FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to firearms and, more particularly, to a concealable handgun.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Carrying a firearm in public has become more common as people become self-reliant for personal protection. All states in the United States now allow for the carrying of a handgun with varying degrees of permitting conditions. While some people openly carry handguns for protection, most prefer to conceal their firearm to not draw attention to themselves or make others uncomfortable.
Many find that carrying a concealed firearm is uncomfortable or inconvenient. Holsters can be worn on a shoulder or around an ankle, but are not comfortable, can be bulky, and can be seen through clothing. Handguns can be carried in a purse, backpack, or briefcase, but are not readily accessible when needed. One solution that has been around for decades is to design handguns that are small enough to carry in a pocket or small purse. However, such handguns tend to be low-caliber, are difficult to handle, and are prone to accidental discharge.
What is desired is a firearm that is does not appear to be a firearm when openly exposed and readily accessible to the person carrying it.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a firearm that can be carried openly, yet does not appear to be a firearm. The preferred embodiment is a handgun that adjusts between stored configuration and an in-use configuration. This embodiment has the appearance of a cell phone when in the stored configuration so that it is not apparent to others that the device is actually a handgun. Release of a grip latch allows the handle to rotate to an in-use position, exposing the trigger.
The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the subject matter hereof. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art can appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the invention. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify various embodiments.
Advantages of the Invention
- Can be carried completely exposed without others identifying it as a firearm.
- Easily converts from a stored configuration to an in-use configuration.
- Small enough to fit into pants or jacket pocket or be clipped onto belt.
- Cannot be fired in the stored configuration because trigger is not accessible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Subject matter hereof may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying figures, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front right perspective of a concealable firearm according to an embodiment of the invention in its in-use configuration.
FIG. 2 is a front right perspective of a concealable firearm according to an embodiment of the invention in its stored configuration.
FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a concealable firearm according to an embodiment of the invention in its stored configuration.
FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of a concealable firearm according to an embodiment of the invention in its stored configuration.
FIG. 5 is a top view of a concealable firearm according to an embodiment of the invention in its stored configuration.
FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a concealable firearm according to an embodiment of the invention in its stored configuration.
FIG. 7 is a right side elevation view of a concealable firearm according to an embodiment of the invention in its stored configuration.
FIG. 8 is a left side elevation view of a concealable firearm according to an embodiment of the invention in its stored configuration.
FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of a concealable firearm according to an embodiment of the invention in its in-use configuration.
FIG. 10 is a rear elevation view of a concealable firearm according to an embodiment of the invention in its in-use configuration.
FIG. 11 is a top view of a concealable firearm according to an embodiment of the invention in its in-use configuration.
FIG. 12 is a bottom view of a concealable firearm according to an embodiment of the invention in its in-use configuration
FIG. 13 is a right side elevation view of a concealable firearm according to an embodiment of the invention in its in-use configuration.
FIG. 14 is a left side elevation view of a concealable firearm according to an embodiment of the invention in its in-use configuration.
FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a concealable firearm according to an embodiment of the invention in its in-use configuration.
FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a concealable firearm according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 17 is a front right perspective of a concealable firearm according to an alternate embodiment of the invention in its in-use configuration.
FIG. 18 is a front elevation view of a concealable firearm according to an alternate embodiment of the invention in its stored configuration.
FIG. 19 is a rear elevation view of a concealable firearm according to an alternate embodiment of the invention in its stored configuration.
FIG. 20 is a top view of a concealable firearm according to an alternate embodiment of the invention in its stored configuration.
FIG. 21 is a bottom view of a concealable firearm according to an alternate embodiment of the invention in its stored configuration.
FIG. 22 is a right side elevation view of a concealable firearm according to an alternate embodiment of the invention in its stored configuration.
FIG. 23 is a left side elevation view of a concealable firearm according to an alternate embodiment of the invention in its stored configuration.
FIG. 24 is a front elevation view of a concealable firearm according to an alternate embodiment of the invention in its in-use configuration.
FIG. 25 is a rear elevation view of a concealable firearm according to an alternate embodiment of the invention in its in-use configuration.
FIG. 26 is a top view of a concealable firearm according to an alternate embodiment of the invention in its in-use configuration.
FIG. 27 is a bottom view of a concealable firearm according to an alternate embodiment of the invention in its in-use configuration
FIG. 28 is a right side elevation view of a concealable firearm according to an alternate embodiment of the invention in its in-use configuration.
FIG. 29 is a left side elevation view of a concealable firearm according to an alternate embodiment of the invention in its in-use configuration.
FIG. 30 is a sectional view of a concealable firearm according to an alternate embodiment of the invention in its in-use configuration.
FIG. 31 is an exploded view of a concealable firearm according to an alternate embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 32 is a front right perspective of a concealable firearm according to a third embodiment of the invention in its in-use configuration.
FIG. 33 is a front right perspective of a concealable firearm according to a third embodiment of the invention in its stored configuration.
FIG. 34 is a front elevation view of a concealable firearm according to a third embodiment of the invention in its in-use configuration.
FIG. 35 is a sectional view of a concealable firearm according to a third embodiment of the invention in its in-use configuration.
FIG. 36 is an exploded view of a concealable firearm according to a third embodiment of the invention.
While various embodiments are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the claimed inventions to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A concealable firearm according to an embodiment of the invention is depicted generally in FIG. 1 with reference numeral 100 in its in-use configuration. The concealable firearm 100 includes a receiver body 110, slide 120, barrel 130, trigger 140, and grip 150 that are typical of handguns known in the art. The concealable firearm 100 further includes a trigger guard 145 and a tubular magazine 160 for storage and longitudinal loading of bullets. In this configuration, the trigger 140 is accessible so that concealable firearm 100 may be fired, if loaded with bullets.
FIG. 2 presents the same embodiment of the concealable firearm 100 in its stored configuration. When in this configuration, grip 150 is rotated to cover the trigger 140, making it inaccessible and, therefore, concealable firearm may 100 may not be fired. In the stored configuration, concealable firearm 100 has the shape, size, and appearance of a common smart phone. The concealable firearm 100 may have the appearance of any make of smart phone (e.g., Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, etc.) or smart phone in a protective case (e.g., Otterbox, Case-Mate, etc.).
FIGS. 2-8 present views of the concealable firearm 100 in its stored configuration and illustrate its smart phone appearance in this configuration. The receiver body 110, slide 120, and grip 150 are all formed to give a combined facade of a cell phone. As can be seen in FIGS. 3-4 and 6-8, concealable firearm also includes a grip latch 155 to lock concealable firearm 100 in the stored position. In the preferred embodiment, grip latch 155 slides between its locked (back) and unlocked (forward) positions. Other types of grip latch 155 (push button, rotating, etc.) are also contemplated.
FIGS. 9-14 present the same embodiment of the concealed firearm 100 shown in FIGS. 1-8, but in the in-use configuration. As can best be seen in FIGS. 13-14, the grip 150 is rotated down to expose the trigger 140. The grip 150 rotates about a grip pivot 153 that is configured to look like the camera lens of a cell phone. The preferred embodiment includes a trigger guard 145 to prevent accidental firing, damage to the trigger 140, and provide structural stability to the concealed firearm 100. However, trigger guard 145 is not necessary and may be eliminated for weight considerations.
FIG. 15 presents cross-section along line A-A of FIG. 9, showing the internal components of an embodiment of concealable firearm 100. Concealable firearm 100 includes at least one trigger spring 290 to return trigger 140 to its ready-to-fire position after being pulled. In this embodiment, trigger 140 pulls down sear pin 270, releasing the firing pin 230. Release of the firing pin 230 causes firing pin spring 210 to force firing pin 230 to slide forward inside the firing pin guide 220 (shown in FIG. 16) and strike the bullet (not shown) within the barrel 130. Release of trigger 140 allows sear pin 270 to be pushed back up to its initial position by sear spring 280. Firing pin 200 is returned to its cocked position by firing pin rebound spring 230.
Bullets (not shown) are stored in the tubular magazine 160. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15-16, the capacity of the tubular magazine 160 is three bullets. Bullets are fed from the tubular magazine 160 by a tubular magazine spring 165 to the barrel 130 via a breach lock tipping block 310 and lifter 250. Feed stop 300 ensures that only a single bullet is lifted into the barrel 130. Barrel 130 includes chamber 135 for securing bullet in place prior to firing. The slide 120 strips the bullet off the lifter 250 and seats it into the chamber 135 to be fired. After the bullet is fired the explosive force pushes the slide 120 back and an extractor 240 pulls the spent casing back until it hits an ejector 320 to expel the spent casing from the concealable firearm 100.
An aspect of the invention that allows the concealable firearm 100 to convert from its in-use configuration to its stored configuration is the grip cavity 152. Grip cavity 152 is sized and configured to accept the portion of the receiver body 110 that comprises the trigger 140. When in the stored position, trigger 140 is covered by grip 150. This provides protection against inadvertent discharge of the concealable firearm 100 because the trigger 140 is not accessible. It also allows the concealable firearm 100 to have the proper shape to mimic a cell phone or cell phone case. The grip 150 may also include a grip stop 158 that is configured to nest within a stop notch 115 of the receiver body 110 when the concealed firearm 100 is in its stored configuration. The grip 150 may include a grip shoulder 157 configured to butt against a notch in the receiver body 110 to provide additional stability to concealable firearm 100 while in the in-use configuration.
FIGS. 17-31 present an alternate embodiment for the concealable firearm 100 of the invention. Instead of a tubular magazine 160 (shown in FIGS. 1-16), this embodiment utilizes a conventional magazine 400 for storage and lateral feeding of bullets into the chamber 135. In this embodiment, bullets are stored in conventional magazine 400 and are raised to the chamber 135 via a magazine spring 410 instead of a lifter 250 (shown in FIGS. 1-16). Conventional magazine 400 is loaded into a magazine well 405 formed in the receiver body 110. A magazine catch 420 locks the conventional magazine 400 into the receiver body 110 and can be pressed to release the conventional magazine 400. A magazine catch spring 430 keeps the magazine catch 420 in locked position.
The materials of construction for the various components of the concealable firearm 100 are preferably as light as possible and highly formable while being strong enough for the components intended use and durable for repeated use. The receiver body 110, slide 120, and grip 150 are preferably constructed of glass-filled nylon to allow the exterior of the concealable firearm 100 to be formed in the shape of a cell phone and being light-weight, but strong enough to function as a firearm. These components may also be constructed of aluminum, carbon fiber, or stainless steel. The barrel 130 is preferably constructed of 4140 chromoly steel for durability, but can also be made from stainless steel. The tubular magazine spring 165, firing pin spring 220, firing pin rebound spring 230, rebound spring 260, sear spring 280, trigger spring(s) 290, magazine spring 410, and magazine catch spring 430 are preferably constructed of music wire, but may also be constructed of stainless steel spring wire. Due to the severe service conditions, hardened carbon steel is the preferred material for the firing pin 200, but can also be made of lighter high-strength material such as titanium. The firing pin guide 220 is preferably made of polyoxymethylene (brand name Delrin® made by Dupont) for its high strength, hardness and rigidity. The preferred material for the other components of the concealable firearm 100 is coated carbon steel, but stainless steel may also be used. The preferred material for the conventional magazine 400 is polyether ether ketone (PEEK) for its robustness and light weight, but other materials such as polyetherimide (brand name Ultem™ made by Saudi Basic Industries Corporation), carbon filled nylon, and steel are acceptable alternatives. While the above materials of construction are preferred for the present invention, those of skill in the art will be aware of other materials that may be substituted due to performance, durability, cost, and aesthetic considerations.
FIGS. 32-36 present a third embodiment for the concealable firearm 100 of the invention. This embodiment contemplates the concealed firearm as being a Derringer-type pistol (i.e., one without a magazine). The concealable firearm 100 may be one or more barrels, but is depicted in FIGS. 32-35 as a two-barrel concealable firearm 100. For this embodiment, the barrel housing 510 pivots forward with respect to the body 500 (shown in FIG. 36 constructed of two halves) to allow loading of bullets (not shown) into each barrel 130. The mechanics of the concealable firearm 100 of this embodiment are those typical of Derringer-type pistols known in the art.
The materials of construction for the various components of the concealable firearm 100 are preferably as light as possible and highly formable while being strong enough for the components intended use and durable for repeated use. The receiver body 110, slide 120, and grip 150 are preferably constructed of glass-filled nylon to allow the exterior of the concealable firearm 100 to be formed in the shape of a cell phone and being light-weight, but strong enough to function as a firearm. These components may also be constructed of aluminum, carbon fiber, or stainless steel. The barrel 130 is preferably constructed of 4140 chromoly steel for durability, but can also be made from stainless steel. The tubular magazine spring 165, firing pin spring 220, firing pin rebound spring 230, rebound spring 260, sear spring 280, trigger spring(s) 290, magazine spring 410, and magazine catch spring 430 are preferably constructed of music wire, but may also be constructed of stainless steel spring wire. Due to the severe service conditions, hardened carbon steel is the preferred material for the firing pin 200, but can also be made of lighter high-strength material such as titanium. The firing pin guide 220 is preferably made of polyoxymethylene (brand name Delrin® made by Dupont) for its high strength, hardness and rigidity. The preferred material for the other components of the concealable firearm 100 is coated carbon steel, but stainless steel may also be used. The preferred material for the conventional magazine 400 is polyether ether ketone (PEEK) for its robustness and light weight, but other materials such as polyetherimide (brand name Ultem™ made by Saudi Basic Industries Corporation), carbon filled nylon, and steel are acceptable alternatives. While the above materials of construction are preferred for the present invention, those of skill in the art will be aware of other materials that may be substituted due to performance, durability, cost, and aesthetic considerations.
Patent Application
20210156642
