US4467545A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Personalized safety method and apparatus for a hand held weapon
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-08-12
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Granted: 1984-08-28
•
Expires: 2002-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A hand held weapon is fitted with a safety device responsive to the palm or fingerprint of one or more individuals. The safety device is activated by heat sensed when the device is hand held. Unless the palm or fingerprint of the person holding the device matches a prestored pattern, a blocking safety mechanism, normally preventing operation of the weapon, is maintained in its "blocking state" and the weapon will not fire.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederic A. Shaw, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 04:38
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41A; F41A17/00; F41A17/06; F41A17/066; G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/30; G07C9/32; G07C9/37
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for preventing the unauthorized firing of a hand held weapon comprising: means for blocking normal operation of the weapon, means for scanning a portion of the hand of an individual grasping the weapon, means for comparing said scanned portion with at least one pattern, said one pattern characterizing an authorized user of the weapon, said comparing means operating said blocking means to render said weapon operable when a satisfactory comparison is achieved, whereby unauthorized use and operation of the weapon is prevented.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for preventing the unauthorized firing of a hand held weapon comprising: means for blocking normal operation of the weapon, means for scanning a portion of the hand of an individual grasping the weapon, means for comparing said scanned portion with at least one pattern, said one pattern characterizing an authorized user of the weapon, said comparing means operating said blocking means to render said weapon operable when a satisfactory comparison is achieved, whereby unauthorized use and operation of the weapon is prevented.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said blocking means is resiliently urged into a blocking condition in its unenergized state thereby preventing operation of the weapon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said scanning device scans a palm print of the individual grasping the weapon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the scanning means scans at least one fingerprint of the individual grasping the weapon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means responsive to the grasping of the weapon for energizing said comparison and scanning means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said responsive means comprises means responsive to heat for determining that said weapon is being grasped.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising means for providing a signal indicating a low battery power cell.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising keyed manual override means for bypassing the blocking means for rendering the weapon operative upon insertion of a proper key.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for preventing the unauthorized firing of a hand held weapon comprising the steps of blocking operation of said weapon absent a valid recognition of the individual handling the weapon, comparing a portion of the hand grasping the handle of the weapon with at least one predetermined pattern characterizing authorized users of the weapon, and unblocking operation of the weapon when said valid recognition is determined, whereby unauthorized firing of the weapon is prevented.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for preventing the unauthorized firing of a hand held weapon comprising the steps of blocking operation of said weapon absent a valid recognition of the individual handling the weapon, comparing a portion of the hand grasping the handle of the weapon with at least one predetermined pattern characterizing authorized users of the weapon, and unblocking operation of the weapon when said valid recognition is determined, whereby unauthorized firing of the weapon is prevented.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of sensing the grasping of said weapon by sensing the heat emitted by a hand grasping the weapon whereby energization of a remaining operating circuitry is achieved.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-08-28 | 1988-02-27 | 1988-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-08-28 | 1992-02-27 | 1992-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-08-28 | 1996-02-27 | 1996-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |