The present applications claims priority to the earlier filed provisional application having Ser. No. 62/346,289 and hereby incorporates subject matter of the provisional application in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to firearms and more distinctly to an interfacing apparatus and operational method which governs the interaction between the firearms trigger, the operators trigger finger, and the innermost region of the operators firing hand thereby regulating trigger movement and the related discharge of ammunition.
2. Description of Related Prior Art
There have been multifarious types of devices and methods developed in the field of firearms in order to govern the discharge of ammunition which have been generally created in order to initiate a single discharge event or increase the firing rate of firearms especially for semiautomatic firearms, including simple methods such as the commonly known bump firing technique.
Although the present useful invention is intended in its utility to be a uniquely novel method and mechanism which enables the firearm operator to apply and control variable incremental trigger movement and/or isometrically variable trigger finger pressure upon the firearm trigger, while offering a distinctive and unique means and mechanism with which to govern a diversity of ammunition discharge events ranging from a single discharge event to a sequential and/or variable cyclic firing rate for firearms, and which utilize an interfacing controlling mechanism and/or adjustably locatable modules in order to delineate and/or interact with the firearms trigger discharge and/or trigger reset points inter-operatively, the forthcoming referenced exemplary devices may be representative in approximate utility and constitute a selection of the prior art having the nearest illustrative and sample comparisons available.
The following examples of prior art were developed in consideration of, and focus primarily around, the expressed utility of increasing the firing rate of semiautomatic firearms and have been structured with the utilization of various ancillary mechanisms including certain prior art configurations involving designated primary firing units and other secondary supporting type elements. The comparative prior art may also include various structures which are engaged with and/or around the firearms trigger guard and/or trigger with ranging elements that incorporate the use of various paddles, screws, rods, springs, and housings among other diverse ancillary parts and mechanisms.
An example of the type of prior art associated with a trigger and/or trigger housing device designed to rapidly increase the firing rate of firearms is presented in U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,002 issued to Troncoso on Dec. 26, 2000, titled “GUN HAVING A RAPID FIRE TRIGGER ASSEMBLY AND THE ASSEMBLY THEREFOR ” hereafter referred to as Troncoso '002. The prior art is described therein as a rapid fire trigger assembly. The prior art apparatus generally affixes detachably to the trigger housing and utilizes a coil type compression spring to effect a constant forward biasing of the trigger. An expressed lever projects upwardly within the trigger housing and forwardly of the trigger and, with the incorporation of other structural parts of the device, moves the trigger rearward when the projecting lever is manually pivoted forwardly thereby causing the trigger to fire the gun. As illustratively expressed in the Troncoso '002 prior art, the constant coil spring type forward biasing of the trigger and the associated mechanism effectively resets the trigger after the discharge event while a concurrent ongoing forward pressure exerted upon the expressed upward protruding lever, applied by the trigger finger, initiates another cyclic discharge event. This forward pivoting of what amounts to a manually engaged secondary type trigger within the original trigger housing is antithetical to the normal method that shooters use to discharge a firearm, and the above described prior art structural spring and trigger biasing mechanism and apparatus having a secondary type trigger mechanism is somewhat operationally awkward and problematic, especially when examined in consideration of the subsequent narrative and when reviewed in further comparison to the following referenced prior art and the present novel invention.
Other innovative prior art contrivances designed to increase the firing rate of semiautomatic firearms have incorporated so called primary “firing units” and/or secondary “supporting units” consisting of elements which interface in a transverse back-and-forth relationship. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,918 issued to Akins on Aug. 15, 2000 titled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACCELERATING THE CYCLIC FIRING RATE OF A SEMI-AUTOMATIC FIREARM ” hereinafter simply referred to as the Akins '918.
The Akins '918 prior art expresses an exemplary firearm which has a trigger, barrel, and receiver inclusively defined as one structural primary element and/or firing unit that generally glides and/or slides back-and-forth transversely upon structural supporting rods and related elements, the firing unit being continuously biased forwardly by compression type springs while supported by a secondary structural element and/or supporting unit. As described therein the prior art secondary supporting apparatus encompasses a stock and handle and a trigger finger locating device and/or trigger finger “stop” or rest being located on the opposite side of the trigger from the trigger finger and which effectively acts as a fixed placement and stationary rest for the firearm users trigger finger.
In operational use the Akins '918 prior art requires that the shooters trigger finger be placed in front of and across the front of the trigger of the firing unit and fixedly onto the trigger finger stop of the secondary supporting unit. The firing unit including the trigger is constantly biased forwardly by compression springs. The forwardly biased trigger is thereafter depressed rearwards by the users trigger finger as the trigger finger is coincidentally placed rearwards fixedly on the trigger finger stop and/or locating device, thereby isolating the rearward movement of the trigger finger to a fixed position that coincides with the firearm trigger discharge locational position. In utility the firearm operator locates the trigger finger, while in contact with the trigger, to a fixed position upon the trigger finger stop and thereby initiates a coinciding primary discharge of ammunition. As the initial discharge event occurs a coinciding recoil force is generated upon the firing unit and the trigger then translates itself rearward as a part of the transversely reciprocating primary firing unit structure. During the recoil event, which effectively generates a temporary rearward movement of the firing unit, the fixed trigger finger remains stationary, having been placed across the front of the trigger and onto the trigger finger stop. This interaction thereby effects a complete and total disengagement of any physical contact between the trigger and the stationary trigger finger, as mandated in the Akins '918 prior art. As the recoil force generated from the initial discharge event subsides the primary firing unit, being continuously and forwardly biased by the elemental compression springs, overcomes the kinetic force of the recoil effect upon the firing unit of the firearm and by that means effectively moves the firing unit transversely forward towards its original position and effectively thereby reengages the trigger by physically interfacing the trigger with the fixed, isolated, and stationary trigger finger. The transverse back-and-forth interaction between the primary firing unit and the supporting elements of the firearm generate a following sequential discharged of ammunition and the firing cycle repeats itself until the trigger finger is removed from its stationary position and/or the firearm runs out of ammunition.
Although the Akins '918 system proved effective in its utility and was apparently first approved by the proper agency of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF), it was later scrutinized by the BATF in evident disapprobation. The Akins '918 prior art, utilizing a spring based forward biasing of the firing unit and automatically thereby interfacing the moving trigger against the fixed and stationary trigger finger, being depressed only one time against the trigger finger stop in order to initiate and sustain a rapid firing sequence, was apparently reviewed and interpreted by the BATF during that period of time as being somewhat similar in function to a fully automatic firearm described below. In addition it has been suggested that the original design and expression of the Akins '918 apparatus, as it was first submitted to and then approved by the BATF, was later apparently altered somewhat significantly between the time it was submitted to the BATF and the actual time it became commercially available.
The legal definition of a fully automatic firearm as determined under the National Firearms Act (NFA) and in particular the NFA, 26 U.S.C. §5845(b) rule and/or statute, defines a “machine-gun” as “ . . . any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger.” A well publicized recall of the Akins '918 prior art forwardly biasing spring structure followed as the BATF rescinded its apparent former approval of the mechanism. However, it is now understood that a following and more recent modification of the Akins '918 device and/or a similar designed apparatus incorporating the described prior art primary firing unit and a secondary supporting element, while utilizing manual forward biasing instead of spring based forward biasing of the primary firing unit, was conditionally approved by the BATF. It is also understood that the modified Akins '918 prior art device achieves the same and/or similar rapid fire cyclic effect as did the earlier utilization of springs in the Akins '918 prior art. Beyond the above issues, the Akins '918 prior art system and design requires a significant number of moving and/or ancillary non Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts, including supplements involving the primary firing unit and the secondary supporting elements, which increases the cost and complexity of manufacturing and inventory control while substantively restricting the application of the Akins '918 system to a relatively limited number and type of firearm.
Another prior art apparatus designed to increase the firing rate of firearms and which similarly incorporates a primary firing unit and a secondary supporting type element without the use of springs, was issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,607,687 B2 to Cottle on Dec. 17, 2013 and titled “SLIDE STOCK FOR FIREARM WITH CONTOURED FINGER REST ” hereinafter referred to simply as Cottle '687. The Cottle '687 prior art utilizes somewhat similar elements with those of Akins '918 including a primary firing unit being referred to in the Cottle '687 as a “bearing element” and a secondary supporting monolithic element and which interface in a back-and-forth transverse sliding manner. The Akins '918 and the Cottle '687 prior art additionally incorporate similar utility by requiring a complete physical separation of the trigger finger from the trigger during operation. A notable distinction between the original Akins '918 and the following Cottle '687 prior art in particular being that the Cottle '687 prior art mandates user induced forward physical biasing of the primary firing unit instead of the compression spring based auto-mechanical forward biasing of the primary firing unit as utilized in the original Akins '918 prior art.
The Cottle '687 prior art incorporates a monolithic supporting element designated by Cottle '687 as a sliding stock or “bump stock” hereinafter referenced as a slide stock and/or bump stock which incorporates a single structurally integrated handle with contoured finger rest. The Cottle '687 prior art refers in passing to the monolithic supporting secondary unit as a singular handle. In comparable utility to Akins '918 the Cottle '687 prior art integrate the firearms receiver, barrel, and trigger in transverse movement as a singular conjoined primary firing unit. The primary firing unit and/or “bearing element” of the Cottle '687 prior art functions in a sliding back-and-forth manner and operatively thereby interface interdependently with the secondary supporting apparatus and/or so called monolithic slide-stock element and its inclusive handle and finger rest. For ease of understanding, the so called bump stock is technically described with greater detail in the following reference to the Cottle '687 patent as discussed under the prior art Summary of the Invention and Advantages quote:
“According to an aspect of this invention, a bump-stock for a semi-automatic firearm includes a handle adapted to be grasped by a user's hand. The handle including an opposing surface for directly interacting with a bearing element of the firearm so that the handle is able to reciprocate relative to the bearing element back-and-forth along a constrained linear path. The bump-stock also includes a finger rest. The finger rest is configured to stabilize the end of a user's trigger finger in a partially extended condition so that in use the user's trigger finger stretches in front of the firearm trigger while the remaining fingers of the user's hand grasp the handle. The finger rest and the handle are fixed together as a unit for concerted back-and-forth movement along the constrained linear path. The finger rest has a concave open end establishing a cradle for the user's trigger finger while the remaining fingers of the user's rear hand grasp the handle.” . . . end of quotation. The Cottle '687 prior art additionally claims to be an improvement on a well known method of rapidly cycling a firearm, methodically referred to in the Cottle '687 prior art as “bump firing” and in all probability may be where the term bump stock, as referenced within the Cottle '687 prior art, takes its origin.
In practice of the Cottle '687 prior art the user and/or firearm operator grasps the handle of the bump-stock and positions the bump-stock upon the users shoulder in similar fashion to the standard operational procedure and normal shooting manner for a rifle type firearm. The user then isolates the trigger finger on the bump-stock trigger finger rest by placement thereof across the front of the trigger and onto the trigger finger rest. As expressed in the Cottle '687 prior art the trigger finger rest is integrated into the handle of the monolithic bump-stock and the trigger finger rest is contoured and spatially located on the opposite side of the trigger from the forwardly extended trigger finger of the users firing hand. In other words, the contoured trigger finger rest is structurally located on the left side of the handle when used by a right handed person when viewed from the rear region of the firearm.
It is mandated within the Cottle '687 prior art that, in order for the user to initiate a primary discharge of ammunition, the firearm operator must first stabilize the firearm by securing the butt end of the bump-stock against the users shoulder region with effective stabilizing rearward force while holding the bump-stock handle with the users firing hand.
The user must then stretch the trigger finger of the shooting hand across the front of the trigger and locate the trigger finger in a fixed position on the contoured trigger finger rest of the bump-stock handle. This initial placement of the trigger finger in a fixed and stationary manner upon the trigger finger rest, and the coinciding placement of the so called bump-stock against the shoulder of the firearm operator and/or user, is such that the front of the trigger is not in contact with the trigger finger until the user discharges an initial and/or a following sequential round of ammunition by physically moving and/or biasing the primary firing unit forwardly. In other words, the Cottle '687 forward biasing of the firing unit element brings the trigger transversely into physical contact with the isolated trigger finger located on the contoured trigger finger rest of the handle of the bump-stock. The Cottle '687 bump-stock, incorporating both the handle and contoured trigger finger rest as an integral part of the secondary supporting element, constantly remains in a relatively fixed location having the butt end of the monolithic bump-stock/shoulder stock in constant contact with the users shoulder while the firing unit “bearing element” moves transversely in a back and forth fashion.
Still referring to the Cottle '687 prior art, in utility the mandated and user generated physical forward movement of the firing unit and the consequent interaction and resulting contact between the isolated trigger finger, being fixedly located on the monolithic bump-stock element, with the forward moving trigger as incorporated in the primary firing unit thereby initiates a first and primary discharge of ammunition. This initial discharge of ammunition generates a rearward force recoil effect and kinetic momentum upon the combined barrel, receiver, and trigger group of the firing unit and as a result moves the primary firing unit in a lateral and rearward direction and which by that means disconnects the conjoined trigger from the stationary trigger finger located on the trigger finger rest of the bump-stock. The resulting de facto physical separation of the trigger from the trigger finger, as has been previously referenced, is an essential part of the mandated utility and operational requirement of the Cottle '687 and Akins '918 prior art.
In ongoing reference to Cottle '687, as the firearm operator continues to apply the mandated manual forward biasing force upon the primary firing unit that action tends to counter the recoil effect of the initial discharge event and assists in returning the primary firing unit including the incorporated trigger component forwardly in a transverse and reciprocal manner. As a consequence the bearing element is brought into repeated physical contact with the stationary isolated trigger finger, having remained located on the trigger finger rest of the monolithic bump-stock, which initiates a following sequential discharge of ammunition. If not interrupted the sequential firing pattern repeats itself in rapid order.
At least one inherent issue that arises from the prior art such as Akins '918 and Cottle '687, both of which mandate full operational separation of the trigger finger from the trigger, is lack of traditional trigger responsive interaction and/or interactive ‘trigger feel’. The standardized and normal shooting method for firearm operators utilizes responsive interaction between the operators trigger finger and the firearm trigger as an important qualitative and inherent part of the firearm shooting experience. Trigger feel and feedback is generally crucial to the shooting experience for several reasons including but not limited to both long and shorter range accuracy, varying situational firing consistency, and reliable follow up shots among many other diverse and meritorious distinctions to the prior art, including but not limited to the overall control of the firearm even, for example, when the operator is simultaneously moving and shooting.
As described above in the Cottle '687 prior art, the utility of the interfacing primary firing unit and secondary supporting elements unfavorably mandate and deleteriously require that the operator, in order to discharge the firearm, must apparently remain in at least a minimally upright and/or stationary position with the firearm stock and/or bump stock in place against the users shoulder, while manually biasing the primary firing unit forwardly as a means to have the moving trigger collide longitudinally with the shooters fixed trigger finger as placed on the required trigger finger rest. In other words, the user is procedurally mandated by the Cottle '687 prior art to simultaneously position the conjoined secondary supporting bump-stock monolithic element, including the unified handle and trigger finger rest, in a fixed location against the firearm operators shoulder. Utilizing the Cottle '687 prior art shooting method while incorporating the exemplified interfacing elements could, at the least, minimally restrict and/or limit the immediate use of the firearm during a crucial period of time in which the operator may be in physical movement and/or unable to shoulder the firearm and/or while the operator may be changing firing positions, among other shooting scenarios.
Disadvantageously, employing the prior art to effectively discharge a rifle type firearm in a very rapid sequence from a prone position while, for example, utilizing a bipod type support to stabilize the firearm would prove, at a minimum, to be problematic and extremely difficult if not impossible depending on the circumstance.
Additionally, the Cottle '687 prior art illustrates a lockable mechanism built into the monolithic bump stock which, when engaged or disengaged, converts the firearm from utilizing the slidable interfacing elements into a standard semiautomatic type configuration, thereby allowing the user to physically switch between the two types of firing solutions and prior art configurations. However, as mandated in the Cottle '687 prior art, a lockable and unlock-able mechanical conversion from the normal and/or standard single shot per trigger pull semiautomatic function of the firearm to a more rapid cyclic firing rate of the Cottle '687 prior art, disadvantageously requires that the user stop shooting and reposition the firearm and/or the users position in a way that enables the prior art device's lockable mechanism to be readably engaged or alternately disengaged by one of the users hands. After engaging and/or disengaging the lockable mechanism, being expressly located on the bottom region of the monolithic bump stock of the prior art, the operator must reposition again and then shoulder the bump stock as a means to continue using the firearm in the alternate format and according to the mandated Cottle '687 prior art.
When reviewing real life self defense scenarios analytically, and in general terms, most situations involving firearms are basically dynamic and not static in nature, and do not frequently involve the defender standing still while shooting from a stationary position over a prolonged period of time. Generally speaking and more often as not these types of self defense scenarios involving firearms require at least some active movement on the part of the defender to help insure the safety of the defender and/or the defended. Continuous defensive firing from a standing and/or stationary position gives an armed assailant or opponent a vastly improved opportunity to acquire the defender as a target, while in contrast, a moving and/or shooting defender is much more likely to survive. Exchange of handgun fire in many documented self defense scenarios, and as commonly known by anyone familiar with the experience, typically occurs between opponents positioned within relative close proximity to each other, and these encounters are often extremely dynamic situations rather than being static in nature. An armed defender with the ability to accurately fire two or three rounds of ammunition at close range in about the same time or even less time than an armed aggressor is able to aim and accurately fire one round of ammunition, especially when engaged in a moving and shooting scenario, has a significantly enhanced tactical advantage over the aggressor along with a greatly improved chance of survival.
As mentioned above, the previously discussed Akins '918 and Cottle '687 prior art distinguishably mandate an operationally complete and required separation of the trigger finger from the surface of the trigger as an integral part of a stated and ostensible purpose for preserving the standard operational and/or normal semiautomatic status of the firearm and/or additionally allowing the trigger to reset as the trigger finger physically separates from the trigger during functional operation and utility of the prior art. As stated in Cottle '687 for example, the mandated physical separation of the trigger and trigger finger during the required forward biasing of the firing unit of the embodied serviceable firearm enables the trigger mechanism to reset itself in preparation for the next sequential discharge of ammunition.
However, and as a general rule, most firearms require a minimal return movement of the trigger forwardly from the triggers most rearward position and/or concurrent point of ammunition discharge in order to reset the trigger mechanism and thereby preserve the normal standard operational nature of the firearm. In point of fact, a complete or even intermittent total separation of contact between the surface of the trigger and the trigger finger in order to ostensibly enable a required trigger reset event between each and every successive discharge of ammunition, such as mandated by the Akins '918 and the Cottle '687 prior art expressions and exemplifications, is simply not required in the vast majority of firearms. Those who are very familiar with the art will understand that supposedly requiring a complete or even intermittent total separation of contact between the surface of a trigger and the trigger finger itself in order to maintain the operating status of a semiautomatic firearm and/or to reset the trigger mechanism of the firearm in preparation for a following shot, such as is mandated by both the Akins '918 and the Cottle '687 prior art expressions, is not in fact an operational prerequisite or a utilitarian necessity. Moreover, the prior art in this regard, is somewhat limiting and relatively outdated while at the same time amounting to an obsolete method and means of implementation in order to accomplish the goal of quickly resetting the firearm trigger and/or maintaining the semiautomatic status of a firearm when compared to the present and novel invention as explained in greater detail below. In point of fact, regarding trigger reset devices, many of todays newer type firearms incorporate what is commonly referred to as a positive trigger reset mechanism. In typical practice these positive trigger reset devices have features that are structured to function interactively with the simultaneous movement of the trigger mechanism and hammer as it advances forwardly in order to impact the firing pin of the firearm and thereby initiate a discharge of ammunition.
Typically, the average trigger reset point on a standard semiautomatic firearm, and most firearms for that matter, generally lies somewhat forward of the triggers locational discharge point and somewhat rearward of the triggers most forward “at rest” and/or “ready to fire” position, and while that distance may vary somewhat it is generally specific and particular to the individual manufacturers firearm make, model, type, and individual trigger mechanism design. The fact of the matter is that the most forward trigger reset location of the typical firearm trigger is reached well before any type of physical separation of the trigger finger from the trigger is needed or required. Most importantly, the forward reset position of the trigger is reached during with the forward movement of the trigger, for example, after a discharge event and well before any type of physical separation of the trigger finger from the trigger. The normal trigger reset position is typically reached while the user still maintains an ongoing and constant contact between the trigger finger and the trigger after a normal discharge event. It is easily understood that the described interaction between the users trigger finger, maintaining a constant contact with the trigger during the trigger discharge and reset event, initiates the discharge of a single round of ammunition while continuing to maintain a single operational function of the trigger and the ongoing semi-automatic status of the firearm.
For the most part, standardized trigger mechanisms allow the trigger to rotate backwardly somewhat beyond the triggers locational discharge point, which is a transit typically nonessential to the discharge event. An improved expression of the prior art would actively govern, as the novel invention herein teaches, an exactingly well defined and exceedingly minimized distance between the trigger discharge and trigger reset points and to do so inter-operationally, and by that means regulate the travel distance and manage the time constants between the two points, while governing the interaction between the trigger, trigger finger, the firing hand of the operator and the trigger discharge and trigger reset points of the firearm. The novel expression of the instant invention accomplishes all of the above without the physical separation of the trigger from the trigger finger, such as is mandated by the prior art.
An advantageous benefit that the novel invention presents in part over the prior art is an increase in the firearms rate of fire resulting from the instant controller mechanism structure which incrementally defines the firearm trigger movement and which, when compared to the prior art, effectively delineates the essential travel distance between the trigger discharge and trigger reset points of firearms and by that means advantageously decreases the minimum time over distance interval between the trigger discharge and trigger reset events effecting thereby an increase in the cyclic rate of ammunition discharge by the firearm, especially when compared to the prior art.
In contrast to a standard operating semiautomatic firearm, most fully automatic firearms generally incorporate the use of what is commonly referred to as an automatic sear. The automatic sear, as a specialized part of a commonly dedicated fully automatic firearms internal trigger mechanism, helps enable multiple rounds of ammunition to be discharged in a continuous and rapid succession with a singular and constant depression of the firearms trigger, and operationally require the user to hold down the trigger with the trigger finger in a stationary and longitudinally rearward position with persistent application of rearward lateral pressure applied by the users trigger finger. When the user of the fully automatic firearm releases the volitional application of sustained pressure from the front of the trigger, and thereby allows the trigger to move forward to a certain point, the firearm immediately stops loading and discharging ammunition. The exemplary fully automatic firearm, as opposed to a standard semiautomatic firearm for example, incorporates the internal trigger mechanisms specialized automatic sear to interactively assist in discharging multiple and consecutive rounds of ammunition and by that means does not require the user to incrementally release and/or adjustably reduce the users trigger finger pressure on the trigger in order to reset the trigger mechanism in preparation for a follow up discharge of ammunition such as is required to operate a standard semiautomatic firearm.
By known definition semiautomatic firearms have a mechanism for self loading, but not for continual and sustained loading and sequential firing of ammunition like dedicated fully automatic firearms which incorporate the utilization of a singular and sustained trigger depression. The prior art, including other such prior art contrivances, have focused almost entirely on rapidly increasing the firing rates for semiautomatic firearms in order to achieve what might be considered somewhat similar firing rates to fully automatic firearms, and to do so while enabling the semiautomatic firearm to operate in a specific manner intended to technically maintain the semiautomatic status of the firearm.
An improved expression of the prior art would provide an adaptive system, method and mechanism which would allow the firearm operator to distinguishably vary the overall cyclic firing rate of semiautomatic firearms for example while enabling the operator to continually maintain a more desirable constant contact between the trigger and the trigger finger. Advantageously, the novel invention provides a more desirable and advantageous constant contact between the firing hand trigger finger and the firearm trigger while being easily employed with a significantly greater number and wider variety of firearms, not just certain configurations of only semiautomatic firearms.
There exists a further need for a novel interfacing apparatus that responsively functions with an increased natural interaction between the operators trigger finger, firing hand, and the firearm and which easily enables a flexible and spontaneous on the fly alteration of the firearms cyclic rate of fire, even while the operator is in physical motion and/or is changing firing positions, and which is calibrated to interface in a well defined and exacting manner with both the forward trigger reset position and/or the rearward trigger discharge position while enabling the firearm to naturally function without the need to methodically separate the trigger finger from the trigger. Additionally, the improved device should function without the the prior art requirement for the shouldering of a bump-stock.
As discussed above, the mandated procedural operation of both the Akins '918 and Cottle '687 prior art require a forward biasing of elements in order to function. As previously discussed, the original Akins '918 prior art utilized compression springs for this elemental forward biasing of the designated firing unit while the Cottle '687 prior art requires the elemental forward biasing to be manually effected by the incorporation of the users secondary supporting hand, the secondary supporting hand being notably other than the shooting hand and/or firing hand of the operator.
Another benefit that the present novel invention provides and expresses, as an improvement over the prior art, involves its advantageous utility when incorporated with the use of handguns and pistol versions of certain firearm types like, for example, the AR15 class of pistol. During the normal operation of standard semiautomatic rifle type firearms the users secondary supporting hand is placed upon the forward region of the firearm such as a forward stock, a hand guard, or a vertical type grip. In the utilization of a handgun and/or pistol class of firearm the supporting hand, when optionally employed by the operator, is typically placed upon the region of the pistol type firearm forward of the firing hand. The utilization of vertical and/or handle types of secondary ancillary forward grips on handguns have some legal issues and/or qualifiers which themselves are focused around forward handles being mounted to pistols and/or handguns. In other words, according to the rules of the BATF, it is illegal to employ vertical and/or handle type forward grips to any type of handgun and/or pistol type firearm.
In reference to the Cottle '687 prior art, the mandatory operational procedure requires that the primary slidable firing unit or the Cottle '687 so called “bearing element” is biased forwardly by the secondary supporting hand in order to engage the primary slidable trigger element with the stabilized trigger finger as placed by the user in a fixed position on a trigger finger rest being part of the secondary supporting monolithic element. Both the Akins '918 prior art, which originally required a spring based and resultant mechanical forward biasing of a so called “firing unit” while utilizing a forward supporting hand on the firearm as referred to in the Akins '918 prior art, or the physical forward biasing of a so called “bearing element” by a secondary supporting hand as particularly referenced in the Cottle '687 prior art in order to initiate the discharge of a first round or following rounds of ammunition, require a secondary supporting hand and thereby eliminate the possibility of the firearm operator using just one hand to operate the firearm. The Cottle '687 prior art makes a passing reference in narrative context and figurative diagram to a potential adaptive expression of the principal expression of Cottle '687 in the utilization of a handgun and/or pistol type firearm. That expression apparently consists of a single secondary supporting element having a handle with an integral curved trigger finger rest and without the prior art bump stock but still requiring forward biasing of the firing unit, including the trigger of the firing unit, into the fixed trigger finger as it rests on the single secondary supporting unit and/or prior art handle. However, in order to utilize that particular Cottle '687 prior art expression as it may apply to handguns in particular, and in order to thereby accommodate the stipulated, mandated, and required operational method and system of the Cottle '687 prior art, the operator of the handgun type firearm would, out of mandated and operational necessity, be required to use both hands in order to initiate a primary discharge event and/or rapidly shoot the firearm. In other words the forward supporting hand would have to forwardly bias the handgun firing unit and/or so called bearing element into the stabilized trigger finger as it rests on the Cottle '687 handle trigger finger rest structure, which monolithic handle itself is in fact also being simultaneously supported and/or held at the same time by the operators firing hand. As previously expressed and according to BATF rules the Cottle '687 would not be useful when applied by a handle forwardly mounted to a handgun and/or pistol type of firearm.
Furthermore, a serviceman and/or civilian for example that may sustain a gunshot or other type wound or injury to the secondary supporting hand, arm, or shoulder as a result of a so called fire fight and/or other armed conflict or self defense scenario may not and/or would not be able to operate the Cottle '687 or the Akins '918 prior art with just one usable hand at a time. Various scenarios of real life and death self defense situations involving firearms, and whose outcome might balance on the defenders ability to quickly use one hand to operate a firearm, would certainly prove to be disadvantageous for the practical incorporation of the Cottle '687 and/or the Akins '918 mandated prior art utilitarian characteristics as referenced in the above discussion. An improved expression of the prior art would enable the firearm operator to use one hand to initiate a primary, secondary, and/or following discharge of ammunition, if by need or by choice.
Additionally, the prior art directive requiring the primary and/or firing unit be biased forwardly in order to initiate a first discharge of ammunition along with a persistent forward biasing of the primary element, in combination with ongoing stationary positioning of the secondary supporting element and/or bump-stock as a requirement to expend any following rounds of ammunition, could be improved on advantageously with a device which would not mandate intentional forward biasing to initiate a primary and/or a following secondary and/or consecutive discharge event.
Moreover, an improved expression over the above described prior art would easily function in utility of operation while incorporating just a minimal and/or normal requirement for the overall secondary hand support of and/or stabilization of the firearm, such as that used in the standard operational procedure for discharging firearms without the prior art. The prior art mandated requirement for the placement of the shoulder stock against the users shoulder and the additional placement of a forward supporting hand on the forward stock of a rifle type firearm in order to forwardly bias the firing unit and/or element thereby initiating a discharge and/or a following discharge of ammunition, and stabilization of the firearm with a counter bias against the recoil force and momentum of the firearm during the initial and following discharge events, should also be eliminated by an improved invention.
Representing a novel improvement over the prior art a beneficial expression would enable the user to intuitively operate the firearm interactively from various firing positions while simultaneously empowering the user with an improved ability to move and shoot in a simultaneous manner in accordance with the situational requirements of the individualized shooting scenario.
Ideally, an improved apparatus would be extremely simplified in its design and fabrication, have ease of use and application, and would function universally with a greater number and type of firearm designs. Advantageously, the apparatus should have simple operational functionality with the absolute minimum use of cams, springs, rods, screws, housings, cranks, tubes, side walls, connectors, wedges, pins, paddles, plungers, plates, blades, clamps, wires, coils, levers, moving handles, isolating finger rests and/or stops, and conjoined primary and/or secondary interactive monolithic slidable back-and-forth elements and/or the like.
Moreover, advantageously over the prior art, the improved device should feel and function in a more comfortable and natural manner and without the need for any mandated placement of the users trigger finger across the front of the trigger and extended onto an ancillary finger rest or finger stop in order to function the firearm. As favorably expressed below the present invention does not require or mandate trigger finger placement across the front of the trigger and onto a trigger finger rest in order to function the firearm.
Furthermore an innovative and improved novel mechanism and method should be reliable for versatile use in real life self defense situations which are typically dynamic and not static, and beneficially continue to be fully operable under diverse circumstances, even while the firearm itself is recoiling backwards from the momentum of the discharge event. The enhanced apparatus and method should function exceedingly well in a diverse set of circumstances, such as the above, without any of the mandated prior art requirement of incorporating a bump stock and/or placement of the bump stock stock, or in fact the use of any stock placement upon the shooters shoulder in order to fully operate the mechanism.
An enhanced apparatus should also be relatively inexpensive for the consumer, uncomplicated, safe and reliable, and adaptively suitable for both older and newer modern firearm designs including most types and model variations while the improved operational method would continue to remain flexibly suitable for diverse and future innovative firearm concepts.
An advantageously capable device would function seamlessly while not requiring that the user stop shooting then reposition the firearm to lock and/or unlock a mechanism, being located on a secondary element, in order to convert and/or alternate between the standard firing method and rapid firing method as required by and mandated in the Cottle '687 prior art for example.
The ameliorated apparatus should also provide a natural interface between the shooters hand and the firearm handle while still closely maintaining the original functional and operational status, feel, and basic design of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) manufactured firearm.
An improvement over the prior art would allow the firearm operator to accurately discharge a single round of ammunition by enabling the user to move the firearm trigger in a micro-incremental and/or on the fly manner while maintaining full contact with the trigger.
The presently expressed innovative and novel invention addresses the limitations of the prior art with many beneficial and enhanced improvements while advantageously ensuring an inventive method of utilization which is both practical in purpose and uniquely entertaining for the average recreational shooter and the professional marksman.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES It is therefore, accordingly, a primary objective of the instant novel invention to advantageously fulfill the foregoing needs while providing an improved innovative utility and a unique operational method and mechanism designed to functionally enable the firearm operator to accurately, intuitively, and interactively regulate the firearm trigger discharge and reset positions and by that means produce a more precise single discharge event and/or, advantageously, a variable sequential cyclic firing rate for a diversity of firearms.
Several inherent advantages that the current invention presents are referenced favorably below in comparative benefit and differentiation from the prior art. Although the following listed advantages represent a selection of propitious solutions to a number of previously mentioned and existing limitations of the prior art, as remarked above, there are other benefits that the immediate invention presents which will become even more obvious and apparent in view of the forthcoming supplementary information, specifications, and inclusionary documentation, thereby demonstrating the present inventions objectives to be purposeful accomplished by the various means hereinafter described.
The preferred apparatus, embodying stylistic illustrative concepts of the present invention, consists in its most basic structure of an interfacing controller mechanism which effects improved operational management of the firearm trigger movement. The controller in this instance having an elliptical forward region providing a variable tangential contact surface which is contiguous with the rear region of the firearms trigger, said trigger being under demonstrated proximate tension having been manually rotated laterally into contact with the controllers elliptical forward region by force of sustained rearward pressure actively applied by the operators trigger finger upon the trigger. The trigger formerly having been at rest in its normal and stationary most forward position and, while in that expressed position, out of contact with the controllers elliptical forward region. The controller structure in this expression having a most rearward conformational surface region in alignment with the innermost and/or upper-innermost region of the operators firing hand.
This structural arrangement and interaction provides a very natural and improved interface between the innermost and/or upper innermost region of the operators shooting hand, the trigger of the firearm, and the operators trigger finger thereby effecting a greatly enhanced trigger feel and/or trigger tactile sense, especially when compared to the prior art. The present invention additionally provides real time interactive operator engagement and a coinciding reciprocal relationship between the interfacing controller, the operators shooting hand and trigger finger, and the firearms trigger. This structural arrangement gives the firearm user greater control over a single discharge of ammunition and/or a sequential discharge event as further discussed and referenced below.
As referenced earlier it is also an object of the present invention to provide a unique mechanism and method that operably defines and directly interacts with the trigger reset and discharge points of the individual firearm. Accordingly, in this expression, the structure of the embodied controller incorporates adjustably locatable modular elements that define and interact operationally with both the interfacing trigger discharge locational position and the interfacing trigger reset locational position of the firearm trigger. The novel interaction is managed as an integral part and function of the presented method and mechanism, being further outlined by the teachings below and in the detailed description of the invention.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that is relatively uncomplicated and advantageously flexibly adaptive for older types of firearms and many, if not most, of the newer and more modern firearm designs while eliminating the prior art's conditional mandating of and operational requirement for a forward biasing of various elements in order to initiate a preliminary discharge event and/or a following discharge of ammunition. Furthermore, the instant invention eliminates the prior art's requirement that the operator reach out and stretch the firing hand's trigger finger across the front region of the trigger in order to place the trigger finger in a fixed position on a locator and/or trigger finger rest, the finger rest of the prior art being an integral part of a monolithic supporting element which itself is conjoined with a primary movable back-and-forth firing unit and/or element as part of an essential, integral, and thereby inherent utility of the prior art.
Accordingly, the present invention is extremely simplified and refined in both its utility and function and does not employ springs and/or a wide variety of ancillary parts. As previously mentioned the instant invention directly interfaces with both the operators innermost region of the firing hand and the rear region of the firearms trigger, thereby enabling direct operator contact and interaction with the firearm trigger by utilization of the trigger finger of the firing hand. This novel structural arrangement enables the trigger finger of the firearm operator to move the trigger in a normal and preferred shooting manner and in concurrence with the novel controller and the operators upper-innermost or innermost region of the firing hand, and is readily adaptive to a wide variety of firearms. The present invention does not functionally require or incorporate any conjoined primary or so called secondary supporting elements, as described above in reference to the prior art, and as a consequence thereby allows the novel expression to incorporate an increased and flexible adaptation with a greater variety of diverse firearms, requiring minimal modification thereto. Additionally, the present inventive utility empowers the operator with the ability to initialize the discharge of a primary and/or first round of ammunition without a mandated forward biasing of a monolithic firing unit, such as is required by the prior art, while giving the firearm operator enhanced trigger control over a single shot and/or a varying cyclic firing rate. Advantageously the present invention provides the user with the ability to discharge the firearm with only one hand at a time if required, and without the fundamental mandates of the prior art as referenced above.
Another object solution of the present invention as referenced above and expressed below is to provide a mechanism that operates without the requirement of incorporating a so called bump-stock and/or even a standard shoulder stock for a firearm and the integral placement thereof upon the shooters shoulder as part of a mandated operational firing solution such as required by the prior art.
Advantageously, the innovative present invention operates without the utilization of, or even need for, a shoulder stock. As referenced earlier in regard to a rifle type firearm, with the utilization of the Cottle '687 prior art monolithic bump-stock for example, the rifle type firearm must be raised and shouldered by the operator in order to function the Cottle '687 prior art and initiate a primary and/or following discharge of ammunition. The shoulder stock and/or so called bump stock of the Cottle '687 prior art, for example, incorporates the firearm handle, a so called trigger guard, and a curved trigger finger rest as prerequisite components of a singular monolithic structure, and in simple terms requires the mandatory incorporation of these same elements by the prior art in the basic utilization of the shoulder stock and/or bump stock. The presently expressed new and novel apparatus allows the operator to utilize the immediate innovative system and method to discharge ammunition without the need to shoulder the rifle type firearm and to beneficially operate the firearm with an absolute majority and/or all of the firearm elements that structurally originate from the original manufacturer of the firearm.
Beneficially, the present expression easily integrates in an uncomplicated and straightforward manner with the pistol class of firearms such as, among many others, the AR15 category and other pistol types which utilize the 5.56 rifle type cartridge for example. The above pistol class the of AR15 pistol type firearms do not generally incorporate any shoulder stocks unless by special approval, classification, and/or registration under the auspices of the BATF along with a fee and/or related agency endorsement and/or with a reclassification of the pistol to that such as an SBR (Short Barreled Rifle) and/or the potential reclassification, depending on the overall changes to the firearm, under the AOW (Any Other Weapon) type alternative. This BATF classification of pistol type firearms, as discussed above, restricts the utility and minimizes the application of the prior art within the pistol class of firearms. The preferred embodiment of the present invention works within the existing structure of the above mentioned pistol class of firearms and without the need for reclassification and/or without the mandatory use of any secondary butt stock and/or bump stock and/or shoulder stock configurations and thereby does not require any special review by the BATF for any required reclassification, special review, or special registration of the original firearm and/or pistol type.
The instant invention as further expressed below, additionally provides a preferable system and apparatus that operates while the firearm and the firearm operator are in active concurrent movement, thereby accordingly empowering the firearm operator with the ability to safely move and shoot simultaneously if needed without having to stop and position the firearm against the operators shoulder and while additionally offering the operator a more precise, accurate, and enhanced interactive trigger control and ‘in motion’ shooting method as a combined and significant improvement over the prior art.
Advantageously the present invention gives the operator responsive adjustable incremental control over the amount of preferred trigger pressure and trigger movement that the operator chooses to apply as required in various shooting scenarios. The present inventions ability to precisely and incrementally govern the amount of trigger pull and interactive trigger feel, as may be required and/or optionally chosen in a particular shooting scenario, gives an increased accuracy to each individual shot and/or variable cyclic firing sequence by the utilization of balanced isometric tension between the trigger finger, trigger, and innermost region of the firing hand exerted upon the controlling mechanism, as further exemplified in the following teachings. Of course, the innovations that the novel invention advantageously presents provide certain benefits to recreational shooters, serviceman, long range competition shooting, designated marksman, law enforcement personnel, and the military sniper in theater, among others, while providing another layer of self defense protection for the everyday individual civilian.
Optionally, as an improvement over the prior art mentioned above, the instant expression of the removable controller may also be readily and adaptively fitted with a discretionary locking mechanism which is not illustrated in these teachings but which are easily understood by anyone familiar with the art. One locking mechanism embodiment, among many others, having a detection type system which may recognizes a unique identifier and/or other type of interfacing element being in possession of the designated operator of the firearm in order to lock and/or unlock the controller. The present inventions controller apparatus, when locked in place forwardly, will not allow the trigger mechanism to be repositioned in order to allow the trigger to reach the calibrated discharge point and as a consequence thereby the novel invention adds additional security, protection, and greater safety to the general field of firearms.
Beneficially, the firearm operator while in utilization of the present invention may volitionally and optionally choose to discharge a primary, secondary, and/or any following sequential discharge event over an extremely brief time period or choose to discharge the firearm over a more varied and/or moderated and governed time period advantageously over the prior art, even as the entire mass of the firearm is recoiling under momentum from a single discharge event and/or during any varying number of consecutive sequential discharge events. The innovative methodology of the present invention, beneficially over the prior art, enables the operator to continue shooting the firearm even as the firearm reacts in kind to the rearward momentum of recoil force exerted upon the body of the firearm by a discharge event and/or while the firearm is being supported in a variety of ways and a number of differing firing positions, and most favorably while the operator is in motion during changes of firing positions. In other words, the novel invention presents an improvement over the prior art in that it can be utilized in a greater number of wide ranging circumstances incorporating all types of firing positions and various moving and shooting scenarios and even as the firearm itself is continuously recoiling rearward from the force of a single discharge event or a consecutive series of discharge events which itself is, among other beneficial improvements expressed by this instant invention, a novel innovation and favorable when compared to the prior art.
When compared to the prior art the present invention advantageously requires only a minimal and/or a normal effort by the firearm operator in order to effect a counter-recoil stabilization of the firearm by the designated supporting hand, whether it be the forward supporting hand and/or the uppermost and or upper innermost region of the firing hand, optionally including the firing hand thumb region in the case of a one handed operation of a handgun as further discussed in the following teachings.
Other than a standard, natural, and minimal forward stabilization force applied to the firearm by the operator in resistance to the recoil force, the following referenced ‘firing solution sets’ advantageously do not require any enhanced forward biasing of the firearm in order to initiate either the primary discharge event or any following secondary discharge event or any successive sequence of related discharge events. However, the following discussed firing solutions generally require a nominal and/or somewhat standard stabilizing force supportively applied to the handle region of the firearm and optionally a commonly used stabilizing engagement of the operators forward supporting hand upon a hand-guard for example when exerting normal counter recoil force when operating a rifle, carbine, or other such firearm types which may require forward support in order for the firearm to function as specified by the OEM. As further expressed in these teachings, a continuing and volitionally applied isometric force exerted upon the controlling mechanism itself is integral to the utilization of the present invention when employed to discharge ammunition in a more a rapid sequence. As demonstrated and referenced below the innovative method, employing variable isometric tension as applied by the firearm operator interactively upon the novel controlling mechanism, is incorporated as a function of the relationship of the cyclic firing rate and discharge ratio of the firearm, being effectively produced as a result of the time over distance interaction between the trigger and the trigger discharge and reset points, which is governed by the following described factors and the variable isometric tension volitionally exerted upon the controller by the firearm operator.
As expressed and depicted below, the novel invention advantageously does not require the firearm operator to place the trigger finger across the front of the trigger and onto a secondary supporting trigger finger rest and/or element but beneficially allows the operator to interface the firing hand trigger finger directly with the trigger. Additionally seen below, the improved invention does not mandate or require the firearm operator to shoulder the firearm in order to function and in point of fact the present invention enables the firearm operator with an ability to discharge ammunition without the need to actively engage a shoulder stock in any way.
In other words, the improved novel invention expresses an interfacing adjustable apparatus that functions with an increased natural interaction between the operator and the firearm enabling thereby a flexible and spontaneous on the fly alteration of the firearms cyclic rate of fire and/or a single discharge event while the operator and the firearm are both stationary and/or in physical motion, and which is calibrated to interface in a well defined and exacting manner with both the forward trigger reset point and the rearward trigger discharge point while permitting the firearm to naturally function without the need to methodically separate the trigger finger from the trigger. The improved utility of the present invention beneficially governs and regulates the time and distance the trigger itself takes to travel from the trigger discharge point to the trigger reset point and back again, thereby improving the overall control of a singular discharge event and/or vary the cyclic firing rate and speed of the sequential discharge event advantageously, especially when compared to the prior art.
Beneficially, when utilizing the novel invention to accurately discharge a singular round of ammunition, the isometric contraction generated upon the controller mechanism by the operator is sustained until a single discharge event is initiated, for example, by the incremental relaxation of the upper-innermost hand pressure upon the rear region of the novel controlling mechanism while maintaining and/or increasing trigger finger rearward force upon the firearm trigger, and by consequence, the forward region of the controlling mechanism and thereby effectively and accurately discharging just one single round of ammunition with greater control and accuracy than that accomplished by utilizing either a standard shooting method and/or the prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS At least one or more of the foregoing objects of the novel invention, as well as other advantages of the improved invention over the prior art, will become increasingly apparent and readily appreciated when better understood by reference to, and in the examiners consideration of, the following detailed specifications and drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a construction composed of FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, and FIG. 1C showing three separate and simplified perspective views in outline form of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 1A as illustrated within FIG.1 shows a simplified semitransparent figurative schematic perspective outline of a generic M4 Carbine type firearm having an attached figurative one piece lower receiver encompassed with a chain line connecting the delineated lower receiver to an enlarged version of the same figurative one piece lower receiver being further illustrated in schematic perspective view as FIG. 1B;
FIG. 1B as illustrated within FIG.1 shows a simplified semitransparent exemplary enlarged schematic perspective view of the figurative one piece lower receiver as seen delineated and connected by single chain line from the schematic perspective FIG. 1A;
FIG. 1C as illustrated within FIG.1 is a simplified semitransparent enlarged perspective view of one preferred exemplary implementation and figurative embodiment of the present invention appearing as if removed from the figurative one piece lower receiver as illustrated in FIG. 1B;
FIG. 2 is a simplified semitransparent partial schematic right side elevation of the figurative lower receiver illustrated in contour outline and representationally expressed as a mounted component of the entire firearm having the trigger depicted in a most forward and at rest position, the illustration showing an irregular delineating chain-line encompassing a region of the lower receiver which is referenced as, and subsequently illustrated in, FIG. 3 through FIG. 8;
FIG. 3 is a simplified semitransparent partial schematic right side elevation of the figurative one piece lower receiver illustrated in contour outline and representationally expressed as a mounted component of the entire firearm. FIG. 3 showing an initial rearward trigger movement as the first view in a consecutive series of six sequenced momentary events, each of which is shown reposed in an instant of time as illustrated in FIG. 3 through FIG. 8;
FIG. 4 is a simplified semitransparent partial schematic right side elevation of the figurative one piece lower receiver illustrated in contour outline and representationally expressed as a mounted component of the entire firearm. The figurative one piece lower receiver is illustrated at rest in a fixed moment of time and sequentially following that of illustration FIG. 3 and depicting trigger and controller in coincidental rearward movement thereby simultaneously initiating a first discharge event;
FIG. 5 is a simplified semitransparent partial schematic right side elevation of the figurative one piece lower receiver illustrated in contour outline being representationally expressed as a mounted component of the entire firearm. The figurative one piece lower receiver is illustrated in a spatially fixed moment in a consecutive time sequence following that of depiction FIG. 4. FIG. 5 now illustrating the one piece lower receiver in solid line contour being spatially repositioned resulting from the momentum generated upon the firearm from the recoil force effect generated from an initial singular discharge event. The trigger and the controller being depicted in phantom double chain line representing their previous location as seen in FIG. 4, then additionally pictured having been repositioned after the discharge event as depicted in solid line contour;
FIG. 6 is a simplified semitransparent partial schematic right side elevation of the figurative one piece lower receiver illustrated in contour outline and representationally expressed as a mounted component of the entire firearm. The figurative one piece lower receiver is illustrated in a spatially fixed moment in a consecutive time sequence following that of depiction FIG. 5 as the recoil force of the initial discharge of ammunition subsides. The previous spatial location of the lower receiver being represented in phantom outline form by a single chain line;
FIG. 7 is a simplified semitransparent partial schematic right side elevation of the figurative one piece lower receiver illustrated in contour outline and representationally expressed as a mounted component of the entire firearm. The figurative one piece lower receiver is illustrated depicting the firearm trigger and novel controller mechanism reposed momentarily in coincidental rearward movement and thereby simultaneously initiating a secondary and/or following discharge event;
FIG. 8 is a simplified semitransparent partial schematic right side elevation of the figurative one piece lower receiver illustrated in contour outline and representationally expressed as a mounted component of the entire firearm. The figurative one piece lower receiver illustrated spatially fixed and reposed in a moment of time following the rearwards momentum generated upon the firearm from the recoil force of a secondary and/or following discharge event. The previous spatial location of the firearm represented by the heavier phantom outline of the inner secondary single chain line. The trigger and controller being depicted in their previous location by phantom double chain line and additionally pictured having been repositioned following the discharge event as shown in solid line contour;
FIG. 9 shows an alternate expression of the instant invention in perspective view illustrating a novel side mounted controlling mechanism depicted on a two piece lower receiver;
FIG. 10 shows an alternate expression of the instant invention in perspective view illustrating a novel side mounted controlling mechanism and expressing three differing controller mechanism views showing the controlling mechanism as if removed from the two piece lower receiver for better understanding;
FIG. 11 is a simplified semitransparent partial schematic right side elevation of the figurative two piece lower receiver illustrated in contour outline and representationally expressed as a mounted component of the entire firearm. FIG. 11 depicted as the first view in a series of three consecutive sequenced events and representational shown reposed in a moment of time while portraying the novel method and utility;
FIG. 12 is a simplified semitransparent partial schematic right side elevation of the figurative two piece lower receiver illustrated in contour outline and representationally expressed as a mounted component of the entire firearm. FIG. 12 depicting the second view in a series of three consecutive sequenced events and shown reposed in a moment of time portraying the novel method and utility;
FIG. 13 depicts a simplified semitransparent partial schematic right side elevation of the figurative two piece lower receiver illustrated in contour outline and representationally expressed as a mounted component of the entire firearm. FIG. 13 depicted as the third and final view in a series of three sequenced events and shown reposed in a moment of time while portraying the novel method and utility;
FIG. 14 depicts an alternate expression of the novel invention and in a simplified semitransparent partial schematic left side elevation of the figurative two piece lower receiver illustrating a single discharge event utilizing a modified controlling mechanism and alternate method;
FIG. 15 shows a modified expression of the instant invention in perspective view illustrating the figurative two piece lower receiver having a novel center mounted controlling mechanism and depicting an alternate method of utility;
FIG. 16 is a construction composed of FIG. 16A, FIG. 16B, and FIG. 16C showing three separate simplified right side perspective schematic views, represented in contour outline form, of an alternate and/or modified exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 16A as illustrated within FIG.16 shows a simplified semitransparent and figurative schematic perspective right side outline of a generic M4 Carbine type firearm with an attached conceptual two piece lower receiver having a detachable handle with a modified structural version of the novel controlling mechanism encompassed with a single chain line;
FIG. 16B as illustrated within FIG.16 shows a simplified semitransparent enlarged schematic perspective right side view of the figurative detachable handle having a modified version of the novel structural controlling mechanism seen depicted on the right side of the handle and connected by single chain line from the encompassed region of the schematic perspective view of FIG. 16A;
FIG. 16C as illustrated within FIG.16 shows a simplified semitransparent enlarged schematic right side perspective view of the figurative detachable handle having a modified version of the novel structural controlling mechanism seen mounted on the right side of the handle and connected by single chain line from the encompassed region of the schematic perspective view of FIG. 16A and having the controlling mechanism and handle region depicted in transparency;
FIG. 17 depicting an enlarged perspective right side view and exploded version of the alternate expression of FIG. 16C for ease of understanding;
FIG. 18 is a construction composed of FIG. 18A, FIG. 18B, and FIG. 18C showing three separate simplified perspective schematic views, represented in contour outline form, of an alternate and/or modified exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 18A as illustrated within FIG.18 shows a simplified semitransparent and figurative schematic perspective right side contour outline of a generic M4 Carbine type firearm with an attached conceptual two piece lower receiver having a detachable handle with a modified structural version of the novel controlling mechanism encompassed with a single chain line;
FIG. 18B as illustrated within FIG.18 shows a simplified semitransparent enlarged schematic perspective right side view of the figurative detachable handle having a modified version of the novel structural controlling mechanism seen mounted on the right side of the handle and connected by single chain line from the encompassed region of the schematic perspective view of FIG. 18A;
FIG. 18C as illustrated within FIG.18 shows a simplified semitransparent enlarged schematic perspective view of the figurative detachable handle having a modified version of the novel controlling mechanism depicted on the right side of the handle and connected by single chain line from the encompassed region of the schematic perspective view of FIG. 18A and having the controlling mechanism and handle region depicted in transparency for ease of understanding.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the invention in more detail wherein the figures have like numerals which indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views.
As seen in FIG. 1 on drawing sheet 1/18, a serviceable M4 Carbine type firearm 10 is shown schematically in a simplified semitransparent figurative depiction being diagramed in contour outline and perspective view as FIG. 1A.
In more detail still referring to FIG. 1A, as seen within FIG. 1 on drawing sheet 1/18, showing an indicating chain line encompassing in part a figurative one piece lower receiver 12 shown mounted on the M4 Carbine type firearm 10. The figurative one piece lower receiver 12 is linked by single chain line to an enlarged semitransparent perspective view representing the same indicated one piece lower receiver 12 shown as FIG. 1B within the sight region of FIG. 1 as described below. Although the illustrations within FIG. 1 depict a unique one piece lower receiver 12, the majority of AR15 type standard lower receivers are manufactured having a removable handle region and therefore have a two piece lower receiver which is described and further referenced below.
Referring now to FIG. 1B in perspective view as illustrated within the sight region of FIG.1 and showing a unique one piece lower receiver 12 having an integrated handle 31 with a front region 32 and a rear region 30 having a serviceable trigger 36 encompassed by trigger housing 34.
In further detail, still referring to the invention of enlarged FIG. 1B showing in partial phantom a removable center controller 14, or simply controller 14 hereinafter, centrally mounted within the guide channel 28. Guide channel 28 has been formed internally and generally along the horizontal X axis of the handle 31 region of the unique one piece lower receiver 12. Guide channel 28, as illustrated in this embodiment, passes completely through the handle 31 region of the one piece lower receiver 12 in a horizontally and continuous manner through and through lengthwise extending from the handle 31 rear region 30 and passing entirely through the trigger housing 34, and whose interior dimensions are calibrated to, and conform with the corresponding phantom structural lines delineating the internal outline of the controller 14 within the handle. The guide channel 28 is fashioned with interior dimensions of length, breadth, depth, and height to allow, upon implementation, the exterior proportions and surface regions of the interfacing controller 14 to move unimpeded in a transverse lateral fashion within the same guide channel 28. Guide channel 28 can be easily constructed, for example, during the machining of the unique one piece lower receiver 12 and/or by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM)'s, which is easily understood by anyone familiar with the art. The removable controller 14 is shown mounted in place as illustrated with solid line contour, thereby delineating the forward region of the controller 14 and continuing representationally in partial phantom line as being located operationally within the one piece lower receiver 12 handle region and positioned accordingly through the interior of aforementioned guide channel 28. The controller 14 can be easily constructed by anyone familiar with the art while following these teachings.
In further detail, still referring to the invention of FIG. 1B having controller 14 shown in a fixed and most forward stationary position and is intended, with operationally utility, to generally move along a horizontal X axis relative to the position and/or elevation of the firearm and in a constricted linear reciprocal motion within the formed guide channel 28 of the handle 31 region of the one piece lower receiver 12. The controller 14 is structurally located through and through the trigger housing 34 and shown positioned through the controller guide 28 front region 28A in direct alinement with the trigger rear region 38 of the trigger 36. The controller 14 showing the structurally integrated and calibrated forward stop 26 which correlates in functional utility, as discussed in further detail below, with coinciding utilization of controller front 18. In other words, during implementation of the novel utility and method, the controller front 18, being limited in its forward motion by controller forward stop 26 makes tangental contact with the trigger rear region 38 of trigger 36 and thereby delineates the trigger reset point and, simultaneously, the forward longitudinal movement of controller 14.
Referring now to the invention of FIG. 1C depicted within the sight region of FIG.1 drawing sheet 1/18, showing a simplified semitransparent perspective view of the controller 14 as a preferred embodiment of the present invention being independently shown and optionally removed from the guide channel 28 of the handle region of the one piece lower receiver 12 as previously illustrated within FIG. 1B. The controller 14 expressing in this embodiment a frontal convex surface area illustrated as controller front 18 and a most rearward conformational region 16 contiguous to and in conformation with the upper and/or upper-innermost firing hand support area 24. The controller 14 also shown having a preset and calibrated locatable rearward motion stop 20 illustrated in partial phantom for ease of understanding and hereinafter referred to as reward stop 20 or simply stop 20. The rear conformational region 16 and frontal region 22 of the innermost hand support 24 of the controller 14 additionally support the internal surface region of the shooters innermost and/or upper-innermost region of the firing hand. The innermost hand support 24 as expressed in this embodiment, encompasses the calibrated forward motion stop 26, hereinafter referred to as forward stop 26 or simply stop 26. The external surface area of the innermost hand support 24 moreover serves as a conforming surface area with the innermost and/or upper-innermost region of the upper area of the firing hand generally between the inner region of the index trigger finger and inner web of the thumb region. The firing hand support 24 also serves to somewhat elevate the upper and/or upper-innermost region of the firing hand away from the surface of the handle. Of course, the aesthetic appearance of the illustrated controller 14, including any accessories, may be subject to a wide variety of configurations and various interpretative expressions and representations while continuing to maintain the present inventions unique and novel utility and methodical application. The novel mechanism and utilitarian method may be manifest in a variety of other alternative embodiments, some of which are expressed below. The controller 14 related structural elements, for example, may be reconfigured adaptively in order to properly function and fit to the outside of the handle 31 while still conforming in utility to the instant invention. An alternate embodiment as described above would, for example, find beneficial employment with typical AR15 firearm type handles which are generally removable and replaceable and structured such that the instant invention would adaptively and easily integrate with the aforesaid modular handle type components. A modified and/or alternate version of this type of inventive expression can be seen illustrated and described below within FIG. 9 through FIG. 14, within the sight surface of FIG. 16 as FIG. 16A, FIG. 16B, and FIG. 16C and depicted by FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 as further described and referenced below.
Referring now to the invention of FIG. 2, drawing sheet 2/18, illustrating a left side semitransparent horizontal elevation showing the one piece lower receiver 12 in contour outline understood as representationally attached to the previously exemplified FIG. 1A M4 type carbine firearm (not shown in FIG. 2) and having the mounted controller 14 positioned longitudinally and regionally shown in partial phantom as located within the interior guide channel 28. The illustrative preferred embodiment of controller 14 is optionally removable as mentioned above in reference to FIG. 1C and may have structural variations in overall length, for example, in order to conform to the differing hand sizes of diverse firearm operators. The outline of the interior of guide channel 28 is shown delineated by heavy square dotted lines extending horizontally along the uppermost and lowermost interior boundaries of the guide channel 28 and additionally shown by heavy square dotted lines in curvature indicating both the most forward and most rearward regions of the interior of guide channel 28 in order to thereby illustrate the guide channel 28 front structural opening through the trigger housing 34 and rear structural opening through the handle rear 30. Moreover FIG. 2 is illustrated as showing trigger 36, trigger housing 34 partially in solid contour line, and handle rear region 30. The exterior solid region of handle rear region 30 is indicated by both a solid contour line 30 and a phantom stipple line 30. The stipple line extending from the number 30 indicates the phantom handle rear region 30, as seen transparently through the exterior portion of the controller 14, where the controller 14 forward stop 26 makes full contact with the solid region of the handle rear region 30 thereby defining the longitudinal forward movement of controller 14. Additionally shown in FIG. 2 is the controller rearward stop 20, the front region of the controller 18, the rear region of the controller 16, the front area of handle 32, and the bidirectional stipple arrow 58 indicating the forward and rearward linear potential dynamic movement and/or momentum generally along the longitudinal horizontal X axis of the controller 14 within guide channel 28. In further references below to arrow 58 the designated forward movement and/or momentum being exerted on the controller 14 will be indicated as 58f and the designated rearward movement and/or momentum being exerted on the controller 14 will be indicated as 58r. The controller 14 may be fixed and lockable in its forward position with an elective detent type safety selector not shown but easily understood by anyone familiar with the art. Optionally, but not shown, the embodied removable controller 14 may also be expressed with a preferable locking mechanism having a detection system which may recognizes a unique identifier and/or other type of interfacing element being in possession of the designated firearm operator in order to lock and/or unlock the controller 14. When controller 14 is forwardly locked the trigger cannot function or rotate rearward to the trigger discharge position. These types of discretionary locking and unlocking mechanisms, while not illustrated in this narrative, are easily understood by anyone familiar with the art and readily adaptive to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2 the contoured and encompassing heavy single chain-line delineates the surface area of the one piece lower receiver 12 which indicates a representative region of the depicted figurative firearm further illustrated in the following drawings of FIG. 3 through FIG. 8.
In further detail, still referring to FIG. 2 as an expression of the present invention, controller 14 is shown in its at rest and most forward position having the interior surface of the controller forward stop 26 in full contact with the solid exterior handle rear region 30 and the controller front 18 being illustrated as positioned most forwardly and fixed in place while not in full contact with the rear of the trigger 36. Trigger 36 is shown in its stationary ‘at rest’ position which is the normal most forward and stationary position for trigger 36.
Referring now to the present invention of FIG. 3, drawing sheet 3/18, showing figurative one piece lower receiver 12 illustrated in contour outline representationally as a mounted and in place component of the entire firearm and shown reposed in an initial time sequence event to be followed by a consecutive series of related time sequence event illustrations, beginning inclusively with FIG. 3 and continuing through FIG. 8 thereby demonstrating one preferred embodiment of the novel method and mechanism of the present invention.
Still referring, in greater detail, to the present invention of FIG. 3. As a means to assist in the understanding of the teachings of the present invention, and in basic terms, the conventional and standard operating procedure utilized to discharge an initial round of ammunition from a typical firearm is briefly described below and thereafter in context as it relates to the novel innovation. In order to originate the rearward movement of the trigger 36, as seen within the trigger housing 34, to the trigger discharge location and thereby initiate the primary discharge event, the firearm operator uses the trigger finger of the firing hand, not illustrated but easily understood by anyone familiar with the art, to engage with and then pull the trigger 36 rotationally rearwards by application of lateralized pressure, in a standard shooting manner, by implementation of depicted rearward longitudinal trigger finger pressure 42 upon the trigger 36 thereby moving the trigger 36 to the locational point of ammunition discharge. That being understood, the instant invention differs from the normal and/or standard shooting method, as described above, in at least the following descriptive context. As shown in the present illustration of FIG. 3, the application of the rearward longitudinal trigger finger pressure 42 moves the trigger 36 independently backwards and/or rotationally rearward from its previous at rest and most forward position, being representationally shown here in broken phantom line, to contact point 44 where the trigger rear region 38 of the activated trigger 36 makes initial physical contact with the controller front 18.
Referring now in still more detail to FIG. 3 being the first view in a series of consecutive sequences as illustrated from FIG. 3 through FIG. 8. The controller 14 forward stop 26 has been calibrated in such a way that when controller 14 is located in its most forward position the controller front 18 and the trigger rear region 38 make coinciding tangental surface contact at point 44 which has been calibrated by the forward stop 26 to be the exact and contiguous location for the trigger reset position of the trigger 36. Contact point 44 will hereinafter be referred to as trigger reset position and/or trigger reset point 44. The delineating aspect of the interfacing and adjustable modular controller stop 20 and its related utilization as a structural element of the controller 14 is referenced below.
In further detail, still referring to FIG. 3, while in preparation to shoot the firearm the operator supports the firearm by gripping the handle region of the one piece lower receiver 12 with his firing hand using normal equalized rearward supporting pressure 50 exerted on the front of the handle 32 and normal equalized forward supporting pressure 48 upon the handle rear region 30. Utilizing a natural contraction of the firing hand the operator applies longitudinal forward pressure 40 upon the controller rear 16 surface region by bringing into service the upper and/or upper-innermost region of the firing hand while employing the controller inner hand support 24 by surface contact with the inner region of the firing hand while the firearm operator applies coinciding longitudinal rearward trigger finger pressure 42 upon the forward region of the trigger 36. As seen in FIG. 3 controller rear 16 being depicted with an alternate contoured conforming controller rear 16 surface region, and the overall length of the inner hand support 24 is somewhat altered compared to the controller rear 16 depictions as taught below in FIG. 4 through FIG. 8 and in the following alternate embodiments in order to demonstrate one of the many potential variations in design and expressions of the present inventive method and mechanism.
In further detail, still referring to FIG. 3, the referenced bidirectional phantom arrow 58 figuratively indicates the controller 14 as being suspended in a temporary balanced and stationary position, while portraying the potential kinetic bidirectional longitudinal motion of controller 14 generally along the horizontal X axis of the controller 14 within controller guide channel 28. Of course the aesthetic appearance of controller 14, including appurtenances, may be subject to a wide variety of expressions while continuing to maintain the operational method and innovative utility of the present invention.
Referring now to the present invention of FIG. 4, drawing sheet 4/18, showing the figurative one piece lower receiver as illustrated in a right side contour outline view. FIG. 4 is the second view depiction in a series of consecutive sequences as illustrated from FIG. 3 through FIG. 8. The inventive expression is illustrated herein with an alternate contoured controller rear 16 as compared, for example, to the controller rear 16 depiction of FIG. 3 and FIG. 14 and shown spatially reposed in a moment of time leading up to the instant of the firearms primary discharge event. The operator of the firearm continues to apply a constant isometrically balanced forward longitudinal upper-innermost hand region forward pressure 40 and a constant isometrically balanced rearward longitudinal trigger finger pressure 42. In order to initiate the primary discharge event the firearm operator employs the trigger finger of the firing hand, not illustrated here but easily understood, and applies rearward trigger finger pressure 42 upon trigger 36 thereby generating a rearward force 58r upon controller 14 generally along the controller 14 horizontal X axis and by that means moving the controller 14, the controller stop 20, and the trigger 36 in concert rearwards to trigger discharge point 46 using one of the following preferable methods. A first preferred method, primarily employed in order to accurately discharge a single round of ammunition, utilizes incremental rearward movement of the trigger 36 by decreasing innermost hand region forward pressure 40 upon controller 14 while applying a concurrently increasing rearward trigger finger pressure 42 upon the forward region of trigger 36 and thereby incrementally moving the controller 14 and conjoined structural components in a unified and simultaneous rearward motion 58r while maintaining a slightly imbalanced dynamic reciprocal isometric tension upon the controller 14. Optional singular discharge method two occurs when the user increases the rearward longitudinal trigger finger pressure 42 against the trigger 36 such that the rearward longitudinal trigger finger pressure 42 is somewhat greater than the sustained reciprocal forward pressure 40 produced by the upper and/or upper-innermost region of the shooting hand generally along the controller 14 horizontal X axis. This operator adjusted increase in rearward longitudinal trigger finger pressure 42, being greater than the counter balancing isometric tension exerted upon the controller 14 by forward pressure 40 applied to the controller rear 16, will move the trigger 36 and the controller 14 incrementally rearwards while the controller 14 continues to be under the influence of slightly imbalanced persistent isometric tension produced by counter pressure applied to the controller rear 16 by the upper and/or upper-innermost region of the firing hand, thereby moving the controller 14 and trigger 36 in dynamic isometric tension and coinciding motion to discharge point 46. The third preferable method involves the operator applying a sustained and equalizing pressure upon the controller 14, as described above, while moving the trigger 36 and the upper and/or upper innermost region of the firing hand in conformation with controller rear 16 simultaneously rearwards in concurrent motion while maintaining sustained isometric tension upon the controller 14. This preferred discharge method is primarily employed when the firearm operator chooses to discharge an initial round of ammunition to be quickly followed by a consecutive discharge event producing thereby a rapid sequential discharge and/or increased rate of fire. Either of the three alternate preferable methods employable in order to initiate the primary discharge event may be engaged while steadily holding the handle of the firearm with the operators firing hand. An alternate firing method, as applied to handguns in particular, is further described in the teachings below. Of course a rifle type firearm functioning in standard operational procedure typically requires the additional engagement of a forward supporting and/or stabilizing hand on the specified forward region of the rifle type firearm, such as the forward hand-guard region and/or the use of a vertical or similar type forward hand grip, neither of which is absolutely necessary for the utilization of the present invention. Advantageously, it should be readily understood that the initial utilization of the present innovation for the discharge of a primary round of ammunition does not require a secondary hand support, other than as an option and/or as required in normal firearm use, when the present novel invention is employed with either a handgun and/or a rifle type firearm.
In further detail still referring to the present embodiment of FIG. 4, during the rearward movement of the controller 14 the trigger rear region 38 continues to remain in constant tangental contact with the partially elliptic controller front 18 even as the trigger 36 terminates movement at discharge point 46, being delineated by the controller rear stop 20, conforming in coincidence with the location at which trigger 36 initiates the discharge of an initial and/or following single round of ammunition. It should be noted that the typical trigger of many firearm types, including the exemplary expression, normally rotates somewhat further backwardly from the actual ammunition discharge point. As illustrated, the novel expression of the present invention advantageously defines the exact discharge point of the trigger to coincide with the controller 14 rearward stop 20 such that when discharge point 46 is reached by trigger 36 the calibrated rearward stop 20 of the controller 14, as depicted in this instant expression, makes full contact with the interior of the trigger housing 34 and in turn thereby simultaneously curtails the rearward movement and/or momentum of the controller 14 along its horizontal X axis.
Referring now to FIG. 5, drawing sheet 5/18, of the present invention illustrating the third view in the series of three consecutive sequences as illustrated from FIG. 3 through FIG. 8 and depicting the firearm in moment of repose and in a subsequent time sequence event to that of FIG. 4. The depiction of FIG. 5 shown positioned in a sequentially proportional spacial location and relative time constant wherein phantom exemplifications are represented by double dash chain lines. Controller forward stop 26 and controller rearward stop 20 are both shown in phantom stipple line. The trigger rear 38 reaches its most delineated rearward position at discharge point 46 while maintaining sustained and variable tangental contact with the elliptic controller front 18 and rearward controller stop 20, as shown in phantom, contacts the trigger housing 34 and the firearm simultaneously discharges a single round of ammunition thereby generating recoil force 52.
