Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Electric charge generating or conducting means – For application to living beings
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-01
2003-11-04
Leja, Ronald W. (Department: 2836)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Electric charge generating or conducting means
For application to living beings
C231S007000, C463S047300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06643114
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to manual weapons such as batons, night sticks, and the like, and in addition relates to electrically powered stun devices. The present defense device combines aspects of both of the above devices, as well as other features and functions, in a single device for use by police, military, and/or others who have need of such a non-lethal weapon or device for crowd control and other purposes.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of blunt instruments (night sticks, etc.) by police and other personnel for crowd control and for subduing other individuals, has been known for generations. Very little has been done over the years to improve such hand held impact weapons, other than changing the mass of different portions to impart greater force upon impact. More recently, electronic devices have been developed which transform a relatively low battery voltage into a considerably higher voltage, for use as an electrical stunning device. Such devices are quite effective in subduing a threatening individual, or even a small crowd, as the audible and visual impression generated by the electrical arc across the contacts, is quite intimidating.
However, such electrical stun devices are generally constructed with relatively fragile electrical components which cannot withstand a great deal of impact force. Such stun devices of the prior art are not intended for any other use, and are used solely as an electrical discharge device, with the contacts being placed against a potential attacker or other person who must be subdued. While this may result in a thrusting of the device toward the other person, the physical forces involved are nowhere near those to which a blunt impact weapon (night stick or baton, etc.) would be subjected. The relative fragility of such electrical stun weapons has thus resulted in law enforcement officers being required to carry a separate baton or night stick in addition to the electrical stun device, as well as all their other equipment (hand gun, cuffs, etc.). The mass and bulk of all this equipment can be distracting to say the least, and can certainly encumber an officer when he must move rapidly. Moreover, the requirement for two similarly shaped elongated weapons or devices (baton and electrical stun prod) can easily result in a moment's hesitation or confusion when the officer reaches for one or the other, in a situation where time is critical.
Accordingly, a need will be seen for a personal defense device which combines attributes of the baton with those of an electrical stunning device, as well as other attributes and features, in a single device. The present defense device is constructed of a relatively massive and thick walled material, in order to provide the desired mass for use as an impact weapon. Yet, the device has a hollow interior, in order to house the electrical storage cells and electrical componentry for the electrical stun system of the device. Moreover, the present device includes a series of blunt edges disposed along the barrel thereof, which provide greater effectiveness as an impact weapon. These blunt edges may be equipped with relatively shallow cutting edges to produce a bleeding cut or wound, if so desired. A flashlight or the like may, also be built into the device for greater versatility, with the light utilizing the same electrical energy source as the stun circuitry. The present defense device also makes use of redundant flex circuitry for reliability and impact damage resistance, as well as providing a novel, normally on interrupter switch for the stun circuit to facilitate use of the device by an officer.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor, is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 427,549 issued on May 13, 1890 to John M. Burton, titled “Electric Prod Pole,” describes two embodiments of such a device. The first embodiment of
FIG. 1
is a very low voltage device, as it relies upon an “element B” (taken to be an electrical storage cell), but does not include any means of inverting the current for stepping up the voltage. The second embodiment uses a mechanical generating device, rather than a battery. In any event, the device of the Burton '549 U.S. Patent is quite long and thin, and is not adapted for use as an impact weapon in addition to its electrical prod function.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,158,473 issued on Nov. 2, 1915 to William B. Floyd, titled “Electric Animal Prod,” describes a device similar to that of the Burton '549 U.S. Patent described immediately above. The Floyd prod is also a relatively long and thin device, with electrical storage batteries carried in a larger diameter handle portion. No appreciable mass is provided in the distal portion of the device, as it is desired to make the distal portion as light as possible in such devices to facilitate maneuverability. This teaches away from the present invention, with its relatively massive distal portion to provide relatively large inertial forces for use as an impact weapon, as well as providing the desired strength and durability for the device.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,176,994 issued on Oct. 24, 1939 to Lorentz A. Hansen et al., titled “Electric Stock Prod,” describes a device utilizing a conventional capacitor and vibrator points for producing an alternating current from the direct current of the electrical storage batteries within the device. A coil having primary and secondary windings is used to step up the voltage to the desired level. This device is capable of producing a continuous array of high voltage discharges, unlike the devices discussed further above. While the circuitry of the Hansen et al. device is old in the art, such circuitry or its equivalents may be used in the present invention, and the disclosure of such is incorporated herein by reference. However, Hansen et al. do not disclose a relatively massive barrel portion for use as an impact weapon, nor other means (blades, etc.) for such impact function.
U.S. Pat No. 2,208,852 issued on Jul. 23, 1940 to Leon P. Mongan, titled “Electric Prodder,” describes a combination device, including a voltage step-up circuit and light circuit, each powered by the same battery power source. The electrical voltage step-up circuitry is essentially the same as that used by Hansen et al. and disclosed in the '994 U.S. Patent discussed immediately above. This basic circuitry may be used with the present invention, as noted above. However, it is desired to use more durable circuitry incorporating flex circuits, redundant wiring, and solid state componentry in the present invention, rather than the older mechanical componentry of the Mongan and similar earlier devices. In any case, Mongan does not provide any means for using his device as an impact weapon, and further teaches away from the present stun device by providing an open circuit until one of the contacts is pushed in. This is not desirable in an electrical stun protective device, where the visual and audible effects of the electrical arcing are desired to provide a deterrent effect.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,561,122 issued on Jul. 17, 1951 to John Juergens, titled “Livestock Prod,” describes a device having a spring mounted distal end with a selectively operable light source concentric with the annular electrical contact probes. The light and electric contacts are operated by a single, double throw switch. Thus, either the light or the electrical contacts may be actuated, but not both simultaneously. Moreover, the resiliently mounted distal end teaches away from the present rigid, massive structure which may also be used as an impact weapon.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,362,711 issued on Jan. 9, 1968 to LaVerne M. Larsen et al., titled “Night Stick With Electric Shock, Means,” describes a stick having external high voltage wiring, as well as the conventional high voltage contacts extending from the distal end of the stick. The object of the Larsen et al. stick is to prevent unauthorized person
Leja Ronald W.
Litman Richard C.
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