EP1340032B2 - Handgun with individual identification - Google Patents

Abstract

The gun has a first conventional legible identifier (9) and a second, additional, independent and individual readable identifier (5) that is located in a position that cannot be found or that cannot be recognized as an identifier. The second identifier is arranged on a bearer; the identifier or bearer is covered. The second identifier can be located within the weapon. Independent claims are also included for the following: a method of manufacturing a handgun.

Description

The invention relates to a handgun having a first and a second, independent of the first individual identifier. Such a weapon is about from the DE-OS 44 33 337 known, in addition to the usual weapon number, which is basically taken in the frame or the handle of the weapon, a chip is also provided, which additionally contains all information necessary for the identification of the weapon.

The accommodation of a chip in the handle of a weapon is also from the GB-A-2 340 589 known.

In the known weapon, the chip can be removed if necessary, so that it does not differ from another weapon that never had a chip from the outset.

As is well known, in most countries at least handguns are so widely registered that, if a weapon is found or used in the case of a crime, its provenance can be determined without any gaps. Thus it can be seen which claimant (arms dealer, soldier, civilian) has acquired the weapon last and should therefore still be in their possession. If the weapon was stolen or lost, this circumstance would have to be recorded.

For the purpose of registration, each weapon has the weapon number already mentioned above, an individual identifier consisting of numbers and / or letters, which is stamped in its main part, for example in the handle of a self-loading pistol. This identifier is hereinafter referred to as "number". It must be introduced even at a weapon that has no number for any reason, even one.

As far as the handle is made of metal, this is compacted over a considerable depth under the number taken, so that the simple filing the number does not prevent that can be later restored and read. However, if the corresponding section of the handle is cut out or overstamped several times with similar strike letters or numbers, the reproduction of the number is impossible or at least very difficult.

As far as a handle made of plastic, a metal plate is inserted in this, which bears the number. This plate can be milled out without rendering the weapon so unusable that at least a few shots can still be fired with it.

To make it at least difficult to make the identification of a weapon subsequently impossible, it is known to beat at least parts of the number in all possible parts. This measure originally served, however, to avoid military swapping a swap of items.

Now it is known that a small number of claimants unlawfully forward their weapons to unauthorized persons. If such a weapon is found, the person entitled to it can be readily determined on the basis of the number, unless this is made impossible by removing or rendering the number unreadable.

The object of the invention is now to develop a handgun such that their identification always remains possible, even if efforts were made to make the number illegible.

To solve this problem, the invention is based on the fact that there is basically no possibility of removing, over stamping or blurring the number entirely prevent or remove a chip, as mentioned above, or delete.

The invention therefore proposes a handgun with a plastic handle, with an integrally molded trigger guard and a first, conventional, readable identifier and a second, additional, from the first independent and individual, readable identifier, wherein the second identifier arranged at untraceable point or is not recognizable as an identifier, namely arranged on a serving as identifier carrier transponder in the trigger guard.

It is basically known to also accommodate complicated electronics in a weapon ( WO-A-01 61268 ), but this electronics can easily be found and then manipulated.

The manufacturer merely states that he is able to identify a weapon even if its number is removed, mutilated or rendered illegible. The manufacturer keeps secret, however, in which way this identification takes place. If the weapon is sent by a regulatory or judicial authority to the manufacturer, it will identify the secret mark and, to the extent that it differs from the number, may assign it to this number on the basis of its production records. The weapon is then returned to the authorities, and it is at the same time communicated the original number. The secret second identifier may remain where it is.

It gives the impression that the first, generally visible and illegally removed number has become readable again by a special procedure; that the identification was made on the basis of a secret, second identifier is not obvious. The offender will therefore seek the visible number as thoroughly as possible, but not looking for a second identifier. Therefore, it does not need to be hidden with special care, but it is sufficient that it does not become known to the normal user.

According to the invention, the second identifier contains information from which the serial number of the weapon can be derived.

This second identifier is located at the untraceable location, so that a user may possibly see the second identifier, but does not deduce that he has an identifier in front of him.

The introduction of an identifier at a hidden location of the weapon brings all sorts of difficulties. For this reason, the second identifier is arranged on an identifier carrier. The identifier carrier can be made outside the weapon, if appropriate in a separate company and provided with the second identifier and is then mounted in the handle of the weapon, namely in the trigger guard on serving as a label carrier transponder, the attachment is considerably simplified. The identifier carrier is designed so that the identifier is not visible from the outside or without aids recognizable. When reading the tag carrier may then be replaced and read if necessary.

But it may also be advantageous that the identifier carrier is provided with a cover (claim 2), which protects him from recognition and prevents it can be seen. To read the second identifier, this cover can be removed if necessary. The cover also protects the identifier carrier against external influences, especially against gun oil, which could decompose it.

Preferably, a recess or hole in the trigger guard is arranged, which receives the identifier carrier and which is closed by the introduced identifier carrier itself or the above-mentioned cover such that it is not recognizable that at this point an identifier carrier is hidden. This depression is preferably open only to one side, so that the identifier carrier used when it is covered by a cover, a paint stain or its own surface in front of view, even with an attentive inspection of the weapon is no longer recognizable.

The recess, especially a bore, can be formed as a passage recess or bore, which is provided on both sides with a cover or similar privacy, so that the identifier carrier can be easily pushed out of the recess or hole.

According to the identification tag carrier is arranged in the plastic of the trigger guard, z.T. he is glued into a recess. In this case, the identifier carrier when he forms a projection, the impression of a gain or other, functionally essential part of the handle awaken and not be removed by a criminal with great certainty, as of this the identifier carrier for the function of the weapon, especially for fatigue strength of the handle, is considered essential.

The identifier carrier is designed as a transponder. It is essential that these identifier carriers do not have their own power supply, but are inductively energized during polling and supplied with power. It is also essential that such a transponder can be interrogated at a distance, but at the same time has very small dimensions and can finally store considerable amounts of information. The transponder can thus remain completely embedded in the trigger guard of the plastic grip while being interrogated.

It is already known to use electronic codes or devices on weapons ( EP 0955618 A2 . WO 98/04880 . DE 40 22 038 and DE 39 11 804 ).

The interrogator may have a receptacle for the handle or housing, as well as multiple probes or antennas, and it does not need to be recognizable which of the probes or which of the antennas will be energized when interrogated. Thus, it is not apparent when querying where the transponder is housed. It is thus possible to deliver to the regulatory authorities readers, by means of which the handguns according to the invention can be examined to determine their second identifier. However, these readers can not be inferred about where the weapon of the transponder or chip sits.

Finally, it is also conceivable to inject the transponder into the trigger guard of the grip during its production, as far as this identifier carrier is sufficiently temperature-resistant.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transponder is cylindrical or angular. He could be sitting in a blind hole. Such a blind bore can be introduced with the simplest means in the handle or housing. When the transponder is seated in the bore, the blind bore covered or closed by the transponder or a stopper is no longer recognizable as such; the traces still visible could just as well be traces of a form stamp.

Since the corresponding transponders are very small, a hole with a diameter of about 2.5 mm and a length of 10 mm is sufficient.

It is basically possible to match the second, secret identifier to the first, existing one, so that both identifiers agree with each other. However, this is often very difficult to achieve at first, and would also pervade the chain of custody, as it would allow more people to come into contact with the covert identification than is absolutely necessary. According to the invention, the two identifiers are different. In doing so, e.g. pre-programmed transponder supplied and used with the least possible effort in the weapons. Subsequently, the transponders are read by means of a reader and assigned in a list of the number of the weapon. However, the reader can, as noted above, be designed so that the location of the transponder can not be removed.

The invention also includes a method for producing a handgun according to claim 3, as described above, the method being characterized in that pre-programmed transponders are provided with an identifier, the weapon handle or housing is provided with a first customary identifier, in the trigger guard of the handgun a recess whose dimensions correspond to those of the transponder is introduced, a transponder is inserted into the recess, and then read the identifier of the transponder in a reader and assigned as an additional second identifier of the first identifier .. This Method has already been described above and has the advantage that the secrecy is best ensured, so that no information from the company go out, the weapons have a second identifier, and where this identifier would be arranged. The public, including the authorities, need only to know that the manufacturer succeeds, even completely remote numbers still to read. It does not need to be known to outsiders that this happens by way of a secret second "number".

The introduced into the recess, such as a blind bore, transponder is preferably covered by a cover or a paint or poured or injected from the outset (claim 6). Subsequently, when the bore or recess receiving the transponder emerges from the outer surface, the usual or additional surface finishing of the handle may be performed so that the recess or bore is hidden away untraceably.

Overall, therefore, a handgun is created, which in addition to the usual serial number at a hidden point has a transponder containing identifying information that can be assigned to said serial number. Since it is unknown to the public that such a transponder or chip is present, and since it is not visible, it is likely to remain unrecognized, even if the serial number of the weapon is removed or defaced, so that this serial number can be reconstructed at any time can.

• Fig. 1 die Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Selbstladepistole, und
• Fig. 2 eine Teilansicht aus der Richtung II in Fig. 1.

The object of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing, for example. In this shows:

• Fig. 1 the side view of a self-loading pistol according to the invention, and
• Fig. 2 a partial view from the direction II in Fig. 1 ,

In Fig. 1 a self-loading pistol is shown in side view, with a handle 1, which consists predominantly of plastic and on which a trigger guard 3 is integrally formed.

The trigger guard 3 has a front handle surface to give a reliable contact surface when shooting by hand, which does not include the handle of the gun and additionally supports the gun from the front. Since this contact surface is substantially rectilinear and protrudes forward only at the bottom to prevent slipping, the trigger guard front and bottom on a thickening, as can be seen in other pistols of this type.

In this thickening sits a sac cross-hole, which starts from the surface of the weapon, which in Fig. 1 is visible. In this transverse bore sits a small transponder 5, which is preferably glued there. About the transponder sits a cover 7, which is flush with the outer surface of the trigger guard 3.

The pistol shown, more precisely, its handle 1, also has a standard serial number 9, which is visible from below and in a metal plate (not shown) is hammered, which is molded into the plastic of the handle 1 with solid. This metal plate is open at the bottom and could be removed from below with a clamped in a milling machine, a milling cutter resembling grinding tool so far that the serial number is completely removed and can not be reconstructed.

In this case, the handle 1 is held with its trigger guard in a reader (not shown) which detects the information stored on the transponder 5. This information was read at the time of manufacture of the weapon at the factory and assigned to a list of the serial number. This serial number can therefore be reconstructed at any time, even if it is removed without a trace.

The transponder is used at a location that is as far away as possible from metal parts, so that an undisturbed reading can be made. However, this is not necessary, and it is in principle possible to attach the transponder to other, anywhere, especially in places that can not be easily removed, such as the trigger guard, which could be sawed off so easy.

Claims (6)

1. Handgun comprising a plastic grip piece (1) with a trigger guard integrally moulded thereon (3) as well as a usual first (9) and an additional second (5), independent of the first, individual readable identification, wherein the second identification (5) is arranged at an untraceable location, that is to say on a transponder (5) serving as identification carrier in the trigger guard (3).
2. Handgun according to claim 1, characterized in that the transponder (5) is provided with a cover.
3. Handgun according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transponder (5) is cylindrical or angular.
4. Handgun according to any one of the above claims, characterized in that the two identifications (1, 5) are different.
5. Method for the production of a handgun according to claim 3, characterized in that

   - transponders (5) preprogrammed with an identification are prepared

   - the handgun grip piece (1) or - housing is provided with a first usual identification (9),

   - a recess with dimensions corresponding to those of the transponder (5) is produced in the trigger guard (3) of the handgun,

   - a transponder (5) is introduced into the recess

   - and in that then the identification of the transponder (5) is read by means of a reading device and as additional second identification is matched to the first identification (9).
6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the transponder (5) introduced in the recess is concealed by a cover (7) or a coat of paint or is moulded and/or injected.

Images