The techniques described herein relate to methods and apparatus for firearm safety mechanisms, visual safety indicators, and related techniques. A firearm includes a handle with one or more sensors disposed at least partially within a surface of the handle. The firearm also includes a trigger that is actuatable to fire the firearm, and a safety mechanism that has a first position that blocks actuation of the trigger and a second position that does not block the trigger. The firearm further includes at least one processor configured to receive data from the one or more sensors, process the received data to determine whether the data is indicative of sufficient contact of the operator's hand with the one or more sensors, and upon determining the data is indicative of sufficient contact, transmitting a signal to the safety mechanism to change the safety mechanism from the first position to the second position.

The techniques described herein relate to methods and apparatus for firearm safety mechanisms, visual safety indicators, and related techniques. A firearm includes a handle with one or more sensors disposed at least partially within a surface of the handle. The firearm also includes a trigger that is actuatable to fire the firearm, and a safety mechanism that has a first position that blocks actuation of the trigger and a second position that does not block the trigger. The firearm further includes at least one processor configured to receive data from the one or more sensors, process the received data to determine whether the data is indicative of sufficient contact of the operator's hand with the one or more sensors, and upon determining the data is indicative of sufficient contact, transmitting a signal to the safety mechanism to change the safety mechanism from the first position to the second position.

Provided is a crossbow safety system comprising a crossbow, optic fence, and interlock. The crossbow may have a bowstring operable between a cocked and an uncocked position, the cocked position and the uncocked position defining between them a bowstring plane, and a trigger assembly adapted to selectably retain the bowstring in the cocked position. The optic fence may be adapted to detect an obstruction in a safety plane coincident with the bowstring plane or offset below the bowstring plane by some offset distance. The optic fence may have an infrared emitter adapted to output IR radiation, and a photodiode adapted to sense the output IR radiation from the infrared emitter. The interlock may be operationally engaged with the optic fence and the trigger assembly. The interlock may be adapted to lock the trigger assembly from releasing the bowstring if the optic fence detects an obstruction in the safety plane.

Provided is a crossbow safety system comprising a crossbow, optic fence, and interlock. The crossbow may have a bowstring operable between a cocked and an uncocked position, the cocked position and the uncocked position defining between them a bowstring plane, and a trigger assembly adapted to selectably retain the bowstring in the cocked position. The optic fence may be adapted to detect an obstruction in a safety plane coincident with the bowstring plane or offset below the bowstring plane by some offset distance. The optic fence may have an infrared emitter adapted to output IR radiation, and a photodiode adapted to sense the output IR radiation from the infrared emitter. The interlock may be operationally engaged with the optic fence and the trigger assembly. The interlock may be adapted to lock the trigger assembly from releasing the bowstring if the optic fence detects an obstruction in the safety plane.

Provided is a crossbow safety system comprising a crossbow, a pressure sensor, and an interlock. The crossbow has a bowstring operable between a cocked and an uncocked position, a foregrip adapted for being grasped by an associated hand of an associated user, and a trigger assembly adapted to selectably retain the bowstring in the cocked position. The pressure sensor is on or in the foregrip, and is adapted to detect a pressure signature from the foregrip being grasped by an associated hand of an associated user, the associated hand having fingers. The interlock is operationally engaged with the pressure sensor and the trigger assembly, and is adapted to lock the trigger assembly from releasing the bowstring if the pressure sensor does not detect a first pressure signature sufficiently similar to a predetermined pressure signature.

Provided is a crossbow safety system comprising a crossbow, a pressure sensor, and an interlock. The crossbow has a bowstring operable between a cocked and an uncocked position, a foregrip adapted for being grasped by an associated hand of an associated user, and a trigger assembly adapted to selectably retain the bowstring in the cocked position. The pressure sensor is on or in the foregrip, and is adapted to detect a pressure signature from the foregrip being grasped by an associated hand of an associated user, the associated hand having fingers. The interlock is operationally engaged with the pressure sensor and the trigger assembly, and is adapted to lock the trigger assembly from releasing the bowstring if the pressure sensor does not detect a first pressure signature sufficiently similar to a predetermined pressure signature.

A novel firearm safety feature includes arresting surfaces for preventing the fall of a hammer in the event of a spontaneous failure of other firearm parts. In a particular embodiment a safety lug has an arresting surface and the hammer has a complementary arresting surface. In the event of a spontaneous failure, the arresting surface and the complementary arresting surface create a positive engagement and prevent the hammer from falling. In another embodiment, a grip safety includes an arresting surface and the hammer includes a complementary arresting surface. In the event of a spontaneous failure, the arresting surface and the complementary arresting surface create a positive engagement and prevent the hammer from falling.

A novel firearm safety feature includes arresting surfaces for preventing the fall of a hammer in the event of a spontaneous failure of other firearm parts. In a particular embodiment a safety lug has an arresting surface and the hammer has a complementary arresting surface. In the event of a spontaneous failure, the arresting surface and the complementary arresting surface create a positive engagement and prevent the hammer from falling. In another embodiment, a grip safety includes an arresting surface and the hammer includes a complementary arresting surface. In the event of a spontaneous failure, the arresting surface and the complementary arresting surface create a positive engagement and prevent the hammer from falling.

There is disclosed herein systems, methods and apparatus relating to a firearm with an electronically operable firing system to fire projectiles from the firearm. The electronic firing system includes an electronic actuator with a switch for electronically firing the firearm and a trigger lever connected to the trigger. The trigger lever is reciprocally moveable along the fastening member in response to a pull of the trigger to displace the trigger lever and actuate the switch to fire the firearm.

A sliding trigger enclosure system for a long gun includes a frame that is removably secured to the receiver of a firearm by factory-supplied hardware, and a hollow shoulder stock having a pair of side surfaces that extend outward from the front end. The shoulder stock is slidingly engaged over the frame and transitions between a FIRE position where the trigger assembly of the long gun is accessible, and a SAFE position where the pair of side surfaces are locked in a parallel orientation to the trigger assembly to prevent access to the same. A locking mechanism is disposed along the frame and secures the shoulder stock in the SAFE position. The locking mechanism including a pair of spring-loaded locking pins that are engaged by an actuator, and a user authentication device.