Combination non-lethal projectile launcher and flash light

An apparatus for firing a non-lethal projectile, said apparatus comprising:

• a body including a grip portion and a front portion, wherein said body defines an internal cavity;
• a light source disposed in said cavity, wherein said light source is adapted to illuminate an area outside said body;
• a firing mechanism operable to cause a projectile to be propelled out of said body;
• a source of compressed gas;
• and
• a valve arrangement configured to selectively provide fluid communication between said firing mechanism and said source of compressed gas.

An apparatus for firing a frangible projectile, said apparatus comprising:

• a body shaped to resemble a flash light, said body defining an internal cavity;
• a light source disposed in said cavity, wherein said light source is adapted to project light out of said body;
• and
• a firing mechanism operable to cause a frangible projectile to be propelled out of said body.

A flash light comprising:

• a generally cylindrical body;
• a light source disposed in said body, wherein said light source is operable to project light out of said body;
• and
• a firing mechanism operable to cause a non-lethal projectile to be propelled out of said body.

An apparatus for firing a non-lethal projectile, said apparatus comprising:

• a barrel;
• a firing mechanism including a piston disposed in a chamber, wherein said piston is movable between a first position and a second position, and wherein said piston prevents fluid communication between said chamber and said barrel in said first position and said piston allows fluid communication between said chamber and said barrel in said second position;
• an inlet valve movable between an open position that provides fluid communication between said chamber and a source of compressed gas and a closed position that prevents fluid communication between said chamber and the source of compressed gas;
• and
• wherein said inlet valve moves to said closed position responsive to movement of said piston from said first position to said second position.

A valve arrangement comprising:

• a body defining a passageway between an inlet port and an outlet port;
• a first valve movable between a first position that allows fluid communication between said inlet port and said outlet port and a second position that prevents fluid communication between said inlet port and said outlet port, wherein said first valve moves to said first position when a pressure within said passageway exceeds a predetermined pressure, and wherein said first valve moves to said second position when the pressure within said passageway is less than a predetermined pressure;
• a second valve in fluid communication between said inlet port and a source of compressed gas, wherein said second valve is movable between a third position that allows fluid communication between said source of compressed gas and said inlet port and a fourth position that prevents fluid communication between said source of compressed gas and said inlet port;
• and
• wherein said second valve moves to said fourth position responsive to said first valve moving to said first position.

A method of propelling a non-lethal projectile, said method comprising:

• providing an inlet valve in fluid communication between a supply of compressed gas and a chamber;
• opening said inlet valve responsive to actuation of a trigger;
• preventing flow of the compressed gas from exiting said chamber until a pressure within said chamber reaches a predetermined pressure;
• and
• when the pressure within said chamber reaches the predetermined pressure, allowing the compressed gas to escape the chamber to propel a projectile.

An apparatus for firing a frangible projectile, said apparatus comprising:

• a body shaped to resemble a flash light, said body defining a bore;
• a light source disposed in said body for projecting light out of said body;
• a firing mechanism operable to cause a projectile to be propelled through said bore;
• where said firing mechanism includes a piston disposed in a chamber, wherein said piston is movable between a first position and a second position, and wherein said piston prevents fluid communication between said chamber and said bore in said first position and said piston allows fluid communication between said chamber and said bore in said second position;
• an inlet valve movable between an open position that provides fluid communication between said chamber and a source of compressed gas and a closed position that prevents fluid communication between said chamber and the source of compressed gas;
• and
• wherein said inlet valve moves to said closed position responsive to movement of said piston from said first position to said second position.