US3703845A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Small arms weapon and small arms ranges
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-07-17
•
Granted: 1972-11-28
•
Expires: 1990-07-17
Abstract
Abstract A small arms range has at least one weapon, a target, and at least one transmitter which transmits a beam in the general direction of the or each weapon. The or each weapon has a receiver connected to an interlock system which prevents the weapon being fired unless the receiver is receiving a beam. The range is encircled by a guard beam the receiver of which is also connected to the interlock system. The interlock system prevents the weapon being fired as soon as anyone enters the range.
Inventors
- 👤 David Charles Lambert Griew
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:40
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G3/00; F41G3/26; F41A; F41A17/00; F41A17/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A small arms range having at least one small arms weapon, a target, a beam transmitter and a beam receiver, one of the group comprising the beam transmitter and the beam receiver being included in the small arms weapon anD the other being located adjacent the target, the beam transmitter transmitting a signal beam in the general direction of said beam receiver, the small arms weapon including a trigger, sensing means for sensing actuation of the trigger, and an interlock system to which the beam receiver and the sensing means are connected and which, upon actuation of the trigger, prevents the weapon being fired unless the beam receiver receives the signal beam transmitted by the beam transmitter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A small arms range having at least one small arms weapon, a target, a beam transmitter and a beam receiver, one of the group comprising the beam transmitter and the beam receiver being included in the small arms weapon anD the other being located adjacent the target, the beam transmitter transmitting a signal beam in the general direction of said beam receiver, the small arms weapon including a trigger, sensing means for sensing actuation of the trigger, and an interlock system to which the beam receiver and the sensing means are connected and which, upon actuation of the trigger, prevents the weapon being fired unless the beam receiver receives the signal beam transmitted by the beam transmitter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A range as claimed in claim 1 wherein said beam receiver is included in the weapon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A range as claimed in claim 2 wherein said receiver comprises an annular sensor which surrounds the barrel of the weapon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A range as claimed in claim 1 wherein said beam is an infra-red beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A range as claimed in claim 2 wherein said receiver accepts only a sharply defined narrow cone of radiation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A range as claimed in claim 5 wherein said receiver is mounted so that the longitudinal axis of the accepted cone is at such an angle to the longitudinal axis of the weapon barrel that the interlock system prevents the weapon from firing any shot that might strike the beam transmitter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
A range as claimed in claim 1 wherein the weapon comprises a firing mechanism, wherein the interlock system comprises a control circuit to which said receiver is connected, and wherein the sensing means comprise a proximity sensor connected to said control circuit, the proximity sensor cooperating with a component of the firing mechanism, the output of the control circuit controlling the firing of the weapon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A range as claimed in claim 1 which comprises detecting means for detecting the presence of opaque objects.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A range as claimed in claim 7, wherein said detecting means comprise a plurality of cooperating transmitters, mirrors and receivers which establish guard beams which encircle the dangerous part of the range.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A range as claimed in claim 8 wherein said receivers of the detecting means are connected to the interlock system of said weapon and prevent the weapon being fired when they do not receive beams.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
A range as claimed in claim 2 wherein said beam receiver accepts only a sharply defined narrow cone of radiation, the angle of acceptance of which is equal to the angle subtended at the firing point by the maximum dimension of the target.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
A small arms range having at least one small arms weapon, a target, and two beam transmitters adjacent to opposite sides of the target, each beam transmitter transmitting a signal beam in the general direction of said weapon, the small arms weapon including a beam receiver and an interlock system to which the receiver is connected and which prevents the weapon being fired unless the beam receiver receives the signal beams transmitted by the beam transmitters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
A small arms range having at least one small arms weapon, a target, and two beam transmitters adjacent to opposite sides of the target, each beam transmitter transmitting a signal beam in the general direction of said weapon, the small arms weapon including a beam receiver and an interlock system to which the receiver is connected and which prevents the weapon being fired unless the beam receiver receives the signal beams transmitted by the beam transmitters.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-28 | 1976-05-29 | 1976-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-28 | 1980-05-29 | 1980-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-28 | 1984-05-29 | 1984-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |