U.S. patent application number 10/116246 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-10 for combination device to launch non-lethal projectiles using a detachable, disposable container.
Invention is credited to Lindahl, John C..
Application Number | 20020144446 10/116246 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26814038 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020144446 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lindahl, John C. |
October 10, 2002 |
Combination device to launch non-lethal projectiles using a
detachable, disposable container
Abstract
A combination of a launcher and at least one disposable
container. The disposable container contains at least one cylinder
loaded with a projectile, propellant, and igniter. It snaps into
place into a launcher base. The launcher base has a trigger to
ignite the propellant igniter, hence, fire the projectile down a
cylinder toward a target. The launcher base may be concealed in a
tool or other device or it can resemble a grip, trigger, and butt
of a standard weapon.
Inventors: |
Lindahl, John C.;
(Wilmington, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael E. Mauney
Attorney at Law
Post Office Box 10266
Southport
NC
28461
US
|
Family ID: |
26814038 |
Appl. No.: |
10/116246 |
Filed: |
April 4, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60282091 |
Apr 5, 2001 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/1.16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 9/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/1.16 |
International
Class: |
F41C 009/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A combination of a launcher and a disposable container for
launching a non-lethal projectile comprising: (a) a generally
elongated disposable container loaded with at least one non-lethal
projectile, propellant, and propellant igniter; (b) a launcher base
having a bore and a means for removably receiving said disposable
container and holding it in place in said bore in said launcher
base; (c) said launcher base having a means for triggering said
propellant igniter in said disposable container.
2. A combination of a launcher and a disposable container for
launching a non-lethal projectile of claim 1 wherein said
projectile is constructed of a resilient, deformable material
whereby said projectile is non-lethal in its effects when
discharged from said disposable container by said propellant.
3. A combination of a launcher and a disposable container for
launching a non-lethal projectile of claim 2 wherein said launcher
is sized and shaped in a particular fashion to be concealed as part
of a particular item whereby, to an outside observer, said launcher
would not appear to be capable of launching a non-lethal
projectile.
4. A combination of a launcher and a disposable container for
launching a non-lethal projectile of claim 3 wherein said bore is
open at a first end a nd closed at a second end and said disposable
container is loaded into said launcher by inserting into said first
open end of said bore.
5. A combination of a launcher and a disposable container for
launching a non-lethal projectile of claim 4 wherein said launcher
base is sized and shaped in a particular fashion to replace a end
cap on a particular flashlight.
6. A combination of a launcher and a disposable container for
launching a non-lethal projectile of claim 4 wherein said launcher
base is incorporated in a police baton type club.
7. A combination of a launcher and a disposable container for
launching a non-lethal projectile of claim 2 wherein said
disposable container contains more than one projectile, more than
one propellant, and more than one propellant igniter whereby said
launcher base may be used to successively trigger said propellant
igniter so that more than one non-lethal projectile may be launched
from said launcher before there is a need to remove said disposable
container from said launcher base.
8. A combination of a launcher and a disposable container for
launching a non-lethal projectile of claim 7 wherein said launcher
base is constructed with a pistol grip, trigger, and hammer.
9. A combination of a launcher and a disposable container for
launching a non-lethal projectile of claim 7 wherein said launcher
base has a butt for shoulder mounting of said launcher base.
10. A combination of a concealable launcher and a disposable
container for launching a non-lethal projectile comprising: (a) a
launcher base of a particular size and shape, said launcher base
having a bore therein and said particular size and shape of said
launcher base is constrained to fit within a pre-existing
particular item; (b) a generally elongated, disposable container
having at least one cylinder loaded with at least one non-lethal
projectile, propellant, and propellant igniter; (c) in said first
bore in said launcher base, a means for removably receiving said
disposable container and holding it in place in said first bore in
said launcher base; (d) a means for triggering said propellant
igniter in said disposable container, said means for triggering
located in said launcher base whereby said launcher base is
constrained to fit within a particular item in a manner that
conceals the function of said launcher base, so that said
disposable container may be loaded into said first bore in said
launcher base and said launcher base within a particular item can
launch a non-lethal projectile.
11. A combination of a concealable launcher and at least one
disposable container for launching a non-lethal projectile of claim
10 wherein said particular item is a flashlight.
12. A combination of a concealable launcher and at least one
disposable container for launching a non-lethal projectile of claim
10 wherein said particular item is a police baton.
13. A combination of a concealable launcher and at least one
disposable container for launching a non-lethal projectile of claim
10 wherein said at least one cylinder, said at least one non-lethal
projectile, propellant, and propellant igniter is pre-loaded within
said at least one cylinder with said at least one cylinder having a
length twice as long as said at least one pre-loaded non-lethal
projectile.
14. A combination of a concealable launcher and at least one
disposable container for launching a non-lethal projectile of claim
13 wherein said bore has a first open end and a second closed end
and said disposable container is loaded into said launcher base by
inserting said disposable container into said first open end of
said first bore in said launcher base.
15. A method for firing at least one non-lethal projectile
comprising: (a) pre-loading a disposable container with at least
one non-lethal projectile, propellant, and propellant igniter; (b)
inserting said disposable container into a launcher base through a
first bore in said launcher base; (c) using a trigger in said
launcher base to ignite said propellant igniter and said propellant
to propel said at least one non-lethal projectile from said
disposable container.
16. A method for firing at least one non-lethal projectile further
comprising steps of forming said launcher base to be a particular
size and shape, said particular size and shape of said launcher
base constrained to fit within a pre-existing particular item
whereby said launcher base becomes a part of said pre-existing
particular item.
17. A method for firing at least one non-lethal projectile of claim
16 wherein said disposable container is formed with a cylinder
having a length at least twice a length of said at least one
preloaded non-lethal projectile.
18. A method for firing at least one non-lethal projectile of claim
17 wherein said launcher base is sized and shaped to replace an end
cap on a flashlight.
19. A method for firing at least one non-lethal projectile of claim
17 wherein said launcher base is sized and shaped to be
incorporated as part of a police baton type club.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This invention was described in my provisional patent
application No. 60/282,091, accorded a filing date of Apr. 5,
2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to devices for launching
non-lethal projectiles. More specifically, this relates to a
system, apparatus, and method that uses detachable disposable
containers pre-loaded with a non-lethal projectile and a propellant
and an igniter. The disposable pre-loaded containers may be used
with a variety of launcher apparatus and may be easily disguised or
concealed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] For several decades, both the law enforcement community and
the military have had a need for a weapon that will knockdown or
disable an opponent or arrestee, but not kill him under ordinary
circumstances. This type of force is often called "less lethal".
This term recognizes that any force, if applied improperly or to a
person unusually susceptible, could be lethal in nature. In this
application we will use the term "non-lethal" to apply to a weapon
or device that, if used properly on a person of ordinary physical
condition and susceptibility, will not be lethal. That, however,
does not mean that under any circumstances or when applied to any
person, the weapon will always have non-lethal results.
Consequently, a variety of devices have been devised to meet the
need for a non-lethal weapon. One type of device uses an electrical
shock. This can either be applied directly to the person, or there
are devices that project wires with electrodes at the end of the
wires which, when they strike a person against whom the device is
employed, a charge passes through the wires into the electrodes and
into the body of the person, disabling him. A second type of device
uses a chemical. Typically, this is some kind of irritating
chemical that may cause some sort of reaction in the person against
whom the device is employed. These include such things as pepper
sprays, tear gas, or MACE. There is a third type of device that
uses some sort of propellant to launch a projectile. Broadly
speaking this would include fire hoses or water cannon, but also
includes such guns that launch a bean bag or rubber bullet. Water
cannon use something with a relatively large mass, water, launched
at a relatively low velocity to knock a person down, but ordinarily
it does not produce any lethal result. As the size of the
projectile is reduced, a careful balance must be struck between the
velocity of the projectile, its mass, and its hardness. If a
relatively small projectile like the size of a ball bearing is
projected at a high enough velocity to result in a sufficient
impact to be disabling, then it is likely to penetrate the body
with lethal results.
[0004] Another type of traditional non-lethal force can be applied
by such things as billy clubs, batons, and similar riot control
gear. A problem with these kinds of devices is that the officer
must be within relatively close range to apply force. That is, the
officer must be close enough to actually strike a blow with the
club in order to be effective.
[0005] Moreover, a problem that arises in law enforcement
applications is that an officer responding, for example, to a
domestic disturbance may not be aware of whether non-lethal force
will need to be employed. The officer typically carries with him
radios, regular weapons, tools like flashlights, as well as pens,
papers, pencils and the like, and a billy club. The need to employ
or to project a non-lethal force at a distance may arise very
quickly. The officer can hardly be expected to load or reload his
sidearm with non-lethal projectiles. Ideally, the non-lethal
projectile launcher should be light, easily concealed and quickly
and readily employed as required.
[0006] Ludaesher et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,559 proposes an
attachment to a firearm which will dispense chemical fluid such as
tear gas or pepper gas. The canister is attached to the firearm by
a bracket and is oriented along the direction of the firearm
barrel. The officer may use the device by using a plunger button
adjacent to the trigger guard. Saxby US Publication #200125584
proposes a non-lethal projectile that includes an outer casing with
a plurality of balls contained within the casing. The outer casing
deforms in the gun barrel, but regains its shape when it exits the
gun barrel. Cuadros, U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,809 proposes a dedicated
launcher mechanism which fires a projectile which increases in size
during flight or impact. This spreads the force over a larger area
on the target to provide a better knockdown effect without body
penetration. A type of non-lethal ammunition is sold in the
marketplace under the brand name of "Thumper". This "Thumper"
ammunition is a soft nosed plastic projectile fired from a
conventional emergency flare, no breech launcher. The "Thumper"
ammunition does not use a barrel assembly from the launcher,
rather, the soft nosed projectile in the "Thumper" is crimped onto
the ammunition. It is believed that this soft nosed plastic
projectile used in a "Thumper" is highly inaccurate. Donnard, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,077,147 discloses an underwater ammunition which uses a
long thin dart-like projectile sealed within the ammunition casing.
When the propellant is ignited, it pushes a piston forward forcing
the dart-like projectile out the sealed end of the ammunition. The
ammunition is sealed to prevent leakage of water into the
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Despite this earlier work, there is still a need for a
simple, easily operated combination launcher and disposable
container to launch a non-lethal projectile. In this invention the
launcher is a base to hold and ignite the disposable container. The
disposable container can be shaped like a conventional weapon
barrel, pre-loaded with propellant, igniter, and projectile. The
pre-loaded container is simply placed in the base launcher which
has means for triggering the pre-loaded igniter. When triggered,
the igniter causes the propellant to react in a way that produces a
force on the projectile to force it down a barrel in the disposable
container and toward the target. The projectile can be any
convenient non-lethal projectile such as a rubber bullet, a bean
bag, or similar non-bullet projectile. The launcher is loaded from
the front and is easily concealed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1A shows in cut-a-way a single barrel container
embodiment with a launcher base of this invention for mounting in
the butt of a flashlight.
[0009] FIG. 1B shows the device assembled for use in a
flashlight.
[0010] FIG. 1C shows the device in a police baton.
[0011] FIG. 2A shows a hand-held "pistol" embodiment with a
potentially multi-cylinder disposable container mounted in a
pistol-like launcher base.
[0012] FIG. 2B shows the multi-cylinder disposable container seen
from the front.
[0013] FIG. 3 discloses a shoulder-mounted embodiment of the
disposable container/launcher device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1A shows in cut-a-way the non-lethal, disposable
container and launcher (5) in an exploded view as it might be
mounted in the butt of a flashlight (10). This embodiment
illustrates one of many ways the launcher (50) may be made part of
an existing tool or device. In FIG. 1A the flashlight (10) is shown
in dotted lines because it is not part of the invention. Within the
container of the flashlight (10) is a battery (12). Typically, a
law enforcement officer will carry a multi-battery flashlight
attached or clipped to his belt. At one end of the flashlight (10)
is a reflector and lamp (14) seen in FIG. 1B. At the other end of
the flashlight (10) there is a screw cap (not shown) with a spring
which seals the battery (12) within the flashlight (10). Replacing
the screw cap on the end of the flashlight (10) is the launcher
(50). In this embodiment the launcher (50) is a small, generally
cylindrically-shaped device which has screw threads (52) and a
spring (54) so that the screw threads (52) thread into the
receptacle threads (not shown) on the flashlight (10) with the
spring (54) pressing against the battery (12) completing the
electrical connection for the operation of the flashlight (10). For
a flashlight use, the launcher (50) will be smaller than the
reflector and bulb end (14) of the flashlight (10), but of a
generally similar size and shape. Shown within the launcher (50) is
a bore (56). The bore (56) is designed to receive the disposable
container (100). The launcher (50) is shown with a laser (60)
powered by a battery (64) which can be used as a sighting device
for the non-lethal projectile (110). The disposable container (100)
slides within the bore (56) and clicks into place. Here, the
disposable container (100) is generally a cylinder (102) shape. For
most applications, that will be the shape of the disposable
container (100) but, for reasons of concealment or camouflage,
other shapes could be used. The disposable container (100) could
have more than one cylinder (102) therein. A variety of
technologies could be employed to fix the disposable container
(100) within the bore (56) in the launcher (50). These could
include lugs on the base of the disposable container (100) with
matching grooves or recesses in the bore (56). At the bottom of the
launcher (50) is a trigger (70) mechanically connected to a firing
pin (74) by a trigger connection (72). Pre-loaded within the
disposable container (100) is an igniter, here shown as a
percussive cap (130) which ignites pre-loaded propellant (120) to
propel the non-lethal projectile (110) down the cylinder (102) to a
target. The propellant (120) will ordinarily be a gun powder-type
of explosive propellant which is ignited by the percussive cap
(130), which itself ignites when struck by the firing pin (74). The
firing pin (74) uses a spring (76) to force the firing pin (74)
forward to strike the percussive cap (130) to ignite the propellant
(120). The firing pin (74) is cocked by a spring (82) loaded
plunger (80) which is cocked as the disposable container (100) is
loaded into the bore (56). It will be readily appreciated by one of
skill in the art the various triggering, cocking, and firing pin
mechanisms are more a matter of a convenience for the designer than
a matter of necessity in the invention. For example, an electrical
triggering mechanism could be used instead of the mechanical firing
pin (74) shown in FIG. 1A. Obviously, the device needs a mechanism
that when triggered will fire the non-lethal projectile (110) from
the disposable container (100), but exactly how that is
accomplished is a matter of design choice.
[0015] Most conventional single shot weapons load from the breach.
For example, a single shot shotgun will ordinarily have a latch
which breaks the weapon open so that a shotgun shell may be loaded
in the breach end of the barrel. The barrel snaps back into place
so that the weapon is ready for firing. That is in contrast to this
invention where the disposable container (100) serves the purpose
not only as the ammunition that is loaded into a single shot
weapon, but also as the barrel of the single shot weapon. When the
disposable container and launcher (5) of this invention is built
into a pre-existing device like a flashlight (seen in FIGS. 1A and
1B), a police baton (seen in FIG. 1C), or some other device breach
loading is both impractical and makes more difficult the
concealment of the launcher (50) in the pre-existing device.
Moreover, by inserting the disposable container (100) into the
launcher (50) from the front serves the double purpose of not only
loading but cocking the firing pin (74) as seen in FIG. 1A. Where
the concealment is of great value the trigger (70) itself could be
recessed or concealed until the disposable container (100) is
loaded into the launcher (50), which could then "cock" the trigger
(70), as well as the firing pin (74) as is shown in FIG. 1A. The
front loading design means the launcher (50) can be made as a one
piece simple device without latches or other ways to break open the
launcher (50) for loading as is required in a conventional single
shot shotgun, tear gas launcher, flare gun, or such similar
devices.
[0016] In an ordinary hand gun or rifle, the barrel and firing
chamber must be strong enough to stand considerable forces created
by the large powder charge necessary to propel a heavy lead or
other metal projectile through the barrel down the rifling to be
accurate over matter of sometimes hundreds of yards and lethal at
that same distance. These same requirements of strength are not
necessary for the current invention. Here, the disposable container
(100) need not be made with the kind of strength that a barrel and
firing chamber would have in an ordinary pistol or rifle. Here, the
non-lethal projectile (110) is apt to be much lighter than a metal
or lead projectile of the same size, hence, not nearly as much
propellant (120) is required. Consequently, the same kinds of
pressure will not be developed within the disposable container
(100) or within the launcher (50) as would be the case in the
firing chamber and barrel of a rifle or pistol.
[0017] Shown in FIG. 1B is the non-lethal, disposable container and
launcher (5) in an exploded view mounted in the butt end of a
flashlight (10). Here, the launcher (50) will simply be screwed
onto the end of a flashlight (10) as shown by the arrow and be
ready for use. When the need arises for subduing an unruly suspect,
an enraged spouse in a domestic disturbance, or other street
disturbances, the officer need only take one of the disposable
containers (100), load it into the launcher (50), as shown by the
arrow, use the laser aiming device (60) and the trigger (70) to
launch the projectile (110) to project non-lethal force against a
suspect many feet away. The launcher (50) will remain in place on
the end of the flashlight (10), will be unobtrusive, and will add
little extra weight or equipment to a police officer's belt. A
carrying case on a belt can contain a small pack of the disposable
containers (100), so that if repeated shots are required, it will
be a simple matter of removing one disposable container (100) and
placing another in place. The act of reloading will be no more
difficult than reloading any single shot weapon. However, here, the
single shot is not a cartridge, but rather the entire container
(100). The compact and uncomplicated nature of the launcher (50)
makes it very unobtrusive and can be used where it is necessary for
concealment of the weapon. For example, undercover officers,
airport or airplane security personnel may have a need for a
readily available, non-lethal weapon which does not appear to be a
weapon. The launcher (50) could be concealed in the bottom of a
metal coffee cup or otherwise disguised as part of some ordinary
innocuous piece of equipment. FIG. 1C shows the launcher (50)
mounted in a police baton (300). Here, the disposable container
(100) is shown mounted within the launcher (50) and ready for
launching by using the trigger (70). The launcher (50) will have
little effect on the weight or balance of the police baton (300),
but will enable the police baton (300) to use a disposable
container (100) to project non-lethal force at a considerable
distance from the officer when required. As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B
and 1C, the disposable container (100) has a single load. However,
multiple loads could be packed within the disposable container
(100). When ignited the non-lethal projectile (110) first travels
down a length of a cylinder (102). Ordinarily the cylinder (102)
will be at least twice the length of the non-lethal projectile
(110). This assures better accuracy of the non-lethal projectile
(110) as well as increasing the efficiency of the propellant (120)
in accelerating the non-lethal projectile (110).
[0018] FIG. 2A shows the non-lethal disposable container and
launcher (5) in a different embodiment. Here, the launcher (50) is
built into a mechanism resembling the butt and trigger part of a
pistol. The launcher (50) has a trigger (70) and trigger guard (71)
as part of the pistol-like mechanism. There is a grip (400), which
will be held in the conventional manner by a user. Here, the
disposable container (100) may be a large cylindrical shape. It
will be appreciated that multiple cylinders (102), each pre-loaded
with a non-lethal projectile (110), propellant (120), and
percussive cap (130) could be mounted within the larger disposable
container (100) as shown in FIG. 2B. It will be readily appreciated
that the disposable container (100) will snap into place in the
bore (56) using the connector (150), which is held in place in the
launcher (50) by any conventional means. Here, the disposable
container (100) with multiple cylinders (102) therein serves a
purpose similar to bullet chambers in a standard revolver (not
shown) and the barrel (not shown) of a standard revolver. Thus, the
disposable container (100) could have multiple individual cylinders
(102) bundled therein and spaced around the periphery of the
disposable container (100) as shown in FIG. 2B. As the trigger (70)
is pulled a mechanism (not shown) would rotate cylinders (102)
spaced around the larger disposable container (100) into place so
that the percussive cap (130) will be hit by the firing pin (74)
igniting the propellant (120). Successive non-lethal projectile
(110) could be launched until each cylinder (102) was fired, thus,
until the deposable container (100) is empty. Then the disposable
container (100) can be replaced with fresh, fully loaded disposable
container (100). It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art
that this disposable container (100) could also have one large
cylinder (102) with one percussive cap (130) with either multiple
load of non-lethal projectiles (110) to be fired at one time, or
one larger non-lethal projectile (110). FIG. 2B shows from the
front the disposable container (100) with multiple cylinders (102)
mounted therein. Each cylinder (102) will be pre-loaded with a
separate non-lethal projectile (110), a propellant load (120) and a
percussive cap (130). This allows the user to fire successive
non-lethal projectiles (110) until the disposable container (100)
is empty where it can quickly be exchanged for a loaded disposable
container (100). When necessary, a disposable container (100) can
be quickly loaded into place in the bore (56) on the launcher (50)
enabling the owner to project non-lethal force accurately and
quickly.
[0019] It is believed the embodiment of the non-lethal, disposable
container and projectile launcher (5) shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B will
find its widest application in crowd control or prison
applications. Here, there is little need to conceal the non-lethal,
disposable container and projectile launcher (5). In a prison or
riot setting, a lethal weapon could be captured by an inmate. Then
the lethal weapon would be a threat to guards or police. Here, the
non-lethal, disposable container and projectile launcher (5) is
non-lethal and can be used only once. It cannot be reloaded by an
inmate, hence, carries minimum threat to guards or police if
captured by a prisoner or rioter.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows a non-lethal disposable container and launcher
(5) in a third embodiment. Here, the launcher (50) is mounted in a
mechanism that resembles the shoulder mount, trigger, trigger guard
and lock portion of a single shot rifle or shotgun. There is a
trigger (70), and a shoulder stock (200). As before, the disposable
container (100) is mounted into place by inserting the disposable
container (100) into a bore (56) in the launcher (50) where it
locks into place using any convenient means. The trigger (70) fires
at least one non-lethal projectile (110) from the disposable
container (100). As with the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, there
could be multiple cylinders (102), hence multiple shots within the
disposable container (100) or it could be a single load. The use of
shoulder-mounted launcher permits a larger disposable container
(100) to launch a larger number of non-lethal projectiles (110) or
a single large non-lethal projectile (110) from the disposable
container (100).
[0021] Here, the disposable container and projectile launcher (5)
have many advantages over non-lethal projectile weapon rounds,
which are frequently used in lieu of standard ammunition in a
standard lethal weapon like a pistol, rifle or shotgun, First, it
obviates the need for a lethal weapon. Hence, it can be safely
carried into volatile situations without the fear associated with a
lethal weapon that the weapon could be turned on the officer or
guard. Second, the disposable container (100) is pre-loaded, once
fired, and is useless and discarded. Third, this invention
recognizes that to fire a non-lethal projectile (110) at
appropriate velocities does not require the degree of strength and
engineering in a launcher (50) that is required in a lethal weapon
that fires high energy lethal ammo. Consequently, the launcher (50)
can be made more simply and less expensively than would an
equivalent lethal weapon. The length of the cylinder (102), when
compared with the length of the non-lethal projectile (110),
permits greater accuracy than "Thumper" types of non-lethal
ammunition. Further, the launcher (50) may be easily concealed and
does not look like a standard weapon. It is unlikely to be
recognized as such, which can be an important advantage in
undercover law enforcement applications. It will be readily
appreciated by one of skill in the art that the various locking,
triggering, and advancing mechanisms that may be used in the
launcher (50) for igniting a load within the disposable container
(100) are a matter of choice to one of skill in the art. It will be
readily appreciated by one of skill in the art that there can be
other departures from the design choices made in the preferred
embodiment described above, and that what is described above is not
by way of limitation but by way of description. The only
limitations are contained in the claims, which follow.
* * * * *