Abstract:
A non-threatening spray dispenser that can be readily employed without requiring concentrated aiming and firing includes a connector coupling with mounted end cap that connects to an end of an irritant spray dispenser disposed in axial alignment with the end cap. The connector coupling supports a switch mechanism readily operable by the user&#39;s thumb while grasping the connector coupling to selectively dispense spray axially from the dispenser. The dispenser preferably utilizes the barrel and lens support end of a flashlight to facilitate use as a flashlight or for conversion to receive a pressurized chemical irritant cartridge, and enables selective interchangeability of nozzle plates of different color exposed surfaces to simulate a flashlight lens, provide a dark, non-reflective color during night maneuvers, or use a bright color so that a subject is readily aware that an irritant spray dispenser is pointed at him. The switch mechanism includes a safety button selectively operable to prevent unintended actuation of the dispenser.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from provisional application Serial No. 60/398,717, filed Jul. 26, 2002, entitled “Tactical Defense Device Having Baton and Fluid Dispensing Capabilities,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to defense devices as used by law enforcement and military personnel, and more particularly to a tactical defense device that can be used to dispense a spray, such as a chemical irritant.  
           [0003]    It is a common practice for law enforcement and military personnel whose assignments place them in potentially confrontational situations to carry a chemical dispensing device operative to dispense a chemical irritant which, when discharged in the general direction of a person&#39;s face, at least temporarily impairs the person&#39;s sight and breathing so as to reduce the threat of harm to law enforcement personnel. Chemical irritant dispensers are well known. Such dispensers typically employ a large aerosol canister containing an aerosol pepper spray or other irritant, such as, for example, the MACE brand of chemical irritant spray manufactured by Mace Security International. When used by law enforcement personnel and individuals requiring on-the-job protection, such as postal service workers, delivery persons and the like, the dispensers generally are carried in holsters worn on a belt or uniform.  
           [0004]    Typically, many known dispensers are held in a vertical position when deployed, much like a handheld aerosol paint dispenser. Such dispensers have the disadvantages that they are easily identifiable, and unless they are properly aimed, it is possible to inadvertently dispense the chemical spray on oneself. Because chemical irritant dispensers generally are activated under stressful conditions, the requirement for conscientious and accurate arming is a significant drawback. Moreover, the need for deliberate aiming and firing reduces or eliminates the element of surprise and permits an adversary to prepare for or avoid the spray. Recent advances to overcome such drawbacks include the provision of a chemical irritant dispenser that can be readily held in one&#39;s hand and actuated by the user&#39;s thumb to release or discharge the chemical irritant while holding the dispenser in a horizontal position while gripped in the user&#39;s hand. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,581, which discloses such a device.  
           [0005]    It is also a common practice for law enforcement and military personnel to carry flashlights. Because of their universal use, flashlights do not appear threatening and have easy-to-recognize shapes. It thus follows that a defensive spray dispenser that appears in a non-threatening form, such as a flashlight with a secure gripping surface, and that facilitates accurate arming and ease of operation, would enhance the use and safety value for law enforcement and military personnel.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a tactical defense device in the form of a spray dispenser that can be readily employed without requiring complex re-orientation of the device.  
           [0007]    A more particular object of the invention is to provide a spray dispenser employing a connector coupling that can be connected by its outer end to an end cap, and by its inner end to an end of an irritant spray dispenser disposed in axial alignment with the cap, the connector coupling having a switch actuating mechanism readily operable by a user&#39;s thumb or finger while grasping the connector coupling in the user&#39;s hand to selectively dispense spray axially from the dispenser.  
           [0008]    A feature of the present invention lies in the ability to use the spray dispenser as a non-lethal tactical defense device, which has the appearance of a flashlight so as not to appear outwardly threatening to a subject or adversary during use. Police officers using a flashlight or an ASP Tactical Baton are taught to hold the light with the lens of the light facing the subject and the barrel of the light extending backward over the officer&#39;s shoulder. From this non-threatening position, the officer can ward off blows or attacks.  
           [0009]    Yet another feature of the spray dispenser in accordance with the invention lies in the interchangeability of nozzle plates at the dispensing end of the dispenser that enables use of different color exposed nozzle surfaces. For example, a shiny nozzle surface may be used to simulate a flashlight lens, thus concealing the fact that the user may be pointing an irritant dispenser at a subject. Alternately, a dark, non-reflective color may be used during a maneuver undertaken at night, or a bright color may be used to enable a subject to be readily aware that an irritant spray device is pointed at the subject.  
           [0010]    Another feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a connector coupling, which is adapted for connection to the rear end of the irritant dispenser spray and that includes a switch mechanism operative to actuate a spray cartridge longitudinally in linear relation to generally radial actuation of a switch button relative to the axis of the coupling. The switch button is movable when the connector coupling is grasped by either hand of the user between a safety position preventing actuation of the spray dispenser and a release position enabling actuation of the spray dispenser.  
           [0011]    Yet another feature of the spray dispenser in accordance with the invention lies in the ability to readily adapt a flashlight portion of a combination baton and flashlight, such as the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,609 and incorporated herein by reference, to an irritant dispenser. Common components of the flashlight are utilized, thereby significantly reducing manufacturing costs.  
           [0012]    Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention, together with the organization and manner of use thereof, will become apparent from the following description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the several views.  
           [0013]    While the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereof are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but rather the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the sprit and scope of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a spray dispenser in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with an elevational sectional view of an end cap adapted to be mounted in the outer end of the connector coupling;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is an elevational sectional view of the spray dispenser of FIG. 1 with the connector coupling removed;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is an exploded plan view of the spray dispenser illustrated in FIG. 1 showing assembly of the tactical defense device;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is an exploded view illustrating the components of the connector coupling for connecting the spray dispenser to an end cap;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a nozzle plate employed at the discharge end of the spray dispenser;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is an edge view of the nozzle plate of FIG. 5;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is an edge elevational view of an elastomeric seal for mounting on the periphery of the nozzle plate of FIGS. 5 and 6;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of an actuator plunger employed in a switch mechanism within the connector coupling;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of the actuator plunger of FIG. 8;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is an end elevational view of the opposite end of the actuator plunger of FIG. 8;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 is a plan view of the actuator plunger of FIG. 8;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 12 is a plan view of the connector coupling housing employed in the spray dispenser of FIG. 1;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 13 is an axial sectional view of the housing of FIG. 12;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 14 is an elevational sectional view of the end cap adapted to be mounted in the outer end of the connector coupling;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 15 is an elevational view as viewed from the left-hand end of the connector coupling housing illustrated in FIG. 13;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 16 is an elevational view of the connector coupling housing of FIG. 13 as viewed from the right-hand end of FIG. 13;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 17 is a side view of an actuator button employed in the switch mechanism for the dispenser, with portions broken away for clarity;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 18 is a back view of the actuator button of FIG. 17;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 19 is a front view of the actuator button of FIG. 17;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 20 is a plan view of the actuator button of FIG. 17;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 21 is an elevational view of a safety slide button employed with the actuator button of FIG. 17; and  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the safety button of FIG. 21. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0036]    Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS.  1 - 3 , a tactical defense device having spray dispensing capabilities in accordance with the present invention is indicated generally at  10 . The tactical defense device  10  includes a spray dispensing portion  14 , a connector coupling  16 , and an end cap  15 . The connector coupling  16  houses a switch mechanism  13  selectively operable to dispense an irritant from a dispenser cartridge  40  disposed in the spray dispensing portion  14 , such as aerosol pepper spray or other irritant. The tactical defense device  10  is particularly useful by law enforcement and military personnel as a non-lethal tactical device to temporarily incapacitate or fend off an aggressive adversary or attacker, or otherwise assist in control of highly charged crowds through dispensing a spray irritant to cause temporary debilitation by inhibiting sight and causing significant irritation of breathing passages.  
         [0037]    The end cap  15  of the tactical device  10  is of known construction, with an external male thread  17  formed thereon, and adapted to receive the connector coupling  16  in threaded connection thereon. Preferably, the spray dispenser portion  14  utilizes a cylindrical tubular flashlight body similar or identical to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,609 so as to present the appearance of a flashlight, which may render the spray dispenser&#39;s appearance non-threatening. Conversion of a pre-existing cylindrical tubular flashlight body to a spray dispenser portion  14  by replacing the flashlight&#39;s reflector, switch housing, and batteries also may significantly reduce manufacturing costs.  
         [0038]    Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the spray dispenser  14  has a generally tubular body  26  that includes a cylindrical tubular metallic portion  28  having an external male thread  30  formed on its rearward end. The cylindrical tubular portion  28  preferably terminates at its forward end in a generally outwardly diverging conical portion  32  having an external annular male thread  32   a  formed on its forward end. The cylindrical tubular portion  28  of the dispenser preferably has an annular cover sleeve  34  formed along its length, which may be molded or applied thereon, and which may be formed of a material suitable to enhance gripping of the spray dispenser  14 . The cover sleeve  34  may also be bonded to the cylindrical tubular portion  28 , as is known. The cover sleeve  34  provides a universal gripping surface preferably with 360 degree coverage about the circumference of the cylindrical tubular portion  28 .  
         [0039]    In the illustrated embodiment, the tubular body  26  may have an annular sleeve or tube  38  inserted within the cylindrical metallic portion  28 . The sleeve  38  may be used if a non-standard size aerosol canister  38  is used. Preferably, the sleeve  38  is not needed when a standard size aerosol canister  38  is used. The sleeve  38  has an outer diameter that enables the sleeve to be slidingly inserted within the cylindrical body  28 , and has an internal cylindrical bore  38   a  sized to receive the cylindrical aerosol canister  40 . The sleeve  38  may be sized with respect to its internal diameter to permit aerosol canisters  40  of different diameters to be received. Preferably a canister of standard size may be approximately 3-5 inches in length and one-half inch in diameter. The sleeve  38  preferably is made of a non-corrosive material, such as a suitable plastic, that is unaffected by the irritant or other substance contained within the aerosol canister or container  40 . The canister  40  has a length such that a forward end terminates at the mouth of the diverging conical portion  32  of the cylindrical portion  28 , and terminates at a rearward end  41  short of the rearmost end  29  of the cylindrical portion  28 , as shown in FIG. 2. The outward divergence of the conical portion  32  protects the user from exposure to the irritant contained within the canister  40 , and prevents the device  10  from sliding out of the user&#39;s hand.  
         [0040]    The aerosol canister  40  may be of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,581, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The aerosol canister has a tubular discharge nozzle  42  at its forward end operative to release the pressurized contents of the canister  40  when the discharge nozzle  42  is depressed axially inwardly of the canister.  
         [0041]    In the illustrated embodiment, the forward end  31  of the conical portion  32  of the tubular body  26  is adapted to support a circular nozzle plate  50  (see FIGS. 2, 5 and  6 ). The nozzle plate  50  preferably is made of a non-corrosive material, such as aluminum, and has an outer annular surface  52  in which is formed an annular groove  52   a.  An annular resilient seal member  54 , illustrated in FIG. 7, is configured to cooperate with the annular surface  52  of the nozzle plate  50 , and has inwardly directed peripheral edges  54   a  and  54   b  which seat within the groove  52   a  and extend about the outer peripheral edge of the face of the nozzle plate  50 , respectively, so as to be retained on the nozzle plate  50 , as shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0042]    The nozzle plate  50  has opposite parallel planar surfaces  56   a  and  56   b,  respectively referred to as the outer planar exposed surface and the inner planar surface of the nozzle plate  50 . A generally cylindrical boss  58  is formed on the inner planar surface  56   b  so as to extend coaxially rearwardly from the inner planar surface, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The cylindrical boss  58  has a countersunk orifice  60  partially formed through the thickness of the boss  58 . A smaller diameter discharge orifice  62  extends coaxially through the thickness of the boss  58  and through to the outer exposed surface  56 .  
         [0043]    Referring again to FIG. 2, the nozzle plate  50  and associated external seal member  54  are sized so as to be snugly received within an annular surface formed within the forward end portion  32  of the dispenser body  26 . Thus, the discharge orifice  62  and associated countersunk orifice  60  are coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical tubular portion  28 . The nozzle plate  50  is retained within the forward end of the dispenser body  26  by an annular retainer  66  having an internal thread  66   a  adapted for threaded cooperation with the external thread  32   a  on the forward end of the conical body portion  32 .  
         [0044]    One preferable feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a plurality of nozzle plates  50  having different color outer exposed surfaces  56   a.  For example, forming a silver-colored coating over the outer exposed surface  56   a  simulates a flashlight lens so that in a lighted environment, law enforcement personnel could aim the spray dispenser  14  toward a subject, who may consider the reflective surface of the nozzle plate  50  to be a flashlight lens, and thus may be less apt to flee to evade a discharged spray of irritant. An alternative nozzle plate  50  may be provided having a generally dark or black non-reflective surface  56   a  so that when the spray dispenser  14  is aimed at a subject in a darkened environment, the subject cannot detect whether the irritant spray dispenser is an actual spray dispenser or whether it is a flashlight, thus again enabling the officer to approach the subject and obtain a shorter spray distance in the event it is necessary to discharge irritant from the dispenser. A still further embodiment is to provide a nozzle plate  50  having a bright, highly visible color on the exposed surface  56   a,  such as a red color, so that a subject readily may detect that the dispenser  14  is not a flashlight, thus becoming less active when confronted by the officer, knowing that he could be subjected to a debilitating irritant spray.  
         [0045]    Referring now to FIG. 4, taken in conjunction with FIGS.  8 - 22 , the connector coupling  16  includes a generally hollow cylindrical plunger housing  70  configured to receive a plunger actuator  72  (shown in greater detail in FIGS.  8 - 11 ), a guide pin  74 , a coil compression spring  76 , and an actuator button  78  that carries a safety slide button  80 .  
         [0046]    As illustrated in FIGS. 13, 15, and  16 , the cylindrical plunger housing  70  of the connector coupling  16  has internal female threads  84   a  and  84   b  formed on opposite ends, which are adapted to receive and mate with the external threaded end  30  (FIG. 3) of the tubular body  26  (FIG. 2) and the external thread  17  (FIGS. 1, 3) formed on the end cap  15  (FIGS. 1, 3), respectively. The plunger housing  70  has a cylindrical bore  86  adapted to slidingly receive a cylindrical outer surface portion  72   a  (FIG. 8) of the plunger actuator  72  (FIG. 8) so as to enable axial movement of the plunger actuator. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the plunger actuator  72  has an elongated opening  72   b  extending transverse to its longitudinal axis that receives an enlarged diameter portion  74   a  of the guide pin  74  that is inserted into the plunger housing  70  so that a lower flange end of the guide pin  74  is received within a recess  88  formed within the plunger housing  70 .  
         [0047]    When the plunger actuator  72  is mounted within the plunger housing  70  with the guide pin  74  extending upwardly through the elongated opening  72   b,  an actuator button  78  may be inserted downwardly over the guide pin  74  so that the guide pin  74  extends through a cylindrical bore in the actuator button  78 . The plunger housing  70  has a cylindrical bore  90  transverse to its other bore axis  86  to slidably receive an outer cylindrical surface on the actuator button  78 , and thereby guide the actuator button  78  as it is moved vertically on the guide pin  74 . The plunger actuator  72  and actuator button  78  have mutually cooperating beveled surfaces  72   c  and  78   c,  respectively, that sliding engage with each other so that depressing the actuator button  78  against the upward bias of the spring  76  effects axial movement of the plunger actuator  72  along the center axis of the plunger housing  70  so as to engage and push the canister  40  forward within the cylindrical tubular portion  28 . As the tubular discharge nozzle  42  of the canister  40  contacts the nozzle plate  50 , the tubular discharge nozzle partially retracts, emitting the chemical irritant through the discharge orifice  62 .  
         [0048]    Referring now to FIGS. 13, 15,  16 , and  18 , movement of the actuator button  78  is limited in its outward position relative to the plunger housing  70 , and thereby also relative to the plunger actuator  72 , by a suitable stop screw (not shown) that is threaded into a threaded bore  92  formed in the plunger housing  70 . The inner end of the screw is sized and configured to enter a longitudinal slot or groove  94  formed in the outer surface of the actuator button  78 , as best seen in FIG. 18. The upper end of the slot  94  is established to enable downward depressing of the actuator button  78  sufficient to effect the desired axial movement of the plunger actuator  72 . The lower end of the slot  94  is established to engage the inner end of the stop screw when the actuator button  78  has disengaged from the plunger actuator  72 . The compression spring  76  is disposed coaxially on the guide pin  74  and extends into an annular groove  78 d in the actuator button  78  to bias the actuator button  78  to its outward position relative to the plunger housing  70 .  
         [0049]    Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 19- 22 , a feature of the actuating mechanism for the irritant spray canister  40  is the safety slide button  80  which cooperates with the actuator button  78  to enable a natural depressing of the actuator button for selectively dispensing spray irritant from the canister  40 . The safety slide button  80  may be moved to a safety position preventing depression of the actuator button  78 . The safety slide button  80  has a circular cap portion  98  of a diameter equal to the diameter of the upper end of the actuator button  78 . The cap portion  98  has an upper convex or crowned surface  98   a  and a bottom planar surface  98   b  on which is formed a depending retainer leg  100 . The retainer leg  100  allows the cap portion  98  to slide longitudinally to the connecter coupling  16  but prevents rotational movement. The upper convex surface  98   a  of the cap portion  98  preferably has raised concentric rings  100   a  formed on its surface to facilitate tactile feedback and control with respect to the user&#39;s thumb grip on the safety slide button  80 . The concentric rings  100   a  are preferably raised or “step-like” in contour to facilitate the user&#39;s grip on the safety slide button. The rings  100   a  facilitate a positive and slip-proof grip.  
         [0050]    The retainer leg  100  has a generally inverted “T” shape in transverse cross section, and is adapted to be slidingly received in a similarly shaped slot  102  formed in the actuator button  78  so as to intersect an upper surface  78   b.  The retainer leg  100  and slot  102  are sized to enable sliding movement of the safety slide button  80  between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the cap portion  98  is coaxial with the actuator button  78  to permit discharge of irritant spray from the dispenser  14 . In the second position, the cap portion  98  is offset from its coaxial position so as to overlie and engage a surface on the plunger housing  70  in a manner to prevent depressing or actuation of the actuator button  78 , thus preventing inadvertent discharge of irritant spray from the dispenser  14 . However, should the tactical defense device  10  be seized by an adversary from a user while the safety button  80  is at an “armed,” rather than a “safe” setting, the adversary may spray himself with irritant during the struggle, as the discharge orifice  62  of the nozzle plate  50  would be pointed in his direction.  
         [0051]    Preferably, at least one channel is provided between the upper surface  78   b  of the actuator button  78  and the lower planar surface of the safety slide button  80 . The channel cooperates with an opposed recess so as to releasably retain the safety slide button  80  in its non-locking position coaxial with the actuator button  78 . The channel also enables sliding movement of the safety slide button  80  along the axis of the T-shaped slot  102  to its safety lock position, preventing depression of the actuator button  78 . To this end, a cylindrical bore  104  is formed in the actuator button  78  so as to intersect the upper surface  78   b  of the actuator button  78 . The cylindrical bore  104  is configured to include a channel (not shown) that is mutually cooperable with a semi-spherical recess  106  formed in the lower surface  98   b  of the cap portion  98  of the safety slide button  80 .  
         [0052]    When assembled, the plunger actuator  72 , guide pin  74 , coil spring  76 , actuator button  78 , and associated safety slide button  80  are mounted within the plunger housing  70  of the connector coupling  16 . Accordingly, the threaded ends  84   a  and  84   b  of the plunger housing  70  are connected via the threads to the dispenser body  26  and end cap  15 , respectively. As such, depression of the actuator button  78  when the safety slide button  80  is in a position enabling depression causes the plunger actuator  72  to move axially relative to the plunger housing  70  and engage the rear end of the irritant canister  40 . This forces the discharge nozzle  42  into the passage  60  while the discharge nozzle  42  is forced into the body of the canister  40 , causing pressurized irritant within the canister  40  to be discharged through the orifice  62 . When the safety slide button  80  is moved to a position offset from its axially aligned position with the actuator button  78  (a “safety” position), depression of the actuator button, and thus discharge of irritant from the canister  40  is prevented. By default, the safety button  80  of the tactical defense device  10  is set to a safety position. The user easily is able to determine whether the safety slide button  80  is in a “safe” setting or in an “armed” setting both visually and tactilely. Advantageously, the tactical defense device  10  is designed to be effortlessly operable by both right- and left-handed users.  
         [0053]    While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broader aspects.