High intensity directed light and sound crowd dispersion device

• US 6,359,835 B1
• Filed: 03/20/2001
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Gayl, Franz J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lobo, Ian J.
• Application Number:
  US09/813,770
• Time in Patent Office: 364 Days
• Field of Search: 367/139, 367/138, 367/137, 181/142, 116/22.A, 381/75
• US Class Current: 367/139
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 15/04 Sound-producing devices G10K15/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 9/125 with a plurality of active elements

Abstract

A device for influencing human behavior comprises an audio system arranged to produce a sound wave that may be directed to a selected location and a video system arranged to produce a light beam that may be directed to the selected location. The audio system preferably comprises a frame and an array of sound generators mounted in the frame; The frame preferably is formed generally as a tube having a longitudinal axis, an open end and a closed end with the sound wave being emitted generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The video system preferably comprises either a flash tube or a laser.

Claims

1. An audio-visual device for deterring human behavior, comprising:

a frame formed generally as an elongate tube having a closed end and an open end;

a light source mounted to the open end of the frame and arranged to produce a light beam that may be directed to a selected location;

a sound cannon mounted to the frame arranged to produce a sound wave that may be directed out the open end of the frame to the selected location;

an electrical system that may be controlled by a human operator to cause the light source and the sound cannon to produce a light beam and a sound wave, respectively, that may be directed to the selected location to encourage a person to move away from the selected location;

a pair of pistol grips mounted to the frame and spaced apart a distance convenient for being grasped by a human operator;

a sound cannon trigger mounted to a first one of the pistol grips; and

a light source trigger mounted to the other of the pistol grips.

2. An audio-visual device for deterring human behavior, comprising:

a frame formed generally as an elongate tube having an open end and a closed end;

a light source mounted to the open end of the frame and arranged to produce a light beam that may be directed to a selected location;

a sound cannon mounted to the frame arranged to produce a sound wave that may be directed out the open end of the frame to the selected location;

an electrical system that may be controlled by a human operator to cause the light source and the sound cannon to produce a light beam and a sound wave, respectively, that may be directed to the selected location to encourage a person to move away from the selected location;

a power source selection switch connected to the electrical system;

a first electrical connector arranged for connection between the electrical system and an external electrical power source; and

a battery connected to the power source selection switch such that a human operator may actuate the power source selection switch to control whether the electrical system receives electrical power from the battery or from the external electrical power source.

3. A centralized end-fired array combination audio-visual device for influencing human behavior, comprising:

a longitudinal insulated and internally reflective tube having a closed end and an open end;

a sound cannon audio generating system having an array of piezoelectric transducers mounted on the tube and arranged to produce sound waves directed radially inward and out the open end towards a selected location;

a visual light system mounted in the open end of the tube to produce a light beam that may be used independently or in combination with the audio system and directed to a selected location;

a pair of pistol grips mounted to the tube and spaced apart a distance convenient for being grasped by a human operator;

a sound cannon audio trigger mounted to a first one of the pistol grips and a light source trigger mounted to the second of the pistol grips so that they may be engaged independently or in combination at any time;

an electrical system that may be controlled by an operator to cause the sound cannon audio source and the light source to produce a sound wave and a light source independently or in combination and directed towards a selected location to encourage a person to move away from the location;

a power source selection switch connected to the electrical system;

a first electrical connector arranged for connection between the electrical system and an external electrical power source;

a second electrical connector arranged for connection between the electrical system and a battery so that an operator may actuate the power source selection switch to control whether the electrical system receives power from the battery or from an external power source.