U.S. patent number 3,889,652 [Application Number 05/352,944] was granted by the patent office on 1975-06-17 for cartridge assembly for a gas powered weapon system including a pressure responsive seal.
This patent grant is currently assigned to MB Associates. Invention is credited to Herbert E. Curtis.
United States Patent |
3,889,652 |
Curtis |
June 17, 1975 |
Cartridge assembly for a gas powered weapon system including a
pressure responsive seal
Abstract
A gas powered weapon system comprised of a cartridge assembly
which includes a deformable projectile and a gas pressurized
container located in opposite ends of a cartridge case, with the
case supporting a sharp edged piercing element located proximate to
an outer surface of the container and adapted to puncture the
container in response to the release of a spring biased piston
located in a projectile launcher. A pressure responsive seal is
located between the inner wall of the cartridge case and the outer
wall of the gas container to effect more complete sealing
therebetween. The projectile launcher includes a handle member
which defines an outer housing for the releasable piston, a
receiver for slidably inserting the cartridge assembly, and a
barrel for directing the projectile in a desired trajectory.
Inventors: |
Curtis; Herbert E. (Danville,
CA) |
Assignee: |
MB Associates (San Ramon,
CA)
|
Appl.
No.: |
05/352,944 |
Filed: |
April 20, 1973 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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217903 |
Jan 14, 1972 |
3830214 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
124/41.1 |
Current International
Class: |
F41d 009/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;124/11R,11A,13R,41
;42/1L ;89/26 ;102/DIG.5 ;277/205 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pinkham; Richard C.
Assistant Examiner: Stouffer; R. T.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Harness, Dickey & Pierce
Parent Case Text
This is a division of application Ser. No. 217,903, filed Jan. 14,
1972, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,830,214.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a cartridge assembly for a gas powered weapon system, a
tubular case defining first and second axially extending
cylindrical passages; a projectile slidably located in one of said
passages; a dischargeable pressurized gas bottle slidably located
in the other of said passages with the dischargeable end facing
said projectile, first means responsive to axial movement of said
bottle for releasing the pressurized gas; a flexible annular seal
comprising a first and a second side and having a first axially
extending portion snugly located in said other passage wherein said
first side in said first portion engages the wall of said passage
and further having a second portion reversely rolled inwardly of
said first portion and snugly connected to one end of said bottle,
wherein in said reversely rolled second portion, said first side
engages said bottle and said second side is exposed in a direction
whereby upon release of said pressurized gas, said first side is
pressed against said bottle in said second portion and against said
walls of said passage in said first portion so as to effect more
complete sealing of said other passage.
2. A cartridge assembly for a gas powered weapon system
comprising:
a cartridge case having a first cylindrically shaped passage at one
end, a second passage extending between said first passage and an
opposite end thereof, and a radially extending shoulder located at
an inward end of said first passage;
a first disc shaped gas check member slidably located in said first
passage and seated relative to said shoulder;
a second disc shaped gas check member located in said first passage
at an outer end thereof;
a deformable projectile located in said first passage between said
first and second gas check members;
a trasversely extending partition wall located at an inward end of
said second passage, said wall including passage menas for fluidly
communicating said first and second passages;
a pressurized gas bottle slidably located in said second
passage;
means carried by said partition wall for puncturing said bottle and
releasing said pressurized gas in response to displacement of said
bottle in a first direction; and
pressure responsive sealing means located in said second passge for
self-sealing said second passage relative to said bottle, said last
mentioned means being urged in an opposite direction relative to
said first direction to a self-sealing position in response to
release of said pressurized gas.
3. The system as recited in claim 2 wherein said bottle includes a
radially extending wall surface and wherein said sealing means is
urged into sealing relationship with said wall surface in response
to release of said pressurized gas.
4. The system as recited in claim 3 wherein said bottle includes a
cylindrically shaped neck section which extends outwardly from said
wall surface and wherein said sealing means comprises an axially
extending section located in said second passage, and a reversely
folded section connected to said neck section.
5. The system as recited in claim 2 wherein said second passage
includes a circumferentially extending recess and wherein said
sealing means comprises an axially extending portion having an
enlarged lip cooperatively seated in said recess.
