U.S. patent application number 12/195530 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-02 for firearm round counter and assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to COLT CANADA CORPORATION. Invention is credited to David W. Compton, Jeffrey D. MacLeod.
Application Number | 20090084015 12/195530 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40385239 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090084015 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Compton; David W. ; et
al. |
April 2, 2009 |
FIREARM ROUND COUNTER AND ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A round counter assembly for a firearm is provided. The round
counter assembly has a pin for connecting a barrel assembly to a
receiver portion of the firearm, a housing connected to the pin, a
sensor in the housing for detecting the firing of ammunition from
the firearm by a user, and a data processor in the housing
connected to the sensor for receiving and storing data related to
the firearm. The data can include some or all of the following: a
count of the number of rounds of the ammunition fired from the
firearm, frequency of firing the firearm, time of firing, angle of
firing trajectory, identity of the firearm, or identity of the
user. The data can be collected wirelessly, for example via a
handheld device brought into proximity with the assembly.
Inventors: |
Compton; David W.;
(Kitchener, CA) ; MacLeod; Jeffrey D.; (West
Montrose, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BORDEN LADNER GERVAIS LLP;Anne Kinsman
WORLD EXCHANGE PLAZA, 100 QUEEN STREET SUITE 1100
OTTAWA
ON
K1P 1J9
CA
|
Assignee: |
COLT CANADA CORPORATION
Kitchener
CA
|
Family ID: |
40385239 |
Appl. No.: |
12/195530 |
Filed: |
August 21, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60957512 |
Aug 23, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/1.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 19/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/1.02 |
International
Class: |
F41A 9/62 20060101
F41A009/62 |
Claims
1. A round counter assembly for a firearm comprising: a pin for
connecting upper and lower receivers of the firearm; a housing
mounted on one end of the pin; a sensor in the housing for
detecting the firing of ammunition from the firearm by a user; and
a data processor in the housing and connected to the sensor for
receiving and storing data related to the firearm.
2. The round counter assembly of claim 1 wherein the data related
to the firearm comprises a count of the number of rounds of
ammunition fired from the firearm.
3. The round counter assembly of claim 2 wherein the data related
to the firearm further comprises data selected from the group
consisting of: frequency of firing the firearm; time of firing;
angle of firing trajectory; identity of the firearm; and identity
of the user.
4. The round counter assembly of claim 1 wherein said sensor
comprises at least one accelerometer.
5. The round counter assembly of claim 2 wherein said sensor
comprises an audio signal transducer.
6. A round counter for a firearm comprising: a sensor for detecting
the firing of the firearm; a microchip connected to the sensor; and
a data processor on the microchip for receiving and storing data
related to the firearm.
7. The round counter of claim 6 wherein the data related to the
firearm comprises a count of the number of rounds of ammunition
fired from the firearm.
8. The round counter of claim 7 wherein the data related to the
firearm further comprises data selected from the group consisting
of: frequency of firing the firearm; time of firing; angle of
firing trajectory; identity of the firearm; and identity of the
user.
9. The round counter assembly of claim 6 wherein said sensor
comprises at least one accelerometer.
10. The round counter assembly of claim 6 wherein said sensor
comprises an audio signal transducer.
11. A method for collecting data on rounds discharged from a
firearm said method comprising the steps of: programming a data
processor to detect rounds fired; attaching said processor to
sensor; and attaching said processor, and said sensor to said
firearm.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of accessing
said data wirelessly.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/957,512, filed Aug. 23, 2007, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to firearms. More
particularly, the invention relates to a round counter and round
counter assembly for a firearm, such as a rifle for example.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Firearms, such as pistols, rifles, shotguns and similar
weapons, are commonly used in many different safety, combat, law
enforcement and recreational settings. Depending on the setting, it
can be important to track the number of rounds which are fired from
the weapon over a particular period of time. This information may
be important for training purposes, to monitor the frequency of
situations where the weapon is fired, or for assessing the
maintenance schedule and lifespan of the firearm or components
thereof.
[0004] There is also a need in some situations, particularly law
enforcement or military situations, to be able to prove whether or
not a weapon has been fired, and how many times, and ideally when.
Ideally, it would be possible to determine the total number of
rounds fired and when the round(s) was/were fired.
[0005] There have been several attempts to incorporate mechanisms
into firearms for monitoring the number of rounds fired. These
mechanisms have typically been bulky mechanical devices which are
often complex and subject to frequent mechanical failure. They can
also add unnecessary weight to the firearm. Furthermore, many of
the known mechanisms, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,406,730 (Sayre) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,432 (Wright), only count
the number of rounds of ammunition remaining in the magazine of the
firearm at a point in time, rather than counting rounds fired.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 3,792,638 (Cox) discloses a fluidic system of
counting the number of rounds fired from an artillery gun barrel.
The fluidic components sense the zone charge used and the system
computes the effective number of rounds fired. Each time the gun is
fired, gas from the barrel passes through a check valve, a fluidic
diode, into a capacitor. The collected gas in the capacitor is then
fed to a fluidic oscillator via a regulator. The fluidic oscillator
is the type that has an output frequency independent of the
temperature. The collected pressure is a function of the zone
charge used, and the duration of the oscillator output is related
directly to the zone charge. Each round produces a weighted number
of oscillations from the oscillator which is then counted and
displayed.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,001,961 (Johnson) discloses a round counter
and circuitry attached to a weapon for indicating the extent of its
use. The indicator is an elapsed time meter comprising a capillary
tube, a cathode, an anode and a mercury column interrupted by an
electrolytic gap. When a round is fired, a current passes through a
circuit and mercury atoms are ionized; the movement of the ions
causes the electrolytic gap to migrate from the cathode to the
anode. This migration is a proportional to the product of current
and time and results in a quantification of round firing.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,217 (Brennan) discloses a round counter
for a small arms weapon. Wear indicator surfaces intermediate to a
bolt slide and a frame receiver of a pistol are provided in the
weapon. As the surfaces wear away, the visual patterns of the
surfaces change, indicating an approximate number of rounds fired.
The problem with this design is that it can only qualitatively,
rather than quantitatively, determine the amount of rounds fired.
Additionally, this design does not analyze the frequency of
firing.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,495 (Harthcock) discloses a firearm
controlled by a microprocessor A means connected to the
microprocessor provides time, date and muzzle-pointing azimuth
information for each of the rounds of ammunition fired. The
processor detects how many rounds remain in the magazine; it does
not, however, keep a running count of the total number of rounds
fired by the weapon.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,486 (Brinkley) discloses a device which
monitors the recoil of the firearm to provide a count of the total
number of rounds discharged through the firearm. A display on the
device indicates the number of rounds fired. The device also
comprises a microcontroller.
[0011] There remains a need for a practical and efficient round
counter for a firearm, which requires minimal intervention from the
user. It is also desirable to provide a round counter which
monitors the number of rounds fired, whether for scheduled
maintenance of the firearm, training purposes, evidentiary
purposes, or whatever.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In view of the foregoing, embodiments of the present
invention provide an improved or alternative round counter for
firearms.
[0013] In a first aspect, the invention provides a round counter
assembly for a firearm, embodied for example in a pin used for
securing the upper receiver of the firearm (which typically
supports the barrel assembly of the firearm) to the lower receiver
(which is typically assembled with the stock, trigger assembly,
pistol grip, etc.). A housing located on one end of the pin
contains a sensor, for example an accelerometer or audio signal
transducer sensor, which detects the firing of a round from the
firearm by a user. A data processor in the housing is connected to
the sensor for receiving and storing data related to the
firearm.
[0014] The data related to the firearm can comprise a count of the
number of rounds fired from the firearm. The data can or could also
include frequency of firing the firearm, time of firing, angle of
firing trajectory, identity of the firearm, identity of the user,
and/or any other desired data.
[0015] In a further aspect, the invention provides a round counter
for a firearm comprising a sensor for detecting the firing of the
firearm, a microchip connected to the sensor, and a data processor
on the microchip for receiving and storing data related to the
firearm.
[0016] Preferred embodiments of the invention are intended to be as
compact as possible, due to the limited space available. Preferably
this means without fitting into the pistol grip, which would
eliminate valuable space otherwise typically used for batteries or
cleaning kits. Preferred embodiments also add as little weight as
possible to the system.
[0017] Other aspects and features of the invention will become
apparent upon review of the following description of specific
embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with the accompanying
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way
of example only, with reference to the attached drawings,
wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a round counter assembly
according to the invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the round counter assembly of
FIG. 1; and
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a typical rifle with the round counter assembly
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Generally, the invention provides a round counter assembly
for a firearm. In the preferred embodiment, the round counter
assembly comprises a pin for connecting upper and lower receivers
of the firearm, a housing mounted on one end of the pin, a sensor
in the housing for detecting the firing of ammunition from the
firearm by a user, and a data processor in the housing and
connected to the sensor for receiving and storing data related to
the firearm.
[0023] Although the round counter could be a stand-alone piece
secured to the firearm by some other means, it is advantageous to
mount it on a pin, the pin being configured to replace the standard
take-down pin which connects the upper and lower receivers of the
firearm.
[0024] In the exemplary embodiment described herein, the round
counter is used in a rifle. However, the round counter can be used
in any weapon which fires projectiles, such as a pistol, rifle,
shotgun or the like.
[0025] The round counter assembly comprises a means for sensing the
firing of ammunition from the firearm. This means can include a
round counter comprising a sensor for detecting the firing of the
firearm, a microchip connected to the sensor, and a data processor
on the microchip for receiving and storing data related to the
firearm.
[0026] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the round counter
assembly of the invention. In this embodiment, the assembly 10
includes a pin 12 and a round counter housing 14 at one end of the
pin. As indicated previously, the pin preferably is configured to
replace the standard take-down pin of the firearm, rather than
constituting an additional part (and additional weight). The
housing 14 can be rectangular in shape, as illustrated, but any
practical shape may be used. The housing can provide thermal,
reflex and/or shock protection, and includes a cover (not
specifically illustrated) to protect the contents of the housing
from damage, debris and/or moisture.
[0027] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the round counter assembly. A
chip 20 mounted within the housing 14 has data processor circuitry
22 (illustrated schematically only). The chip 20 and circuitry 22
log the number of rounds fired with the use of a miniature audio
signal transducer sensor (not shown) in the round counter assembly.
The sensor can have a built-in filter to eliminate spurious data.
Instead of an audio signal transducer as a sensor, the round
counter could use an accelerometer.
[0028] The circuitry 22 in the round counter assembly 10 can be
powered by a battery (not shown), such as a watch battery or
equivalent.
[0029] The sensor can have a count rate of 300 to 1500 rpm. The
bullet exit impulse is about 2 ms or better, the buffering impulse
is about 30 ms or better, and the counter recoil impulse is about
45 ms or better.
[0030] In one embodiment, the sensor has a maximum counting rate of
about 12,000 rpm. The sensor can have a timestamp which can be
programmable, The timestamp can be in ASCII or binary format. The
timestamp can have a resolution maximum in the millisecond range
and a minimum resolution in the year range. The maximum number of
counts between resets with a time stamp is about 2,000,000; the
maximum number of counts between resets without a time stamp is
about 20,000,000,000. The sensor can have built-in non-volatile
memory storage.
[0031] In addition to counting the number of rounds fired, the
circuitry 22 can also log other statistics such as the time(s) the
weapon was fired, the frequency of firing (shots per unit time, or
time between shots), and/or the angle of trajectory of the firing.
The circuitry 22 can also distinguish a live firing from a dry
firing (e.g., pulling the trigger without ammunition in the
firearm, banging the firearm against the ground, etc.). In the case
of an accelerometer, for example, the circuitry detects impulses
from the accelerometer, and the time between impulses enables the
calculation of whether a live round is being fired or whether the
impulses are due to some spurious event such as banging the rifle
butt on the ground. In any live firing, there is a typical recoil
and counter-recoil with a distinctive acceleration signature which
is not present in other events, so that these other events can be
ignored.
[0032] In addition, the circuitry 22 can be programmed with
information, such as, for example, the maintenance schedule for the
firearm, identity of the firearm, the user, location of usage
(e.g., theatre of battle, etc.), country or mission.
[0033] At any time, the round counter assembly 10 and/or the chip
20 comprising the data processor circuitry 22 therein may be
removed from the firearm for analysis. A scanner or round counter
reader (not shown) can be used to read the circuitry 22 on the chip
20 and report the number of rounds fired, or any of the data
described herein. The scanner can be portable, which can greatly
facilitate the determination of rounds fired in the field or in a
remote location. The scanner can be integrated with different
interfaces, e.g. USB, wireless (Bluetooth, etc.), and the data can
be password protected. Additional software can be used to tabulate
and analyze the data obtained by the scanner from the round counter
assembly chip 20.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows the location 32 of the round counter assembly
of the invention as installed in a typical rifle 30. The round
counter assembly can be incorporated into existing firearms.
Firearms which incorporate a standard take-down pin may be
retrofitted by replacing the pin with the present round counter
assembly 10, without affecting or modifying the function of the
weapon. The pin 12 of the round counter assembly 10 can be inserted
into the rifle 30 in the same way and at the same location as
previously-known take-down pins. In one embodiment, and as
illustrated in FIG. 3, the round counter assembly 10 is placed at
the front of the lower receiver.
[0035] The above-described embodiments of the invention are
intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and
variations may be effected to the particular embodiments by those
of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *