U.S. patent number 3,728,809 [Application Number 05/077,526] was granted by the patent office on 1973-04-24 for projectile launcher baton.
This patent grant is currently assigned to MBAssociates. Invention is credited to Stephen F. Mulich, James A. Sweeney.
United States Patent |
3,728,809 |
Mulich , et al. |
April 24, 1973 |
PROJECTILE LAUNCHER BATON
Abstract
A projectile launcher in the form of a stun baton, or night
stick, which is comprised of a barrel assembly, having a receiver
therewithin its inward end, and a coaxial handle assembly which
includes a firing mechanism, a firing mechanism safety, and a
breech member disposed at one end thereof. Tee receiver end of the
barrel assembly and the breech breech end of the handle assembly
are respectively connected to opposing halves of a novel split
collar ring. The halves of the collar ring are hinged axially for
rotatably pivoting the handle portion transversely with the face of
the receiver to provide for insertion of the projectile, and after
firing for removal of the spent cartridge. A releasable locking
mechanism is further provided to lock and align the assemblies in
coaxial orientation whereupon release of the mechanism allows the
pivotable rotation of the assemblies for disassociation
therewith.
Inventors: |
Mulich; Stephen F. (San Ramon,
CA), Sweeney; James A. (Walnut Creek, CA) |
Assignee: |
MBAssociates (CA) N/A)
|
Family
ID: |
22138592 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/077,526 |
Filed: |
October 2, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/13; 42/1.16;
42/106; 42/105 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C
9/04 (20130101); F41C 7/11 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F41C
7/11 (20060101); F41C 9/04 (20060101); F41C
7/00 (20060101); F41C 9/00 (20060101); F41c
003/00 (); F41c 027/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;42/1H,1M,1G,1Z,1L,1F,12,13,32,65 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Borchelt; Benjamin A.
Assistant Examiner: Jordan; C. T.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A projectile launcher baton which comprises:
a split collar ring including first and second members pivotably
connected at one end and forming laterally opposite sides thereof,
said ring having a circumferentially extending groove formed in an
inner peripheral surface; a barrel having a cartridge receiver
portion disposed at one end and connected to one of said members;
said barrel including a complementary surface located in said
groove; a handle assembly having a breech disposed at one end and
connected to the other of said members; said assembly also
including a complementary surface located in said groove; and
actuating means adapted for detonating a primer of a cartridge
disposed in said receiver portion.
2. The projectile launcher baton as set forth in claim 1 which
further comprises: first means for locking said split collar ring
member in a closed position wherein an opposite end of said members
are in abutting relationship; and second means for releasing said
first locking means.
3. The projectile launcher baton as set forth in claim 2, wherein
first means for locking said split collar ring includes a locking
pin slidably located in said barrel, and including spring means for
biasing said pin to an outer position relative to said barrel.
4. The projectile launcher baton, as set forth in claim 3, wherein
the other of said members includes a bore, and wherein said locking
pin is releasably engageable in said bore to retain said ring in
the closed position.
5. The projectile launcher baton, as set forth in claim 4, wherein
said second means, for releasing said first locking means, includes
a releasing pin slidably engaged in said bore.
6. The projectile launcher baton, as set forth in claim 1, wherein
said split collar ring is pivotably connected by an interlocking
double hinge formed between adjacent ends of said first and second
members.
7. The projectile launcher baton, as set forth in claim 1, wherein
said barrel and handle assembly each include a flange located in
said groove of said ring, and each includes a circumferentially
formed recess for cooperatively receiving the inner spaced sections
of said ring on opposite sides of said groove.
8. The projectile launcher baton, as set forth in claim 1, wherein
said actuating means, includes a plunger slidably located in said
handle assembly and spring means for biasing said plunger toward
said breech.
9. The launcher as recited in claim 1 wherein said barrel includes
a circumferentially extending groove spaced axially inward from one
end thereof, and adapted to cooperatively receive an inner
peripheral section of said ring located proximate to said
groove.
10. The launcher as recited in claim 5 wherein said releasing pin
is also biased by said spring means.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
Reference may be had to the Robert C. Mawhinney application, Ser.
No. 39,294, filed May 21, 1970, for High Energy Minimum Lethality
Weapon System and assigned to the assignee of the present invention
for a disclosure of a flexible low lethality projectile which is
adapted to be launched by the subject launcher of this
application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With reference to the application set forth above, a weapon system
comprising a launcher and a flexible low lethality projectile were
described. The projectile was of a relatively large mass and was
adapted to be radially expanded during trajectory so as to present
a relatively large impact surface to the target. As presented in
the referenced application, the projectile was adapted to be fired
by a cartridge designed for use in a United States Military 40 MM
Grenade Launcher M 79.
Unfortunately, the Grenade Launcher M 79 is not adaptable to be
effective as a stun baton, or night stick, due to its size and
weight, and cannot be readily carried on the body of a person such
as a law enforcement officer. Consequently, the effectiveness of
the weapon system embodying an effective nonlethal projectile
possessed practical limitations due to the lack of an appropriate
launcher.
A perusal of the known launchers, which would have some
effectiveness as stun batons, revealed that the diameter of the
projectile would have to be either increased or decreased to
accommodate the launcher, or the bore of the launcher would have to
be increased or decreased to accommodate the projectile. More
specifically then, the use of a launcher having a larger bore would
require a deformable projectile of a larger circumference to
achieve spin stabilization. However, if the mass remains constant
and the circumference is increased, the air drag increases, and the
effective range is logarithmically decreased. Further, if both the
mass and circumference were increased as a solution to increasing
the effective range, the ballistic density of the deformable
projectile would cause such recoil as to do serious injury to the
operator.
Conversely, if a launcher with a smaller bore were selected, e.g.,
a walking cane or an umbrella, the necessary reduction in the
projectile circumference would cause the resulting projectile to
approach a lethal characteristic due to equivalent energy which
would tend to defeat the nonlethal objective of the proposed
weapon's system.
To summarize, there is no known projectile launcher baton capable
of launching the deformable projectile of the referenced
application. The invention as described in this application is
directed to fulfill the gap in the present technology. However, it
will be appreciated that the subject launcher also possesses
capabilities for launching other projectiles including the solid
state varieties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains generally to projectile launchers, and more
particularly to a light-weight projectile launcher baton. The baton
is useful as a night stick and has the additional advantage of
increasing the range of night stick, due to its projectile launcher
capability.
The baton is comprised of a barrel assembly having a receiver
portion at one end thereof, and a handle assembly which includes a
firing mechanism, firing mechanism safety, and a breech member
disposed at one end of the handle assembly thereof. The breech end
of the handle assembly is adapted to be coaxially engaged with the
receiver end of the barrel assembly by a locking pin arrangement
and a novel split collar ring, whose halves are pivotably connected
by an axial hinge disposed therethrough.
A release means is provided for the locking pin which allows the
handle assembly to be transversely pivoted out of relation with the
transverse face of the receiver end of the barrel which allows
insertion of the projectile, or conversely, removal of a spent
cartridge at the discretion of the operator. Counter rotational
pivotal movement allows the locking pin to reengage the assemblies
in locked coaxial union and in a position suitable for expelling
the projectile upon actuation of the firing mechanism. With
reference then to the above description, the objectives will now be
enumerated.
The primary object of this invention is to provide a light-weight
projectile launcher, suitable for hand launching deformable
projectiles, and adapted to be readily carried on the body of the
operator without impairing his mobility.
It is another object of this invention to provide a stun baton
useful as both a night stick, and as a projectile launcher.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a stun
baton optimal deformable minimum-lethality projectile launcher.
A further object of this invention is to provide a unique safety
device for a stun baton launcher.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevation of the preferred embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial top view of the handle portion of FIG. 1 viewed
in the direction indicated by an arrow referenced by the numeral 2
therewith;
FIG. 3 is an end view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 as
viewed from the handle end;
FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged sectional elevation of the split
collar ring and release pin mechanism taken substantially along the
lines 4--4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the split collar ring of FIG. 4
indicating the open position of the receiver; and
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment embodying
a handle extension suitable for shoulder firing the projectile
launching baton.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Turning now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a projectile launcher baton
is generally indicated at 10, and shown to include a barrel
assembly 12 and a handle assembly 14. The barrel assembly 12 is
comprised of a tubular shaped barrel 16 preferably constructed and
machined from a light-weight metal, such as aluminum.
The rearward end of the barrel 16 is adapted to serve as the
receiver for a projectile cartridge (not shown) by means of a
counterbore 18, which forms an internal shoulder 24. The
counterbore 18 extends forwardly a short distance therewithin the
barrel 16, and of a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of
the projectile cartridge, for purposes of accomplishing a sliding
fit therewithin. A second enlarged counterbore 20 is disposed at
the rearward face of the barrel 16 and extends inwardly a distance
generally to mate the slightly enlarged radially extending flange
of the projectile cartridge as is conventional in the art. The
second enlarged counterbore 20 forms an inward radial shoulder 22
which is adapted to engage and seat the forward corresponding face
of the enlarged radial flange of the projectile cartridge.
Completing the description of the inward portion of the barrel 16,
rifle grooves 25 are disposed a substantial distance inwardly from
the forward end of the barrel 16 and terminate rearwardly a
relatively short distance from the forward shoulder 24 of the
counterbore 18. The function of the rifle grooves 25 is to impart a
gyroscopic rotation to the projectile for the purpose of effecting
centrifugal expansion of the deformable portion of the projectile
thereto, upon exit from the barrel 16.
A rectangularly shaped radially extending groove 26 is disposed in
the rearward outer periphery of the barrel 16 slightly forward of
the receiver end, and defines a forward radial shoulder 28. The
radial shoulder 28 is further projected outwardly by the rearward
radial face 30 of a plastic covering 32 therearound the barrel 16.
The plastic covering 32 is preferably press fitted to the barrel
and is slightly tapered forwardly inward from the rearward radial
face 30 to the forward end of the barrel 16. The plastic covering
32, preferably constructed of an acetal resin such as DELRIN (a
product of DuPont), functions to provide sufficient mass to the
launcher, so as to reduce the amount of recoil to a comfortable
level for the operator.
With reference now to FIG. 4, an axial blind bore 34 is disposed in
the radial face 30 of the plastic covering 32 at the receiver end
thereof. A radially extending bore 36, of somewhat less diameter,
communicates the axial bore 34 at approximately its axial midpoint,
and has its radial centerline offset from the centerline of the
axial bore 34. A cylindrical locking pin 38 having a generally
hemispherical rearward end 40, a flat faced forward end 42, and an
intermediary portion of reduced diameter 44 is disposed in the
axial bore 34, and biased by means of a spring 46. The locking pin
38 is retained in the axial bore 34 by means of a retaining pin 48
press fitted in the radial bore 36. The retaining pin 48 is adapted
to restrict the forward and rearward axial movement of the locking
pin 38 by engaging the respective forward and rearward shoulders
formed by the reduced diameter intermediary portion 44.
The handle assembly 14 is comprised of a tubular shaped handle 50
having a radially extending flange 52 and a coaxial blind bore 54
disposed at one end, and a threaded blind bore 56 disposed at the
opposite end. The axial surface 59 of the flange 52 is threaded and
a plastic coating 58, again from a material such as DELRIN, extends
from the radial edge of the flange 52 rearwardly to the rear end of
the handle assembly 14. The outer radial surface of the plastic
coating 58 is preferably provided with a knurled finish for
enhancing the hand grip of the operator.
As best observed in FIG. 2, an axially extending slot 60 radially
communicates the blind bore 54 with the outer peripheral surface of
the handle assembly 14. At the rearward end of the slot 60, a
generally circular transverse notch 62 is provided for a purpose
which will become apparent as this specification proceeds.
A cylindrical plunger member 64 is slidably disposed in the forward
blind bore 54 of the handle 50 and is adapted for detonating the
primer of the projectile cartridge. A firing pin 66 coaxially
projects from the forward end of the plunger member 64, and a blind
bore 65 extends forwardly from its rearward end. A spring 68 is
disposed in the blind bore 65 and communicates the rearward end of
the blind bore 54 within the handle 50 and adapted to energize the
plunger member 64.
The plunger member is operated by an enlarged headed cap screw 70,
the head of which is utilized as an operating knob. The cap screw
70 is adapted to be threaded into a transverse bore 72 in the
plunger member 64, and extends radially upwardly through the slot
60. The enlarged head of the cap screw 70 is preferably knurled as
indicated in FIG. 1 to provide an enhanced gripping surface and is
adapted to be extended beyond the radial outer periphery of the
handle assembly 14.
The forward end of the handle assembly 14 is threaded into a blind
bore 74 of a breech member 76. The breech member 76 is generally
ring shaped and has a forwardly extending radial flange portion 78
of a diameter coincident with the outer diameter of the barrel 16.
An aperture 80 is provided coaxial of the radial center of the
breech member 76 and communicates the forward face of the threaded
counterbore 78 by means of a radial tapered aperture 81. The
diameter of the aperture 80 is preferably slightly less than the
diameter of the primer of the projectile cartridge. The purpose of
decreasing the diameter of the aperture 80, with respect to the
primer, is to prevent "blow back" from the primer from lodging in
the aperture 80 and impairing the launching function of the baton
10.
With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 6, the baton is adapted for
either hand or shoulder firing by means of an interchangeable pair
of handle extension members. In FIG. 1, a hand firing handle
extension embodiment is illustrated as being a generally tubular
shaped member 82 of relatively short length. A threaded projection
84 is provided from the forward face of the extension member 82 and
adapted to engage the threaded blind bore 56 of the handle assembly
14. A strap 86, or the like, engages a transverse bore 88 disposed
inwardly from the rear face of the member 82 for the purpose of
swinging the baton 10, as one would be inclined to swing a night
stick.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, an elongated tubular
extension 90 is depicted for shoulder firing. The elongated
extension is adapted to cooperate with the handle assembly 14 in a
manner similar to that described for the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 1. An enlarged flange 92 is provided at the rearward end of
the elongated extension 90 to better distribute the recoil loading
to the shoulder area of the operator during the firing sequence as
will later be described.
A radially shaped safety clip member 94 is disposed around the
outer periphery of the handle assembly at its forward end to
provide a safety means to prevent inadvertent firing of the
projectile. As indicated in FIG. 2, the clip 94 is adapted to be
rotated so as not to impair or block the passage of the operating
knob 70 from traversing the slot 60 during firing operation, but is
normally rotated to block such traversal during transit. Thus in
its transit position the operating knob 70 and correspondingly the
firing pin 66, is prevented from assuming a contacted position with
the primer. As a further safety aid, a recoil protector 96 is
disposed rearwardly of the notched portion 62 of the slot 60, to
prevent the operating knob 70 from injuring the hand of the
operator.
The barrel assembly 12 is connected to the handle assembly 14 by
means of a split collar ring 98. The split collar ring is comprised
of a hinged half-ring 100 and a pinned half-ring 102. As best
observed in FIG. 4, a double hinge is formed for pivotable movement
of the halves, by a rectangular slot formed in the hinged half-ring
and communicated by a conforming rectangular tongue in the pinned
half-ring. The conforming slot and tongue are connected by means of
a dowel pin 123 inserted into an axial bore 122 with the dowel pin
123 being press fitted into the hinged half-ring 100 and slide
fitted into the pinned half-ring 102. Thus when the receiver end of
the barrel assembly 12 and the breech end of the handle assembly 14
is attached to the split collar ring 98, the assemblies are
rotatable on the dowel pin 123 which allows loading and
unloading.
With reference now to FIG. 5, the union of the assemblies will now
be described. A rectangular shaped radial groove 104 is provided in
the inward surface to the split collar ring 98 and defines inward
shoulders 106 and 108. The groove 104 is adapted to receive the
rearward radial portion of the barrel 16 and the extending radial
flange 78 of the breech 76 respectively, while the inward radial
portion of the split collar ring 98 is adapted to engage the radial
groove 26 disposed at the rearward end of the barrel assembly
12.
The pinned half-ring is suitably connected to the barrel assembly
12 as by means of cap screws 126 disposed in appropriate transverse
bores 124 communicating corresponding threaded bores in the barrel
16, as indicated in FIG. 1. Conversely, the hinged half-ring 100 is
correspondingly connected to the handle assembly 14 in a similar
manner. Preferably the bores 124 are countersunk so that the
enlarged head of the cap screw is inwardly projected so as not to
impair the profile of baton 10.
A suitable axial bore 111 is disposed through the split collar ring
98 and appropriately aligned to correspond with the axial blind
bore 34 disposed in the barrel assembly 12. A release pin 109
having an enlarged head 110 and an intermediary reduced diameter
portion 114 is disposed in the axial bore 111 and secured by a pin
118 press fitted into a transverse communicating bore 116 in a
manner similar to that described for the locking pin 38. The
rearward face 113 of the enlarged head is knurled for enhanced
operation of the release pin 109. As is now apparent a forward
movement of the release pin 109 forces the locking pin 38 forwardly
against the bias of spring 46 and allows the handle assembly to be
pivotably rotated about the dowel pin 123. Conversely, release of
the release pin 109 moves the locking pin rearwardly into virtual
locking contact therewithin the bore 111.
The operation of the projectile launcher baton 10 will now be
described starting from the orientation of the split collar ring 98
being in the open position. In this position it will be noted that
a capability exists for inserting a projectile cartridge into the
receiver end of the barrel 16. After the receiver is loaded, the
handle assembly 14 is pivotally rotated in relation to the barrel
assembly 12 by means of the split collar ring 98 and the dowel pin
123.
In the closed position it will be noted that a chamber housing is
formed around the projectile comprised of the receiver end of the
barrel 16 and the breech member 76 of the handle assembly 14.
Further, the various corresponding ridges and grooves previously
described are respectively engaged therein. The locking pin 38 is
now aligned with the locking pin bore 111 and pressed against the
release pin 110, by the bias of spring 46, to lock the receiver and
breech 76, while simultaneously aligning the primer cap with the
firing pin hole 80. The safety ring 94 is then rotated to a
position, as illustrated in FIG. 2, which allows the operating knob
70 to freely pass through the safety ring clip 94. To fire the
baton 10, the operating knob is transversely unseated from the
notch 62 which permits the plunger 64 to be driven forward under
influence of the spring 68. The firing pin 66 then strikes the
primer which beings the projectile launch sequence. After the
projectile is launched, the safety ring 94 is then rotated to
assume the safe position. The release pin 109 is pressed forward
which moves the locking pin 38 rearwardly until the release pin 109
and locking pin 38 are in such a position so as to allow the handle
assembly 14 and the barrel assembly 12 to pivot on the dowel pin
123. When the assemblies are completely pivoted, the "spent"
cartridge is removed from the receiver.
While it will be apparent that the embodiments illustrated herein
are calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be
appreciated that the present invention is susceptible to
modification, variation and change without departing from the scope
of the invention.
* * * * *