Provided is a single-action trigger assembly that includes a pivoting trigger member, a sear/disconnector mechanism, and a trigger bar operably connecting the trigger member and the sear/disconnector mechanism. The sear/disconnector mechanism includes a slider assembly longitudinally reciprocated by the trigger bar. The slider assembly includes a tripper member carried on a slider frame that, when the trigger is pulled, moves a sear trip member to allow displacement of a sear and release a striker.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a firearm trigger mechanism. In particular, it relates to a single-action trigger that has multiple internal safeties and that can replace another type of OEM handgun trigger mechanism as a drop-in unit.

BACKGROUND

The Glock-pattern handgun has become ubiquitously popular around the world since it was first introduced by Glock® in 1982. This pattern is striker-fired and uses a “safe-action” trigger mechanism that holds the striker in a partially cocked position (generally shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,889) which is then fully cocked when the trigger is pulled, until released by the sear. This shortens the required trigger pull compared to a double-action type, but is believed to provide some added degree of safety over other trigger designs. A double-action trigger moves the striker (or hammer) from an uncocked position to a cocked position, requiring the trigger to be pulled a significant distance before releasing the sear. A single-action trigger holds the striker (or hammer) in a fully cocked position and requires only a short trigger pull distance to release the sear.

When pulling of the trigger also moves the striker to a fully cocked position (either from an uncocked or partially cocked position), the force of the striker spring directly affects the force required to pull the trigger. The addition of intermediate components can reduce the user's mechanical effort to pull the trigger and release the striker. Or, lightening of the striker spring will also reduce the mechanical effort required to pull the trigger, but significantly reduces the striker force when released from the cocked position. This can cause misfires and malfunctions when the reduced force of the released striker is too light to ignite the primer of the cartridge. Intermediate elements between the trigger and the striker can reduce the mechanical effort of the trigger pull without modifying the spring force of the striker, but still require the trigger to be pulled a significant distance before releasing the sear.

For various reasons, some users of handguns prefer to have the benefits of a single-action trigger. This includes users of the Glock®-pattern handgun who would like to have these advantages without giving up other benefits of the platform and without sacrificing safety in the event it is dropped or there is a mechanical failure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a single-action trigger mechanism with intermediate elements between the trigger bar and the striker, reducing the mechanical effort of the trigger pull without modifying the spring force of the striker.

The trigger assembly includes a pivoting trigger connected to a sear/disconnector assembly by a trigger bar. The sear/disconnector assembly includes a slider assembly that is moved longitudinally by the trigger bar in a guide channel of a housing. The slider assembly includes a tripper member that releasably engages a sear trip lever that holds a sear in a set position. When the slider is reciprocated to the rear, the tripper member pulls the sear trip lever to release the sear, allowing the striker to be released from its cocked position.

Principles of this present disclosure can be applied to striker-fired handguns, rifles, machine guns, and shotguns.

Other aspects, features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to a person of skill in the art from the detailed description of various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, all of which comprise part of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawing figures, this section describes particular embodiments and their detailed construction and operation. Throughout the specification, reference to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “some embodiments” means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” or “in some embodiments” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the described features, structures, and characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In view of the disclosure herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials, or the like. In some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or not described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments. “Forward” will indicate the direction of the muzzle and the direction in which projectiles are fired, while “rearward” will indicate the opposite direction. “Lateral” or “transverse” indicates a side-to-side direction generally perpendicular to the axis of the barrel. Although firearms may be used in any orientation, “left” and “right” will generally indicate the sides according to the user's orientation, “top” or “up” will be the upward direction when the firearm is gripped in the ordinary manner.

Although the mechanical and functional principles of this invention may be adapted to most any striker-fired firearm or firearm platform, the illustrated embodiment is designed to allow drop-in replacement of a standard OEM “safe-action” trigger mechanism for a Glock-pattern handgun to provide a drop-safe, single-action replacement trigger mechanism without replacement or modification of any other parts.

As is well-known to a person of ordinary skill in the design, a Glock-pattern trigger assembly16includes a pivoting trigger, a sear/disconnector mechanism in a housing, and a trigger bar that interconnects the trigger to the sear/disconnector mechanism. The housing fits into a socket in the handgun frame and is fixed to it by an assembly pin22. The trigger is pivotally mounted to the frame with a removable pivot pin26. The blade of the trigger includes a spring-loaded safety member that prevents movement of the trigger (and, thereby, firing of the weapon) unless the safety is first displaced. The trigger safety abuts a portion of the frame12to prevent trigger rotation until it is pivoted to the firing position. This structural concept and function are well-known in the art and were shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 333,301, issued Apr. 6, 1886.

Because of how the trigger bar is pivotally connected to the trigger (at a pivoting point radially offset from the trigger's axis of rotation), pulling the trigger causes the trigger bar's pivot point and the trigger bar to move both rearward and upward, the latter movement lifting and displacing a striker safety according to a well-known operation. In a “safe-action” trigger mechanism, rearward movement of the trigger bar actuates the sear/disconnector mechanism to further retract and then release the striker. In the present invention, the striker is held in a fully cocked position and upward movement of the trigger bar displaces the striker safety and rearward movement actuates the mechanism to release the cocked striker in a single action.

Referring first toFIG.1, therein as shown at10a Glock-pattern handgun, which includes a frame12, a slide assembly14, and an OEM “safe-action” trigger assembly16. Also shown are a slide catch18, locking block20, assembly pins22,24, and a trigger pivot pin26.FIG.1also shows a trigger assembly28according to an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted, the illustrated embodiment single-action trigger assembly28is a “drop-in” replacement for the OEM Glock-pattern “safe-action” trigger assembly16.

Referring now toFIGS.2A and2B, the present trigger assembly28includes a trigger member30, trigger bar32, and trigger sear/disconnector mechanism34supported by a trigger housing36. The trigger member30, when installed in the frame12to pivot on the pivot pin26, is biased by a spring38toward the set position. The trigger member30pivotably carries a safety lever40that operates substantially according to the well-known Glock-pattern structure described above and is not essential to the present invention. The trigger bar32is pivotally connected to the trigger member30via a pivoting connection42that is radially offset from the pivot axis (trigger pivot pin26) of the trigger member30. As previously described when the trigger member30is pivotably actuated (pulled), the trigger bar32is moved both rearwardly and upwardly at its forward end. The trigger bar32is, in turn, pivotally connected to actuate the trigger sear/disconnector mechanism34, the operation of which will be explained in greater detail below.

Referring now also toFIGS.3-5, the trigger sear disconnector mechanism34is contained as an assembly in the housing36which, as described above, may be configured to interchangeably fit and replace the housing of an OEM Glock-pattern “safe-action” trigger assembly16. The housing36is secured to the frame12with an assembly pin22that extends through openings44in the frame12and corresponding openings46in the housing36. The housing36carries a slider assembly48, a disconnector50, a sear trip lever52, and a sear assembly54. The slider assembly48is a unit configured to be slidably received and carried in a guide channel56of the trigger housing36for longitudinal reciprocal movement, actuated by movement of the trigger bar32.

Referring now also toFIGS.6-8, the slider assembly48includes a slider frame58with a lateral lug64for pivotal connection to the rearward end of the trigger bar32(as shown inFIG.2A). This fixed or separable pivot connection may be accomplished in a variety of known ways not critical to the structure or function of the present invention. A tripper member62is carried by the slider frame58and is mounted with a substantially vertical pivot pin64. The tripper member62acts as a lever arm with a hook portion68at one (forward) end and a tripper dog70at the opposite end, and the member62pivots on the pin64at a midpoint therebetween. The tripper member62is biased by a torsion spring66toward an engagement position, as shown inFIGS.3,6, and7.

Referring now also toFIGS.9and10, the trigger mechanism34includes a sear trip lever52that is mounted on a substantially transverse pivot pin72carried by the housing36. The sear trip lever52is biased by a torsion spring74toward a set position, as shown inFIGS.9and10. The sear trip lever52holds the sear assembly54in the set position, which engages a catch leg of the striker76and holds it in the cocked position (FIGS.9and10).

As shown inFIG.11, the sear assembly54includes a sear carrier78and a sear member80pivotably mounted on the sear carrier78by a pivot pin82. The sear carrier78is pivotally supported on the trigger housing36by a fixed pivot pin84. A torsion spring86biases both the sear carrier78and sear member80toward the set position (FIG.11). The sear80holds the striker76in the cocked position until the sear carrier78is released by the sear trip lever52. When the sear carrier78is released, the spring force of the striker76against the sear80overcomes the lesser force of the sear spring86, causing the sear carrier78(with the sear80) to pivot on its pivot pin84, releasing the striker76(FIG.12).

Referring now toFIGS.12and13, when the trigger30is pulled (with the trigger safety40displaced), it pivots about the axis of the trigger pivot pin26against the force of the trigger spring38. Pivoting the trigger30causes the trigger bar32to move both rearwardly and upwardly, as previously described and shown by arrows inFIG.12. The upward component of the movement causes displacement of the striker safety88to allow subsequent movement of the striker76into firing contact with a cartridge (not shown). Rearward movement of the trigger bar32causes the slider assembly48to be linearly displaced rearwardly in the guide channel56of the trigger housing36. Rearward movement of the slider frame58carries with it the tripper member62, which has a hook portion68that engages an upward extension of the sear trip lever52. This pivots the sear trip lever52rearward, as shown inFIGS.12and13. This pivoting displacement of the sear trip lever52causes its upper end to disengage from a forward arm portion90of the sear carrier78, allowing the sear assembly54to be forced to pivot downward by the spring force of the striker76against the lesser force of the sear torsion spring86. As soon as the striker76has been released from and passes the sear80, the sear carrier78(with the sear80) is returned to the set position by the sear spring86.FIGS.12and13shows the sear assembly54not yet returned to the set position for illustrative purposes.

After the handgun10has fired, recoil force reciprocates the slide14, which carries the striker76, toward the rear. The sear member80allows the striker76to pass as it moves rearwardly by pivoting on the pivot pin82against the lesser force of the torsion spring86. The sear80then is returned to the reset position by the spring86to catch and hold the striker76in a cocked position as the slide14returns forward toward the in-battery position.

Referring now toFIG.14, this figure shows the slider assembly48having been moved rearward by the trigger bar32. The hook portion68of the tripper member62catches the upper arm of the sear trip lever52to pull it rearward and disengage it from the sear carrier78(shown in phantom line). Further rearward movement of the sear trip lever52is limited by (at least) a stop surface104on the slider frame58. This structure is also shown inFIG.6. The sear trip lever52must then be released (disconnected from the tripper member62) in order to return to the sear trip lever52to its set position and hold the sear assembly54in its set position while the trigger30remains pulled and the slider assembly48remains in its rearward position. This is the role of the disconnector50, described below.

Referring again toFIGS.3-5, as well asFIGS.9,10,12, and13, the disconnector50is a member pivotably mounted via a substantially vertical pivot pin94to the housing36. The role of the disconnector50is to cause the sear trip lever52to be released by moving the tripper member62while the slider assembly48remains in the rearward position (as a result of the trigger30and trigger bar32being held in the pulled position by the user).

Referring now toFIG.15, it can be seen how the tripper dog70of the tripper member62engages with the disconnector50. The underside of the disconnector50includes an elongated slot96that receives the tripper dog70. This allows reciprocal forward/rearward movement of the slider assembly48(including the tripper member62) relative to the disconnector50, which is pivotally fixed on the housing36. Lateral pivotal displacement of the rearward end of the disconnector50, in turn, displaces the tripper dog70, causing the tripper member62to pivot in the slider frame58. This pivoting lever arm action of the tripper member62causes the hook portion68to disengage from the sear trip lever52, releasing the sear trip lever52to be biased by the torsion spring74back to its set position (counterclockwise when viewed from the left side, as seen inFIG.14).FIG.16shows the sear carrier78and sear member80returned to the set position and the disconnector50having pivoted the tripper member62to a retracted position, releasing the sear trip lever52, but with the sear trip lever52not yet returned to its set position by the torsion spring74.

Referring next toFIG.17, this top sectional view shows the disconnector cam surface98that is part of the Glock-pattern slide14. When the slide14is in-battery, as shown inFIG.17, the disconnector50is in its at-rest position, biased by the tripper spring66. Referring now toFIG.18, as the slide14begins its rearward movement of the firing cycle, the cam surface98engages an upwardly extending dog99of the disconnector50and shifts it laterally on its pivot pin94. Referring again toFIG.15, this pivotal movement of the disconnector50, through its engagement with the tripper dog70of the tripper member62causes the tripper member62pivot on it its axis (pivot pin64). The “lost motion” engagement between the tripper member the tripper dog70and the elongated slot96allows this resetting action to take place regardless of the position of the slider assembly48(i.e., whether the trigger30and trigger bar32are pulled or in the reset position.)

After the slide14has returned to its forward, in-battery position (with the trigger30remaining held in the pulled position by the user), the striker76is reset and held in the cocked position by the sear member80. The sear carrier78is held in the cocked position by the sear trip lever52. The disconnector cam surface98allows the disconnector50and tripper member62to be moved back by the tripper spring66. Releasing finger pressure on the trigger30causes it to be moved back to the set position by the trigger spring38. This pulls the trigger bar32and slider assembly48forward and allows the striker safety88to return to the safe position. The hook portion68of tripper member62has a forward cam surface100that allows it to be displaced against the force of the tripper spring66as the slider assembly48returns forward past the upper arm of the sear trip member52. This movement, in turn, temporarily shifts the disconnector50, as well, without any consequential effect. Once the hook portion68has passed the sear trip lever52, it resets and again engages the upper arm of the sear trip member52. This action may give the user an audible and/or tactile ‘click” to indicate the trigger has reset.

The trigger mechanism34can include several additional stop surfaces that enhance the safety of this embodiment. As previously described, the slider frame58includes a stop surface92that prevents rearward rotation of the upper arm of the sear trip lever52in the event the handgun10is dropped. Another stop surface102on the slider frame58(shown inFIG.8) prevents over rotation of the tripper member62. Rearward longitudinal movement of the slider assembly48is limited by interference between stop surfaces104on the slider frame58and a stop surface106on the trigger housing36(shown inFIGS.5and8). The trigger housing36carries a stop member108that limits upward rotation of the sear carrier78by the sear spring86. The stop member108can be in the form of a member (such as a pin) inserted in an opening of the housing36, or it may be integrally formed with the housing36. A transverse pin110held in opposite openings112of the housing36may provide yet another stop to limit rearward pivotal movement of the sear trip lever52upper arm, while surfaces of the housing36limit its forward rotation. Additionally, a lower extension of the sear trip lever52can be designed so that the mass on each side of its pivot point is substantially the same. This causes the part's center of mass to coincide with its axis of rotation (i.e., pivot pin72). Thus, inertial forces caused by dropping the handgun10, for example, are balanced and do not induce the sear trip lever52to rotate.

While one or more embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing is intended only to be illustrative of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be included and considered to fall within the scope of the invention, defined by the following claim or claims.