CONTROLLED IMPACT PROJECTILE FOR NON-LETHAL SHOCK AMMUNITION.

Abstract

CONTROLLED IMPACT PROJECTILE FOR A NON-LETHAL SHOCK EFFECT AMMUNITION. The projectile (1) comprises a flexible casing (2) housing deformable contents capable of limiting the shock effect of the projectile (1) against the body mass of an individual. The casing (2) is mounted on a rigid base (3) configured to be fixed to a case comprising a non-lethal shock effect ammunition. Said contents of the casing (2) are structured into a plurality of ellipsoidal bodies (8) calibrated according to a predefined diameter. The ellipsoidal bodies (8) form rolling members against each other under the effect of a shock borne by the projectile (1) at its front end. Abstract figure: FIG.2

Description

Title of the invention: CONTROLLED IMPACT PROJECTILE FOR A NON-LETHAL MUNITION WITH SHOCK EFFECT. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of projectiles equipping ammunition, in particular an individual weapon, which are characteristic with regard to the desired effect. The invention relates more specifically to such controlled impact projectiles for non-lethal ammunition with shock effect. Prior art

[0002] Non-lethal munitions with a shock effect are commonly used by law enforcement forces and / or armed forces in external operations, for example. Such munitions are organized to limit bodily damage and / or trauma induced by their impact on individuals, by being equipped with a projectile that avoids injuring them excessively. In particular, it is sought to minimize the injuries caused by the impact of the projectile on an individual.

[0003] Such munitions comprise a propellant case calibrated according to the weapon used - for example a 40mm caliber rifled tube launcher - which is enhanced by the projectile impacting individuals. The projectile typically comprises at its front end a hollow casing or a flexible solid warhead and at its rear end a rigid base via which the projectile is mounted on the case. The front and rear concepts are relative concepts identified according to the direction of the trajectory followed by the projectile during its propulsion, and are used as defined below.

[0004] Projectiles with a flexible full warhead collapse on themselves and the kinetic energy is distributed over a reduced impact surface. Significant penetration of the munitions into the body areas of individuals is observed.

[0005] In the case of a flexible envelope, the latter provides a container housing a material, the envelope and the material it contains being structured to control the impact of the projectile on an individual, making it possible to limit the bodily damage that he suffers. The envelope is generally shaped into a cylinder whose front end has a more or less tapered hemispherical cap shape, and whose rear end is secured to the base for mounting the projectile on the case.

[0006] For such projectiles, it is common to use a casing made from an elastomer which houses a deformable material. When the projectile impacts an individual, the casing and its contents deform in order to limit the effect of the impact on the individual's body mass and consequently to minimize the injuries caused to the individual. For this purpose, various solutions have been proposed concerning the structure of the deformable material.

[0007] For example, according to document EP0946853 (SAE ALSETEX), it is proposed to house in the envelope a material derived from a divided solid body, in particular in the form of a powdery product. When the projectile impacts against an individual, the projectile compresses by crushing against the body mass of the individual, limiting the force of the impact it undergoes.

[0008] For example, according to document WO2012 / 131176 (NOBEL SPORT), it is proposed to house in the envelope a material derived from a cellular mass, in particular an aluminum foam. From a selected density of the cellular mass, the force of the impact of the projectile against an individual and the quantity of energy to be absorbed are controlled, which makes it possible to limit the shock effect against the body mass of the individual to a predefined shock effect threshold.

[0009] However, it has become apparent in practice that other difficulties need to be overcome in order to improve the control of the non-lethal shock effect produced by the projectile on an individual, and more specifically at least the following difficulties: -) The body mass of an individual is heterogeneous, locally presenting more or less hard or soft areas. It is appropriate that the shock effect of the projectile can be spontaneously controlled during the impact of the projectile against an individual according to the shock resistance of the body mass of the locally impacted individual; -) The control of the shock effect produced by the projectile on an individual also varies according to the ambient environment, in particular with regard to the temperature and / or humidity of the ambient environment. It is also appropriate to take into account these fluctuating parameters to best control the shock effect produced by the projectile on the individual, and / or to optimize the lifespan of the ammunition by taking into account a potential diversity of its storage conditions; -) The accuracy of the shot is notably dependent on the stability in flight of the projectile and the optimization of the correct tracking of its trajectory. It is also appropriate that the organization and / or arrangement of the projectile does not affect its gyroscopic stability in flight and / or the accuracy of the tracking by the projectile of the firing trajectory, which are likely to be affected by the deformable nature of the projectile due to the significant mechanical stresses undergone by the projectile during its acceleration in the barrel; -) with regard to the industrial production of the projectile, notably with regard to the loading of the envelope with a content, it is also appropriate that such loading can be carried out easily according to various techniques that can be used, and this without affecting the quality and / or reliability of the projectile to limit the locally controlled shock effect against the body mass of the individual. Presentation of the invention

[0010] In this context, the invention relates to a controlled impact projectile for non-lethal shock effect ammunition.

[0011] The aim of the invention is to propose such a projectile whose arrangement and / or structure makes it possible to overcome at least the aforementioned difficulties, considered in isolation or in combination at least two by two.

[0012] To do this, the invention proposes an axial extension projectile of the type comprising: -) a front part formed of a warhead arranged in a flexible casing of generally cylindrical shape, which has at its front end a conformation in the form of a more or less axially elongated spherical cap, the casing housing a material capable of limiting the shock effect of the projectile against the body mass of an individual, and -) a rear part formed of a rigid base on which the warhead is mounted and via which the projectile can be fixed to a case included in the ammunition.

[0013] In this context, the invention proposes to arrange said material in a plurality of ellipsoidal bodies of revolution, for example spherical, in particular arranged in calibrated balls. The ellipsoidal bodies of revolution, also called spheroids, are worked or molded and are for example calibrated according to predefined dimensions, for example a predefined diameter if the ellipsoidal bodies are spheres, which can in particular vary according to the shock effect to be obtained on an individual.

[0014] The spheroids - each preferably a single piece of solid material - have identical dimensions and are made from the same material, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer. The contents of the envelope are thus composed of a mass of homogeneous spherical bodies which cooperate with each other by rolling the spheroids against each other upon impact against the body mass of an individual impacted by the projectile.

[0015] More precisely, following an impact of the projectile against the body mass of an individual, the spheroids are non-deformable and are not subjected individually and / or collectively to crushing. The spheroids, in particular the balls, roll against each other inside the envelope according to a dynamic and / or kinematics that are spontaneously controlled and progressive during the impact, in particular as a function of the resistance of the body mass of the individual at the point of impact by the projectile.

[0016] The speed of mobility and the rolling kinematics of the spheroids against each other are spontaneously regulated as a function of the resistance locally opposed by the body mass of the individual at the point of impact. The envelope is flexible, namely deformable upon impact. The deformation of the flexible envelope upon impact varies according to the dynamics and rolling kinematics of the spheroids that it lodges against each other, which are themselves dependent on the one hand on the velocity of the projectile during the impact and on the other hand on the more or less hard or soft zone of the body mass of the individual locally impacted.

[0017] In the case of a conventional monolithic-type projectile with a deformable full warhead based on the crushing principle, when the projectile encounters a soft body area, it cannot crush due to the low resistance encountered. This then results in significant penetration of the projectile into the tissues and organs, which can cause serious trauma. In the present invention, the principle of moving the non-deformable spheroids against each other makes it possible to obtain significant and effective crushing upon contact with a soft area of ​​low resistance.

[0018] The deformation of the casing and / or the shock effect are spontaneously individualized and controlled according to the individual impacted by the projectile and in particular according to the resistance of the body mass of the individual specifically at the point of impact. Such a result is obtained by avoiding a peak force - typically known concerning conventional munitions - by the absence of a base effect or otherwise of an effect of said base capable of generating such a peak force. Consequently, the impact time of the projectile against the individual is increased compared to other known techniques, and this is the case regardless of the impact force of the projectile against the individual and / or the area of ​​the individual impacted. A risk of consequent penetration of the projectile into the body mass of the individual is thus eliminated.

[0019] More particularly, at least the interior volume of the casing is filled with ellipsoids of revolution - avoiding a dead volume unoccupied overall by these ellipsoids. The empty residual volume inside the casing is only interfaced between the ellipsoids of revolution by allowing them to roll against each other. This avoids deformation of the flexible casing during acceleration of the projectile in the barrel and during its external ballistic ground - avoiding an unbalance effect during firing of the projectile and tracking of its trajectory. As a result, the projectile is given a stable gyroscopic effect from firing until the impact of the projectile against an individual. The accuracy of the firing and consequently the accuracy of the targeted location of the impact of the projectile against the individual are improved.

[0020] It is also advantageously proposed to provide the base with a blind cavity which opens onto the interior volume of the casing. The bottom wall of the cavity provides a base for fixing the projectile to the case. The cavity houses said balls which are part of the overall mass of the spheroids contained in the projectile and which roll against each other in accordance with the rolling of the spheroids contained in the casing against each other. The flexible casing and the base thus jointly provide an overall reservoir housing the spheroids equipping the projectile. This also contributes to the stability of the projectile in flight and therefore to the accuracy of the shot obtained.

[0021] Furthermore, the base is rigorously maintained in conformation during firing of the projectile. The base has an external diameter which is greater than the diameter of the casing, being understood excluding subjected to an impact. The warhead can be assembled to the base via the casing according to different assembly techniques, such as for example, without limitation, by bonding type sealing and / or by direct mechanical connection between them - such as for example by elastic interlocking (commonly referred to as clipping) - or potentially via an intermediate mechanical part.

[0022] The base is made of a material preferably of the rigid thermoplastic type. The base has a crown of a dimension greater than that of the base of the casing. This crown allows the projectile to be rotated by a rifled barrel launcher at the time of propulsion of the projectile.

[0023] The volume, individual and / or overall mass of the spheroids, their hardness and their number can be easily rigorously adapted according to the specifically sought shock effect. The quantity of spheroids contained in the projectile and their diameter can be easily correlated with each other, to determine the overall mass of the balls housed inside the projectile. Depending on the application and / or use of the projectile for specific situations, this facilitates the determination and / or obtaining of a precise and reliable specific overall mass of the spheroids contained inside the projectile.

[0024] It will be noted that the number of balls to be loaded inside the projectile can advantageously be determined according to the rolling forces of the balls against each other to be obtained, which can be chosen to be more or less significant depending on the desired freedom of rolling of the spheroids against each other. Such predefined rolling forces can be determined and varied over a range of predefined forces, to control the rolling dynamics of the spheroids against each other according to the application and / or use of the projectile for specific situations.

[0025] For information, the spheroids: -) have an average diameter between 1 mm and 10 mm (mm: millimeters), -) are derived from an elastomer, such as in particular a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) which may be of different types, such as, by way of non-restrictive examples, based on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), of unvulcanized olefinic type (TPO) or vulcanized (TPV), or based on natural rubber or synthetic rubber of amorphous tert-polymer type (EPDM), and / or -) have a hardness between 50 and 80 Shore A.

[0026] Such elastomer spheroids are not sensitive to humidity or to consequent variations in temperature, for information purposes over a temperature range of between -20°C (minus 20 degrees Celsius) and +50°C (plus fifty degrees Celsius). This allows: -) to make the desired effect more reliable when the projectile impacts an individual. Whatever the temperature of the ammunition and more specifically of the projectile, the reliability of the rolling of the spheroids against each other when the projectile impacts an individual is not affected, the control of the injurious effect on the individual being constant over the entire range of temperatures mentioned above, including in the case of negative temperatures causing hardening of the elastomer from which the balls are made. And / or -) to promote the lifespan of the ammunition depending on their storage site, over temperature and / or humidity ranges that may be significant, without affecting the initial geometry of the spheroids and consequently the lasting rigor of their rolling against each other when the projectile impacts an individual.

[0027] Furthermore, the use of calibrated spheroids makes it possible to easily use various common industrial techniques for filling a container with solid product, in particular in this case loading the spheroids inside the projectile: -) By weight change. Such a loading method consists of filling the projectile according to a number of spheroids to be loaded identified for a total mass of spheroids to be loaded whose volume and density are previously known; -) By volumetric loading. Such a loading method consists of filling the projectile from its volume which determines the number of spheroids to be loaded according to their volume and / or their density. -) By counting loading. Such a loading method consists of using an industrial pharmaceutical-type counting machine to fill a projectile with a determined number of spheroids. This number is previously identified according to the internal volume of the projectile containing them. -) By level loading. This loading method consists of filling a projectile with a number of spheroids of a predetermined volume up to a predefined projectile spheroid filling threshold.

[0028] As mentioned above, the invention relates to an axially extending projectile comprising a front part formed from a flexible casing. The casing houses deformable contents capable of limiting the shock effect of the projectile against the body mass of an individual. The projectile comprises a rear part formed from a rigid base on which the flexible casing is axially mounted. The base is configured to be fixed to a case comprising a non-lethal shock effect munition.

[0029] It is understood and if necessary specified that the flexible envelope is of the common type of cylindrical shape centered on its axis of extension at least in the non-impacted station. As previously described in the non-impacted station, the front end of the envelope is classically shaped as a hemispherical cap axially more or less elongated. The casing is as commonly fixed at its rear end to the front end of the base which is shaped as a cylinder coaxial with the casing. The rear end of the base can be fixed to a propellant case equipping a munition of the known non-lethal type with shock effect.

[0030] In this context, the projectile of the invention is characteristic in that said contents of the envelope are structured into a plurality of calibrated spheroids according to predefined dimensions, of balls according to a predefined diameter if these spheroids are balls. The spheroids form rolling members against each other under the effect of a shock supported by the projectile at its front end.

[0031] Other specific characteristics of the projectile of the invention, not restrictive with regard to other characteristics that a projectile falling within the invention may have, are the following, considered in isolation or in combination at least two by two.

[0032] The spheroids are each made of a single solid material, and are made from the same material and have identical dimensions, in particular identical average diameters.

[0033] The material from which the balls are made is a thermoplastic elastomer, such as for example a TPU, a TPO, a TPV, or is a natural rubber or a synthetic rubber of the EPDM type.

[0034] The average diameter of the spheroids is between 1 mm and 10 mm.

[0035] The hardness of the spheroids is between 50 and 80 Shore A.

[0036] At least the envelope is completely filled with spheroids.

[0037] The casing and a blind cavity of the base open onto the interior volume of the casing jointly form a reservoir for receiving the ellipsoids of revolution equipping the projectile.

[0038] The outer diameter of the base is greater than the maximum diameter of the casing. The base comprises at its outer periphery at least one groove coaxial with the extension axis of the projectile which is configured to cooperate with projecting reliefs which are included in the barrel of a propellant weapon of the projectile.

[0039] The material from which the base is made is a rigid thermoplastic.

[0040] Preferably - the base is in the form of a cylinder hollow open at its lower end and closed at its upper end by an upper wall, the casing is in the form of a hemisphere or a cylinder surmounted by a hemisphere or a cylinder surmounted by a hemisphere, and the projectile further comprises a mounting ring which assembles the casing with the base; - an upper end of the base covers a lower end of the casing; and - the upper end of the base and the lower end of the casing cooperate by means of complementary shoulders.

[0041] The invention also relates to a non-lethal munition with a shock effect. According to the invention, such a munition is characteristic in that it is equipped with a projectile as previously described and a case comprising a high-pressure chamber in which a pyrotechnic propulsion assembly is located. Presentation of the figures

[0042] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment, in relation to the following figures: [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is an illustration in axial exterior view of a projectile according to the invention. [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic illustration in axial section of the projectile shown in [Fig.l], before impact against an individual. [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic illustration in axial section of the projectile shown in Figures 1 and 2. In [Fig.3], the projectile is illustrated in the deformed state upon impact of the projectile against an individual. Detailed description of the invention

[0043] The figures and their detailed, non-limiting descriptions set out the invention in particular ways that are not restrictive as to the scope of the invention. The figures and their detailed descriptions of an exemplary embodiment of the invention may serve to better define it, if necessary in relation to the general description which has just been given. Furthermore, to avoid overloading the figures and thus facilitate their reading, the reference numbers assigned to the terms and / or concepts used to describe the invention and indicated in any one of the figures are potentially repeated in the description of any other figure without implying their presence in all of the figures.

[0044] In Figures 1 to 3, a shock-effect projectile 1 is arranged to equip a non-lethal munition. In Figures 1 and 2, the projectile 1 is shown in its initial, unimpacted position and in [Fig. 3] the projectile 1 is shown in its impacted position. The projectile 1 extends axially Al between its front end AVI and its rear end AR1, following the direction SI of the firing trajectory followed by the projectile 1. The projectile 1 comprises at its front end AV1 a flexible casing 2 made of elastomer and at its rear end AR1 a rigid base 3 made of a rigid thermoplastic, the casing 2 and the base 3 being coaxial along the axis Al of extension of the projectile 1 at least in its unimpacted position.

[0045] The base 3 is of cylindrical overall conformation and conventionally constitutes a fixing member for a case that the ammunition comprises. The casing 2 is fixed at its rear part AR1 to the base 3, the external diameter DI of the base 3 being slightly greater than the maximum diameter D2 of the casing 2 in non-stationary position. impacted. The base 3 has a groove 4 allowing its assembly by elastic connection to the sleeve. The diameter DI is configured to cooperate with grooves - in particular helical extensions - which the barrel conventionally has.

[0046] It will therefore be noted that the ammunition according to the invention can be implemented in a rifled barrel. However, it is understood that, in a smooth barrel, the technical solution according to the invention also works.

[0047] In Figures 1 and 2, the envelope 2 is of generally cylindrical conformation, being tapered at its front end AV 1 which is shaped into a more or less elongated hemispherical cap 5. More particularly visible in Figures 2 and 3, the envelope 2 is fixed to the base 3 via fixing members 6a, 6b cooperating by elastic interlocking, said interlocking fixing preferably being completed by sealing the envelope 2 on the base 3 in their interlocking zone.

[0048] In Figures 2 and 3, the base 3 comprises a blind cavity 7 opening onto the interior volume of the casing 2. Said cavity 7 and the interior volume of the casing 2 jointly form a reservoir which is filled with ellipsoids of revolution, also called spheroids, in particular balls referenced 8, rigid, only a few of the ellipsoids of revolution shown being referenced to avoid overloading the figures. The ellipsoids of revolution 8 are made from a rigid thermoplastic and are each calibrated to a predefined volume. The ellipsoids of revolution, or spheroids 8 are each made of a single piece of solid material - or in other words are not hollowed out - to reinforce their rigidity, are made from the same material and have identical average diameters.

[0049] In [Fig. 2] - in the absence of impact supported by the projectile 1 - the envelope 2 is maintained in initial conformation by the spheroids 8 which bear against each other and against the envelope 2, in particular during firing. The empty interstitial spaces between the spheroids 8, in particular the balls, allow them to roll against each other in the event of an impact supported by the projectile 1 - as referred to below in relation to [Fig. 3] - by avoiding a dead volume of the internal volume of the envelope 2 which would be unoccupied overall by the spheroids 8.

[0050] When firing, the casing 2 is maintained in its initial cylindrical conformation with a hemispherical cap 5 before AV 1 - as illustrated in figures 1 and 2 - which promotes the synergy of the gyroscopic kinematics and the propulsion dynamics of the projectile 1, and consequently the correct tracking of the firing trajectory until the impact of the projectile 1 against an individual.

[0051] In [Fig. 3] - during an impact of the projectile 1 against an individual - the spheroids 8 constitute rolling members against each other under the effect of the shock supported by the projectile 1 at its front end AVI. Under the effect of the counter- CPI thrust generated against the projectile 1 by the impact, the rolling of the spheroids 8 against each other inside the envelope 2 causes its deformation.

[0052] The envelope 2 being flexible and the balls 8 rolling against each other, the balls 8 creep diametrically relative to the initial axis A1 of extension of the envelope 2. This has the effect of progressively deforming the envelope 2 which accompanies - under the effect of said counter-thrust - the fining of the spheroids 8 and consequently a settling of the envelope protruding diametrically towards the base 3.

[0053] The duration of the impact of the projectile 1 against the individual is increased, regardless of the impact force of the projectile 1 against the individual and / or the area of ​​the individual locally impacted. A peak in force usually observed concerning projectiles with a non-lethal shock effect against an individual is thus avoided during the impact of the projectile 1. A risk of significant penetration of the projectile 1 into the body mass of the individual is thus eliminated regardless of the local resistance of the body mass of the individual impacted.

Claims

Claims

1. Projectile (1) of axial extension (Al) comprising a front part formed of a flexible casing (2) housing a deformable content capable of limiting the shock effect of the projectile (1) against the body mass of an individual, the projectile (1) comprising a rear part formed of a rigid base (3) on which the flexible casing (2) is mounted axially (Al), the base (3) being configured to be fixed to a case comprising a non-lethal munition with shock effect, characterized in that said content of the casing (2) is structured into a plurality of ellipsoidal bodies (8) calibrated according to predefined dimensions,the ellipsoidal bodies (8) forming rolling members against each other under the effect of a shock supported by the projectile (1) at its front end and in that the casing (2) and a blind cavity (7) of the base (3) open onto the interior volume of the casing (2) jointly form a reservoir for receiving the ellipsoidal bodies (8) equipping the projectile.,

2. Projectile (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the ellipsoidal bodies (1) are balls of predefined diameter.

3. Projectile (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the ellipsoidal bodies (8) are each made of a single piece of solid material, are made from the same material and are of identical dimensions.

4. Projectile (1) according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the material from which the ellipsoidal bodies (8) are made is a thermoplastic elastomer.

5. Projectile (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dimensions of the ellipsoidal bodies (8) are between 1 mm and 10 mm.

6. Projectile (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hardness of the ellipsoidal bodies (8) is between 50 and 80 Shore A.

7. Projectile (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the envelope (2) is entirely filled with ellipsoidal bodies (8).

8. Projectile (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the external diameter of the base (3) is greater than the maximum diameter of the casing (2), the base (3) comprising at its outer periphery at least one groove (4) coaxial with the axis (Al) of extension of the projectile which is configured to cooperate with reliefs projecting in a helix which comprise the barrel of a propellant weapon of the projectile (1).

9. Projectile (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the material from which the base (3) is made is a rigid thermoplastic.

10. Projectile (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (3) is in the form of a hollow cylinder open at its lower end and closed at its upper end by an upper wall, in that the casing (2) is in the form of a hemisphere or a cylinder surmounted by a hemisphere, and in that the projectile further comprises a mounting ring which assembles the casing (2) with the base (3).

11. Projectile (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an upper end of the base (3) covers a lower end of the casing (2).

12. Projectile (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the upper end of the base (3) and the lower end of the casing (2) cooperate by means of complementary shoulders.

13. Non-lethal ammunition with shock effect, characterized in that it is equipped with a projectile (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and a case comprising a high pressure chamber in which a pyrotechnic propulsion assembly is located.

Images