Trigger actuator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11029113-B2
Application number	US-202016788429-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 12, 2020
Priority date	Feb 13, 2019
Publication date	Jun 8, 2021
Grant date	Jun 8, 2021

Abstract

A device for pulling the trigger of a firearm includes an actuator, a controller in signal communication with the actuator and a switch in communication with the controller. The actuator mounts on the firearm adjacent to the trigger. The actuator has a body movable into engagement with the trigger for pulling the trigger. The body is movable out of engagement with the trigger permitting the trigger to reset. The controller is adapted to transmit first and second commands to the actuator. The first command directs moving the body into engagement with the trigger, and the second command directs moving the body out of engagement with the trigger. The switch is adapted to transmit a first signal to the controller causing the controller to transmit the first command to the actuator, and a second signal to the controller for causing the controller to transmit the second command to the actuator.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device for pulling a trigger of a firearm, said device comprising:
an actuator mountable on said firearm adjacent to said trigger, said actuator having a body movable into engagement with said trigger for pulling said trigger, said body being moveable out of engagement with said trigger to permit said trigger to reset;
a controller in communication with said actuator, said controller operating to transmit a first command to said actuator for moving said body into engagement with said trigger for pulling said trigger, and a second command to said actuator for moving said body out of engagement with said trigger, and a third command to said actuator for moving said body into engagement with said trigger in preparation for pulling said trigger; and
a switch in communication with said controller, said switch cooperating with said controller to transmit:
a first signal to said controller for causing said controller to transmit said first command to said actuator; and
a second signal to said controller for causing said controller to transmit said second command to said actuator.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said actuator comprises:
a servomotor having a rotatable shaft oriented transversely to a line of motion of said trigger;
an arm mounted on said shaft and extending transversely thereto, said arm having a free end engageable with said trigger upon rotation of said shaft.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said controller comprises a microprocessor.

4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said switch comprises a pressure sensitive switch.

5. The device according to claim 4 , wherein said switch comprises a momentary switch.

6. The device according to claim 5 , wherein said switch comprises a push to close type switch.

7. The device according to claim 4 , further comprising a conduit in fluid communication with said pressure sensitive switch, said conduit for conveying a change in gas pressure to said pressure sensitive switch.

8. A method for remotely pulling a trigger of a firearm using an actuator controlled by a controller, said method comprising:
starting with said actuator in a reset position wherein said actuator does not engage said trigger;
transmitting a first signal to said controller for moving said actuator into a first position into engagement with said trigger, said controller thereby moving said actuator into said first position in response to said first signal;
transmitting a second signal to said controller for moving said actuator into a second position pulling said trigger;
measuring a time period between transmitting said first signal and said second signal;
if said time period is less than a threshold value, then said controller moving said actuator into said second position thereby pulling said trigger and then moving said actuator into said reset position in response to said second signal;
if said time period is greater than said threshold value then said controller moving said actuator into said reset position in response to said second signal.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein said first signal is transmitted to said controller by closing a switch.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein said second signal is transmitted to said controller by closing said switch a second time.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein said switch is closed in response to changing a gas pressure.

12. A firearm, comprising:
a trigger;
an actuator mountable on said firearm adjacent to said trigger, said actuator having a body movable into engagement with said trigger for pulling said trigger, said body being moveable out of engagement with said trigger to permit said trigger to reset;
a controller in communication with said actuator, said controller operating to transmit a first command to said actuator for moving said body into engagement with said trigger for pulling said trigger, and a second command to said actuator for moving said body out of engagement with said trigger, and a third command to said actuator for moving said body into engagement with said trigger in preparation for pulling said trigger; and
a switch in communication with said controller, said switch cooperating with said controller to transmit:
a first signal to said controller for causing said controller to transmit said first command to said actuator; and
a second signal to said controller for causing said controller to transmit said second command to said actuator.

13. The firearm according to claim 12 , wherein said actuator comprises:
a servomotor having a rotatable shaft oriented transversely to a line of motion of said trigger;
an arm mounted on said shaft and extending transversely thereto, said arm having a free end engageable with said trigger upon rotation of said shaft.

14. The firearm according to claim 12 , wherein said controller comprises a microprocessor.

15. The firearm according to claim 12 , wherein said switch comprises a pressure sensitive switch.

16. The firearm according to claim 15 , wherein said switch comprises a momentary switch.

17. The firearm according to claim 16 , wherein said switch comprises a push to close type switch.

18. The firearm according to claim 15 , further comprising a conduit in fluid communication with said pressure sensitive switch, said conduit for conveying a change in gas pressure to said pressure sensitive switch.

Assignees

• Us Gov Veterans Affairs

Inventors

• Hills Seth R

Classifications

• F41A19/08 Primary

  remote actuated; lanyard actuated · CPC title

• F41A19/55

  Fluid-operated firing mechanisms · CPC title