Less than lethal projectile and a method for producing the same

• US 8,511,231 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2011
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brejon Holdings (BVI), Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Brejon Holdings (BVI), Ltd.
• Inventors: Hayes, John, Smith, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): BERGIN, JAMES S
• Application Number:
  US13/299,906
• Publication Number:
  US 20120067244A1
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 102/502, 102/506, 102/439, 102/444, 102/448, 102/449, 102/457, 102/462, 102/529, 86/23, 86/25, 86/31, 86/39, 86/45, 86/46, 86/47
• US Class Current: 102/502
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/34 expanding before or on impact, i.e. of dumdum or mushroom type
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 33/001 Devices or processes for assembling ammunition, cartridges or cartridge elements from parts

Abstract

A less than lethal projectile and method of producing the same comprising of a sealed filled polymeric pouch containing a shot within. The sealed filled polymeric pouch is formed in a form, fill, and seal machine. An automatic loading ammunition machine is fed empty shell casings; the ammunition machine automatically loads the empty shell casing with pre-determined quantities of wad, primer, and gun powder, and subsequently moves the sealed filled polymeric pouch into a projectile compartment of the empty shell casing producing a fully-loaded shell casing to be loaded into a barrel of an ammunition. The polymeric pouch is capable of being inserted into various shell casings depending on the intended use thus allowing for officers and soldiers to select from an array of munitions when confronted with a situation where less than lethal means are required.

Claims

1. A filled seal pouch for a less than lethal projectile comprising:

a sealed pouch comprising a less than lethal projectile constructed of a bi-axially oriented polyethylene terephthalate polyester film, said pouch further including an outer surface and an inner surface defining a compartment; and

said compartment containing a predetermined amount of tungsten granules;

wherein said pouch is adapted for installation within a ammunition shell casing consisting of a less than lethal projectile.

2. A filled seal pouch for a less than lethal projectile according to claim 1, wherein said polymeric film is of sufficient strength so as to not burst upon impact.

3. A filled seal pouch for a less than lethal projectile according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined amount of tungsten granules has a weight of approximately within the range of 260 to 437.5 grain.

4. A filled seal pouch for a less than lethal projectile according to claim 1, wherein said pouch further includes a leading end including said compartment and a trailing end defining a tail.

5. A filled seal pouch for a less than lethal projectile according to claim 4, wherein said trailing end is formed of polymeric material and is separate from said leading portion.

6. A filled seal pouch for a less than lethal projectile according to claim 5, wherein said tail comprising of a triangular notch cut out.

7. A less than lethal projectile comprising:

a sealed filled pouch constructed of a bi-axially oriented polyethylene terephthalate polyester film, said sealed pouch further including an outer surface and an inner surface defining a compartment;

said compartment having a predetermined amount of tungsten granules; and

a shell casing for housing a less than lethal projectile having an open end and a closed end, said shell casing including a rim portion, a head portion, and a shell case portion, said rim portion forming the closed end of said less than lethal projectile and having a primer element within, said shell case portion positioned within the open end of said less than lethal projectile containing a projectile compartment and having said sealed pouch installed within, and said head portion juxtaposed said rim portion and having a pre-determined amount of wad and gun powder within.

8. A less than lethal projectile according to claim 7, wherein said polymeric material is of sufficient strength to not burst upon impact.

9. A less than lethal projectile according to claim 7, wherein said sealed filled pouch further includes a leading end including said compartment and a trailing end defining a tail.

10. A less than lethal projectile according to claim 9, wherein said trailing end is formed of sufficient length of said polymeric material and is separate from said leading portion.

11. A less than lethal projectile according to claim 9, wherein said tail comprises of a triangular notch cut out.

12. A less than lethal projectile according to claim 11, wherein said tail provides stability in flight to said less than lethal projectile once fired.

13. A less than lethal projectile according to claim 7, wherein said predetermined amount of tungsten granules has a weight of approximately within the range of 260 to 437.5 grain.

14. A less than lethal projectile according to claim 7, wherein said less than lethal projectile is capable of being fired from said shell casing at a low pressure from a muzzle.

15. A less than lethal projectile according to claim 14, wherein said low pressure measuring less than 1000 psi.

16. A less than lethal projectile according to claim 15, wherein said low pressure measuring within the range of 600 to 700 psi.

17. A less than lethal projectile according to claim 16, wherein said less than lethal projectile has a velocity when exiting said muzzle is approximately within the range of 260 to 600 feet per second.