Electronic ignition system for firearms

Claim 2

In an electronic ignition system for selectively firing electrically primed ammunition in different barrels of a firearm having a single tRigger, means operably connected to the trigger for producing an electrical trigger signal each time said trigger is pulled by a shooter, electrically conductive firing pins for contacting the primer heads of electrically primed ammunition disposed for being fired through the barrels of the firearm, one such firing pin being provided for each barrel, a source of electrical energy, and electronic means connected to said firing pins and to said source for energizing a different one of said firing pins in response to alternate trigger signals.

Claim 3

An electronic ignition system as in claim 1 wherein said electronic means includes an electronic firing circuit connected to each of said firing pins and electronic logic control means intermediate the means for producing the trigger signals and the firing circuits for actuating a different one of said firing circuits in response to alternate trigger signals.

Claim 4

An electronic ignition system as in claim 2 wherein said logic control means includes a one-shot multivibrator having first and second states and a time constant such that said multivibrator remains in its second state for a predetermined period of time shorter than the interval between an intentional pull of the trigger by the shooter and the reflexive trigger pull which normally follows a discharge of the firearm, said multivibrator being connected in such manner that it switches to its second state in response to each trigger signal then returns to its first state after said predetermined period of time, one transition of said multivibrator back to its first state serving to inhibit actuation of said firing circuits in response to the next successive trigger signal, and the next such transition serving to enable one of said firing circuits to respond to the next trigger signal following said transition.

Claim 5

An electronic ignition system as in claim 2 wherein said logic control means includes a one-shot multivibrator having first and second states and a time constant such that said multivibrator remains in its second state for a period of time longer than the interval between an intentional pull of the trigger by the shooter and the reflexive trigger pull which normally follows a discharge of the firearm, said multivibrator being connected in such manner that each trigger signal occurring while said multivibrator is in its first state causes said multivibrator to switch to its second state and inhibit actuation of said firing circuits as long as said multivibrator remains in said second state.

Claim 6

An electronic ignition system as in claim 1 wherein the means for producing an electrical trigger signal includes at least one pressure sensitive resistive element disposed for detecting movement of said trigger.

Claim 7

An electronic ignition system as in claim 1 wherein the means for producing an electrical trigger signal includes a flexible member disposed for being flexed when the trigger is pulled and an electrical resistance strain gage mounted on one surface of said flexible member, said strain gage being connected electrically in one arm of a bridge circuit.

Claim 8

An electronic ignition system as in claim 1 wherein the means for producing an electrical trigger signal includes a pressure sensitive switch having no exposed contacts.

Claim 9

An electronic ignition system as in claim 7 wherein said pressure sensitive switch is a pressure sensitive silicon controlled rectifier.

Claim 10

In an electronic ignition system for firing electrically primed ammunition through the barrel of a firearm, an electrically conductive firing pin disposed for contacting the primer head of electrically primed ammunition disposed for being fired through the barrel, a source of electrical energy, a trigger adapted being pulled by a shooter''s trigger finger, and a pressure sensitive solid state switching device disposed for changing its state of conductivity in response to a pull of the trigger, said device being connected for controlling the flow of energy from said source to said firing pin in such mAnner that said firing pin is energized in response to a pull of the trigger by the shooter.

Claim 11

In an electronic ignition system for firing electrically primed ammunition through the barrel of a firearm, an electrically conductive firing pin disposed for contacting the primer head of electrically primed ammunition disposed for being fired through the barrel, a source of electrical energy, a trigger adapted being pulled by a shooter''s trigger finger, and a pressure sensitive solid state switching device disposed for changing its state of conductivity in response to a pull of the trigger, said device being connected for controlling the flow of energy from said source to said firing pin in such mAnner that said firing pin is energized in response to a pull of the trigger by the shooter.

Claim 12

An electronic ignition system as in claim 9 wherein said switching device is a pressure sensitive silicon controlled rectifier.

Claim 13

In a method for constructing an electronic ignition system for firing an electrically primed cartridge in a firearm, the steps of providing an electrical firing pin for contacting the primer head of the cartridge, connecting a pressure sensitive solid-state switching device to said firing pin and to a source of electrical energy, said switching device being adapted for changing its state of conductivity in response to pressure applied thereto, and mounting said switching device in proximity to the trigger of the firearm so that actuation of said trigger causes a pressure to be applied to said device, thereby changing the state of conductivity of said device and energizing said firing pin.

Claim 14

In a method for constructing an electronic ignition system for firing an electrically primed cartridge in a firearm, the steps of providing an electrical firing pin for contacting the primer head of the cartridge, connecting a pressure sensitive solid-state switching device to said firing pin and to a source of electrical energy, said switching device being adapted for changing its state of conductivity in response to pressure applied thereto, and mounting said switching device in proximity to the trigger of the firearm so that actuation of said trigger causes a pressure to be applied to said device, thereby changing the state of conductivity of said device and energizing said firing pin.