Abstract: A wear resistant component for a firearm comprises a body formed of polymer infused with nanoparticles. The nanoparticles impart high hardness to the otherwise soft polymer which increases abrasion resistance to a level that at least approaches and has similar high wear characteristics as some all metal components but at a fraction of the weight and without the need for metal inserts or overlays on a polymer base. The nanoparticle may be silicon dioxide in preferred embodiments which covalently bonds to the polymer chain becoming an integrated part thereof. Various forms or shapes of nanoparticles may be used. The nanoparticles may be dispersed substantially uniformly throughout the entire component body or may be limited in extent to only the wear region and adjoining wear surface of the component. The nanoparticles may be used for injection molded or 3D printed components or in composite laminated stack structure with reinforcement fibers.

Abstract: A passively and naturally illuminated optical reflex sighting system for a firearm in one embodiment includes a housing configured for detachable coupling to the firearm, an optical lens supported by the housing, a fiber optic element, and a light-transmissible cover enclosing the fiber optic element. The cover and fiber optic element are in visual communication with ambient light which is collected by fiber optic element through the cover. In operation, the fiber optic element absorbs ambient light and generates a reticle on the lens for aiming the firearm. A red or other colored dot reticle may be projected on the lens in some embodiments. No onboard artificial light is used to illuminate the fiber optic element. The housing may include an integrally-formed rear sight which is alignable with a front sight to aim the firearm independently of the fiber optics generated reticle.

Abstract: A fault tolerant electromagnetic safety system for firearms comprises an electromagnetic actuator with movable rotating member operably interfaced with the firing mechanism. The actuator is controlled via a programmable microcontroller coupled to an electric power source onboard the firearm. A safety actuatable by a user operably interfaces with the actuator and is manually movable between actuated and standby positions. In a blocking position, the actuator engages and prevents the firing mechanism from moving to prevent discharging the firearm. The safety when in the standby position is configured to prevent the actuator from disengaging the firing mechanism. Upon the detecting movement of safety to the actuated position, the microcontroller moves the actuator to a non-blocking position allowing discharge of the firearm via a trigger pull. The safety when moving to the standby position may be configured to mechanically reset the actuator to the blocking position in event of an electronics failure.

Abstract: An electronic trigger system with safety mechanism for firearms includes a trigger unit comprising an electromagnetic actuator operably coupled to the firing mechanism and a programmable trigger mechanism microcontroller. The actuator is changeable between a non-powered unactuated position and powered actuated firing position via pulling both an outer trigger and inner safety trigger of the trigger unit. The actuator is operably interfaced with a movable firing component of the firing mechanism operable to discharge the firearm. In a blocking position of the safety trigger, the safety trigger is configured to block outer trigger movement which prevents energizing and actuating the electromagnetic actuator thereby preventing the firearm from discharging.

Abstract: A passively and naturally illuminated optical reflex sighting system for a firearm in one embodiment includes a housing configured for detachable coupling to the firearm, an optical lens supported by the housing, a fiber optic element, and a light-transmissible cover enclosing the fiber optic element. The cover and fiber optic element are in visual communication with ambient light which is collected by fiber optic element through the cover. In operation, the fiber optic element absorbs ambient light and generates a reticle on the lens for aiming the firearm. A red or other colored dot reticle may be projected on the lens in some embodiments. No onboard artificial light is used to illuminate the fiber optic element. The housing may include an integrally-formed rear sight which is alignable with a front sight to aim the firearm independently of the fiber optics generated reticle.

Abstract: A passively and naturally illuminated optical reflex sighting system for a firearm in one embodiment includes a housing configured for detachable coupling to the firearm and comprising a plurality of light collection and transmission windows, an optical lens supported by the housing, a fiber optic element, and a light-transmissible cover enclosing the fiber optic element. The cover and fiber optic element are in visual communication with the housing windows which collect and transmit ambient light to the fiber optic element through the cover. The fiber optic element may be disposed inside and protected by the cover which may be clear. In operation, the fiber optic element absorbs ambient light and generates a reticle on the lens for aiming the firearm. A red or other colored dot reticle may be projected on the lens in some embodiments. No onboard artificial light is used to illuminate the fiber optic element.

Abstract: An illuminated reflex optical sighting system integrated directly into a firearm includes a lighting module comprising an illumination source mounted to a body of the firearm at a discrete first mounting location, an optical lens assembly mounted to the body of the firearm at a discrete second location spatially distanced from the first location, and a power source operably coupled to the illumination source. The illumination source is configured and operable to project a reticle onto a lens of the lens assembly for use in aiming the firearm. The illumination source and lens assembly are separately mounted to and independently removable from the body of the firearm thereby providing a low profile sighting system which substantially retains the aspects of the original firearm. The illumination source, power source, and lighting control circuitry may be housed inside the metal rear sight of the firearm in one embodiment.

Abstract: A fault tolerant electromagnetic safety system for firearms comprises an electromagnetic actuator with movable rotating member operably interfaced with the firing mechanism. The actuator is controlled via a programmable microcontroller coupled to an electric power source onboard the firearm. A safety actuatable by a user operably interfaces with the actuator and is manually movable between actuated and standby positions. In a blocking position, the actuator engages and prevents the firing mechanism from moving to prevent discharging the firearm. The safety when in the standby position is configured to prevent the actuator from disengaging the firing mechanism. Upon the detecting movement of safety to the actuated position, the microcontroller moves the actuator to a non-blocking position allowing discharge of the firearm via a trigger pull. The safety when moving to the standby position may be configured to mechanically reset the actuator to the blocking position in event of an electronics failure.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes characteristics of very fast actuation, shock invariant design, and compact size. The actuator may be controlled via a small low voltage power source such as a battery and simple switching logic. Such characteristics are ideally suited for incorporating the actuator into the firing mechanism of a firearm, which are subjected to drop tests to confirm the firearm will not discharge in the absence of trigger pull. Very fast snap-like action is attained by balancing the magnetic forces of two opposing permanent magnets around a stationary yoke and rotating member to create three circulating magnetic flux circuits. A central electromagnet coil amplifies the magnetic flux of one side of the rotating member or the other depending on the power source actuation polarity, thereby creating two possible snap-like actuation positions. The actuator is usable in firing mechanism release or enabling/disabling applications, and interfacing with other type mechanical linkages.

Abstract: A passively and naturally illuminated optical reflex sighting system for a firearm in one embodiment includes a housing configured for detachable coupling to the firearm and comprising a plurality of light collection and transmission windows, an optical lens supported by the housing, a fiber optic element, and a light-transmissible cover enclosing the fiber optic element. The cover and fiber optic element are in visual communication with the housing windows which collect and transmit ambient light to the fiber optic element through the cover. The fiber optic element may be disposed inside and protected by the cover which may be clear. In operation, the fiber optic element absorbs ambient light and generates a reticle on the lens for aiming the firearm. A red or other colored dot reticle may be projected on the lens in some embodiments. No onboard artificial light is used to illuminate the fiber optic element.

Abstract: An electronic trigger system with safety mechanism for firearms includes a trigger unit comprising an electromagnetic actuator operably coupled to the firing mechanism and a programmable trigger mechanism microcontroller. The actuator is changeable between a non-powered unactuated position and powered actuated firing position via pulling both an outer trigger and inner safety trigger of the trigger unit. The actuator is operably interfaced with a movable firing component of the firing mechanism operable to discharge the firearm. In a blocking position of the safety trigger, the safety trigger is configured to block outer trigger movement which prevents energizing and actuating the electromagnetic actuator thereby preventing the firearm from discharging.

Abstract: An interruptible electronic trigger system for firearms includes a trigger unit comprising an electromagnetic actuator operably coupled to the firing mechanism and a programmable trigger microcontroller. The actuator is changeable between a non-powered unactuated position and powered actuated firing position. Upon detecting user initiated trigger activity, the trigger microcontroller transmits a shot initiated signal to an adaptive optics unit of a fire control targeting system mounted to the firearm when the trigger activity exceeds a preprogrammed trigger setpoint. A targeting microcontroller returns a shot authorization signal to the trigger microcontroller after performing ballistics computations based on sensor input and displaying a corrected reticle on the optics unit sight for user visual alignment with the target. Multiple trigger setpoints may be programmed to confirm continued intent to fire.

Abstract: An illuminated reflex optical sighting system integrated directly into a firearm includes a lighting module comprising an illumination source mounted to a body of the firearm at a discrete first mounting location, an optical lens assembly mounted to the body of the firearm at a discrete second location spatially distanced from the first location, and a power source operably coupled to the illumination source. The illumination source is configured and operable to project a reticle onto a lens of the lens assembly for use in aiming the firearm. The illumination source and lens assembly are separately mounted to and independently removable from the body of the firearm thereby providing a low profile sighting system which substantially retains the aspects of the original firearm. The illumination source, power source, and lighting control circuitry may be housed inside the metal rear sight of the firearm in one embodiment.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes characteristics of very fast actuation, shock invariant design, and compact size. The actuator may be controlled via a small low voltage power source such as a battery and simple switching logic. Such characteristics are ideally suited for incorporating the actuator into the firing mechanism of a firearm, which are subjected to drop tests to confirm the firearm will not discharge in the absence of trigger pull. Very fast snap-like action is attained by balancing the magnetic forces of two opposing permanent magnets around a stationary yoke and rotating member to create three circulating magnetic flux circuits. A central electromagnet coil amplifies the magnetic flux of one side of the rotating member or the other depending on the power source actuation polarity, thereby creating two possible snap-like actuation positions. The actuator is usable in firing mechanism release or enabling/disabling applications, and interfacing with other type mechanical linkages.

