US 5,967,133 AGranted

Pneumatically operated projectile launching device

AssigneeSmart Parts, Inc.

InventorWilliam M. Gardner, Jr.

Life of this patent

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Abstract

The pneumatically operated projectile launching device is preferably comprised of three principal elements: a body which houses and interconnects all of the pneumatic components and also houses the electrical power source, a grip mounted to the body which includes an electrical switch that activates a launching sequence, and an electrical control unit housed within both the body and the grip which directs flow between the pneumatic components to load, cock and fire the gun. The body preferably contains a plurality of chambers in communication with each other including a chamber containing and distributing pressurized gas, a chamber containing a compressed gas storage chamber and mechanisms for filling the storage chamber with gas and releasing gas from the storage chamber to fire the projectile, and a chamber containing mechanisms for loading and launching the projectile. The electrical control unit preferably includes an electrical power source which activates an electrical timing circuit when the electrical switch is closed, and two electrically operated pneumatic flow distribution devices which are sequentially energized by the electrical timing circuit to enable the loading of a projectile for launching and to release compressed gas from the storage chamber to fire the projectile, respectively.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A pneumatically operated device for launching a projectile comprising:

A. a body having a plurality of chambers including:
(i) a first chamber containing compressed gas;
(ii) a second chamber in communication with said first chamber having:
(a) a compressed gas storage chamber for storing said compressed gas;
(b) a compressed gas filling mechanism for filling said compressed gas storage chamber;
(c) a compressed gas releasing mechanism for releasing said compressed gas from said compressed gas storage chamber to fire said projectile;
(iii) a third chamber in communication with said first chamber and said second chamber having:
(a) a projectile launching mechanism for launching said projectile;
(b) a projectile loading mechanism in communication with a source of projectiles for loading said projectiles into said projectile launching mechanism;
B. an electrical control unit comprising:
(i) an electrical timing circuit;
(ii) first and third electrically operated pneumatic flow distribution mechanisms electrically connected to said timing circuit for actuation thereby, said first and third distribution mechanisms each being positionable between:
(a) a first position in which said projectile launching mechanism is prevented from receiving said projectile;
(b) a second position which enables said projectile launching mechanism to receive said projectile;
(iii) a second electrically operated pneumatic flow distribution mechanism electrically connected to said timing circuit for actuation thereby, said second distribution mechanism being positionable between:
(a) a first position which enables said compressed gas storage chamber to be filled with said compressed gas;
and
(b) a second position which enables release of said compressed gas from said compressed gas storage chamber to launch said projectile.

15 more elements

A pneumatically operated device for launching a projectile comprising:

A. a body having a plurality of chambers including:
(i) a first chamber containing compressed gas;
(ii) a second chamber in communication with said first chamber having:
(a) a compressed gas storage chamber for storing said compressed gas;
(b) a compressed gas filling mechanism for filling said compressed gas storage chamber;
(c) a compressed gas releasing mechanism for releasing said compressed gas from said compressed gas storage chamber to fire said projectile;
(iii) a third chamber in communication with said first chamber and said second chamber having:
(a) a projectile launching mechanism for launching said projectile;
(b) a projectile loading mechanism in communication with a source of projectiles for loading said projectiles into said projectile launching mechanism;
B. an electrical control unit comprising:
(i) an electrical timing circuit;
(ii) a first electrically operated pneumatic flow distribution mechanism electrically connected to said timing circuit for actuation thereby, said first distribution mechanism being positionable between:
(a) a first position in which said projectile launching mechanism is prevented from receiving said projectile;
(b) a second position which enables said projectile launching mechanism to receive said projectile;
(iii) a second electrically operated pneumatic flow distribution mechanism electrically connected to said timing circuit for actuation thereby, said second distribution mechanism being positionable between:
(a) a first position which enables said compressed gas storage chamber to be filled with said compressed gas;
(b) a second position which enables release of said compressed gas from said compressed gas storage chamber to launch said projectile;
and
wherein said first electrically operated pneumatic flow distribution mechanism is a four-way valve.

16 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/941,117Filed 30 Sep 1997 · continuation in part
Priority: 16 Jan 1996
Granted: 19 Oct 1999
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

F41B 11/62
Characterised by the supply of compressed gas: with pressure supplied by a gas cartridge
F41B 11/52
Magazines for compressed-gas guns; Arrangements for feeding or loading projectiles from magazines: the projectiles being loosely held in a…
F41B 11/57
Magazines for compressed-gas guns; Arrangements for feeding or loading projectiles from magazines: electronic or electric systems for feeding or…
F41B 11/71
Details not provided for in F41B11/50 or F41B11/60: electric or electronic control systems, e.g. for safety purposes