Anti-shooting safety device for a barrel of a firearm

Description

Background of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to an anti-shooting safety device for a barrel of a firearm.

[0002] Specifically but not exclusively, the safety device according to the invention can be used to prevent a projectile being inserted into the barrel of a gun, in particular of a hunting gun, in particular into a smoothbore barrel.Prior art

[0003] Regulations governing firearms, also in the hunting field, have focused in particular on the manner of keeping and transporting firearms. In particular, during transport, for example from the home of the user to the place in which the user intends to hunt, the firearms must be in such a condition as not to permit immediate use thereof. In fact, the firearms may be actuated unintentionally by the user, or by a user inexpert in (or incapable of) using firearms or also by an ill-intentioned person. In this connection, safety devices have been developed to prevent an unintentional or unauthorized use of such weapons.

[0004] An anti-shooting safety device for a barrel of a long-barrelled firearm is known. This safety device is provided with a cylindrical body that is suitable for being inserted into the barrel of the long-barrelled firearm (from the projectile insertion side) and for being locked by lock driving means so as to enable a user in possession of a respective key to respectively anchor the safety device stably in the firearm and remove the safety device from the firearm. The known safety device is provided with a series of levers that, in response to a clamping action of the key by the user, i.e. in response to a rotation of the key in a first rotation direction, transmits - by interposed transmitting elements - a movement of the levers that is such that they exert a set clamping force against an inner surface of the barrel of a long-barrelled firearm, thus anchoring the safety device inside the barrel.

[0005] Once the user has anchored the safety device in the barrel and removed the key from the latter, the barrel of the long-barrelled firearm is obstructed and the insertion of projectiles into the barrel is prevented.

[0006] Inserting the key into the lock and rotating the key in a second rotation direction opposite the first rotation direction act so as to diminish the anchoring force exerted by the petal elements on the inner surface of the barrel until permitting the release and then the extraction of the safety device from the barrel. US 5,115,589 discloses an anti-shooting safety device for a barrel of a firearm, comprising a cylindrical locking body for engaging a mouth of said barrel to prevent a projectile being inserted into said barrel, anchoring means configured to exert an anchoring force on an inner surface of said barrel to constrain said locking body stably in said barrel and prevent a displacement of said locking body, lock driving means associated with said anchoring means and drivable, by a respective key, in an anchoring rotation direction to fix said safety device to said barrel, and in a releasing rotation direction to disengage said safety device, displacing means drivable by the rotation of said lock driving means and configured to act on and expand said anchoring means to said inner surface of said barrel, and uncouplable connecting means to rotatably uncouple said displacing means from said lock driving means in response to a rotation of a fraction of a revolution angle of said lock driving means in said releasing rotation direction, so as to ensure the maintenance of an anchoring force of said anchoring means with respect to said barrel in the step of removing said key.

[0007] The prior art safety device has certain limits.

[0008] One limit of the prior art safety device is due to the fact that the anchoring force is not maximized, because in order to remove the key it is necessary to counter-turn the key to reach a preset angular position that is such as to enable the key to be removed, with a consequent decrease of the previously achieved anchoring force.

[0009] In the light of what has been set out above, it has been noticed that there is ample room for improvement for anti-shooting safety devices for a barrel of a firearm. In particular, it would be desirable to have a anti-shooting safety device for a barrel of a firearm that enables the anchoring efficacy and the stable positioning of the safety device on the barrel to be increased.Objects of the invention

[0010] One object of the invention is to improve current anti-shooting safety devices for a barrel of a firearm.

[0011] Another object is to provide a solution that is able to position stably the safety device inside the barrel.

[0012] Another object is to provide a solution that is able to ensure the maintenance of a given anchoring force of the safety device on the barrel.

[0013] A further object is to provide a safety device that has compact dimensions, in particular a compact longitudinal dimension.

[0014] A further object is to provide a safety device that is constructionally simple and versatile.

[0015] A still further object is to provide a versatile solution that is able to generally enhance the efficiency of the anchoring of the safety device with respect to the barrel.Summary of the invention

[0016] Such objects are achieved by an anti-shooting safety device for a barrel of a firearm as defined in the claim 1. Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0017] The thus configured device, particularly owing to the presence of the uncouplable connecting means, is able to maintain a maximum anchoring force of the device in a step of removing the key. In other words, the rotation for removing the key, in the direction opposite the anchoring rotation, does not affect the anchoring force previously reached in the locking step.

[0018] The uncouplable connecting means is on the other hand capable of rotatably uncoupling a movement of the lock driving means in response to a rotation of a fraction of a revolution angle in the releasing rotation direction, so as to ensure maintenance of the anchoring force of the safety device with respect to the barrel during the step of removing the key.Short description of the drawings

[0019] The invention can be understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings that illustrate an embodiment thereof by way of non-limiting example, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view along a longitudinal axis of an anti-shooting safety device for a barrel of a firearm; Figure 2 is a further exploded view along the longitudinal axis of the device of Figure 1 taken along a different angle; Figure 3 is a side view of the safety device of Figure 1, in which the planes of section VII-VII and XII-XII are shown that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the safety device; Figure 4 is a frontal view of the safety device of Figure 1 and in which section planes V-V and VI-VI are shown taken axially along the safety device; Figure 5 is a section view taken along the plane V-V of the safety device inserted into a barrel of a firearm and in which the section plane XII-XII is shown that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the safety device; Figure 6 is a section view taken along the plane VI-VI of the safety device taken on a plane orthogonal to that of the section of Figure 5 and in which the section plane VIII-VIII orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the safety device is shown; Figure 7 is a section view taken along the plane VI-VI of the safety device; Figure 8 is a section view that shows the reciprocal position of components of the uncouplable connecting means in an alignment configuration for inserting a key; Figure 9 is a section view taken along the section plane VIII-VIII of Figure 6 that shows the uncouplable connecting means in an engagement configuration; Figure 10 is a section view taken along the section plane VIII-VIII that shows the uncouplable connecting means in a rotating driving configuration; Figure 11 is a section view taken along the section plane VIII-VIII that shows the uncouplable connecting means in an alignment configuration for removing the key; Figure 12 is a section view taken along the section plane XII-XII of Figure 5 that shows the reciprocal position of components of the uncouplable connecting means in an alignment configuration for inserting a key Figure 13 is a perspective view taken along the section plane XII-XII that shows the rotor unit and joint transmission means; Figure 13A is an exploded perspective view of mechanical joint transmission means of the safety device of Figure 1; Figure 14 is a side view of the rotor unit in a first key insertion configuration; Figure 15 is a side view of the rotor unit in a second key insertion configuration in which the key is rotated by a quarter of a revolution with respect to the first configuration of Figure 14. Detailed description

[0020] With reference to the aforementioned figures, an anti-shooting safety device for a barrel 2 of a firearm (Figure 5) is indicated by the numeric reference 1. The safety device 1 can be used to prevent a projectile being inserted into the barrel 2, in particular into a smoothbore barrel, of a firearm, such as a long-barrelled firearm, in particular a hunting gun.

[0021] Nevertheless, the safety device disclosed in the present invention is also usable in a firearm other than the long-barrelled firearm, like for example a pistol or a revolver.

[0022] The safety device 1 comprises a locking body 3 (Figures 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6) that is substantially cylindrical and suitable for engaging a mouth of the barrel 2 for preventing a projectile being inserted therein. The locking body 3 can comprise a hollow tube. The locking body 3 extends along a longitudinal axis X.

[0023] The longitudinal axis X further defines the direction along which the entire safety device 1 mainly extends. The longitudinal axis X can coincide with an axis of axial symmetry of the barrel 2 (Figure 5).

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, the locking body 3 comprises a sheath or casing (with a relatively thin thickness with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the locking body 3) that is elastically deformable, so as to enable the safety device 1 to be inserted into or removed from the barrel 2. The locking body 3 can be made of elastomeric material like rubber.

[0025] The safety device 1 comprises anchoring means 4 (Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6) that is expandable transversely to the longitudinal axis X. The anchoring means 4 is configured to exert an anchoring force on an inner surface of the barrel 2 to constrain stably the locking body 3 in the barrel 2 and prevent a displacement of the locking body 3 - and thus of the locking device 1 - with respect to the barrel 2.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the anchoring means 4 is elastically deformable so as to expand substantially radially outwards (with respect to the longitudinal axis X) in response to an axial compressing action, so that the anchoring means 4 can adopt an expanded configuration (not shown).

[0027] The anchoring means 4 can be made of an elastomeric material chosen from a group comprising: rubber, silicone, neoprene, in general a synthetic rubber. Other desired materials can be used provided that they are suitable and of flexible type.

[0028] In this illustrated embodiment, the anchoring means comprises a sleeve body 4 having a substantially cylindrical external surface and at least one abutting face 18 lying on a transverse plane, in particular on a plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X.

[0029] The safety device 1 comprises lock driving means 5 (Figures 1 and 2) that is associated with the anchoring means 4. The lock driving means 5 is drivable, by a respective key 6, in an anchoring rotation direction R1 (Figures 9 and 10) to fix the safety device 1 to the barrel 2. The lock driving means 6 is further rotatable in a releasing rotation direction R2 (Figure 11) to disengage the safety device 1 from the barrel 2.

[0030] The lock driving means 5 comprises a stator unit 7, 8 arranged in a stationary position with respect to the locking body 3, and a rotor unit 9 suitable for being rotated by the key 6 relatively to the stator unit 7, 8 (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5).

[0031] The safety device 1 comprises displacing means 10 (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5) rotatable by the rotation of the lock driving means 5 and configured to act on and expand the anchoring means 4 to the inner surface of the barrel 2.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the stator unit 7, 8 can comprise a substantially cylindrical hollow base body 7 and an end part 8 (that will be disclosed in greater detail below), the base body 7 and the end part 8 being couplable in a stationary manner with one another. In this illustrated embodiment, the base body 7 and the end part 8 of the stator unit 7, 8 can be coupled by one or more pins 7b (Figures 1 and 2).

[0033] In one embodiment that is not shown, the stator unit 7, 8 can be a single piece.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve body 4 is connected to the stator unit 7, 8 and is configured to interact with, in particular to receive a compression action from, the displacing means 10.

[0035] In this illustrated embodiment, the displacing means comprises a nut element 10 that is movable axially and suitable for abutting on the abutting face 18 of the sleeve body 4 between a rest position (Figure 5) in which the sleeve body 4 has a radial dimension that is such as to permit clearance between the safety device 1 and the barrel 2 (and thus the insertion of the aforesaid safety device 1 into the barrel 2) and a work position (or expansion configuration) in which the sleeve body 4 is compressed axially and expanded radially so that the safety device 1 obstructs the passage of the barrel 2.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the nut element 10 comprises an internally threaded hexagonal nut.

[0037] The anchoring means 4 comprises, in particular, a coupling portion 4b, 4c facing the lock driving means 5 shaped for coupling with the stator unit 7, 8 so as to prevent a relative rotation between the anchoring means 4 and the stator unit 7, 8 (Figures 1 and 2).

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling portion has a diametrically opposite pair of recesses 4b, 4c shaped to couple with respective protrusions 8a, 8b obtained on an end part 8 of the rotor unit 7, 8.

[0039] The anchoring means 4 can have an abutting seat 4a (Figures 1, 5 and 7) arranged for abutting on the displacing means 10 to transmit an axial force to the anchoring means 4 and shaped to prevent corresponding rotation (around the longitudinal axis X) between the anchoring means 4 and the displacing means 10. The abutting seat 4a can be provided in a region opposite the coupling portion 4b, 4c.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the abutting seat 4a is shaped to abut on the nut element 10 and prevent the relative rotation between the nut element 10 and the sleeve body 4.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, the abutting face 18 is obtained on the abutting seat 4a (Figure 5).

[0042] The abutting seat 4a can have a shape that is complementary to that of the nut element 10 (Figure 7).

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the abutting seat 4a has a hexagonal cross section corresponding to that of the hexagonal nut element (Figure 7).

[0044] The safety device 1 comprises uncouplable connecting means 17 (Figure 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 13) for rotatably uncoupling the displacing means 10 from the lock driving means 5 in response to a rotation of a fraction of a revolution angle of the rotor unit 9 in the releasing rotation direction R2 (Figure 11), so as to ensure maintenance of an anchoring force of the anchoring means 4 with respect to the barrel 2 during the step of removing the key 6 from the rotor unit 9. This ensures maintenance of the anchoring force of the anchoring means 4 with respect to the barrel 2 during the step of removing the key 6 from the rotor part 9. In other words, unlike prior-art devices, loosening of the clamping force caused by the counter-rotation of the lock in the step of removing the key is avoided.

[0045] In particular, in the safety device 1, once closing is completed (locking in the rotation direction R1) it is possible to rotate the key 6 in the opposite direction (rotation direction R2) to be able to extract the key 6. A counter-rotation up to 240° is possible to be able to extract the key without this influencing the clamping force previously achieved with the rotation R1.

[0046] The lock driving means 5 and the displacing means 10 comprise a screw-nut screw mechanism configured to convert the rotation motion of the key 6 in a linear motion of the displacing means 10, as will be disclosed below.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the nut element 10 is provided with a nut screw portion, whereas the lock driving means 5 comprises a screw part 11, 12 suitable for coupling with the nut screw portion of the nut element 10.

[0048] The safety device 1 can further comprise an anti-break through unit 30 (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6) provided on an end portion thereof opposite the end facing, in use, the user and configured, in particular, to protect the integrity of the safety device 1 from an effraction action directed along the longitudinal axis X.

[0049] The screw part 11, 12 is provided with an end portion 12 for connecting to this anti-break through unit 30.

[0050] As mentioned, in this illustrated embodiment the screw part 11, 12 is connected to the rotor unit 9, so as to convert a rotational movement of the key 6 - and thus of the rotor unit 9 - in an axial movement of the nut element 10.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve body 4 has an axial hole 23 so as to receive at least partially the screw part 11, 12.

[0052] The rotor unit 9 comprises, in particular, a key-insertion slit for the key 6; the key-insertion slit is arranged, in use, frontally to the user.

[0053] The rotor part 9 comprises, in particular, an end rotor portion 16 that is opposite the key-insertion slit, and which is arranged inside the safety device 1.

[0054] In the lock driving means 6, a series of pistons 28, 29 can be provided that are per se known (Figures 1, 2 and 5) arranged to interact with respective ridges and recesses obtained in the key 6.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, the lock driving means 5 is of round cylindrical type. In a further embodiment that is not shown, lock driving means is provided of a different type from the round cylinder, like for example an oval or another type of cylinder.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the key 6 designed to drive the lock driving means 5 is of the punched key type. In a further embodiment that is not shown, the key can be, for example, of the serrated key type. It is however possible to choose a different type of key on the basis of the security needs of the user.

[0057] The uncouplable connecting means 17 can be obtained on two reciprocally facing portions of the screw part 11, 12 and of the rotor unit 9 respectively.

[0058] On the rotor unit 9 of the lock driving means 5 at least one driving tooth 20a, 20b is obtained and on the screw part 11, 12 of the lock driving means 5 at least one driven tooth 21a, 21b is obtained (Figures 1, 2, 8, 9, 10 and 11). The at least one driving key 20a, 20b and the at least one driven tooth 21a, 21b are positioned so as to come into contact reciprocally. In particular, the at least one driving key 20a, 20b and the at least one driven tooth 21a, 21b are positioned to engage together and transmit torque (Figures 9 and 10).

[0059] In other words, the at least one driving tooth 20a, 20b and the at least one driven tooth 21a, 21b are positioned at the same radial distance from the longitudinal axis X such that the at least one driving tooth 20a, 20b can abut on and push the at least one driven tooth 21a, 21b at a rotation action of the rotor unit 9 in the anchoring rotation direction R1 and can disengage the at least one driven tooth 21a, 21b by a fraction of a revolution angle at a further rotation action of the rotor unit 9 in the releasing rotation direction R2.

[0060] The at least one driving tooth 20a, 20b protrudes substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X from an end rotor portion 16 of the rotor unit 9. The at least one driven tooth 21a, 21b protrudes substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X from an end screw portion 24 of the screw part 11, 12. The end screw portion 24 is opposite the threaded screw portion 12. The end rotor portion 16 and the end screw portion 24 face one another.

[0061] The at least one driving tooth 20a, 20b extends angularly with respect to the longitudinal axis X by an angle comprised between 1 and 180 degrees, in particular between 45 and 25 degrees.

[0062] The at least one driven tooth 21a, 21b extends angularly with respect to the longitudinal axis X by a further angle comprised between 1 and 180 degrees, in particular between 45 and 25 degrees.

[0063] The angular extent of the at least one driving tooth 20a, 20b and of the at least one driven tooth 21a, 21b permits free rotation by a fraction of a revolution angle of the rotor unit 9 in the releasing rotation direction R2 during the step of removing the key 6.

[0064] In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one driving tooth 20a, 20b comprises a first driving tooth 20a and a second driving tooth 20b, and the at least one driven tooth 21a, 21b comprises a first driven tooth 21a and a second driven tooth 21b.

[0065] In this illustrated embodiment, the first driving tooth 20a and the second driving tooth 20b are placed at radial distances (radiuses) that are different (of different lengths) with respect to the longitudinal axis X. The radial distances between the first and the second driving tooth 20a, 20b correspond to further radial distances between the first driven tooth 21a and the second driven tooth 21b; this means that during rotation of the rotor unit 9, in particular in the first anchoring rotation direction R1, the first driving tooth 20a can contact the first driven tooth 21a without contacting the second driven tooth 21b, and the second driving tooth 20b can contact the second driven tooth 21b without contacting the first driven tooth 21a.

[0066] The safety device 1 comprises, in particular, angular retaining means 22 (Figures 1, 2, 5 and 12) to retain temporarily the rotor unit 9 (the barrel body 13) with respect to the stator unit 7, 8 according to a predefined angular orientation to enable the key 6 to be extracted and inserted from and into the rotor unit 9.

[0067] The angular retaining means 22 is configured, in particular, to retain temporarily the barrel body 13 in particular when the latter is subject to a free rotation - permitted by the uncouplable connecting means 17 with respect to the screw part 11, 12 - in the releasing rotation direction R2.

[0068] With reference to Figure 12, the angular retaining means 22 comprises a pressing element 22a rotationally fixed with respect to the stator unit 7, 8 and two retaining recesses 22b obtained on the circumference of the rotor unit 9.

[0069] The pressing element 22a comprises, in particular, a ball suitable for receiving a radial thrust (i.e. directed along a radius) from an elastic element to the longitudinal axis X, which exerts a temporary retaining force when, for example following a rotation of the rotor unit 9, it is (radially) at a respective retaining recess 22b.

[0070] The angular retaining means 22 defines, in use, at least one alignment position A (Figures 8 and 12) that enables the key 6 to be inserted into or extracted from the rotor unit 9. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two alignment positions A (only one of which is shown in Figure 12), defined by the respective retaining recesses 22b, that are angularly spaced apart by 180° with respect to the longitudinal axis X.

[0071] The safety device 1 can comprise an adhesion promoting element 19 (Figures 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6) of substantially annular shape. The adhesion promoting element 19 can be stably coupled with the stator unit 7, 8 to engage with interference with the barrel 2 (i.e. with the inner surface of the barrel 2) to increase the friction between the safety device 1 and the inner surface of the barrel 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the adhesion promoting element 19 is applied to an end portion (Figure 6) of the stator unit 7, 8 which, during operation, faces the user. In this illustrated embodiment, the adhesion promoting element 19 comprises a toroidal mechanical washer made of elastomeric material (of the O-Ring type). The adhesion promoting element 19 is shaped, in particular, to be housed in a groove of the stator unit 7, 8 so as to be compressed during insertion of the safety device 1 into the barrel 2, forming a seal on the interface and exerting a gripping action (Figure 5).

[0072] The rotor unit 9 can comprise a barrel body 13, or pawl, which is also substantially cylindrical and rotatable inside the base body 8. The base body 7 and the barrel body 13 extend parallel to the longitudinal axis X.

[0073] In the illustrated embodiment, the stator unit 7, 8 has a receiving cavity 7a (Figures 2 and 5) for the barrel body 13 that is shaped to enable the barrel body 12 to rotate around further longitudinal axis Y parallel and offset with respect to the longitudinal axis X. The distance (offset) between the longitudinal axis X and the further longitudinal axis Y can be comprised between 0.1 and 20 mm, in particular between 0.5 and 10 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, this distance is 1.5 mm.

[0074] In one embodiment that is not shown, the stator unit has a receiving cavity 7a for the barrel body 13 so shaped that both the barrel body 13 and the screw part 11, 12 are rotatable around the longitudinal axis X.

[0075] The lock driving means 5 comprises, in particular, mechanical joint transmission means 14, 15, 16 (Figures 1, 2, 13, 14 and 15) that are couplable both with the barrel body 13 and with the screw part 11, 12 to transform a rotation of the barrel body 13 (given by the user to the inserted key 6) in a rotation of the screw part 11, 12 around the longitudinal axis X.

[0076] In the illustrated embodiment, the mechanical joint transmission means 14, 15, 16 are configured to couple the barrel body 13 and screw part 11, 12 mechanically so as to transform the rotation of the barrel body 13 around the further longitudinal axis Y in the rotation of the screw part 11, 12 around the longitudinal axis X.

[0077] In one embodiment that is not shown, the mechanical joint transmission means 14, 15, 16 are configured to rotatingly couple the barrel body 13 and the screw part 11, 12 that are rotatable around the same longitudinal axis X.

[0078] In the illustrated embodiment, the mechanical joint transmission means 14, 15, 16 comprise an Oldham joint.

[0079] In the illustrated embodiment, the mechanical joint transmission means 14, 15, 16 comprise two prismatic couplings sliding along two sliding directions S1, S2 that are orthogonal to one another. The prismatic couplings can be simple (as in the illustrated embodiment) or dovetailed (not illustrated).

[0080] In the illustrated embodiment, the mechanical joint transmission means 14, 15, 16 are obtained partially on the end rotor portion 16 (Figures 1, 2, 13, 14 and 15).

[0081] In greater detail, the mechanical joint transmission means comprise an end portion 14 of the barrel body 13 that is rotatable (integrally with the barrel body 13) around the further longitudinal axis Y; the end rotor portion 16 (that, in the illustrated embodiment, has a cylindrical shape) that is rotatable around the longitudinal axis X; and an intermediate joint part 15 (that, in the illustrated embodiment, has a disk shape) axially interposed between the joint portion 14 (or the barrel body 13) and the end rotor portion 16.

[0082] The intermediate part 15 is shaped, in particular, for coupling prismatically with the joint portion 14 of the barrel body 13 and with the end rotor portion 16 so as to permit, during rotation, reciprocal sliding between the intermediate part 15 and the joint portion 14 along a first sliding direction S1 (Figure 14) orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X and reciprocal sliding between the intermediate part 15 and the end rotor portion 16 along a second sliding direction S2 (Figure 15) orthogonal to the first sliding direction S1.

[0083] In other words, with reference in particular to Figure 13A, a first prismatic coupling 13a, 15a with the possibility of sliding along the first sliding direction S1 is achievable between the joint portion 14 and the intermediate part 15. In the illustrated embodiment, the first prismatic coupling comprises a first ridge 13a that protrudes axially from the joint portion 14 and a first groove 15a that is joined to the first ridge 13a and is obtained in the intermediate part 15. In one embodiment that is not shown, it is possible to provide a first ridge on the intermediate part 15 and a first groove in the joint portion 14.

[0084] A second prismatic coupling 15b, 16a with the possibility of sliding along the second sliding direction S2 orthogonal to the first sliding direction S1 is achievable between the intermediate part 15 and the end rotor portion 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the second prismatic coupling comprises a second ridge 15b that protrudes axially from the intermediate part 15 and a second groove 16a - connected to the second ridge 15b - and obtained in the end rotor portion 16. In one embodiment that is not shown, it is possible to provide a second ridge on the end rotor portion 16 and a second groove in the intermediate part 15.

[0085] In the illustrated embodiment, the first groove 15a and the second ridge 15b are provided on axially opposite faces of the intermediate part 15.

[0086] During a complete rotation of the barrel body 13 around the further longitudinal axis Y (or equivalently during a complete rotation of the end rotor portion 16 around the longitudinal axis X), the coupled parts of the prismatic couplings (first ridge 13a - first groove 15a and second ridge 15b -second groove 16a) perform a stroke (along the respective sliding directions S1, S2) equal to twice the distance between the longitudinal axis X and the further longitudinal axis Y.

[0087] In use, the user grasps the safety device 1 in the rest configuration of the anchoring means 4, and inserts the safety device into the barrel 2 of the firearm -from the open side into which the projectile is inserted in normal use - such that the key insertion slot of the rotor unit 9 is accessible. During inserting, the adhesion promoting element 19, by getting compressed, permits coupling by interference of the safety device 1 in the barrel 2 (Figure 5).

[0088] Subsequently, the user inserts the key 6 into the rotor unit 9, inserting the key 6 is permitted in the alignment configuration A between the rotor part 9 and the stator part 8 (Figures 8 and 12). Reaching the alignment configuration A is facilitated by the angular retaining means 22.

[0089] At this point, the user rotates the key 6 - and thus the rotor unit 9, in particular the barrel body 13 - in the anchoring rotation direction R1; in this condition the stator unit 7, 8 is kept in position by the adhesion promoting element 19 (Figures 9 and 10).

[0090] Within a fraction of a revolution angle in the anchoring rotation direction R1 (less than a revolution) of the key 6, the uncouplable connecting means 17 adopts an engagement configuration B (Figure 9) and transmits the rotation motion of the rotor unit 9 to the screw part 11, 12 (Figure 10) in a rotating driving configuration C. In the rotating driving configuration C, the screw part 11, 12 rotates to move the nut element 10 substantially axially, which is kept stable in rotation owing to the interaction with the abutting seat 4a, this configuration enables the entire rotation of the key 6 (and of the rotor unit 9) to be converted into the displacement of the nut element 10. The nut element 10 (which is connected by a screw-nut screw mechanism to the screw part 11, 12) by moving compresses axially the sleeve body 4 and, at the same time, expands the sleeve body 4 radially transversely to the longitudinal axis X by deforming the locking body 3 to exert a determined anchoring force against the inner surface of the barrel 2. The user can continue to rotate the key 6 until a "maximum" anchoring force is exerted on the basis of the force that the user succeeds in imposing on the lock driving means 5. At this point, the anchoring means 4 adopts a work configuration (not shown) in which it is expanded and enables the safety device 1 to obstruct, with interference, the passage of the barrel 2.

[0091] Once the safety device 1 is anchored, the user can counter-rotate the key 6 by rotating the key in the releasing rotation direction R2 (Figure 11), to find one of the alignment positions A (Figures 8 and 12) and extract the key 6. As the alignment positions A are arranged angularly at 180° to one another with respect to the longitudinal axis X, the user can counter-rotate the key 6 within a fraction of a revolution (less than the revolution angle), decoupling the driving teeth 20a, 20b from the driven teeth 21a, 21b without affecting the position of the screw part 11, 12 (or without rotating the latter); i.e. the position is maintained of the screw part 11, 12, of the nut element 10 and of the anchoring means 4 and the "maximum" anchoring force previously reached in the anchoring step is thus guaranteed.

[0092] In other words, the uncouplable connecting means 17 ensures maintenance of a "maximum" anchoring force of the safety device inside the barrel 2 by inhibiting the decrease in anchoring force due to counter-rotation of the rotor unit in a step of removing the key.

[0093] In fact, owing to the particular configuration of the uncouplable connecting means 17, and to the shape and arrangement of the driving teeth 20a, 20b and of the driven teeth 21a, 21b, it is possible to decouple by a fraction of a revolution angle the rotor unit 9 from the screw part 11, 12 in a key 6 extracting step without lessening the anchoring force of the anchoring means 4.

[0094] The mechanical joint transmission means, especially in the case of relatively small diameters of a firearm barrel, in particular same as or less than calibre 20 (for example calibre 20 or calibre 16), enable locks to be coupled that are suitable for relatively small overall dimensions (like the dimension provided in the illustrated embodiment having the barrel body 13 offset with respect to the longitudinal axis X) with anchoring means 4 having an axial symmetry.

[0095] The configuration of the mechanical joint transmission means 14, 15, 16 permits greater tolerance in the coupling between the rotatable parts of the safety device 1.

[0096] Particularly, owing to the mechanical joint transmission means, an offset between the longitudinal axis X and the further offset longitudinal axis Y is possible, i.e. in order to be able to arranged, in the base body of the stator unit 7, the necessary spaces for suitably housing a good number of coding pins (to have many key combinations), and also permitting greater freedom both in fitting the components of the device and in dimensional precision in the processing.

[0097] Further, partially providing the mechanical joint transmission means 14, 15, 16 on the end rotor portion 16 from which the at least one driving tooth 20a, 20b protrudes contributes to the (longitudinal) compactness of the entire safety device 1.

[0098] The interaction of the adhesion promoting element 19 with the barrel 2 permits stable and effective coupling by interference of the safety device 1 with respect to the barrel 2, in particular in an initial anchoring step, or in a final releasing step, in which the rotary movement of the key 6 and of the rotor unit 9 can rotatingly drag the entire safety device 1 as the anchoring means 4 does not exert an anchoring force that is such as to maintain the device rotatingly stable.

[0099] Accordingly, in the light of what has been disclosed and shown above with reference to the attached drawings, it is clear that the safety device 1 successfully achieves all the objects declared above.

Claims

1. Anti-shooting safety device (1) for a barrel (2) of a firearm, in particular of a long-barrelled firearm, comprising: - a substantially cylindrical locking body (3) that is suitable for engaging a mouth of said barrel (2) to prevent a projectile being inserted into said barrel, said locking body (3) extending along a longitudinal axis (X); - anchoring means (4) that is expandable transversely to said longitudinal axis (X) and configured to exert an anchoring force on an inner surface of said barrel (2) to constrain said locking body (3) stably in said barrel (2) and prevent a displacement of said locking body (3), and thus of said safety device (1), with respect to said barrel (2), wherein said anchoring means comprises a sleeve body (4); - lock driving means (5) associated with said anchoring means (4) and drivable, by a respective key (6), in an anchoring rotation direction (R1) to fix said safety device (1) to said barrel (2), and in a releasing rotation direction (R2) to disengage said safety device (1) from said barrel (2), said lock driving means (5) comprising a stator unit (7, 8) arranged in a stationary position with respect to said locking body (3), and a rotor unit (9) suitable for being rotated by said key (6) relatively to said stator unit (8); - displacing means (10) that is drivable by the rotation of said lock driving means (5) and configured to act on and expand, said anchoring means (4) to said inner surface of said barrel (2); - uncouplable connecting means (17) to rotatably uncouple said displacing means (10) from said lock driving means (5) in response to a rotation of a fraction of a revolution angle of said rotor unit (9) in said releasing rotation direction (R2), so as to ensure the maintenance of an anchoring force of said anchoring means (4) with respect to said barrel (2) in the step of removing said key (6) from said rotor unit (9); wherein said displacing means comprises at least one nut element (10) movable axially and suitable for abutting on an abutting face (18) of said sleeve body (4) and configured to compress axially, and expand radially, said sleeve body (4) with respect to said longitudinal axis (X), said abutting face (18) lying on a plane that is transverse to said longitudinal axis (X); wherein said at least one nut element (10) is provided with a nut screw portion, and said lock driving means (5) comprises a screw part (11, 12) suitable for coupling with said nut screw portion, said screw part (11, 12) being connected to said rotor unit (9), so as to convert a rotational movement of said key (6) - and thus of said rotor unit (9) - in an axial movement of said nut element (10); wherein said uncouplable connecting means (17) is obtained on two reciprocally facing portions of said screw part (11, 12) and of said rotor unit (9) respectively, and wherein on said rotor unit (9) at least one driving tooth (20a, 20b) is obtained and on said screw part (11, 12) at least one driven tooth (21a, 21b) is obtained, said at least one driving tooth (20a, 20b) and said at least one driven tooth (21a, 21b) being positioned to come into reciprocal contact; wherein said at least one driving tooth (20a, 20b) comprises a first driving tooth (20a) and a second driving tooth (20b), and wherein said at least one driven tooth (21a, 21b) comprises a first driven tooth (21a) and a second driven tooth (21b); and wherein said first driving tooth (20a) and said second driving tooth (20b) are placed at different radial distances from said longitudinal axis (X), said radial distances corresponding to further radial distances between said first driven tooth (21a) and said second driven tooth (21b), so that, during rotation of said rotor unit (9), said first driving tooth (20a) can contact said first driven tooth (21a) without contacting said second driven tooth (21b), and said second driving tooth (20b) can contact said second driven tooth (21b) without contacting said first driven tooth (21a).

2. Locking device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve body (4) is connected to said stator unit (7, 8) and configured to interact with said displacing means (10), an axial hole (23) being obtained in said sleeve body (4), said axial hole (23) being arranged for receiving at least partially said rotor unit (9).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said anchoring means (4) is made of an elastomeric material chosen from a unit comprising: natural rubber, silicone, neoprene, in general a synthetic rubber.

4. Locking device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said anchoring means (4) has an abutting seat (4a) arranged for abutting on said displacing means (10) so that said displacing means (10) can transmit an axial force to said anchoring means (4) and shaped to prevent a relative rotation around said longitudinal axis (X) between said anchoring means (4) and said displacing means (10).

5. Safety device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one driving tooth (20a, 20b) and said at least one driven tooth (21a, 21b) are positioned at the same radial distance from said longitudinal axis (X) so that said at least one driving tooth (20a, 20b) can abut on and push said at least one driven tooth (21a, 21b) at a rotation action of said rotor unit (9) in the anchoring rotation direction (R1) and disengages said at least one driven tooth (21a, 21b) by a fraction of a revolution angle at a further rotation action of said rotor unit (9) in the releasing rotation direction (R2).

6. Safety device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one driving tooth (20a, 20b) protrudes substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis (X) from an end rotor portion (16) of said rotor unit (9) and said at least one driven tooth (21a, 21b) protrudes substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis (X) from an end screw portion (24) of said screw part (11, 12), said end rotor portion (16) and said end screw portion (24) facing one another.

7. Safety device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one driving tooth (20a, 20b) extends angularly with respect to said longitudinal axis (X) by an angle comprised between 1 and 180 degrees, in particular between 45 and 25 degrees, and wherein said at least one driven tooth (21a, 21b) extends angularly with respect to said longitudinal axis (X) by a further angle comprised between 1 and 180 degrees, in particular between 45 and 25 degrees so as to permit a free rotation of a fraction of a revolution angle of said rotor unit (9) in said releasing rotation direction (R2) during the step of removing the key (6), in which said fraction of a revolution angle can reach 240°.

8. Safety device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said rotor unit (9) comprises a barrel body (13) and said stator unit (11, 12) has a receiving cavity (7a) shaped to receive said barrel body (13), and in which said lock driving means (5) comprises mechanical joint transmission means (14, 15, 16) couplable with said barrel body (13) and with said screw part (11, 12) to transform a rotation of said barrel body (13) in a rotation of said screw part (11, 12) around said longitudinal axis (X).

9. Safety device (1) according to claim 8, wherein said receiving cavity (7a) is further shaped to enable rotation thereof around a further longitudinal axis (Y) parallel and offset with respect to said longitudinal axis (X), said mechanical joint transmission means (14, 15, 16) being configured to transform a rotation of said barrel body (13) around said further longitudinal axis (Y) in a rotation of said screw part (11, 12) around said longitudinal axis (X).

10. Safety device (1) according to claim 8 or 9 as claim 8 is appended to claim 6, wherein said mechanical joint transmission means (14, 15, 16) are partially obtained on said end rotor portion (16).

11. Safety device (1) according to claim 10, wherein said mechanical joint transmission means (14, 15, 16) comprise an intermediate part (15) positioned between said end rotor portion (16) and said barrel body (13) and shaped for coupling prismatically at an end portion (14) of said barrel body (13) and with said end rotor portion (16) so as to permit, during rotation, reciprocal sliding between said intermediate part (15) and said joint portion (14) along a first sliding direction (S1) orthogonal to said longitudinal axis (X) and reciprocal sliding between said intermediate part (15) and said end rotor portion (16) along a second sliding direction (S2) orthogonal to said first sliding direction (S1).

12. Safety device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, and comprising angular retaining means (22) configured to temporarily retain said rotor unit (9) with respect to said stator unit (7, 8) according to a predefined angular orientation to enable the key (6) to be extracted from and inserted into said rotor unit (9).

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