Trigger-cycled firearm

Abstract

Trigger-cycled firearms have a frame, a barrel, a bolt assembly connected to the frame in registration with the barrel and operable to reciprocate between a retracted position and a forward battery position, a trigger lever connected to the frame and operable to move between a forward rest position and a rearward actuated position, and the trigger lever operably connected to the bolt to move the bolt from the forward battery position to the retracted position and to release the bolt to the forward battery position and discharge the firearm in response to movement of the trigger lever from the forward rest position to the rearward actuated position when the bolt is in the forward position. There may be a connector bar pivotally connected to the frame and operably engaged to the bolt assembly and to the trigger lever. The connector bar may be slidably connected to the bolt assembly.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A firearm comprising:
 a frame;   a barrel;   a bolt assembly connected to the frame in registration with the barrel and operable to reciprocate between a retracted position and a forward battery position;   a trigger lever connected to the frame and operable to move between a forward rest position and a rearward actuated position; and   the trigger lever operably connected to the bolt to discharge the firearm in response to movement of the trigger lever from the forward rest position to the rearward actuated position when the bolt is in the forward battery position.   
     
     
         2 . The firearm of  claim 1  wherein the bolt assembly includes a bolt carrier and a bolt movable axially with respect to the bolt carrier between a retracted position and an extended position, and wherein the bolt assembly includes a firing element operable to discharge the firearm when the bolt is in the retracted position, and inoperable to discharge the firearm when the bolt is in the extended position. 
     
     
         3 . The firearm of  claim 2  including a safety element movable between a safe condition in which the safety element prevents movement of the bolt from the extended position to the retracted position, and a live condition in which movement of the bolt from the extended position to the retracted position is enabled. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm of  claim 3  wherein the safety element is operably connected to the trigger to remain in the safe condition while the trigger in in the rest position and in intermediate positions between the rest position and the actuated position, and the safety element is in the live condition when the trigger lever is in the actuated position. 
     
     
         5 . The firearm of  claim 3  including a charging handle operably engaged to the bolt assembly and operable to cycle the bolt assembly, and wherein the safety element is operably engaged to the charging handle.