Firearm Secondary Safety Mechanism for Automatic Trigger Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firearm safety mechanisms, such as primary safety latches and trigger locks, are not foolproof and can fail to prevent accidental or negligent discharges, particularly when the user forgets to engage the safety mechanism or when external factors unintentionally trigger the firearm.
Innovation Solution
A secondary safety mechanism comprising a rigid bar with a spatial bend and a spring mechanism that automatically locks the trigger when the user's hand is removed from the grip, requiring conscious input to release and allow firing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a primary safety latch or trigger lock is used, then accidental discharge is prevented in many situations, but the mechanism can fail when the user forgets to engage the safety or when external factors unintentionally trigger the firearm
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary safety mechanism automatically engages when the primary safety is disengaged or when the firearm is dropped, without requiring user intervention. The spring-loaded bar responds autonomously to the discharge state or drop condition, providing self-correcting safety protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism is pre-configured to automatically engage the secondary safety in advance before any accidental discharge can occur. When the primary safety is disengaged or the firearm is dropped, the spring-loaded bar is already positioned to block the trigger or firing pin, preventing discharge before it can happen.
2Reliability
If a trigger lock mechanism is used, then the trigger is physically prevented from being pulled, but the lock is not designed to be used on loaded guns and may not prevent negligent discharges
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary safety mechanism serves multiple functions: it blocks the trigger when the primary safety is disengaged, prevents discharge when the firearm is dropped, and can be activated in response to various unintentional conditions. This multi-functional design makes it applicable to both loaded and unloaded firearms, overcoming the limitation of traditional trigger locks.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded bar acts as an intermediary mechanism between the primary safety system and the trigger/firing pin. It mediates the safety function by automatically engaging to block the trigger or firing pin when the primary safety is disengaged or the firearm is dropped, providing protection without requiring direct user intervention.
3Reliability
If an external manual safety latch is used, then accidental discharge is prevented, but the user often forgets to activate it in the heat of the moment or due to inattention
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary safety mechanism automatically engages when the primary safety is disengaged or when the firearm is dropped, without requiring user intervention. The spring-loaded bar responds autonomously to the discharge state or drop condition, providing self-correcting safety protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism provides feedback about the safety state to the user through physical position changes. When the primary safety is disengaged or the firearm is dropped, the spring-loaded bar automatically moves to block the trigger or firing pin, providing tangible feedback that the secondary safety is now active without requiring the user to manually engage it.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The secondary safety mechanism provides an additional layer of protection by automatically locking the trigger when the primary safety is disengaged or inadvertently triggered, ensuring the firearm cannot be discharged accidentally, while allowing intentional discharge only with deliberate user input.
Implementation Method 1
a spring mechanism affixed to the second portion in a spatial coordination that defines, in operation of the spring mechanism, a vector of spring force in the plane
Data Source
AI summary
Secondary safety for firearm and method for automatic locking firearm's trigger even with disengaged primary safety. The mechanism includes a rigid bar and a spring unit biasing the rigid bar against the firearm's body to transfer vectored force to the back of the trigger against the trigger's movement, and is cooperated with firearms using existing firearm's components. Secondary safety blocks trigger immediately each time the user's finger is taken off the trigger and can be disengaged only with user's input directed against the vectored force and increasing it.