Trigger lock

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for locking a trigger in a device that uses a trigger to operate. The trigger lock includes a locking shaft and extensions that extend into the device. The trigger lock includes a visible locking indicator. The locking shaft may either rotate or include a locking pin mounted in the locking shaft. A detent is also provided to prevent the locking shaft from inadvertently rotation.

1 . A trigger lock mounted in a device having a trigger comprising: 
 a trigger locking shaft, the trigger locking shaft having a first extension to extend through a first side of the device, a second extension to extend through a second side of the device; and    a sleeve mounted in the second side of the device to receive the second extension of the trigger locking shaft,    wherein the trigger locking shaft is mounted on a forward side of the trigger to allow the trigger to move when the trigger locking shaft is in a first position and to prevent the trigger from moving when the trigger locking shaft is in a second position.    
   
   
       2 . The trigger lock according to  claim 1 , further comprising a locking position indicator associated with the first extension, the locking position indicator visible from the first side of the device and indicating the position of the trigger locking shaft.  
   
   
       3 . The trigger lock according to  claim 1 , wherein in the second position, the locking shaft engages at least a portion of the front of the trigger when the trigger is pulled.  
   
   
       4 . The trigger lock according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cutout portion in the trigger locking shaft between the first and second extensions.  
   
   
       5 . The trigger lock according to  claim 1 , wherein in the second position at least a portion of the trigger passes at least through a portion of the cutout portion of the locking shaft when the trigger is pulled.  
   
   
       6 . The trigger lock according to  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is secured in the device by a locking element in an inside portion of the device.  
   
   
       7 . The trigger lock according to  claim 1 , further comprising an alignment element to prevent the sleeve from rotating relative to the device.  
   
   
       8 . The trigger lock according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking shaft has an opening therein, the opening having a spring and at least one detent therein to prevent the trigger locking shaft from inadvertent rotation.  
   
   
       9 . The trigger lock according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking shaft has an opening extending through at least a portion thereof, the opening having a spring and at least one detent therein to prevent the trigger locking shaft from inadvertent rotation.  
   
   
       10 . The trigger lock according to  claim 9 , wherein the trigger locking shaft has an axis of rotation about which the trigger locking shaft rotates to move between the first and second positions, and wherein the opening is disposed along an axis apart from and parallel to the axis of rotation.  
   
   
       11 . The trigger lock according to  claim 1 , wherein the trigger locking shaft has a central axis, and a rotational axis parallel to the central axis, the first and second extensions disposed on the rotational axis and the locking shaft rotating around the rotational axis.  
   
   
       12 . The trigger lock according to  claim 8 , wherein the shaft opening extends through the locking shaft.  
   
   
       13 . The trigger lock according to  claim 8 , wherein the detent is depressed with a key having at least one extension element, the key having a longitudinal axis therethrough, the extension element being disposed radially outward on the key from the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       14 . The trigger lock according to  claim 1 , wherein the trigger locking shaft has a surface configured to mate with a rotating shaft, whereby rotating the rotating shaft will cause the trigger locking shaft to move between the first and second positions.  
   
   
       15 . The trigger lock according to  claim 14 , wherein the surface configured to mate with the rotating shaft is on one end of the trigger locking shaft.  
   
   
       16 . A trigger lock mounted in a device having a trigger comprising: 
 a trigger locking shaft, the trigger locking shaft having a first extension to extend through a first side of the device, a second extension to extend through a second side of the device; and    a locking pin mounted in the trigger locking shaft, the locking pin movable between a first position and a second position,    the trigger locking shaft mounted in the device such that the locking pin is mounted on a forward side of the trigger to allow the trigger to move when the locking pin is in a first position and to prevent the trigger from moving when the locking pin is in a second position.    
   
   
       17 . The trigger lock according to  claim 16 , further comprising a locking position indicator associated with the first extension, the locking position indicator visible from the first side of the device and indicating the position of the locking pin.  
   
   
       18 . The trigger lock according to  claim 16 , wherein in the second position, the locking pin engages at least a portion of the front of the trigger when the trigger is pulled.  
   
   
       19 . A trigger lock mounted in a device having a trigger comprising: 
 a trigger locking shaft, the trigger locking shaft having a cutout portion;    a first extension on one end of the trigger locking shaft to extend through a first side of the device; and    a second extension on another end of the trigger locking shaft to extend through a second side of the device,    wherein trigger locking shaft is mounted on a forward side of the trigger to allow the trigger to move when the trigger locking shaft is in a first position and to engage the trigger to prevent the trigger from moving when the trigger locking shaft is in a second position.    
   
   
       20 . A method for locking and unlocking a trigger in a device comprising the steps of: 
 providing a trigger locking shaft having a first extension to extend through a first side of the device, a second extension to extend through a second side of the device, and a cutout portion between the first and second extensions, the trigger locking shaft being mounted in a position forward of the trigger;    positioning the trigger shaft in a first position, the first position allowing at least a portion of the trigger to pass into the cutout portion of the trigger locking shaft to unlock the device; and    positioning the trigger shaft in a second position, the second position preventing the trigger from past a forward portion of the trigger locking shaft to lock the device.