Abstract:
An air projection apparatus which uses compressed air in order to hurl a projectile. The air projection apparatus includes an air chamber, a valve, and a barrel. An object such as a golf ball can be placed onto the valve which can then be projected into the air once a handle which operates the valve is turned.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims benefit to provisional application No. 60/665,590, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present inventive concept relates to an air cannon that shoots pressurized air, and more particular an air cannon that can accommodate a golf ball.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Golf is a difficult sport which can only be enjoyed by experienced players that are able to hit reasonable shots on the course. Novices or parties that are not physically fit (e.g. the elderly) are typically unable to play golf on a typical golf course.  
         [0006]     What is needed is a way for novices to play golf on a typical course, which can by accomplished by using pressurized air cannon that can shoot a golf ball a long distance.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an air cannon capable of shooting a golf ball a long distance.  
         [0008]     The above aspects can be obtained by an apparatus that includes (a) a hollow base to receive pressurized air; (b) a shaft connecting the base to a valve; (c) the valve comprising a rotatable member, the rotatable member having a closed position in which air cannot travel through the shaft and an open position in which air can travel through the shaft through a hollow cylinder attached to the shaft; and (d) a handle connected to the rotatable member allowing an operator to rotate the rotatable member into the open position and the closed position.  
         [0009]     The above aspects can also be obtained by a method that includes (a) a hollow base to receive pressurized air; (b) a shaft connecting the base to a valve; (c) the valve comprising a rotatable member, the rotatable member having a closed position in which air cannot travel through the shaft and an open position in which air can travel through the shaft through a hollow cylinder attached to the shaft; (d) a handle connected to the rotatable member allowing an operator to rotate the rotatable member into the open position and the closed position; (e) setting the rotatable member into the closed position; (f) filling the hollow base with pressurized air; (g) loading a golf ball into the shaft; and, (h) turning the handle to release the pressurized air, thereby discharging the golf ball through the hollow cylinder.  
         [0010]     These together with other aspects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is drawing of a an air gun, according to an embodiment;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is drawing of an enlarged view of an outside of a trigger and valve of an  
         [0014]     air gun, according to an embodiment;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is front view of a ball valve, according to an embodiment;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a ball valve, according to an embodiment;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a drawing illustrating embodiments of a ball value, according to embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6A  is a drawing illustrating a ball valve in a closed position, according to an embodiment;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6B  is a drawing illustrating a ball valve in an open position, according to an embodiment;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a drawing of a front view of a double ball valve in an open position, according to an embodiment;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a drawing of a front view of a double ball valve in a closed position, according to an embodiment;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a drawing of a top view of a double ball valve in an open position, according to an embodiment;  
         [0023]      FIG. 10A  is drawing illustrating a gun cock detached from the connector, according to an embodiment;  
         [0024]      FIG. 10B  a drawing illustrating a connector attached to a gun cock and trigger, according to an embodiment; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  is a drawing illustrating an air gun with multiple sized barrels, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0026]     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.  
         [0027]     The present general inventive concept relates to a gun adapted to receive a golf ball which can project the golf ball at a far distance. The golf ball can be discharged using pressurized air which can be controlled by a valve, such as a ball valve. Thus, golf can be played by using the gun as opposed to standard clubs.  
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is drawing of an air gun, according to an embodiment.  
         [0029]     The air gun can include a hollow air chamber  100  (or base), a trigger  102 , a valve (not visible from the outside) inside a connector  106  which connects the air chamber  100  to a barrel  104 . The air chamber  100  can be filled with air (typically compressed air) from a pump (either manual or powered). While the air chamber  100  is being filled, the valve is in a closed position as to not release any air into the barrel.  
         [0030]     When an operator is ready to fire the gun, he or she can load the gun with an object (such as a golf ball), by simply dropping the golf ball down the barrel  104 . The golf ball will then rest against the valve inside the connector  106  (also known as the shaft). When the valve is in the open position a hole that allows air to pass out of the air chamber  100  is not large enough for the golf ball to fall into. The operator can then pull the trigger  102 , which opens the valve, releasing air from the air chamber  100  and projecting the golf ball (not pictured) out of the barrel  104  and into the open air. The connector  106  can be attached to the air chamber  100  and the barrel  104  in a variety of ways, such as welding, gluing, molding, etc. Typically the connection method used should be airtight.  
         [0031]     An air pressure relief valve (not pictured) on the air chamber  100  can be used as a safety mechanism. If the air pressure in the air chamber  100  exceeds a certain pressure, than the air pressure relief valve can automatically detect the excess pressure (greater than a predetermined threshold) and discharge the air, preventing an explosion of the air pressure chamber.  
