Tension gun for firing arrows

The invention is directed to a tension gun for firing arrows. The tension gun is comprised of a stock, a trigger, a pistol grip, and a forearm which are configured in a manner which is similar to a conventional crossbow. The bow arms are removed from the design, and replaced by a pair of coaxial coil springs and other tension multipliers within the forearm, which propel the arrow. A folding handle at the forward end of the forearm is provided for carrying the tension gun.

This application relates back to, and claims the priority of Provisional Patent Application No. 62/672,651 filed on May 17, 2018.

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to bowhunting weapons and accessories, and in particular to a tension gun for firing arrows. Bowhunting with a conventional bow and arrows has remained fairly steady in popularity over the years, but hunters have seen a substantial increase in the popularity of more exotic weapons of this nature. In particular, the crossbow has gained a much larger number of shooters in the past 10 years. Unfortunately, the configuration of the bow arms creates an obstruction when the hunter is moving through brush or under low-hanging tree branches.

A search of the prior art reveals various devices which have been developed to address this set of problems, or related problems. None are closely related to the present invention, but several include features which resemble those of the present invention. Each has proven to be less than satisfactory for the present purpose in its own way.

Compressed gas-powered projectile accelerator, U.S. Patent Appl. No. 2004/0065310 (priority Mar. 6, 2002), provides a projectile accelerator having an improved means of gas distribution, a valve locking mechanism, an improved combined bumper/seal, and self-contained modular components to improve efficiency, manufacturability, and reduce size and weight.

Penetrating projectile system and apparatus, U.S. Pat. No. 4,123,975 (priority Mar. 3, 1976), provides a projectile having a length to diameter ratio greater than 6 to 1 which is propelled from a launcher by a propellant charge toward a rock target, at velocities of 500 ft./sec. and higher, to more efficiently penetrate the rock for excavation purposes.

Device for launching a projectile or a launch object in general, U.S. Patent Appl. No. 2011/0041820 (priority Mar. 10, 2008), provides a device for launching a projectile, comprising: a stock; at least two bending members associated to said stock on opposite sides thereof; tensioning means of said bending members, comprising at least two cams arranged on opposite sides of the stock, each of which is pivoted at a respective first axis of rotation and is associated to at least one corresponding bending member; pushing means of said projectile apt to cooperate with said bending members comprising at least two pushing arms arranged on opposite sides of the stock and connected to each other through a flexible pushing member wherein each of said pushing arms is pivoted at a respective axis of rotation and is apt to support a portion of said flexible pushing member, each of said pushing arms being operatively connected to a respective cam, wherein said device further comprises a flexible force member for commanding a rotation of a pushing arm, and two pairs of pulleys arranged on opposite sides of the stock, wherein each pair comprises a first pulley interposed between a respective pushing arm.

Projectile launcher, U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,722 (priority May 29, 1996), provides a projectile launching apparatus has a barrel for supporting a projectile for to and during launch. The barrel is defined by a breech end, a muzzle end and a longitudinal launch axis along which the projectile is launched. A length of elastomeric material is fixed at its ends to opposing sides of the barrel aft of the muzzle end. Linear actuators are aligned parallel to and on opposite sides of the barrel. A guide or pulley is mounted on each of the linear actuators for linear movement therewith to positions forward of the ends of the elastomeric material. Third and fourth guides or pulleys are fixed by a frame such that the fourth pulley is positioned aft of the third pulley along the longitudinal launch axis. The elastomeric material is led along a path from one fixed end, about the first pulley, between the third and fourth pulleys, and about the second pulley to where the elastomeric material terminates at its other fixed end. When the frame is drawn toward the breech end of the apparatus, the third pulley and the fourth pulley are simultaneously drawn towards the breech end to stretch the elastomeric material. The stretched elastomeric material creates the potential for accelerating the projectile towards the muzzle end for a projectile placed forward of the third pulley.

Elastic type projectile projecting device, U.S. Pat. No. 3,517,657 (priority May 20, 1968), provides an apparatus for firing conventional arrows, including a firing head with a rigid rod attached to one side of the firing head and a support stub projecting from the free end of the rigid rod. The firing head is an open member to which elastic firing means are fastened. Attached to the opposite side of the firing head from the rigid rod is an arrow guide. An arrow to be fired is placed through the firing head and supported by the arrow guide. The notch in the arrow receives the elastic firing means which are stretched to hold the arrow in a cocked position. The elastic firing means are held stretched by a person who is firing the arrow holding the elastic firing means in one hand and bracing that hand against the support stub. The other arm of the person is extended and grips the firing head to aim the arrow. The arrow is fired when the hand that holds the elastic firing means and the arrow therewith adjacent the firing stub releases the elastic firing means. Also disclosed is apparatus that can be attached to weapons such as longbows, slingshots and other catapulting devices, to enable those devices to be fired by a person using an extended arm to aim the projectile, the extended arm applying no force to the device to hold it in a cocked position. Simultaneously, while the extended arm aims the weapon the hand of other arm of the person firing the weapon is holding the weapon in a cocked position.

A weapon which can fire an arrow or similar projectile, providing a hunting experience similar to using a crossbow without the obstructive bow arms, enabling the user to move rapidly through such terrain obstacles, would be very useful and would be well-received. A tension gun for firing arrows, which employs an internal series of springs and a pulley-mounted cable to propel the arrow, would resolve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a tension gun for firing arrows. The tension gun is comprised of a stock, a trigger, a pistol grip, and a forearm which are configured in a manner which is similar to a conventional crossbow. The bow arms are removed from the design, and replaced by a pair of coaxial coil springs and other tension multipliers within the forearm, which propel the arrow. A folding handle at the forward end of the forearm is provided for carrying the tension gun.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is a tension gun10for firing arrows20.

The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of a stock11, a trigger12with a trigger guard12A, a pistol grip12B, and a forearm14which are configured in a manner which is similar to a conventional crossbow. The bow arms are removed from the design, and replaced by a pair of coaxial coil spring segments and other tension multipliers within the forearm14, which propel the arrow20. The forward end of the forearm14is covered by a removable endcap15, which is secured by two or more large bolts16. The bolts16may be easily loosened with a standard or Phillips screwdriver.

The interior of the forearm14provides a forward coaxial spring segment13A and a rear coaxial spring segment13B, separated by a center spring base13F. Each of the coil spring segments is kept in alignment by an axially positioned alignment rod13E and a spring cap13C. Each spring cap13C is affixed to a pulley yoke13D. The pulley yoke13D on the forward coaxial spring segment13A is secured to a forward control pulley12F by a forward twist control pin12E. The pulley yoke13D on the rear coaxial spring segment13B is secured to a rear control pulley12H by a rear twist control pin12G.

Preferably, the forward control pulley12F is 2 inches in diameter, and the rear control pulley12H is 1.5 inches in diameter. When the tension gun10is fired, each coil spring segment urges a pulley yoke13D in an outward direction from the center spring base13F. This motion of the pulley yoke13D is stopped by an extension damper shaft12C and an extension damper spring12D. A stationary end of a cable13G is fastened to an adjustment mechanism and the length of the cable13G passes through the forward twist control pin12E and the rear twist control pin12G, terminating in a shuttle14A mounted in a guide rail14B. The cable13G and the alignment rods13E keep the coaxial coil spring segments in alignment.

A folding handle16at the forward end of the forearm14is provided for carrying the tension gun10. The handle16is mounted on a hinge17, which may be locked in either one of two positions: a carrying position, wherein the handle16is extended for the purpose of carrying the tension gun10, and a firing position, wherein the handle16is folded for the purpose of firing the tension gun10.

The stock11provides a large, triangular stock aperture11A. A loading tool19is provided, which may be stored in the aperture11A when not in use.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user may load an arrow20into the tension gun10with the loading tool19, which may be used to compress the coaxial coil spring segments. The user may then aim the tension gun10at a target and squeeze the trigger12, which fires the tension gun10.

The stock11, the pistol grip12B, and the forearm14are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials such as billet aluminum, cast aluminum, or synthetic composite material. The trigger12, the trigger guard12A, the extension damper shafts12C, the forward twist control pin12E, the forward control pulley12F, the rear twist control pin12G, the rear control pulley12H, the spring caps13C, the pulley yokes13D, the alignment rods13E, the center spring base13F, the shuttle14A, and the shuttle track pin14B are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials with substantial structural strength, such as steel and aluminum alloy.

The extension damper springs12D, the forward coaxial spring segment13A, the rear coaxial spring segment13B, and the catapult brake spring13H are preferably manufactured from a semi-rigid, durable material which provides an elastic quality, such as spring steel. The cable13G is preferably manufactured from coated steel cable or synthetic cord such as Vectran™, Dacron™, or similar material as tension requirements dictate. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.