Firearm trigger assembly and method

Abstract

Provided are systems and methods related to firearm trigger assemblies. An open design trigger assembly is provided to allow easier access to the trigger action. The trigger assembly is preferably an override trigger assembly, which may include adjustable trigger travel limiter and trigger bias force. Methods according to the present invention include a first step of removing either a direct-pull or a closed design trigger assembly from a firearm and replacing such removed assembly with an open design override trigger assembly.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of modifying a firearm, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a firearm having a firing pin and a first trigger assembly configured to cooperate with the firing pin to maintain the firing pin in a cocked position;   removing the first trigger assembly from the firearm; and   installing a second trigger assembly on the firearm, the second trigger assembly comprising:
 a first lever extending between a first lever first end and a first lever second end and including a second-lever engagement means, wherein the first lever is pivotable about a first lever axis and the first lever is biased in a first rotational direction about the first lever axis; 
 a second lever extending between a second lever first end and a second lever second end and including a protrusion extending therefrom, wherein the second lever is pivotable about a second lever axis and the second lever is biased in a second rotational direction about the second lever axis, and further wherein the second lever axis is at least substantially parallel with the first lever axis; and 
 a third lever extending between a third lever first end and a third lever second end and including a lower rocker surface and an upper pin surface, wherein the third lever is pivotable about a third lever axis, wherein the third lever axis is at least substantially parallel to the first lever axis; 
 wherein the second-lever engagement means rests in contact with the protrusion to prevent rotation of the second lever opposite the second rotational direction, and the third lever is prevented from rotating in a third rotational direction about the third lever axis by the contact of the lower rocker surface with the second lever. 
   
     
     
         2 . A method of modifying a firearm, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a firearm having a firing pin and a first trigger assembly configured to cooperate with the firing pin to maintain the firing pin in a cocked position;   removing the first trigger assembly from the firearm; and   installing a second trigger assembly on the firearm, the second trigger assembly comprising an open trigger design.   
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , the second trigger assembly consisting essentially of:
 a first lever extending between a first lever first end and a first lever second end and including a second-lever engagement means, wherein the first lever is pivotable about a first lever axis and the first lever is biased in a first rotational direction by a first biasing member about the first lever axis;   a second lever extending between a second lever first end and a second lever second end and including a protrusion extending therefrom, wherein the second lever is pivotable about a second lever axis and the second lever is biased in a second rotational direction about the second lever axis by a second biasing member, and further wherein the second lever axis is at least substantially parallel with the first lever axis;   a third lever extending between a third lever first end and a third lever second end and including a lower rocker surface and an upper pin surface, wherein the third lever is pivotable about a third lever axis, wherein the third lever axis is at least substantially parallel to the first lever axis; and   a support bracket having means for coupling the second trigger assembly to the firearm, wherein the first lever is pivotably mounted to the support bracket by a first bearing disposed coaxial with the first lever axis, the second lever is pivotably mounted to the support bracket by a second bearing disposed coaxial with the second lever axis, and the third lever is pivotably mounted to the support bracket by a third bearing disposed coaxial with the third lever axis,   
       wherein the second-lever engagement means rests in contact with the protrusion to prevent rotation of the second lever opposite the second rotational direction, and the third lever is prevented from rotating in a third rotational direction about the third lever axis by the contact of the lower rocker surface with the second lever. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the second trigger assembly comprises a first override trigger assembly and the first trigger assembly comprises a second override trigger assembly or a direct pull trigger assembly. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the removing step comprises removing the first trigger assembly from an action receiver portion of the firearm and wherein the installing step is performed after the removing step and further wherein the installing step is completed without modification of the action receiver.