Gun Security Apparatus

This invention relates to systems for firearm security and control.

Firearms, since their earliest origin, have been valuable property. As such, there has always been a risk of loss by theft. Because of the gun's valuable nature, it has been and continues to be a target for theft. Many limited production, custom made, or highly engraved weapons, have price tags in the thousands of dollars. Typical sporting or personal weapons cost in the hundreds. It is not uncommon for a sporting enthusiast to own six or more weapons. Firearm dealers, on the other hand, may have hundreds of weapons in inventory. Security branches of local, state and hational governments own hundreds of weapons of all kinds for protection of the public. All firearm owners have the same problem of how to secure and control the unauthorized access to these firearms.

Previous efforts have been made to solve the problem of providing adequate firearm security. Early attempts included the gun cabinet, which is usually made of wood or a wood substitute, and glass. The glass provides windows in the cabinet doors, so that an owner can see his guns. Often the doors lock with a key, so that access by children is prevented. The gun cabinet is a piece of furniture, but is not much help against thefts, since access to the guns can be easily and quickly accomplished.

Another common security device is a locking gun rack, which is usually made of wood and light duty metal parts. The rack hangs on a wall and accommodates long guns in a horizontal fashion. Various retaining devices are used, which may lock all guns to the rack or individually lock single guns. Often, only one end of the gun is retained to the rack. The shortcomings of such devices include that the attachment is usually light duty and the thief merely has to remove the rack with the guns and later effectuate removal of the guns from the rack.

Security chests or safes made of heavy duty material, which can accommodate both long guns and handguns are satisfactory for security, but they suffer from shortcomings including that the weapons are not on display, the device is bulky, and moisture problems may develop within the enclosure.

Other existing devices include steel cable or chain threaded through the trigger guards of the weapons and padlocked to the gun rack or cabinet.

Alarm systems are also available, which would use an electric wire passed through the gun trigger guard, which if cut or broken triggers an alarm.

The slip-together methods of providing security include broad-ended pins passing through the trigger guard and being detachably fastened to rack devices, or bands or clamping means completely surrounding the stock or barrel of a long gun. Examples of the trigger guard locking pin devices are found in Worswick, U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,453, and Diebold, U.S. Pat. No. 2,667,274. A device utilizing a flat band to surround a gun stock is shown in Townsend, U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,491.

The instant invention pertains to systems for firearm security and control, and provides for security for either long guns or hand guns in flexible arrangements.

In one embodiment of the invention, said pins pass through the trigger guard of a firearm to be secured and may be of sufficient length to pass through a series of firearm trigger guards. A pair of curved enclosing pin members may be disposed and suitably positioned adjacent base members such that one of said enclosing pin members surrounds the stock of a long gun while the other enclosing pin member surrounds the barrel.

Individually key activated sliding mechanisms are selectively engaged upon the annular grooves or slots of the firearm engaging pins.

In an alternative embodiment, said bases contain a complement of openings positioned within said base members wherein locking pin disposed within said opening will engage the annular grooves or slots of said pins. Said engaging pins comprise elongated bodies having enlarged first ends and second ends containing openings for passage of a padlock therethrough.

Base members are fixedly mounted to a structure, such as a wall, and are equipped with openings into which may be inserted gun-engaging pins, which may be selectively engaged within the base members by control members. Said pins comprise elongated bodies containing enlarged first ends and second ends equipped with slots or annular grooves placed thereupon. Slideably movable locking members are selectively engaged with the slots or annular grooves of the second ends of the pins when said second ends engage the base members. Enclosing pin members have first curved ends and second ends containing annular grooves or slots thereupon. When said second ends of said enclosing pin members fully engage said base members, the curved ends of said enclosing pin members are positioned with said base members to form an entrapment. Said second groove containing ends of said enclosing pin members may be selectively engaged by slideably movable locking members within said base.

Electrical signal monitoring circuitry is associated with removal of said pin locking mechanisms to indicate removal or tampering with individual weapons.

One of the objectives of the invention is to provide individual firearm security.

Another objective is to allow firearms to be displayed to viewers, while being attractively secured.

Another objective is to provide an extremely flexible system where the long guns may be displayed in vertical or horizontal fashion and long guns and hand guns may be intermixed in the display.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a system for securing multiple hand guns with one locking device.

Another objective of the invention is to provide easy exchange of securing devices for hand guns or long guns.

Another objective of the device is to provide for a compact system of gun display and security.

Another objective of the invention is to provide for electronic indicator control of weapons tampered with or removed.

Another objective is to provide individual locking devices for individual firearms secured.

The foregoing objectives and others will be apparent from reference to the detailed description below.

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a combination of the invention securing long guns and handguns.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view in perspective of a trigger guard securing embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view in perspective of an alternative embodiment of the invention showing a trigger guard securing pin and a muzzle or gun stock enclosing member.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view in perspective of another embodiment of the invention employing electrical monitoring components.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of the electric monitoring circuit of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the system invention showing the securing of two long guns muzzle to muzzle.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention showing a fixed ring securing member and a sliding ring securing member.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation of the invention securing a single handgun.

Referring to FIG. 1, the system invention is shown securing three long guns 1, 3 and 5, and two handguns 7 and 9. Bases 10 and 12 are fixed to structure 14 by mounting hardware 16. Long gun 1 is a lever-action-type weapon. Enclosing member 20 surrounds stock grip 11 of long gun 1 and passes through the lever 13 of long gun 1 and engages base 12. Enclosing member 22 entraps muzzle 15 of long gun 1 and engages base 10. Key receiving mechanism 24 is equipped with key opening 26 and is associated with enclosing member 22. Key receiving mechanism 42 is associated with enclosing member 20. Lever action long gun 3 is secured to the system invention with enclosing members 28 and 30. Enclosing member 28 surrounds stock 31 of long gun 3 and passes through lever 33 before engaging base 12. Enclosing member 30 entraps muzzle 35 of long gun 3 and engages base 10. Key mechanisms 38 and 40 are associated with enclosing members 30 and 28 respectively. As can be readily seen, long gun 3 could have as easily been oriented such that stock 31 became positioned adjacent base 10 and secured by enclosing member 30 with muzzle 35 adjacent base 12 and entrapped by enclosing member 28.

Long gun 5 has no lever. Pin 32 passes through trigger guard 51 of long gun 5 and engages base 12. Muzzle 55 is entrapped by enclosing member 34 which engages base 10. Key receiving mechanisms 44 and 46 are associated with enclosing member 34 and pin 32 respectively. Handgun 7 is secured to base 10 by pin 36 which passes through trigger guard 71 and engages base 10. Key receiving mechanism 48 on base 10 is associated with pin 36. Handgun 9 is secured to base 12 by pin 50 which passes through trigger guard 91. Key mechanism 52 is associated with pin 50.

Detail of the engaging mechanism of pin 102 with base 110 can be seen in the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2. In this embodiment base 110 is seen from a rear perspective. Bolt 112 and washer 114 are installed through opening 116 for installation of base 110 to a wall or other structure. Expansion plug 118 is installed in base 110 such that head 120 of bolt 112 is not accessible after installation. Pin 102 is elongated and is equipped with enlarged end 122 on one end, and annular groove 124 formed in its opposing end 126. Shoulder 129 is formed by reduction in diameter of pin 102 at opposing end 126. Only opposing end 126 is of appropriate size to enter first passageway 134. Sleeve 128 is employed generally along pin 102 between enlarged end 122 and with opposing end 126 and is intended to cushion the abutment of gun parts to pin 102. Pin 102 is available to engage first passageway 134. Locking member 130 is provided to pass through intersecting passageway 132 in base 110. Transverse opening 135 is provided in locking member 130 for engagement of shackle 136 of padlock 138 therewith after passage of locking member 130 into intersecting passageway 132. First passageway 134 and intersecting passageway 132 intersect within base 110 such that elongated body 140 of locking member 130 engages annular groove 124 of pin 102 when opposing end 126 of pin 102 is inserted in first passageway 134. It is obvious that opposing end 126 must be inserted in base 110 before locking member 130 is inserted in intersecting passageway 132. The engagement of shaft 140 of locking member 130 with annular groove 124 of pin 102 prevents withdrawal of pin 102 from its engagement in first passageway 134 of base 110. When locked, shackle 136 of padlock 138 prevents removal of locking member 130 from base 110 which thereby prevents removal of pin 102 from base 110.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown. Base 210 is shown in perspective from the rear. Bolt 212 passes through washer 214 and opening 216 to engage the wall or other structure to which base 210 is mounted. Expansion plug 218 is placed over bolt 212 and serves to preclude access to head 220 of bolt 212 after installation of base 210 to a wall or other structure is effectuated. Pin 202 is shown engaged by sliding member 225 at annular groove 224 on opposing end 226. Pin 202 can therefore freely turn on its axis and still remain secure to base 210. Alternatively, pin 202 may be equipped with a slot such as slot 276 of enclosing member 272, in place of annular groove 224. Lock assembly 230 contains opening 241 into which passes sliding member 225 at protusion 232 which extends into opening 241. Sliding member 225 is selectively maintained in position engaging annular groove 224 of pin 202 by action of lock mechanism 231. Sleeve 228 encloses body 234 of pin 202. Enlarged end 222 is of size sufficient to exceed the size of opening of a trigger guard of a weapon. Recess 236 is provided in rear face 248 of base 210 to provide space to actuate sliding member 225 and to accommodate lock assembly 230. Indentation 238 is provided within recess 236 to accept fastener 240 for lock mechanism 231. Key 242 engages lock mechanism 231 from the front of base 210.

