EP0655603A1 - Ammunition comprising projectiles connected to each other by means of flexible filaments - Google Patents

Abstract

It comprises a propulsion unit and a projectile comprising a cylindrical body (6) pierced with a central channel (8), at the end of which an explosive charge (7) is located, this body being equipped with receptacles (9, 9'), in which come to bear balls (10, 10') connected to the body (6) by means of flexible ties (12, 12'). The propulsion unit consists of a case (3) containing powder (3) and a primer (2). <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a device for immobilizing moving targets such as animals or men, and more particularly a device whose cartridges can be used in conventional weapons. The main problem inherent in neutralizing or capturing a living being lies in immobilizing the subject without hurting it. We know cartridges for firearms using bullets made of flexible material such as rubber for example. This type of ammunition can neutralize an animal or a human being, but has the disadvantage of causing injuries, sometimes serious depending on the point of impact of the bullet. There are also known devices for drawing syringe-holder cartridges containing an anesthetic to neutralize the subject. These devices are complex to manufacture, can generally only be used in a single-shot weapon and have the disadvantage of requiring a precise dosage of the anesthetic product according to the size of the subject that one seeks to capture. The object of the present invention is to obviate the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a device intended to be incorporated into a standard cartridge, not causing damage to the subject against which it is used while guaranteeing effective immobilization.

The device is distinguished by the characteristics listed in claim 1.

• La figure 1 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'une première forme d'exécution du dispositif de capture.
• La figure 2 est une vue en coupe transversale de la première forme d'exécution du dispositif.
• La figure 3 est un détail illustrant en coupe le projectile du dispositif de capture après son expulsion de l'arme.
• La figure 4 illustre le projectile du dispositif déployé au moment de l'impact avec le sujet contre lequel il est utilisé.
• La figure 5 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'une deuxième forme d'exécution du dispositif.
• La figure 6 est une vue en coupe transversale du dispositif illustré à la figure 5.
• La figure 7 illustre en coupe le dispositif en vol.
• La figure 8 illustre le dispositif de capture au moment où le projectile se désolidarise du propulseur qui le porte.
• La figure 9 illustre le projectile du dispositif de capture au moment de l'impact avec le sujet.
• La figure 10 illustre en coupe longitudinale une troisième forme d'exécution du dispositif de capture objet de la présente invention.
• La figure 11 est une coupe transversale du dispositif illustré à la figure 10.
• La figure 12 illustre le projectile peu après son expulsion par le système de lancement.
• La figure 13 illustre le projectile au moment de l'impact avec le sujet.
• La figure 14 illustre une quatrième forme d'exécution du dispositif selon la présente invention vue en coupe.
• La figure 15 illustre le propulseur et le projectile en vol avant d'atteindre la cible.
• La figure 16 illustre le projectile en vol lorsqu'il est complètement déployé.
• La figure 17 illustre le projectile au moment de l'impact avec la cible.
• la figure 18 illustre une cinquième forme d'exécution du dispositif vue en coupe transversale.
• La figure 19 illustre le projectile après son expulsion du propulseur.
• La figure 20 illustre toujours en coupe le projectile en train de se déployer avant l'impact avec la cible.
• La figure 21 illustre le projectile au moment de l'impact avec la cible.
• La figure 22 est une vue de côté en coupe partielle d'une sixième forme d'exécution du dispositif selon la présente invention.
• La figure 23 est une vue de dessus en coupe partielle du dispositif illustré à la figure 22.
• La figure 24 est une vue en bout du projectile illustré à la figure 22.
• La figure 25 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'une variante du projectile illustré à la figure 22.
• La figure 26 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'une seconde variante du projectile illustré à la figure 22.

Thanks to these characteristics, an efficient immobilization device is obtained, with a manufacturing cost. modest and can be used with existing firearms. Other advantages appear from the characteristics expressed in the dependent claims and from the description setting out below the invention in more detail with the aid of drawings which schematically represent by way of example six embodiments of the capture device according to the present invention.

• Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of the capture device.
• Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the device.
• Figure 3 is a detail illustrating in section the projectile of the capture device after its expulsion from the weapon.
• Figure 4 illustrates the projectile of the device deployed at the time of impact with the subject against which it is used.
• Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of the device.
• FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the device illustrated in FIG. 5.
• Figure 7 illustrates in section the device in flight.
• FIG. 8 illustrates the capture device when the projectile detaches from the propellant which carries it.
• Figure 9 illustrates the projectile of the capture device at the time of impact with the subject.
• Figure 10 illustrates in longitudinal section a third embodiment of the object capture device of the present invention.
• FIG. 11 is a cross section of the device illustrated in FIG. 10.
• Figure 12 illustrates the projectile shortly after its expulsion by the launch system.
• Figure 13 illustrates the projectile upon impact with the subject.
• FIG. 14 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the device according to the present invention seen in section.
• Figure 15 illustrates the propellant and the projectile in flight before reaching the target.
• Figure 16 illustrates the projectile in flight when it is fully deployed.
• Figure 17 illustrates the projectile upon impact with the target.
• FIG. 18 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the device seen in cross section.
• Figure 19 illustrates the projectile after its expulsion from the propellant.
• Figure 20 always illustrates in section the projectile being deployed before impact with the target.
• Figure 21 illustrates the projectile upon impact with the target.
• Figure 22 is a side view in partial section of a sixth embodiment of the device according to the present invention.
• FIG. 23 is a top view in partial section of the device illustrated in FIG. 22.
• FIG. 24 is an end view of the projectile illustrated in FIG. 22.
• FIG. 25 is a view in longitudinal section of a variant of the projectile illustrated in FIG. 22.
• FIG. 26 is a view in longitudinal section of a second variant of the projectile illustrated in FIG. 22.

The capture device comprises in its different embodiments, a propellant and a projectile. Figure 1 illustrates the device in the form of a cartridge 1 of the type used in hunting weapons for example. We distinguish on the left side of the drawing, the primer 2 used for firing as well as the socket 3 filled with powder 4 and wad 5 allowing the cartridge to be closed as in conventional ammunition. These various elements constitute the propellant part of the device. At the place where one generally finds the bullet or the pellets, is located the projectile which is in the form of a cylindrical body 6 in which is housed a delayed explosive charge 7. A channel 8 is formed in the center of the cylindrical body 6. This channel 8 extends over practically the entire length of the body 6 and is in contact with the explosive charge 7 at one of its ends. Housing 9.9 'is provided in the body 6. These housing 9.9' are intended to receive balls 10.10 'connected to flexible links 12.12' fixed in the bottom of the housing 9.9 '. The 10.10 'balls can be made of steel or hard plastic. For flexible links, plastic or steel wires are preferably used. Small channels 11,11 'are drilled from the central channel towards the bottom of the housing 9,9', thus providing communication between the housing 9,9 'and the central channel 8. The bottom of the housing 9,9' has at the point where the channels 11,11 'open, a hemispherical recess slightly smaller than the diameter of the balls 10,10' so that the balls 10,10 'close the channels 11,11' in the rest position. The flexible links 12, 12 'are wound around the balls in the housings 9, 9'. Figure 2 illustrates in section the device.

FIG. 3 illustrates the projectile in flight after its expulsion from the shell 3 following the explosion of the powder charge 4. The explosion expels the projectile out of the weapon and initiates the explosive charge 7 contained in the projectile. This delay charge 7 will, depending on its characteristics, explode after a variable flight time. The latency time of the explosive charge 7 will therefore be adjusted as a function of the proximity or the distance of the targets. The explosion of the charge 7 creates a significant overpressure in the channel 8, thereby causing the deployment of the balls 10, 10 ′. Figure 4 illustrates the projectile upon impact with the objective. The flexible links 12,12 ′ are then fully deployed and the balls will be wound by inertia around the objective 13 thus causing it to be surrounded by the links 12,12 ′ and thereby immobilizing the subject.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the capture device which comprises a projectile of the same type as that described in the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4. The propellant in this embodiment is a propellant rocket 14 which can be fired using a pistol or rifle launching rocket 15. The rocket 14 contains a propellant charge 16. A retaining wire 17 is fixed to the rifle launching rocket 15 to one of its ends and wound around the propellant rocket 14. The other end of this retaining wire is fixed to the projectile 18 carried by the rocket 14. The projectile 18 is identical to that described in the first embodiment in Figures 1 to 4 except for an annular cut 19 allowing it to fit into the end of the rocket 14. Figure 7 illustrates the rocket 14 shortly after firing, we see the retaining wire 17 in the process of unwinding. FIG. 8 illustrates the detachment of the propellant rocket 14 and of the projectile 18. At the moment of the explosion of the delayed explosive charge 20, the projectile 18 separates from the propellant rocket 14 and the balls 21, 21 ′ are expelled from their housings under the effect of the overpressure created in the channel 22. The objective 24 is surrounded by the lead wires either at the time of the impact of the projectile with the latter or during a traction on the retaining wire caused by the complete unwinding of the retaining wire 17. In this embodiment, the objective once immobilized by the lead wires, can be brought back to the shooter by means of the retaining wire 17 secured to the propellant rifle.

Note that in a variant the retaining wire 17 can be used to trigger the explosion of the explosive charge 20 contained in the projectile. As soon as the retaining wire is fully unwound, the tension of the wire on a percussion mechanism (not shown) triggers the immediate explosion of the load 20.

FIG. 10 illustrates a third embodiment of the capture device. The projectile 25 is mounted inside a launch tube 26 mounted on a pistol or a propellant rifle 27. The projectile 25 is composed a hollow cylindrical body 28 in which is wound a retaining wire 29. One end of this retaining wire 29 is fixed in the launch tube and the other in the bottom of the body 28. The body 28 is extended by a second cylindrical body 30 of smaller diameter. The end of this cylindrical body 30 is conical and balls 32,32 ', 32''are held by the base of this cone and the edges of the launch tube 26. The balls 32,32'32''are each connected to a wire which comes to wrap around the cylindrical body 30. The end of these wires is fixed to the body 28. The launching tube is closed by a sheet of cardboard or plastic 33. When the projectile is expelled as illustrated in Figure 12. The retaining wire 29 unwinds and the balls 32,32 ', 32''deploy. FIG. 13 illustrates the encirclement of the objective by the balls 32, 32 ′, 32 ″ either at the moment of the impact of the projectile with the objective or during a tension appearing on the retaining wire 29 when this the latter is completely unrolled.

Figure 14 illustrates a variant of the projectile in the launch tube. The projectile consists of two balls 35,35 ′, the diameter of which is slightly less than the diameter of the launching tube 39. These two balls are located on either side of a cylindrical body. This body has a central part 36 whose diameter is substantially equal to that of the balls 35, 35 ′. On each side of this central part, there is a cylinder with a smaller diameter 37.37 'bevelled at its free end. The balls bear against the flat face of this bevel. The balls 35, 35 ′ are connected to the central part 36 of the cylindrical body by the flexible links 38,38 'which are wound around the cylinders 37,37'.

FIG. 15 illustrates the projectile in flight after its expulsion from the launch tube, at this moment the balls 25, 25 ′ deploy on either side of the body. Figure 16 shows the projectile in flight and fully deployed. Figure 17 illustrates the projectile at the time of impact which causes the surrounding of the target by the links 38,38 'terminated by the balls 35,35'.

FIG. 18 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the device which comprises a propellant in the form of a socket 40 and a projectile, these two elements forming a cartridge of the type used in hunting weapons for example. There is a socket 40 containing powder 41. Inside this socket 40 is a hollow cylindrical envelope 42 containing a spring 43. The projectile itself is in the form of an inverted T 44. The part 44 is slidably mounted inside the casing 42 and can move longitudinally against the action of a spring 43 fixed in the bottom of the casing 42. The part 44 comprises two balls 45, 45 'bearing against the base of the T. These balls are connected by flexible links 46,46 'which are fixed against the head of the T.

FIG. 19 illustrates the projectile after firing, the part 44 under the effect of the thrust will compress the spring 43. The spring 43 will restore its energy and expel the part 44 which will separate from the envelope 42 as well as it is illustrated in figure 20. The balls under the effect of the rotation of the projectile will deploy until complete tension of the links 46,46 '. Figure 21 finally shows the projectile at the time of impact with the objective.

The balls connected by means of the links described in the different embodiments can be replaced by weights provided with a hook or an adherent coating such as velcro for example.

Figures 22 and 23 illustrate a sixth embodiment of the capture device. With reference to these figures, the projectile 47 is composed of two symmetrical parts each comprising a projectile head 47 ′, 47 ″ attached to a base 48 ′, 48 ″. These bases 48 ', 48''are extended by a semi-cylindrical rod intended to be introduced into the end of the barrel 49 of a firearm such as a revolver or a pistol. The propulsion of the projectile is ensured by a blank cartridge for example. The two projectiles 47 ', 47''are connected together by a flexible link 50. One end of this link 50 is fixed in the base 48' while the other end of the link 50 is secured to the base 48 ''. The link 50 is wound on top of the projectiles 47 ', 47''without surrounding them as is apparent from Figure 22. An envelope 51, generally made of cardboard or plastic, surrounds and maintains side by side the two half projectiles 47 ', 48', 47 '', 48 ''. This envelope has an opening at its end opposite to the barrel of the weapon which facilitates its separation during the departure of the shot. The projectile heads 47 ', 47''are provided respectively with external fins 52', 52 '' and internal fins 53 ', 53''which favor the separation of the two half projectiles 47 ', 47'',48', 48 '' in flight. At the start of the shot, the envelope 51 tears and falls back in front of the barrel and the projectiles 47 ', 47'',48', 48 '' tend to move away from each other in opposite directions in a horizontal plane until the link 50 which connects them is fully tensioned. At the time of impact, the central part of the link 50 will touch the subject and by inertia the half projectiles 47 ', 48' and 47 '', 48 '' will surround and immobilize the subject. Note also the presence of peaks or hooks 54 fixed in the bases 48 ', 48''of the projectiles. These hooks 54 have the function of hanging on the clothing or in the skin of the captured subject, thus preventing easy release. Marks 55 are made by any suitable means on the semi-cylindrical rods extending the bases 48 ', 48''. These marks 55 serve as a reference and allow to adjust the introduction of the half rods in the barrel. It is thus possible by introducing the rod of the projectile 47 more or less deeply into the barrel 49 of the weapon to adjust the shooting distance.

FIG. 24 is an end view of the two half projectiles 47 ′, 47 ″ without their protective cover 51.

FIG. 25 illustrates a variant of the projectile illustrated in FIG. 22. This projectile also consists of two half-projectiles each comprising a head 47 ', 47''secured to a base 48', 48 ''. The bases 48 'and 48''each receive the end of a flexible link 50. A channel 56 is formed in the center of the rod consisting of the two half-rods extending the bases 48', 48 ''. This channel 56 opens at one of its ends in the barrel 49 of the weapon and at its other end in a recess 57 located at the junction point of heads 47 ', 47''and bases 48', 48 ''. This recess 57 communicates with cavities 58 ', 58''formed in the projectile heads 47', 47 ''. A powder charge or a rocket fills the cavities 58 ', 58''of each half-projectile. Quick wicks 59 ', 59''are in contact with the powder charges at one of their ends and open into the barrel 49 of the weapon through the channel 56. Thus the start of the blow ignites the quick wicks 59 ', 59''causing the combustion of the powder or the ignition of the rockets contained in the cavities 58', 58 ''. Circular orifices of small diameter 60 ', 60''are provided in the bases 48', 48 '' of the half projectiles and allow the evacuation of the combustion gases of the charges located in the cavities 48 ', 48''. This variant offers the advantage of increasing the effect of encircling the subject during the impact which is caused not only because of the inertia of the half projectiles but also thanks to the thrust generated by the combustion of the charges of powder .

Figure 26 illustrates a second variant of the projectile illustrated in Figure 22. In this variant, the channel 46 communicates via passages 61 ', 61''with the cavities 58', 58 '' located in the heads 47 ' , 47 ''. In this variant, the explosion of the propellant charge causes an overpressure in the cavities 58 ′, 58 ″. The pressure thus created in the cavities causes a reaction effect when the gases escape through the orifices 60'60 '' increasing the inertia effect when the half projectiles are wound around the subject at the time of impact .

In all of the embodiments described above, the flexible links connecting the elements constituting the projectile may include attachment members. These organs have the function, after winding the projectile around the subject, to hang in the clothing or in the skin of the subject thereby increasing the difficulty of being released from the projectile. These organs may consist of hooks or hooks fixed by any suitable means and distributed along the flexible link. In the case of a metal wire used as a flexible link, these members can be in the form of roughness such as that found on traditional barbed wire.

It is understood that the embodiments described above have no limiting nature and that they can receive any desirable modifications within the framework as defined by claim 1.

Claims (12)

Capture device intended to be used with a conventional firearm, characterized in that it comprises a propellant and a projectile; by the fact that the projectile comprises at least one body connected to at least one mass by a flexible link. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the propellant consists of a socket comprising, a primer and a powder charge. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the propellant is a propellant rocket provided with a powder charge. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the propellant consists of a tube intended to be mounted on the barrel of a firearm. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the projectile comprises a cylindrical body provided with a central channel communicating with housings containing balls connected to the body; by the fact that a delayed explosive charge is located in the central channel. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the projectile comprises a cylindrical envelope in which can slide against the action of an elastic means a body connected to at least one mass by a flexible link. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the projectile consists of a ring through which a bevelled cylindrical body passes at each of its ends and of two balls connected to the ring by flexible links. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the projectile consists of two half-projectiles provided with fins, connected to each other by a flexible link. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that cavities are formed in the head of each of the half-projectiles and in that these cavities communicate via a channel with the interior of the barrel of the weapon . Device according to claim 9, characterized in that each of the cavities comprises a powder charge as well as a rapid wick passing the channel communicating with the interior of the barrel. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the projectile is connected to the weapon used by a flexible link. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible links connecting the elements constituting the projectile are provided with attachment members.

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