Firearm training apparatus and method

Abstract

A firearm training apparatus and method provides simulated weapon realism that places higher priority to shot placement by using a culminated laser beam with specific target areas to achieve marksmanship accuracy. Trainee shooters can visually observe hits by an LED in the target area and hear an alarm sound when another trainee is hit. Stress and reaction to stress is achieved through the use of a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) units in vests worn by the trainees. Greater realism is achieved by eliminating special safety equipment required with projectile systems, and focus on weapon accuracy and firing characteristics.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A laser output module for a firearm simulation apparatus comprising:
 an laser;   a sensor for detecting the firing of a firearm;   a controller coupled to the laser and the sensor;   
       wherein the sensor detects that the firearm has been fired, the sensor transmits a signal to the controller which causes the laser to emit a laser beam. 
     
     
         2 . The laser output module of  claim 1  wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor and the controller actuates the laser when the pressure sensor detects a pressure greater than a predetermined pressure value. 
     
     
         3 . The laser output module of  claim 1  wherein the sensor is an audio sensor and the controller actuates the laser when the audio sensor detects an audio signal greater than a predetermined audio value. 
     
     
         4 . The laser output module of  claim 1  wherein the laser beam includes a coded signal. 
     
     
         5 . The laser output module of  claim 1  wherein the laser is an infrared laser. 
     
     
         6 . The laser output module of  claim 1  wherein the sensor detects that the firearm has been fired a blank round. 
     
     
         7 . The laser output module of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a coupling mechanism for securing the laser output module to an original barrel of the firearm. 
 
     
     
         8 . The laser output module of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a laser barrel housing containing the laser, the controller and the sensor, wherein the laser barrel replaces an original barrel of the firearm. 
 
     
     
         9 . The laser output module of  claim 8  wherein the laser barrel housing includes a vent through which gases can escape the laser barrel housing. 
     
     
         10 . The laser output module of  claim 8  wherein the laser barrel housing includes a vent through which gases can escape the laser barrel housing. 
     
     
         11 . A firearm simulation apparatus comprising:
 a laser output module for a firearm simulation apparatus comprising: an laser, a sensor for detecting the firing of a firearm and a controller coupled to the laser and the sensor;   
       wherein the sensor detects that the firearm has been fired, the sensor transmits a signal to the controller which causes the laser to emit a laser beam to actuate a pressure or sound switch to fire laser. 
     
     
         12 . The firearm simulation apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a housing for an electronic package at least partially within a gun barrel so as to protect the electronic package from the pressure and hot gasses. 
 
     
     
         13 . The firearm simulation apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the housing provided within the gun barrel includes an access port to the electronic package so as to be able to actuate a pressure switch from the gun pressure firing and to provide visible access to LED lights on the electronics which indicate the status of the operational status of the electronics. 
     
     
         14 . The firearm simulation apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a training vest incorporating fiber optic pads arranged in a target specific order to indicate shot placement and receive coded identification infrared laser hits from a blank firing training pistol or rifle. 
 
     
     
         14 . The firearm simulation apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising:
 infrared sensors for convert an infrared light signal under any and all light distances with no range limitations into an electrical signal communicated to a controller. 
 
     
     
         15 . The firearm simulation apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising:
 training vests which each include: a controller that is activated when specific located optical pads detect a specific coded infrared signal fired from a gun or rifle containing a laser module, the controller will signal a hit by activating a red light emitting diode (LED) in a specific targeted area and activating a sound alarm. 
 
     
     
         16 . The firearm simulation apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising:
 training vests which each include: a controller that is activated when specific located optical pads detect a specific coded infrared signal fired from a gun or rifle containing a laser module, the controller will signal a hit 
 the vest will trigger transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation as stress inoculators to enhance the training experience. 
 
     
     
         16 . The firearm simulation apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a chamber block for semi-automatic pistols designed to accommodate uniquely formed blank to discharge the calculated pressure required to simulate recoil and sound of a live weapon, with controlled pressure venting on top and bottom of chamber to actuate weapon and laser. 
 
     
     
         17 . The firearm simulation apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the chamber block prevents the chambering of live rounds. 
     
     
         18 . The firearm simulation apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the chamber is designed to accept universal barrel. 
     
     
         19 . The firearm simulation apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a leaf spring is affixed to the top of a handgun barrel block to control recoil, slide movement, barrel positioning, and round ejection, and force the barrel into its correct load and eject position, thru motion of the slide over the slanted spring. 
 
     
     
         20 . The firearm simulation apparatus of  claim 19  further comprising:
 a nose piece for forcing the barrel into its correct load and eject position.