Abstract
A projectile launching apparatus includes a linear motion converter driven by a motor, a piston coupled to the linear motion converter and reciprocally movable within a cylinder, a gas spring and a breech assembly. The piston, when actuated by the linear motion converter, may energize the gas spring, and after the gas spring is fully energized, the linear motion converter may release the piston. When the piston is released, the piston may compress a gas within the cylinder, which compressed gas may be communicated to a barrel of the breech assembly. The compressed gas may expand in the barrel of the breech assembly for launching a projectile that has been chambered in the barrel, with a high velocity.
Claims
1. A projectile launching apparatus, comprising: a power source; a motor electrically connected to the power source; a control circuit configured to control a power supply to the motor from the power source; a cylinder comprising a piston reciprocally movable within the cylinder to define a gas chamber within the cylinder, the gas chamber capable of accommodating gas therein; a barrel cam arrangement driven by the motor, the barrel cam comprising a cam track and a cam profile, said profile comprising a rise region, said barrel cam being operatively coupled to the piston and configured to cause the piston to reciprocally move within the cylinder for compressing the gas within the gas chamber; a plurality of cam followers, wherein at least one of said cam followers of said plurality of cam followers is a stationary cam follower, a gas spring, the gas spring coupled to the piston and barrel cam such that when the barrel cam and piston are caused to move reciprocally the gas spring is energized; wherein the gas spring further comprises rollers that transmit the torque of the motor to the barrel cam allowing the barrel cam to rotate, wherein said plurality of cam followers is operatively coupled to and capable of engaging said cam profile of said barrel cam such that when the barrel cam is rotated, said plurality of cam followers engage the cam profile of the barrel cam for a portion of such rotation of the barrel cam to cause the barrel cam to move linearly to energize gas spring, and wherein said plurality of cam followers thereafter disengage from said cam profile of said barrel cam, a breech assembly comprising a barrel, a projectile inlet port configured on the barrel, the projectile inlet port adapted to permit a projectile to be received within the barrel, and a bolt; wherein the gas received within the gas chamber is compressed by the piston due to rotation of the barrel cam in a manner such that the compressed gas is released from the gas chamber into the barrel, causing the compressed gas to expand in the barrel thereby causing the projectile to be launched from the barrel.
2. The projectile launching apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of cam followers comprises a first stationary cam follower and a second stationary cam follower, wherein the first stationary cam follower engages the barrel cam for a first portion of the operational cycle of the apparatus, and the second stationary cam follower thereafter engages barrel cam for a second portion of the operational cycle of the apparatus.
3. The projectile launching apparatus of claim 2, wherein said plurality of cam followers further comprises a retractable cam follower, and wherein said retractable cam follower engages the barrel cam during a portion of said first portion of the operational cycle of the apparatus and during a portion of said second portion of the operational cycle of the apparatus and disengages from the barrel cam during a third portion of the operational cycle of the apparatus.
4. The projectile launching apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a gear reduction mechanism, the gear reduction mechanism capable of transferring a rotational movement of the motor to the barrel cam arrangement.
5. The projectile launching apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a bolt driving mechanism coupled to the bolt for causing the bolt to move between the first position and the second position.
6. The projectile launching apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a bolt barrel cam, the bolt driving mechanism further comprises a spring configured to move the bolt to the first position; a bolt rod, a bolt follower assembly, wherein the bolt driving mechanism is operatively coupled to the bolt barrel cam, wherein the bolt driving mechanism and the bolt barrel cam are operatively coupled to the gas spring such that the bolt driving mechanism and the bolt barrel cam are capable of rotating when the gas spring rotate, and wherein the bolt barrel cam rotates the bolt follower assembly, bolt rod, and bolt reciprocally to allow a projectile to enter the breech and to thereafter seal the bolt.
7. The projectile launching apparatus of claim 6, wherein the bolt driving mechanism further comprises a gear reduction means for reducing the rotation speed of the bolt barrel cam so that one rotation of the bolt barrel cam corresponds to one cycle of the projectile launching apparatus.
8. The projectile launching apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor configured to enable the control circuit to determine at least one position of the piston and or cam during an operational cycle of the apparatus.
9. The projectile launching apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a velocity control means coupled to the gas chamber wherein the velocity control means can be adjusted to allow gas to be released from the gas chamber, thereby adjusting the velocity of the projectile.
10. The projectile launching apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a one-way clutch, whereby the one-way clutch allows rotation of the barrel cam arrangement in only one direction.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0023] The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a projectile launching apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a projectile launching apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a section view of a projectile launching apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of the operational cycle after release of the piston and firing a projectile, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates a partial isometric view of the operational cycle showing the bolt retracting to allow a projectile to enter the breech, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates a partial isometric view of the operational cycle showing the bolt retracted while the barrel cam is energizing the gas spring, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 7 illustrates a partial isometric view of the operational cycle showing the bolt retracted while the barrel cam is energizing the gas spring, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 8 illustrates another partial isometric view of the operational cycle showing the bolt retracted while the barrel cam is energizing the gas spring, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0032] FIG. 9 illustrates a partial isometric view of the operational cycle after a second barrel cam releases the bolt and the barrel cam is released to drive a projectile, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0033] FIG. 10A illustrates an isometric view of a gas spring assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0034] FIG. 10B illustrates a sectional view of a gas spring assembly, piston, and barrel cam, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0035] FIG. 11 illustrates an isometric view of a portion operational cycle the breech assembly, piston, barrel cam, and gas spring, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0036] FIG. 12 illustrates an isometric view of another portion operational cycle the breech assembly, piston, barrel cam, and gas spring, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0037] FIG. 13 illustrates an isometric view of another portion operational cycle the breech assembly, piston, barrel cam, and gas spring, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0038] FIG. 14 illustrates an isometric view of another portion operational cycle the breech assembly, piston, barrel cam, and gas spring, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0039] FIG. 15 illustrates the location of the sensor which determines the location of rotation of components of a projectile launching apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0040] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0041] The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to a particular projectile launching apparatus, as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure.
[0042] The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
[0043] The present disclosure provides a projectile launching apparatus for launching a projectile, such as a pellet, a BB bullet, an arrow, a dart, a paintball and the like. The projectile launching apparatus may be an arrangement of a linear motion converter driven by a motor, a piston coupled to the linear motion converter and reciprocally movable within a cylinder, a gas spring and a breech assembly. The piston, when actuated by the linear motion converter, may compress a gas within the cylinder, which compressed gas may be communicated to a barrel of the breech assembly. The compressed gas may expand in the barrel of the breech assembly for launching a projectile that has been chambered in the barrel, with a high velocity (or an adjusted velocity as elsewhere described herein).
[0044] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a projectile launching apparatus 1000, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The projectile launching apparatus 1000 includes a start switch (not shown), a power source 151, a motor 101, a control circuit 114, a gear reduction mechanism 102, a cylinder 105, a linear motion converter 110 (and, in an embodiment, linear motion converter 110 comprises a barrel cam, so hereinafter the ‘linear motion converter 110’ may be interchangeably referred to as the ‘barrel cam 110’), a gas spring 100, a handle 103, and a breech assembly 128. The projectile launching apparatus 1000 is capable of launching a projectile from a barrel 104 of the breech assembly 128 with the help of a gas compressed within the cylinder 105 that is generated by a reciprocal movement of a piston 109 by linear motion converter 110. FIG. 2 shows a cutaway cross-sectional view of an exemplary apparatus 1000, including a gear reduction mechanism 102 thereof.
[0045] The operation cycle of the projectile launching apparatus 1000 may start by pressing ON on the start switch of the apparatus. The power source is configured to supply power to the motor 101 through the control circuit 114. Specifically, the motor 101 may be electrically connected to the power source through the control circuit 114. The control circuit 114 may be any electronic-based apparatus that is capable of connecting power to the motor 101 for the purpose of initiating an operation cycle of the projectile launching apparatus 1000. The control circuit 114 is further capable of disconnecting the power to the motor 101 after an operation cycle of the projectile launching device 1000 is completed. Herein, the operation cycle of the projectile launching apparatus 1000 may comprise an operation involved in launching the projectile from the barrel 104 of the projectile launching apparatus 1000 upon once manipulating the start switch to an ON position. The motor 101 generates a rotational movement when the motor 101 is powered ON, and rotational movement of the motor 101 may be transferred to move the linear motion converter 110 through the gear reduction mechanism 102.
[0046] In the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the gear reduction mechanism 102 includes a plurality of gears, such as planet gears and ring gears. The gear reduction mechanism 102 is configured to transfer the rotational movement of the motor 101 into the movement of the linear motion converter 110. Herein, for the purpose of exemplary representation, the gears are represented as planetary gears in FIGS. 2 and 3. However, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the gears may include other type of gears, such as a helical gear, a bevel gear and a face gear. Further, the gear reduction mechanism 102 may include a plurality of such gears or a combination of such gears, which gears or combination thereof are capable of transferring the rotational movement of the motor 101 to the movement of the linear motion converter 110.
[0047] Although herein the linear motion converter 110 is represented in an exemplary embodiment as a barrel cam (and hereinafter referred to as “barrel cam 110”), it will be apparent to a person skilled in art that the linear motion converter 110 may be any suitable mechanism that converts the rotational movement of the motor 101 into a linear reciprocal movement of any element. For example, the linear motion converter may include other arrangements such as a rack and pinion arrangement, a lead screw arrangement and a crankshaft and connecting rod arrangement.
[0048] The barrel cam arrangement includes a barrel cam 110 (shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, for example) and as plurality of fixed follower assemblies 108 (shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, for example). Each fixed follower assembly 108 preferably includes a follower 130 (shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 11, for example) and follower bearings 129 (shown in FIG. 4, for example). In an embodiment, follower 130 comprises a stationary cam follower, which cam follower may contact the barrel cam to force linear movement as the barrel cam rotates, thereby energizing the gas spring.
[0049] The barrel cam 110 is further coupled to the piston 109 (shown in FIG. 10, for example), which piston is partially disposed within the cylinder 105. The rotation of the barrel cam 110 enables the barrel cam 110 and the piston 109 to move reciprocally within the cylinder 105 as the follower assemblies 108 roll on the barrel cam 110.
[0050] The barrel cam 110 and the piston 109 are further coupled to the gas spring 100, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, for example. The gas spring 100 is energized as the barrel cam 110 rotates and the piston 109 move reciprocally within the cylinder 105 as a result. The gas spring 100 is comprised of a gas spring cylinder 117, a gas spring end cap and fill port 118, a gas spring seal 119 and a gas spring piston 120 (shown in FIG. 10, for example). The gas spring piston 120 is operably coupled to the piston 109. The gas spring cylinder 117 is capable of accommodating gas therein. The gas spring cylinder 117 is pressurized, and preferably within a range of 100 and 5000 psi. In an embodiment, the gas spring further comprises a rod seal disposed upon the piston of the gas spring.
[0051] Referring now to FIGS. 11-14, a breech assembly 128 is comprised of a breech 107 and a bolt 106. In order to allow a projectile to enter the breech assembly, the bolt 106 moves reciprocally within the breech 107. The reciprocal movement of the bolt 106 may be accomplished by a bolt driving mechanism. In an embodiment, the mechanism comprises coupling the bolt 106 to a bolt rod 113. In an embodiment, the mechanism comprises further the bolt rod 113 being operably coupled to the bolt follower assembly 112. In an embodiment, the bolt follower assembly 112 may be biased forward by a bolt assembly spring 116 (also referred to herein as a bolt spring). The bolt 106, bolt rod 113 and bolt follower assembly 112 are all operably coupled to one another and may move together. In an embodiment, the bolt follower assembly 112 is in contact with a second linear motion converter. In an exemplary embodiment the second linear motion converter comprises a bolt barrel cam 111. The bolt barrel cam 111, the gas spring 100, the barrel cam 110 and the piston 109 are capable of all rotating together. In a further embodiment, an additional gear reduction mechanism operatively is provided that permits the bolt barrel cam to complete one rotation for every two rotations of the barrel cam. As the bolt barrel cam rotates, it moves the bolt follower assembly 112, bolt rod 113 and bolt 106 reciprocally to allow a projectile to enter the breech 107 and then to seal the bolt in the breech before the gas spring 100 releases its stored energy to launch the projectile.
[0052] Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, an exemplary gas spring 100 is depicted. The gas spring piston 120 is coupled to the piston 109. FIG. 10 also depicts an exemplary coupling of the piston 109 to the barrel cam 110. The gas spring 100 may also incorporate drive rollers 121. The drive rollers 121 may engage with the barrel cam 110 to allow both rotation and linear reciprocation of the barrel cam 110. For example, the rollers 121 may transmit the torque of the motor to the barrel cam, thus allowing the barrel cam to rotate and to translate linearly to energize the gas spring. As the gas spring 100 rotates, the barrel cam 110 makes contact with the follower assemblies 108 (shown in FIGS. 4-9, for example), forcing the barrel cam 110 to slide linearly in the cylinder 105. This motion energizes the gas spring 100 until the barrel cam 110 releases from the follower 130, thereby allowing the piston 109 and barrel cam 110 to move away from the gas spring 100 to compress air in front of the piston 109. This compressed air moves through the bolt 106 and the barrel 104 to launch the projectile.
[0053] In the preferred embodiment of the disclosure, an exemplary full cycle is depicted in FIGS. 4-9. FIG. 4 depicts the operational elements of the disclosure immediately after a projectile has been launched. The gas spring 100 is not energized and the bolt 106 is sealed in the barrel 104. As the gas spring 100 starts to rotate (as shown in comparing FIG. 5 to FIG. 6, for example) via the gear box 102 and the motor 101, the follower 130 rolls on the barrel cam 110 to start to energize the gas spring 100. The bolt barrel cam 111 also rotates and moves the bolt follower assembly 112 reciprocally. This energizes the bolt assembly spring 116 and moves the bolt 106 linearly to open the breech 107 and allow a projectile to enter. FIG. 7 continues the cycle as the elements rotate. In FIG. 7, the bolt is fully open and is maintained in the open position long enough for a projectile to enter the breech 107. In this embodiment, the bolt 106 is maintained in its fully open position for at least 45 degrees, and preferably up to 300 degrees of rotation. (This section of the cam that so maintains the bolt 106 is referred to herein as a dwell). In an embodiment, the preferred dwell is greater than 180 degrees. Each degree of rotation energizes the gas spring 100 more as the barrel cam 110 moves linearly. In FIG. 8, the dwell of the bolt barrel cam 111 is completed as the bolt follower assembly 112 disengages from the bolt barrel cam 111, allowing the bolt assembly spring 116 to move the bolt 106 forward sealing the projectile into the barrel 104 where it is ready for launch. FIG. 8 depicts the maximum energized state of the gas spring 100, where the follower 130 is about to disengage the barrel cam 110. The next few degrees of rotation may release the barrel cam 110, as shown in FIG. 9, allowing it to move reciprocally towards the breech 107, thereby compressing the air in front of the piston 109 to launch a projectile.
[0054] The operational cycle can be stopped at any point during the sequence described above. However, the preferred stopping and starting point of the cycle is depicted in FIG. 7. It is preferred because the bolt 106 is in the open position between cycles. It is additionally preferred because when the cycle is resumed a projectile can be launched with only a few degrees of rotation after starting the cycle. This creates an elapsed time that is imperceptible to the user. That is, the user interprets the firing of the projectile as immediate. The time to launch the projectile from cycle start is preferably less than 120 msec. and more preferably less than 50 msec. Stopping of the cycle may be accomplished by using a sensor 122 as shown in FIG. 15. In an embodiment, the sensor determines a pre-determined position in the cycle and communicates to the control circuit to remove power from the motor, stopping the cycle. When the cycle stops (as shown in FIG. 7, for example), the barrel cam 110 stops while in a position where it is engaged with the follower 130. This engagement creates a rotational force on the barrel cam 110 that wants to “back drive” the rotation of the cam. To prevent this, a one-way clutch 115, or a flat on the barrel cam 111 are used to retain its position. The one-way clutch 115 can be positioned anywhere in the rotational system including at the motor, at the gear box or the gas spring 100. In the preferred embodiment it is positioned on the gas spring 100 as depicted in FIG. 3. The one-way clutch 115 may be one of a roller clutch, a Sprague clutch, a ratchet and pawl, a detent or the like.
[0055] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the apparatus comprises a plurality of cam followers that are capable of engaging a barrel cam 110 with a single barrel cam track. This is depicted in FIGS. 4-9. In an embodiment, at least one of the plurality of cam followers is retractable. In an embodiment, the single track of the barrel cam 110 encompasses less than 360 degrees of rotation, and preferably less than 320 degrees. The plurality of cam followers 130 may engage the barrel cam and the track of a barrel cam consecutively. In an embodiment comprising two cam followers 130, a first cam follower 130a engages the barrel cam track as the cam rotates. This drives the cam rearward towards a second cam follower 130b. When the second cam follower 130b is engaged, the first cam follower is retracted and no longer is in contact with the cam track. As the cam continues to rotate while engaged with the second cam follower 130b the distance the cam is moved is increased by the distance between the first and the second cam follower 130b. The cam followers 130a and 130b are preferably disposed 180 degrees apart from one another along the longitudinal axis of the cam. The first cam follower can be retracted by means of a spring or other mechanism such as a solenoid 131. The first cam follower 130a may remain retracted until the cycle is complete and the barrel cam 110 is released from the second cam follower 130b. This embodiment is advantageous because multiple followers can increase the stroke of the piston thereby requiring a smaller cylinder diameter and more ergonomic device.
[0056] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of cam followers comprises three cam followers 130, two being stationary cam followers 130a and 130b that are on the same side of the cam and one retractable cam follower 132 that is 180 degrees opposite the stationary followers 130a and 130b with respect to the cam. This embodiment is shown in an exemplary configuration in FIG. 6. The retractable cam follower 132 is positioned between the stationary cam followers 130a and 130b. The first stationary cam follower 130a engages the barrel cam track as the cam rotates. This drives the cam rearward towards a retractable cam follower 132. When the retractable cam follower 132 is engaged and rotation continues, the cam follower 130a ceases engagement with the cam track. As the cam continues to rotate while engaged with the retractable cam follower 132, the second stationary cam follower 130b engages the cam track. As rotation continues the retractable cam follower 132 ceases engagement with the cam track and is retracted. In this instance the distance the cam is moved increases to two times the distance of a single cam follower. The retractable cam follower 132 can be retracted by means of a spring or other mechanism such as a solenoid 131. This embodiment is advantageous because multiple followers can increase the stroke of the piston, thereby requiring a smaller cylinder diameter and more ergonomic device.
[0057] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure.
