EP1190205A2

EP1190205A2 - Non-lethal ballistic

Info

Publication number: EP1190205A2
Application number: EP00961314A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gregory B. Macaleese; Charles C. Ii Baldwin
Original assignee: Law Enforcement Technologies Inc
Current assignee: Law Enforcement Technologies Inc
Priority date: 1999-05-05
Filing date: 2000-05-05
Publication date: 2002-03-27
Also published as: WO2000071965A2; WO2000071965A3; US20020088367A1; EP1190205A4; IL146322A0; AU7328400A

Abstract

An air-burst detonation ballistic (10) for grenade launchers. The ballistic (10) can be fired from an unmodified grenade launcher, such as M-79, M-203, Granatpistole, and Mk 19 grenade launchers. The less-than-lethal ballistic (10) comprises a concussion element (13), a phosphorescent (13), and a chemical irritant (11). The nose of the ballistic comprise an energy-absorbing cavity (20) and a switch (21) preventing detonation of the ballistic (10) on impact.

Description

NON-LETHAL BALLISTIC

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/132,555, entitled "Personnel Immobilization Devices", filed on May 5, 1999, and the specification thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention (Technical Field):

The present invention relates to ballistic devices for immobilizing personnel.

Background Art: Each year in the United States alone, hundreds of citizens are shot and killed by police officers who have no other option than to fire a lethal ballistic in order to protect themselves or innocent people. In a growing number of cases, the citizens who are shot and killed by police are unarmed, but are presenting a real or perceived threat to the officer or others. If police officers were able to use a less-than-lethal ballistic to incapacitate the suspect, many lives would be spared.

At present, law enforcement officers have very few options when confronting a dangerous suspect. They can use lethal ballistics from standard weapons or fire rubber-covered bullets or beanbag rounds. Both rubber-covered bullets and beanbag rounds can be lethal. Beanbags have the additional disadvantage of only being effective at close range. Tear gas canisters employ timed fuses, and can be thrown back at officers employing the canisters. The present invention provides an additional weapon in the law enforcement arsenal, namely a less-than-lethal ballistic not requiring impact on a suspect. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION (DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION) The present invention is of an air-burst detonation ballistic for grenade launchers. In the preferred embodiment a sensor detonates the ballistic upon intersection of a beam, such as an infrared or acoustic beam, or detonation occurs via filament ignition wires connectable to microprocessor detonation control on the grenade launcher, or a plurality of fuses one of which is engaged by a grenade launcher operator is employed. In the multi-fuse embodiment, the fuses correspond to ranges to detonation settable in approximately 10 meter intervals. A dial is used to engage one of the fuses. The ballistic can be fired from an unmodified grenade launcher, such as M-79, M-203, Granatpistole, and Mk 19 grenade launchers. The ballistic employs a concussion element creating on detonation a report between approximately 120-300 decibels and an oveφressure between approximately 1.8-3.0 psi, and/or a phosphorescent creating a flash between approximately 300-700 lumens, and/or a chemical irritant, such as capsaicin. The nose of the ballistic comprises an energy-absorbing cavity and a switch preventing detonation of the ballistic on impact. No shrapnel is created on detonation.

The present invention is also of a less-than-lethal ballistic comprising a concussion element, a phosphorescent, and a chemical irritant.

The present invention is further of a less-than-lethal ballistic for grenade launchers comprising a nose comprising an energy-absorbing cavity and a switch preventing detonation of the ballistic on impact.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a less-than-lethal ballistic for law enforcement applications.

A primary advantage of the present invention is that it can be used to immobilize a suspect at distances up to 100 meters (or greater with less accuracy) without actually hitting the suspect and causing serious injury or death. Other objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate several embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings:

Figs. 1 (a)-(d) are side, side section, end, and end section views of the preferred infrared or acoustic triggered ballistic of the invention;

Figs. 2(a)-(c) are side, side section, and end views of the preferred filament ignition wire triggered ballistic of the invention; and

Figs. 3(a)-(d) are side, side section, end, and end section views of the preferred multi- distance fuze triggered ballistic of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION)

The present invention is of a less-than-lethal ballistic not requiring impact on a suspect. The ballistic is designed to detonate at close proximity to a suspect. This creates an "area-of-effect" ballistic that does not require direct impact on the suspect, thereby greatly reducing the risk of serious injury or death. The ballistic attacks the sensory system of the suspect, namely sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Each of these senses is preferably simultaneously attacked, with the object that the nervous system is overwhelmed, thereby causing disorientation, nausea, and a temporary shutdown of the nervous system.

Different embodiments may be employed that are tailored to different tactical situations. The preferred embodiments include:

1. An infrared system that combines a sensor inside the ballistic that detonates the ballistic when it intersects an infrared beam. (See Fig. 1.)

2. An acoustic system that combines a photo-cell sensor inside the ballistic that detonates the ballistic when it intersects a series of sound waves. (See Fig. 1.)

3. An electronic system that uses a set of thin wires that are attached to the ballistic and carry an electrical current sent from a microprocessor on the firing platform to detonate the ballistic at the desired distance. (See Fig. 2.)

4. A multiple-fuse ballistic that has its range manually set by the operator so that it detonates at the desired distance from the launcher (determined preferably by laser rangefinder). Preferably the fuse is set by turning a dial on the casing. Two ranges of ballistics are preferred, one settable in increments of 10 meters from 10-60 meters and the other in increments of 10 meters from 70-120 meters. (See Fig. 3.)

Additional technologies, whether available at present or in the future, can be used to detonate the ballistic of the invention.

It is preferred that detonation of the ballistic occur in the air above or near a suspect. This has the advantage of enabling the incapacitation of the subject when hidden behind a wall or other source of cover. It also reduces the likelihood of injury. It is know that when concussive devices explode on the ground, adjacent a wall, or particularly in a corner, the concussive effect can be amplified and cause injury to the suspect. The preferred firing platforms for the ballistic of the invention are conventional M-79 and M-203 grenade launchers. The M-79 is a stand-alone unit that has been widely used by the U.S. military. The M-203 can be attached to a shotgun or assault rifle. The firing platform preferably comes equipped with a laser range-finder such as commonly used for hunting wildlife. The preferred caliber of the ballistic is 37.5-40mm, conforming to presently available firing platforms. Additional platforms include the German-made Granatpistole and the American-made Mk 19 Model 3 automatic grenade launcher. The M-79, M-203, and Granatpistole all have effective firing ranges up to 350-400 meters. The vehicle-mounted Mk 19 has an effective range of 1 ,600 meters.

The preferred effects of the ballistic would be as follows: On detonation, the ballistic preferably creates a loud report, preferably in the range of 120-300 decibels. The ballistic preferably causes a shock wave (overpressure) to hit the suspect with from 1.8-3.0 psi of energy. Phosphorescent material in the ballistic preferably causes a bright flash blinding the suspect of from 300-700 lumens. In addition, the ballistic preferably deploys a chemical irritant (e.g., tear gas), most preferably capsaicin, which makes comfortable breathing difficult for the suspect. The desired total effect is to disorient the suspect to give law enforcement officers time to close in and make an arrest. The ballistic preferably comprises a fail-safe fuse mechanism for operator safety and an impact disarming system, or crush switch, that prevents the ballistic from detonating if it hits the suspect. An energy-absorbing air-pocket should also be employed in the nose to minimize injury if the ballistic hits the suspect.

Other preferred or optional characteristics of the ballistic of the invention are as follows: The casing should be of a soft material that will liquefy upon detonation. At the same time, the casing must be strong enough to get the ballistic to the target intact. The casing material must also not leave an unwanted residue in the barrel of the firing platform. The chemical agents included cannot be volatile enough to cause serious skin burns and cannot be unstable enough to ignite when the ballistic detonates. The detonation mechanisms in the ballistic should also liquefy so as not to create potentially lethal projectiles on detonation. Phosphorescent materials in the ballistic should not be able to ignite clothing of the suspect or other surrounding matter. The ballistic can be designed to emit a high-pitched whine during travel (as with the well-known German ballistic referred to as the "Screamin' Mimie").

The ballistic can also be made and deployed for military uses. For example, flechettes could be spread on detonation, useful in hitting an enemy soldier around the comer of a building, behind a tree or wall, or dug into a trench or foxhole. A range of additional ballistics could be included to deploy smoke, incendiaries (with or without metal-piercing ballistic noses), flares, and the like. Of course, the less-than-lethal embodiments of the ballistic have application in military contexts where capture of an enemy soldier is desired, such as peacekeeping operations.

Referring to the figures, Figs. 1 (a)-(d) are side, side section, end, and end section views of the preferred infrared or acoustic triggered ballistic 10 of the invention. It preferably comprises the following components: tearing agent or smoke powder pack 11 , dispersing charge 12, flash/concussion powder pack 13, fuse igniting sensor strips 14, propellant 15, propellant primer 16, shell casing 17, electrically-ignitable fusing 18, center fusing 19, energy-absorbing air-pocket / switch cavity 20, and energy-absorbing nose / switch 21.

Figs. 2(a)-(c) are side, side section, and end views of the preferred filament ignition wire triggered ballistic 30 of the invention. It preferably comprises the following components: tearing agent or smoke powder pack 11 , dispersing charge 12, flash/concussion powder pack 13, propellant 15, propellant primer 16, shell casing 17, wadding surrounded by filament ignition wires 31, energy-absorbing air-pocket / switch cavity 20, and energy-absorbing nose / switch 21.

Figs. 3(a)-(d) are side, side section, end, and end section views of the preferred multi- distance fuze triggered ballistic 50 of the invention. It preferably comprises the following components: tearing agent or smoke powder pack 11 , dispersing charge 12, flash/concussion powder pack 13, propellant 15, propellant primer 16, shell casing 17, differently timed impact primer- ignited fuse spokes 52 (preferably six to eight), wadding surrounding all fuse spokes 53, center fusing 19, energy-absorbing air-pocket / switch cavity 20, and energy-absorbing nose / switch 21. Again, the present invention provides a less-than-lethal ballistic for law enforcement applications that can be used to immobilize a suspect at distances up to 100 meters (or greater with less accuracy) without actually hitting the suspect and causing serious injury or death. A variety of "ultra-light artillery" ballistics are also enabled for military operations.

Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A ballistic for grenade launchers comprising means for air-burst detonation.

2. The ballistic of claim 1 wherein said detonation means comprises a sensor that detonates the ballistic upon intersection of a beam, preferably wherein said beam is selected from the group consisting of infrared and acoustic beams, or wherein said detonation means comprises filament ignition wires connectable to microprocessor detonation control means on a grenade launcher, or wherein said detonation means comprises a plurality of fuses one of which is engaged by a grenade launcher operator, preferably wherein said plurality of fuses correspond to ranges to detonation settable in approximately 10 meter intervals and said detonation means comprises dial means for engaging one of said plurality of fuses.

3. The ballistic of claim 1 wherein said ballistic can be fired from an unmodified grenade launcher, preferably an M-79, M-203, Granatpistole, or Mk 19 grenade launcher.

4. The ballistic of claim 1 additionally comprising concussion means, preferably wherein said ballistic creates on detonation a report between approximately 120-300 decibels and an overpressure between approximately 1.8-3.0 psi.

5. The ballistic of claim 1 additionally comprising a phosphorescent, preferably wherein said ballistic creates a flash between approximately 300-700 lumens.

6. The ballistic of claim 1 additionally comprising a chemical irritant, preferably capsaicin.

7. The ballistic of claim 1 additionally comprising concussion means, a phosphorescent, and a chemical irritant.

8. The ballistic of claim 1 additionally comprising a nose comprising an energy- absorbing cavity and a switch preventing detonation of said ballistic on impact, and preferably wherein shrapnel is not created on detonation.

9. A less-than-lethal ballistic comprising: concussion means; a phosphorescent; and a chemical irritant.

10. A less-than-lethal ballistic for grenade launchers comprising a nose comprising an energy-absorbing cavity and a switch preventing detonation of said ballistic on impact.