In further detail still referring to FIG. 5. Except for the isometrically isolated controller 14 the entire mass of the firearm including the lower receiver 12 moves rearwards under sustained influence of the recoil force 52 which coincidentally translates the firearm from its previous constant spatial location 54, as illustrated in contour phantom chain-line, to a proportionately repositioned spatial location 56, shown in solid contour line. During the discharge event, elements of the users shooting hand and/or supporting hand continue to provide some natural stabilization for the firearm thereby somewhat resistively countering recoil force 52. The isometrically isolated controller 14 having reciprocal forward pressure 40, produced by the innermost region of the shooting hand, persistently exerted in conformation upon controller rear region 16 with ongoing constant rearward longitudinal trigger finger pressure 42 exerted upon the trigger 36 which in turn thereby generates an ongoing constant and fluid tangental contact between the trigger rear 38 and the controller front 18.
In further detail still referring to FIG. 5, as the initial discharge event progresses the controller 14, while under the influence of continuing constant isometric tension along its horizontal X axis as described above, sustains a latent moment of inertia while remaining in a relative spatially fixed location in proportion to the mass of the firearm, the firearm being under continuing rearward kinetic influence from the initial recoil force 52. As the consequent linear acceleration from the momentum of recoil force 52 persists and the entire mass of the firearm continues to move backwardly from its previous relative spatially location 54, to its repositioned spatial location 56, the controller 14 retains stored potential kinetic energy while remaining statically positioned relative to the mass of the rearward moving firearm. The controller 14, while under the sustained influence of ongoing isometric tension, remains stationary in relative spatial proportion to the recoil force 52 and the ongoing recoil force effect generating the rearward momentum upon the mass of the firearm. In other words, the operator sustained isometric tension on controller 14 imparts persistent countervailing inertia on controller 14 in opposition to the dynamic recoil force 52 which in turn produces longitudinal force 58f generally along the controller 14 horizontal X axis and as a consequence thereby releases the stored potential energy of controller 14 effectively translating controller 14 in a uniform longitudinally reactive kinetic momentum to a repositioned spatial location relatively equivalent to its original pre-discharge position in relation to the mass of the firearm. The user sustained isometric tension on the controller 14, in combination with the forwardly translating reciprocal interaction as described above, results in the trigger 36 moving congruently with the controlling mechanism forward to the trigger reset point 44 thereby reseting the trigger even as the controller forward stop 26 simultaneously reaches full contact with the solid region of the handle rear 30 thereby defining the forward movement and/or momentum of the controller 14 to the exact trigger reset point 44.
Referring now to FIG. 6, drawing sheet 6/18, of the present invention illustrating the firearm in moment of repose and in a subsequent moment of time in a continuing sequence following that of illustration FIG. 5. As the initial discharge recoil force effect has subsided the firearm has changed relative spatial location from the previous discharge position 54 shown in single chain line, to secondary position 56 shown in solid contour line, while continuing to be supported by the users firing hand applying equalized gripping forward pressure 48 and rearward pressure 50. The controller 14 and trigger 36 shown having moved kinetically through the moment of inertia, as described above, to a more forward stationary position as the recoil event has subsided. Additionally the controller 14 forward stop 26 indicated in phantom by stipple line is shown in place forwardly against the solid rear region of the phantom handle rear region 30, the controller rearward stop 20 being shown in its most forward position, the controller front 18 remaining in constant contact with trigger rear 38 of trigger 36 while under sustained trigger finger pressure 42. Trigger 36 having reset itself at the calibrated trigger reset locational contact point 44. The controller 14 remains under balanced isometric tension, shown in phantom as stippled double arrow 58, under the continually sustained innermost hand region forward pressure 40 and the sustained rearward longitudinal trigger finger pressure 42 upon the trigger 36. The firearm operator may now choose to discharge a secondary round of ammunition or not. If not then the user has the option to partially reduce, as needed, either the rearward longitudinal trigger finger pressure 42 and/or the innermost hand region forward pressure 40. Alternately the user may simultaneously reduce forward pressure 40 and the rearward longitudinal trigger finger pressure 42 as needed or the user may simply remove the innermost hand region contact from the rear 16 of the controller 14 or the trigger finger contact from the trigger 36 and/or greatly reduce the the rearward longitudinal trigger pressure 42 from the trigger 36. Removing and/or reducing trigger finger pressure and/or trigger finger contact with and/or influence on the trigger 36 as needed and/or releasing the supportive gripping force 48 from the handle rear 30 and/or releasing gripping force 50 from the handle front 32 and/or any combination of the above as needed will have the effect of ceasing any further sequential discharge of ammunition. It should be prescriptively noted that each and every discharge event is the result of an intentional choice that the operator of the firearm makes, whether volitionally, and/or intuitively, and/or instinctively. Minimally, each discharge event requires a combination of the firearm operators application of isometric tension upon the controller rear 16 together with the sustained presence of the trigger finger on the trigger 36 with continued isometric exertion of rearward lateral force trigger finger pressure 42 upon the trigger 36.
Referring now to FIG. 7, drawing sheet 7/18, of the present invention illustrating, in moment of repose, a subsequent consecutive time sequence event to that of illustration FIG. 6. The firearm operator, having decided to continue shooting the firearm, performs a secondary single discharge of ammunition by applying a somewhat similar procedure as described above in FIG. 4. Accordingly in this expression, the user continues to exert sustained isometric rearward longitudinal force 42 upon the trigger and a somewhat effectively balancing forward isometric longitudinal force 40 upon the controller rear 16 with the innermost firing hand utilizing support 24 while maintaining persistent contact between the rear of trigger 38 and the front of the controller 18 thereby exerting sustained isometric tension on the isolated controller 14. The above and previously described uninterrupted isometric tension exerted on controller 14 generally vectors along the controller 14 horizontal X axis while producing a sustained moment of inertia, with stored kinetic energy, upon the controller 14. However, alternately and in differentiation with the instant inventions firing procedure for the initial discharge event, as described above in FIG. 4, the firearm operator is expressively, in this instance, choosing to discharge a secondary round of ammunition while the mass of the firearm is continuing rearward under the sustained influence of recoil force and may therefore discharge the secondary and/or following round of ammunition by intentionally and volitionally maintaining natural hand contraction and ongoing isometric tension upon the controller 14 which, in combination with a minimal recoil counter balancing effect of the supporting hand(s) when utilizing a rifle type firearm and in consequence of the combined effect of the above influences, thereby spatially repositions the controller 14 proportionally rearwards while the controller 14 remains effectively under the influence of the relatively static, corresponding, and isometrically sustained reciprocal kinetic force 58r. The resulting repositioning of the controller 14 simultaneously brings the controller forward stop 20 into direct contact with the trigger housing 34 and the trigger 36 rotationally backwards to the defined trigger discharge point 46 and as a consequence thereby initiating a secondary and/or a following ammunition discharge event.
Referring now to FIG. 8, drawing sheet 8/18, of the present invention illustrating the firearm in moment of repose and subsequent time sequence event to that of illustration FIG. 7. FIG. 8 shown having progressed rearward in a relatively fixed spatial location subsequent to the foregoing effects of the secondary ammunition discharge event as described in FIG. 7 and now shown in FIG. 8, wherein phantom exemplifications are represented by double chain lines, excepting controller forward stop 26 and controller rearward stop 20 depicted in phantom stipple line. During the secondary discharge event as previously described in the above FIG. 7 and presently illustrated in contoured phantom double dash chain line, the trigger rear 38 reached its most delineated rearward position at trigger discharge point 46 while in sustained variable tangental contact with the controller front 18. The rearward controller stop 20, shown in phantom, contacted the trigger housing 34 and the firearm discharged a single secondary round of ammunition thereby generating the resulting recoil force 52. The phantom double dash chain lines outlining the trigger 36, the controller 14, and constituent elements indicate that, as the secondary discharge event took place, the recoil force 52 again sent the body of the firearm rearwards from secondary spatial position 56, shown in darker phantom single dash chain line, to a tertiary spatial position 60 as illustrated in solid contour line, while the forwardly sustained isometric tension 40 exerted on the controller 14 controller rear 16 by the upper innermost region of the firing hand enabled the dynamically stored kinetic force 58f to release and/or move the controller 14 through the moment of inertia in equal and opposite reciprocal action to the recoil force 52. This progressive event is further described in greater detail below.
In further detail still referring to FIG. 8, except for the isometrically isolated controller 14 the entire mass of the firearm including the lower receiver 12 moved rearward under the sustained influence of the secondary recoil force 52. Elements of the users shooting hand and/or supporting hand continued to provide some natural stabilization for the firearm and thereby somewhat resistively countering the secondary recoil force 52 providing an additional element of control to the firing sequence and accuracy to the shot. The isometrically isolated controller 14 continued to have sustained reciprocal forward pressure 40, produced by the innermost region of the shooting hand, exerted upon rear of the controller 16 and persistent rearward longitudinal trigger finger pressure 42 exerted upon the trigger 36 which in turn created an ongoing and continual contact between the trigger rear 38 and the controller front 18.
In further detail still referring to FIG. 8, as the secondary or following discharge event progressed the controller 14, while influenced by the persistent volitionally applied isometric tension generally along horizontal X axis, sustained a latent moment of inertia, while the controller 14 remained in a relative fixed spatial location proportional to the secondary recoil force 52 and the recoiling mass of the firearm. As the consequent linear acceleration from the momentum of secondary recoil force 52 persisted, the entire mass of the firearm including lower receiver 12 continued to move rearwards from its previous relative spatially location 56 to a new and repositioned spatial location 60. The controller 14, retaining stored potential reciprocal energy, temporally remained in static position under the steady influence of ongoing and sustained isometric tension and persisted in its relative fixed spacial location in direct proportion to the impetus of secondary recoil force 52 and the concomitant ongoing kinetic rearward momentum of the mass of the firearm. Sustained isometric tension exerted on controller 14, as referenced above, imparts countervailing inertia on controller 14 in opposition to the dynamic secondary recoil force 52 effectively producing corresponding lateral force 58f generally along the controller 14 horizontal X axis. The isometrically stored potential energy of controller 14 when incorporated by lateral force 58f uniformly translates controller 14 longitudinally forward with concomitant reactive kinetic momentum thereby generating a resultant forward repositioning and relative forward spatial location upon the controller 14 comparatively equivalent to the original position of controller 14 in relation to the mass of the firearm and the lower receiver 12. The user sustained isometric tension on the controller 14, in concert with the forwardly translating reciprocal interaction as described above, results in the trigger 36 moving congruently forward to the trigger reset point 44 as the controller forward stop 26 simultaneously reaches full contact with the solid region of the handle rear 30 thereby defining the forward movement and/or momentum of the controller 14. In other words, the firearms discharge event produces a rearward recoil force effect on the mass of the firearm while the volitionally sustained isometric tension exerted upon the isolated controller mechanism imparts persistent countervailing inertial resistance to the recoil event thereby neutralizing the recoil effect upon the controller mechanism. As the mass of the firearm continues rearward from the recoil force, the isolated controller mechanism reciprocally translates the controller, trigger, and trigger finger forwardly through the moment of inertia thereby reseting the trigger mechanism. As the discharge event subsides the expressed elements of FIG. 8 would be illustratively similar to the expressed elements of FIG. 6 in every way except that the mass of the firearm has been somewhat spatially repositioned, as discussed, from the recoil force of the secondary and/or following discharge event and the resultant recoil effect. Following the above expressed and referenced series of events the firearm operator may now choose to discharge a following and/or consecutive round of ammunition by application of the novel method as earlier described in reference to FIG. 6 or the operator may optionally choose not to discharge a following round of ammunition by adhering to the same method and utility as previously described in reference to FIG. 6. The utilitarian interaction of the referenced consecutive series of illustrations as shown in FIG. 3 through FIG. 8 of the present invention can of course be understood to occur in a very rapid consecutive sequence and time constant. The choice to discharge a following round of ammunition and/or a consecutive discharge sequence after the initial discharge event becomes a volitional act of the firearm operator and, after some practice, almost an intuitive and on the fly choice.
Referring now to FIG. 9, drawing sheet 9/18, wherein an alternate expression of the novel invention is illustrated having the same utility as that which has been conveyed above. The depicted and outlined two piece lower receiver 12, in differentiation to the previously diagramed one piece lower receiver 12 as shown in FIG.1 through FIG. 8, now illustrated as having a removable handle 31 as a standard feature of factory manufactured AR15 and/or M4 carbine or rifle type firearms. In this alternate expression the innovative controlling mechanism is structurally attached to the right side of the handle 31 region of the two piece lower receiver 12 in some differentiation to the previously described center controller and/or center controlling mechanism. A controller housing 61 is shown containing controller 14 which moves laterally and transversely within the controller housing 61. The alternate utility and structural position of controller 14 within controller housing 61 being diagramed and discussed in further detail below. Controller 14 having a forwardly locatable and adjustable modular element shown as rearward controller stop 20 and having a rearward locatable and adjustable forward controller stop 26. Rearward controller stop 20 and its structural elements governing the most rearward motion of the controller 14 with forward controller stop 26 and its structural elements governing the most forward motion of controller 14. The rearward controller stop 20 having surface region 20C serving as a structural surface area which interacts tangentially with the trigger rear region 38 of the trigger 36 in the same manner as the previously described center controller front 18 interacts with the trigger rear region 38 of the trigger 36 as earlier discussed and shown in FIG. 3 through FIG. 8. The presently illustrated controller 14 forward controller stop 26 having a conforming rear region 16, as depicted in partial phantom, which interacts with the innermost and/or upper innermost region of the firing hand in the same utility and method as the conforming rear region 16 of controller 14 as discussed in FIG. 3 through FIG. 8. The structural elements of forward controller stop 26 and structural elements of rearward controller stop 20 operatively interact with regions 62F and 62R of the controller housing 61 in the same utility, method, and manner as the earlier described rearward controller stop 20 and forward controller stop 26 reciprocally interact with the handle rear region 30 and the trigger housing 34 of the lower receiver 12 as depicted in FIG. 3 through FIG. 8.
Referring now to the present invention of FIG. 10, drawing sheet 10/18, depicting an alternate controlling mechanism positioned and located on the right side of the two piece lower receiver 12. The forward region of controller 14 is partially shown, opaquely and most forwardly in place, within controller housing 61. Controller 14 having controller rearward stop 20, in this expression, shown positioned laterally behind the rear surface region 38 of the trigger 36 interfacing thereby with the rear surface region 38 of the trigger 36 in similar function and utility as the earlier depicted controller front 18 in FIG. 3 through FIG. 8. Controller 14 having locatable and adjustable modular forward stop 26, shown in partial phantom view for ease of understanding, being in its most forward position behind the handle rear region 30. The controller guide channel 28 being depicted in phantom within the separately diagramed fully transparent controller housing 61 shown illustrated in place rearwards of the located version of the controller housing 61. Illustrated within transparent controller housing 61 controller guide channel 28 shown structurally accommodating the exterior linear surface region of controller 14 with conforming internal dimensions of height, width, and length portrayed in phantom within transparent controller housing 61, controller guide channel 28 structurally allowing the controller 14 to move in unimpeded, transverse, and lateral motion within the controller guide channel 28.
In further detail referring now to FIG. 10, depicting controller housing 61 further represented in semi-transparency and illustrated laterally and to the right side of the located position of controller housing 61 on handle 31. The right side semi-transparent controller housing 61 referred to hereinafter as the right side semi-transparent controller housing 61. The right side semi-transparent controller housing 61 having two locating structures indicated by a single line and reference number 63A, for ease of understanding and illustration, and two controller housing fasteners indicated by reference 63, which fasten the controller housing 61 to the handle 31. Locating structures 63A pass through and through the solid region of the right side semi-transparent controller housing 61 without interfering with the movement of controller 14 within the guide channel 28 of the right side semi-transparent controller housing 61. The controller housing fasteners 63 are shown removedly from the handle 31 region and the right side semi-transparent controller housing 61. The structural outline of controller 14 being shown in phantom within the controller guide channel 28 of the semi-transparent controller housing 61. Controller 14 shown having forward location 64 being structured for receiving the rearward stop 20 and rearward location 65 being structured for receiving the forward stop 26. The right side semi-transparent controller housing 61 illustrates the outline of controller 14 in phantom being positioned rearwards within the controller guide channel 28. The rearward stop 20 shown removedly from the forward mounting location 64 of controller 14 and the forward stop 26 shown removedly from the rearward mounting location 65 of the controller 14.
In greater detail still referring to the present invention of FIG. 10 depicting the fully transparent controller housing 61, shown to the rear of the normally located position of controller housing 61 on handle 31, and illustrating concave forward region 62F which interacts in utility with the surface structure region of controller rear stop 20 in order to interactively delineate the firearm trigger 36 normal discharge position. Fully transparent controller housing 61 additionally shows concave rear region 62R which interacts operatively with the surface structure region of controller forward stop 26 to accurately delineate the firearm trigger 36 normal reset position, not shown but easily understood from earlier teachings. Controller forward stop 26 and controller rear stop 20, being adjustable modular elements, interact with concave rear region 62R and concave forward region 62F of controller housing 61 in the same utilitarian manner and fashion as the controller stops referenced above in FIG. 3 through FIG. 8. In other words and as previously taught, the forward controller stop 26 and the rearward controller stop 20 operatively interact with regions 62F and 62R in the same utility, method, and manner as the earlier described rearward controller stop 20 and forward controller stop 26 interact with handle rear region 30 and trigger housing 34 as previously illustrated in FIG. 3 through FIG. 8. This similar methodical interactive utility is specifically described and illustrated in greater detail in the following teachings.
Still referring in greater detail to the present invention of FIG. 10, controller rear stop 20 having external structural region 20B being raised above the surface of controller housing 61 such that external structural region 20B, in operational utility and in rearward transverse longitudinal motion concurrent with the controller 14, makes tangental contact with the surface region of the concave forward region 62F of controller housing 61 thereby delineating the rearwards motion of controller 14. Moreover, the concave forward region 62F of the surface of controller housing 61 effectively interacts with the raised structural region 20B of the controller rear stop 20 in similar manner as the trigger housing 34 earlier discussed and described in FIG. 3 through FIG. 8, acts as a rearward surface region which effectively stops the transverse rearward motion of the controller rear stop 20. Additionally, the forward stop 26 raised structural region 26B interacts operatively with the concave rear region 62R of the controller housing 61 in order to delineate and effectively impede the controller 14 in its forward transverse and lateral motion within the controller guide channel 28. This configuration thereby establishing the trigger reset position as the most forward tangental contact point between the surface region 20C of controller rear stop 20 and the surface area of the trigger rear region 38 of trigger 36 referenced earlier as trigger reset position 44 in FIG. 3 through FIG. 8. The modified and/or alternate structure and method of the novel expression is further discussed and diagramed below in FIG. 11 through FIG. 13.
Referring now to the present invention of FIG. 11, drawing sheet 11/18, therein illustrating a simplified semitransparent partial schematic right side elevation of the novel alternate expression of FIG. 10 and depicting the figurative lower receiver 12 shown in contour outline having trigger 36 in its most forward and at rest position. FIG. 11 showing the invention reposed in an initial time sequenced event thereby demonstrating the first sequence in a series of three depicted events, inclusive of FIG. 11 through FIG. 13. Controller 14 is referenced by both solid line, indicating the forwardly exposed region of the controller 14 outside of the controller housing 61, and by phantom stipple line indicating the controller 14 interior region as seen in place within the semi-transparent controller housing 61 and having adjustably locatable forward stop 26 and adjustably locatable rearward stop 20 positioned in place. Forward stop 20 shown having surface region 20C effectively acting as the front of and/or most forward contact region of controller 14 and which interacts in tangent with the trigger rear region 38. Controller rear stop 26 shown having rear surface region 16 providing a generally conforming surface area intended in order to interface with the upper-innermost region of the firearm operators firing hand, not shown but easily understood from earlier teachings. Controller 14 illustrated in its most forward position with forward stop 26 making full contact with region 62R of controller housing 61. Forward stop 26 shown in a most forward position and, in this alternate expression, not required to be in physical contact with the handle rear region 30. The forward stop 26 utilizes region 62R of the controller housing 61 as the most forward contact surface, as discussed above, rather than the handle rear 30 as earlier described in FIG. 3 through FIG.8. The handle rear region 30 is illustrated in both solid contour line and by heavy broken line being visible, for ease of understanding, through the partially transparent controller housing 61. Controller housing 61 is shown having concave forward region 62F which operationally interfaces with the structural surface region of rearward controller stop 20 as discussed above and further referenced below.
Referring now to FIG. 12 , drawing sheet 12/18, illustrating the lower receiver 12 having an alternate preferred embodiment of the instant novel mechanism attached therewith, and wherein the method of operational utility for a modified form of the novel invention is described. FIG. 12 showing the novel invention momentarily reposed in a time sequence event demonstrating the second sequence of a three sequence discharge event depicted by FIG. 11 through FIG. 13. In similar functionality and utility to the referenced operational method of the novel invention, as described above in FIG. 3 through FIG. 8, the firearm operator initiates the discharge event by holding the handle 31 in a standard manner with the innermost region of the interior of the firing hand, not shown but easily understood, upon handle rear 30 and coincidentally applying forward force 40 upon the conforming surface region 16 of forward stop 26 with the upper-innermost region of the firing hand. The firearm operator then applies trigger finger pressure and/or force 42 to the front region of the trigger 36 by utilizing the trigger finger of the firing hand, not shown but easily understood, thereby bringing the trigger rear region 38 into tangental contact with the controller 14 rearward stop 20 surface region 20C. Methodically, the firearm operator continues to maintain constant and equalizing forward force 40 exerted by the upper-innermost region of the firing hand upon conforming surface region 16 of forward stop 26 thereby creating an intentionally static isometric tension upon the controller 14. The surface contact point of the trigger rear region 38 and the controller 14 rearward stop 20 surface region 20C being preset and/or calibrated to interactively establish the trigger reset position 44.
Referring in more detail to FIG. 12, if the user is intending to discharge a single round of ammunition, such as when operating a bolt action and/or semi-automatic firearm in an extremely accurate manner, the shooter may utilize the alternate novel present invention and methodology to move the trigger 36 incrementally rearwards to the locational point of trigger discharge. Employing the utility of the novel method the firearm operator maintains rearward force 42 upon the trigger 36, thereby maintaining tangental surface contact between the trigger rear region 38 and the controller stop 20 surface region 20C, while slowly decreasing forward force 40 upon conforming surface region 16 of forward stop 26 by the gradual relaxation of the isometric tension of the upper-innermost region of the firing hand upon conforming surface region 16 of the forward stop 26 of controller 14 until the trigger discharge point 46 is reached as seen and referenced below in FIG. 13. This novel and unique shooting method adds considerably improved trigger feel and accuracy to the discharge event while increasing the overall operator control of a singular discharge event by augmenting and enhancing the traditional relationship between the interior region of the firing hand, the trigger finger of the firearm operator, and the trigger 36.
Referring now in greater detail to FIG. 12, as the isometric tension upon controller 14 begins to be incrementally adjusted as described above, the controller 14 and related components will begin to move rearward thereby separating the surface region of forward stop 26 from controller housing concave surface region 62R while the rearward stop 20 of controller 14 will begin to move rearward toward controller housing concave surface region 62F. This unique and novel interaction is further illustrated and described below in FIG. 13.
Referring now to FIG. 13, drawing sheet 13/18, wherein lower receiver 12 shown having an alternate preferred embodiment of the instant mechanism attached therewith, and wherein the method of operational utility for the present and novel invention is depicted in momentary repose as the third illustrative step and final progression in a series of three consecutive portrayals inclusive of FIG. 11 through FIG.13. FIG. 13 showing controller 14 in its most rearward position having had isometric tension upon controller 14 incrementally adjusted rearwards, as described above, with ongoing rearward trigger finger pressure 42 being exerted upon trigger 36 while having rear trigger region 38 in continuous tangental contact with the controller front 20C surface region of rearward stop 20 while the innermost region of the firing hand exerts lessened forward force 40 upon conforming surface region 16 thereby allowing forward stop 26 to move incrementally rearward from its former contact with controller housing concave surface region 62R. The rearward stop 20 being calibrated to contact the controller housing concave surface 62F at the simultaneous moment in time that the trigger 36, having moved incrementally rearward reaches trigger discharge point 44 thereby generating a well governed, extremely accurate, and beneficially controlled singular ammunition discharge event. The firearm operator may utilize the above described method to discharge a single round of ammunition and/or the user may choose to fire a secondary and/or follow up sequential round of ammunition by simply maintaining a constant isometric tension upon controller 14 while following the earlier procedure described above in FIG. 3 through FIG. 8, rather than a variable isometric tension and incremental movement of the trigger as applied by the firearm operator for a singular discharge event as just discussed. The removable and interchangeable controller 14, as referenced in the above teachings, having locatable and adjustable modular elements and an availability of overall lengths thereby enables the firearm operator with the ability to interchange controller 14 in order to conform the controller mechanism in order to fit smaller and/or larger hand sizes and, with additional modifications, adjust the interaction between the controller 14 and the individual firearm's trigger reset and trigger discharge points as referenced above.
Referring now to the present invention of FIG. 14, drawing sheet 14/18, showing a left side elevation of the novel invention having controller housing 61, seen located on the opposite side view of two piece lower receiver 12 and in partial transparency as delineated by solid contour and heavy broken line, and having therein controller 14 shown in partial transparency as delineated by solid contour line and phantom stipple line. FIG. 14 depicting an alternate and/or modified utilization method, illustrating a singular discharge event, and having a simplified example of a novelly expressed firing hand thumb rest 66, illustratively located on the left side of handle 31 for use by a right handed shooter for example, in contour outline and being a locatable element on the left hand side of the handle 31. The thumb rest 66, as illustratively attached to the handle region 31 of the two piece lower receiver 12, is generally locatable in its positional utility. The thumb rest 66 herein expressed in order to further exemplify an alternate and/or modified method of utilizing the current innovation while employing controller 14 expressively within the side mounted controller housing 61 and, in further continuance below as depicted in perspective view FIG. 15, utilizing center controller 14 within a one piece lower receiver 12. As a means to incorporate the thumb rest 66 with operational utility of the novel invention, the firearm user exerts normal contraction of the shooting hand as described above while pressing the front area of the firing hand thumb region, not shown but easily understood, forwardly against the concave inner area 64 of the thumb rest 66 while exerting thumb region forward pressure 68 upon the concave inner area 64 of the thumb rest 66.
In further detail still referring to the present invention of FIG. 14, in this preferred embodiment, similar in its utilitarian employment as previously described, having the user synchronistically apply upper innermost hand forward pressure 40 to surface region 16 of forward stop 26 and rearward trigger finger pressure 42 to trigger 36 thereby generating tangental interface between trigger rear 38 and rear stop 20 at trigger reset point 44. This interaction, along with the application of simultaneous thumb region forward pressure 68 against thumb rest 66 concave inner area 64 and normal equalized gripping pressure 50 exerted on the front of the handle 32 with pressure 48 upon the rear of the handle 30, effectively creates sustained isometric tension upon controller 14 and thereby isolates the potential movement of the controller 14 by statically positioning the relative spacial location of controller 14 relative to the two piece lower receiver 12 and the main body of the firearm. The above interaction also establishes isometrically sustained equilibrium generally along the linear horizontal X axis of the controller 14 along with a somewhat coinciding forwardly sustained tension upon the frame of the firearm thereby generating an isometrically stabilized tension between the firing hand of the user, the controller mechanism, and the overall frame of the firearm in anticipation of the initial, secondary, or a following sequential discharge event and the resultant natural recoil effect on the firearm. The above described interaction achieves a reciprocally suspended and kinetically sustained static-isometric tensioning and effect between the firing hand, the controller mechanism, and the overall frame of the firearm such that the isometrically stored static tension, as discussed above, is generally released concomitant with the discharge event and thereby intrinsically employed to naturally stabilize and somewhat offset the ongoing rearward impetus of the firearm, generated from the recoil effect, with a counterbalancing and stabilizing force which has a somewhat neutralizing influence upon the firearms recoil momentum stemming from the initial and any closely following discharge of ammunition. Once the firearm user has employed the innovative method, thereby establishing the isometrically balanced interactive relationship between the firearm and the inventive elements, and in order for the user to initiate a primary discharge event, the user applies coinciding and incrementally increasing rearward trigger pressure 42 on trigger 36 simultaneously with incrementally increasing forward pressure 68 on the trigger finger rest 66 concave inner area 64 while the upper-innermost hand region naturally sustains forward pressure 40 on the controller forward stop 26 region until the trigger 36 reaches the discharge point, not shown but easily understood. This referenced firing sequence, as generated by the herein discussed alternate shooting technique, adds a unique and novel governing method for the management of incremental trigger movement while adding enhanced control over and increased accuracy to a singular discharge event. In addition the novel governing method enables the firearm operator with the ability to volitionally choose to either cease the firing sequence by relaxation of the employed elements of the firing hand and/or to rapidly discharge a secondary and/or following sequence of discharge events when using a semi-automatic firearm. When using a semi-automatic firearm, a secondary and/or following discharge event results when the firearm user simply maintains the established isometric tension upon the controlling mechanism by utilizing the earlier described method and teachings, or the firing sequence may be interrupted and/or limited to a single discharge event when the user simply relaxes the overall tension of the firing hand and/or thumb region and/or the upper innermost region of the firing hand.
Still referring to the present invention of FIG. 14, the described integration of the stabilizing thumb region forward pressure 68 against the thumb rest 66 concave inner area 64 while utilizing the alternate method may be more frequently and/or optionally employed by the novel inventive method when utilized in the one handed operation of a handgun, and perhaps less frequently required and/or not always needed and/or necessary for the two handed operation of the present invention when using a hand gun and/or a rifle type firearm, the differentiation being further expressed below. For ease of understanding, illustration, and narrative purpose the diagramed thumb rest 66 and integral elements as appearing in FIG. 14 are comparatively shown again in perspective view as illustrated in FIG. 15. However, the thumb rest 66 and interactive shooting method are not uniformly illustrated within the novel exemplifications and depictions even though the functional equivalent may be implied, understood in potential application, and arbitrarily employed in utility by the firearm operator. As discussed, the application of thumb region forward pressure 68 and conformational implementation of the inner thumb region upon the thumb rest rear region 67 of thumb rest 66 is expressed as a discretionary aspect of the present invention method, being illustrated and described herein as an alternate method for the utilization of the present novelty. Furthermore, the alternate method and modified utility is not intended as a mandatory and/or conditional requirement in every shooting scenario but is expressed in this narrative as an alternate, optional, and/or coinciding method for the employment of the immediate invention, and optionally, inclusive with the one handed operation of handguns and rifle type firearms in particular, and to assist with the previously described method in order to increase the accuracy and control of individual singular discharge events such as is required in more precise shooting scenarios. Any references herein to the inventive employment of the innermost and/or the upper innermost region of the firing hand should be understood to optionally include the arbitrary use of the thumb region and/or thumb region forward pressure 68 and/or the thumb rest 66 without characterization thereto. This alternate method, when optionally incorporated by the firearm operator, effectively works in tandem with the expressed interactive utilization of controller 14, as a function of the present invention, to help initiate the firearms primary discharge and/or any following discharge events as employed in utility by the present invention for one-handed operation of handguns for example, as previously discussed, and may be incorporated to assist in initiating a primary, secondary, and/or sequential discharge event when operating semi-automatic firearms in general. Additionally, the expressed thumb rest 66 is structurally locatable and adjustable, not shown but easily understood by anyone familiar with the art, in order to conform advantageously with the users firing hand when employing the instant invention innovative mechanism and method.
Referring now to the invention of FIG. 15, drawing sheet 15/18, illustrating an extremely simplified perspective side view of a representational one piece lower receiver 12 depicted as having an opaque solid surface and shown reposed in an initial time sequence event being illustrated in comparative parity to the previously expressed center controller depiction of FIG. 1 through FIG. 8, and employing an alternate method to the depicted center controller 14 novel expression. The present invention of FIG. 15 showing thumb rest 66 expressed in perspective view to enable a greater ease of understanding of the innovative method. FIG. 15 in this depiction currently showing a differing contour of the controller 14 rear region 16 as compared to that of FIG. 3 and FIG. 14, but continuing to be similar in its utilitarian function as the earlier referenced controller 14 rear region 16. FIG. 15 illustrating the general application of the upper and/or upper-innermost shooting hand pressure 40 upon controller 14 rear region 16. Additionally FIG. 15 illustrates the firearm having normal firing hand pressure 50 exerted on the front of the handle 32 and normal firing hand pressure 48 upon the rear of the handle 30. Trigger 36 is shown in its most forward at rest position and not yet in full contact with the controller 14 front region 20C, having trigger finger pressure 42 not yet fully applied to the firearm trigger 36.
In further detail still referring to FIG. 15 showing the left side view surface area of the handle region of the lower receiver 12, having an illustrative locatable thumb rest 66 having concave inner area 67 as seen in contour line and internal phantom line. In this expressed exemplification the firing hand forward thumb region, not shown but easily understood, is placed against the rear region 67 of the thumb rest 66 and, in operational utility as discussed above, the firearm user applies forward thumb region pressure 68, thereby creating static tension between the firing hand forward thumb region and the thumb rest 66, resulting in a natural isometric tension which, as described previously, generates a sustained and statically stabilizing influential effect between the firearm, the firing hand, the novel controlling mechanism and the firing hand forward thumb region. The operator initiates the primary discharge event by following earlier protocols as previously discussed and illustrated.
Referring now to FIG. 16, drawing sheet 16/18, wherein an alternate expression of the present novel invention is illustrated. Within the sight region of FIG. 16 depiction FIG. 16A illustratively and figuratively diagraming an M4 and/or AR15 type firearm, having a two piece lower receiver 12 with a removable handle 31 encompassed therein by a delineating single chain line. Handle 31 shown separately by enlarged view within the sight region of FIG. 16 seen depicted in FIG. 16B and FIG. 16C shown connected by a single chain line to the depicted handle 31 region of FIG. 16A. FIG. 16B and FIG. 16C representing the same structures and mechanisms for ease of understanding however, in differentiation, FIG. 16C shown having a fully transparent controller 14 and handle 31 region in order to illustrate the internal components of the alternate mechanism being shown in greater detail and further described below in FIG. 17, therein depicting an exploded view of FIG. 16C for ease of understanding. FIG. 16C shown having cross-hatching of the handle surface region removed for clear placement of the indicating reference numbers. FIG. 16B and FIG. 16C show controller 14 having interior longitudinal phantom line 14C indicating the lower region of the conforming inner surface region of controller 14 along the controller 14 horizontal X axis, being depicted in longitudinal tangental contact with the corresponding handle 31 right side exterior surface region. Additionally illustrated in FIG. 16B and FIG. 16C are controller rearward stop 20, controller rearward stop front region 20C, controller front 18, and handle rear region 30 having mounting locations 69 integrated within the controller 14 innermost surface region and structured to accept the locatable controller guide pins 67 which move transversely and freely within guide pin locations 68. The single reference lines should be understood to indicate both structural locations 69, both controller guide pins 67, and both guide pin structural locations 68. The utilization and detailed functional interaction of the novel invention, including a detailed description of the internal components as seen in FIG. 16C, are further referenced below by exploded and enlarged view as illustrated in FIG. 17.
Referring now to FIG. 17, drawing sheet 17/18, wherein an alternate expression of the present novel invention is illustrated as if removed from the firearm and in an enlarged and exploded view of the earlier depiction of FIG. 16C. FIG. 17 showing a transparent controller 14 having a solidly illustrated surface region of the controller front 18 where rearward stop 20 structural position and location 66 is depicted. FIG. 17 showing locatable modular rearward stop 20 being separated from its fixed position within structural mounting location 66 on controller front 18. A single chain line connects the controller stop 20 with the controller front 18 structural location 66 indicating the normal mounted position of controller stop 20 within structural location 66. The controller 14 depicted with structural locations 69 integrated within the controller 14 innermost region, generally placed in the lower area of the controller forward stop 26. Structural locations 69 are arranged to accept the controller guide pins 67 which are also shown connected by broken single chain lines to the two controller guide pin locations 68 indicating the two controller guide pins 67 positions within the mounting locations 69. In operational utility the controller 14 is oriented upon the handle 31 with the controller guide pins 67 being located within the controller structural locations 69. When fixed in place on controller 14 the controller guide pins 67 are thereby arranged in order to slide into the two controller guide pin mounting locations 68 and by that means enabling the the two controller guide pins 67 to move without hindrance transversely within the two controller guide pin structural locations 68. The controller guide pins 67 have the dual function of acting as guides for the transverse movement of the controller 14 and are adjustably locatable and precisely calibrated to regulate the most forward movement of the controller 14 and thereby the most forward fixed position of controller stop 20. In other words the two controller guide pins 67 adjust in effective length within mounting locations 69 beneficially thereby adjusting the overall exposed forward surface length of the two controller guide pins 67. This structural adjustment influences the most forward contact point that the two controller guide pins 67 make with the interior surface region of the controller guide pin mounting locations 68 and by consequence thereby adjust the overall distance the controller 14 travels forward. The ability to modify the overall distance the controller 14 moves forwardly changes the most forward distance that the controller rearward stop 20 travels and thereby adjustably modifies the trigger reset point when employed in this expression. Since various firearms have differing trigger reset points, the novel inventions ability to have an adjustable controller mechanism enables a much wider and adaptive application of the instant novel alternate expression. This structural interaction is further described and illustrated below.
In more detail, still referring to FIG. 17, the controller stop 20, when properly fixed in place as previously illustrated in FIG. 16B and FIG. 16C, will enable controller stop 20 surface region 20C to make tangental contact with the the rear region of the trigger, not shown here but easily understood, in the same tangental and useful way as the formerly illustrated controller front 18 effectively thereby serving the same utility, function, and novel methodology as the earlier expressed alternate structure of controller front 18. In other words and without needlessly re-illustrating FIG. 3 through FIG. 8, the controller stop 20, as depicted in FIG. 17 and when mounted on the controller 14, is positioned such that when the firearm trigger is pulled rearward from its most forward and at rest position as earlier described, the rear trigger region of the trigger, not shown but easily understood, makes surface contact with the most forward elliptical surface region 20C of controller stop 20. This operational utility is comparable in every way to that of the previously illustrated and described interaction depicted in FIG. 3, for example, wherein the trigger rear 38 makes initial tangental contact with controller front 18 at trigger reset point 44. In this instant expression of FIG. 17 the controller stop 20 forward surface region 20C serves the same function as the controller front 18 of FIG. 3, for example, and has been forwardly positioned by the interactive mechanism of the two controller guide pins 67 which adjust the forward movement of the controller 14 and thereby the forward position of the controller stop 20. This calibration is such that the contact surface region 20C of the controller stop 20 is forwardly fixed at the exact trigger reset position. As illustrated and described earlier in FIG. 3 the trigger reset point 44 correlates with the most forward position of the surface region 20C of controller stop 20.
In further detail still referring to FIG. 17, the alternate expression corresponds in utility to that which has been previously taught, inclusive of the innovative method as described above incorporating isometric contraction upon the controller 14 interface applied by the firearm operator utilizing the firing hand trigger finger, as normally placed on the firearm trigger, and the innermost and/or upper-innermost region of the firing hand, including the thumb and/or inner web region of the thumb as placed on controller 14 rear region 16 and is incorporated within the present alternate expression. The utility of the present alternate expression, as well as the previous methodology and teachings, is further depicted by FIG. 18 being diagramed and described in greater detail below.
Referring now to FIG. 18, drawing sheet 18/18, wherein an alternate expression of the present novel invention is illustrated for further ease of understanding and inclusively described herein. Within the sight region of FIG. 18 is shown FIG. 18A illustratively and figuratively representing an M4 and/or AR15 type firearm, having a two piece lower receiver 12 with a removable handle 31 being encompassed therein by a delineating single chain line. Handle 31 separately illustrated by enlarged views within the sight region of FIG. 18 represented by FIG. 18B and FIG. 18C each being illustrated as if removed from the depicted FIG. 18A firearm and shown connected by indicating single chain line to the encompassed handle 31 region of FIG. 18A. FIG. 18B and FIG. 18C having the same structures and mechanisms for ease of understanding however, in differentiation, FIG. 18C shown having a more fully transparent controller 14 region and handle 31 region in order to further illustrate the internal components of the alternate mechanism. FIG. 18B depicting controller 14 located in its most forward and at rest position and FIG. 18C shown depicting controller 14 located in its most rearward position. FIG. 18C illustrating mounting locations 69 being structurally integrated within the controller 14 innermost forward stop 26 lower region and arranged in order to accept the locatable controller guide pins 67 which move transversely and freely within guide pin mounting locations 68. The indicating single reference lines should be understood to denote both mounting locations 69, both controller guide pins 67, and both guide pin mounting locations 68. FIG. 18C, as mentioned earlier, shown having the controller 14 in a most rearward position resulting from the combination of rearward pressure 42 exerted by the trigger finger upon the trigger, having the rear region of the trigger being in tangental contact with the controller rearward stop 20 surface region 20C, and correct forward pressure 40 exerted on controller rear 16 by the upper innermost region of the firing hand of the firearm operator, not shown but easily understood by reference to earlier teachings herein. The controller forward stop 26 surface region is shown positioned rearwards from its most forward contact point with the handle rear region 30 as seen within FIG. 18C.
Of course, the teachings of the present invention may be practiced otherwise than described above with alterations, modifications, and variations while continuing to be within the scope of these antecedent recitations which should be interpreted protectively and in consideration thereby sheltering the present inventive novelty within any adaptive combination exercising its utility. For instance, the most forward and/or most rearward movement of the interactive controller mechanism may be defined or delineated by other and/or alternate structural modifications than those illustrated herein including but not limited to; interchangeable controller mechanisms, various internal and/or adjustable interactive modular elements, automatically adjustable interfacing controller(s) and or modular elements which adaptively interact with a variety of trigger mechanisms either externally and/or internally, for example, within the trigger housing and/or firearm receiver region and/or any variation of the novel invention requiring adaptations or modifications to the handle region, trigger mechanism, and/or frame of the specific make, model, and type of firearm while continuing to maintain the utility, system, and/or modus operandi of the present invention.
