Abstract:
A projectile is provided for use in a non-lethal weapon system. The projectile having kinetic energy is launched substantially along the longitudinal axis in the direction of a target. Upon impact of the projectile with the target an elastic mechanism absorbs elastically a first portion of the kinetic energy. A locking mechanism stores the first portion of the kinetic energy within the elastic mechanism; whereby the remaining kinetic energy of the impact is reduced to a non-lethal level of the target. The projectile preferably includes a deformable head attached to the first body. The deformable head is formed from a viscoelastic material which manifests both the elastic mechanism (with the elastic mechanical properties of the viscoelastic material) and further manifests the locking mechanism with the viscous properties of the viscoelastic material.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 60/909,461 filed on Apr. 1, 2007, by the present Applicants, the disclosure of which is included herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD AND BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a projectile used for incapacitation of a human being or animal target and more specifically mechanisms for absorbing kinetic energy of the non-lethal projectile. 
         [0003]    Conventional weapons are used by law enforcement personnel to deter and subdue criminals. However, the use of conventional weapons by the law enforcement personnel is limited by the possibility of inflicting injury to an alleged suspect, since the courts and not law enforcement personnel have the responsibility for determining guilt and sentencing a criminal. Even worse the use of conventional weapons by law enforcement personnel may lead to a tragic injury or death of an innocent bystander. Furthermore, non-lethal weapons are required for controlling crowds in violent demonstrations. 
         [0004]    A non-lethal weapons system is used to incapacitate as opposed to inflict injury in order to prevent suspect targets from fleeing, engaging in further combat, or committing other criminal acts. Conventional non-lethal weapons include billy clubs (or batons) rubber and plastic bullets. Batons as used by the law enforcement officers are wielded in close range and are capable of inflicting serious physical trauma. Rubber and plastic bullets are typically too energetic to be used at distances less than about 25 meters and become ineffective at distances greater than 50 meters. Conventional rubber and plastic bullets have caused a significant number of unwanted injuries. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,710,720 discloses a weapon system including a launcher and a flexible low lethality projectile of relatively large mass adapted to be radially expanded during trajectory so as to present a relatively large impact surface to the target. The projectile has an initial relatively small cross section so as to be insertable in a conventional launcher. The launcher has internal rifling grooves within the barrel to effect rotation of the projectile and radial expansion thereof due to centrifugal force. The relatively large area of contact on impact reduces energy per unit area penetration of the target while maintaining high inertia energy. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,295 discloses a baton projectile including a case of low density polyethylene, and a core of a soft material such as a thermoplastic gel modified rubber. At higher than acceptable impact forces, the case ruptures and the core spreads out to radially disperse the excess impact energy and to present a larger impact area to the target so that the risk of unacceptable penetration and trauma injury to the target is reduced. 
         [0007]    The term “target” as used herein refer to the person or animal being incapacitated. The term “outward” as used herein referring to a non-lethal projectile includes a direction with a significant radial component pointing away from the longitudinal axis of the projectile. 
         [0008]    The term “viscoelasticity” as used herein describes materials that exhibit both viscous and elastic characteristics when undergoing deformation. 
         [0009]    The term “energy density” as used herein refers to a kinetic energy impact of a projectile on a target and is defined as the kinetic energy of the projectile divided by the area of the impact, typically given in units of area per square centimeter. 
