Rapidly deployable volume-displacement system for restraining movement of objects

• US 5,792,976 A
• Filed: 07/17/1997
• Issued: 08/11/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Genovese, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): TUDOR, HAROLD JAY
• Application Number:
  US08/920,351
• Time in Patent Office: 390 Days
• Field of Search: 102/293, 102/348, 102/354, 102/357, 102/393, 102/489, 102/502, 102/529, 102/530, 102/531, 280/728.1, 280/729, 280/730.1, 280/736, 280/739, 280/741, 280/748, 206/522
• US Class Current: 102/293
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0015 Devices specially adapted for the protection against criminal attack, e.g. anti-hijacking systems
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0036 by disabling or restraining attackers
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/00 Defence installations; Defence devices constructional aspects see Section E, e.g. air-raid shelters E04H9/04; protective arrangements for buildings E04B1/92; extinguishing or preventing the spread of fire from, incendiary bombs A62C3/06; dynamic armour F41H5/007; ballistically deployed systems for restraining persons or animals F41H13/0006; electronic countermeasures G01S
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0006 Ballistically deployed systems for restraining persons or animals, e.g. ballistically deployed nets
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/58 Cluster or cargo ammunition, i.e. projectiles containing one or more submissiles F42B12/32 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/00 Identifying, scaring or incapacitating burglars, thieves or intruders, e.g. by explosives

Abstract

Rapidly deployable restraining systems and methods for rendering personnel,nimals and other objects immobile includes an assembly of confinement devices housed in a dispersion package. Each confinement device has a propellent, a primer and an inflatable bag that is rapidly inflated by the propellent when fired by the primer. A detonator, located in the package, is discharged to open the package, disperse the confinement devices and cause the primers to be energized, thereby inflating the bags. The package is pre-emplaced in a target area or it is projected into the area via a fired projectile of which it is a part.

Claims

1. An object-restraining system comprising:

a plurality of restraining elements, each said element having a deployable volume-displacement means for rapidly increasing its volumetric size when deployed and a propellant means for inflating said deployable volume-displacement means with a gas;

a package containing said elements;

deployment means for causing said elements to be randomly ejected from said package and dispersed over an area; and

for

means for igniting said propellant means in each of said elements.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said volume-displacement means is an expandable bag.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each said element includes a first compartment, said bag being stored in said first compartment in a compact state.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each said element includes a second compartment with said propellent means stored therein.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said igniting means comprises a primer in each of said elements.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first compartment has an opening that is closed by an end cap that is frangibly mounted on said element.

7. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said end cap is fixed to said bag.

8. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each said element includes a pressure relief valve that communicates with said first compartment.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each said primer is connected to a trigger having means for energizing said primers.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said deployment means includes a detonator mounted in said package that fractures said package when initiated.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said package is is a projectile with a nose cone.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said package is placed in a concealed area.

11. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said trigger comprises a voltage source that is connected to said primers by frangible wires.