TRIGGER ASSEMBLY WITH PULL AND RELEASE DISCHARGE FEATURE AND RELATED METHODS

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is based upon prior filed copending Application No. 63/744,508 filed January 13, 2025, the entire subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FILED

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of firearms, and, more particularly, to a trigger assembly for a firearm and related methods.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Firearms have been relevant to American culture since the American Revolution. Indeed, the right to bear firearms was included within the Bill of Rights during the formation of our Constitution. Over the last two centuries, the firearms industry has developed into several silos or specialties: law enforcement and military, sportsman and recreational, and self-defense. Each of these specialties has also developed a large and robust associated firearm parts and accessory industry. Firearm parts/accessories include a large number of types, including holsters, optics, cleaning tools, magazines, firearms safes, semi-automatic pistol slides, and trigger assemblies, for example.

SUMMARY

[0004] Generally, a trigger assembly is to be received in a trigger cavity for a firearm and to provide a pull and release discharge feature. The trigger assembly may include a trigger axle extending laterally in the trigger cavity, and a trigger body pivoting about the trigger axle and comprising a trigger to be actuated by a user, and a first disconnector arm extending upward from the trigger and having a first distal sear. The trigger assembly also may include a second disconnector arm pivoting about the trigger axle opposite the first disconnector arm and having a second distal sear facing the first distal sear, a hammer axle extending laterally in the trigger cavity, and a hammer comprising a first end pivoting about the hammer axle and a second end opposite the first end, the second end comprising a lateral hammer catch. The hammer may be configured to pivot between a first cocked state where the lateral hammer catch is abutting the first distal sear, a first firing state upon pulling of the trigger by the user, a second cocked state where the lateral hammer catch is abutting the second distal sear, and a second firing state upon release of the trigger by the user.

[0005] Another aspect is directed to a method for making a trigger assembly to be received in a trigger cavity for a firearm and to provide a pull and release discharge feature. The method may comprise positioning a trigger axle to extend laterally in the trigger cavity, and positioning a trigger body to pivot about the trigger axle and comprising a trigger to be actuated by a user, and a first disconnector arm extending upward from the trigger and having a first distal sear. The method may also include positioning a second disconnector arm to pivot about the trigger axle opposite the first disconnector arm and having a second distal sear facing the first distal sear, positioning a hammer axle to extend laterally in the trigger cavity, and positioning a hammer comprising a first end to pivot about the hammer axle and a second end opposite the first end, the second end comprising a lateral hammer catch. The hammer may be configured to pivot between a first cocked state where the lateral hammer catch is abutting the first distal sear, a first firing state upon pulling of the trigger by the user, a second cocked state where the lateral hammer catch is abutting the second distal sear, and a second firing state upon release of the trigger by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a side view of a trigger assembly in a first cocked state, according to the present disclosure.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a side view of the trigger assembly from FIG. 1 transitioning from the first cocked state to a first firing state.

[0008]FIG. 3 is a side view of the trigger assembly from FIG. 1 in the first firing state.

[0009]FIG. 4 is a side view of the trigger assembly from FIG. 1 transitioning from the first firing state to a second cocked state.

[0010]FIGS. 5-6 are side views of the trigger assembly from FIG. 1 transitioning from the second cocked state to a second firing state.

[0011]FIG. 7 is a side view of the trigger assembly from FIG. 1 in the second firing state.

[0012]FIG. 8 is a side view of the trigger assembly from FIG. 1 transitioning from the second firing state to the first cocked state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which several embodiments of the invention are shown. This present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0014] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a trigger assembly 100 according to the present disclosure is now described. The trigger assembly 100 is to be received in a trigger cavity for a firearm (e.g., long gun or short gun) and to provide a pull and release discharge feature. The trigger assembly 100 illustratively includes a trigger axle 101 extending laterally in the trigger cavity, and a trigger body 102 pivoting about the trigger axle.

[0015]The trigger body 102 illustratively comprises a trigger 103 to be actuated by a user, and a first disconnector arm 104 extending upward from the trigger and having a first distal sear 105 (i.e., a longitudinal protrusion rearward towards the trigger and the user ). The trigger body 102 is rotationally biased to rotate counterclockwise and to return the trigger 103 to an unpulled state shown in FIG. 1, The trigger assembly 100 also includes a second disconnector arm 106 pivoting about the trigger axle 101 opposite the first disconnector arm 104 and having a second distal sear 107 facing the first distal sear 105. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotational relation about the trigger axle for the second disconnector arm 106 and the trigger body 102 is locked, but in other embodiments, the second disconnector arm 106 and the trigger body 102 may be integral to each other.

[0016]The trigger assembly 100 illustratively includes a hammer axle 110 extending laterally in the trigger cavity and being longitudinally spaced forward from the trigger axle 101, and a hammer 111 comprising a first end 112 pivoting about the hammer axle and a second end 113 opposite the first end. The second end 113 comprises a lateral hammer catch 114.

[0017]As will be appreciated, the trigger assembly 100 cooperates with a bolt carrier group 115, which facilitates the chambering of ammunition and discharging of expended ammunition casings. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the trigger assembly 100 and the bolt carrier group 115 are from an AK-form factor firearm. Of course, it should be appreciated that the disclosure herein may be applied to other firearm types, such as an AR-form factor firearm, for example. The trigger body 102, the second disconnector arm 106, and the hammer 111 may each comprise any durable material with sufficient mechanical strength, for example, metallic material, resin material, plastic polymer material, or a combination thereof.

[0018] Referring now additionally to FIGS. 2-8, the trigger assembly 100 cooperates with the hammer 111 to operate in a plurality of operating states, which are described herein. In particular, the trigger assembly 100 cooperates with the hammer 111 to provide the pull and release discharge feature, which comprises a first discharge of the firearm upon the user pulling the trigger 103 (i.e., typical firing action), and a second discharge of the firearm upon the user releasing the trigger. Advantageously, this allows for a higher rate of discharge for the firearm.

[0019]In particular, in FIG. 1, the trigger assembly 100 and the hammer 111 are configured to operate in a first cocked state (stable state) where the lateral hammer catch 114 is abutting and retained by the first distal sear 105. Without user actuation of the trigger 103, the trigger assembly 100 and the hammer 111 would remain in this state indefinitely. In FIG. 2, as the user pulls the trigger 103, the trigger body 102 rotates clockwise and causes the first distal sear 105 to release the lateral hammer catch 114. Since the hammer 111 is biased (e.g., via a spring device) to rotate clockwise, once released, it proceeds to rotate fully until impacting the bolt carrier group 115 in the first firing state depicted in FIG. 3. As will be appreciated, the bolt carrier group 115 is forced rearward toward the trigger assembly 100 due to the force of the discharge, which is shown in FIG. 4. This causes the trigger assembly 100 and the hammer 111 to enter the second cocked state where the lateral hammer catch 114 abuts and is retained by the second distal sear 107. As shown in FIGS. 5-6, once the user releases the trigger 103, due to the rotational biasing of the trigger body 102, the second distal sear 107 releases the lateral hammer catch 114, and the hammer 111 once again rotates clockwise to impact the bolt carrier group 115 in FIG. 7 for the second firing state. In FIG. 8, the bolt carrier group 115 again cycles due to the second discharge, which returns the trigger assembly 100 and the hammer 111 to the first cocked state.

[0020]Another aspect is directed to a method for making a trigger assembly 100 to be received in a trigger cavity for a firearm and to provide a pull and release discharge feature. The method comprises positioning a trigger axle 101 to extend laterally in the trigger cavity, and positioning a trigger body 102 to pivot about the trigger axle and comprising a trigger 103 to be actuated by a user, and a first disconnector arm 104 extending upward from the trigger and having a first distal sear 105. The method also includes positioning a second disconnector arm 106 to pivot about the trigger axle 101 opposite the first disconnector arm 104 and having a second distal sear 107 facing the first distal sear 105, positioning a hammer axle 110 to extend laterally in the trigger cavity, and positioning a hammer 111 comprising a first end 112 to pivot about the hammer axle and a second end 113 opposite the first end, the second end comprising a lateral hammer catch 114. The hammer 111 is configured to pivot between a first cocked state where the lateral hammer catch 114 is abutting the first distal sear 105, a first firing state upon pulling of the trigger 103 by the user, a second cocked state where the lateral hammer catch is abutting the second distal sear 107, and a second firing state upon release of the trigger by the user.

[0021] Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.