Trigger shrouding apparatus for firearms
A trigger shrouding apparatus for a firearm comprises a firearm component and a trigger shrouding structure attached to the firearm component. The firearm component is configured for being detachably attached to one of a grip mounting portion of a receiver body of a firearm and a magazine well mounting portion of the receiver body. The trigger shrouding structure includes a trigger shrouding side wall that extends longitudinally away from the firearm component. The trigger shrouding side wall is outwardly protruding with respect to a longitudinal reference axis extending through the firearm operating structure such that a finger receiving space is defined by an inwardly facing side of the trigger shrouding side wall.
The disclosures made herein relate generally to firearms and, more particularly, to structures and apparatuses mountable on a firearm and configured for limiting the potential for unintended actuation of a trigger of the firearm by an object other than a finger of a person carrying the firearm.
BACKGROUNDIn many situations, it is necessary and/or desirable to carry a firearm with the safety in the fire position. For example, in certain law enforcement and military situations, there is the need and/or desire to perform certain duties with the safety of a firearm in the “fire” position as opposed to the “safe” position. The reason for this is that the time and attention it takes to move the safety from the safe position to the fire position, albeit typically fractions of a second, can sometimes be critical.
Even in the hands of the exceptionally well-trained professional, adverse situations can arise when carrying a firearm with the safety in the fire position. For example, it is common for a firearm such as an assault rifle to be held by a shooter across the shooter's chest. As such, objects carried by the shooter on or near the chest of the shooter can accidentally engage and actuate the trigger of the firearm thereby causing the firearm to be unintentionally fired. Similarly, in outdoor situations, an object such as a tree branch or the like can accidentally engage and actuate the trigger of the firearm thereby causing the firearm to be unintentionally fired.
Therefore, an apparatus mountable on a firearm and configured for limiting the potential for unintended actuation of a trigger of the firearm by an object other than a finger of a person carrying the firearm would be advantageous, desirable and useful.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREEmbodiments of the present invention relate to apparatuses configured for limiting the potential for unintended actuation of a trigger of a firearm by an object other than a finger of a person carrying the firearm. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention are trigger shrouding apparatuses that shroud (i.e., protect) a trigger of a firearm from foreign objects while allowing immediate access to the trigger by a finger of a person carrying the firearm. Advantageously, a trigger shrouding apparatus configured in accordance with the present invention includes no moving parts and is mounted on or integral with a component of the firearm (e.g., a pistol grip, butt stock grip, magazine well, trigger guard, etc).
In one embodiment of the present invention, a trigger shrouding apparatus for a firearm comprises a firearm component and a trigger shrouding structure attached to the firearm component. The firearm component is configured for being detachably attached to a grip mounting portion of a receiver body of a firearm or magazine well mounting portion of the receiver body. The trigger shrouding structure includes a trigger shrouding side wall that extends longitudinally away from the firearm component. The trigger shrouding side wall is outwardly protruding with respect to a longitudinal reference axis extending through the firearm operating structure such that an inwardly facing side of the trigger shrouding side wall defines a finger receiving space.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a trigger shrouding apparatus for a firearm comprises a hand gripping structure (e.g., a pistol grip, butt stock grip, magazine well, trigger guard, etc) and a trigger shrouding structure attached to the hand gripping structure. The hand gripping structure has a receiver mounting portion configured for being mounted on a mating portion of a receiver body of a firearm. The trigger shrouding structure includes two opposing side walls that each extend forward of the hand gripping structure with respect to an orientation of the hand gripping structure when the hand gripping structure is mounted on the mating portion of the receiver body. A first one of the side walls includes a protruding portion that protrudes outwardly away from a second one of the side walls such that a finger receiving space is defined by an inwardly facing side of the first one of the side walls.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a firearm comprises a receiver body assembly, a hand gripping structure and a trigger shrouding structure. The receiver body assembly includes a receiver body, a magazine well structure and a trigger. The receiver body has a front portion and rear portions. The trigger extends from a lower edge portion of the receiver body between the front and rear portions of the receiver body. The magazine well structure is attached to the receiver body at a location between the trigger and the front portion of the receiver body. The hand gripping structure is attached to the receiver body at a location between the trigger and the rear portion of the receiver body such that a trigger accessing space is defined between the hand gripping structure and the magazine well structure. The trigger shrouding structure is attached to the hand gripping structure and/or the receiver assembly. The trigger shrouding structure includes a first side wall that extends over the trigger accessing space on a first side of the receiver body. The first side wall includes a protruding portion that protrudes outwardly away from the trigger accessing space such that a finger receiving space is defined by an inwardly facing side of the first side wall. The first side wall intersects a trigger access opening of the trigger shrouding structure adjacent the hand gripping structure such that a trigger actuating finger of a hand can extend into engagement with the trigger through the trigger access opening while other fingers of a hand comprising the trigger actuating finger are wrapped around the hand gripping structure.
These and other objects, embodiments, advantages and/or distinctions of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification, associated drawings and appended claims.
Referring to
The pistol grip 102 includes a receiver mounting portion 106 configured for being mounted on a mating portion of a receiver body of a firearm. A skilled person will appreciate approaches by which a hand gripping structure can be attached to a mating portion of a receiver body of an associated firearm. Accordingly, it will be understood from the disclosures herein that trigger shrouding apparatuses configured in accordance with present invention are not limited to any particular approach for being mounted on a grip mounting portion of a firearm.
The trigger shrouding structure 104 includes two opposing side walls (i.e., a first side wall 108 and a second side wall 110) that each extend forward of the pistol grip 102 with respect to an orientation of the pistol grip 102 when the pistol grip 102 is mounted on the mating portion of the receiver body. A trigger receiving space 111 is defined between the two opposing side walls 108, 110. In this manner, when the trigger shrouding apparatus 100 is mounted on a mating firearm, a trigger of the firearm is positioned within the trigger receiving space 111.
The first side wall 108 includes a protruding portion 112 that protrudes outwardly away from the second side wall 110 such that a finger receiving space 114 is defined by an inwardly facing side 116 of the first side wall 108. The second side wall 110 includes a protruding portion 118 that protrudes outwardly away from the first side wall 108 such that a finger receiving space 120 is defined by an inwardly facing side 122 of the second side wall 110. The protruding portion 118 of the second side wall 110 terminates at (i.e., intersects with) a trigger access opening 124 of the trigger shrouding structure 104. The trigger access opening serves as an entrance into the protruding portion 118 of the second side wall 110. Preferably, a location of the trigger access opening 124 is positioned such that the entrance into the trigger access opening 124 faces in a direction toward the pistol grip 102. As shown, the trigger access opening 124 is jointly defined between the protruding portion and non-protruding portion (i.e., generally flat portion) of the second side wall 110. In other embodiments, the trigger access opening 124 can be defined solely within the protruding portion 118 of the second side wall 110.
The trigger access opening 124 is adjacent the pistol grip 102 such that a trigger actuating finger can extend into engagement with a trigger positioned within the trigger receiving space 111 through the trigger access opening 124 of the protruding portion 118 of the second side wall 110 while other fingers of a hand comprising the trigger actuating finger are wrapped around the pistol grip. The finger receiving space 114 (i.e., swelled portion) of the first side wall 108 provides space for being occupied by a portion of the trigger actuating finger that extends beyond the trigger. In this manner, the pistol grip integrated trigger shrouding apparatus 100 limits the potential for unintended actuation of the trigger of the firearm by an object other than the trigger actuating finger of the person carrying the firearm.
Depending on specific needs and requirements, the trigger shrouding structure 104 and the pistol grip 102 can jointly define a one-piece structure. For example, the trigger shrouding structure 104 and the pistol grip 102 can be machined from a single piece of material, molded as a single piece of material or the like. Similarly, the trigger shrouding structure 104 is preferably a one-piece structure such that the trigger shrouding structure 104 is essentially immovable with respect to the pistol grip 102.
Referring now to
A skilled person will be familiar with various types and configurations of firearms configured in a manner compatible with a pistol grip integrated trigger shrouding apparatus in accordance with the present invention. Examples of such firearms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,019 to Schuetz, U.S. Pat. No. 7,444,775 to Schuetz, U.S. Pat. No. 3,198,066 to Stoner, U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,224 to Morris, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,534 to Lambie, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Referring to
The magazine well 202 includes receiver mounting portions 206, 207 configured for being engaged with (i.e., mounted on) mating portions of a receiver body of a firearm. A skilled person will appreciate approaches by which a magazine well can be engaged with mating portions of a receiver body of an associated firearm. Accordingly, it will be understood from the disclosures herein that trigger shrouding apparatuses configured in accordance with present invention are not limited to any particular approach for being mounted on magazine well mounting portion of a firearm.
The trigger shrouding structure 204 includes two opposing side walls (i.e., a first side wall 208 and a second side wall 210) that each extend rearward of the magazine well 202 with respect to an orientation of the magazine well 202 when the magazine well 202 is mounted on the mating portion of the receiver body. A trigger receiving space 211 is defined between the two opposing side walls 208, 210. In this manner, when the trigger shrouding apparatus 200 is mounted on a mating firearm, a trigger of the firearm is positioned within the trigger receiving space 211.
