Firearm mounted video camera

• US 20050179799A1
• Filed: 02/14/2004
• Published: 08/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tactical Video Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Tactical Video Solutions, LLC
• Inventors: Umanskiy, Yuriy K., Esayev, Eugene, Troitski, Maxim
• Application Number:
  US10/779,124
• Publication Number:
  US 20050179799A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/333.10
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 27/00 Accessories; Details or attachments not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A video camera mounted to a magazine of a semi-automatic handgun is described along with a weapon system incorporating the magazine-mounted video camera. In at least one embodiment, a small video camera is attached to a bottom plate of the ammunition magazine. The video camera is operatively coupled with a small portable video monitor that is carried or worn be the user. Accordingly, the user can use the firearm mounted camera to survey a scene while protected by a barrier or the user can use the video sighting system to survey a scene in no or low light situations.

Claims

1. A magazine of one of a semi-automatic and automatic firearm in combination with a video camera, the video camera being mounted to the magazine.

2. The magazine and video camera combination of claim 1, wherein the combination is integrally removable from the one of the semi-automatic and automatic firearm.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the magazine is a magazine of a pistol.

4. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a video monitor, the video monitor being remotely located from the video camera.

5. The combination of claim 4, further including a control system and battery pack.

6. The combination of claim 4, wherein the video monitor and the video camera are coupled by way of an electrical cable.

7. The combination of claim 1, wherein the video camera includes one or more infrared illuminators.

8. The combination of claim 4, wherein the video camera includes a wireless transmitter and the monitor includes a wireless receiver.

9. The combination of claim 4, wherein the monitor is adapted to mount on the wrist of a user.

10. The combination of claim 1, wherein the video camera is mounted to a bottom end of the magazine.

11. The combination of claim 1, wherein in the magazine is adapted for receipt into a handle of the firearm.

12. A weapon system comprising:

one of an automatic and semi-automatic firearm;

a magazine adapted for receipt into a handle of the firearm; and

a video camera, the video camera being mounted to the magazine.

13. The weapon system of claim 12, further comprising a video monitor, the video monitor being coupled with the video camera.

14. The weapon system of claim 13, further comprising a controller, the controller adapted to process a first video signal from the video camera and transmit a second video signal to the monitor, the controller being coupled with the video camera and the monitor.

15. The weapon system of claim 14, wherein the controller is adapted to generate a targeting image to be displayed on the monitor.

16. The weapon system of claim 12, further comprising a laser sight, the laser sight being mounted to the firearm.

17. The weapon system of claim 12, wherein the firearm is a handgun.

18. A weapon system comprising:

one of an automatic and semi-automatic handgun, the handgun including a handle with a bottom side; and

a first accessory device comprising one of a laser sight, a video camera and a flashlight attached to the bottom side of the handle.

19. The weapon system of claim 18, further comprising a second accessory device comprising one of a laser sight, a video camera and a flashlight attached to at least one of an accessory rail, a frame and a trigger guard of the handgun.

20. The weapon system of claim 18, wherein the first accessory is a video camera and the video camera is attached to an ammunition magazine of the handgun.