Shooting simulating process and training device

• US 5,281,142 A
• Filed: 05/27/1992
• Issued: 01/25/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Laser Shot, Inc.
• Original Assignee: William Zaenglein Jr
• Inventors: Zaenglein, William Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US07/888,826
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 273/310-316, 434/11, 434/12, 434/14-24, 73/167
• US Class Current: 434/19
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2627 Cooperating with a motion picture projector
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2655 in which the light beam is sent from the weapon to the target
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2694 for simulating a target F41G3/2627 takes precedence; moving targets per se F41J9/00

Abstract

A user friendly shooting simulating process and training system are provided to more accurately and reliably detect the impact time and location in which a projectile shot from a shotgun, rifle, pistol or other weapon, hits a moving target. Desirably, the shooting simulating process and training system can also readily display the amount by which the projectile misses the target. The target impact time is based upon the speed and directions of the target and weapon, as well as the internal and external delay time of the projectile. In the preferred form, the training system includes a microprocessor and special projectile sensing equipment, and the targets and projectiles are simulated and viewed on display screens.

Claims

1. A ballistic simulating and training process, comprising the steps of:

selecting a simulated target movable along a predetermined path of travel at predetermined speeds after programming the predetermined path of travel and predetermined speeds of said simulated target into a central processing unit;

projecting movement of said target upon a screen such that different locations on said screen schematically represent different distances said target moves relative to a predetermined station;

automatically calculating the location of said target at selected times as said target moves along its predetermined path of travel;

simulating firing a projectile at said target from a freely movable weapon defining said station, said simulating including projecting an image simulating said projectile upon said screen as of the time said projectile exits the muzzle of said weapon;

detecting the aim of the weapon as of the time said projectile exits said muzzle by sensing where said image simulating said projectile is projected onto said screen at the time said projectile exits said muzzle;

thereafter

automatically determining the position of said projectile when the trajectory of said projectile intersects the plane of the path of movement of said target; and

displaying the relative positions of said projectile and said target when the trajectory of said projectile intersects with the plane of the path of movement of said target thereby indicating whether said target has been hit or missed by said projectile.

2. A ballistic simulating and training process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said target is electronically located by said central processing unit, a target timer, and a target positioning circuit.

3. A ballistic simulating and training process in accordance with claim 1 including simulating the internal delay time said projectile passes through said weapon from the time the sear of the trigger of the weapon slips to the time the projectile leaves the muzzle of the weapon;

and said position of said projectile is determined in part based upon said internal delay time.

4. A ballistic simulating and training process is accordance with claim 3 including automatically calculating the external delay time said projectile travels from muzzle of said weapon to the plane of said target and wherein said position of said projectile is determined in part based upon said external delay time.

5. A ballistic simulating and training process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said image of said projectile is projected upon said screen by a projector secured about the barrel of said weapon.

6. A ballistic simulating and training process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said target is moved in relationship to the person firing said weapon, said moving including moving said target directly or at various angles towards the person firing said weapon, moving said target directly or at various angles away from the person firing said weapon, crossing said target in front of the person firing said weapon, and moving said target at an angle or angles of inclination relative to the person firing said weapon.

7. A ballistic simulating and training process in accordance with claim 1 including moving said weapon towards said target.

8. A ballistic simulating and training process in accordance with claim 1 including aiming said weapon to the left or right and above or below said moving target.

9. A ballistic simulating and training process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said simulated firing includes aiming said muzzle to shoot said projectile at a position ahead of said moving target.

10. A ballistic simulating and training process in accordance with claim 1 including displaying a simulated landscape surrounding said target upon a screen.

11. A ballistic simulating and training process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said positions are automatically calculated by a central processing unit selected from the group consisting of a computer and a microprocessor.

12. A ballistic simulating and training process in accordance with claim 1 including projecting a target comprising a simulation selected from the group consisting of a clay target, disc, bird, animal, military target, police target, enemy, and criminal.

13. A ballistic simulating and training process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said target is projected by a projector selected from the group consisting of a large screen television projector, a substantially flat screen television receiver, film projector, slide projector, motion picture projector, laser, infrared light emitter, visible light emitter, camera, and video cassette recorder.

14. A ballistic simulating and training process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the position of said projectile is sensed by a light sensing device comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of optical fibers, liquid display crystals, infrared detector, a monitor, light sensors, laser sensors, and a television camera.

15. A ballistic simulating and training process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said displaying includes simulating the relative distance and direction said target was missed so that the aim of the weapon can be corrected.

16. A ballistic simulating and training process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said simulating said target is activated by voice simulation.

17. A ballistic simulating and training process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sensing includes scanning said image of said projectile relative to said moving target with an oscillator, scan line counter, and pulse counter.