Mechanical guns and projectors – Fluid pressure – With control for discharge of fluid pressure
Patent
1995-06-07
1997-08-26
Ricci, John A.
Mechanical guns and projectors
Fluid pressure
With control for discharge of fluid pressure
124 70, 124 73, F41B 1100, F41B 1132
Patent
active
056601603
ABSTRACT:
This invention, the Pneumatic Launcher, is an improved, compressed inert gas powered, launching system for the airborne delivery of soft promotional items to persons in an arena or stadium environment. It is manually operable by one person. Receiving its power from a tank of compressed inert gas (usually nitrogen) fitted with a regulator and a three way manifold with two air lines and a relief valve, the unit has two hoses attached to its rear housing plate. One line fills the accumulator tank while the auxiliary line insures the pneumatic trigger always has gas pressure to complete the firing cycle. A ball valve of 11/2 or larger releases the volume of gas from the accumulator tank quickly and completely, much more so than solenoid operated valves by virtue of the pneumatic air ram mechanism attached to the valve stem by a balanced cam type "T" shaped handle assembly. The released gas is channeled through a 180.degree. curved tube into an expansion chamber that uses thin metal vanes to spin the gas as it approaches the barrel, thus allowing the lightest of objects to overcome air drag as best possible upon exiting the barrel. The loading and firing movements of the Pneumatic Launcher can be performed with one hand while the other, with the use of a shoulder strap, supports and balances the unit. As the handle on the sliding breach cover is moved forward, the barrel is tilted down for safety during loading, and as the handle is pulled back the barrel tilts up into normal ruing position. As the operator's hand moves to the firing button, the opening in the housing allows for a firm grip in a central balanced position on the unit so that final aiming can be quickly achieved. The Pneumatic Launcher can put a beverage insulator in a 12" circle at 50 feet or a soft ball in a 36" circle at 250 feet under normal circumstances.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 2304841 (1942-12-01), Mikkelsen
patent: 2526018 (1950-10-01), Foster et al.
patent: 2581758 (1952-01-01), Galliano et al.
patent: 2703944 (1955-03-01), Molyneux
patent: 3400703 (1968-09-01), Rhodes
patent: 4774928 (1988-10-01), Kholin
patent: 5337726 (1994-08-01), Wood
Prescott Melvin Eulan
Ricci John A.
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