Firearm trigger block and tamper notification system

Abstract

A trigger block and tamper notification system for use on a firearm includes a main enclosure assembly with an engagement element receivable through a trigger guard and a slide assembly having a complemental element releasably engaging the engagement element on an opposing side of the trigger guard. A magnetic reed switch is carried within the engagement element and a switch magnet is mounted in the slide assembly adjacent the complemental element so as to be in a position adjacent the magnetic reed switch when the slide assembly is engaged with the main enclosure assembly. A control module includes a signaling element activated when the switch magnet is moved from the position adjacent the reed switch.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A trigger block and tamper notification system for use on a firearm, comprising:
 a main enclosure assembly including an engagement element receivable through a trigger guard of a firearm from a first side;   a slide assembly having a complemental element for releasably engaging the engagement element on an opposing side of the trigger guard;   a magnetic reed switch carried within the engagement element;   a switch magnet mounted in the slide assembly adjacent the complemental element so as to be in a position adjacent the magnetic reed switch when the slide assembly is engaged with the main enclosure assembly; and   a control module having a signaling element, the signaling element activated when the switch magnet is moved from the position adjacent the reed switch.   
     
     
         2 . A trigger block and tamper notification system as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a motion sensor carried by the main enclosure assembly and coupled to the control module which will initiate a signal from the control module when the firearm is moved. 
     
     
         3 . A trigger block and tamper notification system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the main enclosure assembly further includes an adjustable blocking cam extending therefrom and positionable adjacent the trigger guard of the firearm from the first side and for receipt by the slide assembly on the opposing side. 
     
     
         4 . A trigger block and tamper notification system as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the slide assembly includes a housing defining a socket for receiving the adjustable blocking cam. 
     
     
         5 . A trigger block and tamper notification system as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the adjustable blocking cam comprises:
 a post extending from a base to a distal end, the distal end receivable within the socket; 
 the base being rotatably carried by the main enclosure assembly with the post extending outwardly therefrom, parallel to the engagement element; and 
 a pair of flanges extend longitudinally along the post from the base to a position spaced apart from the distal end, and outwardly from opposing sides of the post. 
 
     
     
         6 . A trigger block and tamper notification system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the engagement element includes a probe tapered from a proximal end to a distal end, and a plurality of parallel teeth formed on opposed flattened outer surfaces of the probe and extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of the probe. 
     
     
         7 . A trigger block and tamper notification system as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the slide assembly includes a housing and the complemental element of the slide assembly comprises:
 a channel formed in the housing; 
 a pair of pawl elements mounted in the housing on opposing sides of the channel; 
 each pawl includes a latch end and a release end and are each mounted on a pivot pin intermediate the latch end and the release end for pivotal movement between an engage position for engaging the parallel teeth of the probe in which the latch end extends into the channel and a release position in which the latch end is withdrawn from the channel; and 
 biasing elements carried by the housing, biasing the pawl elements into the engage position. 
 
     
     
         8 . A trigger block and tamper notification system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the signal element of the control module is activated to emit at least one of an audio signal, a visual signal, a wireless signal to a wireless device, a signal to activate a camera carried by the main enclosure assembly. 
     
     
         9 . A trigger block and tamper notification system for use on a firearm, comprising:
 a main enclosure assembly including an engagement element receivable through a trigger guard of a firearm from a first side;   a slide assembly having a complemental element for releasably engaging the engagement element on an opposing side of the trigger guard;   a magnetic reed switch carried within the engagement element;   a switch magnet mounted in the slide assembly adjacent the complemental element so as to be in a position adjacent the magnetic reed switch when the slide assembly is engaged with the main enclosure assembly;   a motion sensor carried by the main enclosure assembly;   a control module having a signaling element, the reed switch and the motion detector coupled to the control module, the signaling element activated when the switch magnet is moved from the position adjacent the reed switch and when the firearm is moved, generating a signal from the motion detector to the control module.   
     
     
         10 . A trigger block and tamper notification system as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the main enclosure assembly further includes an adjustable blocking cam extending therefrom and receivable adjacent the trigger guard of the firearm from the first side and for receipt by the slide assembly on the opposing side. 
     
     
         11 . A trigger block and tamper notification system as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the adjustable blocking cam comprises:
 a post extending from a base to a distal end, the distal end receivable within a socket formed in the slide assembly; 
 the base being rotatably carried by the main enclosure assembly with the post extending outwardly therefrom, parallel to the engagement element; and 
 a pair of flanges extend longitudinally along the post from the base to a position spaced apart from the distal end, and outwardly from opposing sides of the post. 
 
     
     
         12 . A trigger block and tamper notification system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the engagement element includes a probe extending from the main enclosure assembly and tapered from a proximal end to a distal end, and a plurality of parallel teeth formed on opposed flattened outer surfaces of the probe and extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of the probe. 
     
     
         13 . A trigger block and tamper notification system as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the slide assembly includes a housing and the complemental element of the slide assembly comprises:
 a channel formed in the housing; 
 a pair of pawl elements mounted in the housing on opposing sides of the channel; 
 each pawl includes a latch end and a release end and are each mounted on a pivot pin intermediate the latch end and the release end for pivotal movement between an engage position for engaging the parallel teeth of the probe in which the latch end extends into the channel and a release position in which the latch end is withdrawn from the channel; and 
 biasing elements carried by the housing, biasing the pawl elements into the engage position. 
 
     
     
         14 . A trigger block and tamper notification system as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the signal element of the control module is activated to emit at least one of an audio signal, a visual signal, a wireless signal to a wireless device, and a signal to activate a camera carried by the main enclosure assembly. 
     
     
         15 . A trigger block and tamper notification system mounted on a firearm, comprising:
 a firearm including a trigger and trigger guard;   a main enclosure assembly including an engagement element received through the trigger guard forward of the trigger and extending from a first side of the trigger guard to an opposing second side;   a slide assembly having a complemental element releasably engaging the engagement element on the second side of the trigger guard;   a magnetic reed switch carried within the engagement element;   a switch magnet mounted in the slide assembly adjacent the complemental element so as to be in a position adjacent the magnetic reed switch with the engagement element releasably engaged with the complemental element; and   a control module having a signaling element, the signaling element activated when the switch magnet is moved from the position adjacent the reed switch.   
     
     
         16 . A trigger block and tamper notification system as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the signal element of the control is activated to emit at least one of an audio signal, a visual signal, a wireless signal to a wireless device, and a signal to activate a camera carried by the main enclosure assembly. 
     
     
         17 . A trigger block and tamper notification system as claimed in  claim 16  further comprising a motion sensor carried by the main enclosure assembly and coupled to the control module which will initiate a signal from the control module when the firearm is moved. 
     
     
         18 . A trigger block and tamper notification system as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the main enclosure assembly further includes an adjustable blocking cam extending therefrom adjacent the trigger guard of the firearm from the first side and for receipt by the slide assembly on the second side. 
     
     
         19 . A trigger block and tamper notification system as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the engagement element includes a probe extending from the main enclosure assembly and tapered from a proximal end to a distal end, and a plurality of parallel teeth formed on opposed flattened outer surfaces of the probe and extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of the probe; and
 wherein the slide assembly includes a housing and the complemental element of the slide assembly comprises: 
 a channel formed in the housing; 
 a pair of pawl elements mounted in the housing on opposing sides of the channel; 
 each pawl includes a latch end and a release end and are each mounted on a pivot pin intermediate the latch end and the release end for pivotal movement between an engage position for engaging the parallel teeth of the probe in which the latch end extends into the channel and a release position in which the latch end is withdrawn from the channel; and biasing elements carried by the housing, biasing the pawl elements into the engage position.