Dual-Acting Firearm Safety Mechanism for Trigger Bar and Slide Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firearms safety mechanisms often fail to provide adequate protection against accidental discharge, as they typically only disable a single aspect of the firing mechanism, leaving room for potential misuse due to improper handling.
Innovation Solution
A dual-acting safety mechanism that selectively disconnects the trigger bar from the sear and locks the slide in the forward closed breech position, preventing manual retraction, offering enhanced security by disabling the firearm in two ways when activated, and can be ambidextrously operated for user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-acting safety mechanism is used to disable one aspect of the firing mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of preventing accidental discharge is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The safety mechanism is divided into two independent but coordinated functions: (1) a first safety function that disconnects the trigger bar from the sear, and (2) a second safety function that blocks the trigger bar independently. This segmentation allows each safety function to address different failure modes, thereby improving overall reliability without requiring an overly complex integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges two safety functions into a single integrated safety mechanism actuated by one lever. The first safety function (sear disconnect) and second safety function (trigger bar blocking) are combined in one mechanism, reducing the number of separate components and controls while maintaining dual-layer protection against accidental discharge.
2Reliability
If a dual-acting safety mechanism is implemented to block discharge in two different ways, then the reliability of preventing accidental discharge is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single safety lever performs multiple functions: it actuates the first safety function to disconnect the trigger bar from the sear, and simultaneously actuates the second safety function to block the trigger bar. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate safety mechanisms while providing redundant protection through two distinct safety actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary blocking member that mediates between the safety lever and the trigger bar. This blocking member translates the motion of the single safety lever into the second safety function of physically blocking the trigger bar, thereby simplifying the overall mechanism while achieving dual safety protection.
3Reliability
If the safety mechanism locks the slide in forward closed breech position, then the reliability of preventing manual retraction is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The safety mechanism performs a preliminary anti-action by locking the slide in the forward closed breech position before any unauthorized manual retraction can occur. This preemptive locking action prevents the harmful action of unauthorized slide manipulation, thereby improving reliability without requiring additional user effort to activate the safety function.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety mechanism automatically locks the slide when activated by the safety lever, without requiring separate manual intervention to engage the slide lock. The system serves itself by integrating the slide locking function into the existing safety lever operation, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A firearm with dual-acting safety mechanism in one embodiment includes a slide movably carried by a frame, hammer, sear operable to hold the hammer in and release it from a cocked position, and firing mechanism including a trigger and trigger bar which collectively operate to actuate the sear to release the hammer. The safety mechanism includes right and left actuator levers coupled together and cooperating with a safety rocker. The safety rocker is operably interfaced with the trigger bar and pivotably movable between two positions. Moving either actuation lever to activate the safety mechanism rotates the safety rocker which simultaneously both blocks the trigger bar from movement and displaces the trigger bar to disengage the sear which can no longer be actuated via a trigger pull. In one embodiment, the safety mechanism is further operable to lock the slide in the closed breech position when the safety is activated.