Patent ID: 9574837
Date: 2017-02-21
CPC Classifications: F41A,F41F

Claim:
1. A safety device for a front-loading weapon comprising a mortar barrel having a closed breech end and an opposite open end for launching a mortar projectile, said safety device comprising, in combination: (a) at least one sensor, mounted on the mortar barrel, for sensing a mortar projectile when the projectile moves past the sensor within the barrel; (b) an electronic logic circuit, coupled to said sensor, for detecting the presence of the mortar projectile in the barrel as the projectile moves past said sensor, both when entering and exiting the barrel, and for determining when the mortar projectile remains inside the barrel longer than expected; and (c) a warning device, coupled to said electronic logic circuit, for providing at least one of a visual and audible warning when the mortar projectile remains in the barrel longer than expected and has thus failed to timely fire, whereby a weapon user is warned against inserting another mortar projectile into the barrel.