US20060101694A1 - Touch sensor firearm safety system - Google Patents
Touch sensor firearm safety system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060101694A1 US20060101694A1 US11/271,699 US27169905A US2006101694A1 US 20060101694 A1 US20060101694 A1 US 20060101694A1 US 27169905 A US27169905 A US 27169905A US 2006101694 A1 US2006101694 A1 US 2006101694A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- firearm
- safety system
- trigger
- touch
- touch pad
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
- F41A17/00—Safety arrangements, e.g. safeties
- F41A17/06—Electric or electromechanical safeties
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to firearm safety devices and, more particularly, to firearm safety devices having touch sensors for allowing actuation of the firing mechanism.
- the 1911 grip safety is an example of such a safety system. It requires the shooter to depress the grip safety sufficiently before the firearm can be fired. Thus an unintentional trigger pull that could occur from dropping or other mishandling of the firearm would not allow the firearm to fire because the grip safety would have to be depressed also.
- the Savage AccuTrigger is another example of such a safety system.
- the AccuTrigger is essentially a trigger within a trigger. The main trigger that fires a round of ammunition cannot be pulled until the pre-trigger is pulled and the main trigger is allowed to release the sear.
- Both of these safety systems provide some additional protection from unintentional discharge of the firearm; however, they are not transparent to all shooters.
- the grip safety In the case of the 1911 grip safety, if the grip safety is not properly gripped, it will not be depressed sufficiently to allow the firearm to be fired. Both safety systems require a lever other than the trigger to be displaced a distance before a trigger pull fires the firearm.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,963 describes a trigger system that uses a touch sensor as the trigger for a paintball gun. Though this may be an acceptable trigger system for a paintball gun it is not acceptable for a firearm. This trigger system would cause the gun to fire even with an unintentional touch of the trigger or when the user is trying to find the trigger so that he can pull it. Furthermore, the touch trigger circuit only senses initial touching and cannot tell if the user continues to touch the trigger.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,819 describes using pressure sensing grip sensors to determine if the gripping pattern matches the pattern of an authorized user of the firearm. That is, it suggests using the pattern of how the authorized user grips the firearm as a means of recognizing him.
- U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,286,242 and 6,321,478 discuss using grip sensors as a means of sensing a user's intent to fire a firearm. In addition, the idea of using a grip sensor to wake up a system controller is discussed. All of these prior inventions use pressure sensors as grip sensors. This introduces the added complexity that different users do not necessarily apply pressure to the same area of a firearm grip. This has been addressed by using an array of pressure sensors to work as the grip sensor. The array of pressure sensors adds cost and complexity to the system. Users do not necessarily apply the same amount of pressure to the grip when they intend to fire a firearm.
- the inventive system eliminates the need for displacement of the safety device and only requires the shooter to contact or touch sensors to show intent to fire.
- the sensing area of the touch sensors can be made sufficiently large to allow for different size hands and styles of holding the firearm to still allow firing of the firearm.
- the inventive safety system is more easily implemented on a firearm that fires electronically initiated ammunition.
- electromechanical devices such as solenoids or piezoelectric actuators can allow the safety system to work with systems that fire percussion primed ammunition.
- the present invention is directed to a supplemental firearm safety system intended to prevent unintentional discharge of a firearm.
- the inventive safety system can utilize one or more touch sensors.
- the sensor or sensors are required to be contacted by the shooter in order to enable the firearm to fire.
- the touch sensor or sensors can be located in such a way that a shooter would normally touch or contact the sensor or sensors when he intends to fire the firearm. Thus, the shooter would not be required to perform any special operations to enable the use of the firearm and the safety system would be largely transparent to the shooter.
- the trigger bow area of the firearm is a potential location for touch sensors.
- This safety system can function as a secondary safety in addition to the traditional safety button or switch.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the touch sensor firearm safety system of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary touch sensing circuit design that can be used in the present invention.
- FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate exemplary embodiment of the touch sensor firearm safety system of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment showing the touch sensor(s) output signal(s) being supplied as an input, along with other inputs, to the system controller which determines if and when to generate a fire pulse based on the inputs.
- FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary touch sensing circuit design that can be used in the present invention.
- FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which a second touch pad is located on a butt plate of a long gun.
- FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which a second touch pad is located on a grip of a firearm.
- an exemplary embodiment of the touch sensor firearm safety system includes a single touch sensor 12 located on the trigger bow 10 .
- the touch sensor sensing area covers most of the front surface of the trigger bow.
- the touch sensor sensing area is made up of a conductive touch pad 12 that is electronically isolated from the metal trigger 10 and connected by wires or traces to a touch sensing circuit such as illustrated in FIG. 2 .
- a flex circuit with an exposed pad can offer a durable touch sensor that could be adhesively attached to the trigger 10 . It is also possible to use conductive paint or foil tape to make a touch pad on top of an insulating coating on the metal trigger.
- the trigger 10 would not have to be made from metal and, if it was made from a non-conductive material such as a plastic or ceramic, the insulating layer between the trigger 10 and touch pad 12 would not be needed. If a conductive trigger were electrically isolated from the rest of the firearm, the trigger could act as the touch pad.
- the touch sensor could be implemented on a number of different trigger systems. It would be easiest to implement the sensor on a Zero Displacement Trigger as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,668,700 and 6,651,542, because the wiring would not have to work with moving components. However the touch sensor safety system could also be implemented on an electronic micro-switch trigger as used in Remington Arms Co. M/700 EtronX rifles or on a standard mechanical trigger for a firearm that fires percussion ammunition.
- the touch sensor firearm safety system can immediately recognize contact from a shooter and will know if and when the shooter releases the trigger.
- the touch trigger described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,963 only recognizes touch but does not know when, or if, the touch is released.
- the touch sensor safety system of the present invention requires the touch sensor to sense whether or not a shooter is simultaneously contacting the touch pad before allowing a trigger pull to initiate firing a round of ammunition. This eliminates unintentional discharges caused by drops or other jarring events that might cause a perceived trigger pull. If the same circuit described in U.S. Pat. No.
- 6,694,963 was used, the best that could be done is to allow a window of time from contacting the touch pad during which the firearm is allowed to initiate firing when the trigger is pulled or appears to be pulled. This would still allow for the possibility of a drop-induced trigger pull to initiate firing of the firearm if the drop occurred within the time window starting from when the shooter touches the touch sensor. In addition, this system may not allow a legitimate trigger pull to initiate firing a firearm if the shooter takes too long (i.e., longer than the allotted window of time) to pull the trigger.
- the LM555 is a timer integrated circuit (IC) for generating accurate time delays that is available from National Semiconductor Corporation. This IC device is not limiting in any way, and any suitable IC timer device could be used in its place.
- the LM555 timer is used to generate a 30 Hz square wave when configured as shown.
- the 30 Hz square wave is supplied to the movable contact of a one megaohm potentiometer.
- One fixed end of the potentiometer is attached to the CLK pin of a latch to give the latch its required 30 Hz clock signal.
- the other fixed end of the potentiometer is connected to the touch pad and D pin of the latch.
- the latch used in the circuit design shown in FIG. 2 is a Texas Instruments SN74AC74N, dual positive triggered D-type flip flop. The use of this latch should not be considered restrictive since those skilled in the art will realize that other devices could be used to perform the same function.
- FIG. 2 shows two separate latches that are labeled as 74AC74N. These latches are both actually half of the same part and are only separated schematically to simplify the diagram for the optional Touch Pad #2 and supporting electronics. If more than two touch pads were desired, additional latches would be required. If the touch pad is not being touched, then the signal going into the latch D pin is high. If the touch pad is being touched then the signal going to the latch D pin will go low. The latch will set the latch Q pin to the same voltage level as the signal supplied to the latch D pin at a 30 Hz frequency. The latch Q pin supplies a signal to a system controller for use in determining if firing is allowable when the trigger is pulled.
- the touch sensor firearm safety system can be used to conserve the battery life of the battery powering the firearm electronics.
- This battery life savings can be obtained in several different ways.
- a first way is that a low signal to the system controller signals the system controller and the rest of the electronic system to wake-up.
- a second way would be to provide a signal to the system controller to charge the capacitor used to provide the firing pulse needed to fire electronically-primed ammunition, or to energize a solenoid or other actuator used to release or propel a firing pin to initiate percussion-primed ammunition.
- the former way would provide the most battery life savings but could introduce too much of a delay before the system would be capable of firing under some circumstances.
- FIG. 3 depicts a trigger 10 with a touch sensor that has two touch pads 14 , 16 .
- FIG. 3 shows the two touch pads 14 , 16 positioned side by side. Other relative orientations of such devices would work but may overly restrict the allowable positioning of the shooter's finger eliminating the transparency of the safety system to the user.
- the second touch pad does not have to be located on the trigger itself, but does need to be located in proximity to where the shooter would contact it during normal use.
- Some of the alternative locations for the second touch pad include the grip area 20 of a firearm as illustrated in FIG. 7 or the recoil pad or butt plate 18 of a long gun as illustrated in FIG. 6 . These alternative locations for the second touch pad would be more complicated to implement since they would require electronic communication between the stock and the system controller.
- the touch sensing circuit shown in FIG. 2 is one exemplary circuit that could be used to create a touch sensor. Other circuits have been contemplated but for simplicity have not been shown. The changes to the exemplary circuit can be as simple as changing to a higher frequency square wave than the 30 Hz square wave generated by the timer integrated circuit chip shown in FIG. 2 , or could involve a more complex circuit design. Additionally, much of the circuit shown in FIG. 2 could be replaced by currently available integrated circuits. Quantum Research Group's QTouchTM QT220, two channel touch sensor IC, is an example of such an integrated circuit. Other integrated circuits are available that provide different numbers of independent channels.
- FIG. 4 shows how the touch sensor(s) output 28 is provided as an input to a system controller 30 .
- the system controller 30 uses this information along with information received from the safety switch 24 and trigger pull detection system 26 to determine if and when to provide a fire pulse 32 to fire a round of ammunition electrically or electro-mechanically. Additionally, this input from the touch sensor 22 can be used to wake-up the system controller 30 .
- the input from the touch sensor 22 could also be used to signal the system controller 30 to perform some other function such as charging a bulk capacitor used to store energy needed for the fire pulse 32 that needs to be completed prior to the firearm being ready to fire. Both of these offer a means to conserve battery power.
- the touch sensing circuit shown in FIG. 5 is an exemplary circuit that could be used to create a touch sensor for a percussion firearm that was not equipped with a system controller.
- the circuit is very similar to the one that is shown in FIG. 2 except it is only equipped with one touch pad and the Q pin signal of the latch is not sent to a microcontroller or system controller but to an additional circuit.
- the touch sensor signal from latch pin Q is sent through an inverter U 5 :A, and resistor R 1 to switch U 3 .
- the switch U 3 switches one side of a solenoid coil to power the solenoid so as to remove a physical block that was preventing the firearm from being fired.
- the inverter could be eliminated if the signal from the Q pin was used instead of the Q pin as would be understood by those skilled in the art.
- Diode D 1 is a 1N4004 diode and is connected across the solenoid as shown to protect switch U 3 from damaging voltage spikes that occur once the switch U 3 is disabled.
- Switch U 3 could also be another device suitable for this purpose, such as a bipolar transistor, an electro-mechanical relay, or a solid state relay as will be understood by those skilled in the art.
Abstract
Description
- The present patent application is a formalization of a previously filed, co-pending provisional patent application entitled “Touch Sensor Firearm Safety System,” filed Nov. 12, 2004, as U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/627,636 by the inventor named in this patent application. This patent application claims the benefit of the filing date of the cited provisional patent application according to the statutes and rules governing provisional patent applications, particularly 35 USC § 119(e)(1) and 37 CFR §§ 1.78(a)(4) and (a)(5). The specification and drawings of the provisional patent application are specifically incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates generally to firearm safety devices and, more particularly, to firearm safety devices having touch sensors for allowing actuation of the firing mechanism.
- Historically, manufacturers of firearms have developed safety systems that help prevent unintentional discharge of firearms. The 1911 grip safety is an example of such a safety system. It requires the shooter to depress the grip safety sufficiently before the firearm can be fired. Thus an unintentional trigger pull that could occur from dropping or other mishandling of the firearm would not allow the firearm to fire because the grip safety would have to be depressed also. The Savage AccuTrigger is another example of such a safety system. The AccuTrigger is essentially a trigger within a trigger. The main trigger that fires a round of ammunition cannot be pulled until the pre-trigger is pulled and the main trigger is allowed to release the sear. Both of these safety systems provide some additional protection from unintentional discharge of the firearm; however, they are not transparent to all shooters. In the case of the 1911 grip safety, if the grip safety is not properly gripped, it will not be depressed sufficiently to allow the firearm to be fired. Both safety systems require a lever other than the trigger to be displaced a distance before a trigger pull fires the firearm.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,963 describes a trigger system that uses a touch sensor as the trigger for a paintball gun. Though this may be an acceptable trigger system for a paintball gun it is not acceptable for a firearm. This trigger system would cause the gun to fire even with an unintentional touch of the trigger or when the user is trying to find the trigger so that he can pull it. Furthermore, the touch trigger circuit only senses initial touching and cannot tell if the user continues to touch the trigger.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,819 describes using pressure sensing grip sensors to determine if the gripping pattern matches the pattern of an authorized user of the firearm. That is, it suggests using the pattern of how the authorized user grips the firearm as a means of recognizing him. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,286,242 and 6,321,478 discuss using grip sensors as a means of sensing a user's intent to fire a firearm. In addition, the idea of using a grip sensor to wake up a system controller is discussed. All of these prior inventions use pressure sensors as grip sensors. This introduces the added complexity that different users do not necessarily apply pressure to the same area of a firearm grip. This has been addressed by using an array of pressure sensors to work as the grip sensor. The array of pressure sensors adds cost and complexity to the system. Users do not necessarily apply the same amount of pressure to the grip when they intend to fire a firearm.
- The inventive system eliminates the need for displacement of the safety device and only requires the shooter to contact or touch sensors to show intent to fire. The sensing area of the touch sensors can be made sufficiently large to allow for different size hands and styles of holding the firearm to still allow firing of the firearm.
- The inventive safety system is more easily implemented on a firearm that fires electronically initiated ammunition. However, the use of electromechanical devices such as solenoids or piezoelectric actuators can allow the safety system to work with systems that fire percussion primed ammunition.
- The present invention is directed to a supplemental firearm safety system intended to prevent unintentional discharge of a firearm. The inventive safety system can utilize one or more touch sensors. The sensor or sensors are required to be contacted by the shooter in order to enable the firearm to fire. The touch sensor or sensors can be located in such a way that a shooter would normally touch or contact the sensor or sensors when he intends to fire the firearm. Thus, the shooter would not be required to perform any special operations to enable the use of the firearm and the safety system would be largely transparent to the shooter. The trigger bow area of the firearm is a potential location for touch sensors. This safety system can function as a secondary safety in addition to the traditional safety button or switch.
- The invention is better understood by reading the following detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the touch sensor firearm safety system of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary touch sensing circuit design that can be used in the present invention. -
FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate exemplary embodiment of the touch sensor firearm safety system of the present invention. -
FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment showing the touch sensor(s) output signal(s) being supplied as an input, along with other inputs, to the system controller which determines if and when to generate a fire pulse based on the inputs. -
FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary touch sensing circuit design that can be used in the present invention. -
FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which a second touch pad is located on a butt plate of a long gun. -
FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which a second touch pad is located on a grip of a firearm. - The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention in its best, currently known embodiment. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be made to the embodiments described, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and may even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not in limitation thereof, since the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims.
- As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of the touch sensor firearm safety system includes asingle touch sensor 12 located on thetrigger bow 10. The touch sensor sensing area covers most of the front surface of the trigger bow. The touch sensor sensing area is made up of aconductive touch pad 12 that is electronically isolated from themetal trigger 10 and connected by wires or traces to a touch sensing circuit such as illustrated inFIG. 2 . A flex circuit with an exposed pad can offer a durable touch sensor that could be adhesively attached to thetrigger 10. It is also possible to use conductive paint or foil tape to make a touch pad on top of an insulating coating on the metal trigger. Thetrigger 10 would not have to be made from metal and, if it was made from a non-conductive material such as a plastic or ceramic, the insulating layer between thetrigger 10 andtouch pad 12 would not be needed. If a conductive trigger were electrically isolated from the rest of the firearm, the trigger could act as the touch pad. The touch sensor could be implemented on a number of different trigger systems. It would be easiest to implement the sensor on a Zero Displacement Trigger as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,668,700 and 6,651,542, because the wiring would not have to work with moving components. However the touch sensor safety system could also be implemented on an electronic micro-switch trigger as used in Remington Arms Co. M/700 EtronX rifles or on a standard mechanical trigger for a firearm that fires percussion ammunition. - Ideally, the touch sensor firearm safety system can immediately recognize contact from a shooter and will know if and when the shooter releases the trigger. The touch trigger described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,963 only recognizes touch but does not know when, or if, the touch is released. The touch sensor safety system of the present invention requires the touch sensor to sense whether or not a shooter is simultaneously contacting the touch pad before allowing a trigger pull to initiate firing a round of ammunition. This eliminates unintentional discharges caused by drops or other jarring events that might cause a perceived trigger pull. If the same circuit described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,963 was used, the best that could be done is to allow a window of time from contacting the touch pad during which the firearm is allowed to initiate firing when the trigger is pulled or appears to be pulled. This would still allow for the possibility of a drop-induced trigger pull to initiate firing of the firearm if the drop occurred within the time window starting from when the shooter touches the touch sensor. In addition, this system may not allow a legitimate trigger pull to initiate firing a firearm if the shooter takes too long (i.e., longer than the allotted window of time) to pull the trigger.
- One exemplary touch sensing circuit design that can be used with the touch sensor firearm safety system is shown in
FIG. 2 . The LM555 is a timer integrated circuit (IC) for generating accurate time delays that is available from National Semiconductor Corporation. This IC device is not limiting in any way, and any suitable IC timer device could be used in its place. In the present invention, the LM555 timer is used to generate a 30 Hz square wave when configured as shown. The 30 Hz square wave is supplied to the movable contact of a one megaohm potentiometer. One fixed end of the potentiometer is attached to the CLK pin of a latch to give the latch its required 30 Hz clock signal. The other fixed end of the potentiometer is connected to the touch pad and D pin of the latch. The latch used in the circuit design shown inFIG. 2 is a Texas Instruments SN74AC74N, dual positive triggered D-type flip flop. The use of this latch should not be considered restrictive since those skilled in the art will realize that other devices could be used to perform the same function. -
FIG. 2 shows two separate latches that are labeled as 74AC74N. These latches are both actually half of the same part and are only separated schematically to simplify the diagram for the optionalTouch Pad # 2 and supporting electronics. If more than two touch pads were desired, additional latches would be required. If the touch pad is not being touched, then the signal going into the latch D pin is high. If the touch pad is being touched then the signal going to the latch D pin will go low. The latch will set the latch Q pin to the same voltage level as the signal supplied to the latch D pin at a 30 Hz frequency. The latch Q pin supplies a signal to a system controller for use in determining if firing is allowable when the trigger is pulled. - In addition to providing an additional safety from unintentional discharge of a firearm, the touch sensor firearm safety system can be used to conserve the battery life of the battery powering the firearm electronics. This battery life savings can be obtained in several different ways. A first way is that a low signal to the system controller signals the system controller and the rest of the electronic system to wake-up. A second way would be to provide a signal to the system controller to charge the capacitor used to provide the firing pulse needed to fire electronically-primed ammunition, or to energize a solenoid or other actuator used to release or propel a firing pin to initiate percussion-primed ammunition. The former way would provide the most battery life savings but could introduce too much of a delay before the system would be capable of firing under some circumstances. The latter way would provide some battery life savings but would reduce the amount of delay before the system would be capable of firing. This is an improvement over the wake-up feature of U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,242 because it does not wake up or charge the capacitor until just before the user intends to fire the firearm (i.e., the user has started to pull the trigger). It is normal for shooters to handle firearms by the grip areas even when they have no intent of firing the firearm. However, it is not normal, or it is at least unsafe, to touch the trigger until intending to fire a firearm. This could allow additional energy savings because of the elimination of false or unneeded wake-ups.
- It should be obvious that minor deviations from the above described exemplary embodiment can be implemented without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. One such contemplated alternate exemplary embodiment is illustrated in
FIG. 3 . This figure depicts atrigger 10 with a touch sensor that has twotouch pads touch pads FIG. 3 shows the twotouch pads - Many alternative embodiments exist for safety systems that have a second touch pad. The second touch pad does not have to be located on the trigger itself, but does need to be located in proximity to where the shooter would contact it during normal use. Some of the alternative locations for the second touch pad include the
grip area 20 of a firearm as illustrated inFIG. 7 or the recoil pad orbutt plate 18 of a long gun as illustrated inFIG. 6 . These alternative locations for the second touch pad would be more complicated to implement since they would require electronic communication between the stock and the system controller. - The touch sensing circuit shown in
FIG. 2 is one exemplary circuit that could be used to create a touch sensor. Other circuits have been contemplated but for simplicity have not been shown. The changes to the exemplary circuit can be as simple as changing to a higher frequency square wave than the 30 Hz square wave generated by the timer integrated circuit chip shown inFIG. 2 , or could involve a more complex circuit design. Additionally, much of the circuit shown inFIG. 2 could be replaced by currently available integrated circuits. Quantum Research Group's QTouch™ QT220, two channel touch sensor IC, is an example of such an integrated circuit. Other integrated circuits are available that provide different numbers of independent channels. -
FIG. 4 shows how the touch sensor(s)output 28 is provided as an input to asystem controller 30. Thesystem controller 30 uses this information along with information received from thesafety switch 24 and triggerpull detection system 26 to determine if and when to provide afire pulse 32 to fire a round of ammunition electrically or electro-mechanically. Additionally, this input from thetouch sensor 22 can be used to wake-up thesystem controller 30. The input from thetouch sensor 22 could also be used to signal thesystem controller 30 to perform some other function such as charging a bulk capacitor used to store energy needed for thefire pulse 32 that needs to be completed prior to the firearm being ready to fire. Both of these offer a means to conserve battery power. - The touch sensing circuit shown in
FIG. 5 is an exemplary circuit that could be used to create a touch sensor for a percussion firearm that was not equipped with a system controller. The circuit is very similar to the one that is shown inFIG. 2 except it is only equipped with one touch pad and the Q pin signal of the latch is not sent to a microcontroller or system controller but to an additional circuit. The touch sensor signal from latch pin Q is sent through an inverter U5:A, and resistor R1 to switch U3. When the signal from the Q pin of the latch goes from logic high to logic low, the switch U3 switches one side of a solenoid coil to power the solenoid so as to remove a physical block that was preventing the firearm from being fired. Thus, when the touch sensor senses touch to the touch pad, firing the firearm is enabled. The inverter could be eliminated if the signal from the Q pin was used instead of the Q pin as would be understood by those skilled in the art. - Diode D1 is a 1N4004 diode and is connected across the solenoid as shown to protect switch U3 from damaging voltage spikes that occur once the switch U3 is disabled. The circuit depicts switch U3 as an International Rectifier IRF3707 N-channel MOSFET. Switch U3 could also be another device suitable for this purpose, such as a bipolar transistor, an electro-mechanical relay, or a solid state relay as will be understood by those skilled in the art.
- The corresponding structures, materials, acts and equivalents of all means plus function elements in any of the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or acts for performing the function in combination with other claim elements as specifically claimed.
- Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications to the exemplary embodiments are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, it is possible to use some of the features of the present invention without the corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments is provided for the purpose of illustrating the principles of the present invention and not in limitation thereof since the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims.
Claims (19)
Priority Applications (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/271,699 US20060101694A1 (en) | 2004-11-12 | 2005-11-10 | Touch sensor firearm safety system |
AT05851517T ATE464528T1 (en) | 2004-11-12 | 2005-11-14 | FIREARM SAFETY SYSTEM WITH TOUCH SENSOR |
CA002588117A CA2588117A1 (en) | 2004-11-12 | 2005-11-14 | Touch sensor firearm safety system |
EP05851517A EP1809976B1 (en) | 2004-11-12 | 2005-11-14 | Touch sensor firearm safety system |
PCT/US2005/040791 WO2006060135A2 (en) | 2004-11-12 | 2005-11-14 | Touch sensor firearm safety system |
DE602005020670T DE602005020670D1 (en) | 2004-11-12 | 2005-11-14 | FIREWATER SAFETY SYSTEM WITH TOUCH SENSOR |
ES05851517T ES2344516T3 (en) | 2004-11-12 | 2005-11-14 | SECURITY SYSTEM WITH TACTILE SENSOR (ES) FOR FIREARMS. |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US62763604P | 2004-11-12 | 2004-11-12 | |
US11/271,699 US20060101694A1 (en) | 2004-11-12 | 2005-11-10 | Touch sensor firearm safety system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060101694A1 true US20060101694A1 (en) | 2006-05-18 |
Family
ID=36384629
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/271,699 Abandoned US20060101694A1 (en) | 2004-11-12 | 2005-11-10 | Touch sensor firearm safety system |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060101694A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1809976B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE464528T1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2588117A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602005020670D1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2344516T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2006060135A2 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110304648A1 (en) * | 2010-06-15 | 2011-12-15 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Mobile terminal and method for operating the mobile terminal |
US20150020426A1 (en) * | 2013-07-01 | 2015-01-22 | Arthur Neergaard | Firearm Trigger |
US20160172876A1 (en) * | 2014-12-15 | 2016-06-16 | Yardarm Technologies, Inc. | Charger for firearm electronics |
US9863731B1 (en) * | 2014-03-18 | 2018-01-09 | Robert Joe Alderman | Trigger control assistance device for a non-fully automatic firearm |
US20180172401A1 (en) * | 2016-12-19 | 2018-06-21 | Crosman Corporation | Switchless sensing for electronic devices used with deterrent devices |
IT201800001353A1 (en) * | 2018-01-19 | 2019-07-19 | Sullivan Costi | CONTROL DEVICE OF THE SHOOTING IN A RIFLE |
US11304716B2 (en) * | 2015-12-16 | 2022-04-19 | Covidien Lp | Surgical instruments including touch-sensing actuation |
US20230304766A1 (en) * | 2022-03-22 | 2023-09-28 | United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Device to Capture Pressure Data from a Weapons Handgrip and Trigger During Live Fire |
Citations (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5303495A (en) * | 1992-12-09 | 1994-04-19 | Harthcock Jerry D | Personal weapon system |
US5560133A (en) * | 1995-04-18 | 1996-10-01 | Kuebler; John | Firearm grip |
US5603179A (en) * | 1995-10-11 | 1997-02-18 | Adams; Heiko B. | Safety trigger |
US5861583A (en) * | 1992-06-08 | 1999-01-19 | Synaptics, Incorporated | Object position detector |
US5935944A (en) * | 1993-09-10 | 1999-08-10 | Neutron Technology Corporation | Formulation for I.V. administration of the boron delivery drug, boronophenylalanine (BPA) |
US5937557A (en) * | 1995-01-31 | 1999-08-17 | Arete Associates | Fingerprint-acquisition apparatus for access control; personal weapon and other systems controlled thereby |
US6185852B1 (en) * | 1998-10-26 | 2001-02-13 | Ronald F. Whalen | Electronic weapon safety system |
US6282829B1 (en) * | 1999-01-25 | 2001-09-04 | Jonathan E. Mossberg | Magnetic tag firearm safety enhancement system with grip switch |
US6343140B1 (en) * | 1998-09-11 | 2002-01-29 | Quid Technologies Llc | Method and apparatus for shooting using biometric recognition |
US6357157B1 (en) * | 1998-12-04 | 2002-03-19 | Smith & Wesson Corp. | Firing control system for non-impact fired ammunition |
US20020078615A1 (en) * | 2000-11-13 | 2002-06-27 | R.A. Brands, Llc. | Actuator assembly |
US20020091952A1 (en) * | 2001-01-05 | 2002-07-11 | Hwan-Rong Lin | Apparatus and method for detection for use in a touch-sensitive pad |
US20020170220A1 (en) * | 2001-05-16 | 2002-11-21 | Michael Recce | Unauthorized user prevention device and method |
US6499243B1 (en) * | 2002-03-01 | 2002-12-31 | Spid 2002 Corp. | Firearm safety system |
US20030221684A1 (en) * | 2002-06-01 | 2003-12-04 | Npf Limited | Paintball guns |
US6678984B1 (en) * | 2000-07-31 | 2004-01-20 | R2 Ag | Weapon safeguarding system and process |
US20040031180A1 (en) * | 2002-06-17 | 2004-02-19 | Dentcho Ivanov | Sensor array for unauthorized user prevention device |
US6694963B1 (en) * | 2003-03-06 | 2004-02-24 | Smart Parts, Inc. | Touch trigger for electronic paintball gun |
US20060242879A1 (en) * | 2003-06-04 | 2006-11-02 | Schmitter Edward P | Firearm authorization system with piezo-electric disabler |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4970819A (en) | 1989-09-25 | 1990-11-20 | V/Ger, Inc. | Firearm safety system and method |
US6321478B1 (en) | 1998-12-04 | 2001-11-27 | Smith & Wesson Corp. | Firearm having an intelligent controller |
-
2005
- 2005-11-10 US US11/271,699 patent/US20060101694A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-11-14 WO PCT/US2005/040791 patent/WO2006060135A2/en active Application Filing
- 2005-11-14 ES ES05851517T patent/ES2344516T3/en active Active
- 2005-11-14 AT AT05851517T patent/ATE464528T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2005-11-14 EP EP05851517A patent/EP1809976B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2005-11-14 DE DE602005020670T patent/DE602005020670D1/en active Active
- 2005-11-14 CA CA002588117A patent/CA2588117A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (23)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5861583A (en) * | 1992-06-08 | 1999-01-19 | Synaptics, Incorporated | Object position detector |
US5303495A (en) * | 1992-12-09 | 1994-04-19 | Harthcock Jerry D | Personal weapon system |
US5935944A (en) * | 1993-09-10 | 1999-08-10 | Neutron Technology Corporation | Formulation for I.V. administration of the boron delivery drug, boronophenylalanine (BPA) |
US5937557A (en) * | 1995-01-31 | 1999-08-17 | Arete Associates | Fingerprint-acquisition apparatus for access control; personal weapon and other systems controlled thereby |
US5560133A (en) * | 1995-04-18 | 1996-10-01 | Kuebler; John | Firearm grip |
US5603179A (en) * | 1995-10-11 | 1997-02-18 | Adams; Heiko B. | Safety trigger |
US6343140B1 (en) * | 1998-09-11 | 2002-01-29 | Quid Technologies Llc | Method and apparatus for shooting using biometric recognition |
US6185852B1 (en) * | 1998-10-26 | 2001-02-13 | Ronald F. Whalen | Electronic weapon safety system |
US6357157B1 (en) * | 1998-12-04 | 2002-03-19 | Smith & Wesson Corp. | Firing control system for non-impact fired ammunition |
US6282829B1 (en) * | 1999-01-25 | 2001-09-04 | Jonathan E. Mossberg | Magnetic tag firearm safety enhancement system with grip switch |
US6678984B1 (en) * | 2000-07-31 | 2004-01-20 | R2 Ag | Weapon safeguarding system and process |
US20020078615A1 (en) * | 2000-11-13 | 2002-06-27 | R.A. Brands, Llc. | Actuator assembly |
US20020091952A1 (en) * | 2001-01-05 | 2002-07-11 | Hwan-Rong Lin | Apparatus and method for detection for use in a touch-sensitive pad |
US20020170220A1 (en) * | 2001-05-16 | 2002-11-21 | Michael Recce | Unauthorized user prevention device and method |
US6563940B2 (en) * | 2001-05-16 | 2003-05-13 | New Jersey Institute Of Technology | Unauthorized user prevention device and method |
US20030133598A1 (en) * | 2001-05-16 | 2003-07-17 | Michael Recce | Unauthorized user prevention device and method |
US6499243B1 (en) * | 2002-03-01 | 2002-12-31 | Spid 2002 Corp. | Firearm safety system |
US20030163942A1 (en) * | 2002-03-01 | 2003-09-04 | Raanan Herzog | Firearm safety system |
US6718679B2 (en) * | 2002-03-01 | 2004-04-13 | Spid (2002) Corp. | Firearm safety system |
US20030221684A1 (en) * | 2002-06-01 | 2003-12-04 | Npf Limited | Paintball guns |
US20040031180A1 (en) * | 2002-06-17 | 2004-02-19 | Dentcho Ivanov | Sensor array for unauthorized user prevention device |
US6694963B1 (en) * | 2003-03-06 | 2004-02-24 | Smart Parts, Inc. | Touch trigger for electronic paintball gun |
US20060242879A1 (en) * | 2003-06-04 | 2006-11-02 | Schmitter Edward P | Firearm authorization system with piezo-electric disabler |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110304648A1 (en) * | 2010-06-15 | 2011-12-15 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Mobile terminal and method for operating the mobile terminal |
US8935637B2 (en) * | 2010-06-15 | 2015-01-13 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Mobile terminal and method for operating the mobile terminal |
US20150020426A1 (en) * | 2013-07-01 | 2015-01-22 | Arthur Neergaard | Firearm Trigger |
US9863731B1 (en) * | 2014-03-18 | 2018-01-09 | Robert Joe Alderman | Trigger control assistance device for a non-fully automatic firearm |
US20160172876A1 (en) * | 2014-12-15 | 2016-06-16 | Yardarm Technologies, Inc. | Charger for firearm electronics |
US11304716B2 (en) * | 2015-12-16 | 2022-04-19 | Covidien Lp | Surgical instruments including touch-sensing actuation |
US20180172401A1 (en) * | 2016-12-19 | 2018-06-21 | Crosman Corporation | Switchless sensing for electronic devices used with deterrent devices |
US10591250B2 (en) * | 2016-12-19 | 2020-03-17 | Crosman Corporation | Switchless sensing for electronic devices used with deterrent devices |
IT201800001353A1 (en) * | 2018-01-19 | 2019-07-19 | Sullivan Costi | CONTROL DEVICE OF THE SHOOTING IN A RIFLE |
US20230304766A1 (en) * | 2022-03-22 | 2023-09-28 | United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Device to Capture Pressure Data from a Weapons Handgrip and Trigger During Live Fire |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ATE464528T1 (en) | 2010-04-15 |
DE602005020670D1 (en) | 2010-05-27 |
CA2588117A1 (en) | 2006-06-08 |
WO2006060135A2 (en) | 2006-06-08 |
WO2006060135A3 (en) | 2006-07-27 |
EP1809976A2 (en) | 2007-07-25 |
ES2344516T3 (en) | 2010-08-30 |
EP1809976B1 (en) | 2010-04-14 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20060101694A1 (en) | Touch sensor firearm safety system | |
US6321478B1 (en) | Firearm having an intelligent controller | |
JP4255973B2 (en) | Firearm approval system with a piezoelectric disabling device | |
US6360468B1 (en) | Security apparatus for authorizing use of a non-impact firearm | |
US6357157B1 (en) | Firing control system for non-impact fired ammunition | |
US5570528A (en) | Voice activated weapon lock apparatus | |
US6360469B1 (en) | Electronically fired revolver utilizing percussively actuated cartridges | |
CA2589057C (en) | Multiple-shot handgun | |
US6694963B1 (en) | Touch trigger for electronic paintball gun | |
US9175915B2 (en) | Apparatus and methods for safe use and storage of firearms and weapons | |
US8381426B2 (en) | System and method for weapon discharge inhibition | |
US6345461B1 (en) | Backstrap module for a firearm | |
US6286241B1 (en) | Firing control system for non-impact fired ammunition | |
US6412208B1 (en) | Electronic sight assembly for use with a firearm | |
US20120011756A1 (en) | Gun-ammunition intelligent system for owner recognition of portable guns | |
US5603180A (en) | Hand gun with remotely controlled safety system | |
WO2002010664A1 (en) | A trigger assembly for use in a firearm having a security apparatus | |
US6360470B1 (en) | Firing probe for use in a non-impact firearm | |
US6345462B1 (en) | Firing mechanism for use in a firearm having an electronic firing probe for discharging non-impact fired ammunition |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NORTH CAROLIN Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:RA BRANDS, L.L.C.;REEL/FRAME:017314/0314 Effective date: 20060315 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: RA BRANDS L.L.C., NORTH CAROLINA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MATTESON, DAVID O.;REEL/FRAME:017646/0926 Effective date: 20060104 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: RA BRANDS, L.L.C., NORTH CAROLINA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT;REEL/FRAME:023032/0453 Effective date: 20090729 Owner name: RA BRANDS, L.L.C.,NORTH CAROLINA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT;REEL/FRAME:023032/0453 Effective date: 20090729 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT, NOR Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:RA BRANDS, L.L.C.;REEL/FRAME:023044/0516 Effective date: 20090729 Owner name: WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT,NORT Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:RA BRANDS, L.L.C.;REEL/FRAME:023044/0516 Effective date: 20090729 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WILMINGTON TRUST FSB, AS COLLATERAL AGENT, CONNECT Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:FREEDOM GROUP, INC.;REMINGTON ARMS COMPANY, INC.;THE MARLIN FIREARMS COMPANY;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:023065/0646 Effective date: 20090729 Owner name: WILMINGTON TRUST FSB, AS COLLATERAL AGENT,CONNECTI Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:FREEDOM GROUP, INC.;REMINGTON ARMS COMPANY, INC.;THE MARLIN FIREARMS COMPANY;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:023065/0646 Effective date: 20090729 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: REMINGTON ARMS COMPANY, LLC (SUCCESSOR TO REMINGTO Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (SUCCESSOR TO WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION), AS AGENT;REEL/FRAME:028073/0334 Effective date: 20120419 Owner name: RA BRANDS, L.L.C., NORTH CAROLINA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (SUCCESSOR TO WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION), AS AGENT;REEL/FRAME:028073/0334 Effective date: 20120419 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: REMINGTON ARMS COMPANY, LLC (SUCCESSOR TO DPMS FIR Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO WILMINGTON TRUST, FSB);REEL/FRAME:045920/0942 Effective date: 20120419 Owner name: E-RPC, LLC, NORTH CAROLINA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO WILMINGTON TRUST, FSB);REEL/FRAME:045920/0942 Effective date: 20120419 Owner name: ADVANCED ARMAMENT CORP., LLC, NORTH CAROLINA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO WILMINGTON TRUST, FSB);REEL/FRAME:045920/0942 Effective date: 20120419 Owner name: RA BRANDS, L.L.C., NORTH CAROLINA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO WILMINGTON TRUST, FSB);REEL/FRAME:045920/0942 Effective date: 20120419 Owner name: BARNES BULLETS, LLC, NORTH CAROLINA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO WILMINGTON TRUST, FSB);REEL/FRAME:045920/0942 Effective date: 20120419 Owner name: FGI OPERATING COMPANY, LLC, NORTH CAROLINA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO WILMINGTON TRUST, FSB);REEL/FRAME:045920/0942 Effective date: 20120419 |