Abstract:
An insert for a firearm having a large diameter portion extending a predetermined axial distance into a breech and a small diameter portion adapted to fit within the chamber of a barrel. The predetermined axial length of the larger diameter portion has a length long enough to prevent a hammer from striking a firing pin and short enough so that the hammer can be cocked and released by the trigger. In an embodiment a lock means prevents the insert from being removed from the firearm without authority. In another embodiment, a handle is used as a flag or for cocking. The firearm may be dry-fired for practice purposes without striking the firing pin. The insert is also readily visible so that a quick inspection of the firearm will confirm that the firearm is in a safe state. The present invention may be made to accommodate many different firearms and may also be used to safely dry-fire a firearm. The insert of the present invention also provides more realistic dry firing, greatly improving the effect of training.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates in general to a safety device for a firearm that can readily be inserted therein, and particularly to a device readily visible in the firearm that prevents accidental discharge of the cartridge and permits dry-firing for practice. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Firearms have been used for centuries, yet there is a continuing need to provide for the safe use thereof. While there are many safety devices for use with firearms, such as locks that attach to the trigger preventing the firearm from operating, they are often difficult to attach and may not function properly. Many locking devices still permit a cartridge to be placed within the chamber, increasing the risk of an unintentional discharge. Additionally, it is common to dry-fire a firearm for practice. This increases the risk of an unintentional discharge of the cartridge, as well as potentially damaging the firing pin during the dry-fire practice. A firearm safety insert that has solved many problems in the firearm safety art is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,724 entitled “Firearm Safety and Dry-Fire Device” issuing on Oct. 28, 1997 to William H. Peterken, which is herein incorporated by reference. Therein disclosed is a cylindrical insert having a recess in one end and a notch disposed between either end of the cylindrical insert for placement in the bolt carrier of a rifle or a firearm. While this device has been adequate for many applications, it is relatively large and often not clearly visible. This prevents a quick visible reference of the safety device, assuring its placement in the bolt carrier. Therefore, there is a need for an improved smaller firearm safety and dry-fire device that is readily visible and easily inserted into a firearm. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an insert for use with firearms and primarily rifles that fits partially within the barrel of the rifle. The insert has a smaller diameter portion which fits in the barrel of the rifle and a larger diameter portion extending a predetermined distance into the breech of the rifle. The larger diameter portion extending into the breech has an axial length sufficient to permit the hammer to catch and be released by the trigger, but to prevent the hammer from striking the firing pin. Several embodiments include lock means for preventing the unauthorized removal of the insert from the firearm. Another embodiment includes a flag or handle to facilitate cocking. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a firearm safety and dry-fire device that can easily be inserted into the barrel and breech of a firearm and that is readily visible. 
     It is an advantage of the present invention that it permits dry-firing of the firearm for practice. 
     It is another advantage of the present invention that only a short movement is needed to reset the trigger during dry-firing practice. 
     It is a feature of the present invention that a larger diameter has a predetermined axial length to prevent the hammer from striking the firing pin and which minimizes the impact of the hammer when released. 
     It is another feature of the present invention that the predetermined axial length provides for a normal trigger release movement. 
     It is another feature of the present invention that lock means prevents unauthorized removal. 
     It is yet another feature of the present invention that it comprises a handle to facilitate cocking. 
     These and other objects, advantages, and features will become readily apparent in view of the following detailed description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the insert of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3A schematically illustrates an embodiment of the present invention placed within a rifle. 
     FIG. 3B schematically illustrates an embodiment of the present invention placed within a rifle, with the rifle in a slightly different position from the position illustrated in FIG.  3 A. 
     FIG. 4A schematically illustrates another type of rifle. 
     FIG. 4B schematically illustrates an embodiment of the present invention adapted for use in the other type of rifle illustrated in FIG.  4 A. 
     FIG. 4C schematically illustrates an embodiment of the present invention adapted for use in the other type of rifle illustrated in FIG.  4 A and in a position ready to dry-fire. 
     FIG. 4D schematically illustrates an embodiment of the present invention adapted for use in the other type of rifle illustrated in FIG.  4 A and in a position after being dry-fired. 
     FIG. 4E schematically illustrates an embodiment of the present invention adapted for use in the other type of rifle illustrated in FIG.  4 A and in a position resetting the trigger. 
     FIG. 5 is a partial cross section illustrating a locking embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a cross section taken along line  6 — 6  in FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 is a partial cross section illustrating another locking embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a cross section schematically illustrating the locking embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a front view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.  10 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of an embodiment of the present invention. The visible firearm safety and dry-fire device or insert  42  has a large diameter portion  44  and a smaller diameter portion  46 . Preferably, the small diameter portion  46  is slightly tapered to match or conform to the chamber of the barrel of a rifle. This taper or duplication of the relevant portion of the cartridge causes a precise fit between the device and the chamber for more positive and precise positioning. At the distal end of the small diameter portion  46  is a bevel  48 . At the distal end of the larger diameter portion  44  is an appendage  50 . Between the larger diameter portion  44  and the smaller diameter portion  46  is a shoulder or step  52 . The shoulder or step  52  may be substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the insert  42 , or angled. If angled, the angle may match a dimension on the firearm and may range from between approximately forty-five and thirty degrees from a line perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The larger diameter portion may have an axial length greater than approximately two centimeters or three quarters of an inch. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG.  1 . FIG. 2 more clearly illustrates the distance d, which is the axial length of the larger diameter portion  44 . The axial length d is a predetermined length based upon the particular firearm or rifle in which the insert  42  is to be placed. The distance d is determined so as to permit the hammer of the firearm to be cocked and released by the trigger, yet prevent the hammer from striking the firing pin. 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B better illustrate the operation of an embodiment of the present invention placed within a rifle. By way of example, an M 16  rifle is generally illustrated. However, any firearm having a breech opening for which the insert of the present invention may be placed may be utilized, as for example, an M 14 , M 1 A or M 1  rifle, among others. The rifle  10  is generally illustrated in a partial section with the butt stock  12  and barrel  16  shown only in part. The rifle  10  also generally has a handle  14  and a grip  18 . An upper receiver  20  and a bolt carrier  22  are placed within the rifle. The bolt carrier  22  has a bore  24 . The bolt carrier  22  is placed within the upper receiver  20  so as to slide back and forth or reciprocate. The bolt carrier  22  generally also contains a firing pin housing or bolt  21 . The firing pin housing or bolt  21  is contained within the bolt carrier  22  and houses the firing pin  32 . However, rear portion  25  is part of the bolt carrier  22  in which the firing pin housing or bolt  21  rides. Recess  23  is the bolt face, which is a recess. Placed within the firing pin housing or bolt  21  is a firing pin  32 . As the bolt carrier  22  reciprocates rearward or to the left, hammer  30  is forced downward or is cocked such that a notch  34  thereon hooks or mates to an edge  36  on a portion of the trigger  26  attached to a disconnector  28 . When the hammer  30  is released from the edge  36 , the hammer swings upward. Generally, when the firearm  10  is intended to fire a cartridge, the hammer  30  would strike the firing pin  32 , which in turn, would strike a cartridge firing a bullet. However, in the illustrations of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the insert  142  is in position so as to prevent the hammer  30  from striking the firing pin  32 . Insert  142  is placed within the barrel  16  and the breech  15 . The smaller diameter portion  146  is sized to fit within and is positioned within the chamber of the barrel  16 . The larger diameter portion  144  extends axially a predetermined distance into the breech  15 . Appendage  150  extends from the distal end of the larger diameter portion  144  and has a diameter to be received by the firing pin housing recess  23 . Magazine chamber  40  would normally receive a magazine having cartridges therein. 
     FIG. 3B illustrates the rifle  10 , as illustrated in FIG. 3A, with the firing pin housing or bolt  21  advanced adjacent the larger diameter portion  144  of the insert  142 . The axial length of the larger diameter portion  144  is d 1 . Because of the axial length d 1  of the larger diameter portion  144 , the firing pin housing  21  is moved rearward or backward by the same distance d 1 . Accordingly, the rear portion  25  of the bolt carrier  22  is caused to be more rearward or backward than it normally would be in a firing position. Accordingly, when hammer  30  is released by pulling the trigger  26 , the hammer  30  strikes the rear portion  25  of the bolt carrier  22  rather than the firing pin  32 . The required axial distance d 1  of the larger diameter portion  144  may vary depending upon the particular structure of the rifle for which the insert  142  is intended. However, this distance d 1  is readily ascertainable and is a function of the distance the rear portion  25  of the bolt carrier  22  must be moved rearward to prevent the hammer  30  from striking the firing pin  32 . However, the distance d 1  must not be so great so as to prevent the hammer  30  from releasing when the trigger  26  is pulled. Accordingly, by sliding the bolt carrier  22  backward, and with it the associated firing pin housing  21 , the hammer  30  may be cocked. When the bolt carrier  22  and the firing pin housing or bolt  21  is then advanced forward to abut or contact the larger diameter portion  144  of the insert  142 , the rifle  10  may be dry-fired for practice without the hammer  30  striking the firing pin  32 . This greatly improves firearm reliability and prevents breakage of firing pins, which is typically associated with dry-firing. 
     The diameter of the small diameter portion  146  should be sized so as to fit within the chamber of the barrel for which it is to be placed. Additionally, the axial length of the small diameter portion  146  need only be sufficiently long so as to securely be retained within the bore of the barrel  16 . The larger diameter portion  144  may have a diameter so as to fit within the breech  15  and provide a support for the end of the firing pin housing  21 . The axial distance d 1  must be sufficiently long to prevent the hammer  30  from striking the firing pin  32 , yet sufficiently short so that the hammer  30  can be released by pulling the trigger  26  so that the rifle  10  may be dry-fired for practice. Typically, the insert  142  may be made of a plastic material such as a polymer, for example DELRIN, and may be made in any color such as black or yellow for high visibility. When the present invention is inserted into a firearm, the hammer cannot hit the firing pin and ammunition or a cartridge cannot be introduced into the chamber or barrel. This makes storage and training with firearms much safer. Additionally, training is enhanced with the use of the present invention because the user doesn&#39;t need to break position to reset the trigger mechanism. This results in improved trigger technique and enhanced ability to assess site picture at release and during follow-through. 
     FIGS. 4A-E illustrate another embodiment of the device of the present invention in a different type of firearm. The present invention can be applied to a variety of different firearms, depending upon dimensioning of the device so as to be adapted to the different firearms. 
     FIG. 4A schematically illustrates the operation of a firearm without the device of the present invention inserted therein. The barrel  216  has a chamber  217  therein. A cartridge is typically placed within the chamber  217 . A bolt or firing pin housing  221  has a firing pin  232  contained therein. A hammer  230  is pivoted on pivot pin  233  and biased forward or towards the firing pin  232  by spring  231 . The hammer  230  has a forward hook  235  and a rearward hook  239 . A trigger  226  and sear portion of the trigger  237  engage the forward hook  235  of the hammer  230  when the hammer  230  is engaged with the trigger  226  mechanism. Disconnector  228  may also engage with the rear hook  239  of the hammer  230 . In operation, when trigger  226  is pulled, the sear portion  237  rotates forward, disengaging the forward hook  235  of hammer  230 , causing the hammer  230  to rotate on pivot pin  233 , striking the firing pin  232  causing a cartridge, not illustrated, inserted in the chamber  217  to fire. 
     FIG. 4B illustrates an embodiment of the present invention inserted into the firearm illustrated in FIG.  4 A. The visible dry-fire and safety device insert  242  is placed within the firearm by fully retracting the bolt or firing pin housing  221 . The smaller diameter portion  246  is placed within the chamber  217 . The larger diameter portion  244  extends into the breech of the firearm. The axial dimension or axial length of the larger diameter portion  244  has a predetermined dimension so as to permit cocking and dry firing of the firearm without the hammer  230  striking the firing pin  232 . Appendage  250  is adapted to fit within a recess of the firing pin housing  221 . The hammer  230  is pivoted rearward by the bolt or firing pin housing  221  and is caused to engage the trigger mechanism. With the bolt or firing pin housing  221  fully displaced to the rear, there is sufficient space to install and remove the insert  242 . It should be noted that the hammer  230  is rotated beyond the distance required to reset the trigger  226 . Generally, the firing pin housing or bolt  221  may be cycled or moved the full travel available. This is generally so as to strip a cartridge from the magazine and into the chamber. However, since this is not the goal of dry-firing, it is only necessary to cycle the firing pin housing or bolt  221  sufficiently to introduce the insert  242  into the chamber and reset the trigger after each release. Accordingly, there is a slight distance between the sear  237  portion of the trigger and the forward hook  235  of the hammer  230 . 
     FIG. 4C schematically illustrates the firing pin housing or bolt  221  advanced adjacent the insert  242  and the trigger set or hammer  230  cocked. The sear portion  237  of the trigger is engaged with the forward hook  235  of the hammer  230 . The spring  231  causes an upward pressure, keeping the hammer  230  cocked. There is a gap between the upper portion of the hammer  230  and the lower portion of the firing pin housing or bolt  221 . This gap allows the hammer  230  to be released in a normal manner when the trigger  226  is pulled. This gap allows the hammer  230  to swing up and make a positive contact or click when it impacts the bottom of the firing pin housing or bolt  221 . The axial distance or length of the large diameter portion  244  has a predetermined length or distance so as to cause the firing pin housing or bolt  221  to move backward a predetermined distance sufficient to place the bolt in a position so that the hammer is permitted to release normally with a normal trigger pull and to impact or strike the bottom portion of the firing pin housing or bolt  221 . The hammer therefore does not impact the firing pin  232 . The small gap results in a short swing, minimal impact, with no impact damage to the hammer  230  or bolt or firing pin housing  221 . There is no jarring to disturb the point of aim, permitting better follow though and improved sight picture. 
     FIG. 4D schematically illustrates the insert  242  in position and the hammer  230  released or dropped and impacting the bottom portion of the firing pin housing or bolt  221 . The hammer  230  impacting the bottom portion of the firing pin housing or bolt  221  prevents the hammer  230  from impacting the firing pin  232 . This low impact of the hammer  230  permits the shooter to better evaluate site picture, follow through and trigger technique. Impact damage to the firing pin is also prevented. 
     FIG. 4E schematically illustrates displacement of the firing pin housing or bolt  221  to the rear in order to reset the trigger mechanism. Only a small distance of rearward movement is required to reset the trigger mechanism. Because the bolt moves only about one-quarter of an inch or 0.6 cm, the insert  244  cannot fall out of the chamber  217 . In this example, the movement of the firing pin housing or bolt  221  at a small angle rotates the hammer  230  a distance sufficient to cause the hammer forward hook  235  to engage the sear portion  237  of the trigger  226 . The trigger is displaced and caused to return by spring pressure permitting the forward hook  235  of the hammer  230  to engage the sear portion  237 . Accordingly, movement of the firing pin housing or bolt  221  a limited distance rearward of the insert  242  permits the user to conveniently reset the trigger without breaking position. This makes dry- fire training more convenient. The firing pin housing or bolt  221  can be moved further to the rear, but is only necessary to remove the insert  242 . 
     FIG. 5-6 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention having a lock means for retaining the insert in the firearm. In this embodiment, the insert  342  has a saddle  354  placed around the larger diameter portion  344  of insert  342  and is attached thereto by screw or bolt  356 . The saddle  354  is held within the locking recess  35 S 8  formed between the shoulder  319  and the barrel  316 . Shoulder  319  is formed in the receiver or frame of the firearm to which the barrel  316  is attached. This prevents the insert  342  from being removed from the chamber  317 . Appendage  350  fits within a recess in the firing pin housing  321 , in which the firing pin  332  is held. The screw or bolt  356  may have a proprietary head thereon so as to prevent unauthorized removal. FIG. 6 is a partial cross section taken along line  6 — 6  in FIG.  5 . FIG. 6 more clearly illustrates the saddle  354  in position. 
     FIGS. 7-9 illustrate another embodiment of a lock means for retaining the insert within the firearm. FIG. 7 is a partial cross section illustrating the insert  442  positioned within a chamber  417  in a barrel  416 . A barrel extension  419  is placed on barrel  416  so as to form a locking recess  458 . The barrel extension  419  is a normal part of the assembly in many firearms. Wings  454  on the smaller diameter portion  446  of the insert  442  are caused to extend into the locking recess  458 . The larger diameter portion  444  is held outside of the barrel  416  and has an appendage  450  thereon. FIG. 8 is a partial cross section of the insert  442 . A screw  456  is placed through the rear portion  444 ′ and into the forward portion  446 ′. The screw  456  may have a proprietary head to prevent unauthorized removal. Wings  454  are move radially inward or outward as the screw  456  is rotated. As screw  456  goes in wings  454  are wedged:outward. The wings  454  retract when screw  456  is retracted. The wings  454  are springy and may be made of a spring steel. FIG. 9 is a front view more clearly illustrating the wings  454 . 
     FIGS. 10-11 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention having an extension, handle, or flag. FIG. 10 is a side elevational view illustrating the insert  542  having a larger diameter portion  544  and a smaller diameter portion  546 . Appendage  550  is formed on the rear portion of the larger diameter portion  544 . Attached, perpendicularly with respect to the axial dimension of the insert  542 , is a handle  560 . The handle  560  may be used as a safety flag for protruding from the ejection port of a firearm, for example an M16 or AR-15 type firearm. In other firearms, such as an M14, M1A or M1, the flag or handle  560  may protrude from the open or top of the receiver. This embodiment of the insert  542  may function as an open bolt indicator, unloaded indicator, in addition to being a dry-fire device. Alternatively, the handle  560  may be sufficiently strong so as to function as a cocking handle, permitting the handle to be used to return or retract the bolt and reset the trigger. This may be more convenient than using the charging handle, as an example in an M16 or AR-15, where the charging handle is located at the rear of the receiver. The handle  560  may also facilitate installation and removal of the insert  542  in the firearm. For example, in some firearms the insert may be placed through the ejection port. The handle may also be colored to be more visible, or to function as a flag for an open bolt indicator or unloaded indicator. FIG. 11 is a front view more clearly illustrating the shape of the handle  560  of the device  542 . The handle  560  may be made longer or shorter depending upon the application. Additionally, if the handle is used as a cocking handle the thickness may be increased for strength. 
     The present invention is a simple, easy to install device that greatly enhances firearm safety and practice. The visibility of the device quickly assures a user that the firearm is not loaded. The device may be easily dimensioned to fit and operate with many different firearms. 
     While various embodiments have been illustrated and described, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.