Dynamic variable force trigger mechanism for firearms

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10458736-B2
Application number	US-201916283338-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 22, 2019
Priority date	Mar 8, 2017
Publication date	Oct 29, 2019
Grant date	Oct 29, 2019

Abstract

A magnetically variable firing system for a firearm includes a trigger mechanism allowing a user to selectively adjust the trigger pull force-displacement profile by changing the static magnetic field in the mechanism. In a closed magnetic loop configuration, the trigger mechanism includes a stationary yoke and pivotably movable trigger member. The trigger member includes a trigger portion and working portion operably interfaced with the firing mechanism of the firearm for discharging the firearm. An openable first air gap formed between the trigger member and yoke is maintained in a closed position via magnetic attraction therebetween absent a trigger pull. A control insert movable relative to a second control air gap in the yoke allows adjustment of the static magnetic field to alter the trigger pull force required to actuate the trigger mechanism. Other embodiments provide open magnetic loop trigger mechanism designs adjustable to magnetically vary the trigger pull force.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A closed loop magnetically variable trigger force trigger mechanism for a firearm, the trigger comprising:
a stationary yoke configured for mounting to the firearm;
a rotatable trigger member pivotably coupled to the stationary yoke about a pivot axis, the trigger member and stationary yoke collectively configured to form a closed magnetic loop;
an openable and closeable first air gap formed between the trigger member and the stationary yoke;
a permanent magnet arranged to generate a static magnetic field in the closed magnetic loop, the static magnetic field creating a primary resistance force opposing movement of the trigger member when pulled by the user;
a control insert selectively movable relative to a second control air gap formed in the yoke which attenuates the static magnetic field, the control insert constructed and operable to change the static magnetic field;
wherein the static magnetic field is changeable via varying position of the control insert relative to the control air gap to adjust a trigger pull force of the trigger mechanism.

2. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the control insert is formed of a soft magnetic material and the permanent magnet is arranged in or on the stationary yoke or rotatable trigger member.

3. The trigger mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein the soft magnetic material is selected from the group consisting of iron, low-carbon steel, nickel-iron, and cobalt-iron.

4. The trigger mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein:
the control insert comprises a wedge formed of the soft magnetic material movable into and out of the second control air gap; and
the second control air gap comprises an outwardly open control recess formed in the stationary yoke and having a complementary configuration to the wedge;
wherein inserting the wedge into the control recess increases the static magnetic field, and withdrawing the wedge from the control recess decreases the static magnetic field to adjust the trigger pull force.

5. The trigger mechanism according to claim 4 , wherein the wedge and control recess are V-shaped, and the control recess extends partially or completely through a cross section of the stationary yoke.

6. The trigger mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein:
the control insert comprises a planar plate formed of the soft magnetic material movable into and out of the second control air gap; and
the second control air gap comprises a fully open control recess formed in the stationary yoke which extends completely through a cross section of the stationary yoke;
wherein inserting the plate into the control recess increases the static magnetic field, and withdrawing the plate from the control recess decreases the static magnetic field to adjust the trigger pull force.

7. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the permanent magnet is arranged in the closed magnetic loop.

8. The trigger mechanism according to claim 7 , wherein the permanent magnet is arranged between the stationary yoke and the trigger member at the first air gap.

9. The trigger mechanism according to claim 7 , wherein the permanent magnet is arranged within the stationary yoke and extends transversely through a cross section thereof.

10. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the control insert comprises a carrier made of a non-magnetic material, the permanent magnet being mounted to the carrier, the carrier and magnet translatable into and out of the second control air gap to change the static magnetic field in the closed magnetic loop for adjusting the trigger pull force.

11. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1 , further comprising an actuator configured to linearly move the control insert relative to the second control air gap.

12. The trigger mechanism according to claim 11 , wherein the actuator comprises a manually adjustable threaded fastener, the control insert being insertable into the second control air gap via rotating the fastener in a first direction, and retractable from the second control air gap via rotating the fastener in an opposite second direction.

13. The trigger mechanism according to claim 11 , wherein the actuator comprises a manually rotatable geared pinion engaging a gear rack formed on the control insert, the control insert being insertable or retractable from the second control air gap via rotating the geared pinion.

14. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the second control air gap comprises a recess formed partially through a cross section of the yoke.

15. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the second control air gap extends completely through and severs a cross section of the yoke.

16. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the second control air gap is fixed in position and not openable or closeable.

17. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the trigger member is pivotably movable between a vertical ready-to-fire position in which the trigger member is engaged with the stationary yoke at the first air gap, and a tilted firing position in which the trigger member is disengaged from the stationary yoke at the first air gap.

18. The trigger mechanism according to claim 17 , further comprising a non-linear spring acting to bias the trigger member towards the ready-to-fire position.

19. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the trigger member comprises a vertically elongated upper working portion engageable with the stationary yoke at the first air gap, a lower trigger portion configured for engaging a finger of a user, and a pivot disposed between the upper working portion and the lower portion.

20. The trigger mechanism according to claim 19 , wherein the upper working portion of the trigger member defines a sear surface operably coupled to a spring-biased striking member of the firearm, the striking member movable between a rearward cocked position and forward firing position for discharging the firearm.

21. The trigger mechanism according to claim 20 , wherein the sear surface engages a cockable hammer or a rotatable sear engaged with a cockable striker.

22. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the stationary yoke is C-shaped.

23. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the control insert comprises a carrier made of a non-magnetic material, the permanent magnet being cylindrical and mounted to the carrier, the carrier and magnet disposed in and rotatable in angular position relative to the second control air gap to change the static magnetic field in the closed magnetic loop for adjusting the trigger pull force.

24. A closed loop magnetically variable trigger force trigger mechanism for a firearm, the trigger comprising:
a stationary yoke configured for mounting to the firearm;
a rotatable trigger member pivotably movable about a pivot axis relative to the stationary yoke, the trigger member and stationary yoke collectively configured to form a closed magnetic loop;
an openable and closeable first air gap formed between the trigger member and the stationary yoke;
a control insert selectively movable into and out of a second control air gap formed in the yoke which attenuates the static magnetic field, the control insert operable to change the static magnetic field;
the control insert comprising a non-magnetic carrier and a permanent magnet operable to generate a static magnetic field in the closed magnetic loo

Assignees

• Sturm Ruger & Co

Inventors

• Galie Louis M
• Gilliom Rob
• Klebes John
• French John M
• Hamilton Gary
• Slezok Rafal

Classifications

• F41A19/59

  Electromechanical firing mechanisms, i.e. the mechanical striker element being propelled or released by electric means · CPC title

• F41A19/16

  Adjustable firing mechanisms; Trigger mechanisms with adjustable trigger pull (F41A19/17 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F41A19/58

  Electric firing mechanisms (F41A17/10, F41A17/12 take precedence) · CPC title

• F41A19/17 Primary

  Hair-trigger mechanisms · CPC title

• F41A19/10

  Triggers; Trigger mountings · CPC title