Patent Document

REFERENCE TO PENDING APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application which claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/295,968 which was filed Dec. 7, 2005 and the corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 8,006,424, scheduled to be issued Aug. 30, 2011. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to accessories for firearms and more particularly concerns accessories for storing firearms not in use. 
     It is fairly common practice to keep a firearm in a residence or business location for the purpose of self-protection. Given the purpose for having the firearm, keeping it in an unloaded condition is hardly practical. On the other hand, keeping a loaded firearm in an insecure environment is also impractical. 
     It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a stand for a loaded firearm which will store the firearm in a readily accessible location. Another object of this invention is to provide a loaded firearm stand which can be permanently mounted on a relatively immovable object. Yet another object of this invention is to provide a loaded firearm stand which resists unauthorized disengagement of the firearm from the stand. A further object of this invention is to provide a loaded firearm stand which readily permits disengagement of the firearm from the stand by an authorized user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the invention, a stand is provided which secures a loaded firearm in an inoperable condition for quick release to an authorized user in the event of an emergency. A housing serves as a base for the stand. 
     A mechanism fixed to the housing prevents the firearm from firing. For example, a rod is fixed at one end to the housing and is oriented on the housing so that its other end can be inserted through the muzzle and into the bore until it extends into an empty chamber of a revolver or into the receiver of an automatic pistol. The extension of the rod into the empty chamber or receiver prevents firing of the firearm. Preferably, the rod is of adjustable length and the adjustable components of the rod are located and contoured for disposition within the bore when the rod extends into the empty chamber or receiver, so as to minimize any possibility of tampering with the adjustable components. 
     Another mechanism mounted on the housing is operable between two positions. In its first position, it permits engagement of the firearm on and disengagement of the firearm from the firing prevention mechanism. In its second position, it prevents disengagement of the firearm from the firing prevention mechanism. The mechanism preventing disengagement of the firearm from the firing preventing mechanism may, for example, be a slide reciprocally movable on the housing between two positions. In the first position, the path of removal of the firearm from the rod is cleared. In the second position, the path of removal of the firearm from the rod is obstructed. Obstruction can be accomplished in the second position by having the slide abut a rear portion of the firearm, such as a rear portion of the hammer, the trigger guard, the trigger or the slide. 
     The disengagement preventing mechanism may, alternatively, be the combination of a seat in the housing which receives the trigger guard when the rod is fully inserted into the firearm and a slide which reciprocates in the housing between the first and second positions. The slide clears the path of removal of the trigger guard from the seat in the first position and obstructs the path of removal of the trigger guard from the seat in the second position. 
     In the case of an in-housing disengagement preventing mechanism, an externally accessible operating mechanism is fixed to the housing for switching the slide between the first and second positions. In one embodiment, a key may be used to rotate an externally accessible key cylinder operably connected by a linkage to the slide. In another embodiment, the slide may extend externally of the housing and be manually pushable against a bias with a latching mechanism automatically securing the slide in the second position until a latch releasing mechanism allows the slide to be reciprocated by the bias to the first position. The automatic latching mechanism may be a solenoid biased toward engagement with the slide and the releasing mechanism may be an electronic controller disengaging the solenoid from the slide. The electronic controller may be a key pad, a fingerprint recognition pad or the like. 
     For automatic pistols another mechanism, such as a bracket mounted and oriented on the housing to extend below the butt of the pistol in the second condition, may also be used to prevent removal or insertion of a clip from the pistol grip. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the firearm stand: 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the stand of  FIG. 1  taken in a vertical plane extending diametrically through the barrel of a revolver mounted thereon; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the firearm stand taken in a vertical plane extending diametrically through the barrel of a revolver mounted thereon; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view taken along the line  4 - 4  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2  and illustrating a key operated embodiment of the stand; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2  and illustrating a key pad operated embodiment of the stand; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2  and illustrating a fingerprint pad operated embodiment of the stand; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view taken in a vertical plane extending diametrically through the barrel of an uncocked revolver mounted on the stand of  FIG. 2  and illustrating possible alignments of the firing prevention and/or firearm disengagement mechanisms; and 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view taken in a vertical plane extending diametrically through the barrel of a cocked revolver mounted on the stand of  FIG. 3  and illustrating possible alignments of the firing prevention and/or firearm disengagement mechanisms. 
     
    
    
     While the invention will be described in connection with several embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments or to the details of the construction or arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Turning first to  FIG. 1 , the loaded firearm stand includes a base  10  which supports and/or contains the other components of the stand. The base  10  shown is a box-like housing having front  11 , rear  13 , left side  15 , right side  17  and top  19  walls. The walls may be steel or any other suitable material of corresponding thickness to inhibit violent access to the contents of the housing or distortion of the alignment of its structural components. The base  10  need not necessarily be box-like or orthogonal. 
     Looking at  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the base  10  also has a removable bottom cover  21  which closes the housing. As shown, the cover  21  hinges at one end  23  in a groove  25  in the lower inside surface of the rear wall  13  into abutment against a seat  27  along the lower inside surface of the front wall  11 . Looking also at  FIG. 4 , a lock cylinder  31  is mounted on the cover  21 . A lock ring  32  threaded on the cylinder  31  engages the cylinder  31  against a flange  28  of an opening  29  in the cover  21 . The keyway is accessible to the key  33  from outside of the housing and the linkage  35  rotates within the housing to engage a flange  37  on the inside surface of the front wall  11  to lock the cover  21  to the base  10 . Other cover configurations and methods of operation can be used, provided the resulting locked housing inhibits violent access to the contents of the housing or distortion of the alignment of the structural components. 
     Continuing to look at  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the stand also includes a mechanism mounted on the base  10  for limiting engagement and disengagement of the firearm F to and from the base  10  to forward and rearward axial motion, respectively, of the firearm F relative to the base  10 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the motion restricting mechanism is a rod  41  fixed at one end  43  to the base  10 . As shown, a reinforcing tube  45  is mounted against the underside of the top wall  19  of the base  10  and the end  43  of the rod  41  extends through holes in the top wall  19  and the reinforcing tube  45  into the housing. Exterior and interior lock nuts  47  and  49  secure the rod  41  in place on the base  10 . The exposed portion of the rod  41  is oriented at an angle  51  for insertion into the muzzle M of the firearm F. The barrel B of the firearm F restricts motion of the firearm F on the rod  41  to motion along the rod axis  53 . The forwardmost position  55  of the firearm F on the rod is determined by contact of the trigger guard G against the reinforcing tube  151  or by contact of the muzzle M on the top wall  19  of the base  10  depending on the length of the barrel B. Once on the rod  41  in the forwardmost position  55 , axial motion of the firearm F is substantially limited to reward motion on the axis  53 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 1 , the rod  41  is of adjustable length. For example, one or more threaded extensions  42  can be used to extend the rod  41  or replace an extension of different length. The adjustable components  42  of the rod  41  are located and contoured for disposition within the barrel B so as to minimize any possibility of tampering with the adjustable components  42 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the motion restricting mechanism is a sleeve  61  fixed at one end to the base  10 . As shown, the mounting end  43  of a rod is secured to the base  10  in the same manner as the rod  41  was secured to the base  10  in  FIG. 2 . The closed forward end  65  of the sleeve  61  is fixed to the exposed end  67  of the rod with the sleeve axis  69  oriented at an angle  71  to receive the muzzle M of the firearm F. The forwardmost position  55  of the firearm F in the sleeve  61  is determined by contact of the trigger guard G against the reinforcing tube  151  or by contact of the muzzle M with the closed end  65  of the sleeve  61  depending on the length of the barrel B. Once in the sleeve  61  in the forwardmost position  55 , axis motion of the firearm F is substantially limited to rearward motion on the axis  69 . Other mechanisms may be used to limit axis motion of the firearm F. The materials and dimensions of the components of any axial motion limiting mechanism must be such as to inhibit violent distortion of the alignment of its structural components. 
     Considering  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  8  and  9 , the stand also includes a mechanism cooperable with the firearm F in a loaded condition to prevent firing of the firearm F when the firearm F is in the fixed forwardmost position  55  on the base  10 . As seen in  FIG. 2 , the anti-firing mechanism is an extension  73  of the rod  41  into an empty chamber E of the firearm F. The rod extension  73  prevents rotation of a revolver cylinder C which would align a loaded chamber L for firing. Similarly, the extension  73  of the rod  41  into the empty chamber of an automatic pistol would prevent a shell from being fed from a clip or magazine into the chamber. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the anti-firing mechanism is a pin  75  mounted for reciprocal travel into and out of abutment with the back of the trigger T of the firearm F along an axis transverse, as shown perpendicular, to the axis  69 . The pin  75  prevents the trigger T from being pulled sufficiently to fire the firearm F. Looking at  FIGS. 8 and 9 , similar arrangements of pins  77  and  79  behind an uncocked hammer H and in front of a cocked hammer H, respectively, will prevent the hammer H from moving sufficiently to fire the firearm F. Again, the materials and corresponding dimensions of any components of the anti-firing mechanism must be such as to inhibit violent distortion of the alignment of its structural components. 
     Still considering  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  8  and  9 , the stand further includes a mechanism mounted on the base  10  and operable along an axis transverse, as shown perpendicular, to the axial motion of the firearm F. This mechanism operates between a first position in which the firearm F can move axially to and from its fixed forwardmost position  55  on the base  10  and a second position in which the firearm F cannot move axially rearwardly from its fixed forwardmost position sufficiently to disengage the anti-firing mechanism and permit firing of the firearm F. As seen in  FIG. 2 , the anti-release mechanism is a pin  91  mounted on the base  10  for reciprocal travel into and out of abutment with the back of the front wall of the trigger guard G of the firearm F along the transverse axis. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the anti-release mechanism is the same pin  75  which serves as the anti-firing mechanism. As seen in  FIG. 8 , the anti-release mechanism may be the same pin  77  which serves as the anti-firing mechanism behind an uncocked hammer H or a pin  93  which moves into and out of abutment with the back of the pistol grip P. As seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the anti-release mechanism may be a pin  95  which moves into and out of abutment with the back of the front sight S of the firearm F. 
     Looking at FIGS.  2  and  5 - 7 , the operation of the pins  75 ,  77 ,  79 ,  91 ,  93  and  95  as anti-firing or anti-release mechanisms or both can be understood in relation to the operation of the trigger guard anti-release pin  91  of  FIG. 2 . The pin  91  is aligned to reciprocate in holes  101  in the structure of the base  10 . As shown, the holes  101  are in the reinforcing tube  45  and the right side wall  17 . Other structural members could be added to permit the desired reciprocal alignment of the pin  91  or any of the pins  75 ,  77 ,  79 ,  93  or  95 . As shown, the pin  91  reciprocates between a first position  103  in which rearward axial motion of the trigger guard G and firearm F from the fixed forwardmost position  55  is permitted and a second position  105  in which rearward axial motion of the trigger guard G and firearm F from the fixed forwardmost position  55  is prevented. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 , the stand also includes a mechanism for locking the anti-release mechanism in its anti-release position. In  FIG. 5 , the operation of the pin  91  can be accomplished, for example, by operation of a rotating linkage  111  on a lock cylinder  113  manually rotated by use of a key  115 . A post  117  on the pin  91  is engaged in a slot  119  in the linkage  111 . Rotation of the key  115  causes reciprocation of the pin  91  between its first and second positions  103  and  105  and removal of the key  115  leaves the pin  91  locked in its second position. In  FIGS. 6 and 7 , as further examples, the operation of the pin  91  can be accomplished by manually pushing an exposed end  121  of the pin  91  inwardly against the bias of a spring  123  compressed between the reinforcing tube  45  and a stop ring  125  on the pin  91  until a stop member or cone  127  on the pin  91  is engaged by a solenoid  129  mounted in the base  10  to hold the pin  91  in the first position  103 . The solenoid  129  is powered by an electrical source such as a battery  131  in the housing so that, when energized, the solenoid  129  releases the pin  91  to the bias of the spring  123 , returning the pin  91  to its second position  105 . Until the solenoid  129  is engaged, the pin  91  remains locked in its second position. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , the stand includes a member  140  externally accessible on the base  10  for unlocking the locking mechanism to permit authorized removal of the firearm F from the stand. By way of example, as seen in  FIG. 5 , the accessible member is the lock cylinder key hole  116 . As seen in  FIG. 6 , the accessible member is an electronic key pad  141  in the circuit of the solenoid  129 . As seen in  FIG. 7 , the accessible member is an electronic fingerprint reader  143 . Except for the accessible operating member, the unlocking and locking mechanism is contained within the housing. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1-3  and  5 - 7 , the pin  91  in the second position  103  of the anti-release mechanism is entirely within the base  10 . As best seen in  FIG. 1 , a slot  151  is provided in the base  10  to receive the trigger guard G. The external structure of the base  10  can be similarly modified to enclose any of the pins  75 ,  77 ,  79 ,  93  and  95 . Furthermore, as best seen in  FIGS. 1-3 , a bracket  153  can be mounted on the exterior of the rear wall  13  of the base  10 , as by use of one or more nuts  155 , to obstruct the magazine or clip passage of an automatic pistol. 
     The stand can be disguised to some extent by combination in a lamp, clock or telephone stand or the like. It can be mounted on furniture or a wall or the like or be free standing. For example, the cover  21  may be secured to a suitable object, such as the top of a night table (not shown), by bolts (not shown). A hole can be drilled through the night table which is aligned with the lock cylinder  31 . Thus, the cover  21  can be bolted to the night table and the base  10  can be locked to the cover  21  or unlocked and removed from the cover  21 . 
     Thus it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, a stand for a loaded hand gun that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with several embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art and in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternative, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 2