IP Library Granted Patent US 11,187,481
Granted Patent B2
US 11,187,481 · App. 16/877,808 · Granted Nov 30, 2021

Firearm fire control mechanisms

Inventor: Simon M. Muska (Enfield, CT)
Assignee: Smith & Wesson Inc.
F41A17/42F41A19/45F41C7/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,187,481
App. No.
16/877,808
Granted
Nov 30, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

Fire control mechanisms for a firearm include a trigger disconnect assembly and an action lock mechanism which work together to ensure safe and reliable firearm operation. The trigger disconnect uses a spring biased disconnector pivotably mounted on the trigger to actuate the sear and release a hammer sear upon firing. The hammer sear engages a compliant interface formed by a spring which actuates the action lock to unlock the bolt after the trigger has been pulled.

Claims (34)

1. An action lock mechanism mountable on a receiver of a firearm for locking and unlocking an action of said firearm, said action lock mechanism comprising:

a locking body mountable on said receiver and movable between a locked position, wherein said locking body is engageable with said action to prevent movement thereof, and an unlocked position wherein said locking body cannot engage said action thereby permitting motion of said action;

a return spring acting between said locking body and said receiver, said return spring biasing said locking body into said locked position;

a disengagement spring movably mountable on said receiver, said disengagement spring having a first portion engaging said locking body and a second portion; wherein

a force applied to said second portion of said disengagement spring is transmitted to said locking body for moving said locking body from said locked to said unlocked position.

2. The mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein said locking body comprises a lever pivotably movable about a lever axis between said locked and said unlocked positions.

3. The mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein said return spring acts between said receiver and a point on said lever distal to said lever axis.

4. The mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein said disengagement spring comprises a coil spring rotatable about a spring axis, said first portion comprising a first leg extending away from said spring axis and having an end pivotably attached to said lever distal to said lever axis, said second portion comprising a second leg extending away from said spring axis.

5. The mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein said lever defines a notch therein, said notch being engageable with said action when said lever is in said locked position.

6. The mechanism according to claim 1 , further comprising a lever button movably mountable on said receiver, said lever button being engageable with said locking body for moving said locking body from said locked to said unlocked position.

7. The mechanism according to claim 2 , further comprising:

a lever button mountable on said receiver and movable relatively thereto;

a link connecting said lever button to said lever at a point distal to said lever axis, whereby motion of said lever button pivots said lever from said locked to said unlocked position.

8. The mechanism according to claim 4 , further comprising a hammer sear movably mountable within said receiver, said hammer sear being movable between a cocked and a released position, said hammer sear engaging said second leg of said disengagement spring upon motion of said hammer sear into said released position for moving said lever into said unlocked position.

9. The mechanism according to claim 5 , further comprising a cam actuator mountable on said action, said cam actuator positioned to engage said notch when said lever is in said locked position.

10. A firearm, said firearm comprising:

a receiver;

a barrel mounted on said receiver, said barrel having a breech;

an action mounted on said receiver, said action comprising a bolt movable into and out of battery with said breech;

an action lock mechanism mounted on said receiver for locking and unlocking said action, said action lock mechanism comprising:

a locking body mounted on said receiver and movable between a locked position, wherein said locking body is engageable with said action to prevent movement thereof out of battery, and an unlocked position wherein said locking body cannot engage said action thereby permitting motion of said action out of battery;

a return spring acting between said locking body and said receiver, said return spring biasing said locking body into said locked position;

a disengagement spring movably mounted on said receiver, said disengagement spring having a first portion engaging said locking body and a second portion; wherein

a force applied to said second portion of said disengagement spring is transmitted to said locking body for moving said locking body from said locked to said unlocked position.

11. The firearm according to claim 10 , wherein said locking body comprises a lever pivotably movable between said locked and said unlocked positions about a lever axis fixedly positioned within said receiver.

12. The firearm according to claim 11 , wherein said return spring acts between said receiver and a point on said lever distal to said lever axis.

13. The firearm according to claim 11 , wherein said disengagement spring comprises a coil spring rotatable about a spring axis fixedly positioned within said receiver, said first portion comprising a first leg extending away from said spring axis and having an end pivotably attached to said lever distal to said lever axis, said second portion comprising a second leg extending away from said spring axis.

14. The firearm according to claim 11 , wherein said lever defines a notch therein, said notch being engageable with said action when said lever is in said locked position.

15. The firearm according to claim 10 , further comprising a lever button movably mounted on said receiver, said lever button being engageable with said locking body for moving said locking body from said locked to said unlocked position.

16. The firearm according to claim 11 , further comprising:

a lever button mounted on said receiver and movable relatively thereto;

a link connecting said lever button to said lever at a point distal to said lever axis, whereby motion of said lever button pivots said lever from said locked to said unlocked position.

17. The firearm according to claim 13 , further comprising a hammer sear movably mounted within said receiver, said hammer sear being movable between a cocked and a released position, said hammer sear engaging said second leg of said disengagement spring upon motion of said hammer sear into said released position for moving said lever into said unlocked position.

18. The firearm according to claim 14 , further comprising a cam actuator mounted on said action, said cam actuator positioned to engage said notch when said lever is in said locked position.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 20, 2020
From: MUSKA, SIMON M.
To: SMITH & WESSON INC.
Reel/Frame 052707/0843 →