Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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PHOTOLUMINESCENT MUNITIONS AND MAGAZINE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed toward the field of small
caliber munitions and more particularly, to a means for
luminescing munitions for tracing and marking when used in
training.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the training of military and law enforcement
personnel, a need exists for force-on-force training with
service weapons. In addition, in the training of military
and law enforcement personnel, a need exists for detecting
the accuracy and effectiveness of the trainee's ability to
strike an intended target in daylight or darkness. This is
important not only for personnel training, but also to
determine the effectiveness of various equipment systems, and
as a means of calibrating such systems. Force-on-force
training with service weapons and live ammunition presents
health and safety hazards to the training personnel that are
unacceptable. The use of reduced energy projectiles such as
the SimmunitionsTM line produced by General Dynamics or the
Man MarkerTM line produced by Ultimate Training Munitions
reduces these health and safety hazards to acceptable levels.
However, these products provide daytime training capability,
only, in that the rounds do not trace and the resulting marks
cannot be readily seen in the dark. Numerous types of
devices have been employed in an effort to provide munitions
tracing, most uses are for use in game playing.
U.S. Patent No. 5,415,151 discloses a toy launcher for
launching phosphor-containing projectiles outwardly and a
radiation-emitter for exposing the projectile within the
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launcher to phosphorescence-activating radiation prior to the
projectile leaving the launcher, whereby the projectile will
phosphoresce as it leaves the launcher. An incandescent lamp
is used to light a photoluminescent projectile at launch.
Such an approach does not result in effective illumination of
the projectile and considerable time is involved "charging"
the photoluminescent projectile. The illuminated and
propelled projectile has relatively low level
phosphorescence.
U.S. Patent No. 5,498,280 discloses a phosphorescent and
fluorescent marking composition comprising polyethylene
glycols in combination with phosphorescent and fluorescent
pigments.
U.S. Patent No. 5,762,058 discloses a light emitting
rigid, fracturable projectile in the form of a phosphorescent
paintball. An exciter which couples to the muzzle of a
paintball gun is adaptable for use with paintball guns to
excite the phosphorescent paintball to emit light. The light
emitting paintball provides a luminous trail when discharged
from the paintball gun. The capsule is either impregnated
with a phosphorescent material or a phosphorescent material
is mixed with a filler. The phosphorescent material absorbs
light when exposed to a light source and, after the light
source is removed, emits light.
U.S. Patent No. 6,048,280 discloses a toy gun projectile
having photoluminescent properties when exposed to light
within the gun and propelled from the gun having an excited
photoluminescent surface to provide a visual display by the
propelled projectile. The projectile is illuminated by a
flash lamp having a high level ultraviolet light component
and relatively low or non-existent red, orange and infrared
components. The photoluminescent projectiles which are
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charged by superlumination provide a toy that is not only
inherently safe but highly interesting.
U.S. Patent No. 6,298,841 discloses light emitting rigid
fracturable projectile-type marking ammunition which is a
phosphorescent ball in the form of a spherical pellet or
capsule that includes non-phosphorescent impact diffusing
materials intimately admixed with phosphorescent materials.
The light emitting phosphorescent ball provides a luminous
trail when discharged from the paintball gun.
U.S. Patent No. 6,648,726 discloses a system and a
method for launching glow-in-the-dark projectiles from a
projectile launcher wherein the toy comprises projectiles
exposed to light prior to being launched and a firing
mechanism wherein a portion of the firing mechanism is
positioned with the projectile prior to being fired from the
launcher. The firing mechanism comprises a light for exposing
the projectile to radiation prior to being fired from the
gun.
U.S. Patent No. 7,040,308 discloses a hopper device for
illuminating luminescent paintballs before they are projected
down the barrel of a paintball gun. The hopper shell has top
and bottom rows of ultraviolet lights placed at preselected
portions of the shell to maximize the exposure of the
paintballs to ultraviolet light emitted from the lights. A
pair of low voltage D.C. batteries supplies power via a
switch to an inverter which increases the voltage to a
magnitude used by the lights.
U.S. Patent 5,035,183 discloses a two-piece polymer
projectile consisting of an aero dynamically shaped, thin-
shelled, frangible cap, adapted to be filled with a flowable
substance for marking upon impact, the fluid sealed within
the projectile by a rear plug. The rear plug is relatively
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rigid in order to contain the expansive effect of propellant
gases; a recessed compartment in the rear plug contributes to
creating a forward centre of gravity for the projectile; the
barrel rifling is engaged by the projectile in the region of
the rear plug only, whereby positive engagement with the
barrel rifling imparts spin without bursting the cap portion
of the projectile; an indentation region on the nose of the
cap facilitates flexing of the score lines for rapid and
efficient bursting of the cap on impact.
These work well in all situations except force-on-force
training with service weapons. The illuminated paintball
devices do not provide the necessary training effect similar
to service weapons and the inherent dangers of service
weapons with conventional tracers prevent their use in force-
on-force training.
What is lacking in the art is means for night time
training of police and military personnel with firearms that
eliminates the inherent dangers of the use of actual service
weapons.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses a means for tracing and
marking with munitions by use of a photoluminescent material
that is excited within the magazine of a firearm. The
apparatus is based upon a conventional firearm magazine that
stores special bullets either coated with or containing a
photoluminescent material and excited by a light emitting
means of a specified character. The bullets are special in
that they are reduced energy projectiles such as those
produced by General Dynamics or Ultimate Training Munitions
or like reduced energy projectiles. The light emitting means
is based on an LED producing light, either visible or an
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ultraviolet light component. The light emitting means
receives its energy source from batteries contained within
the magazine for powering of the LED's.
Alternatively, the light may be produced from a self
5 contained chemiluminescent light source.
An objective of this invention is to disclose the use of
photoluminescent ammunition placed in a conventional firearm
magazine and illuminated by a light source.
Another objective of this invention is to disclose the
use of photoluminescent ammunition that is illuminated by an
LED visible light source powered by batteries placed within
the magazine.
Another objective of this invention is to disclose the
use of photoluminescent ammunition that is illuminated by a
chemiluminescent light source; the chemiluminescent light
source may be a light stick that is placed within the
magazine.
Other objectives and advantages of this invention will
become apparent from the following description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set
forth, by way of illustration and example, certain
embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a
part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments
of the present invention and illustrate various objectives
and features thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figures 1A, lB, 1C, and 1D depicts a magazine assembly
for a firearm; figure 1A is a side view of the
photoluminescent bullet and magazine follower, figure lB is a
side view of a LED light with circuit board, figure 1C is a
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side view of a battery base; and figure 1D is side view of a
magazine housing;
Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D depicts a perspective view of
the assembly shown in figures 2A-2D; figure 2A is a
perspective view of the magazine follower figure 2B is a
perspective view of the LED circuit board, figure 2C is a
perspective view of the battery holder; and figure 2D is a
perspective view of the magazine housing; and
Figures 3A, 3B and 3C depicts an assembly for the device
using a chemiluminescent light energy source, figure 3A is a
side view of a bullet and magazine follower, figure 3B is a
side view of a chemiluminescent light source; and figure 3C
is a side view of a magazine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings set forth is an apparatus
and method for illuminating munitions stored in a magazine
for purposes of tracing/marking. The apparatus is based upon
the use of firearms employing a munitions magazine (10) for
holding a plurality of cartridges. In a first embodiment, by
way of illustration, set forth is a photoluminescent bullet
(12) that can be excited to produce light so as to allow the
bullet to glow in the dark. The cartridge (14) is supported
by an magazine follower (16) having downwardly depending
engagement tabs (20 and 22) . The magazine follower (16)
includes an aperture (24) for positioning of an LED emitter
(26) mounted upon circuit board (28).
Unique to this invention is placement of the
illumination device within a magazine (10) wherein the light
source, i.e. LED, chemiluminescent light, is used to flood
the magazine chamber with light for purposes of exciting the
photoluminescent bullets.
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A problem with the prior art devices is in the placement
of an exciter and need for a triggering mechanism, both of
which subject the light to early failure due to the adverse
conditions found in a firing chamber. Further, a quick flash
may not provide sufficient excitement to a coating resulting
in a diminished illumination. Further, it is preferable that
the munitions used in training practice by police and
military personnel approximate the actual bullets so as to
provide realistic recoil.
The instant invention allows the illumination to take
place within the magazine so that no modification of the
firing chamber is necessary; elimination of damage to the
energy source is removed by the remote placement of the
exciter source. By removing the light source from the
firing chamber, no gunpowder residue or explosion can disrupt
the lighting element. Further, the instant invention allows
for the use of a low powered LED. As the energy source has
sufficient time to flood the chamber of the magazine,
conventional batteries (30) shown on the battery base (32)
may be used. The magazine may be used as a holding chamber
with the light (26) providing a timed illumination of the
chamber over a period of time allowing the ability to excite
the luminescent material so that the discharge of the
munitions includes luminescent material having as large of
charge as possible, eliminating the need for an energy
consuming flash exciter. The chamber (34) of the magazine
(10) is receptive to the assembly formed by the battery base
(32), circuit board (28) and bullet holder (16).
The magazine chamber (34) may be coated with a
reflective material, such as a chrome paint or a reflective
plastic, to reflect and maintain the light within the chamber
to better activate the luminescent material further enhancing
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the lumination of the munitions upon discharge. The LED is
preferably controlled by a conventional toggle switch, not
shown, for providing power from the battery to the circuit
board allowing the individual to cause operation of the LED
before the start of the training mission. The exposure time
to the LED results in not only a luminescent trail, but also
a luminescent paint pattern upon impact of the target
allowing the instructor to inspect the hits during target
practice. The use of an ultraviolet LED of about 365
nanometer wave length is deemed beneficial, although shorter
or longer wave lengths can be used depending on the intensity
desired.
The luminescent material can be made out of most current
photoluminescent materials such as zinc sulfide or strontium
aluminate with trace dopants. The luminescent material may
be formed into the projectile or contained within the
projectile. Once the material is excited by exposure to
light, the material will emit light even after the excitation
light source is removed.
Referring now to figures 3A-3C set forth is a second
embodiment having a magazine (50) with a chemiluminescent
light stick (52) placed within the holder (54) . As with the
previous embodiment the ammunition is shown with a
photluminescent bullet (56) placed upon the magazine follower
(58) In operation, the chemiluminescent light stick is
activated and placed in combination with the magazine
follower(58) into the magazine (50) for illumination of all
munitions placed within the magazine. As with the previous
embodiment, the magazine may be coated with a reflective
material, such a chrome or a reflective plastic, notably as
the magazine is not subjected to firing chamber forces.
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Chemiluminescent light production can be made from a
modified light stick, such as that manufactured by Cyalume
Technologies, Inc., capable of fitting within the magazine.
Chemiluminescent light is produced by a two component system
referred to as an oxalate component and an activator
component. The two components are kept physically sealed, a
frangible glass vial containing one component housed within
an outer flexible container containing the other component.
Forces created by intimate contact with the internal vial,
such as by flexing, causes the vial to rupture thereby
releasing the first component into the second component where
they mix and produce light. As the magazine is not subjected
to forces from the munitions, the outer vessel may be made of
a clear or translucent material such as polyethylene or
polypropylene which permits the light produced by the
chemiluminescent system to be transmitted through the vessel
walls.
Examples of chemiluminescent light systems include U.S.
Patent No. 5, 043, 851; 4, 626, 383; 3, 539, 794; 3, 576, 987;
4,508,642; 4,193,109 and 4,814,949; the subject matter of
which patents are incorporated herein by reference.
It is to be understood that while a certain form of the
invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the
specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
changes may be made without departing from the scope of the
invention and the invention is not to be considered limited
to what is shown and described in the specification and
drawings/figures.
One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives
and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as
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those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures
and techniques described herein are presently representative
of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary
and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes
5 therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art
which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and
are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although
the invention has been described in connection with specific
preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the
10 invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such
specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the
described modes for carrying out the invention which are
obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within
the scope of the following claims.
