Monday, July 27, 2026
Legal

ABC IP, LLC et al. v. Eleanor Armory LLC et al

Case Overview

  • Case Name: ABC IP, LLC et al. v. Eleanor Armory LLC et al.
  • Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia (Rome Division)
  • Case Number: 4:26-cv-00915-ALM
  • Filing Date: June 12, 2026
  • Plaintiffs: ABC IP, LLC and Rare Breed Triggers, Inc.
  • Defendants: Eleanor Armory LLC and Nathanial Lee Espy
  • Nature of Action: Civil lawsuit alleging willful patent infringement with a demand for a jury trial.

Executive Summary

Plaintiffs ABC IP, LLC (the patent owner) and Rare Breed Triggers, Inc. (the exclusive licensee) have filed a multi-count lawsuit against Georgia-based Eleanor Armory LLC and its owner/operator, Nathanial Lee Espy. The federal complaint alleges that the Defendants are actively manufacturing, marketing, advertising, offering for sale, and selling unauthorized products—specifically the Deez Nuts Tactical 4140 Super Safety, the Deez Nuts Tactical D2 Complete FCG Super Safety Kit, and the Atrius Development 3 Position Super Selector Safety configurations.

Plaintiffs contend that these products directly infringe upon five utility patents in their intellectual property portfolio protecting “forced reset trigger” (FRT) firearm innovations. Because the Defendants reportedly continued manufacturing and marketing these systems despite documented access to libraries of relevant legal protections, the Plaintiffs are accusing them of willful infringement, opening the door for enhanced damages.

The Technology in Dispute

The lawsuit centers on advanced firearm trigger engineering—specifically the mechanical transition from standard semi-automatic mechanisms to patented forced reset trigger (FRT) assemblies:

  • Standard Semi-Automatic Trigger: Relies on a traditional disconnector mechanism. When a round is fired, the user must manually release rearward finger pressure on the trigger so the disconnector can hand the hammer back off to the main trigger sear before the firearm can be discharged again.
  • Forced Reset Mechanism (The Patented Invention): Eliminates the necessity of traditional disconnector dependency during accelerated sequences. Instead, it utilizes specialized locking bars, cams, or lever systems cycled directly by the firearm’s reciprocating bolt carrier. This mechanically forces the trigger forward into its set reset position during the action cycle, allowing for an accelerated, highly efficient firing sequence without converting the firearm into an automatic weapon.

Breakdown of Infringement Claims

Patent Infringement (Counts I – V)

The complaint asserts that Eleanor Armory’s product offerings (sold via eleanorarmory.com) infringe upon five distinct U.S. Patents owned by ABC IP, LLC:

CountAsserted PatentTechnical / Mechanical Focus of Claim
Count IU.S. Patent No. 12,038,247Overarching dual-mode trigger utilizing a moving cam lobe to physically force the trigger member back into its set position.
Count IIU.S. Patent No. 12,031,784Extended trigger locking device featuring an upwardly extending deflectable lever arm actuated by direct contact with the cycling bolt carrier.
Count IIIU.S. Patent No. 12,529,538Safety mechanism for a firearm employing a multi-recess cam selector configured to operate between standard, active reset, and safe positions.
Count IVU.S. Patent No. 12,578,159Novel firearm mechanism for accelerating firing sequences utilizing multi-mode operations and specific internal sear surface geometries.
Count VU.S. Patent No. 12,636,403Structural claim focusing on the physical interaction profiles between hammer hooks, trigger members, and safety selectors.

Remedy & Relief Sought

The Plaintiffs claim severe, ongoing economic and reputational harm due to these unauthorized sales and manufacturing practices. They are requesting that the federal court grant the following relief:

  • Injunctions: Both preliminary and permanent injunctions to immediately halt Eleanor Armory LLC, Nathanial Lee Espy, and their corporate principals from manufacturing, importing, advertising, or selling the Super Safety kits, Atrius selectors, or any aftermarket components embodying the Asserted Patents.
  • Damages: Full financial compensation for lost retail profits or reasonable royalties resulting from patent infringement.
  • Punitive Multipliers: Asking the court to treble (triple) the final calculated damages due to the “egregious and willful” nature of the patent infringement.
  • Legal Fees: A declaration that this constitutes an “exceptional case” under federal law (35 U.S.C. § 285), requiring the Defendants to pay all of the Plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees and associated legal expenses.

author avatar
Mark Slovacek
Mark Slovacek is a patent attorney who has had a life long fascination with science, electronics, firearms and archery. He finds it a rewarding experience helping others protect their intellectual property, and seeing their inventions in the marketplace. Furthermore, Mark is an avid reader, following recent trends in the sporting goods industry and the patents surrounding them. Feel free to send Mark a message here.

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