U.S. patent application number 09/886445 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-22 for fire control authorization system for a firearm.
Invention is credited to Gavage, Xavier, Gering, Armand, Heins, Patrick, Hitchcox, Jason Lee, Kesteloot, Andre Victor., Schmitter, Edward P..
Application Number | 20010042332 09/886445 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32302773 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010042332 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gering, Armand ; et
al. |
November 22, 2001 |
Fire control authorization system for a firearm
Abstract
An authorization system for a firearm includes a personal device
worn by the authorized user, modifications to the firearm's fire
control system, and an authorization control circuit carried in the
backstrap of the firearm handle. The authorization control circuit
controls the fire control system and communicates with the personal
device. In particular, the authorization control circuit will send
a first signal to the personal device via an ultrasonic transponder
and wait for a coded response. If the personal device is worn by a
user and is within range and properly oriented, it will respond to
the first signal. If the correct coded response is not received,
the authorization control circuit signals a bi-stable solenoid
located near the trigger arm to move its plunger to an extended
position where it will cam the edge of the trigger bar out of
engagement with the sear when the trigger is pulled. Consequently,
the trigger bar will not move the sear. The firearm also forces the
user to obtain authorization by not allowing the trigger to be
pulled unless the firearm is held in normal firing position grasp.
In that position, the user depresses a pressure sensing device on
the handle. Depressing that device enables the trigger and
initiates the authorization request.
Inventors: |
Gering, Armand; (Liege,
BE) ; Schmitter, Edward P.; (Eastover, SC) ;
Heins, Patrick; (Thimister, BE) ; Kesteloot, Andre
Victor.; (McLean, VA) ; Hitchcox, Jason Lee;
(Columbia, SC) ; Gavage, Xavier; (Chaudfontaine,
BE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL A. MANN
NEXSEN PRUET JACOBS & POLLARD LLC
PO DRWR 2426
COLUMBIA
SC
29202-2426
US
|
Family ID: |
32302773 |
Appl. No.: |
09/886445 |
Filed: |
June 21, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09886445 |
Jun 21, 2001 |
|
|
|
09519579 |
Mar 6, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/70.08 ;
42/69.03 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 17/063 20130101;
F41A 17/54 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/70.08 ;
42/69.03 |
International
Class: |
F41A 003/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A firearm, comprising: a frame including a hollow handle; a
barrel carried by said frame; fire control means carried by said
frame and adapted so that, when a round of ammunition is loaded
into said firearm, said round can be fired through said barrel by
said fire control means; authorization control means for verifying
authorization of a user, said authorization control means being
carried by said frame, said fire control means responsive to
signals from said authorization control means so that said fire
control means is enabled to fire said round of ammunition when so
signaled by said authorization means and said fire control means is
not able to fire said round of ammunition when so signaled by said
authorization control means, said authorization control means
including a first ultrasonic transponder; and a second ultrasonic
transponder responsive to said first ultrasonic transponder so that
when a first signal is transmitted by said first ultrasonic
transponder, said second ultrasonic transponder, if said first
signal is received by said second ultrasonic transponder, responds
by transmitting a response.
2. The firearm as recited in claim 1, wherein second signal from
said second ultrasonic transponder contains an authorization
code.
3. The firearm as recited in claim 1, wherein said authorization
control means measures elapsed time required for receipt of said
second signal from said second ultrasonic transponder and compares
said elapsed time to programmed requirements.
4. The firearm as recited in claim 1, wherein said authorization
control means further comprises means for disconnecting said fire
control means.
5. The firearm as recited in claim 1, wherein said authorization
control means further comprises a solenoid having a plunger with a
retracted position and an extended position, and wherein said
solenoid is a bi-stable solenoid.
6. The firearm as recited in claim 1, wherein said authorization
control means further comprises a solenoid having a plunger with a
retracted position and an extended position, and wherein said fire
control means further comprises a sear and a trigger arm, and
wherein said trigger arm engages and moves said sear when said
plunger is in the retracted position and said trigger arm does not
engage or move said sear when said plunger is in the extended
position.
7. The firearm as recited in claim 1, wherein said authorization
control means further comprises a solenoid having a plunger with a
retracted position and an extended position, and wherein said fire
control means further comprises a sear and a trigger arm, and
wherein said trigger arm engages and moves said sear when said
plunger is in the retracted position and plunger deflects said
trigger arm away from said sear when said plunger is in said
extended position so that said trigger arm does not engage and move
said sear.
8. The firearm as recited in claim 1, wherein said authorization
control means further comprises a solenoid having a plunger with a
retracted position and an extended position, and wherein said fire
control means further comprises a sear and a trigger arm, and
wherein said trigger arm engages and moves said sear when said
plunger is in the retracted position and plunger cams said trigger
arm away from said sear when said plunger is in said extended
position so that said trigger arm does not engage and move said
sear.
9. The firearm as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for
disabling said fire control means, said disabling means having a
blocked position wherein said fire control means is not able to
fire and an enabled position wherein said fire control means is
ready to fire pending authorization.
10. The firearm as recited in claim 8, wherein said disabling means
is moved to said enabled position when a users grasps said handle
of said frame.
11. A firearm, comprising: a frame including a hollow handle and a
trigger guard; a barrel carried by said frame; fire control means
carried by said frame and adapted so that, when a round of
ammunition is loaded, said round can be fired through said barrel
by said fire control means, said fire control means including a
trigger, a trigger arm that moves in response to movement of said
trigger, a sear that is movable when engaged by said trigger arm;
authorization control means for verifying authorization of a user,
said authorization control means being carried by said frame, said
fire control means responsive to signals from said authorization
control means so that said fire control means is enabled to fire
said round of ammunition when so signaled by said authorization
means and said fire control means is disabled from firing said
round of ammunition when so signaled by said authorization control
means, said authorization control means including a first
transponder; and a second transponder responsive to said first
transponder so that when a first signal is transmitted by said
first transponder, said second transponder, if said first signal is
received by said second transponder, responds by transmitting a
response.
12. The firearm as recited in claim 11, wherein said authorization
control means includes means for initiating authorization, said
initiating means being activated upon said user grasping said
handle of said frame.
13. The firearm as recited in claim 11, wherein said authorization
control means includes a pressure sensing device carried on said
handle of said frame, said device, when pressed, activating an
authorization process wherein said first transponder of said
authorization control means transmits said first signal.
14. The firearm as recited in claim 11, further comprising means
for enabling said fire control means, said enabling means having a
disabled position wherein said fire control means is not able to
fire and an enabled position wherein said fire control means is
ready to fire pending authorization.
15. The firearm as recited in claim 14, wherein said authorization
control means includes means for initiating authorization, said
enabling means moving to said enabled position when said initiating
means initiates authorization.
16. The firearm as recited in claim 11, wherein said authorization
control means further comprises a solenoid having a plunger with a
retracted position and an extended position, and wherein said
trigger arm engages and moves said sear when said plunger is in the
retracted position and said trigger arm does not engage or move
said sear when said plunger is in the extended position.
17. The firearm as recited in claim 11, wherein said authorization
control means further comprises a solenoid having a plunger with a
retracted position and an extended position, and wherein said
trigger arm engages and moves said sear when said plunger is in
said retracted position and said plunger cams said trigger arm away
from said sear when said plunger is in said extended position so
that said trigger arm does not engage and move said sear.
18. A firearm, comprising: a frame including a hollow handle and a
trigger guard; a battery carried by said frame; a barrel carried by
said frame; fire control means carried by said frame and adapted so
that, when a round of ammunition is loaded, said round can be fired
through said barrel by said fire control means, said fire control
means including a trigger, a trigger arm that moves in response to
movement of said trigger, a sear that is movable when engaged by
said trigger arm; authorization control means for verifying
authorization of a user, said authorization control means being
carried by said frame and in electrical connection with said
battery, said fire control means responsive to signals from said
authorization control means so that said fire control means is
enabled to fire said round of ammunition when so signaled by said
authorization means and said fire control means is disabled from
firing said round of ammunition when so signaled by said
authorization control means, said authorization control means
including a first transponder, said authorization control means
drawing on said battery only when said authorization control means
is verifying authorization; and a personal device including a
second transponder responsive to said first transponder so that
when a first signal is transmitted by said first transponder, said
second transponder, if said first signal is received by said second
transponder, responds by transmitting a response.
19. The firearm as recited in claim 18, wherein said authorization
control means includes means carried by said handle of said frame
for initiating authorization, said initiating means responsive to
the grip of a user.
20. The firearm as recited in claim 18, wherein said handle has a
back strap and wherein said authorizing control means includes an
electrical circuit carried in said back strap.
21. The firearm as recited in claim 18, wherein said authorization
control means includes a solenoid having a plunger with an extended
position and a retracted position, and wherein said plunger, when
in said extended position, cams said trigger bar when said trigger
is pulled to a position that prevents engagement with said sear.
Description
[0001] The present application is a continuation in part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/519,579, filed Mar. 6, 2000.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to firearm security in general
and to firearms with authorization systems in particular.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There have been numerous improvements to firearm security
over the years. However, there is an inherent paradox in firearm
security. On one hand, a secure weapon may require several steps to
be taken before it can be fired. For example, it may have to be
removed from a locked cabinet. Ammunition may be stored separately;
a trigger lock may need to be unlocked; and safeties may have to be
moved to the "off" position. On the other hand, the user, who may
be a law enforcement officer, may need to fire it quickly in
emergencies to save lives or to save his or her own life.
Inevitably, compromises are made in the design and storage of
firearms between security and usability.
[0004] Historically, firearm safeties were of the type that, when
the user wanted to be able to fire the weapon, he or she moved a
safety lever or catch from the "on" position to the "off" position.
Other safeties have been developed to complement this basic
approach, all emphasizing that the user must intend to discharge
the weapon in order for the weapon to be in a condition for it to
be fired, or to be "enabled." None of these systems questions
whether the user who intends to fire the gun is permitted to do
so.
[0005] More recently, firearms have been designed with
authorization systems. These systems attempt to verify that the
user is someone who is permitted to fire the gun. An unauthorized
user cannot fire the gun equipped with an authorization system.
Typically, these systems rely on some means of identification: the
user dials in a code on a keypad on the gun or turns a key to
unlock the gun, or the gun has the capability to read a particular
individual's fingerprint. Another type of authorization system
relies on a "personal device" worn by the authorized user that
communicates using radio-frequency transmitters and receivers with
electronic circuits carried in the gun. Indeed, many improvements
and variations have been made in existing authorization systems.
The nature of the use of the firearm must be considered in the
design of an authorization system. For example, a pistol designed
for shooting for sport can be designed with greater limitations on
when and where it can be enabled. The design of authorization
systems for law enforcement pistols are more challenging. Law
enforcement must be prepared to fire their guns on short notice.
However, a law enforcement officer must sometimes grapple with a
suspected criminal which gives the suspected criminal an
opportunity to turn the officer's gun on the officer. Thus, in an
instant, an ideally designed authorization system will give the gun
the capability to switch repeatedly and automatically between being
enabled and being disabled as the struggle for control of the gun
continues.
[0006] Other design considerations must be taken into account as
well when designing an authorization system for a law enforcement
firearm. Authorization systems must not be easily defeated by those
criminals who understand how these systems work. Authorization
systems that rely on battery power must have a ready to fire
condition when the battery is dead and must not drain the battery
too rapidly. Accordingly, there remains a need for an authorization
system that operates reliably, that does not drain its batteries
quickly, and that is particularly suited for law enforcement
use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to its major aspects and briefly recited, the
present invention is an authorization system for a firearm designed
especially for law enforcement use. The system includes a personal
device worn by the authorized user that is able to transmit coded
ultrasonic bursts to a receiver on the firearm when a request for
authorization is made. The request is initiated when the user holds
the firearm in a normal firing grip. In the case of a pistol, the
user's hand must grasp the handle and the fingers of the gripping
hand must automatically depress a pressure sensing device located
on the handle in order to initiate the authorization process.
Depressing the pressure sensing device also enables the firing
system and allows the trigger to be pulled.
[0008] If authorization is not given, pulling the trigger will not
cause the firearm to discharge. A failure to authorize causes the
plunger of a bi-stable solenoid to be moved to the extended
position where it cams the trigger bar away from the sear. On the
other hand, if authorization is received, the plunger of the
solenoid moves to the retracted position, so the trigger arm will
be allowed to engage and move the sear.
[0009] An important feature of the present invention is the use of
ultrasonic signals. Ultrasonic signals are directional by nature
and can be used to measure distances accurately. Under various
scenarios that can occur in the line of duty of a law enforcement
officer, it is preferable to have limits to the relative
orientation and position of the firearm with respect to the
personal device. The choice of ultrasonic signals meets this
need.
[0010] Another key feature of the present invention is the use of a
solenoid plunger to cam the trigger arm away from the sear and thus
disable the fire control system. Prior art devices use solenoids to
block various parts of the fire control system of a firearm. If
sufficient pressure is brought to bear on the trigger of such a
device, the solenoid plunger or the component it is blocking can be
broken, thus defeating the authorization system. In the present
system, applying additional force will simply result in the trigger
arm being cammed away harder and faster.
[0011] The use of a bi-stable solenoid, along with some aspects of
the control circuitry, is another important feature of the present
invention because it greatly reduces electrical power supply
requirements. A pair of small batteries may last a year in the
present firearm subjected to normal use.
[0012] Another important feature of the present invention is the
dual function of the pressure sensing device on the handle. This
device initiates the authorization system and enables the fire
control system. Because of the logic of the authorization system,
it is necessary to disable the fire control system in the event an
unauthorized user attempts to fire the firearm without holding the
handle in a way that will request authorization. The disabling of
the fire control system prevents firing of the gun unless the
authorization device is depressed.
[0013] Other features and their advantages will become apparent to
those skilled in the art of firearm design from a careful reading
of the Detailed Description of Preferred embodiments, accompanied
by the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] In the figures,
[0015] FIG. 1A and 1B are side views of a firearm, according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the fire
control system shown in phantom lines and with part of the frame
cut away to show the fire control system disabled in 1A and enabled
in 1B. A portion of the authorization system is also shown;
[0016] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate in perspective the operation of
the solenoid plunger in camming the trigger arm away when the
trigger is pulled by an unauthorized user, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate in perspective the operation of
the solenoid plunger allowing the trigger arm to engage and move
the sear when the trigger is pulled by an authorized user,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0018] FIGS. 4A and 4B are top views that illustrate the
directional and distance measurement nature of ultrasonic waves in
an authorization system according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The present invention is a firearm with an authorization
system. The authorization system will disable the firearm so that
it will not fire unless the firearm receives a correctly coded
signal and determines that it is the proper distance from a
personal device, which is to be worn by an authorized user.
[0020] Referring now to the figures, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the
present firearm with authorization system. In most respects, the
firearm, generally indicated by reference number 10, is a
conventional firearm, here illustrated as a semi-automatic pistol.
It has a frame 12 with a handle 14 and trigger guard 16, a barrel
18, a slide 20, and a breach block. It has a fire control system
that includes a pivotally mounted trigger 30 and a trigger bar 32
that moves rearward in response to the pulling of trigger 30. When
trigger bar 32 is moved rearward, it is aligned with a sear 34 so
that it will catch sear 34 and move it rearward as well. Sear 34
loads the firing pin 36 against the firing pin spring, until sear
34 reaches a point where it releases firing pin 36, which is then
propelled forward at the urging of the firing pin spring. Firing
pin 36 strikes the primer of a round of ammunition (not shown) in
the breech block, which detonates the powder in the cartridge. The
exploding powder propels the round through barrel 18. The foregoing
is conventional operation for a semi-automatic pistol and similar
to that of many other firearms.
[0021] In the present system, a firing disable system prevents
trigger 30 from being pulled. The firing disable system includes a
trigger block 44 biased into a notch 46 in trigger 30.
[0022] Depressing arm 60 at end 62 will rotate its other end 63
clockwise, as seen in FIG. 1B, around pivot pin 64 causing trigger
block 44 to rotate from notch 46 whereby trigger 30 can be moved
rearwardly.
[0023] Button 60 is also connected to an electrical circuit 76 in
aback strap 78 in handle 14. By depressing button 60, not only is
the fire control system unblocked, but it also initiates an
authorization request. If the user holds firearm 10 in such a way
that button 60 is not depressed, in an attempt to avoid the
authorization request, trigger 30 cannot be pulled because end 43
of arm 60, which is urged counterclockwise by spring 65, will be in
contact with trigger 30 at its indent 46.
[0024] Electrical circuit 76 causes a first ultrasonic transponder
80 carried by frame 14 to emit an ultrasonic burst. First
ultrasonic transponder 80 is located in the rear of firearm 10 and
oriented to emit the burst rearward. If the user is wearing a
personal device 82, it will respond via a second ultrasonic
transponder 84 carried by device 82 as long as the user is not at
too great a distance "A" and firearm 10 and personal device 82 are
properly oriented. Second ultrasonic transponder 84 may detect the
burst emitted by ultrasonic transponder 80 and, if so, will respond
by transmitting a coded ultrasonic burst. In order for first and
second ultrasonic transponder 80, 84, to communicate, they must be
oriented generally toward each other (compare FIGS. 4A and 4B) and
separated by no more than a pre-selected distance A. The highly
directional nature and range capabilities of the transponders 80,
84, assures that firearm 10 must be in the firing hand of the
authorized user and generally pointed away from the user for first
and second transponders 80, 84, to communicate. Thus, firearm 10
cannot be fired when pointed towards the authorized user or be too
far away from the authorized user.
[0025] If an incorrectly coded ultrasonic burst is received by the
first ultrasonic transponder 80, or the distance measured is not
within programmed parameters, electronic circuit 76 will send a
signal to a bi-stable solenoid 90 located near trigger bar 32 and
positioned in such a way that, when its plunger 92 moves from a
retracted position to an extended position, it will interfere with
trigger bar 32. Electrical circuit 76 is preferably an integrated
circuit with memory secured within back strap 78 so that tampering
can not easily defeat the authorization system. In particular,
trigger bar 32 has an extension 94 with a camming edge 96. Plunger
92 of bi-stable solenoid 90 will interfere with camming edge 96
when trigger 30 is pulled, thus camming trigger bar 32 away so that
it does not engage sear 34 and cannot cause firearm 10 to fire.
Comparison of FIGS. 2A and 2B will illustrate the camming of
trigger bar 32 away from the sear by plunger 92 of bi-stable
solenoid 90.
[0026] Many prior art authorization systems use solenoids to block
a component of the fire control system of a firearm, either the
trigger, the sear, or the trigger bar. However, the present
invention does not block the fire control mechanism; it disconnects
it. By disconnecting, it is meant that trigger 30 still pulls and
trigger bar 32 still moves rearward but firearm 10 does not fire.
By blocking, it is meant that trigger 30 does not pull. This
difference is important. If a component of the fire control system
is blocked by a solenoid, a user who is not authorized may be able
by sheer force to cause the plunger of the solenoid or the blocked
component to become damaged and thus defeat the authorization
system. In the present system, no amount of force will enable the
disconnected fire control system since trigger 30, trigger bar 32
and sear 34 are not blocked.
[0027] If an ultrasonic burst is received from personal device 82
by the first ultrasonic transponder 80, the burst will be decoded
and compared to authorized codes and distance parameters by
electronic circuit 76. If the signal contained an authorized code
and came from an accepted distance, an electrical signal will be
sent to bi-stable solenoid 90 positioned near trigger bar 32. The
signal will move plunger 92 of bi-stable solenoid 90 to a retracted
position if it is not already in that position. When plunger 92 is
in the retracted position, trigger bar 32 will be free to move
rearwardly with the pull of trigger, by passing retracted plunger
92 and engaging and moving sear 34. Once sear 34 has been moved
rearwardly a sufficient distance, it releases firing pin 36 and
firearm 10 will fire.
[0028] The present authorization system is powered by batteries 100
stored in frame 14 shown below barrel 18. Current is only drawn
when authorization has been initiated and movement of plunger 92 of
bi-stable solenoid 90 is required. The authorization is repeated a
number of times within a fraction of a second after pressure
sensing device 60 is depressed and then not repeated until the next
time firearm 10 is grasped. The pressure sensing device in the
handle 14 detects when the user releases firearm 10. As long as the
authorized user maintains his grasp of handle 14, reauthorization
after initial authorization is not conducted, which reduces
electrical power supply requirements. If firearm 10 is released and
then picked up again immediately or later, then the authorization
process is again initiated.
[0029] It will be apparent to those skilled in firearm
authorization systems that many modifications and substitutions can
be made to the foregoing preferred embodiments without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention, defined by the
appended claims.
* * * * *