U.S. patent application number 09/814527 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-26 for net launching tool apparatus.
Invention is credited to Gray, Corrin R..
Application Number | 20020134365 09/814527 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25215316 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020134365 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gray, Corrin R. |
September 26, 2002 |
Net launching tool apparatus
Abstract
Net launching gun apparatus includes a receiver for firing a
cartridge having therein a gas propellant, a stock connected to one
end of the action and including recoil absorbing elements therein,
and a barrel assembly connected to the opposite end of the action
which receives the gas propellant and directs the gas propellant to
an appropriate barrel assembly in which is disposed weights which
are connected to a net. The barrel assembly preferably includes
four separate barrels, each of which receives a weight connected to
one corner of a four cornered net disposed between the four
barrels.
Inventors: |
Gray, Corrin R.; (Mesa,
AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
H. GORDON SHIELDS
7830 NORTH 23RD AVENUE
PHOENIX
AZ
85021
US
|
Family ID: |
25215316 |
Appl. No.: |
09/814527 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
124/56 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 13/0006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
124/56 |
International
Class: |
F41B 011/00 |
Claims
What I claim is:
1. Net launching tool apparatus for launching a net, comprising in
combination: receiver means for holding a gas producing cartridge;
gas manifold means adjustably secured to the receiver means; barrel
means, including a plurality of barrels secured to the gas manifold
means for receiving a propelling gas from the gas manifold means;
stock means secured to the receiver means, including handle means
for holding the apparatus, action means for firing the gas
producing cartridge, and recoil means for absorbing recoil energy
from the firing of the gas producing cartridge; and projectile
means secured to the net and disposed within the barrels of the
barrel means and defining projectiles launched from the barrels by
the propelling gas.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which projectile means includes a
plurality of projectiles, with a projectile disposed in each barrel
of the plurality of barrels.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the plurality of barrels of
the barrel means includes four barrels; and the plurality of
projectiles of the projectile means includes four projectiles, each
of which is disposed in a barrel, and adapted to be propelled out
of the barrels by the gas from the gas producing cartridge to
launch the net.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 which further includes a bucket
disposed within the barrel means for holding the net prior to
launching.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the gas manifold means
includes valve means for varying the quantity of gas flowing to the
barrels to provide a predetermined pattern for launching the
weights from the barrels.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the stock means further
includes a base stock, and the receiver and handle means are
secured to the base stock.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 or 6 in which the stock means further
includes recoil means for absorbing recoil energy from the firing
of the gas producing cartridge.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the recoil means includes a
first tube secured to the base stock; a rod disposed in the first
tube; a second tube disposed in the first tube and movably secured
on the rod; and compression spring means disposed about the rod in
the first tube for biasing the second tube out of the first tube
and for absorbing recoil energy when the second tube is moved into
the first tube against the spring bias.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 in which the stock means further
includes a butt plate secured to the second tube remote from the
base stock and adapted to be disposed against a user's shoulder
when using the net launching apparatus.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to tools or guns firing non-lethal
projectiles and, more particularly, to tools or guns used for
launching nets for capturing live game.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] For capturing live game, several different methods have been
used, such as trapping the game in various types of traps. Such
traps include traps large enough to contain the entire animal or
traps which are designed to hold a particular part of an animal,
such as paw or leg, until the animal can be tranquilized for
capture.
[0005] For capturing animals while the animals are moving, nets
have been suggested. For the employment of nets, two types have
been employed primarily. The first type is used in the prior art
for capturing birds by enticing the birds into a particular
location. At a time when a maximum number of birds are in a
predetermined perimeter, a net which is folded along one side and
connected to a plurality of projectiles, each of which is spaced
apart from each other, and all of which are aligned generally
parallel to each other, is caused to move upwardly and over the
animals, carrying the net in an arcuate manner over the birds, thus
trapping the birds underneath the net. For this type of apparatus,
the net is anchored along one edge, and the net if folded or nested
along that edge so that upon the firing of the projectiles
connected to the free end of the net, the net moves outwardly and
unfolds as it moves outwardly in a relatively straight or aligned
manner. Since the net must be fixed at one end, it is obvious that
a bird, or other animal which is trapped by the net, must be within
a specific locale and must not be able to escape from that locale
while the net is moving. This type, used mostly on birds, may also
be used on other animals providing the animal can be enticed within
the specified area. Obviously, such apparatus is not portable or
cannot be taken to a moving animal. Rather, the animal must be
brought to the net.
[0006] The apparatus of the present invention is easily
transported, both by land and by air, and may thus be used to
capture a moving animal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The invention described and claimed herein comprises a gun
utilizing expanding gases from a cartridge. The gases from the
fired cartridge are conveyed from the cartridge to a manifold of a
barrel assembly where the gases are used to move projectiles down a
plurality of barrels. With four barrels, each of which includes a
projectile, a net connected to the projectiles is launched at a
moving animal. The apparatus includes a recoil absorbing assembly
to minimize the "kick" of the apparatus when the cartridge is
fired.
[0008] Among the objects of the present invention are the
following:
[0009] To provide new and useful gun apparatus;
[0010] To provide new and useful net launching gun apparatus;
[0011] To provide new and useful gun apparatus for launching a
projectile by gas from a cartridge;
[0012] To provide new and useful net launching gun apparatus having
a plurality of barrels, each of which barrel includes a projectile
secured to a net;
[0013] To provide new and useful gun apparatus having a recoil
absorbing assembly in a stock;
[0014] To provide new and useful apparatus having a plurality of
barrels for launching a net; and
[0015] To provide new and useful apparatus for transmitting gas
from a cartridge to a barrel for launching a projectile disposed in
the barrel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a view in partial section of the apparatus taken
generally along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view in partial section of a portion of the
apparatus of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view in partial section of a portion
of the apparatus of FIG. 3, taken generally from Circle 4 of FIG.
3.
[0020] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view in partial section of a portion
of the apparatus of FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a side view of a net holding bucket usable with
the apparatus of FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 7 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 6.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a side view of a projectile usable with the
apparatus of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 9 is an end view of the projectile of FIG. 8.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a plan view of net launched by the apparatus of
FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0026] FIG. 1 comprises a side view of net launching gun apparatus
10 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view in partial section of
a portion of the net launching gun apparatus 10 taken generally
along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view in partial section
of a portion of the gun apparatus 10. FIG. 4 is an enlarged side
view in partial section of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 3,
taken generally from Circle 4 of FIG. 3, showing details which are
not clear from FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. For the following discussion,
reference will primarily be made to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4.
[0027] The gun apparatus 10 includes a stock 12. A pistol grip 14
extends downwardly from the stock 12. A trigger 16 extends
downwardly from the stock 12 and a trigger guard 18 is disposed
about the trigger 16 between the stock 12 and the pistol grip
14.
[0028] At the front of the stock 12 is a front grip 20. The front
grip 20 extends forwardly and downwardly from the stock 12.
[0029] At the upper portion of the stock 12 is a receiver 30. The
receiver 30 is a standard, well known receiver, with a chamber for
receiving a single cartridge. A bolt 32 provides communication with
the chamber, and, of course, locks the cartridge in the receiver.
As is well known and understood, the trigger 16 is mechanically
connected to a firing pin and the other well known elements
associated with a firing a cartridge.
[0030] A relatively short barrel 34 communicates with the cartridge
chamber through which combustion gases from the firing of the
cartridge flow to a barrel assembly 50. The barrel assembly 50
includes a manifold 51 which has four arms 54, 56, 58, and 60. A
manifold barrel 52 is aligned with the barrel 34. The manifold
barrel 52 is secured to the barrel 34 by a jam nut 40.
[0031] Within the manifold 51 is a bore 62 which communicates with
bores in the barrels 34 and 52. Each of the arms 54, 56, 58, and 60
includes a manifold runner which also communicates with the bore
62. The runners, shown in dashed line in FIG. 2, include runners
64, 66, 68, and 70, for the arms 54, 56, 58, and 60,
respectively.
