WO2021001720A1

WO2021001720A1 - Magazine for firearm

Info

Publication number: WO2021001720A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/055858
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cristian Michele GHILARDI
Original assignee: Ghilardi Cristian Michele
Priority date: 2019-07-04
Filing date: 2020-06-22
Publication date: 2021-01-07
Also published as: IT201900010881A1

Abstract

The invention is a magazine (1) for a firearm (900) housable in said arm (900). The magazine (1) comprises a box-shaped magazine body (2) comprising a cartridge chamber (200), in which the cartridges (500) are housed, and cartridge thrust means (25); said magazine body (2) extends along a magazine axis (X-X) between a magazine base (21) and a magazine opening (22). The magazine (1) comprises an electronic device (3) housed in the magazine body (2) comprising: - an optical detection sensor (4), facing toward the inside of the cartridge chamber (200) in the direction of the magazine axis (X-X), to detect along said magazine axis (X-X) a value corresponding to the free space present starting from said magazine base (21); - a control unit (7) connected to the optical detection sensor (4) suitable to receive the value measured and to evaluate the number of cartridges (500) present in the magazine (1) and/or in the firearm (900).

Description

DESCRIPTION

"MAGAZINE FOR FIREARM"

[0001] The present invention relates to a magazine for firearm and a firearm comprising said magazine.

[0002] In the background art, with particular reference to recent years, many "smart" arms solutions have been developed. In particular, arms are known, comprising mechanical and/or electronic devices of various type, for example, suitable to locate the arm in a determined position or to detect a "shot-fired" event or to count the number of shots fired and so on.

[0003] Such arm solutions are however particularly complex and expensive. In fact, such arms require specific shapes and geometries and/or specific layouts or kinematics suitable to comprise, house and interact with said specific mechanical and/or electronic components to perform the aforesaid actions/operations (i.e., the location of the arm in a determined position or the detection of a shot-fired event or the counting of the number of shots fired and so on) .

[0004] It is therefore intuitive to consider the main issue of such arms the need for an ad hoc development, with a consequent increase in production and construction costs.

Furthermore, a further issue is linked to the fact that the presence of such components entails specific (and undesired) changes also in the behavior dynamics of the arm.

[0005] It is the object of the present invention to provide a magazine for firearm suitable to perform such operations without invalidating the arm and the layout thereof. In other words, it is the object of the present invention to provide a magazine for firearms such that, once inserted into a commonly known arm, makes it "smart". It is also the object of the present invention to provide a "smart" firearm without requiring particular design changes, but comprising said magazine.

[0006] Such object is achieved by means of a magazine according to claim 1. Furthermore, such object is achieved by means of a firearm which comprises such magazine according to claim 11.

[0007] Further advantages and embodiments of the magazine and of the arm object of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims composing the accompanying set of claims .

[0008] Furthermore, the features and advantages of the magazine and of the arm will become apparent from the following description, given by way of explanation and not by way of limitation, in accordance with the accompanying Figures, in which:

[0009] - Figure 1 shows a firearm diagram according to the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, in which it is a gun;

[0010] - Figures 2 and 2 respectively show a view of the magazine according to the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment and an enlarged view thereof;

[0011] - Figure 3 shows a longitudinal sectional perspective view of the base of the magazine of Figure 2;

[0012] - Figures 4a and 4b show two sectional view diagrams of the magazine object of the present invention, respectively loaded with cartridges and partially unloaded .

[0013] With reference to the accompanying Figures, 900 indicates a whole firearm.

[0014] Still with reference to the accompanying Figures, numeral 1 indicates a magazine in accordance with the present invention. The magazine 1 is housable in the firearm 900, preferably in a magazine chamber of the firearm 900 suitably shaped. Also the firearm 900 set comprising the magazine 1, as better described below, is the object of the present invention.

[0015] According to the present invention, the magazine 1 comprises a box-shaped magazine body 2 in which a predefined number of cartridges 500 is housable.

