EP1749303A2

EP1749303A2 - Switching element for securing weapons

Info

Publication number: EP1749303A2
Application number: EP05754329A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michael Schumacher; Rudi Beckmann
Original assignee: Heckler und Koch GmbH
Current assignee: Heckler und Koch GmbH
Priority date: 2004-05-26
Filing date: 2005-05-25
Publication date: 2007-02-07
Also published as: WO2005116567A2; KR20070024540A; DE102004025720A1; CA2568329A1; WO2005116567A3

Abstract

Disclosed is an electromechanical switching element for securing weapons, in which two one-way locking magnets (32, 33) act in a bistable manner upon respective opposite ends (47, 48) of a rocker (42) that is in a first or a second position. The movable parts of the switching element (9), especially the rockers (42) and the armatures (34, 35), are configured in a dynamically balanced fashion such that accelerations acting upon the switching element (9) do not cause the switching position to be changed. The inventive switching element (9) affects a locking element (55) which engages into a recess (57) that is embodied in the trigger rod (58). In a first switching position of the locking element (55), the switching element (9) blocks said locking element (55) in engagement with the trigger rod (58) such that the trigger rod (58) does not act upon an impact lever (60) or a lock which triggers the same.

Description

Switch element for weapon protection

The present invention relates to an electromechanical switching element which is used, for example, for weapon protection. The switching element is equipped with two single-stroke self-holding magnets, which act bistably on the opposite ends of a rocker switch, so that the switching element can assume a first or second switching position. In one switch position, the weapon is in a safe state, in the other switch position in an unsecured state.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a weapon safety device in which a corresponding electromechanical switching element is provided.

In conventional switching elements for weapon security, as described in DE 198 05 306 AI, for example, the trigger of a weapon is blocked or released via a spindle-driven linear drive. The actual switching element is an electric motor driving the spindle, which thus introduces a locking member running in the direction of the axis of rotation to secure the trigger in a detent or to unlock the locking member from the detent

undresses. Other locking mechanisms relate to solenoid-controlled locking devices of the impact lever, in which a solenoid pivots a spring-loaded locking lever, which blocks the impact lever, into a release position. In another embodiment, the locking lever is unlocked via an actuating cam which is controlled by a geared motor, the output axis of which runs parallel to the axis of the striking lever. In another known embodiment, this cam disc pushes the trigger rod out of engagement with the hammer. Here, too, the output axis of the electric motor runs parallel to the axis of the impact lever.

DE 43 03 333 AI describes further versions in which locking bolts on the trigger or on the trigger bolt are locked in an eccentric manner. Another element which acts on the trigger is known from US Pat. No. 5,461,812. According to WO 00/55562, it is proposed to block the trigger rod or firing pin with an electromechanically controlled safety actuator.

EP 0 991 026 A2 describes a securing mechanism with a locking element which engages in the trigger rod, and an electromechanical switching element which acts on the locking element. The switching element releases the locking element when excited from the opening of the trigger rod, which is held spring-loaded in the locking position when the switching element is not excited. Under certain circumstances, the locking element can be pushed out of the locking position by accelerations. A constant excitation of the switching element designed as an electromechanical switching coil is required for unlocking.

With the known switching elements, there is the problem of absorbing considerable forces in some cases despite the miniaturized size, keeping the power consumption for actuation as low as possible, and switching the safety device itself finally the switching element less sensitive to external

To act on the weapon.

Accordingly, the present invention according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable parts of the switching element, in particular the rocker switch and the armature are dynamically neutral, so that accelerations acting on the switching element do not cause a change in the switching position. This makes the bistable switching element largely independent of external dynamic influences, such as occur, for example, when a weapon falls or is hit against a hard object. The switching element therefore always remains in the set switching position, which can only be changed by a corresponding switching pulse.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a safety device for a weapon, in which the function of the trigger rod is blocked by a locking element engaging in a recess formed in the trigger rod. An electromechanical switching element which can be adjusted between two switching positions holds the locking element in engagement with the trigger rod in one switching position, so that the trigger rod does not act on a striking lever or a lock which triggers it (for example a trigger pawl or catch pawl interacting with the striking lever). The combination of the locking element with a switching element allows the considerable pulling forces that may occur when the trigger rod is blocked to be largely introduced into the locking element and the forces acting on the switching element to be reduced.

Further refinements are specified in dependent claims 2-9 and 11-23. Claims 2-3 relate to configurations that help to carry out the switching element dynamically inert. Neutralize with a switching element that is equipped with two single-stroke self-holding magnets in which the armature axes run parallel to one another dynamic influences on the movable magnet armatures by the fact that they are each acted upon uniformly, so that they each apply mutually neutralizing forces to the ends of the rocker switch on which they act. According to claim 3, this effect is improved in that they act with the same lever arm to the axis of rotation of the rocker switch on the ends and / or in that they have the same masses. The rocker switch itself is dynamically inert according to claim 4 in that the axis of rotation runs through the center of gravity of the rocker switch. This prevents a linear acceleration, to which the switching element is exposed (for example, shocks or impacts), from causing a torque in the rocker switch itself, which could cause a switchover.

The development according to claim 5 prevents transverse forces from being applied to the direction of movement of the armature, which can impair or damage the armature itself or its guidance in the switching coils.

According to claim 6, the rocker switch is provided with an actuating section which guides the forces exerted by a switch object without torque through the axis of rotation of the rocker switch, so that a load on the switch object, which can be a locking element on a weapon, for example, does not transmit any torque to the rocker switch , This can be achieved according to claim 7 in that the adjusting section is designed as a cam, the footprint of which runs concentrically to the axis of rotation of the rocker switch. The formation of a low-friction sliding pairing between the switching object and the cam or its footprint means that between these two elements, only normal forces perpendicular to the footprint are transmitted to the actuating section, which do not generate any torque, and forces tangential to the footprint are largely minimized. A material pairing of bronze / steel or brass / steel has proven to be advantageous for this, as it allows high component strength with good sliding properties (claim 8). The design of the device for weapon protection according to claim 9 in conjunction with claims 10-12 relate to configurations of the locking element which reduce the force acting on the actuating section of the switching element on the one hand, but on the other hand ensure a correct function of the trigger mechanism when the weapon is unlocked , Claim 14 relates to an alternative switching element, which has an axially resilient locking piece, which acts by its eccentric design in a switching position on the locking element and blocks it, while it releases the locking element in another switching position.

According to claim 15, the recesses in the trigger rod and the pawl shape are matched to one another so that even when the firing lever is cocked, it is not possible to trigger the locked weapon, i.e. that the trigger rod has no effect from the trigger on the hammer mechanism for unlocking.

The further developments according to claims 16-22 relate to the actuation of the switching element with a switching pulse, which takes place via an identifier identification or an identifier exchange. 17, pin codes, biometric data, light, sound or radio signals can be used. The claims 18-22 relate to those designs in which a transponder is used for the exchange of identifiers. According to claim 19, this can be arranged in the weapon itself and, according to claim 20, can have a common power supply with the switching element, for example a battery. However, it can also be assigned to a shooter according to claims 21 and 22, the identification being identified in the weapon itself using a read / write device. The transponder is carried according to claim 22 in an object that the shooter usually carries with him or on himself (ring, watch, clothing, equipment, implant, etc.). Embodiments of the invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a weapon safety device in which the invention can be used;

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged, schematic representation of a switching element according to the invention, which can be used as an element of weapon protection;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a weapon safety device according to the invention with a locked locking element, in which the adjusting element according to FIG. 2 is used;

FIG. 4 shows the weapon safety device according to FIG. 3, in which the locking element is released from the actuating element;

FIG. 5 shows the weapon safety device according to FIG. 3 with an alternative adjusting element.

1, an environment is described in which a locking mechanism according to the invention can be used for weapon protection. The schematic illustration shows a release device 1 with a controller 2, the controller having identifier memories 3 and 4, the function of which is explained below. In addition, the controller 2 is provided with an antenna 5, via which signals are emitted and received, which are generated or processed by the controller 2. The weapon 6 has a weapon identifier 7 and is provided with a safety device 8 which engages in the mechanics (not shown) of the weapon via a switching or adjusting element 9. The weapon identification 7 is located on an identification carrier 10, which is separated by the triple frame men is indicated. The safety device 8 is also connected to an antenna 13 for emitting or receiving signals. The dashed connecting line between antenna 13 and security device 8 indicates that this equipment is optional. Alternatively, the signal exchange can also take place via the antenna of the identification carrier 10 designed as a transponder. The weapon identification carrier 10 and the security device are supplied with energy via a power supply 14. Here, too, the dashed lines for weapon identification indicate that the identification carrier 10 is only optionally supplied with energy via the power supply 14. Energy absorption via the signal energy is also possible.

In addition, a user identification 11 is also shown, which is located on a further identification carrier 12, which is also designed as a so-called transponder with its own transmitting and receiving antennas.

Suitable transponders for the system according to the invention are, for example, RFID data carriers with a storage function. They can be designed as simple read-only transponders up to transponders with sophisticated cryptographic functions. The basic structure of transponders with a memory function include a memory (eg RAM, ROM, EEPROM or FERAM) and an HF interface for power supply and communication with the read / write device. The HF interface forms the interface between the transmission channel from the reader to the transponder and the digital circuit elements of the transponder itself. In principle, it corresponds to the classic modem (modulator-demodulator), as is also used for analog data transmission via telephone lines. The HF interface of the transponder has a load or backscatter modulator (or other method, eg frequency divider) which is controlled by the digital transmission data in order to send data back to the reading device. Passive transponders, i.e. transponders without their own power supply, are supplied with energy via the HF field of the read / write device. The HF interface takes the transponder tenne Strom and provides this in the rectified form to the chip as a regulated supply voltage. The transponders can be provided with their own microprocessors, which carry out the data transmission from and to the transponder, the sequence control of commands, the file management and cryptographic algorithms.

It is also possible to equip transponders with sensor functions so that, for example, temperature, humidity, shock, acceleration or other physical quantities can be recorded in the transponder and read out by a read / write device. It is e.g. possible to record critical operating sizes for weapons. For example, the maximum temperature of a barrel can be recorded or the number of shots fired. The detection of such sizes allows the weapon release to be controlled additionally depending on the company. The weapon is e.g. locked after a certain number of shots or when a limit temperature is reached.

Glass transponders whose coils are wound on a highly permeable ferrite rod (ferrite antenna) can be used to install transponders in a metallic environment. When installed in an elongated recess in the metal surface, the transponder can be read easily. Even covering such an arrangement with a metal cover is possible if it is fastened with a narrow gap of dielectric material (lacquer, plastic) between the two metal surfaces. The field lines running parallel to the metal surface can thus enter the cavity via the dielectric gap, so that the transponder can be read. So-called disk tags (disk-shaped transponders) can also be embedded between metal plates. For this purpose, the top and bottom of the tags are applied with metal foils made of highly permeable amorphous metal, each of which only covers half of the tag, so that a magnetic flux is generated through the coil of the transponder at the gap between the two sub-foils, so that it can be read out. For mounting in non-metallic bodies, there are a large number of flat, rod-shaped or other transponder designs that can be glued on, glued in, cast in, screwed in or that are designed so flat that they can even be applied along the surfaces.

The weapon release runs with a weapon protection according to 1 as follows: The controller 2 transmits a global control signal 15 via the antenna 5. This control signal is either received on the weapon side via the antenna 13 of the weapon-side security device 8 or directly by the transponder 10 carrying the identification 7. In response to the global control signal, the transponder 10 sends an identification signal 16 comprising the weapon identification 7 back to the release device 1, which transmits it the antenna 5 receives and transmits it to the controller 2. A comparison operation is carried out in the controller 2 as to whether the transmitted weapon identification 7 matches an identification recorded in the identification memory 3. If this is the case, the controller 2 in turn transmits a release signal 17 via the antenna 5 to the safety device 8 via the antenna 13 or the transponder 10. The actuating element 9 intervenes in the weapon mechanism to release it in order to unlock it.

The actuating element 9 is designed as an electromechanical switching element which engages in the trigger mechanism. Here, e.g. the trigger bar is blocked or released, or hung or unhooked on the trigger guard or tee.

In a further expansion stage, a user identification 11 is queried in addition to the weapon identification 7. This user ID can also be stored in a transponder 12 that a user of the weapon 6 carries with him. In this case, the global control signal triggers the transmission of the identification signal 18 comprising the user identification to the release device 1, that of the latter via the antenna 5 the controller 2 is transmitted. Here is the sent

The user ID is then compared with a user ID contained in the user ID memory 4. The release signal 17 is only transmitted when the weapon and user ID 7, 11 are queried in combination if both IDs are present in the respective memories 3, 4. In this way, certain weapon identifiers can be assigned to specific users. That means: Not every user can use every weapon. The release device can be provided with an input device 19 or with a reading device 20 to maintain the identification data. In the exemplary embodiment described above, the data or signal exchange via radio is described. The data between release device 1 and weapon 6 or user identification carrier 10, 12 can also be transmitted optically, acoustically, via lines or in another suitable manner.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the actuating or switching element 9 from FIG. 1 in a schematic illustration. It comprises a base body 30, which can be attached to or in a weapon 6 via two fastening tabs 31. The base body 30 carries two single-stroke self-holding magnets 32, 33, each having an armature 34, 35, which are arranged within a coil 36, 37. The coils 36, 37 are each closed at one end by a permanent magnet 38, 39. A control current can be applied to the coils via the supply lines 40, 41. Depending on the polarity of the applied voltage, each single-stroke self-holding magnet 32, 33 can assume a stroke start position or a stroke end position. 2 shows the single-stroke self-holding magnet 32 in the initial stroke position and the single-stroke self-holding magnet 33 in the stroke end position. The stroke movement from the stroke start position to the stroke end position is effected by electromagnetic force. In the stroke end position, the armature 35 is held by the built-in permanent magnet 39 when the current is switched off. The return to the initial stroke position is done here by the single stroke Self-holding magnet 32, which is coupled to the magnet 33 via the rocker switch 42. When the magnet 32 is activated, the permanent magnet 39 is neutralized by a negative current pulse on the magnet 33, the magnet 32 is activated by a corresponding excitation of the coil 36 so that the armature 34 is drawn into the coil 36 (into the stroke end position) and there is held in the corresponding end position via the permanent magnet 38.

The rocker switch 42 is arranged between the armatures 34 and 35 and can be pivoted about an axis of rotation 43. This axis of rotation 43 is arranged perpendicular to the parallel anchor axes 44, 45. The axis of rotation 43 is defined in the exemplary embodiment by a journal 46 on which the rocker switch

42 sits with a corresponding opening. The armatures 34, 35 of the single-stroke self-holding magnets 32, 33 engage the ends 47, 48 of the rocker switch 42. A fork head is arranged at each end 47, 48, through which a tapered section 49, 50 of the respective armature 34, 35 passes, a pilsiform end 49, 50 transmitting the respective actuating force to the corresponding fork end 47, 48. The decrease in force takes place in the direction of the anchor axes 44, 45.

The rocker switch 42 has a switch cam 53 which comprises a footprint 54 at its upper end. The footprint 54 is concentric with the axis of rotation 43, so that forces transmitted normally to the footprint are directed exclusively through the axis of rotation 43 so that they do not exert a switching torque on the rocker switch 42.

The rocker switch 42 itself is designed so that the axis of rotation

43 runs through their center of mass. As a result, linear accelerations acting on the rocker switch 42 do not cause a switching torque. The same applies to the pair of anchors 34, 35, which engage the ends 47, 48 of the rocker switch with the same lever arm and exert no torque on the rocker switch when the armatures are accelerated, since the induced forces neutralize each other. The whole Switching element 9 is thus dynamically balanced and stable in acceleration.

The parallel arrangement of the self-holding magnets 33, 34 permits very strong miniaturization, so that the height H of the switching element is approximately 16-20 mm, the width B is 8-12 mm and the thickness T is approximately 6 mm when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation 43. The holding force of the permanent magnet is in the range from 0.01 to 0.03 Newton. The switching voltage is between 2.0 and 4.2 VDC. The normal force acting transversely to the bearing journal 46 on the footprint 54 can be up to 100 Newtons. This force can be increased if the bearing journal 46 carrying the rocker switch 42 is supported at both ends.

Fig. 3 shows the function of the switching element 9 on a weapon safety device in a pistol. The switching cam 53 acts on a locking element 55, on which a pawl 56 is formed, which engages in a corresponding recess 57 on a trigger rod 58. The trigger rod 58 is part of a trigger mechanism which transmits a trigger force F acting on the trigger 59 to the striking lever 60. The locking element 55 is pivotally arranged via a leg spring 61 in a holding piece 62 which is connected to the weapon itself. In the switching position shown, the switching cam 53 assumes the locking element 55, which engages with its pawl 56 in the recess 57 and blocks the trigger rod 58. The force F exerted on the trigger 59 thus does not act on the striking lever 60. The striking lever 60 cannot be cocked or, if it is in a cocked position (not shown), cannot be released via a corresponding trigger pawl. The weapon cannot be activated.

FIG. 4 shows the trigger mechanism in a position with the locking element 55 released shortly before the striking lever 60 hits the firing pin, not shown. The switching element 9 is in a second switching position, in which the switching cam 53 releases the locking element 55. The trigger rod becomes by the force exerted on trigger 59

58 pulled forward. Due to the correspondingly oblique design of the recess 57 and the pawl 56, the locking element 55 is tilted downward against the spring force. The pawl 56 slides out of the recess 57 and along the trigger rod 58. At the firing lever-side end of the trigger rod 58 there is a driving lug 63 which engages in a known manner in a corresponding recess on the firing lever 60, tensions it, and slidably releases it from the recess 64 so that the firing lever 60 strikes the firing pin which then the cartridge in turn ignites in a known manner.

The switching element 9 is arranged with its switching cam 53 to the locking element 55 that this acts only perpendicular to the footprint 54. As a result, in the locked state, the locking element 55 cannot trigger a switchover process. This also means that a high pull-off force F is not sufficient to unlock or destroy the switching element 55. The normal force acting on the footprint 54 is reduced by the following measures. On the one hand, the leg spring 61 can be adjusted so that a considerable pull-off force is required to disengage the pawl 56 from the recess 57. In addition, an adjustable friction component can be generated by a corresponding design of the recess and the pawl, which further reduces the normal force acting on the footprint 54. The surface of the locking element 55 acting on the footprint 54 is designed in such a way that sliding forces occurring between switching cams 53 and locking element 55 are minimized, ie there is a low-friction sliding pairing, so that even when the trigger 59 is loaded, the switching cams are switched from engagement with the locking element can. This can be supported by a suitable choice of material, for example in that the switching cam 53 is made of brass or bronze and the locking element 55 is made of steel. Other suitable material combinations are also possible, e.g. plastic / metal, ceramic / metal. Coatings that reduce friction are also possible.

5 and 6 show an alternative switching element 9, which is formed from a rotating magnet 65, a gear 66 and a locking piece 67. The upper end of the cylindrical locking piece 67 is cut obliquely to the cylinder axis and has an asymmetrical recess 68, which is milled out, for example. The upper end of the locking piece 67 thus has a section 69 which, in a first switching position, which is shown in FIG. 5, reduces the locking element 55, so that it is fixed in the recess 57 on the trigger rod 58. A shot is not possible. Fig. 6 shows a second switching position, in which the locking piece 67 is rotated by 180 ° and the locking element 55 protrudes into the recess 68. In this switch position, the trigger can be actuated and a shot can be triggered via the trigger rod 58. The loading of the locking piece 67 takes place largely in the direction of the axis of rotation of the rotating magnet 65.

In further versions, not shown, the locking piece 67 or the switching cam 53 can also engage directly on the trigger rod 58, so that the locking element 55 can be dispensed with.

There are also versions (not shown) in which the rotary magnet 65 is replaced by a micromotor, which converts the rotary movement of the motor into a linear movement via a corresponding gear. In this case, a corresponding locking piece can engage the trigger rod in such a way that it is pulled down out of engagement with the striking lever, so that actuation of a trigger does not affect the striking lever. In another embodiment, the trigger rod can also be attached or detached on the trigger side via such a switching element. The locking piece can be connected to the trigger rod via a link guide or a multi-link coupling gear. In white tere configurations, the switching elements can also intervene at other points of the trigger mechanism, for example, they can act directly on the trigger 59, the impact lever 60 or other elements that belong to the impact lever mechanism.

There are also versions (not shown) in which such a linearly guided locking piece in its locking position underpins the trigger rod 58 or the locking element 55 and thus locks the weapon and releases an unlocking position of the trigger rod 58 or locking element 55 and thus unlocks the weapon.

The switching elements can also be additionally provided with a position transmitter which generates a signal corresponding to the switching position, which signal is recognized by an external activation device, so that it can be checked in which switching position (safety state) the switching element is located. A release signal or a security signal can be repeated if, for example, the switching element could not be put into the desired position right away. It is also possible to provide a display on the weapon that indicates the safety status (optically or acoustically perceptible or palpable). The switching element itself is connected to a controller, not shown in FIGS. 4-6, which is also housed in the weapon.

Claims

Expectations

1. Electromechanical switching element (9), in particular for a weapon safety device, with two single-stroke self-holding magnets (32, 33) which act bistably on opposite ends (47, 48) of a switching rocker (42) which assumes a first or second switching position, wherein the moving parts, in particular the rocker switch (42) and the armature (34, 35), are dynamically balanced, so that accelerations acting on the switching element (9) do not cause a change in the switching position.

2. Switching element according to claim 1, wherein the armature axes (44, 45) are arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to an axis of rotation (43) of the switching rocker (42) extending between the armature axes (44, 45).

3. Switching element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the armatures (34, 35) have the same masses and / or act with approximately the same lever on the rocker switch (42).

4. Switching element according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the axis of rotation extends through the center of gravity of the rocker switch (42).

5. Switching element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the force decrease of the rocker switch (42) from the armatures (34, 35) takes place axially in the direction of the corresponding armature axis (44, 45), in particular via a fork head at the respective end (47, 48 ) the rocker switch (42).

6. Switching element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rocker switch (42) on a switching object (55, 58), for example a locking element (55) on a weapon, engaging control section (53) which is designed such that the switching object (55, 58) Forces exerted on the actuating section (53) run torque-free through the axis of rotation (43) and thus do not produce a switching effect.

7. Switching element according to claim 6, wherein the actuating section forms a cam (53) with a footprint (54) which is largely concentric to the axis of rotation (43).

8. Switching element according to claim 7, wherein the switching object (55, 58) exerts a load through the axis of rotation (43) normal force on the footprint (54) substantially.

9. Switching element according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the cam (53) and the switching object (55, 58) form a low-friction sliding pair, the cam (53) in particular made of bronze or brass and the switching object (55, 58) made of steel are made.

10. A device for securing a weapon in which the function of a trigger rod (58) is blocked by a locking element (55) engaging in a recess (57) formed in the trigger rod (58), and an adjustable between a first and second switching position Electromechanical switching element (9) is provided, characterized in that, in the first switching position, the electromechanical switching element (9), acting on the locking element (55), blocks it in engagement with the trigger rod (58), so that the trigger rod (58) does not hit a striking lever (60) or acts on a lock that triggers this.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the locking element is spring-loaded with a pawl (56).

12. The apparatus of claim 10 or 11, wherein the locking element (55) is designed as a pivotable rocker arm, the spring force being applied in particular by means of a leg spring (61).

13. The apparatus of claim 11 or 12, in which the spring force, pawl (56) and recess (57) are set up so that when a trigger (59) is in the second switching position switching element (9), the trigger rod (58) without impairment of function the pawl (56) disengages from the recess (57) and acts on the impact lever (60) or on the triggering lock.

14. Device according to one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the switching element (9) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 9

15. Device according to one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the switching element has a rotary magnet (65) with an axially loadable and eccentrically recessed locking piece (69) extending in the direction of the axis of rotation of the rotary magnet.

16. The device according to any one of the preceding claims 10 to 15, wherein the pawl (56) and the recess (57) in the trigger rod (58) are designed so that even when the striker (60) is tensioned, the striker (60) is not triggered. is possible via the trigger (59) when the switching element assumes its first switching position.

17. Device according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 16, in which the electromechanical switching element (9) is adjusted via a switching pulse which is triggered via an identification identification.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the identification identification in particular via a pin code, a biometric see identifier, a light, sound or radio signal.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 or 18, wherein the identification identification takes place via an identification exchange with a transponder (RFID element).

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the transponder is arranged in the weapon and delivers a switching impulse to the switching element upon successful identification exchange with a release device.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 or 20, wherein the transponder and the switching element have a common power supply.

22. The apparatus of claim 19 or 20, wherein a transponder is assigned to a shooter and the weapon has a read / write device coupled to the switching element, which, when the identifier is successfully exchanged with the transponder, emits a switching pulse to the actuating element to unlock the weapon.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the transponder is designed as a ring, watch, clothing or equipment component of the shooter.