Trigger/disconnector assembly for AR-7 survival rifle

Abstract

A method for retrofitting a rifle having an integral trigger/disconnector. The method comprises the steps of: removing the integral trigger/disconnector; and installing an assembly comprising a spring-loaded disconnector and a trigger in place of the integral trigger/disconnector. The spring-loaded disconnector is able to move to the rear when contacted by the hammer to allow the hammer to pass, and then quickly return to its forward position so as to capture the hammer.

1 . An AR-7 rifle having a firing mechanism comprising: a hammer that pivots on a first pivot pin, a trigger that pivots on a second pivot pin; said trigger comprising a sear that holds said hammer in a first captured rearward position before the rifle is fired; a first spring that causes said hammer to pivot forward when said hammer is released from said first captured rearward position, and a disconnector coupled to said trigger in a manner that allows said disconnector to displace relative to said trigger, said disconnector comprising a hook that captures said hammer in a second captured rearward position during recoil after the rifle has been fired.  
   
   
       2 . The rifle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said trigger comprises mutually parallel first and second walls and a recess therebetween, said disconnector being slidably seated in said recess of said trigger.  
   
   
       3 . The rifle as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said trigger comprises a first hole in said first wall and a second hole in said second wall, said first and second holes being aligned, and a pin mounted in said first and second holes, and said disconnector further comprises a base with a slot formed therein, said pin passing through said slot in said disconnector, said slot having a length greater than a diameter of said pin.  
   
   
       4 . The rifle as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising a second spring arranged to urge said disconnector to slide in a forward direction.  
   
   
       5 . The rifle as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said disconnector further comprises first and second rearward projections, said second spring being seated between said first and second projections.  
   
   
       6 . A method for retrofitting a rifle having an integral trigger/disconnector, comprising the steps of: 
 removing the integral trigger/disconnector; and    installing an assembly comprising a disconnector and a trigger in place of the integral trigger/disconnector, the disconnector being displaceable relative to the trigger.    
   
   
       7 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising the following steps performed before said installing step: 
 coupling the disconnector to the trigger in a manner that allows the disconnector to displace relative to the trigger along an axis; and    inserting a compression spring between a portion of the disconnector and a portion of the trigger, the spring exerting a force that urges the disconnector to displace relative to the trigger in one direction along the axis.    
   
   
       8 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the disconnector coupled to the trigger is substantially not rotatable relative to the trigger.  
   
   
       9 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said coupling step comprises inserting a portion of the disconnector in a recess formed in the trigger, passing a pin through circular holes in the trigger and through a slot in the disconnector, and securing the pin relative to the trigger.  
   
   
       10 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the rifle is an AR-7 model rifle.  
   
   
       11 . A method for installing a firing mechanism in an AR-7 model rifle, comprising the steps of: 
 making a trigger having a rearward portion with a recess bounded on opposing sides by first and second walls, the first and second walls having first and second apertures respectively, the first and second apertures being aligned with each other;    making a disconnector having a slot that will overlap the first and second apertures when a bottom portion of the disconnector is inserted into the recess with a predetermined positional relationship;    inserting the bottom portion of the disconnector into the recess with said predetermined positional relationship;    inserting a pin through the first and second apertures and the slot; and    installing the coupled disconnector/trigger in a receiver of an AR-7 model rifle.    
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the disconnector is designed to capture the rifle's hammer during recoil.  
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the disconnector is designed to slide in the recess with substantially no rotation relative to the trigger.  
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising the step of removing an integral disconnector/trigger from the receiver before said installing step.  
   
   
       15 . An assembly comprising: 
 a trigger having a rearward portion with a recess bounded on opposing sides by first and second walls and having a flat bottom, said first and second walls having first and second apertures respectively, said first and second apertures having the same diameter and being aligned with each other;    a disconnector having a bottom portion inserted in said recess in said rearward portion of said trigger, said disconnector having a slot that overlaps said first and second apertures, said slot having a length greater than said diameter of said first and second apertures, said disconnector comprising a bottom straight edge running parallel to a length direction of said slot;    a retainer pin that passes through said first and second apertures and said slot, and projects beyond said first and second walls on respective sides of said rearward portion, and    a coil spring seated at one end against a portion of said trigger and seated at the other end against a portion of said disconnector, said coil spring urging said disconnector to displace in said recess relative to said trigger.