FIREARM SAFETY MECHANISM

Abstract: A firearm safety mechanism having a self-contained locking mechanism (14) incorporated into the magazine of a semi-automatic pistol (10) which inhibits use of the firearm when a locking mechanism is disabled thereby preventing cartridge from moving through the magazine (18) as well as locking the magazine in position so as to prevent unauthorized replacement. In a second embodiment a firearm safety mechanism for a revolver (200) equipped with a cylinder (210) incorporates a locking mechanism which inhibits cartridge from aligning with the firing mechanism and prevents the unauthorized removal of the cylinder (210). The locks include a selection structure preventing movement of the engagement structure from a locked position to an unlocked position upon receipt of predetermined selection criteria. The firearm can be locked against unauthorized use and unlocked by an authorized user without resort to external accessories.

Description: FIREARM SAFETY MECHANISM Field of the Invention A firearm safety mechanism for semi-automatic and automatic pistols and rifles equipped with a magazine or clip and revolvers equipped with a rotating cylinder. Description of the Prior Art There is a continuing concern about the prevalence of firearms in our society. Whether the firearm is a BB-gun, handgun, rifle, or military weapon, one of the objections to firearms relates to the use of these weapons by unauthorized persons. Tragic accidents occur when children happen upon firearms found often in their own homes, and attempt to play with them. The safety mechanisms found on firearms are not adequate to prevent injury, as curious children will often move the safety to an "off" position without their knowledge. A measure of safety can be obtained by removing the bullets from the firearm but it is time consuming to load a weapon in an emergency situation, and the danger exists that the gun will not be loaded fast enough to confront the emergency situation. Another alarming situation is encountered when unauthorized persons wrestle such firearms from the hands of a gun wielder such as a police officer. In such an incident, the safety is only a slight impediment to firing of the firearm. At best, an engaged safety might give the police officer only an instant to try and retrieve the weapon. This situation might present itself to any individual who owns a handgun wherein the unauthorized person, such as the criminal element, is able to overpower the firearm owner and then use the firearm against the owner. The applicant has previously disclosed locks adapted to be intricately included with firearms and which are able to prevent unauthoπzed use of the firearm These locks contain portions which are adaptable to operatively engage a portion of the fiπng mechanism of the firearm to prevent operation of the firearm. This portion of the lock is moved out of operative engagement with the firing mechanism when the lock is in the "unlocked" position, to permit operation of the firearm. The inventor has been awarded U.S. Patent No 4,987,693 for a firearm safety mechanism; U.S. Patent No. 5,090, 148 for a firearm safety mechanism; U.S Patent No 5, 140,766 for a draw bar firearm lock; U.S. Patent No. 5,229,532 for a gπp lock assembly; and U.S. Patent No. 5,335,521 for a gπp lock assembly Each of these disclosures sets forth embodiments of individual locking mechanisms which are incorporated herein by reference The Applicant has previously disclosed constructions in which a locking bar moves into and out of an operative engagement with an existing external safety mechanism of the weapon to alternatively prevent or permit movement of the existing safety to the "unsafe" position. In another disclosure, a pin is moved into and out of an obstructing position with respect to the path of the hammer of the firearm to prevent or permit operation of the firearm. There exists a continuing need to provide alternative lock configurations for the many firearms which are currently in existence. Particularly, there is a need to facilitate the installation of locks on existing firearms with provisions in which to lock the rotating cylinder of a revolver or the magazine or clip of a semi-automatic pistol or rifle. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a firearm safety mechanism which will render the firearm inoperable to unauthorized users. It is another object of the invention to provide a firearm safety mechanism which can be quickly activated or de-activated by an authorized user. It is still another object of the invention to provide a firearm safety mechanism which is easily installed. These and other objects are accomplished by a firearm safety mechanism in which a lock is installed in the magazine or clip of a semi-automatic or automatic pistol or rifle. Alternatively, a lockable cylinder is adapted to replace the existing cylinder in a revolver. In one embodiment, a portion of the safety lock in the magazine or clip of a semiautomatic pistol can be moved into position to block the firing mechanism or existing safety on the firearm. Alternatively, a portion of the lock can be positioned wherein the bullets in the magazine cannot be loaded into the firing chamber, and/or the magazine cannot be released from its handle position. In this manner, a lock is located on the end of the magazine, thereby employing either a conventional key lock, a rotary combination lock, or a touch-sensitive combination lock. An advantage to this location for the lock is the ability to modify a firearm by simple replacement of a conventional magazine, with the magazine having a locking mechanism fully integrated therein. The safety or firing mechanism can be locked into a non-operative position. Additionally, the magazine lock has a provision for securing the bullets in the magazine and/or securing the magazine to the firearm which would conveniently prevent access to the bullets. In this manner, the magazine could not be removed from the gun without an authorization key or combination code. In another embodiment, the cylinder of a revolver may include a key lock, a rotary combination lock, or a touchsensitive combination lock so as to inhibit bullets from rotating into position in front of the hammer and barrel of the revolver. The lock would prevent rotation of the cylinder and optionally prohibit removal of the cylinder from the firearm. An advantage to this embodiment is that a revolver may be modified by simple replacement of the conventional cylinder with a cylinder having the locking mechanism. In either embodiment, the firearm may be returned to its original state by replacement of the cylinder or magazine having the locking mechanism with the unmodified cylinder or magazine. The type of lock that is used can be selected from a number of suitable designs. A preferable lock design is a combination lock in which one or more push members, such as buttons, are provided. Each of the buttons must be depressed an appropriate number of times, corresponding to the combination of the lock, in order to unlock the lock and to permit operation of the firearm. The Applicant has disclosed in the Applicant's prior art patents a variety of locks suitable for this purpose, although other locks would also be acceptable. It is also preferred that the lock be operable without the necessity of seeing the lock, allowing the lock to be disengaged in a dark environment. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the lock comprises one or more push members, where each push member must be depressed a number of times, or in a proper sequence in order to open the lock. Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side view of semi-automatic pistol equipped with a magazine lock of the instant invention; Figure 2 is an end view of a magazine with a key lock; Figure 3 is an end view of a magazine with a rotary combination lock; Figure 4 is an end view of a magazine with a touch sensitive combination lock; Figure 5 is a pictorial view of a magazine with a locking device for preventing operation of a semi-automatic pistol firing mechanism; Figure 6 is a top pictorial view of the magazine of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a top partial cut-away view of the pistol of Figure 1 showing the trigger bar being blocked by the magazine locking device; Figure 8 is a side partial cut-away view of the pistol of Figure 7 showing the trigger bar being blocked by the magazine locking device; Figure 9 is a side partial cut-away view of the pistol of Figure 7 showing the trigger bar unblocked by the withdrawn magazine locking device; Figure 10 is a side view of revolver equipped with a cylinder lock of the instant invention; Figure 11 is a side view of a cylinder with a key lock; Figure 12 is a side view of a cylinder with a rotary combination lock; Figure 13 is a side view of a cylinder with a touch sensitive combination lock; Figure 14 is a side view of a revolver equipped with a cylinder lock in the locked position; Figure 15 is a pictorial view of the extracted cylinder of Figure 14; Figure 16 is a side view of the revolver of Figure 14 with the cylinder lock in the unlocked position; Figure 17 is a side view of the extracted cylinder of Figure 16; Figure 18 is a side view of a rifle or longarm weapon with a locking magazine installed; Figure 18A is a side pictorial view of the extracted locking magazine of Figure 18. Figure 18B is a close-up pictorial view of the mounted locking magazine of Figure 18. Figure 19 is a perspective view of a firearm having a magazine with an alternative embodiment of the invention. Figure 20 is a perspective view, partially in phantom, of a gun magazine as installed in a firearm, and in a first mode of operation. Figure 21 is a perspective view, partially in phantom, of a magazine of Fig. 20, in a second mode of operation. Figure 22 is a side elevation, partially cut away, of a blocking member according to the invention, in a first mode of operation. Figure 23 is a side elevation, partially broken away, of the blocking member in a second mode of operation. Figure 24 is a perspective view of a magazine lock according to the invention, partially in cross section. Figure 25 is a side elevation, partially in cross section and partially in phantom, of a magazine lock according to the invention in a first mode of operation. Figure 26 is a side elevation, partially in cross section and partially in phantom, of a magazine lock in a second mode of activation. Figure 27 is a side elevation, partially in cross section and partially in phantom, in a third mode of operation. Fig. 28 is a side elevation, partially in cross section and partially in phantom, in an unlocked configuration. Figure 29 is a side elevation, partially in cross section and partially in phantom, in a reset configuration. Figure 30 is a side elevation of an opposite side of the combination button assembly to that shown in Fig. 25, illustrating a second ratchet member that is operable by the same combination button. Figure 31 is an exploded perspective view of a left combination button assembly. Figure 32 is a perspective view of a right combination button assembly. Figure 33 is a top plan view, partially in phantom, of a manual lever, as used with the combination buttons, and in a first mode of operation. Figure 34 is a top plan view of the manual lever, in a second mode of operation. Figure 35 is an exploded perspective view of a support plate assembly according to the invention. Figure 36 is a cross section taken along on 36-36 in Fig. 25. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Although the invention has been described in terms of a specific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art that various modifications, rearrangements and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto. The safety mechanism of the invention can be used, with minor modification, in gun designs of many descriptions. The operation of most handguns is well understood, and described in several volumes including the Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly, Parts I and II; Automatic Pistols and Revolvers, by J. D. Wood, D.B.I. Books, Inc., Northbrook, 111. , 1979; The S&W Revolver, A Shop Manual. Jerry Kuhnhavsen, V.S.P. Publishers, Department 1A, Box 1966, Tusten. Calif. 92681 ; The Colt 45 Automatic, A Shop Manual, Jerry Kuhnhavsen, V.S.P. Publishers, Department 1A, Box 1966, Tusten, Calif. 92681 ; and the NA Guide to Firearms Assembly, National Rifle Association of America, 1600 Rhode Island Avenue N.W. , Washington, D.C. 20036. The disclosures of the above-identified references are herein fully incorporated by reference. The invention can be utilized with automatic firearms such as the Baretta model 84BB, manufactured by the Fabbric d'ArmiPietro Beretta S.P.A. o Via Pietro Beretta, 18- 25063 Gardone Val Trompia, Brescia, Italy. The weapon is fully described in the Owner's Manual Beretta dal 1526, Series 81 , distributed by the company, which manual hereby is fully incorporated by reference. The invention can also be utilized with the Smith & Wesson semiautomatic centerfire pistols manufactured by the Smith & Wesson Company of 2100 Roosevelt Avenue, Springfield, Mass. The weapons are fully described in the Safety Instruction & Parts Manual, distributed by the company, which manual is hereby fully incorporated by reference. Referring now to Figure 1 , a semi-automatic pistol 10 is shown with a magazine 12 which includes a push button locking mechanism 14 of the present invention. Referring also to Figure 2, an alternative key lock mechanism 16 and key 17 are shown incorporated into the end of the extracted magazine 18. Figure 3 shows yet another alternative extracted magazine 20 with a rotary locking mechanism 22 having a three rotary combination wheels 6, 7, and 8, and an activation lever 5. Figure 4 shows the extracted magazine 12 of Figure 1 with the push button, or touch sensitive, locking mechanism 14. In this instance, the mechanism 14 includes three push buttons 24, 26, and 28, and a slide bar activation lever 30. Referring now to Figure 5, a pictorial view of an embodiment of a magazine 32 is shown with a blocking arm or actuating member 34 which is controlled by the inner locking module 36. The module 36 contains the operable parts of the locking mechanism, e.g. the tumblers and associated hardware which are operable when the lock buttons, rotary wheels, or key are used. In this example, the blocking arm 34 extends up through the magazine 32 with the top portion 35 protruding out of a hole 38 in the top of the magazine casing 39. The arm 34 is operably connected to the locking module 36 so that it can be moved only when the locking mechanism is unlocked. A pushbutton or activation lever 40 extends from the bottom of magazine and allows advancement and retraction of the blocking arm 34 when the lock is unlocked. An interlocking bar 42 also extends from a cutout in the side of the magazine casing 39. This bar 42 serves to lock the magazine 32 in place so that it cannot be removed and thereby thwart the locking of the firearm. In Figure 6, the top of the magazine casing 19 is shown with blocking arm portion 35 withdrawn or retracted into the magazine 32. Referring now to Figure 7, a top view of a firearm 44 is shown with a partial cut¬ away view of the trigger 46 and associated trigger bar 48 inside the gun. The magazine 32 is shown inserted into the gun 44 with the upper portion of the blocking arm or actuating member 35 positioned to impede movement of the trigger bar 48. In this position, the trigger 46 cannot be pulled to fire the gun. The blocking arm or actuating member, when extended, is therefore positioned to block movement of the trigger bar 48. Referring now to Figure 8, a side view of the firearm 44 is shown with a cut-away section of the tπgger 46 and trigger bar 48. The magazine 32 is shown inserted into position with the blocking arm or actuating member 35 extended upwards to block the trigger bar 48. Referπng also to Figure 9, a similar view is shown with the actuating member 35 retracted. The trigger bar 48 can therefore be moved backwards by the trigger 46 thereby firing the gun. Referπng now to Figure 10, a revolver 200 is depicted having a handle 202, tπgger 204 and hammer mechanism 206, barrel 208 and cylinder 210. The cylinder is the only part of the revolver that will have a modification allowing the cylinder to be replaced with a locking mechanism 212 of the present invention. Referring also to Figure 1 1 , an alternative key lock mechanism is depicted having key lock 214 and key 216 shown incorporated into the side wall of cylinder 218. Figure 12 shows yet another alternative cylinder 220 with a rotary locking mechanism 222 having three rotary combination wheels. Figure 13 shows the preferred embodiment incorporating a similar locl ing mechanism as the Applicant has disclosed in prior art patents previously listed. Cylinder 224 has a touch sensitive locking mechanism with depression buttons 226 and engagement bar 228. Referring now to Figures 14 and 15, a revolver 230 is depicted with a preferred locking mechanism 232 incorporated into detachable cylinder 234. A member 236 coupled to the locking mechanism 232 is depicted in an extended position, within one of the chambers 238 of cylinder 234, for partial insertion into the barrel of the revolver. The locking mechanism 232 having combination buttons 240, preferably two or three, as depicted in Figure 13, provides an authorized user with a means for moving the member 236 into the depicted extended position inhibiting movement of the cylinder. Slide bar 242 is coupled to the member 236 allowing engagement or disengagement as needed. The buttons 240 and slide bar 242 have a low clearance positioned within depression 244 commonly found on such cylinders for use as a gripping surface. As depicted in Figures 16 and 17, revolver 230 is depicted with a locking mechanism 232 incorporated into detachable cylinder 234 and member 236 positioned in a retracted position. In this manner, the locking mechanism is disengaged and an authorized user may utilize the firearm without restriction. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the loclcing mechanism can be placed external of the chamber with provision made to lock the cylinder in such a position so that the firing pin is not aligned with a chamber. In this embodiment a locking pin protrudes from the cylinder to engage either edge of the revolver body and an impact pad may be positioned between the chambers of the cylinder to prevent damage to the firing pin if the chamber is off center and the firing pin forced to impact the cylinder. Referring now to Figure 18, a long arm, including a shotgun or rifle 300 is shown with a locking magazine 302 of the present invention installed. Referring also to Figure 18A, the magazine 302 is shown extracted from the long arm. Figure 18B shows a close view of the magazine 302 installed in the long arm 300. In this embodiment, the magazine includes a first and second pushbutton 304, 306 with an activation lever 308 and a pushbutton activator 310. A handgun 315 having an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 19-23. The handgun includes a magazine 318 having a generally elongated housing with an open container in which to receive bullet ammunition 314. The magazine 318 has a lock 317 and, in the locked position, is operable to prevent operation of the firearm, and in the unlocked position, to permit operation of the firearm. Suitable structure such as left combination button 320 and right combination button 326 can be provided with which to enter the combination. A manual lever 330 can be provided with which to permit the gun to fire when the proper lock combination has been entered. A reset button 336 is provided which enables the user to reset the combination lock to an initial position, to enable the user to reenter the combination. The manner by which a lock functions to prevent operation of the firearm is capable of variation, depending on the type of firearm that is utilized, the type of magazine that is required for the firearm, and other similar considerations. One way of interrupting operation of the firearm is shown in Fig. 20. A drawbar 340 is connected by the tπgger 348 of the firearm to the hammer (not shown) so as to fire the weapon m a conventional manner. A lock relay arm 346 extends upward from the lock 317. The lock relay arm 346 has a shoulder 350 which terminates in a flat abutment portion 353 which contacts the side of the magazine 318. A blocking member 360 has an abutment portion 364 at one end, and is fixed to the magazine 318 at opposite end 372. Up and down movement of the lock relay arm 346 causes the shoulder 350 to contact the abutment portion 364 to move it outward in the upward position (Fig. 22), and inward in the down position (Fig. 23). The drawbar 340 has a tab 370 which, when the blocking member 364 is thrust outward (Fig. 22), contacts the abutment portion 364 such that the trigger 348 cannot be drawn backward to fire the firearm. This is also illustrated in Fig. 20. When the lock relay arm 346 is moved downward (Fig. 23), the blocking member 364 is not contacted by the shoulder 350 and can move inward toward the magazine 318. The tab 370 will then be permitted to pass the blocking member 364, such that the trigger 348 can be drawn and the firearm operated. This is shown in Fig. 21. A blocking ledge 373 can be provided on the abutment portion 364, and extends outwardly from the magazine 318. The blocking ledge 373, when the abutment portion 364 is positioned in the locked position (Figs. 20 and 22), will contact the drawbar 340 such that the magazine 318 cannot be removed from the firearm. When the lock is in the unlocked position (Figs. 21 and 23), the blocking ledge 373 is moved inward toward the magazine 318 such that the abutment portion 364 can pass the draw bar 340 and the magazine 318 can be removed from the firearm. The manner by which the lock relay arm 346 operates with the lock 317, and the precise construction of the lock 317, is capable of variation. Preferred embodiments are shown in Figs. 20-36. The lock relay arm 346 preferably has a lip 380 which engages a slot 386 in a slotted portion 390 of a slide assembly 400. The slide assembly 400 also includes a spring seat 410, downwardly extending support arms 414 and terminates in the manual lever 330. A ratchet member 420 is shown schematically in Figs. 20 and 21 , absent the other components of the lock 317 which are shown in other figures. Each ratchet member has a combination post 424 which must be aligned with an appropriate combination opening 428 in order to permit the slide assembly 400, and thus lock relay arm 346, to move downward (Fig. 21) to permit the abutment portion 364 to move inward and the tab 370 to move past the abutment portion 364 and permit operation of the firearm. The slide assembly 400 rests within the base of the magazine 318 as shown in Figs. 24 and 25. The combination button 320 is part of a combination button assembly 322 which includes a shaft 440 that extends upwardly through a suitable opening 444 in the base of the magazine 318. An interlocking extension 450 extends from the shaft 440 of each button assembly (see Figs. 31 and 32). Each button assembly terminates in a ratchet seat portion 460 having an upper surface 464. An indexing pawl 470 having an engagement tooth 474 and an actuating arm 480 is secured to a pin 486 on the ratchet seat portion 460. A spπng 490 surrounds the indexing pawl 470 is also mounted to the pin 486 (Fig. 31). A lip 492 of the spπng 490 rests on a ledge 494 of the ratchet seat portion 460. Each ratchet member 420 has a body 488 (Fig. 36). Ratchet teeth 478 depend downwardly from the body 488. The body 488 has a groove 491 in which the spπng 493 is positioned. The combination posts 424 extend upwardly from the body 488, through grooves 497 in a guide plate 499. The ratchet member 420 rests on the upper surface 464 of the ratchet support portion 460. A portion of the body 488 rests atop the upper surface 464 of the ratchet seat portion 460. The spring 493 engages a pin 496 on each ratchet member 420 (Fig. 24). The opposite end of the spring 493 is secured on a pin 500. The engagement tooth 474 of the indexing pawl 470 is urged upward into engagement with the teeth 478 of each ratchet member 420 by the action of the spπng 490. Upon movement of the combination button 320 in the forward direction (Figs. 25- 26), the engagement tooth 474 will engage the teeth 478 of the ratchet member 420 and cause the ratchet member 420 to move a given distance equal to the throw of the combination button 320. A retaining pawl 510 has a tooth 512 that is used to engage the ratchet member 420 to prevent movement of the ratchet member 420 under the bias of the spπng 493. An actuating arm 516 is provided for a reset function The retaining pawl 510 is mounted by a suitable structure such as a pin 520 that is provided on suitable structure such as a support plate assembly (Fig. 35) Each of the support plate assemblies provide a guide for the combination button assemblies 322 and a surface on which to mount the retaining pawls 510. A first support plate assembly includes plates 560, 550 and 570. A second support assembly includes plates 580, 590, and 600 The plates can be joined by a connecting member 605 A middle support plate 550 includes the pin 520 to support the retaining pawl 510 of the left button 320 A second support plate 570 includes a pin 520 for supporting the retaining pawl 510 of the right button assembly 326 The support plate 580 includes an indexing pawl deflector 584. A middle support plate 590 includes a retaining pawl pin 520 and an indexing pawl deflector 584 The outer support plate 600 includes a locating post 610 and a pin 520 for mounting a retaining pawl 510 A retaining spπng 530 acts to urge the tooth 512 of the retaining pawl 510 into engagement with the teeth 478 of the ratchet member 420. The manual lever 330 includes a tab 536 which rests on a seat 540 of the housing. This prevents the manual lever 330 from moving downward through an opening 544 of a housing 542. A spπng 408 rests in the spπng housing 410 and acts against an upper surface 416 of the slide assembly 400. The spring 408 acts to dπve the slide assembly 400 The manual lever 330 is attached by a pin 332 to a post 334 (Fig. 26). This permits the manual lever 330 to pivot relative to the post 334 about a slot 338 (Fig. 24) Upon rotation of the manual lever 330, the tab 536 rotates to the opening 544 which permits the manual lever 330, post 334, support arms 414 and slotted portion 390 of the slide assembly 400 to move downward under the biasing action of the spring 408. Operation of the lock is seen with reference to Fig. 25. The left combination button 320 is shown in the centered position relative to the opening 444. Upon movement of the combination button 320 to the left, the indexing pawl 470 engages the teeth 478 of the ratchet member 420 and carries the ratchet member 420 forward a distance equal to the throw length of the combination button 320 (Fig. 26). The retaining pawl 510 moves over the ramp surface of the teeth 478 so as to engage a succeeding tooth and retain the position of the ratchet member 420 (Fig. 26) The centering spπng 539 will then act to return the combination button assembly to the original, centered position The tooth 474 of the indexing pawl 470 will pass over the ramped surface of the teeth 478 of the ratchet member 420 during the return motion of the button assembly. As the retaining pawl 510 is fixed to one of the supports plates (Figs. 35 and 36) and is not fixed to the combination button assembly, the retaining pawl 510 will retain the ratchet member 420 in position upon the return of the combination button assembly to the original, centered position (Fig. 27) The ratcheting action of the buttons continues until the combination posts 424 are aligned with the combination openings 428 (Fig. 28). Upon this occurrence, it is possible to lower the slide assembly 400 under the biasing action of the spπng 408 (Fig. 28). The posts 424 are now aligned with the respective combination openings 428 and will pass through the respective opening so as to permit loweπng of the slide assembly 400. The manual lever 330, however, will not permit the loweπng of the slide assembly because the tab 536 remains in contact with us seat 540 in the housing 542 (Fig. 27). It is necessary to rotate the manual lever 330 in the manner shown in Figs. 33-34 in order to lower the slide assembly 400 in the manner shown in Fig. 28. Rotation of the manual lever 330 will cause the tab 536 to move off of the seat 540 and to permit the manual lever 330 to lower in the manner depicted in Fig. 28. Lowering of the slide assembly 400 results in lowering of the slotted portion 390. This in turn will lower the relay arm 346 which will enable the operation of the firearm or removeal of the magazine, as previously described. Setting the lock to the locked position requires that the slide assembly 400 be returned to the upright position shown in Fig. 25. The manual lever 330 is pushed upward against the biasing of the spring 408, which raises the slide assembly 400 and the lock relay arm 346. The manual lever 330 is then rotated to the original position where the tab 536 rests on the seat 540 of the housing 542 to retain the assembly and the relay arm 346 in the locked position. It is now necessary to reset the ratchet members 420 to an intitial position whereby the combination posts 424 are no longer in alignment with the combination opening 428 and the lock is again in the "locked" position . The reset function is accomplished with the reset button 336. This button function is in the manner shown in Fig. 29. The reset button 336 includes an L-shaped actuating arm 561 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 564. A second pivot point 568 connects to a reset head 572 which has a plurality of arms 576 (Fig. 24). The reset arms 576 are adapted to contact each of the actuating arms 480 on the indexing pawl and the actuating arms 516 on the retaining pawl. Movement of the reset button 336 causes downward movement of the reset arms 576 to contact the actuating arms 480 of the indexing pawls 470 and actuating arms 516 of the retaining pawls 510. Each of the pawls will be drawn downward in the manner depicted in Fig. 29, out of engagement with the ratchet teeth 478. This will permit each ratchet member 420 to move under the bias of the springs 493 to an original position. Upon release of the reset button 336, the indexing pawl 470 and retaining pawls 510 will return to the original position, in engagement with the teeth 478 of the ratchet members 420. The slide assembly 400 will lower when the manual lever 330 is in the position shown in Fig. 33, when the tab 536 is aligned with the opening 544. This is depicted in Fig. 28. In the event that the combination posts 424 have not been properly aligned with the combination openings 428, however, the slide assembly 400 will not lower properly, but instead will lower to the point of contact between the surface 416 and the combination posts 424. It is desirable that the combination buttons are not operated at this point, as the contact between the combination posts 424 and the slide assembly 400 could result in improper operation. Accordingly, interlocking posts 590 are provided to engage interlocking slots 594 in the combination button assemblies 320 and 326 (Figs. 31-34) . The interlocking posts 590 are engaged to the interlocking slots 594 when the tab 536 is positioned over the opening 544, that is, when the manual lever 330 is capable of moving downward. Therefore, in the event that the combination posts 424 have not been properly aligned with the combination openings 428, the combination buttons 320 and 326 cannot be operated (Fig. 33). The manual lever 330 must be rotated to the position shown in Fig. 34, where the tab 536 is positioned away from the opening, in order to operate the combination buttons. The manual lever 330 must be pushed completely upward into the lock housing, in the position shown in Fig. 25, in order for this to occur. This will raise the slide assembly 400 to a position where the surface 416 is no longer in contact with the combination posts 424. The combination buttons 320 and 326 can then be operated until the correct combination has been entered, at which time the manual lever 330 can be rotated to the position shown in Fig. 33 and lowered to the position shown in Fig. 28. The invention is also capable of construction in a manner which will permit two ratchet members to be operated by a single combination button. This is illustrated in Figs. 30 and 36, where the reverse side of the left combination button assembly 320 is shown. A second ratchet member 420a having a combination post 424a and ratchet teeth 478a is provided. Similarly, a spring 493a is connected between a pin 500a on the guide plate 499 and a pin 496a on the ratchet member 420a. An indexing pawl 470a is provided on an opposite side of the button assembly 320. As shown in Figs. 35 and 36, the ratchet members 420 and 420a rest in part on the ratchet seat portion 460 of the combination buttons, and also on upper surfaces of the plates, as shown in Fig. 35. The ratchet seat portion 460 of each combination button assembly is positioned between the center plates 550 and 590 and the outside plates 570, 580 or 560, 600. The ratchet members 424 rest partially on the top surface 464, and partially on the top surface of the upright plates. Movement of the ratchet member 420 in the forward direction, as illustrated in Figs. 25-27, could also affect the ratchet member 420a since the indexing pawl 470a is also carried on the ratchet seat portion 460 of the button assembly 320. As shown in Fig. 30, this is prevented by the indexing pawl deflector 584a. This surface contacts a surface 585a on the indexing pawl 470a when the button is moved in the forward direction (towards the trigger) to lower the indexing pawl 470a out of contact with the teeth 478a. The retaining pawl 510a will slide over the teeth 478a in this direction of movement. Operation of the combination button 320 in the reverse direction, as indicated by the •arrows in Fig. 30, away from the trigger, will have an opposite effect. The indexing pawl 470a will engage the teeth 478a and the ratchet member 420a will move in the manner previously described. The retaining pawl 510a will maintain the ratchet member 420a in the proper position. On the opposite side of the button assembly 320, the index pawl deflector 584 will contact the surface 585 on the indexing pawl 470 to lower this indexing pawl 470 out of contact with the teeth 478 of the ratchet member 420. The combination post 424 indicated by "4" on the ratchet member 420 therefore will not move when the button 320 is moved in the reverse direction, away from the tπgger, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 30. In this manner, it will be appreciated that forward movement of the button 320 toward the trigger, will move the ratchet member 420 and the combination post "4", but will not move the ratchet member 420a and the combination post "2" Rearward motion of the combination button 320 will correspondingly cause movement of the ratchet member 420a and the combination post "2" , while the ratchet member 420 and combination post "4" will remain fixed in position. It will be understood that the invention is capable of talcing alternative forms. With minor modification, the lock relay arm 346 can be fashioned to extend over the opening of the magazine, where the bullets 314 enter, when the lock is in the locked position In this embodiment, when the lock is locked, the bullets 314 cannot be removed from the firearm, and the bullets therefore cannot be fired. Also, it will be appreciated that the lock 317 could be used for other purposes besides a lock for firearms, by modifying the lock relay arm 346 into a bolt or other component typical of locks. It is to be understood that while there are illustrated and descπbed certain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described .and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification.

Claims: CLAIMS I claim: 1. In a firearm having a firing chamber for receiving ammunition from a detachable magazine, said detachable magazine comprising structure for containing ammunition, structure for preventing firing of said firearm, and a locking means for controlling said structure for preventing firing of said firearm, wherein said structure for preventing firing of said firearm and said first locking means are formed integral to said magazine. 2. The firearm according to Claim 1 , further comprising a second locking means for coupling said magazine to said firearm so as to prevent removal of said magazine from said firearm when said locking means is in a locked position. 3. The firearm according to Claim 1 , further comprising a visual indicator means responsive to said blocking arm means or said first locking means providing a visual indication of firearm operational status. 4. In a firearm having a firing chamber for receiving ammunition from a detachable magazine, said detachable magazine comprising structure for containing ammunition; an actuating member operatively associated with said magazine having a distal end and a proximal end; a locking mechanism for controlling said actuating member, said locking mechanism operatively associated with said proximal end, said actuating member preventing operation of said firearm when said locking mechanism is in a locked position, and permitting operation of said firearm when said locking mechanism is in an unlocked position. 5. The firearm according to Claim 4, wherein said loclcing mechanism includes at least one push member being operable to unlock said lock mechanism upon depression of the push member in accord with a predetermined combination. 6. The firearm according to Claim 4, wherein said distal end is extendable in front of an insertion end to prohibit ammunition from entering said firing chamber. 7. The firearm according to Claim 4 wherein said distal end engages a safety. 8. In a firearm revolver having a revolving detachable cylinder for holding and firing ammunition, a locking device comprising: a guard means for prohibiting rotation of said cylinder in said firearm and thereby preventing ammunition from rotating into place for firing; a first locking means for controlling said guard means; wherein said first guard means and said first locking means are formed integral to said cylinder. 9. The locking device according to Claim 8 including a second locking means for lockably coupling said cylinder to said firearm. 10. The locking device according to Claim 8 including a visual indicator means responsive to said guard means or said first locking means providing a visual indication of firearm operational status. 11. In a firearm revolver having a barrel and a revolving detachable cylinder with receptacles for holding and firing ammunition, a locking device comprising: an actuating member operatively associated with one of said receptacles in said cylinder, said actuating member having a distal end extending into said barrel; a locking mechanism operatively associated with said proximal end of said actuating member; wherein said actuating member and said locking mechanism are formed integral to said cylinder. 12. The loclcing device according to Claim 1 1 wherein said locking mechanism includes at least one push member being operable to unlock said lock mechanism upon depression of the push member in accord with a predetermined combination. 13. A magazine for a firearm, comprising: a magazine chamber for retaining ammunition; a lock having locked and unlocked positions, and structure for preventing operation of the firearm when the lock is in the locked position, and for permitting operation of the firearm when the lock is in the unlocked position. 14. The lock of claim 13, wherein the lock is a combination lock. 15. The lock of claim 14, wherein the combination lock is operable with a ratchet member. 16. The magazine of claim 15, wherein a combination button is operable to move at least one ratchet member. 17. The combination lock of claim 16, wherein first and second ratchet members are associated with each combination button, the combination buttons having forward and reverse motions, the combination button in the forward motion moving the first ratchet member but not the second ratchet member, the combination button in the reverse direction moving the second ratchet member but not the first ratchet member. 18. A lock comprising: a plurality of elongated ratchet members, each ratchet member having a protrustion; a combination button associated with each ratchet member, movement of the combination button being operable to move the ratchet member and the combination post; an indexing pawl for engaging the ratchet member and moving the ratchet member; a retaining pawl for retaining the ratchet member in a position; and a slide assembly having a plurality of openings, such that alignment of the combination posts with the opening is necessary to open the lock. 19. The combination lock of claim 18, wherein first and second ratchet members are associated with each combination button, the combination buttons having forward and reverse motions, the combination button in the forward motion moving the first ratchet member but not the second ratchet member, the combination button in the reverse direction moving the second ratchet member but not the first ratchet member.

Inventors: BROOKS FRANK, BROOKS, FRANK
Applicants: SAF T LOK CORP, SAF T LOK CORPORATION
Application year: 1997
Main classification: F41A17
IPC codes: F41A17