Multi-barrel compressed gas cannon with reusable housing

Abstract

A confetti cannon 100 is configured to launch a payload 305 of confetti and / or streamers. A trigger 107 of the air cannon 100 selectively provides compressed air from a compressed air cylinder 109 to an outlet 301 of the air cannon 100 in response to input from a user. A rotating housing 133 has a plurality of base fittings 105, each configured to receive an end fitting 141 from a launch tube or canister 303. When launched, compressed gas from the outlet 301 of the air cannon 100 enters a canister 303 aligned with the outlet 301, propelling a payload out of one end of the canister 303. The rotating housing 133 is rotatable relative to the outlet 301 to align a second canister with the outlet 301 of the air cannon 100, thereby preparing the air cannon 100 to blast a payload from the second canister.

Description

[0001] This patent document contains copyrighted material in certain disclosures. The copyright holder does not object to any reproduction of the patent document or patent disclosure appearing in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's patent documents or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights.

[0002] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0003] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 672,793, filed July 18, 2024, entitled “Multi-barrel Compressed Gas Gun with Reusable Housing,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0005] not applicable Background Technology

[0006] This invention generally relates to confetti dispensers. More specifically, this invention relates to reusable components for confetti or ribbon dispensers.

[0007] Existing confetti and ribbon dispensers are typically designed for complete single use. A thin plastic shell contains a small explosive charge at its first proximal end. A small cardboard plug surrounds the second distal end (nozzle) of the shell, opposite the first end. The payload, consisting of paper or plastic ribbon and / or confetti, is located between the explosive charge and the plug within the shell. When the user activates the charge by pulling a cord or trigger built into the shell, the charge dislodges the distal plug, propelling the payload through the second distal end of the shell. All components are non-refillable and non-reusable, resulting in significant waste. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This invention provides an improved confetti cannon configured to fire a payload of confetti and / or ribbon. In one embodiment, the confetti cannon is a reusable, reloadable, and refillable air gun. The air gun is configured to receive a compressed gas cylinder (e.g., a CO2 cylinder). The trigger of the air gun responds to user input, selectively supplying compressed air from the compressed gas cylinder to the outlet of the air gun. In one embodiment, the air gun includes a rotating housing having a plurality of base fittings, each configured to receive an end fitting from a firing tube or canister. The firing tube end fitting is locked (e.g., screwed in or twist-locked) into the base fitting of the rotating housing. When the user activates the trigger, compressed gas from the air gun outlet enters a canister aligned with the outlet, ejecting the payload from one end of the canister opposite the end fitting. The rotating housing can be rotated relative to the outlet to align a second canister with the outlet of the air gun, so that when the trigger is activated again, the air gun is ready to eject the payload from the second canister.

[0009] In one aspect, an air gun includes a housing, a base fitting, and a trigger. The housing is configured to receive compressed gas from a compressed gas cylinder. The base fitting is supported by the housing and configured to receive a corresponding end fitting of a canister (i.e., a firing tube). The trigger is supported by the housing and configured to selectively supply compressed gas from the compressed gas cylinder to the base fitting through an outlet of the housing.

[0010] In another aspect, a canister for an air gun includes an end fitting, a cylinder, and a payload. The end fitting is configured to engage with a base fitting of the air gun and to contain compressed gas from the air gun. The cylinder extends forward from the end fitting. The payload is stored within the cylinder. Attached Figure Description

[0011] FIG. 1 This is an isometric view of an air gun according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 yes FIG. 1 A side perspective view of an air gun, showing the canister.

[0013] FIG. 3 yes FIG. 2 A side sectional view of an air gun.

[0014] FIG. 4 yes FIG. 1 End view of the air gun.

[0015] FIG. 5 According to an embodiment of the present invention, for use FIGS. 1-4 An isometric view of the canister of an air gun.

[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to alternative embodiments of the invention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. Where possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and description to refer to the same or similar parts. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments described herein, several terms are defined below. The terms defined herein have the meanings commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in the relevant field of this invention. Terms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” are not intended to refer to a single entity only, but rather to encompass the general category to which a particular example used for illustration belongs. The terms herein are used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their use does not limit the invention unless set forth in the claims.

[0018] As described herein, the vertical position is considered to be the position of a device component in its normal operating or natural rest position as described herein. As used herein, the vertical or perpendicular position of a firearm or firearm means that, when assembled and held by a shooter in preparation for firing (i.e., opening fire or firing), the bore of the barrel extends generally horizontally or flush with the longitudinal axis, and the trigger extends generally downward. Unless otherwise stated, the terms vertical, horizontal, above, below, side, top, bottom, and other directional terms are used relative to this vertical position during operation. The term “when” is used to specify the direction of the relative position of components and is not intended as a temporary limitation of the device described herein and claimed in the claims, unless otherwise stated. The terms “above,” “below,” “on top,” and “under” mean “having a greater or lesser elevation or vertical height” and are not intended to imply that one object or component is directly above or below another object or component.

[0019] The phrase “in one embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Conditional language used herein, such as “may,” “possibly,” “can,” “for example,” etc., unless specifically stated or understood otherwise in the context, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include certain features, elements, and / or states that are not included in other embodiments. Therefore, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and / or states are necessary in any respect for one or more embodiments, or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for determining whether such features, elements, and / or states are included or whether they are performed in any particular embodiment, regardless of operator input or prompting.

[0020] The terms “coupled” and “connected” refer to at least a direct electrical or mechanical connection between connected items, or an indirect connection via one or more passive or active intermediary devices.

[0021] Now for reference FIGS. 1-5In one embodiment, the air gun 100 (e.g., a confetti cannon) includes a housing 103, a base fitting 105, and a trigger 107. The housing 103 is configured to contain compressed gas from a compressed gas cylinder 109. In one embodiment, the compressed gas in the compressed gas cylinder 109 is carbon dioxide. The base fitting 105 is supported by the housing 103 and is configured to receive a corresponding end fitting 141 of a canister 303 (e.g., a firing tube). The trigger 107 is supported by the housing 103. The trigger 107 is configured to selectively supply compressed gas from the compressed gas cylinder 109 (e.g., a compressed gas canister) to the base fitting 105 through an outlet 301 of the housing 103.

[0022] In one embodiment, housing 103 includes a main housing 131 having an adapter 151 configured to receive a compressed gas cylinder 109. In one embodiment, adapter 151 is configured to puncture the compressed gas cylinder 109 to receive compressed gas from the cylinder 109. In another embodiment, housing 103 includes a main housing 131 and a rotating housing 133 supported by the main housing 131. The rotating housing 133 includes a base fitting 105, which is one of a plurality of base fittings on the rotating housing 133. Each base fitting 105 is configured to receive a corresponding end fitting 141 of the canister 303. The rotating housing 133 is configured to rotate relative to the main housing 131 about its center point, such that the different base fittings 105 of the rotating housing can be aligned with an outlet 301 of the housing (e.g., the outlet of the main housing 131). In one embodiment, the rotating housing 133 includes a plurality of stop recesses 137, each stop recess 137 corresponding to one of a plurality of base fittings 105 of the rotating housing 133. In one embodiment, the air gun 100 also includes a stop ball 135 extending between the main housing 131 and the rotating housing 133. In one embodiment, it extends from the main housing 131 to the rotating housing 133 and is biased toward the rotating housing 133. That is, when the stop ball 135 extending from the main housing 131 engages (engages) with a given stop recess 137, the corresponding base fitting 105 aligns with the outlet 301 of the housing 103 (e.g., the outlet of the main housing 131). In one embodiment, the air gun 100 (or housing 103) also includes a seal 161 extending between the outlet 301 of the main housing and the rotating housing 131 (e.g., extending to the base fitting 105).

[0023] Special Reference FIG. 3 and FIG. 5In one embodiment, the air gun 100 also includes a canister 303 (i.e., a firing tube). The base fitting 105 of the housing 103 and the end fitting 141 of the canister 303 are complementary or corresponding twist-lock fittings (e.g., a half-turn twist lock). Alternatively, the base fitting 105 may have threads complementary to the threads of the end fitting 141 of the canister 303. In one embodiment, the canister includes the end fitting 141, a barrel 307, a payload 305, an inlet cap or cover 145, and a cover 143 (e.g., an outlet cap or cover). The barrel 307 extends forward from the end fitting 141 (away from the trigger 107 and the main housing 131). The payload 305 (e.g., confetti and / or ribbon) is stored within the barrel 307. An inlet cap or cover 145 is located at the end fitting 141 (at the end of the tank 303 opposite to the cover 143, or between the end fitting 141 and the cylinder 307) and is configured to retain the payload 305 within the cylinder 307 until the trigger 107 is actuated and compressed gas enters the tank 303 from the compressed gas cylinder 109 through the housing 100. When the trigger 107 is actuated, the inlet cap 145 may break or detach. The cover 143 (i.e., the outlet cap) is located at the end of the tank 303 opposite to the end fitting 141 (above or embedded in the end of the cylinder 307) and is configured to retain the payload 305 within the cylinder 307.

[0024] In one embodiment, the air gun 100 includes a plurality of canisters 303, each canister 303 engaging with one of a plurality of base fittings 105 in a rotating housing 133, and the payload 305 is one of colored paper and / or ribbon.

[0025] In one embodiment, the air gun 100 is configured to fire canisters 303 filled with confetti and / or ribbon. The air gun 100 uses a compressed gas cylinder 109 (e.g., a standard CO2 cylinder) and, via a trigger 107, supplies compressed gas to the outlet 301 of the air gun 100's housing 103. A rotating housing 133 housing multiple canisters 303 is rotatably connected to the front of the air gun 100's main housing 131. A stop ball 135 extending from the main housing 131 aligns the barrel of the rotating housing 133 or the canisters 303 with the outlet 301 of the air gun 100. When the air gun 100 is fired via the trigger 107, compressed gas is supplied to the outlet 301 and transmitted to the rotating housing 133 and its base fitting 105, which is aligned with the outlet 301 of the main housing 131 via a corresponding stop notch 137. The base fitting 105 supplies compressed gas to the canister 303 connected to it via a corresponding end fitting 141. First and second caps 143, 145 in the canister are broken or detached to allow the payload (e.g., ribbon and / or confetti) in the canister to be ejected from the canister 303. The rotating housing 133 can be rotated to a next stop notch 137 in the rotating housing 133 to align with the next canister 303 connected to the rotating housing 133. The ejected canister 303 can be replaced, thus making the main housing 131 and the rotating housing 133 reusable. Only the compressed gas cylinder 109 and the canister 303 need to be replaced or refilled.

[0026] In one embodiment, a confetti cannon includes an air gun 100 and a plurality of launch tubes or canisters 303. The air gun has two main parts: a main housing 131 and a rotating housing 133. The rotating housing 133 is centrally connected to the main housing 131 and is rotatable about its center. The main housing 131 includes a stop ball 135 extending forward from the main housing 131 to the rotating housing 133. The rotating housing 133 includes a plurality of base fittings 105, each configured to receive a launch tube or canister 303. Each launch tube or canister 303 includes an end fitting 141 configured to twist-lock into a base fitting 105. In one embodiment, the base fitting twist-lock is a half-turn twist-lock fitting. In another embodiment, the twist-lock includes complementary threads on the end fitting 141 and the base fitting 105, respectively. The rotating housing 133 includes a plurality of stop recesses 137, each stop recess 137 corresponding to a base fitting 105, such that when the stop recess 137 engages with the stop ball 135, the base fitting 105 is aligned with the outlet 301 of the main housing 131 of the air gun 100.

[0027] In one embodiment, the main housing 131 of the air gun 100 includes an adapter 151 and a trigger 107. The adapter 151 is configured to receive a compressed gas cylinder 109 containing compressed gas (e.g., compressed CO2). The adapter 151 can puncture the compressed gas cylinder 109. The trigger 107 is configured to, in response to receiving input from a user, supply compressed gas from the compressed gas cylinder 109 to an outlet 301 of the main housing 131. In one embodiment, the air gun 100 also includes a regulator configured to supply pressurized gas from the compressed gas cylinder to the outlet 301 at a pressure lower than the pressure of the compressed gas cylinder. The main housing 131 may further include a firing chamber located between the regulator and the trigger 107 for collecting the compressed gas supplied by the regulator at a reduced pressure. In one embodiment, a stock or handle of the main housing 131 is configured to house the compressed gas cylinder 109 therein. In one embodiment, the main housing 131 of the air gun 100 is primarily made of plastic, while certain high-pressure or high-stress components for high-pressure gas (e.g., pipes, regulators, and valves) are made of metal.

[0028] The canister 303 or firing tube includes an end fitting 141, a body 131, and at least one cover 143. The cover 143 may be formed from a portion of ribbon or colored paper, or from cardboard or plastic. In one embodiment, the body or cylinder 307 is formed of plastic and is generally cylindrical. The end fitting 141 is located at a first end of the body 307, and the cover 143 is located at the opposite, second end 307 of the body. The payload 305 is located between the end fitting 141 and the second end (e.g., the cover 143). Thus, the body 307 forms the barrel of the cannon or air gun 100. In one embodiment, the payload 305 is contained within the body 307 such that no separate cover is required at either end of the canister 303, and the air pressure from the main housing outlet 301 is sufficient to detach the payload from the body 307 of the canister 303 and eject it. In one embodiment, when the stop ball 135 of the main housing 131 is received in the stop recess 137 of the rotating housing 133 (i.e., when one of the plurality of base fittings 105 of the rotating housing 133 is aligned with the outlet 301 of the body 131 of the air gun 100), the outlet 301 of the body 131 is sealed to the rotating housing 133.

[0029] This specification uses examples to disclose the invention and also enables any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any device or system and performing any of the included methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, but may include other examples that would occur to a person skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to fall within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that are not different from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that are not substantially different from the literal language of the claims.

[0030] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are shown as illustrative rather than limiting of the invention. The main features of the invention can be used in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize many equivalents of the specific procedures described herein. These equivalents are considered to be within the scope of the invention and are covered by the claims.

[0031] [0G029] All compositions and / or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be manufactured and / or performed without excessive experimentation based on the teachings of this disclosure. While the compositions and methods of the present invention have been described with reference to the embodiments contained herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations can be applied to the compositions and / or methods, as well as to the steps or sequence of steps of the methods described herein, without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the invention. All such similar alternatives and modifications that are obvious to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0032] Therefore, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described, such references should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention unless set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An air gun, characterized in that, include: A housing configured to contain compressed gas from a compressed gas cylinder; A base fitting supported by the outer shell, the base fitting being configured as a corresponding end fitting of the receiving tank; as well as A trigger supported by the housing, wherein the trigger is configured to selectively supply compressed gas from the compressed gas cylinder to the base fitting through an output port of the housing.

2. The air gun according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing includes a main housing; and The main housing includes an adapter configured to receive the compressed gas cylinder.

3. The air gun according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing includes a main housing; and The main housing includes an adapter configured to receive the compressed gas cylinder and puncture it.

4. The air gun according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing includes a main housing and a rotating housing; the rotating housing includes the base fitting; The rotating outer shell is supported by the main outer shell; and The base fitting is one of a plurality of base fittings for the rotating housing.

5. The air gun according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing includes a main housing and a rotating housing; the rotating housing includes the base fitting; The rotating outer shell is supported by the main outer shell; The base fitting is one of a plurality of base fittings for the rotating housing; and Each of the plurality of base fittings is configured as a corresponding end fitting of the receiving tank.

6. The air gun according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing includes a main housing and a rotating housing; the rotating housing includes the base fitting; The rotating outer shell is supported by the main outer shell; The base fitting is one of a plurality of base fittings for the rotating housing; Each of the plurality of base fittings is configured as a corresponding end fitting of the receiving tank; and The rotating outer shell is configured to rotate relative to the main outer shell.

7. The air gun according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing includes a main housing and a rotating housing; the rotating housing includes the base fitting; The rotating outer shell is supported by the main outer shell; The base fitting is one of a plurality of base fittings for the rotating housing; Each of the plurality of base fittings is configured as a corresponding end fitting of the receiving tank; The rotating housing is configured to rotate relative to the main housing; and The rotating housing includes multiple stop recesses, each stop recess corresponding to one of the multiple base fittings.

8. The air gun according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing includes a main housing and a rotating housing; the rotating housing includes the base fitting; The rotating outer shell is supported by the main outer shell; The base fitting is one of a plurality of base fittings for the rotating housing; Each of the plurality of base fittings is configured as a corresponding end fitting of the receiving tank; The rotating housing is configured to rotate relative to the main housing; and The rotating housing includes a plurality of stop recesses, each stop recess corresponding to one of the plurality of base fittings; The air gun also includes a stop ball extending between the main housing and the rotating housing, wherein the stop ball is configured to engage with one of the plurality of stop recesses, thereby aligning one of the plurality of base fittings corresponding to the stop recess with the output port of the main housing.

9. The air gun according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing includes a main housing and a rotating housing; the rotating housing includes the base fitting; The rotating outer shell is supported by the main outer shell; The base fitting is one of a plurality of base fittings for the rotating housing; Each of the plurality of base fittings is configured as a corresponding end fitting of the receiving tank; The rotating housing is configured to rotate relative to the main housing; and The rotating housing includes a plurality of stop recesses, each stop recess corresponding to one of the plurality of base fittings; The air gun also includes a stop ball extending from the main housing to the rotating housing, wherein the stop ball is biased toward the rotating housing and configured to engage with one of the plurality of stop recesses, thereby aligning one of the plurality of base fittings corresponding to the stop recess with the output port of the main housing.

10. The air gun according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing includes a main housing and a rotating housing; the rotating housing includes the base fitting; The rotating outer shell is supported by the main outer shell; The base fitting is one of a plurality of base fittings for the rotating housing; Each of the plurality of base fittings is configured as a corresponding end fitting of the receiving tank; The rotating housing is configured to rotate relative to the main housing; and The air gun also includes a seal extending between the output port of the main housing and the rotating housing.

11. The air gun according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air gun also includes the canister.

12. The air gun according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air gun also includes the canister; The base fitting is a twist lock fitting; and The end fitting of the can is a twist-lock fitting that corresponds to the twist-lock fitting of the base fitting.

13. The air gun according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing includes a main housing and a rotating housing; the rotating housing includes the base fitting; The rotating outer shell is supported by the main outer shell; The base fitting is one of a plurality of base fittings for the rotating housing; The air gun also includes a plurality of canisters, each of which is configured to engage with one of the plurality of base fittings via an end fitting of the canister.

14. The air gun according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air gun also includes the canister; and The tank includes: The end fittings; A cylindrical body extending forward from the end fitting; and The effective load stored inside the cylinder.

15. The air gun according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air gun also includes the canister; and The tank includes: The end fittings; The cylindrical body extends forward from the end fitting; The effective load stored in the cylinder; and A cover opposite the end fitting is configured to hold the payload inside the cylinder until the trigger is activated and compressed gas is supplied from the compressed gas cylinder to the outlet of the housing and through the canister, so that the payload is released from the cylinder through the cover.

16. The air gun according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air gun also includes the canister; and The tank includes: The end fittings; The cylindrical body extends forward from the end fitting; The effective load stored inside the cylinder; An inlet cover located at the end fitting, the inlet cover being configured to retain the payload within the cylinder until the trigger is activated; and A cover opposite the end fitting is configured to retain the payload within the cylinder until the trigger is activated and compressed gas is supplied from the compressed gas cylinder to the outlet of the housing and through the inlet cover and the cylinder, so that the payload is released from the cylinder.

17. The air gun according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air gun also includes the compressed air cylinder; and The compressed gas cylinder contains compressed carbon dioxide.

18. A canister for an air gun, the canister comprising: An end fitting, the end fitting being configured to engage with a base fitting of the air gun and receive compressed gas from the air gun; The cylindrical body extends forward from the end fitting; as well as The effective load stored inside the cylinder.

19. The tank according to claim 18, characterized in that: The can also include an inlet cap located at the end fitting, the inlet cap being configured to retain the payload within the canister until the trigger is activated.

20. The tank according to claim 18, characterized in that: The canister also includes a cover opposite the end fitting, the cover being configured to retain the payload within the cylinder until compressed gas is supplied through the end fitting and into the cylinder to dislodge the payload from the cylinder; and The payload includes at least one of ribbon or colored paper.

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