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97¥9B_T
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(11) EP 3 129 739 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Date of publication and mention (51) Int Cl.:

of the grant of the patent: F41A 17/72 (2006.01) F41A 17/56 (2006.01)
05.12.2018 Bulletin 2018/49 F41A 19/29 (2006.01) F41A 17/46 (2006.01)
F41A 19/10 (2006.01) F41A 19/12 (2006.01)
(21) Application number: 15777484.5
(86) International application number:
(22) Date of filing: 13.04.2015 PCT/US2015/025536

(87) International publication number:

WO 2015/157753 (15.10.2015 Gazette 2015/41)

(54) FIRE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FIREARMS

ABZUGSSYSTEM FÜR FEUERWAFFEN
SYSTÈME DE COMMANDE DE TIR POUR ARMES À FEU

(84) Designated Contracting States: • ZAJK, Joseph J.

AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB Prescott, Arizona 86305 (US)
GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO • VAVRO, Sam
PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR Dacono, Colorado 80514 (US)

(30) Priority: 11.04.2014 US 201461978605 P (74) Representative: Studio Torta S.p.A.

Via Viotti, 9
(43) Date of publication of application: 10121 Torino (IT)
15.02.2017 Bulletin 2017/07
(56) References cited:
(73) Proprietor: STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC. US-A- 4 575 963 US-A- 5 157 209
Southport, CT 06890 (US) US-B2- 7 703 230 US-B2- 8 132 496
US-B2- 8 250 799 US-B2- 8 555 539
(72) Inventors:
• NEBEKER, Darin
Gilbert, Arizona 85233 (US)
EP 3 129 739 B1

Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent
Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the
Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been
paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)

 1 EP 3 129 739 B1
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention generally relates to fire-
arms, and more particularly to fire control systems with
safety mechanisms suitable for auto-loading pistols.
[0002] Firearms such as semiautomatic auto-loading
pistols come in a variety of full size and compact platforms
for concealed carry applications. One type of firing mech-
anism found in pistols utilizes a pivotable spring-biased
hammer which is held in a rear cocked and ready-to-fire
position. To discharge the pistol, the hammer is released
from a cocked position via a trigger pull which impacts
and drives a firing pin forward to contact and detonate a
chambered ammunition cartridge. Alternatively, "striker-
fired" pistols have a somewhat more simplified firing
mechanism which utilize a linearly movable spring-bi-
ased striker that is held in a cocked position. Pulling the
trigger releases the striker to directly contact and deto-
nate a chambered ammunition round.
[0003] A firing blocker mechanism intended to prevent
discharge of a pistol or other type firearm in the absence
of an intentional trigger pull is desired. A prior art fire arm
with a striker firing mechanism can be found in US
7,703,230 B2.
SUMMARY
[0004] A firearm with firing blocker mechanism is pro-
vided and configured to disable firing of a firearm in the
absence of an intentional trigger pull. In one embodiment,
the firearm may be a semiautomatic auto-loading pistol.
[0005] In one embodiment, a firearm with striker firing
mechanism includes: a longitudinal axis; a frame; a re-
ciprocating slide disposed on the frame; a barrel dis-
posed at least partially in the slide and defining a chamber
for holding a cartridge; a spring-biased striker movable
in a linear path between a rearward cocked position and
forward firing position for striking a chambered cartridge,
the striker including a catch protrusion; a trigger mecha-
nism including a trigger bar coupled to a trigger movably
disposed in the frame, the trigger bar movable in rearward
and forward axial directions via operation of the trigger;
a sear rotatably disposed in the frame and operably linked
to the trigger bar, the sear movable via operation of the
trigger to selectively engage the catch protrusion to hold
the striker in the rearward cocked position and to disen-
gage the catch protrusion to release the striker for striking
the chambered cartridge; and a blocker rotatably dis-
posed in the frame and operably linked to the trigger bar,
the blocker movable into and out of engagement with the
sear via operation of the trigger; wherein the blocker is
rotatable between a blocking position engaged with the
sear which prevents movement of the sear to release the
striker from the rearward cocked position and a non-
blocking position disengaged from the sear which is then
movable to release the striker for firing the firearm; where-
2
in the trigger bar is configured so that pulling the trigger
moves both the sear and the blocker; and wherein the
sear and blocker are mounted about separate parallel
pivot axes.
5 [0006] In one embodiment, a pistol with striker firing
mechanism includes: a longitudinal axis; a frame; a re-
ciprocating slide disposed on the frame; a barrel dis-
posed at least partially in the slide and defining a chamber
for holding a cartridge; a spring-biased striker movable
10 in a linear path between a rearward cocked position and
forward firing position for striking a chambered cartridge,
the striker including a sear notch; a trigger assembly in-
cluding a trigger bar coupled to a trigger movably dis-
posed in the frame, the trigger bar movable in rearward
15 and forward axial directions via operation of the trigger;
a sear rotatably disposed in the frame and operably linked
to the trigger bar, the sear movable via operation of the
trigger to selectively engage the sear notch to hold the
striker in the rearward cocked position and to disengage
20 the sear notch to release the striker for striking the cham-
bered cartridge; and a blocker rotatably disposed in the
frame and operably linked to the trigger bar, the blocker
having a blocking surface movable into and out of en-
gagement with the sear via operation of the trigger;
25 wherein the blocker is movable to a first rotational block-
ing position that arrests movement of the sear and a sec-
ond rotational non-blocking position that enables rotation
of the sear to fire the pistol.
[0007] A method for firing the foregoing embodiment
30 of the pistol includes: engaging the sear with the sear
notch of the striker to hold the sear in the rearward cocked
position; positioning the blocker in the blocking position;
pulling the trigger; rotating the blocker to the non-blocking
position; rotating the sear to disengage the sear from the
35 sear notch; and moving the striker to the forward firing
position to discharge the pistol.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
40 [0008] The features of the exemplary embodiments will
be described with reference to the following drawings
where like elements are labeled similarly, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a right side elevation view of one exemplary
45 embodiment of a firearm in the form of a pistol in-
cluding a firing control system with firing blocker
mechanism according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a right side cross-sectional elevation view
of the firearm of FIG. 1;
50 FIG. 3 is a right side elevation view of the fire control
mechanism of FIG. 1 showing the striker in a cocked
ready-to-fire position and engaged by the sear, and
sear blocker positioned to engage the sear;
FIG. 4 is a right side elevation view of the fire control
55 mechanism of FIG. 1 with the trigger partially pulled
and showing the striker in a cocked ready-to-fire po-
sition and engaged by the sear, and sear blocker in
a blocking position engaged with the sear;
2
 3 EP 3 129 739 B1
FIG. 5 is a right side elevation view of the fire control
mechanism of FIG. 1 with the trigger further partially
pulled and showing the striker in a cocked ready-to-
fire position and engaged by the sear, and sear
blocker in a non-blocking position disengaged from
the sear;
FIG. 6 is a right side elevation view of the fire control
mechanism of FIG. 1 with the trigger fully pulled and
showing the striker released by the sear to fire the
firearm, and sear blocker in the non-blocking posi-
tion;
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of fire control
mechanism components and a fire control housing
insert that supports the same;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the sear blocker;
FIG. 9 is a right side elevation view (as mounted)
thereof;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of sear;
FIG. 11 is a right side elevation view thereof;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the striker;
FIG. 13 is a right side elevation view thereof;
FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view thereof,
FIG. 15 is a rear end view thereof; and
FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the slide and
fire control mechanism of FIG. 1.
[0009] All drawings are schematic and not necessarily
to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] Exemplary embodiments of the present inven-
tion provide an auto-loading firearm with firing blocker
mechanism and related method of operation. In one em-
bodiment, the firearm may be a pistol; however, the
mechanism may be used with other types of firearms
including long guns (e.g. rifles and shotguns).
[0011] The features and benefits of the invention are
illustrated and described herein by reference to exem-
plary embodiments. This description of exemplary em-
bodiments is intended to be read in connection with the
accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part
of the entire written description. Accordingly, the disclo-
sure expressly should not be limited to such exemplary
embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting
combination of features that may exist alone or in other
combinations of features.
[0012] In the description of embodiments disclosed
herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely
intended for convenience of description and is not intend-
ed in any way to limit the scope of the present invention.
Relative terms such as "lower," "upper," "horizontal,"
"vertical,", "above," "below," "up," "down," "top" and "bot-
tom" as well as derivative thereof (e.g., "horizontally,"
"downwardly," "upwardly," etc.) should be construed to
refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in
the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are
for convenience of description only and do not require
4
that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a par-
ticular orientation. Terms such as "attached," "affixed,"
"connected," "coupled," "interconnected," and similar re-
fer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or
5 attached to one another either directly or indirectly
through intervening structures, as well as both movable
or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly
described otherwise.
[0013] FIGS. 1 and 2 are right side elevation and cross-
10 sectional views respectively of a pistol 20 including a fir-
ing blocker mechanism according to the present disclo-
sure. Pistol 20 includes a grip frame 22, slide 24 movably
mounted thereon, and barrel 26. Frame 22 includes a
rear downwardly extending grip portion 22a for grasping
15 and a longitudinally-extending cavity 22b which opens
upwards and receives fire control housing insert 80 there-
in. Fire control housing insert 80 supports various firing
control mechanism components which advantageously
may be mounted therein prior to inserting the insert into
20 the frame 22 to facilitate assembly of the pistol. Accord-
ingly, the fire control housing insert 80 with firing control
mechanism components is mountable in frame 22 as a
unit. Advantageously, this allows the fire control compo-
nents to be pre-mounted in the insert 80 in a simplified
25 and readily more accessible manner rather than mount-
ing the components individually in the frame. In other
embodiments, the firing control mechanism components
however may be directly mounted in frame 22 without
use of an insert 80. The invention is therefore expressly
30 not limited to either arrangement.
[0014] Slide 24 is slidably mounted on pistol 20, and
in one embodiment on fire control housing insert 80 via
a support rails 21 (see FIG. 7) on the insert and mating
grooves on the slide (not shown) for axial reciprocating
35 movement forwards and rearwards thereon. Such ar-
rangements are well known and understood by those in
the art without further elaboration. Alternatively, slide 24
may be mounted directly on frame 22 for reciprocating
motion. A recoil spring (not shown) operably associated
40 with slide 24 acts to return the slide to the forward position
shown in FIG. 1 after discharging pistol 20.
[0015] Grip portion 22a of frame 22 defines a down-
wardly open magazine cavity 22c which receives and
supports therein an ammunition magazine 23. Magazine
45 23 may be removably inserted into frame 22 and fire con-
trol housing insert 80. Magazine 23 is sized and config-
ured for holding and dispensing a plurality of cartridges C.
[0016] Barrel 26 is movably disposed at least partially
inside slide 24 and includes a front muzzle end 25 and
50 rear breech end 27 that defines a rearwardly and for-
wardly open chamber 28 configured for receiving a car-
tridge C. An axial bore 31 extends between the muzzle
and breech ends 25, 27 of the barrel 26 which forms a
bullet pathway. Breech area 29 is defined at the rear of
55 barrel 26 and chamber 28 for loading cartridges C therein
from magazine 23. Slide 24 includes a breech block de-
fining a forward facing breech face 30 which is axially
moveable with the slide in relation to the chamber 28 to
3
 5 EP 3 129 739 B1
alternatingly form an open or closed breech in a manner
well known in the art. Pistol 20 further includes a longi-
tudinal axis LA defining an axial direction and which is
approximately concentrically aligned with barrel 26 and
slide 24 as shown in FIG. 1. Barrel 26 is moveable rear-
wards with slide 24 on firing control housing 80 under
recoil after discharging pistol 20. Slide is movable rear-
wards on frame 22 under recoil or when manually cycling
the action.
[0017] FIGS. 3-6 are right side elevation views of the
fire control system and firing blocking mechanism alone
disembodied from the supportive firearm frame 22 for
clarity. The fire control system is shown in the firing se-
quence from a cocked ready-fire-position with the trigger
not pulled in FIG. 3 through the fire position shown in
FIG. 6. FIGS. 4 and 5 show intermediate operational po-
sitions of the fire control system during the firing se-
quence. FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the fire control
system components. The fire control system compo-
nents may be supported directly by the frame, or alter-
natively may be mounted in and supported by fire control
housing insert 80 which is removably mountable in the
frame as shown herein. Either construction may be used
and numerous variations are possible.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 3-7, the firing control system
in one embodiment includes a trigger assembly 40 in-
cluding a trigger 41 pivotally mounted in the insert 80 via
a transverse pin 44, axially movable trigger bar 45 pivot-
ally coupled to the trigger via a transverse pin 46 and
hole 51 in the front of the trigger bar, and an axially linearly
movable spring-biased striker 47 movably supported by
slide 24 in an internal chamber 49 (see also FIG. 2) of
the slide. In one embodiment, the trigger bar 45 is mount-
ed to an upward projecting protrusion 50 on the trigger
41 that extends above the trigger transverse pin 44 and
includes transverse trigger bar pin 46 formed thereon.
The curved finger gripping portion of the trigger 41 ex-
tends below the trigger transverse pin. This arrangement
causes the trigger bar 45 to be pulled axially forward
when the finger gripping portion of the trigger is pulled
and rotated rearward about transverse pin 44 which de-
fines a pivot axis. Similarly, transverse pin 46 defines a
pivot axis for the trigger bar 45.
[0019] The striker 47 may have a generally elongated
cylindrical shape and is positioned to be released forward
from a rearward cocked position (FIG. 3) by a trigger pull
to strike and detonate a chambered cartridge disposed
in the rear chamber 28 of the barrel 26. A striker spring
48 biases the striker 47 forward towards a chambered
cartridge C for detonation. Spring 48 may be a helical
compression spring in one embodiment and may be
mounted at the rear of the striker (see, e.g. FIG. 7). Other
type springs may be used. The front tip 47a of the striker
47 may be narrowed and configured to engage the rear
end of the cartridge at the primer cap to detonate the
ammunition.
[0020] The striker 47 is captured in the cocked position
and released by a rotatable sear 60 which may be mount-
6
ed to the pistol via a transverse pin 61. The sear 60 is
rotatably movable to selectively engage and disengage
the striker. With additional reference now to FIGS. 10
and 11, the sear 60 includes an elongated operating arm
5 62 having a base end 70 connected to a hollow central
cylindrical hub 66 defining a mounting hole 73 that re-
ceives transverse pin 61 and a free terminal end 67. Op-
erating arm 62 extends upward and rearward from hub
66. The terminal end 67 of operating arm 62 selectively
10 engages a striker sear notch 63 formed in the underside
of the striker 47 on a lower downwardly extending oper-
ating or catch protrusion 64. The terminal end 67 may
include a rear-facing flat surface 67a to positively engage
the notch 63 which may have a similar flat surface con-
15 figuration. The top edge 67b of the terminal free end 67
may engage a shoulder 68 formed by the notch 63 as
shown for example in FIG. 3. An obliquely angled surface
69 may be formed below the notch to allow the operating
arm 62 to smoothly disengage the notch when the trigger
20 is fully pulled to release the striker 47.
[0021] The trigger bar 45 is configured to engage and
actuate the sear 60 via a trigger pull to release the striker
47 for firing the pistol. The trigger bar 45 includes an
actuating surface 53 which engages a corresponding ac-
25 tuated surface 54 disposed on the sear. In one embodi-
ment, the trigger bar actuating surface 53 may be formed
inside an longitudinally elongated transverse operating
window 55 formed in a dimensionally enlarged rear end
portion 77 of the trigger bar (in contrast to the middle and
30 forward portions of the trigger bar which are vertically
shorter in dimension). The sear actuated surface 54 may
be formed in one embodiment on a lateral extension arm
65 that projects through the window 55 in the trigger bar
45 to engage the actuating surface 53 of the trigger bar.
35 Extension arm 65 includes a base end attached to central
hub 66 of the sear 60 and a free terminal end 74 config-
ured and arranged to engage the operating window 55.
The actuated surface 54 may be formed on the terminal
end 74.
40 [0022] In one non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the
lateral extension arm 65 may have a generally L-shape
comprising a vertical section 65a extending downwards
from a central hub 66, an elbow 65c, and a laterally ex-
tending horizontal section 65b. Actuated surface 54 may
45 be at least partially flat and obliquely inclined in one em-
bodiment. The sear 60 is rotatably movable from a ready-
to-fire position engaged with the striker (FIG. 3) to a fire
position disengaged from and releasing the striker (FIG.
6).
50 [0023] It will be appreciated that operating arm 62 ex-
tends upward and rearward from central hub 66 of the
sear 60 towards the striker 47 at an angle between hor-
izontal and vertical reference axes H1, V1 best shown in
FIG. 11. Operating arm is oriented in an axial front to rear
55 direction and positioned in the upper left (rear) quadrant
of the sear 60 defined by axes HI, VI and lateral extension
arm 65 is positioned at least partially on the vertical ref-
erence axis VI between the lower right (front) and left
4
 7 EP 3 129 739 B1
(rear) quadrants. Conversely, the sections 65a and 65b
of the lateral extension arm 65 are each generally orient-
ed in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis LA
and the axial direction.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 7, the operating win-
dow 55 may be completely surrounded by the enlarged
rear portion 77 of the trigger bar 45 as shown so that no
portions of the window penetrate the outer peripheral top,
bottom or side edges of the trigger bar. Operating window
55 includes a front end 55a and opposite rear end 55b.
The window defines a front notch 75 proximate front end
55a and a rear notch 76 proximate rear end 55b and
spaced axially apart from the front notch. The front and
rear notches 75, 76 may be disposed and formed by a
bottom surface of the operating window 55. In one em-
bodiment, the front notch 75 may be positioned lower in
the trigger bar 45 than the rear notch 76. In certain em-
bodiments, the front notch 75 may further be axially long-
er than the rear notch 76. Front notch 75 defines actuating
surface 53 and rear notch 76 defines actuating surface
100 for operating the sear 60 and sear blocker 90, re-
spectively. The actuating surfaces 53, 100 may each
comprise differently oriented segments such as a bottom
horizontal segment and two opposing parallel vertical
segments in certain embodiments which collectively form
each operating surface.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 3-9, the firing blocking mech-
anism may include a rotatable sear blocker 90 which is
selectively engageable with the sear 60 to prevent mov-
ing the sear from the ready to fire position (see, e.g. FIG.
3) to the firing position (see, e.g. FIG. 6) in the absence
of a trigger pull. The sear blocker 90 includes a blocking
surface 91 which engages the sear to prevent rotation of
the sear. This arrangement advantageously provides a
first aspect of the firing blocking system and may help
prevent inadvertent discharge of the firearm in the ab-
sence of an intentional trigger pull. The sear blocker 90
is rotatably movable to engage the sear in a first blocking
position and disengage the sear in a second unblocking
position, which in turn selectively engages or disengages
the blocking surface 91 from the sear.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 9, the sear blocker 90 defines
a horizontal reference axis H2 and vertical reference axis
V2, and corresponding upper left and right quadrants and
lower left and right quadrants similar to the sear.
[0027] With continuing reference to FIGS. 3-9, the sear
blocker 90 includes a cylindrical central hub 94 that de-
fines a mounting hole 95 for receiving a transverse pin
96 for rotatably mounting the blocker to the fire control
housing insert 80. The blocker further includes an upright
protrusion 92 which defines blocking surface 91 and a
lateral extension arm 93 extending downwards from hub
94 and laterally. Arm 93 is configured to engage the trig-
ger bar 45 for actuating and rotating the blocker via a
trigger pull. Protrusion 92 may be formed on the top of
blocker 90, and in one embodiment as shown may be
located in the upper left (rear) quadrant. This positions
the blocking surface 91 to selectively engage the under-
8
side of the operating arm 62 of the sear 60 to block ro-
tation of the sear and release of the striker 47. The lateral
extension arm 93 may be located between the lower right
(front) and left (rear) quadrants as shown. In certain em-
5 bodiments, the central hub 94 may further include a sub-
stantially flat portion defining a seating surface 97 for
engaging and nesting the terminal end 67 of sear oper-
ating arm 62 thereon when the pistol is in the firing posi-
tion (see, e.g. FIG. 6). The blocker 90 may further include
10 an operating lobe 99 projecting rearwardly and upwards
from hub 94. In one embodiment, the operating lobe 99
may be connected to the upright protrusion 92 on blocker
90 and may be located in the upper left (rear) quadrant
as viewed in FIG. 9.
15 [0028] Operating lobe 99 is operable and positioned
to engage a bottom sliding surface 83 of the slide 24
(identified in FIGS. 2 and 16) for holding the sear blocker
90 in a downward position so that it is disengaged from
the sear 60 while hand cycling the slide without the trigger
20 41 being pulled. Accordingly, blocker 90 may be rotated
either by cycling the slide manually (i.e. sliding the slide
rearward on frame 22 and returning it forward from a
closed breech position) or via the trigger bar 45 by pulling
the trigger 41. The lobe 99 is offset from the axial cen-
25 terline of the striker 47 being more proximate to the left
end of the blocker central hub 66. The catch protrusion
64 on striker 47 which is narrower than the cylindrical
striker body (see, e.g. FIGS. 14 and 15) to allow the lobe
99 to engage the sliding surface 83 on the slide 24. The
30 lobe 99 is positioned along the lateral left side of the catch
protrusion 64 as shown by the dotted line portion in FIG.
3 when blocker 90 is in the blocking position. The terminal
end of operating lobe 99 may be rounded in shape to
smoothly engage the sliding surface 83.
35 [0029] It should be noted that all references herein to
the quadrants defined by vertical reference axes V1, V2
and horizontal reference axes H1, H2 are from the per-
spective of the right side views in FIGS. 9 and 11 showing
the "as mounted" orientation of the sear 60 and blocker
40 90 as seen from the right side of the pistol 20 in FIG. 2.
[0030] With continuing reference now to FIGS. 3-9, the
trigger bar 45 is further configured by operating window
55 to engage and rotate the sear blocker 90 between the
blocking and non-blocking positions via a trigger pull to
45 release and permit rotation of the sear 60 by a sufficient
extent to release the striker from the cocked position for
firing the firearm. The trigger bar 45 includes a second
actuating surface 100 which engages a corresponding
second actuated surface 101 disposed on the sear block-
50 er 90. In one embodiment, the second actuating surface
100 may be formed inside the same or a second discrete
transverse window formed in the dimensionally enlarged
rear end portion of the trigger bar. The illustrated embod-
iment herein shows actuating surface 100 formed in the
55 same single large operating window 55. The sear blocker
actuated surface 101 may be formed in one embodiment
on a lateral extension arm 93 having a free terminal end
102 that projects into the window 55 in the trigger bar to
5
 9 EP 3 129 739 B1
engage rear notch 76. In one embodiment, the sear 60
and sear blocker 90 rotate in the same rotational direction
when actuated by the trigger bar. The sear 60 and sear
blocker 90 preferably may be mounted on separate trans-
verse pins 61, 96 respectively which are spaced longitu-
dinally apart and form parallel rotational axes.
[0031] In one non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the
lateral extension arm 93 may be configured similarly to
sear extension arm 65 and similarly is L-shaped including
a base end attached to central hub 94 of the blocker 90
and extending downwards therefrom and a free terminal
end 102 extending laterally which is configured and ar-
ranged to engage the operating window 55. The actuated
surface 101 may be formed on the terminal end 102.
Lateral extension arm 93 may also have a generally L-
shape comprising a vertical section 93a extending down-
wards from central hub 94, an elbow 93c, and a laterally
extending horizontal section 93b. Actuated surface 101
on blocker 90 may be at least partially flat and obliquely
inclined in one embodiment. The sear blocker 90 is ro-
tatably movable from a blocking position engaged with
sear 60 (FIG. 4) to a non-blocking position (FIGS. 5-6)
disengaged from the sear 60 to release the striker.
[0032] In order to provide access to the trigger bar 45
for the terminal ends 74, 102 of lateral extension arms
65 and 93 on the sear 60 and sear blocker 90 respec-
tively, a pair of arcuately shaped through-slots 103, 104
may be provided on the lateral side 86 of fire control hous-
ing insert 80 adjacent the trigger bar 45. The sear and
blocker and their respective lateral extension arms
mounted inside the insert 80 may now engage the notch-
es 75 and 76 in the trigger bar to form an operable linkage.
It will be appreciated that other arrangements are possi-
ble.
[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 3-7, the trigger 41 of the
trigger assembly 40 may be a multi-component member
including an outer primary or main trigger 43 and a sec-
ondary or inner safety trigger 42 mounted to main trigger
43 and pivotable about transverse pin 44a. Safety trigger
42 is therefore pivotable and movable in relation to main
trigger 43. The safety trigger 42 may be pivotably mount-
ed to and disposed in an elongated vertical slot 52 in the
main trigger. The safety trigger 42 further includes an
upward projecting blocking protrusion 71 which is con-
figured and arranged to selectively engage a stopping
surface 72 disposed in the firearm frame. In one embod-
iment, stopping surface 72 may be formed on fire control
housing insert 80. When the main trigger 43 alone is
pulled (see, e.g. FIGS. 3 and 4, the blocking protrusion
71 engages the stopping surface 72 which arrests and
prevents full movement of the trigger mechanism to the
extent necessary to release the striker. When the user
also depresses the inner safety trigger 42, the blocking
protrusion 71 rotates forward and out of engagement with
the stopping surface 72 to then allow a full trigger pull for
discharging the firearm (see, e.g. FIGS. 5 and 6). This
arrangement provides a second aspect of the firing block-
ing system and advantageously may help prevent inad-
10
vertent discharge of the firearm in the absence of an in-
tentional trigger pull.
[0034] FIGS. 3-6 show the operation and movement
of the fire control system and firing blocking mechanism
5 components in sequential steps of discharging the fire-
arm. The directional arrows in these figures show the
movement of the trigger assembly and striker.
[0035] FIG. 3 shows the fire control system in a cocked
(i.e. striker 47) ready-to-fire position. The operating arm
10 62 of sear 60 is engaged with the sear notch 63 of the
striker 47 which prevent release of the striker. The trigger
41 (inner safety trigger 42 and outer main trigger 43) are
not actuated by the user at this juncture. The sear blocker
90 is rotated and biased into the blocking position by a
15 blocker spring (not shown for clarity). The blocking sur-
face 91 on the sear blocker 90 is positioned beneath and
slightly spaced apart from or contacting the underside of
the sear operating arm 62 to prevent movement of sear
60 sufficient to release the striker.
20 [0036] FIG. 4 shows the sear 60 movement blocked
by the sear blocker 90 and trigger movement blocked by
the undepressed inner safety trigger 42. The trigger 41
is pulled to the point where the inner safety trigger 42
rotation is stopped by the stopping surface 72 on fire
25 control housing insert 80 and cannot be pulled any further
without manually depressing the safety trigger. Blocking
both movement of the sear and trigger function together
to help prevent discharge of the pistol. The operating arm
62 of sear 60 is still engaged with sear notch 63 on striker
30 47.
[0037] FIG. 5 shows the sear 60 movement unblocked
by the sear blocker 90 and trigger 41 movement un-
blocked by a depressed inner safety trigger 42. The safe-
ty trigger 42 is depressed which allows the main trigger
35 42 and safety trigger to be pulled. The safety trigger is
removed from engagement with the stopping surface 72
in the frame 22 which allows the trigger 41 to be pulled
more fully. The trigger pull in turn initially rotates the
blocker 90 (counter-clockwise) to the non-blocking posi-
40 tion shown via the trigger bar 45 and rear notch 76-lateral
extension arm 93 interface wherein the blocking surface
91 is no longer positioned beneath and engaged with the
operating arm 62 of sear 60. The operating arm 62 of the
sear 60 is still engaged with the sear notch 63 on the
45 striker 47 but now free to rotate downwards out of en-
gagement with the striker by further pulling the trigger.
[0038] FIG. 6 shows the firearm in a fire or firing posi-
tion with the striker 47 being rotated counter-clockwise
and released via a full trigger pull unimpeded by the sear
50 blocker 90 and inner safety trigger 42. The top edge 67b
of the terminal free end 67 of the sear operating arm 62
fully disengages sear notch 63 via the trigger bar 45 and
front notch 75- lateral extension arm 65 interface. This
releases the striker 47 forward to striker and detonate a
55 chambered cartridge C under the biasing force of striker
spring 48.
[0039] While the foregoing description and drawings
represent preferred or exemplary embodiments of the
6
 11 EP 3 129 739 B1
present invention, it will be understood that various ad-
ditions, modifications and substitutions may be made
therein without departing from the scope of the invention
as defined in the accompanying claims.
Claims
1. A firearm with striker firing mechanism comprising:
a longitudinal axis (LA);
a frame (22);
a reciprocating slide (24) disposed on the frame;
a barrel (26) disposed at least partially in the
slide and defining a chamber (28) for holding a
cartridge;
a spring-biased striker (47) movable in a linear
path between a rearward cocked position and
forward firing position for striking a chambered
cartridge, the striker including a catch protrusion
(64);
a trigger mechanism including a trigger bar (45)
coupled to a trigger (41) movably disposed in
the frame, the trigger bar movable in rearward
and forward axial directions via operation of the
trigger;
a sear (60) rotatably disposed in the frame and
operably linked to the trigger bar, the sear mov-
able via operation of the trigger to selectively
engage the catch protrusion (64) to hold the
striker in the rearward cocked position and to
disengage the catch protrusion to release the
striker for striking the chambered cartridge; and
a blocker (90) rotatably disposed in the frame
and operably linked to the trigger bar, the blocker
movable into and out of engagement with the
sear via operation of the trigger;
wherein the blocker is rotatable between a
blocking position engaged with the sear which
prevents movement of the sear to release the
striker from the rearward cocked position and a
non-blocking position disengaged from the sear
which is then movable to release the striker for
firing the firearm;
wherein the trigger bar is configured so that pull-
ing the trigger moves both the sear and the
blocker; and
wherein the sear and blocker are mounted about
separate parallel pivot axes.
2. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the blocker
has a pivot axis that is positioned rearward of a pivot
axis of the sear.
3. A firearm as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the sear includes an elongated operating
arm (62) which is selectively engageable with the
catch protrusion of the striker;
12
wherein the blocker has a blocking surface (91)
which is selectively movable to engage or disengage
the operating arm of the sear.
5 4. The firearm according to claim 3, wherein the block-
ing surface engages the underside of the operating
arm of the sear when the blocker is in the blocking
position to prevent movement of the sear.
10 5. The firearm according to claim 3, wherein the oper-
ating arm of the sear is cleared of the blocker to rotate
when the blocker is in the non-blocking position and
the striker moves to the firing position.
15 6. A firearm in the form of a pistol as claimed in any of
the preceding claims, wherein the blocker has a
blocking surface (91) movable into and out of en-
gagement with the sear via operation of the trigger;
wherein the blocking surface of the blocker is selec-
20 tively engageable with an operating arm (62) extend-
ing outwards from the sear that is engageable with
a sear notch (63) formed on the catch protrusion (64)
of the striker.
25 7. The pistol according to claim 6, wherein the operat-
ing arm extends upward and rearward from a central
cylindrical hub of the sear mounted about a trans-
verse pin (61) that defines a rotational sear axis.
30 8. The pistol according to claim 7, wherein the blocking
surface is formed on an upright protrusion (92) of the
blocker and is selectively engageable with the oper-
ating arm to block movement of the sear.
35 9. The pistol according to claim 6, wherein the trigger
includes an inner safety trigger (42) and an outer
main trigger (43), the safety trigger including an up-
ward projecting blocking protrusion (71) which is
configured and arranged to selectively engage a
40 stopping surface (72) disposed in the frame.
10. The pistol of claim 6, wheren the trigger bar includes
a first notch (75) and a second notch (76), the first
notch engaged with the sear and the second notch
45 engaged with the blocker such that pulling the trigger
rotates the sear and blocker.
11. The pistol according to claim 10, wherein the sear
includes a first lateral extension arm (65) engaged
50 with the first notch and the blocker includes a second
lateral extension arm (93) engaged with the second
notch.
12. The pistol according to claim 11, wherein the first
55 and second extension arms extend through a re-
spective curved through-slot (103, 104) formed in a
fire control housing insert (80) which supports the
trigger mechanism, the sear and block being sup-
7
 13 EP 3 129 739 B1
ported by the insert.
13. A method for firing the pistol according to claim 9,
the method comprising:
engaging the sear with the sear notch of the strik-
er to hold the sear in the rearward cocked posi-
tion;
positioning the blocker in the blocking position;
pulling the trigger;
rotating the blocker to the non-blocking position;
rotating the sear to disengage the sear from the
sear notch; and
moving the striker to the forward firing position
to discharge the pistol.
14. The method according to claim 13, further compris-
ing engaging the trigger bar with the sear and the
blocker, wherein the step of pulling the trigger moves
the trigger bar axially forward to rotate the sear and
sear blocker.
15. The firearm according to claim 10, wherein the first
and second notches are defined by an operating win-
dow (55) formed in an enlarged rear portion of the
trigger bar.
Patentansprüche
1. Feuerwaffe mit Schlagbolzenabschussvorrichtung,
umfassend:
eine Längsachse (LA);
einen Rahmen (22);
einen hin- und hergehenden Schlitten (24), an-
geordnet auf dem Rahmen;
einen Lauf (26), der zumindest teilweise in dem
Schlitten angeordnet ist und
eine Kammer (28) definierend, um eine Patrone
zu enthalten;
einen federvorgespannten Schlagbolzen (47),
bewegbar auf einem linearen Pfad zwischen ei-
ner rückwärtig gespannten Position und einer
vorwärtigen Abschussposition, um eine gekam-
merte Patrone zu treffen, wobei der Schlagbol-
zen einen Haken- bzw. Fangvorsprung (64) ent-
hält;
eine Abzugsvorrichtung, die eine Abzugsstange
(45) enthält, die mit einem Abzug (41) gekoppelt
ist, der bewegbar in dem Rahmen angeordnet
ist, wobei die Abzugsstange durch Betätigung
des Abzugs in rückwärtigen und vorwärtigen
axialen Richtungen bewegbar ist;
eine Hahnrast (60), drehbar in dem Rahmen an-
geordnet und betätigbar verbunden mit der Ab-
zugsstange, wobei die Hahnrast via Betätigung
des Abzugs bewegbar ist, um den Hakenvor-
14
sprung (64) gezielt einzurasten, um den Schlag-
bolzen in der rückwärtig gespannten Position zu
halten und den Hakenvorsprung zu lösen, um
den Schlagbolzen freizugeben, um die gekam-
5 merte Patrone zu treffen; und
einen Blockierer (90), drehbar in dem Rahmen
angeordnet und betätigbar verbunden mit der
Abzugsstange, wobei der Blockierer mit der
Hahnrast via Betätigung des Abzugs in die und
10 aus der Einrastung bewegbar ist;
wobei der Blockierer drehbar ist zwischen einer
blockierenden Position, eingerastet mit der
Hahnrast, die eine Bewegung der Hahnrast zum
Lösen des Schlagbolzens aus der rückwärtig
15 gespannten Position verhindert und einer nicht
blockierenden Position, gelöst von der Hahn-
rast, die dann bewegbar ist, um den Schlagbol-
zen freizugeben, um die Feuerwaffe abzufeu-
ern;
20 wobei die Abzugsstange derart konfiguriert ist,
dass ziehen des Abzugs sowohl die Hahnrast
als auch den Blockierer bewegt; und
wobei die Hahnrast und der Blockierer um se-
parate, parallele Drehachsen montiert sind.
25
2. Feuerwaffe gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei der Blockierer
eine Drehachse aufweist, die rückwärtig von einer
Drehachse der Hahnrast positioniert ist.
30 3. Feuerwaffe wie beansprucht in Anspruch 1, wobei
die Hahnrast einen länglichen Betätigungsarm (62)
enthält, der gezielt mit dem Hakenvorsprung von
dem Schlagbolzen einrastbar ist,
wobei der Blockierer eine blockierende Oberfläche
35 (91) aufweist, die gezielt bewegbar ist, um den Be-
tätigungsarm der Hahnrast einzurasten oder zu lö-
sen.
4. Feuerwaffe gemäß Anspruch 3, wobei die blockie-
40 rende Oberfläche die Unterseite des Betätigungs-
arms der Hahnrast einrastet, wenn sich der Blockie-
rer in der blockierenden Position befindet, um eine
Bewegung der Hahnrast zu verhindern.
45 5. Feuerwaffe gemäß Anspruch 3, wobei der Betäti-
gungsarm der Hahnrast von dem Blockierer freige-
geben wird um sich zu drehen, wenn sich der Blo-
ckierer in der nicht blockierenden Position befindet
und sich der Schlagbolzen in die Abschussposition
50 bewegt.
6. Feuerwaffe in der Form einer Pistole, wie in einem
beliebigen der vorstehenden Ansprüche bean-
sprucht, wobei der Blockierer eine blockierende
55 Oberfläche (91) aufweist, die mit der Hahnrast via
Betätigung des Abzugs in die und aus der Einrastung
bewegbar ist;
wobei die blockierende Oberfläche des Blockierers
8
 15 EP 3 129 739 B1
mit einem Betätigungsarm (62) einrastbar ist, der
sich nach außen erstreckt von der Hahnrast, die mit
einer Hahnrastaussparung (63) einrastbar ist, die
auf dem Hakenvorsprung (64) des Schlagbolzens
ausgebildet ist.
7. Pistole gemäß Anspruch 6, wobei sich der Betäti-
gungsarm aufwärts und rückwärtig von einem zen-
tralen zylindrischen Knotenpunkt von der Hahnrast
erstreckt, die um einen Querstift (61) montiert ist, der
eine drehende Hahnrastachse definiert.
8. Pistole gemäß Anspruch 7, wobei die blockierende
Oberfläche auf einem senkrechten Vorsprung (92)
des Blockierers ausgebildet ist und gezielt mit dem
Betätigungsarm einrastbar ist, um eine Bewegung
der Hahnrast zu blockieren.
9. Pistole gemäß Anspruch 6, wobei der Abzug einen
inneren Sicherheitsabzug (42) enthält und einen äu-
ßeren Hauptabzug (43), wobei der Sicherheitsabzug
einen sich senkrecht nach oben erstreckenden blo-
ckierenden Vorsprung (71) enthält, der dahingehend
konfiguriert und eingerichtet ist, um gezielt mit einer
in dem Rahmen angeordnete Anschlagoberfläche
(72) einzurasten.
10. Pistole gemäß Anspruch 6, wobei die Abzugsstange
eine erste Aussparung (75) und eine zweite Ausspa-
rung (76) enthält, wobei die erste Aussparung mit
der Hahnrast eingerastet ist und die zweite Ausspa-
rung mit dem Blockierer eingerastet ist, sodass zie-
hen des Abzugs die Hahnrast und den Blockierer
rotiert.
11. Pistole gemäß Anspruch 10, wobei die Hahnrast ei-
nen ersten lateralen Verlängerungsarm (65) enthält,
der mit der ersten Aussparung eingerastet ist und
der Blockierer enthält einen zweiten lateralen Ver-
längerungsarm (93), der mit der zweiten Aussparung
eingerastet ist.
12. Pistole gemäß Anspruch 11, wobei sich die ersten
und zweiten Verlängerungsarme durch einen jewei-
ligen gekrümmten Durchgangsschlitz (103, 104) er-
strecken, der in einem Abzugsgehäuseeinsatz (80)
ausgebildet ist, der die Abzugsvorrichtung stützt,
wobei die Hahnrast und der Blockierer durch den
Einsatz gestützt sind.
13. Verfahren zum Abfeuern der Pistole gemäß An-
spruch 9, das Verfahren umfassend:
einrasten der Hahnrast mit der Hahnrastaus-
sparung des Schlagbolzens, um die Hahnrast
in der rückwärtig gespannten Position zu halten;
positionieren des Blockierers in der blockieren-
den Position;
16
ziehen des Abzugs;
drehen des Blockierers in die nicht blockierende
Position;
drehen der Hahnrast, um die Hahnrast von der
5 Hahnrastaussparung zu lösen;
und bewegen des Schlagbolzens in die vorwär-
tige Abschussposition, um die Pistole zu entla-
den.
10 14. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 13, ferner umfassend
das Einrasten der Abzugsstange mit der Hahnrast
und dem Blockierer, wobei der Schritt des Ziehens
des Abzugs die Abzugsstange axial vorwärts be-
wegt, um die Hahnrast und den Hahnrastblockierer
15 zu drehen.
15. Feuerwaffe gemäß Anspruch 10, wobei die ersten
und die zweiten Aussparungen durch ein Betäti-
gungsfenster (55) definiert sind, das in einem ver-
20 größerten hinteren Abschnitt der Abzugsstange aus-
gebildet ist.
Revendications
25
1. Arme à feu dotée d’un mécanisme de déchargement
de percuteur comprenant :
un axe longitudinal (LA) ;
30 une carcasse (22) ;
une glissière en va-et-vient (24) disposée sur la
carcasse ;
un canon (26) disposé au moins partiellement
dans la glissière et définissant une chambre (28)
35 pour contenir une cartouche ;
un percuteur à ressort (47) mobile dans un trajet
linéaire entre une position armée vers l’arrière
et une position de déchargement vers l’avant
pour percuter une cartouche engagée dans la
40 chambre, le percuteur comportant une protubé-
rance de prise (64) ;
un mécanisme de détente comportant une tige
de détente (45) accouplée à une détente (41)
disposée mobile dans la carcasse, la tige de dé-
45 tente étant mobile dans des directions axiales
vers l’arrière et vers l’avant via un fonctionne-
ment de la détente ;
une gâchette (60) disposée rotative dans la car-
casse et liée opérationnellement à la tige de dé-
50 tente, la gâchette étant mobile via un fonction-
nement de la détente pour s’enclencher sélec-
tivement avec la protubérance de prise (64) pour
maintenir le percuteur dans la position armée
vers l’arrière et pour se désenclencher de la pro-
55 tubérance de prise afin de dégager le percuteur
pour percuter la cartouche engagée dans la
chambre ; et
un bloqueur (90) disposé rotatif dans la carcasse
9
 17 EP 3 129 739 B1
et lié opérationnellement à la tige de détente, le
bloqueur étant mobile en et hors d’enclenche-
ment avec la gâchette via un fonctionnement de
la détente ;
dans laquelle le bloqueur est rotatif entre une
position de blocage enclenchée avec la gâchet-
te qui empêche un mouvement de la gâchette
pour dégager le percuteur de la position armée
vers l’arrière et une position de non-blocage dé-
senclenchée de la gâchette qui est alors mobile
afin de dégager le percuteur pour décharger l’ar-
me à feu ;
dans laquelle la tige de détente est configurée
de sorte que l’actionnement de la détente dé-
place à la fois la gâchette et le bloqueur ; et
dans laquelle la gâchette et le bloqueur sont
montés autour d’axes de pivotement parallèles
séparés.
2. Arme à feu selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle
le bloqueur a un axe de pivotement qui est positionné
vers l’arrière d’un axe de pivotement de la gâchette.
3. Arme à feu selon la revendication 1,
dans laquelle la gâchette comporte un bras de fonc-
tionnement allongé (62) qui peut s’enclencher sélec-
tivement avec la protubérance de prise du
percuteur ;
dans laquelle le bloqueur a une surface de blocage
(91) qui est mobile sélectivement pour s’enclencher
avec le bras de fonctionnement de la gâchette ou se
désenclencher de celui-ci.
4. Arme à feu selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle
la surface de blocage s’enclenche avec la face infé-
rieure du bras de fonctionnement de la gâchette lors-
que le bloqueur est dans la position de blocage pour
empêcher un mouvement de la gâchette.
5. Arme à feu selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle
le bras de fonctionnement de la gâchette est enlevé
du bloqueur pour tourner lorsque le bloqueur est
dans la position de non-blocage et le percuteur se
déplace vers la position de déchargement.
6. Arme à feu sous forme d’un pistolet selon l’une quel-
conque des revendications précédentes, dans la-
quelle le bloqueur a une surface de blocage (91)
mobile en et hors d’enclenchement avec la gâchette
via un fonctionnement de la détente ;
dans laquelle la surface de blocage du bloqueur peut
s’enclencher sélectivement avec un bras de fonc-
tionnement (62) s’étendant vers l’extérieur de la gâ-
chette qui peut s’enclencher avec un cran d’armé
(63) formé sur la protubérance de prise (64) du per-
cuteur.
7. Pistolet selon la revendication 6, dans lequel le bras
18
de fonctionnement s’étend vers le haut et vers l’ar-
rière depuis un moyeu cylindrique central de la gâ-
chette monté autour d’une goupille transversale (61)
qui définit un axe de gâchette rotatif.
5
8. Pistolet selon la revendication 7, dans lequel la sur-
face de blocage est formée sur une protubérance
verticale (92) du bloqueur et peut s’enclencher sé-
lectivement avec le bras de fonctionnement pour blo-
10 quer un mouvement de la gâchette.
9. Pistolet selon la revendication 6, dans lequel la dé-
tente comporte une détente de sécurité intérieure
(42) et une détente principale extérieure (43), la dé-
15 tente de sécurité comportant une protubérance de
blocage saillant vers le haut (71) qui est configurée
et agencée pour s’enclencher sélectivement avec
une surface d’arrêt (72) disposée dans la carcasse.
20 10. Pistolet selon la revendication 6, dans lequel la tige
de détente comporte un premier cran (75) et un se-
cond cran (76), le premier cran étant enclenché avec
la gâchette et le second cran étant enclenché avec
le bloqueur de sorte que l’actionnement de la détente
25 mette en rotation la gâchette et le bloqueur.
11. Pistolet selon la revendication 10, dans lequel la gâ-
chette comporte un premier bras d’extension latérale
(65) enclenché avec le premier cran et le bloqueur
30 comporte un second bras d’extension latérale (93)
enclenché avec le second cran.
12. Pistolet selon la revendication 11, dans lequel les
premier et second bras d’extension s’étendent à tra-
35 vers une fente traversante incurvée (103, 104) res-
pective formée dans un insert de logement de com-
mande de tir (80) qui supporte le mécanisme de dé-
tente, la gâchette et le bloc étant supportés par l’in-
sert.
40
13. Procédé de déchargement du pistolet selon la re-
vendication 9, le procédé comprenant :
l’enclenchement de la gâchette avec le cran
45 d’armé du percuteur pour maintenir la gâchette
dans la position armée vers l’arrière ;
le positionnement du bloqueur dans la position
de blocage ;
l’actionnement de la détente ;
50 la rotation du bloqueur vers la position de non-
blocage ;
la rotation de la gâchette pour désenclencher la
gâchette du cran d’armé ; et
le déplacement du percuteur vers la position de
55 déchargement vers l’avant pour décharger le
pistolet.
14. Procédé selon la revendication 13, comprenant en
10
 19 EP 3 129 739 B1 20

outre l’enclenchement de la tige de détente avec la

gâchette et le bloqueur, dans lequel l’étape d’action-
nement de la détente déplace la tige de détente axia-
lement vers l’avant pour mettre en rotation la gâchet-
te et le bloqueur de gâchette. 5

15. Arme à feu selon la revendication 10, dans laquelle

les premier et second crans sont définis par une fe-
nêtre de fonctionnement (55) formée dans une por-
tion arrière agrandie de la tige de détente. 10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

11
EP 3 129 739 B1

12
EP 3 129 739 B1

13
EP 3 129 739 B1

14
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15
EP 3 129 739 B1

16
EP 3 129 739 B1

17
EP 3 129 739 B1

18
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19
EP 3 129 739 B1

20
EP 3 129 739 B1

21
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22
EP 3 129 739 B1

23
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REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European
patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be
excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description

• US 7703230 B2 [0003]

24