US20110173859A1

US20110173859A1 - Removable trigger guard

Info

Publication number: US20110173859A1
Application number: US12/941,504
Authority: US
Inventors: David Findlay
Original assignee: Smith and Wesson Corp
Current assignee: Smith and Wesson Brands Inc
Priority date: 2010-01-15
Filing date: 2010-11-08
Publication date: 2011-07-21

Abstract

A removable trigger guard for a rifle. The removable trigger guard includes a first arm that is disposed between a magazine and a grip of the firearm, a body portion disposed along an upper portion of the grip, and a second arm portion that is disposed along a lower surface of the rifle and between the grip and the magazine. The first arm includes a ball bearing and a detent pin that engage a yoke of the magazine. The body portion includes another ball bearing that snap fits into engagement with a yoke formed in the magazine. The second arm includes an opening that receives a trigger that protrudes from the lower surface. The removable trigger guard can be installed by hand without tools and can be removed with the use of the tip of an ammunition cartridge.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present utility application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/295,328, filed Jan. 15, 2010, hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a trigger guard for a firearm. In particular, the present invention relates to a removable trigger guard for an M-16 style rifle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Trigger guards mounted on rifles are known to protect the trigger from inadvertent actuation that can, under some circumstances, result in the discharging of a round of ammunition. Such trigger guards are, in general, designed to avoid interfering with or otherwise impacting the normal operation of the trigger.
In some usage situations, such as combat conditions in desert regions, sand and other field debris can find its way into the lower receiver and become lodged in and under the trigger mechanism. As a result, the trigger mechanism may require cleaning. Typically, cleaning the trigger mechanism requires the firearm to be rendered “safe and empty” for an extended period of time so that the trigger mechanism may be removed from the firearm for thorough cleaning.
The lower surface of a rifle that surrounds the trigger necessarily includes an opening for motion of the trigger, which, typically, admits debris into the trigger mechanism. Similarly, known trigger guards are not involved with preventing or addressing the problem of debris interrupting the trigger mechanism.
Additionally, the lower surface of a rifle that surrounds the trigger is, in general, fixed to and integral with a receiver of the rifle, and does not permit easy access to the trigger mechanism for cleaning. Similarly, conventional trigger guards are often fixed to the receiver of the firearm, block access to the trigger mechanism. This prevents the clearing of debris from the trigger mechanism.
Thus, there is a need for a trigger guard or lower edge of a rifle that prevents debris from coming in contact with the trigger mechanism or, otherwise, facilitates removal of debris from the trigger mechanism.
The object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a removable trigger guard, which, among other desirable attributes, significantly reduces or overcomes the above-mentioned deficiencies of prior trigger guards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a removable trigger guard that prevents debris from coming in contact with a trigger mechanism and facilitates removal of debris from around the trigger mechanism.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a lower surface of a firearm that surrounds a trigger that prevents debris from coming in contact with a trigger mechanism or, otherwise, facilitates removal of debris from around the trigger mechanism.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a trigger guard that is removable to facilitate access to the trigger mechanism, for example, for rapid field cleaning of the trigger mechanism.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a firearm having a removable trigger guard is provided. The trigger guard is removably clipped between a grip and a magazine well of the firearm, and substantially covers a trigger opening formed in a receiver of the firearm between the grip and the magazine well.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a removable trigger guard is provided. The removable trigger guard includes a first arm shaped to substantially close off a trigger opening of a firearm, a second arm carrying in at least one end thereof at least one resiliently actuable fastener for engagement with one of the grip and the magazine well, and a body portion joining an end of the first arm to an end of the second arm, and having an outer surface shaped to align with a corresponding surface formed on one of the grip and the magazine well.
According to the present invention, a firearm trigger mechanism is restored to proper operation by rendering the firearm safe, removing a trigger guard from the firearm to expose a trigger opening, and cleaning the trigger mechanism via the trigger opening.
These and other features of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings of preferred embodiments of a removable trigger guard. The illustrated embodiments of the system of the present invention are intended to illustrate, but not limit, the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a firearm known in the prior art.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a trigger space of a firearm with an exploded removable trigger guard according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a grip of the firearm of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section along line 4-4 of the grip of the firearm of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a central portion of a frame of the firearm of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross section along line 6-6 of the central portion of the frame, proximate to a magazine, of the firearm of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross section along line 7-7 of the central portion of the frame of the firearm of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a removable trigger guard according to the firearm of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the removable trigger guard according to FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates a rear view of the removable trigger guard according to FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of the removable trigger guard according to FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross section of the removable trigger guard along line 12-12 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 illustrates a cross section of the removable trigger guard along line 13-13 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of the removable trigger guard according to FIG. 8.

FIG. 15 illustrates a section view of the removable trigger guard along line 15-15 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 illustrates a section view of the removable trigger guard along line 16-16 of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a firearm 10 according to the prior art, such as a M-16 style firearm, is shown. The firearm 10 has a grip 12 and a magazine well 14 that, together, define a trigger space 16 disposed adjacent to a partly-opened lower surface 18 of a receiver 20 of the firearm 10. The grip 12 commonly is mounted to the receiver 20, while the magazine well 14 may be formed integral with or as a part of the receiver 20. The receiver 20 houses a trigger mechanism (not shown in FIG. 1) that is operable by a trigger 22, which protrudes through the lower surface 18 of the receiver 20 into the trigger space 16. The firearm 10 also has a trigger guard 24 disposed between the grip 12 and the magazine well 14 to define and enclose the trigger space 16. The trigger guard 24 prevents actuation of the trigger 22 by inadvertent insertion of an object or finger into the trigger space 16.
Referring to FIG. 2, the trigger space 16 is shown with a removable trigger guard 26, according to the present invention, exploded therefrom. The trigger space 16, as shown, has a substantially rectangular shape. The rearward portion of the trigger space 16, proximate an upper portion 28 of the grip 12, is defined in part by a flat surface 30 that includes a small spherical recess 32 disposed in the center thereof. A concave cylindrical surface 34 extends from the flat surface 30 toward the lower surface 18 of the receiver 20.
The receiver 20 has two sidewalls 36 that enclose a substantially rounded rectangular inner cavity 37 with a trigger opening 38 at the lower surface 18. Within the cavity 37, the trigger mechanism 40 is mounted to the sidewalls 36, for example, by way of pins (not shown). The trigger mechanism 40 typically is located within the cavity 37 such that the trigger 22 protrudes through the trigger opening 38 substantially midway between the sidewalls 36 in the lateral direction and midway along the trigger opening 38 in the longitudinal direction. Two springs 42 are mounted in the inner cavity 37, one at each lateral side of the trigger mechanism 40, so that a distal end of each spring 42 extends beyond the inner cavity 37 and into the trigger space 16.
The frontward portion of the trigger space 16, which abuts the magazine well 14, is defined by a curved surface 44. The curved surface 44 extends from the lower surface 18 of the receiver 20 to a yoke 46 at a lower edge of the trigger space 16. The yoke 46 has two laterally opposed arms, each having a circular opening 47 formed therein. Preferably the opposed arms of the yoke 46 are laterally flexible without permanent deformation, to accept assembly of the removable trigger guard 26 as further discussed below.
The removable trigger guard 26 has a horseshoe-shape and is fitted to the trigger space 16. In particular, the removable trigger guard 26 has a first arm 48 that is fitted to bridge a gap formed between the grip 12 and the magazine well 14. The first arm 48 extends to a tapered end 50, which houses in its opposed lateral faces a ball bearing 51 (better shown in FIG. 14), a detent pin 52, and a spring 53 (also shown in FIG. 14). Alternatively, a two-sided detent spring, two opposing ball bearings, or two opposed detent pins may be substituted for the ball bearing and the detent pin mounted in the tapered end of the first arm. Other resiliently actuable or clip-type fasteners will be apparent to those of skill.
Referring back to FIG. 2, when the removable trigger guard 26 is installed onto the firearm 10, the tapered end 50 of the first arm 48 clips into the yoke 46 via engagement of the detent pin 52 and the ball bearing 51 into the circular openings 47 a, 47 b. For instance, the detent pin 52 compresses laterally into the tapered end 50 of the first arm 48 in order to snap fit or clip into the circular opening 47 a formed through the arms of the yoke 46. Meanwhile, the opposite arm of the yoke 46 may deform laterally outward to accept into the circular opening 47 b the ball bearing 51 opposed to the detent pin 52.
In order to remove or unclip from the yoke 46 the first arm 48 of the removable trigger guard 26, the detent pin 52 may be compressed. For example the detent pin 52 may be disengaged from its mating circular opening 47 by inserting the tip of a round of ammunition through the opening 47. Once unclipped from the yoke 46, the removable trigger guard 26 then can be slid out of the trigger space 16.
The first arm 48 also includes a flanged end 54 longitudinally opposed to the tapered end 50. The flanged end 54 has a flat rearward surface 56 that is fitted to the flat surface 30 of the grip 12. As better shown in FIG. 16, the flat rearward surface 56 includes a ball bearing 58 housed in a recess 57 and rearwardly biased by a spring 59 that the ball bearing captures into the recess. Referring back to FIG. 2, when the removable trigger guard is installed onto the firearm 10, the ball bearing 58 presses into the small spherical recess 32 formed on the grip 12, thereby helping to locate and to retain the removable trigger guard 26 within the trigger space 16.
The removable trigger guard 26 also has a body portion 60 that extends substantially perpendicularly from the flanged end 54 of the first arm 48. The body portion 60 of the removable trigger guard 26 includes a convex cylindrical surface 61 that is fitted to the concave cylindrical surface 34 formed on the grip 12. The complimentary shapes of the convex cylindrical surface 61 and the concave cylindrical surface 34 help to align and retain the removable trigger guard 26 within the trigger space 16.
In addition, the removable trigger guard 26 has a second arm 62 that extends perpendicularly from an upper end of the body portion 60. The second arm 62 is fitted to the inner cavity 37, between the sidewalls 36, so as to substantially close off or cover the trigger opening 38. A slot 64 is formed in the second arm 62 for receiving the trigger 22 when the removable trigger guard 26 is installed in the trigger space 16. Thus, the second arm 62 of the removable trigger guard 26 reduces entry of debris into the trigger mechanism 40 while also providing for operation of the trigger 22.
Optionally, the slot 64 formed in the second arm 62 of the removable trigger guard 26 may include a movable barrier (not shown) that seals around the trigger 22 for further reducing entry of debris into the inner cavity 37. For example, the barrier can be a flexible and resilient polymer sheet or membrane having an elastic opening for receiving the trigger 22. Alternatively, the membrane may closely encompass the entire trigger 22, so that the trigger opening 38 is entirely sealed by the removable trigger guard 26. Alternatively the barrier can be a slidable plate that is movably biased against the trigger 22 by the springs 42. Other alternatives will occur to those of skill. When installed, the second arm 62 contacts the springs 42, which resist movement of the second arm 62 so that the removable trigger guard 26 is properly and firmly installed in the trigger space 16.
As should be appreciated, once the firearm 10 has been made safe for partial disassembly, the removable trigger guard 26 can be readily removed from the trigger space 16 by compressing the detent pin 52 of the first arm 48 into the tapered end 50, then pulling or pivoting the removable trigger guard 26 away from the lower surface 18 of the receiver 20. Once the removable trigger guard 26 has been removed, the trigger mechanism 40 can be cleaned out via the trigger opening 38. For example, large debris can be removed simply by shaking the firearm 10. Compressed air can be used to blow out smaller debris. Those of skill will appreciate other measures for cleaning the trigger mechanism 40, via the trigger opening 38, without requiring complete disassembly of the firearm 10. Then, once the cleaning is complete, the removable trigger guard 26 can be reinserted into the trigger space 16 by sliding the removable trigger guard 26 toward the lower surface 18 with the body portion 60 aligned with the concave cylindrical surface 34 until the ball bearing and the detent pin 52 mounted in the tapered end 50 of the first arm 48 clip or snap fit into the arms of the yoke 46. To facilitate reinsertion, the detent pin 52 can be compressed by the user.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the grip 12 is shown. The grip 12 includes the flat surface 30 defining the small spherical recess 32, as discussed above. For mounting the grip 12 to the receiver 20, the grip 12 also includes a bolt hole 65 that is opened from an interior cavity of the grip 12 onto a substantially triangular-shaped notch 66. The grip 12 also includes a first ridge 68 for engaging a user's middle and ring fingers and a second ridge 70 for engaging the user's pinky finger. The first ridge 68 and the second ridge 70 improve the user's ability to hold of the grip 12.
Referring to FIGS. 5-7, details of the receiver 20 are shown. As shown in FIG. 5, the receiver 20 includes a flange 74 with the concave cylindrical surface 34 formed at its forward face, and also includes a gusset 76 extending rearwardly from the flange 74. The gusset 76 fits into the notch 66 of the grip 12 and has a threaded mounting hole 77 formed therein, as shown in FIG. 7. Referring again to FIG. 5, the lower surface 18 of the receiver 20 includes two parallel steps 78 having a slope 80 formed therebetween. The curved rearward surface 44 of the magazine well 14 is substantially circular for allowing an index finger of the user to be received between the trigger 22 and the magazine well 14. The yoke 46 has a rounded rectangular shape.
Referring to FIG. 6, the yoke 46 is shown as being asymmetrical. In particular, one arm of the yoke 46, for instance, the arm for receiving the detent pin 52, includes a first circular opening 47 a that extends from the inner side of the yoke 46 to the outer side of the yoke 46 thereby allowing a user to actuate the detent pin 52. However, the other arm of the yoke 46, for instance, the arm for receiving the ball bearing 51, includes a second circular opening 47 b that does not extend through the arm of the yoke 46 thereby preventing inadvertent release of the ball bearing 51 from the yoke 46.
Referring to FIG. 7, the inner cavity 37, the trigger opening 38, and the sidewalls 36 are shown. The threaded mounting hole 77 also is shown at a rearward part of the receiver 20.
Referring to FIG. 8-13, details of the removable trigger guard 26 are shown. As shown in FIG. 8, the removable trigger guard 26 is substantially U-shaped. However, the first arm 48, as shown, has an arcuate shape, such that the first arm 48 is slightly convex with a partially flattened outer surface 82 and a curved inner surface 84. In addition, the tapered end of the first arm 48 is slightly enlarged for receiving the ball bearing and the detent pin 52 and for conforming to the curved surface 44 of the magazine. Similarly, the distal end of the second arm 62 is slightly enlarged for conforming to the curved surface 44 of the magazine. The flanged end 54 of the first arm 48 extends beyond the body portion 60.
As shown in FIG. 9, the second arm 62 of the removable trigger guard 26 has a substantially rounded rectangular shape that conforms to the perimeter of the inner cavity 37. The second arm of the removable trigger guard includes grooves 63 formed in its upper surface, for engagement with the springs 42. The second arm 62 also includes the slot 64 for receiving the trigger 22. The slot 64 has a substantially rounded rectangular shape. The tapered end 50 and the flanged end 54 of the first arm 48 are substantially rectangular and extend beyond the silhouette of the second arm 62.
As shown in FIG. 10, the flat flanged surface 56 includes the ball bearing recess 57 for receiving the ball bearing 58. The ball bearing recess 57 is substantially circular and located at a central portion of the flat flanged surface 56. The body portion 60 is slightly tapered along its lateral edges, proximate the apex of the curved inner surface 84 thereof.
As shown in FIG. 11, the curved inner surface 84 of the removable trigger guard 26 is rounded, as is, to a lesser extent, the outer surface 82 of the first arm 48. The slot 64 extends into the second arm 62 along the curved inner surface 84.
As shown in FIG. 12, the tapered end 50 of the first arm 48 has a substantially cylindrical opening 88 formed therein for receiving the ball bearing and the detent pin 52. The cylindrically opening 88 is tapered at one end for receiving the ball bearing and for mounting a remote end of the detent pin 52.
As shown in FIG. 13, the slot 64 extends into the second arm 62 along the curved inner surface 84.
FIGS. 14-16 show details of the ball bearings 51, 58, the detent pin 52, the ball bearing recess 57, and the springs 53, 59, as previously discussed above.
It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention.
For example, in another embodiment of the present invention, the geometry of the first arm can be modified to provide a different contour and feel to the trigger guard. For instance, the outer surface of the first arm and the curved inner surface can be substantially flattened to provide a more box-like trigger guard.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the removable trigger guard can be adapted to be used for a pistol, missile launcher, or other firearm.
Thus, while the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various obvious changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the essential scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A firearm apparatus comprising:

a receiver with a grip and a magazine well extending from a lower surface of the receiver and defining therebetween a trigger space adjacent to the lower surface of the receiver.

a trigger mechanism housed in said receiver with a trigger extending from the trigger mechanism into the trigger space via a trigger opening formed in the lower surface of said receiver; and

a trigger guard removably clipped between the grip and the magazine well of said receiver, said trigger guard substantially covering the trigger opening of said receiver.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said trigger guard includes:

a first arm substantially covering said trigger opening; and

a second arm carrying in at least one end thereof at least one resiliently actuable fastener engaged with one of said grip and said magazine well.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one resiliently actuable fastener of said trigger guard is engaged with a yoke formed on one of said grip or said magazine well.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first arm of said trigger guard includes a slot, and the trigger of said trigger mechanism protrudes into the trigger space of said receiver through the slot.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

a movable barrier mounted on the first arm of said trigger guard adjacent to the slot to follow movement of the trigger for further covering the trigger opening of said receiver.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said movable barrier includes a flexible elastic membrane entirely covering the trigger slot.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the slot is formed through a flexible elastic membrane mounted on the first arm of said trigger guard.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

a movable barrier mounted on the first arm of said trigger guard to follow movement of the trigger for further covering the trigger opening of said receiver.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said trigger guard further includes a body portion joining an end of the first arm to an end of the second arm, the body portion of said trigger guard includes an outer surface matingly aligned with a corresponding surface formed on said receiver, and when said trigger guard is clipped to said receiver, the second arm substantially encloses the trigger space.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trigger opening of said receiver is substantially larger than required for movement of the trigger within the trigger mechanism.

11. A removable trigger guard apparatus for assembly to a lower surface of a firearm receiver having a grip and a magazine well fastened thereto, the grip and the magazine well defining a trigger space adjacent to said lower surface, said firearm receiver containing a trigger mechanism from which a trigger protrudes through a trigger opening of said lower surface into said trigger space, said apparatus comprising:

a first arm shaped to substantially close off said trigger opening.

a second arm carrying in at least one end thereof at least one resiliently actuable fastener for engagement with one of said grip and said magazine well; and

a body portion joining an end of said first arm to an end of said second arm, and having an outer surface shaped to align with a corresponding surface formed on one of said grip and said magazine well,

wherein, when the outer surface of said body portion is aligned with the corresponding surface formed on said grip or said magazine well, said first arm substantially covers the trigger opening of said receiver and said second arm substantially encloses the trigger space of said receiver.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the outer surface of said body portion includes a convex cylindrical surface extending from said second arm toward said first arm.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said first arm includes a slot extending along said first arm.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, further comprising:

a movable barrier mounted on said first arm to follow movement of a trigger within the slot.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said movable barrier is a flexible elastic member mounted adjacent to the slot.

16. A method for restoring proper operation of a trigger mechanism of a firearm, comprising:

rendering said firearm safe and unloaded;

removing a trigger guard from said firearm to expose a trigger opening; and

cleaning said trigger mechanism via said trigger opening.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein cleaning said trigger mechanism includes forcing air through said trigger opening.

18. The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising:

subsequent to cleaning said trigger mechanism, clipping said trigger guard to said firearm to substantially cover said trigger opening.

19. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein cleaning said trigger mechanism includes mechanically agitating said firearm.

20. The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising:

loading and locking said firearm; and

actuating said trigger mechanism.