FREE FLOAT TRIGGER CONNECTOR

Abstract

A TriggerConnector for a firearm trigger system which does not capture/pinch a TriggerBar against a frame thus reducing trigger pull weight.

Description

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application 63/093,930, filed Oct. 20, 2020. U.S. provisional application 63/093,930 and all other extrinsic references contained herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is firearm technologies.

BACKGROUND

The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

A popular firearm design utilizes a TriggerConnector as an interface between a Trigger's TriggerBar and a FiringPin/Striker. The TriggerConnector and TriggerBar are typically long and thin in configuration and could be manufactured from sheetmetal. A downward sloping TriggerConnectorSlope (of the TriggerConnector) interfaces with a TriggerBarLobe (a rounded edge of one end of the TriggerBar) to displace a Sear (of the TriggerBar) downward as the TriggerBar is displaced horizontally by pulling the Trigger. This downward displacement of the Sear releases the FiringPin/Striker to discharge the firearm.

The TriggerConnector comprises a predominant LeafSpringArm and a minor TriggerConnectorSlope which is a normally (i.e.—90 degrees to the plane of the LeafSpringArm) bent short portion at one end of the LeafSpringArm. The other end of the LeafSpringArm comprises an AnchoringLeg. The TriggerConnector further comprises another bent feature known as a ResetLobe. The ResetLobe is generally semicircular in shape and interacts under the biasing force of the LeafSpringArm with a Slide (i.e.—the reciprocating upper portion of a firearm) to “reset” the trigger system when the firearm cycles after discharge.

A biasing force of the LeafSpringArm “sandwiches” the TriggerBar against an internal cavity wall of a Frame (i.e.—the hand grip comprising an AmmunitionMagazineWell and other components) of the firearm. This is analogous to automobile disc brakes where the TriggerBar is the rotor and the LeafSpringArm and Frame are the brake pads.

The pinching force/friction generated on the TriggerBar by the LeafSpringArm and Frame (analogous to automobile brake pads clamping down on its rotor when the brakes are applied) causes a heavy trigger pull which negatively affects accuracy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Objectives of the present invention is to provide solutions to the aforementioned weakness. A PriorArtTriggerConnector comprises a LeafSpringArm, TriggerConnectorSlope, ResetLobe, and AnchoringLeg. An embodiment of a FreeFloatTriggerConnector comprises at least one LeafSpringArm Offset. The LeafSpringArm Offset is an addition to the features of a PriorArtTriggerConnector.

The LeafSpringArm Offset offsets the LeafSpringArm of the FreeFloatTriggerConnector so that the TriggerBar “freefloats” (i.e.—is not “pinched”) between the Frame and LeafSpringArm. Friction occurs only between the TriggerBarLobe (of the TriggerBar) and the TriggerConnector Slope, thus affecting a much lighter trigger pull.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a right side (with firearm pointed right) view of a PriorArtTriggerConnector 1.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom right isometric view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of Section A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a left side view (with firearm pointed left) of a partial TriggerBar 5.

FIG. 6 is a front left isometric view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a bottom rear left isometric view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a right side (with firearm pointed right) view of a FiringPin 8.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a right side view of the PriorArtTriggerConnector System in a Prior-to-TriggerPull State.

FIG. 11 is a front right isometric view of FIG. 10. A small section of immobile Frame 11 (cheese holed for illustrative clarity) is shown.

FIG. 12 is a detailed view of Section B of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a right side view of the PriorArtTriggerConnector System in an Imminent Discharge State.

FIG. 14 is a detailed view of Section C of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a view of the PriorArtTriggerConnector System in the Discharged State.

FIG. 16 is a front side view of FIG. 10.

FIG. 17 is a detailed view of Section D of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a right side view of an embodiment of a FreeFloatTriggerConnector.

FIG. 19 is a front side view of FIG. 18

FIG. 20 is a front top right isometric view of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a right side view of a FreeFloatTriggerConnector System in a Prior-to-TriggerPull State.

FIG. 22 is a front side view of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a detailed view of Section E of FIG. 22.

FIGS. 24 and 25 are isometric views of an embodiment of an AlternateEmbodimentFreeFloatTriggerConnector and its Spacer.

FIG. 26 is an isometric view of a Second AlternateEmbodimentFreeFloatTriggerConnector.

FIG. 27 is an isometric view of a Third AlternateEmbodimentFreeFloatTriggerConnector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-3 show right, rear, and isometric (respectively) views of a PriorArtTriggerConnector 1. PriorArtTriggerConnector 1 comprises a LeafSpringArm 4, TriggerConnectorSlope 2, ResetLobe 3, and AnchoringLeg 22.

FIGS. 5-7 show left, top-left-front isometric, and bottom-left-rear isometric views (respectively) of a section of TriggerBar 5. TriggerBar 5 further comprises Sear 7 and TriggerBarLobe 6 (cheese holed for illustrative purposes only).

FIGS. 8 and 9 show right and top-front-right isometric views (respectively) of a FiringPin 8. FiringPin 8 further comprises a PrimerTip 9.

FIGS. 10-12 show various views of a PriorArtTriggerConnector 1 incorporated into a trigger system in a Prior-to-TriggerPull State. TriggerBarLobe 6 abuts TriggerConnectorSlope 2 and Sear 7 constrains the biasing force of FiringPinSpring 10 by constraining FiringPin 8. FiringPinSpring 10 and FiringPin 8 are constrained in the Y axis (up/down) via the Slide (of known construction and function and thus not shown or described) of the firearm.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show the prior art system in an Imminent-Discharge State. Sear 7 is displaced downward (vs. FIG. 12) as TriggerBarLobe 6 slides downward-left (due to the interaction between TriggerConnectorSlope 2 and TriggerBarLobe 6) during trigger actuation. Sear 7 is at the very bottom tip of FiringPin 8 (and barely constraining the biasing force of FiringPinSpring 10).

FIG. 15 shows the prior art system in the Discharged State. Sear 7 has displaced further down from the State of FIG. 13 (due to further trigger actuation) and thus FiringPin 8 is allowed to snap forward under the biasing force of FiringPinSpring 10. The PrimerTip 9 would then contact and discharge a cartridge (not shown).

FIGS. 16 and 17 show various front views of the prior art system in a Prior-to-TriggerPull State (of FIG. 10). The system is configured to induce a counterclockwise (relative from view of FIG. 16) biasing force from LeafSpringArm 4 via communication between a known (thus not illustrated or described) anchoring feature of the Frame 11 and AnchoringLeg 22. FIG. 17 clearly illustrates how the biasing force of LeafSpringArm 4 of PriorArtTriggerConnector 1 “sandwiches” TriggerBar 5 against Frame 11 (cheese holed for illustrative purposes only) thus generating friction and heavy trigger pull.

FIGS. 18-20 show various views of an embodiment of a FreeFloatTriggerConnector 12. In addition to the features of a PriorArtTriggerConnector 1, the FreeFloatTriggerConnector 12 further comprises at least one LeafSpringArm Offset 13 the height of which is greater than the thickness of TriggerBar 5. Top edge/tip of LeafSpringArm Offset 13 is cheese holed (for illustrative purposes only) to emphasize its communication with Frame 11 (also cheese holed in other Figs.).

FIGS. 21-23 show various views of a FreeFloatTriggerConnector System in a Prior-to-TriggerPull State. FIG. 23 shows the top edge/tip of LeafSpringArm Offset 13 abutting Frame 11 (under the biasing force of LeafSpringArm 4) and affecting a Thicker-Than-TriggerBar Workspace 23 (since height of LeafSpringArm Offset 13 is greater than the thickness of TriggerBar 5). This is illustrated by Gaps 14. Thus, the only friction between FreeFloatTriggerConnector 12 and TriggerBar 5 is via interaction of TriggerBarLobe 6 and TriggerConnectorSlope 2 (FIG. 21).

The reduction in trigger pull weight afforded by the invention greatly increases accuracy for the typical user.

FIGS. 24 and 25 show isometric views of an unassembled and assembled (respectively) Alternate Embodiment FreeFloatTriggerConnector 15 and its separate Spacer 17. Spacer 17 could be a Pegged Spacer (as illustrated) which could be inserted into SpacerHole 16 or could comprise any other suitable means (e.g.—adhesive sticker) and accomplishes the same objective as LeafSpringArm Offset 13.

FIG. 26 is an isometric view of a Second AlternateEmbodimentFreeFloatTriggerConnector 18 utilizing a Step 19 as the offset means.

FIG. 27 is an isometric view of a Third AlternateEmbodimentFreeFloatTriggerConnector 20 utilizing a Dimple 21 as the offset means.

The invention could be manufactured using standard materials (metals/alloys and processes (MIM, additive manufacturing, sheetmetal work, subtractive machining, adhesive stickers, etc.).

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

Claims

1) A FreeFloatTriggerConnector for use in a firearm trigger system, the FreeFloatTriggerConnector comprising at least one LeafSpringArm and at least one LeafSpringArm Offset,

the LeafSpringArm Offset having a height in excess of the thickness of a TriggerBar of the firearm trigger system and configured to communicate with a Frame of the firearm to affect a Thicker-Than-TriggerBar Workspace between the Frame and the LeafSpringArm.

2) A firearm comprising at least one FreeFloatTriggerConnector of claim 1.