Abstract:
An electrical immobilization weapon to incapacitate a target to improve the effective range of the device along with increasing safety to the target. The embodiments include a first and second arm rotating horizontally from the device, a first and second electrically conductive dart angled to improve electrically conductive dart spacing at differing distances, and a split bipolar waveform to reduce the cardiac membrane potential of the target.

Description:
[0001]     This patent document is a non-provisional of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/587,140, filed Jul. 13, 2004, by Kroll, entitled IMPROVED TRAJECTORY TASER STYLE DEVICE; a non-provisional of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/587,142, filed Jul. 13, 2004, by Kroll, entitled MULTIPLE VOLTAGE TASER STYLE DEVICE, and a non-provisional of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/587,141, filed Jul. 13, 2004, by Kroll, entitled IMPROVED WAVEFORM FOR TASER STYLED DEVICE. Each of these United States Patent Applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to the field of non-lethal weapons and more specifically to such a weapon for immobilizing a live target for capture having two projectiles.  
         [0003]     TASER is the trademark for currently manufactured ballistic weapons which output electrical power pulses to immobilize and capture human and other animal assailants and which have a lower lethality than conventional firearms. The TASER weapon launches a first electrically conductive dart and a second electrically conductive dart. Each of the first and second electrically conductive darts remains connected to the weapon after launch by a first and a second electrically conductive wire, respectively. The launched electrically conductive darts strike a target and each electrically couples to the target and remains coupled to the target for a period of time. Such coupling can be achieved by a first and a second barbed metallic (conductive) needle (each being positioned at a front of the first and second electrically conductive darts, respectively) that imbed into the target and remain imbedded in the target. Electrical pulses from a pulse generator on-board the weapon travel through the first electrically conductive wire to the first electrically conductive dart (and the first barbed metallic needle), from the first barbed metallic needle through the target, and into the second electrically conductive dart (and the second barbed metallic needle, respectively). Next, the electrical pulses return to the weapon via the second electrically conductive wire, which is electrically coupled to the second electrically conductive dart. Thus, a complete circuit is formed of the pulse generator, the first and second electrically conductive wires, the first and second electrically conductive darts (and their respective first and second barbed metallic needles), and a target, e.g., a human, animal, device, or other such target.  
         [0004]     It is the delivery of the electrical pulses through the portion of this circuit that comprises the target that results in the incapacitation of the target, provided the electrical pulses are selected to effect incapacitation. The nature of such pulses as heretofore employed is described, inter alia, in, for example, United States Patent Publication No. US 2004/0156163 A1, published Aug. 12, 2004, of Nerheim, entitled DUAL OPERATING MODE ELECTRONIC DISABLING DEVICE FOR GENERATING A TIME-SEQUENCED, SHAPED VOLTAGE OUTPUT WAVEFORM, resulting from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/447,447, filed May 29, 2003. The entirely of such patent application publication and patent application are hereby expressly incorporated by reference. The TASER weapon is described, inter alia, in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,073 issued Jun. 10, 2003, of McNulty, Jr. et al., entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPLEMENTING A TWO PROJECTILE ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE WEAPON, resulting from a patent application filed May 12, 2000; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,636,412, issued Oct. 21, 2003, of Smith, entitled HAND-HELD STUN GUN FOR INCAPACITATING A HUMAN TARGET, resulting from a patent application filed Dec. 12, 2001. The entirely of such patents and patent applications are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.  
         [0005]     Beginning in the late 1970&#39;s, law enforcement agencies began to employ TASER weapons as a firearm substitute in certain confrontational situations that could otherwise have justified the use of deadly force, for example against knife wielding assailants at close range. These agencies have also employed the TASER weapon successfully to avoid injury to peace officers, assailants, and innocent bystanders in situations where the use of conventional firearms would have been either impractical or unjustified.  
         [0006]     The TASER weapon&#39;s characteristic near instantaneous incapacitating power has been employed to disable an assailant holding jagged glass to a hostage&#39;s throat without any physical injury occurring to the hostage. It has also been used to prevent a raging parent from hurling his infant from a high rise, preventing a suicidal man from leaping from a high rise, and subduing unarmed combatants all without serious physical injury to the peace officer or assailant.  
         [0007]     Experiments reported in U.S. Pat. No. 5,841,622, issued Nov. 24, 1998, of McNulty Jr., entitled REMOTELY ACTIVATED ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE RESTRAINT DEVICE USING BICEPS&#39; FLEXION OF THE LEG TO RESTRAIN, resulting from a patent application filed Feb. 4, 1998 established that the TASER weapon connectors must be spaced a sufficient distance apart on a human or animal target if the targets are to be reliably incapacitated by the weapon&#39;s pulsed electrical output. Such patent and patent applications are hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety.  
         [0008]     The present invention advantageously addresses the above and other needs. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     Various aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective of a conventional immobilization device containing multiple electrically conductive darts;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective of the improved angular trajectories of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a graphical analysis of the trajectory of a conventional immobilization device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a graphical analysis of the trajectory of an improved immobilization device of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a diagram for delivery of high and low voltage waveform;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram for the delivery of the improved waveform;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a circuit diagram for the delivery of the improved waveform;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the improved immobilization device containing arms in a loaded position;  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the improved immobilization device containing arms in the firing position;  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is a top view of arms in the loaded position;  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the arms in the firing position;  
         [0021]      FIG. 12  is the graphical response of a target to a single unipolar waveform;  
         [0022]      FIG. 13  is the graphical response of a target to a split unipolar waveform; and  
         [0023]      FIG. 14  is the graphical response of a target to the improved waveform. 
     
    
       [0024]     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]     The following description of the presently contemplated best mode of practicing the invention is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , shown is side view of an immobilization device. Depicted are a first electrically conductive dart  108 , a second electrically conductive dart  110 , a barrel  100 , a housing  104 , an electric circuit  112  (such an electrical pulse generating circuit) mounted in the housing  104 , a safety  102  mounted on the housing  104 , a trigger  114  mounted on the housing  104  and an internal firing cartridge  106 .  
         [0027]     The internal firing cartridge  106  contains at least the first electrically conductive dart  108  (e.g., a dart comprising a barbed metallic needle, or other electrode) and the second electrically conductive dart  110  (e.g., a dart comprising a barbed metallic needle, or other electrode). The internal firing cartridge  106  contains means for firing each dart through the air in the direction toward a target, e.g., a human, animal or device. A powder charge, compressed air, or other such known source of ballistic propulsion mean are utilized as the means for firing to fire the first electrically conductive dart and the second electrically conductive dart, and are well known in the art and therefore will not be discussed in further detail herein. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,636,412, issued Oct. 21, 2003, of Smith, entitled HAND-HELD STUN GUN FOR INCAPACITATING A HUMAN TARGET, resulting from a patent application filed Dec. 12, 2001. Such patent and patent application is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety.  
         [0028]     Each of the first and second electrically conductive darts  108 ,  110  is coupled to the internal firing cartridge  106  by a respective first or second electrically conductive wire  206 ,  208 .  
         [0029]     The first and second electrically conductive wires  206 ,  208  are typically sheathed in an insulating material, such as is know in the art, and are typically coiled in the internal firing cartridge  106  prior to firing.  
         [0030]     The safety  102  is mounted on the housing  104  of the weapon. The safety  102  controls the activation of the weapon prior to squeezing of the trigger  114 . The trigger  114  is also mounted on the housing  104  near the safety  102  so that an operator can release the safety  102  and squeeze the trigger  114  in a short period of time.  
         [0031]     In operation, the internal firing cartridge  106  is activated and the first and second electrically conductive darts  108 ,  110 , with their respective ones of the first and second electrically conductive wires  206 ,  208 , are fired (deployed) by the means for firing, for example, expanding gasses acting upon the first and second electrically conductive darts  108 ,  110  from within the internal firing cartridge  206  when an operator manually slides a safety  102  in a selected direction to release the safety  102  and then squeezes a trigger  114 .  
         [0032]     The first and second electrically conductive wires  206 ,  208  are carried by the first and second electrically conductive darts  108 ,  110 , respectively, from the internal firing cartridge (on firing) by the means for firing each of the first and second electrically conductive darts  108 ,  110 .  
         [0033]     Upon firing, the first and second electrically conductive wires  206 ,  208  unwind and straighten as each of the first and second electrically conductive darts  108 ,  110  travels through air in a direction toward the target.  
         [0034]     When fired (deployed), the first and second electrically conductive darts  108 ,  110  travel towards the target coupled to their respective ones of the first and second electrically conductive wires  206 ,  208 .  
         [0035]     The trigger  114  serves to actuate the internal firing cartridge  106  and thereby initiate the firing of the first and second electrically conductive darts  108 ,  110  by the means for firing.  
         [0036]     After firing, an electrical pulse is generated by the electric circuit  112  (e.g., an electrical pulse generator) located within the housing  104 . The electrical pulse is carried to the target by the first electrically conductive dart  200  and the first electrically conductive wire  206 . The pulse passes through the target-and back to the weapon via the second electrically conductive dart  202  and the second electrically conductive wire  208 .  
         [0037]     The electrical pulse generator  112  is also activated in response to the squeezing of the trigger  114 , and applies pulses of electrical potential across the electrically conductive wires  206 ,  208 . The high voltage pulses are generated by circuitry such as that shown in  FIG. 6 . The application of such pulses of electrical potential across the first and second electrically conductive wires  206 ,  208  results in the pulses of electrical potential being applied between the first and second electrically conductive darts  108 ,  110 .  
         [0038]     Upon impact of the first and second electrically conductive darts  108 ,  110  with the target, and the electrical coupling of, for example, the first and second barbed metallic needles to the target, the pulses of electrical potential across the first and second electrically conductive darts  108 ,  110  results in the flow of pulses of electric current through the target. The pulses of electrical potential are selected to have a magnitude, duration and period that result in an immobilization of the target (preferably, in accordance with some embodiments, without an permanent injury to the target), of preferably sufficient duration to allow the target to be otherwise constrained and to eliminate any threat the target poses to others or to property.  
         [0039]      FIG. 2  illustrates, shown is side view of an improved immobilization device. Depicted are a dual dart cartridge  106  adapter, a first electrically conductive dart  200 , a second electrically conductive dart  202 , a barrel  100 , a housing  104 , a safety  104  mounted on the housing, a trigger  114 , and an internal firing cartridge  106 .  
         [0040]     The embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2  is substantially identical to the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , except as noted herein below.  
         [0041]     Upon impact of the first electrically conductive dart  200  and the second electrically conductive dart  202  with the target, a distance between the first electrically conductive dart  200  and the second electrically conductive dart  202  at their point of impact with the target, defines a “spread” between the first electrically conductive dart  200  and the second electrically conductive dart  202 .  
         [0042]     A minimum “spread” that can reliably disable (immobilize) the target upon application of the pulses of the electrical potential, is presumed to be seven inches for human targets. The minimum “spread” is determined by the minimum spacing between the first electrically conductive dart and the second electrically conductive dart needed in order to ensure that enough motor neurons are captured by the pulses of the electrical potential to assure immobilization of the target.  
         [0043]     Unfortunately, in heretofore known TASER weapons, electrically opposing projectiles (such as the first electrically conductive dart, and the second electrically conductive dart) that are contained with their respective first and second electrically conductive wires in a single compact ammunition round (such as the internal firing cartridge), can not adequately space apart from each other upon leaving the single compact ammunition round prior to impact with the target.  
         [0044]     Heretofore, a first bore  210  (or first exit bore) within the single compact ammunition round is positioned along a horizontal plane of the launcher (defined by the barrel  100 ), and a second bore  212  (or second exit bore) is positioned vertically below the first bore at an acute angle below the horizontal plane. The second bore&#39;s angle originates within the internal firing cartridge  106 .  
         [0045]     The first electrically conductive dart  200  is positioned within the first bore  210  prior to firing, and the second electrically conductive dart  202  is positioned within the second bore  212  prior to firing. Upon firing, the first electrically conductive dart  200  is propelled from the first bore  210  and by the means for firing  106 , and the second electrically conductive dart  202  is propelled from the second bore  212  by the means for firing. As the first and second electrically conductive darts  200 ,  202  leave their respective ones of the first and second bores  210 ,  212 , the first and second electrically conductive darts  200 ,  202  continuously spread an increasing distance from each other as they approach the target.  
         [0046]     This method of establishing the darts&#39; divergence from each other has a serious drawback: it greatly limits the TASER weapon&#39;s range. Both minimum and maximum ranges are limited. For example, the bore axes of heretofore known TASER weapons intersect an angle of twelve degrees, with some models using eight degrees. Using the twelve degree angle for illustrative purposes, for every five feet the first and second electrically conductive darts  200 ,  202  travel toward the target, the first and second electrically conductive darts  200 ,  202  will spread approximately one foot further apart from each other.  
         [0047]     If the first and second electrically conductive darts  200 ,  202  contact a target within  2 . 8  feet of the flight path from the launcher, the heretofore known TASER weapon would not likely be effective at disabling the target. The presumed minimum effective spread of seven inches between the connectors would not yet have been achieved. At a distance of fifteen feet from the launcher, the connectors are spread approximately three feet apart and would not likely both embed in a human or small animal target to complete an electric circuit. Thus, with heretofore known TASER weapons, the TASER weapon&#39;s best operational range is from three to twelve feet from the launcher.  
         [0048]     Increasing the effective spread between the first and second electrically conductive darts  200 ,  202  at close range by increasing an angle between the first and second bores, i.e., by increasing an angle between the axes of the first and second bores, e.g., by increasing the number of degrees below horizontal of the second bore axis. This, however, causes a corresponding undesired increase in the spread of the connectors at longer ranges.  
         [0049]     Decreasing the spread between the first and second electrically conductive darts  200 ,  202  at longer ranges decreases the first and second electrically conductive darts&#39;  200 ,  202  effective spread at closer ranges. Thus, long range effectiveness is sacrificed for close range effectiveness and vice versa. The TASER weapon, therefore, has limited tactical application, due to these constraints on its operational range.  
         [0050]     When the first and second electrically conductive darts  200 ,  202  strike a human target, short-high voltage, low average current, and low average power pulses electric current of brief period, pass through the target between the first and second electrically conductive darts and, as a result of the pulses of electric current&#39;s physiological effect upon the skeletal muscle and/or pain compliance, the target experiences a temporary ambulatory incapacitation.  
         [0051]     The immobilization device depicted in  FIG. 1  is improved upon by the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2  wherein the angle of the first bore containing the first electrically conductive dart  200  and the angle of the second bore containing the second electrically conductive dart  202 , relative to the horizontal plane as defined by the barrel  100 , are selected as follows. The first electrically conductive dart  200 , located above the second electrically conductive dart  202 , is angled above the horizontal plane defined by the barrel  100 . The second electrically conductive dart  202 , located below the first electrically conductive dart  200 , is angled in a direction below the horizontal plane.  
         [0052]     In operation, the first electrically conductive dart  200  will follow a parabolic trajectory  400  when fired (deployed), first rising above the horizontal plane, and then descending below the horizontal plane under the influence of gravitational force (provided sufficient distance from the launcher is achieved prior to impact with the target). A lower velocity of the first electrically conductive dart  200  will cause the first electrically conductive dart  200  to fall, off its trajectory, much faster. For example, with  100  feet per second velocity the first electrically conductive dart  200  will cover 20 feet (ft) in 0.2 seconds. With gravity the first electrically conductive dart  200  will fall 16 t 2 =16*(0.2) 2 =0.64 ft=7.7 inches  
         [0053]     Upon the pulling of the trigger  114 , an actuator detonates the ammunition propellant (such as by a percussion element [or firing pin] acting upon a primer) and/or releases the ammunition propellant (such as by the piercing of a pressurized gas cartridge). The first electrically conductive dart  200  and second electrically conductive dart  202  and first and second electrically conductive wires  206 ,  208  are expelled from the internal firing cartridge  106  of the weapon. In response to being expelled from the internal firing cartridge  106 , the first and second electrically conductive darts  200 ,  202  are propelled toward and impact against the target, remaining electrically coupled thereto.  
         [0054]     When the weapon&#39;s electrical pulse generator  112  is activated (upon the pulling of the trigger  114 ), electrical current traveling in the electrical pulse generator  112  circuit, in response to the pulses of electrical potential formed by the electrical pulse generator, travels through the circuit formed by the first electrically conductive wire  206 , the first electrically conductive dart  200 , the target, the second electrically conductive dart  202 , and the second electrically conductive wire  208 .  
         [0055]      FIG. 3  graphically illustrates the conventional trajectory for a first electrically conductive dart  108  and a second electrically conductive dart  110 . Depicted is the first and second electrically conductive dart trajectories  300 ,  302 . The first and second electrically conductive dart trajectories originate from the internal firing cartridge  106  located on the barrel  100  of the weapon.  
         [0056]     The first dart  108  is aimed along the horizontal plane, as defined by the barrel  100 , by the first bores&#39; axis, which is aligned with the horizontal plane in accordance with conventional designs. The second electrically conductive dart  110  is aimed eight degrees below the horizontal plane by the second bores&#39; axis. The first electrically conductive dart  108  and second electrically conductive dart  110  each assume a substantially linear trajectory over the distance is depicted. Although vertical gravitational forces affect the trajectories of the first electrically conductive dart  108  and the second electrically conductive dart  110  once the first and second electrically conductive darts  108 ,  110  leave the internal firing cartridge  106 , the velocity at which they travel substantially predominates the respective trajectories when compared to the influence on these trajectories of the force of gravity over the length of the conductive wires  206 ,  208 , and the typical firing range of the TASER weapon.  
         [0057]     As depicted, the spacing between the first and second electrically conductive darts  108 ,  110  at a distance of four feet from the weapon is approximately seven inches. The spacing between the first electrically conductive dart  108  and second electrically conductive dart  110  at a distance of twenty-one feet from the weapon is approximately three feet  306 . This results in the first or second electrically conductive dart  110  possibly failing to electrically coupled to the target due to the excessive separation between the first electrically conductive dart, and the second electrically conductive dart.  
         [0058]      FIG. 4  graphically illustrates the improved trajectory for the inventive embodiment. Depicted are a first electrically conductive dart trajectory  400  and a second electrically conductive dart trajectory  402 . The first electrically conductive dart trajectory  400  corresponds to the path of a first electrically conductive dart  206  as it travels to a target. The second electrically conductive dart trajectory  402  corresponds to the path of a second electrically conductive dart  208  as it travels to a target.  
         [0059]     The first electrically conductive dart trajectory  400  has an increased parabolic shape due to a launch angle  408  depicted in  FIG. 2 , i.e., above horizontal, as defined by a barrel  100  and its reduced velocity. With another set of dart velocities the first electrically conductive dart  206  velocity is reduced in relation to the second electrically conductive dart  208  in order to create a parabolic trajectory  400 . Once the first and second electrically conductive darts  108 ,  110  have been deployed and the electric circuit  112  is no longer delivering electric pulses through the target, the operator disconnects the electrically conductive cartridge  106  from the barrel  100 . The operator then manually loads a new cartridge  106  containing a new first and second electrically conductive darts along with new coiled electrically conductive wires into the barrel  100 .  
         [0060]     A lower initial velocity of the first electrically conductive dart results a greater effect on the acceleration by vertical gravitational forces acting upon the first electrically conductive dart  206 , therefore creating the substantially more pronounced parabolic shape to the trajectory of the first electrically conductive dart  208 . The second electrically conductive dart  208  is positioned at a launch angle  406  so to maintain proper spacing with the first electrically conductive dart  206 . The first electrically conductive dart&#39;s launch angle  408  and second electrically conductive dart&#39;s launch angle  406  create a electrically conductive dart separation of 0.6 feet (7.2 inches) at a distance of four feet from the weapon. Thus, the electrically conductive dart spacing at four feet from the weapon is nearly identical to the electrically conductive dart spacing depicted in  FIG. 3 , wherein the first electrically conductive dart has a trajectory substantially within the horizontal plane, and the second electrically has a trajectory at an angle below the horizontal plane, and wherein the initial velocity of the first and second electrically conductive darts is substantially identical. In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , The electrically conductive dart spacing at twenty-one feet from the weapon  404  is now only 1.4 feet and is thus cut in half, as compared to the electrically conductive dart spacing observed in connection with the device and method of  FIGS. 1 and 3 .  
         [0061]     In operation, the improved electrically conductive dart bore angles are thus selected to increase the effectiveness range of the weapon by increasing the spacing between the first electrically conductive dart  206 , and the second electrically conductive dart  208  at short distances by maintaining the eight degrees of total separation between the first and second electrically conductive dart trajectories  400 ,  402  while decreasing the spacing, at long distances from the weapon, between the first and second trajectories  400 ,  402  due to the parabolic shape of the first trajectory  400 .  
         [0062]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a flow diagram is shown depicting the method for delivery of high and low voltage waveforms. The method shown includes launching first electrically conductive dart  108  and a second electrically conductive dart  110 , delivering a low voltage waveform  502 , and measuring the impedance  504 . The waveforms depicted can be delivered by the TASER devices depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and this further description of these apparatus is not provided, except to the extent such apparatus differs from the foregoing description.  
         [0063]     In operation, first electrically conductive dart  200  and a second electrically conductive dart  202  are deployed on along the trajectories illustrated in  FIG. 3  or  4 . The first electrically conductive dart  200  and a second electrically conductive dart  202  strike (impact) the target creating a complete circuit (as described hereinabove) to which the low voltage waveform  502  illustrated is initially applied by the electrical pulse generator by the generation of a pulse of low electrical potential. This pulse of low electrical potential causes a pulse of electric current to begin to flow through the first and second electrically conductive wires, and the first and second electrically conductive darts, and through the target. Next, an impedance is measured  504  via an output current delivered back to the electrical pulse generator within the weapon housing. If the measured impedance is less than twenty ohms  508  a short is suspected  520  and the operator is signaled  522  to eject the internal firing cartridge and insert a new internal firing cartridge, i.e., to reload the TASER weapon. Once the first and second electrically conductive darts  108 ,  110  have been deployed and the electric circuit  112  is no longer delivering electric pulses through the target, the operator disconnects the electrically conductive cartridge  106  from the barrel  100 . The operator then manually loads a new cartridge  106  containing a new first and second electrically conductive darts along with new coiled electrically conductive wires into the barrel  100 .  
         [0064]     If measured impedance is greater than one thousand ohms  506  a lack of direct contact  514  is suspected, and high voltage circuitry  516  initiates and delivers a pulse train  518  of higher voltage pulses to the target; to jump through clothing. Finally, if measured impedance is within the range of twenty to one thousand ohms then the device continues to deliver the low voltage waveform  512 .  
         [0065]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a block diagram is shown of one embodiment of the circuitry. Shown are a battery  600 , a first diode  602 , backup monitor power  604 , a trigger  606 , a microcontroller  608 , a display  610 , a primary transformer  612 , an electronic switch  614 , a second diode  616 , a capacitor  618 , a spark-gap  620 , and step up transformer  622 .  
         [0066]     In operation, the battery  600  charges the backup monitoring power storage  604  (typically a double layer capacitor) through the first diode  602 . When the trigger  606  is pulled, the microcontroller  608  is powered which then lights up the display  610 . (Alternatively, the microcontroller is always powered and the trigger switch is after the microcontroller.) The microcontroller then sends out high frequency pulses to toggle the electronic switch  614 . This forces a current through the primary coil of transformer  612  when the switch  614  is on. When the switch  614  is off the energy stored in the transformer, as a current, needs a path for the current so a high voltage current is then passed through the second diode  616  and stored in the capacitor  618 . After many cycles, the voltage on the capacitor  618  exceeds the “turn-on” voltage range of 1,000 volts to 5,000 volts, e.g., 3,000 volts and is sufficient to “turn-on” spark gap  620 . This higher voltage is then conducted through the step-up transformer  622  and finally generates the output voltage range of 10,000 to 100,000 volts, e.g., 40,000 volts.  
         [0067]     Referring next to  FIG. 7 , shown is a schematic diagram of the biphasic waveform generator. Depicted is a battery  700 , an electronic switch  702 , a transformer  704 , a diode  706 , a capacitor  710 , secondary switches  712 ,  718 , and tertiary switches  714 ,  716 .  
         [0068]     The battery  700  powers a microcontroller (not shown) that sends out high frequency pulses to toggle the electronic switch  702 . This forces a current through the primary coil of transformer  704  when electronic switch  702  is on. When electronic switch  702  is off the energy stored in the transformer  704 , as a current, needs a path for the current so a high voltage current is then passed through diode  706  and stored in capacitor  710 . Secondary switches  712 ,  718  are turned on to provide the positive pulse. Tertiary switches  714 , 716  are then turned on the generate the negative phase.  
         [0069]     Referring next to  FIG. 8 , shown is a side view of an improved immobilization weapon with flip-out arms in a “loaded position”.  
         [0070]     Illustrated are a first arm  800 , a second arm  802 , a barrel  100 , a mounting mechanism  808 , a first bore  804 , a second bore  806 , a first electrically conductive dart  904 , and a second electrically conductive dart  902 .  
         [0071]     The barrel  100  contains the first  800  and the second  802  arms rotatably mounted on the barrel  100 . The mounting mechanism  808  secures the arms to the barrel  100  along with serving as a hinge. The first arm  800  contains the first bore  804 . The first bore  804  houses the first electrically conductive dart  904 . The second arm  802  contains the second bore  806 . The second bore  806  contains the second electrically conductive dart  902 .  
         [0072]     In operation, the mounting mechanism  808  allows for the rotation of the first and second arms within a horizontal plane, defined by the barrel, from parallel to the barrel  100  to a firing position  900 . Further description of such operation is made herein below in reference to  FIG. 9 .  
         [0073]     Referring next to  FIG. 9 , shown is a side view of the improved immobilization weapon with the flip-out arms in the “firing position.” Depicted are the first and second arms  800 ,  802 , barrel  100 , the first and second bore  804 ,  806 , housing  104 , and the mounting mechanism  900 .  
         [0074]     Illustrated are the first arm  800  and the second arm  802  rotated to the full extension  900 . The first bore  804  housing the first electrically conductive dart  904  and the second bore  806  housing the second electrically conductive dart  902  are horizontally parallel to one another. The first electrically conductive dart  904  and second electrically conductive dart  902  are deployed from their respective bores as described in reference to  FIG. 1 . The separation  1100  between the first  800  and second  802  arms is determined, in part, by the horizontal distance between the first bore  804  and the second bore  806 , as defined by a length of the arms. The minimum “spread”, as described in  FIG. 2 , is achieved by selecting the length of the first arm  800 , and the second arm  802 .  
         [0075]     In operation, when the safety  102  is released, the arms rotate to a position substantially normal to the barrel  100  of the weapon. The first and second arms  800 ,  802  are then locked into place and the first bore  804  and the second bore  806  aligned, i.e., their bore axes are substantially parallel with one another, are ready to deploy the first electrically conductive dart  904  and the second electrically conductive dart  902 . The first electrically conductive dart  904  is positioned within the first bore  804  prior to firing, and the second electrically conductive dart  902  is positioned within the second bore  806  prior to firing. Upon firing (which is initiated, as described above, upon the actuation or pulling of the trigger), the first electrically conductive dart  804  is propelled from the first bore  904  by the means for firing, and the second electrically conductive dart  902  is propelled from the second bore  806  by the means for firing. As the first and second electrically conductive darts  904 ,  902  leave their respective ones of the first and second bores  804 , 806 , the first and second electrically conductive darts  904 , 902  continuously travel in a horizontally parallel position as they approach the target  
         [0076]     Referring next to  FIG. 10 , shown is a top view of the embodiment described in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0077]     Illustrated are the first  800  and the second  802  arms folded in the “loaded position”, the mounting mechanism  808 , and the barrel  100 . The mounting mechanism  808  contains a pinning device that attaches the arms to the barrel  100 . Shown are the two arms contained fully within the width of the barrel  100 .  
         [0078]     Referring next to  FIG. 11 , shown is a top view of the embodiment described in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0079]     Illustrated are a first and second arm  800 ,  802 , mounting mechanism  808 , first and second electrically conductive dart  902 ,  904 , and barrel  100 . Depicted are the first  800  and second  802  arms in the “firing position”  900 . The first and second arms  800 ,  802 , are mounted on the barrel  100 . The first and second arms  800 ,  802 , rotate outwards from the barrel  100  to a position substantially perpendicular with the barrel  100 . In this position the first and second electrically conductive darts  904 ,  902  are ready to be deployed, or “fired”.  
         [0080]     The spacing  1100  between the first  904  and second  902  electrically conductive darts is held consistent from deployment until contact with the target for any desired range. The first bore  804  housing the first electrically conductive dart  904  and the second bore  806  housing the second electrically conductive dart  902  are horizontally parallel to one another. The first electrically conductive dart  904  and second electrically conductive dart  902  are deployed from their respective bores as described in  FIG. 1 . Once fired the first and second electrically conductive darts  904 ,  902  travel through the air until contact is made.  
         [0081]     Referring next to  FIG. 12 , shown is the response to a single unipolar waveform.  
         [0082]     Shown are the applied voltage  1200 , motor neuron potential  1202 , and cardiac membrane potential  1204  waveforms. The applied voltage waveform  1200  is a rectangular pulse with duration of one hundred microseconds. The amplitude is one hundred units. The motor neuron waveform  1202  increases for the duration, reaching peak amplitude of  90  units. The cardiac membrane time constant for the heart is about  3 . 5  milliseconds.  
         [0083]     In operation, once the applied voltage waveform  1200  period completes, the motor neuron potential  1202  exponentially decays towards zero units. The applied voltage waveform  1200  also causes the cardiac membrane potential  1204  to increase. The cardiac membrane potential  1204  increases relative to a time constant of  50  microseconds. The motor neurons of the target respond to short  100  microsecond pulse as shown in  FIG. 12 . The length of the cardiac membrane  1204  time constant keeps the potential of the heart lower than the motor neuron potential  1202 .  
         [0084]     Referring next to  FIG. 13 , shown is the response to a split unipolar waveform.  
         [0085]     The graph depicts the applied voltage waveform  1300 , motor neuron potential response  1302 , and cardiac membrane potential response  1304 . The applied voltage waveform  1300  is now split into a first  1306  and second  1308  rectangular pulse each with duration of 50 microseconds respectively.  
         [0086]     In operation, the motor neuron potential follows the same path as described in  FIG. 12  except the peak amplitude response is decreased by  20  units. The split unipolar waveform does not have a significant affect on the cardiac membrane potential response  1304 . The final cardiac membrane response  1304  is identical to the cardiac membrane response  1204  of  FIG. 12 . The longer time constant of the cardiac membrane serves to integrate the applied voltage and sum the effects of the first and second pulse.  
         [0087]     Referring next to  FIG. 14 , shown is an embodiment of the waveform.  
         [0088]     As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , present are the applied voltage waveform  1400 , motor neuron potential response  1402 , and cardiac membrane potential response  1404 .  
         [0089]     The applied voltage waveform is split into a first rectangular pulse and second rectangular pulse each with duration of 50 microseconds respectively. The peak amplitude of the applied voltage waveform  1400  and motor neuron potential response  1402  are one hundred units and seventy units respectively. The first applied voltage  1400  pulse and second applied voltage  1400  pulse are of opposite polarity. The spacing between the first pulse and second pulse is one hundred microseconds. As shown in  FIG. 13 , the motor neuron time constant is one hundred microseconds and the cardiac membrane time constant is 3.5 milliseconds.  
         [0090]     In operation, for the first pulse the motor neuron potential response  1402  and the cardiac membrane potential response  1404  behave similar to  FIG. 13 . For the second pulse the motor neuron potential response  1402  is identical to the motor neuron potential response identified in the first applied voltage waveform pulse but the cardiac membrane potential response  1404  exponentially approaches zero.  
         [0091]     Therefore, it will be appreciated that the present invention, in some embodiments, provides an improvement on the performance and safety of an immobilization weapon. It will be further appreciated that when not solving the problem created by electrically conductive dart spacing, multiple voltages, and cardiac membrane potential, the present embodiments are capable of reducing the potential cardiac risk to the target along with increasing the rate of success of direct contact.  
         [0092]     While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.