Firing Mechanism Patents (Class 42/65)
  • Patent number: 11668546
    Abstract: Muzzleloader systems including a pre-packaged propellant charge with a primer and receptacle. The muzzleloader system may include a propellant containment vessel separate from the primer and the projectile and that doesn't contact with the projectile until assembly. The muzzleloader may be rear loading, with a constriction portion forward of the breech chamber. The propellant containment vessel may include a body portion having a forward opening, with a propellant charge disposed therein and a cap portion that is crimp rolled within the mouth of the vessel to seal the forward opening. The closed end of the propellant containment vessel may define a primer receptacle configured to receive the primer. The receptacle may define a depth that is less than the primer height so that, when inserted into the receptacle, the primer extends rearwardly beyond the containment vessel. The muzzleloader system may be configured to fire only specifically configured propellant containment vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventors: Bryan P. Peterson, Drew L. Goodlin, Adam J. Moser
  • Patent number: 11215412
    Abstract: A bolt carrier may be provided. The bolt carrier may comprise a counter-bore, a housing, a cap, and a free-floating mass. The counter-bore may be disposed in the bolt carrier. The housing may be disposed in the counter-bore. The housing may have an interior, a first end, and a second end. The cap may be disposed at the second end of the housing and may be connected to the bolt carrier. The free-floating mass may be slidably disposed in the housing. A length of the free-floating mass may be less than a length of the interior of the housing between the cap and the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: DANIEL DEFENSE, LLC
    Inventors: Julian James Spangler, Marvin C. Daniel
  • Patent number: 11022393
    Abstract: Trigger guard assemblies for firearms include a trigger guard movable between a closed positon; and an open position providing greater access to a trigger bow of the firearm. The trigger guard assemblies also include a post that engages the trigger guard, and is movable in relation to the trigger guard between a retracted position and an extended position. When in the retracted position, the post does not interfere with movement of the trigger guard between the open and closed positions. When in the extended position, the post interferes with movement of the trigger guard between the open and closed positions, and exerts a lateral force on the firearm to further secure the trigger guard to the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: WHG Properties, LLC
    Inventor: Frank E. Robinson
  • Patent number: 10948262
    Abstract: A grip strap is removably attachable to a grip of a firearm using a plunger mounted in the grip and biased by a mainspring which also biases a hammer strut of the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Smith & Wesson Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Curry, Gary Zukowski
  • Patent number: 10571217
    Abstract: A handgun includes a barrel which extends in a longitudinal direction, and a breechblock with a breechblock insert. The breechblock insert can be brought into a first state and into a second state where, in the longitudinal direction of the barrel, the second state has a play which is greater than a play in the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventor: Helmut Jaegers
  • Patent number: 10222160
    Abstract: A trigger assembly apparatus includes spherical portion(s) and spherical bearing(s), rounded sear, stabilizing catch, and complimentary shield. In an exemplary embodiment, the spherical portion(s) and spherical bearing(s) respond to non-linear movement. Further, the interaction of the spherical portion(s) and spherical bearing(s) results in the mobility of the trigger in relation to the 6 degrees of freedom thereby resulting in the firearm being generally unaffected by side to side movement of the trigger during activation. The trigger assembly may also include but is not limited to a rounded sear, stabilizing catch, and complimentary shield. The rounded portion of the sear engages the hammer stop notch at a single point further resulting in the firearm being generally unaffected by side to side movement of the trigger. Additionally the stabilizing catch and shield helps facilitate the proper reset of the trigger assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: VARANGIAN INVESTMENTS, LLC
    Inventor: Miles Lewis Gillette
  • Patent number: 10060694
    Abstract: A rotatable spur for a handgun, rotatable with respect to the hammer body, and rotatable in a direction that is about an axis of rotation approximately parallel with the handgun body and barrel. The mechanism of rotation may be varied provided the spur is capable of changing the direction of its finger grip surface from its normal firing position to a position preferably perpendicular to the normal firing position. A retaining pin, biased for retention within an indentation within a cocking spur pin allows the finger grip surface of the spur to rotate and face at least a side position of the handgun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Taurus International Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Kresser
  • Patent number: 10036609
    Abstract: The firearm grip includes a front section having a width forming a connection assembly that includes a slot positioned between a pair of laterally extending guides. The connection assembly has a size and shape for select removable coupling with a portion of a firearm. The firearm grip also includes a handle extending rearwardly relative to the front section and includes an upper palm receiving edge positioned above an opening of a trigger guard of the firearm when the firearm grip is selectively coupled thereto. The handle has a thickness relatively thinner than the width of the front section. Moreover, a tapered transition positioned between the front section and the handle generally decreases the width of the front section to the relatively thinner thickness of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Inventor: Dan Paul Rojas Garcia
  • Patent number: 9879930
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a firearm including an action spring and a buffer assembly including a buffer body defining a counterweight bore having a first length and a counterweight received within the counterweight bore. The buffer body has a first end defining a face and a second end. The counterweight has a second length less than the first length. A buffer bumper is supported on the second end of the buffer body and a buffer pad is positioned within the counterweight bore between the counterweight and the first end of the buffer body. A bolt carrier is positioned to engage the face of the buffer body. An action spring is positioned about the buffer body and extends between the receiver extension of the firearm and the buffer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventor: Charles B. Cassels
  • Patent number: 9766028
    Abstract: A cylinder impeller for revolvers, which transmits the trigger pulling movement to a cylinder revolving movement. The impeller includes a cover having inside it a track; a one-piece body having a plate and a slider, said slider being able to slide within and relative to the cover; and a spring arranged between the body slider and the surface of the cover track. Therefore, the cover and the body slide one relative to the other and against the spring action, thus varying the overall length of the impeller and compensating and absorbing possible teeth machining variations of the cylinder extractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Forjas Taurus S.A.
    Inventors: Jamir Pagnoncelli, Juliano Batista Bisotto, André Machado De Magalhäes
  • Patent number: 9114516
    Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source including a cylinder head and a combustion chamber defined by the cylinder head, a valve sleeve and an upper surface of a reciprocating piston, the valve sleeve reciprocable relative to the cylinder head between a rest position and a pre-firing position. A lockout device is associated with the trigger and has an actuated position configured for preventing the reciprocation of the valve sleeve away from the pre-firing position until the trigger is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Christopher H. Porth
  • Publication number: 20150047243
    Abstract: A firearm utilizing a ratcheting system to rotate a cylinder containing ammunition is disclosed. The ratchet system is designed to accommodate the cylinder being in an initial safe (without a chamber centered over the barrel and hammer) and subsequent active positions. A ratchet arm protrudes through the breach plate and is supported thereon as it pushes ratchet pads on the cylinder from a starting point in either position to the next active position. Numerous designs for the ratchet pads and the ratchet arm are disclosed, as is a stepped drawbar to accommodate the workings of the firearm and a locking bar that interfaces with both the hammer and locking notches in the circumference of the cylinder so as to release and secure the cylinder in appropriate positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: IRONMONGER ARMS LLC
    Inventor: Paul A. Tusting
  • Patent number: 8887429
    Abstract: A revolver with light-weight firing control housing includes a cylinder frame supporting a rotatable cylinder defining a plurality of cartridge-receiving chambers and a firing control housing made of a non-metallic material. The firing control housing attaches to the cylinder frame and supports firing control mechanism components, such as a trigger and a pivotable hammer actuated by the trigger. In one embodiment, the firing control housing may be made of a polymer and the cylinder frame may be metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph J. Zajk
  • Publication number: 20140190053
    Abstract: A revolver with light-weight firing control housing includes a cylinder frame supporting a rotatable cylinder defining a plurality of cartridge-receiving chambers and a firing control housing made of a non-metallic material. The firing control housing attaches to the cylinder frame and supports firing control mechanism components, such as a trigger and a pivotable hammer actuated by the trigger. In one embodiment, the firing control housing may be made of a polymer and the cylinder frame may be metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc
    Inventor: Joseph J. Zajk
  • Publication number: 20110083351
    Abstract: A revolver includes a frame; a hammer rotatably coupled to the frame; a trigger mounted on the frame and movably coupled to the hammer; a cylinder rotatably mounted on the frame and having more than six chambers, each of the chambers adapted to receive a cartridge, wherein the cylinder is rotatable into discrete firing positions; and a pawl connected to the hammer for moving the cylinder between the discrete firing positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: Douglas F. Donnelly
  • Publication number: 20110035982
    Abstract: A revolver for firing high velocity ammunition includes a frame, a cylinder, a barrel, and a firing mechanism. The revolver may include one or more of the following, each of which is especially adapted for use in the context of firing high velocity ammunition: spacers for adjusting a barrel-cylinder gap, for eliminating broaching of the rearward surface(s) of the barrel; a forcing cone formed in the rearward opening of the barrel for accommodating deformed projectiles; a reflective surface (e.g., mirrored surface) provided on the cone and/or barrel rearward surfaces, for reducing erosion resulting from using high velocity ammunition; gain-twist rifling in the barrel for a smoother transition to full projectile velocity; a larger diameter, hardened firing pin bushing for minimizing brass flow in the rearward direction; and a front sight assembly that minimizes lateral shift or drift of the sight pin during firing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH & WESSON CORP.
    Inventors: JASON ROBERT DUBOIS, SIMON MICHEAL MUSKA, GARY E. ZUKOWSKI, JOHN W. AVEDISIAN, BRETT CURRY
  • Patent number: 7886469
    Abstract: A polymeric revolver including a frame, a cylinder mounted in a rectangular aperture in the frame via a yoke, and a cylinder retaining mechanism is provided. The cylinder retaining mechanism includes multiple assemblies, which lock the yoke in the cylinder-closed position, including: (1) an extractor, a locking bolt and a locking bolt retainer that house an extractor rod spring and engage a ratchet hub driver, hub drive center pin and central pin plate that house a ratchet drive spring; (2) a star-shaped configuration of grooves and ridges on the extractor and the ratchet hub driver, respectively; (3) a rear taper of the locking bolt that engages a concave recess at the axial center of the rounded groove of the locking bolt recess; and (4) an annular ring that engages an inner wall of an annular opening in a breach face of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corp.
    Inventor: Brett Curry
  • Patent number: 7878102
    Abstract: A revolver for firing high velocity ammunition includes a frame, a cylinder, a barrel, and a firing mechanism. The revolver may include one or more of the following, each of which is especially adapted for use in the context of firing high velocity ammunition: spacers for adjusting a barrel-cylinder gap, for eliminating broaching of the rearward surface(s) of the barrel; a forcing cone formed in the rearward opening of the barrel for accommodating deformed projectiles; a reflective surface (e.g., mirrored surface) provided on the cone and/or barrel rearward surfaces, for reducing erosion resulting from using high velocity ammunition; gain-twist rifling in the barrel for a smoother transition to full projectile velocity; a larger diameter, hardened firing pin bushing for minimizing brass flow in the rearward direction; and a front sight assembly that minimizes lateral shift or drift of the sight pin during firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corp.
    Inventors: Jason Robert Dubois, Simon Micheal Muska, Gary E. Zukowski, John W. Avedisian, Brett Curry
  • Patent number: 7669588
    Abstract: A rotary clip rotation mechanism for an air gun, having a nail for engaging with a nail engagement section provided in the rotary clip and causing rotation of a rotary clip, comprises an L-shaped arm, capable of rotating about an arm shaft, with a muzzle side end opening section formed from a curved surface section; an arm elastic section provided at a position contacting the tip of the curved surface section of the L-shaped arm, a nail support arm provided so as to rotate on a gun rear end side of the L-shaped arm by means of a connecting elastic section, and a nail urged in the direction of the tip end by a nail elastic section provided on a tip of the nail support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Maruzen Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuo Maeda
  • Patent number: 7536817
    Abstract: In a single or double action revolver, an improvement that prevents the cylinder from advancing upon being recocked should the revolver be decocked (uncocked) without firing. During or after decocking, a pawl (hand) retainer may be automatically set or manually set by the shooter. When the retainer is set it prevents the pawl from engaging the cylinder ratchet and rotating the cylinder past a live round when recocked. The retainer may be automatically or manually reset so that the cylinder will advance when the revolver is subsequently recocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Inventor: Leonard Storch
  • Patent number: 7523578
    Abstract: A revolver that has firing means arranged so as to substantially raise the resting point of the middle finger of the hand on the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Far League S.R.L.
    Inventor: Emilio Ghisoni
  • Publication number: 20090077853
    Abstract: In a single or double action revolver, an improvement that prevents the cylinder from advancing upon being recocked should the revolver be decocked (uncocked) without firing. During or after decocking, a pawl (hand) retainer may be automatically set or manually set by the shooter. When the retainer is set it prevents the pawl from engaging the cylinder ratchet and rotating the cylinder past a live round when recocked. The retainer may be automatically or manually reset so that the cylinder will advance when the revolver is subsequently recocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Leonard Storch
  • Publication number: 20090044437
    Abstract: A revolver with trigger mechanism for cocking a rotatable hammer. The revolver includes a frame, a barrel supported by the frame and defining a bore, at least one chamber aligned with the bore of barrel for holding a cartridge, a hammer pivotally mounted to the frame and moveable between a forward uncocked position and a rearward cocked position, and a trigger pivotally mounted to the frame. In one embodiment, the trigger includes a contoured camming surface configured and arranged to engage a protrusion extending outwards from the hammer for cocking the hammer in response to pulling the trigger. The protrusion may be a hammer dog pivotally coupled to the hammer in some embodiments. In another embodiment, the hammer may include a sear having a contoured camming surface for engaging the trigger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventor: Joseph J. ZAJK
  • Patent number: 7194834
    Abstract: A firearm includes a receiver having an opening, at least one cartridge-containing cylinder rotatably disposed within the receiver, and a hammer displaceable between cocked and strike positions. A slide is movably coupled with the receiver so as to be linearly displaceable between a front position and a rear position and displaces the hammer to the cocked position. A rotator is movably coupled with the slide and releasably engages with and rotatably displaces the cylinder when the slide displaces toward the front position and alternatively disengages from the cylinder when the slide displaces toward the rear position. Preferably, each cylinder is rotatably disposed within a chamber of a housing removably disposeable within the receiver cavity and displaceable through the receiver opening. Most preferably, at least one cylinder has chambers for receiving cartridges of a first size and another cylinder has chambers for receiving cartridges of a second, different size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Patrick Falenwolfe
  • Patent number: 6931774
    Abstract: A replacement cylinder that enables the use of modern smokeless gunpowder in a black powder muzzle-loading revolver is provided. The cylinder includes a main cylinder body and a removable cylinder cap. The main cylinder body includes a number of chambers, each of which having a projectile portion, a propellant portion and a primer portion. The cylinder cap includes a number of captured firing pins positioned therein. During operation, the cylinder cap is allowed to axially translate relative to the main cylinder body. A method of muzzle-loading the cylinder of the invention using modern smokeless gunpowder and a primer is also provided and is facilitated by the provision of a loading plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Howell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6772670
    Abstract: Operating method of automatic fire-arms and automatic revolver based on this method. The operation method involves turning the arm barrel unit in a vertical plane relative to a transversal horizontal axle connecting the arm barrel unit with the frame occurring as a result of action of the arm of force. The automatic revolver contains the barrel unit with the cylinder connected with the frame by the transversal axle, a grip and the slide is located in the barrel unit. The slide includes a slide retainer, slide accelerator, mechanism for translational-rotational movement of the slide and an engagement unit for causing engagement between fired cartridge-case bottom the slide cup. The arm kickback compensator is located inside the grip in a cavity and includes a retainer movably fastened to a rear wall of an upper part of the grip defining the cavity. The technical result of the method and automatic revolver is the elimination of the negative influence of the arm of force occurred in shooting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: Alexandr Alexandrovich Koursakoff
  • Patent number: 6658780
    Abstract: The shooting device, such as a revolver, has a housing with a barrel-receiving opening defined therein. A cylinder and a barrel are attached to the housing. The barrel has a rear section with a cylindrical segment that slidably engages the cylindrical segment. A spring has one end attached to the rear section of the barrel and a second opposite end attached to the cylindrical valve for urging the valve against a groove section of the cylinder so there is a tight fit between the valve and the cylinder during the firing of the bullet. This prevents any pressure loss when the bullet is fired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Aris Papadimas
  • Patent number: 6634128
    Abstract: A 0.22 caliber long rifle removable conversion system kit for open top frame, black powder, ball and cap colt reproduction and replica revolver—recreation and gallery shooting comprises a barrel nut and a barrel sleeve nut being threaded to mate with a threaded portion of the outside diameter of the barrel sleeve and sized to fit snugly into the inside diameter of the outlet of the pistol barrel. Also included is a firing pin ring assembly comprised of a loading gate subassembly, firing pin subassembly and firing pin ring. Also included is a cartridge cylinder being cylindrical in shape with cartridge apertures configured to mate with and engage the existing rotation hand and locking lug of the pistol frame. Lastly included is a barrel wedge assembly comprising an expanding wedge subassembly and an unloading rod assembly comprising an unloading rod and an unloading rod housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Laszlo Vastag
  • Patent number: 6615527
    Abstract: In a firearm having a trigger assembly with a trigger nose, a hammer with a sear hook and a trigger notch, a disconnector and an automatic sear, an improvement including a notched bifurcating the sear hook of the hammer for receiving the disconnector in a past-cocked position. Further improvements include the trigger notch being offset rearwardly from a center of the pivot point resulting in a slightly changed angle away from an acute engagement angle with the trigger nose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Derrick J. Martin
  • Patent number: 6571502
    Abstract: A revolver includes a cylinder pivotally attached within an opening of a frame. The cylinder has a plurality of firing chambers sized to receive electrically fired cartridges. Each firing chamber is indexable to a carry-up position. A firing mechanism includes a trigger to actuate the firing mechanism from a recovered position to a fired position. A hand is attached to the trigger and engages the cylinder to index the chambers to their carry-up positions during actuation of the firing mechanism. A hammer is pivotally attached to the frame. A latch mechanism is pivotally attached to the frame wherein the latch mechanism engages the hammer in a set position during actuation of the firing mechanism. When the chambers reach their carry-up positions, the latch releases the hammer from the set position to displace the firing mechanism to the fired position to fire the revolver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corp.
    Inventor: Richard Mikuta
  • Publication number: 20030046851
    Abstract: The shooting device, such as a revolver, has a housing with a barrel-receiving opening defined therein. A cylinder and a barrel are attached to the housing. The barrel has a rear section with a cylindrical segment that slidably engages the cylindrical segment. A spring has one end attached to the rear section of the barrel and a second opposite end attached to the cylindrical valve for urging the valve against a groove section of the cylinder so there is a tight fit between the valve and the cylinder during the firing of the bullet. This prevents any pressure loss when the bullet is fired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Aris Papadimas
  • Patent number: 6397506
    Abstract: A single-action revolver can be fired rapidly by relatively unskilled shooters and by shooters with limited manual dexterity. The revolver contains a hammer-cocking assembly having a reciprocating cylinder-actuating rod with a proximate end that passes rearwardly through the respective longitudinal bores of the frame and cylinder to contact the hammer and with a distal end that extends forwardly along the barrel. A shooter can easily fire the revolver rapidly by first moving the cylinder-actuating rod with one hand to cock the hammer and rotate the cylinder, and by then pulling the trigger with another hand to release the hammer and fire the revolver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventor: William D. Oglesby, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6385888
    Abstract: An improved trigger mechanism for a single action revolver. The device features a pawl which rotationally mounts upon a hammer having a firing position in which a hammer is cocked, and having an at rest position in which the hammer is biased against the revolver frame. The pawl has an engagement end which cooperatively engages and rotates an indexing ratchet of a rotating cylinder at a first end. A means for disengagement of the engagement end of the pawl from cooperative engagement with the indexing ratchet when hammer is in said at rest position is provided by a second section extending from an axis pin providing a mount for the pawl on the trigger hammer. A cam end having a length determined to provide operative contact with an interior wall surface of a shaft formed in said revolver causes a rotation of the pawl upon the axis pin thereby laterally translating said engagement end out of operative engagement with the cylinder ratchet when the hammer is rotated to said resting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Ron Power
  • Patent number: 6360468
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a security apparatus for use in authorizing the discharge of a firearm having a firing apparatus includes a sensor assembly for receiving a plurality of operational parameters of the firearm and determining if the operational parameters are consistent with an intent to discharge said firearm therefrom. The security apparatus authorizes the firing apparatus to produce and send a check signal to an ammunition cartridge only if the operational parameters are consistent with an intent to discharge the firearm. The firing apparatus further generates a firing signal and provides the firing signal to the cartridge only if the check signal indicates that the cartridge is properly loaded in the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corp.
    Inventors: Robert L. Constant, Richard Mikuta, John F. Klebes
  • Patent number: 6357157
    Abstract: A multi-chambered firearm for firing a non-impact primer ammunition includes an electrically-conductive firing probe adapted to deliver a firing charge to ignite the primer and cause firing. The firing signal is controlled by a computer control system located in the firearm that determines firing ready conditions, including operator identification, and causes the firing signal to be delivered in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corp.
    Inventors: Robert L. Constant, David J. Petig, John F. Klebes, Craig A. Mariani, Richard Mikuta
  • Patent number: 6345462
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a firing mechanism adapted to discharge a non-impact fired ammunition cartridge in a revolver comprises a trigger, a hammer, a stirrup, a transfer bar, a link, and a rebound. The trigger is hung conventionally on a frame of the revolver and adapted for rotation to and from a firing position. The transfer bar is engaged with the trigger and configured for movement into and out of engagement with a firing probe during actuation of the firing mechanism. The hammer is coupled to the stirrup via the link such that the hammer and stirrup rotate in opposite directions. The rebound has a front end coupled to the trigger and a rear end which receives a main spring. The main spring is captured between the stirrup and the rebound to bias the trigger toward recovery and the stirrup and hammer toward their respective firing positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corp.
    Inventors: Richard Mikuta, Craig A. Mariani
  • Patent number: 6075450
    Abstract: A shock-activated, sonic alarm is silent when in a stored or cocked condition. In the cocked or armed condition, a spring-loaded plunger (160) is restrained by a ring (200) from activating an alarm (100). When the alarm is dealt a sharp blow, the plunger (160) is dislodged and freed from the ring so that its spring (170) forces it against a cap (120) or a switch (410), resulting in a loud alarm. The alarm can be placed in any location where it is desirable to sound an alarm in response to a physical trauma, such as in a traffic barrier or dangerous goods shipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Lloyd Douglas Clark
  • Patent number: 6047490
    Abstract: A breech plate and cylinder for the conversion of a percussion pistol to a cartridge pistol which requires no modification of nor permanent attachment to the frame of the pistol. The breech plate is non-rotatably mounted within the cylinder receiving area and includes a firing pin in proper relation to the cartridges loaded into the cylinder and the cylinder and breech plate are held within this receiving area through the normally provided cylinder pin. The breech plate is stationary and secured against rotation with respect to the cylinder and cylinder pin by, selectively providing, pins or locating flats to eliminate any frame modification or attachment to the frame. The cylinder is rotatable about the cylinder pin to sequentially position cartridges in firing location with regard to the breech plate carried firing pin and barrel of the pistol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Inventor: Walter J. Kirst
  • Patent number: 6016619
    Abstract: An adjustable tensioning device for a revolver hammer main spring where the main spring is preferably a leaf spring that is maintained in the grip frame, between a hammer spring mounting and a seat formed in the grip frame, and the adjustable tensioning device is a bell crank pivotally mounted in the grip frame and having surfaces that, respectively, are engaged by turning a screw fitted through the grip butt end to lift the one or first bell crank surface to as to pivot the other or second bell crank surface into the leaf spring, increasing the bow therein. The increase in leaf spring bow translates to an increase in force as is needed to be applied to the revolver trigger to release the hammer to fire the revolver and provides an increase in the speed of hammer fall and the force that the hammer applies to a cartridge primer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: Richard J. Casull
  • Patent number: 6016736
    Abstract: Revolver firearm comprising a body divided in an upper part, or slider, comprising a barrel and a drum, slidingly associated with a lower part, or case, comprising a handle, a trigger and a hammer; a first kinematic chain arranged in said case for arming the hammer; a second kinematic chain, arranged in said slider, and adapted to cause the rotation of the drum and to successively align the firing chambers of the drum with the barrel, the first and second kinematic chains being selectively activated by manually operating the hammer directly or the trigger or using the forces generated by the recoil; a third kinematic chain for connecting the first and second chains; the third kinematic chain has a desmodromic member having an active transfer action synchronously transferring motion from the first chain to the second chain during the firing action and a resistance passive action during the automatic re-cocking of the firearm caused by the recoil forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: Emilio Ghisoni
