Diversionary device

• US 7,412,929 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2005
• Issued: 08/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Law Enforcement Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Law Enforcement Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Walsh, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): HAYES, BRET C
• Application Number:
  US11/236,378
• Publication Number:
  US 20060081147A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,057 Days
• Field of Search: 102/367, 102/368, 102/335, 102/355, 102/369, 102/482, 102/486
• US Class Current: 102/368
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 9/10 Hand-held or body-worn self-defence devices using repellant gases or chemicals
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/36 for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/42 of illuminating type, e.g. carrying flares
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/50 by dispersion
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 27/00 Hand grenades F42B12/00 takes precedence; for practice or training F42B8/12
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 4/04 Firecrackers
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 4/16 Hand-thrown impact-exploded noise makers; Other noise-makers generating noise via a pyrotechnic chargecap pistols F41C3/06
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 8/26 Hand grenades

Abstract

A diversion device capable of generating a disorientating flash and a disorientating sound without an explosion has a housing with a cavity containing an inert gas, a piston and a powder. The powder creates the flash via ignition after exiting the device. The device also includes a mechanism configured to ensure the powder encompasses the device upon exit and does is not dispersed in a substantially horizontal plane. In addition, the device may include devices capable of creating a disorientating sound as the inert gas escapes the device.

Claims

1. A device for creating a diversion comprising:

a housing including a cavity, a first end and a second end;

a firing mechanism comprising a firing device, said firing mechanism being attached to said first end;

a dispersal mechanism attached to said second end and connected to said cavity;

an inert gas within said cavity,

a powder within said cavity;

a piston located intermediate said inert gas and said powder; and

a cartridge positioned within said cavity, said inert gas residing within a cavity of said cartridge, said inert gas escaping said cartridge upon activation of said firing device;

wherein activation of said firing device causes said piston to force said powder from said cavity through said dispersal mechanism.

2. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 1 wherein said firing device acts upon said inert gas so that said inert gas asserts a force on said piston of sufficient magnitude to cause said piston to force said powder through said dispersal mechanism.

3. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 1 wherein said firing mechanism further includes at least one acoustic device allowing said inert gas to exit said cavity upon activation of said firing device, said inert gas creating an audible emission as said inert gas flows through said acoustic devices.

4. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 3 wherein said audible sound has a magnitude of at least 90 decibels.

5. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 4 wherein said magnitude of said audible sound is at least 135 decibels.

6. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 3 wherein said firing mechanism includes four of said acoustic devices.

7. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 1 wherein said firing mechanism further includes a printed circuit board for controlling said firing device.

8. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 7 wherein said firing mechanism further includes at least one switch for entering a delay time whereby, upon activation, said printed circuit board does not fire said firing device until said delay time expires.

9. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 1 wherein said dispersal mechanism includes a plurality of baffles for directing said powder in an encompassing pattern around said device.

10. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 9 wherein a spark ignites said powder thereby causing said powder to ignite.

11. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 10 wherein said dispersal mechanism further includes a piezoelectric component capable of creating said spark when said piezoelectric component is contacted by said piston.

12. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inert gas is carbon dioxide.

13. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 1 wherein said powder is aluminum.

14. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a cartridge housing said inert gas.

15. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 14 wherein said cartridge includes a first end, a second end, a cavity and at least one aperture extending through one of said ends, said inert gas being retained within said cavity in a pressurized manner.

16. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 15 wherein said firing device engages at least one of said apertures thereby preventing said inert gas from escaping said cartridge whereupon activation of said firing device causes said firing device to cease engagement of said apertures thereby allowing said inert gas to escape said cartridge.

17. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 16 wherein said inert gas propels said cartridge into contact with said piston as said inert gas escapes said cavity.

18. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 17 wherein said firing mechanism further includes at least one acoustic device and said inert gas travels through said acoustic devices after escaping from said cavity whereby said acoustic devices create an audible emission as said inert gas passes through said acoustic device.

19. A device for creating a diversion comprising:

a firing mechanism;

a handle portion;

a dispersal mechanism;

a powder capable of producing a disorientating flash when ignited by a spark;

a least one igniter to ignite the powder dispersed from the device;

a cartridge containing a pressurized inert gas;

wherein movement of said cartridge relative to said firing mechanism causes said cartridge to release said pressurized inert gas which forces said powder from said device through said dispersal mechanism.

20. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 19 wherein said dispersal mechanism includes a plurality of piezo igniters capable of producing a spark of sufficient magnitude to ignite a portion of said powder leaving the device.

21. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 19 wherein said dispersal mechanism directs said powder into a pattern encompassing the device as said powder exits said dispersal mechanism.

22. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 19 wherein said firing mechanism includes a member moveable with respect to said canister along the longitudinal axis of said device.

23. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 22 wherein said moveable member comprises a solenoid.

24. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 22 wherein said firing mechanism further comprises a cylindrical cam including a trace and said moveable member includes a dowel engaging said trace.

25. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 24 further including a spring capable of providing a sufficient force on said moveable member to force said dowel to travel along said trace.

26. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 24 wherein said trace includes a dowel retaining area comprising a stop for retaining said dowel in a fixed position until a rotational force acts upon said moveable member.

27. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 26 wherein said firing mechanism further includes at least one motor, a central gear and a gear connecting said at least one motor to said central gear, said central gear engaging and rotating said moveable member upon actuation of said motor.

28. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 27 wherein said firing mechanism further includes a gear train connecting said motor to said gear.

29. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 28 wherein said gear train comprises at least three gears.

30. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 24 wherein said moveable member comprises a point capable of piercing said gas canister.

31. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 30 wherein said moveable member includes a plurality of flutes proximate said point.

32. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 30 wherein the piercing of said gas canister releases said pressurized gas and creates movement of said gas canister away from said moveable member and toward said powder thereby forcing said powder out of said device through said dispersal mechanism.

33. The device for creating a diversion as set forth claim 32 further including a piston intermediate said canister and said powder, said canister acting upon said piston to force said powder from said device through said dispersal mechanism.

34. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 32 wherein said firing mechanism includes a central gear comprising a plurality of vanes, said gas passing through said vanes causing rotation of said central gear.

35. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 32 wherein said compressed gas exists said device through at least one component capable of creating sound as said gas passes through said component.

36. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 30 further including a piercing component located intermediate said canister and said piston, said moveable member forcing said canister against said piercing component thereby puncturing said canister.

37. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 36 further including a piston positioned intermediate said piercing component and said powder wherein said pressurized gas acts upon said piston to drive said powder out of said device.

38. The device for creating a diversion as set forth in claim 36 wherein said piercing component includes a flat end, a tapered end and a slot running from said flat end to said tapered end.