Protective coverings and related methods for entangling projectiles

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 11156432
  • Patent Number
    11,156,432
  • Date Filed
    Monday, August 31, 2020
    3 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, October 26, 2021
    2 years ago
Abstract
A grappling assembly is provided for use with an entangling projectile. The grappling assembly includes at least one hook including an apex portion and a sharpened prong extending distally from the apex portion. A protective cover is carried adjacent the apex portion of the at least one hook. The protective cover includes at least one substantially planar surface. The protective cover is positioned relative to the at least one hook such that the sharpened prong of the at least one hook extends distally from the protective cover and thereby remains exposed while the protective cover is carried adjacent the apex portion of the at least one hook.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to protective devices to minimize or eliminate unintended injury to subjects targeted by non-lethal, ranged detainment weapons.


Related Art

It has been recognized for some time that police and military personnel can benefit from the use of weapons and devices other than firearms to deal with some hostile situations. To address this need, the present inventor developed a commercially successful product known as the Bolawrap. This device, and others developed by the present applicant, have allowed law enforcement personnel to address potentially dangerous situations without resorting to the use of a firearm, and without engaging in hand-to-hand combat.


This type of launching system generally utilizes a projectile that includes a tether and a pair of pellets carried at ends of the tether. The projectile is directed toward a subject and, once the tether contacts the subject, the pellets circumnavigate the subject and cause the projectile to wrap about the subject. This results in the subject's movements being sufficiently restricted to allow authorities to approach the subject safely. While these systems have enjoyed phenomenal success, the present inventor has continued to develop technology to even further improve the safety of such devices.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a grappling assembly for use with an entangling projectile is provided. The grappling assembly can include at least one hook including an apex portion and a sharpened prong extending distally from the apex portion. A protective cover can be carried adjacent the apex portion of the at least one hook, the protective cover including at least one substantially planar surface. The protective cover can be positioned relative to the at least one hook such that the sharpened prong of the at least one hook extends distally from the protective cover and thereby remains exposed while the protective cover is carried adjacent the apex portion of the at least one hook.


In accordance with another aspect of the technology, a grappling assembly for use with an entangling projectile is provided. The grappling assembly can include at least one hook including an apex portion and a sharpened prong extending distally from the apex portion. A protective cover can be carried by the apex portion of the at least one hook, the protective cover including at least one substantially continuous contact surface. The protective cover can be positioned relative to the at least one hook such that the sharpened prong of the at least one hook extends distally from the protective cover and thereby remains exposed while the protective cover is carried by the apex portion of the at least one hook. A pellet can be coupled to a tether with the at least one hook coupled to the pellet.


In accordance with another aspect, a method is provided of applying a protective covering to a grappling assembly. The grappling assembly can include a plurality of hooks, each of the plurality of hooks having an apex portion and a sharpened prong extending distally from the apex portion. The method can include positioning a protective cover relative to the apex portions of the plurality of hooks. The protective cover can include at least one substantially continuous surface. The protective cover can be positioned relative to the at least one hook such that the sharpened prong of the at least one hook extends distally from the protective cover and thereby remains exposed while the protective cover is carried by the plurality of hooks. The protective cover can be fixed in position relative to the plurality of hooks.


Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments for carrying out the invention. Like reference numerals refer to like parts in different views or embodiments of the present invention in the drawings.



FIG. 1 is a top, bottom, front or rear view of a generic entangling projectile extended substantially to its full length in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;



FIG. 2A is a side view of a generic pellet and a portion of a tether of the projectile of FIG. 1;



FIG. 2B is an end view of the pellet of FIG. 2A;



FIG. 3A is a top view of a subject toward which an entangling projectile was launched, shown immediately prior to the entangling projectile engaging the subject;



FIG. 3B is a top view of the subject and projectile of FIG. 3A, shown shortly after the entangling projectile engaged the subject;



FIG. 4 is a front view of a portion of a subject in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, shown immediately prior to an entangling projectile engaging the subject's legs;



FIG. 5 is a front view of a portion of an entangling projectile in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;



FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a pellet and grappling assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;



FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view of the pellet and grappling assembly of FIG. 6A;



FIG. 7 is a top end view of the assembly of FIG. 6A;



FIG. 8 is a top end view of the assembly of FIG. 7, with a protective covering removed to enable viewing of the individual hooks;



FIG. 9 is a bottom end view of the assembly of FIG. 6A;



FIG. 10 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 6A;



FIG. 11 is a side view of a protective cover of the assembly of FIG. 6A;



FIG. 12 is a side view of a grappling assembly with a protective cover in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;



FIG. 13 is a top view of the assembly of FIG. 12;



FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the assembly of FIG. 12;



FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of the protective cover of FIG. 12;



FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 12, taken along section 16-16 of FIG. 13;



FIG. 17 is a side view of a grappling assembly with a protective cover in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;



FIG. 18 is a top view of the assembly of FIG. 17;



FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a grappling assembly with a protective cover in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and



FIG. 20 is an exploded, perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 19.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.


Definitions

As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “the” can include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a hook” can include one or more of such hooks, if the context dictates.


As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. As an arbitrary example, an object that is “substantially” enclosed is an article that is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend upon the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. As another arbitrary example, a composition that is “substantially free of” an ingredient or element may still actually contain such item so long as there is no measurable effect as a result thereof.


As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to a numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “a little above” or “a little below” the endpoint.


Relative directional terms can sometimes be used herein to describe and claim various components of the present invention. Such terms include, without limitation, “upward,” “downward,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” etc. These terms are generally not intended to be limiting, but are used to most clearly describe and claim the various features of the invention. Where such terms must carry some limitation, they are intended to be limited to usage commonly known and understood by those of ordinary skill in the art in the context of this disclosure.


When specific reference is made herein to terms such as “vertical” or “upwardly” or “downwardly,” reference is generally made as if a pellet or hook assembly is held in the orientation shown for example in FIGS. 5, 12 and 17. In this case, the bottom or base or “head” of the pellet and/or hook assembly is positioned in a lowermost elevation, with the hooks or points or “tail” of the assembly oriented at a higher elevation. Thus, in this case, the base of the assembly is generally vertically lower than the sharpened portions of the individual hooks.


As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary.


Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of “about 1 to about 5” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3, and 4 and sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4, and from 3-5, etc., as well as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, individually.


This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value as a minimum or a maximum. Furthermore, such an interpretation should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described.


Invention


The present technology relates broadly to components used in non-lethal weapons systems, sometimes referred to as ensnarement or entanglement systems, that can be effectively used as an aid in impeding the movement of or detaining aggressive or fleeing subjects. Devices in accordance with the present technology can be advantageously used to temporarily impede a subject's ability to walk, run, or use his or her arms in cases where law enforcement, security personnel or military personnel wish to detain a subject, but do not wish to use lethal or harmful force or to engage in close proximity, hand-to-hand combat. The technology provides a manner by which the arms or legs of a subject can be temporarily tethered or bound, to the extent that the subject finds it difficult to continue moving in a normal fashion.


While the present technology can be directed at any portion of a subject's body, the following discussion will focus primarily on use of the technology to temporarily tether or bind a subject's legs. It is to be understood, however, that the present technology is not limited to this application. In some cases, multiple portions of the subject's body can be targeted, such as both the arms and the legs.


As shown generally in FIGS. 1-5, the present technology provides an entangling projectile 12 that can be deployed toward a subject's legs to cause the projectile to wrap about the subject's legs. The projectile includes at least one flexible tether 16 and at least two pellets 14 (sometimes referred to as anchors), coupled together by the tether. By engaging a subject with the entangling projectile, the subject is temporarily rendered partially or fully incapacitated and thereby restricted in his or her ability to flee or attack. The entangling projectiles of the present technology are launched toward a subject (100 in FIGS. 3A through 4) by a launcher. In addition to the launchers discussed herein, numerous examples of suitable launchers are provided, as examples, in the above-referenced parent case, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/081,440, filed Mar. 25, 2016, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Such launchers can include energy sources such as compressed gas, explosives/combustibles, mechanical springs, electrical and/or magnetic systems, etc.


Generally speaking, a launcher for use with the present entangling projectiles will launch the projectile toward a subject 100 at a relatively high rate of speed. Typically, the projectile can be deployed toward a subject from a distance of between about 6 feet and about 30 feet (1.8 to 9.1 meters), and engages the subject within a matter of about 0.0075 to 0.0375 seconds (traveling at about 800 ft/sec (243.8 m/s)). After being deployed from the launcher, the entangling projectile will wrap about the subject's legs two or three or more times, causing the subject to be temporarily unable to effectively move. As the entangling projectile can be launched from some distance, law enforcement personnel can maintain a safe distance from a subject, yet still be able to effectively and safely temporarily restrain, disable or impede the subject.


