U.S. patent application number 15/679009 was filed with the patent office on 2017-12-28 for rotational safety device for firearm.
The applicant listed for this patent is S2 LLC. Invention is credited to Jason Jennings, Andrew Locher.
Application Number | 20170370668 15/679009 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60675308 |
Filed Date | 2017-12-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170370668 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Locher; Andrew ; et
al. |
December 28, 2017 |
ROTATIONAL SAFETY DEVICE FOR FIREARM
Abstract
A rotational safety device for a firearm is provided that
replaces a traditional cross bar safety device and is installed
within a trigger mechanism to rotate about an axis. The safety
device may include a recessed portion that may be rotationally
positioned to face a trigger to allow the trigger to be completely
depressed. The safety device also includes one or more locking
positions in a range of rotation to be engaged by a guide pin.
Inventors: |
Locher; Andrew; (Henderson,
NV) ; Jennings; Jason; (Henderson, NV) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
S2 LLC |
Henderson |
NV |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
60675308 |
Appl. No.: |
15/679009 |
Filed: |
August 16, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15194507 |
Jun 27, 2016 |
9777978 |
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15679009 |
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14153072 |
Jan 12, 2014 |
9377260 |
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15194507 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 17/46 20130101;
F41A 17/52 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 17/46 20060101
F41A017/46 |
Claims
1. A firearm safety apparatus comprising: a cylindrical safety
member, the cylindrical safety is adapted to rotate between at
least a first position and a second position within a hole disposed
in a trigger housing of a firearm and includes a notched region, an
unnotched region, and a plurality of positioning apertures
positioned in a bore in the unnotched region, wherein the notched
region is adapted to receive a rear portion of a trigger of the
firearm with respect to a firing direction of the firearm when the
first cylindrical portion is in the first position and the notched
region is adapted to not receive the rear portion of the trigger
when the first cylindrical portion is in the second position,
wherein the unnotched region is adapted to face and abuttedly
engage the rear portion of the trigger when the first cylindrical
portion is in the second position and the unnotched region is
adapted to not face the rear portion of the trigger when the first
cylindrical portion is in the first position, and wherein the
positioning apertures are each adapted to successively engage a
guide pin of the trigger housing of the firearm when the first
cylindrical portion is rotated within the hole between the first
position and the second position.
2. The firearm safety apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a
lever coupled to the cylindrical safety member of the rotational
replacement trigger safety.
3. The firearm safety apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bore
comprises a guide wall adapted to maintain the guide pin in
alignment with the positioning apertures.
4. The firearm safety apparatus of claim 3, wherein one or more of
the positioning apertures has a slanted sidewall.
5. The firearm safety apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first
positioning aperture of the one or more of the positioning
apertures abuttedly engages the guide pin when the first
cylindrical safety member is in the first position.
6. The firearm safety apparatus of claim 5, wherein a second
positioning aperture of the one or more of the positioning
apertures abuttedly engages the guide pin when the cylindrical
safety member is in the second position.
7. The firearm safety apparatus of claim 4, wherein the guide pin
has a slanted nose portion and a cylindrical portion for engaging
the guide wall of the bore.
8. The firearm safety apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide pin
has a spring engagement portion for receipt for an end of a
spring.
9. The firearm safety apparatus of claim 8, wherein the spring
engagement portion is a post.
10. The firearm safety apparatus of claim 8, wherein the spring
engagement portion is a cylindrical portion having a bore.
11. A firearm safety apparatus, the safety apparatus comprising: a
rotational replacement trigger safety adapted to replace a safety
of a firearm, the rotational replacement trigger safety having a
safety member, the safety member comprising a cylindrical member
adapted to rotate between at least a first position and a second
position within a hole disposed in a trigger housing of the
firearm, wherein the cylindrical member includes a notched region,
an unnotched region, and a plurality of positioning apertures,
wherein the notched region is adapted to receive a rear portion of
a trigger of the firearm with respect to a firing direction of the
firearm when the cylindrical member is in the first position and
the notched region is adapted to not receive the rear portion of
the trigger when the cylindrical member is in the second position,
wherein the unnotched region is adapted to face and abuttedly
engage the rear portion of the trigger when the cylindrical member
is in the second position and the unnotched region is adapted to
not face the rear portion of the trigger when the cylindrical
member is in the first position, wherein the positioning apertures
are adapted to successively engage a guide pin of the trigger
housing of the firearm when the cylindrical member is rotated
within the hole, and wherein the cylindrical member has a bore with
a guide wall that engages the guide pin to maintain the guide pin
in the positioning apertures positioned in a base of the bore.
12. The firearm safety apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a
lever coupled to the cylindrical member of the rotational
replacement trigger safety.
13. The firearm safety apparatus of claim 11, wherein one or more
of the positioning apertures has a slanted sidewall.
