Multifire less lethal munitions

• US 8,511,232 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2011
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scarr Research And Development Co. LLC
• Original Assignee: Kimball Rustin Scarr
• Inventors: Scarr, Kimball Rustin
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Stephen M
• Assistant Examiner(s): COOPER, JOHN
• Application Number:
  US13/158,093
• Publication Number:
  US 20120180361A1
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 102/502, 102/513, 102/520, 102/430, 102/438, 102/503, 102/444, 102/498, 102/501, 89/17.01, 89/146, 124/73
• US Class Current: 102/503
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 10/36 Ring-foil projectiles
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/36 for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 5/03 containing more than one missile

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for launching and fabricating projectiles. In some embodiments, one or more ring airfoil projectiles are launched from a gun. Yet other embodiments pertain to the launching of projectiles that disperse tracer or irritant chemicals upon impact. Yet other embodiments pertain to apparatus and methods for molding of munition components.

Claims

1. A method of launching a projectile, comprising:

providing a source of compressed gas, a projectile, a guide having a length and including an aperture in fluid communication with an internal chamber, and a sabot slidable along the length of the guide;

releasing compressed gas into a volume bounded in part by a surface of the sabot;

propelling the sabot along the guide by said releasing;

pushing the projectile by the propelled sabot;

venting gas from the volume through the aperture and into the internal chamber; and

stopping the sabot along the length of the guide;

wherein the projectile is in the shape of a ring.

2. A method of launching a projectile, comprising:

providing a source of compressed gas, a projectile, a guide having a length and including an aperture in fluid communication with an internal chamber, and a sabot slidable along the length of the guide;

releasing compressed gas into a volume bounded in part by a surface of the sabot;

propelling the sabot along the guide by said releasing;

pushing the projectile by the propelled sabot;

venting gas from the volume through the aperture and into the internal chamber; and

stopping the sabot along the length of the guide;

wherein the guide has a generally consistent external shape along its length, the sabot defines an internal shape complimentary to the external shape.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the internal shape of the sabot substantially seals against the external shape of the guide, except proximate to the aperture.

4. A method of launching a projectile, comprising:

providing a source of compressed gas, a projectile, a guide having a length and including an aperture in fluid communication with an internal chamber, and a sabot slidable along the length of the guide;

releasing compressed gas into a volume bounded in part by a surface of the sabot;

propelling the sabot along the guide by said releasing;

pushing the projectile by the propelled sabot;

venting gas from the volume through the aperture and into the internal chamber; and

stopping the sabot along the length of the guide;

wherein the chamber includes a frangible cap, and which further comprises pressurizing the chamber by said venting and fracturing the cap by said pressurizing.