Non-lethal projectile systems

Abstract

A non-lethal projectile system for non-lethally inhibiting a living target, multi-functional launching devices for delivering the non-lethal projectile systems to a target, methods of assembling the non-lethal projectiles, and tactical methods of the use of the non-lethal projectile, the non-lethal projectile consists of a projectile body to be impacted with a living target and an inhibiting substance within the projectile body, wherein upon impact with the target, the inhibiting substance is dispersed on and about the target. In a variation, the projectile body ruptures upon impact releasing the substance. In another variation, the inhibiting substance is a powdered substance comprising a powdered pepper derived substance, for example, oleoresin capsicum or capsaicin.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A multi-functional launcher for launching non-lethal projectiles comprising: 
 a launcher body;    a light comprising a bulb and a reflector, wherein the light is located within the launcher body;    a launch barrel within the launcher body, wherein the launch barrel extends through a portion of the launcher body;    a propellant canister within the launcher body, wherein the propellant canister contains compressed gas;    a bolt assembly located within the launch barrel, wherein the bolt assembly positions a non-lethal projectile within the launch barrel; and    an actuator coupled to the propellant canister, wherein the actuator releases a portion of the compressed gas from the propellant canister, wherein the compressed gas is directed behind the non-lethal projectile located within the launch barrel to launch of the non-lethal projectile.    
     
     
         2 . The multi-functional launcher for launching non-lethal projectiles of  claim 1  further comprising a laser beam coupled to said launcher body.  
     
     
         3 . A multi-functional launcher for launching non-lethal projectiles comprising: 
 a launcher body comprising: 
 means for launching one or more non-lethal projectiles contained within a launcher body;  
 one or more means contained within the launcher body selected from the group of means consisting of: lighting means for providing a beam of light to be emitted from the launcher body, laser targeting means for aiming said launcher towards a target, spraying means for spraying one or more substances towards a target, transmitting means for transmitting a radio frequency signal, siren means for emitting a sound, and striking means for delivering a kinetic blow to the target.  
   
     
     
         3 . A non-lethal projectile launcher comprising: 
 a handle;    a trigger coupled to the handle;    a cylinder coupled to the handle;    a plurality of chambers within the cylinder;    a barrel coupled to the cylinder;    a hammer coupled to the cylinder;    a non-lethal projectile system contained within one of the plurality of chambers, the non-lethal projectile system comprising: 
 a casing;  
 a propellant canister containing a compressed gas within the casing;  
 an actuator coupled to the propellant canister;  
 a projectile body positioned within the casing proximate to the actuator and the propellant canister; and  
 an inhibiting substance contained within the projectile body;  
   wherein upon firing, the hammer causes the actuator to puncture the propellant canister, releasing the compressed gas behind the projectile body, whereby launching the projectile body from the casing through the barrel.    
     
     
         4 . The non-lethal projectile launcher of  claim 3  further comprising a means for illuminating a target.  
     
     
         5 . The non-lethal projectile launcher of  claim 3  further comprising a laser targeting means for aiming said launcher.  
     
     
         6 . A method of non-lethally inhibiting a target using a non-lethal projectile system comprising a projectile body containing a substance, the method comprising: 
 illuminating the target with a light built into a launch device; and    launching a projectile body from the launch device at the target.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising a laser beam attached to said launch device.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising: 
 impacting the target with the projectile body, wherein upon impact, the projectile body ruptures;  
 radially dispersing the substance from within the projectile body on and about the target; and  
 contacting the target with the dispersing substance, such that the target is inhibited thereby.  
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising transmitting a radio frequency signal from the launch device.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising spraying another substance toward the target, wherein the other substance is selected from the group consisting of: an inhibiting substance, a marking substance, a malodorant, and an inert substance.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising emitting a siren comprising a loud sound from the launch device.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising striking the target with the launch device, wherein the striking does not damage the launch device.