Abstract:
A device and system for a firearm that enables a user to maintain possession of a firearm by holding at least one handle of the firearm, by delivering a high-voltage electrical shock to an assailant that attempts to disarm the user by grabbing the firearm out of the user&#39;s hands.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to provisional patent application No. 61/442,146, filed on Feb. 11, 2011, and hereby incorporates it by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a device for a firearm, and more specifically to a device and system to prevent an assailant from disarming a user operating a firearm. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Many citizens, including soldiers and police officers (collectively hereinafter “user”) are faced with the prospect of being disarmed by an assailant and shot with his/her own firearm (e.g. handgun, rifle, shotgun). For example, a user holding an assailant at gunpoint may suddenly have the assailant grab the firearm and redirect the firearm&#39;s muzzle away from the assailant (i.e. redirect the line of fire) as a first step in disarming/attempting to disarm the user. The assailant can then attack the user to weaken him and gain control of the firearm. This can be done in mere seconds by a trained, reality based fighting system practitioner (e.g. Krav Maga). From the time of the assailant&#39;s grabbing the user&#39;s firearm, to the assailant operating the firearm to shoot the user, the assailant may use the firearm as a club against the user (e.g. while holding onto the barrel of the firearm to drive the butt end of the firearm into the user&#39;s face). Once the user is separated from the firearm, the assailant may create space between him and the user (to prevent a user&#39;s counter-disarm) and shoot the user. 
         [0006]    One proposed solution includes “SAFETY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY DISABLBING A WEAPON,” United States Patent Application Publication US 2011/0162514, to Osborne; Wayne Kenneth, et al. (hereinafter Osborne) which teaches an authorized person (user) activating a “remote and/or wireless switch or may be a tethered switch” that signals and activates a “disarming protection circuit” to deliver a large electrical voltage into the body of an unauthorized person, to cause the unauthorized person to release the weapon. The chief disadvantage of this concept, as the title suggests, is that the user is “REMOTE” from his firearm, and the unauthorized person has the firearm. Another disadvantage of Osborne is that it does not take into account how it is that the user became remote from his firearm in the first place. For example, a user who takes an assailant captive at gunpoint will not voluntarily surrender his firearm to the assailant, but instead will only become remote from the firearm involuntarily (e.g. after the assailant delivers a stunning blow to the user&#39;s throat or groin). In such a scenario, the chance of a user finding the switch and activating the disarming protection circuit before being shot and killed by the unauthorized person is unlikely. Yet another problem not addressed by Osborne, is how to keep an electrode (or conductive plate/sheath) electrically charged when the electrode is disposed on a moving part of the firearm (e.g. a recoiling slide of a semi-automatic handgun). 
         [0007]    Other problems and drawbacks with prior approaches exist. Therefore remains a need for a device that assists a user in maintaining control and possession of a firearm that an assailant attempts to take away from the user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0008]    One object of the invention is to overcome these and other drawbacks of known devices. 
         [0009]    This disclosure describes a disarm prevention circuit apparatus for use with a firearm (e.g. handgun, rifle, or pump shotgun) that allows a user to maintain a firearm in the user&#39;s hand(s), and prevents an assailant from disarming the user by delivering a high-voltage electric shock to the assailant via at least one exposed electrode or conductive plate of a disarm prevention circuit. In this way, the disarm prevention circuit prevents a user from becoming remote from his firearm in the first place. 
         [0010]    Apparatus comprising a disarm prevention circuit attachable to a firearm, at least one exposed electrode of said disarm prevention circuit disposed in such a way that a user of the firearm is able to operate the firearm without contacting the at least one exposed electrode when the device is attached to the firearm. 
         [0011]    A system for maintaining control of a firearm, comprising means to impart an electric shock to a second person who interferes with a first person&#39;s operation of a firearm, wherein the first person&#39;s operation comprises the first person holding the firearm by at least one handle of the firearm, and the second person&#39;s interference comprises the second person coming into contact with the means to impart the electric shock. 
         [0012]    An apparatus, comprising a disarm prevention circuit, the disarm prevention circuit comprising at least one exposed electrode, a first switch and a second switch wired in a series. 
         [0013]    An apparatus, comprising a semi-automatic pistol slide, at least one exposed electrode of said semi-automatic pistol slide disposed in such a way that it is able to deliver an electric shock while the semi-automatic pistol slide recoils. 
         [0014]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the embodiments will become readily apparent when the detailed description of the embodiment is read in conjunction with the drawing figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1A  is a front elevational view of the disarm prevention circuit that is slidably connected to a tactical illuminating device power source mounted to a firearm. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of a disarm prevention circuit that is slidably connected to a tactical illuminating device power source mounted to a firearm, consistent with one embodiment of the invention as in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a slide for a semi-automatic handgun, including an exposed electrode and an elongated bar structure that slidably connects to a power source as in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is an external perspective view of a disarm prevention circuit&#39;s power source, including an elongated slot to receive a slide&#39;s elongated bar structure as in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a disarm prevention circuit that is slidably connected to a dedicated power source that is mounted to a firearm, consistent with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4B  is an external side view of the disarm prevention circuit that is slidably connected to a dedicated power source that is mounted to a firearm as in  FIG. 4A . 
           [0021]      FIG. 5A  is an external perspective view of a disarm prevention circuit including an attachable upper portion, that further includes at least one electrode that is connected via an insulated wire to a dedicated power source, consistent with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5B  is an external side view of the attachable disarm prevention circuit as in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0023]      FIG. 6A  is an external perspective view of an attachable disarm prevention circuit mounted to a firearm and not in contact with the top surface of the firearm, consistent with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6B  is an external side view of an attachable disarm prevention circuit as in  FIG. 6A . 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a firearm including a disarm prevention circuit comprising two switches wired in a series, consistent with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary schematic circuit diagram for the disarm prevention circuit, in accordance with this disclosure. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  illustrates an alternate embodiment of an exemplary schematic circuit diagram for the disarm prevention circuit including a first and second switch wired in a series, in accordance with this disclosure. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of the disarm prevention circuit delivering a shock to an assailant attempting to disarm a user. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    With reference to  FIGS. 1A-1B ,  4 A- 4 B there is depicted a disarm prevention circuit (hereinafter “DPC”)  20 , including at least one exposed electrode  22  that is disposed on a slide  24  of a firearm  26 . As used herein, the term “at least one exposed electrode”  22  includes a conductive plate (e.g. a conductive metal plate). The at least one exposed electrode  22  receives a high voltage electrical current from a power source  28  (to be further described below) that can generate a voltage in a range of approximately 25,000-1,000,000 volts, and includes at least one switch  30  (hereinafter “1 st  switch”) (e.g. an on/off switch, momentary on switch, etc.). This should not be construed as a limitation however, as this embodiment is for illustrative purposes only. As those skilled in the art will appreciate from this disclosure, the novel features described herein may readily be applied to other devices and firearms. Moreover, the figures are provided as examples only. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particulars depicted in the figures. 
         [0030]    According to one embodiment, the firearm  26  comprises a frame  32  with rail grooves  34  located in and extending along at least a portion of the frame  32 , preferably parallel with a longitudinal axis “A” of the barrel  36 . Preferably, the rail grooves  34  extend from about a trigger guard  38  to substantially the most forward end of the frame  32 . 
         [0031]    In a preferred embodiment, the power source  28  is attached to the firearm&#39;s frame  32  (e.g. via it&#39;s rail grooves  34 ). Alternatively, the power source  28  may be located in, or attached to a different location of the firearm  26 , such as housed inside a stock  40  of a firearm  26 , attached to a hand guard  42 , etc.. 
         [0032]    The power source  28 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B , and  FIGS. 3-7  also preferably comprises a housing and structural members extending therefrom (e.g. rigid elongated projections, or longitudinal “tongues”  44  extending along at least a portion of the power source  28 . Preferably, the tongues  44  are designed to be compatible with the rail grooves  34  of the firearm  26 . For example, the longitudinal tongues  44  may be spaced and sized such that they fit snugly within the rail grooves  34 , but are capable of being slid therealong. Together, the rail grooves  34  and tongues  44  cooperate to function as a positioning mechanism. In a preferred embodiment the power source  28  will be removably attached by means of a universal clamp-on mounting deck, so as to fit most firearms with or without rail grooves  34 . 
         [0033]    The DPC  20  further comprises at least one connector component  45  to carry an electric current from the power source  28  to the at least one electrode  22 . The connector component  45  may be any suitable means for connecting the power source  28  to the at least one exposed electrode  22 . For example, the connector component  45  may be a housing wall  46  of the power source  28  ( FIGS. 1A-1B ,  3 ,  4 A- 4 B,  10 ), an insulated wire  48  ( FIGS. 5A-5B  and  7 ), or a cover  50  ( FIGS. 6A-6B )). The firearm&#39;s  26  type and use during operation (e.g. what parts of the firearm  26  move when the firearm  26  is fired) will determine the suitability of the specific connector component  45  to be used to connect the power source  28  to the at least one exposed electrode  22 . 
         [0034]    The at least one exposed electrode  22  is preferably insulated (e.g. with an insulating material  66 ) and not proximate to a handle  52  (hereinafter “1 st  handle”) of the firearm  26 , so that a user  54  may operate the firearm  26  by the 1 st  handle  52  of the firearm  26  without being shocked when the electrode  22  receives an electrical current from the power source  28 . In another alternate embodiment, the 1 st  handle  52  of the firearm  26  may be insulated, instead of or in addition to the at least one exposed electrode  22 , so that the user  54  operating the firearm  26  will not be shocked. 
         [0035]    The 1st switch  30  may be a simple “on/off”, “momentary on”, or other suitable switch  30 . For example, when the power source  28  is an illumination device (as illustrated in  FIG. 1A-1B ), the 1 st  switch  30  may be a Single Pole Double Throw Switch, including a “center off” position (i.e. SPDT center off switch). 
         [0036]    The at least one electrode  22  is preferably disposed proximate to the muzzle  56  of the firearm  26 , so that when an assailant  58  is being held at gunpoint by a user  54 , the electrode  22  will be on the firearm  26  at a point closest to the assailant  58  when the assailant  58  attempts to disarm the user  54  who is holding the firearm  26  by at least one 1 st  handle  52 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 1A-1B  shows a slide  24  of a semi-automatic type firearm  26 , including at least one exposed electrode  22  disposed thereon, and at least one elongated bar  60  that extends from an outer surface of the slide  24  and along at least a portion of the slide  24 , preferably parallel with a longitudinal axis “A” of the barrel  36 . The at least one electrode  22  is electrically connected to the at least one elongated bar  60  of the slide  24  (e.g. by at least one wire  62  disposed inside the slide  24 ). 
         [0038]    The at least one elongated bar  60  is illustrated as being oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis A of the barrel  36  of the firearm  26 , but other orientations are possible. Preferably the at least one elongated bar  60  has a geometry that is complimentary to an elongated slot  64  of the connector component  45  (e.g. as illustrated, a power source&#39;s  28  housing wall  46 , that is likewise substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis A of the barrel  36  of the firearm  26 ), so that they may slidably connect together to carry an electrical current from the power source  28  to the at least one exposed electrode  22 . At least a portion of the elongated bar  60  and elongated slot  64  is preferably composed of one or more conductive materials (e.g. copper, conductive plastic, etc.). In this way, when the firearm  26  is fired and the slide  24  recoils, the at least one electrode  22  will remain electrically charged. 
         [0039]    For purposes of illustration, the elongated slots  64  are shown open ended, however in an alternate embodiment the elongated slots  64  may be closed at least at one end (e.g. at a point closest to the muzzle  56 ) to prevent the connection of the at least one elongated bar  60  and elongated slot  64  from becoming dirty/degraded. The elongated bar  60  may be integral to the slide  24  (i.e. made with the slide  24  as one piece), or may be a separately manufactured part that is attached to the slide  24  (e.g. by screws, weld, etc.). In a preferred embodiment, the at least one elongated bar  60  is removably attached (e.g. by screws), so that it can be easily replaced when it becomes worn. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2  illustrates an alternate embodiment of a DPC  20  slide  24  comprising a single elongated bar  60  that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis A of the barrel  36  of a firearm  26 . The elongated bar  60  is electrically connected to at least one exposed electrode  22  via at least one interior wire  62  (e.g. a wire disposed inside the slide  24 ). The at least one exposed electrode  22  is preferably insulated  66  In an alternative embodiment, all, or a segment of the interior wire  62  may be disposed on the exterior surface of the slide  24 . The at least one exposed electrode  22  may be disposed on the top of the slide  24  (as shown), or on any other suitable location of the slide  24 . In a preferred embodiment, the electrode  22  is further disposed at a point nearest the most forward end of the slide  24 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 3  illustrates an alternate embodiment of a power source  28  for a DPC  20  that slidably connects to, and is compatible with the slide  24  of  FIG. 2 . The power source  28  includes at least one interior wire  62  that connects the power source  28  to the elongated slot  64  of a connection component  45  (in this illustration a housing wall  46  of the power source  28 ), and a 1 st  switch  30 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a DPC  20  including a power source  28  and a slide  24  of a firearm  26 . The slide  24  further includes an elongated bar  60  with an elongated slot  64  that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis A of the barrel  36  of the firearm  26 . The elongated slot  64  slidably connects to an edge of a housing wall  46  connector component  45  that is likewise substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis A of the barrel  36  of the firearm  26 . This connection allows the components  46  &amp;  60  to remain in contact (e.g. substantial physical and/or electrical contact) when the slide  24  recoils as the firearm  26  is fired. Together the connection allows an electrical current to flow from the power source  28  to the at least one exposed electrode  22  when the slide  24  recoils.  FIG. 4B  is an external side view of the DPC  20  as in  FIG. 4A . 
         [0043]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an external perspective view of a DPC  20  consistent with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, including at least one exposed electrode  22  disposed on a removably attached upper portion  68 . As used herein, the word “upper” in the term “upper portion”  68  is not intended as a limitation where the upper portion  68  may be attach to a firearm  26 . The upper portion  68  may be attached to any suitable location of a firearm  26  (e.g. on the slide  24 , barrel  36 , handguard  42 , tactical rail  70 , etc.). In this embodiment, the power source  28  is connected to the at least one exposed electrode  22  via an insulated wire  48  having sufficient slack (i.e. between the power source  28  and the removable upper portion  68 ) to accommodate the slide&#39;s  24  movement (e.g. the slide&#39;s  24  recoil when the firearm  26  is fired) without disconnecting the power source  28  from the removable upper portion  68 . 
         [0044]    The removable upper portion  68  preferably slidably attaches to the firearm  26 . For example, the upper portion  68  may include a clip of one piece construction (made of metal, plastic, or other suitable material, or a combination of materials) including a first leg, a second leg, and a bridging section joining the first leg and the second leg that further biases the first leg against the second leg to attach to the upper portion  68  to the firearm  26 . Alternatively, the removable upper portion  68  may be made of more than one piece. 
         [0045]    In alternate embodiment, the removable upper portion  68  may attach to a firearm&#39;s  26  picatinny, weaver, or other tactical rail  70  by at least one fastener (e.g. screw). 
         [0046]    When the firearm  26  includes a front sight bead/blade (not shown), the removable upper portion  68  preferably includes a notch  72  to accommodate the bead/blade, so that the removable upper portion  68  and the electrode  22  may be positioned on the most forward portion of the slide  24 , proximate to the firearm&#39;s  26  muzzle  56 .  FIG. 5B  is an external side view illustration of a DPC  20  comprising a removable upper portion  68  attached to a firearm  26  as in  FIG. 5A . 
         [0047]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an alternate embodiment of a DPC  20 , including a removably attached cover  50 , that further includes at least one exposed electrode  22 . The cover  50  attaches to a firearm in such a way that the DPC&#39;s  20  at least one exposed electrode  22  does not come into contact with the top of the firearm  26  (e.g. the top of a firearm&#39;s  26  slide  24 , barrel  36 , etc.) when the DPC  20  is attached to a firearm  26 . In a preferred embodiment, the at least one exposed electrode  22  is insulated  66 . 
         [0048]    In this embodiment, the cover  50  attaches to a firearm  26  by sliding onto the firearm&#39;s  26  rail grooves  34 . In this embodiment, it is further preferable that the DPC  20  may slide onto the firearm&#39;s  26  rail grooves  34  either end of the DPC  20  first, so that a user  54  in an emergency can attach the DPC  20  to a firearm  26  without having to consider which end of the DPC  20  to slide onto the rail grooves  34  first. In a preferred embodiment, the DPC  20 , or segments of it, will have the same or similar color/pattern of the firearm&#39;s  26  surface, so that the DPC&#39;s  20  presence is not obvious to an assailant  58 .  FIG. 6B  is an external side view of the attachable DPC  20  mounted to a firearm  26  as in  FIG. 6B . 
         [0049]      FIG. 7  is an external perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a DPC  20  for a firearm  26  having at least two handles ( 52  &amp;  76 ), two switches ( 30  &amp;  80 ) and a pair of electrodes  78 . In this embodiment, the 1 st  handle  52  is proximate to and behind a trigger  74 . The second handle  76  (hereinafter “2 nd  handle”) is forward of the trigger  74 . The 2 nd  handle  76  includes an actual second handle (such as a forward handle of a “Tommy gun”), a pump of a pump action shotgun, or a handguard  42  of a firearm  26  (as illustrated in  FIG. 7  herein). In this embodiment, the DPC  20  may include at least one pair of exposed electrodes  78  disposed on a removably attached upper portion  68  that attaches to a barrel  36  of the firearm  26 . 
         [0050]    In this embodiment, the DPC  20  power source  28  may be mounted on the firearm&#39;s  26  tactical rail  70 , or other suitable location (e.g. in a hollow of the firearm&#39;s stock  40 . In this embodiment, 1 st  switch  30  and 2 nd  switch  80  are wired in a series  82 , so that both switches  30  &amp;  80  must be closed in order for the at least one pair of exposed electrodes  78  to shock  98  an assailant  58 . The 2 nd  switch  80  is preferably a push button “momentary on” type switch. 
         [0051]    When the DPC  20  is attached to a firearm  26  having at least two handles  52  &amp;  76 , the  2 nd switch  80  is preferably disposed on the 2 nd  handle  76  of the firearm  26  to prevent the user  54  from being accidentally shocked when the 1 st  switch  30  is closed. For example, a user  54  who aims a firearm  26  having two handles  52  &amp;  76  will hold the firearm  26  in both hands (i.e. one on each handle). Therefore, when the 2 nd  switch  80  is disposed on the 2 nd  handle  76  of the firearm  26 , the user&#39;s  54  hand will not accidentally come into contact with the at least one exposed electrode  22  and be shocked. Alternatively, when the firearm  26  has a stock  40 , the 2 nd  switch  80  may be disposed on the butt  84  of the stock  40 , so that the user&#39;s  54  shoulder can depress the 2 nd  switch  80  when the user  54  places the butt  84  of the firearm  26  against the user&#39;s  54  shoulder to aim the firearm  26 . 
         [0052]    In a preferred embodiment, when the DPC  20  includes at least one pair of exposed electrodes  78 , a space  86  between the pair of electrodes  78  will exist that is wide enough (e.g. approximately an inch or more depending on the voltage and environment), to prevent an arc from being created between the pair of exposed electrodes. When no arc is created, an assailant  58  will not recognize the pair of exposed electrodes  78  as such, to avoid them. When an assailant&#39;s  58  body part (e.g. a hand) closes the current path between the pair of exposed electrodes  78 , a high-voltage electricity discharge will flow into the assailant  58 , and prevent the firearm  26  from being taken out of the user&#39;s  54  hands. 
         [0053]    In an alternate embodiment, the space  86  between the pair of exposed electrodes  78  is adjustable, so that when the weather is humid (for example) the space  86  may be increased to prevent a visible arc. 
         [0054]      FIG. 8  is an exemplary illustration of schematic diagram  88  for a DPC  20  in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure. The DPC  20  includes a 1 st  switch  30  (e.g. an on/off switch, “push-to-make” switch, etc.) and a battery  90 , or other power supply in parallel with a load resistor R 2  adapted to limit the current flowing from the battery  90 . The current flows across the resistor to a pair of transistors Q 1  and Q 2 . 
         [0055]    The transistors Q 1  and Q 2 , take the low voltage coming across the resistor R 2 , and out of the power source, and controls a much larger current that is amplified and output from the various transistors Q 1  and Q 2 . The resistor R 1  is provided to protect the transistors Q 1  and Q 2  from too much current which may cause excessive damaging heat to the DPC  20 . The large current being output from the transistors Q 1  and Q 2  is fed into a drive transformer T 1 . 
         [0056]    The step-up or high voltage drive transformer T 1  receives a pair of currents from the transistors Q 1  and Q 2  which flow from a pair of primary coils induces a second current in a secondary winding. The voltage ratio is electromagnetically induced into a significantly higher level. As shown from the primary and secondary winding, the voltage is significantly boosted to a substantially higher level as shown by the dramatic increase in the number of windings in the secondary coil. The boosted secondary high voltage and smaller secondary current is fed into various diodes D 1 -D 4 . 
         [0057]    The high voltage transformers T 1 , T 2  (discussed later) may be of any suitable type and is well known in the art. The high output voltage from the high voltage transformer T 2  may be selected to deliver a sufficiently high voltage to the at least one electrode  22  that will cause an assailant  58  to release the firearm  26 . High voltage transformers of this type are incorporated into commercial articles known as “stun guns” (as well as other devices, e.g. cattle prods) and act to deliver well in excess of 25,000 volts to the electrodes. Typical stun guns now commercially available deliver in excess of 1,000,000 volts to the electrodes. 
         [0058]    In accordance with this disclosure, when an assailant  58  comes into contact (physical or electrical) with the at least one exposed electrode  22  of the DPC  20  while attempting to disarm a user  54  who is operating the firearm  26  (i.e. by holding a firearm  26  by at least one handle), the assailant&#39;s  58  disarm will be thwarted when the assailant  58  experiences a high voltage shock  98  (e.g. in the range of approximately 25,000 to approximately 1,000,000 volts being delivered through the assailant&#39;s  58  body). The range is not intended to be absolute and may be varied depending on the power source  28 , embedded circuitry and intended operating environment, which may result in lower and/or higher ranges. For example, when the user  54  is a prison guard, the DPC  20  may generate a non-lethal voltage, and when the user  54  is a combat soldier, a lethal voltage. 
         [0059]    The diodes D 1 -D 4  are arranged as a full-wave bridge rectifier to provide full-wave rectification of the AC output of the single transformer T 1  secondary winding. The incoming AC from the transformer T 1  is converted into some form of a pulsating DC. Both halves of the incoming AC wave are manipulated so that both halves are used to cause output current to flow in the same direction. That full-wave bridge rectifier rectifies the undulating (AC) signal (or voltage) into a single polarity (DC) signal (or voltage); hence, the diodes D 1 -D 4  operate on the entire incoming AC wave. The full wave rectifier shown will rectify both haves of the AC signal, thereby providing a fuller, higher voltage, DC out signal. The output voltage out of the various diodes D 1 -D 4  is fed in series to a pair of load resistors R 3  and R 4 . 
         [0060]    The output current from the various diodes D 1 -D 4  is filtered. The pulsating voltage from the various diodes D 1 -D 4  is filtered into a steady output direct current (DC) and limited across the resistor R 3  and the capacitor C 1 . 
         [0061]    Likewise, the current limited across the resistor R 4  activates the (silicon controlled rectifier) SCR 1  and is subsequently fed into the triac Z 1  and collected by the capacitor C 1 . The triac Z 1  provides internal protection to the circuit by carrying current in both directions and is used to control the AC voltage that is to switch both direct (DC) and alternating currents (AC). The SCR 1  is provided to control the DC voltage coming out of the various diodes D 1 -D 4 . The SCR and the triac Z 1  will provide internal protection to the circuit by further filtering out the output current in at least the following way. The triac Z 1  (two SCR&#39;s back-to-back) will allow for current control in one direction and the other in the opposite polarity. On the contrary, the SCR 1  will block reverse current polarity and only allow correct polarity. The SCR 1  may be a high current SCR capable of switching hundreds of amperes up to several thousand volts in a predefined direction. 
         [0062]    The output from the capacitor C 1  may be fed into the diode D 5  which is used to isolate current flow, like a one way valve, by controlling (blocking or passing) its flow to supply a second capacitor C 2 , which in turn when charged, discharges and feeds current into a second transformer T 2 . 
         [0063]    The second transformer T 2  receives a current that flows across a primary coil and is induced into a secondary larger winding. As shown by the windings, the voltage ratio is transformed into a significantly higher level. That is, the voltage is significantly boosted to a substantially higher level as shown by the dramatic increase in the secondary windings in the secondary coil. The highly charged voltage coming out of the secondary windings of the second transformer(s) T 2  are connected to high voltage terminals  92  which in turn may be connected to the at least one electrode  22 . 
         [0064]    The high voltage terminals  92  are made of conducting metal (or other suitable material) positioned in the DPC  20  with a space  86  between them. A high voltage differential is provided between the high voltage terminals  92 . An exposed electrode  22 /pair of electrodes  78  is connected through an electrode connector  94  to the high voltage terminals  92 . When a portion of the assailant  58  (e.g. hand) fills the space  86 , the electrical pulses will move from one electrode  22  to the other, shocking  98  the assailant  58 . Alternatively, the assailant  58  may come into contact with an exposed conductive plate to receive a shock  98 . Circuitries for administering an electrical shock  98  to another (and to animals) are well known by those of ordinary skill in the art, and so are not discussed in further detail. 
         [0065]      FIG. 9  is an exemplary illustration of a schematic diagram  96  for the DPC  20  including a 2 nd  switch  80  and a pair of exposed electrodes  78 . In this embodiment, the 2 nd  switch  80  is preferably a “push-to-make” type switch that is wired in a series  82  with the 1 st  switch  30 . The 2 nd  switch  80  may disposed on a 2 nd  handle  76  of a firearm  26 . In an alternate embodiment, when the power source  28  comprises an illuminating device including a depressible 1 st  switch  30  to activate the illuminating device, the pair of electrodes  78 /at least one electrode  22  may be activated by the illuminating device&#39;s depressible 1 st  switch  30  to operate both devices simultaneously. 
         [0066]      FIG. 10  illustrates an assailant  58  receiving an electrical shock  98  from a DPC  20  as illustrated in  FIG. 4A . The user  54  is not shocked and maintains control of the firearm  26  by holding onto at least the 1 st  handle  52  of the firearm  26 . 
         [0067]    Although this invention has been disclosed and described in its preferred forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred forms is only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of operation and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 
         [0068]    It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It is understood therefore that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments that are described, but is intended to cover all modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the invention.