U.S. patent application number 13/135529 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-03 for firearm.
Invention is credited to Rubik Darian.
Application Number | 20110265639 13/135529 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44857222 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110265639 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Darian; Rubik |
November 3, 2011 |
Firearm
Abstract
An improvement to a firearm of the character having an upper
receiver, an operating rod operably associated with the upper
receiver for movement between a first position and a second
position, and a lower receiver connected to the upper receiver. The
improvement concerns a novel bolt and barrel lock and release
mechanism carried by the upper receiver and a novel trigger
mechanism carried by the lower receiver.
Inventors: |
Darian; Rubik; (Glendale,
CA) |
Family ID: |
44857222 |
Appl. No.: |
13/135529 |
Filed: |
July 7, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12386698 |
Apr 21, 2009 |
7975596 |
|
|
13135529 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
89/191.01 ;
42/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 19/13 20130101;
F41A 21/484 20130101; F41A 19/12 20130101; F41A 3/66 20130101; F41A
3/38 20130101; F41A 19/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
89/191.01 ;
42/16 |
International
Class: |
F41A 5/18 20060101
F41A005/18; F41A 3/12 20060101 F41A003/12; F41A 19/12 20060101
F41A019/12; F41A 19/10 20060101 F41A019/10; F41A 17/00 20060101
F41A017/00; F41A 21/00 20060101 F41A021/00; F41A 19/13 20060101
F41A019/13 |
Claims
1. In combination, a firearm having an upper receiver, an operating
rod operably associated with said upper receiver for movement
between a first position and a second position, a lower receiver
connected to said upper receiver, a trigger mechanism carried by
said lower receiver and a magazine connected to said lower receiver
for carrying a plurality of ammunition cartridges, the improvement
comprising: (a) a barrel connected to said upper receiver, said
barrel having a rear portion having a guide slot and a curved
bearing surface and an intermediate portion having a gas transfer
passageway formed therein; (b) a generally semi-circular receiver
bearing formed in said upper receiver; (c) a bolt slidably received
within said upper receiver for movement between a first forward
position and a second rearward position, said bolt having a
longitudinally extending guide slot; (d) a firing pin carried by
said bolt for movement between a first position and a second
position; (e) a striker connected to said bolt for movement between
a first position and a second position in engagement with said
firing pin; (f) a locking member removably connected to said upper
receiver for movement relative thereto between a first bolt
engaging position and a second bolt disengage position, said
locking member having a rearward portion, a central portion having
a locking shoulder and a curved forward portion received within
said generally semi-circular bore of said upper receiver and within
said curved bearing surface of said barrel; (g) locking member
biasing means carried by said upper receiver for urging said
locking member into said first bolt engaging position; (h) a
disengage member slidably received within said longitudinally
extending guide slot of said bolt and within said guide slot of
said barrel for movement by said operating rod between a first
position and a second position, said disengage member having a wall
for engagement with said locking member to move said locking member
into said bolt disengage position upon movement of said disengage
member to said second position; and (i) a trigger mechanism carried
by said lower receiver and operably associated with said striker,
said trigger mechanism including: i. a trigger housing; ii. a
trigger assembly pivotally connected to said trigger housing for
movement from a first position to a second position said trigger
assembly including a finger engaging trigger portion having sides;
and iii. a first safety mechanism, including a swinging anchor
pivotally connected to said trigger housing for movement between a
first position in alignment with said finger engaging trigger
portion and a second position proximate one side of said finger
engaging trigger portion.
2. The firearm as defined in claim 1 in which said improvement
further comprises a second safety mechanism rotatably carried by
said lower receiver, said second safety mechanism being operably
associated with said trigger mechanism and comprising: (a) a pair
of spaced apart plates; (b) a connector rod interconnecting said
pair of spaced apart plates; and (c) a trigger blocking member
connected to said connector rod and extending outwardly
therefrom.
3. The firearm as defined in claim 1 in which said improvement
further comprises a striker stop pin carried by said bolt and
operably associated with said locking member for movement thereby
between a first position blocking movement of said firing pin and a
second position permitting movement of said firing pin.
4. The firearm as defined in claim 1 in which said improvement
further comprises a receiver extension connected to and extending
from said upper receiver, said receiver extension comprising a
shoulder engaging stock provided with an elongated cavity and
further including a recoil spring mounted within said elongated
cavity.
5. The firearm as defined in claim 1 in which said trigger
mechanism further includes a de-cocking member for de-cocking said
firearm, said de-cocking member being operably associated with said
striker and being pivotally connected to said upper receiver for
movement between a first position and a second position, said
de-cocking member comprising a body portion, a pivot shaft about
which said body portion pivots and a torsion spring surrounding
said pivot shaft for continuously resisting rotation of said
de-cocking member.
6. In combination, a firearm having an upper receiver, a barrel
connected to said upper receiver, an operating rod carried by and
operably associated with said barrel for movement between a first
position and a second position, a lower receiver connected to said
upper receiver and a magazine connected to said lower receiver for
carrying a plurality of ammunition cartridges, the improvement
comprising: (a) a generally semi-circular receiver bearing formed
in said upper receiver; (b) a bolt slidably received within said
upper receiver for movement between a first forward position and a
second rearward position, said bolt having a longitudinally
extending guide slot; (c) a firing pin carried by said bolt for
movement between a first position and a second position; (d) a
striker connected to said bolt for movement between a first
position and a second position in engagement with said firing pin;
(e) a locking member removably connected to said upper receiver for
movement relative thereto between a first bolt engaging position
and a second bolt disengage position, said locking member having a
rearward portion, a central portion having a locking shoulder and a
curved forward portion received within said generally semi-circular
bore of said upper receiver; (f) locking member biasing means
carried by said upper receiver for urging said locking member into
said first bolt engaging position; (g) a disengage member slidably
received within said longitudinally extending guide slot of said
bolt for movement by said operating rod between a first position
and a second position, said disengage member having a wall for
engagement with said locking member to move said locking member
into said bolt disengage position upon movement of said disengage
member to said second position; (h) a sear operably associated with
said striker, said sear being pivotally connected to said upper
receiver for movement between first and second positions; (i) a
trigger mechanism connected to said lower receiver, said trigger
mechanism comprising: i. a trigger housing; ii. a lift bar
pivotally connected to said trigger housing, said lift bar having a
first end, a second end and an intermediate portion; iii. a trigger
pivotally connected to said trigger housing and operably associated
with said lift bar for lifting said first end of said lift bar upon
pivotal movement of said trigger, said trigger including a finger
engaging portion having sides; and iv. a lifter member pivotally
connected to said lift bar for movement between a first position
and a second position to engage said sear to move said sear towards
said second position of said sear; and (j) a first safety
mechanism, including a swinging anchor pivotally connected to said
trigger housing for movement between a first position in alignment
with said finger engaging trigger portion and a second position
proximate one side of said finger engaging trigger portion.
7. The combination as defined in claim 6 in which said sear
includes a shoulder for engaging said striker when said striker is
in said first position.
8. The combination as defined in claim 6 in which said trigger
includes a transversely extending pivot pin and in which said
intermediate portion of said locking member is provided with a
groove for receiving said transversely extending pivot pin.
9. The firearm as defined in claim 6 in which said improvement
further comprises a second safety mechanism rotatably carried by
said lower receiver, said second safety mechanism being operably
associated with said trigger and comprising: (a) a pair of spaced
apart plates; (b) a connector rod interconnecting said pair of
spaced apart plates; and (c) a trigger blocking member connected to
said connector rod and extending outwardly therefrom.
10. The firearm as defined in claim 6 in which said improvement
further comprises a striker stop pin carried by said bolt and
operably associated with said locking member for movement thereby
between a first position blocking movement of said firing pin and a
second position permitting movement of said firing pin.
11. In combination, a firearm having an upper receiver, a barrel
connected to said upper receiver, an operating rod carried by and
operably associated with said barrel for movement between a first
position and a second position, a lower receiver connected to said
upper receiver and a magazine connected to said lower receiver for
carrying a plurality of ammunition cartridges, the improvement
comprising: (a) a generally semi-circular receiver bearing formed
in said upper receiver; (b) a bolt slidably received within said
upper receiver for movement between a first forward position and a
second rearward position, said bolt having a longitudinally
extending guide slot; (c) a firing pin carried by said bolt for
movement between a first position and a second position; (d) a
striker connected to said bolt for movement between a first
position and a second position in engagement with said firing pin;
(e) a locking member removably connected to said upper receiver for
movement relative thereto between a first bolt engaging position
and a second bolt disengage position, said locking member having a
rearward portion, a central portion having a locking shoulder and a
curved forward portion received within said generally semi-circular
bore of said upper receiver; (f) locking member biasing means
carried by said upper receiver for urging said locking member into
said first bolt engaging position; (g) a disengage member slidably
received within said longitudinally extending guide slot of said
bolt for movement by said operating rod between a first position
and a second position, said disengage member having a wall for
engagement with said locking member to move said locking member
into said bolt disengage position upon movement of said disengage
member to said second position; (h) a sear operably associated with
said striker, said sear being pivotally connected to said upper
receiver for movement between first and second positions; and (i) a
trigger mechanism connected to said lower receiver, said trigger
mechanism comprising: i. a trigger housing; ii. a lift bar
pivotally connected to said trigger housing, said lift bar having a
first end, a second end and an intermediate portion; iii. a trigger
pivotally connected to said trigger housing and operably associated
with said lift bar for lifting said first end of said lift bar upon
pivotal movement of said trigger, said trigger including a finger
engaging portion having sides; iv. a lifter member pivotally
connected to said lift bar for movement between a first position
and a second position to engage said sear to move said sear towards
said second position of said sear; v. a first safety mechanism,
including a swinging anchor pivotally connected to said trigger
housing for movement between a first position in alignment with
said finger engaging trigger portion and a second position
proximate one side of said finger engaging trigger portion; and vi.
a second safety mechanism rotatably carried by said lower receiver,
said second safety mechanism being operably associated with said
trigger and comprising: a. a pair of spaced apart plates; b. a
connector rod interconnecting said pair of spaced apart plates; and
c. a trigger blocking member connected to said connector rod and
extending outwardly therefrom.
12. The firearm as defined in claim 11 in which said improvement
further comprises a striker stop pin carried by said bolt and
operably associated with said locking member for movement thereby
between a first position blocking movement of said firing pin and a
second position permitting movement of said firing pin.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a Continuation-In-Part Application of co-pending
U.S. application Ser. No. 12/386,698 filed Apr. 21, 2009.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISC
[0003] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates generally to firearms. More
particularly, the invention concerns an improved firearm having a
novel receiver, a novel barrel and bolt lock and release mechanism,
a novel trigger mechanism and a novel ignition system.
[0006] 2. Description of Related Art Including Information
Disclosed Under 37 Cfr 1.97 and 1.98
[0007] Present day firearms typically embody basic design concepts
that were developed decades ago. As a general rule, improvements
made to firearms over recent years have consisted of cosmetic
modifications and minor structural changes, most of which do not
make any significant improvements to the firearm's core operational
features. Accordingly, today's firearms typically do not exhibit
significant improvements in the basic construction of the firearm
or the manner of its assembly and disassembly.
[0008] In modern day firearms the primary structure comprises a
receiver, a barrel, a bolt mechanism and a trigger mechanism all
connected to a wooden or metal stock. In gas operated
semi-automatic firearms, a portion of the propellant gas is
diverted from the barrel after passage of the bullet to drive a
slide mechanism rearward, which actuates the bolt to extract the
empty casing and load a new round. The trigger mechanism is
operably associated with the bolt mechanism so that upon operation
of the trigger, a firing pin will strike a round disposed within
the barrel to fire the bullet.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] By way of brief summary, the present invention comprises an
improvement to a firearm of the character having an upper receiver,
an operating rod operably associated with the upper receiver for
movement between a first position and a second position, a lower
receiver connected to the upper receiver, a trigger mechanism
carried by the lower receiver, and a magazine connected to the
lower receiver for carrying a plurality of ammunition cartridges.
The improvement here comprises a barrel connected to the upper
receiver, the barrel having a rear portion having a curved bearing
surface and an intermediate portion having a gas transfer
passageway formed therein; a generally semi-circular receiver
bearing formed in the upper receiver; a bolt slidably received
within the upper receiver for movement between a first forward
position and a second rearward position, the bolt having a firing
pin; a striker connected to the bolt for movement between a first
position and a second position in engagement with the firing pin; a
locking member removably connected to the upper receiver for
movement relative thereto between a first bolt engaging position
and a second bolt disengage position, the locking member having a
curved forward portion received within the generally semi-circular
bore of the upper receiver and within the curved bearing surface of
said barrel; locking member biasing means carried by the upper
receiver for urging the locking member into the first bolt engaging
position; and a disengage member slidably received within the bolt
for movement by the operating rod to move the locking member into
the bolt disengage position upon movement of the disengage member
to the second position.
[0010] With the forgoing in mind, it is an object of the present
invention to provide an improved firearm wherein the improvement
comprises the provision of a novel barrel lock and release
mechanism that greatly simplifies the removal of the barrel of the
firearm from the receiver.
[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide an improved
firearm of the aforementioned character that includes an improved
bolt lock and release mechanism that is of simple construction and
one that securely locks the bolt in position until it is
automatically released upon firing of the weapon.
[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide an improved
firearm of the character described in the preceding paragraph that
includes an improved bolt lock and release mechanism that greatly
simplifies the removal of the bolt from the firearm.
[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide an improved
firearm as described in the preceding paragraphs that includes a
novel trigger mechanism that is of simple construction and one that
operates to smoothly release the striker of the weapon upon
actuation of the trigger.
[0014] The forgoing as well as other objectives will be achieved by
the novel improved firearm illustrated in the drawings and
described in the following paragraphs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section,
illustrating one form of the improved firearm of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a generally perspective, exploded view of the
forward portion of the improved firearm shown in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, generally perspective view showing
the barrel of the firearm received within the upper receiver.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a generally perspective view of a portion of one
form of the bolt of the improved firearm shown in FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, generally perspective view of the
bolt of the improved fire arm and showing the striker member of the
firearm interconnected with the bolt.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, generally perspective view
illustrating the manner in which the locking member of the
apparatus is received within the curved bearing surfaces of the
upper receiver.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, side elevational view showing the
locking member and the disengage member of the improved firearm
interconnected with the bolt.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, side elevational view similar to
FIG. 7, but showing the locking member having been moved into a
bolt release position by the disengage member.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary side elevational
view illustrating the construction of the trigger mechanism of the
improved firearm and the association of the trigger mechanism with
the sear and with the striker member.
[0024] FIG. 9A is a generally perspective front view of the lifter
of the trigger mechanism.
[0025] FIG. 9B is a generally perspective rear view of the lifter
of the trigger mechanism.
[0026] FIG. 9C is a generally perspective front view of the lifter
interconnected with the lift bar of the trigger mechanism.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary side elevational
view illustrating the configuration of the trigger mechanism
following the pivotal movement of the trigger into a position to
cause the release of the striker member.
[0028] FIG. 10A is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary side view
illustrating the configuration of the trigger mechanism following
the pivotal movement of the lifter by the action of the forward
movement of the striker member.
[0029] FIGS. 11A and 11B when considered together comprise a side
elevational view of an alternate form of the improved firearm of
the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 12 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of
the alternate form of improved firearm shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B
of the improved firearm shown in FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 13 is a generally perspective, exploded view of the
forward portion of the alternate form of improved firearm shown in
FIG. 12.
[0032] FIG. 14 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevational view
illustrating the construction of the trigger mechanism of the
improved firearm shown in FIG. 12 of the drawings and the
association of the trigger mechanism with the sear and with the
striker member.
[0033] FIG. 15 is a view taken along lines 15-15 of FIG. 14.
[0034] FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15, but showing the first
safety mechanism, or trigger guard moved into a first position
toward one side of the trigger mechanism.
[0035] FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16, but showing the
trigger guard moved into a second position toward the opposite side
of the trigger mechanism.
[0036] FIG. 18 is a generally perspective view of the second safety
mechanism of the apparatus.
[0037] FIG. 19 is a generally perspective exploded view of the
second safety mechanism shown in FIG. 18.
[0038] FIG. 20 is a fragmentary, side elevational view similar to
FIG. 14, but showing the position of the various components of the
apparatus following actuation of the first and second safety
mechanisms and following operation of the trigger.
[0039] FIG. 21 is a generally diagrammatic view illustrating the
operation of the de-cocker mechanism of the invention.
[0040] FIG. 22 is a view taken along lines 22-22 of FIG. 21.
[0041] FIG. 23 is a generally perspective, exploded view of one
form of the de-cocker member of the invention.
[0042] FIG. 24 is a generally perspective, fragmentary view of an
alternate form of the firearm of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0043] Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2,
one form of the firearm of the invention is there shown and
generally designated by the numeral 24. In this form of the
invention, the firearm comprises an upper receiver 26 having a
strategically configured barrel receiving bore 28 and a pair of
transversely spaced guide grooves 30 (FIG. 2). An important feature
of the present invention is the generally semi-circular shaped
receiver bearings 32 that are formed in the front portion of the
upper receiver 26 (FIG. 3). The purpose of these receiver bearings
will presently be described.
[0044] Connected to the upper receiver 26 is a barrel 34 having a
forward portion 34a, a rear portion 34b and an intermediate portion
34c disposed between the forward and rear portion. Rear portion 34b
is provided with a guide slot 38 and a pair of spaced apart,
upstanding curved bearing surfaces 40 (FIG. 2). As shown in FIGS. 1
and 3, rear portion 34b is telescopically receivable within barrel
receiving bore 28 and, when in position within the upper receiver,
cooperates with receiver bearings 32 to form a complete receiver
bearing 42 that is generally semicircular in cross-section at any
point. For a reason presently to be described, the intermediate
portion 34c of the barrel is provided with a gas transfer
passageway 90 (FIG. 1).
[0045] A specially configured bolt 50 includes transversely spaced
shoulders 50a that are slidably received within the transversely
spaced guide grooves 30 (FIG. 3) formed in the upper receiver 26.
Bolt 50 is movable between a first forward position shown in FIG. 1
of the drawings and a second rearward position. For a purpose
presently to be described, bolt 50 is provided with a
longitudinally extending guide slot 52 that is aligned with the
guide slot 38 formed within the rear portion 34b of the barrel
(FIGS. 2 and 4). Bolt biasing means are operably associated with
the bolt 50 for yieldably resisting movement of the bolt between
the first forward position and the second rearward position. In the
present form of the invention, the bolt biasing means comprises an
elongate guide rod 54 that is connected to and extends from the
rear face of the bolt in the manner indicated in FIGS. 2 and 5 of
the drawings. The bolt biasing means here also comprises a return
spring 56 that circumscribes guide rod 54.
[0046] Also extending from the rear face of the bolt in the manner
indicated in FIGS. 2 and 5 of the drawings is a pair of
transversely spaced apart striker guide rods 58. Slidably carried
by the striker guide rods for movement between a first rearward a
second advanced position against the urging of striker biasing
means, or a striker spring 59, that circumscribe the striker guide
rods 58, is the important striker member 60 of the invention (see
FIGS. 2 and 5). It is important to note that the striker 60 and the
rods 58 not only reciprocate with bolt 50 as a unit (see FIG. 5),
but striker 60 is also independently slidably movable along rods
58.
[0047] Associated with and carried by bolt 50 is the important
firing mechanism of the invention. This firing mechanism here
includes a firing pin 62 that is carried by bolt 50 for movement
between a first, rearward position shown in FIG. 1 and a second
forward position. More particularly, firing pin 62 is carried
within a longitudinally extending firing pin bore 64 formed in bolt
50 for reciprocal movement there within. In a manner presently to
be described, when the striker member 60 is moved into the second
advanced position shown in FIG. 5, it will engage end 62a of the
firing pin 62 urging movement of the firing pin from the first
retracted position toward the second advanced position in
engagement with the cartridge disposed within the barrel 34.
[0048] A novel and extremely important feature of the present
invention is a uniquely configured bolt locking member 70 that is
removably connected to said upper receiver for movement relative
thereto between a first bolt engaging position shown in FIG. 7 and
a second bolt disengage position shown in FIG. 8. As illustrated in
FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings, bolt locking member 70 has a
rearward angled tail portion 70a, a central portion 70b having a
locking shoulder 72 and a curved forward portion 70c that is
received within the semi-circular receiver bearing 32 of said upper
receiver for rotational movement there within (see FIG. 6). As best
seen in FIG. 1 of the drawings, when the bolt locking member 70 is
in engagement with the bolt 50, the forward portion 70c of the
locking member is disposed in engagement with the receiver bearings
32 and is also disposed in engagement with the pair of spaced
apart, upstanding curved bearing surfaces 40 of the rear portion of
the barrel 34. To continuously urge the locking member 70 into the
first bolt engaging position shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings,
locking member biasing means are provided. This locking member
biasing means here comprises a flat spring 76 that is carried by
the upper receiver in the manner shown in FIG. 1. Flat spring 76
includes a main body portion 76a and an angled tail portion 76b
that engages the downwardly angled tail, or sloping wall portion
70a of the locking member (FIG. 7). Flat spring 76 is so
constructed and arranged so as to continuously urge the locking
member into the position shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.
[0049] Forming another important aspect of the firearm of the
present invention is a disengage member 80 that is slidably
received within the guide slot 38 formed in the rear portion 34b of
the barrel and within the longitudinally extending guide slot 52 of
the bolt that is aligned with the guide slot 38. In a manner
presently to be described, the disengage member 80 is movable by
the operating rod 82 of the invention between a first forward
position and a second rearward position. As best seen in FIGS. 1
and 8 of the drawings, disengage member 80 is provided with an
angled wall 80a that is adapted to engage the locking shoulder 72
of the bolt locking member 70 to move the locking member into the
upraised, bolt disengage position shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings.
During this movement of the locking member, the curved forward
portion 70c of the locking member will rotate within the
semi-circular receiver bearing 42 of the upper receiver about a
pivot point 70d. In the upraised position of the locking member,
the locking shoulder 72 is free from the locking shoulders 51 of
the bolt (FIG. 2) and the bolt is free to move rearwardly.
[0050] The previously identified operating rod 82 comprises a part
of the operating rod assembly 84 of the invention that is carried
by the barrel 34. In addition to the operating rod 82, the
operating rod assembly 84 includes a piston housing 86 that is
connected to the intermediate portion 34c of the barrel 34 and a
piston 88 that is carried by said piston housing for reciprocal
movement there within and for engagement with the operating rod 82.
As indicated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the intermediate portion
34c of the barrel is provided with a gas transfer passageway 90
that communicates with the piston housing and functions to transfer
propellant gas under pressure from the barrel into the piston
housing. After a round is fired, the propellant gas impinges on the
piston 88, which acts upon the operating rod to move the operating
rod between a first forward position and a second rearward
position. In the rearward position, the operating rod engages the
disengage member in a manner to move the disengage member from the
bolt engaging position shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings into the
bolt disengage position shown in FIG. 8. A coil spring 91
circumscribes the operating rod 82 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and functions to
move the operating rod from the second rearward position toward the
following firing of the bullet.
[0051] Connected to upper receiver 26 to form a receiver 92 is a
lower receiver 94 (FIG. 1). Connected to and extending from lower
receiver 94, is a conventional magazine 96 that functions to carry
a plurality of ammunition cartridges, such as cartridge "AC" (FIG.
1). Also carried by lower receiver 94 is a trigger mechanism that
is generally designated by the numeral 98. In a manner presently to
be described, trigger mechanism 98 is operably associated with the
previously identified striker member 60 via a sear member, the
nature of which will presently be described.
[0052] In the present form of the invention, the novel trigger
mechanism 98 comprises a trigger housing 100 and a uniquely
configured lift bar 102 that is pivotally connected to the trigger
housing in the manner shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 of the drawings. Lift
bar 102, which pivots about a pivot point 104, has a first end
102a, a second end 102b and an intermediate portion 102c.
[0053] Also pivotally connected to trigger housing 100 for pivotal
movement about a pivot point 106, is a trigger 108. Trigger 108,
which is operably associated with lift bar 102, functions to lift
the first end 102a of the lift bar upon pivotal movement of the
trigger manner shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings.
[0054] Pivotally connected to the lift bar 102 for movement between
a first position shown in shown in FIG. 9 and a second position
shown in FIG. 10A, is a specially configured lifter member 110.
Lifter member 110, which is adapted to pivot relative to the lift
bar about a pivot point 112, is provided with a shoulder 110a, the
purpose of which will presently be described.
[0055] As illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B of the drawings, the
lifter member 110 is also provided with a longitudinally extending
slot 110b that receives a portion of intermediate portion 102c of
the lift bar and enables the lifting member to pivot relative to
the lift bar.
[0056] Operably associated with striker member 60 and with lifter
member 110 is a sear 114. Sear 114 which forms a part of the upper
receiver 26 is pivotally connected to the upper receiver 26 for
pivotal movement about a pivot point 116. In a manner presently to
be described, sear 114 controls the movement of the striker member
60 between the first position shown in FIG. 1 and a second advanced
position shown in FIG. 5, wherein the striker member is in
engagement with the firing pin 62.
[0057] With the construction described in the preceding paragraphs,
when the user pulls the trigger 108, the trigger will pivot about
pivot point 106 causing the trigger corner 108a to lift the first
end 102a of the lift bar into the upraised position shown in FIG.
10 of the drawings. This pivotal movement of the lift bar will, in
turn, cause the lifter member 110 to rise upwardly and into the
position shown in FIG. 10. As the lifter member rises, the shoulder
110a of the lifter member, which is in engagement with extremity
114a of the sear 114 (see FIG. 9), will cause the sear to pivot
about its pivot axis 116. As the sear 114 pivots into the position
shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings, extremity 114b of the sear 114
will move out of engagement with the striker member 60 permitting
the striker biasing means or spring 59 to urge the striker forward
into engagement with face 110b of the lift member (FIG. 10) causing
the lift member to pivot relative to lift bar 102 about pivot point
112 into the position shown in FIG. 10A of the drawings. In this
position extremity 114a is free from shoulder 110a so that the sear
114 can pivot upwardly about pivot point 116 so as to be in
position to once again engage the striker in the manner shown in
FIG. 9. After engaging the face 110b of the lifter member the
striker member will continue to be urged forwardly by the springs
59 into the second position wherein the striker member 60 engages
the firing pin 62 (see FIG. 5) which forms a part of the novel
ignition system of the invention causing it to move forward within
the bolt and to strike and fire the cartridge housed within a
chamber of the barrel (not shown).
[0058] Launching of the bullet through the barrel will result in
the propellant gas generated by the launch being transferred under
pressure from the barrel into the piston housing 86 via the gas
transfer passageway 90. The propellant gas introduced into the
piston housing impinges on the piston 88, which, in turn, acts upon
the operating rod 82 to move the operating rod between a first
forward position and a second rearward position. In the rearward
position the operating rod 82 engages the disengage member 80 in a
manner to move the disengage member from the bolt engaging position
shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings into the bolt disengage position
shown in FIG. 8. Upon release of the bolt 50, the bolt, along with
the striker member 60, will move from the first forward position to
the second rearward position against the urging of the bolt biasing
means, or return spring 56. Recoil retraction of the bolt will
result in the ejection of the fired cartridge.
[0059] Following retraction of the bolt 50, the return spring 56
will act upon the assembly comprising the bolt and the striker
causing it to move forward and will cause the sear 114 to move into
the locked position shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings. The striker
will remain in this rearward, locked position pending further
operation of the trigger mechanism. In this rearward position, the
locking member biasing means, or flat spring 76, will force the
locking member into the first bolt engaging position shown in FIGS.
1 and 7 wherein the curved forward portion 70c of the locking
member is received within the semi-circular receiver bearing 42 of
said upper receiver, thereby once again locking the bolt in the
forward position.
[0060] A unique feature of the firearm of the present invention
resides in the method by which the barrel 34 can be removed for
cleaning or replacement. In this regard, when the barrel 34 is in
position within the receiver 26 in the manner shown in FIGS. 1 and
3 of the drawings, insertion of portion 70c of the locking member
into the semi-circular receiver bearing 42 of said upper receiver
will securely lock the barrel in position within the receiver. In
order to remove the barrel from the receiver, the cover 122 of the
firearm (FIG. 1) must first be removed so as to expose spring 76
and locking member 70. By grasping portion 70a of the locking
member and exerting an upward pressure thereon, the curved forward
portion 70c of the locking member will be caused to rotate within
the semi-circular receiver bearing 42 of the upper receiver about a
pivot point 70d. In the upraised position, the locking member can
be lifted from the receiver thereby permitting the barrel be
conveniently, slidably removed from the receiver 26.
[0061] Referring now to FIGS. 11A through 14 and particularly to
FIGS. 11A, 11B and 12, an alternate form of the firearm of the
invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral
124. This alternate form of the invention is similar in many
respects to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 10A and like
numerals are used in FIGS. 11A through 14 to identify like
components. In this latest form of the invention, the firearm
comprises an upper receiver 126 having a strategically configured
barrel receiving bore 128 (FIGS. 12 and 13). As in the earlier
described embodiment of the invention, an important feature of this
latest form of the invention is the generally semi-circular shaped
receiver bearings 132 that are formed in the front portion of the
upper receiver 126 (FIG. 13). The purpose of these receiver
bearings will presently be described.
[0062] Connected to the upper receiver 126 is a barrel 134 having a
forward portion 134a, a rear portion 134b and an intermediate
portion 134c disposed between the forward and rear portion. Rear
portion 134b is provided with a guide slot 138 and a pair of spaced
apart, upstanding curved bearing surfaces 140 (FIG. 13). As shown
in FIGS. 11A and 13, rear portion 134b is telescopically receivable
within barrel receiving bore 128 and, when in position within the
upper receiver, cooperates with receiver bearings 132 to form a
complete receiver bearing that is generally semicircular in
cross-section at any point. As in the earlier described embodiment,
the intermediate portion of the barrel is provided with a gas
transfer passageway (not shown) that is substantially identical in
construction and operation to the gas transfer passageway 90 shown
in FIG. 1 of the drawings.
[0063] A specially configured bolt 150 includes transversely spaced
shoulders 150a that are slidably received within the transversely
spaced guide grooves 130 (FIG. 13) formed in the upper receiver
126. As before, bolt 150 is movable between a first forward
position and a second rearward position and is provided with a
longitudinally extending guide slot 152 that is aligned with the
guide slot 138 formed within the rear portion 134b of the
barrel.
[0064] Associated with and carried by bolt 150 is the important
striker, or firing mechanism of the invention. This striker or
firing mechanism 154, which is of a different construction from
that of the earlier described embodiment, is movable between a
first rearward position shown in FIGS. 12 and 14 and a second
forward position shown in FIG. 20. The striker here includes a
differently configured, forward firing pin portion 156 that is
carried within a longitudinally extending firing pin bore 158
formed in bolt 150 (FIG. 13) for reciprocal movement there within
and a rearward striker biasing means. The striker biasing means,
which here functions to yieldably resist movement of the striker
between the first forward position and the second rearward
position, here comprises an elongate rod 160 that extends
rearwardly from the rear face of a pusher member 162 that is
connected to the forward firing pin portion 156 in the manner
indicated in FIG. 12 of the drawings. The striker biasing means
here also comprises a striker spring 164 that circumscribes rod
160. Also forming a part of the striker or firing mechanism is a
small rebound coil spring 159 that circumscribes the forward firing
pin portion 156. The purpose of spring 159 will presently be
described.
[0065] In a manner presently to be described, when the first and
second safety mechanisms are released and the trigger is pulled,
the firing striker will move into the second advanced position
shown in FIG. 20, where it will engage and fire the cartridge "C"
that is disposed within the barrel 134.
[0066] As in the earlier described embodiment, a novel and
extremely important feature of this alternate form of the invention
is a uniquely configured bolt locking member 170 that is removably
connected to the upper receiver for movement relative thereto
between the first bolt engaging position shown in FIG. 12 and a
second bolt disengage position. As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13
of the drawings, bolt locking member 170 has a rearward angled tail
portion 170a, a central portion 170b having a locking shoulder 172
and a curved forward portion 170c that is received within the
semi-circular receiver bearing 132 of said upper receiver for
rotational movement there within (see FIGS. 12 and 13).
[0067] As best seen in FIG. 12 of the drawings, when the bolt
locking member 170 is in engagement with the bolt 150, the forward
portion 170c of the locking member is disposed in engagement with
the receiver bearings 132 and is also disposed in engagement with
the pair of spaced apart, upstanding curved bearing surfaces 140 of
the rear portion of the barrel 134. To continuously urge the
locking member 170 into the first bolt engaging position shown in
FIG. 12 of the drawings, locking member biasing means are provided.
This locking member biasing means here comprises a flat spring 176
that is carried by the upper receiver in the manner shown in FIG.
12. Flat spring 176 includes a main body portion 176a and an angled
tail portion 176b that engages the downwardly angled tail, or
sloping wall portion 170a of the locking member (FIG. 12). Flat
spring 176 is so constructed and arranged so as to continuously
urge the locking member into the position shown in FIG. 12 of the
drawings.
[0068] Forming another important aspect of the firearm of the
present invention is a disengage member 180 that is slidably
received within the guide slot 138 formed in the rear portion 134b
of the barrel and within the longitudinally extending guide slot
152 of the bolt that is aligned with the guide slot 138. As in the
earlier described embodiment, the disengage member is movable by
the operating rod of the invention between a first forward position
and a second rearward position. Like disengage member 80 of the
earlier described embodiment, disengage member 180 is provided with
an angled wall 180a that is adapted to engage the locking shoulder
172 of the bolt locking member 170 (see FIGS. 12 and 14) to move
the locking member into the upraised, bolt disengage position (see
FIG. 8 of the drawings). As before, during this movement of the
locking member, the curved forward portion of the locking member
will rotate within the semi-circular receiver bearing 132 of the
upper receiver about a pivot point 170d. In the upraised position
of the locking member, the locking shoulder 172 is free from the
locking shoulders 151 of the bolt and the bolt is free to move
rearwardly. Also, the disengage member 180 on its rearward move
pushes against the pusher member 162 of the firing striker 162 to
put the firing striker in engagement with sear 214. At this stage,
the weapon is cocked. As best seen in FIG. 14, member 180 is also
provided with a notch 180b, the purpose of which will presently be
described.
[0069] The previously identified operating rod 182 comprises a part
of the operating rod assembly 184 of the invention that is carried
by the barrel 134. Operating rod assembly 184 is substantially
identical in construction and operation to operating rod assembly
84. In addition to the operating rod.sub.. 182, the operating rod
assembly 84 includes a piston housing 186 that is connected to the
intermediate portion 134c of the barrel 134 and a piston that is
carried by said piston housing for reciprocal movement there within
and for engagement with the operating rod 182. As earlier
discussed, the intermediate portion 134c of the barrel is provided
with a gas transfer passageway (see passageway 90 of FIG. 1 of the
drawings) that communicates with the piston housing and functions
to transfer propellant gas under pressure from the barrel into the
piston housing. As before, after a round is fired, the propellant
gas impinges on the piston, which acts upon the operating rod to
move the operating rod between a first forward position and a
second rearward position. In the rearward position, the operating
rod engages the disengage member in a manner to move the disengage
member from the bolt engaging position into the bolt disengage
position (see FIG. 8). A coil spring 191 circumscribes the
operating rod 82 (FIG. 13) and functions to move the operating rod
forwardly from the second rearward position following firing of the
bullet.
[0070] Connected to upper receiver 126 to form a receiver 192 is a
lower receiver 194 (FIG. 12). Connected to and extending from lower
receiver 194, is a conventional magazine 196 that functions to
carry a plurality of ammunition cartridges, such as cartridge "AC"
(FIG. 12). Magazine 196 is released in a conventional manner by
pressing on a magazine release button 196a (FIG. 11A). Also carried
by lower receiver 194 are a gripping handle 197 and a trigger
mechanism that is generally designated by the numeral 198. In a
manner presently to be described, trigger mechanism 198 is operably
associated with the previously identified striker or firing
mechanism 154 via a sear member.
[0071] In the present form of the invention, the novel trigger
mechanism 198 along with the first safety mechanism 199, the
character of which will presently be described, is housed within a
trigger housing 200. Trigger mechanism 198 includes a trigger
assembly 202 that is pivotally connected to the trigger housing in
the manner shown in FIGS. 12, 14 and 24 of the drawings. Trigger
assembly 202, which pivots about a pivot point 204, has a finger
engaging trigger portion 202a having opposing sides, a central body
portion 202b, a safety block actuator arm 202c that extends
upwardly from central body portion 202b, and a rearwardly extending
second safety mechanism engagement lug 202d.
[0072] Pivotally connected to central body portion 202b of the
trigger assembly for pivotal movement about a pivot point 206, is a
sear lifter 208 having a sear lifter engagement surface 208a.
Operably associated with firing striker 154 and with sear lifter
208 is a sear 214. Sear 214 which forms a part of the bolt 150 is
pivotally connected to the rear bottom of bolt 150 for pivotal
movement about a pivot point 216. In a manner presently to be
described, sear 214 controls the movement of the firing striker 154
between the first position shown in FIG. 12 and a second advanced
position shown in FIG. 20, wherein the firing pin portion 156
engages the cartridge "C". As best seen in FIG. 14, sear 214
comprises an irregularly shaped member having a lower flat portion
214a that engages the upper portion of sear lifter 208 and an upper
shoulder 214b that engages a shoulder 154s formed on firing striker
154 when the sear is in the first position shown in FIG. 14 of the
drawings.
[0073] Considering now the first safety mechanism 199, this novel
mechanism here comprises a generally planar trigger cover 220, an
upwardly extending neck 222 connected to trigger cover 220 and a
swinging anchor 224 that is connected to neck 222. Swinging anchor
224 is pivotally connected to the trigger housing 200 so that the
first safety mechanism 199 can be pivotally movable by the index
finger of the firearm user against the urging of a pair of coil
springs 226 carried by the trigger cover from the first at rest
position shown in FIG. 15 of the drawings to the second position
proximate one side of the trigger in the manner shown in FIGS. 16,
and to the third position proximate the other side of the trigger
in the manner shown in FIG. 17. With this construction, when the
first safety mechanism is moved to either side of the trigger, the
firearm user can engage the trigger using the index or trigger
finger. However, in order to move the trigger 202a from the first
at rest position shown in FIG. 14 of the drawings to the second
rearward position shown in FIG. 20 of the drawings, the second
safety mechanism 230 must be operated in a manner presently to be
described.
[0074] The important second safety mechanism 230 of the invention,
which is mounted within a generally cylindrically shaped opening
231 formed in lower receiver 194 (FIG. 12), here comprises a novel
construction the character of which is best seen in FIGS. 18 and 19
of the drawings. More particularly, the second safety mechanism 230
comprises a pair of spaced apart generally circular shaped plates
232 that are connected by a connector rod 234 (FIG. 19). Disposed
between plates 232 and pivotally movable with respect thereto is an
operating mechanism 236 that comprises a transversely extending rod
238 that spans plates 232 and includes end portions 238a that are
receivable within central apertures 238 formed in the end plates.
Connected to each of the end portions 238a is a finger engaging
member 240 that can be engaged by the firearm user to rotate rod
238 relative to plates 232. Connected to the rod 238 and extending
outwardly therefrom is a trigger blocking member 242 that engages
the engagement lug 202d of the trigger mechanism and blocks
rearward movement of the trigger when the second safety mechanism
230 is in the safety position shown in FIG. 14 of the drawings.
When the operating mechanism 236 of the second safety mechanism is
rotated by the firearm user to the position shown in FIG. 20 of the
drawings, the trigger blocking member 242 moves out of engagement
with the engagement lug 202d and into the position shown in FIG.
20. With the trigger blocking member 242 in this position and with
the planar trigger cover 220 pivoted to one side or the other, the
trigger mechanism 202 can be moved into the rearward position shown
in FIG. 20 of the drawings.
[0075] As best seen in FIG. 12 of the drawings, the second safety
mechanism is conveniently housed within a generally cylindrically
shaped opening 247 formed in the lower receiver 194. Opening 247 is
in communication with an elongated chamber 248 that is provided
within handle 197. Access to the second safety mechanism can be
achieved by removing the upper receiver 126 so that the second
safety mechanism can be readily removed from opening 247. It is to
be understood that safety mechanisms of various construction can be
housed within opening 247 and chamber 248.
[0076] With the construction described in the preceding paragraphs,
the firearm user can operate the weapon by first engaging the
finger engaging member 240 of the second safety mechanism 230 in a
manner to move the trigger blocking member 242 into the safety off
position shown in FIG. 20 of the drawings. This done, the next step
in the firing operation is to grip the trigger with the trigger or
index finger. In this regard, when the weapon user is right-handed,
the movement of the trigger finger into a position to grip the
trigger will cause the trigger cover 220 of the first safety
mechanism to pivot into a position proximate the left side of the
weapon. On the other hand, when the user is left-handed, movement
of the trigger finger will cause the trigger cover 220 to pivot
into a position proximate the right side of the weapon.
[0077] With the trigger finger in the trigger operating position,
when the user pulls the trigger 202a, the trigger will pivot about
pivot point 204 causing the safety block actuator arm 202c of the
trigger to pivot downwardly and causing the trigger to lift the
sear lifter 208 into the upraised position shown in FIG. 20 of the
drawings. As the safety block actuator arm pivots downwardly, the
safety block 250, the purpose of which will presently be described,
pivots about pivot point 252 to the urging of a coil spring 250a
(FIGS. 12 and 20) from the firing striker blocking position shown
in FIG. 14 to the firing striker release position shown in FIG. 20.
Similarly, as the sear lifter 208 rises, the sear 214 will pivot
about its pivot axis 216. As the sear 214 pivots into the position
shown in FIG. 20 of the drawings, extremity 214b of the sear will
move out of engagement with the firing striker permitting the
firing striker to move forwardly past the safety block 250 due to
the urging of the firing mechanism spring 164 and to strike and
fire the cartridge "C" housed within a chamber of the barrel (FIG.
12). As best seen in FIG. 14, the previously identified rebound
spring 159 circumscribes the extremity of the forward firing pin
portion 156. As the firing striker moves forwardly into engagement
with the cartridge, the rebound spring will be compressed. With
this construction, following the firing of the cartridge, the
striker 154 will be urged rearwardly into a neutral position so
that safety block 250 can freely pivot.
[0078] Another important safety feature of the apparatus of the
invention resides in the provision of a firing striker stop pin 254
that is carried within a bore 256 provided in the bolt 150. This
important feature functions to prevent forward movement of the
firing striker unless and until the bolt locking member 170 is in
its normal downward position. As best seen in FIG. 14 of the
drawings, stop pin 254 includes an upper portion 254a and a lower
firing striker stop portion 254b. A coil spring 258 circumscribes
stop pin 254 and functions to continuously bias the stop pin
upwardly into a firing mechanism stop position. The upper portion
254a of the stop pin is adapted to be engaged by the lower surface
170d of bolt locking member 170 so that when the bolt locking
member is in its normal downward position the stop pin will be
moved against the urging of spring 258 into a downward position
wherein the firing striker is free to move forwardly. However, if
the bolt locking member is for any reason not disposed in its
normal downward position, the lower portion 254b of the stop pin
will engage a shoulder 157 provided on portion 156 of a firing pin
in a manner to safely prevent forward movement of the firing
striker.
[0079] Still another important safety feature of the apparatus of
the invention resides in the provision of the previously identified
safety block 250, which when in the position shown in FIG. 12,
prevents accidental forward movement of the firing striker. Unless
and until the safety block 250 is pivoted into the position shown
in FIG. 20 as a result of the operation of the trigger mechanism in
the manner previously described, the firing striker cannot move
forwardly.
[0080] As in the earlier described embodiment, launching of the
bullet "B" through the barrel will result in the propellant gas
generated by the launch being transferred under pressure from the
barrel into the piston housing via the gas transfer passageway. The
propellant gas introduced into the piston housing impinges on the
piston 188 which, in turn, acts upon the operating rod 182 (FIG.
13) to move the operating rod between a first forward position and
a second rearward position. In the rearward position, the operating
rod 182 engages the disengage member 180 in a manner to move the
disengage member from the bolt engaging position shown in FIG. 12
of the drawings into the bolt disengage position.
[0081] Upon release of the bolt 150, the bolt along with the firing
striker and sear (154 and 214), will move from the first forward
position to the second rearward position against the urging of the
bolt biasing means, or recoil spring 272 (FIG. 11B). Recoil
retraction of the bolt will result in the extractor member 263a,
which grips the casing head of the cartridge, to eject the fired
cartridge via the ejection port 263 (FIGS. 11A and 13). Disposed
proximate ejection port 263 is an outwardly extending manually
operable charging handle 263a which operates in a conventional
manner to pull the bolt rearwardly. In this regard, charging handle
263a includes an inwardly extending arm (not shown) that is
receivable within the previously identified notch 180b formed in
disengage member 180.
[0082] As illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the firearm of this
latest form of the invention further includes a receiver extension
266 that is connected to and extends from the rear surface of the
receiver. The receiver extension here takes the form of a shoulder
engaging stock 268 that is provided with an elongated cavity 270
that houses a recoil spring 272 (FIG. 11B) that functions to absorb
part of the recoil energy from the recoil of the bolt.
[0083] Following retraction of the bolt, the recoil spring 272
(FIG. 11B) will act upon the assembly comprising the bolt, the
firing striker and sear, causing it to move forward into the locked
position shown in FIG. 12 of the drawings. In this forward
position, the locking member biasing means, or flat spring 176,
will force the locking member into the first bolt engaging position
shown in FIG. 12 wherein the curved forward portion 170c of the
locking member is received within the semi-circular receiver
bearing of the upper receiver, thereby once again locking the bolt
in the forward position.
[0084] As in the earlier described embodiment of the invention, a
unique feature of the firearm of this latest form of the invention
resides in the method by which the barrel 134 can be removed for
cleaning or replacement. This unique method is substantially
identical to the method described in connection with the embodiment
of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 10 of the
drawings.
[0085] Still another novel feature of this latest embodiment of the
invention resides in the provision of a unique de-cocking
mechanism, the character of which is illustrated in FIGS. 21
through 23 of the drawings. This de-cocking mechanism, which
functions to de-cock the weapon when there is no imminent need for
discharging or unloading weapons, here comprises a de-cocking
member 276 that is pivotally mounted on the outer wall of the upper
receiver for movement between a first at rest position and a second
operating position. De-cocking member 276 comprises a body portion
278, a pivot shaft 280 about which the body portion pivots, and a
torsion spring 282 which surrounds the pivot shaft and functions to
continuously bias against rotation of the de-cocking member. As
best seen in FIG. 22 of the drawings, the de-cocking member 276
also includes a de-cocking lever 284 that extends rearwardly from
body portion 278. Lever 284 is constructed and arranged so that
upon upward rotation of the de-cocking member, the de-cocking lever
284 will travel upwardly within a guide slot 285 formed in the wall
of the upper receiver and will engage an operating rod 288 that is
connected to and extends outwardly from the sear member 214 in the
manner shown in FIG. 22. With the construction thus described, an
upward rotation of the de-cocker member 276 against the urging of
the torsion spring 282 will bring the de-cocking lever 284 into
engagement with the operating rod 288 causing the sear member 214
to rotate about its pivot point 216 into the position shown in FIG.
20. In this position, the firing striker 154 will be released and,
due to the urging of striker spring 164, will move forwardly into
engagement with the safety block 250, thereby de-cocking the
weapon. To re-cock the weapon, the user need only to operate the
charging handle of the weapon in a rearward direction so as to
cause the disengage member 180 to push the striker, or firing
mechanism rearwardly to a position wherein it will be re-engaged by
the sear member in the manner illustrated in FIG. 14.
[0086] Referring now to FIG. 24, still another form of the firearm
of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the
numeral 300. This form of the invention is similar in many respects
to that illustrated in FIGS. 11A through 14. The primary difference
between this latest form of the invention and the earlier described
forms of the invention resides in the provision of a slightly
differently configured trigger assembly 302 and a slightly
differently configured lower receiver 306.
[0087] Trigger assembly 302 which pivots about a pivot point 308,
has a finger engaging trigger portion 310, a central body portion
312, a safety block actuator arm 314 that extends upwardly from
central body portion 312, and a rearwardly extending second safety
mechanism engagement lug 316. Trigger assembly 302 also uniquely
includes a connector bracket 318 that includes a pair of
transversely spaced apart legs 320 and a transversely extending
connector rod 322 that interconnects legs 320. Additionally,
trigger assembly 302 includes a coil spring 324 that functions to
bias the finger engaging trigger portion 310 into its forward
position.
[0088] Lower receiver 306 is provided with a pair of transversely
spaced apart slots 326 that are so constructed and arranged as to
slidably receive legs 320 of the connector bracket 318. With the
novel construction thus described, the trigger assembly can be
readily and conveniently, removably mounted within the lower
receiver 306.
[0089] Having now described the invention in detail in accordance
with the requirements of the patent statues, those skilled in this
art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in
the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet
specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications
may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention, as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *