This invention generally relates to marksmanship training devices and methods and, more particularly, to devices and methods for converting firearms, such as, for example, revolver handguns, into marksmanship training devices which function without requiring live ammunition. In this regard, an important embodiment of the present invention is directed to an improved marksmanship training conversion kit and method which includes a longitudinally adjustable light-emitting lens tube having dual beam adjustment screws that is capable of blind indexing and locking in registry with a radiant energy emitting cylinder, the lens tube and cylinder being sized for use in a variety of firearms.
The concept of using a radiant energy source, such as visible light, instead of live ammunition in order to practice marksmanship or to test firearm sighting structures has long been in use. Heretofore, however, the prior art devices of this type have usually embodied a simulated firearm designed for this purpose only. While some conversion kits of live-ammunition firearms are known, these generally either necessitate modification of the firearm's stock parts or require cumbersome external attachments to the firearm.
The prior art also includes devices for converting a particular model of a firearm into a device for practicing marksmanship and the like; that is, they are of non-universal type. Such devices lack the flexibility that is desirable for conversion kits in general. Being able to market a conversion kit of a generally universal type brings with it significant eonomies for the manufacturer and distributor of the kits, as well as for the ultimate purchaser of the kit who may desire to use the conversion kit for more than one make of firearm.
Previously known firearm conversion kits suffer the numerous drawbacks including being generally cumbersome, lacking in the firmness of assembly needed to give the user the "feel" exhibited by a stock firearm, especially the user's own firearm, thereby reducing significantly the quality of markmanship practice provided when compared with the use of an individual's own unmodified firearm.
In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing problems and disadvantages of markmanship training devices have been overcome through the use of an improved apparatus and method for converting a firearm to a marksmanship training device by replacing the cartridge chamber of the firearm with a cylinder having a radiant energy emitting unit and by inserting a lens tube into the barrel of the firearm which includes dual beam adjustment screws which tube is adapted to be firmly indexed and locked into the cylinder while a chamfered, biased member on the lens tube is placed into secure abutting relationship with the muzzle end of the barrel of the firearm. In use, a beam of radiant energy passes out of this cylinder and into and through the lens tube whereby it is directed toward the particular target at that which it is aimed.
An object of this invention is to provide an improved device and method for converting a firearm into a marksmanship training device.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved firearm conversion kit suitable for secure and precise installation into a variety of revolver-type firearms without having to alter any of the actual parts of the firearm.
Another object of this invention is an improved marksmanship training device which combines a firearm replacement cylinder with an automatically adjustable elongated barrel-length lens tube.
Another object of this invention is an improved method for converting any one of a variety of revolver-type firearms into a marksmanship training device by merely replacing or adding to the stock parts of the firearm.
Another object of the invention is an improved method for converting any one of a variety of firearms into a marksmanship training device which includes the blind indexing and locking of an elongated lens tube having dual beam adjustment screws with the transmitting cylinder of the conversion kit.