Firearms – Safety mechanism – Firearm lock
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-09
2001-07-17
Eldred, J. Woodrow (Department: 3644)
Firearms
Safety mechanism
Firearm lock
C042S070070
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260299
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a firearms security device and to a system including one or more such devices.
Most countries have legislation relating to the ownership and use of firearms, as well as regulations concerning the secure and tamper-proof storage of firearms when not in use. However, such devices for securing firearms as are currently available have tended to rely on the physical attachment of a firearm to a substrate by means of a chain-and-lock (or cable-and-lock assembly), or by means of a hinged lockable clamp, or merely by placing the firearm inside a lockable cupboard or safe. Furthermore, the presently-available devices do not address the problem of securing firearms during transit, for example between an owner's residence and his motor vehicle and/or between the motor vehicle and a gun-club premises.
The applicant has now provided a device for securing firearms whereby a firearm can be kept in a secure and tamper-proof condition at all times.
The applicant has also provided a firearms security system including one or more devices according to the present invention.
Accordingly, in a first aspect the present invention provides a retention device for a firearm, the device comprising:
(a) a first member adapted, in use, to be substantially permanently attached to a substrate;
(b) a second member adapted, in use, to be operatively engageable with the first member, whereby the said first and second members define between them a cavity to receive the firearm;
(c) locking means adapted, in use, to lock together the said first and second members, whereby the firearm is retained in the cavity.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a firearms security system including one or more of the devices described in the immediately-preceding paragraph.
In a device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first member (a) and the second member (b) may each consist essentially of a sheet of a rigid material having, on one face thereof, a recess adapted to receive at least part of the firearm, whereby, when the first member (a) is in operative engagement with the second member (b), the said recesses co-operate to define the cavity to receive the firearm.
Preferably, the first member (a) may be provided with one or more locating pins and the second member (b) may be provided with one or more corresponding apertures to receive said pins when the first member (a) and the second member (b) are in operative engagement.
Alternatively, the second member (b) may be provided with one or more locating pins and the first member (a) may be provided with one or more corresponding apertures to receive said pins when the first member (a) and the second member (b) are in operative engagement.
The locating pins act to prevent the first and second members from being moved apart in a plane parallel to that of their faces and thus the pins enhance the effective security of the device.
One of the locating pins may be adapted, in use, to function as a trigger-guard for the firearm.
Any one or more of the locating pins may comprise a “latch-pin” of the type known to those skilled in the relevant art.
Alternatively, one or more “latch-pins” and corresponding apertures may be provided in addition to the locating pins to further enhance the effective security of the device.
The device may be provided with means, additional to the locking means (c), adapted, in use, to secure the firearm to the second member (b). Thus, the firearm can be moved from one fixed first member (a) to a second fixed first member (a) with the second member (b) secured in position, thus minimising the possibility of unauthorised use of the firearm during transfer from one location to another.
The first member (a) and second member (b) may suitably be provided with a mortice or other aperture to receive the locking means (c).
Preferably, the locking means (c) may consist essentially of a locking-bolt.
The first member (a) and the second member (b) may suitably each be made of a metal, for example iron or steel (which may optionally be hardened).
Preferably, each of the recesses in the first member (a) and second member (b) is provided with a lining of a resilient material, to minimise damage to the firearm.
The lining may comprise a rubber or a rubber-like material.
Alternatively, the lining may comprise a foam material.
A device according to the present invention may also include reinforcing means (for example a means which, in use, acts as a back-plate) to secure the first member (a) to the substrate.
In accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, a firearms security system may comprise two or more first members (a) and one or more second members (b), together with at least one locking means (c), each of the first members (a) being substantially permanently attached to a substrate and the second member (b) being adapted to be transferred, together with the firearm and the locking means (c), from one first member (a) to a further first member (a).
The substrate may be, or may be substantially permanently associated with, a surface of a building.
Alternatively, the substrate may be, or may be substantially permanently associated with, a surface of a vehicle.
Thus, a system according to the second aspect of the present invention may comprise three first members (a), one second member (b) and one locking means (c). One of the first members (a) may be secured, for example, to a surface of the owner's residence. Another of the first members (a) may be secured to a surface of a motor vehicle (e.g. the floor of the vehicle) and the remaining first member (a) may be secured to a surface of the premises of a gun-club. The owner can, therefore, transport his firearm from a retaining device in his residence, via a retaining device in a motor vehicle, to a retaining device on the premises of a gun-club, by releasing the second member (b) from the first member (a) in his residence and attaching the second member (b) (and firearm) to the first member in his vehicle, followed by correspondingly removing the second member (b) (and firearm) from the vehicle and attaching some to the first member (a) in the club premises.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5621996 (1997-04-01), Mowl, Jr.
patent: 5680723 (1997-10-01), Ruiz
patent: 5768819 (1998-06-01), Neal
Eldred J. Woodrow
Reinarrt, Boerner, Van Deuren, Norris & Rieselbach, s.c.
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