Fingerprint safety lock for firearms

• US 6,874,265 B1
• Filed: 05/07/2004
• Issued: 04/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sumit M. Pathak
• Original Assignee: Sumit M. Pathak
• Inventors: Pathak, Sumit M.
• Primary Examiner(s): ELDRED, JOHN W
• Application Number:
  US10/839,909
• Time in Patent Office: 333 Days
• Field of Search: 42/700.6, 42/700.7, 224/244
• US Class Current: 42/70.06
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/066 having means for recognizing biometric parameters, e.g. voice control, finger print or palm print control
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/54 Protecting-caps for trigger guards; Trigger locking pieces mounted on, or within, the trigger guard

Abstract

A locking system for firearms that utilizes an owner'"'"'s fingerprint to lock and unlock it is disclosed. Upon initial observation of the invention, it appears like a conventional fire arm lock that goes around the trigger and immobilizes it. Fingerprint sensors are provided that will only acknowledge the fingerprint and thumb print of the gun owner. When the owner touches the sensors once, the present invention will unlock, and when they are touched again, it will lock. A small computerized chip, in conjunction with a lithium battery and an advancement mechanism such as a stepper motor perform the actual locking duties. The housing of the invention is made of titanium to prevent tampering.

Claims

1. A safety lock apparatus for a firearm comprising:

a first enclosure and a second enclosure, said enclosures mateable about a trigger of said firearm, one of said enclosures having an internal locking member positioned between said trigger and a trigger guard to inhibit activation of said trigger, wherein said enclosures have a first rod coupled to a second rod, said rods generating a retracted state for mateably locking said enclosures together, said rods generating an extended state for releasing said enclosures, and

at least one finger print sensor placed on one of said enclosures, said sensor verifying authorization status of a user, wherein authorization of said user releases said enclosures and permits immediate use of said firearm.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said enclosures comprise:

a computer control chip operatively coupled to said at least one sensor;

electronic memory device storing finger print parameters of said user;

a latching circuit operatively coupled to an advancement mechanism, said latching circuit transmitting a signal generated by said electronic memory device to said advancement mechanism for directing engagement or disengagement of said advancement mechanism;

said advancement mechanism actuating retraction or expansion of said rods; and

a battery supplying electrical power to said enclosure.

3. A safety lock apparatus for a firearm comprising:

a first enclosure and a second enclosure, said enclosures mateable about a trigger of said firearm, one of said enclosures having an internal locking member positioned between said trigger and a trigger guard to inhibit activation of said trigger; and

an index finger print sensor and a thumb print sensor, said sensor verifying authorization status of a user, wherein authorization of said user releases said enclosures and permits immediate use of said firearm;

said index sensor positioned on one of said enclosures for verifying said user'"'"'s index finger print for authorized use;

said thumb sensor positioned opposite to said index sensor and on the opposite enclosure, said thumb sensor for verifying said user'"'"'s thumb print for authorized use; and

said enclosures not released unless said index sensor and said thumb sensor match authorized prints.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said enclosures have a first rod coupled to a second rod, said rods generating a retracted state for mateably locking said enclosures together, said rods generating an extended state for releasing said enclosures.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said enclosures comprise:

a computer control chip operatively coupled to said at least one sensor;

electronic memory device storing parameters of said user;

a latching circuit operatively coupled to an advancement mechanism, said latching circuit transmitting a signal generated by said electronic memory device to said advancement mechanism for directing engagement or disengagement of said advancement mechanism;

said advancement mechanism actuating retraction or expansion of said rods; and

a battery for supplying electrical power to said enclosure.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said advancement mechanism comprises an electro mechanical device that produces physical movement upon application of an electric current.