Projectile launchers and methods of operation

Abstract

Projectile launchers, their components, and their methods of operation. A safety mechanism provides the projectile launchers with an initial state in which the launcher cannot launch a projectile within a launching chamber, an activation state in which a grip safety is depressed to engage a hammer with a trigger bar and a first pull of the trigger causes a plunger to push a seal of a gas canister into a needle to cause a gas-tight cavity and a gas supply duct to be pressurized with a compressed gas, and a ready-to-launch state in which the grip safety is depressed so that the hammer is still engaged with the trigger bar and a second pull of the trigger causes the trigger bar to actuate and release the hammer to launch a projectile positioned within the launching chamber.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 747,155 filed Jan. 20, 2025, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention generally relates to projectile launchers, their components, and their methods of operation.

[0003] The term “air gun” is commonly used to refer to a projectile launcher that is configured as a gun and shoots a projectile by releasing an amount of compressed air, carbon dioxide (CO2), or other gas (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as gas as a matter of convenience) to propel the projectile upon actuating a trigger assembly, such as by pulling a finger trigger. In some air guns, the compressed gas is supplied by a canister carried on or within the gun, a charge of a predetermined quantity of the gas is released from the canister by means of the trigger assembly, and the compressed gas is conducted to a launching assembly to forcefully propel the projectile through a barrel of the gun.

[0004] Before the compressed gas can be utilized by the gun, the canister containing the gas must first be pierced. With some air guns, the canister is pierced during installation of the canister into the gun, whereas other air guns allow the canister to be pierced after installation of the canister. In either case, an issue arises as a result of a tendency for the compressed gas to leak from the pierced canister over time. Consequently, it is possible that the canister will contain little if any compressed gas when use of the air gun is needed. While posing a minor nuisance if the air gun is used for recreation, such a scenario can be a serious matter if the air gun is used for self-defense or law enforcement, for example, to launch a frangible projectile that contains an irritant, such as a pepper powder or pepper gel capable of serving as a non-lethal payload against an attacker or other intended target. Moreover, the user is unaware of the lack of sufficient compressed gas until the trigger is pulled.

[0005] In view of the above, it would also be desirable if a projectile launcher were available that was operable to ensure that a canister installed in the launcher will contain a sufficient amount of compressed gas to propel a projectile, even after extended periods of time after the canister was installed.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The intent of this section of the specification is to briefly indicate the nature and substance of the invention, as opposed to an exhaustive statement of all subject matter and aspects of the invention. Therefore, while this section identifies subject matter recited in the claims, additional subject matter and aspects relating to the invention are set forth in other sections of the specification, particularly the detailed description, as well as any drawings.

[0007] The present invention provides, but is not limited to, projectile launchers, their components, and their methods of operation.

[0008] According to a nonlimiting aspect of the invention, projectile launcher is provided having a frame defining a forward direction and a rearward direction of the project launcher, a barrel at a forward end of the frame, a grip at a rearward end of the frame, a launching chamber within the frame, a launching mechanism within the frame and positioned rearward of the launching chamber for launching a projectile from the launching chamber by means of a compressed gas, and a trigger coupled to the frame and configured to actuate the launching mechanism when the trigger is actuated. The projectile launcher includes a gas-tight cavity disposed beneath the barrel, a puncture needle disposed at a forward end of the gas-tight cavity, a plunger body and a plunger reciprocably disposed therein at a rearward end of the gas-tight cavity, the plunger being translatable by actuating the trigger, a canister disposed in the gas-tight cavity and containing the compressed gas, the canister having a seal facing the puncture needle and a base facing the plunger, the plunger being operable in an activation state of the projectile launcher to cause the canister to translate in the forward direction to pierce the seal with the puncture needle when the trigger is actuated; a gas supply duct for fluidically coupling the gas-tight cavity to the launching mechanism, and a safety mechanism comprising a grip safety, a hammer, a trigger bar, and a stop member and by which the projectile launcher has an initial state in which the launcher cannot launch a projectile, the activation state in which the grip safety is depressed to engage the hammer with the trigger bar and a first pull of the trigger causes the plunger to push the seal of the canister into the needle to cause the gas-tight cavity and the gas supply duct to be pressurized with the compressed gas, and a ready-to-launch state in which the grip safety is depressed so that the hammer is still engaged with the trigger bar and a second pull of the trigger causes the trigger bar to actuate and release the hammer to launch a projectile positioned within the launching chamber.

[0009] According to another nonlimiting aspect of the invention, projectile launcher is provided having a frame defining a forward direction and a rearward direction of the project launcher, a barrel at a forward end of the frame, a grip at a rearward end of the frame, a launching chamber within the frame, a launching mechanism within the frame and positioned rearward of the launching chamber for launching a projectile from the launching chamber by means of a compressed gas, and a trigger coupled to the frame and configured to actuate the launching mechanism when the trigger is actuated. The projectile launcher includes a cavity associated with the frame, a puncture needle associated with the cavity, a canister disposed in the cavity and containing the compressed gas, the canister having a seal facing the puncture needle, a gas supply duct that does not fluidically couple the canister to the launching mechanism in an initial state of the projectile launcher and fluidically couples the canister to the launching mechanism in an activation state of the projectile launcher, and a pressure indicator that extends from the frame in the activation state but not in the initial state.

[0010] According to yet another nonlimiting aspect of the invention, a method of using a projectile launcher as described above includes the projectile launcher in the initial state in which the launcher cannot launch a projectile. the grip safety has not yet been actuated and the trigger has not yet been pulled, the hammer is restrained by trigger bar and the grip safety, and the canister has not yet been pushed forward to pierce the seal with the needle to ensure that the canister contains a sufficient amount of the compressed gas to propel a projectile, placing the projectile launcher in the activation state in which the grip safety is depressed to engage the hammer with the trigger bar, a first pull of the trigger causes the plunger to push the seal of the canister into the needle causing the cavity and gas supply duct to be pressurized with the compressed gas; and placing the projectile launcher in the ready-to-launch state in which the grip safety is depressed so that the hammer is still engaged with the trigger bar, and a second pull of the trigger is able to cause the trigger bar to actuate and release the hammer to launch a projectile positioned within the launching chamber.

[0011] Technical aspects of projectile launchers and methods as described above preferably include the ability to ensure that the canister contains a sufficient amount of compressed gas to propel a projectile, even after extended periods of time after the canister was installed in the projectile launcher. Preferred but optional aspects of projectile launchers as described above also include intuitive mechanisms for safely and effectively piercing a canister, informing a user of the operational readiness of the launcher and that a projectile is proper seated for launching, and / or facilitating user access when replacing a canister.

[0012] These and other aspects, arrangements, features, and / or technical effects will become apparent upon detailed inspection of the figures and the following description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a left side exterior view of a projectile launcher according to nonlimiting aspects of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a right side view showing internal features of the projectile launcher of FIG. 1, including a canister that is installed in a cavity below a barrel of the projectile launcher, and shows the projectile launcher in an initial state prior to the canister being pierced by a puncture needle located at a forward end of the cavity.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a right side view similar to FIG. 2, but shows the projectile launcher in an activation state in which a grip safety of the launcher is being depressed and a trigger of the launcher is being operated to cause the canister to be pierced by the puncture needle.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a right side view similar to FIG. 3, but shows the projectile launcher in a ready-to-launch state after the trigger has been released.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a left side view showing internal features of the projectile launcher of FIG. 1, and shows the projectile launcher in the ready-to-launch state.

[0018] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing details of a safety mechanism adapted to prevent and enable the operation of the trigger of the projectile launcher.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a right side view showing internal features of a second embodiment of a projectile launcher, including a canister that is installed in a cavity below a barrel of the projectile launcher, and shows the projectile launcher in an initial state prior to a first trigger pull of a trigger, prior to piercing the canister with a puncture needle, prior to depression of a grip safety, and prior to engagement of a hammer by a trigger bar connected to the trigger.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a left side showing the projectile launcher of FIG. 7 in an activation state following a first trigger pull to pierce the canister with the puncture needle, and further showing the grip safety depressed to lift the trigger bar into engagement with the hammer while also allowing the trigger bar to translate.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a right side view showing the projectile launcher of FIG. 7 during a second trigger pull, during which the trigger bar is translated to actuate the hammer.

[0022] FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C represent different operating stages of a pressure indicator of the projectile launcher of FIGS. 7 through 8.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The intended purpose of the following detailed description of the invention and the phraseology and terminology employed therein is to describe what is shown in the drawings, which depict one or more nonlimiting embodiments of the invention, and to describe certain but not all aspects of the embodiment(s) to which the drawings relate. The following detailed description also identifies certain but not all alternatives of the embodiment(s) depicted in the drawings. As nonlimiting examples, the invention encompasses additional or alternative embodiments in which one or more features or aspects shown and / or described as part of a particular embodiment could be eliminated, and also encompasses additional or alternative embodiments that combine two or more features or aspects shown and / or described as part of different embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims, and not the detailed description, are intended to recite what are believed to be aspects of the invention, including certain but not necessarily all of the aspects and alternatives described in the detailed description.

[0024] Although the invention will be described hereinafter in reference to projectile launchers in the form of a semi-automatic hand pistol shown in the drawings, it will be appreciated that the teachings of the invention are more generally applicable to a variety of types of air guns and devices that operate to use a supply of compressed gas, such as air, CO2, or other (non-ignited) gases, to forcefully eject a projectile.

[0025] For convenience, consistent reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to identify the same or functionally related / equivalent elements among various embodiments of the invention. To facilitate the description provided below of the embodiments represented in the drawings, relative terms, including but not limited to, “proximal,”“distal,”“anterior,”“posterior,”“vertical,”“horizontal,”“lateral,”“front,”“rear,”“side,”“forward,”“rearward,”“top,”“bottom,”“upper,”“lower,”“above,”“below,”“right,”“left,” etc., may be used in reference to the orientation of the projectile launcher and its components during its use and / or as represented in the drawings.

[0026] Turning now to the drawings, a projectile launcher 10 is represented in FIGS. 1 through 5 as including a frame 12 that defines a forward direction and a rearward direction of the project launcher 10. The frame 12 comprises a launching chamber 24, a barrel 26 at a forward end of the frame 12, and a gas-tight cavity 28 beneath the barrel 26 that is sized and shaped to receive a canister 40 containing a compressed gas. The frame 12 carries a launching mechanism 14 associated with the launching chamber 24, and a safety mechanism that includes a trigger 16 and, as more readily seen in FIG. 6, a grip safety 20, a trigger bar 32, a stop member 36, and a hammer 34. A grip 30 extends downwardly from a rearward end of the frame 12 immediately behind the trigger 16, and is sized and spaced apart from the trigger 16 so as to be held in the palm of a user's hand with a finger of the hand wrapped around the front of the trigger 16. A gas supply duct 18 (FIG. 5) fluidically couples the cavity 28 to the launcher mechanism 14, which is located rearward of the launching chamber 24 into which projectiles (not shown) are fed from a magazine 38 within the grip 30. The magazine 38 is represented as a removable type configured to be releasably locked into a cavity inside the grip 30, but such a feature is not required. The magazine 38 may be of a type known or used in the industry, and therefore will not be described in any detail here. The projectiles may be any suitable projectile, such as a paintball, BB, or other generally similar projectile, though projectiles that contain an irritant (e.g., pepper) are of particular interest. A window 22 (FIG. 1) is provided in the frame 12 by which a user can verify that a projectile is present within the launching chamber 24. The launcher 10 may incorporate a vacuum mechanism that is activated upon a projectile being loaded into the launching chamber 24 to draw the projectile securely into place within the launching chamber 24, thus reducing the risk of projectile misalignment and promoting a more consistent projectile performance.

[0027] The launching mechanism 14 is configured to fire a projectile disposed in the launching chamber 24 through and out of the barrel 26 by means of a charge of compressed gas supplied from the canister 40 to the launcher mechanism 14. The launching mechanism 14 may be of a type known or used in the industry, and therefore will not be described in any detail here. The compressed gas is supplied from the canister 40 to the launcher mechanism 14 via the gas supply duct 18 when the trigger 16 is moved from a non-launching position (FIG. 2) to a launching position (FIG. 3), for example, by a user's finger squeezing the trigger 16 in a direction indicated in FIG. 3. The trigger 16 pivots relative to the frame 12 to shift the trigger bar 32 axially (that is, generally along the axial direction of the barrel 26) forward and rearward relative to the frame 12. When the trigger 16 is pulled toward the grip 30 as represented in FIG. 3, the trigger bar 32 is shifted in a forward direction to engage a stop member 36 formed as a portion of the hammer 34, which then actuates the launching mechanism 14 to forcefully eject the projectile from the barrel 26. The hammer 34 is represented as pivoting about a pivot pin 36A. The grip safety 20 engages the stop member 36 to prevent the trigger 16 and the hammer 34 from being actuated (pivoted) unless the stop member 36 is released by the grip safety 20. More particularly, a latch member 20A disposed at an upper end of the grip safety 20 engages a catch 36B formed on the stop member 36, preventing the actuation of the hammer 34 and also preventing the actuation of the trigger 16 via the trigger bar 32. By actuating (depressing) the grip safety 20 to cause it to rotate toward the grip 30, the latch member 20A disengages the catch 36B on the stop member 36, enabling the trigger 16 to actuate the hammer 34 through the trigger bar 32. The grip safety 20 and grip 30 are ergonomically designed so that the grip safety 20 can be actuated as a result of a user grasping the grip 30 in the palm of their hand. Other aspects of the grip safety 20, trigger bar 32, hammer 34, and stop member 36, which are components of the safety mechanism of the launcher 10, can be appreciated from FIG. 6.

[0028] The cavity 28 in which the canister 40 is received is represented as being accessed through an opening 42 below the forward end (muzzle) of the barrel 26, and through which the canister 40 can be inserted into the cavity 28. The opening 42 is closed by a cover 44. The cover 44 is preferably threaded into the opening 42 and, as represented in the drawings, has a slot to allow the cover 44 to be removed and reinstalled using a coin or fingers. The cover 44 carries a puncture needle 46 by which the compressed gas within the canister 40 can be released into the cavity 28. The cover 44 positions the needle 46 at the forward end of the cavity 28 so as to face the canister 40, which is represented as being of the type that has a base 48 at one end and is closed by a seal (not shown) at an opposite end of the canister 40. When the canister 40 is initially inserted into the cavity 28, the seal located at the forward end of the canister 40 is not pierced by the needle 46, but the base 48 is or can be contacted by a plunger 50 reciprocably located within a plunger body 52 at a rearward end of the cavity 28. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the plunger 50 is actuated by the trigger 16 as depicted in FIG. 3, causing the plunger 50 to travel forward, which in turn causes the canister 40 within the cavity 28 to travel forward until the canister 40 is pierced by the needle 46. Additionally, FIG. 3 shows that the plunger 50 causes the forward end of the canister 40 in which the seal is disposed to enter into and be retained by a coupling 44A formed by the cover 44 and surrounding the needle 46. The coupling 44A locks the canister 40 into an operative position inside the cavity 28 while simultaneously permitting the compressed gas released from the canister 40 to flow into the cavity 28 through the canister seal, needle 46, and coupling 44A. The compressed gas released as a result of the canister seal being pierced is able to flow through the plunger body 52, around the plunger 50, then through the gas supply duct 18 and finally before entering the launcher mechanism 14 through an inlet (not shown) located adjacent a forward portion of the pressure indicator 54. In view of the above, while the grip safety 20 is actuated (pressed toward the grip 30), a first pull of the trigger 16 pierces the canister 40 to cause compressed gas to flow from the canister 40 to the launching mechanism 14 via the gas supply duct 18, and thereafter a second pull of the trigger 16 actuates the hammer 34 to cause the launching mechanism 14 to propel a projectile within the launching chamber 24 by means of a charge of the compressed gas that was released from the canister 40 and received by the launcher mechanism 14.

[0029] As shown in the drawings, the projectile launcher 10 can be further equipped with a pressure indicator 54, represented as a spring-biased pin located in the frame 12 at the rear of the launcher 10. The pressure indicator 54 is connected to the gas supply duct 18 as seen in FIG. 5, and is biased by a spring so that the indicator 54 extends from the rear of the launcher 10 only if compressed gas is present within the gas supply duct 18 at a sufficient pressure level to launch a projectile from the launching chamber 24. As such, the pressure indicator 54 provides a user with a positive indication of whether there is a charge of compressed gas within the launching mechanism 14 that is sufficient to launch a projectile, independent of whether a canister 40 is present within the cavity 28.

[0030] In view of the foregoing, it can be appreciated that the grip safety 20 is configured to have a “safety on” position that prevents unintended discharge of a projectile (e.g., accidental launching). The trigger 16 and grip safety 20 are coupled together by the trigger bar 32 to prevent the trigger 16 from being pulled without simultaneously actuating (depressing) the grip safety 20 to cause the grip safety 20 to arrive at a “safety-off” position.

[0031] As perhaps best seen in FIG. 2, the launcher 10 has an initial state in which the launcher 10 cannot launch a projectile. In the initial state, the grip safety 20 has not yet been actuated and the trigger 16 has not yet been pulled, the hammer 34 is restrained by trigger bar 32 and the grip safety 20, the canister 40 has not yet been pushed forward to pierce its seal with the needle 46, and the pressure indicator 54 does not extend from the frame 12 of the launcher 10. As represented in FIG. 2, the initial state exists even with the canister 40 loaded into the cavity 28. As such, the canister 40 is not pierced in the initial state of the projectile launcher 10, which ensures that the canister 40 will contain a sufficient amount of compressed gas to propel a projectile, even after extended periods of time after the canister 40 was installed.

[0032] Then, in an activation state depicted in FIG. 3, with the grip safety 20 depressed to release the hammer 34, a first pull of the trigger 16 causes the plunger 50 to push the canister 40, more specifically its seal, into the needle 46, causing the cavity 28 and gas supply duct 18 to be pressurized with compressed gas and the pressure indicator 54 to extend. In this state, though the hammer 34 is released by the grip safety 20 and therefore can be actuated by the trigger 16, compressed gas is not yet supplied (or not yet sufficiently supplied) to the launching mechanism 14 and therefore a projectile within the launching chamber 24 is not propelled through the barrel 26.

[0033] Finally, in a ready-to-launch state depicted in FIG. 4, with the grip safety 20 depressed so that the hammer 34 is still released, a second pull of the trigger 16 is able to cause the trigger bar 32 to release the hammer 34 to launch a projectile positioned within the launching chamber 24.

[0034] FIGS. 7 through 9 represent a projectile launcher 10 representative of a second embodiment of the invention that includes a modified pressure indicator 54 shown in more detail in FIGS. 10A-10C. In view of similarities between the embodiments of the projectile launchers 10 represented in the drawings, aspects of the embodiment represented in FIGS. 7 through 10C that are not discussed below can be, in terms of structure, function, materials, etc., essentially as was described for the embodiment represented in FIGS. 1 through 6.

[0035] The projectile launcher 10 is represented in FIGS. 7 through 9 as including a trigger / pusher interface lever 56 operable as a force multiplier for reducing the force required to pull the trigger 16 during the process of piercing the seal of the canister 40, during which the canister 40 is pushed forward to force the needle 46 through the seal. The interface lever 56 is shown as pivotally mounted on a pin 58 above the trigger 16, the trigger 16 engages a lower end of the interface lever 56, and the interface lever 56 contacts the plunger 50 at a midportion of the lever 56.

[0036] The configuration and operation of the trigger bar 20, stop member 36, and hammer 34 also differ from that shown in FIGS. 1 through 6. The latch member 20A at the upper end of the grip safety 20 engages only the trigger bar 32, as apparent from FIGS. 7 and 8. In this configuration, the trigger bar 32 has a rest position seen in FIG. 7, and the grip safety 20 must be depressed to lift the trigger bar 32 into engagement with the stop member 36 of the hammer 34 as seen in FIG. 8. Once engaged with the stop member 36, actuation of the trigger 16 causes the trigger bar 32 to actuate the hammer 34 via the stop member 36 as shown in FIG. 9.

[0037] More particularly, FIG. 7 shows the projectile launcher 10 in an initial state prior to a first trigger pull of the trigger 16, prior to piercing the canister 40 with the puncture needle 46, prior to depressing the grip safety 20, and prior to engagement of the hammer 34 by the trigger bar 32 connected to the trigger 16. FIG. 8 shows the projectile launcher of FIG. 7 in an activation state following the first trigger pull to pierce the canister 40 with the puncture needle 46 and thereby pressurize the launcher mechanism 14 with compressed gas from the cavity 28 via the gas supply duct 18, which is indicated by the extension of the pressure indicator 54. FIG. 8 further shows the grip safety 20 depressed to lift the trigger bar 32 into engagement with the stop member 36 of the hammer 34 while also allowing the trigger bar 32 to translate in the rearward direction. FIG. 9 shows the projectile launcher 10 of FIGS. 7 and 8 during a second trigger pull, during which the trigger bar 32 is translated to actuate the hammer 34 via the stop member 36.

