Ammunition and explosives – Cartridges
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-30
2001-09-04
Tudor, Harold J. (Department: 3641)
Ammunition and explosives
Cartridges
C102S202500, C102S472000, C042S070110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283034
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates broadly to ammunition and, more particularly, to ammunition that can only be fired in the presence of a remotely transmitted arming signal.
A problem that is increasing in scope is the use of firearms by unauthorized persons, particularly minors. Another problem with similar effects is accidental discharge of firearms. Due to the increased population and the proliferation of firearms, there is an elevated need for effective firearm safety and control.
Traditionally, firearms control has been accomplished through physical control of the weapon or its ammunition. Physical control is typically accomplished by placement of the weapon or ammunition in lockable storage. This has the obvious disadvantage of inaccessibility and consequent delay when the firearm is needed for protection. Another method involves the placement of a mechanical lock on the trigger mechanism of the firearm. While preventing children or other unauthorized users from recklessly or maliciously discharging a weapon, these methods and associated apparatus can hinder, sometimes dangerously, the lawful owner's access to a weapon.
Another type of problem exists relative to the unauthorized use of a firearm. Tragically, some law enforcement officers are shot with their own weapons, or the weapons of fellow officers that have been forcefully and unlawfully obtained by a criminal suspect. While law enforcement officers exercise physical control over an otherwise “unlocked” or usable weapon, those who would seek to do harm to the officer to prevent their own arrest or apprehension sometimes gain control over the officer and obtain the weapon. This problem cannot be solved by mechanical restraints. Trigger locks and gun cabinets cannot be used in a mobile law enforcement setting.
A recent alternative to traditional control methods involves the development of firearms that include control circuitry intended to prevent firing by unauthorized persons. This technology could provide a benefit for the law enforcement community, however, these firearms have heretofore been relatively complex, costly and unreliable. More importantly, retrofitting existing firearms to use this method of control is impractical or may be impossible for some weapons. The need for firearm replacement makes use of these weapons very expensive. Further, if the safety system fails, the entire weapon may be rendered useless. This can create a dangerous situation.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a firearm safety device for preventing the unauthorized use and discharge of a firearm wherein the safety device is independent of the firearm. In particular, there is a need for such a device that would be usable in existing firearms without retrofit or modification of the existing firearm. The device must be highly reliable and should be relatively low in cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide ammunition that can be used to aid in the prevention of unauthorized firearm usage including unauthorized or accidental discharge.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide ammunition that includes an electrically initiated firearms cartridge armable by a remote arming transmitter.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a remotely armed cartridge that is usable in existing hammer-initiated firearms without the need for retrofitting or otherwise modifying the firearm.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a remotely armed cartridge that will fire only when initiated within a predetermined range from the arming transmitter.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a remotely armed cartridge that will be permanently disabled if initiated outside a predetermined range from the arming transmitter.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide ammunition that includes a loaded cartridge case to which a projectile can be added to form a remotely armed firearms cartridge.
To those ends, remotely armed ammunition according to the present invention includes a cartridge for use with a conventional firearm having a trigger-actuated hammer having a firing pin for initiating a firing sequence. The cartridge has a case defining a chamber for disposition of a propellant charge therein. The cartridge also has a primer pocket for disposition of a primer therein and an open end having a projectile seated thereon. The ammunition includes a primer disposed in the primer pocket for igniting the propellant charge to produce controlled projectile discharge. The ammunition further includes a firing circuit operatively associated with the primer for controlled ignition thereof. The firing circuit is activated to initiate the firing sequence by operation of the firing pin. The firing circuit includes an arming circuit for selectively enabling or disabling firing operation of the cartridge by allowing or preventing completion of the firing sequence. The ammunition also includes an arrangement for remotely controlling operation of the arming circuit.
The primer of the remotely armed ammunition according to the present invention is preferably electrically initiated.
The arrangement for remotely controlling operation of the arming circuit of remotely armed ammunition according to the present invention preferably includes a transmitter for transmitting an arming signal. The arming circuit preferably includes a receiver for receiving the arming signal when the cartridge is within a predetermined range of the transmitter. The arming circuit allows the firing sequence to be completed responsive to the presence of the arming signal, thereby allowing the cartridge to fire.
The arming circuit of remotely armed ammunition according to the present invention preferably includes a fail-safe circuit for disabling the cartridge to prevent the firing thereof. The fail-safe circuit prevents completion of the firing sequence after initiation thereof responsive to the absence of the arming signal. The firing circuit further preferably includes an energy source such as a battery, to provide operational power for the firing circuit and for igniting the primer when the firing sequence is completed.
Remotely armed ammunition according to the present invention preferably further includes a barrier member disposed adjacent the battery. The barrier member is preferably configured so that impact of the firing pin with the barrier member causes the firing circuit to be activated, thereby initiating the firing sequence.
The transmitter of the remotely armed ammunition according to the present invention is preferably configured to transmit the arming signal in the form of electromagnetic signals that are transmitted and received at a predetermined frequency. Typically, such a transmitter is a radio frequency transmitter. Alternatively, the transmitter may be configured to transmit the arming signal in the form of ultrasonic signals. The arrangement for remotely controlling operation of the arming circuit preferably includes an arrangement for encoding the arming signal prior to transmission by the transmitter. The firing circuit preferably includes an arrangement for decoding the arming signal after receipt thereof by the receiver.
According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, remotely armed ammunition for use with a conventional firearm having a trigger-actuated hammer with a firing pin for initiating a firing sequence includes a cartridge case defining a chamber for disposition of a propellant charge therein. The ammunition also has a primer pocket for disposition of a primer therein and an open end configured for seated receipt of a projectile thereon. The ammunition includes a primer disposed in the primer pocket for igniting the propellant charge to produce controlled projectile discharge. The ammunition further includes a firing circuit operatively associated with the primer for controlled ignition thereof. The firing circuit is activated to initiate the firing sequence by operation of the firing pin
McGuireWoods LLP
Tudor Harold J.
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