Projectile launcher
AssigneeTippmann Sports, LLC
InventorAndre J. Buys
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A launcher for propelling projectiles out of a barrel using compressed gas. The receiver includes a grip with an opening for receiving a compressed gas cartridge. In some embodiments, the grip includes a door movable between an open position that allows the compressed gas cartridge to be removed from the opening, a closed position that retains the compressed gas cartridge in the opening, and an activation position where the door cooperates with a gas transfer mechanism to pierce the seal of the compressed gas cartridge to release gas. The door can be closed without piercing the seal, but a greater force can be applied to the door to pierce the seal.
Claims15
A projectile launcher comprising:
- a barrel defining a longitudinal bore dimensioned to receive a projectile;
- a receiver including a breech proximate the barrel, wherein the receiver includes a grip portion defining an opening dimensioned to receive a compressed gas cartridge, wherein the receiver includes a gas transfer mechanism configured to pierce a seal of the compressed gas cartridge disposed in the opening;
- a valve assembly configured to be in fluid communication with the gas transfer mechanism, wherein the valve assembly is configured to selectively vent a source of compressed gas into the breech to propel a projectile out of the barrel;
- a firing assembly configured to actuate the valve assembly responsive to a trigger pull;
- a selector assembly operatively connected with the grip portion, wherein the selector assembly includes a door movable between an open position that allows the compressed gas cartridge to be removed from the opening, a closed position that retains the compressed gas cartridge in the opening, and an activation position where the door cooperates with the gas transfer mechanism to pierce the seal in the compressed gas cartridge;
- wherein the door comprises a proximal end pivotally connected to the grip portion and a distal end extending from the proximal end;
- and
- wherein the distal end of the door moves further into the opening in the grip portion when in the activation position.
A projectile launcher comprising:
- a barrel defining a longitudinal bore dimensioned to receive a projectile;
- a receiver including a breech proximate the barrel, wherein the receiver includes an opening dimensioned to receive a compressed gas cartridge, wherein the receiver includes a gas transfer mechanism configured to pierce a seal of the compressed gas cartridge disposed in the opening;
- a valve assembly configured to be in fluid communication with the gas transfer mechanism, wherein the valve assembly is configured to selectively vent a source of compressed gas into the breech to propel a projectile out of the barrel;
- a firing assembly configured to actuate the valve assembly responsive to a trigger pull;
- a selector assembly including a door pivotal between an open position, a closed position and an activation position for selectively retaining the compressed gas cartridge in the opening, wherein the selector assembly includes at least one magnet for retaining the compressed gas cartridge in the opening without piercing the seal when a force applied to the door is less than a predetermined force in the closed position and to pierce the seal when a force greater than the predetermined force is applied to the door in the closed position;
- and
- wherein the at least one magnet is spring-loaded, and the predetermined force overcomes the urging on the magnet to allow the door to move to the activation position.
A method of operating a projectile launcher, the method comprising the steps of:
- pivoting a door covering an opening in a grip of a projectile launcher to an open position that provides access to the opening;
- inserting a compressed gas cartridge into the opening in the grip;
- pivoting the door to a closed position with a first force to retain the compressed gas cartridge in the opening, wherein the first force is insufficient to move the door to an activation position that pierces the compressed gas cartridge;
- and
- applying a second force to the door to pivot the door past the closed position to the activation position that pierces the compressed gas cartridge, wherein the second force is greater than the first force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.