U.S. patent application number 11/691415 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-25 for non-lethal projectiles for delivering an inhibiting substance to a living target.
This patent application is currently assigned to Pepperball Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Peter G. Coakley, Gregory A. Niederhaus, Scott C. Nunan, Edward J. Vasel.
Application Number | 20070245919 11/691415 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34382134 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070245919 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vasel; Edward J. ; et
al. |
October 25, 2007 |
NON-LETHAL PROJECTILES FOR DELIVERING AN INHIBITING SUBSTANCE TO A
LIVING TARGET
Abstract
Projectile systems are provided herein employing an inhibiting
and/or marking substance for impairing/marking a living target,
such as a human or animal target. In some embodiments, the
projectile system includes a generally frangible projectile that is
optimally filled to greater than about 50% with the substance to be
delivered to the target, such that the substance is radially
dispersed into a cloud upon impact. In one implementation, the
substance delivered comprises a powdered inhibiting substance, such
as a powdered pepper. In one implementation, the powdered
inhibiting substance comprises a substance having one or more
capsaicinoids.
Inventors: |
Vasel; Edward J.; (San
Diego, CA) ; Nunan; Scott C.; (San Diego, CA)
; Niederhaus; Gregory A.; (San Diego, CA) ;
Coakley; Peter G.; (Cardiff, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FITCH EVEN TABIN AND FLANNERY
120 SOUTH LA SALLE STREET
SUITE 1600
CHICAGO
IL
60603-3406
US
|
Assignee: |
Pepperball Technologies,
Inc.
San Diego
CA
|
Family ID: |
34382134 |
Appl. No.: |
11/691415 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10866031 |
Jun 10, 2004 |
7194960 |
|
|
11691415 |
Mar 26, 2007 |
|
|
|
10382295 |
Mar 4, 2003 |
|
|
|
10866031 |
Jun 10, 2004 |
|
|
|
10146013 |
May 14, 2002 |
6546874 |
|
|
10382295 |
Mar 4, 2003 |
|
|
|
09289258 |
Apr 9, 1999 |
6393992 |
|
|
10146013 |
May 14, 2002 |
|
|
|
08751709 |
Nov 18, 1996 |
5965839 |
|
|
09289258 |
Apr 9, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
102/502 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02M 7/48 20130101; F42B
12/50 20130101; F42B 12/40 20130101; F41B 11/62 20130101; F41H 9/10
20130101; F41B 15/02 20130101; F42B 7/10 20130101; F42B 6/10
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
102/502 |
International
Class: |
F42B 3/00 20060101
F42B003/00 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: a frangible projectile to be impacted with
a target; the frangible projectile comprising a rigid frangible
shell having a thickness and a volume formed within, wherein the
rigid frangible shell ruptures upon impact with the target; and a
substance contained within the volume and occupying at least 50% of
the volume with a remainder of the volume not occupied by the
substance being empty; and wherein the substance comprises a
powdered inhibiting substance, wherein upon impact with the target
the rigid frangible shell ruptures, dispersing the powdered
inhibiting substance proximate to the target into a cloud.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the inhibiting substance
comprises oleoresin capsicum.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the empty remainder of the volume
comprises a vacuum.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the substance is in a compressed
form when incorporated into the volume upon assembly of the
frangible projectile.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the substance further comprises
inert substance.
6. The system of claim 4, wherein the inert substance further
comprises weighting substance.
7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a compressed gas
launcher for launching the frangible projectile.
8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a light source.
9. A system comprising: a frangible projectile to be impacted with
a target; the frangible projectile comprising a rigid shell having
a thickness and a volume formed within where at least a portion of
the rigid shell is frangible such that at least the portion of the
rigid shell ruptures upon impact with the target; and a substance
contained within the volume and occupying at least 50% of the
volume and the substance comprises a powdered inhibiting substance
that occupies less than 50% of the volume, wherein upon impact with
the target at least the portion of the rigid frangible shell
ruptures radially dispersing the powdered inhibiting substance
proximate to the target into a cloud.
10. The system of claim 9, further comprising: a launcher that
launches a plurality of the frangible projectiles to be impacted at
least proximate the target.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the launcher is configured to
rapidly launch the plurality of the frangible projectiles such that
the plurality of the frangible projectiles are directed along a
generally vertical pattern over a torso of the target.
12. The system of claim 9, further comprising a mantel that
compresses the substance within at least a portion of the
volume.
13. The system of claim 9, wherein the substance is compressed when
inserted into the volume.
14. A system comprising: a frangible projectile to be impacted with
a target; the frangible projectile comprising a rigid shell having
a thickness and a volume formed within and where at least a portion
of the shell that is frangible wherein at least the portion of the
rigid shell ruptures upon impact with the target; and a substance
contained within the volume and the substance comprises a powdered
inhibiting substance, wherein upon impact with the target at least
the portion of the rigid frangible shell ruptures omnidirectionally
dispersing the powdered inhibiting substance proximate to the
target into a cloud.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the substance contained within
the volume occupies at least 50% of the volume.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the substance further comprises
an inert substance.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the inert substance comprises
weighting substance.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein the powdered inhibiting
substance occupies less than 50% of the volume.
19. A projectile comprising: a rigid shell having a thickness and a
volume formed within and comprising at least a portion that is
frangible wherein at least the portion of the rigid shell ruptures
upon impact with a target; and a substance contained within the
volume, the substance comprising a powdered inhibiting substance,
wherein upon impact with the target at least the portion of the
rigid shell ruptures, omnidirectionally dispersing the powdered
inhibiting substance into a cloud proximate to the target.
Description
[0001] This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No.
10/866,031, filed Jun. 10, 2004, which is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 10/146,013, filed May 14, 2002, which is a
continuation of application Ser. No. 09/289,258, filed Apr. 9,
1999, which is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) of application Ser. No.
08/751,709, filed November 18, each of which is incorporated herein
by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a non-lethal projectile
system and, more particularly to non-lethal projectiles that
deliver an inhibiting and/or marking substance to a target,
especially a living target. Even more particularly, the present
invention relates to non-lethal projectile systems including a
capsule, most preferably a generally spherical capsule, containing
an inhibiting and/or marking substance, and tactical methods for
using the non-lethal projectile systems in combination with a
launch device in order to most effectively inhibit, impair, or
disable the living target in a less-than-lethal way. The projectile
systems of the present invention, upon impact with the living
target, provide optimized dispersal of the inhibiting and/or
marking substance on and about the target, and in particular,
provide an improved mechanism for delivering the inhibiting
substance to the target's face, without requiring that the
projectile impact the target's face. Further, the projectile system
is designed such that deployment facilitates its effectiveness by
creating sufficient force, upon impact with the target, to cause
the target to move his, her or its face into the dispersing
substance, while at the same time experiencing impairment, or
temporary disability as a result of the impact. Specifically, the
non-lethal projectiles are able to be launched with sufficient
non-lethal force to immediately slow and/or stop a moving target,
before the inhibiting substance carried thereby affects the target.
Additionally, the projectile systems of the present invention are
easier and cheaper to manufacture than heretofore known
projectiles, are effective at safer, stand-off distances as well as
at close range distances, are easily integrated into normal officer
training programs, and can be used with conventional, as well as
custom, launchers.
[0003] Steadily rising crime rates have led to an increased need
for technologically enhanced crime devices. There is particularly a
need for non-lethal devices that are capable of at least
temporarily incapacitating, slowing or inhibiting a suspected
criminal and/or marking such individuals for later identification.
As populations increase, the risk that a criminal will be
surrounded by or in close proximity to innocent persons when
officers are trying to subdue him/her also increases. Whereas
non-permanently injuring an innocent bystander, while subduing a
suspected criminal, is acceptable, killing the bystander is not.
Thus, there is great need for non-lethal (or less-than-lethal),
highly effective weapons that may be used by officers and others to
slow, stop and/or mark criminals. Presently available, non-lethal
devices include, for example, stun guns, mace, tear gas, pepper
spray devices and similar devices that impair the vision, breathing
or other physical or mental capabilities of the target.
[0004] One attempt to provide a non-lethal device for delivering an
inhibiting substance is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,921,614, issued to
Fogelgren for a COMPRESSED GAS OPERATED GUN HAVING VARIABLE UPPER
AND LOWER PRESSURE LIMITS OF OPERATION, which patent is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Fogelgren
describes a gas-operated gun and associated projectiles. In one
illustrated embodiment, a projectile consists of a projectile
casing that houses a structure in which a firing pin is situated so
as to detonate a primary charge upon impact of the projectile with
a target. Deterioration of the primary charge causes the expulsion
of a load carried in a load chamber. The load chamber may contain
various types of load, such as tear gas, dye, flash-powder or
wadding.
[0005] Another embodiment illustrated in the Fogelgren patent
consists of a projectile casing that encloses a body member, which,
together with a frontal member, defines a load chamber. The body
member and the frontal member are attached so as to be readily
separable in flight to enable the load to escape from the load
chamber and to proceed to the desired target. In this embodiment,
the load is buckshot or plastic pellets.
[0006] A further embodiment of the projectile shown by Fogelgren
stores a portion of a compressed gas, utilized to expel the
projectile, to be used to expel a load upon striking a target. Upon
firing, an outer body member separates from an inner body member
thereby exposing and releasing a holding pin, which holding pin
prevents premature release of the projectile's load. Apertures,
from which the load is expelled upon impact, are sealed with wax to
prevent expulsion of the load before the projectile impacts the
target. The portion of the compressed gas used to expel the load is
stored in a rear chamber of the projectile during flight, while the
load is stored in a forward chamber. When the projectile strikes
the target, the compressed gas is released, forcing the load
through the apertures and out of the projectile.
[0007] An additional embodiment of the projectile shown by
Fogelgren consists of outer members that form a container into
which is fitted a breakable glass vile. Rearward of the breakable
vile, padding is provided to prevent breakage of the vile upon
firing of the projectile. Forward of the vile is a firing pin
assembly against which the breakable vile impacts, as it shifts
forward within the members forming the container, upon impact. As
with the above embodiment, a holding pin, which normally prevents
the breakable vial from shifting forward in the container, is
expelled as an outer body member separates from an inner body
member. This allows the breakable vial to shift forward upon
impact, shattering the breakable glass vial against the firing pin.
The breakable vile contains a load to be delivered to the target,
which is delivered through apertures near the front of the
projectile upon the shattering of the breakable glass vial. The
vile may be charged with a compressed gas so as to provide a
charged load.
[0008] Disadvantageously, the projectiles described by Fogelgren,
particularly those projectiles described that would be suitable for
delivering loads such as tear gas or dye, are complicated and
expensive to manufacture. The embodiment employing pressurized gas
to both expel the projectile and to expel the load upon impact with
the target requires a great amount of pressurized gas, that is, a
sufficient quantity to both fire the projectile and to provide the
portion of pressurized gas necessary to ensure expulsion of the
load. In addition, such embodiment requires complicated and tedious
methods to manufacture components such as a microminiature ball
valve (through which the portion of the pressurized gas enters the
rear chamber upon firing), wax sealer within each of the plurality
of apertures and a holding pin that must fall away from the
projectile in flight.
[0009] The embodiment employing the breakable glass vial is also
complicated to manufacture, because it also employs a holding pin
that must fall away during the flight of the projectile and employs
numerous structures that must be precisely fitted together to allow
them to separate during firing and in flight. This embodiment also
must be carefully handled so that the breakable glass vial does not
shatter while being handled by the user. This can be particularly
problematic, for example, when the Fogelgren device is being used
by a police officer in pursuit of a fleeing criminal (or when used
by a police officer threatened by a suspected criminal). Thus,
significant room for improvement still exists in the development of
non-lethal projectiles.
[0010] Another approach to providing non-lethal projectiles for
delivering an inhibiting substance to a living target is suggested
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,379, issued to Kotsiopoulos, et al., for a
PAINT BALL, which patent is hereby incorporated herein by reference
in its entirety. The Kotsiopoulos, et al., device is directed
primarily to a paint ball projectile for delivering a load (or
blob) of paint to a target, and for expelling the blob of paint
onto the target upon impact. The paint ball shown by Kotsiopoulos,
et al. consists of a shell that fractures in a predetermined
pattern upon impact with a target. The Kotsiopoulos, et al.
disclosure includes a passing reference to the use of such a paint
ball for delivering dyes, smoke or tear gas to a target, however,
provides no mechanism for dispersing an inhibiting load upon
explosion of the projectile, which is important for a non-lethal
inhibiting projectile to be effective. Specifically, when the
Kotsiopoulos, et al. projectile impacts the target, by-design, the
load is dispersed rather locally. Thus, even if one skilled in the
art were to act upon the passing reference to using tear gas in the
Kotsiopoulos, et al. patent, to using tear gas, the present
inventors believe that such a device would be generally ineffective
because the tear gas would not be dispersed to the target's face,
where it needs to be to be effective. Furthermore, as Kotsiopoulos,
et al. is an unpressurized projectile, the amount of tear gas
delivered would necessarily be limited to an unpressurized volume
having dimensions of a paint ball. Even if this amount of tear gas
were delivered to a target's face, it is unlikely that this amount
of tear gas would be sufficiently effective to impair the target in
a useful way.
[0011] To elaborate on the importance of localized dispersion of
loads carried by the Kotsiopoulos et al. projectile, Kotsiopoulos,
et al. describe a device for delivering a blob of paint to a target
dictating a relatively confined dispersion, i.e., a blob of about 3
to 6 or 8 inches in diameter on the target. It would, in fact, be
undesirable to widely disperse paint in the context in which the
Kotsiopoulos, et al., device is used as such could be quite
dangerous to the target. In contrast, for applications where an
inhibiting substance is to be delivered, wide dispersion is not
only desired but extremely important, particularly when the
projectile impacts the target with force, and the inhibiting
substance must be taken in through facial openings in order to be
effective. Because firing even a non-lethal or less-than-lethal
projectile at or within a few inches of a target's face is
extremely dangerous, potentially causing permanent injury or death,
which is, of course, contrary to the objective of non-lethal
projectiles, devices such as those suggested by the teachings of
Kotsiopoulos, et al., would be considered undesirable by those of
skill in the art to achieve a non-lethal inhibition of a
target.
[0012] Still other non-lethal projectiles are described, for
example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,164, issued to Grinberg (Apr. 23,
1991), U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,809 issued to Cuadros (Jun. 22, 1993)
and U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,649, issued to Tougeron, et al. (Oct. 15,
1996), each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety. Grinberg describes a projectile that changes its shape
upon impact with a target, thereby reducing the danger of
penetration into a live target. For example, Grinberg uses a double
leaf construction to facilitate rupture of the projectile upon
impact. Cuadros describes a projectile that increases in size
either during flight or upon impact to spread its force over a
large area to provide a knock-down effect without body penetration,
and Tougeron, et al., describe a self-propelled projectile intended
to deliver an active substance to a living target. While each of
the devices described by these patents attempts to provide a
projectile that may be used to stop or slow a living target without
causing lethal injury, all of the devices have proven to be less
than ideal. They are complicated and expensive to manufacture, and
they are variously difficult to use and unreliably effective. As a
result of these problems and others, there is no widely
commercially accepted non-lethal projectile in use by law
enforcement or military personnel today that delivers an inhibiting
substance to a target.
[0013] A significant disadvantage to the prior art devices is that
none takes into consideration the need to deliver an inhibiting (or
active) substance under fairly precise dispersal conditions to
insure effectiveness thereof. When a target is impacted with a
projectile delivering a substance thereto, to be maximally
effective, the substance should disperse in a generally radial
manner (or transverse to the motion of the projectile) such that
the target's face is quickly and fully contacted thereby. At the
same time, the projectile should, most desirably, be able to be
aimed with a degree of precision so as to be able to avoid hitting
the target in, for example, the face. At the same time, the
dispersion of the inhibiting substance must be sufficient that, for
example, a projectile impacting on a target's chest delivers
inhibiting substance to the target's face where it can be
effective. Unfortunately, prior art projectiles, not only rarely
contemplate these problems, but also frequently fail to provide for
dispersal of the inhibiting substance to a target's face after
impacting the target at a remote area. Specifically, for example,
while powdered inhibiting substances, in the view of the inventors,
offer distinct advantages over the vast majority of prior art
devices that deliver inhibiting substances to a target, no
commercially viable device known to the inventors has ever been
produced that addresses the problem of both accurately delivering
the projectile to the target at a location remote from the target's
face, and dispersing a powered inhibiting substance in a
cloud-like, radial manner so as to assure that the powdered
inhibiting substance reaches the target's face. Yet, there remains
a significant commercial market and tactical advantage to a
non-lethal or less-than-lethal projectile that can be accurately
delivered to a target, impacting the target in an area other than
the target's face, while at the same time providing dispersal of a
powdered inhibiting substance to the target's face, where it is
effective. Unfortunately, using devices heretofore known to the
inventors, targets are often able to escape and/or minimize their
exposure to the delivered substance.
[0014] A further disadvantage to most non-lethal weapons heretofore
known is that they either operate at close ranges, for example,
pepper spray canisters, or operate at long ranges, for example,
rubber bullet devices, but do not operate at both close and long
ranges. The inventors are not aware of any prior devices that are
both sufficiently safe to be used at close range and, at the same
time, effective at longer ranges, such as 10 feet or more, e.g., 20
or 30 feet or more. In particular, the close range weapons are
generally not deployed with sufficient force to travel further than
a few meters, and the longer range weapons generally are not
"muzzle safe" in that they cannot be safely deployed at very short
distances because of the chemical/explosive nature of the launching
mechanism. Thus, presently, law enforcement and military personnel
are required to employ two different technologies, one for close
range applications, and another for long range applications. At the
same time, the advantages of using a single device for both
applications are numerous, and readily apparent. For example, cost
is a significant factor recognized universally by governmental
agencies, but perhaps even more importantly is a tactical
disadvantage imposed by the use of both short range and long range
non-lethal or less-than-lethal technologies. Specifically, all
technologies known to the present inventors require that a user
make a decision as to whether a particular situation calls for a
short range non-lethal technology or a long range non-lethal
technology. This requires not only spending time to assess a
situation in order to determine whether non-lethal or lethal
technology should be employed, but also requires expenditure of
more time determining which non-lethal technology is appropriate,
that is whether the situation calls for short-range technology or
long-range technology. As a result, non-lethal and less-than-lethal
projectiles are rarely used by law enforcement and military
personnel, and, when used, are generally used only in situations
where sufficient time exists for the user to make the chain of
decisions necessary to first select non-lethal technology and
second, to select what range of non-lethal technology is
appropriate.
[0015] Cost becomes an important consideration in these tactical
issues as well. Because two types of non-lethal technology must,
using heretofore known technology, be available, many, if not most,
law enforcement and military agencies cannot afford to fully equip
their personnel. This cost constraint is further exacerbated
because heretofore available non-lethal technologies, at least the
ones that are effective, and thus actually useable, are complicated
and highly specialized and most non-lethal devices do not offer a
low-cost inert training version. Thus, training is costly and
therefore, use is infrequent. As a result, even if currently
available technologies could be used at both short and long ranges
(thus presumably providing tactical and cost advantages), the
actual costs of currently available devices is still prohibitive
and therefore dictates only limited deployment.
[0016] Finally, there are currently, no projectile systems
available on the market for delivering powdered substances to a
living target. One reason for this unavailability is that such
heretofore contemplated projectile systems are difficult to
manufacture or are ineffective. While dispensing a powdered
substance into a cup is straightforward, dispensing the substance
into two parts of an apparatus that must subsequently be sealingly
joined together, without loss of any of the powdered substance, is
not so straightforward. Kotsiopoulos, et al., for example, show
completely filling their paint ball through a small hole using a
capillary. Such an approach, however, cannot be used to fill the
Kotsiopoulos, et al. device with a powder, as it is known that
powder generally cannot be conducted through a capillary as can a
liquid or gas. This manufacturing difficulty combined with the
aforementioned difficulties in insuring adequate dispersal of the
substance, especially powdered substances, has prevented
manufacturers of non-lethal projectile systems from entering the
market with powder-filled devices. Today, to the knowledge of the
present inventors, there is no heretofore commercially viable,
non-lethal or less-than-lethal projectile for delivering a powdered
inhibiting substance to a target. While powdered inhibiting
substances are known, there is presently no delivery mechanism
available for accurately delivering and dispersing such an
inhibiting substance in a non-lethal, short or long range
manner.
[0017] Thus, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art,
significant improvements are needed in non-lethal projectiles for
delivering inhibiting and/or marking substances to targets,
especially to living targets. For example, muzzle safe projectile
systems that provide optimum dispersal of the substances contained
therein are desirable. Further, projectile systems that may be
readily incorporated into existing officer training programs would
be advantageous, as such systems would insure that officers could
be quickly, cost effectively, and easily trained in the use of the
system, which, in turn would be of particular advantage to the
officer when attempting to use the system under stressful
situations, as would normally be the case. Additionally, non-lethal
projectile systems designed to impact a living target in such a way
as to actually facilitate the effectiveness of the system are
desirable, as are methods of employing such projectile systems to
maximize effectiveness thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The present invention advantageously addresses the
above-identified needs, as well as other needs, by providing a
non-lethal or less-than-lethal projectile system for delivering a
substance to a target, especially a living target, such as a human
or animal target, wherein the projectile system is specially
designed to maximize its effectiveness including by providing a
kinetic impact against the target at a first location on or near
the target combined with optimum dispersal of the substance on
and/or about the target at a second location.
[0019] In one embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a
system comprising a frangible projectile to be impacted with a
target; the frangible projectile comprising a rigid frangible shell
having a thickness and a volume formed within, wherein the rigid
frangible shell ruptures upon impact with the target; and a
substance contained within the volume and occupying at least about
50% of the volume; wherein the substance comprises a powdered
inhibiting substance, wherein upon impact with the target the rigid
frangible shell ruptures, radially dispersing the powdered
inhibiting substance proximate to the target into a cloud; and
wherein the powdered inhibiting substance comprises powdered
nonivamide.
[0020] In another embodiment, the invention can be characterized as
a system comprising a frangible projectile to be impacted with a
target; the frangible projectile comprising a rigid frangible shell
having a thickness and a volume formed within, wherein the rigid
frangible shell ruptures upon impact with the target; and a
substance contained within the volume and occupying at least about
50% of the volume; wherein the substance comprises a powdered
inhibiting substance, wherein upon impact with the target the rigid
frangible shell ruptures, radially dispersing the powdered
inhibiting substance proximate to the target into a cloud; and
wherein the powdered inhibiting substance comprises a powdered
capsaicinoid. In a subsequent embodiment, the invention can be
characterized as a system comprising a frangible projectile to be
impacted with a target; the frangible projectile comprising a rigid
frangible shell having a thickness and a volume formed within,
wherein the rigid frangible shell ruptures upon impact with the
target; and a substance contained within the volume and occupying
at least about 50% of the volume; wherein the substance comprises a
powdered inhibiting substance, wherein upon impact with the target
the rigid frangible shell ruptures, radially dispersing the
powdered inhibiting substance proximate to the target into a cloud;
and the powdered inhibiting substance adapted to be inhaled causing
a temporary inability to breathe effectively.
[0021] In yet another embodiment, the invention can be
characterized as a system comprising a frangible projectile to be
impacted with a target; the frangible projectile comprising a rigid
frangible shell having a thickness and a volume formed within,
wherein the rigid frangible shell ruptures upon impact with the
target; and a substance contained within the volume and occupying
at least about 50% of the volume; wherein the substance comprises a
powdered inhibiting substance, wherein upon impact with the target
the rigid frangible shell ruptures radially dispersing the powdered
inhibiting substance proximate to the target into a cloud; and the
powdered inhibiting substance comprising a means for causing a
temporary inability to breathe effectively upon being inhaled. In
another embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a
projectile for impacting a target comprising a rigid frangible
shell having a volume formed therein, the rigid frangible shell
configured to fracture upon impact with the target; a substance
within the volume and occupying at least about 50% of the volume;
the substance comprising a powdered irritant; and the powdered
irritant comprising a powdered pepper substance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the
present invention will be more apparent from the following more
particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the
following drawings wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a side view of a projectile for delivering an
inhibiting substance, such as oleoresin capsicum, tear gas or the
like, to a living target, such as a human target, in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of two halves of the
capsule of a projectile system in accordance herewith, illustrating
the use of membranes, within each half, to retain the substance
contained therein, during assembly;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the two capsule
halves of FIG. 2 in a rotated position as they would be during
assembly, when brought together;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a sealed capsule of
a projectile system in accordance herewith, illustrating the
membranes employed to retain the substance within the capsule;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a fully assembled
capsule in accordance with preferred embodiments herein,
illustrating optimal fill of the capsule with a substance to be
delivered to a living target;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of two capsule halves, in
accordance with preferred projectile systems herein, during
assembly of the capsule, illustrating use of a mandrel to compress
the substance within the capsule half, thereby preventing spillage
during assembly of the capsule.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing alternative, preferred
methods of assembly of a projectile system in accordance
herewith;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a side-view of a capsule in accordance with the
projectile systems herein, illustrating a preferred snap-together
structure employing mated flanges;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a side view of a projectile made in accordance
with one variation of the projectile of FIG. 1 modified to include
a pattern of exterior dimples that serves the tripartite purposes
of decreasing drag, increasing lift, and facilitating atomization
of the inhibiting substance upon impact with the living target;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a side view of a projectile made in accordance
with another variation of the projectile of FIG. 1 modified to
include another pattern of exterior dimples that serves the
tripartite purposes of decreasing drag, increasing lift, and
facilitating atomization of the inhibiting substance upon impact
with the living target;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an
example of an exterior dimples of the variations of the projectile
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;
[0034] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one half of a capsule of
the present projectile system made in accordance with a further
variation of the projectile system of FIG. 1 modified to include a
matrix pattern of exterior global scoring and also showing the male
flange of a preferred snap-together embodiment of the capsule;
[0035] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the complimentary, female,
half of the capsule illustrated in FIG. 12, also illustrating the
matrix pattern of exterior global scoring and further showing an
example of a female flange of the preferred snap-together
embodiment of the capsule;
[0036] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an
alternative capsule in accordance with the projectile systems
herein, wherein the capsule halves are not joined and illustrating
interior scoring of the capsule;
[0037] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side view of the capsule of
FIG. 14;
[0038] FIG. 16 is an additional cross-sectional perspective view of
the capsule of FIGS. 14 and 15;
[0039] FIG. 17 is a side-view of a projectile system made in
accordance with a still further variation of the system of FIG. 1,
wherein the capsule is modified to include both a matrix pattern of
exterior global scoring and a pattern of dimples;
[0040] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a further variation of
the projectile systems described herein, wherein solid material,
such as walnut shells or rice, has been added to the substance
contained within the capsule;
[0041] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of another variation of
the projectile systems described herein, wherein metal filings have
been added to the substance contained within the capsule;
[0042] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of still another variation
of the projectile systems described herein, wherein metal shot has
been added to the substance contained within the capsule;
[0043] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a still further
variation of the projectile systems described herein, wherein metal
balls have been added to the substance contained within the
capsule;
[0044] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the
projectile systems described herein, wherein a liquid or gas
substance is contained within one half of the capsule and a
powdered substance is contained in the other half of the
capsule;
[0045] FIG. 23 is a side view of a projectile system, such as are
illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, 9, 10 & 17, as it impacts a
target;
[0046] FIG. 24 is a side view of a projectile system, such as are
illustrated in FIG. 18, as it impacts a target;
[0047] FIGS. 25, 26 and 27 are a sequence of profile views of a
human target as he/she is impacted with a projectile system in
accordance herewith;
[0048] FIG. 28 is a frontal view of a human target with a preferred
firing pattern, for the projectile systems herein, illustrated on
his/her body;
[0049] FIG. 29 is a frontal view of a human target with two
alternatively preferred firing patterns, for the projectile systems
herein, illustrated on his/her body;
[0050] FIG. 30 is a side view of a tactic, contemplated herein, for
stopping a car under chase using the projectile systems described
herein;
[0051] FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a further tactic
contemplated herein, for delivering projectile systems in
accordance herewith, to a target within a building;
[0052] FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of a projectile for
delivering an inhibiting substance to a target in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the embodiment
of FIG. 1 is employed to carry the inhibiting substance, and a
stabilizer portion is employed to increase range;
[0053] FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of a projectile made in
accordance with one variation of the projectile of FIG. 32, wherein
a plunger is employed to explode a capsule containing the
inhibiting substance;
[0054] FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of a projectile made in
accordance with another variation of the projectile of FIG. 32,
wherein the plunger employed to explode the capsule containing the
inhibiting substance is aerodynamically-shaped;
[0055] FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of a projectile made in
accordance with a further variation o of the projectile of FIG. 32,
wherein the plunger is employed to explode a capsule containing the
inhibiting substance, and wherein an atomization matrix made up of
forward pointing exit orifices is located at a rearward end of the
projectile in order to increase a spray pattern area on the
target;
[0056] FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of a projectile made in
accordance with a variation of the projectile of FIG. 35, wherein
the plunger is employed to puncture a membrane behind which the
inhibiting substance is encapsulated;
[0057] FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of a projectile for
delivering an inhibiting substance to a living target in accordance
with a further embodiment of the present invention, wherein a
pressurized canister is employed to carry the inhibiting substance,
and a stabilizer section is employed to increase range;
[0058] FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of the projectile for
delivering an inhibiting substance to a living target, wherein a
pressurized canister is employed to carry the inhibiting substance,
and a stabilizer section is employed to increase range, and wherein
the projectile employs an adhesive material and a mechanical
attachment system to attach the projectile to the target during
delivery of the inhibiting substance to the target and further
employs forward pointing exit orifices to increase a spray pattern
area on the target;
[0059] FIG. 39A is a cross-sectional view of a projectile for
delivering an inhibiting substance to a living target in accordance
with an additional embodiment of the present invention, wherein a
twelve-gauge shotgun shell is packed with a rosin bag (or
alternatively a spherical capsule) that contains an inhibiting
substance, such as powdered or liquid oleoresin capsicum;
[0060] FIG. 39B is a cross-sectional view of an alternative of the
projectile of FIG. 39A, wherein the twelve-gauge shotgun shell is
packed with one or more spherical capsules, for example, as
illustrated in FIG. 1, which capsules preferably contain an
inhibiting substance, such as oleoresin capsicum.
[0061] FIG. 40 is an end cross-sectional view of the projectile for
delivering an inhibiting substance in accordance with the
additional embodiment of FIG. 39A;
[0062] FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view of a launch device useable
in combination with the projectile for delivering an inhibiting
substance to a living target in accordance with an additional
embodiment of the present invention, wherein the launch device
assumes the form of a PR24 police baton thus allowing dual use of
the launch device, i.e., as a launch device and as a PR24 police
baton;
[0063] FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view of a launch device
suitably used with the projectile for delivering an inhibiting
substance to a living target in accordance with another embodiment
of the present invention, wherein the launch device assumes the
form of a flashlight thus allowing dual use of the launch device,
i.e., as a launch device and as a flashlight;
[0064] FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view of an adaptation of the
launch device of FIG. 41 for delivering ball-type projectiles;
[0065] FIG. 44 is a side cross-sectional view of an adaptation of
the launch device of FIG. 42 for delivering ball-type projectiles,
wherein a plurality of barrels, such as two, are employed so as to
allow for the firing of multiple projectiles without reloading;
and
[0066] FIG. 45 is an end cross-sectional view of the adaptation of
the launch device of FIG. 44 illustrating the plurality of
barrels.
[0067] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
components throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0068] The following description of the presently contemplated best
mode of practicing the invention is not to be taken in a limiting
sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general
principles of the invention. The scope of the invention should be
determined with reference to the claims.
[0069] In one aspect, the projectile system employs an
inhibiting/impairing substance and/or a marking substance, such as
a colored dye or chemical compound having a particularly offensive
odor, to slow/stop and/or mark for identification (either by a dye
or through attendant bruising of the target as a result of the
kinetic impact), a living target. In another aspect, the projectile
system includes a capsule filled to greater than 50%, preferably to
75% to 99%, more preferably to 85% to 95% and most preferably to
about 90%, of its volume with an inhibiting/impairing substance
and/or marking substance and/or inert substance, such that upon
impact with a target, the substance is radially (or transversely to
the motion of the projectile system) dispersed on and/or about the
target. In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a
projectile system that operates by impacting a living target with
sufficient force to cause the target to move or hunch towards the
projectile thereby bringing his/her face more proximate to the
nearly simultaneously dispersing cloud of inhibiting/marking
substance.
[0070] In another aspect, the present invention advantageously is
filled with any of an inhibiting substance, such as oleoresin
capsicum, a marking or tagging substance, such as a colored dye,
and/or an inert substance, such as talcum, or any combination
thereof. For example, it is contemplated herein, by the present
inventors, that a projectile system in accordance with one
embodiment could include a combination of oleoresin capsicum and
talcum, at a desired ratio, and to an appropriate fill level in
order to improve dispersion of and the effect of the oleoresin
capsicum to a desired level. Alternatively, a combination of
oleoresin capsicum, and/or other inhibiting substance, and a
colored dye, and/or other marking substance, may be employed to
simultaneously incapacitate the target and mark him/her for later
identification. In yet another alternative, it may be desirable to
employ only a marking substance or only an inert substance, such as
talcum, in the projectile system, such as when the projectile
system is being used for training purposes. In a still further
embodiment, the projectile system may have no substance contained
therein. In this embodiment, the projectile system may be used to
mark a living target by bruising him/her upon impact.
[0071] In a particular embodiment, the projectile system comprises
a spherical capsule separable into two about equal halves, wherein
the halves contain a powdered impairing substance sufficient in
amount so that the projectile is at least greater than 50% full and
preferably between about 60% and 99% full, for example, from
between 75% and 95%, for example, about 90% filled with a powdered
substance and wherein, to facilitate manufacture of the projectile
system, the powdered substance within each half is compressed
and/or retained therein by a thin membrane, for example a paper
foil, which contacts the inhibiting substance during assembly of
the spherical capsule. In this preferred embodiment, the thin
membrane is preferably sufficiently strong to retain the desired
substance within the capsule as it is manufactured or assembled,
yet frangible enough to readily rupture subsequent sealing of the
capsule and prior to, or at least simultaneously with, impact with
the target. The inhibiting substance may, for example, contain at
least 1% oleoresin capsicum, e.g., between 3% and 30%, e.g.,
between 5% and 20%, with a remainder of the inhibiting substance
being either an inert substance or a marking substance or a
different inhibiting substance, such as tear gas powder. Similarly,
more than one inhibiting substance may be combined to provide a
total of about 1% to about 30% or more inhibiting substance in the
capsule.
[0072] In a further embodiment, the projectile system comprises the
spherical capsule separable into two about equal halves, wherein
the halves contain the powdered impairing substance sufficient in
amount so that the projectile is at least greater than 50% full and
preferably is between about 60% and 99% full, for example, from
between 75% and 95%, e.g. about 90% filled with the powdered
substance and wherein, to facilitate manufacture of the projectile
system, the powdered substance within each half is compacted using,
for example, a mandrel, whereby respective portions of the powdered
substance each remain packed within a respective half during
assembly of the halves into a spherical (or other suitably shaped)
capsule. As indicated above, the inhibiting substance may, for
example, contain at least 1% oleoresin capsicum, e.g., between 3%
and 30%, e.g., between 5% and 20%, with a remainder of the powdered
substance being an inert substance, a marking substance or a
different inhibiting substance.
[0073] In some variations, the inhibiting substance may include
fragments of solid material to enhance dispersion of the inhibiting
substance. For example crushed walnut shells, rice, wood shavings,
metal particles, such as metal powder or metal filings, or the like
may be added to the inhibiting substance to help carry the
inhibiting substance away from a point of impact of the projectile
against the target. The solid material, having a greater density
and mass than the powdered inhibiting substance, inert substance or
marking substance, tends to project further from the point of
impact, there by facilitating dispersion of the substance as it is
carried by the solid material.
[0074] In yet other variations, a weighting substance, for example
metal balls, metal shot metal balls wood pieces or other high mass
and/or high density materials, such as higher density powders, can
be added to the inhibiting substance to not only facilitate
dispersion of a powdered substance, but to also increase the
kinetic impact of the projectile against the target, thus enhancing
the initial impact effectivity of the projectile. This variation
can be used to enhance the already synergistic combination of
kinetic impact and inhibiting substance, which act, for example,
serially, in order to initially stun a target with the kinetic
impact, and then debilitate the target with the inhibiting
substance. Alternatively, this variation may be employed, where one
or more targets are located behind a glass or similar barrier, to
break the glass, thereby providing access to other targets.
[0075] In use, these higher kinetic force projectiles may, or
optionally may not, contain an inhibiting substance. And, if such
high kinetic impact projectiles do not contain an inhibiting
substance, such projectiles may optionally be, for example, solid,
rather than capsules, and thus may be made from solid steel,
rubber, glass, plastic, or the like. These kinetic projectiles may
be used alone or intermixed with projectiles containing inhibiting
substance. When intermixed, a pattern of one kinetic projectile for
every X inhibiting projectiles may be utilized, where X may be, for
example, from between 0.1 and 10. Or, kinetic projectiles may be
used to initially subdue a target, followed by inhibiting
projectiles to impair the target. In addition, these kinetic
projectiles may be arranged such that successive projectiles carry
an increasing kinetic impact, so that an initial impact would be a
of relatively low kinetic force, and successive kinetic impacts
would be of relatively higher forces. In this approach, kinetic
capsules may be intermixed with inhibiting capsules, or may
themselves carry an inhibiting substance. Also, each successive
round may be of increasing kinetic force, or a group of projectiles
at a given kinetic force may be fired before a subsequent group of
high kinetic force.
[0076] In further variations, a marking agent, dye, or taggant can
be added to the inhibiting substance in order to provide a
mechanism for identifying the target at a later time. This feature
of this variation may be particularly useful in law enforcement
applications, where evidence gathering may be enhanced if the
target can be marked. By combining a marking agent with an
inhibiting substance a significant synergism is achieved. In
another aspect, marking can be effected by bruising of the target
due to the kinetic impact of the projectile against the target.
[0077] In yet a further variation, a powdered inhibiting substance
can be combined with a liquid or gas irritant, or other agent to be
delivered. The liquid or gas, and the powdered irritant can be
carried in separate chambers, in for example, separate halves of
the projectile using the membranes described herein to contain the
powdered inhibiting substance and the other agent, keeping them
separated, if needed. If a liquid or gas is contained by one or
both of the membranes, such membranes can be made, for example out
of plastic, vinyl, rubber or the like.
[0078] In an alternative embodiment, the capsule of the projectile
system is constructed to facilitate rupture thereof upon impact
with a target. In one aspect, the capsule has a plurality of
structurally weakening dimples within its exterior surface, and,
more particularly, the structurally weakening dimples have a
minimum depth of about 15%, preferably about 20%-75% and most
preferably about 30% to 60% of the thickness of the capsule.
Advantageously, these dimples also provide enhanced aerodynamic
qualities, thus serving a dual and synergistic combination of uses.
Alternatively, the capsule employs a matrix of global surface
scoring in its exterior and/or interior surface to provide a
weakened surface and facilitate rupture upon impact. Further
alternatively, a combination of dimples, with surface scoring
connecting the dimples may be employed to provide both enhanced
aerodynamic qualities and to facilitate rupturing of the capsule
upon impact.
[0079] In another embodiment, the present invention includes a
method of assembling the projectile system herein comprising the
steps of filling each half of the capsule with a portion of the
substance to be delivered to the target, covering the substance
within each half of the capsule with a thin membrane to retain the
substance therein and sealingly attaching the two halves to one
another. In a particular embodiment, the two halves of the capsule
are welded to one another using ultrasound, glue or a suitable
solvent. Or alternatively, the two halves may be formed with
interlocking flanges, so as to snap together without need for the
use of solvent, glue or ultrasonic welding, or so as to provide a
mechanical closure, while, for example, a solvent or glue is used
to provide hermeticity to the capsule, thereby preventing
contamination of, for example, a powder irritant with, for example,
water vapor, which can cause clumping of the powder irritant, and
thus reduce the ability of the powder irritant to disperse. In a
still further embodiment, the sealed capsule is shaken or otherwise
subjected to forces sufficient to rupture the membranes therein,
after sealing thereof.
[0080] In another embodiment, the present invention includes a
method of assembling the projectile system herein comprising the
steps of filling each half of the capsule with a portion of the
substance to be delivered to the target, compressing (or tamping)
the substance within each half, such as with a mandrel, to retain
the substance therein, and sealingly attaching the two halves to
one another. As above, in a particular embodiment, the two halves
of the capsule are welded to one another using ultrasound, glue of
a suitable solvent. Or alternatively, the two halves may be formed
with interlocking flanges, so as to snap together without need for
the use of solvent, glue or ultrasonic welding, or so as to provide
a mechanical closure, while, for example, a solvent or glue is used
to provide hermeticity to the capsule, thereby preventing
contamination of, for example, a powder irritant with, for example,
water vapor, which can cause clumping of the powder irritant, and
thus reduce the ability of the powder irritant to disperse.
[0081] Advantageously, the structure provided by the embodiments
herein provides a highly accurate, muzzle safe projectile. By
making available an option of using existing paint ball launcher
technology, the inventors provide not only a highly accurate launch
device, but one that is readily available, and extremely cost
effective for law enforcement agencies and military branches.
[0082] Advantageously, present training programs for law
enforcement and military personnel include training such personnel
to target a target's chest area when using lethal weaponry. Use of
the above methodology with the above non-lethal or less-than-lethal
projectile does not change this tactic, and thus, both the above
method and above projectile are readily deployable with and readily
compatible with the training of current law enforcement and
military personnel.
[0083] In a variation, rapid firing of projectiles, such as for
example from an automatic or semi-automatic weapon, in accordance
with the embodiments herein can be used to enhance both kinetic
stunning, and impairing of the target with the inhibiting
substance. Such rapid firing can be effected with projectiles
having successively more concentrated fills of inhibiting
substance, such as 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and possibly higher mixes of
inhibiting powder with inert powder, in order to initially deliver
a minimum of inhibiting substance, gradually increasing strength of
the inhibiting substance with successive projectiles. Several
projectiles at each strength may be used followed by several at a
next higher strength or each successive projectile may contain
substance at an increasing strength or any combination of strengths
may be employed.
[0084] Whether or not projectiles with successively more
concentrated fills are employed, or, for example, a single fill
concentration is employed, the rapid firing of projectiles at a
target offers an advantage in that a larger more diffuse cloud of
inhibiting substance is created with each impact of a projectile
against or near the target. Thus, in effect, successively greater
amounts of inhibiting substance are delivered to the target with
each successively impacting, rapidly rifled projectile.
[0085] When rapid firing is employed, a pattern of projectile
impacts beginning near a target's shoulder, and moving toward a
target's groin may be particularly advantageous at causing the
target to move his or her face into the cloud of powdered
inhibiting substance, or irritant, as he or she hunches over and
turns to protect him or herself from the pattern of projectile
impacts. Similarly, a pattern beginning near the target's groin,
and moving toward the target's shoulder may also be effective and
advantageous. This latter approach particularly lends itself to use
when an aggressive target may ultimately need to be targeted in an
extremely aggressive manner, such as at the target's head.
Specifically, a pattern of projectile impacts beginning near a
target's groin can move up the target's torso, and, if needed,
terminate with projectile impacts on or near the target's head. The
inventors envision that the targeting of a target's head be used
only in extreme cases, perhaps only in cases that would justify the
use of deadly force.
[0086] Thus, in yet a further embodiment, the invention
contemplated herein includes a method of impairing a human target
by impacting the target's upper torso, especially upper chest area,
with a projectile system in accordance herewith, with sufficient
force to cause the target's upper torso to move posteriorly and the
target's head to move anteriorly that is, to hunch forward towards
the projectile. This effect is enhanced by the target's natural
propensity to close around a point of impact, and to protect a
wounded area. Upon impact with the target, the capsule ruptures
causing a radial dispersion of the substance contained therein. And
thus, as the target's head moves anteriorly, it moves toward a
cloud of radially dispersing substance. As a result, the substance
comes in contact with the target's face, and, especially, the
mucous membranes, such as, of the target's airway, thereby
maximizing the inhibiting effects of the substance. As a further
advantage of the present method, the target will naturally be
caused to inhale as his or her face is moved anteriorly, and, thus,
the target is forced to inhale the substance from the cloud,
causing a significantly enhanced effectivity as compared to
commercially available device of which the present inventors are
aware.
[0087] In another aspect of the present invention, frangible
capsules, in accordance herewith, containing breaker balls, such as
steel balls, ceramic balls, glass balls or other materials having
enhanced mass/weight characteristics, may be fired initially, for
example, from a rapid fire rifle, so as to open a passage through a
barrier, for example glass, acrylic or similar glass-like material,
followed by firing of one or more projectiles filled with an
inhibiting substance, i.e., irritant. This variation provides a
particular advantage in situations such as car chases, where a
target can be impaired while stopped momentarily in traffic as he
or she attempts to elude law enforcement personnel. Specifically,
while stopped, an officer can fire a series of breaker balls
followed by projectiles containing inhibiting substance. The use of
breaker balls can also, for example, be useful in situations such
as hostage situations where a target is located inside a building
behind glass that first needs to be broken before inhibiting
projectiles can be fired into the building toward the target. Most
advantageously, because the capsules containing the breaker balls
are frangible and break upon impact with the glass-like barrier,
they are less dangerous to the living targets than would be a
non-encapsulated breaker ball.
[0088] In a further method, the projectiles of the above
embodiments need not strike the target to be effective. Instead the
projectiles can be aimed at a wall, a ceiling, or at another
structure near, especially above, the target, whether or not the
target is not visible. Specifically, for example, a target hiding
behind a wall can be effectively inhibited by the widely dispersed
cloud of inhibiting substance, e.g., powder, produced upon impact
of the projectile against a nearby structure. This method is
useful, for example, in armed robbery situations, prison riots,
cell extractions, and the like, where targets may be intentionally
hiding from law enforcement or military personnel.
[0089] Thus, it is a feature of the present invention to provide a
projectile system for delivering a desired substance, especially an
impairing/inhibiting substance and/or a marking substance to a
target, which projectile system provides optimum dispersal, and
therefore effectiveness, of the substance(s) on and/or about the
target.
[0090] It is a further feature of the present invention to provide
a projectile system that is easily manufactured and readily
deployed.
[0091] It is a still further feature of the present invention to
provide a projectile system, the use of which may be easily
incorporated into an existing armed officer training program.
[0092] It is yet another feature of the present invention to
provide a method of non-lethally impairing a living target using
the projectile system herein.
[0093] As used herein, the term "projectile system" refers
generally to the entire projectile apparatus of the present
invention that travels to the target. For example, in all
embodiments contemplated herein, the projectile system at least
includes a capsule (or container portion) having a hollow space
within which is contained a substance for delivery to the target.
In some embodiments (discussed near the end this patent document),
the projectile system includes additional apparatus associated with
the capsule, for example a stabilizer body, which apparatus travels
with the capsule to the target. It is presently preferred by the
inventors however, to omit the stabilizer body, and employ only the
capsule. The terms "capsule", "casing" and "shell" are used
interchangeably herein to refer to the container portion of the
projectile system within which the substance is contained, whether
or not a deliverable substance is actually contained therein.
[0094] Referring now to FIG. 1, a side view is shown of a
projectile 10 for delivering an inhibiting substance, such as,
pepper spray, oleoresin capsicum powder, tear gas, smoke or the
like, to a living target, such as a human target, in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention. Most preferably, the
inhibiting substance comprises finely powdered oleoresin capsicum,
such as may be purchased from Defense Technology of America in
Casper, Wyo. (for example, Blast Agent oleoresin capsicum #T14,
#T16, #T21 and/or #T23) Oleoresin capsicum, a pepper substance,
contains one or more active ingredients or capsaicinoids primarily
responsible for the inhibiting or irritant effects including
capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, nordihydrocapsaicin, homocapsaicin,
homodihydrocapsaicin and pelargonic acid vanillylamide (PAVA), also
known as nonivamide. Capsaicinoids are naturally occurring or
synthetically reproduced, for example, one form of Oleoresin
capsicum includes a synthetically produced version of nonivamide.
Individual capsaicinoids function similarly to a collection of
capsaicinoids. Oleoresin capsicum functions as an inhibiting
substance due to the presence of one or more capsaicinoids. In the
present embodiment, the oleoresin capsicum powder (referred to with
respect to the present embodiment as "powder") is preferably
purchased at a concentration of at least about 0.5%, e.g., between
1% and 30%, e.g., 3% and 10%, e.g. about 5% by volume.
Alternatively, powder may be diluted, to a desired concentration,
by mixing with an inert powdered substance, such as talcum or corn
starch. In other embodiments, the projectile 10 may also be used to
deliver other substances such as marking substances, including for
example, dyes or paint, or the like, to a living or an inanimate
target, and may also be used to deliver inert substances, such as
talcum powder. In still further embodiments, the projectile may be
used to deliver both inhibiting and marking substances to the
target.
[0095] The projectile 10, in accordance with the present
embodiment, includes an inhibiting substance 11 encapsulated within
a plastic, gelatinous or similar material capsule 12. The capsule
12, or shell, may be made from various known substances, such as
acrylic, vinyl, plastic, polystyrene and/or other polymers, sodium
alginate, calcium chloride, coated alginate and/or polyvinyl
alginate (PVA).
[0096] In a preferred embodiment, the projectile systems
contemplated herein include a generally spherical hollow capsule,
preferably formed of a polymer substance, for example and without
limitation, polystyrene, polyvinyl, vinyl or acrylic. Preferably,
the outer diameter of the spherical capsule 12, or shell, is from
between about 1.0 cm and 5.0 cm, e.g., 1.8 cm. The inner-diameter
of the shell 12 (which defines the volume in which the substance is
carried) preferably has a diameter of from between about 0.3 cm and
5.0 cm, e.g., 1.7 cm. In preferred embodiments described in detail
herein, the capsule 12 is filled to at least greater than 50%,
preferably 60% to less than 100%, more preferably 85% to 95%, and
most preferably to about 90%, of its volume with a substance, for
example an inhibiting and/or marking substance, to be delivered to
a target, for example a human target. The capsule 12 is preferably
formed, in halves, by injection molding or by being hot pressed;
however other methods are also suitable. For example, the spherical
capsules of U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,379, incorporated herein by
reference, (hereinafter the '379 patent) are formed using a
carefully temperature controlled draw of polystyrene. Production of
the capsule of the '379 patent in this fashion can be time
consuming and, where being manufactured for the purpose of
delivering paint to a target, requires careful attention to feed
rates and maintenance of temperature differences between injection
feeds of the paint and forming of the capsules. In contrast, and as
discussed further herein, the preferred capsules of the present
invention may be quickly formed, filled and sealed at very high
production rates, in part, because the capsules are formed in
halves, then appropriately filled, joined and sealed.
[0097] It has been discovered, by the present inventors, that the
effectiveness of projectile systems employing capsules to deliver
powdered non-lethal substances, such as powdered oleoresin
capsicum, to a target are maximized by filling the capsules to at
least greater than 50%, preferably 60% to less than 100%, more
preferably 85% to 95% of their maximum volume, and most preferably
to about 90% of their maximum volume. This is somewhat
counterintuitive as it would be expected that a capsule that is
full or nearly full of a powdered substance would, upon rupture,
disperse its contents in a rather small, local area (i.e., as a
lump or blob) and therefore be of minimal effectiveness unless
facial openings of a target were directly targeted. However, it
would also be expected that a capsule that is only about half-full
or less with a powdered substance would disperse more effectively,
which is not proven to be the case.
[0098] For example, capsule fills of less than about 60% have been
found by the inventors to not disperse with sufficient transverse
or radial motion to reach the critical face region of the target
but rather provide only local application of the inhibiting
substance, i.e., produce only a lump or blob of powder on the
target. Similarly, and as expected, where capsule fills are full,
i.e., approach 100% of their total volume, the substances do adhere
to themselves and clump, moving as though they were a large
particle rather than dispersing in a radial, cloud-like
fashion.
[0099] Thus, the present inventors discovery of an optimal fill
range, i.e., at least greater than 50% and preferably from between
60% and less than 100%, e.g., between 75% and 95%, e.g., 90%,
represents a significant improvement, one that enables the use of
powdered inhibiting substances, for the first time known to the
inventors, in a commercially viable non-lethal or less-than-lethal
projectile. For the reasons above, this optimal fill range further
represents an unexpected result. However, at the same time, this
optimal fill range poses a different problem, which is addressed
herein below, that is, how to fill two halves of a spherical
capsule so that a resultant capsule has the optimal fill range,
without significant spillage of the substance contained therein
during closure of the two capsule halves.
[0100] To further facilitate maximum dispersal of the contents of
the capsule in a non-lethal projectile system, the inhibiting
substance should be formulated so that it is not strongly cohesive.
For example, where a liquid substance is employed, it should be
selected to have very low surface tension (or should be placed
under pressure), and where powders are concerned, highly structured
surfaces are to be avoided. Thus, for example corn starch is a
smooth surfaced powder that will readily disperse in a cloud-like
manner; whereas other powders may require micro-grinding to remove
structured surfaces. Various substances, well known to those of
skill in the art, may be used in the present projectile systems.
Particularly preferred herein, however, is powdered oleoresin
capsicum, which is a pepper-derived substance, i.e., essentially a
food product. When powdered oleoresin capsicum is delivered to a
target, in accordance with the apparatus and methods described
herein, the target inhales the substance into its lungs, which not
only is painful to the target but also results in a temporary
inability to breathe effectively. Although the inability to breathe
is temporary, it is of sufficient duration to cause panic in the
individual, thereby providing adequate time for apprehension.
Furthermore, like the liquid form, powdered oleoresin capsicum
causes significant irritation and pain when it contacts the mucous
membranes, such as for example, eyes, nose, mouth or throat, of a
living target. Again, powdered oleoresin capsicum, preferred for
use herein, may be purchased from Defense Technology of America in
Casper, Wyoming (for example, Blast Agent oleoresin capsicum #T14,
#T16, #T21 and/or #T23).
[0101] As mentioned above, the use of optimal fills with powdered
inhibiting substances in a spherical projectile poses a serious
practical problem, i.e., how to fill two halves of a spherical
capsule with enough powder so that, when assembled the capsule
contains an optimal fill, without spillage of the powder. As one of
skill will appreciate, spillage is a problem in nearly any
environment, but when the material spilled is as inhibiting as
oleoresin capsicum powder, the elimination of such spillage becomes
important to the safety of persons performing the assembly.
Furthermore, as those of skill will readily appreciate, where a
liquid substance may be dispensed into a capsule using a capillary,
a powdered substance cannot be so dispensed with any sort of
accuracy. Thus, the inventors herein have had to devise a method of
filling capsules to greater than 50% of their volume, with a
powdered substance, in accordance herewith.
[0102] Referring then to FIGS. 2-6, illustrated are the stages of
two preferred assembly methods of a projectile system (600), in
accordance herewith, comprising a spherical capsule (613)
containing a powdered substance (605, 607 & 611). FIG. 2 shows
cross sectional views of the two halves of a capsule 604, 610 in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As
illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the problem of spillage during assembly
is overcome in this embodiment by employing a thin membrane 602,
608, within each half of the capsule 604, 610 after the each is
filled to a desired level with a powdered substance 605, 607 (the
two portion of substance 605, 607 together constituting the optimal
fill of the capsule 613). The membranes 602, 608 retain respective
portions of the substance 605, 607 within each half 604, 610 to
facilitate assembly of the halves 604, 610 to form the capsule 613
without spilling the substance 605, 607 during assembly. Each half
604, 610 is preferably a generally hemispherical, symmetrical half
of the capsule.
[0103] FIG. 2, then, illustrates the two capsule halves 604, 610
after being filled to their desired level with the powdered
substance 605, 607 and then covered with a membrane 602, 608. Next,
as can be seen in FIG. 3, the two halves 604, 610 are rotated
toward one another and brought together so that a sphere is formed.
FIG. 4 shows the capsule 613 after the halves are joined to one
another. Upon joining of the two halves 604, 610 into a closed
spherical capsule 613, the capsule 613 is then, optionally, sealed
along the point of joining (606 FIGS. 18-22) by, for example,
ultrasound welding or use of a glue or solvent. In a preferred
embodiments, the capsule 613 is hermetically sealed along the
joining seam, such that moisture and/or other contaminants cannot
enter the capsule, spoiling its contents. In a still further
preferred aspect, the sealed capsule of the projectile system 600
FIG. 4 is shaken or otherwise subjected to sufficient force to
cause rupture of the membranes within the capsule 613, such that
the substance 611 within the capsule becomes mixed and moves
relatively freely within the capsule 613. It is noted that the
glue/solvent is not illustrated in FIGS. 4 or 5 because they are
cut away views of the projectile system 613. Also, not illustrated
are the remnants of the membranes 602, 608 in FIG. 5 following
rupture of the same, as just described.
[0104] In an alternative preferred assembly method, illustrated in
FIG. 6, a mandrel, 614 or other similar tool, may be employed to
mechanically compress or tamp the powdered substance 607 within
each half capsule 604, 610 to retain the substance therein during
the remainder of the assembly process. In FIG. 6, one half of the
capsule 604 is shown as having had its contents compressed, while
the second half 610 is shown with the mandrel 614 therein. It will
be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the mandrel or
other similar tool may be, and preferably is, a part of a machine
(not illustrated) used to mechanically assemble the capsules in
accordance herewith.
[0105] Referring now to FIG. 7, a flow chart is shown illustrating
in detail preferred methods of assembly of a projectile system 600,
in accordance herewith, wherein the projectile system 600 comprises
a capsule 613 formed from two about equal halves 604, 610, the
structures of which are described above, which capsule 613 contains
a powdered substance, especially a powdered inhibiting substance
and most preferably a powdered oleoresin capsicum composition. The
method illustrated includes some of the preferred alternatives for
assembly.
[0106] Thus, in a preferred method, each half 604, 610 (FIGS. 2, 3
& 6) is fabricated using suitable molding or forming techniques
(Block 702), and each is filled (Block 704) to about 90% of its
volume with the substance 605, 607, respectively, to be delivered
to the target, especially a powdered substance, and most preferably
an oleoresin capsicum composition. In one alternative, a thin
membrane 602, 608 is then placed (Block 706) into each half of the
capsule 604, 610 to cover the substance 605, 607 contained therein.
In a second alternative a mandrel 614, or other tool, is used to
mechanically compress the substance within each half (Block 705).
At this point in the method, the halves 604, 610 are substantially
as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, with and without membranes,
respectively.
[0107] In practice, the two halves 604, 610, after having been
covered by the membranes 602, 608 or mechanically compressed, are
then preferably rotated about 90.degree., towards one another and
brought together (Block 708). The halves 604, 610 are then
preferably sealed to one another (Blocks 709, 710, 712, 714), such
as using ultrasonic welding techniques (Block 709), or using an
appropriate solvent or glue (Block 710) or by snapping the halves
together (Block 712). For example, if polystyrene is used, many
known solvents are available that will dissolve the polystyrene
just enough to result in sealing of the same as the plastic hardens
upon evaporation of the solvent. Polystyrene is commonly used for
plastic models, and thus, various modeling glues are available that
provide suitable sealing.
[0108] With respect to the alternative of sealing of the halves by
snapping them together, FIG. 8 illustrates capsule halves 604, 610
that have been formed with interlocking flanges 800, 802 thereon
such that the two halves may be mated and so snapped together
(Block 712). Subsequent to mating the capsule halves and
optionally, the capsule may be sealed (Block 714), such as by
addition of a solvent, along the seam, which solvent essentially
melts the plastic of the halves into one another as described
above. In a most preferred embodiment herein, the flanges are
formed with grooves 802 and tongues 800 such that the two halves
(female and male, respectively) interlock when snapped together,
providing at least a nearly hermetic seal to the capsule. (See, for
example, FIGS. 8 and 12-16.) Referring then to FIG. 8, two capsule
halves 604, 610 are shown with the above-mentioned interlocking
flanges 800, 802. As can be seen, the flanges 800, 802 are slightly
flared, so as to be slightly frustoconical in shape. Slight
deformation of the respective flanges 800, 802 during assembly, and
reformation as these flanges 800, 802 snap together, places these
frustoconical shapes against one another, and thus holds the halves
604, 610 tightly in place against one another. As mentioned above,
a droplet of solvent can be placed at the seam of the halves 604,
610, once the halves 604, 610 are assembled, thereby providing not
only mechanical assembly of the halves but also insuring hermetic
sealing thereof, which may be important in environments where, for
example, water vapor may contaminate the substance contained in the
capsule. Alternatively, the membranes 602, 608 (FIG. 2), previously
described, may serve as a first and last line of defense against
contaminants to the substance 605, 607, where the membranes are
maintained in tact following assembly rather than being forcibly
ruptured prior to use thereof. Further still, the flanges 800, 802
of the capsule halves 604, 610 may be designed to alone provide at
least a near hermetic seal. Referring back to FIGS. 4 and 5, once
the halves 604, 610 are assembled into a spherical capsule 600 and,
optionally, sealed, the projectile system 600 is complete (Block
716).
[0109] In embodiments employing membranes, the membranes 602, 608
are selected to be strong enough to retain the substance 605, 607
within the halves 604, 610, as the two halves are joined, yet thin
enough to readily rupture on or before impact of the projectile
system 600 with the target. Most preferable, in this regard, are
thin, circular cut, paper membranes that will tension against
respective inner walls of the halves 604, 610 sufficiently to
retain the substances 605, 607 therein. For example, the membrane
may tension within an interior scoring of the capsule half (see,
e.g. FIGS. 14-16, discussed further herein), where such is
provided. In those embodiments employing membranes, the membranes
602, 608 are preferably gently air-cleaned along the circular
contact surface after placement within the halves 604, 610 and
prior to rotation of the halves 604, 610 to bring them together for
welding, snapping and/or other sealing. It will be appreciated by
those of skill in the art that the membranes useful in these
embodiments may be formed of any number of materials, including for
example, paper, plastic or other polymer, rubber or even foam
sponge. Generally, the membranes will be circular cut to be
slightly larger than the interior circumference of the capsule half
at the point where it is to contact that interior surface. Thus,
when placed into the capsule half and, preferably, compressed, the
membrane will tension against the interior surface of the capsule
and thereby retain the substance therein. The membranes are
preferably from between about 1 to about 5 mm thick, most
preferably about 3 mm; however, other thickness are likewise
contemplated herein, especially depending upon the specific
substance contained within the capsule. For example, where both a
liquid and a powdered substance are to be included in the capsule,
it may be advantageous to provide a slightly thicker membrane to
insure separation of the two substances until rupture of the
capsule on or about the target.
[0110] As previously described, the spherical capsule of the
present invention preferably has an outer diameter of about 1.8 cm
and an inner diameter of about 1.7 cm. While these capsule
dimensions are preferred for use in the present embodiments, other
dimensions are likewise possible. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
5,254,379, issued to Kotsiopoulos, et al. on Oct. 19, 1993, the
contents of which have previously been incorporated herein by
reference, describes a paint ball having dimensions different from
those preferred herein, but which may, none-the-less, be useful in
combination with the teachings herein.
[0111] While a spherical capsule 600 is illustrated, it will be
readily appreciated by those of skill in the art that the capsule,
or shell, may be of any convenient shape. What is of particular
importance is that the capsule be optimally filled to, for example,
at least greater than 50%, preferably about 60% to less than 100%,
more preferably about 85% to 95%, e.g., about 90%, of its total
volume with the substance 611. It is at these optimal fill levels
that optimum dispersal of the substance is achieved and, therefore,
that the effectiveness of the projectile system, whether to mark an
individual target for later identification or to impair a target
by, for example, irritating skin, mucous membranes, vision and/or
lungs, is maximized.
[0112] Referring next to FIGS. 9-17, various preferred embodiments
of the projectile systems 600 described herein are illustrated
wherein the capsule includes structurally weakening features or
fracture points on the exterior (22, 32, 46) or interior (47)
surface thereof, which fracture points primarily facilitate rupture
of the capsule upon impact with a target. In particular, for
example, the exterior or interior surface of the capsule is
optionally provided with scorings (FIGS. 12-16) or with
indentations/dimples (FIGS. 9-11) or with both (FIG. 17), thereby
providing structural weak points within the capsule along which
weak points the capsule may readily fracture.
[0113] Referring to FIG. 9, a side view is shown of a projectile
system 600 made in accordance with one variation of the projectile
system 10 (FIG. 1), described above, that has been modified to
include a pattern of exterior dimples 22 in the capsule 613 that
serve the tripartite purposes of facilitating fracture of the
capsule 24 and atomization of the substance contained therein, upon
impact with the living target and of improving flight of the
projectile system 600 by decreasing drag and increasing lift
thereof.
[0114] The capsule 613 of the projectile system 600 of FIG. 9 is
similar in materials, dimensions and manufacture to the capsule 12
of the projectile system 10 shown in FIG. 1, but employs the
pattern of exterior dimples 22 so as to facilitate rupture of the
capsule 613 upon impact with a target and to provide lower drag and
greater lift to the projectile system 600 during flight, thus
potentially making possible longer distances of flight.
Importantly, the dimples 22 provide structural weak points at which
the capsule 613 can burst upon impact with the target, thereby
improving atomization of the inhibiting substance contained within
the shell 613. This, in combination with the optimized fill
specifications described herein, results in a larger and finer
cloud of inhibiting/impairing substance being dispersed proximate
to the target immediately following impact of the projectile system
600 with the target. The larger and finer cloud of inhibiting
substance provides for more effective inhibition of the target than
has heretofore been possible with conventional non-lethal or
less-than-lethal projectiles.
[0115] The dimples 22 are most preferably round at their exterior
edge, have a frustioconical-shaped wall and a flat, circular
innermost surface, or basal portion. The dimples 22 preferably have
a depth of at least about 0.05 mm preferably between about 0.05 mm
and 2.0 mm, e.g., between about 0.1 mm and 1.5 mm, e.g., between
about 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm, e.g., about 0.3 mm and preferably have a
minimum depth of about 15% to 75%, e.g. 20% to 40% of the thickness
of the casing or shell. Preferably, there are from between six and
50 dimples 22, e.g., 20 dimples, on the shell/capsule 613 so as to
provide omnidirectional atomization of the inhibiting substance
upon impact and a maximal decrease in drag and increase in
lift.
[0116] The dimples 22 may be formed in the capsule 613 using known
methods, for example, as a part of the injection molding process,
using laser ablation techniques, or using other known plastics
forming techniques.
[0117] Referring next to FIG. 10, a side view is shown of a
projectile system 600 made in accordance with another variation of
the present invention, modified to include a different pattern of
exterior dimples 32 in the shell 613 which dimples continue to
serve the tripartite purposes of facilitating rupture of the
capsule and atomization of the inhibiting substance, upon impact
with the living target, and of decreasing drag and increasing lift
of the projectile system during flight thereof.
[0118] As can be seen, there are a greater number of exterior
dimples 32 in the variation of FIG. 10, which may further improve
rupture and atomization and further decrease drag and increase
lift. Preferably, the dimples 34 are arranged in a pattern in the
exterior surface of the casing 613 so that each of six equal
sectors of the casing show at least one dimple 32 thereon. Other
dimple arrangements, such as are known in the golfing arts, may
also be suitable. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,560,168, issued to
Aoyama, for a GOLF BALL, incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
[0119] Referring next to FIG. 11, a cross-sectional view is shown
of an example of a preferred structure for the exterior dimples 22,
32 of the above-described capsules 613. As can be seen, the dimples
22, 32 have frustioconical-shaped interior walls 40 and a flat
innermost surface 42, or basal portion, with a depth of at least
about 0.05 mm, preferably between about 0.05 mm and 2.0 mm, e.g.,
between about 0.1 mm and 1.5 mm, e.g., between abut 0.2 mm and 1.0
mm, e.g., about 0.3 mm and preferably have a minimum depth of about
15% to 75%, e.g. 20% to 40% of the thickness of the casing or
shell. As mentioned above, the dimples 22, 32 can be produced using
laser ablation techniques, by forming them into the shell using
injection molding techniques or using other known forming
techniques.
[0120] FIGS. 12 & 13 are prospective views of two complimentary
halves of a capsule 604, 610 made in accordance with a still
further variation of the system of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the
capsule 604 and 610 together is modified to include a matrix
pattern of exterior global scoring 46 that serve the tripartite
purposes of facilitating rupture of the capsule and atomization of
the inhibiting substance, upon impact with the living target, and
of decreasing drag and increasing lift during flight of the
projectile system.
[0121] The capsule halves 604, 610 of FIGS. 12 & 13 are similar
in materials, dimensions and manufacture to those previously
described, but employ the matrix pattern of exterior global scoring
46 as an added feature. The scoring provides a lattice of
structural weak points at which the casing can burst upon impact
with the target. As with the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, this
results in a larger and finer cloud of inhibiting substance being
dispersed proximate to the target, immediately following impact of
the projectile system with the target. Such dispersal provides for
more effective inhibiting of the target than has heretofore been
possible with conventional projectile approaches. The scoring 46 is
preferably "V"-shaped in cross-section with an angled or slightly
flat bottom portion of the "V" providing a basal portion of such
scoring. The scoring preferably has a depth of from between about
0.1 mm and 1.5 mm, e.g., between about 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm, e.g.,
about 0.6 mm and preferably has a minimum depth of about 15% to
75%, e.g. 20% to 40% of the thickness of the casing or shell 604,
610. Preferably, there are from between about 2 and 10, e.g.,
between 4 and 7, circumferential (i.e., latitudinal) scores and
from between about 2 and 10, e.g., between 6 and 8 longitudinal
scores in the surface of the shell 604, 610 so as to provide
omnidirectional atomization of the inhibiting substance upon impact
and a maximal decrease in drag and increase in lift for the
projectile.
[0122] FIGS. 14-16 are cut-away perspective and side views of yet
another alternative embodiment of the capsules 613 of the present
projectile systems. In these embodiments, interior surface scoring
47 is used to facilitate rupture of the capsule 613 and atomization
of the substance contained therein (not illustrated), upon impact
of the projectile system with a living target. The structure and
dimensions of the capsule 613 is as previously described.
Similarly, the structure and dimensions of the interior scoring is
the same as just described for the exterior scoring. Thus, neither
is again presented here. The interior scoring 47 is preferably
formed into the capsule halves 604, 610 during manufacture thereof,
for example during molding of the capsule halves. Alternatively,
the interior scoring 47 may be added to the capsule halves 604, 610
after manufacture and before filling of the halves, such as by
laser ablation.
[0123] FIG. 17 is a side-view of a projectile system 600 made in
accordance with a still further variation of the system of FIG. 1.
In this embodiment, the capsule 613 is modified to include both a
matrix pattern of exterior global scoring 46 and a pattern of
dimples 32, which dimples are, preferably, interconnected by the
matrix pattern of scoring. This combination of dimples and scoring
serves tripartite purposes of facilitating rupture of the capsule
and atomization of the substance contained therein, upon impact
with the living target and of decreasing drag and increasing lift
during flight of the projectile system. As the exterior
structurally weakening features of dimples and scoring are
substantially as described above with reference to FIGS. 9 through
13, further description of the structure, shape and dimensions of
the dimples and scoring in FIG. 17 is not made herein.
[0124] The scoring and the dimples, illustrated in FIG. 17, provide
a lattice of structural weak points interconnecting structurally
weakening dimples, at all of which the casing 613 can burst upon
impact with the target. As with the above embodiments, this results
in a larger and finer cloud of inhibiting substance being dispersed
proximate to the target, immediately following impact of the
projectile system 600 with the target. Such dispersal provides for
more effective inhibiting of the target than has heretofore been
possible with conventional projectile approaches.
[0125] Referring next to FIG. 18, a cross sectional view is shown
of a further variation of the projectile systems described herein.
The projectile system 900 is similar in structure and contents to
the projectile systems of FIGS. 2-4, except that solid material 902
has been added to the substance 605, 607 e.g., a powdered
inhibiting substance, within the capsule 900. As can be seen, the
halves 604, 610, the membranes 602, 608 and the inhibiting
substance 605, 607 are shown, and are substantially the same as
described above with reference to FIGS. 2-4. Assembly is
substantially as illustrated in FIGS. 2-6 and as described in FIG.
7, but with the addition of the solid material to the substance
within the capsule 900. The solid material 902 may be, for example,
crushed walnut shells, rice, metal particles, such as metal powder
or filings, wood particles, such as wood shavings or wood dust, or
any other readily available solid that can be added to the
substance 605. Facts such as cost, density, and toxicity factor
into selection of the solid material 902.
[0126] Advantageously, the solid material 902 helps to disperse the
substance 605, 607 by carrying the substance 605, 607 quickly away
from the point of impact in a generally radial (or lateral)
direction. Further discussion of the radial dispersion of the
substance 605, 607 is made herein below, both with respect to
projectiles carrying a solid material 902, and projectiles not
carrying solid material.
[0127] Referring next to FIG. 19, a projectile system is shown 1000
in accordance with a further variation of the embodiments described
herein. Shown are the halves 604, 610, the membranes 602, 608, and
the substance 605, 607 therein. Also shown are metal filings 1002,
such as iron, steel, or bismuth filings, added to and intermixed
with the substance. Alternatively, any of the previously mentioned
solid substances, including for example metal powders, such as
powdered iron, steel or bismuth, may be used in lieu of the metal
filings. The metal filings 1002 function in a manner similar to the
manner in which the solid material 902 (FIG. 18) functions in that,
upon impact, the metal filings, being more dense than the substance
605, 607 are flung radially, thereby breaking up the substance,
atomizing the substance and carrying the substance radially,
perhaps further than the substance would be dispersed absent the
metal filings 1002. In addition, the metal filings increase the
mass of the projectile, thereby increasing the kinetic force
applied by the projectile against the target upon impact of the
projectile against the target. As a result, the variation shown may
offer as an advantage, not only enhanced inhibiting of a target,
due to a more widely dispersed cloud of inhibiting substance, but
also enhanced kinetic "thumping" against the target, thereby
increasing the initial stunning blow delivered by the projectile.
This increase in kinetic force may also enhance the ability f the
projectile to leave a bruise on the target, thereby enhancing the
projectile's ability to serve not only as a tool for inhibiting a
target, but also as an evidentiary tool, should doubt arise as to
whether a certain individual is one that has been hit by a
projectile of the embodiments specified herein.
[0128] The projectile systems may be arranged such that
successively fired projectiles or groups of projectiles are of
relatively greater mass than previous projectiles or groups of
projectiles, thereby gradually increasing the kinetic force of
"thump" experienced by a target, assuring that both adequate
kinetic force is used to achieve stunning of the target, while at
the same time assuring that a minimum amount of kinetic force is
applied to any given target. For example, a child or female target
is much more likely to be affected by earlier, lower kinetic forces
or "thumps" than will be a large male. This, combined with the
possible inclusion of a powdered inhibiting substance of a
prescribed concentration or of an increasing concentration,
provides law enforcement and military personnel with a non-lethal
approach suitable for delivering a minimumly necessary amount of
non-lethal or less-than-lethal technology to a target of virtually
any size, shape or tolerance level.
[0129] Referring next to FIG. 20, a projectile system is shown 2000
in accordance with a further additional variation of the
embodiments described herein. Shown are the halves 604, 610, the
membranes 602, 608, and the substance 605, 607, therein. Also shown
are metal shot 2002, such as iron or steel shot or, alternatively,
metal, wood or ceramic balls which are added to and intermixed with
the substance 605, 607. The metal shot 2002 function in a manner
similar to the manner in which the metal filings 1002 (FIG. 19)
function, and thus, to that extent, further explanation of their
functionality is not made herein. The metal shot 2002 have the
added benefit that they may, in some circumstances, also provide an
additional source of discomfort for the target, as the metal shot
2002 impact against the target after the projectile explodes.
[0130] Referring next to FIG. 21, a projectile system is shown 3000
in accordance with a further additional variation of the
embodiments described herein. Shown are the halves 604, 610, the
membranes 602, 608, and the substance 605, 607 contained therein.
Also shown are relatively large, metal balls 3002, such as iron or
steel balls, (or alternatively ceramic, plastic or glass balls),
added to each half of the capsule 604, 610 and generally surrounded
by the substance 605, 607. The metal balls 3002 function in a
manner similar to the manner in which the metal shot 2002 (FIG. 20)
function, and thus, to that extent, further explanation of their
functionality is not made herein. The metal balls 3002, however,
also have the added benefit that they may, in some circumstances,
provide an additional source of discomfort for the target, as the
metal balls 3002 impact against the target after the projectile
explodes.
[0131] Referring next to FIG. 22, a cross sectional view is shown
of yet another variation of the embodiments described herein. Shown
are the halves 604, 610, the membranes 602, 604 and the substance
605, 607. In this variation, one of the halves 604 is filled with
the powdered substance 605, as described above, while the other
half 610 is, for example, filled with a liquid or gas substance
4002, which substance may be an irritant, a marking agent or may
serve as additional weight to the projectile system 4000. In this
variation, the benefits of an additional irritant (i.e., in
addition to the powdered substance 605) lie in the particular
application to which the teachings herein are put. With respect to
marking, the evidentiary benefits will be apparent to the skilled
artisan, and lie primarily in situations when a target temporarily
eludes law enforcement officers. In this situation, it is important
for law enforcement to be able to identify a target as having been
the same target that was hit by a projectile fired by law
enforcement personnel, e.g., as the target is escaping from a crime
scene. Where the second substance 4002 is added to increase the
mass of the projectile, then the benefit of increased kinetic force
upon impact of the projectile against the target, and thus an
increased ability to initially stun a target is realized.
[0132] It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that
numerous variations of these alternative embodiments are possible,
and thus, are equally contemplated hereby. For example, in one
alternative, one half of the capsule may be filled to about 90% or
more of its volume with a powdered inhibiting substance and covered
with a membrane as previously described. The other half of the
capsule may then have, for example, a liquid marking/tagging
substance placed therein, occupying about 60% or less of the total
volume of the second half. A membrane may then be placed over the
liquid substance and additional powdered substance placed on top of
the membrane. Preferably the powdered substance added to the second
half of the capsule containing the liquid marking substance will be
in an amount equal to about 30% or more of the volume of the half
capsule. The half capsule containing only powdered substance is
then placed atop the second half capsule (containing the liquid and
powder) and the two halves are joined, and, preferably sealed.
Thus, the completely assembled capsule, according to the present
alternative, will contain liquid marking substance at a volume of
about 30% or less of the total volume of the capsule and will
contain powdered substance at a volume of about 60% or more of the
total volume of the capsule. Other combinations, including those
employing more than two membranes, will be readily appreciated by
those of skill in the art. Of course, those embodiments wherein the
capsule contains both a liquid substance and a powder substance
will preferably include membranes that rupture only upon impact,
such that the liquid and powder are kept separate until
deployed.
[0133] Advantageously, the projectile systems contemplated herein
are muzzle safe, that is they may be safely and effectively fired
at close range, including, for example, at arm's length. In
contrast, other long range non-lethal projectiles have not proven
to be safe immediately outside a muzzle. A further important
feature of the present projectile systems is that they are not only
easy to manufacture in large quantities, but they are also very
inexpensive compared with prior art projectiles.
[0134] Thus, having specified numerous variations and embodiments
of the projectile, and methods of manufacture, FIGS. 23 through 31
show various applications and tactics for using the projectile
embodiments. Such figures are described hereinbelow.
[0135] Referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, side views are shown of the
projectile systems described and illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, 9, 10
& 17 and the projectile system of FIG. 18, respectively, as
they impact against a target 5000. As can be seen, for example, in
FIG. 23, the optimal fill, described above, results in a wide
dispersion of the substance, substantially radially away from the
point of impact and away from an axis defined by the projectile's
trajectory as it impacts the target. Similarly, FIG. 24 illustrates
the solid material 902 being projected radially with the substance
611, thereby driving the substance 611 more radially away from the
projectile, and enhancing its dispersion pattern. (It is noted that
the substance 611 is the same as 605, 607 in those figures
illustrating capsule halves. See for example, FIG. 5.)
[0136] The embodiments of the projectile systems described herein
are particularly advantageous in that their use may be readily
incorporated into existing officer training programs. This is
because the projectiles are designed to be fired at a target's
upper torso (See e.g., FIG. 25), which is the same area officers
are trained to aim at when using lethal weapons. When officers are
confronted with a situation in which they must use force, whether
or not that force must be lethal, they are, of course, stressed.
Having to take additional time to decide where to aim a weapon
depending upon the projectiles contained therein can actually be
dangerous for the officer. By providing a non-lethal projectile
system that may be aimed in the same manner and at the same point
on a target as are other, lethal, projectiles, an officer is more
likely to be able to react quickly and accurately in firing such
projectiles.
[0137] Referring to FIGS. 25 through 27, a sequence of profile
views are shown of a target 5000, as he or she is impacted with a
projectile system 600 of the present invention. In FIG. 25, the
target 5000 is first impacted with a projectile system 600 of the
present invention. The target's head 5002, at the time of impact,
is illustrated as in a generally upright forward-looking position.
Nearly immediately upon impact, the capsule of the projectile
system ruptures, dispersing its contents 5004 in a radial,
cloud-like manner on and about the target 5000. About
simultaneously with dispersal of the contents 5004 of the capsule,
the target 5000 begins to hunch towards the point of impact of the
capsule on his/her body. (See FIG. 26) Thus, the target's back side
moves in a generally posterior (rearward) direction, while his/her
head and upper chest region move in a generally anterior (forward)
and inferior (down) direction so as to hunch around the point of
impact. Quite advantageously for the purposes of the present
invention, such movement is a natural reaction for people when they
are hit by something with such force. Within a matter of seconds,
and as illustrated in FIG. 27, the target's head 5002 is
essentially surrounded by the dispersing cloud of inhibiting and/or
marking substance 5004. Where an inhibiting substance is employed,
the target 5000 will feel pain as the inhibiting substance contacts
his/her mucous membranes (i.e., his/her eyes, nose, mouth and
throat), and as the target inhales the substance (also a natural
reaction), he/she will experience significant pain in his/her
lungs, will temporarily be unable to breathe and will begin to
panic. Under such circumstances, even the most aggressive target is
easily subdued and apprehended. Thus, the target's movements, in
response to impact of the projectile, combined with the radial
dispersement of the substance on and about the target, provides a
particularly effective non-lethal inhibition of the target.
[0138] This present embodiment, then, provides a method of slowing
and/or stopping and/or marking a living target. According to this
method, the projectile system is fired at a target; the mechanical
force of the impact causes rupture of the capsule, thereby
permitting dispersal of the capsule contents, additionally, the
force is sufficient to cause the target to move towards the
dispersing substance, resulting in inhalation of the same, as the
target attempts to catch his/her breath following the impact. As
the substance is inhaled and/or contacts the mucous membranes in
the face region, the target is stunned, that is physically
impaired, and thus, collapses.
[0139] Further contemplated herein, is providing a projectile
system wherein the projectile, especially a generally spherical
capsule, is sufficiently hard and is delivered with sufficient
force to result in bruising of the target at and surrounding the
point of impact. In this way, the target is not only exposed to an
inhibiting substance, but is also temporarily marked for later
identification. For example, if any confusion arises as to who has
been hit by the non-lethal projectiles, such as where the target is
able to recover from or escape the effects of the inhibiting
substance before officers are able to apprehend him/her, then the
target may later be identified by the bruising, should he/she
ultimately be apprehended. Those of skill in the art, will readily
appreciate that the force required to fire a projectile system in
accordance herewith, at a target, such that the projectile ruptures
upon impact with the target, will generally also be sufficient to
cause bruising to the target. It will further be appreciated by
those of skill in the art that the capsules of the present
invention may alone be used to mark a target, by bruising of the
same, with or without delivery of any substances.
[0140] Referring next to FIGS. 28 and 29, front views are shown of
various firing patterns that may be used when firing the
projectiles of the present invention, which firing patterns offer
particular advantages when used in combination with the projectile
systems described herein and with rapid firing techniques.
[0141] Quite advantageously, the projectile system of the present
invention may be rapid fired, for example using a compressed air
pistol, compressed air rifle, a fully automatic launcher, a
dual-use modified PR24 police baton, and/or a dual-use modified
flashlight.
[0142] A rapid fire weapon can be rapid fired in a vertical
direction, such as illustrated in FIG. 28, from the top (superior
region) of the target's torso, for example, near his/her shoulder,
down to the bottom (inferior region) of the torso and body, for
example, near his/her groin. It has been discovered, by the
inventors, that this firing method exploits the targets tendency to
retract a stricken portion of their body, and to follow (i.e.,
hunch around) a pattern of impacts, thereby resulting in the target
moving his/her body ever more downward and into the dispersing
substance, resulting in maximum incapacitation of the target. In
this instance, the target moves in a manner similar to that shown
in FIGS. 25 through 27, however, the movement of the target's head
into the cloud is even more dramatic when the illustrated rapid
firing method is employed. (FIG. 28).
[0143] Note that while the rapid firing method has been discovered
to offer particular advantages, traditional wisdom dictates a
horizontal sweeping of the target's body with projectile impacts.
The inventors are aware of no heretofore employed methods that
specify vertical sweeping of a target's body with non-lethal or
less-than-lethal projectiles.
[0144] Referring next to FIG. 29, a front view of a target, similar
to that of FIG. 28, is shown. In this variation, however, the
pattern of projectile impacts move from the lower (inferior region)
of the target's torso/body up to the top (superior region) of the
torso/body, e.g., from the target's groin area towards either the
target's shoulder or head, with the "head pattern" being shown in
dashed lines.
[0145] The variation illustrated in FIG. 29 is particularly
advantageous in highly volatile, highly dangerous situations, such
as when confronting targets under the influence of powerful drugs.
While normally use of non-lethal projectiles would dictate that a
target's head be avoided as a target area, this firing pattern
provides a user with an option to move the projectile impact
pattern to the target's head in the even that all other efforts
fail to subdue the target. If, on the other hand, the target is
subdued, the firing pattern can move safely to the target's
shoulder. The inventors contemplate that this pattern of projectile
impacts will be slightly less effective in getting a target to move
his or her head into the cloud of substance; however, it does offer
the advantage of providing a severe option, when, for example,
deadly force would be justified.
[0146] Referring next to FIG. 30, a side view is shown of a tactic
for stopping a car under chase. Contemplated herein is loading a
weapon with both impairing capsules and kinetic capsules, that is,
respectively, frangible capsules containing an inhibiting and/or
marking substance and frangible capsules that are hollow or that
contain an inert substance. Alternatively, breaker balls, e.g.,
stainless steel, ceramic, plastic or glass balls, contained in a
frangible capsule in accordance herewith, may be substituted for
kinetic capsules.
[0147] Thus, for example, as the weapon is rapid fired at a
suspected criminal who is within a vehicle, the first rounds of
capsules would be kinetic capsules or breaker balls that simply
break the windows (solid line shows trajectory) of the vehicle to
facilitate entry of the subsequent, impairing capsules that would
then fill the vehicle (dashed line shown trajectory), at least in
the vicinity of the criminal, with the inhibiting substance,
thereby rendering the target unable to operate his or her
vehicle.
[0148] Referring next to FIG. 31, a perspective view of a tactic
for delivering an inhibiting substance to a target within a
building is shown. As with the tactic above, an initial one or more
kinetic capsules are used to break glass or other glass-like, i.e.
frangible, material of the building, such as, for example, acrylic,
plexi-glass or the like. These "glass-breaker" capsules are
followed by impairing capsules that deliver the inhibiting
substance to the target. Again, as with the tactic described with
respect to FIG. 30, frangible capsules in accordance herewith,
containing breaker balls may be employed as the first round of
projectile systems in order to break the glass-like barrier behind
which the target is located.
[0149] Advantageously, the impairing capsules need not actually
impact the target to be effective. Specifically, so long as the
capsules impact sufficiently near the target that the cloud is
inhaled by the target, or otherwise affects the target's
respiration or other mucus membranes, such capsules will be
effective at achieving their intended purpose, i.e., inhibiting or
impairing the target. Thus, for example, where an animal, such as a
dog or large cat, e.g. mountain lion, is being targeted, the
capsules, in accordance herewith, may be impacted on the ground
near the animal's face or on another object near the animal's head
or may be targeted directly to the animal's head or body. In this
case, (except, perhaps where the animal's head is targeted) the
present invention provides a non-lethal means for subduing an
animal that may pose a danger to humans or that may be in need of
assistance itself.
[0150] Thus, in accordance with the present aspect, and quite
advantageously, the projectile systems, because their dispersal
mechanism is so optimized, may be used to inhibit a target when the
target cannot actually be targeted. By way of further example, an
individual hiding within a bathroom stall cannot be seen and thus
for law enforcement personnel to attempt to confront the individual
could place the law enforcement personnel in great danger. However,
with the projectile systems of the present system, the officer need
simply fire the projectiles at the wall above the stall within
which the target is hiding or at a solid object near the target
individual. The capsules of the system will rupture and the
contents thereof will waft down into the stall, where they will be
inhaled by the target and/or contact the target's mucous membranes,
thereby incapacitating him/her. In fact, the inventors have tested
this scenario using the projectiles of the present invention and
have found the results to be quite impressive. The individual could
not escape the effects of the inhibiting substance and was well
incapacitated thereby.
[0151] A further advantage of embodiments described herein lies in
the discovery that common, household hair spray performs well as a
sealer to maintain a powdered inhibiting substance, such as
powdered oleoresin capsicum, against a surface. Thus, for example,
a target that has been hit with one or more projectiles, as well as
a surrounding area, can be sprayed with hair spray prior to being
handled by law enforcement or military personnel in order to
prevent said personnel from having to cope with powdered inhibiting
substance residues that may be on a target or in an area around a
target following use of embodiments described herein. As with many
other aspects of the present embodiments, the use of hair spray to
seal a powdered inhibiting substance to a surface following use of
such embodiments, provides a low cost, practical, commercially
viable, approach to a problem that, to the inventors' knowledge is
unaddressed in the prior art. It is expected that various other
spray adhesives, will similarly perform this sealing function, and
thus, should be understood to be contemplated herein, by the
inventors.
[0152] In any case, absent a solution to the problem of residual
inhibiting substance or irritant, it is highly questionable whether
any law enforcement or military agency (particularly law
enforcement agency) would adopt a powder-filled projectile as a
non-lethal or less-than-lethal solution. Presently, all
commercially viable non-lethal or less-than-lethal approach used by
law enforcement and the military, at least to the best of the
inventors' knowledge, either do not employ a chemical irritant, or
employ a gas, which is diluted and carried away by ambient air
currents. In the case of tear gas, however, for example, residual
tear gas is a significant problem for personnel operating in an
area after tear gas has been deployed. For example, if medical
personnel are needed in an area, they are required to wear a
breaching apparatus following the use a tear gas, at least until an
area can be vented. With the present approach, however, an area can
be sealed with hair spray or another spray adhesive following use
of a powdered irritant projectile, after which personnel, such as
medical personnel, can operate in the area almost immediately
without the need for cumbersome and awkward breathing apparatuses
with which such personnel may not have any training. Further, if,
for example, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation needs to be performed,
the present technology allows medical or law enforcement personnel
to perform this type of resuscitation without first moving a victim
out of an area contaminated by an inhibiting substance. Thus, the
ability to seal both a target and an area around a target following
use of the projectiles described herein provides a significant, and
heretofore unaddressed, solution to a very real problem with
heretofore available non-lethal or less-than-lethal projectiles
that employ a chemical inhibiting substance or irritant.
[0153] Turning now to FIGS. 32 through 40, various alternative
designs for projectiles, in accordance with the present invention,
are shown. Each of these embodiments, with the exception of the
embodiments of FIGS. 36 through 40, employ some variation of the
spherical projectile described above, and offer alternative designs
suitable for some applications. The inventors, however, are
presently of the opinion that the spherical projectile embodiments
of FIGS. 1-6, 8-22 are preferred, from the standpoint of
effectivity, simplicity and cost.
[0154] Referring then to FIG. 32, a cross-sectional view is shown
of a projectile system 50 for delivering an inhibiting substance to
a living target in accordance with alternative embodiment of the
present invention, wherein the projectile system 10 of the
embodiment of FIG. 1 is employed to carry the inhibiting substance,
and a stabilizer body 52 is employed to increase range.
[0155] The projectile system 50 of FIG. 32 employs an inhibiting
substance encapsulated within the shell 12, such as described
previously above. Alternatively, the shell 12 may have a
non-spherical shape, such as a bullet shape, e.g., elliptical,
parabolical, prolate spheroidal, two-sheet hyperboloidal, or the
like. The shell 12 is mounted to the stabilizer body 52, which has
a stabilizer section 54, a puncture tube 56, and an atomization
matrix 56. The shell 12 is mounted to the stabilizer body 52 on a
forward edge 58 of the atomization matrix 56, and rests on a tip 60
of the puncture tube 56. Wax or adhesive may be used to hold the
shell 12 in place.
[0156] Upon impact with the target, the shell 12 is forced
backwards (relative to the direction of flight of the projectile)
into the tip 60 of the puncture tube 56, which punctures the shell
12. This releases the inhibiting substance contained within the
shell 12 into an interior region 62 of the atomization matrix 56.
From the interior region 62 of the atomization matrix 56, the
inhibiting substance is released through a plurality of exit
orifices 64 passing through the periphery of the atomization
matrix. There are preferably from between 2 and 20, e.g., 10 exit
orifices 64 in the atomization matrix 56. Each exit orifice 64
preferably has a circular shape and a diameter of from between
about 0.5 mm and 4 mm, e.g., 1 mm.
[0157] The stabilizer body 52 is preferably circular in
cross-section (taken normal to its direction of flight), having an
outer diameter equal to the outer diameter of the shell 12, i.e.,
from between about 1.0 cm and 5.0 cm, e.g., 1.8 cm. The length of
the stabilizer body 52 is from between about 1.5 cm and 5 cm, e.g.,
3 cm, and the overall length of the projectile system 50 (i.e., the
stabilizer body and the shell) is from between about 2.5 cm and 10
cm, e.g., 5 cm. The stabilizer body 52 is preferably made from
plastic or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS), and the
stabilizer section 54 has a hollow rear section 66 that has a
hollow interior with an inner diameter of from between 1.0 cm and 5
cm, e.g., 1.8 cm, and a depth of from between about 1 cm and 5 cm,
e.g., 2 cm. The hollow rear section 66 serves to decrease the mass
of the stabilizer body 52 without significant detrimental effect on
the aerodynamics of the projectile system 50. The stabilizer body
52 can be made using known plastics molding techniques, such as
injection molding.
[0158] Referring next to FIG. 33, a cross-sectional view is shown
of a projectile system 70 made in accordance with one variation of
the projectile 50 of FIG. 32, wherein a plunger 72, or impact
piston, is employed to explode the shell 12 containing the
inhibiting substance.
[0159] The projectile system 70 has a stabilizer body 74, similar
in function, dimensions and manufacture, to the stabilizer body 52
described above, and the impact piston 72 is slidable within a
piston cylinder 76. The piston cylinder 76 is formed at a forward
portion of an atomization matrix 78, similar to the atomization
matrix 56 described above. The stabilizer body 74 also employs a
stabilizer section 80, similar to the stabilizer section described
above. The shell 12 is located between a pair of puncture tubes 82,
84, one of which forms a rearward portion of the impact piston 72,
and one of which forms a forward portion of the stabilizer section
80. The shell 12 is located within the atomization matrix 78.
[0160] Upon impact with the target, the impact piston 72 is forced
rearward by its impact against the target, squeezing the shell 12
between the puncture tubes 82, 84, ultimately causing the shell 12
to rupture. This releases the inhibiting substance within the shell
12 into an interior region 86 of the atomization matrix, from which
the inhibiting substance escapes via exit orifices 88 similar to
the exit orifices 64, described above.
[0161] Referring next to FIG. 34, a cross-sectional view is shown
of a projectile system 90 made in accordance with another variation
of the projectile system 50 of FIG. 32, wherein an impact piston 92
is employed to explode a shell 12 containing the inhibiting
substance.
[0162] The projectile system 90 of FIG. 34 is similar in structure
and operation to the projectile system 50 of FIG. 32 except as
noted below. The projectile system 90 of FIG. 34 employs the impact
piston 92 having a bullet-shaped, e.g., elliptic paraboloid,
prolate spheroid, two-sheet hyperboloid, or the like, forward end
94. Advantageously, this bullet-shaped forward end 94 provides
improved aerodynamics for the projectile system 90, thus
facilitating firing over longer distances and/or facilitating use
of a lower-powered weapon than is needed to fire the projectiles of
FIGS. 32 or 33.
[0163] FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of a further variation of
a projectile system 100, wherein a variation of the impact piston
110 is employed to explode the capsule 12 containing the inhibiting
substance, and wherein the atomization matrix 104 is located at a
rearward end of the projectile system 100.
[0164] Shown are the shell 12 mounted to a stabilizer body 106,
which has a puncture tube 108. An impact piston 110 is slidable
within a piston cylinder 111 formed at a forward portion of the
atomization matrix 104. The shell 12 is located between the impact
piston 110 and the puncture tube 108. Advantageously, the
atomization matrix 104 is located at a rearward section of the
projectile system and exit orifices 114 that make up the
atomization matrix 104 are angled forward so as to direct
inhibiting substance escaping therethrough toward the front of the
projectile, i.e., toward the target. The impact piston 110 of the
present embodiment preferably includes a rubber tip 116 aimed at
minimizing damage to the target.
[0165] Upon impact with the target, the impact piston 110 is forced
rearward by impact against the target, squeezing the shell 12
between the impact piston 110 and the puncture tube 108, ultimately
causing the shell 12 to rupture. Such rupturing of the shell 12
releases the inhibiting substance within the shell 12 into an
interior region 118 of the atomization matrix 104, from which the
inhibiting substance escapes via the exit orifices 114 which
orifices direct the escaping substance toward the target.
[0166] FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of a projectile system 200
made in accordance with a variation of the projectile system of
FIG. 35, wherein the impact piston 110 is employed to puncture a
membrane 202 behind which is contained the inhibiting substance.
The membrane may be made from, for example, wax, plastic, acrylic
or polyvinylchloride. In all other respects, the projectile system
200 is substantially identical to the projectile system 100 of FIG.
35, and therefore further explanation of its structure and
functionality is not made herein.
[0167] Referring next to FIG. 37, a cross-sectional view is shown
of a projectile system 109 for delivering an inhibiting substance
to a living target in accordance with a further embodiment of the
present invention, wherein a pressurized canister 112 is employed
to carry the inhibiting substance, and a stabilizer section 114 is
employed to increase range.
[0168] Shown are a plurality of radially oriented exit orifices 116
emanating from a central release chamber 118 into which a valve 120
expels inhibiting substance upon being rearwardly displaced. Also
shown are the stabilizer body 80 and a piston 92. The piston 92 is
bullet-shaped, similar to the piston 92 shown in FIG. 33 above,
with a puncture tube 82 located on a rearward portion thereof. The
piston 92 is housed in a cylinder 122 that forms a forward portion
of the stabilizer body 114. Alternatively, the pressurized canister
112 may be long enough to itself act also as the target piston 92,
thus eliminating the need for a separate piston such as the
illustrated piston 92. The stabilizer body 114 also includes a
stabilizer section 80 similar to the stabilizer sections 80
described above.
[0169] Upon impact, the piston 92 is displaced rearwardly within
the cylinder 122, which forces the puncture tube 82 into the valve
120. In response to a force applied by the puncture tube 82, the
valve 120 is rearwardly displaced. In response to such rearward
displacement, the valve 120 releases the inhibiting substance into
the central release chamber 118, from which the inhibiting
substance escapes through the exit orifices 116, thereby dispersing
the inhibiting substance proximate to the target. Preferably the
exit orifices 116 are angled forward so as to better direct the
inhibiting substance to the target.
[0170] The inhibiting substance is contained within the canister
112 which is formed in, or inserted into a portion 124 of the
stabilizer body 114 in front of the stabilizer section. Within the
canister 112, the inhibiting substance is pressurized so that it is
readily expelled when the valve 120 is opened. The inhibiting
substance may be pressurized using, e.g., compressed air techniques
or aerosol techniques, such as are known in the art.
[0171] FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of the projectile system
250 for delivering an inhibiting substance to a living target,
wherein a pressurized canister 112 is employed to carry the
inhibiting substance, and a stabilizer section 114 is employed to
increase range, and wherein the projectile system 250 employs an
adhesive material 252 and a mechanical attachment system 254 to
attach the projectile to the target during delivery of the
inhibiting substance to the target.
[0172] Shown are a plurality of radially oriented exit orifices 116
emanating from a central release chamber 118 into which a valve 120
expels the inhibiting substance upon being rearwardly displaced.
Also shown are the stabilizer body 80 and a piston 92. The piston
92 is bullet-shaped, similar to the piston shown in FIG. 37 above.
The piston 92 is housed in a cylinder 122 that forms a forward
portion of the stabilizer body 114. The stabilizer body 114 also
includes a stabilizer section 80, which is similar to the
stabilizer section 80 described above.
[0173] Upon impact the piston 92 is displaced rearwardly within the
cylinder 122, which forces the pressurized canister 112 into the
valve 120. In response to the force on the valve 120, the valve 120
is rearwardly displaced causing it to open and release the
inhibiting substance into the central release chamber 118, from
which the inhibiting substance escapes through the exit orifices
116, thereby dispersing the inhibiting substance proximate to the
target.
[0174] Concomitantly with the rearward displacement of the piston
92, piston locks 256 lock the piston in its displaced position,
which in turn locks the pressurized canister 112 in its displaced
position, holding the valve 120 in an open state. The piston locks
256 may, for example, operate in a ratchet fashion.
[0175] The adhesive material 252 and mechanical attachment system
254, which may comprise a plurality of barbed tips 254, assure that
once the projectile system 250 impacts the target it will attach to
the target during release of the inhibiting substance, so as to
increase the effectivity of the inhibiting substance against the
target. The adhesive material is preferably centrally located on a
forward end of the piston 92, whereas the barbed tips 254
preferably are located peripherically around the forward end of the
piston 92. (Note that in variations of the present embodiment
either the adhesive material 252 or the mechanical attachment 254
may be used alone, instead of in combination with each other.)
[0176] FIGS. 39A and 39B are side cross-sectional views of
alternative projectile systems 300 for delivering an inhibiting
substance to a living target in accordance with additional
embodiments of the present invention, wherein a twelve-gauge
shotgun shell 302 is packed with a rosin bag 304 FIG. 39A that
contains an inhibiting substance, such as oleoresin capsicum, or,
alternatively and preferably, is packed with one or more capsules
containing an inhibiting substance 303 FIG. 39B, such as, for
example, is shown in the various embodiments described herein.
Advantageously, the modified shotgun shells in accordance with the
embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 39A and 39B may be used with
standard, commercially available shotguns.
[0177] Shown in FIG. 39A are the twelve-gauge shotgun shell 302,
the rosin bag 304, an airtight seal 306, wadding 308, and black
powder or gun powder 310. Shown in FIG. 39A are the twelve-gauge
shotgun shell 302, three spherical capsules 303, protective
diaphragms 305 between the capsules, an airtight seal 306, wadding
308, and black powder or gun powder 310. It will be appreciated by
those of skill in the art that the diaphragms 305 may be formed of
various materials such as, for example, sponge foam, cotton,
plastic or other polymer, paper, wadding or similar cushioning
material.
[0178] Upon firing of the twelve-gauge shotgun shell 302, the black
powder 310 is ignited, which causes the expansion of gases forcing
the wadding 308 and the rosin bag 304 or capsules 303 and
diaphragms 305 out of the twelve-gauge shotgun shell 302. Such
forcing out of the wadding 308 and the rosin bag 304 or capsules
303 and diaphragms 305 breaks the airtight seal 306. With respect
to rosin bag 304 of FIG. 39A, it contains oleorosin capsicum in
powder form, as mentioned above, which, upon impact with the
target, causes the target to be inhibited. (The rosin bag 304 is,
as is known in the art, porous, so as to allow release of the
powdered inhibiting substance upon impact of the rosin bag 304 with
the target.) With respect to the capsules 303 and diaphragms 305 of
FIG. 39B, the capsules 303 rupture upon impact with the target, as
previously described, thereby dispersing the oleoresin capsicum and
inhibiting the target. The diaphragms 305 may impact the target or
may fall short of the target. The primary purpose of the
diaphragms, which are optionally included in this embodiment, is to
prevent premature rupture of the capsules during shipment, carrying
and/or loading of the shotgun shell 302.
[0179] Referring next to FIG. 40, an end cross-sectional view is
shown of the projectile system 300. Shown are the twelve-gauge
shotgun shell 302 and the rosin bag 304. As can be seen, the rosin
bag 304 is folded within the twelve-gauge shotgun shell 302 so as
to fit tightly within the twelve-gauge shotgun shell 302. Upon
firing of the twelve-gauge shotgun shell 302, the rosin bag 304
expands and unfolds prior to impact with the target so as to
maximize exposure of the target to the rosin bag 304, thus
maximizing its inhibiting effect.
[0180] Referring to FIGS. 41 through 45, several exemplary
embodiments of delivery devices suitable for projecting the
projectiles described above at a target are shown. While various
devices are shown, the inventors have presently focused most of
their research activity on perfecting the projectiles described
above. It is contemplated, however, that subsequent improvements to
the delivery devices (or launchers) will be forthcoming in the
not-to-distant future. At the same time, it is to be appreciated
that the projectiles described above with reference to FIGS. 1-6
and 8-22 can be satisfactorily launched using commercially
available paint ball equipment, such as, for example, compressed
gas paintball launchers, which are of course readily available in
the commercial market, and very inexpensive compared to heretofore
available equipment for launching or firing non-lethal or
less-than-lethal projectiles.
[0181] Referring first to FIG. 41 a cross-sectional view is shown
of a custom launch device 400 useable in combination with
projectiles described herein for delivering an inhibiting substance
to a living target. Advantageously, the launch device depicted is
in the form of a PR24 police baton, such as those commonly used by
law enforcement officers. Shown are a plurality of projectile
systems 402 loaded within a chamber 404 of the launch device. The
chamber 404 also houses a spring 406, which is used to push the
projectile systems 402 into position for firing. A flapper valve
408 retains the projectile systems 402, allowing only a single
projectile system 418 to move into the barrel 410 for firing. The
chamber 404 and the barrel 410 together form the baton portion of
the PR24 police baton.
[0182] Within a handle portion of such baton, a valve switch 412
and a propellent cylinder 414 are housed. A removable cap 416 on an
end of the handle portion can be used to load the propellant
cylinder 414 into the device 400. When launch of a projectile is
desired, the valve 412 is opened by operation of a button or
trigger (not shown) which releases a measured amount of propellent
from the propellent cylinder 414 into the barrel 410 behind the
single projectile system 418. This propellent is preferably
CO.sub.2 or compressed air and propels the single projectile 418
down the barrel and out the end of the launch device toward a
target. When reloading of the device is desired, another removable
cap 420 is removed, along with the spring 406, and a plurality of
projectiles are loaded into the chamber 402 behind the flapper
valve 408.
[0183] Referring next to FIG. 42, a cross-sectional view is shown
of another custom launch device 450 useable with projectiles
described above for delivering an inhibiting substance in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
Advantageously the launch device 450 assumes the form of a
flashlight, including batteries 452, an on/off switch 454 and a
reflector housing 456 of conventional design. Also shown are a
propellent cylinder 458, a valve switch 460, a projectile system
462, a barrel 464 and a removable cap 466.
[0184] When firing of the projectile system 462 is desired, the
removal cap 466, which may be attached on one side, such as by a
hinge, is opened, the device 450 is aimed at the target and the
valve switch 460 is opened by the depression of a button or trigger
(not shown). The opening of the valve switch 460 releases
propellent gas from the propellent cylinder 458 into the barrel 464
behind the projectile system 462, thus propelling the projectile
system 462 down the barrel 464 toward the target whereat it
delivers the inhibiting substance to the target.
[0185] In FIG. 43, a cross-sectional view of an adaptation of the
custom launch device 500 of FIG. 41, for delivering ball-type
projectile systems in rapid successive firings, is shown. The
spring 502, the projectile chamber 504, the valve 506, the
propellent cylinder 508, the barrel 510, the flapper valve 512, the
projectile system in position for launch 514, the removable cap 516
and the other removable cap 518 can be seen. Operation of the
launch device 500 depicted in FIG. 43 is substantially identical to
operation of the launch device 400 depicted in FIG. 41 and
therefore further explanation of the functionality and structure
depicted is not made herein.
[0186] Referring next to FIG. 44, a cross-sectional view is shown
of an adaptation of a custom launch device 550 for delivering
ball-type projectile systems, wherein a plurality of barrels 566,
568 are employed to allow the simultaneous or rapid successive
firing of projectile systems 562, 565 without reloading. Shown are
the batteries 552, the on/off switch 554, the reflector housing
556, the propellent cylinder 558, the valve switch 560 and the
removable cover 570. The propellant cartridge 558, the valve switch
560, the removable cover 570, the projectile systems 562, 565 and
the barrels 566, 568 are housed within an enlarged portion 570 of
the launch device 550 so as to accommodate the two barrels 566, 568
within the circumference of the launch device 550.
[0187] Except as noted hereinabove, the structure and operation of
the launch device depicted in FIG. 44 is substantially identical to
the structure and function of the launch device depicted in FIG.
42, and therefore further explanation of the launch device of FIG.
44 is not made herein except to note that the valve switch 560 is
preferably selective, such that the firing of a projectile from
only one of the barrels 566, 568 at a time occurs. For example, a
first depression of a button, may cause the valve switch 560 to
direct a measured amount of propellant gas into one of the barrels
566, and a second depression of the button may cause the valve
switch 560 to direct the measured amount of propellant gas into the
other of the barrels 568. Other embodiments may allow simultaneous
firing of projectiles from both barrels 566, 568 or manual
selection of from which barrel 566, 568 to fire, and therefore
selection of which projectile to fire. This latter embodiment may
be useful for example when two different projectiles, carrying two
different substances, for example, an inhibiting substance and
marking substance are utilized.
[0188] Referring finally to FIG. 45, an end view is shown of the
launch device 550 described in FIG. 44, wherein two or more barrels
566, 568 allow multiple, simultaneous or rapid successive
projectile launches.
[0189] While the invention herein disclosed has been described by
means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous
modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled
in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as set
forth in the claims.
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