U.S. patent application number 11/125056 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-08 for model 1911 type firearm safety lock.
Invention is credited to Salvitti, Alfred W..
Application Number | 20050268512 11/125056 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27393890 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050268512 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Salvitti, Alfred W. |
December 8, 2005 |
Model 1911 type firearm safety lock
Abstract
A firearm safety lock for an automatic pistol such as the Model
1911 firearm is disclosed. The safety lock includes a means of
arresting the operation of the main trigger or hammer spring in the
pistol grip of the firearm to prevent movement of the hammer,
thereby locking the gun in a safe condition. A means and a method
is disclosed for locking a pistol in a sale condition by arresting
the movement of the hammer spring buffer through insertion of a
locking shaft through the pistol grip housing which can be keyed to
prevent unauthorized removal of the locking shaft. The disclosed
invention may be used on newly manufactured firearms or provides a
method to easily convert an existing firearm without permanent
modification or damage to the firearm.
Inventors: |
Salvitti, Alfred W.;
(Lansdowne, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOODARD, EMHARDT, MORIARTY, MCNETT & HENRY LLP
BANK ONE CENTER/TOWER
111 MONUMENT CIRCLE, SUITE 3700
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46204-5137
US
|
Family ID: |
27393890 |
Appl. No.: |
11/125056 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11125056 |
May 9, 2005 |
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10684902 |
Oct 14, 2003 |
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6889459 |
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10684902 |
Oct 14, 2003 |
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09837922 |
Apr 18, 2001 |
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6647655 |
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60263906 |
Jan 24, 2001 |
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60198525 |
Apr 19, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/70.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49716 20150115;
F41A 17/74 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/070.08 |
International
Class: |
F41A 017/00 |
Claims
1-5. (canceled)
6. An apparatus for firing a cartridge, comprising: a firearm
including a hammer movable between a cocked position and an
uncocked position; a trigger assembly connected with said hammer
for releasing said hammer from the cocked position upon actuation
of said trigger assembly; a hammer spring assembly connected with
said hammer, said hammer spring assembly including a spring
tensioned upon cocking of said hammer to thereafter cause said
hammer to fire the cartridge upon actuation of said trigger
assembly, a hammer strut pivotally connected at one end with said
hammer and having a length extending to an opposite end, and a
spring cap having a head portion positioned on said spring, the
opposite end of said hammer strut abutting said spring cap; and a
disablement mechanism positionable with respect to said hammer
spring assembly to prevent said hammer from being cocked if in the
uncocked position and from being trigger-actuated if in the cocked
position.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said disablement mechanism is
positionable to contact said spring cap to prevent said hammer from
being cocked or actuated from the cocked position to fire the
cartridge.
8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said head portion includes a
top surface abutting said opposite end of said hammer strut, an
opposite shoulder abutting said spring, and a groove between said
top surface and said shoulder.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said disablement mechanism is
positionable within said groove to contact said spring cap when
said hammer is in the uncocked position and said disablement
mechanism is positionable to contact said top surface of said
spring cap when said hammer in the said cocked position.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said groove extends around
the entire perimeter of said second spring cap.
11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said spring cap includes a
tail having a hole formed therein, said hole for accommodating a
portion of said disablement mechanism.
12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said disablement mechanism
includes a lock.
13. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said disablement mechanism
includes a shaft.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said firearm includes a
housing for said hammer spring assembly, and said shaft is flush
with said housing.
15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said shaft is threaded.
16. A method for retrofitting a firearm, comprising: providing a
firearm having a hammer movable between a cocked position and an
uncocked position, and a hammer spring assembly connected with the
hammer, the hammer spring assembly including a spring and a first
spring cap positioned on the spring within a well of a first spring
housing; disassembling the hammer spring assembly from the firearm;
providing a second spring housing having a well and a bore formed
through the housing communicating with the well; providing a
disablement mechanism positionable within the bore; providing a
second spring cap having a head portion configured for contact with
the disablement mechanism to disable the firearm when the hammer is
in either the cocked position or the uncocked position;
reassembling the firearm with the second spring cap positioned
within the second spring housing.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said disassembling step
includes removing one or more grip panels from the firearm.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein said second spring cap includes
a head portion, said head portion having a top surface for abutting
a portion of said hammer, an opposite shoulder for abutting said
spring, and a groove between said top surface and said
shoulder.
19. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of
replacing said spring with a second spring, said second spring
being shorter than said spring, and wherein said second spring cap
is longer than said first spring cap.
20. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of
replacing said spring with a second spring having a length
different from the length of said spring, and wherein said second
spring cap has a length different from the length of said first
spring cap, and the difference in lengths of said spring caps is
approximately the same as the difference in lengths of said
springs.
