U.S. patent number 3,733,727 [Application Number 05/088,687] was granted by the patent office on 1973-05-22 for non-lethal projectile and launcher therefor.
Invention is credited to Kenneth W. Jones, Edward H. Richie.
United States Patent |
3,733,727 |
Jones , et al. |
May 22, 1973 |
NON-LETHAL PROJECTILE AND LAUNCHER THEREFOR
Abstract
A non-lethal projectile and launcher therefor for riot control
and the like comprising a body formed from a relatively soft,
pliant latex material compressed to projectile form and mounted
within a restraining cup which in turn is mounted in a firing
shell. The body at its rearward end includes retracted guidance
structure that extends on the projectile being fired, a chamber at
its forward end to receive a marking fluid for marking the target,
and internal subdivisions in its mid portion designed to permit the
body to expand laterally on impacting into a soft textured mass
that flattens on impact to avoid injury to the target. The
projectile launcher is in the form of a barrel assembly including a
bell shaped muzzle which permits the projectile to be fired without
jamming even when held against the target and braking slots for
discharging the propelling gases rearwardly of the launcher to
reduce recoil.
Inventors: |
Jones; Kenneth W. (Brookfield,
IL), Richie; Edward H. (Downers Grove, IL) |
Family
ID: |
22212839 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/088,687 |
Filed: |
November 12, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/106; 42/76.01;
102/444; 42/1.08; 42/105; 102/502 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B
12/40 (20130101); F42B 10/02 (20130101); F41C
27/06 (20130101); F42B 12/34 (20130101); F42B
5/045 (20130101); F41J 5/10 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F42B
5/045 (20060101); F42B 5/00 (20060101); F42B
10/00 (20060101); F41J 5/00 (20060101); F42B
12/34 (20060101); F42B 10/02 (20060101); F42B
12/40 (20060101); F41J 5/10 (20060101); F41C
27/00 (20060101); F41C 27/06 (20060101); F42B
12/02 (20060101); F41c 021/00 (); F42b 005/14 ();
F42b 011/18 () |
Field of
Search: |
;42/1R,1F,1G,76R,79
;102/1M,41,92.7 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Borchelt; Benjamin A.
Assistant Examiner: Jordan; C. T.
Claims
We claim:
1. A non-lethal device for riot control and the like, said device
comprising:
a round, said round comprising:
a projectile,
said projectile comprising a pliant body formed from resiliently
flexible material compacted to projectile form,
frangible means for restraining the body against release from
projectile form,
a shell in which said projectile is disposed,
said shell including means for firing said projectile
therefrom,
a launcher for launching said projectile from said shell,
said launcher comprising:
a barrel assembly in which said round is receivable in firing
relation thereto,
and means for firing said round when received in said barrel
assembly to project said projectile from said shell,
said barrel assembly including a firing chamber, a bore, and a
muzzle of bell shape at the end of said bore and having its
interior proportioned to substantially exceed the transverse
dimension of said projectile,
said bore being formed rearwardly of said muzzle with slot means
for permitting propelling gases of said shell firing means to
escape therefrom when said shell is fired,
whereby, when said round is in said chamber and said projectile is
fired from said shell, said projectile is propelled through and out
of said barrel assembly in projectile form, and on striking the
target, said frangible means ruptures allowing said body to distort
under impact to thereby protect the target from injury from the
momentum of said body.
2. The device set forth in claim 1 wherein:
said body in its projectile form includes means at its rearward end
for defining guidance means when said projectile on being fired
clears said bore,
said guidance defining means being held retracted by said
shell.
3. The device set forth in claim 1 wherein:
said body includes means for marking the target on impacting
against same.
4. The device set forth in claim 1 including:
a movie camera carried by said barrel assembly and directed
parallel to said bore,
and means for actuating said camera for making a photographic
record at the time of firing of said round.
Description
This invention relates to a non-lethal projectile and launcher
therefor for use in riot control and the like, and more
particularly, to an implement especially devised for use by those
in law enforcement work to enable them to stun and/or mark for
future identification individuals without seriously injurying
them.
The conventional hand tools historically used by police and others
charged with law enforcement work, such as guns and nightsticks,
have become symbols of oppression that often generate more problems
than they solve, effective as they may be in subduing riotous
individuals. The police officer or militiaman when confronted by
rioters has limited choice of action: He may shoot to injure or
kill, grapple with them and subdue them with nightsticks, use tear
gas or the like with or without one or more of the foregoing, or
just stand by and allow the rioters to do their intended damage and
escape. In cases of mob action, the risk of fatalities on both
sides is high as guns are put in use for defensive and offensive
purposes.
A principal object of this invention is to provide a non-lethal
riot control implement that may be used in the manner of firing a
shoulder fire arm, but which discharges a projectile that is
effective in stunning and/or marking the culprit, but without
injuring him.
Another principal object of the invention is to provide a riot
control implement that is as handy to handle and fire as a
conventional shoulder fire arm, but which avoids injury to the
person fired on.
Other objects of the invention are to provide a non-lethal
projectile assembly that when fired discharges a flying body
arranged for suitable flight stabilization and shock absorption on
impact, to provide a non-lethal projectile that marks the target
for later identification without injury, to provide a non-lethal
projectile launcher that is handled similar to the familiar shotgun
or rifle in operation, and to provide a non-lethal projectile
assembly and launcher therefor that are economical of manufacture,
convenient and safe to store and use, and long lived in
operation.
In accordance with this invention is provided a non-lethal
projectile and launcher therefor in which the launcher comprises a
body formed from a relatively soft pliant material that is
compressed to a more or less conventional projectile form for
application to a shell for firing same, which on being projected
into free flight maintains its projectile like configuration and
forms a guidance structure at its rearward end, and on impact
expands to form a relatively soft pliable material that flattens to
absorb much of the energy involved in its impact. The projectile
may include trapped inert gas pockets for expanding same, and
pockets at its forward end containing marking dyes or other
substances which open on impact to mark the target. The launcher is
a shoulder operated device that may be loaded in a manner
comparable to a rifle or shotgun, and which includes a bell shaped
muzzle in which a projectile may be fully expanded without jamming
the launcher if the launcher is fired when pressed against the
target. The launcher barrel assembly includes braking slots
rearwardly of its muzzle that discharge the propelling gases
rearwardly of the launcher to reduce recoil and limit and vent
propelling pressure on the projectile.
Other objects, uses, and advantages will be obvious or become
apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description
and the application drawings in which like reference numerals
indicate like parts throughout the several views.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a launcher arranged in
accordance with this invention;
FIG. 1A is a fragmental plan view of the launcher nozzle;
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through a projectile
assembly, including its firing shell, in accordance with this
invention;
FIG. 3 is a fragmental cross-sectional view taken substantially
along line 3--3 of FIG. 1A, but on an enlarged scale, showing the
muzzle end of the launcher barrel assembly;
FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view through the projectile
assembly of FIG. 2, taken substantially along line 4--4 of FIG. 2,
with one side partially broken away and associated parts flared for
better illustration of same;
FIG. 5 is a fragmental cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but
taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, showing the projectile
in two positions during the course of being fired when the launcher
muzzle is disposed adjacent a target;
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of the
projectile as it appears in free flight;
FIG. 7A is a fragmental view of the rear end of a modified form of
projectile body;
FIG. 8 is a view of the projectile body restraining casing as it
appears after being thrown off on emergence of the projectile from
the launcher;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view through the forward end of the
projectile in its free flight form showing one way of forming the
projectile body to contain a marking fluid;
FIGS. 10 and 11 are views similar to FIG. 9 illustrating alternate
ways to form the body to contain a marking fluid;
FIG. 10A is a fragmental frontal view of the projectile body of
FIG. 10; and
FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the launcher muzzle and stock
illustrating how the launcher may be equipped for photographically
recording the actions of a target just before and after firing of
the implement, with parts broken away.
However, it is to be distinctly understood that the specific
drawing illustrations provided are supplied primarily to comply
with the requirements of the Patent Code, and that the invention
may have other embodiments that will be obvious to those skilled in
the art, and that are intended to be covered by the appended
claims.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Reference numeral 10 of FIG. 1 generally indicates a launcher of
the shoulder arm type that is arranged in accordance with this
invention, which is adapted to receive and fire projectile
assemblies of the type indicated at 12 in FIG. 2 that are also
arranged in accordance with this invention.
Launcer 10 generally comprises stock 13, receiver 14, which
receives the individual projectile assemblies 12 for firing same,
barrel assembly 16 through which projectile 18 travels, on the
projectile assembly being fired. Launcher 10 may be equipped with a
tube magazine 20 for receiving extra projectile assemblies 12, or
alternately a clip magazine that is shown in outline at 22 for the
same purpose, magazines 20 and 22 being proportioned to accommodate
the specific projectile assemblies 12 that are illustrated, but
which are otherwise arranged in a conventional manner to apply
projectile assemblies 12 to the firing chamber of the launcher 10
as required by the operator, whether by automatic means or other
conventional devices which are not illustrated.
As indicated in FIG. 3, the barrel assembly 16 includes barrel
structure 24 which at the muzzle end 26 thereof includes a bell
shaped muzzle 28 of sufficient internal transverse dimension such
that if the launcher is fired with the muzzle end 26 adjacent to or
pressed against a target 30, the projectile 18 may fully expand as
comprehended by this invention without jamming the launcher. Formed
rearwardly of the muzzle 28 are spaced slots 31 formed on the top
and bottom sides of the barrel structure 24, from which the
projectile propelling gases discharge in a rearward direction to
reduce recoil and limit and vent propelling pressure on the
projectile. The propelling gases in being directed upwardly and
downwardly avoid possible injury to those standing to either side
of the implement when used.
The projectile assembly 12 comprises (see FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8) a
projectile body 32 formed from a suitable soft pliant resilient
material, such as latex or a suitable synthetic substitute, which
in its unstressed shape has a configuration comparable to that
shown in the muzzle of the launcher shown in FIG. 6, but which is
compressed and restrained to define the projectile or missile-like
configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. Body 32 at its rearward end
35 is formed with an annular chamber 34 which in the form of FIGS.
2 and 7 is filled with an inert gas, such as nitrogen, under
pressure such that when the projectile assembly 18 emerges from the
bore 25 of barrel assembly 16, the rear end 35 expands outwardly to
provide a guidance or stabilizing structure 37 for the projectile.
Body 32 is enclosed in a cup 40 that is of sufficient strength to
maintain the body 32 in the projectile form indicated in FIG. 6,
but which strips off the body 32 when it emerges from barrel
assembly bore 25, in the manner suggested in FIG. 8. Surrounding
the body 32 inwardly of the cup 40 is a mesh 42 or other suitable
restraining means of sufficient strength to maintain the body 32 in
the form shown in FIG. 7, forwardly of its rearward end 35, until
it impacts its target, whereupon the mesh 42 ruptures to permit the
body 32 to go into the collapsed and irregular shape indicated in
FIG. 6.
Body 32, as indicated in FIG. 9, has its forward end 36 formed with
a pocket 44 containing a suitable marking fluid held in place by
one or more plugs 46 in the respective passages 45 which are
ejected on impact to insure that the marking fluid 48 is applied to
the target for further identification purposes.
In the showing of FIG. 12, a miniature movie camera 50 is suitably
attached to the barrel structure 24 of the launcher 10 and
positioned so that it covers the field of view in alignment with
the target direction of the launcher. In this embodiment, the
camera 50 is actuated by safety switch 52 which is arranged so that
in addition to governing the firing of the launcher, by appropriate
manipulation it can actuate the camera during a time of stress
before and after the moment of firing. Thus a minimum amount of
film will be expended, and a photographic record will be made of
the critical moments and events of a riot confrontation. Power to
operate the camera may be derived from suitable batteries 54 wired
as diagrammatically indicated, whose preferred position will be
somewhat as shown in FIG. 12 to maintain the balance of the
launcher and offset the weight of the camera, which as indicated,
is mounted in a forward position on the launcher.
In operation, it will be seen that the launcher 10 may be equipped
with one or more of the projectile assemblies 12 in a manner
similar to a shotgun or the like, and carried by an individual
charged with law enforcement in a manner much the same as a
conventional shotgun would be carried. The launcher 10 may be
arranged in a more or less conventional manner to carry and insert
into its firing chamber the projectile assemblies 12, with the
parts involved being proportioned for accommodating the projectiles
12.
When a riot confrontation or the like is imminent, the user applies
a projectile assembly to the firing chamber of the launcher 10, as
by employing the pump handle 60 of the launcher or other
conventional means with which the launcher 10 may be equipped for
this purpose, and holds the launcher "at the ready" in much the
same manner that a conventional shotgun would be handled. When the
situation requires that the launcher be used, the user takes aim
and presses trigger 62 to fire the launcher, whereupon the
projectile assembly 12 is fired and projectile 18 is propelled
through bore 25 of barrel assembly 16 in the manner indicated in
FIG. 6, the projectile configuration of projectile 18 being
maintained by the barrel bore 25, the cup 40, and the mesh 42.
As the projectile 18 leaves the bore 25, the rear end 35 of the
projectile expands or distends due to the gas pressure within the
chamber 34, in the manner indicated in FIG. 7, which, together with
the air resistance to free flight involved, throws off the cup 40
so that the projectile 18 in flight has the configuration shown in
FIG. 7.
As the projectile 18 passes the slots 31, the powder gases and the
like escape through the slots 31, which avoids forward escape of
hot propellant gases and the definite possibility of burning a
target person under hand to hand riot conditions.
On striking any target, the mesh 42 ruptures and the body 32
forming the projectile 18 flattens out against the target.
The combined effect provided by the initial relative high velocity
of the projectile 18 and its rapid slowing in free flight yield a
projectile of unique performance. Without the need for grappling
with or pursuing rioters or looters, the individuals involved may
be confused and partially stunned, or positively marked to a
distance of 100 feet or more. On closer ranges, the impact of the
projectile becomes increasingly greater, and on face to face range,
as when the user is confronted with an armed attacker, the impact
would be sufficient to cause unconsciousness as when fired against
the attacker's abdomen or face. In the case of juveniles, an impact
against the shoulders, body trunk, or limbs would immobilize such
persons with soreness the only harm done.
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION
The launcher 10, aside from the specifics already referred to, may
be constructed in any suitable manner to handle projectile
assemblies 12, following suitable fire arm principles in light of
the teachings of this application. Bell shaped muzzle 28 avoids
plugging of the barrel when the launcher is fired when held against
a target (see FIG. 6) and under such conditions the size of the
muzzle sufficiently spreads out thrust forces acting on the target
to avoid permanent injury to a target person so hit.
The projectile assembly 12 forms the ammunition "round" for the
launcher 10. The shell 41 in which the projectile 18 is mounted
generally comprises an outer tubular sleeve or casing 70 formed
from a suitable plastic or the like seated within a suitable
plastic or metallic base 72 defining a recessed wall structure 74
forming opening 76 that is closed by a suitable primer plug
structure 77 to form a high pressure firing chamber 78. Primer plug
structure 77 is suitably fitted with percussion or electrical
elements to fire the propelling charge 80 contained within the
chamber 78, with the resulting burning powder gases escaping
through release vents 82 in the wall structure 74 into a low
pressure chamber 84 defined by the casing 70, the base 72 and its
wall structure 74, and the projectile 18. Similar to military
grenade launchers, launching pressures immediately build up in the
chamber 84 to propel the projectile 18 from its shell 41 and thence
through bore 25.
The projectile cup 40 is preferably made of a suitable plastic or
the like, and is of shell form comprising a cylindrical side wall
90 and end wall 92. Cup 40 is employed to maintain the missile like
shape of the body 32 under the forces acting on same during firing
of the launcher and travel of the projectile through the barrel. In
the form shown, the side wall 90 is shaped to define spaced
longitudinally extending lines 94 of reduced thickness so that when
the projectile is free of bore 25 when pressure and the distending
action of the rear end of the projectile will readily rupture the
wall 90 along the lines 94 so that the cup 40 readily separates
from the projectile as the projectile leaves the launcher 10.
As seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, body 32 between its ends is formed with a
pair of right angle slots 100 and 102 that separate this portion of
104 of the body into quadrants 106, 108, 110 and 112. Body 32 is
preferably molded or formed so that when free of the mesh 42 it
tends to spring into a distended shape similar to that shown at the
left hand side of FIG. 6.
As indicated by FIG. 7A the stabilizing structure 37 may be formed
by omitting chamber 34 and providing instead an integral flange
structure 37A which is compressed flat for shaping the body for
insertion in cup 40, but which springs out to the position
indicated as the projectile leaves the launcher bore. Alternately,
radially spaced extending flanges may be employed which are wrapped
around the projectile body when in cup 40, but which spring upright
as the projectile goes into flight.
The mesh 42 is preferably of nylon netting, its strength being only
sufficient to hold the body 32 in the shape indicated in FIG. 7
during the projectile's free flight through its ballistic path. In
addition, a binding may be applied about cup 40 in the form of a
winding of fiberglass threads 114 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) which are cut
by a suitable knife blade 116 mounted in the discharge end of bore
25, but this is considered an optional feature.
The pocket 44 is formed in body 32 in any suitable manner, as are
suitable passageways 45 that are stoppered by the plugs 46. Plugs
46 are formed of a firmer type of rubber or plastic than the
material forming the body 32 and may be bonded in place to insure
that the fluid 48 is retained within the chamber 44. Upon striking
a target, the body 32 in flattening compresses the pocket 44,
forcing out the plugs 46, as well as the fluid 48.
The fluid 48 may be in the form of a fluorescent dye or dyes of a
vivid color or colors for the purpose of staining the skin of a
target person so as to leave a mark indelible for some hours,
enabling subsequent capture and identification. The fluid 48 may
also include chemicals of the irritant type such as tear gas or the
like or those providing a distinctive or pervasive odor, such as
the mercaptan series, difficult to remove for some hours, or
both.
In the form of FIG. 10, the passageways 45A are located so that the
plugs 46 closing same will be directed in a generally forward
direction, so that a large portion of the fluid charge in pocket
44A will be directed toward the target rather than being ejected at
90.degree. to the side, as in the embodiment of FIG. 9. Passageways
45A are also formed so that plugs 46 will be recessed within the
passageways, as indicated at 120. Further, recesses 120 are each
struck on radius 122 forming grooves 124 that radiate out from the
axis of the projectile, as indicated in FIG. 10A. The grooves
resulting allow the escape of the fluid from within the pocket 44A
with a free-spraying effect, avoiding a tendency to eject chemicals
directly into a nostril or eye cavity of a target person.
In the form of FIG. 11, the plugs 46A are defined from the material
forming the body 32 and are attached to same by connection 130 in a
position to be inserted within the passageway 45B of the body 32B.
The body 32B is otherwise the same as already described in
connection with the showing of FIGS. 1 through 9.
In forming the bodies 32, 32A and 32B, lead shot or dust or its
equivalent (for instance, No. 12 shot or finer) may be molded into
the body at the time of forming for the purpose of enhancing
stability in flight as may seem desirable or necessary, the lead
dust being concentrated at the forward end of the bodies. The
increased mass resulting will provide a more effective blow on
being delivered to the target without any increase in volume
necessary to achieve this end (and to increase this effect, lead
shot or dust may be dispersed throughout the body). The projectile
bodies may, of course, be simplified by omitting pocket 44 and
recesses 45 and their equivalents, thereby providing a projectile
without marking fluid.
It will therefore be seen that this invention provides a non-lethal
projectile assembly and launcher therefor that provides those in
charge of law enforcement with an implement that will deal with
riot situations where the use of conventional weapons is not
feasible. At close range the target person will be stunned or
readily subdued without further injury, and where marking fluid is
employed, culprits can be marked for further ready identification
at distances of up to 100 feet or more, again without permanently
injuring the target person involved.
It is pointed out that while the launcher and projectile system of
this invention will not avoid all injury to target persons,
grievous lasting injury will be avoided. A target person struck at
close range by the projectile of this invention will be stunned,
with discomfitures such as bruises and swelling resulting. But
broken bones and penetration of the body are avoided.
The foregoing description and the drawings are given merely to
explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is not to
be limited thereto, except insofar as the appended claims are so
limited, since those skilled in the art who have this disclosure
before them may be able to make modification and variations therein
without departing from the scope of the invention.
* * * * *