Systems and methods for a covered deployment unit for electronic weaponry

• US 8,096,076 B1
• Filed: 12/08/2010
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Axon Enterprise, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taser International Incorporated
• Inventors: Cerovic, Milan, Nerheim, Magne H., Zekanovic, Dubravko
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes, Bret
• Assistant Examiner(s): Weber, Jonathan C
• Application Number:
  US12/962,814
• Time in Patent Office: 405 Days
• Field of Search: 361/232, 102/502, 42/10.8, 42/84, 89/18.1, 89/18.17, 89/31
• US Class Current: 42/84
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/063 comprising a transponder
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/066 having means for recognizing biometric parameters, e.g. voice control, finger print or palm print control
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0018 for nearby electrical discharge, i.e. the electrodes being positioned on the device and the device brought manually or otherwise into contact with a nearby target batons with electric discharge capability F41B15/04; electric shock devices for animals A01K15/02
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0025 for remote electrical discharge via conducting wires, e.g. via wire-tethered electrodes shot at a target
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H05C 1/06 operating only when touched

Abstract

A deployment unit for use with an electronic weapon includes a body, an electrode, an electrical interface and tether wire, and a cover. The body has a cavity with an opening. The electrode is stored in the cavity. The electrical interface and tether wire conduct a current from the electronic weapon through the electrode. The cover is coupled to the body over the opening. Activation of a provided propellant, in any order (a) provides a force that pushes the cover away from the body to open the cavity; and (b) deploys the electrode from the cavity through the opening toward a provided target for conducting the current through the target that interferes with locomotion by the target. Prior to pushing the cover away from the body, no portion of the electrode contacts the cover.

Claims

1. A deployment unit for use with an electronic weapon, the deployment unit comprising:

a. a body comprising a cavity with an opening;

b. an electrode stored in the cavity;

c. an electrical interface and a tether wire, for conducting a current from the electronic weapon through the electrode; and

d. a cover coupled to the body over the opening;

e. activation of a provided propellant, in any order

(1) provides a force that pushes the cover away from the body to open the cavity; and

(2) deploys the electrode from the cavity through the opening toward a provided target for conducting the current through the target that interferes with locomotion by the target; and

f. prior to pushing the cover away from the body, no portion of the electrode contacts the cover.

2. The deployment unit of claim 1 further comprising a ram wherein the propellant propels the ram against the cover to provide the force.

3. The deployment unit of claim 2 wherein the propellant propels the electrode to urge the ram against the cover to provide the force.

4. The deployment unit of claim 2 wherein the ram, prior to activation of the propellant, abuts the cover.

5. The deployment unit of claim 2 further comprising the propellant.

6. The deployment unit of claim 2 wherein the ram spaces the electrode from the cover.

7. The deployment unit of claim 1 wherein:

a. the cavity further stores a plurality of electrodes including the electrode;

b. the cavity comprises a manifold for fluid communication between the propellant and each electrode of the plurality; and

c. each electrode of the plurality urges a respective ram against the cover to provide the force.

8. The deployment unit of claim 1 further comprising a ram unattached to the electrode and disposed proximate the electrode and proximate the cover, wherein the propellant propels the ram against the cover to provide the force.

9. A deployment unit for use with an electronic weapon, the deployment unit comprising:

a. a body comprising a cavity;

b. an electrode stored in the cavity;

c. an electrical interface and a tether wire, for conducting a current from the electronic weapon through the electrode;

d. a cover comprising at least one fastener that mechanically couples to the body to retain the cover over the cavity; and

e. a ram;

wherein

f. activation of a provided propellant urges the ram against the cover to unfasten the fastener to permit exit of the electrode from the cavity toward a provided target for conducting the current through the target that interferes with locomotion by the target; and

g. after exit of the electrode, the ram falls away from the trajectory of the electrode.

10. The deployment unit of claim 9 wherein the propellant propels the electrode to urge the ram to move the cover.

11. The deployment unit of claim 9 further comprising the propellant.

12. The deployment unit of claim 9 further comprising a second fastener that fastens the cover to the body, wherein the ram provides the force equidistant from the fastener and the second fastener.

13. The deployment unit of claim 9 wherein the ram spaces the electrode from the cover.

14. An electronic weapon comprising:

a. a circuit that provides a current;

b. a propellant;

c. a body comprising a cavity;

d. an electrode stored in the cavity;

e. an electrical interface and a tether wire, for conducting the current from the electronic weapon through the electrode; and

f. a cover coupled to the body to cover the cavity;

wherein

g. activation of the propellant, in any order

(1) uncovers the cavity; and

(2) deploys the electrode from the uncovered cavity toward a provided target for conducting the current through the target that interferes with locomotion by the target; and

h. prior to uncovering the cavity, no portion of the electrode contacts the cover.

15. The electronic weapon of claim 14 further comprising a ram wherein the propellant propels the ram against the cover to uncover the cavity.

16. The electronic weapon of claim 15 wherein the propellant propels the electrode to urge the ram against the cover to uncover the cavity.

17. The electronic weapon of claim 15 wherein the ram, prior to activation of the propellant, abuts the cover.

18. The electronic weapon of claim 14 wherein:

a. the cavity further stores a plurality of electrodes including the electrode;

b. the cavity comprises a manifold for fluid communication between the propellant and each electrode of the plurality; and

c. each electrode of the plurality urges a respective ram against the cover uncover the cavity.

19. An electronic weapon comprising:

a. a circuit that provides a current;

b. a propellant;

c. a body comprising a cavity;

d. an electrode stored in the cavity;

e. an electrical interface and a tether wire, for conducting the current from the electronic weapon through the electrode;

f. a cover comprising at least one fastener that mechanically couples to the body to retain the cover over the cavity; and

g. a ram;

wherein

h. activation of the propellant urges the ram against the cover to permit exit of the electrode from the cavity toward a provided target for conducting the current through the target that interferes with locomotion by the target; and

i. after exit of the electrode, the ram falls away from the trajectory of the electrode.

20. The electronic weapon of claim 19 wherein the propellant propels the electrode to urge the ram against the cover.

21. The electronic weapon of claim 19 wherein the ram spaces the electrode from the cover.