Shooting training device

• US 8,556,628 B1
• Filed: 08/15/2006
• Issued: 10/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Triggermaster, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Malcom E. Baxter
• Inventors: Baxter, Malcom E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yip, Jack
• Application Number:
  US11/504,313
• Time in Patent Office: 2,618 Days
• Field of Search: 434/11, 434 16- 19, 731/67, 7337901-37909, 737/60, 737/74, 345156-158, 345/161
• US Class Current: 434/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8076 Shooting
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 19/00 Firing or trigger mechanisms; Cocking mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 19/10 Triggers; Trigger mountings
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 33/00 Adaptations for training adaptations of barrels for recoil reinforcement F41A21/26; Gun simulators teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26 ; shooting games A63F9/02; military simulation G09B9/003
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 33/02 Light- or radiation-emitting guns ; Light- or radiation-sensitive guns; Cartridges carrying light emitting sources, e.g. laser
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 33/06 Recoil simulators
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/38 Telescopic sights specially adapted for smallarms or ordnance telescopic sights in general G02B; Supports or mountings therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2605 using a view recording device cosighted with the gun F41G3/2616 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2655 in which the light beam is sent from the weapon to the target
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/02 Photo-electric hit-detector systems comprising a light-emitting device for simulating the firing of a gun F41G3/2622; detecting by optical means G01V8/10
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks

Abstract

The invention is a trigger pull training device for improving trigger pull technique. The device has a frame with a trigger track opening and a trigger which goes through that opening. A proximity sensor or a plurality of proximity sensors are placed proximate the trigger track opening. The sensors are connected to an indicator whereby pulling the trigger such that the trigger is within the sensing zone causes the proximity sensor to emit a signal. A plurality of sensors can be lined along the trigger track opening to indicate the accuracy of any pull.

Claims

1. A device for training a firearm user to perform an in-line trigger pull, comprising:

a firearm frame;

a firearm trigger attached to the firearm frame, the firearm trigger being moveable in a longitudinal direction and in a transverse lateral direction;

a first sensor attached to the firearm frame;

an electronic error indicator disposed on the firearm frame electronically connected to the first sensor,

wherein the electronic error indicator communicates an error signal to the user when the firearm trigger is laterally moved a predetermined lateral distance relative to the first sensor;

a second sensor attached to the firearm frame; and

an electronic success indicator disposed on the firearm frame electronically connected to the second sensor, wherein the electronic success indicator communicates a success signal to the firearm user when the firearm trigger is longitudinally moved a predetermined longitudinal distance relative to the frame without being laterally moved in the lateral direction beyond the predetermined lateral distance.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the success signal is a visual signal.

3. A method of communicating firearm trigger displacement information to a firearm user during a simulated trigger pull on a firearm body, comprising:

(a) detecting lateral displacement of the trigger during the trigger pull via a first sensor attached to the firearm body, the first sensor positioned for sensing lateral displacement of the trigger relative to the first sensor;

(b) communicating an error signal to the user via an error indicator disposed on the firearm body during the trigger pull when the first sensor detects lateral displacement of the trigger beyond a predetermined lateral distance;

(c) detecting longitudinal displacement of the trigger during the trigger pull via a second sensor attached to the firearm body, the second sensor positioned for sensing longitudinal displacement of the trigger relative to the firearm body; and

(d) communicating a success signal to the user during the trigger pull when both the second sensor detects longitudinal displacement of the trigger beyond a predetermined longitudinal distance and the first sensor does not detect lateral displacement of the trigger beyond the predetermined lateral distance.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the success signal is a visual signal.