Marker projectile

• US 6,990,905 B1
• Filed: 10/21/2003
• Issued: 01/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Secretary of the Army
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Manole, Leon R., Gilman, Stewart, Perich, Andrew, Nodarse, Robert, Ribe, Floyd
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bergin, James S.
• Application Number:
  US10/605,702
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: 102/513, 102/502, 102/529, 102/395, 102/458, 102/498
• US Class Current: 102/513
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/40 of target-marking, i.e. impact-indicating type F42B12/48, F42B12/50 take precedence

Abstract

A non-lethal marker projectile that provides site identification capability of a target upon impact includes a rear base made of plastic and a front end extending longitudinally from the rear base. The front end defines a space therein and includes an outer surface having a rear portion attached to the base and a nose portion. The front end also includes a breakable container system located in the space which contains separated chemiluminescent reagents which when mixed produce light. The front end further includes a foam filler which surrounds the breakable container system and which fills the space. The container system breaks on a setback impact that is exerted during firing and initial launch, causing the chemiluminescent reagents to mix and be absorbed into the foam filler, such that upon impact of the projectile with the target, the foam filler marks the target with the mixed chemiluminescent reagents diffused therein.

Claims

1. A non-lethal marker projectile that provides site identification capability of a target upon impact with the target, comprising:

a generally cylindrical rear base which is made of a resilient material; and

a front end extending longitudinally from said, rear base, said front end including

an outer surface having a rear portion which is attached to said rear base and a nose portion serving as a windshield, said outer surface defining a space therein,

a breakable container system located in the space, said container system containing separated chemiluminescent reagents which when mixed produce light, and

a foam filler which surrounds said breakable container system and which fills the space;

wherein the container system breaks on a setback impact that is exerted during firing and initial launch, causing the chemiluminescent reagents to mix and be absorbed into said foam filler such that upon impact of the projectile with the target, said foam filler marks the target with the mixed chemiluminescent reagents.

2. A non-lethal marker projectile as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer surface includes a central portion connecting said rear portion and said nose portion, and wherein said outer surface is a separate member made of plastic.

3. A non-lethal marker projectile as claimed in claim 2, wherein said plastic nose portion is translucent such that visible light produced by the mixed chemiluminescent reagents is visible therethrough during flight of the projectile.

4. A non-lethal marker projectile that provides site identification capability of a target upon impact with the target, comprising:

a generally cylindrical rear base which is made of a resilient material and which includes stress grooves so that said rear base shatters upon impact with the target; and

a front end extending longitudinally from said rear base, said front end including

an outer surface having a rear portion which is attached to said rear base and a nose portion serving as a windshield, said outer surface defining a space therein,

a plurality of breakable vials located in the space, said vials containing chemiluminescent reagents which when mixed produce light,

a holder or said plurality of vials, and

a foam filler including a central cavity in which said holder including said glass vials is securely located and which thus surrounds said breakable vials and which fills the space;

wherein the container system breaks on a setback impact that is exerted during firing and initial launch, causing the chemiluminescent reagents to mix and be absorbed into said foam filler such that upon impact of the projectile with the target, said foam filler marks the target with the mixed chemiluminescent reagents.

5. A non-lethal marker projectile as claimed in claim 4, wherein said nose portion is made of plastic and is provided with stress grooves so that said nose portion shatters upon impact with the target.