U.S. patent number 3,803,463 [Application Number 05/270,411] was granted by the patent office on 1974-04-09 for weapon for immobilization and capture.
Invention is credited to John H. Cover.
United States Patent |
3,803,463 |
Cover |
April 9, 1974 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
WEAPON FOR IMMOBILIZATION AND CAPTURE
Abstract
A weapon for subduing and restraining includes a harmless
projectile that is connected by means of a relatively fine,
conductive wire to a launcher which contains an electrical power
supply. The projectile is intended to contact a living target
without serious trauma and to deliver an electric charge thereto
sufficient to immobilize. In different embodiments, the projectile
can be a pellet, a net or a combination of pellets and a net. The
magnitude and frequency of the electrical impulses delivered to the
target can be controlled at the launcher, and would range in effect
from immobilizing to potentially "lethal" levels.
Inventors: |
Cover; John H. (Palos Verdes,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
23031230 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/270,411 |
Filed: |
July 10, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/232;
89/1.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H
13/0006 (20130101); H05C 1/06 (20130101); F41B
15/00 (20130101); F41H 13/0025 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F41H
13/00 (20060101); F41B 15/00 (20060101); H05C
1/06 (20060101); H05C 1/00 (20060101); H05c
001/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;317/262S ;231/2E
;102/92.1,92.4,1R,28R,7.2R ;273/16R,16E ;89/1R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Hix; L. T.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kleinberg; Marvin H.
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 37,234, filed May
14, 1970.
Claims
1. The new use of a known combination of a power supply, conductor,
and projectile for applying electrical energy through a capacitive
discharge to a remote target comprising the step of providing
electrical energy greater than 0.001 joules to the targer in
discrete, separable impulses at a voltage greater than 20 KV, but
having a capacitance-voltage product, CV, less than 10.sup..sup.-2
volt-farads, whereby the reactive impedance of the target to the
electrical energy provided permits transfer of
2. Apparatus for applying electrical energy to a remote target
comprising:
power supply means for generating, electrical energy in discrete
impulses, at first and second output terminals in response to an
initiation signal;
conductive means including a pair of elongated, flexible conductors
adapted to be respectively connected to said first and second
output terminals;
contacting means including a pair of separate, electrode elements
respectively connected to the conductors of said pair for applying
electrical energy to the remote target when in close proximity
thereto; and
a first and second projectile respectively carrying said pair of
separate electrode elements, said projectiles being adapted to be
deployed to separated parts of a remote target for establishing
through said electrode members an extended, electrical path through
the target whereby electrical energy in excess of .001 joules can
be applied through said conductors,
3. The apparatus for applying electrical energy to a remote target
of claim 2, above, further including a net assembly, insulatingly
intercoupling said projectiles, whereby a relatively large area of
the target can be engaged by said projectiles and said electrode
elements carried thereby.
4. Apparatus adapted to be connected to a source of electrical
energy for conducting electrical energy to a remote target
comprising in combination:
a. contacting means including an electrode element having at least
one conductive point, and at least one small lightweight projectile
intimately connected to said electrode element adapted to be
propelled to engage a remote target;
b. launching means for propelling said projectile to a remote
target; and
c. a single flexible, thin wire conductor electrically connected to
said electrode element and to said projectile and adapted to be
connected to a source of electrical energy and deployed by said
propelled projectile for carrying electrical energy thereby between
the source and the remote
5. The apparatus of claim 4, above, wherein said contacting means
include at least one non-conductive elongated flexible member
adapted to engage
6. The apparatus of claim 5, above, wherein said contacting means
further include at least a second projectile coupled to said
projectiles being connected by said non-conductive elongated
flexible member, said projectiles deploying said mesh and engaging
and entangling the remote target to assure that both projectiles
are in operational proximity to the
7. The apparatus of claim 4, above, further including a second
flexible, thin wire conductor electrically connected between said
contacting means and the source of energy and wherein said
contacting means including a second projectile and a second
electrode element carried thereby electrically, connected to said
second conductor for applying electrical
8. The apparatus of claim 7, above, further including a
non-conductive mesh connecting said projectiles for engaging and
entangling propelled projectiles with the target for conducting
electrical energy to spatially separated parts of the target and
for retaining said electrode elements in
9. A weapon comprising:
a. a self-contained source of electrical energy;
b. propulsion means;
c. target contacting means including at least two projectiles
adapted to be deployed to a remote target by said propulsion means;
and
d. conductive means including at least two conductors respectively
operatively interconnecting said projectiles and said electrical
energy source for completing an electrical circuit through the
remote target;
said propulsion means being adapted to deploy said projectiles in
a
10. The weapon of claim 9, above, wherein said projectiles are
darts each having a conductive point in electrical communication
with its associated said conductor, whereby electrical energy
applied to each of said points will bridge insulative gaps which
may separate said deployed projectiles
11. The weapon of claim 9, above, wherein said target contacting
means further comprises a mesh coupled to said projectiles and
adapted to be said projectiles with saidprojectiles for enveloping
and entangling the remote target, assuring that said projectiles
will engage the target at
12. The weapon of claim 9, above, wherein said target contacting
means include nonconducting filaments interconnecting said
projectiles for limiting the divergence of said projectiles during
deployment and for enveloping and entangling a remote target, to
increase the likelihood that said projectiles will engage the
target to apply electrical energy between
13. For use with a weapon having a self-contained electrical energy
source and a trigger means for operating the weapon, a replaceable
cartridge comprising in combination:
a. a cartridge body including means adapted to make electrical
contact with the weapon electrical energy source and the trigger
means;
b. target contacting means within said body including more than one
projectile each having an electrode element for applying electrical
energy between the weapon electrical energy source and a remote
target, said projectiles being positioned to be divergently
deployed;
c. conducting means within said body including a separate
elongated, flexible, filamentary conductor coupled to each
projectile, electrically connecting said electrode elements to said
electrical contact means, said conductor being of length sufficient
to apply electrical energy to a remote target from the weapon;
and
d. pyrotechnic deploying means within said body, connected to be
energized by the trigger means for deploying said projectiles and
conductors to the remote target at spatially separated points, upon
operation of the trigger
14. The replaceable cartridge of claim 13, above, wherein said
target contacting means include nonconductive filaments
interconnecting said projectiles for limiting the divergence of
said projectiles when deployed
15. For use with a weapon having a self-contained electrical energy
source and a trigger means for operating the weapon, a replaceable
cartridge comprising in combination:
a. a cartridge body including means adapted to make electrical
contact with the weapon electrical energy source and the trigger
means;
b. target contacting means within said body including at least a
projectile having an electrode element for applying electrical
energy between the weapon electrical energy source and a remote
target;
c. conducting means within said body including at least a single
elongated, flexible, filamentary conductor connecting said
projectile and electrode element to said electrical contact means,
said conductor being of length sufficient to apply electrical
energy to a remote target; and
d. deploying means within said cartridge body connected to be
energized by the trigger means for deploying said projectile and
conductor to the
16. The process of immobilizing a remote, living target comprising
the steps of:
1. launching a projectile carrying a conductor from a power supply
to the remote target;
2. engaging the target with said projectile and conductor
3. applying electrical energy to the target in a brief interrupted
substantially d.c. impulse shorter than 0.1 second duration at a
voltage greater than 30 kv, whereby the voltage of the impulse is
sufficient to bridge insulative gaps between the conductor and the
target and between
17. The process of claim 16, above, further including the steps
of
repeating the energy applying step at a rate between 3 and 10
repeats per second, and shortening the duration of the individual
impulses to intervals of 10 microseconds and less
whereby the average power delivered to the target is approximately
2.5
18. The process of using a power supply, a conductor and a
projectile for electrically coupling a remote target to the power
supply comprising the steps of
1. generating at least one seaprated electrical impulse of at least
0.001 joules at a voltage greater than 5 kv for an interval less
than 0.01 seconds; and
2. applying said separated electrical impulses to a remote
target
whereby the voltage level is adequate to conduct energy into the
target through insulative gaps and whereby the target couples to a
common
19. The process of claim 18, above, wherein said applying step
utilizes
20. The process of claim 18, above, further including the step
of
generating additional electrical impulses at a rate of from 3-10
per second
21. The apparatus for applying electrical energy to a remote target
of claim 2, above, wherein said conductive means are initially
stored in said
22. The weapon of claim 9, above, wherein said target contacting
means further comprises at least one nonconductive elongated
flexible member interconnecting said projectiles and adapted to be
deployed with said projectiles for enveloping and entangling the
remote target and assuring
23. The weapon of claim 9, above, wherein said contacting means
further comprises a plurality of non-conducting filaments
interconnecting said projectiles, said filaments limiting the
divergence of said projectiles during deployment and enveloping and
entangling the remote target to increase the probability that both
projectiles will engage the target.
Description
The present invention relates to weapons and more particularly to
an improved weapon capable of delivering electrical impulses to
remote targets.
In 1852, Dr. Albert Sounenburg and Phillipp Rechten received U.S.
Pat. No. 8,843, for "Electric Whaling Apparatus," which taught a
harpoon connected through a conducting calbe to a "magneto-electric
rotation machine." The machine was a simple, mechanically operated
generator which had one terminal connected to the cable and a
second terminal connected through the "copper bottom" of a "whale
boat," to the ocean. As taught, a harpooned whale could be
"electrocuted" by operating the generator, even though the harpoon
wound might be superficial.
In 1952, Thomas D. Ryan applied for Letters Patent for "Electric
Weapons," which matured into U.S. Pat. No. 2,805,067, on Sept. 3,
1957. In that patent, various otherwise lethal weapons of the past
such as spears, arrows, and lances were provided with
self-contained power supplies. These weapons, in addition to any
physical trauma that could be inflicted upon a target, also
appliedhigh voltage electrical impulses, which, the patent states,
are capable of producing either lethal or merely irritating
effects.
These weapons had a source of power such as a battery, a
transformer circuit and an interrupter, either a magnetic "chopper"
or a spring-mass, oscillating system. The weapons were designed to
deliver a series of high voltage shocking impulses to supplement
the normal effect of such conventional, primitive weapons, which
are primarily hand-held or hand propelled.
As of the date of the Ryan application, very little was known of
the true physiological effects of electric currents on the living
organism. Nonetheless, Ryan suggested that his device could produce
varying results from fibrillation to severe muscle spasms, thereby
immobilizing the victim. It is not clear that the disclosed
circuits could, in fact, meet the object of the patent.
Dalziel and Lee, in an article published in the IEEE SPECTRUM of
February, 1969, pp. 44-50, entitled "Lethal Electric Currents,"
summarized their article in the IEEE Transactions of Industry and
General Applications, Vol. IGA-4, pp. 467, 476, September-October,
1968, which reviewed the available data relating to the deleterious
effects of electric shock, and reported on experiments that had
been conducted. The authors discussed the effects of electricity as
a function of voltage, current, frequency and duration.
Experiments on volunteers and research on animals tended to
establish ventricular fibrillation as the most probable cause of
fatalities attributed to "electrocution." Currents, if conducted
through nerve centers, may arrest certain functions such as
respiration for periods of time after the current has ceased. Of
course, high currents can produce burns and irreversible damage to
vital organs as a result of heat.
Dalziel and Lee studied physiological response as a function of
applied currents and found a nonlinear relationship. At the lowest
levels of magnitude, electric currents produce a "shock" and
perhaps involuntary muscle movements. At a next higher level,
increasing involuntary muscular contractions occur, and, with
increasing currents, a loss of voluntary muscular control. There
next occurs a magnitude of current, at which a subject cannot
voluntarily overcome the contracting forces. The greatest current
at which it is still possible to release a conductor using the
muscles directly stimulated by the current is called the "let-go"
current, which represents the threshold between "harmless" and
"harmful" exposures.
Currents slightly in excess of the "let-go" current will "freeze" a
subject to a circuit, so long as the current persists. Higher
currents of substantial duration, either continuous or
intermittent, can produce serious, potentially lethal effects,
including ventricular fibrillation, paralysis, asphyxia and
burns.
Yet other studies by the Underwriters Laboratory in 1939 dealt with
the problem of establishing safety standards for electrically
charged fences. These studies, published in Research Report No. 14,
in December 1939, suggested as safe, pulsed "shocks" of prescribed
magnitudes, if separated by recommended time intervals.
With the growing problems arising from the indiscriminate use of
lethal weapons for the apprehension of criminal suspects, as well
as for the control of crowds and mobs, new devices must be found
which can immobilize and capture without inflicting serious or
irreversible harm in the process. It would be desirable to have a
compact, hand-held device that is capable of subduing without
serious or permanent harm. Such a device would be invaluable for
the self-protection of the private citizen, as well as an important
element in the armamentarium of the armed forces and law
enforcement agencies.
It has been found that there exists a range of electrical impulses,
which when delivered to a human target can immobilize the target by
inducing involuntary muscular contractions. These amounts of
electrical energy generally exceed the minimum "leg-go" currents
but are in a range that is considered well below fibrillation
levels. It has also been found that the desired currents can be
delivered a substantial distance through a very fine, lightweight
filament. At sufficiently high voltages, there need not be
penetration of the skin to deliver the electrical impulse.
Moreover, it has been found that brief, intermittent impulses of
current can be just as, if not more, effective than continuous
currents, with a substantial reduction in the power required.
It has been deemed desirable to provide a weapon which can utilize
an otherwise harmless projectile and which does not require harmful
penetration of the target. It is also desirable to have an
electrical device in which the electrical energy to be delivered to
the target can be controllably adjusted. Further, it has been
deemed desirable to have a convenient, manually operated launcher
capable of accurately delivering an otherwise harmless projectile
over distances greater than those that most persons could achieve
with any accuracy by throwing.
It is also desirable to have a small hand-held, self-contained
weapon system capable of delivering a plurality of projectiles,
with a conductive, filamentary connection as between a power supply
in the launcher and the projectile.
According to the present invention, modern technology has been
utilized to provide an extremely compact, electrical power supply
capable of being packaged in a manually operable launcher, which,
in combination with novel, relatively harmless projectiles, can
deliver an electrical charge to a remote target with reasonably
good accuracy.
In the several embodiments, the projectile or missile may be a
fictile pellet, or may include a plurality of pellets connected by
a mesh or net, which would be deployed upon launching. It is also
possible to utilize a projectile of the type generally used in "air
rifles."
In alternative embodiments, larger launchers of the "rifle" type
can be utilized, and would contain a heavier duty power supply,
more suitable for use by law enforcement or military personnel. The
several embodiments can be provided in single or multiple "shot"
versions.
The launcher and projectile are electrically connected by means of
a fine, conducting fiber which can be coiled in the projectile and
tethered to the launcher. Alternatively, the supply coil can be
arranged to remain with the launcher and the projectile would
deploy the fiber. Both techniques have counterparts in other fields
such as the "spinning" reel or the two-wire, guided missile.
In other embodiments, the projectile can be propelled, by means of
a spring, compressed air, or compressed CO.sub.2. Explosive or
pyrotechnic propellants may be employed, but would, if utilized,
bring the device within the ambit of the various laws regulating
"deadly weapons," and might require registration by or permits of
the user.
In accordance with the underlying theory of the present invention,
there are two types of electrical current delivery systems. A first
type of system employs a single wire and operates either in a
conducting mode, wherein the ground or earth is used to complete
the circuit between the power supply and the target or in a
nonconducting mode which charges the target body to a predetermined
voltage level, through the capacitive impedance of the body,
thereby transmitting the requisite amount of current.
An alternative system utilizes a pair of wires constituting a
current delivery and return path. In the two-wire system, a
plurality of projectiles may be deployed, connected by
nonconducting fibers to form a mesh or net which envelops the
target. In the system, it is unnecessary for either the power
supply or the target to be grounded. Sufficient current can be made
to flow through the target to accomplish the desired results.
As a special embodiment of the single wire, nonconducting mode, a
"resonant" circuit is provided which is "tuned" to the impedance of
the target for a particular frequency. Such a resonant or tuned
circuit can supply desired currents of lesser magnitude at lower
frequencies to the target achieving the same physiological effects,
but at substantial reductions in the power required.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an
electrical power supply for generating electrical currents and for
applying these currents to a target by means of a wire which is
deployed using a launcher and projectile combination.
It is another object of invention to provide an improved protective
device which applies a shocking and holding current to a target by
a means of a wire carrying projectile.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide means for
applying an electrical current to a remote location including a net
trailing a conductive wire which is connected to and launched from
a portable, hand-held power supply.
The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the
invention, both as to organization and method of operation,
together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better
understood from the following description considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings in which several preferred
embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It
is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for
the purpose of illustration and description only and are not
intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a block-circuit diagram of a first embodiment of the
invention in its broadest form, operating in a single-wire,
conducting mode;
FIG. 2 is a block-circuit diagram of an alternative embodiment
according to the present invention, modified to operate in a
pulsed, conducting mode;
FIG. 3 is a block-circuit diagram of an alternative embodiment of a
system operating in a single-wire, nonconducting, resonant
mode;
FIG. 4 is a block-circuit diagram of a power supply similar to that
of FIG. 2 but employing a spark gap discharge.
FIG. 5 is yet an additional alternative embodiment of a two-wire
system utilizing a plurality of spark gaps and a bank of capacitors
in the output circuit for voltage amplification;
FIG. 6 is a simplified representation of a delivery system
according to the present invention, illustrating single-wire
operation in the conducting mode;
FIG. 7 is a representational view of the system of the present
invention, modified to operate as a two-wire system;
FIG. 8 is a representational view of a net for enveloping a
target;
FIG. 9 is a side view of a "cockle burr" type projectile carrying
the supply of filamentary, conductive wire;
FIG. 10 is a view of alternative projectile, a dart in which a
supply of conductive wire is retained in the launching device;
FIG. 11 is a view of a launcher for deploying a plurality of
projectiles, connected by an insulating fiber in a net;
FIG. 12 is a view of an alternative launcher employing a single
barrel;
FIG. 13 is a side view of an alternative system including a
flashlight and a replaceable "cartridge";
FIG. 14 is a front view of the "cartridge" of FIG. 13; and
FIG. 15 is a side sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 14, taken
along the line 15--15 in the direction of the appended arrows.
Turning first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a typical circuit
useful for operating either a single-wire or a two-wire system in
the "conducting" mode. As shown, a power supply such as storage
battery 10 is connected through a switch 12 to a DC-AC inverter
unit 14. The output of the DC-AC inverter unit 14 is applied to the
primary winding 16 of a transformer 18. The secondary winding 20 of
the transformer 18 is connected at one terminal to ground,
indicated by the conventional ground symbol 22 for single-wire
operation. The other terminal is connected to a launching device
24, which physically propels a projectile 26 toward a remote target
28. In the two-wire configuration, the ground connection would be
replaced by a connection to a second terminal in the launching
device 24.
The projectile 26 remains connected, at all times, to the secondary
winding 20 by a continuous, conducting wire or filament 30. The
target 28, as illustrated, is represented by a finite resistance
connected to ground 22. If the target is a human body, such a
finite resistance exists between any point of contact and the
ground upon which the target stands. Obviously, in the two-wire
embodiment, a second conducting filament 30 (not shown) would also
connect to the target 28.
In operation, according to one embodiment, the battery 10 may be a
portable, light-weight, high energy power supply, which, through
the inverter 14 and the transformer 18, produces AC voltage in the
range of 20 to 30 KV.
Turning next to FIG. 2, there is shown an alternative circuit
intended to operate in a pulsed mode. As shown, a power supply 10'
is connected through switch 12' to a series circuit including an
interrupter 14', such as an electromechanical chopper, and the
primary 16' of a transformer 18'. The secondary winding 20'
connects through a rectifying diode 32 to a second primary winding
34 of a second transformer 36.
A capacitor 38 is in parallel with the second primary 34, and a
switching relay 40 has its switch 41, between the capacitor 38 and
the second primary 34. The relay solenoid 44 is connected between
the secondary winding 20' and the capacitor 38 and is connected in
parallel with a current limiting resistor 42. A second, secondary
winding 46 is connected at one end to the ground 22 and at the
other end to a launching device 24'. In a two-wire system, both
ends of the secondary 46 would be coupled to the launcher 24'.
In operation, a closure of the switch 12' completes the circuit
through the interrupter 14' and the primary 16' of the transformer
18'. The interrupter 14' converts the DC of the battery 10' to an
intermittent current, capable of transformation to higher voltages
through the transformer 18'. The high voltage transformer output is
rectified by the diode 32 and charges the capacitor 38. The
"relay-relaxation circuit," including the capacitor 38 and the
relay 40, discharges the capacitor 38 in pulses through the primary
34 of the second transformer 36. At the second, secondary winding
46, there is available approximately 20 KV, with pulses that can be
as infrequent as three per second.
In a continuous mode of operation, as in the circuit of FIG. 1,
these circuits will furnish currents in the 20 to 30 ma range.
Alternatively, operating in a pulsed mode, as in FIG. 2 above,
where the pulse repetition rates preferably range from 2 per second
to 10 per second, each pulse delivers no less than 0.01 joules and,
preferably, approximately 0.5 joules to the target.
As a result of thumb, it has been determined that the product of
capacitance and voltage gives a figure of merit for the
effectiveness of the pulsed power supply as against a living
target. If the product, VC, of a single pulse is greater than
10.sup..sup.-2 volt-farads, the shock can cause great harm and may
even be lethal, even with a single shock. Values at 10.sup..sup.-3
volt-farads are deemed adequate to immobilize a victim through
muscular spasm. If maintained for any length of time, the victim
will become exhausted or asphyxiated because of such involuntary
muscular activity. VC values on the order of 10.sup..sup.-4 volt
farads, produce pain such that a victim may be incapable of
rational reaction and would probably be inhibited from coherent,
organized locomotion.
Experimental circuits have been built according to the present
invention utilizing a 6-volt supply 10' in conjunction with a 46 to
1 turns ratio in the first transformer 18' and a 73 to 1 turns
ratio in the second transformer 36. The capacitor 38 is selected to
be 1.0 microfarads.
The output to the launching device 24' is therefore approximately
20,000 volts, However, because of the pulsed operation, the average
power range is in the 1 to 10 watt level and in the preferred
embodiment can be 2.5 watts. The power supply of FIG. 2 is designed
to deliver, on the average, 20 KV pulses that provide 0.5 joules
per pulse. This amount of energy is well below the levels
considered dangerous by Dalziel and Lee, supra, and can be supplied
by conventional dry cells.
Turning now to FIG. 3, there is shown an alternative embodiment
operating in the single-wire, nonconducting, resonant mode. A power
supply or battery 10" is connected to an oscillator-amplifier 14"
which includes a switching device (not shown). The oscillator and
amplifier 14" is connected to the primary winding 16" of a
transformer 18". Similar to the circuit of FIG. 1, a secondary
winding 20" has one end connected to ground 22 and at the other end
is connected through an inductance element 48 to a launching device
24". As indicated in FIG. 3, the target 28" may be represented in
the nonconducting mode, as a series combination of a resistive and
a capacitive element coupled to ground 22.
In operation, the battery 10" applying power across the
oscillator-amplifier 14" provides oscillatory energy to the
transformer 18" which produces a relatively high voltage output.
Including an inductance element in the circuit tends to tune the
circuit for minimum overall impedance at the operating frequency
determined by the oscillator-amplifier 14". In experimental models,
an oscillator operating at approximately 2 KHz, and with a
capacitive load C.sub.T of approximately 100 pf, in the absence of
an inductive element, approximately 30 KV are required to put 30 ma
through the target. However, by adding an inductance 48 of
approximately 7 henries, only 3 KV are necessary to provide the
same 30 ma at the target.
In alternative embodiments of FIG. 3, appropriate circuitry for
intermittent operation can be provided which further reduces the
power requirements of the circuit. Alternatively, the circuit of
FIG. 3 can be adapted for a two-wire operation in which case the
ground connection would be unnecessary.
Turning next to FIG. 4, there is shown an embodiment for
nonconducting, nonresonant intermittent operation utilizing a spark
gap in conjunction with a capacitor. As shown in FIG. 4, the
circuit of FIG. 2 may be employed except that the relay 40 and the
elements associated therewith can be replaced by a spark gap
49.
In operation, the capacitor 38' is charged to a potential adequate
to cause a discharge across the spark gap 49 which substantially
discharges the capacitor 38'. The second transformer 36'
efficiently couples this discharge pulse to the output circuits and
to the target. The phenomenon of spark gap discharge is well known
and the spacing as between the spark gap electrodes is selected to
provide a discharge rate of from three to ten discharges per
second.
Turning next to FIG. 5, there is shown yet an alternative
embodiment in which the second transformer is replaced by a
capacitor bank 39. As shown, the output circuits include, in
addition to a rectifying diode 32, a plurality of capacitors 38" in
parallel, separated by resistors and serially connected through
spark gaps 49'. In one experimental embodiment, a bank of six
capacitors 38" utilized in conjunction with a 6-volt power supply
and a transformer having a turns ratio of 600 to 1 produced
approximately 3 KV across each of the capacitors which serially
discharged to produce an 18 KV output pulse. Obviously, such a
circuit could be utilized either in a single-wire or two-wire
systems.
Turning next to FIG. 6, there is shown in outline form, a
simplified launcher 50 which has sent a projectile 26' to remote
target 28'. As illustrated, the launcher is operated as a one-wire
system and therefore requires a connection to ground 22. The target
28' is also coupled to ground 22 by its proximity to the ground. In
operating embodiments of the present invention, 40 gage copper wire
which has a diameter of 3 mils has a fusing current of
approximately 1 ampere. The resistivity of such a filament is
approximately 1 ohm per foot and has a weight of approximately 0.03
pounds per thousand feet. However, 100 yards of 40 gage copper wire
would weigh approximately one-half ounce and would introduce a
voltage drop of approximately 3 volts when conducting a 10 ma
current.
In alternative embodiments, it is possible to utilize nonconductive
filaments of even finer gage to which have been applied a
conductive coating or plating. Any high tensile strength fibers
could be utilized with an appropriate treatment to render it
conductive. In some embodiments it is also desirable to provide an
insulating coating over the conductive fibers.
Turning next to FIG. 7, there is shown an alternative launcher 52
which does not require a ground connection and which deploys at
least two electrodes which may be projectiles 26', each connected
to the launcher by a conductive filament 30'.
FIG. 8 illustrates a typical mesh or net 54 which may be deployed
from the launcher to increase the probability of encountering the
target. As shown, a first filament 56 is schematically indicated as
being connected to a relatively positive terminal 58 at the
launcher and a second filament 60 is indicated as connected to a
relatively negative terminal 62. As shown, four peripheral
projectiles 64 can be connected together with a conductive filament
66 so that the periphery of the net 54 is connected to apply the
relatively positive potential. The central projectile 68 is
connected to the relatively negative terminal 62 and is connected
to the other projectile 64 with nonconducting filaments 70. When
deployed to encounter a target, an electrical current will flow
from the peripheral projectiles 64 through the target to the
central projectile 68 thereby delivering the desired amount of
electrical energy to the target.
It is obvious that other schemes may be devised to deliver the
electrical currents to the target utilizing non-dangerous
projectiles with a high degree of confidence of encountering the
target at various ranges.
Other combinations of projectile and conducting or nonconducting
mesh connections are possible. For example, an alternative device
might includes a plurality of projectiles connected to the
relatively positive conductor 56 and a plurality of projectiles
would be coupled to the relatively negative conductor 60 and the
several projectiles would be separately launched toward the
target.
FIG. 9 illustrates one form of projectile 72 that may utilized. As
shown, the projectile may be considered a "cockle burr" including a
plurality of projecting conductive fibers 74 adapted to be
entangled in clothing and electrically connected to a conductive
filament 76 which is spooled on a bobbin 78 that is carried with
the projectile 72. Stabilizing members 80 enable the projectile 72
to retain a reasonably accurate flight path. As illustrated,
projectile 72 is launched from a barrel 82 and the conductive wire
76 is anchored, within the barrel to a plate (not shown) which is
connected to the power supply. The projectile 72 can be propelled
by any known means of propulsion including compressed air,
compressed CO.sub.2, a compressed spring or a pyrotechnic
device.
Turning next to FIG. 10, there is shown an alternative projectile
84 which is a dart such as is used with compressed air or
compressed CO.sub.2 weapons. As shown, the dart 84 may include a
point 86 with barb member 88 to enable a slight penetration of the
target through clothing and the barb 88 enables the dart to become
implanted and to be held in place. A conductive filament extends
back to a bobbin 92 which is mounted in a "cartridge" 94 which is
electrically coupled to the power supply. The dart 84 is normally
held in the cartridge. When the pressure within the cartridge
exceeds the restraints on the dart 84, the dart 84 is accelerated
forward in a barrel 96. Obviously the cartridge 94 should be
electrically isolated from the barrel 96 and the launcher to
protect the user. The dart 84 continues to travel with the
acceleration imparted to it and carries with it the conductive
filament 90, which pays off the bobbin 92, substantially without
friction or drag.
FIG. 11 illustrates a launcher 100 which is adapted to deploy a
plurality of projectiles 102 each with a plurality of conductive
projections adapted to hold to a target. A bobbin 104 containing a
supply of conductive wire 106 is provided in each of the barrels
108 and the several projectiles 102 are interconnected by
nonconducting filaments 110. Two of the projectiles can be
connected to the relatively positive side of the power supply and
two can be connected to the relatively negative side of the power
supply. As shown in the dotted portion of the figure, the
projectiles 102, when deployed, form a rhomboidal array which has a
high probability of reaching a target.
FIG. 12 shows yet an alternative embodiment for deploying a
plurality of projectiles 102, here three. As shown, a spring member
112 is mounted in a barrel 114 and pushes a piston member 116 upon
which is mounted a pair of bobbins 118 and a conical, "ramp" member
which also houses a bobbin 118. The ramp member 120 deflects the
rear two projectiles 102 into a diverging path while the central
projectile 102 is launched substantially in the direction of aim.
The central projectile may be connected to the relatively positive
terminal while the remaining two projectiles 102 are connected to
the relatively negative terminal; and, when deployed, achieve the
configuration shown in the dotted portion of FIG. 12.
Turning next to FIG. 13, there is shown one proposed configuration
of a system 200 according to the present invention. This system,
which is adapted to be hand-held, includes a flashlight element
202, a trigger switch 204 and a replaceable projectile cassette
206. The housing 207 is intended to be easily hand-held and
contains the power supply and electrical circuits of the present
invention. The flashlight element 202 can be utilized independently
but it is intended to provide an aid to aiming in a darkened
environment. Accordingly, the flashlight element 202 must be
carefully aligned to be parallel with the launcher that is integral
with the replaceable cassette 206.
As an additional design feature, it has been deemed appropriate to
provide some form of alarm signal which indicates that the system
is operable and ready to deploy projectiles. It is believed that
such a signal would have a psychological effect and could add
credibility to the warning of the user that the system might be
employed.
FIG. 14 is a front view of the cassette 206 of FIG. 13 and shows
the elements that would be contained in such a cassette. As
illustrated, four projectiles are launched in a substantially
rectangular net. Two of the projectiles 208, 210 are respectively
connected to conductive filaments 212, 214 and to supply bobbins
216, 218. The other two projectiles 220, 222 are respectively
connected through conductive elements 224, 226 to the first
projectiles 208, 210. The fiber net 228 is coiled in a central
receptacle 230 and the other connecting fibers 224, 226, 232 and
234 are each collected in a respective receptacle until the
respective projectiles are deployed.
Turning finally to FIG. 15, there is shown in side-section view,
the launching mechanism of a cassette 206. As shown, with
appropriate male connectors 240, 242 which connect the power supply
to the supply bobbins 216, 218. Two of the launching barrels 244,
246 are shown with the projectiles 208, 210 respectively mounted
therein on piston members 248, 250, respectively. At the base of
the barrel members, in a common chamber 252, a supply of
pyrotechnic propellant 254 is provided. A filament 256 adapted to
be incandescently heated for ignition, is electrically connected to
a concentric electrode arrangement 258 in the base of the cassette
206 which mounts in contact with a matching electrode pair in the
launcher socket.
In operation, the electrodes 260 are energized which cause the wire
element 256 to ignite the syrotechnic charge 254 driving the
pistons 248, 250 in the outward direction. The force imparted
propels the projectiles 208, 210 in a diverging direction with a
substantial forward velocity component. The projectiles 208, 210
diverge until restrained by the fibers 232, 234, 228 and the
projectiles, as a group, then continue in the forward direction.
Electrical currents are applied to the projectiles 208, 210 through
the conductive wires 212, 214, respectively which are connected to
the electrodes 240, 242.
Thus, there has been shown in several embodiments apparatus for
applying electrical energy to a remote target. The power levels
that are employed are intended to be below lethal levels and
adequate to control and immobilize an attacker.
* * * * *