Hammerless 1911 Striker Mechanism for Simplified Firing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing model 1911 handguns require a pivoting hammer to actuate the firing pin, which complicates the firing process and necessitates locking the hammer before firing, whereas a hammerless, striker-fired system would simplify this process by eliminating the need for hammer locking.
Innovation Solution
A striker-fired mechanism is introduced, comprising a firing pin assembly, sear assembly, and trigger bow assembly, where the firing pin is preloaded by a spring and actuated by the sear, allowing for direct impact on the cartridge without a hammer, and the sear assembly and trigger bow assembly are designed to replicate the hammer's function without the physical hammer mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pivoting hammer is used to actuate the firing pin, then the firing mechanism can be implemented, but the device complexity increases and requires hammer locking before firing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hammer component entirely from the firing mechanism, extracting the problematic pivoting hammer that required locking before firing. The firing pin is directly actuated by the trigger mechanism through a sear assembly, eliminating the need for hammer locking steps and simplifying the overall operation sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The firing mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a trigger assembly, a sear assembly, and a firing pin assembly. Each component performs a specific function independently, allowing the trigger to directly actuate the firing pin through the sear without requiring the integrated hammer mechanism, thus reducing complexity while maintaining functionality.
2Reliability
If a hammer locking mechanism is required, then the hammer can be secured before firing, but the操作步骤 increases and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the hammer locking step by removing the hammer component entirely. The firing pin is directly actuated by the trigger mechanism, so there is no need to secure or lock a hammer before firing. This extraction of the problematic component directly eliminates the time loss associated with hammer locking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger mechanism is designed to directly prepare and actuate the firing pin without requiring preliminary hammer locking actions. The sear assembly is pre-configured to engage the firing pin directly when the trigger is pulled, eliminating the need for preliminary securing steps that would otherwise be required.
3Ease of operation
If a hammerless striker-fired system is implemented, then the firing process is simplified, but the device complexity must be managed through alternative mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The firing mechanism is segmented into distinct functional assemblies: trigger assembly, sear assembly, and firing pin assembly. Each assembly is independently designed and optimized, allowing the complex functionality to be distributed across multiple simpler components rather than requiring a single complex hammer mechanism. This segmentation makes the overall system more manageable despite the advanced striker-fired technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The sear assembly acts as an intermediary component between the trigger mechanism and the firing pin. It mediates the transmission of force from the trigger to the firing pin, enabling the hammerless operation by providing a controlled engagement point that allows the firing pin to be actuated directly without requiring a hammer or other intermediate striking components.
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
This solution allows for a simplified firing process by eliminating the need to lock the hammer, preserving the trigger pull pressure and distance of a conventional model 1911 handgun while enabling a hammerless operation, thus enhancing usability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a firing pin assembly (30) provided inside the firing pin bore (26). The firing pin assembly includes a firing pin (32) and a firing pin spring (34) with the firing pin spring disposed between a sleeve (36), and a washer or spring cup (38)
Implementation Method 2
The firing pin assembly impacting a cartridge at discharge of the hand gun
Data Source
AI summary
A single action, semi-automatic handgun has a slide, a firing pin assembly disposed in a hollow interior of the slide, and a trigger bow assembly disposed in a frame of the handgun below the slide. The trigger bow assembly comprises a trigger bow configured for reciprocating sliding motion. The trigger bow has a trigger bow lever configured for reciprocating sliding motion in plane generally transverse to the movement of the slide. The hand gun further comprises a sear assembly with a sear having a tab and a sear pin. The sear tab releasably engages the firing pin assembly and the sear pin releasably engages the trigger bow lever in a manner to enable successive discharging of the handgun upon successive actuation of the trigger of the firearm.