Remote Firearm Safety Selector for Live Range Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firearms at live-fire ranges often pose safety risks due to the limitations of single range masters in monitoring and enforcing safety rules, language barriers during training, and the potential for remote-controlled safety catches to malfunction, leading to accidental discharges.
Innovation Solution
A wireless remote-controlled safety or fire mode selector system is integrated into firearms, allowing instructors to selectively lock or unlock firearms using a radio frequency signal, ensuring safety during training and emergency situations, even if the remote control fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single range master monitors and enforces safety rules, then the system is simple to operate, but the range master cannot see every safety violation or initiate cease fire when out of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the safety control function into multiple independent remote-controlled safety catches, one for each firearm. Each safety catch operates autonomously under remote control, allowing multiple personnel to independently monitor and control different firing lines simultaneously, thereby expanding safety coverage without creating a complex centralized control system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each firearm is equipped with its own remotely controllable safety catch that automatically engages or disengages based on remote commands. The system enables instructors and range personnel to directly control safety functions without requiring coordination through a single range master, making the safety system self-sufficient and scalable.
2Reliability
If remote controlled safety catches are used to disable firearms, then safety control is improved, but if the remote control fails or breaks, the gun cannot be fired until the remote control or its battery is replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional safety catch design by making the safety catch remotely controllable rather than manually operated. The safety catch normally remains engaged and can be disengaged remotely when firing is authorized. This reversal allows the firearm to be accessible by default while maintaining safety control, and includes a bypass mechanism that allows manual operation if the remote control fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a bypass mechanism that allows manual operation of the safety catch if the remote control system fails. This pre-prepared contingency ensures that firearm accessibility is maintained even when the remote control system is unavailable, preventing complete system failure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If instructors speak different languages or multiple classes are in the same firing line, then training diversity is improved, but confusion about firing times arises causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a universal remote control system that serves as an intermediary between instructors and firearms. The remote controls use standardized visual signals and universal commands that transcend language barriers, allowing instructors from different language backgrounds to effectively control firing safety. Each instructor can independently control their class's firearms through their own remote control.
4Speed
If a remote controlled safety catch system is implemented, then the ability to initiate cease fire remotely is improved, but the system complexity and potential points of failure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the safety control function from the firearm's internal mechanisms and places it in separate, remotely controllable safety catches. This separation allows the safety control system to be independently optimized and controlled without affecting the firearm's core functionality. Each remote control unit is a simple, standalone device that communicates with its corresponding safety catch, minimizing system complexity while achieving rapid response capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are remote controlled safety catch or fire-mode selectors for disablement of one or more firearms at live fire-ranges and related methods.