CONVERSION KIT

Abstract

A conversion kit for converting a firearm to fire only non-lethal training ammunition comprises a barrel assembly and a slide assembly wherein the barrel assembly includes a barrel having a projection and the slide assembly includes a gate which interacts with the projection. The gate includes a member which is movable between a first ‘safe’ position wherein a firing pin of the firearm is blocked from impacting on a cartridge to a second ‘fire’ position wherein the firing pin is not blocked from impacting upon a cartridge in the chamber.

Claims

1. A conversion kit for converting a firearm to fire only non-lethal training ammunition, comprising a barrel assembly and a slide assembly, wherein the barrel assembly includes a barrel having a projection and the slide assembly includes a gate which interacts with the projection.

2. A conversion kit according to claim 1, wherein the barrel has a chamber which is configured for receiving training ammunition only and A-interfaces with the slide assembly, which replaces the host weapon slide assembly.

3. A conversion kit according to claim 1, wherein the projection extends from rear of the barrel.

4. A conversion kit according to claim 1, wherein the projection extends from left side of the barrel.

5. A conversion kit according to claim 2, wherein the gate comprises a member which is substantially cylindrical.

6. A conversion kit according to claim 5, wherein the member has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end interacts with the projection and the second end interacts with a biasing means.

7. A conversion kit according to claim 5, wherein the member is movable between a first ‘safe’ position wherein a firing pin of the firearm is blocked from impacting on a cartridge in the chamber and the member is movable to a second ‘fire’ position wherein the firing pin is not blocked from impacting upon a cartridge in the chamber.

8. A conversion kit according to claim 5, wherein, in use, the member is movable in a plane substantially horizontal and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chamber.

9. A conversion kit according to claim 6, wherein the biasing means comprises a spring.

10. A conversion kit according to claim 9, wherein the spring has a longitudinal axis, which is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the member.

11. A conversion kit according to claim 10, wherein the longitudinal axes of the spring and the member are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the projection.

12. A firearm comprising a conversion kit of claim 1.

13. A firearm according to claim 12, wherein the firearm is a pistol.

14. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] For the purposes of exemplification, the invention will now be further described, with reference to the following Figures in which;

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a live round positioned in the chamber of a known training barrel, the figure shows the slide being held rearwards. The distance a slide has to be held rearwards is not consistent through different weapon types and models so it is possible for the firing pin to be activated and the firing pin can impact upon the round in the chamber and detonate the propellant in the round.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows the barrel assembly with a ‘safety activation feature’ and the slide assembly with a ‘Spring loaded stop’. The spring loaded stop has not been activated by the safety activation feature because the live round is holding the slide rewards a sufficient distance, so the sprung loaded stop is in the ‘safe’ position. The sprung loaded stop will prevent the firing pin from impacting the round and so preventing a live round from discharging.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a training round in the barrel assembly with the safety activation feature installed. The slide has the sprung loaded stop installed. The safety activation feature has interacted with the sprung loaded stop and moved it to the fire position allowing the firing pin to impact upon the round and so detonating it.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

[0033] It will be appreciated that aspects, embodiments and preferred features of the invention have been described herein in a way that allows the specification to be written in a clear and concise way. However, unless circumstances clearly dictate otherwise, aspects, embodiments and preferred features can be variously combined or separated in accordance with the invention. In a preferred embodiment, a device in accordance with the invention comprises all features of the invention.

[0034] Within the context of this specification, the word “comprises” means “includes, among other things” and should not be construed to mean “consists of only”.

[0035] Within the context of this specification, the word “substantially” means preferably at least 90%, more preferably 95%, even more preferably 98%, most preferably 99%.

[0036] Within the context of this specification, a barrel of a firearm has a rear end and a front end. The front end of the barrel is the end of the barrel from which a projectile exits when the firearm is fired and the rear end is located at the opposite end of the barrel. In addition, in use, a barrel has a left side and a right side. The left side is the side to the left of a user when they point the front of the barrel away from them. The right side of the barrel is the opposite side to the left side.

[0037] With reference to the Figures, FIG. 1 shows a known conversion kit (21). A live cartridge (22) is positioned in the chamber (25) of a known training barrel (24). The slide (28) of the slide assembly (27) is held rearwards because the cartridge (22) extends from the rear (26) of the barrel (24).

[0038] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an embodiment of a conversion kit (1) of the invention. The conversion kit comprises a barrel assembly (3) and a slide assembly (7). The barrel assembly (3) includes a barrel (4) having a projection (9) and the slide assembly (7) includes a gate (8) having a member (11) which interacts with the projection (9).

[0039] The barrel (4) has a chamber (5) which is chambered for receiving training ammunition (2) and it interfaces with the slide assembly (7) which replaces the host weapon slide assembly.

[0040] In use, the projection (9) extends from the rear (6) of the barrel (4) and from the left side (14) of the barrel (4).

[0041] The gate (10) comprises a member (11) which has a first end (15) that interacts with the projection (9) and a second end (16) that interacts with a spring (17) biasing means. In this regard, the member (11) is spring loaded so that it is biased to a first position (12) by the spring (17).

[0042] In use, the member (11) is movable in a plane substantially horizontal and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chamber (5) between the first ‘safe’ position (12) wherein a firing pin of the firearm is blocked from impacting on a cartridge (22, 2) in the chamber (5) and a second ‘fire’ position (13) wherein the firing pin is not blocked from impacting upon a cartridge (22, 2) in the chamber (5).

[0043] The spring (17) has a longitudinal axis, which is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the member (11). In addition, the longitudinal axes of the spring (17) and the member (11) are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the projection (9).

[0044] Interaction between the slide assembly (7) and the barrel assembly (3) has been designed so that, in use, the projection (9) acts upon the member (11) of the gate (10) thereby moving it from the first position (12) to the second position (13).

[0045] The above described embodiments have been given by way of example only, and the skilled reader will naturally appreciate that many variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.