Anchors for Entangling Projectiles

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/295,713, filed Apr. 4, 2023, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present technology relates generally to entangling projectiles for use in less-than-lethal projectile launchers. More particularly, the present technology relates to configurations of anchors of entangling projectiles and related methods.

The present Applicant has pioneered the use of launchers for directing entangling projectiles toward a subject. Such launchers have been successfully used to temporarily impede a subject's ability to walk, run, or use his or her arms in cases where law enforcement, security personnel or military personnel wish to detain a subject, but do not wish to use lethal or harmful force or to engage in close proximity hand-to-hand combat. This technology provides a manner by which the arms or legs of a subject can be temporarily tethered or bound, to the extent that the subject finds it difficult to continue moving in a normal fashion.

While such systems have proven very effective, improving the frequency at which anchors of entangling projectiles successfully engage a subject continues to be a design goal.

In accordance with one aspect of the technology, an anchor for use in an entangling projectile is provided. The anchor can include at least two segments, a head segment and a tail segment. The at least two segments can be positionable relative to one another in at least a first, primary configuration and a second, displaced configuration. A biasing element can be associated with one or both of the head segment and the tail segment, the biasing element being operable to apply a restorative force to one or both of the head segment and the tail segment. The restorative force tends to return the respective segments into the primary configuration after being moved into the displaced configuration. One or more hook segments can be carried by the head or the tail portion, the one or more hook segments operable to engage the person of a subject about which the entangling projectile has been deployed.

In accordance with another aspect of the technology, an anchor for use in an entangling projectile is provided. The anchor can include a head segment and a tail segment, the head segment and tail segment being positionable relative to one another in at least a first, primary configuration and a second, displaced configuration. A shank segment can be intermediate the head segment and tail segment. A biasing element can be associated with one or more of the head segment, the tail segment and the shank segment. The biasing element can be operable to apply a restorative force to one or both of the head segment and the tail segment. The restorative force can tend to return the respective segments into the primary configuration after being moved into the displaced configuration. One or more hook segments can be carried by the tail portion, the one or more hook segments operable to engage the person of a subject about which the entangling projectile has been deployed.

In accordance with another aspect of the technology, an entangling projectile for use in a launcher is provided. The entangling projectile can include a pair of anchors. Each anchor can include a head segment and a tail segment, the head segment and tail segment being positionable relative to one another in at least a first, primary configuration and a second, displaced configuration. A shank segment can be intermediate the head segment and tail segment. A biasing element can be associated with one or more of the head segment, the tail segment and the shank segment. The biasing element can be operable to apply a restorative force to one or both of the head segment and the tail segment. The restorative force can tend to return the respective segments into the primary configuration after being moved into the displaced configuration. One or more hook segments can be carried by the tail portion, the one or more hook segments operable to engage the person of a subject about which the entangling projectile has been deployed. A tether can be coupled to and can extend between each of the respective head segments.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “the” can include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an “anchor” can include one or more of such anchors, if the context dictates.

As used herein, the term “launcher” refers to any of a variety of devices capable of launching, propelling or otherwise discharging a projectile. Suitable examples of launchers are discussed in previous patent applications to the present Applicant, including without limitation that issued on Oct. 23, 2018 as U.S. Pat. No. 10,107,599. Other suitable launchers include, without limitation, conventional firearms, EMD (electro-muscular discharge) weapons, and various short- and long-range less-than-lethal weapons.

As used herein, when one or more hook segments are discussed as engaging “the person” of a subject, it is to be understood that such term can refer to a portion of the subject's body, e.g., an arm or leg or torso, or to an object carried by or on the subject's body, e.g., clothing, carrying packs, gloves, undergarments, etc.

As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. As an arbitrary example, an object that is “substantially” enclosed is an article that is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend upon the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. As another arbitrary example, a composition that is “substantially free of” an ingredient or element may still actually contain such item so long as there is no measurable effect as a result thereof.

As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to a numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “a little above” or “a little below” the endpoint.

Relative directional terms can sometimes be used herein to describe and claim various components of the present invention. Such terms include, without limitation, “lower,” “higher,” “upward,” “downward,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” etc. These terms are generally not intended to be limiting, but are used to most clearly describe and claim the various features of the invention. Where such terms must carry some limitation, they are intended to be limited to usage commonly known and understood by those of ordinary skill in the art in the context of this disclosure.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary.

Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of “about 1 to about 5” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3, and 4 and sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4, and from 3-5, etc., as well as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, individually.

This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value as a minimum or a maximum. Furthermore, such an interpretation should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described.

The present technology relates generally to advances in less-than-lethal launching systems developed by the present Applicant, sometimes referred to as ensnarement or entanglement systems, that can be effectively used as an aid in impeding the progress of or detaining aggressive or fleeing subjects. Devices in accordance with the present technology can be advantageously used to temporarily impede a subject's ability to walk, run, or use his or her arms. These can be advantageously used in cases where law enforcement, security personnel or military personnel wish to detain a subject, but do not wish to use lethal or harmful force or to engage in close proximity hand-to-hand combat. The technology provides a manner by which the arms or legs of a subject can be temporarily tethered or bound, to the extent that the subject finds it difficult to continue moving in a normal fashion.

While the present technology can be directed at a range of portions of a subject's body, the following discussion can sometimes focus on use of the technology to temporarily tether or bind a subject's legs. It is to be understood, however, that the present technology is not limited to this application. In some cases, multiple portions of the subject's body can be targeted, such as both the arms and the legs.

The generalized operation of the present Applicant's ensnarement devices is shown broadly in. These conventional systems include an entangling projectilethat can be deployed toward a portion of a subject's body: when the projectile contacts the body, the projectile encircles the body to thereby entangle or ensnare the subject. The projectile includes at least one flexible tetherand a pair of anchors or pellets,, coupled together by the tether. Collectively, a tether having a pair of anchors at opposing ends thereof is referred to as “a projectile.” The anchors shown inare shown generically: as will be appreciated from the remaining figures, the anchors can include more sophisticated architecture where desired. By engaging a subject with the entangling projectile, the subject is temporarily rendered partially or fully incapacitated and thereby restricted in his or her ability to flee or attack. The entangling projectiles of the present technology are launched toward a subject (in) by a launcher. The present Applicant has developed any number of launchers with which the present anchors can be utilized, as one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate upon review of this disclosure.

Generally speaking, a launcher for use with the present entangling projectiles will launch a projectile toward a subjectat a relatively high rate of speed. Typically, the projectile can be deployed toward a subject from a distance of between about 6 feet and about 30 feet (1.8 to 9.1 meters), and engages the subject within less than about 0.5 seconds (traveling between about 100-500 ft/sec (30-183 m/s) at the muzzle). After being deployed from the launcher, the entangling projectile will encircle the subject's person a plurality of times, causing the subject to be temporarily unable to effectively move. As the entangling projectile can be launched from some distance, law enforcement personnel can maintain a safe distance from a subject, yet still be able to effectively and safely temporarily restrain, disable or impede the subject.

Operation of the entangling projectile is shown generally in: after being released by a launcher, the projectiletravels toward a subject. As the projectile travels toward the subject, pellets,travel away from one another. As the anchors travel away from one another, the tetheris pulled into an increasingly more taut configuration. Note that, as shown in, the tether may not fully reach a taut configuration prior to engaging the subject. Once the projectile engages the subject (in the example shown in these figures, the subject's legs are engaged), the pellets and tether encircle the subject and thereby temporarily entangle and/or disable the subject.

illustrates the projectileextended to its full length “L.” In one embodiment, the overall length of the tether is much longer than the length of the anchors or pellets (L). The overall length can be on the order of seven feet (2.14 meters) or greater. The pellets can have a length “L” () on the order of about 1.5 inches (3.81 cm), and a diameter “D” on the order of between about ⅛ of an inch and about ⅜ of an inch (0.32-0.95 cm). While differing embodiments of the technology can vary, it is generally desirable to maintain the pellets at a relatively small size to thereby limit the overall size requirements of the projectile casing that houses the pellets prior to deployment and to reduce the impact should a pellet contact the subject directly. In this manner, the technology can be provided in a lightweight, hand-held device.

illustrate an exemplary application of the present technology. These figures are provided to explain the basic function of the various components: it is to be understood that the relative sizes and positions of the various components in these figures may not be drawn to scale, nor may the relationship between the positions of the anchors and the tether be precisely shown.illustrates a series of configurations/positions of the projectileafter it has been deployed from the launcher.

As shown at reference, the tethergenerally trails behind the anchors,as the anchors move forwardly and apart. At the position shown at reference, the anchors have advanced forwardly and further apart, and have pulled the tether into a configuration more closely approximating a taut configuration. The position shown at referenceis immediately prior to the tethercontacting the subject. After this point, the anchors will begin orbiting about the subject in smaller and smaller orbits until the projectile is completely encircled about the subject.illustrates the position of the anchors slightly after: as can be seen, the anchors have begun encircling the subject.

illustrates an anchor configuration utilized in the Applicant's prior systems. In this example, anchorincludes a tail segmentand a head segment. Either the head segment of the tail segment of the anchor can carry one or more hook segmentsthat extend generally away from the head segment and downward (in this view) toward the tail segment. The hook segments aid in engaging the person of the subject toward which the entangling projectile has been launched. As the anchors orbit about the subject, and eventually contact the subject, the hook segments aid in at least temporarily maintaining the entangling projectile in an encircled configuration about the subject.

Turning tothough, in one aspect of the present technology, an anchoris provided for use as a portion of an entangling projectile. The anchor can include at least two segments, including a tail segmentand a head segment. In this embodiment, the at least two segments can be positionable relative to one another in at least a first, primary configuration, e.g., the configuration shown in, and atin. The segments can also be positionable relative to one another in at least a second, displaced configuration, e.g., the configuration shown for example at positionsorin. A biasing element, in this example itemin, can be associated with one or both of the head segment and the tail segment. The biasing element can be operable to apply a restorative force to one or both of the head segment and the tail segment. The restorative force tends to return the respective segments into the primary configuration after being moved into the displaced configuration.

The biasing elementin this embodiment thus serves two primary purposes: 1) it allows the tail segmentand the head segmentto be moved from the primary configuration upon application of some force; and 2) it provides a force that tends to return the head and tail segments into the primary configuration once said force is removed. As such, the biasing element is non-deformably or elastically moveable from its orientation in the primary configuration to its orientation in the displaced configuration.

In the example shown in, anchorincludes a shank segmentthat extends from the tail segmentto the head segment. In this particular embodiment, the shank segment also serves as the biasing element. The shank segment can be formed from a suitable material that can non-deformably move from the primary configuration to the displaced configuration. In one aspect, the shank segment/biasing element is formed from a material commonly known as piano wire, and includes a diameter of about 0.020 inches. Piano wire is generally formed from tempered, high-carbon steel, also known as spring steel, that exhibits a very high tensile strength. Due to the size and makeup of the shank segment, the wire is very resistant to compression and tension loads, while also providing the ability to laterally bend from one side to another. In other words, the biasing element in this example is non-deformably displaceable laterally, but is substantially unextendible and incompressible during normal use.

In this embodiment, the head portioncan carry one or more hook segmentsthat can be operable to engage the person of a subject about which the entangling projectile has been deployed. While the hooks are capable of engaging the skin of a subject, it is much more common for the hooks to engage clothing worn by the subject.illustrates one example of the manner in which the various components of the anchor interact to engage a portionof a subject. In this example, the portioncan be any portion of the subject: a leg, arm, torso, clothing, etc. Note that the portionis not shown to scale in this figure: the portion will generally be much larger than the pellet: this figure is simplified to more easily illustrate the function of the anchor. As the anchorfinishes encircling the portionof the subject, it is generally traveling at very high speed. As soon as the hook segmentcomes into contact with the portion of the body, it tends to engage this portion to hold the anchor in position, which thereby maintains the entire entangling projectile in position about the subject to thereby entangle the subject. While the hook segments have proven to increase the likelihood of a successful engagement with the subject, there are still times when the hook segments fail to engage, or to remain engaged, with the portion of the subject.

The present anchors can greatly increase the likelihood of a successful engagement as the biasing element tends to apply a restorative force to the hook segment immediately after impact, which tends to “set” the hook within the structure it engaged. In this manner, less aggressive hook configurations can be utilized, as a successful “set” can be achieved even with less pronounced hook angles or profiles. In the example shown in, the tail portionlikely first contacted the portion, with the tetherlikely being pulled fairly taut by the momentum of the anchors orbiting the subject. Once the tail segment contacts the portion, the head portionwill continue to travel, causing the shank segment/biasing element to bend laterally, until the hook segment engages the portion. That is, the anchor is initially in the primary configuration upon initial contact, but bends into the displaced configuration immediately thereafter. The biasing forces thus created in the shank segment/biasing element will then tend to pull the head segment (and thereby the hook segments) back into the primary configuration. This causes the hook segments to more securely cinch into the portionthat was initially contacted: that is, it tends to “set” the hook into the portion initially contacted. As the tether is very often sufficiently taut at this time (aided, likely, by the subject struggling against the encircled tether), the resulting forces applied to the hook segment tend to maintain it in engagement with the portionthat is initially engaged, resulting in much lower likelihood that the hook segment will disengage.

Tethercan be attached to the tail portionin a variety of manners. Two anchors are generally utilized with a single tether to constitute a single entangling projectile, with an anchor at each end of a tether. In the terminology used herein, the tail segment is generally that to which the tether is coupled, with the head segment generally that to which the hook segments are coupled. In this case, as shown in, the tether may need to be fed beyond the tail portion toward the front of a launcher (not shown). In the example anchorshown, the tail segmentcan include a recessed slotformed therein. The tethercan be positioned within the recessed slot so as to be thereby recessed beneath a largest outer diameterof the tail segment. This can advantageously allow the tether to be routed beyond the tail section within the bore of a socket or other structure within a launcher without interfering with the generally very close tolerance between the outer diameter of the tail section and the inner bore of such socket.

illustrate a further embodiment of the technology. In this example, anchorincludes a tail segment, a head segment, and a biasing element.illustrates this anchor in the primary configuration. In this example, the biasing element includes a coil spring that is displaceable laterally, provides some degree of extension in tension, but is resistant to compressive forces (at least while in the primary configuration shown in). As shown in, tail segment can include an extension portionand head segment can include an extension portion, each of which can be installable within an inner core of the coil spring. Thus, the coil spring serves to connect or couple the head segment to the tail segment.illustrates the anchorin a displaced configuration: one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate the tendency of this spring to return to the primary configuration shown inonce the load causing the deflection inhas been removed.

illustrate yet another embodiment of the technology in which anchorincludes tail segment, shank segmentand head segment. In this element, a separate biasing element, in the form of a coil spring, can be pivotally coupled to each of the tail segment and the shank segment. In this embodiment, while the shank segment may or may not be flexible, the coil spring allows both the shank segment and the head segment to deflect laterally, but then provides a restorative force that tends to return them both to the primary configuration upon release of the force that caused the segments to move from the primary configuration. As shown by indicators,, the coil spring will apply forces in two directions to the hook segment, which can aid in retaining the hook segment in contact with the person of the subject.

illustrate another embodiment of the invention in which a flexible elementextends between tail segmentand head segmentof anchor. The flexible element can be formed from the same material of which the tetheris formed, or a variety of other suitable materials that allow the head segment to be articulated, or positioned in a variety of positions, relative to the tail segment after launch. This can allow the hooks of the head segment to more easily engage the person of the subject, as the head segment can be forced rapidly against an arm, leg or torso of the subject after the tail segment contacts the subject. The flexible segment can allow the head portion to be “whipped” or “lashed” against the subject's person, resulting in a higher likelihood of a successful engagement.

As is shown in, the flexible elementcan be stored within the tail segmentprior to launch, with at least a portion of the head segmentalso stored within the tail segment. Once deployed, the flexible element can allow the head segment, and thus the hook segments, to extend away from the tail segment and articulate freely relative to the tail segment. In one embodiment, as shown by example in, the flexible element, or the biasing elements discussed in previous elements, can include a plurality of hook segments that can be coupled to the flexible element. In addition, each hook segment can include its own flexible element: that is, multiple flexible segments can be coupled within the tail segment, each having its own hook segment attached thereto. In each case, the flexible element or hook segments can nest, or be stored within, another component of the anchor. Generally, the flexible element is separate from and independent of the tether portion: it will generally extend from the anchor in the opposite direction from the tether.

Accordingly, in one embodiment of the technology, an entangling projectile for use in a launcher can be provided. The entangling projectile can include a pair of anchors, each anchor including: a head segment and a tail segment, the head segment and tail segment being positionable relative to one another in at least a first, primary configuration and a second, displaced configuration. A flexible element can be intermediate the head segment and the tail segment. The flexible element can be operable to allow relative movement between the head segment and the tail segment to allow the tail segment to articulate relative to the head segment. One or more hook segments can be carried by the head portion, the one or more hook segments operable to engage the person of a subject about which the entangling projectile has been deployed. A tether can be coupled to and can extend between each of the anchors. The tether can be separate from and independent of the flexible element.

For example, as shown in, in one aspect of the technology, anchorcan include a tail segmentand a head segment. The tail segmentcan include a series of elements,,, etc., that can nest one within another when in the primary configuration shown in. In, the anchoris shown in a displaced configuration. In this example, each of the elements can comprise at least a partially hollow shell that allows them to stack one atop another. Each of a series of tethers or tether segments,,, etc., can extend between each of the elements. When stacked, as shown in, the tether or tether segments can be stored in the space between elements. When the anchor is in the displaced configuration (), the tether or tether segments allow the individual shell elements to articulate relative to one another. This can aid in ensuring the anchor successfully engages the subject upon contact. Edges of the shell elements can engage the person of the subject while the overall design allows the anchor to conform to the person of the subject.

In the example shown in, anchorcan include only a segment analogous to those discussed above as a tail segment. In this example, each of a series of elements,,etc., can be arranged in a nesting configuration, similar to the arrangement of. A tether or tether segments,, etc., can join each of the elements, and can be stored within the space between two elements when the anchor is in the configuration shown in. In this example, however, one or more of the elements,, etc., can include a hook or hook segment,, etc. While only some of the elements are shown carrying a hook segment, it is to be understood than only one of the segments can carry a hook segment, or all of the segments can carry a hook segment. Edges of the shell elements,, etc., can engage the person of the subject in addition to each of the hook segments,, etc. The flexibility or articularity of the overall design allows the anchor to conform to the person of the subject.

In addition to the structure outlined above, the present technology also provides various methods of configuring anchors and/or entangling projectiles, methods of utilizing such systems, methods of associating such systems with various projectile launchers, and methods of utilizing projectile launchers carrying such systems.

It is to be understood that the above-referenced arrangements are illustrative of the application for the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and described above in connection with the exemplary embodiments(s) of the invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the examples.