Weapons firing safeties and methods of operating the same

US7600339B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• HECKLER & KOCH GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Michael Schumacher · Ironwood, US
• Rudi Beckmann · Schenkenzell, DE
• Marc Roth · New Market, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 22, 2006
• Grant date: Oct 13, 2009
• Expiry date: Dec 15, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F41A17/063
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Weapons safety systems and methods of operating the system are described. An example weapons safety system in which the enabling of a weapon to shoot is controlled by means of an exchange of identification between the weapon and an enabling apparatus. An example weapon includes a weapon identification code and a safety device. An example enabling apparatus that is designed to capture the weapon identification code and to transmit an enabling signal to the safety device in the weapon includes a control unit. The control unit controls the enabling device and includes an identification memory that includes at least one registered weapon identification. Upon receiving a control signal from the enabling apparatus, the weapon transmits an identification signal that contains the weapon identification code. In addition, the enabling apparatus sends a weapon-enabling signal if the weapon identification code matches at least one of the registered weapon identification. Furthermore, the enabling apparatus may change the identification code.