STUN DEVICE FOR WEAPONS

Abstract

A stun apparatus can include a shock box including a positive terminal electrically coupled to a positive current conductive strip; a negative terminal electrically coupled to a negative current conductive strip; and a stun sleeve having the positive current conductive strip and the negative current conductive strip located along the outside of the stun sleeve. The shock box and the stun sleeve are attached to a weapon. When the shock box is active, current will flow to the positive current conductive strip. If a person grabs onto or touches both the positive and negative current conductive strips, then the current will flow from the positive to the negative through the persons body, thus shocking or stunning the person. The stun apparatus can reduce the risk that the person is able to take the weapon away from a police or correctional officer or military members.

Claims

1. A stun apparatus comprising: a shock box, wherein the shock box comprises: a housing; a positive terminal, wherein the positive terminal is electrically coupled to a positive current conductive strip; a negative terminal, wherein the negative terminal is electrically coupled to a negative current conductive strip; and a gas discharge tube comprising an input contact electrically coupled to an energy supply device and an output contact electrically coupled to the positive terminal, wherein when a voltage at the input contact becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold voltage, an electrical current arcs within the gas discharge tube from the input contact to the output contact and causes an energy pulse to be delivered to the positive current conductive strip via the positive terminal, and wherein the shock box is configured to cause current to flow to the negative terminal via the negative current conductive strip through a persons body; a stun sleeve, wherein the stun sleeve comprises the positive current conductive strip and the negative current conductive strip, wherein the shock box and the stun sleeve are attached to the weapon.

2. The stun apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the positive terminal is electrically coupled to the positive current conductive strip via a positive current path wire, and wherein the negative terminal is electrically coupled to the negative current conductive strip via a negative current path wire.

3. The stun apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the positive current path wire and the negative current path wire are positioned within a wire housing.

4. The stun apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a portion of the positive current path wire and the negative current path wire are unhoused within a wire housing, and further comprising a fastener for securing the unhoused portions to a protrusion of the weapon.

5. The stun apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the positive current conductive strip and the negative current conductive strip partially or wholly span a length of the stun sleeve.

6. The stun apparatus according to claim 1, wherein attachment of the stun sleeve to the weapon comprises sliding the stun sleeve onto a protrusion of the weapon.

7. The stun apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an inner diameter of the stun sleeve is dimensioned such that a gap is created between the inner diameter of the stun sleeve and an outer diameter of the protrusion of the weapon.

8. The stun apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stun sleeve is made out of a rigid and electrically non-conductive material.

9. The stun apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stun sleeve has a length, and wherein the length is selected such that the stun sleeve is located between the shock box and an end of a protrusion of the weapon.

10. The stun apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an arc point is located within a gap between the positive current conductive strip and the negative current conductive strip.

11. The stun apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the stun apparatus is configured such that simultaneous contact by the person of a portion of the positive current conductive strip and the negative current conductive strip or contact within the arc point or an arc distance causes the current to flow to the negative terminal via the negative current conductive strip through the persons body.

12. The stun apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an activation switch located adjacent to the shock box, and wherein when the activation switch is pressed, a signal is sent to the input contact via an incoming wire and electrical current from the positive terminal flows through the positive current conductive strip.

13. The stun apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure-sensitive mechanism located on a portion of the stun sleeve, and wherein the pressure-sensitive mechanism comprises a first contact, a second contact, and a spring located between and connecting the first contact to the second contact.

14. The stun apparatus according to claim 13, wherein when the spring is compressed a necessary amount, the first contact makes contact with the second contact and a signal is sent to the input contact via an incoming wire and electrical current from the positive terminal flows through the positive current conductive strip.

15. The stun apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stun sleeve is connected to a wire housing, and the wire housing is connected to the housing of the shock box to form a single unit.

16. The stun apparatus according to claim 15, wherein attachment of the stun sleeve and the shock box comprises sliding the stun sleeve onto a protrusion of the weapon and then attaching the shock box to the weapon.

17. The stun apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shock box is attached to a side of the weapon at a location between a trigger guard and an end of a protrusion of the weapon.

18. The stun apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the weapon comprises a picatinny rail and wherein the housing of the shock box is attached to the picatinny rail.

19. The stun apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing of the shock box comprises a clamp having an open end, wherein the clamp attaches the shock box to a side of the weapon by fitting the clamp over at least a portion of a protrusion of the weapon and then using a connector to secure the clamp to the protrusion.

20. The stun apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stun sleeve further comprises a second positive current conductive strip and a second negative current conductive strip, wherein the positive current conductive strip and the second positive current conductive strip are connected in series or parallel, and wherein the negative current conductive strip and the second negative current conductive strip are connected in series or parallel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0002] The features and advantages of the embodiments will be more readily appreciated when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures are not to be construed as limiting any of the embodiments.

[0003] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a shock box according to certain embodiments.

[0004] FIG. 2 is a partial side view of a weapon having a barrel and a stun sleeve slid onto the barrel showing a pressure-sensitive mechanism for triggering a shock according to certain embodiments.

[0005] FIG. 3 is a front view of the barrel of the weapon and the stun sleeve with two positive current conductive strips and two negative current conductive strips according to certain embodiments.

[0006] FIG. 4 is a side view of a weapon, the stun sleeve with a switch for triggering a shock, and a mounting assembly for the shock box housing according to certain embodiments.

[0007] FIG. 5 is a partial front view of a weapon barrel and a different mounting assembly for the shock box housing according to certain other embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] People, such as law enforcement officers, corrections personnel, and people in the military, often carry a weapon, such as a firearm or taser, at work and oftentimes outside of work. As used herein, the term weapon means any type of device that has a grip, a trigger, and a protrusion that extends away from the trigger and is considered a lethal force or non-lethal force. Examples of a weapon as used herein include any type of firearm that can expel a projectile (e.g., pistols, rifles, and revolvers), or non-lethal devices such as a launcher (e.g., a PEPPERBALL.sup. launcher). In some circumstances, it may be necessary to unholster or draw the persons weapon when encountering one or more individuals. An individual may attempt to grab the persons weapon in an effort to take the weapon away from the person holding the weapon or to physically move the barrel away, so the barrel is not pointing at the individual. In some other instances, an individual may get close to a persons holster to potentially pull the weapon out of the holster. Most frequently, the individual will grab onto the portion of the weapon that extends away from the grip and the trigger because this portion is commonly the part of the weapon that is closest to the individual.

[0009] If the individual is successful in taking control of the persons weapon, then that individual could then use the weapon to wound or kill the person. Thus, weapon retention is a critical concern for people when faced with these types of situations. In order to retain control and possession of their weapon, the persons only recourse is to rely on physical strength, skill, and complex hands-on techniques to overpower the individual, or in severe and undesirable instances to shoot the individual. Thus, there is a need for a device that allows a person to maintain control and possession of their weapon without having to rely on physical strength or skill, for example, or without having to fire their weapon.

[0010] It has been discovered that a shock box can be connected to a stun sleeve that is slid over the portion of the weapon that extends away from the grip and trigger. If a person grabs onto the stun sleeve, then a non-lethal electric shock can be delivered to the persons body. The purpose of the stun sleeve is to provide a less-than-lethal force option that creates an opportunity to successfully mitigate an exigent situation and maintain control and possession of the weapon. It has also been discovered that the metal rods that are located within a housing of the shock box and create the electrical arc can be housed within a gas discharge tube, thereby preventing corrosion. Unlike existing less-lethal technologies, such as probe deployment systems, shields, wearable devices, handheld drive-stun devices, or electrified gloves, the stun device can integrate directly onto the weapon platform. This unique device provides a defensive capability not offered by other systems and enhances operator control and safety in situations where an aggressor attempts to seize the weapon.

[0011] A stun apparatus can include a shock box, wherein the shock box comprises: a housing; a positive terminal, wherein the positive terminal is electrically coupled to a positive current conductive strip; a negative terminal, wherein the negative terminal is electrically coupled to a negative current conductive strip; and a gas discharge tube comprising an input contact electrically coupled to an energy supply device and an output contact electrically coupled to the positive terminal, wherein when a voltage at the input contact becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold voltage, an electrical current arcs within the gas discharge tube from the input contact to the output contact and causes an energy pulse to be delivered to the positive current conductive strip via the positive terminal, and wherein the shock box is configured to cause current to flow to the negative terminal via the negative current conductive strip through a persons body; a stun sleeve, wherein the stun sleeve comprises the positive current conductive strip and the negative current conductive strip; and a weapon, wherein the shock box and the stun sleeve are attached to the weapon.

[0012] It is to be understood that the discussion of the various embodiments applies to all of the apparatus system and method embodiments without the need to repeat the various embodiments throughout For example any discussion related to the shock box applies to all of the apparatus system and methods and all of the articles disclosed without the need to repeat the embodiments for each article It is also to be understood that as used herein any discussion regarding an officer means any individual that has possession and control of the weapon and wants to retain possession and control of the weapon including without limitation law enforcement officers corrections personnel and people in the military As used herein the following references to a person and all grammatical variations thereof means any individual that touches the officers weapon for example in an attempt to take possession and control of the weapon away from the officer

[0013] Turning to the figures, FIG. 1 is an illustration of a shock box 100 according to any of the embodiments. The shock box 100 includes a housing 101. The housing 101 can have a square or rectangular shape for example and be made of metallic or non-metallic materials such as plastic. The housing 101 can be enclosed and house electrical components. The shock box 100 includes a positive terminal 111 and a negative terminal 112. A gas discharge tube (GDT) 115 can be located adjacent to the positive terminal 111 and the negative terminal 112. The gas discharge tube 115 can include an input contact electrically coupled to a snubber capacitor 132 and an output contact electrically coupled to a positive input of a pulse transformer 122. A spark gap is located between the input contact and the output contact. The input and output contacts can include rods that extend into the gas discharge tube 115 and are positioned with the spark gap between the rods. The gas discharge tube 115 can be filled with an inert gas, including but not limited to helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, or radon. The gas discharge tube 115 and the inert gas can protect the input and output contacts from the environment, which reduces or eliminates degradation, for example via corrosion, of the input and output contacts. This advantageously means that the rods are not susceptible to coking, corrosion, or encountering wear points due to electrical arcing and environmental conditions. A feedback transformer 121 can be coupled to a negative input of the pulse transformer 122. A positive output of the pulse transformer 122 can be electrically coupled to the positive terminal 111 of the shock box 100. A negative output of the pulse transformer 122 can be electrically coupled to the negative terminal 112 of the shock box 100. Accordingly, when an energy pulse is received at a positive input of the pulse transformer 122 from the output contact of the gas discharge tube 115, the pulse transformer 122 can generate a transformed electrical pulse to the positive terminal 111, which will travel through the persons body to the negative terminal 112 that is electrically coupled to a negative output of the pulse transformer 122, thereby applying the transformed electrical pulse (i.e., a shock pulse) to the persons body.

[0014] The shock box 100 can include the feedback transformer 121, an energy supply device (e.g., a battery 140, a snubber capacitor 132), and the pulse transformer 122. Power from the energy supply device (e.g., a battery 140) can be supplied to the snubber capacitor 132 to charge the snubber capacitor 132 to a threshold voltage. Once the charge of the snubber capacitor 132 reaches the desired threshold voltage, the gas discharge tube 115 can arc between its input and output contacts, thereby delivering an electrical pulse to the pulse transformer 122. Once the electrical pulse is delivered through the gas discharge tube 115 to the pulse transformer 122, the snubber capacitor 132 will reduce its charge and will begin to recharge from energy supplied from the energy supply device. With the snubber capacitor 132 reduced below the threshold voltage, the gas discharge tube 115 will prevent further energy transfer to the pulse transformer 122. This cycle will repeat once the snubber capacitor 132 is charged to the threshold voltage again, causing another energy pulse to be delivered through the gas discharge tube 115 to the pulse transformer 122, and thereby to the persons body. The pulse transformer 122 can step up the voltage that is supplied to positive terminal 111 to a desired shock voltage. The energy supply, such as a battery 140, can be in a range, for example in the range of 6 to 13 volts (V). The voltage supplied from the pulse transformer 122 to the positive terminal 111 can vary, for example in the range of 10,000 to 50,000 V, depending on environmental conditions (e.g., humidity, temperature, etc.) and the energy supply (e.g., battery 140 voltage, state of charge, etc.). The actual voltage applied to the person can also vary based on a composition of the persons body (e.g., water level, pH level, or other characteristics that affect conductance through the persons body).

[0015] The shock box 100 can also include other electrical components such as resistors and capacitors 130 and a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) transistor 131. The resistors can be used to slow down the charges movement by its resistance. The capacitors can store electrical potential energy that can be released to other components of the shock box 100. The BJT transistor 131 is a 3-terminal semiconductor that can be used to control the electrical current.

[0016] A positive current path wire 211 can be electrically connected to the positive terminal 111, and a negative current path wire 212 can be electrically connected to the negative terminal 112. The positive current path wire 211 and the negative current path wire 212 should not touch, otherwise the wires can arc and cause the shock box 100 to short out. The positive current path wire 211 and the negative current path wire 212 can be positioned within a wire housing 170 whereby a space 213 exists between the wires 211, 212. The wires 211, 212 can also be coated with a non-conductive material such as plastic or rubber to prevent arcing in the event the wires 211, 212 come in contact with each other. As shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the wires 211, 212 can be partly housed within the wire housing 170 and another portion unhoused outside the wire housing 170. According to this embodiment, the unhoused portion of the wires 211, 212 can be secured to the outside of the weapon 200, for example via tape or a clamp 217. The shock box 100 can be electrically coupled to an activation switch 160 via an incoming wire 150.

[0017] Turning now to FIGS. 2-4, the stun apparatus further includes a stun sleeve 210. The stun sleeve 210 includes a positive current conductive strip 214 and a negative current conductive strip 215. At least one positive current conductive strip 214 runs along the outside of the stun sleeve 210, and at least one negative current conductive strip 215 runs along the outside of the stun sleeve 210. The conductive strips 214, 215 can partially or wholly span the length of the stun sleeve 210. Preferably, the conductive strips 214, 215 span a length of the stun sleeve 210 and are located along the outside of the stun sleeve 210 at a location where the likelihood of a person trying to grab the weapon is the greatest, for example at a location spanning from the end of a barrel of the weapon towards a trigger. As used herein in the claims and the written description, the terms barrel and protrusion are synonymous as the protrusion is any portion of the weapon that extends away from a grip and/or trigger and includes a barrel as one example of a protrusion. The positive current conductive strip 214 is electrically coupled to the positive terminal 111 via the positive current path wire 211. The negative current conductive strip 215 is electrically coupled to the negative terminal 112 via the negative current path wire 212. An electrical current arcs within the gas discharge tube 115 from the input contact to the output contact and causes an energy pulse to be delivered to the positive current conductive strip 214 via the positive terminal 111, and wherein the shock box 100 is configured to cause current to flow to the negative terminal 112 via the negative current conductive strip 215 and the negative current path wire 212 through the persons body.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, there can be two positive current conductive strips 214 and two negative current conductive strips 215 located along an outside of the stun sleeve 210. There can also be more than two of the positive current conductive strips 214 and more than two of the negative current conductive strips 215. It is to be understood that there needs to be at least one positive current conductive strip 214 and one negative current conductive strip 215 so the current flow circuit can be completed. There can be an uneven number of positive and negative conductive strips, for example, one positive current conductive strip 214 and two or more negative current conductive strips 215 or vice versa. The stun sleeve 210 can include an equal number of negative current conductive strips 215 as there are positive current conductive strips 214 (e.g., one of each, two of each, three of each, etc.). It is preferrable that the positive current conductive strips 214 and the negative current conductive strips 215 do not touch or overlap with each other otherwise the shock box would short out. As can be seen, the conductive strips 214, 215 can be alternatingly arranged around the outside of the stun sleeve 210 such that a space exists between the conductive strips 214, 215 and the strips do not touch each other.

[0019] The positive current conductive strips 214 can be connected in series and/or parallel to form a positive current path through the positive current path wire(s) 211. The negative current conductive strips 215 can also be connected in series and/or parallel to match that of the positive current conductive strips 214 to form a negative current path through the negative current path wire(s) 212. If there are two or more positive current conductive strips 214 and negative current conductive strips 215 that are connected in parallel, then there can be one positive current path wire 211 that is split to branch off to connect to both of the positive current conductive strips 214 and one negative current path wire 212 that is split to branch off to connect to both of the negative current conductive strips 215. The positive current path wire 211 before the split can be connected to the positive terminal 111, and the negative current path wire 212 before the split can be connected to the negative terminal 112.

[0020] The stun sleeve 210 is attached to a weapon 200. The stun sleeve 210 can be in the form of a tube that is slid onto a protrusion of the weapon 200, for example the barrel 220 of a firearm. Although shown in the drawings as the tube being cylindrical in shape with a circular cross-section, it is to be understood that the stun sleeve 210 can have other geometric cross-sectional shapes such as square or rectangle. The stun sleeve 210 can be made out of an electrically non-conductive material such as plastic. Preferably, the material for the stun sleeve 210 is rigid. In this manner, neither the positive current conductive strip 214 nor the negative current conductive strip 215 can make contact with any component of the weapon 200 (e.g., the barrel) that is electrically conductive if a force is exerted onto the outside of the stun sleeve 210 (e.g., by squeezing the stun sleeve). The stun sleeve 210 has a length. The length can be in a range of 2 to 10 inches. The length of the stun sleeve 210 can be selected such that the stun sleeve is located between the shock box 100 and the end of the barrel 220, for example as shown in FIG. 4. Preferably, the length of the stun sleeve 210 is selected such that after the stun sleeve is attached to the weapon 200, the stun sleeve does not interfere in any way with the operation of the weapon. For example, the stun sleeve 210 should not extend out any farther than the end of the barrel 220 because this could interfere with the expulsion of a bullet from the barrel.

[0021] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the inner diameter (ID) of the stun sleeve 210 can have a dimension such that a gap 221 is created between the ID of the stun sleeve 210 and the outer diameter (OD) of the barrel 220 of the weapon 200. The gap 221 can be in a range of 0.02 to 0.2 inches. The ID can be selected based on the OD of the barrel 220 such that the desired gap 221 exists. It is to be understood that any discussion related to the barrel 220 is not limited just to the barrel of a firearm but also includes any protrusion of a weapon as defined above that the stun sleeve is capable of being slid onto. A thickness of the stun sleeve 210 is defined as the difference between the OD and the ID of the stun sleeve and can range from 0.0625 to 0.25 inch.

[0022] If the activation switch 160 is pressed (for example by an officer), the circuit is completed between the battery 140 and the BJT transistor 131 to energize the circuitry to activate the stun apparatus. An arc point 218 is located within the gap between the positive current conductive strip 214 and the negative current conductive strip 215 on the stun sleeve 210. If a person grabs onto the stun sleeve 210, simultaneously touches both positive and negative current conductive strips or the arc point, or comes within an arc distance of the current conductive strips 214, 215, then the electrical current can arc from the positive current conductive strip 214 through the persons body such as the skin and/or tissues and flow through the negative current conductive strip 215 and the negative current path wire 212 to the negative terminal 112. The circuit is completed when the persons skin makes contact with both conductive strips 214, 215 in the arc point 218 or arc distance and generates an electric shock to the person. Moisture in the persons body enables the current to flow through the body to the negative current conductive strip 215.

[0023] According to these embodiments, the officer can place both hands on the weapon 200. In the event the person gets close to the officer or the officer otherwise perceives the person may try to reach for the weapon, the officer can use a finger on one hand to depress the activation switch 160 while keeping the index finger of the other hand on the trigger guard 219 or trigger. In this manner, if the person does grab or otherwise make contact with the barrel 220, then the persons skin can come in contact with the positive current conductive strip 214 and the negative current conductive strip 215. When this happens, the current will flow through the persons body and the person will be shocked, which hopefully makes the person let go of the weapon.

[0024] In some cases, it may not be possible for the officer to place both hands on the weapon 200. Accordingly, the stun apparatus can further include a pressure-sensitive mechanism 230 on a portion of the stun sleeve 210. The portion of the stun sleeve 210 can be at a location closer to the trigger of the weapon 200 than the end of the barrel 220. The pressure-sensitive mechanism 230 can be a spring return assembly that includes a first contact 231, a second contact 232, and a spring 233 located between and connecting the first contact 231 to the second contact 232. The stun sleeve 210 can be attached to a ring and the first contact 231 can be located on an inside or outside of the ring. A clamp 217 can be affixed to the barrel 220 (e.g., with set screws) such that movement of the clamp 217 along a longitudinal axis of the barrel is prevented. The second contact 232 can be located on an inside or outside of the clamp 217. The spring 233 connects the first contact 231 to the second contact 232. The ring including the first contact 231 and the stun sleeve 210 are slidable along a longitudinal axis of the barrel. The ring and the stun sleeve can move towards the clamp 217 to compress the spring 233. If a person grabs the stun sleeve 210, but the officer cannot depress the activation switch 160, then the officer can push the end of the barrel 220 and the stun sleeve 210 towards the person. Because of the gap 221 (shown in FIG. 3) between the barrel 220 and the stun sleeve 210, if the person maintains their grip on the stun sleeve 210, then the stun sleeve 210 and ring can move back towards the officer and the spring 233 is compressed. The pressure-sensitive mechanism 230 is connected in series to the activation switch 160 where either the mechanism and/or the activation switch can activate the stun apparatus. When the spring 233 is compressed the necessary amount, the first contact 231 makes contact with the second contact 232 and activates the stun apparatus. However, if the stun sleeve 210 and the ring do not move back the necessary distance to fully compress the spring 233 so the first contact 231 makes contact with the second contact 232, for example if a person grabs the stun sleeve 210 from the side, then the officer must activate the stun apparatus by manually depressing the activation switch 160.

[0025] There can also be two pressure-sensitive mechanisms 230. According to any of the embodiments, both pressure-sensitive mechanisms 230 have springs 233 that have the same spring rate and length. These embodiments can be useful as a backup spring assembly on the off chance one of the spring assemblies fails to activate the stun apparatus. According to other embodiments, the spring 233 of a first pressure-sensitive mechanism 230 can have a lower spring rate and different length from the spring 233 of a second pressure-sensitive mechanism 230. This can ensure that the stun apparatus is activated to cause a shock to the person making contact with the conductive strips 214, 215.

[0026] The spring 233 has a length and a spring rate. The spring 233 can have a length of approximately 1/8 inch. The spring rate of the spring 233 can vary and can range from 8 to 20 pounds per inch for example. The force required to compress the spring 233 so the contacts 231, 232 make contact with each other depends on the spring rate and the length of the spring. By way of example, if the spring rate is 10 pounds per inch, then compressing the spring by one inch will require 10 pounds of force. The spring rate and the length of the spring 233 can be selected to determine the amount of force needed to compress the spring so the first contact 231 and the second contact 232 make contact with each other to activate the stun assembly. By way of example, it may be desirable to have a spring rate of 8 pounds to begin compression of the spring 233 to activate the stun assembly. This can be useful so that an officer does not have to push that hard towards the person or for the person to maintain a strong grip on the stun sleeve to cause the stun sleeve to move back and the spring to compress. The force required to compress the spring can be variable, for example, depending on design needs and the physical stature of the officer.

[0027] The shock box 100 and the stun sleeve 210 are attached to the weapon 200. The shock box 100 and the stun sleeve 210 can be removably attached to the weapon 200. According to certain embodiments, the stun apparatus does not include the pressure-sensitive mechanism 230. According to these embodiments, an end of the stun sleeve 210 can be connected to the clamp 217 and the clamp 217 affixed to the outside of the barrel 220, for example as shown in FIG. 4. The wire housing 170 can be connected to the housing 101 of the shock box 100 to form a single unit. In this manner, the stun sleeve 210 and the clamp 217 can be slid over the barrel 220 of the weapon 200 and the clamp 217 secured, and then the shock box 100 can be attached to the weapon 200. If there are portions of the positive current path wire(s) 211 and negative current path wire(s) 212 that are not housed within the wire housing 170, for example a portion located between the clamp 217 and the wire housing 170 as shown in FIG. 2, the unhoused wire portions can be secured to the barrel 220, for example underneath the clamp 217. When the stun apparatus includes the pressure-sensitive mechanism 230, then the stun sleeve 210 attached to the ring and the clamp 217 can be slid over the barrel 220, the clamp 217 affixed to the barrel 220, and the shock box 100 attached to the weapon 200. By having the stun sleeve 210 connected to the clamp 217 either directly or indirectly via the ring and spring 233 and the clamp 217 affixed to the outside of the barrel 220, the person is not capable of pulling the stun sleeve 210 off the end of the barrel 220.

[0028] The shock box 100 is also attached to the weapon 200. The shock box 100 can be attached to a side of the weapon 200. Preferably, the shock box 100 is attached to the weapon 200 at a location between the trigger guard 219 and the end of the barrel 220. In this manner, the potential for the shock box 100 interfering with the officers ability to maintain a firm grip on the weapon, place an index finger in front of the trigger guard, and place an index finger on the trigger to fire the weapon is greatly reduced. The size of the housing 101 of the shock box 100 can be selected such that the shock box 100 and the stun sleeve 210 can be attached to the weapon between the trigger guard 219 and the end of the barrel 220. In some instances, the barrel 220 of the weapon 200 may not be long enough to accommodate the stun sleeve 210 and the shock box 100 in front of the trigger guard 219. According to these instances, a portion of the housing 101 may cover some of the trigger area, which is the area within the trigger guard where the trigger is located. Therefore, in these instances, it may be especially important that the shock box 100 is attached to the opposite side of the weapon from the officers dominate hand. For example, if the officer is right-handed, then the shock box can be attached to the left side of the weapon when viewing the weapon from the grip towards the end of the barrel. In this manner, it is less likely that the shock box 100 could undesirably interfere with the officers finger placement near the trigger guard or trigger for being able to fire the weapon. However, it is to be understood that the placement of the shock box 100 in no way interferes with or impedes operation of the weapon 200.

[0029] The weapon 200, such as a firearm, can further include a picatinny rail 216 as shown in FIG. 4. The shock box 100 can be attached to the side of the weapon 200 by attaching the housing 101 to the picatinny rail 216 on a top of the weapon 200. The shock box 100 can be attached to the picatinny rail 216 in a variety of ways, for example with screws, tensioners, a retention clip and set screws, or a snap-on arrangement. FIG. 5 shows another embodiment for attaching the shock box 100 to the weapon 200. As can be seen, the housing 101 of the shock box 100 can include a clamp 102 that has an open end and can be in a generally circular shape. The clamp 102 can be made out of a semi-flexible material (e.g., semi-rigid plastics, metals, or metal alloys) such that the open end of the clamp can be fitted around the outside of the barrel 220. After the clamp 102 has been fitted over at least a portion of the barrel 220, a connector 103 such as a nut and bolt, can then be secured to the open end of the clamp 102. When the connector 103 is secured, it can cause the inside dimensions of the clamp 102 to become smaller such that the inside of the clamp contacts the outside of the barrel 220. Preferably, after the clamp 102 is secured via the connector 103, there is a tight fit such that the shock box 100 does not rotate about a longitudinal axis of the barrel 220. If the shock box 100 were to rotate around the barrel 220, then the shock box could interfere with the officers hands and fingers.

[0030] Therefore, the various embodiments are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the various embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is, therefore, evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

[0031] As used herein, the words "comprise," "have," "include," and all grammatical variations thereof are each intended to have an open, non-limiting meaning that does not exclude additional elements or steps. While apparatus, systems, and methods are described in terms of "comprising," "containing," or "including" various components or steps, the apparatus, systems, and methods also can "consist essentially of" or "consist of" the various components and steps. It should also be understood that, as used herein, "first," "second," and "third," are assigned arbitrarily and are merely intended to differentiate between two or more contacts, pressure-sensitive mechanisms, etc., as the case may be, and do not indicate any sequence. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the mere use of the word "first" does not require that there be any "second," and the mere use of the word "second" does not require that there be any "third," etc.

[0032] Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, "from about a to about b," or, equivalently, "from approximately a to b," or, equivalently, "from approximately a - b") disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles "a" or "an," as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the elements that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent(s) or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted.