U.S. patent application number 11/603998 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-21 for safety cartridge.
Invention is credited to Robert Len Aske.
Application Number | 20070137085 11/603998 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38171755 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070137085 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Aske; Robert Len |
June 21, 2007 |
Safety cartridge
Abstract
Firearms are used for self defense and sport. Self defense
requires immediate access to a loaded firearm. A safety cartridge
is designed to prevent an unauthorized person from firing a loaded
pistol, revolver, rifle, or shotgun. The safety cartridge is placed
in the firing chamber of a loaded firearm containing live
ammunition. The firearm owner may quickly use his weapon for self
defense or in a police action by ejecting the safety cartridge or
by rotating the cylinder. An attempt to fire the loaded firearm by
an unauthorized person initiates the safety cartridge causing the
resulting primer gases to propel the slug down the gun barrel until
it is stopped by action of the spring which is attached to both the
cartridge case and the slug causing it to jam preventing injury to
the firearm owner or children. Removing the fired safety cartridge
requires skill.
Inventors: |
Aske; Robert Len; (St. Louis
Park, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Robert Len Aske
1640 Kilmer Ave.
St. Louis Park
MN
55426
US
|
Family ID: |
38171755 |
Appl. No.: |
11/603998 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60751571 |
Dec 20, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/70.11 ;
102/444; 102/502 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 17/44 20130101;
F42B 5/02 20130101; F42B 12/66 20130101; F42B 5/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/70.11 ;
102/444; 102/502 |
International
Class: |
F41A 17/00 20060101
F41A017/00 |
Claims
1. A safety cartridge for a firearm where said firearm includes a
barrel having a breech end, firing chamber, and a firing mechanism,
the safety cartridge comprising: a. a cartridge case shaped and
dimensioned to be inserted in the firing chamber of the firearm, b.
a primer containing propellant in said cartridge case ignited by
the firing mechanism to form gas in said cartridge case, c. a
spring within the cartridge case having a first straight end
protruding through a hole at the base of said cartridge case said
first straight end bent at 90 degrees to secure said spring to said
cartridge case and having a second straight end outside the
cartridge case protruding through a hole within the slug said
second straight end bent 90 degrees to hold said safety cartridge
together before primer ignition and after primer ignition causing
safety cartridge length expansion several times its original length
forced by said gas pressure and said spring resisting force as its
length expands, d. said slug shaped and dimensioned similar to a
projectile or bullet to permit chambering from the magazine of a
pistol, rifle, or shotgun except having a diameter slightly less
than the barrel inside diameter allowing it to move freely in the
barrel after primer ignition.
2. Safety cartridge as defined in claim 1, wherein the safety
cartridge can work with any firearm and configured to lock the slug
in place in the barrel with a pound per square inch up to several
thousands pounds per square inch by placing an o-ring onto said
slug.
3. Safety cartridge as defined in claim 1, wherein the removal of
the safety cartridge after firing can be accomplished by inserting
a rod in the barrel of an automatic pistol, rifle, or shotgun
firearm and pushing said slug, spring and cartridge case out of the
firing chamber.
4. Safety cartridge as defined in claim 1, wherein the removal of
the safety cartridge after firing can by accomplished by inserting
a rod in the barrel of the revolver firearm and pushing said slug
back into its prefired position within the cartridge case allowing
the revolver chamber to be rotated out of line with the barrel
permitting removal of the safety cartridge out of the firing
chamber.
5. Safety cartridge as defined in claim 1, whereby when the gun is
accidentally discharged the firing mechanism will be protected and
dry firing will do no harm.
6. Safety cartridge as defined in claim 1, wherein the safety
cartridge can work with any firearm and configured to lock the slug
in place in the barrel with a pound per square inch up to several
thousands pounds per square inch by increasing said slug diameter
to slightly greater than the barrel inside diameter causing it to
wedge in the barrel after primer initiation.
7. Safety cartridge as defined in claim 1, wherein said slug has a
chamfered or rounded rear end to facilitate and permit slug
re-entry into the cartridge case during fired safety cartridge
removal from a revolver firearm.
8. Safety cartridge as defined in claim 1, wherein said slug is
bright colored anodized aluminum to distinguish said safety
cartridge from live ammunition.
9. Safety cartridge as defined in claim 1, wherein said slug is
light weight white plastic (Delrin) to distinguish said safety
cartridge from live ammunition and which nearly doubles said fired
safety cartridge length because of its lighter weight.
10. Safety cartridge as defined in claim 1, wherein a plastic
standoff tube is inserted onto said spring second straight end and
touching said slug to permit safety cartridge length to be
identical to live ammunition cartridge length.
11. Safety cartridge as defined in claim 1, wherein said spring is
longer having additional coils providing a longer fired safety
cartridge length for larger long guns such as rifles and
shotguns.
12. Safety cartridge as defined in claim 1, wherein a small
propellant charge is added to the primer providing a longer fired
safety cartridge length for larger long guns such as rifles and
shotguns.
13. Safety cartridge as defined in claim 1, wherein the slug is
equipped with a gas operated sound generator such as a reed
operated whistle.
14. Safety cartridge as defined in claim 1, wherein the slug is
made from a combustible material which emits smoke and a strong
odor after primer ignition.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is entitled to the benefit of the
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/751,571, Conformation Number
9956, and Filing Date Dec. 20, 2005. This information relates to
Firearm Safety Devices, specifically an improved device for
stopping accidental discharging of any firearm.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0003] Not Applicable
MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC
[0004] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] 1. Field of the Invention
[0006] The present invention is related to the field of firearms
and firearm safety devices.
[0007] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0008] The most widely used gun locks are two piece devices that
snap together over a trigger guard and prevent access to the
trigger. These devices typically use a pin and tumbler mechanism
and are opened by a key. A drawback to this type of lock is the
time required to find the key, unlock the guard and then possibly
load the gun. In an emergency situation there may not be enough
time to perform all these steps.
[0009] Another type of lock is inserted into the firing chamber of
a firearm preventing chambering of live ammunition as shown in
TABLE 1. Some of these devices effectively lock only revolvers.
Other devices effectively lock only pistols. Most are ineffective
in rifles and shotguns. Many of these devices require a special
tool for removal requiring time to find the tool and remove the
device.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] My "Safety Cartridge" is designed to be placed in the firing
chamber of any gun for the express purpose of keeping anyone that
is not aware of its presence from using the firearm. When fired it
will lock the firearm up and make it impossible to place live
ammunition in the firing chamber. This will protect the gun owner
and anyone else including children in the immediate area from harm.
In addition it also makes the gun far faster to use for self
defense or police action than any gun lock by simply ejecting the
Safety Cartridge from a pistol, rifle, or shotgun or by moving it
out-of-line in a revolver. My Safety Cartridge is "Flagged" and
easily identified by the gun owner as a Safety Cartridge and not
live ammunition. A fired Safety Cartridge is very difficult to
remove from a firearm but will not cause damage to the firearm. My
Safety Cartridge is designed to save lives of children and perhaps
the gun owner himself The Safety Cartridge is only effective as a
lock for automatic pistols, revolvers and bolt action, lever
action, pump or automatic rifles and shotguns. It is not an
effective lock for double barrel pistols, rifles, or shotguns.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 Shows a sectioned view of the assembled 9 mm Safety
Cartridge.
[0012] FIG. 2 Shows a sectioned view of the fired 9 mm Safety
Cartridge.
[0013] FIG. 3 Shows the fired 9 mm Safety Cartridge.
[0014] FIG. 4 Shows a sectioned view of a loaded 9 mm pistol which
is jammed or locked up by a fired 9 mm Safety Cartridge.
[0015] FIG. 5 Shows a sectioned view of the assembled .38 Special
Safety Cartridge.
[0016] FIG. 6 Shows a sectioned view of a loaded .38 Special
revolver which is jammed or locked up by a fired .38 Special Safety
Cartridge.
[0017] FIG. 7 Shows a sectioned view of the assembled .45 ACP
Safety Cartridge.
[0018] FIG. 8 Shows a sectioned view of the assembled 30-06 Safety
Cartridge for a 30-06 rifle.
[0019] FIG. 9 Shows a sectioned view of the assembled 12 gauge
Safety Cartridge for a 12 gauge shotgun.
[0020] FIG. 10 Shows a sectioned view of the assembled .38 Special
Safety Cartridge containing a standoff tube to assure proper
cartridge length and an o-ring to make it even more difficult to
remove from the firearm after it has been fired.
[0021] FIG. 11 Shows a sectioned view of the assembled .32 Auto
Safety Cartridge Preferred Embodiment for production where the
spring is attached directly to the cartridge case eliminating the
need for a spring double coil end and the pin.
[0022] FIG. 12 Shows a sectioned view of the assembled .380 Auto
Safety Cartridge Preferred Embodiment for production where the
spring is attached directly to the cartridge case eliminating the
need for a spring double coil end and the pin.
[0023] TABLE 1 Shows how the Safety Cartridge differs from other
prior art identified in the patent search.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The "Safety Cartridge" is made of up to seven major
components, the cartridge case, primer, spring, slug, standoff
tube, o-ring and pin. When all components are assembled and placed
inside the firing chamber of any gun you will have a device unseen
and its presence only known by the owner of the firearm. In order
to understand how the Safety Cartridge works you first need to
understand as to how it is made and then what happens when it is
fired. The cartridge case is the same cartridge case each gun would
normally use. The primer is the same primer each gun cartridge
would normally use. The spring is an extension spring which holds
the Safety Cartridge together. It contains a double coil first end
which is anchored to the cartridge case by the pin and a second
straight end which is inserted through the hole in the slug and
then bent ninety degrees at the front end of the slug. The Safety
Cartridge is placed in the firing chamber of a loaded firearm. If
an unauthorized person pulls the trigger of said firearm the primer
is initiated causing high pressure primer propellant gases to
expand within the Safety Cartridge forcing the slug to move down
the barrel. The spring is attached to the cartridge case and the
slug and it is transformed from a short extension spring to a
longer compression spring resulting in a fired Safety Cartridge
length several times as long as an unfired Safety Cartridge.
[0025] A sectioned view of my safety cartridge 10 for a 9 mm Luger
type semi-automatic pistol such as a 9 mm Beretta 92FS pistol is
illustrated in FIG. 1. The safety cartridge consists of a standard
number 100 small pistol primer 1, a standard 9 mm Luger cartridge
case 2 which has been cross drilled to accommodate a standard type
420 stainless steel 1/16''.times.1/2'' tension pin 3, a customized
extension spring 4 which has been coated with LPS Heavy-Duty Rust
Inhibitor (LPS Laboratories 800/241-8334) to prevent corrosion, and
a slug 5 (projectile). The spring 4 contains a double coil 6 on one
end which is soldered or spot welded or silver soldered together
for additional strength. The spring 4 double coil 6 may be further
strengthened by inserting a steel washer between the double coil
followed by dipping the double coil end into a solder bath. The
safety cartridge 10 is held together by the spring 4 double coil 6
attached to the pin 3 and cartridge case 1 and slug 5 with its bent
end 8. The safety cartridge 10 is placed in the chamber of a loaded
firearm and may be ejected or by-passed by the gun owner if
defensive gun use is required. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show the elongated
condition of the safety cartridge after initiation and after
removal from the gun.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a loaded 9 mm pistol 30 comprising a spring loaded
hammer 31, slide 32, barrel 33, bore 34, chamber 35, frame 36,
trigger 37, magazine 38 and handle portion 39. An attempt to fire
the pistol 30 by an unauthorized person initiates the safety
cartridge 10 causing the resulting primer 1 gases to propel the
slug 5 down the gun barrel 33 several inches until the slug 5 is
arrested by action of the extension spring 4 which is attached to
both the cartridge case 2 by means of the pin 3 and slug 5 by means
of the bent end 8 of the spring 4. The safety cartridge 10 has now
expanded into and occupies the bore 34 of the pistol 30. Live
ammunition 20 contained in the magazine 38 can not be cycled into
the gun chamber 35 because the elongated safety cartridge 10
occupies the chamber 35 and bore 34 causing the pistol 30 to jam.
The gun owner may remove the fired safety cartridge 10 by removing
the loaded magazine 38, pulling the slide 32 rearward and then
gripping the cartridge case 2 and pulling it out of the breech with
the deformed compression spring 4 and slug 5 attached.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a sectioned view of my .38 Special safety
cartridge 10A for a .38 Special or .357 Magnum revolver. It
contains identical components to the 9 mm safety cartridge shown in
FIG. 1 except for the .38 Special cartridge case 2A. The .38
Special slug 5 shown in FIG. 5 has the same dimensions as the 9 mm
slug shown in FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 6 shows a portion of a .357 Magnum or .38 Special
revolver 40 comprising a cylinder 41, chambers 42, barrel 43, bore
44, and frame 45. An attempt to fire the revolver 40 by an
unauthorized person initiates the safety cartridge 10A causing it
to expand into the bore 44 jamming the revolver 40 by preventing
cylinder 41 rotation so that the live ammunition 20A cannot be
aligned with the barrel 43. The gun owner may remove the fired
safety cartridge 10A from the revolver 40 using the following
procedure: [0029] 1. Using a wooden pencil, push against the slug 5
and bent end 8 of the spring 4 until the slug 5 enters the
cartridge case 2A. This action is facilitated by the chamfer 7 on
the rear end of the slug 5 allowing the spring 4 loaded slug 5 to
enter the cartridge case 2A [0030] 2. Continue pushing the slug 5
into the cartridge case 2A until the bent portion of the spring 8
aligns with the parting surface between the chamber 42 and barrel
43. [0031] 3. At this point, the cylinder 41 which contains several
chambers 42 containing the compressed fired safety cartridge 10A
and live ammunition 20A may be moved out-of-line with the barrel 43
and frame 45. [0032] 4. Once the cylinder 41 is out-of-line, the
fired safety cartridge 10A may be removed.
[0033] FIG. 7 is a sectioned view of my .45 ACP safety cartridge
10B for semi-automatic pistols such as a Colt .45 ACP Gold Cup, a
Colt .45 ACP Lightweight Commander, a .45 ACP AMT Backup, or other
.45 ACP pistols and revolvers. It contains identical components to
the 9 mm safety cartridge 10 (FIG. 1) except for the number 150
large pistol primer 1B, .45 ACP cartridge case 2B, and slug 5B.
[0034] FIG. 8 is a sectioned view of my 30-06 safety cartridge 10C
for a 30-06 rifle. It contains identical components to the 9 mm
safety cartridge 10 (FIG. 1) except for the number 103 rifle primer
1C, 30-06 cartridge case 2C, and slug 5C.
[0035] FIG. 9 is a sectioned view of my 12 gauge shotgun safety
cartridge 10D for a 12 gauge Remington Model 870 pump (or other)
shotgun used for hunting, trap shooting, and law enforcement. Since
the output of a shotgun primer 1D (such as the Federal number 209A
primer) is significantly higher than small and large pistol primers
and rifle primers, a larger pin 3D and spring 4D must be used to
withstand the higher pressures. Tests showed that a 1/8'' diameter
(vs. 1/16'') pin 3D and a spring 4D with 34 coils (vs. 20 coils)
works okay and results in a fired safety cartridge length near 10
inches versus about 3-5 inches for 9 mm, .38/.357, and .45 ACP
fired safety cartridges. The 12 gauge safety cartridge 10D also
requires a larger cartridge case 2D and slug 5D to fit the larger
shotgun.
[0036] FIG. 10 is a sectioned view of my alternative .38 Special
safety cartridge. It is similar to FIG. 5 except it contains an
o-ring 12E on the slug 5 and a standoff tube 11E between the spring
4 and slug 5. The standoff tube 11E was found to be required for
the .38 Special safety cartridge so that its overall length meets
overall length requirements of 1.550'' max. specified by gun and
ammunition manufacturers. A standoff tube 11E was not required for
my 9 mm Luger safety cartridge 10 shown in FIG. 1 or my .45 ACP
safety cartridge 10B shown in FIG. 7. Use of a standoff tube for
the 30-06 safety cartridge 10C shown in FIG. 9 may be desirable
from a producibility/low cost standpoint because its made from low
cost plastic tubing and it allows for much shorter slugs [5C (FIG.
8) and 5D (FIG. 9)].
[0037] The safety cartridge was introduced at the Las Vegas SHOT
SHOW in late January, 2005. Gun store owners were interested in
buying safety cartridges for .32 Auto and .380 Auto handguns as
well as .45 ACP, .38 Special/.357 Magnum and 9 mm Luger handguns.
Gun store owners felt that there was a significant market for .32
Auto and .380 Auto safety cartridges because these handguns are
small and light weight and much easier to carry in your pocket or
handbag. Right to carry laws now exist in 37 states in the USA.
Handguns such as the .32 Auto KEL TEC P-32 (6.6 oz) and .380 Auto
KEL TEC P-3AT (7.2 oz) are very small, lightweight and much easier
to carry in your pocket or handbag than typical military and police
handguns such as Colt .45 ACP (24-36 oz) and 9 mm Beretta Mod 92FS
(34 oz). Small .32 Auto and .380 Auto handguns have good accuracy
out to 10 yards which is adequate for most self defense situations,
i.e., 90% of conflicts are resolved under 7 yards and 2 shots. The
2-hit stopping power of the .380 Auto exceeds 50% which is about
the same as the 1-hit stopping power of 9 mm or .38 Special. The
1-hit stopping power of the .45 ACP is 90%. According to Gary Kleek
in his book on "Guns and Self Defense" only 3% of defensive gun use
results in anyone being wounded and of those, 85% are nonfatal.
Carrying a loaded handgun protected with a safety cartridge in the
chamber will save lives and reduce crime. The market is huge . . .
270 million guns in the USA (97 M handguns+173 M long guns).
[0038] A decision was made to develop safety cartridges for .32
Auto and .380 Auto handguns. The safety cartridge had to be
redesigned to allow for sufficient number of active spring coils.
FIG. 11 is a sectioned view of my Preferred Embodiment of the
assembled .32 Auto safety cartridge 10F. The pin 3 and double
soldered coil 6 on the spring 4 of the original safety cartridge
designs shown in FIGS. 1-10 have been eliminated allowing for more
active spring coils in the new spring 15 (FIG. 11). The cartridge
case 2E is drilled 13 and slotted 14 rather than cross drilled as
shown in FIG. 11. The spring 15 now contains straight wire sections
at both ends which are bent 90 degrees and cut off on the cartridge
case end and slug end 8 as shown in FIG. 11. This Preferred
Embodiment allows for a maximum number of spring 15 coils in the
small .32 Auto safety cartridge 10F and provides increased strength
and structural integrity during expansion caused by primer 1
ignition gases. The 90 degree attachment joints 8 and 16 provide
more strength than the soldered double coil 6/pin 3 attachments
shown in FIGS. 1-10. Safety cartridge cost is also reduced
considerably with the Preferred Embodiment design shown in FIG. 11
because: [0039] There are only four parts (no pin 3 or o-ring 12E
are required). There are 5 parts if the standoff tube 11E of FIG.
10 is included which is sometimes required. [0040] The spring 15 is
easier to manufacture because the soldered double coil end is
replaced by a simple straight wire end. [0041] Assembly time to
attach the cartridge case 2E, spring 15 and slug 5E is reduced
considerably. [0042] A decision was made not to offer the o-ring
because of cost and product liability considerations.
[0043] FIG. 12 is a sectioned view of my Preferred Embodiment .380
Auto safety cartridge 10G. It is the same as the .32 Auto safety
cartridge 10F shown in FIG. 11 except it contains a .380 slotted
and drilled cartridge case 2F and slug 5. The same slug 5 is
employed for .380 Auto, 9 mm Luger and .38 Special /.357 Magnum
safety cartridges. The same spring has been incorporated in all
handgun calibers, i.e., the Preferred Embodiment safety cartridge
design has been incorporated in all handgun caliber's . . . .32
Auto, .380 Auto, 9 mm Luger, .38 Special /.357 Magnum, .45 ACP and
future caliber's including shotguns and rifles.
[0044] During safety cartridge development, it was decided to
machine o-ring grooves in all the slug caliber's. O-rings could be
provided in the Preferred Embodiment safety cartridge packaging
with instructions giving the gun owner the option of installing the
o-ring to his safety cartridge. The instructions would state:
[0045] "If you elect to install the o-ring to the slug of your
safety cartridge, the fired safety cartridge would be much more
difficult to remove from your gun and may even require the services
of a gunsmith. Using the o-ring improves safety further. It would
be nearly impossible for a child or other unauthorized person who
has not read the instructions to remove the fired safety cartridge
equipped with the o-ring. The o-ring causes the slug to be stuck in
the barrel. Considerable force (up to 100 pounds and more depending
on lubrication, interference and rubber hardness) must be applied
to the slug to move it out of the barrel." This would only be done
if the product liability insurance costs were reasonable.
[0046] The Safety Cartridge is packaged with the o-ring separated
from the cartridge. If the gun owner decides he wants the increased
safety of an o-ring equipped safety cartridge, he would then choose
to install the o-ring himself. He would have only himself to blame
if he is forced to employ a gunsmith to clear the fired Safety
Cartridge from his jammed firearm. If he decides against employing
the o-ring, it would be much easier to clear the fired Safety
Cartridge from his weapon but less safe. It is very probable that
in either case, clearing the weapon of a fired Safety Cartridge
will never need to be done . . . . the need arises only if some
unauthorized person tries to fire his gun. One Safety Cartridge
should last the gun owner a lifetime since its very unlikely it
would ever be used. It should also be emphasized that a fired
Safety Cartridge does not damage the firearm in any way.
[0047] In summary, safety cartridges are presented for .32 Auto,
.380 Auto, 9 mm, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, and .45 ACP
semi-automatic pistols and revolvers and bolt action, lever action,
pump, or semi-automatic 30-06 rifles and 12 gauge shotguns. Safety
Cartridges for other popular caliber firearms can easily be
developed and produced. Most of the safety cartridge parts are low
cost and standard (primer, cartridge case and o-ring) or common
(same spring was common to safety cartridges for all handguns and
rifles . . . had to be lengthened for the 12 gauge shotgun because
of increased primer gas output). The slugs were made from red
anodized aluminum or white lightweight plastic (Delrin) so the gun
owner could visually identify the safety cartridge from live
ammunition. Extensive testing on lightweight slugs (vs. heavy brass
slugs) showed that fired safety cartridge elongation is doubled to
about 5 inches in pistol and revolver applications assuring a
jammed and safe firearm. Longer fired safety cartridge elongation
(7 to 10 inches) was observed for rifles and shotguns due to longer
cartridge length and a longer spring specified for shotguns.
* * * * *