Non-lethal small arms projectile for use with a reader-target for amusement, sports and training

• US 6,604,946 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2001
• Issued: 08/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eyespy Toys Limited
• Original Assignee: Mike Glen Oakes
• Inventors: Oakes, Mike Glen
• Primary Examiner(s): SAGER, MARK ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/941,954
• Publication Number:
  US 20030060288A1
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/49-53, 463/56-57, 473/569-570, 473/578, 434/11, 434/16, 434/20-23, 102/430, 102/444, 102/498, 102/529, 340/5.2, 340/5.8, 340/10.1, 340/10.4, 340/10.42, 340/323.R, 340/825, 340/825.57, 340/825.72, 235/375, 235/400, 342/27, 342/42, 342/44, 342/51-52, 342/58, 273/348, 273/371, 273/348--34, 273/372, 273/374
• US Class Current: 434/11
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/365 Projectiles transmitting information to a remote location using optical or electronic means F42B12/385 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 5/025 characterised by the dimension of the case or the missile
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 8/12 Projectiles or missiles F42B10/48, F42B12/36, F42B19/36 take precedence

Abstract

A non-lethal small arms analogous projectile 10 and reader-target for use in sporting, amusement, or training applications is described, wherein the non-lethal projectile 10 contains encoded information and means for transmitting the encoded information upon coinciding with the reader-target 22. The non-lethal projectile 10 contains a transmitter or transponder 18 which is activated upon coinciding with the reader-target 22, communicating data 42 to a receiver 36 within the reader-target which can then operate hit-indicating means 24, and transfer the data to a computer via contact, or wireless, connection for further analysis and interpretation. The non-lethal projectile 10 can be formed in any of a variety of shapes for use in many diverse applications and can be encased in a resilient, energy-absorbing material to withstand many reuses.

Claims

1. A non-lethal small arms analogous projectile for use with a reader-target comprising for purposes of training, sport, or amusement:

(a) a means of broadcasting a transmission from said non-lethal small arms analogous projectile to said reader-target upon coinciding with said reader-target;

(b) a means within said reader-target for receiving said transmission from said non-lethal small arms analogous projectile.

2. The non-lethal small arms analogous projectile and reader-target of claim 1 wherein said non-lethal small arms analogous projectile is encased in a resilient, energy absorbing material to retain shape throughout numerous uses.

3. The non-lethal small arms analogous projectile and reader-target of claim 1 wherein said reader-target is formed of a material that can be molded to fit a variety of shapes including form fitting articles of clothing.

4. The non-lethal small arms analogous projectile and reader-target of claim 1 further including said means within said reader-target for generating an electromagnetic field.

5. The non-lethal small arms analogous projectile and reader-target of claim 1 further including means for converting electromagnetic energy into radio signals within said non-lethal projectile.

6. A small arms analogous, direct-fire, non-lethal projectile for use with a reader-target for purposes of training, sport, or amusement comprising:

(a) a means of storing encoded information within said small arms analogous, direct-fire, non-lethal projectile;

(b) a means of discreetly transmitting said encoded information from said small arms analogous, direct-fire, non-lethal projectile to said reader-target when in close proximity or contact with said reader-target;

(c) a means within said reader-target for receiving said encoded information discreetly transmitted from said small arms analogous, direct-fire, non-lethal projectile;

(d) a means within said reader-target to decode said encoded information;

(e) a padding means about said small arms analogous, direct-fire, non-lethal projectile by which injury to human users will be substantially reduced.

7. The small arms analogous, direct-fire, non-lethal projectile and reader-target of claim 6 wherein said non-lethal projectile utilizes polyurethane construction for said padding means.

8. The small arms analogous, direct-fire, non-lethal projectile and reader-target of claim 6 wherein said reader-target is enclosed in a material that can be tailored to fit a variety of shapes including form fitting articles of clothing.

9. The small arms analogous, direct-fire, non-lethal projectile and reader-target of claim 6 further including an integrated circuit for storing said encoded information within said non-lethal projectile.

10. The small arms analogous, direct-fire, non-lethal projectile and reader-target of claim 6 further including means within said reader-target for generating an electromagnetic field.

11. The small arms analogous, direct-fire, non-lethal projectile and reader-target of claim 6 wherein said non-lethal projectile further includes means for converting electromagnetic energy into a return signal oriented to discreetly address said reader-target to the exclusion of other equidistant reader-targets.