Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to firearm support assemblies and, in particular, to an improved clamping lock assembly that is adapted to support a number of conformal inserts or support cushions specifically molded for individual firearms that can be mounted in the lock. 
     A variety of firearm supports have been developed over the years to retain firearms within automobiles and trucks. The assemblies support the firearms in horizontal and upright postures to available vehicle structures to provide ready access for the driver. Locking assemblies are frequently included to prevent theft or unauthorized access. 
     Locked support assemblies are especially important to the law enforcement community. A number of support assemblies sold by Big Sky Racks, Inc., Bozeman, Mont. and others use a keyed lock of a type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,280. The lock is adaptable to be electrically activated. The lock provides a clamp arm that is hinged to a cast body having a U-shaped space that accepts a portion of a firearm. A felt liner is typically provided in the clamp space and to the clamp arm to prevent marring the firearm when the clamp arm is latched to the body. 
     Although such locks have proven especially durable, the oversized construction of the clamp space can permit a substantial amount of firearm movement with movement of the supporting vehicle. The movement can be distracting. Over time, the movement can also mar and scratch the firearm and/or remove the bluing. 
     The present invention was developed to provide an improved lock assembly and a variety of conformal and specially formed inserts that mount in the clamp space of the firearm lock to closely contain a portion of a firearm secured thereto. The inserts are formed to contain specific portions of a variety of different types and models of firearms. The inserts are particularly adapted to support a variety of pump-action and auto-loading shotguns, rifles and machine guns. The inserts are restrained to the lock assembly to permit an inverted mounting, yet are detachable to accommodate supporting any of the preferred firearms to the lock assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is accordingly a primary object of the invention to provide a detachable, non-marring insert or support cushion for a firearm that can be mounted to a lock assembly. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a firearm arm lock insert that conforms to a portion of a particular firearm fitted thereto. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide an insert that is substantially preshaped to support and shield a selected portion of a predetermined firearm. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide detachable fasteners to interlock the insert to the lock assembly. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide inserts with a multi-walled shell having fasteners that mate with the lock assembly and a number of shaped, displaced parallel webs that project from the shell walls and include contoured recesses that mate with complementary surfaces of a predetermined firearm. 
     The foregoing objects, advantages and distinctions of the invention, among others, are obtained in a presently preferred lock assembly that accommodates a number of molded inserts. The inserts are formed to accept and restrain the fore-stock and/or receiver of a variety of specific firearms, for example, pump and auto-loading shotguns and rifles. 
     When the lock is latched, the inserts include a surface that conforms to the contours of the firearm to protect the firearm from marring and scratching, restrict firearm movement and prevent unauthorized access. The inserts include fastener mechanisms that facilitate a detachable mounting of the inserts to the lock. A user can thereby periodically adapt the lock by changing the insert to accept different types of firearms. 
     Still other objects, advantages, distinctions and constructions of the invention will become more apparent from the following description with respect to the appended drawings. Similar components and assemblies are referred to in the various drawings with similar alphanumeric reference characters. Various features of the invention may also be configured with other features in different combinations. The description should therefore not be literally construed in limitation of the invention. Rather, the invention should be interpreted within the broad scope of the further appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing to a solid, molded insert shown in exploded assembly that is used to cradle and restrain a long-gun to the manual and/or electronically keyed lock assembly. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the insert of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the insert of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the insert of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of an insert having flanged fasteners. 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom front view of the inserts of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an insert for a Remington 870 shotgun. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an insert for another Remington 870 shotgun. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an insert for an M16-A1 rifle. 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an insert for a Ruger rifle. 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an insert for an A2 rifle. 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an insert for an mini 14 rifle. 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an insert for an M4 rifle. 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an insert for automatic rifle. 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an insert for an MP5 rifle. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1 a perspective drawing is shown to a conformal insert  2  that can be constructed to a variety of shapes and that can be secured to a firearm lock assembly  4 . The insert  2  is particularly adapted to securely restrain a firearm to the lock assembly  4  at a vehicle mounted firearm support. The firearm support can be secured to the vehicle ceiling, a divider cage/window, a roll bar. The lock assembly  4  and one or more cradles contain the firearm to the support. 
     The construction and shape of the insert  2  can be adapted to a variety of firearms and prevent marring the firearm. A variety of support cushions or elastomer inserts  2  of tailored shapes that are compatible with the surface contours of a number of firearms used by the law enforcement community are described below. 
     The lock assembly  4  includes a cast base or body  6  and a clamp or latch arm  8 . The clamp arm  8  is secured to pivot relative to the body  6  at a hinge pin  10  that mounts in aligned piano hinge pieces  12  and  14  that extend from the arm  8  and hinge pieces  16  and  18  that extend from the body  6 . A spring  20  biases the latch arm  8  to a locked position. A mounting plate  22  and rail  24  can be secured to the lock  4  with a variety of fasteners (not shown) at through holes  26 . The plate  22  and rail  24 , in turn, can be secured to the support framework of a firearm support and/or directly to the vehicle. 
     A keyed tumbler is included with the lock assembly  4  that cooperates with the hinge pin  10  to secure the arm  8  in its latched condition when rotated into contact with the body  6 . A remote switch (not shown) is also coupled to the lock  4  via conductors  28  to operate the latch arm  8 . 
     The insert  2  is constructed of a molded elastomer that defines a recess  30  between a pair of vertical arms  32  and  34  and a base  36 . The insert  2  can be molded from a variety of materials, including foams, polymers, rubber and materials containing fillers, and composites to any desired durometer. The insert  2  can also be molded with regions of differing durometer, for example, the arms  32  and  34  can be softer than the base  36 . The surface contour of the recess  30  can be formed to provide any desired support characteristic. 
     The insert  2  fastens to the lock assembly  4  with a number of studs  38  that are shown at FIGS. 2-4. The studs  38  mount in holes  40  that are displaced from the fastener holes  26 . The studs  38  are molded slightly oversized from the holes  40 . Once mounted, the studs  38  expand and securely retain the insert  2  to the lock  4 . 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 show another insert  42  that includes the studs  38  and a pair of flanged prongs  44 . The prongs  44  mount in the counter bored fastener holes  26  to enhance the retention. The shape, number and placement of the studs and/or prongs  44  can be varied at any insert to achieve a desired retention force. A variety of other interlocking fasteners or fastening mechanisms can also be used, depending upon the available attachment points at the lock assembly. Preferably, the prongs or any other fastener sufficiently secures the insert  42  to prevent the insert  42  from dislodging during normal use, yet permits the user to switch or replace the insert  42  to accommodate any desired firearm. 
     In the latter regard, FIGS. 7-15 show a number of other inserts  50 ,  60 ,  70 ,  80 ,  90 ,  100 ,  110 ,  120  and  130  that are constructed to be compatible with a number of firearms that are commonly used by law enforcement personnel. Where, too, the insert  2  is shown in a generalized form with a solid base  36  and arms  32  and  34 , the inserts  50 - 130  are constructed to provide a number of parallel webs that project from the walls of a surrounding shell. Each web is formed with a contoured recess that is shaped with smooth, ridged and/or arcuate surfaces to accept the firearm. The webs can flex as necessary to facilitate mounting. 
     For example, FIG. 7 shows the insert  50  which has several webs  52  that are each formed with a recess  54 . The webs  52  extend from outer sidewalls  56  and  57  and base  58 . The sidewalls  56  and  57  and base walls define a concave shell having a thickness in the range of {fraction (3/32)} to ¼ inch. The collection of recesses  54  is constructed to conform to the fore stock of a Remington 870 pump shotgun. The thickness and spacing between the webs  52  can be varied depending upon the material and durometer. Presently, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material is used that exhibits a durometer in the range of 85 to 95 on the Shor “A” scale. The webs  52  exhibit a nominal thickness in the range of {fraction (1/16)} to ¼ inch and a spacing between webs  52  in the range of ¼-⅝ inch. 
     FIG. 8 depicts the insert  60 , which is also constructed with a number of webs  62 , and recesses  64  that accept a Remington 870 pump shotgun. The width of the recesses  64  varies between the sidewalls  66  and  67  over the length of the insert  60 . Some of the webs  62  only extend partially from the sidewall  66 . 
     FIG. 9 depicts the insert  70 , which is constructed with a number of webs  72 , and low profile recesses  74  that accept an M16-A1 rifle. The webs  72  extend between the sidewalls  76  and  77  such that only a slight depression is exhibited. 
     FIGS. 10,  11  and  12  depict the inserts  80 ,  90  and  100 , which are constructed to respectively support a Ruger carbine, an AR15-A2 and a Ruger mini-14 rifle. The webs  82 ,  92  and  102  are formed with appropriately shaped recesses  84 ,  94  and  104 . 
     FIGS. 13,  14  and  15  depict the inserts  110 ,  120  and  130 , which are constructed to respectively support a Colt M4, several automatic shotguns, and an H&amp;K MP5 rifle. The webs  112 ,  122  and  132  are formed with appropriately shaped recesses  114 ,  124  and  134 . The recesses  114  and  134  also include stepped ridges  115  and  135  that define regions of differing levels at the recesses  124  and  134 . 
     While the invention has been described with respect to a number of presently preferred firearm support inserts and considered improvements or alternatives thereto, still other constructions may be suggested to those skilled in the art. That is, the disclosed features of the invention might be combined in different arrangements and with still other features in other lock assemblies. The foregoing description should therefore be construed to include all those embodiments within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: 2