US2308598A

US2308598A - Trigger mechanism for firearms

Info

Publication number: US2308598A
Application number: US309363A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clyde B Ferrel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1939-12-15
Filing date: 1939-12-15
Publication date: 1943-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 1960-01-19

Description

C. B. FERREL TRIGGER MECHANISM FOR FIREARMS Jam. "im, WM.

Fled Deo. 15, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. @M

ATTORNEY W wn um JH W R Fam my MMM., C, E. FERREL TRIGGER MECHANISM FOR FIREARMS s sheetasheet 2 Filed Deo I C. B. FERREL TRIGGER MECHANISM FOR F'IREARMS M11., w wm.

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Filed Dec. l5, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 M my TTORNEY atentecl Jari. 19, 1943 ITED s rara ric.

11 Claims.

This Vinvention relates toa trigger mechanism for `firearms suchas rifles, m-achine guns and the like, and especially to` a trigger mechanism embodyingtwo triggers which areoperable independently of each otherto effect firing control.

TheV object of the present invention is generally to improve and simplify the constructionand operation-of trigger mechanisms of the character described; to provide a trigger mechanismwhich embodies two triggers operable independently of each other, one trigger being a re control trigger and the other functioning kas Van automatic or machine gun trigger; toprovidev a fire control trigger which permits smooth, easy action and which is operable to release the firing vplunger both during pull or release of the trigger; and furtherpto provide a triggermechanism which is simple in construction andoperation requires few parts, eliminates fine adjust-ments,Y and permits sturdy construction, f

The triggerV mechanism is shown by -way of illustration in Vthe accompanyingl drawings-in which Fig-1 is a longitudinal section of a gun showing a portion of the bolt action and the trigger mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation-on thetrigger mechanism partially broken away;

Fig. `3 is a cross section-takenV on line III-III of Fig. 1

Fig. 4 is a perspective viewof thering plunger head;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged Vertical longitudinal sectional view of the trigger mechanism and a portion of the ring plunger and head.;-

Fig. y6 is a perspective View of `the triggerv frame;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the triple latch` arm;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a fire control trigger;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a machine gun trigger; and l Fig. l0 is a horizontal section taken on line v which is formed a trigger guard- 2, and at the rear Aend, of Vwhich is formedfa web-3 to which the :stool:` of the gun -is secured,` as-shown at.4 in Fig. -1.- Formed `atthe upper .and rear end of the trigger frame is a ring-shaped member 5 and a forwardly extending clamping plate 6,V

whereby the main frame B of the gun (see Fig. l) Aof the frame are formed stepped faces 'l and 8,

, and intermediate the stepped faces is a cut-away or cored-out portion `9 which extends down thr-ough the web 3 to the bottom of the guardA 2. This cored-out portion also extendsinto the `face 1, and semi-circular angesfl 0 form lthe side walls thereof. The cored-out portion 9 is provided forthe reception oftwo independently actuated triggers C and D which will hereinafterfbe referred to as the re control trigger and the automatic or machine gun trigger, Irespectively (see Figs. 8 and 9). Secured to the upper surface of the face 'l by a screw .ll is a triple ylatch member, generally indicated at E (see Fig. 7). This is made of spring steel and is divided longitudinally into three arms,4 Ill-I4 and I5.` Each of these arms terminates in shoulders which will function as latches, as will hereinafter be described. y

Below the latch shoulders formed-on the arms lll are bearing bosses llla-lllwwhich arecentrally drilled to-receive'and support a bearingpin |6. Similarly formed onthe end of .the c-entral arm I5 is a boss lctwhich is vertically slotted as indicated at l5b to permit the vbearing pin I6 to extendftherethrough and to move vertically therein, and vformed on -the rear side of the boss la is a lug l5b, the function of which will later be described.

The main function of the triple latch member B is to controlrthe ring plunger. Il, which is hereinafter referred to, and to form a support for the rire control trigger C.. The` upper end of this trigger is forked and consists of a pair ofV spaced bearing "lugs, I8-I8 which arecentrally drilled to receive andto be hung from the bearing pin Iii.` The lugs areconnected by a crosspiece I9 `(see Fig. 8) and formedintegrally therewith is the finger piece of the trigger C. Also carried by the crosspiece is .the pin 20, and forming. extensions of the. lugs IS-IB are cheeks 18a which serveto guide .the `trigger against lateral movement within the trigger frame, and which also function as a trigger stop, as will hereinafter appear.

Before describing the operation of the` trigger mechanism, a brief descriptionof the bolt action, the firingY pinand ringplunger must be submitted, as the trigger mechanism .controls the op eration of these parts., When the shell,.cartriclge,

4or other form of ammunition employed is detonated bythe ring-pin 30, ,energy is applied tothe is partially secured. On the upper surface l bolt head 3| to force it rearwardly a predetermined distance. During this predetermined movement, the bolt head is released, permitting the energy to react on the bolt sleeve 32 and to drive it rearwardly against the tension of the spring 33. A secondary sleeve 36 moves rearwardly in unison with the bolt sleeve and serves several functions, among which will be mentioned the following:

First, a head member 35 carried by the intermediate sleeve 34 engages the plunger head 36 of the firing plunger I'I and thereby functions to reset or cock it. Secondly, during the return movement of the members 3|, 32, 33 and 35, the firing plunger spring 38 is recompressed.

Suffice it to say that the firing plunger head 36 is controlled by the trigger C, or 1n other words is released when the trigger C is pulled. When released, the firing plunger is shot forward by the action of the spring 38 and thereby strikes the head 35a of the firing pin, causing it to strike and detonate the cartridge or other form of ammunition employed, A portion of the energy produced by the detonation of the cartridge is utilized to propel the members 3|, 32, 33 and 35 rearwardly a sufcient distance to reset or cock the plunger firing head 36, and thereafter to place the spring 38 under compression, and the plunger firing head will not be released again until the trigger C is pulled.

In order that the firing plunger head may cooperate with the triple latch arm E, reference will be made to Fig. 4 of the drawings, as it will there be seen that the under surface of the head 36 is provided with a pair of shoulders Illd, which cooperate with the latch arms |-|4, and that a third and forwardly positioned shoulder |5d is provided which cooperates with the latch arm I5. Also it will be noted that a concave or rounded depressed surface 40 is formed rearwardly of shoulders just referred to. With this construction in mind, the operation of the trigger C will be as follows:

Referring to Fig. 5, it will be noted that the latch arms lll-Hl are raised, and that they engage the shoulders Illd of the plunger ring head 36, thereby retaining or holding it together with the plunger I'I in a cocked position. If the gun is to be fired, a pull will be exerted on the trigger C in the direction of arrow a, and when this takes place, pin will engage lugr I5b formed in the rear end of arm I5, and as the end of this arm engages the under surface of the head 36, arm I5 will remain stationary. Hence pin 20 will function as a fulcrum point about which the trigger swings while it is being pulled from the full line to the dotted line position. The bearing pin I6, as previously stated, extends through the lugs I8 of the trigger, and as the trigger swings about the fulcrum point or the pin 20, pin I6 will swing or will be pulled downwardly from the full line to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 5, and as the pin also extends through the bearing bosses Illa of the latch arms |4|4 they will also be pulled downwardly awav from the shoulders I4d. and the firing head 36 will thus be released. When released it will, together with the plunger I1, be propelled forwardly by the spring 38, and, as such, will strike the head a of the firing pin 3D, causing this to strike the cartridge or other form of ammunition employed, thereby causing detonation. The moment detonation takes place, energy becomes available and, as previously stated, this causes rearward movement of the parts 3|, 32, 34 and 75 35, causing the member 35 to force the head 36 and the plunger II rearwardly again past the triple latch arm.

At this point the spring 33 reaches its full compression and returns the other members to their normal position, While the firing head 36 on the plunger I'I will be stopped and retained in cocked position by the triple latch arm. That is, it should be rememberedmhat the arms lll-I4 and I5 are made of spring steel and when arms I4 are pulled downwardly into the same plane as the arm I5 by means of the trigger C, there is a tendency for all of the arms together with the trigger to spring upwardly the moment the head 36 is released. Ilhus on the return movement of the head 36 the several latch arms are in the raised position and are momentarily depressed by the head 36 during its return movement. But they will again immediately raise when the head 36 passes to a point rearwardly of the same. Hence when it starts its forward movement again, shoulder I5d will engage the central latch arm I5 as shown in Fig. 11. Then by releasing the pull on the trigger, arms I4 will be released and swing upwardly, while arm I5 will be depressed, thus pulling it out of engagement with the shoulder I5d and permitting the arms III to engage the shoulders Idd. The gun is thus re-cocked and ready for firing.

The description thus far submitted in connection with the trigger C describes the rearward pulling action thereon. Another method of utilizing the trigger C will be described as follows:

If the gun is to be red, the operator pulls on the trigger C but he gives it a quick jerk or pull. In doing so, he releases or pulls the latch arms I4 downwardly as previously described, but at the same time there is a tendency to pull the trigger beyond the releasing position. In doing so, the cheeks Ia forming a part of the lugs I8 on the trigger will engage stop shoulders I5c formed on opposite sides of the semi-circular guide flanges I0 (see Figs. 5 and 6) and when these stop shoulders are engaged, the cheeks Ia become a fulcrum point which tends to lift all three latch arms upwardly When such upward movement takes place, that is, when a quick jerk is imparted to the trigger, a rounded nose 4| on the rear end of the latch arm I5 moves upwardly into the concave or recessed portion l0 formed on the under side of the ring head, and thus retains the firing head against release. Then by slowly releasing the pull on the trigger C so as to permit it to swing forwardly, the firing head will be released and the cycle of operation previously described in connection with the firing plunger, firing pin, and other parts will be repeated.

Thus it will be seen that the trigger C may release the ring head 36 by rearward pull and also during release of forward movement of the trigger. The last described action of the trigger is the preferred one, as this provides an exceedingly smooth and easy action in connection with the release of the firing head, which eliminates any tendency to flinch or jerk the gun when firing.

The trigger action here shown may also be utilized for rapid fire or machine gun action, the trigger D being employed for this purpose. If rapid fire is desired, the operator merely moves his finger from the trigger C to engage the lower extension 25 of the trigger D. By exerting pressure and pulling this trigger rearwardly, it will obviously swing about the fulcrum point of pin 23.

the bearing bosses Ma of the latch arms .14, anda. these will be depressed and will, together with the latch arm I5, be held in depressed position as long as the trigger D is held in its rearward position. Thus the firing head 36 is `free to reciprocate without interference orretention by i the latches, and automatic or machine gun firing is obtained.

The mechanism disclosed is exceedingly simple, fewvparts being employed, and the parts employed are sturdy in construction. The triple latch is secured by a single member, to wit, the screw H, and it can not swing as the forward end is provided with an extension e which enters between a pair of lugsd--d formed at -the rear end of the face 'I of the trigger frame. The extension e lies between the lugs d-d and thus secures the triple latch member against swing-I ing movement. It is further retained against swinging or lateral movement by the bearing bosses Ma lying between the lugs Ill-I8 of the trigger C. The extension cheeks I8a of this trigger engage the exterior surfaces of the semicircular lugs Hl, shown in Fig. 6, land lateral movement of the trigger within the frame is also prevented.

The pivotal support for the trigger C is the bearing pin I6, but as this is supported in the i bearing bosses Illa of the arms I4, it becomes a floating support for the trigger which permits it to yield both when the trigger C is operated and when engaged by the firing head 36.

Fine adjustments are entirely eliminated, as

the movement of the triple latch arms is con-- siderable, thereby permitting the use of shoul-` ders Ild and ld having liberal clearances.

It may otherwise be stated that the opposite side faces of the trigger frame shownv in Fig. 6 are anged, as shown at 45; These anges form a support for the main gun frame B which is U- shaped at its lower side,.as shown in Fig. 3, or in other words, provided with side flanges 46.

ber 5 and the lug 6, and it is also secured by the pins 23 and 23a extending through. the gun..

frame andthe trigger trame.V

While certain features ofk my invention havebeen more or less specifically described and,illus-,

This.Y frame is partly secured by the ring-shaped meme ger, means actuated by the exerting of a quick L pull on the trigger for disengaging the rst latch and `for engaging the second latch with the plunger, said second latch disengaging and releasing the plunger during return movement of' the trigger, a second trigger, and means actuated by said trigger for maintaining both latches out of engagement with the plunger.

2. In a mechanism of the character described, a main gun frame, a trigger frame secured thereto, a spring actuated ring plunger reciprocally mounted in the main frame above the trigger frame, a pair of spring actuated laterally spaced latch arms secured to the trigger frame below rthe. plunger, Va pair` of spaced shoulderson thelower face of :thepplungerwith which. said latchA arms normally engage to retain the plunger in a cocked position, a pivotally mounted trig- :gerin the trigger'frame, and means actuated by a pull on the trigger for simultaneously retracting both latcharms to release the plunger.

3. Ina mechanism of the character described, a main gun frame, a trigger frame secured thereto, a spring actuated iiring plunger reciprocally mounted in .the main frame above the trigger frame, a pair of spring actuated laterally spaced latch arms secured to the trigger frame below the plunger, a pair of spaced shoulders on the lower face of the plunger with which said latch arms normally engage to retain the plunger in a cocked position, a third spring actuated latch arm disposed between the pair of latch arms, a concave surface formed in the plunger rearward- .ly of the shoulders, said third latch arm being normally maintained out of engagement with said concave surface, and a trigger pivotally mounted in the trigger frame, said trigger being selectively operable to actuate the several latch arms to release the firing plunger either during a pull on the trigger or during return movement of the trigger.

4. In a mechanism of the character described, a main gun frame, a trigger frame secured thereto, a spring actuated firing plunger reciprocally mounted in the main frame above the trigger frame, a pair of spring actuated laterally spaced latch arms secured to the trigger frame below the plunger, a pair of spaced shoulders on the lower face of the plunger with which said latch arms normally engage to retain the plunger in a cocked position, a third spring actuated latch arm disposed between the pair of latch arms, a concave surface formed in the plunger rearwardly of the shoulders, said third latch arm being normally maintained out of engagement with said concave surface, a bearing boss on each of the first named latch arms, a bearing supported by said bosses, and a trigger pivotally mounted on said pin, said trigger being selectively operable to actuate the several latch arms tc release the firing plunger either during a pull on the trigger or during return movement of the trigger.

5. In a mechanism of the character described, a main gun frame, a trigger frame secured thereto, a spring actuated ring plunger reciprocally mounted in the main frame above the trigger frame, a pair of spring actuated laterally spaced latch arms secured to the trigger frame below the plunger, a pair of spaced shoulders on the lower face of the plunger with which said latch arms normally engage to retain the plunger in a cocked position, a third spring actuated latch arm disposed between the pair of latch arms, a concave surface formed in the plunger rearwardly of the shoulders, said third latch arm being normally maintained out of engagement with said concave'surface, a bearing boss on each of the rst named latch arms, a bearing pin supported Vby said bosses, a trigger pivotally mounted on said pin, a lug on the end of the third latch arm and a pin on the trigger, said pin engaging the lug and forcing the third latch arm against the under surface of the plunger when a pull is exerted on the trigger to swing it about the bearing pin, said trigger simultaneously retracting the pair of latch arms to release the plunger.

6. In a mechanism of the character described, a main gun frame, a trigger frame secured thereto, a spring actuated ring plunger reciprocally mounted in the main frame above the trigger frame, a pair of spring actuated laterally spaced latch arms secured to the trigger frame below the plunger, a pair of spaced shoulders on the lower face of the plunger with which said latch arms normally engage to retain the plunger in a cocked position, a third spring actuated latch arm disposed between the pair of latch arms, a concave surface formed in the plunger rearwardly of the shoulders, said third latch arm being normally maintained out of engagement with said concave surface, a bearing boss on each of the first named latch arms, a bearing pin supported by said bosses, a trigger pivotally mounted on said pin, a lug on the end of the third latch arm, and a pin on the trigger, said pin engaging the lug and forcing the third latch arm against the under surface of the plunger when a pull is exerted on the trigger to swing it about the bearing pin, said trigger simultaneously exerting a downward pull on the bearing pin and the pair of latch arms to release the plunger.

7. In a mechanism of the character described, a main gun frame, a. trigger frame secured thereto, a spring actuated ring plunger reciprocally mounted in the main frame above the trigger frame, a pair of spring actuated laterally spaced latch arms secured to the trigger frame below the plunger, a pair of spaced shoulders on the lower face of the plunger with which said latch arms normally engage to retain the plunger in a cocked position, a third spring actuated latch arm dispo-sed between the pair of latch arms, a concave surface formed in the plunger rearward- 1y of the shoulders, said third latch arm being normally maintained out of engagement with said concave surface, a bearing boss on each of the rst named latch arms, a bearing pin supported by said bosses, a trigger pivotally mounted on said pin, a lug on the end of the third latch arm, a pin on the trigger, said pin engaging the lug and forcing the third latch arm against the under surface of the plunger when a pull is exerted on the trigger to swing it about the bearing pin, said trigger simultaneously exerting a downward pull on the bearing pin and the pair of latch arms to release the plunger, and a stop member with which the trigger engages when the pair of latch arms are released, said stop functioning as a fulcrum point and causing upward movement of the trigger and the third latch arm if a further pull is exerted, said upward movement of the third latch arm causing it to engage the concave surface of the plunger and to prevent release of the plunger, and said third latch arm releasing the plunger upon return movement of the trigger.

8. In a mechanism of the character described, a main gun frame, a trigger frame secured thereto, a spring actuated firing plunger reciprocally mounted in the main frame above the trigger frame, a pair of spring actuated laterally spaced latch arms secured to the trigger frame below the plunger, a pair of spaced shoulders on the lower face of the plunger with which said latch .arms normally engage to retain the plunger in a cocked position, a third spring actuated latch arm disposed between the pair of latch arms, a concave surface formed in the plunger rearwardly of the shoulders, said third latch arm being normally maintained out of engagement with said concave surface, a trigger pivotally mounted in the trigger frame, said trigger being selectively operable to actuate the several latch arms to release the firing plunger either during a pull on the trigger or during return movement of the trigger, a second trigger pivotally mounted in the trigger frame, and means actuated by said trigger for maintaining all of the latches out of engagement with the plunger. 9. In a mechanism of the character described, a main gun frame, a trigger frame secured thereto, a spring actuated firing plunger reciprocally mounted in the main frame above the trigger frame, a pair of spring actuated laterally spaced latch arms secured to the trigger frame below the plunger, a pair of spaced shoulders on the lower face of the plunger with which said latch arms normally engage to retain the plunger in a cocked position, a third spring actuated latch arm disposed between the pair of latch arms, a concave surface formed in the plunger rearwardly of the shoulders, said third latch arm being normally maintained out of engagement with said concave surface, a trigger pivotally mounted in the trigger frame, said trigger being selectively operable to actuate the several latch arms to release the firing plunger either during a pull on the trigger or during return movement of the trigger, a second trigger pivotally mounted in the trigger frame, and a pair of ngers on said trigger engageable with the bearing bosses of the rst named pair oi latches, said ngers causing depression of said latches and the bearing pin, and through the bear ing pin, depression of the third latch, when a pull is exerted on the second trigger.

10. In a mechanism of the character described, a main gun frame, a trigger frame secured thereto, a spring actuated firing plunger reciprocally mounted in the main frame above the trigger frame, a plurality of depressible spring actuated latches mounted in the path of travel of the plunger and normally engageable with the plunger to retain it in a cocked position, and a pair of triggers pivotally mounted in the trigger frame. said triggers being independently operable to depress the latches to release the plunger.

11. In a mechanism of the character described, a main gun frame, a trigger frame secured thereto, a spring actuated firing plunger reciprocally mounted in the main frame above the trigger frame, a plurality of depressible spring actuated latches mounted in the path of travel of the plunger and normally engageable with the plunger to retain it in a cocked position, and a pair of triggers pivotally mounted in the trigger frame, one trigger when pulled depressing the latches and releasing the plunger to re ammunition, one shot for each pull of the trigger, and the other trigger maintaining the latches depressed to permit continuous operation of the plunger to iire ammunition as long as a pull is maintained on the trigger.

CLYDE B. FERREL.