U.S. patent application number 10/780914 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-01 for weapon for lethal and non-lethal uses.
Invention is credited to Cerovic, Milan, Dubay, David.
Application Number | 20050188593 10/780914 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34886601 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050188593 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cerovic, Milan ; et
al. |
September 1, 2005 |
Weapon for lethal and non-lethal uses
Abstract
A weapon that provides lethal force or non-lethal force at the
discretion of the operator of the weapon includes a non-lethal
implement attached by a support to the apparatus for lethal force.
The support attaches to a picatinny rail and to a stop of the
apparatus, such as a sight mounted on the barrel of the apparatus
for lethal force.
Inventors: |
Cerovic, Milan; (Scottsdale,
AZ) ; Dubay, David; (Phoenix, AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
17800 N. 85TH STREET
SCOTTSDALE
AZ
85255-9603
US
|
Family ID: |
34886601 |
Appl. No.: |
10/780914 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/77 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 13/0025 20130101;
F41A 19/68 20130101; F41A 19/58 20130101; F41C 23/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/077 |
International
Class: |
F41A 021/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A weapon for use by an operator, the weapon comprising:
apparatus that provides lethal force, non-lethal force, and
illumination; a first trigger operable with a first hand of the
operator for releasing the lethal force; and a switch and a second
trigger, the switch operable with a second hand of the operator
when the second hand is in a position to operate the second
trigger, the second trigger for releasing the non-lethal force;
wherein the illumination is controlled in response to operation of
the switch.
2. The weapon of claim 1 wherein the illumination is for aiming the
non-lethal force.
3. The weapon of claim 1 wherein the non-lethal force comprises
electromuscular stimulation.
4. A weapon comprising: apparatus that provides lethal force and
non-lethal force; a circuit comprising a switch and a source of
illumination, wherein: (1) the circuit controls illumination from
the source for aiming the non-lethal force; and (2) the circuit
controls release of the non-lethal force in response to operation
of the switch.
5. The weapon of claim 1 wherein the non-lethal force comprises
electromuscular stimulation.
6. A support for attaching an implement to a firearm, the firearm
having a rail and a stop, the support comprising: means for
mechanically coupling the implement to the rail; and means for
coupling the implement to the stop to reduce motion of the
implement along the rail parallel to a direction of delivery of the
lethal force.
7. The support of claim 6 wherein the rail conforms to a picatinny
rail.
8. The support of claim 6 wherein the stop comprises a sight.
9. A support for attaching a non-lethal implement to a firearm, the
firearm having a rail and a stop, the support comprising: a first
channel that receives the rail to mechanically couple the
non-lethal implement and the rail; a first abutment surface that
abuts the stop; a first fastener that maintains the first abutment
surface against the stop; a second channel that receives the
non-lethal implement; and a second fastener that retains the
non-lethal implement in the second channel.
10. The weapon of claim 9 wherein the implement delivers a
non-lethal force comprising electromuscular stimulation.
11. The support of claim 9 wherein the rail conforms to a picatinny
rail.
12. The support of claim 9 wherein at least one of the first
fastener and the second fastener is manually releasable without a
tool.
13. The support of claim 12 wherein the at least one fastener is
released by manually accomplishing a rotary motion of a portion of
the fastener to an extent less than 720 degrees.
14. The support of claim 9 wherein the implement delivers
non-lethal force from the front of the implement and the second
channel comprises a second abutment surface that faces a rear
surface of the implement.
15. The support of claim 9 wherein: the support comprises a first
portion and a second portion; and the first fastener mechanically
joins the first portion of the support to the second portion of the
support.
16. The support of claim 9 wherein: the support comprises a first
portion and a second portion; and the second fastener mechanically
joins the first portion of the support to the second portion of the
support.
17. The support of claim 9 wherein: the support comprises a first
portion retained to the rail and a second portion retained to the
implement; and the support further comprises means for separating
the first portion from the second portion without operation of the
first fastener or the second fastener.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to weapons,
accessories, and implements.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventional weapons directed to a human target include
lethal weapons having mounted thereon a mechanically actuated
chemical non-lethal weapon.
[0003] Implements and accessories have been mounted on weapons.
These include sights, flashlights for illuminating the target, and
dispensers for dispensing chemical agents toward the target. Rails
including the picattiny rail provide for mounting of mission
specific combinations of implements and accessories.
[0004] Without weapons of the present invention and without the
apparatus and methods for attaching implements and accessories
according to various aspects of the present invention, users of
weaponry cannot suitably take advantage of electronic non-lethal
implements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A weapon, according to various aspects of the present
invention, includes a circuit and an apparatus that provides lethal
force and non-lethal force. The circuit includes a switch and a
source of illumination, wherein: the circuit controls illumination
from the source for aiming the non-lethal force; and the circuit
controls release of the non-lethal force in response to operation
of the switch.
[0006] By controlling from a circuit the illumination and the
release, the arrangement of controls is suitable for reliable use
of the weapon.
[0007] A weapon, according to various aspects of the present
invention, for use by an operator, includes an apparatus that
provides lethal force, non-lethal force, illumination, first and
second triggers and a switch. The first trigger is operable with a
first hand of the operator for releasing the lethal force. The
switch is operable with a second hand of the operator when the
second hand is in a position to operate the second trigger. The
second trigger is for releasing the non-lethal force. The
illumination is controlled in response to operation of the
switch.
[0008] A support, according to various aspects of the present
invention, is used for attaching an implement to a firearm where
the firearm has a rail and a sight bracket. The support includes an
apparatus for mechanically coupling the implement to the rail; and
an apparatus for coupling the implement to the sight to reduce
motion of the implement along the rail parallel to a direction of
delivery of the lethal force.
[0009] A support, according to various aspects of the present
invention, is used for attaching a non-lethal implement to a
firearm where the firearm has a rail and a stop. The support
includes a first channel that receives the rail to mechanically
couple the non-lethal implement and the rail. The support further
includes a first abutment surface that abuts the stop, a first
fastener that maintains the first abutment surface against the
stop, a second channel that receives the non-lethal implement; and
a second fastener that retains the non-lethal implement in the
second channel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will now be further
described with reference to the drawing, wherein like designations
denote like elements, and:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a weapon according
to various aspects of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of an implementation of the weapon of
FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side view of support 220 on apparatus 230 of
FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of support 220 of FIG.
2;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a bottom exploded view of support 220 and
apparatus 230 of FIG. 2; and
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the support 220 installed
per FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Weaponry is conventionally designed to operate with high
reliability due to its ordinary use in life threatening situations.
These situations include conditions that are adverse to mechanical
and electronic apparatus such as high and low temperatures, high
and low humidities, vibrations, severe mechanical shocks, exposures
and submersions in fresh water, snow, salt water, mud, and sand to
name a few. Another limitation on reliable operation is the ease
with which an operator can properly operate the weapon amid
situations that present mental and physical challenges. These
include exhaustion, disorientation, warfare, police activity, and
surprise to name a few. Generally, operators train and practice
with particular weapons. According to various aspects of the
present invention, training and practice with particular weapons
having capability to deliver lethal and non-lethal force simplifies
training and practice with other weapons due to operational
similarities, such as placement of hands for arming, aiming, and
firing either lethal or non-lethal force.
[0018] Weapons, according to various aspects of the present
invention, perform as discussed above and provide lethal force and
electronic non-lethal force. These weapons may be used offensively
or defensively with respect to targets both animal and human. For
example, weapon 100 of FIG. 1 includes support 102 for implements
and accessories, apparatus 104 for lethal force and its actuator
106, apparatus 108 for non-lethal force, a circuit 112 and switches
114 used in part to activate non-lethal force, and apparatus 110
for providing illumination.
[0019] Support 102 provides mechanical alignment and stability and
provides ease of mounting for mission specific implements and
accessories of conventional types such as scopes, sights, night
vision, targeting, illumination, and other apparatus for lethal and
non-lethal force. In various implementations of weapon 100, support
102 is integral or rigidly connected to apparatus 104 and provides
support for apparatus 108. In other implementations, support 102 is
integral or rigidly connected to a combination comprising
apparatuses 104, 108 and 110. In other implementations of weapon
100, support 102 is omitted.
[0020] Apparatus 104 and actuator 106 cooperate to provide lethal
force in any conventional manner, such as propelling a projectile.
Actuator 106 may be a mechanical trigger that activates apparatus
104 to deliver lethal force. Consistent with the purposes for
weapon 100, apparatus 104 may include conventional components
(e.g., any hand gun, rifle, carbine, or grenade launcher).
[0021] Apparatus 108, circuit 112, and switches 114 cooperate to
provide non-lethal force. In various implementations, apparatus 108
circuit 112 and switches 114 are electronic, for instance being of
the type described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,803,463; 5,654,867;
6,256,916; 6,636,412; and application Ser. Nos. 10/364,164; and
10/447,447. Electromechanical switches 114 may include a safety
switch and a trigger switch that provide conventional electrical
signals in response to manual operation by the operator of weapon
100. Operation of the safety switch arms weapon 100 for delivery of
non-lethal force. Subsequent operation of the trigger switch
activates apparatus 108 to deliver non-lethal force. Circuit 112
receives signals from switches 114, for example, including indicia
of operation of the safety and trigger switches discussed above.
According to various aspects of the present invention, circuit 112
may include a battery, a high voltage power supply, and control
circuits for operating apparatuses 108 and 110.
[0022] Apparatus 110 provides illumination. In implementations
according to various aspects of the present invention, illumination
may be generally directed toward the target (e.g., a flashlight
beam), and/or provide guidance for aiming weapon 100 (e.g., a laser
targeting spot on the target). Apparatus 110 is controlled by
circuit 112, for example, to provide illumination in response to
arming of apparatus 108 (e.g., responsive to arm switch discussed
above). Apparatus 110 may be disabled or omitted in other
implementations of weapon 100, for example, when illumination may
decrease operator safety.
[0023] By controlling one or more apparatuses of weapon 100 from a
circuit and switches as discussed above, switches may be located
economically at positions that are suitable for reliable operation.
For example, actuator 106 for apparatus 104 may be located for use
by an operator's right hand (e.g., for a right handed operator);
and switches 114 may be located for use by the operator's left hand
(or vice versa for a left handed operator). Training and practice
may associate lethal force with the right hand and non-lethal force
with the left hand. Such training and practice may simplify
training with other weapons having different forms of lethal force,
and/or different forms of non-lethal force. Illumination as
discussed above is of a non-lethal nature. Consistently, operation
of illumination apparatus 110 from switches 114 located for use by
the operator's left hand reinforces the non-lethal functions served
by the left hand.
[0024] Weapon 100 may include a conventional weapon for apparatus
104 and activator 106. For example, weapon 200 of FIG. 2 includes a
conventional M16 automatic weapon, well known for military use.
Weapon 200 includes stock 202, firing assembly 203, barrel 204,
hand grip 206, and sight 208 (e.g., corresponding generally to
apparatus 104). A mechanical trigger 205 functions as actuator 106
and may include a safety mechanism, reducing the risk of
inadvertent operation of trigger 205. Weapon 200 further includes
rail 210 (e.g., a picattiny rail) and support 220 (e.g.,
corresponding generally to support 110). Finally, weapon 200
includes an electronic disabling device 230 (e.g., an integrated
implementation corresponding to switches 114, circuit 112, and
apparatuses 108 and 110).
[0025] Electronic disabling device 230 (of FIGS. 2-5) includes hand
grip 231 and body 233. Body 233 includes a circuit (not shown),
safety switch 236, trigger switch 237, flashlight 238, and laser
light 239. In various implementations, electronic disabling device
may be of the type marketed as model M26 or X26 by Taser
International, Inc. Device 230 may further include a display 240
(e.g., LED digits and indicators) coupled to the circuit within
body 233 for display of configuration information, operator and
factory settings, and a log of the time of each operation of device
230.
[0026] A cartridge 232 is mounted at the front of body 233 for
operation; and, a spare cartridge 234 is stored at the base of hand
grip 231 (FIG. 5 cartridges are empty). In various implementation
cartridges 232 and 234 include darts tethered to the circuit in
body 233 and/or electrified projectile(s) charged from the circuit
in body 233. For example, electrified projectiles may be of the
types described in U.S. Provisional Patent applications 60/509,577
filed Oct. 7, 2003 by Patrick W. Smith et al., and 60/509,480 filed
on Oct. 8, 2003 by Patrick Smith et al., and U.S. Pat. No.
5,698,815 to Ragner.
[0027] A support, according to various aspects of the present
invention, reliably maintains the attachment and alignment of
apparatuses for lethal force, for non-lethal force, and for
illumination. Such a support may be manufactured using any
conventional processes (e.g., casting, molding, machining). In the
implementation shown in FIG. 2, support 220 slides onto a rail and
is coupled to a stop.
[0028] For example, support 220 in weapon 200 receives rail 210 and
abuts several surfaces of bracket 209. In weapon 200, support 220
slides on rail 210 but is stopped by being coupled to bracket 209
which serves in general as a stop for the sliding motion. Alignment
may assure proper aiming of weapon 200 and proper delivery of
lethal and/or non-lethal force. For example, cartridge 232 may
deliver darts in a suitable vertical plane when fired in an
orientation where device 230 is also aligned in that vertical
plane. The support may be registered with each apparatus using any
conventional mechanical technique (e.g., abutted, channeled,
journaled, or using a key or post fitting a mating structure of the
support or the apparatus).
[0029] Support 220, of FIGS. 2-6, includes left member 410 and
right member 450. Members 410 and 450 are joined by fasteners to
simultaneously grasp a stop (e.g., sight bracket 209) (fastener
222); device 230 (fastener 224); and rail 210 and device 230
(fastener 226). Fasteners may be of any number and type including
for example, spring loaded pins and threaded screws (as shown),
quarter-turn fasteners (and variations such as half turn), bayonet
couplings, clamps, cams, levers, and latches. Spring loading
permits separation of members 410 and 450 sufficient to separate
device 230 from weapon 100 while maintaining the fasteners 222-226
partially threaded together.
[0030] Support 220 in an alternate implementation attaches
independently to one or more apparatuses (e.g., 104, 108, 110 in
any combination of two groups) facilitating separation of
apparatuses (e.g., by quick release fastener(s)) for change of
mission, replacement, or functional substitution (e.g., upgrade).
Support 220 may be implemented with a set of cooperating
structures, each integral to any combination of apparatuses 104,
108, and 110. For example, in one such implementation, device 230
comprises an integral first structure for fastening with or to a
rail (e.g., 210); apparatus 108 comprises a second structure (e.g.,
a rail and stop); and device 230 further comprises an integral
third structure for fastening with or to the second structure.
[0031] Support 220 (FIGS. 4 and 6) includes structures that
cooperate with a stop. Step top 411 and step side 413 may abut
bracket surfaces 611 and 613 respectively. Lip 417 partially
surrounds bracket 209 at surface 617. Bevel 419 locates bracket
surface 619. Step top 423 abuts bracket surface 623. Step side 425
may abut rail 210. Channel 427 with wedge shaped grooves 429
accepts rail 210. Screw 222 is in contact with stop surface 621 to
maintain surfaces 435 and 635 in abutting contact.
[0032] Support 220 (FIGS. 5 and 6) includes structures that
cooperate with device 230. Four posts 511 (551) on each member 410
(450) accept four recesses 505 on each side of device 230. Channel
515 (555) follows the contour 615 of the top of device 230. Rear
surface 517 (557) abuts surface 643 of device 230. In addition,
pins 501-502 support springs 503-504 and locate members 410 and
450. Screws 224 and 226 are received by threaded inserts 506 and
508.
[0033] The foregoing description discusses preferred embodiments of
the present invention which may be changed or modified without
departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the
claims. While for the sake of clarity of description, several
specific embodiments of the invention have been described, the
scope of the invention is intended to be measured by the claims as
set forth below.
* * * * *