Patent Abstract:
A trigger assembly comprises a trigger frame having a body with a cavity therein, a handle connected to the body, a trigger guard on the body defining a space with which a portion of the cavity is in communication, a connection member on the body, a slot member on the body, and abutment surfaces within the cavity. It also comprises a trigger pivotably mounted and movable within the trigger frame and comprising a body portion, a pivot connection means on the body portion connectable to the connection member of the body, a lever extending from the body portion for contact by a user, an engagement portion for engaging a firing mechanism to initiate discharge, and a rod connection means associated with the body portion for connecting the trigger to a rod to initiate re-arming.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/072,321 filed Feb. 7, 2002, U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,036 issued Mar. 16, 2004, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to trigger assemblies. Typically, a trigger assembly comprises a trigger frame which forms part of a gun, the trigger frame being adapted for receiving the trigger, which is mounted within the trigger frame. The trigger frame may also accommodate other components, or portions thereof, of the gun or firing mechanism. More particularly, this invention relates to trigger assemblies comprising the trigger frame and trigger used in paint ball guns.  
           [0003]    Most conventional guns, including paint ball guns, are activated by pulling or pressing a trigger mounted within the trigger frame. The trigger, accessed by a finger of the user, is typically in mechanical contact with a sear or other mechanism which is moved from a first to a second position by activation or pressing of the trigger. The movement of the sear sets in motion the firing of the bullet, paint ball or the like by activating the firing mechanism. In paint ball guns, the firing mechanism comprises a series of air or gas chambers, where gas is maintained under considerable pressure. The pulling of the trigger activates the firing, which releases, in a controlled manner, the gas under pressure, which in turn provides the necessary thrust for ejecting the paint ball from the barrel of the gun. The firing mechanism may also involve the recocking of the gun so that, at the end of the process, a further paint ball will be moved into the barrel for firing and the various gas compartments are pressurized for subsequent firings.  
           [0004]    In conventional paint ball guns, a portion of the trigger is positioned within a trigger guard, which forms part of the trigger frame. The trigger is formed in a channel, and is constantly urged forwardly by the action of a spring. When the user wishes to fire the gun, the trigger is pulled backwards, and the entire trigger moves rearwardly in a linear fashion, against the action of the spring. In such guns, the entire trigger moves in linearly within the channel in a back and forth or reciprocating motion.  
           [0005]    A portion of the trigger located within the trigger frame has a sloped or inclined surface in mechanical contact with the sear. As the trigger moves rearwardly in a linear plane, the sloped surface moves so as to cause one end of the pivotally mounted sear to rotate about a pivot pin, so that this one end of the sear moves up, and the opposite end moves down. The opposite end includes a catch which controls a hammer, and as the catch moves down, it releases the hammer which in turn initiates the firing process.  
           [0006]    The trigger also activates an actuating rod which is a part of the mechanism that is responsible for the reloading or recocking of the gun. The trigger movement causes the actuating rod, which is attached to the trigger, to move linearly to initiate the reloading.  
           [0007]    As mentioned, conventional triggers move back and forth in their entirety within the trigger frame so that the movement of the trigger, in contact with the actuating rod, operates in a one-to-one ratio so that the distance traveled by the movement of the entire trigger itself corresponds to the distance traveled by the actuating rod.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a trigger for mounting in a trigger frame, the trigger comprising: a body portion; a pivot connection means on the body portion for connecting the trigger to the trigger frame so that the trigger is pivotable about the pivot connection means in the trigger frame; a lever extending from the body portion for contact by a user to move the trigger rotatably about the pivot connection means; an engagement portion associated with the body portion for engaging a firing mechanism to initiate discharge; and a rod connection means associated with the body portion for connecting the trigger to a rod to initiate cocking.  
           [0009]    Preferably, the body portion comprises a central portion, the central portion having the pivot connection means located thereon, a head portion, the head portion having the rod connection means located thereon, and a ramp means on the engagement portion, the ramp means providing a surface for engaging a sear.  
           [0010]    Preferably, the pivot connection means and the rod connection means are substantially vertically aligned with each other when the trigger is mounted in the trigger frame. The pivot connection means and the rod connection means may be approximately 0.625 inches apart.  
