U.S. patent application number 13/369293 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-16 for disarm prevention circuit for a firearm and a system to prevent a user of a fiream from being disarmmed.
Invention is credited to Anthony Jeremiah Bayne.
Application Number | 20120204466 13/369293 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46635781 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120204466 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bayne; Anthony Jeremiah |
August 16, 2012 |
DISARM PREVENTION CIRCUIT FOR A FIREARM AND A SYSTEM TO PREVENT A
USER OF A FIREAM FROM BEING DISARMMED
Abstract
A device and system for a firearm that enables a user to
maintain possession of a firearm by holding at least one handle of
the firearm, by delivering a high-voltage electrical shock to an
assailant that attempts to disarm the user by grabbing the firearm
out of the user's hands.
Inventors: |
Bayne; Anthony Jeremiah;
(Lomita, CA) |
Family ID: |
46635781 |
Appl. No.: |
13/369293 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61442146 |
Feb 11, 2011 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/84 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 13/0018 20130101;
F41A 17/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/84 |
International
Class: |
F41A 17/00 20060101
F41A017/00 |
Claims
1. Apparatus comprising: a disarm prevention circuit attachable to
a firearm, at least one exposed electrode of said disarm prevention
circuit disposed in such a way that a user of the firearm is able
to operate the firearm without contacting the at least one exposed
electrode when the device is attached to the firearm.
2. The operation of the firearm of claim 1, further comprising the
user holding the firearm by at least one handle of the firearm.
3. The device of claim 1, further comprising an electrical power
source and a first switch.
4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a second switch that
is wired in a series with the first switch.
5. The electrical power source of claim 3, further comprising an
illuminating device.
6. The at least one electrode of claim 1, further comprises two
electrodes.
7. The at least one electrode of claim 1, further comprising a
conductive plate.
8. The contact of claim 1, further comprising physical contact.
9. The contact of claim 1, further comprising electrical
contact.
10. A system for maintaining control of a firearm, comprising:
means to impart an electric shock to a second person who interferes
with a first person's operation of a firearm, wherein the first
person's operation comprises the first person holding the firearm
by at least one handle of the firearm, and the second person's
interference comprises the second person coming into contact with
the means to impart the electric shock.
11. The system of claim 10 further comprising two switches wired in
a series, wherein at least one switch is a momentary on switch.
12. An apparatus, comprising: a disarm prevention circuit, the
disarm prevention circuit comprising at least one exposed
electrode, a first switch and a second switch wired in a
series.
13. The second switch of claim 12, further being removably
attachable to a firearm foreword of a trigger guard of the
firearm.
14. The second switch of claim 12, further being disposed in a
firearm's butt
15. The second switch of claim 12, further being a momentary on
switch.
16. The electrode of claim 12, further comprising a conductive
plate.
17. The electrode of claim 12, further capable of administering an
electric shock to a second person without shocking a first person
holding a firearm by at least one handle of the firearm and the
disarm prevention circuit is attached to the firearm.
18. An apparatus, comprising: a semi-automatic pistol slide, at
least one exposed electrode of said semi-automatic pistol slide
disposed in such a way that it is able to deliver an electric shock
while the semi-automatic pistol slide recoils.
19. The electrode of claim 18 further being disposed on the
semi-automatic pistol slide.
20. The slide of claim 18, further being slidably connected to an
electric power source.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to
provisional patent application No. 61/442,146, filed on Feb. 11,
2011, and hereby incorporates it by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a device for a firearm, and
more specifically to a device and system to prevent an assailant
from disarming a user operating a firearm.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Many citizens, including soldiers and police officers
(collectively hereinafter "user") are faced with the prospect of
being disarmed by an assailant and shot with his/her own firearm
(e.g. handgun, rifle, shotgun). For example, a user holding an
assailant at gunpoint may suddenly have the assailant grab the
firearm and redirect the firearm's muzzle away from the assailant
(i.e. redirect the line of fire) as a first step in
disarming/attempting to disarm the user. The assailant can then
attack the user to weaken him and gain control of the firearm. This
can be done in mere seconds by a trained, reality based fighting
system practitioner (e.g. Krav Maga). From the time of the
assailant's grabbing the user's firearm, to the assailant operating
the firearm to shoot the user, the assailant may use the firearm as
a club against the user (e.g. while holding onto the barrel of the
firearm to drive the butt end of the firearm into the user's face).
Once the user is separated from the firearm, the assailant may
create space between him and the user (to prevent a user's
counter-disarm) and shoot the user.
[0006] One proposed solution includes "SAFETY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
REMOTELY DISABLBING A WEAPON," United States Patent Application
Publication US 2011/0162514, to Osborne; Wayne Kenneth, et al.
(hereinafter Osborne) which teaches an authorized person (user)
activating a "remote and/or wireless switch or may be a tethered
switch" that signals and activates a "disarming protection circuit"
to deliver a large electrical voltage into the body of an
unauthorized person, to cause the unauthorized person to release
the weapon. The chief disadvantage of this concept, as the title
suggests, is that the user is "REMOTE" from his firearm, and the
unauthorized person has the firearm. Another disadvantage of
Osborne is that it does not take into account how it is that the
user became remote from his firearm in the first place. For
example, a user who takes an assailant captive at gunpoint will not
voluntarily surrender his firearm to the assailant, but instead
will only become remote from the firearm involuntarily (e.g. after
the assailant delivers a stunning blow to the user's throat or
groin). In such a scenario, the chance of a user finding the switch
and activating the disarming protection circuit before being shot
and killed by the unauthorized person is unlikely. Yet another
problem not addressed by Osborne, is how to keep an electrode (or
conductive plate/sheath) electrically charged when the electrode is
disposed on a moving part of the firearm (e.g. a recoiling slide of
a semi-automatic handgun).
[0007] Other problems and drawbacks with prior approaches exist.
Therefore remains a need for a device that assists a user in
maintaining control and possession of a firearm that an assailant
attempts to take away from the user.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0008] One object of the invention is to overcome these and other
drawbacks of known devices.
[0009] This disclosure describes a disarm prevention circuit
apparatus for use with a firearm (e.g. handgun, rifle, or pump
shotgun) that allows a user to maintain a firearm in the user's
hand(s), and prevents an assailant from disarming the user by
delivering a high-voltage electric shock to the assailant via at
least one exposed electrode or conductive plate of a disarm
prevention circuit. In this way, the disarm prevention circuit
prevents a user from becoming remote from his firearm in the first
place.
[0010] Apparatus comprising a disarm prevention circuit attachable
to a firearm, at least one exposed electrode of said disarm
prevention circuit disposed in such a way that a user of the
firearm is able to operate the firearm without contacting the at
least one exposed electrode when the device is attached to the
firearm.
[0011] A system for maintaining control of a firearm, comprising
means to impart an electric shock to a second person who interferes
with a first person's operation of a firearm, wherein the first
person's operation comprises the first person holding the firearm
by at least one handle of the firearm, and the second person's
interference comprises the second person coming into contact with
the means to impart the electric shock.
[0012] An apparatus, comprising a disarm prevention circuit, the
disarm prevention circuit comprising at least one exposed
electrode, a first switch and a second switch wired in a
series.
[0013] An apparatus, comprising a semi-automatic pistol slide, at
least one exposed electrode of said semi-automatic pistol slide
disposed in such a way that it is able to deliver an electric shock
while the semi-automatic pistol slide recoils.
[0014] Other objects, features, and advantages of the embodiments
will become readily apparent when the detailed description of the
embodiment is read in conjunction with the drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1A is a front elevational view of the disarm prevention
circuit that is slidably connected to a tactical illuminating
device power source mounted to a firearm.
[0016] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a disarm prevention circuit
that is slidably connected to a tactical illuminating device power
source mounted to a firearm, consistent with one embodiment of the
invention as in FIG. 1A.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a slide for a semi-automatic
handgun, including an exposed electrode and an elongated bar
structure that slidably connects to a power source as in FIG.
3.
[0018] FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a disarm
prevention circuit's power source, including an elongated slot to
receive a slide's elongated bar structure as in FIG. 2.
[0019] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a disarm prevention circuit
that is slidably connected to a dedicated power source that is
mounted to a firearm, consistent with one embodiment of the
invention.
[0020] FIG. 4B is an external side view of the disarm prevention
circuit that is slidably connected to a dedicated power source that
is mounted to a firearm as in FIG. 4A.
[0021] FIG. 5A is an external perspective view of a disarm
prevention circuit including an attachable upper portion, that
further includes at least one electrode that is connected via an
insulated wire to a dedicated power source, consistent with one
embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 5B is an external side view of the attachable disarm
prevention circuit as in FIG. 5A.
[0023] FIG. 6A is an external perspective view of an attachable
disarm prevention circuit mounted to a firearm and not in contact
with the top surface of the firearm, consistent with one embodiment
of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 6B is an external side view of an attachable disarm
prevention circuit as in FIG. 6A.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a firearm including a disarm
prevention circuit comprising two switches wired in a series,
consistent with one embodiment of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary schematic circuit diagram
for the disarm prevention circuit, in accordance with this
disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate embodiment of an exemplary
schematic circuit diagram for the disarm prevention circuit
including a first and second switch wired in a series, in
accordance with this disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 10 is an illustration of the disarm prevention circuit
delivering a shock to an assailant attempting to disarm a user.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] With reference to FIGS. 1A-1B, 4A-4B there is depicted a
disarm prevention circuit (hereinafter "DPC") 20, including at
least one exposed electrode 22 that is disposed on a slide 24 of a
firearm 26. As used herein, the term "at least one exposed
electrode" 22 includes a conductive plate (e.g. a conductive metal
plate). The at least one exposed electrode 22 receives a high
voltage electrical current from a power source 28 (to be further
described below) that can generate a voltage in a range of
approximately 25,000-1,000,000 volts, and includes at least one
switch 30 (hereinafter "1.sup.st switch") (e.g. an on/off switch,
momentary on switch, etc.). This should not be construed as a
limitation however, as this embodiment is for illustrative purposes
only. As those skilled in the art will appreciate from this
disclosure, the novel features described herein may readily be
applied to other devices and firearms. Moreover, the figures are
provided as examples only. It is to be understood that the
invention is not limited to the particulars depicted in the
figures.
[0030] According to one embodiment, the firearm 26 comprises a
frame 32 with rail grooves 34 located in and extending along at
least a portion of the frame 32, preferably parallel with a
longitudinal axis "A" of the barrel 36. Preferably, the rail
grooves 34 extend from about a trigger guard 38 to substantially
the most forward end of the frame 32.
[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the power source 28 is attached
to the firearm's frame 32 (e.g. via it's rail grooves 34).
Alternatively, the power source 28 may be located in, or attached
to a different location of the firearm 26, such as housed inside a
stock 40 of a firearm 26, attached to a hand guard 42, etc..
[0032] The power source 28, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, and FIGS. 3-7
also preferably comprises a housing and structural members
extending therefrom (e.g. rigid elongated projections, or
longitudinal "tongues" 44 extending along at least a portion of the
power source 28. Preferably, the tongues 44 are designed to be
compatible with the rail grooves 34 of the firearm 26. For example,
the longitudinal tongues 44 may be spaced and sized such that they
fit snugly within the rail grooves 34, but are capable of being
slid therealong. Together, the rail grooves 34 and tongues 44
cooperate to function as a positioning mechanism. In a preferred
embodiment the power source 28 will be removably attached by means
of a universal clamp-on mounting deck, so as to fit most firearms
with or without rail grooves 34.
[0033] The DPC 20 further comprises at least one connector
component 45 to carry an electric current from the power source 28
to the at least one electrode 22. The connector component 45 may be
any suitable means for connecting the power source 28 to the at
least one exposed electrode 22. For example, the connector
component 45 may be a housing wall 46 of the power source 28 (FIGS.
1A-1B, 3, 4A-4B, 10), an insulated wire 48 (FIGS. 5A-5B and 7), or
a cover 50 (FIGS. 6A-6B)). The firearm's 26 type and use during
operation (e.g. what parts of the firearm 26 move when the firearm
26 is fired) will determine the suitability of the specific
connector component 45 to be used to connect the power source 28 to
the at least one exposed electrode 22.
[0034] The at least one exposed electrode 22 is preferably
insulated (e.g. with an insulating material 66) and not proximate
to a handle 52 (hereinafter "1.sup.st handle") of the firearm 26,
so that a user 54 may operate the firearm 26 by the 1.sup.st handle
52 of the firearm 26 without being shocked when the electrode 22
receives an electrical current from the power source 28. In another
alternate embodiment, the 1.sup.st handle 52 of the firearm 26 may
be insulated, instead of or in addition to the at least one exposed
electrode 22, so that the user 54 operating the firearm 26 will not
be shocked.
[0035] The 1st switch 30 may be a simple "on/off", "momentary on",
or other suitable switch 30. For example, when the power source 28
is an illumination device (as illustrated in FIG. 1A-1B), the
1.sup.st switch 30 may be a Single Pole Double Throw Switch,
including a "center off" position (i.e. SPDT center off
switch).
[0036] The at least one electrode 22 is preferably disposed
proximate to the muzzle 56 of the firearm 26, so that when an
assailant 58 is being held at gunpoint by a user 54, the electrode
22 will be on the firearm 26 at a point closest to the assailant 58
when the assailant 58 attempts to disarm the user 54 who is holding
the firearm 26 by at least one 1.sup.st handle 52.
[0037] FIG. 1A-1B shows a slide 24 of a semi-automatic type firearm
26, including at least one exposed electrode 22 disposed thereon,
and at least one elongated bar 60 that extends from an outer
surface of the slide 24 and along at least a portion of the slide
24, preferably parallel with a longitudinal axis "A" of the barrel
36. The at least one electrode 22 is electrically connected to the
at least one elongated bar 60 of the slide 24 (e.g. by at least one
wire 62 disposed inside the slide 24).
[0038] The at least one elongated bar 60 is illustrated as being
oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis A of the
barrel 36 of the firearm 26, but other orientations are possible.
Preferably the at least one elongated bar 60 has a geometry that is
complimentary to an elongated slot 64 of the connector component 45
(e.g. as illustrated, a power source's 28 housing wall 46, that is
likewise substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis A of the
barrel 36 of the firearm 26), so that they may slidably connect
together to carry an electrical current from the power source 28 to
the at least one exposed electrode 22. At least a portion of the
elongated bar 60 and elongated slot 64 is preferably composed of
one or more conductive materials (e.g. copper, conductive plastic,
etc.). In this way, when the firearm 26 is fired and the slide 24
recoils, the at least one electrode 22 will remain electrically
charged.
[0039] For purposes of illustration, the elongated slots 64 are
shown open ended, however in an alternate embodiment the elongated
slots 64 may be closed at least at one end (e.g. at a point closest
to the muzzle 56) to prevent the connection of the at least one
elongated bar 60 and elongated slot 64 from becoming
dirty/degraded. The elongated bar 60 may be integral to the slide
24 (i.e. made with the slide 24 as one piece), or may be a
separately manufactured part that is attached to the slide 24 (e.g.
by screws, weld, etc.). In a preferred embodiment, the at least one
elongated bar 60 is removably attached (e.g. by screws), so that it
can be easily replaced when it becomes worn.
[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a DPC 20 slide
24 comprising a single elongated bar 60 that is substantially
parallel to a longitudinal axis A of the barrel 36 of a firearm 26.
The elongated bar 60 is electrically connected to at least one
exposed electrode 22 via at least one interior wire 62 (e.g. a wire
disposed inside the slide 24). The at least one exposed electrode
22 is preferably insulated 66 In an alternative embodiment, all, or
a segment of the interior wire 62 may be disposed on the exterior
surface of the slide 24. The at least one exposed electrode 22 may
be disposed on the top of the slide 24 (as shown), or on any other
suitable location of the slide 24. In a preferred embodiment, the
electrode 22 is further disposed at a point nearest the most
forward end of the slide 24.
[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a power source
28 for a DPC 20 that slidably connects to, and is compatible with
the slide 24 of FIG. 2. The power source 28 includes at least one
interior wire 62 that connects the power source 28 to the elongated
slot 64 of a connection component 45 (in this illustration a
housing wall 46 of the power source 28), and a 1.sup.st switch
30.
[0042] FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of an alternate
embodiment of a DPC 20 including a power source 28 and a slide 24
of a firearm 26. The slide 24 further includes an elongated bar 60
with an elongated slot 64 that is substantially parallel to a
longitudinal axis A of the barrel 36 of the firearm 26. The
elongated slot 64 slidably connects to an edge of a housing wall 46
connector component 45 that is likewise substantially parallel to a
longitudinal axis A of the barrel 36 of the firearm 26. This
connection allows the components 46 & 60 to remain in contact
(e.g. substantial physical and/or electrical contact) when the
slide 24 recoils as the firearm 26 is fired. Together the
connection allows an electrical current to flow from the power
source 28 to the at least one exposed electrode 22 when the slide
24 recoils. FIG. 4B is an external side view of the DPC 20 as in
FIG. 4A.
[0043] FIG. 5A illustrates an external perspective view of a DPC 20
consistent with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure,
including at least one exposed electrode 22 disposed on a removably
attached upper portion 68. As used herein, the word "upper" in the
term "upper portion" 68 is not intended as a limitation where the
upper portion 68 may be attach to a firearm 26. The upper portion
68 may be attached to any suitable location of a firearm 26 (e.g.
on the slide 24, barrel 36, handguard 42, tactical rail 70, etc.).
In this embodiment, the power source 28 is connected to the at
least one exposed electrode 22 via an insulated wire 48 having
sufficient slack (i.e. between the power source 28 and the
removable upper portion 68) to accommodate the slide's 24 movement
(e.g. the slide's 24 recoil when the firearm 26 is fired) without
disconnecting the power source 28 from the removable upper portion
68.
[0044] The removable upper portion 68 preferably slidably attaches
to the firearm 26. For example, the upper portion 68 may include a
clip of one piece construction (made of metal, plastic, or other
suitable material, or a combination of materials) including a first
leg, a second leg, and a bridging section joining the first leg and
the second leg that further biases the first leg against the second
leg to attach to the upper portion 68 to the firearm 26.
Alternatively, the removable upper portion 68 may be made of more
than one piece.
[0045] In alternate embodiment, the removable upper portion 68 may
attach to a firearm's 26 picatinny, weaver, or other tactical rail
70 by at least one fastener (e.g. screw).
[0046] When the firearm 26 includes a front sight bead/blade (not
shown), the removable upper portion 68 preferably includes a notch
72 to accommodate the bead/blade, so that the removable upper
portion 68 and the electrode 22 may be positioned on the most
forward portion of the slide 24, proximate to the firearm's 26
muzzle 56. FIG. 5B is an external side view illustration of a DPC
20 comprising a removable upper portion 68 attached to a firearm 26
as in FIG. 5A.
[0047] FIG. 6A illustrates an alternate embodiment of a DPC 20,
including a removably attached cover 50, that further includes at
least one exposed electrode 22. The cover 50 attaches to a firearm
in such a way that the DPC's 20 at least one exposed electrode 22
does not come into contact with the top of the firearm 26 (e.g. the
top of a firearm's 26 slide 24, barrel 36, etc.) when the DPC 20 is
attached to a firearm 26. In a preferred embodiment, the at least
one exposed electrode 22 is insulated 66.
[0048] In this embodiment, the cover 50 attaches to a firearm 26 by
sliding onto the firearm's 26 rail grooves 34. In this embodiment,
it is further preferable that the DPC 20 may slide onto the
firearm's 26 rail grooves 34 either end of the DPC 20 first, so
that a user 54 in an emergency can attach the DPC 20 to a firearm
26 without having to consider which end of the DPC 20 to slide onto
the rail grooves 34 first. In a preferred embodiment, the DPC 20,
or segments of it, will have the same or similar color/pattern of
the firearm's 26 surface, so that the DPC's 20 presence is not
obvious to an assailant 58. FIG. 6B is an external side view of the
attachable DPC 20 mounted to a firearm 26 as in FIG. 6B.
[0049] FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of an alternate
embodiment of a DPC 20 for a firearm 26 having at least two handles
(52 & 76), two switches (30 & 80) and a pair of electrodes
78. In this embodiment, the 1.sup.st handle 52 is proximate to and
behind a trigger 74. The second handle 76 (hereinafter "2.sup.nd
handle") is forward of the trigger 74. The 2.sup.nd handle 76
includes an actual second handle (such as a forward handle of a
"Tommy gun"), a pump of a pump action shotgun, or a handguard 42 of
a firearm 26 (as illustrated in FIG. 7 herein). In this embodiment,
the DPC 20 may include at least one pair of exposed electrodes 78
disposed on a removably attached upper portion 68 that attaches to
a barrel 36 of the firearm 26.
[0050] In this embodiment, the DPC 20 power source 28 may be
mounted on the firearm's 26 tactical rail 70, or other suitable
location (e.g. in a hollow of the firearm's stock 40. In this
embodiment, 1.sup.st switch 30 and 2.sup.nd switch 80 are wired in
a series 82, so that both switches 30 & 80 must be closed in
order for the at least one pair of exposed electrodes 78 to shock
98 an assailant 58. The 2.sup.nd switch 80 is preferably a push
button "momentary on" type switch.
[0051] When the DPC 20 is attached to a firearm 26 having at least
two handles 52 & 76, the 2nd switch 80 is preferably disposed
on the 2.sup.nd handle 76 of the firearm 26 to prevent the user 54
from being accidentally shocked when the 1.sup.st switch 30 is
closed. For example, a user 54 who aims a firearm 26 having two
handles 52 & 76 will hold the firearm 26 in both hands (i.e.
one on each handle). Therefore, when the 2.sup.nd switch 80 is
disposed on the 2.sup.nd handle 76 of the firearm 26, the user's 54
hand will not accidentally come into contact with the at least one
exposed electrode 22 and be shocked. Alternatively, when the
firearm 26 has a stock 40, the 2.sup.nd switch 80 may be disposed
on the butt 84 of the stock 40, so that the user's 54 shoulder can
depress the 2.sup.nd switch 80 when the user 54 places the butt 84
of the firearm 26 against the user's 54 shoulder to aim the firearm
26.
[0052] In a preferred embodiment, when the DPC 20 includes at least
one pair of exposed electrodes 78, a space 86 between the pair of
electrodes 78 will exist that is wide enough (e.g. approximately an
inch or more depending on the voltage and environment), to prevent
an arc from being created between the pair of exposed electrodes.
When no arc is created, an assailant 58 will not recognize the pair
of exposed electrodes 78 as such, to avoid them. When an
assailant's 58 body part (e.g. a hand) closes the current path
between the pair of exposed electrodes 78, a high-voltage
electricity discharge will flow into the assailant 58, and prevent
the firearm 26 from being taken out of the user's 54 hands.
[0053] In an alternate embodiment, the space 86 between the pair of
exposed electrodes 78 is adjustable, so that when the weather is
humid (for example) the space 86 may be increased to prevent a
visible arc.
[0054] FIG. 8 is an exemplary illustration of schematic diagram 88
for a DPC 20 in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure.
The DPC 20 includes a 1.sup.st switch 30 (e.g. an on/off switch,
"push-to-make" switch, etc.) and a battery 90, or other power
supply in parallel with a load resistor R2 adapted to limit the
current flowing from the battery 90. The current flows across the
resistor to a pair of transistors Q1 and Q2.
[0055] The transistors Q1 and Q2, take the low voltage coming
across the resistor R2, and out of the power source, and controls a
much larger current that is amplified and output from the various
transistors Q1 and Q2. The resistor R1 is provided to protect the
transistors Q1 and Q2 from too much current which may cause
excessive damaging heat to the DPC 20. The large current being
output from the transistors Q1 and Q2 is fed into a drive
transformer T1.
[0056] The step-up or high voltage drive transformer T1 receives a
pair of currents from the transistors Q1 and Q2 which flow from a
pair of primary coils induces a second current in a secondary
winding. The voltage ratio is electromagnetically induced into a
significantly higher level. As shown from the primary and secondary
winding, the voltage is significantly boosted to a substantially
higher level as shown by the dramatic increase in the number of
windings in the secondary coil. The boosted secondary high voltage
and smaller secondary current is fed into various diodes D1-D4.
[0057] The high voltage transformers T1, T2 (discussed later) may
be of any suitable type and is well known in the art. The high
output voltage from the high voltage transformer T2 may be selected
to deliver a sufficiently high voltage to the at least one
electrode 22 that will cause an assailant 58 to release the firearm
26. High voltage transformers of this type are incorporated into
commercial articles known as "stun guns" (as well as other devices,
e.g. cattle prods) and act to deliver well in excess of 25,000
volts to the electrodes. Typical stun guns now commercially
available deliver in excess of 1,000,000 volts to the
electrodes.
[0058] In accordance with this disclosure, when an assailant 58
comes into contact (physical or electrical) with the at least one
exposed electrode 22 of the DPC 20 while attempting to disarm a
user 54 who is operating the firearm 26 (i.e. by holding a firearm
26 by at least one handle), the assailant's 58 disarm will be
thwarted when the assailant 58 experiences a high voltage shock 98
(e.g. in the range of approximately 25,000 to approximately
1,000,000 volts being delivered through the assailant's 58 body).
The range is not intended to be absolute and may be varied
depending on the power source 28, embedded circuitry and intended
operating environment, which may result in lower and/or higher
ranges. For example, when the user 54 is a prison guard, the DPC 20
may generate a non-lethal voltage, and when the user 54 is a combat
soldier, a lethal voltage.
[0059] The diodes D1-D4 are arranged as a full-wave bridge
rectifier to provide full-wave rectification of the AC output of
the single transformer T1 secondary winding. The incoming AC from
the transformer T1 is converted into some form of a pulsating DC.
Both halves of the incoming AC wave are manipulated so that both
halves are used to cause output current to flow in the same
direction. That full-wave bridge rectifier rectifies the undulating
(AC) signal (or voltage) into a single polarity (DC) signal (or
voltage); hence, the diodes D1-D4 operate on the entire incoming AC
wave. The full wave rectifier shown will rectify both haves of the
AC signal, thereby providing a fuller, higher voltage, DC out
signal. The output voltage out of the various diodes D1-D4 is fed
in series to a pair of load resistors R3 and R4.
[0060] The output current from the various diodes D1-D4 is
filtered. The pulsating voltage from the various diodes D1-D4 is
filtered into a steady output direct current (DC) and limited
across the resistor R3 and the capacitor C1.
[0061] Likewise, the current limited across the resistor R4
activates the (silicon controlled rectifier) SCR1 and is
subsequently fed into the triac Z1 and collected by the capacitor
C1. The triac Z1 provides internal protection to the circuit by
carrying current in both directions and is used to control the AC
voltage that is to switch both direct (DC) and alternating currents
(AC). The SCR1 is provided to control the DC voltage coming out of
the various diodes D1-D4. The SCR and the triac Z1 will provide
internal protection to the circuit by further filtering out the
output current in at least the following way. The triac Z1 (two
SCR's back-to-back) will allow for current control in one direction
and the other in the opposite polarity. On the contrary, the SCR1
will block reverse current polarity and only allow correct
polarity. The SCR1 may be a high current SCR capable of switching
hundreds of amperes up to several thousand volts in a predefined
direction.
[0062] The output from the capacitor C1 may be fed into the diode
D5 which is used to isolate current flow, like a one way valve, by
controlling (blocking or passing) its flow to supply a second
capacitor C2, which in turn when charged, discharges and feeds
current into a second transformer T2.
[0063] The second transformer T2 receives a current that flows
across a primary coil and is induced into a secondary larger
winding. As shown by the windings, the voltage ratio is transformed
into a significantly higher level. That is, the voltage is
significantly boosted to a substantially higher level as shown by
the dramatic increase in the secondary windings in the secondary
coil. The highly charged voltage coming out of the secondary
windings of the second transformer(s) T2 are connected to high
voltage terminals 92 which in turn may be connected to the at least
one electrode 22.
[0064] The high voltage terminals 92 are made of conducting metal
(or other suitable material) positioned in the DPC 20 with a space
86 between them. A high voltage differential is provided between
the high voltage terminals 92. An exposed electrode 22/pair of
electrodes 78 is connected through an electrode connector 94 to the
high voltage terminals 92. When a portion of the assailant 58 (e.g.
hand) fills the space 86, the electrical pulses will move from one
electrode 22 to the other, shocking 98 the assailant 58.
Alternatively, the assailant 58 may come into contact with an
exposed conductive plate to receive a shock 98. Circuitries for
administering an electrical shock 98 to another (and to animals)
are well known by those of ordinary skill in the art, and so are
not discussed in further detail.
[0065] FIG. 9 is an exemplary illustration of a schematic diagram
96 for the DPC 20 including a 2.sup.nd switch 80 and a pair of
exposed electrodes 78. In this embodiment, the 2.sup.nd switch 80
is preferably a "push-to-make" type switch that is wired in a
series 82 with the 1.sup.st switch 30. The 2.sup.nd switch 80 may
disposed on a 2.sup.nd handle 76 of a firearm 26. In an alternate
embodiment, when the power source 28 comprises an illuminating
device including a depressible 1.sup.st switch 30 to activate the
illuminating device, the pair of electrodes 78/at least one
electrode 22 may be activated by the illuminating device's
depressible 1.sup.st switch 30 to operate both devices
simultaneously.
[0066] FIG. 10 illustrates an assailant 58 receiving an electrical
shock 98 from a DPC 20 as illustrated in FIG. 4A. The user 54 is
not shocked and maintains control of the firearm 26 by holding onto
at least the 1.sup.st handle 52 of the firearm 26.
[0067] Although this invention has been disclosed and described in
its preferred forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is
understood that the present disclosure of the preferred forms is
only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of
operation and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be
resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as hereinafter claimed.
[0068] It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that
changes or modifications may be made to the above-described
embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of
the invention. It is understood therefore that the invention is not
limited to the particular embodiments that are described, but is
intended to cover all modifications and changes within the scope
and spirit of the invention.
* * * * *