WO2006099903A1

WO2006099903A1 - Firearm

Info

Publication number: WO2006099903A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/055572
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matteo Passoni; Alfonso Bravi; Salvatore Martucci; Rodolfo Ludovici
Original assignee: Matteo Passoni; Alfonso Bravi; Salvatore Martucci; Rodolfo Ludovici
Priority date: 2005-03-24
Filing date: 2005-10-26
Publication date: 2006-09-28
Also published as: ITMI20050503A1

Abstract

A firearm (1 ) comprising at least one electrical source (10) connectable, via a switch (14) operated by a trigger, to at least two electrical poles (15, 20) arranged to make contact with a cartridge (4a) when inserted into a barrel (6) of said firearm, closure of said switch (14) inducing discharge of the current source, to ignite the cartridge.

Description

FIREARM

The present invention relates to a firearm in accordance with the introduction to the main claim. In firearms, in particular pistols and rifles, the cartridge explosive powder is ignited by the mechanical action of a firing pin which, when struck by the hammer released by pressing a human finger on the trigger, slides within a guide seat and violently strikes a primer present in the cartridge.

When struck in this manner the primer explodes to cause combustion of the firing powder contained in the cartridge and firing of the firearm, with consequent expulsion of the projectile or ball from the firearm barrel.

A disadvantage of these devices, very apparent in precision firing, is that operating the trigger releases the hammer mechanically. Hence the trigger is pulled with a certain force to cause the hammer to trip; this can cause misalignment of the sight.

A further problem is that considerable movements take place within the firearm between the moment of pressing on the trigger to the moment of firing. In this respect, the hammer violently strikes the firing pin which moves to strike the cartridge primer. All the moving components present a certain inertia which causes vibrations able to lead to misalignment of the sight during firing.

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a firearm which is improved compared with the described state of the art, by presenting a more sensitive trigger which does not have to be pressed with force to cause the firearm to fire, and which can be activated by merely grazing it so as not to cause misalignment of the sight on firing. A further object of the present invention is to provide a firearm in which there are no moving parts for igniting the cartridge, and hence a firearm which does not present any vibration between the moment of operating the trigger and the moment of firing. This aspect also contributes to limiting possible misalignment of the sight.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a firearm which fires only if gripped by the legitimate user.

These and other objects are attained by a firearm (including a sports firearm) in accordance with the technical teachings of the accompanying claims.

Advantageously said firearm can also operate with cartridges which do not require a percussion cap. This simplifies and reduces the cost of cartridge construction. In this manner considerable advantages are also obtained from the environmental viewpoint as the traditional primer contains pollutant substances damaging to the environment.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the firearm, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawing, in which the single figure shows a schematic side view of a firearm. The figure shows a firearm indicated overall by 1.

The firearm 1 is substantially conventional, except with regard to the ignition system, which does not operate by percussion.

The firearm 1 comprises a handgrip 2 housing a conventional magazine 3 for cartridges 4. The top portion of the magazine faces the lower surface 5a of the carriage 5. As in conventional pistols, the carriage 5 thrusts the cartridge into the barrel 6.

The figure shows a cartridge 4a already inserted into the barrel 6 and ready for firing.

Specifically, the firearm 1 of the present invention comprises a compartment 7 housing a source of electrical energy, in the present example a battery 8. The battery poles are connected to a current converter 9 for charging one or more capacitors 10; in known manner the converter increases the current voltage in order to charge the capacitors.

The capacitors are connected to a security module 11 comprising a transponder reader. The security module 11 enables or inhibits current transmission along cables 12, 13 depending on whether or not the reader senses a transponder programmed with a determined code for its range of action. Advantageously the transponder 30 is inserted into an armband worn by a marksman (or into a ring injected below the skin, etc.). The cable 13 is connected to a switch 14 connected to a pole 15 provided on the wall of the barrel 6, in proximity to the lateral wall of the cartridge 4a and in contact with it. The switch is operated by the pressure of the trigger 21.

The cable 12 is connected to a slidable contact 16 enabling current to be transmitted to a cable 17 inserted into the carriage 5 and terminating in a pole 19 in direct contact with the cartridge base 20.

The firearm of the invention operates substantially in the following manner.

The battery 8 powers the current converter 9 which charges the capacitors 10.

The marksman puts on the armband 31 (or the ring or transponder 30 injected below the skin, etc.) containing the transponder 30 and grips the firearm.

The transponder 30 enters into the range of action of the reader of the module 11 when the pistol is gripped, and transmits to this latter its code. The module checks whether the code authorizes the use of the firearm, and if positive enables current to flow along the cables 12 and 13, to activate the module 11.

At this point the firearm 1 is ready to be fired.

Slight pressure by the marksman on the trigger 21 closes the switch 14. The current stored in the capacitors is discharged across the poles 15 and 20. The cartridge 4a acts as an electrical bridge and the explosive powder present therein explodes, causing the firearm to fire.

In a preferred embodiment the cartridge 4a does not present any type of traditional primer, hence is in no way pollutant. Moreover it is also simple to produce and refill. Cartridges of traditional type can however also be used.

The capacitor recharge times and capacity are regulated to optimise cartridge ignition and capacitor recharge times.

In different embodiments more than one capacitor bank can be provided to achieve a greater firing repetition rate.

In practice when one capacitor bank discharges to ignite the cartridge, the other capacitor bank is already charged and hence ready to ignite the next cartridge.

In alternative embodiments the cartridge 4a can present two contacts connected to a primer, for example formed from two electrodes immersed in the explosive powder. The arc generated between these electrodes ignites the explosive powder to expel the projectile.

Advantageously the priming system of the present invention can also be used in revolvers, preferred by many for their mechanical simplicity, efficiency, robustness ad reliability of operation, by suppressing the force for reloading with the index finger the robust double acting release spring. The cylinder movement can be achieved by a spring which causes it to rotate on each firing, so making the firearm perfectly automatic.

In a different embodiment the security circuit 1 1 can be of electronic type. For example a keypad can be provided by which to key in an identification code for activating the firearm firing system.

The security circuit 11 can also be a reader of fingerprints and/or of eye irises and/or of DNA and/or of voice tone, consequently the security circuit will be equipped with suitable means for sensing fingerprints and/or irises and/or DNA and/or voice tone. In different embodiment the battery 8 can be of conventional, rechargeable or fuel cell type.

The present invention also relates to any long firearm or firearm in general.

The present invention also relates to a method for activating a firearm, comprising a stage of reading a signal, a stage of verifying this signal and a stage of activating the security module when the signal is recognized.

Claims

1. A firearm (1 ) comprising at least one electrical source (10) connectable, via a switch (14) operated by a trigger, to at least two electrical poles (15, 20) arranged to make contact with a cartridge (4a) when inserted into a barrel (6) of said firearm, closure of said switch (14) inducing discharge of the current source, to ignite the cartridge.

2. A firearm (1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that the electrical source comprises at least one capacitor (10) charged by a battery (8).

3. A firearm (1 ) as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that a current converter is present between the capacitor (1 ) and the battery (8).

4. A firearm (1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that upstream of the poles (15, 20) a security module (11 ) is present allowing current to be transmitted to the poles only when activated.

5. A firearm (1 ) as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the security module (1 1 ) comprises a transponder reader arranged to receive a signal from a transponder (30) present within its range of action, said module circuit (11 ) being activated when said signal is recognized.

6. A firearm (1 ) as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the security module (11 ) comprises recognition means for a pin code and/or for fingerprints and/or the eye iris and/or the DNA and or the voice tone, said security module (1 1 ) being activated when the signals fed to the input of the recognition means are recognized.

7. A method for activating a firearm as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised by comprising a stage of reading a signal, a stage of verifying said signal and a stage of activating a security module when the signal is recognized.

8. An armband (31 ) for activating a firearm, comprising at least one transponder (30).