Patent Application
20220276018
This patent document relates to weapon simulators and methods of making the same. In particular, this patent document relates to a drop in solution that may turn a real live fire weapon into a weapon simulator.
Applicant has produced high fidelity weapon simulators for years with high form, fit and function (FFF). These simulators are dedicated simulators, often starting as government furnished live weapons that are then modified to add simulator components for actuating the recoil pneumatically, as well as adding sensors used for diagnostics and electronically controlling the recoil behavior. Often, end users do not have the budgets to pay for dedicated weapon simulators and would benefit from kits that could be added to live weapons to turn them into weapon simulators temporarily. This would also allow them to be switched back easily into live weapons. To this end, there is a need in the market for a drop in solution that can convert a live weapon into a weapon simulator.
Objects of the present patent document are to provide a drop in solution in the form of a module or modules that would convert a live weapon into a weapon simulator. The weapon simulator need only simulate at least one function of a live weapon but the more functions it simulates the better. As just a few examples, the simulator can imitate, recoil, shell ejection, sound, smell, weight, firing, or any other number of characteristics. To this end, various embodiments of weapon simulator modules are provided.
In preferred embodiments, a lower receiver for a weapon simulator is provide. The lower receiver comprises a first air pressure regulator contained within the lower receiver and a second air pressure regulator contained within the lower receiver and designed to supply a higher pressure compressed air than the first air pressure regulator. The output of the first air pressure regulator controls the output of the second air pressure regulator. The lower receiver is designed to have the higher pressure compressed air from the second air pressure regulator drive a simulation component. A simulation component can be a bolt assembly, recoil simulator, shell ejection, sound generator, smell generator, weight simulator, firing simulator, or any other number of simulation devices.
In preferred embodiments, the lower receiver is design to replace the lower receiver of a real firearm. In even more preferred embodiments, the lower receiver is designed to replace the lower receiver of a real firearm without modification to the real firearm.
In preferred embodiments, the output of the first air pressure regulator is between 50 psi and 175 psi. In some preferred embodiments, the output of the second air pressure regulator is between 600 psi and 1200 psi. In some embodiments, the output of the first air pressure regulator is about 150 psi or 150±50 psi. In some embodiments, the output of the second air pressure regulator is about 900 psi or 900±100 psi.
The present patent document describes embodiments of a drop-in solution to convert a live weapon into a weapon simulator. In the embodiments described herein, the solution drops into the lower receiver.
The weapon shown in
In preferred embodiments, the weapon simulator system contains a compressed air regulation system comprised of dual pressure outputs from a single high-pressure input in a self-contained lower receiver or fire control group 10.
The simulator components installed in the lower receiver 10 provide dual pressure outputs, a low-pressure output and a high-pressure output. Compressed air is stored in simulator components located in the magazine 14. The compressed air may be held at any pressure but in some embodiments may be as high as 3500 psi. In preferred embodiments, the pressure is stored in one or more containers in the magazine 14 around 3000 psi. The low-pressure regulator 18 takes the stored compressed air from the magazine 14 and provides a regulated low-pressure output. For the purposes of this system, “low pressure” means 150 psi±50 psi. In other embodiments, other pressures can be used for the low-pressure output including any pressure between 50 and 175. However, preferably the low pressure is around 150 psi.
The high-pressure regulator 16 takes the stored compressed air from the magazine 14 and provides a regulated high-pressure output. For the purposes of this system, “high-pressure” means 900 psi±100 psi. In other embodiments, other pressures can be used for the high-pressure output including any pressure between 600 and 1200 psi. However, preferably the high-pressure is around 900 psi.
Traditional weapon simulators using compressed gas use only low pressure unregulated compressed gas or unregulated high-pressure gases such as carbon dioxide (“CO2”). This apparatus provides regulated compressed air delivery in dual outputs, low pressure and high-pressure. It is unique to have dual regulated pressure outputs self-contained in an apparatus that replaces a live weapon receiver or fire control group. The dual regulators provide high-pressure for recoil force and a lower pressure for controlling the high-pressure valve using more standard and readily available solenoid operated valves designed for the lower pressure. The low pressure allows electronic control of a high-pressure valve via a solenoid operated valve.
The high-pressure recoil valve 30 opens when actuated by the 150 psi compressed air from the solenoid valve. Once opened, the valve allows the flow of 900 psi regulated compressed air from the high-pressure input 36 into a simulated bolt assembly which creates simulated recoil.
The high-pressure valve components consist of a valve piston 38 and spring assembly 39. The valve piston 38 is held in the closed position by the spring 39. The valve 30 is actuated into the open position when gas pressure from the solenoid valve is supplied to the opposing side of the valve piston 38.
Traditional weapon simulators using high-pressure compressed gas will control the flow of gas mechanically, utilizing the trigger pull or hammer to actuate a mechanical valve. This apparatus allows the electronic control of the high-pressure recoil gas. It is unique to have simulated recoil driven by gas at such a high-pressure and be electronically controlled in a self-contained apparatus that replaces a live weapon receiver or fire control group.
Recoil is simulated by using high-pressure, regulated compressed air to accelerate a simulated bolt assembly 40. The simulated bolt assembly 40 includes a high-pressure recoil piston 42 that is rapidly accelerated by the blast of high air pressure. Because the high-pressure compressed air is regulated, the simulated recoil forces remain consistent as the pressure in the storage magazine decreases
Traditional weapon simulators which use compressed air operate at pressures much lower than 900 psi or they use unregulated carbon dioxide. This apparatus allows the use of 900 psi compressed air to provide the recoil pressure to the simulated bolt assembly. It is unique to operate simulated weapon recoil using compressed air pressures higher than 150 psi.
The electromagnet 50 may be in electrical communication with a controller such that it can be activated on demand by a controller. The controller may monitor the number of shots and activate the electromagnet 50 after a particular number of shot fire events. In other implementations, the electromagnet 50 may be activated manually at any time via a remote control or remote button.
During operation, the simulated bolt assembly 40 is driven rearward by the high-pressure compressed air being released by the pressure recoil valve 30. As the bolt 40 reaches the rearward position it momentarily actuates a lever linkage 52 in the lower apparatus. This momentary activation may be accomplished by any number of methods but in the embodiment shown in
The aft portion of the lever linkage 52 is forced downward by the bolt assembly 40 and into the proximity of an electromagnet 50. The other end of the lever linkage 52 is forced up and momentarily acts on a lock-back lever 54 that lifts it into the path of bolt assembly 40. This lock-back lever 54 is in the same location and provides the same user interface as the live weapon allowing for realistic training. When a pre-determined number of shots has been reached the electromagnet 50 is activated and holds the lever linkage 52 in position allowing the bolt 40 to catch on the lock-back lever 54.
Traditional weapon simulators either do not offer a lock back feature or the lever itself is not momentarily actuated on every shot. It is unique that the lock-back lever is momentarily actuated on every shot and may be held in position by the electro-magnet on any given shot. Because the lever is activated every shot, the simulator can produce an out of ammunition simulation on any number of shots.
The magazine has cavities machined into it that allow the storage of compressed air. The magazine also contains an interface port that prevents air from escaping until it is inserted into the drop in lower receiver. Once inserted into the drop in lower receiver a check valve within the interface port is opened allowing air to flow.
In another embodiment, the magazine 14 may house the high-pressure regulator 16. In such embodiments, the storage of compressed air may still be in the magazine 14 or may be moved to inside the lower receiver 10. Generally speaking, the low-pressure regulator 18, high pressure regulator 16 and compressed air storage can be moved between the magazine 14 and lower receiver 10 in different designs. However, as taught herein, the preferred embodiments have the compressed air in the magazine 14 and the low-pressure regulator 18 and high-pressure regulator 16 in the lower receiver 10.
In the examples provided herein, the packaging is designed such that it replaces the live weapon lower receiver. The user removes their live lower receiver and replaces it with our drop in lower receiver. This accomplishes several things. It allows the user to retain their upper receiver, sights, optics, and handguards while the drop in lower receiver simulates the trigger, fire control selector and magazine release. An additional benefit of the drop in lower receiver is that once installed the simulated weapon is no longer considered a gun per the ATF laws. This allows a user much more flexibility on how they handle and store the simulated weapon assembly.
In addition to replacing the lower receiver, the magazine may also be swapped for the magazine designed to work with the drop-in simulator in the lower receiver.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/129,333, filed on Dec. 22, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and is considered a part of this specification.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63129333 | Dec 2020 | US |
