Patent Publication Number: US-11028635-B2

Title: Firearm safety device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     In accordance with 37 C.F.R 1.76, a claim of priority is included in an Application Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, the present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/542,086, filed Aug. 7, 2017, entitled, “Firearm Safety Device”, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 15/333,927, filed Oct. 25, 2016, entitled, “HANDGUN MINI-VAULT”, which claims priority as a continuation-in-part to U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/174,527, filed Feb. 6, 2014, entitled, “HANDGUN MINI-VAULT”, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,561,266, issued Dec. 27, 2016, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/761,610, filed Feb. 6, 2013, entitled, “HAND GUN MINI-VAULT”; the contents of the above referenced applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a safety device, such as an electronic trigger lock, for use on firearms. The device has a plurality of locking mechanisms. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Safety devices, such as trigger locks, have been available for decades. They are used to make it difficult to use a firearm, typically for an unauthorized user. They are sometimes required by law and, in particular, to protect children. 
     There have been many types of trigger locks. Typically, they are mechanical in nature. One popular lock is made by Master Lock. It has two halves with a post that goes through the trigger guard. Each half has a cover that is large enough to cover the entire trigger guard and, while in place, prevent access to the trigger. Another popular lock is a cable lock that can be used on rifles, shotguns and self-loading pistols. The cable prevents the bolt or slide from operating. It does require that the breech be open, which can make the gun difficult to store. 
     Both of these forms of locks are fully mechanical and require a key to unlock and remove the lock. While providing storage safety, in the event of an urgent need to access a gun, say during a break in, one might not be able to find the key, or find it fast enough, and then affect unlocking and lock removal. 
     Small portable gun safes have also been provided, but can be obtrusive for discreet storage, have gun size restrictions, and cannot accommodate a handgun and a long gun. 
     Thus, there is a need for an improved trigger lock. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an objective of the present invention to provide a safety device, such as a trigger lock, that utilizes a dual lock configuration for securing the lock to a trigger guard. 
     It is a further objective of the invention to provide a trigger lock that combines a mechanical lock device and an electronic lock device to provide a plurality of opening modes. 
     It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide a trigger lock with an electronic lock that effects a complete release of the trigger lock from a gun with a remote electronic actuator. 
     The locking system of the present invention utilizes an electronic actuator, such as RFID technology, to allow authorized users to open the trigger lock by simply moving an RFID chip into proximity with an interrogator in the trigger lock. 
     Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification, include exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a trigger lock mounted to a handgun trigger guard with a portion of the lock device in a partial release condition; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the trigger lock as seen in  FIG. 1 , but without a secured gun; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear plan view of the trigger lock; 
         FIG. 4  is a front plan view of the trigger lock; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of mechanisms contained in the trigger lock housing for operating locking mechanisms; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a second form of latching mechanism for the trigger lock; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the second form of trigger lock housing and cover; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of another form of trigger lock associated with a firearm; 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the trigger lock housing of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of the locking system of the trigger lock of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is another fragmentary perspective view of the locking system of the trigger lock of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the locking system of the trigger lock of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the latching mechanism of the trigger lock of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the latching mechanism of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a partially exploded perspective view of the latching mechanism of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a side elevation view of the latching mechanism of  FIG. 13 , showing the latching mechanism in a latched condition; 
         FIG. 17  is a plan view of the latching mechanism of  FIG. 13 , showing the latching mechanism in a latched condition; and 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a firearm storage case adapted for using the herein described latching mechanisms. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
     The present invention will be described in detail as it relates to a trigger lock. However, it is to be understood and as will be described below, the latching mechanisms described herein can also be used with other gun safety devices, such as a pistol storage box. 
     The reference numeral  10  designates generally a trigger lock for cooperative association with a firearm, designated generally  12 , to close its trigger guard  14  on opposite sides of the trigger guard  14  and provide an impediment to use of the firearm. While the firearm  12  is shown as a pistol, the trigger lock  10  can be utilized on a long gun, such as a rifle or shotgun, if desired. The illustrated firearm  12  is a self-loading pistol, sometimes referred to as a semi-automatic pistol; however, the invention is not limited to the use of the trigger lock  10  on a pistol. While the phrase “trigger lock” is used herein, these devices do not lock the trigger, but rather shield the trigger from access so that the trigger cannot be pulled when the trigger lock  10  is secured in place. 
     The firearm  12  includes a grip  16  in the form of a handle depending from a barrel assembly  18 . In the illustrated structure, the barrel assembly  18  includes a slide  19 , which is used for loading a first-round into the chamber. Forward of the grip  16  is the trigger guard  14 , which includes a space for a trigger  21 . There is a space  23  between the front part of the trigger guard  14  and the trigger  21  that is adapted to receive a finger therethrough for operation of the trigger. Trigger guards have generally the same shape and size; however, they do differ in some aspects. The trigger guard  14  can have parts (described below) shaped to be generic, semi generic or specific to a particular size and shape of trigger guard. A changeable insert for the trigger guard can be provided to accommodate a specific trigger guard size and shape (as described below). For example, the Glock trigger guard has a forwardly projecting horn on the forward bottom corner. But, typically, semi-automatic trigger guards are generally rectangular with the lower forward corner being curved both on the interior and exterior. 
       FIG. 2  shows a trigger lock  10 . The trigger lock  10  has a housing including a base housing  30  and a movable cover  31  hingedly mounted thereto for movement between open and closed positions. In  FIG. 2 , the cover  31  is in an open position. In the illustrated structure, the cover  31  is provided with a catch member  33  mounted thereon and movable into and out of a receiver pocket  35  in the housing  30 . The cover  31  is configured to be in overlying relationship to a trigger guard receiving recess  37  in the housing  30 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , the trigger guard  14  is received within the recess  37  for securing the trigger lock  10  to the firearm  12 . The recess  37  is defined by a generally planar wall  39  and a wall  41  that corresponds generally to the exterior shape of the trigger guard. A rib  43  projects from the wall  39  and is spaced from the wall  41  sufficiently for the trigger guard  14  to be received in the groove formed between the wall  41  and rib  43 . The walls  39 ,  41  and rib  43  can be made removable to provide ribs and recesses  37  of different sizes and shapes to accommodate different sizes and shapes of trigger guards. The pocket  35  opens on the wall  39 . The rib  43  helps align the firearm  12  relative to the trigger lock  10  for securing the trigger lock to the firearm. The cover  31  has an inner surface  45  that overlies the wall  39  and a surface  47  of wall  39  when the cover  31  is in a closed position. This configuration forms a trigger guard receiving receptacle  40  between the surface  45  and the walls  39 ,  41 . The trigger lock  10  has a cavity in the housing  30  for containing mechanisms to retain the cover  31  in its closed position and a source of electrical energy, such as a battery  69 . As seen in  FIGS. 3, 4 , the cover  31  can be mounted on a hinge pin operably associated with a torsion spring  50  so that, when unlatched, the cover can move from a closed position as seen in  FIGS. 3, 4  to an open position as seen in  FIGS. 1, 2 . The spring  50  resiliently biases the cover  31  to its open position, and will move the cover to that position from the closed position. As also seen in  FIG. 2 , the housing  30  can be provided with a selectively openable access door  53  to expose an electrical energy source, such as a battery  69  contained in the housing  30 . 
     The locking system  59  of the present invention is operable electronically and mechanically. The electronic section can utilize RFID technology (radio-frequency identification) to allow authorized users to open the trigger lock  10  by simply moving an RFID tag  60  into proximity with an interrogator  62  (sometimes called a reader) in the trigger lock, see  FIG. 5 . The trigger lock  10  can also be released by a mechanical means, such as a key lock system  64  using a manual lock actuator. The RFID tag  60  is preferably embedded into a portable device  66  such as a wrist band, key fob, ring, decal or the like. The device  66  could also be actuated by an actuator  68 , such as a push button, instead of being in proximity to an RFID. The interrogator  62  can be configured to accept a plurality of input codes or accommodate a plurality of different RFID tags or radio frequency transmitters. While an RFID system is described, any device operable to provide a signal to operate the locking system can be used. For example, a biometric sensor could be used to identify an approved user to effect unlocking and opening. Such biometric sensors can be voice, fingerprint, face scan, eye scan and the like. They can be configured to operate on different input signals, for example, different voices or fingerprints to allow different users operating privileges. 
     The present invention provides a dual, mechanical and electronic, cover opening system which releases the firearm  12  from the trigger lock  10 , making it available for use. The trigger lock  10  preferably utilizes an internal electrical source, such as a battery  69 , such as a rechargeable and an associated recharging circuit, to provide portability to the device; however, standard electrical current may be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention. The device could also include a power switch or a sleep mode which activates the interrogator for the RFID for a predetermined amount of time to conserve battery power. The locking system  59  is contained in the housing  30 . 
     The locking system  59  includes a dual catch release mechanism, one electronic and one mechanical, using a common latch assembly  70 . The catch member  33  is part of the latch assembly  70 , and is secured to the cover  31  and movable therewith. The latch assembly  70  also includes a latch  71 , which is movably mounted to a suitable support structure and is biased to a latch position, preferably with a resilient member such as a compression spring  73 . As shown, the latch  71  is pivotally mounted on a pin  72  that is secured to the housing  30 . The latch position is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . As shown, the latch  71  has a finger  75  that is selectively movable into and out of a catch slot  77  ( FIG. 2 ) in the catch member  33 . The locking system  59  includes a mechanical lock actuator including a key lock system  64  that includes a key cylinder  80  mounted in the housing  30  and accessible from the exterior by a key, as seen in  FIG. 3 . To operate the key lock, a key  82  is inserted into the cylinder  80 , which allows an arm  84  or the like to be moved into engagement with the latch  71 , and move the latch such that the finger  75  exits the slot  77 , releasing the cover  31  from retention, thereby allowing the cover  31  to move to an open position under the bias of the spring  50 . The firearm  12  is then available. 
     The cover  31  can also be opened electronically as an optional opening mode. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the electronic retainer/release assembly is illustrated. The locking system  59  is generally constructed and arranged to operate the latch assembly  70  to cause the cover  31  to open in response to communication with an RFID tag  60 . The latch assembly  70  can be released electrically by an electrically operated release assembly  90  that, as shown, includes an electric motor  92  mounted in the housing  30 . The motor  92  is in electrical communication with a controller circuit  94  and a control panel  96 . The control panel  96  may be user accessible from the housing  30  exterior (not shown). The motor  92 , in the preferred embodiment, includes an internal gear reduction, which reduces output shaft speed and increases output torque of the motor. The output shaft of the motor has a cam  98  mounted thereon and rotatable thereby. Upon rotation of the cam  98 , the latch  71  moves and the finger  75  exits the slot  77 , releasing the cover  31  from retention, thereby allowing the cover  31  to move to an open position under the bias of the spring  50 . The firearm  12  is then available. Upon rotation of the cam  98 , and after the cover is released, the cam actuates a switch  101  which terminates power to the motor  92  and stops its rotation, as well as that of the cam  98 , leaving the finger  75  in its withdrawn position. The switch being actuated can also effect reverse rotation of the motor  92  to return the cam  98  to its start position. Alternatively, a code can be entered on the control panel  96  to effect rotation of the motor  92  and cam  98  back to their start position, allowing the latch  71  to return to its latch position under influence of the spring  73 . The cover could then be closed and latched in the closed position. 
     The access code for the control panel  96  can be programmable after purchase if desired. Also, if desired, the control panel  96  could be accessible when the cover  31  is closed to allow for entry of the code to effect electrical opening of the cover  31  without the key  82  or the device  66 . 
     The walls  39 ,  41 , the rib  43 , and the catch  33  can be coated with a material, such as plastic or an elastomer, to provide a mar resistant finish if they are not already mar resistant. 
       FIGS. 6-7  show a modified form of trigger lock  210  with a locking system  259  with a dual lock release mechanism, one electronic and one mechanical. 
     The trigger lock  210  includes a housing that has a base housing  230  and a movable cover  231  hingedly mounted via hinge  232  thereto for movement between open and closed positions. A torsion spring  234  is provided to cooperate with the housing  230  and cover  231  to resiliently bias opening movement of the cover  231  relative to the base  230 . In  FIG. 7 , the cover  231  is in an open position. In the illustrated structure, the cover  231  is provided with a catch member  233  mounted to a main panel  229  thereof and movable into and out of a receiver pocket  235  in the housing  230 . The cover  231  is configured to be in overlying relationship to a top panel  236  and a trigger guard receiving recess  237  in the housing  230 . The cover  231  has a sidewall  238  extending from a main panel  229  about the peripheral edge thereof, forming a peripheral skirt. The sidewall  238  is sized and shaped to be received over a sidewall  228  of the housing  230  except at the recess  237 . The pocket  235  opens onto the panel  236  and is positioned under the cover  231  when it is in its closed position. The trigger guard  14  is received within the recess  237  for securing the trigger lock  210  to the firearm  12 . The recess  237  is defined by a generally planar wall  239  and a wall  241  that corresponds generally to the exterior shape of the trigger guard  14  to limit movement thereof in the recess  237 . A rib  243  projects from the wall  239  and is spaced from the wall  241  sufficiently for the trigger guard  14  to be received in the groove  244  formed between the wall  241  and rib  243 . The rib  243  helps align the firearm  12  relative to the trigger lock  210  by extending into the inside of the trigger guard  14  and securing the trigger lock to the firearm when the cover  231  is closed. The cover  231  has an inner surface (not shown) that overlies the wall  239  and the panel  236  when the cover  231  is in a closed position. This configuration forms a trigger guard receiving receptacle between this inner surface and the walls  239 ,  241 . A bead  249  is part of the cover  231  and extends toward the wall  239  and is positioned on the outer perimeter of the recess  237 . The bead  249  is operable to restrain movement of the trigger guard  14  and the firearm  12  when the trigger lock  210  is secured to the firearm, and can be made of a polymeric or elastomeric material to protect the finish on the firearm  12 . The bead  249  is made separately, and is suitably secured to the sidewall  238  of the cover  231 . The cover  231  can also be provided with a rib  252  projecting therefrom. The rib  252  is similar to the rib  243 ; and when the cover  231  is closed, the rib  252  overlies the rib  243  and is received inside the trigger guard  14  to assist in retaining the firearm  12  secured in the trigger lock  210 . 
     The trigger lock  210  has a cavity  257  in the housing  230  for containing the locking system  259  that releasably retains the cover  231  in its closed position and a source of electrical energy, such as a battery. The housing  230  can be provided with a selectively openable access door  258  to expose an electrical energy source, such as a battery contained in the housing  230 . 
     The trigger lock  210  is provided with a locking system that includes a plurality of components. It includes a manual lock mechanism or actuator, designated generally  261 , an electronic release assembly or actuator, designated generally  263 , and a latch assembly designated generally  265 . The mechanisms  261 ,  263 ,  265  cooperate with one another to effect locking the cover  231  in a closed configuration to retain the firearm  12 , and unlocking the cover  231  to allow it to move to an open position and release the firearm. 
     The latch assembly  265 , is secured to a main panel  267  of the housing  230 . The latch assembly  265  includes a latch member  270 . The latch member  270  is a pivotally mounted hook having a throat  271  with a foot  272  positioned to selectively extend under a pawl member  273  described below. When the cover  231  is locked in the closed configuration, the latch member  271  is engaged with the catch  233  extending through pocket  235 . The latch member  270  is biased to a release position, pivoted outwardly, as with a torsion spring  275  mounted on a latch pivot pin  276 . The movement of the latch member  270  for opening, i.e., outwardly, is in opposite directions of the movement for latching, i.e., inwardly. The pivot pin  276  is mounted to a respective pair of spaced apart arms  277  integral with and extending from a latch base  278 . The latch base  278  is secured to the panel  267  of the housing  230  in any suitable manner, as by welding or mechanical fasteners. 
     The pawl member  273  is pivotally mounted to the latch base  278  with a pivot pin  280 . The pawl member  273  includes an arm  282  associated with the latch member  270  for releasably retaining the pawl member in a latching position as seen in  FIG. 6 . A resilient biasing member, such as a torsion spring  283 , is mounted on the pin  280  and resiliently biases the pawl member  273  to its latching position as seen in  FIG. 6 . The foot  272  of latch member  270  engages a side of the arm  282  under biasing force influence of the spring  283  to releasably retain the pawl member  273  in its unlatched position. The foot  272  is also positioned under and engages the arm  282  to releasably hold the latch  270  in its lid closed retaining position. 
     A hold down retainer  290  is mounted to the base  278  and overlies the pawl member  273  to force it to pivot in a plane and not rock on the pivot pin  280 , and thus ensure it is not interfering with the pawl member  273  moving to its latching position, as seen in  FIG. 6 . As shown, the retainer  290  is mounted on the pivot pin  280  and a post  292  secured to the panel  267 , and held in place by mechanical fasteners  293 , such as threaded nuts. The pawl member  273  is provided with a slot  295  receiving a post  292  therethrough. The slot  295 , in cooperation with the post  292 , limits pivoting movement of the pawl member  273 . The pawl member  273  thus moves in a plane in a limited reciprocating manner like the latch  71 . This plane of movement is generally parallel (say within +/−20°) to the panels  229 ,  267  when the cover  231  is closed, and generally normal to the plane of pivoting movement of the latch member  270 , that is close enough to normal, that the pawl member  273  moves into and out of the throat  271  without functional interference. 
     The latch assembly  265  cooperates with a plurality of operation actuators. One is an electronic actuator  263 , and one is a mechanical actuator  261 . The mechanical actuator  261  includes a lock output arm  310  pivotally mounted on a mechanical lock  312  with a retainer  309 . The mechanical lock  312 , preferably a key lock of a tubular or barrel style, is mounted to base housing  230  and is keyed thereto to prevent rotation relative to the base housing  230 . It has a lock cylinder  315  with an output shaft (not shown) that can be rotated by operation of a key  82 . A lock output arm  310  is fixed to the lock output or drive shaft and rotatable therewith. Preferably, the arm  310  is keyed to the lock output shaft to prevent relative rotation. When the cover  231  is closed, the arm  310  has a finger  316  that will engage an edge of the pawl member  273  to selectively effect its rotation, clockwise as seen in  FIG. 6 . In response, movement of the arm  310  will rotate the pawl member  273  out of latching engagement with the latch member  270 , allowing the spring  275  to move the latch member out of retaining engagement with the catch  233 , allowing the cover  231  to open. This opening mode can be used as an override to the electronic actuator  263 . Closing of the cover  231  will move the free end of the catch  233  into engagement with the foot  272  of the latch member  270  at a position beyond the end of the arm  282  to effect its pivoting against torque from the springs  275 , and allow the arm  282  to move back over the foot  272  of the latch  270  automatically under the influence of the spring  283 , locking the cover  231  in its closed position. 
     The electronic lock actuator  263  is preferably initiated wirelessly, such as with a radio frequency device, or preferably using an RFID interrogator  62  in combination with an RFID tag  60 . Such a system, a locking system  59 , is described above in reference to the first embodiment. A biometric sensor arrangement could also be used. An RFID tag  60  can be on a wrist band, in a key fob, or in a decal form attached to a device such as a cell phone, and can couple wirelessly with an interrogator  62  which is coupled to a controller circuit  94 . The RFID tag  60  can be part of a portable device  66  having an actuating pushbutton  68 . In addition to a wireless signal operation, the actuator  263  can be provided with a touch pad  96  to enter a code that, if correct, will also effect opening of the cover  231  as described herein. The touch pad  96  can be accessible on the base  230 , the cover  231 , or through an opening in the cover  231 . The actuator  263  can be configured to accept a plurality of input codes or accommodate a plurality of different RFID tags or radio frequency transmitters. Biometric sensors could also be used to identify an approved user to effect unlocking and opening. The actuator  263  includes a source of electricity, such as a battery power supply  69  operably associated with an electronic controller  94 . A battery condition indicator  360  can also be provided. The controller  94  and battery  69  are operably coupled to one another and to motor  343  via a communication cable (not shown). A plug in AC power supply, such as a transformer, can also be provided to reduce battery usage and allow the actuator  263  to be in a continuous power on mode. Further, the actuator  263  can be configured to turn off manually or automatically to conserve batteries. The actuator  263  can provide an indicator, such as an LED light, to indicate if the actuator is powered on with either AC or battery. Such an indicator can also show if the actuator  263  needs to be turned on, if in battery saving mode, and provide a touch sensing switch means to effect powering the actuator  263  for opening the trigger lock  210 . The motor  343  can include a gear drive, such as a right angle drive output device  345 . The drive output device  345  includes an actuator arm  347  that is ultimately driven by the motor  343 . The arm  347  includes a finger  348  that is operable to effect pivoting movement of the pawl member  273  to its unlatched position, and release the cover  231  to open. Closing of the cover  231  is effected as described above. Means is provided to positively stop the motor  343  and effect reverse rotation of the motor  343  and the arm  347  when the latch  270  is released. A switch system, like switch  101 , is mounted to the housing  230  and has an actuator that is positioned to engage either the pawl member  273 , arm  347  or finger  348  when the pawl member  273  has moved to its unlatched position. When engaged, the switch provides a signal to the controller  94  and effects power feed to the motor  343  to effect its reverse rotation, which moves the arm  347  and finger  348  back to their normal position for locking the cover  231  and allowing the pawl member  273  and latch  270  to return to their latching positions. A second switch  101  can be positioned to turn off power to the motor  343  and tell the controller the next activation will be to effect unlatching. The latch mechanism  265  is now configured for closing and locking the cover  231 . A stepping motor, an encoder and/or a motor load sensor could be used to effect reversal and stopping of the motor  343 . 
     The panel  236  is provided to shield the latch mechanism  265 , power supply  69 , motor  343 , and drive  345  from contact with a contained firearm  12 . 
       FIGS. 8-17  illustrate a still further embodiment of the present invention. It is particularly well adapted for use in safety devices that have limited space, such as trigger locks. A trigger lock  400  is shown mounted to a pistol  12 , and is constructed to resist access to the trigger  21  of the pistol  12 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 8-10 , the gun safety device is a trigger lock  400  that includes both a mechanical and electronic means to unlock the trigger lock, allowing it to be removed from the trigger guard  14 . The trigger lock  400  includes a housing  405  having a cover  406  and a base housing  407 . The cover  406  includes a cover shroud  410  that is received over and secured to lid  411 , which is hingedly mounted to tray  413 , part of the base  407 , via a torsion spring biased hinge arrangement  415  as described above in more detail for the other embodiments of the present invention. A compression spring could also be used. The hinge  415  and its related spring resiliently urge the cover  406  and base  407  to move relative to one another when the latching mechanism is released to move to an open configuration as seen in  FIG. 10 . The shroud  410  is suitably secured to the lid  411 , as with an intermediate mounting plate  417  that can also include the user interface and the interrogator  62  antenna. The mounting plate  417  can include a series of switches  420  that align with pushbuttons  421  on the shroud, and are connected to a controller  423  that is mounted in the lid  411 . The controller  423  controls operation of the latch assembly, designated generally  467 . A base shroud  425  can be provided and attached to the tray  413 , such as by screw fasteners or a snap lock connection. It is to be understood that the shrouds  410  and  425  can be made as a permanent portion of the cover  406  and base  407 . 
     Both the cover  406  and base  407  have hollow interiors or cavities in which portions of the trigger lock  400  can be contained and shielded from access. The base  407  can be best seen in  FIG. 12 . The cover  406  has a main panel  430 , and the base  407  also has a main panel  431 . The cover  406  has a flange  432  that extends around its periphery toward the base  407 , and the base  407  has a flange  433  that extends around its periphery toward the cover  406 . The cover  406  and base  407  can be made from formed metal, molded plastic or the like. The base  407  can also be provided with a closure panel  436  to close the top of the chamber formed by the flange  433  and main panel  431 . It can be secured in place by any suitable means, such as screw fasteners or a snap lock arrangement. As seen in  FIG. 12 , the closure panel  436  can be provided with a battery condition indicator  438 . The battery condition indicator  438  can be operated by a pushbutton  439  that in turn operates a switch  440  mounted in the base  407 . The switch  440  is in turn operably connected to the controller  423  to provide a command to program the RFID in safe and show the battery condition on the indicator  438 . This embodiment can utilize the power supply  69  as described above. An access opening is provided, and can be formed by a pair of notches, notch  441  in the cover  406  and notch  442  in the base  407 . These notches provide an opening for accommodating the trigger guard  14  to enter the trigger lock  400 . The notches  441 ,  442  form an opening into a trigger guard receiving receptacle  445 , a portion of which is in each of the cover  406  and base  407 . When a firearm  12  is secured in the trigger lock  400 , the trigger guard  14  and trigger  21  are contained within the receptacle  445 . The trigger guard receptacle  445  can be similar to those described for the other embodiments discussed above, such as receptacle  40 . 
     Means is provided to resist removal of the firearm  12  from the trigger lock  400  when the cover  406  and base  407  are in their closed and locked configuration, as seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . As shown in the above embodiments, this trigger lock  400  includes a retainer  447  operably associated with at least one of the cover  406  and base  407  to retain the firearm  12  secured to the trigger lock  400  to the firearm. The retainer  447  uses one or more ribs  451  being mounted to the base  407  and, optionally, one or more being mounted to the cover  406 . As shown, the ribs  451  are each part of a respective insert  450  and  455 . Preferably, the inserts  450 ,  455  are removably mounted to their respective cover  406  or base  407 . Removable inserts allow for changing the inserts to accommodate different shapes and sizes of trigger guards  14 . The ribs  451  are sized and shaped to be received on the inside of the trigger guard  14  and conform generally to the interior shape of the inside surface of the trigger guard  14  and to resist withdrawal of a gun  12  when the trigger lock  400  is secured to the gun  12 . The ribs  451  overlie and are in alignment with each other. The ribs  451  form a groove  448  between the rib  451  and the adjacent wall or wall portions  449 . As shown, the ribs  451  extend upwardly from a wall  452  that forms part of a respective insert  450 ,  455 . The inserts  450 ,  455  form a trigger guard receiving receptacle  453 , like receptacle  40 ,  445 . 
       FIGS. 12-17  show a locking system, designated generally  459 , shown in detail in  FIG. 13 , which is another embodiment of the latch assemblies  70 ,  265  described above. 
     The present invention provides a dual, mechanical and electronic, cover opening system which releases the hand gun  12  from the trigger lock  400 , making it available for use. The trigger lock  400  preferably utilizes an internal electrical source, such as a battery, such as battery  69  described above, to provide portability to the device; however, standard electrical current can be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention as described above. The safety device could also include a power switch or a sleep mode which activates, for example, an interrogator  62  for the RFID tag  60  for a predetermined amount of time to conserve battery power. The locking system  459  is contained in the housing  405 . 
     The locking system  459  includes a dual catch release mechanism, one electronic and one mechanical, using a common latch assembly  467 . A catch member  471  is part of the latch assembly  467 , and is secured to the cover  406  and movable therewith. The trigger lock  400  is provided with a locking system  459  that includes a plurality of components. The locking system  459  includes a manual lock mechanism or actuator designated generally  465 , an electronic release assembly or actuator designated generally  466 , and a latch assembly designated generally  467 . The mechanisms  465 ,  466 ,  467  cooperate with one another to effect locking the cover  406  in a closed configuration to retain the firearm  12 , and unlocking the cover  406  to allow it to move to an open position and release the firearm. While the catch  471  is shown as secured to the cover  406  and the latch assembly  467  is shown as secured to the base  407 , this mounting configuration could be reversed. 
     The latch assembly  467  includes a pair of pawl member  475  which are pivotally mounted to a suitable support structure and are each resiliently biased to a latch position with a respective torsion spring  476 . Preferably, the pawl members  475  can be the same, but one is inverted relative to the other in the latch assembly  467 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the pawl members  475  are mounted to a support  477  via a pivot pin  478  that can be held in place by E retaining clips  474 . One end of each of the torsion springs  476  engages a respective foot  481  on each of the pawl members  475  to apply a resilient biasing force to each of the pawl members  475 . The biasing forces urge the pawl members  475  to a closed or latching position for each of the pawl members  475 , as seen in  FIG. 17 . The other end of each of the springs  476  extends through a respective hole  479  in a flange  480  to limit pivoting movement of the pawl members  475  on the pin  478  and provide the biasing force. The pawl members  475  are similar in size, shape and construction, and include through holes  482  for receipt of portions of the pin  478  therethrough to allow for pivoting movement of the pawl members  475  about the pin  478 . The pawl members  475  each include a drive end arm portion  485  that, at one end, includes a notch  486  for a purpose later described. The foot  481  is positioned adjacent the drive end arm portion  485  projecting sideways therefrom. The pawl member  475  includes a latch end  487  connected to the drive end arm portion  485 . A bight section  489  connects the drive end arm portion  485  to the latch end  487  such that the mounted pawl members  475  are spaced apart to allow clearance for the springs  476  to be positioned therebetween, while the latch ends  487  are immediately adjacent one another, as best seen in  FIG. 16 , and selectively engage one another if opening of the trigger lock  400  is attempted without unlatching. As shown, the bight section  489  is angled relative to the drive end arm portion  485  and respective latch end  487  to provide for the above described relative positions between the adjacent pawl members  475 . The pawl members  475  each have a through hole  490  in the latch end  487  for receipt therethrough of the catch  471 . See  FIGS. 14, 16 . The catch  471  includes a knob  493  that is attached to and preferably integral with a post  494 . The post  494  is secured to either the cover  405  or the base  407 , while the latch assembly  467  is secured to the other of the cover or base. The knob  493  has a tapered section  495  that tapers outwardly from its free end to provide a tapered lead-in for the knob  493  to pass through the through holes  490 . A shoulder  497  is located on the backside of the knob  493 , and is adapted to engage a lower surface of a latch end  487  when the cover  405  is in its closed and latched position. An edge of each of the holes  490  engages the post  494  when the pawl members  475  are in their latching positions, as shown in  FIG. 17 . 
     Means is provided to effect simultaneous movement of the pawl members  475  during their latching and unlatching movements. As shown, a seesaw type lever  498  is pivotally mounted on a pin  499  that extends through a through hole  500  in the flange  480 . The pin  499  and lever  498  are held in place on the flange  480  by a suitable securement device, such as an E retainer clip  501 . The lever  498  has opposite ends  504 , each received within a respective notch  486  in the pawl members  475 , whereby movement of one pawl member  475  will effect simultaneous opposite movement of the other pawl  475 . The support  477  can be reinforced with pins  507  by extending through holes  509  on the support  477 , and be secured in place by peening over ends thereof, or by use of push pins. 
     Both the mechanical and electronic actuators  465 ,  466 , respectively, are provided to effect independent operation of the latching assembly  467 . As seen in  FIGS. 9, 10 , the mechanical actuator  465  is mounted on the front of the trigger lock  400 , and preferably mounted to the cover  405  and movable therewith. The mechanical actuator  465  includes a key lock  515  that is suitably secured to the cover  405 , as for example, by extending through a hole therein and being secured in place, as for example, by a threaded nut  516 . The key lock  515  can be of any suitable type, as described above for the key lock  64 , and has a cylinder  517  that is preferably keyed to a hole in the cover  405 , as for example, by having flat portions thereon. An arm  518  is mounted to the cylinder  517 , preferably in a keyed manner to prevent relative rotation between the arm  518  and an output shaft  519  of the cylinder  517 . The securement of the arm  518  to the cylinder  517  can be via a threaded fastener  520 . The arm  518 , when moved by operation of the lock  515 , engages the adjacent foot  481  to effect movement of the respective pawl member  475  and the other pawl member  475  via movement of the lever  498  to a position where the holes  490  are aligned to release the catch  471  from retention, allowing the cover  405  to move to an open position. Rotation of the key lock  515  in an opposite direction allows the pawl members  475  to return to their latching position, as best seen in  FIG. 17 . The use of the mechanical actuator  465  provides a mechanical override to the electronic actuator  466 . 
     The electronic actuator  466  includes a motor  525 , which in turn will drive a coupled gear drive  527 , such as a right angle drive. An arm  529  is mounted to an output shaft  530  of the drive  527  to effect rotation of the arm. The arm  529  can be secured to the output shaft  530 , as for example by a threaded nut  533 . The arm  529  includes a finger  537  that is positioned to engage a foot  481  of the adjacent pawl member  475  to effect its pivoting movement about the pin  478  when the motor  525  is turning. The rotating arm  529  effects movement of the lower pawl member  475 , and the upper pawl member  475  also moves via operation of the lever  498 . This moves the holes  490  into alignment to release the catch  471  and allow the cover  405  to move to its open position. Rotation reversal of the motor  525  will effect reverse rotation of the arm  529 , allowing the latch  475  to move back to its latching position where the holes  490  are not in alignment, as seen in  FIG. 17 . This will allow the catch  471  to move into the holes  490  and effect rotation of the pawl members  475 , and allow the knob  493  to pass therethrough and the cover  405  to be latched in its closed position. The pawl members  475  pivot in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of movement of the catch  471  during opening and closing movement of the cover  405 . It is to be understood that other means can be used to operably couple the motor  525  to the pawl member  475  to effect its movement. One such means could be a cable wrapped around the shaft  530 . 
     Means is provided to stop both unlatching rotation of the motor  525  and latching rotation of the motor  525 . This can be done by a pair of limit switches, one for each end of the needed rotational stroke of the arm  529 , and the use of an encoder to let the controller  423  know when the end of the strokes have been reached and effect either turning off of the motor  525  or causing the motor  525  to reverse direction. Other means to control motor operation include a stepper motor, which would operate in essence like the encoder, a motor load indicator to indicate that the motor  525  has reached an end of its rotation to effect either rotation stoppage or rotation reversal, or a timer system controlling how long the motor rotates for latching and returning to its start position. 
     The electronic actuator  466  is actuated for operation as described above. A signal is sent to the electronic actuator via some biometric input, such as voice input, fingerprint reading, RFID input or the like, that signals the motor  525  to start and then stop through at least partial control by the controller  423 . The above-described embodiments can also utilize the same motor rotation actuation and limitation means. It is to be understood that a code can be entered using the keypad comprising the buttons  421  to also effect opening of the trigger lock  400  as described above. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates another form of firearm safety device that can utilize the above latching and control mechanisms. Such safety devices conceal at least a portion of the trigger guard and trigger, making them inaccessible. Instead of being a trigger lock, the safety device  600  is a firearm storage box that can hold a firearm within a chamber formed by a cover  603  and the base housing  605 . The safety device  600  includes a locking system  607  similar to the locking system  459  described above, or one of the other locking systems as described above. It also includes a key lock override  609  and a battery indicator  611 . The device  600  includes catches  612 , or a single catch similar to catch  471  disclosed above. It can also include a cable tether  614  to secure the safety device  600  to a bed or the like. Such a safety device is disclosed in co-pending application, U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/174,527, filed Feb. 6, 2014, entitled, “HANDGUN MINI-VAULT”, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,561,266, issued Dec. 27, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein. 
     One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.