  • Patent number: 6000162
    Abstract: A pistol with a frame, a barrel and a firing mechanism. The firing mechanism includes a pivotably mounted hammer having a first hammer member and a second hammer member stationarily interlocked in a pocket of the first hammer member. The firing mechanism also includes a trigger assembly with a trigger member and a spacer pivotably mounted to the frame in a slot of the frame. The barrel has a lug on its bottom rear end that is movably mounted to the frame by a lug pin. A rear end of the lug has a contoured shape to accommodate the top of the trigger and a front of a pull bar being moved under the barrel. A handgrip panel is mounted to a handgrip section of the frame by a single fastener. The panel and handgrip section have cooperating angled surfaces to also mount the panel to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Colt's Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Hochstrate
  • Patent number: 5974941
    Abstract: An automatic revolver has a body, a barrel arranged in the body and having an inner passage provided with a thread-like formation, an ammunition-containing element from which a bullet is displaced into the barrel, the barrel being turnable relative to the body so that when a bullet passes through the barrel and rotates in one direction, the barrels is rotated by a reactive moment in an opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventors: Yakov Kushnir, Leonid Kushnir
  • Patent number: 5924231
    Abstract: A two stage match trigger in which rearward movement of the trigger causes rearward movement of the sear in order to release the hammer. Rearward movement of the sear is resisted by a first stage spring plunger and by a second stage spring plunger. During initial travel of the trigger/sear, only the first stage spring plunger resists motion of the sear. At a point when the sear is close to disengaging from the hammer, the sear encounters the second stage spring plunger, thereby encountering resistance from both the first and second stage spring plungers. The effect produced is an increased force necessary to pull back on the trigger after the sear engages the second stage spring plunger. This provides cues to the shooter that the sear is nearing disengagement from the hammer. Therefore, any further movement of the trigger will cause the rifle to fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Inventor: Anthony W. Kidd
  • Patent number: 5915935
    Abstract: A cocking trigger mechanism is disclosed. The cocking trigger mechanism includes a hammer element that is moveable between a front position and a rear position, and a drive part that is moveable between an uncocked position and a cocked position. The drive part is arranged to entrain the hammer element during its movement into the uncocked position. A striker spring biases the drive part into the uncocked position. A trigger causes movement of the drive part against the force of the striker spring from the uncocked position to the cocked position and actuates its release. When the drive part is moved independently of the trigger into the cocked position, it is held in this position until subsequent operation of the trigger. The hammer element is connected to a return spring that forces it into a rest position that is situated near its front position as long as the trigger is not operated so that it always assumes a defined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Heckler & Koch GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Weldle, Rolf Knopfle
  • Patent number: 5815972
    Abstract: The invention concerns a handgun which comprises a trigger (42), a firing mechanism arranged to be actuated by the trigger and to fire a cartridge, a barrel (4) through which the bullet of the cartridge is projected when the cartridge is fired and a butt (60) which is arranged to be gripped in the hand of a user. The axis (57) of the barrel, and hence the line of action of a recoil force which is generated when the cartridge is fired, is at least substantially aligned with the line of action of a resisting force applied to the handgun by the use's hand. Also, the trigger is located above the axis of the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: Nigel Iivari Anderson
  • Patent number: 5815973
