Claims
- 1. A dart propulsion apparatus for use in an electrical discharge weapon;the apparatus comprising: a coiled spring having a free end configured as an impact arm for striking a dart; a retention piston securing said arm in a tensioned state; and a pyrotechnic device adjacent to said retention piston and responsive to activation of said weapon to translate said retention piston away from said impact arm to permit said arm to strike said dart and propel said dart from said weapon.
- 2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said retention piston comprises a head and a shaft and wherein said head is of sufficient size to secure said arm until activation of said weapon.
- 3. The apparatus recited in claim 2 wherein said shaft of said retention piston is of smaller size than said head whereby translation of said piston releases said arm.
- 4. The apparatus recited in claim 1 further comprising a spool positioned at a selected location relative to said dart, and wherein said coiled spring is installed on said spool.
- 5. The apparatus recited in claim 1 further comprising a housing enclosing said apparatus and having at least one channel in which said dart is positioned prior to being propelled by said impact arm, said housing having an aperture aligned with said channel to permit said dart to exit said housing after being struck by said impact arm.
- 6. A dart propulsion apparatus for use in an electrical discharge weapon;the apparatus comprising: a spring in a tensioned energy storing configuration and positioned in proximity to a dart; a piston nominally preventing said spring from being released; and a pyrotechnic device which upon ignition moves said piston to release said spring to transfer said energy to said dart.
RELATION TO CORRESPONDING APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 09/826,161 filed on Apr. 3, 2001 and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,477,933.
US Referenced Citations (9)
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09/826161 |
Apr 2001 |
US |
Child |
10/253386 |
|
US |