Locking apparatus for a firearm

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the following U.S. Provisional Applications: Ser. No. 60/639,187; Ser. No. 60/638,594; Ser. No. 60/638,753; Ser. No. 60/638,593; Ser. No. 60/638,746; Ser. No. 60/638,592; Ser. No. 60/638,751; and Ser. No. 60/638,752, all filed Dec. 22, 2004, and all hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to devices for locking firearms and, more particularly, to key locks for semiautomatic pistols or handguns.

[0003] Various devices have been used to prevent the discharge of firearms. Such devices have included trigger locks or similar mechanisms that, when incorporated into the firearm, deter the firing of the firearm by incapacitating the trigger. Trigger locks typically consist of two mating elements that are mounted and locked together over or around the trigger guard and trigger of the firearm, thereby blocking access to and/or movement of the trigger.

[0004] Other devices used to prevent the discharge of firearms employ an integral mechanical combination lock to secure the firearm. These devices typically employ mechanical keypads with small numbered buttons or dials that are used to enter the numbered code to unlock the device and remove it from the firearm.

[0005] Although the aforesaid devices can be effective, they generally work in a manner where certain firearm components, e.g., the trigger, are blocked or restricted. Thus, if the device is bypassed and the trigger accessed, it may be possible to discharge the firearm. What is needed is a locking device that, when enabled, prevents the firing of a firearm even if the trigger is actuated.

[0006] A firearm incorporating an embodiment of the locking mechanism of the present invention includes a frame and a firing mechanism. The firing mechanism has a sear (e.g., configured for controlled release of a firing pin) and a trigger bar for actuating the sear. The trigger bar is disengageable from the sear. The locking mechanism is attached to the frame and can be actuated using a key to selectively disengage the trigger bar from the sear.

[0007] In another embodiment, the locking mechanism includes an axially rotatable pin. A first end of the pin is accessible from the exterior of the firearm for key actuation, and a second end of the pin is positioned proximate to the trigger bar in the interior of the frame. The second end of the pin is provided with a cam surface for laterally shifting the trigger bar out of engagement from the sear when the pin is axially rotated. For example, the second end of the pin may include a face surface perpendicular to the axis of the pin, a stepped land integral therewith, and an arcuate, ramp-like surface extending between the face and land. In a first axial position of the pin, the trigger bar lies against the face surface. When the pin is rotated in place, the arcuate, ramp-like portion of the pin rotates into contact with the trigger bar, gradually laterally shifting the trigger bar until it comes to rest against the land, out of engagement with the sear.

[0008] One advantage of the locking apparatus of the present invention is that a handgun incorporating such a locking apparatus blocks the operation of the trigger. The operation of the trigger is blocked because the mechanical link between the trigger assembly and the fire control mechanism (namely, the trigger bar) is disengaged.

[0009] Another advantage is that such a locking apparatus is made difficult or impossible to defeat by smashing the exposed end of the pin. In particular, because the operable portion of the locking apparatus (e.g., the cammed surface that causes the disengagement of the trigger bar from the sear) is housed within the frame of the handgun, an attempted defeat of the apparatus will likely result in damage being caused to the portion at which the key engages the pin to lock or unlock the handgun.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one exemplary embodiment of a semiautomatic pistol or handgun which may incorporate the locking apparatus of the present invention is shown generally at 10 and is hereinafter referred to as “firearm 10.” The firearm 10 comprises a frame 12, a slide 14, and a fire control mechanism 18 (see FIG. 2) that operates via actuation of a trigger 22. The frame 12 is fabricated of a high-impact polymer material, metal, a combination of polymer and metal, or other suitable materials. The slide 14 houses a barrel 16 in the forward end thereof. The barrel 16 is cooperatively linked with the slide 14 and, together with the slide 14, defines a longitudinal firing axis 17. A rearward end 19 of the barrel 16 is adapted for receiving an ammunition cartridge.

[0020] The slide 14 is fitted to opposingly-positioned rails 28 on the frame 12 to effect the reciprocal movement of the slide 14 along the longitudinal firing axis 17. The rails 28 extend along the underside of the slide 14 in the longitudinal direction and are cooperative with the frame 12 to allow the cycling of the slide 14 between forward (battery) and rearward (retired) positions. The slide 14, which is defined by a slide frame 30, further includes a breech face 32 and an extractor port 34. The breech face 32 is engagable with the rearward end 19 of the barrel 16 to form a firing chamber when the slide 14 is disposed forwardly on the frame 12 (see FIG. 1). An ejection mechanism provides for the ejection of a cartridge casing 40 in a direction indicated by an arrow 42 upon firing the firearm 10 or manually cycling the slide 14.

