JP2016537602A - System for locking magazines and firearms - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a magazine for holding a bullet and an electronic component configured to be locked / unlocked by a biometric authentication function or a radio signal, and has a capacity for holding both a row of cartridges and an electronic component. A magazine is provided that includes a housing having the same. The housing is dimensioned so that it can be inserted into a firearm without requiring any changes to the standard firearm. Further, the magazine is responsive to being released by a mechanical element extending longitudinally outside the housing, or a cartridge barrier element that prevents the cartridge from exiting the magazine housing; and a received radio signal or biometric function. Manual or electromechanical actuating means for pushing and pulling mechanical elements; and electronic means in the housing for processing incoming radio signals to actuate all means, and mobile attached to the housing Including an assembly that prevents loading of firearms by a power source.

Description

The present invention relates to protecting firearms from misuse.
More particularly, the present invention provides a remotely controlled lock / unlock system to reduce the possibility of unauthorized use of a handgun by an adult or child.

  Locking a weapon such as a handgun is not particularly difficult, but there is also a requirement that an authorized person must be able to use it immediately when the weapon is often unexpected. As a general rule, it is desirable that a weapon is operable only when the person is at work, only when the weapon is in the hands of an authorized person. On the other hand, during this time, the weapon must be ready for use within a few seconds after the safety threat that justifies firing the weapon has been established.

  Today, pistols and rifles are widely used in buildings and among guards protecting VIPs and travelers' groups. Some armed guards, usually employed by private security companies, cannot resist the urge to use their weapons outside of their fixed working hours, places, and scope. Such criminal acts are difficult to prevent because the guards present a valid license to possess weapons if suspected. As a security guard who complies with the law, the guards may take home weapons after work, so that they can use them conveniently for the next day.

  In Patent Document 1 issued on May 29, 2007, the inventors do not hold bullets, block weapons, and take out only those who match the fingerprints of those authorized to use the weapons. Claims a magazine for firearms that can. Therefore, as long as the blocking magazine is in place, unauthorized persons cannot use weapons and there is no risk of children firing weapons.

  However, in recent news, in some cases, there has been a rapid increase in crimes committed by handguns fraudulently used by persons authorized to carry weapons in order to “end” disputes related to family or business. It has been reported that If a plurality of patents issued after Patent Document 1 are briefly reviewed, such an action can be prevented or restricted and / or the managing agency can know the location of each handgun, and such It is clear that no solution has yet been found that would notify the managing agency if the weapon was taken out of the permitted area.

  With respect to the prior art, reference is made to the following US patents issued since the above patent was published. These patents refer to weapons that are not ready for immediate use or that require a firearm change for implementation. These patents are also not configured for remote control or cannot be configured for remote control. These patents also do not relate to the issue of restricting the use of weapons by authorized users themselves.

  Patent document 2 granted to McGarry claims a pistol, a magazine, and a block member, and operates the block member by taking out the magazine to prevent the use of a firing pin. After the magazine is reinserted, the block member can be removed using the actuator.

Patent Document 3 assigned to Bubits proposes a lock body that is inserted into a magazine receiving space, and this lock body has an eccentric element that engages with a catch of a pistol.
Patent Document 4 assigned to Schaefer states that it is preferable to block the slide discharge port of the firearm, and a lock is rotatably connected to the lower end of the magazine housing.

Clifton Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,049 claims a magazine that blocks the loading handle.
U.S. Patent No. 6,053,009 to Lee discloses a handgun that uses an electric motor instead of a spring-type slide, which requires the entry of an access code to allow the use of a weapon. When not in use, the magazine is removed and the motor drives the slide backwards.

In the patent document 7 by Abad, it is limited to a bleach road and a revolver type weapon. A shackle lock is inserted into the weapon to prevent the magazine from being installed inside.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,049 to Aske discloses a new idea, where the first cartridge in the fired row is a safety cartridge that clogs the weapon when fired. The weapon owner can operate the weapon by first ejecting the safety cartridge to allow firing.

In US Pat. No. 6,053,096 to Matyko et al., A lock is described that includes a block member extending from an upper portion of a magazine insertion member.
None of the prior art designs limit the use of weapons by those authorized to use them.

US Pat. No. 7,222,450 specification US Pat. No. 7,581,345 US Pat. No. 7,568,3092 US Pat. No. 7,543,403 US Pat. No. 7,240,449 (US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0115132) US Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0069570 US Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0162265 US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0211103 US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0120888

  Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a magazine that can be locked to remove the limitations of the prior art and to remotely limit use by a person to whom a weapon is issued.

A further object of the present invention is to achieve this without requiring any modification of the weapon.
A further object of the present invention achieves this while allowing immediate use of the weapon when it is used legally, while indicating that the user will use the weapon at an unauthorized location or time. The situation is to lock the weapon.

The present invention achieves the above objects by providing a bullet and a magazine holding an electronic component configured to be locked / unlocked by a biometric function or wireless signal. This magazine
A housing having a capacity to hold both the cartridge rows and the electronic components, dimensioned so that it can be inserted into such a firearm without the need for any modification of a standard firearm; A housing;
An assembly for preventing the loading of firearms:
A mechanical element extending longitudinally outside the housing, wherein the mechanical element is firmly locked to project into the path of a firearm cocking mechanism, sometimes referred to as an arming or loading mechanism; A mechanical element having a second state that allows the firearm to operate by being at least partially pushed out of the cocking mechanism path; or a cartridge barrier element comprising a cartridge When the barrier element is in its first state, the cartridge is prevented from exiting the magazine housing, and when the cartridge barrier element is in its second state, the cartridge is released from the magazine to operate the firearm A cartridge barrier element that makes it possible to
-Manual or electromechanical actuating means for pushing and pulling the mechanical element in response to being released by a received radio signal or biometric function;
A mechanical member extending laterally outside the housing and having a first state in which the mechanical member is electronically locked so that it protrudes into the cavity of the firearm, the protrusion being in the locked position Sometimes it is in an outwardly extending position, thereby preventing removal of the magazine and being unlocked electronically by being released by a radio signal or biometric function, allowing the magazine to be removed from the firearm Mechanical parts;
An actuating means configured to at least indirectly lock / unlock both the first machine element and the second machine element;
The switching element operably connected to the actuating means;
A wireless receiving means that is deactivated by the biometric authentication function or connected to the housing to receive a wireless signal;
-An electronic means in the housing that at least processes the release by an incoming radio signal or biometric function and causes the switching element to power / shut off the actuating means; and-a mobile power supply attached to the housing; Assembly,
Is provided.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the movement of the magazine when the mechanical element is moved to the second position, such movement is generated by the actuating means or from an action performed by any person holding the firearm. Regardless of whether the magazine further includes a wireless transmitter configured to send a transmission signal to the remote controller, the transmission signal including an element that enables identification of a particular magazine generating the transmission signal. Provided.

  In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a magazine is provided wherein the housing is dimensioned to replace a standard magazine holding cartridges stacked in staggered rows.

  In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the magazine is internally divided into a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment holding a row of cartridges, the second compartment being an electronic A magazine is provided that holds components and radio components, a power source and related components.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a magazine is provided, wherein the actuation means is an electric motor.
In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a magazine is provided, wherein the radio signal used for communication with a remote source has a format compatible with commercially established standard radio technology. Is done.

  In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a magazine is internally divided into a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment holding a row of cartridges, the second compartment being an electronic component And a magazine holding radio components, power supplies and related components.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a magazine is provided, wherein the actuation means is an electric motor.
In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, a magazine is provided in which the radio signal used for communication with a remote source has a format compatible with commercially established standard radio technology. The

  In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a magazine is provided, wherein the second mechanical element is laterally locked outside the housing by a screw mechanism driven by a miniature electric motor.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a magazine is provided that further comprises a “low battery” warning device attached to the housing.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a magazine is provided, wherein the actuation means is a solenoid.

The present invention also includes a firearm to which a magazine as described above is mounted.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system for remotely controlling at least one magazine, comprising at least one magazine, in the range received by the radio receiving means of any particular selected magazine A system for remotely controlling at least one magazine is provided, including a remote controller capable of generating a wireless signal understood as a lock / unlock command by electronic means carried in the magazine housing.

  In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system for remotely controlling at least one magazine, wherein the magazine has moved to a position outside of a specified location, or a predetermined period of time allowing the use of a weapon. A system for remotely controlling at least one magazine is provided in which a relock signal is automatically generated by the remote system in response to the remote controller detecting that it has expired.

  In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a magazine used only by a pre-designated person, provided with a receiving pad for receiving biometric data, and when biometric data is received, Sent to an electronic comparison circuit in the housing, electronic means are provided for storing pre-programmed biometric data associated with the designated person, and the electronic comparison circuit is pre-programmed data with new data Is determined, a magazine is provided that can generate a signal to unlock the magazine and then relock the magazine upon receipt of a radio signal generated from a remote source.

  Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the novel device of the present invention functions to limit the use of weapons to the time and place permitted for that use. There is no way to completely prevent a person who has been given weapons for a security mission or self-defense from using a weapon that must be ready for use within a few seconds during the mission, but imminent misuse More can be achieved if the weapon can be locked in situations where

  The present invention provides a function that indicates that a weapon has been removed from its permitted area. This can occur as a result of theft or as a deliberate decision to go to a location where the security guard wants to clear the snow.

  Wireless control of weapons is not only useful for remote control, but also for managers visiting the site where hired guards are deployed. For example, if an administrator suspects that a security guard is under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, he will probably not lock in with the violator and will probably lock his weapon in the field.

  The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are presented by way of example of preferred embodiments of the invention. Structural details are given only as much as necessary for their basic understanding. The described example, together with the drawings, will make it clear to those skilled in the art how further aspects of the invention can be implemented.

1 is an elevational view of a preferred embodiment of a magazine according to the present invention. It is a sectional side view of the same embodiment. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment communicating with a controller in two ways. FIG. FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but provided with a GPS link. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment having locking means to a firearm driven by an electric motor. FIG. 5 is a diagram of a solenoid drive embodiment that locks the upper protrusion. It is a figure of solenoid drive embodiment which cancels | releases an upper side protrusion. 1 is an elevational view of a pistol having a magazine according to the present invention. FIG. It is the schematic of the system which controls a plurality of magazines. It is fragmentary sectional drawing of embodiment which can be unlocked by inputting biometric data.

  1 and 2 show a cartridge 12 and a magazine 10 for holding electronic components, which will be described later in this specification. The magazine 10 can be locked / unlocked by a radio signal 14 from a remote control station or by a field supervisor or the like from nearby.

Two locking mechanisms of the magazine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The magazine 10 is provided with a housing 22 having a capacity for holding both the rows of cartridges 12 and the electronic components 24 that control the magazine. The housing 22 is dimensioned so that it can be inserted into a standard firearm 20 (shown in FIG. 7) without requiring any changes to the firearm. This is important not only to facilitate use of the magazine 10, but also because any changes in the firearms, such as drilling holes inside, will void the manufacturer's firearm warranty.

  The illustrated housing 22 is sized to replace a standard magazine holding cartridges stacked in staggered rows. The space for the electronic components 24 is provided by placing the cartridges 12 in narrow linear rows 26.

  The cartridge 12 and the electronic component 24 are kept separated from each other in the housing 22 by an internal partition 28 that forms a first compartment 30 and a second compartment 32. The first compartment 30 holds a row 26 of cartridges 12. The second section holds the electronic component 24, the wireless component 34, and the power source 36.

  The firearm 20 (shown in FIG. 7) is prevented from firing because its cocking mechanism is hindered by a mechanical element 38 that extends longitudinally outside the open face 40 of the housing 22. In the first state, the mechanical element 38 is tightly locked and protrudes beyond the open face 40 of the housing 22 into the path 42 of the firearm cocking mechanism, sometimes referred to as an armed or loading mechanism, and thus the use of firearms. To prevent. Alternatively, a cartridge barrier 44 is provided that prevents the cartridge 12 from exiting through the opening surface 40 when the first element is in its first state.

  In the unlocked second state, shown in the two figures of the present invention, the mechanical element 38 exits the cocking mechanism path 42 and is temporarily at least partially pushed into the housing 22. A spring-loaded cartridge pusher 64 raises the cartridge, while the leading cartridge 12 enters the firing chamber through the aperture 40 and allows the firearm to operate.

  Further, a mechanical member 46 extending laterally in a bolt shape is provided on the outside of the housing 22 so as to protrude into a magazine catch (not shown) of the firearm, which causes the magazine 10 to inadvertently leave the firearm. To prevent that. In the first state, the mechanical member 46 is electronically locked, in which state the magazine 10 is locked and cannot be removed from the firearm. In this state, the magazine of the present invention not only becomes unusable, but any alternative magazine cannot be inserted into the firearm.

  The magazine 10 can be freed only by receiving radio signals 14 that can only be sent by authorized persons. When the cartridge is in this free second state, a cocking operation is possible, thereby releasing the cartridge 12 from the magazine 10 into the firing chamber.

5 and 6 illustrate an example of the operating means such as the motor 50 or the solenoid 108 that locks the magazine.
A switching element 48, such as a transistor, is operatively connected between the battery 36 and the electromagnetic actuation means 50, 108 shown in FIGS. The switching element 48 is electronically commanded by a circuit including the wireless receiving means 34 for the wireless signal 14, and the signal 14 is usually configured to be received by only one predetermined magazine 10. Of course, if appropriate, several magazines 10 can be configured to be controlled by a single signal 14.

  Advantageously, the wireless signal 14 has a format compatible with commercially established standard wireless technology, for example Bluetooth® or WiFi®.

  Electronic means 54 is provided that processes the incoming radio signal 14 and commands the switching element 48 to cause the actuating means 50, 108 shown in FIGS.

A mobile power source within the housing, such as an electrical storage battery 36, is included within the housing 22 to provide the necessary power.
Preferably, a “low battery” warning device 58 is attached to the housing 22 in a position that is visible after the magazine 10 has been inserted into the firearm. Additional indicators such as status indicator 56, out-of-range warning 60 and time-out indicator 62 can be added.

Like reference numerals have been used to identify like parts with respect to other figures.
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a magazine 66 that is further provided with a wireless transmitter 68 that is configured to also send a transmission signal 70 to the remote controller 72. Such a signal 70 can inform the controller that the mechanical element 38 has moved to its second position, ie unlocked. Notifications are received regardless of whether such movement was generated by an actuating means such as commanded by radio waves 14 or due to unauthorized actions taken by any person holding the firearm. . Signal 70 includes elements that allow identification of the particular magazine that produces this signal.

  Shown in FIG. 4 is a magazine 74 similar to the magazine 66 shown in FIG. 3, with electronic components including GPS (Global Positioning System) components 76. The GPS component 76 periodically allows the remote controller to receive data representing the location of the magazine 74. Accordingly, an administrator is immediately notified when the magazine 74 is moved out of the predetermined area, and the remote controller can immediately lock the magazine 74 in order to prevent unauthorized use of the magazine 74.

  Referring now to FIG. 5, the magazine 78 in the first locked state is shown. The firearm 20 (shown in FIG. 7) is prevented from firing because the cocking mechanism path 42 is obstructed by a first mechanical element 38 that extends longitudinally outside the opening surface 40 of the housing 22.

The electromagnetic actuator is a bidirectional electric motor 50.
In this embodiment, the second mechanical element 46 is a spring-type horizontal shaft bolt member that extends laterally outside the housing 22. The internally threaded lock pin 82 is configured to move freely in the axial direction but is limited in rotation. The lock pin 82 is pushed axially into the recess 84 of the second mechanical element 46 in order for the motor 50 to rotate the male threaded member 86 into the lock pin 82. The upward movement that occurs as a result of the lock pin 82 prevents the element 46 from being pulled out, and thus prevents the magazine 78 from being pulled out of the firearm shown in FIG.

The magazine 78 is unlocked by a radio signal 14 processed by the electronic component 24 to command the motor 50 to operate in the opposite direction.
In this embodiment, a power saving switch 80 is provided that cuts off power to electronic circuits that do not require reception or transmission of radio signals. Finger pressure against the push rod 90 returns power to all required circuitry of the electronic component 24.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b show a mechanism useful for locking / unlocking a first mechanical element 38 extending longitudinally outside the opening surface 40 of the housing 22.
Two-bar toggle mechanisms 92, 94 are pinned to the housing 22 at 96 and are pinned to the stop member at 98. The stop member 98 is pinned to the housing 22 at 100 and, in the locked position shown in FIG. 6 a, the stop member enters the recess 112 of the element 38. The stop member 98 thus prevents any downward movement of the element 38 and can be safely held in a locked state by the lightweight spring 102. In this state, as shown in FIG. 6a, the mechanical element 38 is tightly locked and protrudes beyond the open face 40 of the housing 22 into the path 42 of the firearm cocking mechanism, thus preventing the use of firearms. The figure also shows a housing pin 104 that guides the machine element 38 by a slot 106 in the machine element 38.

  When the “unlock” command is executed, the push / pull solenoid 108 is energized to push the joint 110 upward, thereby pulling the stop member 98 out of the recess 112 and the machine element 38 as shown in FIG. 6b. Allows to move out of the cocking mechanism path 42 and move downward. The machine element 38 now moves freely downward away from the path 42 of the firearm cocking mechanism, thus allowing the use of the firearm.

The locked position is maintained even after the power to solenoid 108 is turned off.
FIG. 7 shows a firearm 20 to which a magazine 10 as described with reference to FIG. 1 is mounted. The magazine 10 fits into a standard firearm 20, such as a pistol as shown in this figure, without requiring any modification thereof. The firearm 20 is shown in its locked state.

Illustrated in FIG. 8 is a remote control system 120 of several magazines 74 as described with reference to FIG. System 120 is part of the present invention.
A remote controller 122 is configured to lock / unlock any or all of the magazines 74. The controller 122 generates a radio signal 70 that is received by the radio receiving means of any particular selected magazine in its range and understood as a lock / unlock command by electronic means carried in the magazine housing. It is configured as follows. The magazine 74 generates a radio signal 14 that provides data including the location of the magazine 74.

  In the preferred embodiment of the system 120 shown schematically in the drawing, in response to the remote controller 122 determining that one of the magazines 74a has moved to a position 124 outside a predetermined authorized area 126. Thus, a “lock” signal 70 is automatically generated by the remote controller 122. In addition, the controller 122 may be activated by a timer 128, and when a predetermined period of time allowing the use of the magazine 74 expires, for example after the end of a security guard's night shift, the magazine 74 is automatically locked by a radio signal. The

  In some situations, it may be desirable to allow the magazine to be unlocked when an authorized person needs to use it. FIG. 9 shows such an embodiment of a magazine 130 that serves this purpose. The upper part of the magazine is not shown because it is the same as the embodiment of FIG. In the lower part of the magazine shown in the drawing, an authorized person uses the receiving pad 132 to input biometric data such as a fingerprint. An electronic memory circuit 134 is provided for storing pre-programmed biometric data associated with a particular person. If the comparison circuit 136 determines that the new data matches the preprogrammed data, a signal 138 is generated to unlock the magazine 130.

Thereafter, the magazine 130 can be re-locked in response to receiving further radio signals 140.
The scope of the described invention is intended to include all embodiments that fall within the spirit of the following claims. While the above examples illustrate useful forms of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that further variations and modifications of the invention may be readily devised without departing from the spirit of the following claims. Therefore, it shall not be regarded as limiting the scope.

