Accidental discharge avoidance device

Abstract

An accidental discharge avoidance device is provided. The device includes a base member larger than a trigger well of a weapon, a first protrusion extending from the base member and a second protrusion extending from the base member with a trigger channel formed between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. The first protrusion and the second protrusion are configured to couple within the trigger well of the weapon with a trigger of the weapon located within the trigger channel when the first protrusion and the second protrusion are coupled within the trigger well of the weapon. In operation the device avoids an accidental discharge of the weapon when picking it up by providing a tactile barrier to accessing the trigger. The shooter can access the trigger by applying a force to the first protrusion of the device to remove the accidental discharge avoidance device from the trigger well.

1 . An accidental discharge avoidance device comprising:
 a base member larger than a trigger well of a weapon;   a first protrusion extending from the base member;   a second protrusion extending from the base member; and   a trigger channel formed between the first protrusion and the second protrusion, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are configured to couple within the trigger well of the weapon with a trigger of the weapon located within the trigger channel when the first protrusion and the second protrusion are coupled within the trigger well of the weapon.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger channel is curved. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a lip formed from the base member extending beyond the dimensions of the first and second protrusions. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the lip is configured to engage a trigger guard of the weapon to prevent the device from extending all the way through the trigger well. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the trigger channel comprises a channel surface between the first and second protrusions, wherein the channel surface is parallel to and offset from the lip and configured to engage a side of the trigger when the first and second protrusions are coupled within the trigger well. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second protrusions are coupled within the trigger well through a friction fit. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second protrusions extend from the base member in a direction to be inserted from a left side of the weapon for a right-handed shooter or the first and second protrusions extend from the base member in a direction to be inserted from a right side of the weapon for a left-handed shooter. 
     
     
         8 . A method of using an accidental discharge avoidance device by a shooter, the method comprising:
 picking up a weapon having an accidental discharge avoidance device removably coupled to a trigger well of the weapon, the accidental discharge device comprising:
 a base member larger than the trigger well of the weapon; 
 a first protrusion extending from the base member; 
 a second protrusion extending from the base member; and 
 a trigger channel formed between the first protrusion and the second protrusion, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are coupled within the trigger well of the weapon by friction with a trigger of the weapon located within the trigger channel; 
   avoiding an accidental discharge of the weapon when picking it up in response to providing a tactile barrier to accessing the trigger, wherein the tactile barrier comprises a finger engaging the accidental discharge avoidance device coupled to the trigger well; and   applying a force to the first protrusion of the accidental discharge avoidance device in a direction toward the base member to remove the accidental discharge avoidance device from the trigger well.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the force applied to the first protrusion is greater than the friction force coupling the accidental discharge avoidance device to the trigger well. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the trigger channel is curved. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising a lip formed from the base member extending beyond the dimensions of the first and second protrusions. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the lip is configured to engage a trigger guard of the weapon to prevent the device from extending all the way through the trigger well. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the trigger channel comprises a channel surface between the first and second protrusions, wherein the channel surface is parallel to and offset from the lip and configured to engage a side of the trigger when the first and second protrusions are coupled within the trigger well.