Folding Pistol Trigger Disable via Four-Bar Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pocket carry handguns are easily recognizable, awkward to draw, and have limited magazine capacity, posing safety and practicality issues for concealed carry, and existing foldable handguns are complex and not adaptable to conventional pistols.
Innovation Solution
A folding pistol design that detaches the handgrip from the frame, uses a common pivot pin for the grip and trigger, and incorporates a four-bar linkage mechanism to disable the trigger when folded, allowing for a high-capacity magazine and compact, non-descript form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional pocket carry handguns are used, then the firearm can be carried concealed, but the handgun is easily recognizable and awkward to draw
Solution Approach 1:
The pistol grip is made dynamically foldable relative to the frame, allowing the grip to pivot between an extended operational position and a folded concealed position. This dynamic configuration enables the firearm to transition from a recognizable L-shaped silhouette to a compact, non-descript form factor that is difficult to identify as a handgun when carried concealed.
Solution Approach 2:
The pistol is segmented into separable components including the frame, grip, trigger assembly, and magazine. The grip and trigger assembly are pivotally connected to the frame, allowing independent movement and folding of these segments. This segmentation enables the grip to be folded away from the frame, eliminating the characteristic handgun silhouette while maintaining full functionality when extended.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional pocket carry handguns are used, then the firearm can be carried concealed, but the magazine capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable grip mechanism allows the pistol to accommodate a larger magazine capacity by enabling the grip to extend fully during operation. When folded for concealment, the overall profile remains compact. This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction by providing high magazine capacity (e.g., 33 rounds) when needed while maintaining ease of carry when folded.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If foldable handguns are used to increase magazine capacity and reduce silhouette, then the firearm becomes less identifiable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The common pivot pin serves multiple functions: it acts as the pivot point for the grip, the trigger guard attachment point, and the trigger assembly mounting location. This multi-functional component eliminates the need for separate pivot pins and complex mounting mechanisms, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining the foldable functionality and non-descript silhouette.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip, trigger guard, and trigger assembly are merged into a single pivotally connected unit that folds together as one mechanism. This consolidation simplifies the folding action and reduces the number of independent moving parts, making the overall mechanism less complex while still achieving the desired concealability and magazine capacity.
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the grip is folded to create a compact form, then the pistol is not readily identifiable, but the trigger must be mechanically disabled
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger disable mechanism is merged with the folding action itself. As the grip pivots to the folded position, the trigger guard naturally folds over and engages with the trigger assembly, mechanically disabling the trigger through the existing linkage. This integration eliminates the need for separate trigger blocking components or complex safety mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding grip and trigger guard assembly automatically disables the trigger through its own movement and configuration. The mechanical linkage inherent in the folding mechanism itself provides the trigger disable function without requiring additional components or active control systems, making the safety feature self-generating from the folding action.
Data Source
AI summary
A folding pistol has an elongated trigger bar movable between a bar rear position in which discharge of the firearm is disabled, and a bar forward position operable to discharge the firearm, a trigger body connected to the trigger bar and movable between a first body position in which the trigger bar is maintained in the bar rear position and a second body position in which the trigger bar is in the bar forward position, a trigger lever movable with respect to the body between an extended position in which the trigger lever depends downwardly away from the frame and a folded position in which the trigger lever extends forward along the frame, and the trigger lever having a first body contact surface configured to restrain the trigger body in the first body position when the trigger lever is in the folded position, such that discharge is prevented.