U.S. patent application number 09/982081 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-05 for generation non-lethal and lethal projectiles for arms.
Invention is credited to Ramaswamy, Alba Lalitha.
Application Number | 20020178960 09/982081 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22911417 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020178960 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ramaswamy, Alba Lalitha |
December 5, 2002 |
Generation non-lethal and lethal projectiles for arms
Abstract
A projectile for use with a cartridge case comprising a nose
having a nose chamber, a tail end disposed adjacent the nose and
having a tail end chamber, a partition separating the nose chamber
and the tail end chamber, and a valve being disposed in the
partition and providing fluid communication from tail end chamber
to the nose chamber.
Inventors: |
Ramaswamy, Alba Lalitha;
(Washington, DC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GLEN L. GROSS
SHLESINGER, ARKWRIGHT & GARVEY L L P
3000 SOUTH EADS STREET
1751 Pinnacle Drive
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Family ID: |
22911417 |
Appl. No.: |
09/982081 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60241613 |
Oct 19, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
102/439 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 12/46 20130101;
F42B 12/36 20130101; F42B 12/625 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
102/439 |
International
Class: |
F42B 010/00; F42B
012/00; F42B 030/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A projectile for use with a cartridge case comprising: a nose
having a nose chamber; a tail end disposed adjacent the nose and
having a tail end chamber; a partition separating the nose chamber
and the tail end chamber; and a valve being disposed adjacent the
partition and providing fluid communication from the tail end
chamber to the nose chamber.
2. The projectile, as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a
propellant disposed within the tail end chamber.
3. The projectile, as recited in claim 2, wherein: the tail end has
an orifice and when the propellant is burned, a gas is produced and
the gas vents through the orifice.
4. The projectile, as recited in claim 2, further comprising: a
payload disposed within the nose chamber.
5. The projectile, as recited in claim 4 wherein: the payload
ejects out from the nose chamber after the projectile is fired out
of the cartridge case.
6. The projectile, as recited in claim 4, wherein: the payload is a
chemical agent.
7. The projectile, as recited in claim 4, wherein: the payload is
an object made of rubber.
8. The projectile, as recited in claim 4, wherein: the payload is a
balloon.
9. The projectile, as recited in claim 8, wherein: a chemical agent
is disposed within the balloon.
10. Ammunition, comprising: a cartridge case having a primer being
disposed in a first chamber of the cartridge case and a first
propellant being disposed in a second chamber of the cartridge
case; a projectile having at least one orifice disposed on a rear
wall, a nose chamber, a rear portion chamber and a valve allowing
fluid communication from the rear portion chamber to the nose
chamber; the projectile being at least partially disposed in the
cartridge case with the at least one orifice being disposed
adjacent the first propellant, wherein the at least one orifice
allows fluid communication between the second chamber of the
cartridge case and the rear portion chamber; a second propellant
being disposed in the rear portion chamber; and a payload being
disposed in the nose chamber, wherein upon ignition of the primer
causes the second propellant to deflagrate and produce a gas, which
flows through the valve at a predetermined pressure, and the
payload is pushed out of the nose cavity by the gas.
11. The ammunition, as recited in claim 10, wherein: the payload is
a balloon.
12. The ammunition, as recited claim 11, further comprising: a
chemical agent disposed within the balloon.
13. The ammunition, as recited in claim 12, wherein: the chemical
agent is at least one of a malodorant, an irritant and laughing
gas.
14. A projectile for being disposed in a cartridge case having a
first propellant disposed within a chamber, the projectile
comprising: a nose; a tail being disposed adjacent to the nose, the
tail having a tail cavity and a rear wall with at least one
orifice; and a second propellant being disposed in the tail cavity,
wherein the second propellant is ignitable by the first propellant
via the at least one orifice, the second propellant produces a gas
after being ignited and the gas exits the at least one orifice.
15. The projectile as recited in claim 14, wherein: the nose is
made of rubber.
16. The projectile as recited in claim 14, wherein: the nose is
integral with the tail.
17. A method of using a weapon against a target, comprising: firing
a projectile out of the weapon toward the target; ejecting a
payload from the projectile; and, impacting the target with the
payload, wherein the ejecting the payload occurs after the
projectile exits the weapon and prior to the impacting the
target.
18. The method, as recited in claim 17, wherein: the payload is a
balloon.
19. The method, as recited in claim 17, wherein the ejecting step
comprises: generating a gas in the projectile by deflagrating a
propellant in the projectile; and exerting a pressure on the
payload from the gas.
20. The method, as recited in claim 17, further comprising:
propelling the projectile toward the target after the firing step
by generating a gas in the projectile by deflagrating a propellant
disposed in the projectile and venting the gas out of the
projectile.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional
application 60/241,613 filed Oct. 19, 2000, which is herein
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] This invention is directed towards projectiles for use in
connection with ammunition for weapons or arms of different
calibers, and in particular, to non-lethal and lethal
projectiles.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] There are numerous prior art non-lethal and lethal
projectiles that are being used in connection with various types of
ammunition for shooting from weapons.
[0006] FIG. 12 displays prior art ammunition 202 made of
conventional design. The ammunition 202 includes a cartridge case
204 and a projectile 206 or bullet in this particular design. A
primer 208 is disposed within a cartridge chamber of the base of
the cartridge case 204. A propellant 210 is disposed within a
forward chamber of the cartridge case 204. The operation of this
type of ammunition is well known. In particular, when a firing pin
of a weapon, not shown, strikes the primer 208, the primer ignites
and produces hot decomposition gases which go through the vent hole
212 and ignite the propellant 210. As the propellant 210
deflagrates, a hot gas is produced within the cartridge case 204.
As the amount of hot gas produced increases, pressure and
temperature is built up within the cartridge case 204 which expands
its walls to a point where the projectile 206 is suddenly forced
out and ejected from the cartridge case 204. The projectile 206 is
propelled through the barrel of the weapon, not shown, with a
momentum determined by the pressure of the hot gases accumulated in
the cartridge case 204.
[0007] Standard projectiles or bullets are generally a solid
material and often made of metal. Additionally, for non-lethal
situations, some weapons have been custom designed to fire
particular non-lethal ammunition, wherein the projectile is made of
rubber or the like, in an attempt to immobilize but not to kill the
intended target. Standard projectile and ammunition have numerous
disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A disadvantage of conventional ammunition, is that the
projectiles contained therein are propelled or launched in the
direction of firing only by the propellant within a cartridge
case.
[0009] An additional disadvantage of standard ammunition having a
projectile is that they lack the versatility to be able to deploy a
payload from the projectile after being fired and before hitting a
target.
[0010] Further, conventional attempts to make non-lethal
projectiles for ammunition have many short comings. For example,
some so-called non-lethal ammunition, wherein the projectile is
made of rubber, may severely injure or even kill an individual if
the target is at close range or if a bystander accidentally comes
in the line of fire of the weapon at close range.
[0011] Further, standard so-called non-lethal ammunition often
require custom made guns or devices for firing the ammunition.
[0012] This invention provides a projectile and ammunition that
overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and in particular.
[0013] This invention provides a projectile having a self-contained
propellant.
[0014] This invention provides a projectile having a chamber for
containing a propellant that provides additional thrust for the
projectile in addition to the thrust provided by a propellant
within a cartridge case of the ammunition.
[0015] This invention provides a system of launching a payload
against the target, from a projectile during its flight in the
direction of the target.
[0016] This invention further provides a projectile that has the
ability to deploy a payload after being fired from a weapon.
[0017] This invention provides a projectile that includes a chamber
for a propellant and another chamber for a payload.
[0018] This invention also provides a non-lethal projectile.
[0019] This invention provides a non-lethal projectile containing a
propellant that provides additional thrust for propelling of the
projectile towards the target during the flight of the
projectile.
[0020] This invention further provides a non-lethal projectile that
deploys a payload to incapacitate or irritate an intended
target.
[0021] This invention further provides a non-lethal projectile
having a balloon, which is inflated with gases produced by a
burning propellant contained wherein the projectile.
[0022] This invention also provides a non-lethal projectile wherein
a payload is ejected out of the projectile by the pressure of a gas
produced by a burning propellant within the projectile.
[0023] This invention further provides a non-lethal projectile that
deploys a balloon, which provides a "slapping" or "punching" effect
upon impact with the target.
[0024] This invention further provides a non-lethal projectile,
which includes a balloon containing a chemical agent, wherein the
balloon once deployed from the projectile releases the chemical
agent upon impact with the target.
[0025] This invention further provides a projectile having a
self-contained propellant and a chamber for a payload to be
deployed out of the projectile, wherein the projectile is to be
used with standard cartridge cases.
[0026] This invention provides a non-lethal projectile for a
cartridge case that can be fired from a standard weapon.
[0027] This invention further provides a non-lethal projectile that
can be fired at a target at close range without seriously injuring
or killing the target.
[0028] The invention may be described as a projectile for use with
a cartridge case comprising a nose having a nose chamber; a tail
end disposed adjacent the nose and having a tail end chamber; a
partition separating the nose chamber and the tail end chamber; and
a valve being disposed in the partition and providing fluid
communication from the tail end chamber to the nose chamber.
[0029] The invention also provides ammunition, comprising a
cartridge case having a primer being disposed in a first chamber of
the cartridge case and a first propellant being disposed in a
second chamber of the cartridge case; a projectile having at least
one orifice disposed on a rear wall, a nose chamber, a rear portion
chamber and a valve allowing fluid communication from the rear
portion chamber to the nose chamber; the projectile being at least
partially disposed within the cartridge case with the at least one
orifice disposed adjacent the first propellant, wherein the at
least one orifice allows fluid communication between the second
chamber of the cartridge case and the rear portion chamber; a
second propellant being disposed or contained in the tail chamber;
and a payload being disposed or contained in the nose chamber,
wherein upon ignition of the primer causes the second propellant to
deflagrate and produce a gas, which, flows through the valve at a
predetermined pressure, and the payload is pushed out of the nose
cavity by the gas.
[0030] The invention further includes a projectile adapted to be
disposed in a cartridge case having a first propellant disposed
within a chamber, the projectile comprising a nose; a tail being
disposed adjacent to the nose, the tail having a tail chamber and a
rear wall with at least one orifice; and a second propellant being
disposed in the tail chamber, wherein the second propellant is
ignitable by the first propellant via the at least one orifice, the
second propellant produces a gas after being ignited and the gas
exits the at least one orifice.
[0031] The invention also includes a method of using a weapon
against a target, comprising firing a projectile out of the weapon
toward the target; ejecting a payload from the projectile; and
impacting the target with the payload, wherein the ejecting the
payload occurs after the projectile exits the weapon and prior to
the impacting the target.
[0032] These and other features and advantages of this invention
are described in or are apparent from the following detailed
description of various exemplary embodiments of the projectiles,
ammunition and methods according to this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] Various exemplary embodiments will be described in detail,
with reference to the following figures, wherein:
[0034] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment
of ammunition according to this invention;
[0035] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment
of a projectile after being fired from a weapon, according to this
invention;
[0036] FIG. 3 is an end view of the projectile of FIG. 2, according
to this invention;
[0037] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of alternative exemplary
embodiment of an ammunition, according to this invention;
[0038] FIGS. 5-8 are illustrations of the ammunition of FIG. 4
through various stages of deployment, namely, prior to firing the
ammunition, exiting of a projectile from a cartridge case, the
inflation of a balloon and the balloon exiting the projectile,
according to this invention;
[0039] FIG. 9 illustrates another alternative exemplary embodiment
of an ammunition, according to this invention;
[0040] FIG. 10 illustrates the deployment of a payload from the
projectile of FIG. 9, according to this invention;
[0041] FIG. 11 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of a
projectile, according to this invention; and
[0042] FIG. 12 displays a prior art ammunition with a conventional
projectile.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0043] FIG. 1 displays a cross-sectional view of an exemplary
embodiment of ammunition 2, according to this invention. The
ammunition 2 includes a cartridge case 4 and a projectile 6 of
appropriate caliber and a primer 14. The cartridge case 4 can be
any conventional or standard casing of any desired caliber. Thus,
it is not necessary for the cartridge case to be identical to the
case illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0044] The cartridge case 4 includes a first chamber 8 and a second
chamber 10. The chambers 8 and 10 may also be referred to as
cavities or compartments and may be of various shapes and sizes.
The second chamber 10 is an open cylindrical chamber. The cartridge
case 4 also has a vent hole 12 that provides fluid communication
between the first chamber 8 and the second chamber 10.
[0045] A primer or primer cup 14 is disposed within the first
chamber 8. A propellant 16 is disposed within the second chamber
10. The propellant 16 in various exemplary embodiments is of a
powder form. Sealing foil and filler wads, not shown, may also be
provided in the cartridge case 4 as in some standard cartridge
cases.
[0046] The primer 14 ignites when struck by a firing pin, not
shown. The primer 14 is any standard primer. The ignition of the
primer causes the production of hot gaseous decomposition products
which pass through the vent hole 12 and ignite the propellant 16
just as in standard ammunition. The propellant 16 can be any
suitable standard propellant or powder.
[0047] It should be appreciated that the cartridge case 4 can also
be of a "rim priming" design, wherein the primer is distributed
around the periphery of the base or any other design that is fired
by a weapon and propels a projectile out of the case and the
weapon.
[0048] The projectile 6 is partially housed within the chamber 10.
The projectile is disposed adjacent to the propellant 16.
[0049] Similar to standard ammunition, as the propellant 16 is
ignited, the burning of the propellant 16 will produce a gas, which
expands rapidly creating a great pressure to force the projectile 6
out of the cartridge case 4. The cartridge case 4 is held back in
the weapon and the projectile will travel out of the barrel of the
weapon into its flight.
[0050] The projectile 6 includes a nose portion 18 and a tail
portion 20. The nose portion 18 and the tail portion 20 are
integral with one another. In other various exemplary embodiments,
the nose portion 18 and the tail portion 20 may be separate
portions attached together.
[0051] The nose portion 18 and the tail or rear portion 20 form two
chambers within the projectile 6, namely the nose chamber 22 and
the tail chamber 24, respectively. The chambers 22 and 24 may also
be referred to as cavities, compartments or the like. The nose
chamber 22 and the tail chamber 24 are separated by a partition 26
with a hole. The partition 26 extends across the cross-section of
the projectile 6. The partition is integral with the projectile 6.
In other various exemplary embodiments, the portion can be inserted
and attached to the projectile 6.
[0052] A valve 28 is disposed in a hole of the partition 26. The
valve 28 provides fluid communication from the tail chamber 24 to
the nose chamber 22. In various exemplary embodiments, the valve 28
is a micro-valve. In various exemplary embodiments, the valve 28 is
a pressure-relief valve wherein when pressure is built-up in the
tail chamber 24 to a predefined threshold, the valve 28 will allow
a fluid within the tail chamber 24 to flow into the nose chamber
22. The valve 28 is only schematically represented in the attached
figures and can be of any standard design.
[0053] A propellant 30 is disposed within the tail chamber 24. The
propellant 30 is of powder form. It should be appreciated that the
propellant 30 can be any conventional explosive powder or
propellant that is capable of deflagrating. The propellant 30 is
the same type of propellant as the propellant 16. In other various
exemplary embodiments, the propellant 30 can be of a different type
of propellant than the propellant 16.
[0054] The tail portion 20 includes a rear wall 32 of the
projectile 6. The rear wall 32 includes at least one orifice. In
the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, several orifices 34 are
illustrated. The orifices 34 allow fluid communication between the
second chamber 10 and the tail chamber 24. When the primer 14 is
detonated, the hot gases and a detonation front pass through the
vent hole 12, to ignite the propellant 16. The propellant 16
contained in the second chamber 10 burns, and the burning front of
the propellant 16 progresses and gases are developed creating a
great pressure within the second chamber 10. When the burning front
reaches the orifices 34, it will pass through the orifices 34 and
ignite the propellant 30 contained in the tail chamber 24 of the
projectile 6. As the ignition of the propellant 30 takes place, the
projectile 6 is forced out of the cartridge case 4 due to the
enormous pressure build up by the gases of the burnt propellant 16
in the second chamber 10.
[0055] As the propellant 30 is being ignited, some of the gas that
is being generated by the burning propellant will escape through
the orifices 34. The gas that is generated from the burning of the
propellant 30 will not escape through the valve 28 until a
particular threshold pressure is reached. The pressure threshold of
the valve 28 is designed to be lower than the constant steady state
pressure created by the gas from the burning of propellant 30
within the tail chamber 24. Once the pressure threshold of the
valve 28 is reached, gas will continue to escape through the
orifices 34, but the gas will also suddenly escape through the
valve 28 into the nose chamber 22.
[0056] As the pressure builds within the tail chamber 24 from the
gas buildup as a result of the burning of the propellant 30, the
gas that is exiting through the orifices 34 will provide additional
thrust to the projectile 6. Thus, the gas escaping from the orifice
34 act as a "booster" for the projectile 6. This "booster effect"
will further increase the range of projectile 6 from the range that
the propellant 16 provides for the projectile 6.
[0057] A payload 36 is disposed in the nose chamber 22. The payload
36 shown in FIG. 1 is a solid material. The payload 36, in this
embodiment, is similar to a standard projectile or slug. It should
be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the
payload 36 may take-on other various shapes and forms. For example,
the payload 36 may be a solid metallic slug, a solid rubber soft
slug, a powdered substance such as a chemical agent, an inflatable
device, or the like.
[0058] The payload 36 will be pushed forward by the gases escaping
from the tail chamber 24 into the nose chamber 22 through the valve
28. The pressure or the force of the gas passing through the valve
28 will force the payload 36 through the walls of the nose 18 of
the projectile. The nose 18 may be made of various materials, such
as plastic or paperboard tube. It should be appreciated that other
materials may also be used. The nose portion 18 is designed to open
up to allow the payload 36 to escape. The nose portion 18 will open
up or break apart as the payload 36 is pressed against the walls of
the nose 18. FIG. 2 displays the projectile 6 with the propellant
30 burnt completely and the payload 26 already ejected from the
nose chamber 22. FIG. 2 also displays wall portions 38 of the nose
18 in the opened or broken apart state. The nose 18 is designed to
break apart at predetermined score lines, which separate the wall
portions 38.
[0059] Before the projectile 6 can be propelled the first ignition
of the propellant 16 within the second case chamber 10 must start.
The time for the projectile 6 to exit the barrel is the amount of
time necessary to burn the propellant 16. The distance the
projectile will travel is dependent upon the amount of the
propellant 16 in the second chamber 10 less the amount of
propellant 30 in the tail chamber 24. An appropriate size or
diameter of the orifices 34 can be determined by the quantity of
gas necessary to enter the tail chamber 24 to ignite the propellant
30, which is dependent on the propellant type and temperature and
pressure of the gases released from the propellant 16. FIG. 3
displays an end view of the projectile 6. The distribution of the
orifices 34 is uniform. The orifices 34 are arranged in three
concentric circles with equidistant orifices in each circle. It
should be understood that the number and arrangement of the
orifices 34 can vary depending on the propellant type and the
desired result of the projectile performance. For example, in
various exemplary embodiments, there is only one orifice. In
various exemplary embodiments, the orifices 34 are about 50 microns
in diameter.
[0060] It should be appreciated that various types of propellants
are used for launching a projectile towards a target at different
ranges and various types can be used for the propellant 16 and the
propellant 30. Modern smokeless propellants usually fall into one
of two basic categories, simple base and double base. These
designations describe the chemical make-up of the propellants, with
single base propellants consisting of nitro-cellulose and double
base of a combination of nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine. Within
the two primary categories, there are a wide range/variety of
powder types defined by geometry or shape. Regardless of the type
of powder, its suitability to a given task is determined by its
burning rate. The burning of the powders/ propellants can be
controlled to suit the needs of a small case calling for "fast"
powder or a large magnum type case calling for a very "slow"
burning powder. Aside from very minor chemical differences, the
burning rates of various types of propellants is largely controlled
by the size and shape (surface area) and the use of different
coatings such as dinitrotoluene (DNT). The coatings are applied to
the kernels of the powder in varying degrees to control the burning
characteristics of the finished product.
[0061] The propellant type will affect the velocity of the
projectile. Further, for these various propellant types, there are
ballistic tables available to determine the energy/power delivered
at various distances from the muzzle end of a barrel of weapon from
where the flight of the projectile starts. The energy (kinetic
energy) of a projectile can be determined by the following formula
(without considering the wind effects and gravitational forces):
K.E.=mv.sup.2/2, where m is the mass of the projectile and v is the
velocity of the flight of the projectile.
[0062] The projectile 6 may be considered to be a composite bullet
having a payload and a certain quantity of propellant. The
projectile 6 in various exemplary embodiments may be considered a
bullet for use with a cartridge case for a small firearm or
rifle.
[0063] FIG. 4 displays a cross-sectional view of an alternative
exemplary embodiment of an ammunition device 62, according to this
invention. The ammunition 62 is similar to the aforementioned
projectile 2 with the exception of the payload within the
projectile. Particularly, the ammunition 62 includes a cartridge
case 64 and a projectile 66.
[0064] The cartridge case 64 is identical to the cartridge case 4
described earlier. Particularly, the cartridge case 64 includes a
first case chamber 68 and a second chamber 70. The cartridge case
64 also includes a vent hole 72 that provides fluid communication
between first chamber 68 and the second chamber 70. A primer cup 74
is disposed in the first chamber 68. A propellant 76 is disposed in
the second chamber 70 and may be held in with a sealing foil and
filling wads, not shown. The operation of the primer 74 and
propellant 76 is similar to that described above for cartridge case
4.
[0065] The projectile 66 is the same as the projectile 6 described
above, except for the payload. Particularly, the projectile 66
includes a nose end 78 and a tail end 80. The nose 78 and tail 80
each form a chamber, namely, a nose chamber 82 and a tail chamber
84, respectively. A partition 86 having an orifice is disposed
between the nose 82 and the tail 84. A valve 88 is disposed in the
orifice of the nose chamber 82. The valve 88 is similar to the
valve 28 described above
[0066] A propellant 90 is placed in the tail chamber 84. A rear
wall 92 includes at least one orifice. A plurality of orifices 94
may be disposed within the rear wall 92, as shown in FIG. 4 and
described above.
[0067] The operation of the deflagration of the propellant 90 is
the same as described earlier for the propellant 30. Similar to the
embodiment described above, a payload 96 is disposed within the
nose chamber 82. However, in this alternative embodiment, the
payload 96 is a balloon. The balloon 96 includes a collar 98 having
an orifice 100. The collar 98 is pressed onto the valve 88. The
orifice 100 and valve 88 are in fluid communication. As described
earlier, the gas generated within the tail chamber 84 will travel
through the valve 88 and enter the balloon 96 through the orifice
100. As the gas fills the balloon 96, the balloon 96 becomes
inflated and exerts a pressure on the walls of the nose 78 until
eventually the nose 78 opens out allowing the balloon 96 and the
collar 98 to escape from the nose chamber 82. The sequence of this
transition is shown in FIGS. 5-8.
[0068] Particularly, FIG. 5 shows the ammunition 62 prior to
firing.
[0069] FIG. 6 displays the ammunition 62 just after the primer 74
has been detonated and the propellant 76 ignited with the
projectile 66 exiting the cartridge case 64. It is noted that the
projectile 66 is shown in cross-section. At this stage, the
propellant 76 is still deflagrating. The propellant 90 provides
additional thrust for the projectile 66 by the gases escaping
through the orifice 94. The gases generated from propellant 90 also
inflate the balloon 96 .
[0070] FIG. 7 displays a cross-sectional view of the projectile 66
at the state at which the balloon 96 is almost completely inflated
and at a moment when the nose chamber 82 opens up. The nose 78 may
break open in a manner similar to that of the opening of the petals
of a flower by way of wall portions 102. Meanwhile the projectile
66 continues to travel as indicated by the arrows 106.
[0071] FIG. 8 displays a cross-sectional view of the projectile 66
at the instant when the balloon 96 is exiting the projectile 66.
The balloon 96 will separate from the projectile 66, which falls
off while the balloon 96 continues traveling in the direction it
was fired (arrows 106) until its kinetic energy has dissipated. It
should be appreciated that the balloon 96, in various exemplary
embodiments, may separate from the projectile 66 at close ranges,
such as for example, five meters. The five meter distance has been
considered as a safe distance for non-lethal incapacitation. This
range is achieved with an appropriate amount of mass and type of
propellant.
[0072] The balloon 96 is made of a soft material such as elastomer
or synthetic rubber. It should be appreciated that other materials
may be used for the balloon.
[0073] As the balloon 96 impacts a target, at least a portion of
the gas within the balloon escapes and thus a large flat surface
will effectively impact force onto the target. Thus, the balloon
will have an innocuous effect if it hits any soft areas of the
head. However, the balloon 96 will still have enough energy to
impart a strong "slapping" blow to the target with no severe damage
or injury to the target. This embodiment allows the projectile to
be fired from a weapon and have a non-lethal effect at a relatively
close distance from the weapon.
[0074] In this exemplary embodiment, a chemical agent 104 is
disposed within the interior of the balloon 96, as shown in FIG. 4.
Upon impact with the target, at least a portion of the gas within
the interior of the balloon 96 as well as the chemical agent 104
will escape. The chemical agent 104 may be designed to incapacitate
the intended target. The chemical agent 104 may be a variety of
agents, such as, but not limited to, malodorants, an irritant,
laughing gas, or other chemical to produce a desired effect. It
should be appreciated that the chemical agent 104 is not necessary
in all embodiments.
[0075] The chemical agent 104 escapes the balloon through the
orifice 100. It should be appreciated that the balloon 96 may be
designed with a particular material or wall thickness, such that
the balloon 96 is inflated to a point where the balloon 96 reaches
its limit of elastic deformation (i.e. its elastic modulus) before
the balloon 96 releases from the projectile 66. To achieve this
inflation point, it should be appreciated that the appropriate
amount of propellant 76 and an appropriate amount of force to hold
in the collar 98 in the nose chamber 82 will be dependent on the
material used for the balloon 96. With such an arrangement, this
type of balloon 96 would be designed to burst upon hitting its
intended target thus releasing the chemical agent within the
balloon.
[0076] In standard weapons, such as, but not limited to, guns or
rifles, long pitch helical grooves are machined inside the barrel
wall, which causes the projectile to emerge from the barrel with a
spinning or rotary action. Thus, when used in conventional weapons
having helical grooves, the projectile 66 will be caused to rotate
during the travel in the barrel and thus, when the balloon 96 is
ejected from the projectile 66 it will also have a rotating action,
which will allow the balloon 96 to remain in its trajectory.
[0077] The projectile of this invention is tailored to travel with
a certain velocity and distance to hit a target with a certain
calculated impact to incapacitate the target. The intended result
is controlled by varying the quantity and type of propellant in the
cartridge case and in the tail chamber of the projectile.
[0078] A projectile made in accordance with this invention and
including a balloon as described above, is able to rapidly
incapacitate an individual with no resulting severe injuries to the
individual and with no risk to the firearm shooter, since the
shooter will be hitting the individual from a distance. If the
intended target is holding a weapon, the projectile may be fired
towards the hand of the target, which will cause the target to drop
the weapon.
[0079] FIG. 9 displays another alternative embodiment of ammunition
122, in accordance with this invention. This embodiment displays
one of the various projectile designs that may be used with
standard cartridge cases. Any standard projectile shape may be
utilized with this invention. The ammunition 122 is identical to
ammunition 2 described above, except for the shape of the
projectile. The ammunition 122 includes a cartridge case 124 and a
projectile 126. The projectile 126 has a flat nose profile.
Particularly, the projectile 126 includes a nose 128 and a tail end
130. Nose 128 and tail end 130 are separated by a partition 132, as
shown by a hidden line. The projectile 126 includes a lid 134.
[0080] FIG. 10 displays an instant in time after the firearm has
been fired and the projectile 126 has left the cartridge case 124.
The spacing between the case 124 and the projectile 126 shown in
FIG. 10 is not intended to indicate any specific lapse of time in
connection with the deployment of the payload 136 from the
projectile 126. In this embodiment, the payload 136 is a balloon.
It should be appreciated that numerous other payloads may be
utilized, as described above. As the payload is forced out of the
nose portion 128, the lid 134 will be forced away from the nose
portion 128 so that the payload 136 can escape from the projectile
126.
[0081] FIG. 11 displays a cross-sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of a projectile 150. The projectile 150 includes a nose
end 152 and a tail end 154.
[0082] The projectile 150 is similar to the projectile embodiments
previously described, except for the nose end 152.
[0083] The tail end 154 includes a chamber 156. A propellant 158 is
disposed within the chamber 156. Orifices 160 are disposed in a
rear wall 162. The propellant 158 is ignited in a similar manner to
that previously described. That is, a burning front from another
propellant within a cartridge case passes through the orifices
160.
[0084] The difference with this embodiment is that the nose end 152
does not include a chamber having a payload. The "payload" is the
nose end 152. Thus, the tail end 154 will act as a "booster" to
provide additional thrust to the nose when the propellant 158 is
deflagrating.
[0085] It should be appreciated that a projectile, according to
this invention, may be extended to a variety of weapons, such as,
but not limited to, small firearms, grenade launchers, large
caliber firearms (e.g. artillery) or the like. Further, it should
be appreciated that a projectile, in accordance with this invention
may be used with different caliber sizes. Further, for non-lethal
applications, the caliber size may be chosen according to the
incapacitation required, i.e. riot control, one-to-one police force
intervention, or military, etc.
[0086] While this invention has been described in conjunction with
the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the embodiments of the
invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, but
not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of this invention.
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