[0038] The pressure indicator 54 of the projectile launcher 10 represented in FIGS. 7 through 9 incorporates certain modifications relative to the indicator 54 shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, and FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C represent different operating stages of the pressure indicator 54 of FIGS. 7 through 9. As with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 5, the pressure indicator 54 is represented as a spring-biased pin located in the frame 12 at the rear of the launcher 10. The pressure indicator 54 is connected to the gas supply duct 18 as seen in FIG. 8, and a spring biases the indicator 54 toward a retracted position so that the indicator 54 will extend from the rear of the launcher 10 only if compressed gas is present within the gas supply duct 18 at a sufficient pressure level to launch a projectile 60 from the launching chamber 24. As such, the pressure indicator 54 provides a user with a positive indication of whether there is a charge of compressed gas within the launching mechanism 14 that is sufficient to launch the projectile 60.

[0039] As seen in FIG. 7, in its initial state the launcher 10 cannot launch the projectile 60 because the canister 40 has not yet been pushed forward to pierce its seal with the needle 46, and as a result the pressure indicator 54 is in its retracted position and therefore does not extend from the frame 12 of the launcher 10 as shown in FIG. 10A. Then, in the activation state depicted in FIGS. 8 and 10B, the first pull of the trigger 16 has caused the plunger 50 to push the canister 40, more specifically its seal, into the needle 46, causing the cavity 28 and gas supply duct 18 to be pressurized with compressed gas so that the pressure indicator 54 extends and protrudes from the frame 12 as shown in FIG. 10B. In this state, though the hammer 34 is released by the grip safety 20 and therefore can be actuated by the trigger 16, compressed gas is not yet supplied (or not yet sufficiently supplied) to the launching mechanism 14 and therefore a projectile 60 within the launching chamber 24 is not propelled through the barrel 26. Finally, in the ready-to-launch state depicted in FIG. 9, with the grip safety 20 depressed so that the trigger bar 32 is still engaged with the hammer 34, a second pull of the trigger 16 is able to cause the trigger bar 32 to actuate and release the hammer 34 to launch the projectile 60 positioned within the launching chamber 24.

[0040] FIG. 10C represents the ability of a user to purge / degas any remaining compressed gas from the launcher mechanism 14, gas supply duct 18, and cavity 28 by depressing the pressure indicator 54. Specifically, a user can push the pressure indicator 54 to cause the indicator 54 to translate from its extended position toward its retracted position, which releases compressed gas within the launcher mechanism 14, gas supply duct 18, and cavity 28. In so doing, removal of the canister 40 is easier. The means by which the pressure indicator 54 achieves this capability can be seen from a comparison of FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C. FIG. 10A shows the retracted position of the pressure indicator 54 prior to pressuring the launcher 10 achieved by piercing the seal of the canister 40. The pressure indicator 54 carries an O-ring seal 62, and a second O-ring seal 64 is mounted within a bore 66 within which the indicator 54 translates between its retracted and extended positions. As such, the seal 62 translates with the pressure indicator 54 whereas the seal 64 remains stationary. As seen in FIG. 10A, the seals 62 and 64 are positioned on either side of the inlet 68 to the launching mechanism 14. In FIG. 10B, pressurization causes the pressure indicator 54 to translate within its bore 66, and compressed gas flows around a reduced-diameter “necked” portion 70 of the indicator 54 prior to entering the inlet 68. As evident from FIG. 10B, the seal 62 moves with the indicator 54 and prevents compressed gas from exiting the bore 66. FIG. 10C shows that by depressing the pressure indicator 54 to return it to its retracted position, compressed gas within the launcher mechanism 14 is able to escape through its inlet 68 and then between the seal 64 and the necked portion 70 of the indicator 54.

[0041] As previously noted above, though the foregoing detailed description describes certain aspects of one or more particular embodiments of the invention, alternatives could be adopted by one skilled in the art. For example, the projectile launcher and / or its components could differ in appearance and construction from the embodiments described herein and shown in the drawings, functions of certain components of the projectile launcher could be performed by components of different construction but capable of a similar (though not necessarily equivalent) function, and various materials could be used in the fabrication of the projectile launcher and / or its components. As such, and again as was previously noted, it should be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to any particular embodiment described herein or illustrated in the drawings.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0023]The intended purpose of the following detailed description of the invention and the phraseology and terminology employed therein is to describe what is shown in the drawings, which depict one or more nonlimiting embodiments of the invention, and to describe certain but not all aspects of the embodiment(s) to which the drawings relate. The following detailed description also identifies certain but not all alternatives of the embodiment(s) depicted in the drawings. As nonlimiting examples, the invention encompasses additional or alternative embodiments in which one or more features or aspects shown and / or described as part of a particular embodiment could be eliminated, and also encompasses additional or alternative embodiments that combine two or more features or aspects shown and / or described as part of different embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims, and not the detailed description, are intended to recite what are believed to be aspects of the invention, including cert...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 747,155 filed Jan. 20, 2025, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention generally relates to projectile launchers, their components, and their methods of operation.

[0003] The term “air gun” is commonly used to refer to a projectile launcher that is configured as a gun and shoots a projectile by releasing an amount of compressed air, carbon dioxide (CO2), or other gas (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as gas as a matter of convenience) to propel the projectile upon actuating a trigger assembly, such as by pulling a finger trigger. In some air guns, the compressed gas is supplied by a canister carried on or within the gun, a charge of a predetermined quantity of the gas is released from the canister by means of the trigger assembly, and the compressed gas is conducted to a launching assembly to forcefully propel the projectile through a barrel of the gun.

[0004] Before the compressed gas can be utilized by the gun, the canister containing the gas must first be pierced. With some air guns, the canister is pierced during installation of the canister into the gun, whereas other air guns allow the canister to be pierced after installation of the canister. In either case, an issue arises as a result of a tendency for the compressed gas to leak from the pierced canister over time. Consequently, it is possible that the canister will contain little if any compressed gas when use of the air gun is needed. While posing a minor nuisance if the air gun is used for recreation, such a scenario can be a serious matter if the air gun is used for self-defense or law enforcement, for example, to launch a frangible projectile that contains an irritant, such as a pepper powder or pepper gel capable of serving as a non-lethal payload against an attacker or other intended target. Moreover, the user is unaware of the lack of sufficient compressed gas until the trigger is pulled.

[0005] In view of the above, it would also be desirable if a projectile launcher were available that was operable to ensure that a canister installed in the launcher will contain a sufficient amount of compressed gas to propel a projectile, even after extended periods of time after the canister was installed.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The intent of this section of the specification is to briefly indicate the nature and substance of the invention, as opposed to an exhaustive statement of all subject matter and aspects of the invention. Therefore, while this section identifies subject matter recited in the claims, additional subject matter and aspects relating to the invention are set forth in other sections of the specification, particularly the detailed description, as well as any drawings.

[0007] The present invention provides, but is not limited to, projectile launchers, their components, and their methods of operation.

[0008] According to a nonlimiting aspect of the invention, projectile launcher is provided having a frame defining a forward direction and a rearward direction of the project launcher, a barrel at a forward end of the frame, a grip at a rearward end of the frame, a launching chamber within the frame, a launching mechanism within the frame and positioned rearward of the launching chamber for launching a projectile from the launching chamber by means of a compressed gas, and a trigger coupled to the frame and configured to actuate the launching mechanism when the trigger is actuated. The projectile launcher includes a gas-tight cavity disposed beneath the barrel, a puncture needle disposed at a forward end of the gas-tight cavity, a plunger body and a plunger reciprocably disposed therein at a rearward end of the gas-tight cavity, the plunger being translatable by actuating the trigger, a canister disposed in the gas-tight cavity and containing the compressed gas, the canister having a seal facing the puncture needle and a base facing the plunger, the plunger being operable in an activation state of the projectile launcher to cause the canister to translate in the forward direction to pierce the seal with the puncture needle when the trigger is actuated; a gas supply duct for fluidically coupling the gas-tight cavity to the launching mechanism, and a safety mechanism comprising a grip safety, a hammer, a trigger bar, and a stop member and by which the projectile launcher has an initial state in which the launcher cannot launch a projectile, the activation state in which the grip safety is depressed to engage the hammer with the trigger bar and a first pull of the trigger causes the plunger to push the seal of the canister into the needle to cause the gas-tight cavity and the gas supply duct to be pressurized with the compressed gas, and a ready-to-launch state in which the grip safety is depressed so that the hammer is still engaged with the trigger bar and a second pull of the trigger causes the trigger bar to actuate and release the hammer to launch a projectile positioned within the launching chamber.

[0009] According to another nonlimiting aspect of the invention, projectile launcher is provided having a frame defining a forward direction and a rearward direction of the project launcher, a barrel at a forward end of the frame, a grip at a rearward end of the frame, a launching chamber within the frame, a launching mechanism within the frame and positioned rearward of the launching chamber for launching a projectile from the launching chamber by means of a compressed gas, and a trigger coupled to the frame and configured to actuate the launching mechanism when the trigger is actuated. The projectile launcher includes a cavity associated with the frame, a puncture needle associated with the cavity, a canister disposed in the cavity and containing the compressed gas, the canister having a seal facing the puncture needle, a gas supply duct that does not fluidically couple the canister to the launching mechanism in an initial state of the projectile launcher and fluidically couples the canister to the launching mechanism in an activation state of the projectile launcher, and a pressure indicator that extends from the frame in the activation state but not in the initial state.

[0010] According to yet another nonlimiting aspect of the invention, a method of using a projectile launcher as described above includes the projectile launcher in the initial state in which the launcher cannot launch a projectile. the grip safety has not yet been actuated and the trigger has not yet been pulled, the hammer is restrained by trigger bar and the grip safety, and the canister has not yet been pushed forward to pierce the seal with the needle to ensure that the canister contains a sufficient amount of the compressed gas to propel a projectile, placing the projectile launcher in the activation state in which the grip safety is depressed to engage the hammer with the trigger bar, a first pull of the trigger causes the plunger to push the seal of the canister into the needle causing the cavity and gas supply duct to be pressurized with the compressed gas; and placing the projectile launcher in the ready-to-launch state in which the grip safety is depressed so that the hammer is still engaged with the trigger bar, and a second pull of the trigger is able to cause the trigger bar to actuate and release the hammer to launch a projectile positioned within the launching chamber.

[0011] Technical aspects of projectile launchers and methods as described above preferably include the ability to ensure that the canister contains a sufficient amount of compressed gas to propel a projectile, even after extended periods of time after the canister was installed in the projectile launcher. Preferred but optional aspects of projectile launchers as described above also include intuitive mechanisms for safely and effectively piercing a canister, informing a user of the operational readiness of the launcher and that a projectile is proper seated for launching, and / or facilitating user access when replacing a canister.

[0012] These and other aspects, arrangements, features, and / or technical effects will become apparent upon detailed inspection of the figures and the following description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a left side exterior view of a projectile launcher according to nonlimiting aspects of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a right side view showing internal features of the projectile launcher of FIG. 1, including a canister that is installed in a cavity below a barrel of the projectile launcher, and shows the projectile launcher in an initial state prior to the canister being pierced by a puncture needle located at a forward end of the cavity.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a right side view similar to FIG. 2, but shows the projectile launcher in an activation state in which a grip safety of the launcher is being depressed and a trigger of the launcher is being operated to cause the canister to be pierced by the puncture needle.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a right side view similar to FIG. 3, but shows the projectile launcher in a ready-to-launch state after the trigger has been released.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a left side view showing internal features of the projectile launcher of FIG. 1, and shows the projectile launcher in the ready-to-launch state.

[0018] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing details of a safety mechanism adapted to prevent and enable the operation of the trigger of the projectile launcher.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a right side view showing internal features of a second embodiment of a projectile launcher, including a canister that is installed in a cavity below a barrel of the projectile launcher, and shows the projectile launcher in an initial state prior to a first trigger pull of a trigger, prior to piercing the canister with a puncture needle, prior to depression of a grip safety, and prior to engagement of a hammer by a trigger bar connected to the trigger.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a left side showing the projectile launcher of FIG. 7 in an activation state following a first trigger pull to pierce the canister with the puncture needle, and further showing the grip safety depressed to lift the trigger bar into engagement with the hammer while also allowing the trigger bar to translate.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a right side view showing the projectile launcher of FIG. 7 during a second trigger pull, during which the trigger bar is translated to actuate the hammer.

[0022] FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C represent different operating stages of a pressure indicator of the projectile launcher of FIGS. 7 through 8.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The intended purpose of the following detailed description of the invention and the phraseology and terminology employed therein is to describe what is shown in the drawings, which depict one or more nonlimiting embodiments of the invention, and to describe certain but not all aspects of the embodiment(s) to which the drawings relate. The following detailed description also identifies certain but not all alternatives of the embodiment(s) depicted in the drawings. As nonlimiting examples, the invention encompasses additional or alternative embodiments in which one or more features or aspects shown and / or described as part of a particular embodiment could be eliminated, and also encompasses additional or alternative embodiments that combine two or more features or aspects shown and / or described as part of different embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims, and not the detailed description, are intended to recite what are believed to be aspects of the invention, including certain but not necessarily all of the aspects and alternatives described in the detailed description.

[0024] Although the invention will be described hereinafter in reference to projectile launchers in the form of a semi-automatic hand pistol shown in the drawings, it will be appreciated that the teachings of the invention are more generally applicable to a variety of types of air guns and devices that operate to use a supply of compressed gas, such as air, CO2, or other (non-ignited) gases, to forcefully eject a projectile.

[0025] For convenience, consistent reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to identify the same or functionally related / equivalent elements among various embodiments of the invention. To facilitate the description provided below of the embodiments represented in the drawings, relative terms, including but not limited to, “proximal,”“distal,”“anterior,”“posterior,”“vertical,”“horizontal,”“lateral,”“front,”“rear,”“side,”“forward,”“rearward,”“top,”“bottom,”“upper,”“lower,”“above,”“below,”“right,”“left,” etc., may be used in reference to the orientation of the projectile launcher and its components during its use and / or as represented in the drawings.

[0026] Turning now to the drawings, a projectile launcher 10 is represented in FIGS. 1 through 5 as including a frame 12 that defines a forward direction and a rearward direction of the project launcher 10. The frame 12 comprises a launching chamber 24, a barrel 26 at a forward end of the frame 12, and a gas-tight cavity 28 beneath the barrel 26 that is sized and shaped to receive a canister 40 containing a compressed gas. The frame 12 carries a launching mechanism 14 associated with the launching chamber 24, and a safety mechanism that includes a trigger 16 and, as more readily seen in FIG. 6, a grip safety 20, a trigger bar 32, a stop member 36, and a hammer 34. A grip 30 extends downwardly from a rearward end of the frame 12 immediately behind the trigger 16, and is sized and spaced apart from the trigger 16 so as to be held in the palm of a user's hand with a finger of the hand wrapped around the front of the trigger 16. A gas supply duct 18 (FIG. 5) fluidically couples the cavity 28 to the launcher mechanism 14, which is located rearward of the launching chamber 24 into which projectiles (not shown) are fed from a magazine 38 within the grip 30. The magazine 38 is represented as a removable type configured to be releasably locked into a cavity inside the grip 30, but such a feature is not required. The magazine 38 may be of a type known or used in the industry, and therefore will not be described in any detail here. The projectiles may be any suitable projectile, such as a paintball, BB, or other generally similar projectile, though projectiles that contain an irritant (e.g., pepper) are of particular interest. A window 22 (FIG. 1) is provided in the frame 12 by which a user can verify that a projectile is present within the launching chamber 24. The launcher 10 may incorporate a vacuum mechanism that is activated upon a projectile being loaded into the launching chamber 24 to draw the projectile securely into place within the launching chamber 24, thus reducing the risk of projectile misalignment and promoting a more consistent projectile performance.

[0027] The launching mechanism 14 is configured to fire a projectile disposed in the launching chamber 24 through and out of the barrel 26 by means of a charge of compressed gas supplied from the canister 40 to the launcher mechanism 14. The launching mechanism 14 may be of a type known or used in the industry, and therefore will not be described in any detail here. The compressed gas is supplied from the canister 40 to the launcher mechanism 14 via the gas supply duct 18 when the trigger 16 is moved from a non-launching position (FIG. 2) to a launching position (FIG. 3), for example, by a user's finger squeezing the trigger 16 in a direction indicated in FIG. 3. The trigger 16 pivots relative to the frame 12 to shift the trigger bar 32 axially (that is, generally along the axial direction of the barrel 26) forward and rearward relative to the frame 12. When the trigger 16 is pulled toward the grip 30 as represented in FIG. 3, the trigger bar 32 is shifted in a forward direction to engage a stop member 36 formed as a portion of the hammer 34, which then actuates the launching mechanism 14 to forcefully eject the projectile from the barrel 26. The hammer 34 is represented as pivoting about a pivot pin 36A. The grip safety 20 engages the stop member 36 to prevent the trigger 16 and the hammer 34 from being actuated (pivoted) unless the stop member 36 is released by the grip safety 20. More particularly, a latch member 20A disposed at an upper end of the grip safety 20 engages a catch 36B formed on the stop member 36, preventing the actuation of the hammer 34 and also preventing the actuation of the trigger 16 via the trigger bar 32. By actuating (depressing) the grip safety 20 to cause it to rotate toward the grip 30, the latch member 20A disengages the catch 36B on the stop member 36, enabling the trigger 16 to actuate the hammer 34 through the trigger bar 32. The grip safety 20 and grip 30 are ergonomically designed so that the grip safety 20 can be actuated as a result of a user grasping the grip 30 in the palm of their hand. Other aspects of the grip safety 20, trigger bar 32, hammer 34, and stop member 36, which are components of the safety mechanism of the launcher 10, can be appreciated from FIG. 6.

[0028] The cavity 28 in which the canister 40 is received is represented as being accessed through an opening 42 below the forward end (muzzle) of the barrel 26, and through which the canister 40 can be inserted into the cavity 28. The opening 42 is closed by a cover 44. The cover 44 is preferably threaded into the opening 42 and, as represented in the drawings, has a slot to allow the cover 44 to be removed and reinstalled using a coin or fingers. The cover 44 carries a puncture needle 46 by which the compressed gas within the canister 40 can be released into the cavity 28. The cover 44 positions the needle 46 at the forward end of the cavity 28 so as to face the canister 40, which is represented as being of the type that has a base 48 at one end and is closed by a seal (not shown) at an opposite end of the canister 40. When the canister 40 is initially inserted into the cavity 28, the seal located at the forward end of the canister 40 is not pierced by the needle 46, but the base 48 is or can be contacted by a plunger 50 reciprocably located within a plunger body 52 at a rearward end of the cavity 28. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the plunger 50 is actuated by the trigger 16 as depicted in FIG. 3, causing the plunger 50 to travel forward, which in turn causes the canister 40 within the cavity 28 to travel forward until the canister 40 is pierced by the needle 46. Additionally, FIG. 3 shows that the plunger 50 causes the forward end of the canister 40 in which the seal is disposed to enter into and be retained by a coupling 44A formed by the cover 44 and surrounding the needle 46. The coupling 44A locks the canister 40 into an operative position inside the cavity 28 while simultaneously permitting the compressed gas released from the canister 40 to flow into the cavity 28 through the canister seal, needle 46, and coupling 44A. The compressed gas released as a result of the canister seal being pierced is able to flow through the plunger body 52, around the plunger 50, then through the gas supply duct 18 and finally before entering the launcher mechanism 14 through an inlet (not shown) located adjacent a forward portion of the pressure indicator 54. In view of the above, while the grip safety 20 is actuated (pressed toward the grip 30), a first pull of the trigger 16 pierces the canister 40 to cause compressed gas to flow from the canister 40 to the launching mechanism 14 via the gas supply duct 18, and thereafter a second pull of the trigger 16 actuates the hammer 34 to cause the launching mechanism 14 to propel a projectile within the launching chamber 24 by means of a charge of the compressed gas that was released from the canister 40 and received by the launcher mechanism 14.

[0029] As shown in the drawings, the projectile launcher 10 can be further equipped with a pressure indicator 54, represented as a spring-biased pin located in the frame 12 at the rear of the launcher 10. The pressure indicator 54 is connected to the gas supply duct 18 as seen in FIG. 5, and is biased by a spring so that the indicator 54 extends from the rear of the launcher 10 only if compressed gas is present within the gas supply duct 18 at a sufficient pressure level to launch a projectile from the launching chamber 24. As such, the pressure indicator 54 provides a user with a positive indication of whether there is a charge of compressed gas within the launching mechanism 14 that is sufficient to launch a projectile, independent of whether a canister 40 is present within the cavity 28.

[0030] In view of the foregoing, it can be appreciated that the grip safety 20 is configured to have a “safety on” position that prevents unintended discharge of a projectile (e.g., accidental launching). The trigger 16 and grip safety 20 are coupled together by the trigger bar 32 to prevent the trigger 16 from being pulled without simultaneously actuating (depressing) the grip safety 20 to cause the grip safety 20 to arrive at a “safety-off” position.

[0031] As perhaps best seen in FIG. 2, the launcher 10 has an initial state in which the launcher 10 cannot launch a projectile. In the initial state, the grip safety 20 has not yet been actuated and the trigger 16 has not yet been pulled, the hammer 34 is restrained by trigger bar 32 and the grip safety 20, the canister 40 has not yet been pushed forward to pierce its seal with the needle 46, and the pressure indicator 54 does not extend from the frame 12 of the launcher 10. As represented in FIG. 2, the initial state exists even with the canister 40 loaded into the cavity 28. As such, the canister 40 is not pierced in the initial state of the projectile launcher 10, which ensures that the canister 40 will contain a sufficient amount of compressed gas to propel a projectile, even after extended periods of time after the canister 40 was installed.

[0032] Then, in an activation state depicted in FIG. 3, with the grip safety 20 depressed to release the hammer 34, a first pull of the trigger 16 causes the plunger 50 to push the canister 40, more specifically its seal, into the needle 46, causing the cavity 28 and gas supply duct 18 to be pressurized with compressed gas and the pressure indicator 54 to extend. In this state, though the hammer 34 is released by the grip safety 20 and therefore can be actuated by the trigger 16, compressed gas is not yet supplied (or not yet sufficiently supplied) to the launching mechanism 14 and therefore a projectile within the launching chamber 24 is not propelled through the barrel 26.

[0033] Finally, in a ready-to-launch state depicted in FIG. 4, with the grip safety 20 depressed so that the hammer 34 is still released, a second pull of the trigger 16 is able to cause the trigger bar 32 to release the hammer 34 to launch a projectile positioned within the launching chamber 24.

[0034] FIGS. 7 through 9 represent a projectile launcher 10 representative of a second embodiment of the invention that includes a modified pressure indicator 54 shown in more detail in FIGS. 10A-10C. In view of similarities between the embodiments of the projectile launchers 10 represented in the drawings, aspects of the embodiment represented in FIGS. 7 through 10C that are not discussed below can be, in terms of structure, function, materials, etc., essentially as was described for the embodiment represented in FIGS. 1 through 6.

[0035] The projectile launcher 10 is represented in FIGS. 7 through 9 as including a trigger / pusher interface lever 56 operable as a force multiplier for reducing the force required to pull the trigger 16 during the process of piercing the seal of the canister 40, during which the canister 40 is pushed forward to force the needle 46 through the seal. The interface lever 56 is shown as pivotally mounted on a pin 58 above the trigger 16, the trigger 16 engages a lower end of the interface lever 56, and the interface lever 56 contacts the plunger 50 at a midportion of the lever 56.

[0036] The configuration and operation of the trigger bar 20, stop member 36, and hammer 34 also differ from that shown in FIGS. 1 through 6. The latch member 20A at the upper end of the grip safety 20 engages only the trigger bar 32, as apparent from FIGS. 7 and 8. In this configuration, the trigger bar 32 has a rest position seen in FIG. 7, and the grip safety 20 must be depressed to lift the trigger bar 32 into engagement with the stop member 36 of the hammer 34 as seen in FIG. 8. Once engaged with the stop member 36, actuation of the trigger 16 causes the trigger bar 32 to actuate the hammer 34 via the stop member 36 as shown in FIG. 9.

[0037] More particularly, FIG. 7 shows the projectile launcher 10 in an initial state prior to a first trigger pull of the trigger 16, prior to piercing the canister 40 with the puncture needle 46, prior to depressing the grip safety 20, and prior to engagement of the hammer 34 by the trigger bar 32 connected to the trigger 16. FIG. 8 shows the projectile launcher of FIG. 7 in an activation state following the first trigger pull to pierce the canister 40 with the puncture needle 46 and thereby pressurize the launcher mechanism 14 with compressed gas from the cavity 28 via the gas supply duct 18, which is indicated by the extension of the pressure indicator 54. FIG. 8 further shows the grip safety 20 depressed to lift the trigger bar 32 into engagement with the stop member 36 of the hammer 34 while also allowing the trigger bar 32 to translate in the rearward direction. FIG. 9 shows the projectile launcher 10 of FIGS. 7 and 8 during a second trigger pull, during which the trigger bar 32 is translated to actuate the hammer 34 via the stop member 36.

[0038] The pressure indicator 54 of the projectile launcher 10 represented in FIGS. 7 through 9 incorporates certain modifications relative to the indicator 54 shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, and FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C represent different operating stages of the pressure indicator 54 of FIGS. 7 through 9. As with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 5, the pressure indicator 54 is represented as a spring-biased pin located in the frame 12 at the rear of the launcher 10. The pressure indicator 54 is connected to the gas supply duct 18 as seen in FIG. 8, and a spring biases the indicator 54 toward a retracted position so that the indicator 54 will extend from the rear of the launcher 10 only if compressed gas is present within the gas supply duct 18 at a sufficient pressure level to launch a projectile 60 from the launching chamber 24. As such, the pressure indicator 54 provides a user with a positive indication of whether there is a charge of compressed gas within the launching mechanism 14 that is sufficient to launch the projectile 60.

[0039] As seen in FIG. 7, in its initial state the launcher 10 cannot launch the projectile 60 because the canister 40 has not yet been pushed forward to pierce its seal with the needle 46, and as a result the pressure indicator 54 is in its retracted position and therefore does not extend from the frame 12 of the launcher 10 as shown in FIG. 10A. Then, in the activation state depicted in FIGS. 8 and 10B, the first pull of the trigger 16 has caused the plunger 50 to push the canister 40, more specifically its seal, into the needle 46, causing the cavity 28 and gas supply duct 18 to be pressurized with compressed gas so that the pressure indicator 54 extends and protrudes from the frame 12 as shown in FIG. 10B. In this state, though the hammer 34 is released by the grip safety 20 and therefore can be actuated by the trigger 16, compressed gas is not yet supplied (or not yet sufficiently supplied) to the launching mechanism 14 and therefore a projectile 60 within the launching chamber 24 is not propelled through the barrel 26. Finally, in the ready-to-launch state depicted in FIG. 9, with the grip safety 20 depressed so that the trigger bar 32 is still engaged with the hammer 34, a second pull of the trigger 16 is able to cause the trigger bar 32 to actuate and release the hammer 34 to launch the projectile 60 positioned within the launching chamber 24.

[0040] FIG. 10C represents the ability of a user to purge / degas any remaining compressed gas from the launcher mechanism 14, gas supply duct 18, and cavity 28 by depressing the pressure indicator 54. Specifically, a user can push the pressure indicator 54 to cause the indicator 54 to translate from its extended position toward its retracted position, which releases compressed gas within the launcher mechanism 14, gas supply duct 18, and cavity 28. In so doing, removal of the canister 40 is easier. The means by which the pressure indicator 54 achieves this capability can be seen from a comparison of FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C. FIG. 10A shows the retracted position of the pressure indicator 54 prior to pressuring the launcher 10 achieved by piercing the seal of the canister 40. The pressure indicator 54 carries an O-ring seal 62, and a second O-ring seal 64 is mounted within a bore 66 within which the indicator 54 translates between its retracted and extended positions. As such, the seal 62 translates with the pressure indicator 54 whereas the seal 64 remains stationary. As seen in FIG. 10A, the seals 62 and 64 are positioned on either side of the inlet 68 to the launching mechanism 14. In FIG. 10B, pressurization causes the pressure indicator 54 to translate within its bore 66, and compressed gas flows around a reduced-diameter “necked” portion 70 of the indicator 54 prior to entering the inlet 68. As evident from FIG. 10B, the seal 62 moves with the indicator 54 and prevents compressed gas from exiting the bore 66. FIG. 10C shows that by depressing the pressure indicator 54 to return it to its retracted position, compressed gas within the launcher mechanism 14 is able to escape through its inlet 68 and then between the seal 64 and the necked portion 70 of the indicator 54.

[0041] As previously noted above, though the foregoing detailed description describes certain aspects of one or more particular embodiments of the invention, alternatives could be adopted by one skilled in the art. For example, the projectile launcher and / or its components could differ in appearance and construction from the embodiments described herein and shown in the drawings, functions of certain components of the projectile launcher could be performed by components of different construction but capable of a similar (though not necessarily equivalent) function, and various materials could be used in the fabrication of the projectile launcher and / or its components. As such, and again as was previously noted, it should be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to any particular embodiment described herein or illustrated in the drawings.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0023]The intended purpose of the following detailed description of the invention and the phraseology and terminology employed therein is to describe what is shown in the drawings, which depict one or more nonlimiting embodiments of the invention, and to describe certain but not all aspects of the embodiment(s) to which the drawings relate. The following detailed description also identifies certain but not all alternatives of the embodiment(s) depicted in the drawings. As nonlimiting examples, the invention encompasses additional or alternative embodiments in which one or more features or aspects shown and / or described as part of a particular embodiment could be eliminated, and also encompasses additional or alternative embodiments that combine two or more features or aspects shown and / or described as part of different embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims, and not the detailed description, are intended to recite what are believed to be aspects of the invention, including cert...

Claims

1. A projectile launcher having a frame defining a forward direction and a rearward direction of the project launcher, a barrel at a forward end of the frame, a grip at a rearward end of the frame, a launching chamber within the frame, a launching mechanism within the frame and positioned rearward of the launching chamber for launching a projectile from the launching chamber by means of a compressed gas, and a trigger coupled to the frame and configured to actuate the launching mechanism when the trigger is actuated, the projectile launcher comprising:a gas-tight cavity disposed beneath the barrel;a puncture needle disposed at a forward end of the gas-tight cavity;a plunger body and a plunger reciprocably disposed therein at a rearward end of the gas-tight cavity, the plunger being translatable by actuating the trigger;a canister disposed in the gas-tight cavity and containing the compressed gas, the canister having a seal facing the puncture needle and a base facing the plunger, the plunger being operable in an activation state of the projectile launcher to cause the canister to translate in the forward direction to pierce the seal with the puncture needle when the trigger is actuated;a gas supply duct for fluidically coupling the gas-tight cavity to the launching mechanism; anda safety mechanism comprising a grip safety, a hammer, a trigger bar, and a stop member and by which the projectile launcher has an initial state in which the launcher cannot launch a projectile, the activation state in which the grip safety is depressed to engage the hammer with the trigger bar and a first pull of the trigger causes the plunger to push the seal of the canister into the needle to cause the gas-tight cavity and the gas supply duct to be pressurized with the compressed gas, and a ready-to-launch state in which the grip safety is depressed so that the hammer is still engaged with the trigger bar and a second pull of the trigger causes the trigger bar to actuate and release the hammer to launch a projectile positioned within the launching chamber.

2. The projectile launcher of claim 1, wherein in the initial state, the grip safety has not yet been actuated and the trigger has not yet been pulled, the hammer is not engaged by the trigger bar or the grip safety, and the canister has not yet been pushed forward to pierce the seal with the puncture needle.

3. The projectile launcher of claim 1, further comprising a pressure indicator that extends from the frame in the activation state and the ready-to-launch state but not in the initial state.

4. The projectile launcher of claim 3, wherein the pressure indicator is supplied the compressed gas from the gas supply duct.

5. The projectile launcher of claim 3, wherein the pressure indicator has a retracted position in the initial state, an extended position in the activation state, and is operable to release compressed gas by being translated from the extended position toward the retracted position.

6. The projectile launcher of claim 1, wherein the grip safety is pivotably coupled to the grip.

7. A method of using the projectile launcher of claim 1, the method comprising:providing the projectile launcher in the initial state in which the launcher cannot launch a projectile, the grip safety has not yet been actuated and the trigger has not yet been pulled, the hammer is not engaged by trigger bar or the grip safety, and the canister has not yet been pushed forward to pierce the seal with the needle to ensure that the canister contains a sufficient amount of the compressed gas to propel a projectile;placing the projectile launcher in the activation state in which the grip safety is depressed to engage the hammer with the trigger bar, a first pull of the trigger causes the plunger to push the seal of the canister into the needle causing the cavity and gas supply duct to be pressurized with the compressed gas; andplacing the projectile launcher in the ready-to-launch state in which the grip safety is depressed so that the hammer is still engaged by the trigger bar, and a second pull of the trigger causes the trigger bar to actuate and release the hammer to launch a projectile positioned within the launching chamber.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing a pressure indicator that extends from the frame in the activation state and the ready-to-launch state but not in the initial state.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the pressure indicator is supplied the compressed gas from the gas supply duct.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the pressure indicator has a retracted position in the initial state, an extended position in the activation state, and the method further comprises releasing compressed gas by translating the pressure indicator from the extended position toward the retracted position.

11. A projectile launcher having a frame defining a forward direction and a rearward direction of the project launcher, a barrel at a forward end of the frame, a grip at a rearward end of the frame, a launching chamber within the frame, a launching mechanism within the frame and positioned rearward of the launching chamber for launching a projectile from the launching chamber by means of a compressed gas, and a trigger coupled to the frame and configured to actuate the launching mechanism when the trigger is actuated, the projectile launcher comprising:a cavity associated with the frame;a puncture needle associated with the cavity;a canister disposed in the cavity and containing the compressed gas, the canister having a seal facing the puncture needle;a gas supply duct that does not fluidically couple the canister to the launching mechanism in an initial state of the projectile launcher and fluidically couples the canister to the launching mechanism in an activation state of the projectile launcher; anda pressure indicator that extends from the frame in the activation state but not in the initial state.

12. The projectile launcher of claim 11, wherein the pressure indicator is supplied the compressed gas from the gas supply duct.

13. The projectile launcher of claim 11, wherein the pressure indicator has a retracted position in the initial state, an extended position in the activation state, and is operable to release compressed gas by being translated from the extended position toward the retracted position.

14. A method of using the projectile launcher of claim 11, wherein the pressure indicator has a retracted position in the initial state and an extended position in the activation state, and the method comprises releasing compressed gas by translating the pressure indicator from the extended position toward the retracted position.

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