GB2238604A - Firearms lock - Google Patents

Abstract

A firearms lock comprises a substantially cylindrical body of three annular sections 12, 14, 16. First and third sections 12, 14 are of a rigid construction and first section 12 is provided with a locking device 18 attached to a connecting bar 20. The connecting bar 20 has a threaded part which engages with a nut 22 fixedly attached to the end of the third section 14. The second section 16 is of a flexible and relatively incompressible material such as rubber. The lock is placed in the barrel of a firearm and the locking device 18 operated to rotate the bar 20. The rotation of the bar causes axial displacement of the third section 14 which is prevented from rotating itself by frictional engagement with the barrel walls of the firearm. This displacement compresses the second section 16 causing a radial expansion thereof and a corresponding frictional engagement with the barrel walls preventing removal of the lock therefrom. <IMAGE>

Description

FIREARMS LOCK This invention relates to a firearms lock especially such a lock for securing and preventing firing of a shotgun or similar breech loading firearm.

It has always been desirable to secure firearms, for example shotguns, rifles, pistols etc. such that they cannot be used by unauthorised persons. Commonly this has been overcome by arranging for the firearm to be placed in a lockable enclosure or by arranging for the firearm to be securely locked to a relatively immovable object. Such methods are effective although relatively expensive requiring, at least for rifles or shotguns, a relatively large enclosure or surface to which the firearm is to be secured.

A further disadvantage of these known methods is the relative immobility of the security in that the firearms may not be secured whilst being transported or inbetween periods of actual use at, for example, a firing range. Thus, it would be an advantage if a locking device could be provided which would actually be secured to or within a firearm such that unauthorised firing would be prevented.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a firearms lock which is lockably securable within the barrel of a firearm thereby preventing its unauthorised use.

With this object in view the invention provides a firearms lock having a substantially cylindrical body comprising three cylindrical sections each of substantially annular configuration thereby providing a common axially located passage therethrough, a connecting bar having a threaded part at one end thereof being provided passing through the cylindrical sections and attached at one end to a key activated locking device attached to a first cylindrical section and at its other end engaging with a threaded part of a third cylindrical section, the second cylindrical section being of a flexible material which will expand radially when compressed between the first and third sections.

It will be understood that the firearms lock is intended to be placed within the barrel of a firearm at or near the breech assembly and then locked in place such that its removal cannot be attained without authorised access to the locking mechanism. In the case of a double barrel firearm, for example a shotgun two such firearms locks would be provided, one for each barrel.

Preferably the arrangement is such that when the key activated locking device is operated the connecting bar is rotated, thereby causing an axial displacement of the third cylindrical section engaged therewith. As the two body sections move towards one another the second flexible cylindrical section is compressed axially and expanded radially outwards thereby engaging with interior barrel walls of a firearm in which the lock is placed. Thus the lock is securely engaged within the barrel and cannot be removed without reverse operation of the locking device to release the pressure on the expansion element.

Advantageously the locking device is removably attached to the connecting bar and the first cylindrical section such that rotation of the connecting bar is prevented when the locking device is so attached.

Preferably the expansion element is of rubber or a similar flexible and relatively incompressible material.

In order that a firearms lock according to an aspect of the invention may be used for securement of a revolver or a semi-automatic pistol, rifle or shotgun it is preferable to provide a projection near the locking device which will project into or engage a breech or cylinder area of a firearm thus preventing chambering of a cartridge whilst a firearms lock is locked within the barrel.

In the absence of any such precaution it would be possible to place such a firearms lock in the barrel of, for example, a revolver, load and close its cylinder and then fire the firearm causing an explosion when the bullet thus fired strikes the firearms lock. By providing a projection extending from the firearms lock into the cylinder area the cylinder is prevented from closing and the bullet cannot be fired. In the case of a semi-automatic pistol, rifle or shotgun the projection would extend into the space normally occupied by a cartridge during the feeding cycle of the automatic mechanism thus preventing a cartridge from being placed in line with the barrel.

The invention will be described further by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Fig. 1 is a firearms lock according to an aspect of the invention in an open position; and Fig. 2 is a corresponding view showing a firearms lock in a closed or activated position engaging with a firearms barrel.

Referring firstly to Fig. 1, a preferred embodiment of a firearms lock according to an aspect of the invention comprises a substantially cylindrical body 10 comprising two rigid annular body parts or sections 12, 14. The two body parts 12, 14 are connected by an annular flexible expansible section 16 preferably made of rubber or a similar flexible and relatively incompressible material.

First body part 12 is attached to a locking mechanism 18 which may be a key activated locking mechanism or any other similar mechanism as may be convenient or desirable. The locking mechanism 18 is connected to a partially threaded connecting bar 20 which passes through the annular passageways in body parts 12, 14 and expansible section 16. Thus the bar 20 is free to rotate within these three sections 12, 14, 16.

A nut 22 having a threaded inner face engaging with the threaded part of the bar 20 is attached for example by welding or adhesive to second part 14. Thus way axial rotation of the bar 20 will cause a displacement of the nut 22 and therefore body part 14 towards or away from first body part 12. This displacement will cause a radial expansion of the rubber expansion section 16 (see Fig. 2).

In use the firearms lock according to the invention is placed in the barrel of a firearm near the breech area. Note that it is possible to replace the firearms lock in the muzzle of the gun although this is unsafe since a bullet could still be loaded in the breech assembly and fired causing an explosion at the muzzle. Furthermore in the case of a shotgun the actual barrels are often cut down and this would effectively remove the firearms lock from the gun. Thus it will be appreciated that a firearms lock according to the invention can be inserted into the barrels of most models of firearms except revolvers having a fixed cylinder and a side opening loading gate, for example Ruger Blackhawk or Colt 1873 pattern revolvers. In such weapons the lock could be inserted in the one chamber of the cylinder provided that the lock had a projection member which would prevent rotation of the cylinder and hence render loading thereof impossible.

With the firearms lock placed in the barrel of the firearm the threaded bar 20 is rotated causing expansion of the rubber element 16 which locks firmly against the barrel's interior wall. Rotation of the body 10 is prevented by frictional engagement of the bodies exterior with the barrel walls. The key activated locking mechanism 18 is engaged thus preventing further rotation in either direction of the threaded bar and effectively preventing removal of the firearms lock without engagement of a key or similar means.

It will be understood that with a double barrel firearm, for example a double barrel shotgun, two such locking devices are required in order that the firearm be effectively secured against unauthorised firing.

The invention is not confined to the foregoing details which are illustrative and not restrictive to the scope of the invention For example, any suitable material may be used for the expansion element providing as a necessary characteristics of flexibility and relative incompressibility thus ensuring that an axial compression will cause radial expansion. The locking mechanism may be any desired device, for example a key activated or other means. If desired the locking mechanism could be permanent such that operation thereof causes breaking of the connecting bar between the locking mechanism and the threaded part of the bar.

This will result in a permanent locking of the firearm and its effective disablement. In an alternative embodiment the locking mechanism is lockably retained in the first body part and rotation of the threaded bar is only possible by removal of the mechanism. It will be appreciated that this simplifies construction of the lock and does not require any connection between the locking mechanism and the bar. Other variations are also possible.

Claims (5)

1. A firearms lock having a substantially cylindrical body comprising three cylindrical sections each of substantially annular configuration thereby providing a common axially located passage therethrough, a connecting bar having a threaded part at one end thereof being provided passing through the cylindrical sections and attached at one end to a key activated locking device attached to a first cylindrical section and at other end engaging with a threaded part of a third cylindrical section, the second cylindrical section being of a flexible material which will expand radially when comprssed between the first and third section.

2. A firearms lock as claimed in claim 1 in which the locking device is removably attached to the connecting bar and the first cylindrical section such that rotation of the connecting bar is prevented when the locking device is so attached.

3. A firearms lock as claimed in claim 1 in which the locking device is fastened to the connecting bar such that rotation of a key in the device causes corresponding rotation of the connecting bar.

4. A firearms lock as claimed in any preceding claim in whcih a projection is provided near the locking device, the projection being arranged to engage a breech or cylinder of a firearm.

5. A firearms lock substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.