U.S. patent application number 10/958006 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-28 for supplementary safety device for light firearms.
This patent application is currently assigned to Fabbrica D'Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A.. Invention is credited to Beretta, Ugo Gussalli.
Application Number | 20050086846 10/958006 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11440703 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050086846 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Beretta, Ugo Gussalli |
April 28, 2005 |
Supplementary safety device for light firearms
Abstract
This invention concerns a supplementary safety device in the
form of a false cartridge to be inserted into the chamber of a
light firearm barrel, including a radially expandable portion
controlled by a lock operated by a specific key for
locking/unlocking it in the barrel in which it is housed, so it may
be removed only voluntarily.
Inventors: |
Beretta, Ugo Gussalli;
(Brescia, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
McGLEW AND TUTTLE
John James McGlew
Scarborough Station
Scarborough
NY
10510-0827
US
|
Assignee: |
Fabbrica D'Armi Pietro Beretta
S.p.A.
|
Family ID: |
11440703 |
Appl. No.: |
10/958006 |
Filed: |
October 4, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10958006 |
Oct 4, 2004 |
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10142819 |
May 10, 2002 |
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6810613 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/70.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 17/44 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/070.11 |
International
Class: |
F41A 017/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 18, 2001 |
IT |
BS2001A000036 |
Claims
1. A supplementary safety device that may be inserted into the
chamber of light firearms including at least one of shotguns,
rifles and handguns, the safety device comprising: a first body
containing a lock with a rotating part controlled by a specific
key; a second body linked to the first body and axially moveable,
without rotating, between a position of unlocking; with a position
distant from the first body and a position of locking with a
position close to the first body; a screw pin driven in rotation
without moving axially in the first body, the screw pin being
connected to and controlled by the lock for rotation of said screw
pin and to be linked directly or indirectly with the second body
for the movement of the second body between the positions of
unlocking and locking following the turning of the screw pin; and a
flexible element deformable by compression and located between the
first and second bodies in order to expand radially and project
peripherally from the first and second bodies when the second body
is in the lock position, thus creating the locking of the device in
the chamber of the barrel in which it is housed.
2. A supplementary safety device that may be inserted into the
chamber of light firearms including shotguns, rifles and handguns,
the safety device comprising: a first body containing a locks with
a rotating part controlled by a specific key; a second body linked
to the first body and axially moveable, without rotating, between a
position of unlocking; with a position distant from the first body
and a position of locking with a position close to the first body;
a screw pin driven in rotation without moving axially in the first
body, the screw pin being connected to and controlled by the lock
for rotation of said screw pin and to be linked directly or
indirectly with the second body for the movement of the second body
between the positions of unlocking and locking following the
turning of the screw pin; and a flexible element deformable by
compression and located between the first and second bodies in
order to expand radially and project peripherally from the first
and second bodies when the second body is in the locking position,
thus creating the locking of the device in the chamber of the
barrel in which it is housed; a third body associated and in line
with the second body and with an expandable winged wall delimiting
a conical cavity; and a conical plugs located and axially moveable
in the conical cavity of the third body to radially expand the
winged wall and additionally lock the device in the barrel if the
plug is subject to thrust in the direction of the chamber in an
attempt to eject the device.
3. A safety device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the screw
pin is screwed to the second body.
4. A safety device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the screw
pin is screwed to a threaded element linked and engaged with the
second body.
5. A safety device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first
and second bodies are linked with axial and anti-rotation coupling
portions.
6. A safety device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flexible
deformable by compression element consists of a gasket in an
elastomer material or of a spring and is placed between two annular
shoulders, at the level of truncated conical portions integral with
the first and second bodies.
7. A safety device in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least
around the first body an anti-rotation gasket is mounted to prevent
rotation of the device when placed in the chamber.
8. A safety device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the third
body is axially limited at the free end of the screw pin and is
linked to the second body with the interposing of a spacer.
9. A safety device in accordance claim 2, wherein the third body is
one of independent from, integrated with or integral to the second
body.
10. A safety device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the screw
pin is screwed to the second body.
11. A safety device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the screw
pin is screwed to a threaded element linked and engaged with the
second body.
12. A safety device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the first
and second bodies are linked with axial and anti-rotation coupling
portions.
13. A safety device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the
flexible deformable by compression element consists of a gasket in
an elastomer material or of spring and is placed between two
annular shoulders, at the level of truncated conical portions
integral with the first and second bodies.
14. A safety device in accordance with claim 2, wherein at least
around the first body an anti-rotation gasket is mounted to prevent
rotation of the device when placed in the chamber.
15. A firearm safety arrangement comprising: a firearm barrel
having a muzzle end and a breech end; a first body having a shape
for inserting into said barrel; a pin rotatably mounted in said
first body; a second body rotatably connected to said pin, said
first and second bodies having a connection to said pin where
relative rotation of said pin with respect to one of said bodies
causes said bodies to move toward and away from each other; an
expandable element arranged around said pin and arranged between
said first and second bodies, said first and second bodies and said
expandable element having a shape, and said expandable element
being formed of a material to have said expandable element expand
when said first and second bodies move toward each other; a lock
arranged in said first body and rotationally fixed to said pin,
said lock being selectively rotatable in said first body by a key,
wherein said first body is arranged in said barrel adjacent said
breech end; an anti-rotation device is arranged on said first body
to hold said first body rotationally fixed in the barrel and
against the barrel.
Description
INVENTION FIELD
[0001] This invention concerns, in general the field of light
firearms, both long and short barrelled such as parallel barrel or
over-and-under shotguns, rifles, handguns etc., and in particular
refers to a safety device for these arms, namely a mechanical
supplementary safety device in the form of a false cartridge.
STATE OF THE ART
[0002] On the one hand the use of so-called false cartridges is
already established: devices inserted into the chamber of the
barrel(s) of a light firearm when it is not in use, in place of a
real cartridge, with view to at least preventing the gun going off
accidentally and indicating that it cannot be arbitrarily used.
These means however have no real safety device function in the
sense that they cannot effectively block abusive use of the firearm
since the false cartridge may easily be removed without specific
tools even by a child or by unauthorised and incompetent
persons.
[0003] On the other hand, though the firearms mentioned above are
usually equipped with safety catches with the function of
preventing them going off accidentally, for example by blocking the
trigger mechanism and/or the hammer action, today there is a
pressing demand and consequent need to equip these arms with an
additional safety device that can be activated and deactivated by a
personalised means available only to the owner of the firearm or
someone delegated thereby, thus avoiding effective use of the
firearm by unauthorised persons.
PURPOSES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] One purpose of this invention is to offer a supplementary
safety device created in the form of a false cartridge which can be
inserted and stably locked in the chamber of light firearms without
the possibility of removal other than voluntary and only by using a
specific means correlated to the device itself.
[0005] Another purpose of the invention is to supply a mechanical
safety device that fully corresponds to the current, sought-after
requirement of increased safety in the use of light firearms such
as to permit their use only and exclusively to those who have a
personalised method, such as a key, that can control and remove the
device once the latter has been activated.
[0006] A further purpose of the invention is to create and supply a
safety device for light firearms, shotguns, rifles, handguns and
similar that is supplementary to the safety catches with which
these firearms are already equipped.
[0007] Yet another purpose of the invention is to supply a safety
device for the above mentioned firearms that has two distinct
locking sections for maximum efficiency: the first section can be
voluntarily activated and deactivated by a specific and
personalised method, while the second section, normally inactive,
is activated following surreptitious attempted breakage and removal
of the device when it is locked in the barrel of a firearm.
[0008] The invention achieves these purposes with a mechanical
safety device for light firearms, at least according to claim
1.
[0009] Correspondingly, the safety device proposed herewith,
substantially in the form of a false cartridge or of a form
suitable for insertion into the chamber of a firearm, possesses
first of all a radially expandable portion controlled by a lock and
specific key for locking/unlocking it in the barrel in which it is
lodged, thus making it removable only voluntarily.
[0010] However, depending on the state and/or the lubrication of
the barrel cartridge chamber internal surface, this controlled
expansion lock might not prevent the sliding and forced ejection of
the device if axial thrust were to be applied by means of a tool,
such as a rod, inserted into the muzzle of the barrel.
[0011] So the second locking portion of the device is aimed at
preventing all unauthorised forced removal, thanks to an
accentuation of the locking action. In fact any axial thrust
applied to the device with the intention of ejecting it from the
part of its introduction into the barrel results in activation of
this second portion which, expanding, tightens against the interior
of the barrel; and the greater the thrust the greater the
tightening. The advantages of the new supplementary safety device
invention may therefore be summarised as follows:
[0012] great ease, convenience and immediacy of use; maximum
efficiency and reliability in preventing unauthorised use of the
firearm;
[0013] possibility of breakage minimised, and even more so if the
command lock is
[0014] made in drill-resistant material.
[0015] Moreover, its configuration and absence of appendices mean
that when the device is set in place in the chamber it offers no
part that might be gripped by an extracting tool. Lastly, a safety
device of this type may be easily manufactured and adapted with the
same efficacy and safety to firearms of is all calibres, without
any modification of the firearm whatsoever.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The invention is described in greater detail below with
reference to the attached indicative and not limitative drawings in
which:
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a blow-up view of the elements comprising the
device;
[0018] FIG. 2 shows an analogous blow-up view of the elements of
FIG. 1, but in section;
[0019] FIG. 3 shows an external view of the assembled device;
[0020] FIG. 4 shows the device in longitudinal section;
[0021] FIG. 5 shows an external view of the device in a variant
version; and
[0022] FIG. 6 shows the FIG. 5 device in longitudinal axial
section.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The safety device in question is inserted into the chamber
of a firearm from the breech towards the muzzle. It consists of a
first body 10 pointing towards the breech of the barrel, a second
intermediate body 11 and a final spigot and socket body 12, this
last pointing towards the muzzle. The first body and the second
intermediate body are joined and axially moveable each with regard
to the other, but without the possibility of rotation, thanks to an
axial appendix 16 integral with the intermediate body and having
the purpose of insertion into corresponding housing 17 in the first
body. The first body 10 and the intermediate body 11 are joined by
a rotating screw pin 13 with head 13' housed in the first body,
abutting against a shoulder which impedes axial movement of the pin
without obstructing its rotation. The screw pin 13 may be screwed
directly to the intermediate body 11 or, as shown in the drawings,
to a threaded element 14 associated with that body, in such a way
that rotation of the screw pin in one direction causes the approach
and in the other direction the distancing of the intermediate body
with regard to the first body.
[0024] An anti-rotation gasket 15 is mounted around the first body
10 to prevent rotation of the device when it is placed in the
chamber for use.
[0025] The contiguous extremities 10' and 11' of the two bodies 10
and 11 respectively are in truncated cone form and extend from the
respective shoulders 10" and 11". Together they delimit an annular
peripheral housing 18 at which level is envisaged at least one
deformable and expandable by compression element such as, for
example, a gasket 19 in an elastomer material, a cup spring 20, or
some other element, which is radially squeezed and expanded between
the two shoulders 10" and 11" when the two bodies 10 and 11 are
brought together.
[0026] The first body 10 houses and retains a safety lock 21,
linked with the screw pin 13 for rotation of the latter and
activated by means of a personalised key supplied to the firearm
owner.
[0027] So when the device is placed in the chamber of a firearm
barrel, by turning the screw pin 13 with lock and key in one
direction, the intermediate body 11 is brought close to the first
body 10 and there is consequent radial expansion of the expandable
element 19 or 20, resulting in the device being locked into the
chamber. Thus the device cannot be extracted from the breech and
the firearm cannot be used by unauthorised persons or those not in
possession of the key. Turning the key and therefore the screw pin
in the opposite direction, the device is unlocked.
[0028] The spigot and socket body 12 is linked to the forward
extremity of the intermediate body 11 by the interposing of a
spacer 27. This is axially bound to the free extremity of the screw
pin 13, for example by a Seeger 22, and has a side wall 23 which is
winged and expandable and delimits a conical cavity 24, tapering
towards the bottom of the body itself. The cavity contains an
axially moveable conical plug 25 and is closed by a cover 26 to
prevent exit of the plug.
[0029] So when the safety device has been locked in the barrel of
the firearm with the special key, any action or thrust on the
device, perhaps with a rod inserted into the muzzle with view to
ejecting the device at the breech, will cause in-depth penetration
of the conical plug 25, consequent expansion of the winged wall 23
of the spigot and socket body against the internal wall of the
barrel and an accentuation of the blocking of the device, making it
practically immoveable also in such cases.
[0030] The same result is obtained, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when
the spigot and socket body is not independent but integrated with
or integral to the intermediate body.
[0031] Lastly it should be noted that as a means of impeding forced
and unauthorised ejection of the device from a firearm barrel, the
spigot and socket body could be replaced by other elements such as
a permanent deformation organ, a conical screw or an inclined
sector, without this being a departure from the context of the
invention.
* * * * *