Smith & Wesson Corporation

Lee M Lenkarski

Pardip K Vaid

John F Klebes

Robert L Constant

David J Petig

Philip H Stevens

Kevin G Foley

Gary G Lantaigne

A method for assembling a firearm having a frame which houses a security apparatus for enabling generation of a firing signal by a firing apparatus to discharge a non-percussively fired ammunition cartridge along a firing axis. The method includes forming the frame to include a generally longitudinal section in alignment with the firing axis. A downwardly extending section is formed integral with the longitudinal section and has front handgrip section as well as a magazine chamber for accommodating a selective insertable ammunition magazine. A backstrap module is mated to the front handgrip section to form a firearm handgrip, the backstrap module forming a back handgrip section of the firearm handgrip. An electronic firing probe assembly is secured within a slide assembly which is affixed to a top portion of the longitudinal section, said firing probe assembly being concentrically aligned about said firing axis. A battery is inserted into the ammunition magazine which is subsequently nested within said ammunition chamber, placing the battery in electrical communication with the backstrap module, the security apparatus, the firing apparatus and the firing probe assembly.

Method of assembling a firearm having a security apparatus

A slide assembly capable of repeated reciprocal movement about an upper portion of a firearm having a firing pin assembly, including a firing probe tip for selectively contacting a chambered ammunition cartridge, includes a frame having a forward end and an aft end, the frame accommodating a barrel of the firearm along a longitudinal firing axis. An ejector port is formed in the frame and has a breech face against which an end cap of the ammunition cartridge abuts when in a firing position. A longitudinal firing probe bore is formed within the frame and extends from adjacent the aft end of the frame to adjacent the breech face, the firing probe bore also is in concentric alignment with the firing axis. The slide assembly further includes a probe tip bore in concentric alignment with the firing axis and extending between the breech face and the firing probe bore for allowing the firing probe tip access beyond the breech face and into the ejector port. An engagement slot is further formed in the firing probe bore for mating engagement with a lower key housing of the firing pin assembly, thereby rotationally securing the firing pin assembly in the firing probe bore.

Slide assembly for a firearm

A firing probe assembly for communicating an electronic firing signal generated by a firing apparatus of a firearm to thereby cause the detonation of an electrically fired ammunition cartridge includes an electrically non-conductive housing having an approximately cylindrical firing probe cavity formed along its longitudinal length and concentrically aligned with a firing axis of the firearm, the housing having a rear end and a forward end. The firing probe assembly further includes an elongated and electrically conductive firing probe disposed within the cavity including a firing probe tip section disposed on a distal end thereof. The tip section is concentrically aligned with the firing axis and extending through a tip bore formed in the forward end of the housing. An electrically non-conductive, outwardly extending contact protrusion is formed adjacent the rear end of the housing and is integral with the housing. The contact protrusion accommodates a contact assembly for enabling electrical communication between the firing apparatus and the firing probe.

Electric firing probe for detonating electrically-fired ammunition in a firearm

An authorization module is provided for activating an associated portable or hand-held electronic device such as a firearm. The authorization module includes a housing defining a cavity, and an electrical interface for communicating with the electronic firearm. The housing is preferably generally in the shape of a firearm magazine for insertion into a magazine well of the electronic firearm. A fingerprint sensor is supported on and faces outwardly of the housing for generating a fingerprint signal indicative of a fingerprint pattern detected by the fingerprint sensor. A fingerprint identification circuit is disposed within the cavity of the housing and communicates with the fingerprint sensor for receiving the fingerprint signal and for comparing the sensed fingerprint pattern with an authorized user's fingerprint pattern stored in the identification circuit. The identification circuit communicates with the electrical interface for transmitting an authorization signal to activate the firearm if the sensed fingerprint pattern substantially matches the authorized user's fingerprint pattern. The module is preferably powered by DC batteries disposed within the housing.

Authorization module for activating a firearm and method of using same

A semi-automatic pistol includes a polymeric frame, a barrel secured to the frame medially of its front end and rear end. A slide is slidable relative to the frame without direct engagement therewith. A retainer and guide member is removably secured adjacent a rear portion of the frame and includes a pair of outwardly extending guides. Each of the guides slidably fits within one of a pair of opposing inwardly facing longitudinal grooves. Each of the grooves is disposed along opposed inner surface portions of the slide for retaining and guiding the slide in generally parallel spaced relation to the frame. The pistol includes a second retainer and guide means adjacent the front end and includes, at least in part, a generally circular aperture in a depending front wall of the slide and wherein the muzzle end of the barrel extends through the aperture. The aperture has a predetermined chamfer to enable the slide to disassembled from the pistol after the first retainer has been disconnected from the frame. The chamfer thereby enables the freed, rear end portion of the slide to be pivoted upwardly to a substantial angle generally related to the chamfer whereby the slide may be removed from the barrel and thus disassembled from the pistol.

Semi-automatic pistol

Handgun

Two-piece trigger

A magazine safety for a semi-automatic pistol with a double-action firing pin striker mechanism having a lever pivotable to the frame of said pistol so that the forward end thereof will sense the presence of the magazine in the pistol. The lever is provided with a downwardly opening recess on its underside and a spring disposed to urge the lever to engage a pin extending laterally from the sear of the firing mechanism of said pistol. The pistol further includes a trigger bar movable in response to the trigger and is engageable with the sear for cocking and releasing the firing pin to fire the pistol. When engaged with a sear pin, the recess in the lever serves to prevent movement of the sear for firing the pistol whenever the magazine has been removed from the pistol. The lever having its center of gravity disposed to ensure that the lever will engage the sear to prevent firing of the pistol even in the event the safety spring is rendered inoperable.

Magazine safety

A two-piece safety trigger for a handgun or pistol fabricated from high impact polymer is provided in which a lower portion comprising approximately the entire lower half of the trigger face is pivotable relative to the upper portion. The lower trigger portion includes a rearwardly extending latch portion which, when the lower trigger portion is in its forward position, serves to engage the frame of the gun to prevent firing movement of the trigger in the event the gun is dropped or otherwise impacted. The lower trigger portion is biased to its forward position by a flexible spring finger disposed within the upper portion and is adapted to be overcome when the user squeezes the trigger in a conventional manner.

Safety trigger for a firearm

A fire control mechanism for a firing pin striker operated semiautomatic double action handgun includes a sear pivotably disposed on a frame between forward and rearward positions. The sear includes an edge portion for controlling the firing pin and further includes a cam surface for downward displacement of the sear to release the firing pin in response to trigger firing movement. The firing pin includes an extension adapted to be in planar movement with the controlling edge of the sear with selective engagement and disengagement therewith in response to angular and translatory movement of the sear upon response to actuation of the trigger. A trigger bar includes a disconnect portion disposed to move the trigger bar downwardly upon recoil of the slide. The sear, firing pin extension, cam surface and trigger are all movable in coplanar relationship with one another and the trigger bar and disconnect are movable in a plane parallel thereto.

Growing community of inventors

Ware, MA, United States of America

Lee M Lenkarski