U.S. patent application number 16/601037 was filed with the patent office on 2020-04-16 for safety selectors.
The applicant listed for this patent is Safe Operator Solutions LLC. Invention is credited to John Mark Cobb, Michael Zung.
Application Number | 20200116448 16/601037 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 70159354 |
Filed Date | 2020-04-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200116448 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zung; Michael ; et
al. |
April 16, 2020 |
SAFETY SELECTORS
Abstract
Embodiments of safety selectors are disclosed. A safety selector
can include a body configured to engage an internal safety
mechanisms of a firearm. The safety selector can further include a
first arm and a second arm that extend from the body. The first arm
and the second arm can be oriented such that a non-zero angle
exists between a first axis associated with the first arm and a
second axis associated with the second arm.
Inventors: |
Zung; Michael; (San Carlos,
CA) ; Cobb; John Mark; (Carrollton, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Safe Operator Solutions LLC |
Carrollton |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
70159354 |
Appl. No.: |
16/601037 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62746317 |
Oct 16, 2018 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 17/74 20130101;
F41A 19/46 20130101; F41A 17/00 20130101; F41A 17/02 20130101; F41A
17/46 20130101; F41A 35/06 20130101; F41A 17/56 20130101; F41A
19/12 20130101; F41A 19/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 17/46 20060101
F41A017/46; F41A 17/02 20060101 F41A017/02; F41A 19/10 20060101
F41A019/10; F41A 19/46 20060101 F41A019/46; F41A 19/12 20060101
F41A019/12; F41A 35/06 20060101 F41A035/06; F41A 17/56 20060101
F41A017/56; F41A 17/74 20060101 F41A017/74 |
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising: a safety selector body comprising a
first end and a second end, the safety selector body being
configured to engage an internal safety mechanism of a firearm,
wherein a longitudinal axis of the safety selector body extends
through the first end and the second end of the safety selector
body; a first arm extending from the first end of the safety
selector body, the first arm comprising a first proximal end and a
first distal end relative to the first end of the safety selector
body, wherein a first arm axis extends through the first proximal
end and the first distal end of the first arm, the first arm axis
being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the safety selector
body; and a second arm extending from the second end of the safety
selector body, the second arm comprising a second proximal end and
a second distal end relative to the second end of the safety
selector body, wherein a second arm axis extends through the second
proximal end and the second distal end of the second arm, the
second arm axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
safety selector body, the second arm being oriented relative to the
first arm such that a non-zero angle exists between the first arm
axis and the second arm axis.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first arm and the second
arm are equal in length.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first arm
or the second arm is separable from at least a portion of the
safety selector body.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first arm
or the second arm comprises an exterior surface that is not
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the safety selector
body.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first arm
or the second arm comprises a texturization.
6. An apparatus, comprising: a safety selector body configured to
engage an internal safety mechanism of a firearm; a first arm
extending from the safety selector body; and a second arm extending
from the safety selector body, the second arm being oriented
relative to the first arm such that a non-zero angle exists between
a first arm axis associated with the first arm and a second arm
axis associated with the second arm.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first arm and the second
arm are equal in length.
8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the non-zero angle is greater
than 15 degrees and less than 60 degrees.
9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the non-zero angle is greater
than 25 degrees and less than 60 degrees.
10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the non-zero angle is greater
than 35 degrees and less than 55 degrees.
11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the non-zero angle is greater
than 40 degrees and less than 50 degrees.
12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first arm axis is
perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the safety selector
body.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second arm axis is
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the safety selector
body.
14. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first arm comprises a
first arm exterior surface that is not perpendicular to a
longitudinal axis of the safety selector body.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second arm comprises a
second arm exterior surface that is not perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the safety selector body.
16. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first arm
or the second arm is separable from at least a portion of the
safety selector body.
17. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first arm
or the second arm comprises a texturized surface.
18. A method, comprising: moving a first arm of a safety selector
to cause a firearm to enter a fire state, the first arm of the
safety selector being located at a first external side of the
firearm; and moving a second arm of the safety selector to cause
the firearm to change from the fire state to a safe state, the
second arm being located at a second external side of the firearm,
the second arm being oriented relative to the first arm such that a
non-zero angle exists between a first arm axis associated with the
first arm and a second arm axis associated with the second arm.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first arm and the second
arm are equal in length.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first arm is perpendicular
to a safety selector body that extends between the first arm and
the second arm.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the second arm is perpendicular
to the safety selector body.
22. The method of claim 18, further comprising attaching at least
one of the first arm or the second arm of the safety selector to a
safety selector body, wherein at least a portion of the safety
selector body is internal to the firearm.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES
[0001] This application is a non-provisional application of, and
claims priority to, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/746,317,
entitled "SAFETY SELECTORS," filed on Oct. 16, 2018, the entirety
of which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] For various rifles, such as AR-15 rifles, the safety
selector can be switched between the "safe" (3 o'clock) and "fire"
(6 o'clock) positions by manipulating an arm of the safety selector
on one side of the firearm. Firearms and firearm accessories
manufacturers have introduced ambidextrous safety selectors that
comprise safety selector arms on both sides of the firearm.
Ambidextrous safety selectors can give the user the option to shoot
either right-handed or left-handed by having an arm for the safety
selector present on both sides of the firearm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better
understood with reference to the following drawings. The components
in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead
being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the
disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals
designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
[0004] FIGS. 1A-1B show various views of an example of a safety
selector for a firearm according to various embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0005] FIG. 2 shows the safety selector of FIGS. 1A-1B in a fire
position according to various embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0006] FIG. 3 shows the safety selector of FIGS. 1A-1B in a safe
position according to various embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0007] FIG. 4 shows the safety selector of FIGS. 1A-1B with one of
the arms removed.
[0008] FIGS. 5A-5B show side view of the safety selector of FIGS.
1A-1B.
[0009] FIGS. 6-7 show another example of a safety selector for a
firearm according to various embodiments of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] The present disclosure relates to safety selectors for
firearms. With reference to FIGS. 1A-1B, shown is an example of
safety selector 100 according to various embodiments of the present
disclosure. The safety selector 100 shown in FIGS. 1A-1B is
configured for use with an AR-15 rifle (not shown). However, safety
selectors 100 in accordance with the present disclosure can be used
with other types of firearms. Moreover, the safety selector 100
shown in FIGS. 1A-1B is configured for a right-handed user.
However, as can be appreciated, the safety selector 100 can be
configured for left-handed users in alternative embodiments.
[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, the safety selector 100 can include
a body 103, a first arm 106, a second arm 109, and/or other
features. The body 103 can have a generally cylindrical shape with
a longitudinal axis 104 that extends through the ends of the body
103. When the safety selector 100 is installed in a firearm, the
body 103 of the safety selector 100 can reside internal to the
firearm. By rotating the safety selector 100 using the first arm
106 and/or second arm 109, the body 103 can engage and disengage
the internal safety mechanism of the firearm in order to cause the
firearm to selectively enter a safe state or a fire state.
[0012] The first arm 106 and the second arm 109 can be the portions
of the safety selector 100 that are configured to be contacted and
manipulated by a user. Accordingly, when the safety selector 100 is
installed in the firearm, the first arm 106 and the second arm 109
can be located proximate to the external sides of the firearm. In
this location, a user can push or pull the first arm 106 and/or
second arm 109 using a finger and/or thumb to rotate the safety
selector 100 and selectively cause the firearm to enter a safe or
fire state. For a right-handed firearm, the second arm 109 can be
the primary selector arm for the safety selector 100 (and
manipulated using a thumb), and the first arm 106 can be the
secondary selector arm (and manipulated with a finger), which may
also be referred to as the "ambidextrous arm."
[0013] The first arm 106 can be attached to the body 103 of the
safety selector 100 such that the first arm 106 is generally
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 104 of the body 103. For
example, a first arm axis 107 extending from a proximal end to a
distal end of the first arm 106 relative to the body 103 can be
generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 104 of the body
103.
[0014] Similarly, the second arm 109 can be attached to the body
103 of the safety selector 100 such that the second arm 109 is
generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 104 of the body
103. For example, a second arm axis 110 extending from a proximal
end to a distal end of the first arm 106 relative to the body 103
can be generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 104 of the
body 103.
[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, the first arm 106 and second arm
109 can be located in planes where they operate and move generally
parallel to each other. Additionally, the interior sides of the
first arm 106 and second arm 109, which face the firearm when the
safety selector 100 is installed, can be generally flat and
oriented so that the first arm 106 and second arm 109 are able to
freely rotate so that the safety selector 100 can rotate between
the fire and safe positions when manipulated by a user.
[0016] As depicted in FIG. 1A-1B, the first arm 106 and second arm
109 can be oriented relative to each other such that there is a
non-zero angle .alpha. between the first arm axis 107 of the first
arm 106 and the second arm axis 110 of the second arm 109. In one
embodiment, the angle .alpha. between the first arm axis 107 of the
first arm 106 and the second arm axis 110 of the second arm 109 can
be about 15 degrees. In another embodiment, the angle .alpha.
between the first arm axis 107 of the first arm 106 and the second
arm axis 110 of the second arm 109 can be about 20 degrees. In
another embodiment, the angle .alpha. between the first arm axis
107 of the first arm 106 and the second arm axis 110 of the second
arm 109 can be about 25 degrees. In another embodiment, the angle
.alpha. between the first arm axis 107 of the first arm 106 and the
second arm axis 110 of the second arm 109 can be about 30 degrees.
In another embodiment, the angle .alpha. between the first arm axis
107 of the first arm 106 and the second arm axis 110 of the second
arm 109 can be about 35 degrees. In another embodiment, the angle
.alpha. between the first arm axis 107 of the first arm 106 and the
second arm axis 110 of the second arm 109 can be about 40 degrees.
In another embodiment, the angle .alpha. between the first arm axis
107 of the first arm 106 and the second arm axis 110 of the second
arm 109 can be about 45 degrees. In another embodiment, the angle
.alpha. between the first arm axis 107 of the first arm 106 and the
second arm axis 110 of the second arm 109 can be about 50 degrees.
In another embodiment, the angle .alpha. between the first arm axis
107 of the first arm 106 and the second arm axis 110 of the second
arm 109 can be about 60 degrees. For the embodiments depicted in
the figures, the angle .alpha. between the first arm axis 107 of
the first arm and the second arm axis 110 of the second arm 109 is
45 degrees.
[0017] Providing a non-zero angle between the first arm axis 107 of
the first arm 106 and the second arm axis 110 of the second arm 109
can facilitate a user toggling the firearm between the fire state
and the safety state. For example, a user can use his or her thumb
to rotate the second arm 109 to a fire position, for example, and
can also use his or her forefinger to rotate the first arm 106 to a
safe position, for example. Because of the non-zero angle .alpha.
between the first arm axis 107 of the first arm 106 and the second
arm axis 110 of the second arm 109, it may be possible for the user
to rotate the first arm 106 using his or her forefinger without
needing to significantly modify his or her hand position with
respect to the hand grip of the firearm.
[0018] With reference to FIG. 2, shown is the safety selector 100
installed in a lower receiver 200 of an AR-15 rifle in a position
that causes the firearm to be in a fire state. In the right-handed
embodiment of the safety selector 100 shown in FIG. 2, the distal
end of the first arm 106 can extend further forward than the distal
end of the second arm 109 (not shown) due to the angle .alpha.
between the first arm axis 107 of the first arm 106 and the second
arm axis 110 of the second arm 109. To cause the safety selector
100 to be in the fire position shown, a right-handed user can use
his or her trigger finger to push the first arm 106 forward.
Alternatively, the user can use his or her thumb to push the second
arm 109 (not visible) forward. Because the distal end of the first
arm 106 extends further forward than the distal end of the second
arm 109, the user can perform either maneuver without significantly
moving his or her hand position relative to the grip of the
firearm. This can be particularly advantageous, especially in
tactical situations, where it may be desirable for the user to be
able to accurately fire the weapon quickly after toggling the
firearm to the fire state.
[0019] For a left-handed embodiment of the safety selector 100, the
first arm 106 and second arm 109 can be oriented such that the
distal end of the second arm 109 (on the left side of the firearm)
is further forward than the distal end of the first arm 106 (on the
right side of the firearm). This arrangement can provide a
left-handed user the same benefits discussed above with respect to
the right-handed embodiment.
[0020] With reference to FIG. 3, shown is the safety selector 100
installed in the lower receiver 200 of the AR-15 rifle in a
position that causes the firearm to enter a safe state. To cause
the safety selector 100 to be in the safe position shown, a
right-handed user can use his or her trigger finger to rotate the
first arm 106 clockwise. Alternatively, the user can use his or her
thumb to rotate the second arm 109 (not visible) clockwise. Because
the distal end of the first arm 106 extends further forward than
the distal end of the second arm 109, the user can perform either
maneuver without significantly moving his or her hand position
relative to the grip of the firearm. This can be particularly
advantageous, especially in tactical situations, where it may be
desirable for the user to be able to toggle the firearm to a safe
state while maintaining his or her hand in a position that allows
for the weapon to be quickly returned to the fire state and
accurately fired.
