Patent Publication Number: US-6212813-B1

Title: Quick-release gun lock

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/960,704 filed Oct. 30, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,344. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to tamper-proof locks for firearms and, more specifically, to a Quick-release Gun Lock. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Guns and other firearms have been in use by society for protection and recreation for centuries. In recent years, with escalating crime levels, and particularly in attacks at the home, people have contemplated arming themselves. To have a weapon in the home can provide a feeling of security for many people. Historically, there have been two problems with keeping a firearm in the home: (1) preventing children from getting injured while playing with a loaded gun, and (2) preventing an intruder from getting to the weapon first and using it against the victims. As a result, even if a person does keep a gun in the home, it is usually not loaded. An unloaded gun can actually be more dangerous than a loaded one, since it can usually only be a deadly bluff to the future invader. What is needed is a device that permits a gun to be loaded and ready for use, while still preventing injury to children, as well as keeping an intruder from using the gun against the victims. 
     Semi-automatic weapons have become particularly popular for self-defense purposes because they can fire quicker and they hold more rounds than a revolver. While other prior devices have attempted to solve the gun safety problem for revolvers or rifles, none has been effective for semi-automatic weapons. FIGS. 1 through 5 will introduce the reader to the problems with locking semi-automatic pistols. 
     FIG. 1 depicts a conventional semi-automatic pistol  10 . The pistol  10  comprises two major structures: the handle portion  12  and the slide  14 . The slide  14  is permitted to slide along the handle portion  12  during the operation of the pistol  10 . 
     FIG. 2 depicts the pistol  10  with the slide  14  in the recoil position, such as is the case when the slide  14  recoils immediately after a shot is fired. As can be seen, the slide  14  has traveled towards the left with respect to the handle portion  12 . The barrel  16  is exposed in this position, and the spent shell exit  18  is open to the chamber (see FIG.  3 ). If a shot had just been fired, the spent shell casing would have been drawn out of the chamber by the extractor (see FIG.  3 ), which is attached to the slide  14 . The extractor (see FIG. 3) also ejects the spent shell casing out of the chamber through the spent shell exit  18 . 
     FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway side view of the typical semi-automatic pistol  10 , depicting some of the inner workings as pertinent to the present invention. The slide  14  is in the recoil position in this view to depict what happens immediately after the spent shell casing has been ejected. The position shown could also be the result of manually cocking the pistol by grasping the slide  14  with the hand and pushing it to the left with respect to the handle portion  12 . 
     When the slide  14  is cocked, a round  20  is dispensed by the magazine  22  into the vicinity of the chamber  24 . The chamber  24  is the end of the barrel  16  from where rounds  20  are fired. The chamber  24  may be of larger diameter than the center of the barrel  16  (i.e. the bore  26 ), or the bore  26  may be the same diameter from the tip of the barrel  16  to the chamber  24 . 
     FIG. 4 depicts the pistol  10  once the slide  14  has returned to the uncocked or ready position. When the slide  14  travels forwardly, it forces the round  20  into the chamber  24 ; the mechanism that accomplishes this is not pertinent to this discussion, and is therefore not shown. If one can imagine that the bullet has been fired out through the bore  26 , and that now the round  20  is actually a spent shell casing, we can proceed to understanding the functioning of the pistol  10 . 
     While a round is in the chamber  24 , it is engaged by the extractor  28 . As described above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2, when a shot is fired, the slide  14  would recoil by traveling to the left. Since the extractor  28  is attached to, and travels with, the slide  14 , when the slide  14  recoils, the extractor  28  will remove the spent shell casing (imagine as the round  20 ) by pulling it backward and out of the chamber  24 . Once free from the chamber  24 , the spent shell casing (imagine as the round  20 ) will be aligned with the spent casing exit (see FIG.  1 ), through which it is ejected through, also by the extractor  28 . 
     FIG. 5 further shows how the extraction process operates. FIG. 5 is a partial cutaway top view of the pertinent components of the pistol. As can be seen, the extractor  28  is a spring-loaded “finger” that grabs onto the groove  30  that is located at the bottom of the spent shell casing (imagine as the round  20 ). 
     Rockwood, U.S. Pat. No. 3,382,596, discloses a “Safety Plug for Firearm Chamber” that is, essentially, a two-piece unit that fits into the chamber and thereafter prevents a round from being loaded. There are at least three problems with the Rockwood device as it applies to semi-automatic pistols. First, the device would be easily removed from the pistol by an intruder or child, by simply jamming a stick into the barrel and poking the device out through the spent casing exit. Second, the device cannot be hidden from the potential intruder in order to prevent its removal. All that the intruder has to do is to cock the slide and look into the spent shell exit to see the device and therefore determine how to remove it. Third, there is no quick way to remove the two-piece Rockwood device. If the device is inserted with an interference fit, as described (see Column 3, line 3), it must be jammed out by a stick inserted into the barrel—this process could take more time than is available in an emergency situation. What is needed is a locking device for semi-automatic and automatic pistols that is disguised while in use to prevent unauthorized users from removing it. The device should also be extremely quick and easy to remove in case of emergency. 
     Another device, the “Safety Device for Firearms” disclosed in S. Pula et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,836,918, is unworkable for the semi-automatic or automatic weapon. The Pula device has at least three problems with its design. First, the design is extremely complicated, and therefore not cost-effective. In order for this device to gain wide-spread popularity, and therefore use and protection, it must be reliable but also fairly inexpensive. The Pula device is cost-prohibitive as designed. Second, the Pula device, like the Rockwood device, is difficult and slow to remove. Presumably, (although the removal process is not disclosed by Pula) the device is removed by unscrewing the plug  18 , by engaging the tool  23  with either the front or rear kerf  20  and  21 , respectively. The device is then poked or shaken out of the chamber. Again, the time to execute these steps may not be available. Third, the Pula device must be made from metal in order to provide the necessary durability to the expanded segments  17 . The insertion of a metal device into the chamber that is then pressed outwardly into the bore walls, may actually mar the surface of the chamber and damage the gun. What is needed is a low-cost, reliable, quickly-removable gun lock that will not damage the inner workings of the gun. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Quick-release Gun Lock. It is a further object that the gun lock the chambering and firing actions of automatic weapons, while still permitting the triggering action to work. It is a still further object that the locking device be easily installed through the gun&#39;s spent shell exit, and that it be quickly released via a tool inserted into the bore, and ejected via the spent shell exit. It is a still further object that the device be concealed from view to prevent tampering. It is yet another object that the device be manufactured from low-cost designs and materials and that the device not cause damage to the inner workings of the weapon. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a typical semi-automatic pistol 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the pistol of FIG. 1, with the slide in the recoiled position; 
     FIG. 3 is a cutaway side view of the pistol of FIG. 2, with the slide in the recoiled position; 
     FIG. 4 is a cutaway side view the pistol of FIG. 1, with the slide in the extended position; 
     FIG. 5 is a cutaway top view of the barrel of the pistol of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway top view of the barrel of FIG. 5, depicting a preferred locking device of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 6; 
     FIGS. 8A and 8B are a pair of cutaway side views of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 6 and 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another preferred expandable portion; 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a cutaway side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 9, depicted in an uncompressed state; 
     FIG. 12 is a cutaway side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 9 and 10, depicted in a compressed state; 
     FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 14A and 14B are a pair of top views of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 13, depicting the relaxed ( 14 A) and locked or compressed ( 14 B) positions; 
     FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a Quick-release Gun Lock. 
     The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of FIG.  6 . FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway top view of a preferred locking device  32  of the present invention when installed in a typical chamber  24  of a semi-automatic or automatic weapon. As can be seen, the locking device  32  is expanded against the walls of the bore  26 , like the Pula device, but the present invention has another benefit. There is a groove  34  that is formed in the locking device  32  that is very similar to the groove  30  found on a conventional round  20  (see FIGS.  1 - 5 ). If one returns to FIG. 4, it can be appreciated that if the round  20  was “stuck” in the chamber and prevented from being removed, the extractor  28  could not pull the round  20  out of the chamber  24 , and the slide  14  (which is attached to the extractor  28 ) could not be cocked or recoiled. Since the slide  14  could not be cocked, it would be impossible to look through the spent shell exit (see FIGS. 1 and 2) to determine what was preventing the slide (see FIGS. 1 and 2) from moving. Since the device  32  could not be viewed, it is very likely that an unauthorized user would not be able to determine how to load the gun or be able to remove the locking device  32 . This is a significant benefit over the prior devices. 
     Another critical advantage must be appreciated. In order to remove the locking device  32 , one need only release the force pressing against the walls of the chamber  24 , and then cock the slide. When the slide is cocked now, the extractor  28  will pull the locking device  32  out of the chamber  24  via the groove  34 , and the locking device  32  will be ejected through the spent casing exit (see FIG.  2 ), just like a spent casing. As this is done, a new round will be loaded into the chamber  24  when the slide is released. This process is extremely quick, with no wasted movement. 
     FIG. 7 gives further detail of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the preferred locking device  32  of FIG.  6 . This preferred embodiment comprises a base  36 , preferably of brass or aluminum or other material that is strong, yet will not damage the gun by its use. The groove  34  is cut in the base  36 , much the same as in a round of ammunition. Attached to the base  36  is an expandable portion  38 , made preferably of rubber or other pliable material that will deform under pressure, and then return to its original configuration once the pressure is released. At the end of the expandable portion  38  is a compression disc  40  and a socket  42 . The operation of the device  32  is best understood by now considering FIG.  8 . 
     FIGS. 8A and 8B is a pair of partial cutaway side views of the locking device of FIG.  7 . View “A” depicts the device in a relaxed or unexpanded condition, such as prior to locking the gun. View “B” depicts the device in an expanded condition, such as when the device is installed and locked inside the chamber of a gun (see FIG.  6 ). 
     The socket  42  is the tip of the compression shaft  44 . The compression shaft  44  runs through a bore in the center of the expandable portion  38  and terminates in a threaded portion  46 . The threaded portion  46  engages the threaded tube  48  that is formed within the base  36 . As can be seen, therefore, one need merely to turn the socket  42 , which will turn the compression shaft  44 , thereby causing the threaded portion  46  to bore into the threaded tube  48 , and causing the expandable portion  38  to be compressed by the compression disc  40 . When compressed, the expandable portion  38  is configured to expand outwardly (such as into the walls of a firing chamber). When the compressing forces are removed, the expandable portion  38  will return to its original configuration, permitting the device to be removed quickly by simply cocking the slide. 
     The compression disc  49  may be made from conventional rigid materials, such as in a washer. The socket  42  could be keyed to accept only the owner&#39;s tool (inserted down the barrel of the weapon) to engage and disengage the device. The expandable portion  38  of this embodiment is preferably made from rubber or other material which will expand laterally when its ends are compressed, and then return to its original configuration once the compressive forces are removed. It must be appreciated that an expandable portion  38  made from rubber is a novel solution, since it is easy to machine to the proper dimensions to fit into the chamber (i.e. no tight manufacturing tolerances). The rubber also expands greatly under little or no compression, which means that a tight interference fit can be created by barely turning the compression shaft  44 . 
     FIG. 9 depicts an alternative expandable portion  39 . As can be seen, this expandable portion  39  comprises a pair of ends  50  which are connected to each other by a plurality of fins  52 . When the ends  50  are pressed towards one another, the fins  52  will be forced outwardly, just as with the aforementioned embodiment of the expandable portion  38 . This expandable portion  39  might be preferred for some circumstances, however, will most likely result in higher manufacturing costs than the expandable portion  38 . 
     Now turning to FIG. 10, one might understand yet another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred locking device  33 . The device  33  comprises a base  37  that includes a groove  35  which is engageable to the extractor (see FIGS.  3 - 6 ). Also shown in this embodiment is a disc  57 , preferably of plastic or other malleable material, inserted into the end of the base  37 . The plastic disc  57  will permit the user to “dry-fire” the weapon once the locking device is installed without causing damage to the firing pin (not shown). Within the base  37  is a cam hub  54  that includes a shallow notch  56  and a deep notch  58 . The cam hub  54  is attached to the base  37  to prevent rotational or lateral motion. 
     As with the previous embodiment of the present invention, there is an expandable portion  38  and a compression disc  40 . The compression shaft  45  of the present embodiment has some differences. While it terminates in a conventional socket  42  at one end, it terminates in a follower member  60  at the other end. The follower member is configured to engage the shallow and deep notches  56  and  58 , respectively, when the compression shaft is pressed axially and turned. As should be appreciated, only a ½ turn of the compression shaft  45  will result in engagement or disengagement of the compressive forces. At the end of the compression shaft  45 , there may be a snap-washer  61  or the like to center and retain the compression shaft  45  within the apparatus. The snap-washer  61  or the like attaches to the compression shaft  45  by snapping into groove  59 . 
     FIGS. 11 and 12 depict the two operating configurations of this alternative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a cutaway side view showing the locking device  33  in an uncompressed state. As can be seen, the compression shaft  45  has been rotated such that the follower member  60  has fallen into the deep notch (see FIG. 10) of the cam hub  54 . In this position, no compressive force is exerted on the compression disc  40  and therefore none is exerted on the expandable portion  38 . 
     FIG. 12 is a cutaway side view showing the locking device  33  in a compressed state. As can be seen, the compression shaft  45  has now been rotated such that the follower member  60  sits in the shallow notch (see FIG.  10 ). The user had to press down axially on the socket  42  before turning, and then turned the socket 42¼ of a turn and released the pressure. With the follower member  60  in the shallow notch, there is compressive force exerted on the compression disc  40  and expandable portion  38 , causing the expandable portion  38  to expand. The user need only to press axially on the socket  42  and turn ¼ of a turn again to release the locking device. This is a significant benefit over the prior devices. 
     Other configurations and numbers of these notches is conceived but not listed here for the sake of brevity. It should be appreciated that the function of the cam hub  54  is to interact with the compression shaft  45  to provide positive stops to compress and release the expandable portion  38 . 
     FIGS. 13 and 14 depict yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of this alternative embodiment. As with the embodiment of FIGS. 6-9, this embodiment includes a base  36 , an expandable portion  38 , and a compression shaft  44 . What is unique here is the inclusion of the plastic cap  57 , as well as the configuration of the compression shaft  44  and socket  42 . As can be seen, the centerline B—B of the base  36 , expandable portion  38  and compression shaft  44  is not the same as the centerline C—C of the socket  42  and threaded portion  46 . When the socket  42  is turned, therefore, the compression shaft  44  will actually rotate away from centerline B—B, thereby forcing the expandable portion  38  outward. Furthermore, while not shown in these figures for the sake of brevity, it should be appreciated that it might be desirable to include a ratcheting or other means for retaining the compression shaft  44  in one place after it has been rotated. This means may be a variety of forms, including ribbed washers, notches in the base  36 , or other features that would hold the compression shaft  44  from rotating, including a “stop” at the end of travel back towards the relaxed position (see FIG.  14 A). FIGS. 14A and 14B clearly depict this novel relationship. 
     FIGS. 14A and 14B are a pair of top views of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 13, depicting the locking device in relaxed ( 14 A) and locked or compressed ( 14 B) positions. As can be seen in FIG. 14B, rotating the socket  42  causes the compression shaft  44  to rotate away from center, and thereby presses the expandable portion  38  outwardly (and into the bore walls). 
     FIGS. 15 and 16 are perspective views of two further preferred embodiments of the present invention. Both improved embodiments incorporate a design that self-centers the expandable portions  38  along the center axis “C” of the lock. In each of these embodiments, the self-centering aspect is achieved by cooperating beveled features in adjoining elements. 
     In particular, the improved base  36  comprises a cone-shaped end  31 . Adjacent to it in the assembled lock is a first expandable portion  38   a,  which is defined by a cone-shaped depression  39   a,  configured to accept the cone-shaped portion  31  therein. 
     Similarly, the alternative compression disc  41  (also known as the compression member  41 ) comprises a cone-shaped end  43 . Adjacent to the compression disc  41  in the assembled lock is a second expandable portion  38   b,  which like the first, is defined by a cone-shaped depression  39   b,  configured to accept the cone-shaped portion  43  therein. The two expandable portions  38   a  and  38   b  combine to form an “expandable section”. In this improved design, the expandable section will be expanded by turning the socket  42  to cause the compression shaft  44  to compress the alternative compression disc  41  into the expandable section. 
     Similar to the device of FIG. 15, the device of FIG. 16 comprises many of the same parts. The exception is the compression member  47 , which is an elongated rod-like member having a cone-shaped end  43  to cooperate with the expandable portion  38   a.  The purpose of the elongated compression member  47  is to permit the lock to prevent a revolver from firing. It accomplishes this by insertion of the lock down the barrel of the revolver and into the chamber. The elongate compression member  47  will then extend into the barrel of the firearm. Once locked into place (by compressing the expandable portion(s) until they reach the walls of the chamber), the pistol&#39;s revolving chamber will be prevented from turning (by the lock), and there the user will be preventing from aligning a round up with the barrel and firing mechanisms. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.