Non-lethal projectile systems

• US 20050188886A1
• Filed: 09/28/2004
• Published: 09/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1996
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pepperball Technologies Inc (United Tactical Systems, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Pepperball Technologies Inc (United Tactical Systems, LLC)
• Inventors: Nunan, Scott C., Vasel, Edward J.
• Application Number:
  US10/953,055
• Publication Number:
  US 20050188886A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 102/502
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 11/57 Electronic or electric systems for feeding or loading F41B11/53 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 11/62 with pressure supplied by a gas cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 15/02 Batons; Truncheons; Sticks; Shillelaghs
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 9/10 Hand-held or body-worn self-defence devices using repellant gases or chemicals
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/40 of target-marking, i.e. impact-indicating type F42B12/48, F42B12/50 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/50 by dispersion
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 6/10 Air gun pellets ; Ammunition for air guns, e.g. propellant-gas containers
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/48 using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode

Abstract

A non-lethal projectile system for non-lethally inhibiting a living target, multi-functional launching devices for delivering the non-lethal projectile systems to a target, methods of assembling the non-lethal projectiles, and tactical methods of the use of the non-lethal projectile, the non-lethal projectile consists of a projectile body to be impacted with a living target and an inhibiting substance within the projectile body, wherein upon impact with the target, the inhibiting substance is dispersed on and about the target. In a variation, the projectile body ruptures upon impact releasing the substance. In another variation, the inhibiting substance is a powdered substance comprising a powdered pepper derived substance, for example, oleoresin capsicum or capsaicin.

Claims

1. A non-lethal projectile, comprising:

a first part having a hollow portion;

a second part secured with the first part to seal the hollow portion defining a volume within;

an inhibiting powder contained within the volume;

a plurality of stabilizing fins secured with the first part;

wherein the projectile is non-spherical; and

wherein upon impact the inhibiting powder is dispersed into a cloud.

2. The projectile of claim 1, wherein the second part is at least partially hollow defining a portion of the volume;

and

the volume is configured to rupture upon impact radially dispersing the inhibiting powder into a cloud.

3. The projectile of claim 2, further comprising a lid, and the second part further includes a fill aperture such that the lid secures with the second part to close the fill aperture of the second part.

4. The projectile of claim 2, wherein the first part has a first length and a diameter, such that the length is greater than the diameter;

the second part has a second length, wherein the first length is greater than the second length; and

the first part has a cross-section that tapers to a smaller cross-section proximate the plurality of stabilizing fins.

5. The projectile of claim 4, wherein the first part and the plurality of stabilizing fins are formed as a single continuous part, and the fins are curved.

6. The projectile of claim 1, wherein the second part includes structurally weakening features such that upon impact with a target the second part ruptures, radially dispersing the inhibiting powder proximate to the target into the cloud.

7. The projectile of claim 1, wherein the inhibiting power comprises one or more capsaicinoids.

8. A system comprising:

non-spherical projectile to be impacted with a target;

the projectile comprising a first part having a first hollow portion, a second part sealed with the first part providing a volume formed within and defined by at least the first hollow portion, wherein the volume ruptures upon impact with the target;

the first part having a length greater than a length of the second part;

fins secured with an exterior of the first part; and

an inhibiting powder contained within the volume, wherein upon the volume rupturing upon impact the inhibiting powder is dispersed into a cloud proximate the target.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the fins are curved.

10. The system of claim 8, further comprising a lid, and the second part further includes a fill aperture such that the lid secures with the second part to close the fill aperture of the second part.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the inhibiting substance comprises a pepper-derived substance.

12. A method for delivering an inhibiting substance at a target, comprising:

directing a plurality of projectiles at a target along a generally vertical pattern, wherein the projectiles include a volume containing an inhibiting substance; and

impacting the target along the generally vertical pattern with the plurality of projectiles such that the inhibiting substance is dispersed.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the directing the plurality of projectiles along the generally vertical pattern includes initially directing at least one of the plurality of projectiles toward a lower portion of the target and directing later projectiles of the plurality of projectiles up along the target following the generally vertical pattern.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the impacting includes impacting the target with the plurality of the projectiles, wherein the plurality of the projectiles are impacted with the target at locations on the target ranging from a first region of the target to a second region of the target.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first region comprises an inferior region of a torso of the target and the second region comprises a superior region of the torso of the target inhibiting the target.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the directing the plurality of projectiles includes directing at least one of final projectiles of the plurality of projectiles toward a head of the target.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

altering a path of an intended direction from the generally vertical path.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein directing the plurality of projectiles includes rapid firing the plurality of projectiles from a rapid fire weapon to rapidly deliver the plurality of projectiles to the target.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the inhibiting substance comprises a pepper-derived substance.

20. A system for use in delivering an inhibiting substance, comprising:

a shell;

a projectile positioned within the shell, wherein the shell contains an ignitable substance for launching the projectile such that the projectile impacts with a target; and

an inhibiting substance contained within the projectile, wherein upon impact with the target, the inhibiting substance is radially dispersed proximate to the target.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the ignitable substance comprises primer.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the ignitable substance comprises only primer.

23. A system for use in delivering an inhibiting substance, comprising:

a projectile without a cartridge containing an ignitable powder for launching the projectile, the projectile to be impacted with a target; and

an inhibiting substance within the projectile, wherein upon impact with the target, the inhibiting substance is radially dispersed proximate to the target.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the projectile comprises a frangible projectile, wherein upon impact with the target, the frangible projectile ruptures, dispersing the inhibiting substance.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the frangible projectile has a length greater than a width and further having a volume formed within, wherein the inhibiting substance is contained within the volume.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the projectile comprises a compressed gas launchable projectile.

27. A method of non-lethally inhibiting a living target using a projectile system comprising a projectile containing a substance, the method comprising:

impacting the target with the projectile, such that the projectile ruptures;

radially dispersing the substance from the projectile on and about the target; and

contacting the target with the dispersing substance, such that the target is inhibited thereby.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of impacting the target with the projectile comprises contacting the anterior region of the target'"'"'s torso;

and

wherein the step of contacting the target with the dispersing substance comprises contacting the target'"'"'s face with the substance.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of impacting the target with the projectile further comprises marking the target by impacting the target with sufficient force to bruise the target.

30. A method of non-lethally inhibiting a living target by launching, at the target, a projectile system comprising a projectile containing a substance, the method comprising impacting the target'"'"'s torso with a plurality of projectiles, wherein, upon impact with the target, the projectiles rupture and disperse their contents about the target and wherein the projectiles are impacted with the target in a vertical direction from a superior region of the target'"'"'s torso down to an inferior region of the target'"'"'s torso, such that the target hunches forward into the substance dispersing from the projectiles.

31. A method of inhibiting a living target by launching, at the target, a projectile system comprising a projectile containing a substance, the method comprising impacting the target'"'"'s torso with a plurality of projectiles, wherein, upon impact with the target, the projectiles rupture and disperse their contents about the target and wherein the projectiles are impacted with the target in a vertical direction from an inferior region of the target'"'"'s torso up towards a superior region of the target'"'"'s torso.

32. The method of inhibiting a living target according to claim 31, further comprising impacting the target'"'"'s head with at least one projectile.

33. A method of non-lethally inhibiting a living target by launching, at an object in proximity to the target, a projectile system comprising a projectile containing a substance, the method comprising impacting the object in proximity to the target with a plurality of projectiles, wherein, upon impact with the object, the projectiles rupture and disperse their contents about the target, such that the dispensing substance contacts the target'"'"'s face region.

34. A method of non-lethally inhibiting a living target located behind a glass-like barrier, the method comprising:

impacting the glass-like barrier with a projectile system comprising a frangible projectile, such that the projectile both fractures the glass-like barrier and ruptures;

repeating the impacting of the glass-like barrier as necessary to result in a hole in the glass-like barrier through which additional projectile systems can be fired without rupture of the projectiles;

firing at least one frangible projectile through the glass-like barrier, which frangible projectile comprises an inhibiting substance; and

impacting the frangible projectile with an object in proximity to the target, such that the frangible projectile ruptures and disperses the inhibiting substance about the target.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of impacting the glass-like barrier with a frangible projectile comprises impacting the glass-like barrier with a frangible projectile containing a substance selected from the group consisting of solid substances and particulate substances, such that the substance facilitates fracture of the glass-like barrier.

36. A system comprising:

a non-spherical projectile to be impacted with a target, wherein, upon impact with the target, the projectile ruptures;

a substance, contained within the projectile, wherein the substance comprises a powder; and

primer positioned proximate the non-spherical projectile for launching the non-spherical projectile at the target.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the primer does not contain flaked gun powder and no additional gun powder is used in launching the non-spherical projectile.

38. The system of claim 36, further comprising a shell wherein the primer is contained within the shell and the non-spherical projectile is housed within the shell prior to being launched;

and

wherein only the primer is ignited to generate a force that launches the non-spherical projectile.

39. A system comprising:

a primer launchable projectile to be impacted with a target; and

an inhibiting powdered contained within the primer launchable projectile, wherein upon impact with the target, the inhibiting powdered is radially dispersed proximate to the target.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the primer launchable projectile is launched without added gun powder other than that in a primer.

41. A method for launching a non-lethal projectile at an individual, comprising:

aiming a means for launching a non-lethal projectile at an intended individual; and

activating the means for launching such that the means for launching launches the projectile at the individual so that the projectile contacts the individual and disperses an inhibiting substance;

wherein the projectile comprises a first portion and a second portion wherein at least one of the first and second portions is frangible such that the at least one of the first and second portions ruptures dispersing the inhibiting substance, and at least one of the first and second portions is at least partially hollow forming a volume such that the inhibiting substance is retained within the volume and at least 50% of the volume is filled with the inhibiting substance.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein:

the first part includes the hollow portion;

the second part is secured with the first part to seal the hollow portion defining the volume within;

a plurality of stabilizing fins secured with the first part;

wherein the projectile is non-spherical; and

wherein upon impact the inhibiting substance is dispersed into a cloud.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the second part is at least partially hollow defining a portion of the volume;

and

the second part is configured to rupture upon impact radially dispersing the inhibiting powder into a cloud.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising a lid, and the second part further includes a fill aperture such that the lid secures with the second part to close the fill aperture of the second part;

wherein the first part has a first length and a diameter, such that the length is greater than the diameter, the second part has a second length, wherein the first length is greater than the second length, and the first part has a cross-section that tapers to a smaller cross-section proximate the plurality of stabilizing fins; and

wherein the second part includes structurally weakening features such that upon impact with the individual the second part ruptures radially dispersing the inhibiting substance proximate to the individual into the cloud.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the inhibiting power comprises one or more capsaicinoids.

46. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

directing a plurality of the projectiles at the individual along a generally vertical pattern wherein the plurality of the projectiles impact the target along the generally vertical pattern such that the inhibiting substance is dispersed.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the directing the plurality of projectiles along the generally vertical pattern includes initially directing at least one of the plurality of projectiles toward a lower portion of a torso of the individual and directing later projectiles of the plurality of projectiles up along the torso of the individual following the generally vertical pattern.

48. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

a shell wherein the projectile is positioned within the shell, and the shell contains an ignitable substance for launching the projectile, wherein the ignitable substance comprises primer.

49. The method of claim 41, wherein the means for launching comprises a launcher body, a light comprising a bulb and a reflector, wherein the light is located within the launcher body, a launch barrel within the launcher body, wherein the launch barrel extends through a portion of the launcher body, a propellant canister within the launcher body, wherein the propellant canister contains compressed gas, a bolt assembly located within the launch barrel, wherein the bolt assembly positions the non-lethal projectile within the launch barrel, and an actuator coupled to the propellant canister, wherein the actuator releases a portion of the compressed gas from the propellant canister, wherein the compressed gas is directed behind the non-lethal projectile located within the launch barrel to launch the non-lethal projectile.

50. A method for launching a non-lethal projectile at an individual, comprising:

identifying an individual as a target;

aiming a launcher at the target individual, where the launcher contains at least one non-lethal projectile; and

activating the launcher so that the non-lethal projectile is launched at the individual to contact the individual and disperse an inhibiting powder;

wherein the projectile comprising a shell wherein at least a portion of the shell is rigid and has a thickness, the shell includes a volume formed within, where at least the rigid portion ruptures upon impact with the individual, the inhibiting substance is contained within the volume and occupies at least about 50% of the volume, and upon impact with the individual the rigid frangible shell ruptures radially dispersing the powdered inhibiting substance proximate to the individual into a cloud.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the launcher comprises a launcher body comprising:

means for launching one or more of the non-lethal projectiles contained within the launcher body;

one or more means contained within the launcher body selected from the group of means consisting of;

lighting means for providing a beam of light to be emitted from the launcher body, laser targeting means for the aiming of the launcher towards the individual, spraying means for spraying one or more substances towards the individual, transmitting means for transmitting a radio frequency signal, siren means for emitting a sound, and striking means for delivering a kinetic blow to the target.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the launcher comprises, a handle, a trigger coupled to the handle, a cylinder coupled to the handle, a plurality of chambers within the cylinder, a barrel coupled to the cylinder, and a hammer coupled to the cylinder, wherein a non-lethal projectile system is contained within one of the plurality of chambers.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the non-lethal projectile system comprises a casing, a propellant canister containing a compressed gas within the casing, and an actuator coupled to the propellant canister, where the projectile is positioned within the casing proximate to the actuator and the propellant canister;

and

wherein upon firing, the hammer causes the actuator to puncture the propellant canister, releasing the compressed gas behind the projectile body, whereby launching the projectile body from the casing through the barrel.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the aiming comprises illuminating the target with a light built in the launcher.

55. The method of claim 52, wherein the non-lethal projectile system comprises a casing such that a seal is established to enhance pressure applied to the projectile.

56. The method of claim 50, wherein the projectile comprises a first portion and a second portion wherein at least one of the first and second portions is the rigid portion such that the at least one of the first and second portions ruptures upon impact with the individual.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein:

the first part includes the hollow portion;

the second part is secured with the first part to seal the hollow portion defining the volume within;

a plurality of stabilizing fins secured with the first part;

wherein the projectile is non-spherical; and

wherein upon impact the inhibiting substance is dispersed into a cloud.