Method and apparatus for training a shooter of a firearm

Abstract

An apparatus for training a shooter includes a mock weapon (handgun or rifle) which is composed of a material intended to make it heavier than a normal weapon for strength training and includes sights so that the user can train his or her eyes and in order to strengthen the muscles used during manipulation and use of a weapon without fatigue and with less tremor. This apparatus may also include a hinge mechanism for improving the user's ability to squeeze the trigger without imparting an angular force that could otherwise diminish accuracy.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application takes priority from U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 365,315 filed Jul. 17, 2010.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention comprises an apparatus for training a shooter of a firearm by increasing the strength of the muscles involved in shooting. The preferred embodiment employs free weights in the shape of a weapon (pistol and rifle) and springs for hand or index finger triggering for strength training, thereby preventing fatigue and subsequent tremor. It is also an object of this invention to train the user against side to side movement of the weapon when the user pulls the trigger which results if the trigger is pulled with a force that has a vector component to the sides as opposed to directly backward along the axis of the barrel. It is also an object of this invention to improve hand-eye coordination utilizing sights.[0004]2. Prior Art[0005]One of the attributes eve...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The present invention comprises a set of mock training pistols and rifles with sights and of different weights. It is intended for strength training the muscles involved in the act of shooting and thus decreasing physiological tremor during shooting. The sights on the mock weapons also help to improve hand-eye coordination, train the eye to focus at the sights and the target, and help the user measure and control his / her tremor while handling the heavy mock weapon by looking through the sights as in a real weapon, but while exercising. The user can further improve the strength of his / her grip, forearm muscles, and flexion of index finger (pulling a trigger) while keeping his hand steady, and his eye fixed on the target through the sights. It can also be used for strength training of the muscles of the shoulders involved in shooting i.e., with arm forward extension and abduction. Improving the muscles involved in the act of shooting a firearm will improve shooting accuracy by decreasing the physiological tremor and improving hand eye coordination and the ability to accommodate and fix the focus of the eye accurately on the target. In one modification of this design, the trigger mechanism may be attached to the body of the firearm via a hinge with adjustable resistance against the torque that is sufficient to rotate the trigger mechanism away from alignment with the axis of the barrel if the user does not pull the trigger directly along the barrel axis. This feature trains the user to pull the trigger straight and in line with the barrel. As the user becomes more proficient, he or she can decrease the resistance and practice with a lower torque threshold before the trigger mechanism rotates out of line during the trigger squeeze. Other versions of this type of torque-related exercise apparatus are also disclosed including a ball-detent pistol embodiment, a trigger-only hinge version, a trigger and barrel hinge version and a non-pistol version which employs a multi-finger spring mechanism affixed to a hinged-based palm member. Actual rotation of the trigger mechanism is not required in one embodiment in which a sensor measures the torque and sets off an alarm if it exceeds a selected threshold.

Problems solved by technology

There is no prior art known to the applicant which is designed to train a marksman to squeeze the trigger directly along the axis of the barrel.

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