DROP-IN IMPROVED TRIGGER PULL FIRING PIN SYSTEM CONVERSION KIT

Abstract

A firearm firing pin system upgrade kit that improves trigger feel and easily converts for heavier or lighter trigger pulls. In some embodiments a kit which eliminates a previously required component. In some other embodiments a kit which can be mailed in a letter envelope.

Claims

1. A firearm Drop-In Improved Trigger Pull Firing Pin System Conversion Kit comprising: at least one Spring Cup Aligning Washer (SCAW), at least one Compression Adjusting Shim (CAS), and at least one Half Spacer Sleeve (HSS); the SCAW configured as an intermediary between Spring Cups and a Firing Pin Spring of a firearm and additionally configured as a front/distal stop for the Spring, the SCAW further configured to isolate the Spring Cups from a Spring Cup Misalignment Bias induced by the Spring, the CAS configured as an intermediary between the Spring and the HSS and further configured as a rear/proximal stop for the Spring, the Kit configured to adjust compression of the Spring by incorporating additional SCAWs or CASs.

2. A firearm Drop-In Improved Trigger Pull Firing Pin System Conversion Kit comprising: at least one Spring Cup Aligning Washer (SCAW), at least one Compression Adjusting Shim (CAS), and at least one Half Spacer Sleeve (HSS); the SCAW configured as an intermediary between Spring Cups and a Firing Pin Spring of a firearm and additionally configured as a front/distal stop for the Spring, the SCAW further configured to isolate the Spring Cups from a Spring Cup Misalignment Bias induced by the Spring, the CAS configured as an intermediary between the Spring and the HSS and further configured as a rear/proximal stop for the Spring, the HSS configured to be shippable within a letter envelope, the Kit configured to adjust compression of the Spring by incorporating additional SCAWs or CASs.

3. A firearm Drop-In Improved Trigger Pull Firing Pin System Conversion Kit comprising: at least one Spring Liner Eliminating Spring Cup Aligning Washer (SLESCAW), at least one Compression Adjusting Shim (CAS), and at least one Half Spacer Sleeve (HSS); the SLESCAW configured as an intermediary between Spring Cups and a Firing Pin Spring of a firearm and additionally configured as a front/distal stop for the Spring, the SLESCAW further configured to isolate the Spring Cups from a Spring Cup Misalignment Bias induced by the Spring and additionally configured to eliminate a Spring Liner of the firearm, the CAS configured as an intermediary between the Spring and the HSS and further configured as a rear/proximal stop for the Spring, the Kit configured to adjust compression of the Spring by incorporating additional SLESCAWs or CASs.

4. A firearm Drop-In Improved Trigger Pull Firing Pin System Conversion Kit of claim 3 where the HSS is configured to be shippable within a letter envelope.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0018] FIG. 1 is a rear-left-bottom exploded isometric view of the components of a Prior Art Firing Pin System (hereinafter PAFPS) 13.

[0019] FIGS. 2-6 illustrate individual assembly steps of PAFPS 13. FIG. 6 is a view of a fully assembled PAFPS 13.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a left side view of FIG. 6.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a left side view of a fully assembled PAFPS 13 within a Slide (known) 1.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a detailed view of Section A of FIG. 8 illustrating undesirable interactions between Spring 5, Spring Cups 4, and Spring Liner 6.

[0023] FIG. 10 illustrates components of an embodiment of a DIITPFPSCK which convert a PAFPS 13 into an Improved Trigger Pull Firing Pin System (hereinafter ITPFPS) 19.

[0024] FIG. 11 is a rear-left-bottom exploded isometric view of the components of a Firing Pin Subassembly (hereinafter FPS) 14 of an ITPFPS 19.

[0025] FIGS. 12-17 illustrate individual assembly steps of FPS 14. FIG. 17 is a view of a fully assembled FPS 14.

[0026] FIG. 18 is a left side view of FIG. 17.

[0027] FIG. 19 is a rear-left-top cutaway (for illustrative purposes only) isometric view of a Slide 1.

[0028] FIGS. 20-22 illustrate the inclusion of HSSs 10 to FPS 14 to realize an ITPFPS 19. FIG. 22 is a view of a fully assembled ITPFPS 19 within Slide 1.

[0029] FIG. 23 is a left side view of FIG. 22.

[0030] FIG. 24 is a detailed view of Section B of FIG. 23.

[0031] FIG. 25 is a detailed view of Section C of FIG. 23.

[0032] FIG. 26 is a left side view of an Alternate Embodiment ITPFPS 15.

[0033] FIG. 27 is a rear-left-top isometric view of FIG. 26.

[0034] FIG. 28 is a detailed view of Section D of FIG. 27.

[0035] FIG. 29 is a left side view of an Another Alternate Embodiment ITPFPS 20.

[0036] FIG. 30 is a rear-left-top isometric view of FIG. 29.

[0037] FIG. 31 is a detailed view of Section E of FIG. 30.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The following discussion provides multiple example embodiment/s of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

[0039] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term coupled to is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms coupled to and coupled with are used synonymously.

[0040] All figures show only approximate representations of the components of the system/s and may not be accurate in scale and/or positions.

[0041] FIG. 1 is a rear-left-bottom exploded isometric view of the components of a PAFPS 13. PAFPS 13 comprises a Firing Pin 2, two Spring Cups 4, Spacer Sleeve 3, Spring 5 and Spring Liner 6 (cutaway for illustrative purposes only).

[0042] FIGS. 2-6 illustrate individual assembly steps of PAFPS 13.

[0043] Spacer Sleeve 3 is slid onto Firing Pin 2 (FIG. 2).

[0044] Spring 5 is slid onto Firing Pin 2 and compressed against Spacer Sleeve 3 which provides a back/proximal stop for Spring 5 (FIG. 3).

[0045] Spring Cups 4 are abutted together around the long neck of Firing Pin 2 (FIG. 4).

[0046] Spring 5 is then released (FIG. 5). Coils of Spring 5 ride onto ridged down portions of abutted Spring Cups 4 and clamp Spring Cups 4 around the neck of Firing Pin 2. Diameter of a cylinder created by the abutted Spring Cups 4 is greater than the diameter of the neck but less than the diameter of the head of Firing Pin 2. Thus, the head of Firing Pin 2 creates a stop for the abutted Spring Cups 4. Spring Cups 4, in turn, provide a front/distal stop for Spring 5.

[0047] A straw-like Spring Liner 6 (its inner diameter closely approximating the outer diameters of Spring Cups 4 and Spring 5 [their outer diameters approximating each other]) is then slid over Spring Cups 4 and Spring 5 (FIG. 6).

[0048] FIG. 6 is a view of a fully assembled PAFPS 13.

[0049] FIG. 7 is a left side view of FIG. 6.

[0050] FIG. 8 is a left side view of a fully assembled PAFPS 13 within a Slide (known) 1.

[0051] FIG. 9 is a detailed view of Section A of FIG. 8 illustrating undesirable interactions between Spring 5, Spring Cups 4, and Spring Liner 6. This interaction becomes more pronounced as Spring Cups 4 wear over time due to the cumulative affects of heat/grime/gun powder residue. When the end of Spring 5 is adjacent to the abutting surfaces of Spring Cups 4, a Spring Cup Misalignment Bias pushes Spring Cup 4 out of alignment. This causes a Misalignment Gap 7 (FIGS. 5, 8, 9) which causes the outside surface of the misaligned Spring Cup 4 to drag against the internal cylinder of Spring Liner 6. Thus a gritty/poor trigger feel results. Additionally, the power of Spring 5 to discharge a cartridge is decreased due to increased friction between Spring Cup 4 and Spring Liner 6. The figures illustrate an unsquared/unground spring (for illustrative purposes only). In practice a squared/ground spring is utilized. However, the Misalignment Gap 7 (FIGS. 5, 8, 9) still occurs.

[0052] FIG. 10 illustrates components of an embodiment of a DIITPFPSCK which convert a PAFPS 13 into an ITPFPS 19. The components comprise at least one SCAW 8, at least one CAS 11, and at least two HSSs 10. The single piece prior art Spacer Sleeve 3 (FIGS. 1-7) is split into two HSSs 10. The thin cross-sectional heights/thicknesses of HSSs 10 allows them to be shippable/mailable in a standard letter envelope (along with SCAW 8 and CASs 11) thus significantly reducing shipping costs.

[0053] FIG. 11 is a rear-left-bottom exploded isometric view of the components of a FPS 14 of an ITPFPS 19.

[0054] FPS 14 comprises a Firing Pin 2, two Spring Cups 4, at least one CAS 11, Spring 5, at least one SCAW 8, and Spring Liner 6 (cutaway for illustrative purposes only).

[0055] FIGS. 12-17 illustrate individual assembly steps of FPS 14.

[0056] At least one CAS 11 is slid onto Firing Pin 2 (FIG. 12).

[0057] Spring 5 is slid onto Firing Pin 2 and compressed against CAS 11 which provides a back/proximal stop for Spring 5 (FIG. 13).

[0058] At least one SCAW 8 is slid onto Firing Pin 2 and abutted against compressed Spring 5 (FIG. 14). SCAW 8 provides a front/distal stop for Spring 5.

[0059] Spring Cups 4 are abutted together around the long neck of Firing Pin 2 (FIG. 15).

[0060] Spring 5 is then released (FIG. 16). Spring 5 pushes SCAW 8 onto ridged down portions of abutted Spring Cups 4. Inside diameter of SCAW 8 closely approximates the diameter of the ridged down portions of abutted Spring Cups 4. SCAW 8 clamps Spring Cups 4 together and prevents transfer of Spring Cup Misalignment Bias from Spring 5 to Spring Cups 4. Therefore the Misalignment Gap 7 (FIGS. 5, 8, 9) cannot form and smooth trigger pulls result for the life of the firearm.

[0061] Spring Liner 6 is then slid over Spring Cups 4, SCAW 8, and Spring 5 (FIG. 17).

[0062] FIG. 17 is a view of a fully assembled FPS 14.

[0063] FIG. 18 is a left side view of FIG. 17.

[0064] FIG. 19 is a rear-left-top cutaway (for illustrative purposes only) isometric view of a partial Slide 1. The Slide is the upper portion of a semiautomatic handgun that reciprocates fore and aft during the firing cycle. Slide 1 comprises a Spacer Sleeve Cylinder 12, a Spring Cylinder 9, and a Firing Pin Head Cylinder 21.

[0065] FIGS. 20-22 illustrate individual assembly steps of ITPFPS 19.

[0066] FPS 14 is inserted into Spring Cylinder 9 of Slide 1 (FIG. 20).

[0067] Two HSSs 10 are abutted together (FIG. 21).

[0068] The abutted HSSs 10 are then inserted into Spacer Sleeve Cylinder 12 of Slide 1 and abutted against a CAS 11 (FIG. 22).

[0069] FIG. 22 is a view of a fully assembled ITPFPS 19 within Slide 1.

[0070] FIG. 23 is a left side view of FIG. 22.

[0071] FIG. 24 is a detailed view of Section B of FIG. 23 and clearly illustrates the interplay between Spring Cups 4, SCAW 8, and Spring 5. Interplay between Spring Cylinder 9 (of Slide 1), Spring Liner 6, and SCAW 8 is also illustrated.

[0072] FIG. 25 is a detailed view of Section C of FIG. 23 and clearly illustrates the interplay between Spring 5, CASs 11, and HSSs 10. Interplay between CASs 11, HSSs 10, and Spacer Sleeve Cylinder 12 (of Slide 1) is also illustrated.

[0073] FIG. 26 is a left side view of an Alternate Embodiment ITPFPS 15 which comprises a Spring Liner Eliminating Spring Cup Aligning Washer (hereinafter SLESCAW) 16 and only one CAS 11.

[0074] FIG. 27 is a rear-left-top isometric view of FIG. 26.

[0075] FIG. 28 is a detailed view of Section D of FIG. 27. The external diameter of SLESCAW 16 approximates the internal diameter of Spring Cylinder 9 of Slide 1 (of FIG. 18).

[0076] The primary function of Spring Liner 6 (when the prior art design was introduced decades ago) was to provide corrosion resistance between Spring 5 and Slide 1 should they come in contact with each other. However, with advancement of metals used in the firearms industry the corrosion problems is now nonexistent. Latest firearm designs no longer utilize Spring Liners. Furthermore, the friction between the cylinder wall of Spring Liner 6, Spring Cups 4, and Spring 5 degrades the power of Spring 5 to discharge a cartridge. Thus, eliminating Spring Liner 6 not only decreases cost and complexity, but increases overall system reliability.

[0077] Additionally, as illustrated in these FIGS. 26, 27), only one CAS 11 is installed (vs. FIGS. 18, 23). This configuration yields the lightest (i.e.Competition Mode) trigger actuation weight. The system would be configured/tuned so that the compression amount of Spring 5 (between SLESCAW 16 and the single CAS 11) is adequate to consistently discharge a cartridge. Additional SLESCAWs 16/SCAWs 8 and/or CASs 11 would increase compression of Spring 5 (additional illustrations and descriptions to follow) and in turn increase trigger actuation weight (as would be desired for Duty/Carry Mode). The terms Competition, Duty, and Carry are well known in the industry.

[0078] FIG. 29 is a left side view of an Another Alternate Embodiment ITPFPS 20 in a state of impending Firing Pin 2 release. The Another Alternate ITPFPS 20 comprises an Other Embodiment SLESCAW 17. The Other Embodiment SLESCAW 17 comprises multiple Bypass Divots 18 (FIG. 31) and could resemble a four legged starfish. This figure illustrates how Spring 5 is compressed by other known components (not illustrated or described) as the trigger is actuated. Any further actuation/pulling of the trigger would release Firing Pin 2 to discharge a cartridge. It should be easy to envisage (from this figure) how adding more SCAWs 8 and/or CASs 11 would increase trigger pull weight (due to further initial compression of Spring 5).

[0079] It is noteworthy that the aforementioned method of increasing trigger pull weight by subjecting Spring 5 to a higher initial compressive load could actually aid firearm accuracy due to lessening of Lock Time. Lock Time is the time from firing pin release until firing pin's impact on the cartridge primer (and thus discharge). Decreasing Lock Time minimizes the undesirable affects of flinching (i.e.unintentional/involuntary twitching of the muzzle downward in anticipation of recoil).

[0080] FIG. 30 is a rear-left-top isometric view of FIG. 29.

[0081] FIG. 31 is a detailed view of Section E of FIG. 30. Bypass Divots 18 would be advantageous should the firearm be required to be discharged underwater. Should Spring Cylinder 9 get flooded, Bypass Divots 18 would allow fluid transfer between the fore and aft portions (separated by Other Embodiment SLESCAW 17) of Spring Cylinder 9 (shown bolded in FIG. 31) as the components translate within (thus preventing hydraulic lock).

[0082] It is also important to emphasize that the invention could be configured as an easy Drop-In type of system/modification where no alteration (except for the dropping in of the parts) of the firearm from original factory configuration is required.

[0083] It is contemplated that the components of the inventive subject matter described herein can be made from suitable materials (e.g.sheet metal, steel, steel alloys, polymers (plastics), etc.) and processes (e.g.machining, 3D Printing, Injection Molding, Metal Injection Molding, sheet metal folding, etc.) known by those in the art.

[0084] Alternative embodiments and/or uses of the methods and devices described above and modifications and equivalents thereof are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. For example, a single SCAW 8 could be used with a PAFPS 13 to smooth out the trigger feel. Furthermore, SCAWs 8 and/or CASs 11 could be used with a PAFPS 13 to increase trigger pull weight while decreasing Lock Time. Although the described embodiments pertain to operating systems of a certain brand/type of firearm, the invention is not limited to that brand/type.

[0085] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms comprises and comprising should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.