초록 ▼

A non-lethal projectile or a projectile for delivery of a substance (optional) has a tubular body casing ( 1 ) which surrounds a compartment ( 2 ) for containment of the substance. The compartment ( 2 ) coaxially supports a hollow tube ( 5 ) projecting forward within an ogival nose cap ( 8 ). An inf

A non-lethal projectile or a projectile for delivery of a substance (optional) has a tubular body casing ( 1 ) which surrounds a compartment ( 2 ) for containment of the substance. The compartment ( 2 ) coaxially supports a hollow tube ( 5 ) projecting forward within an ogival nose cap ( 8 ). An inflatable membrane ( 7 ) is located within the nose cap ( 8 ). On target impact the nose is displaced and permits a small amount of substance from compartment ( 2 ) to bleed through opening ( 6 ) allowing piston ( 4 ) to move forward uncovering ports ( 16 ). This action allows pressure gas to pass through the ports ( 16 ) and ducts to inflate the membrane ( 7 ). The piston is also free to move forward to discharge the substance through needle ( 5 ). The bag ( 7 ) thus expands rapidly and prevents excess penetration whilst spreading the impact energy over a wide area. The construction avoids the need for a charge to be contained within the projectile itself.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A projectile having a nose part and a body part the nose part including means to effectively retard the velocity thereof on impact with a target in such a way as to prevent excessive damage, injury or penetration at the target, the said means comprising an inflatable membrane operatively connecte

1. A projectile having a nose part and a body part the nose part including means to effectively retard the velocity thereof on impact with a target in such a way as to prevent excessive damage, injury or penetration at the target, the said means comprising an inflatable membrane operatively connected to a container in the body part of the projectile for storage of a pressurized gas or storage of a pressurized gas producing means, a release means to effect release of the pressure gas into the membrane to produce a rapid expansion in volume of said membrane to produce a large increase in the area at the nose of the projectile following impact with a target. 2. A projectile in accordance with claim 1, including a delivery device for release of a substance to the target, the projectile including a cavity to contain such substance and means to release the said substance at a point of impact with a target, the inflatable membrane being inflated on impact with a target by a sensor device operative to release the gas pressure stored in the container to the membrane. 3. A projectile in accordance with claim 2, wherein the gas pressure container is operatively associated with the delivery device for the purpose of releasing the said substance. 4. A projectile in accordance with claim 1, in combination with a cartridge for firing the projectile from a gun the rear of the projectile body having a valved orifice leading to a reservoir chamber forming the storage means for propulsive gas pressure, said gas pressure being derived from the propulsive gas produced by the cartridge on firing from the said gun. 5. A projectile in accordance with claim 4, wherein the reservoir chamber includes a piston acted on by the pressure gas the piston being displaced by the pressure gas to discharge the substance and inflate the membrane following impact with a target. 6. A projectile in accordance with claim 5, wherein on initial impact with a target the said substance within the cavity commences to discharge thus allowing the piston to initially move to expose a passageway through which gas pressure is released to inflate the membrane. 7. A non-lethal projectile having a body defining a cavity and a nose connected therewith, the body housing a pressure gas storage container, or a pressure gas producing charge located in a pressure gas storage container, the nose including a deformable or malleable substance located within an outer casing, the outer casing having an overlying membrane internally communicating with the pressure gas storage container and forming a means to effectively retard the velocity of the projectile on impact with a target, the membrane being inflatable by said pressure gas to produce a rapid volumetric increase in the membrane at or close to impact with a target. 8. A projectile in accordance with claim 7, wherein pressure gas stored in the projectile is derived from the propulsive charge gases occurring on firing from a weapon. 9. A projectile in accordance with claim 7, wherein the pressure gas is generated at or close to impact by a gas producing charge ignited by a detonator. 10. A projectile in accordance with claim 1, wherein the gas pressure also disperses a payload carried by the projectile. 11. A projectile in accordance with claim 1, wherein the membrane comprises a stretchable elastic material located around the projectile nose. 12. A projectile in accordance with claim 11, wherein the membrane forms the external surface of the nose of the projectile. 13. A projectile in accordance with claim 1, wherein the membrane is a bag which is contained within the nose of the projectile in a folded or pleated to condition, the bag comprising a reinforced fabric which is semi-permeable to gases affording relatively slow diffusion of as following inflation. 14. A projectile in accordance with claim 1, wherein the nose part of the projectile further includes a deformable or malleable impact absorbing material which spreads on impact. 15. A projectile in accordance with claim 14, wherein the said material is a solid foam-like or gel-like gel composition having a nano-porous open cell foam structure. 16. A projectile in accordance with claim 1, wherein the body part comprises a canister connected with the nose part, the canister containing a pressure gas or pressure gas producing means, the forward end of the canister having a valve means, the nose part comprising a profiled impact deformable material with a portion to act on and open the valve following impact with a target, the nose part having a membrane around the deformable material, the membrane being inflated on release of the pressure gas from the canister through opening of the valve. 17. A projectile in accordance with claim 16, wherein the membrane is protected by a nose cone or covering. 18. A projectile in accordance with claim 1, constructed as a sub-calibre discarding sabot projectile. 19. A projectile in accordance with claim 1, wherein the container is associated with two, or more, otherwise inert substances which, when brought together, produce pressure gas for storage in said container. 20. A projectile in accordance with claim 1, wherein the said pressure gas producing means comprises two or more substances which, in combination, generate pressure gas. 21. A projectile in accordance with claim 1, wherein the container is connected through a valve in the base of the body part, the valve permitting charging of the container with pressure gas on firing the projectile from a gun. 22. A projectile in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pressure gas is stored within a capsule forming the pressure gas producing means. 23. A projectile in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pressurized gas producing means comprises a detonator activated on impact of the projectile. 24. A projectile in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pressurized gas producing means comprises a detonator activated on firing of the projectile from a gun.