Laser guided projectile device and method therefor

• US 7,947,937 B1
• Filed: 07/10/2008
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Concept Development Corporation
• Original Assignee: Langner F. Richard
• Inventors: Langner, F. Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Gregory; Bernarr E
• Application Number:
  US12/170,580
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 244 31- 33, 89/11.1, 102/382, 102/384, 102/430, 102/439, 102/473, 102/501, 102/517
• US Class Current: 244/3.16
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/42 of illuminating type, e.g. carrying flares
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 15/01 Arrangements thereon for guidance or control steering arrangements F42B10/60; aircraft flight control B64C; guidance systems other than those installed aboard F41G7/00, F41G9/00; locating by use of radio or other waves G01S; flight control in general G05D1/00; computer aspects G06]

Abstract

A laser guided projectile device and method for shooting the device through a percussion actuated non-electric disrupter or dearmer to disable or destroy improvised explosive devices, bombs, or other ordnance. The device can include a cartridge case, a laser housing, a laser module, and a projectile head. An aperture in the projectile head permits a laser beam to be emitted through the head and projected onto a target to facilitate increased shooting accuracy of the disrupter or dearmer. The device can include O-rings positioned around the laser housing and projectile head that assist in aligning the device within the disrupter or dearmer and that also provide a seal for gases that are emitted during detonation, thereby assisting in the propulsion of the device during firing. The projectile head can be interchangeable and can be rounded or cone-shaped or can comprise a shot cup.

Claims

1. A gun-fired laser guided projectile device comprising, in combination:

a cartridge case;

a laser housing adapted to be coupled to the cartridge case;

a laser module adapted to be positioned within the laser housing; and

a projectile head adapted to be coupled to the laser housing.

2. The laser guided projectile device of claim 1 wherein the cartridge case comprises a casing having a base at a first end and a mouth at a second end, the cartridge case containing a primer, a powder charge, and a seal.

3. The laser guided projectile device of claim 1 wherein the laser housing comprises a casing having a base portion, a body portion, and a head portion, the head portion including an aperture adapted to permit a laser beam to be emitted therethrough, the laser housing containing a power supply, wherein the base portion of the laser housing is adapted to be inserted in the cartridge case.

4. The laser guided projectile device of claim 3 wherein the body portion of the laser housing includes a first plurality of openings and a second plurality of openings, wherein the first plurality of openings is adapted to receive a plurality of screws for aligning the laser module within the laser housing and the second plurality of openings are adapted to receive room temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber.

5. The laser guided projectile device of claim 3 wherein the projectile head comprises a base portion, an O-ring groove, and a frontal portion, the frontal portion including an aperture adapted to align with the aperture in the head portion of the laser housing and to permit a laser beam to be emitted therethrough.

6. The laser guided projectile device of claim 1 wherein the projectile head is comprised of one of steel and anodized aluminum.

7. The laser guided projectile device of claim 1 wherein a frontal portion of the projectile head is one of substantially rounded and cone-shaped.

8. The laser guided projectile device of claim 1 wherein a frontal portion of the projectile head includes a concave portion defined by a substantially cone-shaped side wall and a base wall, the side wall having an upper sharpened edge.

9. The laser guided projectile device of claim 1 wherein a frontal portion of the projectile head comprises a shot cup.

10. The laser guided projectile device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of O-rings, wherein a first plurality of O-rings is positioned around a battery cap positioned in the cartridge case, a second plurality of O-rings is positioned around the laser module, a third plurality of O-rings is positioned around the laser housing, and at least one O-ring is positioned in an O-ring groove of the projectile head.

11. The laser guided projectile device of claim 1 wherein the frontal portion of the projectile head includes a concave portion defined by a substantially cone-shaped side wall and a base wall, the side wall having an upper sharpened edge.

12. A laser guided projectile device comprising, in combination:

a cartridge case comprising a casing having a base at a first end and a mouth at a second end, the cartridge case containing a primer, a powder charge, and a seal;

a battery cap comprising a body portion and a head portion, wherein the battery cap is adapted to be inserted in the cartridge case and positioned proximate the mouth thereof;

a laser housing comprising a casing having a base portion, a body portion, and a head portion, the body portion including a first plurality of openings and a second plurality of openings, wherein the first plurality of openings is adapted to receive a plurality of screws for aligning a laser module within the laser housing and the second plurality of openings are adapted to receive room temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber, the head portion including an aperture adapted to permit a laser beam to be emitted therethrough, the laser housing containing a plurality of battery cells, a contact spring, and the laser module, wherein the base portion of the laser housing is adapted to be inserted in the mouth of the cartridge case and removably coupled to the head portion of the battery cap;

a projectile head comprising a base portion, an O-ring groove, and a frontal portion, the frontal portion including an aperture adapted to align with the aperture in the head portion of the laser housing and to permit a laser beam to be emitted therethrough, wherein the base portion of the projectile head is adapted to be removably coupled to the head portion of the laser housing; and

a plurality of O-rings, wherein a first plurality of O-rings is positioned around the body portion of the battery cap, a second plurality of O-rings is positioned around the laser module, a third plurality of O-rings is positioned around the body portion of the laser housing, and at least one O-ring is positioned in the O-ring groove of the projectile head.

13. The laser guided projectile device of claim 12 wherein the frontal portion of the projectile head is one of substantially rounded and cone-shaped.

14. The laser guided projectile device of claim 12 wherein the frontal portion of the projectile head comprises a shot cup.

15. The laser guided projectile device of claim 14 further comprising a tube positioned within the projectile head.

16. A method for shooting a laser guided projectile, comprising the steps of:

providing a combination disrupter and projectile device comprising, in combination;

a PAN disrupter; and

a laser guided projectile device comprising, in combination;

a cartridge case comprising a casing having a base at a first end and a mouth at a second end, the cartridge case containing a primer, a powder charge, and a seal;

a battery cap comprising a body portion and a head portion, wherein the battery cap is adapted to be inserted in the cartridge case and positioned proximate the mouth thereof;

a laser housing comprising a casing having a base portion, a body portion, and a head portion, the body portion including a first plurality of openings and a second plurality of openings, wherein the first plurality of openings is adapted to receive a plurality of screws for aligning a laser module within the laser housing and the second plurality of openings are adapted to receive room temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber, the head portion including an aperture adapted to permit a laser beam to be emitted therethrough, the laser housing containing a plurality of battery cells, a contact spring, and the laser module, wherein the base portion of the laser housing is adapted to be inserted in the mouth of the cartridge case and removably coupled to the head portion of the battery cap;

a projectile head comprising a base portion, an O-ring groove, and a frontal portion, the frontal portion including an aperture adapted to align with the aperture in the head portion of the laser housing and to permit a laser beam to be emitted therethrough, wherein the base portion of the projectile head is adapted to be removably coupled to the head portion of the laser housing; and

a plurality of O-rings, wherein a first plurality of O-rings is positioned around the body portion of the battery cap, a second plurality of O-rings is positioned around the laser module, a third plurality of O-rings is positioned around the body portion of the laser housing, and at least one O-ring is positioned in the O-ring groove of the projectile head;

applying a coating of one of petroleum jelly and silicone grease to the O-rings on the laser housing and the projectile head;

loading the laser guided projectile device into the PAN disrupter; and

firing the laser guided projectile device from the PAN disrupter.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

providing a muzzle adapter device comprising, in combination;

a substantially cylindrical body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is substantially tapered and adapted to be inserted in a muzzle end of a PAN disrupter;

an O-ring positioned proximate the first end; and

an aperture longitudinally centered in the body, wherein the aperture is adapted to permit laser light from the laser guided projectile device to pass therethrough;

inserting the muzzle adapter device into the muzzle end of the PAN disrupter;

aiming the muzzle end of the PAN disrupter onto a light-colored background;

viewing a laser beam being emitted from the laser guided projectile device onto the background;

rotating the laser guided projectile device in a clockwise direction to obtain a bright laser spot; and

removing the muzzle adapter device from the PAN disrupter prior to firing the laser guided projectile device from the PAN disrupter.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the frontal portion of the projectile head is one of substantially rounded and cone-shaped.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the frontal portion of the projectile head includes a concave portion defined by a substantially cone-shaped side wall and a base wall, the side wall having an upper sharpened edge.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the frontal portion of the projectile head comprises a shot cup.