Abstract:
A reuseable war game device launches paint-balls or liquid colorant or both simultaneously, and can be aimed and fired while hand-held, can be concealed and aimed but remotely triggered, is easy to dismantle and repair under field conditions, is durable enough to withstand all field conditions, and is concealable, compact and easily portable. The device comprises a launch housing that includes a launch barrel joined to a rotatable muzzle assembly that is fixed on a target; a chamber housing that includes a charge chamber which receives and stores a charge; a hammer chamber that includes a retractable hammer that when released from a cocked position is thrust toward the charge chamber; a trigger that is drawn to retract the hammer to the cocked position; and, a check valve located between the launch barrel and the charge chamber that permits flow only from the charge chamber to the launch housing.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to small simulated weapons, used in the course of military training exercises or recreational war games, that discharge solid or liquid projectiles. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     The military has long engaged in simulated war games as a method of training personnel in the arts of weaponry and combat. More recently, non-military personnel have been engaged in simulated war games as a form of recreation. Whether military or non-military, those engaged in such games use weapons that launch benign colorant projectiles as a means of identifying another whom has been ‘hit’ and is therefore eliminated from the game. 
     Colorant projectiles are available in the form of paint-balls that may be fired from various spring-loaded or compressed-gas charged devices. Colorant projectiles are also available in liquid form. Presently, it is known to fire paint-balls from devices that resemble pistols, rifles, hand grenades and land mines. It is also known to launch liquid colorant from devices that resemble hand grenades and land mines. 
     Beyond hand-held pistols and rifles that fire single paint-balls in succession, attempts have been made to develop simulated war game weapons that provide the user with a tactical advantage. For example, it is known to provide reusable compressed-gas charged grenades that can simultaneously launch many paint-balls at an adversary in an effort to simulate the fragmentation of an exploding hand grenade. Also, it is known to provide a reusable compressed-gas charged land mine that simultaneously launches groups of paint-balls in a 360° radius. In addition, it is known to provide a reusable compressed-gas charged land mine that sprays liquid colorant in a 360° radius upon being tripped by a war game participant. 
     The primary thrust of the known prior art devices is to provide specialized, single function weapons that discharge either solid or liquid colorant projectiles. Because of their specialized nature the existing devices do not offer the user a choice between launching only paint-balls, launching only liquid colorant, or launching both simultaneously. Nor do the known existing devices offer the user a choice between safely holding and firing the device, or concealing the device like a land mine that is aimed to launch colorant projectiles only at the anticipated adversary. Finally, many of the known prior art devices are not concealable nor is it easy to carry many simultaneously. 
     Thus, there is a need in the art for a reuseable war game device that launches paint-balls or liquid colorant or both simultaneously, can be aimed and fired by the user while hand-held, can be concealed and aimed but remotely triggered, is easy and inexpensive to manufacture, is easy and inexpensive to charge, is easy to dismantle and repair under field conditions, is durable enough to withstand all field conditions, is concealable, is compact, and is easily portable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the known prior art devices by providing a reuseable war game device that launches paint-balls or liquid colorant or both simultaneously, can be aimed and fired by the user while hand-held, can be concealed and aimed but remotely triggered, is easy to dismantle and repair under field conditions, is durable enough to withstand all field conditions, and is concealable, compact and easily portable. 
     Generally speaking the weapon is divided into two main sections, a chambers housing and a launch housing. The launch housing includes a launch barrel connected at both ends by elbows. These elbows are rotatable 360° about a longitudinal axis. Connected to each first elbow is a second elbow. Each second elbow is rotatable 360° about a second longitudinal axis. 
     Together, the launch barrel and elbows store the projectiles. Projectiles exit the weapon via the launch ports, the open end of the second elbows. The launch ports are aimed by rotating both the first and second elbows, about the respective axes, toward the target. This combination of multiple elbows provides any firing alignment desired by the user. 
     Covering each launch port is a removable end cap. During storage and transportation each end cap remains in place. 
     The housings are removably connected. The connection between the housings includes a check valve. The check valve permits flow only from the chambers housing to the launch housing. In this regard, the check valve prohibits liquid projectile from migrating to the chambers housing. 
     The chamber housing comprises two distinct chambers. The charge chamber contains the power or charge that launches the projectiles. The hammer chamber contains a hammer assembly, namely a hammer, hammer spring, trigger and safety pin. 
     To safely fire the weapon while hand-held, the user draws back the trigger by pulling the hold portion and then securing the retainer portion about the retainer seat. The action of drawing back the trigger compresses the hammer spring. The user then inserts the safety pin. Next the elbows are rotated so that the launch ports point toward the target(s) and the end caps are removed. The user then releases the retainer from the retainer seat. All that is necessary to fire the weapon and launch the projectiles is to aim and remove the safety pin. 
     Alternately, to safely fire the weapon while hand-held, the user rotates the elbows toward the target(s), removes the end caps, aims the weapon, draws back the trigger so that the hammer spring is sufficiently compressed and then releases the trigger. 
     To set the weapon so that it may be triggered by an adversary to fire upon that adversary, such as when the trigger is released by a trip wire, the user plants or otherwise secures the weapon to a surface. The user then draws back the trigger and secures the retainer about the seat. The user inserts the safety pin to secure the hammer in the cocked position, rotates the elbows so that the launch ports aim at the anticipated target(s) and removes the end caps. The user sets a remote trigger such as a trip wire that will cause the retainer to release from the seat. The user then removes the safety pin and all that is necessary to fire the weapon and launch projectiles is to have the trip wire engage. 
     Whether the weapon is fired while hand-held or set and tripped by another, the projectiles exit the launch port through the same sequence of events. When the hammer is released from the cocked position the hammer spring uncoils, throwing the hammer toward the container. The pointed ram hits and ruptures the thin seal at the top of the container causing the compressed-gas to violently escape in the usual manner. The escaping gas pushes open the check valve and passes into the launch barrel. The forces exerted by the gas push the projectiles at rapid speed out the launch ports and toward their intended target(s). 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of a war game device according to one embodiment of the present invention, shown in a folded and secured position. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of a war game device according to one embodiment of the present invention, shown in a folded and secured position. 
     FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-section view of a war game device according to one embodiment of the present invention with the chambers housing shown in cross section and representative projectiles illustrated by dashed line for solids and wavy lines for liquids. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a top view of a war game weapon  10  embodying the present invention. In FIG. 1 the weapon  10  is illustrated in the folded configuration as it would be for safe storage or carrying. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the weapon  10  also in the folded configuration. 
     Generally speaking the weapon  10  is divided into two main sections, the chamber housing  12  and the launch housing  14 . As explained below in detail, the chamber housing  12  contains the trigger, firing assembly and charge while the launch housing  14  contains the colorant projectiles. War game weapons launch benign colorant projectiles as a means of identifying another whom has been ‘hit’ and is therefore eliminated from the game. 
     As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the launch housing  14  comprises a number of parts. In the illustrated embodiment, the launch barrel  20  is a generally straight portion which is connected at both ends to two separate muzzle assemblies. Embodiments with fewer or more muzzle assemblies are contemplated. Here, a muzzle assembly is comprised of two 45° elbows  22 ,  23 . The first elbows  22  are joined to the launch barrel  20  such that the first elbows  22  are rotatable 360° about the longitudinal axis A. Connected to each first elbow  22  at the end opposite the connection to the launch barrel  20 , is a second elbow  23 . Each second elbow  23  is joined to a respective first elbow  22  such that the second elbows  23  are, in one embodiment, rotatable 360° about the longitudinal axis B. However, embodiments allowing less then 360° rotation are contemplated. 
     The launch barrel/elbow and elbow/elbow connections are formed, as known by those skilled in the art, to provide an easy disconnect while maintaining a pressure resistant liquid tight seal. In the illustrated embodiment, friction-fit bell and spigot joint ends form these connections. The combination of multiple elbows  22 ,  23  provides any firing alignment desired by the user. 
     Together, the launch barrel  20  and elbows  22 ,  23  form a combination hold/launch barrel that stores the projectiles  24 . As noted above, both military training exercises and recreational war games use non-lethal colorants as projectiles to mark ‘hits’. Paint-balls and liquid are two popular forms of colorant projectiles. For the purposes of this description, all forms of non-lethal colorant projectiles are referred to as projectiles  24 . Nevertheless, while this description is directed to non-lethal projectiles, it will be understood that the term projectile extends to include injury-inflicting lethal projectiles. 
     Each elbow  23  is configured, at the end opposite the connection to the elbow  22 , to securely engage an end cap  26 . In the illustrated embodiment, the elbow  23  and end cap  26  are both threaded to mate and provide a pressure resistant liquid tight seal. During storage and transportation each end cap  26  is connected to a respective elbow  23 . In this manner the projectiles  24  are contained, even in the event a cocked weapon is inadvertently discharged. As explained below in greater detail, projectiles  24  exit the weapon  10  via launch ports  28 . The launch ports  28  are aimed, as explained above, by rotating elbows  22 ,  23  about the respective axes A, B. 
     The launch housing  14  and chambers housing  12  are joined together using methods well known to those skilled in the art. For example, in the illustrated embodiment the housings  12 ,  14  are mated with threaded connections. Because the weapon  10  is easily disassembled, maintenance and replacement is accomplished quickly and efficiently. 
     In this embodiment, the launch housing  14  and chamber housing  12  are connected via an outside threaded nipple  29  attached to the launch housing  14 , that mates with an inside threaded bushing  30  attached to the chamber housing  12 . Like the connections described above, this connection is also configured to provide a pressure resistant liquid tight seal. 
     The connection between the launch housing  14  and chamber housing  12  includes a check valve  31 . As explained in detail below, the check valve  31  preferably only permits flow F from the chamber housing  12  to the launch housing  14 . In this regard, the check valve  31  prohibits liquid projectile  24  from migrating to the chamber housing  12 . 
     The chamber housing  12  comprises two distinct chambers. The charge chamber  32  contains the power or charge that launches the projectiles  24 . In this embodiment, the charge is compressed-gas in the well known CO 2  container  34 . The typical CO 2  container is cylindrical, includes a rounded bottom and is of uniform diameter except at the top where the container tapers to a small neck and top. The container  34  is inserted into the chamber  32 . To secure the container  34  the chamber  32  includes support shoulders  36 . The container  34  is nested against the shoulders  36  and retained within the chamber  32  by the end cap  38 . In this embodiment, the housing  12  is threaded to mate with the end cap  38  which is likewise threaded. 
     The hammer chamber  40  contains a hammer assembly comprising a hammer  42  and the associated spring-loaded trigger mechanism. The hammer  42  includes a safety pin receiver  44  and ram  46 . In this embodiment, the hammer  42  is shaped like an hour-glass with a pointed end. Here the area of narrowest dimension is the safety pin receiver  44  and the pointed end is the ram  46 . In FIG. 3 the hammer  42  is shown in the uncocked position. That is, the hammer  44  is loose and not poised to rupture the container  34  causing the compressed-gas contents to discharge. 
     In the cocked position (not illustrated), the hammer  42  is drawn back and held within the hammer chamber  40  at the end opposite the location illustrated in FIG.  3 . In the cocked position the safety pin  48  is engaged by inserting it into a first safety pin orifice  50  so that it extends across the safety pin receiver  44  and through a second safety pin orifice  50 . When engaged in this manner, the safety pin will securely hold the hammer  42  in place. 
     In the cocked position, the hammer spring  52  is compressed between the hammer  42  and the hammer chamber end cap  54 . Like the charge chamber end cap  38 , the end cap  54  is also threaded to mate with the threaded end of chamber housing  12 . The hammer chamber end cap  54  includes a trigger orifice  56  which permits passage of the trigger  58 . 
     The orifices  50 ,  56  as illustrated are configured to function as safety valves that permit compressed-gas to escape in the event of an unintentional discharge. In an alternative embodiment, the orifices  50 ,  56  may be sealed to prevent the entry of debris, moisture and ambient air. Such an alternative embodiment may include a separate safety valve. 
     In this embodiment, the trigger  58  is a flexible member surrounded partially by the hammer spring  52  and attached to the hammer  42 . At a distal end the trigger  58  includes a retainer portion  60  and a hold portion  62 . When cocked, the trigger  58  is held in the cocked position by securing the retainer portion  60  around the retainer seat  64  as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     Operation 
     Generally, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the weapon  10  may be stored or transported with the charge container  34  and projectiles  24  in place by leaving the hammer  42  in the uncocked position. In other words, the weapon  10  may be stored or carried with the safety pin  48  in place and the retainer  60  over the seat  64  but without the hammer spring  52  being compressed. Generally, to launch the projectiles  24 , the user may handhold and fire the weapon  10  or conceal and set the weapon  10  to be tripped by others. 
     As best described with reference to FIG. 3, to fire the weapon  10  while hand-held, the user grasps the chambers housing  12  generally around that section which houses the container  34 . The user then draws back the trigger  58  by pulling the hold portion  62  and securing the retainer portion  60  about the retainer seat  64 . The action of drawing back the trigger  58  retracts the hammer  42  and compresses the hammer spring  52 . The hammer spring  52  is now fully compressed and the hammer  42  is in the cocked-position. The user then inserts the safety pin  48 , as described above, to secure the hammer  42  in the cocked position. Next the elbows  22 ,  23  are rotated so that the launch ports  28  point toward the target(s), and the end caps  26  removed. The user then releases the retainer  60  from the retainer seat  64 . At this time, all that is necessary to fire the weapon  10  and launch the projectiles  24  is to aim and remove the safety pin  48  from the engaged position. 
     Alternately, to fire the weapon  10  and launch projectiles  24  while the weapon is hand-held, the user grasps the chambers housing  12 , rotates the elbows  22 ,  23  toward the target(s), removes the end caps  26 , aims the weapon  10 , draws back the trigger  58  so that the hammer spring  52  is sufficiently compressed and then releases the trigger  58 . 
     To set the weapon  10  so that it may be triggered by an adversary to fire upon that adversary, such as when the trigger  58  is released by an engaged trip wire (not shown), the user plants or otherwise secures the weapon  10  to a surface (not shown). Suitable horizontal surfaces, by way of illustration and not limitation, include earthen ground, fallen trees, finished and unfinished exterior paths, and the interior floors and ceilings of a structure. Suitable vertical surfaces include trees, the exterior of structures, and the interior walls of structures, just to name a few examples. 
     To set the planted weapon  10 , the user secures it to the surface by fastening around the chambers housing  12 , threaded bushing  30 , or launch barrel  20 . In an alternative embodiment, mounts may be provided for receiving fasteners that permit connecting to a surface. The user draws back the trigger  58  by pulling the hold portion  62  and securing the retainer  60  about the seat  64 . The hammer spring  52  is now fully compressed and the hammer  42  is in the cocked position. The user then inserts the safety pin  48 , as described above, to secure the hammer  42  in the cocked position. Next the elbows  22 ,  23  are rotated so that the launch ports  28  aim at the anticipated target(s), and the end caps  26  removed. 
     The user sets a remote trigger such as a trip wire (not shown) which, when engaged, will cause the retainer  60  to release from the seat  64 . The user then removes the safety pin  48  from the engaged position. All that is necessary to fire the weapon  10  and launch projectiles  24  is to have the trip wire engage. 
     Alternatively, the user does not secure the retainer  60  about the seat  64  but inserts the safety pin  48  which is then connected to a trip wire. All that is necessary to fire the weapon  10  and launch the projectiles  24  is to have the trip wire  66  engage. 
     The illustrated embodiment includes a trip wire. However, it is considered that other remote trigger mechanism may be incorporated such as, by way of illustration and not limitation, pressure pads, shock indicators, sound detectors, and light beams connected to a means for releasing the retainer  60 , releasing the safety pin  48 , or retracting the retainer seat  64 . 
     Whether the weapon  10  is fired while hand-held or set and tripped by another, the projectiles  24  exit the launch port  28  through the same sequence of events. When the hammer  42  is released from the cocked position the hammer spring  52  uncoils, throwing the hammer  42  toward the container  34 . The pointed ram  46  hits and ruptures the thin seal at the top of the container  34  causing the compressed-gas to violently escape in the usual manner. The escaping gas rushes past the hammer  42 , pushes open the check valve  31 , and passes into the launch barrel  20  as indicated by the flow arrows F. The forces exerted by the gas push the projectiles  24  at rapid speed out the launch ports  28  and toward their intended target(s). 
     In the case of discrete projectiles  24  such as paint-balls, the projectiles will be launched successively without interruption. That is, as a unit, like shrapnel. In the case of liquid, the projectile  24  will be launched en masse. It is considered that where only liquid projectile is launched, a shield (not shown) may cover the launch ports  28  to create a spray pattern or otherwise control the speed and direction of the liquid projectile  24 . 
     Generally, the materials selected to construct the weapon  10  should be selected to endure harsh battlefield conditions. Heavy schedule PVC and non-corrosive metals are likely design choices. 
     While the present invention in its various aspects has been described in detail with regard to a preferred embodiment, alternative embodiments are considered. It should be understood that variations, modifications and enhancements can be made to the disclosed apparatus and procedures without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.