Abstract:
A device for controlling access to a firearm having a muzzle with a muzzle device. The device includes a lock housing with a cavity to receive the muzzle device. The device also includes a lock mechanism shaft coupled to a lock mechanism that is configured for rotational movement upon actuation of the lock mechanism. The lock mechanism shaft is coupled to a cam that moves axially upon rotation of the lock mechanism shaft. A bidirectional rotatable shaft is coupled to the cam and is insertable into the muzzle of the firearm. The device also includes a plurality of arms coupled to a perimeter of the cam and arranged for pivotal and radial movement to secure the firearm muzzle in the cavity of the lock housing. A plurality of tabs are arranged on the arms for engagement with the muzzle device to retain the muzzle device within the lock housing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to devices for gun safety. In particular, the present invention relates to devices that prevent unauthorized use of a gun having some type of muzzle device coupled thereto. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     The present invention is an advancement over the gun safety device described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,687 that was issued on Dec. 23, 1997. The entire content of U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,687 is incorporated herein by reference. Improvements have been made to enhance the functionality of the device. Those improvements include the elimination of some components of the original device, the modification of some components of the original device and the addition of new components. A new actuating means of securing a firearm is introduced in the present invention. The invention described herein improves overall safety certainty, strengthens structural integrity, improves anti-tampering properties and reduces manufacturing costs. The invention can be used to secure a firearm that includes some type of muzzle device, such as a flash hider, a flash suppressor, a muzzle brake and/or a compensator. The invention also accommodates those firearms that include manufactured indentations, flats and cuts, including those made in the muzzle vicinity of the firearm&#39;s slide. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is designed to secure guns having a muzzle device such as a flash hider, a flash suppressor, a muzzle brake and/or a compensator. The invention may also be used to secure firearms that possess a blade-like front sight, a bead-like front sight, and firearms with vertical and near-vertical serrations, cuts and/or other indentations in the muzzle vicinity of the firearm. With respect to the original device described in the cited patent, most, but not all, improvements are to specific components: improving their function, strengthening them and their anti-tamper properties and making them easier and cheaper to produce. A few new components are added. A few components have been eliminated. This device is designed to further self-defend itself and resist tampering and defeat by commonly available means including: brute force, crushing, cutting, drilling, grinding and reverse installation. A goal of the device of the present invention is to damage or destroy, both itself and the firearm, before it is compromised. 
     The device includes a lock housing with a base component coupled to a receptacle component, wherein the receptacle component includes a cavity configured for insertion therein of the muzzle device and at least a portion of the muzzle. It also includes a key structure coupled to the base component of the lock housing, wherein the key structure is arranged to receive a key. A lock mechanism is coupled to the key structure and arranged for actuation by the key. A lock mechanism shaft is coupled to the lock mechanism and is configured for rotational movement upon actuation of the lock mechanism. The device also includes a cam having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end of the cam is in contact with the lock mechanism shaft such that rotational movement of the lock mechanism shaft causes axial movement of the cam. A bidirectional rotatable shaft is coupled to and within the proximal end of the cam and arranged for insertion into the muzzle of the firearm. A plurality of arms is coupled to a perimeter of the cam and arranged for pivotal and radial movement to secure the firearm muzzle in the cavity of the lock housing. The arms include a plurality of tabs arranged on the plurality of arms for engagement with an exterior surface of the muzzle device to retain the muzzle device within the lock housing. The device also includes near the proximal end of the cam a notched disk with circumferential notches or indentations, wherein the notched disk is made of a material that protects distal and external surfaces of the muzzle device from abrasion and damage. A conically shaped bushing is located proximal to the notched disk arranged to occupy a cavity within a distal region of the muzzle device. The device further includes a snap ring arranged to fasten the notched disk and the conically shaped bushing together, wherein the bidirectional rotatable shaft is configured to protrude from the proximal end of the cam, penetrate through the notched disk, the conically shaped bushing and the snap ring and extend into the firearm barrel. The device optionally includes a semi-flexible, bi-directionally rotating wand coupled to a proximal end of the bidirectional rotatable shaft, wherein the wand is arranged to extend through a remainder of an internal length or bore of the barrel of the firearm and the full length of its chamber, thus preventing the loading of a live round of ammunition in the firearm. The plurality of arms and the tabs are configured to receive and grasp blade-like front sights that are common to most firearms including pistols, revolvers and many rifles as well as the bead-like front sights common to shotguns. The plurality of arms and the tabs may also be configured to receive and grasp vertical and near-vertical serrations, cuts and other indentations of the muzzle of the firearm. The device includes a self-protective cage-like structure arranged to protect the internal length of the device and the firearm against tampering and defeat. The cage-like structure may include a key disk, one or more support disks, lock housing rods or pins and a bushing, wherein the one or more support disks are located within an interior of the bushing and the lock housing configuration to provide internal lateral support against attempted compromise by crushing. The cage-like structure may be configured to shelter multiple types of firearms, multiple types of muzzle devices and multiple muzzle configurations. The bushing enjoys bi-directional rotational freedom of movement and internally protects the entire lock housing, cavity, all components within the lock housing and at least a portion of the muzzle device. The bushing may be a unitary structure or it may be a combination of bushing components. The device may include a pyric disk located adjacent to the lock mechanism. The device may include a lanyard retainer coupled to the lock housing. The conically shaped bushing may be superimposed over the bidirectional rotatable shaft to occupy the cavity within the distal region of the muzzle device. The conically shaped bushing and the notched disk center stabilize the firearm within the cavity of the lock housing during activation so as to eliminate looseness. 
     The following detailed description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims will further describe the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the firearm safety device of the present invention, 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the firearm safety device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective dissected view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective exploded view of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A gun safety device  4030  of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1-5  is a type of locking mechanism that can be used to prevent firearm operation for those firearms having a muzzle device  46  such as a flash hider, a flash suppressor, a muzzle brake and/or a compensator affixed to the muzzle by preventing ammunition from being chambered by blocking the barrel  45  and chamber of the firearm  40 . The device  4030  may also be used to prevent usage of firearms that possess other configurations of what are referred to herein as muzzle devices, such as a blade-like front sight, a bead-like front sight and firearms with vertical and near-vertical serrations, cuts and/or other indentations in the muzzle vicinity of the firearm  40 . 
     The device  4030  includes an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) key activated security pin tumbler or wafer tumbler screw-type lock mechanism  4020 , a bi-directionally rotating shaft  4110 , an arms foundation  4075 , arms  4015  with tabs  4018  thereon, a lock housing  4021  and a lock foundation  4090  among other components. When the lock mechanism  4020  is actuated, a lock mechanism shaft  4020   a  that may be a threaded shaft  4020   a  upon a proximal terminus of the lock mechanism  4020  causes a cam  4012  to move axially in both proximal  11  and distal  12  directions, controlling a plurality of spring-urged arms  4015 . Near the proximal end of this cam  4012  is a replaceable notched disk  4013 , with circumferential notches or indentations, and that are shown as cross shaped in  FIG. 5 . The disk  4013  is made of a material that protects distal and external surfaces of the muzzle device  46  from abrasion and damage. Located proximally to the notched disk  4013 , is a replaceable conically shaped bushing  4013   a  that occupies a cavity  47  within the distal  12  region of the firearm muzzle device  46 . The notched disk  4013  and conically shaped bushing  4013   a  may be fastened in place with a snap ring  4014 . The bi-directionally rotating shaft  4110  protrudes from the proximal end of the cam  4012 , penetrates through the notched disk  4013 , conically shaped bushing  4013   a  and snap ring  4014  and extends into the firearm&#39;s barrel. The shaft  4110  may include a semi-flexible, bi-directionally rotating wand  4110   a  at its proximal end. This wand  4110   a  extends through the rest of the internal length or bore  44  of the barrel  45  and the full length of its chamber, thus preventing the loading of a live round of ammunition in the firearm  40 . 
