Firearm laser training system and method employing modified blank cartridges for simulating operation of a firearm

• US 20030175661A1
• Filed: 03/17/2003
• Published: 09/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eotech, LLC
• Original Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rosa, Stephen P., Shechter, Motti
• Granted Patent: US 6,935,864 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/19
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 21/26 specially adapted for recoil reinforcement, e.g. for training purposes
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 33/00 Adaptations for training adaptations of barrels for recoil reinforcement F41A21/26; Gun simulators teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26 ; shooting games A63F9/02; military simulation G09B9/003
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 33/02 Light- or radiation-emitting guns ; Light- or radiation-sensitive guns; Cartridges carrying light emitting sources, e.g. laser
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/35 for illuminating the target , e.g. flash lights
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2655 in which the light beam is sent from the weapon to the target

Abstract

A firearm laser training system according to the present invention includes a laser transmitter assembly and a cartridge adapter assembly, while employing modified blank cartridges to simulate firearm operation. The modified blank cartridges each have a quantity of explosive substance sufficient only to cycle the firearm. The laser assembly is configured for attachment to a firearm barrel and front sight and emits a beam of laser light toward a training system target in response to actuation of the firearm trigger. The laser beam is generally in the form of a pulse having a duration sufficient for the system target to detect a beam impact location. The cartridge assembly is disposed within the firearm barrel to adapt the firearm for compatibility with the modified blank cartridges for simulating firearm operation.

Claims

1. A system employing mock cartridges for simulating operation of a firearm, wherein said firearm includes a frame to receive said mock cartridges, a barrel coupled to said frame and having a gas port disposed toward a barrel distal end to direct gas within said barrel and released from an exhausted cartridge towards said firearm frame to facilitate cycling of firearm operation and a sight disposed along said barrel to facilitate user aim of said firearm, said system comprising:

a barrel assembly for insertion within said barrel and including;

a cartridge member disposed toward a barrel assembly proximal end to engage and secure a loaded mock cartridge within said firearm, wherein said cartridge member is configured to enable gas released from said mock cartridge to pass therethrough and traverse said barrel in response to firing of said mock cartridge; and

a guide member attached to and extending distally from said cartridge member to direct said released gas traversing said barrel into said gas port to facilitate cycling of firearm operation; and

a securing member disposed toward a distal end of said barrel to engage and secure said guide member within said barrel during simulation of firearm operation.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said guide member includes:

a support rod attached to said cartridge member and having a transverse cross-section substantially less than that of said barrel to permit said released gas to traverse said barrel; and

a guide rod attached to a distal end of said support rod and having a transverse cross-section substantially similar to that of said barrel to impede traversal of said barrel by said released gas;

wherein a proximal end of said guide rod is disposed within said barrel proximate said gas port and directs released gas traversing said barrel into said gas port to facilitate cycling of said firearm.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said cartridge member includes:

a base attached to a proximal end of said support rod; and

a cartridge engagement member attached to a proximal end of said base and configured to receive a distal portion of said loaded mock cartridge;

wherein at least one opening is defined within each of said base and said cartridge engagement member to enable said released gas to pass through said cartridge member and traverse said barrel to facilitate cycling of said firearm.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said securing member includes a bracket mounted on said firearm toward said barrel distal end and engaging a distal end of said guide rod to secure said guide member within said barrel.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said bracket includes:

a bracket frame;

a connecting rod attached to said bracket frame and having a receiving member disposed at a connecting rod proximal end to engage said distal end of said guide rod;

wherein said connecting rod is manipulable relative said frame to adjust a position of said barrel assembly within said barrel.

6. The system of claim 1 further including a laser transmitter assembly secured to said firearm to emit a laser beam from said firearm in response to firearm actuation.

7. The system of claim 6 further including a mounting unit to secure said laser transmitter assembly to said barrel and to said sight.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said mounting unit includes:

a first block having a first recess defined therein and configured to receive a first portion of said barrel;

a second block having a second recess defined therein and configured to receive a second portion of said barrel; and

at least one securing member extending through said first and second blocks to secure said first and second blocks to each other;

wherein said laser transmitter assembly is attached to said first block and said first and second blocks are positioned coincident each other about said barrel and receive said barrel within said first and second recesses in response to said at least one securing member securing said first and second blocks to each other.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said mounting unit further includes:

an assembly sight member to engage said laser transmitter assembly; and

a hook member attached to said assembly sight member to engage a portion of and secure said laser transmitter assembly to said sight, wherein said hook member includes;

an intermediate portion;

a base extending transversely from a first end of said intermediate portion and having said assembly sight member attached thereto; and

a projection extending from a second end of said intermediate section and spaced apart from said base;

wherein said hook member engages said sight portion between said base and said projection.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said mock cartridge includes a quantity of explosive substance sufficient to cycle firearm operation and substantially less than a quantity of explosive substance utilized by a corresponding conventional blank or live ammunition for said firearm.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein a distal end of said mock cartridge includes a deformity, and said cartridge member is configured in a manner to engage said deformed mock cartridge distal end.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said mock cartridge includes dimensions less than those of corresponding live ammunition and said barrel assembly is inserted within said barrel in a manner to provide sufficient space for loading only said mock cartridges within said firearm, thereby preventing use of corresponding live ammunition during firearm simulation.

13. In a firearm training system including a laser transmitter assembly secured to a firearm to emit a laser beam in response to actuation of said firearm to simulate firearm operation, wherein said firearm includes a barrel and a sight disposed along said barrel to facilitate user aim of said firearm, a mounting unit to secure said laser transmitter assembly to said firearm comprising:

a barrel securing member to receive said laser transmitter assembly and engage said barrel to secure said laser transmitter assembly to said barrel; and

a sight securing member attached to said laser transmitter assembly to engage a portion of said firearm sight;

wherein said mounting unit secures said laser transmitter assembly to said barrel and said sight to prevent rotation of said laser transmitter assembly about said barrel during simulation of firearm operation.

14. The unit of claim 13 wherein said barrel securing member includes:

a first block having a first recess defined therein and configured to receive a first portion of said barrel;

a second block having a second recess defined therein and configured to receive a second portion of said barrel; and

at least one securing member extending through said first and second blocks to secure said first and second blocks to each other;

wherein said laser transmitter assembly is attached to said first block and said first and second blocks are positioned coincident each other about said barrel and receive said barrel within said first and second recesses in response to said at least one securing member securing said first and second blocks to each other.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein said sight securing member includes:

an assembly sight member to engage said laser transmitter assembly; and

a hook member attached to said assembly sight member to engage a portion of and secure said laser transmitter assembly to said sight, wherein said hook member includes;

an intermediate portion;

a base extending transversely from a first end of said intermediate portion and having said assembly sight member attached thereto; and

a projection extending from a second end of said intermediate section and spaced apart from said base;

wherein said hook member engages said sight portion between said base and said projection.

16. In a system employing mock cartridges for simulating operation of a firearm, wherein said firearm includes a frame to receive said mock cartridges, a barrel coupled to said frame and having a gas port disposed toward a barrel distal end to direct gas within said barrel and released from an exhausted cartridge towards said firearm frame to facilitate cycling of firearm operation and a sight disposed along said barrel to facilitate user aim of said firearm, a mock cartridge comprising:

a housing in the form of a live cartridge and including a quantity of explosive substance sufficient to cycle firearm operation and substantially less than a quantity of explosive substance utilized by a corresponding conventional blank or live ammunition for said firearm.

17. The cartridge of claim 16 wherein a distal end of said housing includes a deformity.

18. The cartridge of claim 16 wherein said housing includes dimensions less than those of corresponding live ammunition.

19. A method of employing mock cartridges to simulate operation of a firearm, wherein said firearm includes a frame to receive said mock cartridges, a barrel coupled to said frame and having a gas port disposed toward a barrel distal end to direct gas within said barrel and released from an exhausted cartridge towards said firearm frame to facilitate cycling of firearm operation and a sight disposed along said barrel to facilitate user aim of said firearm, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) inserting a barrel assembly into said barrel to engage and secure a loaded mock cartridge within said firearm and enable gas released from said mock cartridge to traverse said barrel in response to firing of said mock cartridge; and

(b) directing said released gas traversing said barrel into said gas port, via said barrel assembly, to facilitate cycling of firearm operation.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein step (a) further includes:

