Patent ID: 6405469
Filing Date: 2002-06-18
Classification: F41A

Abstract:
A clamshell-type trigger lock, for a firearm of the type having a trigger and a surrounding trigger guard, comprising:a) a first clamshell element defined by an outer surface, an opposite inner surface, an openable lock extending inward from said outer surface, and a stub extending inwardly from said lock and said inner surface wherein said stub has a plurality of transverse teeth formed thereon in a narrow planar path therealong; b) a second clamshell element defined by an outer surface, an opposite inner surface, a bore including a bore wall formed inward from said inner surface, and a latch reciprocally mounted in said second clamshell element and partially exposed from said inner surface thereof, said latch including an under surface portion positioned along said bore wall and biased for movement toward the interior of said bore and having a plurality of transverse teeth formed along said under surface portion of said latch, said latch arranged for slight upward movement against said bias, during insertion of said stub in said bore, wherein said teeth on said stub pass over said teeth on said latch, for later interlocking mating engagement therebetween when said first and second clamshell elements are positioned on opposite sides of the trigger and trigger guard of a firearm and said stub is passed between the trigger and the surrounding trigger guard of the firearm and inserted in said bore to allow said teeth on said latch to engage said teeth on said stub; and, c) protective means for covering said partially exposed portion of said latch to prevent contact with said latch from outside the trigger lock wherein said protective means comprises: i) a main planar cover plate parallel to said inner surface of said second clamshell element, said cover plate defined by a pair of spaced-apart side edges for planar receipt in spaced-apart slots formed in said second clam shell element inner surface, a top edge and a bottom edge having a central cut-out portion formed therein; and, ii) a shield plate extending outward from above said cut-out portion to shield said latch foot from being pried upward and out of contact with said stub.