Apparatus and method for locking a gun

Abstract

An apparatus and method for locking a gun. The apparatus includes a dummy round configured for insertion into a firing chamber of a gun, a locking component configured for coupling with the dummy round, and an elongated sleeve rotatably coupled with the locking component. The locking component includes a keyed head positioned within a longitudinal channel of the elongated sleeve. The locking component and elongated sleeve are insertable through the discharge end of a gun's barrel. An actuating mechanism, such as a key is insertable through the channel of the elongated sleeve to engage with the keyed head and rotate the locking mechanism relative to the elongated sleeve. Rotation of the locking mechanism effects a friction lock between the locking mechanism and the dummy round.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for locking a gun comprising: 
 a dummy round insertable into a firing chamber of the gun;    a locking component insertable through a discharge end of a barrel of the gun and threadedly engagable with the dummy round, the locking component including a keyed head configured for engagement with an actuating tool;    an elongated sleeve including a longitudinal channel formed therein, wherein the elongated sleeve is rotatably coupled with the locking component such that the keyed head is positioned within the longitudinal channel.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one friction reducing washer positioned between the locking component and the elongated sleeve.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a deformable material disposed between a set of threads associated with the locking component and a set of threads associated with the dummy round.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the locking component includes a mechanism for adjusting an overall length of the apparatus.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one collar formed about the locking component.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a flange formed on the end of the elongated sleeve configured for external abutment with an end of a barrel of the gun.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the elongated sleeve, including the flange, is formed of a case hardened material.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a protective material placed about a portion of the elongated sleeve.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the protective material is positioned on the elongated sleeve at a location which is intended to be adjacent a discharge end of a barrel of the gun.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the keyed head includes a hexagonal-pinned recess formed therein.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the keyed head includes a polygonal recess formed therein.  
     
     
         12 , The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the polygonal recess includes three arcuate adjoining sides.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the dummy round is configured to longitudinally expand upon exertion of a force by an internal ejector mechanism of the gun.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for locking a gun comprising: 
 a first body portion;    a second body portion threadedly engaged with the first body portion, the second body portion including a tapered surface configured for engagement with a forcing cone of the gun, the second body portion further including a keyed head configured to be engaged by and actuated by a mating key, wherein upon actuation by the mating key the second body portion extends longitudinally from the first body portion such that the tapered surface frictionally engages with the forcing cone of the gun.    
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the keyed head of the second body portion includes a polygonal recess formed therein.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the polygonal recess includes three arcuate sides forming a generally triangular shape.  
     
     
         17 . A method of locking a gun, the method comprising: 
 placing a dummy round in a firing chamber of the gun; providing a locking component rotatably coupled with an elongated sleeve; inserting the locking component and elongated sleeve through a discharge end of a barrel of the gun;    actuating the locking component by rotating the locking component relative to the elongated sleeve; and effecting a friction lock between the locking component and the dummy round.    
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein actuating the locking component includes inserting a key through the elongated sleeve, engaging the key with the locking component, and rotating the key to rotate the locking component relative to the elongated sleeve.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein effecting a friction lock between the locking component and the dummy round includes engaging a first set of threads associated with the locking component with a second set of threads associated with the dummy round.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising disengaging the key from the locking component and removing the key from within the elongated sleeve.