IL125218A - Firearm apparatus and method for firing a firearm - Google Patents

Abstract

Firearm apparatus comprising: a barrel adapter; a second barrel portion; a gas deflecting connector coupled between said barrel adapter and said second barrel portion; and a gas discharge passage through said barrel adapter, said gas deflecting connector and said second barrel portion. 2672 י" ד בחשון התשס" ב - October 31, 2001

Description

125218/2 ρυ> mvi no>w p pno FIREARM APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FIRING A FIREARM L FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to firearms in general and, in particular, to firearms for shooting around corners.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In order to fire a firearm and hit a target, it is necessary to aim towards the target and fire a bullet or projectile with sufficient force to penetrate the target. With conventional firearms, whether pistols, other hand guns, rifles, or submachine guns, an elongate barrel is provided to direct the bullet in the direction in which the firearm is aimed, and to provide a path along which the bullet is accelerated.

In many cases, it would be desirable to be able to fire a gun and hit a target located at an angle to, or around a corner from the person firing the gun. With conventional firearms, this is impossible, since the barrel is straight and can only be fired forwards or backwards, or else the gun must be held extended from the body and fired without visually aiming towards the target.

Accordingly, there is a long felt need for a firearm which permits easy and efficient shooting at an angle, and it would be very desirable to have a such a firearm which permits the shooter to see the target while aiming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a kit for mounting on a firearm, the kit including Preferably, the firearm also includes aiming apparatus.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first barrel portion merges into a first cylindrical cup having an outlet, and the second barrel portion merges into a second cylindrical cup having an outlet, the first cylindrical cup being pivotably mounted in the second cylindrical cup.

According to a preferred embodiment, the kit further includes a camera mounted parallel to the second barrel portion for movement together therewith, and a monitor coupled to the camera and mounted in the line of sight of the firearm.

Further according to the invention there is provided a firearm including a first barrel portion, a second barrel portion pivotably coupled to the first barrel portion, a gas discharge passage passing through the first barrel portion and the second barrel portion, and aiming apparatus, wherein gas discharge means are provided in the first barrel portion, and at least one projectile is provided in the second barrel portion for expulsion by the discharged gas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be further understood and appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a top view of a firearm constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the firearm of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of a kit constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention for mounting on a conventional firearm; Fig. 4 is a side view of a portion of the kit of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a top sectional view of one embodiment of the pivoting portion of the kit of Fig. 3 taken along line A-A in Fig. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to firearms which are capable of firing at an angle other than a straight angle, for the purpose of firing around a corner, wall or other obstacle or protective barrier. This is accomplished by means of an adapter kit which fits on the barrel of a conventional firearm and includes a barrel adapter for mounting on the firearm barrel, and a second barrel portion, coupled to the first barrel portion via a gas deflecting connector. A gas discharge passage is provided through both barrel adapter and second barrel portion so that gases from the firearm barrel can pass through the barrel adapter and second barrel portions and expel a projectile, such as a rubber bullet, from the second barrel portion.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown, in respective top and side perspective views, a firearm 10 constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. For ease of illustration, the present invention will be described herein with reference to a rifle, for which it is particularly suited. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is applicable to most any firearm.

Firearm 10 includes a barrel 12 and a second barrel portion 14. A gas deflecting connector 20 is coupled between barrel 12 and second barrel portion 14. According to one embodiment of the invention, the gas deflecting connector is a pivotal connector. Preferably, aiming apparatus is mounted on the firearm and the second barrel portion to permit aiming at the target. In the illustrated embodiment, the aiming apparatus includes a camera 16 mounted on the gas deflecting connector 20, or on second barrel portion 14, and is arranged for movement in parallel with second barrel portion 14, such that the camera 16 is always pointing in the same direction as the second barrel portion 14. A monitor 18 is mounted on firearm 10 in view of the person firing the firearm. Camera 16 is coupled to monitor 18, as known, for providing a real time view of the target of the firearm.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a kit is provided for converting a conventional firearm into a firearm according to the present invention. One embodiment of such a kit is illustrated in respective plan and side views in Figs. 3 and 4. The kit includes a barrel adapter 22, including an internal adapter 24, arranged for coupling to the barrel end or flash arrester of a conventional firearm. In the illustrated embodiment, the barrel adapter 22 is adapted to snap fit onto the flash arrester of the Galil rifle. It will be appreciated, however, that the adapter will be modified in order to suit the particular firearm used. The other side of barrel adapter 22 is screwed onto internal adapter 24.

Internal adapter 24 fits inside the barrel or flash arrester of the firearm. Internal adapter 24 has a smaller diameter than the barrel so as to increase the pressure of the gas passing therethrough. Internal adapter 24 is mounted on one part of gas deflecting connector 20. A second barrel portion 26 is coupled, via a second adapter 28, to a second part of gas deflecting connector 20. Second barrel portion 26 is arranged to hold at least one projectile (not shown) for expulsion on firing of the firearm.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5, the gas deflecting connector is a pivotal connector 30. According to this embodiment, pivotal connector 30 includes an inner cup 32 seated in an outer cup 34. Each of cups 32 and 34 includes a gas inlet 36, 36' and an elongate window 38, 38', such as a groove, opposite the respective gas inlet. Affixed to inner cup 32 is an internal adapter 40 arranged for coupling to the barrel end or flash arrester of a conventional firearm. According to the illustrated embodiment, first adapter 40 is welded to the gas inlet 36 of inner cup 32 and includes a conical tip 42 for inserting into a cylindrical barrel end. A threaded barrel adapter 44 (Fig. 3) is arranged to be screwed onto internal adapter 40, and preferably includes locking means, such as a pin and pawl spring 45 (Fig. 4), for releasably locking inner cup 32 relative to outer cup 34. When inner cup 32 is seated in outer cup 34, adapter 40 extends through elongate window 38' in outer cup 34. As can be seen in Fig. 5, adapter 40 has a wide arc of movement in window 38'. It will be appreciated that when the connector is not a pivotal connector, there is no need for the locking means.

Affixed to outer cup 34 is a second adapter 46. Second adapter 46 is welded to gas inlet 36' of outer cup 34 and expands to the dimensions of second barrel portion 26, which is preferably of relatively large diameter so as to contain a number of projectiles. Second adapter 46 is mounted opposite window 38 of inner cup 32.

As can be seen in Fig. 5, a gas discharge passage is provided from internal adapter 40, through pivotal connector 30, and through second adapter 46. It will be appreciated that, alternatively, any other gas deflecting connector which permits the passage of gases without substantially diminishing their force, can be utilized.

Referring again to Figs. 3 and 4, the kit further includes aiming apparatus 50. Aiming apparatus 50 can be any means which permit the person firing the firearm to view the target during firing. According to the illustrated, preferred embodiment, aiming apparatus 50 includes a camera 52 and an associated monitor 54. Camera 52 is mounted on pivotal connector 30 by means of a camera holder 56. Monitor 54 is mounted on the firearm by means of a monitor holder 57, and coupled to camera 52 by a connector 58. A power source (not shown), such as a battery, must be provided, and can be coupled to camera 52 by a power connection cord 59. Alternatively, aiming apparatus can include a telescope or mirror, a fiber optic connection to a telescope or camera, or any other suitable aiming apparatus.

Operation of the firearm according to the present invention is as follows. Threaded connector 44 is affixed to the barrel end or flash arrester of a selected firearm. The angle of the first barrel portion relative to the second barrel portion is adjusted, by using the direction pin and pawl spring 45. While the pivotal connector 30 can be arranged for use at any relative angle, it is preferable to fire the firearm while first barrel portion 22 is at an angle of 120° from second barrel portion 26 (i.e., 60° from the straight line of fire). Pawl spring 45 serves to lock the two barrel portions in position relative to one another. The monitor 54 is mounted on the barrel, and connected to a power source. Preferably, the power source is a battery pack which can be inserted into the pocket of one shooting the firearm.

At least one, and preferably a plurality of projectiles, are inserted into the open end of second barrel portion 26. According to one embodiment of the invention, the projectiles are rubber bullets. The present invention is particularly suitable, at the present time, for firing rubber bullets or paint balls in an arcade, as they are relatively light in weight. However, any other projectile can alternatively be fired, if the suitable gas pressure can be generated within the firearm, and the gas deflecting connector is built of sufficiently strong materials.

The barrel or the barrel adapter is coupled to a source of pressurized gas for expelling the projectiles. According to one embodiment of the invention, the firearm is loaded with blank cartridges (cartridges with explosive powder but without a bullet). Upon firing the firearm, a blast of pressurized gas travels down the barrel. The blast of gas travels into barrel adapter 22, through pivotal connector 30, and out second barrel portion 26, propelling a projectile from second barrel portion 26 towards the target.

It will be appreciated that any other source of a blast of pressurized gas can alternatively be utilized. The type and size of projectile which can be propelled from the firearm of the present invention depend on the characteristics of the blast which can be generated. Needless to say, if the blast is substantially stronger than that of a traditional blank cartridge, it would be desirable to form the barrel portions and the gas deflecting connector of suitable strong, resistant material.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to what has been described hereinabove merely by way of example. Rather, the invention is limited solely by the claims which follow. 7 125218/2

Claims (12)

CLAIMS What is claimed is: Λ

1. Firearm apparatus comprising: a barrel adapter; £· a second barrel portion; / a gas deflecting connector coupled between said barrel adapter and said second barrel portion; and a gas discharge passage through said barrel adapter, said gas deflecting connector and said second barrel portion.

2. Firearm apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising aiming apparatus associated with said barrel adapter and said second barrel portion.

3. Firearm apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said gas deflecting connector includes a pivotal connector.

4. Firearm apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said pivotal connector includes: a first cylindrical cup, having a gas inlet and an elongate window; and a second cylindrical cup, having a gas inlet and an elongate window; and said first cylindrical cup being pivotably mounted in said second cylindrical cup.

5. Firearm apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising: a camera mounted parallel to said second barrel portion for movement together therewith; and a monitor coupled to said camera and mounted on the firearm apparatus.

6. A firearm comprising a conventional firearm on which is mounted said firearm apparatus according to any of claims 1-5.

7. Firearm apparatus comprising: a barrel; a second barrel portion; a gas deflecting connector coupled between said barrel and said second barrel portion; a gas discharge passage through said barrel, said gas deflecting connector and said second barrel portion; means for providing a blast of pressurized gas coupled to said barrel; and at least one projectile disposed in said second barrel portion.

8. A method for firing a firearm, the method comprising: mounting a barrel adapter having a gas passage therethrough on a barrel of the firearm; 8 125218/2 coupling a second barrel portion having a gas passage therethrough to said barrel adapter via a gas deflecting connector; providing at least one projectile in said second barrel portion; providing a blast of pressurized gas into said barrel adapter and through said second barrel portion so as to propel said at least one projectile towards a target.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said step of providing a blast of pressurized gas includes firing a blank cartridge in the firearm.

10. The method according to claim 8 or claim 9, further comprising the step of aiming the firearm at a target by means of aiming apparatus mounted on the firearm before said step of providing a blast of pressurized gas.

11. Firearm apparatus according to any of claims 1-7 and substantially as shown and described hereinabove.

12. The method according to any of claims 8-10 and substantially as shown and described hereinabove. For the Applicant, David Klein, Patent Attorney Dekel Patent Ltd.