Projectile launched media reservoir

Abstract

A projectile having a launching assembly attached thereto is provided for marking a remote location with a marking media. The marking media is preferably in the form of a paint ball or a scent ball. The launching assembly includes a media reservoir defining a cavity and a plurality of supports extending outward from the media reservoir along a longitudinal axis. The supports secure the marking media within the cavity in a press-fit connection. In one embodiment, a cap and a resilient nose cone are attached to the media reservoir, surrounding the marking media, to prevent damage to a target upon impacting the target.

1 .- 33 . (canceled) 
   
   
       34 . A launching assembly for remotely delivering a frangible marking media having a spherical body defining a diameter to a location by a projectile, said assembly comprising:
 a connector extending along a longitudinal axis for coupling to the projectile;   a media reservoir coupled to said connector and including a base; and   a continuous circumferential wall extending outwardly from said base of said media reservoir around a periphery of said base along a longitudinal axis and defining a spherical cup shaped cavity having an outer edge defining a diameter perpendicular to said longitudinal axis less than the diameter of the marking media and spaced from said base a distance greater than one half the diameter of the marking media to secure the marking media within said cavity in a press-fit connection.   
   
   
       35 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 34  wherein said wall includes at least one groove extending substantially along said longitudinal axis from said base to a distal end of said wall. 
   
   
       36 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 35  further comprising an elastic sleeve disposed around an exterior of said wall to bias said wall inward to tighten said press-fit connection between said cavity and the marking media. 
   
   
       37 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 36  wherein said wall defines an annular depression for positioning said sleeve therein. 
   
   
       38 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 36  wherein said connector and said media reservoir are fixedly connected together. 
   
   
       39 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 38  wherein said connector includes a first flange and a second flange spaced from said first flange along said longitudinal axis and said bore of said media reservoir defines a first annular groove and a second annular groove with said first flange disposed within said first annular groove and said second flange disposed within said second annular groove. 
   
   
       40 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 38  wherein said media reservoir includes a resilient material. 
   
   
       41 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 40  wherein said resilient material includes a urethane material having a durometer equal to eighty (80) Shore A. 
   
   
       42 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 40  wherein said resilient material includes a urethane material having a durometer equal to ninety (90) Shore A. 
   
   
       43 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 35  wherein said media reservoir includes a tapered central section allowing said wall to fold backward over said base upon impacting a surface. 
   
   
       44 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 35  wherein said media reservoir defines an interior chamber with said connector disposed within said interior chamber. 
   
   
       45 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 44  wherein said connector comprises aluminum. 
   
   
       46 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 45  wherein said connector defines a pocket for slideably receiving a pointed end of the projectile therein. 
   
   
       47 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 46  further comprising a tie strap for fixedly securing said media reservoir to the projectile. 
   
   
       48 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 47  further comprising an elastic sleeve disposed around an exterior of said wall to bias said wall inward to tighten said press-fit connection between said cavity and the marking media.