WO2007091236A1

WO2007091236A1 - Device for a firearm

Info

Publication number: WO2007091236A1
Application number: PCT/IL2007/000077
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yehuda Meller
Original assignee: Yehuda Meller
Priority date: 2006-02-06
Filing date: 2007-01-22
Publication date: 2007-08-16
Also published as: IL173563A0

Abstract

An add-on firing device (100) for use with a firearm (1), the firearm (1) adapted to fire a primary projectile, and the device (100) adapted to fire a secondary projectile (6). The device (100) comprises a mounting track (5), a firing pin (15), a sear (19), a trigger (9), and a linear actuator adapted to deploy the firing pin (15) from a cocked position of the device (100) to a firing position thereof. The sear (19) is displaceable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position it is adapted, in the cocked position of the device (100), to restrict the movement of the firing pin (15), and in the second position to permit movement of the firing pin (15). The trigger (9) is adapted, at least when the device (100) is in the cocked position, to displace the sear (19) from the first position to the second position

Description

DEVICE FOR A FIREARM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to devices adapted to be used in cooperation with a firearm in order to fire a secondary projectile.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Non-lethal kinetic energy projectiles are used by military and law- enforcement forces for crowd control or disabling a suspect where it is required to incapacitate an individual however with reducing the likelihood of serious injury. Often, it desirable for the soldier or officer to carry a firearm capable of deploying a lethal round as well, in case the situation deteriorates. It is known in the art to provide firearms capable of deploying both a lethal round and a non- lethal projectile, at the user's discretion, without having to change hardware.

US 6,658,779 discloses a weapon system comprising a firearm having a barrel through which a projectile may be propelled and further comprising a non- lethal means for selectively ejecting a stream of fluid, such as an incapacitant, in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the barrel and aligned with the sights of the firearm. The system removably houses a fluid containing pressurized canister, the outlet of the canister co-operating with a nozzle for the release of said fluid from said canister under control of a nozzle trigger mechanism. The pressurized canister, nozzle and trigger mechanism may be removably mounted on said firearm.

US 5,671,559 discloses a combination lethal/non-lethal firearm. A non-

^* lethal canister of debilitating chemical fluid such as tear gas or pepper gas is attached to the barrel of the firearm. The canister is removably attached to the barrel by means of a saddle bracket attached to a trigger guard mounting clamp. The direction of fire of the fluid propellant therein is along the firearm barrel and in the same line of fire as the trajectory of a solid projectile bullet of the firearm. Activation of the chemical dispenser is achieved by means of an activation plunger button adjacent the trigger guard in such manner that a peace officer may choose the better of lethal or non lethal defensive procedures.

US 3,782,286 discloses, inter alia, a launcher for a non-lethal projectile. The launcher is in the form of a barrel assembly including a bell shaped muzzle which permits a projectile to be fired without jamming, even when held against the target. It further comprises braking slots for discharging the propelling gases rearwardly of the launcher, in order to reduce recoil.

US 5,983,548 discloses a combination lethal/non-lethal firearm. A non- lethal apparatus in the form of a canister unit attachment which will deploy a non lethal chemical fluid such as tear gas or pepper gas is attached to a lethal firearm. The non-lethal apparatus has a top portion which is removably attached to the underside of the barrel, and a rear mounting portion attached to a trigger guard of a firearm. The direction of fire of the fluid propellant therein is along the firearm barrel and in the same line of fire as the trajectory of a solid projectile bullet of the firearm. Activation of the chemical dispenser is achieved by a means of pressing a force application pad near the trigger guard, the force application pad being attached to a pivoting arm which communicates with an actuating button on the canister, whereby the chemical agent is propelled out of the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pistol having a removable add-on firing device. The pistol has a rail adapted to receive an accessory. The add-on firing device is adapted to fire a secondary projectile and comprises a mounting track adapted for removable attachment to the rail.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an add-on firing device for use with a firearm. The firearm is adapted to fire a primary projectile, and the device is adapted to fire a secondary projectile. The device comprising a mounting track, a firing pin body, a sear, a trigger, and a linear actuator adapted to deploy the firing pin body from a cocked position of the device to a firing position thereof. The sear is displaceable' between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the sear is adapted, in the cocked position of the device, to restrict the movement of the firing pin body. In the second position of the sear, it is adapted to permit movement of the firing pin body. The trigger is adapted, at least when the device is in the cocked position, to displace the sear from the first position to the second position.

