Prior art — US Patent 12274807

The current date is May 30, 2026.

US Patent 12274807: Most Relevant Prior Art

US Patent 12274807, titled "Firearm trigger mechanism," describes a semiautomatic trigger mechanism with a three-position safety selector (safe, standard semi-automatic, and forced reset semi-automatic). Key features include the hammer forcing the trigger member to its set position upon bolt carrier rearward movement, a locking member preventing early hammer release, and the safety selector disabling the disconnector in the forced reset mode, all designed to be retrofitted into AR-pattern firearms, potentially with a standard M16-pattern bolt carrier assembly.

Based on the background and description of US12274807, the following patents and patent applications are identified as the most relevant prior art, particularly concerning forced reset trigger mechanisms and multi-mode safety selectors:

1. US Pat. No. 9,568,264

Full Citation: US9568264B2, "Flex-fire technology," issued to Thomas Allen Graves on March 7, 2017.
Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: September 11, 2014; Publication Date: March 7, 2017.
Brief Description: This patent describes devices for accelerating the cyclic firing rate of a semi-automatic firearm by forcefully resetting the trigger through rigid mechanical contact between the trigger and the gun bolt during the operating cycle.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent potentially anticipates the broad concept of a trigger mechanism that utilizes the reciprocating movement of the bolt carrier to forcefully reset the trigger, a core aspect of the forced reset semi-automatic position in Claim 1 of US12274807. However, US12274807 distinguishes itself by using the hammer to force the trigger to the set position and aiming for compatibility with an otherwise standard M16-pattern bolt carrier assembly, whereas Graves' devices might require a modified bolt carrier.

2. US Pat. No. 9,816,772

Full Citation: US9816772B2, "Flex-fire technology," issued to Thomas Allen Graves on November 14, 2017.
Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: September 11, 2014; Publication Date: November 14, 2017.
Brief Description: This patent is related to US 9,568,264 and further describes a reciprocating gun bolt-driven trigger and integrated safety mechanisms for semi-automatic arms, focusing on forcefully resetting the trigger.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US 9,568,264, this patent potentially anticipates the general functionality of a forced reset trigger mechanism driven by the bolt carrier's cycling, as described in Claim 1.

3. US Pat. No. 9,939,221

Full Citation: US9939221B2, "Flex-fire g2 technology," issued to Thomas Allen Graves on April 10, 2018.
Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: September 11, 2014; Publication Date: April 10, 2018.
Brief Description: This patent also describes a mechanism for accelerating the cyclic firing rate of a semi-automatic firearm through forceful trigger reset, forming part of the "flex-fire" technology family.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent similarly anticipates the broad concept of a forced reset trigger in Claim 1, as part of the known efforts to increase semi-automatic fire rate.

4. US Pat. No. 10,514,223

Full Citation: US10514223B1, "Firearm trigger mechanism," issued to Wolf Tactical Llc on December 24, 2019.
Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: September 29, 2017; Publication Date: December 24, 2019.
Brief Description: This patent describes a trigger mechanism where the hammer forces the trigger to the set position, and a locking bar prevents early hammer release. It also mentions a drop-in solution for AR-pattern firearms.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is highly relevant and potentially anticipates several key features of Claim 1 of US12274807, specifically:
- The trigger member having a surface contacted by the hammer during its rearward pivoting to force the trigger member to the set position.
- The inclusion of a locking member that mechanically blocks the trigger member from moving to the released position and is moved against its spring bias by contact from the bolt carrier when it reaches a substantially in-battery position.
  The primary distinguishing feature of US12274807 remains the explicit three-position safety selector and its specific mechanism for preventing the disconnector from catching the hammer hook in the forced reset mode.

5. US Pat. No. 11,346,627

Full Citation: US11346627B1, "Forced reset semiautomatic trigger with sliding blocking bar," issued to ABC IP, LLC on May 31, 2022.
Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: January 6, 2022; Publication Date: May 31, 2022.
Brief Description: This patent, from the same assignee as US12274807, describes a forced reset semi-automatic trigger mechanism where the hammer forces the trigger to the set position and employs a "sliding blocking bar" (a type of locking member) to prevent early hammer release. It also claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/296,951 filed Jan. 6, 2022.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Due to its close relation and shared assignee, this patent is exceptionally relevant. It potentially anticipates the elements of Claim 1 related to:
- The hammer forcing the trigger member to the set position.
- The locking member (sliding blocking bar) mechanically blocking the trigger member and its release by the bolt carrier upon returning to battery.
  While the locking member is described as "sliding" compared to the "pivotable" in US12274807, the functional similarities in forced reset and safety against early release are substantial. The three-position safety selector and its specific interaction with the disconnector in US12274807 would be key distinguishing features.

6. US Pat. No. 7,398,723

Full Citation: US7398723B1, "Trigger forward displacement system and method," issued to Brian A. Blakley on July 15, 2008.
Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: April 25, 2003; Publication Date: July 15, 2008.
Brief Description: This patent describes a method and system for accelerating the firing cycle of a semi-automatic firearm where a pivoting cam, contacted by the rearwardly traveling bolt carrier, presses on a trigger-extension to force the trigger forward into a ready-to-fire position.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent potentially anticipates the broad concept within Claim 1 of the trigger member being forced to the set position by interaction with the bolt carrier's movement. However, the specific mechanism for resetting the trigger (a pivoting cam acting on a trigger extension) differs from US12274807's use of the hammer contacting the trigger member. It does not appear to teach the specific locking member or the three-position safety selector detailed in US12274807.

7. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/374,941

Full Citation: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/374,941, "Pivoting cam arrangement," filed by Brian A. Blakley on September 8, 2022.
Publication/Filing Date: Filing Date: September 8, 2022.
Brief Description: This provisional application describes a pivoting cam arrangement that integrates a three-position safety selector and associated structure to provide safe, standard semi-automatic, and forced reset semi-automatic modes.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This provisional application is highly relevant as it explicitly discloses a "three-position safety selector" with "safe, standard semi-automatic, and forced reset semi-automatic modes," which is a central feature of Claim 1 of US12274807. Depending on its specific disclosure, it could also potentially anticipate Claim 2 (safety selector preventing disconnector engagement) and Claim 5 (pivotably mounted safety selector). While the mechanism for forced reset (pivoting cam) differs from US12274807, the multi-mode functionality of the safety selector and the concept of a forced reset mode are directly anticipated.