U.S. patent application number 12/890792 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-27 for photoluminescent munitions and magazine.
Invention is credited to Joseph Cosimo Longo.
Application Number | 20110016760 12/890792 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40511830 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110016760 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Longo; Joseph Cosimo |
January 27, 2011 |
Photoluminescent munitions and magazine
Abstract
An apparatus for luminescing munitions having a coating of or
containing a photoluminescent material. The apparatus employs the
use of a conventional firearm magazine as a housing for
accommodating the ammunition. A light emitting means is
incorporated in the magazine for illuminating the photoluminescent
material by exciting the photoluminescent material. The light
emitting means is based on an LED producing an ultraviolet light
component and relatively low or non-existent red, orange and
infrared components when electrically actuated. The light emitting
means receives its energy source from batteries contained within
the magazine. Alternatively, a chemiluminescent device capable of
producing light may be employed in place of the batteries as the
energy source.
Inventors: |
Longo; Joseph Cosimo;
(Feeding Hills, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCHALE & SLAVIN, P.A.
2855 PGA BLVD
PALM BEACH GARDENS
FL
33410
US
|
Family ID: |
40511830 |
Appl. No.: |
12/890792 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12236792 |
Sep 24, 2008 |
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12890792 |
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60974651 |
Sep 24, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/49.01 ;
102/513 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 9/65 20130101; F42B
12/382 20130101; F42B 12/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/49.01 ;
102/513 |
International
Class: |
F41A 9/61 20060101
F41A009/61; F42B 12/40 20060101 F42B012/40; F42B 12/38 20060101
F42B012/38 |
Claims
1. A method of tracing and marking munitions comprising: munitions
filled with, made from, and/or coated with a photoluminescent
material; storing said munitions in the magazine of a firearm; and
exciting said photoluminescent material with a light source
positioned within the magazine; wherein said munitions produce
light upon leaving the firearm allowing for the tracing of the
munitions and provides an impact mark allowing for the marking of
the munitions impact.
2. The method of tracing and marking munitions according to claim 1
wherein exciting said photoluminescent material produces a visible
light visible to human vision.
3. The method of tracing and marking munitions according to claim 1
wherein exciting said photoluminescent material produces a light
not visible to unaided human vision.
4. The method of tracing and marking munitions according to claim 1
wherein said light source is an LED producing visible light.
5. The method of tracing and marking munitions according to claim 1
wherein said light source is an LED producing ultraviolet
light.
6. The method of tracing and marking munitions according to claim 1
wherein said light source is electrically coupled to a self
contained power source.
7. The method of tracing and marking munitions according to claim 1
wherein said light source is a chemiluminescent light source placed
within the magazine.
8. A firearm having a magazine comprising; photoluminescent
munitions stored with said magazine; and a self contained light
source positioned with said magazine; wherein said light source
illuminates said photoluminescent munitions allowing for the
tracing and/or impact marking of said illuminated munitions upon
discharge from the firemarm.
9. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein exciting said
photoluminescent material produces a light visible to human
vision.
10. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein exciting said
photoluminescent material produces a light not visible to unaided
human vision.
11. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein said light source is
an LED producing visible light.
12. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein said light source is
an LED producing ultraviolet light.
13. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein said ultraviolet light
is wavelength of about 365 nanometers.
14. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein said light source is
electrically coupled to a self contained power source.
15. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein said light source is a
chemiluminescent light source placed within the magazine.
16. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein an interior surface of
said magazine is coated with a reflective material allowing
immersion of said coated munitions with said light source.
17. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein said light source
provides a continuous light within said magazine to optimize
luminescence with low powered light.
18. The firearm according to claim 14 wherein said power source is
conventional batteries.
19. The firearm according to claim 8 including an electrical
circuit for activation of said light upon coupling said power
source to said light.
20. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein said photoluminescent
material is zinc sulfide.
21. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein said photoluminescent
material is strontium aluminate with trace dopants.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/236,792, filed Sep. 24, 2008, which claims
the priority date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/974,651, filed Sep. 24, 2007, the contents of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention is directed toward the field of small caliber
munitions and more particularly, to a means for luminescing
munitions for tracing and marking when used in training.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In the training of military and law enforcement personnel, a
need exists for force-on-force training with service weapons. In
addition, in the training of military and law enforcement
personnel, a need exists for detecting the accuracy and
effectiveness of the trainee's ability to strike an intended target
in daylight or darkness. This is important not only for personnel
training, but also to determine the effectiveness of various
equipment systems, and as a means of calibrating such systems.
Force-on-force training with service weapons and live ammunition
presents health and safety hazards to the training personnel that
are unacceptable. The use of reduced energy projectiles such as the
Simmunitions.TM. line produced by General Dynamics or the Man
Marker.TM. line produced by Ultimate Training Munitions reduces
these health and safety hazards to acceptable levels. However,
these products provide daytime training capability, only, in that
the rounds do not trace and the resulting marks cannot be readily
seen in the dark. Numerous types of devices have been employed in
an effort to provide munitions tracing, most uses are for use in
game playing.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,151 discloses a toy launcher for
launching phosphor-containing projectiles outwardly and a
radiation-emitter for exposing the projectile within the launcher
to phosphorescence-activating radiation prior to the projectile
leaving the launcher, whereby the projectile will phosphoresce as
it leaves the launcher. An incandescent lamp is used to light a
photoluminescent projectile at launch. Such an approach does not
result in effective illumination of the projectile and considerable
time is involved "charging" the photoluminescent projectile. The
illuminated and propelled projectile has relatively low level
phosphorescence.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,280 discloses a phosphorescent and
fluorescent marking composition comprising polyethylene glycols in
combination with phosphorescent and fluorescent pigments.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,058 discloses a light emitting rigid,
fracturable projectile in the form of a phosphorescent paintball.
An exciter which couples to the muzzle of a paintball gun is
adaptable for use with paintball guns to excite the phosphorescent
paintball to emit light. The light emitting paintball provides a
luminous trail when discharged from the paintball gun. The capsule
is either impregnated with a phosphorescent material or a
phosphorescent material is mixed with a filler. The phosphorescent
material absorbs light when exposed to a light source and, after
the light source is removed, emits light.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,280 discloses a toy gun projectile
having photoluminescent properties when exposed to light within the
gun and propelled from the gun having an excited photoluminescent
surface to provide a visual display by the propelled projectile.
The projectile is illuminated by a flash lamp having a high level
ultraviolet light component and relatively low or non-existent red,
orange and infrared components. The photoluminescent projectiles
which are charged by superlumination provide a toy that is not only
inherently safe but highly interesting.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,841 discloses light emitting rigid
fracturable projectile-type marking ammunition which is a
phosphorescent ball in the form of a spherical pellet or capsule
that includes non-phosphorescent impact diffusing materials
intimately admixed with phosphorescent materials. The light
emitting phosphorescent ball provides a luminous trail when
discharged from the paintball gun.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,726 discloses a system and a method for
launching glow-in-the-dark projectiles from a projectile launcher
wherein the toy comprises projectiles exposed to light prior to
being launched and a firing mechanism wherein a portion of the
firing mechanism is positioned with the projectile prior to being
fired from the launcher. The firing mechanism comprises a light for
exposing the projectile to radiation prior to being fired from the
gun.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,308 discloses a hopper device for
illuminating luminescent paintballs before they are projected down
the barrel of a paintball gun. The hopper shell has top and bottom
rows of ultraviolet lights placed at preselected portions of the
shell to maximize the exposure of the paintballs to ultraviolet
light emitted from the lights. A pair of low voltage D.C. batteries
supplies power via a switch to an inverter which increases the
voltage to a magnitude used by the lights.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,183 discloses a two-piece polymer
projectile consisting of an aero dynamically shaped, thin-shelled,
frangible cap, adapted to be filled with a flowable substance for
marking upon impact, the fluid sealed within the projectile by a
rear plug. The rear plug is relatively rigid in order to contain
the expansive effect of propellant gases; a recessed compartment in
the rear plug contributes to creating a forward centre of gravity
for the projectile; the barrel rifling is engaged by the projectile
in the region of the rear plug only, whereby positive engagement
with the barrel rifling imparts spin without bursting the cap
portion of the projectile; an indentation region on the nose of the
cap facilitates flexing of the score lines for rapid and efficient
bursting of the cap on impact.
[0012] These work well in all situations except force-on-force
training with service weapons. The illuminated paintball devices do
not provide the necessary training effect similar to service
weapons and the inherent dangers of service weapons with
conventional tracers prevent their use in force-on-force
training.
[0013] What is lacking in the art is means for night time training
of police and military personnel with firearms that eliminates the
inherent dangers of the use of actual service weapons.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention discloses a means for tracing and
marking with munitions by use of a photoluminescent material that
is excited within the magazine of a firearm. The apparatus is based
upon a conventional firearm magazine that stores special bullets
either coated with or containing a photoluminescent material and
excited by a light emitting means of a specified character. The
bullets are special in that they are reduced energy projectiles
such as those produced by General Dynamics or Ultimate Training
Munitions or like reduced energy projectiles. The light emitting
means is based on an LED producing light, either visible or an
ultraviolet light component. The light emitting means receives its
energy source from batteries contained within the magazine for
powering of the LED's.
[0015] Alternatively, the light may be produced from a self
contained chemiluminescent light source.
[0016] An objective of this invention is to disclose the use of
photoluminescent ammunition placed in a conventional firearm
magazine and illuminated by a light source.
[0017] Another objective of this invention is to disclose the use
of photoluminescent ammunition that is illuminated by an LED
visible light source powered by batteries placed within the
magazine.
[0018] Another objective of this invention is to disclose the use
of photoluminescent ammunition that is illuminated by a
chemiluminescent light source; the chemiluminescent light source
may be a light stick that is placed within the magazine.
[0019] Other objectives and advantages of this invention will
become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of
illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include
exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate
various objectives and features thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D depicts a magazine assembly for a
firearm; FIG. 1A is a side view of the photoluminescent bullet and
magazine follower, FIG. 1B is a side view of a LED light with
circuit board, FIG. 1C is a side view of a battery base; and FIG.
1D is side view of a magazine housing;
[0021] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D depicts a perspective view of the
assembly shown in FIGS. 2A-2D; FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the
magazine follower FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the LED circuit
board, FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the battery holder; and
FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the magazine housing; and
[0022] FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C depicts an assembly for the device using
a chemiluminescent light energy source, FIG. 3A is a side view of a
bullet and magazine follower, FIG. 3B is a side view of a
chemiluminescent light source; and FIG. 3C is a side view of a
magazine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Referring now to the drawings set forth is an apparatus and
method for illuminating munitions stored in a magazine for purposes
of tracing/marking. The apparatus is based upon the use of firearms
employing a munitions magazine (10) for holding a plurality of
cartridges. In a first embodiment, by way of illustration, set
forth is a photoluminescent bullet (12) that can be excited to
produce light so as to allow the bullet to glow in the dark. The
cartridge (14) is supported by an magazine follower (16) having
downwardly depending engagement tabs (20 and 22). The magazine
follower (16) includes an aperture (24) for positioning of an LED
emitter (26) mounted upon circuit board (28).
[0024] Unique to this invention is placement of the illumination
device within a magazine (10) wherein the light source, i.e. LED,
chemiluminescent light, is used to flood the magazine chamber with
light for purposes of exciting the photoluminescent bullets.
[0025] A problem with the prior art devices is in the placement of
an exciter and need for a triggering mechanism, both of which
subject the light to early failure due to the adverse conditions
found in a firing chamber. Further, a quick flash may not provide
sufficient excitement to a coating resulting in a diminished
illumination. Further, it is preferable that the munitions used in
training practice by police and military personnel approximate the
actual bullets so as to provide realistic recoil.
[0026] The instant invention allows the illumination to take place
within the magazine so that no modification of the firing chamber
is necessary; elimination of damage to the energy source is removed
by the remote placement of the exciter source. By removing the
light source from the firing chamber, no gunpowder residue or
explosion can disrupt the lighting element. Further, the instant
invention allows for the use of a low powered LED. As the energy
source has sufficient time to flood the chamber of the magazine,
conventional batteries (30) shown on the battery base (32) may be
used. The magazine may be used as a holding chamber with the light
(26) providing a timed illumination of the chamber over a period of
time allowing the ability to excite the luminescent material so
that the discharge of the munitions includes luminescent material
having as large of charge as possible, eliminating the need for an
energy consuming flash exciter. The chamber (34) of the magazine
(10) is receptive to the assembly formed by the battery base (32),
circuit board (28) and bullet holder (16).
[0027] The magazine chamber (34) may be coated with a reflective
material, such as a chrome paint or a reflective plastic, to
reflect and maintain the light within the chamber to better
activate the luminescent material further enhancing the lumination
of the munitions upon discharge. The LED is preferably controlled
by a conventional toggle switch, not shown, for providing power
from the battery to the circuit board allowing the individual to
cause operation of the LED before the start of the training
mission. The exposure time to the LED results in not only a
luminescent trail, but also a luminescent paint pattern upon impact
of the target allowing the instructor to inspect the hits during
target practice. The use of an ultraviolet LED of about 365
nanometer wave length is deemed beneficial, although shorter or
longer wave lengths can be used depending on the intensity
desired.
[0028] The luminescent material can be made out of most current
photoluminescent materials such as zinc sulfide or strontium
aluminate with trace dopants. The luminescent material may be
formed into the projectile or contained within the projectile. Once
the material is excited by exposure to light, the material will
emit light even after the excitation light source is removed.
[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3C set forth is a second
embodiment having a magazine (50) with a chemiluminescent light
stick (52) placed within the holder (54). As with the previous
embodiment the ammunition is shown with a photluminescent bullet
(56) placed upon the magazine follower (58) In operation, the
chemiluminescent light stick is activated and placed in combination
with the magazine follower(58) into the magazine (50) for
illumination of all munitions placed within the magazine. As with
the previous embodiment, the magazine may be coated with a
reflective material, such a chrome or a reflective plastic, notably
as the magazine is not subjected to firing chamber forces.
[0030] Chemiluminescent light production can be made from a
modified light stick, such as that manufactured by Cyalume
Technologies, Inc., capable of fitting within the magazine.
Chemiluminescent light is produced by a two component system
referred to as an oxalate component and an activator component. The
two components are kept physically sealed, a frangible glass vial
containing one component housed within an outer flexible container
containing the other component. Forces created by intimate contact
with the internal vial, such as by flexing, causes the vial to
rupture thereby releasing the first component into the second
component where they mix and produce light. As the magazine is not
subjected to forces from the munitions, the outer vessel may be
made of a clear or translucent material such as polyethylene or
polypropylene which permits the light produced by the
chemiluminescent system to be transmitted through the vessel
walls.
[0031] Examples of chemiluminescent light systems include U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,043,851; 4,626,383; 3,539,794; 3,576,987; 4,508,642;
4,193,109 and 4,814,949; the subject matter of which patents are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0032] It is to be understood that while a certain form of the
invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific
form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent
to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention
is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in
the specification and drawings/figures.
[0033] One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and
obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent
therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques
described herein are presently representative of the preferred
embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as
limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur
to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit
of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended
claims. Although the invention has been described in connection
with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that
the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such
specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the
described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to
those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *