Combination device to launch non-lethal projectiles using a detachable, disposable container

Abstract

A combination of a launcher and at least one disposable container. The disposable container contains at least one cylinder loaded with a projectile, propellant, and igniter. It snaps into place into a launcher base. The launcher base has a trigger to ignite the propellant igniter, hence, fire the projectile down a cylinder toward a target. The launcher base may be concealed in a tool or other device or it can resemble a grip, trigger, and butt of a standard weapon.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A combination of a launcher and a disposable container for launching a non-lethal projectile comprising: 
 (a) a generally elongated disposable container loaded with at least one non-lethal projectile, propellant, and propellant igniter;    (b) a launcher base having a bore and a means for removably receiving said disposable container and holding it in place in said bore in said launcher base;    (c) said launcher base having a means for triggering said propellant igniter in said disposable container.    
     
     
         2 . A combination of a launcher and a disposable container for launching a non-lethal projectile of  claim 1  wherein said projectile is constructed of a resilient, deformable material whereby said projectile is non-lethal in its effects when discharged from said disposable container by said propellant.  
     
     
         3 . A combination of a launcher and a disposable container for launching a non-lethal projectile of  claim 2  wherein said launcher is sized and shaped in a particular fashion to be concealed as part of a particular item whereby, to an outside observer, said launcher would not appear to be capable of launching a non-lethal projectile.  
     
     
         4 . A combination of a launcher and a disposable container for launching a non-lethal projectile of  claim 3  wherein said bore is open at a first end a nd closed at a second end and said disposable container is loaded into said launcher by inserting into said first open end of said bore.  
     
     
         5 . A combination of a launcher and a disposable container for launching a non-lethal projectile of  claim 4  wherein said launcher base is sized and shaped in a particular fashion to replace a end cap on a particular flashlight.  
     
     
         6 . A combination of a launcher and a disposable container for launching a non-lethal projectile of  claim 4  wherein said launcher base is incorporated in a police baton type club.  
     
     
         7 . A combination of a launcher and a disposable container for launching a non-lethal projectile of  claim 2  wherein said disposable container contains more than one projectile, more than one propellant, and more than one propellant igniter whereby said launcher base may be used to successively trigger said propellant igniter so that more than one non-lethal projectile may be launched from said launcher before there is a need to remove said disposable container from said launcher base.  
     
     
         8 . A combination of a launcher and a disposable container for launching a non-lethal projectile of  claim 7  wherein said launcher base is constructed with a pistol grip, trigger, and hammer.  
     
     
         9 . A combination of a launcher and a disposable container for launching a non-lethal projectile of  claim 7  wherein said launcher base has a butt for shoulder mounting of said launcher base.  
     
     
         10 . A combination of a concealable launcher and a disposable container for launching a non-lethal projectile comprising: 
 (a) a launcher base of a particular size and shape, said launcher base having a bore therein and said particular size and shape of said launcher base is constrained to fit within a pre-existing particular item;    (b) a generally elongated, disposable container having at least one cylinder loaded with at least one non-lethal projectile, propellant, and propellant igniter;    (c) in said first bore in said launcher base, a means for removably receiving said disposable container and holding it in place in said first bore in said launcher base;    (d) a means for triggering said propellant igniter in said disposable container, said means for triggering located in said launcher base    whereby said launcher base is constrained to fit within a particular item in a manner that conceals the function of said launcher base, so that said disposable container may be loaded into said first bore in said launcher base and said launcher base within a particular item can launch a non-lethal projectile.    
     
     
         11 . A combination of a concealable launcher and at least one disposable container for launching a non-lethal projectile of  claim 10  wherein said particular item is a flashlight.  
     
     
         12 . A combination of a concealable launcher and at least one disposable container for launching a non-lethal projectile of  claim 10  wherein said particular item is a police baton.  
     
     
         13 . A combination of a concealable launcher and at least one disposable container for launching a non-lethal projectile of  claim 10  wherein said at least one cylinder, said at least one non-lethal projectile, propellant, and propellant igniter is pre-loaded within said at least one cylinder with said at least one cylinder having a length twice as long as said at least one pre-loaded non-lethal projectile.  
     
     
         14 . A combination of a concealable launcher and at least one disposable container for launching a non-lethal projectile of  claim 13  wherein said bore has a first open end and a second closed end and said disposable container is loaded into said launcher base by inserting said disposable container into said first open end of said first bore in said launcher base.  
     
     
         15 . A method for firing at least one non-lethal projectile comprising: 
 (a) pre-loading a disposable container with at least one non-lethal projectile, propellant, and propellant igniter;    (b) inserting said disposable container into a launcher base through a first bore in said launcher base;    (c) using a trigger in said launcher base to ignite said propellant igniter and said propellant to propel said at least one non-lethal projectile from said disposable container.    
     
     
         16 . A method for firing at least one non-lethal projectile further comprising steps of forming said launcher base to be a particular size and shape, said particular size and shape of said launcher base constrained to fit within a pre-existing particular item whereby said launcher base becomes a part of said pre-existing particular item.  
     
     
         17 . A method for firing at least one non-lethal projectile of  claim 16  wherein said disposable container is formed with a cylinder having a length at least twice a length of said at least one preloaded non-lethal projectile.  
     
     
         18 . A method for firing at least one non-lethal projectile of  claim 17  wherein said launcher base is sized and shaped to replace an end cap on a flashlight.  
     
     
         19 . A method for firing at least one non-lethal projectile of  claim 17  wherein said launcher base is sized and shaped to be incorporated as part of a police baton type club.