Laser transmitter assembly configured for placement within a firing chamber and method of simulating firearm operation

• US 20020057719A1
• Filed: 01/16/2001
• Published: 05/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eotech, LLC
• Original Assignee: Beamhit, LLC (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Shechter, Motti
• Granted Patent: US 6,579,098 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 372/16
• 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: F41G 3/2655 in which the light beam is sent from the weapon to the target

Abstract

A laser transmitter assembly of the present invention is configured for placement within a firing chamber of a user firearm and to have minimal interference with a firearm extractor during charging of the firearm. The laser assembly emits a beam of laser light toward a firearm laser training system target in response to actuation of the firearm trigger to simulate firearm operation. Further, the laser assembly is manufactured to project a concentric laser beam relative to the firearm barrel, thereby enabling use without having to align the assembly with the firearm bore sight.

Claims

1. A laser transmission device for use with a firearm to simulate firearm operation in response to actuation of said firearm by a user comprising:

a housing configured in the form of a firearm cartridge for placement within a firing chamber of said firearm and including;

a power source;

a laser transmitter;

a sensor to detect actuation of said firearm and produce an actuation signal in response thereto;

a laser modulation unit to control said laser transmitter in a manner to emit a laser pulse modulated at a specific frequency in response to receiving said actuation signal from said sensor; and

an optics module to direct said emitted laser pulse from said housing toward an intended target.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said power source includes at least one battery.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said frequency is forty kilohertz.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said sensor includes a piezoelectric element to produce said actuation signal in response to detecting mechanical waves generated by said firearm actuation and propagating along said firearm.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said sensor includes an acoustic sensor to produce said actuation signal in response to detecting acoustic signals generated by said firearm actuation.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said acoustic sensor includes a microphone.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said optics module includes a lens to direct said emitted laser pulse toward said intended target, wherein said lens is positioned within said optics module in a manner to project said emitted laser pulse in a concentric fashion relative to a barrel of said firearm.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said optics module includes at least one injection port to facilitate injection of a bonding material during manufacture to secure said lens within said optics module.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said optics module includes at least one position adjustment member to adjust a position of said lens within said optics module during manufacture to facilitate projection of said emitted laser pulse by said lens in said concentric fashion relative to said firearm barrel.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said housing is configured to be concentric relative to a barrel of said firearm.

11. The device of claim 1 where in said housing includes a proximal portion having a non-intrusive configuration with respect to a firearm extractor to maintain a position of said device within said firearm during charging of said firearm.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said proximal portion includes a cylindrical projection disposed at a housing proximal end and having dimensions sufficient to prevent interference of said device with said firearm extractor during charging of said firearm.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein said proximal portion includes a cylindrical projection disposed at a housing proximal end and having dimensions sufficient to prevent interference of said device with said firearm extractor during charging of said firearm.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein said sensor includes a piezoelectric element to produce said actuation signal in response to detecting mechanical waves generated by said firearm actuation and propagating along said firearm.

16. The device of claim 13 wherein said sensor includes an acoustic sensor to produce said actuation signal in response to detecting acoustic signals generated by said firearm actuation.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein said acoustic sensor includes a microphone.

18. The device of claim 13 wherein said optics module includes a lens to direct said emitted laser pulse toward said intended target, wherein said lens is positioned within said optics module in a manner to project said emitted laser pulse in a concentric fashion relative to a barrel of said firearm.

19. The device of claim 13 wherein said housing is configured to be concentric relative to a barrel of said firearm.

20. The device of claim 13 wherein said laser control unit includes a modulation unit to control said laser transmitter in a manner to emit a laser pulse modulated at a specific frequency in response to receiving said actuation signal from said sensor.

13. A laser transmission device for use with a firearm to simulate firearm operation in response to actuation of said firearm by a user comprising:

a housing configured in the form of a firearm cartridge for placement within a firing chamber of said firearm and including;

a power source;

a laser transmitter;

a sensor to detect actuation of said firearm and produce an actuation signal in response thereto;

a laser control unit to control said laser transmitter in a manner to emit a laser pulse in response to receiving said actuation signal from said sensor; and

an optics module to direct said emitted laser pulse from said housing toward an intended target;

wherein a proximal portion of said housing includes anon-intrusive configuration with respect to a firearm extractor to maintain a position of said device within said firearm during charging of said firearm.

21. A laser transmission device for use with a firearm to simulate firearm operation in response to actuation of said firearm by a user comprising:

a housing configured in the form of a firearm cartridge for placement within a firing chamber of said firearm and including;

a power source;

a laser transmitter;

a sensor to detect actuation of said firearm and produce an actuation signal in response thereto;

a laser control unit to control said laser transmitter in a manner to emit a laser pulse in response to receiving said actuation signal from said sensor; and

an optics module to direct said emitted laser pulse from said housing toward an intended target, wherein said optics module includes a lens positioned in a manner to project said emitted laser pulse in a concentric fashion relative to a barrel of said firearm.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein said sensor includes a piezoelectric element to produce said actuation signal in response to detecting mechanical waves generated by said firearm actuation and propagating along said firearm.

23. The device of claim 21 wherein said sensor includes an acoustic sensor to produce said actuation signal in response to detecting acoustic signals generated by said firearm actuation.

24. The device of claim 23 wherein said acoustic sensor includes a microphone.

25. The device of claim 21 wherein said housing is configured to be concentric relative to a barrel of said firearm.

26. The device of claim 21 wherein said housing includes a proximal portion having a non-intrusive configuration with respect to a firearm extractor to maintain a position of said device within said firearm during charging of said firearm.

27. The device of claim 21 wherein said optics module includes at least one injection port to facilitate injection of a bonding material during manufacture to secure said lens within said optics module.

28. The device of claim 27 wherein said optics module includes at least one position adjustment member to adjust a position of said lens within said optics module during manufacture to facilitate projection of said emitted laser pulse by said lens in said concentric fashion relative to said firearm barrel.

29. The device of claim 21 wherein said laser control unit includes a modulation unit to control said laser transmitter in a manner to emit a laser pulse modulated at a specific frequency in response to receiving said actuation signal from said sensor.

30. A method of simulating firearm operation in response to actuation of said firearm by a user comprising the steps of:

(a) configuring a laser transmission device in the form of a firearm cartridge for placement within a firing chamber of said firearm, wherein said device includes a sensor to detect actuation of said firearm and a laser transmitter;

(b) detecting actuation of said firearm via said sensor and producing an actuation signal in response thereto;

(c) controlling said laser transmitter in a manner to emit a laser pulse modulated at a specific frequency in response to said actuation signal produced by said sensor; and

(d) directing said emitted laser pulse from said device toward an intended target.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein step (c) includes:

(c.1) controlling said laser transmitter in a manner to emit a laser pulse modulated at a frequency of forty kilohertz in response to said actuation signal produced by said sensor.

32. The method of claim 30 wherein said sensor includes a piezoelectric element, and step (b) includes:

(b.1) detecting mechanical waves generated by said firearm actuation and propagating along said firearm via said piezoelectric element and producing said actuation signal in response thereto.

33. The method of claim 30 wherein said sensor includes an acoustic sensor, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) detecting acoustic signals generated by said firearm actuation via said acoustic sensor and producing said actuation signal in response thereto.

34. The method of claim 30 wherein step (d) includes:

(d.1) directing said emitted laser pulse from said device toward an intended target via a lens and positioning said lens within said laser transmission device in a manner to project said emitted laser pulse in a concentric fashion relative to a barrel of said firearm.

35. The method of claim 30 wherein step (a) includes:

(a.

     1) configuring said laser transmission device to be concentric relative to a barrel of said firearm.

36. The method of claim 30 wherein step (a) includes:

(a.

     1) configuring said laser transmission device to include a proximal portion having a non-intrusive configuration with respect to a firearm extractor to maintain a position of said device within said firearm during charging of said firearm.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein said sensor includes a piezoelectric element, and step (b) includes:

(b.1) detecting mechanical waves generated by said firearm actuation and propagating along said firearm via said piezoelectric element and producing said actuation signal in response thereto.

39. The method of claim 37 wherein said sensor includes an acoustic sensor, and step (b) further includes:

(b.

     1) detecting acoustic signals generated by said firearm actuation via said acoustic sensor and producing said actuation signal in response thereto.

40. The method of claim 37 wherein step (d) includes:

(d.

     1) directing said emitted laser pulse from said device toward an intended target via a lens and positioning said lens within said laser transmission device in a manner to project said emitted laser pulse in a concentric fashion relative to a barrel of said firearm.

41. The method of claim 37 wherein step (a) includes:

(a.

     1) configuring said laser transmission device to be concentric relative to a barrel of said firearm.

42. The method of claim 37 wherein step (c) includes:

(c.

     1) controlling said laser transmitter in a manner to emit a laser pulse modulated at a specific frequency in response to said actuation signal produced by said sensor.

37. A method of simulating firearm operation in response to actuation of said firearm by a user comprising the steps of:

(a) configuring a laser transmission device in the form of a firearm cartridge for placement within a firing chamber of said firearm, wherein said device includes a sensor to detect actuation of said firearm and a laser transmitter, and wherein said laser transmission device is configured to have a proximal portion include a non-intrusive configuration with respect to a firearm extractor to maintain a position of said device within said firearm during charging of said firearm;

(b) detecting actuation of said firearm via said sensor and producing an actuation signal in response thereto;

(c) controlling said laser transmitter in a manner to emit a laser pulse in response to said actuation signal produced by said sensor; and

(d) directing said emitted laser pulse from said device toward an intended target.

43. A method of simulating firearm operation in response to actuation of said firearm by a user comprising the steps of:

(a) configuring a laser transmission device in the form of a firearm cartridge for placement within a firing chamber of said firearm, wherein said device includes a sensor to detect actuation of said firearm and a laser transmitter;

(b) detecting actuation of said firearm via said sensor and producing an actuation signal in response thereto;

(c) controlling said laser transmitter in a manner to emit a laser pulse in response to said actuation signal produced by said sensor; and

(d) directing said emitted laser pulse from said device toward an intended target via a lens positioned in a manner to project said emitted laser pulse in a concentric fashion relative to a barrel of said firearm.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein said sensor includes a piezoelectric element, and step (b) includes:

(b.1) detecting mechanical waves generated by said firearm actuation and propagating along said firearm via said piezoelectric element and producing said actuation signal in response thereto.

45. The method of claim 43 wherein said sensor includes an acoustic sensor, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) detecting acoustic signals generated by said firearm actuation via said acoustic sensor and producing said actuation signal in response thereto.

46. The method of claim 43 wherein step (a) includes:

(a.1) configuring said laser transmission device to be concentric relative to a barrel of said firearm.

47. The method of claim 43 wherein step (a) includes:

(a.1) configuring said laser transmission device to include a proximal portion having a non-intrusive configuration with respect to a firearm extractor to maintain a position of said device within said firearm during charging of said firearm.

48. The method of claim 43 wherein step (c) includes:

(c.1) controlling said laser transmitter in a manner to emit a laser pulse modulated at a specific frequency in response to said actuation signal produced by said sensor.

50. The method of claim 49 further including the steps of:

(f) activating said laser transmission module to emit a laser beam through said adjusted lens and onto said target;

(g) adjusting a position of said laser transmission module relative to said optics module to project said emitted laser beam onto said target indicia and securing said laser transmission module into that position;

(h) rotating said laser transmission device housing and verifying said emitted laser beam maintains a beam impact location on said target; and

(i) adjusting said laser transmission module position relative to said optics module in response to said beam impact location being displaced during said rotation, wherein said laser transmission module position is adjusted in a manner to maintain said beam impact location on said target during said rotation.

51. The method of claim 49 wherein said optics module includes at least one injection port to facilitate injection of a bonding material, and step (c) includes:

(c.1) injecting bonding material into said at least one injection port to secure said lens in said position;

wherein steps (d) and (e) are repeated until expiration of a time interval sufficient for said bonding material to secure said lens position or until said adjusted lens position maintains said beam impact location on said target during said rotation.

52. The method of claim 49 wherein said optics module includes at least one position adjustment member, and step (c) includes:

(c.1) adjusting said position of said lens relative to said optics module via said at least one position adjustment member to project said emitted laser beam onto said target indicia.

53. The method of claim 50, wherein step (g) includes:

(g.1) injecting bonding material into said device housing to secure said laser transmission module in said adjusted module position;

wherein steps (h) and (i) are repeated until expiration of a time interval sufficient for said bonding material to secure said laser transmission module position or until said adjusted laser transmission module position maintains said beam impact location on said target during said rotation.

54. The method of claim 50 wherein said laser transmission module includes at least one position adjustment member, and step (g) includes:

(g.1) adjusting a position of said laser transmission module relative to said optics module via said at least one position adjustment member to project said emitted laser beam onto said target indicia.

49. A method of simulating firearm operation by projecting a laser beam from a firearm in a concentric fashion relative to a barrel of said firearm in response to actuation of said firearm by a user comprising the steps of:

(a) configuring a laser transmission device housing to include a laser transmission module removably disposed therein and an optics module having a lens;

(b) activating said laser transmission module to emit a laser beam through said lens and onto a target having indicia;

(c) adjusting a position of said lens relative to said optics module to project said emitted laser beam onto said target indicia and securing said lens in said position;

(d) rotating said laser transmission device housing and verifying said emitted laser beam maintains a beam impact location on said target; and

(e) adjusting said lens position relative to said optics module in response to said beam impact location being displaced during said rotation, wherein said lens position is adjusted in a manner to maintain said beam impact location on said target during said rotation.

55. A method of simulating firearm operation by projecting a laser beam from a firearm in a concentric fashion relative to a barrel of said firearm in response to actuation of said firearm by a user comprising the steps of:

(a) configuring a laser transmission device housing to include a laser transmission module removably disposed therein and an optics module having a lens;

(b) activating said laser transmission module to emit a laser beam through said lens and onto a target having indicia;

(c) adjusting a position of said laser transmission module relative to said optics module to project said emitted laser beam onto said target indicia and securing said laser transmission module into that position;

(d) rotating said laser transmission device housing and verifying said emitted laser beam maintains a beam impact location on said target; and

(e) adjusting said laser transmission module position relative to said optics module in response to said beam impact location being displaced during said rotation, wherein said laser transmission module position is adjusted in a manner to maintain said beam impact location on said target during said rotation.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein step (c) includes:

(c.1) injecting bonding material into said device housing to secure said laser transmission module in said adjusted module position;

wherein steps (d) and (e) are repeated until expiration of a time interval sufficient for said bonding material to secure said laser transmission module position or until said adjusted laser transmission module position maintains said beam impact location on said target during said rotation.

57. The method of claim 55 wherein said laser transmission module includes at least one position adjustment member, and step (c) includes:

(c.1) adjusting a position of said laser transmission module relative to said optics module via said at least one position adjustment member to project said emitted laser beam onto said target indicia.

59. The device of claim 58 wherein said sensing means includes piezoelectric means for producing said actuation signal in response to detecting mechanical waves generated by said firearm actuation and propagating along said firearm.

60. The device of claim 58 wherein said sensing means includes acoustic means for producing said actuation signal in response to detecting acoustic signals generated by said firearm actuation.

61. The device of claim 58 wherein said optical means is positioned within said housing means in a manner to project said emitted laser pulse in a concentric fashion relative to a barrel of said firearm.

62. The device of claim 58 wherein said housing means is configured to be concentric relative to a barrel of said firearm.

63. The device of claim 58 wherein said housing means further includes position means for preventing interference with a firearm extractor and maintaining a position of said device within said firearm during charging of said firearm.

58. A laser transmission device for use with a firearm to simulate firearm operation in response to actuation of said firearm by a user comprising:

housing means configured in the form of a firearm cartridge for placement within a firing chamber of said firearm and including;

power means for providing power for said laser transmission device;

transmitting means for emitting a laser beam;

sensing means for detecting actuation of said firearm and producing an actuation signal in response thereto;

modulating means for controlling said transmitting means in a manner to emit a laser pulse modulated at a specific frequency in response to receiving said actuation signal from said sensing means; and

optical means for directing said emitted laser pulse from said housing means toward an intended target.

64. A laser transmission device for use with a firearm to simulate firearm operation in response to actuation of said firearm by a user comprising:

housing means configured in the form of a firearm cartridge for placement within a firing chamber of said firearm and including;

power means for providing power for said laser transmission device;

transmitting means for emitting a laser beam;

sensing means for detecting actuation of said firearm and producing an actuation signal in response thereto;

control means for controlling said transmitting means in a manner to emit a laser pulse in response to receiving said actuation signal from said sensing means;

optical means for directing said emitted laser pulse from said housing means toward an intended target; and

position means for preventing interference with a firearm extractor and maintaining a position of said device within said firearm during charging of said firearm.

65. The device of claim 64 wherein said sensing means includes piezoelectric means for producing said actuation signal in response to detecting mechanical waves generated by said firearm actuation and propagating along said firearm.

66. The device of claim 64 wherein said sensing means includes acoustic means for producing said actuation signal in response to detecting acoustic signals generated by said firearm actuation.

67. The device of claim 64 wherein said optical means is positioned within said housing means in a manner to project said emitted laser pulse in a concentric fashion relative to a barrel of said firearm.

68. The device of claim 64 wherein said housing means is configured to be concentric relative to a barrel of said firearm.

69. The device of claim 64 wherein said control means includes modulating means for controlling said transmitting means in a manner to emit a laser pulse modulated at a specific frequency in response to receiving said actuation signal from said sensing means.

70. A laser transmission device for use with a firearm to simulate firearm operation in response to actuation of said firearm by a user comprising:

housing means configured in the form of a firearm cartridge for placement within a firing chamber of said firearm and including;

power means for providing power for said laser transmission device;

transmitting means for emitting a laser beam;

sensor means for detecting actuation of said firearm and producing an actuation signal in response thereto;

control means for controlling said transmitting means in a manner to emit a laser pulse in response to receiving said actuation signal from said sensing means; and

optical means for directing said emitted laser pulse from said housing means toward an intended target, wherein said optical means is positioned in a manner to project said emitted laser pulse in a concentric fashion relative to a barrel of said firearm.

71. The device of claim 70 wherein said sensing means includes piezoelectric means for producing said actuation signal in response to detecting mechanical waves generated by said firearm actuation and propagating along said firearm.

72. The device of claim 70 wherein said sensing means includes acoustic means for producing said actuation signal in response to detecting acoustic signals generated by said firearm actuation.

73. The device of claim 70 wherein said housing means is configured to be concentric relative to a barrel of said firearm.

74. The device of claim 70 wherein said housing means further includes position means for preventing interference with a firearm extractor and maintaining a position of said device within said firearm during charging of said firearm.

75. The device of claim 70 wherein said control means includes modulating means for controlling said transmitting means in a manner to emit a laser pulse modulated at a specific frequency in response to receiving said actuation signal from said sensing means.