Multidirectional trigger mechanism
A trigger mechanism that, in various examples, may be configured to pivot or rotate in multiple directions, enabling actuation along multiple axes or planes of motion consistent with natural finger movement. For instance, a trigger may be supported or otherwise connected to a host device—such as a firearm, tool, or other manually actuated mechanism—in a manner that permits movement in multiple directions or rotation about multiple axes, allowing the trigger pull to follow the natural motion path of a user's finger. In some examples, the trigger mechanism may actuate when the trigger reaches one or more defined actuation points or when a threshold level of force is applied—regardless of the trigger's motion path. In this way, the trigger mechanisms of the present disclosure may accommodate the unique trigger pull motions of different users, regardless of hand position, technique, or training level.
1 . A trigger mechanism for a firearm, the trigger mechanism comprising:
a trigger body; and
a joint connected to the trigger body, the joint configured to permit non-linear movement of the trigger body with respect to an axis that is substantially horizontal and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the firearm,
wherein the joint is a compound pivot joint comprising two substantially horizontal pivot axes arranged in separate planes, the pivot axes enabling sequential or compound rotation of the trigger body within a bounded range of motion.
2 . The trigger mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the joint is further configured to permit movement of the trigger body about a second axis that is generally vertical and perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis of the firearm and the horizontally perpendicular axis.
3 . The trigger mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the joint is a flexible mounting arrangement and the movement of the trigger body corresponds to at least one of pivoting or articulation of the trigger body within a constrained range of motion.
4 . The trigger mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the joint comprises an articulated connection configured to allow compound movement of the trigger body in multiple directions.
5 . The trigger mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the trigger body is configured to return to a rest position after actuation via a biasing element associated with the joint.
6 . The trigger mechanism of claim 1 , further comprising a firing interface configured to actuate a firing mechanism associated with the firearm when the trigger body reaches an actuation point.
7 . The trigger mechanism of claim 6 , wherein the firing interface is further configured to actuate the firing mechanism regardless of a motion path taken by the trigger body to reach the actuation point.
8 . A trigger mechanism comprising:
a trigger body; and
a joint connected to the trigger body and configured to permit movement of the trigger body along a non-linear path relative to a substantially horizontal axis that is perpendicular to an intended longitudinal axis of a host device,
wherein the trigger body is configured to return to a rest position after actuation via a biasing element associated with the joint.
9 . The trigger mechanism of claim 8 , wherein the joint comprises a double-pin linkage configured to allow rotational movement of the trigger body about a first axis and a second axis, the first axis being substantially horizontal and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a firearm, and the second axis being substantially vertical and perpendicular to the first axis.
10 . The trigger mechanism of claim 8 , wherein the joint comprises a compound pivot joint comprising two substantially horizontal pivot axes arranged in separate planes, the pivot axes enabling sequential or compound rotation of the trigger body within a bounded range of motion.
11 . The trigger mechanism of claim 8 , wherein the joint comprises at least one of:
a spherical joint;
a compound pivot joint;
an articulated connection;
a flexible mounting arrangement; or
a multi-axis linkage.
12 . The trigger mechanism of claim 8 , further comprising:
a firing interface; and
a linkage, the linkage configured to transfer movement from the trigger body to the firing interface.
13 . The trigger mechanism of claim 8 , wherein the trigger mechanism is configured to actuate a firing mechanism associated with a firearm based at least on at least one of:
a displacement of the trigger body in an aft direction meeting or exceeding a threshold displacement; or
a pressure applied to the trigger body meeting or exceeding a threshold pressure,
wherein the actuation occurs regardless of a travel path taken by the trigger body.
14 . A firearm comprising:
a firing mechanism; and
a trigger mechanism, the trigger mechanism comprising:
a trigger body; and
a linkage operatively coupling the trigger body to the firing mechanism to transfer movement from the trigger body to the firing mechanism,
wherein the trigger body is connected to the linkage via one or more joints that permit the trigger body to move along a non-linear path relative to a substantially horizontal axis that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the firearm, the trigger body configured to return to a rest position after actuation via a biasing element associated with the joint.
15 . The firearm of claim 14 , wherein the firearm is at least one of:
a handgun;
a revolver;
a subcompact or compact pistol;
a rifle;
a sniper or precision rifle;
a pistol-caliber carbine (PCC);
a shotgun;
a semi-automatic shotgun;
a carbine;
a personal defense weapon (PDW); or
a submachine gun.
16 . The firearm of claim 14 , wherein the one or more joints include a compound pivot joint comprising two substantially horizontal pivot axes arranged in separate planes, the pivot axes enabling sequential or compound rotation of the trigger body.
17 . The firearm of claim 14 , wherein force applied to the trigger body in a direction having a lateral component relative to the longitudinal axis of the firearm is translated by the one or more joints into movement of the linkage sufficient to actuate the firing mechanism.
18 . The trigger mechanism of claim 8 , wherein the host device is a firearm and the intended longitudinal axis corresponds to a bore axis of the firearm.
19 . The trigger mechanism of claim 8 , wherein the non-linear path comprises a curved translational component defined by at least one of a cam surface, a cam follower, or a slot configured to guide movement of the trigger body.
20 . The trigger mechanism of claim 12 , wherein the joint is configured to permit angular misalignment between the trigger body and the linkage while maintaining operative coupling to actuate a firing mechanism coupled to the linkage.