Abstract: A projectile launcher is provided for propelling impact-safe foam projectiles. The projectile launcher includes a launch tube sized and configured to accommodate insertion of an impact-safe projectile with substantially little or no friction between the launch tube inner wall and the projectile. A nozzle is disposed adjacent one end of the launch tube. The nozzle is adapted to receive a flow of compressed air from a source and to discharge a stream of high-velocity air which impinges upon the projectile disposed within the launch tube. A play-participant-actuated valve is interposed between the nozzle and the source of compressed air to control the flow of air to the nozzle. The valve is adapted, when actuated, to place the nozzle in communication with the source of compressed air. Upon actuation of the valve the nozzle discharges a stream of high-velocity air which transfers momentum to the projectile, propelling it down the launch tube and into the air or at a selected target.

Abstract: A system for controlling the firing of a paint ball gun includes an electromechanical device (EMD) that produces linear motion interactive with the conventional trigger of the gun. Electronic circuitry produces pulses that activate the EMD. The pulses are based upon control signals produced by either the timing of paint balls entering the firing chamber of the gun or the detection of the presence of a single paint ball within the chamber. A manually operated electrical switch trigger activates the electronic circuitry. An adjustably predetermined number of paint balls will fire based upon each depression of the electrical switch trigger while minimizing the chopping of paint balls in the firing chamber.

Abstract: A paint ball gun is connected through a first gas pressure regulator to a supply of pressurized gas for maintaining a high gas pressure in a first chamber in the gun and a second gas pressure regulator is connected between the first chamber and a second chamber in the gun to maintain a working gas pressure in the second chamber greater than atmospheric pressure but less than the gas pressure in the first chamber. A pneumatic control valve is arranged to receive gas under pressure from the second chamber and direct it selectively to a pneumatic ram mounted for sliding movement in a cylinder in the gun between a retracted position and a forward position in which it opens a valve to admit high pressure gas from the first chamber to the barrel to fire a paint ball. An electrical switch for the control valve is connected to an electronic control circuit which incorporates a micro-switch operated by the trigger of the gun.

Abstract: A computerized device for propelling tennis balls by pneumatic pressure. The device contains a support pad to protect the tennis court. There is a by-pass valve which, when open, allows the blower for the pneumatic system to blow continuously, thereby avoiding carbon deposits. There is a pressure tank for the build-up of pressure for the pneumatic system when the by-pass valve is closed. Course and fine pressure valves are used to control the pressure in the pressure tank within narrow limits. A hopper contains pushers which prohibit balls accumulating in areas of little motion. A carousel advances only when a ball can drop freely into the ball outlet tube. A cover over the feeder point prevents balls in the hopper from interfering with the ball in the feeder point. The ball is held in an injection area until forced through a flap door into the pressure tank and a guide channel. The injection area contains a solenoid-controlled sweep arm which controls a injector which forces the ball through the flap door.

Abstract: The pneumatically operated projectile launching device is preferably comprised of three principal elements: a body which houses and interconnects all of the pneumatic components and also houses the electrical power source, a grip mounted to the body which includes an electrical switch that activates a launching sequence, and an electrical control unit housed within both the body and the grip which directs flow between the pneumatic components to load, cock and fire the gun. The body preferably contains a plurality of bores in communication with each other including a bore containing and distributing pressurized gas, a bore containing a compressed gas storage chamber and mechanisms for filling the storage chamber with gas and releasing gas from the storage chamber to fire the projectile, and a bore containing mechanisms for loading and launching the projectile.

Abstract: A paint ball gun is connected through a first gas pressure regulator to a supply of pressurised gas for maintaining a high gas pressure in a first chamber in the gun and a second gas pressure regulator is connected between the first chamber and a second chamber in the gun to maintain a working gas pressure in the second chamber greater than atmospheric pressure but less than the gas pressure in the first chamber. A pneumatic control valve is arranged to receive gas under pressure from the second chamber and direct it selectively to a pneumatic ram mounted for sliding movement in a cylinder in the gun between a retracted position and a forward position in which it opens a valve to admit high pressure gas from the first chamber to the barrel to fire a paint ball. An electrical switch for the control valve is connected to an electronic control circuit which incorporates a micro-switch operated by the trigger of the gun.

Abstract: The pneumatically operated projectile launching device is preferably comprised of three principal elements: a body which houses and interconnects all of the pneumatic components and also houses the electrical power source, a grip mounted to the body which includes an electrical switch that activates a launching sequence, and an electrical control unit housed within both the body and the grip which directs flow between the pneumatic components to load, cock and fire the gun. The body preferably contains a plurality of chambers in communication with each other including a chamber containing and distributing pressurized gas, a chamber containing a compressed gas storage chamber and mechanisms for filling the storage chamber with gas and releasing gas from the storage chamber to fire the projectile, and a chamber containing mechanisms for loading and launching the projectile.

Abstract: A trigger assist system. The system utilizes a means to detect cycle progress of a pneumatic gun and communicates to a means to forcibly return the trigger to a released position. The trigger is forcibly released against the user's applied finger pressure allowing the gun to complete a cycle and come to position whereby the gun is ready to be fired, or cycled, again. The trigger assist system then relaxes the trigger allowing the user's applied pressure to again pull the trigger. In one embodiment, the means to detect cycle progress is a switchable pneumatic valve in communication with the bolt of the gun. In another embodiment, the means to detect cycle progress is an electronic circuit in communication with the trigger system. In one embodiment, the means to forcibly return the trigger to a released position is a pneumatic piston. In another embodiment, the means to forcibly return the trigger to a released position is an electronic solenoid.

Abstract: The pneumatically operated projectile launching device is preferably comprised of three principal elements: a body which houses and interconnects all of the pneumatic components and also houses the electrical power source, a grip mounted to the body which includes an electrical switch that activates a launching sequence, and an electrical control unit housed within both the body and the grip which directs flow between the pneumatic components to load, cock and fire the gun. The body preferably contains a plurality of chambers in communication with each other including a chamber containing and distributing pressurized gas, a chamber containing a compressed gas storage chamber and mechanisms for filling the storage chamber with gas and releasing gas from the storage chamber to fire the projectile, and a chamber containing mechanisms for loading and launching the projectile.

Abstract: This invention is an airgun that is loaded and fired electronically. It is comprised of an "electronic decision maker" 12 capable of accepting input and supplying output, sensors (8, 22, 24, 26) to report to the decision maker 12 the condition of various parts of the airgun or the projectile 18 to be fired, and actuators (2, 28, 4) that will effect the operations required to load and fire the airgun and are capable of responding to the commands of the decision maker 12 so it may `oversee` these operations. The present invention will be applicable to paintball, bb, pellet, and other projectile firing airguns. Instead of relying on unreliable and "dumb" mechanical mechanisms, this airgun senses its projectile 18 and mechanism positions to determine when it can fire, using an electronic decision maker 12. This decision maker 12 can also be used to determine firing rate and velocity, adding more flexibility than a fixed, mechanical determination of these functions.

Abstract: Rubber articles e.g. rubber latex gloves have an adherent anti-tack coating comprising a mixture of a) a carboxylated synthetic rubber latex having a minimum film forming temperature (MFFT) of 10.degree. C. or above, with b) a latex polymer having an MFFT below 10.degree. C. and/or c) a water-soluble organic polymeric hydroxy material. Component b) tends to confer non-slip properties while component c) tends to confer lubricating properties.

Abstract: A method of successively launching a plurality of projectiles, such as fireworks projectiles, which explode into an aerial pyrotechnic display. The projectiles are launched from a launcher having a pressure tank containing a compressed gas and a plurality of launching tubes for holding the projectiles. The launching tubes are constructed to form a magazine to enable successive launching of fireworks projectiles by appropriate indexing of the magazine which brings the launching tubes into registration with the output port of a valve. The valve introduces compressed gas into one of the launching tubes to launch a projectile into the air. Indexing of the launching tubes when the pressure tank is pressurized prior to launch is prevented by a stop mechanism. The stop mechanism also prevents inadvertent or accidental detonation of the projectile in the launching tube.

Abstract: A non-pyrotechnic reusable cartridge for ejecting countermeasures, such as chaff, flares, or other payloads. The cartridge comprises a gas chamber storing a compressed gas and including an ejection mechanism and a countermeasure storage section storing a countermeasure. In one embodiment, the ejection mechanism is a solenoid valve. When an ejection signal is transmitted by the pilot, the solenoid valve opens to allow the compressed, non-flammable gas to be released from the gas chamber and push the countermeasure out of the cartridge at a high rate of speed. Other embodiments use a rupture disk positioned between the ejection section and the countermeasure storage section. When an eject signal is received, the rupture disk is either punctured or melted to allow the compressed gas into the storage section, thus ejecting the countermeasure.

Abstract: A balloon distribution system that utilizes balloons retained within an elongated, tubular storage area. Upon receipt of a signal from a remotely located controller, the previously-placed inflated balloons are propelled from the storage container, and float down upon the people gathered below. The tubular body is mounted above the crowd in a manner such that the open end of the tube is slightly elevated in comparison with the adjacent section of the tubular body, preventing the stored balloons from spilling from the tube. A thruster housing is attached to the closed end of the tubular body, and the housing terminates in discharge face having a plurality of outlet nozzles extending into the cavity within the tubular body. A motor and fan supply the airflow, which flows through the thruster housing and into the tubular body through the plurality of nozzles. The motor is actuated via a signal received from a remotely mounted controller.

Abstract: A ball pitching system comprising a pneumatically actuated pitching arm and automatic ball feed system. The pneumatic actuation is provided by an automatic pressure sensor valve. Compressed air is provided by a DC compressor affixed to the frame of the pitching apparatus and may be powered by a conventional 12 volt vehicular battery system. In this manner the preselect pitching of baseballs and the like along a predefined trajectory can be provided at remote locations away from conventional power sources by using conventional automotive electrical supply. The system further provides a reliable, inexpensive assemblage require little maintenance and maximum enjoyment of use with baseballs and the like.

Abstract: A pneumatic gun has a hollow cylindrical bolt which moves in a housing, being spring-biased to a cocked position. The bolt has a pressure inlet which is coupled to an outlet so that, when air under pressure is supplied to the inlet, the pressure and the drag of the air passing through the bolt urges it forward, carrying a projectile into the gun barrel. The air pressure is sustained until the projectile is propelled out of the barrel. A regulator valve reduces the pressure of gas from a holding tank in the weapon to the operating pressure of the control system. The required pressure for the firing valve may be derived from the control system, from a separate regulator, or from the holding tank. In one embodiment, a special firing valve controls the transmission of firing pressure to the bolt. A pneumatic firing control circuit is triggered by one, several, or a continuous series of electronic pulses to produce single, burst, or continuous fire.

Abstract: A new game apparatus including a shooting device for shooting a ball and a target when the shooting device is loaded, balls are either shot automatically by the shooting device, or by a trigger operated by the user. The shooting device includes a pressurizable ball receiving chamber into which the ball to be played enters when the player is ready to shoot the shooting device. The ball enters the chamber through a first hole in the chamber. The shooting device also includes a door for closing this first hole, a source of fluid under pressure and a switch and solenoid assembly for admitting the fluid into the chamber in a sufficient amount to drive the ball from the chamber through a second hole in the chamber. The second hole leads to an exit conduit through which the ball is projected out into the open air. The chamber is closed off upon the initial pressurization of the chamber by the door and by the ball. As more pressure is added, sufficient pressure builds up to propel the ball out the second hole.

Abstract: A practice device which allows the simulation of firing of a weapon such as a light antitank weapon wherein the weapon can be fired in an armory for practice by soldiers without requiring the actual tactical missile to be fired which requires a large firing range with extreme protection of personnel. The invention comprises attaching a gas powered pellet gun within the barrel of the missile launcher and loading such pellet gun with a round of ammunition after which the gun is cocked and the weapon is sighted toward a target provided therefore and the pellet gun is fired with a suitable trigger for simulating and practicing actual use of the weapon. When the trigger is depressed it causes a solenoid to be momentarily energized, which draws a sear away from a firing cylinder causing actuation of a valve to fire the pellet gun.

Abstract: A gas gun has a charge chamber, an inlet valve to admit a charge of compressed gas to the charge chamber and either a plane or rifled barrel which communicates at its breech end with the charge chamber via a rotary outlet valve. Preferably the inlet valve is linked to the outlet valve so that closing of the inlet valve immediately precedes the opening of the outlet valve. The outlet rotary valve includes a frestoconical valve member which rotates within a complementary seat and has a radial bore which can connect two or more ports in the wall of the seat and is strongly biassed to the open position. The inlet and outlet valves may be combined in a three-way valve. In use a projectile is placed at the breech end of the barrel and the inlet valve is opened and the outlet valve closed. After compressed gas, preferably helium, has been introduced to the charge chamber to the desired pressure, the gun is fired by closing the inlet valve and immediately thereafter opening the outlet valve.

Abstract: An ejector for a sequence of game balls has variable device for setting a different trajectory for each ball and for varying the time interval between each ball delivery. A controller includes an input device used by the tennis player or instructor to enter the court and ball data for each of a sequence of balls; a converter for changing the court and ball data to corresponding trajectory data used in setting the ball ejector; and a digital memory for storing the data for each ball. The controller is switched to a programming mode for setting up the court and ball data for the sequence of balls to be delivered and to an operating mode in which the balls are delivered in accordance with the set program.

Abstract: An arcade amusement gun of the type which pneumatically shoots a rubber ball toward a hollow target with each pull of the trigger is gated by a master control so that its firing rate is the same as the other arcade amusement guns in a grouping of such guns.

Abstract: An improved compressed gas ball propelling machine having various barrel extensions each of which include a second breech and ball feeding mechanism so that the machine can be used to throw balls of various diameters. The breech and ball feeding mechanisms of each of the barrel extensions can be removably fastened to the original breech mechanism of the ball propelling machine in such a way as to be operatively connected thereto so the machine can propel balls of a diameter for which the machine was originally intended or balls of different diameters.