Stun grenade

• US 8,117,966 B1
• Filed: 11/20/2008
• Issued: 02/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Curtis E. Graber
• Original Assignee: Curtis E. Graber
• Inventors: Graber, Curtis E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Klein, Gabriel
• Application Number:
  US12/313,426
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: 102/498, 102367-370, 102/530, 102512-513, 102/502, 102/529, 116/210, 446220-226, 181/116, 181/117, 181/118
• US Class Current: 102/498
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 8/26 Hand grenades

Abstract

A stun grenade that provides a flash and an associated loud report without use of pyro-ignition sources. The flash is generated by discharge of a conventional flash bulb. The loud, explosive noise comes from rupturing of an inflatable bag at a predetermined rupture pressure and inflation volume.

Claims

1. A stun grenade comprising:

a canister;

a compressed gas source installed within the canister supporting gas flow at a predetermined minimum rate;

an inflatable bag having a target pressure and a target volume to initiate a shock wave of an intensity selected to achieve a minimum noise intensity at a prescribed distance upon rupture;

the inflatable bag incorporating a seam which parts at a tension and extension occurring at the target pressure and target volume to produce the rupture;

a conduit connecting the compressed gas source to the inflatable bag;

the compressed gas source supporting gas flow to the inflatable bag through the conduit at a predetermined minimum rate to achieve the target pressure and volume for parting the seam within a fixed period;

a valve in the conduit for controlling discharge of gas through the conduit from the compressed gas source to the inflatable bag; and

a manually actuated external trigger installed on the canister to activate the valve to discharge gas to the inflatable bag.

2. The stun grenade of claim 1, further comprising:

a flash source installed on the canister for generating external illumination.

3. The stun grenade of claim 2, further comprising:

the canister having an open end;

a cap fitted over the open end;

the inflatable bag being stored before deployment at least partly within the cap and providing for displacement of the cap from the canister upon inflation.

4. The stun grenade of claim 3, further comprising:

a control circuit installed within the canister for illuminating the flash source and for actuating a solenoid controlling the valve; and

the control circuit being responsive to operation of the manually actuated trigger for operating to illuminate the flash source a programmed period before the inflatable bag reaches the target volume and pressure for rupturing.

5. The stun grenade of claim 4, further comprising:

the external trigger is electrically connected to the control circuit to initiate operation of the solenoid and flash source; and

a safety pin for preventing unintended operation of the external trigger until removed.

6. A grenade simulator comprising:

a housing;

a compressed gas source installed in the housing;

an inflatable bag incorporating a seam which parts abruptly along its length upon inflation of the inflatable bag past a predetermined minimum size and internal pressure selected to generate a shock wave producing a minimum noise level at a prescribed distance;

a delivery control conduit for discharging of gas from the compressed gas source to the inflatable bag;

the compressed gas source supporting gas flow to the inflatable bag through the delivery control conduit at a predetermined minimum rate to achieve the predetermined minimum size and internal pressure for rupturing within a period; and

a manual trigger installed on the housing, actuation of which causes the discharge of gas by the delivery control conduit to the inflatable bag.

7. The grenade simulator of claim 6, further comprising:

a flash source installed on the housing for generating a light flash;

a flash activation circuit responsive to operation of the manual trigger and connected to the flash source for activating the flash source; and

the flash activation circuit timing activation of the flash source to be closely correlated in time with rupturing of the inflatable bag.

8. The grenade simulator of claim 7, further comprising:

the housing including a canister having an open end;

a cap for fitting over the open end; and

the inflatable bag being stored before deployment at least partly within the canister and positioned to displace the cap from the open end of the canister upon inflation.

9. The grenade simulator of claim 8, further comprising:

a control circuit installed within the canister for illuminating the flash source and for actuating a solenoid controlling the delivery control conduit; and

the control circuit operating to activate the flash source a programmed period before the predetermined minimum size and internal pressure for rupturing for the inflatable bag is reached upon inflation.

10. The grenade simulator of claim 9, further comprising:

a status indicator.