Abstract:
A Quick-release Gun Lock is disclosed. The gun lock comprises a base that cooperates with the gun&#39;s extractor, a pliable and expandable portion attached to the base for expanding to create an interference fit with the gun&#39;s bore, and a compression shaft that, when rotated, will force the expandable portion outwardly to create the interference fit. The device may further include a cam hub that interacts with the compression shaft to provide the desired interference fit with less than one rotation.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/223,067 filed Dec. 29, 1998, now pending. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates generally to tamper-proof locks for firearms and, more specifically, to a Quick-release Gun Lock.  
           [0004]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0005]    Guns and other firearms have been in use by society for protection and recreation for centuries. In recent years, with escalating crime levels, and particularly in attacks at the home, people have contemplated arming themselves. To have a weapon in the home can provide a feeling of security for many people. Historically, there have been two problems with keeping a firearm in the home: (1) preventing children from getting injured while playing with a loaded gun, and (2) preventing an intruder from getting to the weapon first and using it against the victims. As a result, even if a person does keep a gun in the home, it is usually not loaded. An unloaded gun can actually be more dangerous than a loaded one, since it can usually only be a deadly bluff to the future invader. What is needed is a device that permits a gun to be loaded and ready for use, while still preventing injury to children, as well as keeping an intruder from using the gun against the victims.  
           [0006]    Semi-automatic weapons have become particularly popular for self-defense purposes because they can fire quicker and they hold more rounds than a revolver. While other prior devices have attempted to solve the gun safety problem for revolvers or rifles, none has been effective for semi-automatic weapons. FIGS. 1 through 5 will introduce the reader to the problems with locking semi-automatic pistols.  
           [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 depicts a conventional semi-automatic pistol  10 . The pistol  10  comprises two major structures: the handle portion  12  and the slide  14 . The slide  14  is permitted to slide along the handle portion  12  during the operation of the pistol  10 .  
           [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 depicts the pistol  10  with the slide  14  in the recoil position, such as is the case when the slide  14  recoils immediately after a shot is fired. As can be seen, the slide  14  has traveled towards the left with respect to the handle portion  12 . The barrel  16  is exposed in this position, and the spent shell exit  18  is open to the chamber (see FIG. 3). If a shot had just been fired, the spent shell casing would have been drawn out of the chamber by the extractor (see FIG. 3), which is attached to the slide  14 . The extractor (see FIG. 3) also ejects the spent shell casing out of the chamber through the spent shell exit  18 .  
           [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway side view of the typical semi-automatic pistol  10 , depicting some of the inner workings as pertinent to the present invention. The slide  14  is in the recoil position in this view to depict what happens immediately after the spent shell casing has been ejected. The position shown could also be the result of manually cocking the pistol by grasping the slide  14  with the hand and pushing it to the left with respect to the handle portion  12 .  
           [0010]    When the slide  14  is cocked, a round  20  is dispensed by the magazine  22  into the vicinity of the chamber  24 . The chamber  24  is the end of the barrel  16  from where rounds  20  are fired. The chamber  24  may be of larger diameter than the center of the barrel  16  (i.e. the bore  26 ), or the bore  26  may be the same diameter from the tip of the barrel  16  to the chamber  24 .  
           [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 depicts the pistol  10  once the slide  14  has returned to the uncocked or ready position. When the slide  14  travels forwardly, it forces the round  20  into the chamber  24 ; the mechanism that accomplishes this is not pertinent to this discussion, and is therefore not shown. If one can imagine that the bullet has been fired out through the bore  26 , and that now the round  20  is actually a spent shell casing, we can proceed to understanding the functioning of the pistol  10 .  
           [0012]    While a round is in the chamber  24 , it is engaged by the extractor  28 . As described above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2, when a shot is fired, the slide  14  would recoil by traveling to the left. Since the extractor  28  is attached to, and travels with, the slide  14 , when the slide  14  recoils, the extractor  28  will remove the spent shell casing (imagine as the round  20 ) by pulling it backward and out of the chamber  24 . Once free from the chamber  24 , the spent shell casing (imagine as the round  20 ) will be aligned with the spent casing exit (see FIG. 1), through which it is ejected through, also by the extractor  28 .  
           [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 further shows how the extraction process operates. FIG. 5 is a partial cutaway top view of the pertinent components of the pistol. As can be seen, the extractor  28  is a spring-loaded “finger” that grabs onto the groove  30  that is located at the bottom of the spent shell casing (imagine as the round  20 ).  
           [0014]    Rockwood, U.S. Pat. No. 3,382,596, discloses a “Safety Plug for Firearm Chamber” that is, essentially, a two-piece unit that fits into the chamber and thereafter prevents a round from being loaded. There are at least three problems with the Rockwood device as it applies to semi-automatic pistols. First, the device would be easily removed from the pistol by an intruder or child, by simply jamming a stick into the barrel and poking the device out through the spent casing exit. Second, the device cannot be hidden from the potential intruder in order to prevent its removal. All that the intruder has to do is to cock the slide and look into the spent shell exit to see the device and therefore determine how to remove it. Third, there is no quick way to remove the two-piece Rockwood device. If the device is inserted with an interference fit, as described (see Column 3, line 3), it must be jammed out by a stick inserted into the barrel—this process could take more time than is available in an emergency situation. What is needed is a locking device for semi-automatic and automatic pistols that is disguised while in use to prevent unauthorized users from removing it. The device should also be extremely quick and easy to remove in case of emergency.  
           [0015]    Another device, the “Safety Device for Firearms” disclosed in S. Pula et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,836,918, is unworkable for the semi-automatic or automatic weapon. The Pula device has at least three problems with its design. First, the design is extremely complicated, and therefore not cost-effective. In order for this device to gain wide-spread popularity, and therefore use and protection, it must be reliable but also fairly inexpensive. The Pula device is cost-prohibitive as designed. Second, the Pula device, like the Rockwood device, is difficult and slow to remove. Presumably, (although the removal process is not disclosed by Pula) the device is removed by unscrewing the plug  18 , by engaging the tool  23  with either the front or rear kerf  20  and  21 , respectively. The device is then poked or shaken out of the chamber. Again, the time to execute these steps may not be available. Third, the Pula device must be made from metal in order to provide the necessary durability to the expanded segments  17 . The insertion of a metal device into the chamber that is then pressed outwardly into the bore walls, may actually mar the surface of the chamber and damage the gun. What is needed is a low-cost, reliable, quickly-removable gun lock that will not damage the inner workings of the gun.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0016]    In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Quick-release Gun Lock. It is a further object that the gun lock the chambering and firing actions of automatic weapons, while still permitting the triggering action to work. It is a still further object that the locking device be easily installed through the gun&#39;s spent shell exit, and that it be quickly released via a tool inserted into the bore, and ejected via the spent shell exit. It is a still further object that the device be concealed from view to prevent tampering. It is yet another object that the device be manufactured from low-cost designs and materials and that the device not cause damage to the inner workings of the weapon.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which:  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a side view of a typical semi-automatic pistol  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a side view of the pistol of FIG. 1, with the slide in the recoiled position;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a cutaway side view of the pistol of FIG. 2, with the slide in the recoiled position;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a cutaway side view the pistol of FIG. 1, with the slide in the extended position;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a cutaway top view of the barrel of the pistol of FIG. 4;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway top view of the barrel of FIG. 5, depicting a preferred locking device of the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 6;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIGS. 8A and 8B are a pair of cutaway side views of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 6 and 7;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 9 is a cutaway side view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0030]    [0030]FIGS. 13A and 13B are cutaway side views of yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0031]    The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a Quick-release Gun Lock.  
         [0032]    The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway top view of a preferred locking device  32  of the present invention when installed in a typical chamber  24  of a semi-automatic or automatic weapon. As can be seen, the locking device  32  is expanded against the walls of the bore  26 , like the Pula device, but the present invention has another benefit. There is a groove  34  that is formed in the locking device  32  that is very similar to the groove  30  found on a conventional round  20  (see FIGS.  1 - 5 ). If one returns to FIG. 4, it can be appreciated that if the round  20  was “stuck” in the chamber and prevented from being removed, the extractor  28  could not pull the round  20  out of the chamber  24 , and the slide  14  (which is attached to the extractor  28 ) could not be cocked or recoiled. Since the slide  14  could not be cocked, it would be impossible to look through the spent shell exit (see FIGS. 1 and 2) to determine what was preventing the slide (see FIGS. 1 and 2) from moving. Since the device  32  could not be viewed, it is very likely that an unauthorized user would not be able to determine how to load the gun or be able to remove the locking device  32 . This is a significant benefit over the prior devices.  
         [0033]    Another critical advantage must be appreciated. In order to remove the locking device  32 , one need only release the force pressing against the walls of the chamber  24 , and then cock the slide. When the slide is cocked now, the extractor  28  will pull the locking device  32  out of the chamber  24  via the groove  34 , and the locking device  32  will be ejected through the spent casing exit (see FIG. 2), just like a spent casing. As this is done, a new round will be loaded into the chamber  24  when the slide is released. This process is extremely quick, with no wasted movement.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 7 gives further detail of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the preferred locking device  32  of FIG. 6. This preferred embodiment comprises a base  36 , preferably of brass or aluminum or other material that is strong, yet will not damage the gun by its use. The groove  34  is cut in the base  36 , much the same as in a round of ammunition. Attached to the base  36  is an expandable portion  38 , made preferably of rubber or other pliable material that will deform under pressure, and then return to its original configuration once the pressure is released. At the end of the expandable portion  38  is a compression disc  40  and a socket  42 . The operation of the device  32  is best understood by now considering FIG. 8.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIGS. 8A and 8B is a pair of partial cutaway side views of the locking device of FIG. 7. View “A” depicts the device in a relaxed or unexpanded condition, such as prior to locking the gun. View “B” depicts the device in an expanded condition, such as when the device is installed and locked inside the chamber of a gun (see FIG. 6).  
         [0036]    The socket  42  is the tip of the compression shaft  44 . The compression shaft  44  runs through a bore in the center of the expandable portion  38  and terminates in a threaded portion  46 . The threaded portion  46  engages the threaded tube  48  that is formed within the base  36 . As can be seen, therefore, one need merely to turn the socket  42 , which will turn the compression shaft  44 , thereby causing the threaded portion  46  to bore into the threaded tube  48 , and causing the expandable portion  38  to be compressed by the compression disc  40 . When compressed, the expandable portion  38  is configured to expand outwardly (such as into the walls of a firing chamber). When the compressing forces are removed, the expandable portion  38  will return to its original configuration, permitting the device to be removed quickly by simply cocking the slide.  
         [0037]    The compression disc  49  may be made from conventional rigid materials, such as in a washer. The socket  42  could be keyed to accept only the owner&#39;s tool (inserted down the barrel of the weapon) to engage and disengage the device. The expandable portion  38  of this embodiment is preferably made from rubber or other material which will expand laterally when its ends are compressed, and then return to its original configuration once the compressive forces are removed. It must be appreciated that an expandable portion  38  made from rubber is a novel solution, since it is easy to machine to the proper dimensions to fit into the chamber (i.e. no tight manufacturing tolerances). The rubber also expands greatly under little or no compression, which means that a tight interference fit can be created by barely turning the compression shaft  44 . If we now turn to FIG. 9, we can examine yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 9 is a cutaway side view of another preferred embodiment  90  of the present invention, wherein the expandable portion  38 A is actually located within the gun barrel  26  (rather than the chamber  24 ). The purpose of this advancement is to prevent tampering to the device  90  by attempting to pound the device  90  out of the chamber  24  by pounding a screwdriver or other device down the barrel  26  (onto the device  90 ). If this was attempted on one of the previous devices (e.g. as disclosed in the parent applications to this application), the tamperer could succeed in removing the gun locking device; since this new embodiment  90  is longer, this will no longer be possible. Should this type of tampering be attempted, the device  90  can only be driven until the slide (automatic weapon) reaches it&#39;s full-back position (as depicted in FIG. 2, above), at which time the device  90  will still remain in an interference fit with the barrel  26 , thereby preventing the gun from being fired.  
         [0039]    Furthermore, this device  90  is very suitable for use as a lock for revolver-type weapons; since the device  90  will extend out from the revolving chamber carriage and into the barrel  26 , it will be impossible to load a round into the chamber or barrel. Now turning to FIG. 10, we can examine another preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention  100 , namely, another device intended to prevent tampering by pounding the device  100  out with a screwdriver or the like. In this embodiment, there are a pair of expandable portions  38   a  and  38   b,  which are configured to expand outwardly when pressed together by the two cone-shaped ends  31  and  43 . While these components alone will successfully lock the gun, it is through the addition of the discs  102 A and  102 B that will provide the tamper-resistance. Should a tamperer attempt to remove the device  100  by pounding an object down the barrel of the gun and onto the end  41  or screw  42 , it will cause extreme compression on the expandable portions  38 , as well as the domed washers  102 , which will in turn force the edges of the domed washers  102  outward and into the sides of the chamber or barrel (depending upon whether the device  100  is the appropriate length such that the washers  102  reside in the chamber or barrel. Since the washers  102  are preferably made from a harder material than the expandable portions  38 , they will provide a more positive interference fit with the walls of the barrel/chamber, possibly even to the point of damaging the barrel/chamber permanently. In this case of tampering, permanent damage is preferable to the tamperer being able to defeat the safety device  100 . If we continue on and turn to FIG. 11, we can examine yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of another preferred embodiment  110  of the present invention. This device  110  essentially comprises a pair of end pieces  36 B and  41 B, each formed with cooperating sloped faces  112  and  114 , respectively, such that when the compression shaft  44  is tightened, the faces  112  and  114  will be driven together, which will cause them both to slide relative to one another until both are pressed against the walls of the chamber or barrel of the firearm. Should a tamperer attempt to pound this embodiment of the device  110  out of the chamber, it will cause the end piece  41 B to be driven an extreme amount into the wall of the chamber/barrel, causing a more positive interference fit and/or permanent damage to the firearm. FIG. 12 depicts yet another novel advancement to prevent tampering with the locking device.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention  120 . In this embodiment  120 , the end piece  41 C is further formed with a socket  124  formed therein to cooperatively receive a core member  122  therein. The end piece  41 C is further formed with at least one ball bearing  126  (preferably spring-loaded to a retracted position) recessed therein. This one or more ball bearing  126  is configured to be pressed outwardly when the core member  122  is pressed into the socket  124  (such as by normal compression through tightening the compression shaft  44 ). If undue pressure is exerted upon the core member  122 , such as by over-tightening the compression shaft  44  or by pounding a foreign device onto it, it will cause the one or more ball bearings  126  (which are made from a material that is harder than the gun chamber/barrel, to actually create dents in the wall of the chamber/barrel; the result will be a very position fit, and probably permanent damage to the chamber/barrel. Finally, another alternate embodiment is presented in FIGS. 13A and B.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIGS. 13A and 13B are cutaway side views of yet another preferred embodiment  130  of the present invention. As shown here, the alternate base  36  is formed with two or more channels  138  therein. These channels  138  are provided to each accept a finger member  132  within it. The finger members  132  are held to the compression shaft  44 B by a biasing member  134 , such as a spring or rubberized ring. The finger members  132  are further formed with notches therein to cooperate with a ring  136  extending from the compression shaft  44 B, to drive the finger members  132  longitudinally along the channels  138  when the compression disc (also known herein as the end piece or compression head  41 )  41 D travels in and out (longitudinally), such as by tightening or loosening the compression shaft  44 B. When tightened sufficiently, the compression shaft  44 B will force the finger members  132  into the walls of the chamber/barrel.  
         [0044]    Should someone attempt to pound out the device  130  from the firearm, then (as shown in FIG. 13B), the tips  140  of the finger members  132  will be driven outwardly by an exaggerated amount, which will provide a very substantial interference fit with the walls of the chamber/barrel, and possibly even causing permanent notches (and damage) to the barrel/chamber.  
         [0045]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.