Patents by Inventor James M. Pfotenhauer

James M. Pfotenhauer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4050438
    Abstract: A slingshot comprises a stock having front and rear ends. A manual gripping handle is disposed at the rear end of the stock. A pair of sheaves are rotatably mounted adjacent the front end and rear end of the stock on opposite sides of the fore-to-aft longitudinal axis of the stock. These sheaves are rotatable about generally upright parallel axes of rotation. An elastic band is provided having outer free ends anchored at points disposed adjacent the rear end of the stock on opposite sides of the fore-to-aft longitudinal stock axis. The elastic band extends forwardly from these anchoring points and is wrapped around the rotatable sheaves. The elastic band includes a pouch capable of carrying an object to be propelled. Upon displacement, the band is stretched in an energy-storing fashion so as to propel the object forwardly upon release. This arrangement provides an inordinately long length of elastic band, thereby increasing the ability of the band to stretch and maximizing its energy-storing capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1977
    Inventor: James M. Pfotenhauer
  • Patent number: 3968783
    Abstract: A bow gun comprising a body having a channel disposed therein, the channel including a projectile discharge opening. A magazine chamber communicates with the channel for storing a plurality of projectiles for sequential discharge. A bow is mounted on the body, the bow carrying a bow string. An impulse slide is disposed for reciprocal movement within the channel and is operably connected to the bow string. A cocking slide is disposed for reciprocal movement in the channel to shift the impulse slide rearwardly in the channel. A manually actuable cocking lever is pivotally mounted to the gun body and is operably connected to the cocking slide. Actuation of the cocking lever effects rearward movement of the cocking slide to shift the impulse slide rearwardly toward a cocked position. A trigger is provided for retaining the impulse slide in a cocked position and for releasing the impulse slide for forward movement toward a projectile under the bias of the bow string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1974
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1976
    Inventor: James M. Pfotenhauer
  • Patent number: 3963017
    Abstract: A projectile launcher includes a housing formed of releasably secured longitudinal sections. The housing defines a bore extending fore-to-aft and including a spring-carrying compartment and a projectile discharge channel. A spring tube is anchored adjacent the forward end of the bore and extends rearwardly within the bore over a reaction guide pulley. A plunger is slidably disposed within the bore and includes a projectile impact portion slidably disposed within the projectile discharge channel. A cord is fastened at one end to the spring tube and at its other end to the plunger. A cocking aperture is provided in the plunger and is operable to receive a removable cocking bar. Rearward movement of the cocking bar when disposed within the cocking aperture causes the plunger to expand the spring in an energy-storing manner. A trigger mechanism is provided at the rear of the housing to retain the plunger and the spring tube in a cocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1976
    Inventor: James M. Pfotenhauer
  • Patent number: 3949729
    Abstract: A slingshot includes a housing formed of releasably separable longitudinal sections. The sections define an upwardly open slot extending fore-to-aft along the housing. A pair of arms project laterally outwardly from a front part of the housing to define anchor points located laterally outwardly and above the slot. An elastic spring has forward ends thereof coupled to the anchor points and converging rearwardly therefrom and above the slot. An plunger is slidably disposed within the slot. A cord is connected between the elastic spring and the plunger so that release of the elastic spring from a tensioned condition causes the plunger to be propelled forwardly within the slot and eject a projectile located thereahead. An underarm butt may be provided at the rear of the housing to provide stabilization for the slingshot during actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1976
    Inventor: James M. Pfotenhauer