U.S. patent application number 11/043273 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-27 for locking device for a firearm.
Invention is credited to Robert R. McLaren, William A. McLaren.
Application Number | 20060162221 11/043273 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36695161 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060162221 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McLaren; Robert R. ; et
al. |
July 27, 2006 |
Locking device for a firearm
Abstract
A gun locking device includes a tube that fits within the bore
of a firearm and extends from the muzzle to the chamber. A first
subassembly on the tube moves between a locked position, in which
radial balls extend from the tube to obstruct removal of the tube
from the barrel, and an unlocked position in which the tube may be
removed. A second subassembly coupled to the first subassembly
enables a user to move the position of the first subassembly.
Operation of an actuator knob on the second subassembly causes a
compression rod within the tube to rotate a threaded riser at the
first subassembly to drive the radially moveable balls. The
actuator knob can be locked with the tube secured in the barrel.
Optionally, a barrel locator cap prevents rotation of the actuator
knob unless the muzzle of the barrel bears against the second
subassembly.
Inventors: |
McLaren; Robert R.;
(Colorado Springs, CO) ; McLaren; William A.;
(Colorado Springs, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORISHITA LAW FIRM, LLC
3800 HOWARD HUGHES PARKWAY
SUITE 850
LAS VEGAS
NV
89109
US
|
Family ID: |
36695161 |
Appl. No.: |
11/043273 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/70.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 17/44 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/070.11 |
International
Class: |
F41A 17/00 20060101
F41A017/00 |
Claims
1. A locking device for a firearm having a barrel with associated
bore having a first diameter extending along the barrel length from
a muzzle to a chamber having a second diameter greater than the
first diameter, the locking device comprising: a tube with a
diameter less than said first diameter, the tube having a proximal
end portion, a distal end portion, and a length greater than or
equal to said barrel length, the distal end portion of the tube
having at least one aperture; a first subassembly on the distal end
portion of the tube selectively moveable between a first
configuration in which the first subassembly has a diameter less
than said first diameter, and a second configuration in which the
first subassembly has a diameter greater than said first diameter
and less than or equal to said second diameter, the first
subassembly comprising: at least one radially moveable ball, the
radially moveable balls disposed within the distal end portion of
the tube, each radially moveable ball in alignment with an
associated aperture; and an axially movable riser in the distal end
portion of the tube, the riser including a graduated guide with
said ball located adjacent said riser, said graduated guide
positioned with respect to said radially moveable ball to drive the
radially moveable ball radially outward when the riser is moved
axially in said tube; and a second subassembly connected to the
proximal end of the tube, the second subassembly coupled to said
first subassembly to transmit motion from the second subassembly to
the first subassembly, the second subassembly comprising: an
actuator selectively moveable between a first position
corresponding to the first subassembly being in the first
configuration in which the actuator causes the riser to move
axially in said tube to permit the radially moveable balls to move
radially inward to reduce the first subassembly diameter to less
than said first diameter, and a second position corresponding to
the first subassembly being in the second configuration in which
the actuator causes the riser to move axially in said tube to drive
the radially moveable ball to protrude through said aperture to
extend the first subassembly diameter to greater than said first
diameter; and a lock to secure the actuator in said second
position.
2. The locking device of claim 1, further comprising a rod disposed
coaxially within the tube, one end of said rod coupled to said
actuator and the other end of said rod coupled to said riser to
couple rotational movement from the second subassembly to the first
subassembly when the actuator is rotated to the second position,
wherein said riser is threaded and said threaded riser engages
threads inside said tube such that the rotational movement of said
rod coupled to said riser causes axial movement of said riser in
said tube.
3. The locking device of claim 2, wherein said rod is removably
coupled to said riser such that said rod may be removed from said
tube without axial movement of said riser.
