US 6,735,897 B1 · Fire control authorization system for a firearm

Abstract

An authorization system for a firearm includes a personal device worn by the authorized user, modifications to the firearm's fire control system, and an authorization control circuit carried in the backstrap of the firearm handle. The authorization control circuit controls the fire control system and communicates with the personal device. In particular, the authorization control circuit will send a first coded signal to the personal device via an ultrasonic transponder and wait for a coded response. If the personal device is worn by a user and is within range, properly oriented and has received a correct code, it will respond to the signal by sending a coded response. If the correct coded response is not received, the authorization control circuit signals a brake solenoid located near the trigger bar to move to a locked position where it will cam the trigger bar out of engagement with the sear as the trigger is pulled. Consequently, the trigger bar will not move the sear and the firearm will not fire. If a correct coded response is received the brake solenoid moves to an unlocked position wherein it will not alter the trigger bar's normal rearward movement, thereby allowing engagement of the sear and firing of the firearm.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A firearm, comprising:

a frame;
a barrel carried by said frame;
fire control means carried by said frame and adapted to be able to fire a round of ammunition through said barrel;
a brake solenoid carried by said frame having a locked position and an unlocked position, and wherein said brake solenoid disables said fire control means by disconnecting said fire control means when said brake solenoid is in said locked position;
and
authorizing means for verifying authorization of a user, said authorizing means being carried by said frame, said brake solenoid responsive to signals from said authorizing means so that said brake solenoid is moved to said unlocked position and said fire control means is enabled when so signaled by said authorizing means and said brake solenoid is moved to said locked position and said fire control means is disabled when so signaled by said authorizing means.

3 more elements

A firearm, comprising:

a frame;
a barrel carried by said frame;
a trigger carried by said frame;
a trigger bar carried by said frame and responsive to movement of said trigger, said trigger bar having a camming edge;
a sear carried by said frame and responsive to movement of said trigger bar;
a firing pin loadable by movement of said sear, said firing pin able to fire a round of ammunition from said barrel;
a brake solenoid carried by said frame, said brake solenoid having
a stator assembly,
a armature assembly rotatable within said stator assembly, and
a solenoid pin carried by said armature assembly, said solenoid pin engaging said camming edge of said trigger bar,
said brake solenoid having a locked position wherein said solenoid pin cams said trigger bar away from said sear and an unlocked position wherein said solenoid pin does not cam said trigger bar from said sear;
and
authorizing means for verifying authorization of a user, said authorizing means being carried by said frame, said brake solenoid being moved to said locked position when said user is not authorized and being moved to said unlocked position when said user is authorized.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fire control authorization system for a firearm

Life of this patent

Fire control authorization system for a firearm

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20