Firearm stability training device and method

Abstract

A firearm stability training device includes an adapter which receives a barrel or, in the case where the firearm is a handgun, receives an operator's wrist. A flexible coupler is removably attached to the adapter on one end, and a weight is suspended from the opposite end. Motion of the weight provides a force disruptive to the stable positioning of the firearm. Methods are described in which the device is used to train or rehabilitate an operator. An embodiment includes a laser firing assembly electrically connected to a trigger assembly, allowing the operator to accurately track their progress in training or rehabilitation.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A device for training an operator to maintain stable positioning of a cooperating firearm shaped article, the firearm shaped article having a barrel, said device comprising:
 an adapter shaped and dimensioned to receive the barrel;   a flexible coupler having an upper end and an opposite lower end, said upper end removably attached to said adapter; and,   a weight removably suspended from said lower end, whereby motion of said weight provides a force disruptive to the stable positioning of the firearm shaped article.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , further including:
 the barrel having a distal end; and,   said adapter disposed at the distal end.   
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , further including:
 said adapter having a slot shaped and dimensioned to closely receive said upper end of said flexible coupler.   
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , further including:
 said adapter forming an aperture wherein the barrel is received; and,   said adapter having an adjuster for varying the size of said aperture so that differently sized barrels may be closely received by said aperture.   
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , the operator having a wrist, said device further including:
 said adjuster varying the size of said aperture so that the wrist of the operator may be closely received by said aperture.   
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , further including:
 said adapter having a top side;   said adapter having a plurality of attachment points positioned at differing distances from said top side; and,   said upper end of said flexible coupler removably attached to any of said attachment points so that the distance between said top side and said weight may be varied.   
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , further including:
 said flexible coupler being comprised of an elastic material.   
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7 , further including:
 said elastic material being capable of a longitudinal elastic deformation of at least 50%.   
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , further including:
 the firearm shaped article having a trigger assembly;   a laser firing assembly disposed on said adapter; and,   said laser firing assembly electrically connected to the trigger assembly.   
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , the operator having a wrist, said device further including:
 said adapter having a top side and forming an aperture wherein the barrel is received;   said adapter having an adjuster for varying the size of said aperture so that differently sized barrels may be closely received by said aperture and so that the wrist of the operator may be closely received by said aperture;   said adapter having a plurality of attachment points positioned at differing distances from said top side;   said upper end of said flexible coupler removably attached to any of said attachment points so that the distance between said top side and said weight may be varied;   said flexible coupler being comprised of an elastic material;   the firearm shaped article having a trigger assembly;   a laser firing assembly disposed on said adapter; and,   said laser firing assembly electrically connected to the trigger assembly.   
     
     
         11 . A system for training an operator to maintain stable positioning of a firearm shaped article, said system comprising:
 a firearm shaped article having a barrel;   an adapter shaped and dimensioned to receive said barrel;   a flexible coupler having an upper end and an opposite lower end, said upper end removably attached to said adapter;   a weight removably suspended from said lower end; and,   whereby motion of said weight provides a force disruptive to the stable positioning of said firearm shaped article.   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , further including:
 said barrel having a distal end; and,   said adapter disposed at said distal end.   
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , further including:
 said adapter having a slot shaped and dimensioned to closely receive said upper end of said flexible coupler.   
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 11 , further including:
 said adapter forming an aperture wherein said barrel is received; and,   said adapter having an adjuster for varying the size of said aperture so that differently sized barrels may be closely received by said aperture.   
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , the operator having a wrist, said system further including:
 said adjuster varying the size of said aperture so that the wrist of the operator may be closely received by said aperture.   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 11 , further including:
 said adapter having a top side;   said adapter having a plurality of attachment points positioned at differing distances from said top side; and,   said upper end of said flexible coupler removably attached to any of said attachment points so that the distance between said top side and said weight may be varied.   
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 11 , further including:
 said flexible coupler being comprised of an elastic material.   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , further including:
 said elastic material being capable of a longitudinal elastic deformation of at least 50%.   
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 11 , further including:
 said firearm shaped article having a trigger assembly;   a laser firing assembly disposed on said adapter; and,   said laser firing assembly electrically connected to said trigger assembly, so that said laser firing assembly emits a laser beam when triggered by said trigger assembly.   
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 19 , further including:
 a target capable of detecting said laser beam.   
     
     
         21 . A method of training an operator to maintain stable positioning of a firearm shaped article, comprising:
 (a) providing a firearm shaped article having a barrel;   (b) providing a target;   (c) providing a device for training the operator to maintain stable positioning of said firearm shaped article, said device comprising:
 (i) an adapter shaped and dimensioned to receive said barrel; 
 (ii) a flexible coupler having an upper end and an opposite lower end, said upper end removably attached to said adapter; and, 
 (iii) a weight removably suspended from said lower end; 
   (d) placing said barrel in said adapter;   (e) aiming said barrel away from said target; and,   (f) aiming said barrel at said target, whereby motion of said weight provides a force disruptive to the stable positioning of said firearm shaped article.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , further including:
 in (c), said device further including:
 said firearm shaped article having a trigger assembly; 
 a laser firing assembly disposed on said adapter; and, 
 said laser firing assembly electrically connected to said trigger assembly, so that said laser firing assembly emits a laser beam when triggered by said trigger assembly; and, 
   after (f), activating said trigger assembly.   
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , further including:
 in (b), said target capable of detecting said laser beam; and,   after (f), recording any detected location of said laser beam.   
     
     
         24 . A method of training an operator to maintain stable positioning of a firearm shaped article,
 the operator having a wrist, said method comprising:
 (a) providing a firearm shaped article; 
 (b) providing a target; 
 (c) providing a device for training the operator to maintain stable positioning of said firearm shaped article, said device comprising:
 (i) an adapter shaped and dimensioned to receive the wrist of the operator; 
 (ii) a flexible coupler having an upper end and an opposite lower end, said upper end removably attached to said adapter; and, 
 (iii) a weight removably suspended from said lower end; 
 
 (d) placing the wrist in said adapter; 
 (e) aiming said firearm shaped article away from said target; and, 
 (f) aiming said firearm shaped article at said target, whereby motion of said weight provides a force disruptive to the stable positioning of said firearm shaped article. 
   
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , further including:
 in (c), said device further including:
 said firearm shaped article having a trigger assembly; 
 a laser firing assembly; and, 
 said laser firing assembly electrically connected to said trigger assembly, so that said laser firing assembly emits a laser beam when triggered by said trigger assembly; and, 
   after (f), activating said trigger assembly.   
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , further including:
 in (b), said target capable of detecting said laser beam; and,   after (f), recording any detected location of said laser beam.