Acoustic triggered laser device for simulating firearms

• US 5,605,461 A
• Filed: 10/27/1994
• Issued: 02/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary E. Seeton
• Original Assignee: Gary E. Seeton
• Inventors: Seeton, Gary E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MULCAHY, JOHN M
• Application Number:
  US08/330,199
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 434/19, 434/21, 434/22, 381/155, 381/169, 381/173, 372/31, 372/38, 42/103
• US Class Current: 434/21
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 33/02 Light- or radiation-emitting guns ; Light- or radiation-sensitive guns; Cartridges carrying light emitting sources, e.g. laser

Abstract

A device that simulates the firing of a firearm. The device includes a piezoelectric crystal for detecting high amplitude acoustic pulses generated when the firing mechanism of the firearm is activated. The piezoelectric crystal provides a voltage pulse to a amplitude detecting circuit. If the pulse generated by the piezoelectric crystal is above a threshold value, the amplitude detecting circuit causes a laser diode to be energized. The laser diode directs a beam at the target to allow the user to determine where the "shot" is fired. The laser diode is activated for a sufficiently long period of time to allow the laser spot to be visible to the human eye and also to allow a streak to be developed if the firearm is pulled slightly by the user when the trigger is pulled. The device is conveniently mounted under the barrel of the firearm.

Claims

1. A device for mounting on a firearm and for momentarily emitting a beam of light to simulate the firing of the firearm, wherein the firearm includes a firing mechanism, and wherein activation of the firing mechanism causes an acoustical energy pulse to be generated, the device comprising:

means for sensing the acoustical energy and producing a voltage pulse having an amplitude in response to the acoustical energy pulse, said voltage pulse amplitude being proportional to the energy of the acoustical energy pulse;

means for setting a threshold voltage;

an amplifier having a non-inverting input, an inverting input, and an output, wherein the inverting input is coupled to said means for setting a threshold voltage and the non-inverting input is coupled to said means for sensing;

means coupled to the output of said amplifier for asserting an activation signal for at least a predetermined duration if said voltage pulse amplitude is above said threshold voltage;

means for emitting the beam of light when powered; and

means responsive to said activation signal and coupled to said light beam emitting means for powering said light beam emitting means when said activation signal is asserted.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a battery, wherein said amplifier further includes a positive supply terminal and a negative supply terminal, said positive supply terminal being connected to the positive terminal of said battery, and said negative supply terminal being connected to the negative terminal of said battery.

3. The device of claim 1, further including:

a first resistor connected between the output of said amplifier and the non-inverting input of said amplifier; and

a second resistor connected between the non-inverting input of said amplifier and a ground signal, wherein said first and second resistors form a voltage divider to generate a bias voltage at said non-inverting input from a voltage developed at said amplifier output in response to said input voltage pulse.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said activation signal asserting means includes:

a third resistor connected between the output of said amplifier and the inverting input of said amplifier; and

a capacitor connected between the inverting input of said amplifier and the ground signal, wherein said capacitor is charged by the output of said amplifier through said third resistor, said capacitor being charged to said bias voltage to cause said amplifier to shut off, and wherein said predetermined duration for asserting said activation signal is determined by the time constant corresponding to said third resistor and said capacitor.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said threshold voltage setting means is adjustable to vary said threshold voltage.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

means coupled to said amplifier for protecting said amplifier and said activation signal asserting means from voltage pulses having large amplitudes generated by said acoustical energy sensing means in response to high acoustical energy.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a battery;

a manual switch being coupled to said battery and said powering means, said manual switch when activated causing said powering means to power said light beam emitting means; and

relaying means coupled to said manual switch, said activation signal asserting means, and said battery, wherein said relaying means energizes to connect said battery to said activation signal asserting means to enable assertion of said activation signal when said manual switch is activated, and wherein said relaying means deenergizes to disconnect said battery from said activation signal asserting means to disable assertion of said activation signal a predetermined period of time after said manual switch is deactivated.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a battery, wherein said threshold voltage setting means includes;

a potentiometer connected to said battery and having a wiper, wherein said threshold voltage is developed from said battery by said potentiometer, and wherein the location of said wiper is adjustable for varying said threshold voltage.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for sensing the acoustical energy includes a piezoelectric crystal element.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the firearm further includes a barrel having an axis, and wherein said piezoelectric crystal element is more sensitive to acoustical energy pulses traveling along a specific direction, the device further comprising:

a housing adapted for mounting to the firearm; and

means mounted inside said housing for securing said piezoelectric crystal element, said piezoelectric crystal element being positioned such that said specific direction in which said piezoelectric crystal element is more sensitive is generally parallel to the barrel axis of the firearm.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said securing means includes:

cantilever means for securing said piezoelectric crystal element, said cantilever means having an edge and a planar surface, wherein said edge is coupled to said housing and said piezoelectric crystal element is attached to said planar surface, wherein said cantilever means is resilient, wherein said planar surface is generally perpendicular to the barrel axis of the firearm, and wherein the acoustical energy pulse generated by the activation of the firing mechanism deflects said planar surface of said cantilever means.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said piezoelectric crystal element is a thin film piezo material coated to said planar surface.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said piezo material is polyvinylidene fluoride.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein said light beam emitting means includes a laser diode.

15. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a battery, wherein said powering means further includes switching means responsive to said activation signal, said switching means being connected to said battery and coupled to said light beam emitting means for connecting said battery to said light beam emitting means when said activation signal is asserted.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said switching means is a transistor.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein a current flows through said light beam emitting means when said battery voltage is connected, and wherein said powering means further includes:

means coupled to said light beam emitting means for adjusting the amount of said current flowing through said light beam emitting means.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein said powering means further includes:

means coupled to said current adjusting means for detecting the intensity of the light beam emitted from said light beam emitting means, wherein said adjusting means decreases said current flowing through said light beam emitting means if the intensity of the light beam emitted increases.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein said threshold voltage setting means is adjustable to vary said threshold voltage.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein said light intensity detecting means includes a photodetecting diode.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein said photodetecting diode has a resistance, wherein said photodetecting diode resistance varies inversely proportionally with the intensity of the emitted light beam, wherein the cathode of said photodetecting diode is connected to said battery, and wherein said current adjusting means includes:

means connected to the anode of said photodetecting diode for providing an output voltage, wherein said output voltage varies inversely proportionally with said resistance of said photodetecting diode;

means for developing a reference voltage;

an amplifier having a non-inverting input, an inverting input, and an output, said non-inverting input being connected to said reference voltage, and said inverting input being connected to said output voltage; and

a transistor coupled to said amplifier output and to said light beam emitting means, said amplifier output controlling the amount of current flowing through said transistor to control said current flowing through said light beam emitting means.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein said means for generating said reference voltage includes a Zener diode having a cathode and an anode, said cathode being connected to said non-inverting input of said amplifier and said anode being connected to a ground signal.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein said output voltage providing means includes a voltage divider formed from a first resistor and a second resistor, said first resistor being connected between said photodetecting diode and a first node, said second resistor being connected between said first node and a ground signal, and said output voltage being coupled to said first node.

24. The device of claim 21, wherein said transistor is an NPN bipolar junction transistor having a base, an emitter, and a collector, said base being coupled to said amplifier output, said emitter being coupled to a ground signal, and said collector being coupled to said light beam emitting means.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein said light beam emitting means is a laser diode having a cathode and an anode, said cathode being coupled to said collector of said NPN bipolar junction transistor, and said anode being coupled to said battery.

26. A device for mounting on a firearm and for momentarily emitting a beam of light to simulate the firing of the firearm, wherein the firearm includes an external surface and a firing mechanism, and wherein activation of the firing mechanism causes an acoustical energy pulse to be generated, the device comprising:

a housing adapted for attachment to the external surface of the firearm;

means positioned inside said housing for sensing the acoustical energy and producing a voltage pulse having an amplitude in response to the acoustical energy pulse, said voltage pulse amplitude being proportional to the energy of the acoustical energy pulse;

a circuit board mounted inside said housing, wherein said circuit board is electrically contacted to said sensing means, and wherein said circuit board includes;

means for setting a threshold voltage;

an amplifier having a non-inverting input, an inverting input, and an output, wherein the inverting input is coupled to said means for setting a threshold voltage and the non-inverting input is coupled to said sensing means; and

means coupled to the output of said amplifier for asserting an activation signal for at least a predetermined duration if said voltage pulse amplitude is above said threshold voltage; and

means mounted inside said housing and coupled to said circuit board for emitting the beam of light when powered, wherein said circuit board further includes;

means responsive to said activation signal and coupled to said light beam emitting means for powering said light beam emitting means when said activation signal is asserted.

27. The device of claim 26, further including:

a first resistor connected between the output of said amplifier and the non-inverting input of said amplifier; and

a second resistor connected between the non-inverting input of said amplifier and a ground signal, wherein said first and second resistors form a voltage divider to generate a bias voltage at said non-inverting input from a voltage developed at said amplifier output in response to said input voltage pulse.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein said activation signal asserting means includes:

a third resistor connected between the output of said amplifier and the inverting input of said amplifier; and

a capacitor connected between the inverting input of said amplifier and the ground signal, wherein said capacitor is charged by the output of said amplifier through said third resistor, said capacitor being charged to said bias voltage to cause said amplifier to shut off, and wherein said predetermined duration for asserting said activation signal is determined by the time constant corresponding to said third resistor and said capacitor.

29. The device of claim 26, wherein said threshold voltage setting means is adjustable to vary said threshold voltage.

30. The device of claim 29, further comprising:

a battery, wherein said threshold voltage setting means includes;

a potentiometer connected to said battery and having a wiper, wherein said threshold voltage is developed from said battery by said potentiometer, and wherein the location of said wiper is adjustable for varying said threshold voltage.

31. The device of claim 26, wherein said means for sensing the acoustical energy includes a piezoelectric crystal element.

32. The device of claim 31, wherein the firearm further includes a barrel having an axis, and wherein said piezoelectric crystal element is more sensitive to acoustical energy pulses traveling along a specific direction, the device further comprising:

means coupled to said circuit board for securing said piezoelectric crystal element, said piezoelectric crystal element being positioned such that said specific direction in which said piezoelectric crystal element is more sensitive is generally parallel to the barrel axis of the firearm.

33. The device of claim 32, wherein said securing means includes:

cantilever means for securing said piezoelectric crystal element, said cantilever means having an edge and a planar surface, wherein said edge is coupled to said circuit board and said piezoelectric crystal element is attached to said planar surface, wherein said cantilever means is resilient, wherein said planar surface is generally perpendicular to the barrel axis of the firearm, and wherein the acoustical energy pulse generated by the activation of the firing mechanism deflects said planar surface of said cantilever means.

34. The device of claim 33, wherein said piezoelectric crystal element is a thin film piezo material coated to said planar surface.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein said piezo material is polyvinylidene fluoride.

36. The device of claim 26, wherein said light beam emitting means includes a laser diode.

37. The device of claim 26, further comprising:

a battery, wherein said powering means includes switching means responsive to said activation signal, said switching means being connected to said battery and coupled to said light beam emitting means for connecting said battery to said light beam emitting means when said activation signal is asserted.

38. The device of claim 37, wherein a current flows through said light beam emitting means when said battery voltage is connected, and wherein said powering means further includes:

means coupled to said light beam emitting means for adjusting the amount of said current flowing through said light beam emitting means.

39. The device of claim 38, wherein said powering means further includes:

means coupled to said current adjusting means for detecting the intensity of the light beam emitted from said light beam emitting means, wherein said adjusting means decreases said current flowing through said light beam emitting means if the intensity of the light beam emitted increases.

40. The device of claim 39, wherein said light intensity detecting means includes a photodetecting diode.

41. The device of claim 26, further comprising:

means coupled to said amplifier for protecting said amplifier and said activation signal asserting means from voltage pulses having large amplitudes generated by said acoustical energy sensing means in response to high acoustical energy.

42. The device of claim 26, further comprising:

a battery;

a first manual switch being coupled to said battery and said activation signal asserting means, said first manual switch when activated connecting said battery to said activation signal asserting means to enable assertion of said activation signal; and

a second manual switch being coupled to said battery and said powering means, said second manual switch when activated causing said powering means to power said light beam emitting means.

43. The device of claim 26, further comprising:

a battery;

a manual switch being coupled to said battery and said powering means, said manual switch when activated causing said powering means to power said light beam emitting means, wherein said circuit board further includes relaying means coupled to said manual switch, said activation signal asserting means, and said battery, wherein said relaying means energizes to connect said battery to said activation signal asserting means to enable assertion of said activation signal when said manual switch is activated, and wherein said relaying means deenergizes to disconnect said battery from said activation signal asserting means to disable assertion of said activation signal a predetermined period of time after said manual switch is deactivated.