Firearms – Safety mechanism – On trigger guard
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-18
2001-04-03
Carone, Michael J. (Department: 3641)
Firearms
Safety mechanism
On trigger guard
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209251
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to firearm safety devices of the kind designed to prevent unauthorized access to the trigger by blocking the trigger guard.
Known devices of this type (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,537, of the present Applicant) comprise a pair of blocking members adapted to be locked to each other around the trigger guard. According to the conventional design one of the blocking members is provided with a selectively rotatable spindle with a series of ratchet teeth thereon. The spindle is receivable within a cavity formed at the other blocking member, which is provided with ratchet rider member. In the operative, locking position the ratchet teeth are meshed, and the separation of the members from each other is thus prevented. In order to release the members, the ratchet teeth spindle must be rotated to disengage the ratchet teeth from the ratchet rider and allow the sliding out of the spindle.
The rotation of the spindle from the engaging to the disengaging position is achieved by a key operated mechanism of various types and designs.
These devices however suffer certain disadvantages. First, the ratchet rider must be spring-urged, and for that purpose the spring must be rather strong to avoid the release of the members by a sharp shock against the device. This, however, entails excessive wear of the ratchet teeth.
Secondly, the manipulation of the spindle by a key for the unlocking of the device is cumbersome and time consuming which is considered specifically disadvantageous when time is of essence, namely when one must reach for the weapon and bring it as quickly as possible to an operative shooting position.
The present invention provides a modified design of the locking mechanism of trigger guard blocking devices, being more simple, compact and easy to manipulate.
Further, the present invention improves the safety of the device against forceful tampering therewith.
Still further, the invention facilitates the operation of the device by electric or remote controlled means.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus provided according to the present invention is a firearm safety device for a firearm including a trigger and a trigger guard over the trigger. The device comprises first and second trigger blocking members adapted to engage and lock to each other around the trigger guard and prevent access to the trigger. The first blocking member comprises a hollow configured to receive a projecting, ratchet-toothed fixed spindle of the second blocking member. A ratchet rider member is installed having a ratchet toothed surface, so that reciprocating movement of the rider towards and away from the hollow is allowed. A spring is provided for urging the ratchet-toothed surface against the ratchet-toothed spindle when inserted into the hollow. The ratchet rider member is further provided with pivot means allowing a rotational movement thereof into a position wherein the toothed surface thereof disengages the ratchet teeth of the spindle. Selectively operable means are provided for immobilizing the movement(s) of the rider member.
The second blocking member comprises a non-rotatable ratchet spindle.
Preferably, the rider member immobilizing means comprise a key-operated push-in lock cooperating with a recess formed in the rider member.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2195693 (1940-04-01), Clifton
patent: 2948978 (1960-08-01), Salverda
patent: 3020663 (1962-02-01), Newson
patent: 3392471 (1968-07-01), Foote
patent: 5392551 (1995-02-01), Simpson
patent: 5487234 (1996-01-01), Dragon
patent: 5638627 (1997-06-01), Klein et al.
patent: 5647158 (1997-07-01), Eskelinen
patent: 5704152 (1998-01-01), Harrison et al.
Carone Michael J.
Chambers Troy
Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen, LLP
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