HK1097037B - Locking assembly for firearm recoil simulator - Google Patents

Description

Locking device for firearm recoil simulator

Technical Field

The present invention relates to firearms and firearm simulators, and more particularly, to a device for locking the bolt of a firearm simulator.

Background

Due to the deadly nature of the use of firearms, proper training is essential in the application. Such training often involves firing blank or live ammunition. The noise of the charge, the consumption of spent cartridge cases, the smell of harmful burning powder, repeated reloading, environmental restrictions, high costs and general dangers, all of which are very disadvantageous to the use of empty or live ammunition.

To overcome the above disadvantages, training devices have been developed to simulate pistol shots. These devices are related to various weapons of essentially military use. Us patent No. 4,302,190 discloses a rifle recoil simulator whereby compressed air passes through holes in the barrel, forcing the barrel upward into a recoil movement. A trigger switch actuates an electronic timer and air solenoid valve system. For controlling the passage of air to the bore of the lance.

Firearm ammunition and recoil simulators are described in U.S. Pat. nos. 4,194,304 and 4,365,959. These are complex mechanisms designed to train the entire firearm operator. They are not directly related to the pistol recoil which is the subject of the present invention.

To improve the realism of the weapon familiarity process and to provide a more "live" experience, various ways have been suggested to make the weapon range more realistic. For example, some weapons ranges provide paper targets with threat images rather than bullseye targets. In order to present a more realistic scene to the trainee and to provide an interactive and focused experience, some weapons ranges have employed moving or "bursty" targets in place of such stationary targets, such as spring-loaded mechanical images or realistic video images projected on a display screen. The burst or realistic images provide a moving target and/or simulated recurring threat of the trainee's fire. One problem with this approach is that the bullet damages or destroys the target. For example, bullets may perforate the display screen, eventually rendering the screen unusable. Moreover, the use of real ammunition can be very dangerous, especially in unfamiliar training practices where the limits of the ability of the attending personnel are to be tested.

To address these problems, some training ranges have employed non-lethal ammunition, such as air-tube propelled projectiles, in place of conventional bullets. One type of non-lethal ammunition is a Crown E type air cartridge. Typically, such a cartridge is used with a release cap attached to the cartridge and covering the outlet. Then, when the outlet is opened, high pressure gas is released from the cartridge and pushes the release cap away from the air cartridge at a high velocity. The release cap travels through the barrel and is ejected from the gun as a non-lethal projectile. To detect the hit location of a non-lethal projectile, some ranges employ some type of bullet tracking device, such as a high-speed imaging apparatus. Such ranges can be very costly due to their complexity and the use of specialized equipment.

Other ranges allow non-lethal ammunition to penetrate or mark a target to indicate hit location. The disadvantage of such ranges is the destructive nature of non-lethal ammunition. In addition, it is difficult to track hit locations "in real time," making it difficult to achieve an interactive range. Moreover, while this approach may improve visual proximity of actual conditions as compared to paper targets, it lacks visual or other actual instantaneous feedback to indicate the effectiveness of the trainee's fire.

Another alternative type of weapon range is the use of a light beam instead of a bullet. In such a range, a participant holds a weapon simulator shaped like a conventional weapon, actuated by a switch connected to a conventionally shaped and positioned trigger. When the trainee pulls the trigger, the weapon simulator emits a light beam which attacks the target, forming a light emitting point. An optical detector detects the light spot and indicates the hit position.

Such weapon simulators lack realism because there is no recoil in response to the simulated fire. Moreover, the weapon simulator does not fire a cartridge case that can distract the trainee and affect the trainee's foothold.

In order to simulate the actual weapon recoil, a compressed air line may be connected to the weapon simulator. Then, when the trigger is pulled, the air-driven mechanism applies a pulse force to the weapon simulator to create a simulated recoil. A disadvantage of this system is that the air line acts like a tether, limiting the activity and influencing the aim of the person involved. The system also lacks a casing of expelled actual or non-lethal ammunition.

Prior art attempts to simulate recoil, including the techniques described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,947,738, 5,569,085, 4,480,999 and 4,678,437, have the limitations and disadvantages discussed above, and additionally have the disadvantage of being tethered to a console, lack of proper feel and balance, and the problems associated with the present invention.

In particular, to simulate a locked, ammunition-less condition, the weapon simulator utilizes a dedicated slide/bolt locking valve to control the slide or bolt locking mechanism. That is, during a normal firing cycle, only the recoil valve is energized to initiate the recoil cycle. However, upon the final firing cycle, both the recoil valve and the slide/bolt lock valve are actuated, causing the slide/bolt lock valve to lock the bolt of the weapon simulator, temporarily preventing further action of the weapon simulator.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is a bolt locking device for a weapon simulator. The weapon simulator includes a bolt secured to the shell of the pistol to provide recoil to the user. The bolt is connected to a piston which is housed in a piston chamber within the housing. A gas source provides compressed air or fluid into the piston chamber to create movement of the piston and recoil. The bolt locking mechanism will prevent the action of the bolt and piston after the weapon simulator has been fired a predetermined number of times.

The bolt locking apparatus includes a lock actuator port that cooperates with the piston chamber, a locking mechanism located within the bolt housing adjacent the bolt, and a lock passage between the lock actuator port and the locking arm, wherein the lock passage directs gas to the locking mechanism to actuate the locking mechanism and secure the bolt in place.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of a weapon simulator having a bolt locking arrangement of the present invention; and

fig. 2 is a block diagram of the distribution of gas or liquid from a gas source to the bolt locking apparatus of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, a bolt locking arrangement 12 of the present invention is illustrated for use with a firearm simulator or weapon 10. As shown, the weapon simulator 10 includes a regulated gas supply 2 having a control valve 4 and a recoil valve 6, relying on the user to fire the weapon simulator 10 to cycle the weapon simulator 10 and actuate a slide or bolt 18 of the weapon simulator 10. The action of the bolt 18 is sufficient to create a significant recoil for the user to simulate the actual use of a conventional pistol. In particular, the weapon simulator 10 includes a piston 16 housed in a piston chamber 20, the piston 16 being connected to a bolt 18 of the weapon simulator 10 by the housing 11. When firing, the air supply 2 supplies an air flow in the piston chamber 20, creating a forceful movement of the piston 16 within the piston chamber 20. This movement of the piston 16 will simultaneously produce movement of the bolt 18 to create a recoil force.

The bolt locking arrangement 12 of the present invention is intended to be used in conjunction with a weapon simulator 10 to provide a simple way of locking a bolt 18 using a gas source 2 that is introduced into the weapon simulator 10 to create recoil. That is, the weapon simulator 10 includes a bolt locking device 12 that is controlled by the same control valve 4 and gas source 2 that controls the recoil action of the bolt 18 of the weapon simulator 10. As a result, the separate slide/bolt locking valve required in the other weapon simulator designs described above is eliminated, thereby further reducing the number of parts required for realistic action of the weapon simulator 10.

The bolt locking assembly 12 includes a lock actuator port 14 that is connected to a locking mechanism through a lock passage 26. The locking mechanism preferably includes a locking arm 17 and a means for actuating the locking arm 17, the locking arm 17 being pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 22 within the gun housing 11. The actuator of the present invention includes an actuator arm 25, an actuator plate 24 and a plate chamber 28, although it is contemplated that other actuator designs can be incorporated. Continuing with fig. 1, the actuator arm 25 is connected to the locking arm 17, and the actuator plate 24 is mounted at the opposite end from the locking arm 17. The actuator plate 24 is slidably mounted within a plate chamber 28, the plate chamber 28 being connected to the locking actuator inlet 14 by a locking channel 26. The locking actuator inlet 14 is further in communication with the piston chamber 20.

In use, a user turns on a switch 30, such as a conventional firearm trigger, which causes the weapon simulator 10 to fire. A recoil valve 6 allows compressed air or fluid to flow into the piston chamber 20 to force the bolt 18 toward the user of the weapon simulator 10, thereby generating recoil from the weapon simulator 10. At this point, the piston 16 generally travels in the piston chamber 20 to position A.

A sensor, controller or other related component will monitor the number of shots fired by the weapon simulator 10. Once the weapon simulator 10 has been fired a predetermined number of times, the bolt locking mechanism 12 will begin to act. In particular, the recoil valve 6 will remain open for a preset time such that compressed air or fluid from the air supply 2 will force the piston 16 to travel to position B within the piston chamber 20 beyond the bolt lock actuator inlet 14. Once the piston 16 passes beyond the lock actuator inlet 14, gas acting on the piston 16 will pass from the piston chamber 20 through the lock actuator inlet 14 and the lock passage 26 into the plate chamber 28. The compressed gas will then apply pressure to the actuator plate 24, thereby driving the actuator arm 25 in turn. The actuator arm 25 will thereby rotate the locking arm 17 about the pivot pin 22 so that the locking arm 17 will be adjacent a shoulder 23 of the bolt 18. When the recoil valve 6 is closed, the bolt 18 will be retracted to the original rest position and the shoulder 23 will engage the locking arm 17. Once the shoulder 23 of the bolt 18 engages the locking arm 17, the bolt 18 will be locked in place, with the locking arm 17 preventing the bolt 18 from returning to its original rest position relative to the housing 11.

The bolt 18 will remain in the locked position until the user takes action to release the bolt 18. When the gun latches are timed, the firearm simulator 10 will be disabled, as in the case of an actual firearm. However, once the user resets the bolt 18, or takes some other action, the weapon simulator 10 will again be able to act.

Thus, while there has been described as specific embodiments of the present invention a new and useful firearm simulator locking device, it is not intended that these references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.

Claims (9)

1. A bolt locking arrangement (12) for a weapon simulator (10), the weapon simulator (10) having a bolt (18) secured to a housing (11), said housing (11) defining a piston chamber (20) surrounding a piston (16), the bolt (18) being connected to the piston (16), the weapon simulator (10) further having a gas source (2), the gas source (2) forcing gas into the piston chamber (20) to produce movement of the piston (16) to simulate recoil of a weapon, the bolt locking arrangement (12) comprising:

a lock actuator inlet (14) in the piston chamber (20);

a locking mechanism located within the housing (11) adjacent the bolt (18) for locking the bolt; and

a lock passage (26) connecting said lock actuator inlet (14) and said lock mechanism, said lock passage (26) directing gas from the piston chamber to said lock mechanism.

2. The bolt locking apparatus (12) of claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism comprises:

a locking arm (17); and

an actuating device for moving said locking arm (17), said actuating device being connected to said locking arm (17).

3. The bolt locking apparatus (12) of claim 2 wherein said actuating means comprises:

an actuating arm (25) connected to said locking arm (17);

an actuator plate (24) mounted on said actuator arm (25); and

a plate chamber (28) for receiving said actuator plate (24), said plate chamber (28) being in communication with said locking channel (26) for receiving said compressed gas to move said actuator plate (24).

4. Method for automatically locking a bolt (18) of a weapon simulator (10) after the action of the weapon simulator (10), characterized in that it comprises:

a) opening a locking actuator inlet (14) in a piston chamber (20) by fluid movement of a piston (16) connected to a bolt (18);

b) dispensing said fluid through said locking actuator inlet (14);

c) engaging a locking mechanism for locking the bolt with the fluid;

d) actuating the locking mechanism to engage the bolt (18); and

e) the bolt (18) is prevented from movement by the locking mechanism.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein step d) comprises the steps of:

distributing said fluid into a plate chamber (28);

-moving an actuator plate (24) located in said plate chamber (28);

an actuator arm (25) mounted on the actuator plate (24) in a movable manner;

the locking arm (17) is pushed by the actuating arm (25) into connection with the bolt (18).

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of pushing the locking arm (17) further comprises:

the locking arm (17) is pivoted about a pivot pin.

7. A weapon simulator (10) having a housing (11) and a bolt (18) slidably secured to the housing (11), the weapon simulator (10) comprising:

a piston chamber (20) in said gun housing (11);

a piston (16) connected to said bolt (18), said piston (16) being located in said piston chamber (20);

a lock actuator inlet (14) in said piston chamber (20);

a locking mechanism located within the housing (11) adjacent the bolt (18) for locking the bolt;

a lock passage (26) between said lock actuator inlet (14) and said lock arm (17); and

a means for supplying fluid into the piston chamber (20) to effect movement of the piston (16), said supply means dispensing fluid through said locking passage (26) to said locking mechanism.

8. The weapon simulator (10) of claim 7, wherein said locking mechanism comprises:

a locking arm (17); and

an actuating device for moving said locking arm (17), said actuating device being connected to said locking arm (17).

9. The weapon simulator (10) of claim 8, wherein said actuating means comprises:

an actuating arm (25) connected to said locking arm (17);

an actuator plate (24) mounted on said actuator arm (25); and

a plate chamber housing said actuator plate (24), said plate chamber (28) communicating with said locking channel (26) to receive fluid to move said actuator plate (24).