Non-lethal projectile systems

Abstract

A non-lethal projectile system for non-lethally inhibiting a living target, multi-functional launching devices for delivering the non-lethal projectile systems to a target, methods of assembling the non-lethal projectiles, and tactical methods of the use of the non-lethal projectile, the non-lethal projectile consists of a projectile body to be impacted with a living target and an inhibiting substance within the projectile body, wherein upon impact with the target, the inhibiting substance is dispersed on and about the target. In a variation, the projectile body ruptures upon impact releasing the substance. In another variation, the inhibiting substance is a powdered substance comprising a powdered pepper derived substance, for example, oleoresin capsicum or capsaicin.

1 . A non-lethal projectile, comprising:
 a first part having a hollow portion;   a second part secured with the first part to seal the hollow portion defining a volume within;   an inhibiting powder contained within the volume;   a plurality of stabilizing fins secured with the first part;   wherein the projectile is non-spherical; and   wherein upon impact the inhibiting powder is dispersed into a cloud.   
   
   
       2 . The projectile of  claim 1 , wherein the second part is at least partially hollow defining a portion of the volume; and
 the volume is configured to rupture upon impact radially dispersing the inhibiting powder into a cloud.   
   
   
       3 . The projectile of  claim 2 , further comprising a lid, and the second part further includes a fill aperture such that the lid secures with the second part to close the fill aperture of the second part. 
   
   
       4 . The projectile of  claim 2 , wherein the first part has a first length and a diameter, such that the length is greater than the diameter;
 the second part has a second length, wherein the first length is greater than the second length; and   the first part has a cross-section that tapers to a smaller cross-section proximate the plurality of stabilizing fins.   
   
   
       5 . The projectile of  claim 4 , wherein the first part and the plurality of stabilizing fins are formed as a single continuous part, and the fins are curved. 
   
   
       6 . The projectile of  claim 1 , wherein the second part includes structurally weakening features such that upon impact with a target the second part ruptures, radially dispersing the inhibiting powder proximate to the target into the cloud. 
   
   
       7 . The projectile of  claim 1 , wherein the inhibiting power comprises one or more capsaicinoids. 
   
   
       8 . A system comprising:
 non-spherical projectile to be impacted with a target;   the projectile comprising a first part having a first hollow portion, a second part sealed with the first part providing a volume formed within and defined by at least the first hollow portion, wherein the volume ruptures upon impact with the target;   the first part having a length greater than a length of the second part;   fins secured with an exterior of the first part; and   an inhibiting powder contained within the volume, wherein upon the volume rupturing upon impact the inhibiting powder is dispersed into a cloud proximate the target.   
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the fins are curved. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a lid, and the second part further includes a fill aperture such that the lid secures with the second part to close the fill aperture of the second part. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the inhibiting substance comprises a pepper-derived substance. 
   
   
       12 . A method for delivering an inhibiting substance at a target, comprising:
 directing a plurality of projectiles at a target along a generally vertical pattern, wherein the projectiles include a volume containing an inhibiting substance; and   impacting the target along the generally vertical pattern with the plurality of projectiles such that the inhibiting substance is dispersed.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the directing the plurality of projectiles along the generally vertical pattern includes initially directing at least one of the plurality of projectiles toward a lower portion of the target and directing later projectiles of the plurality of projectiles up along the target following the generally vertical pattern. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the impacting includes impacting the target with the plurality of the projectiles, wherein the plurality of the projectiles are impacted with the target at locations on the target ranging from a first region of the target to a second region of the target. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first region comprises an inferior region of a torso of the target and the second region comprises a superior region of the torso of the target inhibiting the target. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the directing the plurality of projectiles includes directing at least one of final projectiles of the plurality of projectiles toward a head of the target. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 altering a path of an intended direction from the generally vertical path.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein directing the plurality of projectiles includes rapid firing the plurality of projectiles from a rapid fire weapon to rapidly deliver the plurality of projectiles to the target. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the inhibiting substance comprises a pepper-derived substance.