Dart propulsion system for remote electrical discharge weapon
US6477933B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 12, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF41B7/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A wire-tethered dart cartridge for electrical discharge weapons wherein the sudden force needed to propel the darts toward a remote target is derived from a source of energy other than expanding gas. The propulsive force is derived from potential energy stored in at least one coiled spring having an arm which impacts the dart with sufficient force to propel the dart a desired distance toward a remote target. In a preferred embodiment disclosed herein, the spring is formed on two interconnected coils, each end of the spring wire extending from a respective coil and forming an impact arm for striking the back of a dart. The arms are maintained in a tensioned configuration by a retention bracket which is connected to a piston pyrotechnic device. When an electrical voltage is applied to the pyrotechnic device, the ignition forces the piston to move the retention bracket to suddenly release the arms. The potential energy in the springs then forces the arms to rotate around their respective coils at high speed and impact the respective darts.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.