Entangling Projectiles and Systems for thier Use

Abstract

An entangling projectile for use in a projectile deployment system includes a pair of pellets and a flexible tether connecting the pellets. Each of the pellets includes an outer diameter and at least one recessed portion extending inwardly from the outer diameter, the recessed portion having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the pellet such that a pocket is formed in the pellet. The pocket provides an area for accumulation of debris and gasses carried by a pressure wave created by the projectile deployment system. One or more engagement hooks can be coupled to one or both the pellets, or to the tether.

1 . An entangling projectile for use in a projectile deployment system, the entangling projectile comprising:
 a pair of pellets; and   a flexible tether connecting the pellets; wherein   each of the pellets includes an outer diameter and at least one recessed portion extending inwardly from the outer diameter, the recessed portion having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the pellet such that a pocket is formed in the pellet, the pocket providing an area for accumulation of debris and gasses carried by a pressure wave created by the projectile deployment system.   
     
     
         2 . The projectile of  claim 1 , wherein the recessed portion fully circumscribes the pellet. 
     
     
         3 . The projectile of  claim 1 , further comprising at least two recessed portions, the at least two recessed portions being spaced longitudinally along the pellet to create two pockets separated by an unmodified portion of the pellet. 
     
     
         4 . The projectile of  claim 1 , wherein the recessed portion includes a conically tapering portion extending into a planar portion substantially perpendicular to an elongate axis of the pellet. 
     
     
         5 . The projectile of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one recessed portion is formed on an end of the pellet opposite an end of the pellet to which the tether is coupled to the pellet. 
     
     
         6 . The projectile of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one engagement hook coupled to at least one of the pellets, the engagement hook being operable to engage clothing worn by a subject engaged by the entangling projectile to aid in retaining the entangling projectile about the subject. 
     
     
         7 . The projectile of  claim 6 , wherein the pellet includes a neck portion having a diameter less than the outer diameter of the pellet, and wherein the at least one engagement hook extends over the neck portion of the pellet. 
     
     
         8 . The projectile of  claim 6 , wherein the hook includes a point that extends in a direction opposite a direction in which the tether extends from the pellet. 
     
     
         9 . An entangling projectile for use in a projectile deployment system, the entangling projectile comprising:
 a pair of pellets;   a flexible tether connecting the pellets; and   at least one engagement hook, coupled to one or both of one of the pair of pellets or the flexible tether, the engagement hook being operable to engage clothing worn by a subject engaged by the entangling projectile to aid in retaining the entangling projectile about the subject.   
     
     
         10 . The projectile of  claim 9 , wherein the engagement hook is coupled directly to one of the pellets. 
     
     
         11 . The projectile of  claim 9 , wherein the pellet includes a neck portion having a diameter less than an outer diameter of the pellet, and wherein the at least one engagement hook extends over the neck portion of the pellet. 
     
     
         12 . The projectile of  claim 9 , wherein the engagement hook includes a point that extends in a direction opposite a direction in which the tether extends from the pellet. 
     
     
         13 . The projectile of  claim 9 , wherein each of the pellets includes an outer diameter and at least one recessed portion extending inwardly from the outer diameter, the recessed portion having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the pellet such that a pocket is formed in the pellet; the pocket providing an area for accumulation of debris and gasses carried by a pressure wave created by the projectile deployment system. 
     
     
         14 . The projectile of  claim 13 , further comprising at least two recessed portions, the at least two recessed portions being spaced longitudinally along the pellet to create two pockets separated by an unmodified portion of the pellet. 
     
     
         15 . The projectile of  claim 13 , wherein the recessed portion includes a conically tapering portion extending into a planar portion substantially perpendicular to an elongate axis of the pellet. 
     
     
         16 . The projectile of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one recessed portion is formed on an end of the pellet opposite an end of the pellet to which the tether is coupled to the pellet. 
     
     
         17 . The projectile of  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of engagement hooks coupled to each pellet. 
     
     
         18 . The projectile of  claim 17 , wherein at least some of the plurality of engagement hooks extend in opposing directions. 
     
     
         19 . The projectile of  claim 17 , wherein some of the plurality of engagement hooks extend in substantially the same direction as does the tether, and wherein some of the plurality of engagement hooks extend in an opposite direction. 
     
     
         20 . An entangling projectile for use in a projectile deployment system, the entangling projectile comprising:
 a pair of pellets; and   a flexible tether connecting the pellets; wherein   each of the pellets includes an outer diameter and at least one recessed portion extending inwardly from the outer diameter, the recessed portion having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the pellet such that a pocket is formed in the pellet; the pocket providing an area for accumulation of debris and gasses carried by a propelling gas created by the projectile deployment system; and wherein   each of the pellets includes an engagement hook coupled thereto, the engagement hook being operable to engage clothing worn by a subject engaged by the entangling projectile to aid in retaining the entangling projectile about the subject.