Patent Abstract:
A weapon, according to various aspects of the present invention, includes a receiver, a trigger, and a cartridge store. The receiver receives a cartridge. The cartridge applies a deterrent force to the target. The trigger activates the cartridge. The cartridge store stores a plurality of provided cartridges. The cartridge store, then the trigger, and then the receiver are arranged in sequence proceeding linearly away from a user of the weapon.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     Embodiments of the present invention relate to weapons that apply force to incapacitate a target, for example, non-lethal force.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Today&#39;s military and police encounter situations where application of both lethal and non-lethal force is desirable. For example, in many of today&#39;s “hot-spots” around the world, military units perform crowd control duties involving a crowd that is initially relatively peaceful but then degenerates into a violent and dangerous mob. In such situations, a soldier may need a way to subdue violent elements in the crowd using non-lethal force while retaining a means for applying lethal force in order to further protect himself if the crowd becomes violent and dangerous. In these situations, soldiers typically hold one weapon at a time, the weapon of choice being some sort of lethal force weapon such as a rifle. When confronted with a situation where non-lethal force may be more appropriate, the soldier may not have a non-lethal weapon ready.  
         [0003]     Consequently, there is a need to provide non-lethal force weapons simultaneously with lethal force weapons and integrate operation for ready access by a policeman or soldier.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     A weapon, according to various aspects of the present invention, includes a receiver, a trigger, and a cartridge store. The receiver receives a cartridge. The cartridge applies a deterrent force to the target. The trigger activates the cartridge. The cartridge store stores a plurality of provided cartridges. The cartridge store, then the trigger, and then the receiver are arranged in sequence proceeding linearly away from a user of the weapon. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0005]     Embodiments of the present invention will now be further described with reference to the drawing, wherein like designations denote like elements, and:  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of a multi-weapon system according to various aspects of the present invention;  
         [0007]      FIG. 2A  is a functional block diagram of a cartridge  13  in one implementation for use with the weapon system of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2B  is a functional block diagram of a cartridge  13  in another implementation for use with the weapon system of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a side view of an electric discharge weapon according to an implementation of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a multi-function weapon system according to an implementation of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a forward portion of the weapon of  FIG. 3 , a portion of the rear of the weapon cut away to show in cross section a cartridge retained in the cartridge store;  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a portion of the weapon system of  FIG. 4 , a portion of the track cut away to show in cross section the assembly of the weapon system of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 7  is a cross section view A-A of the weapon system of  FIG. 4  where the sight  416  is omitted and the cartridge  132   a  is not cross sectioned;  
         [0014]      FIG. 8  is a cross section view of a central portion of the weapon system of  FIG. 4  generally below sight  416 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the weapon system of  FIG. 4 , a front portion of the weapon of  FIG. 3  cut away to show in cross section the assembly of the weapon system of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged portion F of the view of  FIG. 9 ; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a portion of the weapon system of  FIG. 4 , a portion of track  144  generally below sight  416  cut away. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]     A multi-function weapon delivers force for offensive or defensive purposes. Force is delivered in multiple ways at the discretion of the operator. Force in each way may be lethal or non-lethal. In a first example, a conventional multi-function weapon may include a rifle with an attached chemical discharge device. Operation of the rifle (e.g., loading and firing) is largely independent of operation of the chemical discharge device that has its own mechanisms for loading and firing, though aiming of each may be in common. In a second example, a multi-function weapon may have multiple independent firing mechanisms. For example, a rifle may have an electric discharge weapon attached to it for common aiming. The rifle and electric discharge weapon may each have an independent means for loading and firing.  
         [0019]     According to various aspects of the present invention, a conventional weapon or a conventional multi-function weapon may be used as a multi-function weapon system by attaching an electric discharge weapon to the conventional weapon or conventional multi-function weapon.  
         [0020]     An electric discharge weapon delivers an electric charge to a target. Delivery may be via a probe propelled toward the target by the weapon. The probe may include conductive filaments that extend from the weapon to the probe at the target, for example, to supply the electric charge. In another implementation, the probe may include a power supply (e.g., comprising a battery) and the conductive filaments may be omitted. Generally, a portion of the electric discharge weapon is reusable for subsequent targets. The portions consumed for one target may be packaged as a round of ammunition (e.g., of the type described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/______ filed and incorporated by reference); or may be packaged in a replaceable cartridge removably affixed to the reusable portion of the weapon. It is desirable to carry with the electric discharge weapon a supply of the consumable portions (e.g., rounds or cartridges).  
         [0021]     For example, multi-function weapon system  10  of  FIG. 1  includes conventional weapon  11 , electric discharge weapon  12 , and cartridge  13 . Electric discharge weapon  12  includes attachment apparatus  14 , trigger  15 , power supply  16  (that may include battery  17 ), cartridge store  18 , light source  19 , and memory  20 . Each weapon  11  and  12  is typically operated by the same human operator from time to time against targets (e.g., humans, domestic animals, game, wild animals).  
         [0022]     Any conventional weapon may be used. For example, weapon  11  in various implementations of system  10  may include a weapon providing offensive or defensive force of any magnitude against humans and/or animals (e.g., a firearm, a chemical discharge source, a nozzle for a high pressure stream of water, launchers for projectiles, nets or restraints, and acoustic devices).  
         [0023]     An attachment apparatus joins conventional weapon  11  and electric discharge weapon  12  for operation as a mechanical unit. Joining may be rigid, flexible, or adjustable among a set of rigid positions. For example, attachment apparatus  14  may include any conventional materials, structures, and techniques adapted to the shape and structural features of weapons  11  and  12 . Weapon  11  may include conventional mounting structures for attaching accessories to weapon  11 . Attachment structure  14  in various implementations includes structures that mate, nest, abut, engage, adhere, fasten, and/or cooperate for attachment with such mounting structures as discussed above. Weapon  11  and/or weapon  12  may include fasteners to which attachment apparatus cooperates. For example, weapon  11  and/or  12  may include a threaded orifice; and, attachment apparatus may include a threaded fastener compatible with the threaded orifice for joining as discussed above.  
         [0024]     A trigger, power supply, memory, and light source cooperate to control and facilitate operation of cartridge  13 . For example, in one implementation, trigger  15 , power supply  16 , battery  17 , light source  19 , and memory  20  use structures and methods of operation of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,132 by Cover issued Feb. 14, 1981, U.S. Pat. No. 6,636,412 by Smith issued Oct. 21, 2003, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/447,447 by Nerheim filed May 29, 2003, all incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0025]     Trigger  15  may include a primary mechanism for activating power supply  16  so as to activate (e.g., fire) cartridge  13 ; and, a secondary mechanism. The secondary mechanism may operate as a conventional safety to block unintended operation of the primary mechanism. Further, the secondary mechanism may control whether or not light source  19  is activated. In one implementation, the secondary mechanism has three positions: safety off with light source disabled, safety off with light source enabled, and safety on. Primary and secondary mechanisms may comprise mechanical apparatus and/or electrical switches.  
         [0026]     A cartridge store keeps unused cartridges convenient for use. Keeping may include enclosing (e.g., cartridges that have no suitable means for mechanical retention) and/or mechanically restraining (e.g., holding in a fixed position relative to other cartridges, weapon  12  and/or weapon  11 ). For example, store  18  may be integral to the structure of weapon  12 , may hold only unused cartridges (e.g., to avoid mistaking ready cartridges from spent cartridges) of a type suitable for use with weapon  12  for a particular mission, and protects each stored cartridge from damage or activation. These features are implemented in suitable structures of store  18  that are compatible with conventional cartridges and involve conventional materials and mechanical techniques. In another implementation, according to various aspects of the present invention, store  18  includes a shape to serve as a suitable hand grip for proper use of weapon  11  and/or weapon  12 . By locating a hand on store  18  and a hand on trigger  15 , unintended use of a trigger of weapon  11  may be avoided.  
         [0027]     A cartridge provides consumable supplies for operation of an electric discharge weapon. For example, cartridge  13  may include functions of cartridge  21  of  FIG. 2A  or cartridge  26  of  FIG. 2B . Cartridge  21  includes conventional probes and propulsion system to propel the probes. Cartridge  21  receives electrical power from power supply  16  for activating propulsion system  22  and enabling probes  23  to deliver an electric charge in a circuit that includes the target. Cartridge  26  further includes a miniature power supply  28  that may include an energy storage device (e.g. battery  29  or a capacitor). Cartridge  26  may be of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,654,867 by Murray issued Aug. 5, 1997 incorporated herein by reference. Propulsion systems  22  and  27  may include electrically primed explosive or pressurized gas. In one implementation, propulsion systems  22  and  27  are of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,117 by Cover issued Jan. 7, 1992 incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0028]     Cartridge  13  may be operatively coupled to weapon  12  in any conventional manner. For example, in one implementation, cartridge  21  is fastened to weapon  12  using a quick connect fastener and receives electrical energy via a butt contact interface. In another implementation, a cartridge similar to cartridge  26  is used wherein coupling from power supply  16  to cartridge  26  is omitted. Such a cartridge is loaded into a chamber of weapon  12  in a manner similar to a round of conventional ammunition and activated by a conventional percussion pin.  
         [0029]     An electric discharge weapon of the type described above may be implemented with a substantially linear arrangement of components. For example, a weapon may include a linear arrangement in an order proceeding toward the operator that includes a cartridge loaded for use, an activator to activate the loaded cartridge, and a cartridge store. In another implementation, the weapon may include a linear arrangement in an order proceeding toward the operator that includes a cartridge loaded for use, a cartridge store, and an activator to activate the loaded cartridge. The operation of replacing a spent cartridge with a cartridge from the cartridge store may be manual, manually initiated, or fully automatic (e.g., initiated a time after firing while a trigger is held in an active position).  
         [0030]     An electric discharge weapon may apply non-lethal force such as that applied by a weapon of the type marketed by Taser International, Inc. Electric discharge weapons deliver an electrical charge to a human or animal target to stun and/or immobilize the target with little risk of serious injury. An exemplary electric discharge weapon according to various aspects of the present invention may include a mount, an activator, and a cartridge store.  
         [0031]     The mount may be adapted for coupling to a firearm. The mount may have a bayonet mount slot for receiving a bayonet mount of the firearm. The mount may also include an attachment fastener that extends into the bayonet mount slot for holding the bayonet mount of the firearm in the bayonet mount slot. The bayonet mount slot may further include a groove for receiving a protrusion of the bayonet mount. The mount may also have a rail slot adapted for slidably receiving a rail of the firearm. The rail slot may include a longitudinal groove adapted for receiving a flange of the rail of the firearm inserted into the rail slot. In use, the rail of a firearm may be inserted into the rail slot of the mount of the electric discharge weapon while the bayonet mount of the firearm may be inserted into a bayonet mount slot of the mount.  
         [0032]     The activator may include a receiver that accepts a cartridge to be activated. A cartridge installed in the receiver is said to be loaded. The activator may have a finger hole and an actuator extending into the finger hole. The activator may also have a light source. In one embodiment, the light source may comprise a coherent light source.  
         [0033]     The cartridge store may have one or more compartments for receiving a cartridge. Each compartment of the cartridge store may have a notch for receiving a portion of a latch of a cartridge. The compartment of the cartridge store may also have a resiliently compressible wall.  
         [0034]     After mounting the electric discharge weapon onto a firearm and loading a cartridge into the receiver of the electric discharge weapon, the firearm may be held to aim the electric discharge weapon at a target. The electric discharge weapon may be activated to propel a projectile from the activator of the electric discharge weapon towards the target so that an electric charge may be delivered in a circuit that includes the target.  
         [0035]     According to various aspects of the present invention, an electric discharge weapon  100  of  FIGS. 3 through 11 , includes activator  102 , mount  104  and cartridge store  106 . Activator  102  is located toward the front or distal end of electric discharge weapon  100 . Cartridge store  106  is located toward the rear or proximal end of electric discharge weapon  100 . And, mount  104  is located above both activator  102  and cartridge store  106 .  
         [0036]     Activator  102  includes a body or main housing  108  having a forward-located socket herein called a receiver  110  for receiving a cartridge  112 . Cartridge  112   a  may have one or more resiliently depressible latches  114   a  for engaging receiver  110  to releasably hold cartridge  112   a  in receiver  110 . In such embodiment, a latch  114   a  may be provided on each lateral side of cartridge  112   a  to enhance quick and easy releasing of latches  114   a  with a user&#39;s forefinger and thumb.  
         [0037]     Activator  102  may also include a rearward located trigger region  116  that has a finger hole  118  for receiving a user&#39;s finger therein and a primary actuator (e.g., a trigger)  120  extending into at least a portion of finger hole  118  so that primary actuator  120  may be actuated by the user&#39;s finger that extends into finger hole  118 . Primary actuator  120  may be utilized to actuate various elements of activator  102 . Trigger region  116  may also include a handgrip area  122  for gripping by a user&#39;s hand with the user&#39;s finger is extended into finger hole  118 . Trigger region  116  may also include a secondary actuator  124 . Primary and secondary actuators  120  and  124  implement functions of trigger  15  discussed above. Secondary actuator  124  may include a slide switch, slid between locked and unlocked positions. Secondary actuator  124  may be coupled to primary actuator  120  so that when secondary actuator  124  is in the locked position, primary actuator  120  cannot be actuated and, conversely, when secondary actuator  124  is in the unlocked position, primary actuator  120  can be actuated.  
         [0038]     Activator  102  may further include an illumination compartment  126  that houses one or more light sources. Illumination compartment  126  may be located beneath body  108  of activator  102  and include a transparent or translucent window  128  for light emission toward the target.  
         [0039]     A light source included in illumination compartment  126  may comprise a coherent light source such as, for example, a laser, for forwardly projecting a beam of coherent light toward a target. The coherent light source may be in alignment with cartridge  112   a  so that light from the coherent light source can be used to pinpoint (i.e., illuminate) an intended target. The light source may be aligned in a path generally parallel to the expected flight path of at least one of the probes (such as e.g., a top probe) so that the beam of light emitted from the light source may be used to approximate an intended target for the associated probe.  
         [0040]     In addition to, or instead of, the coherent light source, illumination compartment  126  may include another light source, for example, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), for providing illuminating to a more generalized area in front of electric discharge weapon  100 . The LEDs may preferably comprise a type of LED known as a super bright illumination LED.  
         [0041]     Cartridge store  106  may have a plurality of compartments  132   a ,  132   b  that may be formed by a plurality of cutouts in cartridge store  106 . Each compartment  132   a ,  132   b  is adapted for receiving a cartridge (e.g., cartridges  112   b ,  112   c ). Compartments  132   a ,  132   b  may have open bottoms to permit removal of a stored cartridge by a user grasping a cartridge and pulling on the cartridge in a downwards motion away from cartridge store  105 . Conversely, the open bottoms permit a user to insert a cartridge into a compartment by positioning the cartridge below the compartment and then inserting the cartridge into the compartment using an upwards motion.  
         [0042]     One or more latches (e.g., latches  114   b ,  114   c ) of a cartridge inserted into a compartment  132   a ,  132   b  may engage cartridge store  106  to releasably hold the cartridge in the compartment. Cutouts into the cartridge store may be shaped so that the opening into each compartment has an exposed area  134   a ,  134   b  that exposes the latch to permit a user to access the latch (e.g., depress the latch with the user&#39;s fingers) to disengage the latch from cartridge store  106  and thereby permit removal of the cartridge from the compartment.  
         [0043]     The contour of the cutout may be shaped to form a generally semicircular exposed area  134   a ,  134   b . Where a cartridge has a pair of latches located on lateral sides of the cartridge, the compartment may have a corresponding pair of exposed areas on opposite sides of the cartridge store to expose both latches of a cartridge inserted into the compartment.  
         [0044]     Cartridge store  106  may further include a plurality of generally ring-shaped ridges  136 ,  138 ,  140  for providing gripping surfaces for a user&#39;s hand when grasping the cartridge store. A ridge may be provided at both ends of cartridge store  106  (e.g., ridges  136 ,  140 ) and between each adjacent pair of compartments  132   a ,  132   b  (e.g., ridge  138 ).  
         [0045]     Mount  104  is adapted for mounting to the underside of a weapon and may comprise forward and rearward regions  142 ,  144 . Forward region  142  may have an upper face that lies in a plane located above a plane in which an upper face of rearward region  144  lies. The upper faces of forward and rearward regions  142 ,  144  may also be substantially parallel with each other.  
         [0046]     Forward region  142  may also have an attachment fastener  146  that extends into a rear area of forward region  142 . Attachment fastener  146  may comprise a threaded fastener (e.g., a screw or threaded bolt) that is threadably extended through a corresponding threaded bore  148  in forward region  142  (see  FIG. 5 ). Attachment fastener  146  may also include a finger-engaging turning portion  150  that has a diameter larger than the rest of threaded fastener to aid easier rotation of the attachment fastener by a user&#39;s fingers. An outer circumference of finger-engaging turning portion  150  may be frictionally enhanced (e.g., by including ridges or grooves in the circumference) to enhance a user&#39;s grip when turning attachment fastener  146 .  
         [0047]     Projectiles may comprise a pair of probes. Each probe may have a pointed tip for penetration of clothing or skin of a target. Tips may be barbed to help hold the tip after penetration. Each probe may be electrically conductive and may be coupled to the activator by a flexible conductive filament. Probes may be positioned in a vertical alignment in cartridge  112   a  so that one probe is located above the other probe (i.e. so that there is a top probe and a bottom probe) when electric discharge weapon  100  is positioned in a typical upright position (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). Prior to discharge, probes and filaments may be contained in a compartment or cavity inside cartridge  112   a  that is covered by a removable cover. The cover may comprise a pair of blast doors that are blown away from the compartment by the discharge of probes out of cartridge  112   a . The cavity may also contain a plurality of tracking tags having indicia of identification (e.g. a unique serial number) to identify the associated cartridge  112   a . In use, as a result of probes being discharged from cartridge  112   a , tracking tags are also expelled from cartridge  112   a  to permit subsequent identification of discharged cartridge  112   a  and general location where cartridge  112   a  was discharged based on the tracking tags and the location where the expelled tracking tags  182  land.  
         [0048]     An electric discharge weapon  100  may be mounted to a conventional weapon  400  as in  FIGS. 4-12 . Firearm  400  may comprise a rifle, for example, an M16-type rifle (e.g., a model M16A1). Firearm  400  may include stock  402 ; firing assembly  404  with hand grip  406 , trigger  408 , and ammunition cartridge  410 ; and barrel  412  with hand guard  414 , sight  416 , and bayonet mount  418  located beneath sight  416 . Hand guard  414  of barrel  412  may include an underside rail  418  (also known as a picatinny rail) to which various attachments may be mounted (e.g., such as a 40 mm model M203 grenade launcher).  
         [0049]     Mount  104  of electric discharge weapon  100  may be mounted to hand guard  414  and bayonet mount  418  of firearm  400  to couple electric discharge weapon  100  to the underside of barrel  412  of firearm  400 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , when coupled to firearm  400 , electric discharge weapon  100  may be in a generally parallel alignment with barrel  412 , with activator  102  positioned towards the muzzle of barrel  412 , and with finger hole  118  located beneath sight  416 .  
         [0050]     In general, rearward region  144  of mount  104  may include a rail slot  184  for receiving rail  420  of hand guard  414 ; and, forward region  142  of mount  104  may include a bayonet mount slot  186  for receiving bayonet mount  418  of firearm  400 . Attachment faster  146  may be positioned to hold bayonet mount  418  in bayonet mount slot  186  between the front end of mount  104  and attachment fastener  146 .  
         [0051]     With particular reference to  FIGS. 5-7 , rail slot  184  provides an opening into the upper face of rearward region  144  of mount  104  for receiving rail  420 . Rail slot  184  may extend in a longitudinal direction along rearward region  144 . Rail slot may have an open rear end at the rearward end of mount  104 . Rail slot  184  has a front end that terminates at a stop  188  at the rear end of bayonet mount slot  186  (which is positioned above the bottom face of rail slot  184 ). Rail slot  184  may include a generally parallel pair of opposing lateral grooves  190 ,  192  extending between the rear and front ends of rail slot  184  that are adapted for receiving corresponding side flanges  422 ,  424  of rail  420  of weapon  400  (see  FIGS. 5-7 ). Lateral grooves  190 ,  192  help hold rail  420  in rail slot  184 . As shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , lateral grooves  190 ,  192  may have a generally V-shaped cross section that corresponds to the shape of side flanges  422 ,  424 .  
         [0052]     With particular reference to  FIGS. 5 and 9 - 12 , bayonet mount slot  186  has an open rear end that starts at stop  188  formed at the front end of rail slot  184 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the rear end and adjacent rear portion of bayonet mount slot  186  may be located on the upper face of rearward region  144  of the mount while the forward portion of bayonet mount slot  186  extends into forward region  142  of mount  104  and provides an opening into the upper face of forward region  142 . Forward region  142  may form a pair of lateral shoulders  194 ,  196  in the forward portion of bayonet mount slot  186  which define corresponding lower grooves in the bayonet mount slot. When inserted into bore  148  through forward region  142 , attachment fastener  146  may extend across bayonet mount slot  186 .  
         [0053]     Electric discharge weapon  100  may be mounted to weapon  400  by positioning mount  104  below barrel  412  of weapon  400  so that the front end of rail  420  is positioned just behind the open rear end of rail slot  184  and side flanges  422 ,  424  of rail  420  are aligned with lateral grooves  190 ,  192  of rail slot  184 . Electric discharge weapon  100  may then be moved in a rearward direction toward firing assembly  404  of weapon  400  to insert rail  420  into the open rear end of rail slot  184  and to insert side flanges  422 ,  424  into lateral grooves  190 ,  192 . Electric discharge weapon  100  may be moved further in the rearward direction to slide rail  420  of weapon  400  forward through rail slot  184  until the front end of rail  420  abuts stop  188  at the front end of rail slot  184  (See  FIG. 8 ). When rail  420  is fully inserted into rail slot  184 , lateral grooves  190 ,  192  help to reduce up and down movement of rail  420  in rail slot  184  and thereby help hold rail  420  securely in place inside rail slot  184 .  
         [0054]     As rail  420  slides forward toward stop  188 , bayonet mount  418  of weapon  400  may enter the open rear end of bayonet mount slot  186 . It should be noted that by this point, attachment fastener  146  should be removed from mount  104  to permit further insertion of bayonet mount  418  into bayonet mount slot  186 . As electric discharge weapon  100  is moved further rearward, bayonet mount  418  may slide further forward into bayonet mount slot  186  so that side protrusions  426 ,  428  on bayonet mount  418  may be inserted into the lower grooves (formed by lateral shoulders  194 ,  196 ) of bayonet mount slot  186  (see  FIGS. 10-11 ). When the front of bayonet mount  418  abuts the front end of bayonet mount slot  186  (e.g., when the front end of rail  420  in rail slot  184  abuts stop  188 ), attachment fastener  146  may be inserted into bore  148  in forward region  142  of mount  104  so that attachment fastener  146  abuts rear face of bayonet mount  418  thereby interposing bayonet mount  418  between attachment fastener  146  and the front end of bayonet mount slot  186  (see  FIGS. 9 and 12 ). In this configuration, the front end of bayonet slot  186 , lateral shoulders  194 ,  196  and attachment fastener  146  help hold bayonet mount  418  in bayonet mount slot  186  to prevent movement of bayonet mount  418  inside bayonet mount slot  186  during use.  
         [0055]     As shown in  FIG. 9 , an implementation of bayonet mount slot  186  may include a front step  210  along the bottom of bayonet mount slot  186 . Front step  210  may serve as a front stop for abutting a lower protrusion  430  of bayonet mount  418  when fully inserted into bayonet mount slot  186 .  
         [0056]     With particular reference to  FIGS. 5 and 7 , a means for holding a cartridge (e.g., cartridge  112   b ) inserted into a compartment (e.g., compartment  132   a ) of cartridge store  106  is illustrated. Each compartment  132   a  may have an opposing pair of side notches  198 ,  200  for receiving corresponding locking tabs  202 ,  204  of the latches (e.g., latches  114   b ,  114   d ) of a cartridge  112   b . When inserting a cartridge  112   b  into a compartment  132   a , latches  114   b ,  114   d  may be deflected in such a manner that permits insertion of locking tabs  202 ,  204  into side notches  198 ,  200 . To remove cartridge  112   b  from compartment  132   a , latches  114   b ,  114   d  may be depressed to cause deflection of locking tabs  202 ,  204  in an inward direction and out of side notches  198 ,  200  thereby permitting cartridge  112   b  to be pulled out of compartment  132   a  in a downward direction through the open bottom of compartment  132   a .  
         [0057]     Each compartment may have resiliently compressible side walls  206 ,  208  (e.g., side walls made of a resiliently compressible material such as a foamed plastic or rubber) which are compressed by a cartridge  112   b  inserted into compartment  132   a . Such resiliently compressible side walls  206 ,  208  further help to hold cartridge  112   b  securely in place in compartment  132   a  and may help reduce rattling by inhibiting movement of cartridge  112   b  when stored in compartment  132   a.    
         [0058]     After electric discharge weapon  100  has been mounted to firearm  400 , electric discharge weapon  100  may be used as follows. A user holding firearm  400  inserts a finger into finger hole  118  so that the user can actuate primary actuator  120 . If a secondary actuator  122  is included on electric discharge weapon  100 , the user may also move secondary actuator  122  into the unlocked position so that primary actuator  120  may be actuated. Moving secondary actuator  122  to the unlocked position may also enable emission of light by light source  156 . The user may then aim electric discharge weapon  100  at a target using sight  416  of firearm  400  with the assistance of light (e.g., laser and/or general illumination) provided by light source  156  toward the target. After the user has aimed electric discharge weapon  100  at the intended target, the user may then discharge the projectiles (e.g., probes) from cartridge  112   a  by actuating primary actuator  120  (e.g., pulling trigger  120 ). Projectiles are propelled toward the target and penetrate the clothing or skin of the target to complete a circuit and deliver charge into the target.  
         [0059]     Electric discharge weapon  100  may be operated independently (e.g., without being attached to another weapon).  
         [0060]     The foregoing description discusses preferred embodiments of the present invention which may be changed or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims. While for the sake of clarity of description, several specific embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the invention is intended to be measured by the claims as set forth below.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5