     Responding to clockwise rotation of key structure  4010  and key  4010   a , the cam  4012  migrates proximally  11  and urges all arms  4015  radially to the point where the firearm&#39;s muzzle or the muzzle device  46  located on the muzzle enters through an opening  4000 , into the cavity  4000   a , on a proximal end of lock housing receptacle  4021   b  where it is sheltered and superimposes over the device&#39;s shaft  4110 , wand  4110   a  and conically shaped bushing  4013   a . One or more marks, rings or circumferential grooves  4021   d  on the external surface of the lock housing configuration  4021  indicates to the user where to line up the firearm&#39;s muzzle and/or muzzle device against components within the lock housing configuration  4021  for activation to occur. 
     When the key structure  4010  or key  4010   a  is rotated in a counterclockwise manner, the cam  4012  migrates in a distal  12  direction, the arms  4015  are pivotally and inwardly urged by dorsal arm support springs  4015   a  thereon. On the ventral surface  4015   b  of each arm  4015  and/or at its terminus  4015   c , is a very hard, reinforced and cushioned tab  4018  with dimensions that conform closely to the above-mentioned one or more grooves  48  on the muzzle device  46 . These tabs  4018  firmly contact and grasp inner and lateral surfaces of grooves  48  of the muzzle device  46 , thereby securing the firearm  40  and completing the activation or locking function of the device  4030 . Similarly, the arms  4015  and tabs  4018  may be modified such that they grasp indentations and/or serrations on distal surfaces of the firearm&#39;s slides (common to pistols). Alternatively or in addition, the arms  4015  and tabs  4018  may be modified to receive and grasp blade-like front sights that are common to most firearms, including pistols, revolvers and many rifles as well as the bead-like front sights common to shotguns. 
     Likewise, deactivation of the device  4030  takes place when one rotates the key structure  4010  or key  4010   a  in a clockwise direction, which causes the cam  4012  to migrate proximally, urging all arms  4015  radially to the point where the tabs  4018  thereon release their grasp within the grooves upon the muzzle device  48  or the indentations and/or serrations on distal surfaces of the firearm. At this point, the firearm&#39;s muzzle device or muzzle may be withdrawn through the device opening  4000  completing the deactivation or unlocking function of the device  4030 . 
     In the present invention, actuation takes place in the distal region  12  of the firearm  40 , in the distal region  12  of the device  4030 , within the cavity  4000   a  on the proximal  11  end of the lock housing configuration  4021  securing against external surfaces of the firearm&#39;s muzzle device  46 , serrations, cuts and/or indentations on the slide and/or on front sights and/or the muzzle vicinity. Securing the firearm is accomplished by the “passive” occupation of the full length of the bore  44  and chamber with shaft  4110  and/or wand  4110   a  components; thus, the new activating means referenced above. 
     The device  4030  includes a self-protective cage-like structure established by key disk  4022  and support disk  4022   a , as well as lock housing rods or pins  4025  and bushing  4100 . Singular or multiple internal support disk  4085  reside within interior  4100   c  of the bushing  4100 , within the lock housing configuration  4021 , at strategic locations and provide internal lateral support against attempted compromise by crushing. These components are made of durable, very hard, high quality and non-corrodible materials, such as a stainless steel. They have the same roles and characteristics as previously described in the original invention. This improved cage-like structure self protects the internal length and breadth of the device  4030 , and the firearm  40 , against tampering and defeat and may be modified to shelter multiple types of firearms  40 , multiple muzzle devices  46  and multiple muzzle configurations. 
     Bushing  4100  enjoys bi-directional rotational freedom of movement. It is larger than the corresponding one of the original safety device and internally protects the entire lock housing configuration  4021 , cavity  4000   a , all of the components within the lock housing configuration  4021  and all, or most of all, of the firearms muzzle device  46 . This component bolsters the above cage-like structure and serves as a self-protective and anti-tampering element. The bushing  4100  may be a unitary structure or it may be a combination of bushing components such as subcomponent  4100   a  and subcomponent  4100   b.    
     In contrast to the configuration of the original invention, in the present invention represented by device  4030 , a new lock housing configuration  4021  comprising base component  4021   a  and receptacle component  4021   b  is much longer, and that are joined together, such as by welding, at a weld point  4021   c , during the assembly process. These components are manufactured of a very hard, high quality and corrosion resistant material, such as a stainless steel. The exterior surfaces of the lock housing configuration  4021  may be finished and/or knurled to obscure any weld point if desired. 
     The opening  4000  and cavity  4000   a  at the proximal end  11  of the lock housing receptacle  4021   b  accepts and shelters all, or most all, of the length of the muzzle device  46  and a distal section of the firearm&#39;s barrel  45  that is proximal to the muzzle device  46  and in a random fashion except for model-specific firearm safety devices. Presently, the lock housing configuration  4021  and its proximally positioned orifice  4000  may be modified to shelter multiple firearm types including generic or specific models of firearms. The configuration of the ‘shelter’ may take two forms: first, a “generic” form that will accept any firearm having outside muzzle vicinity dimensions are less than the internal dimensions of the cavity opening  4000 ; and second, a “model specific” form that conforms to and will accept a specific model of firearm. The cross sectional shape of the device  4030  that serves firearms, with components that have a circular cross section, may be round. The cross sectional shape of the device  4030  that serves firearms, with components that have a square and or rectangular cross section at the muzzle vicinity, may be square or rectangular as is found in the original embodiment. Within both generic and model specific scenarios, barrel lengths are assumed to be equal or nearly equal. 
     All of the internal components within the lock housing  4021  configuration, in the improved design of the present invention are accessible while the device is disengaged and removed. Some of these components are accessible by the removal of a snap ring  4014  fastening means. The snap ring  4014 , which is replaceable, serves to retain the above and distally  12  located notched disk  4013  and conically shaped bushing  4013   a  in place, against an internal circumferential tab  4100   d  within the bushing configuration  4100 . Snap rings may also fasten the above additional support disk  4085  in place. Snap rings engage within an interior channel, cut within the bushing interior  4100   c  or between components comprising the bushing  4100   a  and  4100   b . Optional fastening means are press fitted clamps upon counterbore screws  4023  as well as the counterbore screws  4023  by themselves. Multiple counterbore screws  4023  fasten the arms foundation  4075 , support disk  4085 , pyric disk  4080  and lock foundation  4090  to the interior face of the lock housing base  4021   a . These stainless steel counterbore screws  4023  may be accompanied with small, superimposed (over their shaft) and bi-directionally rotating bushings, serving as an anti-tamper means. Added benefits to this configuration is that a miscreant, who gains possession of a gun with this device installed, has no obvious place to begin in their quest to defeat it. 
     The lock housing configuration  4021  of the device  4030  of the present invention has been modified to include a lanyard retainer, which may be a press fitted U-shaped component  4021   e  (as shown), a cave-like structure machined into the lock housing configuration  4021  or by other means. 
     Lock foundation  4090  in conjunction with the above mentioned counterbore screws  4023  prevents rotation of the lock mechanism  4020  within the lock housing configuration  4021 . This lock foundation component  4090  component is a collar, that circumferentially conforms to the inside diameter of the lock housing base  4021   a  and internally conforms to the physical characteristics of the lock mechanism  4020 . It is superimposed around the lock mechanism  4020  and is fastened in place by an above fastening means. 
     The device  4030  includes the cam  4012 , which may be a shaped cam, wherein the shape may be that of a pyramid atop a box but not limited thereto. When the lock mechanism  4020  is actuated in a clockwise manner, the cam  4012  is pushed in a proximal  11  direction, urging the arms  4015 , pivotably and radially outward. Screw axial threading  4020   a  is found on the proximal  11  terminus of the lock mechanism  4020  and within a distal  12  interior  4012   b  and almost the full length of the cam  4012 . The cam  4012  is not rotatable, in that faces  4012   a  thereon, located proximally  11  are in direct contact with distal  12  and ventral  4015   b  surfaces on the arms  4015 , which are urged radially and inwardly by the arm support springs  4015   a  thereon. With respect to the original device, the cam  4012  is not constrained by material cross sectional requirements, is less vulnerable to tampering and defeat, is expected to be much less expensive to manufacture and may be modified to conform to the type of firearm configuration, characteristics of the muzzle device and/or the muzzle in the vicinity thereof. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , four of the arms  4015  are shown on arms foundation  4075 ; however, more may be used including, for example, six or nine or more of them. The device  4030  may possess more or fewer such arms  4015 , with their number and sizes selected as a function of the outside diameter of the muzzle device  46  or muzzle, length of the firearm&#39;s muzzle device  46 , the type and configuration of the firearm, and its muzzle vicinity’ physical characteristics. These arms  4015  possess distally located tabs  4015   d  that are distally anchored in the arms foundation  4075  and whose arms  4015  extend proximally  11  toward the cavity  4000   a  that shelters the firearms muzzle. 
     The device  4030  includes the plurality of tabs  4018  that, when the device  4030  is actuated, migrate inwardly to occupy and grasp grooves  48 , indentations and/or cut outs on the firearm&#39;s muzzle and/or muzzle device  46 . The tabs  4018  may be either or both fixed (as shown) on the arms  4015  and movable, replaceable and adjustable on the arms  4015 . This enables configurations of the device  4030  to conform to and secure both individual and multiple firearm muzzle devices  46 . The tabs and/or the arms  4015  may be manufactured to identically conform to the physical characteristics of the muzzle device  46 , indentations, including cuts and serrations, on the muzzle of the firearm slide and blade-like or bead-like front sights. These tabs may be magnetized to hasten and bolster their employment. 
     The device  4030  includes bi-directionally rotating shaft  4110  that extends from within the cam  4012  proximally into the barrel of the firearm  40 , cooperating with the conically shaped bushing  4013   a , centering and stabilizing the firearm  40  within the device cavity  4000   a . Materials employed in making the shaft  4110  are selected to be soft enough not to damage the internal surfaces of the barrel of the firearm  40  when actuated and otherwise when in contact with those surfaces. Threading  4110   b  at the proximal end  11  of the shaft  4110  accepts mutually threaded softer rods or wands  4110   a . In firearms, with short barrel lengths, the bidirectionally rotating shaft  4110  may serve in lieu of the wand  4110   a.    
     The device  4030  includes the semi-flexible wand  4110   a  component that is configured for bi-directional rotational freedom of movement. It serves to fully occupy the firearm&#39;s chamber as an anti-tamper means and is arranged for fastening at the proximal end  11  of the shaft  4110  thereby occupying the remainder of the barrel  45  and all of the chamber of the firearm  40 . Many models of this type of firearm have different optional barrel lengths. One or more wands  4110   a , which are attachable to the shaft  4110  and replaceable, may be cut to the total length of the barrel and chamber or wands  4110   a  may be telescoping, in which its most proximal section is urged proximally, into the chamber  11 , by internal coil springs. The telescoping nature of this embodiment of the wand  4110   a  allows a single wand to accommodate multiple barrel lengths. Materials employed in the manufacture of the wands  4110   a  are selected to be soft enough to not damage the internal surfaces of the firearm barrel and chamber and may be a hard rubber or plastic. Wand flexibility enables faster insertion and removal of the device  4030  to and from the firearm  40 . 
     The device  4030  further includes the protective notched disk  4013  that is arranged to protect the proximal end  11  of the cam  4012  and external distal  12  surfaces of the muzzle device  46  and is made of a material or materials that are soft enough to not abrade or damage these surfaces. The outside diameter of the notched disk  4013  also serves to provide internal and lateral support to the device  4030  bushing configuration  4100  and also serves as a backstop for the conically shaped bushing  4013   a . The circular notches on the circumference of this disk supports, aligns and guides the arms  4015  within the device  4030 . The current configuration of arm  4015  alignment is radially outward. Another configuration which may be employed is radially inward by disks with internal circular notches corresponding to the arms that are cut within the inside diameter of a support disk  4085  or snap ring  4014 . The notched disk  4013  may be expanded, modified, bolstered or merged with the conically shaped bushing  4013   a  to engage, support and protect a firearm&#39;s barrel, crown and muzzle vicinity. 
     The conically shaped bushing  4013   a  is superimposed over the device&#39;s bidirectionally rotating shaft  4110  and serves to occupy a cavity  47  within the distal region  12  of the muzzle device  46 . Together, with the notched disk  4013 , they center and stabilize the firearm within the device&#39;s cavity  4000   a  during activation, by eliminating looseness. This component consists of a material that will not abrade or damage the muzzle device&#39;s interior  47 . 
     A smooth, hard plastic-like material covers the ventral surfaces  4015   b  of the arms  4015 , the tabs  4018  on each arm  4015 , the internal surface of the opening  4000  into the cavity  4000   a  and, optionally, within an internal lengths  4100   a  and  4100   b  of the bushing configuration  4100 . These ventral surface cushions are hard, smooth, low friction and plastic-like; protecting external surfaces of the firearm&#39;s muzzle device, muzzle and front sight against abrasion, damage and facilitating both insertion and withdrawal of the firearm. These hard covers may be painted and baked on and/or heat-shrink applied. They provide component protection and also serve to reduce friction when inserting or removing the firearm from the device  4030 . 
     The key structure  4010  may be a standard key  4010   a  (as shown), designed to be removed to allow the device  4030  to be maintained in a locked or unlocked position without the insertion of a key. Alternatively, the key structure  4010  may be a safety type (as shown), designed to be kept in place within the lock housing configuration  4021  so that the user of the invention may maintain the device  4030  in a locked position, while also being able to quickly unlock the device  4030  without reinsertion of the key  4010   a . The surface of the key structure  4010  may be finished, knurled or otherwise modified to enhance one&#39;s grasp and handle-ability. 
     An additional element in accordance with this invention is a pyric disk  4080 . The pyric disk  4080  is located in the vicinity of the lock mechanism  4020 , cam  4012 , arms foundation  4075 , and the distal termini of the arms  4015 . The location of the pyric disk  4080  is strategically chosen to be near the threaded  4020   a  proximal  11  end of the lock mechanism  4020  and its union with the cam  4012 . The pyric disk  4080  is manufactured of a solder-like material that will melt when exposed to extreme heat as well as friction-related heat generated by cutting with a saw, drilling and grinding. The solder-like material should be a metal that has a melting point at least as high as the temperature commonly attained by blow-torches. The effect is to cause the cam  4012 , arms foundation  4075  and the distal  12  termini of the arms  4015  to be seized in place. Gaps within the arms foundation  4075 , support disk  4085 , lock foundation  4090  and the cavity within the lock housing  4000   a  enables molten material of the melted pyric disk  4080  to migrate throughout the invention. This design, which allows molten material to migrate into the firearm, may be utilized to further dissuade unauthorized users from tampering with a firearm utilizing such an alternative design of the instant invention. It should be clear that such an alternative design is well within the scope of the present invention. Thus, pyric disk  4080  is designed as a mechanism to protect against tampering via devices such as an acetylene torch. 
     Although the present invention has been described with respect to this specific embodiment, it is to be understood that it is not limited thereto and all equivalents are considered covered by the following claims.