Firearm having magazine safety

A firearm has a magazine safety and a take-down mechanism. The magazine safety operates in conjunction with a trigger bar and a disconnect bar. The magazine safety has a safety arm which moves the disconnect bar out of engagement with the trigger bar when a magazine is inserted. This permits the trigger bar to engage the sear. When the magazine is removed, the safety arm disengages from the disconnect bar, permitting the disconnect bar to move the trigger bar into a position where it cannot engage the sear. The safety bar also operates as a take-down mechanism. When moved to a take-down position, the safety arm engages and moves the sear into a position where it cannot engage the striker so as to permit removal of the slide carrying the striker from the firearm.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns safety and take-down mechanisms for magazine-fed firearms.

BACKGROUND

The magazine safety is an effective safety mechanism for self-loading magazine-fed firearms such as semi-automatic pistols, machine pistols and machine guns. Magazine safeties operate by various different means, but all act to prevent discharge of the firearm when a magazine is not present in the magazine well. However, a disadvantage suffered by many magazine safeties is the need to dry fire the firearm in order to disassemble it for cleaning. For example, this disadvantage affects “hammerless” pistols which use a striker and sear firing mechanism. Dry firing is necessary to clear the sear from engagement with the striker to allow the slide, in which the striker is mounted, to be slid off of the frame of the pistol for take-down. The need to dry fire the pistol presents an additional risk, as anytime the firing mechanism is exercised there is the potential that, through carelessness, an unnoticed chambered round can be inadvertently discharged. There is clearly a need for a safety mechanism which eliminates this additional risk.

SUMMARY

The invention includes a safety mechanism for a firearm having a trigger movably mounted on the firearm, a sear movably mounted on the firearm, and a well for receiving an ammunition magazine. In one example embodiment the safety mechanism comprises a trigger bar attached to the trigger and movable relatively to the sear upon motion of the trigger. The trigger bar is movable between a first position, wherein the trigger bar is engageable with the sear upon motion of the trigger, and a second position, wherein the trigger bar is not engageable with the sear upon motion of the trigger. The trigger bar is biased toward the first position. A disconnect bar is movably mounted on the firearm. The disconnect bar is biased into engagement with the trigger bar so as to move the trigger bar toward the second position. A safety arm is movably mounted on the firearm. The safety arm is movable between a safe position projecting into the magazine well, and a live position engaging and moving the disconnect bar out of engagement with the trigger bar thereby permitting the trigger bar to move into the first position. The safety arm is biased into the safe position and moves into the live position upon insertion of the magazine into the magazine well.

In a particular example embodiment, the trigger bar is pivotably attached to the trigger and rotatably movable between the first and the second positions. In a specific example embodiment, the disconnect bar is pivotably mounted on the firearm and rotatably movable into the engagement with the trigger bar.

In an example embodiment, a first biasing spring acts between the firearm and the disconnect bar for biasing the disconnect bar into engagement with the trigger bar. A second biasing spring acts between the trigger and the trigger bar for biasing the trigger bar into the first position. In this example, the first biasing spring exerts a greater torque than the second biasing spring so as to bias the trigger bar into the second position when the disconnect bar engages the trigger bar.

In a specific example embodiment, the safety arm is pivotably mounted on the firearm and rotatably movable between the safe position and the live position. By way of example, the safety arm comprises a lobe engaging the magazine and the disconnect bar when the safety arm is rotatably moved into the live position.

In another example embodiment, the safety arm is further movable into a take-down position wherein the safety arm engages and moves the sear. In a specific embodiment, the safety arm is pivotably mounted on the firearm and rotatably movable into the magazine well for movement into the take-down position. By way of further example, the safety arm may further comprise a lobe engageable with the sear, the lobe engaging and moving the sear upon rotation of the safety arm into the take-down position.

The invention also encompasses a firearm fed ammunition from a magazine. In a specific example embodiment, the firearm comprises a frame and a well, defined by the frame, for receiving the magazine. In this example embodiment a trigger is movably mounted on the frame. A sear is also movably mounted on the frame. A trigger bar is attached to the trigger and movable relatively to the sear upon motion of the trigger. The trigger bar is movable between a first position, wherein the trigger bar is engageable with the sear upon motion of the trigger, and a second position, wherein the trigger bar is not engageable with the sear upon motion of the trigger. In a specific example the trigger bar is biased toward the first position. A disconnect bar is movably mounted on the frame. The disconnect bar is biased into engagement with the trigger bar so as to move the trigger bar toward the second position. A safety arm is movably mounted on the frame. The safety arm is movable between a safe position projecting into the magazine well, and a live position, engaging and moving the disconnect bar out of engagement with the trigger bar thereby permitting the trigger bar to move into the first position. In this example the safety arm is biased into the safe position and moves into the live position upon insertion of the magazine into the magazine well.

In one example embodiment, the trigger bar is pivotably attached to the trigger and rotatably movable between the first and the second positions. By way of example the disconnect bar is pivotably mounted on the frame and rotatably movable into the engagement with the trigger bar. In a specific example embodiment the firearm may further comprise a first biasing spring acting between the frame and the disconnect bar for biasing the disconnect bar into engagement with the trigger bar, and a second biasing spring acting between the trigger and the trigger bar for biasing the trigger bar into the first position. In this example the first biasing spring exerts a greater torque than the second biasing spring so as to bias the trigger bar into the second position when the disconnect bar engages the trigger bar.

In an example embodiment, the safety arm is pivotably mounted on the frame and rotatably movable between the safe position and the live position. By way of example the safety arm comprises a lobe engaging the magazine and the disconnect bar when the safety arm is rotatably moved into the live position. In an example embodiment the safety arm is further movable into a take-down position wherein the safety arm engages and moves the sear. In an example embodiment, the safety arm is pivotably mounted on the frame and rotatably movable into the magazine well for movement into the take-down position. By way of example the safety arm may further comprise a lobe engageable with the sear, the lobe engaging and moving the sear upon rotation of the safety arm into the take-down position. According to one example of the invention, the firearm comprises a pistol.

The invention further encompasses a pistol, fed ammunition from a magazine. In one example embodiment, the pistol comprises a frame and a well, defined by the frame, for receiving the magazine. A trigger is movably mounted on the frame. A slide is movably mounted on the frame. A striker is movably mounted on the slide. A sear is movably mounted on the frame. A trigger bar is attached to the trigger and movable relatively to the sear upon motion of the trigger. The trigger bar is movable between a first position wherein the trigger bar is engageable with the sear upon motion of the trigger, and a second position, wherein the trigger bar is not engageable with the sear upon motion of the trigger. The trigger bar is biased toward the first position. A disconnect bar is movably mounted on the frame. The disconnect bar is biased into engagement with the trigger bar so as to move the trigger bar toward the second position. A safety arm is movably mounted on the frame. The safety arm is movable between a safe position projecting into the magazine well, and a live position engaging and moving the disconnect bar out of engagement with the trigger bar thereby permitting the trigger bar to move into the first position. The safety arm is biased into the safe position and moves into the live position upon insertion of the magazine into the magazine well.

In one example embodiment, the trigger bar is pivotably attached to the trigger and rotatably movable between the first and the second positions. The disconnect bar is pivotably mounted on the frame and rotatably movable into the engagement with the trigger bar.

In an example embodiment, the pistol further comprises a first biasing spring acting between the frame and the disconnect bar for biasing the disconnect bar into engagement with the trigger bar. A second biasing spring acts between the trigger and the trigger bar for biasing the trigger bar into the first position. In this example, the first biasing spring exerts a greater torque than the second biasing spring so as to bias the trigger bar into the second position when the disconnect bar engages the trigger bar.

In an example embodiment, the safety arm is pivotably mounted on the frame and rotatably movable between the safe position and the live position. In an example embodiment, the safety arm comprises a lobe engaging the magazine and the disconnect bar when the safety arm is rotatably moved into the live position. In an example embodiment, the safety arm is further movable into a take-down position wherein the safety arm engages and moves the sear into a position wherein the sear cannot engage the striker. In an example embodiment, the safety arm is pivotably mounted on the frame and rotatably movable into the magazine well for movement into the take-down position. By way of example, the safety arm comprises a lobe engageable with the sear, the lobe engaging and moving the sear upon rotation of the safety arm into the take-down position. By way of example, the sear is pivotably mounted on the frame and rotatably movable into the positioned wherein the sear cannot engage the striker.

The invention also includes a take-down mechanism for a firearm having a sear and a striker, both movably mounted on the firearm. In one example embodiment, the take-down mechanism comprises a safety arm movably mounted on the firearm. The safety arm is movable into engagement with the sear so as to move the sear between a first position engageable with the striker, and a second position wherein the sear cannot engage the striker. In one example, the safety arm is pivotably mounted on the firearm and rotatably movable into and out of engagement with the sear. In this example embodiment, the safety arm may comprise a lobe engageable with the sear upon rotation of the safety arm.

The invention also encompasses a firearm, the firearm comprising a frame, a sear movably mounted on the frame, and a safety arm movably mounted on the frame. In this example embodiment the safety arm is movable into a take-down position wherein the safety arm engages and moves the sear. In one example embodiment, the safety arm is pivotably mounted on the frame and rotatably movable into engagement with the sear. By way of example, the safety arm may further comprise a lobe engageable with the sear, the lobe engaging and moving the sear upon rotation of the safety arm into the take-down position. The firearm according to the invention may comprise a pistol, for example.

The invention further encompasses a pistol, fed ammunition from a magazine. In an example embodiment, the pistol comprises a frame, a well, defined by the frame, for receiving the magazine, a slide movably mounted on the frame, a striker movably mounted on the slide, a sear movably mounted on the frame, and a safety arm movably mounted on the firearm. The safety arm is movable into engagement with the sear so as to move the sear between a first position engageable with the striker, and a second position wherein the sear cannot engage the striker.

In a particular example embodiment, the safety arm is pivotably mounted on the frame and rotatably movable into the magazine well for movement into the take-down position. By way of example, the safety arm may further comprise a lobe engageable with the sear, the lobe engaging and moving the sear upon rotation of the safety arm into the take-down position. Additionally, the sear may be pivotably mounted on the frame and rotatably movable into the positioned wherein the sear cannot engage the striker.

(In the following description the terms “clockwise” and “counterclockwise” are used only for convenience to describe rotations of various components with respect to the views shown in the referenced drawings.)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows a firearm10, in this example a pistol, having a magazine safety mechanism12according to the invention. Pistol10comprises a frame14which defines a magazine well16, in this example positioned within a grip18, for receiving an ammunition magazine20, shown positioned within well16. A trigger22is movably mounted on frame14. In this example, the trigger22is pivotably mounted on the frame14for rotational movement about a pivot axis24. A sear26is also movably mounted on frame14, the sear being pivotably mounted in this example for rotational movement about a pivot axis28. The sear26is biased in a clockwise direction about its pivot axis28by a biasing spring30. A slide32is mounted atop the frame14and is slidably movable relatively to the frame14between a battery position (shown) and an open position (seeFIG. 3). A striker34is movably mounted within the slide32. Striker34is biased toward a breech face36of the slide32by a compression spring38. Striker34has a surface40which is engageable with the sear26. InFIG. 1, striker34is shown with the sear26engaging the striker surface40and holding the striker34in the cocked position with the striker spring38compressed. Counter clockwise rotation of the sear26(against its biasing spring30) will cause the sear to fall off of the striker surface40, thereby releasing the striker, which moves toward the breech face36under the biasing action of spring38. This will effect discharge of the pistol10if a live round is chambered (not shown).

Magazine safety mechanism12comprises a trigger bar42, a disconnect bar44and a safety arm46. One end48of trigger bar42is attached to trigger22, the opposite end50being engageable with the sear26. In this example, the trigger bar42is pivotably attached to the trigger22for rotation about a pivot axis52offset from the trigger pivot axis24. Pivotably attaching trigger bar42to trigger22in this manner allows the trigger bar to move longitudinally relatively to sear26as well as rotate about pivot axis52between a first position (shown inFIG. 1) wherein the trigger bar is engageable with the sear26, and a second position (shown inFIG. 2) wherein the trigger bar42has rotated counterclockwise and is not engageable with the sear. Note that the trigger bar42is biased in a clockwise direction about pivot axis52by a spring54mounted on trigger22, thus, the trigger bar42is biased into the first position allowing engagement between the trigger bar42and the sear26.

Disconnect bar44is movably mounted on frame14. In this example, disconnect bar44has a first end56pivotably attached to frame14for rotation of the disconnect bar about a pivot axis58. The opposite end60of disconnect bar44is biased into engagement with end50of trigger bar42by a biasing spring62(see alsoFIG. 4). The torque exerted by the disconnect bar biasing spring62(clockwise direction) is greater than the torque exerted by the trigger bar biasing spring54(also clockwise) such that, in the absence of any other force or torque applied to either the disconnect bar44or the trigger bar42, the disconnect bar44will rotate the trigger bar42counterclockwise into the second position where it cannot engage the sear26(seeFIG. 2). Such “other” torque or force for moving the disconnect bar44is provided by the safety arm46. Safety arm46is movably mounted on the firearm10and comprises first and second lobes64and66. In this example, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, safety arm46is pivotably mounted on frame14for rotational motion about a pivot axis68between a “live” position, shown inFIG. 1, and a “safe” position, shown inFIG. 2. In the live position ofFIG. 1, the lobe64engages both the magazine20and the disconnect bar44. In the safe position ofFIG. 2, the magazine is removed and the lobe64projects into the magazine well16. Motion of the safety arm46into the magazine well16is limited by contact between the lobe66and the sear26. When safety arm46is in the safe position (FIG. 2), the disconnect bar44is free to rotate clockwise about axis58under the torque of its biasing spring62whereupon the end60of the disconnect bar44engages the end50of the trigger bar42and rotates it counterclockwise about its pivot axis52against its biasing spring54and into the second position where it cannot engage the sear26. In this configuration the firearm10is “safe” and cannot fire if the trigger22is pulled because the trigger bar42cannot engage the sear26and force its rotation about its pivot axis28against its biasing spring30. However, when magazine20is inserted into well16the magazine engages the lobe64and rotates the safety arm46into the first position (FIG. 1), forcing lobe64to engage the end60of disconnect bar44and rotate it about its pivot axis58and out of engagement with the trigger bar42. This allows the biasing spring54to rotate the trigger bar42clockwise about its pivot axis52and into the first position where it can engage the sear26. In this configuration, pulling the trigger22will cause the trigger bar42to move toward and engage the sear26, rotating the sear about its pivot axis28against its biasing spring30and causing the sear to drop off of the striker surface40. This will permit the striker to be propelled toward the breech face36by the striker spring38where it can strike a primer of a chambered round (not shown) and discharge the firearm.

As shown inFIG. 3, the safety arm46also comprises a take-down mechanism because the safety arm46is further rotatable into a “take-down” position. In the take-down position the second lobe66engages and rotates the sear26counterclockwise about its pivot axis28against its biasing spring30and into a position wherein the sear26cannot engage the striker34, in particular, the striker surface40. When in this configuration the slide32can be removed from the frame14by disengaging the slide catch (not shown) and sliding the slide to the right, the sear26being rotated out of the way so as not to engage the striker surface40as the slide32, and its striker34, traverse the frame14. With the slide32in the open position (FIG. 3) and the magazine20removed from well16, rotation of the safety arm46into the take-down position is effected by inserting a tool or a finger into the well16from above through the slide ejection port72and further rotating the safety arm46clockwise from the safe position shown inFIG. 2into the take-down position shown inFIG. 3. Assembly of the firearm is accomplished starting with the safety arm46in either the safe position or the take-down position. When in the take-down position (FIG. 3), the slide32may be mounted on the frame14and moved to the open position shown inFIG. 3without interference from the sear26, which is held out of the way of striker surface40by engagement between the lobe66of the safety arm46and the sear26. With the slide32held in the open position the safety arm46may be rotated counterclockwise from the take-down position into the safe position ofFIG. 2by using a tool or a finger inserted into the magazine well16, thereby disengaging the lobe66from the sear26and allowing the sear to rotate clockwise back to the position where it can engage the striker surface40. Insertion of a magazine20into well16will also effect the desired counterclockwise rotation of the safety arm46.

Assembly with the safety arm46in the safe position (FIG. 2) proceeds by sliding the slide32onto the frame14. As the slide32traverses the frame14the striker34will contact the sear26, and, because trigger bar42is disengaged from the sear, the sear will be rotated counterclockwise by its contact with the striker34. Sear26will rotate enough to allow striker surface40to pass by. After striker surface40passes by the sear26the sear will return to its at rest position by the action of biasing spring30.

The combined safety/takedown mechanism according to the invention has the further advantage of being automatically resetting. This is apparent when the pistol is configured as shown inFIG. 3, with the safety arm46in the takedown position and the slide32in the rearward open position. Insertion of a magazine20into the magazine well16will rotate safety arm46counterclockwise into the live position as shown inFIG. 1. This allows sear26to return to its normal rest position under the action of biasing spring30. If the sled is closed to the battery position as shown inFIG. 1, the pistol will be cocked, magazine safety off, and ready to fire. Thus the design does not require that the safety be reset manually, as the takedown feature is automatically deactivated when the firearm is properly reassembled and loaded with a magazine.

Use of a take-down mechanism in combination with a magazine safety, as in the invention described above, obviates the known disadvantage otherwise affecting the magazine safety because the take-down feature eliminates the need to dry fire the firearm to effect disassembly.