DE102019105160A1 - Irritant cartridge and irritant spray device - Google Patents

Abstract

An irritant cartridge (18) for an irritant spray device (10) can be inserted into and removed from the irritant spray device (10). It has an elongated housing (34) in which there is a storage space (44) for an irritant (46). It is proposed that the housing (34) have a fixing device (60) for, in particular, axial fixing of the housing (34) in the irritant spray device (10) and a locking device (72) for at least indirect locking of the fixing device (60).

Description

The invention relates to an irritant cartridge and an irritant spray device according to the preambles of the independent claims.

From the EP 3 339 795 A2 an irritant spray device is known into which an irritant cartridge can be inserted. The irritant cartridge includes a storage space in which the irritant is stored. The storage space is connected to an irritant line of the irritant spray device via an outlet opening. The storage space is cylindrical and is delimited by a movable wall in the form of a piston. The irritant sprayer can be used to spray irritants such as pepper spray onto an attacker for defense. The irritant cartridge is exchangeably accommodated in the irritant spray device.

The present invention seeks to make the irritant sprayer safer to operate.

This object is achieved by an irritant cartridge and an irritant spray device with the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are given in the subclaims.

The irritant cartridge according to the invention has the advantage that the fixing device provided according to the invention prevents, in particular, axial loosening and thus the irritant cartridge from falling out of the irritant spray device. This makes the operation of the irritant spray device significantly safer. The irritant cartridge is thus firmly connected to the irritant spray device and cannot unintentionally loosen. This also effectively prevents any unwanted leakage of irritant.

The irritant cartridge according to the invention can be inserted into and removed from the irritant spray device. It has an elongated housing in which there is a storage space for an irritant. The housing is preferably designed as an elongated or even elongated cylinder with a preferably circular cross section. However, other cross-sections are also possible, for example an oval or elliptical cross-section. Due to the elongated or elongated shape, the housing in any case has a longitudinal axis.

A storage space for an irritant is present in the housing of the irritant cartridge. In this, the irritant is preferably stored without pressure. Very different substances can preferably be used as irritants, for example gaseous, liquid or powdery substances. In particular, tear gas or OC (Oleoresin Capsicum) come into question, the latter usually being absorbed in a liquid carrier. It is also possible, however, that the irritant merely contains color for marking an attacker or a fragrance likewise for marking an attacker, and even simple water can be used as an irritant, for example for training purposes. The term “irritant” should therefore be understood very broadly in the present case. The term “sprayer” should also be understood broadly. For example, the irritant can be released as a concentrated jet or as a spray mist or an aerosol. In principle, however, the irritant serves to repel and / or mark an attacker in the event of an attack.

The housing of the irritant cartridge according to the invention preferably has an outlet opening on one end face, which can be connected to a connection of an irritant line of the irritant spray device (e.g. when the irritant cartridge is full) and can be detached from this again (e.g. when the irritant cartridge is empty). The connection or disconnection is preferably done automatically when inserting or removing the irritant cartridge into or from the irritant spray device. In this respect, the outlet opening is preferably complementary to a corresponding mating connection of the irritant line.

The housing has a fixing device with which the housing can be fixed in the irritant spray device in particular axially, that is to say parallel to its longitudinal direction. In this way, as already mentioned above, it is ensured that the irritant cartridge cannot accidentally fall out of the irritant spray device, in particular parallel to its longitudinal direction, or that the connection of the outlet opening of the irritant cartridge with the mating connection of the irritant line of the irritant Sprayer dissolves and irritant escapes as a result.

The irritant cartridge also has a locking device for at least indirect locking of the fixing device. In the present context, the term “locking” means that, in a locked state, an increased expenditure of force and / or additional manipulation is required to release the fixation compared to a non-locked state. In this way, an unintentional loosening of the irritant cartridge in the housing of the irritant spray device is prevented or at least made more difficult and thus the safety when the irritant cartridge is used in an irritant spray device is improved.

In a further development it is provided that the locking device is locked in the State prevents rotation of the housing in the irritant spray device in the circumferential direction and releases it in the unlocked state. This has advantages, above all advantages, when the irritant cartridge is fixed in the housing by rotating it.

In a further development it is provided that the locking device comprises at least two elastically deformable locking arms protruding from the housing of the irritant cartridge. When the irritant cartridge is rotated to establish the fixation, at least one of these locking arms is initially deformed before it snaps back into a relaxed operating position after reaching the end position and prevents it from turning back and thus loosening the fixation due to a contact, for example, on the housing of the irritant spray device. To remove the irritant cartridge, a user can depress one of the two locking arms, which releases the lock and enables the rotation required to release the fixation.

In a development it is provided that the locking device comprises a locking slide. After the fixation has been established, such a locking slide can be brought into a locking position by the user in which it interacts with a complementary counter surface on the irritant spray device and prevents the fixation from being turned back and thus loosened. Such a locking slide works particularly reliably.

In a further development it is provided that the locking device comprises a latching lug. Such a latching lug can be present, for example, on a fixing section and then, when the fixing section interacts with the corresponding section on the housing of the irritant spray device, engage in a complementary recess on the housing of the irritant spray device and thereby prevent turning back and thus loosening the fixation. It goes without saying that it is equivalent and has the same effect if, instead of a latching lug, a latching recess is provided which interacts with a corresponding latching lug on the housing of the irritant spray device.

In a development, it is provided that the fixing device has at least one fixing section protruding in the radial direction, in particular at least two fixing sections arranged diametrically opposite one another. This can be implemented particularly easily, and such a fixing section forms an effective counter-bearing which can hold the irritant cartridge in the axial direction on the irritant spray device. To axially fix the irritant cartridge, it may be sufficient in such a case to insert the irritant cartridge into the irritant spray device and to rotate it around its longitudinal axis by a certain angular range so that the radially protruding fixing section can interact with a corresponding counterpart on the irritant spraying device.

It is possible, for example, for the radially protruding fixing section to be moved into a housing of the irritant spray device that is complementary to the fixing section by rotating the irritant cartridge about its longitudinal axis. If the fixing section protruding in the radial direction is also provided with a shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the irritant cartridge, this can engage in a complementary shape on the irritant spray device, whereby a fixation in the radial direction is created in addition to the fixation in the axial direction. Of course, an inverse configuration is also conceivable in which the fixing device on the irritant cartridge comprises a recess into which a section protruding from the housing of the irritant spray device can engage. Such an inverse configuration is both equally effective and equivalent to the configuration described in detail above.

In a further development it is provided that at least one fixing section is designed as a tab-like fixing wing. A tab-like fixing wing has a comparatively small thickness, as a result of which the weight of the irritant cartridge according to the invention is kept low. Little additional material is required for this, so that the manufacturing costs also remain low. It goes without saying that the term “tab-like fixing wing” is to be understood broadly and, for example, can also include a circumferential web or collar or something similar extending over a certain azimuthal angular range. To fix the irritant cartridge in the irritant spray device, a rotation of the irritant cartridge around its longitudinal axis is used, whereby the tab-like fixing wing engages, for example, in a complementary groove in the housing of the irritant spray device, or simply on a corresponding shoulder in the housing of the irritant spray device comes into plant.

In a further development it is provided that at least one fixing section is arranged in an axial end region of the housing. This makes it possible for the fixing section, for example, to also contribute to increased stability of the irritant cartridge, for example during its storage.

In a further development it is provided that at least one fixing section is connected to the housing is formed in one piece. Such an irritant cartridge is particularly stable.

The invention also includes an irritant spray device with a housing in which a replaceable irritant cartridge can be accommodated at least in some areas, the irritant cartridge being designed according to at least one of the preceding claims, and wherein the housing of the irritant spray device with the fixing device and the locking device of the Has irritant cartridge cooperating mating sections.

• 1 einen teilweisen Schnitt durch ein schematisch dargestelltes Reizstoff-Sprühgerät mit einer in dieses eingesetzten ersten Ausführungsform einer Reizstoffkartusche mit einer Fixiereinrichtung;
• 2 eine Seitenansicht auf das Reizstoff-Sprühgerät von 1;
• 3 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung längs der Linie III-III von 2 der Reizstoffkartusche in einer Position, in der die Fixiereinrichtung nicht mit einem Gegenabschnitt eines Gehäuses des Reizstoff-Sprühgeräts zusammenwirkt;
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung ähnlich zu 3, bei der die Reizstoffkartusche in einer Position ist, in der die Fixiereinrichtung mit einem Gegenabschnitt des Gehäuses des Reizstoff-Sprühgeräts zusammenwirkt;
• 5-9 Darstellungen ähnlich zu den 3 und 4, wobei zusätzlich eine Verriegelungseinrichtung dargestellt ist, in unterschiedlichen Positionen relativ zu einem Gegenabschnitt des Gehäuses des Reizstoff-Sprühgeräts;
• 10-13 Darstellungen ähnlich zu den 3 und 4 einer alternativen Reizstoffkartusche mit einer alternativen Verriegelungseinrichtung in unterschiedlichen Positionen; und
• 14-16 Darstellungen ähnlich zu den 3 und 4 einer alternativen Reizstoffkartusche mit einer nochmals alternativen Verriegelungseinrichtung.

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing show:

• 1 a partial section through a schematically illustrated irritant spray device with a first embodiment of an irritant cartridge with a fixing device inserted therein;
• 2 a side view of the irritant sprayer of FIG 1 ;
• 3 a schematic sectional view along the line III-III of 2 the irritant cartridge in a position in which the fixing device does not cooperate with a mating section of a housing of the irritant spray device;
• 4th a schematic representation similar to 3 in which the irritant cartridge is in a position in which the fixing device cooperates with a mating section of the housing of the irritant spray device;
• 5-9 Representations similar to the 3 and 4th , wherein a locking device is additionally shown, in different positions relative to a mating section of the housing of the irritant spray device;
• 10-13 Representations similar to the 3 and 4th an alternative irritant cartridge with an alternative locking device in different positions; and
• 14-16 Representations similar to the 3 and 4th an alternative irritant cartridge with yet another alternative locking device.

In the following description, the same reference symbols are used for functionally equivalent elements and areas in different figures.

An irritant sprayer carries in 1 overall the reference number 10 . It includes a housing 12 , which has a handle section 14th has, in which a receiving opening 16 for an irritant cartridge 18th is available.

To the irritant sprayer 10 includes an irritant pump 20th that has a first section 22nd an irritant conduit 24 and a mating connection at its end 25th with the irritant cartridge 18th connected is. A second section 26th the irritant conduction 24 leads from the irritant pump 20th to an irritant outlet 28 . The irritant pump 20th is controlled by an electronic control unit 30th controlled, among other things depending on the position of a trigger 32 on, for example, an index finger of a user of the irritant spray device 10 having this on the handle section 14th holds in hand, can attack.

The irritant cartridge 18th includes a housing 34 , which in the present case has, for example, a circular cylindrical cross section with a preferably rigid and solid or rigid peripheral wall 36 and one in 1 upper preferably rigid and firm or stiff end wall 38 . The perimeter wall 36 and the front wall 38 are preferably connected to one another in one piece. Preferably the peripheral wall 36 and the front wall 38 made of a plastic material, but it is also possible that they are made of a metal or another material. The irritant cartridge 18th has an outlet opening 40 on that of the preferably complementary mating connection 25th the irritant sprayer 10 connected. The perimeter wall 36 and the front wall 38 form an initially in 1 downwardly open and in the present case rigid or stiff pot-like structure.

In the embodiment shown here, there is a movable wall in this pot-like structure 42 , preferably in the manner of a piston, used. The moving wall 42 thus has the shape of a cylindrical disc with such a sufficient axial length that it is from the inside of the peripheral wall 36 is guided so that it cannot tip over and is fluid-tight. The moving wall 42 , the perimeter wall 36 and the front wall 38 limit a storage space 44 , in which an irritant represented by a dot 46 is preferably stored without pressure. The irritant 46 can be liquid, gaseous or, for example, also powdery. It can contain, for example, tear gas, OC (Oleoresin Capsicum), a dye, an odorous substance, and / or the like. For training purposes, the irritant can 46 but also just be water.

On an in 1 lower axial end of the irritant cartridge 18th In the present embodiment, a protective housing section is preferably designed as a solid element 50 put on. This forms, so to speak, a stiff lid that closes the interior of the pot-like structure an outdoor area 52 concludes. The protective housing section 50 is so far between the movable wall 42 and the outside area 52 arranged.

The protective housing section 50 can be accessed in the 1 lower axial end area 48 the perimeter wall 36 be pressed on. In addition or as an alternative, it can also be applied to the lower axial end area 48 the perimeter wall 36 glued or welded on or in any other way on the peripheral wall 36 be attached. Anyway, the protective housing section is 50 preferably so on the peripheral wall 36 of the housing 34 the irritant cartridge 18th attached so that it cannot be removed non-destructively. In the protective housing section 50 is in the present case an exemplary centric air outlet 54 present by the one between the movable wall 42 and the protective housing section 50 available space 56 fluidic with the outside area 52 can communicate. The air passage 54 however, it can also be off-center. A plurality of air outlets is also possible. In an embodiment not shown here, the irritant cartridge is designed as a pressure vessel with overall rigid and rigid walls, that is, without the above-mentioned movable wall and without the protective housing section.

The case 34 the irritant cartridge 18th preferably has a conical housing extension 58 on where the outlet port 40 is available. The mating connection 25th of the first section 22nd the irritant conduction 24 is designed to be complementary at least in sections. The irritant cartridge designed in this way 18th is thus shaped similar to a syringe, as it is known for example from the medical field for drug injections.

At the lower axial end area 48 the perimeter wall 36 and thus also the irritant cartridge 18th is, in the present case, by way of example, the protective housing section 50 Shaped in one piece, a fixing device 60 for axially fixing the housing 34 the irritant cartridge 18th in the irritant sprayer 10 available. This preferably comprises two diametrically opposed fixing sections 62a and 62b , which are preferably designed as tab-like, rigid and solid fixing wings. In principle, however, only a single fixing section would also be sufficient. A tab-like fixing wing has a comparatively small thickness 64 on how off 1 emerges. It goes without saying that the term “tab-like fixing wing” is to be understood broadly and, for example, alternatively (not shown) can include a circumferential web or collar extending over a certain azimuthal angular range or something similar, for example also a thread-like configuration.

In the receiving opening 16 of the housing 12 the irritant sprayer 10 is in their in the 1 and 2 a groove-like recess in the lower area 66 present, the height of which is slightly greater than the thickness 64 the fixing sections 62a and 62b . The shape of the case 34 is, as mentioned above, elongated cylindrical as a whole, and therefore the housing 34 the irritant cartridge 18th a longitudinal axis 68 on.

The irritant sprayer 10 can work, for example, as follows: when the trigger is pressed 32 by a user is through the electronic control unit 30th the irritant pump 20th put into operation, making this over the first section 22nd the irritant conduction 24 the one in the storage space 44 the irritant cartridge 18th existing irritant 46 sucks in and, for example, as a spray jet or as a spray mist, over the second section of the irritant line 24 as well as the irritant outlet 28 gives off to the outside.

In the embodiment of an irritant cartridge shown here as an example 18th decreases in size due to the removal of the irritant 46 the volume of in the storage space 44 existing irritant 46 which causes itself in storage space 44 a certain slight negative pressure compared to the pressure in the outside area 52 results. This causes the movable wall to move 42 in 1 upwards, increasing the volume of storage space 44 according to the volume of the removed irritant 46 can shrink. While moving the movable wall 42 air flows through the air outlet 54 from outside 52 in the room 56 what ensures that the movement of the movable wall 42 not by one otherwise in the room 56 adjusting excessive negative pressure is hindered (it is understood that for the flow of air through the air passage 54 through a certain small pressure difference between the room 56 and the outside area 52 is nevertheless necessary).

For inserting the irritant cartridge 18th into the receiving opening 16 of the housing 12 the irritant sprayer 10 becomes the case 34 the irritant cartridge 18th around the longitudinal axis 68 positioned so that the protruding fixing sections 62a and 62b in the 1 and 2 initially extend perpendicular to the plane of the sheet, as shown in 3 . The irritant cartridge 18th is in the axial direction with the outlet opening by the user 40 against the mating connection 25th pressed so that the fixing sections 62a and 62b at the level of the groove-like recess 66 in the inside of the receiving opening 16 are located.

Now the irritant cartridge 18th by the user around the longitudinal axis 68 rotated by 90 °, which is the example of the fixing section 62a engages in the groove-like recess 66 how this gets into the 1 and 2 as in 4th is shown. One in the 1 and 2 lower boundary surface 70 the groove-like recess 66 in this way forms a mating section of the housing 12 of the irritant sprayer that the fixing section 62a cooperates and by an axial loosening of the irritant cartridge 18th from the receiving opening 16 of the housing 12 the irritant sprayer 10 is prevented. The irritant cartridge 18th is like this in the receiving opening 16 fixed in the axial direction.

In the 5-9 is also a locking device 72 drawn. This preferably comprises two elastically deformable and preferably from the peripheral wall 36 or the protective housing section 50 of the housing 34 protruding locking arms 74a and 74b . Their radially outermost edge is at a distance 76 from the longitudinal axis 68 , whereas the radially outermost edge of the fixing sections 62a and 62b at a distance 78 from the longitudinal axis 68 is located. The distance 78 is smaller than the distance 76 , and the radius (without reference number) of the groove-like recess 66 (based on the longitudinal axis 68 ) lies between the distance 78 and the distance 76 . 5 shows an unfixed and unlocked state.

Will now be the irritant cartridge 18th fixed by the above-mentioned rotation through 90 °, the locking arm is first, for example, in the present case during the rotary movement 74a from the groove-like recess 66 slightly elastically deformed inwards or against the direction of rotation ( 6th ). After completing the 90 ° turn around the longitudinal axis 68 the locking arm snaps 62a elastically back to its rest position ( 7th ) and lies on the side of the housing 12 the irritant sprayer 10 at the level of the groove-like recess 66 on, as does the other locking arm 74b on the other side of the groove-like recess 66 . This is achieved by appropriately dimensioning the distance between the protruding ends of the two locking arms 74a and 74b which is roughly the width of the case 12 in the area of the groove-like recess 66 corresponds. This is how the irritant cartridge is 18th in the in 7th shown angular position about the longitudinal axis 68 locked, and thus over the fixing section 62a reliable in the housing 12 fixed.

In order to release the lock, a user can use the locking arm as an example 74b Press slightly inwards so that its end goes into the groove-like recess 66 penetrates ( 8th ). To release the locking, manipulation of the locking device is therefore necessary 72 necessary. Then the housing can 34 the irritant cartridge 18th again around the longitudinal axis 68 be rotated ( 9 ) until the locking arm 74b from the groove-like recess 66 snaps out. Then there is also the fixing section 62a from the groove-like recess 66 stepped out, so now the irritant cartridge 18th in the axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 68 out of the case 12 the irritant sprayer 10 can be pulled out.

An alternative form of locking device 72 is in the 10-13 shown. This is at the lower end of the irritant cartridge 18th , for example on the protective housing section 50 , a locking slide 80 available. In the in the 10 and 11 The release position shown (unlocked state), the irritant cartridge can be rotated by 90 ° to fix it. Has the irritant cartridge 18th its fixed end position has been reached ( 12 ), the locking slide can 80 against a complementary counter surface 81 on the housing 12 moved, causing rotation of the housing 34 is prevented (locked state, 13 ). To release the lock, the slide must be pushed back into the 10-12 The position shown are moved, so it is a manipulation of the locking device 72 necessary.

Another alternative form of locking device 72 is in the 14-16 shown. There is presently an example of the fixing section 62a an elevation in the form of a locking lug 82 educated. Complementary to this is on an upper and / or or lower boundary surface of the groove-like recess 66 a locking recess 84 available. The 14th shows the unfixed and unlocked state. Will the irritant cartridge 18th for fixing around the longitudinal axis 68 rotated so that the fixing section 62a into the groove-like recess 66 intervenes ( 15th ), arrives at the end where in 16 end position shown, the locking lug 82 in a position in which they are resiliently in the locking recess 84 on the upper and / or or lower boundary surface of the groove-like recess 66 engages (locked state). This also prevents unwanted twisting of the housing 34 around the longitudinal axis 68 at least obstructed, because to release the lock is a compared to the unlocked state of 14th and 15th increased effort required.

In the above embodiments, the fixing portions were 62a and 62b on the protective housing section 50 at the lower axial end area 48 of the housing 34 arranged. In principle, however, it is also conceivable that they are in a completely different axial position of the housing 34 the irritant cartridge 18th available.

In an embodiment not shown, it is provided that the housing has a shielding means for shielding the irritant from radiation. This can include, for example, a film that is applied to the outside of, for example, a peripheral wall of the housing of the irritant cartridge. However, this can also be achieved by coloring at least part of the housing of the irritant cartridge. Furthermore, it is possible to apply a shrink tube label to the housing, which label also serves to identify the container and which provides the desired shielding effect. It is basically possible to provide a preferably comparatively narrow "window" in the shielding means that runs in the axial direction of the irritant cartridge and through which the position of the movable wall is visible so that the remaining content of the irritant in the storage space can be read off as a level control .

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• EP 3339795 A2 [0002]

Claims (10)

Irritant cartridge (18) for an irritant spray device (10) which can be inserted into and removed from the irritant spray device (10) and which has a preferably elongated housing (34) in which a storage space (44) for an irritant (46) is present, characterized in that it has a fixing device (60) for in particular axial fixing of the housing (34) in the irritant spray device (10) and a locking device (72) for at least indirect locking of the fixing device (60). Irritant cartridge after Claim 1 , characterized in that the locking device (72) in the locked state prevents rotation of the housing (34) in the irritant spray device (10) in the circumferential direction and releases it in the unlocked state. Irritant cartridge (18) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device (72) comprises at least two elastically deformable locking arms (74a, 74b) protruding from the housing (34). Irritant cartridge (18) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device (72) comprises a locking slide (80). Irritant cartridge (18) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device (72) comprises a locking lug (82). Irritant cartridge (18) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing device (60) has at least one fixing section protruding in the radial direction, in particular at least two fixing sections (62a, 62b) arranged diametrically opposite. The irritant cartridge (18) Claim 6 , characterized in that at least one fixing section is designed as a tab-like fixing wing (62a, 62b). Irritant cartridge (18) according to at least one of the Claims 6 - 7th , characterized in that at least one fixing section (62a, 62b) is arranged in an axial end region (48) of the housing (34). Irritant cartridge (18) according to at least one of the Claims 6 - 8th , characterized in that at least one fixing section (62a, 62b) is formed in one piece with the housing (34). Irritant spray device (10) with a housing (12) in which a replaceable irritant cartridge (18) can be accommodated at least in some areas, characterized in that the irritant cartridge (18) is designed according to at least one of the preceding claims, and that the housing ( 12) of the irritant spray device (10) with the fixing device (60) and the locking device (72 of the irritant cartridge (10) has counter-sections (66; 84) cooperating.

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