Forced Reset Semiautomatic Trigger With Sliding Blocking Bar

What is this patent about?

’627 is related to the field of firearm trigger mechanisms, specifically forced reset triggers for semiautomatic firearms, such as those based on the AR-15 platform. These triggers reset the trigger after each shot using the energy of the bolt carrier's rearward motion, differing from standard triggers that rely solely on the user's finger to reset.

The underlying idea behind ’627 is to use a sliding locking bar to prevent the trigger from being pulled again until the bolt carrier has fully returned to its in-battery position. This ensures that the firearm is safely locked until the next round is chambered and ready to fire, enhancing safety and controlling the firing rate.

The claims of ’627 focus on a trigger mechanism for a firearm that includes a hammer, a trigger member, and a locking bar. The hammer pivots between set and released positions, while the trigger member also pivots and has a surface that is contacted by the hammer during the bolt carrier's cycling, forcing the trigger to reset. The locking bar slides within a support frame, blocking the trigger until the bolt carrier is fully in battery.

In practice, the sliding locking bar is spring-biased to block the trigger's movement. When the bolt carrier returns to its in-battery position, it contacts the locking bar, pushing it against the spring and allowing the trigger to be pulled. After firing, as the bolt carrier cycles rearward, it releases the locking bar, which then slides back into its blocking position, preventing another shot until the bolt is fully forward again. This mechanism ensures a controlled firing sequence.

The key differentiation from prior approaches, particularly pivoting locking bars, lies in the sliding motion of the locking bar. This sliding action allows for easier manufacturing and greater adjustability to compensate for tolerance variations in different firearms. The position of the locking bar can be adjusted to ensure proper engagement with the trigger and bolt carrier, improving the reliability and performance of the forced reset trigger system.