Spear assembly for an electrode of a conducted electrical weapon

Abstract

An electrode for a conducted electrical weapon may comprise a spear assembly. The spear assembly may be configured to translate from a first position to a second position. The spear assembly may comprise a first spear and a second spear. The second spear may be disposed within the first spear. In response to impact with a target, the first spear may remain stationary while the second spear translates in a forward direction to the second position. The second spear may remain electrically coupled to the first spear with a leash.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A spear assembly comprising:
 a first spear portion; and   a second spear portion disposed within the first spear portion, wherein the second spear portion is configured to translate in a forward direction in response to the first spear portion impacting a target.   
     
     
         2 . The spear assembly of  claim 1 , wherein impact of the first spear portion with the target transfers an inertial force to the second spear portion, and wherein the inertial force causes the second spear portion to translate in the forward direction. 
     
     
         3 . The spear assembly of  claim 1 , wherein prior to the first spear portion impacting the target a first forward end of the first spear portion is positioned forward a second forward end of the second spear portion. 
     
     
         4 . The spear assembly of  claim 3 , wherein in response to the first spear portion impacting the target the first forward end of the first spear portion is positioned aft the second forward end of the second spear portion. 
     
     
         5 . The spear assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first spear portion is coaxial with the second spear portion. 
     
     
         6 . The spear assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first spear portion is configured to first impact the target, wherein the second spear portion is configured to next impact the target, and wherein the first impact is before the next impact. 
     
     
         7 . The spear assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first spear portion comprises a first physical dimension, wherein the second spear portion comprise a second physical dimension, and wherein the first physical dimension is different from the second physical dimension. 
     
     
         8 . The spear assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first spear portion remains stationary in response to the first spear portion impacting the target. 
     
     
         9 . An electrode for a conducted electrical weapon comprising:
 an electrode body having a first end opposite a second end;   an electrode head coupled to the first end of the electrode body; and   a spear assembly comprising:
 a first spear coupled to the electrode head; and 
 a second spear disposed within the first spear, wherein the second spear is configured to translate in a forward direction in response to at least one of the first spear or the electrode head impacting a target. 
   
     
     
         10 . The electrode of  claim 9 , wherein the spear assembly further comprises a leash comprising a first leash end opposite a second leash end, wherein the first leash end is coupled to the second spear, and wherein the second leash end is coupled to at least one of the first spear or the electrode head. 
     
     
         11 . The electrode of  claim 10 , wherein the second leash end is positioned between an inner surface of the electrode head and an outer surface of the first spear. 
     
     
         12 . The electrode of  claim 10 , wherein the first leash end is wound into a winding within the second spear. 
     
     
         13 . The electrode of  claim 12 , wherein the spear assembly further comprises a core coupled within a channel of the second spear, and wherein the winding of the first leash end is wound around the core. 
     
     
         14 . The electrode of  claim 9 , wherein the first spear is coaxial with the second spear. 
     
     
         15 . The electrode of  claim 9 , wherein prior to impacting the target a first forward end of the first spear is positioned forward a second forward end of the second spear, and wherein in response to impacting the target the first forward end of the first spear is positioned aft the second forward end of the second spear. 
     
     
         16 . The electrode of  claim 9 , wherein prior to impacting the target a first rearward end of the first spear is positioned proximate a second rearward end of the second spear, and wherein in response to impacting the target the first rearward end of the first spear is positioned aft the second rearward end of the second spear. 
     
     
         17 . The electrode of  claim 9 , wherein the second spear is coupled to the electrode head, and wherein the first spear and the second spear are electrically coupled to the electrode head in parallel. 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising:
 launching an electrode toward a target, wherein the electrode comprises a spear assembly, wherein the spear assembly comprises a first spear and a second spear, and wherein the second spear is disposed within the first spear;   first impacting, by the first spear, the target;   translating, in response to the first impacting, the second spear in a forward direction from a first position to a second position; and   next impacting, by the second spear, the target.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising providing a stimulus signal through at least one of the first spear or the second spear. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the next impacting the target is after the first impacting the target.