GB2267591A

GB2267591A - Firearm alarm

Info

Publication number: GB2267591A
Application number: GB9212061A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Harold Barker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-06-06
Filing date: 1992-06-06
Publication date: 1993-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 2012-06-06
Also published as: GB2267591B; GB9212061D0

Abstract

The alarm 20 is arranged to be mounted inside a barrel 13 or stock 11 of the firearm and comprises one or more motion and/or proximity sensors which trigger a warning device when the firearm is moved or tampered with. A delay timer allows the firearm to be put down after the alarm has been armed before it becomes active. <IMAGE>

Description

Firearm Alarm This invention relates to an alarm for a firearm.

Firearms such as shotguns are frequently stolen and used in armed robberies etc. It is a requirement for a person owning a firearm that it is stored in a secure cabinet when not in use. However, in shooting competitions or other outdoor events firearms are often left unattended, and it is easy for a thief to steal such an unattended firearm.

I have now devised an alarm for a firearm which will alert others when the firearm is being stolen or tampered with.

In accordance with a first aspect of this invention there is provided a firearm alarm for mounting inside a firearm comprising one or more motion and/or proximity sensors and an element for triggering a warning device when the firearm is moved or tampered with.

The warning device may be mounted in the alarm, alternatively the warning device may be carried by a person so that he is paged when his firearm is moved or tampered with.

The warning device may be an audible and/or visible warning device.

Preferably the alarm comprises a delay which allows the alarm to be armed and the firearm to be put down before it becomes active.

Preferably the alarm is arranged to be mounted inside a barrel of the firearm.

The alarm may comprise means for locking it inside the barrel. Alternatively the alarm may be push-fit inside the barrel.

Preferably the alarm comprises an outer end which is arranged to abut a tapered portion of the barrel, and an inner end which is arranged to be disposed adjacent an inner end of the barrel such that a cartridge or bullet cannot be inserted into the barrel.

Preferably the audible warning device is arranged to transmit sound through the open outer end of the barrel.

In an alternative embodiment the alarm is arranged to be mounted in a bore formed in the stock or handgrip of the firearm.

Preferably the alarm comprises a battery. The alarm may be armed or disarmed by connecting or disconnecting the battery from the alarm. Preferably the alarm comprises a body which is arranged for mounting the battery such that the alarm can be armed or disarmed, e.g. by twisting or moving a part of the body.

The alarm may be armed using a key. The key may be used as a tool to insert or remove the alarm from the firearm.

Alternatively the alarm may be armed by remote control e.g.

using radio frequency or infra-red coded signals.

Preferably each alarm is provided with a unique security code which may be hard-wired or programmed into the alarm.

The warning may be triggered by a micro controller which monitors for a change in the status of the motion and/or proximity switches.

Many thefts of firearms also occur when the firearm is in its case or cabinet. Thus in accordance with a second aspect of this invention there is provided a firearm alarm as herein before described comprising a connector for connecting the alarm to an external warning device mounted in a firearm case or cabinet.

Preferably the connector also connects the alarm to a larger capacity battery mounted in the case or cabinet.

Preferably the case comprises a holder for holding the alarm when the firearm is in the case or cabinet It will be appreciated that the above arrangement alleviates the need for two alarms i.e. one for the case or cabinet and one for the firearm.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a shotgun fitted with a firearm alarm in accordance with this invention; and Figure 2 is an isometric elevation of the firearm alarm of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing there is shown a shotgun 10 comprising a wooden stock 11 which is screwed to a metal breech 12 by means of an elongate bolt 14 that extends through a bore 15 formed in the stock 11. A barrel 13 is pivotally mounted to the breech 10 and a backplate 16 is fitted over the end of the stock 11.

Referring to Figure 2 there is shown a firearm alarm 20 comprising a cylindrical body portion 21 for fitting into the barrel 13 of the gun as shown in figure 1. An elastomeric 0ring 24 is fitted around the body 21 of the alarm so that the alarm 20 is resiliently held inside the barrel 13. Most shotgun barrels taper inwardly towards their end, and thus it is only possible to insert the alarm 20 part-way into the barrel 13. The alarm 20 cannot be removed from the barrel 13 because it is positioned far enough down the barrel to prevent it from being removed using fingers. However, the alarm cannot be inserted so far into the barrel 13 as to allow a shotgun cartridge to be inserted into the barrel as well.

The alarm 20 may be inserted into the barrel 13 using an elongated key (not shown) which engages with a keyhole 22 formed on the inner end of the alarm body 21. The key also serves to arm the alarm 20. The alarm 20 comprises one or more motion sensors or proximity switches, and a delay timer to allow the gun to be put down after the alarm has been armed.

After a predetermined period the alarm 20 becomes active, and any movement of the gun 10 will trigger the alarm 20. An audible warning device 23 is disposed at the outer end of the body 21 so that alarm sound is emitted out of the end of the barrel 13. A battery (not shown) is provided inside the body of the alarm 21 which powers the alarm circuitry.

A blanking plug may also be provided for inserting into the second barrel of a double-barrelled shotgun.

It will be appreciated that the alarm may be fitted into the magazine or chamber of a rifle, pistol or revolver.

In an alternative embodiment the alarm 20 may be mounted in the bore 15 which extends through the stock 11. In this embodiment, the back plate 16 has to be removed to expose the end of the bore 15. The backplate 16 has to be changed or adapted before it is refitted so that the alarm 20 can be armed and so that the alarm sound can be emitted through the back plate 16. In this embodiment the audible warning device 23 and keyhole 22 may be disposed on the same end of the alarm body 21.

Claims

1) A firearm alarm for mounting inside a firearm, comprising a body which contains one or more motion and/or proximity sensors and an element for triggering a warning device when the firearm is moved or tampered with.

2) A firearm alarm as claimed in claim 1, in which the warning device is mounted in the body of the alarm.

3) A firearm alarm as claimed in claim 1, in which the warning device is mounted remote from the body of the alarm.

4) A firearm alarm as claimed in any preceding claim, which becomes active a predetermined period after it has been armed.

5) A firearm alarm as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the body is arranged to be mounted inside a barrel of the firearm.

6) A firearm alarm as claimed in claim 5, comprising means for locking the body inside the barrel of the firearm.

7) A firearm as claimed in claim 5, in which the body is a push-fit inside the barrel of the firearm.

8) A firearm alarm as claimed in any of claim 5 to 7, in which the body comprises an outer end which is arranged to abut a tapered portion of the barrel, and an inner end which is arranged to be disposed adjacent an inner end of the barrel.

9) A firearm alarm as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, in which the body is arranged to be mounted in a bore formed in the stock or handgrip of the firearm.

10) A firearm alarm as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the alarm is armed or disarmed by connecting a battery to or disconnecting the battery from the alarm.

11) A firearm alarm as claimed in claim 10, in which the alarm can be armed or disarmed by twisting or moving a part of the body of the alarm.

12) A firearm alarm as claimed in any preceding claim, which can be armed using a key.

13) A firearm alarm as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, which can be armed by remote control.

14) A firearm alarm as claimed in any preceding claim, which is provided with a unique security code which may be hard-wired or programmed into the alarm.

15) A firearm alarm as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the warning device is triggered by a micro-controller which monitors for a change in the status of the motion and/or proximity sensors.

16) A firearm alarm as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a connector for connecting the alarm to an external warning device mounted in a firearm case or cabinet.

17) A firearm alarm as claimed in claim 16, in which the connector is arranged to connect the alarm to an external battery.

18) A firearm alarm substantially as herein described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.