    Abstract: A pistol with a frame, a barrel and a firing mechanism. The firing mechanism includes a pivotably mounted hammer having a first hammer member and a second hammer member stationarily interlocked in a pocket of the first hammer member. The firing mechanism also includes a trigger assembly with a trigger member and a spacer pivotably mounted to the frame in a slot of the frame. The barrel has a lug on its bottom rear end that is movably mounted to the frame by a lug pin. A rear end of the lug has a contoured shape to accommodate the top of the trigger and a front of a pull bar being moved under the barrel. A handgrip panel is mounted to a handgrip section of the frame by a single fastener. The panel and handgrip section have cooperating angled surfaces to also mount the panel to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Colt's Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Hochstrate
  • Patent number: 5727345
    Abstract: A semiautomatic firearm having a rotating cylinder is provided. The cylinder has a plurality of chambers adapted to receive a cartridge and is rotatingly supported in a housing by a cylinder pin whereby each of the chambers of the cylinder is positionable in one of a loading position, a firing position, and an ejecting position. The cylinder pin is reciprocally movable between a retracted position wherein the cylinder pin is disengaged from a firing mechanism and an extended position wherein the cylinder pin engages the firing mechanism so as to cock the firing mechanism. The cylinder pin is movable from the retracted position to the extended position in response to gas pressure generated by the firing of a cartridge disposed in the chamber of the cylinder positioned in the firing position acting on the cylinder pin so as to move the cylinder pin from the retracted position to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Hotshot, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Sullivan
  • Patent number: 5726377
    Abstract: A known gas operated firearm has been modified to be of more compact size and reduced weight while retaining the firepower, the features, and most of the components of its predecessor. A bolt assembly reciprocably mounted in a longitudinal cavity of a receiver assembly for movement between recoil and battery positions has a forwardly facing pressure surface and first and second longitudinally extending coaxial bores. The annular flange of a firing pin is slidable in the second bore and the bolt assembly includes a transversely extending retaining pin engageable by the annular flange to define an aftward terminal position of the firing pin. A recoil assembly includes a pair of tungsten weights mounted in the longitudinal cavity for rectilinear movement with the bolt assembly between the recoil and battery positions and includes means to bias the bolt assembly toward the battery position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Colt's Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Harris, James F. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5682699
    Abstract: An improved single-shot rifle is shown having a rifle barrel secured to a receiver and having a lever-activated falling block action. The action includes a hammer and trigger each pivotally connected to the lever. A breechblock is moveable downwardly within a breechblock mortise provided on a rear surface of the receiver from a safety position wherein a firing pin carried thereby is aligned with a recess in the hammer and a firing position in which the firing pin is aligned with a striking surface of the hammer so that pulling the trigger releases the hammer and allows the striking surface thereof to strike the firing pin and fire the rifle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Inventor: Roger Gentry
  • Patent number: 5673506
    Abstract: A safety mechanism for use with a firearm having a hammer wherein the hammer has an elongated, vertically extending recess formed therein, a transfer bar traveling within that elongated recess between an extended position and a retracted position. When the transfer bar is in the extended position, the bar is interposed between the hammer and the firing pin allowing discharge of a cartridge within the chamber. When the transfer bar is in the retracted position, a portion of the recess is exposed. The exposed recess is larger than the portion of the firing pin which protrudes from the receiver. Thus, inadvertent firing is prevented as the hammer cannot contact the firing pin. A transfer bar carrier pin located on the hand assembly initially cooperates with the trigger cam and the transfer bar to elevate the bar into the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Freedom Arms
    Inventors: Corey N. Pantuso, Donn L. Dunnigan