Multi-Pellet Launcher

Abstract

A system and method for propelling pellets from a launch tube includes a retainer plug for holding the pellets inside the launch tube between the retainer plug and a compressed spring. A latch is established on the launch tube to restrain forward movement of the retainer ring in response to the bias force imposed by the compressed spring. In operation, the launch tube is propelled in a forward direction by a man-powered weapon. This creates an acceleration force on the tube that moves the retainer plug and pellets in a rearward direction relative to the launch tube to further compress the spring and release the latch from the retainer plug. After the initial acceleration has subsided, force from the compressed spring provides a forward propulsion of the retainer plug and the plurality of pellets from the launch tube for travel of the pellets toward an intended target.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-pellet launcher which comprises:
 a hollow launch tube having a distal end and a proximal end with a lumen extending therebetween;   a retainer plug positioned in the lumen of the launch tube;   a plurality of pellets positioned in the lumen of the launch tube proximal to the retainer plug;   a spring fixedly mounted in the lumen of the launch tube proximal the plurality of pellets; and   an acceleration-activated latch having a first configuration wherein the latch connects the retainer plug with the launch tube to hold the retainer plug stationary in the launch tube, and a second configuration wherein the latch releases the retainer plug from the launch tube for free travel of the retainer plug through the lumen of the launch tube, and further wherein an acceleration force generated by a rapid acceleration of the launch tube in a distal direction transitions the latch from its first configuration to its second configuration and compresses the spring to propel the retainer plug and the plurality of pellets from the launch tube in the distal direction when the acceleration force subsides.   
     
     
         2 . A multi-pellet launcher as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the retainer plug is formed with a distal ring dimensioned to move within the lumen and a proximal ring dimensioned to move within the lumen, and a mid-section formed with a proximally decreasing taper between the distal ring and the proximal ring, and wherein the tube is formed with at least one lateral vent, and wherein the acceleration-activated latch further comprises at least one latch sphere positioned in the vent and that is trapped between a distal edge of the vent and the proximal ring of the retainer plug by the spring to hold the retainer plug and pellets in the lumen of the launch tube for the first latch configuration until the acceleration force is imposed on the retainer plug to release the latch sphere for ejection from the vent to transition the latch from its first configuration to its second configuration. 
     
     
         3 . A multi-pellet launcher as recited in  claim 1  wherein the launch tube is formed with a pair of axially opposed, substantially parallel slots extending in a proximal direction from the distal end of the launch tube, with a detent formed at a proximal end of each slot, and wherein the launcher further comprises a pair of axially opposed pins extending radially outward from the retainer plug to be received in a respective slot of the launch tube for engagement with a respective detent to hold the retainer plug in the first latch configuration. 
     
     
         4 . A multi-pellet launcher as recited in  claim 1  wherein the launch tube is formed with a lateral opening, and wherein the launcher further comprises a clip mounted on the retainer plug and extending in a distal direction therefrom, wherein the clip is received in the opening of the launch tube in a stressed condition to hold the retainer plug in the first latch configuration, while the clip is biased for a return to an unstressed condition in the second latch configuration for free travel of the retainer plug through the launch tube. 
     
     
         5 . A multi-pellet launcher as recited in  claim 1  further comprising an inner sleeve affixed inside the lumen of the launch tube, at a distance “d f ” from the distal end of the tube, wherein the inner sleeve is positioned proximal the spring to act as an abutment for the spring during a compression of the spring. 
     
     
         6 . A multi-pellet launcher as recited in  claim 1  wherein the retainer plug is made of a material selected from a group comprising Acrilonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS), Polycarbonate and Polysulfone, and wherein a distal end of the retainer plug is formed with a distal recessed surface to promote tumbling of the retainer plug after a launch of the launcher. 
     
     
         7 . A multi-pellet launcher as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of spacers, wherein a spacer is positioned between adjacent pellets in the launch tube. 
     
     
         8 . A multi-pellet launcher as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of magnets wherein adjacent magnets straddle two pellets, and pellets on opposed sides of a same magnet are subjected to a different polarity. 
     
     
         9 . A multi-pellet launcher as recited in  claim 1  wherein the launch tube has an overall length of less than thirty-two inches. 
     
     
         10 . A system for propelling a plurality of pellets from a launch tube which comprises:
 a retainer plug for holding the plurality of pellets in an axial alignment inside the launch tube in response to a forward directed bias force imposed on the pellets by a compressed spring;   a latch established on the launch tube for restraining a forward movement of the retainer plug in response to the bias force imposed by the compressed spring; and   a means for propelling the launch tube in a forward direction to create an acceleration force for moving the retainer plug and the pellets in a rearward direction to further compress the spring and release the latch from the retainer plug for a subsequent forward propulsion of the retainer plug and the plurality of pellets from the launch tube in response to the bias force of the compressed spring.   
     
     
         11 . A system as recited in  claim 10  wherein the launch tube defines a longitudinal axis and has an open distal end and a closed proximal end, and further wherein the tube is formed with one or more lateral vents located equidistant from the distal end of the tube. 
     
     
         12 . A system as recited in  claim 11  wherein the latch comprises one or more latch spheres, wherein each latch sphere is positioned in a respective vent and is urged against a forward edge of the vent by the distal bias of the spring on the retainer plug, to hold the retainer plug and pellets in the lumen of the launch tube. 
     
     
         13 . A system as recited in  claim 12  wherein the retainer plug has a distal ring dimensioned to move within the lumen and a proximal ring dimensioned to move within the lumen and a mid-section formed with a proximally decreasing taper between the distal ring and proximal ring. 
     
     
         14 . A system as recited in  claim 10  wherein the distal ring of the retainer plug is formed with a distal recessed surface to promote tumbling of the retainer plug after a launch of the launcher and the retainer plug is made of a material selected from a group comprising Acrilonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS), Polycarbonate and Polysulfone. 
     
     
         15 . A system as recited in  claim 10  further comprising an inner sleeve affixed inside the lumen of the launch tube, at a distance “d f ” from the distal end of the tube, wherein the inner sleeve is positioned between the spring and the plurality of pellets to act as an abutment for the spring during a compression of the spring. 
     
     
         16 . A system as recited in  claim 10  wherein the system has as many as forty or more pellets and the launch tube has a length less than thirty-two inches. 
     
     
         17 . A system as recited in  claim 10  wherein the means for propelling the launch tube is a crossbow. 
     
     
         18 . A system as recited in  claim 10  wherein the means for propelling the launch tube is an air gun. 
     
     
         19 . A method for propelling a plurality of pellets from a launch tube which comprises the steps of:
 holding the plurality of pellets with a retainer plug in an axial alignment inside the launch tube in response to a forward directed bias force imposed on the pellets by a compressed spring;   establishing a latch on the launch tube for restraining a forward movement of the retainer ring in response to the bias force imposed by the compressed spring; and   propelling the launch tube in a forward direction to create an acceleration force for moving the retainer plug and the pellets in a rearward direction relative to the launch tube to further compress the spring and release the latch from the retainer plug for a subsequent forward propulsion of the retainer plug and the plurality of pellets from the launch tube in response to the bias force of the compressed spring.   
     
     
         20 . A method as recited in  claim 19  further comprising the step of affixing an inner sleeve inside the lumen of the launch tube, at a distance “d f ” from the distal end of the tube, wherein the inner sleeve is positioned between the spring and the plurality of pellets to act as an abutment for the spring during a compression of the spring.