Patent ID: 6807959
Filing Date: 2004-10-26
Classification: A63B,F41B

Abstract:
A device for ejecting a projectile, the device comprising:(a) a barrel defining an inner space and having a closed end, and an open end through which the projectile is ejected; (b) a chamber in which a charge of a compressed fluid having a pressure substantially greater than ambient air pressure is developed, said chamber being selectively coupled in fluid communication with the inner space of the barrel, so that the charge of compressed fluid is selectively released into the inner space of the barrel; and (c) a projectile carrier disposed generally adjacent to the closed end of the barrel when in a firing position, the projectile carrier having a rear surface upon which the compressed fluid acts when the charge of the compressed fluid is selectively released into the inner space of the barrel, the projectile carrier having a cross-sectional size sufficiently close to that of the barrel so as to move freely along the inner space of the barrel, while accelerating a projectile conveyed by the projectile carrier through the inner space when the charge of compressed fluid is selectively released into the barrel behind the projectile carrier, said projectile carrier imparting kinetic energy to the projectile when the projectile carrier is forced from its firing position by the charge of compressed fluid and ejecting the projectile from the barrel.