Gun Barrel Lock

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to locking mechanisms. More particularly, the present invention concerns locking mechanisms for locking gun barrels in place.

II. Description of the Prior Art

Normally, in locking guns in place a chain or similar device is passed through the trigger guard and the ends of the chain are secured to a wall. Such means for locking guns is unsatisfactory because the chain can mar the finish on the gun. Also, when a group of guns is secured by one chain it is necessary to remove the guns at the end of the chain to reach any gun located in the center of the group.

III. Prior Art Statement p To the best of the Applicant's knowledge, the most closely related art is found in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.

3,981,166,

3,910,381,

3,844,146,

3,805,564,

3,785,500,

3,762,569;

2,010,770;

1,688,496;

1,386,4l4;

1,218,843.

The present invention is distinct therefrom in the assemblage of its elements and the locking of the rotable jaws.

The present invention provides a lock which encircles individual gun barrels. The inner surface of the jaw is covered with felt or other like soft material which protects the finish of the barrel. Furthermore, an individual gun can be removed by itself without disturbing guns locked adjacently.

The present invention provides a new gun barrel locking means which is attractive in appearance and inexpensive to produce while protecting the appearance of the gun barrel it is securing.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a locking means or mechanism for locking guns to a wall or cabinet or the like. The locking mechanism comprises a pair of opposed jaws, at least one of which is pivotally mounted and moveable with respect to the other jaw. In one embodiment the jaws are provided with intermeshing gears for synchronization of the movement therebetween.

When the jaws are in abutting relationship to envelope the gun barrel, a leaf spring anchored at one end to a wall of a housing, with its free end biased toward the jaws engages a recess in the jaws to hold the jaws in abutment and prevent release of the barrel.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing.

In the drawing, like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the gun barrel lock;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the gun barrel lock in FIG. 1 taken along a plane B--B perpendicular to the bottom, with the jaws in the locked position;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view as in FIG. 2 with the jaws opened;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the jaws wherein the jaws are geared together to move synchronously.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along 5--5 in FIG. 1 and being perpendicular to the bottom.

Now, and with reference to the drawing, and in particular, FIGS. 1-5, there is depicted a first embodiment of the present invention, generally denoted at 10. The locking mechanism 10 hereof generally comprises:

(a) a pair of opposed jaws 12, 14; (b) means for rendering at least one of the jaws pivoted to the housing and pivotally rotatable towards the opposed or opposite jaw; (c) a leaf spring denoted at 16 which is anchored at one end to a housing and having a ramp at its free end is biased toward the lower end of the jaws. The leaf spring drops into a recess in the lower end of the jaws for locking the jaws in place when they are in abutment with each other. A lock 32 rotatable by means of a key 34 has journalled to its lower end a release plate 36 which rotates with the key 34. Rotating the release plate toward the leaf spring 16 moves the spring along the ramp and away from the jaws 12, 14 releasing the spring from the recess 30 allowing the jaws to open.

The inner surface of the jaws where they contact the gun barrel, are covered with felt 13 or other soft material to prevent scratching or otherwise damaging the barrel. It should be noted that the present invention contemplates the provision that at least one jaw 12 or 14 which is pivotally rotatable toward an opposite jaw which may or may not be moveable. However, for the purpose of facilitating and understanding the present invention, the ensuing description will be of a preferred embodiment wherein the jaws are both pivotally moveable or rotatable.

Referring again to the drawing, and in particular to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 hereof and with more particularity, the locking mechanism comprises a housing 18 with end covers 20, and top closure pieces 22. A plurality of drive rivets 24 hold the pieces together to form an enclosure. The housing 18 has an opening along the top, throughout its length, with jaws 12, 14 projecting therethrough. The leaf spring 16 is anchored at one end to the housing and the free end is biased toward the jaws 12, 14. A rotatable cylinder lock 32 is operatd by a key 34 and has journalled at its inner end a release plate 36. When the release plate 36 is rotated toward the anchored end of leaf spring 16, it moves up the ramp of leaf spring 16 urging it down. When leaf spring 16 is urged down with sufficient force it leaves recess 30 allowing jaws 12, 14 to be urged open by a compressed spring 28. When a gun barrel has been placed in the opening between the jaws 12, 14, the jaws are closed by the user's fingers urging the jaws into abutment. When the jaws 12, 14 are in abutment the leaf spring 16 drops into the recess 30 holding the jaws in abutment until the lock is opened by the key 34.

It should be noted that FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of jaws 12a, 14a, wherein their lower adjacent edges having meshing gears formed to rotate about pivots 26, forcing jaws 12a and 14a to move synchronously from abutment to open position.