Abstract:
A firing pin locking mechanism that can be used on firearms. Controlled by a key, the internal locking device blocks all movement of the firing pin assembly striker, preventing the firing arm from discharging. The mechanism primarily comprises a striker-locking guide, key plate assembly, key, and decocking button. Utilizing the key, the authorized user has the ability to set the firearm in a “unlocked” or “locked” mode. The internal locking mechanism is utilized as a means to prevent the movement of a firearm&#39;s firing pin assembly when activated by the trigger mechanism. The present invention is primarily utilized with semi-automatic firearms that have an enclosed striker assembly.

Description:
OTHER RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/662,578, filed on Sep. 15, 2000, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a turnkey locking mechanism for firearms, and more particularly, to an internal locking mechanism for firearms with a firing pin assembly. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Firearms can be very dangerous. There is a need for a practical and inexpensive assembly that can be incorporated into firearms, without major structural changes, to lock a firearm when not cocked. 
     Applicant believes that the closest reference corresponds to applicant&#39;s own above referenced patent application. The present application, however, includes subject matter not disclosed in the parent application, such as the locking sleeve assembly with additional cutouts to accommodate an alternate firing pin shape. These improvements are desirable since they solve the problem of locking firearms with an alternate firing pin shape. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An internal locking mechanism for firearms having an enclosed striker assembly, comprising a striker locking guide having first and second ends. Between the first and second ends there are first and second longitudinal channels. The first end includes a first recess. The first longitudinal channel extended from a first predetermined distance from said first end towards said second end a second predetermined distance without reaching said second end. The first longitudinal channel has third and fourth ends and includes a first notch extending a third predetermined distance from said third end towards said fourth end a fourth predetermined distance. The second longitudinal channel extends from a fifth predetermined distance from said first end towards said second end a sixth predetermined distance without reaching said second end. The second longitudinal channel has fifth and sixth ends and includes a second and third notch. The second notch extends a seventh predetermined distance from said fifth end towards said sixth end without reaching said sixth end. The third notch extends an eighth predetermined distance from said second notch to said sixth end a ninth predetermined distance. The second end has a fourth notch. The first end of said striker-locking guide has at least one indicating mark. 
     In addition, a firing pin assembly has a shaft with seventh and eighth ends. The shaft has a first leg extending radially outwardly a tenth predetermined distance and a second leg extending radially outwardly an eleventh predetermined distance. The seventh end including a firing pin, said firing pin assembly further includes a stopper surface mounted at a twelfth predetermined distance from said seventh end without reaching said eighth end and a spring member partially housing said shaft. The spring member includes ninth and tenth ends whereby the ninth end coacts against said second end that in turn coacts with said first and second legs, keeping said spring biased towards said second end. The second end has cooperative dimensions to coact with said spring and selectively causing said spring member to compress against said stopper surface. 
     In addition, the instant invention includes a key plate assembly having inner and outer walls. The key plate assembly has a first through opening. The inner wall including a second recess with mating cooperative characteristics to receive said first end of said striker locking guide, and rotational means for rotating said striker locking guide through said first through opening so that said first and second legs are selectively brought in alignment with said first and third notches respectively, thereby restricting the travel of said shaft, and in alignment with said first and second longitudinal channels respectively having unobstructed travel that permits the operation of said firearm. The rotational means includes a key, insertable through said first through opening of said key plate assembly to said first recess, so that a user exerting a rotational force, rotates said striker locking guide selectively from an unlocked position to a locked position and vice-a-versa. The key plate assembly also has a second through opening to allow for visual identification of said indicating mark. The indicating mark may be of tritium or a similar element. The second recess has at least one protrusion axially mounted thereon having mating cooperative characteristics with said first recess to provide notice when said user rotates said striker locking guide selectively from an unlocked position to a locked position and vice-a-versa. 
     It is therefore one of the main objects of the present invention to provide an internal locking mechanism utilized with semi-automatic firearms that have an enclosed striker assembly. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an internal locking mechanism that includes a key to set the firearm in a “unlocked” or “locked” mode. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a locking mechanism for firearms that includes a key, an internal locking device and a slide cover key plate. 
     It is still another object of this invention to provide a locking mechanism for firearms in which the internal locking mechanism is utilized as a means to prevent the movement of a firearm firing pin assembly when activated by the trigger mechanism. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness. 
     Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 represents the prior art firing pin assembly partially housed within a striker locking guide, a slide end cap and a decocking button. 
     FIG. 2 represents an exploded view of the internal locking mechanism in the unlocked position. 
     FIG. 3 a  shows an elevational view of the slide cover key plate indicating the firearm is in the unlocked mode. 
     FIG. 3 b  shows an elevational view of the slide cover key plate indicating the firearm is in locked mode. 
     FIG. 3 c  shows a perspective view of the rear side of the slide cover key plate. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates an elevational view of a firearm in phantom showing the present invention in the decocked and unlocked position. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an elevational view of a firearm in phantom showing the present invention in the locked position after the firearm has cycled. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates an elevational front view of the striker-locking guide rotating against the decocking button. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral  10 , it can be observed that it basically includes striker locking guide  30 , key plate assembly  60 , key  80 , and decocking button  90 . 
     Seen in FIG. 1 is a striker locking guide for a striker fired pistol, a slide end cap and a decocking button, as produced for a “SW 99” model, manufactured by Smith &amp; Wesson, located in Springfield, Mass. 
     As seen, in FIG. 2, firing pin assembly  20  slidably journals within longitudinal channels  51  and  51 ′, seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively, of striker locking guide  30  when in the unlocked position, as seen in FIG.  2 . Longitudinal channel  51  has locked channel  35 , seen in FIG. 4, and assembly channel  49 . Locked channel  35  is defined by side edge  36  establishing a parallel and spaced apart relationship between front edge  34  and rear edge  38  in the preferred embodiment. While firing pin leg  26  fills notch  35  in the decocked position, firing pin leg  26  is biased against front edge  34  due to the spring force exerted by spring  24  against edge  32 , seen in FIG.  4 . Extending from rear edge  38  towards assembly notch  49 , is longitudinal edge  53 . Assembly notch  49  allows for assembly of firing pin assembly  20  onto striker locking guide  30 . To insert firing pin assembly  20  within striker locking guide  30 , end  25  of firing pin assembly  20  is inserted at a predetermined angle along longitudinal channel  51 , against edge  48 ′ of assembly channel  49 ′, seen in FIG.  5 . Firing pin assembly  20  is installed without spring  24  and spring cups  23  and  23 ′. Firing pin leg  26 ′ is respectively aligned with assembly notch  49 , defined by edge  48 . Once received by striker locking guide  30 , firing pin leg  26  is slid against front edge  34  where spring  24  is placed over end  25  and retained by spring cups  23  and  23 ′ against stopper surface  22 , seen in FIG.  4 . 
     Cylindrical striker locking guide  30  is manufactured from a durable rigid material such as stainless steel, or a material of similar characteristics. 
     Key plate assembly  60  has exterior face  66  and interior face  68 , seen in FIG.  3 c. Keyhole  64  allows access for an authorized user to trespass key plate assembly  60  with key  80 . Key end  82  cooperatively fits into recess  57  of rear exterior surface  58 . Through hole  62 , seen in FIGS. 3 a - 3   c , provides notice when indicator  56  is properly aligned, indicating that the firearm is ready to discharge, as depicted in FIG. 3 a . Through hole  62 , provides notice when indicator  59  is properly aligned, indicating that the firearm is locked and will not discharge, as depicted in FIG. 3 b . Additionally, indicators  56  and  59  are illuminating inserts that allow for visual checking under low light conditions. Such illuminating inserts may be of tritium or other elements of similar characteristics. 
     While in the unlocked position, as presently depicted, firing pin leg  26  slidably journals within striker locking guide  30  biased against longitudinal edge  52 . During operation of the firearm, firing pin leg  26  slidably journals along longitudinal channel  51 , thus cycling between front edge  34  after the firearm is discharged to a predetermined distance approaching rear edge  50  when cycled. 
     Key  80  has key end  82 . Key end  82  may be of any shape or design to complement recess  57  of striker locking guide  30 . 
     Seen in FIG. 3 a  is a representation of slide cover key plate assembly  60  in the unlocked position, as represented in FIG.  2 . Indicator  56 , seen through through-hole  62  is of sufficient contrast to exterior face  66 , to allow an authorized user to visually determine that firearm F, seen in FIG. 4, is ready to discharge. Keyhole  64  allows access of key  80 , shown in FIG.  2 . 
     Seen in FIG. 3 b  is a representation of slide cover key plate assembly  60  in the locked position, as represented in FIG.  5 . Indicator  59 , seen through through-hole  62  is of sufficient contrast to exterior face  66 , to allow an authorized user to visually determine that firearm F, seen in FIG. 5, is locked and will not discharge. Keyhole  64  allows access of key  80 , shown in FIG.  2 . 
     Seen in FIG. 3 c  is a representation of the rear side of key plate assembly  60 . Interior face  68  has recess  65  shaped to cooperatively receive rear exterior surface  58  of striker locking guide  30 , seen in FIG.  2 . Recess  65  has protrusions  63  axially mounted thereon having mating cooperative characteristics with recess  57  to provide notice to the user by way of a resistance when the user rotates striker locking guide  30  selectively from an unlocked position, as seen in FIG. 3 a , to a locked position, as seen in FIG. 3 b , and vice-a-versa. 
     As seen in FIG. 4, firearm F is in the unlocked mode. When firearm F is in the unlocked mode, firing pin leg  26  slidably journals within striker locking guide  30  along longitudinal channel  51 , biased against longitudinal edge  52 . To place in the unlocked position, the user inserts key  80 , then turns in a counterclockwise direction, thereby rotating striker locking guide  30  to an unlocked position, thereby allowing for the movement of firing pin assembly  20  when activated by trigger T of firearm F. To remove key  80 , the user turns the key in a clockwise direction until key end  82  is aligned with keyhole  64  and removed. The user may acknowledge the unlocked mode of firearm F, by viewing indicator  56  through through-hole  62  as seen in FIG. 3 a.    
     As seen in FIG. 5, firearm F is in the locked mode. To place firearm F in the locked mode when firearm F is cocked, surface  94  of decocking button  90 , seen in FIG. 6, must first be pressed to decock firearm F. Once firearm F is decocked, an authorized user utilizes key  80 , inserting it into keyhole  64  of key plate assembly  60 . Key  80  is shaped to cooperatively fit into recess  57 , seen in FIG. 2, of striker locking guide  30 . The user inserts key  80 , then turns in a clockwise direction, thereby rotating striker locking guide  30  to a locked position wherefore firing pin assembly leg  26  rests in notch  35 , upon side edge  36  and biased against front edge  34 , thereby preventing the movement of firing pin assembly  20  when activated by trigger T of firearm F. To remove key  80 , the user turns the key in a counter-clockwise direction until key end  82  is aligned with keyhole  64  and removed. The user may acknowledge the locked mode of firearm F, by viewing indicator  59  through through-hole  62  as seen in FIG. 3 b . Firearm F, is in the locked mode as shown, whereby firing pin legs  26  and  26 ′ are biased against rear edges  38  and  38 ′ respectively. 
     As previously mentioned firing pin assembly  20  slidably journals within longitudinal channels  51  and  51 ′ of striker locking guide  30  when firearm F is in the unlocked mode. While in the unlocked position, as seen in FIG. 4, firing pin leg  26 ′ slidably journals within striker locking guide  30  biased against longitudinal edge  52 ′. During operation of the firearm, firing pin leg  26 ′ slidably journals along longitudinal channel  51 ′, defined by rear edge  50 ′ establishing a spaced apart relationship between longitudinal edges  52 ′ and  53 ′ in the preferred embodiment. Firing pin leg  26 ′ thus cycling between front edge  34 ′ after the firearm is discharged to a predetermined distance approaching rear edge  50 ′. 
     Longitudinal channel  51 ′ has locked channel  35 ′ to receive firing pin leg  26 ′ simultaneously as locked channel  35  receives firing pin leg  26 , as seen in FIG.  4 . Locked channel  35 ′ is defined by side edge  36 ′ establishing a parallel and spaced apart relationship between front edge  34 ′ and rear edge  38 ′ in the preferred embodiment. While firing pin leg  26 ′ fills locked channel  35 ′ in the decocked and locked position, firing pin leg  26 ′ is biased against front edge  34 ′ due to the spring force exerted by spring  24  against edge  32 , seen in FIG.  4 . In the decocked and locked position, firing pin assembly leg  26 ′ rests in locked channel  35 ′, upon side edge  36 ′, biased against front edge  34 ′, thereby preventing the movement of firing pin assembly  20  when activated by trigger T of firearm F. The authorized user may then cycle firearm F, achieving the locked mode as shown whereby firing pin leg  26 ′ is biased against rear edge  38 ′. 
     Striker locking guide  30  also has assembly notch  49 ′, which allows for assembly of firing pin assembly  20  onto striker locking guide  30 . To insert firing pin assembly  20  within striker locking guide  30 , end  25  of firing pin assembly  20  is inserted at a predetermined angle along longitudinal channel  51 , against edge  48 ′ of assembly channel  49 ′. Firing pin assembly  20  is installed without spring  24  and spring cups  23  and  23 ′. Firing pin leg  26 ′ is respectively aligned with assembly notch  49 , defined by edge  48 , seen in FIG.  4 . Once received by striker locking guide  30 , firing pin leg  26 ′ is slid against front edge  34 ′ where spring  24  is placed over end  25  and retained by spring cups  23  and  23 ′ against stopper surface  22 , seen in FIG.  4 . 
     Firearm F may be of any variety of semi-automatic firearms that have an enclosed striker assembly. Such a firearm may be a “SMITH &amp; WESSON”, without limitation to this specific brand. 
     As seen in FIG. 6, decocking button  90  has surface  94  and leg  92 . Leg  92  is shaped with curvature to cooperate with the rotation of striker locking guide  30  against it. 
     The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.