Drop-In Improved Trigger Pull Firing Pin System Conversion Kit

This application also claims priority to U.S. provisional application 63/663,126, filed Jun. 22, 2024.

The field of the invention is firearm trigger mechanisms.

The firing pin system (of a popular firearm design) plays a large role in how the trigger feels to the user. Even the smallest incremental improvement in trigger feel is highly sought after. The components of this prior art firing pin system significantly degrade trigger feel in some configurations.

Objectives of the present invention are to provide features/solutions to the aforementioned weakness. The components of an embodiment of an Drop-In Improved Trigger Pull Firing Pin System Conversion Kit (hereinafter “DIITPFPSCK”) comprise at least one Spring Cup Aligning Washer (hereinafter “SCAW”), at least one Compression Adjusting Shim (hereinafter “CAS”), and at least two Half Spacer Sleeves (hereinafter “HSS”).

The SCAW eliminates a known “Spring Cup Misalignment Bias” caused by the interaction between a Spring (known) and Spring Cups (known). A misaligned Spring Cup causes a “gritty” trigger feel. Minimal numbers of SCAWs and/or CASs decrease trigger pull weight while additional SCAWs and/or CASs increase trigger pull weight (desirable in some “Duty” Configurations).

Alternate embodiments of the SCAW could eliminate a Spring Liner (known) which adds little to the overall functionality of the prior art system.

Other Alternate Embodiment of the SCAW could eliminate the Spring Liner as well as provide Bypass Divots which would allow the firearm to function when submerged.

The invention could be configured as an easy “Drop-In” type of system/modification where no alteration (except for the “dropping in” of the parts) of the firearm is required.

Finally, the components of the DIITPFPSCK could be engineered to have a minimal cross-section height/thickness and thus be shippable in a standard letter envelope utilizing a postage stamp (i.e.—the lowest cost of shipping to the end user).

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

All publications identified herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

The following discussion provides multiple example embodiment/s of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously.

All figures show only approximate representations of the components of the system/s and may not be accurate in scale and/or positions.

is a rear-left-bottom exploded isometric view of the components of a PAFPS. PAFPScomprises a Firing Pin, two Spring Cups, Spacer Sleeve, Springand Spring Liner(cutaway for illustrative purposes only).

illustrate individual assembly steps of PAFPS.

Spacer Sleeveis slid onto Firing Pin().

Springis slid onto Firing Pinand compressed against Spacer Sleevewhich provides a back/proximal stop for Spring().

Spring Cupsare abutted together around the long “neck” of Firing Pin().

Springis then released (). Coils of Springride onto “ridged down” portions of abutted Spring Cupsand clamp Spring Cupsaround the neck of Firing Pin. Diameter of a cylinder created by the abutted Spring Cupsis greater than the diameter of the neck but less than the diameter of the “head” of Firing Pin. Thus, the head of Firing Pincreates a stop for the abutted Spring Cups. Spring Cups, in turn, provide a front/distal stop for Spring.

A straw-like Spring Liner(its inner diameter closely approximating the outer diameters of Spring Cupsand Spring[their outer diameters approximating each other]) is then slid over Spring Cupsand Spring().

is a view of a fully assembled PAFPS.

is a left side view of.

is a left side view of a fully assembled PAFPSwithin a Slide (known).

is a detailed view of Section A ofillustrating undesirable interactions between Spring, Spring Cups, and Spring Liner. This interaction becomes more pronounced as Spring Cupswear over time due to the cumulative affects of heat/grime/gun powder residue. When the end of Springis adjacent to the abutting surfaces of Spring Cups, a Spring Cup Misalignment Bias pushes Spring Cupout of alignment. This causes a Misalignment Gap() which causes the outside surface of the misaligned Spring Cupto drag against the internal cylinder of Spring Liner. Thus a “gritty”/poor trigger feel results. Additionally, the power of Springto discharge a cartridge is decreased due to increased friction between Spring Cupand Spring Liner. The figures illustrate an “unsquared/unground” spring (for illustrative purposes only). In practice a squared/ground spring is utilized. However, the Misalignment Gap() still occurs.

illustrates components of an embodiment of a DIITPFPSCK which convert a PAFPSinto an ITPFPS. The components comprise at least one SCAW, at least one CAS, and at least two HSSs. The single piece prior art Spacer Sleeve() is split into two HSSs. The thin cross-sectional heights/thicknesses of HSSsallows them to be shippable/mailable in a standard letter envelope (along with SCAWand CASs) thus significantly reducing shipping costs.

is a rear-left-bottom exploded isometric view of the components of a FPSof an ITPFPS.

FPScomprises a Firing Pin, two Spring Cups, at least one CAS, Spring, at least one SCAW, and Spring Liner(cutaway for illustrative purposes only).

illustrate individual assembly steps of FPS.

At least one CASis slid onto Firing Pin().

Springis slid onto Firing Pinand compressed against CASwhich provides a back/proximal stop for Spring().

At least one SCAWis slid onto Firing Pinand abutted against compressed Spring(). SCAWprovides a front/distal stop for Spring.

Spring Cupsare abutted together around the long “neck” of Firing Pin().

Springis then released (). Springpushes SCAWonto “ridged down” portions of abutted Spring Cups. Inside diameter of SCAWclosely approximates the diameter of the ridged down portions of abutted Spring Cups. SCAWclamps Spring Cupstogether and prevents transfer of Spring Cup Misalignment Bias from Springto Spring Cups. Therefore the Misalignment Gap() cannot form and smooth trigger pulls result for the life of the firearm.

Spring Lineris then slid over Spring Cups, SCAW, and Spring().

is a view of a fully assembled FPS.

is a left side view of.

is a rear-left-top cutaway (for illustrative purposes only) isometric view of a partial Slide. The Slide is the upper portion of a semiautomatic handgun that reciprocates fore and aft during the firing cycle. Slidecomprises a Spacer Sleeve Cylinder, a Spring Cylinder, and a Firing Pin Head Cylinder.

illustrate individual assembly steps of ITPFPS.

FPSis inserted into Spring Cylinderof Slide().

Two HSSsare abutted together ().

The abutted HSSsare then inserted into Spacer Sleeve Cylinderof Slideand abutted against a CAS().

is a view of a fully assembled ITPFPSwithin Slide.

is a left side view of.