Photoluminescent munitions and magazine

Abstract

An apparatus for luminescing munitions having a coating of or containing a photoluminescent material. The apparatus employs the use of a conventional firearm magazine as a housing for accommodating the ammunition. A light emitting means is incorporated in the magazine for illuminating the photoluminescent material by exciting the photoluminescent material. The light emitting means is based on an LED producing an ultraviolet light component and relatively low or non-existent red, orange and infrared components when electrically actuated. The light emitting means receives its energy source from batteries contained within the magazine. Alternatively, a chemiluminescent device capable of producing light may be employed in place of the batteries as the energy source.

1 . A method of tracing and marking munitions comprising:
 munitions filled with, made from, and/or coated with a photoluminescent material;   storing said munitions in the magazine of a firearm; and   exciting said photoluminescent material with a light source positioned within the magazine;   wherein said munitions produce light upon leaving the firearm allowing for the tracing of the munitions and provides an impact mark allowing for the marking of the munitions impact.   
     
     
         2 . The method of tracing and marking munitions according to  claim 1  wherein exciting said photoluminescent material produces a visible light visible to human vision. 
     
     
         3 . The method of tracing and marking munitions according to  claim 1  wherein exciting said photoluminescent material produces a light not visible to unaided human vision. 
     
     
         4 . The method of tracing and marking munitions according to  claim 1  wherein said light source is an LED producing visible light. 
     
     
         5 . The method of tracing and marking munitions according to  claim 1  wherein said light source is an LED producing ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         6 . The method of tracing and marking munitions according to  claim 1  wherein said light source is electrically coupled to a self contained power source. 
     
     
         7 . The method of tracing and marking munitions according to  claim 1  wherein said light source is a chemiluminescent light source placed within the magazine. 
     
     
         8 . A firearm having a magazine comprising;
 photoluminescent munitions stored with said magazine; and   a self contained light source positioned with said magazine;   wherein said light source illuminates said photoluminescent munitions allowing for the tracing and/or impact marking of said illuminated munitions upon discharge from the firemarm.   
     
     
         9 . The firearm according to  claim 8  wherein exciting said photoluminescent material produces a light visible to human vision. 
     
     
         10 . The firearm according to  claim 8  wherein exciting said photoluminescent material produces a light not visible to unaided human vision. 
     
     
         11 . The firearm according to  claim 8  wherein said light source is an LED producing visible light. 
     
     
         12 . The firearm according to  claim 8  wherein said light source is an LED producing ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         13 . The firearm according to  claim 8  wherein said ultraviolet light is wavelength of about 365 nanometers. 
     
     
         14 . The firearm according to  claim 8  wherein said light source is electrically coupled to a self contained power source. 
     
     
         15 . The firearm according to  claim 8  wherein said light source is a chemiluminescent light source placed within the magazine. 
     
     
         16 . The firearm according to  claim 8  wherein an interior surface of said magazine is coated with a reflective material allowing immersion of said coated munitions with said light source. 
     
     
         17 . The firearm according to  claim 8  wherein said light source provides a continuous light within said magazine to optimize luminescence with low powered light. 
     
     
         18 . The firearm according to  claim 14  wherein said power source is conventional batteries. 
     
     
         19 . The firearm according to  claim 8  including an electrical circuit for activation of said light upon coupling said power source to said light. 
     
     
         20 . The firearm according to  claim 8  wherein said photoluminescent material is zinc sulfide. 
     
     
         21 . The firearm according to  claim 8  wherein said photoluminescent material is strontium aluminate with trace dopants.