Projectile Launcher Barrel Breech Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current projectile launchers require excessive movement and risk accidental firing due to the placement of the lock mechanism release lever or button, which delays successive firings and necessitates re-aiming after each shot.
Innovation Solution
A projectile launcher with dual lock mechanisms, including a sliding alignment pin and a lateral or axial sliding button, allows for quick and safe loading and unloading of projectiles without releasing the front handgrip, enabling continuous grip and minimizing launcher movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the release lever or button is placed on the side of the launcher body, then the lock mechanism can be operated, but the user must release the grip on the front handgrip which delays successive firings and causes excessive launcher movement
Solution Approach 1:
The release button is moved from a lateral position on the side of the launcher body to a position on the bottom surface, changing the spatial dimension of operation. This allows the user to operate the release button with the same hand that is gripping the front handgrip, eliminating the need to release the grip and enabling faster successive firings without excessive launcher movement
2Ease of operation
If the release lever or button is placed on the bottom surface of the launcher body near the trigger guard, then the lock mechanism can be operated, but the user must remove the trigger finger from the trigger guard which can cause accidental firing
Solution Approach 1:
The release button is extracted from the trigger guard area and repositioned on the bottom surface of the launcher body. This separation removes the conflict between operating the release mechanism and maintaining safe trigger finger positioning, eliminating the risk of accidental firing while still allowing easy operation of the lock mechanism
3Device complexity
If a single lock mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but the user must release the grip on the front handgrip to operate the release lever which causes excessive movement and delays firing
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into two independent components: a lock mechanism with a release button on the bottom surface for quick operation, and a secondary locking arrangement that maintains the barrel breech in position. This segmentation allows the release button to be operated without releasing the front handgrip grip, enabling faster successive firings while maintaining structural simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
A barrel breech lock and mechanism for a projectile launcher chat uses a launcher body, a lower rail extending forward and under the launcher's barrel breech and a pivotally mounted latch plate. Extending downward extending from the latch plate is a front handgrip. Disposed between the lower rail and the latch plate and directly above the front handgrip is a locking mechanism that selectively blocks rotation of the proximal end of the latch plate. In two embodiments, the locking mechanism is a biased lateral push button or a biased sliding button. When the lock mechanism is activated, the proximal end of the latch plate may be rotated downward by a twisting force applied via the from handgrip. Disposed between the proximal end of the latch plate and the barrel breech is a second lock mechanism that includes a pin. The end of the pin engages a stop surface formed on the barrel breech when axially aligned in the breech void area. The first lock mechanism can be easily activated with the hand holding the from handgrip. Because the first and second lock mechanisms must be sequentially activated in order to open the barrel breech, the operation of the projective launcher is safer.