6. The system as recited in claim 5 wherein said enlarged lip is
located at one end of said axially extending portion and wherein an
opposite end is reversely folded and located about a neck portion
of said bottle.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This disclosure pertains generally to weapon systems, and more
particularly to a high impact, non-lethal system for use by
non-professional gun users, such as home and business owners, to
repel would-be attackers, assailants, and invaders.
The legal privilege of self-defense is limited generally to the use
of force which reasonably appears necessary for protection against
a threatened interference of the person. While in certain instances
reasonable force may include the use of deadly weapons, such as
firearms, generally speaking, such useage is limited to those
situations wherein the user has reason to believe that he is in
similar serious mortal danger, and that there is no other safe
means of defense. Thus, the employment of a deadly weapon subjects
the user to a substantial legal risk that the employment of deadly
force may subsequently be judged unreasonable. Moreover, the use
and possession of firearms often results in serious or fatal
accidents through misuse and mishandling which further subjects the
user to additional risks. The subject invention pertains to a
weapon system for use in self-defensive encounters which provides
an alternative to frightening, dangerous, and death dealing
firearms,
The subject system in comprised of a projectile launcher and gas
powered cartridge assembly insertable therein. The launcher is
comprised of a selectively relesable spring loaded piston slidably
located in a handle member. The handle member is pivotably
connected to one end of a barrel member, the connecting end portion
of the barrel defining a receiver wherein a cartridge assembly may
be inserted.
The cartridge assembly is comprised of a cartridge case having a
deformable projectile and one or more pressurized gas containers
slidably disposed in oppsoite ends thereof. A sharp edged piercing
element is immovably supported within the case eand directed
towards an exterior surface of the container. The piercing element
is adapted to puncture the case in response to displacement of the
container by selective release of the piston, whereby the
releasable pressure energy of the gas is utilized as a launching
means for the projectile. It is therefore a general object of the
subject invention to provide a non-chemical, gunpowderless, weapon
system which includes a cartride assembly insertable in a
projectile launcher operable to launch a projectile by the release
of stored gas pressure energy.
Since the application of such a system may vary from target
practice to the actual firing of the projectile in combating the
would-be assailant, it would be desirable to selectively control
the range, speed, and impact of the projectile. In the subject
invention this is accomplished by providing a single cartridge case
usable with more than one sized gas container and also by providing
another form of the cartridge case having means for receiving more
than one gas pressurized container. It is therefore another object
of the subject invention to provide a gas powered weapon system
wherein the range, speed, and impact of the projectile can be
varied by preselecting the cartridge assembly used with the
launcher.
In another aspect of the invention it will be appreciated that when
the pressurized container is punctured thereby releasing the
pressurized gas, a substantial amount of pressurized gas energy
release can be lost due to leakage between the passage supporting
the gas container and the container itself. In the subject
invention various self-sealing means are provided to effectively
self-seal an end portion of the pressurized container against the
passage of the case by utilizing a sealing force generated by the
pressure of the gas media. It is therefore a further object of the
subject invention to provide a self-sealing means for the container
so that substantially all of the pressurized gas energy released
therefrom may be effectively utilized as the propellant for the
launching of the projectile.
In still another aspect of the invention it is visualized that a
fully loaded projectile launcher may be inadvertently dropped or
subjected to other conditions wherein the piston may be slightly
displaced against the bias of the spring simulating to a slight
extent the actual piston movement required to puncture the
container. To circumvent the danger of firing the projectile under
such a circumstance, the force of the spring biasing the piston has
been selected to fully puncture the container only when released
from its fully biased cocked position. Thus, slight withdrawal and
release of the piston member may achieve only slight penetration of
the container. Under this condition a gradual increase in pressure
will displace the projectile from the barrel of the launcher at an
exceedingly slow rate which provides a general "failsafe"
feature.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention
will become more apparent from the following detailed description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred projectile launcher of
the subject invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same projectile launcher
illustrated in FIG. 1, shown in the open position for insertion of
an exemplary cartridge assembly,
FIG. 3 is an end view of a first preferred cartridge assembly of
the subject invention illustrated in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a side sectional elevation of the cartridge assembly
illustrated in FIG. 3 taken on the line 4--4 thereof;
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a second preferred cartridge
assembly having a volumetrically increased pressurized gas
container relative to the assembly of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a third preferred cartridge
assembly having two pressurized gas containers;
FIG. 7 is a transverse cross-sectional elevation of the cartridge
assembly illustrated in FIG. 6, taken along the line 7--7
thereof;
FIG. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional elevation of the cartridge
assembly illustrated in FIG. 4, taken along the lines 8--8
thereof;
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of the right end
of the cartridge assembly shown in FIG. 4, illustrating a first
form of a sealing member;
FIG. 10 is another fragmentary sectional elevation, similar to FIG.
