FIREARM SAFETY LOCK

Abstract

A firearm safety lock that includes a rotatable locking member for being moved into a lock position against a trigger guard of the firearm responsive to movement of the firearm into a holster to prevent removal of the firearm from the holster when in the lock position. An electronic circuit is mounted on the holster and operable to cause the locking rotor to move from the lock position into an unlock position responsive to movement of a coded key paired with a code programmed in the electronic circuit into a predetermined proximity to the electronic circuit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/315,138, filed Mar. 30, 2016, the full contents of which are incorporated into this utility application by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to a firearm safety lock. In the particular embodiment disclosed in this application, the safety lock is shown installed in a waist holster. As described below, the safety lock is intended to prevent removal of the firearm from the holster by anyone other than an individual equipped with a device that deactivates the lock. The safety lock therefore provides a safety feature that can protect the wearer of the holster from an attempt by another to remove the weapon from the holster. The invention will have particular utility for private individuals carrying firearms for personal protection and for law enforcement officers.

The holster with the installed safety lock provides substantially greater security than typical holsters, which rely on a strap that traps the firearm in the holster and can be released by anyone pulling the strap away from the holster, which is held in place by a snap or some similar holding device. The strap can also prevent the authorized user from removing the firearm from the holster as quickly as may be required under some circumstances.

A programmed electronic device, such as a smart card, chip card, or integrated circuit card (ICC) is preferably used to operate an electro-mechanical lock assembly and provides security based on a unique code that is transmitted to the lock by a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) card.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a firearm safety lock that, when the handgun is inserted into the holster in which the safety lock is installed, covers the trigger and trigger guard-preventing discharge of the firearm while in the holster. The firearm cannot be removed from the holster by a child or other unauthorized user.

A “smart” integrated circuit device or a similar technology is used to provide the owner with a unique electronic key that may be worn as a part of a device such as a wristband, ring, cufflink or other small wearable object capable of operating the smart card chip based on the proximity or lack of proximity to the lock.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the safety lock can be fitted not only to holsters but also other types of concealed carry receivers.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the safety lock is universal, and thus can be used to secure all brands of handguns into the lock-equipped holster.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the safety lock permits quick removal of the handgun by the user without additional motion or activity other than the user's hand coming into a predetermined proximity to the holster safety lock.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiment disclosed below by providing a firearm safety lock that includes a locking member for being moved into a lock position against a trigger guard of the firearm responsive to movement of the firearm into the holster to prevent removal of the firearm from the holster when in the lock position, and an electronic circuit operable to cause the locking member to move from the lock position into an unlock position responsive to movement of a coded key paired with a code programmed in the electronic circuit into a predetermined proximity to the electronic circuit.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the locking member is a locking rotor that is rotatably mounted for movement between the lock and unlock positions, and includes first and second spaced-apart lobes defining a recess for accommodating the trigger guard of the firearm in the lock position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the locking member includes a locking rotor that is rotatably mounted for movement between the lock and unlock positions, and includes first and second spaced-apart lobes defining a recess for accommodating the trigger guard of the firearm in the lock position. A battery-powered solenoid is provided and a solenoid plunger is movable by the solenoid between a lock position in which the plunger prevents rotation of the locking rotor from the lock position and an unlock position in which the locking rotor is rotatable from the lock position to the unlock position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a return spring is mounted on the locking rotor to return the locking rotor to the unlock position when the plunger is in the unlock position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the electronic circuit is a RFID circuit that includes a transceiver and an antenna powered by a battery for transmitting and receiving a coded radio frequency.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the RFID is adapted to transmit an electromagnetic signal to the solenoid.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the locking member is positioned in a firearm-receiving pocket of a holster.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the coded key includes a transponder that responds to an electromagnetic signal from the transceiver with a coded electromagnetic response, which if paired with the transceiver, triggers the electronic circuit to transmit a signal to the locking member.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a firearm safety lock is provided, and is mounted in a holster that includes inner and outer holster walls defining a firearm pocket adapted for receiving and holding a firearm in a ready storage condition. A locking rotor is positioned between the inner and outer holster walls for being moved into a lock position against the trigger guard of the firearm responsive to movement of the firearm into the holster to prevent removal of the firearm from the holster when in the lock position. The locking rotor is rotatably mounted for movement between the lock and unlock positions, and includes first and second spaced-apart lobes defining a recess for accommodating the trigger guard of the firearm in the lock position. A battery-powered solenoid is positioned on the holster and includes a plunger movable by the solenoid between a lock position in which the plunger prevents movement of the locking rotor from the lock position and an unlock position in which the locking rotor is movable from the lock position to the unlock position. A RFID circuit includes a transceiver and an antenna powered by a battery for transmitting and receiving a coded radio frequency electronic signal mounted on the holster and operable to cause the locking rotor to move from the lock position into an unlock position responsive to movement of a coded key paired with a code programmed in the electronic circuit into a predetermined proximity to the electronic circuit. A return spring is mounted on the locking rotor for returning the locking rotor into the unlock position when the plunger is in the unlock position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the transceiver, antenna and battery are mounted on the inner wall of the holster exterior to the firearm pocket and are adapted to transmit an electromagnetic signal to the solenoid.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the locking rotor is positioned in an opening in the outer wall of the holster communicating with the firearm pocket.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the coded key includes a transponder that responds to an electromagnetic signal from the transceiver with a coded electromagnetic response, which if paired with the transceiver, triggers the electronic circuit to transmit a signal to the solenoid.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of locking a firearm in a holster is provided, and includes the steps of providing a holster having inner and outer holster walls defining a firearm pocket adapted for receiving and holding a firearm in a ready storage condition, and providing a locking rotor positioned between the inner and outer holster walls. An electronic circuit is mounted on the holster and an interconnection is provided between the locking rotor and the electronic circuit to cause the locking rotor to move from the lock position into an unlock position responsive to movement of a coded key paired with a code programmed in the electronic circuit into a predetermined proximity to the electronic circuit.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the method includes the steps of inserting a firearm into the holster and causing the locking rotor to move into a lock position against a trigger guard of the firearm. The firearm is removable from the holster responsive to movement of a coded key paired with a code programmed in the electronic circuit into a predetermined proximity to the electronic circuit to cause the locking rotor to move into the unlock position releasing the trigger guard.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the method includes the steps of rotating the locking rotor between the lock and unlock positions, wherein the locking rotor includes first and second spaced-apart lobes defining a recess for accommodating the trigger guard of the firearm in the lock position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the method includes the steps of providing a battery-powered solenoid positioned on the holster and a plunger movable by the solenoid between a lock position in which the plunger prevents movement of the locking rotor from the lock position and an unlock position in which the locking rotor is movable from the lock position to the unlock position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the method includes the steps of providing a return spring mounted on the holster for urging the locking rotor into the unlock position when the plunger is in the unlock position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the method includes the steps of manually overriding the solenoid by deflecting the solenoid plunger from its locked position into an unlocked position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step of returning the locking rotor into the unlock position when the plunger is in the unlock position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step of providing a spring that is loaded to return the locking rotor into the unlock position when the plunger is in the unlock position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description of the invention proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a conventional automatic firearm in a conventional holster;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of an outer side of a holster according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of an inner side of the holster of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are top plan and side elevation views showing a firearm as it is being inserted into the holster prior to entering the safety lock;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are top plan and side elevation views showing a firearm as it is entering the safety lock;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are top plan and side elevation views showing a firearm positioned in the safety look in the lock mode; and

FIGS. 7A and 7B are top plan and side elevation views showing a firearm as the safety lock is being released to permit extraction of the firearm from the holster.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE

Referring now to the drawings, a conventional firearm “F” and prior art holster “H” is shown. The firearm “F” is inserted into a pocket of the holster with the nose of the barrel extending out of a bottom opening of the holster pocket and the firearm grip in a ready position to be gripped and extracted from the pocket of the holster “H”. One aspect of the invention is the ability to use a conventionally-shaped and sized holster by the addition of operating elements that are compact and do not interfere with the normal operation of the holster. However, the invention is applicable for use with types of holsters and other firearm-holding devices, so the use of the term “holster” in this application is used in the broad sense to mean a case for carrying a usually small item on the person. Thus, the term “holster” may include carry a handbag, briefcase, concealed carry garment or other object having a pocket within which a firearm can be stored when not in use, rather than only a holder worn on the waist, shoulder or on a saddle.

As shown in FIG. 2, a holster 10 according to one preferred embodiment of the invention includes an inner wall 12 and an outer wall 14 riveted or otherwise secured to the inner wall 12 to form a pocket 16 into which the firearm “F” is inserted. As is also conventional, the holster 10 includes a pair of belt clips 18 that permit the holster 10 to be secured to a waist belt of the user.

In accordance with the invention, a holster safety lock assembly 20 is mounted on the holster 10 and includes elements mounted on the outside of the outer wall 14 and on the inside of the pocket “P”. As is shown in FIG. 3, the lock assembly 20 also includes electronic control elements mounted on an inner face of the inner wall 12. These elements include a circuit board 22 having an antenna and appropriate control circuitry for providing contactless control, as described below powered by a flat battery 24. The circuit board 22 and battery 24 are housed under a cover 26 that can be secured to the inner wall 12 of the holster 10 with the same rivets used to secure the outer wall 14 to the inner wall 12, or with any other suitable connectors. Electric current is supplied to the electro-mechanical elements of the lock assembly 20 from the circuit board 22 by wiring 28 that can extend around a lower edge of the inner wall 12, as shown, through a port in the inner wall 12, or otherwise.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the lock assembly 20, positioned in the holster pocket 16, includes a solenoid 32 that operates a spring-loaded plunger 34 with a spring 36 that is under compression and normally maintains the plunger 34 in an extended position, as shown. The lock assembly 20 is mounted on a base 38.

As best shown in FIG. 4A, a rotatably-mounted locking rotor 40 has a recess 42 that defines spaced-apart lobes 44, 46. By observing the position of the firearm “F”, it will be noted that the trigger guard “G” is in a position to engage the locking rotor 40 as it moves further in the direction of the lock assembly 20. The locking rotor 40 is mounted for rotation on a torsion spring 48 that biases the locking rotor 40 in the clockwise direction. The locking rotor 40 also includes a radially-extending shoulder 50 and a cam surface 52 against which the plunger 34 engages during rotation of the locking rotor 40.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, as the firearm “F” moves closer to the locking assembly 20, the locking rotor 40 is positioned to interfere with movement of the trigger guard “G” of the firearm “F” into the storage position in the holster “H”. The movement of the trigger guard “G” causes it to engage the lobe 44 of the locking rotor 40 rotating it clockwise and causing the lobe 46, which is the actual locking member, has a curved, hook shape, to also rotate clockwise, as shown.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the locking rotor 40 has been rotated by the trigger guard “G” into a fully-locked position best shown in FIG. 6A. The lobe 46 has rotated into the space behind the trigger guard “G” forward of the trigger, and the solenoid plunger 34 has extended into a locked position against the shoulder 50. The locked position is thus maintained by the plunger 34 of the solenoid 32 bearing against the shoulder 50 of the locking rotor 40. An attempt to withdraw the firearm “F” from the above-described locking position is defeated by the lobe 46 of the locking rotor 40 that remains locked behind the trigger guard “G”.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the circuit board 22 is preferably a contactless circuit, such as a smart card, chip card, or integrated circuit card (ICC), and is credentialed and operatively connected to the solenoid 32. The battery 24 is preferably a lithium ion battery. It is anticipated that in the future operating principles of the circuit and battery may further develop, and it is the intention of this application to include in its scope such new developments as they may develop.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, to unlock the locking rotor 40, an electronic “key”, for example a proximity tag 54 with a unique code is paired with the circuit board 22. When the tag 54 is moved into a predetermined proximity to the circuit 22, the circuit 22 energizes and releases the solenoid 32, which withdraws the plunger 34 from its position against the shoulder 50 of the locking rotor 40. The withdrawal of the plunger 34 does not itself unlock the firearm “F” by rotating the lobe 46 out from behind the trigger guard “G”. It merely permits the locking rotor 40 to rotate. Actual rotation of the locking rotor 40 is accomplished by the torsion spring 48 on which the locking rotor 40 is mounted. When permitted by the withdrawal of the plunger 34 from the shoulder 50, the torsion spring 48 rotates the locking rotor 40 counterclockwise, withdrawing the lobe 46 from behind the trigger guard “G” and returning the locking rotor 40 to the unlocked position of FIGS. 4A and 4B. This permits the firearm “F” to be extracted from the holster 10.

The tag 54 may be integrated into a wristband, ring, cufflink, watch or other wearable object capable of being moved into proximity with the circuit board 22. The locking assembly 20 and its associated parts bolt into the holster 10 in a manner similar to existing holster construction. The locking assembly 20 replaces the typical 1″×2″×1.5″ plastic spacer block commonly found in holsters where the handgun trigger guard “G” resides when the firearm “F” is properly holstered.

In the event of a battery or circuit failure, the firearm “F” may be unlocked manually. This is accomplished by providing a secondary, manual release 60 shown in FIGS. 4B, 5B, 6B and 7B. Release 60 can be manually operated by pushing on a button 62, which urges a lever 64 clockwise against the plunger spring 36, retracting it from its position against the plunger 34 and allowing the plunger 34 to retract. In the same manner as described above, the torsion spring 48 is allowed to rotate the locking rotor 40 counterclockwise, withdrawing the lobe 46 from behind the trigger guard “G”.

The locking assembly 20 may optionally be provided with an unlocked indicator tone, low battery light/indicator, spare battery compartment or other optional features.

A firearm safety lock is described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation—the invention being defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A firearm safety lock, comprising:

(a) a locking member for being moved into a lock position against a trigger guard of the firearm responsive to movement of the firearm into the holster to prevent removal of the firearm from the holster when in the lock position; and

(b) an electronic circuit operable to cause the locking member to move from the lock position into an unlock position responsive to movement of a coded key paired with a code programmed in the electronic circuit into a predetermined proximity to the electronic circuit.

2. A firearm safety lock according to claim 1, wherein the locking member comprises a locking rotor that is rotatably mounted for movement between the lock and unlock positions, and includes first and second spaced-apart lobes defining a recess for accommodating the trigger guard of the firearm in the lock position.

3. A firearm safety lock according to claim 1, wherein:

(a) the locking member comprises a locking rotor that is rotatably mounted for movement between the lock and unlock positions, and includes first and second spaced-apart lobes defining a recess for accommodating the trigger guard of the firearm in the lock position;

(b) a battery-powered solenoid; and

(c) a solenoid plunger movable by the solenoid between a lock position in which the plunger prevents rotation of the locking rotor from the lock position and an unlock position in which the locking rotor is rotatable from the lock position to the unlock position.

4. A firearm safety lock according to claim 3, and including a return spring mounted on the locking rotor to return the locking rotor to the unlock position when the plunger is in the unlock position.

5. A firearm safety lock according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit is a RFID circuit that includes a transceiver and an antenna powered by a battery for transmitting and receiving a coded radio frequency.

6. A firearm safety holster according to claim 3, wherein the electronic circuit is adapted to transmit an electromagnetic signal to the solenoid.

7. A firearm safety lock according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is positioned in a firearm-receiving pocket of a holster.

8. A firearm safety holster according to claim 1, wherein the coded key comprises a transponder that responds to an electromagnetic signal from the transceiver with a coded electromagnetic response, which if paired with the transceiver, triggers the electronic circuit to transmit a signal to the locking member.

9. A firearm safety lock, comprising:

(a) inner and outer holster walls defining a firearm pocket adapted for receiving and holding a firearm in a ready storage condition;

(b) a locking rotor positioned between the inner and outer holster walls for being moved into a lock position against the trigger guard of the firearm responsive to movement of the firearm into the holster to prevent removal of the firearm from the holster when in the lock position, wherein the locking rotor is rotatably mounted for movement between the lock and unlock positions, and includes first and second spaced-apart lobes defining a recess for accommodating the trigger guard of the firearm in the lock position;

(c) a battery-powered solenoid positioned on the holster and including a plunger movable by the solenoid between a lock position in which the plunger prevents movement of the locking rotor from the lock position and an unlock position in which the locking rotor is movable from the lock position to the unlock position; and

(d) an RFID circuit including a transceiver and an antenna powered by a battery for transmitting and receiving a coded radio frequency electronic signal mounted on the holster and operable to cause the locking rotor to move from the lock position into an unlock position responsive to movement of a coded key paired with a code programmed in the electronic circuit into a predetermined proximity to the electronic circuit.

10. A firearm safety lock according to claim 9, wherein the transceiver, antenna and battery are mounted on the inner wall of the holster exterior to the firearm pocket and is adapted to transmit an electromagnetic signal to the solenoid.

11. A firearm safety lock according to claim 9, wherein the locking rotor is positioned in an opening in the outer wall of the holster communicating with the firearm pocket.

12. A firearm safety lock according to claim 1, wherein the coded key comprises a transponder that responds to an electromagnetic signal from the transceiver with a coded electromagnetic response which, if paired with the transceiver, triggers the electronic circuit to transmit a signal to the solenoid.

13. A method of locking a firearm in a holster, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a holster having inner and outer holster walls defining a firearm pocket adapted for receiving and holding a firearm in a ready storage condition;

(b) providing a locking rotor positioned between the inner and outer holster walls;

(c) providing an electronic circuit mounted on the holster; and

(d) providing an interconnection between the locking rotor and the electronic circuit to cause the locking rotor to move from the lock position into an unlock position responsive to movement of a coded key paired with a code programmed in the electronic circuit into a predetermined proximity to the electronic circuit.

14. A method according to claim 13, and including the steps of:

(a) inserting a firearm into the holster,

(b) causing the locking rotor to move into a lock position against a trigger guard of the firearm; and

(c) unlocking the firearm from the holster responsive to movement of a coded key paired with a code programmed in the electronic circuit into a predetermined proximity to the electronic circuit to cause the locking rotor to move into the unlock position releasing the trigger guard.

15. A method according to claim 13, and including the steps of rotating the locking rotor between the lock and unlock positions, wherein the locking rotor includes first and second spaced-apart lobes defining a recess for accommodating the trigger guard of the firearm in the lock position.

16. A method according to claim 13, and including the steps of providing a battery-powered solenoid positioned on the holster and a plunger movable by the solenoid between a lock position in which the plunger prevents movement of the locking rotor from the lock position and an unlock position in which the locking rotor is movable from the lock position to the unlock position.

17. A method according to claim 16, and including the steps of providing a return spring mounted on the holster for urging the locking rotor into the unlock position when the plunger is in the unlock position.

18. A method according to claim 16, and including the step of manually overriding the solenoid by deflecting the solenoid plunger from its locked position into an unlocked position.

19. A method according to claim 16, and including the step of returning the locking rotor into the unlock position when the plunger is in the unlock position.

20. A method according to claim 19, and including the step of providing a spring that is loaded to return the locking rotor into the unlock position when the plunger is in the unlock position.