[0021] Referring now to FIG. 3, the fire control mechanism is shown at 18. The fire control mechanism 18 is of a striker-type firing pin configuration, and comprises a striker-type firing pin 23 having a firing pin portion 20 and a depending leg 21. The fire control mechanism further comprises a sear assembly 26 and a trigger assembly 42. The sear assembly 26 has a pivotally-mounted sear 50 that selectively engages the firing pin 23. The trigger assembly 42, which functions to actuate the sear 50, includes the trigger 22 and a trigger bar 31 pivotally connected to the trigger 22 via a pin 34. The trigger bar 31 connects the trigger 22 and the sear assembly 26. A trigger bar extension 33 extends from the trigger bar structure into a channel 29 of the sear assembly 26. The trigger 22 may be of unitary construction, as shown, or of a multiple-piece articulated construction. When the trigger 22 is actuated by being pressed in a rearward direction, the trigger 22 pivots about a pin 38 and transmits movement to the trigger bar 31 via the pin 34. The trigger bar 31 is thereby moved in a rearward direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal firing axis such that the trigger bar extension 33 correspondingly translates in the channel 29. The connection of the trigger bar 31 to the trigger 22 and sear assembly 26 is such that the trigger bar 31 can be laterally displaced away from the sear assembly 26 when pressure is exerted on the trigger bar 31 and/or trigger bar extension 33, e.g., in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction in which the longitudinal firing axis extends.

[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a key lock (locking mechanism means) of the present invention is shown generally at 60. The key lock 60 includes a selectively rotatable element mounted on the frame of the handgun to effect the selective engagement of the trigger bar 31 with the sear 50. A positive force is used to rotate the selectively rotatable element about an axis 61. In one embodiment, the selectively rotatable element is a pin 70. When the handgun is in an operational mode (e.g., when the key lock 60 is disengaged or in the “unlocked” position), a cooperating sloped surface 75 on the trigger bar engages the sear 50. Longitudinal movement of the trigger bar 31 in a rearward direction causes the sear 50 to rotate and eventually disengage from the depending leg 21 of the firing pin 23. This unblocks the firing pin, allowing the firing pin to translate in a forward direction under the urging of a decompressing firing pin spring, and to engage a cartridge in a firing chamber to fire the handgun. When the handgun is “locked” (e.g., when the key lock 60 is engaged), the pin 70 urges the trigger bar laterally within the frame of the handgun such that the cooperating surface 75 on the trigger bar is disengaged from the sear 50. Thus, because the mechanical link between the trigger bar and the sear is interrupted, the operation of the trigger has no effect on the movement of the sear 50.

[0023] A sleeve 62 (FIG. 5) may be mounted over a first end 64 (FIG. 4) of the pin 70 to receive a key 63, the rotation of which provides for the rotation of the pin 70. The first end 64 of the pin 70 is contoured to receive the key. For example, in the embodiment depicted, the first end 64 is contoured to have an irregular shape that corresponds to an irregularly shaped receiving surface on the key. The irregular shape of the first end 64 and the corresponding receiving surface of the key are closely machined such that the surfaces inter-engage to have little tolerance. The irregular shape is preferably configured such that a key having receiving surfaces cannot be readily fabricated by an unauthorized user of the handgun for the purpose of defeating the key lock 60.

[0024] The irregular shape contoured into the first end 64 may comprise at least one groove, indentation, hole, slot, or other channel 80 that extends from an end surface of the first end 64 longitudinally into the surface. Referring now to FIGS. 6A through 6E, various configurations of the irregular shape of the key lock are shown. The channel 80 formed in the first end 64 of the pin 70 may be continuous as shown in FIG. 6A, or it may be discontinuous and include at least two terminal end points as shown in FIG. 6B. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6C, a plurality of short channels 80 may be formed in the first end 64 to receive corresponding projections on a key. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 6D, two or more continuous channels 80 may be nested. In still another embodiment shown in FIG. 6E, combinations of continuous, discontinuous, and nested channels 80 may be formed or otherwise disposed into the end surface of the first end 64 of the pin 70, such channels 80 being dimensioned to receive the corresponding projections of a key.

[0025] The pin 70 is positioned through the frame and the sear assembly 26 such that the pin 70 is rotatable about the axis 61. Referring now to FIG. 7, a second end 72 of the pin has a cammed surface 74 that extends axially in the direction of the axis of the pin. When the key lock 60 is disengaged or is in the “unlocked” position and the handgun is operational, the cammed surface 74 at the second end 72 is positioned under the (non-displaced) trigger bar extension 33 and a face surface 35 of the second end 72 of the pin engages a side surface of the trigger bar extension 33.

[0026] The cammed surface 74 is defined by a protrusion extending longitudinally from the face surface 35 and in a direction that corresponds with the axis (axis 61 shown in FIG. 4). Preferably, outermost surfaces of the protrusion are continuous with the outer surfaces of the body of the pin 70 such that a transition from the body of the pin 70 to the protrusion is smooth.

[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, the protrusion has a first end and a second end. The first end is defined by an edge 82 that extends parallel to the axis 61. The second end terminates at the face surface 35 in an edge that extends along the face surface 35 radially outward from the axis 61. The protrusion itself is chamfered such that the edge 82 and the edge at which the second end terminates are connected by the cammed surface 74, which comprises a continuous arcuate surface that provides a gradual incline from the edge 82 to the face surface 35 along which an object (namely, the trigger bar extension 33) can be cammed to provide movement in a direction parallel to the axis 61. The cammed surface 74 can also be thought of as comprising a stepped land parallel to the face surface 35 (see FIG. 7), with an arcuate ramp portion extending between the face surface 35 and land.

[0028] As stated above, the trigger bar 31 is laterally displaceable in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal firing axis 17, as indicated by arrow C in FIG. 9. As the key lock 60 is operated, the pin 70 axially rotates and the edge 82 is urged against the undersurface of the trigger bar extension 33. As the edge 82 is urged against the trigger bar extension 33, the cammed surface 74 displaces the trigger bar extension 33 (and the trigger bar 31) laterally within the channel 29 and pushes the trigger bar extension 33 out of registration with the cooperating surface on the sear 50. More specifically, when the key lock 60 is operated, the pin 70, upon overcoming the bias of an optional spring component 76, axially rotates. As the pin 70 axially rotates, the trigger bar extension 33 is cammed by the curved surface 74, which thereby forces the trigger bar 31 in the direction indicated by arrow C (FIG. 9). When the trigger bar extension 33 reaches the end of the pin 70 (FIG. 10), the trigger bar 31 is fully displaced and the trigger bar extension 33 has been pushed out of registration with the sear 50, thereby effecting a “locked” or disabled position. Once locked or disabled, the sear 50 is prevented from rotating via movement of the trigger (and the associated movement of the trigger bar) to operate the handgun.

[0029] It is only when the key lock 60 is rotated by the user to overcome the pressure of the spring 76 that the trigger bar extension 33 is allowed to return into engagement with the cooperative surface on the sear 50, thereby rendering the handgun operational.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, as described above, a semiautomatic handgun comprises a frame, a reciprocating slide mounted on the frame, and a barrel mounted inside the slide. The slide comprises an elongated structure having a forward end for housing the barrel and a rearward end that houses a firing pin mechanism that cooperates with a trigger assembly and a fire control mechanism mounted in the frame. The frame includes a key lock mounted thereon. The key lock includes a pin that is mounted transversely to a longitudinal firing axis of the handgun. The pin is selectively rotatable about an axis thereof using a key. Rotation of the pin using the key causes a surface on the pin to urge a trigger bar of the trigger assembly out of contact with a sear of the fire control mechanism, thereby preventing the firing of the handgun by the actuation of the trigger.

[0031] In another embodiment of the present invention, as described above, a key lock for a handgun includes a pin mounted in the frame of the handgun transverse to a longitudinal firing axis of the handgun. The pin has a first end and a second end. The first end has a surface at which a key having a corresponding mating surface can be presented to rotate the pin in an axial direction. The second end has a cammed surface that engages a surface of a trigger bar of the handgun. The cammed surface is configured such that upon rotation of the pin in the axial direction using the key, the trigger bar is urged out of registration with a sear of a fire control mechanism to prevent firing of the handgun.

[0032] As should be appreciated, the locking mechanism could be oriented in other manners than as shown in the figures, e.g., coincident to a plane defined by the firearm frame as opposed to lying perpendicular thereto (in other words, accessible from the top or bottom of the handgun), while still effectuating a camming action upon the trigger bar.

[0033] Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in the above detailed description, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of this disclosure.