Operation of the entangling projectile is shown generally in FIG. 4: after being released by a launcher, the projectile 12 travels toward a subject 100. As the projectile travels toward the subject, pellets 14 travel away from one another, resulting in the tether 16 being pulled substantially taught between the two. Once the projectile engages the subject (in the example shown in FIG. 4 the subject's legs are engaged), the pellets and tether wrap about the subject and thereby temporarily entangle and/or disable the subject.


A variety of differing pellet and tether combinations can be utilized in the present technology. In the examples shown in FIGS. 1-4, the projectile 12 is shown with two generic pellets or anchors 14 connected by a single tether 16. While more than two pellets can be utilized, the examples shown herein include only two. In some embodiments, the invention is limited to two, and only two, pellets connected by a single tether. In one aspect, the invention consists of two pellets and a single tether. In one aspect, the invention consists essentially of two pellets and a single tether. It has been found that limiting the number of pellets to two results in a more effective deployment system: the risk of tangling of the tether 16 is diminished and the pellets spread apart from one another much more cleanly and quickly after being deployed from the launcher. This results in a more consistent trajectory after deployment. This arrangement can also allow, with the proper launcher configuration, the projectiles to be more accurately directed toward a subject.



FIG. 1 illustrates the projectile 12 extended to its full length “LO.” In one embodiment, the overall length of the tether is much longer than the size of pellets (Lp). The overall length can be on the order of seven feet (2.14 meters) or greater. The pellets can have a length “LP” on the order of an inch (2.54 cm), and a diameter “DP” on the order of ⅜ of an inch (0.95 cm). While differing embodiments of the technology can vary, it is generally desirable to maintain the pellets at a relatively small size to thereby limit the overall size requirements of the projectile casing that houses the pellets prior to deployment and to reduce the impact should a pellet hit the subject. In this manner, the technology can be provided in a lightweight, hand-held device.



FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of one exemplary entangling projectile 12a in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this example, pellet 14a is provided that includes various features that aid in more accurately and effectively engaging a subject. For example, a hook or grappling assembly 18 can be attached atop a shank 15 of the pellet, and can be secured to the shank in a variety of appropriate manners. The hook assembly can include one or more individual hook components 19. In the examples shown, multiple individual hook components are provided, with four being the most commonly employed arrangement. It is to be understood, however, that the present technology can be employed with hook assembly have one to several individual hook components. To simplify the discussion herein, the end of the pellet to which the hook assembly is attached will be referred to as the “tail” end of the pellet, with an opposing end 17 being considered the “head” end of the pellet.


The hook assembly 18 shown has been shown to enhance the ability of the projectile to successfully wrap about a subject. The individual hook components do not engage the subject directly, but rather engage portions of the subject's clothing after the pellets and tether have wrapped about the subject. This limits the tendency of the projectile to “un-wrap” as the subject struggles against the wrap. As is inherent in the present design, the pellets and/or hook assemblies are not intended to be directly fired at a subject. They must, by design, travel beyond the subject to enable a successful wrap. If the pellets directly contact a user, the engagement of the subject will be unsuccessful. Thus, it is never the case that the pellet is intentionally aimed directly at the subject.


While this design functions very well when the projectile is deployed as designed, there remains a slight risk that something can go awry during deployment of the projectile. For example, an outside party may suddenly enter the line of fire as the launcher deploys the projectile toward a subject, or the wielder of the launcher may have his or her aim negatively affected by an outside force. In this case, it is possible that the pellet will directly contact the subject. If this happens, there is a risk that the upper portions of the hook assembly can penetrate a subject's skin and cause damage to the subject. As is shown, for example, in FIG. 5, while these upper or apex portions 20 (discussed in further detail below) of the individual hook components are not sharpened, as that term is generally used, they present a sufficiently small surface area that the force of the pellet as it travels from the launcher can result in these upper portions being embedded into a subject or an unintended target.


The present technology addresses this potential problem by providing a protective cover or cap that better distributes the impact force resulting from a hook assembly inadvertently contacting a subject. This is accomplished while not at all interfering with the normal operation of the hook assembly. Exemplary embodiments of this aspect of the technology are shown in FIGS. 6A-18. As best seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in one aspect, a grappling assembly 18 can be provided that includes one or more individual hook components 19 carried by a pellet 12a that can include a head portion 17. The one or more individual hooks can include an apex portion 22 and a sharpened prong 20 extending distally from the apex portion.


The apex portions 22 of the plurality of individual hooks 19 can collectively define an apex portion contact profile, defined as the portions of the hooks that first contact a plane, for example, plane 24 in FIG. 5. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate, the smaller the collective cross section of the apex portions, the more readily the hook assembly will penetrate the skin of a subject if the apex portion contact profile impacted the subject with great speed. The apex portion contact profile can also include a curvature. If the apex portions of the individual hooks were less curved than the example shown, the hooks would be less likely to penetrate the skin of a subject in the event of contact. If the hooks were more sharply curved, the apex portions would be more likely to penetrate the skin of a subject. By increasing the surface area of this contact profile of the assembly as a whole, or by decreasing the curvature of this contact profile, the grappling assembly is less likely to penetrate the skin of a subject, and thus less likely to cause significant injury to the subject.


One manner in which the present technology accomplishes this is by providing a protective cover or cap 26, shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7, 9, 10 and 11 (note that the protective cover is omitted from FIG. 8 to more clearly illustrate the apex portions of the hooks). The protective cover can be carried adjacent (generally atop) the apex portions of the one or more hooks and can include at least one substantially continuous, or planar surface 28. By increasing either or both the cross-sectional area of the surface 28, or by decreasing the curvature of the surface, relative to the apex portions of the individual hooks, the tendency of the grappling assembly to penetrate the skin of a subject is greatly reduced. In the examples shown, the substantially continuous surface 28 includes a generally flat plane. However, it is to be understood that a slightly curved plane can also be provided. The surface can be a substantially continuous unit of material, or can include openings, through-holes and various geometric features, such as fingers, webbing, etc.


The protective cover 26 or cap can be positioned relative to the one or more hooks 19 such that the sharpened prongs 20 of the hooks extend distally from the protective cover. In this manner, the sharpened prongs remain exposed to operate normally while the protective cover is carried by the apex portion of the at least one hook. Thus, even with the protective cover in place, the sharpened prongs will serve to engage the clothing of a subject to aid, as designed, in maintaining the projectile wrapped about the subject.


The protective cover 26 can be carried by the hooks 19, pellet 12a and/or grappling assembly 18, etc., in a number of manners. For example, the protective cover can be attachable or coupleable to the pellet or hooks using a variety of permanent or removable attachment mechanisms. As best seen in FIG. 6B, each of the plurality of hooks 19 can include a shank portion 21 that can extend distally from the apex portion 22. The shank portion of the hooks can be received within a hollow section of a shank portion 15 of the pellet. In some embodiments, the plurality of shank portions can collectively define a receiving chamber, and a shank portion of the protective cover can be receivable within the receiving chamber formed by the shank portions.


For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the shank portions 21 of the hooks 19 and the hollow section of the shank portion 15 of the pellet can collectively define a series of receiving chambers 23 within which shanks 30 (FIG. 11) of the protective cover can be received. The shanks can be removably held within the receiving chamber by a friction fit, or can be permanently attached therein with adhesives, welds, etc. As shown in FIG. 11, the protective cover 26 can include two or more shanks 30, having similar or dissimilar lengths, cross-sectional areas, etc. The protective cover can also include grooves or slots 38 (FIG. 11) to prevent relative motion between the protective cover and the hooks.



FIGS. 12-16 illustrate an embodiment of the technology in which a protective cover 26b is secured atop apex portions 22b of hooks 19b via a series of receiving slots 32 formed in the protective cover. Each of the receiving slots can receive therein an apex portion (22b in FIG. 16) of one of the plurality of hooks. One or more retaining clips 34 (FIG. 15) can be associated with the receiving slots. The retaining clips can be operable to removably secure the apex portion within the receiving slot. In this manner, the protective cap 26b can be snap-fit over the apex portions of the hooks to provide a protective surface thereover. Openings 36 (FIG. 13) can be formed through the protective cover to provide visual or physical access to the apex portions of the hooks once the protective cover is in position thereupon.


In the example shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, a grappling assembly 12c is shown in which a protective cover 26c is mated with one or more hooks 19c. The protective cover can include a substantially planar surface 28c. In this example, the hooks 19c can extend distally away from the protective cover in the same manner as discussed in previous embodiments. However, in this example, the hooks 19c do not include shank portions, or curved upper apex portions. Instead, the hooks can be mated with the protective cover to provide a uniform assembly. The protective cover and hooks can be formed as a continuous, solid piece, or the hooks can be welded, bonded, etc., securely to the protective cover. The diameter of the protective cover can vary, and in some embodiments (FIGS. 17 and 18, for example) is equal to or greater than an outside diameter of the hook assembly 18, or can be smaller in diameter, as shown in FIGS. 6A-16.



FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate another embodiment of the technology in which grappling assembly 12d includes a protective cover 26d. The protective cover can include a plurality of shoulders 40 that extend from a substantially planar surface 28d. The shoulders can define one or more receiving slots 32d within which the hooks 19 can be received. This configuration can advantageously reduce any tendency the protective cover and hook assembly may have to rotate relative to one another. The extended length of the receiving slots can also more securely engage the hooks to eliminate or reduce the need for adhesive or other attachment mechanism between the hooks and the protective cover.


The protective covers of the present technology can be formed from a variety of materials, including without limitation, polymers, metals, composites, etc. By forming the covers from a lightweight material such as a polymer, the ballistic properties of the pellet assembly are not significantly affected. In those cases in which the protective cover is removably attached to the grappling assembly, an operator or manufacturer can easily adapt known grappling assemblies to incorporate therein the safety features of the present technology.


In addition to the structure outlined above, the present technology also provides a method of providing a protective covering to a grappling assembly. The grappling assembly can include a plurality of hooks, each of the plurality of hooks having an apex portion and a sharpened prong extending distally from the apex portion. The method can include positioning a protective relative to the apex portions of the plurality of hooks. The protective cover can include at least one substantially continuous surface. The method can include positioning the protective cover relative to the at least one hook such that the sharpened prong of the at least one hook extends distally from the protective cover and thereby remains exposed while the protective cover is carried by the plurality of hooks. The method can include fixing the protective cover in position relative to the plurality of hooks.


Fixing the protective cover in position can include removably attaching the protective cover in position relative to the apex portions of the plurality of hooks.


Each of the plurality of hooks can include a shank portion, extending distally from the apex portion, the shank portions collectively defining a receiving chamber. The protective cover can include a shank portion. Fixing the protective cover in position can include positioning the shank portion of the protective cover within the receiving chamber formed by the shank portions.


It is to be understood that the above-referenced arrangements are illustrative of the application for the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and described above in connection with the exemplary embodiments(s) of the invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the examples.

Claims
  • 1. A grappling assembly for use with an entangling projectile, the grappling assembly comprising: at least one hook including an apex portion and a sharpened prong extending distally from the apex portion; anda protective cover, carried adjacent the apex portion of the at least one hook, the protective cover including at least one substantially planar surface;the protective cover positioned relative to the at least one hook such that the sharpened prong of the at least one hook extends distally from the protective cover and thereby remains exposed while the protective cover is carried adjacent the apex portion of the at least one hook.
  • 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the protective cover is attachable to, coupleable to or formed integrally with the at least one hook.
  • 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the protective cover is removably attachable to the at least one hook.
  • 4. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of hooks, each of the plurality of hooks having an apex portion, the plurality of apex portions collectively carrying the protective cover.
  • 5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of hooks includes a shank portion, extending distally from the apex portion, the shank portions collectively defining at least one receiving chamber, and wherein the protective cover includes a shank portion, the shank portion of the protective cover being receivable within the at least one receiving chamber formed by the shank portions.
  • 6. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the protective cover includes a plurality of receiving slots formed therein, each receiving slot being operable to receive therein an apex portion of one of the plurality of hooks.
  • 7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the receiving slots include one or more retaining clips associated therewith, the retaining clips operable to removably secure the apex portion within the receiving slot.
  • 8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one hook has a cross-sectional area at the apex portion, and wherein the substantially planar section of the protective cover includes a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the apex portion of the at least one hook.
  • 9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one hook has a hook curvature, and wherein the substantially planar section of the protective cover includes a cover curvature differing from the hook curvature.
  • 10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the substantially planar section of the protective cover is a flat plane.
  • 11. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pellet coupled to a tether, the at least one hook coupled to the pellet.
  • 12. A grappling assembly for use with an entangling projectile, the grappling assembly comprising: at least one hook including an apex portion and a sharpened prong extending distally from the apex portion;a protective cover, carried by the apex portion of the at least one hook, the protective cover including at least one substantially continuous contact surface;the protective cover positioned relative to the at least one hook such that the sharpened prong of the at least one hook extends distally from the protective cover and thereby remains exposed while the protective cover is carried by the apex portion of the at least one hook; anda first pellet coupled to a tether, the at least one hook coupled to the first pellet.
  • 13. The assembly of claim 12, further comprising a second pellet coupled to an end of the tether opposing an end to which the first pellet is coupled, and further comprising at least one second hook coupled to the second pellet.
  • 14. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the protective cover is attachable to, coupleable to or formed integrally with the at least one hook.
  • 15. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the at least one substantially continuous contact surface of the protective cover is a substantially flat planar surface.
  • 16. A method of providing a protective covering to a grappling assembly that includes a plurality of hooks, each of the plurality of hooks having an apex portion and a sharpened prong extending distally from the apex portion, the method comprising: obtaining a protective cover, the protective cover including at least one substantially continuous surface;positioning the protective cover relative to the apex portions of the plurality of hooks such that the sharpened prongs of the plurality of hooks extend distally from the protective cover and thereby remain exposed while the protective cover is carried by the plurality of hooks; andfixing the protective cover in position relative to the plurality of hooks.
  • 17. The method of claim 16, wherein fixing the protective cover in position comprises removably attaching the protective cover in position relative to the apex portions of the plurality of hooks.
  • 18. The method of claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of hooks includes a shank portion, extending distally from the apex portion, the shank portions collectively defining a receiving chamber, and wherein the protective cover includes a shank portion, and wherein fixing the protective cover in position comprises positioning the shank portion of the protective cover within the receiving chamber formed by the shank portions of the hooks.
  • 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of hooks collectively present a cross-sectional area at the apex portion, and wherein the substantially continuous surface of the protective cover includes a cross-sectional area greater than the collective cross-sectional area of the apex portions of the hooks.
  • 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the substantially continuous surface of the protective cover includes a substantially planar, flat surface.
US Referenced Citations (213)
Number Name Date Kind
34626 Ely Mar 1862 A
34628 Gault Mar 1862 A
35734 Gault Jun 1862 A
39282 Ganster Jul 1863 A
271825 Fiske Feb 1883 A
347988 Boyd Aug 1886 A
1070582 Browning Aug 1913 A
1151070 Victory Aug 1915 A
1198035 Huntington Sep 1916 A
1211001 Steinmetz Jan 1917 A
1217415 Colomyjczuk Feb 1917 A
1229421 Downs Jun 1917 A
1276689 Poudrier Aug 1918 A
1304857 Davis May 1919 A
1343747 Radakovich Jun 1920 A
1488182 Whelton Mar 1924 A
1536164 Tainton May 1925 A
2354451 Forbes Jul 1944 A
2372383 Lee Mar 1945 A
2373363 Wellcome Apr 1945 A
2373364 Wellcome Apr 1945 A
2455784 Lapsensohn Dec 1948 A
2611340 Manning Sep 1952 A
2668499 Mourlaque Feb 1954 A
2797924 Stewart Jul 1957 A
3085510 Campbell Apr 1963 A
3340642 Vasiljevic Sep 1967 A
3484665 Mountjoy et al. Dec 1969 A
3583087 Huebner Jun 1971 A
3717348 Bowers Feb 1973 A
3773026 Romero Nov 1973 A
3803463 Cover Apr 1974 A
3831306 Gregg Aug 1974 A
3921614 Fogelgren Nov 1975 A
4027418 Baldi et al. Jun 1977 A
4166619 Bergmann et al. Sep 1979 A
4193386 Rossi Mar 1980 A
4253132 Cover Feb 1981 A
4318389 Kiss, Jr. Mar 1982 A
4466417 Mulot et al. Aug 1984 A
4559737 Washington Dec 1985 A
4656947 Gordon et al. Apr 1987 A
4664034 Christian May 1987 A
4750692 Howard Jun 1988 A
4752539 Vatter Jun 1988 A
4912867 Dukes, Jr. Apr 1990 A
4912869 Govett Apr 1990 A
4947764 Rohr Aug 1990 A
4962747 Biller Oct 1990 A
5003886 Pahnke et al. Apr 1991 A
5078117 Cover Jan 1992 A
5103366 Battochi Apr 1992 A
5145187 Lewis Sep 1992 A
5279482 Dzenitis et al. Jan 1994 A
5314196 Ruelle May 1994 A
5315932 Bertram May 1994 A
5326101 Fay Jul 1994 A
5372118 Schmidt, III et al. Dec 1994 A
5396830 Kornblith et al. Mar 1995 A
5460155 Hobbs, II Oct 1995 A
5561263 Baillod Oct 1996 A
5649466 Genovese Jul 1997 A
5654867 Murray Aug 1997 A
5698815 Ragner Dec 1997 A
5706795 Gerwig Jan 1998 A
5750918 Mangolds et al. May 1998 A
5782002 Reed Jul 1998 A
5786546 Simson Jul 1998 A
5814753 Rieger Sep 1998 A
5831199 McNulty, Jr. et al. Nov 1998 A
5898125 Mangolds et al. Apr 1999 A
5904132 Biller May 1999 A
5943806 Underwood Aug 1999 A
5962806 Coakley et al. Oct 1999 A
5996504 Lowery Dec 1999 A
6219959 Hsieh Apr 2001 B1
6283037 Sclafani Sep 2001 B1
6381894 Murphy May 2002 B1
6382071 Bertani May 2002 B1
6543173 Golan Apr 2003 B1
6575073 McNulty, Jr. et al. Jun 2003 B2
6615622 MacAleese et al. Sep 2003 B2
6636412 Smith Oct 2003 B2
6729222 McNulty, Jr. May 2004 B2
6820560 Romppanen Nov 2004 B1
6880466 Carman Apr 2005 B2
6898887 Stratbucker May 2005 B1
7042696 Smith et al. May 2006 B2
7065915 Chang Jun 2006 B2
7075770 Smith Jul 2006 B1
7114450 Chang Oct 2006 B1
7143539 Cerovic et al. Dec 2006 B2
7218501 Keely May 2007 B2
7237352 Keely et al. Jul 2007 B2
7314007 Su Jan 2008 B2
7327549 Smith et al. Feb 2008 B2
7360489 Han et al. Apr 2008 B1
D570948 Cerovic et al. Jun 2008 S
7409912 Cerovic et al. Aug 2008 B2
7412975 Dillon, Jr. Aug 2008 B2
7444939 McNulty et al. Nov 2008 B2
7444940 Kapeles et al. Nov 2008 B2
D602109 Cerovic et al. Oct 2009 S
7640839 McNulty, Jr. Jan 2010 B2
7640860 Glover et al. Jan 2010 B1
7673411 Baldwin Mar 2010 B1
7686002 Andrews Mar 2010 B2
7778005 Saliga Aug 2010 B2
7791858 Hummel et al. Sep 2010 B2
7856929 Gavin et al. Dec 2010 B2
7859818 Kroll et al. Dec 2010 B2
7900388 Brundula et al. Mar 2011 B2
7905180 Chen Mar 2011 B2
7950176 Nemtyshkin et al. May 2011 B1
7950329 Nemtyshkin et al. May 2011 B1
7984676 Gavin et al. Jul 2011 B1
8015905 Park Sep 2011 B2
8024889 Bunker Sep 2011 B2
8082199 Kwok Dec 2011 B2
D651679 Klug et al. Jan 2012 S
8096076 Cerovic et al. Jan 2012 B1
8141493 Kuchman Mar 2012 B1
8186276 Olden et al. May 2012 B1
8231474 Stethem Jul 2012 B2
8245617 Martinez et al. Aug 2012 B2
8261666 Garg Sep 2012 B2
8281776 Körver et al. Oct 2012 B2
8339763 McNulty, Jr. Dec 2012 B2
8441771 Hinz et al. May 2013 B2
8547679 Gavin Oct 2013 B2
8561516 Martinez et al. Oct 2013 B2
8601928 Martinez et al. Dec 2013 B2
8671841 Raquin et al. Mar 2014 B2
8695578 Olden et al. Apr 2014 B2
8677675 Koch May 2014 B2
8757039 Martinez et al. Jun 2014 B2
8857305 Tseng Oct 2014 B1
8881654 Seecamp Nov 2014 B2
8896982 Beechey et al. Nov 2014 B2
8899139 Brill et al. Dec 2014 B2
9025304 Brundula et al. May 2015 B2
D736885 Swan et al. Aug 2015 S
9134099 Tseng Sep 2015 B2
9157694 Tseng Oct 2015 B1
9220246 Roman Dec 2015 B1
9255765 Nelson Feb 2016 B2
9303942 Sievers Apr 2016 B2
9335119 Werner May 2016 B2
9414578 Thombrough Aug 2016 B2
9581417 Tseng Feb 2017 B2
9638498 Chang May 2017 B2
D791901 Swan et al. Jul 2017 S
10107599 Norris et al. Oct 2018 B2
10288388 Lavin et al. May 2019 B1
10731698 Chmelar Aug 2020 B2
20020134365 Gray Sep 2002 A1
20020170418 McNulty, Jr. et al. Nov 2002 A1
20030106415 Smith Jun 2003 A1
20030165041 Stethem Sep 2003 A1
20030165042 Stethem Sep 2003 A1
20040245338 Poloniewicz Dec 2004 A1
20050073161 Philbin Apr 2005 A1
20050166441 Mattox Aug 2005 A1
20060112574 Hodge et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060120009 Chudy, II Jun 2006 A1
20060254108 Park Nov 2006 A1
20070019358 Kroll Jan 2007 A1
20070079538 Smith et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070081292 Brundula et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070081293 Brundula et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070101893 Shalev et al. May 2007 A1
20070188972 Nerheim et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070264079 Martinez et al. Nov 2007 A1
20080204965 Brundula et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080259520 Brundula Oct 2008 A1
20090025597 Kapeles et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090084284 Martinez et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090323248 Brundula et al. Dec 2009 A1
20100126483 Makowski May 2010 A1
20100315755 Gavin Dec 2010 A1
20100315756 Gavin Dec 2010 A1
20110005373 Martinez et al. Jan 2011 A1
20110271825 Howland Nov 2011 A1
20120019975 Hanchett et al. Jan 2012 A1
20120170167 Beechey et al. Jul 2012 A1
20120210904 Merems Aug 2012 A1
20120257320 Brundula et al. Oct 2012 A1
20130208392 Brundula et al. Aug 2013 A1
20140216290 Yee et al. Aug 2014 A1
20140331984 Brahler, II et al. Nov 2014 A1
20140334058 Galvan et al. Nov 2014 A1
20150067968 Eckert Mar 2015 A1
20150075073 Sylvester Mar 2015 A1
20150168107 Tseng Jun 2015 A1
20150241180 Pruett Aug 2015 A1
20150276351 Pekarek et al. Oct 2015 A1
20150316345 Brahler, II et al. Nov 2015 A1
20160010949 Teetzel et al. Jan 2016 A1
20160161225 Searle et al. Jun 2016 A1
20160238350 Tseng Aug 2016 A1
20170029816 Swiderski Feb 2017 A1
20170160060 Purvis Jun 2017 A1
20170241751 Nerheim Aug 2017 A1
20170276460 Norris et al. Sep 2017 A1
20170276461 Norris et al. Sep 2017 A1
20180003462 Chavez Jan 2018 A1
20180094908 Down et al. Apr 2018 A1
20180292172 Ehrlich Oct 2018 A1
20180335779 Fisher et al. Nov 2018 A1
20190186872 Salisbury et al. Jun 2019 A1
20190186873 Salisbury et al. Jun 2019 A1
20190271772 Nerheim et al. Sep 2019 A1
20200109924 Goodchild et al. Apr 2020 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (8)
Number Date Country
2162221 May 1996 CA
104085851 Oct 2014 CN
3522661 Jan 1987 DE
2386673 Sep 2003 GB
2011106748 Jun 2011 JP
2186492 Aug 2002 RU
2274823 Apr 2006 RU
2410625 Jan 2011 RU