The present disclosure relates to the field of projectile launchers.
Various types of projectile launching devices are well known. Such projectile launching devices are shown and described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,704,859, 7,975,683, 9,658,027, and 8,950,387, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated by reference herein. Projectile launching devices can be configured to shoot paintballs, foam balls, pellets, or other types of projectiles. The energy required to fire projectiles in these devices can be supplied in a variety of ways. For example, some projectile launching devices rely on compressed gas to fire the projectiles. Other devices require manual pumping of a handle or mechanism to build up air pressure and load a firing spring.
One persistent issue with these devices includes jamming of projectiles in the hopper. This can result in the device malfunctioning or misfiring. Another common issue for these devices involves the safety of the user and any bystanders, particularly during loading and reloading of the projectiles.
It would be desirable to provide a projectile launching device that reliably fires, does not jam, and also includes safety features. It would further be desirable to provide a projectile launching device that is easy to load with projectiles. It would further be desirable to provide a projectile launching device that accommodates soft projectiles and does not cause such projectiles to jam on firing.
A projectile launching device is disclosed herein. The projectile launching device includes a body, a grip assembly, and a hopper.
In one aspect, the body includes a projectile agitator assembly configured to selectively protrude into the hopper. The projectile agitator assembly can be gas actuated.
In one aspect, the body includes an anti-jam assembly. The anti-jam assembly can include a linkage and an anti-jam spring configured to allow the linkage to move rearward if a bolt of the device engages a jammed projectile.
In one aspect, the grip assembly includes a handle and trigger assembly arranged below a rear portion of the body, and a frame arranged below a front portion of the body. The frame is dimensioned to hold a compressed gas canister. Specifically, the frame includes an opening dimensioned to receive the compressed gas canister. In one aspect, the opening has a longitudinal axis (X1) extending parallel to a longitudinal axis (X2) of the body. The opening of the frame can be positioned below the hopper. The frame can be positioned below the trigger assembly. The frame can be positioned longitudinally inward from a projectile launching opening defined on the body. Preferably, an opening of the frame is circular and configured to be shaped so as to snugly hold a compressed gas canister of appropriate size.
In one aspect, the hopper includes a housing defining a container for projectiles, a lid attached to the housing, and a fill volume limiting wall arranged within the housing.
In one aspect, luminescent projectiles are also provided that are configured to be fired or launched by the projectile launching device.
In another embodiment, a grip for a compressed gas projectile launcher is provided. The grip includes a handle including a trigger assembly, and a frame attached to the handle. The frame defines a sleeve dimensioned to receive a compressed gas canister.
Another projectile launching device is disclosed that includes a body, a grip assembly, and a hopper. A lid is attached to a rear surface of the hopper. This device also includes a projectile agitator configured to: (i) extend at least partially inside of the hopper, and (ii) move relative to an interior chamber defined by the hopper.
Additional embodiments are disclosed herein.
The foregoing Summary and the following Detailed Description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the disclosure. In the drawings:
Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. “Axially” refers to a direction along an axis (X) of an assembly. “Radially” refers to a direction inward and outward from the axis (X) of the assembly. “Circumferentially” refers to a direction extending along a curve or circumference of a respective element relative to the axis (X) of the assembly. The words “right,” “left,” “top,” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “a” and “one,” as used in the claims and in the corresponding portions of the specification, are defined as including one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. This terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. The phrase “at least one” followed by a list of two or more items, such as “A, B, or C,” means any individual one of A, B or C as well as any combination thereof.
A reference to a list of items that are cited as “at least one of a, b, or c” (where a, b, and c represent the items being listed) means any single one of the items a, b, or c, or combinations thereof. The terminology includes the words specifically noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.
Referring to
The body 20 includes a generally cylindrical interior passage or space (which may also be known as a breech area or comprise a breech area) for housing at least some of the firing components (such as the hammer and valve components) of the device 10.
A hammer 23 (also known as a ram, striker, or bolt) is disposed within the body 20 adjacent the rear portion 27. The hammer 23 has a forward end facing a valve assembly 30 and the forward end of the hammer 23 is configured to contact a valve pin of the valve assembly 30. As shown in
As shown in
A bolt 33 is disposed within the body 20. A firing tube 34 is partially disposed within the bolt 33, such that the bolt 33 coaxially surrounds the firing tube 34. Forward movement of the bolt 33 causes forward movement and loading of a projectile 70.
The valve assembly 30 is disposed within the body 20 between the hammer 23 and the bolt 33. The valve assembly 30 includes a valve pin 35 extending rearward toward the hammer 23. The valve pin 35 includes a contact end configured to engage with the hammer 23.
The body 20 can include an anti-jam assembly 24. In one aspect, the anti-jam assembly 24 generally includes a linkage 25 and an anti-jam spring 26, which are described in more detail herein.
The anti-jam spring 26 is disposed within the body 20. The anti-jam spring 26 can be positioned between a rear end cap 21 of the body 20 and a region of the hammer 23. In one aspect, a first end 26a of the anti-jam spring 26 engages in a region of the hammer 23, and a second end 26b of the anti-jam spring 26 engages against the rear end cap 21. It is appreciated that the anti-jam spring 26 can contact or press against any extension in the interior of the body to stop its rearward movement.
As shown in
The anti-jam spring 26 can engage directly against the second end 25b of the linkage 25, or can be engaged against the hammer 23, either directly or indirectly. In one aspect, the anti-jam spring 26 generally provides a biasing force (either directly or indirectly) against the seat 23a of the hammer 23. The anti-jam spring 26 is generally configured to provide a damping force, shock absorption, or cushion that prevents the bolt 33 (via the linkage 25 connected to the hammer 23) from inadvertently crushing or overly compressing a stationary, jammed or misaligned projectile 70. In one aspect, the anti-jam spring 26 and the linkage 25 can be secured against the hammer 23 without the need for any additional attachment or fastening means other than the biasing force provided by the anti-jam spring 26 against the linkage 25, which engages against the seat 23a of the hammer 23. If the bolt 33 presses against a projectile, the linkage 25 can move rearward and compress the anti-jam spring 26. The linkage 25 will move rearwardly away from the hammer, and therefore, cease to provide, or provide less of, a forward force on the hammer, thus lessening the pressure or force on a projectile.
The valve assembly 30 includes a valve housing 36 and a valve body 37 disposed within the valve housing 36. The valve body 37 includes an inlet port 38 for receiving gas under pressure from a gas line 39. The valve body 37 also includes an outlet port for communicating gas under pressure from within the valve body 37 when the valve assembly 30 is actuated or open. A valve poppet or valve stem, including a sealing member such as a cup seal, is also disposed within the valve body 37.
In one aspect, the body 20 includes a projectile agitator assembly 22 configured to selectively protrude into the hopper 60. In one aspect, the projectile agitator assembly 22 is gas actuated, and may act as a gas-actuated piston. In one aspect, pressurized gas is supplied by the canister 50 to the projectile agitator assembly 22, such that a post or piston 22c is driven vertically upward into an interior of the hopper 60. The device 10 can include a poppet or other valve components in order to drive a post or piston into the interior of the hopper 60. In one aspect, the projectile agitator assembly 22, and more specifically the post or piston 22c, is configured to engage with a secondary element 22a, such as an agitating surface, floor panel, or other type of engagement element that is connected to an interior surface of the hopper and configured to selectively project inwards.
In one aspect, the supply of compressed gas to operate the projectile agitator assembly 22, such as the piston 22c, may be supplied from different ports, and may be supplied directly from a valve, an exhaust port, or upstream or downstream (following the flow of compressed gas from a rearward portion of the body to a forward portion of the body) from a valve (i.e. the valve assembly 30). In one aspect, the gas supplied to the projectile agitator assembly 22 is fed as exhaust or firing gas relative to the gas supplied for firing the projectiles. In a preferred embodiment, upon actuation of the valve, such as by the hammer hitting the valve stem, the released firing gas is channeled through a channel, passage or port to actuate the agitator assembly 22. In this manner, the gas used to actuate the agitator assembly 22 may be considered upstream from the bolt 33 and firing tube 34. One or more passages or channels can be supplied or positioned adjacent the valve assembly 30, such that, upon actuation of the valve assembly 30, gas used to actuate the agitator assembly 22 is channeled through a passage upstream of the bolt 33 and firing tube 34. It is appreciated that those of skill in the art can adjust the placement or location of the passages used to feed gas to the agitator assembly 22.
