FIREARM

Abstract

A firearm with an optical safety marking provided on the firearm for clearly indicating the safety state of the firearm. In order to increase the safety of the firearm, it is proposed for the safety marking to be embodied as phosphorescent and/or fluorescent and/or radioluminescent and/or bioluminescent.

Claims

1. A firearm comprising: an optically perceptible safety marking provided on the firearm for clearly indicating a safety state of the firearm, wherein the safety marking is selected from the group consisting of: phosphorescent, fluorescent, radioluminescent, bioluminescent, electroluminescent, and combinations thereof.

2. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the safety marking has a first layer that is phosphorescent and/or fluorescent and/or radioluminescent and/or bioluminescent.

3. The firearm according to claim 2, wherein the first layer has phosphorescent and/or fluorescent inorganic pigments in a binding agent.

4. The firearm according to claim 3, wherein the binding agent is plastic-based and has an epoxy resin base or acrylic base.

5. The firearm according to claim 3, wherein the first layer is formed by curing a low-viscosity and/or filler-free binding agent with pigments mixed into the binding agent.

6. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the safety marking has a protective layer, which covers the first layer.

7. The firearm according to claim 6, wherein the protective layer is composed of a clear lacquer or a transparent layer, and the protective layer has an alkyd resin base or a polyester base.

8. The firearm according to claim 2, wherein the safety marking is provided on a white or titanium white second layer on the firearm.

9. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the firearm has a recess in which the safety marking is provided.

10. The firearm according to claim 9, wherein the recess has a cross-section that is dovetail-shaped or rectangular or triangular or semicircular.

11. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the safety marking is applied to the firearm in layers.

12. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the safety marking is fastened to the firearm with an adhesive having an epoxy resin base.

13. The firearm according to claim 12, wherein the adhesive has white or titanium white pigments.

14. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the safety marking is haptically perceptible.

15. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the safety marking has a tritium gas light source or a radioactive substance selected from the group consisting of tritium, a tritium compound, a promethium salt, and combinations thereof.

16. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the firearm has a manual firearm safety with the safety marking.

17. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the safety marking is provided on at least one of the group consisting of: a housing, a receiver, a plate, a housing system, a system, a system case, a grip, a grip handle, a butt or stock, a trigger guard, a bolt, a slide, a safety lever, a safety slider, a safety pusher, a decocking lever, a barrel, a bore, a safety wheel, a safety cog, a safety rocker, a safety selector, a safety manual cocking system, a cocking handle, and a manual cocking system.

18. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the firearm is embodied, in the event of a change in the safety state of the firearm, to optically cover the safety marking that indicates either a safety state of the firearm or a ready-to-fire state of the firearm.

19. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the firearm safety has a movable part and depending on a position of the movable part the safety marking is optically covered.

20. The firearm according to claim 19, wherein at least one of the group consisting of: a safety lever, a decocking lever, a safety slider, a safety pusher, a safety wheel, a safety cog, a safety rocker, a safety selector, a safety manual cocking system, a cocking handle, and a manual cocking system comprises the movable part.

21. The firearm according to claim 19, wherein the movable part is embodied to actuate the firearm safety.

22. The firearm according to claim 18, wherein the firearm is embodied, in the event of a change in the safety state of the firearm, to optically cover a first safety marking and to optically uncover a second safety marking whose indicated state of the firearm differs from an indicated state of the firearm of the first safety marking.

23. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the safety marking is provided for a safety state of the firearm.

24. The firearm according to claim 1, wherein the safety marking is embodied of one piece and/or the safety marking is embodied of one or more layers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The subject of the invention is shown in greater detail by way of example in the figures based on several embodiment variants. In the drawings:

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a firearm according to a first exemplary embodiment,

[0045] FIG. 2a shows a sectional view according to II-II in FIG. 1,

[0046] FIG. 2b shows a second embodiment of a safety marking alternative to FIG. 2a,

[0047] FIG. 2c shows a third embodiment of a safety marking alternative to FIG. 2a,

[0048] FIG. 2d shows a fourth embodiment of a safety marking alternative to FIG. 2a,

[0049] FIG. 2e shows a fifth embodiment of a safety marking alternative to FIG. 2a,

[0050] FIG. 2f shows a sixth embodiment of a safety marking alternative to FIG. 2a,

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a safety manual cocking system of a firearm according to a second exemplary embodiment,

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a safety slider of a firearm according to a third exemplary embodiment,

[0053] FIGS. 5a and 5b show detail views of a manual firearm safety, and

[0054] FIG. 6 shows a detail view of a manual firearm safety with electroluminescent safety markings according to another exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0055] According to FIG. 1, a firearm 1, namely a pistol 1.1, according to a first exemplary embodiment is shown by way of example. Among other things, this pistol has a slide or bolt 2, a housing 3 with a grip handle 4, a trigger 5, a hammer 6, and a manual firearm safety 7, which is embodied as a mechanical firearm safety 7.

[0056] By means of a locking element that is provided on the firearm 1 and is not shown in FIG. 1, this firearm safety 7 prevents a discharge by mechanically blocking the function of the firearm 1. In general, such a manual safety blocks the travel of the trigger. It can act on different parts of the trigger such as the trigger tongue, the sear bar, or the hammer device. Firearm safeties 7 in a wide variety of forms are known from the prior art, for example a grip safety, a decocking mechanism, or a manual firearm safety such as among other things a safety selector, 3-position wing safety, slide safety, cog safety, rocker safety, etc.

[0057] As is known, with a manual firearm safety 7, the weapon carrier must directly actuate an external control element manually, for example by hand, in order to change the safety state of the firearm 1. In this case, it is thus an active firearm safety 7, i.e. a firearm safety 7 that the weapon carrier must actuate by manually moving a part 25.

[0058] By actuating a safety lever 8 of the firearm safety 7, specifically a manual one in this example, the firearm 1 can be switched from a safety state into a ready-to-fire state. It goes without saying that in addition to the sole ready-to-fire state shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5a, and 5b, the firearm safety 7 can also have other ready-to-fire states such as single-shot fire, three-shot burst fire, or fully automatic fire, etc., which has not been illustrated in detail.

[0059] For clearly indicating the safety state of the firearm 1, the firearm safety 7 has a safety marking 9.1, namely according to FIG. 1, the alphabetical character or letter S, which shows the weapon carrier that the firearm 1 is mechanically blocked and that a discharge will be mechanically prevented. The firearm 1 is thus in a safety or secured state. To this end, the safety marking 9.1 is visible on the firearm 1 when the safety lever 8 is in the lower position, the safety position 8.1. The safety lever 8 can also alternatively be embodied as a decocking lever 21.

[0060] According to the invention, the safety of the firearm 1 is significantly increased by embodying the safety marking 9.1, 9.2 as phosphorescent and/or fluorescent and/or radioluminescent. Due to the for example passive light output (for example in white, green, blue, etc.) of the safety marking 9.1, 9.2, the safety state of the firearm 1 is clear to the weapon carrier and is unmistakably indicated by the light output. The weapon carrier is therefore always clearly aware of the safety state of his firearm 1 and is sure of it. In addition, a weapon carrier is familiar with such a safety marking 9.1, 9.2 so that the handling of the firearm 1 also does not have to be changed in order to increase the safety of the firearm 1. This safety marking 9.1, 9.2 can be embodied as a dot, a square, a rectangle, a ring, a letter or other characters or symbols or also a combination thereof.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 2a, the phosphorescent and/or fluorescent and/or radioluminescent and/or bioluminescent property of the safety marking 9.1 that is applied in multiple layers is achieved by means of a first phosphorescent and/or fluorescent and/or radioluminescent or bioluminescent layer 10.

[0062] This first layer 10 is formed by curing a low-viscosity and/or filler-free binding agent 10.2 with an epoxy resin base into which phosphorescent and/or fluorescent pigments 10.1 are mixed. As a result, the safety marking 9.1 can have a particularly high luminosity. This ensures a particularly high, for example passive, light emission or light output at the safety marking 9.1 and further increases the safety of the firearm 1. The pigments 10.1 for this preferably phosphorescent layer 10 are, for example, inorganic and are preferably from the group of aluminates or other glow-in-the-dark pigments. For a radioluminescent layer, it is conceivable, for example, to use tritium as a radioactive irradiator of the luminescent particles of the layer.

[0063] Another layer is constituted by a titanium white second layer 11 onto which the first layer 10 is directly applied. The second layer 11 that constitutes a primer further improves, among other things, the phosphorescence and/or fluorescence, but also functions as a corrosion protection, particularly for the inorganic pigments 10.1 of the first layer 10.

[0064] The first layer 10 is also protected from corrosion and abrasion by a directly applied protective layer 13. A protective paint, in particular a clear lacquer, is used as a protective layer 13. Preferably, the protective layer has an alkyd resin base.

[0065] The safety marking 9.1—as can be seen in FIG. 2a—is provided in a recess 14.1 on the firearm 1, which particularly protects this safety marking 9.1 from abrasion. Alternatively, a raised area, not shown, can also be provided.

[0066] According to FIG. 2a, the safety marking 9.1 is applied in multiple layers in the recess 14.1, one layer at a time, for example with an application tool such as a brush, not shown. In this case, the binding agent 10.2 of the first layer 10 of the safety marking 9.1 has an acrylic base. The recess 14.1 has a cross-section that is dovetail-shaped, which results in an undercut that durably holds the safety marking 9.1 in the recess 14.1.

[0067] FIG. 2b shows a safety marking 9.2, which is inserted into a recess 14.2 with a rectangular cross-section and protrudes up from the adjacent surface 22 of the firearm 1. The safety marking 9.2 is fastened to the firearm 1, for example by means of an adhesive 15. But this can also be attached to the firearm in a form-fitting way, which is not shown. This safety marking 9.2 is embodied as multi-layered. By contrast with the safety marking 9.1 from FIG. 2a, the first layer 10 of the safety marking 9.2 is encapsulated by the protective layer 13. But it is also conceivable, though, for this safety marking 9.2 to be produced in a single layer by means of an injection molding process, but this is not shown here.

[0068] According to FIG. 2c, a safety marking 9.3 can also be seen, which is fastened in the recess 14.2 with adhesive 15. The adhesive 15 has titanium white pigments and is applied in the form of a primer in the recess 14.2. The adhesive 15 increases the brightness of the safety marking 9.3.

[0069] According to FIGS. 2d, 2e, & 2f, radioluminescent safety markings 9.4, 9.5, 9.6 are shown, which have a tritium gas light source 23. As is known, a tritium gas light source 23 has a glass container, for example composed of borosilicate glass, which container is provided with an illuminant on the inside (for example phosphorus) and is filled with tritium.

[0070] According to FIG. 2d, a tritium gas light source 23 is shown, which is glued into the recess 14.2. The adhesive 15 has titanium white pigments for this.

[0071] According to FIG. 2e, the tritium gas light source 23 is provided in a binding agent 10.2, preferably with an epoxy resin base, and is glued into the recess 14.2 with an adhesive 15 in the same way as according to FIG. 2d.

[0072] According to FIG. 2f, the tritium gas light source 23 is provided in a layer 10 that has a binding agent 10.2 and phosphorescent and/or fluorescent pigments 10.1 mixed into it. This layer 10 is also covered by a protective layer 13.

[0073] Instead of the tritium gas light source 23, it is also conceivable for a radioactive substance to be added to the binding agent with the phosphorescent and/or fluorescent pigments 10.1. Suitable options for the radioactive substance include, for example, tritium, a tritium compound, and/or a promethium salt. In this case, for example zinc sulfide can be used for the fluorescent pigments 10.1.

[0074] By contrast with the safety marking 9.1 according to FIG. 2a that is applied in layers, the other safety markings 9.2 to 9.6 are embodied in one piece and are fastened to the firearm 1 by means of an adhesive 15, etc. This one-piece embodiment, for example by means of an injection molding process, can be composed of one layer or multiple layers. A multi-layered structure can, for example, be produced by means of a multi-component injection molding.

[0075] The safety marking 9.1 through 9.6 can also be applied to a raised area of the firearm 1, which is not shown here.

[0076] In the case of safety markings 9.2 to 9.6 that are fastened to the firearm 1 by means of adhesive 15, the binding agent 10.2 of the first layer 10 has an epoxy resin base.

[0077] By means of a protective layer 13, which is recessed in this exemplary embodiment, the safety marking 9.1 is also comparatively easy to perceive, haptically speaking. The surface 13.1 of the protective layer 13 also has a different haptic perceptibility than the adjacent surfaces 22 of the firearm 1, which further amplifies the haptic impression of the safety marking 9.1.

[0078] FIG. 3 shows a firearm 1, namely a long gun 1.2, with a butt or stock 16, according to a second exemplary embodiment. By contrast with the pistol 1.1 according to FIG. 1, this long gun 1.2 has a bolt 17 with a safety manual cocking system 18 or cocking handle or manual cocking system as the firearm safety 7. This safety manual cocking system or cocking handle or manual cocking system 18 is in the lower position, the safety position 18.1. This safety position is distinctly optically perceptible by means of the safety marking 9.1. There is thus a clear indication of the safety state of the firearm 1 or long gun 1.2.

[0079] With the cocking of the safety manual cocking system 18 or cocking handle or manual cocking system or with the movement of the safety manual cocking system 18 or cocking handle or manual cocking system in the direction of the barrel 19, the safety marking 9.1, for example in the form of an S, is covered, as a result of which the firearm 1 is cocked and at the same time the safety is deactivated and the firearm is thus ready to fire.

[0080] FIG. 4 shows a firearm 1, namely an assault rifle 1.3, according to a third exemplary embodiment. This firearm has a safety slider 20, which mechanically blocks the actuation of the trigger unit 5. On the safety slider, the safety marking according to the invention 9.1 is provided in the form of a dot, for example a white one, which makes the safety state of the firearm 1 clearly recognizable, optically speaking. If the safety slider 20 is moved in order to switch the firearm 1.3 from a safety state into a ready-to-fire state, the firearm 1 or parts thereof such as the housing 3, cover(s) the safety marking 9.1 that indicates the safety state of the weapon. The safety state of the firearm 1 is therefore clear to the weapon carrier. This is because the firearm 1 is embodied, in the event of a change in the safety state of the firearm 1, to optically cover a safety marking 9.1 that indicates a safety state (dot) of the firearm 1, in fact by optically covering the safety marking 9.1 after a movement of the movable part 25, namely of the safety slider 20. The movable part 25 thus belongs to the firearm safety and the movement of the movable part 25, namely the safety slider 20, changes the safety state of the firearm 1.

[0081] Other movable parts 25 of the firearm 1 are conceivable for this, for example a safety lever 8 according to FIG. 1, a decocking lever 21 according to FIG. 1, or also a safety manual cocking system 18 or cocking handle or manual cocking system according to FIG. 3 or also a safety wheel, safety cog, safety rocker, safety selector, cog, or rocker, etc. (not shown).

[0082] Similarly to the safety slider 20 according to FIG. 4, the safety lever 8 according to FIG. 1 is a movable part 25 that also belongs to the firearm safety, in this case namely the manual firearm safety. The movement of the movable part 25, namely the safety lever 8, changes the safety state of the firearm 1.

[0083] It is also conceivable, however, that with a change in the safety state (for example from a safety state into a ready-to-fire state of the firearm), another safety marking 9.7 (e.g. F), which differs from the one safety marking 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6 (e.g. S) in the state of the firearm 1, is optically uncovered. This will be explained in greater detail based on FIG. 5a:

[0084] If the safety lever 8 is now moved from the safety position 8.1 into another position 8.2, namely the firing position 8.2—i.e. upward—, then it covers the safety marking 9.1 for the safety state of the firearm 1. The safety marking 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6 (e.g. S) for the safety state of the firearm 1 is thus optically covered by the movable part 25, in this case the actuating element of the firearm safety 7 of the firearm 1, and is thus not visible to the weapon carrier. As a result, another safety marking 9.7, for example F, a red dot, etc. for ready-to-fire, is optically uncovered. The different states of the firearm 1 are thus clearly optically recognizable for a weapon carrier. With the clear indication of the safety state of the firearm 1, the latter is therefore particularly easy for the weapon carrier to handle. This is true even independently of the attitude and/or position of the firearm 1 and/or of how dirty it is.

[0085] It is also conceivable, that all of the safety markings 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9 of the firearm 1 are embodied as phosphorescent and/or fluorescent and/or radioluminescent and/or bioluminescent. As a result, the weapon can be operated in a stress-free way, particularly due to the readability and clarity of the indicator.

[0086] To this end, preferably, only the safety marking 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.8 that indicates the safety state of the weapon or firearm is embodied as phosphorescent and/or fluorescent and/or radioluminescent and/or bioluminescent and/or electroluminescent.

[0087] Preferably, the safety marking 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8 and 9.9 are part of the manual firearm safety 7.

[0088] FIG. 5b shows another alternative embodiment of a weapon safety 7. In this case, the safety lever 7 has a passive luminescent dot, line, or other position marking 24 etc. so that its position can be identified. Based on the safety marking according to the invention 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, observing the safety position 8.1 or firing position 8.2 of the safety lever 7 or of another movable part of the firearm 1 thus makes the state of the firearm 1 clearly recognizable for the weapon carrier. This is also independent of the attitude and/or position of the firearm

[0089] The safety markings 9.8 and 9.9 according to FIG. 6 are embodied as electroluminescent in that an LED is provided for each of them. It is also conceivable, however, to use OLEDs, quantum dots (QD), etc. in this connection. The LEDs of the safety markings 9.8, 9.9 light up in different colors, for example the safety markings 9.8 in green or white and the safety markings 9.9 in red. The safety markings 9.8 and 9.9 are actuated by a control device 26 of the firearm 1, which control device 26, for example when a movement of the firearm 1 occurs, switches on the electroluminescent safety markings 9.8 and 9.9 and thus causes them to light up. It is also conceivable, however, for the electroluminescent safety markings 9.8 and 9.9 to be illuminated continuously.

[0090] Also in this case, the safety state of the firearm 1 is clearly indicated as a function of the position of the movable part 25, namely the safety lever 8 in this exemplary embodiment. For example, the movable part 25 of the firearm optically covers the safety marking 9.9, as is shown in FIG. 6. The illuminated electroluminescent safety marking 9.8 is therefore optically recognizable and the safety state is thus clearly indicated for a weapon carrier. If the weapon carrier manually actuates the movable part 25, then the illuminated electroluminescent safety marking 9.9 for a ready-to-fire state of the firearm 1 is optically recognizable and the electroluminescent safety marking 9.8 for the safety state of the firearm 1 is optically covered and thus the safety state is clearly indicated for a weapon carrier.

[0091] The firearm 1 can also have a sensor 27 that detects the position of the movable part 25. This allows the control device 26 to determine the state of the firearm 1. This information can be used, for example, to switch the electroluminescent safety marking 9.8 or 9.9 that has been covered by the movable part 25 into a non-illuminated state. This saves electrical energy, which the control device 26 supplies, for example, from a battery that is not shown in detail.

[0092] For example, electroluminescent safety markings 9.8, 9.9 can be used in smart guns, electrified weapons, etc.