           [0011]    According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided trigger frame for receiving a pivotally mounted trigger therein, the trigger frame comprising: a body having a cavity therein for receiving at least a portion of the trigger; a handle connected to the body; a trigger guard on the body, the trigger guard and body defining a space with which a portion of the cavity is in communication; a connection member on the body for securing a trigger in the cavity and space so that the trigger is pivotally movable; a slot member on the body to provide access from the outside of the trigger frame to a rod connection means on the trigger; and abutment surfaces within the cavity to limit the range of movement of the trigger when located in the body.  
           [0012]    Preferably, the connection member comprises apertures and a pivot pin by means of which the trigger is pivotally connected to the body, a portion of the trigger being located in the cavity and another portion of the trigger extending from the cavity into the space defined by the trigger guard. Preferably, the connection member and the slot member are in a substantially vertical plane with respect to each other.  
           [0013]    According to yet a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a trigger assembly comprising a trigger frame and a trigger for mounting on the trigger frame.  
           [0014]    The present invention, in one aspect, is for a trigger assembly comprising a trigger mounted in a trigger frame, the trigger being pivotally mounted on the frame. Preferably, the trigger comprises an elongate portion for engagement by the user&#39;s finger or fingers, on one side of the pivot thereof, and an engagement portion on the other side of the pivot which, in use, is in contact with a sear or other corresponding portions of the firing mechanism of the gun, as well an actuating rod, for operation of the reloading process of the gun.  
           [0015]    With particular reference to paint ball guns, the pulling of the trigger sets in motion and activates two separate processes. First, the pulling of the trigger results in the pivoting of the sear in contact therewith, which is moved against the bias of a spring, the movement of the sear in turn releasing a hammer which opens a valve. The opening of this valve releases compressed gas within the gun, which is specifically channeled to a position behind a paint ball located within the barrel of the gun, and thereby propels and discharges the paint ball from the gun.  
           [0016]    The second operation set in motion by the pulling of the trigger is the activation of an actuating rod, the movement of which activates and opens a different series of pathways into which compressed air or gas in discharged in order to effect the automatic recocking and reloading of the gun. This second operation therefore has the effect of re-arming the firing mechanism and placing in position a further paint ball from a magazine in the gun, so that the next paint ball is ready for discharge.  
           [0017]    These two operations, set in motion by the pulling or pressing of the trigger, must be carefully timed, and the construction of the gun components must therefore be configured to facilitate both of these operations. Clearly, the paint ball already within the barrel of the gun must be discharged before the new paint ball is loaded. Therefore, there should be a sufficient delay between the release of the hammer and the firing of the paint ball, and the re-arming of the gun, so as to locate a further paint ball from the magazine within the barrel. It is recognized that the gun should be constructed so that there is as little delay as possible between the firing of the paint ball and the automatic reloading of the new paint ball. To a significant extent, the construction and operation of the trigger within the trigger frame, which initiates both of these operations, plays an important role in the timing between the firing and cocking of the gun.  
           [0018]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is therefore provided a trigger assembly comprising a trigger mounted in a trigger frame, the trigger having a pivot point by means of which it is mounted in the frame. Extending from substantially one side of the pivot point, there is an activation lever for engagement by the user, and, extending in substantially an opposite direction there is an engagement surface for actuating the mechanism to discharge the paint ball, as well as a connection means adapted for connecting the trigger to an actuating rod.  
           [0019]    Preferably, the connecting means for connecting to the actuating rod comprises an aperture in the trigger, and the trigger is configured so that the distance between the pivot point and the connecting means is optimal for moving the actuating rod to optimize the automatic recocking of the gun. As will be appreciated, the greater the distance between the pivot point and the connecting means, the greater will be the distance moved by the connecting means upon pulling of the trigger. Further, where the distance is greater, the movement of the connecting means becomes less arced and increasingly linear.  
           [0020]    Preferably, the connecting means is an aperture for receiving an end of the actuating rod and which corresponds substantially in the vertical plane with the pivot pin. Since the actuating rod is substantially horizontal, this construction allows maximum movement of the actuating rod by the connecting means.  
           [0021]    The trigger frame of the invention preferably comprises a conventionally shaped housing with a chamber therein, and an appropriately located trigger guard. A trigger extends between the space defined by the trigger guard, and into the chamber of the housing. The trigger is pivotally mounted within the housing, and a slot is provided in the housing at the location of the connecting means so that an end of the actuating rod, located outside the housing, can be secured to the connecting means.  
           [0022]    A spring biases the trigger within the housing into a first or rest position, and a user urges the trigger against the bias of the spring so as to mechanically impact the mechanism, which results in the firing of the paint ball and the reloading of the gun.  
           [0023]    The slot within the housing is of a dimension such that the aperture which comprises the connecting means is exposed to the outside of the housing along its full movement length as it operates between the first and second positions. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a conventional paint ball gun trigger and related components;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2 is a side view of a trigger frame in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3 is a side view of a trigger in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 4 is a side view of a sear used in conjunction with a trigger of the present invention;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 5 is a side view, partly in section, of a trigger frame, trigger and sear, of the present invention, shown in a first or rest position before the trigger is pulled;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 6 is a side view, partly in section, of a trigger frame, trigger and sear, of the present invention, shown in a second or activated position after the trigger is pulled;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 7 is another side view, showing further details of the trigger frame of the present invention; and  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 8 is a top view of the trigger frame shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0032]    With reference to the drawings, there is shown in various illustrations a trigger assembly  10  of the invention which, in general terms, comprises a trigger frame  12  and a trigger  14  mounted on the frame.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 1 illustrates a typical trigger mechanism shown in the prior art, generally comprising a trigger  16 , operatively and mechanically in contact with a sear  18 . The sear  18  is mounted on a pivot  20 , and rotates thereabout. The sear  18  has a first end  22  which is in contact with a ramp  24  constructed as part of the trigger  16 . The sear  18  has a second end  26 , the second end including a projecting catch  28 .  
         [0034]    The second end  26  of the sear  18  is urged upwardly by a sear spring  30 , one end of which is mounted on the trigger frame  32  shown only in general outline in FIG. 1 of the drawings, with the other end in contact with the under surface of the second end  26  of the sear  18 .  
         [0035]    The projecting catch  28 , when in the position shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, engages a flange  34  formed as part of a hammer  36 . The hammer  36  is normally urged by spring  38  towards a valve  40 . However, the hammer  36  is held in check, except when the gun is fired, since it is stopped by the flange  34  abutting against the projecting catch  28  of the sear  18 .  
         [0036]    The trigger  16  includes a finger recess  44  designed to accommodate the user&#39;s finger. As mentioned, the trigger  16  further comprises an incline or ramp  24  upon which the first end  22  of the sear  18  rests. A slot  46  is formed in the trigger  16 , by means of which it cooperates with the trigger frame  32  to ensure the smooth sliding and operation of the trigger  16 , as will be briefly described.  
         [0037]    The trigger  16  further comprises an aperture  48 , and an actuating rod  50 , having an end  52 , is received within the aperture  48 .  
         [0038]    The trigger  16  is capable of sliding within the trigger frame  32  from its rest position shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, to an activation position in the direction of arrow identified by reference numeral  54 . In normal conditions, the trigger  16  is urged and rests in the position shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. When the user is ready to activate the gun, the user&#39;s finger is placed in the finger recess  44 , and the trigger  16  is pulled back in the direction of arrow  54 . As the trigger  16  moves back, the first end  22  of the sear  18  rides up the ramp  24 , causing the sear  18  to rotate about the pivot  20 . As the first end  22  rises, the second end  26  is lowered, until such time as the projecting catch  28  no longer operates as an abutment to prevent further movement of the flange  34 , and hence the hammer  38 . When the very tip of the projecting catch  28  drops below the flange  34 , the spring  38  forces the hammer  36  forward, and the face  56  of the hammer strikes the valve  40 . The valve  40  opens a gas pathway, and the result is that compressed gas flows through predetermined channels in the gun to discharge a paint ball from the barrel. The various channels and travel direction of the compressed gas are not relevant to this invention, and will not be described further herein.  
         [0039]    The movement of the trigger  16  in the direction of arrow  54  further has the effect of shifting the actuating rod  50 , also in the direction of arrow  54 . The actuating rod opens an activates various pathways permitting compressed air within the gun to automatically reload and recock, inserting a paint ball from a magazine in the barrel of the gun and pulling back the hammer to the position shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. This procedure is also not considered pertinent to the invention, and will not be discussed further.  
         [0040]    The trigger initiates two functions, namely, the firing of the weapon, followed immediately by the recocking thereof. It is therefore important that the various components, including the dimensions and shape of the trigger, must be carefully configured to ensure that the pulling of the trigger  16  results first in the firing of a paint ball from the weapon, followed by the recocking of the weapon with a further paint ball. At least to some extent, this is controlled by the configuration of the trigger  16 , which initiates both of these processes.  
         [0041]    Reference is now made to FIG. 2 of the drawings, which shows a side view of the trigger frame  12  of the invention. The trigger frame  12  comprises a body portion  62 , a handle  64  and a trigger guard  66 . The handle  64  extends downwardly and is adapted to receive handle covers (not shown) and is generally configured for the comfort and proper grip of the user.  
         [0042]    The body portion  62  includes a hollowed out cavity  68  shown, for example, in FIG. 2, outlined in dotted lines. The body portion  62  further includes an arced abutment  70 , which, in conventional fashion, functions to provide a comfortable and proper grip for the user.  
         [0043]    The cavity  68  is define by a first lateral wall  72 , also shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, and a second lateral wall  74 . The cavity  68  is open at the top, and also has an opening  76  at the upper area of the trigger guard  66 . Each lateral wall  72  and  74  includes an aperture  78 , the apertures  78  in each lateral wall  72  and  74  registering with each other. Further, each lateral wall  72  and  74  includes a horizontal slot  80 , once more, each of the horizontal slots  80  in the first and second lateral walls  72  and  74  corresponding with each other for the purpose yet to be described. As will also be described further below, the cavity  68  is designed to accommodate a portion of the trigger  14 , with the remaining portion extending out through the opening  76  and into the space  82  defined by the trigger guard  66 .  
         [0044]    A safety catch aperture  84  is formed in each one of the first and second lateral walls  72  and  74 , so as to correspond with each other. Furthermore, a pivot pin aperture  86  is also formed within each of the first and second lateral walls  72  and  74 , each of the pivot pin apertures  86  being in registry with each other.  
         [0045]    In use, and as will be described below, a sear is also mounted and located within the cavity  68 , and is biased into a first or rest position by a spring, to be described. A spring bore  90  is formed within the body portion  62  for this purpose.  
         [0046]    Reference is now made to FIG. 3 of the drawings, which shows one embodiment of a trigger  14  of the invention, for use in a trigger frame as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The trigger  14  comprises a body  92  and a downwardly depending lever  94  extending from the body  92 . The body  92  comprises a central portion  96 , a ramp portion  98 , and an upper portion  100 . The central portion  96  of the body  92  includes a pivot aperture  102 , while the upper portion  100  has an actuating rod aperture  104 . In use, and as will be described, the pivot aperture  102  aligns with the apertures  78  in the trigger frame  12 , while the actuating rod aperture  104  aligns with the horizontal slot  80 .  
         [0047]    The ramp portion  98  includes a sear engaging surface  106  which is rounded, and over which the sear can move, as will be described, when the trigger  14  rotates about its pivot aperture  102 . The upper portion  100  has a bulbous head  108 , which, in use, engages a spring within the cavity  68  of the trigger frame  12 , which urges the trigger  14  into its standard or rest position, as will be described.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 4 of the drawings illustrates a sear  112 , the sear  112  having a central potion  114  and a pivot aperture  116  therein. Extending away from the central portion in one direction is a trigger engagement arm  118 , having a trigger engagement surface  120  which, in use, cooperates with the sear engagement surface  106  of the trigger  14 . The trigger engagement arm  118  has a rounded end so that it slides easily, and without catching on the sear engagement surface  106 .  
         [0049]    Extending in an opposite direction is a catch arm  122 , which terminates in an upwardly projecting catch  124 . The catch  124  will, in use, engage a hammer of the gun, in much the same way as is generally shown with reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings.  
         [0050]    In use, the pivot aperture  116  aligns with the pivot pin apertures  86  in the first and second lateral walls  72  and  74  of the body portion  62  of the trigger frame  12 . The pivoting therein of the sear  112  about the pivot aperture  116 , which occurs in response to the movement of the trigger  14 , causes the catch  124  to be raised or lowered respectively, thereby engaging or releasing the hammer in the gun to control the firing of the weapon.  
         [0051]    Reference is now made to FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings, which show a trigger frame  12  as illustrated in FIG. 2, with the trigger  14  and sear  112  mounted therein. FIG. 5 of the drawings shows the trigger and sear in a first or rest position, before the weapon has been fired, while FIG. 6 shows the same view, but with the trigger and sear in a second or activated position with the trigger pulled backwards and the sear pivoted so as to permit the firing of the weapon.  
         [0052]    As will be noted, the body  92  of the trigger  14  is located within the cavity  68 , while the lever  94  projects outwardly through the opening  76  of the cavity, into the space  82  defined by the trigger guard  66 . The pivot aperture  102  is aligned with the apertures  78  in the first and second lateral walls  72  and  74  respectively, and a pivot pin  130  is inserted through apertures  78  and  102  so that the trigger  14  is mounted within the cavity  68 , and is able to pivot about the pivot pin  130 . With the trigger  14  so mounted, the actuating rod aperture  104  is positioned within the horizontal slot  80 .  
         [0053]    The trigger  14  is movable between a first position, in which rounded end  132  abuts the base  134  of the cavity  68 , and a second position wherein the trigger  14  pivots about the pivot pin  130 , until the bulbous head  108  abuts against the front end  136  of the cavity  68 . The trigger  14  is thus movable between these extreme first and second positions. A spring  138  is mounted on the front end  136 , and, in use, urges the upper portion  100  of the body  92  away from the front end  136 , until such time as the rounded end  132  rests on the based  134 . In this rest position, the lever  94  of the trigger  14  is biased towards a vertical component  154  of the trigger guard  66 .  
         [0054]    When the trigger  14  is pulled, it will move from the position shown in FIG. 5, against the action of the spring  138 , until it can move no further. Upon release of the trigger  14 , it will return from the position shown in FIG. 6, to that in shown in FIG. 5.  
         [0055]    When the lever  94  is pulled in the direction of arrow  140 , the ramp portion  98  thereof rotates about the pivot pin  130 , and raises the trigger engagement arm  118  of the sear  112 , so that the sear  112  pivots about pivot aperture  116 . The sear  112  is mounted such that its pivot aperture  116  aligns with the pivot pin aperture  86 , and is secured in position by means of a pivot pin  142 .  
         [0056]    The catch arm  122  is, in its natural state, urged upwardly by means of a spring  144 . The spring  144  acts on the underside of the catch arm  122 , opposite the catch  124 , so that the catch  124  is urged upwardly, and projects above and into the bore occupied by the hammer  146 . A hammer spring  148  generally urges the hammer  146  forward, but this movement is restrained when the catch  124  extends into the bore in which the hammer  146  is located.  
         [0057]    The spring  144  is located within the spring bore  90  which extends to, and is accessible from the outside of the trigger frame  12 , as shown, so that adjustments thereof can be made.  
         [0058]    It will be noted that a safety catch  150  passes through the cavity  68 , and is held in position in the safety catch apertures  84  in the first and second lateral walls  72  and  74  respectively. By shifting the safety catch  150 , which has conventional larger diameter and smaller diameter portions, in a direction transverse to the axis of the gun, it can be located in a first position in which the smaller diameter portion is adjacent the sear  112  and the sear  112  is permitted to rotate about its pivot aperture  116 , and a second position in which the larger diameter portion is adjacent the sear  112  to effectively prevent any movement thereof. Thus, when the safety catch  150  is in the second position and abuts against the sear to restrict its movement, inadvertent firing of the weapon will not be possible. A particular advantage of this type of safety catch  150  is that it prevents movement of the sear itself, as opposed to conventional systems where the safety catch prevents movement of the trigger. Since the sear may potentially move even when the trigger is secured, the securing of the sear itself is considered to be an added safety feature of the invention. The particular configuration of the trigger  14  and sear  112 , and their pivotal movements, facilitates the use of a safety catch  150  which engages the sear  112 .  
         [0059]    The operation of the gun, insofar as its firing and reloading is concerned, will now be described, paying particular attention to the function and operation of the trigger assembly  10  in carrying out these procedures.  
         [0060]    The operation of the trigger assembly  10  comprising the trigger  14  mounted within the trigger frame  12  can be readily inferred from the structure and interrelationship of the various components, as already described. An overview of this operation will be provided, and is principally illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings. FIG. 5 shows the standard or rest position, while FIG. 6 shows the components in the activated or firing position.  
         [0061]    In use, the user grasps the handle  64 , and one or more fingers are inserted into the space  82  defined by the trigger guard  66 . One or more fingers engage the lever  94 , which is generally urged forward, towards the vertical component  154  of the trigger guard  66 . It will be noted that the trigger  14  of the invention allows the user to use not only one finger on the lever  94 , but two or more. In turn, this allows for better control and manipulation of the trigger, as well as steadier operation of the gun itself, when fired by the user.  
         [0062]    As shown in FIG. 5, the spring  138  biases the upper portion  100  of the trigger  14  away from the front end  136 . At this resting position, further rotational movement of the trigger  14  is prevented by the rounded end  132  abutting upon the base  134  of the cavity  68 . The trigger  14  is further positioned such that its actuating rod aperture  104  is located at the rear end of the horizontal slot  80 . In use, the actuating rod aperture  104  will receive an end of the actuating rod, not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, but indicated in the illustration in FIG. 1 of the drawings. At the rest position, the sear engagement surface  106  of the ramp portion  98  is in contact with the trigger engaging surface  120  of the sear  112 .  
         [0063]    The sear  112  itself is mounted within the cavity  68  by passing the pivot pin  142  through pivot pin apertures  86  in the trigger frame  12 , which apertures are aligned with the pivot aperture  116  in the sear. The sear  112  is therefore capable of rotational movement about the pivot pin  142 . The spring  144  urges the catch arm  122  upwards so that the catch  124  projects into the bore in which the hammer  146  reciprocates.  
         [0064]    When the user is ready to fire the weapon, the lever  94  is pulled backward, or away from the vertical component  154  of the trigger guard  166 . As the lever  94  is pulled backwards, the trigger  14  rotates about the pivot pin  130 , and the upper portion  100  thereof moves forwardly against the action of the spring  138  which is therefore compressed by the pulling action on the lever  94 . Further, as the trigger  14  rotates about the pivot pin  130 , the ramp portion  98  rises, and the trigger engagement surface  120  of the sear  112  riding over the sear engagement surface  106  causes the sear  112  to rotate in a clockwise direction, about the pivot pin  142 . Thus, as the trigger engagement arm  118  rises as the trigger lever  94  is pulled, the catch arm  122  lowers against the action of the spring  144 . Eventually, the sear  112  will rotate to the point where catch  124  is outside of the bore, allowing the hammer  146  to move forward by the action of the spring  148 . The forward movement of the hammer  146  opens a valve, setting in motion the discharge of compressed gas, which fires the paint ball.  
         [0065]    During movement of the lever  94  of the trigger  14  from its resting position as shown in FIG. 5, to the full firing position as shown in FIG. 6, the actuating rod aperture  84  moves from the right hand side of the horizontal slot  80  to the left hand side thereof. As the actuating rod aperture  104  moves within the slot, it shifts the actuating rod itself, which in turn initiates the automatic recocking and reloading of a new paint ball in the barrel of the gun. As mentioned above, the timing between release of the hammer  146  by lowering of the catch  124 , and the effects of the actuating rod, are carefully controlled so that the sequential timing of the firing and reloading operations are optimized for maximum effectiveness.  
         [0066]    When the lever  94  of the trigger  14  is released by the user, the trigger will be returned to its reset position as shown in FIG. 5 by the action of the spring  138 . As the trigger  14  returns to its rest position, the ramp portion  98  will be lowered as the trigger  14  pivots about pivot pin  130 , and the sear  112  will itself be rotated about pivot pin  142  by the action of the spring  144 . The catch  124  will once more project into the bore to form an abutment for the hammer  148  to prevent the firing until such time as the trigger  14  is again pulled, as described.  
         [0067]    An innovative feature of the present invention is the location and operation of the safety catch  150 . As described, conventional gun components include a safety catch which usually prevents movement of the trigger. While the trigger may be fixed thereby, there is still a possibility that the sear may be capable of further movement, and may inadvertently be shifted to initiate the firing of the weapon. The present invention locates the safety catch  150  so that, when the gun is in the locked position, the sear will be prevented from any further movement.  
         [0068]    Since the trigger  14  of the invention is pivotally mounted within the trigger frame  12 , the distance and relationship between the pivot aperture  102  and the actuating rod aperture  104  on the trigger  14 , as well as their corresponding positions on the trigger frame  12 , become important in designing a mechanism for optimal operation. Since the trigger  14  pivots about pivot aperture  102 , it is desirable that the actuating rod aperture  104  be sufficiently distanced from the pivot aperture  102  so that the movement of the actuating rod aperture  104  as the trigger  16  pivots or rotates is increasingly linear, as opposed to arc-shaped. Further, where the distance between the pivot aperture  102  and actuating rod aperture  104  is greater, the movement of the trigger  14  from the rest position to the firing position results in increased travel of the actuating rod aperture  104 , enhancing the effectiveness of the actuating rod in initiating its function of recocking. In one specific embodiment, it has been found that the distance between the pivot aperture  102  and actuating rod aperture  104  of 0.625 inches, or five eighths of an inch, allows efficient operation without unduly or uncomfortably increasing the dimensions of the body portion  62  of the trigger frame  12 .  
         [0069]    Another preferred feature of the trigger assembly  10  of the invention is that the pivot aperture  102  and actuating rod aperture  104  should be in a substantially vertical plane. As will be appreciated, where the actuating rod aperture  104  is substantially vertically above the pivot aperture  102 , the pivoting of the trigger  14  will maximize movement of the actuating rod aperture and hence the actuating rod itself which is in a substantially horizontal plane or generally transverse to the plane between the pivot aperture  102  and actuating rod aperture  104 . Conversely, as the position of the actuating rod  104  moves away from the vertical plane through the pivot aperture  102 , there will be a increasing reduction in the extent of horizontal movement of the actuating rod when the trigger  14  is activated.  
         [0070]    Another advantage of the trigger assembly of the invention is the ability of the user, to a certain extent, to determine the “trigger pull” as desired. Since the trigger  16  operates through the pivoting thereof, it will be appreciated that a shorter trigger pull is required for activation when the lever  94  is pressed near the upper end thereof (or closer to the opening  76 ), while a longer trigger pull is required for activation when the lever  94  is held near its free end. Using these positions, as well as all of those between, assists the user in achieving more readily a desired firing rate, which can be increased or decreased according to where the lever  94  of the trigger  16  is held.  
         [0071]    Further, the lever  94  can be held using one, two or more fingers, as opposed to the single finger operation typical in conventional triggers. This provides additional steadiness and enhanced operation of the gun.  
         [0072]    A further important factor of the pivoting trigger  14  is that it is constructed with the various apertures and surfaces initiating both the firing and reloading. Thus, the trigger  14  of the invention is in mechanical contact and operation with both the sear  112 , which initiates the firing, as well as the actuating rod, which initiates recocking and reloading of the gun with a further paint ball.  
         [0073]    The structure and positioning of the actuating rod aperture  104  on the trigger  14 , as well as variations thereof, allow for customizing of the gun operation, as desired. In conventional sliding triggers, the amount of movement of the actuating rod corresponds substantially with the amount of movement of the trigger, generally at a one-one ratio. On the other hand, the trigger of the present invention allows the amount of movement of the actuating rod aperture (and hence the actuating rod) to be determined according based on its distance from the pivot aperture  102 . As the actuating rod aperture  104  is placed at an increased distance from the pivot aperture  102 , the amount of movement of the actuating rod aperture  104  will be increased. The converse also applies. This feature enables a trigger  14  to be constructed so as to further fine tune the timing between the critical firing and reloading initiation effected by movement of the trigger  14 .  
         [0074]    The pivotal mounting of the trigger  14  within the trigger frame  12  also allows the custom design and function of the sear operation. The present invention facilitates increased contact areas between the trigger and the sear. In conventional systems where the entire trigger slides back and forth within the trigger frame, the trigger itself must be moved a considerable distance before the sear will be sufficiently moved or rotated to release the hammer. With the trigger of the present invention, it is possible to custom design and construct the various components so that the trigger is moved a lesser distance in order to operate the sear. Thus, conventional triggers will require that it be moved all the way back before the sear is sufficiently rotated to release the hammer, while the trigger of the invention can be constructed so that the sear will be sufficiently moved when the trigger is, for example, halfway through its movement cycle. Of course, a potential advantage is the ability to construct the trigger to have dimensions and a configuration which will vary these factors to suit the user&#39;s preferences.  
         [0075]    The invention is not limited to the precise details described herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5