Patent Description:
In the past, firearms were generally built with mechanical systems for releasing bullets. The mechanical systems typically supported various mode of operation, usually three or four modes, for example:.

Generally, the firearm includes a safety lever to select the mode of operation of the firearm.

In recent years some firearms are equipped with a computerized mode, in which a computer uses sensors to evaluate the environment and electronically release bullets based on decisions of the computer, while the trigger is held. Firearms that support computerized modes generally require the use of an electrical power source for the function of all modes.

The current disclosure describes a firearm that can function in mechanical modes and in a computerized mode using the mechanical safety lever to actively switch between modes.

<CIT> describes a combined mechanical and electromechanical firing mechanism for a firearm.

An aspect of an embodiment of the disclosure, relates to a firearm with a hammer, a trigger, an electromechanical sear and a safety lever configured to select an operation mode. The modes include an electromechanical mode and when the user rotates the safety lever to select the electromechanical mode the position of the hammer is adjusted by a small force applied by the safety lever to move the hammer to be held by the electromechanical sear instead of by the trigger. Optionally, the firearm may also have a mechanical sear to function as a standard firearm without electrical power. When a mechanical mode is selected the mechanical sear or the trigger controls release of the hammer. When the electromechanical mode is selected the electromechanical sear controls release of the hammer according to the decision of a computer or controller, as long as the trigger is engaged.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, when the user rotates the safety lever from the electromechanical mode to the mechanical mode the hammer is moved to be released from the electromechanical sear and to be held by at least one mechanical sear or by the trigger.

When the hammer is in mechanical mode pressing the trigger releases an immediate fire. When the hammer is moved by the safety lever to the electromechanical position in electromechanical mode, pressing the trigger just starts a computerized sequence and when the computer decides to fire (and the trigger is pressed) the computer signals to an electromechanical firing control (EMFC) to operate the electromechanical sear to release the trigger to fire.

There is thus provided according to an embodiment of the disclosure, a firearm according to claim <NUM>.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the firearm is configured so that when changing the operation mode from the electromechanical mode to other modes the safety lever moves the position of the hammer so that the hammer is released from the electromechanical sear and held by the trigger. Optionally, the electromechanical mode is in addition to supporting mechanical modes that function without electrical power. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the safety lever is configured to move the position of the hammer with a set of levers; wherein the set of levers are coupled to the safety lever, the hammer and/or a hammer cocking sear. Optionally, the firearm comprises a hammer cocking sear; wherein the hammer cocking sear includes a head lever and a tail lever; and wherein when moving the safety lever to the electromechanical mode, the safety lever pushes the tail lever of the hammer cocking sear and causes the head lever to lower the hammer to be held by the electromechanical sear instead of by the trigger.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the firearm comprises an automatic mode sear that regulates firing in automatic mode; and wherein the automatic mode sear is coupled to the hammer cocking sear. Optionally, the hammer includes an extrusion lever configured to be pushed by the head lever of the hammer cocking sear to lower the hammer. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the safety lever includes a bulge lever configured to push the tail lever of the hammer cocking sear when changing to or from the electromechanical mode. Optionally, the firearm comprises a semi-auto sear configured to hold the hammer immediately after releasing a first shot manually in a semi-automatic mode; and wherein the semi-auto sear is positioned in parallel to the electromechanical sear.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the safety lever is configured to block motion of the electromechanical sear when not in use. Optionally, the firearm comprises an electromechanical firing control (EMFC) configured to store mechanical energy and release shots responsive to decisions of a computer.

There is further provided according to an embodiment of the disclosure, a method of activating a firearm in an electromechanical mode according to claim <NUM>. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the firearm is configured so that when changing the operation mode from the electromechanical mode to other modes the safety lever moves the position of the hammer so that the hammer is released from the electromechanical sear and held by the trigger. Optionally, the safety lever moves the position of the hammer with a set of levers; wherein the set of levers are coupled to the safety lever, the hammer and/or a hammer cocking sear. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the firearm comprises a hammer cocking sear; wherein the hammer cocking sear includes a head lever and a tail lever; and wherein when moving the safety lever to the electromechanical mode, the safety lever pushes the tail lever of the hammer cocking sear and causes the head lever to lower the hammer to be held by the electromechanical sear instead of by the trigger.

The present disclosure will be understood and better appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings. Identical structures, elements or parts, which appear in more than one figure, are generally labeled with the same or similar number in all the figures in which they appear, wherein:.

<FIG> is a schematic illustration of a firearm <NUM> and a trigger assembly <NUM>, and <FIG> is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of a trigger assembly, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the firearm <NUM> is configured to function in manual mode, for example supporting a safe mode, a semi-automatic mode and an automatic mode. Additionally, the firearm <NUM> is configured to function in an electromechanical (EM)/computerized mode, wherein an electromechanical firing controller (EMFC) <NUM> uses a computer to control the release of shots. For example, the EMFC <NUM> may control the release of shots based on analysis of measurements from local or remote sensors, as described in <CIT>. Optionally, in the manual modes (e.g., safe, semi-automatic and automatic) the firearm functions without requiring an electrical power source <NUM>. However in the EM/computerized mode, a power source <NUM> is required to control the release of bullets or other projectiles.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the trigger assembly <NUM> may include the following elements:.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, transition between the different modes is performed with safety lever <NUM>. When changing to EM mode the safety lever <NUM> is rotated and moves the hammer cocking sear <NUM> to cock the hammer <NUM> so that it is held by EM sear <NUM>. Optionally, to release a shot, (when the trigger <NUM> is pressed or engaged) EMFC <NUM> releases the stored mechanical energy by releasing the sear lever <NUM> that pulls downward on an end of EM sear <NUM> and releases the grasp of EM sear <NUM> from the hammer <NUM>. The hammer <NUM> then flies forward and releases a shot. In an embodiment of the disclosure, trigger <NUM> includes a hooked end <NUM> that is configured to hold an extrusion <NUM> from hammer <NUM>. This serves to prevent accidental release of a shot if the trigger <NUM> is not engaged or releasing a mechanical shot when the safety lever <NUM> is in semi-auto or automatic position.

<FIG> are schematic illustrations of safety lever <NUM> settings, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> shows the position of the safety lever <NUM>, when the firearm <NUM> is in safe mode, <FIG> shows the position of the safety lever after being rotated, for example by <NUM> degrees clockwise to a semi-automatic mode position. <FIG> shows the position of the safety lever after being rotated, for example by <NUM> degrees from the safe position to an automatic fire mode position; and <FIG> shows the safety lever after being rotated for example by180 degrees from the safe position to an EM mode position. Optionally, the angle of rotation from the automatic firing mode position to the EM mode position is larger (e.g. <NUM> degrees) than from safe mode to semi-automatic mode or from semi-automatic mode to automatic mode, since this transition is more complicated and requires more leverage to move the hammer <NUM> downward with the help of the hammer cocking sear <NUM>, against force of a spring <NUM> (see <FIG>) that enables the hammer motion to fire firearm <NUM>.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, hammer cocking sear <NUM> comprises <NUM> ends. One serves as an automatic mode sear <NUM> to regulate firing in automatic mode. One serves as a hammer cocking lever <NUM> to cock the hammer <NUM>, and one serves as a tail lever <NUM> to enable the safety lever <NUM> to push the hammer cocking sear <NUM>. Optionally, hammer cocking sear <NUM> is formed as a solid unit including hammer cocking lever <NUM>, automatic sear <NUM> and tail lever <NUM>. Alternatively, hammer cocking lever <NUM>, automatic sear <NUM> and/or tail lever <NUM> may be separate elements that are coupled together. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the firearm <NUM> does not support an automatic mode and the end serving as automatic sear <NUM> is omitted.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, as shown for example in <FIG> the safety lever <NUM> is coupled to an essentially cylindrical element <NUM> that rotates with the safety lever <NUM>. The essentially cylindrical element <NUM> is formed with crevices and extrusions along an elongated axis of the essentially cylindrical element <NUM>. The crevices and extrusions enable or disable movement of the trigger <NUM>, the semi-auto sear/disconnector <NUM>, the EM sear <NUM> and the automatic mode sear <NUM> to rise or sink so they are positioned correctly as needed to perform their task, for example to be out of the way or be engaged to act on the hammer <NUM>.

<FIG> are schematic illustrations of a trigger assembly <NUM> in safe mode, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a top view showing three cross sectional views; <FIG> shows a first cross sectional view demonstrating an unengaged EM sear <NUM>; <FIG> shows a second cross sectional view demonstrating an unengaged semi-auto sear/disconnector <NUM>; and <FIG> shows a third cross sectional view of a released/unpulled/not engaged trigger <NUM> holding the hammer <NUM>. In an embodiment of the disclosure, in safe mode the safety lever <NUM> and the cylindrical element <NUM> coupled to safety lever <NUM>, block the trigger <NUM> and the EM sear <NUM> from moving, thus preventing manual and computerized firing.

<FIG> is a schematic illustration of a cross sectional view of a semi-auto sear/disconnector <NUM> in semi-automatic mode, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In semi-automatic mode the safety lever allows motion of the trigger <NUM>, blocks motion of the EM sear <NUM> and allows motion of the semi-auto sear/disconnector <NUM>. This enables the semi-auto sear/disconnector <NUM> to hold the hammer <NUM> after firing a first shot to prevent a second shot until the user releases the trigger <NUM> and then pulls it again.

<FIG> is a schematic illustration of a cross sectional view of an automatic mode sear <NUM> in automatic mode, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In automatic mode when the trigger <NUM> is engaged, the safety lever <NUM> allows motion of the trigger <NUM>, locks motion of the EM sear <NUM>, locks motion of the semi-auto sear/disconnector <NUM> and allows motion of the automatic mode sear 173to delay release of another bullet until the firearm bolt returns loading another bullet and releasing the automatic mode sear <NUM> from blocking motion of the hammer <NUM> to enable the next shot.

<FIG> are schematic illustrations of a transition from automatic mode to EM mode and vice versa, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In contrast to the manual transitions described above, which only require blocking or enabling the movement of sears, in this transition a force is required to lower the hammer <NUM> against the hammer spring <NUM> (<FIG>) so that it will be held by the EM sear <NUM> instead of by the trigger <NUM>. When the hammer <NUM> is held by the EM sear <NUM> the trigger <NUM> acts as a safety block device and not as the main shooting mechanism. Lowering the hammer <NUM> against the hammer spring <NUM> is achieved by a system of levers that are added to the safety lever <NUM> and to the hammer cocking sear <NUM> to enable cocking the hammer <NUM> by applying a moderate force by the user on the safety lever <NUM>. Initially the hammer <NUM> is held by the trigger <NUM>, which prevents release of a shot. As shown in <FIG> the following levers are added to allow the transition:.

As shown by <FIG> the hammer cocking sear <NUM> pushes the hammer <NUM> downward, so that it will be held by the EM sear <NUM> instead of by the trigger <NUM> (<FIG>). Pulling the trigger (<FIG>) removes the trigger <NUM> from serving as a backup block for the hammer <NUM>. Once the trigger <NUM> is engaged the hammer <NUM> is controlled only by the EM sear <NUM>. In an embodiment of the disclosure, when the safety lever <NUM> is moved to EM mode, the safety lever causes the EMFC <NUM> to be activated to control the computerized release of bullets according to a preprogrammed logic. To release a shot the EMFC <NUM> is activated to release stored energy to pull the EM sear <NUM> downward with the sear lever <NUM> thus releasing the hammer <NUM> (<FIG>).

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the preprogrammed logic may allow the release of bullets only when firearm sensors identify that a target will be hit. Alternatively, the preprogrammed logic may allow release of a first immediate shot and then only release bullets when they are deemed to hit the target or release bullets according to a time pattern, for example every <NUM> milliseconds or using some other pattern and/or conditions.

<FIG> show the reverse transition from EM mode to automatic mode. Initially the user releases the trigger <NUM> and the trigger <NUM> is positioned as a secondary safety block for motion of the hammer <NUM> (<FIG>). Then the user turns the safety lever <NUM> counterclockwise, causing the bulge lever <NUM> or contour <NUM> of the safety lever <NUM> to push the tail lever <NUM> of the hammer cocking sear <NUM> and rotate the hammer cocking sear <NUM> counterclockwise (<FIG>). The rotation pushes the head lever <NUM> of the hammer cocking sear <NUM> onto the hammer extrusion lever <NUM> so the hammer <NUM> is pressed down (<FIG>). Optionally, continuing to turn the safety lever <NUM> counterclockwise presses on the EM sear <NUM> to release the hammer <NUM> from the grasp of the EM sear <NUM>. Further continuing to turn the safety lever <NUM> up to the auto mode position releases the hammer cocking sear <NUM> to turn back to a standby position. The hammer <NUM> slightly rises and is held by the trigger <NUM> to function in automatic mode (<FIG>).

In some embodiments of the disclosure, the firearm <NUM> may support other manual modes, for example burst mode. Alternatively, the firearm <NUM> may have fewer manual modes, for example only safe mode and more electromechanical (EM) modes or other combinations.

In some embodiments of the disclosure, safety lever <NUM> may be configured to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise to transition from EM mode to automatic mode or vice versa. Additionally, the order of the modes may be rearranged.

It should be appreciated that the above-described methods and apparatus may be varied in many ways, including omitting or adding elements or steps, changing the order of steps and the type of devices used. It should be appreciated that different features may be combined in different ways. In particular, not all the features shown above in a particular embodiment are necessary in every embodiment of the disclosure. Further combinations of the above features are also considered to be within the scope of some embodiments of the disclosure.

Claim 1:
A firearm (<NUM>), comprising:
a hammer (<NUM>);
a safety lever (<NUM>) configured to select an operation mode;
a trigger (<NUM>);
an electromechanical sear (<NUM>); wherein the operation modes include an electromechanical mode, characterized in that the firearm (<NUM>) is configured so that when moving the safety lever (<NUM>) to select the electromechanical mode the safety lever (<NUM>) moves the hammer (<NUM>) to be held by the electromechanical sear (<NUM>) instead of by the trigger (<NUM>).