14. The firearm safety apparatus of claim 13, wherein a groove is
positioned in the base of the bore between the positioning
apertures.
15. The firearm safety apparatus of claim 11, wherein a first
positioning aperture of the one or more of the positioning
apertures abuttedly engages the guide pin when the cylindrical
member is in the first position.
16. The firearm safety apparatus of claim 15, wherein a second
positioning aperture of the one or more of the positioning
apertures abuttedly engages the guide pin when the cylindrical
member is in the second position.
17. The firearm safety apparatus of claim 16 wherein the guide pin
has a slanted nose portion and a cylindrical portion for engaging
the guide wall of the bore.
18. The firearm safety apparatus of claim 11 wherein the guide pin
has a spring engagement portion for receipt for an end of a
spring.
19. The firearm safety apparatus of claim 18, wherein the spring
engagement portion is a post.
20. The firearm safety apparatus of claim 18, wherein the spring
engagement portion is a cylindrical portion having a bore.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 15/194,507, filed Jun. 27, 2016, which
claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/153,072,
filed Jan. 12, 2014, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,377,260, the
entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Firearms such as rifles, pistols and shotguns have included
a safety mechanism to prevent unintended firing of the firearm.
Typically, a safety is implemented as a crossbar that may be pushed
horizontally in one direction to allow the firearm to be fired and
in the opposite horizontal direction to prevent the firearm from
being fired.
[0003] Though crossbar safeties are reasonably effective, they have
disadvantages. A crossbar safety can be difficult to engage while
aiming a firearm at a target. The crossbar safety is typically
engaged with a user's pointer finger in a curled position.
Depressing crossbar safeties in one direction or the other
typically moves the firearm itself off a target. Additionally, it
is difficult to determine the state of a crossbar safety by looking
at the firearm when the firearm is pointed at a target, and can be
a safety concern due to the position of the pointer finger. A
crossbar safety is usually small and not visible when a firearm is
being aimed at a target.
[0004] What is needed is an improved safety for a firearm.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present technology provides a rotational safety device
for a firearm that replaces a traditional cross bar safety device.
The safety device is easier to operate and easier for a firearm
user to assess whether the firearm can be fired than previous
safety systems. The safety device of the present technology
involves setting a safety to "fire" or to a no fire or "safety on"
position by causing a safety member installed within a trigger
mechanism to rotate about an axis. In some instances, a lever or
other means may be used to rotate a safety member. The safety
device may include a recessed portion that may be rotationally
positioned to face a trigger to allow the trigger to be completely
depressed. The safety device may also include one or more locking
positions in a range of rotation, limits on the range of rotation
such as pins that engage surfaces of a firearm, and may be used
with a variety of levers or other devices to provide rotation.
[0006] In some embodiments, a safety member for providing a
rotational safety for a firearm may include a cylindrical portion,
a recessed portion and a connection portion. The recessed portion
may exist within the cylindrical portion. The connection portion
may also exist within the cylindrical portion and may be used to
couple the cylindrical portion to an external member that provides
rotation. The rotational safety device may be installable in a
trigger mechanism of a firearm and configured to rotate within the
trigger mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a safety system and a trigger
mechanism.
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates an end view (bottom left of FIG. 2), top
view (top left of FIG. 2) and side view (bottom right of FIG. 2) of
a safety member 130.
[0009] FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a safety member.
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a safety member in a first rotational
position within a trigger mechanism.
[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates a safety member in a second rotational
position within a trigger mechanism.
[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates a firearm having a rotational safety
device with a first lever.
[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates a user of a firearm using the rotational
safety device of FIG. 6.
[0014] FIG. 8 illustrates a firearm having a rotational safety
device with a second lever.
[0015] FIG. 9 illustrates a user of a firearm using the rotational
safety device of FIG. 8.
[0016] FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative guide pin.
[0017] FIG. 11 illustrates another alternative guide pin.
[0018] FIG. 12 illustrates a safety member for use with the guide
pin of FIGS. 10 and 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The present technology provides a rotational safety device
for a firearm that replaces a traditional cross bar safety device.
The safety device is easier to operate and assess whether the
firearm can be fired than previous safety systems. The safety
device of the present technology involves setting a safety to
"fire" or to a no fire or "safety on" position by causing a safety
member installed within a trigger mechanism to rotate. In some
instances, a lever or other means may be used to rotate a safety
member.
[0020] The safety device may include a recessed portion that may be
rotationally positioned to face a trigger to allow the trigger to
be completely depressed. The safety device may also include one or
more locking positions in a range of rotation, limits on the range
of rotation such as pins that engage surfaces of a firearm, and may
be used with a variety of levers or other devices to provide
rotation.
[0021] When a lever is used, the lever may extend from the trigger
frame up along a side of the firearm and may be engaged by a thumb
or finger of the firearm user. The lever may be moved in such a
manner as to rotate a trigger member that provides the safety
setting. Hence, when the lever is moved to a first position, the
safety member rotates to a position that sets the safety device in
a "safety on" state. When the lever is moved to a second position,
the safety member is rotated out of the safety on state and into a
"fire" state. The lever may be moved forward or backward to rotate
the safety member, which results in toggling between the safety
positions, with a thumb or quick swipe of one or more fingers
without removing a use's hand from the firearm. Manipulating a
lever that extends up a side of the firearm is much easier than
pressing a traditional safety button using a single finger in a
bent position, which often requires removing the trigger finger
from the trigger.
[0022] The safety device mechanism may also provide a much easier
way to determine whether a firearm safety is turned on or off. For
a traditional safety pin, a user of a firearm must look at the pin
housed inside a trigger frame to determine if a portion of the pin,
usually with red coloring to it, is extending from the trigger
frame in a particular direction. Hence, a user must view a small
part of the trigger area of previous firearms at a particular angle
to look for the pin. The present trigger mechanism includes a lever
that can be seen from multiple angles, and even while aiming the
firearm at a target. As such, a user of the firearm may quickly
determine whether the safety is on without removing the gun from a
target, but rather while maintaining the gun aimed at a particular
target.
[0023] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a safety system and a trigger
mechanism. Safety system includes first screw 110, lever 120,
safety member 130, and second screw 140. Trigger mechanism includes
trigger 180, trigger pin 190, and trigger housing 150. The safety
system and a trigger mechanism may be used in a firearm such as a
rifle, shotgun, pistol, or other firearm. The details of a
particular firearm, such as a barrel, sight, and other parts, are
not shown in FIG. 1 for purposes of simplicity.
[0024] First screw 110 is used to attach lever 120 to safety member
130. Second screw 140 is used to secure safety member 130 to
trigger housing 150. The screws may each attach to a connection
portion of the safety member. A connection mechanism may include
threads for receiving the screw or other mechanisms configured to
attaching the safety member to another part. Though screws are used
to assemble the safety system and couple it to the trigger housing,
other devices and parts may be used to achieve this purposes.
[0025] A guide pin 170 may be installed into trigger housing 150.
The guide pin is coupled to a spring 160 which provides a force on
guide pin 170 towards the safety member 130. The safety member 130
includes positioning apertures (see FIG. 2-3) to receive the guide
pin when the safety member is positioned at a "fire" position and
when at a "safety on" position. The guide pin 170 may engage the
positioning apertures when the safety member 130 is at the "fire",
"safety on" position, or other positions.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates an end view (bottom left of FIG. 2), top
view (top left of FIG. 2) and side view (bottom right of FIG. 2) of
a safety member 130. FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a safety
member. Safety member 130 may include a recessed portion (or notch)
210, a guide 220, positioning apertures 250, and position pins 230
and 240. As shown in the end view, portions of safety member 130
may be cylindrical in shape. Some portions may be cylindrical but
have a different radius at other portions. For example, the portion
that includes recessed portion 210 may have smaller radius than the
portion that includes position pins 230 and 240. Having multiple
radius lengths may help maintain the safety member 130 in position
when installed within a trigger mechanism.
[0027] The recessed portion may enable the trigger to be pulled far
enough to fire the firearm. When safety member 130 is rotated into
a position associated with the safety being "on", the recessed
portion may not be facing the trigger. In this position, the
recessed portion 210 may be facing up, down, or otherwise away from
the trigger, and a depressed trigger will engage an outer surface
of safety member 130 other than recessed portion 210. The outer
surface of safety member 130 other than the recessed portion
prevents a trigger from being depressed enough to fire the firearm.
When safety member 130 is rotated into a position associated with
the safety being "off", the recessed portion 210 faces the trigger
which allows the trigger to be depressed enough to fire the
firearm. In particular, the trigger may be depressed into the
recessed portion when the safety member 130 is rotationally
positioned such that the recessed portion faces the trigger.
[0028] As mentioned with respect to FIG. 1, the positioning
apertures 250 may be engaged by guide pin 170. As the safety member
130 is rotated between a safety "on" position and safety "off"
position, the guide pin 170 may engage the positioning apertures
250 by extending into an aperture as it aligns with pin 170. A
safety member 130 may include one or more positioning apertures
250. Each aperture may include cone or otherwise slanted
sidewall.
[0029] The cone or slanted side wall may make it easier for the
positioning pin to "click" into place inside the aperture but still
allow the guide pin 170 to disengage from the aperture when the
safety position is changed by a user.
[0030] Safety member 130 may include a positioning aperture
wherever a lockable position is desired. For example, safety member
130 may include a positioning aperture at a rotational position
where the safety is completely on and a rotational position where
the safety would be completely off. Guide 220 may guide the guide
pin 170 and/or keep the positioning pin in place and aligned with
the positioning apertures as the safety member 130 is rotated.
[0031] Position pins 230 and 240 may be used to stop rotational
movement of the safety member 130 by engaging a surface of a
trigger mechanism, firearm surface, or other object. In some
embodiments of the present technology, there may be a first
position pin to stop rotation of safety member 130 in one direction
and a second position pin to stop rotation of safety member 130 in
a second direction.
[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a safety member in a first rotational
position within a trigger mechanism. In FIG. 4, the safety member
130 is installed into a trigger mechanism and position pin 230 is
engaged with a surface of the trigger mechanism. When in this
position, the safety member 130 may not be rotated any further in a
clockwise position.
[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates a safety member in a second rotational
position within a trigger mechanism. The safety member 130 in FIG.
5 is rotationally positioned such that position pin 230 is engaged
with a surface of the trigger mechanism. When in this position, the
safety member 130 may not be rotated any further in a
counter-counter-clockwise position.
[0034] In operation, a user of a firearm that includes the safety
system and a trigger mechanism would move lever 120 forward or
backward along the length of the firearm. FIG. 6 illustrates a
firearm having a rotational safety device with a first lever. The
lever 120 is attached to an end of the safety member (not shown)
and extends towards the top surface of the firearm. FIG. 7
illustrates a user of a firearm using the rotational safety device
of FIG. 6. As shown, the user is handling the firearm with the
user's hand over the top of the firearm, and in particular with the
user's thumb over the top of the firearm. As such, the lever is
accessible to the user's finger for rotationally setting the safety
on and off by moving the lever forward or backward.
[0035] FIG. 8 illustrates a firearm having a rotational safety
device with a second lever. The lever 120 of FIG. 8 is attached to
an end of the safety member (not shown) and extends upwards towards
the top surface of the firearm, but does not reach the top of the
firearm. FIG. 9 illustrates a user of a firearm using the
rotational safety device of FIG. 8. As shown, the user is handling
the firearm with the user's hand underneath the firearm. The lever
of FIG. 9 is positioned to allow a user's thumb to engage the lever
to move it forward or backward, thereby rotating the safety
member.
[0036] FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative guide pin 300 having a
spring mount portion 302 which extends into the interior of spring
160 for engagement of the spring. The spring mount portion is sized
to provide a friction fit with the spring to provide a positive
lock between the spring mount portion and the spring. The spring
mount portion 302 can have a chamfered leading edge 304 to assist
in guiding the spring mount portion into the spring. The length of
the spring mount portion and the diameter thereof can vary
depending upon the particular application. Alternatively no
chamfered leading edge can be provided.
[0037] FIG. 11 illustrates another alternative guide pin 310
wherein the spring mount portion 312 is sized to include a bore 314
for receipt of the spring 160. In this embodiment, the bore 314 is
sized to provide a friction fit with the outside diameter of the
spring coils to provide locking engagement with the spring.
Alternatively, the bore can be slightly oversized so that no
friction fit is provided. Guide pins 300, 310 also include a
trigger plate contact surface portion 306, 316 respectively,
slightly smaller in diameter than the trigger plate safety
mechanism spring hole 330 shown in FIG. 1. Trigger plate contact
surface portion 306 can have a chamfered leading edge 308 so that
the guide pin 300 slides smoothly within the trigger plate safety
mechanism spring hole 330. The length of trigger plate contact
surface portion can vary depending upon the particular application
as well as the angle to the leading chamfered end.
[0038] Guide pins 300 and 310 include safety member contact
portions 303 and 318, respectively. Safety member contact portions
include a cylindrical portion 305, 320, a tapered portion 307, 322
and a nose portion 309, 324. Safety member contact portions 303,
318 engage safety member 340 shown in FIG. 12 by extending into
bore 342 such that portion 305, 320 engage sidewall 344 and tapered
portion 307, 322 can toggle between two cone shaped recesses 346,
348 to move the safety device between the safety on and safety off
position. A round over 350 is positioned between cone shaped
recesses 346, 348 to allow nose 309, 324 to make a smooth
transition between recesses 346, 348. When positioned in either of
recesses 346, 348 nose 309, 324 would be positioned in the center
of the recess. Tapered portions 307, 322 can have the same angle as
the taper for recesses 346, 348. Interior wall 344 engages
cylindrical portions 305, 320 to prevent rotation away from
recesses 346, 348. The sizes and shapes of the various components
can be varied depending on the particular application.
[0039] The present technology is described above with reference to
exemplary embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that various modifications may be made and other embodiments
can be used without departing from the broader scope of the present
technology. For example, the present technology may be implemented
for right handed users and left handed users. Therefore, these and
other variations upon the exemplary embodiments are intended to be
covered by the present technology.
* * * * *