Incapacitating high intensity incoherent light beam

• US 7,497,586 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Issued: 03/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Genesis Illumination, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Genesis Illumination, Inc.
• Inventors: Eisenberg, Todd, Parker, Herbert
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi; Ali
• Application Number:
  US11/824,120
• Publication Number:
  US 20080002395A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 362/109, 362/202, 362/187, 362/174, 362/261, 362/264, 362/294, 42/10.8, 361/232
• US Class Current: 362/109
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0087 the high-energy beam being a bright light, e.g. for dazzling or blinding purposes F41H13/0056 takes precedence

Abstract

A long range, high intensity spotlight for human incapacitation and control that uses an incoherent collimated constant light source of sufficient intensity and focus to cause temporary incapacitation of a person for a period of time when illuminated by the beam without causing permanent physical harm.

The high intensity spotlight comprises a head portion at one end having a window opening and a handle portion connected to the head portion and containing electronic circuitry and thermal air management for controlling operating temperature of the lamp. A paraboloid reflector is mounted in the head portion to face the window opening, and a high intensity electric arc Xenon lamp is adjustably mounted within the reflector so that the electrode gap is located as close as possible to the focus of the reflector. An adjustable mounting base allows the position of the reflector to be adjusted until the optimum focus is reached. A properly positioned cathode wire feed optimizes the lamp performance.

Claims

1. A device for incapacitating one or more target individuals comprising:

an outer housing including a handle portion for gripping by a user and a head portion having a window opening for transmitting a light beam;

a paraboloid reflector mounted in said head portion facing said window opening;

an electric arc lamp for emitting a high intensity incoherent light beam mounted at the focus of the paraboloid reflector;

an adjustable mounting means for adjustably mounting said reflector relative to said electric arc lamp for allowing an electrode gap in the lamp to be located at the focus of said paraboloid reflector;

an electrical circuit means for driving said electric arc lamp; and

a means for determining distance to said one or more target individuals.

2. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a means for adjusting the power provided to said electric arc lamp.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said electric arc lamp is a Xenon short arc lamp or a Mercury-Xenon short arc lamp.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein said electric arc lamp is a metal halide lamp or a halogen lamp.

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein said electric arc lamp emits visible light at wavelengths not less than about 380 nm to not more than about 780 nm;

that is incoherent; and

at a color temperature greater than 5000 degrees Kelvin, and that emits infrared radiation at wavelengths not less than about 780 nm to not more than about 1300 nm.

6. The device according to claim 2 wherein said means for determining distance is an Infrared range finder.

7. The device according to claim 2, further comprising a bezel to accept snap-in lens holder and an additional lens.

8. The device according to claim 2 further comprising a means for releasing said incoherent light from said window opening.

9. The device according to claim 2 wherein said means for releasing is a shutter.

10. The device according to claim 2 wherein said high intensity incoherent light beam is collimated.

11. The device according to claim 2 wherein said paraboloid reflector has an opening in its vertex through which said electric arc lamp projects.

12. The device according to claim 2, wherein said adjustable mounting means comprises adjustment means for moving said paraboloid reflector axially along its central axis.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein said head portion having a threaded nut and said adjustable mounting means comprising a first set of threads adjustably mounted on an assembly for axial movement of a reflector retainer relative to a baseplate, and a second set of threads on the outside perimeter of said head portion.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said baseplate having a central opening, said electrical arc lamp being held within a collet and press-fit engaged by a locking nut through said central opening.

15. The device according to claim 13, wherein said reflector retainer having a central through bore through which said electrical arc lamp projects, said reflector retainer and baseplate having mating threads for allowing adjustment of said paraboloid reflector along said central axis, said reflector retainer having means or grooves to hold an O-ring cradling said paraboloid reflector under compression between a lens and said reflector retainer.

16. The device according to claim 14, wherein said collet having seating surfaces for bringing an anode of said electrical arc lamp into close contact with said baseplate thereby providing an electrical and thermal flow path and surface area for heat removal by a regulated air flow.

17. The device according to claim 2, wherein said electronic circuit means further comprises a power supply for starting and regulating operation of said device.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein said power supply is at least one of a battery, batteries, a generator, generators, a fuel cell, fuel cells, or an electric utility.

19. The device according to claim 17, further comprising a connector means for connecting said electronic circuit means to said power supply.

20. The device according to claim 17, wherein said electronic circuit means further comprises means for providing a regulated operating power to said device for power supply input voltages in the range of not less than about 10.5 and not more than about 14.5 volts.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein said means for providing a regulated operating voltage having means for regulating power using a servo, or feedback loop, to said electrical arc lamp after the assembly is switched on.

22. The device according to claim 17, wherein said electronic circuit means further comprises means for placing said circuit on stand-by and cutting off power to said device if said device does not ignite within a predetermined time interval after said circuit is switched on.

23. The device according to claim 17, wherein said electronic circuit means further comprises a delay means for delaying re-lighting of said device for a predetermined time interval after it is turned off.

24. The device according to claim 17, wherein said electronic circuit means includes means for placing said circuitry on stand-by and cutting off power to said device if said circuitry input voltage falls below about 9.5V.

25. The device according to claim 2, further comprising a safety switch for preventing inadvertently having said spotlight turned on upon plugging it in.

26. The device according to claim 2, wherein said outer housing is generally cylindrical, and further comprises an anti-roll means projecting outwardly from said housing for standing said housing on a flat surface.

27. A method for incapacitating one or more target individuals comprising the steps of:

providing a high intensity incoherent light beam emitting device;

identifying and determining the distance to said one or more target individuals;

adjusting the energy to be provided to said device based on said distance;

aiming said device at said one or more target individuals; and

activating the device to produce said high intensity incoherent light beam thereby incapacitating said one or more target individuals.