FR3008787A1 - PROJECTILE, PARTICULARLY AMMUNITION, FOR DEFENSE LAUNCHER - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a new projectile, in particular, for a defensive launcher. The present invention aims to reduce the risk of irreversible injuries likely to be caused by a less-lethal projectile and to propose a less-lethal projectile which is reduced in size compared to less-lethal projectiles according to the state of the art.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a projectile, in particular ammunition, for a defensive launcher, that is to say a projectile designed to incapacitate an adversary without major risk of fatal injury. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION By "defensive launcher" within the meaning of the present invention is meant a less lethal weapon, also called sub-lethal or reduced lethal or incapacitating weapon, that is to say a weapon designed for the target to be not killed or hurt heavily.

This type of weapon is mainly used for policing riot dispersal and self-defense. According to the official definition given by the United States Department of Defense, less-lethal weapons are weapons systems that are explicitly designed and primarily used to incapacitate people or equipment, while minimizing fatalities. or the permanent injuries to these same people as well as the 2o_images unwanted to its integrity and its environment. The present invention aims both at reducing the risk of irreversible injuries likely to be caused by a less-lethal projectile and at proposing a less-lethal projectile which is of reduced size compared to the less-lethal projectiles depending on the state of the art. art in order to increase the number of less lethal projectiles available in a launcher or weapon and in particular in a magazine. STATE OF THE ART Missile projectiles or ammunition are used by law enforcement officials to put an end to disturbances on public roads, particularly during agitated demonstrations or riots. A first type of projectile is currently known in the state of the art: these projectiles, fired in the direction of the crowd but towards the sky, release suffocating or irritating gases in order to provoke the dispersal of the demonstrators. This first type of projectiles has the disadvantage of releasing their substance 30 in a very wide space, because of the nature of the shot and thus to inconvenience a large number of people on the scene, sometimes including people not involved in disturbances, or even the police when they take back possession of the ground previously occupied by the demonstrators at the time of the shooting and whose air is largely charged with the gases. A second type of projectile is known that is intended for law enforcement or the control of individuals: these so-called neutralization projectiles may be of various shapes, such as spherical or stick-shaped, and are generally made of rubber. or equivalent materials. These projectiles are intended to be fired in tight fire on protesters in order to neutralize them by the shock effect produced by the projectile made of the transformation of its kinetic energy during the contact on the target. The propellant charge of a munition which initially incorporates such a projectile 10 is theoretically adapted so that the impact of the projectile on the demonstrator only creates bruises without danger to the life of the latter. Indeed, the lethality or incapacitating capacity of these supposedly less-lethal known ammunition has unfortunately been demonstrated and has resulted in death or the loss of a person's eye or, to a lesser extent, significant sequelae. In fact, if the kinetic energy of a projectile actually dissipated in a target during a shock is an indisputable parameter, the dimensions of the projectile are also an important parameter so that it can not penetrate without irreversible damage part of a human being, such as an eye. Therefore, it has already been proposed, projectiles of shape and / or high deformability with a diameter at impact greater than that of an eyeball, that is to say typically greater than or equal to 40 mm. Typically, these projectiles are made by molding a thermoplastic foam and have a substantially cylindrical shape whose length is of the order of 50 to 70 nm and whose diameter is of the order of 40 mm, with a portion of front end shaped hemispherical cap. In other words, these projectiles have significant initial dimensions, greater than the usual calibres of lethal weapons, which implies the realization of a weapon or a launcher also of significant dimensions and which can draw only one or at best two projectiles before needing to be recharged. We can mention here the 44 mm diameter defense bullet launcher marketed under the name "Flash-ball". There is therefore a need to improve the less-lethal projectiles, in particular the less-lethal ammunition, for defense launchers, in particular with a view to reducing their size and reducing the risk of irreversible injuries that they are likely to cause. The general object of the invention is to meet part of this need. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION To this end, the object of the invention is, according to a first alternative, a projectile, in particular ammunition, for a defensive launcher, comprising a body of elongated shape along a longitudinal central axis (X), the outer surface is deformable material (s) adapted to absorb the energy of an impact on a target, the body having a central portion and two end portions each extending outwardly to from said central portion and each connected to the central portion, each of the end portions having one or more cross sections greater than that of the central portion. "Cross section" means the section of the body considered orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the projectile.

The projectile is preferably a single piece and the two end portions are identical. The tilting of the projectile according to the invention may be accelerated by an outgrowth on each end portion and which extends outwards along the longitudinal axis.

The protrusion may be formed by a flat on a cylindrical section or by a lip projecting outwards. The subject of the invention is also, according to a first alternative, a projectile, in particular ammunition, for a defensive launcher, comprising a body of elongate shape along a longitudinal central axis (X), the external surface of which is made of a material (x) deformable (s) adapted to absorb the energy of an impact on a target, the body having a central portion and two end portions each extending outwardly from said central portion; and each connected to the central portion, each of the end portions having a cross section equal to that of the central portion, each end portion having an outgrowth extending outward along the longitudinal axis. According to the invention, a projectile is defined whose widened end portions and / or protuberances create a large lever arm for the aerodynamic pressure exerted on it at the exit of the weapon or launcher and thus makes the projectile tip over. or, in other words, rotate it around its center of inertia. It should be noted here that this tilting or rotation must not be confused with the rotation at high speed about its longitudinal axis that can be subjected to a projectile according to the state of the art, in particular thanks to a striped tube in helix. Therefore, during its outer ballistics, that is to say at the exit of the barrel of a weapon or a launcher, the projectile according to the invention tilts around its center of inertia and then stabilizes with its length orthogonal to its trajectory, that is to say, parallel to the target, and therefore impact it according to this length, that is to say 10 according to its largest dimension. Thus, thanks to the invention, a projectile is obtained whose impact surface is impo te because defined by its length, which reduces the risk of penetration and injury to a person, compared to a ball or ball according to the invention. the state of the art which will always have a primary impact surface (contact with the target) equal to its diameter, not to mention the limited deformation of its structure (secondary impact surface). In the example of a bullet fired by the launcher according to the state of the art called "Flash-b4 <", it is made of foam, which can cause an impact on a living target a cavitation phenomenon, that is to say a strong penetration and occupation of the space left by the retreat of the eyeball by the foam ball, and a rebound phenomenon with unwanted collateral damage. And, because the projectile is initially put in place in a weapon or defensive launcher so that its caliber is defined by its widest cross-section, it is possible to size said caliber according to standard gauges of less than 44. mm. Otherwise it is possible to house in a weapon or defensive launcher more than one projectile according to the invention, in particular one can load magazine with a consequent number of projectiles. The cross sections of the central and end portions are preferably circular sections. The projectile is preferably symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. Although the material (s) constituting the external surface of the body is (are) chosen and dimensioned to absorb the energy of the impact on the target as long as possible, one dimensioned the body - projectile rigidity according to the invention in order to avoid any deformation in flight which would impair the accuracy of the shot. The mechanical characteristics and materials of the projectile according to the invention may vary according to the desired effects and the weapons or launchers used.

Advantageously, the projectile comprises a ballast arranged in the central portion of the body. This makes it possible to stabilize the projectile during its trajectory before the impact. According to an advantageous variant, the projectile comprises, on at least e of its end portions, a blind hole extending towards the central portion and adapted to house a holding pin of a wedge forming a flock of a ammunition. According to another advantageous variant, the body consists of a core made of rigid material and an envelope of deformable material (s) adapted to absorb the energy of an impact on a target, the most as long as possible, the envelope overmoulding the core. The length of the core and the density of the core and shell are to be defined depending on the target impact force on the target and the amount of energy to be absorbed. The core may be metal, for example lead or a mixture of rigid plastics, preferably charged and densified. The envelope may be an aluminum foam or a cellular plastic material covered or not with a film. Whatever the chosen material, the envelope 20 must be able to crash on impact without returning to its original shape. The impact force so.it depends on the resistance to deformation of the envelope to shocks, which is usually called "programmed resistance". According to another advantageous variant, the projectile comprises at least one stabilizing stabilizer adapted to deploy from a passive position in which it extends along the body and an active position in which it extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis (X). The empennage can be made of flexible material which is folded into a housing defined by the outer body shape and does not interfere with the placement of the projectile in the barrel of a launcher, and therefore the ballistic interior. Another aspect of the invention is, according to another aspect, a sleeve for the projectile which has just been described, designed to form a caliber greater than the largest projectile section, the sleeve consisting of two half-shells adapted to to assemble between them and whose inner forms define a nesting housing projectile. The projectile according to the invention can be used in a firearm and thus be housed in an ammunition comprising a case / cartridge / sleeve with a wad, an explosive charge and a primer. The invention thus also relates, according to yet another of its aspects, an ammunition comprising a projectile which has just been described, a socket inside which the projectile is housed. According to an advantageous variant, the munition comprises a wedging device 10 forming a wad, consisting of a disk and a holding pin projecting from the disk, the holding pin being housed in a blind hole made on an end portion. of the projectile. Thus, a munition according to the invention may comprise a sleeve described above in which a projectile according to the invention is housed, the husband: 1: 1 air itself being housed in the sleeve. The projectile according to the invention may also be used in any other launcher with a means of propulsion other than an explosive charge. In particular, the projectile according to the invention can be propelled directly by a spring-loaded mechanical compression launcher or by a "paint-ball" air-compressed launcher. Another object of the invention is, according to another of its aspects, an adapter sleeve for several projectiles, such as the one just described, in the form of a sheaf, intended to form an upper gauge. Such an adapter sleeve makes it possible to form a jet of projectiles according to the invention at the output of the weapon barrel / launcher. Such an adapter sleeve is advantageously constituted by a foam hollowed out with a number of cells equal to that of the projectiles according to the invention, the inner shape of a cell defining an interlocking housing of a given projectile. . As an advantageous example, a sleeve with a number of seven cells distributed uniformly over a cylindrical diameter of foam can be used. Such a sleeve can also be housed in a socket. The projectile according to the invention can be used in a 37mm and larger firearm and thus be housed in a munition comprising a sleeve with cells housed in a socket with a wad, an explosive charge and a primer.

The invention thus also relates, according to yet another of its aspects, an ammunition comprising a projectile has just been described, a socket inside which the projectile is housed. Thus, a munition according to the invention may comprise a sleeve with cavities described above in which the projectiles according to the invention are housed, the cells being themselves housed in the socket. The projectile according to the invention may also be used in any other launcher with a means of propulsion other than an explosive charge. In particular, the projectile according to the invention can be propelled directly by a spring-loaded mechanical compression launcher or by a "paint-ball" air-compressed launcher. The projectile and the ammunition according to the invention are advantageously used in a preferred application as a less-lethal weapon. The projectile according to the invention, remotely fired can thus be used in closed and / or external premises for the neutralization of one or more persons. The projectile may contain, for example, a chemical powder OC type (oleoresin capsicum) or its derivatives, Capsaicin, CN (2-chloroacetophenone) or CS (O-chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile) or CR (dibenzoxazepine). The projectile, fired remotely allows a neutralization of the person (s) without risk of fire related to conventional smoke devices in a closed room. The shell of the munition may consist of a compacted irri powder that disintegrates upon impact. In another application that the control of people, the projectile according to the invention can be projected in order to pierce a window or a door for example. In other words, the projectile according to the invention can be used on a living target or a non-living target, fixed or mobile. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description of the invention, given by way of nonlimiting illustration, with reference to the following figures in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view. a first example of a projectile 30 according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a side view of a projectile according to FIG. 1; Figure 2A is a longitudinal sectional view of Figure 2; - Figure 3 is a schematic view showing the tilt trajectory undergone by a projectile according to the invention before its impact on a person to control; FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a munition incorporating a second example of a projectile according to the invention; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third example of a projectile according to the invention; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second example of a projectile according to the invention; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second example of projectile according to the invention fitted into a half-shell of a sleeve to adapt the projectile to a higher caliber of a weapon / launcher; FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the second example of a projectile according to the invention and of the adapter sleeve of a superior caliber of a weapon / launcher; - Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the adapter sleeve to a higher caliber of a weapon / launcher and ammunition socket in which the sleeve can be housed; FIGS. 10 to 20 are diagrammatic sectional and side views of different variants of a projectile according to the invention consisting of a core and an envelope overmolding the core and defining the outer surface of the projectile; - Figures 21 to 23 are schematic views of alternative embodiments of a projectile according to the invention incorporating one or more stabilization stabilizers in flight. FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an adapter sleeve for adapting a plurality of projectiles, in the form of a sheaf, to an upper caliber of a weapon / launcher and ammunition socket in which the sleeve is housed. The projectile 1 according to the invention comprises a body 10 of elongate shape along a longitudinal axis X. According to an alternative of the invention, the body 10 comprises a central portion 11 of circular section to which two end portions 12 are connected. , 13 identical, of circular general section greater than that of 11 central po.ion and which extend outwardly. Each of the end portions 12, 13 has an outgrowth 12a, 13a in the form of a flat portion formed on a cylindrical portion.

According to the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the projectile shape is symmetrical inverted with respect to a plane of symmetry passing through the center of inertia C. With such a shape, the projectile 1 according to the invention undergoes a tilting around of the center of inertia C so that it follows, at the exit of the weapon or the launcher, a trajectory orthogonal to its longitudinal axis X. Thus, the projectile 1 according to the invention will come to impact a person that one seeks to control over its length, that is to say on its largest dimension. This reduces the risk of unwanted injury to the person. In addition, because the caliber of the projectile 1 according to the invention is defined, as for the projectiles according to the state of the art, by the width of the end portions 12, 13, it is possible to accommodate a large number within the same charger without increasing the size of the weapon / launcher. The length L of a projectile according to the invention may be between 40 and 100 mm and the diameter 0 defined by the widened section of the end portions 12, 13 may be between 10 and 50 mm.

The projectile 1 according to the invention incorporates a ballast 14 within its central portion which does not modify the center of inertia C which remains in the plane of symmetry. The projectile 1 according to the invention can be integrated into a munition so that it can be used with a firearm. FIG. 4 shows part of a munition according to the invention. The projectile 1 is housed in the sleeve 2 and wedged against an explosive charge not shown at the bottom of the sleeve by means of a wedging device 3 usually called wad. More specifically, as illustrated, the wad 3 comprises a holding pin 30 which fits into a central blind hole 15a formed on an end portion 12 of the projectile 1. As usual, once fired, at the barrel outlet of a firearm, the projectile 1 is detached from the sleeve 2 and the wad 3. If ss the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the protrusion 12a, 13a is formed on each end portion under the shape of a flat, it can also provide a protrusion in the form of a lip projecting outwardly of the body 10 (Figures 5 and 6). The projectile 1 according to the invention can have a general shape of diabolo with a reduced central portion 11 and y oc: -, '; end-piece 12, 13 in the form of a truncated cone (FIG. 5). To adapt a projectile 1 according to the invention to a larger caliber of weapon or launcher without over-dimensioning the projectile, it is advantageous to use a sleeve 4 of caliber adaptation. Such a sleeve 4 consists of two half-shells 40, 41 which can be assembled together by snapping by means of tabs 42, 43 (Figures 7 and 8). The sleeve 4 can itself be housed in a bushing 2 of ammunition (FIG. 9). As usual, once fired, at the exit of the barrel of a firearm, the projectile 1 disengages the sleeve 2, the wad 3 and the sleeve 4 whose two half-shells 40, 41 separate and release the projectile 1.

The projectile 1 according to the invention may consist of a rigid core 16, typically metal or plastic, coated with a molded envelope 17 of material adapted to absorb the energy at impact on a target. The core may be metal, lead example or rigid plastics loaded and densified and the envelope may be an aluminum foam or cellular plastic covered or not with a film.

The envelope must crash on impact without returning to its original form. The desired impact force depends on the shock resistance of the envelope, it is called programmed resistance. Various core shapes 16 may be provided, such as a circular section (Figure 10), rhombus (Figure 11), square (Figure 12), rectangle (Figure 13), circular section with wings 16a, 16b (Figure 14), in a hemicylindrical form (Figure 15). The outer surface of the body 10 of the projectile 1 can have different shapes, such as a symmetrical shape with respect to a plane of symmetry (Figure 16) or inverted symmetry (Figure 17).

According to another alternative of the invention, the body 10 comprises a central portion 11 of circular section to which are connected two end portions 12, 13 identical, of circular general section equal to that of the portion cent-al, .. extend outward, each of the end portions 12, 13 then having an outgrowth 12a, 13a extending outward along the longitudinal axis (Figures 18, 19). The general shape of the projectile 1 may be a diabolo (FIG. 20) with the central portion 11 of circular section and two end portions 12, 13 in the form of a truncated cone widening outwards. One form of diabolo is advantageous because it saves weight by removing material relative to the cylinder, to increase the aerodynamics of the projectile and form a circular arc during the impact contact. This makes it possible to avoid striking an eye of a person who is bulging. The projectile 1 according to the invention may comprise a stabilizing stabilizer 18 (FIGS. 21 and 22) or two stabilization stabilizers 18, 19 (FIG. 23) each adapted to deploy from a passive position s s; it extends along the body and an active position in which it extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis (X). Thus, in the variant shown in two empennages 18, 19, they are folded in their passive position along the body 10 of the projectile 1 before launching the weapon / launcher (Figure 21), then they deploy automatically in their active position at the exit of the weapon / launcher to stabilize the projectile 1 according to its trajectory symbolized by arrows, which is orthogonal to its longitudinal axis. FIG. 24 shows a view of an adaptation sleeve 5 for firing a plurality of projectiles 1 in the form of a sheaf by a weapon / launcher, the sleeve 5 in which the projectiles 1 are housed by interlocking being housed in a socket 2 of ammunition. The sleeve 5 shown is constituted by a polyurethane foam hollowed with cells 50 in each of which is housed by interlocking a projectile 1. More exactly, in the example illustrated in FIG. 24, the foam 5 comprises a number of seven identical cells 50. distributed uniformly over the cylindrical diameter and housing seven projectiles 1 identical to that shown in Figure 6. Other variations and improvements can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

REVENDICATIONS1. Projectile (1), in particular an ammunition, for a defensive launcher, comprising a body (10) of elongate shape along a longitudinal central axis (X), the external surface of which is of degradable material (s) adapted (s) for absorbing the energy of an impact on a target, the body having a central portion (11) and two end portions (12, 13) each extending outwardly at p. r of said central portion and each connected to the central portion, each of the end portions having e or more cross sections greater than that of the central portion. 2. Projectile (1) according to claim 1, each end portion having an outgrowth (12a, 13a) extending outward along the longitudinal axis. 3. Projectile (1), in particular ammunition, for a defensive launcher, comprising a body (10) of elongated shape along a longitudinal central axis (X), whose external surface is of deformable material (s) adapted ( s) for absorbing the energy of an impact on a target, the body having a central portion (11) and two end portions (12, 13) each extending outwardly from said central portion and each connected to the central portion, each of the end portions having a cross-section equal to that of the central portion, each end portion having an outgrowth (12a, 13a) extending outward along the longitudinal axis . 4. Projectile (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the cross sections of the central portions and ends being circular sections. 5. Projectile (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a ballast (14) arranged in the central portion of the body. 6. Projectile (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising, on at least one of its end portions, a blind hole (15a) extending towards the central portion and adapted to accommodate a holding pin (30). ) a wedging device (3) forming a wad of a munition. 7. Projectile (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the body consists of a core (16) of rigid material and a casing (17) of deformable material (s) adapted (s) for absorbing the energy of an impact on a target, the envelope overmolding the core (16). 8. Projectile (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one stabilizing tail (18, 19) adapted to deploy from a passive position in which it extends along the body and an active position in which it extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis (X). 9. Sleeve (4) for a projectile (1) according to one of the preceding claims, intended to form a caliber greater than the largest section (12, 13) of the projectile, consisting of two half-shells (40, 41). adapted to assemble each other and whose inner shapes define a nesting housing projectile. 10. Sleeve (5) for a plurality of projectiles (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, for forming a higher caliber, consisting of a hollowed foam with cavities (50), each of the cells having shapes interior defining a nesting housing of a projectile. 11. Ammunition comprising a projectile (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and a sleeve (2) within which the projectile is housed. 12. A munition according to claim 11, comprising a stuffing device (3) consisting of a disk and a holding stud (30) protruding from the disc, the holding stud (30) being housed in a blind hole (15a) formed on an end portion of the projectile.