Dart propulsion system for an electrical discharge weapon
US6729222B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 24, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 4, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 24, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF41H13/0025
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A wire-tethered dart cartridge for electrical discharge weapons or stun guns 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 retention pistons which are connected to pyrotechnic devices. When an electrical voltage is applied to the pyrotechnic devices, the ignition forces each piston to move suddenly to 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.