4. The locking device of claim 1, wherein the lock comprises: a
lock body on which the actuator knob is mounted, said lock body
connected to the proximal end of the tube, said lock body including
a detent arrangement thereon; a locking bar on the lock body that
is adapted to be moved by a user between an unlocked position of
the locking bar in which the locking bar does not obstruct rotation
of the actuator knob on the second subassembly and a locked
position of the locking bar in which the locking bar does obstruct
rotation of the actuator knob; and a plurality of manually
rotatable disks on the lock body, each of the disks defining a slot
such that the slots of all the disks must be aligned by rotating
the disks to a predetermined combination of disk positions for the
locking bar to be moved between the unlocked and locked positions,
each disk including an outer periphery portion that having a fixed
number of recesses corresponding to an equivalent number of disk
positions, said recesses cooperating with said detent arrangement
to partially restrain the disks at each disk position and provide
tactile feedback to the user of the movement between disk positions
to facilitate operation in darkness.
5. The locking device of claim 1 further comprising a barrel
locator at said second subassembly, said barrel locator releasing
said actuator for movement when said muzzle is pressed against said
barrel locator, and prevents said actuator from movement when said
muzzle is not pressed against said barrel locator.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to locking devices
for firearms. More specifically, the present invention is a locking
device for handguns, rifles, shotguns, and other firearms that
prevents unauthorized use without significantly impeding authorized
use.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Some existing handgun locking devices take the form of a
"barrel lock." A hollow tube extends coaxially down the bore of the
barrel, from a proximal end of the tube at the muzzle to a distal
end of the tube at the chamber. A chamber-engaging arrangement at
the distal end cooperates with a combination, key, or electronic
lock arrangement at the proximal end to prevent unauthorized
withdrawal. Once in place, the barrel blocking tube effectively
renders the handgun inoperative until removed. The problem is that
the right combination of barrel lock attributes to satisfy gun
owners remains elusive.
[0003] First consider existing chamber-engaging arrangements at the
distal end. One existing design requires a separate, dummy
cartridge be inserted in the chamber. A spring-biased cam forces
locking balls to protrude radially outward through recesses in the
distal end of the tube so that the locking balls engage recesses in
the dummy cartridge. One problem with doing it that way is that an
extra component is required (i.e., the dummy cartridge). Of course,
the locking balls can bear directly against the chamber in smaller
caliber handguns without using the dummy cartridge, but doing so
can mar the chamber wall if ever the barrel lock is rotated within
the barrel (e.g., a forced unauthorized removal attempt). The
locking balls tend to scrape across the chamber wall without
rotating. In addition, a spring is required to force the cam
against the locking balls, and springs eventually fail.
Furthermore, accommodating the tolerance variations of various gun
manufacturers can be more costly with this design. Thus, a better
chamber-engaging arrangement is needed at the distal end.
[0004] Existing combination, key, or electronic lock arrangements
at the proximal end also have certain drawbacks. Existing
combination locks in use on barrel locks require the user to view
the combination disks. That means the user may have to turn on a
light to unlock the handgun. Key locks can be even more difficult.
The key may have to be located and used at a very critical time.
Electronic locks depend on battery power, and the battery may fail
at a critical time. All these things can impede quick access by an
authorized user, and so a better lock arrangement is needed at the
proximal end.
[0005] In my prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,560,910, incorporated herein by
reference, a gun locking device was disclosed in which a rod
coupled a locking assembly with an actuator subassembly using a rod
and compression balls such that axial movement of the rod caused
compression balls to raise locking balls through an aperture to
secure the locking device in the gun barrel. However, in this
device, the locking balls are held in place only by the rod bearing
upon the compression balls. If the rod is removed from the tube,
such as by cutting through the tube and sliding the rod out, the
compression balls, and consequently the locking balls, are no
longer held in the secured position and the locking device can be
removed from the firearm.
[0006] Additionally, the locking device in my prior U.S. Pat. No.
6,560,910 could be inserted into a firearm for which the barrel is
the incorrect length. At a minimum, this could result in damage to
the firearm. However, of greater concern, a user could insert the
locking device into a firearm with a live cartridge in the
chamber.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is a locking device for a firearm
having a barrel. The locking device includes a hollow tube adapted
to fit coaxially within the bore of the barrel and extend from the
muzzle to the chamber. A first or expandable subassembly on the
distal end portion of the tube is adapted to be moved under user
control between a first configuration that fits within the bore so
that the first subassembly does not obstruct removal of the tube
from the bore, and a second configuration that fits within the
chamber but does not fit within the bore (i.e., it extends too far
radially outward to fit) so that the first subassembly obstructs
removal of the tube from the bore.
[0008] A second or actuator subassembly on the proximal end of the
tube enables a user to selectively move the expandable subassembly
between the first and second configurations while the tube is
within the bore. The actuator subassembly includes an actuator knob
adapted to be manually moved between a first position corresponding
to the first subassembly being in the first configuration, and a
second position corresponding to the first subassembly being in the
second configuration. The actuator subassembly also includes means
for selectively locking the actuator knob in the second position. A
rod disposed coaxially within the tube couples rotational movement
from the actuator subassembly to the expandable subassembly when
the knob is rotated.
[0009] According to the present invention, the distal end portion
of the tube defines a plurality of apertures disposed around the
distal end portion. The expandable subassembly also includes a
corresponding plurality of radially moveable balls disposed within
the distal end portion of the tube. The expandable subassembly is
adapted to hold each of the radially moveable balls in alignment
with an associated one of the apertures so that the radially
moveable balls can be driven to protrude from the apertures.
[0010] The expandable subassembly also includes a riser with a
graduated guide within the distal end portion of the tube. The
radially moveable balls are positioned in contact with the
graduated guide of the riser. As the graduated guide of the riser
moves axially within the tube, the radially moveable balls can be
driven radially outward or inward through the apertures.
Optionally, the riser is threaded and engages threads inside the
tube.
[0011] The actuator subassembly is so adapted that moving the
actuator knob from the first position to the second position with
the tube in the bore causes the rod to rotate. As the rod rotates,
the rotational movement of the rod is translated to axial movement
of the riser. The graduated guide of the riser bears against and
moves the radially moveable balls to protrude through the apertures
to obstruct removal of the tube from the bore. The actuator
subassembly is also so adapted that moving the actuator knob from
the second position to the first position causes the rod to rotate
in the opposite direction. This rotation is translated to axial
movement of the riser so that the radially moveable balls are free
to move radially inward sufficiently to not obstruct removal of the
tube from the bore.
[0012] In an optional embodiment, the means for locking the
actuator knob facilitates fast operation in total darkness. The
actuator knob is mounted on a lock body that is connected to the
proximal end of the tube. A locking bar on the lock body moves
under user control between an unlocked position of the locking bar
in which the locking bar does not obstruct rotation of the actuator
knob and a locked position of the locking bar in which the locking
bar does obstruct rotation of the actuator knob.
[0013] A plurality of disks on the lock body are adapted to be
manually rotated only a partial turn. Each of the disks defines a
slot such that the slots of all the disks must be aligned by
rotating the disks to a predetermined combination of disk positions
in order for the locking bar to be moved between the unlocked and
locked positions. A detent arrangement on the lock body partially
restrains the disks at each disk position.
[0014] Each disk includes a tab portion that protrudes radially
outward from the rest of the disk as an indication of disk position
and as a structure for a user to bear against in order to rotate
the disk between disk positions. Each disk includes an outer
periphery portion that defines a fixed number of recesses
corresponding to an equivalent number of disk positions. The detent
arrangement is adapted to cooperate with the recesses in the outer
periphery portion of each disk in order to partially restrain the
disks at each disk position while providing tactile feedback to the
user of movement between disk positions in order to facilitate
operation in darkness.
[0015] In another optional embodiment, the present invention
includes a barrel locator. The barrel locator permits movement of
said actuator when said muzzle bears against the barrel locator,
but prevents movement of said actuator when said muzzle is not
pressing against the barrel locator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 of the drawings is an isometric view of a gun lock in
position to be inserted into the bore of a handgun barrel according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side assembly view of a rod and riser according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a enlarged sectional view of a rod, riser, and
locking balls shown in an unlocked configuration disposed in a
firearm according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the gun lock
shown in a locked configuration according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of one of the combination
disks of the gun lock, taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4 with the gun
lock in a locked configuration according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0021] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the locking
balls in the ball plug component, taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 4 with
the gun lock in a locked configuration according to an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the gun lock
shown in an unlocked configuration according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of one of the combination
disks of the gun lock, taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7 with the gun
lock in an unlocked configuration according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the locking
balls in the ball plug component, taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 7 with
the gun lock in an unlocked configuration according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 10 is an enlarged, disassembled view of four
combination disks and an associated detent arrangement according to
an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0026] FIG. 11 is an enlarged side view of a locking bar according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION
[0027] Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are
referred to by like numerals throughout. FIGS. 1-11 of the drawings
show various aspects of a gun lock 10 constructed according to an
embodiment of the present invention. Although the illustrated gun
lock 10 is described with reference to a 0.45 caliber, clip fed,
semi-automatic handgun 11 shown in FIG. 1, the inventive concepts
disclosed and claimed are not so restricted. A gun lock constructed
according to the invention can be configured for use with any of
various firearms, including semi-automatic handguns, revolvers, and
rifles, so long as the firearm has a barrel with a bore and a
muzzle, and a chamber wall that defines a chamber. A muzzle 12 of
the handgun 11 is designated in FIG. 1, while a barrel 13 and its
bore 14 are designated in FIGS. 4 and 7, along with a chamber wall
15 that defines a chamber 16. Those are all well known parts of a
handgun.
[0028] For the illustrated 0.45 caliber handgun 11, the bore 14 has
a first diameter measuring about 0.443 inches and the chamber 16
has a second diameter measuring about 0.477 inches. Of course,
those diameters will be different for different caliber handguns
and other firearms. They also may vary for different handguns and
other firearms of the same caliber depending on the manufacturer.
But the difference in diameter of the bore and the chamber enables
the gun lock 10 to lock in place by enlarging radially.
[0029] Generally, the gun lock 10 includes a hollow tube 17 having
a proximal end portion 18, a distal end portion 19, (FIGS. 1, 2, 4,
and 7) and a length sufficient to extend within the bore 14 from
the muzzle 12 to within the chamber 16 as illustrated in FIG. 3.
The tube 17 is composed of a rigid material (e.g., steel). It is
adapted to fit coaxially within the bore 14 in the sense that its
outside diameter is less than the diameter of the bore 14 so that
the tube 17 can be inserted into the bore 14 from the muzzle 12, as
depicted in FIG. 1, with the tube 17 and the bore 14 coaxially
disposed about an axis 20 (FIG. 1). As a further idea of size, the
illustrated tube 17 measures about 0.435 inches in diameter and
about 5.5 inches in length in order to work with the illustrated
0.45 caliber handgun 11.
[0030] A first subassembly within the distal end portion 19 of the
tube 17 (an expandable subassembly 21 designated in FIGS. 4 and 7)
expands radially in response to user operation of a second
subassembly connected to the proximal end portion 18 (an actuator
subassembly 22 designated in FIGS. 1, 4, and 7) to selectively
obstruct removal of the tube 17. The user unlocks and then rotates
a knurled actuator knob 23 (FIGS. 1, 4, and 7) a partially turn
from a first or unlock position of the actuator knob 23 shown in
FIG. 7 to a second or locked position shown in FIG. 4, thereby
causing the expandable subassembly 21 to expand or enlarge
radially. To unlock the actuator knob 23, the user moves a
plurality of combination disks 24, 25, 26, and 27 (FIGS. 1, 4, and
7) to a predetermined combination of disk positions as explained
later on in this description.
[0031] The expandable subassembly 21 (FIGS. 3, 4, and 7) is located
at the distal end portion 19 of the tube 17. The distal end portion
19 also includes at least one tube aperture. In the optional
embodiment of the figures, a plurality of tube apertures are
provided 34A-34D. Optionally, the tube apertures 34A-34D are
arranged at equal intervals in a ring formation around the
circumference of the distal end portion 19 (e.g., 0.150-inch
diameter apertures for the 0.45 caliber handgun 11). Only the tube
apertures 34A, 34B, and 34C are visible in FIG. 2, but the fourth
tube aperture 34D is diametrically opposite the tube aperture 34B
and it is designated in FIGS. 6 and 9.
[0032] So configured, the tube 17 is adapted to hold a quantity of
locking balls 36-39 to correspond to the quantity of tube apertures
34A-34D. That is, at least one locking ball is provided since the
tube 17 will include at least one tube aperture. In the optional
embodiment shown, the locking balls 36-39 measure about 0.155
inches in diameter for the 0.45 caliber handgun 11 (FIGS. 4, 6, 7,
and 9). The term "locking ball" is chosen simply to reflect the
fact that the locking balls 36-39 serve to move radially outward
and protrude through corresponding tube apertures 34A-34D for
locking purposes.
[0033] A riser 28 is disposed coaxially in the distal end 19 of the
tube 17. The locking balls are disposed proximate the riser 28 and
are aligned with a corresponding one of the four tube apertures
34A-34D. In the optional embodiment of the figures, the locking
balls 36, 37, 38, and 39 are disposed in a ring around a teat 101
on the riser 28 so that each of the locking balls 36, 37, 38, and
39 is aligned with a corresponding one of the ball plug apertures
30-33 and a corresponding one of the tube apertures 34A-34D. The
riser 28 includes a graduated guide 102 that, in the optional
embodiment of the figures, is adjacent the locking balls 36-39.
[0034] As can be appreciated, when the riser 28 moves axially in
the tube 17, the graduated guide 102 drives the locking balls 36-39
to protrude through the tube apertures 34A-34D toward the chamber
wall 15. While the axial movement of the riser 28 in the tube 17
could be accomplished in any manner, optionally, the riser 28 is
threaded and disposed in mating threads inside the tube 17. In such
an embodiment, the riser 28 is coupled to a rod 42, such that
rotational movement of the rod 42 is translated by the threaded
surfaces to axial movement of the riser 28. As the riser 28 moves
axially, the locking balls 36-39 are forced radially outward a
small amount from a first or unlocked configuration illustrated in
FIG. 9 to a second or locked configuration illustrated in FIG. 7.
That is, the rod 42 serves as a means for coupling axial movement
from the actuator subassembly 22 to the expandable subassembly 21
when the actuator knob 23 is moved to the second position.
[0035] In the unlocked configuration, the locking balls are
disposed radially inward enough to fit within the bore 14 so that
they do not obstruct removal of the tube 17 from the bore 14. In
the locked configuration, each of the locking balls 36-39 protrudes
through a corresponding one of the tube apertures 34A-34D
sufficiently to obstruct removal of the tube 17 from the bore
14.
[0036] Optionally, the locking balls 36-39 are all spherical, hard,
and smooth. Thus, they have what might call for the purposes of
this description as a point contact with each other, with the
chamber wall 15, with the rod 42, and with the riser 28. Such point
contact coupled with the ball arrangement minimizes frictional
influence of one component over the other and leaves the balls free
to rotate. Instead of marring the chamber wall 15, the locking
balls rotate if someone rotates the gun lock 10 within the bore 14
of the barrel 13.
[0037] As described in greater detail below and shown in FIGS.
1-11, the rod 42 couples movement between the first subassembly 21
and the second subassembly 22. In the optional embodiment of the
figures, the rod 42 is free to rotate relative to the actuator
subassembly 22. In fact, in the optional embodiment of the figures,
the rod 42 is driven by the actuator subassembly 22 to rotate. This
could be accomplished in many different ways, but in an optional
embodiment, the rod 42 is coupled to the actuator knob 23 so that
rotation of the actuator knob 23 causes rotation of the rod 42. The
rod 42 is also coupled to the riser 28. In the optional embodiment
of the figures, the rod 42 is removably, that is non-permanently,
coupled to the riser 28. Again, this could take many different
forms, but in an optional embodiment, the rod 42 includes a male
member that removably mates with a female receiver on the riser 28.
For example, the male member could be a substantially flat end 103
and the female receiver may be a slot 104. By rotating the rod 42,
the rotation is transmitted through the male member to the female
receiver to thereby cause the riser 28 to rotate. In the optional
embodiment of the figures, the riser 28 is threadably received into
the tube 17 and, thus, the rotation of the riser 28 in the threads
of the tube 17 is translated to axial movement of the riser 28 in
the tube 17.
[0038] When the gun lock 10 is transferred to the first or unlocked
configuration shown in FIG. 7, the riser 28 moves axially so that
the graduated guide 102 allows the locking balls 36-39 to move
radially inward to rest upon the teat 101 in an unlocked
configuration in which the expandable subassembly 21 again fits
within the bore 14 and does not obstruct removal of the tube 17
from the bore 14. Stated another way, the expandable subassembly 21
on the distal end portion 19 of the tube 17 is adapted to be moved
under user control between a first configuration of the expandable
subassembly 21 that fits within the bore 14 so that the expandable
subassembly 21 does not obstruct removal of the tube 17 from the
bore 14, and a second configuration of the expandable subassembly
21 that fits within the chamber 16 but does not fit within the bore
14 so that the expandable subassembly 21 does obstruct removal of
the tube 17 from the bore 14.
[0039] Turning now to the actuator subassembly 22 shown FIGS. 4 and
7, it is connected to the proximal end 18 of the tube 17 where it
enables a user to selectively move the expandable subassembly 21
between the first and second configurations while the tube 17 is
within the bore 14. For that purpose, the actuator subassembly 22
includes a lock body 44 having a first end portion 44A and a second
end portion 44B (FIGS. 4 and 7). The lock body 44 may take any of
various shapes within the inventive concepts disclosed, including
the illustrated 1.375-inch diameter by 1.75-inch long cylindrically
shaped steel body. The first end portion 44A of the lock body 44 is
connected to the proximal end portion 18 of the tube 17 by a metal
end cap 45 that is secured to the first end portion 44A.
[0040] Motion of the actuator subassembly 22 may be transmitted in
many different ways. For example, in the optional embodiment of the
figures, the actuator knob 23 is mounted rotatably on the lock body
44 and is coupled to the rod 42, such that rotation of the actuator
knob 23 causes the rod 42 to rotate. Thus, rotating the actuator
knob 23 a partial turn from the first position illustrated in FIG.
7 to the second position illustrated in FIG. 4 causes the rod 42 to
rotate and, in turn, rotate the riser 28. In other words, rotation
of the actuator knob 23 is translated to rotation of the riser 28
through the rod 42. The rotation of the riser 28, as described
above, is translated to axial motion of the riser 28 by threads on
the outer surface of the riser 28 engaged to threads on the inner
surface of the tube 17. The axial movement of the riser 28 causes
the locking balls 36, 37, 38, and 39 bearing on the graduated guide
102 of the riser 28 to move radially outward to engage the chamber
16 in the handgun 11. In this manner, the actuator knob 23 is
adapted to be rotated manually a partial turn between a first
position of the actuator knob 23 corresponding to the expandable
subassembly 21 being in the first or unlocked configuration and a
second position of the actuator knob 23 corresponding to the
expandable subassembly 21 being in the second or locked
configuration.