9, illustrating a second form of the sealing member;
FIG. 11 is another fragmentary sectional elevation, similar to FIG.
7 and 8, illustrating a third form of the sealing member; and
FIG. 12 is still another fragmentary sectional elevation, similar
to FIG. 7, 8, and 9, illustrating a fourth form of the sealing
member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the gas
powered weapon system of the subject invention is comprised of a
projectile launcher, indicated generally at 10, and an exemplary
cartridge assembly 12. The cartridge assembly 12 includes an outer
case 14 having an enlarged flange 16 located at one end thereof,
and a slightly radially enlarged portion 18 disposed proximate to
the flange 16. The length and diameter of the case 14 conforms
generally to a standard 40 millimeter cartridge with the flange 16
and enlarged portion 18 being adapted for seating the case 14 in
the receiver of the launcher 10. Moreover, the case 14 forms an
outer housing for a gas pressurized container and a projectile
member, and supports a sharp edged piercing element for puncturing
the pressurized gas container as shall hereinafter be described in
greater detail.
The projectile launcher 10 is preferably fabricated from a suitable
plastic material, such as LEXAN, and is formed to resemble a
policeman's nightstick, having a longitudinal length of
approximately 18 inches. The launcher 10 is comprised of a barrel
member 20 and a handle assembly 22 projecting forwardly and
rearwardly from a hinged breech or receiver assembly 24. As used in
this description, the terms "forwardly" and "rearwardly" shall
respectively have reference to the right and left ends of the
projectile launcher as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the right
end of the launcher 10 being directed down range when firing the
projectile. The bore at the rearward end of the barrel 20 is
suitably counterbored to receive the enlarged portion 18 of the
case 14 with the rearward face thereof being adapted to abut the
flange 16 when seating the case 12. The bore of the barrel 20
further includes a plurality of helically spaced, axially extending
rifling grooves 26 which function to impart a gyrascopic trajectory
to the projectile as will hereinafter be explained in conjunction
with the operation of the system.
The barrel member 20 and handle assembly 22 are rotatably connected
by means of a hinged connecting collar 28, the collar 28 including
a first half sectional member 29 connected to the barrel 20, and
having a ring-shaped portion 30 providing encirclement therearound.
A second half sectional member 32 is connected to the handle
assembly 22 and pivotally connected adjacent one axially extending
edge thereof to the first section 29. For selectively rotating the
handle assembly 22 relative to the barrel 20 for insertion of the
cartridge assembly 12 and thereafter for fully locking the collar
28, a locking mechanism is provided at a diametrically opposite
axially extending edge and includes a finger operable release pin
34. The precise details of the connecting collar 28, hinge, and
locking mechanism form no part of the subject invention, and may be
of the type disclosed in the U.S. patent application of Steven F.
Mulich and James H. Sweeney entitled "Projectile Launcher Baton,"
Ser. No. 77,526, filed Oct. 2, 1970, that disclosure being
incorporated herein by reference.
The handle assembly 22 has a radially enlarged breech block 36
located at a forward end which is adapted to be connected to the
second half section 32 by any suitable means such as screws, bolts
or the like (not shown). The handle assembly 22 includes an axial
passage 38 which extends rearwardly from the breech block 36 and
terminates proximate the rearward end of the launcher 10. A piston
40 is slidably located in the passage 38 and biased toward the
forward end thereof by means of a coil spring member 42. An axially
extending groove 44 extends radially from the passage 38 to the
other periphery of the handle 22, and includes a circumferentially
extending cocking slot 46 located at the rearward end thereof and a
loading slot 47 disposed slightly to the left of the terminal
forward end 49. A radially extending operating knob 48 is
threadably connected to the piston 40 and extends through the
groove 44 to selectively position and locate the piston 40. As best
seen in FIG. 1, the terminal forward end 49 of the slot 44 is
located slightly to the left of the breech block 36 and functions
as a stop to retain the piston 40 in the passage 38, and moreover
to define a preselected engageable distance of the forward end of
the piston 40 beyond the forward face of the breech block 36, with
the loading slot 47 being adapted to locate the piston in a
position wherein the forward end is non-extendable through the
breecch block 36 and disposed slightly to the left of the forward
face thereof. An intergral, radially enlarged, circular shaped butt
portion 50 is disposed on the rearward end of the handle assembly
22, the portion 50 being adapted to distribute the recoil load of
the launcher 10 during the firing sequence. Additionally, a
radially enlarged guard-ring 52 is spaced slightly to the left of
the loading slot 47 to define that portion of the handle surface
suitable for placement of the operator's thumb or fingers to the
left thereof, to negate the possibility of the thumb and fingers
being jammed through the recoil action of the operating knob as
shall hereinafter be described in the operation of the projectile
launcher 10.
As indicated previously, the gas powered weapon system of the
subject invention allows the system user to select the range,
speed, and impact of the projectile. In the subject invention this
is accomplished by providing a small and a large pressurized gas
bottle and also two different types of cartridge cases, a first
case adaptable to receive either a small or a large bottle, and a
second case wherein two of the large bottles may be received. For
purposes of clarity, the small and large bottle forms of the
subject invention are hereinafter designated "low energy" and
"medium energy," respectively, with the case utilizing two bottles
being hereinafter designated "high energy."
With reference first to a low energy cartridge assembly, and as
best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the assembly includes a cartridge case
or housing 54. The case 54 is comprised of first and second
cylindrical portions 56 and 58 spaced on opposite ends of a
cylindrical portion 60, the portion 60 being of substantially less
diameter than the portions 56 and 58. The first cylindrical portion
56 includes an enlarged flange portion 62 and a slightly
diametrically enlarged portion 64 relative to the diameter of the
portion 56, the portion 56 and 62 being identical to the flange 16
and enlarged portion 18 of the exemplary cartridge 12, shown in
FIG. 2. The second cylindrical portion 58 is substantially axially
elongated relative to the first cylindrical portion 56 and is of a
suitable diameter to accommodate slidable insertion in the bore of
the barrel 20. The cylindrical portion 60 includes a plurality of
axially extending guide ribs 66 circumferentially spaced about the
outer periphery thereof to accommodate guiding of the cartridge
assembly 54 into the receiver assembly 24 of the projectile
launcher 10.
The cartridge case 54 includes a first axially extending
cylindrical passage 68 which extends substantially through the
first cylindrical portion 56 and the cylindrical portion 60. The
cylindrical passage 68 opens into a second cylindrical passage 70,
the second cylindrical passage 70 being of substantially greater
diameter than the cylindrical passage 68 and defines a radially
extending shoulder 72 therewith. Moreover, it will be seen that the
right end of the cylindriccal passage 68 includes a stepped bore 74
which defines a radially extending shoulder 76. The stepped bore 74
and radially extending shoulder 76 are adapted to receive and
locate a piercing element support member 78.
As best observed in FIG. 8, the member 78 is of substantially
triangular shape having arcuately extending side walls 80 which
define a plurality of oval openings 82 with the circumferential
surface of the step bore 74. The apex between all adjacent side
walls 80 is arcuately formed in conformance with the diameter of
the step bore 74 to be received therein. The support member 78 may
be connected to the step bore 74 by any suitable means such as
preferably by providing threads across each of the arccuately
shaped apexes 84 to connectably mate with cooperating threads in
the step bore 74.
A piercing element 86 is centrally located and supported by the
support member 78 and includes an annular shaped blade portion 88,
having an inclined rearwardly extending face 90, and a radially
enlarged threaded portion 92 which is connected to a threaded
aperture 94 disposed in the support member 78.
A relatively flat, disc-shaped gas check member 96, which functions
as a piston in expelling a projectile 100, is slidably located in
the second cylindrical passage 70 and includes an annular shaped
flange portion 98 which abuts the radially extending shoulder 72.
The projectile 100 is slidably located between the gas check 96 and
a second gas check member 102, the second gas check member 102
being identical to the gas check 96 and preferably being
circumferentially sealed in the passage 70 by any suitable sealant.
The projectile 100 is preferably comprised of a relatively flat,
disc-shaped cloth container or bag having a plurality of shot
particles located therein and easily deformable for slidable
insertion into the passage 70. The projectile 100 can be of a type
disclosed in the co-pending patent application of Robert C.
Mawhinney, Ser. No. 39,294, filed May 21, 1970, entitled "High
Energy, Minimum Lethality Weapon System," which was assigend to the
assignee of the subject invention, and is incorporated in this
disclosure by reference.
A small gas bottle or container 104 having a generally
cylindrically shaped mouth portion 106 is slidably located in the
cylindrical passage 68 and includes a circular wall portion 107
which is disposed proximate the piercing element 86. The bottle 104
may be of the type used in home soda water dispensers wherein a
suitable pressurized gaseous media may be stored. Various gases may
be utilized in the gas bottle 104 such as, for example, carbon
dioxide, air, and nitrogen. With respect to the operating pressures
of the gases stored within the bottle, carbon dioxide has been
utilized to pressures up to 800 p.s.i.g. and nitrogen to pressures
of 5000 p.s.i.g. As best seen in FIG. 4, the bottle 104 is of an
axial length substantially less than the axial length of the
cylindrical passage 68. To suitable locate the wall portion 107 of
the gas container proximate the piering element 86, a cylindrically
shaped adapter member 108 is slidably inserted in the left end of
the passage 68 so that its outer face is substantially flush with
the outer rearward face of the flange 62. The adapter 108 may be
secured to the case 54 by any suitable means such as an adhesive
tape or an easily torn disc-shaped paper sticker 110. As indicated
previously, the cartridge assembly illustrated in FIG. 4 is a "low
energy" assembly relative to the other forms of the invention to be
hereinafter described. It will be noted that the gas bottle 104 is
of minimal axial dimension and provides an effective range to the
projectile 100 of approximately 25 feet. The range of the
projectile 100 is predicated on a projectile velocity of
approximately 100 miles per hour to insure a knock-down impacting
force in repeling an aggravation.
With reference now to FIG. 5, a "medium energy" cartridge assembly
is illustrated utilizing an idential cartridge case 54'. For
purposes of clarity, identical components and portions to that
described in conjunction with FIG. 4 are designated by the same
numeral having a prime(') suffix. The only difference between the
"medium energy" cartridge assembly and the "low energy" cartridge
assembly resides in the utilization of a larger gas bottle 112
relative to the bottle 104, the bottle 112 storing an increased
volume of pressurized gas. The gas bottle 112 is sufficiently
elongated relative to the gas bottle 104 to extend from the
rearward outer face of the flange 62' to the tip of the piercing
element 86' thus obviating the need for the cylindrical adapter
108. Again, the gas bottle 112 is securely confined within the
cylindrical passage 68' by a paper sticker 110'. It will be noted
that when the "medium energy" cartridge assembly is utilized with
the projectile launcher 10, that the release of the piston member
40 will react directly upon the rearward surface of the gas bottle
112 as opposed to striking the adapter 108 in the low energy
cartridge assembly. It will further be noted that due to the
increased volumetric capacity of the gas bottle 112 that the range,
speed, and impact of the projectile 100' will be substantially
increased.
With reference now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a "high energy" cartridge
assembly is illustrated having a cartridge case 114 which is
slightly elongated relative to the cartridge case 54 or 54', to
accommodate the axial length of a large size gas bottle 112" as
well as a suitable adapter for simultaneously displacing a pair of
bottles as shall hereinafter become apparent. For purposes of
clarity, identical components and portions are indicated by the
same numeral utilized for the low and medium energy forms of the
cartridge case illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively, and
including a double prime (") suffix. The right end portion of the
cartridge case 114 is identical to the second cylindrical portion
58 of the cartridge case 54 and includes a cylindrical passage 70"
having a pair of gas check members 96" and 102", respectively,
located on opposite sides of a projectile member 100". In the high
energy form of the cartridge assembly, a pair of parallel,
transversely spaced, cylindrical passages 116 and 118 extend from
the left end of the case 114 and open at an opposite inward end
thereof into the cylindrical passage 70". A pair of piercing
element support members 78" are respectively located at the right
inward end of each of the passages 116 and 118 and respectively
support a pair of piercing elements 86". A pair of gas bottles 112"
are respectively located in each of the passages 116 and 118 with
the mouth portions 106" being located proximate the piercing
element 86". The left end of the cartridge case 114, as viewed in
FIG. 6, includes a partial, centrally located blind bore 120 which
defines diametrically opposite arcuate surfaces 122 and 124,
respectively. As best observed in FIG. 7, the surfaces 122 and 124
are adapted to slidably receive a cylindrically shaped, adapter
member 126 which includes an outer face 128 which, when fully
inserted in the bore 120, is adapted to be substantially flush with
the left transverse end of the case 114. The diameter of the
adapter 126, and correspondingly the blind bore 120, is selected so
that the circumferential edge thereof centrally contacts the
rearward end of each of the gas bottles 112" so that inward
displacement of the adapter 126 will simultaneously displace the
gas bottle 112 and be punctured at essentially the same moment. The
"high energy" cartridge assembly 114 is operable in an identical
manner with the "low energy" and "medium energy" cartridge
assemblies, inward displacement of the adapter 126 being adapted to
drive the gas bottles 112 against the piercing elements 86" to
release the pressurized gas.
In all three forms of the cartridge assemblies hereinbefore
described, it will be appreciated that when the pressurized
container or containers is punctured thereby releasing the
pressurized gas, a substantial amount of pressurized gas energy can
be lost due to leakage toward the rear of the case, between the
passages supporting the gas container and the container itself. To
efficiently utilize all of the pressurized gas energy as a
propellant for launching the projectile 100, various sealing means
are provided and illustrated respectively in FIGS. 9--12. For
purposes of description, the sealing means shall be described in
conjunction with the "low energy" cartridge assembly illustrated in
FIG. 4, although it will be appreciated that the gas bottle 112 and
112" of the other embodiments are comparably sealed by one of the
following forms.
With reference now to FIG. 9, a flexible rolling diaphragm type of
seal member 130 is located at the right inward end of cylindrical
passage 68 proximate the piercing element support member 78. The
member 130 is comprised of an axially extending skirt portion 132
having an enlarged annular bead 134 at one end securely located in
a suitable annular groove 136 disposed in the passage 68. The
opposite end of the skirt portion 132 is rolled, or folded over, to
define an axially extending aperture 138 for snugly receiving the
mouth 106 of the gas bottle 104. The seal member 130 may be
fabricated from any suitable flexible material such as rubber or
synthetic rubber to provide a diaphragm-like characteristic to the
folded over portion. When the gas bottle 104 is displaced to the
right due to the impact with the piston of the projectile launcher
10, the rolled, or folded over portion functions as a diaphargm and
is displaceable to the right in response to movement to the bottle
104. When the bottle 104 is punctured by the piercing element 86
the released pressure will act of the inner side of the folded over
portion to urge the aperture to the left against the increasing
peripheral diameter of the bottle proximate the mouth 106 and
drivingly associate the axial portions against the mouth portion
106 and the circumferential surface of the passage 66,
respectively. Thus, it will be seen that the member 130 is
self-sealing during such time as when the bottle 104 is punctured
to retain the released pressurized gas between the seal 130 and gas
check and efficiently utilize the pressurized media for the launch
of the projectile 100.
In FIG. 10, a second form of the seal member is indicated as an
O-ring 140. The O-ring 140 is nestingly located between the outer
peripheral portion of the mouth 106 of the gas bottle 104 and the
outer circumferential surface of the passage 68. Prior to
puncturing the bottle 104, the pressure on opposite sides of the
O-ring 140 will be equal and the seal will be frictionally held
proximate the outer peripheral bottle surface. When the bottle 104
is urged to the right for puncturing in response to release of the
piston 40, the pressure in the passage 68 on the right side of the
O-ring 140 will be increased and react against the right side of
the O-ring urging it to a leftward sealing position. Thus, it will
again be seen that the O-ring 140 is characterized by self-sealing
under the influence of the pressurized gas.
In FIG. 11, another form of the sealing member is indicated at 142
having a skirt portion 144 extending forwardly from a disc-shaped
base portion 146 which functions as a flexible flat diaphragm. The
base portion 146 has a centrally located aperture 148 of a diameter
substantially equal to the diameter of the mouth 106 of the bottle
104 to define a slight interference fit therewith. The member 142
is fabricated from a rubber compound or equivalent synthetic
material which permits the base portion 146 to circumferentially
flex or bend in response to movement of the bottle 104. Thus, when
the bottle is displaced to the right for puncturing, the base
portion 146 will be circumferentially flexed to the right and upon
puncturing of the bottle 104, the pressure energy will act on the
inner annular surface of the base portion 146 to maintain the
sealing contact therebetween. It will be noted that due to the
increase in diameter of the bottle 104 on the left side of the
mouth portion 106, that the pressure energy release from the bottle
104 will tend to more fully seat the aperture 148 on the outer
peripheral surface of the bottle whereby a tighter seal is
accomplished by increased pressure acting on the right side
thereof.
In FIG. 12 another form of a sealing member is indicated at 150,
comprised of a wedged-shaped annulus slidably located in the
passage 68 and having an inclined surface 152 tangentially seating
on the peripheral surface to the left end of the mouth 106. The
member 150 is urged to the left by a coil spring 154 located
between the support member 78 and the right face of the annulus
150. The spring tends to retain the member 150 in sealing contact
with the bottle 104 during displacement of the bottle to the right
in response to movement of the piston 40, and acts to supplement
the released pressure energy of the bottle 104 in wedging the
member 150 to form a pressure tight seal. Thus, it will be
appreciated that all four of the sealing embodiments are
self-sealing due to a force provided by the pressurized media which
insures that the releasable pressurized gas may be fully utilized
for the launching operation, regardless of the form of the seal
selected.
To operate the projectile launcher 10 with any of one of the "low
energy," "medium energy," or "high energy" cartridge assemblies,
the operation knob 48 for the piston 40 is initially positioned in
the loading slot 47 which locates the right end of the piston 40
inwardly of the right face of the breech 36 as viewed in FIG. 2.
The release pin 34 is then depressed and the handle 22 is pivotally
rotated to provide access to the receiver 24. The selected
cartridge assembly 54, 54', or 114 is then slidably inserted into
the receiver 24 and the handle is pivotably counter-rotated and
locked to assume the position illustrated in FIG. 1. The operating
knob 48 is then repositioned to the cocking slot 46 against the
bias of the spring 42, and the system is ready for firing. The
launcher barrel 20 is directed towards a selected target with
firing being accomplished by finger or thumb movement of the
operating knob 48 cirumferentially from the cocking slot 46 to the
axial groove 44 wherein the spring 42 will drive the piston to the
right. Upon impact with the gas bottle 104 or 112, the bottle will
be driven against the piercing element 86 and puncturing of the
bottle 104 will be accomplished. Puncturing of the bottle 104 will
release the pressurized gas media which in turn will drive the
bottle to the left, wherein it will be self-sealed by any one of
the forms of the sealing members previously described. Concurrently
the pressurized energy will act on the left face of the gas check
96 driving the projectile 100 interposed between the gas checks 96
and 102 to the right. The rifling grooves 26 of the barrel will
impart a gyroscopic movement to the projectile 100 so that when the
projectile 100 is discharged from the barrel 20 it is subject to
expand under the action of centrifugal force, the gyroscopic motion
displacing the shot particles radially outwardly against the outer
circumferential surface of the deformable container. In this
expanded position, the projectile 100 will deliver a knock-down
blow against the selected target.
Because of the absence of gun powder, or detonation of various
chemicals, the system of the subject invention is not subjected to
high temperatures and therefore the majority of the components may
be extruded, machined, or otherwise fabricated from plastics, and
preferably from a thermoplastic polycarbonate resin material such
as, for example, LEXAN, a product of General Electric. This
provides an economical as well as a sturdy lightweight system which
may be conveniently carried and operated. It also will be noted
that during the firing sequence the operating knob 48 will be
recoiled slightly to the left due to pressure energy acting on the
right end of the gas bottle. In this regard it will be noted that
the enlarged ring 52 is adapted to suitably locate the thumb and
fingers of the hand of the operator in a suitable location to
prevent jamming. It also will be noted that with the exception of
the gas bottles, all parts utilized in the system are reuseable
which further increases the economy of the system.
While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the
invention disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects
above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is
susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing
from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.
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