WO2000017596A1 - Locking device for firearms - Google Patents

Abstract

A gun safety lock (12, 14, 16) is provided which makes it impossible to discharge the gun (10) accidentally because it is impossible to chamber a live round into the firearm (10) with the safety lock (12, 14, 16) installed.

Description

LOCKING DEVICE FOR FIREARMS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is a device to make firearms, particularly handguns, more particularly

revolvers and Semiautomatic (sometimes called automatic) pistols, inoperative. Although the

invention is directed to all forms of firearms, for purposes of further disclosure the use of the

word "handguns" will be used to describe the invention, though it is to be expressly understood

that the disclosure is in no way limited by use of the word "handguns," as having applicability

to all firearms containing a barrel and a chamber to accept metallic cartridges. By use of the

invention, both the barrel and chamber of a handgun are rendered inoperative, thereby preventing

the insertion of a cartridge or "round" into the chamber while simultaneously blocking the barrel

of the handgun.

2. Description of the Related Art

Currently available safety devices are various forms of trigger locks which attempt to lock

the trigger of the handgun so that the gun cannot be fired. These trigger locks have several

disadvantages. For example, a trigger lock will not guarantee discharge of a loaded firearm and

it is possible to insert a round into the chamber or cylinder of a handgun while a trigger lock is

still on the gun. It is also possible in some instances to discharge the firearm by accidently or

purposefully forcing the hammer to strike the round or, alternatively, to strike the trigger lock

and/or hammer so as to release the trigger/hammer and discharge the round.

The present device is designed to overcome such deficiencies of the trigger locks insofar

as the device of the invention makes it impossible to chamber a round. As it is impossible to

insert ammunition into the chamber of the handgun, it is impossible to fire the handgun. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In its simplest form, the invention consists of telescoping components, preferably an inner

and outer sleeve, which are slidable relative to one another and which are usually inserted from

the muzzle end of the handgun so as to travel from the muzzle through the barrel and the chamber

of the handgun. At least one of the telescoping parts has a configuration, at an end remote from

the muzzle so as to expand a distal end of that part into locking relationship with the chamber of

the handgun.

In another embodiment, the invention also includes a locking cartridge which is

manufactured such that its outside configuration conforms to the dimensions of a round which

is normally fired from such gun. As such, the locking cartridge fits precisely into the chamber

of the gun and, as in the former embodiment, the end of at least one of the telescoping

components distal from the muzzle end of the handgun is designed to grab the locking cartridge

and lock it into the chamber of the gun.

A locking device is provided, which may be key, combination or electronically activated

to prevent movement of the grabber and, thus, retain the handgun in a locked and safe position.

These, and other aspects of the invention, will be understood from the following detailed

description of the invention of various embodiments of the invention as taken in connection with

the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of a prior art semiautomatic pistol based on a Browning

design, and adopted by Colt and other manufacturers in .45 ACP, and other calibers, illustrating

an empty chamber and barrel; Fig. 2 is a drawing of the same semiautomatic pistol of Fig. 1 with the locking cartridge

placed in the chamber and the telescoping components, which are inserted from the muzzle end

of the pistol, interlocking with the locking cartridge; a lock is shown schematically to fix the

telescoping components in their as locked condition with the locking cartridge;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of Fig. 2 (without the pistol) of the locking device of the > invention;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a locking cartridge;

Fig. 4(a) is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 4;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the outer telescoping member;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the inner telescoping member;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the pronged or grabber component;

Fig. 8 is a further enlarged view of the interengagement of a locking cartridge and inner

and outer telescoping members of Fig. 3 and the grabber component of an alternative

configuration while in an engaged position;

Figs. 9 and 10 are enlarged views of the same members as illustrated in Fig. 3 in a

disengaged and engaged position, respectively;

Figs. 1 l-13(a) show further details of the beveled interengagement portions of the locking

cartridge and inner telescoping member of Figs. 9 and 10;

Fig. 14 is a top view of the locking device of Fig. 3;

Fig. 15 is a side view of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged sectional view along 16-16 of Fig. 14 view of the outer telescoping

member and serrations for lock;

Fig. 17 is illustrative of the complete assembly in a locked position; Fig. 18 is illustrative of another embodiment of the invention with the expander element

in a retracted position;

Fig. 19 shows the same embodiment of Fig. 18, but with the expander element in its

operative position to expand the prongs of the grabber into interlocking engagement with a

chamber of a gun (not shown);

Figs. 20 and 21 correspond to Figs. 18 and 19, respectively, but with the lock removed

to show details of the grabber and expander subassemblies;

Fig. 22 shows a sectional view of the lock component;

Fig. 23 is a sectioned view of the expander component; and

Fig. 24 is an external view of the grabber component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As is known to those skilled in the art, most modern, and many antique, firearms which

use metallic cartridges, include a chamber component for receiving the metallic cartridge into

the firearm and a barrel having a muzzle through which the discharged projectile travels from the

chamber end to the muzzle end of the firearm. In certain cases, the chamber and barrel may be

a single component, for example, in many semiautomatic (sometimes also called automatic)

pistols. In other cases, the chamber is distinct from the barrel, for example, in the case of

revolvers. Some pistols also borrow technology from long guns, i.e. the use of a bolt in a pistol

configuration is well established.

Moreover, the metallic cartridges for these various firearms come with heads which are

rimmed, semi-rimmed, rimless, rebated, belted, etc. It is to be understood that the locking device

of the invention can be made to interact with any firearm chambered for any of these types of

metallic cartridges. It is also to be understood that the invention is not limited to locking devices for pistols, but may be used in long arms as well, for example rifles or smooth bore long arms,

e.g. shotguns, rifles for shot shells, etc. It is, thus, intended that the invention can be used for any

modern or antique firearm which employs a chamber for a metallic cartridge, as well as a barrel

through which a discharged projectile travels from the chamber to the muzzle of the firearm.

However, for convenience in explaining the invention, the term "handgun" will be used

generically for all firearms so configured.

One component which is essential to the invention are telescoping members such that at

least one of the telescoping components will have an end thereof distal from the muzzle of the

handgun which can be enlarged or expanded so as to interlock directly with the chamber or the

end of the chamber or, alternatively, to interlock with a component placed within the chamber

so as to render it impossible to chamber a round into the handgun. For ease of construction, it

is preferred if the telescoping members are cylindrical, although other configurations can

obviously be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a

rectangular or triangular configuration of the innermost telescoping member will work equally

well as would a cylindrical configuration.

In one embodiment of the invention, i.e. for use wherein the chamber and barrel are

integral as in a semiautomatic pistol 10, a second component, i.e. a locking cartridge 12,

generally having the outer configuration closely conforming to the chamber will be inserted into

the chamber and at least a grabber member 14 inserted into the locking cartridge where it is

expanded so as to interengage with the locking cartridge so as to prevent axial (or longitudinal)

separation thereof. Once interlocked with the locking cartridge 12, the relative telescoping

positions of the inner and outer telescoping members 15, 16, respectively, will be fixed, such as

by a locking device 18 which will prevent axial (or longitudinal) movement of the telescoping members. Thus, it will be impossible to disengage the expanded end of the grabber member 14

from the locking cartridge, especially if a beveled shape 20 (Figs. 11, 12) on grabber member 14

engages with corresponding bevel 22 (Figs. 4-4(a)) on locking cartridge 11, without authorized

delocking of the locking device 18. This will make it impossible to insert a round into the

chamber and, hence, impossible to discharge the firearm so as to send a projectile through the

barrel of the pistol.

In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figs. 18-24, particularly for use with

revolvers, wherein the chamber is separate from the barrel and pistols, where the chamber is

integral with the barrel, it is not always necessary to employ a locking cartridge as it is possible

to configure the grabber member so as to directly interengage the flanges 40, 41 (Fig. 11) with

the end of the cylinder containing the chamber or, alternatively, to interengage with an undercut

portion in the cylinder, i.e. that portion of the cylinder recessed to accept a rimmed, semi-rimmed

or belted cartridge or, alternatively, on that portion of the chamber upon which the cartridge

headspaces. For example, in the case of a .45 ACP cartridge, the flanges may engage with the

end of the chamber on which the .45 ACP cartridge seats. Such a configuration will not only

prevent a round from being chambered, but will simultaneously prevent the cylinder from being

rotated and, as in the case of the pistol, will make it impossible to discharge a projectile through

the barrel of the firearm without authorized delocking of the locking device 18.

In some instances where either a straight wall or a bottleneck cartridge is used in a pistol

(e.g. a cartridge known as a 22 Remington Jet), it would be desirable to employ a locking

cartridge 12 in the revolver into which the grabber member 14 may be locked thereby preventing

rotation of the cylinder, completely rendering useless any attempt to insert a round into the

chamber and preventing discharge of a projectile through the muzzle of the revolver. Even in such a case, if the hammer 2 of the pistol (or revolver) is forced, it will not be possible to strike

any cartridge within the chamber of the handgun.

In a similar embodiment, where a pistol is fitted with a bolt such that the chamber and

barrel are integral, it may be desirable to employ a locking cartridge with a grabber member as

in the pistol and revolver embodiments, so as to render it impossible to insert a round into the

chamber of such a bolt operated pistol. Again, even if the trigger is pulled or the firing pin

forcibly or accidently released, it cannot strike a cartridge in the chamber of the firearm when the

locking device of the invention is installed.

The components used in my invention can be made of any high quality metal, such as gun

steel, and finished in blue, nickel or other finishes conventionally used to finish firearms.

Preferably, however, a metal such as stainless steel, which provides both aesthetic and functional

features consistent with the purpose of preventing unauthorized discharge of a firearm equipped

with the gun lock components of the invention, could be used.

When assembled, the components of the locking device of the invention may take the

appearance as shown in Figs. 14 and 15 (shown without the firearm on which they will be

installed). As shown in sectional view of Fig. 3, the grabber 14 will have its prongs (preferably

at least 2, but three or more prongs being preferred) expanded by movement of innermost

telescoping member 15 relative to grabber component 14 to expand the prongs 40, 41 (Fig. 11)

into engagement with locking cartridge 12. Once fully deployed, the prongs 40, 41 will prevent

longitudinal (axial) separation of locking cartridge 12 and grabber component 14. Locking

cartridge 12 can be securely maintained in the chamber of the firearm by engaging the

components of the lock 18 with one or more grooves 19, 21 (Figs. 3, 7) with locking component

23 of lock 18. Lock 18 can be a keyed, combination or electronic lock to move pin 23 into position with one of the grooves 19, 21 on grabber component 14. Once locked, the locking

cartridge 12 will be secured in the chamber of the firearm, and its physical presence will prevent

the insertion of a round into the chamber. Components 14, 15, 16 will be surrounded by the

barrel of the firearm, thereby preventing tampering with these components as a means for

unauthorized delocking of the device of the invention.

Lock 18 may fit flush against the muzzle 9 of the firearm, or may be recessed as at 8 (Fig.

3) such that it relatively telescopes over muzzle 9 thereby further minimizing separation of the

locking device of the invention from the firearm so equipped by preventing prying of the lock

18 from muzzle 9, by insertion of a prying tool (not shown) between the lock 18 and muzzle 9.

However, upon authorized delocking of pin 23 from groove 19, 21, the lock 18, and telescoping

components 14-16 can readily be removed from the barrel and locking cartridge 12 ejected from

the chamber by the means used to conventionally eject spent and/or unfired rounds from the

chamber of the firearm.

It can thus be seen that I have provided a extremely reliable and relatively inexpensive

safety device which will render it impossible to chamber a round into the chamber of a firearm

made for metallic cartridges and, thus, prevent discharge of a projectile through the barrel and

out the muzzle of such a firearm fitted with the safety device.

Although I have described my invention with regard to a specific embodiment of

expanding the grabber component by means of an inner telescoping member, it will be clear to

those skilled in the art that expansion can be obtained by equivalent mechanical features which

do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Claims

I Claim:

1. A safety lock for a firearm having a chamber and a barrel; said barrel having a muzzle

end remote from said chamber;

a locking cartridge insertable into said firearm chamber;

a grabbing member insertable into said barrel from said muzzle and into said locking

cartridge;

an expander element to expand said grabber into interlocking relationship with said

locking cartridge;

thereby preventing removal of said cartridge from said chamber.

2. The safety lock of claim 1, wherein said firearm is a revolver and said preventing of

movement also prevents rotation of the revolver cylinder.

3. The safety lock of claim 1, wherein the expander element comprises an inner

telescoping member to expand said grabber.

4. The safety lock of claim 1, wherein the grabber comprises a plurality of prongs to

engage with corresponding shoulders in said locking cartridge.

5. The safety lock of claim 4, wherein each of said prongs and shoulders have

corresponding bevels.

6. The safety lock of claim 1, further comprising a mechanical or electrically operated

lock to engage the expander element to lock it in place.

7. The safety lock of claim 1, further comprising an expander element having at least one

groove therein to receive a pin of a lock.

8. A removable safety lock for a firearm which extends from a chamber through a barrel

to a muzzle end thereof and fills said chamber and barrel preventing chambering of a round in

said firearm.

9. The safety lock of claim 8, wherein the firearm is selected from the group consisting

of metallic cartridge accepting pistols, revolvers, rifles and shotguns.

10. The safety lock of claim 8, wherein the firearm is a revolver and the safety lock also

prevents rotation of the cylinder of said revolver.

11. A safety lock for a firearm which renders said firearm incapable of accidently or

purposefully discharging said firearm; said lock comprising a locking cartridge insertable into

a chamber of said firearm,

means extending through the barrel of said firearm to engage with said locking cartridge

and preventing chambering of a round in said chamber.

12. The safety lock of claim 11, wherein said means comprises three telescoping

members, the inner and outer members being relatively moveable to each other, and a grabber

component to expand into engagement with said locking cartridge.

13. A safety lock for a firearm having a chamber and a barrel, said barrel having a

muzzle end remote from said chamber;

a grabbing member insertable into said barrel from said muzzle and into said chamber;

an expander element to expand said grabber into interlocking relationship with said

chamber;

thereby preventing removal of said safety lock for said barrel.

14. The safety lock of claim 13, wherein the firearm is a handgun and the grabber

expands into engagement with a recess in the chamber.

15. The safety lock of claim 13, wherein the firearm is a revolver having a cylinder

containing a plurality of chambers and the grabber expands into engagement with the end of the

cylinder of the revolver.

16. The safety lock of claim 13, wherein the handgun is a pistol and the grabber expands

into engagement with a recess in the chamber upon which the cartridge for the pistol headspaces.

17. The safety lock of claim 13, further including a mechanical or electrically operated

lock to engage the expander element to lock it in place.