Firearm Breech Bolt for Electrified Projectile Launch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Law enforcement agencies face budgetary constraints and liability issues, making it difficult to use nonlethal force effectively, as existing nonlethal weapons like TASER® guns are often single-shot and require frequent replacement, and there is a need for a firearm that can fire electrified projectiles without accidentally discharging lethal ammunition.
Innovation Solution
A specialized breech bolt for firearms, such as shotguns, that allows the launch of electrified projectiles by using a cartridge with a primer and pyrotechnic propellant, while preventing the discharge of lethal ammunition by creating an excess space that prevents the firing pin from reaching the primer of standard shotshells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard firearm is used to fire electrified projectiles, then the firearm can deliver nonlethal force, but there is a risk of accidentally discharging lethal ammunition
Solution Approach 1:
The breech bolt is segmented into distinct functional zones: a first recess for electrified projectiles and a second recess for lethal ammunition. This segmentation physically separates the two types of ammunition receptacles, allowing the firearm to reliably distinguish between them and prevent accidental discharge of lethal ammunition while enabling controlled delivery of electrified projectiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The breech bolt acts as an intermediary mechanism between the ammunition cartridge and the firing mechanism. By incorporating the selective engagement feature, the breech bolt mediates the interaction, allowing the firing pin to engage with the primer of electrified projectiles while preventing engagement with lethal ammunition through the excess space design.
2Reliability
If a specialized breech bolt is designed to prevent lethal ammunition discharge, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The breech bolt is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as both the standard breech bolt for opening/closing the breech and as a selective engagement mechanism to prevent lethal ammunition discharge. The integrated design combines the opening/closing function with the safety function in a single component, avoiding the need for separate safety mechanisms and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Reliability
If existing nonlethal weapons like TASER guns are used, then nonlethal force can be applied, but the weapons are single-shot and require frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functionality of electrified projectile delivery with the existing firearm platform. By integrating the specialized breech bolt into a standard firearm, the system combines the nonlethal force delivery capability with the durability and reliability of traditional firearms, enabling repeated use and eliminating the need for frequent replacement of single-shot nonlethal weapons.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the effective use of electrified projectiles for nonlethal force applications, ensuring that only electrified projectiles are fired and preventing accidental discharge of lethal ammunition, thus addressing budget and liability concerns while providing a reliable and efficient means for law enforcement.
Implementation Method 1
a cartridge, with an electrified projectile, nested within the protrusion; wherein the cartridge has a primer and a pyrotechnic propellant; wherein the electrified projectile is propelled from the firearm by striking the firing pin against the primer, thereby igniting the pyrotechnic propellant
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus are disclosed for launching electrified projectiles from a firearm (preferably, a shotgun) by using a specially designed breech bolt which also prohibits firing lethal ammunition. The preferred method comprises: opening a receiver of a shotgun by retracting a breech bolt having a central protrusion on a leading end; inserting a cartridge, having an electrified projectile, into a breech of the firearm; wherein the electrified projectile contains a primer and adjacent pyrotechnic propellant; nesting an end portion of the cartridge within the protrusion of the bolt; propelling the electrified projectile from the firearm by striking a firing pin of the shotgun against the primer, thereby igniting the pyrotechnic propellant, of the nested electrified projectile; and prohibiting, by the central protrusion of the bolt, the firing of lethal ammunition from the firearm.