XM-5866 Stingball flashbang grenade

• US 20080006171A1
• Filed: 07/05/2006
• Published: 01/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mr. George Leroy Confer
• Original Assignee: Mr. George Leroy Confer
• Inventors: Confer, George Leroy
• Application Number:
  US11/480,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20080006171A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 102/497
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/08 with armour-piercing caps; with armoured cupola
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/32 the hull or case comprising a plurality of discrete bodies, e.g. steel balls, embedded therein or disposed around the explosive charge
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/42 of illuminating type, e.g. carrying flares
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/48 smoke-producing , e.g. infrared clouds
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/56 for dispensing discrete solid bodies F42B12/70 takes precedence

Abstract

The grenade is a multi-purpose munition which can be used as a distraction device, like a flash bang grenade, and can be equipped with chemical agent powder for added capabilities. The grenade is also a sting ball grenade and is a less-lethal form of weapon, designed to reduce fatalities in civilians located in conflict areas. The munition is constructed to be low lethality, and capable of being launched from military and law enforcement 37 mm and 40 mm grenade launchers presently in use today. It is designed to be used in multiple roles when lethal projectiles are not a viable or preferred option, such as hostage situations, riots, room and building clearing operations, narcotics interdictions, distraction and diversionary purposes, and as a method of introducing a chemical agent into a small area from a distance. The grenade can be employed from distances over 400 yards, extending the range of the present art, which is 30 yards.

Claims

I. I. The munition is designed to contain multiple types of payloads that can be mission specific, such as rubber sting balls, CS or OC chemical irritants, and pyrotechnic items such as colored smoke or flare stars.

II. II. The ammunition can be employed when non-combatants may be present in close proximity to combatants, with less chance of lethal results.

III. III. The munition can be employed in situations where the use of deadly force would not be authorized under existing laws.

IV. IV. The grenade has longer range (400+ yards) than present less-lethal devices in service.

V. V. The device is not an impact detonated device, therefore can be fired through light skinned vehicles, glass, or doors to detonate on the inside, deploying payloads.

VI. VI. The munition is waterproof, and can be used in wet environments, and can actually be fired into bodies of water.

VII. VII. The munition (when equipped with a chemical agent) uses a blast dispersion method, which will not be prone to cause fires as burning type chemical agent grenades do.