The present invention relates to a gear cassette for firearms. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a replica firearm comprising a gear cassette according to the present invention and to use of such replica firearms in a moving film or still pictures.
When making a film that includes scenes with shooting of firearms, a wide number of considerations are necessary in order to maintain the required level of safety while bearing in mind the financial aspects of achieving this safety. Often scenes including shooting of firearms are expensive because of the safety required by the authorities as well as by the actors and staff. Traditionally, when making such scenes, i.e. shooting a firearm it is obvious that the firearms are equipped with “blank” ammunition, i.e. having no projectiles and nothing but gas is exiting the barrel. Unfortunately, this does not bring a film crew even close to ensuring the required safety. This is due to several possibilities of human or mechanical mistakes that could occur. If for instance live ammunition were taken for blank ammunition, it is obvious that this could lead to a catastrophic situation. Hence, the mere presence of a firearm that potentially could be used with live ammunition constitutes a dangerous situation in itself. Therefore, e.g. in Denmark, it is required that a person having a weapons permit for the firearm in question needs to watch and at all time be aware of the exact location of the firearm. Furthermore, scenes may be required to be taken in specific studios i.e. in fully controlled settings which again is costly. When watching a movie in the cinema, the sound heard from firearms fired are digitally edited into the movie. However, in real life, firing a firearm typically makes a noise of approximately 180 dB and is therefore directly hazardous to the hearing of user and crew—as an example of this, the actor Bruce Willis lost ⅔ of his hearing on one ear during the recording of a Die Hard movie. Therefore, what seems to be minor details, such as e.g. the need for wearing ear protection even when firing blanks, may be costly when a full film crew needs ear protection—maybe even for a very short time, but nevertheless, it is the law or at least necessary according to standards in the filming industry.
Manufacturing full scale firearms for this particular purpose (filming) is not cost-efficient.
Hence, there is a need for a combustion gear cassette for firearms which is completely safe in terms of not being able to fire live ammunition and which still provides the actor with the sensation of holding and firing a real firearm. Finally, the film audience should be convinced that the firearm is an actual firearm.
It is an object of the present invention to wholly or partly overcome the above disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, it is an object to provide an improved and safer physical simulation of live firing or blank firing of firearms.
The above objects, together with numerous other objects, advantages and features, which will become evident from the below description, are accomplished by a solution in accordance with the present invention by a gear cassette for firearms, comprising:
In this way, it is achieved that the firearm simulates firing of the firearm by projecting a nozzle fire from the barrel. The fire outlet lets fire escape from the combustion chamber and a flame seen at the end of the muzzle is created. Furthermore, due to a low noise from the firearm a short required safety distance is achieved e.g. less than one metre and even as low as 0.5 metres. When firing of blank shooting firearms using traditional blank ammunition, a safety distance of 3-15 metres is required. The possibility to aim a firearm using the present invention directly at people or equipment without any risk is furthermore achieved.
The terms “gear cassette” or “chamber cassette” are often used for a unit comprising e.g. a gear, a trigger, a chamber and various other components. However, it will be understood that the gear-cassette in the present invention may comprise different components than a traditional gear cassette and hence be a “component cassette” and may not necessarily comprise a gear as such but “gear” in general.
When making a film, the cameras are obviously very expensive. Traditional firing of blanks with real firearms requires a safety distance of 10 metres to the camera. However, using the combustion gear cassette of the present invention, the safety distance may be reduced to as low as 0.5 metre.
The inlet end section and the outlet end section may be opposing each other. In this way, it is possible to have an inline flow through the combustion chamber.
The overall outer shape of the combustion chamber may be barrel-shaped.
Moreover, the inlet end section may comprise two gas inlets.
In this way, it is possible to have an additional gas container/canister connected to the combustion unit, either for supply of additional gas of the same type or for the supply of a second type of gas, e.g. for obtaining a mix of a specific gas and oxygen.
In an embodiment, the gas container(s)/canister(s) may be arranged externally in a bag, e.g. a “fanny pack”, shoulder bag or similar.
In this way, changing an empty canister to a full canister is made easy for both the user of the firearm and/or the supporting crew.
In a further embodiment, the canister(s) may be arranged in the firearm itself e.g. in the body of the firearm or in the ammunition magazine. In this way, it may be possible store more canisters in the firearm as well as store them in the most convenient place.
Furthermore, the combustion unit may comprise a mixing chamber arranged between the gas inlets and the combustion chamber i.e. downstream from the gas inlets.
In this way, it is possible to mix e.g. oxygen and gas to ensure a good combustion.
In addition, the outer surface of the combustion chamber may comprise heat dissipation means.
In this way, it is possible to guide more heat from the walls of the combustion chamber to the surroundings.
Also, the outlet end section may comprise a projecting fire stud or fire barrel from the outer surface of the outlet end section, whereby the fire stud or barrel is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber.
In this way, it is possible to focus the explosion from the combustion chamber in a desired direction, e.g. towards the muzzle of a firearm.
Further, the spark plug may be arranged in the inlet end section of the combustion chamber.
In this way, it is achieved that the general diameter of the combustion unit is kept as small and as even as possible. In this way, it is easier to install and adapt to various firearms.
In an embodiment, the combustion chamber and/or the gas hose(s) may further comprise at least one solenoid valve for opening and shutting the flow of gas to the combustion chamber.
Moreover, the fire barrel/fire stud and/or the combustion chamber may comprise an injector arranged to inject a fluid into the fire barrel/fire stud and/or the combustion chamber.
In this way, it is possible to inject e.g. sodium dissolved in water in order to get a more yellow flame.
Furthermore, the combustion unit may comprise at least one further gas inlet, and the connection for the first gas container/hose and the connection for the second gas container/hose may be different.
Also, the combustion unit may comprise a gas mixing chamber for mixing the first gas and the second gas, e.g. a gas and oxygen. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the types of gas are mixed in a desired way before entering the combustion chamber. Hence, a better combustion is ensured.
Further, the combustion unit may comprise more than one solenoid, and the solenoid valves may stay open in different time intervals. In this way, it is possible to allow for mixing two types of gas with different volume in a desired ratio.
The pressure in the first gas container and the second gas container may be different.
In this way, it is possible to achieve a specific ratio of gas mixture and still have the solenoid valves stay open for the same time interval.
The present invention also relates to a replica firearm comprising a chamber gear cassette according to the present invention.
Furthermore, the present invention relates to use of a replica firearm according to the present invention in a moving film, in theatres, still pictures or during military/police training sessions.
A fire barrel may be detachably connected to the outlet end section of the combustion chamber. In this way, it is possible to use the same combustion unit to be inserted in several types of firearms having e.g. different lengths and/or different diameters of fire barrel.
In an embodiment, the heat dissipation means may be fins or a corrugated outer surface of one or more outer surfaces of the combustion chamber. In this way, the total outer surface area is increased and heat dissipation is increased.
Also, the spark plug may be arranged through the annular wall of the combustion chamber. Said spark plug may be in the form of an ignition generator. In this way, it is possible to reduce the space needed for igniting the gas.
Additionally, the gas container may be canisters, e.g. gas canisters each comprising connection means for connecting to the gas hoses or gas inlet(s).
The combustion unit may comprise pressure transducers or similar for gauging and/or communicating the content of the gas containers/canisters.
The gear cassette according to the present invention may further comprise a control unit for controlling the solenoid(s) and/or the ignition.
Moreover, the trigger unit may comprise a battery. The battery for the trigger unit may be stored in the fanny pack. In this way, it is possible to change and/or recharge the battery without disassembling the firearm. The trigger unit may be located outside the firearm e.g. in fanny pack. In this way, it is possible to keep the firearm as simple as possible by having the most electrical components in a fanny pack. It is to be understood that the actual triggering of the firearm i.e. the initiation of flow of gas and ignition of gas may be controlled externally. Hence, the trigger unit may not comprise a physical trigger similar to that of a revolver.
The hoses may comprise inserts of metal. In this way, it is possible to control or stop the spreading of heat from the combustion chamber via the hoses. The insert may be of e.g. brass, copper or an alloy, i.e. a material with a high capability to transfer heat.
The fire barrel may be manufactured from stainless steel, brass or high grade steel. The fire barrel may be manufactured from a material that resists the heat and pressure generated by the combustion of the gas(ses).
Also, the gear cassette may further comprise a computer. In this way, it is possible to control the ignition as well as the opening and closing of solenoids.
Furthermore, the gear cassette according to the present invention may comprise communication means, e.g. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or similar. In this way, it is possible to adjust the actions of the gear cassette to the actions of other devices. Furthermore, the computer and the communication means may be connected in such way that the settings of the gear cassette may be changed over the air (OTA).
In a further embodiment, both the gear cassette and/or a fanny pack may comprise a computer or PCB's for controlling the functions of the firearm. In this way, it is possible to have some functions as stand alone functions in the firearm as well as some functions incorporated between the gear cassette and the external fanny pack. In this way, an electronically controlled system for producing a muzzle flash comparative to blank firing firearm.
The gas hoses may be gas conduits or gas tubes. It will be understood that some embodiments of the invention may comprise a mix of hose parts, conduits and tube parts although only one type is mentioned. The gas hoses may be connected and disconnected at the buttstock of the firearm. The connectors for connecting the gas hoses may be different. In this way, prevention of the unintentional mixing of gases is achieved.
The gas hoses may have different size i.e. different inner diameter. In this way, it is possible to control the flow ratio between two canisters.
The gear cassette and/or the firearm may comprise identification means for ensuring that the correct canisters and PCB are used for the firearm at hand.
In an embodiment, heating means may surround the canisters. In this way, it is possible to keep the canisters at a desired temperature.
In addition, the combustion chamber may consist of more than one part where the parts are e.g. screwed, welded or glued together. In this way, it is possible to perform maintenance of or interchange just one part of the combustion chamber.
The ratio between the amount of a first and a second gas may be from 1:2-1:100 or 1:3-1:50 or 1:4-1:25.
The invention and its many advantages will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, which for the purpose of illustration show some non-limiting embodiments and in which:
All the figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to scale, and they show only those parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, other parts being omitted or merely suggested.
The canisters 4, 5 may be carried by the person in a bag or fanny pack (not shown). The canisters 4, 5, may also simply be arranged in a pocket in the clothing of the user or similar.
The combustion chamber part 21 further comprises a first gas inlet 31 and a second gas inlet 32 and a fire outlet 33. Furthermore, a spark plug 34 is arranged in the inlet end section 22. The spark plug 34 is arranged so as to project into the combustion chamber.
The gas hoses 6, 7 facilitate fluid communication from the canisters (not shown) to the gas inlet 31, 32 of the combustion chamber part 21 for bringing the gas into the combustion chamber. When the fluid is led to the combustion chamber, it is possible to initiate combustion in the combustion chamber by activating the spark plug 34. The activation of the spark plug 34 is carried out by the trigger (shown in
It is shown that the inlet end section 22 and the outlet end section 23 are opposing each other. In this way, it is possible to have an inline flow through the combustion unit 20. The overall outer shape of the combustion chamber part 21 may be barrel-shaped. Both the barrel shape and the inline configuration ensure that the combustion unit 20 is easy to install in a gear cassette as well as in firearms that typically have an elongated shape.
Although the invention has been described in the above in connection with preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be evident for a person skilled in the art that several modifications are conceivable without departing from the invention as defined by the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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18157437 | Feb 2018 | EP | regional |
This application is the U.S. national phase of International Application No. PCT/EP2018/066532 filed Jun. 21, 2018 which designated the U.S. and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/522,723 filed Jun. 21, 2017 and EP Patent Application No. 18157437.7 filed Feb. 19, 2018, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2018/066532 | 6/21/2018 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2018/234428 | 12/27/2018 | WO | A |
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625230 | Jun 1949 | GB |
Entry |
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International Search Report and Written Opinion of the ISA for PCT/EP2018/066532 dated Sep. 21, 2018, 11 pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20200141673 A1 | May 2020 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62522723 | Jun 2017 | US |