Remote controlled safety catch or fire-mode selector for disablement of one or more firearms at live fire-ranges and related methods

Disclosed are remote controlled safety catch or fire-mode selectors for disablement of one or more firearms at live fire-ranges and related methods.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC AND INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE OF THE MATERIAL ON THE COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

Reserved for a later date, if necessary.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of Invention

The subject matter of this disclosure is in the field of remote controlled safety catches or fire-mode selectors and related methods of use. The subject matter of this disclosure is also in the field of apparatus and related methods of training military, law-enforcement, or civilian firearm shooters at live-fire ranges.

Background of the Invention

Firearms are typically barreled apparatuses for launching one or more projectiles toward a target via rapidly expanding gasses initiated by an explosive. Firearms have many applications which include civilian, law enforcement, and military uses. Regardless of the application, improper or accidental firearm use or accidental firearm discharge can result in unintended injury to persons or property. As a result: (a) firearm users are usually required to receive firearm training and practice prior to unsupervised firearm use; and (b) firearms are outfitted with safety catches (also known as trigger locks) or fire mode selectors to prevent accidental discharge.

Firearm training is frequently undertaken at live firing ranges (also known as shooting ranges), or specialized facilities designed for firearms practice. Generally, firing ranges are defined by at least one firing point or firing line (or area for firearm discharge) that is separated from a back-stopped target by an empty or unoccupied field. Firing ranges are typically overseen by a range master or range safety officer who is responsible for ensuring that all firearm safety rules are followed at the range. One safety rule may be that all firearms on the range be trigger-locked prior to entering or leaving the firing point. Furthermore, emergency situations arise where a shooting point or firing line is required to be “cold” (i.e., a situation where no firearm discharge is permitted). Yet still, sometimes a live shooting point or line may have a “cease fire” situation. Therefore, a need exists for apparatus and related methods of ensuring that firearms on a firing range are trigger-locked whenever shooters are outside the firing point/line, the range is cold, or a cease fire is initiated.

Problems can arise at a firing range in view of a single range master. For instance, a single range master is limited in his or her ability to see every safety violation or initiate a cease fire when out of view or hearing of a shooting line. These problems are particularly relevant in military applications such as Foreign Internal Defense (FID) missions. Thus, a need exists for apparatus and related methods for allowing non range masters to prevent safety violations or initiate a cease fire.

Many firing ranges offer firearm training courses wherein Instruction is offered to shooters while multiple shooters are moving and shooting within the shooting point or firing line of the range. Sometimes, courses are offered by different instructors to different classes at the same time in the firing line. Other times, for instance in FID missions, instruction is offered by instructors that speak a different language than the students in the course. Multiple classes in the same firing line or language barriers can cause confusion about firing times so that, as a result, safety issues arise. Thus, a need also exists for apparatus and related methods for instructors of courses to enable or disable firearm discharge of their students regardless of language barriers or when multiple courses or shooting groups are in close proximity to one another at a single firing range.

Safety catches or fire mode selectors are almost universal to firearms. Sometimes, automatic or remote controlled safety catches or mode selectors are employed in firearms, most notably to prevent a non-owner of the firearm from discharging the firearm. Although not taught in the art, remote controlled or automatic safety catches could be employed to quickly disable firearm use for a group of shooters at a firing range (e.g., during a cease fire). However, many of the known remote controlled safety catches or mode selectors disable the firearm so that, if the remote control fails or breaks, the gun cannot be fired until either the remote control or its battery replaced. Hence, a need remains for an apparatus and related methods of enabling or disabling firearm discharge wherein the apparatus can be bypassed when the same is not operating correctly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present disclosure to describe apparatus and related methods for remote actuation of a safety or fire mode selector of a firearm. In particular, it is an object to describe said apparatus and related methods for use in connection with firearm training or instruction at live firing ranges. In one embodiment, the apparatus is defined by a wireless (e.g., radio frequency or other wireless communication signal) remote and a remote-controlled safety or mode selector system that is assembled to the lower receiver and pistol grip of a firearm (e.g., a rifle such as an M4, M16 and AR15 platform).

In a preferred embodiment, a firearm may suitably be retrofit with: (1) a safety selector lever that features a nub disposed at the tip of the lever's control rod so that a selector drive gear may be installed on the nub to impart motion from the selector drive gear to the safety selector lever; and (2) a remote controlled drive system in the handle that is mechanically coupled to the selector drive gear so that the drive system can be remotely controlled to impart motion from the drive system to the drive gear whereby the safety selector lever may be manipulated from, e.g., a “fire” position to a “safe” position. Suitably, the safety or mode selector may be provided with a receiver for receiving mode selection commands from the remote control. In one embodiment, the mode selection commands may be “Lock” or “Unlock.” In use, firing range safety personnel or weapons instructors may maintain a remote control for shooters with the remote controlled safety or mode selector installed on their firearms so that firearms at a firing range may be selectively locked or unlocked by the instructors or safety personnel. In a preferred embodiment, the mode selector may be turned from a lock or safe position to a fire position by the shooter.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are not necessarily made to scale but are representative.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed may be an improvement to safety control levers and related systems for remotely controlling the safety control lever. In one embodiment, the system may be defined by a wireless (e.g., radio frequency or other wireless communication signal) remote and a remote-controlled safety or mode selector system that is assembled to the lower receiver and pistol grip of a firearm (e.g., a rifle such as an M4, M16 and AR15 platform). The more specific details of the system are described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1Ais a right-side view of a firearm1000. The firearm1000is typical and consists of a buttstock1100, a charging handle1200, a rear sight1300, a lower receiver1400, a pistol grip1500, a magazine1600, a hand guard1700, a front sight1800, and a barrel1900.FIG. 1Bis a left-side view of the firearm1000with two (2) zoom-in views of alternate configurations of relevant parts of the lower receiver1400and pistol grip1500of the fire arm1000. Specifically, the zoom-in views ofFIG. 1Bshow a safety selector lever1410in a “FIRE” position (top) and a “SAFE” position (bottom).

Still referring toFIGS. 1A and 1B, the safety selector lever1410is positioned adjacent to the trigger1200and through the lower receiver1400of the fire arm1000so that it may be operated via the thumb of a gunman's trigger hand while gripping the pistol grip1500. In operation, the safety selector lever1410may be switched from “FIRE” and “SAFE” positions via manual rotation from a downward position (top) to a lateral position (bottom). Alternatively, the safety selector lever1410may be switched between “SAFE” and “FIRE” positions via manual rotation from a lateral position (bottom) to a downward position (top).

As set forth above, the safety selector lever1410is installed through the lower receiver1400and operated manually from the pistol grip1500.FIG. 2Ais a top-oriented and exploded prospective view of the right-side of a lower receiver1400and pistol grip1500of a firearm1000.FIG. 2Bis a bottom-oriented and exploded perspective view of the right-side of a lower receiver1400and pistol grip1500of the same firearm1000ofFIG. 2A. Referring toFIGS. 2A and 2B, the pistol grip1500and lower receiver1400are coupled via a pistol grip screw1510through the butt of the pistol grip1500that fastens the grip1500to the receiver1400. In some instances, a lock washer1520may be included with the pistol grip screw1510to reduce the risk that the fastening of the grip1500to the receiver1400unexpectedly fails. Additionally, a safety detent1416and safety detent spring may be installed or uninstalled via removal of the grip1500. The safety detent1416operates via applying spring pressure to the safety selector lever1410so that it cannot be too easily or unintentionally rotated between FIRE and SAFE positions (see, e.g.,FIG. 1B).

As discussed above, a typical safety selector lever1410is operated via manual rotation of the lever1410within the lower receiver1400.FIG. 3Ais a top-oriented and exploded perspective view of the left side of the lower receiver1400and safety selector lever1410.FIG. 3Bis a top-oriented and exploded perspective view of the right side of the lower receiver1400and the safety selector lever1410. Referring toFIGS. 3A and 3Ba typical safety selector lever is defined by a control lever1411and a control rod1412. Suitably, the control rod traditionally is pivotally passed through a control rod receiver1414of the lower receiver1400. As shown inFIG. 4, the safety control lever1410can be customized relative to a particular firearm via longer or shorter control rods and levers (e.g.,1410A-1412A versus1410B-1412B). In use, the safety selector lever is rotated around the control rod1412within the control rod receiver1414via thumb interaction with the lever1411. Suitably, the rod1412features various grooves or other embellishments so that the detent1416(FIGS. 2A & 2B) may be applied to restrict easy movement of the safety control lever1410between FIRE and SAFE Positions. Suitably, the face of the control rod1412is visible on the opposite side of the receiver1400as the lever1411when installed.

FIG. 5is a side-by-side perspective view of alternate embodiments of improved safety selector levers1410C,1410D. As shown, the safety selector levers1410C,1410D feature a nub1413C,1413D on the face of the rod1412C,1412D.FIG. 6is a top-oriented and exploded perspective view of the right side of the lower receiver1400, the improved safety selector lever1410, and the selector drive gear1530. As shown, the nub1413C,1413D is configured such that the nub is exposed on the opposite side of the receiver1414when installed. Preferably, the nub1413C,1413D defines an attachment mechanism for securing the face of the control rod1412C,1412D to a selector drive gear1530. As shown, the selector drive gear1530is suitably defined by a disc with a nub receiver1531, a gear line receiver1532, and a gear line track1533(around the sidewall of the disk). Preferably, the nub1413C,1413D and the nub receiver1531may interact (e.g., via weld, restriction fit, or other attachment mechanism) to mechanically fix the selector drive gear1530to the control rod1412of the safety selector lever1410. Preferably, the mechanical fixation between the selector drive gear1530to the control rod1412results in the gear1530rotating whenever the lever1410is rotated and vice versa.

FIG. 7is a schematic of mechanical correspondence of movement between the selector drive gear1530and the control lever1411. The figure shows a lever1411and gear1530superimposed over a generic lower receiver1400. As shown in the top-to-bottom progression diagram, clockwise rotation of the gear1530results in counterclockwise rotation of the lever1411.

One objective of this disclosure is to describe a remote controlled drive system that is mechanically coupled to the selector drive gear1530so that the drive system can be remotely controlled to impart motion from the drive system to the drive gear1530whereby the safety selector lever1411may be manipulated from, e.g., a “fire” position to a “safe” position. In the preferred embodiment, the disclosed drive system features a rotatable pistol grip drive gear1540that can be turned via a motorized driver1550so that the pistol grip drive gear1540correspondingly turns the lever drive gear1530(see, e.g.,FIG. 7).FIG. 8is a schematic of mechanical correspondence of movement between a driver1550and a pistol grip drive gear1540. In a preferred embodiment, a motor1570(not shown) may be installed on the driver1550to turn threaded1552drive rod1551so that the threads1552of the drive rod1551interact with teeth1544of the pistol grip drive gear1540to cause rotation. As discussed below, the drive gear1540and the drive rod1551may be installed in the grip1500and tied to the lever gear1530.

FIG. 9Ais a front view of a pistol grip plate1560.FIG. 9Bis a bottom-oriented perspective view of the pistol grip plate1560. The pistol grip plate operates to retain the drive system in the pistol grip1500(not shown). Suitably, the plate1560is defined by a flat plate with a electrical pathway defined by a hole through the plate, a spindle1562positioned outwardly from the plate, and a motor receptacle1563.FIG. 9Cis a right-side diagram of the pistol grip plate1560and selector drive gear1530overlade on a silhouette of the lower receiver1400and pistol grip1500of a firearm1000. As shown in the figure, the drive system is not yet installed.FIG. 9Dis a right-side diagram of the pistol grip plate1560and selector drive gear1530overlade on a silhouette of the lower receiver1400and pistol grip1500of a firearm1000with the pistol grip drive gear1540, motor1570, and driver1580. As shown inFIGS. 9C and 9D, the driver1550may be coupled to one or more motors1570configured to turn the drive rod1551. The motors and driver1550may be disposed in the receptacle1563so that the threads of the drive rod1551cooperate with the teeth1554of the grip gear1540.FIG. 9Eis a right-side diagram of the gear line1535tying the lever gear1530to the grip gear1540. Suitably, the gear line1535resides in the tracks1543,1533and is secured to the gears via the receivers1532,1542. In one mode of operation the gear line1535transfers rotating motion between the gears1530,1540.

FIG. 10is a schematic of mechanical correspondence of movement between the selector drive gear and the pistol grip drive gear1540. As shown in the top-down diagram, motorized rotation of the drive rod1551causes rotation of grip gear1540(see, e.g.,FIG. 8). The rotation of the grip gear1540may correspondingly be transferred to the lever gear1530via the gear line1535. As discussed above and shown in the boxed areas ofFIG. 10, rotation of the lever gear1530correspondingly causes a change of position of the lever1411from a “FIRE” to a “SAFE” position.

As alluded to above, the drive system may be remotely controlled.FIG. 11Ais a front view of a motherboard1580. Suitably, the mother board features a radio frequency or other receiver that may be operated to receive signals that initiate the motors1570(not shown) to turn the lever1411(not shown) as described above. Suitably, the mother board may be disposed on the backside of the grip plate1560(FIG. 9A) and electrical wiring passed from the mother board to the motor1570via the electrical pathway1561(FIG. 9A). Suitably, the motherboard1580has a power source (e.g., battery1581).FIG. 11Bis a left-side diagram of the motherboard1580and control lever1411overlade on a silhouette of the lower receiver1400and pistol grip1500of a firearm1000.FIG. 12Ais a front oriented perspective of a charging port1582that defines the butt of a pistol grip1500(not shown).FIG. 12Bis a side view of a charging port1582that defines the butt of a pistol grip. The charging port1582may be used to provide electric charge to the battery1581.FIG. 13is a perspective view of an assembly of the motherboard1580, the battery1581, and the charging port1582.

In a preferred embodiment, the drive system and lever gear1530may be kept in the pistol grip1500.FIG. 14Ais a front view of a right-side pistol grip case1590.FIG. 14Bis a back view of a right-side pistol grip case1590.FIG. 14Cis a diagram of installation of the right side pistol grip case1590over the lower receiver1400, selector drive gear1530, and pistol grip plate1560.

In the preferred embodiment, the motherboard1580and batter1581may be kept in the pistol grip1500.FIG. 15Ais a front view of a left-side pistol grip case1595.FIG. 15Bis a back view of a left-side pistol grip case1595.FIG. 15Cis a diagram of installation of the right side pistol grip case1595over the lower receiver1400, mother board1580, and battery1581.

As alluded to above, the remote control system may be mounted on a fire arm and used in a live fire exercise.FIG. 16is a flow chart.

The following four conditions are based on the various situations that the Wheel and Drive Hall Sensors (and combinations of the two) might be in when a “SAFE” command is received from an instructor transmitter. The resulting motor activity is based on making sure that after the command is received, the weapon cannot be fired. (SEEFIG. 17Re: diagram of HALL SENSOR/MAGNET LOCATIONS)

Condition A:A shooter/student is firing the weaponWheel Hall Sensor shows no magnetic presence.Drive Hall Sensor shows a magnetic presence.Motors need to run in direction one. Motors will run until the Wheel Hall Sensor shows a magnetic presence.Once the Wheel Hall Sensor shows a magnetic presence, and the Drive Hall Sensor does not, (After receiving the INSTRUCTOR command “SAFE” and the motors ran in direction one) the weapons selector lever is locked in the “SAFE” position, and cannot be fired.

Condition B:A shooter/student is not firing the weapon, but they still canWheel Hall Sensor shows a magnetic presence.Drive Hall Sensor shows a magnetic presence.Motors need to run in direction one. Motors will run until the trip current is reached, and Wheel Hall Sensor STILL shows a magnetic prsence.Wheel Hall Sensor shows a magnetic presence, and the Drive Hall Sensor does not, (After receiving the INSTRUCTOR command “SAFE” and the motors ran in direction one) the weapons selector lever is locked in the “SAFE” position, and cannot be fired.

Condition C:Weapon was already locked by another instructorWheel Hall Sensor shows a magnetic presence.Drive Hal Sensor shows a magnetic presence.Motors do not need to run. This can only occur if another instructor has already sent the lock command, and the unit has already executed the command.

Condition D:COMPLETE FAILURE (CORD IS BROKEN)Wheel Hall Sensor shows no magnetic presence.Drive Hall Sensor shows no magnetic presence.Motors do not need to run. Transceiver needs to send a complete failure alarm. This condition can only happen if the drive cord is broken.

Did the Motor Drive Execute Direction One Without Problems?The following, second level conditions are based on the motors activity in response to the “Instructor Transmitter “SAFE” Command from the previously described first level conditions. (TIME PERIOD, CURRENT LEVEL, JITTER MODE DEFINED IN APPENDIX B)

Condition A.1:Motors need to run in direction one. Motors will run until the Wheel Hall Sensor shows a magnetic presence.Motors were able to run in direction one for TIME PERIOD ONE.Motors were able to run in direction one at CURRENT LEVEL ONE.Motors were able to run in direction one, for the correct time at the correct current, and ended with the Wheel Hall Sensor showing a magnetic presence. This means that the operation was completed successfully and the weapons selector lever is locked in the “SAFE” position and cannot be fired.

Condition A.1.a:Motors need to run in direction one. Motors will run until the Wheel Hall Sensor shows a magnetic presence.Motors are able to run for a period of time, but were not able to run for the complete TIME PERIOD ONEMotors are able to run at CURRENT LEVEL ONE for a period of time, but reached stall current before the Wheel Hall Sensor showed a magnetic presence.Motors were able to run but were stopped before the Wheel Hall Sensor showed a magnetic presence; this means that the shooter (or possibly a malfunction?) interrupted the device.Motors execute “JITTER MODE”As long as “JITTER MODE” is active the Handle LED is ONIf “JITTER MODE” is able to finish (Wheel Hall Sensor shows a magnetic presence) Handle LED turns off.If “JITTER MODE” times out, Handle LED remains on for 30 seconds.

Condition A.1.a.i:Motors need to run in direction one. Motors will run until the Wheel Hall

Sensor shows a magnetic presence.Motors were stopped before they were able to run AT ALLMotor current rose to stall current level IMMEDIATELY.Motors were not able to run at all, this means that the weapons hammer was forward and the weapons selector lever CANNOT be moved into the “SAFE” position until the weapon is charged.Motors will execute “JITTER MODE”As long as “JITTER MODE” is active the Handle LED is ONIf “JITTER MODE” is able to finish (Wheel Hall Sensor shows a magnetic presence) Handle LED turns off.If “JITTER MODE” times out, Handle LED remains on for 30 seconds.

Condition B.1:Motors need to run in direction one. Motors will run until the Wheel Hall Sensor shows a magnetic presence.Motors were able to run in direction one for TIME PERIOD ONE.Motors were able to run in direction one at CURRENT LEVEL ONE.Motors were able to run in direction one, for the correct time at the correct current, and ended with the Wheel Hall Sensor showing a magnetic presence. This means that the operation was completed successfully and the weapons selector lever is locked in the “SAFE” position and cannot be fired.

Condition B.1.a:Motors need to run in direction one. Motors will run until the Wheel Hall Sensor shows a magnetic presence.Motors are able to run for a period of time, but were not able to run for the complete TIME PERIOD ONEMotors are able to run at CURRENT LEVEL ONE for a period of time, but reached stall current before the Wheel Hall Sensor showed a magnetic presence.Motors were able to run but were stopped before the Wheel Hall Sensor showed a magnetic presence; this means that the shooter (or possibly a malfunction?) interrupted the device.Motors execute “JITTER MODE”As long as “JITTER MODE” is active the Handle LED is ON

Condition B.1.a.i:Motors need to run in direction one. Motors will run until the Wheel Hall Sensor shows a magnetic presence.Motors were stopped before they were able to run AT ALLMotor current rose to stall current level IMMEDIATELY.Motors were not able to run at all, this means that the weapons hammer was forward and the weapons selector lever CANNOT be moved into the “SAFE” position until the weapon is charged.Motors will execute “JITTER MODE”As long as “JITTER MODE” is active the Handle LED is ONIf “JITTER MODE” is able to finish (Wheel Hall Sensor shows a magnetic presence) Handle LED turns off.If “JITTER MODE” times out, Handle LED remains on for 30 seconds.

“Jitter Mode”If the motors reach stall/trip current (4.2 amps was our most recent attempt) during an operation in direction one, then the motor drive attempts to run in a rapid deteriorating succession (5 attempts per second for the first 5 seconds) then down to (1 attempt per second for the next 5 seconds). If at any point the attempt runs unimpeded the motors run in direction one until the Wheel Hall Sensor shows a magnetic presence.

Time Period One (We Don't Know Exactly How Long This is)Motor run time when running in direction one the complete distance to the point the Wheel Hall Sensor shows a magnetic presence, without being impeded at any point.This measurement is used in conjunction with the motor run current to initiate “JITTER MODE”If the current does not rise to stall/trip level and the motor run time exceeds the time period one run time (by a safely large margin) this means that the drive cord is broken and represents a complete failure.

Current Level One (We Don't Know Exactly What This is)The motors running unimpeded.

All original claims submitted with this specification are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.