Securing mechanisms for preventing access to a firearm by unauthorized users, and safety housings for use therewith

• US 7,200,965 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2005
• Issued: 04/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Benjamin A. Tomb Jr
• Original Assignee: Safety First Devices, Inc.
• Inventors: Chinn, Robert C., Vor Keller, Albert W., Fletcher, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Klein; Gabriel J.
• Application Number:
  US11/178,797
• Publication Number:
  US 20060117634A1
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 42/701.1, 224191-193, 224/198, 224/238, 224243-244, 224/911, 224/993, 382/115, 382/124, 206/317
• US Class Current: 42/70.11
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0603 the detent moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0607 the detent moving pivotally or rotatively
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/04 Safeties of the combination-lock type F41A17/02 takes precedence
• 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 23/18 Rests for supporting smallarms in non-shooting position racks for storage A47B81/00; racks in vehicles B60R7/14
• 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 33/0227 having a strap or other restraining element only covering the hammer or a part of the upper part 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
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/041 for connecting a holster to a belt, webbing or other object
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/06 Containers for carrying smallarms, e.g. safety boxes, gun cases F41C33/02 takes precedence

Abstract

A securing mechanism for use in a holster, gun safe, base station, recharging/docking station, gun rack, or other safety housing for a firearm or other item, including one or more retaining members that engage the trigger guard, barrel, or other part of the firearm to prevent withdrawal of the firearm from the safety housing by anyone other than an authorized user of the firearm. The securing mechanism includes a biometric identification mechanism such as a fingerprint sensor for scanning fingerprint information of a prospective user of the firearm, and a processor for comparing the scanned biometric information with stored biometric information of an authorized user and releasing the retaining member only if the scanned biometric information matches that of the authorized user.

Claims

1. A securing mechanism for locking a firearm, comprising:

at least one retaining member having at least one catch surface formed thereon, said retaining member being moveable between a first unlocked position wherein the firearm is not constrained by said catch surface and the firearm can be withdrawn from said retaining member and a second locked position wherein said catch surface engages and constrains a cooperating portion of the firearm or of a firearm housing to prevent withdrawal of the cooperating portion from said retaining member;

at least one engagement surface configured so that, when the cooperating portion and said engagement surface are moved into engagement with each other while said retaining member is in said first unlocked position, the cooperating portion contacts said engagement surface and moves said retaining member to said second locked position;

a lock mechanism operatively coupled to said retaining member and adapted to secure said retaining member in said second position, wherein said lock mechanism comprises an actuator that is operatively coupled to said retaining member and that is operable to move said retaining member to said first unlocked position, wherein said lock mechanism has a lock member that is engaged by said actuator, wherein said lock member has one or more lock arms that are adapted to engage and secure said retaining member in said second locked position, wherein said actuator comprises a rotary actuator that is adapted to impart a rotary motion to said lock member; and

means for identifying an authorized user of the firearm and releasing said lock mechanism to permit withdrawal of the firearm from said retaining member.

2. The securing mechanism of claim 1, wherein said rotary actuator includes a spring adapted so that, when said actuator is not activated, said spring rotates said lock member to a first unlocked position permitting said retaining member to pivot to said first unlocked position, and when said actuator is activated, it rotates said lock member with sufficient force to contact and secure said retaining member in said second locked position.

3. A securing mechanism for locking a firearm in a housing, comprising:

two or more cooperating pivotal retaining members each having a catch surface and an engagement surface formed thereon, said retaining members being moveable between a first unlocked position wherein a cooperating portion of the housing is not constrained by said catch surfaces and the firearm can be withdrawn from the housing and a second locked position wherein said catch surfaces engage and constrain the cooperating portion of the housing to prevent withdrawal of the firearm from the housing;

said engagement surfaces configured so that, when the cooperating portion of the housing and said engagement surfaces are moved into engagement with each other while said retaining members are in said first unlocked position, the cooperating portion of the housing contacts said engagement surfaces and moves said retaining members to said second locked position;

a lock mechanism operatively coupled to said retaining members and adapted to secure said retaining members in said second position, wherein said lock mechanism comprises an actuator that is operatively coupled to said retaining member and that is operable to move said retaining member to said first unlocked position, wherein said lock mechanism has a lock member that is engaged by said actuator, wherein said lock member has one or more lock arms that are adapted to engage and secure said retaining members in said second locked position, wherein said actuator comprises a rotary actuator that is adapted to impart a rotary motion to said lock member to move said retaining members from said first position to said second position; and

means for identifying an authorized user of the firearm and releasing said lock mechanism to permit withdrawal of the firearm from the housing.

4. The securing mechanism of claim 3, wherein said rotary actuator includes a spring adapted so that, when said actuator is not activated, said spring rotates said lock member to a first unlocked position permitting said retaining member to pivot to said first unlocked position, and when said actuator is activated, it rotates said lock member with sufficient force to contact and secure said retaining member in said second locked position.

5. The securing mechanism of claim 3, wherein each of said retaining members has at least one catch arm extending therefrom with said catch surface formed thereon for engaging the cooperating portion of the housing and has a lock arm that is adapted to be engaged by at least one of said lock members of said lock mechanism.

6. The securing mechanism of claim 3, wherein at least one of said engagement surfaces is disposed on at least one actuating arm extending from at least one of said retaining members.

7. The securing mechanism of claim 3, wherein said retaining members, when in said second locked position, cooperate to substantially surround the cooperating portion of the housing.

8. The securing mechanism of claim 3, wherein said identifying means comprises a biometric sensor selected from the group consisting of fingerprint scanners, hand scanners, retinal scanners, facial recognition scanners, and voice recognition devices.

9. The securing mechanism of claim 3, further comprising the housing, wherein the securing mechanism is coupled to the housing so that when said retaining members are in said first unlocked position the firearm can be withdrawn from said housing and when said retaining members are in said second locked position the firearm is prevented from being withdrawn from said housing.

10. A safety device for a firearm, comprising:

a housing for receiving at least a portion of the firearm;

two or more cooperating pivotal retaining members each having a catch surface formed thereon, said retaining members being moveable between a first unlocked position wherein a cooperating portion of said housing is not constrained by said catch surfaces and the firearm can be withdrawn from said housing and a second locked position wherein said catch surfaces engage and constrain said cooperating portion of said housing to prevent withdrawal of the firearm from said housing;

a lock mechanism operatively coupled to said retaining members and adapted to secure said retaining members in said second position, wherein said lock mechanism has a lock member with one or more lock arms that are adapted to engage and move said retaining members from said first unlocked position to said second locked position and to secure both of said retaining members in said second locked position, wherein said lock mechanism further comprises a rotary actuator that is adapted to impart a rotary motion to said lock member to move said retaining members from said first position to said second position;

wherein each of said retaining members has at least one engagement arm extending therefrom with said catch surfaces formed thereon for engaging said cooperating portion of said housing and has a lock arm that is adapted to be engaged by at least one of said lock arms of said lock mechanism; and

means for identifying an authorized user of the firearm and releasing said lock mechanism to permit withdrawal of the firearm from said housing.

11. The safety device of claim 10, wherein said housing comprises a base and a carrier for holding the firearm, wherein said carrier is pivotally coupled to the base.

12. The safety device of claim 10, wherein said housing includes a pin and a slot defined therein that receives said pin so that said carrier pivots about said pin and said carrier can be lifted to remove said pin from said slot to remove said carrier from said base.

13. The safety device of claim 10, wherein said retaining members, said locking mechanism, and said identification means are coupled to said carrier.