[0021] With reference to FIG. 4, shown is the safety selector 100
with the first arm 106 removed. In various embodiments, the first
arm 106 and/or the second arm 109 can be detachable from the body
103 to facilitate the user installing the safety selector 100 in a
firearm. For example, prior to installing the safety selector 100,
the first arm 106 can be removed, and the body 103 can then be
inserted into the firearm so that the body 103 is in the correct
position to properly cause the firearm's internal safety mechanism
to engage and disengage. Then, the second arm 109 can be aligned
with the body 103, and the second arm 109 can be retained to the
body 103 using a screw or other suitable mechanism. The first arm
106 and second arm 109 are fixed relative to the body 103 such that
rotating the first arm 106 and/or second arm 109 causes the body
103 to rotate internal to the firearm and selectively engage or
disengage an internal safety mechanism.
[0022] With reference to FIGS. 5A-5B, shown are side views of the
safety selector 100. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the first arm axis
107 of the first arm 106 and the second arm axis 110 of the second
arm 109 can be generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 104
of the body 103 of the safety selector 100. Additionally, FIGS.
5A-5B further show that the first arm 106 and the second arm 109
can be oriented such that there is a non-zero angle .alpha. between
the first arm axis 107 of the first arm 106 and the second arm axis
110 of the second arm 109.
[0023] In various embodiment, the first arm 106 and/or the second
arm 109 can include features to facilitate a user's manipulation of
the safety selector 100. For example, the first arm 106 and/or the
second arm 109 can include texturization, such as stippling,
ridges, grooves, or crosshatching, which can improve the friction
characteristics of the first arm 106 and/or the second arm 109 and
aid in a user manipulating the safety selector 100. Further, in
some embodiments, the first arm 106 and/or the second arm 109 can
be curved to facilitate a user manipulating the safety selector
100. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 6-7, the first arm 106 and/or the
second arm 109 can have exterior surfaces 503 and 506 that are not
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body 103 of the
safety selector 100.
[0024] Conditional language used herein, such as the words and
phrases "can," "could," "might," "may," "e.g.," and the like,
unless specifically stated or indicated otherwise, is generally
intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other
embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or
steps. Thus, such conditional language is generally not intended to
imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required
for one or more embodiments. The terms "comprising," "including,"
"having," and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in
an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements,
features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term "or" is
used in its inclusive sense, and not in its exclusive sense, so
that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the
term "or" means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.
[0025] Disjunctive language, such as the phrase "at least one of X,
Y, Z," unless indicated otherwise, is used in general to present
that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any
combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive
language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that
certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y,
or at least one of Z to each be present.
[0026] Numerical ranges described herein are used for convenience
and brevity and thus should be interpreted in a flexible manner to
include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the
limits of the range, but also to include all the individual
numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if
each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. To
illustrate, a numerical range of "about 0.1% to about 5%" should be
interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of
about 0.1% to about 5%, but also include individual values (e.g.,
1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) and the sub-ranges (e.g., 0.5%, 1.1%, 2.2%,
3.3%, and 4.4%) within the indicated range. Where the stated range
includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both
of those included limits are also included in the disclosure. For
example, the phrase "x to y" includes the range from "x" to "y" as
well as the range greater than "x" and less than "y." The range can
also be expressed as an upper limit. For example, "about x, y, z,
or less" and should be interpreted to include the specific ranges
of "about x," "about y," and "about z," as well as the ranges of
"less than x," "less than y," and "less than z." Likewise, the
phrase "about x, y, z, or greater" should be interpreted to include
the specific ranges of "about x," "about y," and "about z," as well
as the ranges of "greater than x," "greater than y," and "greater
than z." In some embodiments, the term "about" can include
traditional rounding according to significant figures of the
numerical value. In addition, the phrase "about `x` to `y`", where
`x` and `y` are numerical values, includes "about `x` to about
`y`".
[0027] The above-described embodiments of the present disclosure
are merely examples of implementations to provide a clear
understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Many
variations and modifications can be made to the above-described
embodiments without departing substantially from the spirit and
principles of the disclosure. In addition, components and features
described with respect to one embodiment can be included in another
embodiment. All such modifications and variations are intended to
be included herein within the scope of this disclosure.
* * * * *