U.S. patent application number 14/719899 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-10 for tool-less trigger guard.
The applicant listed for this patent is Spike's Tactical, LLC. Invention is credited to Thomas James Miller, III.
Application Number | 20150354912 14/719899 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54769311 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150354912 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller, III; Thomas James |
December 10, 2015 |
Tool-Less Trigger Guard
Abstract
Provided is a trigger guard for an AR15-type firearm lower
receiver, attachable and removable without application of impact
force. It includes an elongated trigger guard member having forward
and rear ends with a rear transverse opening positioned to align
with mounting openings on the receiver. A mounting pin has a size
no greater in cross-section than that of the mounting openings on
the receiver and a spring engagement means thereon. A deflectable
spring means is operably positioned in the transverse opening to be
deflected when the pin is inserted in the transverse opening and to
engage the spring engagement means on the mounting pin when the
mounting pin reaches a preselected position.
Inventors: |
Miller, III; Thomas James;
(Lehigh Acres, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Spike's Tactical, LLC |
Apopka |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54769311 |
Appl. No.: |
14/719899 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62008718 |
Jun 6, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/90 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 19/11 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 19/11 20060101
F41A019/11 |
Claims
1. A trigger guard for an AR15-type firearm lower receiver,
attachable and removable without application of impact force,
comprising: an elongated trigger guard member having forward and
rear ends with a rear transverse opening positioned to align with
mounting openings on the receiver; a mounting pin having a size no
greater in cross-section than that of the mounting openings on the
receiver and a spring engagement means thereon; and deflectable
spring means operably positioned in the transverse opening to be
deflected when the pin is inserted in the transverse opening and to
engage the spring engagement means on the mounting pin when the
mounting pin reaches a preselected position.
2. The trigger guard of claim 1, wherein the trigger guard member
is curved to provide an enlarged trigger opening.
3. The trigger guard of claim 1, further comprising at least one
elastomeric buffer member positioned on the trigger guard member to
contact a surface of the receiver when installed to prevent
movement between the installed trigger guard and the receiver.
4. The trigger guard of claim 3, comprising elastomeric buffer
members adjacent the forward and rear ends of the trigger guard
member.
5. A trigger guard for an AR15-type receiver, attachable and
removable without application of impact force, comprising: an
elongated trigger guard member having forward and rear ends with a
rear transverse opening positioned to align with mounting openings
on the receiver; a mounting pin having a size no greater in
cross-section than that of the mounting openings on the receiver
and an annular detent engagement groove thereon; and a deflectable
detent member operably positioned in the transverse opening to be
deflected when the pin is inserted in the transverse opening and to
engage the detent engagement groove when the mounting pin reaches a
preselected position.
6. The trigger guard of claim 5, wherein the trigger guard member
is curved to provide an enlarged trigger opening.
7. The trigger guard of claim 5, further comprising at least one
elastomeric buffer member positioned on the trigger guard member to
contact a surface of the receiver when installed to prevent
movement between the installed trigger guard and the receiver.
8. The trigger guard of claim 7, comprising elastomeric buffer
members adjacent the forward and rear ends of the trigger guard
member.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/008,718, filed Jun. 6,
2014.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a trigger guard for use with a
standard or mil-spec AR15/M16 lower receiver. More specifically,
this trigger guard can be installed without the use of specialized
tools and with reduced risk of damage to the mounting tabs on the
lower receiver.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A standard or mil-spec lower receiver for an AR15- or
M16-platform rifle uses a lower trigger guard that is a separate
piece and is attachable at forward and rearward ends to
standardized mounting points on the lower receiver body. The
standard trigger guard mounts at its rearward end by use of a roll
pin hammered or pressed through a first tab extending from the
lower receiver, through a transverse opening in the trigger guard,
and through a second opening in a second mounting tab on the lower
receiver. The forward end has a spring detent on the right side
which is inserted to releasably engage an opening in the right side
forward mounting tab extending from the lower receiver.
[0004] The nature of a common roll pin (also called spring pin or
tension pin) is that it has a body diameter which is larger than
the hole diameter for which it is intended to be used, and a
chamfer on one or both ends to facilitate starting the pin into the
hole. The body of the pin is split longitudinally or helically,
providing a spring action that allows the diameter of the pin to
compress as it assumes the diameter of the hole. The radially
outward force exerted by the pin against the hole wall retains it
in the hole, making it a self-retaining fastener. Installation
requires, however, that the roll pin be hammered or forcibly
pressed into position. In the case of the AR15/M16-platform lower
receiver, the mounting holes for the trigger guard are in
relatively thin tabs extending from the lower receiver body. If
care is not taken as the trigger guard roll pin is hammered or
pressed into place, a mounting tab can be broken. This is one of
the most common breakage points on the lower receiver, often
occurring during initial assembly.
[0005] An alternative attachment means for a trigger guard that
does not add unnecessary bulk, parts, or complexity and that can be
installed without having to hammer or force a roll pin through the
mounting tabs of a lower receiver is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a trigger guard for an
AR15-type firearm lower receiver that is attachable and removable
without application of impact force. It includes an elongated
trigger guard member having forward and rear ends with a rear
transverse opening positioned to align with mounting openings on
the receiver. A mounting pin is provided having a size no greater
in cross-section than that of the mounting openings on the receiver
and a spring engagement means thereon. A deflectable spring means
is operably positioned in the transverse opening to be deflected
when the pin is inserted in the transverse opening and to engage
the spring engagement means on the mounting pin when the mounting
pin reaches a preselected position.
[0007] The trigger guard member may also be curved to provide an
enlarged trigger opening. At least one elastomeric buffer member
may be positioned on the trigger guard member to contact a surface
of the receiver when installed to prevent movement between the
installed trigger guard and the receiver. if desired, an
elastomeric buffer member may be placed adjacent both the forward
and rear ends of the trigger guard member.
[0008] Other aspects, benefits, and features of the present
invention may be apparent to a person of skill in this art by
reference to the following specification, drawing figures, and
claims, all of which are part of the disclosure of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0009] Like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts
throughout the various figures of the drawing, wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric exploded view of an AR15-type lower
receiver along with a prior art trigger guard and a trigger guard
according to the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an isometric exploded view of a trigger guard
according to the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal side sectional view taken
substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a top plan view thereof;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a rear end view thereof;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view thereof;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along
7-7 of FIG. 6; and
[0017] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Referring to the various figures of the drawing, and first
to FIG. 1, therein is shown at 10 is a standard and well-known
AR15-type lower receiver for a firearm. The receiver 10 is shown in
a "stripped" condition, wherein it comprises a single piece of
material on which none of the additional required parts have been
installed.
[0019] Among other functions, the lower receiver 10 provides a
housing for the various parts that make up the fire control group
(not shown). At a lower rear location on the receiver 10, there is
a standardized mounting means 12 for a pistol grip. Forward of that
location is an area enclosed on forward, upper and rearward sides
that defines a trigger area with open left and right sides where
the user's finger may be inserted for actuating the trigger. At the
lower end of the forward boundary are a pair of spaced-apart
forward mounting tabs 16. An opening 17 is provided in the forward
tab 16 on the right side for receiving a spring detent, as will be
explained in greater detail below. At the bottom end of the
rearward boundary, there are right and left rear mounting tabs 18
with transversely aligned openings 19.
[0020] A tool-less trigger guard according to the present invention
is shown at 20 in FIG. 1. A prior art trigger guard is shown in
FIG. 1 at 20a. At the forward end 22 of the prior art trigger guard
20a is a standard spring detent (not shown) housed in a forward
transverse opening 24. At the rear end 26, there is another
transverse opening 28 that is sized to receive a roll pin 30.
[0021] To install the prior art trigger guard 20a, the rear end
portion 26 is placed between the rear tabs 18 so that the
transverse opening 28 is aligned with the tab openings 19. While
supporting the lower receiver body 10 against a solid surface, the
roll pin 30 is carefully tapped or pressed through a first tab
opening 19, through the rear transverse opening 28 of the trigger
guard 20a, and then through the opposite tab opening 19. The
forward end 22 can then be swung into position, displacing the
detent until it is aligned with the detent opening 17. To remove
the prior art trigger guard 20a, the forward detent is depressed
using a tool or small object through the outside of the detent
opening 17 to release the forward end 22 of the trigger guard 20a.
To remove the rear connection, a pin punch or drift must be used to
drive the roll pin 30 out of engagement with the rear tab openings
19 and rear transverse opening 28 of the trigger guard 20a. This
removal procedure again poses some appreciable risk that one of the
rear mounting tabs 18 will be broken or damaged.
[0022] Referring now also to FIGS. 2-8, therein is shown the
various parts and features that comprise the tool-less trigger
guard 20 of the present invention. Describing first the attachment
features, at the forward end 32 of the trigger guard body 20 there
is a forward transverse opening 34 configured to receive and retain
a detent member 36 and a spring 38. A cross bore opening 40 is
formed to intersect the transverse opening 34 and receive a
retaining pin 42 after insertion of the detent member 36 and spring
38. This forward attachment mechanism is substantially the same as
is used for attaching the forward end of a prior art trigger guard
20a, described above. At the rear end 44 of the trigger guard body
20 is a rear transverse opening 46 that is positioned to align with
the rear tab openings 19 of the lower receiver 10. Rather than
being attached by means of a roll pin, the present invention uses a
cross pin 48 sized to fit easily through the rear tab openings 19
and the rear transverse opening 46. At a selected point along the
length of the cross pin 48, preferably near the center, there is an
annular groove 50. A passageway is formed from the rear end 44 of
the trigger guard 20 that is positioned to partially intersect with
the rear transverse opening 46. Referring now in particular to
FIGS. 3 and 5, the passageway includes a first, larger diameter
opening 52 of a first, limited depth and a second, smaller diameter
opening 54 which extends to a depth sufficient to at least
partially intersect the rear transverse opening 46, offset from the
center thereof. A wire spring 56 is inserted into the openings 52,
54 and is positioned to engage the groove 50 of the cross pin 48
when it is inserted into the rear transverse opening 46. The
smaller diameter opening 54 is sized to closely fit the wire spring
56, holding it in place by friction. The larger diameter opening 52
allows access to an end of the wire spring 56 for removal without
having any part of the wire spring 56 protrude beyond the profile
of the trigger guard 20.
[0023] Installation of the trigger guard 20 may be accomplished
without risking damage to the rear mounting tabs 18 of the lower
receiver 10. The trigger guard 20 is positioned so that the rear
transverse opening 46 is in alignment with the rear tab openings
19. Then the cross pin 48 is inserted through the openings 19, 46
without hammering and without the potentially adverse consequences
of forcing an oversized roll pin through the openings 19, 46. The
only significant resistance to insertion of the cross pin 48 is as
the wire spring 56 is slightly deflected until the cross pin 48
reaches the fully installed position and the wire spring 56 comes
to rest in engagement with the annular groove 50. The cross pin 48
can then be removed, if necessary, simply by pushing it out with
any object sized to fit within the openings 19, 46. No special
tool, such as a hardened pin punch, is required, since no hammering
or other impact is necessary.
[0024] If desired, buffers 58 made of an elastomeric material, such
as nitrile rubber or Buna-N, can be situated at upper surfaces of
the forward and rear ward ends 32, 44 of the trigger guard 20. For
example, the buffers 58 may be configured to be at least partially
received into openings 60 for secure mounting. The buffers 58 are
positioned to bear against lower surfaces 62, 64 on the receiver 10
when the trigger guard 20 is installed. Because the cross pin 48
provides a "looser" fit than a roll pin 30, the trigger guard 20
may be allowed some minimal, but undesired, movement. Use of the
buffers 58 provides minimal, but adequate, compression force to
eliminate any such movement.
[0025] The trigger guard 20 of the present invention can be made in
any desired functional or ornamental variation. As shown in FIGS.
2, 3 and 6, the illustrated embodiment is provided with an outward
(downward) curve to enlarge the trigger area 14 and accommodate a
gloved trigger finger. As also shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 8, the width
of the trigger guard 20 between the forward and rearward ends 32,
44 can be widened to substantially match the overall width and
contour of the forward and rear mounting tabs 16, 18.
[0026] While an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has
been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications
and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the
true spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing is
considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention
and, since modifications and changes will be apparent to those
skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit the invention to
the exact construction and operation shown and described.
Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be
resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *