LASER CARTRIDGE FOR DRYFIRE TRAINING

Abstract

This is a cartridge shaped laser dry fire training device that can be inserted into the chamber of a firearm and used for demonstrating where the simulated shots strike during each trigger press of a dry fire practice session when coupled with the DryFireMag training device as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,182,189 B2. The laser dry fire training device preferably is composed of a red diode laser, a set of batteries, and electronic PC board, a lens to allow the infrared light emitted by the diode mounted on a specially designed dry fire training magazine to excite the electronics of the electronic PC board, and two threaded cylinders to house said components.

Claims

1. A laser cartridge 10 for dryfire training with a firearm 11 that has a trigger actuated infra-red light source 66 that, when actuated by the firearm trigger, passes infra-red light into the firearm's chamber 13, the laser cartridge 10 comprising: a rigid housing 16 that is generally configured as an ammunition cartridge and that is removably carried within the firearm's chamber 13, the rigid housing 16 comprising; a first member 25 defining an elongate medial channel 30; and a second member 40 that is releasably axially received in the elongate medial channel 30 defined by the first member 25; a PC board 39 carried within an electronics chamber 47 defined in the second member 40, the PC board 39 operatively communicating with a power supply 35 and with a laser 54; the power supply 60 is releasably carried within a battery chamber 45 defined in the second member 40 and supplies power to both the PC board 39 and the laser 54; the laser 54 is carried within a laser chamber 46 defined in the second member 40, and when actuated upon receipt of the signal from the PC board 39, emits a laser beam 58 that is projected along a longitudinal axis 19 of the rigid housing 16 and along a bore 12A of the firearm 11 barrel 12; and an optical lens 40 carried at the first end portion 41 of the second member 40 and operatively communicating with the electronic PC board 39 so as to collect and focus infra-red light 59 emitted from an infra-red light source 66 onto the PC board 39 so as to cause the PC board 39 to actuate the laser 54.

2. The laser cartridge as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the first member 25 that has a first end portion 26, a second end portion 27, a longitudinal axis 28, an exterior surface 29, an O-ring groove 34, defined in the exterior surface 29 proximate the second end portion, an exterior diameter 33, an interior diameter 35 and threads 32 defined in an interior surface 31.

3. The laser cartridge as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the second member 40 has a first end portion 41, a second end portion 42, a longitudinal axis 43, an exterior surface 44, threads 48 defined in the exterior surface 44 proximate the second end portion 42, and an extraction ring 49 proximate the first end portion 41.

4. The laser cartridge as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising: a protective sheath 62 extending about the power supply 60 to electrically insulate the power supply 60 from the rigid housing 16.

5. The laser cartridge as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the laser 54 has a laser emitting end portion 55 proximate the second end of the rigid housing 16, and an electronics end portion 56 proximate the first end portion, and the battery compartment 45 is between the laser emitting end portion 55 and the electronics end portion 56.

6. The laser cartridge as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the laser 54, when actuated, emits a red color laser beam 58.

7. The laser cartridge as claimed in Cairn 1 and wherein the laser 54, when actuated emits a green color laser.

8. The laser cartridge as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the laser 54, when actuated, emits a continuously emitted laser beam 58.

9. The laser cartridge as claimed in claim 1 and wherein he laser 54, when actuated, emits a pulsed laser beam 58.

10. The laser cartridge as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the laser 54, when actuated, emits a laser beam 58 that visually appears on a target in the shape of a dot.

11. The laser cartridge as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the laser 54, when actuated, emits a laser beam 58 that visually appears on a target in a predetermined shape.

12. The laser cartridge as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the laser 54, when actuated, emits a laser beam 58 that visually appears on a target in the shape of a cross or an “X”.

13. The laser cartridge as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the laser 54, when actuated, emits a laser beam 58 having a wavelength between approximately 600 nanometers and 700 nanometers.

14. The laser cartridge as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the laser 54, when actuated, emits a laser beam 58 having a wavelength between approximately 645 nanometers and 655 nanometers.

15. The laser cartridge as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the laser 54, when actuated, emits a laser beam 58 having a wavelength of approximately 650 nanometers.

16. The laser cartridge as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the laser 54, actuated when the PC board receives an infra-red signal having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nanometers and 980 nanometers.

17. The laser cartridge as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the laser 54, Is actuated when the PC board receives an infra-red signal having a wavelength of 940 nanometers.

18. A laser cartridge 10 for dryfire training with a firearm 11 that has a trigger actuated infra-red light source 66 that, when actuated by the firearm trigger, passes infra-red light into the firearm's chamber 13, the laser cartridge 10 comprising: a generally cylindrical rigid housing 16 that is generally configured in the shape of an ammunition cartridge, and that is releasably carried within the firearm's chamber 13 the generally cylindrical rigid housing 16 comprising; a first generally cylindrical member 25 of the rigid housing 16 that has a first end portion 26 a second end portion 27, a longitudinal axis 28, an exterior surface 29, an O-ring groove 34 defined in the exterior surface 29 proximate the second end portion , an elongate medial channel 30, an exterior diameter 33, an interior diameter 35, and threads 32 defined in an interior surface 31 of the elongate medial channel 30; a second generally cylindrical member 40 that is releasably axially received in the elongate medial channel 30 defined by the first generally cylindrical member 25, the second generally cylindrical member 40 having, a first end portion 41, a second end portion 42, a longitudinal axis 43, an exterior surface 44, a battery chamber 45, a laser chamber 46, an electronics chamber 47, threads 48 defined in the exterior surface 44 proximate the second end portion 42, and an extraction ring 49 proximate the first end portion 41; a battery power supply 60 releasably carried within the battery chamber 45 defined in the second member 40, the battery power supply 60 having a circumferentially extending protective sheath 62 extending thereabout to insulate the battery power supply 60 from the rigid housing 16; a diode laser 54 carried within the laser chamber 46 defined in the second member 40, the diode laser 31 having a laser emitting end portion 55 and an electronics end portion 56, and the diode laser 31, when actuated, emits a laser beam 58 that is projected along a longitudinal axis 19 of the rigid housing 16 and along a bore 12A of the firearm 11 and outwardly from a muzzle 12B of the firearm 11; a electronic PC board 39 carried within the electronics chamber 47 defined in the second member 40, the electronic PC board 39 operatively communicating with the diode laser 54 and with the battery power supply 35 so as to generate, when actuated, a signal that is communicated to the diode laser 31 and which responsively causes the diode laser 54 to emit a laser beam 58 that is projected along the longitudinal axis 19 of the rigid housing 1 and along the bore 12A of the firearm 11 and outwardly from the firearm muzzle 12B; and an optical lens 40 carried at the first end portion 41 of the second member 40, the optical lens 40 operatively communicating with the electronic PC board 39 so as to collect and focus infra-red light 59 emitted from an infra-red light source 66 onto the electronic PC board 39 so as to cause the electronic PC board 39 to generate a signal that is communicated to the diode laser 54 so as to actuate the diode laser 54.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the laser cartridge of the present invention showing the various components.

[0032] FIG. 2 is an exploded, orthographic side view of the laser cartridge of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a practice ammunition magazine having a micro-switch and a light source for emitting light that is received by the PC board of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of a representative firearm (a semi-automatic pistol) that would be used with the present invention showing the dryfiremag having the light emitting light source.

[0035] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a representative firearm (a semi-automatic pistol) showing the various components separated from one another and generally vertically aligned with one another to show how the various components interfit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

[0037] My laser cartridge 10 for dry fire training generally provides a rigid housing 16 that is comprised of a generally cylindrical and tubular first member 25 and a generally cylindrical second member 40 that is removably carried within an axial medial channel defined by the first member; a power supply 60; a protective sheath 62; a laser 54; a PC board 64; and an optical lens 65.

[0038] The laser cartridge 10 is for dry fire training with a firearm 11, the firearm 11 using a dryfiremag training magazine 15 that has a trigger actuated light source 66. The light source 66 emits electromagnetic waves in a predetermined wavelength, such as, but not limited to human visible light, human invisible light, ultraviolet light, infrared light. When actuated by the firearm trigger, the light source 66 emits and passes light (electromagnetic waves) into the firearm's chamber 13 where the emitted and passed light is received by the optical lens 65. There is no physical and/or electronic and/or mechanical interconnection between the firing pin of the firearm 11 and the laser cartridge 10. Movement of the firearm's 11 firing pin is not required nor needed to actuate the laser cartridge 10.

[0039] The laser cartridge 10 which is formed of the generally cylindrical rigid housing 16 is configured (generally) in the shape of an ammunition cartridge that has dimensions (length and diameter) to generally replicate an ammunition cartridge of the size/caliber of the firearm 11 being used. It is contemplated that diameter adapters. (Not Shown) such as, but not limited to, partial or complete sleeves, rings, O-rings, and spacers may be used to effectively alter the length and diameter dimensions of the rigid housing 16 so as to make the rigid housing 16 releasably “fit” within the chamber 13 of multiple different calibers of firearms 11.

[0040] The rigid housing 16 is formed of a first generally cylindrical member 25 and a second generally cylindrical member 40. The first member 25 has a first end portion 26, a second end portion 27, a longitudinal axis 28, an exterior surface 29, at least one O-ring groove 34 is defined in the exterior surface 29 preferably proximate the second end portion 27, an elongate medial channel 30, an exterior diameter 33, an interior diameter 35, and threads 32 defined in an interior surface 31 of the elongate medial channel 30.

[0041] The second member 40 is releasably axially received in the elongate medial channel 30 defined by the first member 25. The second member 40 has a first end portion 41, a second end portion 42, a longitudinal axis 43, an exterior surface 44, a battery chamber 45, a laser chamber 46, an electronics chamber 47, threads 48 defined in the exterior surface 44 proximate the second end portion 42, and an extraction ring 49 proximate the first end portion 41, and an O-ring groove 34 is defined in the exterior surface 44 preferably proximate the first end portion 41. The extraction ring 49 may be configured to retain an O-ring in addition to and/or in substitution of the O-ring groove 34.

[0042] The power supply 60, which is preferably formed of plural stacked battery cells, such as, but not limited to watch batteries, is releasably carried within the battery chamber 45 defined in the second member 40. A circumferentially extending protective sheath 62 extends about the power supply 60 to protect and electrically and thermally insulate the power supply 60.

[0043] The laser 54 is preferably a diode laser 54, but is not limited to a diode laser 54. The laser 54 is releasably carried within the laser chamber 46 defined in the second member 40. The laser 54 is of known circuitry and has a laser emitting end portion 55 and an electronics end portion 56. The laser 54, when actuated, emits a laser beam 58 from the laser emitting end portion 55, and the laser beam 58 is projected along a longitudinal axis 19 of the rigid housing 16 and along a bore 12A of the firearm 11 and outwardly from a muzzle 12B of the firearm 11. The laser beam 58 may itself be visible (comprised of light waves within the visible light spectrum) or invisible (comprised of light waves outside the visible light spectrum), although the impact/strike point where the laser beam 58 impacts a target is visible and has a predetermined configuration and color, such as, but not limited to, a dot, a cross, an X, in the color red or in the color green, but not limited thereto.

[0044] The PC board 39 is of known electronics and is carried within the electronics chamber 47 defined in the second member 40. The PC board 39 operatively and electronically communicates with the laser 54 and with the power supply 60 so as to generate, when actuated, a signal that is communicated to the laser 54 which responsively causes the laser 54 to emit a laser beam 58 that is projected along the longitudinal axis 19 of the rigid housing 16 and along the bore 12A of the firearm 11 and outwardly from the firearm muzzle 12B. Circuitry 57 operatively communicates between the power supply 60 and the PC board 39, and between the power supply 60 and the laser 54, and between the PC board 39 and the laser 54 to provide the necessary electrical energy to the components.

[0045] The optical lens 40 is carried at the first end portion 41 of the second member 40. The optical lens 40 operatively communicates with the PC board 39 so as to collect and focus light 59 emitted from an electromagnetic light source 66 onto the PC board 39 so as to cause the PC board 39 to generate a signal that is communicated to the laser 54 so as to actuate the laser 54.

[0046] The laser training cartridge 10 (FIG. 1) is comprised of two axially interconnected two rigid members 25, 40 which are threaded to screw together to form a rigid housing 16. The first member 25 on its outside and the second member 40 on its inside. The first member 25 of the rigid housing 16 defines an O-ring groove 34 around its second end portion 27 so that an O-ring 63 will stay secured in place on the rigid housing 16. This O-ring 16 fits inside the chamber 13 of the firearm 11 to hold the laser cartridge 10 in place and make sure the device is centered inside the chamber 13.

[0047] The first and second members 25, 40 respectively of the rigid housing 16 are machined inside to hold a diode laser 54, The diode laser 54 is in physical contact with a power source 60 which is comprised of plural stacked battery cells. The power source 60 is in operative contact with the electronic PC board 64. The power source 60 is retained within and insulated by a battery protective sheath 62.

[0048] The first end portion 41 of the second member 40 of the rigid housing 16 is machined to define a recess to receive optical lens 65.

[0049] When all of these parts are assembled as described above, the assembly makes up the laser cartridge 10 for dry fire training. When the laser cartridge 10 is inserted into the chamber 13 of the firearm 11, in conjunction with the DryFireMag training magazine which is equipped with electronics and an electromagnetic light emitting light source, which may be, but is not limited to an LED, to pass a light signal 59 to the laser cartridge 10, realistic dry fire training practice can take place. The light signal 59 passes through the optical lens 65 and is passed to and received by the PC board 64. The PC board 64, is powered by the power supply 60, responds to the light signal 59 from the DryFireMag training device 15 and generates a signal that is operatively communicated to and which actuates the diode laser 34, which responsively generates and transmits a laser beam 58, which may be a pulse, or a continuous beam, and transmits the beam along a bore 12A of the firearm 11 and outwardly of the firearm's muzzle 12B and thereafter to a location where the firearm 11 is aimed. This allows the shooter to detect the accuracy of the shooter's ability to control the aiming of the firearm 11. The laser beam 58 emitted from the laser 54 and outwardly from the firearm muzzle 12B preferably has a wavelength of between approximately 600 and 700 nanometers, and more preferably between approximately 645 and 655 nanometers, and even more particularly of approximately 650 nanometers.

[0050] When coupled with the DryFireMag training device 15 that has an electromagnetic light source 66, the shooter does not need to remove the sub dominant hand from the firearm 11 to reset the trigger for a follow-up shots, but these two devices working together allow multiple trigger presses, one after the other. This laser training device is the only way that truly, realistic training can take place with the shooter being able to detect the accuracy of shots.

Operation

[0051] Having described the structure of my laser cartridge for dry fire training, is operation is now briefly described.

[0052] A power supply 60 is placed within the battery chamber 45 of the second member 40. The second member 40 is axially inserted into the elongate medial channel 30 defined by the first member 25, with the second end portion 42 of the second member 40 being inserted first. The second member 40 is then axially screwed into the first member 25 by axially rotating the second member 40 relative to the first member 25.

[0053] The thusly assembled laser cartridge 10 is inserted into the chamber 13 of the firearm 11 that will be used in the dry fire training.

[0054] The dry fire magazine 15 which includes the light source 66 is activated (such as by moving an operating switch to an “on” position), and thereafter the dry fire magazine 15 is inserted into the firearm's magazine compartment and positionally secured in position so that the light source 66, when actuated by a trigger pull of the firearm 11, generates a light signal 59 that is passed at least partially into the firearm's chamber 13 where the light signal 59 is received by the optical lens 65, which, in response to receiving the light signal 59 responsively causes the PC board 64 to generate a signal that is operatively communicated to the laser 54, which responsively generates a laser beam 58 that is projected/transmitted linearly outwardly from the firearm's muzzle 12B. Known circuitry 57 provides the operative communication. In one contemplated embodiment, the light signal 59 may be an infrared light signal 59, and the infrared light signal 59 preferably has a wavelength of between approximately 900 and 980 nanometers and more preferably a wavelength of approximately 940 nanometers. In other contemplated embodiments, the light signal 59 is formed of electromagnetic waves, emitted from a source 66 of electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths other than in the infrared range, such as, but not limited to, ultraviolet light, human visible light, human invisible light, microwaves, etc.

[0055] A principal object of the present invention is a laser cartridge 10 for dryfire training with a firearm 11 that has a trigger actuated electromagnetic wave source 66 that, when actuated by the firearm trigger, passes electromagnetic waves into the firearm's chamber 13, the laser cartridge 10 comprising: a rigid housing 16 that is generally configured as an ammunition cartridge and that is removably carried within the firearm's chamber 13, the rigid housing 16 comprising; a first member 25 defining an elongate medial channel 30; and a second member 40 that is releasably axially received in the elongate medial channel 30 defined by the first member 25; a PC board 39 carried within an electronics chamber 47 defined in the second member 40, the PC board 39 operatively communicating with a power supply 35 and with a diode laser 31; the power supply 60 is releasably carried within a battery chamber 45 defined in the second member 40 and supplies power to both the PC board 39 and the diode laser 54; the diode laser 54 is carried within a laser chamber 46 defined in the second member 40, and when actuated upon receipt of the signal from the PC board 39, emits a laser beam 58 that is projected along a longitudinal axis 19 of the rigid housing 16 and along a bore 12A of the firearm 11 barrel 12; and an optical lens 40 carried at the first end portion 41 of the second member 40 and operatively communicating with the electronic PC board 39 so as to collect and focus electromagnetic waves 59 emitted from the electromagnetic light source 66 onto the PC board 39 so as to cause the PC board 39 to actuate the diode laser 54.

[0056] A further object of the present invention is a laser cartridge 10 wherein the first member 25 that has a first end portion 26, a second end portion 27, a longitudinal axis 28, an exterior surface 29, an O-ring groove 34, defined in the exterior surface 29 proximate the second end portion, an exterior diameter 33, an interior diameter 35, and threads 32 defined in an interior surface 31.

[0057] A further object of the present invention is a laser cartridge 10 wherein the second member 40 has a first end portion 41, a second end portion 42, a longitudinal axis 43, an exterior surface 44, threads 48 defined in the exterior surface 44 proximate the second end portion 42, and an extraction ring 49 proximate the first end portion 41.

[0058] A further object of the present invention is a laser cartridge 10 further comprising: a protective sheath 62 extending about the power supply 60 to electrically insulate the power supply 60 from the rigid housing 16,

[0059] A further object of the present invention is a laser cartridge 10 wherein the diode laser 54 has a laser emitting end portion 55 proximate the second end of the rigid housing 16, and an electronics end portion 56 proximate the first end portion, and the battery compartment 45 is between the laser emitting end portion 55 and the electronics end portion 56.

[0060] A further object of the present invention is a laser cartridge 10 wherein the diode laser 54, when actuated, emits a red color laser beam 58.

[0061] A further object of the present invention is a laser cartridge 10 wherein the diode laser 54, when actuated emits a green color laser.

[0062] A further object of the present invention is a laser cartridge 10 wherein the diode laser 54, when actuated, emits a continuously emitted laser beam 58.

[0063] A further object of the present invention is a laser cartridge 10 wherein the diode laser 54, when actuated, emits a pulsed laser beam 58.

[0064] A further object of the present invention is a laser cartridge 10 wherein the diode laser 54, when actuated, emits a laser beam 58 that visually appears on a target in the shape of a dot.

[0065] A further object of the present invention is a laser cartridge 10 wherein the diode laser 54, when actuated, emits a laser beam 58 that visually appears on a target in a predetermined shape.

[0066] A further object of the present invention is a laser cartridge 10 wherein the diode laser 54, when actuated, emits a laser beam 58 that visually appears on a target in the shape of a cross or an “X”.

[0067] A further object of the present invention is a laser cartridge 10 wherein the laser 54, when actuated, emits a laser beam 58 having a wavelength between approximately 600 nanometers and 700 nanometers.

[0068] A further object of the present invention is a laser cartridge 10 wherein the diode laser 54, is actuated when the PC board receives an infra-red signal having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nanometers and 980 nanometers.

[0069] A still further object of the present invention is a laser cartridge 10 wherein the diode laser 54, is actuated when the PC board receives an infra-red signal having a wavelength of 940 nanometers.

[0070] An even still further object of the present invention is a laser cartridge 10 for dryfire training with a firearm 11 that has a trigger actuated light source 66 that, when actuated by the firearm trigger, passes light into the firearm's chamber 13, the laser cartridge 10 comprising: a generally cylindrical rigid housing 16 that is generally configured in the shape of an ammunition cartridge, and that is releasably carried within the firearm's chamber 13, the generally cylindrical rigid housing 16 comprising; a first generally cylindrical member 25 of the rigid housing 16 that has a first end portion 26, a second end portion 27, a longitudinal axis 28, an exterior surface 29, an O-ring groove 34 defined in the exterior surface 29 proximate the second end portion 27, an elongate medial channel 30, an exterior diameter 33, an interior diameter 35, and threads 32 defined in an interior surface 31 of the elongate medial channel 30; a second generally cylindrical member 40 that is releasably axially received in the elongate medial channel 30 defined by the first generally cylindrical member 25, the second generally cylindrical member 40 having, a first end portion 41, a second end portion 42, a longitudinal axis 43, an exterior surface 44, a battery chamber 45, a laser chamber 46, an electronics chamber 47, threads 48 defined in the exterior surface 44 proximate the second end portion 42, and an extraction ring 49 proximate the first end portion 41; a battery power supply 60 releasably carried within the battery chamber 45 defined in the second member 40, the battery power supply 60 having a circumferentially extending protective sheath 62 extending thereabout to insulate the battery power supply 60 from the rigid housing 16; a diode laser 54 carried within the laser chamber 46 defined in the second member 40, the diode laser 54 having a laser emitting end portion 55 and an electronics end portion 56, and the diode laser 54, when actuated, emits a laser beam 58 that is projected along a longitudinal axis 19 of the rigid housing 16 and along a bore 12A of the firearm 11 and outwardly from a muzzle 12B of the firearm 11; an electronic PC board 39 carried within the electronics chamber 47 defined in the second member 40, the electronic PC board 39 operatively communicating with the diode laser 54 and with the battery power supply 35 so as to generate, when actuated, a signal that is communicated to the diode laser 31 and which responsively causes the diode laser 54 to emit a laser beam 58 that is projected along the longitudinal axis 19 of the rigid housing 16 and along the bore 12A of the firearm 11 and outwardly from the firearm muzzle 12B; and an optical lens 40 carried at the first end portion 41 of the second member 40, the optical lens 40 operatively communicating with the electronic PC board 39 so as to collect and focus light 59 emitted from a light source 66 onto the electronic PC board 39 so as to cause the electronic PC board 39 to generate a signal that is communicated to the diode laser 54 so as to actuate the diode laser 54.