The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/695,084 filed on Aug. 30, 2012.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to an apparatus used for virtual firearms training. More specifically, the present invention is an air gun that is able to realistically simulate targeted gunfire using a laser, weapon recoil, trigger activity, ammunition count, and weapon jamming.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONLaw enforcement and military training often place trainees into situations that require quick visual and mental assessment of the situation as well as an appropriate response with a weapon. Trainees are often subjected to adverse situations to test their abilities to effectively react. While physically they closely resemble their true firearm counterparts, air guns are usually not suitable for providing a realistic simulation of live firearm use. It is difficult to simulate the intricate mechanics of firearm use such as unexpected weapon jams in firefights and realistic weapon recoil. Thus, there are many problems with realistically presenting these kinds of situations to a trainee using air guns. It is often necessary to utilize The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) certified non-gun (de-militarized) firearms retrofitted with laser and recoil kits. However, there is an increased security risk with the distribution and usage of ATF certified non-gun alternatives as these are real firearms that have been demilitarized whereas air guns have always been toys, not created from real weapon molds, only modeled after real firearms. Although ATF certified non-guns reasonably simulate the recoil of a firearm loaded with live ammunition, they are still treated as real weapons, locked in secure storage containers when not in use. This requires a higher level of logistics and weapon tracking that would otherwise be unnecessary with air guns. Alternatively, an air gun is considered a toy by the ATF and therefore does not require enhanced security when not in use. The present invention seeks to address the problems faced when attempting to provide a realistic shooting experience with air guns while circumventing the security requirements brought about by other solutions such as ATF certified non-guns.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a non-lethal, air-gun training weapon for realistically simulating the behavior of a live firearm. The present invention provides an air-gun to simulate the weight and feel of a live firearm. A laser assembly housed within the air-gun allows users to track their dry fired shots in lieu of using air gun ammunition such as pellets. Compressed air or gas stored in a gas container is provided to the air gun in a manner normal to an air gun. The gas container is positioned within a magazine to further simulate a live firearm. Upon firing the non-lethal, air-gun training weapon, the sudden release of compressed air or other gas into the air-gun actuates a bolt through a bolt chamber towards the stock at the rear of the air-gun. This allows the user to reasonably simulate the recoil generated from the momentum of a real firearm. An electromechanical system housed within the magazine features a transceiver that is capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving information from an external computer system. This allows the non-lethal, air-gun training weapon to track the user's trigger pulls which in turn allows the system to track ammunition count as well. Another example would involve the computer receiving information about the tilt and cant of an air gun from sensors that are included in the electromechanical magazine. The external computer system is capable of sending a command to jam the air-gun training weapon to force the user to rectify the problem before continuing to fire. When the exhaustion of ammunition or weapon jamming has been rectified, the user may begin shooting again. These combined features of the present invention provide the air gun user with realistic situations that may arise during the use of a real firearm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 is a right side view of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a right side sectional view of the receiver, magazine, and electromechanical assembly.
FIG. 3 is a right side sectional view of the receiver showing the gas release pin engaging the gas release valve.
FIG. 4 is a right side sectional view of the receiver showing the jamming rod engaging the bolt.
FIG. 5 is a right side sectional view showing the laser assembly being positioned within the barrel of the air-gun.
FIG. 6 is a right side sectional view of the electromechanical assembly housed within the magazine.
FIG. 7 is a right side sectional view of the magazine having a gas refill valve in fluid communication with the gas container.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the laser assembly.
FIG. 9 is a right side sectional view of the laser assembly.
FIG. 10 is a right side sectional view of the laser assembly having a laser battery.
FIG. 11 is a diagram depicting the transceiver, jamming device, and bolt sensor being electronically connected to the controller board.
FIG. 12 is a diagram depicting the electrical connections of the electromechanical assembly and the laser assembly in a one battery system.
FIG. 13 is a diagram depicting the electrical connections of the electromechanical assembly in a two battery system.
FIG. 14 is a diagram depicting the electrical connections of the laser assembly in a two battery system.
DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTIONAll illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is a non-lethal, air-gun training weapon that is capable of realistically simulating targeted gunfire, weapon recoil, trigger161 activity, ammunition count, and weapon jamming. The non-lethal, air-gun training weapon is created as a toy, therefore, the non-lethal, air-gun training weapon can never be used as a real firearm. The non-lethal, air-gun training weapon comprises an air-gun1, amagazine2, alaser assembly3 and an electromechanical assembly4. The air-gun1 serves as the main body of the non-lethal, air-gun training weapon and acts to provide the same weight and feel of a real firearm. Thelaser assembly3 is positioned within the air-gun1, while the electromechanical assembly4 is housed within themagazine2. Themagazine2 is removably attached to the air-gun1 such that themagazine2 may be detached in order to simulate the reloading of a weapon.
In reference toFIG. 1-2, the air-gun1 comprises areceiver11, abarrel12, abolt13, abolt chamber14, agas channel15, and afiring mechanism16. Thereceiver11 is the central body of the air-gun1 and the component to which themagazine2 is attached via a port along the bottom of thereceiver11. Thegas channel15 traverses into thereceiver11 through this port and into thebolt chamber14. Thefiring mechanism16 is positioned within thereceiver11 adjacent to the port. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thefiring mechanism16 is similar to that of a traditional firearm and comprises atrigger161, ahammer162, and agas release pin163. Thetrigger161 traverses out of thereceiver11, such that thetrigger161 may be engaged by a user. Through thehammer162, thetrigger161 is operatively coupled to thegas release pin163. Thehammer162 is spring loaded and is held in a compressed state through a mechanical coupling to thetrigger161. When thetrigger161 is pulled back, thehammer162 is released from the compressed state and pivots within thereceiver11 to engage thegas release pin163. Thegas release pin163 is slidably positioned within thereceiver11 such that when thegas release pin163 is engaged by thehammer162, thegas release pin163 is pushed forward towards the port in thereceiver11 designed to retain themagazine2.
Thebarrel12 is adjacently connected to the front of thereceiver11 and provides a channel in which thelaser assembly3 is positioned. Thebarrel12 is positioned such that it is concentric with thebolt chamber14, as shown inFIG. 5. Thebolt chamber14 is a cylindrical channel that traverses into thereceiver11. Thebolt13 is spring loaded and is slidably positioned within thebolt chamber14. When the non-lethal, air-gun training weapon is fired, thebolt13 is forced towards the back of thereceiver11 in order to simulate the recoil of a real firearm. As thebolt13 moves towards the back of thereceiver11, abolt13 spring is compressed, which then decompresses to return thebolt13 back to an unfired position. As thebolt13 traverses along thebolt chamber14 towards the back of thereceiver11, thebolt13 also acts to reset thehammer162.
In reference toFIG. 6, themagazine2 comprises amagazine casing21, agas container22, agas release valve23, and a gas release vent. Thegas container22 is a closed cylindrical tube positioned within themagazine casing21. Thegas container22 may be permanently connected within themagazine casing21 or removably attached within the container, such that thegas container22 can be replaced, refilled externally, etc. Thegas release valve23 is positioned into themagazine casing21, such that thegas release valve23 can be actuated through the side of themagazine casing21. Thegas release valve23 is coupled to thegas container22 and is used to regulate the release of compressed gas from thegas container22. When themagazine casing21 is attached to thereceiver11 via the port at the bottom of thereceiver11, thegas container22 is in fluid communication with thegas channel15 through thegas release valve23. In this way, thegas container22 is pneumatically coupled to both thelaser assembly3 and thebolt13 through thegas channel15 and thebolt chamber14.
When the non-lethal, air-gun training weapon is fired, thegas release pin163 engages thegas release valve23 as shown inFIG. 3, which in turn opens thegas container22, allowing compressed gas to travel through thegas channel15 and into thebolt chamber14. The force of the compressed gas then actuates thelaser assembly3 and sets thebolt13 in motion within thebolt chamber14. Thegas release valve23 is spring loaded, such that when thehammer162 is reset by thebolt13, thegas release valve23 closes thegas container22 and forces thegas release pin163 back into the unfired position. As thebolt13 traverses along thebolt chamber14, the compressed gas is vented through openings in thebolt chamber14, when the bolt cycles far enough to release the gas and reset the trigger, and openings in thereceiver11 in order to depressurize thebolt chamber14.
In reference toFIG. 7, if thegas container22 is designed to be permanently positioned within themagazine casing21, then themagazine2 further comprises agas refill valve24. Similar to thegas release valve23, thegas refill valve24 is positioned into themagazine casing21, such that thegas refill valve24 can be accessed through the top, bottom, or one of the sides of themagazine casing21. Thegas refill valve24 is in fluid communication with thegas container22. Thegas refill valve24 is a one way valve that when open allows thegas container22 to be filled with compressed gas.
In reference toFIG. 6, the electromechanical assembly4 is contained by themagazine2 of the air-gun1 and comprises atransceiver41, acontroller board42, a jammingdevice43, abolt sensor44, and abattery45. Thetransceiver41, thecontroller board42, and thebattery45 are positioned within themagazine casing21, while thebolt sensor44 is positioned into the top of themagazine casing21 that engages thereceiver11 of the air-gun1. Thebattery45 supplies current to power the other components of the electromechanical assembly4 and, as such, thetransceiver41, thecontroller board42, the jammingdevice43, and thebolt sensor44 are electrically connected to thebattery45, as depicted inFIG. 12-13. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thebattery45 is rechargeable and can be charged through a pair of leads positioned on the bottom of themagazine casing21. If thebattery45 is not rechargeable, then an access panel may be built into themagazine casing21 in order to remove and replace thebattery45.
Thecontroller board42 is a programmable chip or similar device that is electronically connected to thetransceiver41, the jammingdevice43, and thebolt sensor44, as depicted inFIG. 11. Thetransceiver41 is capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data to and from an external computer system. Signals received by thecontroller board42 from thetransceiver41 and/orbolt sensor44 are analyzed and used to initiate activation of the jammingdevice43. When the user pulls thetrigger161 of the air-gun1, thebolt sensor44 detects the movement of thebolt13 within thebolt chamber14 in order to determine the simulation of a shot being fired. If thetrigger161 is pulled and thebolt sensor44 is able to detect thebolt13 within the cycle time of thebolt13, then thecontroller board42 is able to determine that a shot has been fired. Thebolt sensor44 can be any type of sensor, such as a magnetic or optical sensor. If a magnetic sensor is utilized, then a magnet is also connected to thebolt13.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, data is constantly transferred bi-directionally between thecontroller board42 and the external computer system via thetransceiver41. The signal from thebolt sensor44 is sent to thecontroller board42 and then transmitted to the external computer system via thetransceiver41. The external computer system can then record the number of simulated laser rounds fired by the non-lethal, air-gun training weapon. When the number of simulated laser rounds fired reaches a predetermined limit, the external computer system transmits a signal to thecontroller board42 via thetransceiver41, commanding thecontroller board42 to activate thejamming device43. This is done in order to simulate un-jamming/clearing of the non-lethal, air-gun training weapon. Once activated, the jammingdevice43 prevents the user from firing any further simulated laser rounds until a predetermined procedure has been carried out. Upon performing the predetermined procedure, the jammingdevice43 is deactivated and the user is able to once again fire thelaser assembly3, resuming simulated fire. The external computer system may also randomly send a signal to activate thejamming device43 in order to simulate the random jamming of a real firearm. In all embodiments of the present invention, thecontroller board42 is capable of recording the number of simulated laser rounds fired and/or determining when to activate thejamming device43.
In reference toFIG. 2 andFIG. 4, the jammingdevice43 comprises a jammingrod431 and anactuating mechanism432. Theactuating mechanism432 is positioned within themagazine casing21, while the jammingrod431 is bistably positioned through themagazine casing21. When the jammingdevice43 is deactivated the jammingrod431 is positioned within themagazine casing21. The jammingrod431 is operatively coupled to theactuating mechanism432, such that when the jammingdevice43 is activated the jammingrod431 traverses out of themagazine casing21 and prevents the non-lethal, air-gun training weapon from being fired. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, theactuating mechanism432 comprises a solenoid, a solenoid arm, and a mount block. The solenoid arm is connected to the mount block and slidably attached to the solenoid. The jammingrod431 has a notched end that is positioned in the mount block. A spring pin traverses through the mount block into the notched end of the jammingrod431 and holds the jammingrod431 in the deactivated position. When the external computer system transmits a command to jam the non-lethal, air-gun training weapon via thetransceiver41, thecontroller board42 sends an electric current through the solenoid, which in turn causes the solenoid arm and mount block to move. Movement of the mount block disengages the notched end of the jammingrod431 form the spring pin. A spring connected to the jammingrod431 then forces the jammingrod431 to traverse out of themagazine casing21 into thereceiver11 and intobolt chamber14. While positioned in thebolt chamber14, the jammingrod431 engages thebolt13, preventing thebolt13 from returning to the unfired position. In this state, thebolt13 prevents thehammer162 from engaging thegas release pin163, thus locking thefiring mechanism16 and preventing the non-lethal, air-gun training weapon from being fired. In order to deactivate thejamming device43, the jammingrod431 must be manually reset. The jammingrod431 is reset by removing themagazine2 from the air-gun1 and pressing the jammingrod431 back into themagazine casing21. When the jammingrod431 is pushed back into themagazine casing21, a spring under the mount block raises the mount block such that notched end of the jammingrod431 once again engages the spring pin.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, theactuating mechanism432 is again a solenoid. The jammingrod431 is directly attached to the solenoid such that linear motion of the jammingrod431 is directly controlled by the solenoid. When the external computer system transmits a command to jam the non-lethal, air-gun training weapon via thetransceiver41, thecontroller board42 sends an electric current through the solenoid, which in turn causes the jammingrod431 to traverse out through themagazine casing21. When the external computer system transmits a command to un-jam the non-lethal, air-gun training weapon, thecontroller board42 removes the current to the solenoid, which in turn allows the jammingrod431 to slide back into themagazine casing21, thus allowing the user to fire the non-lethal, air-gun training weapon again.
In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, theactuating mechanism432 is a motor. The jammingrod431 is operatively coupled to the motor in order to control the position of the jammingrod431. When the external computer system transmits a command to jam the non-lethal, air-gun training weapon via thetransceiver41, thecontroller board42 sends an electric current through the motor, which in turn causes the jammingrod431 to traverse out through themagazine casing21. When the external computer system transmits a command to un-jam the non-lethal, air-gun training weapon, thecontroller board42 reverses the current flow through the motor, which in turn pulls the jammingrod431 back into themagazine casing21, thus allowing the user to fire the non-lethal, air-gun training weapon again.
In yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the jammingrod431 engages thegas release pin163 instead of thebolt13. When activated, the jammingrod431 traverses out of themagazine casing21 into thereceiver11. The jammingrod431 then engages thegas release pin163, such that thegas release pin163 is unable to engage thegas release valve23. This in turn prevents compressed gas from being released from thegas container22 and thus the non-lethal, air-gun training weapon from being fired. It is also possible in other embodiments for the jammingrod431 to engage thegas release valve23, such that compressed gas cannot be released from thegas container22.
In reference toFIG. 5, thelaser assembly3 is positioned within the air-gun1 and comprises alaser housing31, adiode aperture33, and alaser diode32. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thelaser assembly3 is positioned into thebarrel12 of the air-gun1 adjacent to thebolt chamber14. Thelaser assembly3 may be fully positioned within thebarrel12 or partially positioned within both thebarrel12 and thebolt chamber14. It is also possible for thelaser assembly3 to be fully positioned within thebolt chamber14 adjacent to thebarrel12. Thelaser housing31 is a thin walled cylindrical structure that is appropriately sized to be positioned within the air-gun1. Thelaser housing31 may be permanently connected to the air-gun1 or removably attached to the air-gun1, such that thelaser assembly3 may be replaced or maintained. The laser aperture is a small hole that traverses into the end of thelaser housing31 that is directed away from thebolt chamber14. Thelaser diode32 is positioned within thelaser housing31 adjacent to thediode aperture33, such that light emitted from thelaser diode32 is directed out of thelaser housing31 through thediode aperture33 and out of the air-gun1 through thebarrel12. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thelaser diode32 is a light emitting diode, however, any other type of light source may be used. The light emitted from thelaser diode32 may or may not be visible to the human eye under normal conditions. For example, the type of light that may be emitted includes, but is not limited to, light waves in the visible, infrared, or near-infrared spectrum.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thelaser diode32 is electrically connected to thebattery45, as depicted inFIG. 12. Electrical wire connects thebattery45 to a pair of leads on the outside of themagazine2. Similarly, electrical wire connects thelaser assembly3 to a pair of leads in thereceiver11. When themagazine2 is attached to the air-gun1, the pair of leads on themagazine2 engages the pair of leads in thereceiver11. This acts to form a circuit between thebattery45 and thelaser assembly3. When thebolt sensor44 detects that a simulated laser round has been fired (i.e. detects that thebolt13 has cycled), thecontroller board42 allows current to flow through the circuit, thus illuminating thelaser diode32. In this way, thelaser assembly3 is able to simulate any type of weapon firing mode (i.e. semi-automatic, burst, fully automatic). Because the path of the light emitted from thelaser diode32 is unimpeded, thelaser assembly3 is able to emit light in a straight line and thus simulate the path that a live round would follow if fired from a real firearm. The light emitted from thelaser diode32 can be tracked using photo-sensors, electro-optical sensors or any other light detection methods. Sensors can be positioned on specific targets or assembled as an entire screen or dome structure. Activation of sensors is recorded by an external computer system and used to determine if the user has successfully hit his or her targets.
In reference toFIG. 10, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, thelaser assembly3 further comprises apressure switch34 and alaser battery35. Thelaser battery35 is positioned within thelaser housing31 in between thelaser diode32 and thepressure switch34. Instead of being electrically connected to thebattery45, thelaser diode32 and thepressure switch34 are electrically connected to thelaser battery35, as depicted inFIG. 14. The electrical connection of thelaser diode32,pressure switch34, andlaser battery35 forms a normally open circuit. Activation of thepressure switch34 by the compressed gas closes the normally open circuit and thus allows current to flow through thelaser diode32.
In reference toFIG. 8-9, thepressure switch34 is adjacently connected to thelaser housing31 opposite thediode aperture33. Thepressure switch34 is actuated by the sudden pressure change in thebolt chamber14, which is generated by the discharge of compressed gas from thegas container22 upon thetrigger161 being pulled. While in some embodiments thepressure switch34 of thelaser assembly3 is pneumatically operated, it is also possible for thepressure switch34 to be mechanically operated. Thepressure switch34 traverses into thelaser housing31 and is electrically coupled to thelaser diode32, such that thelaser diode32 is turned on and off in order to simulate gunfire when thepressure switch34 is activated or deactivated, respectively. Thepressure switch34 allows thelaser assembly3 to be activated to simulate any type of weapon firing mode (i.e. semi-automatic, burst, fully automatic). When thepressure switch34 is activated, light is emitted from thelaser diode32 out of thebarrel12 of the air-gun1.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.