US 11,933,558 B2 · Firearm safety mechanisms, visual safety indicators, and related techniques

Abstract

The techniques described herein relate to methods and apparatus for firearm safety mechanisms, visual safety indicators, and related techniques. A firearm includes a handle comprising one or more buttons disposed at least partially within a surface of the handle, such that the one or more buttons can be in contact with an operator's hand when the operator grasps the handle; a safety mechanism in mechanical communication with the trigger. The safety mechanism comprises: a first position that blocks actuation of the trigger; and a second position that does not block actuation of the trigger; and at least one processor configured to: upon determining an input code matches a stored code, transmits a signal to the safety mechanism to change the safety mechanism from the first position to the second position so that the firearm can be fired by the operator.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A safety system embedded inside a firearm comprising:

a safety mechanism having a locked position that prevents discharging of the firearm and an unlocked position that permits discharging of the firearm, the safety mechanism comprising:
a cam;
a motor mechanically coupled to the cam, the motor configured to rotate the cam;
and
a trigger bar stop comprising a corner, the trigger bar stop having a first position in which the trigger bar stop prevents discharging of the firearm and a second position in which the trigger bar stop permits discharging of the firearm, wherein the corner fits within a recess of the cam when the trigger bar stop is in the first position and the corner is outside of the cam when the trigger bar stop is in the second position;
a wireless communication circuit configured to communicate with at least one device;
a processor configured to:
receive, through the wireless communication circuit from the at least one device, an unlock signal;
and
cause the safety mechanism to change from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to receiving the unlock signal at least in part by causing the cam to move the trigger bar stop between the first position and the second position.

7 more elements

A mobile device for communication with a safety system embedded in a firearm, the safety system configured to lock the firearm to prevent firing of the firearm and unlock the firearm to allow discharging of the firearm, the safety system comprising a cam, a motor mechanically coupled to the cam and configured to rotate the cam, and a trigger bar stop comprising a corner, the trigger bar stop having a first position in which the trigger bar stop prevents discharging of the firearm and a second position in which the trigger bar stop permits discharging of the firearm, the corner fitting within a recess of the cam when the trigger bar stop is in the first position and the corner being outside of the cam when the trigger bar stop is in the second position, the mobile device comprising:

a wireless communication circuit;
a display;
and
a processor configured to:
receive, through an input interface of the mobile device, authentication information from a user of the mobile device;
determine, based on the authentication information, whether the user has permission to discharge the firearm;
and
transmit, using the wireless communication circuit to the safety system, a signal that causes the safety system to unlock the firearm to allow discharging of the firearm when it is determined that the user has permission to discharge the firearm, wherein the signal causes the cam to move the trigger bar stop between the first position and the second position.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Firearm safety mechanisms, visual safety indicators, and related techniques

Life of this patent

Firearm safety mechanisms, visual safety indicators, and related techniques

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26