USOO8459172B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8.459,172 B2

Landies et al. (45) Date of Patent: *Jun. 11, 2013
(54) M249 RFLE WITH SELECT FIRE (58) Field of Classification Search
MECHANISM FOR SELECTIVE USPC ............... 89/128, 132, 139, 140,141, 129.01
FULLY AUTOMATIC AND See application file for complete search history.
SEMI-AUTOMATIC OPERATION
(56) References Cited
(75) Inventors: Robert I. Landies, Chardon, OH (US);
Thomas M. Hardman, Chesterland, OH U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
(US); Daniel L. Albright, Chardon, OH 4,023.465 A * 5/1977 Inskip ............................. 89,131
(US); Joshua G. Hershberger, Concord 4,448,109 A * 5/1984 Johnson .. ... 89,141
Township, OH (US) 5,623,114 A * 4/1997 Soper .............................. 89.141
5,760,328 A * 6/1998 Robbins . 89.129.02
(73) Assignee: Ohio Ordnance Works, Inc., Chardon, 6,125,735 A * 10/2000 Guhring .......................... 89.141
7,600,338 B2 * 10/2009 Geissele ............ ... 42.69.03
OH (US) 7,654,187 B2 * 2/2010 Hochstrate et al. ............. 89.142
7,806,039 B1 * 10/2010 Gomez ........................... 89,132
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 7,895,933 B2 * 3/2011 Quis ....... 89,139
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 7.950,178 B1* 5/2011 Landies et al. . 42.69.01
U.S.C. 154(b) by 249 days. 8,047,119 B2 * 1 1/2011 Hochstrate et al. ............. 89.142
8,087.343 B2 * 1/2012 Landies et al. .................. 89.140
This patent is Subject to a terminal dis 2007/005 1236 A1 3/2007 Groves et al. ................... 89.142
claimer. 2007/0266845 A1* 11/2007 Polston ........................... 89/139
2011/O146484 A1* 6, 2011 Landies et al. .................. 89/128
2011/O168008 A1* 7, 2011 Landies et al. .................. 89/128
(21) Appl. No.: 13/023,083 2012/0279384 A1* 11/2012 Hochstrate et al. ............. 89.142

(22) Filed: Feb. 8, 2011 * cited by examiner

(65) Prior Publication Data Primary Examiner — Benjamin P Lee
US 2012/0144992 A1 Jun. 14, 2012 (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Renner Kenner Greive
Bobak Taylor & Weber
Related U.S. Application Data
(57) ABSTRACT
(60) Provisional application No. 61/302.335, filed on Feb.
8, 2010. A trigger assembly for a trigger housing for a, M249 fully
automatic rifle is provided having a Switch accessible at the
(51) Int. C. outside of the trigger housing for changing the firing of the
F4 LA 9/33 (2006.01) rifle between semi-automatic and fully-automatic fire.
(52) U.S. C.
USPC .................................. 89/140; 89/132: 89/128 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets

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U.S. Patent Jun. 11, 2013 Sheet 1 of 5 US 8.459,172 B2
U.S. Patent Jun. 11, 2013 US 8.459,172 B2

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 US 8,459,172 B2
1. 2
M249 RFLE WITH SELECT FIRE assembly of this invention includes a sear pivotally mounted
MECHANISM FOR SELECTIVE to the triggerhousing, the Sear providing a sear tip and a latch
FULLY AUTOMATIC AND end. A sear spring of the trigger assembly biases the Sear to
SEMI-AUTOMATIC OPERATION pivot to position the sear tip in the path of the op rod assembly
when the triggerhousing is engaged with the receiver and the
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED trigger assembly is unactuated. The trigger assembly further
APPLICATION includes a trigger pivotally mounted to the trigger housing,
and a disconnector pivotally connected to the trigger. The
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional 10
disconnector provides a ramped surface and a catch end that
Patent Application No. 61/302.335, filed on Feb. 8, 2010, the is adapted to engage the latch end of the sear. The trigger
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. assembly further includes a select fire mechanism including a
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Switch that is accessible outside of the trigger housing and
selectively movable between a fully automatic firing position
This invention relates to an M249 machinegun including a 15 and a semi automatic firing position, and a selector body is
select fire mechanism that permits the gun to be selectively associated with the switch. The selector body includes a fully
automatic selector Surface and a semi-automatic selector Sur
operated to be either fully automatic or semiautomatic. face, and moving the Switch between the fully automatic
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION firing position and the semi-automatic firing position also
moves the selector body between a fully automatic firing
This invention provides a select fire mechanism for an position and a semi-automatic firing position. A disconnector
M249 automatic rifle that permits the rifle to be operated to be spring biases the disconnector toward the Searand the selector
either fully automatic or semi-automatic. The trigger assem body, and actuating the trigger assembly draws the ramped
bly of this invention replaces what would be the typical trig Surface of the disconnector against the selector body and,
ger assembly of the M249, which effects fully automatic fire. 25 when the Switch is in the fully-automatic firing position, the
The replacement of the standard M249 trigger assembly with ramped surface is drawn against the fully-automatic selector
the trigger assembly of this invention permits the rifle to be Surface and, when the lever is moved to the semi-automatic
operated to be either fully automatic or semi-automatic firing position, the ramped Surface is drawn against the semi
according a selection made by the shooter. automatic selector surface. When the ramped surface is drawn
In the M249 fully automatic rifle, the sear, which is part of 30 against the fully-automatic selector Surface, the catch end of
the trigger assembly, holds back a spring-loaded operation the disconnector engages the latch end of the sear and pulls
rod assembly (herein “op rod assembly’), which is retained in thereon so as to pivot the sear tip out of the path of the op rod
the receiver, and pulling on the trigger pulls the sear out of assembly and remain out of the path until the trigger is
engagement with the op rod assembly, thus permitting the op released, and, when the ramped surface is drawn against the
rod assembly to move under the influence of the spring acting 35 semi-automatic selector Surface, the catch end of the discon
upon the op rod assembly. Once released, the op rod moves nector engages the latch end of the sear and pulls thereon So
forward and cycles internal Striking mechanisms that cause a as to pivot the sear tip out of the path of the op rod assembly
cartridge to be fired. Thereafter, expanding gases from the and thereafter disengages such that the Searpivots on the Sear
ignition of powder in the cartridge furnish the energy for the spring to again extend into the path of the op rod assembly
continued fully automatic operation or cycling of the rifle. 40 after a single firing of the M249 Assault Rifle.
Immediately after firing, as the bullet traverses the barrel In a particular embodiment, the Switch is a lever connected
and passes an internal gas port prior to exiting from the to the selector body, and the selector body is a longitudinal
muzzle, the live gases expand through appropriate ports to member having a longitudinal axis about which the longitu
force the op rod assembly back against the bias of the spring dinal member rotates as the lever is moved. In this particular
that forces the op rod assembly toward the cartridge chamber. 45 embodiment, the selector body includes a clearance cut defin
This loads the spring, and, once the pressure of the expanding ing a peripheral contact surface and a clearance cut Surface.
gases dissipates, the spring again forces the op rod assembly The peripheral contact Surface serves as the semi-automatic
forward to fire another round. So long as the trigger remains selector Surface in this embodiment, and the clearance cut
pulled, the sear remains out of the path of the op rod assembly, Surface serves as the fully-automatic selector Surface.
and the rifle continues to fire until the ammunition is 50
exhausted. If the trigger is released, the Sear moves back into BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
the path of the op rod assembly, stopping the same and hold
ing it in a spring-loaded position from which it can fire FIG. 1 is a side view of a select fire trigger assembly in
another round upon a Subsequent Squeezing of the trigger. accordance with this invention, showing the external grip
Because fully automatic fire is not always needed and not 55 portion and a lever that permits the selection of the type of
always desired, there is a need in the art for a rifle that includes firing;
a select fire mechanism permitting the rifle to be selectively FIG. 2 is a side view, as in FIG. 1, showing the internal
operated as a fully automatic firearm or a semi automatic components of the select fire trigger assembly through the
firearm. exterior of the trigger housing, the components being shown
60 in semi-auto mode, with the trigger at rest;
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of the detail identified in FIG.
2 as Detail 2A;
The present invention generally provides a trigger assem FIG. 3 is side view, as in FIG. 2, the components being
bly fitted to a trigger housing that is adapted to engage a shown in semi-auto mode, with the trigger pulled to the posi
receiver for an M249 Assault Rifle. As known for the M249 65 tion where the sear releases from the disconnector;
Assault Rifle, the receiver carries an op rod assembly that FIG. 4 is a side view, as in FIGS. 2 and 3, the components
reciprocates within the receiver to fire the rifle. The trigger being shown in full-auto mode, with the trigger at rest;
 US 8,459,172 B2
3 4
FIG. 5 is a side view, as in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the compo and a fully automatic firing position (shown in phantom in
nents being shown in full-auto mode, with the trigger pulled FIG. 1, where the lever 162 points to “full’). The lever 162 is
and the Sear remaining associated with the disconnector. accessible at the exterior of the trigger housing 141 so that it
can be moved between these positions. As their names imply,
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE when the lever 162 is moved to the semi-automatic firing
EMBODIMENTS position, the trigger assembly 140 will function to permit a
single cycling of the op rod assembly, and hence semi-auto
This invention relates to the M249 Automatic Rifle, Caliber matic firing, when the trigger 142 is squeezed, and, when the
5.56x45mm, including known model variations. Particularly lever 162 is moved to the fully-automatic firing position, the
it relates to the conversion of an M249 to provide the same 10 trigger assembly 140 will function to permit continuous
with a mechanism to selectively cause the rifle to fire in either cycling of the op rod assembly, and hence fully-automatic
a fully automatic or semi-automatic mode. This “conversion' firing, so long as the trigger 142 remains pulled.
may be in the form of replacing the trigger assembly of an With reference to FIGS. 2-5, the select fire mechanism 160
M249 with a trigger assembly in accordance with this inven alters the functioning of the trigger assembly 140 by means of
tion, or might be in the form of creating an M249 from scratch 15 a selector body 164, which is connected to the lever 162 so as
having select fire capabilities. to rotate when the lever 162 is pivoted between the semi- and
In the present invention, a select fire trigger assembly pro fully-automatic firing positions. The selector body 164 is
vides the desired select fire mechanism. Relevant portions of positioned between the disconnector 146 and the sear 154,
the select fire trigger assembly are shown in FIGS. 1-5. The and serves as a stop for both the disconnector 146, as its
select fire trigger assembly 140 is provided in a triggerhous ramped surface 166 is pushed against the selector body 164
ing 141 that connects to an M249 receiver to communicate by disconnector spring 150, and the sear 154, as its front end
with the M249 striking mechanisms. The trigger housing 141 168 is forced against the selector body 164, about sear pin
connects to the receiver (known, not shown) so that the trigger 170, by the sear spring 156. The selector body 164 includes a
assembly 140 can communicate with an op rod assembly clearance cut 172, which defines a peripheral contact surface
(known, not shown) retained within the receiver. The trigger 25 174 and an inset contact surface 176 (see FIG. 2A), and it is
assembly 140 can be manipulated to allow or prevent the this clearance cut 172 that is repositioned by movement of the
reciprocation of the op rod assembly and hence allow or lever 162 to bring about the desire firing, semi or full auto
prevent firing. matic.
The select fire trigger assembly 140 includes a trigger 142 In FIGS. 2 and 3, the trigger assembly 140 is shown in the
that is pivotally carried on a trigger pin 144. The crescent 30 semi-automatic firing position. In FIG. 2, the trigger 142 is at
portion of the trigger 142 is below the pivot point established rest, whereas, in FIG. 3, the trigger 142 has been pulled to the
by the trigger pin 144, but the body of the trigger 142 extends point where the sear tip 158 is outside of the path 200 of the
above that pivot point to interact with a disconnector 146 sear ledge of the op rod assembly such that the sear tip 158
pivotally secured to the trigger 142 by a disconnector pin 148. releases the op rod assembly for reciprocation. The select fire
The disconnector 146 is biased by a disconnector spring 150 35 mechanism 160 is thus in the semi-automatic firing position.
to engage a latch end 152 of a sear 154. The disconnector In this position, the ramped surface 166 of the disconnector
spring 150 is a compression spring acting between a mount 146 faces the selector body 164 with the selector body 164
143 on the trigger 142 and a mount 147 on the disconnector positioned between the front end 168 of the sear 154 and the
146 and applies force between the two such that the discon sloped surface. When the trigger 142 is pulled, as shown, the
nector 146 is forced against the sear 154 and/or a selector 40 disconnector 146 is pulled forwardly at disconnector pin 148
body 164. It should be noted that, in FIGS. 2-5, the discon pulling the ramped surface 166 of the disconnector 146
nector spring 150 is shown as being slightly off of the mount against the peripheral contact surface 174 of the selector body
147 merely as a result of the program employed to create the 164, thus forcing the disconnector 146 to also move down
figures, and it should be appreciated that the mount 147 wardly against the disconnector spring 150. Notably, the
provides the area of receipt for the end of the disconnector 45 clearance cut 172 is not engaged by the ramped surface 166,
spring 150 that is opposite the end secured at the mount 143 rather, the ramped Surface 166 engages the peripheral contact
on the trigger 142. The pulling of the trigger 142 (rightward in Surface 174, thus bringing about a larger downward move
the drawings) causes the disconnector 146 to be pulled for ment than would be achieved if the ramped surface 166
ward and interact with the sear 154 and the selector body 164 engaged the inset contact surface 176. The forward and down
as will be described more fully below. 50 ward movement causes the catch end 178 of the disconnector
The sear 154 is itself biased for limited rotational move 146 to pull on the latch end 152 of the sear 154, thus causing
ment by a sear spring 156. The sear spring 156 is shown as a the sear 154 to pivot about the searpin 170 until the sear tip
torsion spring, being wound about a sear spring pin 155 and 158 is made to disconnect from the sear ledge of the op rod,
having one end extending to act upon the sear 154 and another thus leading to the firing of a cartridge. The sear tip 158 pivots
end extending to act upon a sear spring stop pin 157. Though 55 downwardly, out of the path 200 of the op rod assembly and
a torsion spring is a preferred spring due to the force it can thus out of engagement with the searledge provided on the op
impart against the sear154, other springs could be mounted in rod assembly. At Substantially the same time, the disconnec
the trigger housing 141 to function in a similar manner. The tor 146 disconnects from the sear 154, as shown right at the
sear 154 provides a sear tip 158 that, at rest (FIG. 1), extends point of sear release, represented at 180 in FIG. 3.
above the top boundary of the trigger housing 141 so that, 60 After this disconnection, the sear 154 is able to move
when the triggerhousing 141 is connected to a receiver for an independently of the trigger 142, under the influence of the
M249 Rifle, it can engage a searledge provided on the op rod sear spring 156, to again extend into the path 200 of the op rod
assembly, as generally known. assembly and catch the Sear ledge as it travels back under the
The select fire trigger assembly 140 includes a select fire influence of the expanding gases from the firing of the car
mechanism 160 that provides a lever 162 to be moved 65 tridge. The selector body 164 provides a stop for the pivoting
between a semi-automatic firing position (shown at the work of the sear 154 under the influence of the sear spring 156, and
“semi' in FIG. 1, though the “s” is covered by the lever 162) the sear 154 returns to its rest position. At the rest position, the
 US 8,459,172 B2
5 6
sear 154 can be reengaged with the trigger 142, at the discon receiver carrying an op rod assembly that reciprocates within
nector 146, when the trigger 142 is released. Then the trigger the receiver to fire the rifle, the trigger assembly comprising:
142 can be pulled again to fire another cartridge, and so on. (a) a searpivotally mounted to the triggerhousing, the Sear
Thus, in the semi-automatic firing position, the selector body providing:
164 is positioned to cause a complete disengagement of the (i) a sear tip, and
disconnector 146 from the Sear 154, permitting the Sear spring (ii) a latch end;
156 to return the sear 154 to a position to engage the searledge (b) a sear spring biasing said Sear to pivot to position said
of the op rod assembly and thus halt firing after the firing of sear tip in the path of the op rod assembly when the
one cartridge. trigger housing is engaged with the receiver and the
In FIGS. 4 and 5, the trigger assembly 140 is shown in the 10
trigger assembly is unactuated;
fully-automatic firing position. In FIG. 4, the trigger 142 is at (c) a trigger pivotally mounted to the trigger housing:
rest, whereas, in FIG. 5, the trigger 142 has been pulled to the (d) a disconnector pivotally connected to said trigger, said
disconnector providing:
point where the sear tip 158 is outside of the path 200 of the (i) a ramped surface, and
sear ledge and op rod assembly such that the sear tip 158 (ii) a catch end adapted to engage said latch end of said
releases the op rod assembly for reciprocation. The select fire 15
Sear,
mechanism 160 is thus in the fully-automatic firing position. (e) a select fire mechanism including:
In this position, the ramped surface 166 of the disconnector (i) a Switch accessible outside of the triggerhousing and
146 faces the selector body 164 with the selector body 164 selectively movable between a fully automatic firing
positioned between the front end 168 of the sear 154 and the position and a semi automatic firing position,
sloped Surface. But in contradistinction to the positioning (ii) a selector body including a fully-automatic selector
shown in the semi-automatic firing position, the selector body Surface and a semi-automatic selector Surface, said
164 has been rotated by movement of the lever 162 such that, selector body positioned within the trigger housing
when the trigger 142 is pulled, as shown, the disconnector 146 and associated with said Switch Such that moving said
is pulled forwardly at disconnector pin 148 pulling the Switch between said fully automatic firing position
ramped surface 166 of the disconnector 146 against the inset 25
and said semi-automatic firing position also moves
contact Surface 176, as opposed to the peripheral contact said selector body between a fully automatic firing
surface 174 of the selector body 164. Thus though the discon position and a semi-automatic firing position; and
nector 146 is moved downwardly against the disconnector (f) a disconnector spring biasing said disconnector toward
spring 150, similarly to the movement experienced in the said Sear and said selector body, wherein actuating the
semi-automatic firing position, the downward movement is 30
trigger assembly draws said ramped surface of said dis
smaller than would be achieved if the ramped surface 166 connector against said selector body and, when said
engaged the peripheral contact surface 174. This engagement Switch is in said fully-automatic firing position, said
(or lack of disengagement) is shown in FIG.5 at numeral 182. ramped Surface is drawn against said fully-automatic
As a result, the catch end 178 of the disconnector 146 will pull Selector Surface and, when said lever is moved to said
on the latch end 152 of the sear 154 but will not disengage 35
semi-automatic firing position, said ramped Surface is
from the latch end 152, as occurs in the semi-automatic firing drawn against said semi-automatic selector Surface, and
position. The sear 154 will pivot about the searpin 170 until wherein, when said ramped surface is drawn against said
the sear tip 158 is made to disconnect from the sear ledge of fully-automatic selector Surface, said catch end of said
the op rod, thus leading to the firing of a cartridge. The sear tip disconnector engages said latch end of said sear and
158 pivots downwardly, out of the path 200 of the op rod 40
pulls thereon so as to pivot said sear tip out of the path of
assembly and thus out of engagement with the sear ledge the op rod assembly and remain out of said path until
provided on the op rod assembly, and, because the disconnec said trigger is released, and, when said ramped surface is
tor 146 does not disconnect from the sear 154, the sear tip 158 drawn against said semi-automatic selector Surface, said
will remain out of the path 200 of the sear ledge so long as the catch end of said disconnector engages said latch end of
trigger 142 remains pulled, and the op rod assembly will 45
said sear and pulls thereon so as to pivot said sear tip out
continue to cycle and fire in a fully automatic mode. Releas of the path of the op rod assembly and thereafter disen
ing the trigger 142 will permit the sear spring 156 to return the gages such that said Sear pivots on said Sear spring to
sear 154 to the rest position where it is able to engage the sear again extend into the path of the op rod assembly after a
ledge of an op rod assembly and halt the firing until the trigger single firing of the M249 Assault Rifle.
142 is pulled again. 50
2. The trigger assembly as in claim 1, wherein said Switch
In accordance with this invention, a fully automatic M249 is a lever connected to said selector body.
Assault Rifles in which an op rod assembly reciprocates to 3. The trigger assembly as in claim 2, wherein said selector
effect fully automatic fire during Such time as a sear remains body is a longitudinal member that rotates about its longitu
outside of the path 200 of a sear ledge of the op rod assembly dinal axis within the housing as said lever is moved, said
can be altered with the trigger assembly as taught herein to be 55
selector body including a clearance cut, wherein said semi
selectively made to operate in either fully automatic or semi automatic selector Surface is a peripheral contact Surface of
automatic modes. the longitudinal member and said fully-automatic selector
The invention claimed is: Surface as an inset clearance cut Surface in said longitudinal
1. A trigger assembly fitted to a trigger housing that is member.
adapted to engage a receiver for an M249 Assault Rifle, the