Patent Description:
In particular, the present invention relates to a firearm, preferably a rifle. Specifically, the present invention relates to a rifle preferably, but not necessarily, for hunting.

Known weapons comprise a trigger group operable by the user for commanding the shooting action. With known solutions, the trigger group includes a trigger, the pressing of which commands the firing of the firearm.

In the prior art, it is known to adjust the trigger group by adjusting the intensity necessary to operate the trigger. Preferably, depending on the desired feeling of the user, the trigger is adjusted in a soft configuration, in which a certain, low, force of pressure is required, or in a harder mode, in which a greater force of pressure is required.

Known trigger groups involve specific complex adjustment operations; sometimes they require the disassembly of certain components, sometimes they require the replacement of other components, and in other embodiments they require special tools. Example of said solution of trigger groups is disclosed in document <CIT>.

The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative firearm solution to these known solutions of the prior art, comprising a trigger group in which the aforementioned problems are addressed and solved.

Said object is achieved by means of the firearm according to claim <NUM>. Those claims that are dependent upon this request protection for further features and entail further technical benefits.

In addition, further features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the description provided below of preferred embodiments thereof given as non-limiting examples with reference to the attached figures, in which:.

With reference to the accompanying figures, a firearm, in the entirety thereof, according to this invention is indicated with the numeral <NUM>.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the firearm <NUM> is a rifle.

According to a preferred embodiment, the firearm <NUM> comprises a plurality of components which, by convention, are defined as fixed, and a plurality of components which are defined as movable.

According to a preferred embodiment, the firearm <NUM> comprises a fixed main body <NUM>. Such a main body <NUM> is graspable or embraceable by the user for example in shooting or aiming operations, comprising a stock and/or a forend.

According to a preferred embodiment, the fixed body <NUM> comprises a barrel <NUM> extending along an axis X-X. The axis X-X is therefore the axis of the barrel.

Preferably, with reference to movements or to certain characteristics or components, "axial" refers to movements or characteristics or components that occur or that are positioned parallel to said axis X-X, i.e., parallel to the barrel <NUM>. In some cases such movements or features or components are along the barrel axis X-X. As an alternative to the term "axial" the term "longitudinal" is also used.

According to a preferred embodiment, the main body <NUM> comprises a receiver <NUM>.

Preferably, the receiver <NUM> is made from a material belonging to the family of metals or metal alloys, or polymers, or polymeric materials, or composite materials.

According to a preferred embodiment, the receiver <NUM> has an upper opening <NUM>. In other words, the receiver <NUM> has an opening <NUM> facing in the vertical direction.

In other words, the receiver <NUM> is a receiver "without a castle".

According to a preferred embodiment, the receiver <NUM> is a hollow component that is suitable for containing components, shooting mechanisms, and projectiles.

Preferably, the barrel <NUM> extends from the receiver <NUM>.

Preferably, the stock extends from the receiver <NUM>.

Preferably, the forend extends from the receiver <NUM>.

Preferably, the receiver <NUM> also comprises a lower opening <NUM>. Projectiles enter through said lower opening <NUM>. Preferably, a magazine <NUM> is accommodated inside the receiver <NUM>. Preferably, the magazine <NUM> is inserted through said lower opening <NUM>. Preferably, the magazine <NUM> closes said lower opening <NUM>.

Preferably, said receiver <NUM> is hollow and comprises a housing cavity <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the main body <NUM> also comprises a breech element <NUM> positioned at an axial end of said upper opening <NUM>. According to a preferred embodiment, the breech element <NUM> extends in height, preferably in a vertical direction. Preferably, the barrel <NUM> is mountable onto the breech element <NUM> at an end opposite the firing mouth of the barrel <NUM>. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the breech element <NUM> is comprised within the barrel <NUM>: the breech element <NUM> is the axial end opposite the firing mouth of the barrel <NUM>.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the aforementioned components, listed in a non-limiting manner, that are part of the main body <NUM> are all mutually distinct components.

In accordance with an embodiment variant, the aforementioned components, listed in a non-limiting way, that are part of the main body <NUM> are sometimes mutually connected: some components are integrally connected together.

According to a preferred embodiment, the firearm <NUM> comprises a carriage assembly <NUM> comprising a shutter group <NUM>.

Preferably, the shutter group <NUM> also comprises engageable firing striker members.

More generally, the carriage assembly <NUM> comprises components, the movements and actuations of which involve a firing action and a reloading action, i.e., discharging the exploded cartridge case to the outside and loading the projectile from the magazine <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the carriage assembly <NUM> is positioned on the receiver <NUM> at the upper opening <NUM>.

Preferably, the carriage assembly <NUM> is positioned and is shaped in a suitable way to close said upper opening <NUM>.

