Firearm training method and apparatus

A training pistol and method of providing the same having fixedly and adjustably removable base extensions to emulate the feel of a corresponding live fire pistol, a trigger mechanism configured to be fit in a compact pistol to provide a large number and sophistication of sear surfaces and biasing members such as helical springs and lasers into a compact pistol to provide training for an end user such as concealed carry holder or law enforcement personnel.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field of the Invention

Present invention relates to training system, and, more particularly, to a small and compact handgun/firearm training pistol and method.

Related Prior Arts

It is very desirous to have training systems that allow training with pistols, and, in particular, with small compact pistols in safe and effective manner. Challenge with small compact pistols is there are a plethora of small pistols and with frame tooling being so expensive, it is very difficult to model pistols after every single compact pistol on the market.

Therefore, a system that may allow for a trigger break system to be fit compactly within a training gun and further improvements related to base extensions which are interchangeable to substantially change the feel of a pistol may be some of the major requirement stand unattained for a long time.

Base extensions with different properties, in particular, front surfaces that extend down below the lower region of a frame have distinctly different feels of the pistol when grasped by a user. This feel is very significant whereby adjusting the natural point of aim, i.e. the ability to point the pistol with respect to the feel of gun and not necessarily using the sights of a pistol.

Therefore, there may be a need of having a single pistol but emulating multiple pistols with minimal amount of parts is an essential requirement, which may not only be cost effective for the end user to buy an affordably system but that can also provide various options that to be mixed and matched to emulate their particular live fire pistol of their choice.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a trigger mechanism is disclosed. The trigger mechanism may include a trigger member, a trigger bar and a transfer bar. The trigger member may rotationally mounted to a frame. The trigger bar may also be rotationally mounted to the frame. The trigger bar may include a first end and a second end wherein the first and second ends of the trigger bar are positioned opposite to a frame rotation point wherein the trigger bar is rotationally mounted to said frame. The transfer bar may rotationally attached to said trigger member. The transfer bar being rotationally attached to the first end of the trigger bar. Further, the second end of the trigger bar being attached to a sear bar. The sear bar may include a sear surface. Furthermore, a sear block may be moveably positioned in said frame having a sear block surface configured to be forcefully engaged with said sear surface of the sear bar. Rotation of the trigger member in a longitudinally rearward direction with respect to the frame places a compressive force upon the trigger member to rotate the first end of the trigger bar rearwardly and henceforth the second end of the trigger bar repositions in a forward direction with respect to the frame to bias the sear block in a forward direction with respect to the frame by way of pressure between the sear surface of the sear bar and the sear block surface of the sear block. Moreover, rotational movement of the trigger member biases the sear bar to eventually have the sear surface of the sear bar and the sear block surface disengages from one another to allow the sear bar to pass the sear block.

In one embodiment, a plane defined by the sear block surface may be substantially planar and the sear surface of the sear bar is further substantially planar, wherein when the sear surface of the sear bar and the sear block surface pass upon one another these planes no longer are substantially coplanar and will pass beyond one another creating a catastrophic break of the sear bar.

In one embodiment, the sear block may be biasingly engaged to the sear bar by way of forceful contact between the sear block surface and the sear surface of the sear bar by way of a sear helical spring.

In one embodiment, the sear bar may include a forward portion which may operatively be configured to engage a stop member when the trigger member is rotated into a fully rearward orientation with respect to the frame.

In one embodiment, the forward portion may be in forceful contact with the stop member this action closes a circuit to activate a shot-indicating laser.

In one embodiment, a first conductor may be in electrical communication with the sear bar and provides current to close a switch between a portion of the sear bar and the stop member, whereas the stop member comprises a conducting and electrical conducting portion which is operatively configured to engage the forward portion of the sear bar where the forward portion is electrically conductive and passes electric current from the first conductor to the electrically conducting portion of the stop member when the trigger member is in the fully rearward orientation with respect to the frame henceforth acting as a switch and allowing the current to pass to the shot-indicating laser.

In one embodiment, the trigger member and the trigger bar are each rotatably mounted to a trigger housing.

In one embodiment, the sear bar may be repositionally mounted within the trigger housing.

In one embodiment, the sear block may be configured to move in a substantially longitudinal direction within the trigger housing.

In one embodiment, the helical spring may be biased against a surface within the trigger housing and a mount surface of the trigger block, wherein said helical spring forcefully engages the sear block surface to the sear surface of the sear bar.

In one further aspect of the present disclosure, a firearm training pistol or apparatus may include a frame, a grip portion, base extensions (a first base extension, a second base extension), and a trigger member. The frame having an upper portion. The upper portion may be operatively configured to mount a slide thereto. The grip portion may be coupled to the frame and configured to be grasped by a user of the training pistol. the grip portion may include a grip upper region and a grip lower region. The grip lower region may include a first base extension. The first base extension may be configured to be fixedly attached to the grip lower region of the grip portion of the frame. Further, the second base extension may be operatively configured to be fixedly attached to the grip lower region by way of first removing the first base extension and thereafter the second base extension being operatively configured to mount thereto the grip lower region. the grip portion may include one or more grip modules in the form of the first and second base extension to emulate grip portions of the firearm training apparatus. Moreover, the trigger member may be moveably mounted to the frame at the portion.

In one embodiment, the trigger is rotationally mounted at the upper portion of the frame.

In one embodiment, the training pistol further comprises a third base extension operatively configured to be attached to the grip lower region of the frame when the first base extension and the second base extensions are not operatively attached to the grip lower region of the frame.

In one embodiment, the second base extension comprises a front surface and this front surface is substantially planar with respect to a front surface of the grip portion where the second base extension has a front surface having a concave arc with respect to a lateral axis and the grip portion has a front surface wherein a lower portion of the front surface of the third base extension extends longitudinally forward with respect to the frame compared to the upper portion of the third base extension, wherein the slide is fixedly attached to the frame at the upper portion.

In one embodiment, the frame and the slide are configured to house a trigger housing therein, wherein the trigger housing is operatively configured to house an upper portion of the trigger member and further rotatably mounts the trigger member to the trigger housing as well as said frame. Further, the trigger member may include a rotation mount operatively configured to rotatably mount a transfer bar to apply compressive force thereto the transfer bar when the trigger member is rotated in a longitudinally rearward direction with respect to the frame and said transfer bar is operatively configured to apply to be rotatably mount to a first end of a trigger bar which is rotatably mounted to the trigger housing. Furthermore, a second end of the trigger bar being operatively configured to reposition a sear bar having a sear surface. the sear surface configured to forcefully engage a sear block surface which is a part of a sear block that is repositionably mounted to the trigger housing, whereas longitudinal rearward travel of the trigger at a break point disengages the sear block surface of the sear block and the sear surface of the sear bar wherein allowing the sear bar to accelerate in a longitudinally forward direction,

In one embodiment, the third base extension, the second base extension and the first base extension are all operatively configured to engage the grip lower region by way of a first laterally extending pin and second laterally extending pin which is configured to extend through a surface defining a hole in the grip lower region, and wherein the first and second laterally extending pins are operatively configured to extend through the frame at a second surface defining a hole.

In one embodiment, the first and second laterally extending pins are cylindrical having a central axis extending in the lateral direction with respect to the frame.

In one embodiment, the training pistol may be configured to have a shot-indicating laser contained therein and wherein when the said sear bar passes by the sear block a circuit closes activating the shot-indicating laser.

In one further aspect of the present disclosure, a firearm training pistol or apparatus may include a frame and a grip lower region. The frame may include an upper portion which mounts a slide thereto. The grip lower region may include a first base extension fixedly attached thereto, providing a trigger member rotatably mounted to the frame whereby having a prep location and a break location of the trigger with respect to the frame and further a fully longitudinally rearward location, whereby between the break location and the fully rearward location a shot-indicating laser is activated. The training pistol further being provided with an additional base extension that is operatively configured to be fixedly attached to the grip lower region when the first base extension is removed from the grip lower region. The additional base extension includes different characteristics with respect to a front surface of the additional grip attachment with respect to the additional base extension with respect to the first base extension whereby giving a distinct different feel to the user when the additional base extension is attached to the grip lower region with respect to the feel of the gun when the first base extension is fixedly attached to the grip lower region.

In one embodiment, the trigger may be adjustable to adjust the amount of force between a sear block surface of a sear block that forcefully engages a sear surface of the sear bar, and where the helical spring is repositioned at a base location closer to the sear block whereby increasing the force between the said sear surface of the sear bar and the sear block surface.

In one further aspect of the present disclosure, a firearm training apparatus may include a grip portion and a trigger mechanism. The grip portion may include one or more grip modules in the form of the first, second and third base extension to emulate the grip portion. Further, the trigger mechanism may be configured to the grip portion to activate a laser with emulated grip portion.

In yet further aspect of the present disclosure, a method for firearm training using a firearm training apparatus/pistol is provided. The method includes emulating a grip portion of the firearm training apparatus, wherein the grip portion having one or more grip modules to be accommodated in the grip portion. The grip module is in the form of a first third base extension, a second base extension and a third base extension. Further the method includes triggering a trigger mechanism to activate a laser with emulated grip portion having at least one of the first, second or third base extension.

This together with the other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, is pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forms a part of the present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specified object attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For a thorough understanding of the present invention, reference is to be made to the following detailed description, including the appended claims, in connection with the above-described drawings. Although the present invention is described in connection with exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

Referring toFIG. 1, there is shown a training pistol20, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The training pistol20generally defined and orientated by way of referencing an axis system10, as shown in the forward portion ofFIG. 1.

The axis system10, as shown, is used to generally orientate and describe the components of the training pistol20with respect to one another without being necessarily confined to one particular orientation. The axis system10has a longitudinal axis12, where the arrow of the longitudinal axis12points in a longitudinally forward direction and the diametrically opposed direction is generally referred to as a longitudinally rearward direction. The axis system10also includes a vertical axis14that is generally aligned in what is referred to as a “vertical direction” or otherwise referred to as an upper direction. As further shown inFIG. 1, an axis substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis12and to the vertical axis14is defined as a lateral axis indicating a lateral direction. As further described herein, components of the training pistol20may rotate about a “lateral axis” meaning any lateral axis on the training pistol20which can define lateral rotation. Again such orientations and rotations are not absolute and for example could be degrees off in any of the other orthogonal directions but generally denote a direction to aid the description of the disclosure.

Still referring toFIG. 1, the training pistol20has a frame22. The frame includes a grip portion24. The frame22further includes an upper portion, generally denoted by numeral26. Attached at the upper portion26is a slide28. In one form, the slide28is fixedly attached to the upper portion26of the frame22by way of laterally extending pins30and32.

In one another arrangement of a training pistol, such as, the training pistol20, as generally shown inFIG. 7, the training pistol20includes a frame, such as the frame22, and a slide, such as the slide28, operatively configured via sights31(comprising front and rear sights31″,31′) to be fixedly and removably attached to the slide28. A laser29is mounted in the forward portion of the training pistol20and configured to emit a laser beam therefrom. The laser29is generally referred to as a shot-indicating laser. The trigger member102, in one form, may be rotatably mounted to the frame22, either, directly, or in some cases via a trigger housing110. In one form, the trigger102may be directly mounted to the frame22and not to the trigger housing110(seeFIG. 6).

Referring now back toFIG. 1, the grip portion24of the frame22has a grip upper region40and a grip lower region42. The grip lower region42, in one form, has a first laterally extending pin50extending therethrough. The grip lower region42has a surface defining an opening for the first laterally extending pin50to extend therethrough. In one form, in a similar manner as described in the previous sentence, there is a second laterally extending pin52which is operatively configured to extend in the lateral direction wherein a similar preferred form of attachment there is a second surface defining a hole54within the grip lower region42, whereby allowing the second lateral extending pin52to pass therethrough. Therefore, the pins50and52extend through the grip portion24and further through the surfaces defining openings within a first base extension21.

Now, referring toFIG. 2, there is shown a partial sectional view of the training pistol20. As shown inFIG. 2, the first base extension21is fixedly attached to the grip lower region42whereby the first and second laterally extending pins50and52extend surfaces defining openings within all of the base extensions but as shown inFIG. 2, the first base extension21.

As can be seen inFIG. 2, the frame22further includes a surface defining an interior weight cavity60. The surface defining the interior weight cavity60is operatively configured to contain a weight therein, such as a steel weight or something of similar density. In general, the surface defining the interior weight cavity60can be arranged by way of dimensions to fit common bar stock of steel for ease of cost and simplicity of creating a weight by simply using a bandsaw to cut a weight and place it in this cavity area to supply additional weight to the training pistol20.

Now, referring toFIG. 3, there is shown a second base extension21′. The second base extension has a front surface70′ which is substantially planar to a front surface25of the grip portion24.

The grip portion24further has a lateral portion27which is provided to have insignia placed thereon, such as markings like the trademark SIRT for SIRT training pistol. Further in one form, there is a recessed cavity27′ configured in the grip portion24, which may recess a few thousandths of an inch to allow a decal to be placed therein, such as a serial number. Having a recessed cavity27′ is useful because it provides a mount region for a decal and remains protected therein since the recessed cavity27′ is positioned laterally inward with respect to the material of the frame22immediately therearound.

Now referring toFIG. 4, there is shown an additional base extension, herein referred to as a third base extension21″. The third base extension21″ has a lower point90. The lower point90is a part of a front surface70″. The lower portion90sits vertically opposite of an upper portion front surface92which is generally aligned with the front surface25of the grip portion24. In other words, the surface25abut against and is substantially aligned to the upper portion front surface92but the front surface70″ is generally concave about a lateral access and the lower portion90extends longitudinally forward with respect to the upper portion front surface92. This concave surface of the third base extension21″ provides a hooked-like surface to engage the pinkie of the shooter whereby giving a very distinct feel, for example, with respect to the second base extension21, as shown inFIG. 3. The front surface70′ ofFIG. 3is more in lined when looking along a lateral axis with respect to the front surface25. This second base extension21can emulate, for example, live fire guns that have a magazine extension for example that extend out of the lower portion of a frame of a live fire gun.

As can be seen inFIG. 1, how the first base extension21has a small if any front surface70whereby generally speaking depending on the hand of the shooters the pinkie of the shooter will extend at the very corner edge73of the front surface70or hang completely off the training pistol20. Due to such arrangement, the grip lower region42as shown inFIG. 1, has a very distinct feel for an end user with respect to the second base extension21′ what is shown inFIG. 3and to the third base extension21″ as shown inFIG. 4.

All of these different orientations of base extensions21,21′and21″ have a very different unique feel for the natural point of aim of a shooter. The natural point of aim is where the shooter can align the pistol based on the feel of the gun and it has been found that different base extensions have a very substantial influence for a training gun to build and train the natural point of aim. In one form, a training pistol20can be provided with all three or two out of the three of the base extensions21,21′ and21″ and the end user can easily change these base extensions21,21′ or21″ by simply punching. Alternatively, either of the base extensions21,21′21″ can otherwise may be changed by removing the first and second laterally extending pins50and52. In doing so, one of the said base extensions may be removed by simply removing the lateral pins50and52, and other base extension may be repositioned therein and having lateral pins50and52, as one form of a mounting system, to fixedly attached the new or changed base extension to the grip lower region42of the frame22.

The foregoing description will now be discuss with respect toFIG. 5and talk about some of the internal mechanisms of the training pistol20, whereby in general a trigger mechanism100provides a system to allow a sophisticated break mechanism and switch to activate a shot-indicating laser in a small compact training pistol.

As shown inFIG. 5, it should first be noted this is a partial sectional view of the training pistol20. The frame22provides a mounting point either directly or indirectly to a trigger member102. In other words, in one form, the trigger member102can be rotatably mounted directly to the frame22, as shown inFIG. 5, or indirectly mounted to the frame via trigger housing110, as shown inFIG. 6.

As can be seen inFIG. 5, the trigger mechanism100is configured to include the trigger member102, a transfer bar106and a trigger bar116. The trigger member102has a rotation mount104which is operatively configured to rotatably mount to the transfer bar106. The transfer bar106has first and second longitudinal ends108and112. Further, the trigger bar116includes a first end118and a second end120opposite to each other. The second longitudinal end112of the transfer bar106is rotatably mounted at a mount portion114to the first end118of the trigger bar116. In between the first end118and the second end120of the trigger bar116, there is a frame rotation point122whereby the trigger bar116is rotatably mounted about a lateral axis at the frame rotation point122. In one form, the frame rotation point122, as shown inFIG. 6, is rotatably mounted by a cross pin which in one preferred form, is attached to the trigger housing110.

The trigger mechanism100further configures a sear bar130rotatably mounted at the second end120of the trigger bar116. The sear bar130has a conductive surface, in one form, which can be an over-molded piece of metal around a plastic such as seal. The conductive surface, herein referred to by ‘Numeral132’, is operatively engaged to forcefully make contact to a first conductor150. In one form, the first conductor150has a current supplied thereto from a battery152. In one form, a wire can be soldered to a battery contact154and provide current to the first conductor150.

The sear bar130includes a base144, which in one form, can be a cylindrical type attachment, attached to the second end120of the trigger bar116. In one form, the base144has an outer surface which is a substantially cylindrical member that can slide about a lateral axis for ease of assembly to attach the sear bar130to the trigger bar116. As noted inFIG. 6, when the trigger bar116(shown inFIG. 5) and sear bar130(shown inFIG. 5) are housed within the trigger bar housing110, they cannot substantially move laterally to disengage from one another whereby are moveably attached thereto with respect to one another.

Further, as seen inFIG. 5, the sear bar130has a sear surface160. The sear surface160is operatively configured to engage a sear block surface168of a sear block164. The sear block164is moveably attached in one form to extend in a substantially longitudinal direction whereby the sear block164comprises the sear block surface168which as noted above can be substantially planar and as noted above can forcefully engage the sear surface160. Therefore, at this point it can be understood that when the trigger member102rotates in a longitudinally rearward direction applying force to the trigger bar106, as shown inFIG. 5, the trigger bar116will rotate in a clockwise direction (again in the configuration and view ofFIG. 5) whereby biasing the sear bar130longitudinally forward.

The trigger member102has a prep location whereby when the sear surface160engages the sear block surface168. This occurs when the trigger member102rotates longitudinally rearwardly a small degree with respect to a fully forward rest position. As the trigger member102continues to reposition longitudinally rearwardly, the lower tip of the sear surface160disengages from the upper tip area of the sear block surface168. As soon as these two surfaces160,168disengage from one another, this is herein referred to as the break location. Because the sear block164has to move longitudinally forward henceforth compressing a helical spring180, energy is released from the helical spring180violently repositioning the sear block164forward as interned, the sear bar130will now rapidly accelerate in a longitudinally forward direction. In a one form, the forward portion161of the sear bar130will bias very quickly forward and in one form hit a stop member200.

The stop member200in one form has an electrically conductive portion202whereby the conductive surface132has a forward portion132′ that forcefully engages the electrically conductive portion202to close the circuit to provide current to a shot-indicating laser29(seeFIG. 2). The shot-indicating laser29, as shown inFIG. 2, has an electrical lead which is attached to a negative portion of a conventional battery152. And as noted above, the positive area153of the battery152is in electrical communication with the first conductor150. In one form a wire alongside the back side of the housing110as shown inFIG. 6can be soldered to a battery contact154which is in electrical communication to the positive area153of the battery152.

Referring back now toFIG. 2, electrical current, preferably a direct current, from a battery can pass from the first conductor150to the conductive surface132of the sear block164, and the forward portion132′ can forcefully engage the stop member200thereby closing the circuit where the stop member200, more specifically, the electrically conductive portion202is attached to the hot lead of the laser29. Therefore, it can be appreciated when the trigger member102repositions longitudinally forwardly, the linkage between the trigger member102, transfer bar106, trigger bar116and the sear bar130are such so ultimately the sear bar130repositions longitudinally rearwardly and ceases to conduct current to ultimately the laser29.

As shown inFIG. 7, there are sights31which are comprised of a rear sight31′ and a front sight31″. In one form, the slide28has surfaces defining slots therein to allow slides to be easily slid about a lateral axis to be mounted to the slide28.

Now referring toFIG. 6, there will be a general discussion of the fundamental concept of the linkage system.FIG. 6shows the exterior of the trigger housing110but is actually useful to describe the four-bar linkage phenomena of a lower trigger system220. As noted before, the lower trigger system220comprised the trigger member102mentioned previously, the vector224represents the center of rotation of the trigger member102where mounted to the frame at location226and the rotational mount104. Further, the transfer bar106defines the second vector228. The second vector228is defined between the rotational mount104and the mount portion114. Moreover, the third vector232is defined by the frame rotation122and the second longitudinal ends112.

Finally, between the rotational mount portions226and122is defined a base vector234. Base vector234is fixedly and rigidly attached to the frame22and is considered the stationary vector for purposes of analyzing a four-bar linkage. Therefore, it can be appreciated that when the trigger member102is repositioned longitudinally rearwardly, the vector224rotates in a clockwise direction. Further, the vector232will rotate in a clockwise direction by way of being pivotally attached to the vector228. Therefore, it can be appreciated that these four vectors create a conventional compliant mechanism referred to as a four-bar linkage. In one form, the vector232is shorter than the vector224creating a unique leverage point and hence the ultimate feel of the break between the sear surfaces (now refer back toFIG. 5)160and the sear block surface168will have a unique and distinct feel as opposed to when the trigger bar116is rotated as a trigger itself.

In other words, as can be seen inFIG. 2, how there is a superimposed trigger bar116′ which is not an operable trigger bar in the embodiment ofFIG. 2but rather shows one way to make a trigger mechanism with the lower portion of the trigger bar116′ is actually triggering itself for purposes of demonstration. However, it can be appreciated that this orientation would not work in a compact pistol henceforth a four-back linkage as described earlier in this passage and shown in detail schematically inFIG. 6allows for the entire orientation of all the parts to be generally positioned longitudinally rearwardly allowing for a compact training pistol having all the sophisticated designs of the helical springs, sear blocks and internal lasers and battery supply contained therein for an innovative and effective training system.

It should further be noted that the helical spring300is provided as a take-up force to bias the trigger bar (the upper portion thereof) longitudinally rearwardly. It should be further noted that a take-up laser33is provided in the preferred form of the embodiment which allows for laser to be activated when the trigger is in the prepped position as mentioned above.