1308results about "Safety arrangement" patented technology

A firearm including a barrel having a chamber and an integrally formed upper receiver having a passageway, an accessory rail extending the complete length of the upper receiver, and a guidance feature extending along the passageway. The firearm also includes an operating rod having an anti-bounce mechanism, a bolt that is rotated counter-clockwise to lock against the chamber, a bolt carrier having a safety extension disposed below the bolt that prevents a hammer from striking a firing pin until the bolt is locked against the chamber, a lower receiver, a recoil spring assembly, and a fire control group. The bolt includes a polymer spring that biases a sliding extractor against the base of a cartridge. The sliding extractor is disposed at an angle ranging from thirty degrees to fifteen degrees on the bolt face to provide a low ejection angle from the firearm.

A microprocessor circuit that is used to monitor and control a firearm. The microprocessor circuit accomplishes this by monitoring various sensor & control inputs, and acting on these inputs to execute user defined functions. The microprocessor circuit can use the sensory input to determine firearm statistics. These statistics can include the number of times the firearm has been shot, the efficiency of the firearm automatic action, range-to-target, and et cetera. The firearm system can also use a combination of sensors to fabricate a bullet chronograph whereby the muzzle velocity of a cartridge can be determined. These statistics can be date-stamped and recorded into memory. Statistics from Law Enforcement firearms can be used for courtroom evidence and police reporting. These statistics can also be used for firearm maintenance and warranty repair. The microprocessor circuit can display the statistical data to the user via simple light emitting diodes, or sophisticated liquid crystal displays. Data can also be downloaded to a computer docking station as well. The microprocessor circuit can also display the information within the optics of a riflescope. When used in conjunction with a laser range finder sensor, the microprocessor circuit can adjust the electronic cross-hairs (reticle) to compensate for the bullet trajectory.

A secure firearm holder (10) includes an outwardly swinging hinged plate (14) that is hinged to a holder base (12) with a gun (44) mounted at a side of the plate in a ready-to-use orientation when the plate swings outwardly. In a preferred embodiment, a bore shaft (36) is mounted on the hinged plate, the bore shaft extending into the firearm. When the plate is in a first, closed, position, the holder base prevents the gun from being removed from the bore shaft, but when a motivating member (52) rotates the plate to a second position, the gun can be easily and quickly removed from the bore shaft from a ready-to-use orientation. The motivating member biases the lid toward the second position but is held closed in the first position by a latch (50), which latch is remotely releasable. A locking mechanism has three positions: a totally-locked position (B) for locking the latch (50) against remote release of the lid; an active position (A) for allowing remote release of the lid; and a manual-release position (C) for releasing the lid manually.

An ambidextrous bolt catch device, apparatus, system and methods for using are provided. Four main components include a bolt catch finger, lever system and plunger rod assembly with torsion spring. The lever system includes a right release lever and a left release lever; the left lever is an integral part of the bolt catch finger. The plunger rod assembly abuts and connects the right and left levers; a torsion spring on the rod creates tension causing rotation of the bolt catch finger in a downward or upward position. In an upward position, the bolt catch finger engages the bolt, retains the bolt in a rearward position, and signals the operator that the magazine is empty. The bolt engaged by the finger is held rearward in a safe, reliable manner to allow an unobstructed view of the firearm chamber until manually released using either the right or left release lever.

A security system for automatically transmitting alert signals when a security appliance such as a firearm (110) carried by a security officer is drawn from its holster (130), and the method of enabling such a function under the present invention is described. The present invention makes use of radio frequency identification tags (eg 120, 134) and readers (eg 136, 186) to trigger these automatic alerts. The present invention also uses s locator function associated with a mobile device to automatically direct aid to the officer in danger. The present invention also encompasses a method of conducting security guard patrols that monitors the progress of the security guard in real time as he logs each checkpoint of the tour, through the use of RFID tags and readers.

A firearm can have a backbone, a barrel, a swinging wedge, and a barrel latch, in accordance with one or more embodiments. The barrel latch can be in mechanical communication with the swinging wedge. The barrel latch can have a first position and a second position and the swinging wedge can be configured to maintain attachment of the barrel to the backbone when the barrel latch is in the first position and is configured to release the barrel from the backbone when the barrel latch is in the second position. Thus, the firearm can provide quick barrel changes. Other features enhance the reliability and utility of the firearm.

An ambidextrously operated bolt catch assembly for a firearm facilitates ease of use by either right handed or left handed shooters. The ambidextrous bolt catch assembly includes two levers, one on each side of the firearm, that interact with each other. Each lever has a primary contact surface and a secondary contact surface. By depressing the primary contact surface of either lever, both levers rotate to move the bolt catch assembly from a displaced position to a static position. Conversely, by depressing the secondary contact surface of either lever, both levers rotate to move the bolt catch assembly from a static position to a displaced position.

A gunshot detection system includes a firearm and a communication device. The firearm includes a transceiver circuit that detects the discharge of an ammunition round. Upon the discharge occurring, the transceiver circuit emits an electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic signal is received by the communication device, which may be a cellular telephone or two-way radio. The communication device is equipped with a geographic location sensor, like a GPS receiver for example. Software within the communication device then causes an informational message that includes geographic information to be transmitted to a remote device. For instance, when a police officer discharges his firearm, an informational message stating “Officer 1234 has just fired 3 shots at the intersection of Cucumber and Vine—please respond” may be transmitted. The informational message may change as information like the geographic location change.

Improvements in the sensor array are disclosed for an array used in a module for preventing unauthorized use of a firearm or other device. The module to which the invention is applicable of the type including a plurality of pressure sensors for sensing a user's handgrip on the device; comparator means for comparing a pressure signature profile compiled from an output from said pressure sensors with at least one pressure signature profile in storage; and means for preventing operation of the device when the compared profiles do not match. The improved sensor array comprises a first set of spaced electrically conductive lines formed on the gripping surface; a thin layer of (preferably) piezoresistive material overlying the first set of conductive lines; and a second set of spaced electrically conductive lines formed over the piezoresistive layer. The lines of the second set are orthogonal to the lines of the first set, to establish a grid-like pattern of conductive lines sandwiching the piezoresistive layer. The projected intersections between the lines of the first and second sets (i.e., the grid crossing points) thereby define with the intervening portion of the piezoresistive layer, an array of sensors which are responsive to pressure applied against the gripping surface by a user of the device. Such pressure changes the electrical conductivity in the path including the intersecting lines and intervening piezoresistive material. Signal outputs from the electrical paths including the array of sensors serve to define the pressure signal profile.

A receiver is configured to receiver a tabbed magazine. The receiver includes a receiver well having a slot configured to accept the tab on the tabbed magazine. In operation, the tabbed magazine can be inserted into the receiver well without having to rotate the tabbed magazine into the receiver well. A magazine catch engages a locking feature in a rib of the tabbed magazine so as to support the tabbed magazine in the receiver well. Once the tabbed magazine is empty, the tabbed magazine can be ejected by pressing a magazine release button without the need to rock the tabbed magazine out of the receiver well. The magazine release button can be configured to allow the user to eject the tabbed magazine by pressing the magazine release button on either side of the receiver. Once a loaded tabbed magazine is placed into the receiver well, the user can press a bolt stop button to release a bolt stop. The bolt stop button can be configured to allow the user to release the bolt stop by pressing the bolt stop button on either side of the receiver.

An electronic camera device, and associated system and interfaces, that generates, records and transmits video, audio and sensor data. Camera device comprises a housing with a fastening mechanism adapted to mount the device to a firearm. The device has a processor module, a memory module for storage, a camera module configured to generate and record video and store the video to memory. The device further includes a magnetic sensor configured to detect the presence and absence of a magnet and an accelerometer that is configured to detect a draw motion (e.g., a firearm being unholstered). When the magnetic sensor detects the absence of a magnet, and the accelerometer detects a draw motion, one or more corresponding signals are generated and transmitted, directing the camera to begin recording (and transmitting) video and send an alert signal to assets in the field to provide support.

A firearm accessory that includes a body that is demountably attached to a firearm, the body containing: a camera; a microphone; a memory chip; a micro-controller operable to record a user's firearm activity into the memory chip as captured by the camera and the microphone; and, a trigger-switch mechanism demountably attached to a firearm-handle operable by a user's finger to turn the contents of the body on but not off. The body disposed on a firearm further includes a plurality of electronic components operable to: record audio, video, location, time, and date, at the time of usage of a firearm; and transmit the recorded a record audio, video, location, time, and date, outside of the body through a wire, a portable memory card, or wirelessly in realtime.

A trigger assembly comprising a housing adapted to mount a trigger, hammer and sear therein. The housing has an adjustment feature adapted to fixedly mount the housing within the trigger chamber portion of the firearm. The trigger assembly is particularly conducive for an AR-15 type rifle and the various sear engagement surfaces are adapted to be adjustable irrespective of the various dimensions and tolerances of the underlying firearm. A safety system is employed that adjustably allows proper engagement of the trigger tail to properly engage and disengage the safety mechanism.

Applicants have disclosed an adjustable modular trigger assembly, and a related method, to avoid an unexpected firing of a long gun after an unintentional trigger pull. Applicants' preferred assembly comprises: a modular trigger housing, containing every trigger component, designed to be removably mounted within a lower firearm receiver; a trigger pull adjustment screw in a housing wall; and a sear force adjustment screw in another housing wall. During an intentional trigger pull, the shooter's finger pushes against a secondary trigger until it nestles within a slot of a non-coaxial primary trigger. Continued pulling on both triggers causes a sear to fall off a hammer notch and the firearm to discharge. In an unintentional trigger pull or jostling of the primary trigger, hooked protrusions (within the housing) of the second trigger and hammer engage to block the hammer from fully rotating, thereby avoiding discharge of the firearm.

A method of modifying a rifles of the M16, M4, AR15 platform provides a second bolt stop release operable from the right side of the rifle. The second bolt stop release is a rigid extension of the bolt stop that passes through the right receiver wall to a position accessible to a user gripping the rifle with the user's right hand in conventional firing position. The two bolt stop releases provide the inventive rifle ambidextrous bolt release operation.

A firearm bolt locking mechanism includes a locking pin in the bolt carrier of a firearm like an AK-47 assault rifle or variant thereof. The locking pin is normally urged from the bolt carrier by a compressed spring. The mechanism also includes a pivot arm mounted on the receiver cover of the firearm. The pivot arm has a spring-biased finger that normally fills a hole in the receiver cover. The mechanism further includes a magazine that stops the bolt of the firearm when the last cartridge from the magazine is fired and permits the spring to drive the locking pin into the hole. After replacing the empty magazine with a full one, the pivot arm is pressed to replace the locking pin in the hole with the finger and to release the bolt carrier to chamber a cartridge.

Apparatus (10) and a method for rendering a weapon (12) incapable of use unless authorized by a specified individual. More than one person may be authorized to use the weapon, however only one person may be authorized to use it at any one time. Each authorized person carries a badge (14) or other device which includes an rf transmitter (TAU) capable of transmitting a coded signal to a receiver (REU) installed in the weapon in response to a coded query from a unit (EU) installed in the weapon. If a properly coded transmission is received by the weapon, it becomes capable of being fired by the person who authorized its use. However, the weapon will not fire unless the person using the weapon is also standing behind the weapon. This prevents the weapon from being turned on the person authorized to use it. The apparatus stores details of the weapon's use (e.g., who, when, and where). This information is released upon receipt of an authorized code.

Embodiments of the present invention provide firearm receiver with ambidextrous features. Some of these features include a bolt-locking mechanism on a firearm receiver that is configured to allow an operator to clear jams while maintaining hold of a firing grip. The bolt-locking mechanism may include a linking mechanism configured to manipulate a bolt-catch device in response to activation of a magazine release button on a firearm receiver. Other features include an ambidextrous magazine release mechanism on a firearm receiver that is configured to allow an operator to release an inserted magazine while maintaining hold of a firing grip with either hand. The magazine release mechanism may include a linking mechanism configured to manipulate a magazine catch device in response to activation of either a right-handed magazine release button or a left-handed magazine release lever that pivots on an external fulcrum on a firearm receiver.

An accessory device useful for any of training, compliance, safety, and accountability of individuals in the use of firearms. An embodiment comprises a circuit board and housing with a means for attaching the accessory to a firearm. The circuit board may comprise an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a GPS receiver, memory to store data, a means for transmitting data, and a microprocessor unit for controlling operations of the printed circuit board. The IMU may comprise a gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer. The accessory can provide position and movement data of such accuracy as to disclose, after transmission and analysis, a firearm user's stability prior to and during discharge, how well the user managed recoil from the discharge, and how quickly the user returned to a starting position following discharge. A reviewer may also be able to discern movements such as those caused by a user's breathing or involuntary muscle contractions.

A system for detecting the presence of firearms and identifying their unique status includes a radiofrequency identification chip supported within each firearm either by the manufacturer or by later retrofit. The RFID chip stores the unique serial number for the firearm, preferably in nonvolatile form. A reader for the chips may be used to transmit an interrogating signal from a distance which causes the chip to send a responsive signal including its serial number. The reader picks up the serial number and provides it to an associated computer. The serial number so obtained may be used with databases to maintain inventories of firearms or determine the history of firearms.

A product is sold at retail in an unusable state. Activation of the product does not require any steps be taken b y the retail seller. To activate the product, the purchaser uses a phone or personal computer to interact with a registration server for this type of product. Alter the consumer has provided sufficient identifying information, the registration server interacts with a qualification server that determines whether the purchaser meets the qualifications set for this type of product. For a weapon sale, this is typically a criminal background check. If qualified, the registration server receives an indication of qualification from the qualification server. The registration server and product communicate over a network to establish trust, store information in the product, and then activate the product. The product receives information via a network appliance, for example, a phone or personal computer. The receiver may sense sound from a speaker or light from a display of the network appliance. The product transmits information onto the network directly when the network appliance has a suitable receiver. Otherwise, the product provides the information to the purchaser who enters the information into a user interface of the network appliance. The user interface may perform voice recognition or accept data via a pointing device or keyboard. The serial number of the product is transmitted to the registration server. A description of the purchaser and/or qualification results are stored in the product.

A mobile, remotely controlled robot includes a turret subsystem, a robot controller subsystem configured to control the robot, control the turret, and fire the weapon, a robot navigation subsystem configured to determine the position of the robot, a turret orientation determination subsystem, and a robot communications subsystem for receiving commands and for transmitting robot position data and turret orientation data. An operator control unit includes a user interface for commanding the robot, the turret, and the weapon. An operator control unit communications subsystem transmits commands to the robot and receives robot position data and turret orientation data from the robot. An operator control unit navigation subsystem is configured to determine the position of the operator control unit. An operator control unit controller subsystem is responsive to the robot position data, the turret orientation data, and the operator control unit position and is configured to determine if the weapon is aimed at the operator control unit within a predetermined fan angle.

A locking system for a firearm is disclosed. A lock has a set state and an unset state, and substantial movement of any one or more fire control group components is inhibited with in the set state. A biometric sensor attachable to a grip of the firearm is receptive to an input biometric feature data set corresponding to a physiological feature of a user. A biometric input controller stores biometric feature data sets corresponding to enrolled user identities in a memory, and compares it against the input biometric feature data set to generate a biometric input validation status indicator signal. A proximity sensor attachable to the grip detects possession of the firearm by the user and generates a corresponding grip detection indicator signal. A system controller selectively actuates the lock to the set state and the unset state based upon a received combination and sequence of the biometric input validation status indicator signal and the grip detection indicator signal.

A firearm, in particular a self-loading small-caliber rifle, having a barrel, a breech housing having a breech held in it, with the breech and/or the breech housing being designed such that the firearm can be changed from a first assembled arrangement, which is suitable for right-handed gunners, to a second assembled arrangement which is suitable for left-handed gunners, with the firearm preferably being in the form of a rifle of the Bullpup type.