US00933511 OB1

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 9,335,110 B1

Heizer et al. (45) Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
(54) ELONGATED RECIPROCATING TRIGGER 1,521,286 A 12/1924 Fisher
WITH ROLLER BEARINGS 1,562,501 A 11/1925 Von Frommer
3,561,149 A 2f1971 Center
3,857,322 A * 12/1974 Lichtman .................. F41A3,82
(71) Applicant: Heizer Defense, LLC, Pevely, MO (US) 42/15
4,156,980 A 6/1979 Aspenwall
(72) Inventors: Charles K. Heizer, St. Louis, MO (US); 4,392,320 A 7/1983 Hilberg
Thomas C. Heizer, St. Louis, MO (US); 4,407,085 A 10/1983 Hilberg
Hedy H. Gahn, St. Louis, MO (US) 4,662,097 A 5, 1987 Walker
4,722,148 A 2, 1988 Walker
4.914,845. A 4, 1990 Reese
(73) Assignee: Heizer Defense, LLC, Pevely, MO (US) 5,050,481 A 9/1991 Knight, Jr.
5,086,578 A * 2/1992 Lishness ................. F41A 1932
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 42.69.02
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 5,127.310 A * 7/1992 Lishness ................... F41A3,86
42.108
U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days. 5,165,383 A 11, 1992 Ebert
5,259,138 A * 1 1/1993 Scirica .................... F41A. 17.72
(21) Appl. No.: 14/949,873 42.70.08
6,655,065 B1 12/2003 Chapman
(22) Filed: Nov. 23, 2015 8,495,831 B1 7/2013 Kohout
8,522,466 B2 * 9/2013 Arduini ................... F16D 41/12
Related U.S. Application Data 42.69.01

(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 14/340,537, * cited by examiner

filed on Jul. 24, 2014.
Primary Examiner — Reginald Tillman, Jr.
(60) Provisional application No. 62/083,187, filed on Nov. (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — CreatiVenture Law, LLC;
22, 2014. Dennis JM Donahue, III
(51) Int. Cl. (57) ABSTRACT
F4 LA 9/10 (2006.01)
(52) U.S. Cl. Roller bearings are incorporated into the upper portion and
CPC ...................................... FAIA 19/10 (2013.01) lower portion of an elongated trigger assembly of a firearm to
(58) Field of Classification Search provide a trigger pull with Smooth operation and balance
CPC ......... F41A 19/10; F41A 19/17; F41A 19/21; while reducing wear. The roller bearings roll along trigger
F41A 19/16; F41A 19/18 tracks that are adjacent to the top and bottom of the trigger
USPC .................................... 42/69.01-69.03, 8, 44 pull or are formed as slots in the trigger pull. A safety pin
See application file for complete search history. locks a barrel latch while the firearm discharges a round of
ammunition. The barrel latch safety locking mechanism is
(56) References Cited incorporated into the frame and is actuated by the trigger
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS assembly. An extractor assembly for rimless shells is incor
porated into a barrel assembly of a breech loading firearm.
27,399 A 3/1860 Wampler
893,465. A 7, 1908. Durham 20 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
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1. 2
ELONGATED RECIPROCATING TRIGGER catch at the opposite end which is latched by a notch in the
WITH ROLLER BEARINGS rotatable trigger guard. In order to rotate the barrel into the
loading position, the catch and secondary catch are released,
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED and the trigger guard must then be rotated downwardly so that
APPLICATIONS the inner arm is moved upwardly with the barrel. Another
example of a device to prevent the accidental rotation of the
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent barrel is described by U.S. Pat. No. 3,561,149. According to
Application No. 62/083,187 filed on Nov. 22, 2014 and is a the 149 patent, a bolt engages a latching recess in the receiver
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. to lock the barrel in the firing position, and the horn of the
14/340,537 filed on Jul. 24, 2014, and both priority applica 10
trigger guard is moved upwardly to unlock the bolt from the
tions are hereby incorporated by reference. latching recess while simultaneously sliding a safety between
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION the hammer and the receiver to prevent an accidental firing.
The horn must be moved to its full upward position in order
1. Field of the Invention 15 for the trigger to engage a bar that connects to the Sear, and
The present invention relates to trigger assemblies and an without this engagement between the trigger and the bar, it is
extractor assembly, and more particularly to an elongated not possible to cock the hammer for firing. Both of these
trigger assembly for a firearm which has roller bearings, a barrel locking designs are rather complicated because they
trigger assembly for a breech loading firearm having a safety require the actuation of additional structural elements other
pin for locking a barrel latch while the firearm discharges a than the trigger. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide
round of ammunition, and an extractor assembly for rimless a barrel locking mechanism which engages when the barrel is
shells in a barrel assembly of a breech loading firearm. closed and has a secondary locking mechanism that is actu
2. Related Art ated by the trigger itself.
There are many different trigger mechanisms that have There are also devices that use the trigger to unlock the
been created for various firearms, including breech-loading 25 barrel lock, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,097, or
firearms in which the barrel rotates relative to the frame such that prevent the trigger from moving to the firing position by
as in derringer-style pistols, most revolvers and shotguns, and engaging the trigger when the barrel assembly is out of the
some hunting rifles. Most of these firearms use the standard firing position, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,165.383,
trigger design which rotates around a pivot point where the but these devices are not a secondary locking mechanism.
top portion of the trigger connects to the frame while some of 30
Additional barrel locking mechanisms are described in U.S.
the firearms use a reciprocating or sliding trigger design Pat. Nos. 893,465, 1562,501, 4,156,980, 4,914,845, and
which translates within the frame and trigger guard. Many 6,655,065.
sliding triggers are elongated so that the longitudinal axis of
the trigger is parallel to the trigger's reciprocating motion or SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
direction of travel. 35
Some of the trigger designs include roller bearings to pro In one aspect of the present invention, roller bearings are
vide better trigger control, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. incorporated into an elongated trigger assembly of a firearm
5,050,481, or ball bearings to allow the trigger to rotate while to provide a trigger pull with Smooth operation and balance
it is depressed, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,521,286. while reducing wear.
However, the use of these bearings in the prior art are 40 In another aspect of the present invention, a safety pin locks
designed for trigger assemblies with a relatively narrow trig a barrel latch while the firearm discharges a round of ammu
ger shoe, not elongated, and would not work with elongated nition. The barrellatch safety locking mechanism is actuated
trigger assemblies such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,392, by the trigger pull.
320, 4,407,085, 4,722,148 and 8,495,831. Instead, these elon In another aspect of the present invention, an extractor
gated trigger assemblies have used various tracks and guides 45 assembly for rimless shells is incorporated into a barrel
to produce a smooth operation along with stability which assembly of a breech loading firearm.
avoids rocking of the elongated trigger assembly, such as the The aspects of the present invention as Summarized above
design described the 320 patent, but these track systems are can be used together or may be used apart from each other in
Subject to wear due to the sliding motion between the trigger various firearms.
and the frame. Accordingly, there remains a need for track 50 Further areas of applicability of the present invention will
designs in an elongated trigger assembly which can provide become apparent from the detailed description provided here
Smooth operation and balance while reducing wear, and inafter. It should be understood that the detailed description
merely incorporating bearings into prior known track systems and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodi
would not be satisfactory because they would not provide ment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration
Smooth operation and balance to the elongated trigger. 55 only and do not limit the scope of the invention.
The firearms with a rotating barrel have a catch to lock the
barrel in the firing position and a release to allow the barrel to BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
rotate into the loading position, and some of these firearms
include a secondary latch or other mechanism to ensure that The present invention will become more fully understood
the barrel does not accidentally rotate out of the firing position 60 from the detailed description and the accompanying draw
while the gun is being discharged. For example, U.S. Pat. No. ings, wherein:
27,399 discloses a rotatable trigger guard and a bar with a pair FIGS. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views of a firearm
of catches which operate together to prevent the accidental with the elongated trigger assembly with a roller bearing
rotation of the barrel. The trigger guard is connected to an Support and barrel locking mechanism in a single barrel pistol
inner arm that rotates the barrel between the firing and loading 65 and a double-barrel pistol, respectively.
positions, and the bar has a catch on one end to latch the FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views of the elon
breech of the barrel in the firing position and a secondary gated trigger assembly with an alternative roller bearing Sup
 US 9,335,110 B1
3 4
port and respectively illustrating the barrel lock safety pin in 46b formed in the trigger pull. In this alternative embodiment,
its disengaged position and engaged position with the barrel the roller bearings are connected to the frame's side faces
locking latch. 10d, i.e., frame-mounted roller bearings 28", such as through
FIGS. 3A-3E are cross-sectional views of the elongated the bearing spindles 44, and rotate while fixed in place rela
trigger assembly shown in FIG. 1A as the trigger and firing tive to the frame while the trigger pull and slots move relative
system progress through a firing sequence. thereto. The outer Surface of the bearings preferably engages
FIGS. 4A-4E are cross-sectional views of the elongated only one of the surfaces in their respective slots, top or bot
trigger assembly with an alternative barrel in a progression tom, which serve as the tracks 38 for the roller bearings.
through open-barrel cartridge loading, closed-barrellatching It will be appreciated that is possible to use the trigger
and cartridge discharge, and open-barrel cartridge extracting 10
mounted roller bearing configuration and frame-mounted
and return to loading. rollerbearing configuration within the same trigger pull. Such
FIGS. 5A-5D are detail cross-sectional views of the rim
less cartridge extractor shown in FIGS. 4A-4E. as shown in FIG. 1A. In this arrangement, the frame-mounted
roller bearing is in the upper portion of the trigger and the
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED 15 trigger-mounted roller bearing is in the lower portion. It will
EMBODIMENTS be appreciated that these positions could be switched. When
only the trigger-mounted roller bearing is used, it is prefer
The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) able to include two bearings in longitudinally spaced cavities
is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to on either the top or bottom of the trigger pull to avoid potential
limit the invention, its application, or uses. According to the rocking and premature wear of the trigger pull. The roller
invention described in detail below and shown in the accom bearing can be a ball bearing assembly, a plastic bearing
panying drawings, a firearm 100 may have a single barrel wheel assembly, a needle rolling bearing assembly, a caster
configuration 100a or a multiple barrel configuration as bearing assembly or other similar bearings. A combination of
shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, respectively. Generally, as shown different bearings could be used in the same trigger pull. Such
in FIGS. 1-5, the firearm 100 has a frame 10, a firing assembly 25 using a DELRIN bearing wheel and ball bearing combina
12, a barrel assembly 14, and a trigger assembly 16. The tion.
firearm preferably includes a barrel latch safety locking The sequence of illustrations in FIGS. 2A and 2B and
mechanism 18. Additionally, some embodiments of the fire FIGS. 3A-3E shows how the trigger assembly 16 operates the
arm may have an optional extractor assembly 20, such as firing assembly 12 with a resting position 16a, a cocked
shown in FIGS. 3-5. 30 position 16b, and a firing position 16c. These illustrations also
Elongated Reciprocating Trigger Assembly with Roller Bear show how the trigger pull operates the safety locking mecha
1ngs nism to force it into engagement with the barrel latch assem
The trigger assembly 16 of the present invention is fixed bly 68 when the trigger pull is moved from the resting posi
within the frame 10 and preferably has an elongated trigger tion to the firing position as described in more detail in the
pull 22 that has a length 24 which is longer that the height 26 35 safety locking mechanism section below. The trigger assem
of the pull. In addition to the elongated trigger pull, the trigger bly is preferably connected to the pivoting portion 48a of a
assembly has a roller bearing mechanism 28. The elongated sear 48 through a pivot pin 50. The trigger assembly has abore
trigger pull has a longitudinal axis 30 that extends between 52 that is transverse to a section 48b of the sear that extends
the front of the trigger shoe 32 to the trigger return 34 at the from the pivoting portion. A sear engagement spring 54 and
back surface 36 of the trigger pull in the back of the frame 40 pin 56 fit within the transverse bore. The sear spring forces the
which forms the buttend 10a and handle 10b of the pistol 100. distal end of the pin outward from the opening of the trans
The longitudinal axis is parallel to the reciprocating direction verse bore toward the sear section and bias the sear section
of travel of the trigger pull (T). The roller bearing mechanism into an engagement with the linear firing system. The trigger
has at least one upper roller bearing 28a positioned at the top assembly also includes a bore 58 which is aligned with the
side or within the upper portion 22a of the trigger pull above 45 longitudinal axis of the elongated trigger pull. A trigger return
a centerline 22b of the trigger pull, and at least one lower spring 34a and a distal end 34b'ofapin 34b fit within the bore.
roller bearing 28b positioned at the bottom side or within the The proximal end 34b" of the pin is connected to the frame,
lower portion 22c of the trigger pull below the centerline 22b. and the spring biases the trigger pull to its rest position. The
The roller bearing mechanisms 28 engage tracks 38 on which sear also has a distal end 48c that engages a disconnect pro
the outer surface of the roller bearings rotate and which con 50 trusion 60 which may be shaft, tab, pin, or other extension in
strain the trigger pull to the reciprocating motion. The trigger the frame when the firing assembly is moved to its cocked
pull is positioned between the frame's side faces 10c. position.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the roller bearings can be In the firing-ready position and orientation of the trigger
positioned in the trigger pull within laterally-spaced upper assembly, Sear assembly and firing assembly, the trigger
and lower cavities 40a, 40b that are respectively open at the 55 assembly engages the firing assembly through the Sear and
top side 22d and bottom side 22e of the trigger pull so that the thereby moves the firing assembly from its resting position to
bearings can engage and roll along fixed surfaces 42 adjacent the cocked position as the trigger pull is depressed from its
to the top and bottom of the trigger pull. The fixed surfaces are rest position to its firing-ready retracted position. As indicated
preferably the upper and lower sides of the frame that enclose above, the Sear engages the disconnect when the firing assem
the trigger pull. In these embodiments, the roller bearings 28 60 bly is at the cocked position, and as the trigger assembly
are connected to the trigger pull, i.e., trigger-mounted roller forces the searfurther, the engagement between the sear and
bearings 28'. Such as through a spindle 44, and they move with the disconnect forces the sear to rotate around its pivot against
the trigger pull 22 relative to the frame's upper and lower the sear spring force that biases the sear section into engage
Surfaces 42a, 42b which surround the trigger pull and serve as ment with the firing assembly and causes the sear section to
the track for the roller bearings. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 65 disengage from the firing assembly. When the trigger finger
2B, the roller bearings 28 may alternatively be positioned force is removed from the trigger pull, the trigger return
within laterally-spaced upper and lower elongated slots 46a, spring and sear engagement spring respectively bias the trig
 US 9,335,110 B1
5 6
ger pull and the Sear assembly back to their rest position Trigger-Actuated Safety Locking Mechanism for Barrel
where the sear section is biased back into engagement with Latch
the firing assembly. Another aspect of the present invention is the safety lock
The linear firing system 62 preferably includes the elon ing mechanism 18 for a spring-loaded barrel latch assembly
gated firingpin assembly 12, an axial spring 64, and a housing 68 which is mounted to the frame and holds the barrel assem
66. The firing pin assembly 12 includes the firing pin 12a and bly in its closed firing position. One end of the barrel assem
a reset spring 12b and has a longitudinal axis 12c that extends bly is rotatably connected to a mount 70 on the frame through
between its striking end and butt end. In the embodiment a hinge or other type of pivotjoint 72, Such as with a takedown
shown in FIG. 1, the firing pin has an indent between the pin that extends through a bore extending across a pair of
striking end and the butt end, and the indent can be a circum
10 shoulders in the frame and a flange extending down from the
ferential groove around the firing pin. In the embodiment barrel between the shoulders, and the breach end of the barrel
shown in FIG. 2, the firing pin has a tab between the striking assembly can rotate around the pinned connection between an
open loading position and a closed firing position. The barrel
end and the butt end. The tab extends from the firing pin latch assembly holds the barrel assembly to the frame in the
Substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the 15 firing position by a catching engagement between the frame's
butt end has an outer diameter that is substantially wider than barrel latch 68a and a catch that is connected to the barrel,
a diameter of the striking end. The axial spring has one end such as a hook 74 on the bottom of the barrel. It will be
pressed against the outer diameter of the butt end and forces appreciated that other catches could be used in place of a
the firing pin from its cocked position to its firing position. hook. The barrellatch safety locking mechanism prevents the
The embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 has a preloaded frame's barrellatch from disengaging away from the barrels
linear firing system. hook while the firearm is being discharged, thereby maintain
In the preloaded linear firing system embodiment, the fir ing the barrel in its closed firing position during the discharge
ing pin assembly has a reset spring 12b and an outer slider of the ammunition and preventing an untimely opening of the
sleeve 12d or inertia piston that Surrounds an internal firing barrel assembly.
pin 12a. As with the embodiments described above, the firing 25 The barrel latch assembly 68 includes the barrel latch 68a,
pin is biased back from the front face of the housing by the a recess 68b in the frame in which the barrel latch is seated, a
reset spring, and the forward movement of the firing pin is helical coil spring 68c Surrounding a spring pin 68c", a notch
limited by a circumferential rim 12e in the pin that engages a 68d in the bottom of the barrel latch, and a slide switch 68e
step in the internal Surface of the housing at the pins forward connected to the barrel latch through an elongated rod 68f.
most position. The slider translates within the housing and is 30 The spring pin is secured to the frame at a proximal end and
extends into abore hole in the barrellatch at a distal end. The
spring-loaded to push to a forward lip in the housing that is spring biases the barrel latch in an extended position toward
engaged by the front of the slider. The slider's forward-most the barrel's hook. The slide switch and rod serve as a stop
position is limited by the lip that is separate from the step mechanism which prevents the spring from overextending
which limits the pins forward-most position. Accordingly, 35 and pushing the barrel latch's bore hole off of the spring pin.
the slider can be pre-loaded by its axial spring to its forward The slide Switch also serves as an actuator to disengage the
most position while the pin is biased back from the front face barrel's hook from the frame's barrel latch so that the barrel
away from its forward-most position. In comparison, for the assembly can rotate around a takedown pin into its open
embodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and position. The barrel latch safety locking mechanism prevents
2, the firingpin has a sliding element fixedly connected to the 40 the slide switch from accidentally being actuated when the
pin portion so the firing pin assembly is a single piece and trigger pull is depressed, moving from its rest position to its
there is no preloading of the firing pin. retracted position and the firearm is being discharged. The
As the Sear engages the catch in the slider and draws the safety locking mechanism also prevents the barrellatch from
slider back from the lip, the pin's spring pushes the pin's rim being jerked away from its engagement with the hook due to
further back into the housing past the lip. When the sear 45 the recoil of the firearm being discharged. Accordingly, when
releases the slider, the slider spring forces the sliderback to its the trigger pull is in its rest position, a person can actuate the
forward-most position. The front of the slider impacts the slide switch to push the barrel latch back, thereby releasing
backside of the pin's rim, transferring the kinetic energy of the hook and opening the barrel assembly. When the slide
the slider to the pin and forcing the pin to its forward-most Switch is moved in a longitudinal direction opposite to the
position with a force Sufficient to cause the primer's ignition 50 spring biased extended position of the barrel latch, the latch
for the cartridge in the firing chamber. There is a space moves back away from the barrel's hook, and the barrel is
between the front of the slider and the backside of the pins then free to rotate from the firing position to the loading
rim when both the slider and the pin are in their forward-most position. However, when the trigger pull is in its retracted
position. Accordingly, after the slider forces the pin forward firing-ready position, the barrel latch safety locking mecha
to impact the cartridge, the pin spring biases the pinback into
55 nism 18 locks the barrel latch 68a as it is engaged with the
barrel catch so that the latch cannot release the barrel catch
the housing within the hole in the housing's front face. The during discharge of the firearm.
pin's rim is pushed back until the backside of the rim is flush The barrel latch safety locking mechanism 18 includes a
against the front of the slider which is spring-biased to its locking pin, tab or other projection 76 that fits into the notch
forward-most position at the lip. 60 68d in the bottom surface of the barrel latch. When the lock
Although the trigger assembly is shown as it is integrated ing pin is positioned within the notch, the pin prevents the
into a pistol, it will be appreciated that the trigger of the latch from moving back away from the barrel's hook 74 or
present invention can be used for different types of firearms, other catch. The safety locking mechanism also preferably
particularly including breech-loading pistols, shotguns and includes a spring 78 and a ramp 80. In the preferred embodi
rifles. Additionally, the unique features and arrangements of 65 ment, a leaf spring connects the locking pinto the frame and
the trigger's bearing track system could be used in the trigger biases the locking pin toward the top of the trigger pull, and
assemblies of firearms other than breech-loading firearms. the ramp is formed into the top surface of the trigger pull. It
 US 9,335,110 B1
7 8
will also be appreciated that the spring could alternatively be size of the cavity so that when the cartridge is fully seated in
connected to the trigger pull to bias the lockingpin toward the the chamber, the extractor arm fits snugly in the cavity but it
barrel latch which could have a ramped surface in the notch. is not too tight so that binding within the cavity is prevented
As indicated above, one of the primary benefits of the and the helical coil spring and guide can push the extractor out
barrel latch safety locking mechanism is that it prevents the until the inner end of the indentation reaches the stop.
barrel from opening to the loading position from the firing As particularly shown in FIGS. 5A-5D, the extractor arm
position while the firearm is being discharged by preventing for the rimless extractor assembly has the standard thickness
accidental actuation of the slide Switch and preventing inertial (t) at its distal end which, as described above, is slightly
motions of the firearm during discharge from jerking the smaller than the size of the cavity. This snug fit between the
barrel latch away from the hook. Additionally, the safety 10 distal end and the cavity opening allows the projection on the
locking mechanism according to the present invention is par arm to securely hold the base portion of the shell which
ticularly beneficial because it is actuated by the trigger pull so extends out from the firing chamber when the cartridge is
that the lockingpin engages and secures the barrel latch in its fully seated in the chamber and the extractor arm is in its
biased engaged position with the hook as the trigger pull is contracted position. The intermediate section of the extractor
retracted and the firearm is discharged. The spring-biased 15 arm, between the distal end of the extractor arm and the outer
locking pin automatically disengages from the barrel latch end of the indentation, has a reduced thickness (t) which is
and frees the slide switch when the trigger pull is in the rest more narrow than the thickness of the arm at its distal end
position. Since the barrel latch remains in its biased engaged (i.e., tist). The reduction in the thickness of the intermediate
position with the barrel hook even when the locking pin is section can be on both sides of the arm, but is at least provided
disengaged, a positive actuation of the slide Switch while the on the side of the arm that is opposite from the cartridge in the
trigger is in its resting position is also required to disengage firing chamber which permits the arm and its projection to
the slide switch from the hook. Accordingly, barrel latch can have a slight rotation 90 within the cavity away from the
only be disengaged from the hook on the bottom of the barrel chamber and the cartridge as the tapered shell is being
when the trigger pull is in its rest position and the lockingpin inserted and removed from the firing chamber as particularly
is disengaged from the notch in the bottom of the barrellatch. 25 shown in FIG.S.B.
The operation of the barrellatch safety locking mechanism The opening to the cavity may have a bevel 92 which helps
is particularly illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3E. As the trigger pull guide the arm into the cavity and also helps prevent the arm
is actuated and translates rearward, the ramp in the top Surface from binding around a sharp corner at the opening, particu
of the trigger pushes the locking pin upward against the larly when the narrowed intermediate section has a step
biasing force of the leaf spring into the notch (see FIGS. 30 reduction in thickness. It will be appreciated that rather than
3A-3D). When the trigger pull is released and is biased back using a step reduction, the arm could be tapered from the
to its rest position by the trigger spring, the leaf spring biases standard thickness at a location on the arm proximate to the
the locking pin downward out of the notch (see FIG.3E), and distal end to the outermost end of the intermediate section
as indicated above while the locking pin is in this downward which is the location on the arm at the cavity opening when
biased position, the trigger must be in the rest position and the 35 the arm is fully extended so that the inner end of the inden
barrel can be opened. tation is at the stop. An example of a tapered arm is shown by
Extractor Assembly for Rimless Shells in Breech-Load Bar the dashed line between the t, demarcation and the t demar
rel cation in FIG. S.C.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an innovative extractor assem The position and orientation of the extractor arm are shown
bly 20 for rimless shells 110 that are fitted into the firing 40 in FIGS. 5A-5D relative to the firing chamber and a tapered
chambers of breech loading firearms can also be incorporated shell during the insertion and removal steps. In FIGS.5A-5C,
into the barrel design. Aspects of the present invention can be the arm is at its fully extended position, and in FIG. 5D, the
used for non-tapered rimless shells, and the inventive aspects arm is in its fully contracted position. FIG.5A shows the shell
are most advantageous when used with tapered rimless shells. as it is being initially inserted or withdrawn completely from
A standard extractor assembly for rimmed cartridges is 45 the firing chamber, and in this position, the longitudinal axis
shown in FIG. 3. The rimless extractor assembly has an of a tapered shell may have an acute angle relative to the
extractor arm 82 with a proximal end 82a, a longitudinally bottom of the chamber's sidewall which is directly in-line
extending elongated section 82b and a laterally extending with the arm. FIG. 5B shows the shell as it continues to enter
projection 82c at a distal end. The extractor arm fits within a the chamber just before the tip of the arms projection
cavity 84 that extends longitudinally into the barrel assembly 50 engages the shell’s cannelure, or just after the cannelure dis
between the barrel's firing chamber and the hook at the bot engages from the tip as the shell is withdrawn from the cham
tom of the barrel. The extractor arm is biased out toward the ber. In this position, the distal end of the arm is rotated away
opening of the cavity by a spring-loaded guide which is fitted from the shell so that the tip of the projection which fits into
between the proximal end of the extractor arm and the internal the cannelure can clear the shell casing. It will be appreciated
end of the cavity. The extractor arm’s elongated section has an 55 that in this position, the chamber sidewall constrains the shell
indentation 86 extending along one side which is situated casing from an acute angle that would have been necessary to
over a spring pin, tab or other stop 88 that is fixed within the clear the tip of the arms projection if the arm had the standard
cavity. The springpin engages the inner end of the indentation thickness and could not rotate which would thereby causing
to prevent the extractor arm from being ejected out of the an interference between the casing and the tip of the projec
cavity. The outer end of the indentation remains within the 60 tion. FIG.5C shows the shell as its cannelure is engaged with
cavity when the inner end reaches the stop thereby limiting the tip of the arm’s projection while the arm is in its fully
the extractor arm to its fully extended position. Accordingly, extended position. FIG.5D shows the shell as its cannelure is
the length of the indentation from the inner end to its outer end engaged with the tip of the arms projection while the arm is
is at least the distance of travel of the extractor arm from its in its fully contracted position.
contracted position to its extended position and is less than the 65 It will be appreciated that the length of the arm could be
distance from the spring pinto the opening of the cavity. The increased so that the rotation of the arm away from the casing
thickness (t) of the extractor arm is slightly Smaller than the is not required. Instead, the tip of the arm’s projection would
 US 9,335,110 B1
9 10
engage the cannelure when the shell is rotated at its acute rifle. Also, although the barrel latch safety locking mecha
angle so that there is no interference between the casing and nism is actuated by a reciprocating trigger according to the
the projection’s tip. However, this would require an arm that embodiments described herein, firearms with a rotating trig
is long enough for its distal end to extend much further past ger could use the barrel latch safety locking mechanism
the opening of the cavity than is required by the design of the according to the present invention and without departing from
present invention so that the tip could engage the cannelure the scope of the invention are recited in the claims directed
while the shell remain in its acute angle, i.e., a length which particularly to this aspect of the invention. Thus, the breadth
would span the distance between the opening and the can and scope of the present invention is not limited by the above
nelure as shown in FIG. 5A. In such an alternative design, the described embodiments but is defined in accordance with the
arm would need to be pushed into the cavity from its fully 10 following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
extended position while the barrel is being closed and before What is claimed is:
the top of the frame interferes with the distal end of the arm. 1. A firearm, comprising:
If a person attempts to close the barrel without pushing the a frame;
arm into the cavity, the arm could get bent or otherwise a firing assembly situated within the frame;
damaged, and if a cartridge is in the chamber during this 15 a barrel assembly connected to the frame and in operative
closure, the casing could also damaged and may cause the communication with the firing assembly; and
shell to be lodged in the chamber when it is fully seated which a trigger assembly operatively connected to the frame and
would prevent the spring force of the arm from being able to the firing assembly, wherein the trigger assembly is
extract the cartridge and would require additional force comprised of an elongated trigger pull having a longitu
applied to the base of the shell and/or the arms distal end. dinal axis extending between a front of a trigger shoe and
Instead of using Such along arm, the present invention uses a back Surface of the elongated trigger pull, an upper
a much shorter arm which can rotate away from the longitu portion above a centerline, and a lower portion below the
dinal axis of the firing chamber and the shell's casing. The centerline, a first set of trigger tracks within the frame, a
shorter arm is designed Such that at its fully extended posi second set of trigger tracks within the frame, a first set of
tion, the length of the arms distal end which extends out from 25 roller bearings engaging the first set of trigger tracks,
the opening to the cavity is less than the distance between the and a second set of roller bearings engaging the second
opening to the firearms breech plate and/or frame, such as set of trigger tracks, wherein the first set of roller bear
shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 4B. With the inventive ings is positioned in the upper portion of the elongated
design, the arm can remain in its fully extended position while trigger pull and wherein the second set of roller bearings
the barrel is being closed. The person does not need to begin 30 is positioned in the lower portion of the elongated trigger
pushing in the arm before closing the barrel; instead, as the pull.
barrel assembly is being closed and the endmost surface of the 2. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the trigger tracks are
arms distal end engages the opposing Surface of the frame selected from the group of tracks consisting of a fixed surface
and/or breech plate at an acute angle so that the opposing adjacent to a cavity in the elongated trigger pull, a slot in the
Surface forces the arm to retract into the cavity against the 35 elongated trigger pull, and a combination thereof.
opposing force of the helical coil spring. As the opposing 3. The firearm of claim 2, wherein the roller bearings are
Surface pushes the arm further into the cavity, the arm pushes selected from the group of bearings consisting of a trigger
the shell further into the firing chamber by the engagement mounted roller bearing, a frame-mounted roller bearing, and
between the projection and the cannelure until the shell is a combination thereof, wherein the trigger-mounted roller
fully seated in the chamber, the arm is in its corresponding 40 bearing is mounted to the trigger within the cavity and
contracted position and the barrel assembly is locked in place engages the frame Surface, and wherein the frame-mounted
by the engagement between the hook and barrel latch. The roller bearing is mounted to the frame and engages the slot in
endmost surface of the arms distal end is preferably rounded the elongated trigger pull.
to provide a tangential engagement between the endmost 4. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the roller bearings and
Surface and the opposing Surface of the frame and/or breech 45 the trigger tracks constrain the elongated trigger pull to a
plate as the barrel assembly is being closed. The tangential reciprocating motion direction of travel between a rest posi
engagement is shown in FIG. 4B by the dotted phantom lines tion and a retracted position, and wherein the longitudinal
which represent the arm and breech side face of the barrel axis is aligned with the reciprocating motion direction of
hook as the barrel assembly is closed and the arm is pushed travel.
into the cavity. 50 5. The firearm of claim 4, wherein a length of the elongated
As illustrated in the various figures, different caliber bar trigger pull from the front of the trigger shoe to the back
rels can be fitted to the firearm frame. Additionally, various Surface is longer than a height of the pull between a top side
aspects of the present invention are applicable to single barrel of the upper portion and a bottom side of the lower portion.
firearms and multiple barrel firearms. The barrel assembly is 6. The firearm of claim 5, wherein the frame further com
preferably connected to the frame through a takedown pin and 55 prises a barrel latch safety locking mechanism, wherein the
is biased to the open position by a spring, Such as with a barrel latch safety locking mechanism is comprised of a bar
torsion coil spring. rel latch having a notch and a locking pin fitting within the
The embodiments were chosen and described to best notch, wherein the elongated trigger pull pushes the locking
explain the principles of the invention and its practical appli pin into the notch while the elongated trigger pull is depressed
cation to persons who are skilled in the art. Various modifi 60 from the rest position to the retracted position.
cations could be made to the exemplary embodiments without 7. The firearm of claim 6, wherein the trigger pull is further
departing from the scope of the invention, and it is intended comprised of a ramp within the top side, wherein the ramp is
that all matter contained herein shall be interpreted as illus aligned with the notch when the trigger pull is in the rest
trative rather than limiting. For example, although the trigger position, wherein the barrellatch safety locking mechanism is
assemblies of the present invention are shown in a pistol, it 65 further comprised of a spring connected to the frame and
will be appreciated that the invention could also be used in biasing the locking pin out of the notch toward the top side of
other types offirearms, particularly including a shotgun and a the trigger pull, wherein a first end of the lockingpin engages
 US 9,335,110 B1
11 12
the ramp and a second end of the locking pin is disengaged 15. A firearm, comprising:
from the notch when trigger pull is in the rest position. a frame comprising a barrel latch, a barrel mount, and a
8. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the barrel assembly is handle;
comprised of a barrel and an extractor assembly, wherein the a firing assembly situated within the frame;
extractor assembly is comprised of an arm retractably extend a barrel assembly connected to the frame and in operative
ing from a cavity below the barrel in the barrel assembly, and communication with the firing assembly, wherein the
wherein the arm comprises at least one degree of rotational barrel assembly is comprised of a barrel in operative
freedom in the cavity when in an extended position and is communication with the firing assembly, a pivot joint
constrained from any Substantial rotation when in a fully and a catch connected to the barrel; and
retracted position. 10 a trigger assembly operatively connected to the frame and
9. A firearm, comprising: the firing assembly, wherein the trigger assembly is
comprised of an elongated trigger pull having a longitu
a frame comprising a barrel latch safety locking mecha dinal axis extending between a front of a trigger shoe and
nism, wherein the barrellatch safety locking mechanism a back Surface of the elongated trigger pull, an upper
comprises a barrellatch having a notch and a lockingpin 15 portion above a centerline, and a lower portion below the
fitting within the notch; centerline, a first set of trigger tracks within the frame, a
a firing assembly situated within the frame; second set of trigger tracks within the frame, a first set of
a barrel assembly connected to the frame and in operative roller bearings engaging the first set of trigger tracks,
communication with the firing assembly; and and a second set of roller bearings engaging the second
a trigger assembly operatively connected to the frame and set of trigger tracks, wherein the first set of roller bear
the firing assembly, wherein the trigger assembly com ings is positioned in the upper portion of the elongated
prises an elongated trigger pull, an upper portion above trigger pull, wherein the second set of roller bearings is
a centerline of the elongated trigger pull, a lower portion positioned in the lower portion of the elongated trigger
below the centerline of the elongated trigger pull, a first pull, wherein the trigger tracks are selected from the
set of trigger tracks within the frame, a second set of 25 group of tracks consisting of a fixed Surface adjacent to
trigger tracks within the frame, a first set of roller bear a cavity in the elongated trigger pull, a slot in the elon
ings engaging the first set of trigger tracks, and a second gated trigger pull, and a combination thereof, wherein
set of roller bearings engaging the second set of trigger the roller bearings are selected from the group of bear
tracks, wherein the elongated trigger pull has a longitu ings consisting of a trigger-mounted roller bearing, a
dinal axis extending between a front of a trigger shoe and 30 frame-mounted roller bearing, and a combination
a back Surface and has a rest position and an actuated thereof, wherein the trigger-mounted roller bearing is
position, wherein a top side of the trigger pull pushes the mounted to the trigger within the cavity and engages the
locking pin into the notch while the elongated trigger frame surface, and wherein the frame-mounted roller
pull is depressed from the rest position to the actuated bearing is mounted to the frame and engages the slot in
position. 35 the elongated trigger pull.
10. The firearm of claim 9, wherein the first set of roller 16. The firearm of claim 15, wherein the roller bearings
bearings is positioned in the upper portion of the elongated constrain the elongated trigger pull to a reciprocating motion
trigger pull and wherein the second set of roller bearings is direction of travel, and wherein the longitudinal axis of the
positioned in the lower portion of the elongated trigger pull. elongated trigger pull is aligned with the reciprocating
11. The firearm of claim 9, wherein the roller bearings 40 motion direction of travel.
constrain the elongated trigger pull to a reciprocating motion 17. The firearm of claim 15, wherein the barrel assembly
direction of travel, and wherein the longitudinal axis of the further comprises an extractor assembly positioned below the
elongated trigger pull is aligned with the reciprocating barrel, wherein the extractor assembly is comprised of a cav
motion direction of travel. ity and an arm retractably extending from an opening of the
12. The firearm of claim 9, wherein a length of the elon 45 cavity, wherein the barrel is in operative communication with
gated trigger pull from the front of the trigger shoe to the back the firing assembly, wherein the barrel assembly has an open
surface is longer than a height of the pull between the top side loading position and a closed firing position, wherein the
and a bottom side of the elongated trigger pull. catch is longitudinally spaced from the pivot joint, wherein
13. The firearm of claim 9, wherein the trigger tracks are the barrel assembly is rotatably connected to the frame
selected from the group of tracks consisting of a fixed Surface 50 through the pivot joint engaging the barrel mount and is
adjacent to a cavity in the elongated trigger pull, a slot in the releasably connected to the frame through the catch engaging
elongated trigger pull, and a combination thereof, wherein the the barrellatch when the barrel assembly is in the closed firing
roller bearings are selected from the group of bearings con position, wherein the arm comprises at least one degree of
sisting of a trigger-mounted roller bearing, a frame-mounted rotational freedom in the cavity when in an extended position
rollerbearing, and a combination thereof, wherein the trigger 55 and is constrained from any Substantial rotation when in a
mounted roller bearing is mounted to the trigger within the fully retracted position.
cavity and engages the frame Surface, and wherein the frame 18. The firearm of claim 17, wherein the extractor assem
mounted roller bearing is mounted to the frame and engages bly is further comprised of a stop, a pin connected to the
the slot in the elongated trigger pull. frame, and a spring between the pin and the arm, wherein the
14. The firearm of claim 9, wherein the barrel assembly is 60 arm biases the arm outward toward the opening of the cavity,
comprised of a barrel and an extractor assembly, wherein the wherein the arm is further comprised of a proximal end, a
extractor assembly is comprised of an arm retractably extend distal end, an intermediate section longitudinally extending
ing from a cavity below the barrel in the barrel assembly, between the distal end and the proximal end, and a projection
wherein the arm comprises at least one degree of rotational laterally extending from the distal end to a tip, wherein the
freedom in the cavity when in an extended position and is 65 distal end between the projection and the intermediate section
constrained from any Substantial rotation when in a fully has a first thickness, wherein the intermediate section has an
retracted position. indentation extending from an inner end to an outer end and
 US 9,335,110 B1
13 14
has a reduced thickness section less than the first thickness
between the outer end of the indentation and the distal end,
wherein the stop engages the inner end of the indentation and
prevents the spring from ejecting the arm from the cavity, and
wherein the reduced thickness section is at least formed on a 5
side of the arm opposite from the projection.
19. The firearm of claim 18, wherein the reduced thickness
section permits the arm to rotate within the cavity away from
the barrel when the arm is in the extended position with the
distal end extending out from the opening of the cavity. 10
20. The firearm of claim 15, wherein the frame further
comprises a barrel latch safety locking mechanism, wherein
the barrel latch safety locking mechanism is comprised of a
barrellatch having a notch and a locking pin fitting within the
notch, and wherein the trigger pull pushes the lockingpin into 15
the notch while the elongated trigger pull is depressed from
the rest position to the actuated position.
k k k k k