Rescue apparatus and method of using the same

Abstract

A projectile launch device capable of launching a variety of equipment, including flotation devices, predator deterrents, mooring lines and fire retardants, is disclosed. An exemplary projectile launch device in accordance with the present invention includes an actuating head, a gas storage vessel coupled to the actuating head, a launch frame coupled to the actuating head, and a trigger assembly coupled to the actuating head. A plunger assembly is positioned at least partially inside the actuating head, and a trigger assembly is operably connected to the plunger assembly to allow the release of air pressure from within the gas storage vessel to the projectile launch frame.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A projectile launch device comprising:
 a) an actuating head;   b) a gas storage vessel coupled to the actuating head, wherein the gas storage cylinder is configured to store a pressurized gas;   c) a launch frame coupled to the actuating head; and   d) a trigger assembly coupled to the actuating head.   
     
     
         2 . The projectile launch device of  claim 1 , wherein the actuating head comprises: (i) a primary cavity having a plurality of primary ports; (ii) a pressure-balancing cavity having a plurality of pressure-balancing ports; and (iii) a plunger assembly positioned at least partially within the primary cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The projectile launch device of  claim 2 , further comprising a plunger assembly positioned at least partially within the primary cavity of the actuating head, wherein the plunger assembly is operatively connected to the trigger assembly such that actuation of the trigger assembly causes the plunger assembly to release the pressurized gas from the gas storage vessel into the launch frame. 
     
     
         4 . The projectile launch device of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of primary ports comprise:
 i) a primary inlet port formed in a first face of the actuating head, wherein the primary inlet port fluidly connects the primary cavity to an outlet of the gas storage vessel;   ii) a primary outlet port formed in a second face of the actuating head configured to selectively vent the pressurized gas from the primary cavity to ambient atmosphere; and   iii) a primary side port formed in a side wall of the actuating head, wherein the primary side port fluidly connects the primary cavity to an inlet of the launch frame.   
     
     
         5 . The projectile launch device of  claim 4 , wherein the plunger assembly comprises:
 i) a bleed stem operatively connected to the trigger assembly, the bleed stem having an elongated body extending from a flange;   ii) a moveable plug disposed within the primary cavity of the actuating head;   iii) a spring positioned between the bleed stem and the moveable plug, wherein the spring operatively engages the plug to bias the plug into a rest position within the primary cavity for sealing the primary inlet port of the actuating head, and wherein the spring operatively engages the bleed stem to bias the bleed stem into a rest position within the primary cavity for sealing the primary outlet port of the actuating head.   
     
     
         6 . The projectile launch device of  claim 5 , wherein the pressure-balancing cavity of the actuating head is in fluid communication with the gas storage vessel and configured to direct gas to a space above the movable plug within the primary cavity to enable pressure equalization across opposing surfaces of the plug when the projectile launch device is in an unactuated state. 
     
     
         7 . The projectile launch device of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of pressure-balancing ports comprise:
 i) a pressure-balancing inlet port formed in a first face of the actuating head and in fluid communication with the outlet of the gas storage vessel;   ii) a pressure-balancing outlet port positioned adjacent to the primary cavity for fluidly connecting the pressure-balancing cavity to the primary cavity at a position proximate to the second face of the actuating head relative to the first face; and   iii) a pressure-balancing side port formed in the side wall of the actuating head.   
     
     
         8 . The projectile launch device of  claim of 7 , wherein the launch frame comprises a projectile launch chamber and a cable storage chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The projectile launch device of  claim 8 , wherein the projectile launch chamber comprises an intake port coupled to the primary side port of the actuating head. 
     
     
         10 . The projectile launch device of  claim 9 , and wherein the projectile launch chamber houses a projectile, wherein the cable storage chamber houses a retrieval cable, and wherein the retrieval cable is attached to the projectile. 
     
     
         11 . The projectile launch device of  claim 10 , wherein the projectile is a flotation device. 
     
     
         12 . The projectile launch device of  claim 10 , wherein the trigger assembly comprises: (i) a base; (ii) a fixed handle connected to the base; (iii) an actuating handle pivotally connected to base and movable between a rest position and an actuated position. 
     
     
         13 . The projectile launch device of  claim 12 , wherein the projectile launch device further comprises a head cap configured to secure the bleed stem of the plunger assembly partially within the actuating head, the head cap having a guide port through which the elongated body of the bleed stem protrudes in the unactuated state of the projectile launch device. 
     
     
         14 . The quick-actuating launch device of  claim 13 , wherein the gas storage cylinder further comprises a fill valve and a pressure safety valve. 
     
     
         15 . The quick-actuating launch device of  claim 14 , further comprising a pressure gauge removably connected to the pressure-balancing side port. 
     
     
         16 . A projectile launch device comprising:
 a) an actuating head, wherein the actuating head comprises: (i) a primary cavity having a plurality of primary ports; (ii) a pressure-balancing cavity having a plurality of pressure-balancing ports; and (iii) a plunger assembly positioned at least partially within the primary cavity;   b) a gas storage vessel coupled to the actuating head, wherein the gas storage cylinder is configured to store a pressurized gas;   c) a launch frame coupled to the actuating head, wherein the launch frame comprises a projectile launch chamber and a cable storage chamber; and   d) a trigger assembly coupled to the actuating head.   
     
     
         17 . The projectile launch device of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of primary ports comprise:
 i) a primary inlet port formed in a first face of the actuating head, wherein the primary inlet port fluidly connects the primary cavity to an outlet of the gas storage vessel;   ii) a primary outlet port formed in a second face of the actuating head configured to selectively vent the pressurized gas from the primary cavity to ambient atmosphere; and   iii) a primary side port formed in a side wall of the actuating head, wherein the primary side port fluidly connects the primary cavity to an inlet of the launch frame; and   
       wherein the plurality of pressure-balancing ports comprise:
 iv) a pressure-balancing inlet port formed in a first face of the actuating head and in fluid communication with the outlet of the gas storage vessel; 
 v) a pressure-balancing outlet port positioned adjacent to the primary cavity for fluidly connecting the pressure-balancing cavity to the primary cavity at a position proximate to the second face of the actuating head relative to the first face; and 
 vi) a pressure-balancing side port formed in the side wall of the actuating head. 
 
     
     
         18 . The projectile launch device of  claim 17 , wherein the plunger assembly comprises:
 i) a bleed stem operatively connected to the trigger assembly, the bleed stem having an elongated body extending from a flange;   ii) a moveable plug disposed within the primary cavity of the actuating head;   iii) a spring positioned between the bleed stem and the moveable plug, wherein the spring operatively engages the plug to bias the plug into a rest position within the primary cavity for sealing the primary inlet port of the actuating head, and wherein the spring operatively engages the bleed stem to bias the bleed stem into a rest position within the primary cavity for sealing the primary outlet port of the actuating head.   
     
     
         19 . A projectile launch device comprising:
 a) an actuating head, wherein the actuating head comprises:
 i) a primary cavity having a plurality of primary ports, wherein the plurality of primary ports comprise: a primary inlet port formed in a first face of the actuating head, wherein the primary inlet port fluidly connects the primary cavity to an outlet of the gas storage vessel; a primary outlet port formed in a second face of the actuating head configured to selectively vent the pressurized gas from the primary cavity to ambient atmosphere; and a primary side port formed in a side wall of the actuating head, wherein the primary side port fluidly connects the primary cavity to an inlet of the launch frame; and 
 ii) a pressure-balancing cavity having a plurality of pressure-balancing ports, wherein the plurality of pressure-balancing ports comprise: a pressure-balancing inlet port formed in a first face of the actuating head and in fluid communication with the outlet of the gas storage vessel; a pressure-balancing outlet port positioned adjacent to the primary cavity for fluidly connecting the pressure-balancing cavity to the primary cavity at a position proximate to the second face of the actuating head relative to the first face; and a pressure-balancing side port formed in the side wall of the actuating head; and 
 iii) a plunger assembly positioned at least partially within the primary cavity, wherein the plunger assembly comprises: a bleed stem operatively connected to the trigger assembly, the bleed stem having an elongated body extending from a flange; a moveable plug disposed within the primary cavity of the actuating head; a spring positioned between the bleed stem and the moveable plug, wherein the spring operatively engages the plug to bias the plug into a rest position within the primary cavity for sealing the primary inlet port of the actuating head, and wherein the spring operatively engages the bleed stem to bias the bleed stem into a rest position within the primary cavity for sealing the primary outlet port of the actuating head; and 
   b) a gas storage vessel coupled to the actuating head, wherein the gas storage cylinder is configured to store a pressurized gas;   c) a launch frame coupled to the actuating head, wherein the launch frame comprises a projectile launch chamber and a cable storage chamber; and   d) a trigger assembly coupled to the actuating head.   
     
     
         20 . The projectile launch device of  claim 19 , wherein the projectile launch chamber comprises an intake port coupled to the primary side port of the actuating head.