Mounting bolt 246 extends from rear face 248 of base 210 to mount to the wall or other structure to which base 210 would be mounted.

Recess 250 is formed in rear face 248 of base 210. Indentation 252 is formed within recess 250. Opening 268, having a non-circular cross sectional shape, passes through base 210 and communicates with indentation 252. Recess 250 and indentation 252 may be of equivalent configuration to recess 236 and indentation 238, respectively. Recess 250 may extend the length of base 210 if desired. Lock mechanism housing 255 is similar in cross sectional shape to opening 268. Lock mechanism housing 255 contains threaded portion 254, head 257, and opening 262. When installed in base 210, lock mechanism housing 255 extends through opening 268 and threaded portion 254 thereof is received by nut 270 which maintains lock mechanism housing 255 to base 210. Indentation 252 and recess 250 are of sufficient depth such that when installed in base 210, lock mechanism housing 255 does not intersect the plane of rear face 248 of base 210 and does not contact the wall or other structure to which base 210 may be mounted. Enclosing member 272 is curved and is approximately the shape of the letter J. Enclosing member 272 has a substantially linear first end 274 and a substantially linear free end 286, interconnected by curved body 282. First end 274 terminates in coaxial extension 275 which is of smaller diameter than the remainder of first end 274 of enclosing member 272 such that extension 275 may enter passageway 266 while shoulder 278 abuts base 210. When installed in base 210, termination 287 of free end 286 of enclosing member 272 almost touches base 210. Slot 276 is formed in extension 275 of first end 274 of enclosing member 272. When J-shaped enclosing member 272 is engaged in base 210 by the insertion of first end 274 into passageway 266, slot 276 is available to receive sliding member 260 which serves to lock enclosing member 272 to base 210, as well as to prevent rotation of enclosing member 272. Enclosing member 272 is equipped with sheath 280 along its entire length except for extension 275. Sheath 280 is of resilient material, such as foam rubber or poly vinyl chloride.

As can be readily understood, pin 202 can be made sufficiently elongate to secure more than one gun with the pin passing through the trigger guard of each gun. Similarly, enclosing member 272 may be equipped with first end 274 and free end 286 of sufficient length to accommodate enclosure of multiple gun muzzles or stocks.

Pin 202 can be interchanged with enclosing member 272 in passageway 266. The invention contemplates any combination of pin 202 and enclosing member 272 as desired by the user. When lock mechanism housing 255 is assembled in base 210, extension 256 of sliding member 260 is inserted into opening 262 of lock mechanism housing 255 from the direction of passageway 266 with respect to opening 268. Slot 259 is provided along extension 256 on the side of extension 256 directed to opening 268.

Lock cylinder 290 is elongate with a key-receiving end 291 and a second end 292. The face 293 of second end 292 is provided with protrusion 294 at its edge. Retaining clip 295 is provided upon second end 292 of key cylinder 290. Key 296 may be inserted in key-receiving end 291 of lock cylinder 290. As is well known in the art, when the proper key 296 is inserted in key cylinder 290, lock cylinder 290 may be rotated in the direction of key rotation.

The rotation of lock cylinder 290 causes the movement of protrusion 294 with respect to the lock mechanism housing 255. When lock cylinder 290 is installed in lock mechanism housing 255, protrusion 294 engages slot 259 of extension 256 of sliding member 260. The rotation of lock cylinder 290 effectuates sliding movement of sliding member 260 through the spacial repositioning of protrusion 294 occasioned thereby. Cylinder 290 is shown oriented such that protrusion 294 is spaced most distant from passageway 266. In this position, when assembled into lock mechanism housing 255, lock cylinder 290 would effectuate displacement of sliding member 260 at its maximal distance from extension 275 of enclosing member 272. When lock cylinder 290 is rotated by 180 degrees, it can be seen that protrusion 294 will be positioned in the opposite configuration from that shown in the drawing, and protrusion 294 will cause sliding movement of sliding member 260 toward extension 275 of enclosing member 272, thus providing engagement of edge 297 of sliding member 260, in slot 276 of enclosing member 272. This engagement of sliding member 260 with slot 276 prevents the rotation of enclosing member 272 around its first end 274. As can be seen, the selective positioning of lock cylinder 290 by use of key 296 effects selective entrapment of enclosing member 272 to bar 210.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 4. Parts shown in this figure which are identical to those shown in FIG. 3 will carry identical numbers. Base 310 is equipped for electrical monitoring. Recess 336 is provided in rear face 348 of base 310. It is intended that base 310 will be mounted to an immovable structure by bolt 346 such that rear face 348 abuts such immovable structure. Recess 336 may extend the length of base 310. Within recess 336 are indentations 312 and 314. Non-circular passageway 316 is provided to receive lock mechanism housing 255. Passageway 316 communicates with indentation 312. Nut 270 engages threaded portion 254 of lock mechanism housing 255. Passageway 318 passes through base 310 and communicates with recess 336. Passageway 318 is provided to receive extension 275 of enclosing member 272. Extension 275 extends from shoulder 278 and is of appropriate length such that when inserted in passageway 318, shoulder 278 abuts base 310 and extension 275 does not intersect the plane of rear face 348 of base 310. Sliding member 360 is provided with extension 356 on which is provided slot 359. Extending from central portion 361 of sliding member 360 in opposing direction to extension 356 is arm 320. Spring member 321 is mounted by screw 322 within recess 336 such that arm 323 of spring member 321 deflects upon the full insertion of extension 275 of enclosing member 272 into passageway 318 to the extent that shoulder 278 abuts base member 310. Bracket 324 has normally closed switches 326 and 328 affixed thereto by fasteners 329, and is mounted securely within indentation 314. Arm 323 of spring member 321 rests near upon plunger 330 of switch 326 in its relaxed state. When extension 275 of enclosing member 272 is fully positioned within passageway 318, extension 275 engages arm 323 of spring member 321 thereby deflecting said spring member toward switch 326, thereby depressing plunger 330 of switch 326 and causing switch 326 to open. Arm 320 of sliding member 360 rests above plunger 332 of switch 328 so long as lock cylinder 290 is positioned with protrusion 294 at its position most distant from passageway 318. When lock cylinder 290 is rotated by key 296, protrusion 294 which engages slot 359 of extension 356 of sliding member 360, forces sliding member 360 downward and causes arm 320 of sliding member 360 to engage and depress plunger 332 of switch 328. It is understood that alternative actuation of switch means may be employed and are contemplated by the invention.

In FIG. 5, a schematic of the electrical circuitry is shown. Suitable wiring is disclosed to connect a power source labelled as a battery, bulb 410 and switches 326 and 328. Sliding member 360 is shown positioned to engage extension 275. Extension 275 deflects arm 323 of spring member 321 causing switch 326 to be depressed and therefore be in its open state. Arm 320 of sliding member 360 also depresses switch 328 into open status. As can be readily seen, when sliding member 360 is moved away from extension 275, arm 320 will deactuate switch 328 allowing it to close and energize bulb 410. When extension 275 is removed from base 210, arm 323 of spring member 321 will return to undeflected position, thereby relaxing switch 326 and allowing it to return to its normally closed position, thus providing an alternative path of energization for bulb 410. Equivalent forms of wiring, signalization and supply of power are contemplated by this invention. It can readily be seen that if extension 275 is removed from base 310 or is not fully inserted into passageway 318, arm 323 of spring member 321 will not be deflected and will allow switch 326 to close energizing bulb 410 regardless whether arm 320 of sliding member 360 is in its downward position depressing switch 328 and causing it to be open. Monitoring is therefore available to indicate if lock cylinder 290 is in the unlocked position or to detect if enclosing member 272 is not fully inserted in passageway 318. Bulb 410 may be substituted with or may accompany other monitoring or measurement devices which are energized or selectively controlled upon the closing of either switch 326 or 328. For example, a recording mechanism could be used to collect data regarding removal or unlocking of any of the securing members associated with the system of this invention.

A further alternative embodiment of the invention is disclosed in FIG. 6. Three bases 408, 409, and 410 are mounted to a wall 414, by hardware enclosed by expansion plugs 418. Bases 408, 409 and 410 may be substantially identical. Long guns 403 and 405 are secured to bases 408, 409 and 410. Pins 402 and 404 secure trigger guard 453 of long gun 403 and trigger guard 455 of long gun 405 respectively. Pins 402 and 404 may be substantially identical. Muzzle 413 of long gun 403 and muzzle 415 of long gun 405 each extend into enclosed space 421 created by enclosing member 420 and base 409. Lock mechanism 450 selectively controls removal of pin 402 from base 408 and lock mechanism 452 selectively controls removal of pin 404 from base 410. Retaining pin 454 is installed transversely in base 409 preventing removal of enclosing member 420 which is equipped with a notch such as notch 526 of enclosed member 561 shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 provides another alternative embodiment of the invention. Bases 508, 509 and 510 are mounted to immovable structure 514 by fastners 518. Lock mechanisms 550 and 552 selectively control pins 502 and 504 respectively, which secure the trigger guards 553 and 555 of guns 503 and 505 to bases 508 and 510, respectively.

Enclosed member 560 is shown fixed to base 509 by holding pin 566. Insertion of shaft 522 of enclosed member 561 into opening 531 of base 509 is intended. Transverse notch 526 is provided on shaft 522 and is engaged by holding pin 524 when holding pin 524 is driven into transverse passageway 533 of base 509. Transverse notch 526 may be substituted with a transverse aperture which similarly may be engaged by holding pin 524.

Opening 559 of enclosed member 560 receives muzzles 513 and 515 of guns 503 and 505 respectively. Additional pins 504 are installed in bases 508 and 510 but are not in use to secure guns. Pins 506 are also not in use but are featured with shanks 507 which are sufficiently elongated to pass through one or more weapons' trigger guards and insert into bases 508 and 510. Pin 540 is provided with ring 542 which surrounds shank 544 of pin 540 but may be removed when pin 540 is detached from base 509. Shank 544 is provided with transverse notch 546. Ring 542 is not sufficiently large to pass over head 548 of pin 550 when a gun's muzzle is inserted within ring 542. When shank 544 is inserted into opening 535 of base 509, a holding pin 564 may be driven into transverse passageway 537, wherein it engages notch 546 of shank 544. Transverse notch 546 may be substituted with a transverse aperture which similarly may be engaged by holding pin 564. It is intended that the muzzle of a long gun may be inserted through ring 542 and the stock of said long gun then be placed adjacent base 508 or base 510 and secured through its trigger guard by one of pins 506 to base 508 or 510.

In FIG. 8, an additional alternative embodiment of the invention is shown. Expansion plugs 618 cover mounting hardware used to secure base 610 to a wall or other structural component or other substantially immovable object. Lock mechanism 612 is associated with pin 602 which secures handgun 620 to base 610. Supports 622 and 624 provide stops to hold handgun 620 in an upright position.

Throughout this specification, it is to be understood that bases 10, 12, 210, 310, 408, 409, 410, 508 and 510 may be fully interchangeable. Furthermore, pins 102, 202, 402, 404, 502, 504 and 540, enclosing members 272, 420, enclosed members 506 and 561 may be constructed to be interchangeably insertable within passageway 266 of base 210 as shown in FIG. 3 or in passageway 134 of base 110 shown in FIG. 2 or in passageway 318 of base 310 of FIG. 4. Furthermore, it is to be understood that enclosing members 272 and 420 may likewise be interchangeably inserted within passageway 134 of base 110 or passageway 266 of base 210 and secured either by a sliding member such as sliding member 260 of FIG. 3, 360 of FIG. 4 or by locking member 130 of FIG. 2.