Marksmanship training aid

Abstract

An essential element of sharpshooter training is the reduction of quivering of the firearm. Such quivering or jitter is caused by inadvertent movement of the shooter while holding the firearm. Embodiments of the present invention comprise a motion sensing device that is attached to the firearm to produce visual and aural feedback to the shooter on the degree of gun shake. The shooter can thus practice different shooting stances, muscle control, and breathing techniques, and use the feedback from the gun shake sensor to evaluate and adjust these parameters. This training aid improves firearm accuracy without the need for stands, stabilizers, or other aids. The training aid can be rapidly attached to, and removed from any firearm.

1 . A marksmanship aid for training a user of a firearm, comprising:
 means for mounting the aid to the firearm in substantial alignment with a line of fire of the firearm;   first gyroscopic means for measuring a first rate of change about a first axis that is perpendicular to said line of fire;   second gyroscopic means for measuring a second rate of change about a second axis that is orthogonal to said line of fire and said first axis;   means for comparing said first and second rates of change to a first predetermined threshold and a second predetermined threshold, respectively;   first feedback means for providing an aural feedback to the user when said first and second rates of change exceed said first predetermined threshold or said second predetermined threshold, respectively; and   second feedback means for providing a visual feedback to the user when said first and second rates of change are less than said first predetermined threshold and said second predetermined threshold, respectively.   
     
     
         2 . The aid according to  claim 1 , wherein said mounting means is adapted to be mounted to a right side of the firearm. 
     
     
         3 . The aid according to  claim 1 , wherein said mounting means is adapted to be mounted to a left side of the firearm. 
     
     
         4 . The aid according to  claim 1 , wherein said mounting means comprises a Picatinny rail. 
     
     
         5 . The aid according to  claim 1 , wherein said mounting means comprises a Weaver rail. 
     
     
         6 . The aid according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 third gyroscopic means for measuring a third rate of change about a third axis that is substantially parallel to said line of fire and orthogonal to said first and second axes;   wherein said comparing means is adapted to compare said first, second, and third rates of change to said first predetermined threshold, said second predetermined threshold, and a third predetermined threshold, respectively;   wherein said first feedback means is adapted to provide said aural feedback to the user when said first, second, and third rates of change exceed said first predetermined threshold, said second predetermined threshold, or said third predetermined threshold, respectively; and   wherein said second feedback means is adapted to provide said visual feedback to the user when said first, second, and third rates of change are less than said first predetermined threshold, said second predetermined threshold, and said third predetermined threshold, respectively.   
     
     
         7 . The aid according to  claim 1 , further comprising a timer for determining an elapsed time when said first and second rates of change are less than said first predetermined threshold and said second predetermined threshold, respectively. 
     
     
         8 . The aid according to  claim 7 , further comprising means for resetting said timer. 
     
     
         9 . The aid according to  claim 8 , wherein said resetting means is adapted to automatically reset said timer to zero when said first or second rates of change exceed said first predetermined threshold or said second predetermined threshold, respectively. 
     
     
         10 . The aid according to  claim 1 , further comprising a timer for determining an elapsed time when said first, second, and third rates of change are less than said first predetermined threshold, said second predetermined threshold, and said third predetermined threshold, respectively. 
     
     
         11 . The aid according to  claim 10 , further comprising means for resetting said timer. 
     
     
         12 . The aid according to  claim 11 , wherein said resetting means is adapted to automatically reset said timer to zero when said first, second, or third rates of change exceed said first predetermined threshold, said second predetermined threshold, or said third predetermined threshold, respectively. 
     
     
         13 . A marksmanship aid for training a user, comprising:
 a firearm;   at least two rate detectors, each of which is mounted to said firearm in substantial alignment with a line of fire of said firearm and adapted to measure a rotational rate of change in two independent axes;   a first comparator for comparing said first rate of change to a first predetermined threshold;   a second comparator for comparing said second rate of change to a second predetermined threshold;   means for providing feedback to the user, wherein said feedback means is coupled to receive inputs from said first and second comparators;   a timer for determining an elapsed time; and   means for resetting said timer to zero.   
     
     
         14 . The aid according to  claim 13 , wherein said feedback means is adapted to provide an aural feedback to the user when said first and second rates of change exceed said first predetermined threshold or said second predetermined threshold, respectively. 
     
     
         15 . The aid according to  claim 13 , wherein said feedback means is adapted to provide a visual feedback to the user when said first and second rates of change are less than said first predetermined threshold and said second predetermined threshold, respectively. 
     
     
         16 . The aid according to  claim 13 , further comprising a voice synthesizer which is coupled to said feedback means and said timer, and is adapted to provide an aural feedback to the user of said elapsed time that said first and second rates of change are less than said first predetermined threshold or said second predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         17 . The aid according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 another rate detector which is mounted to said firearm in substantial alignment with a line of fire of said firearm and adapted to measure a rotational rate of change in a third independent axis which is orthogonal to said two independent axes;   a third comparator for comparing said third rate of change to a third predetermined threshold; and   wherein said feedback means is coupled to receive inputs from said first, second, and third comparators.   
     
     
         18 . The aid according to  claim 17 , wherein said feedback means is adapted to provide an aural feedback to the user when said first, second, or third rates of change exceed said first predetermined threshold, said second predetermined threshold, and third respectively. 
     
     
         19 . The aid according to  claim 17 , wherein said feedback means is adapted to provide a visual feedback to the user when said first, second, and third rates of change are less than said first predetermined threshold, said second predetermined threshold, and said third predetermined threshold, respectively. 
     
     
         20 . The aid according to  claim 13 , further comprising a voice synthesizer which is coupled to said feedback means and said timer, and is adapted to provide an aural feedback to the user of said elapsed time that said first, second, and third rates of change are less than said first predetermined threshold, said second predetermined threshold, and said third predetermined threshold, respectively.