AR-15 Safety Selector Layout for Grip-Stable Ambidextrous Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional AR15 safety selectors require users to break their grip to switch between 'SAFE' and 'FIRE' positions, especially for left-handed shooters, introducing potential loss of grip and increased movement.

Innovation Solution

A firearm safety selector with angularly displaced and differently sized levers allows for a shorter 32-degree counterclockwise rotation from 'SAFE' to 'FIRE', enabling ambidextrous operation without breaking grip, using thumb or trigger finger to actuate safely.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional AR15 safety selector is used, then the safety can be actuated by rotating clockwise 90 degrees from SAFE to FIRE, but the user must break their grip to return the safety to SAFE position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety actuationVSAvoidgrip stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional safety rotation direction by allowing counterclockwise rotation from SAFE to FIRE instead of clockwise, and enables the safety to be actuated without breaking the grip by positioning the thumb rest at the 9 o'clock position on the safety body, allowing the thumb to push the safety from SAFE to FIRE while maintaining grip

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If traditional safety selector is used, then the safety can be actuated, but more movement and potential loss of grip are introduced when returning to SAFE position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety transition speedVSAvoidgrip retention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates an asymmetric safety body configuration with the thumb rest positioned at the 9 o'clock position and the trigger guard at the 3 o'clock position, allowing the thumb to push the safety from SAFE to FIRE while maintaining grip, and the index finger to pull the safety back to SAFE without breaking the grip, thus improving both speed and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Adaptability or versatility

If ambidextrous safety is used, then left-handed shooters can operate the safety, but they still need to break their grip to actuate the safety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveambidextrous operationVSAvoidgrip maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables ambidextrous operation by positioning the thumb rest at the 9 o'clock position, allowing left-handed shooters to push the safety from SAFE to FIRE with their thumb while maintaining grip, and right-handed shooters to pull the safety back to SAFE with their index finger without breaking grip, thus improving both adaptability and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS20260009611A1Forward rotating ar-15 safety

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 MIDDLETON ETHAN CALEB

AI summary

A firearm comprising a frame, a trigger pivotally connected to the frame, a hammer pivotally connected to the frame, and a safety selector pivotally connected to the frame.The selector having opposed ends, each supporting a respective first and second lever connected to the selector and external to the frame, with the first and second levers being angularly displaced with respect to each other, and having different lengths.