GB2485182A

GB2485182A - Projectile and launcher

Info

Publication number: GB2485182A
Application number: GB1018590.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clive Glass
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-11-04
Filing date: 2010-11-04
Publication date: 2012-05-09
Also published as: GB201018590D0

Abstract

A projectile and launcher comprises a launcher 1 which has a first tube 2 having a sealed end 2A and an open end 2B, A second tube 6 telescopes towards and away from the first tube 2, and has a sealed end 6A and an open end 6B. The open ends 2B,6B of the first and second tubes are between the sealed ends 2A,6A of the first and second tubes, whereby the open ends 2B,6B draw towards each other as the second tube 6 telescopes away from the first tube 2, and the sealed end 6A of the second tube 6 has an aperture. A seal 7A,7B adjacent the open ends 2B,6B of each tube form a seal between the first and second tubes 2, 6 and form an enclosed chamber 7 between the first and second tubes 2, 6, with air in the chamber 7 being compressed by movement apart of the first and second tubes 2, 6. A piston 4 slides in the second tube 6. A projectile 10 is secured to the second tube sealed end 6A. Engagement means connects the piston 4 to the projectile 10 through the second tube sealed end aperture. Means to deliver a charge of gas 3 under pressure is provided between the first tube sealed end 2A and the piston 4. In use the charge of gas 3 under pressure drives the piston 4 towards the second tube sealed end 6A whereby the piston 4 hits and launches the projectile 10 through the engagement means away from the tubes 2, 6, and the second tube 6 moves apart from the first tube 2 . The expansion of the charge of gas 3 is contained within tubes 2, 6, and the enclosed chamber 7 dampens the movement apart of the first and second tubes 2, 6 as air contained between the seals 7A,7B becomes compressed.

Description

Title: Projectile an&Launchcr The present invention relates to a projectile and launcher.

It is know to provide a projectile and launcher such as a grappling hook launcher. Such devices are used by the military and civilians to throw a grappling hook with line over a wall or tree or other object which needs to be ascended. These devices usually use a charge of compressed gas to eject the grappling hook out of a tube like a bullet out of a gun barrel. A problem with these devices is that as the grappling hook leaves the tube, the expanding air under pressure in the barrel explodes into ambient air causing a loud noise. In military situations, this noise can give away a soldiers position to the enemy and in civilian applications the noise can disturb persons nearby.

The invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.

According to the present invention there is provided singly or in combination a projectile and launcher comprising: a) a first tube having a sealed end and an open end, b) a second tube to telescope towards and away from the first tube, said second tube having a sealed end and an open end, the open ends of the first and second tubes being between the sealed ends of the first and second tubes, whereby the open ends draw towards each other as the second tube telescopes away from the first tube, said sealed end of the second tube having an aperture, c) a seal secured adjacent the open ends of each tube to form a seal between the first and second tubes and to form an enclosed chamber between the first and second tubes, air in the chamber being compressed by movement apart of the first and second tubes, d) a piston to slide in the second tube, and e) a projectile secured to the second tube sealed end, f) engagement means to connect the piston to the projectile through the second tube sealed end aperture, and g) means to deliver a charge of gas under pressure between the first tube sealed end and the piston, in use the charge of gas under pressure driving the piston towards the second tube sealed end whereby said piston hits and launches the projectile through the engagement means away from the tubes, and the second tube moves apart from the first tube, the expansion of the charge of gas being substantially contained within tubes, and said enclosed chamber dampening the movement apart of the first and second tubes as air contained between said seals becomes compressed.

Preferably the second tube telescopes inside the first tube.

The engagement means may be a shaft which extends from the projectile and, prior to launch, passes through the sealed end aperture of the second tube to project into the second tube.

Preferably the piston has a circumferential seal to seal against the inside wall of the second tube.

The invention also relates to a grappling hook comprising a head, at least two fingers pivoted to the head each adapted to lie in a first storage position adjacent each other, and move to a second in use position pivoted apart from the head at an angle to each other, and a catch to hold each finger in the second position when each finger moves to a second position.

Preferably the grappling hook fingers move to the second position when the hook is launched.

Preferably the catch for each finger is a sleeve which slides on a sleeve and is spring biased towards the head, said sleeve abutting the head when the finger is in the second position and said sleeve sliding into a widened aperture in the head when the finger is in the second position.

Preferably the grappling hook is a projectile adapted to be launched by the above defined launcher, and part of the hook fingers extend through the second tube aperture and form said engagement means.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a cross section of a projectile and launcher at the start of use, Figure 2 shows a cross section of a projectile and Jauncher with a piston heading towards the projectile, Figure 3 shows a cross section of a projectile and launcher with the piston engaging the projectile, Figure 4 shows a cross section of a projectile and launcher with the projectile launched, and Figures 5A and SB show a perspective view of the projectile in the form of a grappling hook with fingers in the first and second position.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a launcher I for a projectile in the form of a grappling hook 10.

Launcher 1 has a first tube 2 having a scaled end 2A and an open end 2B. Adjacent scaled end 2A is annular chamber 3 which can be charged with compressed air by means known in the art.

A piston 4 is held, prior to use, adjacent chamber by two annular seats 5A,5B which prevent compressed air leaking from chamber 3. Piston 4 has a front end flange 4A with a circumferential annular seal 4B.

A conduit 3A with valve 3B leads from the chamber 3 to the cavity 3C formed between the piston 4 and sealed end 2A of first tube 2.

A second tube 6, inside first tube 2, is designed to telescope towards and away from the first tube 2. Second tube 6 has a sealed end 6A and an open end 6B. The open ends 2B,6B of the first and second tubes are between the seated ends 2A,6A of the first and second tubes, whereby the open ends 2A,6A draw towards each other as the second tube 6 telescopes away from the first tube 2 (see Figure 4). Sealed end 6A of the second tube has an aperture in the form of three holes 6C (two holes visible in the drawing), Seals 7A,7B adjacent the open ends of each tube to form a seal between the first and second tubes. Seals 7A,7B form an enclosed chamber 7 between the first and second tubes 2,6. Air in the chamber is compressed by movement apart of the first and second tubes 2,6.

Piston 4 is adapted to slide in the second tube 6 with the piston flange seal 4B sealing against the inside wall of second tube 6.

A projectile in the form of a grappling hook 10 has a head 11 secured to the second tube sealed end 6A. Extending from the head 11 are three fingers 12A,12B 12C which can extend through the three holes 6C in the sealed end 6A of tube 6. Fingers 12A,12B,12C form engagement means to connect the piston 4 to the projectile head 11 through the second tube sealed end holes 6C.

hi use valve 3B is opened (e.g. with a trigger -not shown) whereby compressed air passes down conduit 3A into cavity 3C. The pressure in cavity 3C moves piston 4 towards to the position shown in Figure 2 where the rear of the piston 4 is exposed to the pressure of compressed air in chamber 3. Thus a charge of gas under pressure is delivered between the first tube sealed end 2A and the piston 4.

The piston 4 is driven towards the second tube sealed end 6A whereby piston 4 hits the sealed end 6 and ejects the fingers 12A,12B,12C through the holes 6C as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The force of the piston 4 launches the grappling hook 10 away from the tubes 2,6, and the second tube 6 moves apart from the first tube 2. The expansion of the charge of gas is substantially contained within tubes, and the enclosed chamber 7 dampening the movement apart of the first and second tubes 2,6 as air container between the seals 7A,7B becomes compressed.

As no compressed gas escapes from the tubes operation of the launcher is relatively quiet.

Referring to Figure 5A and SB there is shown grappling hook 10. Hook 10 has a head 11 and three fingers 12A,12B,12C each pivoted to head 11 by pivots 13A,13B,13C. Three sleeves 14A,14B,14C are spring biased towards the head by spring 15A,15B,15C.

Fingers 12A,12B,12C adapted to lie in a first storage position adjacent each other (as shown in Figure 5A), and move to a second in use position pivoted apart from the head at an angle to each other (as shown in Figure 5B).

In the position shown in figure 5A, the sleeves 14A, 14B, 14C abut the circular face I IA of head 11. When the fingers move to the second position, the sleeves 14A,14B,14C are biased into widened apertures in the form of semi circular cavities 16A,16B,16C (occupied by fingers 12A,12B,12C in their first position), which prevent the fingers returning to the first position. Sleeves 14A,14B,14C act as catches to hold each finger in the second position when each finger moves to a second position.

The grappling hook fingers 12A,12B,12C move to the second position when the hook is launched from launcher 1.

A wire loop 17 can be tethered to a rope to pull on the grappling hook 10.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above. For example instead of the grappling hook having a head and three folding arms 12A,128,12C forming the engagement means which extends through the sealed end of second tube 6, the grappling hook could have fixed fingers extending from a head away from the launcher, and the engagement means could be a single shaft extending from the head, in the opposite direction to the fixed fingers, and forming the engagement means which extends through the sealed end of second tube 6. Also a cushion, e.g. a foam layer, may be provided in the inside face of sealed end 6A to engage with the front end flange 4A. Instead of being a grappling hook, the projectile may be any other object such as a camera.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A projectile and launcher comprising: a) a first tube having a sealed end and an open end, b) a second tube to telescope towards and away from the first tube, said second tube having a sealed end and an open end, the open ends of the first and second tubes being between the sealed ends of the first and second tubes, whereby the open ends draw towards each other as the second tube telescopes away from the first tube, said sealed end of the second tube having an aperture, c) a seal secured adjacent the open ends of each tube to form a seal between the first and second tubes and to form an enclosed chamber between the first and second tubes, air in the chamber being compressed by movement apart of the first and second tubes, d) a piston to slide in the second tube, and e) a projectile secured to the second tube sealed end, engagement means to connect the piston to the projectile through the second tube sealed end aperture, and g) means to deliver a charge of gas under pressure between the first tube sealed end and the piston, in use the charge of gas under pressure driving the piston towards the second tube sealed end whereby said piston hits and launches the projectile through the engagement means away from the tubes, and the second tube moves apart from the first tube, the expansion of the charge of gas being substantially contained within tubes, and said enclosed chamber dampening the movement apart of the first and second tubes as air contained between said seals becomes compressed.
2. A projectile and launcher according to claim 1, wherein the second tube telescopes inside the first tube.
3. A projectile and launcher according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the engagement means is a shaft which extends from the projectile and, prior to launch, passes through the sealed end aperture of the second tube to project into the second tube.
4. A projectile and launcher according to any preceding claim, wherein the piston has a circumferential seal to seal against the inside wall of the second tube.
5. A projectile and launcher according to any preceding claim, wherein the projectile is a grappling hook.
6. A grappling hook comprising a head, at least two fingers pivoted to the head each adapted to lie in a first storage position adjacent each other, and move to a second in use position pivoted apart from the head at an angle to each other, and a catch to hold each finger in the second position when each finger moves to a second position.
7. A grappling hook according to claim 6, wherein the grappling hook fingers move to the second position when the hook is launched.
8. A grappling hook according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the catch for each finger is a sleeve which slides on a sleeve and is spring biased towards the head, said sleeve abutting the head when the finger is in the second position and said sleeve sliding into a widened aperture in the head when the finger is in the second position.
9. A grappling hook according to any of claims 6, 7 or 8, wherein the grappling hook is a projectile adapted to be launched by the launcher as defined in any of claims 1 to 5, and part of the hook fingers extend through the second tube aperture and form said engagement means.
10. A projectile and launcher substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
11. A grappling hook substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.