Abstract: A cartridge for use in non-lethal applications comprising an anterior portion and a posterior portion. The posterior portion includes a recycling mechanism, which can be initiated upon activation of a primer, and the anterior portion has a nose portion which is suitable for receiving a projectile. The cartridge also includes a source of energetic material which can be activated by the primer to cause propulsion of the projectile from the cartridge. The energetic material source is disposed toward the anterior end of the cartridge and can be conveniently initiated by the shock or pressure wave associated with propellant gases used to propel a moveable member against a breech block of a gun.

Abstract: A projectile arrangement in which an expelling member such as a steel ball is held within the projectile interior behind a marking substance, such that upon impact and arrest of the movement of an outer casing of the projectile, the momentum of the expelling member carries it forward relative to the outer casing to expel the marking substance through the front of the projectile.

Abstract: The invention provides a combination of a gun having a barrel and a propellant for launching a projectile from the barrel; and a non-lethal projectile; characterized in that the non-lethal projectile comprises a hollow outer casing formed from a resiliently deformable material, and a plurality of balls within the casing, the outer casing being deformed as it travels along the gun barrel under pressure from the propellant but being sufficiently resilient to resile to a substantially undeformed state upon leaving the gun barrel.

Abstract: The invention provides a combination of a gun having a barrel and propellant means for launching a projectile from the barrel; and a non-lethal projectile;

Abstract: The invention provides a blank pyrotechnic cartridge comprising a cartridge casing having a bullet-like projection extending forwardly therefrom, the bullet-like projection being retractable through an opening in the casing when the cartridge is fired, the cartridge being axially expandable in a rearwards direction in use to move the breechblock of a firearm to recycle the firearm.

Abstract: A cartridge comprising a casing (1) having a passage extending therethrough, said passage having a larger diameter rearward section (7) and a smaller diameter forward section (9). A core member is slidably received in the passage, and has a forwardly facing piston surface (21) and a portion (19) closing the forward length of passage in the unactivated condition of the cartridge. A cavity (23) within the core member receives propellant gas from a primer (25) and discharges the gas into the passage forwardly of the piston surface. The core is propelled rearwardly and releases propellant gas into the forward passage section.

Abstract: The invention provides a cartridge for use in a firearm, the cartridge having a projectile mounted in or on a nose portion thereof; the cartridge interior communicating with the projectile via a gas passage, a valve for controlling propellant gas flow through the gas passage, and a movable member which upon firing is propelled rearwardly from the cartridge against a breech block of the firearm by the pressure of propellant gas within the cartridge so as to recycle the firearm; characterized in that the valve is arranged to close in order to stop or substantially reduce the flow of propellant gas through the said gas passage after the projectile has been fired from the cartridge, thereby to facilitate rearwards propulsion of the movable member.

Abstract: A baton projetile comprises a case (1) of low density polyethylene, and a core (2) of a soft material such as a thermoplastic gel modified rubber. An air gap (4) is optionally formed at the front end of the baton projectile between the core (2) and the case (1). Upon impact with a target at acceptable forces the air pocket (4) reduces the speed of sound of the impact shockwave to reduce the risk of unaccepeablc bone injury to the target. At higher than acceptable impact forces, the case (1) ruptures and the core (2) spreads out to radially disperse the excess impact energy and to present a larger impact area to the target so that the risk of unacceptable penetration and trauma injury to the target is reduced.

Abstract: A cartridge has a case comprising a body housed telescopically within a sleeve. The body encloses a main chamber which contains gas under pressure, and a valve mechanism for venting gas from the chamber into an expansion chamber. The pressure of the gas in the expansion chamber causes the body to move rearwardly relative to the sleeve to apply a force to the breech block of the weapon in which the cartridge is used, thereby to initiate the reloading cycle. Gas is vented from the expansion chamber to eject a projectile when a spigot projecting from the body is withdrawn from an aperture in the end wall of the sleeve.

Abstract: A cartridge has a case comprising a body (10) housed telescopically within a sleeve (14). The body encloses a main chamber (21) which contains gas under pressure, and a valve mechanism for venting gas from the chamber (21) into an expansion chamber (61). The pressure of the gas in the expansion chamber causes the body (10) to move rearwardly relative to the sleeve (14) to apply a force to the breech block of the weapon in which the cartridge is used, thereby to initiate the reloading cycle. Gas is vented from the expansion chamber to eject a projectile when a spigot (51) projecting from the body is withdrawn from an aperture (53) in the end wall of the sleeve.

Abstract: A projectile has a hollow casing (1, 2) with a perforated nose portion (11), a piston (3) disposed within the casing, and a marking substance (4) disposed forwardly of the piston. The piston (3) is movable forwardly under force applied to it by gas used to discharge the projectile. The marking substance (4) is thereby compressed and expelled through the nose portion for contact with a target.