Handgun Trigger Guard Safety Device with Self-Ejecting Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concealed handguns often lack traditional safety mechanisms, leading to accidental discharges due to foreign objects or improper handling, and may not be ready for immediate use when drawn from a pocket or purse.
Innovation Solution
A safety device for the trigger guard of a handgun, comprising a cover, locking member, releasing member, and ejecting unit, which covers the trigger guard, locks into place, and self-ejects when disengaged, preventing accidental firing and ensuring the handgun is operable upon removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional manually operated on-off safety is added to a handgun, then the risk of accidental discharge is reduced, but the device complexity and ease of operation are worsened due to additional manual steps required
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device automatically ejects from the trigger guard when the handgun is removed from the pocket or purse, without requiring manual operation. The device serves itself by using the natural motion of drawing the handgun to trigger the ejection mechanism, thus eliminating the need for the user to manually activate or deactivate a safety mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the handgun is kept concealed in a pocket or purse, then portability is improved, but the risk of accidental discharge increases due to foreign objects entwining with the trigger
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device is positioned over the trigger guard in advance to prevent foreign objects from contacting the trigger. By establishing this protective barrier before any accidental contact can occur, the device preemptively counteracts the harmful effect of keys or other objects entwining with the trigger during concealed carry.
3Reliability
If a safety mechanism is added to ensure the handgun is ready to fire, then reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it covers the trigger guard to prevent accidental discharge, locks into place to ensure proper positioning, and automatically ejects when the handgun is drawn. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate safety mechanisms while maintaining reliability.
4Reliability
If the trigger guard is covered to prevent accidental firing, then safety is improved, but the ease of operation is worsened due to additional steps to access the trigger
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device transitions from a static covered state to a dynamic ejected state based on the motion of the handgun. The cover is initially in place to prevent accidental firing, but automatically moves to an ejected position when the handgun is drawn from the pocket or purse, thus dynamically adapting to the user's needs without requiring manual intervention.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The safety device significantly reduces the risk of unintended discharges and ensures the handgun is ready for use by locking the trigger guard and self-ejecting when needed, enhancing user safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The ejecting unit can bias the cover to eject the safety device from the handgun when the locking member is moved to the disengaged position
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for increasing the safety of a handgun. In certain implementations, the apparatus provides a safety device that includes a cover having an ejecting unit, a locking pin, and a releasing plate. The safety device is configured to cover both sides of a trigger guard of the handgun when the safety device is locked to the handgun. The releasing plate is coupled to the locking pin. The releasing plate is disposed on a surface of the safety device so as to be accessible by the user. Preferably, the releasing plate is activated by a user's finger. The releasing plate selectively disengages the locking pin from the trigger guard by movement of the user's finger. When engaged, the locking pin prevents the safety device from being removed from the handgun. When disengaged, the locking pin allows the safety device from being removed from the handgun. In certain embodiments, the ejection unit self-ejects the safety device from the handgun.