US4488370A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Weapon control system and method
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1982-02-26
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Granted: 1984-12-18
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Expires: 2002-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A system and method are provided for controlling the operation of a weapon, such as a hand gun, to prevent it from being accidentally operated or operated by a person who is not the owner of the weapon or someone who is not authorized to use the weapon. In one form, a microminiature electronic circuit is provided within the weapon and is operable to generate a radio frequency energy field in the vicinity of the trigger for the weapon. An electrical device, such as an inductor, is supported on the wrist or finger of the person owning the gun and serves as an absorber of some of the field energy which energy absorption is detected by a suitable detector forming part of the electronic circuit whereupon a control signal is generated for controlling a motor or solenoid to operate a stop or latch in a manner to disengage an operating portion of the weapon, such as the trigger or trigger mechanism and allow such mechanism to be manually operated. In another form, a passive electronic circuit worn on the arm or finger of the person owning or authorized to use the weapon, becomes activated by field energy generated by the electronic circuit supported in the weapon and generates a signal or code which is short wave transmitted to the weapons electronic circuit causing a control signal to be generated which operates a motor or solenoid which drives a latch or stop to a position whereby the weapon may be operated.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerome H. Lemelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 04:41
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/00174; G07C9/00309; E; E05; E05B; E05B49/00; E05B49/002; E05B49/006; F; F41; F41A; F41A17/00; F41A17/06; F41A17/063; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/067; G06K19/07; G06K19/077; G06K19/07749; G06K19/07758; G06K19/07762; G06K7/00; G06K7/08; G06K7/082; G06K7/083; G06K7/086; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/1097; G07C9/20; G07C9/28; G06K2019/06215; G06K2019/06225; G06K2019/06253; G07C2009/00753; G07C2009/00769; G07C2009/00777; G07C2009/00785
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
314 words
Control system for a hand operated weapon comprising in combination with a hand weapon including finger operated means for activating said weapon, first means for normally preventing the operation of said weapon, said first means being operable from a first position preventing operation of said weapon to a second position whereby it enables the operation of said weapon, electro-mechanical means supported by said weapon for operating said first means to move said first means to enable operation of said weapon when said finger operated means activates said weapon, second means including a source of electrical energy, electronic control means and means for generating an energy field in the vicinity of said weapon, said second means being supported by said weapon, said electronic control means being operable, when activated, to permit electrical energy from said source to operate said electro-mechanical means to enable said hand weapon to be operated, third means supported by a person manually engaging said hand weapon for causing activation of said electronic control means when said weapon is operatively engaged by said person so as to cause said electro-mechanical means to be activated enabling said hand weapon to be operated by said person, said third means including means for altering the energy field generated by said second means, said second means including means for detecting when said energy field is altered by said third means, a normally open switch located between said source of electrical energy and said electro-mechanical means and means for generating a control signal upon detecting when said energy field is altered by the presence of said third means, means for applying said control signal to the switching input of said normally open switch so as to effect its closure and to enable energy from said source of electrical energy to pass to and actuate said electro-mechanical means so as to enable said hand weapon to be operated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
314 words
Control system for a hand operated weapon comprising in combination with a hand weapon including finger operated means for activating said weapon, first means for normally preventing the operation of said weapon, said first means being operable from a first position preventing operation of said weapon to a second position whereby it enables the operation of said weapon, electro-mechanical means supported by said weapon for operating said first means to move said first means to enable operation of said weapon when said finger operated means activates said weapon, second means including a source of electrical energy, electronic control means and means for generating an energy field in the vicinity of said weapon, said second means being supported by said weapon, said electronic control means being operable, when activated, to permit electrical energy from said source to operate said electro-mechanical means to enable said hand weapon to be operated, third means supported by a person manually engaging said hand weapon for causing activation of said electronic control means when said weapon is operatively engaged by said person so as to cause said electro-mechanical means to be activated enabling said hand weapon to be operated by said person, said third means including means for altering the energy field generated by said second means, said second means including means for detecting when said energy field is altered by said third means, a normally open switch located between said source of electrical energy and said electro-mechanical means and means for generating a control signal upon detecting when said energy field is altered by the presence of said third means, means for applying said control signal to the switching input of said normally open switch so as to effect its closure and to enable energy from said source of electrical energy to pass to and actuate said electro-mechanical means so as to enable said hand weapon to be operated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said weapon comprises a hand gun including a pistol grip, a barrel and a trigger for manually discharging said weapon, said second means being supported within said pistol grip of said hand gun.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of controlling the operation of a weapon comprising: disposing a disenabling means within a weapon for normally preventing its operation, providing electrical circuit means for operating said disenabling means to permit the operation thereafter of the weapon, generating an energy field in the vicinity of said weapon and, altering said energy field by means of a device supported by a person when such device is brought within the realm of said energy field, detecting when said energy field is altered by the device brought into its realm and generating a control signal, applying said control signal to said electrical circuit means and causing said electrical circuit means to operate said disenabling means to permit the operation thereafter of said weapon.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of controlling the operation of a weapon comprising: disposing a disenabling means within a weapon for normally preventing its operation, providing electrical circuit means for operating said disenabling means to permit the operation thereafter of the weapon, generating an energy field in the vicinity of said weapon and, altering said energy field by means of a device supported by a person when such device is brought within the realm of said energy field, detecting when said energy field is altered by the device brought into its realm and generating a control signal, applying said control signal to said electrical circuit means and causing said electrical circuit means to operate said disenabling means to permit the operation thereafter of said weapon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein said control signal is applied to cause a normally open switch to close to connect a source of electrical energy to operate an electro-mechanical means so as to enable the operation of said weapon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-12-18 | 1988-06-18 | 1988-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-12-18 | 1992-06-18 | 1992-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-12-18 | 1996-06-18 | 1996-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |