Apparatus for measuring velocities of projectiles
An apparatus for measuring velocities of projectiles launched from firearms is disclosed. The apparatus includes a stationary clamp arm and a movable clamp arm works in concert with the stationary clamp arm for clamping the apparatus to a firearm. A thumb screw is employed to secure the movable clamp arm and the stationary clamp arm to the firearm. A sensor module, which is integrated to the stationary clamp, includes a first and second sensor coils, a first magnet adjacent to the first sensor coil, and a second magnet adjacent to the second sensor coil.
1. An apparatus for measuring velocities of projectiles launched from a firearm, the apparatus comprising:
a stationary clamp arm, wherein the stationary clamp arm includes a stationary arm barrel pad made of a flexible material;
a movable clamp arm works in concert with the stationary clamp arm to form a clamp for clamping the apparatus to a firearm;
a thumbscrew for securing the movable clamp arm and the stationary clamp arm to the firearm; and
a sensor module integrated to the stationary clamp, wherein the sensor module includes
a first and second sensor coils;
a first magnet adjacent to the first sensor coil; and
a second magnet adjacent to the second sensor coil.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor module and the stationary clamp are formed by two molded plastic structures.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the stationary clamp includes ribs to provide structural integrity.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the stationary clamp arm barrel pad is V-shaped.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the movable clamp arm includes a movable clamp arm barrel pad made of a flexible material.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the stationary clamp arm and the stationary arm barrel pad are tapered to allow the apparatus to be attached to
a non-tapered firearm portion when the stationary arm barrel pad is placed in a first orientation, and
a tapered firearm portion when the stationary arm barrel pad is placed in a second orientation.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a barrel nut and a swivel such that the thumbscrew passes through the swivel, the movable clamp arm, the stationary clamp arm, and threaded into the barrel nut in order to cause a clamping force to secure the apparatus onto the firearm.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a controller for receiving information from the first and second sensor coils in order to determine a velocity of a projectile coming from the firearm.
9. An apparatus for measuring velocities of projectiles launched from a firearm, the apparatus comprising:
a sensor module having
a first and second sensor coils;
a first magnet adjacent to the first sensor coil; and
a second magnet adjacent to the second sensor coil; and
a clamp having
a first and second clamp arms for clamping to a firearm; and
a thumb screw for securing the two clamp arms to the firearm; and
a tube removably secured to the sensor module while allow the clamp to slide along a longitudinal axis of the tube to position the sensor module in relation to a muzzle of the firearm.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the first clamp arm includes a first barrel pad, and the second clamp arm includes a second barrel pad.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a first attachment module that includes
a first plate having a first channel for receiving a Picatinny-style rail;
a second plate having a second channel for receiving the Picatinny-style rail; and
a bore collar having a center bore for receiving the tube.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a second attachment module that includes
a main body and a clamp body to form a clamp for receiving a dovetail mount; and
a Picatinny-style rail located on the main body.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a second attachment module that includes
a main body and a clamp body to form a clamp for receiving a dovetail mount;
an adapter body attached to the main body; and
a Picatinny-style rail located on the adapter body.
14. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a second attachment module that includes
a plurality of clam arms for gripping a barrel stock;
a thumbscrew for securing the clam arms to the barrel stock; and
a Picatinny-style rail located on the clam arms.
15. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the first and second sensor coils are formed by a single trace in a printed circuit board.
16. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the sensor module further includes an electronics module having a battery.