Safety device for a firearm

Abstract

A safety device for a firearm that makes it possible to prevent a shot from being fired, without blocking the rearming function, the said safety device comprising a retainer that can be moved between a stopping position that blocks the moving parts of the weapon in a rear position, and a released position that allows the said moving parts to move in both directions, the said safety device comprising a safety element that can move between a position that blocks the retainer in the stopping position and a position that releases the retainer, the said safety element bearing against an immobile part of the safety device and the said safety element being able to be moved towards the position that releases the retainer through a rearward movement of the moving parts.

Claims

1. A safety device for a firearm, the device configured to prevent a shot from being fired, without blocking a re-cocking function, said safety device comprising: a stop configured to be moved between a stopping position immobilizing moving parts of a firearm in a rearward position and a release position allowing said moving parts to move to a forward position and the rearward position, and a safety element configured to move between a position of immobilizing the stop in the stopping position and a position of releasing the stop, said safety element coupled to an immobile housing of the firearm, and said safety element configured to be moved toward the position of releasing the stop via a rearward movement of the moving parts.

2. The safety device for a firearm as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lifting of the stop is commanded by a release lever pivoting about a pivot pin provided on the stop and held by a hooked pawl to a trigger blade, or by a rocker configured to be connected to or disconnected from the trigger blade upon release of the trigger blade, or by disconnection of the rocker until such point as the moving parts moved toward a rear of the firearm.

3. The safety device for a firearm as claimed in claim 1, wherein the safety element is placed in a path of the stop by a spring.

4. The safety device for a firearm as claimed in claim 3, wherein the release of the return movement of the safety element is performed before a raising of the stop in each sear notch of the moving parts.

5. The safety device for a firearm as claimed in claim 4, wherein an advance of the release of the return movement of the safety element on the raising of the stop is obtained by a longitudinal offset between a rack formed by sliding surfaces of the moving parts acting on the safety element, and a rack formed by the sear notches of the moving parts.

6. The safety device for a firearm as claimed in claim 4, wherein an advance on the release of the return movement of the safety element on the raising of the stop is obtained by a longitudinal offset between a surface of the safety element and a sear notch of the stop.

7. The safety device for a firearm as claimed in claim 4, wherein an advance on the release of the return movement of the safety element on the raising of the stop is obtained by having the movement of the safety element toward the position of releasing the stop, and a recoil movement of the moving parts being in opposite directions.

8. The safety device for a firearm as claimed in claim 1, wherein the safety element pivots about a pivot pin fixed in the firearm.

9. The safety device for a firearm as claimed in claim 8, wherein the safety element is retracted by the moving parts by collaboration between sliding surfaces of the moving parts and a sliding surface of the safety element.

10. The safety device for a firearm as claimed in claim 1, wherein the safety element slides in a direction orthogonal to the movement of the stop.

11. A firing mechanism incorporating the safety device as claimed in claim 1.

12. The firing mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein a semiautomatic-fire function is obtained by a mechanism further comprising a rocker actuating the stop, a release lever holding the stop in the release position at a start and an end of firing, and a trigger blade connected to the rocker by a disconnector configured either to ensure mechanical coupling between the trigger blade and the rocker, or to disconnect said mechanical coupling between the trigger blade and the rocker, said disconnector being arranged to pivot the rocker from a firing position to a rest position, so as to prevent a next shot from being fired when the trigger blade is kept in the firing position.

13. The firing mechanism as claimed in claim 12, wherein functions of selecting automatic-fire, the semiautomatic-fire function and a function of selecting the safety function are provided by a control mechanism.

14. The firing mechanism as claimed in claim 13, wherein the control mechanism includes a rotary lever actuating a slider configured to move in translation and allow activation or deactivation of the functions associated with semiautomatic fire and safety, wherein three positions of the rotary lever correspond to a safety position, to a semiautomatic-fire position, and to an automatic-fire position.

15. The firing mechanism as claimed in claim 14, wherein the slider comprises a safety control slot in which there moves a safety control lug fixed to the safety element, wherein a shape of the safety control slot allows a permanent positioning of the safety element in the position of releasing the stop when the rotary lever is in the semiautomatic-fire position or the automatic-fire position, and allows the movement of the safety element between the position of immobilizing the stop and the position of releasing the stop when the rotary lever is in the safety position.

16. The firing mechanism as claimed in claim 15, wherein a shape of the slider immobilizes the trigger blade when the safety is on and releases the trigger blade when the rotary lever is in the semiautomatic-fire position or the automatic-fire position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of one example of a firing device according to the invention.

(2) FIGS. 2a to 2d depict various cross sections through an example of a mechanism of the invention, with the various components assembled, the moving parts being positioned in the rearward position, and the safety being on.

(3) FIG. 2e depicts a perspective view of the example of a mechanism of FIGS. 2a to 2d (in the safe position).

(4) FIG. 3 depicts a cross section through a device according to the invention, with the selector in the semiautomatic position.

(5) FIG. 4 depicts a cross section through the device of FIG. 3 in which the slider is no longer visible, with the trigger blade pressed, and the moving parts moving forward.

(6) FIG. 5 depicts the same cross section as FIG. 4, after the disconnector has disengaged.

(7) FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the device of FIG. 2, with the slider visible, the selector in the automatic position and weapon at rest.

(8) FIGS. 7 and 7a show a cross section of the device of FIG. 6, providing a better view of how the various components interact with one another.

(9) FIG. 8 shows an alternative of the disconnection mechanism between the sear and the rocker with the trigger blade partially engaged.

(10) FIG. 9 shows the disconnection mechanism of FIG. 8, with the trigger blade at the end of its travel.

(11) FIG. 10 shows the mechanism of FIG. 8, in automatic mode.

(12) FIG. 11 shows an alternative of automatic operation.

KEY TO FIGURES

(13) 1. Safety element 2. Moving parts 3. Safety-element sliding surface 4. Safety control (and stop-lowering) surfaces under the moving parts 5. Stop 6. Safety-element spring 7. Safety-element pin 8. Safety control lug 9. Stop buffer 10. Stop release lever 11. Disconnector 12. Rocker 13. Trigger blade 14. Disconnector sear 15. Release-lever pawl 16. Release-lever pivot pin 17. Rocker and trigger-blade pivot pin 18. Disconnector pivot pin (attached to rocker) 19. Rocker control lug 20. Slider 21. Safety-element control slot 22. Rocker control slot 23. Disconnector-sear control slot 24. Fire and safety selector lever 25. Fire control assembly housing 26. Meshing slider-control mechanism 27. Grip 28. Fire control frame 29. Pin 30. Disconnector lug 31. Release-lever lug 32. Disconnector-sear control lug 33. Trigger-blade release clearance 34. Trigger-blade immobilizing lug 35. Disconnector-sear disconnection lever 36. Disconnector-sear disconnection cam 37. Slider control rack 38. Disconnector-sear pivot pin 39. Anti-runaway catch 40. Disconnector buffer 41. disconnector-buffer control lug 42. selector notch 50. Second disconnector lug

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(14) There are two requirements to be taken into consideration when developing a safety mechanism that allows a machine gun to meet safety criteria similar to those of a gun (in terms of the way in which the weapon is handled): it must be possible to re-cock the weapon when the fire selector is in the safe position. The fire selector must be able to move into the safe position whatever the condition of the weapon.

(15) Achieving these two functions must not compromise operator safety from the moment the fire selector is in the safe position.

(16) In order to achieve this, according to the invention, when the fire selector is in the safe position, the travel of the stop is limited by a safety element that bears against an immobile part of the weapon. This safety element can be retracted out of the path of the stop to allow the moving part to move from the front toward the rear of the weapon. Cams under the moving parts allow this retraction. A return spring returns the safety element into the path of the stop each time a stop catch of the moving parts passes beyond the stop sear.

(17) The fire selector is connected to the safety element in such a way as to allow it an amplitude of movement when the fire selector is in the safe position, but which forces the safety element to retract out of the path of the stop when the fire selector in a (semiautomatic-fire or automatic-fire) fire position.

(18) On a gun, engagement of the safety is manifested by the blocking of the movement of the trigger blade and the inability of the weapon to fire. The possibility of engaging the safety of a weapon regardless of its condition is an important factor because it reduces the risk to the operator without adding to the complexity of the handling of the weapon.

(19) In order to allow the safety to be engaged and the weapon to be reloaded by the operator while the stop is held in the lowered position by the release lever, the release lever is mounted to rotate not on the trigger blade but directly on the stop or on a mobile rocker positioned between the trigger blade and the release lever.

(20) As a preference, when the release lever is mounted on the stop, the connection between the release lever and the trigger blade is via a hook-shaped pawl that allows the trigger blade to return to its rest position even if the release lever continues to hold the stop in a lowered position. This particular feature makes it possible to overcome the problem of engaging the safety of the weapon regardless of its condition by dispensing with the dividing of the trigger blade into two parts which is the solution proposed in patent EP 2831531 B1 (which is a more expensive solution). Nevertheless, an intermediate rocker may prove beneficial for use in semiautomatic-fire mode. In that case, the release-lever pawl bears not directly on the trigger blade but on the intermediate rocker. Note that in this case, the rocker is of benefit only for semiautomatic-fire: during re-cocking with the safety on, the rocker is not necessarily disconnected from the trigger blade.

(21) In terms of achieving a safety that allows handling similar to that of a gun, the indispensable factor is the presence of a safety element which bears against a rigid part of the weapon, limiting the travel of the stop so as to prevent the moving parts from moving, but which can be retracted by the moving parts when these are in rearward motion.

(22) As a preference, the release lever is mounted on the stop and not on the trigger blade, making it possible to incorporate into the fire selector a buffer that limits the travel of the trigger blade while at the same time allowing the weapon to be made safe whatever the condition of the weapon. Limiting the travel of the trigger blade is a simple and effective indicator to indicate to the operator that the fire selector is in the safe position.

(23) Advantageously, the direction of retraction of the safety element is forward, so that the action of the moving parts as they move rearward on the safety element is interrupted before the stop catch of the moving parts has moved fully beyond the stop sear. Thus, the safety element resumes its function as soon as the stop moves back up after having overcome each stop catch of the moving parts so that there is no risk of an intermediate position in which the moving parts could rest against the stop without the safety being on.

(24) Reversing the direction of retraction of the safety element and the permitted movement of the moving parts can be achieved via oblique contact between the two assemblies (cam shapes) or via an intermediate lever between the two assemblies.

(25) If it is not possible to adhere to the arrangement regarding reversing the permitted direction of movement of the moving parts and the retraction movement of the safety element, it is nevertheless important to advance release of the safety element by the moving parts in comparison with the overcoming of the stop sear by the stop catch of the moving parts. That can be achieved via longitudinal offsetting of the rack that retracts the safety element by comparison with the stop catches of the moving parts, or by longitudinal offsetting of the index that retracts the safety element with respect to the position of the stop sear.

(26) In order to allow the semiautomatic operation to be achieved, the firing mechanism has been modified according to the following principle: the trigger blade is split into two elements. One of these elements still performs the function of a trigger blade as far as the user is concerned. This element is referred to hereinafter as the trigger blade. The other component performs functions internal to the weapon, namely of pushing on the stop in order to release the movement of the moving parts and acting on the release lever to allow the halting of the moving parts. This component is referred to hereinafter as the rocker. A disconnection function is added between the trigger blade and the rocker so that when the fire selector is placed in the semiautomatic-fire position, the forward movement of the moving parts leads to disconnection between the trigger blade and the rocker allowing the latter to pivot into the cease-firing position even if the operator is still pressing on the trigger blade.

(27) Alternatively, disconnection can be achieved by a buffer positioned in the path of the disconnector. According to a first alternative, this buffer is positioned in the path of the disconnector only when the fire selector is in the semiautomatic position. According to a second alternative, the buffer is fixed but the travel of the trigger blade is limited in automatic mode in order to prevent contact between the buffer and the disconnector.

(28) In the case of disconnection by the moving parts, the function of disconnection between the rocker and the trigger blade can be achieved by a single component if the travel of the trigger blade differs between automatic-fire mode and semiautomatic-fire mode. In that case, the moving parts act directly on the disconnector when the fire selector is in the semiautomatic position. This method is simple to embody but has the disadvantage of modifying the control effort required of the operator depending on whether he is firing in semiautomatic or in automatic mode.

(29) It is not uncommon to observe a difference in the grouping of the impacts of a weapon (precision error) according to the variation in control effort required of the operator. In effect, the operator will have applied a different aim-off to his weapon if he needs to pull differently on the trigger blade when firing a burst or firing single shots. In addition, a significant variation in the effort or travel needed to release the moving parts may be interpreted by the operator as a weapon malfunction. This potential for confusion between the operation of the weapon and degraded operation has a tendency to sap the confidence that the operator has in his weapon which he believes to be of inferior quality.

(30) For this reason, it is preferable, in order to achieve disconnection, to resort to a two-component mechanism (the two components namely being the disconnector and a disconnector sear). In this type of mechanism, the disconnector always acts between the trigger blade and the rocker, but the disconnection command is communicated by the moving parts to the disconnector via the disconnector sear. In that case, the fire selector acts no longer on the travel of the trigger blade but on the position of the disconnector sear prior to firing. When the fire selector is in the semiautomatic-fire position, the disconnector sear is in a position at rest in the path of the moving parts, whereas when the fire selector is in the automatic-fire position, the disconnector sear is positioned in a position out of the path of the moving parts.

(31) Finally, it should be noted that while there is no need for the fire selector that allows the weapon to be made safe to be the same as the selector allowing the selection to be made between semiautomatic operation and automatic operation, it is preferable for the choice between these various functions to be made via the same control in the form of a three-position rotary lever. The connection between the lever and the various elements involved in achieving the safe and semiautomatic functions may be direct. In that case, it may be complicated to control simultaneously numerous components that may potentially be distant from one another.

(32) Another aspect of the invention therefore relates to a selector slider that converts the position of the lever into a possible position of the components (particularly the safety element and the disconnector sear) via slots the shape of which makes it possible either to immobilize the lugs on the components that are to be controlled, or to leave said lug a certain degree of freedom (for example in the case of the safety). This slider is particularly advantageous in the example described hereinafter, but is more generally advantageous whenever the various elements that are to be controlled are numerous and distant from one another.

(33) It may be advantageous for the link between the fire selector and the selector slider to be a meshing connection of the rack and pinion type. Nevertheless, other alternatives are possible (an eccentric on the selector entering a vertical oblong hole in the selector slider, or a linkage/crank system, etc.).

(34) Finally, in order to make it possible to achieve a combination between a system incorporating the semiautomatic function and the safety system that allows the weapon to be re-cocked in a small amount of space, it may be beneficial for the firing-selector pin also to act as the pivot pin for the stop.

EXAMPLE

(35) FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of one example of a firing device according to the invention.

(36) This device comprises a stop 5 that allows the moving parts 2 to be halted in a rearward position by bearing against notches 51 formed in the bottom of the moving parts 2.

(37) This stop 5 comprises in its front part a pin 16 supporting a release lever 10. This release lever at its base comprises a pawl 15. The assembly made up of stop and release lever is fixed to the devices via a pin 29. This release lever 10 allows the stop 5 to be held out of the path of the moving parts 2 as they move forward, even when the trigger blade 13 is released. Positioning the release lever 10 at the end of the stop allows the weapon to be made safe and reloaded whatever the condition of the weapon.

(38) A rocker 12 is positioned between the trigger blade 13 and the stop 5. This rocker 12 allows the trigger blade 13 to be disconnected from the stop 5 and this, as will be seen later on, will allow semiautomatic-fire to be selected.

(39) The semiautomatic-fire function is essentially implemented through the presence of a disconnector 11 and of a disconnector sear 14, allowing the trigger blade 13 to be disconnected from the rocker 5.

(40) The safety function is essentially implemented by the addition of a safety element 1 and the presence of an immobilizing lug 34 of the trigger blade 13.

(41) The various modes of operation of the weapon, namely safe, single-shot firing or automatic firing, are selected by means of a slider 20 actuated by a meshing slider-control mechanism 26 arranged on a pin 29 and actuated by the fire selector 24.

(42) Safety Operation

(43) FIGS. 2a to d depict various cross sections of a mechanism of the invention with the various components assembled, the moving parts being arranged in the rearward position and with the safety on.

(44) As can be seen, the moving parts 2 are immobilized in the rearward position by the stop 5, the stop 5 also being maintained in the raised position by the safety element 1 immobilizing the buffer 9 of the stop in the raised position. This safety element 1 is kept in this position by a spring 6. It may be seen in this situation that pressure on the trigger blade 13 will not allow the stop to be moved and the moving parts to be released.

(45) It may also be noted that the safety control slot 21 of the slider 20 allows the safety element to rotate and therefore retract when the moving parts are moved rearward. This retraction is brought about by the sliding of the sliding surface 3 on the corresponding surfaces 4 under the moving parts.

(46) Furthermore, the movement of the rocker 12 is limited by the lug 19 in the slot 22 and the movement of the trigger blade 13 is limited by the immobilizing lug 34 of the trigger blade 13 that bears on the underside of the slider 20.

(47) Semiautomatic Operation

(48) FIG. 3 depicts a cross section of a device according to the invention, with the selector in the semiautomatic position. In this position, the slider 20 pushes the safety element 1 out of the path of the buffer 9 by means of the safety control lug 8 sliding in the safety control slot 21, the rocker control slot 22 releases the movement of the rocker control lug 19 and the trigger-blade immobilizing lug 34 is able to move in the trigger-blade release clearance 33. Finally, the disconnector-sear control slot 23 allows the disconnector sear to rise back into the path of the moving parts 2.

(49) FIG. 4 depicts a cross section of the device of FIG. 3 in which the slider is no longer visible, so as to show the movement of the rocker 12, of the trigger blade 13, of the disconnector 11 and of the disconnector sear 14 in semiautomatic operation. This figure shows the state in the cycle at which the trigger is squeezed, the moving parts advance in a forward direction, and the disconnector sear 14 has not yet uncoupled the rocker 12 from the trigger blade 13.

(50) When the trigger blade 13 is squeezed, it rotates about the pin 17, driving the rocker 12 which pushes via the rocker control lug 19 on the stop 5, leading to the release of the moving parts 2. The coupling between the trigger blade 13 and the rocker 12 is provided by the disconnector 11 rotating about a pin fixed to the rocker 12 and catching on a lug 30 on the trigger blade 13.

(51) As the stop 5 moves it drives upward the release lever 10 of which the pawl 15 catches on the release-lever lug 31 on the rocker 12. This catching will allow the stop 5 to be kept out of the path of the moving parts as they move forward.

(52) A lever 35 of the disconnector sear 14 positions itself between the rocker 12 and the disconnector 11 so that when the moving parts 2 are pressing on the cam 36 of the disconnector sear 14, said lever 35 disengages the disconnector 11 from the lug 30 of the trigger blade 13. This disengagement has the effect of causing the rocker 12 to return to its rest position, placing the release lever 10 in the path of the moving parts 2.

(53) FIG. 5 shows the various components after the rocker 12 has been disconnected from the trigger blade 13 by the disconnector sear 14.

(54) During the rearward return movement of the moving parts 2, these disengage the release lever 10 from the lug 31 of the rocker, thereby allowing the stop 5 to return to its position in which it immobilizes the moving parts forward.

(55) FIG. 8 shows an alternative semiautomatic-fire selector in which disconnection is brought about by a buffer 40 positioned in the path of the disconnector 11. In this alternative, in semiautomatic mode, when the trigger blade 13 is squeezed, the disconnector 11 comes into contact with the buffer 40 just after the moving parts 2 have been released by the stop buffer 9. This contact causes the disconnector 11 to rotate about its pin 18, thereby uncoupling the disconnector 11 from the trigger blade 13.

(56) FIG. 9 shows the device of FIG. 8 just after disconnection of the rocker 12, following a continuation of the travel of the trigger blade 13.

(57) In FIG. 10, the buffer 10 has been retracted out of the path of the disconnector for automatic firing. Such a position of the buffer 40 may advantageously be obtained by a special geometry of a slot in a fire control slider, that moves the disconnection-buffer control lug 41.

(58) In any case, in semiautomatic mode, the disconnector returns to its position of coupling between the trigger blade 13 and the rocker 12 when the trigger blade is released by the operator.

(59) Automatic Operation

(60) FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the device of FIG. 2, with the slider visible and the selector in the automatic position. In this position, it may be seen that the disconnector-sear control slot 23, via the lug 32, moves the disconnector sear 14 out of the path of the moving parts 2, thus preventing disconnection between the trigger blade 13 and the rocker 12, allowing automatic firing.

(61) FIGS. 7 and 7a show two cross sections of the device of FIG. 6, providing a better view of how the various components interact with one another. In FIG. 7, the trigger blade is at rest, whereas in FIG. 7a, the trigger has been squeezed. It will be noted in particular that, when the trigger blade is in the firing position, the disconnector sear lever 14 comes in behind the disconnector lever 11 and keeps the disconnector in the coupled position. This feature may prove beneficial when firing in bursts, which gives rise to a great deal of vibration that can lead to unwanted uncoupling between the rocker 12 and the trigger blade 13.

(62) When the trigger blade 13 is squeezed, the lug 19 causes the stop 5 to pivot and this causes an upward movement of the release lever 10 of which the hook-like pawl 15 catches on the lug 31. When the trigger blade is released, the stop 5 is held in position out of the path of the moving parts by the release lever 10, until the rearward movement of the moving parts 2 which, in passing, disengage the release lever 10 from the rocker 12.

(63) FIG. 11 shows an alternative form of automatic operation in which a second disconnector lug 50 is arranged on the rocker. This additional lug 50 is arranged in such a way that, when the disconnector 11 bears on it, it is no longer in the path of the disconnection lever of the disconnector sear 35. In that case, as shown in FIG. 11, when the automatic mode is selected, the disconnector sear is no longer able to disconnect the coupling between the trigger blade 13 and the rocker 12. Note that this alternative can also be applied in exactly the same way to the alternative in which disconnection is provided by a buffer 40 positioned in the path of the disconnector 11. Note that in this last case, the buffer 40 may be a fixed element, because it no longer needs to be moved for the automatic mode.

(64) Note that as an alternative, the disconnector pin could easily be positioned on the trigger blade, and the disconnector lug or lugs on the rocker.

(65) Exemplary embodiments are described herein. Variations of those exemplary embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.