United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 7.562,614 B2: Polston (45) Date of Patent: Jul. 21, 2009
United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 7.562,614 B2: Polston (45) Date of Patent: Jul. 21, 2009
United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 7.562,614 B2: Polston (45) Date of Patent: Jul. 21, 2009
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U.S. Patent Jul. 21, 2009 Sheet 12 of 12 US 7.562,614 B2
US 7.562,614 B2
1. 2
CLOSED BOLT SYSTEM WITH TRIGGER 16 to 19 pounds empty, depending upon the model. The
ASSEMBLY FOR CONVERTING A FULLY magazine was a detachable box-type with a capacity of only
AUTOMATIC SUBMACHINE GUN INTO A 20 rounds. It was used by the US military through the Korean
SEMI-AUTOMATIC CARBINE War where it served as a squad's light machine gun. It could
be mounted on bi-pod or shot from a hip or shoulder position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Frequently, an assistant would carry extra ammunition for the
operator. However, the assistant was not needed to fire the
1. Field of Invention weapon. And, like other emerging single operator machine
The present invention relates to a gun trigger assembly. guns that could be carried by one person, the barrel was fixed.
More particularly, it relates to a trigger assembly for instal 10 Although effective, its long profile left much to be desired in
lation into a Submachine gun for converting said gun from a a more convenient weapon for WWI and a need existed for a
fully automatic to a semi-automatic firing weapon and which better single operator machine gun.
further prohibits said semi-automatic firing weapon from General John Thompson wished to address this need and
being converted back to a fully automatic firing weapon. set out to build a different type of gun, one that is now referred
2. Description of the Prior Art 15 to as a Submachine gun. The designs of Such weapons came
Machine guns are well known in the prior art. Their history from a desire to make a machine pistol, one that didn't use
can be traced back to 1718 when James Puckle invented what rifle rounds. Pistol designs had seen the advent of highly
he called the “Defence Gun' which mounted on a tripod and reliable weapons such as the 1911 design for the .45 caliber,
included a large revolver with a cylinder behind a single used extensively by the US military at that time and for
barrel. The cylinder was turned manually and it could fire 63 another 80 years thereafter.
shots in seven minutes. Thompson knew that the heart of any machine gun lied in
The American Civil Warsaw more advancement in the art its breech locking and feeding mechanisms. Thompson was
when Wilson Agar produced the Coffee Mill gun for the well aware of the designs used in other guns of the day, but
Union Army. This gun had a wheeled frame carrying 24 rifle none was appropriate for his design. Recoil actuated systems
barrels. Once the gun was loaded, a single percussion cap was 25 were popular in the heavy and medium machine guns of the
placed on a nipple on the iron frame and fired by a hammer. era, but these used many moving parts that were heavy and
The flash passing through the frame ignited all 24 cartridges. prone to failure. The Recoil system uses the rearward thrust of
Thereafter, Richard Gatling invented the infamous a movable barrel to unlock the breech, eject the spent car
“Gatling Gun' made up of six barrels mounted in a revolving tridge case, inserta fresh cartridge, re-lock the breech and fire
frame. This weapon was first used by the United States Army 30 the next round. Gas actuated systems had many of the same
and Subsequently by most major armies of Europe. drawbacks as recoil systems. A gas system employs a small
Inspired by the success of the Gatling Gun, others were vent hole drilled into the barrel that bleeds off some of the
encouraged to enter this emerging field of weapon produc high pressure gasses that propel the bullet out through the
tion. In 1879 the Gardner machine gun was shown for the first barrel. The vented gas pressure is routed back to the breech
time. This weapon had two-barrels that were operated by a 35 area where it drives a piston that performs the same unlock
crank which loaded and fired each barrel in turn. The feed ing, ejection, loading, re-locking and firing sequence as a
system was a grooved strip into which the rims of a box of recoil operated gun. The third system, used mostly in semi
cartridges could be slid, after which the box was removed. automatic handguns, such as the 1911 pistol, employed a
This gun could fire up to 10,000 rounds in less than 30 technique referred to as “Blowback.” These guns relied on the
minutes. 40 propellant gas pressure to literally blow the bolt rearward.
Finally, a weapon thought to be the grandfather of all This action powered the sequence of ejecting and loading the
modern machine guns was introduced by Hiram Maxim in next round. Guns using the blowback process are simple
1885. He used the energy of each bullet’s recoil force to eject because they do not have a locking breech. They depend on
the spent cartridge and insert the next bullet, a general prin the forward inertia of a heavy bolt, driven by a recoil spring,
ciple still used today in the art. The Maxim machine gun could 45 to keep the breech closed at the point of peak chamber pres
fire until an entire belt of bullets was used up, thereby dis sure. The blowback system seemed to be the ideal choice for
charging upwards of 500 rounds per minute. The Success of use in a lightweight machine gun because of its simplicity,
this invention inspired other inventions and improvements lack of heavy moving parts and reliability. But in practice, it
upon machine guns such as the German Army's is only usable with low powered pistol ammunition, Such as
Maschinengewehr and the Russian Pulemyot Maxima which 50 the .45 caliber. High power rifle ammunition creates much
were both based on Maxim's invention. The advent of the higher chamber pressure that overcomes any inertia in the
Maxim machine gun eclipsed manually operated "crank bolt, blowing it back prematurely and thus causing cartridge
style mechanical guns and set the stage for later develop cases to be ejected during peak pressure, exposing the opera
mentS. tor to the hazards of ruptured brass and explosive gasses.
By the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, the 55 To solve this problem, Thompson sought to find a way to
machine gun was an integral part of all warring nations. But make a simple but practical breech lock. He uncovered across
most were still mounted upon tripods, carts or vehicles and U.S. Pat. No. 1,131,319 to Blish entitled a “Breech Closure
required more than one operator. Improvements were there for Firearms. This is essentially a breech locking mechanism
fore still needed and desired. The idea of a single operator that could be used on a blowback operated firearm. The lock
weapon, a so called “machine rifle, which could fire a high 60 delays the blowback of the bolt until the chamber pressure has
volume of bullets was desired by the World’s armies. diminished to an acceptable level. This use lead to the final
Attempts to produce Such a weapon were being made during production of the Thompson Submachine Gun. This weapon
WWI, but with limited success. One such example is the uses a .45 caliber pistol round and can accept either a 100 or
Browning Automatic Rifle or “BAR’ developed by John 50 round drum or a 30 or 20 roundbox magazine. The gun was
Browning in 1917. The BAR was a gas-operated, air-cooled, 65 originally nick-named the “Trench Broom’ because it was
magazine-fed weapon. It chambered the standard service envisioned by General Thompson that a single user rushing
round of that period, the .30-06 Springfield. It weighed about an entrenched position, like those of WWI, could attack and
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fire upon the entire trench, thereby inflicting a high rate of SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
causalities, or “sweeping it clean.” Although the US military
was slow to accept the weapon, it finally ordered a small I have invented a closed bolt system including a trigger
number of the weapons that arrived at the docks of New York assembly for installation into a fully automatic firing machine
just as WWI ended in 1918. gun for converting said machine gun to a semi-automatic
The gun underwent some changes and adaptations during firing carbine. My closed bolt System with trigger assembly,
the period between WWI and WWII, but its original design in its preferred embodiment, is used with guns employing a
remained essentially the same. Federal enforcement agencies blowback system, such as the Thompson Submachine Gun.
and local police forces began to use the Thompson during this My closed bolt system with trigger assembly can be used on
period to combat organized crime. In fact, the United States 10 a de-milled Thompson Submachine Gun parts kit that may be
Postal Service was one of the first purchasers of the Thomp purchased without BATF approval. It is noted that the barrel
son Submachine Gun. When WWII came along, the US mili length still may require registration and tax payment if a 10/2
tary finally realized the importance of Such a weapon and inch barrel is used (short barrel rifle). However, for example,
more than one and one half million of the weapons were if a Thompson using my closed bolt system with trigger
eventually produced. During WWII, methods were used to 15 assembly is an entire manufactured weapon or a converted
make the gun more cost effective to produce. But, the original de-milled Thompson using my parts kits with a 16 inch barrel,
design never really changed. it would be classified by BATF as a rifle and be subject to
The Thompson Submachine Gun operates on avery simple those applicable laws.
principle. It is an open bolt weapon. That is, when the weapon My closed bolt system with trigger assembly employs a
is ready to fire, the bolt and working parts are held to the rear. trigger, a disconnector arm, a disconnector, a sear that acts
When the trigger is pulled the bolt goes forward, feeding a upon a spring loaded hammer for Striking a firingpin of a bolt
round from the magazine into the chamber and firing it. Like located within a semi-auto receiver of the gun. It is noted that
any other self-loading design without an external power Sup the bolt and receiver of the fully automatic submachine gun,
ply, the action is cycled by the energy of the exploding round; Such as the Thompson, is not used with my closed bolt system
this sends the bolt back to the rear, ejecting the empty car 25 to make it a semi-auto carbine.
tridge case and preparing for the next round. The expanding The trigger assembly of my closed bolt system prohibits
gas of the exploding cartridge fires the bullet and pushes the the gun from firing in a fully automatic mode and instead
bolt backward against a recoil spring. So long as the trigger is limits the gun to firing one bullet for every pull of the trigger
pulled, a sear will not engage a small indent in the bolt and (semi-auto). So long as bullets remain in the magazine or
will continue permitting bullets to be fired in an automatic 30 drum being used, the hammer will return to a ready fire
mode. Once the trigger is released, it acts upon the sear which position (cocked) when the bolt blows back.
catches the small indent and prevents the bolt from moving When the closed system with trigger assembly of my
forward against a new cartridge. invention is installed, a loaded magazine is attached to the
It has been unlawful since 1934 (The National Firearms gun. The bolt is drawn back manually against the recoil
Act) for civilians to own any type of machine gun without 35 spring, cocking the hammer. A spring guide mounts behind
special permission from the U.S. Treasury Department. This the recoil spring to prevent it from wading up. A safety lever
of course includes the Thompson. Machine guns are now cam can be turned to draw the hammer off a Sear away from
subject to a S200 tax every time their ownership changes from the “ready fire' position and place it in “safe' mode. The bolt
one federally registered owner to another and the gun must be can be driven forward stripping a cartridge from the magazine
registered with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms 40 or drum thereby loading it into the firing chamber of the gun.
(BATF) in its National Firearms Registry. So long as a person The safety lever is turned to “ready fire' for permitting a
follows this procedure, ownership of existing machine guns is round to be shot (hammer re-engages sear). By pulling the
legal. Newly manufactured machine guns however are no trigger, an engagement between the trigger and the discon
longer available for purchase by the general public even with nector arm is released, thereby releasing an engagement
BATF registration and payment of the Treasury tax. Only 45 between the disconnector arm and disconnector. This in turn
military and law enforcement can purchase such new weap affects an engagement between the disconnector and the Sear
OS OW. which disengages the sear from the hammer. Accordingly, the
Even though existing machine guns can be legally owned hammer releases from its tensioned positioned and strikes a
in the US, many people simply do not feel comfortable own firing pin inside of the bolt. The firing pin Slams against the
ing such a weapon, or are unfamiliar with the registration and 50 primer of the cartridge and ignites the propellant of the car
tax process or can simply not afford the cost of a classic WWII tridge.