[0016] The magazine body 2 comprises a cartridge chamber 200, suitably shaped, in which the cartridges 500 are housed .

[0017] The magazine body 2 extends along a magazine axis X- X between a magazine base 21 and a magazine opening 22. The cartridge chamber 200 then extends along the magazine axis X-X, closed at the bottom, at the base of the magazine 21, and open at the top, at the magazine opening 22. Through said magazine opening 22, the cartridges 500 enter the cartridge chamber 200 (during the loading operations of the magazine 1), through the magazine opening 22 the cartridges 500 exit the cartridge chamber

200 (during the unloading operations of the magazine 1) .

[0018] In addition, the magazine body 2 further comprises cartridge thrust means 25 suitable to carry out a thrust action on the cartridges 500 to bring them towards the magazine opening 22 thus easing the unloading operations, for example during the arm shooting operations.

[0019] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the cartridge thrust means 25 of the magazine 1 are located near the base of the magazine 21.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the cartridge thrust means 25 of the magazine 1 comprise a lift element 250 that engages the cartridges 500 (in particular the cartridge 500 or the cartridges 500 axially positioned on the bottom of the magazine chamber 200) to bring them towards the magazine opening 22.

[0021] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the cartridge thrust means 25 further comprise an elastically yielding member 255, preferably spring- loaded, suitable to carry out a thrust action parallel to the magazine axis X-X on the lift element 250 to bring towards the magazine opening 22 said lift element 250, and thus the cartridges 500.

[0022] The shape of the magazine body 2 and the components contained therein are not limiting for the purpose of the invention, with an exception for the features described below .

[0023] In accordance with the present invention, in fact, the magazine 1 comprises an optical detection sensor 4.

[0024] Such optical detection sensor 4 is housed in said magazine base 21 and faces towards the inside of the cartridge chamber 200. Preferably, the optical detection sensor 4 faces in the direction of the magazine axis X-X.

[0025] The optical detection sensor 4 is suitable to detect along said magazine axis X-X a value corresponding to the free space present starting from said magazine base 21.

[0026] In other words, the optical detection sensor 4 is suitable to detect the presence of a component positioned along the magazine axis X-X. In other further words, the optical detection sensor 4 is suitable to detect the presence of a component positioned along the magazine axis X-X to measure the distance between the magazine base 21 and said component.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the component whose axial position is of interest and is detected by the optical detection sensor 4 is the lift element 250. In accordance with such preferred embodiment, the optical detection sensor 4 detects the height of the lift element 250 with respect to the magazine base 21.

[0028] Preferably, on the bottom of the lift element 250 facing the magazine base 21 and therefore the optical detection sensor 4, the lift element 250 comprises a target 258 at which the optical detection sensor 4 points .

[0029] Preferably, said target 258 is an element made of highly reflective material. In particular, said target 258 is highly reflective for the wavelength of a source of the laser type (as in a preferred embodiment, it is the optical detection sensor 4) . Preferably, in some preferred embodiments, the target 258 is a portion of the lift element 250 painted with a special highly reflective paint. Preferably, in other preferred embodiments, the target 258 is a reflective element mounted on the lift element 250.

[0030] In accordance with a preferred embodiment the optical sensor 4 further comprises a concentrator lens 40 which concentrates and directs the beam produced (preferably, the laser beam) towards said target 258.

[0031] Preferably, said beam is produced by a special emitting device 45. Preferably, said concentrator lens 40 is also suitable to protect the emitting device 45 of the optical sensor 4, for example, from dust and dirt and/or from impacts.

[0032] According to a further preferred embodiment, the component whose axial position is of interest and is detected by the optical detection sensor 4 is a cartridge 500, in particular, the lower cartridge (i.e., the cartridge near the magazine base 21) .

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, between the optical detection sensor 4 and said cartridge 500 there are no further components. In particular, the optical detection sensor 4 faces said lift element 250. However, preferably, the lift element 250 comprises a hole 251 through which the optical detection sensor 4 is suitable to detect the presence and the distance from the cartridge 500.

[0034] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, in which the magazine 1 is housed in an arm 900, the optical detection sensor 4 is suitable to detect any presence of the cartridge 500 in the barrel chamber. [0035] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the optical detection sensor 4 detects the fact that no cartridges are present in the cartridge chamber 200 and, in case the optical detection sensor 4 detects the height of the lift element 250 (as described below) , it combines such information with other information, to verify the possible presence of a live round in the barrel chamber.

[0036] In accordance with a further preferred embodiment, the optical detection sensor 4 detects the fact that no cartridges 500 are present in the cartridge chamber 200 and, in case the optical detection sensor 4 detects the height of the cartridge 500 though a hole in the lift element 250 without obstacles, it also detects the content of the arm barrel chamber. Thereby, the optical detection sensor 4 is further suitable to discriminate a completely unloaded arm configuration from an arm configuration with an unloaded magazine (i.e., empty) and a last live round.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, the optical detection sensor 4 is of the type based on Time of Flight technology .

[0038] In addition, the electronic device 3, comprised in the magazine 1 object of the present invention, further comprises a control unit 7 connected to the optical detection sensor 4 suitable to receive the value measured and to evaluate the number of cartridges 500 present in the magazine 1 and/or in the firearm 900 in which the magazine 1 is housed.

[0039] In the present invention, with an exception for what is described below, the shapes and features of the control unit 7 are not limiting for the purposes of the present invention.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the control unit 7 comprises a low consumption microcontroller. Preferably, the electronic device 3 has high autonomy.

[0041] In accordance with other embodiment variants, the control unit 7 also uses other types of operating technologies, for example, asic, dsp, fpga technologies, and so on, and the control unit 7 has the operating features of such technologies.

[0042] Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, the electronic device 3 comprises a power switch 6.

[0043] Preferably, the power switch 6 is configurable in a power-on configuration corresponding to the magazine 1 inserted in the firearm 900. Preferably, said power switch 6 is suitable to turn on or to turn off respectively in a position of the magazine 1 inserted into the arm 900 or in a position of the magazine 1 extracted from the arm 900. Preferably, the power switch 6 is suitable to detect or engage the walls of the arm

900 in which the magazine 1 is inserted.

[0044] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the control unit 7 is connected to the power switch 6 and is turned on to correspond with said power-on configuration.

[0045] Preferably, the control unit 7 is only turned on in a configuration of the magazine inserted into the arm 900.

[0046] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the power switch 6 is turned off, corresponding to the extraction of the magazine 1 from the arm 900, the electronic device 3 performs with the control unit 7 a series of turning-off operations including storing and, eventually, sending operations of the collected data by the control unit 7.

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment, the electronic device 3 further comprises a firearm movement detection group 5.

[0048] Preferably, the firearm movement detection group 5 comprises an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope, suitable to detect an action of motion of the magazine e.g. induced by firing the arm. Preferably, the firearm movement detection group 5 is suitable to detect and distinguish possible movements of the arm (i.e., shaking or shooting) . Preferably, the firearm movement detection group 5 is suitable to detect the spatial position of the arm.

[0049] Preferably, said control unit 7 is connected to said firearm movement detection group 5 and suitable to detect what is measured by said firearm movement detection group 5. Preferably, the control unit 7 is suitable to combine the information of the optical detection sensor 4 and the information of the firearm movement detection group 5 to perform a double check of the "shot-fired" information.

[0050] Preferably, by means of said double check operation, the count of the shots fired is verified and, above all, the possibility that a live round is still in the barrel chamber is verified.

[0051] According to a preferred detection, the electronic device 3 also comprises means of data transmission/reception 8 connected to the control unit 7 suitable to communicate with an external electronic element, such as a computer or a smartphone or a tablet.

[0052] Specifically, the control unit 7 is therefore suitable to send the information collected and detected.

[0053] Specifically, the control unit 7 is therefore also suitable for receiving certain settings entered by the user by means of an external electronic element, such as a computer or a smartphone or a tablet .

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment the data transmission/reception means communicate by means of a Wi-Fi protocol.

[0055] In accordance with further embodiments, the data transmission/reception means communicate with the external electronic element even in the absence of a Wi Fi signal.

[0056] Preferably, the data transmission/reception means communicate also or alternatively to the Wi-Fi protocol by means of the Bluetooth protocol.

[0057] Preferably, the electronic device 3 is connected by means of the data transmission/reception means 8 to a remote memory (for example, to a cloud environment); preferably said remote memory is accessed by means of a special app by means of a computer or a smartphone or a tablet .

[0058] In particular, once the magazine 1 is inserted into the arm 900, the electronic device 3 sends a signal to said remote memory which, in turn, sends a notification to the app. Preferably, an undesired use of the magazine in an arm is safely remotely controlled.

[0059] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the electronic device 3 comprises a power supply group 9 suitable to electrically power the optical detection sensor 4 and the control unit 7, and eventually the firearm movement detection group 5 and the data transmission/reception means 8.

[0060] Preferably, said power supply group 9 comprises a battery group. Preferably, said battery is rechargeable by connecting it to an external power supply.

[0061] According to a preferred embodiment, the electronic device 3 comprises a connection socket 10, preferably of the USB type. Preferably, the control unit 7 is accessible by means of said connection socket 10. Preferably, said battery 7 is powerable by means of said connection socket 10.

[0062] According to a preferred embodiment, the whole electronic device 3 is housed in the magazine base 21.

[0063] Preferably, therefore, the electronic device 3 is suitable to be at least partially housed in the arm 900.

[0064] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the magazine 1 object of the present invention is the object of an operating method including the steps of:

[0065] - turning on; which occurs when the action of inserting the magazine 1 into the arm 900 is performed; in which the switch 6 is pressed during the insertion action; in which, during the turning on steps, the data transmission/reception means 8, upon command of the control unit 7, communicate with and connect to the external electronic element;

[0066] - monitoring the position of the lift 250 by means of the optical sensor 4 monitoring the position;

[0067] - detecting the position of the lift 250, for example the raising of the lift following the housing of a cartridge in the barrel chamber; in which, upon such detection, the arm 900 is ready to shoot; in which the magazine 1 provides and notifies such information to the external electronic element;

[0068] - detecting, by means of a firearm movement detection group 5 comprising an accelerometer, the movements of the arm and therefore the possible "shot- fired" event; preferably, upstream of such step, the accelerometer is calibrated consistently with the features of the arm, for example, the caliber;

[0069] - detecting, by means of a firearm movement detection group 5 comprising a gyroscope, the spatial position of the arm during the shooting, therefore the inclination of the arm during a shooting, therefore the angle of a shooting.

[0070] - displaying on the display of the external electronic element, for example, the smartphone, both the information detected by the optical sensor 4 as well as that detected by the movement detection group 5 (which do not necessarily correspond) ;

[0071] - emitting a warning signal in a configuration in which the magazine 1 is extracted from the arm before the "shot-fired" event is detected by the movement detection group 5, so as to warn the user of the presence of a cartridge in the barrel chamber.

[0072] It is clear that the aforesaid steps do not necessarily have to be performed in the aforesaid order.

[0073] In addition, the magazine 1 is suitable to perform further steps, in particular, starting from the basic information detected by the optical sensor 4 and therefore starting from the information "number of cartridges in cartridge chamber 200", i.e.:

[0074] - verifying the presence of a cartridge in the barrel chamber, regardless of the detection of the movement detection group 5; and/or

[0075] - verifying the "unloaded arm" configuration, following a detection of the shot-fired event by the movement detection group 5 for the last cartridge 500.

[0076] Innovatively, the firearm magazine and the firearm comprising it, objects of the present invention, fully solve the conventional issues of the background art achieving the object of the present invention.

[0077] Advantageously, the magazine is in fact suitable to perform the operations of detecting the state of a firearm without invalidating the arm itself nor the layout and the kinematics thereof.

[0078] Advantageously, the magazine is suitable to detect the presence or not of a cartridge in the magazine.

Advantageously, the magazine is suitable to detect the presence or not of a cartridge in the barrel chamber.

[0079] Advantageously, the magazine is suitable to count the number of cartridges shot (or, vice versa, to be shot) .

[0080] Advantageously, the magazine is suitable to perform double check operations.

[0081] Advantageously, the magazine allows to make "smart" a firearm which does not have any type of status detection devices.

[0082] Advantageously, the magazine is also suitable to detect the cartridge unloading speed by detecting the changes occurred within the magazine chamber.

[0083] Advantageously, the detection performed by the optical detection sensor occurs substantially instantaneously, upon a possible modification of the state (i.e., a possible change in the number of cartridges inside the cartridge chamber) .

[0084] It is clear that a person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy contingent needs, may make changes to the arm described above, all included within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A magazine (1) for a firearm (900) housable in said firearm (900), wherein the magazine (1) comprises a box shaped magazine body (2) comprising a cartridge chamber (200), in which are housed the cartridges (500) and cartridge thrust means (25), wherein the magazine body (2) extends along a magazine axis (X-X) between a magazine base (21) and a magazine opening (22), wherein the magazine (1) comprises an electronic device (3) housed in the magazine body (2) comprising:

- an optical detection sensor (4), housed in said magazine base (21), facing toward the inside of the cartridge chamber (200) in the direction of the magazine axis (X-X) , to detect along said magazine axis (X-X) a value corresponding to the free space present starting from said magazine base (21);

- a control unit (7) connected to the optical detection sensor (4) suitable to receive the value measured and to evaluate the number of cartridges (500) present in the magazine (1) and/or in the firearm (900) wherein the magazine (1) is housed.

2 . Magazine (1) according to claim 1, wherein said optical detection sensor (4) is of the type based on time-of-flight technology.

3 . Magazine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge thrust means (25) of the magazine (1) comprise a lift element (250) that engages the cartridges (500) housed in the magazine chamber (200) and an elastically yielding member (255), preferably spring-loaded, suitable to carry out a thrust action parallel to the magazine axis (X-X) on the lift element (250) to bring towards the magazine opening (22) said lift element (250), and thus the cartridges (500), wherein the optical detection sensor (4) is directed toward the lift element (250) .

4 . Magazine (1) according to claim 3, wherein the lift element (250) comprises a target (258) in a position facing the magazine base (21) and thus the optical detection sensor (4), wherein said optical detection sensor (4) is aimed at said target (258) .

5 . Magazine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic device (3) comprises a power switch (6) configurable in a power-on configuration corresponding to the magazine (1) inserted in the firearm (500), wherein the control unit (7) is connected to the power switch (6) and is turned on to correspond with said power-on configuration.

6. Magazine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic device (3) comprises a firearm movement detection group (5), comprising an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope, suitable to detect an action of motion of the magazine e.g. induced by firing the firearm, wherein the control unit (7) is connected to said firearm movement detection group (5) and is suitable to receive the measurement made by said firearm movement detection group (5) .

7. Magazine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic device (3) also comprises means of data transmission/reception (8) connected to the control unit (7) suitable to communicate with an external electronic element, such as a computer or a smartphone or a tablet .

8. Magazine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic device (3) comprises a power supply group (9), preferably a battery group, suitable to electrically power the optical detection sensor (4) and the control unit (7), and eventually the firearm movement detection group (5) and the data transmission/reception means (8) .

9. Magazine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic device (3) comprises a connection socket (10), preferably of the USB type.

10. Magazine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the entire electronic device (3) is housed in the magazine base (21) .

11 . Firearm (900) comprising a magazine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims .