Abstract:
A gun lock device ( 10 ) prevents accidental or intentional firing of a loaded weapon ( 12 ) by locking the weapon. The gun lock device includes hinged portions ( 14, 16 ) which wrap around a barrel ( 31 ) of the weapon and are locked together by a locking assembly ( 69 ). The gun lock device prevents operation of both the trigger ( 52 ) and the hammer ( 440  of the weapon when installed. This effectively renders the gun unable to fire until the gun lock device is removed by unlocking with a key or secret combination.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/328,233, filed Oct. 10, 2001. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to the weapon safety arts and finds particular application as a lock for incapacitating a gun, such as a revolver.  
           [0003]    A wide variety of devices are available for inhibiting the firing of a loaded gun. U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,062 to Johnson, for example, discloses a safety device for firearms using removable magazines. The device includes a main body which fits in the magazine well of the firearm, closing its outer end. An outer end of the main body is clearly visible at the outer end of the magazine well when the main body is properly located therein. A chamber-blocking member is movably attached to the main body and excludes cartridges from the firing chamber of the  
           [0004]    weapon. In one embodiment of the invention, the blocking member includes a barrier which prevents a firing pin from reaching the primer of a cartridge which may be located in the firing chamber undetected.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,525 to Bowes discloses a gun safety lock which employs a barrel key to enable the firing mechanism of the gun. The barrel key is inserted in the handle of the gun, to allow the hammer of the weapon to be moved into a cocked or firing position. The barrel key is unique for each gun. The barrel key is held in the gun by retaining lugs. A lanyard attaches to the barrel key on one end and to the owner of the gun on the other end. Pressure on the lanyard causes the key to pull out of the gun and thereby disables the gun.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,389,726 to Bentley discloses a dual locking system for a firearm that allows the owner to keep a loaded gun unlocked for protection purposes while maintaining maximum security from a child&#39;s being able to fire the weapon. The gun lock assembly has a lock housing and a lock housing support assembly as its major structure. The lock housing support assembly is secured to the vertical leg portion of the trigger guard of the firearm. The lock housing is an elongated tubular member having a lock assembly mounted in its front end. Internal grooves in the lock housing act as a track for guiding it onto the lock housing support assembly. There is a spring loaded release button mounted on the bottom wall of the lock housing support assembly that travels along the inner surface of the bottom wall of the lock housing. The release button can drop into either one of two apertures in the bottom wall to provide two specific positions for the lock housing on the handgun. In the rearmost position, the trigger is completely hidden from view. In the forward position, the trigger is accessible and the firearm can be fired. The force required to depress the release button is intended to be sufficient to make it childproof and there is further structure in the form of a plastic overmold layer that conceals the location of the release button.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,389,727 to Schnell discloses removable trigger guard having a unitary housing that includes a first guard member and a second lock member permanently connected by a linking member having a fixedly sized gap therebetween for fitting the housing around the trigger lock section of a gun. The removable trigger guard has a lock member integrally and slidably coupled to the housing. The lock member has a open position such that it is not within the gap and an open position such that it is at least partially within the gap. The lock member has a shaft with a latching section for locking the shaft. The trigger lock includes a lock attached to the housing for locking the lock member into the second position. The locking mechanism is a combination lock.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,442,880 to Allan discloses a firearm with a safety mechanism including electronic circuitry and push buttons to operate the electronic circuitry and associated timing device including automatic time delay re-locking. The firearm also has a blocker that is controlled by an electromechanical device operated by electronic circuitry to prevent movement of the mechanism.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,438,885 to Murray, et al. discloses a weapon trigger guard apparatus for use on a gun rack having a support member and a lock coupled to the support member. The weapon trigger guard apparatus comprises a base rigidly coupled to the support member of the rack, and a cover pivotably coupled to the base. The cover is movable between a first open position to permit installation and removal of the weapon from the rack and a second closed position in which the cover and the base cooperate to surround and enclose a trigger housing of the weapon.  
           [0010]    Many of these devices, however, are not foolproof, allowing the gun to be fired even when the safety device is in position. This can render the weapon more dangerous than without the device in place, since it is assumed that the weapon can be left in a loaded condition and cannot be tampered with by children or other users.  
           [0011]    The present invention provides a new and improved gun lock and method of use which overcomes the above-referenced problems and others.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a gun lock device is provided. The gun lock device includes a barrel cover which straddles a gun barrel. The barrel cover includes a first portion which extends adjacent a first side of the gun barrel and a second portion which extends adjacent a second side of the gun barrel. A locking assembly includes a lock operably connected with the first panel. A catch is operably connected with the second panel. The lock and catch are selectively interconnectable in a locking position to lock the gun lock device to the gun.  
           [0013]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a gun lock device is provided. The gun lock device includes a barrel cover and a locking assembly. The locking assembly includes a throw which passes through an opening between the barrel of a gun and a trigger guard. The throw is connected with a first side of the barrel cover. A catch is operably connected with the throw. A lock selectively engages the catch to prevent removal of the gun lock device from a gun, the lock being connected with a second side of the barrel cover. A rear trigger guard is connected with the barrel cover. The rear trigger guard is spaced from the throw by a trigger of the gun when the lock engages the catch.  
           [0014]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of inhibiting actuation of a gun is provided. The method includes mounting a barrel cover of a gun lock device over a barrel of the gun such that a rear trigger guard extends behind a trigger of the gun and passing a throw of the gun lock device beneath the barrel of the gun. The throw is pivotally connected at a first end with one side of the barrel cover. A catch is engaged with a lock to lock the gun lock device to the gun. The catch is connected with a second end of the throw. The throw and rear trigger guard cooperate to prevent actuation of the trigger.  
           [0015]    One advantage of at least one embodiment of the present invention is that both hammer and trigger of a gun are rendered inoperable.  
           [0016]    Another advantage of at least one embodiment of the present invention is that the design can be adapted to fit a variety of different gun styles.  
           [0017]    Still further advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a gloved gun lock of the present invention in an open position;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the gun lock of the present invention in a closed position;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 is a first side perspective view of one embodiment of the gun lock of FIG. 1 shown on an exemplary gun;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 is a second side perspective view of the gun lock of FIG. 1 shown on the exemplary gun;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the gun nock device of FIG. 1; and  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the gun lock device of FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]    With reference to FIGS.  1 - 4 , a gun lock device  10  is designed to disable a gun  12 , such as a revolver, rendering the gun inoperative. The gun can thus be left in a loaded state without risk of injury or accidental firing.  
         [0026]    The gun lock device  10  includes a barrel cover  13 , which is formed from a plurality of panels  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 , which are connected together by hinges  22 ,  24 ,  26 , such that the panels  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  are able to pivot with respect to each other. Four panels  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  are shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, although it will be appreciated that fewer or more panels are alternatively employed. The panels  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  are shaped to wrap around a gun  12  and are thus configured to accommodate a selected gun model or models. The panels  14 ,  16 , 18 ,  20  are preferably formed from rigid plastic, steel or other rigid and durable material. One eighth inch steel or Kevlar™ is suitable for this purpose.  
         [0027]    As best seen in FIG. 2, the hinges  22 ,  24 ,  26  are attached by screws  28 , or other suitable fastening means to the inner surfaces  29  of the panels. The hinges  22 ,  24 ,  26  are thus inaccessible from the exterior of the gun when the gun lock device  10  is installed as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. This inhibits unauthorized tampering with and removal of the hinges  22 ,  24 ,  26  once the gun lock device  10  is installed on a gun  12 .  
         [0028]    The first panel  14  includes a generally rectangular side part or left chamber cover  30 , which is bowed outwardly, as best seen in FIG. 2, to fit snugly against a left chamber of the gun&#39;s barrel  31 . A lock  32  is rigidly attached to the left chamber cover  30  and has a keyhole slot  34  formed in an exterior surface thereof for receiving a key (not shown) or other suitable locking element. Alternatively, a keyless entry system may be employed, comprising a series of numbered tumblers, or the like.  
         [0029]    The first panel  14  also includes a second part  40 , which acts as a barrel frame cover. The barrel frame cover  40  is contoured to sit on top of the gun barrel and extends rearwardly of the left chamber cover  30  as shown in FIG. 3. (The term “rearward” and the like are used herein to indicate elements closer to the handle  41  of the gun  12 , while the term “forward” and the like, is used to indicate elements closer to the barrel  31  of the gun). The barrel frame cover  40  is preferably integrally formed with the side part  30 , although it is to be appreciated that the two parts could alternatively be separately formed and hingedly connected together with a hinge similar to hinges  22 ,  24 ,  26 .  
