US 11,448,477 B2Granted

Multi-mode firearms, triggers, kits, and methods of use

AssigneeFostech, Inc.

InventorDavid Foster

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Abstract

Provided are multi-mode firearms, triggers, kits, and methods of use that allow a user to select between a semi-automatic firing mode and a pull-and-release firing mode that fires the firearm upon both pulling the trigger and releasing the trigger, by using the selector switch or other mechanism to change the amount the trigger can move. A safe mode that prevents the firearm from firing may also be selected in various example embodiments by using the selector switch or other mechanism to change the amount the trigger can move. In certain example embodiments the trigger cannot move at all in safe mode, can move more in semi-automatic mode, and can move yet more in pull-and-release mode. The modes can be positioned for selection in any order. Kits comprising a trigger assembly and a selector assembly are provided for retrofitting conventional semi-automatic firearms.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A semi-automatic firearm, comprising:

a hammer;
a trigger configured to be movable from a forward position toward a rearward position by a user pulling the trigger from the forward position toward the rearward position, and configured to be movable from the rearward position toward the forward position by the user releasing the trigger from the rearward position;
a rearward sear support structure, forward sear support structure, and disconnector structure, all configured to collectively engage and restrain the hammer throughout movement of the trigger between the rearward and forward positions, except when the trigger, rearward sear support structure, forward sear support structure, and disconnector structure, have all been moved into predetermined positions configured to release the hammer and fire the semi-automatic firearm a single time;
a selector switch configured to be movable by the user between at least a first position and a second position;
the semi-automatic firearm configured to, when the selector switch is in the first position:
restrict movement of the trigger to a first range of motion;
fire upon the user pulling the trigger from the forward position toward the rearward position;
and
not fire upon the user releasing the trigger from the rearward position;
the semi-automatic firearm configured to, when the selector switch is in the second position:
restrict movement of the trigger to a second range of motion greater than the first range of motion;
fire upon the user pulling the trigger from the forward position toward the rearward position;
and
fire upon the user releasing the trigger from the rearward position;
wherein the selector switch is configured to directly engage the trigger to restrict movement of the trigger to the first range of motion when the selector switch is in the first position.

12 more elements

A trigger assembly having a trigger element and configured to be installed in a semi-automatic firearm having a hammer and a selector assembly configured to be movable by a user moving a selector switch between at least a first position and a second position, wherein the selector assembly is configured to restrict movement of the trigger element to a first range of motion when the trigger assembly is installed in the semi-automatic firearm and the selector switch is in the first position, and to restrict movement of the trigger element to a second range of motion greater than the first range of motion when the trigger assembly is installed in the semi-automatic firearm and the selector switch is in the second position;

the trigger element configured to be movable from a forward position toward a rearward position by a user pulling the trigger element from the forward position toward the rearward position, the trigger element configured to be movable from the rearward position toward the forward position by the user releasing the trigger element from the rearward position;
the trigger assembly configured to fire the semi-automatic firearm upon the user pulling the trigger from the forward position toward the rearward position, and not fire the semi-automatic firearm upon the user releasing the trigger from the rearward position, when the trigger assembly is installed in the semi-automatic firearm and the selector switch is in the first position;
the trigger assembly configured to fire the semi-automatic firearm upon the user pulling the trigger from the forward position toward the rearward position, and to fire the semi-automatic firearm upon the user releasing the trigger from the rearward position, when the trigger assembly is installed in the semi-automatic firearm and the selector switch is in the second position;
the trigger assembly comprising a rearward sear support structure, forward sear support structure, and disconnector structure, all configured to collectively engage and restrain the hammer throughout movement of the trigger between the rearward and forward positions, except when the trigger, rearward sear support structure, forward sear support structure, and disconnector structure, have all been moved into predetermined positions configured to release the hammer and fire the semi-automatic firearm a single time;
wherein the selector switch is configured to directly engage the trigger element to restrict movement of the trigger element to the first range of motion when the selector switch is in the first position.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/747,343Filed 20 Jan 2020 · continuation in part
Priority: 28 Jan 2016
Published: US 2020/0191513 A118 Jun 2020
Granted: 20 Sep 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

F41A 19/10
Mechanical firing mechanisms, e.g. counterrecoil firing, recoil actuated firing mechanisms: triggers; Trigger mountings
F41A 19/16
Mechanical firing mechanisms, e.g. counterrecoil firing, recoil actuated firing mechanisms: adjustable firing mechanisms; Trigger mechanisms with…
F41A 19/24
Mechanical firing mechanisms, e.g. counterrecoil firing, recoil actuated firing mechanisms: release-trigger mechanisms, i.e. the striker element…
F41A
Functional features or details common to both smallarms and ordnance

Family

Application62/288,385Us provisional application · filed 28 Jan 2016
Application62/311,807Us provisional application · filed 22 Mar 2016
Application15/419,460Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 30 Jan 2017
Application15/466,023Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 22 Mar 2017
Application62/632,014Us provisional application · filed 19 Feb 2018
Application62/794,672Us provisional application · filed 20 Jan 2019
Application16/278,985Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 19 Feb 2019
US 10,254,067 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 9 Apr 2019
US 10,267,585 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 23 Apr 2019
Application62/961,850Us provisional application · filed 16 Jan 2020
US 2020/0191513 A1Pre-grant publication · published 18 Jun 2020
US 10,584,932 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 2017/0219307 A1Published application
US 2017/0276447 A1Published application
US 2019/0186858 A1Published application
US 11,448,477 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.