Systems and Methods for Firearm Cartridge Management

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit and priority under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 61/767,392, filed Feb. 21, 2013, for SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FIREARM CARTRIDGE MANAGEMENT, by Rick H. Barton, incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to firearm cartridges (also known as firearm casings and bullet casings) and, more particularly, to an ignition inhibitor system comprised in one part of embodiments subject to this application that are contained within the propellant chamber of a firearm cartridge that interacts with another part comprised of wireless signaling technologies and systems, and related methods and articles of manufacture of both.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As depicted in FIG. 1, a typical firearm cartridge is a sealed unit composed of a bullet [5], propellant, a primer charge [4] located in the proximity of the rim [3] opposite the bullet [5], and a cylindrical tube that makes up the cartridge casing [1] of the firearm cartridge. The cartridge casing [1] defines a hollow propellant chamber [2] between the base of the bullet [5] and the top of the rim [3] wherein propellant is contained. Defining the base of the firearm cartridge casing [1] is a cartridge rim [3] that envelopes a primer charge [4] and there is a centrally located flash hole opening in the proximity of the primer charge [4] for sparks and hot gases to pass from the primer charge [4] into the propellant chamber [2].

When the trigger of a firearm is actuated, a device commonly referred to as a firing pin hits the primer charge [4] near the firearm cartridge rim [3] with enough impact force to cause the primer charge [4] to explode and burn. Upon exploding and burning, hot gases and sparks ignite the propellant in the propellant chamber [2]. The burning propellant gases expand and pressurize the cartridge casing [1] thereby temporarily sealing the barrel of the firearm so the bullet [5] will have optimal pressure behind it while travelling through the barrel of the firearm.

A common problem with firearm cartridges is that the cartridges (and the firearms capable of operating them) are obtained by persons intent on causing harm to others or otherwise use firearm cartridges illegally including, but not limited to, operating firearms and firearm cartridges on property defined by Federal, State and/or municipal legislation and policies as off limits to firearm use (also known and commonly referred to as “gun free zones”). Additionally, there are those in the public who do not treat firearms and firearm cartridges with the proper respect needed for the safety of themselves and the people around them. Instead, firearms and firearm cartridges are sometimes treated carelessly—as if they were toys or trinkets. The results of the afore-described mishandling of firearms and firearm cartridges can be read in countless newspaper articles and police reports across the United States of America. There are reports of children bringing firearm cartridges to school, school shootings in several states, murder-suicides and massacres at public venues.

Presently, there exists an ongoing ideological competition between parties demanding the right to have firearms versus parties who demand “gun control” for the safety of family, friends and the public. When the respective ideologies of these parties are distilled to their base beliefs, the contest is really between fundamental rights—the right to keep and bear arms as afforded by the Second Amendment in the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution, versus the recognized “inalienable rights” to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as mentioned by the American people in their Declaration of Independence.

When confronted with the arguments from both competing parties, Federal, State and local governments are left with a no-win situation, since restricting the use of firearms encroaches upon a legal right afforded by the Constitution, yet taking no measure(s) has already demonstrated an encroachment upon Creator given inalienable rights. What results is further inaction to resolve the obvious problem of gun violence as well as a continuation of newspaper headlines and police reports of gun violence in public venues.

Aside from the efforts of legislation and written policies establishing “gun free zones”, there have been efforts to control the firearms themselves by altering the mechanical functioning and safety features of a firearm without considering the firearm cartridge. For example, there are safety devices in existence that hinder the ability of a firing pin to make contact with the primer charge [4] that, ultimately, lead to the firing of a bullet. However, this technology has not been mass produced and has not curbed gun violence. There is also body of research and development focused on “smart” guns that rely on biometrics wherein only the rightful owner and authorized user of a firearm can operate it successfully. However, this particular safety feature would require a lawful operator to maintain, on their clothing or person, adornments that keep the firearm enabled for use.

The problem with the afore-described approaches to controlling firearms is that these safety features can be circumvented at the possessor's pleasure, since they have the firearm at their disposal as well as the time and resources available to alter a firearm for legal and/or illegal purposes. Further, one of the efforts referenced above require the lawful operator to maintain on their clothing or person adornments that keep the firearm enabled for use.

Rather than focus on the firearm, the present invention subject to this application focuses on the firearm cartridge and how to inhibit it from being used successfully in those venues where firearms are or can be prohibited. Because the firearm cartridge is a sealed unit, it is more difficult to alter than a firearm itself and, if not properly re-sealed, will not operate successfully. Because the embodiments are contained within the sealed unit of the firearm cartridge, operators would not need to carry additional devices to allow for operation. Both of these key characteristics resolve the afore-described problems with inventions presently in place. Additionally, rather than continue with the afore-described ideological competition, the invention that is the subject of this application caters to both competing parties by revising firearm cartridges so that they do not operate correctly when they enter an area defined as a “gun free zone” according to already existing legislation and/or policy. Further, the invention described herein would have a deterrent effect on those interested in operating firearms illegally in public and “gun free” venues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for firearm cartridge management. In some embodiments, firearm cartridge management may comprise a firearm cartridge ignition inhibitor system located within a firearm cartridge casing that is designed to release a fluid solution into the propellant chamber of a firearm cartridge casing that one of inhibits and severely diminishes the deflagration of propellant. The firearm cartridge inhibitor system may be designed to operate and activate in conjunction with one of radiofrequency identification systems and electromagnetic transmission systems and other wireless signaling technologies and systems, hereinafter referred to as “wireless signaling technologies and systems” so that a zone restricted from firearm use and commonly referred to as a “gun free zone” is defined by antenna arrays substantially similar to those anti-shoplifting devices used in retail and other store fronts throughout the world.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a diagram of a typical firearm cartridge, which is included herein for general orientation as to the construction and components of a firearm cartridge without the invention and embodiments subject to this application;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a diagram of a firearm cartridge according to some embodiments with an internal framework that is the subject of this patent application. This embodiment may fit into larger size/caliber firearm cartridges and shotgun “shells”;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a diagram of a firearm cartridge according to some embodiments with an alternative internal framework arrangement that is the subject of this patent application. This embodiment may fit into smaller size/caliber firearm cartridges;

FIG. 4 is an is a cross-sectional perspective view of a diagram of a firearm cartridge management system using the internal framework depicted in FIG. 2 according to some embodiments with the switch, power source and actuator elements included and depicting the fluid chamber;

FIG. 5 is an is a cross-sectional view of a diagram of a firearm cartridge management system using the internal framework depicted in FIG. 3 according to some embodiments with the switch, power source and actuator elements included and depicting the fluid chamber;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a diagram of a firearm cartridge management system like that which is shown in FIG. 5, according to some embodiments with the switch, power source and actuator elements included and depicting the fluid chamber; and

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram view of an electric circuit of a firearm cartridge management system according to some embodiments in an un-activated state (FIG. 7A—Inactive) and same embodiments in an activated state (FIG. 7B—Activated) that incorporates embodiments shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 when the cartridge management system crosses an antenna array emitting signals to activate the embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In accordance with the present invention, the Applicant has developed and provides systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for firearm cartridge management. In some embodiments, firearm cartridge management may comprise a firearm cartridge ignition inhibitor system located, for example, within the framework of a firearm cartridge. The firearm cartridge ignition inhibitor system may be designed to operate in conjunction with one of radiofrequency identification systems and electromagnetic transmission systems and wireless signaling technologies systems, hereinafter “wireless signaling technologies and systems”.

In some embodiments, firearm cartridge management may comprise an antenna array [12] operated by one of said wireless signaling technologies and systems to define a zone wherein firearms and firearm cartridges are prohibited and restricted from use. The said antenna array [12], comprised of embodiments commonly used in anti-shoplifting and other “Electronic Article Surveillance” and also known as “EAS”, when situated at the entrance and exit points of a building structure, such as a school, church, and government building, movie theatre, hospital, etc., passively define an area wherein firearms are restricted and, therefore, will not operate successfully as a result of the firearm cartridge inhibitor system and may cause an alarm to sound notifying building personnel due to the embodiments hereinafter described within this application.

In some embodiments, firearm cartridge management may comprise a firearm cartridge inhibitor system designed, for example, to be contained within a firearm cartridge casing [1] wherein the components are self-contained within the propellant chamber [2] in an insertable internal framework and housing [6] with adequate sub-sections for electrical components hereinafter described as well as sub-section(s) for a fluid chamber [7] wherein a fluid solution [11] hereinafter defined is contained until released and deployed by function of the electrical component embodiments hereinafter described. Said internal framework and housing [6] could be affixed to the interior walls of the firearm cartridge casing [1] in a manner that separates the firearm cartridge inhibitor system components from the primer [4], bullet [5] and propellant. The said framework and housing [6] could be constructed of one of a rigid metallic material and a rigid polymer material fashioned in a cylindrical manner, as depicted in FIG. 2, so as to surround said primer charge [4] in the region of the propellant chamber [2] immediately adjacent to the flash hole and primer charge [4] so that the inclusion of embodiments making up the firearm cartridge inhibitor system as hereinafter described while also allowing for the maximum amount of propellant needed to successfully expel a bullet [5] from a firearm. Said framework and housing [6] could be constructed in a more linear manner, as depicted in FIG. 3, so as to allow for embodiments making up the firearm cartridge inhibitor system as hereinafter described while also minimizing the volume taken away from the propellant chamber [2]. The arrangement and attachment of the said framework and casing [6] could allow for an adequate occurrence of sparks and hot gases to pass through the flash hole into the propellant chamber [2].

Contained within the afore-described subsections of said internal framework and housing [6] could be a switch [8] connected by electrically conductive materials to a hereinafter described power source [9] and a hereinafter described actuator [10]. The said switch [8] could interact and interface with one of radiofrequency identification systems and electromagnetic transmission systems and wireless signaling technologies and systems, hereinafter “wireless signaling technologies and systems”, arranged into, as an example, said antenna array [12]. When said switch [8] and the firearm cartridge that possesses said switch [8] one of approaches and crosses the zone and area as described above, the switch [8] would react in a manner that causes the actuator [10] to deploy and release a fluid solution [11] from the fluid chamber [7] into said propellant chamber [2] thereby causing the inhibition of propellant deflagration.

Contained within the afore-described subsections of said internal framework and housing [6] could be a actuator [10] connected by electrically conductive materials to a hereinafter described power source [9] and said switch [10] that, for example, my operate by function of one of piezoelectric effect and converse piezoelectric effect, arranged in a manner that it is connected to the said switch and a power source and can also interact with said fluid solution [11] in said fluid chamber [7] that causes one of the release of a fluid solution [11] and the deployment of a fluid solution [11] to access the propellant chamber [2] adjacent to the primer charge [4] in the proximity of the flash hole of the firearm cartridge via said port holes and passages from said fluid chamber [7] sub-section of the said internal framework [6].

Contained within the afore-described subsections of said internal framework and housing [6] could be a power source [9] connected by electrically conductive materials to said switch [8] and said actuator [10]. Said power source [9] could provide adequate low voltage electrical power to said actuator [10] and remain sizable so as to fit within said internal framework and housing [6].

Among the sub-sections of said internal framework and housing [6] is defined a fluid chamber [7] providing space for a hereinafter described fluid solution [11]. Said fluid chamber [7] could be constructed in a circular manner so as to surround the primer charge [4] while allowing space for sparks and hot gasses to pass from said primer charge [4] through the afore-described flash hole into said propellant chamber [2]. Said fluid chamber [7] could include as part of its construction port holes and passages that allow a hereinafter defined fluid solution [11] to be released and deployed into the propellant chamber [2] near the primer charge [4] and afore-described flash hole.

Upon activation of the actuator [10] by function of the switch [8] interacting with said antenna array [12] and being powered by said power source [9], said actuator [10] could one of release and deploy a hereinafter defined fluid solution [11] via the afore-described port holes and passages from said fluid chamber [7] into the propellant chamber [2] adjacent to the primer charge [4] and flash hole, thereby inhibiting the sparks and hot gases from the primer charge [4] from causing deflagration of propellant within said propellant chamber [2].

Contained within the said fluid chamber [7] could be, for example, a fluid solution [11] in one of a free flowing form and enveloped in a capsule released and deployed by function of said actuator [10]. Said fluid solution [11] could have the characteristics that can one and any plurality of impeding the primer charge [4] and saturate the propellant in the proximity of the flash hole and reducing the temperature of any deflagration resulting from sparks and hot gasses passing from said primer charge [4] through the afore-described flash hole into said propellant chamber [2].

The afore-described and said embodiments—a switch [8]; an actuator [10]; a power source [9]; a fluid chamber [7]; a fluid solution [11]; when situated within said internal framework and housing [6] and affixed into the propellant chamber [2] of a firearm cartridge in proximity of the primer charge [4] as opposed to proximity to said bullet [5]; could interact with said antenna array [12] in a manner such that, upon the switch [8] interacting with said antenna array [12], said fluid solution [11] would deploy and be released from said fluid chamber [7] by function of said actuator [10] as powered by said power source [9] so that said fluid solution [11] could one of inhibit the sparks and hot gases and gases from being caused by the primer charge [4] and inhibit sparks and hot gases from causing deflagration of propellant within said propellant chamber [2].

The afore-described and said embodiments—a switch [8]; and a power source [9]; when situated within said internal framework and housing [6] and affixed into the propellant chamber [2] of a firearm cartridge in proximity of the primer charge [4] as opposed to proximity to said bullet [5]; could interact with said antenna array [12] in a manner such that, upon the switch [8] interacting with said antenna array [12], could interface with any plurality of wireless signaling technologies and systems to alert building managers and law enforcement that firearm cartridges are within the area defined by said antenna array(s) [12] for further investigation and action.

In some embodiments, said internal framework and housing [6] can be constructed in a manner so that it, and the afore-described embodiments contained within it except for the antenna array [12], can be inserted by mass manufacturers and personal re-loader hobbyists.

In another embodiment, the said power source [9], switch [8] and an actuator [10] can be combined into an integrated circuit occupying a smaller volume while remaining able to cause one of the release of fluid and the opening of passage ways for fluid to access the primer charge [4] and the propellant in the proximity of the flash hole of the firearm cartridge.

In the event that a firearm cartridge containing the afore-described embodiments of the ignition inhibitor system one of approaches and crosses into a zone defined by said antenna array [12], the firearm cartridge could be rendered inert and significantly diminished in functionality.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

The present disclosure provides, to one of ordinary skill in the art, an enabling description of several embodiments and inventions. Some of these embodiments and inventions may not be claimed in the present application, but may nevertheless be claimed in one or more continuing applications that claim the benefit of priority of the present application. The Applicant intends to file additional applications to pursue patents for subject matter that has been disclosed and enabled but not claimed in the present application.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently