U.S. patent number 10,837,726 [Application Number 16/575,288] was granted by the patent office on 2020-11-17 for methods and apparatus for sealed trigger housing.
The grantee listed for this patent is Michael Martinez. Invention is credited to Michael Martinez.
United States Patent |
10,837,726 |
Martinez |
November 17, 2020 |
Methods and apparatus for sealed trigger housing
Abstract
A sealed trigger housing according to various aspects of the
present technology is configured to provide a more effective method
of preventing foreign debris from entering the trigger housing.
Various embodiments of the sealed trigger housing comprise a pair
of side plates configured to at least partially house a trigger, a
hammer, and a selector switch within an interior portion of the
trigger housing. A plurality of sealing elements may be used to
create a seal around any component that protrudes outwardly from
the trigger housing.
Inventors: |
Martinez; Michael (Mesa,
AZ) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Martinez; Michael |
Mesa |
AZ |
US |
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Family
ID: |
69773872 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/575,288 |
Filed: |
September 18, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20200088485 A1 |
Mar 19, 2020 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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62732717 |
Sep 18, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A
19/10 (20130101); F41A 19/15 (20130101); F41A
35/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F41A
19/10 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
SLT-1 Trigger.
<https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/248403-new-slt-1-trigger/>.
Apr. 30, 2017. (Year: 2017). cited by examiner.
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Primary Examiner: Klein; Gabriel J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: The Noblitt Group, PLLC
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/732,717, filed Sep. 18, 2018, and incorporates
the disclosure by reference. To the extent that the present
disclosure conflicts with any referenced application, however, the
present disclosure is to be given priority.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A trigger housing for one or more trigger mechanism components,
comprising: a first housing plate; a second housing plate
configured to be coupled to the first housing plate to form an
interior volume to at least partially enclose the one or more
trigger mechanism components, comprising: an upper cover portion
extending outward along an upper surface of the second housing
plate and configured to abut an interior facing surface of the
first housing plate and cover a top portion of a trigger when the
first and second housing plates are coupled together; a lower
trigger portion positioned below the upper cover portion and
extending outward along a lower rear surface of the second housing
plate and configured to abut the interior facing surface of the
first housing plate and cover a bottom portion of a trigger when
the first and second housing plates are coupled together; a lower
spring portion positioned below the upper cover portion and
extending outward along a lower forward surface of the second
housing plate and configured to abut the interior facing surface of
the first housing plate and cover a bottom portion of a hammer
spring when the first and second housing plates are coupled
together; a trigger opening positioned between the lower trigger
portion and the lower spring portion; a hammer opening positioned
between the upper cover portion and the lower spring portion; a
first hammer seal recess disposed along an upper edge of the lower
spring portion; a second hammer seal recess disposed along a
forward edge of the upper cover portion a first trigger seal recess
disposed along a rear edge of the lower spring portion; and a
second trigger seal recess disposed along a forward edge of the
lower trigger portion; and a plurality of sealing elements to:
create a seal between the trigger opening and a first trigger
mechanism component protruding out of the trigger opening; and
create a seal between the hammer opening and a second trigger
mechanism component protruding out of the hammer opening.
2. A trigger housing according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of
sealing elements comprises: a first hammer seal positioned in the
first hammer seal recess; a second hammer seal positioned in the
second hammer seal recess; a first trigger seal positioned in the
first trigger seal recess; and a second trigger seal positioned in
the second trigger seal recess.
3. A trigger housing according to claim 1, wherein: the second
housing plate further comprises a selector opening positioned
between the upper cover portion and the lower trigger portion; and
the sealing elements are further configured to create a seal
between the selector opening and a third trigger mechanism
component protruding out of the selector opening.
4. A trigger housing according to claim 3, wherein: the second
housing plate further comprises: a first selector seal recess
disposed along an upper edge of the lower trigger portion; and a
second selector seal recess disposed along a lower edge of the
upper cover portion; and the sealing elements further comprise: a
first selector seal positioned in the first selector seal recess;
and a second selector seal positioned in the second selector seal
recess.
5. A trigger housing according to claim 1, wherein: the first
housing plate further comprises a first recess disposed along and
extending into an interior facing surface configured to receive a
first side portion of a hammer spring into the first recess when
the first and second housing plates are coupled together; and the
second housing plate further comprises a second recess disposed
along and extending into an interior facing surface configured to
receive a second side portion of the hammer spring into the second
recess when the first and second housing plates are coupled
together.
6. A trigger housing according to claim 1, wherein: at least a
portion of an outer edge of the interior surface of the first
housing plate comprises a raised surface; and an exterior edge of
the upper cover portion, the lower trigger portion, and the lower
spring portion each comprise a channel configured to receive the
raised surface on the first housing plate to form a seal between
the abutting first and second housing plates.
7. A trigger housing for one or more trigger mechanism components,
comprising: a first housing plate; a second housing plate
configured to be coupled to the first housing plate to form an
interior volume to at least partially enclose the one or more
trigger mechanism components, and comprising: a trigger opening
positioned in a downward facing portion of the trigger housing; a
hammer opening positioned in a forward upper portion of the trigger
housing; a first hammer seal recess disposed along an upper edge of
a lower spring portion extending outwardly from a lower forward
interior surface of the second housing plate; a second hammer seal
recess disposed along a forward edge of an upper cover portion
positioned above the lower spring portion and extending outwardly
from an upper interior surface of the second housing plate; a first
trigger seal recess disposed along a rear edge of the lower spring
portion; and a second trigger seal recess disposed along a forward
edge of a lower trigger portion extending outwardly from a lower
rear interior surface of the second housing plate; and a sealing
system comprising: a first trigger seal positioned in the first
trigger seal recess; a second trigger seal positioned in the second
trigger seal recess, wherein the first and second trigger seals
create a seal between the trigger opening and a first trigger
mechanism component protruding out of the trigger opening; a first
hammer seal positioned in the first hammer seal recess; and a
second hammer seal positioned in the second hammer seal recess,
wherein the first and second hammer seals create a seal between the
hammer opening and a second trigger mechanism component protruding
out of the hammer opening.
8. A trigger housing according to claim 7, wherein: the second
housing plate further comprises a selector opening positioned in a
rear facing portion of the trigger housing; and the sealing system
is further configured to create a seal between the selector opening
and a third trigger mechanism component protruding out of the
selector opening.
9. A trigger housing according to claim 8, wherein: the second
housing plate further comprises: a first selector seal recess
disposed along an upper edge of a lower surface of the selector
opening; and a second selector seal recess disposed along a lower
edge of an upper surface of the selector opening; and the sealing
system further comprises: a first selector seal positioned in the
first selector seal recess; and a second selector seal positioned
in the second selector seal recess.
10. A trigger housing according to claim 7, wherein: the first
housing plate further comprises a first recess extending into a
forward interior surface configured to receive a first side portion
of a hammer spring into the first recess when the first and second
housing plates are coupled together; and the second housing plate
further comprises a second recesses extending into the forward
interior surface configured to receive a second side portion of the
hammer spring into the second recess when the first and second
housing plates are coupled together.
11. A trigger housing according to claim 7, wherein: at least a
portion of an outer edge of the interior surface of the first
housing plate comprises a raised surface; and an exterior edge of
an upper cover portion, a lower trigger portion, and a lower spring
portion each comprise a channel configured to receive the raised
surface on the first housing plate to form a seal between the
abutting first and second housing plates.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY
Trigger mechanisms of firearms include multiple working components
such as a sear, hammer, trigger, springs, and pins that are
commonly positioned within a trigger housing. The working
components are configured to move in relation to each other to
allow the firearm to properly fire the round of the firearm.
Although trigger housings enclose the working components the
housing is not typically sealed to prevent foreign debris from
getting into the interior of the trigger housing.
Components that protrude outwardly from the trigger housing are
components that generally rotate or pivot during operation.
Similarly, components positioned completely within the trigger
housing are configured to move, pivot, compress, and/or lock in
place during normal operation of the firearm. If debris such as
sand, dust, or other like small particulate matter gets into the
trigger housing the moving parts may be prevented from moving
properly causing the firearm to malfunction. Certain types of
malfunctions require that the entire trigger assembly of the
firearm be disassembled and cleaned before the firearm will
function properly again.
SUMMARY OF THE TECHNOLOGY
A sealed trigger housing according to various aspects of the
present technology is configured to provide a more effective method
of preventing foreign debris from entering the trigger housing.
Various embodiments of the sealed trigger housing comprise a pair
of side plates configured to at least partially house a trigger, a
hammer, and a selector switch within an interior portion of the
trigger housing. A plurality of seals may be used to create seals
around any component that protrudes outwardly from the trigger
housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A more complete understanding of the present technology may be
derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when
considered in connection with the following illustrative figures.
In the following figures, like reference numbers refer to similar
elements and steps throughout the figures.
FIG. 1 representatively illustrates a front perspective view of a
sealed trigger housing in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
of the present technology;
FIG. 2 representatively illustrates a bottom rear perspective view
of the sealed trigger housing in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present technology;
FIG. 3 representatively illustrates a rear top perspective view of
the sealed trigger housing in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present technology;
FIG. 4 representatively illustrates an exploded view of the sealed
trigger housing in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present technology;
FIG. 5 representatively illustrates an exploded view of the sealed
trigger housing in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present technology;
FIG. 6 representatively illustrates a detailed view of a housing
plate in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
technology;
FIG. 7 representatively illustrates a side view of the sealed
trigger housing in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present technology; and
FIG. 8 representatively illustrates a side view of sealed trigger
housing with a side plate removed in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present technology;
FIG. 9 representatively illustrates a perspective view of an
alternative embodiment of a housing plate in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present technology; and
FIG. 10 representatively illustrates a perspective view of an
alternative embodiment of an opposing housing plate to that shown
in FIG. 9 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
technology.
Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity
and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any
particular sequence. For example, steps that may be performed
concurrently or in a different order are illustrated in the figures
to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present
technology.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
The present technology may be described in terms of functional
block components and various processing steps. Such functional
blocks may be realized by any number of components configured to
perform the specified functions and achieve the various results.
For example, the present technology may employ various materials,
finishes, dimensions, and geometries, which may carry out a variety
of operations suited to a specified application or environment. In
addition, the present technology may be practiced in conjunction
with any number of systems configured for operation with firearms,
and the system described is merely one exemplary application for
the technology. Further, the present technology may employ any
number of conventional techniques for sealing, preventing intrusion
of foreign object debris, and the like.
Methods and apparatus for a sealed trigger housing according to
various aspects of the present technology may operate in
conjunction with any type of semi-automatic or automatic firearm.
Various representative implementations of the present technology
may be applied to any type of firearm including a hand gun or rifle
and may be retrofit into various types of existing firearms. For
example, the sealed trigger housing may be used as a "drop in"
replacement for a trigger originally installed on a firearm.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 7, a sealed trigger housing 100 may
generally comprise a trigger housing 101 comprising a first housing
plate 102 and a second housing plate 104. The trigger housing 101
is configured to at least partially house one or more trigger
mechanism components such as a trigger 106, a hammer 108, and a
selector switch 110 within an interior volume of the trigger
housing 101. The trigger housing 101 may also fully enclose
additional working components or moving parts such as springs,
pins, a sear link, and a main sear that functionally link the
trigger 106 to the hammer 108 and the selector switch 110.
The trigger 106 is used to selectively release the hammer 108 from
a first position allowing it to rotate and strike a projectile
causing the projectile to be fired from the firearm. The trigger
106 may comprise any suitable device or system for activating the
hammer 108. At least one surface of the trigger 106 may be
configured to at least partially conform to a portion of a user's
finger and be configured to rotate about a pivot point within the
trigger housing 101 in response to a pressure force being applied
to the trigger 106 by the user's finger.
The hammer 108 rotates from a first position to strike a firing pin
(not shown) on the ammunition round (not shown). Upon firing of the
round, recoil forces are used to return the hammer 108 to the first
position. The hammer 108 may comprise any suitable device or system
for causing the round to be fired in response to a force being
applied to the trigger 106. The hammer 108 may comprise a body
having a first end portion with a surface configured to contact a
firing pin of the ammunition round and a second end portion having
a hole therethrough about which the hammer 108 rotates. For
example, the hammer 108 may be coupled to the trigger 106 by a pin
or sleeve configured to extend from a first side of the trigger
housing 101, through the hole, and to a second side of the trigger
housing 101. The hammer 108 may then rotate about the hole and the
second sleeve during the actuation cycle.
Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, to prevent the intrusion of foreign
debris into the trigger housing 101, the first housing plate 102
and the second housing plate 104 are configured to form a seal when
coupled together. Unlike prior art trigger housings, which leave
the interior portion open to the environment, the trigger housing
101 of the present technology seals off interior components within
the interior portion of the trigger housing 101. For example, the
first housing plate 102 may comprise a first recess 502 and the
second housing plate 104 may comprise a second recesses 408
configured to receive, conform to, or otherwise fit around one or
more trigger mechanism components. For example, the first recess
502 may be configured to receive a first side of a hammer spring
416 and the second recess 408 may be configured to receive an
opposing second side of the hammer spring 416.
The first housing plate 102 and the second housing plate 104 may
abut each other when coupled together such that the interior of the
trigger housing 101 is at least partially closed off from the
exterior environment. The first housing plate 102 and the second
housing plate 104 may be configured in any suitable manner to
create a seal. In one embodiment, an interior facing surface 504 of
the first housing plate 102 may fit flush against one or more
interior facing surfaces of the second housing plate 104 to seal
the trigger housing 101.
For example, the second housing plate 104 may comprise an upper
cover portion 402, a lower trigger portion 406, and a lower spring
portion 404 that extend outward from an interior facing surface 418
of the second housing plate 104. The interior facing surface 504 of
the first housing plate 102 may be configured to abut against the
upper cover portion 402, lower trigger portion 406, and lower
spring portion 404 of the second housing plate 104 to effectively
form a seal between the surfaces when connected together.
Several components extend outward from the interior of the trigger
housing 101 requiring the presence of one or more openings between
the first and second housing plates 102, 104. For example, in one
embodiment, the trigger housing 101 may comprise a trigger opening
410 disposed between the lower trigger portion 406 and the lower
spring portion 404 of the second housing plate 104 and a hammer
opening 414 may be positioned between the upper cover portion 402
and the lower spring portion 404 of the second housing plate 104.
In some embodiments, the trigger housing 101 may further comprise a
selector opening 412 disposed between the upper cover portion 402
and the lower trigger portion 406 of the second housing plate 104.
Additional openings may be required according to a particular
trigger assembly.
The interior surfaces of the first housing plate 102 and the second
housing plate 104 may also be configured to create an enhanced
seal. In one embodiment, the first housing plate 102, the upper
cover portion 402, the lower trigger portion 406, and the lower
spring portion 404 of the second housing plate 104 may comprise a
beveled lip around their perimeters to create an enhanced seal. For
example, and referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, an outer edge of the
interior surface of the first housing plate 102 may comprise a
raised surface 1002 and the exterior edges of the upper cover
portion 402, the lower trigger portion 406, and the lower spring
portion 404 may comprise a recess or channel 902 configured to
receive the raised surface on the first housing plate 102. The
raised surface and the channel may make it more difficult for
debris to pass into the interior of the trigger housing 101 and may
also have the added benefit of helping lock the first housing plate
102 and the second housing plate 104 together during assembly.
Although the first housing plate 102 and the second housing plate
104 create a seal around much of the perimeter of the trigger
housing 101, the openings at each location where a component
extends outward from the interior of the trigger housing 101 may
provide a location where debris could still enter the interior of
the trigger housing 101. The trigger housing 101 may further
comprise a sealing system configured to provide a seal around any
protruding components to inhibit or prevent foreign debris from
getting into the interior of the trigger housing 101. The sealing
system may incorporate a plurality of sealing elements to create a
seal around any component that protrudes outwardly from the trigger
housing 101. The plurality of sealing elements may comprise any
suitable material capable of providing a seal to prevent or
otherwise limit debris from passing into the interior of the
trigger housing 101 such as polymers, rubber, plastic, ceramic,
metal, composites, or the like.
For example, and referring now to FIGS. 6 and 8, it is well
understood that the hammer 108 rotates in both clockwise and
counter-clockwise directions during the firing cycle. Because the
hammer 108 rotates about a fixed location and protrudes outwardly
from the trigger housing 101, the hammer opening 414 exists between
the hammer 108 and the trigger housing 101 body otherwise rotation
of the hammer 108 could be inhibited. To seal off the hammer
opening 414, a first hammer seal 802 may be positioned in a first
hammer seal recess 602 disposed along an upper edge of the lower
trigger portion 404 and a second hammer seal 804 may be positioned
in a second hammer seal recess 604 disposed along a forward edge of
the upper cover portion 402, wherein the first and second hammer
seals 802, 804 contact the hammer 108 when the trigger housing 101
is fully assembled.
Similarly, to seal off the trigger opening 410, a first trigger
seal 806 may be positioned in a first trigger seal recess 606
disposed along a rear edge of the lower trigger portion 404 and a
second trigger seal 808 may be positioned in a second trigger seal
recess 608 disposed along a forward edge of the lower trigger
portion 406, wherein the first and second trigger seals 806, 808
contact the trigger 106 when the trigger housing 101 is fully
assembled.
In an embodiment having a selector opening 412, to seal off the
selector opening 412, a first selector seal 810 may be positioned
in a first selector seal recess 610 disposed along an upper edge of
the lower trigger portion 404 and a second selector seal 812 may be
positioned in a second selector seal recess 612 disposed along a
lower edge of the upper cover portion 404, wherein the first and
second selector seals 810, 812 contact the selector switch 110 when
the trigger housing 101 is fully assembled.
The plurality of seals 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812 are configured
to press against the protruding components to allow motion while
reducing the ability of debris to enter the trigger housing 101
around these components. In one embodiment, each of the plurality
of seals 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812 may comprise a rubberized pin
that may be positioned in the plurality of recesses 602, 604, 606,
608, 610, 612. In an alternative embodiment, the plurality of seals
802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812 may each comprise a stiff plastic
pin.
These and other embodiments for methods of sealing an interior of a
trigger housing may incorporate concepts, embodiments, and
configurations as described above. The particular implementations
shown and described are illustrative of the technology and its best
mode and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the
present technology in any way. Indeed, for the sake of brevity,
conventional manufacturing, connection, preparation, and other
functional aspects of the system may not be described in detail.
Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures are
intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or
physical couplings between the various elements. Many alternative
or additional functional relationships or physical connections may
be present in a practical system.
The technology has been described with reference to specific
exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes, however,
may be made without departing from the scope of the present
technology. The description and figures are to be regarded in an
illustrative manner, rather than a restrictive one and all such
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the
present technology. Accordingly, the scope of the technology should
be determined by the generic embodiments described and their legal
equivalents rather than by merely the specific examples described
above. For example, the steps recited in any method or process
embodiment may be executed in any order, unless otherwise expressly
specified, and are not limited to the explicit order presented in
the specific examples. Additionally, the components and/or elements
recited in any apparatus embodiment may be assembled or otherwise
operationally configured in a variety of permutations to produce
substantially the same result as the present technology and are
accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in
the specific examples. Benefits, other advantages and solutions to
problems have been described above with regard to particular
embodiments; however, any benefit, advantage, solution to problems
or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage or
solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be
construed as critical, required or essential features or
components.
As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any
variation thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive
inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or
apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only
those elements recited, but may also include other elements not
expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article,
composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications
of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications,
proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice
of the present technology, in addition to those not specifically
recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to
specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design
parameters or other operating requirements without departing from
the general principles of the same.
The present technology has been described above with reference to
an exemplary embodiment. However, changes and modifications may be
made to the exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope
of the present technology. These and other changes or modifications
are intended to be included within the scope of the present
technology, as expressed in the following claims.
* * * * *
References