Firearm with Ambidextrous Safety

Abstract

A firearm has ambidextrously actuatable safety levers with the connection between the levers being effected within the frame and offset from the frame centerline to mitigate lost motion between the levers and prevent yielding of the shaft connecting them. The levers have raised surface portions which are hidden behind a plate. The raised surface portions contact the frame and, because they are hidden behind the plate, leave no visible marks on the finish due to rotation of the levers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A firearm, comprising:
 a frame having a centerline;   a safety mechanism having a first lever mounted on a first side of said frame and a second lever mounted on a second side of said frame opposite to said first side thereof, each of said levers being rotatable between a safe position, preventing firearm discharge, and a fire position, permitting firearm discharge;   a shaft extending between said first and second levers transversely to said centerline through an opening in said frame;   a first coupling connecting said shaft to said first lever, said first coupling being located within said opening in said frame and offset from said frame centerline.   
     
     
         2 . The firearm according to  claim 1 , wherein said first coupling comprises a collar attached to said first lever and projecting therefrom transversely to said frame centerline, said collar being received within said opening and having a bore receiving said shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The firearm according to  claim 2 , wherein said first coupling further comprises a threaded fastener positioned within said bore of said collar for securing said shaft to said lever. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm according to  claim 3 , wherein said threaded fastener comprises:
 an externally threaded shank located on an end of said shaft;   an internally threaded nut engaged with said shank within said bore of said collar.   
     
     
         5 . The firearm according to  claim 2 , wherein said first coupling further comprises at least one key positioned within said bore of said collar, said shaft having at least one keyway receiving said at least one key and preventing relative rotation between said first lever and said shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The firearm according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least one key is integrally formed with said collar. 
     
     
         7 . The firearm according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least one key and said at least one keyway are tapered. 
     
     
         8 . The firearm according to  claim 2 , wherein said first coupling further comprises at least one key projecting outwardly from said shaft, said collar having at least one keyway positioned within said bore and receiving said at least one key and preventing relative rotation between said first lever and said shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The firearm according to  claim 8 , wherein said at least one key is integrally formed with said shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The firearm according to  claim 2 , wherein said first coupling further comprises a pair of keys positioned within said bore of said collar, said shaft having a pair of keyways receiving said pair of keys within said bore of said collar. 
     
     
         11 . The firearm according to  claim 10 , wherein said keys and said keyways are tapered. 
     
     
         12 . The firearm according to  claim 1 , wherein said shaft is integrally formed with said second lever. 
     
     
         13 . The firearm according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second coupling connecting said shaft to said second lever. 
     
     
         14 . The firearm according to  claim 13 , wherein said second coupling is located within said opening in said frame and offset from said frame centerline oppositely disposed to said first coupling. 
     
     
         15 . A pistol, comprising:
 a frame having a centerline;   a slide mounted on said frame and movable between a battery position and an open position, said slide having a notch positioned on one side thereof;   a safety mechanism having a first lever mounted on a first side of said frame and a second lever mounted on a second side of said frame opposite to said first side thereof, each of said levers being rotatable between a safe position, wherein at least one of said levers engages said notch when said slide is in said battery position, and a fire position, wherein said at least one lever is not in engagement with said notch when said slide is in said battery position;   a shaft extending between said first and second levers transversely to said centerline through an opening in said frame;   a first coupling connecting said shaft to said first lever, said first coupling being located within said opening in said frame and offset from said frame centerline.   
     
     
         16 . The pistol according to  claim 15 , wherein said first coupling comprises a collar attached to said first lever and projecting therefrom transversely to said frame centerline, said collar being received within said opening and having a bore receiving said shaft. 
     
     
         17 . The pistol according to  claim 16 , wherein said first coupling further comprises a threaded fastener positioned within said bore of said collar for securing said shaft to said lever. 
     
     
         18 . The pistol according to  claim 17 , wherein said threaded fastener comprises:
 an externally threaded shank located on an end of said shaft;   an internally threaded nut engaged with said shank within said bore of said collar.   
     
     
         19 . The pistol according to  claim 16 , wherein said first coupling further comprises at least one key positioned within said bore of said collar and integrally formed therewith, said shaft having at least one keyway receiving said at least one key and preventing relative rotation between said first lever and said shaft. 
     
     
         20 . The pistol according to  claim 19 , wherein said at least one key and said at least one keyway are tapered. 
     
     
         21 . The pistol according to  claim 16 , wherein said first coupling further comprises a pair of keys positioned within said bore of said collar and integrally formed therewith, said shaft having a pair of keyways receiving said pair of keys within said bore of said collar. 
     
     
         22 . The pistol according to  claim 21 , wherein said keys and said keyways are tapered. 
     
     
         23 . The pistol according to  claim 15 , wherein said shaft is integrally formed with said second lever. 
     
     
         24 . A lever for actuating a safety mechanism of a firearm, said lever comprising:
 a plate having a first surface positionable in facing relation with said firearm and a second surface disposed oppositely thereto;   a projection mounted on and extending outwardly from said second surface; and   a portion of said first surface comprising a raised surface portion, said raised surface portion contacting said firearm when said lever is mounted thereon and preventing a remaining surface of said first surface from contacting said firearm.   
     
     
         25 . The lever according to  claim 24 , further comprising a trunnion mounted on said plate and projecting transversely thereto, said lever being pivotably movable on said trunnion when mounted on said firearm. 
     
     
         26 . The lever according to  claim 24 , further comprising an actuating finger mounted on said plate and projecting transversely thereto, said actuating finger being engageable with a safety mechanism of said firearm when said lever is mounted thereon. 
     
     
         27 . A firearm having a safety mechanism and a lever for actuating said safety mechanism, said lever comprising:
 a plate movably mounted on said firearm, said plate having a first surface positioned in facing relation with said firearm and a second surface disposed oppositely thereto;   a projection mounted on and extending outwardly from said second surface; and   a portion of said first surface comprising a raised surface portion, said raised surface portion contacting said firearm and preventing a remaining surface of said first surface from contacting said firearm.   
     
     
         28 . The firearm according to  claim 27 , wherein said lever further comprises a trunnion mounted on said plate and projecting transversely thereto, said trunnion being received within an opening in said firearm, said lever being pivotably movable on said trunnion relatively to said firearm for actuating said safety mechanism. 
     
     
         29 . The firearm according to  claim 27 , wherein said lever further comprises an actuating finger mounted on said first surface and projecting transversely thereto, said actuating finger being received within an opening in said firearm and engageable with said safety mechanism. 
     
     
         30 . The firearm according to  claim 27 , wherein said firearm comprises a pistol.