Sound Reducing Systems for Use with Projectile Launchers

Abstract

A cassette for deploying one or more anchors can include at least one socket in fluid communication with a pressure source and at least one anchor being positionable within the at least one socket. At least one slidable piston can be positionable in the at least one socket between the anchor and the pressure source such that the slidable piston is propelled along the socket in response to a pressure wave generated by the pressure source to thereby expel the anchor from the socket. The slidable piston can include a first, relatively rigid component coupled to a second, relatively pliable component. A portion of the piston can be seated in intimate contact with a portion of the anchor when the anchor and piston are positioned within the socket.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A cassette for deploying one or more anchors, the cassette comprising:
 at least one socket in fluid communication with a pressure source;   at least one anchor being positionable within the at least one socket;   at least one slidable piston positionable in the at least one socket between the anchor and the pressure source such that the slidable piston is propelled along the socket in response to a pressure wave generated by the pressure source to thereby expel the anchor from the socket;   the slidable piston including a first, relatively rigid component coupled to a second, relatively pliable component; and   a portion of the piston being seated in intimate contact with a portion of the anchor when the anchor and piston are positioned within the socket.   
     
     
         2 . The cassette of  claim 1 , wherein the pliable component includes an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of the socket, engagement of the outer diameter of the pliable component and the inner diameter of the socket partially retarding movement of the piston within the socket. 
     
     
         3 . The cassette of  claim 1 , wherein the slidable piston and the anchor each carry an alignment feature, the respective alignment features being engageable with one another when the anchor and piston are positioned within the socket to ensure proper alignment of the anchor within the socket. 
     
     
         4 . The cassette of  claim 3 , wherein the alignment feature of the piston comprises a pocket and wherein the alignment feature of the anchor comprises a reduced diameter on an end of the anchor, the end of the anchor being fittable within the pocket. 
     
     
         5 . The cassette of  claim 4 , wherein the piston and the anchor are concentrically centered within the socket when the end of the anchor is fitted within the pocket. 
     
     
         6 . The cassette of  claim 1 , wherein the piston includes a pressure receiving cup having a floor surface, and wherein the floor surface of the pressure receiving cup is spaced from the pressure source when a portion of the piston is seated against the pressure source so as to create a standoff space between the floor surface of the pressure receiving cup and the pressure source when the anchor and piston are positioned within the socket. 
     
     
         7 . The cassette of  claim 6 , wherein the standoff space is between about 1 mm and about 2 mm. 
     
     
         8 . A cassette for deploying one or more anchors, the cassette comprising:
 at least one socket in fluid communication with a pressure source;   at least one anchor being positionable within the at least one socket;   at least one slidable piston positionable in the at least one socket between the anchor and the pressure source such that the slidable piston is propelled along the socket in response to a pressure wave generated by the pressure source to thereby expel the anchor from the socket;   the slidable piston and the anchor each carrying an alignment feature, the respective alignment features being engageable with one another when the anchor and piston are positioned within the socket to ensure proper alignment of the anchor within the socket.   
     
     
         9 . The cassette of  claim 8 , wherein a portion of the piston is seated in intimate contact with a portion of the anchor when the anchor and piston are positioned within the socket. 
     
     
         10 . The cassette of  claim 8 , wherein the slidable piston includes a first, relatively rigid component coupled to a second, relatively pliable component. 
     
     
         11 . The cassette of  claim 10 , wherein the relatively pliable component includes an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of the socket, engagement of the outer diameter of the pliable component and the inner diameter of the socket partially retarding movement of the piston within the socket. 
     
     
         12 . The cassette of  claim 8 , wherein the piston includes a pressure receiving cup having a floor surface, and wherein the floor surface of the pressure receiving cup is spaced from the pressure source when a portion of the piston is seated against the pressure source so as to create a standoff space between the floor surface of the pressure receiving cup and the pressure source when the anchor and piston are positioned within the socket. 
     
     
         13 . The cassette of  claim 8 , wherein the alignment feature of the piston comprises a pocket and wherein the alignment feature of the anchor comprises a reduced diameter on an end of the anchor, the end of the anchor being fittable within the pocket. 
     
     
         14 . The cassette of  claim 13 , wherein the piston and the anchor are concentrically centered within the socket when the end of the anchor is fitted within the pocket. 
     
     
         15 . A cassette for deploying one or more anchors, the cassette comprising:
 at least one socket in fluid communication with a pressure source;   at least one anchor being positionable within the at least one socket; and   at least one slidable piston positionable in the at least one socket between the anchor and the pressure source such that the slidable piston is propelled along the socket in response to a pressure wave generated by the pressure source to thereby expel the anchor from the socket;   the slidable piston including a first, relatively rigid component coupled to a second, relatively pliable component;   the piston including a pressure receiving cup having a floor surface, and wherein the floor surface of the pressure receiving cup is spaced from the pressure source when a portion of the piston is seated against the pressure source so as to create a standoff space between the floor surface of the pressure receiving cup and the pressure source when the anchor and piston are positioned within the socket.   
     
     
         16 . The cassette of  claim 15 , wherein a portion of the piston is seated in intimate contact with a portion of the anchor when the anchor and piston are positioned within the socket. 
     
     
         17 . The cassette of  claim 15 , wherein the slidable piston and the anchor each carry an alignment feature, the respective alignment features being engageable with one another when the anchor and piston are positioned within the socket to ensure proper alignment of the anchor within the socket. 
     
     
         18 . The cassette of  claim 17 , wherein the alignment feature of the piston comprises a pocket and wherein the alignment feature of the anchor comprises a reduced diameter on an end of the anchor, the end of the anchor being fittable within the pocket. 
     
     
         19 . The cassette of  claim 18 , wherein the piston and the anchor are concentrically centered within the socket when the end of the anchor is fitted within the pocket. 
     
     
         20 . The cassette of  claim 15 , wherein the piston includes an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of the socket, engagement of the outer diameter of the piston with the inner diameter of the socket partially retarding movement of the piston within the socket.