Abstract:
A locking system for firearms that utilizes an owner&#39;s fingerprint to lock and unlock it is disclosed. Upon initial observation of the invention, it appears like a conventional fire arm lock that goes around the trigger and immobilizes it. Fingerprint sensors are provided that will only acknowledge the fingerprint and thumb print of the gun owner. When the owner touches the sensors once, the present invention will unlock, and when they are touched again, it will lock. A small computerized chip, in conjunction with a lithium battery and an advancement mechanism such as a stepper motor perform the actual locking duties. The housing of the invention is made of titanium to prevent tampering.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention contains subject matter that was first described in Disclosure Document Registration 544,266 filed on Dec. 29, 2003 under 35 U.S.C. §122 and 37 C.F.R. §1.14. As such, it is respectfully requested that said Disclosure Document remain a permanent part of the file history of the present application and be relied upon during the pending prosecution, and for any other matters that may arise. 
     There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to firearm safety lock mechanisms, and, more particularly, to a firearm safety lock mechanism employing a fingerprint recognition system. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     All too often we hear of children or other adults who have accidentally been shot with a handgun. While the causes are many and the blame can be distributed to all involved parties, the simple fact remains that a proper locking mechanism could eliminate most all of these tragedies. There are different methods of securing guns against unauthorized used, but they all have some disadvantages associated with them. If the gun is secured in a locked cabinet, it is not readily available for use in self defense. Trigger locks are also cumbersome should the keys become lost or needed quickly. Finally, all methods that rely on keys to secure the locking means are subject to picking or unauthorized key copying. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 U. S. Pat. No. 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 6,230,946 
                 Safety holster for preventing access to a firearm by 
               
               
                   
                 unauthorized users 
               
               
                 6,588,635 
                 Safety holster for preventing access to a firearm by 
               
               
                   
                 unauthorized users 
               
               
                 6,552,963 
                 Firearm discharge detection device and warning system 
               
               
                 5,937,557 
                 Fingerprint-acquisition apparatus for access control; 
               
               
                   
                 personal weapon and other systems controlled thereby 
               
               
                 5,812,252 
                 Fingerprint-Acquisition apparatus for access control; 
               
               
                   
                 personal weapon and other systems controiled thereby 
               
               
                 6,320,975 
                 Firearm holster lock with fingerprint identification 
               
               
                   
                 means 
               
               
                 6,533,149 
                 Safety holster for preventing access to a firearm by 
               
               
                   
