Abstract: According to the present invention, a one-way, bi-directional clutch, includes an outer casing, an input shaft, an output shaft and a brake assembly. The input shaft includes a release cam portion and the output shaft includes a locking cam portion. The brake assembly includes a release cam portion that is complementary to the release cam portion of the input shaft, a locking cam portion that is complementary to the locking cam portion of the output shaft, a biasing element and at least one brake pad. The complementary release cam portion of the input shaft and brake assembly are operable to move the brake assembly to a release position when the sufficient torque is applied to the input shaft. The complementary locking cam portions of the output shaft and the brake assembly are operable to move the one or more brake pads to the brake position when the sufficient torque applied to the output shaft.

Abstract: A combined handgrip and trigger guard for a firearm has a handgrip section and a trigger guard section. Preferably, the handgrip section and trigger guard section are provided as an integral one-piece polymer member. The trigger guard section extends from the handgrip section in a general cantilevered configuration. A free end of the cantilever trigger guard section has an integral pin section that is located in a hole of a frame of the firearm. Locating the free end of the trigger guard section against the frame with the pin section in the hole of the frame is the only direct connection of the trigger guard section to the frame and does not use additional fasteners directly between the trigger guard section and the frame.

Abstract: An light-energy initiated firing system for a firearm in which optical light-conducting fibers extend from a source of high frequency energy to adjacent a cartridge so that energy passes through the fibers will pass into the cartridge and initiate a propellant therein. The firearm cartridge may include a ignition composition (e.g., a primer) position forward of at least part of the propellant and be constructed so that high frequency (e.g., laser) energy will pass into the cartridge and initiate the forward-positioned propellant. The system includes safety systems for interrupting the energy path to prevent primer initiation when the action of the firearm is not in battery or when such initiation otherwise is undesired.