Electric discharge weapon

• US 7,143,539 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2004
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Axon Enterprise, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taser International Incorporated
• Inventors: Cerovic, Milan, Dubay, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KNOX, STEWART
• Application Number:
  US10/893,467
• Publication Number:
  US 20060026884A1
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 42/10.8, 421/05, 42/84, 42/710.1, 42/72, 89/11, 89/11.1, 891/35, 102/502, 102/472, 361/232
• US Class Current: 42/84
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 19/58 Electric firing mechanisms F41A17/10, F41A17/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/35 for illuminating the target , e.g. flash lights
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0012 Electrical discharge weapons, e.g. for stunning

Abstract

A weapon, according to various aspects of the present invention, includes a receiver, a trigger, and a cartridge store. The receiver receives a cartridge. The cartridge applies a deterrent force to the target. The trigger activates the cartridge. The cartridge store stores a plurality of provided cartridges. The cartridge store, then the trigger, and then the receiver are arranged in sequence proceeding linearly away from a user of the weapon.

Claims

1. A weapon for use with a particular cartridge and a plurality of cartridges against a target, the weapon comprising:

a. a receiver that receives the particular cartridge, the cartridge for applying a deterrent force to the target;

b. a trigger that activates the particular cartridge; and

c. a cartridge store that stores the plurality of cartridges;

wherein

d. first the cartridge store, then the trigger, and then particular cartridge prior to activation are arranged in sequence proceeding linearly toward the target; and

e. the weapon has an axis that passes through the particular cartridge, the trigger, and each cartridge stored in the cartridge store about which a user'"'"'s hand at least partially wraps to hold and operate the weapon.

2. The weapon of claim 1 wherein the deterrent force comprises an electric charge delivered into the target.

3. The weapon of claim 1 wherein the cartridge store comprises a resiliently compressible wall for retaining a cartridge in the store.

4. The weapon of claim 1 wherein:

a. the cartridge store comprises a plurality of stations, each station for storing one of the cartridges; and

b. the stations of the plurality are arranged proceeding linearly away from the user.

5. The weapon of claim 2 further comprising a battery located between the cartridge store and the trigger.

6. The weapon of claim 2 further comprising a high voltage power supply located between the trigger and the receiver.

7. The weapon of claim 2 further comprising a light source for illuminating the target, the light source located between the trigger and the receiver.

8. The weapon of claim 1 further for use with a second weapon having a rail, the rail having a second axis, the weapon further comprising a mount that fastens the weapon to the rail so that the second axis is substantially parallel to the axis of the weapon.

9. The weapon of claim 8 wherein the second weapon further has a bayonet receiver, and the mount further fastens the weapon to the bayonet receiver.

10. The weapon of claim 9 wherein the mount comprises a surface that interferes with at least a portion of the bayonet receiver to reduce sliding of the mount with respect to the rail.

11. The weapon of claim 10 wherein the mount comprises a threaded fastener that provides the surface.

12. An electric weapon for use with a host weapon, the host weapon having a bayonet receiver and a rail, the rail having a first axis, the electric weapon for use with a particular cartridge and further for use with a plurality of cartridges, each cartridge for applying a deterrent force to a target, the deterrent force comprising an electric charge delivered into the target, the electronic weapon having a second axis about which a user'"'"'s hand at least partially wraps to hold and operate the electronic weapon, the electronic weapon comprising:

a. a receiver that receives the particular cartridge;

b. a trigger that activates the particular cartridge; and

c. a cartridge store that stores the plurality of cartridges;

d. a mount that fastens the electronic weapon to the rail, and fastens the electronic weapon to the bayonet receiver;

wherein

e. first the cartridge store, then the trigger, and then the receiver are arranged in sequence proceeding linearly away from a user of the weapon; and

f. the second axis passes through the particular cartridge, the trigger, and each cartridge stored in the cartridge store.

13. The weapon of claim 12 wherein the mount comprises a surface that interferes with at least a portion of the bayonet receiver to reduce sliding of the mount with respect to the rail.

14. The weapon of claim 13 wherein the mount comprises a threaded fastener that provides the surface.