[0032] Extending outwardly from the distal ends of the arms are
internally threaded bosses to which are secured launch barrels. The
four bosses extend outwardly at acute angles from the arms. The
bosses include a boss 84, a boss 86, a boss 88, and a boss 90 for
the arms 54, 56, 58, and 60, respectively.
[0033] The launch barrels include a launch barrel 104, 106, 108,
and 110, which are secured to the bosses 84, 86, 88, and 90,
respectively. The launch barrels are externally threaded and
matingly engage their respective internally threaded bosses. Jam
nuts are used to insure that the launch barrels are secured to
their respective bosses and arms. The jam nuts shown in FIGS. 2, 3,
and 4 include jam nuts 114 and 118 for the launch barrels and boss
pairs 84-104 and 88-108, respectively. The launch barrels
communicate with the respective manifold runners for receiving the
expanding gases from the fired cartridge to propel projectiles,
connected to a net, outwardly . This will be discussed indetail
below.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a side view in partial section through a portion
or the gun apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 showing a recoil absorbing
assembly 150. The recoil absorbing assembly extends rearwardly from
the stock 12. For the following discussion, reference will
primarily be made to FIGS. 1 and 5.
[0035] Within the stock 12 is a shoulder 152. Extending rearwardly
from the shoulder 152 is a bore 154. The bore 154 extends to a
counterbore 156. The counterbore 156 terminates at a rear shoulder
158 of the stock 12.
[0036] Within the bore 154 and extending partially into the
counterbore 156 is an internally threaded bushing 160. An outwardly
extending flange 162 of the bushing 160 is disposed against the
shoulder 152.
[0037] A tube 170 is disposed rearwardly of the stock 12 and
extends into the counterbore 156 and against a flat washer 166
which is disposed against the shoulder 158. The tube 170 includes a
bore 172. Within the bore 172, and spaced apart a slight distance
from the shoulder 158, is a block 176. The block 176 is
appropriately secured within the bore 172, as by welding. A bore
178 extends through the block 176. The bore 178 is aligned with the
internally threaded bore in the bushing 160.
[0038] A movable sleeve 180 extends partially into the bore 172.
The sleeve 180 includes a bore 182. Within the bore 182 is a block
184. The block 184 is appropriately secured to the sleeve 180, as
by welding. Extending through the block 184 is a bore 186.
Extending through the bore 186 is a rod 190. The rod 190 includes a
cap 192 at one end, with the cap 192 disposed against a washer 194,
and the washer 194 is in turn disposed against the block 184. The
cap 192 secures one end of the rod 190 to the block 184 and
accordingly to the sleeve 180. The opposite end of the rod 190,
remote from the block 184, is threaded and extends through the
block 176 and into the internally threaded bore of the bushing 160.
A washer 196 and a nut 198 are used to insure the securement of the
threaded portion of the rod 190 to the bushing 160.
[0039] A compression spring 210 is disposed within the bores 172
and 182 between the blocks 176 and 184. A washer 212 is disposed
against the nut 198 at one end of the spring 210 to connect the
spring 210 to the block 176, and a washer 214 is disposed against
the block 184 at the opposite end of the spring 210 to connect the
spring to the block 184. The purpose of the spring 210 is to absorb
recoil energy from the firing of the apparatus 10. The rod 190 may
move through the bore 186 of the block 184 as relative motion
between the tube 170 and the sleeve 180 takes place, as will be
discussed in more detail below.
[0040] At the end of the sleeve 180, remote from the stock 12, is a
shoulder stock 220, and a pad 222 is secured to the stock 220. A
flexible sleeve 230 is disposed over the sleeve 180 and the tube
170. The flexible sleeve 230 extends from the shoulder stock 220
onto the tube 170.
[0041] Upon the firing of the apparatus 10, recoil energy causes
the stock 12 to move rearwardly. The rearward movement is
transmitted through the spring 210 to the sleeve 180. The rearward
movement of the stock 12 and the tube 170 causes the spring 210 to
compress and to absorb the recoil energy. At the same time, there
is movement of the sleeve 180 relative to the stock 12 and the tube
170, as the spring 190 compresses and extends as the recoil energy
is imparted to it. The rod 190 moves through the block 184 as the
relative motion occurs under the force of the spring 210 and the
attendant recoil energy.
[0042] FIG. 6 is a side view of a net holding bucket or basket 240.
FIG. 7 is a front view of the bucket or basket 240 of FIG. 6. For
the following discussion, reference will primarily be made to FIGS.
6 and 7.
[0043] The bucket 240 includes a rear wall 242 and four side walls
244, 248, 252, and 256. The side walls taper outwardly slightly
from the rear wall 242. At the juncture of the side walls, there
are four tapering recesses which receive the four barrels. The
recesses include a recess 246 at the juncture of the walls 244 and
248, a recess 250 at the juncture of the walls 248 and 252, a
recess 254 at the juncture of the walls 252 and 256, and a recess
258 at the juncture of the walls 256 and 244. In FIG. 5, barrels
104 and 104 are shown in dash dot line extending into the junctures
246 and 250, respectively.
[0044] The bucket 240 is generally symmetrical, and accordingly may
be disposed easily within the barrels.
[0045] For launching a net, projectiles are disposed in the
barrels. FIG. 8 is a side view of a projectile 270, and FIG. 9 is
an end view of the projectile 270. For the following discussion,
reference will primarily be made to FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0046] The projectile 270 includes a generally cylindrical body
272, separated by a circumferentially extending groove 276 from a
rounded nose 274. Remote from the nose 274, at the rear of the body
272 is a shoulder 278. Extending outwardly from the shoulder 278 is
a tab 280. An aperture 282 extends through the tab 280. The
aperture 280 receives a flexible line that secures a net to the
projectile. The groove 276 may receive a sealing o-ring to help
hold the gases from escaping around the projectiles as the
projectiles are propelled from the respective barrels. The o-rings
also help to hold the projectiles in the barrels prior to firing by
providing a frictional engagement between the projectiles and the
barrels.
[0047] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a net 290 which may be launched
from the apparatus 10. The net 290 is shown as a generally square
element. However, it is obvious that various configurations may be
used for a net. At the corners of the net 290 are flexible lines
292. At the ends of the lines 292, remote from the net 290, are
projectiles 270.
[0048] In operation, a bucket or basket 240 is disposed within the
four barrels 104, 106, etc. The bucket or basket 240 may be secured
by any convenient fastening elements, such as hook and loop
fasteners, straps, etc. A net 290 is then loaded into the bucket
240 and tape, such as shown in FIG. 1 by reference numerals 300 and
302, may be used to secure the net within the bucket. The use of
the tape strips 300 and 302 holds the net 290 in the bucket 240 and
yet allows the net to be launched easily from the apparatus 10.
[0049] A projectile 270, secured to the net 290 by a line 292, is
then placed in each barrel. With four barrels, four projectiles 270
are required.
[0050] A blank cartridge is loaded into the receiver by drawing the
bolt 32 upwardly and rearwardly, as is well known and understood.
Typically, closing the bolt also cocks the firing mechanism, as is
also well known and understood.
[0051] After aiming the apparatus 10, pulling the trigger fires the
cartridge and the gases from the cartridge flow as discussed above
into the four barrels. The gases then propel the projectiles 270
outwardly from the barrels, and the lines 292 connected to the
projectiles 270 and to the net 290 launch the net from the bucket
240.
[0052] While the principles of the invention have been made clear
in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to
those skilled in the art many modifications of structure,
arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components
used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are
particularly adapted to specific environments and operative
requirements without departing from those principles. The appended
claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such
modifications, within the limits only of the true spirit and scope
of the invention.
* * * * *