         [0032]     An air pressure gauge (not pictured) can also be attached to the air chamber  100  which allows an operator to view what the current pressure is inside of the air chamber  100 . The operator may desire to use a lot (or full) pressure for a long shot, while less pressure for a shorter shot. The operator can thus adjust the length of his or her shot by using the air pressure gauge.  
         [0033]      FIG. 2  is drawing of an enlarged view of an outside of a trigger and valve of an air gun, according to an embodiment.  
         [0034]     An L-shaped joint  200  is attached to the valve which can open and close the valve inside the connector  202 . A trigger (not pictured herein) is attached to the L-shaped joint  200  to allow an operator to easily turn the L-shaped joint  200 . The operator may grip the trigger with his or her hand for easy operation.  
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is front view of a ball valve, according to an embodiment.  
         [0036]     A ball valve  300  is a standard part which can typically be purchased over the counter at hardware stores. The ball valve  300  is shown herein in an open position. A handle  302  is used to turn a ball (not pictured) inside the ball valve  300  into either the open or closed position.  
         [0037]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a ball valve, according to an embodiment.  
         [0038]     A ball valve  400  and a handle  402  are shown in the open position.  
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is a drawing illustrating embodiments of a ball valve, according to embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0040]     Airflow can be controlled with any type of valve, such as a ball valve, a sprinkler valve, a piston valve, a quick-exhaust valve, or a burst disk. A one inch standard ball valve  500  can be used, which has a first opening  502  and a second opening  504 . A handle in the closed position  506  can be rotated to become a handle in the open position  508  which will release air from the pressurized chamber.  
         [0041]     The handle  506 ,  508  can be removed to result in a ball valve with no handle  510 .  
         [0042]     A removed handle  510  can be removed (e.g. unscrewed) from the ball valve  500 , in order to replace the handle  510  with another operating mechanism to switch between the open and closed positions.  
         [0043]      FIG. 6A  is a drawing illustrating a ball valve in a closed position, according to an embodiment.  
         [0044]     The handle  506 ,  508  (from  FIG. 5 ) can be removed and replaced with an L-shaped joint  602  which is pivotally connected to the ball valve  600 . The L-shaped joint  602  can rotate around the ball valve  600  as the handle  506 ,  508  did. The L-shaped joint  602  is pictured in the closed position.  
         [0045]      FIG. 6B  is a drawing illustrating a ball valve in an open position, according to an embodiment.  
         [0046]     When the L-shaped joint  602  as configured in  FIG. 6A  is rotated, it can open the valve  600 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 6C  is a drawing illustrating the L-shaped join with a trigger attached, according to an embodiment.  
         [0048]     An L-shaped joint  602  which is used to operate the ball valve (or any other type of valve) is screwed into the ball valve (in place of a handle on a standard ball valve which is removed). A trigger  604  can be attached to the L-shaped joint  602  in order to allow easy opening and closing of the ball valve  600 . The trigger can be made of any material such as rubber, plastic, metal, etc. and can be molded, glued, soldered, screwed on, or any other connection method to the L-shaped joint  602 , or the trigger can be fitted over the L-shaped joint  602  (e.g. tight plastic). The trigger  604  can make it easier for an operator to grab and operate the L-shaped joint  602  (which in turns operates the valve to fire the gun/cannon). The trigger  604  may also make the device look and feel more like a typical gun.  
         [0049]     In a further embodiment, in place of the ball valve described herein, a “double ball valve” can be used to operate an air gun. A double ball valve can be made by combing two standard ball valves. Two standard ball valves can each be sliced in half (or other fractions). The pieces can then be attached to each other (e.g. with glue or other attachment mechanism) to form a single valve. One advantage to using a double ball valve is that it can allow for an embodiment in which the gun can be controlled from both sides and/or in which both a trigger and a cock can be used on either side (discussed below in more detail).  
         [0050]      FIG. 7  is a drawing of a front view of a double ball valve in an open position, according to an embodiment.  
         [0051]     An air passageway  702  is in a center of the double ball valve  700 . A first handle  704  and a second handle  706  are used to open/close the double ball valve. The first handle  704  and the second handle  706  can be connected, for example using an optional pin  708  through a center of the air passageway  702  so that when one of the handles is rotated the other handle also turns in unison. Note that in the figure, the portions of the pin  708  hidden by the handles  704 ,  706 , is not visible and is represented by a dotted line.  
         [0052]      FIG. 8  is a drawing of a front view of a double ball valve in a closed position, according to an embodiment.  
         [0053]     An air passageway  802  is in a center of the double ball valve  800 . A first handle  804  and a second handle  806  are used to open/close the double ball valve. The first handle  804  and the second handle  806  may optionally be connected, for example using a pin  808  through a center of the air passageway  802  so that when one of the handles is rotated the other handle also turns in unison. Each end of the pin  808  can be inserted tightly into each handle  804 ,  806 , such that rotation of either handle will rotate the pin and in turn rotating the other handle (e.g. the handles cooperate with each-other). Alternative to the pin  808 , other connection methods can be used to connect the two handles  804 ,  806 , such as glue, screws, etc., or in an embodiment the handles  804 ,  806  may alternatively be non-cooperative.  
         [0054]      FIG. 9  is a drawing of a top view of a double ball valve in an open position, according to an embodiment.  
         [0055]     The double ball valve  900  has a first handle  902  and a second handle  904 . In the open position (as illustrated in  FIG. 9 ), air is allowed to pass in from a first end  906  of the double ball valve  900  and out through a second end  908  of the double ball valve  900 . Typically the handles are turned abruptly, allowing a quick hard burst of air which is then used to propel an object (such as a golf ball). Alternatively, an operator may wish to open the handle more gently, allowing less air pressure to contact the ball and thus causing the ball to travel less far.  
         [0056]     FIG. l 0 A is drawing illustrating a gun cock detached from the connector, according to an embodiment.  
         [0057]     A gun cock  1000  is shown detached form a connector  1004 . A valve mount  1006  is used to connect the gun cock  1000  to the valve (not visible in the figure since the valve is inside the connector  1004 ). A double ball valve type of valve may (or may not) be used in this embodiment. The gun cock  1000  can be screwed into the valve mount  1006  (or connected using any other connection method) so that the gun cock operates the valve. Note that when a ball valve&#39;s handle is removed it exposed a valve mount  1006 , or alternatively a valve mount  1006  can be created on the valve by mounting a screw/bolt or other connection device into it.  
         [0058]     FIG. lOB is a drawing illustrating a connector attached to a gun cock and trigger, according to an embodiment.  
         [0059]     A gun cock  1000  and a trigger  1002  can be attached to the connector  1004  (this can be done using any methods described herein). The gun cock  1000  can be used to load the gun (e.g. close the valve), and the trigger  1002  can be used to open the valve (e.g. fire the gun). This can make the current gun act more like a real gun. When the gun cock  1000  is pulled back, the trigger  1002  is forced forward, closing the valve. When the trigger is pulled (or turned), the gun cock can move forward. The gun cock  1000  can be connected to the trigger  1002  through the valve (not pictured) using a pin (as described herein) or any other connection mechanism to allow them to cooperate. The gun cock  1000  may be at a right angle with the trigger  1002 . Note that when the air chamber (not pictured) is filled with air, and the valve is closed, the trigger and/or cock may be kept into place by friction, a locking mechanism such as a safety, such that the valve doesn&#39;t accidentally open without the operator&#39;s intent.  
         [0060]      FIG. 11  is a drawing illustrating an air gun with multiple sized barrels, according to an embodiment.  
         [0061]     In a further embodiment, a connector end  1100  contains a threaded end  1102  to allow a barrel (also with respective cooperating threads) to be screwed into the connector end  1100 . Thus, a barrel can be easily detached from the connector end  1100  (part of the connector as described herein) simply by screwing/unscrewing the barrel.  
         [0062]     A first sized barrel  1106  contains a mounting portion  1104  adapted to be mounted (e.g. screwed into) the connector end  1100 . A second sized barrel  1110  contains a mounting portion  1108  adapted to be mounted (e.g. screwed into) the connector end  1100 . Thus, different sized (lengths) of barrels can be easily interchanged and used with the air gun. Alternatively, a single barrel can be permanently attached (e.g. soldered) to the connector (or shaft), thereby not allowing interchangeable barrels.  
         [0063]     An advantage of using different sized barrels is that a longer barrel may result in a longer projectile distance. This can be because this allows more time for air to put pressure on the ball, causing greater acceleration. If an operator is using the gun to project golf balls and wishes to take a longer shot, he or she may use a longer barrel, whereas if the operator wishes to take a shorted shot, he or she may use a shorter barrel. Different sized barrels may be analogous to using different numbered clubs.  
         [0064]     In an embodiment, a gun described herein can also have a safety feature which locks the valve into position (either closed or open), preventing the gun from firing unintentionally. A gun can also have an add-on feature for “rifling in the barrel” for better accuracy. In a further embodiment, the parts (e.g. air chamber, connector, barrel, and any other parts described herein) can all be disassembled for easy storage and transport. Alternatively, all (or some) parts described herein can be permanently attached together. Further, all parts described herein can be made of any suitable materials, such as metals (e.g. aluminum), plastics, wood, or any other materials known in the art.  
         [0065]     The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.