Abstract: A revolver is provided that includes a frame, a barrel, a cylinder, a hammer, a trigger, and a safety lock mechanism. The safety lock mechanism includes a lockarm and a lockarm actuator. The hammer includes a normal slot and a lock slot. The lockarm includes a cam surface and hammer post, and is pivotally mounted relative to the frame. The lockarm actuator is disposed in the frame. The lockarm actuator includes a head and a cam, and the cam is aligned with the cam surface of the lockarm so as to be engageable with the cam surface. The lockarm actuator can be positioned in a safety-off condition in which the hammer post of the lockarm is received within the normal slot of the hammer and the hammer is operable. The lockarm actuator can also be positioned in a safety-on condition in which the hammer post is received within the lock slot and the hammer is inoperable.

Abstract: A magazine safety for a semi-automatic firearm having a frame, a magazine well, a magazine, and a firing mechanism is provided. The firing mechanism includes a trigger bar and a sear. The magazine safety includes a rod slidably mounted relative to the frame, and a rod biasing spring that acts on the rod and the frame. When the magazine is removed from the magazine well, the rod is biased into engagement with the trigger bar by the rod biasing spring. The rod holds the trigger bar in a “safety-engaged” position where it is out of alignment with the sear, thereby preventing actuation of the firearm. Inserting the magazine completely into the magazine well causes the rod to move thereby enabling the trigger bar to align with the sear and permit actuation of the firearm.

Abstract: A semi-automatic breech locking pistol has a reciprocally movable slide which includes an integral bolt and defines an upwardly and laterally outwardly open ejection port forward of the bolt. A barrel at least partially disposed within the slide has a chamber and a rearwardly extending headspace extension hood and provides a closure for the ejection port in locked breech condition. A chamber status indicator formed by a rearwardly open notch in the headspace extension hood facilitates determination of chamber status by direct visual observation and may also include a forwardly open groove in the bolt which cooperates with the notch in locked breech condition.

Abstract: A magazine safety is provided for a semi-automatic firearm having a frame with a magazine well, a magazine, and a firing mechanism that includes a trigger bar. The magazine safety includes a latch and a latch bias. When the magazine is not received within the magazine well, the latch bias biases the latch into engagement with the trigger bar, thereby preventing the actuation of the firing mechanism via the trigger bar. Inserting the magazine completely into the magazine well causes the magazine to disengage the latch from the trigger bar, thereby preventing the latch from impeding movement of the trigger bar.

Abstract: A backstrap module configured to receive components and circuitry of a firearm capable of generating a firing signal from a firing apparatus for firing a non-impact ammunition cartridge along a firing axis includes a housing having an exterior surface which serves as a handgrip of the firearm, the operator's hand encircling the housing during a firing of the firearm. The backtrap module further comprises a circuitboard arrangement including a rigid circuitboard portion and a flexible circuitboard portion, the circuitboard arrangement being accommodated within the housing and configured to conform to the contours of the housing.

Abstract: A method for assembling a firearm having a frame which houses a security apparatus for enabling generation of a firing signal by a firing apparatus to discharge a non-percussively fired ammunition cartridge along a firing axis. The method includes forming the frame to include a generally longitudinal section in alignment with the firing axis. A downwardly extending section is formed integral with the longitudinal section and has front handgrip section as well as a magazine chamber for accommodating a selective insertable ammunition magazine. A backstrap module is mated to the front handgrip section to form a firearm handgrip, the backstrap module forming a back handgrip section of the firearm handgrip. An electronic firing probe assembly is secured within a slide assembly which is affixed to a top portion of the longitudinal section, said firing probe assembly being concentrically aligned about said firing axis.

Abstract: A trigger assembly is proposed for a firearm having a firing apparatus for generating a firing signal to a non-percussively fired ammunition cartridge for discharge of the cartridge. The trigger assembly includes a trigger member rotationally fixed to a frame of the firearm by a transverse pin and a trigger bar operatively fixed to the trigger member about a pivot joint. The trigger assembly further includes a trigger magnet fixed to a distal end of the trigger bar, where manipulation of said trigger member causes the trigger member to rotate and induces an approximately linear movement of the trigger bar causing the trigger magnet to move adjacent a firing activation switch.

Abstract: A security apparatus is proposed for a firearm adapted to fire a non-impact ammunition cartridge, the firearm including a trigger assembly manually actuated by a trigger member and an integrated backstrap module which houses an electronic firing apparatus for generating a firing signal. The security apparatus includes an input device for accepting and storing a plurality of parameter signals indicative of a physical state of the firearm, and a mode setting device for determining and selectively placing the firearm in one of an awake mode, a sleep mode and an authorized mode. The security apparatus further includes an enabling device for evaluating the plurality of said parameter signals and permitting the firing apparatus to generate and communicate the firing signal to the ammunition cartridge only when each of the plurality of parameter signals indicate that said firearm is prepared to fire and the mode device determines that the firearm is in the authorized mode.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an electronic sight assembly for sighting a revolver under various ambient lighting conditions comprises an elongated sight frame having front and rear sights, and means for illuminating the sights according to a measured level of ambient light. A front light guide transmits light from a light source to the front sight, and a pair of rear light guides transmit light from the light source to the rear sight. The sight frame encloses a pair of ambient light guides which transmit ambient light to a photosensitive cell that produces a signal corresponding to the ambient level of light. The light source is then energized according to the ambient level of light.

Abstract: A slide assembly capable of repeated reciprocal movement about an upper portion of a firearm having a firing pin assembly, including a firing probe tip for selectively contacting a chambered ammunition cartridge, includes a frame having a forward end and an aft end, the frame accommodating a barrel of the firearm along a longitudinal firing axis. An ejector port is formed in the frame and has a breech face against which an end cap of the ammunition cartridge abuts when in a firing position. A longitudinal firing probe bore is formed within the frame and extends from adjacent the aft end of the frame to adjacent the breech face, the firing probe bore also is in concentric alignment with the firing axis. The slide assembly further includes a probe tip bore in concentric alignment with the firing axis and extending between the breech face and the firing probe bore for allowing the firing probe tip access beyond the breech face and into the ejector port.

Abstract: A firing probe assembly for communicating an electronic firing signal generated by a firing apparatus of a firearm to thereby cause the detonation of an electrically fired ammunition cartridge includes an electrically non-conductive housing having an approximately cylindrical firing probe cavity formed along its longitudinal length and concentrically aligned with a firing axis of the firearm, the housing having a rear end and a forward end. The firing probe assembly further includes an elongated and electrically conductive firing probe disposed within the cavity including a firing probe tip section disposed on a distal end thereof. The tip section is concentrically aligned with the firing axis and extending through a tip bore formed in the forward end of the housing. An electrically non-conductive, outwardly extending contact protrusion is formed adjacent the rear end of the housing and is integral with the housing.

Abstract: A firearm having a firing pin block that does not affect trigger pull is disclosed. The firing pin block embodied in the present invention is actuated by a grip safety operably linked to a spring biased locking plunger to prevent accidental discharge of the firearm. An intermediate lever interposed between a grip safety lever and a firing pin locking plunger pivots on the hammer stud to reposition the plunger from the locked to the unlocked position only when the grip safety is properly depressed.

Abstract: An ammunition magazine is proposed for a firearm adapted to fire non-impact ammunition cartridges, the firearm includes a frame and a backstrap module which houses an electronic firing apparatus for generating a firing signal. The ammunition magazine also includes an elongated housing for accommodating the ammunition cartridges and has a pair of edge members formed along opposing lateral edges of the housing adjacent a bottom end, the housing being selectively insertable into a magazine chamber formed in the frame. An end cap is equipped with a pair of groove members formed along opposing lateral edges and adjacent a top end for selectively accommodating the pair of edge members and enabling the end cap to be secured to the bottom end of the housing. The ammnunition magazine further includes a blind bore formed in the end cap for accommodating a battery.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a security apparatus for use in authorizing the discharge of a firearm having a firing apparatus includes a sensor assembly for receiving a plurality of operational parameters of the firearm and determining if the operational parameters are consistent with an intent to discharge said firearm therefrom. The security apparatus authorizes the firing apparatus to produce and send a check signal to an ammunition cartridge only if the operational parameters are consistent with an intent to discharge the firearm. The firing apparatus further generates a firing signal and provides the firing signal to the cartridge only if the check signal indicates that the cartridge is properly loaded in the firearm.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a firearm having an electronic firing apparatus adapted to produce a firing signal includes a frame with a firing chamber to receive a percussively fired cartridge, a barrel with a firing axis attached to the frame in alignment with the firing chamber and a trigger member. A linearly displaceable firing probe is disposed within the frame for linear reciprocal movement from a probe recovered position, wherein the firing probe is retracted away from said cartridge, to a probe contacting position, wherein the firing probe is disposed forwardly in contact with the cartridge. A security apparatus is in electrical communication with the firing probe and is capable of determining an operational mode of the firearm. The firearm further includes an identification assembly for determining whether an operator of the firearm is an authorized operator and is in electrical communication with the security apparatus.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a firing probe assembly adapted to deliver an electric firing signal from a firing apparatus to a non-impact fired ammunition cartridge in a firearm comprises a probe shaft, a probe spring, a probe tip, and an actuator bushing. The probe shaft is secured to a frame of the firearm and in communication with the firing apparatus. The probe spring is mounted between the probe shaft and probe tip, thereby urging the probe tip forwardly against the actuator bushing. The actuator bushing is biased rearwardly by an actuator bushing spring and is positioned and configured to be displaced forwardly by momentum of a firing mechanism of the firearm. The actuator bushing is further configured and positioned to bring the probe tip into contact with the cartridge when the firing mechanism drives the actuator bushing in the forward direction.

Abstract: A multi-chambered firearm for firing a non-impact primer ammunition includes an electrically-conductive firing probe adapted to deliver a firing charge to ignite the primer and cause firing. The firing signal is controlled by a computer control system located in the firearm that determines firing ready conditions, including operator identification, and causes the firing signal to be delivered in response thereto.

Abstract: An authorization module is provided for activating an associated portable or hand-held electronic device such as a firearm. The authorization module includes a housing defining a cavity, and an electrical interface for communicating with the electronic firearm. The housing is preferably generally in the shape of a firearm magazine for insertion into a magazine well of the electronic firearm. A fingerprint sensor is supported on and faces outwardly of the housing for generating a fingerprint signal indicative of a fingerprint pattern detected by the fingerprint sensor. A fingerprint identification circuit is disposed within the cavity of the housing and communicates with the fingerprint sensor for receiving the fingerprint signal and for comparing the sensed fingerprint pattern with an authorized user's fingerprint pattern stored in the identification circuit.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a backstrap module is utilized in conjunction with a firearm having a security apparatus and a firing apparatus. The security apparatus authorizes operation of the firearm and generation of an electronic firing signal which is communicated to a firing probe of the firing apparatus. The backstrap module includes a molded shell which removably affixes the backstrap module to a frame of the firearm and houses the security apparatus. The backstrap module further includes a device for communicating the firing signal to the firing probe and provides for the energizing of the security apparatus and the firing apparatus.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a firing mechanism adapted to discharge a non-impact fired ammunition cartridge in a revolver comprises a trigger, a hammer, a stirrup, a transfer bar, a link, and a rebound. The trigger is hung conventionally on a frame of the revolver and adapted for rotation to and from a firing position. The transfer bar is engaged with the trigger and configured for movement into and out of engagement with a firing probe during actuation of the firing mechanism. The hammer is coupled to the stirrup via the link such that the hammer and stirrup rotate in opposite directions. The rebound has a front end coupled to the trigger and a rear end which receives a main spring. The main spring is captured between the stirrup and the rebound to bias the trigger toward recovery and the stirrup and hammer toward their respective firing positions.