Systems and methods having a power supply in place of a round of ammunition

• US 20060027127A1
• Filed: 07/14/2004
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Axon Enterprise, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taser International Incorporated
• Inventors: Cerovic, Milan, Dubay, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,409,912 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 102/502
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0018 for nearby electrical discharge, i.e. the electrodes being positioned on the device and the device brought manually or otherwise into contact with a nearby target batons with electric discharge capability F41B15/04; electric shock devices for animals A01K15/02
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0025 for remote electrical discharge via conducting wires, e.g. via wire-tethered electrodes shot at a target
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/36 for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information

Abstract

An apparatus for use in place of a round of percussion primed ammunition in a weapon includes a power supply and a switch. The switch is responsive to the mechanism in the weapon that fires the ammunition. Operation of the switch may enable the power supply to supply power to a replaceable cartridge. The cartridge may propel probes for delivering an incapacitating electrical charge from the power supply to the target. Another cartridge may include contacts to be applied without propellant to the target to stun the target. The apparatus may be inserted in the barrel of a weapon, for example, into the muzzle of a grenade launcher.

Claims

1. An apparatus for installation in place of a round of percussion primed ammunition in a weapon, the weapon having a mechanism that activates percussion primed ammunition, the apparatus comprising:

a power supply retained in the weapon for multiple operations of the mechanism; and

a switch, responsive to an operation of the mechanism to enable the power supply to supply power to a provided probe to deliver an incapacitating electrical charge to a target.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the switch enables the power supply in response to being struck by a firing pin of the mechanism.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the power supply comprises a battery.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an interface between the power supply and the probe, the interface providing mechanical coupling between the apparatus and the probe and providing electrical coupling between the power supply and the probe.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the interface comprises a contact that conducts electricity from the power supply to the probe.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the interface mechanically supports a provided cartridge comprising the probe.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein:

the cartridge comprises an electrically primed propellant to propel the probe; and

the power supply is coupled to the cartridge to provide electrical power to activate the propellant.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a propulsion system to propel the probe, the propulsion system being activated in response to the switch.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a fastener that attaches the apparatus to the weapon.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a device operative to assist aiming of the weapon.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a device operative to signal subsequent use of the cartridge, for alerting other humans in the vicinity of the weapon.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a circuit that provides indicia of time; and

a memory that stores the indicia of time in response to an operation of the switch.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the power supply provides power via a contact to the probe, the contact for use with provided replaceable cartridges, each cartridge comprising a probe.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 adapted for use in place of a bullet.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 adapted for use in place of a ballistic launching cartridge.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the weapon comprises a barrel; and

the apparatus is adapted to be inserted at least in part into the barrel for mechanical coupling of the mechanism and the switch.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the barrel comprises a tube for launching grenades.

18. A weapon comprising the apparatus of claim 1.

19. An apparatus for installation in place of a round of percussion primed ammunition in a weapon, the weapon having a mechanism that activates percussion primed ammunition, the apparatus comprising:

a power supply;

an electrical interface; and

a switch, responsive to the mechanism, that enables the power supply to supply power via the electrical interface.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the electrical interface comprises a contact for conducting electricity to a replaceable cartridge.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the cartridge, in response to the power supply, delivers an incapacitating electrical charge to a target.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the cartridge receives energy for the incapacitating electrical charge from the power supply.

23. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the electrical interface comprises a plate for capacitive coupling of electricity to a replaceable cartridge.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the cartridge, in response to the power supply, delivers an incapacitating electrical charge to a target.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the cartridge receives energy for the incapacitating electrical charge from the power supply.

26. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein:

the weapon comprises a barrel; and

the apparatus is adapted to be inserted at least in part into the barrel for mechanical coupling of the mechanism and the switch.

27. A multi-weapon system comprising:

a first weapon;

a second weapon, attached to the first weapon, the second weapon having a mechanism for activating a provided round of percussion primed ammunition; and

an apparatus for installation in place of the provided round of percussion primed ammunition, the apparatus comprising;

a power supply;

an electrical interface for operation with each of a provided plurality of cartridges; and

a switch, responsive to the mechanism, that enables the power supply to supply power via the electrical interface, each operation of the mechanism for one cartridge of the plurality.