BARREL BLOCKING APPARATUS AND PROCESS

Abstract

A blocking member which mounts to a semi-automatic handgun provides for a face plate that prevents the gun slide from a cocked gun from being immobilized by pressure applied to the front of the muzzle.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed towards an apparatus and process of using the apparatus which prevents a semi-automatic handgun from being rendered inoperative when pressure is applied against the muzzle bore on front slide area of the handgun.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to semi-automatic handguns such as those manufactured by Glock® and Sig®. These semi-automatic handguns operate using a cocking mechanism in which the slide of the gun defining the gun bore and muzzle will slide relative to a lower rail formed by a frame of the gun. One consequence of this cocking mechanism is that if pressure applied to the muzzle/bore/front of the slide mechanism, while the gun is cocked, the gun can be rendered inoperative until the pressure is released. In close quarter combat situations if the handgun is pressed against a person's body or other object, pressure can prevent the fire arm from being discharged. As a result, the ability of the fire arm users to discharge the weapon can be compromised if an assailant intentionally applies pressure against the muzzle portion of the gun or the gun is held against an object.

Accordingly, there remains room for improvement within the art of a semi-automatic handguns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one aspect of at least one of the present embodiments to provide for a blocking member for placing opposite the slide of a semi-automatic handgun comprising a face plate positioned opposite a muzzle bore defined within a slide of a handgun; a mounting mechanism for securing the face plate to the handgun wherein when the blocking member is attached to the handgun, the face plate prevents force from being applied to the terminal end of the slide mechanism which would render the firearm from being discharged.

It is one aspect of at least one of the present embodiments to provide for a blocking member wherein the face plate is positioned at a right angle relative to the mounting mechanism and the mounting mechanism is adapted for securing to a rail of handgun.

It is one aspect of at least one of the present embodiments to provide for a process of preventing a mechanical binding of a slide mechanism of a handgun comprising the steps of placing a face plate portion of a blocking member in a position opposite a terminal end of a slide of a handgun and in proximity to a muzzle bore; securing the blocking member to a location defined by the handgun, the location being one other than the slide; wherein when the barrel of the handgun is pressed against a solid surface, the blocking member prevents the gun slide from being moved into a non-firing position.

It is one aspect of at least one of the present embodiments to provide for a blocking member as described above wherein the mounting mechanism further defines on a lower surface an accessory rail that can be used to attach a flashlight, a laser sight, and other accessories.

It is one aspect of at least one of the present embodiments to provide for a blocking member as described above wherein when the face plate is positioned opposite a muzzle bore the face plate does not extend above a surface plane of an upper surface of the hand gun slide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A fully enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a perspective view of the blocking member positioned relative to the rail and slide of the semi-automatic handgun.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a terminal end of a gun slide and rail showing the blocking member and attachment portion relative to the components of the handgun.

FIGS. 3-5 are respective views of the slide member and attachment portion of the slide member as seen in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an accessory mounting rail that can be positioned along a lower surface of the attachment member portion.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a hand gun showing the blocking member installed with an accessory light suspended from a rail.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features, and aspects of the present invention are disclosed in the following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention, which broader aspects are embodied in the exemplary constructions.

In describing the various figures herein, the same reference numbers are used throughout to describe the same material, apparatus, or process pathway. To avoid redundancy, detailed descriptions of much of the apparatus once described in relation to a figure is not repeated in the descriptions of subsequent figures, although such apparatus or process is labeled with the same reference numbers.

As seen in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a blocking member 10 defining a face plate 11 can be positioned opposite a muzzle 114 of a handgun 100. The muzzle 114 and the associate muzzle bore is associated with the slide 110 of the handgun and is positioned above the handgun rail 112.

As seen in references to FIGS. 1 and 2, the blocking member 10 can define an aperture 12 which is in open communication with the muzzle 114. While the illustrated embodiment shows an aperture 12, other shaped openings within the blocking member could be provided including semi-circles, portions of a circle, or a horseshoe shape which allows a bullet to exit the muzzle while at the same time providing a blocking member having a face plate 11 that protects the slide 110 from being moved by, an applied force.

In normal operation of the handgun 100, slide 110 is pulled in a direction toward the butt end of the gun which cocks the firearm. However, when the firearm is in the cocked position, if pressure is applied against the muzzle and surrounding front portion of slide 110, the firearm will not discharge. Accordingly it is found in accordance with this invention that positioning a face plate 11 of a blocking member 10 having an opening 12 that allows a projectile to pass can prevent the gun from being rendered inoperable if axial directed pressure were applied to the muzzle area of the gun.

As seen in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the face plate 11 can be second to a mounting plate 20 which may be positioned to any portion of the handgun that is not part of the slide 110. In the illustrated embodiments, the mounting plate 20 is configured to operably engage the lower surface of rail 112 using a tongue and groove configuration that conforms to the accessory rail design of the particular fire arm manufacturer. The rails 22 are best seen in reference to FIG. 3 and can be of any shape or configuration needed in order to engage the appropriate railing system of the fire arm. An aperture 24 is provided within the mounting apparatus 20 to allow mounting bracket to be firmly secured to the rail. Typically, the, fire arm manufacturer will have a preformed aperture which will align with aperture 24 such that appropriate accessories can be secured to the rail.

As seen in reference to FIG. 1, threaded fasteners 15 may be used to attach the face plate 11 to a front edge of mounting plate 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the blocking member 10 forms a right angle configuration between the face plate 11 and the mounting plate 20 when properly oriented and installed unto a rail portion 112 of the handgun 100.

In the illustrated embodiments, the mounting apparatus is secured to a lower surface of rail 112. However, as long as the blocking, member 10 is secured, to a non rail portion of the handgun, the face plate 11 is kept stationary relative to any movement of the slide 110. As such, the fixed nature of the blocking member 10 and face plate 11 relative to the slide 110 will prevent any forward pressure applied against the muzzle or surrounding portion of the muzzle from pushing against the slide and thereby rendering the handgun inoperative. Accordingly, the use of the blocking member 10 allows for the handgun to be discharged when pressed again an assailant's body or otherwise pushed against an object. This ability is important in close quarter encounters or where an assailant may intentionally try to render the handgun inoperative by engaging the slide mechanism.

While the preferred embodiment shows the face plate 11 secured to a mounting apparatus such as mounting plate 20 where the mounting plate 20 is secured to a lower portion of rail 110, the mounting plate 20 could have other configurations such that it attaches to one or more edges of rail 112, or is secured, to some other portion of gun frame. However, preferred configurations are those of which avoid any increase in the effective width of the gun such that conventional holsters and other accessories can be utilized.

As seen in FIG. 2, there may be a small, gap between the muzzle 114 and the blocking member 10. However, in other configurations, there need not be any space provided on a surface of the face plate 11 can completely or partially surround muzzle 114 and portions of the face, plate 11 can physically touch the terminal end of slide 110.

The components of the blocking member 10 can be formed of a single unitary construction or can be fabricated from separate parts as illustrated. The materials composing the mounting apparatus 20 and face plate 11 can be of any suitable metal or temperature and impact resistant polymer including materials that may be utilized in the construction of the firearm. As such, appropriate colors can be used to match the firearm.

While the width of the face plate 11 is shown substantially equal to that, of the width of the slide portion 110 of the handgun, one of ordinary skill in the art would realize that the function of the face plate 11 can be carried out with a variety of different shaped and sized pieces. An effective face plate can be provided having a width less than the width of the slide member and a height of the face plate can be less than a height of the slide member.

As seen in reference to FIG. 6, a conventional accessory rail 130 is illustrated. An accessory rail 130 can be attached to a surface of the mounting apparatus 20 to allow gun accessories 140 to be mounted to the handgun. As seen in FIG. 7, a light 140 is attached to the accessory rail.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, devices, and methods, such description is for illustrative purposes only. The words used are words of description rather than of limitation. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention as set forth herein. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged, both in whole, or in part. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained therein.

Claims

1. A blocking member for placing opposite the slide of a semi-automatic handgun comprising: a face plate positioned opposite a muzzle bore defined within a slide of a handgun;a mounting mechanism for securing the face plate to the handgun wherein when the blocking member is attached to the handgun, the face plate prevents force from being applied to the terminal end of the slide mechanism which would render the firearm from being discharged.

2. The blocking member according to claim 1 wherein the mounting member is positioned at a right angle relative to the face plate and the mounting member is adapted for securing to a rail of a handgun.

3. A process of preventing a mechanical binding of a slide mechanism of a handgun comprising the steps of: placing a face plate of a blocking member in a position opposite a terminal end of a slide of a handgun and in proximity to a muzzle bore;securing the blocking member to a location defined by the handgun, the location being one other than the slide;wherein when the barrel of the handgun is pressed against a solid surface, the face plate, portion of the blocking member prevents the gun slide from being moved into a non firing position.

4. The blocking member according to claim 1 wherein the mounting mechanism further defines on a lower surface an accessory rail that can be used to attach a flashlight, a laser sight, and other accessories.

5. The blocking member according to claim 1 wherein when the face plate is positioned opposite a muzzle bore the face plate does not extend above a surface plane of an upper surface of the hand gun slide.