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US 6,785,996 B2Granted
Firearm orientation and drop sensor system
AssigneeRA Brands, L.L.C.
InventorsDale R. Danner, David O. Matteson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sensor system for detecting jarring, acceleration or other application of force to a firearm, and/or movement of the firearm into an undesired orientation, which includes a sensor array mounted to a firearm. The sensor array detects the excessive acceleration and/or movement of the firearm into certain orientations and generates a sensor signal indicative of a fault condition. In response, a control system blocks or interrupts the firing sequence of the firearm to prevent inadvertent discharge of a round of ammunition by the firearm.
Claims20
A sensor array for a firearm, comprising:
- a sensor array mounted to the firearm for sensing at least one of an application of a force to the firearm, an acceleration of the firearm or the firearm being moved into an undesired orientation, and generating a sensor signal indicating a fault condition;
- and
- a control system including a fire control and a control processor for receiving said sensor signal from said sensor array and stopping a firing sequence of the firearm sequence of the firearm upon detection of the fault condition;
- wherein
- said fire control includes a firing pin, a firing pin spring engaging and urging said firing pin toward engagement with a round of ammunition to fire the round of ammunition, and a solenoid for holding said firing pin in a ready to fire position, said firing pin is biased into contact with the round of ammunition by said firing pin spring to cause the firing of the round of ammunition.
2 more elements
A method of controlling firing of a round of ammunition, by a firearm, comprising:
- providing a sensor array mounted along the firearm;
- activating a firing sequence for the firearm to fire the round of ammunition;
- sensing a fault condition with the sensor array, including an application of force to the firearm, acceleration of the firearm or orientation of the firearm, and generating a sensor signal in response;
- comparing the sensor signal to a threshold reference signal and blocking the firing sequence for firing the round of ammunition if the sensor signal falls outside the threshold reference signal;
- and
- if the firing sequence is allowed to proceed, firing the round of ammunition.
3 more elements
A firearm comprising:
- a sensor system mounted to the firearm for sensing undersirable acceleration, jarring, re-orientation of the firearm to unsafe condition, or an unsafe rate of change in orientation of the firearm, said sensor system including at least one orientation sensor adapted to sense a single axis of angular orientation of the firearm relative to the earth and generate a sensor signal related to the orientation of the firearm in relation to the earth, indicating a fault condition;
- and
- a control system receiving said sensor signal from said sensor system and stopping a firing sequence of the firearm upon detection of said fault condition.
A firearm, comprising:
- a sensor system including at least one electrolytic tilt sensor mounted to the firearm for sensing undesirable acceleration, jarring, and/or re-orientation of the firearm, and generating a sensor signal indicating a fault condition;
- and
- a control system receiving said sensor signal from said sensor system and stopping a firing sequence of the firearm upon detection of said fault condition.
A firearm, comprising:
- a sensor system including a three-axis accelerometer mounted to the firearm for sinsing undesirable acceleration, jarring, and/or re-orientation of the firearm, and generating a sensor signal indication a fault condition;
- and
- a control system receiving said sensor signal from said sensor system and stopping a firing sequence of the firearm upon detection of said fault condition.
A firearm, comprising:
- a sensor system including a three-axis magnetometer mounted to the firearm for sensing undesirable acceleration, jarring, and/or re-orientation of the firearm, and generation a sensor signal indicating a fault condition;
- and
- a control system receiving said sensor signal from said sensor system and stopping a firing sequence of the firearm upon detection of said fault condition.
A firearm, comprising:
- a sensor system including a three-axis magnetometer and a three-axis accelerometer mounted to the firearm for sensing undesirable acceleration, jarring, and/or re-orientation of the firearm, and generating a sensor signal indicating a fault condition;
- and
- a control system receiving said sensor signal from said sensor system and stopping a firing sequence of the firearm upon detection of said fault condition.
A method of controlling firing of a round of ammunition by a firearm, comprising:
- providing a sensor system mounted along the firearm;
- activating a firing sequence for the firearm to fire the round of ammunition;
- sensing a fault condition with the sensor system, including an application of force to the firearm, acceleration of the firearm and/or orientation of the firearm and generating a sensor signal in response;
- comparing the sensor signal to a threshold signal and blocking the firing sequence for firing the round of ammunition if the sensor signal falls outside the threshold;
- and
- if the firing sequence is allowed to proceed, firing the round of ammunition.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.