Rail-Mounted Trigger Shroud for Accessory Carry and Trigger Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing small arm carrying devices, such as skeleton holsters, often fail to securely and conveniently mount accessories like flashlights or lasers to handguns while preventing inadvertent trigger activation.
Innovation Solution
A rail mounted accessory body and trigger shroud assembly for handguns, featuring a frame with an accessory rail, a block with inclined faces and catches, and a spring guide, allowing for a closed configuration to secure the trigger and an open configuration for accessory use, with a belt clip for carrying, and a mechanism to activate/deactivate accessories based on the shroud's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a skeleton holster is used to carry the handgun, then the device is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot securely mount accessories like flashlights or lasers while preventing inadvertent trigger activation
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger shroud assembly merges multiple functions into a single integrated device: it provides trigger protection by covering the trigger guard, mounts accessories via a Picatinny rail, and includes carrying features through belt clips. This consolidation resolves the contradiction by achieving accessory adaptability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory body serves multiple purposes: it acts as a mounting platform for accessories (flashlights, lasers), provides trigger protection when in the closed position, and includes integrated carrying mechanisms. This multi-functionality directly addresses the contradiction by enabling accessory mounting while maintaining a unified structure rather than requiring separate components.
2Reliability
If the trigger shroud assembly is in the closed configuration to prevent inadvertent trigger activation, then trigger safety is improved, but accessories cannot be accessed or used
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory body is designed to be movable between a closed configuration (covering the trigger guard for safety) and an open configuration (exposing the trigger guard for accessory access and trigger operation). This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the device to adapt its state based on operational needs, providing both trigger safety and accessory accessibility at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member (spring) is pre-loaded to automatically return the accessory body to the closed configuration after use, ensuring trigger protection is restored without requiring manual intervention. This preliminary action maintains reliability while enabling temporary access when needed.
3Reliability
If the accessory body is held in the closed configuration by the resilient member, then trigger protection is maintained, but manual intervention is required to open it for accessory use
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member (spring) automatically returns the accessory body to the closed configuration after it has been opened for accessory use, without requiring manual intervention to reset it. This self-service mechanism maintains trigger protection reliably while minimizing the complexity of additional control systems that would be needed for manual resetting.
4Reliability
If the rail mount includes inclined faces and catches for securing the accessory body, then the mounting reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: inclined faces for guiding movement, catches for securing positions, and a resilient member for maintaining force. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, achieving reliable mounting without requiring an overly complex integrated system.
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
Provides secure carrying and convenient mounting of accessories like flashlights, while preventing inadvertent trigger activation and allowing easy access when needed, with automatic activation/deactivation based on the shroud's configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member arranged about the spring guide
Data Source
AI summary
A trigger shroud assembly (14) for a small arms weapon (12) is disclosed. The trigger shroud assembly (14) may include a rail mount (22), an accessory body (28) slidably connected to the rail mount, a spring guide (24) disposed between the rail mount and the accessory body, a resilient member (26) arranged about the spring guide, and a starboard side trigger shroud (32) and a port side trigger shroud (34) connected to the accessory body. A belt clip (36) may be disposed on one of the starboard side trigger shroud or the port side trigger shroud. The trigger shroud assembly (14) may include a closed configuration (17) and an open configuration (27). The trigger shroud assembly (14) may include a tactical accessory (47) such as a flashlight. The trigger shroud assembly (14) may be secured to a handgun for inside the waistband carry and to deter inadvertent handgun discharge.