Abstract:
A pin lock device for securing an article, including a lock base and a removable lock device that locks to the lock base. A plurality of control pins disposed in pin bores that communicate with a mounting post through tumbler channels. Alignment of recesses in the control pins releases the locking device from the post. The locking device allows the user to secure an article, such as a handgun, on the post in a secure and accessible manner.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application 61/800,324, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a lockable device for locking an article, such as a handgun. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The owners of certain articles, such as a handgun, want to have the article ready for use at any and all times, but need to maintain the article in a safe condition and state of operation for other persons, including friends, family members, children, guests and the like. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention provides a lock device for securing an article, including a lock base and a removable lock member that locks to the lock base, the lock base having a proximal end and a distal end, including a post having a one or more grooves proximate the distal end; the lock member having a body, an axis, a front face, and a rear face, a post bore into the body along the axis and through the rear face into which the post is inserted, a plurality of pin bores disposed in the body and displaced radially from the post axis, a plurality of radial tumbler channels extending between each pin bore and post bore, and a plurality of button openings in the front face of the removable lock member in communication with each of the pin bores; a control pin disposed in each pin bore, the control pin having a body, a first end and an opposed second end, the first end including a button portion that extends through the button opening in the front face of a removable lock member, and having a pin recess formed in the body intermediate the first end and second end, the control pin moveable within the pin bore between an extended position with the button extending from the front face, and a depressed position disposed rearwardly from the extended position; and a tumbler disposed within each tumbler channel, configured for radial movement within the tumbler channel between at least a first position in which a portion of the tumbler extends into the groove of the post when disposed within the post bore, and a second position in which a portion of the tumbler extends into the pin recess. 
         [0005]    In an aspect of the invention, the post is a cylindrical post. 
         [0006]    In another aspect of the invention, the groove proximate the distal end of the post is an annular groove. 
         [0007]    In an aspect of the invention, the lock member has a cylindrical body. 
         [0008]    In another aspect of the invention, the axis of the lock member is a center axis. 
         [0009]    The present invention provides a pin lock device for securing an article, including a lock base and a removable lock member that locks to the lock base, the lock base having a proximal end and a distal end, including a cylindrical post having an annular groove proximate the distal end; the cylindrical lock member having a body, a central axis, a front face, and a rear face, an central bore into the body along the central axis and through the rear face that is configures to accept the post, a plurality of pin bores disposed in the body and displaced radially from the central axis, a plurality of radial tumbler channels extending between each pin bore and central bore, and a plurality of button openings in the front face of the cylindrical lock member in communication with each of the pin bores; a control pin disposed in each pin bore, the control pin having a body, a first end and an opposed second end, the first end including a button portion that extends through the button opening in the front face of a cylindrical lock member, and having a pin recess formed in the body intermediate the first end and second end, the control pin moveable within the pin bore between an extended position with the button extending from the front face, and a depressed position disposed rearwardly from the extended position; and a tumbler disposed within each tumbler channel, configured for radial movement within the tumbler channel between at least one of the annular groove of the post when disposed within the central bore or the pin recess. 
         [0010]    The invention also provides a method for mounting and securing an article having an opening, which can be a handgun or other firearm that has a trigger guard, comprising the steps of: a) providing the lock device including a removable lock member including a plurality of lock pins, and a lock post; b) mounting the article onto the lock device with the lock post through the opening of the article; c) depressing and holding a programmed lock combination of the plurality of lock pins; d) placing the removable lock member onto the lock post; and e) releasing the programmed lock combination of lock pins. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the locking device of the invention secured to a post. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a front face view of the locking device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows a sectional view of the locking device through line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0014]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  show detailed views of the features in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows an axial section view of the locking device through line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows the axial section view of the locking device of  FIG. 5  with a pin depressed. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows an axial section view of the locking device through line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  shows the locking device removed from the post. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  also shows the locking device removed from the post to unlock the article. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  shows an alternative embodiment of a tumbler. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  shows a detailed view of the features in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  shows an exploded view of the assembly of the locking device. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  shows a front face view of another embodiment of the locking device. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  shows a sectional view of the locking device through line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  shows the locking device of  FIG. 14  in another configuration. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  shows the locking device of  FIG. 13  removed from the post. 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  shows a sectional view of a locking device having an extending member. 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  shows the locking device having an extending member. 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  shows a perspective view of a locking device. 
           [0030]      FIG. 20  shows a front view of the locking device. 
           [0031]      FIG. 21  shows a back view of the locking device. 
           [0032]      FIG. 22  shows a top view of the locking device. 
           [0033]      FIG. 23  shows a bottom view of the locking device. 
           [0034]      FIG. 24  shows a left side view of the locking device. 
           [0035]      FIG. 25  shows a right side view of the locking device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]      FIG. 1  shows a gun lock system  1  of the present invention. The system includes a push-button lockable device  10 , and a post  90  onto which the lockable device  10  is securable. The post  90  can be secured to an immovable structure or fixture, including a structural wooden stud in the wall of a home, office or other building, or a moveable structure or fixture, including a gun case, dresser drawer, furniture, storage locker, a holster, a gun rack, glove box or storage compartment in an automobile, truck or other motor vehicle, etc. The illustrated embodiment shows the post  90  affixed to, or made integral with a base  91  that can be secured to a wooden stud in the wall of a home or apartment with a fastener, such as wood screws, nails, etc. An object or article, including but not limited to a handgun as illustrated, is secured by placing the locking device over the end of the post  90 , and secured thereto by installing and securing the lockable device  10  over the end of the post  90 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the push-button locking device  10  has a substantially body, illustrated as a cylindrical body  18 , with an axis, illustrated as a central axis  100 , and has a front face or surface  14  through which a plurality of pushable button(s)  12  extend, and a rear face or surface  15  having a post bore, illustrated as a cylindrical central bore  16 , therethrough, onto which the post  90  is installable and securable. Each push button  12  is associated with an elongated control pin  40  that is moveable axially within the body  18  of the lockable device  10 . The plurality of control pins  40  are disposed within pin bores  20  arranged around the post bore, illustrated as arranged radially around the central bore  16  at equal spacing radially from the central axis  100  and circumferentially from one another. The plurality of pin bores can be disposed at a distance from the post bore that are the same or different; if different, the tumbler channel and tumbler(s) lengths, described herein after, are selected accordingly. Each control pin  40  is biased to a forward first position within the pin bore  20  with a biasing means, illustrated as a spring  22 . 
         [0038]    Each control pin  40  includes body having a periphery along its length and in cross section, illustrated as a cylindrical body having a periphery  42 , and a first end  44  having a push end illustrated as the button  12 , which extends through an opening  24  in the front face  14  of the locking device in the biased-forward first position. A recess  50  is formed into the periphery  42  intermediate the first end  44  and second end  48 . As illustrated, the recess  50  extends around the entire circumference of the pin to form an annular recess. The recess  50  and its center are disposed a selected fixed distance from the first end  44  of the control pin  40 . The first end  44  of the control pin  40  includes the reduced-diameter button  12  that extends from a shoulder  52 , and through the opening  24  in the front face  14 . 
         [0039]    The post  90  has a recess formed at distance from the distal end  94  of the post associated with each of the control pins  40 . As illustrated, the plurality of recesses associated with the plurality of control pins  40  can comprise an annular recess  92  formed around the a portion of or the entire circumference of the post  90 . The annular recess  92  is provided to receive tumblers  80  associated with each of the control pins  40  for securing the lockable device  10  to the post  90 , as described herein after. 
         [0040]    Each pin bore  20  communicates with the central bore  16  through a tumbler channel, illustrated as a cylindrical tumbler channel  56 , that extends radially from, and intersects, the central bore  16  to and with the pin bore  20 . As illustrated, tumbler channel  56  associated with each control pin  40  and each pin bore  20  is formed in the body  18  the same distance axially from the front face  14  of the device, to standardize the lengths and features of the control pins  40 . Each tumbler channel  56  is formed along a transverse or radial axis  200 , perpendicular to the central axis  100 . To aid in forming the cylindrical pin channels  56 , an outer channel bore  58  is started through the outer circumference of the body  18 , to extend radially inwardly to and through the pin bore  20 , and continuing radially inwardly to the central bore  16  to form the tumbler channel  56 . As can be seen in  FIG. 4A , the tumbler channel  56  of fixed diameter penetrates only partially (not completely) through the wall portion  18   a  that defines the central bore  16 , to leave an annular shoulder  60  at the junction of the tumbler channel  56  and the central bore  16 . The annular shoulder  60  defines an opening into the central bore  16  from the tumbler channel  56  that is smaller in diameter than the diameter of the tumbler channel  56 , and smaller in diameter or size than the diameter (or minimum dimension) of the tumbler  80 . The shoulder prevents a tumbler  80  from moving from the tumbler channel  56  into the central bore  16  when the post  90  is withdrawn. The outer channel bore  58  also permits loading of the tumbler pin(s) from outside during assembly and during reprogramming of the lock device. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 3 and 5  show the device  10  with all of the control pins  40  biased forwardly, with a major portion of the buttons  12  extending forwardly, outwardly from the face  14 . The distance through the wall portion  18   a  between the outer periphery of the pin bore  20  and the outer periphery of the central bore  16  is less than the dimension of the one or more tumblers  80  disposed, in total, which are accommodated by and disposed within the tumbler channel  56 . Each of the tumblers  80  disposed within each cylindrical tumbler channel  56  extend at least partially, and usually fully, into either the central bore  16  or its respective pin bore  20 , or both, since the dimension of the tumbler  80  (or aligned with tumblers  80 ), from end to end, exceeds the distance between the pin bore  20  and the central bore  16 . With the post  90  disposed within the central bore  16  as shown in  FIG. 3 , for any one control pin  40 , at least one of the groove  92  of the post  90  or the groove  50  of the control pin  40  is aligned with the tumbler channel  56 . In  FIGS. 3 and 4A , the annular groove  50  of the first control pin  40   a  and the annular groove  92  of the post  90  are both aligned axially with the first tumbler channel  56 , such that the tumbler(s)  80  cannot be forced to reside within the annular groove  92  of the post  90 , and will not prevent the withdrawal of the post  90  from the lockable device  10 .  FIGS. 3 and 4B  show that the annular groove  50  of third control pin  40   c  is not aligned axially with the third tumbler channel  56 , which forces its tumbler(s)  80  into the annular groove  92  of the post  90 . The larger circumferential or diameter of the periphery  96  of the post  90  cannot clear axially past the tumbler(s), and interferes with removal of the lockable device  10  from the post  90 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  also shows that the grooves  50  of control pins  40   a,    40   b,    40   d,  and  40   e  are aligned with their respective tumbler channels  56  when in their biased-forward first positions, termed these pins&#39; neutral unlock position. Only the groove  50  of control pin  40   c  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) is out of alignment axially with its tumbler channel  56  when in its biased-forward first position, termed this pin&#39;s neutral lock position, and the larger outer periphery  42  of the control pin  40  forces the tumblers  80  into the groove  92  of post  90 , preventing the post  90  from being withdrawn out of its central bore  16 . 
         [0043]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , when both the groove  92  of the post  90  and the groove  50  of a control pin  40  are aligned axially with the tumbler channel  56 , then the tumbler(s)  80  will be moved, or biased out of, the groove of the post  90  when an axial force is exerted against the inwardly-facing end of the tumbler by the periphery  96  of the post  90 . When the grooves  50  of all of the control pins  40  are aligned axially with their respective tumbler channels  56 , then the radially-inward ends of the tumblers  80  will move out of the annular groove  92  of the post  90  and substantially fully into the tumbler channel  56 , and the lockable device  10  can be withdrawn off of the post  90 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  shows a sectional view along the axis  100  through control pin  40   a  and control pin  40   c,  after control pin  40   c  has been fully depressed by the user. The depressing of button  12   c  of control pin  40   c  compresses the spring  22  further, and aligns the pin groove  50  with its tumbler channel  56 .  FIG. 7  provides a transverse cross sectional view through the five tumbler channels  56 , showing that the groove  50  of control pin  40   c,  which has been depressed to its biased position, aligns with its tumbler channel  56 . The tumbler(s)  80  of control pin  40   c  are moveable from out of the annular groove  92  of the post  90  and out of interference with the periphery  96 , and into the tumbler channel  56  and groove  50  of the control pin  40   c,  allowing the larger outer periphery  96  of the post  90  to be withdrawn past the tumblers and from its central bore  16 , as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . As  FIG. 9  also illustrates, an apparatus or article, shown as a handgun, can be mounted on the post  90  (typically with the post disposed behind the trigger), and locked and unlocked to the post  90  by the lockable device  10 . 
         [0045]    The tumbler(s)  80  are illustrated as spherical balls, allowing them to roll and move easily along the tumbler channels  56  and into and out of the grooves. Alternative tumblers can include an elongated cylindrical tumbler  81  with rounded ends as shown in  FIG. 10 , or any other shape and size that spontaneously is biased from a groove  92  of the post  90  when an axial force is applied against the tumbler  80  by the peripheral edge of the groove. 
         [0046]    The grooves  50 , 92  of the control pins  40  and the post  90  are configured and designed to allow the selected tumbler  80  to be biased outward from the post&#39;s groove  92  merely by axial movement of the post  90  against the tumbler  80 . The grooves  50 ,  92  are illustrated as annular rectilinearly-formed troughs having tapered sides. The groove can also have just a rectalinear trough, or a curved (parabolic) groove, or a V-shaped groove. Typically the depth of the groove  50 , 92  from the outer periphery of the control pin  40  or post  90  is less than the radius of the spherical tumbler. 
         [0047]    It can be understood that numerous other lock combinations are available among the five (5) pins of the first embodiment. It is presumed that at least one of the five control pins  40  is in a neutral lock position. Combinations thus include any one pin in a neutral lock position (5 combinations), any two pins (10 combinations), any three pins (10 combinations), any four pins (5 combinations), and all five pins (1 combination), for a total of 31 combinations. The lockable device  10  is both installed onto the post  90 , and removed from the post, by depressing and holding the programmed combination of buttons  12 , which moves and keeps each of the grooves  50  of the control pins  40  in alignment axially with their respective tumbler channels  56 , allowing the tumblers  80  to move clear of the post groove  92 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 3  also illustrates another aspect of the invention, wherein the control pins  40  are reversible, having a button  12 ′ on the opposite second end, and having the annular groove  50  positioned axially off-center; that is, closer to one or the other of first end  44  and second end  48 . Control pins  40   a  and  40   c  are the same pin design and dimensions. Control pin  40   a  is installed with the groove  50  disposed rearward of the axial center point of the pin, while control pin  40   c  installed in the opposite orientation, with the groove  50  disposed forward of the axial center point of the pin. It can therefore be readily understood that the combination of the lockable device can be changed by withdrawing and turning over (switching the orientation of) one or more of the control pins  40 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 11  shows the detail features in  FIG. 10 , and illustrates another aspect of the invention that provides a resistance to tampering. A control pin  40  (shown as control pin  40   c ) includes a recess  50  and a dimple recess  57  disposed axially from the recess  50 . The dimple recess  57  aligns with the tumbler channel  56  when the pin is in its neutral lock position; that is, when the pin in its biased-forward position and its recess  50  is out of alignment with the tumbler channel  56 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 12  shows an exploded view of the lockable device, post and base of the first embodiment of the gun lock system. A cylindrical cap  19  fits over the outer cylindrical body  18 , and seats against an apron or outer flange  17  extending near the rear face. Screws  99  secure the cap  19  to the body  18 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 13-16  illustrate another aspect of the invention, which provides a second set of pins  140  communicating through tumblers  80  with a second groove  192  in the post  90  though a second set of tumbler channels  156  displaced axially from the first set of channels  56  of the first set of control pins  40 . The second set of pins  140  are disposed in respective pin bores  150  arranged radially from the central bore  16  and spaced circumferentially from and between the pin bores  20  of the first set of control pins  40 . 
         [0052]    As taught herein, in the second set of pins  140 , one pin  140   c  is in a neutral lock position, with the remaining pins  140  being in neutral unlock positions. By depressing and holding depressed both the button  12  of control pin  40   c  and the button  12  of pin  140   c , simultaneously or sequentially in any order, the respective pin recesses  50  and  150  are aligned with the tumbler channels  56  and  156 , the locking device can be withdrawn from the post  90 , and the article unlocked, as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 17  shows a sectional view of another aspect of a locking device, having an extending member. The extending member is a plate  180  having a periphery with a portion thereof that extends beyond the lateral periphery  11  of the lockable device  10 . The periphery of the plate can extend from only one portion of the lockable device, or can have opposite extending portions  181  and  182  as shown in  FIG. 16 , or can extend outwardly all around the lockable device  10  or any other arrangement. The extension of the plate  180  can be asymmetrical or symmetric about the periphery  11  of the lockable device  10 . The plate is typically planer, and can be made of any durable, non-bendable material, or bend-resistant material. A non-limiting example of the material is steel. The plate  180  can be secured to the rear face of the locking device  10  using any conventional fastening means, such as a threaded hole  184  in the rear face of the locking device body and a threaded screw or bolt  185 . The plate  180  includes an aperture  186  there through that registers with the central bore  16 . When the locking device is secured to the post  90  with a handgun mounted on the post, the extending member can extend outwardly to cover the view or access to a trigger or other feature of the handgun. As shown in  FIG. 18 , the extending plate can inhibit or block access to a feature of the handgun, such as a trigger, hammer, or magazine clip release button. 
         [0054]      FIG. 17  also shows another aspect of the invention of a means for rotational alignment or rotational selectivity of the locking device. An elongated slot  97  of selected width and radial depth is formed axially into the cylindrical inner wall  13  of the body  18  from the opening in the rear face. The post  90  includes an elongated, axially-extending rib  98 , proximally from the groove  92 , which has a shape to register with the slot  97  to require that the locking device  10  be properly rotated about the central axis  100 , with the slot  97  aligned with the rib  98 , in order to be mounted and installed onto the post  98 , and to prevent rotation of the locking device  10  after it securement to the post  90 . 
         [0055]    It can also be understood that the shape of the body of the lockable device, though illustrated as cylindrical, can be other shapes, including square, rectangular, oval, polygonal, and other irregular shape in cross section, and along its axis. Similarly, the post bore can be made, in cross section, in other shapes than cylindrical, including square rectangular, oval, and polygonal, with the one or more post grooves in the periphery, or a continuous peripheral groove, with the tumbler channels extending outwardly, including radially outwardly, to the associated pin bores. The post bore can also be positioned in other positions axially into the body of the lockable device, other than centrally, including off center, along a periphery of the body, etc. The pin bores as well can arranged in a pattern that follows the periphery of the post bore, or can be in any pattern provided the tumbler channels can extend to the periphery of the post bore. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 19-25  show an ornamental design of an article locking device of the present invention. The broken lines in  FIGS. 19-25  of the drawings are included for the purpose of showing portions of the document holder that form no part of any claimed design.