Two-stage trigger apparatus for use with firearms

Abstract

Two-stage trigger apparatus for use with firearms are described herein. An example trigger apparatus described herein includes a trigger and a sear arm operatively coupled to the trigger. The sear arm detachably couples to a first catch of a hammer of the firearm. A disconnector is pivotally coupled relative to the sear arm and detachably couples to a second catch of the hammer. At least one trigger spring operatively couples to the sear arm to bias the sear arm to an initial position. The trigger pivots relative to the sear arm between a first travel stop and a second travel stop of the sear arm, where the first travel stop prevents the trigger from pivotally moving relative to the sear arm in a first direction and the second travel stop prevents the trigger from pivotally moving relative to the sear arm in a second direction opposite the first direction. The trigger pivots between the first travel stop and the second travel stop relative to the sear arm. A biasing element is disposed between the sear arm and the trigger to bias the trigger toward the first travel stop. The trigger spring exerts a greater force on the sear arm than the force exerted by the biasing element on the trigger.

1 . A two-stage trigger apparatus for use with firearms, comprising:
 a trigger;   a sear arm operatively coupled to the trigger, wherein the sear arm detachably couples to a first catch of a hammer of the firearm,   a disconnector is pivotally coupled relative to the sear arm and detachably coupled to a second catch of the hammer;   at least one trigger spring operatively coupled to the sear arm to bias the sear arm to an initial position, wherein the trigger pivots relative to the sear arm between a first travel stop and a second travel stop of the sear arm, wherein the first travel stop prevents the trigger from pivotally moving relative to the sear arm in a first direction and the second travel stop prevents the trigger from pivotally moving relative to the sear arm in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein the trigger pivots between the first travel stop and the second travel stop relative to the sear arm; and   a biasing element disposed between the sear arm and the trigger to bias the trigger toward the first travel stop, and wherein the trigger spring exerts a greater force on the sear arm than the force exerted by the biasing element on the trigger.   
   
   
       2 . A trigger apparatus as described in  claim 1 , wherein the trigger and the sear arm are operatively coupled such that a rotational axis of the trigger is coaxially aligned with a rotational axis of the sear arm. 
   
   
       3 . A trigger apparatus as described in  claim 1 , wherein the biasing element is disposed adjacent a pivotal axis of the trigger between the first and second travel stops. 
   
   
       4 . A trigger apparatus as described in  claim 1 , wherein the trigger is pivotally coupled relative to the sear arm via a pivot bearing. 
   
   
       5 . A trigger apparatus as described in  claim 1 , wherein the sear arm is rotatably coupled to the firearm via a retainer pin. 
   
   
       6 . A trigger apparatus as described in  claim 1 , wherein the first travel stop comprises a front surface of the sear arm and the rear travel stop comprises a rear surface of the sear arm. 
   
   
       7 . A trigger apparatus as described in  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustment mechanism adjacent the front travel stop, wherein the adjustment mechanism may be adjusted to increase or decrease a first travel path of the trigger as the trigger pivots relative to the pivotal axis between the front travel stop and the rear travel stop. 
   
   
       8 . A trigger apparatus as described in  claim 1 , wherein the disconnector has a lip to engage the second catch of the hammer, wherein the disconnector is pivotally coupled to the sear arm such that it at least partially pivots within a slot of the sear arm, and wherein a spring is disposed between the disconnector and the sear arm to bias the disconnector toward the second catch of the hammer. 
   
   
       9 . A two-stage trigger apparatus for use with a firearm, comprising:
 a trigger that rotates between a first position, a second position, and a third position, wherein the distance between the first position and the second position defines a first travel path and the distance between the second position and the third position defines a second travel path;   a sear arm rotatably coupled to the firearm, wherein the trigger is operatively coupled to the sear arm such that the trigger rotates relative to the sear arm when the trigger travels along the first travel path, and wherein at least a portion of the trigger engages at least a portion of the sear arm to cause the sear arm to release a hammer of the firearm when the trigger travels along the second travel path;   at least one trigger spring to prevent rotation of the sear arm when the trigger travels along the first travel path; and   a biasing element disposed between the sear arm and the trigger to bias the trigger toward the first position, and wherein the trigger spring exerts a greater force on the sear arm than the force exerted by the biasing element to the trigger.   
   
   
       10 . A trigger apparatus as described in  claim 9 , wherein an axis of rotation of the trigger is coaxially aligned with an axis of rotation of the sear arm. 
   
   
       11 . A trigger apparatus as described in  claim 10 , wherein the biasing element is disposed adjacent the axis of rotation of the trigger between the first position and the second position. 
   
   
       12 . A trigger apparatus as described in  claim 10 , wherein the sear arm is pivotally fixed about the axis of rotation relative to the trigger via a retainer pin. 
   
   
       13 . A trigger apparatus as described in  claim 10 , wherein the trigger is rotatably coupled relative to the sear arm via a pivot bearing. 
   
   
       14 . A trigger apparatus as described in  claim 9 , wherein a first portion of the trigger engages a first portion of the sear arm in the first position. 
   
   
       15 . A trigger apparatus as described in  claim 9 , wherein a second portion of the trigger engages a second portion of the sear arm in the second position. 
   
   
       16 . A trigger apparatus as described in  claim 9 , wherein the third position defines the pressure-point position to discharge the firearm. 
   
   
       17 . A trigger apparatus as described in  claim 9 , further comprising an adjustable screw to define the first position, wherein the screw is adjustable to increase or decrease the distance of the first travel path. 
   
   
       18 . A trigger apparatus as described in  claim 9 , further comprising a disconnector having a lip to engage a first catch of a hammer of the firearm, wherein the disconnector is pivotally coupled to the sear arm such that it at least partially pivots within a slot of the sear arm, and further comprising a spring disposed between the disconnector and the sear arm to bias the disconnector toward the first catch of the hammer. 
   
   
       19 . A trigger apparatus for use with a firearm, comprising:
 a trigger rotatably coupled to a sear arm about a common rotational axis, wherein the trigger rotates relative to the sear arm along a first travel path defined by a first travel stop and a second travel stop, and wherein the sear arm rotates with the trigger along a second travel path defined by the second travel stop and a pressure-point position, wherein the trigger causes the sear arm to release a first catch of a hammer at the pressure-point position to discharge the firearm;   a biasing element disposed between the trigger and the sear arm to bias the trigger toward the first travel stop, wherein the biasing element is adjustable to increase or decrease the force exerted by the biasing element on the trigger; and   at least one trigger spring to prevent the sear arm from rotating about the rotational axis when the trigger rotates between the first and second travel stops.   
   
   
       20 . An trigger apparatus as described in  claim 19 , further comprising a disconnector having a lip to detachably couple to a second catch of the hammer, wherein a spring is disposed between the disconnector and the sear arm, and wherein the spring does not act or interfere with the operation of the trigger or the biasing element when the trigger travels along the first travel path. 
   
   
       21 . An trigger apparatus as described in  claim 19 , further comprising an adjustable screw disposed adjacent the rotational axis of the trigger, wherein the screw defines the first position, and wherein the screw is adjustable to increase or decrease the distance of the first travel path.