[0041] The actuator subassembly 22 also includes means for locking
the actuator knob 23 in the second position, i.e. with the
expandable subassembly 21 in the locked configuration, in order to
lock the tube 17 in the bore 14 of the handgun 11. That is
accomplished with a combination lock built into the lock body 44.
The combination lock includes a plurality of disks 24, 25, 26, and
27 that work in cooperation with a locking bar 49 (FIGS. 4, 5, 7
and 8). Each of the disks is rotatable, optionally a partial turn,
between a plurality of disk positions. In the optional embodiment
shown, each disk is rotatable to six disk positions, although any
number of disk positions could be provided. When the disks 24, 25,
26, and 27 are set in the predetermined combination of disk
positions for the plurality of disks, in this case four disks, the
locking bar 49 is free to move axially between the first or
unlocked locking bar position shown in FIG. 7 and the second or
locked locking bar position shown in FIG. 4.
[0042] In the second or locked locking bar position shown in FIG.
4, a locking bar tab 49A on the locking bar 49 engages the actuator
knob 23 so that the actuator knob 23 can not be rotated. With the
disks 24, 25, 26, and 27 in the predetermined combination of disk
positions, the user bears against the locking bar tab 49A to move
the locking bar 49 to that position. Then, the user rotates the
disks 24, 25, 26, and 27 out of the predetermined combination of
disk positions. Doing so locks the locking bar 49 in the second
position and that locks the actuator knob 23 from being
rotated.
[0043] Moving the disks 24, 25, 26, and 27 back to the
predetermined combination of disk positions frees the locking bar
49 so that a small spring 50 (FIG. 7) can automatically move the
locking bar to the first or unlocked locking bar position shown in
FIG. 7. Moving the disks 24, 25, 26, and 27 out of the
predetermined combination of disk positions then locks the locking
bar 49 in the first or unlocked locking bar position.
[0044] Operation of each of the disks 24, 25, 26, and 27 is similar
and so operation of only the disk 26 is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and
8. The disk 26 defines a locking bar slot 26A and it includes a tab
portion 26B. The tab portion 26B protrudes radially outward from
the rest of the disk where it helps indicate disk position. It also
serves as a structure for a user to bear against in order to rotate
the disk 26 between disk positions. By bearing against the tab 26B,
the user can rotate the disk 26 to any of six different disk
positions in order to selectively align the locking bar slot 26A
with the locking bar 49. With the disk 26 in the fifth disk
position shown in FIG. 5, the locking bar slot 26A is not aligned
with the locking bar 49 and so the disk obstructs axial movement of
the locking bar 49. With the disk 26 in the second disk position
shown in FIG. 8, the locking bar slot 26A is aligned with the
locking bar 49 and so the disk 26 does not obstruct axial movement
of the locking bar 49.
[0045] The disk 26 has an outer periphery portion 26C (FIGS. 5, 8,
and 10) that defines six recesses 51-56 (FIG. 10) corresponding to
an equivalent number of six disk positions. In an optional
embodiment, adjacent ones of the recesses 51-56 are spaced apart
center-to-center by about 16-17 degrees of arc. A detent
arrangement 57 (FIGS. 5, 8, and 10) cooperates with the recesses
51-56 to partially restrain the disks 24, 25, 26, and 27 at each
disk position while providing tactile feedback to the user of
movement between disk positions in order to facilitate operation in
darkness (i.e., facilitate user movement of the disks to desired
disk positions without the user having to visually determine disk
position). The disks 24, 25, and 27 are similar to the disk 26
except that the location of the locking bar slots 24A, 25A, and 27A
are different in order to set a predetermined combination of
different disk positions that must be used to unlock the
combination lock. The term "tactile feedback" is chosen to reflect
the fact that the user can feel operation of the detent arrangement
57 as it passes the recesses 51-56.
[0046] In an optional embodiment of the detent arrangement 57, a
datum bar 59 holds a detent ball 58 to the disks 24, 25, 26, 27
with the assistance of a spring 60 (FIGS. 5 and 8). The spring 60
is optionally a coil spring that bears against the detent ball 58
to spring bias the detent ball 58 toward the disk 26. As a disk is
rotated, the detent ball 58 "clicks" into recesses in the disk.
Consequently, the user can feel the recesses pass by the detent
balls. By counting the number of recesses that pass a detent ball,
the user can move each disk to a desired disk position by feel,
without viewing the disk.
[0047] The datum bar 59 and a shoulder portion 44C of the lock body
44 (FIGS. 5 and 8) restrict rotational movement of the disk 26 to a
partial turn (in this optional embodiment, about 100 degrees of
arc) between a first stop position where the tab 26B abuts the
datum bar 59 and a second stop position where it abuts the shoulder
portion 44C. To move the disk 26 to a desired disk position without
viewing the disk 26, the user moves the disk 26 until it abuts the
datum bar 59 (i.e., the first stop position) or until it abuts the
shoulder portion 44 (i.e., the second stop position). From that
stop position as a starting position, the user counts the number of
recesses that pass the detent ball 58 until the disk 26 is moved to
the desired disk position. When the detent ball 58 passes into one
of the recesses 51-56, it provides tactile feedback in the form of
a user discernible vibration or "click." The user can use the
clicks to determine disk position. Rotational movement of the disks
24, 25, and 27 could be restricted in a similar way, so the user
could rotate them to a desired disk position in a similar
manner.
[0048] Typically, the user sets the position of disk 26 by first
moving the disk 26 to the first stop position where it abuts the
datum bar 59. Then the user rotates the disk 26 while noticing and
counting each click as the detent ball 58 passes the recesses
51-56. The first click occurs as the detent ball 58 moves into the
first recess 51. The second click occurs as the detent ball 58
moves into the second recess 52. The third click occurs as the
detent ball 58 moves into the third recess 53. The fourth, fifth,
and sixth clicks occur as the detent ball 58 moves progressively
into the fourth, fifth, and sixth recesses 54, 55, and 56. After
counting a desired number of clicks, the user stops rotating the
disk 26 so that it remains at a desired disk position. This
procedure is performed for each of the disks 24, 25, 26, and 27 in
order to set the disks in the predetermined combination of disk
positions.
[0049] Concerning the locking bar 49, it includes a protruding
portion 61 shown in FIG. 11 that contacts the spring 50 shown in
FIG. 7. When one or more of the disks 24, 25, 26, and 27 are not in
the predetermined combination of disk positions, those one or more
disks obstruct movement of the locking bar 49 by contacting
corresponding ones of upstanding fingers 62-66 (FIG. 11). When the
disks 24, 25, 26, and 27 are moved to the predetermined combination
of disk positions so that they do not obstruct movement of the
locking bar 49, the locking bar 49 may be moved distally so that it
no longer engages the actuator knob 23. Optionally, a spring 50 is
provided to automatically move the locking bar 49 out of engagement
with the actuator knob 23.
[0050] In a further optional embodiment, a barrel locator may be
provided. In an optional embodiment, the barrel locator may be used
to measure the length of the barrel 13 so that the gun lock 10 is
not engaged in the locked configuration in the incorrect position
or in the incorrect firearm. In an optional embodiment, the barrel
locator includes a barrel locator cap 39 proximate the actuator
subassembly 22 that enables the actuator knob 23 to be moved only
when the muzzle 12 bears against the barrel locator cap 39. In a
further optional embodiment, the barrel locator cap 39 may
cooperate with a chamber locator (not shown) proximate the
expandable subassembly 21 so that the actuator knob 23 can be moved
only when the gun lock 10 is properly located with respect to the
muzzle 12 and the chamber 16.
[0051] While certain embodiments of the present invention have been
shown and described it is to be understood that the present
invention is subject to many modifications and changes without
departing from the spirit and scope of the claims presented
herein.
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