Abstract:
A firearm safeguard device, comprises first ( 22 ) and second ( 10 ) trigger-guard, blocking members. The second member ( 10 ) is provided with a fixed, non-rotating ratchet spindle ( 20 ). The first member ( 22 ) includes a ratchet rider member ( 42 ), mounted by means of a coil compression spring ( 52 ), allowing both reciprocating and deflecting movements. Locking of the device is achieved by a push-in lock ( 60 ) arresting the member ( 42 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to firearm safety devices of the kind designed to prevent unauthorized access to the trigger by blocking the trigger guard. 
     Known devices of this type (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,537, of the present Applicant) comprise a pair of blocking members adapted to be locked to each other around the trigger guard. According to the conventional design one of the blocking members is provided with a selectively rotatable spindle with a series of ratchet teeth thereon. The spindle is receivable within a cavity formed at the other blocking member, which is provided with ratchet rider member. In the operative, locking position the ratchet teeth are meshed, and the separation of the members from each other is thus prevented. In order to release the members, the ratchet teeth spindle must be rotated to disengage the ratchet teeth from the ratchet rider and allow the sliding out of the spindle. 
     The rotation of the spindle from the engaging to the disengaging position is achieved by a key operated mechanism of various types and designs. 
     These devices however suffer certain disadvantages. First, the ratchet rider must be spring-urged, and for that purpose the spring must be rather strong to avoid the release of the members by a sharp shock against the device. This, however, entails excessive wear of the ratchet teeth. 
     Secondly, the manipulation of the spindle by a key for the unlocking of the device is cumbersome and time consuming which is considered specifically disadvantageous when time is of essence, namely when one must reach for the weapon and bring it as quickly as possible to an operative shooting position. 
     The present invention provides a modified design of the locking mechanism of trigger guard blocking devices, being more simple, compact and easy to manipulate. 
     Further, the present invention improves the safety of the device against forceful tampering therewith. 
     Still further, the invention facilitates the operation of the device by electric or remote controlled means. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Thus provided according to the present invention is a firearm safety device for a firearm including a trigger and a trigger guard over the trigger. The device comprises first and second trigger blocking members adapted to engage and lock to each other around the trigger guard and prevent access to the trigger. The first blocking member comprises a hollow configured to receive a projecting, ratchet-toothed fixed spindle of the second blocking member. A ratchet rider member is installed having a ratchet toothed surface, so that reciprocating movement of the rider towards and away from the hollow is allowed. A spring is provided for urging the ratchet-toothed surface against the ratchet-toothed spindle when inserted into the hollow. The ratchet rider member is further provided with pivot means allowing a rotational movement thereof into a position wherein the toothed surface thereof disengages the ratchet teeth of the spindle. Selectively operable means are provided for immobilizing the movement(s) of the rider member. 
     The second blocking member comprises a non-rotatable ratchet spindle. 
     Preferably, the rider member immobilizing means comprise a key-operated push-in lock cooperating with a recess formed in the rider member. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and additional constructional features and advantages of the invention will become more clearly appreciated in the light of the ensuing description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 a  is a schematic three dimensional view of one blocking member; 
     FIG. 1 b  is a schematic three dimensional view of the second, mating blocking member; 
     FIG. 1 c  shows the rider member which is assembled within the second blocking member; 
     FIG. 2 is an elevation of the second blocking member; 
     FIG. 3 is a section taken along line III—III of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 a  shows, on an enlarged scale, the operative components of the blocking members in a locking engagement position; 
     FIG. 4 b  shows the components of FIG. 4 a  in the releasing position; 
     FIG. 4 c  shows the components of FIG. 4 a  in an intermediate, pre-locking position; and 
     FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line V—V of FIG. 4 a.   
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     First blocking member denoted  10  is generally similar to the corresponding member of the traditional design, except for an important and unique feature that its ratchet spindle is not rotatable but rather made integral with the remaining structure. Hence, the member  10  comprises a trigger-guard blocking plate  12  presenting a flat surface  14  which is preferably provided with a rubber pad  16 , as customarily known, and so is guide channel  18 . Ratchet spindle  20  is cylindrical, with ratchet teeth  20   a  extending along a planar surface which is cut-away from the cylindrical spindle  20 . 
     Since the member  10  has no moving parts it can readily be made by casting or press-forming (sintering) with no need for any additional processing or finishing operations. 
     The other, mating member  22  is shown to be in the form of a block  22   a  mounted to a wall W, however this is not necessarily so and is illustrated to amplify the significant advantage of the design according to the invention. The member  22  comprises the counterpart, male portion  24  which slidingly fits into the cavity of the guide channel  18 , and a flat surface  26  with rubber pad  28 . 
     The block  22   a  is formed with a cylindrical hollow cavity  32  of a diameter slightly larger than the spindle  20  for the sliding insertion of the latter in the locking position of the members. The cavity  32  is used in the present embodiment also for receiving one wall mounting screw  34 . A second bore  36  is made for mounting the block by screw  38  (see FIG.  3 ). 
     Freely seated within a slot  40  is a ratchet rider member denoted  42 . The rider member  42 , which is generally boot-shaped, comprises a slot  44 , a bore  46 , and its tread or base surface is formed with ratchet teeth  48 , engageable with ratchet teeth  20   a  of the spindle  20 . The member  42  is coupled by a pivot pin  56 , enabling a limited reciprocating movement, and is further urged downwards by a compression coil spring  52 . The spring  52  is pressed at one end into a receiving bore  54  (see FIG. 4 a ), whereas its other end is clamped within extension recess  40   a . The spring  52  thus functions both as means for urging the rider member  42  downwards, and for allowing its small angle deflection about pivot pin  56 . As more clearly seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, a standard push-in lock  60  is accommodated within a suitable bore extending in a direction perpendicular to the pivoting plane of the rider  40  and so located that its locking detent  60   a  is adapted, in the locking position of the device, to become inserted into the bore  46 . Therefore the immobilization of the rider member  42  is simply accomplished by pushing the operative button of the lock  60 , while its release is effected by use of a key  60   b  (FIG. 1 b ). 
     The locking and unlocking process will now be described with particular reference to FIGS. 4 a - 4   c . When the spindle  20  is pushed into the hollow  32 , the ratchet rider is in its inner position (shown in FIG. 4 a ) and is elastically pressed against the spindle  20  which therefore will freely click its way to the desired depth. The locking or immobilization of the rider  42  will be effected by pushing home the button  60   a  of the push-in lock  60 . The locking is thus safeguarded without any further manipulation. 
     The releasing of the members from each other is illustrated in FIG. 4 b , where extraction of the spindle  20  (after unlocking the lock  60 ) will cause the deflection of the rider member  42 , thus the disengagement of the ratchet teeth coupling, as shown. 
     In the non-operative position of FIG. 4 c  it is shown that due to the bending effect of the coil spring  52  the rider member is attracted into an intermediate position wherein the insertion of the spindle  20  will first bring it into the position of FIG. 4 a  and then the ratchet effect will take place as already described. 
     It will be now readily appreciated that the reliability of the device significantly increases, since the amount of resistance against the retrieval of the spindle from the ratchet coupling state no longer depends on the elasticity of the spring urging the ratchet rider member against the spindle as in the conventional devices; in fact, a significantly weaker spring can be used. Furthermore, the unlocking is more simply effected and no longer involves a rotational movement of the spindle. 
     In addition, more versatile operation modes are made possible in a simple manner, e.g. the electrically or otherwise remotely controlled unlocking, as described in the above mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,537, which are self-explanatory and need not be described in greater detail. 
     Those skilled in the art will readily understand that various changes, modifications and variations may be applied to the invention as above exemplified without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in and by the appended claims.