U.S. patent application number 13/796188 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for firearm with ambidextrous safety.
This patent application is currently assigned to SMITH & WESSON CORP.. The applicant listed for this patent is SMITH & WESSON CORP.. Invention is credited to Seth Joubert.
Application Number | 20140259846 13/796188 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51520781 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140259846 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Joubert; Seth |
September 18, 2014 |
Firearm with Ambidextrous Safety
Abstract
A firearm has ambidextrously actuatable safety levers with the
connection between the levers being effected within the frame and
offset from the frame centerline to mitigate lost motion between
the levers and prevent yielding of the shaft connecting them. The
levers have raised surface portions which are hidden behind a
plate. The raised surface portions contact the frame and, because
they are hidden behind the plate, leave no visible marks on the
finish due to rotation of the levers.
Inventors: |
Joubert; Seth; (Pascoag,
RI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SMITH & WESSON CORP. |
Springfield |
MA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
SMITH & WESSON CORP.
Springfield
MA
|
Family ID: |
51520781 |
Appl. No.: |
13/796188 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/70.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 17/56 20130101;
F41A 35/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/70.11 |
International
Class: |
F41A 17/00 20060101
F41A017/00 |
Claims
1. A firearm, comprising: a frame having a centerline; a safety
mechanism having a first lever mounted on a first side of said
frame and a second lever mounted on a second side of said frame
opposite to said first side thereof, each of said levers being
rotatable between a safe position, preventing firearm discharge,
and a fire position, permitting firearm discharge; a shaft
extending between said first and second levers transversely to said
centerline through an opening in said frame; a first coupling
connecting said shaft to said first lever, said first coupling
being located within said opening in said frame and offset from
said frame centerline.
2. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein said first coupling
comprises a collar attached to said first lever and projecting
therefrom transversely to said frame centerline, said collar being
received within said opening and having a bore receiving said
shaft.
3. The firearm according to claim 2, wherein said first coupling
further comprises a threaded fastener positioned within said bore
of said collar for securing said shaft to said lever.
4. The firearm according to claim 3, wherein said threaded fastener
comprises: an externally threaded shank located on an end of said
shaft; an internally threaded nut engaged with said shank within
said bore of said collar.
5. The firearm according to claim 2, wherein said first coupling
further comprises at least one key positioned within said bore of
said collar, said shaft having at least one keyway receiving said
at least one key and preventing relative rotation between said
first lever and said shaft.
6. The firearm according to claim 5, wherein said at least one key
is integrally formed with said collar.
7. The firearm according to claim 5, wherein said at least one key
and said at least one keyway are tapered.
8. The firearm according to claim 2, wherein said first coupling
further comprises at least one key projecting outwardly from said
shaft, said collar having at least one keyway positioned within
said bore and receiving said at least one key and preventing
relative rotation between said first lever and said shaft.
9. The firearm according to claim 8, wherein said at least one key
is integrally formed with said shaft.
10. The firearm according to claim 2, wherein said first coupling
further comprises a pair of keys positioned within said bore of
said collar, said shaft having a pair of keyways receiving said
pair of keys within said bore of said collar.
11. The firearm according to claim 10, wherein said keys and said
keyways are tapered.
12. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein said shaft is
integrally formed with said second lever.
13. The firearm according to claim 1, further comprising a second
coupling connecting said shaft to said second lever.
14. The firearm according to claim 13, wherein said second coupling
is located within said opening in said frame and offset from said
frame centerline oppositely disposed to said first coupling.
15. A pistol, comprising: a frame having a centerline; a slide
mounted on said frame and movable between a battery position and an
open position, said slide having a notch positioned on one side
thereof; a safety mechanism having a first lever mounted on a first
side of said frame and a second lever mounted on a second side of
said frame opposite to said first side thereof, each of said levers
being rotatable between a safe position, wherein at least one of
said levers engages said notch when said slide is in said battery
position, and a fire position, wherein said at least one lever is
not in engagement with said notch when said slide is in said
battery position; a shaft extending between said first and second
levers transversely to said centerline through an opening in said
frame; a first coupling connecting said shaft to said first lever,
said first coupling being located within said opening in said frame
and offset from said frame centerline.
16. The pistol according to claim 15, wherein said first coupling
comprises a collar attached to said first lever and projecting
therefrom transversely to said frame centerline, said collar being
received within said opening and having a bore receiving said
shaft.
17. The pistol according to claim 16, wherein said first coupling
further comprises a threaded fastener positioned within said bore
of said collar for securing said shaft to said lever.
18. The pistol according to claim 17, wherein said threaded
fastener comprises: an externally threaded shank located on an end
of said shaft; an internally threaded nut engaged with said shank
within said bore of said collar.
19. The pistol according to claim 16, wherein said first coupling
further comprises at least one key positioned within said bore of
said collar and integrally formed therewith, said shaft having at
least one keyway receiving said at least one key and preventing
relative rotation between said first lever and said shaft.
20. The pistol according to claim 19, wherein said at least one key
and said at least one keyway are tapered.
21. The pistol according to claim 16, wherein said first coupling
further comprises a pair of keys positioned within said bore of
said collar and integrally formed therewith, said shaft having a
pair of keyways receiving said pair of keys within said bore of
said collar.
22. The pistol according to claim 21, wherein said keys and said
keyways are tapered.
23. The pistol according to claim 15, wherein said shaft is
integrally formed with said second lever.
24. A lever for actuating a safety mechanism of a firearm, said
lever comprising: a plate having a first surface positionable in
facing relation with said firearm and a second surface disposed
oppositely thereto; a projection mounted on and extending outwardly
from said second surface; and a portion of said first surface
comprising a raised surface portion, said raised surface portion
contacting said firearm when said lever is mounted thereon and
preventing a remaining surface of said first surface from
contacting said firearm.
25. The lever according to claim 24, further comprising a trunnion
mounted on said plate and projecting transversely thereto, said
lever being pivotably movable on said trunnion when mounted on said
firearm.
26. The lever according to claim 24, further comprising an
actuating finger mounted on said plate and projecting transversely
thereto, said actuating finger being engageable with a safety
mechanism of said firearm when said lever is mounted thereon.
27. A firearm having a safety mechanism and a lever for actuating
said safety mechanism, said lever comprising: a plate movably
mounted on said firearm, said plate having a first surface
positioned in facing relation with said firearm and a second
surface disposed oppositely thereto; a projection mounted on and
extending outwardly from said second surface; and a portion of said
first surface comprising a raised surface portion, said raised
surface portion contacting said firearm and preventing a remaining
surface of said first surface from contacting said firearm.
28. The firearm according to claim 27, wherein said lever further
comprises a trunnion mounted on said plate and projecting
transversely thereto, said trunnion being received within an
opening in said firearm, said lever being pivotably movable on said
trunnion relatively to said firearm for actuating said safety
mechanism.
29. The firearm according to claim 27, wherein said lever further
comprises an actuating finger mounted on said first surface and
projecting transversely thereto, said actuating finger being
received within an opening in said firearm and engageable with said
safety mechanism.
30. The firearm according to claim 27, wherein said firearm
comprises a pistol.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to firearms, such as semi-automatic
pistols, having safety mechanisms conveniently actuatable when the
firearm is held in either hand.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Ambidextrously actuatable safety levers are desirable,
especially on single action, self-loading or semi-automatic pistols
such as the Model 1911 which are carried "cocked and locked", that
is, cocked and ready to fire but with the sear and slide locked by
a safety mechanism. There are, however, many design challenges to
the ambidextrous safety. For example, in some prior art designs,
the left safety lever directly actuates the safety mechanism
between the safe and fire positions when it is rotated, while the
right safety lever must rotate the left safety lever in order to
actuate the safety between the safe and fire positions, only the
left safety lever being directly engaged with the safety mechanism.
Thus, the connection between the right and left safety levers must
transmit significant torque without significant lost motion or
"play". In prior art designs, engagement between the right and left
levers is often afforded by shafts extending from each lever and
joined internal to the firearm via a tongue and groove at the ends
of each shaft. However, the limited amount of space within the
firearm results in a shaft that is too small in diameter to take
the required torque without exceeding the yield stress of the
material forming the shaft. Thus with each operation of the safety
some yielding occurs, which, in turn, leads to increased lost
motion and eventually, unreliable safety operation. There is
clearly a need for an improvement in ambidextrous safeties for
firearms.
[0003] A common problem shared by safety levers in general, is that
they tend to scratch the frame of the firearm over repeated
actuations and mar the finish. Such scratches are unsightly and
tend to reduce the value of used firearms. It would be advantageous
if actuation of a safety lever left no visible marks on the
firearm.
SUMMARY
[0004] The invention concerns a firearm. In one example embodiment
the firearm comprises a frame having a centerline and a safety
mechanism having a first lever mounted on a first side of the frame
and a second lever mounted on a second side of the frame opposite
to the first side thereof. Each of the levers is rotatable between
a safe position, preventing firearm discharge, and a fire position,
permitting firearm discharge. A shaft extends between the first and
second levers transversely to the centerline through an opening in
the frame. A first coupling connects the shaft to the first lever.
The first coupling is located within the opening in the frame and
is offset from the frame centerline.
[0005] In one example embodiment, the first coupling comprises a
collar attached to the first lever. The collar projects from the
first lever transversely to the frame centerline. The collar is
received within the opening and has a bore that receives the shaft.
In a particular example embodiment, the first coupling may further
comprise a threaded fastener positioned within the bore of the
collar for securing the shaft to the lever. By way of example, the
threaded fastener may comprise an externally threaded shank located
on an end of the shaft and an internally threaded nut engaged with
the shank within the bore of the collar.
[0006] In another example embodiment, the first coupling further
comprises at least one key positioned within the bore of the
collar. The shaft has at least one keyway receiving the at least
one key and prevents relative rotation between the first lever and
the shaft. By way of example, the at least one key may be
integrally formed with the collar.
[0007] In another example embodiment, the first coupling further
comprises at least one key projecting outwardly from the shaft. The
collar has at least one keyway positioned within its bore which
receives the at least one key and prevents relative rotation
between the first lever and the shaft.
[0008] In another example embodiment, the first coupling further
comprises a pair of keys positioned within the bore of the collar.
The shaft has a pair of keyways which receive the pair of keys
within the bore of the collar.
[0009] In a particular example embodiment, the shaft is integrally
formed with the second lever.
[0010] By way of further example, the firearm comprises a second
coupling connecting the shaft to the second lever. In this example
the second coupling is located within the opening in the frame and
offset from the frame centerline oppositely disposed to the first
coupling.
[0011] The invention further encompasses a pistol. In one example
embodiment, the pistol comprises a frame having a centerline. A
slide is mounted on the frame and is movable between a battery
position and an open position. The slide has a notch positioned on
one side thereof. The pistol includes a safety mechanism having a
first lever mounted on a first side of the frame and a second lever
mounted on a second side of the frame opposite to the first side
thereof. Each of the levers is rotatable between a safe position,
wherein at least one of the levers engages the notch when the slide
is in the battery position, and a fire position, wherein the at
least one lever is not in engagement with the notch when the slide
is in the battery position. A shaft extends between the first and
second levers transversely to the centerline through an opening in
the frame. A first coupling connects the shaft to the first lever.
The first coupling is located within the opening in the frame and
offset from the frame centerline.
[0012] In an example embodiment, the first coupling comprises a
collar attached to the first lever which projects therefrom
transversely to the frame centerline. The collar is received within
the opening and has a bore receiving the shaft. By way of example
the first coupling may further comprise a threaded fastener
positioned within the bore of the collar for securing the shaft to
the lever. In a particular example embodiment, the threaded
fastener comprises an externally threaded shank located on an end
of the shaft and an internally threaded nut engaged with the shank
within the bore of the collar.
[0013] In another example embodiment, the first coupling may
further comprise at least one key positioned within the bore of the
collar. The shaft has at least one keyway which receives the at
least one key and prevents relative rotation between the first
lever and the shaft.
[0014] Again by way of example, the first coupling may further
comprise at least one key projecting outwardly from the shaft. The
collar has at least one keyway positioned within the bore which
receives the at least one key and prevents relative rotation
between the first lever and the shaft.
[0015] In another example embodiment, the first coupling may
further comprise a pair of keys positioned within the bore of the
collar. The shaft has a pair of keyways which receive the pair of
keys within the bore of the collar. In this example the keys may be
integrally formed with the collar. Also by way of example, the
shaft may be integrally formed with the second lever.
[0016] The invention also encompasses a lever for actuating a
safety mechanism of a firearm. In one example embodiment the lever
comprises a plate having a first surface positionable in facing
relation with the firearm and a second surface disposed oppositely
thereto. A projection is mounted on and extends outwardly from the
second surface. A portion of the first surface comprises a raised
surface portion. The raised surface portion contacts the firearm
when the lever is mounted thereon and prevents a remaining surface
of the first surface from contacting the firearm.
[0017] In a particular example embodiment, the lever comprises a
trunnion mounted on the plate. The trunnion projects transversely
to the plate and the lever is pivotably movable on the trunnion
when mounted on the firearm.
[0018] By way of further example, the lever comprises an actuating
finger mounted on the plate. The actuating finger projects
transversely to the plate and is engageable with a safety mechanism
of the firearm when the lever is mounted thereon.
[0019] The invention also encompasses a firearm having a safety
mechanism and a lever for actuating the safety mechanism. In an
example embodiment the firearm comprises a plate movably mounted on
the firearm. The plate has a first surface positioned in facing
relation with the firearm and a second surface disposed oppositely
thereto. A projection is mounted on and extends outwardly from the
second surface. A portion of the first surface comprises a raised
surface portion. The raised surface portion contacts the firearm
and prevents a remaining surface of the first surface from
contacting the firearm.
[0020] In another example embodiment of a firearm according to the
invention, the lever further comprises a trunnion mounted on the
plate. The trunnion projects transversely to the plate and is
received within an opening in the firearm. The lever is pivotably
movable on the trunnion relatively to the firearm for actuating the
safety mechanism. By way of example the lever further comprises an
actuating finger mounted on the first surface and projecting
transversely thereto. The actuating finger is received within an
opening in the firearm and is engageable with the safety mechanism.
In a particular example embodiment, the firearm comprises a
pistol.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a firearm, in this example, a
semi-automatic pistol, according to the invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a partial isometric view of a portion of the
firearm shown in FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of an example safety
mechanism;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken at line 4-4 of FIG.
2;
[0025] FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of an example safety
mechanism; and
[0026] FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of an example safety
mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] FIG. 1 depicts a firearm 10, in this example a self-loading
pistol, having a frame 12, the frame having a centerline 14. A
slide 16 is mounted on frame 12. Slide 16 is movable on frame 12
between a battery position (shown) and an open position and has at
least one notch 18 positioned on one side of the slide 16. Firearm
10 also has a safety mechanism 20, which, as shown in FIG. 2,
includes first and second levers 22 and 24 mounted on respective
opposite sides of the frame 12. Levers 22 and 24 are rotatable
about a pivot axis 26 between a safe position and a fire position.
In the safe position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), the first lever 22
engages the notch 18 in slide 16. In the fire position (not shown)
the levers are rotated about axis 26 so that lever 22 does not
engage notch 18 in the slide 16. Note also, as shown in FIG. 3,
that the first lever 22, which a right handed shooter would actuate
with his or her right thumb, has a projection 28 which engages an
internal safety mechanism (not shown) of the firearm. The internal
safety mechanism could be, for example, one which blocks the
hammer, or the sear, or disengages the trigger from the sear.
Regardless of the type of internal safety mechanism, it is clear
from consideration of FIG. 3 that lever 22 directly actuates the
internal safety mechanism of the firearm and that lever 24 actuates
the internal safety mechanism by rotating lever 22.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, torque from lever 24 is transmitted to
lever 22 through a shaft 30 which defines the pivot axis 26 of the
levers. Shaft 30 extends between the levers 22 and 24 transversely
to the centerline 14 through openings 32 in the frame (see FIGS. 2
and 4). In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 3, shaft 30 is
integrally formed with the second lever 24 and is connected with
the first lever 22 by a coupling 34. In the depicted example
embodiment, coupling 34 comprises a collar 36 attached to lever 22.
The collar 36 projects transversely to the centerline 14 and is
received within the opening 32 in the frame 12. Collar 36 has a
bore 38 that receives the shaft 30. The end 40 of shaft 30
comprises an externally threaded shank 42 that engages an
internally threaded nut 44. Together the nut and shank form a
threaded fastener positioned within the bore 38 of the collar 36
for securing the shaft 30 to lever 22. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
positive mechanical engagement between the collar 36 and the shaft
30 is afforded by keys 46 and keyways 48. In this example
embodiment, keys 46 are integrally formed with the collar 36 and
positioned within the bore 38. Keyways 48 (only one of which is
shown) are positioned diametrically opposite to one another on the
shaft 30. Advantageously, the keys 46 and keyways 48 are tapered.
Tapered keys and keyways reduce the tolerance requirements between
the collar 36 and the shaft 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the coupling
32, comprising the collar 36, threaded shank 42 and nut 44 are
located within opening 32 of the frame 12 and offset from the
centerline 14. This arrangement allows torque to be transmitted
between the levers 22 and 24 reliably, without significant lost
motion or yielding of the shaft 30 or its surfaces contacting the
collar 36.
[0029] In another example embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, the keys 46
project outwardly from the shaft 30 and the keyways 48 are
positioned within the bore 38 of the collar 36. Similar to the
previously described embodiment, the shaft 30 is integrally formed
with lever 24 and connected to lever 22 via the coupling 34. FIG. 6
shows yet another example embodiment, wherein each end of shaft 30
is connected to a respective lever 22 and 24 by a coupling 34. In
this example, both couplings are located within the frame of the
firearm and offset from the centerline.
[0030] FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 6 also illustrate an improved safety lever
which does not leave visible marks or scratches on the frame 12 of
the firearm 10. Prior art levers have a tendency to leave
arc-shaped scratches on the frame resulting from their pivoting
travel when the safety is actuated either on or off. To avoid this
problem, as shown in FIG. 3, the levers 22 and 24 each comprise a
plate 50 having a first surface 52 positioned in facing relation
with the firearm 10, and a second surface 54 (see FIG. 1) disposed
oppositely thereto and facing away from the firearm. A projection
56 is mounted on the second surface 54. The projection extends
outwardly and provides purchase for manual actuation of the safety,
for example by the thumb of a shooter. As shown in FIG. 3, a
portion of the first surface 52 comprises a raised surface portion
58. Raised surface portion 58 contacts the firearm, for example,
the frame 12 shown in FIG. 1, and prevents the remaining surface 60
of the first surface 52 from contacting the frame. Although the
raised surface portions 58 will bear against the frame and remove
the surface finish when the levers 22 and 24 are moved relatively
to the firearm, by positioning the raised surface portions 58 on
the first surfaces 52 of the plates 50 facing the firearm, any
marks on the frame cause by contact between it and the raised
surface portions 58 will be hidden by the plate 50.
[0031] In the examples shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the levers 22 and
24 are pivoting type levers and therefore comprise trunnions 62 on
which the levers pivot. The trunnions 62 are mounted on the plate
50 and project transversely thereto. The trunnions are received
within openings in the frame 12 of the firearm 10, the frame
supporting the trunnions in their pivoting motion. Note for
example, collar 36 comprises the trunnion for lever 22 and shaft 30
fulfills this role for lever 24. At least one of the levers, in
this example 22, will also have an actuating finger 64, here in the
form of projection 28, which is mounted on the plate 50 and
projects transversely thereto. Actuating finger 64 extends through
an opening in the frame 12 of the firearm 10 and engages the safety
mechanism therewithin.
* * * * *