Electrode for electronic weaponry that dissipates kinetic energy

摘要

An electronic weapon with an installed deployment unit, from which at least one tethered electrode is launched, provides a stimulus current through a target to inhibit locomotion by the target. The wire tether, also called a filament, conducts the stimulus current. The one or more electrodes, according to various aspects of the present invention, perform one or more of the following functions in any combination: binding the filament to the electrode, deploying the filament from the deployment unit, coupling the electrode to the target, and distributing a current density with respect to a volume of target tissue. An electrode may include a spear comprising a material with integrated conductive and insulative substances (e.g., conductive fibers in insulative composite material) and a geometry to dissipate kinetic energy after impact with the target.

主权项

1. An electrode comprising:
a body comprising a surface and a longitudinal axis, a rapidly expanding gas applies a force on the surface to impart a kinetic energy to the electrode to launch the electrode in a forward direction from an electronic weapon along a trajectory toward a human or animal target; and a spear comprising a first resilient rib, a second resilient rib, and a tip, the tip comprising a longitudinal axis, the spear mechanically coupled to a forward portion of the body; wherein:
upon impact of the electrode with the target:
the tip penetrates tissue of the target to place the spear in or near target tissue;the body moves away from the trajectory such that an angle between the longitudinal axis of the body and the longitudinal axis of the tip increases until a portion of the body strikes the target to dissipate a portion of the kinetic energy; andresponsive to movement of the body, the first rib compresses and the second rib extends to facilitate movement of the body toward the target and to dissipate a further portion of the kinetic energy; andthe electrode provides a current from the electronic weapon through tissue of the target, the current for inhibiting voluntary movement by the target.