Trigger cover for firearm

• US 6,154,995 A
• Filed: 04/07/1999
• Issued: 12/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard C. Lenoir
• Original Assignee: Richard C. Lenoir
• Inventors: Kenney, Mark D., Lenoir, Richard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Son T.
• Application Number:
  US09/287,785
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 42/70.07, 42/70.11, 42/70.06, 42/70.01
• US Class Current: 42/70.07
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/06 Electric or electromechanical safeties F41A17/04, F41A17/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/54 Protecting-caps for trigger guards; Trigger locking pieces mounted on, or within, the trigger guard

Abstract

The trigger cover includes a housing having a clamp for secure attachment to the trigger guard of a firearm. Within the housing is an electrical circuit having a receiver energized by movement of a motion sensor. The receiver is coupled to a central processing unit which, upon receiving a signal from a remote transmitter, will energize a motor or solenoid to permit the spring-driven motion of a pair of guard plates which normally block access to the firearm trigger. The transmitter of the predetermined radio code may be worn as part of a piece of jewelry.

Claims

1. A trigger cover for a firearm having a trigger and a trigger guard, said trigger cover comprising:

a housing having a clamp for attachment to the trigger guard;

an electrical circuit within said housing, said electrical circuit including;

a central processing unit;

a motion sensor for detecting changes in the position of said housing with respect to time and for signaling said central processing unit when changes in position with respect to time are sensed;

a receiver for detecting a radio signal from a remote transmitter and signaling said central processing unit when said radio signal is received, said receiver being energized by said central processing unit when said central processing unit is signaled by said motion sensor;

a pair of guard plates movably secured to said housing and adapted to prevent access to the trigger of the firearm; and

,

means, operatively connected to said central processing unit, for moving said guard plates when said central processing unit is signaled by said receiver.

2. The trigger cover according to claim 1 wherein said moving means includes:

a motor operatively connected to said central processing unit and having a rotatable drive shaft, said motor being energized, so as to rotate said drive shaft, by said central processing unit when said central processing unit is signaled by said receiver;

a mechanical linkage positioned substantially within said housing and coupled to said drive shaft of said motor, said linkage including;

a worm gear affixed to said drive shaft;

a slide having a threaded socket for receiving said worm gear therein such that when said drive shaft is rotated by said motor, said slide is moved axially on said worm gear;

a rotatable cam shaft oriented perpendicularly to said drive shaft and having opposed ends extending outwardly through the sides of said housing;

a cam affixed to said cam shaft, said cam having a notch therein for receiving said slide so as to selectively prevent the rotation of said cam shaft; and

,

a spring wound on said cam shaft adjacent said cam, said spring having opposite ends, one of said opposite ends being anchored to said housing, the other of said opposite ends extending outwardly through one side of said housing adjacent said cam shaft; and

,

said guard plates each being respectively affixed to one of said opposed ends of said cam shaft, each of said guard plates also being sized to prevent access to the trigger and the trigger guard when said slide is selectively received within said notch in said cam, one of said guard plates being secured to said end of said spring extending outwardly through said housing whereby energy stored by said spring may be utilized to pivot said guard plates away from the trigger and trigger guard when said slide is removed from said notch in said cam.

3. The trigger cover according to claim 1 wherein said housing has a longitudinal slot remote from said clamp and said moving means includes:

a solenoid operatively connected to said central processing unit and having a retractable plunger, said solenoid being energized, so as to retract said plunger, by said central processing unit when said central processing unit is signaled by said receiver;

a mechanical linkage coupled to said plunger, said linkage including;

a cross member being slidably positioned within said slot and having opposed ends extending therefrom;

a slide secured to said cross member and extending upwardly therefrom within said housing, said slide being adapted for selective engagement with the side of said plunger adjacent the trigger; and

,

a compressed spring abutting said slide for driving said slide away from the trigger; and

,

a pair of guard plates, each being respectively affixed to one of said opposed ends of said cross member, each of said guard plates being sized to prevent access to the trigger and the trigger guard when said slide is selectively engaged with the side of said plunger adjacent the trigger.

4. The trigger cover according to claim 1 wherein said clamp includes:

a pivoting jaw having a first concave portion for receiving a portion of said trigger guard therein;

an articulating jaw, spaced from said pivoting jaw, having a second concave portion positioned opposite said first concave portion for receiving a portion of said trigger guard therein; and

,

a threaded fastener securing said articulating jaw to said pivoting jaw.

5. The trigger cover according to claim 1 wherein said housing has a rearward portion which extends beneath the trigger guard to prevent access to the trigger from below.

6. A trigger cover for a firearm having a trigger and a trigger guard, said trigger cover comprising:

a housing having a clamp for attachment to the trigger guard;

an electrical circuit within said housing, said electrical circuit including;

a central processing unit;

a motion sensor for detecting changes in the position of said housing with respect to time and for signaling said central processing unit when changes in position with respect to time are sensed;

a receiver for detecting a radio signal from a remote transmitter and signaling said central processing unit when said radio signal is received, said receiver being energized by said central processing unit when said central processing unit is signaled by said motion sensor; and

,

a motor operatively connected to said central processing unit and having a rotatable drive shaft, said motor being energized, so as to rotate said drive shaft, by said central processing unit when said central processing unit is signaled by said receiver;

a mechanical linkage positioned substantially within said housing and coupled to said drive shaft of said motor, said linkage including;

a worm gear affixed to said drive shaft;

a slide having a threaded socket for receiving said worm gear therein such that when said drive shaft is rotated by said motor, said slide is moved axially on said worm gear;

a rotatable cam shaft oriented perpendicularly to said drive shaft and having opposed ends extending outwardly through the sides of said housing;

a cam affixed to said cam shaft, said cam having a notch therein for receiving said slide so as to selectively prevent the rotation of said cam shaft; and

,

a spring wound on said cam shaft adjacent said cam, said spring having opposite ends, one of said opposite ends being anchored to said housing, the other of said opposite ends extending outwardly through one side of said housing adjacent said cam shaft; and

,

a pair of guard plates, each being respectively affixed to one of said opposed ends of said cam shaft, each of said guard plates being sized to prevent access to the trigger and the trigger guard when said slide is selectively received within said notch in said cam, one of said guard plates being secured to said end of said spring extending outwardly through said housing whereby energy stored by said spring may be utilized to pivot said guard plates away from the trigger and trigger guard when said slide is removed from said notch in said cam.

7. The trigger cover according to claim 6 wherein said clamp includes:

a slide having a longitudinal slot and abutting said housing;

a first threaded fastener passing through said longitudinal slot and secured to said housing;

a pivoting jaw abutting said slide, said pivoting jaw having a first concave portion remote from said slide for receiving a portion of said trigger guard therein;

a second threaded fastener securing said pivoting jaw to said slide at a location remote from said slot;

an articulating jaw spaced from said pivoting jaw, said articulating jaw having a second concave portion positioned opposite said first concave portion for receiving a portion of said trigger guard therein;

a third threaded fastener securing said articulating jaw to said pivoting jaw; and

,

a fourth threaded fastener extending through said articulating jaw and pressing against the pivoting jaw.

8. The trigger cover according to claim 6 wherein said housing has a rearward portion which extends beneath the trigger guard to prevent access to the trigger from below.

9. A trigger cover for a firearm having a trigger and a trigger guard, said trigger cover comprising:

a housing having a clamp for attachment to the trigger guard and a longitudinal slot remote from said clamp;

an electrical circuit within said housing, said electrical circuit including;

a central processing unit;

a motion sensor for detecting changes in the position of said housing with respect to time and for signaling said central processing unit when changes in position with respect to time are sensed;

a receiver for detecting a radio signal from a remote transmitter and signaling said central processing unit when said radio signal is received, said receiver being energized by said central processing unit when said central processing unit is signaled by said motion sensor; and

,

a solenoid operatively connected to said central processing unit and having a retractable plunger, said solenoid being energized, so as to retract said plunger, by said central processing unit when said central processing unit is signaled by said receiver;

a mechanical linkage coupled to said plunger, said linkage including;

a cross member being slidably positioned within said slot and having opposed ends extending therefrom;

a slide secured to said cross member and extending upwardly therefrom within said housing, said slide being adapted for selective engagement with the side of said plunger adjacent the trigger; and

,

a compressed spring abutting said slide for driving said slide away from the trigger; and

,

a pair of guard plates, each being respectively affixed to one of said opposed ends of said cross member, each of said guard plates being sized to prevent access to the trigger and the trigger guard when said slide is selectively engaged with the side of said plunger adjacent the trigger.

10. The trigger cover according to claim 9 wherein said clamp includes:

a slide having a longitudinal slot and abutting said housing;

a first threaded fastener passing through said longitudinal slot and secured to said housing;

a pivoting jaw abutting said slide, said pivoting jaw having a first concave portion remote from said slide for receiving a portion of said trigger guard therein;

a second threaded fastener securing said pivoting jaw to said slide at a location remote from said slot;

an articulating jaw spaced from said pivoting jaw, said articulating jaw having a second concave portion positioned opposite said first concave portion for receiving a portion of said trigger guard therein;

a third threaded fastener securing said articulating jaw to said pivoting jaw; and

,

a fourth threaded fastener extending through said articulating jaw and pressing against the pivoting jaw.

11. The trigger cover according to claim 9 wherein said housing has a rearward portion which extends beneath the trigger guard to prevent access to the trigger from below.