Claims (14)

A magazine that holds bullets and electronic components that are configured to be locked / unlocked by biometric functions or wireless signals,
A housing having a capacity to hold both a row of cartridges and electronic components, dimensioned so that it can be inserted into said firearm without the need for any modification of a standard firearm; ;
An assembly for preventing loading of the firearm:
A first mechanical element extending longitudinally outside the housing, wherein the mechanical element is rigidly locked to project into a path of the firearm cocking mechanism, sometimes referred to as an arming or loading mechanism; A mechanical element having a state and having a second state that allows the mechanical element to be at least partially pushed out of the cocking mechanism path to operate the firearm; or Preventing the cartridge from exiting the magazine housing when the barrier is in its first state, and releasing the cartridge from the magazine and operating the firearm when the cartridge barrier is in its second state. Enables, cartridge barrier;
-Manual or electromechanical actuating means for pushing and pulling said mechanical element in response to being released by a received radio signal or biometric function;
A mechanical member extending laterally outwardly of the housing, wherein the mechanical member is electronically locked so as to protrude into the cavity of the firearm, the protrusion being in a locked position of the magazine; In a position that extends outward when it is in position, thereby preventing removal of the magazine and being unlocked electronically by being released by a radio signal or biometric function, and removing the magazine from the firearm Enabling a mechanical member;
An actuating means configured to at least indirectly lock / unlock both the first machine element and the second machine element;
A switching element operatively connected to the actuating means;
A wireless receiving means that is deactivated by a biometric authentication function or connected to the housing to receive a wireless signal;
Electronic means in the housing for at least processing incoming radio signals or released biometrics and for causing the switching element to feed / shut off the actuating means; and a mobile attached to the housing An assembly comprising a power source;
A magazine with   In the magazine, when the mechanical element moves to the second position, no such movement is generated by the actuating means or from any action performed by any person holding the firearm, The wireless transmitter configured to send a transmission signal to a remote controller is further provided, wherein the transmission signal includes an element that enables identification of a particular magazine that generates the transmission signal. Magazine.   The magazine of claim 1, wherein the electronic component includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) component to allow a remote controller to receive data representing the location of the magazine.   The magazine of claim 1, wherein the housing is dimensioned to replace a standard magazine holding cartridges stacked in alternating rows.   The magazine is internally divided into a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the first compartment holds a row of cartridges, the second compartment being associated with the electronic and wireless components, the power source and associated The magazine of claim 1 holding a part.   The magazine of claim 1, wherein the actuating means is an electric motor.   The magazine of claim 1, wherein the wireless signal used for communication with a remote source has a format compatible with commercially established standard wireless technology.   The magazine of claim 1, wherein the second mechanical element is laterally locked outside the housing by a screw mechanism driven by a small electric motor.   The magazine of claim 1, further comprising a “low battery” warning device attached to the housing.   The magazine of claim 1, wherein the actuating means is a solenoid.   A firearm equipped with the magazine according to claim 1.   A system for remotely controlling at least one magazine, comprising at least one magazine according to claim 1, received in the range by radio receiving means of any particular selected magazine, A system comprising a remote controller capable of generating a wireless signal understood as a lock / unlock command by electronic means carried in a housing.   In response to the remote controller detecting that the magazine has moved to a position outside of a specified position or that a predetermined period of time allowing the use of a weapon has expired, a relock signal is sent by the system. The system of claim 12, wherein the system is automatically generated.   A magazine used only by a predesignated person, provided with a receiving pad for receiving biometric data, and when the data is received, the data is transmitted to an electronic comparison circuit in the housing, A signal provided to store pre-programmed biometric data associated with a designated person, and when the comparison circuit determines that new data matches the pre-programmed data, a signal to unlock the magazine The magazine can then be re-locked in response to receiving a radio signal generated from a remote source.

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