Patent Application
20060288625
This invention relates to firearm locking systems, and, in particular, to a firearm locking system for reliably and securely locking a wide variety of firearms and their components whereby they can be viewed, handled and moved while in their locked condition, and, further, to a kit for containing equipment used in accordance with the firearm locking system.
Most firearm owners are familiar with the numerous benefits of locking their firearms when not in use. Unfortunately, currently available locking options generally achieve safety at the expense of aesthetics and/or freedom of movement—that is, to safely lock firearms one must place them in a condition wherein the ability to move, handle and/or view the firearms are significantly restricted. This is undesirable under many circumstances, but is especially problematic in a retail store or tradeshow environment, where it is often necessary to maintain firearms in a locked condition, yet also imperative that people be able to appreciate the locked firearms.
Current firearm locking options also suffer from various other related drawbacks. Most notably, known firearm locking devices generally are not adapted to effectively lock different firearms having varying sizes, shapes, actions and/or calibers, let alone to do so without severely compromising the ability to view, handle and move the firearms. Moreover, such devices often do not allow one to see through the sights of a locked firearm, thus inhibiting a potential buyer or firearm enthusiast from assessing the firearm. Also, many currently available locking options cannot effectively lock both a firearm and its detachable components. This is a particular problem because such components (e.g., sniper rifle optics) can be targets for theft while firearms are on display.
Therefore, a need exists for a firearm locking system that can reliably secure a wide range of firearms in a condition whereby the firearms, and, if desired, their components, are locked so as to prevent firing and theft of the firearms and/or their components, yet also such that the firearms and components can be viewed, handled and moved.
The present invention meets these and other needs by providing a firearm locking system in which firearms and/or their components are locked through use of one or more cable segments and endpieces. Each cable segment has a leading end, a trailing end and a cable body therebetween. The length of the cable body will determine the distance the firearms and components can be moved while in their locked condition.
A locking endpiece is attached to the leading end of the cable segment and a plugging endpiece is attached to the trailing end of the cable segment. Either or both of the locking endpiece and the plugging endpiece can be pre-attached to the cable segments, or, alternatively, they can be attached during the locking process. For example, the locking endpiece can be attached to the leading end of the cable segment prior to being introduced into the firearm or after the leading end has emerged from the firing end of the firearm. The plugging endpiece is attached to the trailing end of the cable segment at any time prior to the trailing end first entering the firearm.
To lock a firearm, the leading end of the cable segment—with or without the locking endpiece attached thereto—is inserted into the chamber of a firearm and advanced through the firearm in a breech-to-muzzle direction until the leading end emerges from the firing end of the firearm. If not already attached, the locking endpiece is then secured to the leading end of the cable segment and subsequently locked within or to a locking device. To lock the plugging endpiece, the cable segment is further advanced through the firearm in a breech-to-muzzle direction until the trailing end of the cable segment—with attached plugging endpiece—enters the firearm chamber and becomes lodged within (i.e., plugs) firearm barrel or chamber. Because both endpieces are effectively locked, so too is the firearm.
One or more plugging assistance devices can be utilized in accordance with the plugging endpiece. For example, a spacer can be placed into communication with the plugging endpiece to enable an otherwise undersized plugging endpiece to plug the barrel or chamber of a firearm. Alternatively, a protective assistance device can be placed into communication with the plugging device in order to prevent a properly sized plugging endpiece from damaging the barrel or chamber as the cable segment is being pulled through the firearm barrel.
The locking system of the present invention also can be utilized to lock one or more non-detachable or, as is currently preferred, detachable firearm components through use of at least one cable segment and at least one locking sleeve. The cable segment is fed through a first a first eyelet of the locking sleeve, then into and around the component, and then through a second eyelet of the locking sleeve. Steps are then taken to cause the cable segment to be prevented from being further advanced through the locking sleeve eyelets (e.g., by crimping or otherwise compressing the locking sleeve), thus effectively creating a lock.
Some or all of the equipment that is utilized in connection with the locking system of the present invention can be stored, packaged and/or offered for sale as a kit. The kit is generally contained within a portable yet sturdy container, e.g., a carrying case.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and desired objects of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the views, and in which:
The present invention provides a firearm locking system that includes one or more cable segments with ends to which one or more endpieces are (or can be) attached. The locking system is highly beneficial because it enables displayed firearms and/or their components (e.g., detachable components such as optical sights and/or non-detachable components such as trigger guards and lanyards) to be reliably and securely locked yet also viewed, handled and moved. The cable segment(s), the endpiece(s) and various other pieces of equipment adapted for use in connection with the firearm display locking system can be stored within a container for packaging and/or sale as a kit.
The firearm display locking system can be utilized to simultaneously or separately lock one or more firearms, wherein the locked firearms can be identical or can vary in their size, shape, model, caliber and/or action. The term “firearm,” as used herein, refers to a weapon that is capable of firing a projectile therefrom. Examples of firearms for purposes of this invention include, but are not limited to, guns, handguns, shotguns, machine guns, rifles, assault rifles, revolvers, derringers, pistols, machine pistols, and small canons, wherein such weapons are considered firearms for purposes of this invention whether or not they are carried by a user or are mounted onto something (e.g., an aircraft, a tank, a foundation) for use. Firearms for purposes of this invention can have any caliber, including a caliber above or below 0.50 caliber, and can have any type of action, including, but not limited to single action, double action, pump action, bolt action, lever action, automatic or semi-automatic action.
A firearm is considered “locked” for purposes of the present invention if the firearm is placed in a condition in which it cannot be fired—even if loaded—yet can be appreciably viewed and handled, and can be physically moved up to, but not beyond a predetermined distance from its at rest, displayed position. The predetermined movement distance can be selected based on several factors, including, by way of non-limiting example, the type(s) of firearm(s) being locked, the setting in which the firearm(s) are being displayed, and the intended or anticipated viewing/purchasing audience for the firearm(s). For example, if the firearm is being displayed in a retail environment (e.g., a firearm show, a firearm store), then the predetermined movement distance could differ from that of another setting (e.g., a firearm owner's home). According to a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined movement distance is in the range of about two feet to about twenty-five feet.
In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of
The material from which each cable segment 400 is made should be flexible enough to allow for easy maneuvering of the cable segment through a firearm, yet strong and durable enough to maintain the structural integrity of the cable segment during and after the locking process. According to a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention, each cable segment 400 is comprised of a metal-based core surrounded by a plastic-based outer layer. By way of non-limiting example, each cable segment 400 can be made of the same materials from which the flexible shaft of the gun barrel cleaner described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,716,673 to Williams et al. (the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein) is constructed. The softer outer layer of the cable segment helps to prevent any scratching or other damage to the firing chamber, barrel, rifling and muzzle of the firearm during the locking process.
Each cable segment 400 should have a predetermined diameter that is small enough to fit within and through a wide variety of firearms, and that can allow for an endpiece to be attached to either of its ends 410, 420.
The first endpiece 500 is a locking endpiece that is locked or otherwise secured to a locking device and the second endpiece 600 is a plugging endpiece that is plugged within a firearm barrel or chamber. The specific roles of the endpieces 500, 600 in accordance with the firearm locking system of the present invention will be described in detail below.
Both the locking endpiece 500 and the plugging endpiece 600 can have a variety of shapes and sizes in accordance with the present invention. By way of non-limiting example, and as illustrated in
Each endpiece 500, 600 can be made of a variety of materials; however, the material from which each endpiece is made should be strong and hard in order not to compromise the efficacy of the locking system. As is currently preferred, however, each endpiece 500, 600 should also be at least partially deformable in order to enable attachment of the endpiece to an end 410, 420 of a cable segment 400 via crimping. Also, the locking endpiece 500 can be made of the same or different material as the plugging endpiece 600. Exemplary materials from which the endpieces 500, 600 can be made include metallic-based materials and alloys thereof. According to a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention, each endpiece is made of a different brass alloy.
A bore is defined within each of the locking endpiece 500 and the plugging endpiece 600, wherein the locking endpiece bore is depicted in
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in which attachment of the endpieces 500, 600 occurs by crimping, a least a portion of each endpiece is configured so as to more readily allow for crimping to occur, yet also so as not to prevent the locking endpiece from otherwise functioning in accordance with the locking system. By way of non-limiting example and as shown in
Such non-cylindrical contours are advantageous if the endpieces 500, 600 are to be attached via crimping because the non-cylindrical contours more readily allow for a crimping tool (not shown) to clamp onto the first portions 510, 610 of the endpieces 500, 600. Moreover, the presence of the non-cylindrical contour portions of the endpieces 500, 600 is beneficial if it is desired to subsequently detach either or both of the endpieces from the cable segment 400, since it is easier to grasp non-cylindrical contour portions (e.g., with pliers) than portions with a cylindrical contour.
As is also currently preferred in accordance with the present invention, the diameter of the transverse bore 530, 630 of each endpiece 500, 600 is non-uniform, with the bore diameters that correspond to the non-cylindrical contour portions 510, 610 being smaller than the bore diameters that correspond to the cylindrical portions 520, 620. However, the bore diameters corresponding to the non-cylindrical contour portions 510, 610 of the endpieces 500, 600 should be greater than that of the ends 410, 420 of the cable segment 400 to which the endpieces are attached, in order to allow for attachment via crimping.
According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention depicted in
According to the
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in which at least the locking endpiece 500 has not been pre-attached to the cable segment 400 (see, e.g.,
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in which at least the plugging endpiece 600 has not been pre-attached to the cable segment 400 (see, e.g.,
Because the purpose of the plugging endpiece 600 is to become plugged within the barrel or chamber of a firearm, the plugging endpiece should be sized and shaped such that it fits within the firearm chamber and barrel but also such that it cannot emerge from (i.e., is too large to emerge from) the firing end of the firearm. Due to the varying barrel/chamber shapes and calibers of firearms, however, a plugging endpiece 600 having a certain size and shape will not be able to successfully plug all different types of firearms—that is, a plugging endpiece may not be wide enough to become plugged within the barrel or chamber of different sizes, shapes and/or calibers of firearms.
To address this situation, one or more spacers can be placed in tactile communication with the plugging endpiece 600 in order to enlarge the effective diameter of the plugging endpiece, thus enabling the plugging endpiece to be configured to plug the barrel or chamber of a firearm having a comparatively larger barrel/chamber.
Each spacer 700, including those shown in
The transverse bore 710 of each spacer 700A, 700B has a diameter greater than that of the first cylindrical portion 610 of the plugging endpiece 600 but less than that of the second cylindrical portion 620 of the plugging endpiece. This enables a spacer 700 to fit over the first cylindrical portion 610 of the plugging endpiece and come to rest in tactile communication with the shoulder 640 of the second cylindrical portion of the plugging endpiece, as shown, e.g., in
It should be noted that spacers 700 other than those illustrated in
A spacer 700 serves an added purpose in accordance with the present invention, namely to protect the firearm barrel and chamber from damage that could occur as the cable segment 400 is being pulled though the firearm barrel in a breech-to-muzzle direction. For example, in an embodiment in which the plugging endpiece 600 is made of a metallic-based material, the spacer 700 prevents or at least inhibits the shoulder 640 and the outer periphery of the second cylindrical portion 620 of the plugging endpiece from coming into contact with—and, in doing so, potentially damaging (e.g., by scratching)—the firearm barrel or chamber. To ensure that it does not similarly damage the firearm barrel, the spacer 700 should be made from a comparatively softer material than the plugging endpiece. Suitable such materials include, but are not limited to plastic-based materials, with rubber materials being currently preferred.
Because of the potential damage that can be caused when a plugging endpiece 600 is not equipped with a spacer, it is currently preferred that the plugging endpiece be fitted with a protective device even if a spacer is not utilized. In other words, a protective device serves the protective role of the spacer 700 in instances wherein use of a spacer is deemed unnecessary, e.g., due to the plugging endpiece 600 having a size and shape suitable to plug the firearm.
Like the spacers 700 described and depicted herein, the protective device 800 should be made from a strong, yet comparatively soft material, such as a plastic-based or rubber material. Also, although the protective device 800 is shown on
Whereas the plugging endpiece 600 becomes locked, for purposes of the present invention, by being plugged within a firearm, the locking endpiece 500 becomes locked by being secured within a locking device or area. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in
The locking bracket 900 has a first face 910 with at least one transverse bore 920 defined therein. As shown in
The bracket 900 also includes a second face 930 having a first side 940 and a second side 950. The second face 920 protrudes from the first face 910 at a predetermined angle, which, according to a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention, is about 90° but can be greater or less than 90° as well. The second face 920 also has a slot 960 which culminates in a bore 970, wherein both the slot and the bore span between and through the first and second sides 940, 950 of the second face, thus defining a first side opening 980 and a second side opening 990 of the bore.
In use, the locking endpiece 500 is pulled completely through either the first side opening 980 or the second side opening 990 of the bore 970 until at least a portion of the attached cable body 430 has passed through the other of the first side opening or the second side opening. The cable body 430 is then slid toward the non-bore end 965 of the slot 960. According to a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in
After the locking endpiece(s) 500 are in place, steps are taken to obstruct the bore 970 in a manner whereby the locking endpiece becomes locked. According to a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in
Once the locking endpiece 500 has been secured within the locking device or area 900 and the plugging device 600 has become plugged within the barrel or chamber of the firearm, then the firearm is considered locked and, as an added advantage, cannot be fired (even if loaded) due to the presence of the plugging endpiece within the firearm barrel or chamber. As shown, e.g., in
In accordance with the present invention, a single cable segment 400 can be utilized to lock one firearm or, alternatively, a plurality of firearms. To lock a plurality of firearms, the process would be similar to that which is described above, except that the locking endpiece 500 would not be locked in a locking device or area 900 once it emerges from the firing end of a first firearm. Instead, the locking endpiece 500 would be inserted into and through one or more additional firearms and then locked in the locking device or area 900 only after emerging from the firing end of the final firearm to be locked.
In such an embodiment, the plugging endpiece 600 would be plugged within the first firearm to be locked. For example, if three firearms were to be locked, then the plugging endpiece 600 would be within the first firearm, and portions of the cable body 300 would be within the second and third firearms. The second and third firearms are effectively in a locked condition, since the locking endpiece 500 is locked within the locking device 900 and the plugging endpiece 600 is within the first firearm. A plurality of firearms can be successfully locked at one time according to this embodiment of the present invention, with the exact number of locked firearms being a matter of user preference and depending upon the length of available cable body 430.
Moreover, the loading bracket 900 of
The locking system 100 of the present invention also can be utilized to lock one or more firearm components, including detachable components such as optics or other components which, if not locked, could be physically separated from the firearm, and/or non-detachable components such as trigger guards and lanyards. Such detachable and/or non-detachable components can be locked individually or in addition to the firearm with which they are associated. For example, and as shown in
According to a currently preferred embodiment of a present invention in which at least one firearm component is locked, the component is locked through use of the cable segment depicted in
Alternatively, a cable segment 400 as shown in
The locking system 100 of the present invention is especially effective to lock one or more detachable firearm components (e.g., firearm optics) because although the detachable components still can be physically detached and separated from the firearm in their locked condition, the components can only be moved a predetermined distance because they are in communication with the secured cable segment 400, which has been both compressed within a locking sleeve 1000 and locked—via the locking endpiece 500—within a locking device or area 900.
In an embodiment wherein the locking system 100 has been utilized to lock a firearm component, the locking endpiece 500 can be further utilized to lock additional firearm components and/or one or more firearms by repeating the appropriate insertion steps described above and, only once such additional steps are completed, by securing the locking endpiece 500 within the locking device or area 900. The specific number of additional components and/or firearms that can be locked will depend various factors, including but not limited to user preference and the length of available cable body 430.
Any or all of the equipment utilized in connection with the locking system 100 can be included within a kit. By way of non-limiting example, the kit components can be housed within a container, such as a carrying case. According to a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container in which the kit is housed should be portable and lightweight, yet also sturdy, and substantially waterproof. An exemplary suitable container is currently sold by Otis Products Inc. of Lyons Falls, N.Y. in connection with the Otis Elite Cleaning System.
According to a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention, the kit will include a plurality of cable segments 400, a plurality of locking endpieces 500, a plurality of plugging endpieces 600, a plurality of plugging assistance devices (e.g., a plurality of spacers 700 and a plurality of protective devices 800), and a plurality of locking sleeves 1000, although it is understood that the kit could include additional or fewer components as well.
The plurality of cable segments 400 included within the kit can be of the type shown in
The lengths of the cable body 430 of each cable segment 400 within the kit can vary; however, all cable segments within the kit generally will have a cable body within the range of about two feet to about forty feet, with a cable body range of between about seven feet and about thirty feet being currently preferred. To provide design flexibility, a cable segment 400 of the type depicted in
It is also currently preferred for the kit to include a plurality at least two different types of spacers 700 for use in connection with different sizes, shapes and/or calibers of firearms. By way of non-limiting example, the kit can include different spacers 700 for use to assist in plugging a 9 mm firearm, a 7.62 mm firearm, a 0.45 caliber firearm and/or a 12 gauge firearm. It is also currently preferred that the kit include a plurality of protective devices 800, which, as noted above, are placed into communication with the plugging endpiece 600 when a spacer 700 is not utilized. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of protective devices 800 is a rubber washer.
Generally, the kit will further include a plurality of locking sleeves 1000 to enable the system to be utilized to lock firearm components. In an embodiment wherein locking sleeves 1000 are included in the kit, it is currently preferred that the kit also include a tool (e.g., a crimper) to enable a user to compresses (e.g. crimp) the eyelets 1010, 1020 of the sleeve, as explained above. It is also currently preferred that if a crimper is included in the kit that the crimper be sized and shaped not only be able to crimp a locking sleeve 1000, but also be able to attach the endpieces 500, 600 to the respective ends 410, 420 of the cable segment.
The kit can contain other pieces of equipment as well, including, but not limited to, one or more locking devices 900 (e.g., locking brackets) as well as other equipment (e.g., one or more C-clamps, one or more padlocks, one or more screws, one or more combination- or key-operated padlocks) for use in securing the locking device to a surface 50.
The kit also can include product literature, such as, by way of non-limiting example, an inventory of components list, one or more advertisements, one or more coupons, and one or more warranties. According to a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention, the kit literature will include at least instructions for using the locking system to lock firearms and/or detachable (or non-detachable) firearm components. The literature can be provided in the kit as hard copy (e.g., on paper or laminate) and/or as soft copy (e.g., a CD-ROM or another computer readable medium).
While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments as illustrated in the drawings and described hereinabove, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
