U.S. patent application number 16/553343 was filed with the patent office on 2021-03-04 for system including firearm locking device and mount therefor.
This patent application is currently assigned to Vara Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Vara Corporation. Invention is credited to Jorel Lalicki, Austin Rivera.
Application Number | 20210063105 16/553343 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004315486 |
Filed Date | 2021-03-04 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210063105 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rivera; Austin ; et
al. |
March 4, 2021 |
SYSTEM INCLUDING FIREARM LOCKING DEVICE AND MOUNT THEREFOR
Abstract
Locking systems including locking devices and mounts for
firearms. In an example, the locking device includes a biometric
sensor housing and a lock housing. The mount includes a base, a
mount body sized to receive at least a portion of the locking
device, and a tab having a tab hole extending therethrough. A
fastening member is sized for retaining the locking device in the
mount and can move between an unlocked and a locked configuration.
In a locked configuration, the tab abuts an opening area on at
least one of a surface of biometric sensor housing and lock
housing. The locking device may also include a modular cover
housing movable in a direction between a first position providing
fastening member access to the tab hole, lock housing hole, and
biometric sensor housing hole, and a second position where the
cover housing blocks access to the fastening member.
Inventors: |
Rivera; Austin; (Averill
Park, NY) ; Lalicki; Jorel; (Watervliet, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Vara Corporation |
Latham |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Vara Corporation
Latham
NY
|
Family ID: |
1000004315486 |
Appl. No.: |
16/553343 |
Filed: |
August 28, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 17/066
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 17/06 20060101
F41A017/06 |
Claims
1. A locking system for a firearm, comprising: a locking device
including: a biometric sensor housing having a biometric sensor
housing surface and a biometric sensor housing hole extending
through at least a portion of the biometric sensor housing; a lock
housing having a lock housing surface and a lock housing hole
extending through at least a portion of the lock housing; and an
opening area on at least one of the biometric sensor housing
surface and the lock housing surface; a mount including: a base; a
mount body sized to receive at least a portion of the locking
device; and a tab extending from the base, the tab including a tab
hole extending therethrough; and a fastening member sized to extend
through the tab hole, the lock housing hole, and the biometric
sensor housing hole, and movable between an unlocked configuration
and a locked configuration; wherein in the locked configuration,
the tab abuts the opening area, and the fastening member extends
through the tab hole, the lock housing hole, and the biometric
sensor housing hole to retain the at least the portion of the
locking device in the mount.
2. The locking system of claim 1, further comprising a cover
housing releasably coupled to the lock housing, the cover housing
movable in a direction between a first position that provides the
fastening member access to the tab hole, the lock housing hole, and
the biometric sensor housing hole in the unlocked configuration,
and a second position wherein the cover housing blocks access to
the fastening member in the locked configuration.
3. The locking system of claim 2, wherein in the first position,
the cover housing is remote from the lock housing, and in the
second position, the cover housing is releasably coupled to the
lock housing.
4. The locking system of claim 2, wherein the cover housing
includes a key interface unit, and the cover housing is configured
to move between the first position and the second position in
response to a key interacting with the key interface unit.
5. The locking system of claim 4, wherein the key is one of a
mechanical key and an electronic key.
6. The locking system of claim 1, wherein the tab comprises a metal
tab.
7. The locking system of claim 6, wherein the metal tab is made of
steel.
8. The locking system of claim 1, wherein the fastening member is
one of a screw, a plunger, a pin, and a bolt.
9. The locking system of claim 1, wherein the fastening member
includes a plunger, and the locking device further includes an
electronic solenoid configured to actuate the plunger to move
between the unlocked configuration and the locked
configuration.
10. The locking system of claim 9, wherein the electronic solenoid
is configured to actuate the plunger to move between the unlocked
configuration and the locked configuration, in response to an
authentication.
11. The locking system of claim 10, wherein the authentication
comprises one or more of a user authentication signal, a biometric
authentication signal, a fingerprint authentication signal, a radio
frequency authentication signal, a Bluetooth authentication signal,
an electronic key, and a mechanical key.
12. The locking system of claim 1, wherein the biometric sensor
housing further comprises a biometric sensor operably coupled to an
electronic processor.
13. The locking system of claim 12, wherein the electronic
processor is positioned inside the locking device.
14. The locking system of claim 12, wherein the electronic
processor is positioned remotely from the locking device.
15. A mount for a firearm locking device, the firearm locking
device including a biometric sensor housing and a lock housing, the
mount comprising: a base; a mount body sized to receive at least a
portion of the locking device; a tab extending from the base, the
tab including a tab hole extending therethrough; and a fastening
member sized to extend through the tab hole, a lock housing hole of
the lock housing, and a biometric sensor housing hole of the
biometric sensor housing, the fastening member movable between an
unlocked configuration and a locked configuration; wherein in the
locked configuration, the tab abuts an opening area on at least one
of a surface of the biometric sensor housing and a surface of the
lock housing, and the fastening member extends through the tab
hole, the lock housing hole, and the biometric sensor housing hole
to retain the at least the portion of the locking device in the
mount.
16. The mount of claim 15, wherein the tab comprises a metal
tab.
17. The mount of claim 16, wherein the metal tab is made of
steel.
18. The mount of claim 15, wherein the fastening member is one of a
screw, a plunger, a pin, and a bolt.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system including a
firearm locking device and a mount therefor. More specifically, the
disclosure relates to a system including a firearm locking device
and a mount for secure handling of a locking device and firearm
disposed thereon.
BACKGROUND
[0002] There are various methods of securing firearms against
unauthorized use, for example, locked cabinets, trigger locks,
cable locks and other locking devices. In issued U.S. Pat. No.
10,024,615 B1, improved locking devices for securing firearms are
described. For example, a firearm locking device with a removable
insert is disclosed. The removable insert is capable of securing a
variety of different guns in a variety of different shapes. And
firearm locking devices disclosed therein provide secure access to
firearms by an authorized user.
[0003] While the access to firearms themselves may be restricted in
the previously disclosed systems and methods, there is still an
ongoing need to provide firearm locking devices with more efficient
and secure attachment and release handling, allowing firearm
locking devices to be more portable, accessible, and yet preventing
unauthorized tampering or removal of locking devices and firearms
secured thereon.
SUMMARY
[0004] A first aspect in accordance with the present disclosure
includes a locking system for a firearm, including: a locking
device including a biometric sensor housing having a biometric
sensor housing surface and a biometric sensor housing hole
extending through at least a portion of the biometric sensor
housing, a lock housing having a lock housing surface and a lock
housing hole extending through at least a portion of the lock
housing, and an opening area on at least one of the biometric
sensor housing surface and the lock housing surface; a mount
including a base, a mount body sized to receive at least a portion
of the locking device, and a tab extending from the base, the tab
including a tab hole extending therethrough; and a fastening member
sized to extend through the tab hole, the lock housing hole, and
the biometric sensor housing hole, and movable between an unlocked
configuration and a locked configuration; where in the locked
configuration, the tab abuts the opening area, and the fastening
member extends through the tab hole, the lock housing hole, and the
biometric sensor housing hole to retain the at least the portion of
the locking device in the mount.
[0005] A second aspect in accordance with the present disclosure
includes a mount for a firearm locking device, the firearm locking
device including a biometric sensor housing and a lock housing, the
mount including a base, a mount body sized to receive at least a
portion of the locking device, a tab extending from the base, the
tab including a tab hole extending therethrough, and a fastening
member sized to extend through the tab hole, a lock housing hole of
the lock housing, and a biometric sensor housing hole of the
biometric sensor housing, the fastening member movable between an
unlocked configuration and a locked configuration; where in the
locked configuration, the tab abuts an opening area on at least one
of a surface of the biometric sensor housing and a surface of the
lock housing, and the fastening member extends through the tab
hole, the lock housing hole, and the biometric sensor housing hole
to retain the at least the portion of the locking device in the
mount.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Various objects, features and advantages of the present
disclosure will become better understood from following detailed
descriptions taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings, in
which like reference numerals designate the same or similar parts
throughout several views.
[0007] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a locking device, in
accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mount, in accordance with
an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a system including a locking
device, with a fastening member sized to extend through a tab hole
of a mount and housing hole(s) of the locking device, in accordance
with an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a side view of a locking device, in accordance
with an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section A-A
in FIG. 4, showing a fastening member in an unlocked configuration,
in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a side view of a system including a locking device
received by a mount, in accordance with an aspect of the present
disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section B-B
in FIG. 6, showing a fastening member in an unlocked configuration,
in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a side view of a system including a locking device
received by a mount, in accordance with an aspect of the present
disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section C-C
in FIG. 8, showing a fastening member in a locked configuration, in
accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a side view of a locking device received by a
mount, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section
D-D of in FIG. 10, showing a plunger actuated by an electronic
solenoid, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;
and
[0018] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a locking device, showing a
plunger and an electronic solenoid inside a biometric sensor
housing of the locking device, in a phantom view, in accordance
with an aspect of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Certain embodiments will now be described to provide an
overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function,
manufacture, and use of the methods, systems, and devices disclosed
herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated
in accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand
that methods, systems, and devices specifically described herein
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting
embodiments. Features illustrated or described in connection with
one embodiment may be combined with features of other embodiments.
Such modifications and variations are intended to be included
within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0020] As an initial matter, in order to clearly describe the
current disclosure it will become necessary to select certain
terminology when referring to and describing relevant machine
components. When doing this, if possible, common industry
terminology will be used and employed in a manner consistent with
its accepted meaning. Unless otherwise stated, such terminology
should be given a broad interpretation consistent with the context
of the present application and the scope of the appended claims.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that often a
particular component may be referred to using several different or
overlapping terms. What may be described herein as being a single
part may include and be referenced in another context as consisting
of multiple components. Alternatively, what may be described herein
as including multiple components may be referred to elsewhere as a
single part.
[0021] In addition, several descriptive terms may be used regularly
herein, as described below. The terms "first", "second", and
"third" may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component
from another and are not intended to signify location or importance
of the individual components.
[0022] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
"Optional" or "optionally" means that the subsequently described
event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the
description includes instances where the event occurs and instances
where it does not.
[0023] Where an element or layer is referred to as being "on,"
"engaged to," "disengaged from," "connected to" or "coupled to"
another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected
or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements
or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred
to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly
connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer,
there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words
used to describe the relationship between elements should be
interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly
between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used
herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one
or more of the associated listed items.
[0024] Approximating language, as used herein throughout the
specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative
representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a
change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a
value modified by a term or terms, such as "about",
"approximately", and "substantially" are not to be limited to the
precise value specified. In at least some instances, the
approximating language may correspond to the precision of an
instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout the
specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or
interchanged, such ranges are identified and include all the
sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates
otherwise. "Approximately" as applied to a particular value of a
range applies to both values, and unless otherwise dependent on the
precision of the instrument measuring the value, may indicate
+/-10% of the stated value(s).
[0025] The present disclosure offers advantages and alternatives
over existing firearm locking systems and methods by providing a
locking system including a firearm locking device and a mount. The
locking device has a housing that includes a biometric sensor
housing and a lock housing. The locking device and the mount are
configured such that a secure fit between the locking device and
the mount in a locked configuration may be achieved, providing more
portable, secure attachment/handling of the locking device and
allowing the locking device to be stored where quick and secure
firearm access is desired, for example, in situations such as
self-defense. In addition, authentication such as fingerprint(s) of
a pre-authorized user may be used to activate/control the movement
of the fastening member between an unlocked and a locked
configuration, providing more efficient and secure attachment and
release handling of the locking device and firearms disposed
thereon. Furthermore, the locking device may include a cover
housing. The housing parts of the locking device may be modular.
For example, the cover housing may be a modular part operably
coupled to the lock housing and movable, upon unlocking thereof, in
a direction along a longitudinal axis of the lock housing. The
modular housing configuration prevents unauthorized access or
tampering of the locking device. For example, when at least a
portion of the locking device is retained in the mount with a
fastening member in a locked configuration, the cover housing may
be moved to a position such that a portion of the cover housing
blocks access to the fastening member and attempting to remove the
locking device from the mount is not possible since the mechanism
for retaining the locking device to the mount is covered.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, an exploded view of locking device 100
for a firearm is provided. Locking device 100 includes a biometric
sensor housing 102 and a locking housing 104 that may be coupled
together, and which may be mounted to a surface using a mount 200
(FIG. 2), forming a locking system, according to embodiments of the
disclosure. Locking device 100 may include a biometric sensor
housing surface 106 having a biometric sensor housing hole 108
extending through at least a portion of biometric sensor housing
102. Locking device 100 may also include lock housing 104 having a
lock housing surface 110 and a lock housing hole 112 extending
through at least a portion of lock housing 104. In certain
embodiments, biometric sensor housing hole 108 extends through
biometric sensor housing surface 106. For example, the hole may
extend through an outer wall of biometric sensor housing 102. In
embodiments, lock housing hole 112 extends through lock housing
surface 110. For example, the hole may extend through an outer wall
of biometric sensor housing 102.
[0027] Locking device 100 may also include an opening area or
channel 114 (best seen in FIG. 5) on at least one of biometric
sensor housing surface 106 and lock housing surface 110. Opening
area 114 may be in an inner surface 116 or an outer surface 118 of
biometric sensor housing 102 (best seen in FIG. 5). In addition
thereto, or as an alternative, opening area 114 may be in an inner
surface 120 or an outer surface 122 of lock housing 104 (best seen
in FIG. 5). In a non-limiting example, opening area 114 may be on
inner surface 120 of lock housing 104 as illustrated in FIG. 5. In
other non-limiting examples, opening area 114 may be on outer
surface 118 of biometric sensor housing 102 (illustrated as opening
area 114, 124 in FIG. 1). In embodiments, opening area 114 may be
between inner surface 120 of lock housing 104 and outer surface 118
of biometric sensor housing 102. Opening area 114 may be a channel
or a passageway extending along a longitudinal axis of biometric
sensor housing 102 and/or lock housing 104. Opening area 114 may be
shaped to conform to a dimension of tab 206 of mount 200 of FIG. 2
for receiving locking device 100. Tab 206 may abut opening area 114
on at least one of biometric sensor housing surface 106 and lock
housing surface 110 in response to a portion of locking device 100
being received by mount 200. Tab 206 may alternatively be inserted
into opening area 114. Opening area 114 may be formed by removing a
portion of the housing surfaces, for example, inner surface 116
and/or outer surface 118 of biometric sensor housing 102 and/or
inner surface 120 and/or outer surface 122 of lock housing 104, to
provide a shape conformed to a dimension and perhaps shape of tab
206 of mount 200.
[0028] Locking device 100 may further include a removable insert
for receiving a firearm. The removable insert may have a contoured
surface shaped to conform to a frame surface of the firearm and to
accommodate various firearms. The removable insert may also work
operatively with a locking mechanism for securing firearms. Details
about the removable insert and the locking mechanism for securing
firearms are described in issued U.S. Pat. No. 10,024,615 B1, which
is incorporated herein for reference in its entirety.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of mount 200 for
receiving locking device 100 is presented. Mount 200 includes a
base 202, a mount body 204 sized to receive at least a portion of
locking device 100. Mount body 204 may wrap at least partially
around locking device 100. Tab 206 extends from base 202, tab 206
including a tab hole 208 extending therethrough. Mount 200 may also
include one or more mounting holes 210 disposed through a back
portion 212 of mount body 204. Mounting hole(s) 210 are sized to
receive mounting fasteners (not shown) to rigidly couple mount 200
to a fixed object (not shown), such as a cabinet, a wall, a bed
frame, a desk, a car dashboard or other fixed objects, thereby
allowing locking device 100 and firearms disposed thereon to be
positioned in various places where quick and secure firearm access
is desired.
[0030] In certain embodiments, tab 206 includes a metal tab. For
example, the metal tab may be made of steel. Base 202 may be made
of thermoplastic, plastic, resin, polymer or metal. Mount body 204
may be made of materials including, but not limited to,
thermoplastic, plastic, resin, polymer or metal.
[0031] Mount 200 may optionally include a charging interface unit
214. Charging interface unit 214 may include one or more charging
ports 216 that extend from base 202 and are electronically coupled
to locking device 100. Charging interface unit 214 may further
include a charging outlet 218. A power source (for example, a power
cord) may be operably coupled to charging outlet 218 for providing
power to mount 200 such that mount 200 serves as a charging unit
for locking device 100.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of locking device 100, mount
200 for receiving locking device 100, and a fastening member 220
for retaining at least a portion of locking device 100 in mount
200. Fastening member 220 is sized to extend through lock housing
hole 112, tab hole 208, and biometric sensor housing hole 108, as
illustrated by the dotted line, and is movable between an unlocked
configuration and a locked configuration. In the locked
configuration, tab 206 abuts opening area 114 (best seen in FIG. 9)
on at least one of biometric sensor housing surface 106 and lock
housing surface 110, and fastening member 220 extends through lock
housing hole 112, tab hole 208, and biometric sensor housing hole
108 to retain at least a portion of locking device 100 in mount
200. While it is illustrated in FIG. 3 a particular spatial
arrangement and an order in which fastening member 220 extends
through lock housing hole 112, tab hole 208, and biometric sensor
housing hole 108, it is to be understood that the order in which
fastening member 220 extends through lock housing hole 112, tab
hole 208, and biometric sensor housing hole 108, and spatial
arrangements between these components are not limited as
illustrated in FIG. 3. Other orders and spatial arrangements
between fastening member 220, tab hole 208, lock housing hole 112,
and biometric sensor housing hole 108 are contemplated and within
the scope of the present disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a side view of locking device 100 without mount
200 (in comparison to FIGS. 6-7 with mount 200), in accordance with
an aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional
view of locking device 100 without mount 200, taken along section
A-A in FIG. 4. FIGS. 4 and 5 show fastening member 220 in an
unlocked configuration. Opening area 114 is on inner surface 120 of
lock housing surface 110. It is to be understood that the
configuration of opening area 114 as illustrated herein is a
non-limiting example. Opening area 114 may be in other shapes or
configurations. In unlocked configuration, at least a portion of
biometric sensor housing 102 and lock housing 104 can slide into
and out of mount 200. In the unlocked configuration, fastening
member 220 may be positioned to extend into biometric sensor
housing hole 108 and lock housing hole 112 and is provided access
to, but not yet extending through biometric sensor housing hole 108
and lock housing hole 112.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a side view of locking device 100 received by
mount 200, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure
of locking device 100 received by mount 200. FIG. 7 is a
cross-sectional view of locking device 100 received by mount 200,
taken along section B-B in FIG. 6. FIGS. 6 and 7 show fastening
member 220 in an unlocked configuration. In the unlocked
configuration, tab hole 208, lock housing hole 112, and biometric
sensor housing hole 108 are accessible, but fastening member 220 is
not yet extending through tab hole 208, lock housing hole 112, and
biometric sensor housing hole 108.
[0035] FIG. 8 is a side view of locking device 100 received by
mount 200, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of locking device 100 received by
mount 200, taken along section C-C in FIG. 8, showing fastening
member 220 in a locked configuration. In the locked configuration,
tab 206 abuts opening area 114 in response to at least a portion of
locking device 100 being received by mount 200, and fastening
member 220 extends through tab hole 208, lock housing hole 112, and
biometric sensor housing hole 108 to retain at least a portion of
locking device 100 in mount 200.
[0036] In certain embodiments, fastening member 220 is one of a
screw, a plunger, a pin, and a bolt. FIG. 10 is a side view of
locking device 100 received by mount 200, in accordance with an
aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view
of locking device 100 received by mount 200, taken along section
D-D in FIG. 10. In certain embodiments, fastening member includes a
plunger 222. Locking device 100 further includes an electronic
solenoid 224 configured to actuate plunger 222 to move between an
unlocked configuration and a locked configuration (illustrated in a
bi-directional arrow I).
[0037] In certain embodiments, plunger 222 and electronic solenoid
224 are positioned inside biometric sensor housing 102. FIG. 12 is
an exploded view of an embodiment of locking device 100, showing
plunger 222 and electronic solenoid 224 inside biometric sensor
housing 102 in a phantom view. Electronic solenoid 224 may be
configured to actuate plunger 222 to move between an unlocked
configuration and a locked configuration, in response to an
authentication.
[0038] In certain embodiments, an authentication device 126
disposed on biometric sensor housing surface 106 may be used to
provide the authentication. Authentication device may be a
biometric sensor 128 such as a fingerprint sensor. The
authentication may include one or more of a user authentication
signal, a biometric authentication signal, a fingerprint
authentication signal, a radio frequency authentication signal, a
Bluetooth authentication signal, an electronic key, and a
mechanical key. While authentication device 126 to release locking
device 100 from mount 200 may share structure with that to release
the firearm, it is recognized that the actual authentication may be
different than that used to release the firearm from the locking
device.
[0039] In certain embodiments, authentication may be a user
authentication signal transmitted from biometric sensor 128 in
response to a pre-authorized user's fingerprint(s) being verified.
Biometric sensor 128 may be electronically coupled to electronic
solenoid 224. Once the pre-authorized user's fingerprint(s) has
been authenticated, electronic solenoid 224 actuates plunger 222 to
move to the locked configuration and to extend through lock housing
hole 112, tab hole 208 (not shown), and biometric sensor housing
hole 108. This provides alternative embodiments for securing the
locking device in the mount, without manually accessing the
fastening member and further preventing unattended tempering of the
locking device.
[0040] In certain embodiments, biometric sensor 128 is operably
coupled to an electronic processor (not shown). The electronic
processor may be positioned inside or remotely from locking device
100. In certain embodiments, biometric data other than fingerprints
may also be provided from pre-authorized users, depending on the
design of locking devices. The authentication signal may be
transmitted via hard wiring or wirelessly to electronic solenoid
224. For example, the authentication signal may be transmitted by a
radio frequency authentication signal, a Bluetooth authentication
signal or similar. In certain embodiments, authentication device
126 further include a status indicator 130 including one or more
indicator lights that illuminate a certain color (for example,
green) and/or an alarm, in response to an authentication such as a
pre-authorized user's fingerprint(s) being authenticated by
authentication device 126. If an unauthorized user's fingerprint is
sensed by authentication device 126, the indicator light(s) may
illuminate in a different color (for example, red), and the alarm
may be triggered.
[0041] While FIG. 12 illustrates authentication device 126 and
status indicator 130 as being positioned on a top area of biometric
sensor housing surface 106, it is to be understood that
authentication device 126 and status indicator 130 may also be
positioned on other locations of locking device 100, or remotely to
locking device 100.
[0042] Referring back to FIG. 3, in certain embodiments, locking
device 100 may include a cover housing 132. The housing components
of locking device 100, including biometric sensor housing 102, lock
housing 104, and cover housing 132, may be arranged as modular
parts. For example, biometric sensor housing 102 and lock housing
104 may be provided as a single unit or as two separate units
operably coupled to each other. In certain embodiments, cover
housing 132 and lock housing 104 may be provided as a single unit.
In certain embodiments, biometric sensor housing 102, lock housing
104, and cover housing 132 may be provided as a single unit.
[0043] In certain embodiments, cover housing 132 may be releasably
coupled to lock housing 104 and/or biometric sensor housing 102.
Cover housing 132 may be configured to move with respect to lock
housing 104 and/or biometric sensor housing 102. Cover housing 132
may be configured to move in a direction between a position where
cover housing 132 is remote from lock housing 104 and a different
position where cover housing 132 is releasably coupled to lock
housing 104. For example, cover housing 132 is movable in a
direction between a first position where cover housing 132 is
remote from the lock housing 104 and provides access to tab hole
208, lock housing hole 112, and biometric sensor housing hole 108
in an unlocked configuration, and a second position where cover
housing 132 is releasably coupled to lock housing 104 and blocks
access to fastening member 220 in a locked configuration. In
certain embodiments, cover housing 132 is movable in a direction
along a longitudinal axis (or z-axis) of lock housing 104 (as
illustrated in a bi-directional arrow II in FIG. 3). Cover housing
132 may also move in a direction along a x-axis or a y-axis of lock
housing 104. It is to be understood that cover housing 132 may be
configured to perform various movements with respect to lock
housing 104 and/or biometric sensor housing 102, for example,
lateral move, rotation, etc. and such configurations are intended
to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0044] Cover housing 132 may include a key interface unit 134,
providing interaction with a key (not shown). Cover housing 132 may
be configured to move between the first position and the second
position in response to the key interacting with key interface unit
134. In certain embodiments, the key is one of a mechanical key and
an electronic key. In a non-limiting example, a mechanical key may
be inserted into a key slot 136 (e.g., see FIG. 9) of key interface
unit 134 to unlock cover housing 132 from lock housing 104. Cover
housing 132 may be moved away from lock housing 104 to the first
position that provides fastening member 220 access to tab hole 208,
lock housing hole 112, and biometric sensor housing hole 108 in an
unlocked configuration. Subsequently, fastening member 220 extends
through tab hole 208, lock housing hole 112, and biometric sensor
housing hole 108 in a locked configuration, and cover housing 132
is moved to a second position to be releasably coupled with lock
housing 104, thereby blocking access to fastening member 220. The
key may be inserted into key interface unit 134 and locks cover
housing 132 in place when coupled with lock housing 104. Other keys
including an electronic key may be used. Thus, when fastening
member 220 is in the locked configuration, cover housing 132 blocks
access to fastening member 220, providing additional security
against unauthorized attempts to remove or tamper with locking
device 100.
[0045] The current disclosure provides improvements over existing
locking systems for firearms. For example, the locking systems, in
accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure, may
include a locking device and a mount, and a tab of the mount abuts
an opening area on at least one of a biometric sensor housing
surface and a lock housing surface. A fastening member extends
through a tab hole, a lock housing hole, and a biometric sensor
housing hole to retain at least a portion of the locking device in
the mount in a locked configuration, providing additional security
for the locking device. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the
locking device includes an authentication device configured to
provide an authentication, for controlling an electronic solenoid
to actuate a fastening member such as a plunger to retain at least
a portion of the locking device in the mount, without manual
handling of the fastening member, further providing secure and
simplified handling of the locking device.
[0046] In addition, the locking devices, in accordance with certain
aspects of the present disclosure, may include modular housing
parts. In a non-limiting embodiment, a cover housing of the locking
device is releasably coupled to a lock housing and is movable with
respect to the lock housing, between a first position that provides
a fastening member access to a tab hole, a lock housing hole, and a
biometric sensor housing hole in an unlocked configuration, and a
second position wherein a portion of the cover housing blocks
access to the fastening member in an locked configuration. This
modular configuration of the housing parts prevents unauthorized
access or tampering of the locking device since the fastening
member for retaining the locking device or portion thereof in a
mount is internal to the locking device in the locked
configuration.
[0047] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and
equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the
claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or
act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present
disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the
disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations
will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without
departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The
embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the
principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to
enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the
disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as
are suited to the particular use contemplated.
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