The first side wall 208 includes a protruding portion 212 that protrudes outwardly away from the second side wall 210 such that a finger receiving space 214 is defined by an inwardly facing side 216 (
The trigger access opening 224 is configured such, when the magazine well integrated trigger shrouding apparatus 200 is mounted on an associated firearm, the trigger access opening 224 is adjacent a rear portion of a receiver body of the firearm. In this manner, a trigger actuating finger can extend into engagement with a trigger positioned within the trigger receiving space through the trigger access opening 224 of the protruding portion 218 of the second side wall 210 while other fingers of a hand comprising the trigger actuating finger are wrapped around a rear hand gripping structure of the firearm. The finger receiving space 214 (i.e., swelled portion) of the first side wall 208 provides space for being occupied by a portion of the trigger actuating finger that extends beyond the trigger. In this manner, the magazine well integrated trigger shrouding apparatus 200 limits the potential for unintended actuation of the trigger of the firearm by an object other than the trigger actuating finger of the person carrying the firearm.
Depending on specific needs and requirements, the trigger shrouding structure 204 and the magazine well 202 can jointly define a one-piece structure. For example, the trigger shrouding structure 204 and the magazine well 202 can be machined from a single piece of material, molded as a single piece of material or the like. Similarly, the trigger shrouding structure 204 is preferably a one-piece structure such that the trigger shrouding structure 20 is essentially immovable with respect to the magazine well 202.
Referring now to
A skilled person will be familiar with various types and configurations of firearms configured in a manner compatible with a magazine well integrated trigger shrouding apparatus in accordance with the present invention. Examples of such firearms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,131,228 to Hochstrate et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 6,895,708 to Kim et al., both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
The pistol grip 302 can be configured in substantially the same manner as that discussed above in reference to
Detachability of a side wall not having a trigger access opening is beneficial in that it allows the side wall to be removed so that the trigger can be readily actuated from either side of the firearm.
This is beneficial if a firearm for a person having opposite dexterity (e.g., left handed as opposed to right handed) of a primary user of a firearm has a need to use the firearm. For example, with respect to the pistol grip integrated trigger shrouding apparatus 300, the sidewall 310 can be detached from an attached firearm by applying sufficient force on the side wall 310 in a direction away from the trigger until the plurality of interlock features 307 disengage from the mating interlock features 309 of the pistol grip 302 and the trigger guard engaging member 313 disengages from the trigger guard. In one embodiment, such force can be applied to a release tab 315 of the side wall 310.
Preferably, but not necessarily, the trigger guard 505 is attached to a lower edge portion 517 of the trigger shrouding structure 504. The trigger guard can be configured in the same configured as a known prior art for trigger guard. The trigger shrouding structure 504 includes a protruding portion 512 that can be configured substantially the same as either protruding portion of the trigger shrouding apparatus 100 shown in
As shown, the protruding portion 512 of the trigger shrouding structure 404 is configured in a similar manner to the protruding portion 112 of the trigger shrouding apparatus 100 shown in
The first side wall 608 includes a protruding portion 612 that protrudes outwardly away from the second side wall 610 such that a finger receiving space 614 is defined by an inwardly facing side 616 of the first side wall. The second side wall 610 includes a protruding portion 618 that protrudes outwardly away from the first side wall 108 such that a finger receiving space 620 is defined by an inwardly facing side 622 of the second side wall 610. The protruding portion 618 of the second side wall 610 terminates at (i.e., intersects with) a trigger access opening 624 of the trigger shrouding structure 604. The trigger access opening serves as an entrance into the protruding portion 618 of the second side wall 610. Preferably, a location of the trigger access opening 624 is positioned such that the entrance into the trigger access opening 624 faces in a direction toward a rear portion of a firearm on which the trigger shrouding apparatus 600 is mounted. As shown, the trigger access opening 624 is jointly defined between the protruding portion and non-protruding portion (i.e., generally flat portion) of the second side wall 610. In other embodiments, the trigger access opening 624 can be defined solely within the protruding portion 618 of the second side wall 610.
A skilled person will appreciate that various structural and/or functional aspects of one disclosed embodiment can be integrated and/or exchanged with another one of the embodiments. Examples of such structural and/or functional aspects include, but are not limited to, a protruding portion of a trigger shrouding side wall terminating at a trigger access opening, a trigger access opening facing in a direction toward a rear portion (e.g., rear hand gripping structure) of a firearm on which a trigger shrouding apparatus is mounted, a trigger shrouding side wall being essentially immovable with respect to a remaining portion of the trigger shrouding structure, a trigger shrouding Structure being one-piece structure, and a side wall of a trigger shrouding structure being detachably attached to firearm component. Accordingly, it is disclosed herein that embodiments of the present invention as disclosed herein may incorporate features of another disclosed embodiment.
In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of such inventive disclosures. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A trigger shrouding apparatus for a firearm, comprising:
- a firearm component configured for being detachably attached to one of a grip mounting portion of a receiver body of a firearm and a magazine well mounting portion of the receiver body; and
- a trigger shrouding structure attached to the firearm component, wherein the trigger shrouding structure includes a trigger shrouding side wall that extends longitudinally away from the firearm component and wherein the trigger shrouding side wall is outwardly protruding with respect to a longitudinal reference axis extending through the firearm operating structure such that a finger receiving space is defined by an inwardly facing side of the trigger shrouding'side wall.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the trigger shrouding side wall terminates at a trigger access opening of the trigger.shrouding structure.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the trigger access opening faces in a direction toward the firearm component.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the trigger shrouding side wall is essentially immovable with respect to firearm component.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the trigger shrouding structure is a one-piece structure.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the trigger shrouding structure is a one-piece structure.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the trigger shrouding side wall is detachably attached to firearm component.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the trigger shrouding side wall is essentially immovable with respect firearm component.
9. A trigger shrouding apparatus for a firearm, comprising:
- a hand gripping structure having a receiver mounting portion configured for being mounted on a mating portion of a receiver body of a firearm; and
- a trigger shrouding structure attached to the hand gripping structure, wherein the trigger shrouding structure includes two opposing side walls that each extend forward of the hand gripping structure with respect to an orientation of the hand gripping structure when the hand gripping structure is mounted on the mating portion of the receiver body and wherein a first one of said side walls includes a protruding portion thereof that protrudes outwardly away from a second one of said side walls such that a finger receiving space is defined by an inwardly facing side of the trigger shrouding side wall.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the protruding portion intersects a first trigger access opening of the trigger shrouding structure adjacent the hand gripping structure such that a trigger actuating finger of a hand can extend into engagement with the trigger through the trigger access opening while other fingers of a hand comprising the trigger actuating finger are wrapped around the hand gripping structure
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the trigger access opening faces in a direction toward the hand gripping structure.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the trigger shrouding structure and the hand gripping structure jointly define a one-piece structure.
13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the trigger shrouding structure, is a one-piece structure.
14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first one of said side walls is detachably attached to the hand gripping structure.
15. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the trigger shrouding structure and the hand gripping structure jointly define a one-piece structure.
16. A firearm, comprising:
- a receiver body assembly including a receiver body, a magazine well structure and a trigger, wherein the receiver body has a front portion and rear portion, wherein the trigger extends from a lower edge portion of the receiver body between the front and rear portions of the receiver body, and wherein the magazine well structure is attached to the receiver body at a location between the trigger and the front portion of the receiver body;
- a hand gripping structure attached to the receiver body at a location between the trigger and the rear portion of the receiver body such that a trigger accessing space is defined between the hand gripping structure and the magazine well structure; and
- a trigger shrouding structure attached to at least one of the hand gripping structure and the receiver assembly, wherein the trigger shrouding structure includes a first side wall that extends over the trigger accessing space on a first side of the receiver body, wherein the first side wall includes a protruding portion that protrudes outwardly away from the trigger accessing space such that a finger receiving space is defined by an inwardly facing side of the trigger shrouding side wall, and wherein the first side wall defines a trigger access opening of the trigger shrouding structure adjacent the hand gripping structure such that a trigger actuating finger of a hand can extend into engagement with the trigger through the trigger access opening while other fingers of a hand comprising the trigger actuating finger are wrapped around the hand gripping structure.
17. The firearm of claim 16 wherein the first side wall is essentially immovable with respect to the hand gripping structure.
18. The firearm of claim 16 wherein:
- the receiver assembly further includes a trigger guard connected directly between the hand gripping structure and at least one of the magazine well structure and the receiver body;
- the trigger shrouding structure is attached to at least' east one of the magazine well structure and the trigger guard.
19. The firearm of claim 18 wherein the trigger shrouding structure is at least one of a one-piece structure.
20. The firearm of claim 18 wherein the trigger access opening faces in a direction toward the rear portion of the receiver body.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 31, 2009
Publication Date: Mar 3, 2011
Inventor: Martin W. Brenner (Austin, TX)
Application Number: 12/584,073
International Classification: F41A 17/54 (20060101);