Gun trigger actuator

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gun trigger actuator which converts a manual trigger to an optionally mechanical trigger in lever action rifles, such as the Winchester Model 94 lever action rifle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fulcrum which is pivotably mounted on a pivot pin to the trigger guard portion of the rifle lever just below and forwardly of the tip of the trigger. The fulcrum pivots on the trigger guard from a passive off position to an active firing position and can optionally be employed to mechanically fire the gun by exerting force on the trigger, thereby actuating the trigger, when the lever is rotated to a closed position. The present invention may also includes a trigger shim which is installed in the receiver in front of the trigger to eliminate slack in the trigger and properly fix the trigger in position in relation to the fulcrum. The present invention may also include an enlarged finger opening in the lever in order to accept a user's wrist or arm. This allows the gun to be employed by a person with limited or no use of their fingers or hands.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] (a) Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a gun trigger actuator which converts a manual trigger to an optionally mechanical trigger in lever action rifles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fulcrum which is pivotably mounted on a pivot pin to the trigger guard portion of the rifle lever just below and forwardly of the tip of the trigger. The fulcrum pivots on the trigger guard from a passive off position to an active firing position and can optionally be employed to mechanically fire the gun by exerting force on the trigger, thereby actuating the trigger, when the lever is rotated to a closed position. The present invention may also includes a trigger shim which is installed in the receiver in front of the trigger to eliminate slack in the trigger and properly fix the trigger in position in relation to the fulcrum and may also include an enlarged finger opening in the lever for accepting a user's wrist ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] The present invention was designed for use by marksmen, sportsmen, Cowboy Action enthusiasts, users wearing mittens, partial amputees or other physically impaired people. An additional advantage of the invention is that the invention improves the ability of users having temporary or permanent impairments to their fingers or hands to fire a lever action rifle by eliminating the need to manually pull the trigger. The invention may also include an enlarged finger opening in the lever in order to accept a user's wrist or arm, allowing the rifle to be fired by a person with limited or no use of their fingers or hands.

[0019] An additional advantage of the invention is that the installed trigger shim eliminates slack in the trigger and holds the trigger in its most stationary position, which reduces the possibility of injury to the shooter, trigger over travel and premature tripping of the hammer.

[0020] Even more particularly, the preferred embodiment of the gun trigger actuator of the present invention for a lever action rifle having a trigger having a trigger bottom end a lever having a trigger guard and a finger portion, and a receiver, comprises: a fulcrum having a front end, a back end, a top face, a bottom face, a left side, at least one aperture toward the front end, the at least one aperture comprising a first aperture and a second aperture, the first aperture located on the fulcrum left side, the second aperture located on the fulcrum right side, and at least one tab extending outwardly at an angle towards the fulcrum back end; at least one pivot pin, where the at least one pivot pin extends completely through the lever through the trigger guard portion of the lever and is received by the first aperture and the second aperture and rotatably secures the fulcrum to the trigger guard portion; a trigger shim, where the trigger shim is installed in the rifle receiver immediately adjacent and forward of the trigger; where the fulcrum is shaped to allow rotation of the fulcrum on the trigger guard and the fulcrum is rotatable between a trigger engaging position and a passive position; where the fulcrum has a longitudinal slot in the top face, the longitudinal slot extending towards the front end and the back end and the longitudinal slot is sized to allow the trigger bottom end to easily travel through the longitudinal slot when rearward pressure is applied to the trigger; where the trigger bottom end is spaced above the fulcrum and travels over the fulcrum when rearward pressure is applied to the trigger; where the trigger shim minimizes unnecessary forward movement of the trigger and holds the trigger in a rearward position; where the fulcrum is mounted on the trigger guard below the trigger bottom end in a passive position, the front end rotatably secured by the pivot pin forward of the trigger bottom end, and the back end extending rearwardly along and above the trigger guard; where when the fulcrum is in the passive position, the rifle may be fired by manually applying rearward pressure to the trigger; where the fulcrum rotates on the pivot pin to an active position where the fulcrum back end extends upward at an angle forward of the trigger bottom end; where when the fulcrum is in the active position and the lever is in a closed position, the bottom face is in contact with the trigger and the fulcrum exerts rearward pressure on the trigger; where when the fulcrum is in the active position, the rearward pressure on the trigger exerted by the fulcrum causes the rifle to fire; and where when the fulcrum is in the active position, the rifle may be fired by closing the lever.

Problems solved by technology

Handicapped users and users having a temporary or permanent impairment of their fingers or hands often have difficulty firing a standard lever action rifle due to difficulty working the trigger and sometimes difficulty working the standard sized finger opening portion of the rifle lever.

Firing of a lever action rifle by handicapped users and users having a temporary or permanent impairment of their fingers or hands has often presented problems due to difficulty working the trigger and sometimes also difficulty working the standard sized finger opening portion of the rifle lever.

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