U.S. patent application number 12/793501 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-16 for projectile launcher.
Invention is credited to Everson Fortes Silva.
Application Number | 20100313742 12/793501 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43305255 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100313742 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Silva; Everson Fortes |
December 16, 2010 |
Projectile Launcher
Abstract
An apparatus to launch projectiles such as paintballs, BBs,
grenades, rocket foam and others. The apparatus uses a cordless
nailer fuel cell to provide combustible material to a fan-assisted
combustion chamber; the combustible is ignited generating energy to
propel the projectile out of the apparatus.
Inventors: |
Silva; Everson Fortes;
(Dracut, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Everson Silva
#37, 35 Robbins ave
Dracut
MA
01826
US
|
Family ID: |
43305255 |
Appl. No.: |
12/793501 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61186032 |
Jun 11, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
89/7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 1/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
89/7 |
International
Class: |
F41A 1/04 20060101
F41A001/04 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for launching a projectile using a cordless nailer
fuel cell and the metering valve provided with, comprising: A main
body including a combustion area, a launching area, a fuel cell
housing, a fan-assisted combustion chamber, main valve means
controlling the air flow into said chamber and the exhausting of
gases of combustion from said combustion chamber, means to provide
fuel to said fan-assisted combustion chamber igniting means to
ignite the fuel to launching a projectile, trigger control means,
and a fuel cell release lever.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the fuel cell housing is
located close to said combustion chamber.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, in which said fan-assisted combustion
chamber includes at least one fan or at least one rigid or flexible
vane and means to operate same, to create of gas transport,
turbulence or change of pressure inside of said chamber.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the main valve means includes
a main valve body with inlet ports and a main valve seal that
closes off said combustion chamber during combustion and open said
ports to permit scavenging of said combustion chamber.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the main valve means includes
at least one switch to inform its status.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the means for providing fuel
into said combustion chamber includes the cordless nailer fuel cell
and said metering valve to introduce a predetermined quantity of
fuel into said combustion chamber.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the means to providing fuel
into said combustion chamber includes said fuel cell installed in
said housing, said metering valve connected to said fuel cell, and
said fuel cell release lever surrounding at least part of fuel cell
and constructed and arranged to move same, said release lever
defining a depending portion adapted to be contacted by mechanic
means to move said fuel cell and operate said valve to introduce a
metered amount of fuel into the combustion chamber.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the trigger control means
operates said main valve to control air flow inside of said
combustion chamber.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, in which said trigger control mean
includes at least one electronic switch to control a high voltage
coil to provide a high voltage to said spark plug to ignite the
fuel in said combustion chamber.
10. An apparatus for launching foam rockets and projectiles
previously loaded in muzzle loading grenade shells using a cordless
nailer fuel cell and the metering valve provided with, comprising:
A main body including a combustion area, a launching area, a fuel
cell housing, main valve means controlling the flow of air into
said chamber and the exhausting of the gases of combustion from
said combustion chamber, a fan-assisted combustion chamber formed
within said main body having said main valve as one wall, and said
grenade shell or said rocket as another wall, means to provide fuel
to said combustion chamber and ignite same for launching the
projectile, trigger control means, a fuel cell release lever,
trigger with fuel cell injector lever, and a connection means for
grenade shells.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, in which the fuel cell housing is
attached to said main body, close to said combustion chamber.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, in which said fan-assisted
combustion chamber includes at least one fan or at least one rigid
or flexible vane and controls therefor to operate same, to create
of gas transport, turbulence or change of pressure inside of said
chamber.
13. The apparatus of claim 10, in which the main valve means
includes a main valve body with inlet ports and a main valve seal
that closes off said combustion chamber during combustion and open
said ports to permit scavenging of said combustion chamber.
14. The apparatus of claim 10, in which the main valve means
includes at least one switch to inform its status.
15. The apparatus of claim 10, in which the means for providing
fuel into said combustion chamber includes the cordless nailer fuel
cell and said metering valve to introduce a predetermined quantity
of fuel into said combustion chamber.
16. The apparatus of claim 10, in which the means to providing fuel
into said combustion chamber includes said fuel cell installed in
said housing, said metering valve connected to said fuel cell, and
said fuel cell release lever surrounding at least part of fuel cell
constructed and arranged to move same, said release lever defining
a depending portion adapted to be contacted by the fuel injector
lever to move said fuel cell and operate said valve to introduce a
metered amount of fuel into the combustion chamber.
17. The apparatus of claim 10, in which the trigger control means
operates said main valve to control air flow inside of said
combustion chamber.
18. The apparatus of claim 10, in which said trigger control mean
includes at least one electronic switch to control a high voltage
coil to provide a high voltage to said spark plug to ignite the
fuel in said combustion chamber.
19. The apparatus of claim 10, in which The connecting means to
connect and lock said grenade shell on muzzle of said main body and
a security means to eject the grenade shell when it is not properly
locked into said main body.
20. A method for launching a projectile from a projectile launcher
using a cordless nailer fuel cell and the metering valve supplied
with, to supply combustible material inside of a fan-assisted
combustion chamber, the method comprising the steps of: (a) Loading
a projectile on the launching area; (b) Closing off and sealing the
chamber; (c) Starting at least one fan inside of the chamber to
cause some turbulence; (d) Operating the fuel cell metering valve
to inject the metered amount of fuel inside of said combustion
chamber which has to have the appropriate volume to work with the
amount of fuel that the fuel cell in use provides; (e) Waiting a
predetermined time while the combustible and air are mixed by the
fan means; (f) Generating a spark on a spark plug inside of the
chamber, which ignites the mixture and propels the projectile out
of the launcher; (g) Opening the chamber; (h) Keeping the fan
working for predetermined time; (i) Waiting until the gases
resultants of combustion are expelled; (j) Waiting until the
chamber and launching area cool down; (k) Drawing fresh air within
the chamber; (l) Turning the fan off.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to and claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application for "Projectile Launcher", Ser. No.
61/186,032, Filled on Jun. 11, 2009 by the present inventor which
is hereby expressly incorporated into this application by this
reference thereto.
BACKGROUND
Prior Art
[0002] The following is tabulation of some prior art that presently
appears relevant:
TABLE-US-00001 Us Patent Documents 2,665,421 A January 1954 Temple
2,947,221 A August 1960 Griffin et al. 3,202,055 A August 1965
Butler et al. 3,255,669 A June 1966 Olofsson 3,343,455 A September
1967 Lohr 3,346,984 A October 1967 Lohr 3,728,937 A April 1973
Nelson et al. 3,777,382 A December 1973 Brunelle 4,043,248 A August
1977 Bulman et al. 4,109,557 A August 1978 Zaucha 4,161,133 A July
1979 Black et al. 4,365,471 A December 1982 Adams 4,377,991 A March
1983 Liesse 4,510,748 A April 1985 Adams 4,616,622 A October 1986
Milliman 4,665,868 A May 1987 Adams RE32452E July 1987 Nikolich
4,712,379 A December 1987 Adams 4,759,318 A July 1988 Adams
4,821,683 A April 1989 Veldman 4,838,142 A June 1989 Birk 4,852,459
A August 1989 Bulman 4,905,634 A March 1990 Veldman 4,949,621 A
August 1990 Stephens 5,125,320 A June 1992 Zielinski 5,140,892 A
August 1992 Koine 5,149,908 A September 1992 Schadow et al.
5,199,626 A April 1993 Terayama et al. 5,257,614 A November 1993
Sullivan 5,333,594 A August 1994 Robinson 5,361,700 A November 1994
Carbone 5,377,628 A January 1995 Adams 5,398,591 A March 1995 Gay
5,462,042A October 1995 Greenwell 5,499,567 A March 1996 Gay
5,511,333 A April 1996 Farrell 5,540,194 A July 1996 Adams
5,608,179 A March 1997 Voecks et al. 5,613,483 A March 1997 Lukas
et al. 5,769,066 A June 1998 Schneider 5,771,621 A June 1998 Rogers
5,771,875 A June 1998 Sullivan 5,845,629 A December 1998 Ratliff
D410182S May 1999 Etter et al. 5,967,133 A October 1999 Gardner et
al. 5,988,153A November 1999 Yoshimura 6,003,504 A December 1999
Rice et al. 6,006,704 A December 1999 Phillips et al. 6,016,945 A
January 2000 Phillips et al. 6,016,946 A January 2000 Phillips et
al. 6,019,072 A February 2000 Phillips et al. 6,138,656 A October
2000 Rice et al. 6,233,928 B1 May 2001 Scott 6,343,599 B1 February
2002 Perrone 6,371,099 B1 April 2002 Lee 6,418,920 B1 July 2002
Marr 6,474,326 B1 November 2002 Smith et al. 6,491,002 B1 December
2002 Adams 6,634,325 B1 October 2003 Adams 6,647,969 B1 November
2003 Adams 6,679,155 B1 January 2004 Yaschur et al. 6,755,159 B1
June 2004 Adams et al. 7,254,914 B2 August 2007 Lund et al.
2002/0088449 A1 July 2002 Perrone 2002/0108585 A1 August 2002 Davis
2002/0134069 A1 September 2002 Adams 2002/0134345 A1 September 2002
Adams 2002/0144498 A1 October 2002 Adams 2003/0005918 A1 January
2003 Jones 2003/0110758 A1 June 2003 Adams 2003/0131809 A1 July
2003 Adams 2004/0031382 A1 February 2004 Ogram 2004/0144012 A1 July
2004 Adams 2004/0144357 A1 July 2004 Adams 2006/0032487 A1 February
2006 Tippmann et al. 2006/0266206 A1 November 2006 Lund et al.
2007/0062363 A1 March 2007 Broersma 2008/0190275 A1 August 2008
Tippmann 7,665,396 B1 February 2010 Tippmann
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The present invention relates generally to methods and
apparatus for launching projectiles. In particular, the present
invention uses the combustion of fuel provided by a cordless nailer
fuel cell, to launch the projectiles. In certain embodiments the
present invention relates more specifically to a foam rocket and
grenade launcher and to methods for, and devices capable of
launching projectiles such as paintballs, BBs, grenades, rocket
foam and others.
BACKGROUND
Prior Art
[0004] Currently, the state of art for launching frangible
projectiles typically involves the use of compressed gas. This gas
is released inside of an apparatus, and the expansion of this gas
propels the projectile from the apparatus. Many different
non-lethal projectiles (BBs, pellets, airsoft BBs, darts, foam
rockets, less-lethal, etc.), are also launched using Co2 or
compressed air.
[0005] In Paintball gaming, a player have to carry a paintball
marker, a rocket launcher or a grenade launcher typically outfitted
with a heavy compressed gas tank and supplies of paintballs,
rockets, grenades etc. . . . .
[0006] Compressed gas tanks are big and heavy, and it is almost
impossible to the player to carry an extra tank, to replace the
empty one during the game, because those tanks are attached to the
gun using a threaded inlet, it takes a lot of time to unscrew the
empty one and screw the full one. The compressed gas tanks are
limited to a small number of shots, and many times the player can
not finish the game because the gas tank is empty before the end of
the game. To solve the problem of carrying large and heavy extra
tanks, some companies in the paintball industry and some inventors
are designing launchers that ignite a combustible gas such as
propane or mapp gas to increase the number of shots per tank, and
eliminate refilling tanks for subsequent use. All the prior art
patents and applications listed, such "US 2008/0190275 A1 from
Tippmann, Jr", "US 2006/0032487 A1 from Tippmann, Jr" and U.S. Pat.
No. 7,665,396 B1 issued to Tippmann, Jr on Feb. 23, 2010, relate to
a launcher that uses a combustible gas tank (Propane or Mapp gas)
to increase the number of shots per tank and eliminate the need to
carry extra tanks, but you still have to carry one tank that is
feeding the launcher (Propane tank or mapp gas tank) and those
tanks are heavy and big.
[0007] All the combustion powered launchers on the prior art,
relates to an apparatus that uses some source of a combustible gas
such as mapp gas or propane to propel a projectile, all those
apparatus have built in a threaded gas inlet to screw a gas tank,
means to regulate the gas pressure on the launcher, means to
metering the gas intake, means to inject this gas on the chamber,
and when the gas tank is attached to the launcher said launcher is
pressurized by a combustible gas, and every time that the player
removes the tank from the launcher it leaks a considerable amount
of gas.
[0008] It is a concern about safety, because after each game the
player needs to clean the launcher, and to do this most of time is
necessary to disassembly some parts, clean and put back together
and if it has any small problem with consumable part such as o-ring
or a seal, or the player which usually is not a gun technician,
fail to properly reassembly the launcher, it can result in a leak
of a large volume of combustible gas which is enough to cause a
fire or a major explosion in a right condition and space such as a
player's car or player's bedroom.
[0009] The application # US 20070062363 A1 from Breersma Lester,
the inventor uses the term "fuel cell" to describe a can filled
with some combustible gas. On the summary of the same application,
the inventor declares that said invention is a paintball marker
apparatus with a fuel connection system, a fuel handling system,
and a fuel injection system. On the claim number eleven of the same
application the inventor claims.
[0010] "The apparatus of claim 10, the release device comprising: a
fuel adapter for sealing to the fuel cell; and a fuel pin adapted
to puncture the fuel cell providing the initial flow of the
combustible material from the fuel cell"., which definitely proves
that the inventor does not anticipate or plane to use a cordless
nailer fuel cell. The fuel cell I use, such as described on U.S.
Pat. No. 5,115,944 from Nikolich, has the metering valve provided
by the manufacture attached on it. It has a metering valve stem
115A as shown on FIG. 1 to connect on the launcher which does not
need any of these systems to control the combustible flow,
combustible pressure, does not need to be sealed, and does not need
to be punctured to release the fuel. Which proves that the prior
art inventors do not anticipate, plane or mention to use the same
or similar cordless nailer fuel cell that I use on my
embodiments.
[0011] Another consideration about all prior art apparatus is the
fact of all relates to a launcher that uses a chamber with a piston
to mix the fuel and air when it is moved in some direction, the
piston is moved again to expel the gases resultants of the
combustion out of the chamber and to draw fresh air for a new
combustion. Usually to have a piston moving from one side to
another side of chamber, we need almost the same length of the
chamber, to house a driver means, and it causes a problem when we
need to make a commercially acceptable size of marker.
[0012] Another problem with the apparatus listed on prior art, is
that combustion generates a lot of heat, and to keep the marker at
useful and safe temperature, the inventors are using fins, and it
makes the marker even bigger. Another consideration about the prior
art is that, even when the invertors broadly describe that their
apparatus one day may use liquid combustible, none of them show or
describe any means to handle, metering, injecting, or atomizing
liquid fuel. As described on the patent of the fuel cell that I use
in all embodiments of my invention, U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,944 from
Nikolich, titled "Fluid dispenser having a collapsible inner bag",
these fuel cell dispense a hydrocarbon fluid not a gas.
[0013] For those skilled on the art will be easy to see that all
those listed in the prior art relates to apparatus that use some
source of combustible gas, and their designs does not show or
describe any mechanism or any system capable to metering, inject
and atomize a liquid fuel.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0014] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is a
projectile launcher that uses a cordless nailer fuel cell with a
fan-assisted combustion chamber to propel projectiles, the use of
fuel cell will allow to built markers that don't use compressed gas
tanks, reducing the overall size and weight in a half. Several
advantages can be eminent for those skilled on the art; I list some
of them. My invention relates to a new and improved internal
combustion launcher that solve all the problems described on prior
art.
[0015] A fan-assisted chamber is a combustion chamber with at least
one fan or at least one rigid or flexible vane and means to operate
it, to create any kind of gas transport, turbulence or change of
pressure inside of said chamber, it's better, more reliable,
cheaper and smaller. The Launcher is powered by cordless nailer
fuel cell, such as described on U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,944 or similar.
The fuel usually is a liquid hydrocarbon fuel, and the amount is
about 0.64 oz for small canister, and about 1.28 oz for the large
canister, which is safer because it's liquid and because of small
amount.
[0016] The fuel cell is very small and safe;
[0017] The player can easily carry an extra fuel cell to replace
during the game.
[0018] One large fuel cell measures about 6.5''L.times.1.3''D and
can shoot 2.400 times; A large CO2 tank is ten times bigger and can
shoot 500 times only.
[0019] The metering valve is located on the fuel cell, and it is
replaced with the fuel cell, eliminating the risk of leak by
defective or consumed valves and o-rings on the gun.
[0020] The Launcher is never pressurized, only thing is pressurized
is the fuel cell.
[0021] The fuel cell can be removed and replaced without any
leak;
[0022] There are no threads on the fuel cell which can be replaced
in seconds during the game;
[0023] The launcher is smaller and lighter because it uses a
fan-assisted chamber instead of a piston. The Launcher using a
fan-assisted chamber doesn't need to have a large cooling fin,
because the fan is also used to cool it down.
[0024] Using a fan-assisted chamber, It doesn't need to use a
piston to mix the fuel and air within the chamber; and after the
shot it doesn't need to move the piston through the whole chamber
to remove, or scavenge, combustion by-products. It makes this
launcher a lot lighter, faster, reliable, smaller and cheaper to
manufacture.
[0025] The cordless nailer fuel cell is already available on the
hardware stores, manufactured by companies such as Paslode,
Hitachi, Max USA, Tyrex, Ramset, Duo-Fast, Porter Cable and
others.
[0026] There are several other advantages but the fact that
projectile launchers such as paintball marker will not have to use
tanks of compressed gas anymore, represents a huge improvement on
the paintball and similar games.
SUMMARY
[0027] The present invention relates to a projectile launcher
designed to use a cordless nailer fuel cell with provided metering
valve to supply combustible material to a fan-assisted combustion
chamber.
[0028] I discover that the cordless nailer fuel cell such as
described on U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,944 and similar provides an
effective and safe way to feed the combustion launchers, it is
safe, small, cheap, and can be found on hardware stores. The new
launchers such paintball markers, rocket launchers, grenade
launchers, and others can use this small canister called fuel cell
instead of a large tank of propane or mapp gas described on prior
art. Another advantage of using those fuel cells is that each one
came with a disposable metering valve, which provide the same
amount of the fuel every time and it is replaced with each new fuel
cell. Because the fuel cell already have the metering valve on it,
the launcher is never pressurized, and the operator can remove and
replace the fuel cell on the launcher in seconds during the game
without any leak, It just set on the launcher, without time
consuming threads or decompression procedures.
[0029] The launchers can be lighter, safer and cheaper because it
does not need to have a pressure regulator, injection system,
metering valve or large threaded gas inlets built on it; it's all
on the fuel cell. Most of designs on the prior art uses at least
one piston to move back and forward mixing fuel and air, and after
the combustion of the gas, the piston is moved again to exhaust the
gases resultants, and to draw fresh air into the chamber. After
innumerous tests I conclude that this kind of chamber may work well
with propane or mapp gas, but it doesn't work properly with the
fuel cells. Instead of to use piston or any part moving back or
forward, my embodiments uses a fan-assisted chamber.
[0030] The method to propel the projectiles using the principals of
my invention is: An operator loads a projectile on a launching area
and pulls the trigger; the chamber is closed; an electronic
controller starts at least on fan inside said chamber, and the fuel
is injected from the fuel cell in the chamber; the turbulence
generate by the fan mix fuel and air. The electronic controller
sends an electrical pulse to generate a spark on a spark plug
located inside of chamber, igniting the mixture; the expansion of
gases propels the projectile from the launcher; the chamber is open
and the electronic controller keep the fan working for a
predetermined time to expel the gases resultants of the combustion,
to cool the combustion chamber and another predetermined time to
draw fresh air to the next combustion; finally the electronic
controller turn off the fan.
[0031] The present invention will be described with an illustrative
embodiment of a rocket and grenade launcher, designed to launch a
foam rockets, and also designed to launch all kinds of projectiles
such (paintballs, BBs, non-lethal, less-lethal, rubber balls, etc.
. . . ) previously loaded on a specific shell (grenade) and loaded
on the muzzle of the launcher. On games such as Paintball, airsoft
or other that uses a projectile launchers, the name "grenade
launcher" is used to describe an apparatus which the operator load
a shell (grenade shell) with appropriated projectiles for every
kind of game.
[0032] Prior art shells need to be charged with green gas before
use, and because they need to have a chamber to store the
compressed gas, they also need to have a release valve; they are
very expensive, heavy, and made of metal to support the pressure.
When the operator pulls the trigger a spring loaded mechanism hit
the release valve on the grenade shell which propels all the
projectiles previously loaded in it, using all the compress gas
previously stored in it. But the shell is always on the launcher
and never is launched.
[0033] Because prior art shells are heavy, expensive and needs to
be filled with compress gas before use, they have a limited market.
To solve all this problems I invent a new grenade shell which is
showed on FIG. 15 which does not need to be filled with compressed
gas because the launcher showed on FIG. 5 generates pulses of
pressure allowing using this energy to propel the projectiles
preloaded in the shells. The shells I invented are never pressured,
does not use compressed gas on it, and does not need to be metal,
allowing to make and sell for a fraction of price of the other
shells commercially available today.
[0034] The grenade shells I invent can vary on sizes, materials and
can have one or more holes in the center area to each different
size projectile and for each different model, for example, instead
of to have one large hole in the center, it may have five or six 6
mms holes to load dozens of 6 mm bbs on each hole. The position of
holes can be changed to create patterns of shots, such as lines,
circles, two lines or any other pattern. We can for example make
five horizontal 6 mm holes and load those holes with dozens of bbs
each and when the operator shoots, the bbs will be launched making
a horizontal line in front of the launcher. FIG. 15 is a
perspective view of the grenade shell used as an illustrative
non-limiting example, many different sizes and configurations will
be made appropriated for each use.
[0035] In another embodiment such as a airsoft gun, a fan-assisted
chamber which is a combustion chamber with at least one fan or at
least one rigid or flexible vane and means to operate it, to create
any kind of gas transport, turbulence or change of pressure inside
of chamber, powered by a cordless nailer fuel cell and metering
valve provided with, will be used to propel airsoft BBs.
[0036] In another embodiment such as a paintball marker, said
fan-assisted chamber powered by a cordless nailer fuel cell and the
metering valve provided with, will be used to propel
paintballs.
[0037] In another illustrative embodiment the launcher may use said
fan-assisted chamber with one or more electrical motors and one or
more fans.
[0038] In another illustrative embodiment, said fan-assisted
chamber powered by said cordless nailer fuel cell and the metering
valve provided with, will be used to build an apparatus capable to
propel any kind of projectiles.
[0039] In another illustrative embodiment, said fan-assisted
chamber powered by said cordless nailer fuel cell and the metering
valve provided with, will be used to manufacture a grenade launcher
with one barrel, means to load many grenade shells on a revolving
mechanism, which at every shot said mechanism align the next shell
with the barrel.
[0040] In another illustrative embodiment, said fan-assisted
chamber powered by said cordless nailer fuel cell and the metering
valve provided with, will be used to manufacture a rocket launcher
with a longer barrel than the one show on the main embodiment to
provide more acceleration and speed up the projectile; we may
provide means to operate the metering valve many times to deliver
the right amount of fuel that the embodiment needs.
[0041] In another illustrative embodiment the fan-assisted chamber
may use one or more fans operate by any mechanism capable to do it,
such as electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic or electro
mechanic.
[0042] In another illustrative embodiment, the fan inside of said
fan-assisted combustion chamber can be replaced for one or more
fans, and can be used any type of fan such as axial fan,
centrifugal fan, cross flow fan, impellers, propellers, or any
revolving vane or vanes used to produce turbulence, ventilation,
exhaust, cooling or vacuum.
[0043] While the subject of the invention offers several advantages
in the contest of all rocket and grenade launcher commercially
available, the principles of the invention can be adapted to any
kind of launcher such as Paintball markers, Paintball cannons,
Airsoft guns, potato guns or any other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0044] The present disclosure will be described hereafter with
reference to the attached drawings which are given as a
non-limiting example only, in which:
[0045] FIG. 1 shows a right side view of a short fuel cell, with
its disposable metering valve.
[0046] FIG. 2 shows a right side view of a tall fuel cell, with a
metering valve attached and ready to use.
[0047] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a short fuel cell.
[0048] FIG. 4 is another perspective view of a short size nail gun
fuel cell.
[0049] FIG. 5 is a left side view of an embodiment of a rocket and
grenade launcher.
[0050] FIG. 6 is a left side view of the embodiment of a rocket and
grenade launcher.
[0051] FIG. 7 is a right side view of the embodiment of a rocket
and grenade launcher.
[0052] FIG. 8 is a left side cross-sectional view of embodiment of
rocket and grenade launcher loaded with a foam rocket on idle
position.
[0053] FIG. 9 is a left side cross-sectional view of embodiment of
rocket and grenade launcher with the trigger on the middle of its
course;
[0054] FIG. 10 is a left side cross-sectional view of embodiment of
rocket and grenade launcher with the trigger on the end of its
course;
[0055] FIG. 11 is a front side perspective view of a main valve
body.
[0056] FIG. 12 is a back side perspective view of a main valve
body.
[0057] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of main valve body with all the
parts that goes attached to it.
[0058] FIG. 14 is another angle of exploded view on FIG. 13 and
showing the same parts.
[0059] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a grenade shell with
locking pins, and o-ring groves.
[0060] FIG. 16 is a front view of a grenade shell showing 3 pins
used to connect and lock the grenade shell into muzzle of the
launcher.
[0061] FIG. 17 is a perspective side view of the grenade shell
[0062] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a grenade shell loaded
with hundreds of BBs.
[0063] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a grenade shell loaded
with a seven small paintballs and two .68 caliber paintballs.
[0064] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a grenade shell loaded
with five .68 caliber paintballs.
[0065] FIG. 21 is perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5
showing the slots provided on the main body to connect a grenade
shell.
[0066] FIG. 22 another perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5
showing how to insert the grenade shell on the main body.
[0067] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5
showing the grenade shell connected and locked on the main
body.
[0068] FIG. 24 is an illustrative view of an embodiment of a rocket
and grenade launcher with the grenade shell connected.
[0069] FIG. 25 is another angle of an illustrative view of the
embodiment of FIG. 24 showing the grenade shell attached and locked
on the launcher.
[0070] FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG.
24 showing how the grenade shell seals the combustion chamber area,
with the o-rings on it.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0071] FIG. 1 shows the cordless nailer fuel cell as described on
U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,944 to Nikolich and commercially available on
hardware stores. The companies like Paslode, Hitachi, Max USA,
Tyrex, Ramset, Duo-Fast, Porter Cable and others, are selling this
cordless nailer fuel cell in two sizes. The short one with about
0.64 oz and the tall one with about 1.32 oz. The short bottle
dimensions are about 1.28''.times.4'' and the tall can is about
1.28''.times.6.6'' plus the metering valve. As they have different
sizes of cordless nailers, they also have different metering valves
to dispense the right amount of fuel for each cordless nailer.
[0072] The tall red fuel cell will dispense the full amount of fuel
(1.32 oz) in 1.200 shots, the tall yellow fuel cell will dispense
the full amount of fuel (1.32 oz) in 2.400 shots, and the short
yellow fuel cell will dispense the full amount of fuel (0.64 oz) in
1.200 shots. Available commercially they have red, yellow, gray,
orange metering valves and couple sizes of cans. In the embodiment
of a FIG. 5 is just a non-limiting example where I use the tall red
fuel, but for each embodiment, I will use an appropriated
combination of size of the can and metering valve available on the
market, and for some embodiments, I will order from the fuel cell
factories a different size of fuel cell and a custom made metering
valve to provide the right amount of fuel to each embodiment.
[0073] To easy understand the illustrative and non-limiting example
of a rocket and grenade launcher show on FIG. 24, we first need to
understand how the fuel cell and its metering valve works.
[0074] FIG. 1 shows that a metering valve 115 has a stem 115A which
a metered amount of combustible fluid came out every time that the
stem 115A is pressed against a solid object. To inject another
metered amount of fuel, we need to release the said stem and press
it again. This valve 115 provides the same amount of fuel every
time. As it has just a stem 115A on valve 115 to dispense the
stream of combustible fluid, all we need to connect the fuel cell
on the chamber's area 163 (FIG. 8) is a round cavity 115B (FIG. 6)
on the main body 105 (FIG. 8) with a small hole connecting it with
the combustion chamber, so when the valve stem is pressed on this
cavity, the stream of combustible fluid goes through the small hole
in the cavity to inside of the combustion chamber area 163 (FIG.
8).
[0075] FIG. 2 shows a illustrative view of a said tall fuel cell
with the metering valve 15 attached and ready to use, and as the
fuel cell 114 always will be used with its metering valve 115, in
this application I will use the term "fuel cell" or "cordless
nailer fuel cell" as a combination of fuel supply plus a metering
valve already connected as shown on FIG. 2. FIG. 3, FIG. 4 shows
another perspective view of the fuel cell.
[0076] FIG. 5 shows how to install the fuel cell on the embodiment
of FIG. 24. Turning the fuel cell housing cap 101 by one quarter of
turn and pulling it out to have access to the fuel cell housing 2,
after that the fuel cell 114 is inserted on the fuel cell housing
and at the end of it, has a fuel inlet 115B to fit a fuel cell
stem. To attach the fuel cell stem on this cavity we need first
pull up the fuel cell release lever 103 which press the fuel cell
down to keep the fuel cell stem always on the fuel inlet 115B by a
fuel cell spring 17 showed on FIG. 9 after that the operator can
release the fuel cell release lever 103 and replace the fuel cell
housing cap 101 on it pushing inside of the housing 102 and turn
one quarter of turn to lock.
[0077] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the embodiment of a rocket and
grenade launcher show on FIG. 24 and FIG. 25. To easy understand
the principals of the invention on this illustrative and
non-limiting embodiment. I first need to show the grenade shell
that is used on it.
[0078] FIG. 15 shows a grenade shell 137 with two groves 138 to
install o-rings, and three pins 139,140,141. Those pins 139,140,141
are used to lock the grenade on the launcher FIG. 23 and to do so,
the operator inserts the grenade shell 137 into the muzzle of the
launcher and turn clock wise until the pin 139,140,141 align with
the slots 107 on the body 105 of the launcher allowing to push the
grenade shell 137 into the launcher until the pins 139,140,141 gets
to end of slots 107, at this position it can be turned clockwise
some more, locking the shell 137 on the main body 105.
[0079] To provide more safety on this embodiment of FIG. 24, I
design a spring mechanism comprised of: a grenade safety body 108,
a safety piston 133 and a spring 132 (FIG. 26) which the function
is to push the grenade shell 137 out of the launcher muzzle when it
is not properly locked on the slots 107. when the operator pushes
the grenade to the end of slots 107 one of those pins 139, 140, 141
which on FIG. 26 is the pin 139 pushes the piston 133 compressing
the spring 132 which stays compressed until the grenade is unlocked
and the spring 132 pushes the piston 133 forward pushing the
grenade shell 137 out of the slots 107 through the pin 139.
[0080] FIG. 16 shows the front view of the grenade shell 137 and
pins 139, 140 and 141 used to lock the grenade on the launcher,
FIG. 17 shows a left side view of the grenade shell 137. FIG. 18
for illustrative purpose only shows a cross sectional view of the
grenade shell 137 loaded with a hundred or hundreds of bbs 158 in
this sample the user needs to use a piece of paper, cotton, or any
other light material 157 to hold the bbs inside of shell 137. FIG.
19 for illustrative purpose only shows a cross sectional view of
the grenade shell 137 loaded with two .68 caliber paintballs 159
and seven .43 caliber paintballs 160 and FIG. 20 for illustrative
purpose only shows a cross sectional view of the grenade shell 137
loaded with 5 paintballs 159. In the embodiment of FIG. 24, all the
parts can be made of metal, plastic, glass fiber, carbon fiber or
any other reinforced or non-reinforced composite material or any
combination of those, for example we may built a metal main body
with a layer of fiber glass or any other heat insulator on the
outside, or it can have a non metal main body with a metal sleeve
inside, in another example we may apply a layer of PTFE
(Polytetrafluoroethylene) inside of a main body or even glue a PTFE
film inside of main body to low the coefficient of friction when it
is launching rockets. FIG. 5 shows a main body 5, a fuel housing
cap 101 which the function is to close the fuel cell housing 102
and to keep the fuel cell 114 on place. It can be removed to place
or to replace a fuel cell on its housing by turning 1/4 of turn and
pulling it out, the same way it can be put back by pushing it
inside of a fuel cell housing 102 and turning 1/4 of turn to lock
it on its idle position.
[0081] FIG. 5 also shows a fuel cell housing back cap. 104. A main
handle 111 which provide a protection for the trigger, support for
an electronic lock switch 112, and supports a hand grip 113, the
picatinny rail 131 to allow the user to install compatible
accessories on it, in this example of embodiment it is using
vertical handle 109 to provide extra support and control of the
launcher, the main body back cap 6 is locked into the main body 105
by a back cap pin 119.
[0082] FIG. 5 also shows the grenade shell security mechanism 108
which has a piston and a spring inside, when the operator is
loading the grenade shell on the muzzle of the launcher, it helps
to make sure that the grenade shell is properly locked on slots
107, if it is not locked, the security mechanism will push it out
of the launcher, showing to the operator that the grenade shell is
not properly locked. FIG. 6 is a left side view of the rocket and
grenade launcher embodiment and shows all the main external
components as already described on FIG. 24.
[0083] FIG. 7 shows a left side cross section view of an embodiment
of FIG. 24, where we can see most of the internal and external
components.
[0084] FIG. 8 shows that the launcher has a main valve 130 which is
open and closed by pressing or releasing the valve actuator 143
which is connected on the main valve back plate 124 and to a main
valve seal 125.
[0085] FIG. 13 shows an exploded view of the main valve used on
this embodiment which shows the main valve body 130 and all parts
that is mounted on it. The fan 120 is connected to a motor shaft
extension 145 which is connected to a electric motor 122 which is
inserted on the main valve body 130 and it is screwed on place by
screws 153,154. The main valve back plate 125 is screwed on two
main valve rods 148, 149 which hold the main valve seal 125 on
place. These two rods 148, 149 are mounted on the main valve body
130 through the holes which have on the back part of it a cavity to
install two main valve springs 151, 152 and it is connected to a
main valve actuator 143 by screws 155, 156. The function of these
two springs are to close the valve when the trigger 110 is moved
from its idle position as shown on FIG. 8 and FIG. 9.
[0086] FIG. 13 shows a valve switch 150 which is activated every
time the valve is closed, when the actuator 143 is released, the
valve switch 150 is also released. The main valve body 130 as show
on FIG. 11 has some inlet ports 172 that go through its body,
allowing the passage of air from the back part of the launcher to
inside of the chamber. When the trigger 110 is on idle position, it
pushes the main valve actuator 130, the main valve back plate 124
and main valve seal 125 forward, allowing the air to flow through
the main valve body 130 and through holes on the main valve seal
125 and finally through the valve black plate 124.
[0087] In this embodiment I use on the main valve body 130 an
electrical motor 122 powered by batteries 128. This electrical
motor is controlled by an Electronic controller 127. The valve
switch 150 installed on main valve body 130 informs the controller
when the main valve is open or closed, and it drives a fan 120
which in this embodiment is used to generate some turbulence when
mixing air and fuel, and after the combustion occur, to expels the
by-products, cool the chamber down and draw fresh air from the back
of the launcher through the main valve 130. As shown on FIG. 8 the
trigger 110 is a long lever which goes from the handle 111, through
the main body and it is hold by a trigger pin 136 on the fuel cell
housing 102, it is also connected on fuel injection lever 116 and
on fuel cell release lever 103. The trigger 110 is kept on idle
position by the main spring 129 installed on main handle 111 which
on this position is pushing the main valve actuator 143 forward
keeping the main valve 130 open.
[0088] The method to launch a projectile on this embodiment follows
this sequence. Load a grenade shell 137 or a foam rocket 142 to
close the chamber area 163; start pulling the trigger 110 so the
main valve actuator 143 on the main valve body 130 is released
closing the main valve; sealing the combustion chamber 163, and
activate the main valve switch 150 which inform the electronic
controller 127 to start the fan 120 to generate turbulence in the
chamber area 163; waiting for the fuel from the fuel cell 114. The
fuel cell injection lever 116 is linked to the trigger 110 and when
the operator pulls it to a middle course position, it pushes the
metering valve 115 down through the fuel cell release lever 103 and
a metered amount of fuel is injected on the back of the fan 120
inside of chamber area 163.
[0089] The combustible is mixed with fresh air on the chamber area
163 by the turbulence generated by said fan 120 and when the
trigger 110 is pulled to the end of its course as shown on FIG. 10
the trigger switch 118 is activated, which inform the electronic
controller 127 to generate a spark or the spark plug 123 and ignite
the fuel on the chamber area 163 which generate a pulse of pressure
and propels the projectile 142 out of the launcher. In this
situation it has the front side of the chamber area 163 open
because we don't have a projectile blocking it anymore as shown
FIG. 10, but the main valve 130 still closed not allowing the fan
120 to move air through the main valve 130 to scavenge the chamber
area 163. When the trigger 110 is released as shown on FIG. 8 the
main valve actuator 43 is pushed forward opening the main valve 130
and deactivating the valve switch 150 which informs the electronic
controller to keep the fan 120 working for a predetermined time, to
scavenge the combustion by-products, cool the chamber 163 and draw
fresh air for the next combustion. After this time the electronic
controller 127 shuts the fan 120 off and the launcher is ready for
the next launching.
[0090] In another illustrative embodiment, the fuel cell housing
102 will be located on the back side of the launcher sometimes
inside of a buttstock on FIG. 27 for illustrative purpose only we
have a launcher with a buttstock 165, a fuel cell 114 a metering
valve 115 and the injection mechanism 167 which is pushed by a
piston 166 lifting the fuel cell 114 as shown of FIG. 27A. The
small electric motor is inside of the back cap 134 and a fan 120 is
used to assist the chamber 163.
[0091] In another illustrative embodiment show on FIG. 28 we have
the fuel cell housing 102 located inside of handle 111, it may has
a square or a round chamber 163 with one or more electrical motors
and one or more fans 120 on this illustration we have a embodiment
of a paintball gun with a barrel 161, a paintball inlet 162 a
battery set 128 electronic controller 127 and High voltage coil
126.
[0092] In another embodiment, it may has the fuel cell housing 102
located on the lower portion of the launcher in front of the handle
111 aligned or not aligned with. The illustration of FIG. 29 shows
an example of this embodiment where we may use one or more
electrical motors 122 and one or more fans 120 to assist the
chamber 163.
[0093] Reference numerals used throughout the detailed description
and the drawings correspond to the following elements:
TABLE-US-00002 Fuel cell housing cap 101 Fuel cell housing 102 Fuel
cell release lever 103 Fuel cell housing back cap 104 Main body 105
Main body back cap 106 Slots 107 Grenade safety body 108 Vertical
handle 109 Trigger 110 Main handle 111 Electronic lock switch 112
Hand grip 113 Fuel cell 114 Metering valve 115 Metering valve stem
115A Fuel inlet 115B Fuel injection lever 116 Fuel cell spring 117
Trigger switch 118 Back cap pin 119 Fan 120 Main valve O-rings 121
Motor 122 Spark plug 123 Main valve back plate 124 Main valve seal
125 High voltage coil 126 Electronic controller 127 Batteries 128
Main spring 129 Main valve body 130 Picatinny rail 131 Spring 132
Safety piston 133 Back cap 134 Trigger Knob 135 Trigger pin 136
Grenade shell body 137 Grenade shell o-rings 138 Grenade shell pin
139 Grenade shell pin 140 Grenade shell pin 141 Foam Rocket 142
Main valve actuator 143 Fan Screw 144 Motor shaft extension 145
Back plate screw 146 Back plate screw 147 Main valve rod 148 Main
valve rod 149 Valve switch 150 Main valve spring 151 Main valve
spring 152 Screw 153 Screw 154 Screw 155 Screw 156 Light material
157 BBs 158 0.68 caliber paintball 159 0.43 caliber paintball 160
Barrel of FIG. 28 161 Paintball inlet 162 Combustion chamber area
163 Valve embodiment of FIG. 27 164 Buttstock 165 Charge piston of
embodiment of FIG. 27 166 Fuel injector of embodiment of FIG. 27
167 Fuel cell housing cap on FIG. 29 168 Valve on embodiment of
FIG. 29 169 Launching area 170 Chamber grill 171
[0094] The Figures are just illustrative and non-limiting examples
of some embodiments that a Cordless nailer fuel cell can be used to
provide combustible material to a fan-assisted combustion chamber
allowing building many different projectile launchers.
[0095] Although the present disclosure has been described with
reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, from the
foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain
the essential characteristics of the invention and various changes
and modifications may be made to adapt the various uses and
characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *