A magazine and a system for locking a firearm

Abstract

The present invention provides a magazine holding ammunition and electronic components arranged to be locked/unlocked biometrically or by radio signal, the magazine comprising a housing having a capacity for holding both a column of cartridges and electronic components. The housing being dimensioned to be insertable into a standard firearm without requiring any modification of the firearm. Further, the magazine includes an assembly for preventing the charging of the firearm by a mechanical element extending longitudinally outside of the housing or a cartridge barrier element preventing cartridges exiting the magazine housing; and manually or electro-mechanic actuating means for pulling/pushing the mechanical elements in response to a received radio signal, or biometrically released; and electronic means in the housing for processing incoming radio signals for actuating all means and a mobile power supply attached to the housing.

1 . A magazine holding ammunition and electronic components arranged to be locked/unlocked biometrically or by a radio signal, said magazine comprising
 a housing having a capacity for holding both a column of cartridges and electronic components, said housing being dimensioned to be insertable into a standard firearm without requiring any modification of said firearm;   an assembly for preventing charging the firearm comprising:
 a mechanical element extending longitudinally outside said housing having a first state in which said element is rigidly locked to project into the path of the firearm cocking mechanism, sometimes referred to as the arming or charging mechanism, and having a second state wherein said element can be pushed at least partially out of the path of said cocking mechanism to allow said firearm to be operated; 
 or a cartridge barrier preventing cartridges exiting said magazine housing when said cartridge barrier is in its first state and releasing cartridges from said magazine when said barrier is in its second state to allow said firearm to be operated; 
 manually or electro-mechanic actuating means for pull/pushing said mechanical element in response to a received radio signal, or biometrically released; 
 a mechanical member extending laterally outside said housing having a first state in which said member is electronically locked to project into a cavity of said firearm, said projection being in an outward-extending position when said magazine is in a locked position thereby preventing removal of said magazine, and being electronically unlocked by a radio signal or biometrically released to allow said magazine to be removed from said firearm; 
 actuating means arranged to at least indirectly cause locking/unlocking of both said first and said second mechanical elements; 
 a switching element operationally connected to said actuating means; 
 biometrically released or radio receiving means connected to said housing for receiving a radio signal; 
 electronic means in said housing for at least processing said incoming radio signal or biometric released and causing said switching element to power/cut-off power to said actuating means; and 
 a mobile power supply attached to said housing. 
   
     
     
         2 . The magazine as claimed in  claim 1 , further provided with a radio transmitter arranged to send an outgoing signal to said remote controller when said mechanical element is moved into said second position, whether such movement was generated by said actuating means or from an action taken by any person holding said firearm, said outgoing signal including elements allowing the identification of the specific magazine generating said outgoing signal. 
     
     
         3 . The magazine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said electronic components include a GPS (Global Positioning System) component to enable a remote controller to receive data for displaying the location of said magazine. 
     
     
         4 . The magazine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said housing is dimensioned to replace a standard magazine holding cartridges stacked in a staggered column. 
     
     
         5 . The magazine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said magazine is internally divided into a first and a second compartment, said first compartment holding a column of cartridges and said second compartment holding said electronic and radio components said power supply and associated components. 
     
     
         6 . The magazine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said actuating means is an electric motor. 
     
     
         7 . The magazine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said radio signals used for communicating with a remote source have a format conforming to a commercially-established standard wireless technology. 
     
     
         8 . The magazine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said second mechanical element is locked laterally outside said housing by a screw mechanism driven by a miniature electric motor. 
     
     
         9 . The magazine as claimed in  claim 1 , further provided with a “low battery” warning device attached to said housing. 
     
     
         10 . The magazine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said actuating means is a solenoid. 
     
     
         11 . A firearm fitted with a magazine as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A system for the remote control of at least one magazine, said system comprising
 at least one magazine as claimed in  claim 1  and includes a remote controller able to generate radio signals to be received by said radio receiving means of any specific selected magazine in its range and to be understood as a lock/unlock command by said electronic means carried in said magazine housing.   
     
     
         13 . A system for the remote control of at least one magazine as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein a relock signal is automatically generated by said remote system in response to said remote controller detecting that said magazine has been moved to a location outside a predefined location, or that a previously-defined time period allowing use of the weapon has expired. 
     
     
         14 . A magazine for use of a pre-specified person only, provided with a receiver pad for receiving biometric data, said data when received being transmitted to an electronic comparison circuit in said housing, electronic means being provided to store preprogrammed biometric data relating to said specified person, and if said comparison circuit determines that the new data matches said preprogrammed data, generating a signal causing unlocking of said magazine, where after said magazine may be relocked in response to receipt of a radio signal generated from a remote source.