US2865127A - Trigger finger rest for firearms - Google Patents

Description

1958 T. J. FINNEGAN 2,365,127

TRIGGER FINGER REST FOR FIREARMS Filed Sept. 12. 1955 INVENTOR 5 I THOMAS J. FINNEGAN I 64 57 W PM ATTORNEYS TRIGGER FINGER REST FOR FIREARMS Thomas J. Finnegan, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor of one-half to Robert Swan, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application September 12, 1955, Serial No. 533,731

4 Claims. (Cl. 42-69) This invention has to do generally with firearms and more particularly with means for providing a rest or support on a firearm adjacent the trigger against which a person can place the end portion of this trigger finger to steady the same and enable him to more easily gradually squeeze the trigger.

It is well known that, in the use of firearms accurate marksmanship depends to a large extent upon the ability of the gunner to gradually squeeze the trigger of the gun, since a rapid pull or jerk of the trigger will adversely affect the alignment of the gun with the target. It is diflicult for even the experienced marksman always to gradually squeeze the trigger. Apart from the psychological reasons for causing a person to jerk the trigger, one reason why it is difficult to gradually squeeze the trigger is the fact that there is no support or rest against which a person can place the trigger finger to steady it.

Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide novel means on a firearm for assisting the gunner to properly squeeze the trigger to fire the gun.

More particularly, it is an object to provide a rest or support adjacent the trigger and laterally thereof against which a person can place the end of his trigger finger to steady the same and enable him to gradually squeeze the trigger.

A further object is to provide a rest or support for the finger of the nature indicated which is adjustable so that it can be fitted to the individual.

Still another object is to provide a device of the type indicated in the nature of an attachment which can be applied to the trigger guard of a firearm.

These and other objects will be apparent from the drawing and the following description.

Referring to the drawing, which is for illustrative purposes only;

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a portion of a rifle showing a device embodying the invention attached thereto;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 22 of Fig. 1 with a persons trigger finger imposed thereon;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the side of the device opposite that shown in Fig. l, the direction of the view being indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the device alone;

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view of the device;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing an alternate form of the invention attached to another type of trigger guard; and

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the device and trigger guard of Fig. 6 taken in the direction of line 77 of Fig. 6.

More particularly describing the invention, numeral ll generally indicates a rifle upon which is shown mounted a device 12 embodying the invention.

The rifle is shown provided with a lever 14 used for cooking the trigger mechanism and for operating the shell ejection and advancing means of the gun. The lever 14 States Patent or face 21 which is shown as fiat but need not necessarily be so. The body may be variously shaped rearwardly of face 21, the one illustrated being provided with a curved and tapering outer surface 22 and with a flat inner surface 23. The body is recessed at 25 and provided with a slot 26 which extends longitudinally or in a direction substantially normal to the forward face 21. The recess 25 is wider than the slot thereby providing a shoulder 28 around the slot for engagement by the head of a retaining member, such as the screw 30.

The body 20 is adjustably mounted upon a bracket des ignated generally by 32. This may comprise the two complementary, plate- like members 33 and 34 which are adapted to be positioned on opposite sides of a portion of the trigger guard 15 in clamping engagement therewith. The members 33 and 34 preferably present fiat inner surfaces 33' and 34 respectively for engagement with the sides of the trigger member and at the forward edge of these an inwardly extending lip or projection 36 which may be curved to the approximate curvature of the portion of the trigger guard upon which the device is mounted. The two members 33 and 34 are secured by a screw 40 which passes through a bore 41 in member 33 and is mounted in a threaded bore 42 in the member 34. Each of the members 33 and 34 is provided with an inwardly extending boss 44 about the bore therethrough.

The body member 20 is adjustably mounted upon the bracket 32 by means of the aforementioned screw 30 which is mounted in a threaded bore 46 in member 34. The body 20 is shown mounted and adjusted so that the face 21 is approximately laterally opposite the forward face of the trigger 16. However, some persons may prefer to adjust the body 20 so that the face 21 will be slightly forward while others may prefer it slightly rearward of the forward surface of the trigger, this being a matter of personal preference.

In the use of the device, the trigger finger which is shown in broken lines in Fig. 2, is positioned so that the inner side of the end portion of the finger rests against the face 21. With the tip or forefinger so supported, it will be apparent that the user of the gun may gradually squeeze the trigger without any sudden jerking or pulling movement since the finger is steadied and has a support against which to worl. It is significant that the rest provides a new fulcrum point for the finger with the result that the finger need no longer be pivoted solely from the second joint of the finger as has heretofore been the case. The rest thus prevents the entire finger being jerked as well as enabling a gradual controlled movement thereof against the trigger. It will be apparent that the finger rest described also can do much to prevent the psychological causes of a person jerking or pulling the trigger, as by flinching or the like, since the user of the firearm gains confidence from the fact that he can place the forward portion of his finger against a solid and steady support.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I show another form of the invention wherein a finger rest is mounted directly upon the trigger guard. Referring to these figures the firearm designated by 50 is shown having a trigger guard 51 for the trigger 52. The guard is enlarged at 53 and provided with a threaded bore 54. In this form of the invention the body member or finger rest device is generally indicated by 55 and comprises a member of the same general shape as the previously described body 20. Member 55 has a forward face 56 adapted to be placed in laterally spaced relation to the trigger 52. It also has a curved outer surface 57, although the shape of this is not critical, and an inner flat surface 58 which intersects the forward face 56.

The body 55 is also recessed at 60 and slotted at 61 to receive a headed screw 64 which is directly mounted in the threaded bore 54 of the trigger guard. It will be apparent that the finger re'st body 55 can be adjustably mounted on the trigger guard so that it can be positioned as shown or slightly forwardly or rearwardly thereof to suit the preference of the user of the firearm and that it is only necessary to loosen the screw 64 to make the adjustment and then retighten the screw.

The device is used in the same manner as the one previously described.

Although I have shown and described preferred forms of my invention, I contemplate that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as indicated by the claims and in this connection while I have shown the device as an attachment or accessory for a gun, it is within the scope of the invention to make a finger re'st integral with and as a part of the trigger guard itself.

I claim:

1. A finger rest for a firearm having a trigger and a trigger guard, comprising a body providing a forward face for positioning laterally of the guard and laterally opposite the trigger, a pair of complementary members adapted to engage opposite sides of the trigger guard, screw means connecting said members and adapted for securely clamping the same to the trigger guard, said body having a slot therethrough extending substantially normal to said forward face, and a headed screw extending through said slot and threadedly mounted in one of said members.

2. finger rest for a firearm having a trigger and a trigger guard, comprising a body providing a forward face for positioning laterally of the guard and laterally opposite the trigger, a bracket detachably secured to said trigger guard, and means mounting said body on said bracket, said means comprising a slot in said body and a headed screw extending through said slot and threadedly mounted in said bracket.

3. In a firearm having a trigger and a trigger guard, a finger rest, and means cooperating with the guard for adjustably securing the finger rest thereto to extend laterally therefrom, said finger rest presenting a forwardly facing surface which may be fixed in a position forwardly of, in alignment with or rearwardly of the forward surface of the trigger by reason of said adjustable securing means.

4. In a firearm having a trigger and a trigger guard, a finger rest, and means cooperating with the guard for adjustably securing the finger rest thereto to extend laterally therefrom, said finger rest presenting a forwardly facing surface which may be fixed in a position forwardly of, in alignment with or rearwardly of the forward surface of the trigger by reason of said adjustable securing means, said means for adjustably securing the,

finger rest to the guard including a member fixed on said guard, and'means on said member for movably supporting and locking said finger rest thereon in adjusted position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 170,988 Chillingworth Dec. 14, 1875 1,703,464 Wilshire Feb. 26, 1929 2,063,476 Wilson Dec. 8, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS- 20,813 Germany Jan. 25, 1883 136,976 Germany Dec. 30, 1902

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