Firearms – Safety mechanism – Firearm lock
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-21
2001-07-17
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Firearms
Safety mechanism
Firearm lock
C070S063000, C206S317000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260300
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to locking storage receptacles and locking or disabling mechanisms and controls for firearms and other devices requiring secured access and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for preventing unauthorized access to or use of a firearm or other article by securing the firearm or article in a safe box or with a mechanical lock, or by disabling operational access, and thereby requiring use of a biometric data recognition system to unlock the handgun or article or to gain operational access.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of handgun locking systems and safe boxes for storing and locking handguns for the purpose of preventing unauthorized access and use is generally known. Such systems are useful for limiting access to handguns in private and commercial or public settings. In private residential settings, for example, it is desirable to prevent unauthorized access to and use of handguns by children, intruders, or other unauthorized individuals. In commercial or public settings, it is desirable to prevent unauthorized access to and use of handguns in situations where handguns are subject to theft or are inadvertently misplaced.
Some known systems use purely mechanical locks that comprise cumbersome mechanical components and the use of a key, a combination dial, or similar means. Such mechanical locks require time to manipulate a key or enter a combination. This is undesirable in situations where it may be necessary to quickly access and utilize a handgun. The mechanical components are subject to wear and failure. Keys and combinations can be obtained by unauthorized individuals. These drawbacks and others make the use of mechanical locks undesirable.
Other systems utilize electronic code-entry systems for electromechanical locking means. For example, some systems require that a code be keyed in on a keypad. These systems are subject to the same drawbacks as mechanical systems where codes can be accessed and used by unauthorized personnel or entry and access is undesirably delayed due to the time to key in the code. Access may be altogether prevented where a user cannot remember the access code.
Certain systems utilize fingerprint or thumbprint scanning technology for authorizing the opening of an electronic lock for a security box. Recently developed technology, including that disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. 09/206,013 and 09/205,391, utilizes fingerprint or thumbprint scanning technology to activate or enable an operational mode necessary for firing an electronic handgun or for operating a device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to various embodiments for locking, storing, enabling and disabling a device such as a conventional firearm, or an electronic firearm through the use of a control system that is responsive to biometric data input. The present invention utilizes fingerprint scanning devices to enable both unlocking of a locking box or a trigger lock apparatus, as well as operation and firing of an electronically-controlled firearm that has such features as an electronic locking system onboard or an electronic firing system, in a single authorization entry of fingerprint data.
The present invention system achieves the objectives of providing a locking and/or control system that is highly secure, yet can be unlocked and activated quickly, without being subject to the aforementioned drawbacks of known systems. By utilizing a biometric authorization system, such as fingerprint scanning, the risks of losing or misplacing a key, forgetting or inadvertently distributing a code and the like are eliminated. The present invention system has utility not only in locking or securing systems, but also in future electronically operated devices such as electronically operated firearms by providing signal input system that is transferable from a locking system to an operating system.
These and other objectives are achieved by the invention as described below.
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Constant Robert L.
Klebes John F.
Parent Gerard G.
Jordan Charles T.
McCormick Paulding & Huber LLP
Palo Francis T.
Smith & Wesson Corp.
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