A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRAINING SHOOTING

Abstract: A method and apparatus for practising shooting. In the invention, data on the direction and velocity of the wind are measured by means of wind sensors (1a - 1n) and the wind data in question is led through a central unit (2) to a display device. The display device shows the effect of the wind conditions on the trajectory of a bullet, when the marksman can practise reading the wind conditions with the aid of wind vanes.

Description: A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRAINING SHOOTING The object of the invention is a method for practising shooting, in which method the force and the direction of the wind are shown by at least one wind indicator and its effect on the trajectory of the bullet is determined. Further, the object of the invention is an apparatus for prac¬ tising shooting, which apparatus includes at least one wind indicator for showing the direction and force of the wind. In shooting, the wind has a significant effect on the trajectory of the bullet. The effect of the wind is particularly pronounced in rifle and small-bore rifle shooting. It is possible for the marksman to observe the behaviour of the wind optically from so- called wind vanes while shooting. The material, surface area, and location or location levels of wind vanes are separately defined in the rules governing shooting. During sighting shots, the marksman observes the wind conditions by following the movements of the wind vanes. At the same time, the marksman tries to ascertain during sighting shots, how much the position of the vane may alter and still allow him to hit the desired point. During a competition, the marksman must either wait until the wind vanes are in the same position as during the sighting shots, or else must try to take changes in wind conditions into account, either by aiming to the side, i.e. taking a deflection, or by moving the sights against the wind. The effect of the wind may be not only lateral, but also vertical, because wind ro¬ tates, and often changes its direction due to differences in level between the shooting ranges and the surrounding ground, such as dividing embankments or protective embankments. Fol¬ lowing and head winds also affect the trajectory of a bullet in different ways. It is very difficult to master wind conditions by means of wind vanes, and it demands not only skill from the marksman, but also long experience and practice. The intention of this invention is to create a method and apparatus, by means of which it is possible to practise allowing for the effect of the wind and following the position of the wind vanes during shooting. It is characteristic of the method in accordance with the invention, that basic data are fed into the central unit, that wind sensors are used as wind indicators, which measures the force and direction of the wind, and that the values measured are taken to the central unit, in which the relevant wind data and the basic data on shooting fed into the central unit are analysed and, on the basis of the result obtained, the effect of the wind conditions on the trajectory of the bullet are shown on at least one terminal. It is further characteristic of the apparatus in accordance with the invention, that the wind indicator is a wind sensor, by means of which it is possible to measure the velocity and direction of the wind, and that the apparatus includes a central unit, into which it is possible to feed the basic data on shooting, for collecting and analysing the measured wind data, and at least one terminal for displaying the data analysed by the central unit. The essential idea of the invention is that the data on the direction and velocity of the wind are measured by means of wind sensors, and that the data in question are led through data collection and processing equipment to a terminal, with the aid of which the effect on the wind on the trajectory of the bullet can be clearly displayed to the marksman. Further, the idea is that a display device, by means of which the effect of the wind can be graphically illustrated, can be used as the terminal. The advantage of the invention is that the marksman can practice reading the wind conditions with the aid of the wind vanes, without having the possible accompanying mistakes in shooting made by the marksman. A further advantage of the invention is that the marksman can, for example, use the invention to ascer¬ tain when the wind vanes are in a suitable position, so that the shot would be sufficiently good without deflection or moving the sights. An additional advantage is that with the aid of the apparatus equipped with a display device, the marksman can learn where the shot would strike, if he were to aim at the centre of the target, or correspondingly, where he should aim to hit the centre of the target. The invention is described in greater detail in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows schematically the apparatus in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 shows schematically the display device of the apparatus in accordance with the invention. Figure 1 shows schematically an apparatus in accordance with the invention. The apparatus includes the necessary number of wind sensors la - In, which measure the direction and velocity of the wind. The desired number of wind sensors la - In are placed on the shooting range at the desired locations, for example at the same levels as the wind vanes. The wind sensors la - In can measure the vertical direction of the wind as well as the lateral direction. The wind sensors la - In are, as such, of a known construction, and for that reason they are not dealt with here in greater detail. The data measured from the wind by wind sensors la - In is transmitted to the central unit 2 in a manner that is, as such, known, for example through a cable or possibly also by radio. The wind data are analysed in the central unit 2 and the result of the analysis is led to the terminal 3. The basic data on shooting, for example the weight of the shot and its initial velocity, the distance of shooting, etc. are entered in the central unit 2. From the relevant basic data and the measured wind data, the central unit 2 calculates the effect of the wind on the shot. The operation of the apparatus is control¬ led by means of the control equipment 4. At its simplest, the apparatus only requires the wind sensors la - In, the central unit 2, and the terminal 3. In this case, practising takes place in such a way that the wind values are calibrated into the central unit 2, when the wind vanes are is the desired position. Terminal 3 could then be at its simplest a device giving an audible signal, which would alarm when the wind values change excessively from the aforementioned calibrat¬ ion value. When practising, the marksman could follow the position of the wind vanes and, at the same time, listen for the audible signal from the terminal. If a display device is used as the terminal 3, it can display the wind data either continuously, or at intervals selected by the marksman. By means of the control equipment 4, it is pos¬ sible to practise reading the wind optically from the vanes, for example, by the marksman pressing the button of the control device 4, when in reality he would fire a shot. The display device then gives a hit value, where the shot would have struck in the wind conditions in question. Figure 2 shows a display device acting as the terminal 3, in which there is a graphically presented target and the hit position 5 that would have occurred under the wind conditions in question, and which can also move in real time as the wind conditions change. The display device can also show the point that the marksman should aim at, to hit the centre of the target under the prevailing wind conditions. The wind can be shown on the display device as vectors, which illustrate the direction and velocity of the wind. For the sake of illustration, the colour of the display can change, when the wind conditions alter more than certain limit values recorded in the memory. The apparatus can also be connected to an electric shooting target, when the marksman sees from the display device his real hit value and, in addition, the movement in the hit position of the bullet caused by the wind. By means of the control equipment 4, the central unit 2 can be controlled and programmed in many ways. It is possible, for instance, to record in the memory of the equipment the wind data and the hit values for a desired period, when the equipment can be used for example in the analysis of various competitive performances. In addition, the equipment can be used to measure and test the wind conditions of different shooting ranges. For example, a microcomputer can be used as the central unit 2, the monitor of the computer as the terminal 3, and the keyboard of the microcomputer as the control device 4. The drawing and the accompanying description are only intended to illustrate the concept of the invention. The invention can vary in details within the framework of the Patent Claims. Thus, if desired, several terminals 3 and control devices 4 can be connected to a single central unit 2. Further, the central unit 2, the terminal 3, and the control device 4 can each be separate units or else they can be connected to each other. It is advantageous to use at least two wind sensors over the shooting distance, because the wind conditions are not stable over the entire distance.

Claims: Patent Claims 1. A method for practising shooting, in which method the force and direction of the wind are shown on at least one wind indicator and its effect on the trajectory of a bullet is determined, characterized in that basic data on shooting is entered into a central unit (2) and that wind sensors (la - In) are used as wind indicators by means of which the force and direction of the wind are measured and the measured values are led to the central unit (2) , in which the wind data in question and the basic shooting data entered in the central unit (2) are analysed and, from the result, the effect of the wind conditions on the trajectory of a bullet in shown with the aid of at least one terminal (3) . 2. A method in accordance with Patent Claim 1, characterized in that two or more wind sensors are used at a distance from each other. 3. A method in accordance with Patent Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the effect of the wind on the trajectory of a bullet is shown by means of an audible signal. 4. A method in accordance with one of the above Patent Claims, characterized in that the effect of the wind is shown graphically with the aid of a terminal (3) . 5. A method in accordance with Patent Claim 4, characterized in that there is a display device in the terminal (3) and that by means of the display device the hit position of the bullet is shown on the target such as it would be without moving the sights. 6. A method in accordance with Patent Claim 4, characterized in that there is a display device in the terminal (3) and that by means of the display device the aiming point is shown, which should be aimed at in relation to the target, so that the effect of the wind is eliminated. 7. A method in accordance with Patent Claim 4, characterized in that there is a display device in the terminal (3) and that the display device shows the hit position of the bullet after firing and the change in the hit position caused by the wind. 8. An apparatus for practising shooting, which apparatus includes at least one wind indicator for showing the direction and force of the wind, characterized in that the wind indicator is a wind sensor (la - In) , by means of which it is possible to measure the velocity and direction of the wind and that the apparatus includes a central unit (2), in which it is possible to enter basic data on shooting, for the collection and analysis of the measured wind data, and at least one terminal (3) for presenting the data analysed by the central unit (2) . 9. An apparatus in accordance with Patent Claim 8, characterized in that it includes at least one control equipment (4) connected to the central unit (2) , for controlling the central unit (2) . 10. An apparatus in accordance with Patent Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it includes devices for giving an audible signal when the measured values of the wind and the predeter- mined wind values are in a particular relation to one another. 11. An apparatus in accordance with one of Patent Claims 8 - 10, characterized in that the terminal (3) is a display device, by means of which it is possible to show the effect of the wind graphically. 12. An apparatus in accordance with Patent Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it includes two or more wind sensors.

Inventors: NUUTINEN ASKO, NUUTINEN, ASKO
Applicants: NUUTINEN ASKO, NUUTINEN, ASKO
Application year: 1996
Main classification: F41G3
IPC codes: F41G3