Systems and methods for remote stun

• US 9,518,727 B1
• Filed: 11/03/2014
• Issued: 12/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Axon Enterprise, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taser International Incorporated
• Inventors: Markle, Ryan C., Wagner, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Neils, Peggy
• Application Number:
  US14/531,844
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/002 with provision for interchangeability, i.e. component parts being especially adapted to be replaced by another part with the same or a different function F21V17/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0414 specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0076 Safety or security signalisation, e.g. smoke or burglar alarms, earthquake detectors; Self-defence devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0031 for remote electrical discharge by means of a wireless projectile

Abstract

A demotivator encourages a human or animal target to cease moving. Demotivation is accomplished by conducting electricity through target tissue to cause pain or to cause skeletal muscle contractions. An accessory used with a security flashlight provides a remote stun function, demotivation at a distance from the operator of the flashlight by launching wire-tethered electrodes for contact with target tissue. For a demotivator that provides illumination projecting from the front of the demotivator, the accessory mounts over the front and includes a passage through which the illumination passes. The accessory may include a laser sight for aiming the electrodes. The accessory may include a socket for installing a field-replaceable cartridge.

Claims

1. An accessory for coupling to a provided security flashlight, the security flashlight capable of performing a local stun function, the accessory for adding a remote stun function to the security flashlight, the accessory comprising:

a base having a passage therethrough, the passage for mechanically and electrically coupling the accessory to the security flashlight such that light provided by the security flashlight passes through the passage to illuminate an area, and that supports a provided cartridge that performs the remote stun function; and

a plurality of terminals, configured to accept a signal from the security flashlight and pass the signal to the cartridge to perform a function of the cartridge.

2. The accessory of claim 1 wherein the plurality of terminals is arranged in the passage.

3. The accessory of claim 1 wherein the base further comprises the cartridge, integral to the base.

4. The accessory of claim 2 wherein the plurality of terminals is arranged in the passage.

5. The accessory of claim 1 wherein:

the security flashlight includes a user interface;

the cartridge is separable from the base; and

the base further includes a socket that mechanically and electrically couples the cartridge to the accessory so that operation of the user interface of the security flashlight operates the cartridge.

6. The accessory of claim 5 wherein the plurality of terminals is arranged in the passage.

7. The accessory of claim 1 wherein:

the security flashlight comprises a plurality of local stun terminals; and

the accessory further comprises an adapter for insulating at least one of the plurality of terminals of the accessory from at least one of the plurality of local stun terminals.

8. The accessory of claim 7 wherein the adapter is located within the passage and further defines the passage.

9. The accessory of claim 8 wherein the plurality of terminals is arranged in the passage.

10. The accessory of claim 7 wherein the adapter comprises a key that orients the accessory to the security flashlight.

11. The accessory of claim 1 further comprising a battery, a laser, and a switch that supplies current from the battery to the laser for operation of the laser as a sight.

17. The accessory of claim 1 wherein:

the security flashlight includes a plurality of local stun terminals; and

the accessory further includes an adapter;

the adapter includes a passage therethrough that is coaxial with the passage of the base so that the beam of light passes through the passage of the base and the adapter; and

the adapter is configured for insulating at least one of the plurality of terminals of the base from at least one of the plurality of local stun terminals.

12. An accessory for coupling to a provided security flashlight, the security flashlight capable of performing a local stun function, the accessory for adding a remote stun function to the security flashlight, the accessory comprising:

a base that includes a passage therethrough, a socket, and a plurality of terminals;

wherein;

the base is configured to mechanically couple to the security flashlight such that a beam of light provided by the security flashlight passes through the passage to illuminate an area;

the socket is configured to mechanically and electrically couple in a removable manner to a provided cartridge;

the plurality of terminals is configured to receive a signal from the security flashlight and to provide the signal to the cartridge to perform a remote stun function.

13. The accessory of claim 12 wherein the base encircles the security flashlight to mechanically couple to the security flashlight.

14. The accessory of claim 12 wherein the plurality of terminals is positioned in the passage.

15. The accessory of claim 12 wherein the base further includes a plurality of slots, wherein the terminals receive the signal via the plurality of slots.

16. The accessory of claim 12 wherein the base further includes a key, wherein the key orients the base with respect to the security flashlight.