Abstract:
Laser target practice using an ultra-violet light emitting laser that is pulsed on when a weapon trigger is pulled. The LTV laser light pulse illuminates a spot on a target having a phosphorus coating on a face thereof. The phosphorus within the illuminated spot glows for a certain time thereby visually indicating a location of the spot on the target. The UV laser light pulse may also illuminate a spot on a target having a photochromic paint coatings on a face thereof. The photochromic paint coatings within the illuminated spot changes color thereby indicating a location of the spot on the target.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to target practice with a rifle, shotgun or handgun, e.g., pistol or revolver, and more particularly, to target practice using an ultra-violet (UV) laser apparatus in combination with the rifle, shotgun or handgun, and a phosphor and/or photochromic paint coated target. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Proficiency with a weapon, e.g., rifle, shotgun, pistol or revolver, requires practice. Learning how to properly aim and accurately shoot the weapon at a target is a major component of obtaining proficiency with the weapon. Budgetary and time constraints, however, limit how often one can go to a shooting range and shoot live ammunition. To compensate for a lack of live ammunition training at the shooting range, electronic target training that simulates the impact of a bullet on a target with laser light is often used. Laser light target practice training saves time, money and live ammunition, while providing for maintaining shooting accuracy and proficiency, e.g., unsighted fire, accuracy, grouping and trigger control. Laser light target shooting provides for more frequent target practice, thereby enabling a more confident shooter who can enjoy the benefit of low-cost target training at any location without restriction or concern for gun fire noise bothering neighbors or worrying about the safety of where a fired live round may penetrate. 
         [0003]    Existing laser light target practice devices use a visible red or green wavelength laser that is activated by a firing pin of the weapon striking a pressure or displacement switch, or a sound activated switch that turns on the laser from the sound of a hammer striking the firing pin. Either way, based upon the aim of the individual, a brief pulse of laser light paints a target with a visible spot of light where a live round would have hit the target. One company has even introduced a laser trainer target that records (saves locations) electronically when a laser light beam hits the target each time the trigger is pulled by detecting the laser light point with a plurality of photo detectors arranged in a matrix on the target. Then after the laser target practice session is finished, the electronic target can display all of the laser light hits on a light emitting diode (LED) matrix on the target. 
         [0004]    The laser generates a pulse of light each time the trigger is pulled, but when using a paper target the visible laser light pulse on the paper target is of very short duration and is easily missed in combat or police training simulations. The electronic target is better at displaying all laser light hits, but does not show these hits in real time, rather the shooter must wait until the target practice round is over before activating the electronic target LED display that then shows the laser light hits stored in a memory of the electronic target. 
         [0005]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , depicted are drawings of various prior art fire training lasers.  FIG. 1(   a ) depicts a fire training laser that fits into a front portion of a barrel of a gun and is activated by either sound or acceleration of the hammer dropping when the gun is fired.  FIG. 1(   b ) depicts a fire training laser that fits into the chamber (rear portion of the barrel) of a gun and is activated by the firing pin hitting the back of the laser mechanism.  FIG. 1(   c ) depicts a fire training laser that fits into a front portion of a barrel of a gun and is configurable for a plurality different calibers with adaptor bushings (not shown). It is activated by the sound or acceleration of the hammer dropping when the gun is fired. 
         [0006]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , depicted is a drawing of a prior art training laser being used with a standard paper target. The laser hit may be seen for only the pulse on time of the laser, e.g., about a 100 milliseconds. A gun  202  is aimed at a standard paper target  208 . When a trigger  204  thereof is pulled a hammer (not shown) drops on a firing pin (not shown), thereby activating the training laser device (inside of the barrel of the gun) that produces a visible red or green laser light pulse  206  which briefly appears at a spot  210  on a face of the target  208 . The standard paper target  208  does not allow the shooter to see groups of multiple shots. It also does not allow the shooter to easily see jerking and common problems with firing the gun. Since the laser pulse  206  is only present for a fraction of a second, it is difficult to see when the spot  210  appears on the face of the target  208 . 
         [0007]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , depicted is a drawing of a prior art training laser being used with an electronic recording target. Each laser hit is detected and then recorded in an electronic memory that may be accessed after the practice round has finished. A gun  202  is aimed at the electronic recording target  312 . When a trigger  204  thereof is pulled a hammer (not shown) drops on a firing pin (not shown), thereby activating the training laser device (inside of the barrel of the gun) that produces a visible red or green laser light pulse  206  which briefly appears at a spot  310  on a face of the target  312 . A photo (light) detector(s) at the location of the spot  310  detects and then records in a memory (not shown) the laser light hits (spots  310 ) for subsequent display after the practice shooting round. The laser light detection portion  314  of the target  312  also has a plurality of LEDs which are used to display the laser light hits based upon the spots  310  stored in the memory (not shown). The electronic recording target  312  is expensive. The target  312  shows only one hit location per shot so it will not show jerking, e.g., improper trigger pull. Present electronic recording targets  312  do not show a hit location immediately. The shooter must activate the hit record stored in the memory after all shots have been taken to obtain a visual display of the results of the shooting session. This delays feedback to the shooter and takes longer for corrective action to be taken. The target  312  generally runs on batteries that must be replaced periodically. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    Therefore, it is desired to provide laser training target practice at low cost, instant feedback after each shot by having a longer persistence indication of where each shot landed on the face of the target, indication of jerking when pulling the trigger, and inexpensive and reusable targets that don&#39;t require a power source, e.g., batteries. 
         [0009]    According to an embodiment, a system for weapon target practice using an ultra-violet (UV) light fire training laser and a phosphorus coated target may comprise: a weapon; an UV training laser adapted to fit into a barrel of the weapon, wherein the UV training laser emits an ultra-violet light pulse when the weapon trigger is pulled causing a hammer to thereby drop; and a target comprising a substrate and a phosphorus coating on a face thereof, wherein when the ultra-violet light pulse illuminates a spot on the face of the target, the phosphorus within the spot glows, thereby indicating a location of the spot on the face of the target. 
         [0010]    According to a further embodiment, a plurality of different colored light emitting phosphorus is coated on the face of the target at different locations thereof, wherein the coated plurality of different colored light emitting phosphorus represent different distances from a center of the target. According to a further embodiment, a plurality of concentric rings of different colored light emitting phosphorus are coated on the face of the target, wherein the coated plurality of concentric rings of different colored light emitting phosphorus represent different distances from a center of the target. 
         [0011]    According to a further embodiment, a pattern is printed on the phosphorus coating. According to a further embodiment, the printed pattern is a bull&#39;s eye with concentric rings therearound. According to a further embodiment, a time persistence of the UV laser light illuminated phosphorus spot is from about two seconds to about one minute. According to a further embodiment, the UV laser light has a wavelength of from about 100 nanometers to about 400 nanometers. According to a further embodiment, the UV laser light has a wavelength of about 405 nanometers. 
         [0012]    According to a further embodiment, the UV training laser is actuated by a sound of the dropped hammer. According to a further embodiment, the UV training laser is actuated by a mechanical force from a firing pin moved by the dropped hammer. According to a further embodiment, the substrate is paper. According to a further embodiment, the weapon is selected from the group consisting of a rifle and a shotgun. According to a further embodiment, the weapon is selected from the group consisting of a pistol and a revolver. 
         [0013]    According to a further embodiment, a photochromic paint is coated on the face of the target, wherein when the ultra-violet light pulse illuminates a spot on the face of the target, the photochromic paint within the spot changes color, thereby indicating the location of the spot on the face of the target. According to a further embodiment, the color change within the spot is permanent. According to a further embodiment, the color change within the spot is temporary. 
         [0014]    According to another embodiment, a system for weapon target practice using an ultra-violet (UV) light fire training laser and a photochromic paint coated target may comprise: a weapon; an UV training laser adapted to fit into a barrel of the weapon, wherein the UV training laser emits an ultra-violet light pulse when the weapon trigger is pulled causing a hammer to thereby drop; and a target comprising a substrate and a photochromic paint coating on a face thereof, wherein when the ultra-violet light pulse illuminates a spot on the face of the target, the photochromic paint within the spot changes color, thereby indicating a location of the spot on the face of the target. 
         [0015]    According to a further embodiment, a plurality of different color pigment photochromic paints are coated on the face of the target, wherein the coated plurality of different color pigment photochromic paints represent different distances from a center of the target. According to a further embodiment, a plurality of concentric rings of different color pigment photochromic paints are coated on the face of the target, wherein the coated plurality of concentric rings of different color pigment photochromic paints represent different distances from a center of the target. According to a further embodiment, a pattern is printed on the photochromic paint coating. 
         [0016]    According to yet another embodiment, a method for target practice with a weapon using an ultra-violet (UV) light fire training laser and a phosphorus coated target may comprise the steps of: providing a weapon; providing a target comprising a substrate and a phosphorus coating on a face thereof; pulsing on a UV light emitting laser when the weapon trigger is pulled; illuminating a spot on the face of the target with a UV light pulse from the UV laser; and indicating a location of the spot on the face of the target when the phosphorus within the spot glows. 
         [0017]    According to still another embodiment, a method for target practice with a weapon using an ultra-violet (UV) light fire training laser and a photochromic paint coated target may comprise the steps of: providing a weapon; providing a target comprising a substrate and a photochromic paint coated on a face thereof; pulsing on a UV light emitting laser when the weapon trigger is pulled; illuminating a spot on the face of the target with a UV light pulse from the UV laser; and indicating a location of the spot on the face of the target when the photochromic paint within the spot changes color. 
         [0018]    According to another embodiment, an ultra-violet (UV) light training laser adapted to fit into a barrel of a weapon may comprise: a UV light emitting laser located at a distal end and within a housing; a trigger pull sensing mechanism located at a proximate end of the housing; and a battery located within the housing and used for powering the UV light emitting laser; wherein when a trigger of a weapon is pulled the trigger pull sensing mechanism actuates the UV light emitting laser to generate a pulse of UV laser light. According to a further embodiment, the trigger pull sensing mechanism uses a sound of a hammer dropping when the trigger is pulled. According to a further embodiment, the trigger pull sensing mechanism uses a mechanical force from a firing pin when the trigger is pulled. According to a further embodiment, an on-time duration of the pulse of UV laser light is adjustable. 
         [0019]    According to yet another embodiment, an ultra-violet (UV) light training laser target may comprise: a substrate; a light emitting phosphorus coated on a face of the substrate; and a printed pattern on the phosphorus coating. According to a further embodiment, a plurality of different colored light emitting phosphorus are coated on the face of the substrate at different locations thereof, wherein the coated plurality of different colored light emitting phosphorus represent different distances from a center of the printed pattern. 
         [0020]    According to another embodiment, an ultra-violet (UV) light training laser target may comprise: a substrate; a photochromic paint coated on a face of the substrate; and a printed pattern on the photochromic paint coating. According to a further embodiment, a plurality of different color pigment photochromic paints are coated on the face of the substrate at different locations thereof, wherein the coated plurality of different color pigment photochromic paints represent different distances from a center of the printed pattern. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    A more complete understanding of the present disclosure may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates drawings of various prior art fire training lasers; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates a drawing of a prior art training laser being used with a standard paper target; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  illustrates a drawing of a prior art training laser being used with an electronic recording target; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  illustrates a drawing of an ultra violet (UV) light training laser being used with a phosphor and/or photochromic paint coated target, according to a specific example embodiment of this disclosure; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  illustrates multiple UV laser hits on the target of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded isometric view of the construction of the target of  FIG. 4 , according to a specific example embodiment of this disclosure; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exploded isometric view of the construction of a multiple color phosphor and/or photochromic paint coated target, according to another specific example embodiment of this disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0029]    While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific example embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific example embodiments is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed herein, but on the contrary, this disclosure is to cover all modifications and equivalents as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    Referring now to the drawings, the details of specific example embodiments are schematically illustrated. Like elements in the drawings will be represented by like numbers, and similar elements will be represented by like numbers with a different lower case letter suffix. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , depicted is a drawing of an ultra violet (UV) light training laser being used with a phosphor and/or photochromic paint coated target, according to a specific example embodiment of this disclosure. Unlike the prior art training laser of  FIG. 2 , the laser hit may be seen for the duration of the persistence of a phosphor coating on the target or permanently (or semi-permanently) if photochromic paint is used with or in place of the phosphor coating. A gun  202  is aimed at the phosphor and/or photochromic paint coated target  408 . When a trigger  204  thereof is pulled a hammer (not shown) drops on a firing pin (not shown), thereby activating the training laser device (inside of the barrel of the gun) that produces a UV laser light pulse  406  which excites the phosphor coating at a spot  410  on a face of the target  408 . Once the spot  410  of the phosphor coating has been excited by the UV laser it will phosphoresce and remain so for the persistence of the phosphor, e.g., from a few seconds to a minute or so. 
         [0032]    There are various phosphor types having different persistence and/or colors that are easy to see and remain visible for a sufficient time to observe the accuracy of the shot(s) and allow instant shot placement feedback to the shooter. If photochromic paint is used in place of or in addition to the phosphor coating, a permanent or semi-permanent record of the laser shot placement may be achieved. Pulse width of the UV laser may be adjusted for a desired phosphoresce (excitation) of the spot  410 . An advantage of the present invention is that a minimum pulse width of the UV laser may be used, only long enough to excite the phosphor, which will conserve battery life of the fire training laser. It is contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure that any of the fire training lasers shown in  FIG. 1  may be used with a UV light laser in place of the prior art red or green light laser. Other and further shapes and configurations of fire training lasers using a UV light laser would be readily apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art of firearm training and having the benefit of this disclosure. 
         [0033]    Photochromic paints and coatings contain dyes that change conformation when the film is exposed to UV light, and so they change color. Depending on the composition of the color changing paint, these pigments are either irreversible or they will eventually return to their original color. Dye and chemical formulas used in photochromic paints begin in a clear state, and adopt other pigments because of molecular changes that occur when the compound is exposed to heat or ultraviolet (UV) light/radiation. Manufacturers can make these paints reversible or irreversible. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , depicted are multiple UV laser hits on the target of  FIG. 4 . Multiple shot hits  510  are shown and remain visible for enough time to give the shooter real time shot placement feedback. If the pulse width of the UV laser is set long enough, jerking of the gun, e.g., trigger pull, will show as an illuminated line  512 . The angle and length of the line  512  will give the shooter instant feedback as to what he or she is doing wrong when shooting the gun. 
         [0035]    If the phosphor coated target  408  (or photochromic paint coated target) is used in direct sunlight, the UV light component from the sunlight may cause the phosphor coating to slightly phosphoresce. Normally the UV laser light illumination of a spot on the target is of a much greater intensity then any background UV light. However, if background UV light is a problem a simple shade or “awning” may be used above and to the sides of the target such that an “ambient light shadow” is cast over the target. Since the face of the target is what is being aimed at, the shade or awning over and around the target face will not interfere with the target practice, and may also help the shooter for easily see the glowing phosphor spots (representing shot hits) on the face of the target in bright ambient light conditions, e.g., sunlight or over lighted indoor shooting range. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , depicted is an exploded isometric view of the construction of the target of  FIG. 4 , according to a specific example embodiment of this disclosure. Standard paper or reflective paper  624  is used to reflect any UV laser light that gets through the phosphorus coating  622  and reflect it back to increase energy transfer to the phosphorus. The reflective surface of the paper  624  may range in reflectivity from a mirror-like surface to high gloss photo paper. Non-reflective paper may be used as well with reduced effectiveness. A phosphorus coating  622  applied to paper or a reflective surface  624 . The phosphorus coating  622  may be any color of available phosphorus. This coating  622  can be applied as a paint using spray or brush techniques, or screen printed. Other methods of application may also be used. A target pattern  620  is printed directly on a phosphorus coating  622 . The target pattern  620  may be printed thereon with a standard laser or ink jet printer, silk screen process, or any other method of printing images on a surface. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , depicted is an exploded isometric view of the construction of a multiple color phosphor and/or photochromic paint coated target, according to another specific example embodiment of this disclosure.  FIG. 7  shows another embodiment of an improved phosphor coated target where multiple colors of phosphorus are used at the same time. Multiple colors of the phosphorus coating  722 , e.g.,  722   a ,  722   b  and  722   c , may be used, for example but not limited to, concentric rings around the center of the target that enhances comparison of shot placement referenced to the target center, e.g., bulls eye. Different dye color photochromic paint may also be used to coat the paper  624  in a similar pattern for a more permanent record of the training session. 
         [0038]    Other embodiments may comprise using phosphor coatings in single or multiple colors on silhouettes, figures, and 3D targets. UV based lasers include wavelengths from about 100 nanometers (nm) to about 400 nm. Near UV or “blue light” lasers include wavelengths from about 360 nm to about 480 nm. Use of both UV and near UV light lasers are contemplated herein and any term herein referring to “UV” also includes “near UV.” A near UV 405 nm laser works well and is readily available at a reasonable cost. The lower the UV wavelength to excite the phosphorus, the brighter the phosphorus will glow. Also, using a UV lower wavelength will make the UV laser beam harder to see and only the shot location will be visible, e.g., glowing phosphorus. 
         [0039]    While embodiments of this disclosure have been depicted, described, and are defined by reference to example embodiments of the disclosure, such references do not imply a limitation on the disclosure, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent art and having the benefit of this disclosure. The depicted and described embodiments of this disclosure are examples only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the disclosure.