US4930392A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ballistic stream electrical stunning systems
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-06-15
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Granted: 1990-06-05
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Expires: 2009-06-15
Abstract
Abstract Electrical stunning systems are disclosed which employ one or more electrically conductive ballistic streams for contacting an unauthorized subject to complete an electrical circuit over which is administered the dose of stunning energy. Various sensors sense unauthorized entry and initiate commands and/or delivery of the dose of stunning energy. A volume control limits the amount of conductive liquid dispersed per dose of stunning energy. A continuity detector assures completion of the electrical circuit to the subject before applying the stunning energy. A range finder determines the length of the ballistic stream and adjusts the stunning power to compensate for losses in the ballistic stream. A functional tester tests for and indicates the operational readiness of the system. Viscosity increasing, surfactant and ionic additives to the aqueous solution improve the ballistics, wetting ability and conductivity of the ballistic stream and facilitate, inter alia, clean up of the spent stream material. Anti-theft, anti-intrusion, anti-skyjacking, and riot control systems are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 John R. Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:49
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41H; F41H13/00; F41H13/0012; F41H13/0037; B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
In a method for stunning a subject, the steps of: contacting the subject with a ballistic stream of conductive fluid forming a portion of the path length of a completed electrical circuit between the subject and a source of power of sufficient voltage and current to stun the subject; detecting electrical continuity of the completed electrical circuit to produce a continuity output; and applying the stunning voltage and current through the completed electrical circuit in response to the continuity output for stunning the subject.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
In a method for stunning a subject, the steps of: contacting the subject with a ballistic stream of conductive fluid forming a portion of the path length of a completed electrical circuit between the subject and a source of power of sufficient voltage and current to stun the subject; detecting electrical continuity of the completed electrical circuit to produce a continuity output; and applying the stunning voltage and current through the completed electrical circuit in response to the continuity output for stunning the subject.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of contacting the subject with the ballistic stream of conductive fluid includes the step of contacting the subject with two ballistic streams of conductive fluid and applying the voltage across the two streams to complete the electrical circuit to the source of power of sufficient voltage and current to stun the subject.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
94 words
The method of claim 1 including the steps of: sensing the position of the subject to derive an output representative of the resistance of the electrical circuit completed through the ballistic fluid stream contacted subject; and adjusting the power applied to the completed electrical circuit so as to compensate for the length dependent resistance of the ballistic fluid stream portion of the electrical circuit to the subject, whereby the stunning dose of voltage and current administered to the subject is rendered less sensitive to the length of the ballistic fluid stream to the subject.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of incorporating a surfactant into the ballistic fluid stream to improve wetting of the subject by contact with the fluid stream.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
In a method for automatically stunning intruders, the steps of: automatically sensing when a subject has intruded into a certain predetermined area to be protected to produce ar intrusion output; and applying a ballistic stream of conductive fluid into the protected area in response to the intrusion output for contacting the intruding subject and completing an electrical circuit between the intruding subject and a source of power of sufficient voltage and current to stun the intruding subject.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
In a method for automatically stunning intruders, the steps of: automatically sensing when a subject has intruded into a certain predetermined area to be protected to produce ar intrusion output; and applying a ballistic stream of conductive fluid into the protected area in response to the intrusion output for contacting the intruding subject and completing an electrical circuit between the intruding subject and a source of power of sufficient voltage and current to stun the intruding subject.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the step of automatically sensing intrusion includes the step of: sensing motion within the predetermined protected area to produce the intrusion output.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 5 including the steps of: detecting electrical continuity of the completed electrical circuit to produce a continuity output; and applying the stunning voltage and current through the completed electrical circuit in response to the continuity output for stunning the intruding subject.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 5 including the steps of: warning the intruding subject not to move in response to the intrusion output; sensing motion of the intruding subject subsequent to the warning to produce a motion output; and enabling the application of the stream of conductive fluid to the intruding subject in response to the motion output.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 5 including the steps of: dispensing a predetermined volume of conductive fluid with each application of the ballistic stream of conductive fluid to the intruding subject , thereby conserving the use of the conductive fluid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
92 words
The method of claim 5 including the step of: sensing the position of the subject to derive an output representative of the length of the electrical path through the conductive fluid ballistic stream to the subject; and adjusting the power applied to the completed electrical circuit so as to compensate for the length of the fluid ballistic stream portion of the completed electrical circuit to the intruding subject, whereby the stunning voltage and current administered to the subject is rendered less sensitive to the length of the ballistic stream to the subject.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5 including the step of: incorporating a surfactant into the ballistic stream to increase the wetability of the subject by the contacting fluid stream.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 5 including the step of: incorporating a viscosity increasing agent into the ballistic stream for holding the stream together to improve the ballistics of the stream over a greater distance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 5 including the steps of: warning the intruding subject in response to the intrusion output; and delaying the application of the ballistic stream of conductive fluid for a predetermined time sufficient to allow the intruding subject to exit the protected area.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the step of warning the intruding subject includes the step of: sounding a prerecorded message advising the intruding subject to exit the protected area.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
72 words
In an apparatus for stunning a subject with a dose of electrical power applied to the subject from a power supply over a completed electrical circuit path including a conductive ballistic stream path portion: means for sensing the electrical continuity of the completed electrical circuit to derive a continuity output; and means for applying the stunning power through the completed electrical circuit in response to the continuity output for stunning the subject.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
72 words
In an apparatus for stunning a subject with a dose of electrical power applied to the subject from a power supply over a completed electrical circuit path including a conductive ballistic stream path portion: means for sensing the electrical continuity of the completed electrical circuit to derive a continuity output; and means for applying the stunning power through the completed electrical circuit in response to the continuity output for stunning the subject.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
111 words
In an apparatus for stunning a subject with a dose of electrical power administered to the subject from a power supply over a completed electrical circuit path including a conductive ballistic stream path portion: ranging means for deriving a range output which is a function of the length of the ballistic stream path portion to the subject; and power control means responsive to the range output for adjusting the power applied to the completed electrical circuit to compensate for the length of the ballistic stream portion to administer a stunning dose of power to the subject which is rendered less sensitive to variation in the length of the ballistic stream portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
111 words
In an apparatus for stunning a subject with a dose of electrical power administered to the subject from a power supply over a completed electrical circuit path including a conductive ballistic stream path portion: ranging means for deriving a range output which is a function of the length of the ballistic stream path portion to the subject; and power control means responsive to the range output for adjusting the power applied to the completed electrical circuit to compensate for the length of the ballistic stream portion to administer a stunning dose of power to the subject which is rendered less sensitive to variation in the length of the ballistic stream portion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
74 words
In an apparatus for stunning a subject with a dose of electrical power administered to the subject from a power supply over a completed electrical circuit path including a conductive ballistic stream path portion: motion detector means for detecting motion of the subject and producing a motion output; and means responsive to the motion output for administering the stunning dose of electrical power over the completed electrical circuit to the subject for stunning same.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
74 words
In an apparatus for stunning a subject with a dose of electrical power administered to the subject from a power supply over a completed electrical circuit path including a conductive ballistic stream path portion: motion detector means for detecting motion of the subject and producing a motion output; and means responsive to the motion output for administering the stunning dose of electrical power over the completed electrical circuit to the subject for stunning same.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
69 words
In an apparatus for stunning a subject with a dose of electrical power administered to the subject from a power supply over a completed electrical circuit path including a conductive ballistic stream path portion: squirt means for squirting the fluid onto the subject as a ballistic stream; and said ballistic stream of fluid comprising a liquid incorporating a surfactant for wetting the subject to improve the electrical contact thereto.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
69 words
In an apparatus for stunning a subject with a dose of electrical power administered to the subject from a power supply over a completed electrical circuit path including a conductive ballistic stream path portion: squirt means for squirting the fluid onto the subject as a ballistic stream; and said ballistic stream of fluid comprising a liquid incorporating a surfactant for wetting the subject to improve the electrical contact thereto.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
88 words
In an apparatus for automatically stunning intruders: sensing means for producing an intruder output when a subject has intruded into an unauthorized area; and squirting means responsive to the intruder output for squirting a ballistic stream of conductive fluid into the unauthorized area for electrically contacting the intruding subject and for completing an electrical circuit between the intruding subject and a source of power of sufficient voltage and current to deliver a stunning dose of voltage and current over the completed electrical circuit to stun the intruding subject.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
88 words
In an apparatus for automatically stunning intruders: sensing means for producing an intruder output when a subject has intruded into an unauthorized area; and squirting means responsive to the intruder output for squirting a ballistic stream of conductive fluid into the unauthorized area for electrically contacting the intruding subject and for completing an electrical circuit between the intruding subject and a source of power of sufficient voltage and current to deliver a stunning dose of voltage and current over the completed electrical circuit to stun the intruding subject.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said sensing means includes a motion sensor means for sensing motion of the intruding subject within the unauthorized area to produce the intruder output.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 19 including : continuity detector means for detecting continuity of the completed electrical circuit and producing a continuity output; and control means responsive to the continuity output for applying the stunning voltage and current through the completed electrical circuit to the intruding subject for stunning same.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 19 including: warning means responsive to the intrusion output for warning the intruding subject not to move; motion sensing moans for sensing motion of the subject intruder subsequent to the warning to produce a motion output; and enabling means responsive to the motion output for enabling the stunning dose of voltage and current to be delivered to the intruding subject over the completed electrical circuit.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 19 including: flow control means for controlling the volume of conductive fluid dispensed from said supply means as a squirted ballistic stream for each dose of stunning power administered to the intruding subject, whereby the conductive fluid is conserved.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
96 words
The apparatus of claim 19 including: position sensing means for sensing the position of the intruding subject to derive a range output representative of the length of the electrical path through the ballistic stream to the intruding subject; and power control means responsive to the range output for adjusting the power applied to the completed electrical circuit so as to compensate for the length dependent resistive component of the ballistic stream to the intruding subject, whereby the stunning dose of power administered to the subject is rendered less sensitive to the length of the ballistic stream.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 19 including: testing means for testing the performance of at least one of the elements of the intruder stunning apparatus selected from the class consisting of stunning voltage, stunning current and ballistic stream to derive a test output; and indicator means responsive to the test output for indicating the operational readiness of the intruder stunning apparatus.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 19 including: disguise means for disguising said sensing and squirting means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 19 including: warning means responsive to the intruding output for warning the intruding subject ; and delay means responsive to the intruder output for delaying the application of the stunning dose of voltage and current to allow sufficient time for the intruding subject to exit the unauthorized area.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said warning means includes; sounding means for sounding a prerecorded message advising the intruder to exit the unauthorized area.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-06-04 | 1993-12-04 | 1994-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-04 | 1997-12-04 | 1998-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-04 | 2001-12-04 | 2002-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |