Abstract:
The present invention is a non-lethal weapon mount system with modular weapons components comprising at least two personal protection components capable of independent activation, and a means to increase or decrease the intensity level of at least one of the personal protection components.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/372,278 filed Aug. 10, 2010. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of non-lethal weapons, and specifically to a non-lethal weapon mount system incorporating a plurality of modular weapons into a single structure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an arm enclosure mount for a non-lethal weapon mount system with modular weapons components that is not mounted on an arm. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of an exemplary embodiment of an arm enclosure mount for a non-lethal weapon mount system with modular weapons components. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a left side profile view of an exemplary embodiment of an arm enclosure mount for a non-lethal weapon mount system with modular weapons components. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a right &amp;de profile view of an exemplary embodiment of an arm enclosure mount for a non-lethal weapon mount system with modular weapons components. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of an arm enclosure mount for a non-lethal weapon mount system with modular weapons components. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of an arm enclosure mount for a non-lethal weapon mount system with modular weapons components. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the wiring of an exemplary embodiment of an arm enclosure mount for a non-lethal weapon mount system with modular weapons components. 
     
    
    
     GLOSSARY 
     As used herein, the term “barrel” means a tubular shaft that guides the exit and discharge of non-lethal projectiles. 
     As used herein, the term “confirmation switch” refers to a switch that enables a master power switch to deactivate all of the modular weapons components to prevent accidental deactivation of modular weapon components. 
     As used herein, the term “deterrent spray” refers to any non-lethal sprayable substance that causes irritation to humans or other animals. Deterrent spray may include, but is not limited to, pepper gel, MACE, pepper spray, tear gas, and other liquid and gas irritants. 
     As used herein the term “frontward light panel” refers to a surface area located towards the front of a device that can accommodate structures that exude light. 
     As used herein, the term “hand grip” refers to a grasping component adapted to support a frame. 
     As used herein, the term “independently activated” refers to a weapon component than may be activated without contemporaneous activation of any other weapon component. 
     As used herein, the term “intensity level” refers to the output amount of a modular weapon component. Intensity levels may be varied incrementally or gradually. For example, the brightness of light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be increased or decreased by a certain number of lumens with each increase or decrease, or brightened or dimmed along a sliding scale, such as with a dimmer switch. 
     As used herein, the term “master power switch” refers to a switch that can deactivate all of the modular weapons components when used in conjunction with a confirmation switch. 
     As used herein, the term “modular weapon component” refers to a selectively attachable weapon component that may be permanently or temporarily secured onto a frame. 
     As used herein, the term “outward portion of the arm” refers to the end portion of the arm upon which a weapon mount structure can be secured. 
     As used herein, the term “non-lethal projectile launching weapon” refers to any device which launches, shoots or otherwise expels any form of projectile intended to non-lethally inhibit and incapacitate a living target. Non-lethal projectiles include, but are not limited to paint balls, pepper balls, rubber bullets, wax bullets, plastic bullets, beanbag rounds, and projectiles with electroshock effect. 
     As used herein, the term “Structural Surface Attachment Components” or (SSACs), refers to a surface, frame potion, rod, appendage, groove, contour, protuberance, channel, interlocking component, fastener, bolt screw, adhesive, clam bracket, track, cord strap or other equivalent which modifies the integrally constructed arm mount enclosure frame. 
     As used herein, the term “stunning device” refers to any non-lethal electroshock device, with or without a projectile, used to subdue a person by disrupting muscle function. 
     As used herein, the term “weapon component” means any individual device available for self defense that may include but is not limited to deterrent sprays, pepper sprays, non-lethal projectiles, flashlights, spotlights, flashing lights, alert lights, audible alarms, TASERs, stunning devices, stun sprays, clubs, alarms and sharp or electrified protrusions. 
     As used herein, the time “wireless communication device” means any wireless device that can be used for communication purpose. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Private individuals and service members, such as police officers, who face potential attackers daily, rely on non-lethal weapons to incapacitate an assailant. Such weapons include alarms, alert lights, pepper or other deterrent sprays and even stunning device type weapons. While service members such as police officers frequently carry batons, deterrent sprays, stun guns, TASERs, and non-lethal projectile firing devices, they are not currently able to operate these non-lethal weapons individually with a single device. 
     For example, an individual wanting an alarm, deterrent spray and a stunning device must buy, and carry, three separate devices. When faced with assailant, an individual must fumble for the proper device, and, should an initial alarm or deterrent spray not be effective, the individual must release one of the devices in order to grab and operate the stunning device. As a result, an individual being attacked must be exposed and defenseless for the period of time when transitioning to a new deterrent device. 
     Similarly, a police officer, faced with an assailant in the dark, will likely have one hand holding a flashlight, while the other operates a chosen defense item. Should the situation escalate, however, the office must choose between dropping the flashlight or defense weapon to reach for his or her gun. 
     Other devices are known in the art that combine non-lethal protection devices, but these, too, have flaws. For example, it is known in the art to combine deterrent sprays or stunning devices with flashlights, but these devices do not offer the array of personal defense means currently available individually. Further, multifunction police tools that incorporate additional non-lethal defense devices often have a single control or switch with multiple positions to activate all incorporated devices. A single control or switch with multiple positions may result in accidental activation of an unwanted component. Other devices only allow sequenced activation of components, in which case the desired function (e.g., stunning device) may first be activated after turning on other components (e.g., flashlight, alarm). As a result, an individual may need more time to respond to a fast assailant. 
     Existing non-lethal defense devices generally contain a single intensity. Some stunning devices and TASERs may allow limited adjustment of the amount of voltage, but flashlights, alarms, alert lights, and deterrent sprays only activate at a single intensity. 
     It is desirable to have nonlethal weapons available for use with a single weapon mount structure. 
     It is desirable to have a single weapon mount structure incorporating many modular weapon components with individual controls and activation switches for each component. 
     It is desirable to have a single weapon mount structure incorporating many modular weapon components with adjustable intensity levels for each component. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a non-lethal weapon mount system with modular weapons components comprising multiple modular weapon components with individual activation switches and means for adjusting the intensity level of at least one component. The device provides multiple levels of protection which may be actuated by integrated or separately constructed mechanical triggering devices. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention, references are made in the text to exemplary embodiments of a non-lethal weapon mount system with modular weapons components, only some of which are described herein. It should be understood that no limitations on the scope of the invention are intended by describing these exemplary embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that alternate but functionally equivalent materials may be used. The inclusion of additional elements may be deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. Specific elements disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to employ the present invention. 
     It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale; instead emphasis has been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In addition, in the embodiments depicted herein, like reference numerals in the various drawings refer to identical or near identical structural elements. 
     Moreover, the terms “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an arm enclosure mount  100  for a non-lethal weapon mount system with modular weapons components. Arm enclosure mount  100  is composed of deterrent spray aperture  5   a , left side aperture  5   b , bottom aperture  5   c , right side aperture  5   d , arm support platform  7 , and arm support appendage  8 . 
     Marker barrel  20  and stunning device  90  are attached to the bottom of arm enclosure mount  100 . Deterrent spray housing  46  is attached to the top of arm enclosure mount  100  through deterrent spray aperture  5   a , and it holds a volume of deterrent spray. Deterrent spray housing  46  is attached to arm enclosure mount  100  by deterrent spray support contour  47 , which is a structural surface attachment component (SSAC). Deterrent spray is discharged through deterrent spray nozzle  48 . 
     LEDs  71   a ,  71   b  and  71   c  are centrally located within the front of arm enclosure mount  100 . Ball hopper  30  is attached to arm enclosure mount  100  by ball hopper mount  35  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). Air tank  50  mounts to the bottom of arm enclosure mount  100  and connects to ball chamber  25  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) at air intake  55  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). Arm enclosure mount  100  includes air tank compartment  52 , which is an SSAC. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of an arm enclosure mount  100  for a non-lethal weapon mount system with modular weapons components. Arm enclosure mount  100  is a single unit which may be made from aluminum. Marker barrel  20  and stunning device  90  are attached to the bottom of arm enclosure mount  100 . Deterrent spray housing  46  is attached to the top of arm enclosure mount  100  and holds a volume of deterrent spray. Deterrent spray is discharged through deterrent spray nozzle  48 . LEDs  71   a ,  71   b  and  71   c  are centrally located in the recesses of frontward light panel  70  in the front of arm enclosure mount  100 . 
       FIG. 3  is a left side profile view of an exemplary embodiment of an arm enclosure mount  100  for a non-lethal weapon mount system with modular weapons components. Stunning device  90  protrudes from the lower end of the front of arm enclosure mount  100  underneath light panel  70 . Arm enclosure mount  100  includes stunning device compartment  95  for stunning device  90 . Stunning device compartment  95  is an SSAC. 
     Stunning device  90  is independently activated and deactivated by stunning device switch  91  located on hand grip  40 . Stunning device switch  91  can appear on any side of hand grip  40 . Because stunning device switch  91  is independently activated, a user can operate stunning device  90  independently of other non-lethal weapons when that is the appropriate non-lethal weapon to use. 
     Deterrent spray housing  46  pivots to allow deterrent spray to be loaded into deterrent spray housing  46 . Deterrent spray housing  46  is shown in its open position to load deterrent spray. Deterrent spray is discharged through deterrent spray nozzle  48  when deterrent spray trigger  45  is squeezed. Deterrent spray trigger  45  is independently activated from other switches and triggers, allowing the user to operate the deterrent spray independently of other non-lethal weapons when that is the appropriate non-lethal weapon to use. Deterrent spray trigger  45 , like all triggers for the modular weapons supported by arm enclosure mount  100 , can appear on any side of hand grip  40 . Deterrent spray safety switch  47  prevents accidental discharge of deterrent spray. 
       FIG. 3  is shown without ball hopper  30 , which attaches to ball hopper mount  35 . 
     Frame straps  15   a  and  15   b  secures arm enclosure mount  100  to a forearm. Frame strap  15   a  attaches to arm support appendage  8 , and frame strap  15   b  attaches to arm support platform  7 . 
       FIG. 4  is a right side profile view of an exemplary embodiment of an arm enclosure mount  100  for a non-lethal weapon mount system with modular weapons components. Ball chamber  25 , below ball hopper mount  35 , and marker barrel  20  are visible on the right side of non-lethal weapon mount system with modular weapons components  100 . Non-lethal projectiles from ball hopper  30  (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) enter ball chamber  25  and are discharged through marker barrel  20  when electronic trigger  60  is pressed. 
     Electronic trigger  60  is located on the side of hand grip  40 . Electronic trigger  60  is independently activated from other switches and triggers, allowing the user to fire non-lethal projectiles at an assailant independently from other non-lethal weapons when that is the appropriate non-lethal weapon to use. Electronic trigger  60 , like all triggers for the modular weapons supported by arm enclosure mount  100 , can appear on any side of hand grip  40 . 
     Battery compartment  85  houses battery, and is located in the back of non-lethal weapon mount system with modular weapons components  100  for weight balance. Battery powers LEDs  71   a ,  71   b  and  71   c , stunning device  90 , and electronic trigger  60  to discharge non-lethal projectiles. Master power switch  65  and confirmation button  66  are located above battery compartment  85  for the purposes of deactivating modular weapons. Confirmation button  66  must be pressed along with master power switch  65  when powering off modular weapons to prevent accidental deactivation of modular weapons components. 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of an arm enclosure mount  100  for a non-lethal weapon mount system with modular weapons components. Stunning device  90  protrudes from the front of arm enclosure mount  100 . Deterrent spray housing  46  is shown above arm enclosure mount  100 . Hand grip  40  contains stunning device switch  91 , electronic trigger  60  and deterrent spray safety switch  47 . Ball hopper  30  mounts above arm enclosure mount  100 . Battery compartment  85  and LED light switch  71  are located at the back of arm enclosure mount  100 . 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of an arm enclosure mount  100  for a non-lethal weapon mount system with modular weapons components. Stunning device  90  protrudes from the front of arm enclosure mount  100  from stunning device compartment  95  (not shown in  FIG. 6 ). Deterrent spray trigger  45  is located on bottom of hand grip  40 . Air tank  50  mounts to the bottom of arm enclosure mount  100  and connects to ball chamber  25  at air intake connection  55 . Electronic trigger circuit board  80  controls and times discharge of non-lethal projectiles through marker barrel  20  when electronic trigger  60  (not shown in  FIG. 6 ) is pressed. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the wiring of an exemplary embodiment of a non-lethal weapon mount system with modular weapons components. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , LEDs  71   a ,  71   b  and  71   c , stunning device switch  91 , stunning device  90  and electronic trigger  60  are wired to battery. Battery is also wired to LED light switch  72 , master power switch  65  and confirmation button  66 . 
     LED light switch  72  is independently activated from other switches and triggers, allowing the user to flash LEDs at an assailant independently of other non-lethal weapons when that is the appropriate non-lethal weapon to use. LED light switch  72  may further allow a user to flash or shine a light at varying lumen levels at a potential assailant, allowing the user to operate LEDs at varying ranges of intensity. 
     In exemplary embodiments, a non-lethal weapon mount system may incorporate a wireless communication device, such as a GPS unit, radio transmitter/receiver and other devices known in the art.