Patent Publication Number: US-7216449-B2

Title: Safety device for firearms

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/927,063 filed Aug. 9, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,718,678 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference and which is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 09/499,539 filed Feb. 7, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,332 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a safety device for firearms and more specifically a firearm safety device adapted to be secured to a firearm for preventing access to and actuation of the trigger. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a known firearm is shown generally at  10 . The firearm includes a trigger  12  having a front portion  14  which is actuated or pulled to discharge the firearm  10 . A trigger guard  16  extends from the firearm  10  and around the trigger  12  to help prevent unintended actuation of the trigger  12 . The trigger guard includes an inside surface  16   a , an outside surface  16   b , and opposing side surfaces (one of which is shown as  16   c ). Many firearms have a trigger  12  with a back portion  18  disposed within the trigger guard  16  thereby defining a space  20  behind the trigger  12 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , a second embodiment of a known firearm is shown generally at  22  having a trigger guard  16 . The firearm  22  also includes a trigger  24  having a front portion  26 . However, the trigger  24  does not include a back portion disposed within the trigger guard  16  and is therefore referred to as a “solid” trigger. The solid trigger  24  does not have a space defined behind the trigger, although some solid triggers  24  may be perforated by a plurality of holes (not shown) formed through the trigger  24 . 
   Unintended actuation of the trigger  12 ,  24  by a person handling the firearm  10 ,  22 , and/or unauthorized use by a person, such as a child, present common safety concerns. Firearm safety devices have been developed in an attempt to remedy these concerns. Most known firearm safety devices are attached to the firearm  10 ,  22  typically to the trigger guard  16  and attempt to block access to or actuation of the trigger  12 ,  24 . 
   However, for a variety of reasons typical known firearm safety devices do not meet the needs of firearm owners. Many are not adjustable enough to be used on a wide variety of firearms. Many known firearm safety devices can be removed too easily by a person not authorized to use the firearm, while others cannot be removed quickly enough by those who are. Further, many firearm safety devices, even when secured to the firearm, do not adequately prevent discharging the firearm. 
   Accordingly, it has been considered desirable to develop a new and improved firearm safety device which would overcome the foregoing difficulties and meet the above-stated needs while providing better and more advantageous results. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a firearm safety device for use in combination with a firearm having a trigger and trigger guard. The firearm safety device includes a first and second assemblies adapted to be secured to the firearm on opposite sides of the trigger guard to prevent access to and actuation of the trigger. One or more lock posts in one of the assemblies engages one or more pawls in the other assembly to secure the firearm safety device to the firearm. 
   The firearm safety device further includes a moveable clamp assembly. One embodiment includes a slide member having first and second posts disposed in a spaced apart relationship for receiving a portion of the trigger guard therebetween. A fastener is used to secure the slide member to the first or second assembly in a position to accommodate the trigger guard thereby preventing further sliding movement. The slide member may optionally include a plurality of apertures for receiving the second post thereby providing further adjustability. The moveable clamp assembly can include a cam having an eccentric outer surface connected to the first post to further increase the adjustability for different sized trigger guards, thereby accommodating many different firearms. 
   A plurality of apertures are formed in the first and second assemblies for receiving pins. One embodiment of the firearm safety device includes pins having a first end received in the first assembly apertures and a second end received in the second assembly apertures. One or more pins extend between the first and second assemblies in this manner. Another embodiment includes trigger guards having pins received in the apertures. The plurality of apertures allow the trigger guards to be positioned such that they are disposed adjacent the trigger for blocking access to and preventing actuation of a solid trigger. 
   A lip is disposed on portions of the periphery of one of the first or second assemblies for overlapping with the other of the first and second assemblies such that most of the periphery of the assemblies overlap when secured to the firearm except where the firearm is disposed adjacent thereto. The overlap prevents prying the assemblies apart when mounted to the firearm. 
   A third embodiment of the firearm safety device includes an electronic keypad and an electric motor for locking and unlocking the first and second assembly. An alarm is included which sounds when the firearm is moved or upon the conclusion of a countdown initiated by an attempt to unlock the device. The alarm preferably sounds continuously during a first time period, is silent during a second time period and then sounds during a third time period which is shorter than the first time period. The second and third time periods are repeated so that the alarm sounds intermittently after sounding during the first time period. 
   The firearm safety device can include a keypad having a single row of keys for quickly unlocking the device. Finger positioning guides can be used to provide tactile references for guiding the fingers into contact with the keys assisting the removal of the device without visual cues. 
   Still other benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may take form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a known firearm; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of a known firearm having a solid trigger; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a firearm safety device in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of a first assembly attached to the fire arm in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the second assembly being secured to the firearm in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the firearm safety device in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of a first assembly of the alternate embodiment attached to the fire arm in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the firearm safety device secured to a firearm in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the firearm safety device secured to a firearm in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a sectional top view of the firearm safety device in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a sectional top view of the firearm safety device in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 12  is a side view of a first assembly of a second alternate embodiment of the firearm safety device in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 13  is a side view of the cam and posts in accordance with the second alternate embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 14  is a side view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 12  attached to the firearm in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the second alternate embodiment showing the second assembly being attached to the firearm in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 16  is an exploded view of the first assembly of a third alternate embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the third alternate embodiment secured to the firearm and illustrating the keypad in accordance with the invention; and 
       FIG. 18  is a sectional view of the firearm safety device shown in  FIG. 17  illustrating the overlapping lip in accordance with the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   It is to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting. It should be appreciated that the invention can be used for any suitable firearm  10 ,  22  having a trigger  12 ,  24  and trigger guard  16  including, but not limited to, pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, carbines, etc. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3–5 , a firearm safety device in accordance with the invention is shown generally at  30 . The firearm safety device  30  includes a first assembly  32  and second assembly  34  adapted to be secured together adjacent opposite sides of the firearm trigger guard  16  as shall be described in further detail below. The first assembly  32  includes a housing  36  having a pair of toothed members, or lock posts  38  extending therefrom in a space apart relationship. The lock posts  38  each include teeth  40  formed thereon. The housing  36  includes a lip  37  to be described in further detail below. 
   The first assembly  32  further includes a first portion  42  having a plurality of apertures  44  formed therein. The first portion  42  includes an abutment surface  46  for abutting the firearm when the safety device  30  is secured to the firearm  10 ,  22 . The abutment surface  46  is preferably formed of a compliant material, such as rubber or any other suitable compliant material for preventing nicks, scratches or any other damage to the firearm  10 ,  22 . The first portion  42  is attached to the housing  36  with fasteners  48  or in any other suitable known manner, although alternatively, it may be formed integrally with the housing  36 . The first portion  42  also includes a slot  50  formed in the abutment surface  46 . 
   The first assembly  32  further includes a moveable clamp assembly  51  which can be moved to different locations on the first assembly  32  to accommodate firearms having trigger guards of different sizes and configurations thereby providing a great degree of flexibility. The clamp assembly  51  includes a slide member  52  disposed in the slot  50  for slidable movement relative to the first assembly  32 . The slide member  52  can be retained to the first assembly  32  for slidable movement within the slot  50  by any suitable known manner. By way of an example which should not be considered limiting, the slide member  52  may include a flange  54  which is captured between the first portion  42  and the housing  36  thereby retaining the slide member  52  within the slot  50  and preventing rotation of the slide member relative to the first assembly yet allowing the slidable movement. An optional rigid track member  56  having a slot  57  may also be secured to the housing  36  to capture the slide member flange  54  therebetween. 
   The slide member  52  includes a first post  58  extending therefrom and through the slot  50 , and one or more apertures  60  for receiving a second post  62  which also extends from the slide member  52  through the slot  50 . Alternatively, the second post  62  may be fixed to the slide member rather than being received in the one or more apertures  60 . 
   The first post  58  includes a cam  66  having an eccentric outer surface  68 . The diameter of the cam  66  is preferably larger than the width of the slot  50 . The first post  58  can include a keyed portion  58   a . The cam  66  can include an aperture having a shape which is complementary to the keyed portion  58   a  for receiving the keyed portion  58   a  to prevent rotation of the cam  68  relative to said slide member  52  and the first assembly. 
   A fastener  70  is provided to secure the slide member  52  to the first assembly  32 . The faster may be any suitable known fastener, such as a bolt  70 . The bolt  70  preferably extends through the cam  68  and the first post  58 . The bolt includes a threaded end  70   a  received in the slide member and a head  70   b  for abutting the cam  68 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the second assembly  34  includes a first portion  72  having a plurality of apertures  74  formed therein. A slot  75  is formed in the first portion  72  for receiving the first  58  and second  62  posts extending from the slide member  52  when the first  32  and second  34  assemblies are joined together. The first portion  72  also includes an abutment surface  76  preferably formed of a compliant material similar to the first portion abutment surface  46  described above. 
   The second assembly  34  also includes a housing  78  attached to the first portion  72  with fasteners  48  or in any other suitable known manner. The housing  78  includes a lip  79  which shall be described in further detail below. The housing further includes a pair of apertures  80  for receiving the lock posts  38  as shall be described below. A pair of lock posts such as pawls  81  having teeth  82  are disposed within the housing  78 . A cam  84  is disposed between the pawls  81 . A spring  86  can be disposed between the pawls  81  for biasing the pawls  81  towards each other and the cam  84 . 
   The second assembly  34  further includes a lock  88  having a key aperture  90  for receiving a key (not shown) for locking and unlocking the lock  88  in a known manner. The lock  88  further includes a keyed post  92  extending into the cam  84  which moves the cam  84  when the key is inserted into the key aperture  90  and turned. Therefore, when the first  32  and second  34  assemblies are disposed adjacent the trigger guard  16 , turning the key rotates the post  92  and the cam  84  which moves the pawls  81  between a first and second position. The first position being a locked position in which the teeth  82  of the pawls mesh with the teeth  40  of the lock posts  38  of the first assembly  32  to secure the first  32  and second  34  assemblies together on the firearm  10 . The second position being an unlocked position in which the pawl teeth  82  do not mesh with the teeth of the lock posts  38  so that the first  32  and second  34  assemblies can be separated from each other and the firearm  10 . 
   A washer  94  having an elongated key aperture  96  is disposed over the lock key aperture  90 . The washer  94  is held in place over the key aperture in a known manner, such as by the housing  78 , so that it can rotate. The rotatable washer  94  allows the elongated key aperture  96  to be aligned with the lock key aperture  90  for insertion of the key. Furthermore, the rotatable washer  94  hinders a person from drilling out the lock  88  because it rotates with the turning drill bit. 
   The firearm safety device  30  further includes one or more pins  98  each having a first end  100  adapted to be received in the apertures  44  formed in the first portion  42  of the first assembly  32  and a second end  102  adapted to be received in the apertures  74  formed in the first portion  72  of the second assembly  34  as shall be described below. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  11  the operation of the firearm safety device  30  and the manner of securing it to a firearm  10  having a trigger  12  shall now be described. The first assembly  32  is positioned near the trigger guard  16  so that the abutment surface  46  of the first portion  42  is disposed adjacent to a first side  16   c  of the trigger guard  16 . 
   The clamp assembly  51  is then moved to a position on the first assembly  32  to capture a portion of the trigger guard  16 . The slide member  52  is slid along the slot  50  into a position such that the second post  62  abuts the outside surface of the trigger guard  16 . As described above, the slide member  52  may include a plurality of apertures  60  for receiving the second post  62  to provide greater adjustability for the location of the second post  62  relative to the first post  58 . 
   Next, the cam  66  is placed over the first post  58  so that the outer cam surface  68  is adjacent, and preferably abuts the inside  16   a  of the trigger guard  16  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The cam is pushed down onto the first post  58  so that the trigger guard  16  is received between the first  58  and second  62  posts. The optional keyed fit between the first post  58  and cam  66  prevents the cam  66  from rotating. 
   The slide member  52  is then fixed to the first assembly  32  to prevent further sliding movement of the slide member  52 . This can be accomplished in any known manner using any known fastener. For example, the bolt  70  is inserted through the cam  68  and the threaded end  70   a  is screwed into the slide member  52  and tightened until the head  70   b  presses the cam  66  against the first portion  42  thereby fixing said slide member  52  to said first assembly  34  preventing further sliding movement. 
   Next the first ends  100  of one or more pins  98  are inserted into the apertures  44  in the first portion  42 . The pins  98  are preferably inserted into the space  20  behind the trigger  12 , although the pins  98  may be used in any of the apertures. Additional pins  98  may be inserted in apertures  44  located at other positions as well. 
   The lock  88  is unlocked. The second assembly  34  is then positioned near the trigger guard  16  so that the abutment surface  76  of the first portion  72  is disposed adjacent to a second side of the trigger guard  16 , opposite the first side, and the second ends  102  of the pins  98  are received in the apertures  74  in the first portion  72  of the second assembly  34 . The first  58  and second  62  posts extending from the slide member  52  are received into the second assembly slot  75 . 
   As the second assembly  34  is moved towards the first assembly  32 , as shown by the arrow  104  in  FIG. 5 , the pair of lock posts  38  extending from the first assembly  32  are preferably received in the apertures  80  in the second assembly  34  and positioned adjacent the pawls  81 . Next, the lock  88  is locked with the key moving the pawl teeth  82  into engagement with the lock post teeth  40  thereby securing the first  32  and second  34  assemblies together against opposite sides of the trigger guard  16 . The pair of lock posts  38 , which are received between the pawls  81  and the second assembly housing  78 , prevent the first  32  and second  34  assemblies from being twisted apart providing much more security than a single lock post. 
   Alternatively, the spring  86  and the shape of the teeth  40 ,  82  may allow the second assembly  34  to be secured to the first assembly  32  with the lock  88  locked. When the first  32  and second  34  assemblies are brought together in this condition, the cam  84  is positioned to move the pawls  81  outwards and the pawl teeth  82  into meshing engagement with the lock post teeth  40 . As the first and second assemblies are pushed together, the shape of the teeth  40 ,  82  allow them to ratchet past each other providing a tighter grip formed between the firearm safety device  30  and the trigger guard  16 . The teeth  40 ,  82  are shaped to grip each other tightly when locked together and forces are applied attempting to pull the first  32  and second  34  assemblies apart. 
   The pins  98  which now extend between the locked first  32  and second  34  assemblies, behind the trigger  12 , prevent movement of the firearm safety device relative  30  to the firearm  10 , either relative rotational movement or movement in a forward/backward direction. The pins  98 , being disposed behind the trigger  12 , also help to prevent actuation of the trigger. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  10 , an alternate embodiment of the firearm safety device is shown generally at  130  for use with a firearm  22  having a solid trigger  24  described above. The firearm safety device  130  is similar to the firearm safety device  30  described above, with like components numbered using the same reference numerals, except that a pair of trigger plates  106  are used instead of the pins  98 . 
   The trigger plates  106  include a first surface  108  (shown in  FIG. 10 ) and one or more pins  110  extending from the side opposite the first surface  108 . The pins  110  of one trigger plate  106  are received into the apertures  44  of the first assembly  32  while the pins  110  of the other trigger plate  106  are received into the apertures  74  of the second assembly  34 . The trigger plates  106  are positioned by placing the pins  110  into the proper apertures  44 ,  74  so that the trigger plates  106  are disposed adjacent each side of the solid trigger  24  when the first and second assemblies are connected together. Preferably, the first surfaces  108  abut opposite sides of the trigger  24  when the firearm safety device  130  is secured to the firearm  22 , although alternatively, the first surfaces may be disposed slightly spaced apart from the trigger  24 . 
   The trigger plates  106  each have an edge surface  112  having a shape which is complementary to the shape of the surface of the firearm frame  114  adjacent and just behind the trigger  24  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). When the firearm safety device  130  is secured to the firearm  22 , the trigger plates  106  are positioned so that the edge surfaces  112  abut the complementary shaped surfaces  114  on the frame of the firearm  22 . The fit of the edge surfaces  112  against the complementary shaped frame surfaces  114  prevent movement of the firearm safety device  130  relative to the firearm  22 , including rotational movement. Referring now to  FIGS. 8–10 , the firearm safety device  130  is shown secured to the firearm  22 . As described above, the first assembly housing  36  includes a lip  37  extending therefrom. The lip  37  preferably extends around most of the entire perimeter of the housing  36  except where the first assembly  32  abuts, or is adjacent to the firearm  10 . The periphery of the first  32  and second  34  assemblies overlap each other, except where the trigger guard  16  or firearm  10  is disposed therebetween, when the assemblies are secured together on the firearm  22 . Preferably, the first assembly lip  37  overlaps the second assembly housing  78 . The overlap of the first  32  and second  34  assemblies prevents access to the internal components of the safety device as well as access to the firearm trigger and helps prevent the assemblies from being pried apart. Alternatively, the second assembly  34  may include a lip  79  which overlaps the first assembly  32 , or both assemblies  32 ,  34  may include overlapping lips. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 12–15 , a second alternate embodiment of the firearm safety device is shown generally at  230 . The firearm safety device  230  includes first  232  and second  234  assemblies similar to those described above with similar components having the same reference numerals. In place of the slide member  52 , the first assembly includes a plurality of apertures  244 . 
   The firearm safety device includes a moveable clamp assembly  251  which can be moved to different locations on the first assembly  232 . The clamp assembly  251  includes a cam  266  having an eccentric outer surface  268  similar to the outer surface  68  of the cam  66  described above. A first post  258  extends from the cam  266 . The post  258  preferably includes splines  259  extending lengthwise on the outer surface, and an unsplined tip  260 . The clamp assembly  251  further includes a second post  262  which can also include splines  263  extending lengthwise on the outer surface thereof. 
   The first and second posts are adapted to be received in the plurality of apertures  244 . The plurality of apertures  244  can also include grooves  245  extending lengthwise along the walls of the apertures for cooperating with the post splines  258  and  262  thereby preventing the posts from rotating for the purpose described below. Alternatively, the cam  266   a  includes a hole  280  keyed to a post  262  so that the cam will not rotate after it is placed onto the post in a similar manner as described above. 
   The firearm safety device  230  is secured to the firearm  10  by positioning the first assembly  232  near the trigger guard  16  so that the abutment surface  46  of the first portion  42  is disposed adjacent to a first side  16   c  of the trigger guard  16 . The clamp assembly  251  is then moved to a position on the first assembly  232  and fixed thereto to capture a portion of the trigger guard  16 . The second post  262  is inserted into one of the apertures  244  adjacent the outside surface  16   b  of the trigger guard  16 . 
   Next, the cam  266  is positioned near the inside surface  16   a  of the trigger guard  16  by inserting the tip  260  of first post  258  into an appropriate aperture  244 . The unsplined tip enables the cam to be rotated until the cam&#39;s outer surface  268  abuts the trigger guard inside surface  16   a  at which point the cam  266  is pressed against the first assembly  232  pushing the splined post  258  the rest of the way into the aperture  244 . The splines  259  cooperate with the grooves  245  to prevent the cam  266  from rotating thereby retaining the position of the cam with respect to the first assembly  232  and the trigger guard  16 . Alternatively, a small space may exist between the outer surface  268  and the trigger guard. 
   Capturing the trigger guard  16  with the clamp assembly  251  in this manner prevents movement of the firearm safety device  230  relative to the firearm when the first  232  and second  234  assemblies are secured together on each side of the trigger guard  16 . The second assembly  234  is joined to the first assembly  232  in a manner similar to that described above including using trigger plates  106  or using pins  98  inserted behind the trigger. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 16–18  a third alternate embodiment of the firearm safety device is shown generally at  330 . The firearm safety device  330  is similar to the firearm safety device  30  described above in many respects, with like components numbered using the same reference numerals. 
