Patent Publication Number: US-11385016-B1

Title: Extra rapid projectile tube hand cannon

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The subject matter described generally relates to slingshot apparatuses and, in particular, to a slingshot apparatus for use in fishing and hunting. 
     2. Background Information 
     Some of the most common items used by survivalists, hunters, and fishers include those that launch a high-speed projectile at a chosen target. These kinds of weapons allow a user to hit their target with high accuracy and force. Many weapons exist that are able to release a high-speed projectile with one simple motion; these include guns, crossbows, handheld catapults, and slingshots. However, those weapons restrict users to just one kind of projectile, such that a user would have to switch weapons entirely to change from shooting bullets to arrows. Many existing projectile launching weapons are additionally not well suited to the outdoor elements such as inclement weather conditions. If they are not stored properly and cleaned after each use, these weapons can suffer the effects of rust and grime on small metal parts like springs, which eventually destroy the weapon. Thus, a single, weatherproof tool that can propel multiple types of projectiles is needed to simplify the hunting, fishing, and survivalist situations. 
     SUMMARY 
     The above and other problems may be addressed by a handheld slingshot-type weapon hereafter referred to as a hand cannon. The hand cannon uses stretched elastic to propel the chosen projectile, having a tubular body that is compatible with many types of projectiles. In a described aspect, the hand cannon is simple in its construction and consists of a single piece body with attached elastic. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a side, cut out view of the single piece body of the hand cannon. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate an attachment for the hand cannon in the form of a laser sight. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of the hand cannon with attached accessories. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of the single piece body from a ¾ view. 
     
    
    
     Reference will now be made to several embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. It is noted that wherever practicable similar or like reference numbers are used in the figures to indicate similar or like functionality. Where similar elements are identified by a reference number followed by a letter, a reference to the number alone may refer to all such elements, any one such element, or any combination of such elements. One skilled in the art may recognize alternative embodiments of the described structures that may be employed without departing from the principles described. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , hand cannon  300  is a hunting and survivalist device that launches high speed projectiles by propelling them with a slingshot-like elastic mechanism. Unlike typical slingshots which have a y-shape that holds an elastic band that is pulled back to propel a projectile, hand cannon  300  includes funnel  115  and tube  105  through with the projectile travels after being released by elastic propulsion band  305 . These features make hand cannon  300  far more accurate than a typical slingshot toy because they direct the projectile toward the target. Unlike conventional devices with barrels that launch projectiles, such as rifles, the projectile object is not loaded into the barrel (i.e. tube  105 ) before use. Instead hand cannon  300  is loaded with a projectile by placing the projectile in contact with elastic propulsion band  305  or a conventional projectile pouch and pulling band  305  away from handle  110 . Once propulsion band  305  is released the projectile travels toward funnel  115  which directs the projectile into tube  105 . Other devices that launch projectiles exist and have a somewhat similar form to hand cannon  300 ; one such example is a cable caster. The hand cannon surpasses these devices in durability and ease of use by having no complex or small moving parts such as springs, joints, or hammers. Other projectile launching devices in this class use compressed air, springs, or electric means to launch the projectile, while the hand cannon uses an elastic propulsion band and mechanical strength of the user for propulsion. 
     To use hand cannon  300 , a user holds handle  110  of hand cannon  300  in one hand to secure the apparatus. In the other hand, the user holds the chosen projectile and elastic propulsion band  305  with the chosen projectile resting on the inside of the propulsion band or in a conventional projectile pouch. The user then pulls the propulsion band  305  and chosen projectile away from handle  110 . Extending propulsion band  305  builds elastic force such that the user can adjust the velocity and distance the projectile travel by adjusting how far they extend propulsion band  305 . The user then aims hand cannon  300  at a target and releases propulsion band  305  and chosen projectile. Propulsion band  305  propels the projectile, and the projectile travels through projectile funnel  115  to projectile tube  105  toward the target aimed at by the user. In contrast to conventional slingshots, the projectile may, while passing though projectile tube  105 , be slightly redirected by one or more incidents of contact with projectile tube  105 , thereby making hand cannon  300  more forgiving of poor user aim based solely on a direction of pull of propulsion band  305 . The aforementioned description of use may not be the only way in which the hand cannon can be used; other adaptations may exist. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of single piece body  100  of hand cannon  300 . Making the body of hand cannon  300  with a single piece of material allows for both manufacturing simplicity as well as durability in use. Because single piece body  100  is meant to be made of one piece of material, it can be created through processes such as 3D printing or injection molding. In one manner of 3D printing, single piece body  100  is oriented such that it is resting on the flat opening of projectile tube  105 . This orientation allows for continuous application of material to single piece body  100  but necessitates the use of supports to prevent the piece from falling or moving during printing. As such, in this manner single piece body  100  is 3D printed along with a variety of supports that are later removed and do not interfere in use of hand cannon  300 . Single piece body  100  is more durable than known apparatuses because it eliminates problems caused by small parts such as springs, triggers, screws, and more that can be easily broken. A user does not have to take apart single piece body  100  of hand cannon  300  to clean it. Instead the apparatus can simply be submerged in water to remove any dirt or debris that collects on its surfaces. 
     Handle  110  is designed for ease of grip and control of the device. Handle  110  design includes grooves for the user&#39;s fingers and/or rough texturing. Handle  110  extends approximately perpendicularly from projectile tube  105 . The length of handle  110  ranges from approximately 3 to 10 inches in different embodiments. In one embodiment the handle  110  is hollow to decrease the weight of the hand cannon and allow it to float in water. This embodiment is preferred for use of the hand cannon near water such as for fishing. In another embodiment, handle  110  is solid. In hollow-handled embodiments a compartment exists inside the handle for storage. The compartment is configured such that projectiles such as collapsible arrows and small bullet-type projectiles (i.e. ball bearings, BBs, etc.) fit within it. In several embodiments the handle has an attachment portion through which a loop  310  of cord or a lanyard can be attached such that the user can secure hand cannon  300  to their wrist or hang it for storage. 
     Projectile tube  105  of single piece body  100  has the form of a pipe, meaning that it is hollow with a circular cross section and is open on both ends. Projectile tube  105  functions to direct the projectile toward the length of projectile tube  105  can range from approximately 4 to 20 inches in different embodiments while the inner diameter of projectile tube  105  can range from approximately 1 to 3 inches. Different applications and desired projectile types may call for different dimensions. 
     Projectile funnel  115  of the single piece body is a hollow cone with a circular cross section and has one side connected to projectile tube  115 . Projectile funnel  115  aids in directing the projectile toward the target. For example, if propulsion band  305  loaded with the projectile is released at an angle that does not align with the center of projectile tube  105 , the wide mouth of the projectile funnel corrects this error and directs the projectile properly down the center of projectile tube  105 . The cross section on the side further from projectile tube  105  has a first diameter that is larger than the second diameter on the side attached to projectile tube  105 . The first diameter ranges from approximately 1 to 8 inches while the second diameter ranges from approximately 1 to 3 inches in different embodiments. Again, different applications and desired projectile types may call for different dimensions. 
     Attachment nodes  120  extend from single piece body  100  and allow propulsion band  305  to securely connect to single piece body  100 . In one embodiment in which propulsion band  305  is tubular, attachment nodes  120  are rounded protrusions that the ends of the band are press fit onto. In another embodiment in which propulsion band  305  is a solid ribbon, attachment nodes  120  are loops the propulsion band can be tied to. Other embodiments of attachment including hooks, clips, or slots are possible. Orientation and number of the attachment nodes (e.g., dual horizontal, dual vertical or triple at 120-degree offsets) and propulsion band configurations may be different for different applications and embodiments. 
     Propulsion band  305  is a separate piece that can be attached or detached from single piece body  100 . Propulsion band  305  in  FIG. 3  is a c-shaped loop with both ends connected to attachment nodes  120  of single piece body  100 . Propulsion band  305  is made of elastic material that exerts a force when stretched. As used herein, the word elastic is taken to mean a material that can stretch to a second length longer than its initial length when a user applies a pulling force, and in response the elastic will apply a force and revert to approximately its initial length once the pulling force applied from the user is gone. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , propulsion band  305  is a single piece of elastic material having both of its ends attached to attachment nodes  120  of single piece body  100 . In one specific embodiment, propulsion band  305  is a hollow elastic tube. In another embodiment propulsion band  305  is a solid elastic ribbon. If propulsion band  305  is over-exerted and loses its strength or is otherwise severed, propulsion band  305  can be removed from single piece body  100  and replaced with another propulsion band. In an embodiment for general-purpose hunting and fishing use, the unstretched length of propulsion band  305  ranges from 5 to 25 inches. In such an embodiment, propulsion band  305  is a conventional item that can be sourced from many retailers. For example, propulsion band  305  can be made from a conventional rubber band that is cut from a loop to a ribbon and then attached to attachment nodes  120 . In the illustrated embodiment, the conventionality of propulsion band  305  makes it easily replaceable in the case of wear or damage. A user of hand cannon  300  may choose to alter the strength and/or elasticity of the propulsion band by cutting it to a shorter length. 
     The projectile pouch, not shown in the figures, is used to stabilize the projectile as it is being loaded and launched by the propulsion band. The projectile pouch attaches to, or is formed integrally with, propulsion band  305 . The projectile pouch provides a surface on which the projectile can be braced as the propulsion band is pulled back and the hand cannon aimed. The projectile pouch is a conventional item used in other slingshot devices and, as such, can be found at many retailers. Again, the conventionality of the projectile pouch allows for it to be easily replaced in the case that it becomes worn or damaged by use. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate an accessory  200  for hand cannon  300  in the form of laser sight  210 . With just single piece body  100  and propulsion band  305 , hand cannon  300  is entirely functional and can launch high-speed projectiles of the user&#39;s choice. Optional accessories attach to complement the functionality of the hand cannon. In one embodiment, accessory  200  is attached to hand cannon via attachment loop  205  that is threaded onto projectile tube  105 . In other embodiments accessories  200  are attached to any other portion of propulsion band  305  or single piece body  100  through any suitable means of attachment. Accessories  200  for hand cannon  300  are meant to augment the uses of the device. For example, if a user wanted to use hand cannon  300  at night, they might equip a flashlight accessory that shines light on the target and attaches to the projectile tube in a similar fashion as the laser sight shown in  FIG. 2A . In another example, if the hand cannon is used for fishing, the user equips a fishing reel and attaches fishing line to the projectile of choice such that the projectile is retrievable by reeling in the fishing line with the fishing reel. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , multiple such accessories for one embodiment of hand cannon  300  are illustrated. The combination of accessories shown in  FIG. 3  includes fishing reel  315  with fishing line, laser sight  210 , and loop  310  for carrying or hanging hand cannon  300 . 
     The embodiment shown is only one potential embodiment of accessory combinations and placements along the hand cannon. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of single piece body  100  of hand cannon  300  from a ¾ view.  FIG. 4  has the same features as described in the above description of  FIG. 1 . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  of single piece body  100  includes projectile tube  105 , handle  110 , projectile funnel  115 , and attachment nodes  120 . 
     As used herein, any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Similarly, use of “a” or “an” preceding an element or component is done merely for convenience. This description should be understood to mean that one or more of the element or component is present unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise. 
     Where values are described as “approximate” or “substantially” (or their derivatives), such values should be construed as accurate+/−10% unless another meaning is apparent from the context. From example, “approximately ten” should be understood to mean “in a range from nine to eleven.” 
     As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present). 
     Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciate still additional alternative structural and functional designs for a hand cannon apparatus. Thus, while particular embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the described subject matter is not limited to the precise construction and components disclosed. The scope of protection should be limited only by the following claims.