Abstract:
A firearm safety system includes a magazine block having a pair of opposed parallel shoulders slidably inserting beneath a pair of respective lips at an upper portion of a magazine and positionable in a loading chamber of a firearm to trap the charging handle to make it inoperable. Once the magazine block is positioned within the loading chamber, the firearm cannot operate because the magazine block inhibits ammo rounds from entering the loading chamber and prevents a spring-loaded bolt and firing pin from moving forward for propelling ammo rounds. The firearm safety system may operate in a stealthy mode by attaching the magazine block to a cover plate including a pair of resilient elements for locking to a female receptor notch of the magazine block thereby rendering the magazine block, loading chamber, ejection port and a portion of at least one loaded spare magazine hidden. To ensure a secure locked position, the cover plate cannot be unlocked from the magazine block until the magazine is pulled downwardly away from the loading chamber.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not Applicable. 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable. 
   REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
   Not Applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to a firearm safety system and, more particularly, to a stealthy firearm safety system attachable to a firearm magazine and insertable into a loading chamber. 
   2. Related Art 
   Since the events of Sep. 11, 2001, armed security personnel more frequently monitor crowded public places such as public buildings, bridges, chemical and electrical generating plants and airports, for example. The attacks unfortunately showed how vulnerable the public can be to terrorism and the like. Often, terrorists/criminals can be deterred from committing crimes of violence if armed security personnel are conspicuously visible, especially those who carry automatic or semi-automatic firearms. 
   Such firearms may be worn around the operator&#39;s shoulder, for example, so that the operator may position his hands and fingers near the trigger of the firearm for quick operation. However, automatic and semi-automatic firearms are capable of repeatedly firing many rounds and can cause extensive damage if the operator accidentally activates the trigger. 
   As is apparent, public places are usually crowded and noisy. Therefore, if the operator is not cautious, people may bump into him or he may become distracted by noise and thereby unintentionally move his fingers towards the trigger. Unintentional movement of the operator&#39;s fingers may activate the firearm trigger and thereby potentially injure or kill innocent bystanders. To assist in the prevention of such accidents, many firearms have safety locks. Unfortunately, safety locks can be accidentally toggled to an off position without the operator&#39;s knowledge and can fail after repeated use. Such a shortcoming can be fatal for obvious reasons. Moreover, safety buttons are typically positioned on the exterior of the firearm thereby allowing would-be terrorists/criminals to determine whether the firearm is in an operable mode. Such a shortcoming reduces the effectiveness for deterring would-be terrorists/criminals. 
   Other firearm safety means include removing a magazine from the firearm until the operator needs to operate the firearm. Unfortunately, not having a magazine inserted into the firearm quite obviously also notifies the public that the firearm is not operable. Should the operator need to operate the firearm, precious time and effort are required to locate, grasp and insert a loaded magazine into the firearm. This provides a terrorist/criminal extra time to commit a crime and escape from the scene. 
   Accordingly, the present invention, together with U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,805 directed to a Double Magazine Clamping Device, overcomes such shortcomings by employing a stealthy firearm safety system that is not visible to the public and able to switch a firearm from a non-operating mode to an operating mode with minimum time and effort. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a firearm safety system for attachment to an upper end of a magazine for preventing the operation of a firearm having a loading chamber, a spring-loaded bolt and firing pin assembly, an ejection port flap and means for automatically locking and releasing a magazine from a loading chamber comprising an elongate magazine block including a lower portion removably attachable to an upper end of a magazine to locate the magazine block in such loading chamber and an upper portion extending substantially vertically from the lower portion to entrap the charging handle so as to eliminate its function of engaging the bolt and firing pin assembly into a firing chamber of a firearm thereby rendering such firearm inoperable and a near side portion adjacent an ejection port flap and far side portion. There is also a stiff plastic cover plate having an upper end portion that covers the ejection port and a lower extending generally outwardly and downwardly from the upper end portion, the upper portion including means for locking the cover plate to the magazine block, the means being positionable through an ejection port of a firearm for engaging the block for locating the cover plate to hide the block and an ejection port flap from plain view. The means for locking includes a laterally extending male member having a pair of spaced elongate resilient elements, each of which includes an outwardly extending locking shoulder for releasably connecting the element to the upper portion of the magazine block. The upper portion of the block includes a female receptor notch in the upper portion of the block for receiving the male member, the resilient elements partially passing transversely through the receptor notch to dispose the locking shoulder of each element on a far side of the receptor notch. The receptor notch includes a pair of substantially opposed parallel end walls extending between the side portions of a predetermined spacing, the elements being spaced apart to fit within the spacing when the cover plate becomes locked to the magazine block. 
   Each element has a free end bendable into the receptor notch when the element engages an end wall of the receptor notch, the elements substantially returning to an initial condition after the locking shoulders are disposed on the far side of the receptor notch. Each locking shoulder engages a respective end wall to inhibit horizontal movement of elements, the cover plate being releasable from the block when a magazine carrying the block is removed vertically downwardly from a firearm. The receptor notch further includes an unencumbered upper passage, the magazine block being pulled downward from a firing chamber of a firearm by withdrawal of a magazine carrying the magazine block for causing movement of the passage below the elements and disengagement of the pair of locking shoulders from the magazine block thereby releasing the cover plate to freely fall downward away from a firearm. The magazine and ejection port cover has an outer surface including an upper panel extending generally downwardly integral with a downwardly and outwardly extending middle panel integral with a substantially downwardly extending lower panel, the cover plate generally conforming and overlying an upper portion of a spare magazine adjacent and spaced away from the firearm and a magazine carrying the magazine block. The cover plate further includes a pair of spaced and opposed sides extending perpendicularly from the lower panel so that a portion of a spare magazine is covered between the opposed sides of the cover plate. The lower portion of the magazine block includes a pair of opposed shoulders for receiving a top portion of a magazine thereby being removably engagable to a magazine. The opposed pair of shoulders extend substantially parallel to a length of the lower portion from a rear end to generally midway the length of the lower portion. The magazine block is formed from stiff plastic. The male member extends generally horizontally when the cover is locked to the magazine block. The receptor notch includes a generally horizontal bottom wall, and the resilient elements are supported by the bottom wall when the cover is locked to the magazine block. The block includes a pair of spaced elongated and parallel shoulders disposed on opposite sides of the block spaced upwardly from a bottom of the lower portion, the shoulders being slidably disposable respectively below spaced overlying lips at the top opening of a magazine. Each resilient element includes a free end movable to permit passage of the locking shoulder through the receptor notch and being resilient to move to position said locking shoulders disposed outwardly on a far side of the receptor notch after the locking shoulders pass through the receptor notch. 
   In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a firearm safety system for attachment to an upper end of a magazine for preventing the operation of a firearm having a loading chamber, a spring-loaded bolt and firing pin assembly, an ejection port and means for automatically locking and releasing a magazine from a loading chamber comprising an elongate magazine block including a lower portion having a pair of opposed shoulders for slidably inserting the block into the upper end of a magazine to locate the magazine block in a loading chamber, and an upper portion extending substantially vertically from the lower portion to prevent forward movement of a spring-loaded bolt and firing pin assembly into a loading chamber of a firearm, thereby rendering such firearm inoperable. The system also includes a cover plate having an upper end portion and a lower extending generally outwardly and downwardly from the upper end portion, the upper portion including means for locking the cover plate to the magazine block, the means being positionable through an ejection port of a firearm for engaging the block for locating the cover plate to hide the block and an ejection port flap from plain view. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
     The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a portion of a firearm including a magazine carrying a magazine block positioned inside a loading chamber of the firearm, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the magazine block attached to the upper portion of a magazine shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of the magazine block of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged elevation view showing the front end portion and far side of the magazine block of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged top elevation view of an ejection port cover in a locked position with the magazine block installed in a firearm, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view showing the inside surface of the cover plate shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a front side elevational view of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second ejection port cover in accord with the present invention; and 
       FIG. 9  is another perspective of the cover of  FIG. 8 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, this embodiment is provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the true scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
   Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a firearm safety system embodying the present invention includes an elongate magazine block  20 . The magazine block  20  is shown attached to a magazine  22  against spring-loaded magazine follower  30  or loaded rounds in place of one or two rounds removed from the upper end of the magazine  22  and is positioned in a loading chamber  23  of firearm  21  adjacent to an ejection port  24  of a firearm  21 . A fully loaded spare magazine  25  having rounds  28  loaded therein is connected to magazine  22  by connection means  26  as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,805, incorporated herein by reference. 
   The magazine block  20  is designed for use with an AR-15 rifle including charging handle  80 , bolt release  77 , magazine release  81 , trigger  82  and spring-loaded bolt and firing pin assembly  27  all standard components as understood in the art. The block  20  can be adapted for use in other firearms. 
   Now referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 , the elongate magazine block  20  includes a pair of spaced elongate parallel shoulders  33 ,  34  disposed on opposite sides of the block  20 . Shoulders  33 ,  34  are spaced upwardly from the bottom of a lower portion  39  of the block  20  and are slidably disposable, respectively, below spaced overlying lips  31 ,  32  of magazine  22  at the upper end  35  thereof. The shoulders  33 ,  34  curve upwardly and inwardly a predetermined distance toward the upper portion  58  of the block  20  and along the rear-end  50  thereof. Projecting tab  42  contacts the bolt stop lock inside the magazine area of the weapon. 
   Shoulders  33 ,  34  extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the block  20  and within the lower portion  39 , beginning from the rear end  50  of the magazine block  20  to generally midway the length of the lower portion  39  and ending at stops  44 ,  45 , respectively. Each shoulder  33 ,  34  has a substantially planar bottom surface  40 ,  41  for smoothly sliding against lips  31 ,  32  extending between rear and front walls  36 ,  37  respectively as the block  20  is inserted into magazine  22 . Stops  44 ,  45  together with the laterally extending portions of rear end  50  of the block  20  preferably prevent forward or rearward movement of block  20  along lips  31 ,  32  while the block  20  is inserted in magazine  22 . 
   In particular, the magazine block  20  is slidably inserted rearwardly into the upper end  35  of magazine  22  by disposing the shoulders  33 ,  34  beneath a pair of elongated receiving lips  31 ,  32 , respectively of the upper end  35  of the magazine  22 . A spring loaded magazine follower  30  housed by the magazine  22  provides an upwardly directed force for maintaining surface contact between the bottom surface  40 ,  41  of the shoulders  33 ,  34  or bullets stacked between follower  30  and the block  20  and the receiving lips  31 ,  32 , as well known in the art. 
   The front end  51  of the magazine block  20  is generally slanted upwardly from bottom surface  52  so that the magazine block  20  does not catch the front end  37  of the magazine  22  when a force from the rear  50  pushes forwardly to eject the block  20  from the magazine  22 . The magazine block  20  may be removed from the magazine  22  in generally the same way a round  28  is removed from the magazine  22 , as well known in the art. 
   The upper portion  58  of the magazine block  20  includes a substantially planar face  47  descending substantially vertically from a top portion  54  thereof and curving outwardly to smoothly intersect top face  46 , planar face  47  being located generally midway between the near and far sides  56 ,  55  of the magazine block. Such a planar face  47  extends along the length of magazine block  20 , between opposed rear and front ends  50 ,  51 . A predetermined portion of the upper portion  58  is cut out for defining female receptor notch  38 . Cavities  57  and  59 ′ reduce the weight of the block  20 . 
   The female receptor notch  38  is formed generally medially between the rear and front ends  50 ,  51  of the magazine block  20  and extends vertically from generally midway up face  47  to the top  54  of the magazine block  20 . The receptor notch  38  includes an unencumbered vertical passage  53 , as will be discussed hereinafter. The female receptor notch  38  further includes a substantially planar bottom surface  75  extending from and slightly slanted upwardly from the near side  47  to the far side  55  thereof. The width of the female receptor notch  38  spans a predetermined distance defined between opposed slightly slanted end walls  48 ,  49 , which is sufficient to receive a locking male member  61  of the cover plate  60  (discussed below) therethrough and allows the magazine block  20  to be vertically unlocked or released from the cover plate  60  when it is desired, to remove the safety system from the firearm  21 . The width of the female receptor notch  38  depends upon the width of the male member  61 , and can be set at a variety of predetermined lengths. 
   To install the safety system, the magazine block  20  is inserted in place of one or two rounds of ammo at the top of magazine  22  and then pushed into the loading chamber  23  of the firearm  21  in the conventional manner well known in the art. The result is that the magazine block  20  substantially fills the loading chamber  23  and holds the charging handle  80  in the forward position in engagement with front end  51 . 
   Once the magazine block  20  fills the loading chamber  23  and holds the handle  80 , the firearm  21  is rendered inoperable because the height of the magazine block  20  is greater than the height of the loading chamber  23  and thereby blocks the forward movement of a spring loaded bolt and firing pin assembly  27  from entering the loading chamber of a firearm when the trigger  82  of the firearm  21  is activated, as best shown in  FIG. 1 . The operator cannot pull the bolt  27  via charging handle  80  from the locked open position held by block  20  because of the engagement of projecting tab  42  with bolt lock  77  of firearm  21 . As a result, the bolt assembly  27  cannot move the block  20  forwardly if bolt  27  is disengaged from its locked position because surface  76  rests against front wall  37  of the magazine  22  and the block  20  cannot move laterally due to its attachment to the magazine  22 . This ensures the bolt  27  will be in a safe position when the magazine is removed (without a round  28  in the chamber  23 ). The firearm  21  can become operable only if the magazine block  20  is removed from the loading chamber  23 . 
   Simply positioning the magazine block  20  into the loading chamber  23  of the firearm  21  activates the firearm safety system. In such an embodiment, the magazine block  20  is not hidden from plain view because when the magazine block is positioned in the loading chamber  23 , the ejection port flap  24  of the firearm  21  is prevented from closing and thereby exposes the magazine block  20 . Such an embodiment thereby does not provide a stealthy firearm safety system. Nevertheless, such an embodiment is effective for rendering the firearm  21  inoperable when stealth is not necessary. 
   Now referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a cover plate  60  is attached to the magazine block  20  after same is positioned into the loading chamber  23  of a firearm  21 . Accordingly, the magazine block  20  and a portion of the loaded spare magazine  25  become hidden from plain view. Such an embodiment provides a stealthy firearm safety system so that a non-operator such as a criminal, for example, cannot determine whether the firearm  21  is readily operable. 
   The cover plate  60  includes a non-planar top surface  62 , which includes a plurality of generally planar surfaces connected at opposed ends and angled in such a manner to generally produce an overlying shape covering the ejection port with or without flap  24  and the loaded spare magazine  25 . Of course, the orientation of the planar surfaces may vary and is shown herein as generally conforming in shape to the loaded spare magazine  25 . It is important to cover the open ejection port, the block  20  and the auxiliary magazine  25 , as much as possible in an unobtrusive manner and without interfering with the user to render the firearm  21  ready in a quick manner. 
   A pair of spaced, parallel and opposed sides  72 ,  73  extend generally perpendicularly from the bottom surface  63  and are integral therewith. Each side has a free end that has a lower portion extending, from a lower end of the cover plate  60 , into a generally arcuate portion to approximately a top end  78  thereof. The respective arcuate portions allow the cover plate  60  to generally cover the opposed end walls  36 ,  37  of the spare magazine  25  so that at least a portion of the spare magazine  25  is rendered hidden. Accordingly, a non-operator cannot determine whether the spare magazine  25  is loaded, particularly when the firearm is being carried across the chest of the user. 
   To lock the cover plate  60  with the magazine block  20 , a male member  61  of the cover plate  60  must be inserted into the female receptor notch  38  of the magazine block  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 . Referring back to  FIG. 6 , the male member  61  extends substantially perpendicularly and outwardly from the top end  78  of the cover plate  60 . In particular, the male member  61  extends from the bottom surface  63  of the top end  78  and is integral therewith. 
   The male member  61  includes a pair of opposed elongate resilient elements  64 ,  65  integral therewith at one end. The pair of resilient elements  64 ,  65  are spaced apart on either side of the male member  61  and diverge away therefrom and extend downwardly and end with respective opposed free ends  70 ,  71 . Thus, the greatest distance between the pair of resilient elements  64 ,  65  is at opposed free ends  70 ,  71 . Such a distance between free ends  70 ,  71  is preferably greater than the distance between the pair of end walls  48 ,  49  of the female receptor notch  38 , which receive the pair of resilient elements  64 ,  65 , respectively. Accordingly, the pair of free ends  70 ,  71  move toward each other as the male member  61  traverses across the female receptor notch  38  and engages the pair of end walls  48 ,  49  at respective notches  66 ,  67 . 
   Such notches  66 ,  67  are positioned generally midway the opposed ends of the resilient elements  64 ,  65 , respectively, as perhaps best shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Each notch  66 ,  67  has an open or unencumbered outer edge facing away from the male member  61  and towards the end walls  48 ,  49  of the female receptor notch  38 , respectively. Such notches  66 ,  67  have predetermined cross sections sufficient to engage the respective end walls  48 ,  49 . Of course, such cross sections can differ in alternate embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   To assist locking the notches  66 ,  67  with such end walls  48 ,  49 , each flexible member  64 ,  65  includes an angled portion extending outwardly from its top end away from the male member  61  and ending with respective locking shoulders  68 ,  69  at notches  66 ,  67 , respectively. The shoulders  68 ,  69  form the far side of notches  66 ,  67  and maintain surface contact with the far sides of end walls  48 ,  49 , respectively. To ensure the cover plate  60  remains securely locked to the magazine block  20 , notches  66 ,  67  must maintain continuous contact with the end walls  48 ,  49 . Otherwise, the cover plate  60  may not maintain its locked position and thereby disengage from the magazine block  20  when the operator handles the firearm  21 . 
   To achieve continuous contact between end walls  48 ,  49  and notches  66 ,  67 , the free ends  70 ,  71  of the resilient elements  64 ,  65  move inward as the male member  61  is inserted across female receptor notch  38 . The resilient elements  64 ,  65  slide along the end walls  48 ,  49 , as noted above, in a generally perpendicular direction thereto and thereby are caused to move inward toward the center of the male member  61 . 
   Because the free ends  70 ,  71  of the resilient elements  64 ,  65  move inward from a relaxed position, such movement creates a resistive force. This force maintains surface contact between notches  66 ,  67  and shoulders  68 ,  69  and end walls  48 ,  49 , respectively. The resistive force substantially decreases after the notches  66 ,  67  lock with end walls  48 ,  49  and helps to relieve the pressure exerted on the resilient elements  64 ,  65 . However, such resistive force is maintained at a sufficient level for keeping the cover plate  60  locked to the block  20 . 
   Ejection tab  74  and flange  79  extend substantially perpendicular from the top end  78  of the cover plate  60  in a manner similar to the male member  61 . The members  74 ,  79  are integrally formed with cover  60  and assist in stabilizing the block  20  within the loading chamber  23 . 
   The cover plate  60  preferably may be unlocked from the magazine block  20  by removing the magazine block  20  from the loading chamber  23 . The magazine block  20  may be swiftly removed from the loading chamber  23  by pressing the release button  81  on the firearm  21  and pulling the magazine  22  downwardly and away from the firearm  23 . The magazine block  20  may be unlocked from the cover plate  60  in such a manner because each end wall  48 ,  49  is substantially planar and the female receptor notch  38  is unencumbered thereby permitting the end walls  48 ,  49  to slide downward and below the notches  66 ,  67 , respectively. 
   The loading chamber is now free to receive a loaded spare magazine  25  for rendering the firearm  21  operable. When the loaded spare magazine  25  is inserted into the loading chamber  23 , the cover plate  60  is ejected outward and away from the loading chamber  23  and falls to the ground, for example. Bolt action against ramp member portion  74 ′ of ejection tab  74  will force cover  60  out of the way if it does not fall away by itself. 
   Advantageously, the present invention provides a stealthy firearm safety system for firearms employing magazines and allows the operator to quickly activate/deactivate the safety system with minimal time and effort and to render the firearm operable. The magazine block  20  and cover plate  60  are preferably formed from stiff plastic, but can also be formed from other suitable materials as well known in the art. 
   With respect to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a second embodiment of an ejection port cover  83  is illustrated. Cover  83  is used in applications where a spare magazine  25  is not carried, as was described hereinabove. One side  84  includes a locking male member  85  fitting into receptor notch  38  and an ejection tab  85  with a ramp member portion  87 . A projecting element  88  that assists in holding the cover  83  in an ejection port  24 . 
   A pair of flexible members  89 ,  90  have notches  92 ,  91  locking shoulders  93 ,  94  and end portions  96 , 95  all substantially identical to that of cover  60 . A second side  97  includes a thumb pad  98  for use in installing the cover  83  into a port  24 . 
   Bolt action will impact on ramp portion  87  to cause the cover to fall away if removal of a magazine  22  does not cause the cover to drop out. 
   While the present invention has been described with respect to a certain specific embodiment, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.