In one aspect, the grip assembly 40 includes a handle 42 and trigger assembly 44 arranged below a rear portion 27 of the body 20, and a frame 48 arranged below a front portion 28 of the body 20. The frame 48 includes an opening 49 dimensioned to receive and hold a compressed gas canister 50. The frame 48 can include secondary features, such as a locking assembly as shown in
In one aspect, the opening 49 has a longitudinal axis (X1) extending parallel to a longitudinal axis (X2) of the body 20. The opening 49 of the frame 48 can be positioned below the hopper 60. The frame 48 is positioned below the trigger assembly 44. In one aspect, the frame 48 is positioned longitudinally inward from a projectile launching opening 29 defined on the body 20. The frame 48 preferably includes a circular or oblong opening 49 sized and shaped to receive the outer wall of a compressed gas canister 50 of appropriate size. The compressed gas canister 50 slides into the opening 49 to be position as in, for example,
As shown in
A projectile agitator 950 extends at least partially inside of the hopper 960 and is configured to move projectiles within the hopper 960. As shown in
The ball cradle or detent 930 is configured to hold the projectiles 970 after loading and before firing. A user generally drives the pump handle 912 forward and backwards to generate a compressed air that is then used to fire the projectiles 970 down the barrel. Atmospheric air enters the engine assembly 901 when the pump handle 912 is driven backwards. This motion also compresses a spring within the engine assembly 901.
The engine or firing assembly 901 generally includes the following features. A piston within the engine assembly 901 can include an abutment surface or seat configured to engage a compression spring when the piston is driven backwards (i.e. via pumping of the handle 912). The compression spring is then compressed between the piston and an end cap or abutment. Force on the spring is then supplied by the user pulling the pump handle 912, which is connected to an air concentration tube. The air concentration tube is connected to an impact ring, which is inside of the engine assembly 901. The compression spring is compressed and the piston is pulled backwards until a front of a spring seat moves behind the sear 918. The front of the spring seat engages the sear 918 and the compression spring is held in a compressed state until the projectile is fired. The pump handle 912 is then moved forward to load the projectile into the breach and seal off an input port. Atmospheric air pressure then enters the area in front of the piston. When the trigger is engaged, the sear 918 releases the energy of the compression spring, and the piston moves forward past side slots of the air focus tube to seal off a front portion of the air focus tube. Continued forward movement compresses the air and this compressed air travels through the impact ring and the breach to launch the projectile out of the barrel.
As shown in
In one aspect, a piston 1122c is in fluid connection with the compressed gas supplied to the compressed air supply line 1122b and is configured to abut the agitating surface 1122a and drive the agitating surface 1122a, such as in an upward direction. In one aspect, each time that the trigger is pulled or actuated, and the poppet valve associated with the piston 1122c is actuated, a portion of the compressed gas can be supplied or bled to the upper portion of the compressed air supply line 1122b, which actuates the piston 1122c and drives the agitating surface 1122a such as in an upward motion.
The agitating surface 1122a can be driven in a linear manner or in a rotational or pivoting manner, depending on how the agitating surface 1122a is connected to the hopper 1160. As shown in
As shown in
In one aspect, the supply of compressed gas to operate the projectile agitator assembly 1122, such as the piston 1122c, may be supplied from different ports, and may be supplied directly from a valve, an exhaust port, or upstream or downstream (following the flow of compressed gas from a rearward portion of the body to a forward portion of the body) from a valve (i.e. the valve assembly). In one aspect, the gas supplied to the projectile agitator assembly 1122 is fed as exhaust or firing gas relative to the gas supplied for firing the projectiles. In a preferred embodiment, upon actuation of the valve, such as by the hammer hitting the valve stem, the released firing gas is channeled through a channel, passage or port to actuate the agitator assembly 1122. In this manner, the gas used to actuate the agitator assembly 1122 may be considered upstream from the bolt and firing tube. One or more passages or channels can be supplied or positioned adjacent the valve assembly, such that, upon actuation of the valve assembly, gas used to actuate the agitator assembly 1122 is channeled through a passage upstream of the bolt and firing tube. It is appreciated that those of skill in the art can adjust the placement or location of the passages used to feed gas to the agitator assembly 1122.
Having thus described the present disclosure in detail, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes, only a few of which are exemplified in the detailed description of the invention, could be made without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein.
It is also to be appreciated that numerous embodiments incorporating only part of the preferred embodiment are possible which do not alter, with respect to those parts, the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein.
The present embodiment and optional configurations are therefore to be considered in all respects as exemplary and/or illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the embodiments being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all alternate embodiments and changes to this embodiment which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of said claims are therefore to be embraced therein.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/085,750, filed on Sep. 30, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US21/52575 | 9/29/2021 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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63085750 | Sep 2020 | US |