GUN LOCKING DEVICE

Abstract

A gun locking device includes a lock removably disposable within a cavity of a gun, such as being slidably received within a magazine well of the gun. An elongated rod is extendable into the gun through a chamber thereof for locking engagement with the lock. An end of the rod defines a plug disposable within the chamber of the gun when the rod is in engagement with the lock to prevent ammunition from being disposed within the chamber and the gun being discharged.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/233,744, filed Sep. 28, 2015.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to guns and firearms. More particularly, the present invention relates to a gun locking device that prevents a gun from being loaded with ammunition and fired.

Firearm use and ownership has increased over the years. Those owning and using guns include members of the military, police forces, and those owning guns ranging from the casual gun collector to those using guns for recreational or protective purposes.

Along with the increased firearm ownership and use has come an enhanced concern for firearm safety. This includes a concern for preventing accidental discharge or unauthorized use of the gun.

Safety devices have been introduced to address this concern. For example, there are various types of gun locks that are available. Many of these, however, are ineffective as they can be easily disarmed, difficult to install, fail to prevent discharge of the gun when installed, or overly complex in construction and expensive.

It is known that trigger locks and chain or cable locks can be used for locking the firing mechanism of guns. One problem with these types of locks is their safety is poor. As these locks are exposed on the outside of the gun after they have been locked, it is easy for someone to discover the lock. Consequently, it is easy to destroy the lock with a hacksaw, file or cutting pliers. In addition, in the case of a handgun, it is difficult to put the handgun into a holster if it has an outside lock.

Currently, as a safety measure, every new semi-automatic handgun is supplied with a cable-type lock wherein a flexible cable extends through the magazine well and chamber of the gun and is attached to an external lock, such as a padlock or the like. However, these are easily defeated as the cable can be accessed and cut with wire cutters or bolt cutters or the like. Furthermore, the handgun is not able to be placed within a holster or the like when locked.

The use of a lockable barrel plug as a deterrent to unauthorized use or inadvertent or accidental discharge of a gun is also well known. Such plugs typically rely on some form of inside-of-the-barrel plug expansion or outside-of-the-barrel plug compression to secure the plug in the barrel. However, these lockable plugs also have disadvantages. As the plugs often radially expand within the barrel and rely on frictional engagement with the inner wall of the barrel to resist removal of the plug from the barrel, they often require complex expanding mechanisms in order to achieve sufficient frictional contact between the barrel and the plug surfaces. Moreover, while the plug is in the barrel, a substantial portion of their operating structure is usually exposed to tampering outside of the barrel. The locking barrel plugs can also be difficult for the user to install and remove, and only offer modest resistance to unauthorized removal of the plug from the barrel. They may also mar or more severely damage the barrel surface in normal use as their expanding components must exert significant force against the barrel wall. Moreover, lockable barrel plugs may still permit cartridges or other ammunition to be within the gun, such as in a cartridge magazine within the magazine well of the gun.

Accordingly, there is a continuing need for overcoming the problems encountered in the conventional practices. What is needed is a gun locking device which is simple to manufacture and easy to install and remove. What is also needed is a gun locking device which is not easily disarmed or removed from the gun. What is also needed is a gun locking device which when in operation still allows the gun owner to utilize existing cases, holders, holsters and the like. The present invention fulfills these needs, and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention resides in a gun locking device which is relatively simple in manufacture and easy to use. When in operation, the gun locking device is disposed within the gun so as to not be easily disarmed or destroyed. Moreover, the gun locking device of the present invention enables the locked gun to be placed in its existing case, holder, holster or the like.

The gun locking device of the present invention generally comprises a lock removably disposable within a cavity of the gun. An elongated rod is extendable into the gun through a chamber of the gun and configured for locking engagement with the lock. An end of the elongated rod defines a plug which is disposable in the chamber of the gun when the rod is in engagement with the lock. Ammunition cannot be disposed within the chamber and the gun discharged when the rod is in locked engagement with the lock and the plug is disposed within the chamber.

The lock includes a housing that is slidably received within a magazine well of the gun. Typically, the lock housing has an exterior configuration similar to that of a cartridge magazine of the gun so as to be inserted into and removed from the magazine well similar to the cartridge magazine.

The plug substantially occupies the gun chamber to prevent ammunition from being inserted therein. The plug may have a configuration substantially matching or conforming to the gun chamber.

The rod is typically rigid substantially along a length thereof. A portion of the rod spaced from the plug engages a latch of the lock. The device includes means, such as a key, for selectively unlocking the lock to disengage the rod.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of components of a gun locking device embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a gun and a cartridge-bearing magazine, and the device of the present invention being inserted into the gun to lock the gun and prevent operation and discharge thereof, in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views illustrating a rod of the device being moved into locked engagement with a lock of the device of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view illustrating a gun having the device of the present invention therein in a locked state, with a key positioned to unlock the device for removal, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the accompanying illustrations for exemplary purposes, the present invention is directed to a gun locking device, generally referred to by the reference number 100. The device of the present invention is simple and easy to use and securely locks a firearm and prevents it from being loaded and discharged.

With reference to FIG. 1, the gun locking device 100 of the present invention generally comprises a lock assembly 102 which is removably disposable within a cavity of the gun. A rod 104, as will be more fully explained herein, extends through a chamber of the gun and is configured for locking engagement with a lock 106 of the locking assembly 102. The device 100 also includes a key 108, or other means for selectively unlocking the lock 106 to disengage the rod 104.

With reference now to FIG. 2, the present invention is particularly adapted for use in guns and firearms 10, such as the illustrated semi-automatic handgun, which utilize an ammunition magazine during normal use. The ammunition magazine 12 is removably inserted into a magazine well 14, which is an internal compartment or cavity of the gun 10. In the case of many handguns, including the illustrated handgun 10, the magazine well or compartment 14 is within the grip or handle 16 of the gun 10. However, it will be understood that the ammunition magazine 12 could be inserted into magazine well 14 having a different location, depending upon the gun. The ammunition magazine 12 is loaded with ammunition 18, which are typically cartridges, comprising a shell encasing a gun powder and partially encasing a bullet.

During operation of the gun 10, the ammunition magazine 12 advances the cartridges 18, or other ammunition, into a chamber 20 where a firing mechanism (not shown) of the gun 10 will discharge the ammunition, such as a firing pin hitting a primer of the cartridge 18 so as to ignite the gun powder therein and discharge the bullet from the gun 10. As is known in the art, the discharge of the cartridge or other ammunition, such as by pulling the trigger 22 of the gun 10 will cause a series of components of the gun 10 to move which will typically eject the empty shell, as the chamber 20 is opened, such as by moving slide 24 to an open and extended position, whereupon in the case of automatic or semi-automatic weapons will also result in another round of ammunition or a cartridge 18 being automatically inserted into the chamber 20.

However, as is known in the art, a cartridge 18 or other ammunition can be inserted into the chamber 20 by other means, such as by an operator of the gun manually inserting a cartridge 18 into the chamber 20. This could be done, for example, in the semi-automatic handgun which is illustrated by pulling the slide 24 back to open the chamber 20, manually inserting a cartridge 18 therein, and closing the slide 24, and thus chamber 20, rendering the gun 10 ready for firing or discharge.

The device 100 of the present invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with guns and firearms having ammunition magazines and magazine wells, such as the semi-automatic handgun 10 illustrated in FIG. 2. However, it will be appreciated that the device 100 of the present invention can be used in a wide variety of guns. These can include handguns and rifles which have magazines and magazine wells, and even those that do not.

With reference again to FIG. 2, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the ammunition magazine 12 is removed from the gun 10, and the chamber 20 opened. Removal of the ammunition magazine 12 and the opening of the chamber 20 ensures that there is no ammunition within the gun 10, and also places the gun 10 in a state to receive the locking device 100 of the present invention. The locking assembly 102 includes a housing 110 into which the lock 106 is operably disposed. The lock assembly 102 is slidably received within the magazine well 14 of the gun 10. Preferably, the exterior configuration of the housing 110 of the lock assembly 102 is similar in shape and configuration to the actual magazine for the specific model and brand of the gun or firearm. This allows the lock assembly 102 to be insertable and engagable, or removable, from the gun 10 as would be the normal ammunition magazine 12 used in connection with that gun.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B, once the lock assembly 102 is disposed within the magazine well 14, the rod 104 is inserted into the gun through the chamber 20 and into a passageway 112 of the lock assembly 102 which extends to the lock 106. A portion of the rod 104 is configured for locking engagement with the lock.

An end 114 of the rod 104 defines a plug which is disposable within the chamber 20 of the gun 10 when the rod is in locked engagement with the lock 106. The plug 114 substantially occupies the gun chamber 20 to prevent ammunition from being inserted therein. The plug 114, when disposed within the chamber 20 prevents ammunition from being inserted within the chamber 20. The plug 114 may have a configuration substantially matching that of the gun chamber 20 so that the plug substantially occupies the gun chamber to prevent ammunition from being inserted therein, and so as to substantially be disposed and reside within the gun chamber 20 when the device 100 of the present invention is in a locked state.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the illustrated lock 106 is in the form of a cylinder or barrel lock, such as a vending machine lock. A latch or detent 116 is biased outwardly from the lock 106, such as by spring 118. The latch 116 may have a beveled face 120. As the end 122 of the rod 104 engages the latch 116, such as pushing on the beveled face 120, the latch or detent 116 is pushed against the spring 118 inwardly into the lock 106, permitting the end 122 of the rod 104 to pass thereby. The rod 104 includes an area 124 of reduced cross-sectional diameter compared to the end 122, or a portion of the rod immediately adjacent thereto. Spring 118 will push the latch or detent 116 into the area of reduced cross-sectional diameter 124 once it is aligned with the latch 116. When the rod 104 is fully inserted into the gun and into locking engagement with lock 106, typically an audible click sound will be heard by the latch 116 moving back into a locking position and into engagement with the rod 104, alerting the user that the rod 104 has been moved into locking engagement with the lock 106. Engagement of the latch 116 with a ledge 126 or other enlarged area of the rod prevents the rod 104 from being lifted, removed or otherwise disengaged from the lock 106.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that instead of the rod 104 having an area of reduced cross-sectional diameter 124, the rod may instead include an area of enlarged diameter which will engage the latch 116, and provide a ledge 126 or other stop that engages the latch 116 once the latch 116 extends back into a locking position. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that different types of locks, locking mechanisms and rod configurations may be employed in connection with the present invention, so long as the rod 104 can be moved into locking engagement with the lock 106.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, when the rod 104 is in locking engagement with lock 106, the plug 114 is disposed within the chamber 20 of the gun. Typically, the rod 104 is substantially rigid along a length thereof. While the rod 104 is shown as being generally straight and angled in the embodiment illustrated, it will be appreciated that the rod 104 may have one or more bends or curves along the length thereof or have a different configuration depending upon the gun with which it is used so that the plug 114 ends up being disposed within the gun chamber 20 while the rod, typically at generally the opposite end thereof, comes into locking engagement with the lock 106.

One of the advantages and benefits of the locking device 100 of present invention is that the rod 104 and locking assembly 102 are substantially disposed within the gun 10 when in locking engagement with one another in the locked state. This prevents tampering with the locking device 100 as the components thereof reside within the gun 10 and are not readily accessible for tampering or damage, such as by cutting or the like. Moreover, as the locking device 100 of the present invention is substantially disposed within the gun 10 in its locked state, the gun 10 can be placed within its regular holster, case, holder or the like.

Another advantage of the locking device 100 of the present invention is that the device 100 in its locked state prevents any cartridge or ammunition from being disposed within the chamber 20 as well as any cartridge or other ammunition being within the magazine well 14 of the gun 10. This provides an extra degree of safety and protection. This also prevents an ammunition cartridge from being automatically loaded into the chamber when the locking device is removed, as it is possible with other prior art gun locking devices.

With reference now to FIG. 4, a bottom perspective view of a handgun 10 having the locking device 100 of the present invention therein in a locked state is shown. It can be seen how the plug 114 of the rod 104 is disposed within the chamber 20 of the gun so as to substantially fill the chamber, yet provide very little profile extending therefrom, in accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention. Similarly, the locking assembly 102 is disposed within the magazine well within the handle or grip 16 of the gun 10 so as to be substantially disposed within the gun 10 as well. In order to unlock the locking device 100, a key 108 is inserted into the lock 106 and turned which will cause the latch 116 to be retracted, similar to that illustrated in FIG. 3A.

While a cylinder lock commonly used in vending machines is illustrated as the lock 106 of the device 100 in the drawings, it will be understood that other locks could be used and other means of unlocking the lock could also be used in connection with these locks. For example, the lock may be operated with a key, a combination key, a biometric key or the like. The rod 104 may have different configurations, geometric shapes, cutouts, etc. formed therein in order to lockingly engage with the lock.

The lock 106, or locking mechanism thereof, may be removable. This would allow the lock or locking mechanism to be exchanged and interchangeable. This would enable a new or different lock to be installed or a lock or locking mechanism with a different key to be installed. The present invention also contemplates that a plurality of the locking devices 100 of the present invention have locks which are keyed-alike or keyed sequentially so as to be installed and removed by the user without affecting the lock system form and function. Having a plurality of lock devices of the present invention all keyed alike so as to be unlocked with a single key or single type of key could be useful, for example, in police departments, military situations and the like where a master key, keys of the same cut or configuration, etc. can be used to unlock locking devices associated with a plurality of guns for the sake of convenience.

After unlocking the lock 106, the rod 104 can be removed, such as by manually removing the rod 104 by grasping plug 114 and pulling the rod 104 away from the gun, or the gun can be rotated and tilted so that the rod 104 falls therefrom. The locking assembly 104 is then removed from the gun 10, typically by actuating a lever or latch 26 which typically is used to unlatch and remove the ammunition magazine 12. The lock housing 110 will then be ejected or slide out of the magazine well 114, enabling the user to insert an ammunition magazine 12 into the magazine well 14 in order to use the gun 10. The process of unlocking and locking the device 100 is easy, intuitive and can be done within a few seconds.

Although the device 100 of the present invention has been illustrated for use in connection with a handgun 10 having an ammunition magazine 12, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention could be used for other firearms, such as revolver-style pistols, shotguns and some rifles that do not have a removable magazine. This would include the placement of a locking plug into the open chamber of the gun, and the insertion of the locking rod through the gun and into engagement with the lock which is disposed in a cavity of the gun, such as within the barrel of the gun or other cavity. Such a configuration would still prevent a cartridge or other ammunition from being disposed within the chamber of the gun, preventing the gun from firing or discharging, and would also be very tamper resistant of the components of the locking device would be disposed substantially, or even completely, within the gun making defeat of the lock more difficult.

Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A locking device for a gun, comprising:

a lock removably disposable within a cavity of the gun; and

an elongated rod extendible into the gun through a chamber of the gun and configured for locking engagement with the lock and an end defining a plug disposable in the chamber of the gun when the rod is in engagement with the lock;

wherein ammunition cannot be disposed within the chamber and the gun discharged when the rod is in locked engagement with the lock and the plug is disposed within the chamber.

2. The gun locking device of claim 1, wherein the lock includes a housing that is slidably received within a magazine well of the gun.

3. The gun locking device of claim 2, wherein the lock housing has an exterior configuration similar to that of a cartridge magazine of the gun so as to be inserted into and removed from the magazine well similar to the cartridge magazine.

4. The gun locking device of claim 1, wherein the plug substantially occupies the gun chamber to prevent ammunition from being inserted therein.

5. The gun locking device of claim 4, wherein the plug has a configuration substantially matching the gun chamber.

6. The gun locking device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the rod spaced from the plug engages a latch of the lock.

7. The gun locking device of claim 1, including means for selectively unlocking the lock to disengage the rod.

8. The gun locking device of claim 1, wherein the rod is rigid substantially along a length thereof.

9. A locking device for a gun, comprising:

a lock including a housing configured to be slidably inserted and

removed from a magazine well of the gun; and

an elongated rod configured for releasable locking engagement with the lock and having an end defining a plug that substantially occupies a chamber of the gun when the rod is in engagement with the lock;

wherein ammunition cannot be disposed within the chamber and the gun discharged when the rod is in locked engagement with the lock and the plug is disposed within the chamber.

10. The gun locking device of claim 9, wherein the lock housing has an exterior configuration similar to that of a cartridge magazine of the gun.

11. The gun locking device of claim 9, wherein the plug has a configuration substantially matching the gun chamber.

12. The gun locking device of claim 9, including means for selectively unlocking the lock to disengage the rod.

13. The gun locking device of claim 9, wherein the rod is rigid substantially along a length thereof.

14. A locking device for a gun, comprising:

a lock including a housing having an exterior configuration similar to a cartridge magazine of the gun so as to be slidably inserted and removed from a magazine well of the gun;

an elongated rigid rod configured for releasable locking engagement with the lock and having an end defining a plug that substantially occupies a chamber of the gun when the rod is in engagement with the lock;

wherein ammunition cannot be disposed within the chamber and the gun discharged when the rod is in locked engagement with the lock and the plug is disposed within the chamber.

15. The gun locking device of claim 14, wherein the plug has a configuration substantially matching the gun chamber.

16. The gun locking device of claim 14, including means for selectively unlocking the lock to disengage the rod.