                 unauthorized users 
               
               
                 6,253,480 
                 Personalized safety device for a hand held weapon 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Consequently, there is a need for a means by firearms can be secured so that they are impossible to fire, but can be quickly accessed in the event that the handgun is needed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved firearm safety lock mechanism. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved firearm safety lock mechanism employing a fingerprint recognition system. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a locking system for firearms that utilizes an owner&#39;s fingerprint to lock and unlock it is disclosed. However, in lieu of a conventional tumbler type lock, fingerprint sensors are provided. The sensors will only acknowledge the fingerprint and thumb print of the gun owner. When the owner touches the sensors once, the present invention will unlock, and when they are touched again, it will lock. A small computerized chip, in conjunction with a lithium battery and an advancement mechanism such as a stepper motor perform the actual locking duties. The housing of the invention is made of titanium to prevent tampering. 
     The use of the present invention allows one to ensure that handguns and similar firearms are secure from unauthorized or accidental use without the inefficiencies of conventional weapon locking means such as trigger locks and the like. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10  shown in an utilized state on a conventional firearm  15 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10  in a locked state as seen along a line I—I as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10  in an unlocked state as seen along a line I—I as shown in  FIG. 1 ; and, 
         FIG. 4  is an electrical schematic block diagram depicting the internal circuitry of the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the  FIGS. 1 through 4 . 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a side view of the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10  shown in an utilized state on a conventional firearm  15 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. It should be noted that while the conventional firearm  15  is depicted as a revolver in this FIG., the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10  will function equally well on any type of firearm such as an automatic handgun, rifle, shotgun or the like, and as such, should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present invention. The firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10  is located adjacent next to the trigger guard  20 , in which the hidden portion of said firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10  is depicted by a dashed hidden line. An internal locking member  25 , also depicted by a dashed hidden line in a generally circular shape, is shown engaging a trigger  30 , thus preventing its activation and firing. A first outer enclosure  35  provides general overall containment of the components of the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10 . A second outer enclosure  40 , (not visible in this FIG., for purposes of clarity) is located in a mirror image position on the opposite side of the conventional firearm  15  and will be disclosed in greater detail herein below. Finally a first fingerprint sensor  45  is located in a prominent position on the first outer enclosure  35 . In a similar manner, a second fingerprint sensor  50  (not visible in this FIG., for purposes of clarity) is located in a similar position on the second outer enclosure  40  (not visible in this FIG., for purposes of clarity). The functionality of the first fingerprint sensor  45  and the second fingerprint sensor  50  allow the user to pickup the conventional firearm  15  with the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10  engaged, touch the first fingerprint sensor  45  with their index finger, while at the same time touching the second fingerprint sensor  50  with their thumb. In the case of a desired match, the first outer enclosure  35  and the second outer enclosure  40  will open up and fall away from the conventional firearm  15 , thus rendering it available for immediate use. Should the fingerprints and thumb prints not match, the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10  remains engaged, thus rendering the conventional firearm  15  unavailable for use or subsequent firing. Further disclosure of the operation of the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10  will be disclosed below. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 2 , a sectional view of the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10  in a locked state as seen along a line I—I as shown in  FIG. 1  is shown. This FIG. more clearly depicts the first fingerprint sensor  45  and the second fingerprint sensor  50  on the first outer enclosure  35  and second outer enclosure  40  respectively. The first outer enclosure  35  and the second outer enclosure  40  would be made of titanium or other similar high strength material that is resistant to tampering or cutting. A computer control chip  55  and a lithium battery  60  is located on the interior of the first outer enclosure  35 , while an advancement mechanism  65  is located on the interior of the first fingerprint sensor  45 . The advancement mechanism  65  is envisioned to be a stepper motor, solenoid, or other electro mechanical device which produces physical movement upon the application of an electric current. The mechanical output of the second fingerprint sensor  50  is physically connected to a first retractable rod  70  and a second retractable rod  75 . The second retractable rod  75  is physically connected to the first outer enclosure  35  and slides around the first retractable rod  70  to produce an extended state and a retracted state, of which the retracted state is depicted here. The first retractable rod  70  slides within the second retractable rod  75  and has an anti-retraction mechanism  80 , such as a mushroom head, which prevents the first outer enclosure  35  and the first fingerprint sensor  45  from separating. The first retractable rod  70  and the second retractable rod  75  are also made of titanium or other similar high strength material that is resistant to tampering or cutting. In the locked state as shown in this FIG., the internal locking member  25  is located inside of a receiving cavity  85  on the first outer enclosure  35 . This feature provides a firm physical engagement of the trigger  30  about the trigger guard  20  preventing use of said trigger  30 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a sectional view of the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10  in an unlocked state as seen along a line I—I as shown in  FIG. 1  is depicted. This FIG. clearly depicts the release of the trigger guard  20  and trigger  30  from the internal locking member  25  and receiving cavity  85 . This state occurs immediately after the authorized user has touched the first fingerprint sensor  45  with their index finger, while at the same time touching the second fingerprint sensor  50  with their thumb. This action causes the advancement mechanism  65  to extend the first retractable rod  70  and second retractable rod  75  thus separating the first outer enclosure  35  and the second outer enclosure  40  an adequate distance such that clearance is provided between the internal locking member  25  and receiving cavity  85  to clear the trigger guard  20 . At this point, the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10  can be removed from the conventional firearm  15 , thus rendering it available for use. 
     Referring finally to  FIG. 4 , an electrical schematic block diagram depicting the internal circuitry of the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10  is disclosed. The first fingerprint sensor  45  and the second fingerprint sensor  50  are electrically connected to the computer control chip  55 , envisioned to be a dedicated controller, although other logic circuits such as basic stamp modules and even hardwired logic could be used with equal effectiveness, and as such, should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present invention. The parameters of the authorized user&#39;s thumb print and index finer are stored in an electronic memory device  90  such as a random access memory module (RAM), which is compared to the submitted fingerprint and thumb print by the computer control chip  55 . Should no match occur, no further action would be taken. If the submitted prints match those stored in the electronic memory device  90 , an electronic signal would be provided to a latching circuit  95 , such as a one-shot logic circuit. The latching circuit  95  would then engage the advancement mechanism  65  should it be disengaged or extended, and disengage the advancement mechanism  65  should it be engaged or retracted. In a simpler statement of operation, the user simply must touch the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10  to lock it, and touch it again to unlock it in a repeating fashion. Power to the computer control chip  55  and latching circuit  95  is provided through the lithium battery  60 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. Should a user wish to use a firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10  on his or her conventional firearm  15 , it would be procured at a licensed dealer who would verify the user&#39;s identity and electronically load the fingerprint and thumb print information into the electronic memory device  90  of the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10 . A new lithium battery  60  would be installed, and the user instructed on the use and operation of the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10 . At this point the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10  is ready for use. 
     While in its open or extended state as shown in  FIG. 3 , the user would place the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10  about the trigger guard  20  and trigger  30  of a conventional firearm  15  to be equipped with the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10 . At this point, the user would touch the first fingerprint sensor  45  with their index finger, while at the same time touching the second fingerprint sensor  50  with their thumb. As aforementioned described, due to the matching nature of the fingerprint and thumb print furnished by the first fingerprint sensor  45  and second fingerprint sensor  50  respectively to the prints stored in the electronic memory device  90 , the advancement mechanism  65  would retract closing the first outer enclosure  35  and the second outer enclosure  40  about the trigger guard  20  and trigger  30 , thus rendering the conventional firearm  15  unavailable for use. To remove the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10 , the user would simply touch the first fingerprint sensor  45  and second fingerprint sensor  50  again, thus removing the firearm safety lock system employing fingerprint recognition system  10  and reversing the process. This same procedure would repeat in this described cyclical fashion thus keeping the conventional firearm  15  safe from accidental use, yet making it available for use in a timely fashion, free from the encumbrance of conventional locking systems. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.