Handgun-Mounted Chemical Spray Dispenser with Ambidextrous Trigger Guard Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chemical irritant spray devices attached to handguns face issues of functional integrity, safety, and situational activation, particularly requiring two-handed operation, potential accidental discharge, and limited ambidexterity.
Innovation Solution
A spray dispenser that mounts to the handgun's rail with a manual actuator and activation levers straddling the trigger guard, allowing one-handed activation regardless of hand position, using a pivoting mechanism to displace the pressurized canister and release the irritant without squeezing action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a chemical spray device is mounted to a gun rail with a twist activation knob, then the device can be activated, but the user must use two hands and alter their grip technique
Solution Approach 1:
The activation mechanism is segmented into a push-button trigger that operates independently from the handgun grip, allowing the chemical spray device to be activated without twisting or altering the grip. The push-button is positioned on the actuator body, separate from the handgun interaction area.
Solution Approach 2:
A push-button intermediary mechanism is introduced between the user's finger and the chemical spray activation. This button can be pressed with the index finger while maintaining a proper two-handed grip on the handgun, serving as a mediator that enables activation without direct manipulation of the spray canister.
2Ease of operation
If a chemical spray device is activated by pulling a trigger, then activation is simple, but muscle memory could cause accidental discharge of the handgun
Solution Approach 1:
The activation control is localized to a specific push-button position on the actuator body that is distinct from the handgun trigger. The button is positioned such that only the index finger can reach it naturally, creating a localized control point that differs from the handgun trigger location and action.
Solution Approach 2:
The activation mechanism uses asymmetric positioning of the push-button relative to the handgun trigger, creating a distinct finger motion pattern. The button is placed on the actuator body at an angle and position that requires a different muscle memory pattern than pulling a handgun trigger, reducing cross-contamination of motor skills.
3Device complexity
If an activation lever extends to only one side of the handgun, then the mechanism is simple, but the device is not ambidextrous
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator assembly is designed with universal ambidextrous functionality, allowing operation with either the left or right hand. The push-button trigger and activation levers are positioned and configured to be accessible from both sides of the handgun, enabling law enforcement officers to activate the chemical spray device regardless of which hand they use to hold the handgun.
4Reliability
If the activation lever requires bracing and applying counter pressure, then the activation mechanism is stable, but the squeezing action can accidentally squeeze the handgun trigger
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful squeezing action is extracted and replaced with a simple push-button depression motion. Instead of requiring the user to brace and apply counter pressure that could inadvertently squeeze the trigger, the system uses a dedicated push-button that can be pressed forward with minimal force in a controlled manner.
Solution Approach 2:
A push-button intermediary mechanism is introduced between the user's finger and the activation system. This button provides a stable activation method that requires forward pressure rather than squeezing motion, acting as a mediator that eliminates the harmful side effect of accidental trigger squeeze while maintaining activation stability.
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 safe, ambidextrous, and one-handed activation of the chemical irritant spray without interfering with handgun operation, reducing the risk of accidental discharge and enhancing situational usability.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurized canister (42) having a dispensing valve (44)
Implementation Method 2
A spray nozzle (52) is disposed at the first end of the body. The spray nozzle opens the dispensing valve
Data Source
AI summary
A device that attaches to a handgun that selectively dispenses material from a pressurized canister. The device defines an internal receptacle of a first length that is sized to receive the pressurized canister. A nozzle is disposed at a first end. The pressurized canister is selectively biased against the spray nozzle by being displaced within the canister receptacle by a manual actuator. An actuator is suspended between the tabs with a pivot joint. This enables the actuator to swing from a first position outside the receptacle to a second position within the receptacle. The part of the actuator that enters the receptacle contacts the pressurized canister and displaces the pressurized canister forward against the spray nozzle. This releases the contents of the pressurized canister through the spray nozzle. The actuator includes two parallel levers that pass to both sides of the handgun's trigger guard.