U.S. patent application number 11/806551 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-08 for method and device for providing an integral firearms safety lock mechanism.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sigarms, Inc.. Invention is credited to Joseph N. Kiesel, Richard L. Strout.
Application Number | 20080104874 11/806551 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34421476 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080104874 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kiesel; Joseph N. ; et
al. |
May 8, 2008 |
Method and device for providing an integral firearms safety lock
mechanism
Abstract
The present invention provides an integral firearms safety lock
that safely provides locking capabilities in a firearm. The
integral firearms safety lock ensures that a firearm is unable to
fire by a simple manual manipulation of a locking mechanism.
Moreover, an integral firearms safety lock is provided that
contacts and locks a firing pin safety thereby preventing any
unauthorized firing of the firearm.
Inventors: |
Kiesel; Joseph N.; (East
Kingston, NH) ; Strout; Richard L.; (Exeter,
NH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON PEABODY, LLP
401 9TH STREET, NW, SUITE 900
WASHINGTON
DC
20004-2128
US
|
Assignee: |
Sigarms, Inc.
Exeter
NH
|
Family ID: |
34421476 |
Appl. No.: |
11/806551 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10880570 |
Jul 1, 2004 |
7225575 |
|
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11806551 |
|
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60483653 |
Jul 1, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/70.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 17/02 20130101;
F41A 17/64 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/70.08 |
International
Class: |
F41A 17/64 20060101
F41A017/64 |
Claims
1. A method for locking a firearm so as to be unable to fire,
comprising: inserting a tool into an end of a locking shaft located
in the firearm; using the tool, rotating the locking shaft from an
unlocked position to a locked position wherein a radial portion of
the locking shaft rotates into a groove located in a firing firing
pin safety, wherein in the locked position, the locking shaft
contacts the firing pin safety to prevent movement of the firing
pin safety; and removing the tool from the end of the locking
shaft.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotation of the locking shaft
further causes a change in the location of a detent pin, in contact
with the locking shaft, from a first detent to a second detent on
the locking shaft
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the locking shaft and the detent
pin are both integral to the firearm.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the detent pin contacts a detent
pin spring that biases the detent pin against the locking
shaft.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the locking shaft is rotated by
90 degrees to change the state of the firearm from an unlocked
state to a locked state.
Description
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
119(e) to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/880,570 filed on Jul.
1, 2004, and its predecessor Provisional Patent Application No.
60/483,653 filed on Jul. 1, 2003, which is incorporated herein by
reference, in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to a safety lock for
use in a firearm. In particular, an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention relates to a lock that is integrally connected to
the firing pin safety so as provide an efficient integral firearms
safety lock mechanism.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] In recent years, due to an increase in the number injuries
and deaths resulting from accidental gun discharges, many
organizations are looking for solutions to reduce and eliminate
these incidences. Moreover, the trend of injuries and deaths has
been of an increasing concern since many of the incidences occur
with children.
[0006] Manual safeties are provided on many firearms available
today. The manual safeties provide a way for a firearm user to
manually actuate a switch located on the firearm to prevent an
unexpected firing of the firearm. The safety can prevent a firearm
from discharging in a situation where it is mishandled while, being
holstered, or jostled when located near a person's body. By
actuating the manual safety switch, the firing mechanism of the
firearm is blocked so it cannot move to fire a bullet.
[0007] However, the use of a manual safety is only recommended as a
preventative measure when the firearm is being handled (but not
fired) and is not especially helpful to prevent unauthorized use of
the firearm. For example, if the firearm is placed in the hands of
a person inexperienced in firearm handling (e.g., a child), the
child could accidentally or otherwise release the manual safety of
the firearm thereby enabling the firing of the firearm by actuation
of the trigger.
[0008] There continues to be a need for a mechanism to prevent
unauthorized use of a firearm. In response to this need as well as
to recent laws requiring a locking mechanism, firearm safety locks
have been proposed to solve this problem and to provide an
additional, manner of locking a firearm. A firearm lock provides
the specific advantage that it can only be actuated by a unique key
associated with the lock, and unauthorized users (e.g., thieves,
children, or the like) are unable to inadvertently or purposefully
unlock the firearm.
