Firearms security

• US 6,477,801 B1
• Filed: 12/03/1999
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DefendTex Pty., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Metal Storm Limited
• Inventors: Oʼdwyer, James Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Eldred, J. Woodrow
• Application Number:
  US09/445,024
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 89/280.5, 42/700.1, 42/701.1, 42/84
• US Class Current: 42/70.11
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/066 having means for recognizing biometric parameters, e.g. voice control, finger print or palm print control

Abstract

This invention provides security measures for electronically operated munitions and firearms such as the pistol (10). The electronic controls (18) may be armed or disarmed electronically and provided with encoding means which arms the electronic controls to enable firing of the secured weapon upon the monitoring authorised code. This code may be electronically personalised to the individual. The code may be provided by a swipe card or the like carried by the authorised personnel. Alternatively the code may be biometric data which retains a lifelong distinctive identity of the authorised personnel.

Claims

1. An electronically operated munition comprising:

a barrel having a muzzle;

a plurality of projectiles stacked axially within the barrel together with electronically controlled discrete ignitable propellant charges for selectively propelling the respective projectiles through the muzzle of the barrel;

an electronic control device configured when armed to produce ignition of said charges upon actuation of a trigger; and

a removable section including electronically coded arming means supported in the removable section for sensing authorized users of said munition;

wherein

said electronically coded arming means is configured to activate the electronic control device which causes ignition of the propellant charges when said trigger is actuated by an authorized user.

2. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic control device reverts to an unarmed state when the removable section including the electronically coded arming means is removed from the munition.

3. An electronically operated munition as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein:

the munition is configured as a handgun, and

the electronic control device is supported in a pistol grip thereof.

4. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the entire electronic control device including the electronically coded arming means is removable from the munition.

5. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronically coded arming means further comprises a key pad.

6. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coded arming means further comprises a personalized swipe card.

7. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coded arming means further comprises a mechanism configured to recognize biometric data of the authorized user.

8. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 1, including recording means for subsequent interrogation of events performed by the electronic control device.

9. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 1, including position and direction sensing electronics for recording all firing locations and directions.

10. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 1, including a screen readout for displaying operating information of the munition.

11. An electronically operated munition as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein:

the munition is configured as a rifle, and

the electronic control device is supported in a butt thereof.

12. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the electronic control device incorporates at the muzzle of the barrel sensors responsive to events associated with firing the munition; and

the sensors are configured to disarm the electronic control device upon occurrence of an undesired firing event or sequence of events.

13. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 12, wherein the event associated with firing is a projectile passing the muzzle.

14. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 12, wherein the event associated with firing is a pressure event.

15. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 12, wherein the event associated with firing is a recoil event.

16. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 12, wherein the event associated with firing is a radiation event.

17. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 12, wherein the event associated with firing is a gas jetting event.

18. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 12, wherein the electronic control device includes an audio capability whereby the munition may be set to audibly confirm operating information of the munition.

19. An electronically operated munition comprising:

a barrel having a muzzle;

a plurality of projectiles stacked axially within the barrel together with electronically controlled discrete ignitable propellant charges for selectively propelling the respective projectiles through the muzzle of the barrel;

an electronic control device configured when armed to produce ignition of said charges upon actuation of a trigger, wherein the electronic control device reverts to an unarmed state when the electronically coded arming means is removed from the munition;

a removable section including electronically coded arming means supported in the removable section of the munition for sensing authorized users of said munition, wherein the electronically coded arming means is configured to activate the electronic control device which causes ignition of the propellant charges when said trigger is actuated by an authorized user; and

a range of sensors provided at the muzzle and electrically coupled to the electronic control device, said sensors responsive to events associated with firing the munition and operative to disarm the electronic control device upon occurrence of an undesired firing event or sequence of events.

20. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 19, wherein the event associated with firing is a projectile passing the muzzle.

21. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 19, wherein the event associated with firing is a pressure event.

22. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 19, wherein the event associated with firing is a recoil event.

23. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 19, wherein the event associated with firing is a radiation event.

24. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 19 wherein the event associated with firing is a gas jetting event.

25. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 19, including a screen readout for displaying operating information of the munition.

26. An electronically operated munition as claimed in claim 19, wherein the electronic control device includes an audio capability whereby the munition may be set to audibly confirm operating information of the munition.

27. An electronically operated munition as claimed in either claim 25 or claim 26, wherein the operating information includes a transition from an armed to an unarmed state of the electronic control device and vice versa.