The present invention is a storage bracket that provides a safe manner in which to store a firearm, such as a hand gun, yet allows for simple and rapid access to the firearm in an emergency situation.
Firearm safety has always been an important issue to individuals who regularly carry and use firearms, including law enforcement personnel, military personnel, and sportsmen. Those who regularly use firearms generally recognize the value and importance of proper education, training, and practice in the use, cleaning, and storage of firearms. In addition, persons who carry firearms recognize the need to keep the firearm secured until such time as they actively withdraw it for use. Unfortunately, there have been tragic accidents in which children or others have accidentally injured themselves or others because a firearm was stored without observing appropriate safety precautions. As a result, various safety devices have been developed, including, for example, gun locks or security holsters.
A common gun lock mechanically prevents a firearm from being discharged and thus prevents accidental discharge by a child or other inexperienced person. Some gun locks engage the muzzle, others engage and immobilize the trigger, and others immobilize the slide of a handgun. Many such prior art gun locks are described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,122,851 issued to Perkins. For its description of prior art gun locks, U.S. Pat. No. 6,122,851 is incorporated herein by reference.
Security holsters, often used by police officers, are another means by which to effectively store and secure a firearm so as to prevent an assailant from accessing the gun for use against an officer. At the same time, security holsters must allow for simple and rapid access to the firearm when the need arises. Many prior art security holsters are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,281 issued to Nichols. For its description of prior art security holsters, U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,281 is incorporated herein by reference.
However, there are still many drawbacks and disadvantages associated with prior art safety devices, such as gun locks and security holsters. For example, many devices are complex and cumbersome, and therefore prevent an individual from rapidly and effortlessly accessing his firearm for firing in an emergency situation, such as when an intruder enters his home or when an imminent danger is confronted.
Therefore, it is a paramount object of the present invention to provide an improved safety device, specifically a storage bracket, that provides a safe manner in which to store a firearm, such as a hand gun, yet allows for simple and rapid access to the firearm in an emergency situation.
This and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon a reading of the following description.
The present invention is a storage bracket designed to secure and store a firearm in a safe manner, yet allows for simple and rapid access to the firearm in an emergency situation. A preferred storage bracket is generally comprised of a frame and a spring-loaded stop that is adjustably secured to the frame. The frame is generally C-shaped, with a long spine portion, two appendages extending from the distal ends of the spine portion, and perhaps most importantly, a substantially perpendicular extension from the first appendage, such that a cavity is defined between the spine portion and the perpendicular extension of the frame.
Secured to the second appendage of the frame is the spring-loaded stop. The stop is preferably secured to the second appendage using a nut-and-bolt arrangement, with a spring being interposed between the stop and the second appendage of the frame. This spring maintains the vertical distance between the stop and second appendage, but also allows for movement of the stop with respect to the second appendage.
When inserting a firearm into the storage bracket, an individual inserts it barrel first such that the distal end of the barrel engages the stop. When the individual applies a force sufficient to overcome the force imparted on the stop by the spring, the result is compression of the spring and movement of the stop with respect to the frame such that the rear portion of the firearm can be rotated into the storage bracket. Specifically, simultaneous with the movement of the stop, the individual pushes the rear portion of the hand gun forward toward the spine portion of the frame, essentially rotating the firearm about a pivot point defined by the contact of the barrel of the firearm with the stop. This movement of the firearm continues until the rear portion of the firearm clears the perpendicular extension of the first appendage of the frame. The individual then ceases to apply a force against the stop, and the biasing force of the spring presses the firearm away from the second appendage of the frame, locking the firearm into the storage bracket with the rear portion of the firearm being received in and locked in the cavity defined between the spine portion and the perpendicular extension of the frame.