Lethal Projectile Construction and Launcher

Abstract

A lethal projectile for immobilizing a target is capable of self-separating or otherwise opening after launch by a launcher and may release a payload prior to impact with a target. The launcher is capable of initiating separation of the projectile. Opening may also be accomplished by a control circuit with a radio-frequency identification (RFID), where an RFID tag in the projectile causes the projectile to open at a user-specified distance from the launcher or by the force of launch on the projectile. A magazine may hold a plurality of projectiles and the various projectiles of the magazine may each be configured to open specified distances and/or times after launch. The launcher may include a trigger and/or a safety switch to prevent the projectile from becoming armed until a certain parameter is met.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A launcher and projectile system, the system comprising
 a launcher,   a lethal projectile,   said projectile comprising a housing, a control   circuit, and an energizable energy storage means,   wherein, after launch of said projectile, said projectile housing ruptures, disintegrates, separates, fragments or otherwise has an opening created therein.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said launcher comprises a means to measure the distance and/or time to the target and to communicate with the projectile. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said projectile further comprises at least one initiator, which at least one initiator may initiate a chemical reaction or a mechanical response to cause an opening in the housing of the projectile. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a trigger and a safety switch, wherein the energy storage means is not energized beyond the threshold energy until after the at least one trigger and/or safety switch is actuated. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising one of a wired and wireless means of communication and/or energy transfer between the launcher and the projectile. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the launcher further comprises a launcher accessory, and wherein at least one of the launcher and launcher accessory comprises an energy source which energizes said energy storage means beyond a threshold energy. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the launcher comprises a magazine, which magazine comprises a plurality of projectiles, each of which projectile of the plurality of projectiles ruptures, disintegrates, separates, fragments or otherwise has an opening created therein after launch at its own specified distance from the launcher. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , the launcher further comprising a breech assembly, said breech assembly comprising a bolt and a breech, said projectile receivable within the breech assembly and wherein the energizable storage means is energized or otherwise enabled by contact with the bolt. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy storage means is one of a capacitor and a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , said projectile further comprising a payload that is released from the projectile after rupture, disintegration, separation, fragmentation or an opening created therein. 
     
     
         11 . A lethal projectile,
 said projectile comprising a housing,   a control circuit, and   an energizable energy storage means,   said projectile further comprising a means for causing said housing to rupture, fragment, disintegrate, separate, or otherwise create an opening after launch.   
     
     
         12 . The projectile of  claim 11 , wherein the energy storage means is one of a capacitor and a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         13 . The projectile of  claim 11 , wherein the projectile further comprises one of a launcher and a launcher accessory, wherein at least one of the launcher and launcher accessory comprises an energy source which energizes said energy storage means beyond a threshold energy. 
     
     
         14 . The projectile of  claim 11 , wherein the projectile comprises at least one fracture line or frangible housing. 
     
     
         15 . The projectile of  claim 11 , wherein the projectile further comprises at least one initiator, which at least one initiator may initiate a chemical reaction or a mechanical response to cause an opening in the housing of the projectile. 
     
     
         16 . The projectile of  claim 11 , wherein said projectile further comprises at least one of a timer, a switch, and a proximity sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The projectile of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one switch or timer is initiated by movement of the projectile launch or by communication with a launcher or launcher accessory. 
     
     
         18 . The projectile of  claim 15  in which the initiation is determined as a result of communication of analog or digital data to the control circuit from a launcher or launcher accessory. 
     
     
         19 . The projectile of  claim 11 , said projectile further comprising a payload that is released from the projectile after rupture, disintegration, separation, fragmentation or an opening created therein. 
     
     
         20 . The projectile of  claim 11 , wherein the control circuit is encased in a gel, liquid, or potting compound.