(a.1) securing said barrel assembly within said barrel via a securing member disposed toward a distal end of said barrel.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said barrel assembly includes a support rod having a transverse cross-section substantially less than that of said barrel to permit said released gas to traverse said barrel and a guide rod attached to a distal end of said support rod and having a transverse cross-section substantially similar to that of said barrel to impede traversal of said barrel by said released gas, and step (a) further includes:

(a.2) inserting said barrel assembly into said barrel with aproximal end of said guide rod disposed proximate said gas port to direct released gas traversing said barrel into said gas port to facilitate cycling of said firearm.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said securing member includes a bracket mounted on said firearm toward said barrel distal end, and step (a.1) further includes:

(a.1.1) engaging a distal end of said guide rod via said bracket to secure said barrel assembly within said barrel.

23. The method of claim 19 further including the step of:

(c) securing a laser transmitter assembly to said firearm to emit a laser beam from said firearm in response to firearm actuation.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein step (c) further includes:

(c.1) securing said laser transmitter assembly to said barrel and to said sight.

25. The method of claim 19 wherein step (a) further includes:

(a.1) loading said mock cartridge into said firearm, wherein said mock cartridge includes a quantity of explosive substance sufficient to cycle firearm operation and substantially less than a quantity of explosive substance utilized by a corresponding conventional blank or live ammunition for said firearm.

26. The method of claim 19 wherein step (a) further includes:

(a.1) loading said mock cartridge into said firearm, wherein a distal end of said mock cartridge includes a deformity, and said barrel assembly is configured in a manner to engage said deformed mock cartridge distal end.

27. The method of claim 19 wherein said mock cartridge includes dimensions less than those of corresponding live ammunition, and step (a) further includes:

(a.1) inserting said barrel assembly within said barrel in a manner to provide sufficient space for loading only said mock cartridges within said firearm, thereby preventing use of corresponding live ammunition during firearm simulation.

28. In a firearm training system including a laser transmitter assembly to emit a laser beam in response to actuation of a firearm to simulate firearm operation, wherein said firearm includes a barrel and a sight disposed along said barrel to facilitate user aim of said firearm, a method of securing said laser transmitter assembly to said firearm comprising the step of:

(a) securing said laser transmitter assembly to said barrel and said sight to prevent rotation of said laser transmitter assembly about said barrel during simulation of firearm operation.

29. A system employing mock cartridges for simulating operation of a firearm, wherein said firearm includes a frame to receive said mock cartridges, a barrel coupled to said frame and having a gas port disposed toward a barrel distal end to direct gas within said barrel and released from an exhausted cartridge towards said firearm frame to facilitate cycling of firearm operation and a sight disposed along said barrel to facilitate user aim of said firearm, said system comprising:

cartridge securing means for engaging and securing a loaded mock cartridge within said firearm and for enabling gas released from said mock cartridge to pass therethrough and traverse said barrel in response to firing of said mock cartridge;

guide means for directing said released gas traversing said barrel into said gas port to facilitate cycling of firearm operation; and

securing means for securing said guide means within said barrel during simulation of firearm operation.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein said guide means includes:

a support rod attached to said cartridge securing means and having a transverse cross-section substantially less than that of said barrel to permit said released gas to traverse said barrel; and

a guide rod attached to a distal end of said support rod and having a transverse cross-section substantially similar to that of said barrel to impede traversal of said barrel by said released gas;

wherein a proximal end of said guide rod is disposed within said barrel proximate said gas port and directs released gas traversing said barrel into said gas port to facilitate cycling of said firearm.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein said cartridge securing means includes:

a base attached to a proximal end of said support rod; and

cartridge engagement means for receiving a distal portion of said loaded mock cartridge;

wherein at least one opening is defined within each of said base and said cartridge engagement means to enable said released gas to pass through said cartridge securing means and traverse said barrel to facilitate cycling of said firearm.

32. The system of claim 30 wherein said securing means includes bracket means mounted on said firearm toward said barrel distal end for engaging a distal end of said guide rod to secure said guide means within said barrel.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein said bracket means includes:

a bracket frame;

a connecting rod attached to said bracket frame and having receiving means disposed at a connecting rod proximal end for engaging said distal end of said guide rod;

wherein said connecting rod is manipulable relative said frame to adjust a position of said cartridge securing means within said barrel.

34. The system of claim 29 further including laser means secured to said firearm for emitting a laser beam from said firearm in response to firearm actuation.

35. The system of claim 34 further including mounting means for securing said laser means to said barrel and to said sight.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein said mounting means includes:

a first block having a first recess defined therein and configured to receive a first portion of said barrel;

a second block having a second recess defined therein and configured to receive a second portion of said barrel; and

block securing means extending through said first and second blocks for securing said first and second blocks to each other;

wherein said laser means is attached to said first block and said first and second blocks are positioned coincident each other about said barrel and receive said barrel within said first and second recesses in response to said block securing means securing said first and second blocks to each other.

37. The system of claim 36 wherein said mounting means further includes:

assembly sight means for engaging said laser means; and

hook means attached to said assembly sight means for engaging a portion of and securing said laser means to said sight, wherein said hook means includes;

an intermediate portion;

a base extending transversely from a first end of said intermediate portion and having said assembly sight means attached thereto; and

a projection extending from a second end of said intermediate section and spaced apart from said base;

wherein said hook means engages said sight portion between said base and said projection.

38. The system of claim 29 wherein said mock cartridge includes a quantity of explosive substance sufficient to cycle firearm operation and substantially less than a quantity of explosive substance utilized by a corresponding conventional blank or live ammunition for said firearm.

39. The system of claim 29 wherein a distal end of said mock cartridge includes a deformity, and said cartridge securing means includes means for engaging said deformed mock cartridge distal end.

40. The system of claim 29 wherein said mock cartridge includes dimensions less than those of corresponding live ammunition and said cartridge securing means is inserted within said barrel in a manner to provide sufficient space for loading only said mock cartridges within said firearm, thereby preventing use of corresponding live ammunition during firearm simulation.

41. In a firearm training system including a laser transmitter assembly secured to a firearm to emit a laser beam in response to actuation of said firearm to simulate firearm operation, wherein said firearm includes a barrel and a sight disposed along said barrel to facilitate user aim of said firearm, a mounting unit to secure said laser transmitter assembly to said firearm comprising:

barrel securing means for receiving said laser transmitter assembly and engaging said barrel to secure said laser transmitter assembly to said barrel; and

sight securing means attached to said laser transmitter assembly for engaging a portion of said firearm sight;

wherein said mounting unit secures said laser transmitter assembly to said barrel and said sight to prevent rotation of said laser transmitter assembly about said barrel during simulation of firearm operation.

42. The unit of claim 41 wherein said barrel securing means includes:

a first block having a first recess defined therein and configured to receive a first portion of said barrel;

a second block having a second recess defined therein and configured to receive a second portion of said barrel; and

block securing means extending through said first and second blocks to secure said first and second blocks to each other;

wherein said laser transmitter assembly is attached to said first block and said first and second blocks are positioned coincident each other about said barrel and receive said barrel within said first and second recesses in response to said block securing means securing said first and second blocks to each other.

43. The system of claim 41 wherein said sight securing means includes:

assembly sight means for engaging said laser transmitter assembly; and

hook means attached to said assembly sight means for engaging a portion of and securing said laser transmitter assembly to said sight, wherein said hook means includes;

an intermediate portion;

a base extending transversely from a first end of said intermediate portion and having said assembly sight means attached thereto; and

a projection extending from a second end of said intermediate section and spaced apart from said base;

wherein said hook means engages said sight portion between said base and said projection.

44. In a system employing mock cartridges for simulating operation of a firearm, wherein said firearm includes a frame to receive said mock cartridges, a barrel coupled to said frame and having a gas port disposed toward a barrel distal end to direct gas within said barrel and released from an exhausted cartridge towards said firearm frame to facilitate cycling of firearm operation and a sight disposed along said barrel to facilitate user aim of said firearm, a mock cartridge comprising:

housing means in the form of a live cartridge for loading into said firearm; and

compartment means for containing a quantity of explosive substance sufficient to cycle firearm operation and substantially less than a quantity of explosive substance utilized by a corresponding conventional blank or live ammunition for said firearm.

45. The cartridge of claim 44 wherein a distal end of said housing means includes a deformity.

46. The cartridge of claim 45 wherein said housing means includes dimensions less than those of corresponding live ammunition.