Suppressive gunfire generator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9846006-B2
Application number	US-201514923422-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 26, 2015
Priority date	Oct 20, 2012
Publication date	Dec 19, 2017
Grant date	Dec 19, 2017

Abstract

New forms of suppressive gunfire decoys are provided. In some aspects, a pin-pull device may be used to program and adjust several settings of the decoy devices, activating such devices immediately before deployment. In some aspects, the pin-pull device may serve as a remote control unit. In a preferred method of deployment, the devices are thrown to a location different from that occupied by the user(s), simulating another source of gunfire, distracting and misleading an enemy, and providing the effects of suppressive fire. In some embodiments, a networked computer system(s) may be used as a remote control unit, and the decoy device may include cameras and other sensors for tactical surveillance. In still other aspects, the gunfire decoy device may be capable of locomotion, and may be self-relocating in response to certain commands, or in reaction to stimuli, to confuse the enemy regarding sources of gunfire and troop locations.

First claim

I claim:

1. A suppressive fire decoy device, comprising:
a control system;
a power supply;
communications hardware;
control for activating the decoy device by providing power to one or more circuits within the decoy device, which control is configured to be actuated; and
live fire simulation hardware configured to be controlled by said remote communications hardware and by said control system and comprising a plurality of explosive sub-units configured to be triggered by detonation hardware.

2. The suppressive fire decoy device of claim 1 , wherein said control for activating comprises a safety device preventing the inadvertent firing of said suppressive fire decoy device.

3. The suppressive fire decoy device of claim 2 , wherein said safety device comprises a shield.

4. The suppressive fire decoy device of claim 2 , wherein said safety device comprises a pulling loop configured to activate said live fire simulation hardware by providing power to one or more circuits within said live fire simulation hardware when pulled by a user.

5. The suppressive fire decoy device of claim 1 , wherein said power supply is a battery or a set of batteries.

6. The suppressive fire decoy device of claim 5 , wherein said battery or set of batteries is located within a lower portion of said device, other than a portion of said device comprising an exit point configured to release explosive gasses.

7. The suppressive fire decoy device of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of explosive sub-units comprises a stacked set of ammunition rounds, and wherein each of said ammunition rounds comprises a curved, flat lateral profile, with an inward-facing concave side, and an outward-facing convex side configured to fit and support during firing of said device a concave side of another of said ammunition rounds.

8. The suppressive fire decoy device of claim 7 , wherein each of said ammunition rounds comprises a propellant held in said concave side and an electronic detonator, configured to be fired according to a pattern selected by a user.

9. The suppressive fire decoy device of claim 1 , comprising a locomotion device configured to launch said fire decoy device.

10. The suppressive fire decoy device of claim 9 , wherein said control system is configured to coordinate movements causing said locomotion device to launch said suppressive fire decoy device.

11. The suppressive fire decoy device of claim 10 , comprising sensors in communication with said control system, and wherein said control system causes said locomotion device to propel said suppressive fire decoy device to a new location in reaction to stimulus sensed by said sensors.

12. The suppressive fire decoy device of claim 11 , wherein said stimulus comprises enemy fire.

13. The suppressive fire decoy device of claim 9 , wherein said locomotion device comprises an armature and a motor.

14. The suppressive fire decoy device of claim 9 , wherein said control system causes said locomotion device to move said suppressive fire decoy device to a new location in reaction to a user command.

15. The suppressive fire decoy device of claim 1 , comprising sensors in communication with said control system.

16. The suppressive fire decoy device of claim 15 , wherein said control system communicates intelligence data to at least one external, networked computer, and wherein said at least one external, networked computer creates inferences from said intelligence data based on an algorithm.

17. The suppressive fire decoy device of claim 16 , wherein said at least one external, networked computer communicates wirelessly with said control system, and with other devices comprising sensors, and wherein said algorithm incorporates intelligence data from said other devices comprising sensors and said intelligence data communicated by said control system.

18. The suppressive fire decoy device of claim 1 , comprising sensors configured to sense stimulus related to explosions, and wherein said control system is configured to aid in mapping environmental objects based on signals generated from said sensors.

19. The suppressive fire decoy device of claim 18 , comprising sensors configured to sense stimulus related to explosions, and wherein said control system is configured to aid in mapping environmental objects based on signals generated from said sensors and based on echolocation.

20. A method for creating decoy suppressive fire, comprising the following steps:
selecting a first location for the placement of a suppressive fire decoy device;
actuating an activation control of said suppressive fire decoy device; and
placing said suppressive fire decoy device;
wherein said suppressive fire decoy device comprises a control system, a power supply, communications hardware, a control for activating the decoy device by providing power to one or more circuits within the decoy device, which control is system configured to be actuated, and live fire simulation hardware configured to be controlled by said remote communications hardware and by said control system and comprising a plurality of explosive sub-units configured to be triggered by detonation hardware.

Assignees

• Beckman Christopher V

Inventors

• Beckman Christopher V

Classifications

• F41H5/007

  Reactive armour; Dynamic armour · CPC title

• F41A9/83

  Apparatus or tools for reloading magazines with unbelted ammunition, e.g. cartridge clips · CPC title

• F41A9/70

  Arrangements thereon for discharging, e.g. cartridge followers or discharge throats · CPC title

• F41A9/04

  using endless-chain belts carrying a plurality of ammunition · CPC title

• F41A9/62

  having means for indicating the number of cartridges left in the magazine, e.g. last-round indicators (last-round safeties F41A17/40) · CPC title