Abstract:
A method of installing a safety selector in a firearm includes inserting the safety selector into an opening in the firearm, aligning a hole extending through the safety selector with a cavity extending transversely from the opening, inserting a spring through the hole and into the cavity, inserting a detent plunger through the hole and at least partially into the cavity, thereby compressing the spring, and moving the safety selector within the opening transversely to the cavity so as to capture the detent plunger at least partially within the cavity. The invention also encompasses a method of removing the safety selector.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/233,357, filed Aug. 10, 2016 and hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to safety selectors for firearms, and to methods for installing and removing safety selectors. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Armorers display considerable skill, ingenuity and manual dexterity in the assembly of firearm mechanisms, which are often complex and require the manipulation of relatively small parts in confined workspaces within the receivers of shotguns and rifles as well as within the frame of a pistol. Spring biased parts, such as detents, present a particular challenge because force must often be maintained on the parts to keep the biasing spring compressed while other parts are manipulated. Additionally, unless laterally supported, long springs buckle under the slightest compressive load, thereby complicating the assembly process further. There is clearly an opportunity to provide design enhancements of parts which provide advantages to assembly and disassembly of firearm mechanisms. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention concerns a safety selector for a firearm. In one example embodiment the safety selector comprises a body having first and second ends oppositely disposed. A first axis extends between the first and second ends. A first cutout is positioned in the body between the first and second ends. A second and a third cutout are positioned in the body between the first and second ends. The second and third cutouts are positioned adjacent to one another along the first axis. The second and third cutouts are angularly displaced from the first cutout about the first axis. A hole extends through the body along a second axis oriented transversely to the first axis. The hole is positioned proximate to the first end of the body. 
     In a particular example embodiment the body comprises a cylinder. Further by way of example, the hole has a round cross sectional shape. In an example embodiment, the second axis is oriented perpendicular to the first axis. In a specific example embodiment, the second and third cutouts are displaced about the first axis at an angle of 45° from aid first cutout. By way of example, the first cutout comprises an elongate notch extending lengthwise along the first axis. In an example embodiment, the notch is defined by a pair of end surfaces arranged in spaced relation and oriented perpendicular to the first axis, and a floor surface, oriented perpendicular to and extending between the end surfaces. Further by way of example, the end surfaces and the floor surface are flat. In an example embodiment the second cutout is defined by an end surface oriented perpendicular to the first axis, a floor surface oriented parallel to the first axis, and an oblique surface oriented transversely to the first axis. In another example embodiment, the third cutout is defined by an end surface oriented perpendicular to the first axis. A floor surface is oriented parallel to the first axis and an oblique surface is oriented transversely to the first axis. In this example the oblique surface of the third cutout is contiguous with the oblique surface of the second cutout. 
     The invention also encompasses a firearm having a safety selector received within an opening adjacent to a trigger. In an example embodiment the safety selector comprises a body having first and second ends oppositely disposed. A first axis extends between the first and second ends. A first cutout is positioned in the body between the first and second ends. A second and a third cutout are positioned in the body between the first and second ends. The second and third cutouts are positioned adjacent to one another along the first axis. The second and third cutouts are angularly displaced from the first cutout about the first axis. A hole extends through the body along a second axis oriented transversely to the first axis. The hole is positioned proximate to the first end of the body in this example. 
     In a specific example embodiment the body comprises a cylinder. Further by way of example, the hole has a round cross sectional shape. In another example the second axis is oriented perpendicular to the first axis. In a specific example embodiment the second and third cutouts are displaced about the first axis at an angle of 45° from aid first cutout. In an example embodiment the first cutout comprises an elongate notch extending lengthwise along the first axis. In a particular example embodiment the notch is defined by a pair of end surfaces arranged in spaced relation and oriented perpendicular to the first axis and a floor surface oriented perpendicular to and extending between the end surfaces. By way of example the end surfaces and the floor surface are flat. In a further example the second cutout is defined by an end surface oriented perpendicular to the first axis, and a floor surface is oriented parallel to the first axis, and an oblique surface is oriented transversely to the first axis. 
     In another example the third cutout is defined by an end surface oriented perpendicular to the first axis, a floor surface is oriented parallel to the first axis and an oblique surface is oriented transversely to the first axis. In this example the oblique surface of the third cutout is contiguous with the oblique surface of the second cutout. 
     It is contemplated that an example firearm according to the invention could be a rifle, a shotgun or a pistol. 
     The invention also encompasses a method of installing a safety selector in a firearm having an opening receiving the safety selector, a cavity extending transversely from the opening receiving a spring, and a detent plunger engaged with the spring. In one example embodiment the method comprises:
         inserting the safety selector into the opening;   aligning a hole extending through the safety selector with the cavity;   inserting the spring through the hole and into the cavity;   inserting the detent plunger through the hole and at least partially into the cavity, thereby compressing the spring; and   moving the safety selector within the opening transversely to the cavity so as to capture the detent plunger at least partially within the cavity.       

     An example method further comprises using a tool to insert the detent plunger through the hole and into the cavity. 
     Further by way of example, the method comprises moving the safety selector into contact with an end of the detent plunger before removing the tool. 
     The invention also encompasses a method of removing a safety selector in a firearm having an opening receiving the safety selector, a cavity extending transversely from the opening receiving a spring, and a detent plunger engaged with the spring. In one example embodiment the method comprises:
         inserting a tool into a hole extending through the safety selector;   rotating the safety selector about an axis oriented perpendicular to the cavity to position the detent plunger against an outer surface of the safety selector which forces the detent plunger completely into the cavity; and       

     withdrawing the safety selector from the opening. 
     An example method further comprises positioning the safety selector so as to expose the hole extending through the safety selector to the ambient. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an example firearm having a safety selector according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a portion of the firearm of  FIG. 1  showing an example embodiment of a safety selector according to the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of an example safety selector according to the invention; 
         FIGS. 4-6  are partial sectional isometric views taken at line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2  illustrating an example method of installing a safety selector in a firearm; 
         FIGS. 7-9  are partial isometric views illustrating an example method of removing a safety selector from a firearm; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of a shotgun using a safety selector according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of a pistol using a safety selector according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows an example firearm, a rifle  10  according to the invention. A safety selector  12 , shown in detail in  FIG. 2 , is positioned adjacent to the trigger  14 . Selector  12  is received within an opening  16  and comprises a body  18 . In this example body  18  comprises a cylinder  20 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , body  18  has first and second ends  22  and  24  oppositely disposed. A first (longitudinal) axis  26  extends between the ends  22  and  24 . A first cutout  28  is positioned in body  18  between the ends  22  and  24 . Second and third cutouts  30  and  32  are also positioned in body  18  between ends  22  and  24 . The second and third cutouts  30  and  32  are positioned adjacent to one another along the axis  26  and are angularly offset from the first cutout  28  about axis  26 . In this example the second and third cutouts  30  and  32  are displaced from the first cutout  28  at an offset angle  34  of 45°, other offset angles being feasible. 
     In the example selector  12  shown, the first cutout  28  in body  18  comprises an elongate notch  36  which extends lengthwise along the axis  26 . Notch  36  is defined by a pair of end surfaces  38  and  40  arranged in spaced relation from one another. End surfaces  38  and  40  are flat in this example and oriented perpendicular to axis  26 . A floor surface  42  extends between the end surfaces  38  and  40 . In this example floor surface  42  is also flat and is oriented perpendicular to the end surfaces  38  and  40 . Second cutout  30  is defined by an end surface  44  oriented perpendicular to the axis  26 , a floor surface  46  oriented parallel to axis  26 , and an oblique surface  48  oriented transversely to the axis  26 . Similarly, third cutout  32  is defined by an end surface  50  oriented perpendicular to the axis  26 , a floor surface  52  oriented parallel to axis  26 , and an oblique surface  54  oriented transversely to the axis  26 . In this example the oblique surface  54  of the third cutout  32  is contiguous with the oblique surface  48  of the second cutout  30 . 