         [0010]    The term “pressure” as used herein refers to the force of impact of a projectile on a target divided by the area of the impact. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0011]    According to an aspect of the present invention, a projectile is provided for use in a non-lethal weapon system. The projectile includes a main body with a longitudinal axis and a deformable head attached to the main body. The projectile having a certain kinetic energy is launched along the longitudinal axis in the direction of a target. Upon impact of the projectile with the target, the deformable head deforms viscoelastically. A part of the kinetic energy of the projectile is viscously dissipated and another part of the kinetic energy is absorbed elastically so that the remaining kinetic energy of the projectile on impact with the target is reduced to a non-lethal level. The projectile preferably includes a semi-rigid element. which includes two or more segments connected by foldable portions. The semi-rigid element preferably supports at least in part the deformable head and attaches to the main body. An air gap and/or soft material is preferably disposed between the semi-rigid element and the main body and/or between the semi-rigid element and the deformable head. Upon impact of the projectile with the target, one or more of the foldable portions bends outward or moves outward in response to the impact. One or more separators are preferably embedded into the deformable head. The separators are preferably transversely oriented, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Alternatively, multiple longitudinal members are embedded within the deformable head pointing towards the target and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. Upon impact, the longitudinal members are bent outward away from the longitudinal axis. The bending outward by the longitudinal members preferably assists in holding the projectile to the target. The longitudinal members optionally include at least one barbed end which pierce and/or attach to the target upon impact. The deformable head is preferably formed at least in part from a silicone rubber polymer raw material without added cross linking agents or other additives. The projectile preferably includes a second body with the same longitudinal axis. The second body includes a hollow. The first body fits marginally within the hollow so that during the impact the first body is forced into the hollow, deforming at least one of the first body or the second body and thereby absorbing another portion of the kinetic energy. The projectile preferably includes an elastic mechanism which on impact absorbs elastically a portion of the kinetic energy which is stored elastically as stored energy within said elastic mechanism. After the initial impact with the target, the elastic mechanism optionally releases the stored energy to the target thus extending the impulse duration at a lower force. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a projectile is provided for use in a non-lethal weapon system. The projectile includes a first body with a longitudinal axis. The projectile having kinetic energy is launched substantially along the longitudinal axis in the direction of a target. Upon impact of the projectile with the target an elastic mechanism absorbs elastically a first portion of the kinetic energy. The elastic mechanism preferably reduces the maximum force that the projectile exerts on the target during the impact. The elastic mechanism initially during the impact absorbs elastically a second portion of the kinetic energy which is stored elastically as stored energy within the elastic mechanism. After the initial impact with the target the elastic mechanism releases the stored energy to the target thus extending the duration of the impulse but at a lower force. Alternatively, a locking mechanism stores the first portion of the kinetic energy within the elastic mechanism; whereby the remaining kinetic energy of the impact is reduced to a non-lethal level of the target. The projectile preferably includes a deformable head attached to the first body. The deformable head is formed from a viscoelastic material which manifests both the elastic mechanism (with the elastic mechanical properties of the viscoelastic material) and further manifests the locking mechanism with the viscous properties of the viscoelastic material. The elastic mechanism preferably includes a spring which is deformed upon the impact, and stores elastically the first portion of the kinetic energy. This stored energy can be optionally delivered later to the target by releasing the locking mechanism. Alternatively or in addition, the projectile preferably includes a second body with the same longitudinal axis and a hollow. A portion of the first body fits marginally within the hollow. The elastic mechanism includes an elastic deformation of the first body and/or second body while the first body is forced into the hollow during the impact. The first body is preferably externally ridged with first ridges and the hollow is internally ridged with matching second ridges. While the first body is forced into the hollow during the impact, the locking mechanism includes locking the first ridges on the second ridges. The first ridges and second ridges are preferably shaped to prevent release of the elastic mechanism. Alternatively, the locking mechanism is performed using a frictional mechanism which dissipates another portion of the kinetic energy as energy of kinetic friction between the first body and the second body. 
         [0013]    According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a projectile including the main body, the deformable head which deforms viscoelastically, the semi-rigid element including at least two segments connected by at least one foldable portion thereof and supports at least in part the deformable head and the second body which during the impact the first body is forced into the hollow of the second body, deforming at least one of the first body or the second body and thereby absorbing a portion of the kinetic energy. 
         [0014]    The foregoing and/or other aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are side views of a non-lethal projectile and the target, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are side views in cross section of a non-lethal projectile and target, according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are side views in cross section of a non-lethal projectile and target, according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective views of a non-lethal projectile, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are side views in cross section of a non-lethal projectile, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are side views in cross section of a non-lethal projectile, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a typical graph of force against relative displacement for the non-lethal projectile of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate some of the important parameters for the design of toothed ridges, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are side views in cross section of a non-lethal projectile, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a side view in cross section of projectile, according to a variation of embodiment of  FIG. 9 , of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to explain the present invention by referring to the figures. 
         [0026]    Before explaining embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of design and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0027]    By way of introduction, embodiments of the present invention are applicable to projectiles fired at high speed, for example by standard weaponry, e.g. rifle, which carry sufficient kinetic energy to inflict trauma or kill. Projectiles are launched at high speed or high kinetic energy in order to achieve accuracy and range. Absorption of the energy on or just prior to impact according to aspects of the present invention to provide an accurate and non-lethal projectile. Moreover, different embodiments of the present invention may be applied independent of the method of incapacitation used. The incapacitation may be inflicted by different methods including the impact of the projectile and/or by other known methods such as electric shock or administration of drugs, e.g. by needle, or through the air to skin, eyes, and/or respiratory membranes of the target. 
         [0028]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a side view of a non-lethal projectile  10 , according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1A  illustrates a non-lethal projectile  10 A prior to impact with a target  11  and  FIG. 1B  illustrates non-lethal projectile  10 B after impact with target  11 . Non-lethal projectile  10  has a longitudinal axis labeled LA which points in the direction of propagation of projectile  10 . A deformable head  13 A is shown in  FIG. 1A , prior to impact with target  11  as having a diameter d and after the impact, the diameter of deformable head  13 B is shown to have a larger diameter D. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , when the deformable material of the deformable head  13  is under pressure during impact with target  11 , deformable head  13  is smashed between target  11  and projectile  10  and flows transversely (or radially, perpendicular to longitudinal axis LA) and shear forces are developed in the material. The form of the material of deformable head  13  is changed as the material flows beyond its initial form  13 A creating the shear layers. The internal shear forces along the movement of the shear layers yields loss of energy. Thus when projectile  10  collides with target  11 , the material is pressed, such that at least some of the energy is absorbed in this process and not transferred to target  11  under impact. 
         [0029]    A non-limiting list of examples of base materials which may be used for deformable head  13  includes: silicones; fluorosilicones; polyurethanes; polysulfides; polybutylenes (polymers based on C 4  monomers); polyvinyl chloride; acrylic resins; vinyl acetate; ethylene vinyl acetate; vinyl acrylic (copolymers of vinyl acetate and alkyl acrylates such as butyl acrylate); styrene butadiene rubber (SBR); styrenic block copolymers; oleoresinous compositions; bituminous; rosin; unsaturated elastomers such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene and polychloroprene; saturated elastomers such as polyisobutylene, ethylene propylenediene monomer rubber (EPDM), ethylene-propylene copolymers (EPR—Ethylene Propylene rubber), nitrile-butadiene rubber, and polybutene; and mineral clays and synthetic clays. Mixture of the above mentioned materials or additives thereto such as powders, colloidal silica, fibers may be used to adjust the mechanical properties, e.g. increase the shear force on impact or increase material shelf life, of the deformable material as is known in the art of materials science. The deformable material is optionally constructed of two or more layers made of different materials with different characteristics of deformability to achieve a specific behavior of deformation. The deformable material is optionally coated to protect the deformable material from environmental conditions or excessive forces during firing or ballistic travel. 
         [0030]    In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the material of deformable head  13  is viscoelastic and responds both viscously like putty and elastically like rubber 
         [0000]    The viscous deformation causes some of the kinetic energy of the impact to be dissipated and the elastic deformation allows some of the kinetic energy to be stored elastically in the material. The percentage of the elastic energy in the material depends on the material selected. If it is desired to reduce the bounce of the projectile from the target, elastic energy can be reduced for example to a few percent of the kinetic energy of the projectile.
 
A preferred raw material used for the deformable head is Bayer Siloprene HV1/401. The material is preferably used not according to manufacturers instructions but without any cross linking agents or other additives. A method for making putty like elastic organo-silicon compositions, which retains shape for an extended period of time, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,350,344.
 
         [0031]    It should be noted the shape that the shape of deformable head  13  can be, by non-limiting example, conical, spheroid, cylindroid, ellipsoid, or aspheric. 
         [0032]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 2 , a top view in cross section of a non-lethal projectile  20 , according to another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2A  illustrates non-lethal projectile  20 A prior to impact with target  11  and  FIG. 2B  illustrates non-lethal projectile  20 B after impact with target  11 . A deformable head  13 A is shown in  FIG. 2A , prior to impact as having a diameter d and after impact, the diameter of deformable head  13 B is shown to have a larger diameter D. The diameter D is typically 20% or 30% larger than the diameter d. As illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , when the deformable material of the deformable head  13  is under pressure during impact with target  11 , deformable head  13  flows transversely (in radial directions perpendicular to longitudinal axis LA and shear forces are developed in the material. 
         [0033]    The magnitude of the shear forces depends on the thickness of the shear layer. Reducing the thickness of the material layer increases the shear forces. Therefore, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , separators  25  inserted into deformable head  13  in parallel to the desired shear flow. Separators  25  reduce the thickness of the shear layers thereby increase the force in each of the shear layers. Separators  25  are designed to have good adhesion to the deformable material so as to preferably eliminate slippage between the deformable material and separators  25  during impact. Any movement of separators  25  or bending of separators  25  during impact further reduces impact energy absorbed in target  11 . 
         [0034]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 3 , a top view in cross section of a non-lethal projectile  30 , according to another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3A  illustrates non-lethal projectile  30 A prior to impact with target  11  and  FIG. 3B  illustrates non-lethal projectile  30 B after impact with target  11 . Deformable head  13 A is shown in  FIG. 3A , prior to impact as having a diameter d and after impact, the diameter of deformable head  13 B is shown to have a larger diameter D. As illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , when the deformable material of deformable head  13  is under pressure during impact with target  11 , the deformable material flows transversely (in radial directions perpendicular to longitudinal axis LA and shear forces are developed in the material. Inserted through deformable head  13 A are one or more longitudinal members preferably with barbs at tips  35 . Inserts or barbs  35  are directed towards the target and may bend slightly outward. The pressure and shear forces on impact bend barbs  35  outward and through deformable head  13 B so that barbs  35 B preferably pierce, snag and/or attach the projectile to target  11  on impact. The elastic and/or plastic deformation, i.e. bending of inserts  35  also contribute to the absorption of energy. When inserts  35  deform elastically, the viscous behavior of the deformable material causes the elastic energy to remain stored in bent inserts  35  and be released only after shear forces are reduced. 
         [0035]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of a non-lethal projectile  40 , according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4A  illustrates non-lethal projectile  40 A prior to impact and  FIG. 4B  illustrates non-lethal projectile  40 B after impact. A semi-rigid support element  43  contains at least part of the deformable material of deformable head  13 . Semi-rigid support element  43  folds outward to some degree at or near fold line  45 . Semi-rigid support element  43  preferably folds outward due to the pressure, enhancing the outward flow of the deformable material of deformable head  13  and increasing the contact area during impact. Alternatively, during impact semi-rigid support element  43  is bent ( FIG. 4B ) by the pressure and outward shear flow of the deformable material of deformable head  13 . According to different embodiments of the present invention semi-rigid support element  43  may be part of main body  15  or a distinct part attached thereto. Semi-rigid support element  43  can be continuous or partial along the perimeter of main body  15  or with variations in rigidity along the perimeter to accommodate for control the shear flow on impact of the deformable material. 
         [0036]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 5 , a side view in cross section of a non-lethal projectile  50 , according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5A  illustrates non-lethal projectile  50 A prior to impact and  FIG. 5B  illustrates non-lethal projectile  50 B at an intermediate point after impact. A semi-rigid support element  53  supports the deformable material of deformable head  13 A. Typically, between semi-rigid support element  53  and main body  15 , there is an air space  57 A or soft material  57 A. Semi-rigid support element  53  unfolds outward to some degree at or near fold lines or hinges  55 . Semi-rigid support element  53  preferably unfolds outward due to the impact, enhancing the outward flow of the deformable material of deformable head  13  and increasing the contact area during impact. The bending or moving outward of support element  53  preferably increases the impact area by 20% or 30% or more, and thus decreases the pressure on the target. Air space and/or soft material  57 B is of minimal volume after impact; most of the air/soft material  57 A is forced to flow out by the impact. Although semi-rigid support element  53  is shown with three segments and two fold lines or hinges  55 , it is readily apparent to one skilled in the art of mechanical design that similar embodiments of the present invention may be designed and constructed with semi-rigid support element  53  with one fold  55  and two segments, three folds  55  and four segments etc. Folds or hinges  55  can be an integral hinge or a weakened bent strip of semi-rigid support element  53  so that relatively low force causes the segments of semi-rigid support element  53  to align under impact. 
         [0037]    When projectile  50  hits target  11  there is contact between target  11  and deformable head  13 . As the middle segment is forced by the pressure to moves toward main body  15 , the outer segments unfold with an outward motion. As a result, the cross sectional area of projectile  50  is increased on impact and the area cross-sectional area of the deformed material of deformable head  13 . 
         [0038]    Semi-rigid support element  43  or  53  in different embodiments preferably folds elastically and/or plastically or a combination of both elastic and plastic deformation. 
         [0039]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 6 , a side view in cross section of a non-lethal projectile  60 , according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6A  illustrates non-lethal projectile  60 A prior to impact and  FIG. 6B  illustrates non-lethal projectile  90 B after impact. Projectile  60  includes two main bodies  61  and  63  in which  61  is hollow and  63  fits inside only when bodies  61  and  63  elastically and/or plastically strained radially (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA). The head of non-lethal projectile  60  is not shown in  FIG. 6 . Non-lethal projectile preferably includes one or more embodiments ( 10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 ) of deformable head or otherwise a conventional head. Non-lethal projectile  60  is launched in the direction of the arrow along longitudinal axis LA. On impact with target  11 , body  61  is forced into body  63  by the force of the impact and the overall length (along axis LA) is reduced on impact. The more massive of bodies  61  and  63  is preferably in the rear, in this case body  61  is in the rear in non-lethal projectile  60 . According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention bodies  61  and  63  are configured with interlocking toothed ridges  65  and  67 . (see detail) herein referred to simply as “teeth”. The ridges are formed on the inside diameter face of part  61  and on the outside diameter face of part  63  As seen in Detail, the outside diameter of part  63  is larger than the inside diameter of part  61  Also as seen best in Detail A, the teeth are preferably configured with a single sloped face and a substantially perpendicular face such that the sloped faces of the teeth of part  61  engage the sloped faces of the teeth of part  63 . Therefore, as the two parts are forced together upon impact, the geometry of the teeth forces the diameter of part  61  to increase and the diameter of part  63  to decrease and thereby create radial stress. After parts  61  and  63  have reached their maximum deformation while passing over the raised teeth, they fall radially into the valley between the teeth without inducing any axial force. As the teeth fall into corresponding valleys, the perpendicular faces prevent any axial expansion of the two parts in the direction of longitudinal axis LA, and lock parts  61  and  63  in place. Friction between toothed ridges  65 , 67  absorb part of the kinetic energy. 
         [0040]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 7  which includes a typical graph of force as required to displace bodies  61  relative to  63  using non-lethal projectile  60 . Reference is now also made to  FIG. 8A  which illustrates some of the important parameters for the design of toothed ridges  65 ,  67  in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Parameters include the height H of toothed ridges  65 ,  67 , the width P (related to number of teeth per inch) and angles a and b. In  FIG. 8B , a design of toothed ridge  65 ,  67  includes a slope a on one face of the ridge and the second face is substantially perpendicular as in the detail of  FIG. 6 . It will be understood, that the number of teeth per inch, the height of the teeth, the angles a and b and other parameters may be varied according to the needs of a specific application. The chosen surface materials for bodies  61  and  63  determines the friction coefficient between them. 
         [0041]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 9 , a side view in cross section of a non-lethal projectile  90 , according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9A  illustrates non-lethal projectile  90 A prior to impact and  FIG. 9B  illustrates non-lethal projectile  90 B after impact. As in projectile  60 , projectile  90  includes two main bodies  61  and  63  in which  61  is hollow and  63  fits inside. Optionally, bodies  61 ,  63  are constructed to be elastically strained radially (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA). The head of non-lethal projectile  90  is not shown in  FIG. 9 . Non-lethal projectile  90  preferably includes one or more embodiments ( 10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 ) of deformable head or otherwise a conventional head. Non-lethal projectile  90  is launched in the direction of the arrow along longitudinal axis LA. On impact with target  11 , body  61  is forced into body  63  by the force of the impact and the overall length (along longitudinal axis LA) is reduced on impact. The more massive of bodies  61  and  63  is preferably in the rear, in this case body  61  is in the rear in non-lethal projectile  90 . A spring element  93  is assembled between bodies  61  and  63 . If no interlocking is applied then the potential energy in the spring is translated to additional force on the target. This force is exerted subsequently after the initial impact. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention bodies  61  and  63  are configured with interlocking toothed ridges  65  and  67 . 
         [0042]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 10  which illustrates a side view in cross section of projectile  100 , according to an embodiment of the present invention which is a variation of projectile  90 . Two bodies  101  and  105  of projectile  100  are shown. The head of non-lethal projectile  90  is not shown in  FIG. 10 . Non-lethal projectile  100  preferably includes one or more embodiments ( 10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 ) of deformable head or otherwise a conventional head. A spring element  105  is assembled between parts  101  and  105 . Body  101  is hollow and optionally body  105  marginally fits into  101  only when bodies  101  and  105  are elastically strained radially (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA) Non-lethal projectile  100  is launched in the direction of the arrow along longitudinal axis LA. On impact with target  11 , body  105  is forced into body  101  by the force of the impact and the overall length (along longitudinal axis LA) is reduced on impact. The more massive of bodies  105  and  101  is preferably in the rear, in this case body  61  is in the rear in non-lethal projectile  90 . According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention bodies  105  and  101  are configured with interlocking toothed ridges  65  and  67 . A spring element  103  is assembled between bodies  101  and  105 . During impact of projectile  100 , some of the kinetic energy of projectile  100  is stored in spring element  103  because of the forward inertia of body  101 . When a locking mechanism, e.g. toothed ridges, is applied then spring element  103  does not relax after compression on impact because of the action of the locking mechanism. Otherwise, if the locking mechanism is not applied, a portion of the energy stored in spring  103 , transfers more energy to target  11  by pushing bodies  101 , 105 . 
         [0043]    The foregoing discussion of various embodiments of the present invention is illustrative only. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 
         [0044]    Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be appreciated that variations, modifications, and other applications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.