Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
21 80059
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention involves a training device and method to
train a person in a live ammunition fire fight. More
specifically, the invention involves a remote controlled
projectile firing mechanism wherein the projectiles are
harmless but mark the person in training while allowing that
person to shoot with live ammunition from a firearm.
In police work and in military situations, hand to hand
combat with armed weapons is sometimes necessary. It has
long been desirable to train personnel so that they will be
ready in case a armed conflict becomes necessary. A number
of various training systems have been developed including a
special range set up to simulate an actual setting where an
armed conflict might occur. The trainee is instructed to
move through the simulated scene, such as store fronts or
house fronts in the simulated street scene. The trainee who
is generally seeking to enter or maintain his or her position
on a police force carries a loaded firearm and is instructed
to shoot targets which flip up or are exposed as the trainee
moves through the ~street~. Some of the targets are
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"friendly" and some of them simulate an immediate threat to
life of the trainee, such as brandishing simulated weapons.
The trainee is scored as to his or her speed and accuracy in
hitting only the threatening targets. Other systems attempt
to simulate the scene somewhat like a video game, however the
use of a loaded weapon is missing from that type of training.
What is needed is a training system and a device that will
allow the trainee to use a loaded weapon while learning the
skills of avoiding being shot by an armed '~bad guy". For the
purposes of this patent the term "firearm~ is defined as a
weapon, such as a small arms weapon, from which a projectile
is fired by gun powder or any equivalent weapon that can
injure a person from a distance.
A combat training system and apparatus is disclosed in
United States Patent No. 4,934,937 to Judd utilizing live
ammunition being used by the trainee and simulating enemy
fire through the use of a laser connected to the target. In
United States Patent No. 4,948,371 to Hall, a system for
training and evaluation of security personnel in the use of
firearms features a video display with the trainee using an
infrared handgun against simulated fire by a person on the
scene. In United Stated Patent No. 2,569,594 to Aagesen, a
projector is used to provide target reporting information
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with pop up targets allowing the trainee to use live
ammunition. A target reporting system audibly advising the
shooter of the success or failure of hitting the target is
described in United States Patent No. 5,095,533; a target
indicating a shot scoring system for a firing range is
described in United States Patent No. 4,482,325; a
miniaturized linear motion and pop-up target training system
is described in United States Patent No. 4,340,370; a direct
fire weapon simulator using a screen and an illuminator fixed
to a screen is described in United States Patent No.
3,889,396; and a training apparatus for firearms use using a
motion picture projected onto a screen is described in United
States Patent No. 3,849,910.
None of these devices and systems answer the above
described need nor attain the objects described herein below.
CA 021800~9 1997-10-23
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The device and method using the device described herein below
allows the use of a firearm with live ammunition in an attempt to hit targets
which are close to a remotely operated gun that shoots projectiles that will
indicate whether the trainee has been hit, but will not injure the trainee.
0 It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a device
and method which will allow a realistic scenario using the trainees own
weapon and ammunition while allowing the trainee to learn how to remain
protected and hide from simulated "enemy" fire.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a device
and method wherein the trainee can be instructed and tested in the use of his
or her weapon while under fire including those circumstances where the
firearm has a "simulated" jam.
2 o It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a
simulated pressure situation wherein there is a simulated
CA 021800~9 1997-10-23
risk to the trainee while he or she is trying to use a firearm with live
ammunition, the pressure simulation not being able to be achieved by any
other system or device.
A part of the device of this invention is a gun that shoots projectiles
that provide an immediate indication of a "hit" on the trainee, but without
injuring that trainee. An example of such a device is the well known "paint
gun" which shoots round frangible plastic balls filled with paint that break
o upon impact with little risk to the person being hit. These devices are widely
used for war games played by both adults and children. An example of such
a gun is described in United States Patent No. 4,936,282 to Gerrold M.
Dobbins et al that issued on June 26, 1990 describing a gas powered gun to
propel paint containing frangible projectiles. Other patents usable as guns in
the present invention are described in United States Patent Numbers
1,854,605, 4,854,294, 1,857,068, 3,345,977, and 5,001,555, and U.K. Patent
No. 1,536,672.
An aspect of the invention is a method of training a person in combat
2 o that includes arming said person with a
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2 1 8005')
firearm with live ammunition. The method further includes
providing a remotely operated projectile shooting device that
includes gun means to shoot harmless projectiles that will
mark said person on impact and aiming means to aim the gun
means controlled from a remote location. The method also
includes providing armor means to protect the remotely
operated projectile shooting device from the live ammunition
fired from the firearm and locating at least one target
proximate the remotely operated projectile shooting device.
The method then includes aiming and firing the remotely
operated projectile shooting device directing fire of the
harmless projectiles at said person and requiring said person
to shoot the firearm and hit said target without being hit by
a projectile fired from the remotely operated projectile
shooting device.
It is preferred that the gun means be a pneumatic
powered gun that propels frangible polymeric plastic balls
filled with paint. It is preferred that the providing the
remotely operated projectile shooting device include
providing that the aiming means be to aim the gun means
through a horizontal arc. It is also preferred that the
providing the remotely operated projectile shooting device
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include providing that the aiming means include frame means
supporting the gun means, an upper horizontal support panel
comprising an upper surface to which the gun means is
attached, rotateable means supporting and connecting the
upper horizontal support panel to the frame means while
allowing the upper horizontal support panel to rotate in a
horizontal arc, and first movement means to rotate the upper
horizontal support panel in an arc. It is further preferred
that the providing remotely operated projectile shooting
device include providing that the aiming means include frame
means supporting a lower horizontal support panel, an upper
horizontal support panel comprising an upper surface to which
the gun means is attached, rotateable connection means
connecting the upper horizontal support panel to the lower
horizontal support panel while allowing the upper horizontal
support panel to rotate in a horizontal arc, support means to
support the upper horizontal support panel on and allow it to
move freely on the lower horizontal support panel, and first
movement means to rotate the upper horizontal support panel
in arc around the pivot connection means. It is also
preferred that the providing the remotely operated projectile
shooting device includes providing that the aiming means
include frame means supporting a lower horizontal support
CA 021800~9 1997-10-23
panel supporting the gun means, first pivot connection means pivotally
connecting a rear end of the lower horizontal support panel on the frame
means allowing vertical tilting from horizontal of a frorit end of the lower
horizontal support member, second movement means to raise and lower a
front end of the lower horizontal support panel, and second pivot connection
means supporting and connecting the second movement means to the front
end of the lower horizontal support panel. It is further preferred that the
providing the armor means include providing a panel capable of preventing
o penetration of slugs from the firearm, the panel being connected to the gun
means and moveable with the gun means as it is aimed by the aiming means.
Another aspect of this invention is as follows:
A method of training a person in combat comprising:
(A) arming said person with a firearm with live ammunition,
(B) providing a remotely operated projectile shooting device
comprising:
(i) a gun that propels harmless frangible polymeric plas.~;c
balls filled with paint that will mark said person on impact,
(ii) aiming means to aim the gun means controlled from a
2 o remote location comprising:
(a) frame means supporting the gun means,
(b) an upper horizontal support panel comprising an
upper surface to which the gun means is attached,
! ~ .
CA 021800~9 1997-10-23
(c) rotatable means supporting and connecting the
upper horizontal support panel to the frame means while allowing the upper
horizontal support panel to rotate in a horizontal arc, and
(d) first movement means to rotate the upper
horizontal support panel in an arc, and
(iii) feeding means to hold said balls and feed same to
said gun,
(c) placing a supply of said balls in said feeding means
Yet another aspect of the invention is a remotely operated gun
apparatus that includes gun means to shoot
~,'J
- - -
21 8005q
harmless projectiles that will mark a person on impact and
aiming means to aim the gun means. The aiming means includes
horizontal control means to adjust a horizontal direction of
the aim, vertical control means to adjust a vertical
direction of the aim, and remote control means to operate the
horizontal control means and the vertical control means from
a remote location. The apparatus further includes armor
means to protect the gun means, the horizontal control means,
and the vertical control means from damage by firearm fire.
The armor means includes a panel capable of preventing
penetration of slugs fired from a firearm, the panel being
connected to the gun means and moveable with the gun means as
it is aimed by the aiming means.
It is preferred that the aiming means include frame
means supporting the gun means, an upper horizontal support
panel comprising an upper surface to which the gun means is
attached, rotateable means supporting and connecting the
upper horizontal support panel to the frame means while
allowing the upper horizontal support panel to rotate in a
horizontal arc, and first movement means to rotate the upper
horizontal support panel in an arc. It is further preferred
that the aiming means include frame means supporting a lower
2 1 8005~
.
horizontal support panel, an upper horizontal support panel
comprising an upper surface to which the gun means is
attached, rotateable connection means connecting the upper
horizontal support panel to the lower horizontal support
panel while allowing the upper horizontal support panel to
rotate in a horizontal arc, support means to support the
upper horizontal support panel on and allow it to move freely
on the lower horizontal support panel, and first movement
means to rotate the upper horizontal support panel in arc
around the pivot connection means. It is also preferred that
the aiming means include frame means supporting a lower
horizontal support panel supporting the gun means, first
pivot connection means pivotally connecting a rear end of the
lower horizontal support panel on the frame means allowing
vertical tilting from horizontal of a front end of the lower
horizontal support member, second movement means to raise and
lower a front end of the lower horizontal support panel, and
second pivot connection means supporting and connecting the
second movement means to the front end of the lower
horizontal support panel. It is further preferred that the
armor means include a panel capable of preventing penetration
of slugs fired from a firearm, the armor means being
CA 021800~9 1997-10-23
connected to the gun means and moveable with the gun means as it is aimed
by the aiming means.
Yet another aspect of this invention is as follows~
A method of training a person in combat comprising:
(a) arming said person with a firearm with live ammunition,
(b) providing a remotely operated projectile shooting device
comprising;
(i) gun means to shoot harmless projectiles, and
o (ii) feeding means to hold the projectiles and feed the
projectiles to said gun means,
(c) placing a supply of the projectiles in the feeding means,
(d) providing armor means to protect the remotely operated
projectile shooting device from the live ammunition fired from the firearm,
(e) locating at least one target proximate the remotely operated
projectile shooting device,
(f) aiming and firing the remotely operated projectile shooting
device thereby projecting the harmless projectiles, and
(g) requiring the person to shoot the firearm and hit the target
2 o without being hit by a projectile fired from the remotely operated projectile
shooting device.
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21 80059
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a method
of use of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of an apparatus
of the present invention with armor plates 28
and 32 removed.
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along lines
3-3 of Fig. 2.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of controllers used
therein.
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view thereof with taken
along lines 5-5 of Fig. 2.
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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In Fig. 1, apparatus 10 is positioned to have
trainee 12 within it~s range of fire. Trainee 12 is aiming
firearm 14 through opening 16 in wall 18 at target 20.
Target 20 is a standard type of knock down target with upper
section 22 hingeably attached along with hinge 26 to lower
base section 24. Upper section 22 has a picture of a person
(not shown) exhibiting a life threat to trainee 12. When
upper section 22 is struck with a slug, it is knocked down to
the position shown as shadow view 22' of the upper section.
Additional targets may be used, such as target 20~
essentially identical to target 20, but positioned on an
opposite side to device 10. Apparatus 10 has one quarter
inch steel armor plate 28 supported on frame support 29. A
variety of armor plate constructions may be utilized and ~vn
shaped, 1/2 inch thick armor plate combination 28 rests on
the ground to protect apparatus 10 from stray fire. Gun
barrel 34 extends through movable armor plate 32 which
protects the upper portion of apparatus 10. The steel of
plate 32 can be replaced by a bullet proof vest type of
21 80059
construction utilizing KEVLAR~ fiber composite construction
to reduce weight and improve the portability of the device.
It is intended that the targets will be easily observeable
while the firing device will be positioned slightly behind
the target and of a more neutral background color. With
appropriate camoflage coating, device apparatus 10 will be
virtually invisible so that only wild shots might strike the
apparatus. As shown in Figs. 2 and 5 frame support including
members 30 and 49 of base frame 31 are of heavy angle iron
construction. Table panel 38 is supported at the top of the
rear vertical support members 30 connected through rear pivot
connection pins to rear horizontal frame member 49. Eye
bolts 52 bolted to two lower ends of members 30 and eye bolts
51 bolted to horizontal member 49 are aligned to receive
hinge pins 50. This pivot connection allows table 38 to tilt
up and down from the horizontal thus aiming gun 46
vertically. The front of table panel 38 is supported by
piston 54 extending vertically from Warner Electric linear
actuator 56. An upper end of piston 54 of actuator 56 is
connected through pivot connection 58 to eye member 52
extending from table 38. The base of actuator 56 is
connected to the base frame 31 section of the frame support.
Linear actuator 56 is electrically connected through wire
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2~ 80059
connections 60 to vertical switch box 62 and is powered by
twelve volt battery 64 connected through wires 65. Switch
box 62 contains heavy duty ~winch type" electronic switches
which are electrically connected through wires 66 to hand
held remote controller 72 as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.
Likewise controller wires 68 connect horizontal switch box 70
to hand controller 72 equipped with vertical switch 73 and
horizontal switch 71 and direction switches 74 and 76. When
vertical switch 73 is depressed and button 76 is depressed,
piston 54 is moved vertically upward by actuator 56 to
incline panel 38 at a chosen angle to aim barrel 34 in the
proper vertical direction. Likewise, depressing button 74
while holding down switch 73 will tilt panel 38 downwardly.
Similarly, depressing horizontal switch 71 will move barrel
34 horizontally left when button 74 is depressed and
horizontally right when button 76 is depressed. Linear
actuator 80 is electrically connected through wires 81 to
switch box 70, which is controlled through wires 68 by
controller 72. This latter movement is accomplished by
providing gun 46 held by bracket 104 on upper support panel
40 supported on wheels 42 which run on the upper surface of
panel 38 as shown in Fig. 2. Wheels 42 are connected through
wheel bracket 44 to the bottom surface of upper support panel
21 80059
40. The horizontal movement of gun 46 is accomplished by
rotating panel 40 in a 15 degree arc to the left and a 15
degree arc to the right pivoting on central pivot pin
connection 78 which connects panel 40 with table panel 38
allowing panel 40 to rotate on wheels 42. The movement is
accomplished by linear actuator 80 which is identical to unit
56. The rear end of actuator 80 is connected through pivot
connection 84 to upper side edge of frame member 36 which
supports panel 38 and also tilts upwardly and downwardly by
movement of actuator 56. Piston 82 of actuator 80 is
connected through a pivot connection hidden in this view to
the underside of panel 40 about 2 to 5 inches away from pivot
pin 78 with a connection mechanism similar to pivot
connection 84. Thus, as shown in Fig. 2, movement outwardly
of piston 82 by actuator 80 moves barrel 34 to the left
while movement of piston 82 by actuator 80 moves barrel 34
to the right. Gun 46 has magazine 48 which provides a
continuous supply of paint balls. Gun 46 is a slightly
modified Model 68 Special from Tippmann Pneumatic, Inc. of
Fort Wayne, Indiana powered through pressure line 108 from
cardon dioxide pressure cylinder 106. As shown in Figs. 3
and 5 the trigger guard has been removed allowing rubber head
86 of solenoid 88 to strike trigger 90 when actuated by
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21 ~0059
current supplied through wires 96 connected into a 110 volt
AC source to transformer 94 and wires 92. Trigger remote
controller 100 is connected through wires 98 which
momentarily provides current from series capacitors 110 to
solenoid 88 pushing trigger 90 to fire gun 46. The return
spring of trigger 90 easily returns head 86 of the solenoid
against stop 102 since the current to the solenoid is only
momentary. The solenoid is a twenty-four volt fifty OHM unit
from Guardian Electronics.
Although the system shown is all hard wired, it should be
clear that the remote controller may utilize electronic
signals to direct movement of the gun and fire the gun.
Controllers used for toy cars and the like may be utilized.
While this invention has been described with reference
to specific embodiments disclosed herein, it is not confined
to the details set forth and the patent is intended to
include modifications and changes which may come within and
extend from the following claims.
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