Safety locking device for a firearm

• US 6,349,496 B1
• Filed: 08/31/1999
• Issued: 02/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: George Joseph Neely
• Original Assignee: George Joseph Neely
• Inventors: Neely, George Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CLEMENT, MICHELLE RENEE
• Application Number:
  US09/387,295
• Time in Patent Office: 910 Days
• Field of Search: 42/701.1, 42/700.6, 42/700.7, 42/10.1
• US Class Current: 42/70.11
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/02 Key-operated safeties F41A17/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/0209 Pouch or pocket like containers for small arms covering all or most of the small arm
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/0263 having a locking system for preventing unauthorized or accidental removal of the small arm from the holster F41C33/0227 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/029 combined with electronic devices, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/04 Special attachments therefor

Abstract

A safety locking device for engaging the trigger guard assembly of a firearm. A preferred embodiment includes a housing having a slot formed therein and configured to receive the trigger and trigger guard portion of a firearm, and a locking mechanism to prevent removal of the firearm from the device. The locking mechanism further comprises a locking assembly operably attached to a locking rod which can be moved into or out of a channel containing a ball that when held in place by the rod causes the slot that contains the trigger guard to narrow sufficiently to prevent the removal of the trigger guard and thus the firearm. The lock may comprise a conventional key-operated lock or an electronic lock. The locking device is designed primarily to be incorporated into a holster.

Claims

1. A safety mechanism for a firearm, comprising:

a housing having five channels and a tapered slot formed therein to receive a trigger and trigger guard of said firearm,

wherein a first of the five channels is centrally located in said housing and has an open end in fluid communication with said slot and a closed end, a second and third channel are parallel and in fluid communication with said first channel and are located on opposite sides of said first channel in said housing, and a fourth and fifth channel are parallel and in fluid communication with said second and third channels and are located on opposite sides of said second and third channels from said first channel in said housing;

a ball, having two pins disposed on opposite sides of said ball on an axis through a center of the ball, disposed in said first channel and said pins are disposed in said second and third channels, and said fourth and fifth channels each accommodate a spring;

a locking mechanism disposed within said housing,

wherein said locking mechanism further comprises a lock assembly operably connected to a locking rod,

wherein said locking rod is operable between a locked position in which said locking rod is positioned into a space behind said ball in said first channel and an unlocked position in which said locking rod is removed from the space behind said ball.

2. The safety mechanism of claim 1, wherein:

said springs apply pressure to said pins.

3. The safety mechanism of claim 1, wherein:

said springs apply pressure to said pins which in turn apply pressure to said ball, biasing said ball to said open end of the first channel toward said slot.

4. The safety mechanism of claim 1, wherein:

when said locking rod is in the unlocked position, the ball is in an unlocked position in which said trigger guard is allowed to enter and exit the slot with only a slight resistance.

5. The safety mechanism of claim 4, wherein:

when said locking rod is in the locked position, the ball is in a locked position which prevents the trigger guard from exiting the slot when the safety mechanism is locked on the firearm.

6. The safety mechanism of claim 1, wherein:

said lock assembly further comprises a pin attached to said locking rod, where the pin rides in a cam that is operably attached to said locking mechanism said pin being slidably received within said cam.

7. The safety mechanism of claim 1, wherein:

the housing has wings and is disposed within a holster whereby the trigger guard of said firearm is prevented from exiting the holster when said locking rod is in the locked position.

8. The safety mechanism of claim 1, wherein:

the locking mechanism comprises a key operated lock.