Laser stabilization assembly for weapon simulators
A laser stabilization assembly for weapon simulators is used in conjunction with the weapon simulator to steady a laser module. The laser stabilization assembly includes a first spacer, a second spacer and a lock ring that is secured to the barrel of the weapon simulator via a threaded insert and locking components. The assembly is mounted proximate to the barrel of the weapon simulator in the same general area allocated for a conventional laser apparatus of a conventional weapon simulator.
1. A laser stabilization assembly for securely positioning a laser apparatus proximate a barrel of a weapon simulator, the laser apparatus having a first end and a second end, said laser stabilization assembly comprising:
a first spacer installed in the barrel to engage the first end of the laser apparatus;
a second spacer installed in the barrel to engage the second end of the laser apparatus;
a threaded insert; and
a lock ring that is secured to the barrel of the weapon simulator via said threaded insert;
said first spacer and said second spacer securing the laser apparatus to the weapon simulator.
2. The laser stabilization assembly as described in claim 1 , wherein said first spacer has a first hardness and said second spacer has a second hardness.
3. The laser stabilization assembly as described in claim 2 , wherein said hardness of said first spacer is greater than said hardness of said second spacer when the weapon simulator has a forward shock when fired.
4. The laser stabilization assembly as described in claim 3 , wherein said first spacer comprises an acetal polyoxymethylene material and said second spacer comprises a polyurethane material.
5. The laser stabilization assembly as described in claim 1 , wherein said hardness of said second spacer is greater than said hardness of said first spacer when the weapon simulator has a rearward shock when fired.
6. The laser stabilization assembly as described in claim 1 further comprising a barrel sleeve surrounding the barrel and secured by said lock ring.
7. An apparatus for stabilizing a laser instrument with a weapon simulator having a barrel to maintain a desired position, the laser instrument having a proximal and distal end, said apparatus comprising:
a proximal spacer connected to the proximal end of the laser instrument;
a distal spacer connected to the distal end of the laser instrument;
a threaded insert; and
a lock ring that is secured to the barrel of the weapon simulator via said threaded insert;
said first spacer and said second spacer securing the laser instrument to the weapon simulator.
8. The apparatus as described in claim 7 , wherein said proximal spacer has a first hardness and said distal spacer has a second hardness.
9. The apparatus as described in claim 8 , wherein said hardness of said proximal spacer is greater than said hardness of said distal spacer when the weapon simulator has a forward shock when fired.
10. The apparatus as described in claim 9 , wherein said proximal spacer comprises an acetal polyoxymethylene material and said distal spacer comprises a polyurethane material.
11. The apparatus as described in claim 8 , wherein said hardness of said distal spacer is greater than said hardness of said proximal spacer when the weapon simulator has a rearward shock when fired.
12. The laser stabilization assembly of claim 7 further comprising a barrel sleeve surrounding the barrel and secured by said lock ring.
13. A method for securing a laser apparatus having a first and second end to a barrel of a weapon simulator, said method comprising the steps of:
a) engaging the first end of the laser apparatus with a first spacer;
b) installing said first end and the laser apparatus in the barrel of the weapon simulator;
c) affixing a second spacer to the second end of the laser apparatus to complete a mounting combination; and
d) installing a threaded guide within the barrel to a position to support said second spacer.
14. The method as described in 13 , wherein after step c), further comprising the step of:
applying a settling compression to said second spacer to settle said mounting combination.
15. The method as described in 13 , wherein after step d), further comprising the step of:
slipping a barrel sleeve around the barrel; and
securing said barrel sleeve to the barrel with a lock ring.
16. The method as described in 13 , wherein step a) further comprises the steps of:
inserting power connectors for the laser apparatus through said first spacer; and
connecting the laser apparatus to a control module.