Shooting training device

• US 8,911,235 B1
• Filed: 10/14/2013
• Issued: 12/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Triggermaster, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Triggermaster, Inc.
• Inventors: Baxter, Malcom
• Primary Examiner(s): Yip, Jack
• Application Number:
  US14/053,594
• Time in Patent Office: 428 Days
• Field of Search: 434/11, 434/16, 434/17, 434/18, 434/19, 434/167, 733/79, 737/74, 737/60, 345/156, 345/157, 345/158, 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 trigger attached to the frame, the trigger being moveable in a longitudinal direction and in a transverse lateral direction;

a first sensor attached to the frame;

an electronic error indicator in communication with the first sensor, wherein the electronic error indicator provides an error signal to the firearm user when the firearm trigger is moved a predetermined lateral distance relative to the frame;

a second sensor attached to the frame; and

an electronic success indicator in communication with the second sensor, wherein the electronic success indicator provides a success signal to the firearm user when the firearm trigger is moved a predetermined longitudinal distance relative to the frame without being moved in the lateral direction beyond the predetermined lateral distance.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic success indicator is a visual signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electronic error indicator is a visual signal.

4. A method of communicating trigger displacement information to a 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 positioned to sense lateral displacement of the trigger;

(b) communicating an error signal to the user 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 positioned to sense longitudinal displacement of the trigger; and

(d) communicating a success signal to the user 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.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the error signal is a visual signal.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the success signal is a visual signal.