firearm, such as the Thompson Submachine Gun. Accord Expanding gases from the explosion of the propellant
ingly, some companies offer replicas of these firearms. And in forces the bullet out the end of the barrel of the gun. Due to the
fact, a replica of the Thompson Submachine Gun, which only great weight differential between the bolt and the bullet, the
fires in a single fire mode, can be purchased. Karr Arms offers 55 bolt is driven back at a slower rate against the recoil spring
Such a replica. Unfortunately, the quality of these replicas is than the bullet leaving the barrel, ejecting the spent casing and
extremely poor. Collectors of classic WWI and WWII era cocking the hammer. A lug on a front portion of the bolt
firearms are disinterested from owning these inferior replicas. passes over the disconnector arm depressing it and forcing the
Accordingly, a need exists for a gun Such as the Thompson sear off a depressed position and allowing a sear spring to
Submachine Gun to be available to a collector of vintage 60 expand. As the bolt continues rearwardly, it depresses the
firearms at a reduced cost. These guns should be available as hammer until a notch in the hammer passes a notch in the Sear
a semi-auto carbine to avoid the cost of purchasing transfer engaging each other. Once the bolt completely cycles, the
able Class III guns. Further, these guns, if converted from a hammer remains cocked even though the trigger is still in a
fully automatic to a semi-automatic firing weapon, need to depressed (pulled) position because it is held back by this
exist in their semi-automatic configuration Such that they are 65 notch-to-notch engagement with the sear. The bolt cycle
not capable of being converted back to a fully automatic firing completion also chambers another round. However, the trig
weapon unless converted from a registered Class III weapon. ger must be released and pulled again to fire another round in
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that the position of the disconnector under the sear must be FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the semi-auto receiver
reset. Hence, the weapon with my closed bolt system with employed with the closed bolt system with trigger assembly
trigger assembly is a semi-auto carbine. of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENT
The detailed description of the invention, contained herein
below, may be better understood when accompanied by a Referring to FIG.1, a submachinegun 10 is shown. Gun 10
brief description of the drawings, wherein: has a butt stock 12, a receiver 14, a barrel 16, a triggerhousing
FIG. 1 is a side plan view of a submachine gun of which the 10 18 and a magazine 20. Gun 10 is typical of the design that can
closed bolt system with trigger assembly of the present inven receive a closed bolt system with trigger assembly of the
tion can be installed to convert said Submachine gun from a present invention to be more fully discussed hereinafter.
fully automatic to a semi-automatic firing weapon; Although the closed bolt System with trigger assembly could
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a Submachine gun be installed in many different styles of guns, in its preferred
trigger housing that can be used with the closed bolt system 15 embodiment, it is used with a Thompson Submachine Gun.
with trigger assembly of the present invention for making the For example, the closed bolt system with trigger assembly of
gun a semi-auto carbine; the present invention can be used with a fully automatic Class
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the closed bolt III Thompson Submachine Gun. In Such arrangement, only
system with trigger assembly of the present invention that can the trigger housing 18, butt stock 12, the sights, the safety
be used with a trigger housing from fully automatic Subma lever and the original 10/2 inch barrel are used. And if the
chine gun to convert said gun to a semi-auto firing carbine of 10/2 inch barrel is used, the owner must obtain a short barrel
which can not be converted back to a fully automatic firing rifle permit from BATF. However, if the owner buys a 16 inch
weapon; barrel, then the short barrel rifle permit is not necessary. Or, an
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of owner can buy a de-milled original fully automatic Thomp
FIG. 2 showing a plurality of inter-connected elements of the 25 son that is just unregulated parts (i.e., shipped to consumer
closed bolt system with trigger assembly of the present inven with no receiver) and install the closed bolt system with
tion prior to a trigger being pulled, showing a hammer as trigger assembly of the present invention.
being cocked; Referring now to FIG.3, the closed bolt system with trigger
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of assembly 22 of the present invention used to convert a fully
FIG. 2 showing the plurality of inter-connected elements of 30 automatic firing Submachine gun into a single firing (semi
the closed bolt system with trigger assembly just as the trigger auto) carbine is shown in an exploded view (receiver not
is being pulled and showing how a disconnector arm, a dis shown—see FIG. 12). The parts of closed bolt system with
connector and a sear all operate to release the cocked ham trigger assembly 22 include a bolt 24 having a bolt handle 26,
mer, a bolt lug 27 (see FIG. 4) and a firing pin 28 tensioned by a
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of 35 firing pin spring 30; both firingpin 28 and firing pin spring 30
FIG. 2 showing the plurality of inter-connected elements of are inserted in an axial bore 32 formed through a block por
the closed bolt system with trigger assembly as the released tion 34 of bolt 24. Also included is a semi-automatic receiver
hammer is striking a firing pin of the bolt located inside the 238 (see FIG. 12) having a cavity 240 capable of inclosing
semi-auto receiver of a weapon in which my invention is bolt 24. It is important to note that to make the gun a semi
employed; 40 automatic carbine which is incapable of being converted back
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of to a fully automatic weapon, cavity 240 must be of a size that
FIG. 2 showing the plurality of inter-connected elements of will not accept a bolt from a fully automatic Thompson.
the closed bolt system with trigger assembly as the bolt is Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment, cavity 240 of
“blowing backwards within the semi-auto receiver and act semi-auto receiver 238 is made to be one inch and semi-auto
ing upon said plurality of trigger assembly elements; 45 bolt 24 is made to be between 0.93 and 0.95 of one inch. And
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of this therefore classifies the weapon as semi-auto according to
FIG. 2 showing the plurality of inter-connected elements of BATF.
the closed bolt system of the trigger assembly just as the bolt With continuing reference to FIG. 3, axial bore 32 has a
has reached its backwards limit and has momentarily stopped constricted but open distal end 36 (see FIG. 4) and a threaded
before being pushed forward by the recoil spring mounted 50 open proximal end 38. A threaded cap 40 screws over
behind said bolt, and said bolt having reached its backwards threaded open proximal end 38 after firing pin 28 and firing
limit allowing a new cartridge to be stripped into the firing pin spring 30 are inserted in axial bore 32. Further, firing pin
chamber from an attached magazine or drum; 28 has a tip portion 42 that has a smaller circumference than
FIG.9 is a is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of that of a body portion 44 thereof. Firing pin tip portion 42
FIG. 2 showing the plurality of inter-connected elements of 55 inserts within constricted distal end 36 of axial bore 32 when
the closed bolt system with trigger assembly as the bolt is firing pin 28 is inserted therein (see FIG. 4 again).
springing forwards, showing how the hammer remains With continuing reference to FIG.3, it is shown that closed
cocked and prohibited from re-striking the firing pin; bolt system with trigger assembly 22 also includes a recoil
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of spring 46 positioned behind semi-auto bolt 24 for affecting
FIG. 2 showing how the plurality of inter-connected elements 60 backward and forward motion of semi-auto bolt 24 during a
of the closed bolt system with trigger assembly return to a firing sequence. As spring guide 242 is positioned behind
“ready to fire' position when the bolt has reached its forward recoil spring 46 to prevent “wading-up' of spring 46 when it
limit; is tensioned. Both semi-auto bolt 24 and recoil spring 46 are
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of surrounded by receiver 14 (not shown in FIG. 3, but see FIG.
FIG. 2 showing how the trigger can be drawn off the searby 65 12). Semi-auto bolt 24 is guided back and forth along a
a safety cam for placing the gun in a safety mode (non-firing) horizontal trigger housing plate 48 extending rearwardly
or for disassembling the gun; and from trigger housing 18. As shown in FIG. 1, semi-auto
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receiver 14 locks to horizontal trigger housing plate 48, trig Still further to FIG. 3, a sear 108 is provided and has a
ger housing 18 as well as to barrel 16 at a front end. Buttstock cylindrical middle portion 110 and an outwardly extending
12 engages horizontal trigger housing plate 48. top finger member 112 and rearwardly extending bottom foot
Returning back to FIG. 3, closed bolt system with trigger member 114. A central bore 116 is formed through sear
assembly 22 further includes a trigger 50 positioned within a middle portion 110 thereby intersecting finger member 112
trigger housing cavity 52 formed in trigger housing 18 and and foot member 114. Finger member 112 has a smaller width
having a finger engagement portion 54 (having a crescent than that of middle portion 110 and is offset to a left side of
moon-like shape) extending into a modified trigger area 56 of sear 108. Foot member 114 has a varying width that depends
triggerhousing 18 below triggerhousing cavity 52. An upper from a greater value to a lesser value from middle portion 110
portion 58 of trigger 50 rests within cavity 52 and is enclosed
10 rearwardly. At a distal end of foot member 114, an upstanding
therein when trigger 50 is positioned in place. Trigger upper wall 118 is provided. Meanwhile, finger member 112 has a
downwardly depending tip 120 at its distal end. Further, on a
portion 58 has a first and second bore, 60 and 62 respectively, bottom side 122 of foot member 114 (see FIG. 4), a sear
formed therein such that first bore 60 is positioned below and tension spring 124 inserts within a bottom bore 126 (also see
rearwardly of second bore 62 and is slightly offset to a right 15 FIG. 4) formed in trigger housing cavity 52.
side thereof and such that a length of first bore 60 is shorter With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, sear 108 sits within trigger
than that of second bore 62. Also, first bore 60 has a slightly housing cavity 52 slightly behind trigger upper portion 58.
smaller circumference than that of second bore 62. Further, Disconnector arm 82 and disconnector 84 have an aggregate
trigger upper portion 58 has a convexed-shaped outwardly width that is equal to that of trigger upper portion 58 and
extending upper ledge portion 64 that includes a trigger therefore sits flush within trigger upper portion 58 such that
spring 66 positioned in a trigger spring cavity 68 formed in a opposed outer walls of disconnector arm 82 and disconnector
bottom side 70 of ledge portion 64 (see FIG. 4). Trigger upper 84 are flush with the opposed side walls of trigger upper
portion 58 also includes a convexed-shaped rearwardly portion 58. Since the width of sear middle portion 110 is
extending upper ledge portion 72, having a width that is generally equal to that of trigger upper portion 58 and the
approximately half that of a width of convexed-shaped out 25 width of searfinger member 112 is generally equal to that of
wardly extending upper ledgeportion 64. A disconnector arm disconnector arm 82, searfinger member 112 rests juxtaposed
tension spring 74 is intermediately positioned a bottom side against an inner side wall 128 (see FIG. 3) of disconnector 84
76 of ledge portion 72 (see FIG. 4) and a disconnector arm and sear finger member tip 120 rests on top of an upper top
support ledge 78 formed in trigger upper portion 58. A dis wall 130 of disconnector arm 82.
connector arm tension spring cavity 80 (see FIG. 4) is formed 30 With reference now just to FIG.3, a vertically disposed bolt
in ledgeportion bottom side 76 for retaining tension spring 74 hold back pawl 132 is provided for positioning juxtaposed
by friction therein. between a left side of sear 108 and an inner left wall of trigger
With continuing reference to FIG.3, it is shown that closed upper portion 58. Bolt holdback pawl 132 has an aperture 134
bolt system with trigger assembly 22 also includes a discon formed therethough which axially aligns with Sear central
nector arm 82 and a disconnector 84 integrally attached at a 35 bore 116.
common axis. An inwardly extending rod member 86 pro With continuing reference to FIG. 3, trigger assembly 22
trudes from a right side from said common axis and inserts further includes a hammer 138 tensioned by a hammer spring
within trigger upper portion first bore 60. Both disconnector 140. Hammer 138 has a cylindrical portion 142 disposed at a
arm 82 and disconnector 84 have crescent moon-like shapes lower front end 144 and a generally c-shaped rearwardly
but of slightly different styles. Disconnector arm 82 has a 40 extending striking portion 146 used to slam against firing pin
lower leg portion 88 that rests upon a top surface 90, as shown 28 when released from its tensioned state. Hammer spring
in see FIGS. 3 and 4, of support ledge 78. A small nipple 92 140 has a cradle portion 154 for receiving hammer 138, a pair
protrudes upwardly at a distal end 94 of disconnector arm of cylindrical wrappings 152 disposed on opposing ends of
lower leg portion 88 and inserts within a bottom portion of hammer cylindrical portion 142 and a pair of support legs 148
tension spring 74 (see FIG. 4). As will be later discussed and 45 extending rearwardly and resting upon the bottom Surface of
illustrated, tension spring 74 resets disconnector arm 82 after trigger upper portion 58 at a back end 150 thereof. Referring
trigger finger engagement portion 54 is released and is inte to FIG. 4., hammer 138 also has a downwardly extending
gral to prohibiting gun 10 from automatically firing more than nipple 156 disposed underneath cylindrical portion 142 and
one bullet for each pull of the trigger. Disconnector 84 rests slightly offset to a rear portion for engaging searfoot member
above first bore 60 and works to disengage disconnector arm 50 upstanding wall 118. This engagement is what “cocks” the
82 from a sear (to be discussed hereinafter), also assisting in hammer into a “ready fire' position. As will be further
prohibiting gun 10 from automatically firing more than one described below, disengagement of this contact (see FIGS. 5
round for each pull of the trigger. Disconnector 84 is acted and 6) will release hammer 138 and allow it to strike firing pin
upon by semi-auto bolt lug 27 when semi-auto bolt 24 is 28 which in turn fires a round.
blown back and tensions disconnector arm 82 against tension 55 All of the aforementioned parts that go into triggerhousing
spring 74 requiring it to be “reset before firing another assembly 18 are held in place by a series of levers, rods and
round. cams. In particular, bolt hold back pawl 132 and sear 108 are
Further to FIG.3, trip 96 has a pair of downwardly depend secured by a rocker pivot 158 having a rod portion 162 for
ing opposed side skirts 98 inserting around side walls of inserting through a rocker pivot aperture 160 (see FIG. 4)
trigger upper portion 58. Trip 96 also has a pair of axially 60 formed on the left side of gun 10 and through both bolt hold
aligned apertures 100 formed therethrough that align with back pawl aperture 134 and searcentral bore 116, which are
trigger upper portion second bore 62. An outwardly extending all axially aligned, as shown in FIG. 3. It is noted that in
flat shelf 102 protrudes from a front section 104 of trip 96 and converting a Thompson Submachine Gun, one can utilize the
fits within a channel 106 formed at a front end 107 of trigger existing rocker pivot and aperture of Such gun, eliminating
housing cavity 52. Trip 96 allows a stick magazine empty lug 65 any need to make modifications to trigger housing 18 except
(not shown) to raise shelf 102 for the purpose of holding back to provide for a small channel in trigger housing cavity back
semi-auto bolt 24 after the last round has been fired. end 150 and to provide bottom bore 126 for receiving sear
US 7.562,614 B2
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tension spring 124. Ofcourse, since gun 10 is being converted permits the firing of a single round for each pull of the trigger
to semi-auto, rocker pivot 158 will no longer select between and prohibits a fully automatic firing mode. In the preferred
different firing modes but instead acts as a cam when rotated embodiment, closed bolt system with trigger assembly 22 is
back to hold semi-autobolt 24 back. Rocker pivot 158 further used to convert a blowback, open bolt type weapon, Such as a
includes a notched tip 164 formed in a distal end for protrud 5 Thompson Submachine gun to a semi-auto carbine.
ing from an opposed aperture 166 formed in a right side of Referring to FIG.4, closed bolt system with trigger assem
trigger housing 18. bly 22 is installed in a blowback style firearm. As shown,
With continuing reference to FIG. 3, a pivot plate member hammer 138 is in a “ready fire' position also known as being
168 having first and second inwardly extending posts, 170 cocked. As such, as can be appreciated, trigger spring 66.
and 172 respectively, mounts juxtaposed a right side of trigger 10 disconnector arm tension spring 74 and Sear tension spring
housing 18. First inwardly extending post 170 inserts through 124 are all in their respective relaxed states. Further, down
a first right side aperture 174 formed in the right side of trigger wardly depending tip 120 of sear finger member 112 is in
housing 18 securing trip 96 and trigger 50 by intersecting both contact with disconnector arm upper top wall 130. Further,
side skirt apertures 100 of trip 96 and second bore 62 of disconnector arm 82 rests upon trigger upper portion discon
trigger upper portion 58. A distal end of first inwardly extend 15 nector arm support ledge 78. Still further, downwardly
ing post 170 protrudes through a first left side aperture 176 extending nipple 156 of hammer 138 is in contact (engaging)
(see FIGS. 1 and 2) formed in the left side of trigger housing upwardly standing wall 118 of sear 108. This engagement
18. Second inwardly extending post 172 inserts through a prohibits hammer 138 from releasing from its tensioned state
second right side aperture 178 formed in the right side of with hammer spring 140. As further shown, cam 208 is not
trigger housing 18 securing hammer 138 by intersecting a engaging hammer 138, therefore gun 10 is not in a safety
central bore 180 formed in hammer cylindrical portion 142. A mode. Gun 10 is placed in this “ready fire' position by first
distal end 182 of second inwardly extending post 172 is placing a loaded magazine (not shown in FIG. 4) into a
received by a cylindrical cup 184 positioned within a second magazine receptacle. Then, bolt 24 is drawn back by handby
left side aperture 186 formed in the left side of triggerhousing pulling on bolt handle 26 against recoil spring 46. Since an
18. It is noted that in relation to a front and backend of gun 10, 25 open bolt system is used in the preferred embodiment, a
first inwardly extending post 170 sits forward of second cartridge is stripped from the magazine and loaded into the
inwardly extending post 172. Further, both trigger housing chamber. The drawing back of bolt 24 also pushes down
first right and left side apertures, 174 and 176 respectively, are hammer 138 and acts upon disconnector 84 (to be discussed
located forward, respectively, of both trigger housing second in further detail hereinafter) to place all parts into their respec
right and left side apertures, 178 and 186 respectively. 30 tive depicted positions shown in FIG. 4.
Still referring to FIG.3, it is shown that pivot plate 168 has FIG. 5 illustrates what occurs when the trigger is pulled.
a generally oblong shape, a cutout portion 188 and a rear First, trigger finger engagement portion 54 is pulled back
wardly extending finger 190 having a knuckled tip portion wards by a person’s finger in the direction of arrow 212. This
192. When rocker pivot 158 is inserted through aperture 134 causes trigger upper portion 58 to tension trigger spring 66
to secure bolt hold back pawl 132 and sear 108, rod portion 35 and to rotate, counter-clockwise, about first inward extending
notch 164 protrudes through opposed aperture 166 and post 170 as shown by arrow 214. This in turn pushes discon
engages pivot plate 168 along finger 190. This assists in nector arm 82 upwards thereby causing upper top wall 130 to
retaining pivot plate 168 flush against the right side of trigger push up on Sear downwardly depending tip 120. This action
housing 18. causes sear 108 to tension sear spring 124 by rotating, clock
With continuing reference to FIG. 3, a safety lever 194 is 40 wise, about selector rocker pivot rod portion 162, as shown by
provided for locking hammer 138 when it is in a “cocked arrow 216, further disengaging sear foot member upstanding
(ready to fire) position. Safety lever 194 inserts through a left wall 118 from downwardly depending nipple 156 of hammer
rear aperture 196 formed in the left side of trigger housing 18 138.
proximal to the back end of gun 10 nearest to buttstock 12 and Referring to FIG. 6, hammer 138 is released from its ten
protruding out of a right rear aperture (not shown) formed in 45 Sioned State by hammer spring 140 and rotates, counter
the right side of trigger housing 18. Safety lever 194 includes clockwise, about second inward extending post 172 of pivot
an external knob 200, a rod portion 202 having a cutaway plate 168, as shown by arrow 218. Hammer 138 strikes firing
portion 204 and a distal tip having a circular groove 206 pin 28 causing it to move forward as shown by arrow 220,
formed therein engaging knuckled tip 192 when the safety which then causes firing pin tip 42 to protrude out of open
lever rod portion distal tip extends through right rearaperture. 50 distal end 36 of axial bore 32 making contact with a primer of
Groove 206 engaging knuckled tip 192 also assists in secur a cartridge (not shown) and firing a round.
ing pivot plate 168 flush against the right side of trigger Referring now to FIG. 7, the result of the cartridge explod
housing 18. ing causes the release of rapidly expanding gases that first
Referring now to FIGS. 4, 6 and 10, it is shown that safety pushes the bullet out of the front of the barrel. Bolt 24 “blows
lever 194 can be placed in two distinct states. A first state 55 back, against recoil spring 46, also due to the expanding
allows hammer 138 to release when trigger 50 is engaged and gases inside of the chamber, but at a slower rate than that of
is therefore considered “ready-fire' (see FIG. 4 and 6). In a the bullet exiting the barrel due to a great differential in inertia
second state, hammer 138 is locked by rotating safety lever therebetween. As bolt 24 blows back, in a direction indicated
194 to the rear which places gun 10 in “safe', prohibiting the by arrow 222, it acts upon hammer 138 by pushing it down
firing of a round (see FIG. 10). The solid part of rod portion 60 thereby and rotating it, clockwise, about second inward
202acts as a cam 208 and draws downhammer 138 off of sear extending post 172, as shown by arrow 224. At about the same
108 by pushing on a back area 209 behind c-shaped striking time, bolt lug 27 acts upon disconnector 84 by pushing it
portion 146 of hammer 138. down and rotating both disconnector 84 and disconnectorarm
As previously mentioned, closed bolt system with trigger 82, clockwise, about inwardly extending rod member 86, as
assembly 22 can be installed into a fully automatic Subma 65 shown by arrow 226, and tensioning disconnector arm 82
chine gun for converting it to a semi-automatic firing carbine. against disconnector arm tension spring 74 and also disen
By doing so, closed bolt system with trigger assembly 22 gaging disconnector upper top wall 130 from Sear down
US 7.562,614 B2
11 12
wardly depending tip 120. It is noted that at this moment in Having thus described the present invention in the detailed
time, disconnector arm 82 is slightly lifted up from trigger description of the preferred embodiment, what is desired to be
upper portion disconnector arm Support ledge 78. obtained in Letters Patent is:
FIG. 8 illustrates a moment in time where bolt 24 has 1. A closed bolt system with trigger assembly for convert
reached its backward limit but has not yet begun to spring ing a fully automatic firing Submachine gun into a semi
back forward. At his moment, disconnector arm 82 has been automatic firing carbine, the gun having a barrel and a trigger
tensioned against disconnector arm tension spring 74 due to housing, the closed bolt system with trigger assembly com
prising:
disconnector 84 being passed over by bolt lug. 27. Further, a) a bolt having a bolt lug disposed along a bottom side
hammer 138 remains tensioned against hammer tension 10 thereof and an axial bore formed therein, the axial bore
spring 140 due to the position of bolt 24 applying pressure receiving a firing pintensioned by a spring, the firingpin
downward thereupon. However, sear 108 is allowed to rotate, having a tip portion at a front end extendable out of an
counter-clockwise, about selector switch rod portion 162, as open frontend of the bolt and a rear wallata back end for
shown by arrow 228, since searfinger downwardly depending receiving contact by a tensioned hammer, the gun
tip 120 is disengaged from disconnector arm upper top wall 15 receiver enclosing the bolt;
130. Sear 108 rotation is affected by sear spring 124 releasing b) a trigger member inserted within a cavity formed in the
its tensioned State. As a result, Sear foot member upstanding trigger housing, the trigger member having a finger
wall 118 re-engages hammer downwardly depending nipple engagement portion extending through the cavity into a
156 and “re-cocks' hammer 138 to ready fire. trigger area of the trigger housing, the trigger member
Referring to FIG. 9, bolt 24 moves forward in a direction further having an upper portion for Supporting an inte
illustrated by arrow 230, due to recoil spring 46 releasing its gral disconnector system;
tensioned state. However, hammer 138 is prohibited from c) the integral disconnector System including a disconnec
re-striking firing pin 28 at this time due to the nipple 156— tor arm and a disconnector, the disconnector arm having
upstanding wall 118 engagement. Hammer 138 is re-ten an upper top wall affecting the trigger assembly when
Sioned, however, by hammer spring 140 and is considered 25 the finger engagement portion of the trigger member is
“cocked. pulled backwards;
Referring to FIG. 10, pressure upon triggerfinger engage d) a tensioned sear having a finger member in contact with
ment portion 54 is released allowing it to move forward in a the disconnector arm upper top wall and a foot member
direction indicated by arrow 232. In doing such, trigger upper for engaging the hammer,
30
portion 58 is released from its tensioned state causing both e) the hammer having a nipple for engaging the sear foot
trigger spring 66 and disconnector arm tension spring 74 to member, the hammer tensioned by a spring and striking
relax. This causes disconnector arm 82 and disconnector 84 to the firing pin when disengaged from the searfoot mem
rotate, counter-clockwise, about its axis (rod86), as shown by ber;
arrow 234. As disconnector arm 82 rotates, it “resets” by 35
f) a recoil spring positioned rearwardly of the bolt affecting
engaging disconnector arm upper top wall 130 with Sear backward and forward movement of the bolt;
downwardly depending tip 120. Now, gun 10 is ready to fire g) a receiver for enclosing the bolt;
again upon the re-pulling of the trigger. If trigger 50 is not let h) a pivot plate member having first and second inwardly
go, then this “resetting procedure can not occur and accord extending posts;
ingly prohibits sear 108 from disengaging with hammer 138. 40
i) a plurality of apertures formed in left and right sides of
However, it should be appreciated that the entire firing pro the gun trigger housing:
cess, one pull of the trigger and then its release can still j) the trigger member upper portion having a second bore
happen very quickly. In fact, everything that happens as formed therein;
described from FIGS. 5-10 can occur within one second. But k) the hammer having a cylindrical portion and a central
under no circumstances, can a second round be fired without 45 bore formed therethrough; and
first releasing trigger 50 and allowing the “reset of discon 1) the pivot plate first inwardly extending post inserted
nector arm 82 with sear 108. through at least one of the plurality of apertures formed
Referring to FIG. 11, a safety cam 208 is provided. Cam in the gun triggerhousing and securing the trigger mem
208 is a part of rod 202 of safety lever 194. In ready fire (FIGS. ber within the triggerhousing cavity through the trigger
4-10), lever 194 is rotated such that cam 208 does not interfere 50 member upper portion second bore and the pivot plate
with the movement of hammer 138. However, in the safety second inwardly extending post inserted through at least
mode of FIG. 11, cam 208 rotates, counter-clockwise, as one of the plurality of apertures formed in the guntrigger
indicated by arrow 236, and engages a back side 209 of housing and securing the hammer within the trigger
hammer 138. This action draws hammer 138 down upon housing cavity through the hammer central bore.
trigger housing cavity back end 150 and separates hammer 55 2. The closed bolt system with trigger assembly of claim 1,
downwardly depending nipple 156 from searlupstanding wall wherein the bolt re-engages the hammer nipple with the Sear
118. In the safety mode, hammer 138 can not strike firing pin foot member and disengages the searfinger member from the
28. Further, in the safety mode, gun 10 can be disassembled. disconnector arm upper top wall when the bolt moves back
Referring to FIG. 12, semi-auto receiver 238 is shown and wards, the disengagement of the searfinger from the discon
has, in a preferred embodiment, a cavity 240 having a width 60 nector arm upper top wall prohibiting the gun from firing.
of one inch. This accommodates semi-auto bolt 24 and pro 3. The closed bolt system with trigger assembly of claim 2,
hibits a fully automatic bolt from being used therewith. In the wherein the searfinger member re-engages the disconnector
preferred embodiment, semi-auto bolt 24 is between 0.93 to arm upper top wall only after the trigger member finger
0.95 inches. engagement portion is released.
Equivalent elements can be substituted for ones set forth 65 4. The closed bolt system with trigger assembly of claim 1,
herein to achieve the same results in the same way and in the wherein the fully automatic firing Submachinegun is an open
Saale. bolt, blowback cycling weapon.
US 7.562,614 B2
13 14
5. The closed bolt system with trigger assembly of claim 1, an upper top wall affecting the trigger assembly when
further comprising the trigger member including a Support the finger engagement portion of the trigger member is
ledge for positioning the disconnector arm thereupon. pulled backwards;
6. The closed bolt system with trigger assembly of claim 5, d) a tensioned sear having a finger member in contact with
further comprising: 5 the disconnector arm upper top wall and a foot member
a) a front and rear ledge of the trigger member upper for engaging the hammer,
portion; e) the hammer having a nipple for engaging the sear foot
b) a trigger member tension spring mounted below the member, the hammer tensioned by a spring and striking
front ledge and tensioned when the trigger member fin the firing pin when disengaged from the searfoot mem
ger engagement portion is pulled; and 10 ber;
c) a disconnector arm tension spring intermediately dis f) a recoil spring positioned rearwardly of the bolt affecting
posed the second ledge and the Support ledge of the backward and forward movement of the bolt;
trigger member upper portion, the disconnector arm ten g) a receiver for enclosing the bolt;
sion spring tensioning the disconnector arm when the h) a rocker pivot having a rod portion and a notched tip;
bolt blows backwards. 15 i) first and second rocker pivot apertures formed in a left
7. The closed bolt system with trigger assembly of claim 6, and right side, respectively, of the gun trigger housing:
wherein the disconnector arm tension spring un-tensions the j) the sear having a middle portion separating the finger and
disconnector arm only after the finger engagement portion of foot members and a central bore formed therein;
the trigger member is released. k) the rocker pivot rod inserting through the first rocker
8. The closed bolt system with trigger assembly of claim 1, pivot aperture, the sear middle portion central bore and
further comprising the disconnector arm and disconnector the second rocker pivot aperture; and
integrally attached at a common axis, the common axis 1) the rocker pivot notched tip engaging a pivot plate posi
including an inwardly extending rod portion for inserting tioned on an opposed side thereof.
within a first bore formed in the trigger member upper por 15. A closed bolt system with trigger assembly for convert
tion. 25 ing a fully automatic firing Submachine gun into a semi
9. The closed bolt system with trigger assembly of claim 1, automatic firing carbine, the Submachinegun having a barrel,
further comprising the Sear having a downwardly depending a trigger housing and a horizontal plate member for Support
tip of the finger member and an upwardly extending wall of ing a semi-auto receiver, the Submachinegun operating under
the foot member. a blowback cycling system, the closed bolt system with trig
10. The closed bolt system with trigger assembly of claim 30 ger assembly comprising:
9, wherein the semi-automatic carbine is in a ready fire mode a) a bolt having a bolt lug disposed along a bottom side
when the disconnector arm upper top wall engages the sear thereof and an axial bore formed therein, the axial bore
finger member downwardly depending tip. receiving a firing pintensioned by a spring, the firingpin
11. The closed bolt system with trigger assembly of claim having a tip portion at a front end extendable out of an
9, wherein the semi-automatic carbine is prohibited from 35 open frontend of the bolt and a rear wallata back end for
firing a round when the disconnector arm upper top wall is receiving contact by a tensioned hammer,
disengaged from the sear finger member downwardly b) a trigger member inserted within a cavity formed in the
depending tip. trigger housing, the trigger member having a finger
12. The closed bolt system with trigger assembly of claim engagement portion extending through the cavity into a
9, wherein the carbine is cocked and ready to fire when the 40 trigger area of the trigger housing, the trigger member
hammer nipple is engaging the searfoot member upstanding further having an upper portion with a Support ledge for
wall. Supporting an integral disconnector System;
13. The closed bolt system with trigger assembly of claim c) the integral disconnector System including a disconnec
1, further comprising a safety lever having a rod portion tor arm and a disconnector, the disconnector arm having
Supporting a cam, the cam rotatable onto a back side of the 45 an upper top wall affecting the trigger assembly when
hammer for drawing the hammer down and disengaging it the finger engagement portion of the trigger member is
from the sear. pulled backwards, the disconnector arm resting on the
14. A closed bolt system with trigger assembly for convert trigger member upper portion Support ledge;
ing a fully automatic firing Submachine gun into a semi d) a tensioned sear having a finger member in contact with
automatic firing carbine, the gun having a barrel and a trigger 50 the disconnector arm upper top wall and a foot member
housing, the closed bolt system with trigger assembly com for engaging the hammer,
prising: e) the hammer having a nipple for engaging the sear foot
a) a bolt having a bolt lug disposed along a bottom side member, the hammer tensioned by a spring and striking
thereof and an axial bore formed therein, the axial bore the firing pin when disengaged from the searfoot mem
receiving a firing pintensioned by a spring, the firingpin 55 ber; and
having a tip portion at a front end extendable out of an f) a recoil spring positioned rearwardly of the bolt affecting
open frontend of the bolt and arear wallata back end for backward and forward movement of the bolt;
receiving contact by a tensioned hammer, the gun g) a spring guide mounted behind the recoil spring to
receiver enclosing the bolt; prohibit the recoil spring from wading up when in a
b) a trigger member inserted within a cavity formed in the 60 tensioned State;
trigger housing, the trigger member having a finger h) a semi-auto receiver enclosing the bolt over the trigger
engagement portion extending through the cavity into a housing when attached to the horizontal plate member of
trigger area of the trigger housing, the trigger member the trigger housing:
further having an upper portion for Supporting an inte i) a pivot plate member having first and second inwardly
gral disconnector system; 65 extending posts;
c) the integral disconnector System including a disconnec j) a plurality of apertures formed in left and right sides of
tor arm and a disconnector, the disconnector arm having the gun trigger housing:
US 7.562,614 B2
15 16
k) the trigger member upper portion having a second bore c) the sear having a middle portion separating the finger
formed therein; and foot members and a central bore formed therein;
1) the hammer having a cylindrical portion and a central d) the rocker pivot rod portion inserting through the first
bore formed therethrough; and rocker pivot aperture, the Sear middle portion central
m) the pivot plate first inwardly extending post inserted 5 bore and the second rocker pivot aperture; and
through at least one of the plurality of apertures formed e) the rocker pivot notched tip engaging a pivot plate dis
in the gun triggerhousing and Securing the trigger mem posed on an opposed side therefrom.
ber within the trigger housing cavity through the trigger 20. The closed bolt system with trigger assembly of claim
member upper portion second bore and the pivot plate 15, further comprising:
second inwardly post inserted through at least one of the 10 a) a front and rear ledge of the trigger member upper
plurality of apertures formed in the gun trigger housing portion;
and securing the hammer within the trigger housing b) a trigger member tension spring mounted below the
cavity through the hammer central bore. front ledge and tensioned when the trigger member fin
16. The closed bolt system with trigger assembly of claim ger engagement portion is pulled; and
15, wherein the submachine gun is a Thompson Submachine 15 c) a disconnector arm tension spring intermediately dis
Gun
17. The closed bolt system with trigger assembly of claim posed the second ledge and Support ledge of the trigger
15, further comprising the disconnector arm and disconnector member upper portion, the disconnector arm tension
integrally attached at a common axis, the common axis spring tensioning the disconnector arm when the bolt
including an inwardly extending rod portion for inserting blows backwards.
within a first bore formed in the trigger member upper por 21. The closed bolt system with trigger assembly of claim
tion. 20, wherein the disconnector arm tension spring un-tensions
18. The closed bolt system with trigger assembly of claim the disconnector armonly after the finger engagement portion
15, further comprising the sear having a downwardly depend of the trigger member is released.
ing tip of the finger member and an upwardly extending wall 25 22. The closed bolt system with trigger assembly of claim
of the foot member. 15, further comprising a safety lever having a rod portion
19. The closed bolt system with trigger assembly of claim Supporting a cam, the cam rotatable onto a back side of the
15, further comprising: hammer for drawing the hammer down and disengaging it
a) a rocker pivot having a rod portion and a notched tip; from the sear.
b) first and second rocker pivot apertures formed in a left 30
and right side, respectively, of the gun trigger housing: