CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable.
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND
The various embodiments and aspects described herein relate to a system for training a firearm trainee to use a firearm in multiple situations.
Advanced firearm training techniques involve placing a firearm trainee in various situations that might require the firearm trainee to use his or her firearm. To train the firearm trainee on how to respond in these different situations, the trainer must simulate these situations then teach the firearm trainee how to react in those situations. For example, if the firearm trainer is teaching the firearm trainee how to shoot a firearm while seated in a vehicle, the firearm trainer must place the firearm trainee in a vehicle then have him or her shoot through the vehicle's windows, doors or vehicle body while seated. The firearm trainer can also teach the firearm trainee how to shoot into a vehicle.
Unfortunately, simulating these situations is costly. For example, in the case above, the firearm trainer must have a vehicle that they are willing to damage or destroy. The vehicle must be stored on a lot where the training occurs and after vehicle training is completed a damaged or destroyed vehicle must be removed from the training area and replaced with another vehicle.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved system for training a firearm trainee in the use of a firearm in various situations.
BRIEF SUMMARY
A system for training a firearm trainee in using a firearm in various situations is disclosed herein. The system may have one or more central panels and the plurality of wall panels that may be attached to other wall panels and central panel(s) to create various situations (e.g., hallway, T intersection, L intersection, four-way intersection, interior doorway, exterior doorway, right side entry room, left side entry room, center entry room, roof, and vehicle). Due to the ability of the system to be configured into multiple configurations, the user may be placed into various situations and instructed on how to use the firearm in those various situations should the need to use a firearm be required. By way of example and not limitation, a plurality of firearm training attachments may be removably attached to the central panel to create different situations. A first firearm training attachment may be a door that may be attached to the central panel to train the firearm trainee on how to breach a door or traverse a door and doorway. A second firearm training attachment that mimics a roof may be attached to the central panel, so that the firearm trainee may lie down on the simulated roof at various roof pitches, may obtain a solid shooting position, and then may aim and may discharge his or her firearm while subjected to simulated conditions. A third firearm training attachment may be a faux windshield of a vehicle. The windshield attachment may be attached to the central panel so that the firearm trainer may simulate the vehicle, and the firearm trainee may shoot bullets through a windshield so that the trainee can learn the deflection pattern of bullets passing through a windshield because the deflection pattern is counterintuitive. A fourth firearm training attachment may be a plurality of planks that may be attached to the central panel. The planks may have cutouts of various sizes and shapes to simulate shooting through, under, over and around various obstacles that may be encountered in an urban or rural environment, and even simulate the ground or a wall to learn how to deflect bullets off of the ground or a wall and then hit a target.
More particularly, a system for training a firearm trainee to operate and use a firearm is disclosed. The system may comprise a vertical structure having a rectangular opening, the rectangular opening defined by first and second vertical members; in the system, the rectangular opening of the vertical structure defined by vertical members may be first and second vertical beams that are parallel to each other.
In the system, each of the first and second vertical beams may have a hollow center that receives the first and second fasteners.
A plurality of first fasteners attached to the first vertical beams; a plurality of first fasteners attached to the first vertical beams may be at the same heights on each first vertical beam; a plurality of second fasteners attached to the second vertical beams; a plurality of second fasteners attached to the second vertical beams may be at the same heights on each second vertical beam, the first fasteners at the same vertical height define a pair of first fasteners; a pair of second fasteners at the same vertical height define a pair of second fasteners; a first firearm training attachment being detachably attached to the vertical structure at the rectangular opening, the first firearm training attachment being attachable to at least two pairs of first fasteners, when the first firearm training attachment is attached to the vertical structure at the rectangular opening, the system creates a first firearm training situation; and a second firearm training attachment being detachably attached to the vertical structure at the rectangular opening, the second firearm training attachment being attachable to any one of the pairs of second fasteners, when the second firearm training attachment is attached to the vertical structure at the rectangular opening, the first firearm training attachment may be removed from the vertical structure and the system creates a second firearm training situation.
In the system, the first and second fasteners may be a protrusion that is traversable between a retracted position and an engaged position. The protrusion may be more protruded into the rectangular opening in the engaged position compared to the retracted position.
In the system, each of the first and second firearm training attachments may have a recess that receives the protrusion when the first and second fasteners are in the engaged position to attach the first and second firearm training attachments to the vertical structure.
In the system, the first and second fasteners may be J channels which may be disposed within the hollow center, and the first and second firearm training attachments may have a bar on which the first and second firearm training attachment rests upon and the bar may be received into a pair of J channels to support the first and second firearm training attachment.
In the system, the vertical structure may have side openings, and the system may further comprise a sheet removably attachable to the vertical structure to cover one of the side openings.
In the system, the first and second vertical beams may be fabricated from wood, engineered wood, resin or metal beams.
In the system, the first firearm training attachment may mimic a section of a roof, a first end portion of the first firearm training attachment may be attached to any pair of first and second fasteners at the same height, while a second end portion of the first firearm training attachment rests on the ground to mimic an angled rooftop.
In the system, the third firearms training attachment may simulate shooting from inside of a vehicle through what may be may be a faux windshield of a vehicle. The windshield attachment may be attached to the central panel so that the firearm trainer may simulate a vehicle, and the firearm trainee may shoot bullets through the windshield.
In the system, the first and second firearm training attachments may be, respectively first and second planks. The first plank may have a plurality of cutouts for simulating a third firearm training situation. The first plank may be positioned at a particular height by engaging the first plank to one of the pairs of first and second fasteners. The second plank may be placed below or above the first plank by attaching the second plank to the pair of first and second fasteners below or above the pair of fasteners that are attached to the first plank.
In the system, the vertical beams may be first and second medial frame members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a first configuration of a plurality of wall panels and a central panel;
FIG. 2 is a second configuration of the plurality of wall panels and the central panel in the configuration of a T intersection;
FIG. 3 is a third configuration of the plurality of wall panels and the central panel in the configuration of an L intersection;
FIG. 4 is a view of the central panel;
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the central panel;
FIG. 6 is a view of a first fastener in a retracted position and a second fastener, which may be described as a J channel;
FIG. 7 is a view of the first fastener in an extended position and the second fastener, which may be described as a J channel;
FIG. 8 is a side view of the first and second fastener shown in FIG. 6 with a rod disposed in the channel;
FIG. 8A is a side view of the first and second fastener shown in FIG. 6 with a plank disposed in the J channel;
FIG. 9 illustrates a first firearm training attachment being attached to the central panel;
FIG. 10 illustrates a second firearm training attachment being attached to the central panel;
FIG. 11 illustrates the second firearm training attachment attached to the central panel;
FIG. 11A illustrates an exploded view of the second firearm attachment, a rod, and the central panel;
FIG. 12 is a view of a third firearm training attachment;
FIG. 13 is a top view of the third firearm training attachment shown in FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 illustrates adjustability of a windshield of the third firearm training attachment;
FIG. 15 illustrates an upper block for adjusting an angle of the windshield;
FIG. 16 illustrates a table of the third firearm training attachment and attachment to the central panel via legs of the table and fasteners;
FIG. 17 illustrates the use of the third firearm training attachment to train a firearm trainee to shoot through a windshield;
FIG. 18 illustrates a plank that may be attached to the central panel;
FIG. 19 illustrates the plurality of planks attached to the central panel;
FIG. 20 illustrates a concrete form disposed in front of the central panel and the plank for purposes of deflection training; and
FIG. 21 illustrates how the concrete form and plank may be used for the purposes of deflection training.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the drawings, a system 10 for training a firearm trainee in the proper use of a firearm in various situations is shown. The system may be reconfigured to form hallways, intersections, rooms, doorways, roofs, curbs, walls, and other configurations where the trainee may find him or herself when the need arises to use a firearm. In particular, the system may have a central panel 12 (e.g., vertical structure), which may be attachable to a wall panel 14. The central panel 12 and the wall panel 14 may be removably attachable to each other and pivotable with respect to each other to form various configurations. For example, wall panels 14a, b, c, shown in FIG. 1, form a narrow corridor. Wall panels 14d, e, f, g, and central panel 12 form a foyer. Referring to FIG. 2, wall panels h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p form a T intersection or hallway. Referring the FIG. 3, the wall panels 14 and the central panel 12 forms an L-shaped hallway.
More particularly, the central panel 12 is shown in FIG. 4. The central panel 12 may have a first side portion 16 and the second side portion 18. These two side portions 16, 18 may be held together with a top exterior plate 20 and the bottom exterior plate 22. The first and second side portions 16, 18, and the top exterior plate 20 and the bottom exterior plate 22 may define a rectangular opening 24. A width 25 of the rectangular opening may be between 2 feet wide to 10 feet wide, and it is preferably between 40 inches to 80 inches wide. A height 27 may be between 3 feet and 10 feet. Preferably, the height 27 is between 7 feet to 8 feet. Various components may be attached to the first and second side portions 16, 18 to mimic various situations that the firearm trainee may find him or herself when the need arises to use the firearm. The left and right side portion 16, 18 may have first and second outer frame members 26, 28, as shown in FIG. 5. The first and second side portion 16, 18 may also have first and second top frame members 30, 32. Moreover, the first and second side portions 16, 18 may have first and second bottom frame members 34, 36. The first and second side portions 16, 18 may have first and second medial frame members 38, 40.
The bottom exterior plate 22, the top exterior plate 20, the first and second outer frame members 26, 28, the first and second top frame members 30, 32, and the first and second bottom frame members 34, 36 may all have the same width 42 (see FIG. 4). The first and second medial frame members 38, 40 may each be fabricated from the front and rear members 44, 46, 48, 50 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The front and rear members 44-50 may be attached to the first and second top frame members 30, 32, and the first and second bottom frame members 34, 36. A width 52 of the first and second medial frame members 38, 40 may be equal to the width 42. The width 42, 52 may be between 4 inches to 12 inches and is preferably between 5 inches to 8 inches. In this manner, central panel 12 may have a constant width 42, 52. The side portions 16, 18 are shown as having an opening 54, 56. The openings 54, 56 may be referred to as hollow side openings and may be covered with a flexible material (e.g., fabric) 59, 61.
The fabric or sheet material 59, 61 may be attached to the first and second side portions 16, 18 with a fastener (e.g., thumbtack, channels and loops (e.g., VELCRO), adhesive, etc.). By way of example and not limitation, a first part of the channels and loops system may be attached to the first side of the sheets 59, 61. The second part of the channels and loops system may be attached to an exterior surface of the first and second side portion 16, 18. The positions of the first and second parts of the channels and loops system may be an alignment so that the first and second parts of the channels and loops system attaches to each other when the sheets 59, 61 are laid up against the first and second side portion 16, 18, as shown in FIG. 1.
The first and second medial frame members 38, 40 may also have fasteners for securing a firearm training attachment 58, 60, 62, 70. The fasteners are shown in FIGS. 6-8. The first and second medial frame members 38, 40 may be fitted with one or more of these types of fasteners shown in FIGS. 6-8 as well as other similar fastener types that exhibit similar functional characteristics. By way of example and not limitation, a first type of fastener may be a sliding bolt assembly 82. The sliding bolt assembly 82 may have a rod 84 (i.e., bar) that may be traversed between a retracted position as shown in FIG. 6 and an extended position as shown in FIG. 7. Moreover, the first and second medial frame members 38, 40 may have a second type of fastener, such as a J channel 86. In FIG. 8, two J channels 86 are shown; one is inverted with respect to the other.
The J channels 86 may receive a rod 88 upon which the second firearm training attachment 60 may be laid upon to attach the second firearm training attachment to the central panel 12. The sliding bolt assembly 82 may support the first firearm training attachment. In the extended or engaged position, the rod 84 may protrude into a recess of the first firearm training attachment to engage the first firearm training attachment and mount the firearm training attachment to the central panel 12. The first medial frame member 38 may have a plurality of fasteners 82, 86 at various positions along its vertical length. Likewise, the second medial frame members 40 may also have a plurality of fasteners 82, 86 along its vertical length as well. Preferably, the vertical position of each of the fasteners 82, 86 on the first medial frame member 38 is at the same vertical position as the fasteners 82, 86 of the second medial frame member 40. Additionally, the fasteners may be equidistantly spaced apart vertically. Alternatively, the may be spaced apart so that they are not equidistantly spaced apart vertically. By way of example and not limitation, a pair of fasteners may be at an upper portion (e.g., upper 20% of the first and second medial frame members 38, 40), a pair of fasteners may be at a lower portion (e.g., lower 20% of the first and second medial frame members) and one fastener may be attached to the first or second medial frame member 38, 40 whichever is closer to the door handle. Preferably, the fastener near the door handle is positioned above or below the door handle and not at the same level of the door handle.
In this way, when the firearm training attachment 58, 60, 62, 70 is secured to the first and second medial frame members 38, 40, the fasteners at the same vertical height which engages the firearm training attachment 58, 60, 62, 70 provide even and level structural support to the firearm training attachment 58, 60, 62, 70. Referring now to FIG. 4, the first and second medial frame members 38, 40 may have front and rear members 44, 46 and 48, 50 that form a hollow center of the first and second medial frame members 38, 40. The fasteners 82, 86, which are mounted to the first medial frame member 38, may be disposed between the front and rear members 44, 46 in the hollow center. Likewise, the fastener 82, 86, which are mounted to the second medial member 40, may be disposed between the front and rear members 48, 50 in the hollow center. The J channels 86 may be attached to the rear members 46, 50 of the first and second medial frame members 38, 40. The sliding bolt assemblies 82 may be attached to the front members 44, 48 of the first and second medial frame members 38, 40.
Referring now to FIG. 8, the J channels may have an internal width 90. The internal width 90 of the J channel 86 may be greater than an outer diameter of the rod 88. In this way, the rod 88 may reside in the J channel and be held inside of the J channel 86. Moreover, the sliding bolt assemblies 82 protrudes away from the rear member 46, 50 by distance 92. The distance 92 of the max protrusion of the sliding bolt assembly 82 does not interfere with the vertical movement of the rod 88 when the rod is lifted up or down out of the J channel 86. The dash line 68 shows the clearance that the rod 88 has to move up and down. Moreover, if the J channels 86 may also receive planks 70 (see FIG. 19). The planks do not interfere with the sliding bolt assembly 82 when the planks 70 are moved horizontally or vertically in and out of the J channels 86, as shown in FIG. 8A. The dash line 68 shows the clearance that the plank 70 has to move up and down.
Referring now to FIG. 4, the central panel 12 may have legs 64 that extend outward and provide support so that even if the wall panels 14 are not attached to the central panel 12, the central panel 12 may be used alone. The legs 64 may be removably attachable to the first and second side portions with fasteners. When the wall panels 14 are attached to the central panel, the legs 64 are not needed to stabilize the central panel 12 to the vertical orientation.
The wall panels 14 may be fabricated as a frame. In particular, the frame may have an upper member 68, a lower member 70, a first side member 72 and a second side member 74, as shown in FIG. 2. These four (4) members 68-74 may be rigid (e.g., fabricated from 2×6 wood lumber, aluminum, resin, steel, etc.). A first part of a hook and loop system may be attached to one (1) or more of the members 68-74. A sheet 76 for covering the entire wall panel 14 may be attached to the frame of the wall panel 14. In particular, a first part of a hook and loop fastener system may be attached to the sheet about its periphery. Moreover, a second part of a hook and loop system may be attached to the members 68-74. The first and second parts of the hook and loop fastener may be in alignment when the sheet 76 covers the frame members 68-74 as shown in FIG. 1.
The wall panels 14 may be pivotally attached to each other with a door hinge 78. This allows the wall panels to make a corner as shown by wall panels 14n and 14o. It also allows the wall panels 14 to be straight as shown by wall panels 14j, 14l and 14p. Support legs 64 may be attached to the wall panels 14 as they 64 are attached to the central panel 12 as described below. Moreover, the wall panels 14 may be pivotally attached to the central panel with the door hinge 78 as shown in FIG. 2. This allows the wall panels 14 and the central panel 12 to create a narrow hallway after the doorway. Additionally, the side panels 14 can be pivoted so that the central panel 12 and the wall panels 14 create a larger area after entry of the firearm trainee through the doorway. Panels 14 may be pivoted to various angles to create rooms, hallways and communal areas with other than ninety degree corners.
Referring now FIGS. 9 and 1-3, the central panel 12 may be configured to represent a firearm training situation. In FIGS. 9 and 1-3, the firearm training situation is a door 100. Door 100 may be attached to the first and second medial frame members 38, 40 with the sliding bolt assemblies 82. The door is shown as being a single door. However, it is also contemplated that the door may be a double door, French door, and other types of doors. In particular, the door may be mounted into a mounting frame 102, as shown in FIG. 9. The door 100 may be pivotable to the mounting frame 102 about pivot axis 104. The mounting frame 102 may have a plurality of apertures about its left and right side, which receive the pins 84 when the sliding bolt assembly 82 is in the extended position (see FIG. 7). The mounting frame 102 may fit within the rectangular opening 24 with a snug fit. The door 100 and the mounting frame 102 may be a first firearm training attachment 106.
Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, a second firearm training attachment 60 is shown, which is used to create another firearm training situation, namely, a roof or angled surface. The second firearm training attachment 60 may simulate a roof of a house. The second firearm training attachment 60 may have shingles 100 so that the second firearm training attachment 60 replicates or mimics a roof. The shingle 100 is shown as being flat, but other types of shingles (e.g., clay tiles, asphalt, metal shingles, corrugated steel, rubber shingles, etc.) may also be attached to the wood-frame 103 to simulate other types of roofs. In this manner, other types of roofing may be simulated with the second firearm training attachment 60. The second firearm training attachment 60 may be secured to the central panel 12 in the following manner. In particular, referring now to FIG. 11A, the rod 88 may rest within one of the pairs of J-channels 86 at the same elevational height on both of the first and second medial frame members 38, 40. When the rod is attached to the J-channels 86, the rod 88 is preferably level but maybe unlevel if the firearm training attachment requires an unlevel rod 88. Thereafter, a slot 106 formed in the wood frame 103 of the second firearm training attachment 60 may receive the rod 88. One end portion of the second firearm training attachment 60 is supported by rod 88. The other side of the second firearm training attachment 60 may rest on the ground so as to form an angled rooftop. An angle 108 of the roof 60 may be adjusted by engaging the rod 88 to the appropriate pairs of J-channel 86 at the desired height. To increase the angle 108, the rod 88 may be engaged to a pair of J-channels at a higher elevation. To decrease the angle 108, the rod 88 may be engaged to a lower pair of J-channels 86.
Referring now to FIGS. 12-18, a third firearm training attachment 62 is shown, which may be used to simulate another firearm training situation. The third firearm training attachment 62 may simulate an automobile windshield 120. The third firearm training attachment 62 may be attached to the central panel 12. Although the third firearm training attachment 62 is shown as simulating a windshield of an automobile, it is also contemplated that the other types of situations may be simulated. By way of example and not limitation, an angled or vertical wall or glass pane or window. The third firearm training attachment 62 may have a table 122 having slots 124. A height 66 of the upper surface of the table may be 15 to 60 inches and is preferably between 29 to 41 inches. Lower blocks 126 may be slidably secured to the upper surface 128 of table 122 with the lower blocks 126. Upper blocks 130 may be slidably secured to the first and second medial frames 38, 40. By adjusting the upper and lower blocks 130, 126, an angle 132 of the windshield 120 may be adjusted.
Referring now to FIG. 13, the upper surface 128 of table 122 is shown. The upper surface 128 of table 122 may have slots 124 that allow the windshield to be adjusted to have a different angle 132. The slots 124 may extend from the front to rear of the table so that the ends of the slots 124 are about 1 inch away from the edges. Preferably, the slots are sufficiently close to the edge that is adjacent to the central panel so that the windshield (or other flat and curved panels) may be vertically oriented. Although the third firearm training attachment illustrates a curved windshield, the third firearm training attachment may be used to retain a flat panel (e.g., glass panel, windowpane, drywall). In this way, the third firearm training attachment may be used to simulate situations in addition to a windshield. The lower blocks 126 are secured to table 122 by inserting a fastener 134 through the lower block 126 and through slot 124, as shown in FIG. 13. The lower blocks 126 may be adjusted along the slot by loosening the fasteners 134 then tightening them back up once the lower blocks 126 are at the proper position. The lower blocks 126 may have a rubber grommet 136 with a groove, which receives the windshield 120. The rubber grommet 136 reduces the stress on the lower edge of the windshield 120 so as to prevent the windshield 120 from breaking when windshield 120 is mounted to the third firearm training attachment 62. As shown in FIG. 14, when the lower blocks 126 are moved in the direction of arrow 140, this lowers the angle 132b. When the lower blocks 126 are moved in the direction of arrow 140, the angle 132a of the windshield 120 is increased.
Referring now to FIG. 15, the upper block 130 may be attached to either one or both of the first and second medial frame members 38, 40. The upper block 130 may be secured to the rear member 46, 50 of the first and second medial frame members 38, 40. The block 130 may have a slot similar to the slot 140. The block 130 may have a plurality of apertures as well vertically spaced apart. The upper blocks 130 may be slidingly attached to the rear members 46, 50 with a fastener 134 which is slid through an aperture/slots 140 in the upper blocks 130. The upper blocks 130 may also have rubber grommets 136 with a groove, which receive the upper edge 144 of the windshield 120. It is also contemplated that the blocks 130 may be slidably attached to the front member 44, 48 as well in the same manner.
The table shown in FIG. 16 may also be secured to the central panel 12. More particularly, the table may have legs 146. The legs 146 may be secured to the rear members 46, 50 of the first and second medial frame members 38, 40 with fasteners 134.
Referring now to FIG. 17, the firearm trainee 8 may sit on a chair 6 and shoot through the windshield 120 to mimic a situation where the firearm trainee 8 has to shoot while sitting down inside of a vehicle.
Referring now to FIGS. 18-22, a fourth firearm training attachment is shown, which is used to create another firearm training situation. In particular, planks 70 may be attached to the central panel 12. A height 160 of the plank 70 may be less than a distance 148 (see FIG. 4) between vertical pairs of J-channels so that the plank 70 may be slid between the respective pairs of J-channels. The planks are supported on one side by the J-channels 86 attached to the first medial frame member 38 and the second medial frame member 40. Multiple planks 70 may be secured to multiple pairs of J-channels 86 to stack the planks 70 one above the other. The planks 70 may have custom cutouts 164 to simulate various situations or allow the firearm trainee to shoot through apertures and to teach the trainee how to control the firearm where the trainee may be shooting in off axis and off angle situations.
Referring now to FIGS. 20 and 21, plank 70 may be used with a concrete form 180 (i.e., fifth firearm training attachment) for purposes of deflection training. The concrete form 180 may be placed in front of the central panel 12 and in front of plank 70. The gap or cutout may represent a bottom edge of a vehicle. The concrete form 180 may represent an asphalt ground. When the user shoots a bullet onto the concrete form 180 at an angle that will cause a deflection, the deflected bullets tend to deflect in a straight line 181 along but slightly off of the surface by distance 182 causing the deflection. Deflected bullets do not deflect like billiard balls hitting each other. By placing a target 166 behind plank 70, this allows the firearm trainer to teach the firearm trainee 8 that the exit angle 182 is less than the entry angle 184. The firearm training can shoot the concrete form 180 at various angles 184 that will cause a deflection and the target 166 so long as target is no more than 181 distance or in line with the bullet travel represented by line 181 in FIG. 21. An example is deflecting bullets can be used to hit a target when the target is on the ground on the other side of a vehicle and it is necessary to deflect a bullet underneath a vehicle to hit the target. Similarly, it is possible to deflect bullets along a vertical wall to hit a target further along the vertical wall.
The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.
Patent Application
20220357128
