 is in a rearward removable position in
the trigger housing mounting slot 212 as the tabs 91a-d may still be vertically withdrawn
downwards from the cutouts 213a-d. FIGS. 34 and 37 show this initial insertion position
of the trigger housing 22 representing the rearward unlocked position of the trigger
housing 22.
[0081] Concurrently with insertion of the tabs 91a-d described above, the top of the locking
block 220 (i.e. locking protrusions 232) contacts the underside or bottom 211 of receiver
21. This displaces and moves the locking block downwards to the lower non-blocking
position which compresses spring 221. The locking protrusions 232 of locking block
220 are positioned below the rear end 212b of the trigger housing mounting slot 212,
but cannot enter the slot in this non-blocking position (see, e.g. FIGS. 34 and 37).
This results from the locking block having a transverse width D4 measured across the
locking protrusions 232 (labeled in FIGS. 30 and 46) which is larger than the transverse
width D3 of the rear end 212b of the slot (labeled in FIG. 33). The locking protrusions
232 on the top of the locking block 220 thus remain outside and below slot 212 to
engage the bottom of the receiver and are forced downwards by contact between the
locking protrusions and bottom of the receiver when the trigger housing 22 is pressed
against the receiver.
[0082] Next in the mounting process, the trigger housing 22 is then slid axially forward
in the trigger housing mounting slot 212 until the front 203 of the housing contacts
the body of receiver 21 at the front end 212a of the slot, as shown in FIGS. 35 and
38. The mounting tabs 91a-d move forward within undercut slots 214a, 214b which locates
the tabs over and above mating mounting tabs 208a-d formed by the receiver 21. This
creates an interlocked and engaged or meshed tab arrangement so that the trigger housing
22 can no longer be vertically withdrawn downwards from mounting slot 212. The trigger
housing also cannot move upwards due to horizontal partition walls 215a-b. The trigger
housing 22 is now in a forward non-removable locked position in the trigger housing
mounting slot 212, which is shown for example in FIGS. 35 and 38.
[0083] Once the trigger housing 22 is slid fully forward in mounting slot 212 of the receiver
21, the spring loaded locking block 220 is vertically aligned with the rear cutouts
213b and 213d in the receiver. The rear cutouts 213b and 213d collectively define
a transverse width D5 which is slightly larger than the transverse width D4 of the
locking block 220 to receive the locking block therethrough. Because the locking block
220 is no longer held in the downward non-blocking position, the spring 221 expands
forcing the locking block 220 upward (e.g. locking protrusions 232) via the biasing
action of spring through cutouts 213b and 213 and entering the mounting slot 212 to
fill the void behind the trigger housing 22 vacated by the rear mounting tabs 91d
and 91b of the housing. The locking protrusions 232 thus rise upwards through the
cutouts as seen in FIGS. 35 and 38. The trigger housing 22 can no longer slide rearwards
within slot 212 which is blocked and prevented engagement between the locking protrusions
232 and peripheral edges 250 of the receiver formed by and within the cutouts 213b
and 213d. In one embodiment, the cutouts 213b and 213d may collectively form a complementary
configuration to the locking protrusions 232 (in top or bottom plan view) to provide
a relatively close fit therebetween, thereby preventing rearward movement of the locking
block and trigger housing. The locking block 220 is thus now upwards in the blocking
position as shown for example in FIGS. 32, 35, 38, and 39-40. It bears noting that
the locking protrusions 232 are thus now forward of the open rear end 212b of the
receiver mounting slot 212.
[0084] To next lock the trigger housing 22 in place, the lock pin 222 is raised vertically
upwards through the linear track 227 of locking slot 226 and then slid forward into
the recurvant top end 228 of the slot. This is shown in FIG. 40. Spring 221 is compressed
during the pin movement and final seated location in the recurvant top end of the
slot. The lock pin 222 is now in the locked position which prevents downward movement
of the locking block 220 sufficient to disengage the trigger housing mounting slot
212 for removing the trigger housing from the receiver. The almost solid height and
structure of the spring 221 is configured to physically prevent the locking block
from moving down out of engagement with the receiver when the lock pin is raised.
The location of the recurvant top end 228 of locking slot 226 is selected so that
the locking protrusions 232 on locking block 220 cannot be lowered by an amount which
fully disengages the locking block from trigger housing mounting slot 212. Advantageously,
the spring 221 and lock pin 222 arrangement helps ensure that the locking block 220
remains engaged with the receiver 21 and cannot loosen or move out of position due
to vibrations created by repeated firing of the firearm.
[0085] To detach and remove the trigger housing 22 from the receiver 21, a user may perform
steps including pulling the locking block 220 downwards against the biasing force
of spring 221, withdrawing the locking block from the cutouts 213b and 213d, sliding
the trigger housing rearward to the unlocked position which vertically aligns the
mounting tabs 91a-d with their mating cutouts 213a-d, withdrawing the mounting tabs
from the receiver through the cutouts, and finally detaching the trigger housing from
the receiver. The mounting rails 231 of the locking block 220 remain exposed and below
the receiver 21 when the trigger housing 220 is fully mounted, thereby providing structures
for the user to grasp for pulling the locking block downwards to disengage the locking
protrusions from the receiver mounting slot 212.
[0086] In some embodiments, a secondary securement feature may be provided to further prevent
the trigger housing 22 from moving rearward in the mounting slot 212 of the receiver
21. As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, a threaded fastener 251 may be inserted upwards through
hole 92 at the front of the trigger housing 22 once the trigger housing is in the
forward locked position to threadably engage a downward open threaded socket 252 formed
in the bottom 211 of the receiver 21. In one embodiment, the fastener 251 may be a
socket head cap screw as one non-limiting example; however, other types of threaded
fasteners may be used instead. A benefit of the spring biased locking block is that
it cannot vibrate loose or fall out during repeated firing of the firearm, whether
the lock pin is in the unlocked position in the locking slot or especially the locked
position.
[0087] While the foregoing description and drawings represent exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure, it will be understood that various additions, modifications and
substitutions may be made therein without departing from the scope of the accompanying
claims. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present
invention may be embodied in other forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, sizes,
and with other elements, materials, and components.
1. A trigger housing mounting system for a firearm, the mounting system comprising:
a longitudinal axis (LA) defining an axial direction;
a receiver (21) defining a downwardly open mounting slot (212) elongated in the axial
direction;
first and second receiver tabs (208) disposed on opposite lateral sides of the mounting
slot (212) in the receiver (21);
a trigger housing (22) removably attached to the receiver (21), the trigger housing
having a lower portion (260) and an upper mounting portion (261) comprising first
and second trigger housing tabs (91) disposed on opposite lateral sides (205, 206)
of the trigger housing, the trigger housing tabs protruding transversely outwards
from the mounting portion in opposite directions for engaging the receiver tabs (208);
the upper mounting portion (261) of the trigger housing (22) vertically inserted through
the mounting slot (212), the trigger housing axially slidable forward and rearward
in the mounting slot between a locked position in which the trigger housing tabs (91)
engage the receiver tabs (208), and an unlocked position in which the trigger housing
tabs disengage the receiver tabs;
a spring-biased locking block (220) movably disposed on the upper mounting portion
(261) of the trigger housing (22), the locking block movable between a lower non-blocking
position and an upper blocking position; and
a spring (221) biasing the locking block (220) towards the upper blocking position;
wherein the trigger housing (22) is slidable in the mounting slot (212) when the locking
block is in the non-blocking position, and the trigger housing is not slidable when
the locking block is in the blocking position;
a lock pin (222) transversely inserted through a locking slot (226) in the trigger
housing (22) and acted on by the spring (221), the locking slot including a bottom
end (229) and a recurvant top end (228);
the lock pin (222) movable between a locked position seated in recurvant top end (228)
of the locking slot (212) and an unlocked position seated in the bottom end (229);
wherein moving the spring (221) from the bottom end (229) to the recurvant top end
(228) compresses the spring which prevents movement of locking block (220) from the
blocking position to the non-blocking position;
wherein moving the spring (221) from the recurvant top end (228) to the bottom end
(229) expands the spring which permits movement of locking block from the blocking
position to the non-blocking position;
wherein the locking block (220) includes an upwardly extending locking protrusion
(232) which enters the mounting slot (212) of the receiver when the locking block
is in the upper blocking position, and the locking protrusion is positioned below
the mounting slot when the locking block is in the lower non-blocking position;
wherein the locking protrusion (232) engages an end of the mounting slot (212) when
the locking block is in the upper blocking position which prevents sliding of the
trigger housing (22) in the mounting slot;
wherein the locking block (220) further comprises a laterally spaced pair of mounting
rails (231) arranged to engage opposite lateral sides of the trigger housing (22),
the rails vertically movable relative to the housing when the locking block moves
between the blocking and non-blocking positions.
2. The mounting system according to claim 1, wherein the trigger housing (22) is not
removable from the receiver (21) when the trigger housing is in the locked position
in which the trigger housing tabs (91) are positioned above the receiver tabs (208).
3. The mounting system according to claim 1, wherein the locking protrusion (232) engages
a rear end of the mounting slot (212) when the locking block (220) is in the upper
blocking position which prevents sliding of the trigger housing (22) from the forward
position to the rearward position.
4. The mounting system according to claim 3, wherein the locking protrusion (232) has
a larger transverse width than a corresponding transverse width of the rear end of
the mounting slot (212) which prevents the locking protrusion from entering the mounting
slot when the locking block (220) is in the lower non-blocking position.
5. The mounting systems according to claim 1, further comprising first and second receiver
cutouts (213a, 213c) disposed on opposite lateral sides of the mounting slot (212)
in the receiver, the first and second trigger housing tabs (91) being insertable through
the receiver cutouts into the receiver (21); and wherein the first and second trigger
housing tabs collectively define a transverse width which is larger than the transverse
width of the mounting slot of the receiver.
6. The mounting system according to claim 1, wherein portions of the receiver (21) adjacent
to each lateral side of the mounting slot (212) define the first and second receiver
tabs (208) which engage the first and second trigger housing tabs (91); and wherein
the first and second trigger housing tabs are each slidably received in longitudinally-extending
undercut slots (214a, 214b) formed in the receiver on opposing lateral sides of the
mounting slot.
7. The mounting system according to claim 6, further comprising horizontal partition
walls (215a, 215b) formed in the receiver (21) on opposing lateral sides of the mounting
slot (212) above each of the under slots (214a, 214b), the partition walls engaging
the first and second trigger housing tabs (91) to limit the insertion depth of the
trigger housing into the receiver.
8. The mounting system according to claim 7, wherein each partition wall (215a, 215b)
defines longitudinally-extending linear edges within mounting slot (212), the linear
edges being separated by a transverse distance less than a total transverse width
of the trigger housing (22) measured between outside edges of the first and second
trigger housing tabs (91) thereby preventing insertion of the trigger housing tabs
above the partition walls.
9. The mounting system according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting rails (231) each include
a vertical guide slot (240) which is slidable upwards and downwards on one of a pair
of mating vertical guide bars (241) formed on the opposite lateral sides of the trigger
housing (22).
10. The mounting system according to claim 9, further comprising a downward facing abutment
surface (242) is disposed at an upper terminal end of each of the guide bars (241),
the abutment surfaces positioned to engage the mounting rails (231) to limit the maximum
upward travel of the locking block (220) when moving from the lower non-blocking position
to the upper blocking position.
11. The mounting system according to claim 1, further comprising an upwardly turned ledge
(230) disposed in the trigger housing (22) adjacent to the recurvant top end (228)
in the slot (226), the ledge operable to retain the lock pin (222) in the recurvant
top end; and wherein the locking slot (226) is J-shaped.
12. A method for mounting the trigger housing (22) to the receiver (21) of a firearm having
a mounting system according to claim 1, the method comprising:
providing the receiver (21) having the longitudinal axis (LA) defining the axial direction
and the downwardly open mounting slot (212) elongated in the axial direction;
providing the trigger housing (22) having the lower portion (260) and the upper mounting
portion (261) comprising the opposing mounting tabs (91) protruding transversely outwards
from the mounting portion in opposite directions for engaging the receiver (21), the
trigger housing (22) further including the spring-biased locking block (220) disposed
on the upper mounting portion of the trigger housing and vertically movable in upward
and downward directions, the locking block biased upward by the spring (221) mounted
to the trigger housing;
positioning the trigger housing (22) below the mounting slot (212);
vertically aligning the mounting tabs (91) with opposing cutouts (213a, 213c) disposed
on opposite lateral sides of the mounting slot (212) in the receiver (21);
raising the trigger housing (22) towards the receiver (21);
inserting the mounting tabs (91) upwards into the receiver (21) through the cutouts
(213a, 213c), wherein the trigger housing (22) is in an unlocked position;
engaging the locking block (220) with a bottom surface of the receiver (21) adjacent
to a rear end of the mounting slot (212), thereby compressing the spring (221);
sliding the trigger housing (22) forward through the mounting slot (212) to a locked
position;
engaging the mounting tabs (91) with the receiver (21) which vertically aligns the
locking block (220) below the cutouts (213a, 213c) in the receiver;
the spring (221) expanding and projecting the locking block (220) upward through the
cutouts (213a, 213c) into the receiver (21) and mounting slot (212), wherein the locking
block is positioned to block rearward movement of the trigger housing (22) to the
unlocked position.
13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising trigger housing (22) removal
steps including:
pulling the locking block (220) downwards;
withdrawing the locking block (220) from the cutouts (213a, 213c);
sliding the trigger housing (22) rearward to the unlocked position;
withdrawing the mounting tabs (91) from the receiver (21) through the cutouts (213a,
213c);
and detaching the trigger housing (22) from the receiver (21).
1. Abzugsgehäuse-Montagesystem für eine Schusswaffe, wobei das Montagesystem umfasst:
eine Längsachse (LA), die eine axiale Richtung definiert;
eine Aufnahme (21), die einen nach unten offenen Montageschlitz (212) definiert, der
in axialer Richtung länglich ist;
erste und zweite Aufnahmelaschen (208), die an gegenüberliegenden bzw. entgegengesetzten
lateralen Seiten des Montageschlitzes (212) in der Aufnahme (21) angeordnet sind;
ein Abzugsgehäuse (22), das entfernbar an der Aufnahme (21) angebracht ist, wobei
das Abzugsgehäuse einen unteren Abschnitt (260) und einen oberen Montageabschnitt
(261) aufweist, die erste und zweite Abzugsgehäuselaschen (91) umfassen, die an gegenüberliegenden
bzw. entgegengesetzten lateralen Seiten (205, 206) des Abzugsgehäuses angeordnet sind,
wobei die Abzugsgehäuselaschen in entgegengesetzten Richtungen von dem Montageabschnitt
quer nach außen vorstehen, um die Aufnahmelaschen (208) in Eingriff zu nehmen;
wobei der obere Montageabschnitt (261) des Abzugsgehäuses (22) vertikal durch den
Montageschlitz (212) eingesetzt ist, wobei das Abzugsgehäuse in dem Montageschlitz
zwischen einer verriegelten Position, in der die Abzugsgehäuselaschen (91) in die
Aufnahmelaschen (208) eingreifen, und einer entriegelten Position, in der die Abzugsgehäuselaschen
die Aufnahmelaschen außer Eingriff bringen, axial vorwärts und rückwärts verschiebbar
ist;
einen federvorgespannten Verriegelungsblock (220), der beweglich an dem oberen Montageabschnitt
(261) des Abzugsgehäuses (22) angeordnet ist, wobei der Verriegelungsblock zwischen
einer unteren Nichtblockierposition und einer Blockierposition beweglich ist; und
eine Feder (221), die den Verriegelungsblock (220) zu der oberen Blockierposition
vorspannt;
wobei das Abzugsgehäuse (22) in dem Montageschlitz (212) verschiebbar ist, wenn sich
der Verriegelungsblock in der Nichtblockierposition befindet, und das Abzugsgehäuse
nicht verschiebbar ist, wenn sich der Verriegelungsblock in der Blockierposition befindet;
wobei ein Verriegelungsstift (222) quer durch einen Verriegelungsschlitz (226) in
dem Abzugsgehäuse (22) eingesetzt ist und von der Feder (221) beaufschlagt wird, wobei
der Verriegelungsschlitz ein unteres Ende (229) und ein gebogenes oberes Ende (228)
enthält;
wobei der Verriegelungsstift (222) zwischen einer verriegelten Position, die in dem
gebogenen oberen Ende (228) des Verriegelungsschlitzes (212) sitzt, und einer entriegelten
Position, die in dem unteren Ende (229) sitzt, bewegbar ist;
wobei das Bewegen der Feder (221) von dem unteren Ende (229) zu dem gebogenen oberen
Ende (228) die Feder zusammendrückt, was die Bewegung des Verriegelungsblocks (220)
aus der Blockierposition in die Nichtblockierposition verhindert;
wobei das Bewegen der Feder (221) von dem gebogenen oberen Ende (228) zu dem unteren
Ende (229) die Feder erweitert, was die Bewegung des Verriegelungsblocks aus der Blockierposition
in die Nichtblockierposition ermöglicht;
wobei der Verriegelungsblock (220) einen sich nach oben erstreckenden Verriegelungsvorsprung
(232) enthält, der in den Montageschlitz (212) der Aufnahme eintritt, wenn sich der
Verriegelungsblock in der oberen Blockierposition befindet, und wobei der Verriegelungsvorsprung
unter dem Montageschlitz positioniert ist, wenn sich der Verriegelungsblock in der
unteren Nichtblockierposition befindet;
wobei der Verriegelungsvorsprung (232) in ein Ende des Montageschlitzes (212) eingreift,
wenn sich der Verriegelungsblock in der oberen Blockierposition befindet, was ein
Gleiten des Abzugsgehäuses (22) in dem Montageschlitz verhindert;
wobei der Verriegelungsblock (220) ferner ein lateral beabstandetes Paar Montageschienen
(231) umfasst, die so angeordnet sind, dass sie in gegenüberliegende bzw. entgegengesetzte
laterale Seiten des Abzugsgehäuses (22) eingreifen, wobei die Schienen relativ zu
dem Gehäuse vertikal bewegbar sind, wenn sich der Verriegelungsblock zwischen der
Blockier- und der Nichtblockierposition bewegt.
2. Montagesystem nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Abzugsgehäuse (22) nicht von der Aufnahme
(21) entfernbar ist, wenn sich das Abzugsgehäuse in der verriegelten Position befindet,
in der die Abzugsgehäuselaschen (91) über den Aufnahmelaschen (208) positioniert sind.
3. Montagesystem nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Verriegelungsvorsprung (232) in ein hinteres
Ende des Montageschlitzes (212) eingreift, wenn sich der Verriegelungsblock (220)
in der oberen Blockierposition befindet, was ein Gleiten des Abzugsgehäuses (22) von
der vorderen Position zu der hinteren Position verhindert.
4. Montagesystem nach Anspruch 3, wobei der Verriegelungsvorsprung (232) eine größere
Querbreite als eine entsprechende Querbreite des hinteren Endes des Montageschlitzes
(212) aufweist, was verhindert, dass der Verriegelungsvorsprung in den Montageschlitz
eintritt, wenn sich der Verriegelungsblock (220) in der unteren Nichtblockierposition
befindet.
5. Montagesysteme nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend einen ersten und einen zweiten Aufnahmeausschnitt
(213a, 213c), die an gegenüberliegenden bzw. entgegengesetzten lateralen Seiten des
Montageschlitzes (212) in der Aufnahme angeordnet sind, wobei die ersten und zweiten
Abzugsgehäuselaschen (91) durch die Aufnahmeausschnitte in die Aufnahme (21) einsetzbar
sind; und wobei die ersten und zweiten Abzugsgehäuselaschen kollektiv eine Querbreite
definieren, die größer ist als die Querbreite des Montageschlitzes der Aufnahme.
6. Montagesystem nach Anspruch 1, wobei Abschnitt der Aufnahme (21) angrenzend an bzw.
benachbart zu jeder lateralen Seite des Montageschlitzes (212) die ersten und zweiten
Aufnahmelaschen (208) definieren, die in die ersten und zweiten Abzugsgehäuselaschen
(91) eingreifen; und wobei die ersten und zweiten Abzugsgehäuselaschen jeweils verschiebbar
in sich in Längsrichtung erstreckenden hinterschnittenen Schlitzen (214a, 214b) aufgenommen
sind, die in der Aufnahme an gegenüberliegenden bzw. entgegengesetzten lateralen Seiten
des Montageschlitzes ausgebildet sind.
7. Montagesystem nach Anspruch 6, ferner umfassend horizontale Trennwände (215a, 215b),
die in der Aufnahme (21) an gegenüberliegenden bzw. entgegengesetzten lateralen Seiten
des Montageschlitzes (212) über jedem der unteren Schlitze (214a, 214b) ausgebildet
sind, wobei die Trennwände in die ersten und zweiten Abzugsgehäuselaschen (91) eingreifen,
um die Einsetztiefe des Abzugsgehäuses in die Aufnahme zu begrenzen.
8. Montagesystem nach Anspruch 7, wobei jede Trennwand (215a, 215b) sich in Längsrichtung
erstreckende lineare Kanten innerhalb des Montageschlitzes (212) definiert, wobei
die linearen Kanten durch einen Querabstand getrennt sind, der geringer ist als eine
Gesamtquerbreite des Abzugsgehäuses (22) gemessen zwischen Außenkanten der ersten
und zweiten Abzugsgehäuselaschen (91), wodurch das Einsetzen der Abzugsgehäuselaschen
über den Trennwänden verhindert wird.
9. Montagesystem nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Montageschienen (231) jeweils einen vertikalen
Führungsschlitz (240) enthalten, der an einer eines Paars zusammenpassender vertikaler
Führungsstangen (241), die an den gegenüberliegenden bzw. entgegengesetzten lateralen
Seiten des Abzugsgehäuses (22) ausgebildet sind, nach oben und unten verschiebbar
ist.
10. Montagesystem nach Anspruch 9, ferner umfassend eine nach unten weisende Anlagefläche
(242), die an einem oberem Anschlussende jeder der Führungsstangen (241) angeordnet
ist, wobei die Anlageflächen so positioniert sind, dass sie in die Montageschienen
(231) eingreifen, um die maximale Aufwärtsbewegung des Verriegelungsblocks (220) zu
begrenzen, wenn er sich von der unteren Nichtblockierposition zu der oberen Blockierposition
bewegt.
11. Montagesystem nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend eine nach oben gedrehte Leiste (230),
die in dem Abzugsgehäuse (22) benachbart zu dem bzw. angrenzend an das gebogene obere
Ende (228) in dem Schlitz (226) angeordnet ist, wobei die Leiste betätigbar ist, um
den Verriegelungsstift (222) in dem gebogenen oberen Ende zu halten; und wobei der
Verriegelungsschlitz (226) J-förmig ist.
12. Verfahren zum Montieren des Abzugsgehäuses (22) an der Aufnahme (21) einer Schusswaffe
mit einem Montagesystem nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Verfahren umfasst:
Bereitstellen der Aufnahme (21) mit der Längsachse (LA), die die axiale Richtung definiert,
und dem nach unten offenen Montageschlitz (212), der in axialer Richtung länglich
ist;
Bereitstellen des Abzugsgehäuses (22) mit dem unteren Abschnitt (260) und dem oberen
Montageabschnitt (261), die die gegenüberliegenden bzw. entgegengesetzten Montagelaschen
(91) umfassen, die in entgegengesetzten Richtungen von dem Montageabschnitt quer nach
außen vorstehen, um die Aufnahme (21) in Eingriff zu nehmen, wobei das Abzugsgehäuse
(22) ferner den federvorgespannten Verriegelungsblock (220) enthält, der an dem oberen
Montageabschnitt des Abzugsgehäuses angeordnet ist und vertikal in Aufwärts- und Abwärtsrichtung
bewegbar ist, wobei der Verriegelungsblock durch die an dem Abzugsgehäuse montierte
Feder (221) nach oben vorgespannt wird;
Positionieren des Abzugsgehäuses (22) unter dem Montageschlitz (212);
vertikales Ausrichten der Montagelaschen (91) mit gegenüberliegenden bzw. entgegengesetzten
Ausschnitten (213a, 213c), die an gegenüberliegenden bzw. entgegengesetzten lateralen
Seiten des Montageschlitzes (212) in der Aufnahme (21) angeordnet sind;
Anheben des Abzugsgehäuses (22) in Richtung der Aufnahme (21);
Einsetzen der Montagelaschen (91) nach oben in die Aufnahme (21) durch die Ausschnitte
(213a, 213c), wobei sich das Abzugsgehäuse (22) in einer entriegelten Position befindet;
Ineingriffbringen des Verriegelungsblocks (220) mit einer Bodenfläche der Aufnahme
(21) benachbart zu bzw. angrenzend an ein hinteres Ende des Montageschlitzes (212),
wodurch die Feder (221) zusammengedrückt wird;
Verschieben des Abzugsgehäuses (22) nach vorne durch den Montageschlitz (212) zu einer
verriegelten Position;
Ineingriffbringen der Montagelaschen (91) mit der Aufnahme (21), was den Verriegelungsblock
(220) unter den Ausschnitten (213a, 213c) in der Aufnahme vertikal ausrichtet;
wobei sich die Feder (221) ausdehnt und den Verriegelungsblock (220) nach oben durch
die Ausschnitte (213a, 213c) in der Aufnahme (21) und den Montageschlitz (212) herausschiebt
bzw. heraustreibt, wobei der Verriegelungsblock so positioniert ist, dass er die Rückwärtsbewegung
des Abzugsgehäuses (22) in die entriegelte Position blockiert.
13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, ferner umfassend Entfernungsschritte für das Abzugsgehäuse
(22), beinhaltend:
Ziehen des Verriegelungsblocks (220) nach unten;
Herausziehen des Verriegelungsblocks (220) aus den Ausschnitten (213a, 213c);
Schieben des Abzugsgehäuses (22) nach hinten in die entriegelte Position;
Herausziehen der Montagelaschen (91) aus der Aufnahme (21) durch die Ausschnitte (213a,
213c);
und Entfernen des Abzugsgehäuses (22) von der Aufnahme (21).
1. Système de montage de logement de gâchette pour une arme à feu, le système de montage
comprenant :
un axe longitudinal (LA) définissant un sens axial ;
une culasse (21) définissant une fente de montage ouverte vers le bas (212) allongée
dans le sens axial ;
des première et seconde pattes de culasse (208) disposées sur des côtés latéraux opposés
de la fente de montage (212) dans la culasse (21) ;
un logement de gâchette (22) attaché, de manière amovible, à la culasse (21), le logement
de gâchette ayant une portion inférieure (260) et une portion de montage supérieure
(261) comprenant des première et seconde pattes de logement de gâchette (91) disposées
sur des côtés latéraux opposés (205, 206) du logement de gâchette, les pattes de logement
de gâchette faisant saillie transversalement vers l'extérieur depuis la portion de
montage dans des sens opposés pour se mettre en prise avec les pattes de culasse (208)
;
la portion de montage supérieure (261) du logement de gâchette (22) insérée verticalement
à travers la fente de montage (212), le logement de gâchette pouvant coulisser axialement
vers l'avant et vers l'arrière dans la fente de montage entre une position verrouillée
à laquelle les pattes de logement de gâchette (91) se mettent en prise avec les pattes
de culasse (208), et une position déverrouillée à laquelle les pattes de logement
de gâchette se mettent hors prise des pattes de culasse ;
un bloc de verrouillage polarisé par ressort (220) disposé, de manière à pouvoir se
déplacer, sur la portion de montage supérieure (261) du logement de gâchette (22),
le bloc de verrouillage pouvant se déplacer entre une position de non-blocage inférieure
et une position de blocage supérieure ; et
un ressort (221) polarisant le bloc de verrouillage (220) vers la portion de blocage
supérieure ;
dans lequel le logement de gâchette (22) peut coulisser dans la fente de montage (212)
lorsque le bloc de verrouillage est à la position de non-blocage, et le logement de
gâchette ne peut pas coulisser lorsque le bloc de verrouillage est à la position de
blocage ;
une goupille (222) insérée transversalement à travers une fente de verrouillage (226)
dans le logement de gâchette (22) et actionnée par le ressort (221), la fente de verrouillage
incluant une extrémité de fond (229) et une extrémité de sommet incurvée (228) ;
la goupille (222) pouvant se déplacer entre une position verrouillée située à l'extrémité
de sommet incurvée (228) de la fente de verrouillage (212) et une position déverrouillée
située à l'extrémité de fond (229) ;
dans lequel le déplacement du ressort (221) de l'extrémité de fond (229) à l'extrémité
de sommet incurvée (228) compresse le ressort, ce qui empêche le déplacement du bloc
de verrouillage (220) de la position de blocage à la position de non-blocage ;
dans lequel le déplacement du ressort (221) de l'extrémité de sommet incurvée (228)
à l'extrémité de fond (229) étend le ressort, ce qui permet le mouvement du bloc de
verrouillage de la position de blocage à la position de non-blocage ;
dans lequel le bloc de verrouillage (220) inclut une saillie de verrouillage s'étendant
vers le haut (232) qui entre dans la fente de montage (212) de la culasse lorsque
le bloc de verrouillage est à la position de blocage supérieure, et la saillie de
verrouillage est positionnée au-dessous de la fente de montage lorsque le bloc de
verrouillage est à la position de non-blocage inférieure ;
dans lequel la saillie de verrouillage (232) se met en prise avec une extrémité de
la fente de montage (212) lorsque le bloc de verrouillage est à la position de blocage
supérieure, ce qui empêche le coulissement du logement de gâchette (22) dans la fente
de montage ;
dans lequel le bloc de verrouillage (220) comprend en outre une paire espacée latéralement
de rails de montage (231) agencés pour se mettre en prise avec des côtés latéraux
opposés du logement de gâchette (22), les rails pouvant se déplacer verticalement
par rapport au logement lorsque le bloc de verrouillage se déplace entre la position
de blocage et la position de non-blocage.
2. Système de montage selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le logement de gâchette (22)
n'est pas amovible de la culasse (21) lorsque le logement de gâchette est à la position
verrouillée à laquelle les pattes de logement de gâchette (91) sont positionnées au-dessus
des pattes de culasse (208).
3. Système de montage selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la saillie de verrouillage
(232) se met en prise avec une extrémité arrière de la fente de montage (212) lorsque
le bloc de verrouillage (220) est à la position de blocage supérieure, ce qui empêche
le coulissement du logement de gâchette (22) de la position vers l'avant à la position
vers l'arrière.
4. Système de montage selon la revendication 3, dans lequel la saillie de verrouillage
(232) a une largeur transversale supérieure à une largeur transversale correspondante
de l'extrémité arrière de la fente de montage (212), ce qui empêche à la saillie de
verrouillage d'entrer dans la fente de montage lorsque le bloc de verrouillage (220)
est à la position de non-blocage inférieure.
5. Système de montage selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre des première et seconde
coupures de culasse (213a, 213c) disposées sur des côtés latéraux opposés de la fente
de montage (212) dans la culasse, les première et seconde pattes de logement de gâchette
(91) pouvant être insérées à travers les coupures de culasse dans la culasse (21)
; et dans lequel les première et seconde pattes de logement de gâchette définissent
collectivement une largeur transversale qui est supérieure à la largeur transversale
de la fente de montage de la culasse.
6. Système de montage selon la revendication 1, dans lequel des portions de la culasse
(21) adjacentes à chaque côté latéral de la fente de montage (212) définissent les
première et seconde pattes de culasse (208) qui se mettent en prise avec les première
et seconde pattes de logement de gâchette (91) ; et dans lequel chacune des première
et seconde pattes de logement de gâchette est reçue de manière à pouvoir coulisser
dans des fentes à contre-dépouille s'étendant longitudinalement (214a, 214b) formées
dans la culasse sur des côtés latéraux opposés de la fente de montage.
7. Système de montage selon la revendication 6, comprenant en outre des cloisons horizontales
(215a, 215b) formées dans la culasse (21) sur des côtés latéraux opposés de la fente
de montage (212) au-dessus de chacune des fentes à contre-dépouille (214a, 214b),
les cloisons se mettant en prise avec les première et seconde pattes de logement de
gâchette (91) pour limiter la profondeur d'insertion du logement de gâchette dans
la culasse.
8. Système de montage selon la revendication 7, dans lequel chaque cloison (215a, 215b)
définit des bords linéaires s'étendant longitudinalement à l'intérieur de la fente
de montage (212), les bords linéaires étant séparés d'une distance transversale inférieure
à une largeur transversale totale du logement de gâchette (22) mesurée entre des bords
extérieurs des première et seconde pattes de logement de gâchette (91), en empêchant
de ce fait l'insertion des pattes de logement de gâchette au-dessus des cloisons.
9. Système de montage selon la revendication 1, dans lequel chacun des rails de montage
(231) inclut une fente de guidage verticale (240) qui peut coulisser vers le haut
et vers le bas sur l'une d'une paire de barres de guidage verticales d'accouplement
(241) formées sur les côtés latéraux opposés du logement de gâchette (22).
10. Système de montage selon la revendication 9, comprenant en outre une surface de butée
faisant face vers le bas (242) qui est disposée à une extrémité terminale supérieure
de chacune des barres de guidage (241), les surfaces de butée étant positionnées pour
se mettre en prise avec les rails de montage (231) afin de limiter la course vers
le haut maximale du bloc de verrouillage (220) lors du déplacement de la position
de non-blocage inférieure à la position de blocage supérieure.
11. Système de montage selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre un rebord tourné
vers le haut (230) disposé dans le logement de gâchette (22) adjacent à l'extrémité
de sommet incurvée (228) dans la fente (226), le rebord étant utilisable pour retenir
la goupille (222) à l'extrémité de sommet incurvée ; et dans lequel la fente de verrouillage
(226) est en forme de J.
12. Procédé de montage du logement de gâchette (22) sur la culasse (21) d'une arme à feu
ayant un système de montage selon la revendication 1, le procédé comprenant :
la fourniture de la culasse (21) ayant l'axe longitudinal (LA) définissant le sens
axial et la fente de montage ouverte vers le bas (212) allongée dans le sens axial
;
la fourniture du logement de gâchette (22) ayant la portion inférieure (260) et la
portion de montage supérieure (261) comprenant les pattes de montage opposées (91)
faisant saillie transversalement vers l'extérieur depuis la portion de montage dans
des sens opposés pour se mettre en prise avec la culasse (21), le logement de gâchette
(22) incluant en outre le bloc de verrouillage polarisé par ressort (220) disposé
sur la portion de montage supérieure du logement de gâchette et pouvant se déplacer
verticalement dans des sens vers le haut et vers le bas, le bloc de verrouillage étant
polarisé vers le haut par le ressort (221) monté sur le logement de gâchette ;
le positionnement du logement de gâchette (22) au-dessous de la fente de montage (212)
;
l'alignement vertical des pattes de montage (91) avec des coupures opposées (213a,
213c) disposées sur des côtés latéraux opposés de la fente de montage (212) dans la
culasse (21) ;
le soulèvement du logement de gâchette (22) vers la culasse (21) ;
l'insertion des pattes de montage (91) vers le haut dans la culasse (21) à travers
les coupures (213a, 213c), dans lequel le logement de gâchette (22) est à une position
déverrouillée ;
la mise en prise du bloc de verrouillage (220) avec une surface de fond de la culasse
(21) adjacente à une extrémité arrière de la fente de montage (212), en compressant
de ce fait le ressort (221) ;
le coulissement du logement de gâchette (22) vers l'avant à travers la fente de montage
(212) jusqu'à une position verrouillée ;
la mise en prise des pattes de montage (91) avec la culasse (21) qui aligne verticalement
le bloc de verrouillage (220) au-dessous des coupures (213a, 213c) dans la culasse
;
le ressort (221) s'étendant et projetant le bloc de verrouillage (220) vers le haut
à travers les coupures (213a, 213c) dans la culasse (21) et la fente de montage (212),
dans lequel le bloc de verrouillage est positionné pour bloquer un mouvement vers
l'arrière du logement de gâchette (22) jusqu'à la position déverrouillée.
13. Procédé selon la revendication 12, comprenant en outre des étapes d'enlèvement de
logement de gâchette (22) incluant :
le tirage du bloc de verrouillage (220) vers le bas ;
le retrait du bloc de verrouillage (220) des coupures (213a, 213c) ;
le coulissement du logement de gâchette (22) vers l'arrière jusqu'à la position déverrouillée
;
le retrait des pattes de montage (91) de la culasse (21) à travers les coupures (213a,
213c) ;
et le détachement du logement de gâchette (22) de la culasse (21).