     The region of body  18  defined by the second and third cutouts  30  and  32  is known as the “crown”  56  due to its undulating shape. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the crown  56  engages a detent  58  when the selector  12  is installed in the opening  16  of rifle  10 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , detent  58  comprises a detent plunger  60  and a detent spring  62 . Plunger  60  and spring  62  are positioned within a cavity  64  in the rifle  10  which extends transversely from opening  16  which receives the selector  12 . Spring  62  biases the plunger  60  into engagement with the crown  56  (see  FIG. 6 ) to secure the selector  12  in one of two desired positions, “safe” and “fire”. Selector  12  is slidlably movable within opening  16  between these two positions. The detent  58  holds the selector  12  both within the opening  16  and in the desired position. Application of sufficient force to either end  22 ,  24  of body  18  will move the selector between the safe and fire positions. This movement is permitted by the contiguous oblique surfaces  48  and  54  (see  FIG. 3 ), which act as ramps along which the plunger  60  may move as it transitions between positions. The angular orientation of the oblique surfaces  48  and  54  is selected so that it simultaneously permits movement of body  18  between the safe and fire positions upon the manual application of a threshold force, but resists movement of body  18  by a force lower than the threshold, for example, inertial forces caused by dropping the rifle, so that the status of the rifle, i.e., safe or fire, does not change inadvertently. Motion of the plunger  60  over the oblique surfaces  48  and  54  is aided by providing the plunger with a conical or rounded end  66 . The end surfaces  44  and  50  of the second and third cutouts  30  and  32 , being perpendicular to the axis  26  (see  FIG. 3 ), prevent the body  18  from being withdrawn from opening  16  while the plunger  60  is engaged with the crown  56 . 
     The second and third cutouts  30  and  32  are angularly offset from the first cutout  28  such that when crown  56  engages the detent  58  the first cutout  28  interacts with the fire control system of the rifle  10  to either permit discharge (“fire” position selected) or prevent discharge (“safe” position selected) of the firearm. There are many different fire control safety mechanisms. For example, motion of the selector  12  to the safe position may block trigger movement, hammer movement, sear movement, or may disengage a trigger bar from the sear. As these mechanisms are well understood, and the selector  12  according to the invention will work with many of them, they are not explained in detail. 
     It is a challenge for armorers to install the detent  58  and the selector  12  thus far described. To allow for easier installation, selectors  12  according to the invention also comprise a hole  68  which extends through body  18  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). Hole  68  extends along a second axis  70  oriented transversely to the first axis  26 . In the example embodiment described herein the hole  68  has a round cross section and second axis  70  is oriented perpendicular to the first axis  26 . Hole  68  is positioned proximate to the first end  22  of the body  18 . 
       FIGS. 4-6  illustrate an example method for installing selector  12  according to the invention. As shown in  FIG. 4 , body  18  of the selector  12  is inserted into the opening  16 . Hole  68  in body  18  is aligned with the cavity  64 . The spring  62  is then inserted through hole  68  and into the cavity  64 . The plunger  60  is then inserted into the hole  68  and into engagement with spring  62 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the detent plunger is pressed against spring  62  into the cavity  64 , compressing spring  62 . Note that spring  62  is laterally supported within the cavity  64  and the body  18  and cannot buckle. In this example a tool, such as a punch  72 , is used to force the detent plunger through hole  68  and into the cavity  64 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , detent plunger  60  is inserted into the cavity  64  sufficiently to permit body  18  to be moved transversely to the cavity  64 . Motion of the body  18  moves the crown  56  toward the detent  58 . Upon motion of the body within opening  16  an edge of the hole  68  catches the plunger end  66  and holds the plunger against the biasing force of the compressed spring  62 . This permits the punch  72  to be removed. The conical shape of plunger end  66  aids this process. Upon further motion of the body  18  the plunger end  66  rides on the surface of the body  18  and then snaps into the second cutout  30 . The remaining components of the rifle are then assembled and the safety selector  12  can be positioned reliably in one of its two positions. 
     An example method for removing the safety selector  12  is illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , if necessary, the selector  12  is moved to a position that will expose the hole  68  to the ambient. In this example the selector  12  is moved to the “safe” position. The tool, punch  72  is then inserted into hole  68 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the body  18  is then rotated about axis  26  using punch  72 . Body  18  is rotated to position the end  66  of plunger  60  on a surface of the body that is not within the crown  56 . With the body  18  rotated to such a position the plunger  60  will not engage the end surface  50  of the third cutout  32  if the body  18  is moved in the direction of axis  26 . Thus it will be possible to remove body  18  from hole  68 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     It is expected that safety selectors according to the invention will reduce assembly time of long guns such as rifles  10 , shotguns  74  and pistols  76  in which they, and their associated methods of assembly and disassembly, are used.