Patent ID: 6321737
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: F41B

Abstract:
A rocket launcher comprising:an air pump;a pressure cell;a first conduit in fluid communication with said pump and said pressure cell;a launch tube in fluid communication with said pressure cell through a release valve;a trigger operatively coupled with said release valve; andan orientation sensitive check valve in fluid communication with said pressure cell which releases air from said pressure cell should the launch tube be oriented at an offset position from a generally vertical orientation, said orientation sensitive check valve comprises a housing having a floor with an opening therein and a ball positioned within said housing sized and shaped to seal said opening when positioned at least partially within said opening,whereby with the launch tube in a generally vertical position the orientation sensitive check valve prevents air from flowing from the pressure cell to ambience thereby allowing the actuation of the release valve and the release of pressurized air into the launch tube with the actuation of the trigger, and whereby with the launch tube in an offset position the orientation sensitive check valve vents pressurized air within the pressure cell to ambience thereby decompressing the pressure cell and preventing the release of pressurized air into the launch tube.