Patent Publication Number: US-9417035-B2

Title: Blank firing laser attachment

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application No. 61/654,177 filed Jun. 1, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosure is generally directed at lasers and more specifically at a blank firing laser attachment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The use of weapons, such as firearms, has been around for a long time. Firearms are typically used by law enforcement individuals, military personnel or hunters. When using these firearms, training of personnel in the use of firearms in these environments is important as a wayward shot may result in the injury of an innocent bystander or a waste of ammunition. 
     In order to practice one&#39;s accuracy, firearm owners may typically go to a shooting range whereby they can fire live ammunition at either standing or moving targets. However, the use of live ammunition may be quite expensive over the course of time. 
     Therefore, there is provided a blank firing laser attachment for use with firearms which assist firearm owners to improve their accuracy. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, there is provided a blank firing laser attachment apparatus for use with a firearm including a laser module for producing a laser output, wherein the laser output is in axial alignment with a barrel housing of the firearm; a trigger actuation module comprising a switching mechanism for sensing when a blank cartridge has been discharged by a pulling of a trigger of the firearm; an electronic module for modulating the laser output; a processor for activating the laser output when the trigger is pulled; and a barrel end housing module for mounting the blank firing laser attachment apparatus to the barrel housing. 
     In another aspect, there is provided a method for shooting a blank firing laser attachment in use with a firearm including sensing actuation of a discharged blank cartridge via a trigger of the firearm; emitting a laser output after sensing actuation of the trigger; and modulating the laser output. 
     Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings of preferred and exemplary embodiments, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a system for use with a blank firing laser attachment (BFLA); 
         FIG. 2 a    is a schematic side view of a BLFA mounted to a firearm; 
         FIG. 2 b    is a top view of a BFLA mounted to a rifle; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a BFLA; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a laser apparatus of the BFLA; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of a trigger actuator apparatus of the BFLA; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of a power supply of the BFLA; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of the electronics of the BFLA; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart outlining a method of use of the BFLA; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the BFLA; 
         FIG. 10  is atop view of the BFLA of  FIG. 9 ; and 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-section view, taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosure is directed at a novel method and system for improving accuracy of individuals using firearms, such as guns, pistols, rifles and the like. In one embodiment, the system includes a blank firing laser attachment (BFLA) for use with a firearm where the BFLA is mounted to or integrated with the firearm. In one embodiment, the BFLA is for use in weapons accuracy training whereby the BFLA triggers a laser which may be used to interact with a sensor (associated with a target) to determine if a user of the weapon has hit the target. For instance, the sensor may be located within a safety vest of an individual who may be in motion or the sensor may be located within a stationary target. This also provides a safe way for users of these firearms to practice or improve their accuracy using real-life scenarios without the need for live ammunition or risking injury. 
     In another embodiment, the BLFA is able to provide the necessary recoil action to mimic or replicate the response from the firearm as if the person firing the firearm is actually using live ammunition to provide a more realistic experience. 
     Turning to  FIG. 1 , a schematic diagram of a system in which a BFLA is used is shown. In the current system, the system  10  comprises a plurality of targets  12  along with at least one firearm  14  including a BFLA  16 . As understood, the firearm  14  is associated with a user who is shooting at the targets  12  within the system  10 . While appearing to be stationary, the targets  12  may also be an object in motion. For instance, if the user is shooting at other individuals, the targets  10  may be embedded within a vest that the individual is wearing. Each of the targets  10  includes a sensor  20  which senses if, or when, the target has been “hit” by the firearm  14 . The targets  10  may include further components such as, but not limited to, an apparatus for communicating with the BFLA  16 , an apparatus for making a noise and/or a central processing unit. 
     In operation, as will be described below, when a laser from the BFLA  16  hits a target  12 , a signal may be generated by the target to indicate a successful shot. This signal may either be an audible sound or may be an electronic signal that is transmitted to a processor within the BFLA to indicate that the target has been hit. 
     Turning to  FIG. 2 a   , a perspective view of a firearm is shown. A top view is shown in  FIG. 2 b   . Prior to use, the user mounts the BFLA  16  to an end  20  of the firearm  14 , such as a barrel housing  22 . In one embodiment, the barrel housing  22  provides support for the BFLA  16  and includes apparatus for receiving the BFLA  16  (not shown) while the BFLA  16  includes apparatus for mounting the BFLA to the firearm  14  (as will be described below). The connection between the BFLA  16  and the barrel housing  22  may be via a threaded connection, however, the connection may also be via a socket-type connection. Other methods of mounting the BFLA  16  to the barrel housing  22  are also contemplated. 
     In a further embodiment, the apparatus for mounting the BFLA  16  to the firearm  14  is designed to fit a specific firearm, however, the apparatus for mounting may be designed to fit any number of weapons so that the BFLA  16  is more adaptable. Alternatively, the apparatus for mounting may be a one-size fits all type of mounting apparatus. It is preferred that the apparatus for mounting include a quick lock mechanism for facilitating the mounting and removal of the BFLA  16  from the firearm  14 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 , a schematic diagram of the BFLA is shown. The BFLA  16  includes a laser apparatus  24 , a trigger actuator apparatus  26 , a barrel end housing apparatus  28 , a power supply  30  and an electronics portion  32 . The BFLA  16  may also include a processor, seen as central processing unit  34 , for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the various parts of the BFLA  16  relating to the operation of the BFLA. In another embodiment, the processor  34  may be integrated within the electronics portion  32 . In order for the BFLA  16  to replicate a shot being fired, the laser apparatus  24  and the barrel end housing apparatus  28  are aligned with each other along an axis of the barrel of the firearm. In a preferred embodiment, the BFLA  16  takes into account the trajectory of the shot. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the BFLA  16  is meant to be an attachment which is mounted to the end of the firearm  14 . 
     The BFLA  16  may further comprise a set of sensors  29  located throughout the BFLA for sensing conditions within the BFLA  16  to monitor the efficiency of the BFLA or the firearm to which it is attached. Alternatively, or along with monitoring the efficiency, the sensors  29  may sense the temperature within the firearm  14  or BFLA  16 , the power level of the power supply or the efficiency of the laser apparatus. In another embodiment, sensors, such as an accelerometer or gyroscope, may be used to provide information to the user regarding their use of the firearm by providing feedback with respect to recoil after a shot or steadiness of the user&#39;s aim. Other measurements relating to operation of the BFLA  16  or the firearm  14  may also be sensed by the set of sensors  29 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , which is a schematic diagram of the laser apparatus  24 , the laser apparatus  24  includes a laser light portion  36  which operates at a specified wavelength. This laser light portion  36  may be replaced in order to change the wavelength when required. Depending on the type of laser light portion  36 , the wavelength may also be changed via user input which is processed by the processor. If necessary, the laser apparatus  24  may further include a processing unit  38  which is in communication with the processor  34 , however, this processing unit  38  may be the processor itself. For the current description, it is assumed that the BFLA  16  is controlled by the processor  34 . The processor  34  controls the laser light portion  36  to adjust the laser light based on the direction that the firearm is facing as decided by the user and sensed by the sensors  29 . The laser apparatus  24  may further include a threaded front aperture  40  which may support a debris window or a collimating lens. The laser apparatus  24  is preferably moisture proof and includes a set of control wires  42  for communication between the processor  34  and the laser light apparatus or portion  36 . 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the trigger actuator apparatus. The trigger actuator apparatus  26  comprises a switching mechanism  44  which may either be a micro switch, a pressure switch or the like. When a blank cartridge is fired, a hot gas discharge occurs whereby pressure from the hot gas discharged is sensed by the switching mechanism  44  (or sensors  29 ) thereby causing a signal to be transmitted to the processor  34  to activate or initiate the laser light portion  36 . The trigger actuation module  14  may further include a Z-axis adjustment apparatus  46  along with an actuator plunger support  48 . In one embodiment, the trigger actuator apparatus  26  includes a separation area  50  for the hot gases which may be produced during operation of the BFLA  16  or the firearm  14 . Communication between the switching mechanism  44  and the processor  34  is preferably via a set of control wires, however, the communication may also be wireless. 
     Turning to  FIG. 6 , a schematic diagram of the power supply is shown. The power supply  30  includes an input power supply  52  which may either be a lithium ion battery, a rechargeable circuit, a standard  9 V battery, a CR123 battery or the like. Other input power supplies such as, but not limited to, traditional AC power outlets, solar cells, piezoelectric generators, kinetic electricity generators, or the like are also contemplated. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the power supply  30  is preferably connected to each of the other parts of the BFLA  16  which require power to operate and is preferably located in an area within the BFLA  16  where it may be easily accessed so that replacement is facilitated. For instance, the power supply  30  may be physically located at a bottom of the BFLA  16  so that it may be easily replaced. The power supply  30  preferably includes a moisture barrier  54  to protect the components from exposure to moisture in order to protect the user from electrocution or other possible injury. 
     Turning to  FIG. 7 , a schematic diagram of the electronics section, or module is shown. As is understood, there may be other aspects of the electronics that are not disclosed, however they would be understood by one skilled in the art. The electronics module  32  comprises an input switch mechanism signal  56 , a processor module  58 , a laser regulating apparatus  60 , apparatus for indicating a sensor acknowledgement signal  62  and a moisture barrier  64  for protecting the module  32 . The laser regulating apparatus  60  may be used for modulating the laser and may also produce an identification signal for the laser (as will be discussed below). 
     In certain embodiments, the identification signal is accomplished by using the laser regulating apparatus  60  to pulsate the output from the laser apparatus  24  therefore producing a distinct laser output. This identification signal can then be used to identify the user which has hit target when in a system having multiple firearms or users. 
     For example, in use, when a target is hit, the sensor  20  which is associated with a target  12 , may determine the identification signal after the sensor has been hit by processing the laser output which hit the target  12 . For instance, laser output which hits the target may be processed to determine characteristics, such as but not limited to, its wavelength or its pulse length. After determining the laser output characteristics, the user/firearm/BFLA associated with the laser output characteristics may be determined such as by checking a database. The target  12  (via a processor or communication apparatus) can then transmit this determination or identification, such as via wireless communications, to the associated BFLA such that the user associated with this firearm will know that they hit the target  12 . 
     In one embodiment, the electronic module  32  may include elements to transmit information, in the form of messages, to the user of BFLA operational conditions. These elements may include, but are not limited to, a speaker  66  or a display  68  (such as a liquid crystal display (LCD)) to provide audible or visual signals or messages. These messages may include, but are not limited to, informing the user whether or not the target has been hit, informing the user which target was hit, informing the user of accuracy or other statistics, or indicating any errors or malfunctions of the firearm or the BFLA. Although not shown, the electronic module  32  may itself include a central processing unit or may be controlled by the processor  34 . 
     In use, a signal from the input switch mechanism  56  may be used to turn on the BFLA  16  in order to activate the trigger actuator apparatus  26 . In order words, the input switch mechanism  56  senses the supply of power from the power supply  30  and activates the trigger actuator apparatus  26 . Once on, the trigger actuator  26  may then wait to determine when the trigger of the firearm has been pulled. The laser regulation apparatus  60  is used to control or determine the characteristics of the laser that is to be used or delivered by the laser apparatus  24  as controlled by the processor or central processing unit  34  when a shot is required. 
     Turning to  FIG. 8 , a flowchart outlining a method of using a BFLA with a firearm is shown. In the current flowchart, the method is directed for use with a rifle although it will be understood that similar steps are performed when the BFLA is used with other types of firearms, such as, but not limited to, pistols, machine guns and shotguns. 
     In the current example, it is assumed that the BFLA has already been mounted to the end of the rifle and turned on whereby the input switching mechanism has transmitted a signal to the processor to activate the trigger actuator apparatus  26 . In order to prepare the rifle for use with the BFLA, blank cartridges are inserted  100  into the rifle magazine. The blank cartridge may be, for example, a 0.223 blank cartridge and/or a 5.56 blank cartridge, depending on the requirements of the rifle. The presence of the blank cartridge allows operation of the rifle to be mimicked as if there was live ammunition sitting within the rifle chamber as delivered by the rifle magazine. As will be understood, the insertion of the blank cartridges is not necessarily part of the use of the BFLA but is required to prime or prepare the rifle for use in a shooting scenario. 
     When in use, if the user spots a target, in order to take a shot at the target, the user squeezes the trigger of the firearm. After being activated by the input switch mechanism, the trigger actuator apparatus continually senses  102  when the firearm trigger is pulled thereby releasing of the firing pin within the rifle. The releasing of the firing pin causes the firing pin to hit the primer of the blank cartridge in the rifle chamber. Typically, gun powder within the blank cartridge is ignited by the primer creating pressure within the barrel of the rifle causing hot gases to discharge and travel up the barrel. This hot gas may be separated in the separation area of the trigger actuator apparatus. 
     The pressure created within the barrel via the pulling of the trigger causes a pin, such as a switch actuation pin, to compress the input switch mechanism located in the BFLA. At the same time, this pressure also activates a gas piston that reloads the chamber with a new blank cartridge from the blank cartridges in the rifle magazine. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, both the gas piston and the switch actuation pin are activated by the pressure created from the ignition of the gun powder when the trigger is pulled. 
     After the input switch mechanism is compressed, the processor triggers the laser light portion to emit  104  a laser light at a specific wavelength and specific pulse. In other words, the pulling of the trigger causes the laser light portion within the laser apparatus to emit a pulse to replicate a shot being fired. In certain embodiments, the laser is pulsed to define laser characteristics which will assist in identifying the user which hits the target. 
     If the laser hits a target, a signal may be generated indicating a successful shot. This signal may be an audible signal associated with the target which has been hit. In another embodiment, the target (or a processor associated with the target) transmits a signal or message which is received  106  by the processor associated with the BFLA which hit the target indicating that a shot from the associated BFLA hit the target. This message may then be communicated  108  to the user via an audible sound or a display message. 
     Turning to  FIG. 9 , a perspective view of an embodiment of a BFLA is shown. The BFLA  16  includes a barrel end housing mating portion  70  (or apparatus for mounting) which is used to connect the BFLA  16  to the end of the firearm (not shown). The mating portion  70  includes a portion, such as, but not limited to, a threaded portion or a male plug portion which corresponds with a matching threaded portion or female receiving portion on the end of the firearm. The BFLA  16  further includes a housing  72  which houses each of the parts of the BFLA as disclosed above with respect to  FIG. 3 . While shown as being transparent in  FIG. 9  for description purposes, the housing  72  is preferably opaque so that the inside of the BFLA can not be seen. In a preferred embodiment, the housing  72  is preferably manufactured from a lightweight material which is solid in colour. 
     The BFLA  16  further includes an exit portion  74  which is located opposite the barrel end housing mating portion  70  and is in axial alignment with the barrel housing mating portion  70  such that when the user pulls the trigger, the pressure within the firearm activates the laser apparatus to transmit a laser beam through the exit portion  74  towards the target. The exit portion  74  may be part of the barrel housing apparatus  28 . The alignment allows the laser to be delivered directly at the target without being deflected or blocked by parts within the BFLA  16 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the weight of the BFLA  16  is kept down so as to not affect the individual&#39;s experience with the firearm such that repeated uses of the firearm improves the individual&#39;s accuracy with the firearm without introducing external factors to the experience. 
     Turning to  FIG. 10 , a top view of one embodiment of a BFLA is shown. As can be seen in  FIG. 10 , the BFLA  16  includes an alignment pin  76  for alignment of the barrel housing apparatus  28  of the BFLA  16 . A thumb screw  78  may also be used for tightening the alignment pin  76  within the BFLA  16 . As discussed above, the BFLA  16  should be in axial alignment with the opening of the barrel of the firearm. 
     Turning to  FIG. 11 , which is a cross-section taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 , the barrel housing apparatus  28  may include a flash suppressor  80  located at one end. A retaining clip  82  is used to assist in holding the barrel housing apparatus  28  in place. The BFLA  16  may further include a pair of exhaust ports  84  which allow exhaust gases within the firearm to escape once the trigger has been pulled in order to reduce the pressure within the BFLA  16 . In the current embodiment, within the barrel end apparatus housing  28 , there may be a debris lens cavity. 
     As shown, the power supply  30  includes a battery  86  which supplies the power to the components within the BFLA  16 . The laser apparatus  24  may include a diode housing  88  and a diode sleeve  90  which protects the laser and the trigger actuator apparatus  26  includes the switching mechanism  44  which is connected with a switch depth control sleeve  92  and a switch actuation pin  94 . 
     In the preceding description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that some or all of these specific details may not be required in order to practice the disclosure. In other instances, well-known electrical structures and circuits are shown in block diagram form in order not to obscure the disclosure. For example, specific details are not provided as to whether the embodiments of the disclosure described herein are as a software routine, hardware circuit, firmware, or a combination thereof. 
     The above-described embodiments of the disclosure are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations can be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.