[0009] Many types of firearm safety locks have been provided in
order to ensure safety. For example, some safety locks can be
inserted into a portion of a firearm to prevent the firearm from
firing. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,592 to Reed, a
non-integral firearm safety lock is inserted into a firearm's
firing chamber ejector and loading port, and is expanded and locked
to prevent the weapon from being fired. Once the firearm safety
lock is inserted into the firearm's open chamber, a key is used to
expand a locking plate that is forced downward, fills and seals the
loading port, which disables the weapon. While this type of lock
secures the weapon, there is an inordinate amount of manual
manipulation required to actually lock the firearm.
[0010] Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,470 to Strahan discloses
an integral firearm safety lock that employs a locking element
formed to directly prevent the firing pin from moving to strike a
bullet. While the locking of the firearm is simpler than the lock
described above, there are several disadvantages to employing this
locking element that is in direct contact with the firing pin. For
example, when employing a screw to lock the firing pin, as Strahan
does, there is no certainty that a manual action (rotation of the
screw) will lock the device. In other words, a person can attempt
to lock the device, by rotating the screw, and feel that the device
has been locked, when in actuality, the screw has not actually
contacted the firing pin to prevent firing. What is needed is an
integral firearm lock that provides maximum protection as well as
certainty of locking.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Accordingly, the present invention provides an integral
firearms safety lock that is able to safely provide locking
capabilities in the firearm and to ensure that a firearm can be
made unable to fire by a simple manual manipulation of a locking
mechanism. Moreover, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, an integral firearms safety lock is provided
that contacts and locks a firing pin safety thereby preventing any
unauthorized firing of the firearm.
[0012] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, an integral firearms safety lock for preventing movement
of a firing pin safety is disclosed. The integral firearms safety
lock comprises a locking shaft and a detent pin. The locking shaft
further includes a recess and a contact area while the detent pin
contacts the locking shaft in a contact area. The locking shaft can
be rotated between an unlocked position and a locked position. In
the unlocked position, the locking shaft permits movement of the
firing pin safety and, in the locked position, the locking shaft
contacts the firing pin safety to prevent its movement.
[0013] In further exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
the contact area of the locking shaft includes a first detent
including a first stop and a second detent including a second stop.
Also, the detent pin is positioned in the first detent when the
locking shaft is in an unlocked state and is positioned in the
second detent when the locking shaft is in a locked state.
[0014] In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
the locking shaft and the detent pin are integral to the firearm.
Additionally, the locking shaft further includes a chamfer to
enable removal of the locking shaft from the firearm.
[0015] In accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, a method for locking a firearm so as to be
unable to fire is disclosed. The method comprises inserting a tool
into an end of a locking shaft located in the firearm. The tool is
used to rotate the locking shaft from an unlocked position to a
locked position. A radial portion of the locking shaft rotates into
a groove located in a firing pin safety. In the locked position,
the locking shaft contacts the firing pin safety to prevent
movement of the firing pin safety. The tool is removed from the end
of the locking shaft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of this
invention will be described in relation to the following figures in
which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout
the different views.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional firearm
wherein exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be
employed;
[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of various parts
associated with the slide of a conventional firearm in accordance
with an exemplary aspect of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the integral firearms safety
lock mechanism and associated parts provided in a firearm slide in
accordance with the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 4A is a diagram depicting the integral firearms safety
lock of the present invention in an unlocked position in accordance
with an exemplary aspect of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the integral firearms
safety lock of the present invention in an unlocked position in
accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 5A is diagram depicting the integral firearms safety
lock of the present invention in a locked position in accordance
with an exemplary aspect of the present invention;
[0023] FIGS. 5B and 5C are perspective views of the integral
firearms safety lock of the present invention in a locked position
in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present invention;
and
[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the integral firearms safety
lock of the present invention between the locked position and the
unlocked position in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to
a firearm safety lock mechanism and method for use. Although
specific embodiments will be illustrated and described herein with
regard to its implementation within handguns, it should be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that such a
system and method would also be advantageous, for example, for any
type of firearm in which a slide is employed. Additionally, this
application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of
the present invention that generally relate to firearm safety
locks.
[0026] In the following detailed description of the exemplary
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that
form part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration,
specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be
practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it
is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that
logical, mechanical changes may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed
description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 1, a conventional firearm 100 (e.g., a
handgun) is shown. The firearm 100 includes, among many other
parts, a grip 110, a trigger 120 a front sight 130 a rear sight
140, a magazine catch 150 and a slide 180. Providing more
specificity, FIG. 2 depicts a partial exploded view of the
conventional firearm 100 described generally above with regard to
FIG. 1. Specifically, FIG. 2 discloses some of the integral parts
associated with the function of a safety lever 225. As is shown,
the firearm 100 also includes a pivot pin 210 for a sear 220 and
safety lever 225, an ejector 215, sear spring 230 and roll pin 235.
Additionally, several parts are located within the slide 180.
Specifically, a firing pin safety 240 and firing pin safety spring
245, a firing pin 250 and associated firing pin spring 255 as well
as a firing pin bolt 260 are illustrated. For the purpose of urging
firing pin 250 rearward, spring 255 is provided, one end of which
abuts against an internal surface of the slide 180 and the other
end of which abuts against a surface of the firing pin 250.
[0028] In normal operation, when a firearm user wishes to discharge
the firearm 100, the trigger 120 is pulled. When the trigger 120 is
pulled, the firearm 100, through actuation of a plurality of known
mechanical parts that comprise the firing mechanism of the firearm,
manually actuates the safety lever 225. The safety lever 225
rotates around the pivot pin 210 and contacts the firing pin safety
240. The firing pin safety 240 is then forced to move upward
against a bias provided by the firing pin safety spring 245. The
movement of the firing pin safety 240 upward enables the firing pin
250 to be actuated and thereby cause firing of the firearm 100.
Conversely, when the firing pin safety 240 is unable to or is
prevented from moving upward, the firing pin 250 is unable to move
to allow discharge of the firearm 100.
[0029] FIG. 3 provides an exploded view of a slide 300 that
includes the integral firearms safety locking mechanism provided in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
The integral firearms safety locking mechanism of the present
invention includes a locking shaft 310 for insertion into a hole
340 and a detent pin 320 and associated detent pin spring 330 for
insertion into a hole 350 located on the slide 300 as the detent
pin 320 secures the locking shaft 310 in either a locked or
unlocked position. The detent pin spring 330 applies tension
between the locking shaft 310 and the detent pin 320.
[0030] In accordance with the present invention, FIG. 3 also
illustrates that the firing pin safety 240 includes a cutout
portion 360 (shown in more detail in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B) to which
the locking shaft 310 abuts, when the safety locking mechanism is
locked. As is well known, firing pin 250 is disposed in a hole 257
formed in slide 300. When the integral safety lock of the present
invention is in a locked position, the firing pin safety 240 is
unable to move upward and thus is unable to free the firing pin 250
to move and fire a bullet.
[0031] FIG. 4A illustrates the integral safety lock mechanism of
the present invention in an unlocked state. Locking shaft 310 lies
transversely across the shaft of the firearm in the hole 340, as
illustrated in FIG. 3. The locking shaft 310 includes a detent pin
contact area. The detent pin contact area includes two detents 415
and 417 located at the end of the locking shaft 310 inserted into
hole 340 (not shown in FIG. 4A). Each detent includes a stop, 421
and 419 (see FIG. 5A) respectively, to prevent further movement of
the detent pin 320 as the locking shaft is rotated.
[0032] The two detents 415 and 417, located on the insertion end of
the locking shaft 310 enable the locking shaft 310 to be rotated
from an unlocked state to a locked state and from a locked state to
an unlocked state. The stops are situated approximately 90 degrees
apart, and the field of movement of the locking pin when moving
from a locked state to an unlocked state and from an unlocked state
to a locked state. The use of detent pin 320 and detent pin spring
330 places a downward bias on the detent pin 320 enabling the
locking shaft to stay in either the locked or unlocked position as
well as to stay positioned in the hole 340. Additionally, detent
pin 320, in one exemplary embodiment of the invention, includes a
tapered end 425 to provide the locking mechanism a smooth
transition from one state to another.
[0033] The locking shaft 310 also includes a recess 410 located on
a longitudinal portion of the locking shaft 310. The recess 410
provides a passage through the locking shaft for the firing pin
safety 240 when the safety locking mechanism is unlocked. As shown
in FIG. 4A, when the detent pin 320 is in detent 415, the recess is
positioned so as to permit movement of the firing pin safety and,
as a result, firing of the firearm 100.
[0034] Located on one exterior end of the locking shaft is an
indentation 405 (e.g., a uniquely shaped recess) which allows a
tool to interface and rotate the shaft. The tool (e.g., a key)
enables only authorized personnel to lock and unlock the integral
firearms safety lock of the firearm 100. The locking shaft also
includes a recess 410 that allows free movement of the firing pin
safety 240.
[0035] FIG. 4B provides a perspective view of the locking pin in an
unlocked state. Specifically, when the locking pin 310 is in the
unlocked position, the firing pin safety 240 is free to move
through recess 410 of the locking pin 310. As discussed above, when
a user pulls the trigger 120, the firearm 100, actuates the safety
lever 225. The safety lever 225 rotates around the pivot pin 210
and contacts the firing pin safety 240. The firing pin safety 240
is then forced to move upward against a bias provided by the firing
pin safety spring 245. When the integral firearms safety locking
mechanism is unlocked as described above, the movement of the
firing pin safety 240 upward is not inhibited, which enables the
firing pin 250 to be actuated to cause firing of the firearm
100.
[0036] FIG. 5A provides a view of the locking shaft 310 in a locked
position. Locking occurs when a key (discussed above) or another
like object, is inserted into the indentation 405 located on the
face of the locking shaft 310, mounted in the slide 300, and
rotated 90 degrees from the unlocked position. The internal safety
lock holds the detent pin 320 in the detent 417 under a spring
tension. By restricting the safety lock to 90 degrees of movement
between unlock and lock or vice versa, a user easily knows that the
firearm is either in the locked or unlocked position. All a user
needs to do is rotate the key from one position (either locked or
unlocked) 90 degrees to the other position (either unlocked or
locked) to the stops placed at the ends of the detents.
[0037] As the locking shaft 310 rotates, recess 410 is rotated so
as to face away from the end of the firing pin safety 240. As a
result, the locking shaft 310 now blocks movement of the firing pin
safety 240. More specifically, when the key is being used to place
the locking shaft into the locked state, the radial part of the
locking shaft 310 will rotate into a groove 360 located in the
firing pin safety 240, thus restricting its movement. Since the
movement of the firing pin safety 240 is restricted, the safety
lever 225 is also restricted, preventing a discharge of the firearm
100.
[0038] The firearm 100 can again be unlocked when a key is inserted
into the indentation 405 located on the face of the locking shaft
310, mounted in the slide 300, and rotated 90 degrees in the
opposite direction. As the locking shaft rotates the radial part of
the shaft is positioned in the slide, creating an open path for the
firing pin safety 240, thus allowing the firing mechanism to be
unrestricted. FIGS. 5B and 5C provide different perspective views
of the interaction of the locking shaft 310 and the firing pin
safety 240.
[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 6, in accordance with another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the locking shaft
310 can also include a chamfer 600 (also illustrated in FIG. 4B)
which can include a 45 degree angle cutout on the ridge between the
two detents 415 and 417. This midpoint position between the two
detent positions on the locking shaft 310 is the required position
for the detent pin 320 in order for removal of the locking shaft
310 from the slide 300 of the firearm.
[0040] It is, therefore, apparent that there has been provided, in
accordance with the present invention, an integral firearms safety
lock. While this invention has been described in conjunction with a
number of embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives,
modifications and variations would be or are apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the applicable arts. For example, the exact
location of the integral firearms safety lock can be varied, for
example, based on the type of firearm. Furthermore, the key can be
any device that is adapted to cooperate with the locking shaft to
facilitate locking and unlocking. Accordingly, it is intended to
embrace all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents and
variations that are within the spirit and scope of this
invention.
* * * * *