Abstract: A wire-tethered dart cartridge for electrical discharge weapons wherein the sudden force needed to propel the darts toward a remote target is derived from a source of energy other than expanding gas. The propulsive force is derived from potential energy stored in at least one coiled spring having an arm which impacts the dart with sufficient force to propel the dart a desired distance toward a remote target. In a preferred embodiment disclosed herein, the spring is formed on two interconnected coils, each end of the spring wire extending from a respective coil and forming an impact arm for striking the back of a dart. The arms are maintained in a tensioned configuration by a retention bracket which is connected to a piston pyrotechnic device. When an electrical voltage is applied to the pyrotechnic device, the ignition forces the piston to move the retention bracket to suddenly release the arms.

Abstract: An immobilization weapon of the type which imparts an electrical voltage across a live target using a projectile launched toward the target from a distance, employs a projectile having two connecters. One such connecter extends from the projectile in fixed relation thereto. The other such connecter is launched from the projectile at or near the target to assure proper spacing between the connecters irrespective of the distance to the target. In the preferred embodiment, the secondarily launched connecter is actuated by current through the target when the projectile is in proximity to the impact surface of the target.