Firearm locking device

A locking device includes a housing and a locking mechanism mounted within the housing. A locking bolt is operatively connected to the locking mechanism such that the locking bolt is moveable from an unlocked position to a locked position. An insert is sized to be removably received within an insert aperture of the housing. The insert includes a locking bolt hole sized to receive the locking bolt. The insert also includes a trigger guard cavity, sized to receive a trigger guard of a firearm. The insert also includes an insert contoured surface shaped to conform to a frame surface of the firearm. When the insert is disposed within the insert aperture and the locking bolt is in the locked position, the locking bolt extends through the locking bolt hole and at least partially through the trigger guard, and the insert contoured surface engages the frame surface, to secure the firearm.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to firearm locking devices. More specifically, the invention relates to firearm locking devices having a removable insert for securely engaging a portion of a frame of a firearm.

BACKGROUND

There are various methods of securing firearms against unauthorized use, but they all have various disadvantages associated with them. For example, locked cabinets, trigger locks, cable locks and other locking devices hinder quick access to a firearm to different degrees.

Additionally, the shape of each gun (firearm) is different. For example, the frame of a gun varies substantially from gun to gun. For purposes herein, the frame of a gun is the housing that includes the handle and the trigger guard, wherein all other parts of the gun are either contained within the frame or connected to it. Therefore, firearm locking devices (or security devices) will vary depending on the geometric shape of the gun that the locking device is securing. As such, the cost of manufacturing such firearm locking devices may be increased due to the variety of gun shapes that the locking devices must accommodate.

Accordingly, there is a need for a firearm locking device that is capable of securing a variety of different guns in a variety of different shapes. Also there is a need for a firearm locking device that can accommodate to a variety of gun shapes without significantly modifying the design of the locking device and, therefore, without significantly increasing the cost of the locking device.

There is also a need to provide efficient access to the firearm from a locking device by an authorized user of the firearm. Further a firearm locking device is needed which can authenticate an authorized user and release the firearm substantially simultaneously.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The present invention offers advantages and alternatives over the prior art by providing a locking device for a firearm. The locking device includes a removable insert. The removable insert includes a contoured surface that conforms to a frame surface of a firearm to secure the firearm. The locking device may have a plurality of inserts with a plurality of contoured surfaces for securing a plurality of associated firearms. Different inserts can be manufactured and disposed within the same firearm locking device without having to redesign the entire locking device to accommodate different firearms.

A locking device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention includes a housing. A locking mechanism is mounted within the housing. A locking bolt is operatively connected to the locking mechanism such that the locking bolt is moveable from an unlocked position to a locked position. A first insert is sized to be removably received within an insert aperture of the housing. The first insert includes a first locking bolt hole sized to receive the locking bolt. The first insert also includes a first trigger guard cavity sized to receive a first trigger guard of a first firearm, and a first insert contoured surface shaped to conform to a first frame surface of the first firearm. When the first insert is disposed within the insert aperture and the locking bolt is in the locked position, the locking bolt extends through the first locking bolt hole and extends at least partially through the first trigger guard, and the first insert contoured surface engages the first frame surface, to secure the first firearm.

Another locking device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention includes a housing and a locking mechanism mounted within the housing. A locking bolt is operatively connected to the locking mechanism such that the locking bolt is moveable from an unlocked position to a locked position. A plurality of inserts are sized to be removably received within an insert aperture of the housing. Each insert of the plurality of inserts includes a locking bolt hole sized to receive the locking bolt. Each insert of the plurality of inserts also includes a trigger guard cavity sized to receive a trigger guard of a firearm associated with each such insert. Each insert of the plurality of inserts also includes an insert contoured surface shaped to conform to a frame surface of the associated firearm. When an insert of the plurality of inserts is disposed within the insert aperture and the locking bolt is in the locked position, the locking bolt extends through the locking bolt hole and extends at least partially through the trigger guard of the associated firearm, and the insert contoured surface engages the frame surface of the associated firearm, to secure the associated firearm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terms “substantially”, “approximately”, “about”, “relatively” or other such similar terms that may be used throughout this disclosure, including the claims, are used to describe and account for small fluctuations, such as due to variations in processing. For example, they can refer to less than or equal to ±10%, such as less than or equal to ±5%, such as less than or equal to ±2%, such as less than or equal to ±1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.5%, such as less than or equal to ±0.2%, such as less than or equal to ±0.1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.05%.

Referring toFIG. 1, a simplified perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a firearm locking device100in which a firearm102is secured in accordance with the present invention is presented. For purposes herein, the term “secured” means preventing access to the firearm in such a way that it cannot be fired.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, the firearm locking device100includes a housing104. Mounted within the housing104is a locking mechanism106(seen in detail inFIGS. 7-10). A locking bolt108(best seen in9-10) is operatively connected to the locking mechanism106such that the locking bolt108is moveable from an unlocked position110(best seen inFIG. 9) to a locked position112(best seen inFIG. 10).

The locking bolt108, in this embodiment, has an oblong cross-sectional shape. However, the locking bolt can have any number of cross-sectional shapes. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the locking bolt108may be rectangular, square, round or other shapes.

An insert114is sized to be removably received within an insert aperture116of the housing104. In this specific embodiment, the insert114is a first insert114A, which is best seen inFIG. 5A.

The first insert114A includes a first locking bolt hole118. In this specific embodiment, the locking bolt hole118is a first locking bolt hole118A, which is best seen inFIG. 5A. The first locking bolt hole118is sized to receive the locking bolt108.

In this embodiment, the trigger guard aperture116is a U-shaped slot. However the aperture may have any number of shapes. For example, the trigger guard aperture116may be a hole that has a square cross-sectional shape, a circular cross-sectional shape and more.

The first insert114A also includes a trigger guard cavity120. In this specific embodiment, the trigger guard cavity120is a first trigger guard cavity120A, which is best seen inFIG. 5A. The first trigger guard cavity120is sized to receive a first trigger guard122(best seen inFIGS. 3 and 4) of the first firearm102.

The first insert114A also includes an insert contoured surface124. In this specific embodiment, the insert contoured surface124is a first insert contoured surface124A, which is best seen inFIG. 5A.

The first insert contoured surface124is shaped to conform to a first frame surface126(best seen inFIGS. 3 and 4of the first firearm102). As will be discussed in greater detail herein, and more specifically with reference toFIGS. 5A and 5B, the geometric shape of both the trigger guard cavity120and the insert contoured surface124may vary from one first insert114A to the another second insert114B depending on the shape of the firearm102that is being secured.

When the first insert114A is disposed within the insert aperture116, and the locking bolt108is in the locked position112, the locking bolt extends through the first locking bolt hole118and extends at least partially through the first trigger guard122. Additionally, with the locking bolt108in the locked position112, the first insert contoured surface124engages the first frame surface126, to secure the first firearm102.

In this embodiment, the insert contoured surface124substantially matches the first frame surface126where the insert114A abuts against the first frame surface126. As such, there are no openings between the insert contoured surface124and the first frame surface126that a non-authorized user may utilize to reach the trigger of the firearm, with or without a tool. Accordingly, the firearm102cannot be fired and is, therefore, secured by the firearm locking device100.

Disposed on a top surface130of the housing104is a fingerprint sensor132. The fingerprint sensor132is electronically connected to the locking mechanism106and is used to sense an authorized user's thumbprint (best seen inFIG. 2) before enabling the locking mechanism106to move the locking bolt108from the locked position112to the unlocked position110.

Referring toFIG. 2, a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the firearm locking device100ofFIG. 1is presented, wherein an authorized user134grips a handle136of the firearm102. In this position, the authorized user's thumb135is aligned with the fingerprint sensor132on the top surface130of the housing104of the firearm locking device100.

The locking device mechanism106of the firearm locking device100requires authentication to be provided from an authorized user134before moving the locking bolt108from the locked position112to the unlocked position110. In this embodiment, the authentication is an authentication signal transmitted from the fingerprint sensor132that an authorized user's thumbprint has been verified. Once an authorized user's thumbprint has been authenticated, the locking mechanism106may move the locking bolt108to the unlocked position110substantially simultaneously with the authentication. Therefore the firearm is allowed to be rapidly and efficiently disengaged from the firearm locking device100.

Though this embodiment illustrates a thumbprint as the required authentication, other forms of biometric data may be provided from an authorized user before moving the locking bolt108from the locked position112to the unlocked position110. For example, fingerprints of other digits on the user's hand or other forms of biometric data may be required depending on the design of the firearm locking device100.

This embodiment also illustrates the fingerprint sensor132mounted on the top surface130of the housing104of the firearm locking device100, wherein the authentication signal is transmitted via hard wiring to the locking mechanism106. However, the fingerprint sensor132may also be mounted remotely to the firearm locking device100, wherein the authentication signal may be transmitted wirelessly. For example, the authentication signal may be transmitted by a radio frequency authentication signal, a Bluetooth authentication signal or similar.

Though this embodiment illustrates various forms of biometric data being used to provide authentication for enabling the locking mechanism106, other forms of authentication may be utilized as well. For example, authentication of an authorized user may include an electronic key or a mechanical key to enable the locking mechanism106to move the locking bolt108from the locked position112to the unlocked position110.

In this specific embodiment, a set of indicator lights128illuminate a certain color (for example, green) when an authorized user's thumbprint has been sensed by the fingerprint sensor132. If an unauthorized user's thumbprint is sensed by the fingerprint sensor132, then the indicator lights128may be illuminated a different color (for example, red).

Referring toFIG. 3, a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the firearm102that is disengaged from the firearm locking device100is presented. The firearm102includes a frame138, which is the housing that includes the handle136and the trigger guard122of the firearm102. All other parts of the gun are either contained within the frame138or connected to it.

The barrel140of the firearm102, i.e., the metal tube that cartridges travel through, is rigidly mounted on the top portion of the frame. The action mechanism (not shown), sometime known as the trigger group, is housed within the frame and contains the parts that fire the cartridges. The action mechanism also includes the trigger142of the firearm102.

Each firearm frame138has a contoured frame surface126in the area proximate to the trigger. The frame surface126and trigger guard122vary in geometric shape depending on the design of each type of firearm102. As such, in order to prevent access to the trigger142by an unauthorized user for more than one type of firearm, the geometric shape of the portion of the firearm locking device100that surrounds the trigger guard122and abuts the frame surface126must also change.

As will be discussed in greater detail herein, that portion of the locking device100which both surrounds the trigger guard122and abuts the frame surface126is the removable modular insert114. Advantageously therefore, only the design of the insert114needs to change in order to secure more than one type of gun.

Referring toFIG. 4, an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the firearm locking device ofFIG. 1is presented. In this embodiment, the first insert114A is designed for a slip fit into the insert aperture116of the housing104.

The insert aperture116includes a keyway144that is sized to receive a key146(best seen inFIGS. 5A and 5B) that is included in the first insert114A. When the first insert114A is disposed within the insert aperture116, the key146mates with the keyway144such that the first insert114A is retained within the insert aperture116and does not fall out of the insert aperture116when the firearm102is removed from the locking device100. Additionally, the key146and keyway144properly orient the first insert114A such that the contoured surface124of the insert114A mates with the frame surface126of the firearm102, when the firearm102is inserted into the firearm locking device100.

Though this embodiment illustrates the key146being disposed on the insert114A and the keyway148being disposed in the insert aperture116, the opposite disposition of key146and keyway148may also be utilized. That is, the key146may be disposed in the insert aperture116and the keyway144may be disposed on the insert114.

The locking device100, in this embodiment, also includes a mounting bracket148. The bracket148is sized to receive the housing104of the firearm locking device100. More specifically, in this embodiment, the bracket includes a bracket body150that wraps at least partially around the housing104of the firearm locking device100.

The bracket148further includes bracket mounting holes152disposed through a back portion of the bracket body150. The bracket mounting holes152are sized to receive bracket mounting fasteners154to rigidly mount the bracket148against a fixed object (not shown), such as a wall or other fixed object.

The bracket148further includes housing mounting holes156disposed through a front portion of the bracket body150. The housing mounting holes156are sized to receive housing mounting fasteners158. The housing mounting fasteners158are sized to extend through the housing mounting holes156and into threaded holes160disposed in the housing104to rigidly mount the housing104to the bracket148.

When the bracket148is mounted to the fixed object (not shown), the housing104is mounted to the bracket148and the first firearm102is secured by the locking device100, then the housing104blocks access to the bracket mounting fasteners154and the barrel140of the first firearm102blocks access to the housing mounting fasteners158. More specifically, after the bracket148has been mounted to a fixed object such as a wall, the housing104of the firearm locking device100can then be slip-fit into the bracket148to cover over the bracket mounting fasteners154. The housing104can then be rigidly mounted to the bracket148with the housing mounting fasteners158. Thereafter, when the firearm102is secured and locked into the firearm locking device100, the barrel140of the firearm102covers over the housing mounting fasteners158. Accordingly, both the bracket mounting fasteners154and housing mounting fasteners158are blocked from access until an authorized user134disengages the firearm102from the firearm locking device100.

Referring toFIGS. 5A and 5B, a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the first removable insert114A (FIG. 5A) and a second removable insert114B (FIG. 5B) of the firearm locking device ofFIG. 1is presented. As discussed earlier, the first insert114A is sized to be removably received within the insert aperture116of the housing104. The first insert114A includes the first locking bolt hole118A, the first trigger guard cavity120A and the first insert contoured surface124A. Additionally the insert114A includes the key146.

The second insert114B is also sized to be removably received within the insert aperture116of the housing104. The second insert114B includes the key146sized to engage with the keyway144and a second locking bolt hole118B sized to receive the locking bolt108.

Additionally, the second insert114B includes a second trigger guard cavity120B that is sized to receive a second trigger guard (not shown) of a second firearm (not shown). Further the second insert114B includes a second insert contoured surface that is shaped to conform to a second frame surface (not shown) of the second firearm. Since the trigger guards122of the first and second firearms102may not have the same geometric shape, than the second trigger guard cavity120B may be geometrically different from the first trigger guard cavity120A.

Also, frame surfaces126of the first and second firearms102may not have the same geometric shape. Since the second insert contoured surface124B is shaped to substantially match the second frame surface of the second firearm, than the second insert contoured surface124B may be geometrically different from the first insert contoured surface124A.

Advantageously, only the trigger guard cavity120and the insert contoured surface124of the insert114have to be modified in order to secure different firearms102with varying geometric shapes. Therefore only the insert114of the firearm locking device100would have to be replaced to accommodate a plurality of different firearms.

The modular aspects of the insert114enables the firearm locking device100to be easily upgraded to work with new firearms and significantly improves the compatibility of the firearm locking device100with different firearms. Additionally, the modular aspect of the firearm locking device100serves to reduce retail costs and to decrease the manufacturing warehousing costs by limiting the number of variations required for inventory.

The embodiments ofFIGS. 5A and 5Bshow two inserts114A,114B. However the two inserts114A,114B may be included in a plurality of inserts114for securing a plurality of firearms102. The plurality of inserts114may range in number from 2 to 10 to 25 and more.

Referring toFIG. 6, a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the firearm locking device100ofFIG. 1showing the locking bolt108of the firearm locking device100in its locked position112is presented. When the insert114(whether it be114A or114B) is disposed within the insert aperture116of the firearm locking device100and the locking bolt108is in the locking position112, then the locking bolt108extends through the locking bolt hole118and at least partially through the trigger guard122. Additionally, the insert contoured surface124engages the frame surface126to secure the firearm102.

Referring toFIGS. 7 and 8, a perspective view (FIG. 7) and a side view (FIG. 8) of an exemplary embodiment of the locking mechanism106of the firearm locking device100ofFIG. 1is presented. The locking mechanism106includes a servo motor162rigidly mounted within the housing104. The servo motor162includes a motor shaft164. A cam166is rigidly mounted to the motor shaft164. The cam166includes an eccentric portion168. A pin170is rigidly mounted to the eccentric portion168of the cam166. A channel172is slidably mounted to the pin170. The channel170is operably connected to the locking bolt108such that when the servo motor162rotates the cam166, the locking bolt108moves substantially linearly from the unlocked position110to the locked position112.

Though the locking mechanism106is illustrated as including a servo motor162, other types of motors may also be used. For example a stepper motor or other similar motor.

Additionally, the locking mechanism106does not have to include a motor, but can be a mechanical system that is hand operated. The mechanical system may be enabled by a key, wherein the key is mechanical or electronic.

Moreover, the locking mechanism106does not have to include a cam166. Rather any mechanical structure, which provides linear motion to the locking bolt108may be used. For example, a linear gear system or other similar gear system.

Referring toFIGS. 9 and 10, a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the locking mechanism106ofFIG. 7with the locking bolt108in the unlocked position110(FIG. 9) and in the locked position112(FIG. 10) is presented. Referring more specifically toFIG. 9, when the locking mechanism106has the locking bolt108in its unlocked position110, the locking bolt108does not extend through the locking bolt hole118of the insert114and the firearm102may be disengaged from the locking device100.

Referring more specifically toFIG. 10, when the locking bolt108is in the locked position112, the locking bolt108extends through the locking bolt hole118of the insert114and at least partially through the trigger guard122. Additionally, the insert contoured surface124engages the frame surface126, to secure the firearm102.

Although the invention has been described by reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but that it have the full scope defined by the language of the following claims.