Trigger with disconnector travel stop

In some embodiments, a fire control mechanism comprises a trigger arranged to pivot about an axis and a disconnector arranged to pivot about the axis with respect to the trigger. The disconnector comprises a first stop and a second stop. A distance between the axis and the second stop is greater than a distance between the axis and the first stop. The disconnector comprises a first orientation and a second orientation, and a disconnector spring is arranged to bias the disconnector to the first orientation. The first stop contacts a first interfering surface in the first orientation and the second stop contacts a second interfering surface in the second orientation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to firearm control systems and triggers. Firearms are generally known in the art. The AR platform is known in the art and includes many variations. The AR lower receiver has certain standardized dimensions and can be used with a variety of different gun parts to make a wide range of firearms. Rifles, pistols and pistol caliber carbines (PCCs) can all use an AR lower receiver.

The AR lower receiver is arranged to carry a fire control mechanism that uses standardized dimensions, and many different drop-in trigger systems exist.

Pistol caliber carbines are known to be hard on triggers. When a round is fired, high energy blowback rotates the hammer, disconnector and trigger components and causes the components to contact one another. A common trigger failure is the disconnector spring, which can bottom out and fail due to over compression, especially under high firing rates.

There remains a need for novel trigger designs that are useable in a variety of firearm platforms and are capable of an extended service life. There remains a need for lightweight firearm triggers that do not fail under the operating conditions experienced in an AR pistol caliber carbine firearm.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, a fire control mechanism comprises a trigger arranged to pivot about an axis and a disconnector arranged to pivot about the axis with respect to the trigger. The disconnector comprises a first stop and a second stop. A distance between the axis and the second stop is greater than a distance between the axis and the first stop. The disconnector comprises a first orientation and a second orientation, and a disconnector spring is arranged to bias the disconnector to the first orientation. The first stop contacts a first interfering surface in the first orientation and the second stop contacts a second interfering surface in the second orientation.

In some embodiments, the trigger comprises the second interfering surface.

In some embodiments, the trigger comprises a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a connecting member extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein the connecting member comprises the second interfering surface.

In some embodiments, the trigger comprises a first spring seat and the disconnector comprises a second spring seat. The disconnector spring is positioned between the first spring seat and the second spring seat.

In some embodiments, a distance between the first spring seat and the second spring seat in the second orientation is greater than a minimum operating size of the disconnector spring.

In some embodiments, the distance between the axis and the second stop is greater than a distance between the axis and the disconnector spring.

In some embodiments, the first stop and the second stop are located at opposite ends of the disconnector.

In some embodiments, a fire control mechanism comprises a trigger arranged to pivot about an axis. The trigger comprises a first seat. A disconnector is arranged to pivot about the axis with respect to the trigger. The disconnector comprises a second seat. A disconnector spring extends between the first seat and the second seat. The disconnector spring biases the disconnector in a first rotational direction about the axis. The disconnector comprises a rotation stop arranged to limit rotation of the disconnector in a second rotational direction about the axis. A distance from the axis to the rotation stop is greater than a distance from the axis to the disconnector spring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-3show an embodiment of a fire control mechanism10. In some embodiments, a fire control mechanism10comprises a hammer20, a trigger30, a disconnector26and a safety mechanism12. In some embodiments, the hammer20is arranged to rotate on a hammer pin22and biased by a hammer spring21. In some embodiments, the trigger30is arranged to rotate on a trigger pin32and biased by a trigger spring31. In some embodiments, the disconnector26is arranged to rotate on the trigger pin32. In some embodiments, the trigger30and disconnector26are arranged to rotate about an axis56. In some embodiments, the axis56is collinear with a central axis of the trigger pin32. In some embodiments, a disconnector spring27is arranged to provide opposing rotational forces on the trigger30and disconnector26.

In some embodiments, the trigger30comprises a cavity35and a portion of the disconnector26is oriented within the cavity35. In some embodiments, the trigger30comprises a first sidewall42and a second sidewall44, and the sidewalls42,44at least partially define the cavity35.

In some embodiments, the trigger30comprises features as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 10,006,733, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, the trigger30comprises an aperture46extending through a floor portion of cavity35. The aperture46allows material such as carbon fouling to exit the cavity35.

In some embodiments, the trigger30comprises a first portion48and a second portion49, wherein the first portion48is oriented at an angle to the second portion49. In some embodiments, each portion48,49is straight. In some embodiments, the first portion48extends rearward from the axis56of the trigger30. In some embodiments, the second portion49defines a clearance area70located under the trigger30structure, which can store accumulated fouling material without impacting the operation of the fire control mechanism10. In some embodiments, the trigger30comprises a second aperture47into the cavity35. In some embodiments, the second aperture47is located in the second portion49adjacent to the clearance area70.

In some embodiments, the trigger30comprises a bridge38extending between the first sidewall42and the second sidewall44. In some embodiments, the bridge38comprises a floor of the cavity35. In some embodiments, the bridge38is located between the first aperture46and the second aperture47.

In some embodiments, the trigger30comprises a connecting member52extending between the first sidewall42and the second sidewall44. In some embodiments, the connecting member52is located farther away from the axis56than the bridge38. In some embodiments, the connecting member52comprises a curved lower surface.

FIGS. 4 and 5show cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a fire control mechanism10. Desirably, at least some components of the fire control mechanism10are moveable between a first orientation and a second orientation. In some embodiments, the fire control mechanism10will temporarily assume each of the first and second orientations during a firing cycle. In some embodiments, the disconnector26moves with respect to the trigger30as the fire control mechanism10transitions from the first orientation to the second orientation.FIG. 4shows an embodiment of a first orientation andFIG. 5shows an embodiment of a second orientation of the disconnector26with respect to the trigger30.

In some embodiments, the trigger30comprises a first spring seat36. In some embodiments, the disconnector26comprises a second spring seat28. In some embodiments, the disconnector spring27is installed between the trigger30and the disconnector26. In some embodiments, a first portion of the disconnector spring27contacts the first spring seat36. In some embodiments, a second portion of the disconnector spring27contacts the second spring seat28. A spring seat can comprise any suitable structure arranged to contact and/or contain the spring27. In some embodiments, a spring seat comprises a contacting surface arranged to place the spring27in compression. In some embodiments, a spring seat comprises a laterally reinforcing surface arranged to prevent lateral movement of the spring27, for example comprising a cavity sidewall or a post.

In some embodiments, the trigger30and disconnector26are arranged to rotate about the axis56. In some embodiments, the disconnector26is rotatable with respect to the trigger30about the axis56between a first stop position and a second stop position. In some embodiments, the disconnector26comprises the first stop position when the fire control mechanism10is in the first orientation, for example as shown inFIG. 4. In some embodiments, the disconnector26comprises the second stop position when the fire control mechanism10is in the second orientation, for example as shown inFIG. 5.

In some embodiments, the disconnector26comprises a first rotation stop60and a second rotation stop62. In some embodiments, the first rotation stop60is arranged to limit rotation of the disconnector26in a first direction about the axis56. In some embodiments, the first rotation stop60is arranged to contact the trigger30. As shown inFIG. 4, the first rotation stop60is arranged to limit rotation of the disconnector26in a clockwise direction.

In some embodiments, a distance d between the first spring seat36and the second spring seat28changes as the disconnector26moves with respect to the trigger30. In some embodiments, when the first rotation stop60operates, for example by abutting an interfering surface72, a distance between the first spring seat36and the second spring seat28is at a maximum.

In some embodiments, the second rotation stop62is arranged to limit rotation of the disconnector26in a second direction about the axis56. In some embodiments, the second rotation stop62is arranged to contact the trigger30. As shown inFIG. 5, the second rotation stop62is arranged to limit rotation of the disconnector26in a counter-clockwise direction. In some embodiments, the second rotation stop62contacts the connecting member52of the trigger30.

In some embodiments, when the second rotation stop62operates, for example by abutting an interfering surface72, a distance between the first spring seat36and the second spring seat28is at a minimum.

In some embodiments, the second rotation stop62is arranged to protect the disconnector spring27. In some embodiments, the disconnector spring27comprises a minimum operating size, for example when under load. In some embodiments, the disconnector spring27comprises a coiled spring. In some embodiments, the disconnector spring27comprises a free length when not under load and a loaded height when under a compressive load. In some embodiments, the minimum operating size comprises a minimum loaded height for the disconnector spring27. In some embodiments, adjacent coil turns of the disconnector spring27are in contact at the minimum operating size, and further compression will result in damage to the disconnector spring27.

In some embodiments, the distance d between the first spring seat36and the second spring seat28is always greater than the minimum operating size of the disconnector spring27throughout the range of motion of the fire control mechanism10. In some embodiments, the distance d between the first spring seat36and the second spring seat28is equal to or greater than the minimum operating size of the disconnector spring27when the fire control mechanism10is in the second orientation. In some embodiments, the distance d between the first spring seat36and the second spring seat28is equal to or greater than the minimum operating size of the disconnector spring27when the second rotation stop62operates to limit rotation of the disconnector26.

In some embodiments, the first rotation stop60and the second rotation stop62are located at opposite ends of the disconnector26. In some embodiments, the axis56is located between the first rotation stop60and the second rotation stop62. In some embodiments, the disconnector spring27is located between the first rotation stop60and the second rotation stop62. In some embodiments, the disconnector spring27is located between the axis56and the second rotation stop62.

In some embodiments, a distance between the axis56and the first rotation stop60is less than a distance between the axis56and the second rotation stop62.

In some embodiments, a distance between the axis56and the second rotation stop62is greater than a distance between the axis56and the spring distance between the axis and the second stop being greater than a distance between the axis and the disconnector spring27. This configuration provides a moment arm distance to the second rotation stop62that exceeds a moment arm distance to the disconnector spring27. In some embodiments, the second rotation stop62is located at an end of the disconnector26. In some embodiments, this configuration will maximize the moment arm distance for the second rotation stop62. Increasing the moment arm distance for the second rotation stop62will reduce the amount of force carried by the disconnector26when the second rotation stop62causes a counteracting torque.