Projectile launcher with inward rotating arms

Abstract

A projectile launcher with a stationary element extending outwardly from a body and a pivotal element attached so as to extend forward, the pivotal element having a cocked position directed toward the body and a released position directed in the forward direction and a second stationary element and pivotal element similarly mounted but extending outwardly from the body in an opposite direction. A bowstring extending between the two pivotal elements and movable between a cocked and a released position. A latch movable between a closed position, retaining the bowstring in the cocked position, and an open position, releasing the bowstring. A tubular torsion bar coupled to the pivotal elements and movable between energy storage and releasing configurations. A delivery system coupling the torsion bar to the pivotal elements and transferring energy to and from the torsion bar when the bowstring is moved between the cocked and released positions.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A projectile launcher with inward rotating arms comprising:
 a body having a rearward end, and a forward end, with a forward end direction being directed general toward the forward end;   a first rigid arm having a first rigid stationary element extending outwardly from the body defining a first outer end area and a first rigid pivotal element pivotally attached to the first outer end area of the first rigid stationary element so as to extend in the forward end direction and defining a first distal end, the first rigid pivotal element being pivotable between a cocked position directed generally toward the body and a released position directed generally in the forward direction;   a second rigid arm having a second rigid stationary element extending outwardly from the body in a direction opposite the first rigid stationary element defining a second outer end area and a second rigid pivotal element pivotally attached to the second outer end area of the second rigid stationary element so as to extend in the forward end direction and defining a second distal end, the second rigid pivotal element being pivotable between a cocked position directed generally toward the body and a released position directed generally in the forward direction;   a bowstring extending between the distal ends of the first and second rigid pivotal arm elements and movable between a cocked position and a released position, movement of the bowstring from the released position to the cocked position rotates or pivots the first rigid pivotal element and the second rigid pivotal element from the released position to the cocked position;   a latch mechanism movable between a closed position, retaining the bowstring in the cocked position, and an open position, releasing the bowstring to allow movement to the released position;   at least one tubular torsion bar coupled to the pair of rigid arms, the at least one tubular torsion bar movable between a mechanical energy storage configuration and a mechanical energy releasing configuration; and   a mechanical energy delivery system coupling the at least one tubular torsion bar to the first and second rigid pivotal elements, the mechanical energy delivery system transferring mechanical energy in the form of rotary movement of the first and second rigid pivotal elements to the at least one tubular torsion bar when the bowstring is moved from the released position to the cocked position, and transferring mechanical energy from the at least one tubular torsion bar to the first and second rigid pivotal elements to move the first and second rigid pivotal elements from the cocked position to the released position and the bowstring from the cocked position to the released position; and   wherein the at least one tubular torsion bar includes an inner tube and an axially aligned outer tube and the mechanical energy delivery system includes a free end of the inner tube terminated with a first coaxially mounted pulley and a free end of the outer tube terminated with a second coaxially mounted pulley, the first and second coaxially mounted pulleys forming a portion of the mechanical energy delivery system.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A projectile launcher with inward rotating arms as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the mechanical energy delivery system further includes a first pulley arrangement mounted at the first outer end area of the first rigid stationary element for rotation with rotation of the first rigid pivotal element and a second pulley arrangement mounted at the second outer end area of the second rigid stationary element for rotation with rotation of the second rigid pivotal element. 
     
     
         4 . A projectile launcher with inward rotating arms as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the mechanical energy delivery system further includes one or more strings wound at least partially around the first coaxially mounted pulley, the first pulley arrangement mounted at the first outer end area, the second pulley arrangement mounted at the second outer end area, and the second coaxially mounted pulley. 
     
     
         5 . A projectile launcher with inward rotating arms as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the first rigid pivotal element is pivotally attached to the first rigid stationary element by a first axle and the first pulley arrangement includes a first pair of spaced apart pulleys attached to the first axle for rotation therewith and the second rigid pivotal element is pivotally attached to the second rigid stationary element by a second axle and the second pulley arrangement includes a second pair of spaced apart pulleys attached to the second axle for rotation therewith. 
     
     
         6 . A projectile launcher with inward rotating arms comprising:
 a body having a rearward end, and a forward end, with a forward end direction being directed general toward the forward end;   a first rigid arm having a first rigid stationary element extending outwardly from the body defining a first outer end area and a first rigid pivotal element pivotally attached to the first outer end area of the first rigid stationary element so as to extend in the forward end direction and defining a first distal end, the first rigid pivotal element being pivotable between a cocked position directed generally toward the body and a released position directed generally in the forward direction;   a second rigid arm having a second rigid stationary element extending outwardly from the body in a direction opposite the first rigid stationary element defining a second outer end area and a second rigid pivotal element pivotally attached to the second outer end area of the second rigid stationary element so as to extend in the forward end direction and defining a second distal end, the second rigid pivotal element being pivotable between a cocked position directed generally toward the body and a released position directed generally in the forward direction;   a bowstring extending between the distal ends of the first and second rigid pivotal arm elements and movable between a cocked position and a released position, movement of the bowstring from the released position to the cocked position rotates or pivots the first rigid pivotal element and the second rigid pivotal element from the released position to the cocked position;   a latch mechanism movable between a closed position, retaining the bowstring in the cocked position, and an open position, releasing the bowstring to allow movement to the released position;   at least one tubular torsion bar coupled to the pair of rigid arms, the at least one tubular torsion bar movable between a mechanical energy storage configuration and a mechanical energy releasing configuration;   a mechanical energy delivery system coupling the at least one tubular torsion bar to the first and second rigid pivotal elements, the mechanical energy delivery system transferring mechanical energy in the form of rotary movement of the first and second rigid pivotal elements to the at least one tubular torsion bar when the bowstring is moved from the released position to the cocked position, and transferring mechanical energy from the at least one tubular torsion bar to the first and second rigid pivotal elements to move the first and second rigid pivotal elements from the cocked position to the released position and the bowstring from the cocked position to the released position; and   wherein the at least one tubular torsion bar includes two tubular torsion bars each having an inner tube and an axially aligned outer tube and the mechanical energy delivery system includes a free end of one of the inner tube and the outer tube of each of the two tubular torsion bars terminated with coaxially mounted pulleys.   
     
     
         7 . A projectile launcher with inward rotating arms as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first and second rigid stationary elements are formed as a single unit. 
     
     
         8 . A projectile launcher with inward rotating arms comprising:
 a body having a rearward end, and a forward end, with a forward end direction being directed general toward the forward end;   a first rigid arm having a first rigid stationary element extending outwardly from the body defining a first outer end area and a first rigid pivotal element pivotally attached to the first outer end area of the first rigid stationary element so as to extend in the forward end direction and defining a first distal end, the first rigid pivotal element being pivotable between a cocked position directed generally toward the body and a released position directed generally in the forward direction;   a second rigid arm having a second rigid stationary element extending outwardly from the body in a direction opposite the first rigid stationary element defining a second outer end area and a second rigid pivotal element pivotally attached to the second outer end area of the second rigid stationary element so as to extend in the forward end direction and defining a second distal end, the second rigid pivotal element being pivotable between a cocked position directed generally toward the body and a released position directed generally in the forward direction;   a bowstring extending between the distal ends of the first and second rigid pivotal arm elements and movable between a cocked position and a released position, movement of the bowstring from the released position to the cocked position rotates or pivots the first rigid pivotal element and the second rigid pivotal element from the released position to the cocked position;   a latch mechanism movable between a closed position, retaining the bowstring in the cocked position, and an open position, releasing the bowstring to allow movement to the released position;   a mechanical energy delivery system including a tubular torsion bar including an inner tube and an axially aligned outer tube, a free end of the inner tube terminated with a first coaxially mounted pulley and a free end of the outer tube terminated with a second coaxially mounted pulley, the tubular torsion bar movable between a mechanical energy storage configuration and a mechanical energy releasing configuration; and   the mechanical energy delivery system further including a first pulley arrangement mounted at the first outer end area of the first rigid stationary element for rotation with rotation of the first rigid pivotal element and a second pulley arrangement mounted at the second outer end area of the second rigid stationary element for rotation with rotation of the second rigid pivotal element, and one or more strings wound at least partially around the first coaxially mounted pulley, the first pulley arrangement mounted at the first outer end area, the second pulley arrangement mounted at the second outer end area, and the second coaxially mounted pulley for opposite rotation of the first and second coaxially mounted pulleys;   the mechanical energy delivery system transferring mechanical energy in the form of rotary movement of the first and second rigid pivotal elements to opposite rotation of the first and second coaxially mounted pulleys when the bowstring is moved from the released position to the cocked position, and transferring mechanical energy from the tubular torsion bar to the first and second rigid pivotal elements to move the first and second rigid pivotal elements from the cocked position to the released position and the bowstring from the cocked position to the released position.   
     
     
         9 . A projectile launcher with inward rotating arms as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the first and second rigid stationary elements are formed as a single unit. 
     
     
         10 . A projectile launcher with inward rotating arms as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the first rigid pivotal element is pivotally attached to the first rigid stationary element by a first axle and the first pulley arrangement includes a first pair of spaced apart pulleys attached to the first axle for rotation therewith and the second rigid pivotal element is pivotally attached to the second rigid stationary element by a second axle and the second pulley arrangement includes a second pair of spaced apart pulleys attached to the second axle for rotation therewith. 
     
     
         11 . A projectile launcher with inward rotating arms comprising:
 a body having a rearward end, and a forward end, with a forward end direction being directed general toward the forward end;   a first rigid arm having a first rigid stationary element extending outwardly from the body defining a first outer end area and a first rigid pivotal element pivotally attached to the first outer end area of the first rigid stationary element so as to extend in the forward end direction and defining a first distal end, the first rigid pivotal element being pivotable between a cocked position directed generally toward the body and a released position directed generally in the forward direction;   a second rigid arm having a second rigid stationary element extending outwardly from the body in a direction opposite the first rigid stationary element defining a second outer end area and a second rigid pivotal element pivotally attached to the second outer end area of the second rigid stationary element so as to extend in the forward end direction and defining a second distal end, the second rigid pivotal element being pivotable between a cocked position directed generally toward the body and a released position directed generally in the forward direction;   a bowstring extending between the distal ends of the first and second rigid pivotal arm elements and movable between a cocked position and a released position, movement of the bowstring from the released position to the cocked position rotates or pivots the first rigid pivotal element and the second rigid pivotal element from the released position to the cocked position;   a latch mechanism movable between a closed position, retaining the bowstring in the cocked position, and an open position, releasing the bowstring to allow movement to the released position;   a mechanical energy delivery system including a plurality of tubular torsion bars each including an inner tube and an axially aligned outer tube, each of the plurality of tubular torsion bars including a free end of one of the inner and outer tubes terminated with a coaxially mounted pulley, each of the plurality of tubular torsion bars movable between a mechanical energy storage configuration and a mechanical energy releasing configuration; and   the mechanical energy delivery system further including a first pulley arrangement mounted at the first outer end area of the first rigid stationary element for rotation with rotation of the first rigid pivotal element and a second pulley arrangement mounted at the second outer end area of the second rigid stationary element for rotation with rotation of the second rigid pivotal element, and one or more strings wound at least partially around the coaxially mounted pulleys, the first pulley arrangement mounted at the first outer end area, and the second pulley arrangement mounted at the second outer end area;   the mechanical energy delivery system transferring mechanical energy in the form of rotary movement of the first and second rigid pivotal elements to rotation of the coaxially mounted pulleys when the bowstring is moved from the released position to the cocked position, and transferring mechanical energy from the plurality of tubular torsion bars to the first and second rigid pivotal elements to move the first and second rigid pivotal elements from the cocked position to the released position and the bowstring from the cocked position to the released position.   
     
     
         12 . A projectile launcher with inward rotating arms as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the first and second rigid stationary elements are formed as a single unit. 
     
     
         13 . A projectile launcher with inward rotating arms as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the first rigid pivotal element is pivotally attached to the first rigid stationary element by a first axle and the first pulley arrangement includes a first pair of spaced apart pulleys attached to the first axle for rotation therewith and the second rigid pivotal element is pivotally attached to the second rigid stationary element by a second axle and the second pulley arrangement includes a second pair of spaced apart pulleys attached to the second axle for rotation therewith.