TECHNICAL FIELD
This disclosure generally relates to firearms safety, and in particular it relates to safe practice with semi-automatic pistols.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Firearms are widely owned and used in modern society. Regarding pistols, semi-automatic actioned pistols and rifles have gained worldwide popularity for their simplicity of use, reliability, and safety for various applications.
Virtually all owners of pistols and rifles including military, police, and citizens practice pistol and rifle techniques without live ammunition in order to gain proficiency in shooting fundamentals. This is commonly referred to as ‘dry-fire’ or similar, and is beneficial as it allows safe, highly available, and inexpensive opportunities to practice.
With common semi-automatic pistols specifically, dry-fire practice can be inefficient in general, but more cumbersome based on action type: Single-action only (SAO), Double-action/Single action (DA/SA), or Double Action (DA).
For all semi-automatic pistols, dry fire practice lacks a reciprocating slide. This portion of dry-fire practice is extremely important as it enables the shooter to re-acquire the sight picture after the slide moves, disrupting the sight picture as firing a live round would. A common inconsistency in shooting which requires practice is re-acquiring sight picture after firing. Additionally, the lack of trigger reset or trigger pull change without a reciprocating slide creates a disruption to the shooter as they have to manually rack the slide rearward in between trigger presses.
In DA pistols such as the P250 manufactured by SIG SAUER INC., the trigger can be pulled multiple times without resetting the action (commonly done by pulling back the slide as a live round would). Despite the trigger being active and pressable multiple times without any additional user activity, the lack of slide reciprocation diminishes the effectiveness of live-fire practice.
In DA/SA pistols such as the P226 manufactured by SIG SAUER INC., the user will be able to pull the trigger multiple times, however the trigger pull is not realistic. In DA/SA action the first trigger pull reciprocates then releases the hammer as in DA actions, however subsequent trigger pulls are SAO with a much shorter trigger travel. Dry fire practice without a reciprocating slide to reset the hammer and change the trigger pull, as well as lack of a sight picture disruption is inefficient.
SA or SAO pistols such as the GLOCK 19 manufactured by GLOCK INC as well as many others are far more difficult and inefficient to use for dry fire practice, despite being the most popular actions in modern pistols. For a user to practice dry-fire, the user must manually pull back the slide to reset the trigger, pull the trigger, then once again pull back the slide manually to reset the trigger and continue practice. This process greatly diminishes the value of dry fire practice as it is not realistic or efficient.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method and apparatus to improve efficiency of dry-fire practice and allow semi-automatic firearms to, subsequent to a press of a trigger, reciprocate a slide to reset a trigger in order to make dry fire practice more effective and realistic, and remove necessary manual intervention.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention describes a Reciprocating Slide Device(s) (RSD) that can be used with a semi-automatic pistol or rifle, which will at least partially reciprocate a slide or action enough to reset a trigger, upon user activation of the trigger. User activation of the trigger pushes a firing pin of the firearm action into a button of the RSD, via either hammer strike (DA/SA, DA) or striker release or set and release (SA) as is well known to one of ordinary skill in the art, causing a portion of the RSD to push backwards against the slide or action and reset the trigger of the firearm. In another embodiment, the RSD has a shock sensor which detects the hammer strike or striker strike of the firearm and similarly causes a portion of the device to push backwards against the slide or action of the firearm and reset the trigger. In another embodiment, the device of the present invention has a sound sensor in place of or in addition to a shock sensor to enable the above functionality.
For use in a SA, DA, DA/SA or other action variant of a semi-automatic pistol, one embodiment of the present invention includes a Threaded Barrel Rod Housing pushed into the muzzle end of the barrel of the pistol which includes a Barrel Rod Stop at the muzzle end, which threads onto a Receiving Capsule fitting into the entry portion/chamber of the barrel of the pistol. The Receiving Capsule may include a Receiving Capsule Descending Support which aligns with the feed ramp of the barrel which further supports the Receiving Capsule, and also acts to depress the follower of a standard pistol magazine (to prevent the slide from locking back when reciprocating due to the presence and proper function of the follower on an empty magazine). The Receiving Capsule includes a Receiving Capsule Button aligned with the firing pin channel of the pistol, based on pistol caliber. When depressed by the firing pin, the Receiving Capsule Button of the Receiving Capsule activates an electro-magnet housed either in the Receiving Capsule or in the Barrel Rod Stop. The electro-magnet repels a Repelling Block, which may be a second electromagnet, a magnetic substrate, rare-earth or standard magnet, housed within the Receiving Capsule, Barrel Rod, or Barrel Rod Stop. When the Repelling Block is repelled by the electro magnet, the slide is pressed to the rear by the Receiving Capsule, Barrel Rod, Barrel Rod Block, Barrel Rod Stop, or a combination thereof to reset the trigger. The Receiving Capsule, Barrel Rod, Barrel Rod Block and/or Barrel Rod Stop may include static or adjustable springs to further facilitate slide reciprocation and augment the capabilities of the electromagnet.
It is anticipated that within the apparatus, pressure adjustments may be made by the user, or automatically by the apparatus. The user may have an analog (e.g. screw type adjustment) or digital (e.g. potentiometer) Pressure Adjustment Control (PAC) present on any one of the Receiving Capsule, Barrel Rod, or Barrel Rod Stop in order to dial in correct and efficient/effective pressure needed to reciprocate the slide based on the firearm type, guide rod spring weight, friction, or other factors which cause various pressures to reciprocate slides of varied pistols as is known by those in the art.
In another embodiment, a smaller version of the RSD is envisioned whereby the functionality described above is encapsulated in a smaller unit, about the size of a standard cartridge suitable for use in each firearm. In this embodiment, the Barrel Rod and Barrel Rod Stop are shortened to fit within and be held backwards by the chamber of any mentioned firearm, for example, as the brass of the cartridge is held in position and prevented from entering the barrel by the chamber of firearms.
Continuing from above, the use for semi-automatic rifles is similar. For rifles such as the MINI-14 manufactured by RUGER, AK variants such as those manufactured by CENTURY ARMS INC, AR-10 and AR-15 type variants such as the M&P Sport manufactured by SMITH AND WESSON, INC., the process and apparatus defined above is similar or identical. For rifles, for example, in the embodiment describing a full-length Barrel Rod, the Barrel Rod would be longer to accommodate generally longer barrels in rifles. Additionally, the functionality of the Barrel Rod and Barrel Rod Stop can be encapsulated within the bolt and bolt carrier group of the rifle, reducing size of the apparatus. In other embodiments wherein the RSD is encapsulated at least substantially within the chamber of the barrel of the firearm, the RSD would be smaller to fit within the chamber of the firearm barrel. These embodiments may use the buffer spring or other spring of the firearm against which to recoil.
As above, it is envisioned that in addition to or instead of an electro-magnet, a Tension Adjustable Spring may be present to generate rearward force on the Barrel Rod or Barrel Rod Stop. The Tension Adjustable Spring would provide rearward force to assist the electro-magnet, and could be adjustable using a Spring Adjustment knob, dial, switch, potentiometer or other mechanism or device able to change pressure in this manner. For example, a Spring Adjustment Knob on the rear of the Receiving Capsule could be turned clockwise to tighten it rearward, inherently putting more rearward pressure on the spring. Such a design would create flexibility for various designs of firearms and help offset the pressure of the firearm's guide rod spring, recoil spring, buffer spring, or any other spring or similar device used by the firearm in actuating the action, assisting in loading of cartridges, etc. As a further example, a lower caliber pistol such as a .380 caliber may require less force to reciprocate the slide than a .45 caliber pistol. In this example, the user of the RSD would be able to loosen or tighten the pressure on the Tension Adjustable Spring to dial in a range of an amount of force for the RSD to operate properly. It is contemplated that a guide for users would be provided, with indications of tension on the housing of the Receiving Capsule, or elsewhere on or off the RSD, offering tensioning guidelines for various calibers and firearm types.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further aspects of the present disclosure will be more readily appreciated upon review of the detailed description of its various embodiments, described below, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:
FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the full barrel RSD in its collapsed state;
FIG. 2 is an embodiment of the full barrel RSD in its extended state;
FIG. 2a is a visual of how the full barrel RSD could fit inside of a standard semi-automatic pistol;
FIG. 3 is a cutaway showing inner parts of the full barrel RSD in its collapsed state;
FIG. 4 is an embodiment of the chamber-only RSD in its collapsed state;
FIG. 5 is an embodiment of the chamber-only RSD in its expanded state;
FIG. 6 is a cutaway showing inner parts of the chamber-only RSD in its collapsed state;
FIG. 7 is a cutaway showing inner parts of the chamber-only RSD in its expanded state;
FIG. 8 is a cutaway showing inner parts of an embodiment of the chamber-only RSD in its collapsed state showing one variant of the Tension Adjustable Spring
FIG. 8a is a visual of how the chamber-only RSD could fit inside of a standard semi-auto pistol;
FIG. 9 is a cutaway showing inner parts of an embodiment of the chamber-only RSD in its extended state showing one variant of the Tension Adjustable Spring;
FIG. 10 illustrates an example battery compartment placement in one embodiment of the RSD in its collapsed state;
FIG. 11 illustrates an example battery compartment placement in one embodiment of the RSD in its expanded state;
FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of the RSD with an attached Laser Emitter;
FIG. 13 illustrates a variant of the RSD for use in semi-automatic rifles, including a Laser Emitter;
FIG. 13a is a visual of placement of one embedment of the RSD within a semi-automatic rifle in its collapsed state; and
FIG. 13b is a visual of placement of one embedment of the RSD within a semi-automatic rifle in its expanded state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the full barrel RSD in its collapsed state. The Barrel Rod Stop 11 attaches to the end of the Threaded Barrel Rod Housing 12. This can be attached with threading on the inner and outer of the BRS and TBRH respectively, through a locking lug style system, or permanently affixed. It is desired to keep the total length adjustable for maximum compatibility with various barrel lengths, however that can also be achieved with various sized buffers which can be affixed or attached between the BRS and TBRH to accommodate various barrel lengths. A goal in one embodiment is to ensure a tight fit between the BRS and/or BRS and buffer and barrel of the firearm. The TBRH is designed to sit inside the firearm barrel, providing a connection between the BRS and Receiving Capsule 10. An end user in one embodiment would feed the TBRH through the barrel of the firearm (e.g., a semi-automatic pistol with the action open and/or slide locked to the rear). The end user would then place the Receiving Capsule into the chamber of the barrel, then screw the TBRH into the RC. Lugs or other attachment means can be used as long as the RC and TBRH are effectively connected. The end user would then similarly affix the BRS to the TBRH to create a fit tight to the muzzle end of the barrel of the firearm. Upon closing the action, the RSD is ready to be used. The end user can insert a magazine as the RCDS 13 will depress the follower of the magazine, preventing the follower from locking the firearm slide or action back. The end user can also practice magazine changes during practice with the RSD. The end user can then, knowing fully well that the firearm is safe, press the trigger to the rear activating the hammer or striker of the firearm, pushing the firing pin forward. Upon the firing pin of the firearm striking the RCB 14, the RSD mechanism (Described in detail below) pushes the Barrel Rod Block (15) backward against the slide or action of the firearm, causing in semi-auto pistols, for example, a sight picture disruption through reciprocation of the slide of the firearm, as well as causing the hammer or striker and trigger to reset. This allows the end user to practice dry firing under the most realistic circumstances without actually discharging a round.
FIG. 2 is an embodiment of the full barrel RSD in its extended state. The BRB 15 has been pushed rearward to effectively take the firearm out of batter, reset the trigger as well as the hammer or striker. After extension, the BRB retracts back to its non-extended state, allowing the firearm to return to battery with a reset trigger and hammer or striker.
FIG. 2a is a visual representation of one embodiment of how the full barrel RSD could fit inside of a standard semi-automatic pistol. As is evident by the illustration, the BRS 11 is protruding out of the front of the firearm, providing options such as battery storage, tension adjustment and more (described in detail below), as well as visually confirming that the firearm is safe to dry fire. The BRS could be colored orange, for example, to confirm a safe firearm. Additionally, buffers can be used to ensure spacing is tight between the BRS and the front of the barrel. The BRS and/or buffers would be covered in felt, plastic, vinyl, or created from same, to ensure no damage is done to the barrel, muzzle, crown, or muzzle devices such as flash hiders or muzzle brakes affixed the firearm. Further the BRS could be far smaller or shaped differently to accommodate existing holsters created for the firearm. The TBRH 12 sits within the barrel of the firearm, and it is desired to coat this in a rubber, felt, or plastic substance, or create or coat the TBRH in a way so as not to affect the bore of the firearm. For example, the TBRH could be a vinyl or rubber coated brass or metallic rod. As illustrated, the RC 10 is placed in the chamber of the barrel with the RCDS 13 descending into the magazine well of the firearm. In other embodiments the RCDS is not present, however the RCDS provides benefits including preventing magazine followers from affecting the reciprocation of the action, providing more options for realistic practice for the end user.
FIG. 3 is a cutaway showing inner parts of the full barrel RSD in its collapsed state. In this embodiment, the BRS 11 houses springs, batteries, and a Laser Emitter/Battery Cap 34. The LEBC 34 can be powered by the batteries of the RSD/BRS 11, and can be used with laser training devices such as those produced by LASERLYTE. Going left to right, the LEBC 34 can be removed to allow the end user to place one or more batteries inside. In some cases, more battery power may be necessary based on the firearm model, slide weight, guide rod/recoil spring weight, and more factors. Further, in some embodiments, the LEBC also acts as a tension adjustment cap, so that the end user can tighten or loosen the LEBC to adjust RSD system pressure in order to reciprocate the firearm slide effectively. For example, if the RSD is not creating enough force to reset the firearm action, the end user would be able to tighten the pressure on one or more springs to add more power to the RSD and compensate for heavier recoil springs, or loosen pressure for lighter recoil springs. Additionally, the BRS 11 could have digital pressure controls, such as a potentiometer or digital interface which can be adjusted by the end user to reduce or increase power to the Electro-Magnet 35. Continuing, upon activation of the RCB 14, the EM 35 is activated, generating force against the Repelling Block 32. This force plus spring(s) pressure is sufficient to push the BRB 15 rearward to reciprocate the slide. It is desired that the RCB 14 is a momentary-type switch, so that upon press the RSD system activates for a very short period of time. After the BRB 15 is pushed rearward, the firearm will go out of battery, reset the trigger and hammer or striker, then the lack of electromagnetic force will allow the recoil spring and action of the firearm to return the RSD to its non-extended state. The Block Spring 31 provides additional force to help the EM 35 generate enough rearward motion to begin and/or continue opening the action of the firearm. This BS 31 can be adjustable using the LEBC 34, or other adjustment mechanisms. The BS31 can also be present outside of the EM35 and RB 32, as described below. The EM35, possibly combined with BS31 or other springs, creates electromagnetic force against the Repelling Block 32 to carry out the function of the RSD. The RB 32 can also be a magnet, such as a rare-earth neodymium magnet to provide additional rearward force when the EM 35 is activated. Additionally, the TBRH 12 can be adjusted on either the RC 10 side or the BRS 11 side to ensure proper fit, with or without buffers at the forward or rearward ends of the TBRH 12 as pictured using Length and Tension Adjustment Threading 36. Of course threading or other adjustment means can be used as described herein, lugs, spacers, buffers etc.
FIG. 4 is an embodiment of the chamber-only RSD in its collapsed state. This embodiment aims to create a smaller overall RSD unit, eliminating the needs for the BRS 11, and TBRH 12. The BRS 11 and BRB 15 could be considered functionally the same part, for example. In this embodiment the system is compacted to fit in the chamber of the barrel of the firearm. The Battery Housing 30 presses against the forward portion of the chamber of the barrel in order to create a platform for rearward pressure of the Barrel Rod Block 15. In another embodiment, the BH 30 could be tapered outward to hold in place through pressure against the walls of the barrel, for example, with an outwardly tapering reinforced rubber wrapping or cap. The overall functionality of the RCB 14, BRB 15 remain very similar to other embodiments as further described below.
FIG. 5 is an embodiment of the chamber-only RSD embodiment in its expanded state. Continuing from FIG. 4, the BRB 15 is extended in this illustration, through the force of the spring(s) and EM 35.
FIG. 6 is a cutaway showing inner parts of the chamber-only RSD embodiment in its collapsed state. As with other embodiments, the overall functionality of the parts represented function in a similar manner. Similarly, the BH 30 can be used not only to house batteries, but also as an adjustment mechanism to increase pressure and assist the BRB 15 in moving rearward. Similarly, adjustments can be made to press the EM 35 and Repelling Block 32 closer together, increasing the force generated by the EM 35 when activated.
FIG. 7 is a cutaway showing inner parts of the chamber-only RSD embodiment in its expanded state. As illustrated, the EM 35 combined with the BS 31 and RB 32 creates rearward pressure to force the BRB 15 rearward and reciprocate the slide of the firearm.
FIG. 8 is a cutaway showing inner parts of an embodiment of the chamber-only RSD in its collapsed state showing one embodiment of the Tension Adjustable Spring 81. In this embodiment the Block Spring 31 is replaced with (or used in addition to) a TAS 81. The TAS 81 in this embodiment is placed around the EM 35, and is placed against or affixed to the BHSA 80. Turning, or repositioning the BHSA increases rearward pressure of the TAS 81 to increase the rearward power of the RSD, specifically the EM35 pressure against the BRB 15. For example, an end user, upon installing, would be able to adjust the BHSA 80 to apply increased pressure via the TAS 81 until the action of the firearm barely closes. This would improve the performance of the EM 35 and RB 32 in generating rearward force as assisted by the TAS 81.
FIG. 8a is a visual of how the chamber-only RSD could fit inside of a standard semi-auto pistol. As illustrated the RSD unit fits within the barrel chamber of the firearm, with the RCDS 13 descending along the feed ramp of the firearm barrel.
FIG. 9 is a cutaway showing inner parts of an embodiment of the chamber-only RSD in its extended state showing one variant of the Tension Adjustable Spring, It should further be evident that the BHSA 80 can be tightened to increase spring pressure of the TAS 81, and/or to push the EM35 and RB 32 closer together to improve the efficiency of the EM 35 in creating rearward pressure. Again, as above, the goal of adjustments along the RSD as a whole are to counter the various weights of recoil springs in various firearms across manufacturers. It is envisioned that a single RSD used by an end user would be able to work in many firearms with different barrel lengths, recoil spring pressures, action types (e.g. blowback vs. Browning), and more.
FIG. 10 illustrates an example battery compartment placement in one embodiment of the RSD in its collapsed state. The system can be powered by many types of batteries, button cells, rechargeable lithium ion, etc. The only restrictions are the power required for proper function of the EM 35 which should be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art, and barrel size which affects BH 30 overall diameter.
FIG. 11 illustrates an example battery compartment placement in one embodiment of the RSD in its expanded state.
FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of the RSD with an attached Laser Emitter. As mentioned above, a Laser Emitter/Battery Cap 34 can be included either affixed, or as an optional component so that the RSD can be used with popular laser practice devices such as those offered by LASERLYTE, among others. The Laser Emitter could also be replaced with a small white or IR light, or any other device capable of creating an emission readable but a secondary device, or perceptible by human senses. It is anticipated that the Laser Emitter 34 would sit in front of the RSD (toward the muzzle end of the barrel) and fit inside, oriented so that the Laser Emitter 34 produces results at least mostly oriented with the bore so that activation achieves results consistent with the sights of the firearm.
FIG. 13 illustrates a variant of the RSD for use in semi-automatic rifles, including a Laser Emitter. It should be apparent by the information herein that this embodiment is consistent with the compact/chamber-only RSD, and a larger unit similar to FIG. 1-3 could of course be used in this scenario. Regardless, in this embodiment the Receiving Capsule 10 is extended far enough to reach, nearly reach, or extend into a buffer tube of a standard semi-automatic rifle, such as the M&P SPORT manufactured by SMITH & WESSON or any variant of the AR-15, AR-10, and similar rifles. Upon activation by the RCB 14 being struck by the hammer of the rifle, the Slotted Buffer Extension 130 pushes rearward into the buffer tube of the rifle, against the buffer and buffer spring, thus resetting the hammer and creating a sight picture disruption through at least partial recoil simulation and/or action actuation. After the SBE 130 pushes rearward, the buffer spring and buffer push forward against the SBE 130, returning the RSD to its neutral position. Again, as above adjustments can be made via multiple components as described herein to adjust for different buffer spring tensions, buffer weights, trigger spring weights, and other factors affecting force required to reset the trigger and/or action on a rifle as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
FIG. 13a is a visual of placement of one embodiment of the RSD within a semi-automatic rifle in its collapsed state. As can be seen in this illustration, the RSD device in this semi-auto rifle variant is designed to replace the bolt and bolt carrier group of the rifle, further ensuring safety during dry fire practice. The BH 30 can be slotted to mate with a standard AR type barrel such as those manufactured by BALLISTIC ADVANTAGE, or be smooth so as not to interact with the barrel grooves or feed ramp(s) of the rifle. Similarly, the Laser Emitter/Battery Cap 34 can be oriented inside the barrel so that activation of the RSD activates the LE 34 for a duration of time long enough to be detected by popular target systems. In one embodiment globally to all RSD variants, the LE can be attached and removed at the desire of the end user, using screw-in type threading, magnets, locking lugs, or other attachment means.
FIG. 13b is a visual of placement of one embedment of the RSD within a semi-automatic rifle in its expanded state. This illustration provides a visual of the RSD activation, specifically the Slotted Buffer Extension 130 pushing rearward into the buffer tube and interacting with the buffer and buffer spring of the rifle. The SBE 130 has a slot or cutout on the bottom to allow the hammer to pass inside of the SBE 130 and interact with the Receiving Capsule Button 14 in order to activate functionality of the RSD. Further to the illustrations provided, some additional functionality is contemplated as described below.
In one embodiment, the EM 35 could be reversed, so that when the MSR is on the EM 35 is attracting the Repelling Block 32, and upon activation of the Receiving Capsule Button 14, the EM 35 is momentarily turned off and the forces from the Block Spring 31 and/or TAS 81 drive the Barrel Rod Block 15 and/or Slotted Buffer Extension 130 rearward.
In one embodiment, the Receiving Capsule Button 14 is not present, rather the RSD is activated upon impact using a impact detecting switch, motion detector, or similar on/off device which can be activated upon sudden impact. Of course, the RCB 14 may be present or not present, and function in conjunction with the impact detecting switch.
In one embodiment the RSD has an external power switch, in another embodiment the RSD turns on when the Barrel Rod Block 15 and/or Slotted Buffer Extension 130 is pushed forward/inward. When on, the RCB 14 is then ‘listening’ for impact, upon which it performs the actions described above to activate the RSD. This embedment is useful for battery conservation and end user safety.
In another embodiment the compact and full versions of the RSD as described herein can be combined, so the end user has the option to have the Barrel Rod Stop 11 protruding out of the muzzle end of the barrel, but can also use the RSD without it. This could be for user convenience, preference, or to include additional or larger batteries in the RSD unit. Also additional muzzle-end devices such as projectile launchers could be affixed to the BRS 11 of the RSD.
In another embodiment, the EM 35 could be replaced with a motorized screw mechanism to create the reciprocation necessary to reciprocate the slide. For example, on actuation of the Receiving Capsule Button 14, the motorized screw mechanism would activate, the motor spinning for a duration necessary to create rearward pressure.
In various embodiments described herein the Threaded Barrel Rod Housing 12 and Barrel Rod 33 could be combined, or supplemented with additional iterations of bars/rods in order to add efficiency to the present invention. Further, threading for attachment could be moved to different parts depending on implementation preferences, necessities, efficiencies, or other decisions regarding production. Threading of course can be replaced with lug-style attachments, magnets, or any other means of fastening such items. In some embodiments attachments are unnecessary as the pressure created by installing the present invention is sufficient to carry out the operation described herein.
Although the best methodologies have been particularly described in the foregoing disclosure, it is to be understood that such descriptions have been provided for purposes of illustration only, and that other variations both in form and in detail can be made thereupon by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, which is defined first and foremost by the appended claims.
Patent Application
20210247160
