U.S. patent number 3,917,268 [Application Number 05/477,660] was granted by the patent office on 1975-11-04 for spark gap type electric shock-producing prod.
This patent grant is currently assigned to H & T Industries. Invention is credited to Robert Kent Howcroft, Bruce K. Tingey.
United States Patent |
3,917,268 |
Tingey , et al. |
November 4, 1975 |
Spark gap type electric shock-producing prod
Abstract
An electric shock-producing prod, usable by cattlemen, law
enforcement officials, and others, wherein the electrical or
electronic circuitry therein consists of a battery-powered
oscillator having a coupled output provided with a series-connected
spark gap. The spark gap is in series with a leg of the output
step-up winding of the transformer used and the oscillator can and
will continue to run with the electric-shock contacts of the prod
in engagement with the intended, recalcitrant object. The
oscillator has on-off switch. The oscillator continues to provide a
series of pulses which continue during the time the prod is in
electrical contact with the intended object.
Inventors: |
Tingey; Bruce K. (Orem, UT),
Howcroft; Robert Kent (Orem, UT) |
Assignee: |
H & T Industries (Orem,
UT)
|
Family
ID: |
23896826 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/477,660 |
Filed: |
June 10, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/47.3; 231/7;
361/232; 331/112 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B
15/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F41B
15/00 (20060101); F41B 15/04 (20060101); F41B
015/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;331/112 ;317/262S
;128/303.18,405,404,420,419S,419R ;273/84 ;231/2E,2R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
basic Electronics for Scientists, J. J. Brophy, McGraw-Hill Book
Co., N.Y., N.Y., pp. 347, 348..
|
Primary Examiner: Apley; Richard J.
Assistant Examiner: Browne; William R.
Claims
We claim:
1. An electrical shock-producing prod including, in combination: an
oscillator means for producing a train of pulses; switch means
coupled to said oscillator means for selectively turning said
oscillator to free-running and also off conditions; battery means
coupled to said oscillator means for powering the same; a
transformer winding means coupled to said oscillator means for
amplifying said pulses; spark gap means for cataclysmically
conducting high-potential electrons across the gap thereof; and
mutually spaced probes coupled across said transformer winding
means, said spark gap means being serially interposed between one
of said probes and said transformer winding means.
2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said oscillator means
comprises a transistorized blocking oscillator.
3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said oscillator means
comprises a transistorized blocking oscillator having an output
step-up transformer, said step-up transformer including an output
winding comprising said transformer winding means and coupled to
said probes.
4. The structure of claim 1 wherein said prod includes a housing
having a handle and also an elongate portion, forwardly extending
from said handle, and having an insulative end, said probes being
mounted proximate and extending forwardly of said end, said
elongate portion including a cavity, said battery means comprising
a series of axially aligned batteries operatively contacting one
another, disposed in said cavity, and provided with means for
coupling to said oscillator means.
5. A combination of claim 4 wherein said switch means is physically
and accessibly disposed proximate said handle.
6. The structure of claim 4 wherein said prod includes an elongate
cover releasably disposed over said cavity, whereby to withdrawably
cover said battery means.
7. The structure of claim 4 wherein said transformer winding means
is encased within said housing intermediate said handle and said
elongate portion.
Description
The present invention relates to electrical shock-producing probes
used by cattlemen, law enforcement officials, and others, and, more
particularly, to a new and improved probe wherein, when the same is
energized for free-running by the actuation of a single switch, the
same will continue to function even though the electrical probes of
the unit are in engagement with the intended object.
Cattlemen, peace officers, and others have found it useful to have
an electrical shock-producing probe to urge recalcitrant cattle or
other animals or even human beings into a desired activity. Certain
prods of the past have incorporated electrical or electronic
circuits wherein the actuation switch must be energized a series of
times in order to provide a series of electrical shocks.
The use of a oscillator in such a circuit presents certain
problems, among which is the fact that when the probes or contacts
touch an object having a characteristic surface resistance, the
impedance of the output circuit changes so as to affect
deleteriously the operation of the oscillator. As a consequence the
oscillators, if intended for free-running, simply cease their
operation.
What is needed, therefore, is the provision of an oscillator in a
shock-producing probe wherein the operation of the oscillator is
unaffected by contact by the shock probes with the intended object.
In the present invention a single actuation of a switch, so as to
turn on the oscillator, is sufficient to retain the same in a
continuous operating condition even though the probes touch an
intended animal, for example, having a certain characteristic
electrical surface resistance, but only provided there is a spark
gap disposed in series with one of the leads coming from the
step-up transformer winding of the unit. It has been found that the
incorporation of a spark gap operates electrically so as not to
change the characteristic impedance of the oscillator circuit,
reflected back, even though the shock-producing probes are actually
contacting the animal or human being.
The essence of the present invention, therefore, is the provision
in the output circuit of a probe of a serially connected spark gap
in the step-up winding portion of a transformer having an
oscillator input. The oscillator, generally a blocking or
free-running choke circuit, is generally conventional in form
herein, but the step-up transformer includes in its secondary
winding circuit a series-connected spark gap disposed within the
lead path leading to a respective one of the shock-producing
probes. It is the presence of this spark gap that precludes
malfunction of the oscillator during operation of the unit.
Accordingly, a principle object of the present invention is to
provide a new and improved shock-producing probe for cattlemen,
peace officers, and the like.
A further object is to provide for a shock-producing prod a circuit
including an oscillator having a transformer output circuit
provided with a series-connected spark gap.
An additional object is to provide a shock-producing prod which is
conveniently packaged as an elongate unit having a self-contained
circuit which is easily manipulated both for use and for battery
replacement.
The features of the present invention may best be understood by
reference to the following description taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electrical circuit in a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, and showing the
series-connected spark gap in the output circuit of the transformer
used.
FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a physical prod unit incorporating
the circuit of FIG. 1 by way of example; FIG. 2 represents a plan
view of the unit.
FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the structure shown in FIG. 2 and is
broken away to show the packaged electronics and transformer of the
unit.
FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line of 4--4 in FIG. 3.
The oscillator used, though not restricted to that shown,
preferably takes the form of a free-running, blocking oscillator
selectively turned on and off by a single on-off switch. Further,
while the transformer is preferably a closed core, multiple-winding
transformer, it will be obvious that other types of transformers
such as an auto-transformer may be used. In any event, a step-up
transformer is intended in order that a minimum power input will
ensure the requisite final output voltage needed to produce the
electrical shock train intended.
In FIG. 1 circuit 10 includes transistor 11 provided with base 12,
emitter 13, and collector 14. Transistor 11 preferably comprises a
germanium PNP transistor such as RCA 2N301. Were a silicon
transistor used here, much less spark would be developed at prongs
15 and 16, hereinafter fully described.
Base 12 is connected by lead 17 to junction 18, the latter serving
as a connection point or junction of seriesconnected resistors 19
and 20. The remaining ends of these resistors are connected to
junction 21 and also to the lower end 22 of primary winding 23 of
the transformer 24. In a preferred embodiment of the invention
resistors 19 and 20 can have values of 18K and 250 ohms,
respectively. Leads 25 and 26 interconnect junction point 21 with
collector 14 and switch contact 27 of on-off swiitch 28,
respectively. The arm 29 of switch 28 is connected to lead 32' to
battery terminal 30 in the manner illustrated. Battery terminal 31
is connected by lead 32 to the upper end of primary winding 23.
Primary winding 23 is tapped at 33 and at such tap is connected to
lead 34 leading and connecting to emitter 13. The turns ratio of
winding segments L1 to L2 of primary winding 23 may be of the order
of 45 to 100; thus, in example indicated, L1 will have 45 turns
whereas L2, 100 turns. Secondary winding 35, however, will have
from 5,000 to 6,000 turns. This is merely by way of example. Hence,
the transformer 24 comprises a step-up transformer with preferably
an iron, closed core as at 36. Spark gap 37 may comprise an Admiral
62A2-1, or similar gap. These gaps are made generally by simply
forming a block of insulated plastic about a wire and then slotting
the plastic through the wire; spark gaps are conventionally used in
television sets, for example. Battery 38 may comprise a 10.5 volt
dry cell battery, the polarity of which is indicated.
As seen, secondary winding 35 is connected by lead 38 to one side
of spark gap 37, and lead 39 interconnects the remaining end of
secondary winding 35 to spark probe 16. Lead 40 interconnects the
remaining side of spark gap 37 to the spark prong 15.
As to afore-described details of the circuit as shown in FIG. 1,
FIGS. 2-4 will be discussed. FIGS. 2-4 represent a physical
embodiment of the structure, illustrated in the formation of an
elongate cattle probe in one embodiment of the invention.
In FIGS. 2 and 4 the circuitry 10 may be easily miniaturized by
known techniques and be disposed adjacent switch 28. A series of
11/2 volt or other dry cell batteries B may be disposed end-to-end
in series relationship to form the battery 38. Transformer 24 is
shown centrally mounted in the structure by attachment means 41 and
42. The entire structure may be a molded or otherwise include
fabricated plastic case 43 having a battery-receiving opening 44
over which is pressed a cover 45. The latter may comprise
hemi-cylindrical segment having outwardly extending detent flanges
46 and 47 overlapping horizontal beads 48 and 49 in the housing
structure 43. Thus, all the parts may be easily molded in place,
with the housing 43 including a central cavity 38 for receiving the
series of batteries B as aforesaid. These batteries may be spring
loaded by a spring S in the usual manner, such as in connection
with flashlights. Leads 39 and 40 may be molded into the plastic
case 43 to be connected to prongs 15 and 16.
With respect to the circuit of FIG. 1, jumper wire J may connect
the lower ends of windings 23 and 35 so as to eliminate
inter-winding sparks. This is shown by jumper wire J connecting
between junction points J1 and J2.
Portion H of housing 43 comprises a handle portion, whereas the
elongated extension portion P leading forwardly from the
transformer terminates in shock probes 15 and 16.
The operation of the invention is as follows. Reference is now made
to FIG. 1 wherein the circuitry to the left of the iron core
depiction at 36 comprises a blocking oscillator, also known as a
ringing-choke converter. The blocking oscillator is a well-known
device fully described in the literature as, by way of example, the
standard text Functional Circuits and Oscillators by Reich, Van
Nostrand series published in 1961 at page 274 et seq. Detailed
descriptions of such oscillators, including the present
transistorized type, may be found at page 202 of Power Supplies for
Electronic Equipment, published by Leonary Hill, and authored by
Nowicki, 1971. See also the following references: T. Konopinski,
1962, "The Influence of Transformer Losses on the Operation of
Ringing Choke Transistor Converters," Direct Current, February.,
pp. 55-8, and T. Konopinski, 1959, "Load Characteristics of
Transistor Converter," Prace Inst. Tele-I Radiotech., Vol. 3, pp.
87-96. Such oscillators, likewise ringing choke converters, may be
provided starting bias in the provision of resistors 19 and 20. An
additional resistor, not shown, may be added in the emitter circuit
including emitter 13, there be used to stabilize oscillation as
desired. Such oscillators, termed relaxation oscillators, generate
a series of rectangular pulses of large amplitude and duration,
which may range from a fraction of a micro-second to several
hundred micro-seconds, can be generated, as desired, by the
feedback circuit utilized.
The crux of the invention involves the use, with the oscillator, of
a step-up transformer circuit as at the right-hand side of FIG. 1
including spark gap 37. Where the spark gap is not included in
series between prong 15 and secondary winding 35, then it has been
found that the touching of the probes 15 and 16 against a
recalcitrant cow, for example, will result in a change of impedance
reflected back to the oscillator circuit, which will result in an
interruption or stopping of the oscillation train of pulses
thereat.
FIGS. 2-4 illustrate a physical embodiment of the circuits of FIG.
1 wherein an actual elongate cattle probe may be had. In the
drawings in FIGS. 2-4 there is shown a housing 43 that includes
handle H and also elongate portion P terminating in probes 15 and
16. The insulator I may be disposed in the right tip of the
forwardly extending portion P in FIG. 2. Portion I may be made of
any insulative material, as may also housing 43. Circuit 10
includes switch 28, see FIG. 3, and the housing may be hollow to
receive the batteries B in series as illustrated in FIG. 3. A
spring S may be supplied much as in the case of a flashlight, with
leads 32 and 32' connecting to the battery to the circuit 10.
Transformer 24 and switch 28 are all so illustrated in FIG. 3.
To enclose the series of batteries there may be provided a cover 45
having formed snap-type flanges or margins 46 and 47. These will
loop over horizontal beads 48 and 49 as shown in FIG. 4.
The structure of FIGS. 2-4, as contain the circuit of FIG. 1,
operates as follows. When the batteries B are disposed within
opening 38, then cover 45 is installed as per FIG. 4 and the device
is ready for use. The user merely grasps the handle H and closes
the normally-open switch 38. The switch may be either of the very
simple type, i.e. singlepole, single-throw, so that the thumb
remains on the switch while the probe is used. Alternatively, of
course, there may be bi-stable or other types of switches used
which do not require the application of a continuous thumb pressure
in order to close, and releasably remain closed, the circuit of a
transistor alone in FIG. 1. In any event, the oscillator operates
to give a train of sharp-spaced pulses of large voltage magnitude,
amplified by the step-up character of transformer 24. These pulses
are applied to probes 15 and 16 by a spark gap 37. The spark gap is
included in the circuit, again, so that the lower impedance that
results, through connecting the probes 15 and 16 to the cattle
hide, will not be reflected back so as to interrupt the operation
of the oscillator. Rather, incorporation of the spark gap in the
circuit as shown ensures the continuous series of shocks to be
applied to any recalcitrant animal so long as the switch 28 remains
closed.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a new and useful
circuit and embodiment thereof forming a cattle probe or suitable
for other uses as in riot control work and so forth.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and
described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art the
various changes and modifications which may be made without
departing from the essential features of the present invention and,
therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such
changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope
of the invention.
* * * * *