Semiconductor laser weapon trainer and target designator for live fire
First Claim
1. Apparatus adapted for use in conjunction with an operational firearm having a bore, handle and trigger to both expand on the capabilities of the firearm and enhance the operator'"'"'s effectiveness when the firearm is used as a weapon, wherein the apparatus provides a narrow column of visible light that can be used to illuminate the spot that the firearm'"'"'s bullet will hit if the firearm is fired, and can be used to illuminate and thereby designate a proposed target for other weapons to be fired at by their operators, comprising;
- a heat sink;
a laser diode source of visible light having a beam with a cross-section that is elliptical in shape, mounted on said heat sink;
optical means fixedly placed in the path of said light to collimate said beam, having a gradient refractive index lens mounted on said heat sink;
means adapted for removably attaching said source of visible light and said optical means to said firearm such that said collimated beam has a predictable relationship to the boresight of the firearm; and
,circuitry means coupled to said source of visible light for powering said laser diode and automatically adjusting the driving current to the laser diode to maintain its output of light substantially constant;
wherein said circuitry means includes a photodiode fixedly mounted adjacent said source of visible light to detect light from said laser diode and provide an output responsive thereto.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a capability for training and other uses wherein a firearm cane aligned with its target by use of a laser beam, or the target can be designated to others by illuminating it with the laser beam. A laser diode that provides visible light is used in conjunction with the boresight of a gun to paint a visible spot on an intended target at the location the bullet will impact if the weapon were fired. The beam emitted by the diode is collimated by a miniature gradient refractive index lens co-located with the diode on a heat sink that is included to convey heat away from the heat sensitive components. A circuit having a photodiode and a differencing amplifier is included to provide stability in the output of the laser, in order to overcome the effects of thermal excursions, and to protect the reflective surfaces of the laser from power surges. The on-off switch is a pressure sensitive material removably attached to the gun in a convenient location for it to be operated by the user'"'"'s gun hand.
82 Citations
6 Claims
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1. Apparatus adapted for use in conjunction with an operational firearm having a bore, handle and trigger to both expand on the capabilities of the firearm and enhance the operator'"'"'s effectiveness when the firearm is used as a weapon, wherein the apparatus provides a narrow column of visible light that can be used to illuminate the spot that the firearm'"'"'s bullet will hit if the firearm is fired, and can be used to illuminate and thereby designate a proposed target for other weapons to be fired at by their operators, comprising;
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a heat sink; a laser diode source of visible light having a beam with a cross-section that is elliptical in shape, mounted on said heat sink; optical means fixedly placed in the path of said light to collimate said beam, having a gradient refractive index lens mounted on said heat sink; means adapted for removably attaching said source of visible light and said optical means to said firearm such that said collimated beam has a predictable relationship to the boresight of the firearm; and
,circuitry means coupled to said source of visible light for powering said laser diode and automatically adjusting the driving current to the laser diode to maintain its output of light substantially constant; wherein said circuitry means includes a photodiode fixedly mounted adjacent said source of visible light to detect light from said laser diode and provide an output responsive thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification