EP4237787A1 - Projectile construction, launcher, and launcher accessory - Google Patents
Projectile construction, launcher, and launcher accessoryInfo
- Publication number
- EP4237787A1 EP4237787A1 EP21887586.2A EP21887586A EP4237787A1 EP 4237787 A1 EP4237787 A1 EP 4237787A1 EP 21887586 A EP21887586 A EP 21887586A EP 4237787 A1 EP4237787 A1 EP 4237787A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- launcher
- projectile
- magnet
- accessory
- launch
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 title description 4
- 238000004146 energy storage Methods 0.000 claims description 28
- 239000003999 initiator Substances 0.000 claims description 16
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- 238000010304 firing Methods 0.000 description 7
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 231100001160 nonlethal Toxicity 0.000 description 5
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- 230000008685 targeting Effects 0.000 description 5
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- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 230000003100 immobilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000000977 initiatory effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000020 Nitrocellulose Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
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- 229920001220 nitrocellulos Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- 235000002566 Capsicum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 240000008574 Capsicum frutescens Species 0.000 description 1
- 208000010496 Heart Arrest Diseases 0.000 description 1
- HBBGRARXTFLTSG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Lithium ion Chemical compound [Li+] HBBGRARXTFLTSG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000443 aerosol Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000001390 capsicum minimum Substances 0.000 description 1
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- 229910001416 lithium ion Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910001120 nichrome Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- RGOVYLWUIBMPGK-UHFFFAOYSA-N nonivamide Chemical compound CCCCCCCCC(=O)NCC1=CC=C(O)C(OC)=C1 RGOVYLWUIBMPGK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
- F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
- F42B12/02—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect
- F42B12/36—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
- F42B12/40—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information of target-marking, i.e. impact-indicating type
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
- F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
- F42B12/02—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect
- F42B12/36—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
- F42B12/46—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information for dispensing gases, vapours, powders or chemically-reactive substances
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
- F42C11/00—Electric fuzes
- F42C11/04—Electric fuzes with current induction
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
- F42C11/00—Electric fuzes
- F42C11/06—Electric fuzes with time delay by electric circuitry
- F42C11/065—Programmable electronic delay initiators in projectiles
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
- F42C17/00—Fuze-setting apparatus
- F42C17/04—Fuze-setting apparatus for electric fuzes
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to non-lethal and lethal projectiles and related launching mechanisms and accessories and more specifically, to those projectiles with an energy storage means that may be charged by a launcher and/or a launcher accessory.
- Non-lethal projectiles and non-lethal launching systems are commonly used by law enforcement for purposes of crowd control, such as quelling a riot or angry mob or to individually subdue a suspect. Increasingly, they may find usage as another means to augment self-defense in situations such as a home invasion, for example.
- the projectiles and systems (such as weapons that are capable of delivering such non-lethal projectiles) are designed to subdue a target subject or subjects for a time without causing permanent harm.
- weapons systems require a projectile to burst on impact with the suspect and thus require accurate targeting and, in some cases, cause severe injury to a suspect.
- a second technique involves the use of a paintball that is filled with a capsicum or PAVA powder. While this eliminates or improves on the range issues of the electric shock techniques, it requires accurate targeting of the suspect. This is extremely difficult to do in short range as the ricochet of the powder off of a suspect can cause it to come back to the user. Furthermore, upon impact, the control of the powder release is not necessarily effective and can be one dimensional, meaning that it has difficulty stopping a suspect who is running away - as the cloud is left behind. Additionally, if the impact does not burst the projectile, the intended effect is not achieved.
- Another approach is to provide for a projectile, the rupture or separation of which is caused by components that are powered by a battery or batteries that is/are internal to the projectile.
- batteries are inherently respectively large and heavy when compared to a projectile, and therefore limit the potential configurations of the projectile (due at least to the fact that the batteries occupy a substantial amount of space within the projectile).
- batteries are relatively expensive, thereby driving up the cost of manufacture of such a projectile.
- batteries drain and lose charge over time, which means that a projectile so configured may not be in a usable state for firing if it has been on the shelf for a length of time. This drawback is not acceptable, as the conditions under which such projectiles are to be used requires that they be ready to fire at all times.
- Lethal projectiles have also been developed that fragment into multiple pieces, thus increasing the effective radius of such a projectile (and lowering the requisite targeting precision). Such fragmentation may be caused by components that are powered by a battery or batteries that is/are internal to the projectile or by the actual impact on the target.
- batteries are inherently respectively large and heavy when compared to a projectile, and therefore limit the potential configurations of the projectile (due at least to the fact that the batteries occupy a substantial amount of space within the projectile).
- batteries are relatively expensive, thereby driving up the cost of manufacture of such a projectile.
- the general purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a projectile construction (also referred to herein as “projectile” in context), projectile launcher, and launcher accessory that include all the advantages of the prior art, and overcomes the drawbacks inherent therein.
- payload may refer to a substance, object, compound, or material that is capable of delivering a lethal or incapacitating force to and/or resulting in a lethal or incapacitating effect upon a target.
- a payload can be in powder, liquid or aerosol, or foam form and/or in the form of shrapnel (or a combination thereof) without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.
- the payload may comprise a debilitating material, a visible substance (such as a dye or a powder, for example) or an invisible marking substance (such as a UV-reactive material, for example) or a combination thereof.
- the projectile may also comprise an energy storage means.
- energy storage means is a storage means that lacks sufficient energy (such as a charge, for example) to activate or arm the projectile or another component of the projectile until the energy storage means has been energized or re-energized by an outside source (such as a launcher or an accessory thereof).
- the energy storage means comprises a capacitor, which capacitor may be charged or energized by the launcher or launcher accessory prior to or coincident with launching of the projectile.
- a launcher comprises at least one magnet. The at least one magnet may be disposed within or in proximity to the barrel of the launcher, and in a further embodiment, proximate to the point of projectile exit, and in any event along the launch axis of the projectile.
- the at least one magnet is preferably magnetically-aligned with the launch axis.
- the projectile comprises at least one coil of wire.
- the at least one magnet of the launcher causes a rapid change in magnetic flux of coil of the moving projectile as it moves along the launch axis. This rapid change causes a current to be induced through the coil of the projectile, causing an inductive energy to be produced.
- the at least one magnet of the launcher is capable of providing energy to the projectile.
- inductive charging when it is refers to charging an energy storage means
- inductive activation when it refers to activating a circuit and/or initiator.
- an accessory for a launcher comprises at least one magnet.
- the accessory is configured to be removably attached to a launcher, and in an embodiment, to the barrel of a launcher.
- the at least one magnet of the accessory may be disposed within or in proximity to the barrel of the launcher, and along the launch axis of the projectile. (See Figure 7, for example).
- the at least one magnet is preferably magnetically-aligned with the launch axis.
- magnetic alignment comprises the creation of magnetic flux lines in the barrel or accessory such that a coil moving through the barrel or accessory receives an induced electrical charge.
- the projectile comprises at least one coil of wire.
- the at least one magnet of the launcher accessory When the projectile is launched, the at least one magnet of the launcher accessory causes a rapid change in magnetic flux of coil of the moving projectile as it moves along the launch axis. This rapid change causes a current to be induced through the coil of the projectile, causing an inductive energy to be produced. In this way, it is understood that the at least one magnet of the launcher accessory is capable of providing energy to the projectile.
- the at least one magnet may be a permanent magnet and/or an electromagnet.
- an electromagnet can produce a stationary magnetic field or a time-varying magnetic field (such as by varying alternating current frequency through the electromagnet).
- the at least one magnet comprises an electromagnet along with a permanent magnet.
- the electric current and/or its frequency provided to the electromagnet can be adjusted such that the induced EMF in the projectile can vary. This variance can be used to vary the distance at which a projectile releases a payload and/or the initiator or control circuit is activated.
- a rangefinder may be provided for the launcher and/or launcher accessory, which rangefinder may be operatively coupled to the launcher and/ or accessory and, in an embodiment, to the at least one magnet such that the magnetic field strength may be adjusted depending on at least the range to a target or a distance measured by the rangefinder, for example.
- the projectile separates into two or more components after it leaves the barrel of a launcher to distribute a payload.
- the separation can be initiated by electrical, mechanical or chemical means or by a combination thereof.
- the time of initiation can be varied depending on the distance to the suspect or target.
- an electrical circuit may be disposed within the projectile.
- the projectile may comprise an energy storage means.
- the electrical circuit may either initiate a chemical reaction or otherwise cause a separation of the projectile through an electromechanical method, and the circuit may be activated by inductive activation.
- the release may be timed such that the separation and distribution of the payload is in proximity of the target.
- the timing may include calculations based on the projectile velocity as well as the distance to the target.
- the electrical circuit and reaction can be initiated when the energy storage means has been sufficiently charged, i.e. , beyond the threshold energy - such charging being done by the launcher or outside source (such as, but not necessarily limited to, the launcher accessory), for example.
- the electrical circuit can be activated by a motion sensing switch such as an accelerometer, vibration sensor, or the like at launch of the projectile.
- an activating compound such as nitrocellulose may be initiated with an “electric match”.
- the electric match may consist of a nichrome or similar high resistance wire that is coated with a pyrogen and is initiated with electrical energy such as from a battery, capacitor, or the like.
- the launcher and/or launcher accessory comprises at least one magnet, when the projectile is launched, the at least one magnet of the launcher and/or accessory can activate the electric match by inductive activation.
- the projectile launcher (and/or launcher accessory) and the projectile are part of a system in which the projectile is encoded with timing and or distance information as a result of range to target.
- the projectile launcher and/or launcher accessory may further include a range finder or other means for measuring distance to a target.
- the launcher (and/or launcher accessory) and projectile can be configured to be in wired or wireless communication with each other, and the launcher and/or launcher accessory may also be capable of transferring energy to the projectile.
- the launch of the projectile by the launcher can be accomplished by compressed air, in which embodiment the requirement for complex firing mechanism (such as a primer on the projectile or a hammer for the launcher) is eliminated.
- complex firing mechanism such as a primer on the projectile or a hammer for the launcher
- the projectile and launcher herein may be configured to be launched by combustion or other means.
- Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a projectile launcher 1000 with a projectile, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
- Figure 1A is a view of the barrel of a projectile launcher and at least one magnet of the launcher.
- Figure 2 are views of a projectile both before launch and then during flight in which the housing of the projectile has separated and released a payload, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
- Figure 3 is a view of a projectile launcher with a magazine in which the projectiles are set to rupture at various times/distances after launch, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
- Figure 4 is a view of a projectile comprising a payload, a control circuit, an initiator, and an energy storage means, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
- Figure 5 is a view of a projectile comprising a payload, an initiator, and a control circuit, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
- Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a projectile comprising a coil of conductive wire in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
- Figure 7 shows a projectile, launcher and a launcher accessory, the accessory comprising at least one magnet which magnetic field lines are shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
- Figure 8 shows a projectile and a launcher in which the projectile may communicate wirelessly with the launcher, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
- Figure 9 shows a launcher, components of a projectile and at least one means of communicating information to the projectile, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the present disclosure provides for a projectile 100 and a launcher 1000, and, in an embodiment, a launcher accessory 1100.
- the projectile 100 preferably comprises a payload 200 for immobilizing and/or marking a target or suspect.
- payload as used herein may also comprise a substance, object, compound, or material that is capable of delivering a lethal or incapacitating force to and/or resulting in a lethal or incapacitating effect upon a target
- the projectile 100 preferably comprises an enclosure, which enclosure may be formed by an at least partially annular-shaped shell 102.
- the shell may include a closed, substantially planar end portion 104 (also referred to herein as “end cap”) that corresponds to a radius of the annular portion of the shell to form the enclosure.
- the shell and end portion may individually and collectively refer to herein as a housing of projectile 100. It will be apparent that the projectile housing is not limited to the shell and end portion configuration mentioned in the preceding exemplary embodiment, and that the projectile housing may comprise any shape that forms an enclosure without deviating from the spirit of the disclosure, such as, but not necessarily limited to a sphere or a cone.
- the payload 200 is preferably contained in the enclosure prior to launch of the projectile 100.
- the projectile 100 is capable of self-separating, disintegrating or otherwise opening prior to impact with a target or other impact surface.
- the launcher 1000 is capable of initiating separation or disintegration or rupturing or opening, etc. of the projectile 100.
- the launcher 1000 is capable of communicating to the projectile 100 and or arming a projectile 100 prior to or coincident with projectile launch.
- the launcher comprises a safety and/or trigger, which safety and/or trigger, until activated, prevent the projectile from becoming armed.
- the arming can be, for example, the charging of an energy storage element or means contained within the projectile.
- the launcher comprises at least one magnet 500.
- the at least one magnet 500 may be disposed within or in proximity to the barrel of the launcher, and in a further embodiment, proximate to the point of projectile exit, and in any event along the launch axis of the projectile. (See Figure 1 , for example).
- the at least one magnet 500 is preferably magnetically-aligned with the launch axis.
- a launcher accessory 1100 comprises at least one magnet 1500 (see Figure 7, for example).
- the launcher accessory may be removably attachable to a launcher 1000, and the at least one magnet 1500 of the accessory may be disposed along the launch axis of the projectile that is to be launched by the launcher.
- the projectile comprises at least one coil of wire 550.
- the at least one magnet 500 of the launcher and/or the at least one magnet 1500 of the launcher accessory 1100 causes a rapid change in magnetic flux of coil 550 of the moving projectile.
- This rapid change causes a current to be induced through the coil 550 of the projectile, causing an inductive energy to be produced.
- the resultant energy can be used to cause an initiator or electrical circuit (described elsewhere herein) to be activated, for example. That is, electrical energy can be generated in this embodiment from the change in magnetic flux as the projectile moves through the magnetic field caused by the at least one magnet 500 and/or 1500.
- FIG. 1A An exemplary launcher 1000 is shown in Figure 1A.
- the launcher comprises a barrel 1010 for directing and launching a projectile 100.
- the launcher 1000 may also comprise a chamber 1015 for holding a projectile prior to firing thereof. It will be apparent that the launcher 1000 shown in Figure 1 a may be in other configurations so long as the launcher 1000 is capable of firing a projectile 100 of the projectiles disclosed herein.
- the projectile 100 housing opens or otherwise separates after it leaves the barrel 1010 of a launcher 1000 to distribute a payload. That is, the rupturing or breaching of the projectile housing or the separation of housing components creates an opening in the projectile 100 out of which the payload 200 may emanate.
- the projectiles 100 disclosed herein include various means of adjustment of the aforementioned embodiments in which the release or dispersion of the payload 200 occurs at fixed or predetermined distances from the barrel 1010 of the launcher 1000 and/or launcher accessory 1100. Selective release may also be achieved by adjusting the strength of the electromagnetic field of the at least one magnet 500 or 1500 that induces a charge in the projectile. Such adjustment may be made by a power source (such as a battery) that is disposed within the launcher 1000 or accessory 1100. The power source itself may be adjustable to provide for various amounts of power to the electromagnet and adjustment of the strength of the field. In an embodiment, the power source is in communication with the magnet via an alternating current signal, and the strength of the magnetic field is controllable by varying the power and/or the frequency of the signal.
- a power source such as a battery
- the release may be accomplished by a control circuit 120.
- a control circuit 120 may include a radio-frequency identification (RFID), where an RFID tag in the projectile 100 may cause the projectile 100 to rupture at a user-specified distance from the launcher 1000 or launcher accessory 1100. Said rupturing may be caused by initiating a reaction with nitrocellulose for example.
- RFID radio-frequency identification
- the launcher 1000 and launcher accessory 1500 may comprise a transmitter or other means for communicating with the RFID tag or the reaction may be controlled by other means.
- the control circuit is inductively activated.
- the launcher and projectile system may comprise a magazine 1040 that holds a plurality of projectiles 100 and that feeds said projectiles 100 to the launcher 1000 for firing/launching the projectiles 100.
- the various projectiles 100 of the magazine 1040 may be configured to separate or rupture, etc. at the same distance “D” or time after launch, or they may be configured to separate or rupture, etc. at different distances and/or times after launch.
- the various projectiles are configured to separate or rupture, etc. at the same distance “D” or time after launch, it will be apparent that a user may concentrate the effect of the payload from the ruptured projectiles within a certain defined area.
- the various projectiles are configured to separate or rupture, etc. at different distances and/or time after launch, it will be apparent that the particular distance and/or time after launch at which the separation, etc. of each particular projectile of the various projectiles may be accomplished by selectively setting the separation, etc. of each projectile of the various projectiles as elsewhere set forth herein.
- the projectile 100 may further comprise an energy storage means 140 (such as, but not limited to, a capacitor or a miniature Lithium ion rechargeable battery) and an initiator 150 (such as, but not limited to, a heating element).
- energy storage means is a storage means that lacks a sufficient charge to activate or arm the projectile or another component of the projectile until the energy storage means has been charged or energized by an outside source (such as a launcher, said launcher comprising an electrical, magnetic, and/or electromagnetic source) beyond a threshold energy.
- the charging of the energy storage means may also be referred to herein as “energizing” the energy storage means.
- the energy storage means disclosed herein may also be referred to as an energizable energy storage means.
- the energy storage means 140 and initiator 150 may be operatively coupled to a switch 180, and the timer 130 may cause the switch 180 to trip at a particular time after launch of the projectile 100, after which the energy storage means 140 may deliver stored energy to the initiator 150 to cause the initiator 150 to perform a reaction (such as heating) that results in the projectile 100 opening, separating or disintegrating to release the payload 200
- the energy storage means is energized by the at least one magnet 500 of the launcher and/or the at least one magnet 1500 of the launcher accessory coincident with launch of the projectile as described elsewhere herein.
- the control circuit 120 is directly coupled to the initiator 150 such that the control circuit 120 permits operation by the initiator 150 after the initiator 150 or control circuit 120 has been activated by inductive energy from the coil 550 of the projectile 100.
- the initiator 150 may be an electric match, which electric match may heat upon activation to create an opening in the shell of the projectile 100 to release the payload 200.
- the control circuit may be activated by the at least one magnet 500 of the launcher and/or the at least one magnet 1500 of the launcher accessory. In said embodiment, the initiator will initiate opening of the projectile shortly after exiting the launcher. This would be desirable in a short-range situation, for example.
- the launcher accessory 1100 comprises at least one magnet 1500.
- the launcher accessory 1100 may be removably attached to a launcher (including, but not necessarily limited to launcher 1000).
- the accessory 1100 is preferably attached to a launcher such that the at least one magnet 1500 of the accessory 1100 is disposed in sufficient proximity to the launch axis of the launcher to facilitate launch of the projectile 100 and to engage the coil of wire 550 of the projectile 100 prior to or coincident with launch of the projectile.
- Figure 7 also shows exemplary magnetic flux lines 1501 through which a projectile may pass and which may engage the coil of wire 550 of the projectile.
- the magnetic flux 1501 is disposed along the launch axis of the accessory 1100 and is accordingly magnetically aligned with path of the projectile’s launch.
- the accessory 1100 is an elongated cylinder in shape, with a circumference that corresponds to the circumference of the barrel of the launcher to which the accessory 1100 is attached. Attachment of the accessory 1100 to the launcher 1000 may be by way of complementary engagement features, by a friction- or press-fit engagement, or by threaded connection, for example. [0044] In still another embodiment as shown in Figure 8 and 9 the projectile 100 and the launcher 1000 communicate through at least one of a wireless or wired means.
- the launcher accessory 1100 may comprise similar or the same such communication means as the launcher 1000 for communicating with the projectile 100.
- the projectile has an energy storage means 140 which is activated or powered or energized by the launcher 1000 (for example, by means of at least one magnet 500 of the launcher acting upon the coil 550 of the projectile) and/or by the accessory 1100 (for example, by means of at least one magnet 1500 of the accessory acting upon the coil 550 of the projectile) and thus enhances the safety profile of the projectile 100, e.g., by keeping the projectile 100 and dispersal means inactive until it is at least chambered in the launcher.
- the launcher 1000 for example, by means of at least one magnet 500 of the launcher acting upon the coil 550 of the projectile
- the accessory 1100 for example, by means of at least one magnet 1500 of the accessory acting upon the coil 550 of the projectile
- the launcher 1000 and launch accessory 1100 include a means for measuring distance, such as a range-finder, which means may communicate with the control circuit 120 and which means may permit in-situ customization of at least one parameter related to the burst or breach of the projectile 100, thus further increasing its ability to disperse the payload 200 at a more preferred or precise location.
- a means for measuring distance such as a range-finder
- the launcher 1000 may comprise a trigger 1080 to initiate the launch process. It will be apparent that the charging of the energy storage means by the launcher and/or launcher accessory eliminates the requirement that the energy storage means comprise a self-contained power source (i.e., a battery for the energy storage means is not required), thereby eliminating the possibility that the energy storage means will suffer a power drain prior to launch.
- the rangefinder is operatively coupled to an at least one electromagnet 500 of the launcher 1000 and/or an at least one magnet 1500 of the accessory 1100 such that the projectile 100 will be energized to a specific energy which corresponds to a particular distance (distance to the target, for example).
- Figure 1 represents a projectile launcher 1000 that is preferably based on electrical-driven or a combination of electrical and combustion or compressed gas means. It is understood that the projectile is not limited to a particular launching method but a preferable designed-launcher in which the advantages of having an electronic control and communication element with the projectile can be used.
- the projectile herein is of lightweight construction (for at least the reason that it does not require an internal battery), such that compressed gas can sufficiently and effectively launch the projectile.
- the disclosure may, in other embodiments include, a primer and/or propellant on the projectile and a hammer of the launcher to strike such primer, as well as other means of launching the projectile other than by way of compressed gas. Because the projectile is energizable by the launcher (such as by the at least one magnet of the launcher) or other outside source, the possibility that the projectile would fail to operate due to draining of an internal battery is rendered moot.
- the projectile, launcher, and launcher accessory disclosed herein offer the advantages of more controlled release of payload than existing solutions can offer. For instance, a user can set the range and/or rate at which the material is released by configuring parameters that control the opening in the projectile. The projectile further does not require impact upon a target. Configuration of the shell of the projectile disclosed herein may also increase accuracy of flight of the projectile to further improve the safety of use of the projectile disclosed herein. Furthermore, the projectile can be kept in an unarmed state until the projectile is launched from the launcher. The charging of the energy storage means by the launcher or other outside source eliminates the possibility that the projectile will suffer from power loss or failure prior to firing.
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Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US202063107242P | 2020-10-29 | 2020-10-29 | |
US17/319,295 US11761739B2 (en) | 2020-09-20 | 2021-05-13 | Projectile construction, launcher, and launcher accessory |
PCT/US2021/057217 WO2022094189A1 (en) | 2020-10-29 | 2021-10-29 | Projectile construction, launcher, and launcher accessory |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP4237787A1 true EP4237787A1 (en) | 2023-09-06 |
EP4237787A4 EP4237787A4 (en) | 2024-09-04 |
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EP21887586.2A Pending EP4237787A4 (en) | 2020-10-29 | 2021-10-29 | Projectile construction, launcher, and launcher accessory |
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EP (1) | EP4237787A4 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2022094189A1 (en) |
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BE343834A (en) * | 1926-09-02 | |||
US6470803B1 (en) * | 1997-12-17 | 2002-10-29 | Prime Perforating Systems Limited | Blasting machine and detonator apparatus |
US7757607B1 (en) * | 2005-08-17 | 2010-07-20 | Deye James G | Remotely controlled ignition system for pyrotechnics |
CN113474614A (en) * | 2018-09-07 | 2021-10-01 | Nl企业有限责任公司 | Non-lethal projectile construction and launcher |
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- 2021-10-29 WO PCT/US2021/057217 patent/WO2022094189A1/en active Application Filing
- 2021-10-29 EP EP21887586.2A patent/EP4237787A4/en active Pending
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EP4237787A4 (en) | 2024-09-04 |
WO2022094189A1 (en) | 2022-05-05 |
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