Firearm Hammer Block Intercepting Rotation to Prevent Discharge
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firearm safety devices, such as gun locks, are cumbersome and do not effectively prevent accidental discharge, as they can be difficult to access quickly, and there is a need for a device that can be readily removed by users with knowledge of internal firearm mechanics to prevent operation by less knowledgeable individuals.
Innovation Solution
A hammer block is positioned within the firearm's trigger housing, featuring a body with a central gap and downwardly facing legs that prevent the hammer from engaging the firing pin, requiring the firearm to be opened to install or remove, thus acting as an internal removable safety device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a specialized safety device is incorporated to prevent discharge, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hammer block is nested within the existing trigger housing structure of the firearm. It utilizes the hollow space within the trigger housing to accommodate the block, rather than adding an external component. This nesting approach integrates the safety function into the existing structural envelope, minimizing additional complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The hammer block serves as an intermediary component positioned between the hammer and the firing pin. It intercepts the hammer's rotation path, preventing direct engagement with the firing pin. This intermediary approach provides a simple mechanical solution that blocks the harmful action without requiring complex control systems or multiple moving parts.
2Reliability
If an external gun lock is used to prevent discharge, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome access requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device is extracted from the external environment and placed internally within the trigger housing. By removing the safety mechanism from the external accessory category and integrating it into the internal structure, the device eliminates the need for external locks and their associated complex access procedures. Knowledgeable users can quickly remove the block through the existing trigger mechanism without needing external locking tools or procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The hammer block is designed to be removed through the existing trigger housing opening, utilizing the firearm's own structural features for access. This self-service approach allows knowledgeable users to quickly retrieve the safety device without requiring external tools or complex procedures, while still providing effective safety protection when installed.
3Ease of operation
If a simple safety device is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates as less knowledgeable users may operate the firearm
Solution Approach 1:
The hammer block incorporates a localized feature - a protrusion that extends into the trigger housing - that creates a specific mechanical interference with the hammer's rotation path. This local quality provides a reliable physical blockage that cannot be accidentally disengaged, while the overall device remains simple enough for knowledgeable users to remove quickly through the existing opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The hammer block is segmented into distinct features: a main body positioned within the trigger housing, downwardly facing legs that contact the hammer, and a protrusion that provides additional mechanical interference. This segmentation allows each feature to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity for removal by knowledgeable users.
Data Source
AI summary
A hammer block for a firearm is disclosed. The firearm includes a firing pin and a hammer. The hammer is pivotally attached to a hammer pin within a trigger house of a lower receiver. The hammer block includes a body comprising an upper portion and a lower portion. The hammer block also includes a central gap forming two downwardly facing legs in the lower portion of the body. The body is positioned within the trigger housing in front of the hammer with the two downwardly facing legs positioned on the sides of the hammer and the central gap positioned over the hammer so that the hammer rotates into the body and is prevented from engaging the firing pin.