U.S. patent application number 14/543166 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-21 for firearm safety mechanisms and methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is Charles John Kohel, SR.. Invention is credited to Charles John Kohel, SR..
Application Number | 20150135571 14/543166 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53171859 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150135571 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kohel, SR.; Charles John |
May 21, 2015 |
Firearm Safety Mechanisms and Methods
Abstract
A firearm safety mechanism of the present disclosure has a
cylindrical body adapted for insertion into a barrel of a firearm.
Further, the safety mechanism has a threaded bore on a first end of
the cylindrical body for receiving an insertion tool and a second
end for engaging at least a portion of a chamber of a firearm
thereby prohibiting rotation of a cylinder of the firearm.
Inventors: |
Kohel, SR.; Charles John;
(Pisgah, AL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kohel, SR.; Charles John |
Pisgah |
AL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53171859 |
Appl. No.: |
14/543166 |
Filed: |
November 17, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61962825 |
Nov 18, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/70.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 17/44 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/70.11 |
International
Class: |
F41A 17/44 20060101
F41A017/44 |
Claims
1. A firearm safety mechanism, comprising: a cylindrical body
adapted for insertion into a barrel of a firearm; a first threaded
bore on at least a first end of the cylindrical body for receiving
an insertion tool; and a second end for engaging at least a portion
of a chamber of a firearm thereby prohibiting rotation of a
cylinder of the firearm.
2. The firearm safety mechanism of claim 1, wherein s second end of
the safety mechanism further comprises a second threaded bore for
receiving an insertion tool.
3. The firearm safety mechanism of claim 1, further comprising an
insertion tool, the insertion tool comprising: a rod-shaped body; a
threaded first end of the rod-shaped body; and a cap coupled to a
second end of the rod-shaped body.
4. The firearm safety mechanism of claim 3, wherein the threaded
first end of the rod-shaped body is adapted for coupling to the
first threaded bore.
5. The firearm safety mechanism of claim 4, wherein the insertion
tool is adapted to push the cylindrical body through the barrel and
insert a second end of the cylindrical body into the chamber of the
firearm.
6. The firearm safety mechanism of claim 5, wherein the insertion
tool threadedly decouples from the cylindrical body such that when
the insertion tool is removed from the barrel, the cylindrical body
remains at least partially in the chamber.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/962,825 entitled Kohel Safety Lock filed on
Nov. 18, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In the United States there are hundreds of unintentional
firearm injuries that lead to death each year. Sometimes the
unintentional firearm injuries are caused by a child finding a
loaded firearm and using the loaded firearm as a toy. In some
situations, an adult unintentionally fires a firearm, and the
result is often a firearm injury resulting in the death of the
person struck by the bullet from the firearm.
[0003] Many firearms come with built-in safety mechanisms. The
safety mechanisms typically are used to prevent unintentional
discharge of the firearm during handling. Often the safety
mechanism is an external safety, which allows the user to toggle a
switch from "on" to "off" in order to fire the firearm or from
"off" to "on" in order to store or handle the firearm when not
being used for firing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The present disclosure can be better understood with
reference to the following drawings. The elements of the drawings
are not necessarily to scale relative to each other, emphasis
instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of
the disclosure. Furthermore, like reference numerals designate
corresponding parts throughout the several views.
[0005] FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary firearm in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a chamber of the firearm
depicted in FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary safety lock
for use on the firearm depicted in FIG. 1 in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 4A is cross-sectional view of the firearm depicted in
FIG. 1 having the safety lock depicted in FIG. 3 installed
therein.
[0009] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the barrel of the
firearm of FIG. 4A with the safety lock of FIG. 3 inserted
therein.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a side view of an exemplary insertion device
adapted for inserting the safety lock depicted in FIG. 3 into a
chamber of the firearm depicted in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a side view of the insertion device of FIG. 5
coupled to the safety lock of FIG. 3.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a cut-away view of the firearm depicted in FIG. 1
and the insertion device of FIG. 5 being used to insert the safety
lock of FIG. 3 into the firearm.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a cut-away view of the firearm depicted in FIG. 1
and the insertion device of FIG. 5 being removed from a barrel of
the firearm after the safety lock of FIG. 3 is inserted therein and
the chamber in which the safety lock is situated does not contain a
bullet.
[0014] FIG. 9 is cut-away view of the firearm depicted in FIG. 1
after the safety lock of FIG. 3 is inserted therein and the chamber
in which the safety lock is situated does contains a bullet.
SUMMARY
[0015] A firearm safety mechanism of the present disclosure has a
cylindrical body adapted for insertion into a barrel of a firearm.
Further, the safety mechanism has a threaded bore on a first end of
the cylindrical body for receiving an insertion tool and a second
end for engaging at least a portion of a chamber of a firearm
thereby prohibiting rotation of a cylinder of the firearm.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The present disclosure describes a safety lock for a
firearm. In particular, the safety lock of the present disclosure
is cylindrical in shape and is adapted and arranged for insertion
into a barrel of the firearm. The safety lock fits within a chamber
in a cylinder of the firearm in order to prohibit rotation of the
cylinder, which prohibits a bullet cartridge from being loaded.
[0017] Each end of the safety lock comprises a threaded bore for
receiving a threaded insertion tool. The insertion tool is coupled
to the safety lock, the safety lock is inserted into the barrel of
the firearm, the insertion tool is uncoupled from the safety lock,
and the insertion tool is removed from the firearm through the
barrel. Once the insertion tool is removed, the safety lock remains
at least partially within one of the chambers of the cylinder of
the firearm to prohibit the firearm from loading a bullet cartridge
in the chamber. In this regard, the safety lock prohibits the
cylinder from rotating.
[0018] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary firearm 100 in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure. The firearm shown in FIG.
1 is a revolver; however the present disclosure is not limited to
revolvers. In this regard, other types of firearms are possible in
other embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0019] The firearm 100 comprises a barrel 102, a frame 104, and a
grip 106. Additionally, the firearm 100 comprises a hammer 103, a
cylinder 101, and a trigger 105. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view
of the cylinder 101 showing a plurality of chambers 200 in which
bullet cartridges are inserted.
[0020] With reference to FIG. 1, during ordinary operation, a
marksman loads bullet cartridges (not shown) in the chambers 200
(FIG. 2) of the cylinder 101. To fire a bullet (not shown)
contained within one of the cartridges, a marksman swings the
cylinder 101 out and loads the chambers 200 with individual bullet
cartridges.
[0021] The marksman then closes the cylinder 101 so that it is
coupled with the frame 104 and is stationary. The marksman cocks
the hammer 103 back to line up a bullet cartridge between the
hammer 103 and the barrel 102. The marksman pulls the trigger 105
while grasping the grip 106.
[0022] Upon pulling the trigger, hammer 103 is released, and via a
spring mechanism (not shown), the hammer is thrown forward thereby
striking the bullet cartridge contained within the chamber 200.
Propellant (not shown) within the bullet cartridge is ignited, and
the bullet is propelled through the barrel, thereby sending the
bullet to a target (not shown).
[0023] An exemplary safety lock 300 in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 3. The safety
lock 300 comprises a cylindrical body 306. Fitted over the
cylindrical body 306 is an O-ring 305. The O-ring 305 may be made
of any type of flexible material that when force is applied to the
O-ring 305. In one embodiment, the O-ring 305 is made of neoprene;
however, the O-ring 305 may be composed of other types of material
that are flexible over a wide temperature range.
[0024] On each end of the safety lock 300 is a threaded bore 301,
303. In one embodiment, the threaded bores 301, 303 are produced
using a countersink. Thus, there are conical openings 302, 304,
respectively in the safety lock 300 depicted in FIG. 3. Note that
the conical openings 302, 304 are merely exemplary formations in
the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. The threaded bores 301, 303 may be
created differently in other embodiments of the safety lock 300 and
not exhibit the conical openings 302, 304.
[0025] In one embodiment, the safety lock 300 is made out of a
light weight material so that the safety lock 300 is retained in
the revolver 100 (FIG. 1) when the revolver 100 is not being used.
Notably, the safety lock 300 may be comprised of a nylon material
or aluminum, for example.
[0026] FIG. 4A is a cut-away view of the revolver 100 as shown in
FIG. 1 having the safety lock 300 inserted therein to prohibit
movement of the cylinder 101. Note that if the cylinder is
prohibited from rotating, a bullet cartridge is not loaded in the
chamber 200 for firing.
[0027] The barrel 102 comprises a cylindrical passage 401 through
which a bullet may travel for projection from the chamber 200
during ordinary operation. However, in accordance with the present
disclosure, a safety lock 300 is inserted within the cylindrical
passage 401 until a portion of the safety lock 300 is situated
within the chamber 200 and a portion remains extended into the
cylindrical passage 401 of the barrel 102.
[0028] Note that a diameter of the safety lock 300 is slightly less
than a diameter of the cylindrical passage 401 of the barrel 102.
The slight difference in diameters allows the safety lock 300 to be
inserted into the cylindrical passage 401. The O-ring 305 deforms
as the safety lock 300 is inserted into the cylindrical passage
401. Deformation of the flexible O-ring 305 provides a retaining
force against the wall of the cylindrical passage 401. The force
exerted by the flexible O-ring 305 retains the safety lock 300
within the cylindrical passage 401.
[0029] In one embodiment, the safety lock 300 is longer than the
length of the chamber 200. When the safety lock 300 is longer than
the length of the chamber 200, an end portion of the safety lock
300 fits into a portion of the chamber 200, and the opposite end
portion of the safety lock 300 extends into the barrel. Thus, the
cylinder 101 is prohibited from rotating and loading a bullet
cartridge into the chamber.
[0030] Note that the safety lock 300 is shown as inserted into a
revolver. In particular, the revolver 100 depicted is a .38 Special
revolver. Note that the safety lock 300 may be used with other
similar weapons. For example, the safety lock 300 may be used with
a .357 Magnum revolver.
[0031] This is further shown with reference to FIG. 4B. FIG. 4B
shows a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical passage 401. The
safety lock 300 is inserted into the cylindrical passage 401. The
safety lock 300 has a diameter d.sub.1, which is slightly less than
a diameter d.sub.2 of the cylindrical passage 401 thereby allowing
the safety lock 300 to be inserted into the cylindrical passage
401. When the safety lock 300 is inserted into the cylindrical
passage 401, the deformable O-ring 305 is flexible enough to allow
insertion but further exerts a force outwardly on a wall 408 of the
cylindrical passage 401 as shown by reference arrows 420 and 421.
The outward force exerted by the O-ring 305 retains the safety lock
300 within the cylindrical passage 401.
[0032] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary insertion tool 500 for inserting
the safety lock 300 (FIG. 3) into the cylindrical passage 401. The
insertion tool 500 comprises a rod body 503. One end of the
insertion tool 500 comprises threads 501. At the other end of the
insertion tool 500 is a cap 502, which ensures that the marksman
can easily grasp the insertion tool 500.
[0033] FIG. 6 shows the insertion tool 500 coupled to the safety
lock 300. In this regard, the threads 501 of the insertion tool
threadedly couple to the threaded bore 301. Note that the insertion
tool 500 may also be threadedly coupled to the threaded bore 303.
When the insertion tool 500 is coupled to the safety lock 300, the
safety lock 300 may be inserted into the cylindrical passage 401
(FIG. 4A) of the barrel 102 (FIG. 4A).
[0034] FIG. 7 shows the safety lock 300 threadedly coupled to the
insertion tool 500. The safety lock 300 is inserted into the
cylindrical passage 401 a pushed through the cylindrical passage
401 in a direction indicated by reference arrow 700 by pushing the
insertion tool 500 in the direction indicated by reference arrow
700. The safety lock 300 is pushed through the cylindrical passage
401 until it is partially within the chamber 200, as shown with
reference to FIG. 8.
[0035] In FIG. 8, the safety lock 300 is inserted through the
cylindrical passage 401 until at least a portion of the safety lock
300 is within the chamber 200. As described hereinabove, the O-ring
305 retains the safety lock 300 within the cylindrical passage 401
once it is inserted.
[0036] When the safety lock 300 is fully or partially (as shown in
FIG. 8) within the camber 200, a marksman will be unable to pull
the hammer 103 back to load a bullet cartridge within the chamber
200. In this regard, the safety lock 300 prohibits the cylinder 101
from rotating to load another bullet cartridge.
[0037] Once the safety lock 300 is within the chamber 200, the
marksman may unscrew and therefore decouple the insertion tool 500
from the safety lock 300. Once the insertion tool 500 is decoupled
from the safety lock 300, the marksman may pull the insertion tool
500 from the cylindrical passage 401 in a direction indicated by
reference arrow 801 leaving the safety lock 300 within the chamber
200.
[0038] Notably, when the marksman is ready to use the revolver 100,
the marksman may remove the safety lock 300 from the chamber 200.
In this regard, the marksman inserts the insertion tool 500 into
the cylindrical passage 401. The marksman screws the threads 501
into the threaded bore 301 to couple the insertion tool 500 to the
safety lock 300. Once the insertion tool 500 is coupled to the
safety lock 300, the marksman pulls the insertion tool 500 from the
cylindrical passage 401 in the direction indicated by reference
arrow 801.
[0039] FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the safety lock 300 as
used in conjunction with a revolver 100 having a bullet cartridge
900 contained with the chamber 200. In this regard, the safety lock
300 is inserted into the cylindrical passage 401 of the barrel 402
as described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0040] However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the bullet
cartridge 900 is in the chamber 200. When the bullet cartridge 900
is within the chamber 200, a smaller portion of the safety lock 300
may fit into the chamber 200 as opposed to when there is no bullet
cartridge 900 in the chamber 200. However, the safety lock 300
behaves in essentially the same manner.
[0041] Notably, when the safety lock 300 is inserted within the
chamber 200 when there is a bullet cartridge 900 also in the
chamber 200, the safety lock 300 also prohibits the marksman from
actuating the hammer 103. If the hammer 103 is not actuated, the
marksman cannot pull the trigger 105. Thus, the safety lock 300
prohibits the firearm 100 from being fired.
* * * * *