Method and apparatus for training a shooter of a firearm

Abstract

An apparatus for training a shooter includes a mock weapon (handgun or rifle) which is composed of a material intended to make it heavier than a normal weapon for strength training and includes sights so that the user can train his or her eyes and in order to strengthen the muscles used during manipulation and use of a weapon without fatigue and with less tremor. This apparatus may also include a hinge mechanism for improving the user's ability to squeeze the trigger without imparting an angular force that could otherwise diminish accuracy.

1 . A mock pistol shaped to emulate a real pistol and weighted to exceed the weight of a real pistol for use as an exercise apparatus for exercising muscles used by a shooter of the real pistol. 
     
     
         2 . The mock pistol of  claim 1  further comprising a spring-loaded moveable trigger. 
     
     
         3 . The mock pistol of  claim 2  wherein said moveable trigger comprises an adjustable spring for varying the force required to pull said trigger. 
     
     
         4 . The mock pistol of  claim 2  wherein said trigger is a one-finger trigger. 
     
     
         5 . The mock pistol of  claim 2  wherein said trigger is a multi-finger trigger. 
     
     
         6 . The mock pistol of  claim 1  wherein said pistol comprises a simulated gun handle and a simulated gun barrel, said pistol further comprising a hinge mechanism having two parts that are rotatable, one relative to the other, one such part connected to said handle, the other such part connected to said barrel, said pistol also having a simulated trigger connected to one such part of said hinge mechanism for causing relative movement between said parts and between said barrel and said handle upon non-axial torque being applied to said trigger. 
     
     
         7 . The mock pistol of  claim 6  further comprising an adjustment device for controlling said two parts of said hinge mechanism for varying the amount of non-axial torque causing relative movement between said parts. 
     
     
         8 . A mock rifle shaped to emulate a real rifle and weighted to exceed the weight of a real rifle for use as an exercise apparatus for exercising muscles used by a shooter of the real rifle. 
     
     
         9 . The mock rifle of  claim 8  further comprising a spring-loaded moveable trigger. 
     
     
         10 . The mock rifle of  claim 9  wherein said moveable trigger comprises an adjustable spring for varying the force required to pull said trigger. 
     
     
         11 . The mock rifle of  claim 9  wherein said trigger is a one-finger trigger. 
     
     
         12 . The mock rifle of  claim 9  wherein said trigger is a multi-finger trigger. 
     
     
         13 . The mock rifle of  claim 8  further comprising target aiming sights of a real rifle for practicing eye focusing during exercise with said mock rifle. 
     
     
         14 . A mock pistol comprising:
 a simulated gun handle;   a simulated gun barrel;   a simulated gun trigger;   a hinge mechanism connecting said simulated gun handle to said simulated gun barrel, said simulated gun trigger being connected to said hinge mechanism for tending to rotate said barrel relative to said handle in the event that said trigger is pulled at a non-zero angle relative to said barrel whereby torque is imparted to said hinge mechanism.   
     
     
         15 . The mock pistol recited in  claim 14  wherein said hinge mechanism is adjustable for varying the magnitude of torque required to cause actual rotation of said barrel relative to said handle. 
     
     
         16 . The mock pistol recited in  claim 14  comprising a sensor for measuring said torque whether or not said actual rotation occurs. 
     
     
         17 . The mock pistol recited in  claim 16  further comprising an alarm for alerting a shooter when said sensor measures a torque that exceeds a selected threshold. 
     
     
         18 . A shooter's exercise apparatus comprising a trigger-like device simulating a trigger of a real weapon, said apparatus having two portions that may rotate, one relative to the other, in the event that the trigger-like device is pulled while inadvertently applying torque, said rotation being indicative of a poorly directed pull of said trigger-like device. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus recited in  claim 18  further comprising an adjustment device for varying the magnitude of torque applied to said trigger-like device which is sufficient to initiate said rotation. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus recited in  claim 18  further comprising an electronic sensor for measuring and displaying said torque.