Patent Publication Number: US-2016223300-A1

Title: Helice launcher system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to the field of helice launcher systems for shooting practice. These launcher systems incorporate improved external loaders that store greater numbers of helices and new elements both in the launching head, as well as in the automatic loader and the machine, which incorporate significant improvements compared to the existing ones. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Currently, the applicant is the holder of patent ES 2390795 where a helice loading machine is described that incorporates an automatic loader comprising a launching head moved by a swinging trolley, all this supported on a frame with wheels. An independent loader is coupled to said frame and is characterised by the joint thereof to the central frame through a detachable support and characterised by the elements that guide and support the helices stored inside the case. 
     Over the years in which the invention has been developed, advantages tending to improve the operation of the machine have been introduced, thus making the throwing head more reliable, improving the capacity of the independent loader and preventing the sensors from falsifying their measurements as a result of the vibrations. Similarly, the removal of superfluous parts due to the new design lowers the cost of the aforementioned loader and makes it lighter. 
     As for the machine itself, it incorporates new safety systems that prevent all types of accidents whether to staff handling the launching head or potential structural damage to the swinging trolley itself that supports it when there is something blocking it in the downwards motion thereof. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     One aim of the invention is the loader or holding element of the discs themselves, which is a key part in order for the equipment to function properly. Currently, it has greater curvature so that its length may be increased without it touching the ground. This provides a greater load capacity, storing 45 helices. Furthermore, superfluous objects are removed, such as the central barrier that supported the helices and the upper brushes as they are no longer needed due to the loader having a greater curvature, which prevents the helices from falling when being automatically loaded. 
     Another object of the invention is that the opening sensor of the loader door, a safety sensor for the operators handling the machine, is arranged in the vicinity of the joint between the loader and the machine, thus avoiding the vibrations that are produced in the ends furthest from the loader. 
     The new power supply system is another object of the invention. It incorporates a new electrical box that fulfils the sealing and cooling requirements set forth for this equipment and provides two working modes: with the conventional mains power supply between 260Vac and 100Vac or with a 12v supply battery. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide the equipment with a safety system that prevents the head from continuing its downwards motion since previously it could hit against the detachable support. 
     Another object of the invention is to carry out modifications to the tip of the head, thus improving the design thereof so that the helices are loaded better and are more effective in flight. The pins or pulls positioned on the platform that supports the tip of the head are retractable and therefore may be bigger and support the helice much better. The helice is more balanced and the exit of the helice is much stronger and has more effects when in flight, for example, a more zigzagging flights. It also prevents the helices from breaking. 
     And lastly, another object of the invention is that the rotation of the head exceeds 45° and reaches 55° by changing the arm that supports the head, modifying the common rotation, thus blocking it. 
     The following advantages are derived from what has been described. The boards integrated inside the electrical cabinet have great cooling and are very well sealed. Furthermore, the position of the cabinet, in the top portion of the machine, along with the fact that a transformer is not needed, means that all the electronic elements are in the upper portion and the machine may be covered with water without breaking. 
     The recess and hollow carried out in the tip of the head achieves a significant improvement in the loading of the helices and in the exit thereof The retractable pins that project at the sides of the tip also contribute to better support of the helice and making the placement thereof easier with regards to initial accuracy, since as soon as the helice begins to rotate, the pins (also called pulls) project to the maximum and provide an optimal hold. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       What follows is a very brief description of a series of drawings that aid in better understanding the invention, and which are expressly related to an embodiment of said invention that is presented by way of a non-limiting example of the same. 
         FIG. 1  is a general view of the helice launching machine and the corresponding improved loader thereof. 
         FIG. 2  shows the portion corresponding to the machine, leaving the cam shaft mechanism that moves the head visible. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view from the left portion of the machine showing the cam guide with the bend thereof in detail. 
         FIG. 4  shows the electrical box where the voltage and the frequency are regulated. 
         FIG. 5 a    shows a perspective view of the tip of the head. 
         FIG. 5 b    shows a cross-sectional view of the tip of the head. 
         FIGS. 5 c  and 5 d    show the bottom views of the tip of the head. 
         FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    show the pivot rod of the head. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the helice launching machine is made up of a frame ( 1 ) with wheels ( 2 ) that supports the swinging trolley ( 3 ) and the automatic loader ( 4 ) where a helice ( 5 ) is shown in a launching arrangement. Thanks to its different wheels, this machine is easy to transport, since it must be moved to different locations. The additional portion which corresponds to the independent loader ( 6 ) is provided with a groove ( 7 ) at the rear end from which to hold and pull the machine. Both portions, the automatic loader ( 4 ) and the independent loader ( 6 ), are arranged integrally through a number of connecting rods ( 8 ). The independent loader ( 6 ) is covered with a case ( 9 ) that may be removed manually in order to free the inner area where the helices are stored (not shown in the figure). Said area is formed with the base itself of the loader and with a number of lateral guides ( 10 ) that have the characteristic of being curved. At the end closest to the connecting rods ( 8 ), a case ( 9 ) opening sensor ( 11 ) is arranged, which is not affected by the vibrations that are produced when the equipment is used since it is far from the tip of the independent loader ( 6 ). An electrical cabinet ( 12 ) is on top if the frame ( 1 ). 
       FIG. 2  shows the elements that move the swinging trolley ( 3 ) and are arranged inside the frame ( 1 ). The aforementioned trolley ( 3 ) has two motions: a pivoting one that makes it move upwards and downwards and other movement that makes it come closer and move away. Combining both motions, the automatic loader ( 4 ) is positioned over the independent loader ( 6 ) and enables the head ( 13 ) to load the helices ( 5 ). All these rotations are carried out through a shaft in such a way that when the swinging trolley ( 3 ) is moving downwards, the cam ( 14 ) follows a downwards motion. For this movement, the shaft moves through the inside of a guide ( 15 ) that has a crescent-shaped slot ( 16 ). This slot ( 16 ) has a bend ( 17 ) at one end, in such a way that when the shaft moves through the inside of the guide, the arms of the trolley ( 3 ) come closer and move away, and it continues to rotate but without moving when it reaches the bend ( 17 ). This is shown in  FIG. 3 . With this new guide ( 15 ) design the automatic loader is prevented from continuing downwards and potentially damaging itself, damaging the equipment or injuring the operator. 
       FIG. 4  shows the electrical cabinet ( 12 ) inside which the boards to regulate the voltage and frequency (it being possible to use it at  50  Hz for Europe and at  60  Hz for the USA) are located. The electronics enable the supply to be 260Vac to 100Vac or with a 12v supply battery. The circuit boards need to be sealed and cooled, which is achieved with a very thick lid ( 18 ), the inside of which is bordered by grating ( 19 ) that enables air to pass through towards the inside of the housing, which is where the circuit boards that need to be cooled are located. As for the aforementioned lid ( 18 ), it rests on a perimeter and concentric rim ( 21 ) that extends over an inner edge inside the cabinet ( 12 ). This rim ( 20 ) is wrapped in a rubber material that, as it comes into contact with the lid ( 18 ), provides a seal inside against moisture. The cabinet ( 12 ) is complete with hinges ( 21 ) and closing elements ( 22 ) for the corresponding lid ( 18 ). 
       FIG. 5 a    shows the head, which is the protruding end that is located on the automatic loader ( 4 ) and is responsible for holding and releasing the helices ( 5 ). The head is made up of a circular platform ( 23 ), on which a tip ( 24 ) rises arranged in the centre thereof and pins ( 25 ) distributed symmetrically and at an equal distance from the centre. 
     The new design of the tip ( 24 ), which has a concave portion ( 26 ) and a convex portion ( 27 ), may be seen in  FIG. 5 b   . The ramp of the base that forms the tip ( 24 ) with the ring ( 29 ) that establishes the joint with the platform ( 23 ) has been recessed and smoothed down in the concave portion ( 26 ). In the convex portion ( 27 ), a hollow ( 28 ) has been made in the upper portion of the end and the curve it forms has been recessed and smoothed down until it reaches the lower ring ( 29 ). 
       FIG. 5 c    shows a view from below of the pin ( 25 ) and the spring ( 30 ) that makes it retractable. The spring ( 30 ) pulls on the base of the pin ( 31 ) and pushes it into the hole where it is housed and moves it towards the upper portion of the platform ( 23 ) in which they are contained. The spring ( 30 ) is secured on the base of the platform ( 23 ) and exerts sufficient force on the pin ( 25 ) so that the lightest pressure exerted by the helice ( 5 ) thereon whilst it is being positioned, translates into the aforementioned pin ( 25 ) retracting, and when the helice ( 5 ) starts to rotate and is repositioned appropriately, the pin ( 25 ) protrudes again above the platform ( 23 ) and holds the helice appropriately so that it may reach the optimum revolution rate before it is detached from the tip ( 24 ) of the head. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the rotation of the head exceeds 45° and reaches 55° when the arm that supports the head is changed. The new arm ( 32 ) has a slot ( 33 ) that enables an upwards movement until it increases by the aforementioned 10°. The rotation of the arm ( 32 ) is modified and converted into a common rotation with the corresponding recoil spring ( 34 ) that blocks the arm and, as a result, the head.