Preferably, the carriage assembly <NUM> slides on the axial edges <NUM> delimiting the upper opening.

In accordance with the present invention, the firearm <NUM> comprises a trigger group <NUM> operable by the user in order to perform the shooting action. Preferably, the trigger group <NUM> interacts with said shutter group <NUM>, in particular with the striker members.

According to the present invention, the trigger group <NUM> comprises a trigger <NUM>.

According to the invention, the trigger <NUM> is rotatable relative to a trigger axis G-G.

According to a preferred embodiment, the trigger <NUM> is pivoted on a pin extending along the trigger axis G-G.

Preferably, said trigger axis G-G extends transversely.

According to a preferred embodiment, the trigger group <NUM> comprises a hammer device <NUM> engaged by the trigger <NUM>.

Preferably, the hammer device <NUM> comprises a trigger lever <NUM> suitable for rotating with respect to a hammer axis C-C.

Preferably, the hammer device <NUM> comprises a hammer spring <NUM> suitable for exerting a pushing action against the hammer lever <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the trigger <NUM> and the hammer lever <NUM> are suitable for being engaged.

According to a preferred embodiment, the actuation of the trigger <NUM> results in releasing the mutual engagement between the trigger <NUM> and the hammer lever <NUM> and the latter is subject to rotation and in particular the engagement of the shutter group <NUM>, resulting in the shooting action.

In accordance with the present invention, the trigger group <NUM> comprises an adjustment device <NUM> suitable for adjusting the intensity necessary to operate the trigger <NUM>.

In other words, the adjustment device <NUM> is configurable in a plurality of distinct configurations, in each of which a different action on the trigger <NUM> is produced.

In accordance with the present invention, the adjustment device <NUM> comprises a rod <NUM> movable by the trigger <NUM>.

Said rod <NUM> extends axially between a trigger end <NUM> and a free end <NUM>.

According to the invention, the adjustment device <NUM> comprises a command member <NUM> engaged with the rod <NUM>.

Preferably, as described in full below, said engagement of the command member <NUM> on the rod <NUM> affects the action of the trigger <NUM>.

According to the invention, the command member <NUM> is positionable on the rod <NUM> in a predefined axial operating position, wherein the rod <NUM> is slidably engaged with the command member <NUM>. Conversely, the command member <NUM> is slidably engaged with the rod <NUM>.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the adjustment device <NUM> comprises a thrust spring <NUM> that is suitable for exerting a thrust action that discharges onto the trigger <NUM>.

In accordance with the present invention, said thrust spring <NUM> acts on the rod <NUM> between the trigger end <NUM> and the command member <NUM>.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the thrust spring <NUM> is fitted to the rod <NUM>.

In other words, the rod <NUM> extends along the thrust spring <NUM>.

According to the present invention, the elastic action of the thrust spring <NUM> on the trigger <NUM> is a function of the axial operating position of the command member <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the trigger <NUM> comprises an engagement portion <NUM> with which the trigger end <NUM> of the rod <NUM> is engaged.

Preferably, the trigger end <NUM> is hinged or pivoted on the engagement portion <NUM>.

Preferably, the engagement portion <NUM> is positioned radially spaced apart from the trigger axis G-G.

According to a preferred embodiment, the command member <NUM> is positionable in at least two, preferably three, distinct operating positions. Preferably, the command member <NUM> is positionable in such a way that the thrust spring <NUM> is suitable for performing at least two, preferably three, distinct thrust actions on the trigger <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the command member <NUM> is movable by a user in order to position it in a preferred operating position, corresponding to a preferred position along the rod <NUM>.

In particular, the user, without the aid of components, and/or without having to disassemble certain components, adjusts the position of the command member <NUM>, thus varying the trigger setting.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the command member <NUM> comprises a command button <NUM> engageable by a user.

Preferably, the command button <NUM> is operable by means of interacting with a fingertip.

Preferably, the command button <NUM> has a knurled surface engageable by the user.

According to a preferred embodiment, the command member <NUM> comprises a protruding element <NUM>, extending from said command button <NUM> and engaging the rod <NUM>.

Preferably, the protruding element <NUM> comprises a through hole <NUM>' through which the rod <NUM> is accommodated.

According to the present invention, the trigger assembly <NUM> comprises an adjustment region <NUM> engageable by the command member <NUM>. Preferably, the command member <NUM> is movable and positionable in a plurality of predefined positions within said adjustment region <NUM>.

According to the present invention, said adjustment region <NUM> comprises an adjustment opening <NUM> crossed by the command member <NUM>. Preferably, the command button <NUM> is positioned on one side of the adjustment region <NUM>, and the rod <NUM> and the through hole <NUM>' are positioned on the other side.

According to the present invention, said adjustment opening <NUM> comprises at least two, preferably three, adjustment areas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in which the command member <NUM> is fixedly positionable.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the adjustment opening <NUM> is shaped in such a way to have a sliding area <NUM> joining the adjustment areas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Preferably, therefore, the movements of the command member <NUM> are guided by the shape and by the edges of the adjustment opening <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the adjustment opening <NUM> is surrounded by an adjustment slot <NUM> suitable for guiding the adjustment button <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the sliding area <NUM> is substantially linear, and at least one, preferably at least two, adjustment areas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are transverse to the sliding area <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first adjustment area <NUM> is positioned at an axial end of the sliding area <NUM>.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the adjustment opening <NUM> is substantially comb-shaped, thus determining a sliding area <NUM> that joins the various adjustment areas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Preferably, the adjustment areas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are shaped in such a way to prevent an undesired change in the position of the command member <NUM>.

Preferably, some adjustment areas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> have edges or abutments suitable for holding the command member <NUM> in position. Preferably, the action of the thrust spring <NUM> and the shape of the adjustment areas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> hold the command member <NUM> in position. Preferably, in order to vary the position of the command member <NUM>, the user must overcome the action of the thrust spring <NUM> by passing over said edges or abutments.

Preferably, the positioning of the command member <NUM> within an adjustment area distal from the engagement portion <NUM> of the trigger <NUM> corresponds to a lower thrust action of the thrust spring <NUM>, and therefore to a softer action of the trigger <NUM>, and therefore a lower trigger weight.

Preferably, the positioning of the command member <NUM> within an adjustment area near to the engagement portion <NUM> of the trigger <NUM> corresponds to a higher thrust action of the thrust spring <NUM>, and therefore to a harder action of the trigger <NUM>, and therefore a higher trigger weight.

According to a preferred embodiment, each adjustment area performs a compression action against the thrust spring <NUM>, increasing the trigger weight from <NUM> to <NUM> grams, preferably by about <NUM> grams, compared to the previous adjustment region.

According to a preferred embodiment, the trigger assembly <NUM> comprises a trigger box <NUM> accommodating the adjustment device <NUM> and a trigger portion <NUM>, in which said trigger box <NUM> is removably insertable into the firearm <NUM>.

Preferably, the adjustment region <NUM> is formed on a side wall <NUM> of the trigger box <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the adjustment opening <NUM> passes through a side wall <NUM>.

Preferably, said trigger box <NUM> is insertable into the receiver <NUM> through the lower opening <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the side walls <NUM> of the trigger box <NUM> engage the side walls of the receiver <NUM>. According to a preferred embodiment, such walls are specially shaped with rails and guides suitable for allowing such mutual engagement. Preferably, such rails and guides extend axially. The trigger box <NUM> is insertable through the receiver <NUM> first in a vertical direction, then in an axial direction.

According to a preferred embodiment, the trigger <NUM> partially protrudes from the trigger box <NUM> accommodated in the receiver <NUM>.

Preferably, the lower area of the trigger box <NUM> comprises a handguard <NUM>.

Innovatively, the firearm which is the object of the present invention thoroughly fulfills the intended purpose thereof.

Advantageously, the firearm which is the object of the present invention is an alternative solution to those that are known.

Advantageously, the trigger group is adjustable by means of simple and intuitive operations.

Advantageously, the adjustment operations are error-proof.

Advantageously, the adjustment operations are guided.

Advantageously, the trigger group assembly and/or replacement operations are simplified and intuitive.

Claim 1:
A firearm (<NUM>), preferably a rifle, comprising a trigger group (<NUM>), operable by the user for commanding a shooting action, wherein said trigger group (<NUM>) comprises a trigger (<NUM>), which is rotatable with respect to a trigger axis (G-G) and an adjustment device (<NUM>) suitable for adjusting the intensity needed to operate the trigger (<NUM>) comprising:
- a rod (<NUM>) movable by the trigger (<NUM>), extending axially between a trigger end (<NUM>) and a free end (<NUM>);
- a command member (<NUM>) engaged with the rod (<NUM>), positionable in a predetermined axial operating position, wherein the rod (<NUM>) is slidably engaged with the command member (<NUM>);
- a thrust spring (<NUM>), acting on the rod (<NUM>) between the trigger end (<NUM>) and the command member (<NUM>),
wherein the elastic action of the thrust spring (<NUM>) on the trigger (<NUM>) is a function of the axial operating position of the command member (<NUM>);
wherein the firearm (<NUM>) is characterized by the fact that the trigger group (<NUM>) comprises an adjustment region (<NUM>), which is engageable by the command member (<NUM>), wherein said adjustment region (<NUM>) comprises an adjustment opening (<NUM>) crossed by the command member (<NUM>), wherein said adjustment opening (<NUM>) comprises at least two, preferably three, adjustment areas (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in which the command member (<NUM>) is fixedly positionable.