Patent Abstract:
A crowd control projectile includes a payload carrier, an incapacitating agent inside the payload carrier, and an activating mechanism for activating the incapacitating agent. The activating mechanism includes a sensor and a timer. The timer delays the activation until a predetermined delay after the sensor senses that the projectile has been launched. Alternatively, the activating mechanism includes a receiver for receiving an activation signal after the projectile has been launched. Preferably, the projectile has the shape of a clay pigeon. A launcher of such a projectile includes a communication mechanism for transmitting a timing signal or an activation signal to the projectile and an arm for launching the projectile by direct contact. To control a crowd, the projectile is launched over the crowd by direct contact with a solid arm and the activating mechanism is used to activate the incapacitating agent when the projectile is above the crowd.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/624,936 filed on Sep. 23, 2012. The contents of the above applications are all incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to projectiles and launch-systems, more particularly, to non-lethal projectiles and launch-systems for riot control. 
         [0003]    Control of crowds and of areas where demonstrators gather is often achieved by the use of non-lethal riot control agents such as tear gas, stun grenades, pepper spray, etc. 
         [0004]    Most conventional means for delivering the non-lethal riot control agents to the controlled crowd or area is done by firing the riot control agents using concentrated gas, created from pyrotechnic explosion or compressed gas, through some type of tube, e.g. barrel or tube canister, which gives a direction to the flight of the riot control agents. 
         [0005]    The non-lethal effects depend on the payload carried by non-lethal projectiles. The most common payloads cause the following effects: kinetic damage (caused by physical hitting of the projectile), irritation (caused by irritant agent, such as tear gas, pepper powder, irritant liquid, etc.), shock and distraction (caused by flash-bang charge), incapacitation (caused by discharging a high voltage electric charge), disorientation (caused by smoke), etc. Also, there are payloads that combine two or more effects. 
         [0006]    The design of prior art non-lethal projectiles depends on the type of the launcher used for their launching. Various forms of non-lethal projectiles are known. For example, such projectiles are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,733,727, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,143,699, and in many others. However, due to launchers&#39; main shared concept of shoving projectiles through a tube, the generic design of projectiles is similar: they are designed to be shoved off from the tube by the power of concentrated gas. Therefore, the generic size and shape of prior art non-lethal projectiles is a bullet-like or shell-like size and shape. 
         [0007]    The main drawback of prior art non-lethal projectiles is the fact that the pyrotechnic or pneumatic mechanisms of the launchers of the non-lethal projectiles constitute limitations for the different characteristics of counter-personnel non-lethal kinetic systems. Two significant limitations are: (1) the possibility of permanent damage, caused by direct hitting; and (2) the limited range of distances of the launchers, from the crowds that need to be controlled, over which the projectiles are both effective and safe. 
         [0008]    There is therefore a need for non-lethal projectiles, and for launch-systems thereof, that will significantly reduce the possibility of direct hitting and, simultaneously, will be equally effective and safe at different distances. 
         [0009]    Skeet shooting is a sport in which a shooter shoots at flying clay targets (saucer-like clay objects) that are commonly called “clay pigeons” and that are swung into the air by a manual thrower or by a launcher. 
         [0010]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view schematic illustration of a prior art manual thrower P 1  and a clay target P 2 . The clay target P 2  is inserted into the manual thrower P 1  which is then swung in the required direction. 
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a side view schematic illustration of a prior art mechanical launcher P 3 . Mechanical launcher P 3  includes a launching arm P 4  on which clay target P 2  is loaded prior to launching and a spring P 5 . When mechanical launcher P 3  is operated to launch clay target P 2 , spring P 5  releases the energy stored within it and causes launching arm P 4  to sweep clay target P 2  in the required direction. 
         [0012]      FIG. 3 a    is a side view schematic illustration of a prior art automatic launcher P 6  in its unloaded state. Automatic launcher P 6  is equipped with a magazine P 7  which holds a multitude of clay targets P 2  and dispenses clay targets P 2  individually onto a launching surface P 8 . Launcher body P 9  includes electrical motors, springs and other mechanisms required for reloading and launching processes. When magazine P 7  drops a clay target P 2  onto launching surface P 8 , launching arm P 4  is released by main body P 9  to sweep clay target P 2  in the required direction. 
         [0013]    Exemplary patent documents that describe conventional clay target launchers include U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,360, U.S. Pat. No. 7,263,986 and US Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0100345. These three documents are incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The background art does not teach or suggest non-lethal projectiles and launch-systems which do not use compressed gas as a means to propel non-lethal riot control agents into crowds or areas that need to be controlled. 
         [0015]    The present invention overcomes these deficiencies of the background art by providing exemplary non-lethal projectiles and by providing launch-systems for the projectiles. However, it should be noted that despite the description of the payloads of the projectiles of the present invention as non-lethal, it also is possible to use lethal agents in conjunction with the described projectiles and launch-system. 
         [0016]    According to the present invention there is provided a projectile including: (a) a payload carrier; (b) an incapacitating agent, enclosed within the payload carrier; and (c) an activating mechanism, for activating the incapacitating agent, that includes: (i) a sensor for sensing a launch of the projectile without changing a shape of the projectile, and (ii) a timer for delaying the activating until a predetermined delay after the sensor senses the launch. 
         [0017]    According to the present invention there is provided a projectile including: (a) a payload carrier; (b) an incapacitating agent, enclosed within the payload carrier, and (c) an activating mechanism, for activating the incapacitating agent, that includes a receiver for receiving, subsequent to the projectile having been launched, an activation signal that instructs the activating mechanism to activate the incapacitating agent. 
         [0018]    According to the present invention there is provided a device, for launching a projectile, including: (a) a communication mechanism for transmitting a signal to the projectile; and (b) an arm for directly contacting and moving the projectile to launch the projectile. 
         [0019]    According to the present invention there is provided a method of crowd control comprising the steps of: (a) providing a projectile that includes: (i) a payload carrier, (ii) an incapacitating agent, enclosed within the payload carrier, and an activating mechanism, for activating the incapacitating agent, selected from the group consisting of: (A) a first activating mechanism that includes: (I) a sensor for sensing a launch of the projectile without changing a shape of the projectile, and (II) a timer for delaying the activation until a predetermined clearly after the sensor senses the launch, and (B) a second activating mechanism that includes a receiver for receiving, subsequent to the projectile having been launched, an activation signal that instructs the activating mechanism to activate the incapacitating agent; (b) launching the projectile, to travel over the crowd to be controlled, by directly contacting and moving the projectile with a solid arm, and (c) using the activating mechanism, activating the incapacitating agent when the projectile is above the crowd. 
         [0020]    The two basic embodiments of a projectile of the present invention both include a payload carrier, an incapacitating agent enclosed within the payload carrier, and an activating mechanism for activating the incapacitating agent. An “incapacitating agent” is an agent that, when activated by the activating mechanism, renders people or animals, at whom the projectile is launched, temporarily or permanently incapable of performing whatever action the user of the projectile is trying to prevent or delay. In the discussion below of the preferred embodiments, the exemplary preferred activating mechanisms are called “ignition units”. 
         [0021]    Preferably, the projectile does not have its own propulsion mechanism for launching and/or propelling the projectile towards its intended target, but instead must be launched by a separate launching device. 
         [0022]    Preferably, the projectile is disk-shaped. Most preferably, the shape of the projectile is the shape of a conventional “clay pigeon” such as commonly is used in sports such as skeet shooting and trap shooting. 
         [0023]    Although, as noted above, the activated incapacitating agent could be an agent that permanently incapacitates or even kills its target, it is preferred that the incapacitating agent be a riot control agent that is intended to incapacitate its target only temporarily. Such a riot control agent could be either passive or active. A passive riot control agent is an agent, such as pepper powder, that is deployed as such by the activating mechanism. An active riot control agent is a riot control agent that participates as a reactant in a chemical reaction that is initiated by the activation mechanism. In some preferred embodiments, the incapacitation of the target of the projectile is caused by a chemical product of the reaction, for example an irritant such as is produced by a conventional tear gas grenade. In other preferred embodiments, the incapacitation of the target of the projectile is caused by a physical effect of the reaction, for example the flash and bang of a stun grenade. 
         [0024]    In the first basic embodiment of a projectile of the present invention, the activating mechanism includes a sensor and a timer. The sensor senses the launching of the projectile without changing the shape of the projectile. The timer delays the activating of the incapacitating agent until a predetermined delay after the sensor senses that the projectile has been launched. That the sensor operates without changing the shape of the projectile distinguishes the projectile of the present invention from e.g. a stun grenade whose lever springs off the grenade when the grenade is thrown. 
         [0025]    Preferably, the activating mechanism also includes a mechanism for setting the predetermined delay. Most preferably, the mechanism for setting the predetermined delay includes a mechanism, such as an electrical contact on a surface of the projectile, or an antenna, for receiving a signal in which the predetermined delay is encoded. Alternatively, the mechanism for setting the predetermined delay includes an interface for manually setting the predetermined delay. 
         [0026]    Preferably, the sensor senses the launch of the projectile by sensing an acceleration of the projectile. 
         [0027]    In the second basic embodiment of a projectile of the present invention, the activating mechanism includes a receiver for receiving, subsequent to the projectile having been launched, an activation signal that instructs the activating mechanism to activate the incapacitating agent. 
         [0028]    A basic device of the present invention for launching a projectile includes a communication mechanism for transmitting a signal to the projectile and an arm for launching the projectile by directly contacting and moving the projectile. 
         [0029]    In one class of preferred embodiments, the communication mechanism includes an antenna for transmitting the signal wirelessly. The signal could include an activation instruction. The signal could include timing information. 
         [0030]    In another class of preferred embodiments, the signal includes timing information. More preferably, the communication mechanism then includes one or more electrical contacts for transmitting the timing information to the projectile when the electrical contact(s) is/are in electrical communication with (a) corresponding electrical contact(s) of the projectile. In a first most preferred embodiment, the arm includes a receptacle, into which the projectile is loaded for launch, that includes the electrical contact(s). In second and third most preferred embodiments, the device also includes a launching surface on which the projectile is placed for launching, and the electrical contact(s) is/are on the launching surface. The third most preferred embodiment also includes a magazine for holding a plurality of the projectiles and for dispensing each projectile individually onto the launching surface so that the electrical contact(s) of the communication mechanism is/are in electrical communication with the corresponding electrical contact(s) of the dispensed projectile. 
         [0031]    According to the crowd control method of the present invention, a projectile of the present invention is launched, to travel over the crowd to be controlled, by directly contacting and moving the projectile with a solid arm, and using the activating mechanism to activate the incapacitating agent when the projectile is above the crowd. Usually the crowd to be controlled is a crowd of people but it also could be a crowd of animals. The requirement to launch the projectile via the direct contact of a solid arm is one of the features of the method that distinguishes the method from conventional methods that rely on pyrotechnic or pneumatic mechanisms for launching crowd control projectiles. Although in principle the “solid arm” used to launch the projectile could be the arm and hand of a guard or a policeman who flings the projectile over the crowd like a Frisbee, it is preferable to use one of the launchers of the present invention to launch the projectile. 
         [0032]    Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0033]    Various embodiments are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0034]      FIG. 1  is a perspective schematic illustration of a prior art manual thrower and a prior art clay target; 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  is a side view schematic illustration of a prior art mechanical launcher; 
           [0036]      FIG. 3 a    is a side view schematic illustration of a prior art automatic launcher in its unloaded state; 
           [0037]      FIG. 3 b    is side view schematic illustration of exemplary modified automatic launcher (MAL) of the present invention in its unloaded state; 
           [0038]      FIG. 3 c    is a top view schematic illustration of a contacting surface of an automatic launcher, according to the present invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 4 a    is a perspective top-side view schematic illustration of a projectile of the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 4 b    is an exploded schematic illustration of a projectile of the present invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 5 a    is a cross sectional view of the first embodiment of a payload carrier; 
           [0042]      FIG. 5 b    is an exploded schematic illustration of the first embodiment of a payload carrier; 
           [0043]      FIG. 6 a    is a cross sectional view of the second embodiment of a payload carrier; 
           [0044]      FIG. 6 b    is an exploded schematic illustration of the second embodiment of a payload carrier; 
           [0045]      FIG. 7 a    is a cross sectional view of the third embodiment of a payload carrier; 
           [0046]      FIG. 7 b    is an exploded schematic illustration of the third embodiment of a payload carrier; 
           [0047]      FIG. 8 a    is a perspective top-side view schematic illustration of the first embodiment of an ignition unit; 
           [0048]      FIG. 8 b    is a perspective bottom-side view schematic illustration of the first embodiment of an ignition unit; 
           [0049]      FIG. 8 c    is a block diagram of the electronic system of the first exemplary embodiment of an ignition unit; 
           [0050]      FIG. 9 a    is a perspective top-side view schematic illustration of the second embodiment of an ignition unit; 
           [0051]      FIG. 9 b    is a perspective bottom-side view schematic illustration of the second embodiment of an ignition unit; 
           [0052]      FIG. 9 c    is a perspective top-side view schematic illustration of an embodiment of a payload carrier&#39;s shell used with the second embodiment of an ignition unit; 
           [0053]      FIG. 9 d    is a block diagram of the electronic system of the second exemplary embodiment of an ignition unit; 
           [0054]      FIG. 9 e    is a cross sectional view of the contact strips that are added to the payload carrier&#39;s shell for the second embodiment of an ignition unit; 
           [0055]      FIG. 10 a    is a perspective top-side view schematic illustration of the third embodiment of an ignition unit; 
           [0056]      FIG. 10 b    is a perspective bottom-side view schematic illustration of the third embodiment of an ignition unit; 
           [0057]      FIG. 10 c    is a block diagram of the electronic system of the third exemplary embodiment of an ignition unit; 
           [0058]      FIG. 11 a    is a perspective top-side view schematic illustration of the fourth embodiment of an ignition unit; 
           [0059]      FIG. 11 b    is a perspective bottom-side view schematic illustration of the fourth embodiment of an ignition unit; 
           [0060]      FIG. 11 c    is a block diagram of the electronic system of a fourth exemplary embodiment of an ignition unit; 
           [0061]      FIG. 12 a    is a perspective view of a modified manual thrower (MMT) of the present invention; 
           [0062]      FIG. 12 b    is a block diagram of the electronic system of an exemplary modified manual thrower (MMT) of the present invention; 
           [0063]      FIG. 13  is a top-view schematic illustration of the mechanical embodiment of an acceleration sensor; 
           [0064]      FIG. 14  is a block diagram of the electronic system of an exemplary modified automatic launcher (MAL) according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0065]    The principles and operation of a crowd control projectile and launcher according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. 
         [0066]    Referring again to the drawings,  FIG. 3 b    is side-view schematic illustration of a modified automatic launcher (MAL)  40  in its unloaded state, according to the present invention. MAL  40  is automatic launcher P 6  modified according to the principles of the present invention. MAL  40  includes a fire-control unit  41  and is equipped, on launching surface P 5 , with a contacting surface  40   a  used by fire-control unit  41  to communicate with the second embodiment of ignition unit  1   a  (not not shown in the present illustration) that is described below, through contact strips  21   a  (shown in  FIG. 9 c    below) and contacts  21  (shown in  FIG. 9 b    below). Also, MAL  40  is equipped with an antenna  40   b  which is used by fire-control unit  41  to communicate with the first embodiment of ignition unit  1   a  (not shown in the present illustration) that is described below and that is equipped with an antenna  20   a  (shown in  FIG. 8 a    below). 
         [0067]      FIG. 3 c    is a top-view schematic illustration of contacting surface  40   a  of MAL  40 , according to the present invention. Contact surface  40   a  is equipped with several electrical contacts  42   b  (see  FIG. 14  below) that are used to communicate data with the second embodiment of ignition unit  1   a  (not shown in the present illustration). Each electrical contact  42   b  is connected to fire-control unit  41  via a data contact wire  42   c . All of the electrical contacts  42   b  are surrounded by an insulating surface  42   a  that electrically insulates electrical contacts  42   b  from each other and from launching surface P 8 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 4 a    is a perspective top-view schematic illustration of a projectile  1  of the present invention. 
         [0069]    The overall shape and size of projectile  1  is that of the kind of generally disk-shaped or inverted-saucer-shaped clay target that is commonly used in sports such as skeet shooting and trap shooting and that commonly is referred to generically as a “clay pigeon”. The standard size of such targets is 110 mm overall diameter and 25-26 mm thickness for international competition and 108 mm overall diameter and 28-29 mm thickness for American competition. There also are specialized targets such as “battue” targets that are thinner than the standard targets and “rabbit” targets that are thicker than the standard targets. So-called “midi” targets have a diameter of about 90 mm. So-called “mini” targets have a diameter of about 60 mm and a thickness of about 20 mm. 
         [0070]      FIG. 4 b    is an exploded schematic illustration of projectile  1  showing that projectile  1  includes a payload carrier  1   b  and an ignition unit  1   a . Four different preferred embodiments of ignition unit  1   a  are described below. Three different embodiments of payload carrier  1   b  are described below. 
         [0071]      FIG. 5 a    is cross sectional view of the first embodiment of payload carrier  1   b . This embodiment of payload carrier  1   b  includes as its payload a passive payload such as powder or liquid. 
         [0072]      FIG. 5 b    is an exploded schematic illustration of the first embodiment of payload carrier  1   b . This embodiment of payload carrier  1   b  includes a payload shell  5 , a pyrotechnic fuse  6 , a passive payload  7  and a passive payload bottom cover  8 . 
         [0073]    According to the present invention all types of ignition unit  1   a  described below can be installed in the recess  9  on the top surface of a first embodiment  1   b  of a payload carrier. Pyrotechnic fuse  6  is located between the pyrotechnic fuse nest  20   m  in the bottom of an ignition unit  1   a  (not shown in the present figure) and passive payload  7 , through a hole  5   a  in shell  5 . Pyrotechnic fuse  6  is ignited by the ignition unit  1   a . After its ignition, pyrotechnic fuse  6  creates an explosion that tears through the bottom cover  8  and/or disconnects bottom cover  8  from shell  5 . Then, passive payload  7  is dispersed in the air as passive payload  7  falls out of shell  5 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 6 a    is cross sectional view of the second embodiment of a payload carrier  1   b . This embodiment of the payload carrier  1   b  includes as its payload an active payload that produces an irritant material such as smoke or tear gas. 
         [0075]      FIG. 6 b    is an exploded schematic illustration of the second embodiment of payload carrier  1   b . This embodiment of payload carrier  1   b  includes a payload shell  5 , a pyrotechnic fuse  6 , a secondary payload canister  10 , an igniter washer  13 , an active payload  11  and an active payload bottom cover  14 . 
         [0076]    According to the present invention all types of ignition unit  1   a  described below can be installed in the recess  9  on the top surface of second embodiment  1   b  of a payload carrier. Pyrotechnic fuse  6  is located between the pyrotechnic fuse nest  20   m  in the bottom of an ignition unit  1   a  (not shown in the present figure) and igniter washer  13 , through hole  5   a  in shell  5  and hole  10  in secondary payload canister  10 . Ignition unit  1   a  ignites pyrotechnic fuse  6 , which in turn ignites igniter washer  13 . The burning of igniter washer  13  along the surface of active payload  11  produces an irritant agent. One example of active payload  11  is a mixture of a lachrymator such as CS or CN and a heat generating material such as smokeless powder. Combustion of the heat generating material vaporizes the lachrymator. The irritant agent thus produced is concentrated within an open space  12 . The irritant agent, being hot and pressurized, tears membranes  10   b  and is dispersed in the air through holes  10   a  in secondary payload canister  10  and holes  5   b  in shell  5 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 7 a    is cross sectional view of the third embodiment of payload carrier  1   b . This embodiment of payload carrier  1   b  includes as its payload an explosive charge that creates a loud noise accompanied by a blinding flash of light, in the manner of a stun grenade. 
         [0078]      FIG. 7 b    is an exploded schematic illustration of the third embodiment of payload carrier  1   b . This embodiment of payload carrier  1   b  includes a payload shell  5 , a pyrotechnic fuse  6 , a secondary payload canister  10 , an explosive charge  16  and an explosive charge bottom cover  17 . 
         [0079]    According to the present invention all types of ignition unit  1   a  described below can be installed in the recess  9  on the top surface of the third embodiment of payload carrier  1   b . Pyrotechnic fuse  6  is located between the pyrotechnic fuse nest  20   m  in the bottom of ignition unit  1   a  (not shown in the present figure) and explosive charge  16 , through a hole  5   a  in shell  5  and hole  10   c  in secondary payload canister  10 . Ignition unit  1   a  ignites pyrotechnic fuse  6 , which in turn ignites explosive charge  16 . The explosion of explosive charge  16  produces a loud noise accompanied by a temporarily blinding flash. 
         [0080]      FIG. 8 a    is a perspective top-view schematic illustration of a first embodiment of ignition unit  1   a.    
         [0081]      FIG. 8 b    is a perspective bottom-view schematic illustration of the first embodiment of ignition unit  1   a.    
         [0082]      FIG. 8 c    is a block diagram of the electronic system of the first exemplary embodiment of ignition unit  1   a . The launching of a projectile  1  that includes this embodiment of ignition unit  1   a  preferably is done using a modified manual thrower (MMT) (described below with reference to  FIGS. 12A and 12B ), a modified mechanical launcher (MML) (described below with reference to  FIG. 14 ) or a modified automatic launcher (MAL) (described above with reference to  FIG. 3 b    and below with reference to  FIG. 14 ). The electronic system of the first exemplary embodiment of ignition unit  1   a  includes a power source  20   d , which supplies power through an activation button  20   c  that is operatively connected to an antenna  20   a , a data transmitter  20   e , a data receiver  20   f , a power source tester  20   g , an acceleration sensor  20   h  and a micro-switch  20   j . A data processor  20   i  receives data from data receiver  20   f , from the power source tester  20   g  and from the acceleration sensor  20   h , and outputs data to a LED light  20   b , to micro-switch  20   j  and to data transmitter  20   e . Data transmitter  20   e  outputs data it gets from activation button  20   c  and from data processor  20   i  to antenna  20   a  for transmission to a fire control unit such as fire control unit  24   b  of  FIG. 12 a    below or fire control unit  41  of  FIG. 3 b    above and  FIG. 14  below. Micro-switch  20   j  receives data from data processor  20   i  and from activation button  20   c  and outputs a direct current (DC) voltage to a DC/DC converter  20   k  which converts the received DC voltage to a level suitable for ignition of pyrotechnic fuse  6  of payload carrier  1   b  (not shown in this figure) in contact with a pyrotechnic fuse nest  20   m.    
         [0083]    Upon system startup using activation button  20   c , power source tester  20   g  informs data processor  20   i  when the power source  20   d  voltage level is suitable for operation of ignition unit  1   a  and data processor  20   i  then lights up LED light  20   b . Data processor  20   i  then receives required data (such as detonation command, delay time, identification number, etc.) via wireless transmission from fire-control unit  24   b  or  41  (not shown in the present figure) via antenna  20   a  and data receiver  20   f , and then signals a “ready” signal back through data transmitter  20   e  and antenna  20   a , or by signaling with LED light  20   b . When projectile  1  is launched, acceleration sensor  20   h  senses the launch and signals to the data processor  20   i  that projectile  1  has been launched. Upon receiving the launch indication from acceleration sensor  20   h , data processor  20   i  starts to count down the delay time received before launch or waits for a detonation command, after which, data processor  20   i  signals micro-switch  20   j  to pass the required DC voltage to pyrotechnic fuse nest  20   m  via DC/DC converter  20   k , thereby detonating pyrotechnic fuse  6  (not shown in present figure). 
         [0084]      FIG. 9 a    is a perspective top view schematic illustration of a second embodiment of ignition unit  1   a.    
         [0085]      FIG. 9 b    is a perspective bottom view schematic illustration of the second embodiment of an ignition unit  1   a.    
         [0086]      FIG. 9 c    is a perspective top view schematic illustration of the payload&#39;s shell  5  required for use with the second embodiment of an ignition unit  1   a.    
         [0087]      FIG. 9 d    is a block diagram of the electronic system of the second exemplary embodiment of an ignition unit  1   a . The launching of a projectile  1  that includes this embodiment of ignition unit  1   a  should be done by modified manual thrower (MMT) ( FIG. 12 a   ), modified mechanical launcher (MML) or modified automatic launcher (MAL) ( FIG. 3 b   ). The electronic system of the second exemplary embodiment of an ignition unit  1   a  includes a power source  20   d , which supplies power through an activation button  20   c  that is operatively connected to a data transmitter  20   e , a data receiver  20   f , a power source tester  20   g , an acceleration sensor  20   h  and a micro-switch  20   j . A data processor  20   i  receives data from data receiver  20   f , power source tester  20   g  and acceleration sensor  20   h  and outputs data to a LED light  20   b , to micro-switch  20   j  and to data transmitter  20   e . Data transmitter  20   e  outputs data it gets from activation button  20   c  and from data processor  20   i  to the ignition unit&#39;s contacts to fire-control unit  21 . Micro-switch  20   j  receives data from data processor  20   i  and from activation button  20   c  and outputs a direct current (DC) voltage to a DC/DC converter  20   k  which converts this DC voltage to a level suitable for ignition of pyrotechnic fuse  6  (not shown in this figure) connected to pyrotechnic fuse nest  20   m.    
         [0088]    Upon system startup using activation button  20   c , power source tester  20   g  informs data processor  20   i  when the power source  20   d  voltage level is suitable and data processor  20   i  lights up LED light  20   b . Data processor  20   i  then receives required data (such as a delay time, an identification number, etc.) via wire transmission from the electrically contacting surface  40   a  of an automatic launcher&#39;s fire-control unit  41  (not shown in the present figure), from the similar fire-control unit of a mechanical launcher, or from the data contacts  21   a  of an MMT&#39;s fire-control unit  24   b  (not shown in the present figure) via data receiver  20   f , the ignition unit&#39;s contacts to fire-control unit  21 , and contact strips  21   a  that connect between the ignition unit and data contacts  24   a  of MMT  24  or contacting surface  40   a  of  FIG. 3C . Then, data processor  20   i  signals a “ready” signal back through data transmitter  20   e  or by signaling with LED light  20   b . When projectile  1  is launched, acceleration sensor  20   h  senses the launch and signals to data processor  20   i  that projectile  1  has been launched. Upon receiving the launch indication from acceleration sensor  20   h , data processor  20   i  starts to count down the delay time received before launch. At the end of the countdown, data processor  20   i  signals micro-switch  20   j  to pass the DC voltage to pyrotechnic fuse nest  20   m  via DC/DC converter  20   k , thereby detonating pyrotechnic fuse  6  (not shown in present figure). 
         [0089]      FIG. 9 e    is a cross sectional view of the contact strips  21   a  that are added to the payload carrier&#39;s shell  5  for use with the second embodiment of an ignition unit  1   b . Contact strips  21   a , mounted on the payload carrier&#39;s shell  5  as is shown in  FIG. 9 e   , connect between the second embodiment of an ignition unit  1   b  (not shown in present figure) and data contacts  24   a  of an MMT (shown in  FIG. 12 a   ) or contacting surface  40   a  of an MAL or MML (shown in  FIG. 3 c   ). The ignition unit&#39;s contacts to fire-control unit  21  (shown in  FIG. 9 b   ) are connected, during the manufacturing process, to the surfaces  21   b  of the contact strips  21   a . Surfaces  21   e  of contact strips  21   a  are in contact with data contacts  24   a  of an MMT (shown in  FIG. 12 a   ) or contacting surface  40   a  of a MAL or MML (shown in  FIG. 3 c   ) when projectile  1  is loaded into the MMT or onto the MAL or MML for launch. 
         [0090]      FIG. 10 a    is a perspective top view schematic illustration of a third embodiment of ignition unit  1   a.    
         [0091]      FIG. 10 b    is a perspective bottom view schematic illustration of the third embodiment of ignition unit  1   a.    
         [0092]      FIG. 10 c    is a block diagram of the electronic system of the third exemplary embodiment of ignition unit  1   a . The launching of a projectile  1  that includes this embodiment of ignition unit  1   a  can be done by a modified manual thrower (MMT), by a modified mechanical launcher (MML), by a modified automatic launcher (MAL) or by any prior art thrower/launcher. The electronic system of the third exemplary embodiment of ignition unit  1   a  includes a power source  20   d , which supplies power through an activation button  20   c  that is operatively connected to a timing setting switch  22 , to a power source tester  20   g , to an acceleration sensor  20   h  and to a micro-switch  20   j . A data processor  20   i  receives data from timing setting switch  22 , from power source tester  20   g  and from the acceleration sensor  20   h  and outputs data to a LED light  20   b  and to a micro-switch  20   j . Micro-switch  20   j  receives data from data processor  20   i  and from activation button  20   c  and outputs a direct current (DC) voltage to a DC/DC converter  20   k  that converts this DC voltage to a level suitable for ignition of pyrotechnic fuse  6  (not shown in this figure) connected to pyrotechnic fuse nest  20   m.    
         [0093]    Upon system startup using activation button  20   c , power source tester  20   g  informs data processor  20   i  when the power source  20   d  voltage level is suitable and data processor  20   i  lights up LED light  20   b . Data processor  20   i  then receives a delay time from timing setting switch  22 . Then, data processor  20   i  signals a “ready” signal back by signaling with LED light  20   b . When projectile  1  is launched, acceleration sensor  20   h  senses the launch and signals to data processor  20   i  that projectile  1  has been launched. Upon receiving the launch indication from acceleration sensor  20   h , data processor  20   i  starts to count down the delay time received before launch. At the end of the count down, data processor  20   i  signals micro-switch  20   j  to pass the DC voltage to pyrotechnic fuse nest  20   m  via DC/DC converter  20   k , thereby detonating pyrotechnic fuse  6  (not shown in present figure). 
         [0094]      FIG. 11 a    is a perspective top view schematic illustration of a fourth embodiment of ignition unit  1   a.    
         [0095]      FIG. 11 b    is a perspective bottom view schematic illustration of the forth embodiment of ignition unit  1   a.    
         [0096]      FIG. 11 c    is a block diagram of the electronic system of the fourth exemplary embodiment of ignition unit  1   a . The launching of a projectile  1  that includes this embodiment of ignition unit  1   a  can be done by a modified manual thrower (MMT), by a modified mechanical launcher (MML), by a modified automatic launcher (MAL) or by any prior art thrower/launcher. The electronic system of the fourth exemplary embodiment of ignition unit  1   a  includes a power source  20   d , which supplies power through an activation button  20   c  that is operatively connected to a power source tester  20   g , to an acceleration sensor  20   h  and to a micro-switch  20   j . A data processor  20   i  has a default delay time programmed therein by the manufacturer of ignition unit  1   a  and receives data from power source tester  20   g  and from acceleration sensor  20   h , and outputs data to a LED light  20   b  and to micro-switch  20   j . Micro-switch  20   j  receives data from data processor  20   i  and from activation button  20   c  and outputs a direct current (DC) voltage to a DC/DC converter  20   k  that converts this DC voltage to a level suitable for ignition of pyrotechnic fuse  6  (not shown in this figure) connected to pyrotechnic fuse nest  20   m.    
         [0097]    Upon system startup using activation button  20   c , power source tester  20   g  informs data processor  20   i  when the power source  20   d  voltage level is suitable, and data processor  20   i  lights up LED light  20   b . Then, data processor  20   i  signals a “ready” signal back by signaling with LED light  20   b . When projectile  1  is launched, acceleration sensor  20   h  senses the launch and signals to data processor  20   i  that projectile  1  has been launched. Upon receiving the launch indication from acceleration sensor  20   h , data processor  20   i  starts to count down the default delay time that has been programmed by the manufacturer. At the end of the countdown, data processor  20   i  signals micro-switch  20   j  to pass the DC voltage to pyrotechnic fuse nest  20   m  via DC/DC converter  20   k , thereby detonating pyrotechnic fuse  6  (not shown in present figure). 
         [0098]      FIG. 12 a    is a perspective view of a modified manual thrower (MMT)  24 . MMT  24  includes a fire-control unit  24   b , data contacts  24   a  of a fire-control unit  24   b , an antenna  24   c  of fire-control unit  24   b , a screen  24   d  of fire-control unit  24   b , a fire button/timing setting switch  24   e  of fire-control unit  24   b , an “on/off” switch  24   f  of fire-control unit  24   b , a mode switch  24   h  of fire control unit  24   b , and a body  24   g  that terminates in a launch receptacle  24   i  in which data contacts  24   a  are embedded. Payloads  1  are loaded into receptacle  24   i  for launching. A payload  1 , whose ignition unit  1   a  is the second embodiment of ignition unit  1   a , is loaded into receptacle  24   i  for launching so that contact strips  21   a  make electrical contact with data contacts  24   a.    
         [0099]      FIG. 12 b    is a block diagram of the electronic system of the fire control unit  24   b  of MMT  24 . The electronic system of fire control unit  24   b  includes a power source  24   i , which supplies power through an “on/off” switch of fire-control unit  24   f , that is operatively connected to an antenna  24   c , to a data receiver  24   j , to a data transmitter  24   k , to a fire button/timing setting switch  24   e  of fire-control unit  24   b , a screen  24   d , and a data processor  24   m . Mode switch  24   h  is connected to data transmitter  24   k  and to data receiver  24   j  and directs data to/from antenna  24   c  or data contacts  24   a  according to the embodiment (first or second) of the ignition unit  1   a  that is installed in a launched projectile  1 . If the embodiment of ignition unit  1   a  is the first embodiment of ignition unit  1   a , then mode switch  24   h  directs data to/from antenna  24   c . If the embodiment of ignition unit  1   a  is the second embodiment of ignition unit  1   a , then mode switch  24   h  directs data to/from data contacts  24   a . Fire button/timing setting switch  24   e  has two optional functions: to set the delay time for the first and second embodiments of ignition units  1   a  and to issue the detonation command for the first embodiment of ignition unit  1   a . Data processor  24   m  receives data from on/off switch  24   f , from fire button/timing setting switch  24   e  and from data receiver  24   j  and outputs data to screen  24   d  and to data transmitter  24   k.    
         [0100]    Upon system startup using on/off switch  24   f , the user sets mode switch  24   h  and fire button/timing setting switch  24   e  according to the type of ignition units  1   a  in use. Data processor  24   m  receives data from fire button/timing setting switch  24   e  and transfers the data via data transmitter  24   k  and mode switch  24   h , which directs the data via antenna  24   c  or via data contacts  24   a  to ignition unit  1   a . The data received from ignition unit  1   a  is directed by mode switch  24   h  to data receiver  24   j  and then to data processor  24   m . Information received by data processor  24   m  is displayed on screen  24   d.    
         [0101]      FIG. 13  is a top view schematic illustration of a mechanical embodiment of an acceleration sensor  20   h . This embodiment of acceleration sensor  20   h  includes arm members  25   a , springs  25   b , first accelerometer contacts  25   c , second accelerometer contacts  25   d  and an external member  25   e.    
         [0102]    After the launching of a projectile  1 , the centrifugal force created by the spinning of projectile  1  compresses springs  25   b  that are placed between arm members  25   a  and external member  25   e . As a result, first accelerometer contacts  25   c  touch second accelerometer contacts  25   d , and acceleration sensor  20   h  outputs a signal to data processor  20   i  (not shown in this figure) to inform data processor  20   i  that projectile  1  has been launched. 
         [0103]      FIG. 14  is a block diagram of the electronic system of fire control unit  41  of a MAL. The electronic system of fire control unit  41  includes a power source  41   a , which supplies power through an “on/off” switch  41   b , that is operatively connected to antenna  40   b , to a data receiver  41   f , to a data transmitter  41   c , to sensors  41   d , to an input keyboard  41   e , to a screen  41   m , and to data processor  41   k . Mode switch  41   j  is connected to data transmitter  41   c  and to data receiver  41   f  and directs data to/from antenna  40   b  or electrical contacts  42   b  according to which embodiment of ignition unit  1   a  is installed in the launched projectiles  1 . If the embodiment of ignition unit  1   a  that is installed in projectiles  1  is the first embodiment of ignition unit  1   a , then mode switch  41   j  directs data to/from antenna  40   b . If the embodiment of ignition unit  1   a  that is installed in projectiles  1  is the second embodiment of ignition unit  1   a , then mode switch  41   j  directs data to/from electrical contacts  42   b . Input keyboard  41   e  is used to input different required data, such as a delay time for the first and second embodiments of ignition units  1   a ; the immediate detonation command for the first embodiment of ignition unit  1   a ; the number of projectiles to launch; the direction of fire, etc. Sensors  41   d  collect environmental data such as the angle of the launcher, the wind direction and speed, and/or the ambient temperature, and output the environmental data to data processor  41   k . Data processor  41   k  receives data from on/off switch  41   b , from input keyboard  41   e , from sensors  41   d  and from data receiver  41   f , and outputs data to screen  41   m , to data transmitter  41   c  and to the motors and the launching button of MAL  40 , which are placed in the main body of the MAL (not shown in this figure). 
         [0104]    Upon system startup using on/off switch  41   b , the user sets mode switch  41   j  and uses input keyboard  41   e  to input all required data. Data processor  41   k  receives data from input keyboard  41   e  and transfers the received data via data transmitter  41   c  and mode switch  41   j , which directs the data to antenna  40   b  or to electrical contacts  42   b . Data received from the ignition unit  1   a  of a projectile  1  that is to be launched is directed by mode switch  41   j  to data receiver  41   f  and then to data processor  41   k . Data received from sensors  41   d  and from input keyboard  41   e  is transferred by data processor  41   k  to the MAL&#39;s motors and launching button. Information received by processor  41   k  is displayed on screen  41   m.    
         [0105]    Prior art mechanical launcher P 3  of  FIG. 2  is modified to be a MML of the present invention in a manner similar to how prior art automatic launcher P 6  of  FIG. 3 a    is transformed into MAL  40  of the present invention. The description above of MAL  40  applies, mutatis mutandis, to a MML of the present invention. In particular, the description above of the structure and use of fire control unit  41  applies, mutatis mutandis, to the fire control unit of a MML of the present invention. 
         [0106]    While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. Therefore, the claimed invention as recited in the claims that follow is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5