Education and demonstration – Organized armed or unarmed conflict or shooting – Gunnery
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-19
2001-03-06
O'Neill, Michael (Department: 3713)
Education and demonstration
Organized armed or unarmed conflict or shooting
Gunnery
C434S022000, C434S023000, C273S371000, C273S372000, C273S373000, C463S002000, C463S005000, C463S049000, C463S051000, C463S053000, C463S054000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196844
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to target mechanisms. More specifically, it relates to an improved integrated target mechanism.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Live fire target systems use hit (vibration or impact) sensors to detect a live round of ammunition striking a target silhouette. When the hit sensor senses a hit, a switch, which may be either normally closed or normally open, is caused to change state thereby sending a signal to the target lifting mechanism. The target lifting mechanism will receive the signal and lower the target indicating a hit has been recorded. Laser engagement systems use laser sensors to detect engagement by laser equipped weapons. When a hit is detected by a laser engagement system, the equipment emits an audible or visual indication of its condition.
The prior art laser engagement systems, most notably the MITS (Mobile Independent Target System) and MILES (Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System) require that the system be manually reset by an operator using a controller key after each kill. The controller key fits into a manual locking mechanism which is physically attached to the laser engagement system. By turning the key the operator resets the laser engagement system thereby preparing the system for future engagements. However, the requirement that the system be manually reset is not convenient for use with infantry and armor target mechanisms as it is not feasible to manually reset each target after each hit.
As will be seen, the simplicity and effectiveness of my invention is not rivaled in the prior art.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,671 issued to Busch discloses an interactive target system having a plurality of targets. The system is designed with a simplified conductor arrangement to reduce failure due to conductor damage from projectile impact. By contrast the present invention concerns a system for integrating impact sensing target systems with various types of laser fire target systems.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,129,299 issued to Busch discloses a target scoring system for detecting target hits which has an improved sensor arrangement which reduces erroneous hit signals. By contrast, the present invention contemplates a target mechanism which can generate hit signals when hit by simulated (i.e. laser) fire.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,579 issued to Bowyer et al. discloses a shock wave target indicating system. The system uses computer controlled targets which may be raised or lowered under computer control. By contrast, the device of the present invention may be used to automatically raise standard targets with relatively minor modifications thereto.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,032 issued to Summers et al. discloses a multiple target mechanism which has targets which may be remotely controlled. By contrast, the device of the present invention has a single target mechanism which is automatically raised.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the present invention contemplates the integration of laser engagement systems such as the MITS and MILES laser systems with standard two dimensional silhouettes, thereby creating a silhouette which can be defeated by laser fire. A laser enhanced silhouette allows live fire target systems (infantry systems and armor systems) to be engaged and defeated with the use of MILES laser Code. The laser enhanced silhouette replaces the plywood or plastic live fire silhouette which is normally utilized on live fire target systems. By connecting the laser enhanced silhouette's electronics to the live fire target system's hit sensor electrical connection, the live fire target system can be engaged by laser equipped weapons.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide the ability to integrate various systems from different target mechanisms and associated devices to produce a novel and improved automatically resettable target mechanism which may be engaged by simulated fire (i.e. laser fire).
It is a major object of this invention to provide an integrated target system where electronics from existing laser engagement systems can be functionally connected to circuitry associated with existing vibration or hit sensors.
It is another object of the invention to provide such an improved integrated target system where the laser engagement system does not require resetting.
Finally, it is a general object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4340370 (1982-07-01), Marshall et al.
patent: 4398722 (1983-08-01), Morris et al.
patent: 4426085 (1984-01-01), Dixon
patent: 4662845 (1987-05-01), Gallagher et al.
patent: 5207579 (1993-05-01), Campagnuolo
patent: 5215464 (1993-06-01), Marshall et al.
patent: 5320358 (1994-06-01), Jones
patent: 5403017 (1995-04-01), Doss, III et al.
patent: 5823779 (1998-10-01), Muehle et al.
Beets Allen D.
Bradshaw Michael S.
Corkery, III Albert G.
Hickman Christopher B.
Hoyte, Jr. Alfred F.
O'Neill Michael
White Carmen D.
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