TRIGGER GUARD SAFETY DEVICE FOR A WEAPON

Abstract

A trigger guard safety device for movement of a trigger of a weapon is provided. The trigger guard safety device is unobtrusive and molded to fit around the trigger guard of a weapon such that the trigger guard safety device physically prevents access to and depression of the trigger. The trigger guard safety device is of unitary construction and comprises sides, bottom, and depressions formed in the sides. When secured in place, the trigger guard safety device provides for safe transportation of a loaded weapon while allowing quick discharge of the weapon when necessary.

Claims

1. A trigger guard safety device for restricting access to and depression of a trigger of a weapon, the trigger guard safety device comprising: a first side having a first flange and a first depression, a second side having a second flange and a second depression, and a bottom joining the first side and the second side, wherein the trigger guard safety device has a semiflexible construction allowing the first side to move away from the second side upon the application of a separating force thereto, and wherein the trigger guard safety device is constructed and arranged to allow the trigger guard safety device to be releasably secured around a trigger guard of a weapon such that the first side, the second side, and the bottom clasp the trigger guard when installed thereon.

2. The trigger guard safety device of claim 1, wherein the first side, the second side, and the bottom have a unitary construction comprising a continuous substantially u-shaped molded material.

3. The trigger guard safety device of claim 2, wherein the unitary construction comprises a continuous substantially u-shaped Kydex resinous material.

4. The trigger guard safety device of claim 1, wherein the flanges are located at the end of the sides opposite from the bottom and extend between substantially 30 degrees to substantially 90 degrees from the weapon at a location above the trigger and trigger guard when installed thereon.

5. The trigger guard safety device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the flanges includes an extended portion that extends longitudinally from the flange in the opposite direction of the barrel of the weapon when installed thereon.

6. The trigger guard safety device of claim 1, wherein the first depression and the second depression are constructed and arranged to extend into a cavity created by the trigger guard of the weapon when installed thereon to physically prevent access to and depression of the trigger.

7. The trigger guard safety device of claim 1, further comprising at least one hole formed in the bottom and constructed and arranged for attaching a tether.

8. The trigger guard safety device of claim 7, wherein the tether comprises a first end for attaching the tether to the trigger guard safety device and a second end for attaching the tether to a person holding the weapon.

9. The trigger guard safety device of claim 7, wherein the tether comprises a first end for attaching the tether to the trigger guard safety device and a second end for attaching the tether to another object.

10. The trigger guard safety device of claim 7, wherein the tether comprises a first end for attaching the tether to the trigger guard safety device and a second end for attaching the tether to the weapon.

11. A method for avoiding an unintended discharge of a loaded weapon while providing for quickly drawing and discharging the weapon, comprising the steps of: providing a trigger guard safety device, the trigger guard safety device comprising: a first side having a first flange and a first depression, a second side having a second flange and a second depression, and a bottom joining the first side and the second side, wherein the trigger guard safety device has a semiflexible construction allowing the first side to move away from the second side upon the application of a separating force thereto. releasably securing the trigger guard safety device around a trigger guard of a weapon, wherein the first depression and second depression are constructed and arranged to extend into a cavity created by the trigger guard of the weapon when installed thereon to physically prevent access to and depression of a trigger, securing a tether to the trigger guard safety device, the tether comprising a first end and a second end, drawing the weapon, and removing the trigger guard safety device, wherein drawing the weapon causes the automatic action of the tether to remove the trigger guard safety device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of removing the trigger guard safety device includes applying pressure against at least one of the flanges to assist in releasing the trigger guard safety device from the weapon.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of securing a tether includes attaching the first end of the tether to the trigger guard safety device and attaching the second end of the tether to another object.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of securing a tether includes attaching the first end of the tether to the trigger guard safety device and attaching the second end of the tether to a person holding the weapon.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of securing a tether includes attaching the first end of the tether to the trigger guard safety device and attaching the second end of the tether to the weapon.

16. A method for avoiding an unintended discharge of a loaded weapon while providing for quickly drawing and discharging the weapon, comprising the steps of: providing a trigger guard safety device, the trigger guard safety device comprising: a first side having a first flange and a first depression, a second side having a second flange and a second depression, and a bottom joining the first side and the second side, wherein the trigger guard safety device has a semiflexible construction allowing the first side to move away from the second side upon the application of a separating force thereto. releasably securing the trigger guard safety device around a trigger guard of a weapon, wherein the first depression and second depression are constructed and arranged to extend into a cavity created by the trigger guard of the weapon when installed thereon to physically prevent access to and depression of a trigger, drawing the weapon, and removing the trigger guard safety device by applying pressure against at least one of the flanges to release the trigger guard safety device from the weapon.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] The embodiments described herein and other features, advantages and disclosures contained herein, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a trigger guard safety device in accordance with an embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a bottom-side perspective view of a trigger guard safety device in accordance with an embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a trigger guard safety device in accordance with an embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a trigger guard safety device in accordance with an embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a trigger guard safety device in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.

[0022] In FIGS. 1-5, an embodiment of a trigger guard safety device 10 is shown. The trigger guard safety device 10 comprises sides 11, bottom 12, depressions 13, and flanges 14. In one embodiment, the trigger guard safety device 10 can be formed from a plastic material such as Kydex® resinous material that is moldable when heated and then hardens to a rigid but semiflexible material. It should be understood by one of skill in the art that others materials can be used to make the trigger guard safety device 10.

[0023] The rigid but semiflexible nature of the trigger guard safety device 10 allows the sides 11 to flex around the trigger guard of a weapon when securing the trigger guard safety device 10 in place. The rigid but semiflexible nature of the trigger guard safety device 10 causes the sides 11 to snap back to their original configuration after positioning of the trigger guard safety device 10 around the trigger guard of a weapon. In some embodiments, the bottom 12 of the trigger guard safety device 10 rests under the trigger guard and fits snuggly against the trigger guard.

[0024] The trigger guard safety device 10 may be molded to the configuration of the trigger guard of a weapon such that when the trigger guard safety device 10 is placed on the trigger guard, the depressions 13 of sides 11 fit inside the cavity created by the trigger guard. Sides 11 snap in place around the trigger guard of a weapon, and the rigid but semiflexible nature of sides 11 and depressions 13 act to secure the trigger guard safety device 10 in place. The sides 11 and depressions 13 of the trigger guard safety device 10 physically prevent access to and depression of the trigger to avoid unintended discharge of the weapon.

[0025] The flanges 14 of the trigger guard safety device 10 may be located in some embodiments at the end of sides 11 of the u-shaped trigger guard safety device 10 such that when the trigger guard safety device 10 is secured in place the flanges 14 extend from substantially 30 degrees to substantially 90 degrees from the weapon at a location above the trigger and trigger guard. The flanges 14 may also include an extended portion 15 that extends longitudinally from the flanges 14 behind the trigger guard in the opposite direction of the barrel of the weapon. The flanges 14 aid in removal of the trigger guard safety device 10 to allow for quick discharge of the weapon.

[0026] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, one embodiment of the trigger guard safety device 10 comprises at least one hole 20. The at least one hole 20 allows for the attachment of a lanyard to the trigger guard safety device 10 through the at least one hole 20. The opposite end of the lanyard may then be secured to another object such that when the weapon is grabbed from its storage location the trigger guard safety device 10 is quickly and automatically removed from the weapon by the action of the lanyard. It should be understood by one of skill in the art that other tethers may be used in place of the lanyard. In other embodiments, the opposite end of the lanyard may be secured to the weapon instead of another object. In such embodiments, the lanyard does not automatically remove the trigger guard safety device 10, but merely retains the trigger guard safety device 10 with the weapon after the trigger guard safety device 10 is removed.

[0027] The embodiments described herein provide a streamlined trigger guard safety device for avoiding unintended discharges of a loaded weapon while allowing for easy transport and rapid discharge, when necessary. The embodiments described herein provide an easy to operate and unobtrusive trigger guard safety device for securing the trigger of a weapon without requiring additional special storage or safety devices. Furthermore, the embodiments described herein provide a trigger guard safety device of simple construction with minimal obstructions to impede quickly drawing and discharging a loaded weapon. In particular, many embodiments of the trigger guard safety device exhibit a perimeter that is smooth and without protrusions that could catch on clothing or holsters, which would thereby impede the rapid removal of the weapon from such clothing or holster.

[0028] While the embodiments have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only certain embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the embodiments are desired to be protected.