Chemiluminescent impact activated projectile

Abstract

The present invention relates to a non-pyrotechnic, self-illuminating projectile useful for marking, target illumination, or targeting adjustment which produces chemiluminescent light upon impact with an object. Because the production of light is delayed until impact, the projectile is not visualized until impact and the intensity of light upon impact is greater than light produced by projectiles that provide intermixing of light generating chemicals during flight.

1 . A light emitting projectile for marking a target upon impact comprising:
 a projectile body having a first end, a second end, side walls, and an interior portion therein;   chemiluminescent reactant components;   a base plate constructed to sealingly engage said projectile body adjacent said second end; and   at least one chemiluminescent reaction activator element releasably attached to said base plate, wherein impact of said projectile with a target produces a force sufficient to release said chemiluminescent reaction activator element, said release of said chemiluminescent reaction activator element resulting in the intermixing of said chemiluminescent reactant components and the generation of light.   
     
     
         2 . The light emitting projectile for marking a target upon impact according to  claim 1  wherein said chemiluminescent reactant components are housed within at least one frangible container. 
     
     
         3 . The light emitting projectile for marking a target upon impact according to  claim 2  wherein at least a portion of said at least one frangible container is secured by a holding element. 
     
     
         4 . The light emitting projectile for marking a target upon impact according to  claim 3  wherein said holding element further includes a longitudinally extending inner channel. 
     
     
         5 . The light emitting projectile for marking a target upon impact according to  claim 4  wherein a portion of said at least one ampoule is exposed to said inner channel. 
     
     
         6 . The light emitting projectile for marking a target upon impact according to  claim 5  wherein said chemiluminescent reaction activator element is constructed and arranged to move within said inner channel. 
     
     
         7 . The light emitting projectile for marking a target upon impact according to  claim 6  further including filler material, marking material, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The light emitting projectile for marking a target upon impact according to  claim 7  further including at least one membrane separating said holding element and said filler material, marking material, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The light emitting projectile for marking a target upon impact according to  claim 6  wherein said projectile is frangible. 
     
     
         10 . The light emitting projectile for marking a target upon impact according to  claim 6  wherein said projectile is non-frangible. 
     
     
         11 . The light emitting projectile for marking a target upon impact according to  claim 6  wherein said chemiluminescent reactant components produce visible light. 
     
     
         12 . The light emitting projectile for marking a target upon impact according to  claim 6  wherein said chemiluminescent reactant components produce infrared light. 
     
     
         13 . The light emitting projectile for marking a target upon impact according to  claim 6  wherein said chemiluminescent reactant components produce ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         14 . The light emitting projectile for marking a target upon impact according to  claim 6  wherein said projectile is made from biodegradable material. 
     
     
         15 . The light emitting projectile for marking a target upon impact according to  claim 6  further containing one or more apertures for expulsion of said intermixed chemiluminescent components to a target area. 
     
     
         16 . The light emitting projectile for marking a target upon impact according to  claim 1  wherein said chemiluminescent reactant components are housed within at least one chamber separated by at least one or more membranes. 
     
     
         17 . The light emitting projectile for marking a target upon impact according to  claim 16  wherein said side walls contain a first member adjoining a second member. 
     
     
         18 . The light emitting projectile for marking a target upon impact according to  claim 16  wherein said chemiluminescent reactant components produce visible light. 
     
     
         19 . The light emitting projectile for marking a target upon impact according to  claim 16  wherein said chemiluminescent reactant components produce infrared light. 
     
     
         20 . The light emitting projectile for marking a target upon impact according to  claim 16  wherein said chemiluminescent reactant components produce ultraviolet light.