Firearm Safety Device and Rack Incorporating Safety Device
A firearm safety device having a bolt for insertion through a trigger guard toward the lower receiver of the firearm. The bolt is inserted through the trigger guard so as to be positioned behind the trigger, in an axis generally perpendicular to the direction of pull of the trigger to prevent the trigger from be depressed and thus firing the weapon. The bolt extends from a base, which can be static in the form of a fixed bolt, or dynamic with the bolt configured for mechanized or electromechanical insertion through the trigger guard, such as by a lever operation, solenoid operation, or other operation. In one embodiment the safety device has a bolt affixed to a base, with the base configured to attach to the trigger guard. This embodiment provides a freely mobile transportable safety device. The safety device can be used with or integral with a firearm support mount, such as a gun rack. In this preferred with the bolt and/or base providing support beneath the firearm, while a front mount is provided to support the front of the lower receiver, or alternatively the stock or barrel of the firearm.
The presently disclosed technology relates to a safety device for reducing accidental discharge of a firearm. More particularly, the present invention is a safety device that provides a rod or post behind the trigger of a firearm, and can be used as a safety device and integrated into a firearm rack.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONAn AR-15 or similar firearm generally includes a barrel attached to a lower receiver. The lower receiver is attached to an upper receiver to form an action through which an ammunition is received and fired. An assembled AR-15 utilizes a lower receiver having a trigger extending typically in the opposite direction from the upper receiver. The trigger is depressed by a user to cause the firing operation of the action, causing the firearm to propel a projectile through the barrel attached to the lower receiver. A trigger guard in combination with the lower receiver provide a circular, oval, or other shaped enclosure to provide a safety mechanism against accidental depression of the trigger. A stock and grip typically extend rearward from the lower receiver. The AR-15 lower receiver can be commercially available with an integrated trigger guard, or alternatively with a trigger guard that is wholly or partially removable. A variety of safety mechanisms exist to prevent the accidental or mistaken firing of the firearm. Some of these involve mechanical inhibition of the operating of the firearm action.
For example, FIG. 1 of US Patent Publication No. 2014/0237878 illustrates an exploded view of a firearm, showing a lower receiver 10 having an integral trigger guard. The trigger of the lower receiver is typically protected by a trigger guard, being most often a rounded flange that prohibits the trigger from being bumped or otherwise grasped from below. The trigger guard facilitates intentional operation of the firearm by a user, having to insert the user's fingers through the trigger guard to the front of the trigger. The trigger is then depressed toward the rear of the trigger guard to cause the operation of a firing pin within the lower receiver to operate on a primer of an ammunition round within the action assembly period.
Firearms such as AR-15s are often positioned in racks for storage, such as in a home or alternatively, in a rack for transportation in a vehicle. For example, law enforcement agencies often position elongated firearms in a rack. The rack must facilitate easy access by the law enforcement officer while preventing accidental discharge or discharge by an unauthorized person accessing the firearm. Thus, it is important to facilitate storage while preventing unauthorized access to the action of the firearm.
SUMMARYThe purpose of the Summary is to enable the public, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Summary is neither intended to define the inventive concept(s) of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the inventive concept(s) in any way.
What is disclosed is an improved firearm safety mechanism for use with a firearm. The device can be utilized as a standalone safety unit or integrated in a rack or similar support system. The device has a bolt that inserts through an opening in the lower section of the trigger guard of a firearm. The bolt is positioned to extend behind the trigger in the depression space behind the trigger of the firearm. The bolt prevents the trigger from being pulled or depressed, thus preventing the firing mechanism, or action, of the firearm from firing. The trigger extends generally perpendicular to the receiver, such as the lower receiver of an AR-15 style firearm, and the trigger is generally depressed by a force that is parallel to the length of the firearm. The bolt is positioned generally parallel to the vertical axis of the trigger, preventing the pulling force from depressing the trigger.
When the bolt is integrated into the a rack, the body of the safety device is called a receiver support and is integrated into the rack. The body is configured for supporting a receiver of a long firearm, typically by supporting the weight of the trigger guard. The bolt defines a bolt longitudinal axis. The bolt is configured for positioning through an opening in a trigger guard of a firearm. The trigger guard of the firearm is beneath the trigger, being opposite the action of the firearm. The trigger guard extend horizontally to and generally parallel to a direction of pull of the trigger. The bolt is configured to extend through the opening of the trigger guard into a depression space behind the trigger to prevent depression of the trigger. The bolt can be configured for active or passive insertion through the trigger guard. In passive insertion the bolt is fixed and the firearm is positioned on to the rack with the bolt extending through the trigger guard. In an active embodiment, the firearm is positioned on the rack with an actuator provided to extend and retract the bolt through the trigger guard and into the depression space.
