The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for a firearm. The present invention is an apparatus that includes a primary firearm with an attached rotatable secondary firearm. Other attachments are included to increase the effectiveness of the primary firearm and the overall present invention. More specifically, the present invention is an apparatus for a firearm with a mounted pivoting pistol on a long barreled gun.
In the past there has not been a way for a single soldier to fire at two different targets located in different directions at one time, short of using two separate weapons. While in a hostile environment, the soldier would benefit from a firearm with which he/she can shoot around a corner without exposing him/herself and at the same time able to cover his/her front with another weapon. While there are firearms with a variety of attachments, these attachments are generally fixed and do not allow a user to aim each weapon in a separate direction. In addition, commonly only a single part of the firearm may be utilized at any one time. Though there are weapons that are capable of firing around an obstacle they often have a limited angle of coverage. At most, such weapons can cover a 90 degree spread from the default firing alignment. In addition, even while many existing solutions provide some sort of display, the integration and capabilities of the display are not perfectly suited for a weapon with a large angle of motion.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to create an apparatus of a firearm that has a pivoting pistol below a long barreled gun with a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen so the soldier can fire around a corner or edge wall without exposing his/her body and at the same time be aiming at a different target with the same weapon. It is a further object of the present invention to be in communication and controllable by external devices, improving overall awareness of a user of the present invention.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is a battery operated and computerized firearm that incorporates two weapons into a single apparatus. In the preferred embodiment, the two weapons are individual firearms, referred to as the primary firearm 1 and secondary firearm 2. Shown in
The primary firearm 1 comprises a receiver 7, a high powered primary barrel 8, a trigger 9, a swivel control 10, a first mounting point 11, a second mounting point 12, a third mounting point 13, a first display 14, a second display 15, a stock 16, and a set of accessories 17. These components are illustrated in
The trigger 9 is connected to both the stock 16 and the receiver 7, next to the rear grip 21. The trigger 9 enables a user to easily fire the primary firearm 1 with the same hand that holds the rear grip 21, as seen in
To provide additional stability to the secondary firearm 2, another embodiment of the present invention incorporates a brace running from the swivel control 10 to the secondary firearm 2. This brace is bolted into the swivel control 10, helping to absorb recoil from firing the secondary firearm 2. The brace extends from the swivel control 10 to the secondary firearm 2, where a notch receives the grip of the secondary firearm 2. This addition is especially useful when using high-powered secondary firearms 2, where recoil may be more difficult to control than with low-power secondary firearms 2.
The first display 14, as shown in
As outlined in
As depicted in
The battery 4 provides power to the electronic components of the present invention, while the communications module 3 allows transmission of data to other devices, both of which are illustrated in
The electroshock weapon 5 and the knife 6 are attached to the second mounting point 12 and third mounting point 13, respectively, like seen in
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention many components have specific or additional features. The overall construction of the primary firearm 1 incorporates a carbon fiber, or any other suitable metal, shell with vent holes. With regards to the stock 16, the telescoping shoulder is split into two sections, with a rear section sleeving into a front section, usually by means of a matching track and rail. This allows a user to adjust the length of the telescoping shoulder rest 20 as desired. The telescoping shoulder rest 20 preferably includes a hinge which allows the telescoping shoulder rest 20 to fold for compact storage, with the telescoping shoulder rest 20 being folded 180 degrees to rest adjacent and besides the receiver 7 section of the primary firearm 1.
The first display 14 and the second display 15 each can receive and display feeds from the primary camera 31 and secondary camera 34. The first display 14 and second display 15 can provide various levels of zoomed views depending on the zoom levels offered by the primary camera 31 and secondary camera 34. In addition, the first display 14 and second display 15 can provide split screen viewing, showing images from both the primary camera 31 and the secondary camera 34. This allows, for example, a user to switch the first display 14 to show two targets, one viewed from the primary camera 31 and the other viewed from the secondary camera 34. In addition to video feeds from the primary camera 31 and secondary camera 34, the first display 14 and second display 15 can output additional information, such as ammunition levels and the angle of the secondary firearm 2 in relation to the primary firearm 1.
The strap 27 preferably includes a padded section, making the present invention more comfortable to carry when the strap 27 is slung over a user's shoulder. The strap 27 enables a user to conceal the present invention by hiding it beneath a coat, with the strap 27 resting against a shoulder and the primary firearm 1 being held between a user's body and arm. The secondary firearm 2 is secured to the first mounting point 11 by a rotatable receiver 7, which is mechanically connected (such as by a chain and gear system) to the swivel control 10. This enables a user to rotate the secondary fire arm by rotating the swivel control 10. The swivel control 10 rotates horizontally, with the axis of rotation being perpendicular to the length of the primary barrel 8 and roughly parallel to the rear grip 21. The primary camera 31 and secondary camera 34, as well as the second mounting point 12 and third mounting point 13, are properly distanced from the primary barrel 8 (or secondary barrel 32, in the case of the secondary camera 34) such that muzzle 18 blasts are not affected. The distancing of said components also protects against potential damage resulting from being too close to the muzzle 18 blast.
The primary firearm 1 and secondary firearm 2 each preferably include a safety to prevent accidental weapon discharges. The primary firearm 1 is preferably a rifle or assault rifle, while the knife 6 is preferably a switchblade or spring-based sliding knife 6, allowing the knife 6 blade to quickly be deployed for use. The primary camera 31 and secondary camera 34 are capable of alternate viewing modes, including night vision and infrared vision, although the primary camera 31 and secondary camera 34 default to an off state until a user opts to turn them on. In addition, the primary camera 31 and secondary camera 34 include removable storage devices. These removable storage devices can be used to record pictures and video taken from the primary camera 31 and secondary camera 34. If a user wants to view the stored data on another interface, such as a portable laptop computer, the removable storage devices can be taken out of the primary camera 31 and secondary camera 34 and inserting into the portable laptop computer. In this manner recorded data is can be viewed on a large number of other devices. While the listed components have favored implementations, other embodiments can implement variant or optional components.
While the secondary firearm 2 is preferably a pistol, in other embodiments the secondary firearm 2 can take the form of a barrel without a grip or any type of projectile weapon, such as a grenade launcher. If a grip is not used, then the secondary trigger 33 would be omitted and the secondary weapon would be fully controlled through the trigger 9 and control panel 29 of the primary firearm 1. The electroshock weapon 5 is preferably a ranged implement such as the Taserâ„¢ that fires wires which carry current from the weapon to a target.
In other embodiments the swivel control 10 can be integrated into the control panel 29; rather than manually turning the swivel control 10, an interface on the control panel 29 could be operated to send electronic signals to the swivel mechanism for the secondary firearm 2, activating a motor to rotate the secondary firearm 2. This allows a user to rotate the secondary firearm 2 with the simple push of a button. The swivel control 10 may also be disengaged, allowing a user to manually rotate the secondary firearm 2. These buttons would be positioned adjacent to the trigger 9, making them easily accessible to a user, within easy reach of the digits of the trigger hand.
In addition to the scope 30, the sighting mechanisms can include a laser sight and an iron sight. The laser sight and iron sight are attached atop the primary firearm 1, adjacent to the scope 30. Like the scope 30, the iron sight and laser sight should be aligned to be parallel to the primary barrel 8 to assist with aiming. The iron sight provides a sighting mechanism that can be used even if battery 4 power runs out, providing a backup option to the other targeting methods. Of course, adjustment could be made to the iron sight or laser sight if desired, perhaps to account for standard conditions (e.g. a typical range of engagement) that a user might face. It is also possible to include a sighting mechanism for the secondary firearm 2, though care would need to be taken to assure the sighting mechanism does not interfere with the first mounting point 11.
The telescoping shoulder rest 20 has the option of including a shock resistant feature, such as an air shock recoil reduction system, designed to buffer a user against recoil from firing the primary firearm 1 and secondary firearm 2. The air shock recoil reduction system allows a user to set and lock a pressure per their preference. The recoil reduction system can employ various energy damping methods or materials to reduce the impact of firing the primary firearm 1 and secondary firearm 2. For example, the air shock recoil system could be spring-based, gas-based, or any other recoil method deemed useful.
Other variations and subcomponents of the present invention relate to the receiver 7, stock 16, and firing mechanisms. Specifically, a shell ejection port is included so that empty casings can be automatically discarded from the primary firearm 1. The magazines used can be selected from a variety of options, such as box magazines. The stock 16 can include a front grip, opposite the rear grip 21, although the secondary firearm 2 can be used as a front grip while attached to the primary firearm 1. Additionally, though the preferred embodiment describes the electronic trigger 25 being attached to the first trigger 23, an optional second electronic trigger 25 could be attached to the second trigger 24. In either case the electronic trigger 25 activates an electronic firing system, reducing the pressure required to fire a shot.
The components of the present invention allow it to be used in conjunction with accessories 17 and external devices. A suitcase is designed for the present invention to store subcomponents, such as the primary firearm 1, secondary firearm 2, electroshock weapon 5, and knife 6. A headset can be synchronized to the present invention, using wireless communications to receive data. Additionally, an external control system, such as in a van, can be wirelessly connected to the present invention, allowing a third party to access some features of the present invention.
The suitcase includes multiple compartments for components and accessories 17 of the present invention. The suitcase is preferably of a thin, low-profile construction and is made to be airtight. In addition to a main compartment to house the primary firearm 1 and attached secondary firearm 2, there are individual compartments for the electroshock weapon 5, the knife 6, extra ammunition, and miscellaneous personal items. The headset can be placed in the main compartment alongside the present invention.
The headset includes a heads-up display, which is wirelessly connected to the communications module 3 of the present invention. The heads-up display receives information from the communications module 3, including video feeds from the primary camera 31 and secondary camera 34. Built in sight shields which can be flipped up or down are also integrated into the heads-up display. The heads-up display can be operated by handgrips built into either side of the heads-up display. The heads-up display can also be controlled by the control panel 29 of the primary firearm 1, which can send instruction through the communications module 3 to either lower or raise the sight shields. Thus, when a user wears the heads-up display while operating the present invention, views from the primary and secondary camera 34 can easily be seen without the need to focus on the first display 14 or second display 15.
The external control system, like the headset is wirelessly connected to the communications module 3. Not only is the external control system capable of receiving video feeds from the primary camera 31 and secondary camera 34, it is also capable of sending instructions to the present invention. For example, an operator of the external control system could see a target appear on the secondary camera 34, instruct the swivel control 10 to rotate the secondary firearm 2 to be pointing at the target, and fire the secondary firearm 2 by simply pressing a button. The instructions are all communicated wirelessly through the communications module 3. The primary benefits of the external control system are extra pairs of eyes to watch feeds from the primary camera 31 and secondary camera 34, providing a better chance to notice potential hazards that might escape the attention of a user of the present invention. If and when necessary, the external control system allows third parties to take control of the secondary firearm 2, perhaps acting before a user could, or alternatively allowing the present invention to fully engage two different targets simultaneously.
While the present invention is usable in conjunction with the aforementioned accessories and external devices, the present invention is also usable as a standalone independent device. The function of the present invention remains the same with or without the inclusion of said accessories and external devices.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/612,101 filed on Mar. 16, 2012.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61612101 | Mar 2012 | US |