Ambidextrous safety lever

This disclosure describes embodiments of an ambidextrous or reversible safety mechanism for firearms. The safety mechanism can be utilized on specific rifles and shotguns, for example an AK47, SAIGA or similar firearms, as a retrofit to reposition the existing safety mechanism to a configuration similar to or nearly identical to an AR15, M16 or similar firearms. In this way, personnel familiar with the safety operation of the AR15 or M16 will be able to operate the retrofit firearm without learning the operation of a new mechanism. Once retrofitted, the firearm safety mechanism will have the same visual appearance, action, and “feel” as the firearm with which they are familiar. The distance from the grip (trigger) to the engagement portion of the safety mechanism of the retrofit firearm will be very similar to that of the familiar firearm.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

This disclosure relates to firearm safety devices. In particular, a safety which extends from both the left and the right lateral side of the firearm for ambidextrous adjustment thereof

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Disclosed herein is a retrofit safety lever for a firearm. The safety lever comprises a pin, a first engagement lever, and a first fastener.

The pin comprises substantially cylindrical longitudinal end portions, a clearance/cam portion between the substantially cylindrical end portions, a non-cylindrical face surface on at least one longitudinal end face and a receiving surface parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pin.

The first engagement lever comprises a surface defining a clearance hole, a mating surface operatively configured to engage the non-cylindrical face surface of the pin to facilitate rotational engagement between the first engagement lever and the pin, a user engagement portion operatively configured to provide leverage to a user rotating the first engagement lever, an indicator portion operatively configured to display to the user the relative rotation position of the pin, and a first fastener. The first fastener in turn comprises a first end with a minor diameter smaller than the clearance hole in the first engagement lever, the first end being configured to engage the receiving surface of the pin, and a second end with a major diameter larger than the clearance hole in the first engagement lever.

The safety lever as described above may further comprise a second engagement lever and a second fastener. The second engagement lever in turn comprises a surface defining a clearance hole, a mating surface operatively configured to engage the non-cylindrical face surface of the pin opposite the first engagement lever to facilitate rotational engagement between the second engagement lever and the pin, a user engagement portion operatively configured to provide leverage to a user rotating the second engagement lever, and an indicator portion operatively configured to display to the user the relative rotation position of the pin. The second fastener in turn comprises a first end with a minor diameter smaller than the clearance hole in the second engagement lever, the first end being configured to engage the receiving surface of the pin, and a second end with a major diameter larger than the clearance hole in the second engagement lever.

The safety lever as described above may be arranged wherein the first engagement lever and second engagement levers are substantially identical. This arrangement will allow the engagement levers to be manufactured much less expensively, and allow for repositioning on either side of the firearm.

The safety lever as described above may further comprise a surface defining a spring receiver in each of the first and second engagement levers, an indexing member operatively configured to at least partially be received in each spring receiver, and a compression spring operatively configured to fit within each spring receiver and bias the indexing member toward an indexing recess of the firearm.

The safety lever as described may be configured wherein the mating surface of the first indexing lever and the non-cylindrical face surface of the pin are bilaterally configured to allow connection of the first indexing lever to the non-cylindrical face surface of the pin in at least two unique orientations at 180° opposition. This arrangement will allow the indexing lever to be positioned on either side of the firearm.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure relates to an ambidextrous or reversible safety mechanism for firearms. In one embodiment, the safety mechanism can be utilized on specific rifles and shotguns, for example an AK47, SAIGA or similar firearms, as a retrofit to reposition the existing safety mechanism to a configuration similar to or nearly identical to an AR15, M16 or similar firearms. In this way, personnel familiar with the safety operation of the AR15 or M16 will be able to operate the retrofit firearm without learning the operation of a new mechanism. Once retrofitted, the firearm safety mechanism will have the same visual appearance, action, and “feel” as the firearm with which they are familiar. The distance from the grip (trigger) to the engagement portion of the safety mechanism of the retrofit firearm will be very similar to that of the familiar firearm.

Looking toFIG. 1, the ambidextrous safety lever20is shown attached to a firearm22in a way that will be described in more detail. Also shown is the firearm trigger24, which pivots around a pivot bar26, as is well known in the art. As shown in this embodiment, the ambidextrous safety lever20comprises an indicator portion28, which, as shown, points towards a graphic representation30. In one example, the graphic indicator30may indicate when the ambidextrous safety lever20is in a safe position, whereas a second graphic indicator32may indicate to the user when the ambidextrous safety lever20is repositioned to allow the firearm22to fire. Additional positions may be utilized, such as to indicate when the firearm is in automatic, manual, or semi-automatic mode.

Looking toFIG. 2, the inter-operating parts of the ambidextrous safety lever20, in one form, are shown and will be described. One of ordinary skill in the art of designing and building firearm devices, especially rotating safety mechanisms, will be well-versed in a method for retrofitting firearms from their existing, single-sided safety device to the below disclosed ambidextrous safety lever. As shown, a central pin34in one embodiment is coupled to a plurality of engagement levers36and38, as previously shown inFIG. 1. A plurality of fasteners40and42pass through a portion of each of the engagement levers36and38and are received by a plurality of receiving surfaces, such as tapped holes44and46in the pin34. The hole46can be more easily seen inFIG. 6. Additionally, a plurality of indexing members (balls)50and52are placed within a plurality of spring receivers54and56. The spring receiver56can be more easily seen inFIG. 3. The balls50and52are forced outward, away from the levers36and38, by way of a plurality of compression springs58and60, which are also positioned within the spring receivers54and56. The compression springs58and60force the balls52outward, whereupon they may rest within a plurality of recesses, such as the recess62shown inFIG. 1. These recesses62, in combination with the balls50and52, give the user a tactile response when the engagement levers36and38are in a proper orientation. Such combinations are well known in the art and are often called “bullet catches.”

In one embodiment, the engagement levers36and38are of different lengths between the center of the clearance hole70and the outward end67of the user engagement portion66. In this way, the longer lever may be installed on the user's thumb side of the firearm and the shorter lever on the opposite side so as to improve thumb-side activation without the finger side interfering with firing of the firearm. As the inner portion74of each engagement levers36and38is substantially identical, the levers are reversible.

In another embodiment, one of the levers may be replaced with a substantially flush button90, as shown inFIG. 8. In this embodiment, one side of the safety mechanism is removed so as to completely avoid any interference of the safety mechanism on one side of the firearm. While this embodiment does not allow for ambidextrous use while the button90is in place, the button90may be replaced at any point with one of the levers36or38by the user.

Moving ontoFIG. 3, the engagement lever38is shown, from what might be generally considered as the inner portion, the portion adjacent the side wall of the firearm22. As previously discussed, the spring receiver56can be more easily seen and generally comprises a cylinder-shaped opening that receives the spring60and ball52. It can also be seen how there exists, in one form, an offset64, such that the engagement portion66is not in direct contact with the outer surface of the firearm22, which would make it easier for the user to rotate the engagement lever38without being concerned about pinching his/her fingers against the side wall of the firearm22. Furthermore, a non-cylindrical surface68is shown adjacent the clearance hole70, through which the fastener42passes. This non-cylindrical surface68corresponds to a non-cylindrical surface72in one end of the pin34. This allows for the engagement lever38to exert additional rotational force against the pin34, as opposed to simply relying on frictional pressure between the inner portion74of the lever38and the pin34. As long as the non-cylindrical surface68corresponds to the shape and size of the non-cylindrical surface72, rotational force will be more easily transferred between the lever38and pin34without “slippage.”

As shown inFIG. 4, the engagement lever38also includes an outer portion76, which is generally opposite the inner portion74. Additionally, a countersink recess78may be included to receive the head portion80of the fastener42. In one form, the indicator portion28of the engagement lever38is formed in a shape that would clearly indicate to the user the direction or orientation of the engagement lever38relative to the firearm22, to most clearly show to the user the “mode” in which the firearm is set, whether this be a safe, firing, automatic, or other “mode.”

Now looking toFIG. 6, the pin34is shown and generally comprises the non-cylindrical protrusion72previously described on one end, and another non-cylindrical protrusion82on the opposite end. Additionally, the tapped holes44and46can also be seen. To allow for rotation of the pin34, the pin34comprises a plurality of cylindrical portions84and86, which may be disposed on alternate ends of the pin34. Additionally, the pin34comprises a cam portion or clearance portion88. It is this cam portion88that engages the trigger mechanism coupled to the trigger24, to allow the trigger24to be repositioned by the user for firing of the weapon, or alternately, to prohibit motion of the trigger24, firing pin, or other portions of the trigger mechanism. This prohibits the trigger24from repositioning and/or allowing the firing pin within the firearm22to engage any shell or cartridge. Such mechanisms are well known in the art, such as the four-position firearm fire control selector, found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,760,328 and incorporated herein by reference.

Looking toFIG. 7, the cam portion88and cylindrical portions84and86can be seen from a different angle, which may enhance the user's understanding of how these parts interoperate. Furthermore, the tapped holes44and46can be seen as the dashed lines on either end of the pin34. Of particular note, these tapped holes44and46do not, in this embodiment, extend onto the cam portion88, which could interfere with operation of the pin34.

While the present invention is illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claims will readily appear to those sufficed in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants' general concept.