21. The method of claim 16, wherein said disablement mechanism is
positioned in said bore prior to said reassembling step.
22. The method of claim 16, wherein said disablement mechanism
includes at least one of the group consisting of a shaft and a
lock.
23. An apparatus for firing a cartridge, comprising: a firearm
including a hammer movable between a cocked position and an
uncocked position; a trigger assembly connected with said hammer
for releasing said hammer from the cocked position upon actuation
of said trigger assembly; a hammer spring assembly connected with
said hammer, said hammer spring assembly including a spring
tensioned upon cocking of said hammer to thereafter cause said
hammer to fire the cartridge upon actuation of said trigger
assembly; and a disablement mechanism positionable with respect to
said hammer spring assembly to prevent said hammer from being
cocked if in the uncocked position and from being trigger-actuated
if in the cocked position.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said disablement mechanism
includes a lock.
25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said disablement mechanism
includes a shaft.
26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said firearm includes a
housing for said hammer spring assembly, and said shaft is flush
with said housing.
27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said shaft is threaded.
28. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said hammer spring assembly
includes a spring cap, said spring cap having a groove extending
around its entire perimeter.
29. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said hammer spring assembly
includes a spring cap, said spring cap having a tail with a hole
formed therein, said hole for accommodating a portion of said
disablement mechanism.
Description
[0001] This U.S. Patent Application is a continuation of pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/684,902 filed on Oct. 14, 2003,
which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/837,922 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,655) filed on Apr. 18, 2001,
which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 60/263,906, filed Jan. 24, 2001 and of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/198,525, filed Apr. 19, 2000. This
application also claims the benefit of the provisional patent
applications cited immediately above.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to firearms, such as pistols,
which use hammers which fire the pistol upon activation of a
trigger mechanism. The disclosed invention will operate with such
pistols which use a main spring or trigger spring which activates
the movement of the hammer to fire the pistol. The disclosed safety
lock device will work on any pistol design similar to the
well-known 1911 style government pistol which utilizes a hammer
spring which is located generally within the pistol grip of the
firearm.
[0003] While safety selection switches and devices have been common
on firearms for many years, there has recently been a move to
provide for a lockable safety which adds a means to render the
firearm safe using other than the operator selected safety switches
or levers which are commonly found on many pistols, including the
1911 style pistol. There are a variety of pistol safety designs,
such as the grip lever safety seen on the 1911 style pistol. The
pistol described in U.S. Pat. No. 984,519, issued Feb. 14, 1911, to
John M. Browning is still used today on the pistol styles which
bear the general designation of the year of his invention. The
purpose of this grip type of safety on pistols is to prevent the
pistol from discharging when the pistol chamber is loaded, ready to
fire and the pistol is not properly positioned in the hand of the
shooter.
[0004] A second category of safeties are those which are manually
activated or deactivated by the operator of the pistol using a
selective lever or switch which are characteristically mounted on
the frame of a pistol or in an area of the pistol where the
shooter's thumb is positioned when the pistol is maintained in the
proper method of gripping the pistol. Such manual safeties are
positioned to allow their manipulation by the shooter, but are
generally not designed to have a lock on device which will prevent
the activation of the pistol by an unauthorized user.
[0005] With increased emphasis on pistol safety and in an effort to
provide the means to lock a pistol to avoid activation by a child
or other unauthorized user, many pistol locks which are separate,
peripheral devices have been utilized. Such devices include
blocking the barrel and the slide of the firearm with a mechanical
means, or placing devices on or about the trigger area to prevent
activation of the trigger, using key lock devices which can only be
removed from the gun frame by insertion of the proper key.
[0006] Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to
provide a secure, lockable means to render a pistol in a safe,
non-firing condition by disabling, arresting, or blocking the
movement of the pistol hammer activation means through a lockable
insertion device. It is a further object of the present invention
to provide a means to arrest the movement of the main hammer spring
in pistols utilizing hammer springs generally locating within the
pistol grip, such as to selectively arrest the movement of the
spring mechanism or spring components so that any spring bias used
to activate the hammer mechanism is not available until the locking
means is selectively removed. It is yet a further object of the
present invention to provide a means to arrest a pistol's hammer
activation rod by securing said rod to the spring activation means
or buffer used to operate the pistol in a selective fashion to
render the pistol in a safe or fire condition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The disclosed invention relates to an internally operated
safety device or safety lock designed to prevent firing of a Colt
government model 1911 style semiautomatic pistol. The invention
operates by selectively arresting the movement of the buffer device
which sits atop the trigger spring contained within the pistol grip
of the gun. The present invention provides a means to retrofit
existing 1911 style semiautomatic handguns with the device without
permanently altering or damaging the firearm. By utilizing existing
internal components, and providing a modification of certain
components which are easily replaceable, the disclosed invention
provides for an effective means to lock down a firearm by
replacement of certain modified parts. However, the firearm may be
restored to its original condition by replacement of conventional,
inexpensive parts, thereby allowing an owner of the firearm to
install the safety device without any apprehension about destroying
the value of the gun or permanently altering the major components
of the firearm.
[0008] The invention operates by arresting or preventing the upward
or downward travel of a spring buffer device which is located at
the interface of an operating rod which connects the hammer
mechanism with the main spring. The main spring provides the
potential energy or spring bias, for the return of the hammer upon
the activation of the trigger once the hammer has been cocked. The
invention suggests a means to lock the firearm utilizing a simple
screw type device. A more elaborate locking mechanism may be used
to prevent removal of the locking device once engaged in the safe
position. Such locking mechanisms form a basis for a key style
firearm lock which is internal to the firearm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the typical Colt government
model 1911 semiautomatic pistol illustrating all of the internal
components of the firearm specifically detailing components of
interest for the safety lock disclosed.
[0010] FIG. 2 provides a cutaway view of part of the pistol grip
area of the Colt model 1911 style handgun illustrating the
invention and the operation of the invention as it relates to the
arresting of the main spring buffer and illustrates the lock
mechanism in the on or safe position.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a main spring hammer buffer device
utilizing pin hole locking modification to be used on an alternate
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The invention will now be described with reference to the
various figures in which like numbers refer to like parts for a
typical model 1911 style handgun. Turing to FIG. 1, an exploded
view of the pistol is seen utilizing parts which will seem familiar
to gunsmiths and those skilled in the art. Turning to area 38 shown
on FIG. 1, it will be appreciated by those familiar with firearms
that a 1911 model semiautomatic handgun utilizes a main spring
contained within the pistol grip area of the handgun. The hammer 8
is attached to the trigger spring operating rod 18. FIG. 1
discloses the operating rod separately in the exploded view,
through it would be appreciated by those skilled in this art that
rod 18 sits within an upper notch area of buffer 12 when the pistol
is assembled. Upon cocking of the hammer 8, rod 18 presents force
in the downward position and urges buffer 12, sitting within the
coil of the spring 10, to compress or bias the spring. The
compressed spring provides the energy to return the hammer upon
actuation of the trigger mechanism.
[0013] The present invention operates by arresting the movement of
buffer 12. It has been determined by the inventor that insertion of
a stopping mechanism such as a set screw or some other device which
prevents any upward or downward movement of buffer 12 will
effectively lock down the firearm and prevent it from firing. The
invention operates in this fashion because rod 18 is prevented from
moving downward, thereby holding hammer 8 in the closed position.
Pulling on the trigger in a double action model or attempting to
cock the hammer backward to prepare the fire the firearm would be
impossible when buffer 12 is arrested or locked with the device
disclosed.
[0014] Turning to FIG. 2, a cutaway view of the pistol grip of the
model 1911 style firearm shown spring 10 with spring buffer 12, a
modified version, placed in its normal operating position. It can
be appreciated by observing FIG. 2 that rod 18 sits within a notch
provided at the top of buffer 12 in an identical fashion to that
found on a stock firearm. However, buffer 12 has been modified to
provide a slot about the entire circumference of buffer 12 in a
fashion to allow the entry of buffer block or shaft 26. Buffer
block 26 can be the end of a set screw inserted through threaded
opening 28 and operated through key 30 such as the entire lock 32
is one unit inserted within the pistol grip at opening 26 to engage
in the mating slot 22 found in buffer 12.
[0015] Although slot 22 in the spring buffer 12 may be located in
one area of the buffer, it has been discovered by the inventor that
upon operation of the firearm, buffer 12 may travel or rotate about
its longitudinal axis through normal vibrations. A more effective
mechanism is provided if the shape of the new buffer 12 has a
uniform slot 22 around its entire circumference to engage block
26.
[0016] One of the advantages of the disclosed invention is that it
may be utilized to retrofit numerous existing firearms of the style
disclosed without damaging or permanently altering the firearm.
Since many firearm owners prefer not to machine or permanently
modify an existing, and usually expensive firearm, the invention
disclosed can be utilized to make a kit which will fit into an
existing firearm without having to damage or alter the firearm. By
utilizing dimensions of buffer 12 that are similar to the existing
dimensions of typical spring buffer in the 1911 pistol, and by
providing replacement parts for the grip spring housing 16 which is
integrated into the pistol grip, it can be appreciated that
components can be provided which can be easily installed by a
firearm owner, or by any gunsmith without spending a great deal of
time. Further, it can be appreciated that while FIG. 2 presents one
style for providing a locking means or an arresting means to
prevent movement of spring buffer 12, a variety of existing locking
mechanisms can be installed such that locking shaft or block 26 is
disposed to flush with the pistol grip housing and can contain a
key lock or latcheting mechanism which requires a specially
machined or formed key lock 30 to mate with the locking mechanism
to prevent unlocking the device without having the mating key.
Thus, it can be appreciated that using the method disclosed a
variety of existing locking mechanisms to arrest buffer 12 will
effectively provide a permanent safety lock for the firearm.
[0017] In a Colt Commander, one style of a model 1911 firearm,
buffer 12 should be increased in vertical length by approximately
1/8 inch while the operating spring 10 should be shortened by
approximately 1/8 inch. It will be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that the components that operate the firearm's hammer could
be adjusted such that any new components added would not change the
overall dimensions of the internal operating components. FIG. 3
illustrates a spring buffer 12 for the present invention which
provides an alternative embodiment. It is possible to design a
spring buffer 12 which utilizes a single spring buffer key hole 23
in the trigger spring buffer tail 20. In a firearm of similar
design where spring buffer 12 does not rotate about the
longitudinal axis of spring buffer tail 20, single notched areas of
buffer tail 20 can be utilized to accept locking shaft 26 used to
arrest movement of the buffer.
[0018] Turning again to lock 32 shown in FIG. 2, it can be further
appreciated that lock 32 can be made up of a mechanism which will
not allow withdrawal by the turning of knob 30 unless a keyed
device or specialized tool is applied to unscrew the device or
otherwise release a ratcheting mechanism which withdraws buffer
block 26. Such a device could be a simple miniature key lock
mechanism, a combination lock integrated into the handle of the
gun, or some other snap lock ratcheting mechanism, much like that
used in a ball point pen, to withdraw and extend the ball point
sequentially.
[0019] The advantage of the present invention is that it does not
affect the operation or the accuracy of the firearm, does not
change the trigger pull or hammer operation and otherwise may be
both retrofit into existing firearms and integrated as an option
into new firearms while still allowing retrofit of both old and
newly manufactured firearms.
[0020] In the preferred embodiment, the inventor has placed entry
thread 28 at the rear of the pistol grip spring housing 16 as shown
in FIG. 1. The manufacturers of the style of firearm displayed in
the present disclosure allow quick change of different styles of
the rear of the pistol grip depending on the comfort or desires of
the owner of the firearm. Lock 32 has been inserted into a drilled
and tapped entry to allow engaging buffer 12 as modified. However,
it can be appreciated by those skilled in the art of firearms
manufacture or maintenance that a lock unit 32 may be inserted from
one side or the other of the pistol grip and still operate to
engage and arrest buffer 12. The inventor has determined that a
preferred area for entry of the arresting device which comprises
lock 32 is the rear of the grip trim spring housing 16.
[0021] The present invention relates not only to an improvement in
the 1911 style pistol, but also provides a method for converting
such a pistol which is already in existence. The invention
described is easily retrofitted into any of the millions of
existing 1911 style pistols so that such pistols can gain the
benefit of a child-proof safety lock mechanism. With the described
invention, anyone skilled in the art will recognize that an
existing firearm can be modified as follows. First, remove the
existing grip panels as shown in FIG. 1, which is easily
accomplished by removing the screws. Removing such panels thereby
provides easier access to the interior of the pistol handle area
containing spring buffer 12 and the trigger or hammer spring 10.
The spring and buffer are contained within the grip spring housing
16 which can easily be removed.
[0022] Next, after removal of the existing spring buffer 12, a
modified buffer containing the modifications illustrated in FIGS. 2
or 3 is then placed within the firearm to replace the existing
buffer 12. Next, a modified spring housing grip piece 16 containing
an opening to accept the locking shaft to mate with the indentation
in the modified spring buffer 12. Grip 16 can contain a key lock
device which upon activation inserts the described blocking
mechanism to arrest the movement of the modified spring buffer 12
is then installed. Thereafter, reassembly of the pistol will
provide for an operating firearm which is undamaged and can be
modified back to its original stock condition if desired by the
owner. The modified grip 16 housing the spring and buffer mechanism
can be a newly machined unit containing an integrated key lock 32
or a modified original grip if the owner does not desire to
maintain the option of replacing the original firearm parts.
[0023] And thus is described details of the best mode to carry out
the invention. Though the invention has been described with respect
to one embodiment, the true scope of the invention should not be
limited by the examples provided in the specifications and
drawings, but should be determined by the broadest reasonable
interpretation of the language of the claims including reasonable
structure on functional equivalents of that specifically claimed
below.
* * * * *