Selectable Release Trigger with Reset

The disclosure claims the benefit of and incorporates herein by reference in its entirety U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/641,756 filed 2 May 2024, pending.

The disclosure describes a trigger assembly. The trigger assembly includes a trigger housing body, a firing pin retainer, a first trigger sear, a twisting switch housing and a twisting switch. The firing pin retainer is mounted to the trigger housing body near a top thereof so as to pivot about a transverse axis. The first trigger sear is mounted to the trigger housing body so as to pivot about a transverse axis and is configured to selectively support the firing pin retainer to retain a firing pin. The twisting switch housing is at least partially contained by the trigger housing body. The twisting switch has proximal and distal ends and is mounted within the twisting switch housing. The twisting switch is configured to, at a first twist angle, set a first firing mode for the trigger assembly and, at a second twist angle, set a second firing mode for the trigger assembly.

The disclosure also describes a second trigger assembly. The second trigger assembly includes a trigger housing body, a firing pin retainer, a first trigger sear, a twisting switch housing and a twisting switch. The firing pin retainer is pivotably mounted to the trigger housing body near a top thereof. The first trigger sear is mounted to the trigger housing body so as to pivot about a transverse axis and configured to selectively support the firing pin retainer to retain the firing pin. The twisting switch housing is at least partially contained by the trigger housing body. The twisting switch is mounted within the twisting switch housing and is configured to, at a first twist angle, disengage the first trigger sear from the firing pin retainer at a first angle of pivot of the twisting switch distal end and, at a second twist angle, disengage the first trigger sear from the firing pin retainer at a second angle of pivot of the twisting switch distal end less than the first angle of pivot.

The disclosure also describes a third trigger assembly. The third trigger assembly includes a twisting switch housing, a switch and a spring. The twisting switch housing has, extending along a length between open top and bottom ends, an interior space having an internal step and at least first and second diametrically opposed channels aligned with the length. The switch is twistably mounted within the twisting switch housing and further includes a sear engagement end protruding from the interior space at the top and having a side surface concavity, a trigger end protruding from the interior space at the bottom end, an external step between the sear engagement end and the trigger end and a pin projecting from a surface of the switch configured for receipt in the channel. The spring is provided between the internal and external steps and configured to urge the external step away from the internal step and the pin into the one of the first and second channels. Upon compression of the spring sufficient to liberate the pin from the first channel, the switch is configured for twisting between a first switch orientation with the surface concavity facing a first direction and a second switch orientation with the surface concavity facing a first direction and in which the compression spring will urge the pin into the second channel.

The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and manners by which they can be implemented. Although the best mode of carrying out the present disclosure has been disclosed, those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practicing the present disclosure are also possible.

It should be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Further, the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a trigger assembly suitable for use in any of a variety of firearms.

Embodiments of the disclosure substantially eliminate, or at least partially address, problems in the prior art, enabling users to conveniently operate a firearm in either of squeeze and release firing modes, to safely reset the firearm to an idle or safe position when in release mode and to readily identify the set mode.

Additional aspects, advantages, features and objects of the disclosure will be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the illustrative embodiments construed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow.

It will be appreciated that features of the disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

illustrate various features of an example trigger assemblysuitable for installation and use in a firearm such as rifle(). Referring to, trigger assemblyincludes a trigger housing body, a firing pin retainer, a first trigger sear, a twisting switch housingand a twisting switch.

Trigger housing bodymay include first and second covers () which couple together to support and enclose or partially enclose other components of trigger assembly.

Firing pin retaineris mounted to trigger housing bodyat pivotnear a top of the trigger housing body so as to pivot about a transverse axis. Firing pin retainerincludes a first legand a second legeach extending generally transverse to the length of the firing pin retainer and, with firing pin retainerinstalled in trigger housing body, in the general direction of first trigger searand twisting switch.

First trigger searis mounted to trigger housing bodyat pivotso as to pivot about a transverse axis and is configured to selectively support the firing pin retainerwith a support surfaceto retain a firing pin (not shown). In an example, first trigger searis configured to selectively support first legof the firing pin retainer by engaging a notch.

Referring to, twisting switch housinghas a bodyincluding, extending along a length between open top and bottom ends, an interior space or lumen, aligned with the length and having an internal stepand at least first and second diametrically opposed channels. When installed, twisting switch housingis at least partially contained by trigger housing bodyand is configured for pivoting relative to the trigger housing body about a transverse axis, for example, by way of pivot arm.

Twisting switchmay have a main bodytaking the shape of an elongated rod. Twisting switchis mounted within twisting switch housingand further includes a proximal, sear engagement endprotruding from the interior spaceof the twisting switch housing at the top and a distal, trigger endprotruding from the interior spaceof the twisting switch housing at the bottom end.

Twisting switchmay include knurling or other grip improving surface treatment at its outer surface.

In some arrangements or states, twisting switchis configured for selective twisting or rotating about its length or longitudinal axis. When oriented at a first twist angle (), twisting switchis configured to set a first firing mode for trigger assembly. When oriented at a second twist angle (), twisting switchis configured to set a second firing mode for trigger assembly.

Firing pin retainerreleases the firing pin in the first firing mode when distal endof twisting switchis pivoted forward after being pivoted rearward (released after being squeezed) and releases the firing pin in the second firing mode when the distal end of the twisting switch is pivoted rearward (squeezed).

Depending on the orientation, twist angle or twist setting of twisting switch, either a side surface concavityor a side surface convexityis configured for engaging with postof first trigger searto disengage or push the first trigger sear from support of firing pin retainer.

At the first twist angle (), first trigger seardisengages from firing pin retainerat a first angle of pivot of twisting switch distal endand, at a second twist angle, the first trigger sear is disengaged from the firing pin retainer at a second angle of pivot of the twisting switch distal end less than the first angle of pivot.

The angle of pivot may be achieved by pivoting of twisting switch housingabout pivot, pivoting of twisting switch, or both.

In the first firing mode and/or at the first twist angle (), at a first angle of pivot of the twisting switch distal end, twisting switchis configured to disengage first trigger searfrom firing pin retainerand directly support firing pin retainer.

In the first firing mode and/or at the first twist angle, at a third angle of pivot of twisting switch distal end, twisting switchis further configured to disengage from the firing pin retainer. The third angle of pivot of twisting switch distal endis less than the first angle of pivot of twisting switch distal end.

A second trigger searmay be mounted to trigger housing bodyat pivotso as to pivot about a transverse axis. Second trigger searmay be configured to selectively support firing pin retainerwith a support surfaceto retain a firing pin with twisting switchat the first twist angle when the distal end of the twisting switch has been pivoted rearward in the first firing mode. In an example, second trigger searis configured to selectively support second legof firing pin retainerby engaging a notch.

Depending on the orientation, twist angle or twist setting of twisting switch, either a side surface concavityor a side surface convexityis configured for engaging with postof second trigger searto disengage or push second trigger searfrom support of firing pin retainer.

First trigger searmay be permitted reset under firing pin retainerwith second trigger searsupporting the firing pin retainer while being prohibited from reset under the firing pin retainer with the second trigger sear disengaged from the firing pin retainer. For example, second trigger searmay be configured to hold firing pin retainerin an upward position until first searis reset underneath the firing pin retainer.

In the first firing mode and/or at the first twist angle, at a fourth angle of pivot of twisting switch distal end, twisting switchis configured to elevate firing pin retainerto a height sufficient to accommodate support by second trigger sear. The fourth angle of pivot of twisting switch distal endis greater than the first angle of pivot of the same.

In the second firing mode and/or at the second twist angle (), at the second angle of pivot of twisting switch distal end, twisting switchdisengages first trigger searfrom firing pin retainerwith side surface convexityand the twisting switch avoids contact with the firing pin retainer due to the elevation or height of proximal endof the twisting switch and/or the angle of retainer first legand/or the angle of inclined planeof the twisting switch. In an example, the second angle of pivot of twisting switch distal endis less than the first angle of pivot of twisting switch distal enddue to the increased radial dimension of side surface convexityas compared with side surface concavity. As such, in the second firing mode, first trigger searmay be disengaged from firing pin retainer first legearlier that it would be disengaged from the firing pin retainer first leg in the first firing mode.

Twisting switchmay be configured to assume either of a retracted position (not shown) in which it is permitted twisting to change between the first and second firing modes and an extended position in which it is prohibited from twisting and/or changing between the first and second firing modes. In an example, twisting switchincludes a pinprojecting transversely therefrom and configured to engage channels or slotsof twisting switch housingwith the twisting switch in the extended position while being disengaged from slotsin a retracted position. Pinis configured to selectively be received in or otherwise engage with slotsto prevent twisting of the twisting switch.

An external step or perimeter shoulderis formed or otherwise provided between sear engagement endand trigger end. In an example, perimeter shouldermay be formed or otherwise provided between side surface concavityand a firing mode indicator.

A springmay surround twisting switchand seat between perimeter shoulderand upper, internal shoulderof twisting switch housing. Springis configured to urge twisting switchdownward, externally and/or to an extended position where pinsare within slotsand to resist pushing of the twisting switch upward, internally and/or into retraction. As such, in the absence of external forces, twisting switchand compression springare configured to cooperatively position pinwithin slotswhere the twisting switch is prohibited from twisting. Twisting switchis configured for twisting when springis compressed from an equilibrium or default position. Upon sufficient compression of springto retract twisting switchand liberate pinfrom slots, the twisting switch is configured for twisting between the first switch orientation and the second switch orientation in which compression springwill urge pinsback into slots/channels.

Twisting switchmay further include a firing mode and/or firing release direction indicatorconfigured to indicate which direction of pivot of twisting switch distal endwill cause firing pin retainerto release the firing pin. Indicatormay be formed near trigger endof twisting switchand be configured to signal orientation of the twisting switch. Firing release direction indicatormay include a triangle provided to one side of the external, distal or trigger endof twisting switchwherein the triangle pointing in a first direction () indicates release firing mode whereas the triangle pointing in a second direction, 180 degrees from the first direction (), indicates squeeze firing mode.

A safetymay also be provided with trigger assembly. Actuation of safetyby handlemoves facetbetween a first position which prevents disengagement of first searfrom firing pin retainerand a second position which allows the disengagement.

Further, a disconnectormay be fastened to the trigger assemblywith a fastener.

Trigger assemblymay be suitable for use in any of a variety of firearms including but not limited to rifles, shotguns, pistols, bows and cross bows. In an example, trigger assembly may be suitable for use in a Reminton Modelrifle. Components of trigger assemblymay be formed from any of a variety of lightweight, rigid, durable materials including but not limited to various metals. Example materials include metal, aluminum, chromoly and plastic.

The trigger assembly may be suitable for operation in accordance with any of a variety of methods. To enable selective release and/or squeeze firing operations, the pre-existing trigger assembly of a firearm may be replaced with trigger assembly.

With the twisting switch set so that an indicator is directed forward and the trigger assembly is set to a release mode, in an idle state, a first sear supports a firing pin retainer at a first notch of a first retainer leg. As twisting switch is squeezed such that the distal end of the twisting switch rotates backward, a pivot angle is reached wherein a concave surface knocks the first sear forward from the first retainer leg and a smooth surface thereof rests on the top, proximal end of the twisting switch in an armed state.

Continued squeezing from this first angle of pivot to a third angle of pivot lifts the firing pin retainer high enough at the first retainer leg that a second sear clicks in to the second notch of the second retainer leg to support the same in a reset state. When twisting switch is released from this position, the second sear is knocked from the second retainer notch and the retainer drops with the first sear supporting the retainer at the first notch. The trigger assembly is returned to the idle state.

Rather than continued squeezing from the first angle of pivot to the second angle of pivot, if the twisting switch is released, it pulls back from underneath the first surface of the retainer, the retainer drops around the twisting switch proximal end with the first retainer leg in front and the second retainer leg in back and the weapon fires as the retainer drops.

To change the firing mode, the twisting switch is pushed upward, against a biasing member such as a spring into the twisting switch housing and/or trigger housing body. With the twisting switch in the upward, retracted position, a pin withdraws from a slot or channel so that the twisting switch can be twisted. The twisting switch may be twisted 180 degrees to achieve the other firing mode. In an example, the twisting switch is rotated 180 degrees from a release firing mode to a squeeze firing mode. After twisting the twisting switch to the desired firing mode orientation, the twisting switch is released so that it again assumes an extended position with the pin again received within the slot or channel so that the twisting switch is prevented from twisting and the firing mode is locked.

With the twisting switch set so that the indicator is directed rearward and the trigger assembly is set to a squeeze mode, in an idle state, a first sear supports a firing pin retainer at a first notch of a first retainer leg. As the twisting switch is squeezed so that the distal end rotates backward, the first sear is knocked from the first retainer notch, the retainer drops and the weapon fires. The first retainer leg is not supported by the superior, proximal end of the twisting switch due to the height of the proximal end of the twisting switch and the angles on the respective surfaces of the twisting switch superior end and the first retainer surface.

After setting to squeeze firing mode, it may be desirable to change the mode back to release firing mode. The twisting switch may again be pushed upward, against the biasing member into the twisting switch housing and/or trigger housing body and the twisting switch may again be twisted to achieve the other firing mode. In an example, the twisting switch is rotated 180 degrees from the squeeze firing mode to the release firing mode. With the twisting switch twisted to the desired firing mode orientation, the twisting switch is released so that it again assumes an extended position with the pin again received within the slot or channel so that the twisting switch is prevented from twisting and the firing mode is locked.

Embodiments of the disclosure are susceptible to being used for various purposes, including, though not limited to enabling users such as competition shooters, long-range shooters, hungers, members of the armed forces and/or police officers to conveniently operate a firearm in either of squeeze and release firing modes, to safely reset the firearm to an idle or safe position when in release mode and to readily identify the set mode.

Modifications to embodiments of the disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “consisting of”, “have”, “is” used to describe and claim the disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.