   The firearm safety device  330  includes a first assembly  332  similar in many respects to the first assembly  32 ,  232  described above, and a second assembly  334 . The second assembly  334  includes an actuator, such as an electric motor  388 . The motor  388  includes a keyed shaft  392  received in cam  84  in a similar manner as the keyed lock post  92  described above. The electric motor  388  may be any suitable known motor for moving shaft  392 , cam  84  and thus pawls  81  between the first and second positions described above. 
   A battery  393  is disposed in one of the assemblies  332 ,  334 . The battery may be any known battery or batteries suitable for powering electronic components. The battery  393  is not accessible when the two assemblies  332 ,  334  are secured together on the firearm. The overlapping lip  37  prevents access to the battery  393  and other internal components as described above when the safety device  330  is secured to the firearm. 
   The second assembly  334  includes an alarm  340  connected to the battery  393  for providing an audible warning of unauthorized use. The alarm  340  may be any suitable known electronic alarm. An optional motion detector  342  can also be connected to the alarm  340  for sounding the alarm  340  after sensing movement of the firearm  10 ,  22  above a predetermined threshold level. Preferably, movement of the firearm with the armed safety device mounted thereon initiates a delay or countdown and the alarm does not sound until the completion of the countdown as described below. The countdown enables an authorized user to disable the alarm after moving the firearm without sounding the alarm. The motion detector  342  may be any suitable known motion detector. A microprocessor (not shown) is preferably connected to both the alarm  340  and the motion detector  342  for receiving signals from the motion detector  342  and actuating the alarm  340 . The microprocessor may be any suitable known microprocessor. 
   The second assembly  334  further includes a keypad  350  having keys  352 . The keys  352  are electrically connected to the microprocessor with suitable electrical leads such that when depressed, each key  352  completes a circuit producing a signal recognized by the microprocessor indicating that the button has been depressed. The microprocessor is configured to store the sequence in which keys are pressed. Pressing the keys  352  in a proper sequence can lock or unlock the firearm safety device  330  in a manner similar to the key lock  88  described above. 
   The keys  352  are arranged in a single horizontal row which is approximately parallel to the firearm barrel when the safety device is secured to the firearm. The keypad  350  preferably includes four keys  352 , with each key corresponding to a different finger of the operator&#39;s hand as shown in  FIG. 17 . Further, in accordance with the invention, a portion of the key sequence which is less than the entire lock/unlock key sequence will enable or disable the alarm. For example, a five-key sequence may be used to lock/unlock the firearm safety device  330 , with the first four keys of the sequence enabling/disabling the alarm. The firearm safety device  330  will be locked/unlocked after the entire  5  key sequence is entered, but the alarm may be enabled or disabled without unlocking the lock. Alternatively, any other suitable number of keys, when pressed in proper sequence, may be used for locking/unlocking and enabling/disabling the lock. 
   An optional switch is disposed adjacent the pair of apertures  80  which receive the lock posts  38 . The switch is closed when the lock posts  38  are inserted into the apertures  80  thereby indicating that the two assemblies are being secured together. Closure of the switch is communicated to the microprocessor which activates the actuator, such as for example the motor, automatically locking the two assemblies together. A delay may be used between the time the switch is closed and when the actuator is activated. The motion detector may also be enabled automatically unless a proper sequence is keyed in. 
   The keypad  350  also includes a plurality of finger positioning guides  356 , with each guide corresponding to a separate key  352 . The finger positioning guides  356  can be grooves or recesses for receiving the fingers, or alternatively they can be defined between raised portions. The finger positioning guides  356  provide a tactile reference to guide the operator&#39;s fingers into contact with each corresponding key. The finger positioning guides  356  preferably extend vertically from the bottom of the second assembly  334  to the keys  352  so that when the operator&#39;s hand is placed under the safety device  330 , the fingers will cup the device and bend around into contact with the keys. In this manner, the operator can grasp the grip of the firearm, a pistol for example, aiming it, while using the other hand to unlock the firearm safety device. The single row of keys  352  provides a suitable solution to the well known problem requiring the quick and efficient removal of the safety device from the firearm. 
   One of the keys  352 , preferably one of the end keys, includes a tactile reference  354 . The tactile reference  354  can be a protrusion, such as a dimple, or a recess or any other suitable distinction which when felt indicates that this key is the reference key. The tactile reference  354  enables the user to identify that key using touch rather than sight, thereby providing a suitable reference or landmark for using the keypad  350  in the dark. Any suitable key  352  may include the tactile reference  354 . 
   An LED  360  may also mounted to the second assembly  334  which is electrically connected to the microprocessor to indicate the state of the alarm. For example, it can blink to indicate that the alarm is enabled. The LED may also be used to indicate that the lock is locked. 
   The safety device preferably includes a low battery alert. When the battery power drops to a predetermined low level at which full function is still possible but performance may be compromised with continued use, the audible alarm will emit an intermittent sound, for example a chirp, for a predetermined period of time, for example five seconds every minute. The LED visual alert can also flash simultaneously with the chirping of the audible alarm. Normal operation of the LED and the audible alarm are not affected by the low-battery alert condition. 
   The safety device can also include a low battery shutdown function which ceases all functions when the battery power drops to a predetermined low level. The LED will flash periodically, for example every 30 seconds, to indicate the low battery shutdown condition. Preferably, enough reserve power will be still available to awaken the processor when moved and energize the motor when the correct key sequence is entered. 
   When the alarm is enabled, the motion sensor  342  will sense the movement of the device if the firearm is moved somewhat abruptly. If the firearm is moved only a small amount, such as for example, by a person bumping the dresser in which the firearm is stored, the alarm will not be actuated. 
   Actuation of the alarm  340  sounds the alarm continuously during a first time interval for example for about 5 minutes. After which, the alarm sounds intermittently to conserve power. Therefore, after sounding continuously during the first time interval, the alarm ceases during a second time interval, of for example about 30 minutes, and then sounds for a third time interval of approximately 10–15 seconds. The second and third time intervals are then repeated sounding the alarm intermittently. Sounding the alarm intermittently for short periods of time after the initial continuous alarm allows the owner to be notified even if the owner was not present when the alarm was initially activated. Furthermore, this alarm scheme saves power. The first, second and third time intervals may be any suitable time periods with the third time interval being shorter than the first time interval. 
   The microprocessor includes memory for storing two different code sequences, an eight-step sequence which is factory programmed and cannot be erased or changed, and a five-step secret-sequence which is programmed by the authorized user via the keypad. After installing the battery, the owner can program a secret sequence when the firearm safety device  330  is in the unlocked, unalarmed state. The factory pre-programmed sequence is pressed first, After which the secret sequence may be programmed. The secret sequence may be required to be input again for verification. 
   The microprocessor can also store a factory programmed (default) alarm delay. The delay is the time between when the motion detector senses that the firearm is moved and the actuation of the alarm. This delay enables the user to press the proper key sequence to disable the alarm after picking up the firearm before the alarm sounds. The same or different delay is also used to set the length of time between when the sequence is pressed for enabling the alarm and when the alarm is actually enabled. This permits the authorized user sufficient time to store the firearm after locking and enabling the alarm. The factory default delay is preferably about 10 seconds, although any suitable time period can be used. 
   However, the delay time may be changed by pressing one of the keys  352  after the secret sequence is programmed. Each key represents a different delay time, such as for example: key 1 enabling a 5 second delay, key 2 enabling a 10 second delay, key 3 enabling a 15 second delay, and key 4 enabling a 20 second delay, or any other suitable delays. 
   The invention has been described with reference to a preferred initial embodiment. Obviously, alterations and modifications will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alternations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.