Patent US3733727A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3733727A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-lethal projectile and launcher therefor
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-11-12
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1990-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A non-lethal projectile and launcher therefor for riot control and the like comprising a body formed from a relatively soft, pliant latex material compressed to projectile form and mounted within a restraining cup which in turn is mounted in a firing shell. The body at its rearward end includes retracted guidance structure that extends on the projectile being fired, a chamber at its forward end to receive a marking fluid for marking the target, and internal subdivisions in its mid portion designed to permit the body to expand laterally on impacting into a soft textured mass that flattens on impact to avoid injury to the target. The projectile launcher is in the form of a barrel assembly including a bell shaped muzzle which permits the projectile to be fired without jamming even when held against the target and braking slots for discharging the propelling gases rearwardly of the launcher to reduce recoil.
Inventors
- 👤 K Jones
- 👤 E Richie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:28
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B5/00; F42B5/02; F42B5/045; F41; F41C; F41C27/00; F41C27/06; F41J; F41J5/00; F41J5/10; F42B10/00; F42B10/02; F42B12/00; F42B12/02; F42B12/34; F42B12/36; F42B12/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
A non-lethal device for riot control and the like, said device comprising: a round, said round comprising: a projectile, said projectile comprising a pliant body formed from resiliently flexible material compacted to projectile form, frangible means for restraining the body against release from projectile form, a shell in which said projectile is disposed, said shell including means for firing said projectile therefrom, a launcher for launching said projectile from said shell, said launcher comprising: a barrel assembly in which said round is receivable in firing relation thereto, and means for firing said round when received in said barrel assembly to project said projectile from said shell, said barrel assembly including a firing chamber, a bore, and a muzzle of bell shape at the end of said bore and having its interior proportioned to substantially exceed the transverse dimension of said projectile, said bore being formed rearwardly of said muzzle with slot means for permitting propelling gases of said shell firing means to escape therefrom when said shell is fired, whereby, when said round is in said chamber and said projectile is fired from said shell, said projectile is propelled through and out of said barrel assembly in projectile form, and on striking the target, said frangible means ruptures allowing said body to distort under impact tO thereby protect the target from injury from the momentum of said body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
A non-lethal device for riot control and the like, said device comprising: a round, said round comprising: a projectile, said projectile comprising a pliant body formed from resiliently flexible material compacted to projectile form, frangible means for restraining the body against release from projectile form, a shell in which said projectile is disposed, said shell including means for firing said projectile therefrom, a launcher for launching said projectile from said shell, said launcher comprising: a barrel assembly in which said round is receivable in firing relation thereto, and means for firing said round when received in said barrel assembly to project said projectile from said shell, said barrel assembly including a firing chamber, a bore, and a muzzle of bell shape at the end of said bore and having its interior proportioned to substantially exceed the transverse dimension of said projectile, said bore being formed rearwardly of said muzzle with slot means for permitting propelling gases of said shell firing means to escape therefrom when said shell is fired, whereby, when said round is in said chamber and said projectile is fired from said shell, said projectile is propelled through and out of said barrel assembly in projectile form, and on striking the target, said frangible means ruptures allowing said body to distort under impact tO thereby protect the target from injury from the momentum of said body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device set forth in claim 1 wherein: said body in its projectile form includes means at its rearward end for defining guidance means when said projectile on being fired clears said bore, said guidance defining means being held retracted by said shell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device set forth in claim 1 wherein: said body includes means for marking the target on impacting against same.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device set forth in claim 1 including: a movie camera carried by said barrel assembly and directed parallel to said bore, and means for actuating said camera for making a photographic record at the time of firing of said round.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |