EP4081751B1 - Lethal or non-lethal weapon assembly comprising a projectile launcher and an electronic control unit incorporated in the launcher, and electronic means, which is connected to the control unit for authorising or preventing firing - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of lethal or non-lethal weapons, and more particularly electric pulse guns.

The invention mainly aims to guarantee that only the user authorized to fire can trigger the launch of projectiles.

Although described in relation to a non-lethal weapon and in particular an electric pulse gun, the invention applies to any type of lethal or non-lethal weapon.

Prior art

Non-lethal weapons, also called sub-lethal or reduced lethality or incapacitating weapons, are weapons designed so that the target is not killed or seriously injured. This type of weapon is mainly used for maintaining order, dispersing riots and self-defense. According to the official definition given by the United States Department of Defense, less-lethal weapons are weapon systems explicitly designed and primarily used to incapacitate people or equipment, while minimizing fatalities or accidents. further permanent injury to these same people as well as unwanted damage to its integrity and its environment.

Projectiles or munitions qualified as “less-lethal” are therefore used by law enforcement to put an end to disturbances on public roads, particularly during agitated demonstrations or riots.

A first type of projectiles is currently known in the state of the art: these projectiles, fired towards the crowd but towards the sky, release suffocating or irritating gases in order to cause the demonstrators to disperse.

We know of a second type of projectile intended for law enforcement operations or for controlling individuals: these so-called neutralization projectiles can be of various shapes, such as spherical or in the form of a stick, and are generally made of rubber or equivalent materials. These projectiles are intended to be fired in direct fire at demonstrators in order to neutralize them by the shock effect produced by the projectile due to the transformation of its kinetic energy during contact with the target.

In addition to rubber bullet launchers, electronic impulse guns (PIE) are known, which neutralize the target by administering, through two darts projected and planted in the skin of the threatening individual, an electrical discharge of high or even very high voltage (50,000 V) but low intensity (typically 1 to 6 mA). These weapons can also be used on board airliners, where the use of common firearms would pose considerable risks to the aircraft.

As mentioned above, regardless of the type, non-lethal weapons can be used by law enforcement and more generally by any user who has legal authorization.

A problem that could be identified during interventions by authorized users is that the individual constituting the target can rebel and become an aggressor who can physically attack an authorized user, carrying a non-lethal weapon.

And in some circumstances, the attacker might go so far as to seize the non-lethal weapon and use it against its authorized wielder.

WO 2015/059708 A1 constitutes a relevant document on the state of the art.

There is therefore a need to improve lethal or non-lethal weapons, in particular electric shock guns, in order to prohibit any use of said weapons by an attacker against an authorized user/carrier.

The aim of the invention is to respond at least in part to this need.

Presentation of the invention

• un lanceur de projectiles létaux ou non létaux, comprenant :
  • une unité de commande électronique adaptée pour commander la gâchette de déclenchement de lancement d'un projectile,
  • au moins un premier moyen électronique relié à l'unité de commande électronique, le premier moyen électronique étant adapté pour émettre ou recevoir un signal électrique représentatif de la position dans l'espace du canon du lanceur par lequel un projectile est destiné à être lancé,
• un support destiné à être fixé sur l'utilisateur autorisé, comprenant au moins un deuxième moyen électronique, adapté pour respectivement recevoir ou émettre un signal électrique représentatif d'une grandeur physique de l'utilisateur autorisé,

les premier et deuxième moyens électroniques coopérant de telle sorte que, lorsque le canon est orienté vers l'utilisateur autorisé, l'unité de commande électronique bloque tout lancement de projectiles, le premier moyen électronique étant un gyroscope à 3 degrés de liberté solidaire du lanceur, tandis que le deuxième moyen électronique étant un gyroscope à 3 degrés de liberté solidaire du support à fixer sur le membre supérieur de l'utilisateur autorisé, destiné à porter le lanceur, l'unité de contrôle électronique intégrant un circuit de comparaison entre les positions angulaires du gyroscope solidaire du lanceur et celui solidaire du support.To do this, the invention relates to a lethal or non-lethal weapon assembly, intended to be used by an authorized user comprising:

• a lethal or non-lethal projectile launcher, comprising:
  • an electronic control unit adapted to control the trigger for launching a projectile,
  • at least one first electronic means connected to the electronic control unit, the first electronic means being adapted to transmit or receive an electrical signal representative of the position in space of the launcher barrel by which a projectile is intended to be launched,
• a support intended to be fixed on the authorized user, comprising at least one second electronic means, adapted to respectively receive or emit an electrical signal representative of a physical quantity of the authorized user,

the first and second electronic means cooperating in such a way that, when the barrel is oriented towards the authorized user, the electronic control unit blocks any launch of projectiles, the first electronic means being a gyroscope with 3 degrees of freedom integral with the launcher , while the second electronic means being a gyroscope with 3 degrees of freedom secured to the support to be fixed on the upper limb of the authorized user, intended to carry the launcher, the electronic control unit integrating a comparison circuit between the positions angular angles of the gyroscope attached to the launcher and that attached to the support.

According to a first embodiment, each of the gyroscopes is preferably integrated into an inertial unit.

The support to be attached to the upper limb may be an armband or a handle to be placed around the forearm or wrist of the authorized user. Thus, the gyroscope is easily and quickly carried by the user, which is an advantage for example when a rapid intervention must be carried out.

According to a second embodiment, the first electronic means is a receiver in the form of a directional antenna, while the second electronic means is an electric field transmitter, intended to be in contact with the skin of the user authorized to that the latter conducts and emits the electric field, the electronic control unit blocking any launch of projectiles when the directional antenna detects the electric field emitted by the skin of the authorized user. Preferably, the directional antenna is fixed on the front of the projectile launcher.

The projectile launcher can be an electric pulse gun.

According to a third embodiment, the first and second electronic means each consist of an earth magnetic field sensor, the first electronic means being arranged on the projectile launcher while the second electronic means being arranged on the body of the user to authorize , the electronic control unit integrating a circuit for comparing the detections of the two magnetic field sensors.

Thus, the invention essentially consists of equipping both a launcher of a weapon and the authorized user of this weapon with electronic means which cooperate to prevent an aggressor who seizes the weapon and makes use of it against the only legally authorized user.

Three alternatives for implementing the solution are considered: either a comparison of the angular positions between the weapon and the upper limb of the authorized user, measured by gyroscopic effect, or reception of radio signals by an antenna carried by the weapon when oriented and pointed at the transmitter constituted by the body of the authorized user.

For different reasons, in particular for redundancy security, two or three of the alternatives can be implemented simultaneously.

Whatever alternative(s) are implemented, the electronic control unit will verify that the direction of the weapon (launcher) and the body of the authorized user is the same to the nearest x°, x can be set at, for example, 45°.

By blocking any launch of projectiles when the weapon is pointed towards the authorized user, we thus prevent any attack on the latter by his own weapon.

In practice, for example, members of the police who intervene during public disturbances are no longer at risk of an attacker who would attempt to turn their service weapons against them.

In other words, the invention provides new security in the use of lethal or non-lethal weapons by reliably protecting legally authorized users against any attacker. Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will become clearer on reading the detailed description of examples of implementation of the invention given for illustrative and non-limiting purposes with reference to the following figures.

Brief description of the drawings

• [ Figure 1 ] there figure 1 is a schematic view of an electric impulse gun according to the invention.
• [ Figure 2 ] there figure 2 is a schematic view of a common dart projectile which can be used with a pistol according to the figure 1 .
• [ Figure 3 ] there Figure 3 is a perspective view of a user authorized to use a weapon assembly according to a first mode of the invention comprising a pistol electrical impulse according to the invention and an inertial unit fixed on the user's forearm.
• [ Figure 4 ] there Figure 4 is a schematic synoptic of the operation of the whole according to the Figure 3 .
• [ Figure 5 ] there Figure 5 is a perspective view of a user authorized to use a weapon assembly according to a first mode of the invention comprising an electric pulse gun according to the invention and a radio transmitter in contact with the skin of the user.

detailed description

We represented in figure 1 , an electric pulse gun according to the invention, generally designated under the reference 1.

This pistol 1, intended to be grasped by a hand of a user authorized by law, such as a member of the police, is a non-lethal launcher in which a non-lethal projectile 2 is loaded.

Projectile 2 illustrated in figure 2 in its configuration before use, is adapted to be projected from the gun 1 and to be inserted into a living target in response to a threat from the target, such as an attacker. The distance between gun 1 and the target is generally between 3 and 20 m.

The projectile 2 comprises two darts 21, 22 which extend outwards from the body 20 of the projectile at a distance from each other. The darts 21, 22 are the elements intended to penetrate the target, i.e. the body of the threatening individual. Preferably, as illustrated, the darts 21, 22 extend parallel to each other in the initial configuration of the projectile, with a spacing distance typically between 5 mm and 5 cm.

In the initial configuration before use, the projectile has a substantially parallelepiped shape, typically with dimensions in the spatial directions X, Y and Z of 2 to 5cm.

Once the projectile 2 is launched, the darts 21, 22 move away from each other and penetrate inside the skin. A high voltage generator supplies the darts 21, 22 planted in the skin of the target, with an electrical discharge of high or even very high voltage, to generate discomfort in the target, so as to temporarily neutralize the latter.

The electric pulse gun 1 generally comprises a body in the form of a housing 10 intended to be held by the hand of a user authorized by law, an electrical power source 11 which supplies electrical power to the darts 21, 22 .

The housing 10 comprises a barrel 12 defining a chamber 13 intended to contain projectiles 2, a propulsion mechanism 14 for firing the projectiles 2, a trigger 15 for initiating the projection out of the barrel 12 of a projectile 2, and an electronic control unit 16 and at least one viewfinder or pointer 17, such as a laser pointer for directing the gun 12 and therefore the projectile 2 towards the target.

According to the invention, the housing 10 comprises an inertial unit 18 and/or a directional antenna 19.

The electronic control unit 16 is connected respectively to the electrical power source 11, to the propulsion mechanism 14, to the trigger 15, to the inertial unit 18 and/or to the directional antenna 19.

As visible in figures 3 And 5 , an authorized user, such as a law enforcement officer, UA can be equipped with an armband or wrist support equipped with another inertial unit 3, and/or have a transmitter 4 in contact with his skin.

The operation of the electric impulse gun 1 according to the invention will now be explained.

When the authorized user UA wishes to neutralize a target by projecting a projectile 2 with darts 21, 22, he activates the trigger 15 with the finger of one of his hands, as usual.

If no signal prohibiting firing as explained below is received by the control unit 16, the latter delivers an electrical signal to the propulsion mechanism 14 so that the latter sends the projectile 2 in the direction of the desired target .

If an attacker, in particular the intended target, seizes the gun 1 and turns it against the authorized user UA, then the control unit 16 does not send an electrical actuation signal to the mechanism 14, which blocks any propulsion of the projectile 2 out of the barrel 12 and thereby any delivery of HT signal to the darts 21, 22.

To do this, three embodiments can be implemented.

According to a first mode, the gyroscopic signals delivered respectively by the gyroscope 18 integrated in the housing 10 of the gun and by the gyroscope 3 carried by the upper limb, in particular by the forearm, of the authorized user, are compared by a circuit electronic comparison 160 of the control unit 16. The feedback of the signals from the gyroscope 3 carried by the user's forearm to the electronic control unit for comparison with those of the gyroscope 18 integrated into the launcher housing can be done either by an electric wire, but preferably by radio communication.

As illustrated in figure 4 , if the comparison is significant of an unauthorized position of the gun 1, that is to say which does not correspond to a holding of the gun 1 by the hand of the upper limb with an orientation of the barrel opposite to the authorized user, then the control unit 16 blocks any trigger signal from the propulsion mechanism 14.

Conversely, if the comparison is significant of a permitted position of the gun 1, then the control unit 16 can, as soon as the trigger 15 is actuated, deliver an electrical signal to the propulsion mechanism, and therefore allow firing of the projectile 2.

According to a second mode, if the distal end of the barrel 12 is oriented towards the authorized user UA, then the directive antenna 19 which acts as a receiver detects the electric field emitted by the user's body thanks to the transmitter 4 in contact with the skin thereof. The directional antenna 19 then sends an electrical signal relating to the control unit 16 which blocks any trigger signal from the propulsion mechanism 14.

Conversely, if the directional antenna 19 does not detect any signal, then the control unit 16 can, when the trigger 15 is actuated, deliver an electrical signal to the propulsion mechanism, and therefore allow the projectile 2 to be fired. .

The third mode, not illustrated, consists of placing two earth magnetic field sensors, one on the launcher the other on the user's body, and the electronic control unit verifies that the direction of the weapon and of the body is the same to within x°, x being able to be fixed at, for example, 45°.

Other variants and improvements can be considered without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, if in all of the examples illustrated, the non-lethal weapons illustrated are electric pulse guns, any other type of non-lethal weapon can be considered.

Also, in the examples illustrated, the housing 10 of the gun 1 delimits the general shape which is entered by the authorized user. The housing 10 is adapted to the size and shape of an authorized user's hand. As illustrated in figure 1 , the housing 10 may include a pommel with projections to fit between the fingers of the authorized user when the latter grips the gun.

Other shapes of housing 10 can be considered and for example be a general shape comparable to that of a firearm.

In general, the integration of an inertial unit and/or a directional antenna in the housing 10 is easy and can quite be carried out in a conventional housing, in particular configured to be housed in or be fixed to a case.

As shown in figure 1 , the projection chamber 13 of projectiles 2 is arranged at a distal end of the gun 1. But we can consider placing it in a central portion of the weapon.

The user can place a projectile 2 in the chamber 13 manually or by pumping, sliding action, or lever action. The projectile 2 can also be loaded into the chamber 13 from a magazine via a semi-automatic loading mechanism. For this purpose, the gun 1 may include a magazine (not shown) for storing additional projectiles 2.

The propulsion mechanism 14 can operate via powder, by a mechanical launcher, or the like. Propulsion may be generated by releasing a compressed gas, by a mechanical spring, by the removal of an explosive charge, or the like.

Claims (6)

1. Lethal or non-lethal weapon assembly intended to be used by an authorized user (UA) and comprising:

   - a launcher (1) of lethal or non-lethal projectiles, comprising:

   o an electronic control unit (16) designed to control a trigger (15) that triggers the firing of a projectile (2),

   o at least a first electronic means (18, 19) connected to the electronic control unit, the first electronic means being designed to emit or receive an electric signal indicative of the position in space of the barrel of the launcher via which a projectile is intended to be launched,

   - a support intended to be attached to the authorized user, comprising at least a second electronic means (3, 4) designed to respectively receive or emit an electric signal indicative of a physical parameter pertaining to the authorized user,

   the first and second electronic means collaborating with one another in such a way that, when the barrel is oriented towards the authorized user, the electronic control unit blocks any launching of projectiles,

   the first electronic means being a 3-degrees-of-freedom gyroscope (18) secured to the launcher, while the second electronic means is a 3-degrees-of-freedom gyroscope (3) secured to the support that is to be fixed to that upper limb of the authorized user that is intended to hold the launcher, the electronic control unit incorporating a comparison circuit that compares the angular positions of the gyroscope secured to the launcher and that secured to the support.
2. Weapon assembly according to Claim 1, each of the gyroscopes being integrated into an inertial unit.
3. Weapon assembly according to Claim 1 or 2, the support to be fixed to the upper limb being an armband or a cuff to be attached around the forearm or the wrist of the authorized user.
4. Non-lethal weapon assembly according to one of the preceding claims, the first electronic means being a receiver in the form of a directional antenna (19), while the second electronic means is an electric-field emitter (4) intended to be in contact with the skin of the authorized user so that this skin conducts and emits the electric field, the electronic control unit blocking any launching of projectiles when the directional antenna detects the electric field emitted via the skin of the authorized user.
5. Weapon assembly according to one of the preceding claims, the first and second electronic means each consisting of a magnetic-field sensor sensing the Earth's magnetic field, the first electronic means being arranged on the projectile launcher while the second electronic means is arranged on the body of the authorized user, the electronic control unit integrating a comparison circuit comparing the detections from the two magnetic-field sensors.
6. Weapon assembly according to one of the preceding claims, the projectile launcher being a stun gun.

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