Removable safety selector for firearms

A safety selector comprises a first hub portion, a second hub portion, and a cam portion connecting the first hub portion with the second hub portion. The first hub portion is generally cylindrical in shape, having opposing faces and an longitudinal surface extending therebetween. Further, the first hub portion is segmented in it opposing faces, creating a first plane in the longitudinal surface. The first hub portion further comprises a pair of spaced apart detent sockets in the longitudinal surface face, a connecting groove extending between the detent sockets, and a detent notch in an outer one of the circular faces exposing one of the detent sockets. The cam portion comprises a recessed face and a cam face. The first plane is substantially parallel with the recessed face.

The present disclosure relates generally firearms and more specifically to an easily removable safety selector.

BACKGROUND

One successful assault weapon widely distributed in the worldwide market is the fully automatic M16 rifle and its semiautomatic (civilian or sport) version, the AR15. Millions of these rifles and their variants have been produced and continue to be produced and utilized throughout the world.

One significant feature of these rifles is the designed interchangeability of their individual components. Each manufacturer of the AR15 must produce its rifles to meet these interchangeability specifications. That is, the rifle has been designed for maximum interchangeability of the vast majority of the rifle components such that a trigger assembly or a safety selector, for example, from one AR15 can be utilized in a different AR15 simply by swapping the components between the two firearms.

The safety selector in a common AR15-type firearm operates by rotation of a lever 90 degrees from a “safe” position to a “fire” position. In the safe position, an internal shaft of the safety selector blocks movement of a rearwardly extending portion of the trigger member. When rotated to the fire position, a flat or recessed portion of the shaft is positioned over the rearwardly extending portion of the trigger member, allowing actuating movement of the trigger. A spring biased detent pin engages detent sockets with a connecting groove therebetween to limit rotation of the safety selector to 90 degrees and to provide certain positioning in the fire and safe positions.

When removing the safety selector for servicing or replacement, it is required to at least partially disassemble the handle of the firearm. This facilitates retraction of the detent pin and disengagement of the trigger member from the safety selector. The safety selector can then be removed. However, this process can be frustratingly time consuming. Accordingly, the present invention provides a safety selector that improves the ease with which it can be removed from and reinstalled into the firearm.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect of an embodiment, there is provided a safety selector comprising: a first hub portion, a second hub portion, and a cam portion connecting the first hub portion with the second hub portion. The first hub portion is generally cylindrical in shape, having opposing faces and an longitudinal surface extending therebetween. Further, the first hub portion is segmented in it opposing faces, creating a first plane in the longitudinal surface. The first hub portion further comprises a pair of spaced apart detent sockets in the longitudinal surface face, a connecting groove extending between the detent sockets, and a detent notch in an outer one of the circular faces exposing one of the detent sockets. The cam portion comprises a recessed face and a cam face. The first plane is substantially parallel with the recessed face.

In an embodiment, the second hub portion is also generally cylindrical in shape, having opposing faces and an longitudinal surface extending therebetween. The second hub portion segmented along its opposing faces, creating a second plane. The second hub portion further comprises a pair of spaced apart detent sockets in the longitudinal surface face, a connecting groove extending between the detent sockets, and a detent notch in an outer one of the circular faces exposing one of the detent sockets. The connecting groove in the second hub portion has a different length to the connecting groove in the first hub portion. The cam portion comprises a second recessed face substantially parallel with the second plane.

In accordance with another aspect of an embodiment, there is provided a detent pin for use with a safety selector in a firearm, the detent pin comprising: a body configured to be connected to a receiver of the firearm, and a ball tip configured to interface with the safety selector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For convenience, like numerals used in the description refer to like structures in the drawings. Referring toFIG.1, a lower receiver of a common AR15-type firearm is illustrated generally by reference numeral38. The receiver38includes a fire control mechanism comprising a trigger40, a disconnector42, a hammer44, and associated springs (not shown), the operation of which is well-known in the art. The trigger40includes a rearwardly-extending portion46. A safety selector10is engaged with the rearwardly-extending portion46of the trigger40, thereby inhibiting pivotal movement of the trigger40. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the safety selector10is illustrated in a “safe” position.

Referring toFIG.2, an isometric of the lower receiver38is shown. As illustrated, lower receiver includes a pair of opposing walls50and56. Within each wall is a pair of opposing openings48. Within the right side wall50of the receiver38, there is a detent pin52that is biased upwardly by a spring54. The detent pin52is positioned to engage detent sockets32and connecting grooves34. As shown inFIG.2, the detent pin52will engage the detent sockets32with a throw of 90 degrees between the safe and fire positions.

Referring toFIG.3, a safety selector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated generally by numeral300. The safety selector300comprises a first operating lever302, a pivotable shaft304, and a second operating lever306. One or both of the levers302and306may be disassembled from the shaft304for installation. That is, one or both of the operating levers302and306may be detachably coupled to the shaft304by a threaded fastener, for example, of well-known configuration.

Referring toFIG.4, the shaft304of the safety selector300is illustrated in greater detail. The shaft includes a first hub portion402at one end thereof and a second hub portion406at the opposite end thereof. The first hub portion402and the second hub portion406are connected by a cam portion404having recessed planar faces412and414. The cam portion404also comprises a cam face (not shown) configured to block movement of the fire control mechanism.

The first hub portion402is generally cylindrical in shape. The first hub portion comprises opposing faces401and an longitudinal surface403extending therebetween. In an embodiment, the opposing faces are circular. The first hub portion is segmented in its circular faces401, creating a first plane408in the longitudinal surface403. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the longitudinal surface403is flat in the first plane408and curved elsewhere. In an embodiment, the first hub portion is segmented in the circular faces401along a chord.

The first hub portion402includes a pair of detent sockets422and422′ in the longitudinal surface of the first hub portion402. A connecting groove424extends between the pair of detent sockets422and422′. The pair of detent sockets422and422′ are positioned proximal an outer one of the circular faces of the first hub portion402. The first hub portion402further includes a detent notch432in the outer circular face, thereby exposing a first one422of the pair of detent sockets. In an embodiment, the first detent socket422is in the first plane and the second detent socket422′ is in the curved surface of the longitudinal plane.

Similarly, the second hub portion406is generally cylindrical in shape and segmented in its opposing faces, creating a second plane410in its longitudinal surface. In an embodiment, the second hub portion is segmented in the circular faces along a chord. The second hub portion406includes a pair of detent sockets (not shown) in the longitudinal surface of the second hub portion406. A connecting groove (not shown) extends between the pair of detent sockets (not shown). The pair of detent sockets are positioned proximal the outer circular face of the second hub portion406. The second hub portion406further includes a detent notch (not shown) in the outer circular face, thereby exposing a first one of the pair of detent sockets. In an embodiment, the first detent socket is in the second plane and the second detent socket is in the curved surface of the longitudinal plane.

In an embodiment, each of the connecting grooves is coated with a ceramic material, such as silicon nitride for example, to improve the smoothness with which the detent pin52travels between the pair of detent sockets.

The length of each connecting groove works in concert with a corresponding one of the recessed planar faces412and414to provide a throw of either 90 degrees or 45 degrees, depending on the orientation of the safety selector300. In an example embodiment, the first hub portion402has a short connecting groove424connecting the detent sockets422and422′. The first hub portion402works in concert with the recessed face412to provide a throw of 45 degrees. The second hub portion406has a long connecting groove connecting the detent sockets. The second hub portion406works in concert with the recessed face414to provide a throw of 90 degrees.

The first plane408in the first hub portion402is substantially parallel with the first recessed face412. The second plane410in the second hub portion406is substantially parallel with the second recessed face414. As will be described below, using a cylindrical section for the first and second hub portions402and406, rather than a complete cylinder, along with the detent notches facilitates easy removal and insertion of the safety selector300.

Referring once again toFIGS.2and3, insertion of the safety selector300is accomplished as follows. For ease of explanation, it is assumed that the both the first operating lever302and the second operating lever306are detachably coupled with the first hub portion402and the second hub portion406, respectively. Once a desired throw is selected, the safety selector300is inserted accordingly. Thus, for example, if a throw of 45 degrees is desired, the first operating lever302is disconnected from the first hub portion402. The first hub portion402is passed through the opening48in the left side wall56of the receiver. The first hub portion402is positioned so that the first plane408passes proximal the rearwardly-extending portion46of the trigger40. Once the first hub portion402reaches the opening48in the right side wall50, the detent pin52passes through the detent notch432and into the first detent socket422. The safety selector300is fixed in place by re-connecting the first operating lever302to the first hub portion402.

As will be appreciated, the missing section of the first hub portion402allows it to pass by the rearwardly-extending portion46of the trigger40, without manipulation of the trigger. Further, the detent notch432allows the first hub portion402to pass over the detent pin52and engage it with the first detent socket422, without removal of the detent pin52. Thus, it is not necessary to partially disassemble the handle of the firearm when replacing the safety selector300.

If for example, if a throw of 90 degrees is desired, the second operating lever306is disconnected from the second hub portion406. The second hub portion406is passed through the opening48in the left side wall56of the receiver. The second hub portion406is positioned so that the second plane410passes proximal the rearwardly-extending portion46of the trigger40. Once the second hub portion406reaches the opening48in the right side wall50, the detent pin52passes through the detent notch and into the first detent socket. The safety selector300is fixed in place by re-connecting the second operating lever306to the second hub portion406.

Similarly, in this example the missing section of the second hub portion406allows it to pass by the rearwardly-extending portion46of the trigger40, without manipulation of the trigger. Further, the detent notch allows the second hub portion406to pass over the detent pin52and engage it with the first detent socket, without removal of the detent pin52. Thus, it is not necessary to partially disassemble the handle of the firearm when replacing the safety selector300.

Although the examples above are described with reference to a specific embodiment, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although the safety selector300described is a reversible safety selector that provides the ability to select between a 90 degree throw and a 45 degree throw, the safety selector may provide a single throw. In such an example, only one recessed face is provided on the shaft304. Further, only one of the hub portions comprises both the segmented cylinder and the detent notch. In such an example, one of the operating levers302or306may be formed integrally with the shaft304and the other lever306or302would be detachably connected thereto. In such an example, the integral lever is attached to the hub portion that does not include the chord plane and the detent notch.

The attachment between the operating lever306and the shaft304may include an interlocking configuration such as a tongue and groove or a dove tail attachment, for example. Both of these attachment means are well known, but the exact nature and interlocking means is not important to the present invention.

As another example, it is not required to have two operating levers coupled with the safety selector300. Rather, instead of a second operating lever, a threaded cap could be used to secure the safety selector300in place.

Although the previous examples describe the detent pin52as being situated within the right side wall50of the receiver38, this is a result of the specification for an AR15-type firearm. The previous example can easily be implement with the detent pin52being situated within the left side wall56of the received38, if it is so desired.

In a previous embodiment, the connecting grooves were coated with a ceramic to reduce friction between the connecting grooves and the detent pin, as the safety selector traveled between the safe and fire positions. This provides the user with more smooth feedback when changing positions. In order to further reduce the friction, in an embodiment the standard detent pin is replaced with a detent pin having a ceramic material ball tip as illustrated inFIG.5. Similar to the connecting grooves, the ceramic material is a material such as silicon nitride, for example. In one example, the ball tip is stationary. In another example, the ball tip rotates in place, thus further reducing the friction with the connecting groove.

While the examples described above are directed to a safety selector for an AR15-type firearm, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it can be implemented on other models firearms, as appropriate.

The scope of the appended claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.