WO2011095651A1

WO2011095651A1 - Ammunition supply indicator device

Info

Publication number: WO2011095651A1
Application number: PCT/ES2010/070061
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raúl DELGADO ACARRETA
Original assignee: Delgado Acarreta Raul
Priority date: 2010-02-04
Filing date: 2010-02-04
Publication date: 2011-08-11
Also published as: IL221290A0; EP2533000A1; CA2788869A1; EP2533000A4; US20110252682A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an ammunition supply indicator device that can be incorporated into a firearm (11), said firearm (11) comprising a magazine (21) including movable means (22, 23) that slide along a longitudinal axial direction of the magazine (21). The device (12) includes a predetermined number of means (41) for receiving a magnetic field generated by actuator means (24) connected to the above-mentioned movable means (22, 23), whereby the level of the electric signal is dependent on the relative distribution of the receiving means (31) in relation to the magazine (21), the type of material used to produce the firearm (11), the magazine (21), and the position of the movable means (22, 23).

Description

DEVICE FOR INDICATION OF THE SUPPLY OF

AMMUNITION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to a system indicating the supply of ammunition and, in particular, to a device for a portable firearm that can communicate the number of bullet cartridges in a magazine and a system that includes the charger and a portable firearm.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

[0002] In portable firearms it is difficult to know the number of bullet cartridges left inside a magazine to shoot and, therefore, be in a good position to replace the magazine.

[0003] Ammunition supply systems are known in the state of the art that include means for visually displaying the cartridges remaining in the magazine of a weapon.

[0004] From US5303495 an end-of-ammunition alarm device of a magazine is known, where the handle of a weapon comprises, in the direction of advance of the magazine tile, a plurality of Hall sensors, the number of which corresponds exactly with the maximum number of cartridges that the magazine can accommodate.

[0005] The tile incorporates a magnet, so that as the tile holding the cartridges moves through the magazine, the magnet is placed in front of each of the Hall sensors, activating the Hall sensor corresponding to the current position of the tile. An activation signal associated with the Hall sensor facing the tile is transmitted to a processing unit that decreases from the initial count of the number of cartridges one cartridge per shot made by the firearm.

[0006] The number of remaining cartridges is shown after each shot in a display device mounted on the firearm itself.

[0007] The aforementioned device has some disadvantages such as the complexity of its realization by requiring a Hall sensor per position of the tile within the loader.

[0008] The device can only be installed on weapons in the manufacturing process and not on existing weapons and always requiring modification of morphology and even the mechanics of the weapon.

[0009] The device also has the disadvantage that the position of the Hall sensors is suitable for a particular type of loader and in case of varying the distribution of the ammunition in the loader, for example, in line or to the three-leg, or , the caliber of the same, the positions of the tile change and increases the possibility of malfunctioning, that is, without precision that entails an inaccurate count of the ammunition that contains the charger mounted on the portable firearm. In this case, the user of the weapon cannot rely on the number of cartridges shown by the weapon, which can cause the user to distrust the device and increase the user experience.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention seeks to solve or reduce one or more of the drawbacks set forth above by means of an ammunition supply indication device as defined in the claims.

[0011] According to one embodiment, an ammunition supply indication device can be installed in a firearm, where the indicating device comprises a plurality of magnetic field receiving means generated by actuator means linked to movable means. of a firearm loader; the number and distribution of the receiving means being a function of the type of material with which the firearm is manufactured and the relative position of the indicating device with respect to the charger when mounted on the firearm.

[0012] The number and distribution of the receivers is independent of the type of magazine comprising a cartridge lift being slidable in a longitudinal axial direction thereof from an exit / inlet hole to a final stop of the magazine, of the magnetic actuator means linkable to a half-spring that pushes the cartridge elevator towards the exit hole, the elevator itself or a telescopic extension means located between the cartridge elevator and an end end of the magazine.

[0013] The magnetic field receiving means generate in response to the magnetic field associated with the magnetic actuating means in a position reached by the cartridge lifter after a displacement thereof, electrical signals that are supplied to an associated processing unit said signal received to a number of cartridges stored in the magazine after elevator travel.

[0014] As the magnetic actuator associated with the displaceable means of the magazine moves, the value of the magnetic field perceived by the magnetic receivers varies, consequently, in each position reached by the cartridge lifter the signal processor can associate a number of cartridges stored in the loader as the elevator moves towards the exit / inlet port of the loader.

[0015] The magnetic receivers can be placed substantially along at least one vertical axis included in at least one vertical plane parallel to the longitudinal axial axis of the magazine, for example, in planes parallel to both sides of the handle of the firearm, so that they are excitable by the magnetic actuator when it travels in solidarity with the elevator.

[0016] Each receiver generates and transmits an electrical signal based on the detected magnetic field, towards the processor that receives a plurality of electrical signals from different receivers and, depending on the received signals, associates a number of cartridges corresponding to the position of the loader's elevator .

[0017] The processor executes a policy from a set of directives stored in a storage unit. A directive can be defined differently for different types of loaders, either by necessity because of the different technical possibilities of different types of loaders such as the number of cartridges that can be stored, their online storage mode, the triplet, etc. .; or as a result of a choice of a firearm carrier.

[0018] Therefore, the processor calculates the supply based on different types of signals and can be associated with different numerical values, so that, based on the received values, it calculates the number of cartridges that the magazine still stores.

[0019] The distribution of the receiver set is carried out in order to avoid the generation of electrical signals corresponding to erroneous positions of the tile, that is, the distribution of the receivers is carried out in order to prevent any part of the weapon from fire generates an interference in the correct operation in the measurement of the magnetic flux corresponding to each position of the tile, consequently, the location of the determined number of receivers does not have to correspond with a certain number of possible fixed positions of the tile in its displacement the hole of charger output / input.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the indicating device comprises means for detecting the end of the magazine which allows it to be used with cartridge chargers of different calibers and / or different types of storage thereof.

[0021] The indicating device is configurable as an autonomous element that can be attached to the handle of the weapon, therefore, its installation on the weapon does not require modification, since it is an external accessory to it so that it can be mounted on Existing weapons without the need for special tools or specific technical or assembly skills.

[0022] The indicating device comprises a display means for visually displaying information associated with the number of cartridges existing within the magazine. For example, number of cartridges remaining in the magazine, that the number of cartridges is below a certain threshold independent of the maximum number of cartridges that the magazine can store. The display means may include a warning medium that can emit different types of warning or alarm signal to the bearer of the weapon.

[0023] The indicating device comprises an electrical power source that supplies electrical energy to each of its components.

[0024] The indicating device can be installed below the firing and percussion mechanism of the weapon by hugging the handle of the same, in the case of being a short type weapon or pistol. And the indicating device can be installed around the insertion mouth of the magazine in the case of a long type weapon.

BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE FIGURES

[0025] A more detailed explanation of devices and / or methods according to embodiments of the invention is given in the following description based on the attached figures in which:

[0026] Figure 1 shows in a side perspective view a firearm incorporating an ammunition supply indication device,

[0027] Figure 2 shows in a side perspective view a cartridge elevator and in a sectional view a magazine incorporating the cartridge elevator, [0028] Figure 3 shows in a view a handle of a firearm grip,

[0029] Figure 4 shows in a side perspective view the ammunition supply indication device,

[0030] Figure 5 shows in another side perspective view the ammunition supply indication device and a detail of a switching element incorporated in the ammunition supply indication device,

[0031] Figure 6 shows in an elevation view a long firearm incorporating an ammunition supply indication device,

[0032] Figure 7 shows in a side perspective view one type of cartridge lifter, and

[0033] Figure 8 shows in a side perspective view a spring means incorporating an actuator means and a sectional view of the charger incorporating a telescopic extension means.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Figure 1 shows an ammunition supply indication device 12 coupled to the handle of a firearm 1 1 such as a short firearm or pistol.

[0035] In relation to Figures 2 and 8, a magazine 21 comprises a cartridge elevator 22 or tile disposed therein, which slides in a longitudinal axial direction from an outlet / inlet port 25 to an end stop 26 of the charger 21.

[0036] A magnetic actuator means 24 engages in a spring means 23 that pushes the cartridge elevator 22 towards the outlet hole 25 and / or in the same elevator 22 by means of a mechanical and / or chemical fixing means.

[0037] The actuator 24 can be incorporated into a telescopic extension means 24A which can be housed between the cartridge elevator 22 and the end end of the magazine 26.

[0038] In relation now to Figure 7, the actuator 24 such as a magnetic material, namely, a magnet can be housed within a hole sized for this purpose in the elevator 22 of the magazine 21.

[0039] In relation now to Figure 4, the indicating device 12 it comprises means 41 receivers of the magnetic field of the magnetic actuators 24, located in the direction of advance of the elevator 22 and measuring the intensity of the magnetic field of the actuator 24 in its advance towards the outlet orifice 25.

[0040] Depending on the type of magazine and the cartridge type gauge stored in magazine 21, the elevator 22 reaches a certain position with respect to the end end 26 or the outlet port 25 of the magazine depending on the number of cartridges stored in every instant.

[0041] Consequently, the electrical signals emitted by the actuator are a function of the type of magazine, the relative position reached by the cartridge lifter 22 after a displacement thereof, the influence in interference mode due to the material with which The structure of the weapon 1 1 and the magazine 21 are manufactured.

[0042] In summary, the distribution of the receivers 41 is a function of the arrangement of those elements of the firearm 1 1 that can influence the measurement of the intensity of the magnetic field and of mobile elements of the weapon 1 1 itself.

[0043] For the measurement of the intensity of the magnetic field to be reliable and accurate, the magnet 24 may be forced to have one of its faces remain in direct contact with an inner face of the charger housing 21 by a second half spring, not shown in figure 7.

[0044] However, if the weapon is made of materials that do not generate interfere with the measurement of the receivers 41, for example, a large number of components of the weapon 1 1 is made of non-metallic materials, the magnet 24 may be greater relative distance from the receivers 41, without the need to be in permanent contact with a wall of the charger case 21.

[0045] The receivers 41 of the magnetic field are sensors of the magnetostatic sensor type such as a Hall effect sensor located in the forward direction of the elevator 22.

[0046] In relation to Figure 3, in those firearms 1 1 comprising handle handles, the components of the indicating device 12 can be housed distributed therewith establishing the electrical connections between them that allow generating a result of the number of cartridges stored in the magazine that mounts the gun. [0047] Thus, in a handle hilt of the gun 1 1, the sensors 41 that are excited by the magnetic field of the magnet 24 can be installed, and generate electrical signals corresponding to the detected magnetic field strength, which emit towards a unit signal processing 31 that associates the level of the received signals with a number of cartridges stored in the magazine 21.

[0048] The processor 31 in response to the electrical signals received from the different sensors 41, executes a selected guideline based on the type of loader 21 that is mounted on the gun 1 1, to calculate the position of the elevator 22 and from said calculation derives the number of cartridges contained in the magazine 21.

[0049] In one embodiment the 41 Hall sensors are of the analog type so that when excited by the magnetic field they provide an output voltage that is proportional to the magnetic field to which each 41 Hall sensor is exposed, this being the value analyzed the processor 31.

[0050] The optimal number of receivers 41 installable to achieve reliable detection depends on the type of gun 1 1 and the number of cartridges to be controlled, the materials with which the gun 1 1 is made, etc.

[0051] It should be noted that a supply indication system includes the charger 21 which, in turn, includes the magnet 24 and the indicating device 12 itself comprising the rest of the components required to calculate the number of stored cartridges inside the magazine 21, which is attachable, for example, to the handle of the gun 1 1, figure 1, and / or to a socket of the magazine 21 in a fire gun 1 1 of the long type, figure 6.

[0052] The indicating device 12 comprises a communications input / output port that allows reprogramming of the processor 31 to make the selection of the directive to be executed based on the type of magazine 21 and / or ammunition consumed by the weapon 1 one.

[0053] In weapons 1 1 whose handle does not include scales, the indicating device is configured as an external accessory that wraps the firearm handle, see figures 1, 4 and 5. The indicating device 12 can be made, for example , in a polymer type material.

[0054] Returning now to Figure 6, in long gun-type weapons, in which the magazine is inserted in a mouth and not in the handle, the sensors 41 and the indicating device 12 are adapted to be attachable to the own mouth of the long weapon.

[0055] Turning now to Fig. 3, the indicating device 12 includes a source 52 of electrical energy such as a long-lasting electric battery that supplies electrical power to each of the components of the device 12.

[0056] The indicating device 12 includes an activation-deactivation switch element 51 to minimize the consumption of electrical energy by the device 12, see detail of figure 5.

[0057] The switching element 51 may be a button whose actuation activates the indicating device 12, by feeding the sensors 41 Hall. The button 51 is operable by a finger of the shooter when he grasps the weapon 1 1, without the need for the shooter to perform additional movements.

[0058] The activation of the indicating device 12 can also be carried out by means of a detecting means that detects that the weapon 1 1 has been fired, for example, by a piezoelectric sensor that is activated when a trip occurs so that the indicating device 12 is activate and calculate the number of cartridges left in magazine 21.

[0059] The analog piezoelectric sensor generates an electrical voltage of force proportional to the mechanical vibrations it supports. If the level of this voltage is sufficient, it generates as an output an electrical signal that is supplied to an input of the processor, which determines whether the received signal corresponds to a trip. For this, the microcontroller 31 evaluates the signal so that if, for example, the vibration corresponds to a fall of the weapon, the full wave is not identified as a shot, so it does not enable the power supply of the 41 Hall sensors.

[0060] The indicating device 12 comprises a display means for visually displaying information associated with the number of cartridges existing in the magazine 21. For example, number of cartridges remaining in the magazine 21, that the number of cartridges is below a certain threshold independent of the maximum number of cartridges that the magazine can store. The display means may include a warning medium that can emit different types of warning or alarm signal to the bearer of the weapon 1 1.

[0061] The display can be an alphanumeric screen that shows different types of alphanumeric messages. And an alarm signal can be a indicator light 42 such as an LED which can adopt different colors or color codes depending on the number of cartridges currently stored in the magazine 21, see figure 4.

[0062] For example, if the last three stored cartridges are controlled, when the indicating device 12 detects that the elevator 22 is within the area in which three cartridges remain, the luminous code 42 may emit a blue, purple light when it detects that two cartridges and red remain for a single cartridge. In this case, it will only be necessary to control the last cartridges so that the sensors 41 Hall will be located in the area adjacent to the upper part of the magazine 21. The positions of the elevator 22 closest to the end stop 26 of the magazine 21 may not be controlled by the indicator device 12.

[0063] The indicator light 42 may also have the function of being illuminated when the indicator device 12 is activated, for example, when the weapon is held or when firing a shot.

[0064] The warning or indicator will be located within the shooter's field of vision, so that the shooter does not have to take his eyes off the target to display the indicator. The light emitted by the LED is emitted outward for display by the shooter through a prism to use a lower power LED.

[0065] The light intensity emitted by the LED is visible only by the firearm handle 1 1. For this purpose, the light device 42 is located inside a recess that causes an opening radiation cone of approximately 60 ° . The light indication 42 may also integrate an optical means for detecting the amount of ambient light, for example, a photodiode, which will act on the level of brightness of the LED by regulating the light intensity emitted by it.

[0066] In the case of long weapons, the warning device or indicator 42 can be placed in an area of the weapon that allows the shooter to see it, for example, in the upper area adjacent to the weapon's sight.

[0067] The indicating device 12 is configured as a watertight module, for this reason, said device 12 can be made of plastic material, resin, etc. where the different components of indicator 12 are embedded.

Claims

1. An indication device for the supply of ammunition incorporated into a firearm (1 1), the weapon (1 1) comprising a magazine (21) including movable means (22, 23) that slide in a longitudinal axial direction of the charger (21); characterized in that the indicating device (12) comprises a certain number of magnetic field receiving means (41) generated by actuator means (24) linked to the movable means (22, 23), which generate as a result a plurality of electrical signals function of the relative distribution of the receiving means (31) with respect to the magazine (21), the type of material with which the firearm (1 1), the magazine (21) is manufactured and the position of the means movable (22, 23).

2. Device according to claim 1; characterized in that the indicating device (12) comprises a signal processing unit that associates the level of said signals with a number of cartridges stored in the magazine (21) in response to the reception of the electrical signals.

3. Device according to claim 2; characterized in that the number and distribution of the receivers (41) is independent of the type of charger (21).

4. Device according to claim 3; characterized in that the receivers (31) can be positioned substantially along at least one vertical axis included in at least one vertical plane parallel to the longitudinal axial axis of the magazine (21).

5. Device according to claim 4; characterized in that the receivers (41) are distributable and locatable vertically within at least one vertical plane parallel to the longitudinal axial axis of the magazine (21) and parallel thereto.

6. Device according to claim 1; characterized in that the indicating device (12) is linkable to the handle of the firearm (1 1) that the magazine (21) can accommodate.

7. Device according to claim 1; characterized in that the indicating device (12) is linkable to the socket of the firearm (1 1) where the magazine (21) can be housed.

8. Device according to claim 2; characterized in that the receivers (31) are magnetic field sensors such as Hall sensors.

9. An ammunition supply loader of a firearm (1 1) comprising movable means (22, 23) that slide in a longitudinal axial direction of the loader (21); characterized in that the movable means (22, 23) include actuating means (24) movable in solidarity with the movable means (22, 23) in a longitudinal axial direction of the magazine (21) so that receiving means (31) included in a device of indication (12) generate and emit electrical signals depending on the magnetic field captured by the actuator means (24).

10. Charger according to claim 9; characterized in that the actuator (24) is a magnetic material such as a magnet.

11. Charger according to claim 9; characterized in that the actuator (24) can be incorporated into a means (23) spring of the magazine (26).

12. Charger according to claim 9; characterized in that the actuator (24) can be incorporated into a lifting means (22) of the loader (26).

13. Charger according to claim 9; characterized in that the actuator (24) can be incorporated into a telescopic extension means which is housed between a lifting means (22) and an end end of the loader (26).

14. Method of indicating the supply of ammunition from a firearm (1 1); characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

• Measurement by means of receiver means (41) of the magnetic field generated by actuator means (24) linked to displaceable means (22, 23) included within a loader (21), as a function of a position reached by an elevator of cartridges (22) after a displacement thereof,

• Generation and emission by means of the receiving means (41) of electrical signals according to the measurements obtained in the previous step,

• Calculation by means of a signal processing unit of the number of cartridges stored in the magazine (21) associated with the position reached by the cartridge elevator (22).

15. A firearm where a magazine (21) is insertable; characterized in that an indication device (12) of the ammunition supply of the firearm (1 1) is incorporated therein, where the indicating device (12) comprises a certain number of magnetic field receiving means (41) generated by actuator means (24) linked to the movable means (22, 23 ), which generate a plurality of electrical signals as a function of the relative distribution of the receiving means (31) with respect to the charger (21), of the type of material with which the firearm (1 1) is manufactured, the loader (21) and the position of the movable means (22, 23).

16. A computer program may be loadable into an internal memory of a processing unit with input and output units, where the computer program comprises executable codes configured to perform the steps of the procedure for indicating the supply of ammunition for a firearm. fire (1 1) according to claim 14.