Rifle training apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus for training in the use of a firearm, comprising: a training firearm; at least one transducer means positioned relative to the firearm and coupled for providing a signal representing pressure applied to the training firearm; a circuit means responsive to said transducer signal for defining a transducer signal range corresponding to a predetermined optimal range of pressure applied to the firearm; and an indicator means responsive to said circuit means for providing an indication when the pressure applied to the firearm at said transducer means is within said predetermined optimal range.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transducer means is detachably mounted on said firearm.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the firearm includes a recess for receiving said transducer means, said transducer means being mounted in said recess.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transducer means comprises a pair of terminals and means for varying the electrical resistance between said terminals in dependence on applied pressure.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said resistance-varying means comprises a resiliently deformable, carbon-impregnated core.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said circuit means comprises means for determining whether said transducer signal corresponds to a pressure applied to the firearm which is within, less than or greater than said predetermined optimal range, and said indicator means comprises means operatively connected to the determining means for providing a first indication when the pressure applied to said transducer means is within said predetermined optimal range, a second indication when the pressure applied to said transducer means is less than said predetermined range, and a third indication when the pressure application to said transducer means is greater than said predetermined range.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said indicator means comprises a representation of said firearm having means for indicating when the pressure applied to the firearm is within said predetermined range, each of said indicating means being responsive to a signal from an associated transducer means, and each of said indicating means being located on said representation at a position corresponding to the position of the associated transducer means relative to said firearm.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said circuit means comprises: means for defining a range of variation of said transducer signal corresponding to said predetermined optimal range of applied pressure; and means for controlling said indicator means to provide said indication when said transducer signal is within said defined range of variation.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transducer means is a variable-resistance element and said circuit means comprises: means for producing a reference voltage; a resistance connected in series with said transducer means; means for supplying a constant current to said series-connected resistance and said transducer means; first means for comparing the combined voltage drop across said transducer means and said resistance with said reference voltage and producing a first control signal having a value dependent on which of the compared voltages is greater; second means for comparing the voltage drop across said transducer means with said reference voltage and producing a second control signal having a value dependent on which of the compared voltages is greater; and means for controlling said indicator means indication in dependence on said first and second control signals.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said indicator means provides a first indication when said first and second control signals represent the condition that the pressure applied to said transducer means is less than said predetermined range, a second indication when within said predetermined range, and a third indication when greater than said predetermined range.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said resistance is manually adjustable, whereby the magnitude of pressure variation of said predetermined range may be manually selected.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said reference voltage is manually adjustable, whereby the lower limit of said predetermined range may be manually selected.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said first and second control signals are logic signals and said controlling means comprises a logic circuit.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said display means provides a continuous indication of the pressure applied to said transducer means.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said firearm has a trigger mechanism and said indicator means indication is normally deactivated, further comprising means for activating said indicator means indication when said trigger mechanism is squeezed.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for manually resetting said indicator means indication to the deactivated state.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for automatically resetting said indicator means indication to the deactivated state at the end of a predetermined elapsed time following squeezing of said trigger.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said controlling means comprises means for latching said indicator means indication at its existing state until reset.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said firearm has a trigger mechanism and further comprising means for rendering said latching means operative in response to squeezing the trigger mechanism.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising means for manually resetting said latching means.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said circuit means further comprises means for automatically resetting said latching means at the end of a predetermined elapsed time.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said firearm has a trigger mechanism and said indicator means further comprises means for indicating when the trigger mechanism is squeezed.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a target and means for determining accuracy of aim of said firearm with respect to said target.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transducer means is positioned with respect to said firearm by attachment to a garment worn by the user of the firearm.

Claim 26

Apparatus for training in the accuracy of aim of a firearm, comprising: a training firearm; means for projecting a beam of light toward said firearm; means mounted on said firearm for reflecting said light beam towards a target when said firearm is aimed at said target; a target having means for receiving said reflected light beam and providing a control signal in response to the received light beam; and means responsive to said control signal for displaying an indication of the accuracy of aim of said firearm with respect to said target; and means for training in the correct holding of said firearm, comprising: at least one transducer means positioned relative to the firearm and coupled for providing a signal representing pressure applied to the firearm; circuit means responsive to said transducer signal for controlling a pressure display means, the circuit means defining a transducer signal range corresponding to a predetermined optimal range of pressure applied to the firearm; and pressure indcator means responsive to said circuit means for providing an indication when the pressure applied to the firearm is within said predetermined optimal range.

Claim 27

Apparatus for training in the accuracy of aim of a firearm, comprising: a training firearm; means for projecting a beam of light toward said firearm; means mounted on said firearm for reflecting said light beam towards a target when said firearm is aimed at said target; a target having means for receiving said reflected light beam and providing a control signal in response to the received light beam; and means responsive to said control signal for displaying an indication of the accuracy of aim of said firearm with respect to said target; and means for training in the correct holding of said firearm, comprising: at least one transducer means positioned relative to the firearm and coupled for providing a signal representing pressure applied to the firearm; circuit means responsive to said transducer signal for controlling a pressure display means, the circuit means defining a transducer signal range corresponding to a predetermined optimal range of pressure applied to the firearm; and pressure indcator means responsive to said circuit means for providing an indication when the pressure applied to the firearm is within said predetermined optimal range.

Claim 28

Apparatus for training a horseman as to correct pressure distribution on a saddle, comprising: a saddle; at least one transducer means positioned relative to the saddle and coupled for providing a signal representing pressure applied to the saddle by the horseman; circuit means responsive to said transducer signal for controlling a display means, the circuit means defining a transducer signal range corresponding to a predetermined optimal range of pressure applied to the saddle; and indicator means responsive to said circuit means for providing an indication when the pressure applied to the saddle at said transducer means is within said predetermined optimal range.

Claim 29

Apparatus for training a horseman as to correct pressure distribution on a saddle, comprising: a saddle; at least one transducer means positioned relative to the saddle and coupled for providing a signal representing pressure applied to the saddle by the horseman; circuit means responsive to said transducer signal for controlling a display means, the circuit means defining a transducer signal range corresponding to a predetermined optimal range of pressure applied to the saddle; and indicator means responsive to said circuit means for providing an indication when the pressure applied to the saddle at said transducer means is within said predetermined optimal range.

Claim 30

The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said transducer means is detachably mounted on said saddle.

Claim 31

The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the saddle includes a recess for receiving said transducer means, said transducer means being mounted in said recess.

Claim 32

The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said transducer means comprises a pair of terminals and means for varying the electrical resistance between said terminals in dependence on applied pressure.

Claim 33

The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said resistance-varying means comprises a resiliently deformable, carbon-impregnated core.

Claim 34

The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said circuit means comprises means for determining whether said transducer signal corresponds to a pressure applied to the saddle which is within, less than, or greater than said predetermined optimal range, and said indicator means comprises means operatively connected to the determining means of the circuit means for providing a first indication when the pressure applied to said transducer means is within said predetermined optimal range, a second indication when the pressure applied to said transducer means is less than said predetermined range, and a third indication when the pressure applied to said transducer means is greater than said predetermined range.

Claim 35

The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said indicator means comprises a representation of said saddle having means for indicating when the pressure applied to the saddle is within said predetermined range, each said indicating means responsive to the signal from an associated transducer means, and each said indicating means located on said representation at a position corresponding to the position of the associated transducer means on said saddle.

Claim 36

The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said circuit means comprises: means for defining a range of variation of said transducer signal corresponding to said predetermined optimal range of applied pressure; and means for controlling said indicator means to provide said indication when said transducer signal is within said defined range.

Claim 37

The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said transducer means is a variable-resistance element and said circuit means comprises: means for producing a reference voltage; a resistance connected in series with said transducer means; means for supplying a constant current to said series-connected resistance and said transducer means; first means for comparing the combined voltage drop across said transducer means and said resistance with said reference voltage and producing a first control signal having a value dependent on which of the compared voltages is greater; second means for comparing the voltage drop across said transducer means with said reference voltage and producing a second control signal having a value dependent on which of the compared voltages is greater; and means for controlling said indicator means indication in dependent on said first and second control signals.

Claim 38

The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said indicator means provides a first indication when said first and second control signals represent the condition that the pressure applied to said transducer means is less than said predetermined range, a second indication when within said predetermined range, and a third indication when greater than said predetermined range.

Claim 39

The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said resistance is manually adjustable, whereby the magnitude of pressure variation of said predetermined range may be manually selected.

Claim 40

The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said reference voltage is manually adjustable, whereby the lower limit of said predetermined range may be manually selected.

Claim 41

The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said first and second control signals are logic signals and said controlling means comprises a logic circuit.

Claim 42

The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said indicator means provides a continuous indication of the pressure applied to said transducer means.

Claim 43

The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a radio transmitter/receiver link between said transducer means and said indicator means.

Claim 44

The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said radio link comprises a transmitter having means for pulse coding the signals from a plurality of said transducer means and a receiver having means for decoding the pulse coded signals from said transmitter.

Claim 45

Apparatus for training as to the correct user interface with sporting equipment, comprising: at least one transducer means suitable to be attached to said sporting equipment for providing a signal which varies in accordance with a force applied at an interface between a user and said sporting equipment; circuit means responsive to said transducer means signal for controlling a display means; and indicator means responsive to said circuit means for providing an indication of said applied force as detected by said at least one transducer means, said indicator means providing a first indication for one range of forces when detected by said at least one transducer means and a second indication for another range of forces when detected by said at least one transducer means.

Claim 46

Apparatus for training as to the correct user interface with sporting equipment, comprising: at least one transducer means suitable to be attached to said sporting equipment for providing a signal which varies in accordance with a force applied at an interface between a user and said sporting equipment; circuit means responsive to said transducer means signal for controlling a display means; and indicator means responsive to said circuit means for providing an indication of said applied force as detected by said at least one transducer means, said indicator means providing a first indication for one range of forces when detected by said at least one transducer means and a second indication for another range of forces when detected by said at least one transducer means.

Claim 47

Apparatus according to claim 42, wherein each said range has an upper and a lower limit, and said circuit means comprises means for adjustably presetting said upper and lower limits of each said range.

Claim 48

Apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said indicator means comprises a visual representation of said sporting equipment, each said indicating means being positioned on said representation at a location corresponding to the position of an associated said transducer on said sporting equipment.

Claim 49

Apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said at least one transducer is detachably mounted with respect to said sporting equipment.

Claim 50

Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said sporting equipment includes a recess for receiving at least one said transducer, said transducer mounted in said recess.

Claim 51

Apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said at least one transducer comprises a pair of terminals and means for varying the electrical resistance between said terminals in dependence on forces of pressure or weight applied to said interface.

Claim 52

Apparatus according to claim 47, wherein said resistance varying means comprises a resiliently deformable, carbon-impregnated core.

Claim 53

Apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said transducer means comprises a variable-resistance element and said circuit means comprises: means for producing a reference voltage; a resistance connected in series with said transducer means; means for supplying a constant current to said series-connected resistance and said transducer means; first means for comparing the combined voltage drop across said transducer means and said resistance with said reference voltage and producing a first control signal having a value dependent on which of the compared voltages is greater; second means for comparing the voltage drop across said transducer means with said reference voltage and producing a second control signal having a value dependent on which of the composed voltages is greater, and means for controlling said indicator means indication in dependent on said first and second control signals.

Claim 54

Apparatus according to claim 49, wherein said resistance is manually adjustable, whereby a range of said applied force as detected by said transducer means for which a said indication is provided may be manually selected.

Claim 55

Apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said reference voltage is manually adjustable, whereby a lower limit of said range of applied force may be manually selected.