Abstract: An interruptible electronic trigger system for firearms includes a trigger unit comprising an electromagnetic actuator operably coupled to the firing mechanism and a programmable trigger microcontroller. The actuator is changeable between a non-powered unactuated position and powered actuated firing position. Upon detecting user initiated trigger activity, the trigger microcontroller transmits a shot initiated signal to an adaptive optics unit of a fire control targeting system mounted to the firearm when the trigger activity exceeds a preprogrammed trigger setpoint. A targeting microcontroller returns a shot authorization signal to the trigger microcontroller after performing ballistics computations based on sensor input and displaying a corrected reticle on the optics unit sight for user visual alignment with the target. Multiple trigger setpoints may be programmed to confirm continued intent to fire.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes characteristics of very fast actuation, shock invariant design, and compact size. The actuator may be controlled via a small low voltage power source such as a battery and simple switching logic. Such characteristics are ideally suited for incorporating the actuator into the firing mechanism of a firearm, which are subjected to drop tests to confirm the firearm will not discharge in the absence of trigger pull. Very fast snap-like action is attained by balancing the magnetic forces of two opposing permanent magnets around a stationary yoke and rotating member to create three circulating magnetic flux circuits. A central electromagnet coil amplifies the magnetic flux of one side of the rotating member or the other depending on the power source actuation polarity, thereby creating two possible snap-like actuation positions. The actuator is usable in firing mechanism release or enabling/disabling applications, and interfacing with other type mechanical linkages.

Abstract: An electromagnetically variable firing system for a firearm includes an electromagnetic actuator including a stationary yoke, a rotating member movable about a pivot axis relative to the stationary yoke and operably coupled to a firing mechanism of the firearm, a trigger operable when pulled by a user to move the rotating member between an unactuated position and an actuated position for discharging the firearm, and a magnetic coil when energized generating a user-adjustable magnetic field which changes a trigger pull force required to be exerted by a user on the trigger to discharge the firearm. A programmable microcontroller is configured to selectively energize the coil for discharging the firearm in response to detecting a trigger pull event. The microcontroller in one embodiment is configured to count each energization of the coil as indicative of a firing event and record the firing event and associated time/date stamp.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes characteristics of very fast actuation, shock invariant design, and compact size. The actuator may be controlled via a small low voltage power source such as a battery and simple switching logic. Such characteristics are ideally suited for incorporating the actuator into the firing mechanism of a firearm, which are subjected to drop tests to confirm the firearm will not discharge in the absence of trigger pull. Very fast snap-like action is attained by balancing the magnetic forces of two opposing permanent magnets around a stationary yoke and rotating member to create three circulating magnetic flux circuits. A central electromagnet coil amplifies the magnetic flux of one side of the rotating member or the other depending on the power source actuation polarity, thereby creating two possible snap-like actuation positions. The actuator is usable in firing mechanism release or enabling/disabling applications, and interfacing with other type mechanical linkages.

Abstract: An electromagnetically variable firing system for a firearm includes an electromagnetic actuator including a stationary yoke, a rotating member movable about a pivot axis relative to the stationary yoke and operably coupled to a firing mechanism of the firearm, a trigger operable when pulled by a user to move the rotating member between an unactuated position and an actuated position for discharging the firearm, and a magnetic coil when energized generating a user-adjustable magnetic field which changes a trigger pull force required to be exerted by a user on the trigger to discharge the firearm. A programmable microcontroller is configured to selectively energize the coil for discharging the firearm in response to detecting a trigger pull event. The microcontroller in one embodiment is configured to count each energization of the coil as indicative of a firing event and record the firing event and associated time/date stamp.

Abstract: A magnetically variable firing system for a firearm includes a trigger mechanism allowing a user to selectively adjust the trigger pull force-displacement profile by changing the static magnetic field in the mechanism. In a closed magnetic loop configuration, the trigger mechanism includes a stationary yoke and pivotably movable trigger member. The trigger member includes a trigger portion and working portion operably interfaced with the firing mechanism of the firearm for discharging the firearm. An openable first air gap formed between the trigger member and yoke is maintained in a closed position via magnetic attraction therebetween absent a trigger pull. A control insert movable relative to a second control air gap in the yoke allows adjustment of the static magnetic field to alter the trigger pull force required to actuate the trigger mechanism. Other embodiments provide open magnetic loop trigger mechanism designs adjustable to magnetically vary the trigger pull force.