The actuator is configured to move the bolt from a closed position in which the bolt is in the depression space behind the trigger to an open position in which the bolt is removed from the opening in the trigger guard. The actuator can be a lever, with the lever being configured to actuate insertion of the bolt into and out of the opening in the trigger guard. In a preferred embodiment the lever is a paddle that provides a cover over the exposed trigger in the locked or closed position.
The front support can a post configured for insertion into an opening in the front of the receiver of the firearm. Typically the post will extend so as to be parallel or on the length of the rifle. The post can utilize an active retention mechanism, such as that referenced in the applicant's co-pending application Ser. No. 17/523,733. In an example of an active retention mechanism one or more posts utilizes a series of ball bearings positioned along a circumference of the post. The ball bearings are biased outward from the circumference of the post. The retention mechanism comprises a post retention actuator configured to release the biasing on the ball bearings, thus releasing the retention mechanism. This actuator can be a button, sliding lever, or other actuator.
Alternatively the rack can utilize a lever that has a nesting space in the body of the rack. In one such embodiment disclosed the lever slides the bolt upward into the closed position, and the lever is rotated into the nesting space. This function serves to reduce accidental operation of the lever. The lever can further utilize a locking mechanism, such as a lock core, which is well known in lock art.
Preferably the rack has a mechanism for preventing rotation and/or lifting of the stock of the firearm when the firearm is positioned on the rack, thus preventing the firearm from being rotated off of or pulled off of the rack and bolt. For example, the body of the rack can utilize a variety of mechanisms for interaction with specific receiver embodiments, such as a pin extending from the body of the rack in a direction generally perpendicular to the bolt. In this embodiment the pin is configured for insertion into a grip of the lower receiver. Such a grip is commonly referred to as a pistol grip. This prevents the stock and pistol grip from rotating horizontally relative to the bolt, or from being lifted upward off of the bolt. Alternatively a hook, clamp, or other device can be used to prevent rotation and/or lifting of the stock when positioned with the bolt in the depression space behind the trigger.
The receiver support and the front support can be spaced apart and attached directly to a substrate of a rack. A substrate can be any surface to which a firearm rack is installed, such as the frame of a vehicle, an interior wall of a vehicle, a wall of a house or building, or anywhere a firearm could be stored. Alternatively the receiver support and front support can be attached by a rack body, which is configured for attachment to a substrate.
The trigger guard can be a part of a lower receiver of a modular firearm, such as an AR-15 style firearm. These firearms typically utilize interchangeable components. The lower receiver can be produced with an integral trigger guard having an opening, or alternatively as part of a removable/replaceable trigger guard. Typically removable trigger guards are retained on the lower receiver by a pair of pins at opposing ends of the trigger guard. The trigger guard body extends between the first end and the second end, and positioned between the first end and the second end is the opening configured for the bolt of the rack and/or safety device. The opening is positioned such that when the trigger guard is attached to the lower received, the opening is positioned to allow the bolt to extend generally perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the firearm, immediately behind or posterior to the trigger. The bolt extends parallel to a vertical axis of the trigger. The vertical axis extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the firearm.
Still other features and advantages of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of the inventive concept(s), simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out the inventive concept(s). As will be realized, the inventive concept(s) is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the inventive concept(s). Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature
While the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventive concept(s) to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept(s) as defined in the claims.
While certain preferred embodiments are shown in the figures and described in this disclosure, it is to be distinctly understood that the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.
While certain preferred embodiments are shown in the figures and described in this disclosure, it is to be distinctly understood that the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.
Claims
1. A firearm safety rack for use with a firearm, the firearm having a receiver having an action providing a firing mechanism configured for firing a projectile through a barrel attached to the receiver, the action and barrel defining a longitudinal axis of the firearm, and a trigger configured to actuate the firing mechanism, the trigger extending from the action and defining a trigger longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal firearm axis, wherein application of a force to said trigger generally parallel to said firearm longitudinal axis actuates the action of the firearm, the receiver further comprising a trigger guard positioned beneath said trigger and extending generally parallel to the depression force required to depress the trigger, wherein the safety rack comprising:
- a receiver support, said receiver support comprising a receiver support body configured for supporting a receiver of a long firearm, said receiver support body comprising a bolt extending from said receiver support body and defining a bolt longitudinal axis, wherein said bolt is configured for positioning through an opening in a trigger guard of a firearm positioned opposite the action of the firearm from the trigger of the firearm and extending horizontally to said trigger guard generally parallel to a direction of pull of said trigger, said bolt configured to extend through the opening of the trigger guard into a depression space behind said trigger to prevent depression of said trigger;
- a pin extending from said body in a direction generally perpendicular to said bolt, wherein said pin is configured for insertion into a grip of the lower receiver to prevent rotation and/or lifting of the stock of the firearm when the firearm is positioned on the rack; and
- a front support, wherein said front support is configured to support the firearm at a position on the firearm toward the end of the barrel of the firearm.
2. The firearm safety rack of claim 1, wherein said body comprises an actuator configured to move said bolt from a closed position in which said bolt is in the depression space to an open position in which said bolt is removed from the opening in the trigger guard.
3. The firearm safety rack of claim 2, wherein said actuator comprises a lever, wherein said lever is configured to actuate insertion said bolt into and out of the opening in the trigger guard.
4. The firearm safety rack of claim 1, wherein said front support comprises a post configured for insertion into an opening in the front of the receiver of the firearm.
5. The firearm safety rack of claim 4, wherein said post comprises an active retention mechanism.
6. The firearm safety rack of claim 5, wherein said active retention mechanism comprises a series of ball bearings positioned in a circumference of said post, wherein said ball bearings are biased outward from said circumference, wherein said retention mechanism comprises a actuator configured to release the biasing on said ball bearings.
7. The firearm safety rack of claim 6, wherein said actuator comprises a button.
8. The firearm safety rack of claim 3 wherein said lever comprises a paddle configured to cover the trigger of the firearm when said lever is in a closed position.
9. The firearm safety rack of claim 3 further comprising a lock configured to lock said lever in said closed position.
10. The firearm safety rack of claim 3 wherein said lever is configured to slide upward to position said bolt in the depression space behind the trigger and to rotate to a locking position.
11. (canceled)
12. The firearm safety rack of claim 1, wherein said receiver support and said front support are connected by a rack support body, wherein said rack support body is configured for attachment to a substrate.
13. The firearm safety rack of claim 4, wherein said front support comprises a shelf adapter configured for engagement with said post of said front support, wherein said shelf adapter is configured with a shelf to support the front of a firearm.
14. The firearm safety rack of claim 4, wherein said front support comprises a shelf configured to support the front of the firearm.
15. A firearm safety rack and compatible lower receiver for a firearm, wherein:
- said firearm safety rack comprising a receiver support, said receiver support comprising a body configured for supporting a receiver of a long firearm, said body comprising a bolt extending along a bolt longitudinal axis, wherein said bolt is configured for positioning through an opening in a trigger guard of a firearm positioned opposite the action of the firearm and extending horizontally to said trigger guard generally parallel to a direction of pull of said trigger, said bolt configured to extend through the opening of the trigger guard into a depression space behind said trigger to prevent depression of said trigger; and a front support, wherein said front support is configured to support the firearm at a position on the firearm toward the end of the barrel of the firearm; and a pin extending from said body in a direction generally perpendicular to said bolt, wherein said tin is configured for insertion into a grip of the lower receiver to prevent rotation and/or lifting of the stock of the firearm when the firearm is positioned on the rack;
- wherein said lower receiver comprising a trigger extending generally perpendicular to a longitudinal barrel axis and configured for depression toward a. rear of said lower receiver, wherein said lower receiver and said trigger defining a depression space behind said trigger into which said trigger is depressed to actuate firing of a firearm to which said lower receiver is attached; a trigger guard positioned beneath said trigger guard and comprising said opening of the trigger guard and configured for insertion of said bolt from said trigger guard toward said lower receiver and parallel to a longitudinal axis of said trigger so as to prohibit depression of said trigger.
16. The firearm safety rack of claim 15, wherein said trigger comprises a trigger configured to break if said trigger is positioned in said rack and a lateral force is applied to said trigger to remove said trigger from said rack.
17. The firearm safety rack of claim 15, wherein said body comprises an actuator configured to move said bolt from a closed position in which said bolt is in the depression space to an open position in which said bolt is removed from the opening in the trigger guard.
18. The firearm safety rack of claim 16, wherein said actuator comprises a lever, wherein said lever is configured to actuate insertion of said bolt into and out of the opening in the trigger guard.
19. A firearm safety device for use with a firearm comprising an action having a trigger and a barrel extending from the action, the trigger extending in a plane being perpendicular from a longitudinal axis of the barrel, wherein said firearm comprising a trigger guard extending at least partially around said trigger and configured to reduce accidental depression of said trigger and positioned at least beneath said trigger and opposite said barrel and defining an opening in said trigger guard defining an axis extending behind said trigger and generally parallel to said vertical axis of said trigger, wherein said firearm safety device comprising:
- a body configured for positioning on the opposite side of the trigger guard from the trigger and configured for attachment to said trigger guard; and
- a bolt, said bold extending away from said body, said bolt configured for positioning through said opening of said trigger guard to be positioned behind the trigger of said firearm to prevent depression of said trigger.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 16, 2022
Publication Date: Dec 21, 2023
Inventors: Tate Halverson (Nampa, ID), Clifford Turner (Nampa, ID)
Application Number: 17/807,350