Supplementary safety device for light firearms

Abstract

This invention concerns a supplementary safety device in the form of a false cartridge to be inserted into the chamber of a light firearm barrel, including a radially expandable portion controlled by a lock operated by a specific key for locking/unlocking it in the barrel in which it is housed, so it may be removed only voluntarily.

1 . A supplementary safety device that may be inserted into the chamber of light firearms including at least one of shotguns, rifles and handguns, the safety device comprising: 
 a first body containing a lock with a rotating part controlled by a specific key;    a second body linked to the first body and axially moveable, without rotating, between a position of unlocking;    with a position distant from the first body and a position of locking with a position close to the first body;    a screw pin driven in rotation without moving axially in the first body, the screw pin being connected to and controlled by the lock for rotation of said screw pin and to be linked directly or indirectly with the second body for the movement of the second body between the positions of unlocking and locking following the turning of the screw pin; and    a flexible element deformable by compression and located between the first and second bodies in order to expand radially and project peripherally from the first and second bodies when the second body is in the lock position, thus creating the locking of the device in the chamber of the barrel in which it is housed.    
   
   
       2 . A supplementary safety device that may be inserted into the chamber of light firearms including shotguns, rifles and handguns, the safety device comprising: 
 a first body containing a locks with a rotating part controlled by a specific key;    a second body linked to the first body and axially moveable, without rotating, between a position of unlocking;    with a position distant from the first body and a position of locking with a position close to the first body;    a screw pin driven in rotation without moving axially in the first body, the screw pin being connected to and controlled by the lock for rotation of said screw pin and to be linked directly or indirectly with the second body for the movement of the second body between the positions of unlocking and locking following the turning of the screw pin; and    a flexible element deformable by compression and located between the first and second bodies in order to expand radially and project peripherally from the first and second bodies when the second body is in the locking position, thus creating the locking of the device in the chamber of the barrel in which it is housed;    a third body associated and in line with the second body and with an expandable winged wall delimiting a conical cavity; and    a conical plugs located and axially moveable in the conical cavity of the third body to radially expand the winged wall and additionally lock the device in the barrel if the plug is subject to thrust in the direction of the chamber in an attempt to eject the device.    
   
   
       3 . A safety device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the screw pin is screwed to the second body.  
   
   
       4 . A safety device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the screw pin is screwed to a threaded element linked and engaged with the second body.  
   
   
       5 . A safety device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the first and second bodies are linked with axial and anti-rotation coupling portions.  
   
   
       6 . A safety device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the flexible deformable by compression element consists of a gasket in an elastomer material or of a spring and is placed between two annular shoulders, at the level of truncated conical portions integral with the first and second bodies.  
   
   
       7 . A safety device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein at least around the first body an anti-rotation gasket is mounted to prevent rotation of the device when placed in the chamber.  
   
   
       8 . A safety device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the third body is axially limited at the free end of the screw pin and is linked to the second body with the interposing of a spacer.  
   
   
       9 . A safety device in accordance  claim 2 , wherein the third body is one of independent from, integrated with or integral to the second body.  
   
   
       10 . A safety device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the screw pin is screwed to the second body.  
   
   
       11 . A safety device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the screw pin is screwed to a threaded element linked and engaged with the second body.  
   
   
       12 . A safety device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the first and second bodies are linked with axial and anti-rotation coupling portions.  
   
   
       13 . A safety device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the flexible deformable by compression element consists of a gasket in an elastomer material or of spring and is placed between two annular shoulders, at the level of truncated conical portions integral with the first and second bodies.  
   
   
       14 . A safety device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein at least around the first body an anti-rotation gasket is mounted to prevent rotation of the device when placed in the chamber.  
   
   
       15 . A firearm safety arrangement comprising: 
 a firearm barrel having a muzzle end and a breech end;    a first body having a shape for inserting into said barrel;    a pin rotatably mounted in said first body;    a second body rotatably connected to said pin, said first and second bodies having a connection to said pin where relative rotation of said pin with respect to one of said bodies causes said bodies to move toward and away from each other;    an expandable element arranged around said pin and arranged between said first and second bodies, said first and second bodies and said expandable element having a shape, and said expandable element being formed of a material to have said expandable element expand when said first and second bodies move toward each other;    a lock arranged in said first body and rotationally fixed to said pin, said lock being selectively rotatable in said first body by a key, wherein said first body is arranged in said barrel adjacent said breech end;    an anti-rotation device is arranged on said first body to hold said first body rotationally fixed in the barrel and against the barrel.