US20240068760A1

US20240068760A1 - Automated collection system

Info

Publication number: US20240068760A1
Application number: US17/895,080
Authority: US
Inventors: Stuart KENNETH Main
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-08-25
Filing date: 2022-08-25
Publication date: 2024-02-29

Abstract

The ACC combines an automated vehicle to tow a collection device. The vehicle has unique attachment and sensing capabilities which allow for the device to be automated. The configuration of the processor and motor drivers and battery and weight distribution are what make the vehicle capable of towing the device. The attachment via custom tow hitch and specific torque allow for the effective collection of material. Various treads may be required to suit different terrains.The processor is situated in the front where it can be accessed to upload a program. The processor is housed in a plastic case which provides some protection for the components and a means to affix it to the vehicle. Additionally, a cosmetic cover provides additional protection and prevents debris from interfering with the movement. The battery is located as low as possible. There is a welded steel structure. The processor uses lower voltage than the motors which requires a motor driver board which is effective a relay switch. The relay switch is activated by a low voltage signal wire which then closes a circuit to the motors providing greater voltage to the motors than the rest of the components. The ultrasonic sensors are located on the front center of the vehicle.

Description

BACKGROUND

There is nothing like the Automated Casing Collection (ACC) to pick up ammunition casings. Anything that can eliminate risk on a firing range and create time on a firing range would be of benefit. Inhalation of lead is known to be unhealthy. Impact of the projectiles from firearms produces traces of lead, which can build up over time. Casings are sometimes collected by hand or broom and dustpan which may expose a person to lead. The problem is that brass is non-ferrous and therefore non-magnetic. Autonomously operating this collection system will prevent accidents on the range. Making this process easier will create additional time to conduct training. Facilitating the collection of spent casings will also encourage the recycling of these casings into new ammunition. This will result in lower cost to operate a range and elimination of any danger to people.

CLAIM IN SUMMARY

The ACC is a product that collects spent brass casings from firearm training ranges.
The vehicle (ACC) provides unique attributes which make the towing of a collection device possible.
The combination of the king pin attachment point and with the specific amount of torque applied to the wheels is what makes this claim unique. Material is guided away from in front of the wheels (or other type of tread). The weight of the ACC provides the device in tow the ability to perform the task. The collection device uses weight to hold the material and deposit it in a basket. Sonic sensors and a computer processor allow for automated searching with the device in tow.

CLAIM SPECIFICATION

A casing is a part of one round of ammunition. The casing is ejected from the firearm after the bullet is fired. There are numerous sizes of casings under an inch in diameter. Casings are most commonly made from brass which is non-ferrous and therefore non-magnetic. Magnets cannot be used to clean up spent casings. The primary method of collecting casings is by hand. There is a mechanical device that allows the user to collect casings. The (ACC) is intended to utilize existing equipment to collect brass casings. The collection device is pulled behind a battery powered automated towing vehicle. The towing vehicle provides the right amount of lateral force and speed for the device to effectively collect the material. The towing vehicle has a king pin attachment which is applying only lateral forces and eliminating vertical movement. This attachment rotates very easily minimizing friction while turning. The vehicle treads may vary based on the terrain, indoor versus outdoor. The vehicle runs a program which may be customized. The vehicle would make a series of turns to search an area for casings. The vehicle knows when it has reached a boundary by utilizing sonic sensors. Sonic Sensors can determine a distance from an obstacle. A program could be made without sensors which would basically do a search pattern in a series of rectangles. All types of casings are collected at once. The vehicle may return on a time limit or there could be a sensor indicating volume collected or there could also be an effect from the weight which would be detectible by the vehicle. This has never been automated before. The sonic sensors are relatively new in addition to the availability of small programmable computers which may have limited this in the past. The vehicle provides unique attributes which make the towing of this device possible. The combination of the king pin attachment point and the sonic sensors with the specific amount of torque applied to the wheels is what makes this claim unique. Material is guided away from in front of the wheels. The weight of the ACC provides the device in tow the ability to perform the task.
This vehicle has practically zero turning radius and a king pin attachment point in addition to being able to run a search program autonomously. The vehicle would use sonic sensors to search within defined boundaries. The king pin is an attachment point in the center of the vehicle which allows for rotation for turning but can tow the weight of the collection trailer in addition to limiting vertical movement. The vehicle could push or pull the collection mechanism. The specific design of this vehicle prototype is intended to tow the collection mechanism. There are several benefits of this system primarily being health concerns from lead exposure from contact with spent casings. The additional benefit of providing adaptation to automation is that the device can be operated in a dangerous environment, the range does not have to be shut down to perform this task. In addition to exposure to health concerns the process of collecting spent casings is physically tedious. This is often done with a flashlight after the sun has gone down when the firing range can no longer be used for training.
This vehicle would operate on both types of ranges indoors and outdoors. There would be different types of wheels (or other tread system) for smooth surface, dirt, and a track system. The track system would effectively be using four wheels with two connected by tracks. The processor would send a signal to the driver which acts as a relay closing a circuit to send higher voltage to the motors. The processor requires less voltage.
The vehicle would run a search pattern such as left turns covering different areas. The vehicle would end with right turn which would lead it safely behind the firing line. The material collected could then be removed from the vehicle. The primary benefit of a towing system is integrating the sensors onto the vehicle. The vehicle would be easier to control with a trailer in tow. The vehicle would be light enough and have enough weight distribution to avoid excessive damage to casings.
The tow hitch is modeled after the king pin on a commercial truck. The king pin is in the approximate center of the towing vehicle. There is a steel cone which provides lateral support to the pin. The pin goes through a frictionless hole on the trailer and through the support cone and threads into the structure of the vehicle. The top of an oblique cone is cut off for the trailer to sit on top of. The apex of the oblique cone is centered forward. The hitch of the trailer is seated on top of the cone and the attachment pin is placed through the trailer and then through the cone and into the vehicle. This attachment allows the vehicle to apply force only in the towing direction and eliminate play in other direction.

Claims

1. The Automated Collection System is a product that supports the firearms industry, among others. A casing is a part of one round of ammunition. The casing is ejected from the firearm after the bullet is fired. There are numerous sizes of casings under an inch in diameter and approximately one inch long. Casings are most commonly made from brass which is non ferrous and therefore non-magnetic. Magnets cannot be used in) cleaning up spent casings. The primary method of collection of casings is by hand. This is a common part of firing range maintenance. There are a few types of mechanical devices that allow the user to collect casings. This product is intended to utilize existing equipment to collect brass casings. The unique characteristic of this product is the automation. The collection mechanism trails behind a battery powered vehicle. The specific details of the vehicle may vary based on the type of terrain that exists at a specific firing range. The use of the vehicle would effectively be the same however details such as wheels and size of the vehicle frame may be required to, be modified for different surface traction requirements. The vehicle would run a program which would be customized to various types of terrain. Firing ranges are usually flat with either dirt or concrete surface. There might be small rocks on some dirt ranges which would be a third type. The size of the range would require one of two existing collection mechanism sizes. There is nothing unique about the program that guides the vehicle. The program is customized to the size of the range or may include an ultra sonic sensor. The ultra sonic sensor would detect a boundary to the side and react based on the program. The vehicle would turn around and tow the collection mechanism back across the firing range. Upon detecting the opposite border of the range the vehicle would turn around the opposite direction. The alternating of directions the vehicle takes generates a progression over an area where casings are to be collected. By making a left u-turn and then a right u-turn it would go back to front of a firing range area. This could be done from front to back as well. Casings of all sizes are collected in the same basket and would require further sorting. The sorting can be done on a table at a comfortable position or with other mechanical devices. The level of the basket needs to be monitored at this time. If the basket overfills the casings would still be collected however they would not stay in the basket. Battery size could also be modified to fit the requirements of a specific firing range.

A program that searches an area controlling a vehicle which tows a spent ammunition casing collection mechanism is the original unique utility that I claim to be the first to create: To tow a collection roller over a specified area by autonomous vehicle has never been done before.

Furthermore this product could be applied to other applications, the collection of golf balls at a driving range. The existing golf ball collection uses a disc which holds the ball against an opposing disc and rotates the ball up and over, into a bucket in the front. Due to limitations of the battery and motors the trailer would be scaled down from the common one at the driving range. This would provide safer working conditions for those who used to drive the golf cart that everyone is aiming for while collecting balls.