According to either of the above aspects, the secondary projectile may be a non-lethal projectile, such as a silicon coated object, a flechette, a signaling flare, an illuminating flare, or a gas round.

The mounting track may be used to mount the add-on device to any firearm having a standard guide rail. Alternatively, it may be specially designed to mount to a particular firearm. The firing mechanism is distinct from that of the firearm, which permits its use separately from the firearm, i.e., the firearm can be in a cocked or uncocked position, with its safety engaged or disengaged, without interfering with the use of the add-on device, and vice-versa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, an embodiment will now be described, by way of a non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an add-on firing device according to the present invention mounted to a pistol;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the add-on firing device; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the add-on firing device in an uncocked position, with a housing and one cocking mechanism thereof removed;

Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the add-on firing device as illustrated in Fig. 3, with further elements thereof removed; - A -

Fig. 4B is a perspective view of the add-on firing device as illustrated in Fig. 2, with one cocking mechanism thereof removed;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the add-on firing device as illustrated in Fig. 4A, in a semi-cocked position; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the components of the add-on firing device as illustrated in Fig. 4A, in a fully cocked position, with the cocking mechanisms retracted;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the components of the add-on firing device as illustrated in Fig. 4A in a fully cocked position, with the cocking mechanisms released;

Figs. 8A and 8B are perspective views of a trigger lever, a sear, and a firing pin body of the add-on firing device, before and during firing, respectively;

Figs. 9A and 9B are side perspective views of the trigger lever and a safety mechanism, in a locked and firing position, respectively; and Figs. 1OA and 1OB are bottom perspective views of a cartridge and a cartridge release mechanism of the add-on firing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated in Fig. 1, there is provided an add-on firing device, generally indicated at 100, for use with a firearm, such as the pistol indicated at 1. The pistol 1 may comprise those elements commonly found on pistols. Specifically, it includes a guide rail 11, which may be a standard guide rail found on many types of pistols used for attaching thereto different accessories such as an illumination means, and aim assisting device, etc. The pistol further comprises a trigger guard 10, - which, together with the guard rail 11, is related to the mounting of the firing device 100 on the pistol 1.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the firing device 100 comprises a trigger 9, a safety latch 8, a cartridge release lever 4, a cocking mechanism 7 adapted to be compressed longitudinally, and a housing 104. Further provided, for mounting of the firing device 100 to the pistol 1, are a mounting track 5, a set screw 3 for securing the firing device to the pistol I₅ through-going apertures 12 for use with the set screw, and a stopper 10. A bullet 6 is shown in a pre-firing position within the firing device 100. It will be understood that the bullet may be any secondary projectile, including, but not limited to, a bullet, a non-lethal bullet, a flare, a paint gun, a cartridge, a dart, etc.

The track 5 is adapted to slidingly receive the guide rail 11 of the pistol 1 therein. Securing of the position of the firing device 100 on the guide rail 11 is provided by the set screw. Through-going apertures 12 allow for placement of the set screws 3 at different positions, allowing mounting of the firing device 100 with a wider range of guide rails. When the firing device 100 is mounted to the pistol I₅ the stopper 10 rests against the trigger guard 102 thereof.

Fig. 4A illustrates the internal components of the firing device 100 with the housing 104 thereof removed, in the uncocked position. They include a trigger lever 21 which is attached to and moveable with the trigger 9, firing pin body 14, sear 19 constituting a firing pin holder, two spring support rods 16, each comprising a threaded end 112 and a head 29 screwingly mounted to the firing

, pin body, and one each of a firing spring 17 and a cocking spring 18 mounted on each of the spring support rods. Projections 28 of the cocking mechanism 7 are seen in Fig. 4A. As seen in Fig. 4B, the housing 104 comprises channels 106, each of which is normally concealed by a cocking mechanism 7. An aperture 108 in a distal (i.e., trigger-side) wall 110 of each channel 106 allows passage therethrough of one of the spring support rods 16, in order to allow said mounting to the firing pin body 14. It should be noted that a proximal end 114 of each channel 106 is open on the side thereof in order to permit sliding therein of the projection 28 of each cocking mechanism 7.

Reverting to Fig. 4A₅ the trigger lever 21 is rotatable about a pin 26 which, as seen in Fig. 4B, is held within the housing 104 such that only angular movement about its central axis is allowed. The trigger lever 21 comprises a projection 24 extending toward the proximal end of the firing device 100. The sear 19 comprises a downward projection 31 and a through-going opening 116, which allows passage and upward movement therethrough of the projection 24 of the trigger lever 21. Slots (not illustrated) formed in the interior of the housing restrict it to vertical movement. It is mounted from above to springs 20 which are further mounted to a pin 27. As seen in Fig. 4B, pin 27 is held within the housing 104 such that only angular movement about its central axis is allowed.

The firing pin body 14 comprises a firing pin 15 projecting proximally therefrom, and a ramp 22 sloping downwardly from the proximal end of the firing pin body to the distal end thereof. The ramp 22 is at least wide enough to accommodate sliding thereon of the downward projection 31 of the sear 19.

The firing spring 17 is mounted on the spring support rod 16, and bears against the head 29 at a proximal end thereof and, as seen in Fig. 4B, against the distal wall 110 of the channel 106 at a distal end thereof. The cocking spring 18 is mounted on the spring support rod 16 over the firing spring 17, such that they may move independently of each other, and bears against the projection 28 of the cocking mechanism 7 at a proximal end thereof and, as seen in Fig. 4B, against the distal wall 110 of the channel 106 at a distal end thereof. The cocking spring 18 is of a diameter so as to allow passage therethrough of the head 29 of the spring support rod 16. A sleeve (not shown) may be provided between the firing spring 17 and the cocking spring 18 in order to facilitate their independent movement.

Fig. 5 illustrates the internal components of the firing device 100 in a half- cocked position (i.e., during cocking), with the distal walls 110 of the channels 106 formed in the housing 104 shown. In order to achieve this position, the cocking mechanism 7 is pulled distally (i.e., toward the user). Both the firing spring 17 and the cocking spring 18 begin to compress, the firing spring between the head 29 of the spring support rod 16 and the distal wall 110, and the cocking spring between the projection 28 of the cocking mechanism 7 and the distal wall. As the cocking mechanism 7 moves, its projections 28 urge the spring support rods 16 distally, which in turn moves the firing pin body 14 in the same direction. The ramp 22 of the firing pin body 14 engages the downward projection 31 of the sear 19, urging the sear upwardly.

As seen in Fig. 6, when the cocking mechanism 7 has been pulled to its folly distal position, the ramp 22 has folly passed beneath the downward projection 31, which is now urged downwardly by springs 20. When the user releases the cocking mechanism, cocking springs 18 return it to the proximal position, as seen in Fig. 7. The spring support rod 16 does not return to the proximal position, as it is held by the firing pin body 14 which is restrained by the downward projection 31 of the sear 19. However, the firing pin 17 exerts a force of the head 29 of the support rod 16 in a distal direction in relation to the housing.

As seen in Figs. 8A and 8B (Fig. 8A illustrating the trigger 9, trigger lever 21, sear 19, and firing pin body 14 in the same position as that illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7), when the trigger 9 is depressed, the trigger lever 21 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow 118, raising the projection 24 thereof. The projection 24 lifts the sear 19, such that the downward projection 31 thereof clears the top of the ramp 22. As described above in reference to Fig. 7, the downward projection 31 of the sear 19 restrains the firing pin body 14 from proximal displacement. With the raising of the sear 19, the obstruction to movement of the firing pin body 14 is removed, which is propelled forward by the force of the two firing springs 17 which serve as actuating mechanisms for the firing pin body. This results in the firing pin 15 striking the bullet. After the trigger 9 is released, torsion spring 32 returns the trigger and trigger lever 21 back to their original positions.

Figs. 9 A through 9B illustrate the use of the safety latch 8. In the locked (i.e., "safety") position, illustrated in Fig. 9A, a front corner 35 of the trigger lever 21 is prevented from being rotating in the direction indicated by arrow 118 (which, reverting to Fig. 8B, is the direction in which the trigger lever is rotated to initiate firing) by the presence of safety rod 33. When the safety latch 8 is moved to the firing position, as illustrated in Fig. 9B₅ the safety rod 33 rotates, disposing surface 34 to face the corner 35. The space above the surface 34 is sufficient to permit rotation of the trigger lever 21. The relative position of the safety mechanism to the other internal components of the firing device 100 can be seen, e.g., in Fig. 3.

It will be appreciated that since, in the uncocked position on the firing device 100, the projection 24 of the trigger lever 21 is at the top of the opening 116 of the sear 19 (see, e.g., Fig. 4A), and therefore cocking of the firing device may be accomplished without displacement of the projection, the firing device may be cocked even when the safety latch 8 is in the locked position.

After firing of the bullet, the cartridge remains in the housing. As seen in Fig. 1OA, an arm 25 having a lower bulge 36 grips the cartridge 6a of the bullet about its widest diameter, and prevents it from falling. After firing, the cartridge release lever 4 is pushed forward in the direction indicated by arrow 120. As seen in Fig. 1OB, this aligns the bulge 36 with a groove 37 of the cartridge, permitting the cartridge to fall through an opening (not shown) in the bottom of the housing. Spring 23, which bears against arm 25, returns it to its initial position after release of the cartridge.

Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention mutatis mutandis. For example, the add-on firing device can be adapted for use with any kind of firearm, such as a rifle, etc. In addition, it may be adapted to be attached to a fireaπn not having a standard guide rail.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A pistol having a removable add-on firing device, the pistol having a rail adapted to receive an accessory, the add-on firing device being adapted to fire a secondary projectile and comprising a mounting track adapted for removable attachment to said rail.

2. A pistol according to Claim 1, wherein the secondary projectile is a non- lethal projectile.

3. A pistol according to Claim 2, wherein the non-lethal projectile is selected from the group comprising silicon coated objects, flechettes, signaling flares, illuminating flares, and gas rounds.

4. An add-on firing device for use with a firearm, the firearm adapted to fire a primary projectile, and the device adapted to fire a secondary projectile; the device comprising a mounting track, a firing pin, a sear, a trigger, and a linear actuator adapted to deploy the firing pin from a cocked position of the device to a firing position thereof; the sear being displaceable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position it is adapted, in the cocked position of the device, to restrict the movement of the firing pin, and in the second position to permit movement of the firing pin; the trigger being adapted, at least when the device is in the cocked position, to displace the sear from the first position to the second position.

5. An add-on firing device according to Claim 4, wherein the mounting track is adapted for removable attachment to a rail of a pistol.

6. An add-on firing device according to Claim 4, wherein the secondary projectile is a non-lethal projectile.

7. An add-on firing device according to Claim 6, wherein the non-lethal projectile is selected from the group comprising silicon coated objects, flechettes, signaling flares, illuminating flares, and gas rounds.

8. A pistol comprising an add-on firing device according to any one of Claims 4 through 7.

9. An add-on firing device substantially as described in the accompanying specification and drawings.

10. A pistol substantially as described in the accompanying specification and drawings.