Frangible non-lethal projectile

Abstract

A non-lethal impact projectile having a nose composed of a frangible, rigid, polymer foam material such that the nose crushes upon impact with a target to disperse energy, thereby reducing the kinetic energy transferred to the target. Most preferably, the munition or projectile is provided with a cavity to retain a payload, such as marker agents, lacrimators, irritants, inflammatory agents, odorants or inert powders, such that the payload is laterally dispersed upon impact to further dissipate energy transferred to the target.

1 . A non-lethal projectile comprising:
 a projectile nose joined to a projectile base;   said projectile nose comprising a cavity;   a payload disposed within said cavity; and   said projectile nose composed of a frangible, rigid, polymer foam material;   wherein said projectile nose has a rounded forward end and a cylindrical wall, said cylindrical wall being thinner than said forward end, such that said thinner cylindrical wall breaks prior to said forward end upon impact to absorb and dissipate impact energy and such that said payload is dispersed laterally through said cylindrical wall in multiple directions upon impact.   
   
   
       2 . The projectile of  claim 1 , wherein said foam material has a density between approximately 8 and 14 pounds per cubic foot. 
   
   
       3 . The projectile of  claim 1 , wherein said payload is chosen from the group of payloads consisting of marker agents, lacrimators, irritants, inflammatory agents, odorants and inert powders. 
   
   
       4 . The projectile of  claim 1 , said projectile nose further comprising a rear plug wall joined to said cylindrical wall, the combination of said forward end, said cylindrical wall and said rear plug wall defining said nose cavity. 
   
   
       5 . The projectile of  claim 4 , wherein said payload is chosen from the group of payloads consisting of marker agents, lacrimators, irritants, inflammatory agents, odorants and inert powders. 
   
   
       6 . The projectile of  claim 4 , wherein said rear plug wall is joined to said projectile base. 
   
   
       7 . The projectile of  claim 1 , wherein said foam material is a polyurethane. 
   
   
       8 . The projectile of  claim 4 , wherein said projectile base comprises a forward wall joined to a base cylindrical wall extending away from said projectile nose. 
   
   
       9 . The projectile of  claim 8 , wherein said rear plug wall is joined directly to said forward wall of said projectile base. 
   
   
       10 . The projectile of  claim 9 , wherein said rear plug wall is composed of a resilient, impact-absorbing material. 
   
   
       11 . The projectile of  claim 4 , wherein said rear plug wall is composed of a resilient, impact-absorbing material. 
   
   
       12 . A non-lethal projectile comprising:
 a projectile nose composed of a frangible, rigid, polymer foam material and comprising a cavity;   a payload disposed within said cavity; and   a non-frangible projectile base joined to said projectile nose;   wherein said projectile nose has a rounded forward end and a cylindrical wall, said cylindrical wall being thinner than said forward end, such that said thinner cylindrical wall breaks prior to said forward end upon impact to absorb and dissipate impact energy and such that said payload is dispersed laterally through said cylindrical wall in multiple directions upon impact.   
   
   
       13 . The projectile of  claim 12 , wherein said projectile base comprises a forward wall joined to a base cylindrical wall extending away from said projectile nose. 
   
   
       14 . The projectile of  claim 13 , said projectile nose further comprising a rear plug wall joined to said nose cylindrical wall, the combination of said forward end, said nose cylindrical wall and said rear plug wall defining said nose cavity. 
   
   
       15 . The projectile of  claim 12 , wherein said foam material has a density between approximately 8 and 14 pounds per cubic foot. 
   
   
       16 . The projectile of  claim 12 , wherein said payload is chosen from the group of payloads consisting of marker agents, lacrimators, irritants, inflammatory agents, odorants and inert powders. 
   
   
       17 . The projectile of  claim 14 , wherein said payload is chosen from the group of payloads consisting of marker agents, lacrimators, irritants, inflammatory agents, odorants and inert powders. 
   
   
       18 . The projectile of  claim 14 , wherein said rear plug wall is joined to said projectile base. 
   
   
       19 . The projectile of  claim 12 , wherein said foam material is a polyurethane. 
   
   
       20 . The projectile of  claim 14 , wherein said rear plug wall is composed of a resilient, impact-absorbing material.