Prior art

To identify the most relevant prior art for US Patent 11,346,627, a search of its cited references was performed. The following patents are identified as prior art.

Most Relevant Prior Art for US Patent 11,346,627

1. US10514223B1

• Full Citation: US10514223B1, "Firearm trigger mechanism" to Wolf Tactical Llc.
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued December 24, 2019, with a priority date of September 29, 2017.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a forced reset semiautomatic trigger assembly where the hammer forces the trigger to the set position when the bolt carrier cycles, and a pivoting locking bar, operated by a spring and contact with the bolt or bolt carrier, prevents early hammer release.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US10514223B1 is explicitly identified in US11346627B1 as a prior art patent that describes a forced reset semiautomatic trigger assembly. The key distinction highlighted in US11346627B1 is that its locking bar employs linear, sliding movement, as opposed to the pivotal movement of the locking bar in US10514223B1. Therefore, US10514223B1 would likely anticipate claims in US11346627B1 that cover the general concept of a forced reset trigger with a locking bar, but not those specifically claiming a slidably mounted locking bar. It would potentially anticipate aspects of claims 1 and 6 related to the hammer and trigger member interaction for forced reset. Claims 1 and 6 define a hammer and trigger member that operate in the same manner as described in US10514223B1.

2. US7398723B1

• Full Citation: US7398723B1, "Trigger forward displacement system and method" to Blakley Brian A.
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued July 15, 2008, with a priority date of April 25, 2003.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a replacement trigger mechanism for a semi-automatic firearm in which a rotating cam, contacted by the cycling bolt carrier, forces the trigger member to reset between shots to increase the cyclic rate of fire.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US7398723B1, like US10514223B1, focuses on a mechanism to increase the cyclic rate of a semi-automatic firearm by forcibly resetting the trigger. It employs a rotating cam for this purpose. This patent would likely anticipate the broad concept of a trigger mechanism where the bolt carrier's cycling forces the trigger to reset, as recited in the preambles of claims 1 and 6, and potentially the interaction between the hammer and trigger member that results in the forced reset. However, it does not describe a sliding blocking bar and therefore would not anticipate the distinctive locking bar feature of US11346627B1.

3. US10006734B1

• Full Citation: US10006734B1, "Trigger assembly with trigger block" to Smith & Wesson Corp.
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued June 26, 2018, with a priority date of March 22, 2017.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a trigger mechanism having a trigger block pivotably mounted on a trigger, with a face surface that engages an actuating surface.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent describes a "trigger block" that is pivotably mounted. While it involves a blocking mechanism related to the trigger, the specific mechanism (a trigger block pivotably mounted on the trigger) and its actuation differ from the sliding locking bar described in US11346627B1. It could potentially anticipate aspects of general trigger blocking or safety mechanisms if construed broadly, but not the specific "sliding locking bar" feature.

4. US10267584B2

• Full Citation: US10267584B2, "Latch for a rifle" to Juggernaut Tactical, Inc.
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued April 23, 2019, with a priority date of August 9, 2017.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a latch for a rifle, which may not directly relate to the core trigger mechanism of US11346627B1. Further review of the patent text would be needed to determine specific relevance to trigger blocking or reset.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Without a more detailed description readily available from the provided search snippets, it is difficult to determine direct anticipation of claims 1 or 6. Its relevance would depend on whether the "latch" functions in a way that directly controls trigger movement or reset in a manner similar to the locking bar or forced reset features of US11346627B1.

5. US10488136B2

• Full Citation: US10488136B2, "Selective fire firearm systems and methods" to ArmWest, LLC.
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued November 26, 2019, with a priority date of September 23, 2016.
• Brief Description: This patent relates to selective fire firearm systems and methods, which could involve different modes of firing, potentially including mechanisms that affect trigger function or rate of fire.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US10267584B2, without more specific details from the search results, it's hard to definitively state anticipation. If this patent describes a mechanism that achieves a forced reset or a trigger blocking function in a way that aligns with claims 1 or 6, it could be relevant. The term "selective fire" suggests it might include mechanisms for controlling the firing rate or mode, which could touch upon the functions of a forced reset trigger or a locking mechanism.

6. US10584932B2

• Full Citation: US10584932B2, "Trigger-locking apparatus, system, and method for semiautomatic firearms" to David Foster.
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued March 10, 2020, with a priority date of January 28, 2016.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a trigger-locking apparatus, system, and method for semiautomatic firearms.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent explicitly mentions a "trigger-locking apparatus" for semiautomatic firearms, which makes it highly relevant. If its locking mechanism functions similarly to the sliding locking bar of US11346627B1, or if it achieves the same functional outcome of preventing trigger movement until the bolt carrier is in battery, it could potentially anticipate aspects of claims 1 and 6 related to the locking bar and its function.

7. US11293715B1

• Full Citation: US11293715B1, "Firearm trigger mechanism" to Heckler & Koch Inc.
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued April 5, 2022, with a priority date of December 11, 2019.
• Brief Description: This patent relates to a firearm trigger mechanism, but the specific details of its operation or if it incorporates a forced reset or sliding locking bar are not immediately clear from the provided snippets.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Without more specific details about the mechanism described in US11293715B1, it's not possible to determine direct anticipation. Its relevance would depend on whether its trigger mechanism includes a forced reset feature and/or a sliding locking bar as described in US11346627B1.

8. US11287205B2

• Full Citation: US11287205B2, "Trigger assembly" to CMC Triggers Corp.
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued March 29, 2022, with a priority date of January 20, 2020.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a trigger assembly. Specific details regarding forced reset or a sliding blocking bar are not immediately available from the provided snippets.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US11293715B1, more detailed information about this patent's mechanism is needed to assess its potential to anticipate claims 1 or 6 of US11346627B1. Its relevance would be based on whether it incorporates the unique features of a forced reset trigger with a sliding locking bar.