A less-lethal device

Abstract

This invention relates to mechanisms and components of a less lethal device, including a magazine configured to house a plurality of projectiles in a “staggered” configuration, a barrel displacement mechanism, a projectile release mechanism and load indicator, a projectile detent, and a loading mechanism. The magazine comprises a hollow body with a first closed end and a second end with an opening through which projectiles are received into or from the body; a first follower which is displaceable from the first end in a direction of the second end for a first distance, the first follower being biased in the direction of the second end; and a second follower which is displaceable from the first end in the direction of the second end for a second distance, the second follower being biased in the direction of the second end and wherein the first distance exceeds the second distance.

1 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A magazine for a plurality of substantially spherical projectiles, comprising:
 an elongate hollow body defining an internal cavity for receiving the projectiles, the body having a first closed end and a second end defining an opening operatively through which projectiles are received into or from the internal cavity;   a ridge formation projecting from a side wall of the body, from proximate the first end towards the second end so that a first and second adjoining and substantially cylindrical channels are defined thereby;   a follower which is displaceable from a first position within the first channel and proximate the first end, to a second position proximate the opening, the follower being biased to the second position; and   a catch formation located proximate the opening and mounted to the body, the catch formation comprising a stopper which is displaceable between a first position relative to the opening, in which the stopper obstructs a portion of opening so that a projectile is inhibited of moving through the opening and a second position relative to the opening, in which the opening is not obstructed by the stopper, so that a projectile is allowed to pass through the opening, the catch formation mounted to an outside of the body.   
     
     
         20 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The magazine of  claim 19 , wherein a guide formation is provided for guiding the follower relative to the body during displacement between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         23 . The magazine of  claim 22 , wherein the guide formation comprises a groove formed on one of the body and the follower, and a ridge or protuberance formed on the other one of the body and the follower, the ridge or protuberance in use received within the groove. 
     
     
         24 . The magazine of  claim 23 , wherein the follower is biased towards the second position by a biasing means which is fixed to the first end, and extends along the first channel when the follower is in the second position and is inhibited from deflecting into a second channel. 
     
     
         25 .- 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The magazine of  claim 24 , wherein a neck of the body is formed proximate the second end, the neck defining an internal passage similar in shape and size as the opening with the follower sized such that a portion thereof protrudes at least partially into the neck of the body when the follower is in the second position. 
     
     
         28 . The magazine of  claim 27 , wherein the follower comprises a substantially convex outer surface arranged to operatively urge against a projectile received through the opening. 
     
     
         29 . The magazine of  claim 28 , wherein the first and second channels extend substantially parallel to each other and intersect each other along a length thereof, such that a projectile operatively received within the first channel projects partially into the second channel, and such that a projectile operatively received within the second channel projects partially into the first channel. 
     
     
         30 .- 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . The magazine of  claim 19 , wherein the catch formation is pivotably mounted to the outside of the body, so that the stopper is pivotable between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         34 . The magazine of  claim 33 , wherein the stopper is biased towards the first position by a biasing means which is in the form of a torsion spring. 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . The magazine of  claim 34 , wherein the catch formation has an actuation surface for cooperating, in use, with an actuator situated within a body of a less-lethal device, so that when the magazine is inserted into the body, the actuator urges against the actuation surface to thereby cause the catch formation to be pivoted to the second position. 
     
     
         37 .- 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . A less-lethal device into which the magazine of claim  1  is operatively received, the less-lethal device comprising a release mechanism for releasing the projectile held by a receiving projection of a release valve thereof, the release mechanism comprising an indicator body which is fixed to a body of the device such that a portion of the indicator body projects to an outside of the body of the device, wherein the indicator body is displaceable between an elevated position in which the indicator body stands proud of the body of the device, and a lowered position, the configuration being such that the indicator body is displaced to the elevated position when a projectile is held by the receiving portion, so that when the indicator body is urged towards the lowered position, a force is exerted on the projectile. 
     
     
         50 . The release mechanism of  claim 49 , wherein the receiving projection comprises a displaceable release body which is operatively provided in contact with the projectile. 
     
     
         51 . The release mechanism of  claim 50 , wherein a contact portion of the indicator body urges against the release body, such that when the indicator body is displaced to the lowered position, the release body is displaced thereby. 
     
     
         52 . The release mechanism of  claim 50 , wherein the release body is pivotably fixed to the receiving projection. 
     
     
         53 . The release mechanism of  claim 49 , wherein the indicator body is pivotably fixed to the body of the device. 
     
     
         54 . The release mechanism of  claim 53 , wherein the indicator body is arranged to rest on the release body. 
     
     
         55 . The release mechanism of  claim 54 , wherein the indicator body is arranged to be lifted from the release body when a barrel moves to a second or rearward position relative to the receiving projection. 
     
     
         56 .- 84 . (canceled) 
     
     
         85 . The release mechanism of  claim 51 , wherein the release body is pivotably fixed to the receiving projection. 
     
     
         86 . The release mechanism of  claim 50 , wherein the indicator body is pivotably fixed to the body of the device. 
     
     
         87 . The release mechanism of  claim 51 , wherein the indicator body is pivotably fixed to the body of the device.