Abstract:
A simulated firearm for discharging a blank cartridge and generating a realistic flash and report from the muzzle. The simulated firearm of the present invention prevents the discharge of lethal cartridges or projectiles. The simulated firearm has a chamber  65 . The chamber  65  is reversed so that the entrance to the chamber  65  faces the forward section of the simulated firearm. A blank cartridge is loaded into the chamber  65 . The blank cartridge is safely discharged from the reversed chamber.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional patent Ser. No. 60/708,232, filed 2005 Aug. 15 by the present inventor. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0005]    This application generally relates to simulated firearms, specifically to simulated firearms which use blank cartridges. 
         [0006]    2. Prior Art 
         [0007]    Simulated firearms are safer substitutes of actual firearms for training, educational, recreational, and theatrical purposes. Simulated firearms resemble actual firearms and produce the realistic sound and visual effects of gunfire, without discharging lethal projectiles. Automatic simulated firearms are simulated firearms which generate the effects of gunfire in a repetitive manner. 
         [0008]    There are several types of known simulated firearms. One type disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,776 discharges squib explosive charges along the forward section of the simulated firearm. This device can operate as an automatic simulated firearm by employing multiple squib explosive charges. One disadvantage with the squib explosive charge device is that the report and flash are not generated through the muzzle of the simulated firearm. This makes the effect of the simulated gunfire unrealistic. Another disadvantage is that blank cartridges cannot be fed through a magazine nor ejected in a realistic manner. Since squib explosive charges are not contained in a detachable magazine, this device cannot be reloaded like a conventional firearm. 
         [0009]    Another type of known automatic simulated firearm employs blank cartridges. This device operates by loading a blank cartridge from a magazine. The blank cartridge is chambered, discharged, and ejected. However this automatic simulated firearm does not discharge gases through the muzzle like an actual firearm. Instead the chamber has gas ports which vent gases in a lateral direction to the simulated firearm. This type of gas venting satisfies legal requirements for public sale in some jurisdictions. The disadvantage with this approach is that the flash and report are not realistically generated from the muzzle. 
         [0010]    Actual firearms can be modified to use blank cartridges without discharging lethal projectiles, but there significant problems with this practice. Unmodified actual firearms can be loaded inadvertently with lethal ammunition and cause unintended damage and serious injury. When any blank cartridge is discharged, it is possible for part of the case to shear off. The detached portion of the blank cartridge can be projected through the barrel. Such projectiles have caused serious injury and death. 
         [0011]    A further problem with discharging blanks from actual automatic firearms is that blank cartridges typically fail to generate sufficient gas pressure and/or recoil to cycle the action. Without a projectile, the gas and recoil pressures are much lower when a blank cartridge is discharged instead of a lethal cartridge. Modifications have been developed for automatic firearms to elevate the gas pressure and recoil to allow the simulated firearm to cycle with blank ammunition. One type of adapter for gas operated automatic firearms attaches the simulated firearm muzzle, as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,728. Another adapter employs a barrel insert to elevate gas pressure by means of a barrel insert, as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,589. Both the muzzle adapter and barrel insert can be combined, as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,499,811. Another device is a barrel with a ported chamber in which the chamber ports bleed gas pressure to prevent the discharge of a lethal projectile. An example is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,563. With respect to recoil operated firearms, one modification elevates recoil through a barrel sleeve device, as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,489. Barrel insert adapters have been used for recoil operated automatic firearms, as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,589. 
         [0012]    All types of blank modifications for actual firearms have inherent disadvantages. As firearms, actual firearms are subject to extensive legal restrictions governing their sale, possession, and use. External modifications detract from the realistic appearance of simulated or actual firearms firearm. In most types of adapters, the inadvertent discharge of a lethal cartridge will likely damage the adapter and firearm. Any projectile, whether from a lethal cartridge or a detached portion of a blank cartridge, may cause result in death or serious injury. Modifications can be removed, altered, or fail, thereby returning the actual firearm to its original lethal capability. 
         [0013]    3. Objects and Advantages 
         [0014]    Accordingly several objects and advantages of the present invention are:
       (a) to realistically generate a flash and report simulating gunfire;   (b) to be incompatible with lethal cartridges;   (c) to prevent the discharge of projectiles;   (d) to be capable of loading, chambering, discharging, and ejecting blank cartridges in a safe and realistic manner;   (e) to discharge blank cartridges more reliably; and   (f) to operate in a manner not restricted by legal regulations governing the sale, use, and possession of actual firearms.       
 
         [0021]    Further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0022]    In accordance with the present invention, a simulated firearm capable of discharging blank cartridges, the simulated firearm having a chamber positioned with an entrance facing the forward section of the simulated firearm, the position of the chamber preventing the use lethal cartridges or the discharge of projectiles. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Figures 
         [0023]      FIG. 1   a  is a cross-sectional view of the top of an embodiment of an automatic simulated firearm constructed in accordance with the present invention. The embodiment of the simulated firearm shown by  FIG. 1   a  externally resembles the PPSh-41 submachine gun. 
           [0024]      FIG. 1   b  is a cross-sectional view from the top of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a    
           [0025]      FIG. 2   a  is a cross-sectional view of the top of the nose piece assembly of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0026]      FIG. 2   b  is a cross-sectional view from the top of the nose piece sub-assembly of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0027]      FIG. 2   c  is a cross-sectional view of the barrel of the nose piece sub-assembly of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0028]      FIG. 2   d  is a cross-sectional view of the front of the barrel of the nose piece sub-assembly of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0029]      FIG. 2   e  is a top cross-sectional view of the nose piece of the nose piece sub-assembly of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0030]      FIG. 2   f  is a cross-sectional view from the top of the nose piece of the nose piece sub-assembly of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0031]      FIG. 2   g  is a front cross-sectional view of the nose piece of the nose piece sub-assembly of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0032]      FIG. 2   h  is a cross-sectional view from the front of the nose piece of the nose piece assembly of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0033]      FIG. 2   i  is a rear cross-sectional view of the nose piece of the nose piece sub-assembly of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0034]      FIG. 2   j  is a cross-sectional view from the rear of the nose piece of the nose piece sub-assembly of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0035]      FIG. 3   a  is right cross-sectional view of the chamber block of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a . The embodiment of the chamber block displayed by  FIG. 3   a  shows a chamber block composed of two sections, a rear chamber block and a forward chamber block. Alternatively the chamber block could be composed of a single unit instead of two separate pieces. 
           [0036]      FIG. 3   b  shows rear, side, and front cross-sectional views of the rear chamber block of the two piece chamber block embodiment shown by  FIG. 3   a.    
           [0037]      FIG. 3   c  shows rear, side, front, and top cross-sectional views of the forward chamber block of the two piece chamber block embodiment shown by  FIG. 3   a.    
           [0038]      FIG. 4   a  shows a top cross-sectional view of the slide of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0039]      FIG. 4   b  shows a right cross-sectional view of the slide of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0040]      FIG. 4   c  shows a bottom cross-sectional view of the slide of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0041]      FIG. 4   d  shows a rear cross-sectional view of the slide of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0042]      FIG. 4   e  shows a front cross-sectional view of the slide of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0043]      FIG. 4   f  shows enlarged cross-sectional views of the slide of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0044]      FIG. 5   a  shows a top cross-sectional view of the gas tube of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0045]      FIG. 5   a  shows a right cross-sectional view of the gas tube of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0046]      FIG. 6   a  shows forward and side views of the firing pin of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0047]      FIG. 6   b  shows forward and side views of the spring stop of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0048]      FIG. 7  shows rear, side, and forward views of the spring guide of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0049]      FIG. 8  shows a right cross-sectional view of an automatic simulated firearm of the present invention in an embodiment externally resembling the MP-40 submachine gun. 
           [0050]      FIG. 9   a  shows a right cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the simulated firearm shown by  FIG. 8  in which exhaust gases are vented from the top of the simulated firearm body. 
           [0051]      FIG. 9   b  shows enlarged cross-sectional view of the slide, chamber block, and exhaust vent of the simulated firearm of  FIG. 9   a.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS.  1 - 9   
     Operation—FIGS. 1-9 
       [0052]      FIG. 1   a  and  FIG. 1   b  show cross-sectional views of an embodiment of an automatic simulated firearm constructed in accordance with the present invention. The embodiment of the body  100  shown by  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  externally resembles the PPSh-41 submachine gun. A set screw  10  of the simulated firearm is threadably attached to the barrel portion of the nose piece assembly  20 . The nose piece sub-assembly  20  is attached to the body  100 . The gas tube  40  extends from the nose piece sub-assembly  20  to the chamber block  60 . A cavity extends from the U-shaped cavity of the chamber block  60  through gas tube  40  and to the cavity of the nose piece sub-assembly  20 . The slide  50  is slidably attached to the body  100 , and travels between the nose piece sub-assembly  20  and the chamber block  60 . The slide  50  houses the firing pin  30 . The forward section of the spring guide  90  is circumferentially mounted by the operating spring  70 . The operating spring  70  is limited in its rearward travel by the spring stop  80 . In the disclosed embodiment the body  100  appears like a Soviet PPSH-41 submachine gun. Alternatively the body could externally resemble other firearms, including but not limited to the MP40 submachine gun, the Kalashnikov rifle and variants, or other firearms as desired. The body includes conventional firearm components such as a trigger assembly, sear, hammer, and cartridge feeding device. These conventional firearm components are not shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 2  shows the nose piece sub-assembly  20  of the simulated firearm of the present invention.  FIG. 2   a  and  FIG. 2   b  show cross-sectional views from the top of the nose piece sub-assembly  20 .  FIG. 2   c  and  FIG. 2   d  show side and front views of the nose piece sub-assembly  20 .  FIG. 2   e  and  FIG. 2   f  show side and top cross-sectional components of the nose piece of the nose piece sub-assembly  20 . In the displayed embodiment, the barrel is threadably attached to the nose piece sub-assembly  20 . Other embodiments could attach the barrel to the nose piece sub-assembly  20  by alternative means.  FIG. 2   g ,  FIG. 2   h ,  FIG. 2   i , and  FIG. 2   j  show rear and front cross-sectional views of a nose-piece component of the nose piece sub-assembly  20 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 3   a  shows a cross-sectional view of the chamber block  60 , with a U-shaped cavity extending from a chamber  65  to the gas tube  40 . When the simulated firearm is discharged, gases are ported from the chamber  65  through the U-shaped cavity to the gas tube  40 . In the embodiment disclosed by  FIG. 3   a , the chamber block  60  is composed of front and rear sections. Alternatively the chamber block  60  could be composed of a single piece.  FIG. 3   b  shows cross-sectional views of the rear chamber block component of the embodiment disclosed by  FIG. 3   a .  FIG. 3   c  shows cross-sectional views of the front chamber block of the embodiment disclosed by  FIG. 3   a .  FIG. 4   a  through  FIG. 4   c  show cross-sectional views of the slide  50 .  FIG. 4   d  and  FIG. 4   e  show front and rear cross-sectional views of the slide  50 .  FIG. 4   f  shows an enlarged cross-sectional display of slide  50 . When moved in a forward direction, the slide  50  engages on the sear (not shown). 
         [0055]      FIG. 5   a  shows a top cross-sectional view of the gas tube  40 . The cavity enclosed by the gas tube  40  extends from the U-shaped cavity of the chamber block  60  to the nose piece sub-assembly  20 . Upon discharge of a blank cartridge, exhaust gases are ported from the chamber block  60  through the gas tube  40  to the nose piece sub-assembly  20 .  FIG. 5   b  shows a right lateral cross-sectional view of the gas tube  40 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 6   a  shows front and side views of the firing pin  30 . The firing pin is housed within the slide  50 .  FIG. 6   b  shows front and side views of the spring stop  80 . The spring stop  80  restricts the travel of the operating spring  70  along the spring guide  90 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 7  shows a rear, side, and front views of the spring guide  90 . The spring guide  90  is housed within the body  100 . The operating spring  70  extends circumferentially around the spring guide  90 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 8  shows a lateral cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of an automatic simulated firearm constructed in accordance with the present invention. The body  10  of the simulated firearm shown by  FIG. 8  externally resembles the MP-40 submachine gun. 
         [0059]      FIG. 9   a  shows a lateral cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the simulated firearm shown by  FIG. 8 . A cavity extends from the U-shaped cavity of the chamber block  60  to the exhaust vent  110 .  FIG. 9   b  shows an exploded cross-sectional view of the chamber block  60  and the exhaust vent  110 . 
       DRAWINGS 
     Reference Numerals 
       [0000]    
       
           10 ) set screw 
           20 ) nose-piece sub-assembly 
           30 ) firing pin 
           40 ) gas tube, 
           50 ) slide 
           60 ) chamber block 
           65 ) chamber 
           70 ) operating spring 
           80 ) spring stop 
           90 ) spring guide 
           100 ) body 
           110 ) exhaust vent 
       
     
       Operation 
       [0072]    The simulated firearm of the present invention operates as follows. A blank cartridge is inserted into the chamber  65  of the simulated firearm. The entrance to the chamber  65  faces the forward section of the simulated firearm. The simulated firearm is discharged when the trigger is pulled. The trigger moves the sear which releases the firing pin  30 . The firing pin  30  strikes the primer of the blank cartridge, causing it to detonate. 
         [0073]    In one embodiment of the simulated firearm, the gasses from the blank are ported through the U-shaped cavity of the chamber block  60  and enter the gas tube  40 . The gases vent through gas tube  40  to the nose piece sub-assembly  20  and exit the simulated firearm. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, gases could be ported through gas tube  40  to the external vent  110 . The gases could also be ported from directly from the chamber block  60  to the external vent  110 . 
         [0074]    The automatic embodiment of the simulated firearm of the present invention operates in the following manner. The slide  50  is pushed in a forward-direction over a sear. The sear retains the slide  50  in a forward position, creating a cavity between the slide  50  and the chamber  65 . A blank feed device containing blank cartridges is engaged into the body of the simulated firearm between the slide  50  and the chamber  65  of the chamber block  60 . The blank feed device holds the blank cartridges so that the crimped portion of the blank cartridge faces the rear of the simulated firearm, and the primed portion of the cartridge faces forward. 
         [0075]    When the blank feeding device is engaged and the trigger is pulled, the sear releases the slide  50 . The operating spring  70  propels the slide  50  in a rearward direction towards the chamber block  60 . In its rearward travel the slide  50  strips a blank cartridge from the blank feeding device and forces it into the chamber  65 . 
         [0076]    The simulated firearm is discharged when the trigger is pulled. The trigger moves the sear which releases the slide  50  that carries the firing pin  30 . The slide  50  moves rearward causing the firing pin  30  to engage the blank cartridge. The trigger releases a hammer which impacts the firing pin  30 . The firing pin  30  strikes the primer of the blank cartridge, causing it to detonate. The gasses from the blank are ported through the U-shaped cavity of the chamber block  60  and enter the gas tube  40 . The gases vent through gas tube  40  to the nose piece sub-assembly  20  and exit the simulated firearm. 
         [0077]    In an alternate embodiment of the simulated firearm of the present invention, gases may be vented through gas tube  40  to the external vent  110  and exit the simulated firearm. The gases could instead be vented directly from the chamber block  60 . 
         [0078]    The gas pressure in the system is elevated due to the detonation of the blank cartridge. Elevated gas pressure forces the slide  50  to travel in a forward direction. As the slide  50  travels forward, it extracts the discharged blank cartridge from the chamber  65 . The slide  50  retains the blank cartridge until it passes the edge of the nose piece sub-assembly  20 . When the blank passes over the lead edge of the nose-piece, the blank is stripped from the slide  50  and is pushed away from the mechanism. Alternatively, the slide would pass over a stripping device which would cause the blank to be pushed off of the face of the slide. In this instance the nose piece could be a holding device for the barrel and the gas tube run directly into the barrel. The slide  50  continues its forward travel and returns to the “open” or forward position. 
         [0079]    As long as the sear is not in a position to catch the slide  50 , and blank cartridges remain in the feeding device, the slide  50  continues to repeat the above operation. When the sear is returned to its original position, it engages the slide  50  and halts the operation of the simulated firearm.