NON-LETHAL PROJECTILES

Abstract: The invention provides a combination of a gun having a barrel and propellant means for launching a projectile from the barrel; and a non-lethal projectile (14); characterised in that the non-lethal projectile (14) comprises a hollow outer casing (20) formed from a resiliently deformable material, and a plurality of balls (22) within the casing, the outer casing (20) being deformed as it travels along the gun barrel under pressure from the propellant means but being sufficiently resilient to resile to a substantially undeformed state upon leaving the gun barrel. The invention also provides projectiles (14) for use in the aforesaid gun and cartridges containing the projectiles.

Description: NON-LETHAL PROJECTILES This invention relates to a gun assembly and to projectiles of a non-lethal type, for example for use in riot control situations. The need for projectiles that can be fired from guns with a reduced risk of lethal impact upon a human frame is well documented. Thus, baton rounds, or plastic bullets as they are commonly known, have long been used in civil disorder situations such as riots. The intention behind such baton rounds is to inflict pain and discomfort on rioters, thereby halting and/or deterring further rioting, but without causing serious injury to any person struck by the baton round. However, the projectiles that have been developed and are currently used by police and military forces have been found to suffer from a number of significant problems. In particular, it has been found that current projectiles: (a) cause serious injury when used incorrectly; (b) are inaccurate; (c) are expensive for training; and (d) cause secondary injuries from sharp edges and ricochets. It is an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned problems. Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides a combination of a gun having a barrel; propellant means for launching a projectile from the barrel; and a non-lethal projectile; characterised in that the non-lethal projectile comprises a hollow outer casing formed from a resiliently deformable material, and a plurality of balls within the casing, the outer casing being deformed as it travels along the gun barrel under pressure from the propellant means but being sufficiently resilient to resile to a substantially undeformed state upon leaving the gun barrel. In a further aspect, the invention provides a projectile for use in a gun as hereinbefore defined, the projectile comprising a hollow outer casing formed from a resiliently deformable material, the outer casing containing a plurality of balls, the outer casing being deformable as it travels along the gun barrel under pressure from the propellant means but being sufficiently resilient to resile to a substantially undeformed state upon leaving the gun barrel. In a still further aspect, the invention provides a projectile comprising a hollow outer casing formed from a resiliently deformable material, the outer casing containing a plurality of balls, the outer casing being deformable when contacted by propulsion means but being sufficiently resilient to resile to a substantially undeformed state in flight. Preferably, lubrication means are provided for reducing friction between the outer casing and the barrel as the projectile travels along the barrel. It is important that the projectile is shaped so as to be free of any sharp edges and protrusions that might cause injury and hence preferably the outer casing of the projectile is spherical. As an alternative, for example with smaller projectiles, it could have a teardrop shape. The spherical shape of the outer casing also has good ballistic characteristics allowing good accuracy to be achieved. Similarly, the balls within the casing are free from sharp edges and most preferably are of substantially spherical form. The surfaces of the balls are smooth so as to allow one ball to slide readily over the surface of another. This is important because the ability of the balls to be redistributed in the outer casing rapidly upon impact with a target will determine the extent to which the energy of impact of the bullet is absorbed by the projectile rather than the target. The outer casing is resiliently deformable and, when the gun is fired, the outer casing deforms under the pressure of the propellant means, but the shape of the projectile ensures that the centre of mass of the deformed projectile remains centred on the axis of the gun barrel. The projectile is sufficiently resilient to enable it to regain a substantially spherical shape upon exit from the gun barrel thereby ensuring greater accuracy. The outer casing is preferably formed from an elastomeric material, for example a natural or synthetic rubber. The elastomeric material typically has a Shore hardness in the range from 40 to 80, more typically in the range from 45 to 55. The balls within the outer casing typically have a maximum dimension (e.g. diameter) in the range from 2mm to 1 0mm, preferably from 2.5mm to 6mm. The number of balls within the outer casing will vary according to the size of the balls and the overall size and weight of the projectile but, for example, the casing can contain from 1 50 to 250 balls. The balls are usually formed from a material having a density greater than the resiliently deformable material from which the outer casing is formed. In general, the minimum density of the balls is equivalent to a specific gravity of 7.0. For example, the balls can be formed from a metal such as steel. In one embodiment, the balls can take the form of steel ball bearings, although it is not necessary for the balls to have same polished surface finish as ball bearings. The balls are relatively hard compared to the outer casing and typically the minimum hardness of the balls is 1 06 Brunei Units which corresponds to a Rockwell hardness of 90.5. Thus, the balls should preferably have a hardness at least as great as mild steel. It has been found that when the balls are made of a softer metal such as lead or brass, the balls have a tendency to fuse together upon impact, which could have potentially lethal results. The overall weight of the projectile, including the casing and the balls, is usually in the range from 60 to 1 50 grammes, for example from 75 to 1 25 grammes. The casing is made from a material which is sufficiently tough and thick to ensure that it does not rupture during firing or during normal impact on a target. Thus, for example, the outer casing typically has a thickness in the range from 2mm to 8mm, more usually 3mm to 5mm. In another aspect, the invention provides a cartridge comprising a cartridge casing, a propellant and a projectile as hereinbefore defined. In a particular embodiment, the cartridge casing can contain a piston which is slidably disposed in the cartridge casing behind the projectile so as to eject the projectile therefrom when the gun is fired. The cartridge casing preferably contains means (e.g. lubrication means) for reducing friction between the outer casing of the projectile and the barrel as the projectile travels along the barrel. The projectile is preferably disposed within a cylindrical sleeve forwardly of the piston, the cylindrical sleeve being formed from a low friction material and being arranged to be ejected from the gun barrel with the piston and projectile when the gun is fired, the projectile becoming separated from the sleeve after emergence from the gun barrel. The sleeve can be formed from, for example, a paper or a low friction material such as PTFE. The sleeve serves to prevent the projectile from coming into contact with the cartridge case or the barrel, at least for a substantial proportion of the distance of travel of the projectile down the gun barrel. The sleeve provides a low and relatively constant friction level between the projectile and the gun barrel and prevents any drag that might otherwise arise from a relatively high friction material such as a rubber. Alternatively, however, the outer casing of the projectile can be formed from a relatively low friction material (e.g. PTFE), or can be treated with a friction reducing substance such as PTFE. The invention will now be illustrated, but not limited, by reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a side sectional elevation of a cartridge according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of the cartridge of Figure 1 positioned within a gun barrel, the cartridge having just been detonated; and Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the projectile shown in Figures 1 and 2. Referring now to the drawings, a cartridge according to the invention comprises a cartridge case 2 of hollow generally cylindrical form for engaging in the breach of a gun. In this embodiment, the case 2 is shown as having a peripheral flange 4 at its rear end, but it need not be flange-ended and could be of any shape suitable for engaging in the breach of the gun. Slidably disposed within the case 2 is a piston or "sabot" 6 which is formed of a suitable plastics material such as low density polyethylene and has a forward disc portion 8 and a trailing skirt 1 0 which tapers in a rearwards direction. Located behind the sabot 6 is either a compressed gas charge or a primer and propellant 1 2 which may be of conventional type. Located in front of the sabot 6 is a projectile 1 4 which is wrapped in a cylindrical sleeve 1 6 formed from a low friction material which can be, for example, paper or PTFE. The front end of the cartridge is plugged by a wad 1 8 of fibrous material which serves to prevent dirt and other contaminants from entering the cartridge during storage. The projectile, which is shown in enlarged form in Figure 3, comprises a hollow outer casing 20 formed from a natural or synthetic rubber material, the casing containing a plurality of spherical balls 22 which in this embodiment are formed from steel, although other relatively hard materials could be used instead. The synthetic rubber material in this embodiment has a Shore hardness of from 45 to 55 and the wall of the outer casing has a thickness of about 3mm to 5mm. The diameter of the outer casing can vary according to the calibre of the round, but can be for example of 40mm in diameter. The steel balls, of which there are typically of the order of about 200, are of 2.5mm to 6mm in diameter, preferably of uniform size, and the overall weight of the projectile is about 75 to 1 25 grammes. When the gun is fired, the expanding propellant gases drive the sabot 6 along the cartridge case and the barrel, the sabot in turn expelling the sleeve 1 6, projectile 1 4 and wad 1 8 from the cartridge case and driving them along the barrel. As the projectile is impacted by the sabot and is driven along the barrel, it is deformed such that it becomes flatter in an axial direction, the radial periphery of the outer casing being urged outwardly against the sleeve 1 6 thereby preventing the expanding propellant gases from escaping around the sides of the projectile. The sleeve serves to reduce friction between the projectile and the cartridge case or the barrel. Once the sleeve, projectile, wad and sabot emerge from the gun barrel, the relatively low momentum of the wad, sleeve and sabot mean that they rapidly fall away whilst the projectile continues towards the target. When the projectile impacts against the target, the resilient rubber outer casing is flattened against the target by the hard balls within the casing which serve to spread the impact area. At relatively close range, the projectile has high velocity and therefore more kinetic energy and, as a result, flattens more on impact thereby preventing penetration of the target and consequent injury. At longer range, where the projectile has less kinetic energy upon impact with the target, the outer casing does not flatten as much. The result of the form of construction of the projectile is that the risk of injury at close range is greatly reduced but the projectile is nevertheless accurate and effective over longer ranges. In particular, the risk of fatal injury is greatly reduced at distances of over about 2 metres (6 feet) by means of the projectiles of the invention. By using different sabots and differently sized wads, a single size of projectile can be used for both 37mm, 1 .5 inch and 40mm guns, thereby enabling a standard baton round to be used by police and military forces for a wide variety of different guns. It will readily be apparent that numerous modifications and alterations could be made to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings without departing from the principles underlying the invention, and all such modifications and alterations are intended to be embraced by this application.

Claims: CLAIMS 1 . A combination of a gun having a barrel and propellant means for launching a projectile from the barrel; and a non-lethal projectile; characterised in that the non-lethal projectile comprises a hollow outer casing formed from a resiliently deformable material, and a plurality of balls within the casing, the outer casing being deformed as it travels along the gun barrel under pressure from the propellant means but being sufficiently resilient to resile to a substantially undeformed state upon leaving the gun barrel. 2. A projectile for use in the gun as defined in claim 1 , the projectile comprising a hollow outer casing formed from a resiliently deformable material, the outer casing containing a plurality of balls, the outer casing being deformable as it travels along the gun barrel under pressure from the propellant means but being sufficiently resilient to resile to a substantially undeformed state upon leaving the gun barrel. 3. A projectile comprising a hollow outer casing formed from a resiliently deformable material, the outer casing containing a plurality of balls, the outer casing being deformable when contacted by propulsion means but being sufficiently resilient to resile to a substantially undeformed state in flight. 4. A projectile according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the outer casing is spherical. 5. A projectile according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the balls are substantially spherical. 6. A projectile according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the balls have a maximum dimension (e.g. diameter) in the range from 2mm to 1 0mm. 7. A projectile according to claim 6 wherein the maximum dimension (e.g. diameter) of the balls is in the range from 2.5mm to 6mm. 8. A projectile according to any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein the outer casing contains from 1 50 to 250 balls. 9. A projectile according to any one of claims 2 to 8 wherein the balls are formed from a material having a density greater than the resiliently deformable material from which the outer casing is formed. 1 0. A projectile according to claim 9 wherein the balls are formed from a metal. 1 1 . A projectile according to claim 1 0 wherein the metal is steel. 1 2. A projectile according to any one of claims 2 to 1 1 wherein the outer casing is formed from an elastomeric material. 1 3. A projectile according to claim 1 2 wherein the elastomeric material is a natural or synthetic rubber. 1 4. A projectile according to claim 1 2 or claim 1 3 wherein the elastomeric material has a Shore hardness in the range from 40 to 80. 1 5. A projectile according to claim 1 4 wherein the Shore hardness of the elastomeric material is in the range from 45 to 55. 1 6. A projectile according to any one of claims 2 to 1 5 wherein the projectile has a weight in the range from 60 to 1 50 grammes. 1 7. A projectile according to claim 1 6 wherein the projectile has a weight in the range from 75 to 1 25 grammes. 1 8. A projectile according to any one of claims 2 to 1 7 where the outer casing has a thickness in the range from 2mm to 8mm, e.g. 3mm to 5mm. 1 9. A projectile as defined in any one of claims 2 to 1 7 which is provided with lubricant means for reducing friction between the outer casing and a barrel as the projectile travels along the barrel. 20. A projectile according to claim 1 9 wherein the lubrication means takes the form of a low friction coating or outer surface of the outer casing. 21 . A projectile according to claim 1 9 wherein the lubrication means takes the form of a sleeve of a low friction material surrounding the projectile, the sleeve being separable from the projectile after emergence from the gun barrel after firing. 22. A cartridge comprising a cartridge casing, a propellant and a projectile, and optionally lubrication means as defined in any one of the preceding claims. 23. A cartridge according to claim 22 having a piston being slidably disposed in the cartridge casing behind the projectile so as to eject the projectile therefrom when the gun is fired. 24. A cartridge according to claim 23 wherein the projectile is disposed within a cylindrical sleeve forwardly of the piston, the cylindrical sleeve being formed from a low friction material and being arranged to be ejected from the gun barrel with the piston and projectile when the gun is fired, the projectile becoming separated from the sleeve before or after emergence from the gun barrel. 25. A cartridge according to claim 24 wherein the sleeve is formed from a paper or PTFE. 26. A cartridge according to any one of claims 23 to 25 wherein the piston is formed from a plastics material. 27. A cartridge according to any one of claims 23 to 26 which is closed at its forward end by a plug. 28. A projectile according to claim 27 wherein the plug is a wad of fibrous material. 29. A projectile substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. 30. A cartridge substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. A combination of a gun having a barrel and propellant means for launching a projectile from the barrel; and a non-lethal projectile as defined in any one of claims 2 to 21 and 29, or a cartridge as defined in any one of claims 22 to 28 and 30.

Inventors: SAXBY MICHAEL ERNEST, SAXBY, MICHAEL, ERNEST
Applicants: LAMBETH PTY LTD, SAXBY MICHAEL ERNEST, LAMBETH PROPERTIES LIMITED, SAXBY, MICHAEL, ERNEST
Application year: 1999
Main classification: F42B12
IPC codes: F42B12