         [0030]    A rearward portion or hammer cover  42  of the barrel frame cover  40  extends over the hammer  44  of the gun (FIG. 3). An opening or slot  46 , sized to snugly receive the hammer  44  therethrough, is formed in the rearward portion  42 . The rearward portion  42  thus provides a hammer lock, which prevents movement of the hammer into a firing position when the gun lock device  10  is installed on the gun  12 . As seen in FIG. 3, the hammer cover  42  slopes downward from the barrel frame cover  40  to follow the contours of the gun and fit over the hammer  44 . It will be appreciated that for weapons which do not have a hammer, the rearward portion  42  and/or the slot  46  can be eliminated. Although FIG. 3 shows the hammer cover  42  as being attached to side panel  30  it is also contemplated that the hammer cover  42  may be in the form of a tab which extends down from the top of the barrel frame cover  40 .  
         [0031]    The second panel  16  provides a right chamber cover. It is hingedly connected to the barrel frame cover  40  by hinge  22  and thus pivots downwardly to fit snugly against the right chamber of the gun. As with the side part  30 , the second panel  16  is bowed outwardly to fit the contours of the gun  12 . The hinge  22  allows the panel  16  to pivot outwardly, away from the gun  12  so that the gun lock device  10  can be lifted vertically off the gun during removal, or onto the gun during attachment of the device. The left chamber cover  16  and panel  14  thus provide a barrel cover  48  which covers the top and left and right sides of the gun barrel.  
         [0032]    A trigger lock  50  formed by an extension of the second panel is shaped to fit behind the trigger  52  of the gun, i.e., between the trigger  52  and the trigger guard  53  of the gun  12 , as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The extension  50  thus provides a rear trigger lock by preventing the trigger  52  from being pulled backwards. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rear trigger lock  50  is generally L-shaped with one leg of the L defining a rearward or blocking portion  54  which sits behind the trigger  52  when the gun lock is installed. The rearward  54  portion may be contoured to fit snugly against the trigger  52 . The rearward portion  54  resists rearward motion of the trigger, preventing firing of the gun. The rearward portion  54  of the trigger lock is connected to the panel  16  by a second leg of the L  56 , which extends downward from the panel  16  and is preferably integrally formed therewith. The distal end of the rearward portion  54  is preferably received in a slot  57  (shown in phantom in FIG. 2) in an extension  58  of the left chamber cover  30 . In this way, once the device is locked in place on the gun, the rear portion is held in the slot. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, extension  58  and slot  57  are omitted.  
         [0033]    The third panel or throw  18  is hingedly connected to a lower forward end  60  of the right chamber cover  16  by hinge  24  and acts as a front trigger lock. The front trigger lock  18  is generally rectangular and passes through an opening  61  in the trigger guard  53  generally occupied by the firearm operator&#39;s trigger finger. The front trigger lock  18  is thereby seated between the trigger and a forward end  62  of the trigger guard  53 . The rear trigger guard  50  and front trigger lock  18  thus together prevent the gun lock device  10  from being moved forwardly or rearwardly on the gun  12  when installed, which could otherwise allow the trigger to be activated. When installed, the trigger lock  18  lies flush with an underside  64  of the gun  12 , from which the trigger  52  extends. During removal of the gun lock, the hinge  24  allows the front trigger lock  18  to pivot downwardly, from the position shown in FIG. 3 past the position shown in FIG. 1, as illustrated by arrow R in FIG. 1.  
         [0034]    The fourth panel  20  provides a catch for the lock  32 . The lock catch  20  is hingedly connected to the third panel by hinge  26 . The lock catch  20  is received within a corresponding slot  66  in the lock  32  and includes a suitably positioned projections  68  thereon for engagement with the internal locking mechanism of the lock  32  when the key is operated. The lock  32 , throw  18 , and catch  20  thus provide a locking assembly  69  which selectively interconnects the panels  14  and  16 .  
         [0035]    To install the gun lock device  10  on the gun  12 , the hammer lock  42  is first positioned so that the hammer  44  of the gun passes upwardly through the opening  46 . The barrel frame cover  40  is then rotated forwardly until the barrel frame cover rests on the barrel  31  of the gun. In this position, the left chamber cover  14  extends downwardly, adjacent the left chamber  72  of the gun  12 . The lock catch  20  and trigger lock  18  are then fed between the trigger  52  and the trigger guard  53 . The lock catch  20  is then fed into the lock  32 . This operation causes the rear trigger lock  54  to become seated in the trigger locking position behind the trigger  52 . The gun lock device  10  may lock automatically when the lock catch  20  is pushed into the lock slot  66 . Or, a locking action with the key may alternatively be employed. Once locked, the gun lock device  10  cannot be removed without using the key. Nor can the gun be fired. Both the trigger  52  and hammer  44  are prevented from actuation. To release the gun lock device  10  and permit firing of the gun  12 , the gun lock device  10  is unlocked with the key and the above steps repeated in reverse order.  
         [0036]    The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.