Incapacitating high intensity incoherent light beam

• US 7,866,082 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2009
• Issued: 01/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Genesis Illumination, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Genesis Illumination, Inc.
• Inventors: Eisenberg, Todd, Parker, Herbert
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dunwiddie; Meghan K
• Application Number:
  US12/366,073
• Publication Number:
  US 20090154144A1
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 362/109, 362/174, 362/187, 362/202, 362/261, 362/264, 362/294, 42/10.8, 421/11, 421/31, 421/32, 361/232
• US Class Current: 42/131
• 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

Abstract

A long range, high intensity spotlight for human incapacitation and control that uses an incoherent collimated constant light source of sufficient intensity and focus to cause temporary incapacitation of a person for a period of time when illuminated by the beam without causing permanent physical harm. The high intensity spotlight comprises a head portion at one end having a window opening and a handle portion connected to the head portion and containing electronic circuitry and thermal air management for controlling operating temperature of the lamp. A paraboloid reflector is mounted in the head portion to face the window opening, and a high intensity electric arc Xenon lamp is adjustably mounted within the reflector so that the electrode gap is located as close as possible to the focus of the reflector. An adjustable mounting base allows the position of the reflector to be adjusted until the optimum focus is reached. A properly positioned cathode wire feed optimizes the lamp performance.

Claims

1. A method for incapacitating one or more target individuals comprising the steps of:

providing a high intensity incoherent light beam emitting device, wherein said device comprises a short-arc lamp;

aiming said device at said one or more target individuals; and

activating the device to produce said high intensity incoherent light beam thereby incapacitating said one or more target individuals.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said high intensity incoherent light beam is emitted by at least one incoherent collimated light source within the range of 380 nm to 780 nm.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said activating said high intensity incoherent light beam is for less than 2 seconds.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein said incapacitation of said target or targets is for not less than about 1 minute.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said incapacitation of said target or targets is for not more than about 1 hour.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein said incapacitation results from disorientation, reduced cognitive abilities or temporarily loss of fine and gross motor skills.