LESS-LEATHING PROJECTILE LAUNCHER DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention particularly presents a device for converting a weapon capable of firing only blank ammunition (A) into a less-lethal projectile launcher dedicated to temporary neutralization, comprising a frame (10) of longitudinal shape along a central axis (X), and fixed on the picatinny rail of the blank weapon by bolts (11) and which serves as a support for the barrel (12) and the magazine (15) capable of holding an equivalent number of projectiles to the magazine of the blank weapon (A).

Description

Title of the invention: LESS LETHAL PROJECTILE LAUNCHER DEVICE technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for converting a weapon that can only fire blank ammunition into a launcher of less-lethal projectiles.

[0002] This device allows, among other things, the propulsion of sublethal or reduced-lethality or incapacitating projectiles, that is to say, the target must not be killed or seriously injured.

[0003] Defense ball launchers used for crowd control, riot dispersal, and self-defense are well known. According to the official definition given by the United States Department of Defense, less-lethal weapons are weapon systems explicitly designed and primarily used to neutralize people or equipment, while minimizing fatal accidents or permanent injuries to those same people, as well as undesirable damage to their integrity and environment.

[0004] The present invention aims to offer individuals, in the context of self-defense, a means of protecting themselves while reducing the risks of irreversible injuries that could be caused by a lethal projectile fired, for example, from a hunting rifle, and to offer a device that allows the projection of several less-lethal projectiles of reduced dimensions compared to the less-lethal projectiles of 38, 40 or 44mm according to the state of the art, in order to increase the number of less-lethal projectiles available, in particular in a magazine. State of the art

[0005] Projectiles or munitions described as "less-lethal" are used by law enforcement to stop disturbances on public roads, particularly during agitated demonstrations or riots, and also for self-defense by individuals.

[0006] A type of projectile is known for use in law enforcement operations or for subduing individuals: these so-called neutralizing projectiles can be of various shapes, such as spherical or stick-shaped, and are generally made of elastomer or equivalent materials. These projectiles are designed to be fired directly at demonstrators in order to neutralize them by the shock effect produced by the projectile due to the transformation of its kinetic energy upon contact with the target.

[0007] The propellant charge of a munition which initially incorporates such a projectile is theoretically adapted so that the impact of the projectile on the target creates only bruises without endangering the life of the target.

[0008] The projectiles have significant initial dimensions, exceeding the usual calibers of lethal weapons, which necessitates the design of a weapon or launcher of equally substantial dimensions that can only fire one, or at best two, projectiles before needing to be reloaded. A good example is the 44 mm diameter defense ball launcher marketed under the name "Flash-bail".

[0009] There are already nozzles of different lengths capable of being screwed onto blank-firing weapons but which can only fire one projectile at a time and must be reloaded from the muzzle.

[0010] There is therefore a need for individuals to possess a device that is smaller in size, multi-shot and cheaper than 44mm caliber defense ball launchers and their ammunition for self-defense purposes.

[0011] The general purpose of the invention is to partially meet this need. Description of the invention

[0012] To this end and with reference to these drawings, the invention relates to a projectile launching device for blank-firing weapons dedicated to temporary neutralization, comprising [Fig.1] a longitudinally shaped frame along a central axis (X) which materializes the direction of the projectile's trajectory fixed to the picatinny rail of the blank-firing weapon by bolts and which serves as a support for the various parts constituting the device.

[0013] In this configuration, a barrel [Fig. 2] [Fig. 3] is fixed coaxially to the threaded breech of the blank-firing weapon centered on said axis (X), which includes a cavity arranged along two axes, said axis (X) and axis (Y), whose function is to house the upper part of the magazine. This cavity acts as a breechblock, thus containing the propellant gases from the firing of the blank cartridge. The barrel is held in place by the receiver, which serves as its support. A threaded breechblock is used to further secure the barrel in the receiver by screwing on a flash hider.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, a magazine capable of holding a number of projectiles ranging from 1 to 20 rounds, for example, and whose upper male part fits into the female part, or barrel cavity has two coaxial orifices on said axis (X), the first allowing the propellant gases of the blank cartridge of the weapon to come into contact with the projectile and a second orifice substantially smaller than the diameter of the projectile so that the latter does not fall out and thus increases the compression when the shot is fired, serves initially to loading of projectiles and also has the function of expelling the projectile by means of the propellant gases of the blank cartridge.

[0015] In this configuration, the internal dimensions of the barrel cavity are substantially equal to the external dimensions of the upper part of the magazine and of the same shape, having the function of perfectly housing the latter, thus allowing the propellant gases to be contained like the breech of a lethal weapon.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the magazine has a U-shaped through groove in which a through pin slides. This pin's function is to grip the shooter's fingers during loading by pulling the projectiles downwards, thereby compressing the spring. The pin is substantially the same diameter as the groove and is fixed via a guide-support that guides the projectile, which is attached to a compression spring. The guide-support and the compression spring maintain pressure on the projectiles in the magazine to ensure they remain coaxial with the orifice for proper ejection.

[0017] In an optimal configuration, the magazine and the frame have a fastening system to temporarily secure them together during firing.

[0018] To complete this assembly, the guide-support is cylindrical in shape, optimizing its sliding in the cylindrical housing of the projectiles. In the case where the projectiles are cylindrical in shape, the latter has an orifice which allows the pin to pass through and allows the loading of the projectiles by compression of the spring.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the receiver has a Picatinny rail on its top and bottom for attaching sights and / or a grip. Picatinny rails may also be present on the right and left sides of the receiver.

[0020] In order to complete the retention of the frame and the barrel, a flash hider is screwed onto the said barrel.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the carcass is made in two parts, joined together by male-female bolts and guides.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the charger is made in two parts, joined together by male-female bolts and guides.

[0023] In different configurations, the part containing the projectiles in the magazine can be located perpendicular to the barrel or parallel to it, and the magazine can be rectangular, cylindrical, or any other shape and dimensions depending on the shape, dimensions, and number of projectiles.

Claims

1.

2. Demands Projectile launching device for blank-firing weapons (A) dedicated to temporary neutralization, comprising a longitudinally shaped frame (10) along a central axis (X) which defines the direction of the projectile's trajectory, fixed to a Picatinny rail of the blank-firing weapon by bolts (11), and which serves as a support for the various parts constituting the device supporting: - a barrel (12) fixed coaxially to a threaded hole (13) of the blank-firing weapon (A) centered on said axis (X), comprising a cavity (14) arranged along two axes, said axis (X) and axis (Y), whose function is to house the upper part (16) of the magazine (15) by means of a male-female connection. This cavity (14) acts as a breechblock, thus containing the propellant gases produced by the firing of the blank cartridge. The barrel (12) is held in place by the frame (10) which serves as its support. A threaded hole (17) is used to further secure the barrel in the frame (10) by screwing on a flash hider (18). - a magazine (15) capable of holding a number of projectiles (B) ranging from 1 to 20 shots for example and whose upper male part (16) fitting into the female part, or cavity (14) of the barrel (12) has two coaxial orifices on the said axis (X), the first (18) allowing the propellant gases of the blank cartridge of the weapon to come into contact with the projectile (B) and a second orifice (19) substantially smaller than the diameter of the projectile so that the latter does not fall and allowing to increase the compression when the shot is fired, used in the first instance for loading the projectiles and also having the function of expelling the projectile thanks to the propellant gases of the blank cartridge. Projectile launching device for blank-firing weapons (A) dedicated to temporary neutralization, according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal dimensions of the barrel cavity (14) are substantially equal to the external dimensions of the upper part of the magazine and of the same shape (16), having the function of housing the latter, allowing to contain the propulsion gases like the breech of a lethal weapon.

3. Blank-firing projectile launching device (A) dedicated to temporary neutralization, according to claim 1, characterized in that the magazine (15) has a through groove (20) in the shape of (U), in which slides a through pin (21) having the function of gripping the shooter's fingers when loading the projectiles (B) by a downward pulling movement compressing a spring (23), substantially of the same diameter as the groove and fixed through a support guide (22) which allows the guidance of the projectile, the latter being fixed to a compression spring (23), the support guide (22) and the compression spring (23), having the function of maintaining pressure on the projectiles in the magazine in order to keep a projectile coaxial with the orifice (19) for its expulsion.

4. Blank-firing projectile launching device (A) dedicated to temporary neutralization, according to claim 1, characterized in that the magazine (13) and the frame (10) have a fastening system to temporarily secure them together during firing.

5. Blank-firing projectile launching device (A) dedicated to temporary neutralization, according to claim 3, characterized in that the guide-support (22) is cylindrical in shape, optimizing its sliding in the cylindrical housing of the projectiles (B) in the case where the projectiles are cylindrical in shape, the latter having an orifice allowing the pin (21) to pass through and allowing the loading of the projectiles by compression of the spring (23).

6. A blank-firing projectile launching device (A) dedicated to temporary neutralization, according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (10) has a Picatinny rail on its top and bottom for attaching a sight and / or a grip. Picatinny rails may also be present on the right and left sides of the frame (10).

7. Blank-firing projectile launching device (A) dedicated to temporary neutralization, according to claim 1, characterized in that the carcass (10) is made in two parts, joined together by male-female type bolts and guides.

8. A blank-firing projectile launching device (A) dedicated to temporary neutralization, according to claim 1, characterized in that that the charger (15) is made in two parts, joined together by male-female bolts and guides.

9. Blank-firing projectile launching device (A) dedicated to temporary neutralization, according to claim 1, characterized in that the part containing the projectiles in the magazine (15) can be located perpendicular to the barrel and along the (X) axis or located parallel to the (Y) axis and the magazine can be rectangular, cylindrical or any other shape and dimensions depending on the shape, dimensions of the projectiles and their number.

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