U.S. patent application number 15/293893 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-19 for adjustable position safety selector.
This patent application is currently assigned to ILWT LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is ILWT LLC. Invention is credited to Erik NOLAN, Robert John OTTE, JR..
Application Number | 20170299304 15/293893 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60040024 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170299304 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OTTE, JR.; Robert John ; et
al. |
October 19, 2017 |
ADJUSTABLE POSITION SAFETY SELECTOR
Abstract
A safety selector having a rotatable lock member transitionable
between a first position and a second position. In the first
position, at least a portion of the lock member is configured to
inhibit movement of at least a portion of a firing mechanism of a
firearm. A first lever member coupled with a first end of the lock
member and a second lever member coupled with the first end and
engageable with an outer surface of the first lever member.
Inventors: |
OTTE, JR.; Robert John;
(O'Fallon, MO) ; NOLAN; Erik; (O'Fallon,
MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ILWT LLC |
O'Fallon |
MO |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
ILWT LLC
O'Fallon
MO
|
Family ID: |
60040024 |
Appl. No.: |
15/293893 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62317784 |
Apr 4, 2016 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 19/46 20130101;
F41A 17/74 20130101; F41A 17/46 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 17/46 20060101
F41A017/46; F41A 17/74 20060101 F41A017/74 |
Claims
1. A safety selector comprising: a rotatable lock member
transitionable between a first position and a second position,
wherein in the first position at least a portion of the lock member
is configured to inhibit movement of at least a portion of a firing
mechanism of a firearm; a first lever member coupled with a first
end of the lock member; and a second lever member coupled with the
first end and engageable with an outer surface of the first lever
member.
2. The safety selector of claim 1, wherein the first lever member
and the second lever member are couplable with the first end of the
rotatable lock member in a plurality of positions.
3. The safety selector of claim 1, wherein one of the first lever
member and the second lever member has a protrusion extending
therefrom and the other of the first lever member and the second
lever member has at least one correspondingly shaped groove
configured to receive the protrusion.
4. The safety selector of claim 3, wherein the at least one
correspondingly shaped groove is a plurality of correspondingly
shaped grooves.
5. The safety selector of claim 3, wherein the first lever member
has a protrusion extending from the outer surface and the second
lever member has a plurality of corresponding shaped grooves on an
inner surface, thereby forming an abutting engagement when the
protrusion is received in one of the plurality of corresponding
shaped grooves.
6. The safety selector of claim 1, wherein the first lever member
has an aperture formed therein to receiver at least a portion of
the first end and the first lever has a threaded bore extending
into the aperture, the threaded bore receiving a correspondingly
threaded fastener configured to engage the first end, thereby
securing the first lever member to the first end.
7. The safety selector of claim 6, wherein the correspondingly
threaded fastener has an engagement end having a conical shape
configured to abut the first end, and a tool end configured to
receive a tool to transition the fastener within the threaded
groove.
8. The safety selector of claim 7, wherein the tool end is a hex
key groove.
9. The safety selector of claim 1, further comprising a third lever
member coupled with a second end of the lock member, the second end
disposed opposite the first end on the rotatable lock member.
10. The safety selector of claim 9, wherein one of the second end
and the third lever member has a protrusion extending therefrom and
the other of the second end and the third lever member has at least
one correspondingly shaped groove configured to receive the
protrusion.
11. The safety selector of claim 10, wherein the at least one
correspondingly shaped groove is a plurality of correspondingly
shaped grooves.
12. The safety selector claim 11, wherein the second end has a
protrusion extending therefrom and the third lever member has a
plurality of corresponding shaped grooves on an inner surface,
thereby forming an abutting engagement when the protrusion is
received in one of the plurality of corresponding shaped
grooves.
13. The safety selector of claim 9, wherein the third lever member
is couplable with the second end in a plurality of positions.
14. The safety selector of claim 9, wherein the third lever member
is coupled with the second end at least in part by a threaded
fastener.
15. A safety selector comprising: a rotatable lock member having
two opposing ends, a first end and a second end; an inner lever
member coupled with the first end; a first outer lever member
coupled with the first end, the first outer lever member engageable
with an outer surface of the inner lever member; a second outer
lever member coupled with the second end; wherein the inner lever
member, the first outer lever member, and the second outer lever
member are couplable with the rotatable lock member in a plurality
of positions; wherein the rotatable lock member is transitionable
between at least a first position and a second position, in the
first position the projection is configured to block movement of at
least a portion of a firing mechanism of a firearm.
16. The safety selector of claim 15, wherein one of the inner lever
member and the first outer lever member have a protrusion extending
therefrom and the other of the inner member and the first outer
lever member has at least one correspondingly shaped groove
configured to receive the protrusion.
17. The safety selector of claim 16, wherein the at least one
correspondingly shaped groove is a plurality of correspondingly
shaped grooves.
18. The safety selector of claim 16, wherein the inner lever member
has a protrusion extending from the outer surface and the first
outer lever member has a plurality of corresponding shaped grooves
on an inner surface, thereby forming an abutting engagement when
the protrusion is received in one of the plurality of corresponding
shaped grooves.
19. The safety selector of claim 15, wherein the inner lever member
has an aperture formed therein to receiver at least a portion of
the first end and the inner lever has a threaded bore extending
into the aperture, the threaded bore receiving a correspondingly
threaded fastener configured to engage the first end, thereby
securing the inner lever member to the first end.
20. The safety selector of claim 19, wherein the correspondingly
threaded fastener has an engagement end having a conical shape
configured to abut the first end, and a tool end configured to
receive a tool to transition the fastener within the threaded
groove.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/317,784, filed Apr. 4, 2016, the contents of
which are entirely incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to firearm safety
selector switches. In particular, the subject matter herein
generally relates to an adjustable safety selector switch.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Firearms often include a safety selector to selectively
inhibit operation of the firearm. Safety selectors engage a portion
of a firing mechanism, thereby preventing operation of the firing
mechanism, thereby preventing operation of the firearm. In some
firearm platforms, the safety selector can further be utilized to
transition the firearm from a safe position to either a
semi-automatic operating mode or a fully automatic operating mode.
Customizable safety selectors are available for a number of firearm
platforms, including the AR15/M16, that allow users to select the
desired length, size, and shape of the safety lever; however, these
customizable safety selectors are not adjustable to individual
preferences, and as such even with this customization many users
have to change grip position to manipulate the controls,
specifically between safe, semi-auto and full-auto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Implementations of the present technology will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached
figures, wherein:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a firearm lower
receiver having a safety selector in a first position;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a firearm lower
receiver having a safety selector in a second position;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a front isometric view of an adjustable position
safety selector according to a first embodiment as disclosed
herein;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a rear isometric view of an adjustable position
safety selector according to a first embodiment as disclosed
herein;
[0009] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of an adjustable position
safety selector according to a first embodiment as disclosed
herein;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a first disassembled view of an adjustable
position safety selector according to a first embodiment as
disclosed herein;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a second disassembled view of an adjustable
position safety selector according to a first embodiment as
disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric view of a first end of an
adjustable position safety selector according to a second
embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 9 is an exploded detailed view of a first end of an
adjustable position safety selector according to a second
embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0014] FIG. 10 is an exploded isometric view of a second end of an
adjustable position safety selector according to a second
embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0015] FIG. 11 is an exploded detailed view of a second end of an
adjustable position safety selector according to a second
embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0016] FIG. 12 is an exploded detailed view of a lever member and
an indicator ring couplable with the second end of an adjustable
position safety selector according to a second embodiment as
disclosed herein;
[0017] FIG. 13 is an exploded isometric view of an adjustable
position safety selector according to a third embodiment as
disclosed herein; and
[0018] FIG. 14 is an exploded isometric view of an adjustable
position safety selector according to a fourth embodiment as
disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of
illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been
repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or
analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set
forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the
embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by
those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described
herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other
instances, methods, procedures and components have not been
described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant
feature being described. Also, the description is not to be
considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described
herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the
proportions of certain parts have been exaggerated to better
illustrate details and features of the present disclosure.
[0020] Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure
will now be presented. The term "coupled" is defined as connected,
whether directly or indirectly through intervening components, and
is not necessarily limited to physical connections. The connection
can be such that the objects are permanently connected or
releasably connected.
[0021] The present disclosure is directed to an adjustable position
safety selector switch for a firearm. The firearm can be any
firearm known in the art including, but not limited to, AR15/M16
firearms and air soft replicas. While the present disclosure is
shown and described with respect to an AR15/M16 safety selector, it
is within the scope of this disclosure to implement the adjustable
safety selector with any known firearm platform. The adjustable
position safety selector switch allows a user to adjust and/or
customize the positions to suit each user based on his/her
individual comfort as well as physical characteristics such as hand
size, thumb length, or the like. The adjustable position safety
selector switch can be adjusted in lever angle, position, length of
levers, style of lever, as well as position of an indicator
independent of lever angle/position.
[0022] The present disclosure is drawn to an adjustable safety
selector having a rotatable lock member transitionable between a
first position and a second position. In the first position at
least a portion of the lock member is configured to inhibit
movement of at least a portion of a firing mechanism of a firearm.
A first lever member can be coupled with a first end of the lock
member and a second lever member coupled with the first end and
engageable with an outer surface of the first lever member. The
first lever member and the second lever member can be coupled with
the first end of the lock member in a plurality of positions. The
rotatable lock member can have a longitudinal axis extending
through the first end, and the first and second lever members can
be independently rotatable about the longitudinal axis into the
plurality of positions.
[0023] Moreover, while the present disclosure generally refers to
an adjustable safety lever having two levers formed on one end or
an ambidextrous safety selector having two levers formed on one end
a third lever formed on the opposing end, it is within the scope of
this disclosure to implement the safety selector having a single
lever formed on one end, or a single lever formed on each of the
opposing ends.
[0024] The following provides a more detailed discussion of the
components herein.
[0025] FIGS. 1-2 illustrate an example lower receiver and trigger
assembly receiving an adjustable safety selector. The lower
receiver 10 can receive a trigger assembly 12 and a safety selector
14. The safety selector 14 can be a conventional safety selector or
an adjustable safety selector as disclosed herein.
[0026] The trigger assembly 12 can include a trigger 16, a hammer
18, and/or a disconnector (not shown). The safety selector 14 can
be received in the lower receiver 10 and prevent operation of the
trigger assembly by inhibiting movement of the trigger 16, hammer
18, and/or the disconnector. As described below in more detail, the
safety selector 14 can be rotatable between a first position and a
second position, the first position aligning the trigger assembly
12 with a solid portion disposed on the safety selector 14
inhibiting actuation of the trigger assembly 12 while the second
position can align the trigger assembly with a recess portion
disposed on the safety selector thereby allowing actuation of the
trigger assembly 12.
[0027] The safety selector 14 can have a lever 20 to allow a user
to rotate the safety selector 14 between the first and second
positions. The lever 20 can be sized and shaped to allow actuation
by a user's thumb and/or finger during handling of the firearm.
[0028] As can be appreciated in FIG. 1, the safety selector 14 is
in a first position, also known as a "safe" position. The trigger
assembly 12 is abuttingly engaged with the solid portion of the
safety selector 14, thereby inhibiting actuation of the trigger
assembly 12 and preventing firing of the firearm.
[0029] As can be appreciated in FIG. 2, there safety selector 14 is
in the second position, also known as a "fire" position. The
trigger assembly 12 is aligned with the recess portion of the
safety selector, thereby allowing actuation of the trigger assembly
12 and firing of the firearm.
[0030] While FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a first position "safe" and a
second position "fire" it is within the scope of this disclosure
for the safety selector 14 to be rotatable between additional
positions including, but not limited to, fully automatic mode,
semi-automatic mode, and/or burst mode. In some instances, the
safety selector 14 can have three positions, a safe position, a
semi-automatic position, and a fully automatic position.
[0031] Further, while FIGS. 1 and 2 are general drawn to an
M16/AR15 lower receiver, trigger assembly, and safety selector, it
is within the scope of this disclosure to implement an adjustable
safety selector as disclosed herein with any known firearm.
[0032] FIGS. 3-5 illustrate a first embodiment of an adjustable
safety selector. The adjustable safety selector 100 includes a
rotatable lock member 102 transitionable between a first position
and a second position. The rotatable lock member 102 can have two
opposing ends, a first end 104 and a second end 106 having a
longitudinal axis 150 extending along a length of lock member 102
between the first end 104 and the second end 106.
[0033] The adjustable safety selector 100 and related components
can be formed by machining, die casting, sand casting, milling,
injection molding, 3-D printing, or any other manufacturing process
known in the art. The adjustable safety selector can be formed from
metal, ceramics, plastics, polymers or other material having
suitable strength for use with a firearm.
[0034] A first lever 108 can be coupled with the first end 104 and
a second lever 110 can also be coupled with the first end 104 and
abuttingly engage with an outer surface 112 of the first lever 108.
The first lever 108 and the second lever 110 can receive a force
from a user thus imparting rotation on the rotatable lock member
102 and transitioning the rotatable lock member 102 between the
first position and the second position.
[0035] The rotatable lock member 102 can have a solid portion 114
configured to inhibit movement of a firing mechanism of a fire arm
when in the first position. The solid portion 114 can protrude into
the path of one or more movable members of the firing mechanism,
such as the trigger and/or hammer, thereby preventing operation of
the firing mechanism. The rotatable lock member 102 can have a
recess 116 configured to allow free movement of the firing
mechanism when in the second position. The recess portion 116 can
provide a clear path for the moveable members of the firing
mechanism allowing proper operation of the firing mechanism and the
firearm. The solid portion 114 and the recess portion 116 can be
disposed on opposing surfaces of the rotatable lock member 102. In
other instances, the solid portion 114 and the recess portion 116
can be disposed on adjacent sides of the longitudinal axis 150 of
the rotatable lock member 102.
[0036] The lock member 102 can have additional surfaces to engage
the firing mechanism to transition the weapon from a second
position, such as a semi-automatic firing mode, to a third
position, such as a fully automatic firing mode. The firing
mechanism can include a hammer, a trigger, and a disconnector
interface. Transition of the lock member 102 to the third position
can involve rotation about the longitudinal axis 150 past the
second position, such that transition of the lock member 102 from
the first position to the third position requires passing second
position.
[0037] As can be appreciated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the adjustable
safety selector can be an ambidextrous safety selector having a
lever coupling with each of the first end 104 and the second end
106. The first end 104 can have the first lever 108 and/or the
second lever 110 coupled thereto and the second end 106 can have a
third lever 118 coupled thereto.
[0038] The first lever 108 and the second lever 110 can be molded
so as to flushly receive one another, while providing an actuation
surface 120 capable of transitioning the rotatable lock member 102.
The actuation surfaces 120 of the first lever 108, second lever
110, and third lever 118 can vary in size, shape, or length
according to a user's preference.
[0039] As can further be appreciated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the
first lever 108 can have a set screw 120 received therein. The set
screw 120 can be configured to secure the first lever 108 to the
first end 104 and prevent rotation of the first lever 108 about the
longitudinal axis 150 relative to lock member 102.
[0040] While the illustrated embodiment shows and describes an
ambidextrous safety selector having two levers 108, 110 on a first
end 104 and a single lever 118 on the second end 106, it is within
the scope of this disclosure to include two levers on either of the
first end 104, the second end 106, or both.
[0041] FIGS. 6-7 illustrate a disassembled view of an adjustable
safety selector 100. The rotatable lock member 102 can have a
plurality of indentions 124 disposed around the first end 104. The
plurality of indentions 124 can be configured to receive the set
screw 120, thereby securing the first lever 108 to the first end
104 of the rotatable lock member 102. The first end 104 can have
any number of indentions 124, each indention corresponding to a
distinct position/orientation of the first lever 108 relative to
the lock member 102. The plurality of indentions 124 allows a user
to position the first lever 108 in a preferred orientation relative
to the lock member 102, and thus relative to the first position,
second position, and third position. In some instances, the first
lever 108 can extend toward the rear of the firearm in the first
position. In other instances, the first lever can extend toward the
front, the top, or the bottom of the firearm in the first position
or angle therebetween.
[0042] As can be appreciated in FIG. 6, the first lever 108 can
have two protrusions 126 extending from an outer surface 128
thereof. The protrusions 126 can engage the second lever 110 to
prevent rotation of the first lever 108 relative to the second
lever 110. The first lever 108 can have any number of protrusions
126 extending therefrom to engage the second lever 110, and the
protrusions 126 can be of any shape including, but not limited to,
circular, square, triangular, hexagonal, or any other polygon.
[0043] As can be appreciated in FIG. 7, the second lever 110 can
have a plurality of apertures 128 formed on an inner surface 130
thereof. The plurality of apertures 128 can be correspondingly
shaped and configured to receiver the two protrusions 126 extending
from the outer surface 112 of the first lever 108. The second lever
110 can have any number of apertures 128 formed therein to provide
numerous coupling positions of the second lever 110 relative to the
first lever 108. A user can secure the first lever 108 to the lock
member 102 in the desired position/orientation and then position
the second lever 110 on the lock member 102 in the desired
orientation relative to the first lever 108. The second lever 110
and the plurality of apertures 128 formed therein can engage with
the protrusions 126 as the second lever engages an outer surface
112 of the first lever 108, thereby providing the adjustable safety
selector 100 with a first lever 108 and a second lever 110 in user
selected positions/orientations.
[0044] While the first lever 108 is showing having protrusions 126,
and the second lever 110 is shown having apertures 128, it is
within the scope of this disclosure to provide a first lever 108
having a plurality of apertures and a second lever 110 having one
or more protrusions.
[0045] As can further be appreciated in FIG. 7, the third lever 118
can have a mating surface 132 configured to mate with a
corresponding mature surface (not shown) on the second end 106. The
mating surface 132 can rotationally fix the third lever 118 to the
second end 106.
[0046] As can be appreciated in FIGS. 3-7, the first lever 108 and
the second lever 110 can be coupled to the first end 104 by a
fastener 134 and the third lever 118 can also be coupled to the
second end 106 by a fastener 134. Fasteners 134 can be threaded
fasteners engageable with the lock member 102. In other instances,
the fasteners 134 can be push fasteners, friction fasteners, or any
other known fastener in the art. The fasteners 134 can be
substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis 150 and engage
with the lock member 102 along the longitudinal axis 150, thereby
securing the first lever 108 and the second lever 110 with the
first end 104 and the third lever 118 with the second end 106.
[0047] The set screw 120 can have a pointed engagement end 138 to
secure the first lever 108 to the first end 104. The set screw 120
can further include a tool engagement end 140 disposed opposite the
engagement end 138. The tool engagement end 140 can receive a tool
to thread the set screw 120 through the first lever 108, thereby
engaging or disengaging the first lever 108 from the first end 104
of the lock member 102. The tool engagement end 140 can be
configured to receive various shaped engagement tools, including,
not limited to, hex-shaped tool, cross-point shaped tool, flat head
shaped tool, torx shaped tool, pentalobe shaped tool, or any other
shaped tool known in the art.
[0048] The lock member 102 can further include an indicator ring
146 disposed at the first end 104. The indicator ring 146 can
indicate the position of the lock member 102 when disposed within
the firearm. The indicator ring 146 can provide the user an
indication that the lock member 102 is in the first position, the
second position, or the third position. In some instances, the
indicator ring 146 can be integrally formed with lock member 102.
In other instances, the indicator ring 146 can be press fit,
welded, adhered, or otherwise coupled to the lock member 102. The
lock member 102 can further include a second indicator 148 disposed
at the second end 106. In other instances, the second indicator 148
can be similar to indicator ring 146 and be configured to couple
with the lock member 102 after the lock member 102 is received
within the firearm.
[0049] While FIGS. 1-7, refer to an adjustable safety selector 100
having a first lever 108 and a second lever 110 disposed on an end
of the lock member 102, it is within the scope of this disclosure
to implement a lock member 102 coupling with only a first lever
108. The first lever 108 can be coupled with the lock member 102 at
a plurality of positions providing an adjustable safety selector
100 as described above.
[0050] FIGS. 8-12 illustrate a second embodiment of a safety
selector. The safety selector 200 can include a rotatable lock
member 202 transitionable between a first position and a second
position. The rotatable lock member 202 can have two opposing ends,
a first end 204 and a second end 206 having a longitudinal axis 250
extending along a length of lock member 202 between the first end
204 and the second end 206.
[0051] A first lever 208 can be coupled with the first end 204 and
a second lever 210 can be coupled with the first end 104 and
abuttingly engage with an outer surface 212 of the first lever 208.
The first lever 208 and the second lever 210 can receive a force
from a user thus imparting rotation on the rotatable lock member
202 and transitioning the rotatable lock member 202 between the
first position and the second position.
[0052] Similar to the lock member 102 discussed above with respect
to FIGS. 3-7, the rotatable lock member 202 can have a solid
portion 214 configured to inhibit movement of a firing mechanism of
a fire arm when in the first position. The solid portion 214 can
protrude into the path of one or more movable members of the firing
mechanism, such as the trigger and/or hammer, thereby preventing
operation of the firing mechanism. The rotatable lock member 202
can have a recess 216 configured to allow free movement of the
firing mechanism when in the second position. The recess portion
216 can provide a clear path for the moveable members of the firing
mechanism allowing proper operation of the firing mechanism and the
firearm. The solid portion 214 and the recess portion 216 can be
disposed on opposing surfaces of the rotatable lock member 202. In
other instances, the solid portion 214 and the recess portion 216
can be disposed on adjacent sides of the longitudinal axis 250 of
the rotatable lock member 202.
[0053] The lock member 202 can have additional surfaces to engage
the firing mechanism to transition the weapon from a second
position, such as a semi-automatic firing mode, to a third
position, such as a fully automatic firing mode. The firing
mechanism can include a hammer, a trigger, and a disconnector
interface. Transition of the lock member 202 to the third position
can involve rotation about the longitudinal axis 250 past the
second position, such that transition of the lock member 202 from
the first position to the third position requires passing second
position.
[0054] As can be appreciated in FIG. 8, the lock member 202 is a
single sided (non-ambidextrous) lock member 202, operable only from
the first lever 208 and the second lever 210 coupled with the first
end 212. In some instances, the lock member 202 can be ambidextrous
and receive a third lever 218 coupled with the second end 206.
(Shown in FIG. 10).
[0055] The first lever 208 can have a protrusion 226 extending from
an outer surface 112 thereof. The protrusion 226 can engage the
second lever 210 to prevent rotation of the first lever 208
relative to the second lever 210. The first lever 208 can have any
number of protrusions 226 extending therefrom to engage the second
lever 210, and the protrusions 226 can be of any shape including,
but not limited to, circular, square, triangular, hexagonal, or any
other polygon.
[0056] The second lever 210 can have a plurality of apertures 228
formed on an inner surface 230 thereof The plurality of apertures
228 can be correspondingly shaped and configured to receiver the
two protrusions 226 extending from the outer surface 212 of the
first lever 208. The second lever 210 can have any number of
apertures 228 formed therein to provide numerous coupling positions
of the second lever 210 relative to the first lever 208. A user can
secure the first lever 208 to the lock member 202 in the desired
position/orientation and then position the second lever 210 on the
lock member 202 in the desired orientation relative to the first
lever 208. The second lever 210 and the plurality of apertures 228
formed therein can engage with the protrusions 226 as the second
lever engages an outer surface 212 of the first lever 208, thereby
providing the adjustable safety selector 200 with a first lever 208
and a second lever 210 in user selected positions/orientations.
[0057] While the first lever 208 is shown having protrusions 226,
and the second lever 210 is shown having apertures 228, it is
within the scope of this disclosure to provide a first lever 208
having a plurality of apertures and a second lever 210 having one
or more protrusions.
[0058] In some instances, the first lever 208 can have an aperture
236 formed therein and configured to receive at least a portion of
the first end 204. The aperture 236 and the first end 204 can form
a friction fit when coupled one to the other while allowing a user
to freely rotate the first lever 208 into a desired
position/orientation. The first lever 208 can have a set screw 220
disposed therein to engage the lock member 202 and fix the first
lever 208 relative to the lock member 202. The set screw 220 can be
threaded through at least a portion of the first lever 108 and
engage with the first end 204 of the lock member 202. The set screw
220 can be threaded to form a pressure engagement with the first
end 204. The set screw 220 can be threaded to extend into the
aperture 236, thereby engaging the first end 204. The set screw 220
can have a pointed engagement end 238 to secure the first lever 208
to the first end 204. The set screw 220 can further include a tool
engagement end 240 disposed opposite the engagement end 238. The
tool engagement end 240 can receive a tool to thread the set screw
220 through the first lever 208, thereby engaging or disengaging
the first lever 208 from the first end 204 of the lock member 202.
The tool engagement end 240 can be configured to receive various
shaped engagement tools, including, but not limited to, a
hex-shaped tool, cross-point shaped tool, flat head shaped tool,
torx shaped tool, pentalobe shaped tool, or any other shaped tool
known in the art.
[0059] As can be appreciated in FIG. 9, an inner surface 242 of the
second lever 210 can have an inset 244 to receive at least a
portion of the first end 204. The inset 244 can provide alignment
of the second lever 210 with the first end 204 until a fastener 234
securely couples the second lever 210 with the lock member 202. The
fastener 234 can be a threaded fastener engageable with the lock
member 202. In other instances, the fastener 234 can be a push
fastener, a friction fastener, or any other known fastener in the
art. The fastener 234 can be substantially aligned with the
longitudinal axis 250 and engage with the lock member 202 along the
longitudinal axis 250, thereby securing the first lever 208 and the
second lever 210 with the first end 204. In ambidextrous lock
member 202 arrangements, a second fastener 234 can implemented on
the second end 206 to couple the third lever 218 with the lock
member 202.
[0060] As can further be appreciated in FIG. 9, the lock member 202
can have an indicator ring 246 formed thereon. The indicator ring
246 can be integrally formed with the lock member 202. In other
instances, the indicator ring 246 can be press fit, frictionally
fit, adhered, or otherwise secured to the lock member 202. The
indicator ring 246 can provide a visual indication to a user the
position of the lock member 202 when received in a firearm.
[0061] As can be appreciated in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the lock
member 202 can receive a third lever 218 coupled with the second
end 206. The second end 206 can also receive a second indicator
ring 248, and the third lever 218 can engage with at least a
portion of the second indicator ring 248, thereby holding the third
lever 218 in a user's preferred position/orientation. The second
indictor ring 248 can have a notch 250 configured to be received in
a corresponding groove 252 formed on the second end 204 of the lock
member 202. The notch 250 and corresponding groove 252 can align
the second indicator ring 248 to the position of the lock member
202. The second indicator ring 248 can have one more mating
surfaces 254 disposed thereon and configured to couple with a
corresponding mating surface 256 disposed on the third lever
218.
[0062] As can be appreciated in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the third
lever 218 can have a plurality of corresponding mating surfaces 256
disposed thereon capable of coupling the third lever 218 in
multiple coupling positions/orientations relative to the lock
member 202. In some instances the mating surface 254 can be a
protrusion and the corresponding mating surface 256 can be an
aperture shaped to receive the protrusion, or the inverse thereof.
In other instances, the mating surface 256 and corresponding mating
surface 256 can be a tongue and groove arrangement, or any other
multi-position coupling arrangement.
[0063] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a third embodiment of an
adjustable safety selector. The adjustable safety selector 300 can
have a splined gear coupling arrangement capable of coupling a
first lever 308 and second lever 312 at a plurality of positions
relative to a lock member 302. The lock member 302 can have a first
end 304 and a second end 306. The first end 306 can have a
plurality of splines 314 disposed on an outer surface thereof The
first lever 308 and the second lever 310 can have correspondingly
splined surfaces 316 engageable with the splines 314, thereby
securing the first lever 308 and the second lever 310 in a specific
position/orientation relative to the lock member 302. Each of the
first lever 308 and the second lever 310 can be individually
positioned in a desired orientation relative to the lock member
302. Each spline 314 can represent a position/orientation for the
levers 306, 308 relative to the lock member 302. The lock member
302 can have any number of splines 314, with increased splines 314
providing increased positions/orientations.
[0064] The coupling arrangement can also be six-plus sided polygon
arrangement allowing incremental adjustability between the lever(s)
and the lock member. Polygons having additional sides allow
increased positional adjustability for coupling the one or more
levers to the lock member. The coupling arrangement can further be
serrations formed on the face of the lock member providing
incremental adjustability in coupling the lever(s) and the lock
member.
[0065] While FIGS. 13 and 14 are illustrated as a non-ambidextrous
safety selector, it is within the scope of this disclosure to
provide at least a third lever coupled with the second end 306 of
the lock member 302.
[0066] Numerous examples are provided herein to enhance
understanding of the present disclosure. A specific set of
statements are provided as follows.
[0067] The embodiments shown and described above are only examples.
Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present
technology have been set forth in the foregoing description,
together with details of the structure and function of the present
disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be
made in the detail, especially in matters of shape, size and
arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present
disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general
meaning of the terms used in the attached claims. It will therefore
be appreciated that the embodiments described above may be modified
within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *