Automatic firearm

Abstract: A piezo-electric trigger lever transmits a signal to a piezo-electric mechanism which releases the firing pin of a firearm. The signal from the trigger lever is passed through an electronic circuit or microprocessor which can process the signal before it is passed on to fire the firearm. The processing may include regulating the firing as a function of the pressure applied to the trigger; preventing operation unless the operator enters a predetermined code into the electronic logic circuit; and, in the case of an automatic firearm, regulate the number of shots fired per trigger pull. The operator may make in-the-field adjustments in these controls. The signal is transmitted from the logic circuit to a second piezo-electric device. This second device deflects to allow the release of the firing pin. Other pressure sensitive piezo-electric devices can be employed to act as safety mechanisms.

Abstract: An open bolt firing mechanism for an automatic firearm (10) has a reciprocating bolt assembly (20) with a sear abutment (32) which is engaged by a searing surface (46) on a hammer (36) during counter-recoil for terminating forward movement of the bolt assembly in a cocked position. An automatic sear (56) serves to pivot the hammer downwardly and produce disengagement of the sear abutment of the bolt assembly and the searing surface on the hammer which allows the bolt assembly to move into the battery position. A connector (76), which is pivotable in response to the pulling of a trigger (86), functions to displace the automatic sear for producing downward pivoting of the hammer. The automatic sear has a searing surface (54) which engages a sear abutment (52) on the hammer for retaining the hammer in a cocked position. A shoulder (106) on the bolt carrier (20a) of the bolt assembly is adapted to engage a leg (68) on the automatic sear as the bolt assembly moves into the battery position. The engagement between the shoulder and the automatic sear produces rotation of the automatic sear and disengagement between the sear abutment on the hammer and the searing surface on the automatic sear which allows the hammer to fall to a fired position where it strikes a firing pin (20c).

Abstract: An automatic firearm capable of automatic or semiautomatic fire. The firearm has a receiver having a moveable hammer. A selector is rotatably mounted in the receiver. A first sear is rotatably mounted in the receiver to engage the hammer where the first sear contacts a first camming surface of the selector. A second sear is rotatably mounted in the receiver to engage the hammer where the second sear contacts a second camming surface of the selector. A disconnect is rotatably mounted in the receiver where the disconnect contacts a third camming surface of the selector. The selector has a number of selectable positions disposed so that rotation of the selector between a first and last selectable position of the number of selectable positions is less than 180 degrees.