U.S. patent application number 09/847162 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-07 for firearm safety device and method.
Invention is credited to Abad, Cris.
Application Number | 20020162265 09/847162 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25299931 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020162265 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abad, Cris |
November 7, 2002 |
Firearm safety device and method
Abstract
The firearm safety device and method for locking of a firearm is
useful for breech load and revolver type weapons. The case hardened
shackle lock has a shackle for insertion through an open breech
including a magazine well thereof or a revolver space to engage a
top strap thereof. The shackle is then slidably inserted into a
lock body to be retained by a lock mechanism. The legs of the
shackle have a plurality of notches to engage the lock mechanism to
accommodate a variety of forms and types of firearms. The insertion
of the shackle in the firearm in this manner prevents the insertion
of a magazine, inhibits the insertion of a cartridge in the
chamber, prevents the closing of the breech bolt or the revolver
cylinder, and prevents contact of the firing pin on the
cartridge.
Inventors: |
Abad, Cris; (Huntington
Beach, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DENNIS W. BEECH
Suite C-2
19900 Beach Blvd.
Huntington Beach
CA
92648
US
|
Family ID: |
25299931 |
Appl. No.: |
09/847162 |
Filed: |
May 1, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/70.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 17/44 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/70.11 |
International
Class: |
F41A 017/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A device for securing a firearm comprising: a lock having a
shackle for slidable engagement with a lock body; the shackle
having a bridge and a plurality of legs attached thereto; and the
legs having a plurality of notches formed therein positioned to
engage a locking mechanism in the lock body when the legs are
slidably inserted in the lock body.
2. The device as in claim 1 wherein the shackle is generally a U
shape form with two legs.
3. The device as in claim 1 wherein the shackle is generally a U
shape form with a flattened bridge element having a strap notch
formed therein.
4. The device as in claim 1 wherein the shackle at an attachment
end is generally an oblong shape form with a pair of legs.
5. The device as in claim 1 wherein the shackle at an attachment
end is generally a rectangular shape form with a pair of legs.
6. The device as in claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism is
actuated by a combination type locking element.
7. The device as in claim 1 wherein a protective covering is placed
on the shackle.
8. The device as in claim 7 wherein the protective covering is a
sleeve.
9. The device as in claim 1 wherein the shackle is comprised of a
case hardened steel.
10. A device for securing a firearm comprising: a lock having a
shackle for slidable engagement with a lock body; the shackle of
generally U shape having a bridge and a pair of legs attached
thereto; and each leg having a notch formed therein positioned to
engage a combination type locking mechanism in the lock body when
the legs are slidably inserted in the lock body.
11. A device for securing a firearm comprising: a lock having a
shackle for slidable engagement with a lock body; the shackle
having a bridge with a strap notch formed therein and a pair of
legs attached thereto; and the legs having a plurality of notches
formed therein positioned to engage a locking mechanism in the lock
body when the legs are slidably inserted in the lock body.
12. A method for securing a firearm, comprising the steps of:
inserting a shackle through the breech and magazine well of the
firearm; slidably inserting a pair of legs of the shackle into a
lock body; and locking the legs with a locking mechanism in the
lock body.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of:
inserting the shackle through a ring of an anchoring element prior
to engagement with the lock body.
14. A method for securing a firearm comprising the steps of:
inserting a shackle through the cylinder space of a revolver
firearm such that the shackle is around a top strap thereof;
slidably inserting a pair of legs of the shackle into a lock body;
and locking the legs with a locking mechanism in the lock body.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of:
inserting the shackle through a ring of an anchoring element prior
to engagement with the lock body.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to securing of a firearm to prevent
use thereof and more specifically to safety devices that attach to
the firearm in a manner to prevent loading or firing of the weapon.
The new safety device incorporates a shackle type lock inserted
through a weapon magazine, open breech or open cylinder space to
inhibit placing a cartridge in the chamber, loading a magazine or
cylinder or firing pin contact with a cartridge for a firearm.
[0002] Firearm safety is a major concern. Although most weapons are
manufactured with stringent standards and built-in safety
mechanisms, they are not designed to prevent unintentional,
accidental or negligent discharge in the case of careless or
unauthorized use.
[0003] There are numerous add on firearm safety devices currently
in use. One of the more common methods to prevent use of a firearm
is use of trigger lock or trigger block devices. These devices are
designed to lock or block the trigger of a firearm. However, any
possible movement of the trigger may cause a discharge.
Additionally, if a cartridge is in the chamber the weapon may
discharge for various reasons such as inertia firing, dropping of
the weapon, a sharp blow to the trigger lock device, etc.
Experience has shown that many of these devices can be defeated by
use of common tools and instances where children have done this
exists.
[0004] Other safety devices such as cable locks and lever straps
are easily defeated by cutting. Barrel plugs or chamber inserts are
specific to a specific model weapon, complex and expensive, and
most are easily disabled.
[0005] Devices attached to firearms that inhibit loading a
cartridge or closing a breech bolt are known in the art. Two
examples are U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,654,992, issued Apr. 7, 1987 and
5,419,069, issued May 30, 1995. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,992 patent
discloses a device, which mounts to a shotgun trigger guard and
includes a fingerplate inserted into the firearm open breech and
locking by a tumbler lock device. This device prevents loading of a
cartridge and closing of the breech bolt. However, its structure
must be specifically designed for each weapon. Also the fingerplate
is susceptible to tampering such as cutting or bending.
[0006] The U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,069 patent discloses a firearm
locking mechanism, which is inserted into the open breech of the
weapon. It depends on securing thereof to a magazine loaded in the
weapon. A tumbler type lock secures loading of the firearm chamber,
closing the breech bolt and firing pin contact with a cartridge.
Again as discussed above the mechanism is specific for a particular
model weapon. It is also susceptible to tampering due to the
engagement with the loaded magazine.
[0007] As can be seen, there is a need for a simple, tamper
resistant device and method to secure a wide variety of firearms to
prevent use thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] One object of the present invention is improved securing of
firearms to prevent unauthorized use or accidental firing of the
weapon. Another object is accommodation of a variety of forms and
types of firearms using a single form factor for securing or
locking. A further object is a tamper resistant, economical and
simple to use securing device. Yet another object is provision for
attachment of other securing elements such as chains, cables and
the like to the invention.
[0009] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better, understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a front plan view of the firearm safety
device.
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the preferred
embodiment of the invention locked to a pistol.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention
for use with a revolver.
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates the lock attached to the top strap of a
revolver.
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a vinyl sleeve for the shackle element of
the lock.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] The following detailed description is the best currently
contemplated modes for carrying out the invention. The description
is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the
purpose of illustrating the general principles of the
invention.
[0016] A case hardened shackle lock with a shackle lockable with a
lock body is adjustable in length to accommodate a wide variety of
forms and types of firearms. One leg of the shackle is inserted
through a firearm magazine well and open breech or a revolver
cylinder space and then the shackle is slidably engaged with the
lock mechanism. This inhibits the insertion of cartridges in a
weapon, the closing of the breech bolt of a weapon, and the impact
of the firing pin on a cartridge.
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 the firearm safety device or lock
10 is illustrated as a shackle type lock with a combination
activated lock mechanism 12. The shackle 14 is of generally U
shaped form although other shapes of the attachment end 16, such
as, circular, rectangular and the like could be used for particular
firearms as needed. The shackle 14 with bridge 24 has notches 20 in
legs 18 which engage the locking mechanism 12 when the legs 18 are
slideably inserted into the lock body 22. The notches 20 engage a
locking pin mechanism in the lock body 22 as is commonly understood
for shackle type slide locks. The removal of the shackle 14 from
the lock body 22 is controlled by the combination mechanism of the
lock mechanism 12.
[0018] For securing a firearm 30 that has a magazine well 32 and a
breech 34, one leg 18 of the shackle 14 is inserted through the
open breech 34 and magazine well 32. The lock body 22 is then
slidably engaged with the shackle 14 as illustrated in FIG. 2 with
a semi-automatic pistol 30. With the shackle 14 secure in the
pistol 30 a magazine cannot be loaded into the magazine well 32,
insertion of a cartridge in the chamber is inhibited, the breech
bolt cannot be closed, and the firing pin cannot contact a
cartridge in the chamber.
[0019] While a semi-automatic pistol has been used for illustrative
purposes it can be appreciated that the lock 10 may be used for any
firearm with magazine and/or breech as for example semi-automatic
rifles, machine guns, assault pistols and rifles, carbines, lever
action rifles, pump shotguns and the like. In addition the lock 10
may be used to secure a revolver having an opening cylinder
configuration. The lock 10 of FIG. 1 has shackle 14 inserted around
the top strap of the revolver when the cylinder is open. The
cylinder may not be closed and locked due to the diameter of the
shackle 14.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 an alternate embodiment of the
lock 10 is illustrated with a strap shackle 26. The strap shackle
26 is generally U shape with a flat attachment end 16 which has a
strap notch 28 in the bridge 24. The legs 18 are engaged in the
lock mechanism 12 of the lock body 22. This embodiment is more
compact than the lock 10 with shackle 14 for use with a revolver 40
as can be seen the strap shackle 26 engages the revolver with the
top strap 44 fitting into strap notch 28 when the cylinder 42 is
open. The strap notch 28 inhibits the lateral movement of the lock
10 relative to the top strap 44. The shape and size of the strap
shackle 26 prevents closing and locking the cylinder 42 in
place.
[0021] The instant invention with elements selected to meet
standards of various firearm security laws is a simple, economical
solution. As an example, for one of the new current laws for
firearm safety a lock 10 with a case hardened shackle 14 and a four
digit automatic scrambling combination lock mechanism 12 would be
designed to meet the testing requirements of the law. Such a lock
is designed to meet testing methodologies of mechanical forcing
attacks such as prying with a lever device typically a screwdriver;
mechanical shock such as by use of a hammer and screwdriver
inserted in the keyway; mechanical torque typically using vice
grips; cutting shear; key plug pulling or torque; as well as other
common attack methods.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 5, a protective covering or sleeve 50 is
illustrated for enclosing the portion of the shackle 14, which is
inserted into the firearm. The sleeve 50 is shaped to cover the
attachment end 16 of the shackle 14 to protect the firearm from
scraping or other damage due to use of the lock 10. Other forms of
protective covering such as a vinyl coating on the shackle 14 may
also be used.
[0023] While not illustrated, the lock 10 may be used with other
securing devices as for example an anchoring element attached to a
stationary mounting. The anchoring element may be in the form of a
chain, cable, strap or the like. A ring of the anchor element can
be slidably engaged with the shackle 14 to prevent removal of the
lock 10 and firearm 30 or revolver 40 from a fixed location.
[0024] While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with respect to the illustrated and preferred embodiments
thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the
foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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