DRY FIRE PRACTICE TRAINING DEVICE

Abstract

When a semi-automatic weapon is live fired, it's firing pin is reset, and it is ready to be fired again. The shooter's hands remain in the firing position, and just the trigger finger and trigger are employed. With dry fire practice, the shooter must manually rack the slide to reset the firing pin, allowing the trigger to return to its unfired position each time a shot is simulated. This invention provides, realistic muscle memory training by duplicating the action of the trigger in normal live fire, the feel and the sound of the release of the firing pin, and the resetting of the trigger for additional trigger activation. The invention further provides components that allow use with other electronic training devices such as lasers, video simulators, and virtual reality.

Claims

1. A dry fire training device for use with a pistol having an ammunition magazine compartment and a trigger mechanism, the dry fire training device comprising: a magazine case sized and shaped to fit within the magazine compartment of the pistol; a lever within the magazine case, the lever is elongate with a top end portion and a bottom end portion opposite the top end portion, the bottom end portion of the lever is connected to the magazine case, the lever has a projection at the top end portion that extends outside the top end portion of the magazine and is sized and shaped to operatively communicate with the trigger mechanism of the pistol, the lever is movable within the magazine case between a first position and a second position; and a detent reed connected to the lever or to the case, the detent reed formed of a material that generates a tactile or audible signal when manipulated through an activation point between a first position and a second position; wherein the detent reed is configured to bias the lever toward the first position, the lever moves toward the second position in response to a pull of the trigger mechanism, and the lever biases back toward the first position in response to a release of the trigger mechanism.

2. The dry fire training device of claim 1 and further comprising: a microswitch operatively connecting the lever to the magazine case such that the microswitch is activated when the lever is moved toward the second position; and a microprocessor operatively communicating with the microswitch and which sends a signal when the microswitch is activated.

3. The dry fire training device of claim 2 and further comprising: a signal-activated training device carried by the pistol that receives the signal from the microprocessor and the signal-activated training device is activated responsive to the signal from the microprocessor.

4. The dry fire training device of claim 1 and further comprising: a swing lock connected to the lever between the top end portion and the bottom end portion, the swing lock having an end portion that extends through an orifice of the magazine case and the extending end portion of the swing lock frictionally communicates with the pistol ammunition magazine compartment so as to properly position the projection at the top end portion of the lever relative to the pistol trigger mechanism for operation.

5. A method of using a dry fire training device, the method comprising: providing a dry fire training device of claim 1; inserting the dry fire training device into the ammunition magazine compartment of a pistol; and positioning the projection at the top end portion of the lever relative to the pistol trigger mechanism for operation.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: actuating the pistol trigger mechanism to move the lever toward the second position.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: releasing the pistol trigger mechanism to move the lever back toward the first position.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising: removing the dry fire training device from the ammunition magazine compartment of the pistol.

9. A method of manufacturing a dry fire training device, the method comprising: providing a magazine case sized and shaped to fit within the magazine compartment of the pistol; inserting a lever into the magazine case, the lever is elongate with a top end portion and a bottom end portion opposite the top end portion, the bottom end portion of the lever is connected to the magazine case, the lever has a projection at the top end portion that extends outside the top end portion of the magazine and is sized and shaped to operatively communicate with the trigger mechanism of the pistol, the lever is movable within the magazine case between a first position and a second position; connecting a detent reed to the lever or to the case, the detent reed is formed of a material that generates a tactile or audible signal when manipulated through an activation point between a first position and a second position; wherein the detent reed is configured to bias the lever toward the first position, the lever moves toward the second position in response to a pull of the trigger mechanism, and the lever biases back toward the first position in response to a release of the trigger mechanism.

10. The method of claim 9 and further comprising: operatively connecting the lever to the magazine case with a microswitch such that the microswitch is activated when the lever is moved toward the second position; and providing a microprocessor to operatively communicate with the microswitch and which sends a signal when the microswitch is activated.

11. The method of claim 9 and further comprising: providing a signal-activated training device carried by the pistol that receives the signal from the microprocessor and the signal-activated training device is actuated responsive to the signal from the microprocessor.

12. A dry fire training device for use with a pistol having an ammunition magazine compartment and a trigger mechanism, the dry fire training device comprising: a magazine case sized and shaped to fit within the magazine compartment of the pistol, the magazine case having a platform at a top end portion for operative engagement with a compression spring; a lever within the magazine case, the lever is elongate with a top end portion and a bottom end portion opposite the top end portion, the bottom end portion of the lever is connected to the magazine case, the lever has a projection at the top end portion that extends outside the top end portion of the magazine and is sized and shaped to operatively communicate with the trigger mechanism of the pistol, the lever is movable within the magazine case between a first position and a second position, the lever is sized and shaped for engagement with the compression spring; and wherein the compression spring is configured to bias the lever toward the first position, the lever moves toward the second position in response to a pull of the trigger mechanism, and the lever biases back toward the first position in response to a release of the trigger mechanism.

13. The dry fire training device of claim 12 and further comprising: a microswitch operatively connecting the lever to the magazine case such that the microswitch is activated when the lever is moved toward the second position; and a microprocessor operatively communicating with the microswitch and which sends a signal when the microswitch is activated.

14. The dry fire training device of claim 13 and further comprising: a signal-activated training device carried by the pistol that receives the signal from the microprocessor and the signal-activated training device is actuated responsive to the signal from the microprocessor.

15. The dry fire training device of claim 12 and further comprising: a swing lock connected to the lever between the top end portion and the bottom end portion, the swing lock having an end portion that extends through an orifice of the magazine case and the extending end portion of the swing lock frictionally communicates with the pistol ammunition magazine compartment so as to properly position the projection at the top end portion of the lever relative to the pistol trigger mechanism for operation.

16. The dry fire training device of claim 12 and further comprising: a detent reed connected to the lever, the detent reed formed of a material that generates a tactile or audible signal when manipulated through an activation point between a first position and a second position.

17. A method of using a dry fire training device, the method comprising: providing a dry fire training device of claim 12; inserting the dry fire training device into the ammunition magazine compartment of a pistol; and positioning the projection at the top end portion of the lever relative to the pistol trigger mechanism for operation.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: actuating the pistol trigger mechanism to move the lever toward the second position.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: releasing the pistol trigger mechanism to move the lever back toward the first position.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising: removing the dry fire training device from the ammunition magazine compartment of the pistol.

21. A method of manufacturing a dry fire training device, the method comprising: providing a magazine case sized and shaped to fit within the magazine compartment of the pistol, the magazine case having a platform at a top end portion for operative engagement with a compression spring; inserting a lever into the magazine case, the lever is elongate with a top end portion and a bottom end portion opposite the top end portion, the bottom end portion of the lever is connected to the magazine case, the lever has a projection at the top end portion that extends outside the top end portion of the magazine and is sized and shaped to operatively communicate with the trigger mechanism of the pistol, the lever is movable within the magazine case between a first position and a second position, the lever is sized and shaped for engagement with the compression spring; connecting a first end of the compression spring to the lever; connecting a second end of the compression spring to the platform at the top end portion of the magazine case; wherein the compression spring is configured to bias the lever toward the first position, the lever moves toward the second position in response to a pull of the trigger mechanism, and the lever biases back toward the first position in response to a release of the trigger mechanism.

22. The method of claim 21 and further comprising: operatively connecting the lever to the magazine case with a microswitch such that the microswitch is activated when the lever is moved toward the second position; and providing a microprocessor to operatively communicate with the microswitch and which sends a signal when the microswitch is activated.

23. The method of claim 22 and further comprising: providing a signal-activated training device carried by the pistol that receives the signal from the microprocessor and the signal-activated training device is actuated responsive to the signal from the microprocessor.

24. The method of claim 21 and further comprising: connecting a detent reed to the lever or to the case, the detent reed is formed of a material that generates a tactile or audible signal when manipulated through an activation point between a first position and a second position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a back view of a simulated magazine case with an adjusting set screw base adhered to or at least partially captured or enveloped within its inner back wall.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional side view of said simulated magazine case showing the set screw base adhered to or at least partially captured or enveloped within its back wall.

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a lever.

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of said lever.

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a swing lock.

[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of said swing lock.

[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a micro switch lever.

[0033] FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of said micro switch lever.

[0034] FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of a set screw base.

[0035] FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of said set screw base.

[0036] FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of a fulcrum pin.

[0037] FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of a compression spring.

[0038] FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of a detent reed.

[0039] FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of a set screw.

[0040] FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of a micro switch.

[0041] FIG. 16 illustrates a side view of said micro switch.

[0042] FIG. 17 illustrates a side view of a microprocessor.

[0043] FIG. 18 illustrates a top view of said microprocessor

[0044] FIG. 19. illustrates a sectional view of the assembled device in its resting position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] FIG. 1 illustrates a back view of the exterior of a simulated magazine case 1. FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional side view of the simulated magazine case 1 along the sectional line 2-2 shown in FIG. 1. FIGS. 1 & 2 illustrate the simulated magazine case 1 that has six holes. The simulated magazine case 1 includes a pair of opposing holes, one in each side of the simulated magazine case 1 (indicated as 14 in FIG. 2). In combination, this pair of opposing holes 14, one in each side of the simulated magazine case 1, are sized and shaped to receive the fulcrum pin 7 (shown in FIG. 19) for the lever 2 (shown in FIG. 19) to hinge upon. The simulated magazine case 1 also includes a third hole (indicated as 15 in FIGS. 1 & 2) in the front of said magazine case 1 to provide access to the regulating set screw 10 (shown in FIG. 19) which is mounted in the set base 5 as illustrated in FIG. 2, being adhered to the inside back wall of said magazine case 1. The simulated magazine case 1 also includes a fourth hole (indicated as 16 in FIGS. 1 & 2) beneath the previously mentioned third hole 15, and which the fourth hole 16 allows for adjusting the mounting screw (indicated as 17 in FIG. 19) for the detent reed 6. The simulated magazine case 1 also includes a fifth hole (not shown) in the back of the magazine 1 for adjusting a second set screw (not shown) in the micro switch lever (indicated as 4 in FIG. 19), the second set screw (not shown) being configured to regulate the adjusting point of another training device. The simulated magazine case 1 also includes a sixth hole (indicated as 18 in FIGS. 2 & 19) in the front of the magazine 1 to allow the swing lock (indicated as 3 in FIG. 19) to interact with a member in the pistol's magazine well (not shown) to lift and place the lever (indicated as 2 in FIG. 19) in the proper position with the pistol's trigger mechanism when the device is inserted into the pistol's magazine well.

[0046] FIGS. 3 & 4 illustrate the lever 2 sized and shaped to support the detent reed (indicated as 6 in FIG. 19), locate the compression spring (indicated as 8 in FIG. 19), mount the swing lock (indicated as 3 in FIG. 19), and mount the micro switch lever (indicated as 4 in FIG. 19), and a projection at the top to interact with the pistol's trigger mechanism at point A; all these are illustrated in FIG. 19.

[0047] FIGS. 5 & 6 illustrate the swing lock 3 which is pin mounted to the lever 2 (as shown in FIG. 19) and protrudes out of the hole (indicated as 18 in FIGS. 2 & 19) in the front of the magazine's 1 front side (as shown in FIGS. 2 & 19) to interact with a member in the pistol's magazine well (not shown) which places the lever 2 (as shown in FIG. 19) into its proper position with the pistol's trigger mechanism (not shown). In some embodiments, the swing lock 3 snaps onto a fulcrum pin that is integrated as a molded component of the lever 2.

[0048] FIGS. 7 & 8 illustrate a micro switch lever 4 which pin mounts to the lever 2 (as shown in FIG. 19), the micro switch lever 4 has a hole for accommodating a second set screw (not shown) for adjustments through the fifth hole (not shown) in the back of the magazine 1, and provides a location for mounting a micro switch 9 (shown in FIG. 19). In some embodiments, the lever 2 includes no microswitch lever 4, but instead the micro switch 9 is mounted to a PC board that is mounted in the case by screws, in such embodiments the lever 2 includes a screw to actuate the micro switch 9.

[0049] FIGS. 9 & 10 illustrate the set screw base 5 which is adhered to or at least partially captured or enveloped within the inner back wall of the magazine 1 (as shown in FIGS. 2 & 19) and accommodates the set screw 10 (shown in FIG. 19) to adjust when the detent reed 6 (shown in FIG. 19) snaps as the lever 2 (shown in FIG. 19) is actuated by the pistol's trigger mechanism (not shown) at point A (shown in FIG. 19). In some embodiments, the set screw base 5 includes a protrusion as shown in FIGS. 2, 10, and 19. In some other embodiments (not shown), the case includes a pocket or cavity instead of the protrusion shown in FIGS. 2, 10, and 19.

[0050] FIG. 11 illustrates a fulcrum pin 7 that allows the lever 2 (shown in FIG. 19) to rotate to activated the detent reed 6 (shown in FIG. 19) by the action transferred through the lever 2 (shown in FIG. 19) at point A (shown in FIG. 19), moving the detent reed 6 (shown in FIG. 19) against the set screw 10 (shown in FIG. 19), producing the simulated tactile release and the audible response of the weapon's firing pin. Another fulcrum pin (not shown) mounts the micro switch lever 4 (shown in FIG. 19) onto the lever 2 (shown in FIG. 19). In some embodiments, the fulcrum pin 7 and/or another fulcrum pin (not shown) is integrated as a part of lever 2 and/or as a molded portion of one or both case halves.

[0051] FIG. 12 illustrates a compression spring 8 that returns the lever 2 (shown in FIG. 19) to its resting position against the front of the magazine 1 (shown in FIG. 19) and resets the pistol's trigger mechanism to its resting position. The location of the compression spring 8 relative to the magazine case 1 and lever 2 is shown at FIG. 19.

[0052] FIG. 13 illustrates a detent reed 6 which is mounted to the lever 2 (shown at FIG. 19) and provides the tactile release simulating the feel of the release of the pistol's firing pin and an audible response simulating the sound of the release of the pistol's firing pin.

[0053] FIG. 14 illustrates the set screw 10 which is used in the set screw base 5 (shown at FIG. 19) and is configured to be adjustable to apply more or less pressure to the detent reed 6 (as shown in FIG. 19). A second set screw (not shown), similar to set screw 10, provides for adjustments to micro switch lever 4 (shown in FIG. 19).

[0054] FIGS. 15 & 16 illustrate the micro switch 9 which is mounted to the micro switch lever 4 (shown in FIG. 19) and presses against the inner wall of the magazine 1 (shown in FIG. 19) to activate an electronic component for other training devices. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the configuration of the micro switch 9 relative to the inner wall of the magazine 1 is interchangeable, such that the micro switch 9 is mounted to the inner wall of the magazine 1 and in any event the micro switch 9 is depressed when the lever 2 is actuated by the pistol's trigger mechanism.

[0055] FIGS. 17 & 18 illustrate the microprocessor 11 that is activated by the micro switch 9 (shown in FIG. 19) when the lever assembly is hinged towards the back of the magazine 1 (shown in FIG. 19) and thus provides an electrical signal received by another device for dry fire training. In some embodiments, the electrical signal includes a Bluetooth, LED, RF, and/or IR signal.

[0056] FIG. 19 illustrates a sectional view of the assembled dry fire training device showing the lever 2 in its resting position. The compression spring 8 is applying a forward force to hold the lever 2 forward. This view shows the detent reed 6 resting against the set screw 10 in its untripped or unreleased position. The set screw 10 provides adjustment to control the release of the detent reed 6 at precisely the right position in the travel of the pistol's trigger. The swing lock 3 is mounted to the lever 2 so that when the device is inserted into the pistol's magazine compartment, the swing lock 3 interacts with the pistol's magazine release bar and pushes the lever 2 towards the back of pistol far enough that the lever 2 can freely move behind the pistol's trigger mechanism. The swing lock 3 then swings out of the way so that the lever 2 assembly is free to interact with the pistol's trigger mechanism. When the pistol's trigger mechanism presses against the lever 2 at point A, the lever 2 assembly swings towards the back of the magazine 1. This movement compresses the coil spring 8, bends the detent reed 6 through its activation point against the set screw 10 and provides the tactile and the audible response, thus simulating the release of the pistol's firing pin; the micro switch 9 is compressed against the wall of the magazine 1 completing the circuit to the microprocessor 11 which sends a signal to interact with a separate dry fire training device. When the pistol's trigger is released, the coil spring 8 returns the lever 2 assembly to its resting position.

[0057] The previously patented device U.S. Pat. No. 9,182,189 had a sliding member that had to be pushed up to accomplish the positioning of the lever 2 behind the trigger mechanism. Then, after the lever 2 was in its working position, the shooter needed to pull the sliding lever lifter back to its resting position. This new design accomplishes this setting action without any additional actions of the shooter. The new devise also has means of interacting electronically with other dry fire training devices.