Abstract:
Device ( 12 ) for counting the total number of shots fired by a firearm ( 11 ) and those fired with a same loader mounted on the weapon by means of the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of physical parameters relating to its firing cycle, in such a way that the information obtained is shown in real time on a visual display unit with the activation, visual display and setting to zero being automatic actions without intervention from the user, by means of a computer programme, with it being possible to carry out such operations manually as well. The visual display unit may show other parameters of the firearm&#39;s operation ( 11 ) such as the temperature of those points most likely to overheat so that the weapon may be used with safety and precision.

Description:
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention refers, in general, to a device for counting shots fired with a firearm. More specifically, this invention refers to a device which counts the shots made with a firearm, albeit an automatic, semiautomatic or manual weapon, by means of the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of signals generated in the firearm&#39;s firing cycle. The device functions automatically, activating, disconnecting and setting at zero when the ammunition is consumed from the loader in use, therefore the firearm user does not intervene in the operation of the aforementioned device, and furthermore is provided with information on the ammunition consumption in real time as it is produced. 
       STATE OF THE ART 
       [0002]    Currently the improvement of firearms, such as short arms or pistols has led to a pistol loader having a capacity to house more than a dozen cartridges, for example, 18 cartridges. 
         [0003]    In a revolver type firearm, that is, a firearm which has drum normally able to hold 6 cartridges, it is relatively easy to mentally control the number of cartridges shot or used. In the case of a pistol which mounts a loader which can store  18  cartridges, plus one in the chamber, the task of controlling the number of shots carried out may become arduous and complicated, and the shooter may be surprised with the last unexpected shot that is, without prior warning. 
         [0004]    In automatic firearms, with a high shooting rate, between 250 and 1200 shots per minute, the problem is further aggravated as even the slightest excess of time pressing the trigger leads to an enormous waste of ammunition. In manual activation, even though the amount of ammunition spent is much more restrained, as we will be able to keep count of the ammunition spent and the total number of shots fired with the firearm. 
       CHARACTERISATION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    This invention seeks to resolve or reduce one or more of the disadvantages described above by means of an automatic shot counter such as that defined in claim  1 . Embodiments of the invention are established in the dependent claims. 
         [0006]    One object of the invention is to provide a device which is able to count and show, in real time, the number of shots fired with the firearm by means of the weapon&#39;s firing cycle. 
         [0007]    The shot counter in this invention counts the number of shots fired with the firearm which has a dynamic or static firing cycle. 
         [0008]    A dynamic firing cycle is that which is fired by an automatic or semiautomatic firearm, which includes at least the mechanical actions of shooting, hammering and loading in such a way that it is prepared for the next shot and which implies movement of specific mechanical elements. Each dynamic cycle corresponds to a partial count and the sum of all the partial counts, that is, the shots fired, corresponds to a total count of the number of shots fired by the firearm throughout its operative life. 
         [0009]    In turn, the static firing cycle is defined as that made by a firearm which comprises, at least, the mechanical action of shooting, and in which the operations of introducing the cartridge into the chamber and extraction of the spent cartridge are made manually. Each static cycle corresponds to a partial count and the sum of all the partial counts, that is, the shots fired, corresponds to a total count of the number of shots fired by the firearm throughout its operative life 
         [0010]    The result of these counts is shown, in real time, in a visual display unit which may or may not be incorporated in the firearm, thus forming part of the shooter&#39;s equipment, or of a data collection centre of a multiplicity of shooters. As a result, the shooter is able to know the number of cartridges available at any given movement, permitting him to more effectively control consumption of the ammunition and avoiding the dangerous surprise of running out of ammunition at a highly emotional tense moment. 
         [0011]    Furthermore, the total counter of the shots fired by the firearm enable perfect maintenance of those parts which undergo most wear during use, thus preventing irreparable damage to the firearm. 
         [0012]    In firearms which make dynamic firing cycles, the count thereof is made in one of the following two ways In the first, on the basis of times and speeds of displacement of a linear or rotational movement of an element which is displaced in reaction to the shot, thus forming part of the firearm&#39;s closing system. 
         [0013]    In the second, on the basis of the characteristics of the disturbances generated in at least one element of the firearm when the shot occurs. Parameters which characterise a disturbance may be for example, amplitude, duration etc. of the disturbance. 
         [0014]    It should be noted that in both cases it is possible to differentiate the action of shooting of any manual action made by the user thereof. It also enables identification of the last available cartridge which permits the automatic setting at zero of the partial counter. 
         [0015]    In a firearm which makes static firing cycles, the count thereof is made on the basis of the characteristics of the disturbances generated in at least one element of the firearm when the shot is produced. Parameters which characterise a disturbance may be for example, amplitude, duration etc. of the disturbance. 
         [0016]    In this case it is also possible to differentiate the action of shooting from any other manual action carried out by the shooter. 
         [0017]    The dynamic cycle may be complete or incomplete. A dynamic cycle should be considered to be complete when it ends with a new cartridge fed into the chamber and, therefore, ready to be fired. The dynamic cycle is incomplete when the firearm is unloaded as there are no more cartridges in the loader or as it has jammed, that is, the firearm cannot fire again until a new loader has been inserted. 
         [0018]    Another object of the invention is its ability to ensure visibility in real time of the partial and total count in a visual display unit, situated in the firearm itself or in a device situated at a distance from the firearm which is firing the shot and in any situation when using the firearm. 
         [0019]    Another object of the invention is to make a lightweight counter with reduced dimensions which does not interfere with the use of the firearm and which is simple to mount both in long and short arms, of the type already in existence or new manufacture. 
         [0020]    A further object of the invention is that the counter has considerable operational autonomy, including several thousand shots, as a result of its reduced electrical energy consumption. This autonomy is achieved by means of electronic circuits which remain in repose until a shot is fired. At that moment the counter is automatically activated, presents the information relating to the partial count, that is, that which corresponds to the loader which is being used, during a pre-established time period and finally it returns to the resting position until the next shot. 
         [0021]    Another object of the shot counter is that the shooter does not intervene or interfere in its operation. When a shot is fired, the counter is activated, it memorises the information, shows it during a pre-established time period on the visual display unit so that it does not distract the shooter&#39;s attention any longer than necessary and prevents its position from being visible in the dark and returns to its resting state until the next shot. If the user wishes to consult the number of shots fired, a button is activated for this purpose, causing the stored information to be shown on the visual display unit for a number of seconds. 
         [0022]    Another object of the invention is to provide useful information in order to assess the ageing and wear of the main components of the firearm by means of analysis of the firing cycles made with the arm throughout its lifetime. 
         [0023]    Another object of the invention is to use the visual display unit and the electronic circuits of the shot counter to show other information inherent to the operation of the firearm such as, for example, the barrel temperature. In this way we will be able to avoid excessive temperature values during intensive use, in short periods of time, as these could affect the firearm&#39;s precision or endanger the shooter and/or the firearm. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0024]    A more detailed explanation of the invention is given in the following description based on the attached figures in which: 
           [0025]      FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  show projected views of a firearm with a counter device in accordance with this invention. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b , and  2   c  show profile views of the shot counter in accordance with the invention and 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  shows a block diagram of the shot counter device in accordance with the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    Below,  FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b ,  2   a ,  2   b  and  2   c  show illustrations of shot counter devices  12  for firearms  11 , for example, pistols and rifles which include a viewing panel  21  placed preferably round the firearm&#39;s aiming system, so that the screen in itself is oriented towards the shooter&#39;s sight, and therefore, within the field of vision of the sighting system. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  shows a block diagram of the shot counter  12  which includes a first means of perception or sensor  32  which is adapted to perceive certain physical characteristics relating to the action of the shot made with the firearm  11 . 
         [0030]    In the case of a firearm with a dynamic firing cycle, the function of counting the number of shots fired is based on the times or speeds of displacement of an element associated with the firearm&#39;s closing system for example. In this case, the sensor  32  includes one or more sensors which may be magnetic, or of the electromagnetic radiation type, irrespective of whether or not they are visible to the human eye, or a combination of these. In order for the sensor  32  to be able to perceive the shot, the aforementioned sensor perceives a solid medium  31  which participates from movement of the alternative sliding, backwards and forwards once more, from at least one element of the closing system of the firearm  11 . 
         [0031]    When the sensor  32  is of the magnetic type, the aforementioned solid means  31  is, at least, a magnet situated on the slide or closing system of the firearm, with the possibility of the actual slide being the aforementioned means  31 , in which case an auxiliary magnet will be placed close to the sensor  32 . When the sensor  32  is of the type with electromagnetic radiations, the solid medium  31  is, at least, a reflective layer or surface situated on the slide or firearm closing system, with the aforementioned means  31  being the slide itself. 
         [0032]    In addition, the firearm which carries out a firing cycle may obtain information in order to count the shots carried out on the basis of the characteristics of the dynamic disturbances suffered by the firearm when it fires a shot. Therefore, the sensor  32 , includes one or more vibration sensors such as for example of the piezoelectric type. 
         [0033]    In the case of a firearm which carries out static firing cycles, the function of counting the number of shots fired is based on the characteristics of the dynamic disturbances to which the firearm  11  is subject in a similar manner to the previously mentioned case. As a result, the sensor  32 , includes one or more vibration sensors such as for example of the piezoelectric type as well. 
         [0034]    when a shot is fired brusque and strong dynamic disturbances of the firearm occur. Furthermore, in the firearm  11  with dynamic firing cycle, there is a strong acceleration of the slide or closing system, in the opposite direction of the shot, in general, due to conservation of the movement amount. 
         [0035]    When the slide reaches the end of its run or the closing system causes a backward thrust and driven by the recovery spring it changes the direction of its movement returning forwards again until the firing cycle is completed. Both phenomena are very different from those produced by an accidental blow or by handling of the firearm  11  by the shooter. 
         [0036]    The first means of perception or sensor  32  will directly receive, or through the solid medium  31 , the characteristics of the firearm shot  11 . The sensor  32  generates at one of its exits an electrical signal which is sent, through electrical connections to a programmable logical control means  33  which, in turn is connected to the visual display unit  21 . 
         [0037]    The electrical signal generated is analysed and compared with the signal model corresponding to a shot. In the event that they are equal or substantially similar, the microprocessor  33  varies in a unit both in terms of the number of total shots fired with a firearm  11 , total count, such as the number of shots fired with the loader  13  mounted by the firearm  11 , partial count. 
         [0038]    Previously the model electrical signal corresponding to the type of firing cycle characteristic of the firearm  11 , dynamic or static, would have been stored in the microprocessor memory  33 . This information is a characteristic parameter of each firearm  11  and of the type of ammunition used thereby, so that it is possible to distinguish between a complete and an incomplete cycle as well as handling of the slide by the shooter and the jamming of the weapon or when the casing is trapped by the closing system. 
         [0039]    The programmable logic control means  33  based on a programming means such as a microprocessor, may be connected to an data entry means  34  which includes one or various switches or buttons which permit the selection and visual display in real time on the counter screen  21  the information required by the shooter at any time, such as the total count or partial count etc. 
         [0040]    The partial counter automatically sets to zero when the microprocessor  33  identifies an incomplete dynamic firing cycle, or in another embodiment, when it identifies that the shooter has acted manually on the slide or closing system of the firearm  11 . 
         [0041]    It may also be set at zero with a button included for this purpose or when the loader is changed for another by means of a mechanical microswitch or a magnetic type sensor, not shown in the drawings, placed on the firearm  11  and a magnet inserted in the loader  13 . 
         [0042]    The counter  12  may be configured as an accessory which is coupled to the body of the firearm  11 , to any of the firearm components  11  or to any of its accessories; as a system which is housed or embedded in the firearm casing in any of the firearm  11  components, or in any of its accessories etc; so that the screen  21  may be visualised at any time by the shooter when firing a shot, that is, the screen  21  is facing towards the shooter. 
         [0043]    The microprocessor information  33  may be transmitted through electrical connections, or through any means of transmission of information via an air interface to a receiver and data processing system and/or another visual display unit not shown in the drawings which form part of the shooter&#39;s equipment, or distanced therefrom. 
         [0044]    The counter  12  comprises a supply unit in the form of a battery or cell  35 , not shown, which supplies electrical energy to all counter circuits  12 . The battery  35  is small in size and of the long term type. Rechargeable batteries may also be used. 
         [0045]    In order to extend the battery life  35 , the counter  12  is automatically activated when a shot is fired. Initially it is in repose, with the visual display unit turned off. When the firearm fires, the sensor  32  generates a signal activating the counter  12 . Following a predetermined period of non use of the fire arm, the counter returns to its resting position, maintaining the value of the counters both total and partial. 
         [0046]    The counter  12  may also be automatically activated by an impact sensor, a magnetic switch or a piezoelectric sensor which picks up the mechanical vibrations of the firearm  11  when it fires. 
         [0047]    The counter  12  may also include buttons for carrying out further functions such as: exclusively switching off the screen without affecting the counter as it continues incrementing as new shots are fired or selecting a certain number on the visual display unit  21  so that the counter  12  discounts a unit every time that a new shot is fired. 
         [0048]    The visual display unit may be of the liquid crystal type LCD, electroluminescent, plasma, coherent light or similar, due to the fact that these technologies consume very little power. 
         [0049]    The screen information  21  will be shown with different degrees of light intensity in accordance with ambient light available at any given time in order to facilitate viewing at all times. In this way it will be notably reduced when the intensity of ambient light is low or dark and it will increase when the opposite is the case. 
         [0050]    In respect of  FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b ,  2   a ,  2   b  and  2   c , the screen  21  will comprise at least two digits which may be together or separate. It may also be formed by 1½ digits, namely, by a complete digit and another formed solely by two vertical segments aligned in such a way that as they take up a small amount of space it will be easier to integrate them in small firearms. In this case, for the count of more than 20 shots for example, the points at the foot of each digit will be used in order to codify the information. 
         [0051]    In order to have evidence of the temperature in the barrel of the firearm at least one temperature probe may be placed, not shown in the figures, at an appropriate point of the barrel. This probe generates an electrical signal based on its temperature which is sent, through electrical connections, to the programmable logic control means  33 . 
         [0052]    Although the value of the temperature may appear on the visual display unit when activated by the button, in the preferred embodiment it is shown indirectly through the mode which visualises the partial counter. For example, with its intermittent flashing with two different frequencies corresponding to the two temperature scales, one lower for warning and one higher for danger, which have been previously established in the programmable logic control means  33 . 
         [0053]    In order to avoid placing long electrical connections along the firearm  11 , the temperature probe may be placed at another part of the firearm so that measuring the temperature at that point infers the same, given that the temperature at both points is related given since weapon in question is the same article. 
         [0054]    The embodiments and examples established in this report are presented as the best explanation of this invention and its practical application, and thus permitting experts in the art to put this invention into practice and use. Nevertheless, experts in the art will recognise that the description and the foregoing examples have been presented for the purpose of illustrating and merely as an example. The description as explained herein is not considered to be exhaustive or to restrict the invention to the precise form in which it is described. Modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above teaching without abandoning the spirit and scope of the following claims.