Hammer Or Firing Pin Patents (Class 42/70.08)
  • Publication number: 20010042332
    Abstract: An authorization system for a firearm includes a personal device worn by the authorized user, modifications to the firearm's fire control system, and an authorization control circuit carried in the backstrap of the firearm handle. The authorization control circuit controls the fire control system and communicates with the personal device. In particular, the authorization control circuit will send a first signal to the personal device via an ultrasonic transponder and wait for a coded response. If the personal device is worn by a user and is within range and properly oriented, it will respond to the first signal. If the correct coded response is not received, the authorization control circuit signals a bi-stable solenoid located near the trigger arm to move its plunger to an extended position where it will cam the edge of the trigger bar out of engagement with the sear when the trigger is pulled. Consequently, the trigger bar will not move the sear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Armand Gering, Edward P. Schmitter, Patrick Heins, Andre Victor. Kesteloot, Jason Lee Hitchcox, Xavier Gavage
  • Publication number: 20010037596
    Abstract: A firearm safety device for use with semiautomatic pistols and other firearms which use striker pins to activate a firing pin is disclosed. The invention uses apparatus which selectively blocks the travel or operation of the striker pin to place the firearm in a safe condition. The invention allows for the application of key lock systems to place the firearm in a safe condition and to prevent tampering by unauthorized individuals. In the operation, the safety blocking mechanism operates by preventing the striker from reaching its released position upon application of trigger pressure. The firearm is also caused to be placed in an out of battery condition when selected on and there is any attempt to pull the trigger on the firearm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventor: Alfred W. salvitti
  • Patent number: 6308449
    Abstract: Permanent safety device for preventing the accidental firing of a weapon whose firing mechanism comprises a trigger, a hammer, a loaded spring which exerts a force along a given line of action on said hammer, retention means which hold the hammer in opposition to said spring and, inserted between the trigger and said hammer retention means, a lever which disengages these latter at the time of firing as a result of the trigger being pulled. The abovementioned firing mechanism includes a stop piece which can be moved between an interference position in which it interferes with the action of said spring on the hammer and a position in which it does not interfere with said action, and vice versa, and a mechanism, connected to the trigger, which is designed to move said stop piece out of said interference position only if the trigger is pulled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Franchi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Dario Plebani
  • Patent number: 6305114
    Abstract: The present invention is an external hammer of the present invention is a structure or assembly having at least two-pieces: a hammer pivot and a hammer head. The hammer head of the present invention is removably attachable to the hammer pivot. In this manner, the hammer head may be removed from the hammer pivot, thereby making the weapon “safe”. In the preferred embodiment the hammer head is attached to the hammer pivot by a puzzle-like structure. The hammer head has an incised puzzle-like mortise, while the hammer pivot has a projecting matching puzzle-like tenon. An additional feature found in the preferred embodiment is a hammer head securing structure. This structure, preferably a spring biased projection in the mortise that fits into a matching indent on the tenon, releasably secures and aligns the hammer head to the hammer pivot when the hammer head is attached to the hammer pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Saf-T-Hammer Inc
    Inventor: Mitchell A. Saltz
  • Patent number: 6289619
    Abstract: The breech lock unit has a housing in which a strike hammer is mounted so that it can be pivoted around a shaft. A drive lever can be pivoted on the same shaft to a limited extent in both directions with respect to the hammer. The hammer is biased by a spring against the one stop with the lever. Connected to the lever is a connecting rod which is biased by a striker spring and in the base position is in contact with a stop surface on the housing. The configuration described above makes possible a slim construction and optimum drive conditions. A plurality of functions that conventionally require separately installed components can be realized in the one breech lock unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: SIG Arms International AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Fuchs, Theobald Förster
  • Patent number: 6286240
    Abstract: A safety device for firearms includes a scanner for scanning in a user's finger or thumb print, and a microprocessor for storing the data associated with the fingerprint. The microprocessor can also be programmed to store the name, address, phone number, and social security number of the user. The device also includes at least two indicator lamps to inform the user whether the system is armed or unarmed, and to provide an indication when the battery is low. A solenoid activated spring loaded mechanism defeats operation of the firing pin thus rendering the firearm inoperable. The mechanism is designed to make the firearm appear to malfunction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventor: Kenneth Ray Collins
  • Patent number: 6283006
    Abstract: A double action pistol having a frame is disclosed. A sear is mounted on the frame. A hammer cam is position adjacent the sear and linked to a hammer spring. The hammer cam is engageable with the sear to hold the hammer spring in a compressed position. A hammer is detachably coupled to the hammer cam. A return spring biases the hammer away from the hammer cam when the hammer spring is compressed. A drawbar is operable to engage the hammer to retract the hammer and disengage the sear from the hammer cam to release the hammer spring. The hammer spring acts on the hammer through the hammer cam to move the hammer to fire the pistol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Angelotti Inc.
    Inventors: Atilla Szabo, Borislav B. Vulanovic
  • Patent number: 6282829
    Abstract: A firearm safety enhancement system is provided for enabling use of a firearm only by an authorized individual. At least one electrically activated preventer is provided having a first position for preventing use of firearm and having a second position for enabling use of the firearm. An electrical activation circuit is operatively connected to the preventer to move the preventer between the first and second positions. A portable power supply is carried in said firearm and is coupled to the activation circuit for providing power. A power signal transmitter is operatively connected to the power supply for transmitting an electromagnetic power signal at a regular frequency. A passive identification tag is mounted to a personal adornment to be carried or worn by an individual and is preprogrammed with an authorized identification code preselected from a large number of available identification codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Mossberg, George E. Kluwe, Kevin F. Kinion, Robert Safford
  • Publication number: 20010016999
    Abstract: A mechanism for disabling a firearm is provided. The disablement mechanism includes a body positionable to block movement of the hammer spring assembly in order to prevent the hammer from being moved to its cocked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventor: Charles David Williams
  • Patent number: 6269576
    Abstract: A mechanism for disabling a firearm is provided. The disablement mechanism includes a body positionable to contact a portion of the hammer spring assembly in order to prevent the hammer from being moved to its cocked position. The disablement mechanism is also positionable to prevent the hammer from firing a cartridge when the hammer is released from its cocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Springfield, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles David Williams
  • Patent number: 6260298
    Abstract: A pistol, comprising a housing which contains a trigger device and a slide which slides on this housing and contains a barrel and a breech, in which case the breech is provided with a firing bolt which can be driven by a mainspring. In order to provide entirely safe protection against access, the breech has a hole which runs transversely with respect to the firing direction, in which hole a locking bolt can be moved and can be rotated, which locking bolt has a head which is accessible from the outside and, in the locked position, projects into the movement path of the firing bolt. To this end, the head of the locking bolt has at least one tab on its external circumference, and the breech has at least one recess on the internal circumference of the hole, which recess holds the tab when the locking bolt is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Steyr-Daimler-Puch Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wilhelm Bubits
  • Patent number: 6256918
    Abstract: A semi-automatic handgun that includes a firing pin locking assembly is disclosed. The firing pin locking assembly includes a firing pin plunger that has a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the firing pin plunger locks the firing pin in place. A trigger assembly is provided to selectively move the firing pin plunger to the unlocked position, where the firing pin plunger is disengaged from the firing pin. The trigger assembly is also operable to release the firing pin plunger to allow the firing pin plunger to be biased into the locked position after each round is fired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Atilla Szabo
  • Patent number: 6240670
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for use in a wide variety of firearms to assist in securing the firearm from unauthorized use, the locking mechanism being rotatable between an unlocked position where it allows movement of the firing pin and a locked position where it prevents movement of the firing pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: RA Brands, L.L.C.
    Inventor: David S. Findlay
  • Patent number: 6237271
    Abstract: A module having a housing, a battery, control circuitry and electrical conductors. The battery and control circuitry are contained in the housing. The housing is adapted to be removably connected to the frame of a firearm. The electrical conductors are located on the housing and allow the battery and control circuit to be electrically connected to other components of the firearm. The housing can be connected at a hand grip section of the firearm and forms a substantial portion of at least one exterior side of the firearm at the hand grip section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Colt's Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin A. Kaminski
  • Patent number: 6226914
    Abstract: The present invention is a firearm safety device designed to secure a firearm and prevent injury or death by an unauthorized user. The firearm port block is a fitted cylindrical device that when placed in the open port of a firearm prevents the firearm from being discharged. By using a positioning tab the firearm port block is placed in an open port of a firearm, expanded and locked. The open bolt supports one end of the device and the firing chamber houses the other end, blocking live ammunition. The firearm is placed in use by unlocking and removing the port block. The firearm port block is inexpensive to manufacture and easily installed and removed from an open port firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventor: Waymon Burton Reed
  • Patent number: 6223459
    Abstract: A safety mechanism for a muzzleloading rifle has a firing hammer pivotally mounted on the rifle and is movable between a rearward cocked position and a forward firing position, and is releasably held by a trigger mechanism in the cocked position when manually moved to the cocked position. The firing hammer includes an arm portion extending away from the pivotal connection between the hammer and the rifle. An elongated safety bolt is slidably mounted in a transverse direction in the rifle and is movable between an outer safety position and an inner non-safety position, and is located within a pivotal path of the arm portion of the hammer to engage the arm to prevent the forward rotation of the hammer to move to the firing position if the hammer is released for forward pivotal movement by the trigger mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Ebsco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric T. Hengstenberg
  • Patent number: 6219952
    Abstract: A firearm safety enhancement system is provided for enabling use of a firearm only by an authorized individual. At least one electrically activated preventer is provided having a first position for preventing use of firearm and having a second position for enabling use of the firearm. An electrical activation circuit is operatively connected to the preventer to move the preventer between the first and second positions. A portable power supply is carried in said firearm and is coupled to the activation circuit for providing power. A power signal transmitter is operatively connected to the power supply for transmitting an electromagnetic power signal at a regular frequency. A passive identification tag is mounted to a personal adornment to be carried or worn by an individual and is preprogrammed with an authorized identification code preselected from a large number of available identification codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Mossberg, George E. Kluwe, Kevin F. Kinion
  • Patent number: 6205694
    Abstract: An externally adjustable coil hammer mainspring assembly for pistols having several different mechanisms for clearing obstructing internal and external pistol design features. These mechanisms make it possible to incorporate external coil hammer mainspring adjustment on many popular pistols. Finger-adjustable drive mechanisms (44, 46, and 30) as well as tool driven drive mechanisms (12) are provided to allow the pistol user to adjust coil hammer mainspring tension. This capability allows the user to adjust trigger-pull and hammerfall force in the field and provides a locking safety mechanism which locks down the pistol firing train including the trigger, sear, hammer and hammerstrut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: James Jefrey Davis, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6178682
    Abstract: A repeating rifle having a bolt action comprises a breech housing (1), a breech body (3) which can be moved and can be rotated in this breech housing (1) and has a movable plug (4) and a firing pin (6) which is loaded by a firing pin spring (7) and has a cocking piece (8), in which case the breech body (3) has in its interior a cocking guide which interacts with the cocking piece (8). In order to achieve maximum safety and maximum operating convenience with as little physical complexity as possible, a cocking cam bush (33) is guided such that it can be moved in the longitudinal direction in the breech body (3) as the cocking guide, on which cocking cam bush the firing pin spring (7) is supported, and the plug (4) has a guide sleeve (36) which interacts with the cocking cam bush (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Steyr-Daimler-Puch Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Zedrosser, Hubert Kefer
  • Patent number: 6173518
    Abstract: A lockable firearm safety is incorporated into the bolt mechanism of a safety bolt to selectively block the forward motion of the hammer by either of two means: (a) preventing the trigger from moving rearward which movement would release the hammer permitting it to move forward and strike the firing pin; (b) by directly blocking the hammer from moving forward to strike the firing pin. When the safety bolt is placed in the safety position, the bolt may be locked in the safety position by means of a key. The firearm cannot be discharged until the safety bolt is unlocked and is moved to the fire position. The key is retained by the bolt unless the safety bolt is in the safety locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: The Marlin Firearms Company
    Inventor: E. Ernest Oberst