Abstract:
The invention relates to an arrangement and to a method for rendering useless a weapon ( 100 ) that includes a breechblock, in the event of an unauthorized appropriation of the weapon. The arrangement ( 1 ) includes an expander ( 10 ) which has a cavity ( 13 ) or a recess and which is intended for insertion into the box ( 101 ) accommodating the breechblock of the weapon. An explosive substance ( 43 ) is disposed in the expander cavity ( 13 ) or recess. The explosive substance ( 43 ) is fired in response to an alarm being triggered, therewith deforming the breechblock accommodating space ( 101 ).

Description:
CONTINUING APPLICATION DATA 
     This application is a Continuation-In-Part application of International Patent Application No. PCT/SE99/00378, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, which claims priority from Swedish Patent Application No. 9800852-7, filed on Mar. 15, 1998. International Patent Application No. PCT/SE99/00378 was pending as of the filing date of this application. The United States was an elected state in International Patent Application No. PCT/SE99/00378. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an arrangement and to a method pertaining to a breechblock-equipped weapon such as to render the weapon unusable in the event of unauthorized appropriation. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement and a method by means of which a weapon will be destroyed in conjunction with unauthorized handling of the weapon. This object is achieved with the arrangement and the method having the characteristic features set forth herein below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventive arrangement assists in making the theft of such weapons uninteresting, by virtue of the fact that the weapon will be damaged to such an extent as to make repair of the weapon extremely difficult and complicated to carry out. 
     The arrangement can be combined with many different types of alarm systems and devices which generate an alarm signal that activates the inventive arrangement so as to destroy the weapon. 
     The inventive arrangement has both technical and economical advantages. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplifying embodiments thereof and also with reference to the accompanying drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a weapon provided with an inventive arrangement; 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the arrangement on a larger scale; and 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic view of said arrangement. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The inventive arrangement  1  includes an expander  10  which is designed to fit in a front part of a so-called breechblock box  101  of a weapon  100 . The expander  10  has a front sleeve-part  11  which is designed to fit snugly in the chamber  102  of the weapon. The expander  10  also includes a rear sleeve  12  that has a cavity  13  which communicates with a cavity  14  in the front sleeve  11 . The front sleeve  11  has a front opening  15  and the rear sleeve  12  has a rear opening  16 . The rear end of the sleeve  12  includes a radial hole  17  for accommodating a so-called detonator or percussion cap  30 . The rear sleeve  12  carries an externally arranged guide pin  18  which forces the expander  10  to its correct position of rotation when said expander is positioned in its intended place in the breechblock box  101  of the weapon. The guide pin  18  is guided by the magazine holder  103  of said weapon and also functions as a handle when inserting the expander  10  into the weapon and when removing said expander  10  therefrom. 
     The expander  10  also includes an end plug  20  which is screwed into the rear part of the sleeve  12 . The end plug  20  has an external thread  21  which mates with an internal thread  19  on the sleeve  12 . The end plug  20  has a square screw head  22 , by means of which the plug  20  can be screwed firmly into the sleeve  12 . The end plug  20  also includes an air passageway  23  for communication between the hole  17  and the cavity/space  13  in said sleeve  12 , and for accommodating the detonator  30 . When required, the air passageway  23  is filled with explosive, so as to ensure that a fully effective explosion will take place. 
     The inventive arrangement  1  also includes a so-called burst tube  40  which is shaped and sized to fit into the barrel  104  of the weapon  100 , as evident from FIGS. 1 and 2. The burst tube  40  has an inner, rear cavity  41  and an inner, front cavity  42  which are filled respectively with an explosive substance or device  43 ,  44 , such as pentyl or the like. Disposed within the tube  40  is, e.g., a pentyl fuse  45  which establishes communication between the two explosive substances or devices  43  and  44 . The front end of the tube  40  includes an internal thread  46  which receives an external thread  52  on the rear end  51  of a fixing pin  50 , therewith enabling the pin to be screwed into the tube  40 . The length of the pin  50  is such that said pin will project beyond the muzzle of the barrel  104  when the inventive arrangement is mounted in the weapon  100 , therewith enabling the front end  53  of the pin  50  to be anchored in some desired way relative to the weapon and/or its surroundings. 
     The inventive arrangement  1  also includes a striking or firing pin arrangement  60  that includes a firing pin  61  which is held in a rearward/inactive position by means of a compression spring  62 . The firing pin arrangement  60  includes an electrically activated explosive charge  63  which communicates, via an electric igniter wire  64 , with a firing device  70  which is adapted to deliver an electric signal that activates the explosive charge  63  when necessary, therewith driving the firing pin  61  against the detonator  30  and therewith cause the detonator  30  to fire the explosive charges/explosive devices  43 - 45 . 
     The firing pin arrangement  60  and the detonator means  70  are preferably incorporated in a dummy magazine  80 , so as to minimize the possibilities of manipulating the arrangement. 
     The firing device  70  will normally receive its activating signal through the medium of an alarm circuit  90  provided, for instance, in a protective housing in the form of a weapon case (not shown) or the like. The fixing pin  50  may include a pivot means  54  which enables the pin to be pivotally mounted in the weapon case or bag, and the dummy magazine  80  may be anchored firmly inside the case or bag. 
     The inventive arrangement  1  is fitted to a weapon  100  in the following way. 
     The detonator  30  is fitted to the expander  10 , which includes the sleeves  11  and  12  and the end plug  20  screwed into the rear part of the sleeve  12 . The expander  10  and the detonator  30  attached thereto are then positioned in the breechblock box  101 . The breechblock  105  is then brought into abutment with the screw head  22 , so as to hold the expander  10  in position, wherewith the sleeve  11  is guided into the chamber  102  of said weapon. The burst tube  40  is then inserted into the barrel  104  of the weapon, with the aid of the fixing pin  50  screwed to the burst tube  40 , so that the explosive charge  43  will be located within the internal space  13  of the expander  10  and so that the explosive charge  44  will be positioned in the barrel  104  of the weapon. The dummy magazine  80 , with the firing pin arrangement  60  and detonator  70  attached thereto, is then fixed to the weapon  100 , with the firing pin  61  located close to the detonator  30 . The detonator arrangement  70  is then connected to a suitable alarm circuit  90 . FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the inventive arrangement  1  fitted in a weapon  100 . 
     When an alarm is triggered in response, e.g., to an attempt to steal the weapon, the alarm circuit  90  will activate the detonator arrangement  70  so that an electric signal will be produced and activates the explosive charge  63  to drive the firing pin  61  against the detonator  30  which, in turn, fires the explosive charges/explosive devices  43 - 45 . The forces generated by the explosive charge  43  deform the expander  10  and destroy the breechblock box  101  and those parts of the weapon surrounding the breechblock, while the forces generated by the explosive charge  44  deform the barrel  104 , therewith rendering the weapon  100  useless. 
     When a weapon which has been alarmed in accordance with the invention is removed by an authorized person, the alarm is first deactivated and the weapon then separated from the dummy magazine  80  prior to removing the fixing pin  50  and its connected burst tube  40  from the weapon. The expander  10  and its connected detonator or percussion cap  30  are then removed from the weapon, whereafter the breechblock  105  can again take its forward end position. 
     It will be noted that the inventive arrangement  1  is very safe to handle, since the component parts of the arrangement are separated safely with regard to accidents, since the dummy magazine  80  and the firing arrangement  70  and firing pin arrangement  60  connected to said dummy magazine are first removed from the weapon before dismantling other component parts. The firing arrangement  70  is well protected inside the dummy magazine  80 . Unauthorized attempts to deactivate the alarm, for instance by shooting the inventive arrangement to pieces, will also result in destruction of the weapon. 
     In a simplified embodiment, the explosive charge  44  and the pentyl fuse  45  can be omitted and solely the explosive charge  43  in the expander  10  retained. In this case, the burst tube  40  and the fixing pin  50  can be excluded if desired, and the explosive charge  43  placed directly inside the space  13  of the expander  10  and the opening  15  sealed-off. In the case of the simplified embodiment, the forces generated by the explosive charge  43  will primarily deform the front part of the breechblock box  101 . The chamber  102  and the rear part of the barrel  104  will also be deformed to some extent. 
     In a further simplified embodiment of the invention, the detonator or firing cap  30 , the firing pin arrangement  60  and the detonator arrangement  70  can be excluded and replaced with an electric detonator mounted directly in the passageway  23 , in which case the alarm loop  90  is connected to the electric firing device just mentioned. 
     Although not shown, the air passageway  23  may include a branch in the form of a small subsidiary passageway which opens out adjacent the firing pin in the breechblock. This will channel a part of the explosive force in the expander  10  towards the breechblock  105  so as to damage or destroy the same. Damage to the breechblock can be amplified, by mounting in the subsidiary passageway a hardmetal pin or the like that is capable of penetrating the breechblock. The subsidiary passageway may also be provided with a separate explosive charge, so as to further ensure destruction of the breechblock. 
     The expander  10  and the burst tube  40  are conveniently made of steel or some other suitable metal, so that the surrounding parts of the weapon will be fused together in the explosion. Various types of explosive may, of course, be used in conjunction with the present invention. 
     It will be understood that the design of the inventive arrangement can be varied within wide limits, for instance by substituting the described components with functionally equivalent components. 
     It will also be understood that the invention is not restricted to the described and illustrated embodiments, and that changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the following Claims. 
     Some examples of security systems or locking devices to prevent unauthorized use of a firearm which could possibly be utilized or adapted for use in one embodiment of the present invention can be found in the following U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,358, issued on Sep. 9, 1997 to inventors Haber, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,915, issued on Aug. 27, 1996 to inventors Szarmach, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,234, issued on Jan. 30, 1996 to inventor Dragon; U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,957, issued on Oct. 24, 1995 to inventor Winer; U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,685, issued on Sep. 19, 1995 to inventor Peterson; U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,924, issued on Dec. 15, 1992 to inventors Honey, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,377, issued on May 21, 1991 to inventor Gunning; U.S. Pat. No. 4,672,763, issued on Jun. 16, 1987 to inventor Cunningham; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,018,339, issued on Apr. 19, 1977 to inventor Pritz. 
     Some examples of alarms, alarm devices, or alarm circuits which could possibly be utilized or adapted for use in one embodiment of the present invention can be found in the following U.S. Pat. No. 5,831,531, issued on Nov. 3, 1998 to inventor Tuttle; U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,235, issued on Jul. 7, 1998 to inventors Lindskog, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,686,909, issued on Nov. 11, 1997 to inventor Steinhauser; U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,833, issued on Sep. 10, 1996 to inventor Johnson; U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,915, issued on Aug. 27, 1996 to inventors Szarmach, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,314, issued on Mar. 2, 1993 to inventors Ackerman, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,130, issued on Nov. 10, 1981 to inventors Fotheringham, et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,967,239, issued on Jun. 29, 1976 to inventor Steele. 
     Some examples of explosive devices or explosive substances which could possibly be utilized or adapted for use in one embodiment of the present invention can be found in the following U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,235, issued on Jul. 7, 1998 to inventors Lindskog, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,086, issued on Feb. 4, 1997 to inventor Lemmonier; U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,631, issued on Apr. 9, 1996 to inventors Schauer, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,077, issued on Apr. 2, 1996 to inventor Motley; U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,788, issued on Jan. 23, 1996 to inventor Corney; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,843, issued on Jul. 30, 1991 to inventor Schmid. 
     The corresponding foreign and international patent publication applications, namely, Swedish Patent Application No. 9800852-7, filed on Mar. 15, 1998, having inventors Magnus Lindskog and Kjell Lindskog, and Laid-open Swedish Patent Application No. 9800852-7, if any, and Published Swedish Patent Application No. 9800852-7, if any, and International Application No. PCT/SE98/00378, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, and WO 99/47878, as well as their published equivalents, and other equivalents or corresponding applications, if any, in corresponding cases in Sweden and elsewhere, and the references cited in any of the documents cited herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. 
     The following foreign and international patent publication applications, namely, Swedish Patent Application No. 9602731.3, filed on Jul. 10, 1996, having inventors Kjell Lindskog and Ola Fristrom, and Laid-open Swedish Patent Application No. 9602731.3, if any, and Published Swedish Patent Application No. 9602731.3, if any, and International Application No. PCT/SE97/01236, filed on Jul. 6, 1997, and WO/98/01716, as well as their published equivalents, and other equivalents or corresponding applications, if any, in corresponding cases in Sweden and elsewhere, and the references cited in any of the documents cited herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. 
     The following foreign patent publications are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein as follows: Sweden 506749C2, published on Feb. 9, 1998; Sweden 506750C2, published on Feb. 9, 1998; Sweden 503762C2, published on Aug. 26, 1996; French 2635581, published on Feb. 23, 1990; International WO 9801715, published on Jan. 15, 1998; International WO 9801716, published on Jan. 15, 1998; International WO 9206345, published on Apr. 16, 1992; International WO 9628704, published on Sep. 19, 1996; Denmark 9400151, published on Jul. 8, 1994; and Austria 41,209, published on Feb. 25, 1910. 
     The following U.S. Patent publications are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein as follows: U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,842, issued on May 10, 1994 to Matysik, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,973,498, issued on Aug. 10, 1976 to Persson; U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,038, issued on Jul. 21, 1987 to Washburn; U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,619, issued on Apr. 17, 1984 to McCarley; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,060,855, issued on Oct. 30, 1962 to Henning, et al. 
     The components disclosed in the various publications, disclosed or incorporated by reference herein, may be used in the embodiments of the present invention, as well as, equivalents thereof. 
     The appended drawings in their entirety, including all dimensions, proportions and/or shapes in at least one embodiment of the invention, are accurate and are hereby included by reference into this specification. 
     All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the various embodiments may be used with at least one embodiment or all of the embodiments, it more than one embodiment is described herein. 
     All of the patents, patent applications and publications recited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. 
     The details in the patents, patent applications and publications may be considered to be incorporable, at applicants&#39; option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art. 
     Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. 
     The invention as described hereinabove in the context of the preferred embodiments is not to be taken as limited to all of the provided details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.