Firearm locking device

Abstract

A firearm locking device for blocking the chamber of a firearm rendering it impossible to load a live cartridge into the chamber. The firearm locking device comprises a cylindrical body, having the size and shape of the chamber for the firearm. The firearm locking device has an integral means for diametrical expansion providing a locking interference fit in the chamber and a key activated means for retracting said diametrical expansion to allow removal of the firearm locking device from the chamber. The firearm locking device does not have the external circumferential grooves or ridges required for extraction from the chamber by the extraction mechanism of the firearm thus preventing removal from the chamber except with a key.

I claim:  
     
         1 ) A firearm locking device which is insertable into the chamber of a firearm, said firearm locking device being generally cylindrical in shape and having general exterior dimensions matching a cartridge designed to fit within said chamber of said firearm and comprising, 
 a breech end, said breech end having dimensions matching the breech portion of a cartridge designed to fit said chamber of said firearm except lacking means for engaging the cartridge extraction mechanism of said firearm and,    a barrel end, said barrel end having dimensions matching the barrel portion of said cartridge designed to fit said chamber of said firearm and,    a circumferentially variable section between said breech end and said barrel end and,    a key operable mechanism for expanding the circumferential diameter of a said circumferentially variable section to lock said circumferentially variable section to the interior walls of said chamber by interference with said interior walls of said chamber of said firearm and,    a key to operate said key operable mechanism for expanding and retracting said circumferential diameter of said circumferentially variable section.    
     
     
         2 ) The firearm locking device of  claim 1  wherein said key operable mechanism for expanding said circumferential diameter of said circumferentially variable section is a distortable elastomeric material and, 
 engagement of said distortable elastomeric material with said interior walls of said chamber is accomplished by moving said breech end toward said barrel end, said distortable elastomeric material compressed there between, and forced outwardly toward said interior walls of said chamber.  
 
     
     
         3 ) The firearm locking device of  claim 1  wherein said key operable mechanism for expanding said circumferential diameter of said circumferentially variable section is a distortable elastomeric material and, 
 engagement of said distortable elastomeric material with said interior walls of said chamber is accomplished by a lateral displacement mechanism urging said distortable elastomeric material away from the longitudinal axis of said firearm locking device toward said interior walls of said chamber.  
 
     
     
         4 ) The firearm locking device of  claim 1  wherein said key operable mechanism for expanding said circumferential diameter of a portion of said locking device is a moveable non-elastomeric component and, 
 engagement of said moveable non-elastomeric component with said interior wall of said chamber and locking thereto is by means of screw action, said screw action mechanically displacing said non-elastomeric moveable component laterally away from the longitudinal axis of said firearm locking device and toward said interior wall of said chamber and locking said non-elastomeric component to said interior wall of said chamber.  
 
     
     
         5 ) The firearm locking device of  claim 1  wherein said key operable mechanism for expanding said circumferential diameter of a portion of said locking device is a moveable non-elastomeric component and, 
 engagement of said non-elastomeric moveable component with said interior walls of said chamber and locking thereto is by means of a lateral displacement mechanism, said lateral displacement mechanism causing displacement of said non-elastomeric moveable component laterally away from the longitudinal axis of said firearm locking device and toward said interior wall of said chamber.  
 
     
     
         6 ) The firearm locking device of  claim 1  wherein said breech end and said barrel end are each tapered longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal axis of said locking device, said tapers being opposing in orientation such that linear compressive mating of said breech end and said barrel end causes said tapers to ride up upon each other and displace said breech end or said barrel end or both said breech end and said barrel end away from said longitudinal axis of said firearm locking device toward said interior walls of said chamber and lock thereto.  
     
     
         7 ) The firearm locking device of  claim 1  wherein said circumferentially expandable section includes said breech end and said barrel end, said breech end and said barrel end being a single unit comprised of elastomeric material.  
     
     
         8 ) The firearm locking device of  claim 1  wherein said circumferentially expandable section includes said breech end and said barrel end, said breech end and said barrel end being a single unit comprised of non-elastomeric material.  
     
     
         9 ) The firearm locking device of  claim 1  wherein said circumferentially expandable section includes said breech end and said barrel end, said breech end and said barrel end being comprised of non-elastomeric material.  
     
     
         10 ) The firearm locking device of  claim 1  wherein said firearm locking device or portion of said locking device is within the barrel of said firearm.