Projectile entangling device, cartridge and method

Abstract

A projectile entangling device, cartridge and method for entangling an object. The projectile entangling device comprises a bolt slidably engaging within a receiver. A barrel is coupled to the receiver and is adjacent to a chamber. A gas conduit couples a compressed gas container to the bolt. A valve is positioned within the gas conduit. A trigger activates the valve and dispensing a compressed gas from the compressed gas container, through the gas conduit and exits the bolt. A first projectile and a second projectile are positioned within the cartridge. A tether is coupled to the first projectile and the second projectile. The first projectile, the second projectile and the tether are propelled from the cartridge and expelled from the barrel upon the compressed gas exiting the bolt. The tether elongates for distancing the first projectile from the second projectile for defining an expanding projectile and entangling with the object.

Claims

1. A projectile entangling device for entangling an object, comprising: a bolt slidably engaging within a receiver; a chamber within said receiver; a barrel coupled to said receiver and adjacent to said chamber; a loading port in said receiver for positioning a cartridge within said chamber; an ejection port in said receiver for discharging said cartridge from said receiver; a compressed gas container containing a compressed gas; a gas conduit coupling said compressed gas container to said bolt; a valve positioned within said gas conduit; a trigger for activating said valve and dispensing said compressed gas from said compressed gas container, through said gas conduit and exiting said bolt; a first projectile positioned within said cartridge; a second projectile positioned within said cartridge; a tether coupled to said first projectile and said second projectile within said cartridge; said first projectile, said second projectile and said tether propelled from said cartridge and expelled from said barrel upon said compressed gas exiting said bolt; and said tether elongating for distancing said first projectile from said second projectile for defining an expanding projectile and entangling with the object.

2. The projectile entangling device as set forth in claim 1, further including a sliding forend slidably engaging said receiver for displacing said bolt and positioning said cartridge within said chamber and discharging said cartridge from said receiver.

3. The projectile entangling device as set forth in claim 2, further including a magazine coupling to said receiver adjacent to said loading port in said receiver; a plurality of cartridges contained within said magazine; and said sliding forend causing said plurality of cartridges to be inputted and outputted from said receiver.

4. The projectile entangling device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said barrel includes a proximal end and a distal end; said proximal end having a proximal end width; said distal end having a distal end width; said distal end width being greater than said proximal end width for defining an increasing tapering width barrel; and said increasing tapering width barrel permitting distancing of said first projectile from said second projectile during displacement in said barrel.

5. The projectile entangling device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said gas conduit including a Y-shaped discharge defining a primary conduit discharge orifice and a secondary conduit discharge orifice.

6. The projectile entangling device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said cartridge includes a primary input conduit and a secondary input conduit; and said primary input conduit and a secondary input conduit mating with said primary conduit discharge orifice and said secondary conduit discharge orifice respectively for diverting said compressed gas to said first projectile and said second projectile.

7. The projectile entangling device as set forth in claim 6, wherein said cartridge includes a primary cylinder positioned adjacent to said primary input conduit and a secondary cylinder positioned adjacent to said secondary input conduit; said primary cylinder housing said first projectile; said secondary cylinder housing said second projectile; and said primary cylinder and said secondary cylinder concentrating said compressed gas against said first projectile and said second projectile respectively.

8. The projectile entangling device as set forth in claim 7, wherein said primary cylinder and said secondary cylinder defining a diverging orientation within said cartridge for distancing of said first projectile from said second projectile after exiting said barrel.

9. The projectile entangling device as set forth in claim 8, wherein said barrel includes a proximal end and a distal end; said proximal end having a proximal end width; said distal end having a distal end width; said distal end width being greater than said proximal end width for defining an increasing tapering width barrel; said increasing tapering width barrel permitting distancing of said first projectile from said second projectile during displacement in said barrel; and said diverging orientation in said primary cylinder and said secondary cylinder aligning with said increasing tapering width barrel for defining a continuous linear barrel rifling between said cartridge and said barrel.

10. The projectile entangling device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first projectile and said second projectile include a treble hook.

11. The projectile entangling device as set forth in claim 1, said first projectile and said second projectile include an adhesive bladder.

12. The projectile entangling device as set forth in claim 11, wherein said cartridge includes a primary interior rupture device and a secondary interior rupture device; said first projectile adhesive bladder ruptured by said primary interior rupture device upon said first projectile adhesive bladder being displaced from said cartridge; and said second projectile adhesive bladder ruptured by said secondary interior rupture device upon said second projectile adhesive bladder being displaced from said cartridge.

13. The projectile entangling device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cartridge includes a primary extractor slot and a secondary extractor slot; said bolt includes a primary extractor clip and a secondary extractor clip; and said primary extractor clip and said secondary extractor clip engaging into said primary extractor slot and a secondary extractor slot upon said cartridge entering said chamber and said bolt abutting said cartridge; and said primary extractor clip and said secondary extractor clip retracting said cartridge from said chamber.

14. The projectile entangling device as set forth in claim 1, further including an ejection member coupled to said receiver; and said ejection member ejecting said cartridge from said receiver and through said ejection port.

15. The projectile entangling device as set forth in claim 1, further including a primary loading member and a secondary loading member coupled to said bolt for engaging said cartridge and pushing said cartridge into said chamber upon a forward displacement of said bolt.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a top view of a projectile entangling device incorporating the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a left side view of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating a bolt and sliding forend in a forward position for placing a cartridge into a chamber;

(5) FIG. 4 is a left side view of FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a sectional view along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 6 is a sectional view along line 6-6 in FIG. 3;

(8) FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 illustrating a primary loading member and a secondary loading member engaging the cartridge to displace the cartridge relative to a detachable magazine;

(9) FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating the primary loading member and the secondary loading member further displacing the cartridge relative to a magazine;

(10) FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 illustrating the primary loading member and the secondary loading member further displacing the cartridge relative to a magazine;

(11) FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 illustrating the primary loading member and the secondary loading member further displacing the cartridge and entering a chamber;

(12) FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 illustrating the primary loading member and the secondary loading member positioning the cartridge into the chamber;

(13) FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 1I illustrating a first projectile, a second projectile and a tether exiting the projectile entangling device;

(14) FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 illustrating a primary extractor clip and a secondary extractor clip engaging the cartridge and the bolt displaced in a rearward direction for withdrawing the cartridge from the chamber.

(15) FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 illustrating the cartridge engaging an ejection member for disengaging the primary extractor clip and the secondary extractor clip from the cartridge and pivoting the cartridge towards an ejection port;

(16) FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 illustrating the cartridge traversing the ejection port;

(17) FIG. 16 is a rear view of the detachable magazine of FIG. 2;

(18) FIG. 17 is an exploded view of FIG. 16;

(19) FIG. 18 is an exploded view of FIG. 1;

(20) FIG. 19 is a front view of a first cartridge;

(21) FIG. 20 is a rear view of FIG. 19;

(22) FIG. 21 is a top view of FIG. 19 illustrating an interior primary cylinder and secondary cylinder;

(23) FIG. 22 left side view of FIG. 21;

(24) FIG. 23 is a top view of a first treble hook, a second treble hook and a tether incorporated into the first cartridge;

(25) FIG. 24 is a front view of a second cartridge;

(26) FIG. 25 is a rear view of FIG. 24;

(27) FIG. 26 is a top view of FIG. 24 illustrating an interior primary cylinder and secondary cylinder;

(28) FIG. 27 left side view of FIG. 26; and

(29) FIG. 28 is a top view of a first adhesive bladder, a second adhesive bladder and a tether incorporated into the second cartridge.

(30) Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several Figures of the drawings.

DETAILED DISCUSSION

(31) FIGS. 1-18 illustrate a projectile entangling device 10 and method for entangling an object 20. The object may include but not limited to an individual, an animal, bird, insect, reptile or other object. FIGS. 19-28 illustrate a cartridge 100 for deploying a first projectile 102, a second projectile 104 and a tether 110 for entangling the object 20. The projectile entangling device 10 may be a paintball marker device modified for use with the projectile entangling device 10 and cartridge 100. The projectile entangling device 10 comprises a bolt 40 slidably engaging within a receiver 42. A chamber 44 is within the receiver 42. A barrel 60 is coupled to the receiver 42 and is adjacent to the chamber 44. A loading port 70 is in the receiver 42 for positioning the cartridge 100 within the chamber 44. An ejection port 72 is in the receiver 42 for discharging the cartridge 100 from the receiver 42.

(32) A compressed gas container 150 contains a compressed gas 152. The compressed gas container 150 may include one or more CO2 cartridges 162. Furthermore, the compressed gas container 150 may include an external container that is coupled by a flexible hose to the projectile entangling device 10. A gas conduit 154 couples the compressed gas container 150 to the bolt 40. A valve 160 is positioned within the gas conduit 154. A trigger 46 activates the valve 160 and dispenses the compressed gas 152 from the compressed gas container 150, through the gas conduit 154 and exits the bolt 40. The valve 160 may include a Sheridan valve, a Nelson valve, Sterling valve or other air valves.

(33) A first projectile 102 is positioned within the cartridge 100. A second projectile 104 is positioned within the cartridge 100. A tether 110 is coupled to the first projectile 102 and the second projectile 104 within the cartridge 100. The first projectile 102, the second projectile 104 and the tether 110 are propelled from the cartridge 100 and expelled from the barrel 60 upon the compressed gas 152 exiting the bolt 40. The tether 110 elongates for distancing the first projectile 102 from the second projectile 104 for defining an expanding projectile 12 and entangling with the object 20. The tether 110 may be manufactured from a flexible material such as poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide, ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene, nylon or other flexible cords.

(34) A sliding forend 48 slidably engages the receiver 42. The sliding forend 48 displaces the bolt 40 and positions the cartridge 100 within the chamber 44 and discharges the cartridge 100 from the receiver 42. The sliding forend 48 include a handle 50 for grasped. The sliding forend 48 may be coupled to the bolt 40 by an action bar 52. The receiver 42 may further include the trigger guard 54 for protecting the trigger 46 and preventing inadvertent discharge of the projectile entangling device 10. In order to further improve handling of the projectile entangling device 10 a hand grip 56 may be coupled to the receiver 42.

(35) A magazine 170 is coupled to the receiver 42 adjacent to the loading port 70 in the receiver 42. A plurality of cartridges 106 are contained within the magazine 170. The sliding forend 48 causes the plurality of cartridges 106 to be inputted and outputted from the receiver 42.

(36) The magazine 170 may include a magazine end cap 172, a magazine spring 174 and a magazine follower 176 for guiding the one or more cartridges 106 into the receiver 42. A magazine locking device 178 may lock the magazine 170 to the receiver 42 and prevent inadvertent disengagement between the magazine 170 and the bolt 40. A magazine keeper arm 180 may be utilized for maintaining the cartridges 100 within the magazine 170.

(37) The magazine 170 may include a fixed internal magazine in which cartridges 100 are positioned into the fixed internal magazine from the ejection port 72 and down into the fixed internal magazine. Alternatively, the magazine 170 may include a detachable magazine.

(38) The barrel 60 includes a proximal end 62 and a distal end 64. The proximal end 62 has a proximal end width 62A. The distal end 64 has a distal end width 64A. The distal end width 64A is greater than the proximal end width 62A for defining an increasing tapering width barrel 66. The increasing tapering width barrel 66 permits distancing of the first projectile 102 from the second projectile 104 during displacement in the barrel 60 and after exiting the barrel 60.

(39) The gas conduit 154 may include a Y-shaped discharge 156 defining a primary conduit discharge orifice 158 and a secondary conduit discharge orifice 159. The cartridge 100 may include a primary input conduit 112 and a secondary input conduit 114. The primary input conduit 112 and a secondary input conduit 114 mate with the primary conduit discharge orifice 158 and the secondary conduit discharge orifice 159 respectively for splitting and diverting the compressed gas 152 to the first projectile 102 and the second projectile 104.

(40) The cartridge 100 may include a primary cylinder 116 positioned adjacent to the primary input conduit 112 and a secondary cylinder 118 positioned adjacent to the secondary input conduit 114. The primary cylinder 116 houses the first projectile 102. The secondary cylinder 118 houses the second projectile 104. The primary cylinder 116 and the secondary cylinder 118 concentrate the compressed gas 152 against the first projectile 102 and the second projectile 104 respectively. In order to relay the force from the compressed gas 152 to the first projectile 102 and the second projectile 104, a wadding may be positioned within both the primary input conduit 112 and the secondary input conduit 114 of the cartridge 100 and behind the first projectile 102 and the second projectile 104.

(41) The primary cylinder 116 and the secondary cylinder 118 may define a diverging orientation 120 within the cartridge 100 for distancing of the first projectile 102 from the second projectile 104 after exiting the barrel 60. The diverging orientation 120 in the primary cylinder 116 and the secondary cylinder 118 preferably align with the increasing tapering width barrel 60 for defining a continuous linear barrel rifling 122 between the cartridge 100 and the barrel 60.

(42) The first projectile 102 and the second projectile 104 may include a treble hook 130. Alternatively, the first projectile 102 and the second projectile 104 may include an adhesive bladder 140. More specifically, the adhesive bladder 140 may include a first adhesive bladder 140A and a second adhesive platter 140B. The adhesive bladder 140 may each include an elongated annular bladder 142 in which receives a pin 144. A bladder base plate 146 may engage the pin 144. A tether couple 148 may couple the pin 144 to the tether 110.

(43) The cartridge 100 includes a primary interior rupture device 124 and a secondary interior rupture device 126. The first projectile adhesive bladder 140A is ruptured by the primary interior rupture device 124 upon the first projectile adhesive bladder 140A being displaced from the cartridge 100. The second projectile adhesive bladder 140B is ruptured by the secondary interior rupture device 126 upon the second projectile adhesive bladder 140B being displaced from the cartridge 100. Preferably, the primary internal rupture device 124 and the secondary interior rupture device 126 include a blade 128.

(44) The cartridge 100 may include a primary extractor slot 190 and a secondary extractor slot 192. The bolt 40 may include a primary extractor clip 82 and a secondary extractor clip 84. The primary extractor clip 82 and the secondary extractor clip 84 engage into the primary extractor slot 190 and a secondary extractor slot 192 upon the cartridge 100 entering the chamber 44 and the bolt 40 abutting the cartridge 100. The primary extractor clip 82 and the secondary extractor clip 84 retract the cartridge 100 from the chamber 44. Preferably, the primary extractor clip 82 and the secondary extractor clip 84 are pivotably mounted to the bolt 40 and are biased in a descending orientation by an extractor spring 86. An ejection member 90 may be coupled to the receiver 42. The ejection member 90 ejects the cartridge 100 from the receiver 42 and through the ejection port 72.

(45) A primary loading member 92 and a secondary loading member 94 may be coupled to the bolt 40 for engaging the cartridge 100 and pushing the cartridge 100 into the chamber 44 upon a forward displacement of the bolt 40. The receiver 42 may further include a cartridge loading ramp 80 for assisting in guiding the cartridge 100 from the magazine 170 and into the chamber 44.

(46) The cartridge 100 may be discharged from a compressed air firearm 14. A compressed air 152 is dispensed from the firearm 14. The compressed air firearm 14 may be a paintball marker device modified for use with the cartridge 100. The cartridge 100 comprises a case 200 defining a case chamber 202. The case 200 has a proximal end 204 and a distal end 206. The proximal end 204 has a primary input conduit 112 and a secondary input conduit 114. A primary cylinder 116 is positioned adjacent to the primary input conduit 112 and a secondary cylinder 118 is positioned adjacent to the secondary input conduit 114. The primary cylinder 116 houses a first projectile 102. The secondary cylinder 118 houses a second projectile 104. A tether 110 is coupled to the first projectile 102 and the second projectile 104 within the cartridge 100. The primary cylinder 116 and the secondary cylinder 118 concentrate the compressed gas 152 against the first projectile 102 and the second projectile 104 respectively. The tether 110 may be manufactured from a flexible material such as poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide, ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene, nylon or other flexible cords.

(47) The primary cylinder 116 and the secondary cylinder 118 may define a diverging orientation 120 within the case 200 for distancing of the first projectile 102 from the second projectile 104 after exiting the compressed air firearm 14.

(48) The first projectile 102 and the second projectile 104 may include a treble hook 130. More specifically, each of the first projectile 102 and the second projectile 104 may include a plurality of treble hooks distanced from each other in order to improve the grasping of the expanding projectile 12 with the object 20. The first projectile 102 and the second projectile 104 may include an adhesive bladder 140.

(49) The case 200 may include a primary interior rupture device 124 and a secondary interior rupture device 126. The first projectile adhesive bladder 140A is ruptured by the primary interior rupture device 124 upon the first projectile adhesive bladder 140A being displaced from the case 200. The second projectile adhesive bladder 140B is ruptured by the secondary interior rupture device 126 upon the second projectile adhesive bladder 140B being displaced from the case 200. Preferably, the primary internal rupture device 124 and the secondary interior rupture device 126 include a blade 128.

(50) More specifically, the adhesive bladder 140 may include a first adhesive bladder 140A and a second adhesive platter 140B. The adhesive bladder 140 may each include an elongated annular bladder 142 in which receives a pin 144. A bladder base plate 146 may engage the pin 144. A tether couple 148 may couple the pin 144 to the tether 110. The case 200 may include a primary extractor slot 190 and a secondary extractor slot 192 for retracting the case 200 from the compressed air firearm 14.

(51) A method for entangling an object 20 comprises the step of inputting a cartridge 100 into a loading port 70 within a receiver 42. A bolt 40 is slid within a receiver 42 in a forward direction for inputting the cartridge 100 into a chamber 44 within the receiver 42. A trigger 46 is depressed on the receiver 42 for discharging a compressed gas 152 for propelling a first projectile 102, a second projectile 104 and a tether 110 from the cartridge 100. The bolt 40 is slide within the receiver 42 in a rearward direction for removing the cartridge 100 from the chamber 44 within the receiver 42. The cartridge 100 is outputted through an ejection port 72 within the receiver 42.

(52) The method may further include the step of inputting a second cartridge 106 into the loading port 70 within the receiver 42. The bolt 40 is slid within the receiver 42 in a forward direction for inputting the second cartridge 106 into the chamber 44 within the receiver 42. The trigger 46 is depressed on the receiver 42 for discharging a compressed gas 152 for propelling a first projectile 102, a second projectile 104 and a tether 110 from the second cartridge 106. The bolt 40 is slid within the receiver 42 in a rearward direction for removing the second cartridge 106 from the chamber 44 within the receiver 42. The second cartridge 106 is outputted through the ejection port 72 within the receiver 42.

(53) The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.