C00021939

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MEMORANDUM

12 February 1971

TO:

FROM:

SUBJECT: Comments on U.S. Patent 3, 523, 538 by Kunio Shimizu

The device as detailed in Figure 2 on sheet 1 of the patent appears to be a working systém, capable of delivering a non lethal (to normal healthy subjects) shock to the victim. However, there are practical considerations which could seriously degrade the device's effectiveness.

It is questionable exactly how far the projectile would travel since any kinetic energy impartec the projectile would be partly expendedunwinding the wire from the device against the friction of air and the take up motor. The wire would have to be extremely light and flexible, yet strong. This might result in excessive electrical resistance, however. Additional energy from the projectiie would be required to overcome the restraining spring tansion holding the needle protector in the safe position and to compress the clothing of the victim.

Adequate tenacity of the projectile for proper needle insertion does not appear to be insured by the "spearhead-shaped projections" on the projectile's ogive. The spears might penetrate and slightly compress the clothing but will not insure that the needles would stay implanted in the victim.

To circumvent the possibility that the victim is wearing an overcoat, suit coat, shirt and undershirt, the needles would need to be extended about 2 cm in the protracted positions These long needles, when used on a victim in light attire, would be sufficient to provide lethal penetration or put an eye out.

The possibility of serious infection from contaminated needles, skin or clothing cannot be overlooked. Sterilizing the needles or coating them with an antiseptic gel.or paste would not preclude the possibility of infection.

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The bore of the pistol (Figure 1) appears to be about 1-1.5 cm in diameter. Scaling the bore diameter to the diameter of the projectile wouid indicate that the spacing of the needles could be no more than 0.8-1.3 cm. The paralyzing effects on the victim would not extend beyond 1 cm radius from the axis of the needles. Therefore, the effective area of paralysis would resemble an elliptic paraboloid with the approximate dimensions of depth 3 cm, major axis 2.3 cm and minor axis 1 cm.

The "false epilepsy" referred to in the patent, probably is the result of Mr. Shimizu's limited research and confusion on the subject of electroshock therapy. Needless to say electrodes must be correctly positioned on the head before convulsions can be produced. His device cannot do this.

-The basic resemblance of the device to a conventional pistol might cause an armed, nervous assailant into a defensive position, possibly injuring the person with the shocker gun.

Conclusions:

The device invented by Mr. Shimizu will not supply incapacitating energy to disarm or disable a man.

Disadvantages of the device are:

1. Possibility of blinding, bodily harming or killing the victim.

2. Limited range due to friction, air drag and energy required to arm projectile..

3. Incomplete incapacitation of victim due to low volume of tissue subject to paralysis.

4. Basic resemblance to a conventional pistol.

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[PAGE 4]
United States Patent

[72] Inventor Kunio Shimizu -2. 1-chome, Asugeya, Minami, Suginamiku, Tohyo, Japan

[21} Appl. No. 599,446
[22} Filed Dec.6, 1966
Patented Aug.11,1970
[32] Priority Drc. 6, 1965; Feb. 10, 1966; M1ar. 5, 1966
[33] Japan
(31] 40/74,635;41/7,409; 41/13,713

[S4] ARREST DEVICE 9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. CL.. 128/404,

124/13,43/6 [51] Int. CL..... A61m 21/0n,

n010 1/UU, A01m J1/0U [50]eld ofSe 42/1,84; 102/46,92.1,92.4; 124/15;128/303.13,303.18, 404,417:273/106.5(D):231/2E;4316:124/3.15

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS

8,843 3/1852 Sounenburg et al.. 43/6
2561.122 7/1951 Juergens.. 231/2(E)
2,805.067 9/1357 Ry 4316X
2,966.621 12/1360 Vo 231/2(E)X
113,766 4/1571 Haviland et al. 124/15
2,033,397 3/1936 Rich 128/303.18X
2,516.832 8/1950 Kalom 0000000 128/303.18X
2,763.935 9/1956 Whaley etal. 123/303.18X
3,027,333 3/1962 Friedman..... 100000000000 128/417X

[111 3,523,538

FOREIGN PATENTS

476,08 12/1952 231/2(E)
407,648 3/1934 Great Britain...... 4316

Primary Examiner- Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Exaiminer- Channing L. Pace Arlorney- Eliot S. Gerber

ABSTRACT: A device for subduing a criminal includes a projectile having two needle electrodes which have different potentials and are adapted to pierce the skin, means for propelling the projectile at the criminal, and a supply of eleetric current connected to the clectrodes. The current is of sufficient intensity so that when the projectile strikex the criminal and the electrodes pierce his skin, a faise state of epilepsy is induced, thusrendering the criminal helpless.

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FIG. 3

3,523,538

C000219391

Patented Aug. 11, 1970

INVENTOR KUHIO SHIMIZU

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Sheetof 2

FIG.

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Patented Aug. 11, 1970

3,523,533

INVENTOR KUNIO SHIMIZU

BY Elevit 8. Hebi

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AREST DEVICE

The presen: invention rclates to weapons and more particu-Barly ta a cevice with which the police nay subdue a criminal.

At the present time the methods of plasing a violent criminul or an insane person under arrest may lead to his own injury. or the injury of the police or of innocent persons. If the -pulice ue thcit guns, the criminal may be killed or innocent bystanders shot. If the police altempt to use their clubs, they may be injured by the criminal when they approuch him. The use of tear sus is limited to confined places and may only .cause the criminal to attack the police.

Similarly, those who wish to protect themselves or their homes may hesitate to shoot a gun at a criminal because of fear that they may kill him. For exzmple, the home owner who bears a burgler now can only attempt to shoot him, if he has a gun, or attemgt to strike him, if he can approach the burglar.

lt i the objective of the present invention to provide a device fur subduing criminals without killieg or permanently injuring them.

h is a further objective of the present invention that the eriminal may be rendered helpless without the unsafe accessi-ef appruaching the criminal in order to strike him.

In accordance with the present invention, a bullet-like prokctile is fired from an air gun. The projectile has two protruding ekectrede eeedies which pierce the skin and ake contact witd the subcutaneous lat Layer of the skin. The electrodes are connected, fcr example, through a wire carried along with the projectile, to an aherpating source of current The current is weficient to stun the criminal to a temporary stute of fise epilepsy, whizh reeders him helpless. The shock is cat sufü- ciat to kill or permanently injure the criminal.

Qae embodimeet of the iavention utilizes a wetted material sext ts the ceedis clectrodes. The needles and skin area are wetted wth a speciat chemical solution so tat less clectrical eusseatis peeded to produce the desired effect The projectile ma carry a cattery and, with the use of such chemical soluos, ma beused withcut wires.

anoiher embodiment, the seedies may be seectivcly geatudable Groa a band-cartied device.

Qther objectives and features ef the present iaventior will e azzarent Grom the detailed descrigtion which follaws af an enbediment, ken in conjunctiaa with te accompuayiog Cawing. bhn the dravings similar parts are regesented by the sme coespoading reference numerals

athedrawings

illuae a rs cbodimeat ainge presentinvectiqn.

E L ia r cres-sectioned general side view af a sgecial eismltype aingue

E  is a circuit diagram of the dlectric shock current cenerating device for the gun oC EIG.:.

ant as cosesetianal side viewsafa builer prejestite shown, with, the tips of electrie shock. nesdlcs not graectedandpiojected respectively

ElGS. & and & zre cross-sectioned side views ofa Bullee eich is a second; embodiment of the presont inventiom and aresgondsto EIGS.3 and  respeetively.

Medsericalresistanceaftheskin afthehumanbody var rieswitbils dry orwet stateand thesizeof thecontacrsurlace However te rangeof theresistance inside thetody is said e bthounts0to 5ü0,ohms, Thestrengttroftheclearicl'shock in rasased t the strengthr of the electric aurent passing trough the human body so that, everilthe voltage is high and tecirrentis weak there will te: no danger Forerample ir tacssofaralternating current ofthe cammercial frequency (our: t10 volts ar€0 cycles), zconsidcruble pair will be fé. with about P md of currenti an unbearable pain, will te lelt: wishabour:10mA,themuscie.will shrink, so much a-nel.1a. move with 20 mA, and a danger ofclectrie shock deuth will be cused with 50 mA. Such electric shocks have been already utilized for a special therapy (so-called electric shock therapy) in the treatment of psychosis. The present invention wilizss, the electric shock effect and flows an cleetric shuck into the louer pan.of.the subcutaneous fat Lbyer,(instead of the skin surface) in order to cause a tempurary false epilepsy. The false epilepsy is cflective in rendering the criminal 'helpless and yet is safe, as it uses a relatively small elecuíe shock curren..

In the first embodiment shown in FICS. 1 to 4, a pis:on 3 is .loaded (eompressed) by a strong spring 4. Piston 3 is fissed in a cylindrical sir chamber 2, which is fixed to a stock 1. When the barrel 5 is rotated (through a hinge 6) with respeet to the stock 1, the spring 4 is compressed by a lever 7. Lever 7 is fitted to both the stock,1 and barrel 5. The piston 3 is seleeúvely released by a trigger S. After the barrel 5 is charged with a bullet 21 and the barrel is returned to its original position and the trigger is pulled, the disengaged piston 3 quickly advances. The piston gives a strong pressure to the air in the air chamber 2 and shoots the bullet 21. This type of suructure is known as a spring-type air gun.

Ia this embodiment of FiC. 1, the gripping part 9 (handle) of the gun is charged with dry cells 10. A switch 11A is operatively connected with the trigger 8. An elecuie shock current generating device 12 Nows the low voltage surrent of the dry cells 10 as an electric shock current of a desired stsength against the resistance of the human body as the load.

An electric circuit diagram of an example of such eleetric shock current generator 12 is shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, a circuit breaker (vibrator) 13 and a primary coil 15 wuend on s core 14 of a dransformer are connected in ceries. A condenser 16, ased for are suppression, is connected ia parallel wis the coazact point of the cireuit breaker. An electric shock current efa desired value may be obtained from the secondary coil 17. -by utual irduction, when a low voltage current flows from the cels 10 to the primary coil 15 and is interrupted by the brezker 13. This electric current will pass to a leaú ite 20. Wire 20 is wound and fixed at one end on a reel 19. The reef 19 is rotanb:y fitted to the stock I through contacts 18.

The lead wire 20 is electrically connected at the other en'd withs electric shock needles 23. Needles 23, is a pair, are secured to an outside case 22 of the bullet projectile 2L. A ptetective cylinder 24 is provided with small boles 16 in whict the electric shock needles  are to be finted. Cylinder 2 is fted in said outside case 2 and loaded by spring 27. Whbenr a push rod 25 in the rear part ol the prorective cylinder, projccting our of the outside case  is pushed agsinst the fncce of the spring 27, a projection 29 firted to tie protecrive lünder Z cogages with a recess 30 in the outside cse, due t a spring 2S. The tip parts of the eJectric shock seedles Rideint the protective cylinder.

• Thebulles  will be projected in this state outof the air gun ant will fly while playing the lead wire 20 out of ti.e resl 19. Wben the bullet 21 hits a cri.iral, the protective cylinder 28 will te disetgpged and will rctreat due to the forte of the spring ..Tia electric shock needles 23 will be exposed (as in LIL 4), and will be pushed into the body of the crimimal, At this momerr, ar elecuric current from the gensraing device IwilLffawinto the body of the criminal through the lead wire 2 ant the: electric shock needles 23. The criminal will fall intor the state of a temporary false epilepsy and will be able to be cusily arrested

Freferably, many spearhead-shaped projectioms FI are foonedt cor the ourer surface of the bullet head. These projeetioms It are ofz soft elastic matcrial sa that the bullet may esily stick. ta the clothing and not fall down. Preferaby in orderto recover the lead wire 20 and the bullet into tha reel 19; aswitcht LIb is set An clectric motor M, contained in the stock L, rotates the reel 19 and winds up the-lead wire. As no esplosive is used and there is no strong explosive sound. innocenttystanders are not frightered.

The second emboJiment is shown in FIGS. S and' 6. As is evident from the drawings. it is the same as in the first embodiment in some respects. Many spearhead-shaped proj:ctions Jl, of a soft elastie material, are formed closely together on the. auter surface of a bullet herd il at the tip of a bullet riame mlk and

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the electric shock current generating device are contzined in a container 50. The contuiner S0 is inserted into the bullet cylinder 40 and then a cover 42 is applied.

-Esch of ths electric shock neeJles 23, in a pair, is fitted in the bullet head 40 so as to be resiliendy pressed on the flangeshaped base part 44 by a spring 45. When the bullet head 41 of the projactile hits a criminal, the containcr s0 in the bullet "cyTinder 49 still advances, due to its inertia, against the force of the spring 43. The output terminals 51 which are at different polarities will collide with the base parts 44 of the electric shock Beedlss and cause the clestric shock needles 23 to projest out ef the small holes 26 made in the bullet head 41 against the frces of the springs 45. The tips of the electric shock seedles 23 will be pushed into the body of the criminal aad, at the moment, the criminal will fall into a state of a tem. -porary falre epilepsy due to the elccuric shock eTect

Further, in this embodiment, each electric shock needle 23 i surrounded by a cotton or sponge body 46 impregaated with a chsmical solution. The surface of the electric shock needle 23 i always wet with a solution. When electric shock reedles 23 sre pushed into the human body. the chemical will also enter the muscle. Preferably. this chemical makes the eleetric current easy to flow in the human bedy. A small electric shock current may have the same effect as a large electric shock curreat znd wl itsel paralyze the mtscie. A preferred example of ths chemical solution is an aqueocs solution of strychnine salt. This salt is of fine white crystals and hus the property of \_being slighuy dissolved in water. It bas been coaventionally used as a medicine.

A profection 53, resiliently pressed by a spring 52, is provided on the peripheral wall of the container 50. Projestion 53 engages in a recess 43 on the inside wall of the bullet cylinder 40 when the elecuric shock needles 23 have been projected to teir caazinum, and keep the needles pushed out

Further, te spearheid-shaped projectioas 31 will stick to the clothing so that the bullet may sot fall dowa, After the criminal bas bees arrested, the bulict is takca ofl and it is mrorgly struck on the bottom part of the bullet cylinder with the buliet head directed upward Tae projection 53 will becoms disengaged and the couticer s0 and the clecuis shock needies 23 will return to their criginal positions

Only preferable embodiments according to the present invention have been sown above. However, even if any alternation or modification is made within the scope of the appended claims, it will not deviate from the subject matter of the present invention.

Iclaim:

1. In a device for subduing a criminal including a projector and a projectile, the improvement in the projectile comprising a body. two needle electrodes adapted to pierce the skin, said needle electrodes being normally concealed within said body. means for concealing said two needle clectrodes inside of the front face 'of said body before the projectile hits the criminal and for projecting the said two needle electrodes outside of the front face of said body due to inertia only when the projeetile hits the criminal, and passages through which said two aeedle electrodes are concealed and projected, and a supply of electric current of sufficient intensity to induce faise epilepsy. said supply being connected to said needle electrodes.

2. A device for subduing a criminal including a projeetile having two needle electrodes adapted to pierce the skin, means to propel the projectils and a supply of electric current of sufficient intensity to induce false cpilepsy, said supply being a batiery in the propelling mears and being connected to the needle electrodes by wires.

3. A device for subduing a criminal as in, Claim 1 wberein the projectile has gripping means on its front face for sticking to clothing

4. A device for subduing a criminal as in Claim 3 wherein the said gripping means are soft plastic hooks.

5. A device for subduing a criminal as in Claim 1 wherein said electric current supply is a battery within said projectile.

6. A device for subduing a criminal as is Claim 1 wherein said clectris supply is a battery in the propelling means and is cannected :o the needles by wires.

7. A device for subduing a criminal as in Claim I aad also including a wet chemical solution on said needles

8. A device for subduing a criminal as in Clain 7, wherein said solutian is a solution of strychnine salt

9. A device as in Claim I and also includiag means ta adjusr the extent of projection of the said needles

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