Nonlethal Or Deterrent Patents (Class 102/502)
  • Patent number: 7096792
    Abstract: The invention is a circuit capable of being positioned in a variety of wireless projectile and of delivering a series of pulsed electric discharges in two wave frequencies so as to stun and disable a target individual. The projectiles are adapted to be discharged from a different types of devices and powered by explosive, pneumatic, or manual means. At least one mode includes the ability to deliver a stunning physical blow in addition to the electric shock. The device is sub-lethal, but totally disabling in effects on a target individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Brent G. Carman
  • Patent number: 7089864
    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: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Combined Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Brunn, Jacob Kravel
  • Patent number: 7089863
    Abstract: A non-lethal cartridge having sufficient discharge energy for use, without modification, in conventional firearms. When used with a firearm with a rifled barrel, the cartridge comprises a non-lethal projectile having a grooved outer surface and a dense powder ballast. Upon discharge, the dense powder ballast is dispersed. When used with a smooth bore firearm, the cartridge also comprises a cylindrical casing having rifling grooves on the inner surface thereof. These grooves will impose a spin on a projectile fired from the cartridge casing. The dense powder ballast will provide sufficient initial inertial mass to permit proper functioning of the firearm, but disperses and dissipates a portion of the discharge energy, simulating the recoil impulse and permitting the non-lethal projectile to simulate the trajectory of standard ammunition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Frank J. Dindl
  • Patent number: 7086337
    Abstract: Non-lethal ammunition for a riot gun includes a forwardly open casing, a projectile mountable in and dischargeable from the casing, a propellant cartridge extending into the casing interior, and a UV curable adhesive disposed in sealing relation about the propellant to effectuate uniform firing of the projectile. The projectile includes rearward and forward end portions each provided with a central cavity with the rearward cavity enclosing the cartridge, a weight in the forward cavity for balancing and increasing the mass of the projectile, and a subassembly carrying in a nose thereof a chemical payload or chemical agent, the subassembly including a stem sized for interference fitment within the forward cavity to secure the subassembly to the projectile and having a chamber for positioning the weight in the forward cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Inventor: John M. Klein
  • Patent number: 7075770
    Abstract: A hand-held stun gun incapacitates a human target by generating a series of powerful electrical output pulses of pulse energy of from 0.9 Joules to 10 Joules which generate a series of output current pulses have an RMS current flow of from 100 milliamps to 500 milliamps when the first and second output terminals are applied to a human target. A battery power supply includes an electronic switch, an energy storage capacitor and a transformer for converting low voltage, direct current into a series of high voltage output pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: TASER International, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick W Smith
  • Patent number: 7065915
    Abstract: An electric shock gun includes a barrel for receiving electrode bullets and a trigger which controls a firing device received in a rear end of the gun. The firing device includes an electric power source and a charging device. Each electrode bullet has two spines on a first end thereof and a conductive block on a second end and the firing device is electrically connected to the conductive block. Each electrode bullet includes a capacitor which is charged within a short period of time and connected to the spines and the conductive block. The electrode bullet goes out from the barrel by pulling the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Hung-yi Chang
  • Patent number: 7063021
    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: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Inventors: Neil Keegstra, Randy R. Fritz, Robin A. Fritz, Anthony Edward Kinchin
  • Patent number: 7055438
    Abstract: A flameless tracer/marker provides heat mark chemicals with optional chemlucents chemicals that can be carried and delivered by a projectile to mark a target. This marking payload may be carried by small, medium and large caliber projectiles that are part of ammunition items including 20 and 40 mm grenade launched, 90 mm, 105 and 120 mm tank, 60, 81 and 120 mm mortar and 105 and 155 artillery ammunition. This ammunition is gun launched and the projectiles can provide a heat trace to the target and/or upon impact with the target the projectile breaks or shatters and leaves a heat signature on the target for up to several hours. Included with these heat chemicals may be optional chemlucents. This heat mark may be placed into a lethal and non-lethal projectile. This allows heavy and light armor targets, vehicles, buildings and personnel to be marked without extensive damage to the target and without seriously injuring a person. The target may now be heat marked and chemlucent marked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Leon R. Manole, Stewart Gilman, Erinn Harbeck McCarthy, Steven Kelley, Remi Chian, Melissa Wanner, Ernest Logsdon
  • Patent number: 7025001
    Abstract: A “crash-bang” shotgun cartridge assembly has a projectile consisting of a weighty and frangible ballast on its leading edge, a flash-bang charge, and, in the rear, a delay fuse which is lit by the detonation of the propellant charge in the cartridge. The weight of the ballast insures greater stability in flight, and accuracy in targeting, thus extending the range of the crash-bang cartridge. In addition, the weighty and frangible ballast disintegrates into low mass, low energy (and therefore less-lethal) fragments when the flash charge detonates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Combined Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Brunn
  • Patent number: 7021219
    Abstract: A low-impulse, non-lethal telescoping cartridge for deployment of non-lethal ordnance. The cartridge includes a payload cup containing at least one non-lethal projectile. The payload cup is telescopically mounted upon a cartridge case base. When fired, the payload cup telescopes out from the base and releases the non-lethal projectiles at a non-lethal velocity. The telescoping feature of the cartridge allows the cartridge to be fired from an automatic weapon, such as a 40 mm MK19 grenade machine gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Frank J. Dindl
  • Patent number: 7017497
    Abstract: A paintball is preferably formed by forming a quantity of filling material into a desired shape and then freezing the shaped filling material. A shell material is preferably applied to the frozen filling material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Gardner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7013810
    Abstract: A projectile mainly for drug delivery comprises a tubular body casing 1 which defines a cavity 2 for containment of a tranquilizing drug. The casing has an end plug 3 which coaxially supports a hollow needle 4 projecting forward through an ogival nose cap 5. The delivery end 6 of the needle 4 projects a short way beyond the cap 5. Located around the needle 4 towards the tip of the nose cap 5 is a gas producing detonator 7 fired by an impact fuse 8. Attached to the detonator 7 and the needle 4 is the neck g of an inflatable bag 10 of which an opposed end 11 is attached to the plug 3. The rear end of the cavity 2 has a piston 12 the rear end of which communicates through concentric passageways 13 and ducts 14 with the interior of the bag 10. The nose cap 5 is of a readily breakable plastics material or designed to assist retardation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Richard Ian Brydges-Price
  • Patent number: 7007424
    Abstract: The invention is a multi-shot launcher adapted to launch ring airfoil projectiles. Each ring airfoil projectile is coupled to a sabot, the ring airfoil projectile and sabot mounted to a housing in a cartridge form. The cartridge has a length which is less than its diameter. The launcher includes a receiver defining a cartridge receiving area and a tubular passage through which the ring airfoil is launched from a fired cartridge. The launcher includes a trigger mechanism for firing a cartridge. The launcher includes an ejector for ejecting the housing of a spent cartridge from the receiving area and a loader for loading a new cartridge into the receiving area. The cartridge may be loaded from a magazine connected to the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventors: Chester Vanek, Abraham Flatau
  • Patent number: 7000524
    Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a projectile for small-bore weapons ammunition comprising the steps of producing a compact from a mixture of a heavy metal powder and a light metal powder at room temperature, and without further treatment of the compact, introducing the compact into a metal jacket, including pressing the compact into the jacket with a pressure sufficient to ensure substantially complete filling of a selected portion of the jacket by the compact. The compacts fill less that the entire volume of the jacket, leaving a portion of the jacket void of the compact. Prior to the pressing of the compact into the jacket, a disc having an outer diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of said jacket adjacent the open end thereof is introduced into the jacket. Thereafter, that portion of the jacket adjacent its open end is infolded toward the longitudinal centerline of the jacket to at least substantially close the open end of the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Doris Nebel Beal Inter Vivos Patent Trust
    Inventor: Harold F. Beal
  • Patent number: 6997110
    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: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Omnitek Partners, LLC.
    Inventor: Jahangir S. Rastegar
  • Patent number: 6957602
    Abstract: An apparatus for protecting an object from an incoming munition includes a tracking apparatus mounted on the object, for tracking the incoming munition; a firing solution computer connected to the tracking apparatus; a plurality of launch tubes mounted on the object, the plurality of launch tubes pointing in different directions so as to maximize coverage of an area surrounding the object; a parachute container attached to each launch tube; an igniter disposed in a rear of each launch tube and connected to the firing solution computer; a propelling charge disposed in front of each igniter; a mass disposed in front of each propelling charge; a connecting ring attached to a front of each mass; a parachute disposed in the parachute container; and a cable connecting the connecting ring and the parachute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Walter H. Koenig, Gregory Malejko, John C. Grau
  • Patent number: 6904838
    Abstract: A restraining net launching device includes a planar restraining net which is tightly packed into a cylindrical shape having an outside portion. This restraining net, when planar or unfurled, includes a perimeter which is heavier than a remainder of the net. A launcher is provided in which the packed net is loaded, and from which the packed net is launched toward a target when desired. The launcher includes rifling which engages the outside portion of the packed net during launching. A source of propelling gas is used for propelling the tightly packed restraining net out of the launcher during launching. When the launching device is fired, the rifling of the launcher engages the outside portion of the packed restraining net to cause the tightly packed restraining net to rotate about the longitudinal axis and hence to unfurl after exiting the launcher with the heavier perimeter radially outermost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Frank J. Dindl
  • Patent number: 6899034
    Abstract: A projectile is provided, in accordance with the present invention that includes a gas seal, a wad absorption zone, a core hull, a mass of projectile core particles within the hull and an actuator member. The hull is a cylindrical member having an open end and made from a material, such as soft plastic, that is characterized by the ability to peel back upon itself on impact, thereby releasing the mass of core particles after impact. The actuator, is releasably fixed to the hull open end, has an exterior side and an interior side and one or more stem members projecting into the mass of core particles. Upon impact, the actuator is released from the hull open end and continues to be propelled forward, along with the core particles. When the projectile impacts a target, the hull peels backward upon itself thereby releasing the actuator and the mass of projectile core particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventors: Charles H. Glover, Susan O. Hartley
  • Patent number: 6892983
    Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-hijacking system. In one embodiment, the anti-hijacking system is used in an airplane to provide forceful contact to disarm, disable, immobilize or otherwise incapacitate a hostile intruder who has entered the cockpit. The anti-hijacking system includes one or more inflation devices, such as deployable air bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Inventor: Philip Kneisl
  • Patent number: 6889612
    Abstract: A long-distance blast banger including a cartridge loaded with a blast banger made up from plastic material. The blast banger encompasses a sound explosives cup and a delay cup. The sound explosives cup is loaded with a sound explosives agent having components including perchloryl potassium, magnesium powder and aluminum powder. A sufficient sound value is acquired through appropriate compacting of the sound explosives cup, and therefrom realizes uniform shattering of the cup into small fragments that are insufficient to cause injury. Furthermore, at least two helical grooves extending from a bottom to a top of the cartridge are defined on an inner wall thereof, and ear attachments are configured on a base of an outer wall of the blast banger so as to correspond with the helical grooves, thereby engendering a spinning stability effect during flight time of the blast banger, reducing wind resistance, and thus increasing flight range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: The 204th Arsenal, Material Production Center Armement Bureau
    Inventors: Joey Liaw, Kuei-Fu Fan, Shi-Xing Chang, Shu-Fang Chen
  • Patent number: 6880466
    Abstract: The invention is a circuit capable of being positioned in a variety of wireless projectile and of delivering a series of pulsed electric discharges in two wave frequencies so as to stun and disable a target individual. The projectiles are adapted to be discharged from a different types of devices and powered by explosive, pneumatic, or manual means. At least one mode includes the ability to deliver a stunning physical blow in addition to the electric shock. The device is sub-lethal, but totally disabling in effects on a target individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventor: Brent G. Carman
  • Patent number: 6877434
    Abstract: Two distinct projectile stages are employed in a projectile configured to be fired at a remote target from a rifle, grenade launcher, gas gun or the like. A first stage comprises a pair of wire tethered contact darts for applying an immobilizing electrical discharge to the target. The second stage comprises a battery, circuits, transformer and wires used to generate a high voltage pulsed signal and apply it to the contact darts in the first stage. The higher mass of the second stage impacts the lower mass first stage at launch causing the first stage to be propelled to the target while the slower second stage hits the ground short of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: James F. McNulty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6871595
    Abstract: This invention describes a method to psychologically alter the mental state of a target individual or audience by introducing odors to illicit memory in combination with a robust, coordinated audiovisual scheme, which results in the susceptibility to change their behavior. The odorant compositions are formed from ingredients comprised of at least an odorant compound and a carrier liquid. Preferred odorant compounds include a variety of familiar odors which provide the olfactory stimuli required to be effective. Non-lethal dissemination systems to deliver the odorant to the target individual or group are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventor: Jean Marie Lewis
  • Patent number: 6862994
    Abstract: An electric shock gun includes a barrel and a trigger which controls a firing device received in a rear end of the gun. The firing device includes an electric power source and a charging device. At least one electrode bullet in the barrel and has two spines on a first end thereof and a conductive block on a second end and the firing device is electrically connected to the conductive block. The at least one electrode bullet includes a capacitor which is charged within a short period of time and connected to the spines and the conductive block. The electrode bullet goes out from the barrel by pulling the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Hung-yi Chang
  • Patent number: 6862995
    Abstract: A bean bag (15) installable in a cartridge for use as a less-lethal projectile in striking a target without killing or seriously injuring the target. A doubled-back open-sleeved configuration (27) of the fabric-constructed material includes a compartment in a shorter portion (33) interiorly disposed to a longer portion (36) of the opened-sleeved configuration (27), pellets (23) pre-measured by weight substantially filling the compartment (22). The length (26) of the open-sleeved configuration of the material for the bean bag 15 is determined by weight rather than by its length. The shorter portion (33) and longer portion (36) are fastened together as at (34) thereby determining the size of compartment 22 for the weighted pellets (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: James T. Kerr
  • Patent number: 6856250
    Abstract: A remotely-locatable tracking device and system is presented for use with a projectile that contacts a mobile target. The device is particularly useful with hunting arrows that contact a target animal. The device detaches from the arrow and attaches to the animal upon impact. The device is preferably comprised of a passive transponder and the system preferably uses a handheld transceiver to locate the transponder attached to the target animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: Randy Hilliard
  • Patent number: 6854374
    Abstract: A net is made from an explosive resistant material such as KEVLAR and is thrown over an explosive-laden device such that the net helps contain the blast force of the explosive-laden device. The net also has a nozzle that is fluid connected to a fire suppressant agent as well as a high density foam, each of which are discharged through the nozzle once the net is thrown over the explosive-laden device, the fire suppressant agent and the high density foam each helping to minimize the blast force of the explosive-laden device. The net can be thrown manually or can be fired from a gun that uses either pneumatic force or a firing cartridge to propel the net at its target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: O. Alan Breazeale
  • Publication number: 20040255813
    Abstract: A bean bag (15) installable in a cartridge for use as a less-lethal projectile in striking a target without killing or seriously injuring the target. A doubled-back open-sleeved configuration (27) of the fabric-constructed material includes a compartment 22 in a shorter portion (33) interiorly disposed to a longer portion (36) of the opened-sleeved configuration (27), pellets (23) pre-measured by weight substantially filling the compartment (22). The length (26) of the open-sleeved configuration of the material for the bean bag 15 is determined by weight rather than by its length The shorter portion (33) and longer portion (36) are fastened together as at (34) thereby determining the size of compartment 22 for the weighted pellets (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: James T. Kerr
  • Patent number: 6820560
    Abstract: Non-killing cartridge manufactured of cloth and metal shots to be used as forcible measures and fired with a firearm. The metal shots are arranged into shot bags, and the cartridge may be packed into a shell of a conventional firearm. When firing with a firearm, the cartridge first flies one meter in the packed form, whereafter it opens. Upon hitting, its area is sufficiently big so that no penetration occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Juha Romppanen
  • Patent number: 6802262
    Abstract: A neuromuscular disrupter gun and associated projectile. The projectile contains a capacitor, having its dielectric made from liquid. The gun charges the projectile prior to discharge from the gun of the projectile. The projectile holds the charge in flight and discharges on impact. To provide appropriate contact points, the projectile either carries contact wires or is designed to open and emit the liquid upon impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Thomas J. Warnagiris, Drew L. Goodlin
  • Patent number: 6802261
    Abstract: A neuromuscular disrupter gun and associated projectile. The projectile contains a capacitor, having either its dielectric or its plates made from liquid. The gun charges the projectile prior to discharge from the gun of the projectile. The projectile holds the charge in flight and discharges on impact. To provide appropriate contact points, the projectile is designed to open and emit the liquid upon impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Thomas J. Warnagiris, Drew L. Goodlin
  • Patent number: 6782828
    Abstract: A highly pliant projectile intended to be deployed from a firearm is adapted to be elongated during transit through the firearm. The propellant gases act upon a piston element which is coupled to a force transfer member that is positioned in a cavity within the projectile body so that propulsion forces are applied to the forwardmost part of the projectile, causing it to elongate, thereby reducing its diameter so as not to interfere with the walls of the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Charles D. Widener
  • Patent number: 6779463
    Abstract: A non-lethal payload delivery assembly for use with a launching device having a non-lethal payload releasably contained in a carrier assembly. The carrier assembly being openable upon application of a deploying force to deploy the non-lethal payload after the carrier assembly and the non-lethal payload are launched as a unit from the launching device. An openable sabot assembly releasably contains the carrier assembly during before and during launch. The sabot assembly configured to absorb launch forces that exceed the strength of the carrier assembly alone independent of the sabot assembly. A payload deployment system connected to the carrier assembly is activatable after separation of the carrier unit from the sabot assembly following launch. The payload deployment system opens the carrier assembly for deployment of the non-lethal payload away from the carrier assembly and before reaching the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Armtec Defense Products Company
    Inventors: Enrico R. Mutascio, Paul D. Heidenreich, James M. Krushat, Bogdan I. Vladescu
  • Patent number: 6772694
    Abstract: A control agent delivery system useful for dispersing a pesticide, herbicide, fungicide or other biocide around a target or target area that is not directly accessible or that is hazardous to the user. The system includes a separable, two-part projectile containing a control agent disposed in a powder, liquid or gel dispersal medium, together with a gas-propelled, projectile launching device. A method of use of the subject system that causes the projectile to perform differently, depending upon the manner of launch, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: NCH Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Clarence Pearce, III, Dale Vilmer Kiplinger
  • Patent number: 6755133
    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: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Brunn, Jacob Kravel
  • Patent number: 6752086
    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: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventors: Jacob Kravel, Michael Brunn
  • Publication number: 20040089187
    Abstract: A neuromuscular disrupter gun and associated projectile. The projectile contains a capacitor, having either its dielectric or its plates made from liquid. The gun charges the projectile prior to discharge from the gun of the projectile. The projectile holds the charge in flight and discharges on impact. To provide appropriate contact points, the projectile is designed to open and emit the liquid upon impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Thomas J. Warnagiris, Drew L. Goodlin
  • Publication number: 20040089186
    Abstract: A non-lethal projectile or a projectile for delivery of a substance (optional) has a tubular body casing (1) which surrounds a compartment (2) for containment of the substance. The compartment (2) coaxially supports a hollow tube (5) projecting forward within an ogival nose cap (8). An inflatable membrane (7) is located within the nose cap (8). On target impact the nose is displaced and permits a small amount of substance from compartment (2) to bleed through opening (6) allowing piston (4) to move forward uncovering ports (16). This action allows pressure gas to pass through the ports (16) and ducts to inflate the membrane (7). The piston is also free to move forward to discharge the substance through needle (5). The bag (7) thus expands rapidly and prevents excess penetration whilst spreading the impact energy over a wide area. The construction avoids the need for a charge to be contained within the projectile itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Richard Ian Brygdes-Price
  • Patent number: 6722283
    Abstract: A non-lethal projectile includes a projectile body; a fuze disposed in a rear of the projectile body; an expelling charge disposed adjacent the fuze; a wad disposed adjacent the expelling charge; a dense powder ballast disposed adjacent the wad; a non-lethal payload disposed adjacent the dense powder ballast; and an end cap disposed on a front end of the projectile body; wherein the expelling charge expels the dense powder ballast and non-lethal payload and reduces the forward kinetic energy of the projectile body and the fuze to one of a near non-lethal or non-lethal level such that as the projectile body and the fuze travel from a burst point to a target impact a residual kinetic energy of the projectile body and the fuze is non-lethal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Frank J. Dindl, Curtis D. Johnson, Piotr Frey
  • Publication number: 20040069177
    Abstract: Non-lethal ammunition for a riot gun includes a forwardly open casing, a projectile mountable in and dischargeable from the casing, a propellant cartridge extending into the casing interior, and a UV curable adhesive disposed in sealing relation about the propellant to effectuate uniform firing of the projectile. The projectile includes rearward and forward end portions each provided with a central cavity with the rearward cavity enclosing the cartridge, a weight in the forward cavity for balancing and increasing the mass of the projectile, and a subassembly carrying in a nose thereof a chemical payload or chemical agent, the subassembly including a stem sized for interference fitment within the forward cavity to secure the subassembly to the projectile and having a chamber for positioning the weight in the forward cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: John M. Klein
  • Patent number: 6688234
    Abstract: A paint ball land mine comprising multiple PVC parts detonates and marks simulated casualties. The mine may be easily field stripped by hand. The mine forcibly detonates in response to physical contact without unbalancing, so that tilting forces that otherwise misaim the mine are avoided. A rigid cylindrical two-part base threadably receives a removable top. A sealed interior for holding colored fluid is defined therebetween. A gas cartridge housed vertically interiorly of the base may be detonated when forced into contact with a puncture pin. An integral, upwardly projecting dome mounts a detonator assembly, comprising a tubular plunger that slidably contacts the cartridge when fired. Escaping gases pressurize the mine interior, forcing colored liquid upwardly and outwardly through multiple discharge passageways that are angled acutely to aim fluid away from the center. A removable safety pin, temporarily engaging the plunger, may be “pulled” to “set” the mine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Paintball Combat LLC
    Inventors: Eric D. Huber, Michael E. Huber
  • Patent number: 6688555
    Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-hijacking system. In one embodiment, the anti-hijacking system is used in an airplane cockpit to provide forceful contact to disarm, disable, immobilize or otherwise incapacitate a hostile intruder who has entered the cockpit. The anti-hijacking system includes one or more inflation devices, such as deployable air bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Philip Kneisl
  • Patent number: 6679180
    Abstract: A neuromuscular disrupter gun and associated projectile. The projectile contains a capacitor, having either its dielectric or its plates made from liquid. The gun charges the projectile prior to discharge from the gun of the projectile. The projectile holds the charge in flight and discharges on impact. To provide appropriate contact points, the projectile either carries contact wires or is designed to open and emit the liquid upon impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Thomas J. Warnagiris, Drew L. Goodlin
  • Patent number: 6675789
    Abstract: A control agent delivery system useful for dispersing a pesticide, herbicide, fungicide or other biocide around a target or target area that is not directly accessible or that is hazardous to the user. The system includes a separable, two-part projectile containing a control agent disposed in a powder, liquid or gel dispersal medium, together with a gas-propelled, projectile launching device. A method of use of the subject system that causes the projectile to perform differently, depending upon the manner of launch, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: NCH Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Clarence Pearce, III, Dale Vilmer Kiplinger
  • Patent number: 6655294
    Abstract: A bean bag (15) installable in a cartridge for use as a less-lethal projectile in striking a target without killing or seriously injuring the target. A doubled-back open-sleeved configuration (27) of the fabric-constructed material includes a compartment 22 in a shorter portion (33) interiorly disposed to a longer portion (36) of the opened-sleeved configuration (27), pellets (23) pre-measured by weight substantially filling the compartment (22). The length (26) of the open-sleeved configuration of the material for the bean bag 15 is determined by weight rather than by its length. The shorter portion (33) and longer portion (36) are fastened together as at (34) thereby determining the size of compartment 22 for the weighted pellets (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: James T. Kerr
  • Patent number: 6644203
    Abstract: An explosive device (10) comprising: and explosive charge body (12) including an explosive charge and detonator (21); a housing (22) attached to the explosive charge body (12); and a length of electrical or non-electrical non-pyrotechnic firing line (26) having a first (28) and second end (32) the majority of which is stored within the housing so as to permit progressive removal from the housing on pulling the first end (28) thereof, and which is attached at the second end (32) to the detonator (21). The explosive device (10) can be used in a versatile manner for avalanche control, can allow a degree of positioning after initial deployment and provide safe operation yet is easily handleable, readily deployed and compact, and negates the hazards associated with the use of pyrotechnic delay fuze.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Kevin Mark Powell
  • Publication number: 20030183114
    Abstract: A less lethal ammunition round (10) includes a highly pliant projectile (24) that may impregnated with fine heavy particles. The projectile has an interior void (32) into which is placed a force transfer member (30) that engages an interior surface at the forward end of the projectile in front of the center of gravity. Upon ignition of a powder charge, a piston (26) in the cartridge chamber engages the transfer member which, in turn, elongates the projectile as the projectile forward end is driven, pulling the remainder of the projectile, reducing its diameter. This allows a release from the cartridge and passage through the barrel of the weapon from which it is being fired. Stabilizing fins (39) at the projectile base deploy as the projectile exits the muzzle. A breaching round is impregnated with a greater weight of heavy particles and its transfer member has an initial large diameter portion and a terminal smaller diameter portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Charles D Widener
  • Patent number: 6619211
    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 components 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Nico-Pyrotechnik Hanns-Juergen Diederichs GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ted Haeselich
  • Patent number: 6615739
    Abstract: The invention provides aerodynamic projectiles that include a projectile shell having an aerodynamic structure and a controlled center of gravity, which exhibit improved aerodynamics and resulting accuracy, and which are suitable for non-lethal uses. Methods of making such aerodynamic projectiles also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Perfect Circle Paintball, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary E. Gibson, Michael A. Varacins
  • Patent number: 6598807
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a casing with an opened end for receiving a liquid and a holding end where the liquid is stored. Between the open end and the holding end there narrow neck. A ball is placed into the opened end of the casing, so that lodging the ball into the neck will seal the neck area so that the liquid contained within the holding area will remain in the holding area until the ball is dislodged upon impact. Attached to the opened end of the casing is a nozzle. The nozzle serves two purposes, first it assures that the liquid contained within the casing does not quickly run out of the device upon impact minimizing the spray area covered by the liquid. Additionally the nozzle contains a number of holes distributed throughout the surface of said nozzle, so that the passage of liquid through the nozzle will cause the device to flail erratically, further maximizing the area sprayed by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: John Anzalone