Nonlethal Or Deterrent Patents (Class 102/502)
  • Patent number: 7444941
    Abstract: An anti-personnel projectile launched from a weapon shell required at impact to have a low lethality consequence, in which the projectile is fitted in the shell in a shape characterized by a blunt end in the direction of flight and maintained in this shape by oppositely directed air resistance and propelling forces to obviate a change of shape during flight that might cause a serious injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Combined Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Brunn, Jacob Kravel
  • Patent number: 7444939
    Abstract: A primer-fired ammunition cartridge for an electrical discharge weapon having a housing with an exterior surface and two wire-tethered darts positioned within dart chambers in the housing and two electrical contacts positioned on opposite surfaces of the housing for lengthening an electrical arc path across the exterior surface of the housing. The housing can include a flange portion for engaging a chamber in an electrical discharge weapon wherein the flange portion includes an aperture thereby allowing the flange portion to bow and absorb resultant forces between the ammunition cartridge and the chamber of the electrical discharge weapon during firing of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Defense Technology Corporation of America
    Inventors: James F. McNulty, John A. Hultman
  • Patent number: 7437985
    Abstract: The present invention is an arrow-shaped reconnaissance means, which is designed to be connected to the barrel of a weapon and launched by firing a round of ammunition from the weapon. The reconnaissance means is designed to penetrate and stick into a wall or other target and transmit video and additional data from its location, providing information gathered from an elevated position about the area around the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: O.D.F. Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Ehud Gal
  • Patent number: 7434517
    Abstract: A stun gun dart includes a base, having an interior cavity, an energy storage assembly and an actuator. Also, a spear is supported by the base and the actuator, when actuated, causes the energy storage assembly to retract the spear into the cavity. In a preferred embodiment a conductive wire extends through the base and is electrically connected to the spear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Carson R. Linker
  • Publication number: 20080236435
    Abstract: A projectile is provided for use in a non-lethal weapon system. The projectile having kinetic energy is launched substantially along the longitudinal axis in the direction of a target. Upon impact of the projectile with the target an elastic mechanism absorbs elastically a first portion of the kinetic energy. A locking mechanism stores the first portion of the kinetic energy within the elastic mechanism; whereby the remaining kinetic energy of the impact is reduced to a non-lethal level of the target. The projectile preferably includes a deformable head attached to the first body. The deformable head is formed from a viscoelastic material which manifests both the elastic mechanism (with the elastic mechanical properties of the viscoelastic material) and further manifests the locking mechanism with the viscous properties of the viscoelastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Haim Danon, Ilan Shalev
  • Publication number: 20080239708
    Abstract: A person can be temporarily distracted, surprised and even disabled by projecting one or more bright lights in visual proximity to the person. Battery-powered white-light LEDs are mounted in spherical housings which can be rolled or thrown by hand or propelled by mechanical devices such as gas-powered guns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Glenn Bushee
  • Patent number: 7428871
    Abstract: A pellet for at least one of a compressed gas and spring operated weapon includes a forward head portion and a cylindrical rearward tail portion which is disposed about a common centerline with the head portion and which has an air pocket formed therein. A frustoconical middle portion connects the tail portion to the head portion. The pellet design is adaptable for use with various commonly available caliber weapons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Inventors: L. Carl Dodson, David Phillips
  • Publication number: 20080223246
    Abstract: The present invention provides a burping projectile and, particularly, a non-lethal projectile having a nose-mounted fuze thereon, which initiates an expulsion charge via an ignition shaft in the payload cup of the projectile body at a preset distance from target impact, resulting in sufficient expansion of the projectile body via the forces of propellant gases to create an annular opening between the projectile body side wall and projectile body forward end. The payload is then ejected from this annular opening, the resulting forward velocity of the escaping payload producing a rearward thrust on the projectile, and a concomitant deceleration thereof to a non-lethal forward velocity or a total reverse in direction of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Frank J. Dindl, Kenneth R. Jones
  • Patent number: 7421951
    Abstract: The present invention provides a non-lethal projectile for delivering an electric pulse to a target. In one aspect of the invention, the projectile utilizes a piezoelectric device and an electrical oscillating circuit in order to generate a pulse. In another aspect of the invention, the projectile utilizes a piezoelectric device and a mechanical oscillating circuit in order to generate an electric pulse. Since the projectile of the present invention contains the structure to generate the required electric pulse, it can be employed effectively at distances of up to 150 meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Vladimir Genis, Alexandre Soukhomlinoff, Irina Khomchenko
  • Patent number: 7409912
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in place of a round of percussion primed ammunition in a weapon includes a power supply and a switch. The switch is responsive to the mechanism in the weapon that fires the ammunition. Operation of the switch may enable the power supply to supply power to a replaceable cartridge. The cartridge may propel probes for delivering an incapacitating electrical charge from the power supply to the target. Another cartridge may include contacts to be applied without propellant to the target to stun the target. The apparatus may be inserted in the barrel of a weapon, for example, into the muzzle of a grenade launcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: TASER International, Inc.
    Inventors: Milan Cerovic, David K. DuBay
  • Publication number: 20080178758
    Abstract: A non-lethal impact projectile having a nose composed of a frangible, rigid, polymer foam material such that the nose crushes upon impact with a target to disperse energy, thereby reducing the kinetic energy transferred to the target. Most preferably, the munition or projectile is provided with a cavity to retain a payload, such as marker agents, lacrimators, irritants, inflammatory agents, odorants or inert powders, such that the payload is laterally dispersed upon impact to further dissipate energy transferred to the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: John A. Kapeles, Joseph P. Kolnik
  • Publication number: 20080163779
    Abstract: A projectile core is provided formed from a carrier and a colorant. The carrier and so colorant are mixed into a core mixture, which is formed into a predetermined core shape. The core mixture is cured until substantially firm, such as by drying, heating or freezing. An outer layer may be formed adjacent the surface of the projectile core by heating. An outer coating may also be applied to the projectile core. A method of forming a projectile core comprises: (a) mixing a carrier and a colorant to form a core mixture; (b) forming the core mixture into a predetermined core shape; and, (c) curing the core mixture until a substantially firm projectile core is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: NATIONAL PAINTBALL SUPPLY, INC.
    Inventors: John E. Campo, Michael J. Wood
  • Publication number: 20080156308
    Abstract: The present invention describes a slingshot apparatus having a pouch or similar type device, and/or wrist support/brace that is capable of temporarily retaining an object prior to launching the object. The slingshot assembly preferably includes a frame member, a pouch, and energy-storing and releasing members acting between the frame member and the pouch. In one embodiment, the pouch and/or wrist support preferably includes a magnetic force element capable of attracting an object to the pouch prior to launch of the object or projectile by the slingshot apparatus. Alternatively, the object to be launched includes a magnetic force element capable of attracting the pouch and/or wrist support prior to launch of the object by the slingshot apparatus. Related methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Zadra
  • Publication number: 20080141892
    Abstract: A rubber shot packing (10) comprises a predetermined or approximately predetermined number of hard rubber elements (11) that are arranged in a dense packing. In this case, the hard rubber elements (11) are altogether surrounded by a plastic film (13). Such a rubber shot packing (10) is intended for firing as an active charge with a powder charge that is separate from the active charge. In this case, at least one disc (20) is arranged, intended for the insertion side with respect to the powder charge, having an outside diameter corresponding to the dimensions of the firing cup and firmly connected to the rubber shot packing (10) axially centrally in relation to the hard rubber elements (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: SALTECH AG
    Inventor: Christian Kempf
  • Publication number: 20080115687
    Abstract: The present invention is an arrow-shaped reconnaissance means, which is designed to be connected to the barrel of a weapon and launched by firing a round of ammunition from the weapon. The reconnaissance means is designed to penetrate and stick into a wall or other target and transmit video and additional data from its location, providing information gathered from an elevated position about the area around the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventor: Ehud Gal
  • Patent number: 7360489
    Abstract: A non-lethal cargo projectile comprises a projectile body; a fuze adapter attached to a front of the projectile body; a fuze attached to the fuze adapter; a boattail attached to a rear of the projectile body; a pressure tube extending from the fuze adapter to the boattail; a decelerator and drogue chute disposed aft of the fuze adapter; a flexible line that connects the pressure tube to the decelerator; a center disc disposed aft of the decelerator and drogue chute; a rear disc disposed aft of the center disc, the center disc and the rear disc defining a payload volume therebetween; a second flexible line that connects the rear disc to the boattail; at least one shearable fastener that fastens the projectile body to the fuze adapter; and at least one vent extending from the boattail to the fuze adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Seungeuk Han, Raymond Trohanowsky, Andew Ponikowski
  • Patent number: 7350465
    Abstract: An extended range munition including a projectile having a generally cylindrical body includes a forward end and rearward end. The forward end includes a protruding member extending therefrom, thereby increasing the weight of said body and said forward end. The body is formed of a non-metallic material having a durometer hardness less than conventional metallic projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventors: Neil Keegstra, Randy R. Fritz, Robin A. Fritz, Anthony Edward Kinchin
  • Patent number: 7350466
    Abstract: An attachment to an electricity-inducing immobilization cartridge has a body with a plurality of converging sections, a strike plate affixed at a front end of the body and a plurality of hinges formed on each of the converging sections. The hinges serve to allow the plurality of converging sections to fold when the strike plate contacts a target. A barb is affixed to an inner surface of at least one of the sections so as to be movable from the interior of the body to a location exterior of the body when the strike plate contacts the target. Fasteners are provided within the body so as to maintain the body in a collapsed condition subsequent to the strike plate contacting the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Glen Hendrix
  • Patent number: 7337725
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a projectile (1) for non-lethal ammunition of a body that is composed of a first portion (2) and a second portion (4). Said first portion (2) has a larger mass that the second portion (4), so as to increase the stability of the projectile (1). In addition, the projectile (1) has a strangulation (5) that connects the first portion (2) to the second portion, wherein the first portion (2) is formed by two rings (3), and the two rings (3) are interconnected by an annular groove (6), and wherein the end opposite the strangulation (50 of the second portion (4) has an annular base (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Condor S/A Industria Quimica
    Inventor: Carlos Frederico Queiroz de Aguiar
  • Publication number: 20080047459
    Abstract: Electric dissuader comprising a support unit to generate pressurised liquid and an electric discharge, and a lance unit used to provide at least one jet of said pressurised liquid, to be directed towards a potential target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: OTO MELARA S.p.A
    Inventor: Flavio Novelli
  • Patent number: 7331293
    Abstract: The invention provides a marker projectile comprising a hollow body (1) having an opening (5) at the front; marker substance (8) disposed within the hollow body (1); and an expelling member (7) such as a metal ball within the hollow body (1), behind the marking substance (8). The hollow body (1) and expelling member (7) being configured such that upon impact of the projectile with a target, the momentum of the expelling member (7) relative to the hollow body (1) carries the expelling member (7) forwardly to expel the marking substance (8) through the opening (5), and characterised by a separator (4) extending at least partly over the front opening (5), the separator (4) defining two or more spaces (42a, 42b, 42c) through which the maker substance may pass when expelled through the opening (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: UTM IP Limited
    Inventor: Michael Ernest Saxby
  • Patent number: 7327549
    Abstract: An apparatus for impact with a target includes electrodes deployed after contact is made between the apparatus and the target. Spacing of deployed electrodes may be more accurate and/or more repeatable for more effective delivery of an immobilizing stimulus signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: TASER International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick W. Smith, Magne H. Nerheim
  • Patent number: 7314006
    Abstract: A nonlethal canister tank round comprising a cartridge having a combustible case and containing propellant; a canister projectile attached to the cartridge, the canister projectile being generally cylindrical, comprising high density polyurethane foam and including a body and a cap for closing an open end of the body, the body defining a payload space therein; and a payload disposed in the payload space, the payload comprising one of rubber balls, fin stabilized projectiles, an inert material and fillable fin stabilized projectiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Peter Georgantzis, Hugh D. MacMillan, Brian A. Levine, Henry E. Hudgins
  • Patent number: 7314007
    Abstract: An electrical immobilization weapon having a prolonged range of effectiveness and improved accuracy compared to conventional Taser weapons, while being compact in structure and lightweight. The weapon having a replaceable cartridge which, when employed, can space a pair of electrodes to a specific critical area on a remote target, so the electrical energy carried by the electrodes can induce the involuntary contraction of the involved muscles through the critical area within a significant range of length between the electrodes for effective immobilization. The electrical energy generated by a power source of the weapon completes an electrical circuit through a minimum path being a length of at least 5 inches between the two points on the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Inventor: Li Su
  • Publication number: 20070289475
    Abstract: A non-lethal projectile having a nose component, a driving band adjacent the nose component and a body component wherein one or more of the projectile components comprises densified materials such as elastomers and foam that incorporate a dense filler material. The dense filler material is a heavy metal powder. The body component of the projectile includes a stabilizing component such as fins, drag stabilizing tails or streamers, or rifling bands for spin stabilization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventor: John A. Kapeles
  • Patent number: 7278358
    Abstract: A projectile of non-lethal composition includes an outer casing that is substantially sealed prior to impact with a target both when the projectile is in a static condition and when the projectile is in a dynamic condition. A marking material is encapsulated within the outer casing prior to impact. The outer casing is configured to deform and unseal upon impact such that the marking material disperses forward via hydraulic action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: PDT Tech, LLC.
    Inventor: Rick Huffman
  • Patent number: 7278357
    Abstract: A less lethal projectile comprising a hollow body filled with a high density filler, a closure to seal the filler in the body and a bore-rider stabilizer attached to the rear of the closure. The bore rider stabilizer comprises a material having a low coefficient of friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Inventors: Michael A. Keith, Jaime H. Cuadros
  • Patent number: 7280340
    Abstract: Systems and methods for immobilizing a target such as a human or animal with a stimulus signal coupled to the target via electrodes provide the stimulus signal in accordance with a strike stage, a hold stage, and a rest stage. Systems include a launch device and separate projectile, where the projectile includes a battery, a waveform generator, and electrodes. The strike stage and hold stage may include pulses at a pulse repetition rate, for example, from 10 to 20 pulses per second, each pulse delivering a predetermined amount of charge, for example, about 100 microcoulombs at less than about 500 volts peak. The hold stage may continue immobilization at a lesser expenditure of energy compared to the strike stage. Because the strike stage and hold stage may immobilize by interfering with skeletal muscle control by the target's nervous system, a rest stage may allow the target to take a breath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: TASER International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick W. Smith, Magne H. Nerheim
  • Patent number: 7237352
    Abstract: An electrical discharge weapon projectile for immobilizing a live target that includes a shock circuit having a low power consumption, a high power efficiency, and/or a low weight. In one embodiment, the projectile includes a high efficiency circuit that would reduce the weights of shock circuits while providing a more effective and safer power level, so that the circuits may be entirely contained within the projectile to eliminate the need for range limiting trailing wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Defense Technology Corporation of America
    Inventors: William Arthur Keely, James F. McNulty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7237490
    Abstract: A close range munition for firing from a bore of a weapon. The munition includes a spherical projectile having a central core and a plurality of uniformly radially extending resilient filaments defining an outer diameter. The outer diameter of the projectile is greater than the diameter of the firing bore so as to compress the filament within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventors: Neil Keegstra, Randy R. Fritz, Robin A. Fritz, Anthony Edward Kinchin
  • Patent number: 7237489
    Abstract: A projectile head is provided for a training cartridge having a propulsion unit, with an integrated projectile tail section, which can be used equally for training cartridges as well as combat cartridges of the same caliber size, wherein the projectile tail section is connectable to the projectile head with the aid of an extension on the projectile tail section, the extension is insertable into a receptacle in the projectile head, and the extension contains a recessed area, open on the front, for receiving a warhead detonator. The projectile head has a receptacle in the projectile head for receiving the extension of the projectile tail section, and an end stop which extends into the receptacle. The end stop is for contacting a warhead detonator present on the projectile tail section during assembly of the propulsion unit and the projectile head to prevent the extension from reaching a fully assembled position in the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Naderhoff, Jürgen Kolodzev, Martin Berg
  • Patent number: 7234262
    Abstract: An apparatus for interfering with locomotion by a human or animal target includes a microprocessor programmed to track date and time, to initiate and maintain for a period an electrical current, and to record tracked date and time for each initiation of the current. The current, when conducted through the target, interferes with use by the target of the skeletal muscles of the target during the period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: TASER International, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick W. Smith
  • Patent number: 7234399
    Abstract: A method for non-lethal crowd and personal protection. The method includes: firing non-lethal bullets towards a person; and deploying portions on the non-lethal bullets prior to impacting the person to decrease its impact pressure on the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Omnitek Partners, LLC
    Inventor: Jahangir S. Rastegar
  • Publication number: 20070137085
    Abstract: Firearms are used for self defense and sport. Self defense requires immediate access to a loaded firearm. A safety cartridge is designed to prevent an unauthorized person from firing a loaded pistol, revolver, rifle, or shotgun. The safety cartridge is placed in the firing chamber of a loaded firearm containing live ammunition. The firearm owner may quickly use his weapon for self defense or in a police action by ejecting the safety cartridge or by rotating the cylinder. An attempt to fire the loaded firearm by an unauthorized person initiates the safety cartridge causing the resulting primer gases to propel the slug down the gun barrel until it is stopped by action of the spring which is attached to both the cartridge case and the slug causing it to jam preventing injury to the firearm owner or children. Removing the fired safety cartridge requires skill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Len Aske
  • Patent number: 7231875
    Abstract: A method for non-lethal crowd and personal protection. The method includes: firing non-lethal bullets towards a person; and deploying portions on the non-lethal bullets prior to impacting the person to decrease its impact pressure on the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Omnitek Partners LLC
    Inventor: Jahangir S. Rastegar
  • Patent number: 7210410
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a segmented elastomeric projectile and associated motion transfer member. The motion transfer member includes a cutting surface to separate the projectile segments when deployed. In a preferred embodiment, a cartridge includes a plurality of segmented elastomeric projectiles, each with its own motion transfer member. A piston element which is deployed by expanding gases, includes a force transfer element which engages an overlying motion transfer member which, in turn, engages its overlying transfer member. As each transfer member engages an overlying transfer member, its projectile is severed into its constituent segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Inventor: Charles D. Widener
  • Patent number: 7207276
    Abstract: A non-lethal ammunition utilizes dense powder ballast and a two-stage firing sequence for launching non-lethal projectiles of a caliber range from approximately 5.56 mm through approximately 40 mm. The non-lethal ammunition comprises a non-lethal cartridge. The non-lethal cartridge comprises a dense powder ballast and one or more non-lethal projectiles. The dense powder ballast is more massive than the non-lethal projectile providing sufficient payload mass to operate the weapon mechanism while launching the non-lethal projectile at velocities compatible with non-lethal applications. A two-stage ignition system fires the non-lethal ammunition and subsequently fires the more massive dense powder ballast. The firing events are separated by a time delay of less than a second. The non-lethal ammunition provides non-lethal projectile capability for semi-automatic and automatic weapons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Frank Dindl
  • Patent number: 7194960
    Abstract: Projectile systems are provided herein employing an inhibiting and/or marking substance for impairing/marking a living target, such as a human or animal target. In preferred embodiments, the projectile system includes a generally frangible projectile that is optimally filled to at least about 50%, with the substance to be delivered to the target, such that the substance is radially dispersed into a cloud upon impact. In one implementation, the substance delivered comprises a powdered inhibiting substance, such as a powdered pepper. In one implementation, the powdered inhibiting substance comprises a substance having one or more capsaicinoids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: PepperBall Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Vasel, Scott C. Nunan, Gregory A. Niederhaus, Peter G. Coakley
  • Patent number: 7191708
    Abstract: A diversion grenade (200) comprising: a transparent body (102) in which is located one or more charges of flash material (104); an internal power supply (114); a control circuit (126) that is responsive to one or more inputs, the control circuit (126) producing one or more output signals; and an external user operated trigger (110) for initiating a user input for activating the grenade (200). The grenade (200) may also include tracer lights (122) and sound emitters (201).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Ouliarin
  • Patent number: 7173540
    Abstract: A flash-bang projectile that generates one or more noise pulses and one or more flashes of light. In generating a noise pulse, the flash-bang projectile provides a housing that includes a gas chamber that entraps air. The gas chamber includes a compression device that, when the flash-bang projectile is shot or otherwise ejected by a gun or other form of ejection device, compresses the air that is entrapped in the gas chamber. A burst disk forms one wall of the gas chamber and is configured to rupture a selected time delay after the air has been compressed. Rupturing of the burst disk releases the compressed air entrapped in the gas chamber, allowing the air to be released through a horn nozzle, thereby generating a noise pulse. The flash-bang projectile may have more than one gas chambers, with associated compression devices, whose burst disks are configured to rupture with diverse time delays, in which case the flash-bang projectile can generate multiple noise pulses with corresponding delays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Optical Alchemy, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Daigle, Heidi Burnham
  • Patent number: 7158362
    Abstract: An apparatus for interfering with locomotion by one or more targets being animal or human, uses a plurality of delivery circuits that each deliver current through any target of the one or more targets. The apparatus includes a capacitance, a switch, a trigger; and a control circuit that controls the switch. Each delivery circuit includes a respective transformer. The switch, in response to operation of the trigger, conducts energy discharged from the capacitance into the transformer of a first delivery circuit to enable operation of the first delivery circuit; and conducts energy discharged from the capacitance into the transformer of a second delivery circuit to enable operation of the second delivery circuit. The respective transformer provides the current causing contraction of skeletal muscles of the one or more targets, interfering with locomotion by the one or more targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Taser International, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick W. Smith
  • Patent number: 7143539
    Abstract: A weapon, according to various aspects of the present invention, includes a receiver, a trigger, and a cartridge store. The receiver receives a cartridge. The cartridge applies a deterrent force to the target. The trigger activates the cartridge. The cartridge store stores a plurality of provided cartridges. The cartridge store, then the trigger, and then the receiver are arranged in sequence proceeding linearly away from a user of the weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Taser International, Inc.
    Inventors: Milan Cerovic, David Dubay
  • Patent number: 7143699
    Abstract: A less lethal projectile to be fired from a launcher comprising a body having a concentric cavity to hold a fluid payload, a nose cap attached to the body, said nose cap having a plurality of slits therein, which will spread open upon impact, allowing the fluid to escape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: BNB Ballistics, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher V. Brock, Jaime H. Cuadros
  • Patent number: 7134978
    Abstract: This invention is utilizing the principle of repulsion between oil and water, the differences of surface tension of oil and water, and the character of melting of gelatin materials in high temperature and solidification in cold temperature to produce a biodegradable seamless BB paintball for BB guns. It contains a colored edible oil solution and is safe when it hits the target to produce an obvious mark that is edible. The seamless paintballs so produced are consistent in size and weight. It reduces the possibility of jamming during shooting and loading of BB guns which are common complaints of the conventional BB paintballs. A specially designed double nozzled machine can produce oil-in-water perfectly round and seamless droplets. The oil solution contains the dyes and the water solution contains a specially formulated gelatin. The droplets are then solidified by a chilled cooling oil flow. The oil solution comprises of 1%–5% (W/W) edible dye in edible oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Sagittarius Life Science Corporation
    Inventors: Suying Liu, Ming Cherng Chou, Hui Ying Chen
  • Patent number: 7121211
    Abstract: An ammunition projectile comprising a metal jacket containing a powder-based core incompletely filling the trailing end of the jacket, and a disc overlying the trailing end of the core within the jacket, the disc being frangible by reason of a plurality of indentations in at least one face of the disc. A method is claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Doris Nebel Beal Inter Vivos Patent Trust
    Inventor: Harold F. Beal
  • Patent number: 7114450
    Abstract: An electric shock bullet launching device includes a gun body and a magazine for receiving electric shock bullets. The magazine includes a power supply device and a charging device which charges the bullets. The magazine includes a hole in the underside thereof and is slidably connected to the body of the launching device so that the bullets are fed into a slot in a top of the body via the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventor: Weng-Ping Chang
  • Patent number: 7111559
    Abstract: A projectile for being launched from a hand-operable air gun includes a housing having a conductive sleeve and a rubber seal disposed at an end portion thereof. The device includes a strike plate including a conductive contact ring having apertures randomly spaced therethrough and spike members electrically coupled thereto. A conductive tip is attachable to the housing and includes flange portions extending therefrom. The device further includes a mechanism for oscillating the strike plate and a power supply source electrically coupled to the tip and the strike members respectively. The tip distributes a positive charge to the target and the strike members distribute a negative charge to the target, inducing a short circuit and thereby disabling an electronic control module of the target upon impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventor: Edward K. MacLachlan
  • Patent number: 7100514
    Abstract: An incapacitating piezoelectric projectile comprises a projectile body housing a piezoelectric element, at least one electrically conductive contact surface, and a means for coupling said piezoelectric element to said at least one electrically conductive contact surface. Projectile is arranged so that an impact will cause the piezoelectric element to discharge an electrical shock to the target through the at least one electrically conductive contact surface, thereby incapacitating the target. The projectile is particularly suitable for use in a method of instantly incapacitating human and non human targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Harrington Group Ltd.
    Inventor: John LeBourgeois
  • Patent number: 7096793
    Abstract: A projectile including a spherical core and a hook or loop outer cover, has an overall diameter, including the cover which is equal to or less than an internal diameter of a 68 caliber paintball gun for use in the gun in place of paintballs. The diameter of the projectile permits gravity fed, drop loading of projectiles into a conventional paintball gun barrel without an compression of the projectile being required whatsoever. The resultant small gap surrounding the projectile within the barrel permits some pressurized gas to escape around the projectile when firing, thus limiting the velocity of the projectile to a safer velocity for closer range use of conventional paintball guns. A gun is also described having a shuttle for pushing a projectile through the barrel thereof by action of a stretched resilient band. The barrel is sized similarly to a conventional 68 caliber paintball gun for firing either paintballs or the projectiles described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Barry Belog
  • Patent number: RE40482
    Abstract: A practice ammunition projectile comprises a head which bursts when the projectile strikes a target and contains a marking agent which optically indicates the point of impact after the head has burst. The marking agent consists of several chemical components (7, 8) which are each contained in separately breakable compartments (4, 5) within a burstable hood at the head of the projectile. When the compartments (4, 5) break open the compartments combine and undergo a chemical reaction which creates an optical mark. The hood is formed of an optically transparent material to enable the trajectory of the projectile to be tracked. An ammunition cartridge comprising a hollow projectile and a cartridge case with a propellant charge, the projectile comprising a projectile head designed to withstand the forces applied when the projectile is fired from a gun and designed to burst when the projectile strikes a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Nico-Pyrotechnik Hanns-Juergen Diederichs GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Detlef (Ted) Haeselich