U.S. patent application number 15/800776 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-24 for firearm fire selector control device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Eric A. Babski, Stephen P. Troy. Invention is credited to Eric A. Babski, Stephen P. Troy.
Application Number | 20180142979 15/800776 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62146915 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180142979 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Troy; Stephen P. ; et
al. |
May 24, 2018 |
FIREARM FIRE SELECTOR CONTROL DEVICE
Abstract
A fire control selector assembly in a firearm includes an upper
receiver, a lower receiver coupled to the upper receiver and having
a trigger group. A selector lever movable between at least two
positions is carried outside the lower receiver and includes a
fulcrum portion having an axis of rotation centrally located
therethrough and a grip portion having a longitudinal axis. The
grip portion extends from the fulcrum portion and is offset from
the axis of rotation so the longitudinal axis does not intersect
the axis of rotation of the fulcrum portion. A selector body is
carried inside the lower receiver coupled to the selector lever for
rotation therewith and for interaction with the trigger group.
Inventors: |
Troy; Stephen P.; (Lee,
MA) ; Babski; Eric A.; (West Springfield,
MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Troy; Stephen P.
Babski; Eric A. |
Lee
West Springfield |
MA
MA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62146915 |
Appl. No.: |
15/800776 |
Filed: |
November 1, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62419030 |
Nov 8, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 3/66 20130101; F41A
17/46 20130101; F41A 19/46 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 19/46 20060101
F41A019/46; F41A 17/46 20060101 F41A017/46 |
Claims
1. A fire control selector assembly for a firearm comprising:
selector lever movable between at least two positions, the selector
lever including: a fulcrum portion having an axis of rotation
centrally located therethrough and rotatable between the at least
two positions; and a grip portion having a longitudinal axis, the
grip portion extending from the fulcrum portion and offset from the
axis of rotation so the longitudinal axis does not intersect the
axis of rotation of the fulcrum portion; and a selector body
coupled to the selector lever for rotation therewith between the at
least two positions for interaction with a firing mechanism of a
firearm.
2. A fire control selector assembly for a firearm as claimed in
claim 1 wherein the grip portion terminates in an end directed
downwardly away from the longitudinal axis.
3. A fire control selector assembly in a firearm comprising: an
upper receiver; a lower receiver coupled to the upper receiver, the
lower receiver having a trigger group; a selector lever movable
between at least two positions, the selector lever carried outside
the lower receiver and including: a fulcrum portion having an axis
of rotation centrally located therethrough and rotatable between
the at least two positions; and a grip portion having a
longitudinal axis, the grip portion extending from the fulcrum
portion and offset from the axis of rotation so the longitudinal
axis does not intersect the axis of rotation of the fulcrum
portion; and a selector body carried inside the lower receiver, the
selector body coupled to the selector lever for rotation therewith
between the at least two positions for interaction with the trigger
group.
4. A fire control selector assembly in a firearm as claimed in
claim 3 wherein the grip portion terminates in an end directed
downwardly away from the longitudinal axis.
5. A fire control selector assembly in a firearm comprising: an
upper receiver; a lower receiver coupled to the upper receiver, the
lower receiver having a trigger group; a buttstock extending
rearwardly from the lower receiver, the buttstock includes
adjustment rails that extend forwardly alongside the lower
receiver; a selector lever movable between at least two positions,
the selector lever carried outside the lower receiver adjacent the
adjustment rails and including: a fulcrum portion having an axis of
rotation centrally located therethrough and rotatable between the
at least two positions; and a grip portion having a longitudinal
axis, the grip portion extending from the fulcrum portion and
offset from the axis of rotation and away from the adjustment rails
so the longitudinal axis does not intersect the axis of rotation of
the fulcrum portion; and a selector body carried inside the lower
receiver, the selector body coupled to the selector lever for
rotation therewith between the at least two positions for
interaction with the trigger group.
6. A fire control selector assembly in a firearm as claimed in
claim 5 wherein the grip portion terminates in an end directed
downwardly away from the adjustment rails and away from the
longitudinal axis.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/419,030, filed 8 Nov. 2016.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to firearm control devices and more
specifically the present invention relates to a fire selector
control device for a firearm lower receiver.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In semi-automatic and automatic firearms such as the
AR15/M16 types, a fire control selector lever is employed to
interact with a firing mechanism, typically the trigger group, to
provide different firing modes. Selection between various modes,
such as safe, semi-automatic, burst, and fully automatic can be
provided for the operation of the firearm. In civilian firearms,
the selection is between safe and semi-automatic settings.
Typically, a selector lever is carried outside the lower receiver
and is coupled to a selector body carried within the lower
receiver. The selector lever includes a fulcrum portion and a grip
portion extending therefrom. The fulcrum portion has an axis of
rotation centrally located therethrough, while the grip portion
extends from the fulcrum portion and has a longitudinal axis which
intersects the axis of rotation. Thus, the grip portion is aligned
with and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the fulcrum
portion. To switch modes, the selector lever is rotated about the
axis of rotation, rotating the selector body which extends
longitudinally along this axis and interacts with the firing
mechanism.
[0004] While the conventional fire control selector lever has been
used for many years and is very effective, current firearms are
often modular and can support many and varied accessories and
non-standard parts. Some parts, which can be used to modify a
firearm, can interfere with the efficient manipulation and
operation of conventional selector lever. Additionally, the lever
can often be difficult to turn, requiring complete access to the
grip portion to allow application of the most force by an
individual operator.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved fire control selector lever.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a fire
control selector lever which has enhanced access and force
application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Briefly, to achieve the desired objects and advantages of
the instant invention, provided is a fire control selector assembly
for a firearm including a selector lever movable between at least
two positions and a grip portion. The selector lever includes a
fulcrum portion having an axis of rotation centrally located
therethrough and rotatable between the at least two positions. A
grip portion having a longitudinal axis, extends from the fulcrum
portion and is offset from the axis of rotation so the longitudinal
axis does not intersect the axis of rotation of the fulcrum
portion. A selector body is coupled to the selector lever for
rotation therewith between the at least two positions for
interaction with a firing mechanism of a firearm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The foregoing and more specific objects and advantages of
the instant invention will become readily apparent to those skilled
in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred
embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings, in
which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a partial left side perspective view of a prior
art firearm;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the fire control
selector disassembled from the lower receiver of the firearm of
FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a partial left side perspective view of a firearm
having a fire control selector according to the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the fire control selector
according to the present invention; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a top view of the fire control selector and
selector body according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] Turning now to the drawings in which like reference
characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several
views, attention is first directed to FIG. 1 which illustrate a
prior art AR15/M16 style firearm generally designated 10. Firearm
10 includes a lower receiver 12 and mating upper receiver 13. Upper
receiver 13 includes bolt, cartridge insertion and removal
mechanism and a firing pin as known in the art. A barrel 14 is
engaged in the front end of upper receiver 13 and a stock 15 is
affixed to the rear end of lower receiver 12 by some convenient
means, such as threading into a rear opening in lower receiver 12.
A trigger group of lower receiver 12 fits into a downwardly
directed opening in lower receiver 12 and is integrated with the
internal mechanism of upper receiver 13 and lower receiver 12 in a
well known manner. A pistol grip 16 is attached to lower receiver
12 in a well known manner. A magazine 18 is inserted into a
downwardly directed opening in lower receiver 12 for inserting
cartridges into the mechanism within upper receiver 13 in a well
known manner. A handguard assembly 20 is affixed to the front end
of upper receiver 13 and surrounds and protects a portion of barrel
14. A conventional fire control selector lever 22 is coupled to a
selector body 24 carried within lower receiver 12. As is well known
in the art, fire control selector lever 22 is employed to select
between various firing modes through the interaction of the
selector body with the trigger group. The setting can include modes
such as safe, semi-automatic, burst, and fully automatic for the
operation of the firearm. In civilian firearms, the selection is
between safe and semi-automatic settings.
[0015] Referring additionally to FIG. 2, a fire control selector
assembly including a fire control selector lever 22 and selector
body 24 can be seen in more detail. Fire control selector lever 22
and selector body 24 form a two or more position selector switch
that is designed to change the operation of firearm 10.
Essentially, a firing mechanism (not visible) carried by the lower
receiver is changeable between a plurality of selected firing modes
of operation by the selector body 24. Selector body 24 engages the
firing mechanism in a well known manner and will not be elaborated
upon in this disclosure. The operations or positions include: a
`safe` mode; a semi-automatic mode; a burst mode; and a fully
automatic mode. As will be understood by one skilled in the art,
the modes available will depend on the type of firearm employed,
such as for military use or civilian use. Selector lever 22
includes a fulcrum portion 25 having an axis of rotation 27
centrally located therethrough. Lever 22 further includes a grip
portion 28 extending from fulcrum portion 25. Grip portion 28
includes a longitudinal axis 29 intersecting the axis of rotation
27. Thus, grip portion 28 is aligned with and perpendicular to axis
of rotation 25. To switch modes, lever 22 is rotated about axis of
rotation 25. Selector body 24 extends longitudinally along this
axis and rotated with the rotation of lever 22 to provide
engagement with the firing mechanism.
[0016] Referring now to FIG. 3, an AR15/M16 style firearm 30 is
illustrated. Firearm 30 includes an upper receiver 32, a lower
receiver 34 and a butt stock 35 that includes adjustment rails 36
that can extend forwardly alongside lower receiver 34. A fire
control selector lever 42 is coupled to a selector body 44 carried
within lower receiver 34. As is well known in the art, fire control
selector lever 42 is employed to select between various settings
such as safe, semi-automatic, burst, and fully automatic for the
operation of the firearm. In civilian firearms, the selection is
between safe and semi-automatic settings. Fire selector lever 42,
in accordance with the present invention, is carried by lower
receiver 34 in the conventional position, which is adjacent rail
36. As can be seen in FIG. 1, an AR15/M16 style firearm 10 with a
conventional buttstock 15 has no obstructions proximate lower
receiver 12 which could impact access to and the operation of
selector lever 22. However, as seen in FIG. 3, the presence of
rails 36 limits the space between selector lever 42 and rails 36.
The proximity of rails 36 can interfere with the use of a
conventional selector lever, lever 42 overcomes these problems.
[0017] With additional reference to FIG. 4, selector lever 42
includes a fulcrum portion 45 having an axis of rotation 47
centrally located therethrough. Lever 42 further includes a grip
portion 48 extending from fulcrum portion 45. Grip portion 48
includes a longitudinal axis 49 which is offset and does not
intersect axis of rotation 47. This offset accomplishes numerous
objectives, including reducing the force required to rotate lever
42 and thus rotate selector body 44 by increasing the effective
lever arm, and the offset downwardly, away from upper receiver 32
provides additional space between lever 42 and rails 36 to
facilitate access. Additionally, grip portion 48 extends from
fulcrum portion 45 and terminates in an end 50, directed downwardly
at an angle. This provides additional space from rails 36 to
enhance access thereto.
[0018] It will be understood that while lever 42 is shown on the
left side of firearm 30, lever 42 can be positioned on the left
side or the right side or both sides for ambidextrous use. The
ability of a lever to be present and used on both sides of the
firearm, either individually or together, is described in U.S. Pat.
No. 8,549,982, issued 8 Oct. 2013, incorporated herein by
reference.
[0019] Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein
chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those
skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and
variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are
intended to be included within the scope thereof, which is assessed
only by a fair interpretation of the following claims.
[0020] Having fully described the invention in such clear and
concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand
and practice the same, the invention claimed is:
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