System and method for testing firearm operating characteristics

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019101351-A1
Application number	US-201816145309-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 28, 2018
Priority date	Sep 29, 2017
Publication date	Apr 4, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to a system and method for testing firearm operating characteristics. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a system and method for testing firearm operating characteristics using a force testing apparatus coupled to all or a portion of the firearm. Of significance, the system and method of the present disclosure are configured to test the interaction(s) of multiple firearm components during operation without a live round such that firearm component defects, manufacturing tolerance problems, misalignments, and the like can be discovered during or subsequent to manufacture and prior to use.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system for testing an operating characteristic of a firearm, comprising:
a motorized testing apparatus comprising a first attachment mechanism configured to be coupled to a first firearm component and a second attachment mechanism configured to be coupled to a second firearm component, wherein the first firearm component is coupled to and moveable with respect to the second firearm component; wherein the motorized testing apparatus comprises a motor operable for moving the first firearm component with respect to the second firearm component; and wherein the motorized testing apparatus is operable for measuring force versus travel distance data when the first firearm component is moved with respect to the second firearm component.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first firearm component and the second firearm component are coupled to one or more additional firearm components.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first firearm component and the second firearm component are coupled to one or more intervening firearm components.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the first attachment mechanism and the second attachment mechanism are rigidly attached to the respective one or more of the first firearm component and the second firearm component.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first firearm component is coupled to and translatable with respect to the second firearm component, and wherein the motor is operable for translating the first firearm component with respect to the second firearm component.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the force versus travel distance data comprises a force versus travel distance plot.

7 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a software algorithm executing instructions stored in a memory operable for comparing the measured force versus travel distance data to baseline force versus travel distance data to identify one or more manufacturing defects, manufacturing tolerance problems, misalignments, and quality control issues with respect to one or more of the first firearm component, the second firearm component, and an additional firearm component coupled to the first firearm component and the second firearm component.

8 . A method for testing an operating characteristic of a firearm, comprising:
coupling a first attachment mechanism of a motorized testing apparatus to a first firearm component; coupling a second attachment mechanism of the motorized testing apparatus to a second firearm component; wherein the first firearm component is coupled to and moveable with respect to the second firearm component; moving the first firearm component with respect to the second firearm component using a motor of the motorized testing apparatus; and measuring force versus travel distance data when the first firearm component is moved with respect to the second firearm component using the motorized testing apparatus.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the first firearm component and the second firearm component are coupled to one or more additional firearm components.

10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the first firearm component and the second firearm component are coupled to one or more intervening firearm components.

11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein one or more of the first attachment mechanism and the second attachment mechanism are rigidly attached to the respective one or more of the first firearm component and the second firearm component.

12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the first firearm component is coupled to and translatable with respect to the second firearm component, and wherein the motor is operable for translating the first firearm component with respect to the second firearm component.

13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the force versus travel distance data comprises a force versus travel distance plot.

14 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising comparing the measured force versus travel distance data to baseline force versus travel distance data to identify one or more manufacturing defects, manufacturing tolerance problems, misalignments, and quality control issues with respect to one or more of the first firearm component, the second firearm component, and an additional firearm component coupled to the first firearm component and the second firearm component.

Assignees

• Univ North Carolina Charlotte

Inventors

• Amburgey James E

Classifications

• G01L5/22

  for measuring the force applied to control members, e.g. control members of vehicles, triggers · CPC title

• F41A23/16 Primary

  Testing mounts · CPC title