US5108019A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Handgun safety aid
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-12-03
•
Granted: 1992-04-28
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Expires: 2010-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A mechanism for storing a hand gun and preventing its unauthorized use. A gun holster has a flexible strap that can be latched to the holster in a position extending over the hammer portion of the gun. When the strap is drawn away from the holster (prior to removal of the gun) an electrical circuit is broken, thereby triggering a battery-operated alarm on the holster. A key-operated lockout switch is provided to enable the gun owner to remove the gun without generating an alarm signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry D. Woodward
- 👤 Brenda G. Woodward
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:59
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41C; F41C33/00; F41C33/02; F41C33/0209; F41C33/0227; F41C33/029; F41C33/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S224/00; Y10S224/911
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
233 words
A mechanism for storing a hand gun and preventing its unauthorized use, comprising: a holster adapted to receive the barrel portion of a hand gun, with the handgrip, hammer and trigger exposed, whereby the gun can be withdrawn from the holster; a flexible strap having one end thereof anchored to the holster; said strap having a section thereof extendable over the hammer portion of the gun and onto an exposed face portion of the holster, so that the gun cannot be fired when the gun is in the holster; a first detent element carried by the strap in registry with said face portion of the holster; a second detent element carried by said face portion of the holster for engagement with said first detent element, whereby the strap is releasably retained in a position extending over the hammer portion of the gun; a housing carried on the holster; battery means within said housing; an electrically energized alarm means within said housing; and an electrically-operated control means connected to the battery means and the alarm means, whereby the alarm means is energized only when the strap is moved from its position extending over the hammer portion of the gun; said control means including first and second separable electrical contacts formed on said first and second detent elements, so that the control means is triggered into action by the process of disengaging the detent elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
233 words
A mechanism for storing a hand gun and preventing its unauthorized use, comprising: a holster adapted to receive the barrel portion of a hand gun, with the handgrip, hammer and trigger exposed, whereby the gun can be withdrawn from the holster; a flexible strap having one end thereof anchored to the holster; said strap having a section thereof extendable over the hammer portion of the gun and onto an exposed face portion of the holster, so that the gun cannot be fired when the gun is in the holster; a first detent element carried by the strap in registry with said face portion of the holster; a second detent element carried by said face portion of the holster for engagement with said first detent element, whereby the strap is releasably retained in a position extending over the hammer portion of the gun; a housing carried on the holster; battery means within said housing; an electrically energized alarm means within said housing; and an electrically-operated control means connected to the battery means and the alarm means, whereby the alarm means is energized only when the strap is moved from its position extending over the hammer portion of the gun; said control means including first and second separable electrical contacts formed on said first and second detent elements, so that the control means is triggered into action by the process of disengaging the detent elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said control means comprises a first electrical conductor extending from said housing along the holster and strap into electrical connection with said first electrical contact, and a second electrical conductor extending from said housing along the holster into electrical connection with said second electrical contact.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said control means comprises an electrical relay located within said housing, said relay having a control winding in series connection with the battery means and separable contacts; said relay having a set of normally-open controlled contacts in series connection with the battery means and the alarm means, whereby the alarm means is energized only when there is no current flow through the relay winding.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The mechanism of claim 3, and further comprising a key-operated lockout switch in series connection with the alarm means and relay contacts, whereby the alarm means is disconnected from the battery means when the lockout switch is in the circuit-open position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mechanism of claim 4, wherein the lockout switch is located within said housing with a key opening extending through an exposed wall of the housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-04-28 | 1995-10-28 | 1996-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-04-28 | 1999-10-28 | 2000-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-04-28 | 2003-10-28 | 2004-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |