Patent Publication Number: US-2012037137-A1

Title: Missile launching apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to devices for launching projectiles, and in particular to slingshot-like weapons adapted for the launching of arrows and the like. 
     2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
     The sling has been used since prehistoric times for hunting and warfare. Generally speaking, a sling consists of a short strap or pouch for receiving a stone, bullet, or other missile, with a string attached to each end of the strap. To launch a missile, the operator first spins the sling to build up speed, then releases one of the strings. When the string is released, the missile exits the strap or pouch, hurling forward in a line tangential to the arc of the circle formed by the spinning sling. A sling allows a missile to be hurled with much greater force than could be achieved with simple arm motion. 
     The slingshot is a relatively modern weapon that, like the sling, also features a strap or pouch to receive a missile. In the case of the slingshot, however, the strings are replaced by elastic tubes or bands, most commonly made from vulcanized rubber. These tubes are attached to a support member usually formed in a “Y” shape. The elastic tubes are each attached to one of the arms of the “Y,” and the bottom stem of the “Y” support is used as a handle. The slingshot is fired by first holding the support in one hand and gripping the pouch holding the missile with the other, pulling the pouch backwards to stretch the elastic tubes or bands, then releasing the pouch to launch the missile. The launch speed of the missile is dependent upon the resiliency of the elastic tubes and the distance to which they are stretched prior to release. 
     The desirability of developing an effective slingshot-like weapon capable of launching shafted missiles, such as arrows, rather than blunt missiles, such as stones and bullets, has long been recognized. A slingshot is more compact and easier to use than a traditional bow or crossbow. This is an especially important consideration for hunters, who often must travel significant distances by foot through dense foliage. Under these circumstances, a traditional bow is difficult to transport due to its bulkiness, and may create a significant amount of noise as it contacts brush, which can disturb game animals. While crossbows are generally more compact than traditional bows, they still include a transverse bow portion much wider than a traditional slingshot. This bow portion of the crossbow, like a traditional longbow or compound bow, may be cumbersome, and easily catches on brush as a hunter moves. On the other hand, arrows and other shafted missiles have significant advantages over blunt projectiles, such as a stone or sling bullet. Due to their shape and spin characteristics during flight, arrows may be fired much more accurately and at much greater distances than a typical sling or slingshot missile. They also may be fitted with various types of heads adapted specifically to their application, such as the steel-bladed heads commonly used on modern hunting arrows. Such heads are far more effective hunting weapons than blunt missiles. For these reasons, few hunters use slingshots for hunting despite the advantages offered by their compact shape and size. 
     One of the difficulties facing the designer of a slingshot-like weapon for launching arrows or other shafted missiles is to provide an effective means of supporting the forward end of the arrow prior to launch. U.S. Pat. No. 2,645,217 to Fisher teaches an arrow guide disposed between the arms of a Y-shaped support member. The arrow guide includes a notch to receive the arrow. U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,007 to Olson teaches a similar support, except in the case of Olson the support is connected to fittings attached to the elastic members of the device rather than directly to the support member arms. U.S. Pat. No. 3,455,288 to Knerr teaches a support with a circular bore sized to receive the arrow shaft, the bore also including radial slots through with the feathers of the arrow are intended to pass during launch. U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,963 to Lemmen teaches an “arrow sling device” with hinged gates that close together to form an arrow seat aperture. The gates open forwardly in response to pressure from the arrow fletching, thereby allowing the fletched portion of the arrow to pass through during launch. U.S. Pat. No. 3,018,770 to Saunders teaches a “sling bow” with an arrow rest including two support prongs. The forward end of the arrow shaft sits between the outwardly bent ends of the two support prongs prior to launch. 
     It may be seen that while each of the arrow support mechanisms discussed above do provide a means for resting an arrow prior to launch when using a slingshot-type weapon, they do not provide a secure means for holding an arrow in place prior to launch. In each case, the operator must hold the rearward end of the arrow at the strap or pouch with tension in the elastic bands or tubes in order to maintain the device in a ready-to-fire configuration. The operator will quickly tire of holding the device in this manner, and thus it is impractical to draw an arrow into the ready-to-fire position until just prior to launch. While this is not a significant disadvantage in some applications, such as target shooting, it is an important issue when using such a device for hunting. Any movement by the hunter prior to launch raises the risk that the hunter will be seen by the targeted game animal, thus causing the animal to run away and likely spoiling the opportunity to target the animal. The severity of this problem is increased because such weapons generally have a much shorter effective range than firearms, and thus even small movements by the hunger are more likely to be seen by the game animal at these closer ranges. In addition, it will be difficult or impossible for a hunter to run or move quickly when holding such a weapon in the ready-to-fire position. Such movements are often necessary during hunting, such as when a hunter must quickly proceed to a new position in order to intercept a moving game animal. It would also be desirable to keep a weapon in a ready-to-fire state during routine movements while hunting, since the hunter may be surprised by an encounter with a game animal and otherwise would have no opportunity to fire in such a situation. 
     By contrast to the slingshot-like arrow launching devices described above, crossbows may be locked in a ready-to-fire position indefinitely, then released by simply pulling a trigger. The hunter may even engage in running or other strenuous activity while the crossbow is held in a ready-to-fire state, an important advantage when pursuing game on foot as explained above. For these reasons, crossbows have proven to be much more popular than any of the prior slingshot-like hunting devices adapted to fire arrows, despite the greater bulkiness, complexity, and very poor rate of fire intrinsic to crossbows. It will be seen then that the development of a slingshot-type hunting device capable of shooting shafted missiles such as arrows, but also capable of being held in a ready-to-fire position for an indefinite duration much like a crossbow, would be highly desirable. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a missile launching device that is capable of being locked in a ready-to-fire position for an indefinite period of time. A missile locking mechanism that may be opened and closed by the operator, such as by the use of a trigger in certain embodiments, to hold the shaft of a shafted missile in place in the device. In certain embodiments, the device further comprises a notching mechanism that holds the end of an arrow or other shafted missile in a notched and ready-to-fire position. 
     In one aspect, the invention is directed to an apparatus for launching missiles, comprising a frame, at least one pair of elastic members connected to the frame and engageable with a rearward end of a missile, a support extending rearwardly from the frame and engageable with the at least one pair of elastic members when the at least one pair of elastic members is at least partially extended rearwardly from the frame, and a missile holder selectively engageable with a forward portion of a missile wherein the missile is locked into position with respect to the apparatus when the missile holder is engaged. 
     In another aspect, the invention is directed to a missile-launching apparatus, comprising a frame comprising a handle and an arm rest, at least one crossarm connected to the frame at least one elastic member, wherein the at least one elastic member is connected to the at least one crossarm, and a missile locking assembly connected to the frame. 
     In still another aspect, the invention is directed to a missile weapon, comprising a frame assembly comprising a missile locking assembly, a resilient member connected to the frame assembly, a resilient member support extending rearwardly from the frame assembly, and a missile comprising a shaft and a notch, wherein the missile is fitted to the resilient member at the notch and fitted to the missile locking assembly at the shaft. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for a missile-launching device that is capable of being locked in a ready-to-fire position. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide for a missile-launching device that may be carried in a ready-to-fire position while the operator engages in strenuous or quick movements. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide for a missile-launching device that is relatively compact and unencumbering. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide for a missile-launching device that may be fired and reloaded quickly. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide for a missile-launching device that is relatively accurate and capable of striking a target at a significant range. 
     These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims in conjunction with the drawings as described following: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a partial cut-away perspective view of the portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention adapted to hold the shaft portion of an arrow when the device is in the “closed” position. 
         FIG. 2B  is a partial cut-away perspective view of the portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention adapted to hold the shaft portion of an arrow when the device is in the “open” position. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention similar to  FIG. 1 , but with an arrow in a ready-to-fire position. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, similar to  FIG. 3  but shown as the arrow is being fired. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment of the present invention may be described. Frame plate  10  provides a mounting point for crossarms  12 . There are six crossarms  12  in the preferred embodiment, but the invention is not so limited and any number of crossarms may be employed as appropriate to the materials utilized in the construction of the device. Brace bars  14  extend rearwardly from the left side of frame plate  10 , and are used to support brace  15  that fits against the left arm of the user when the device is fired. It may be noted that the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1  is appropriate to a right-handed shooter, although the device could be constructed in a mirror-image form for a left-handed shooter within the scope of the invention. 
     Also extending from the left side of frame plate  10  is handle  16 , which is preferably formed into a shape that is easily gripped by the left hand of the shooter. Strap support  18  extends rearwardly from the center back of frame plate  10 , and features a tail portion with a right-angle bend. Various other constructions of strap support  18  are possible within the scope of the invention, provided that they are operable to engage strap  26  when the device is in the ready-to-fire position. Frame plate  10 , crossarms  12 , brace bars  14 , and strap support  18  are preferably formed of steel, aluminum, or any other sufficiently strong material. Handle  16  may be preferably formed of a steel bar core with a plastic or rubber outercovering for both strength and comfort during use. 
     Attached at the outward ends of each of crossarms  12  is an elastic tube  20 . Preferably, strong rubber tubing such as used in medicine and laboratories may be employed for elastic tube  20 . Alternatively, any other resilient and sufficiently strong material could be used, such as elastic bands. In the preferred embodiment, crossarms  12  are not attached directly to each tube  20 , but instead an attachment cord  22  is employed for that purpose. The reason for this construction is to reduce wear on the ends of elastic tube  20  if, for example, the forward end of each tube  20  were simply stretched over the extending end of the corresponding crossarm  12 . In the preferred embodiment, attachment cords  22  are knotted inside each end of each tube  20 , and a hose claim  24  as known in the art is placed in front of the knot to prevent tube  20  from disengaging with its attachment cords  22  during use. Each of the two sets of tubes  20  are attached at one end of strap  26 . In alternative embodiments, one set of tubes  20  could be used, with each end attached to an opposing crossarm  12 . Strap  26  could then be omitted in alternative embodiments. In the preferred embodiment, strap  26  is formed of leather, or any other sufficiently strong and pliable material. Pull ring  28  is fitted over strap  26 . It may be seen that by applying rearward pressure to pull ring  28 , the user will pull strap  26  rearwardly, thereby stretching elastic bands  20  as the distance between strap  26  and crossbars  12  increases. Notch string  30 , which may be formed of cord or a similar material, extends between the two interior sides of strap  26  in the preferred embodiment. Any other means of engaging the rear of an arrow or other shafted missile may be used in alternative embodiments. 
     Arrow rest assembly  32  is preferably attached at the upper end of frame plate  10  on its rearward side. Two arrow rest blocks  34  are mounted at frame plate  10 , and arrow rest shaft  36  passes through them in a direction orthogonal to the direction of travel of an arrow launched from the device. Rest  38 , which includes two prongs as shown in  FIG. 1 , is mounted to arrow rest shaft  36  such that it may pivot forwardly and rearwardly. Preferably, rest  38  is biased rearwardly by a spring or other resilient means (not shown), such that rest  38  extends in a generally vertical direction when an arrow is not present. In this manner, a “floating” rest assembly  32  is preferably provided for the shaft of an arrow to be fired using the device. The floating construction provides stability to the arrow as it is fired. The structure and function of arrow holder arms  40  and trigger  44 , which is linked to arrow holder arms  40 , will be described more fully below. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 1  is optional reel  42 , which is mounted at the forward side of frame plate  10 . Reel  42  may be of any conventional type that is employed in fishing or like pursuits. By attaching a monofilament or other line extending from reel  42  to an arrow fired from the device, a targeted fish or other game animal may be reeled back to the user just as if a traditional fishing rod and reel were employed. In embodiments of the invention in which fishing is not an intended application, reel  42  may be omitted, or may be removed when not needed and reattached for fishing applications. Reel  42  may be employed for applications other than fishing, such as retrieving practice arrows. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B ; the operation of the arrow holder mechanism of the preferred embodiment of the present invention may be described. It may be seen that arrow holder arms  40  are mounted at the front side of frame plate  10  in a pivoting manner, preferably by a screw, bolt, or the like at the lower end of each of arrow holder arms  40 .  FIG. 2A  shows the device when it is in the “closed” position, such as when no arrow is present or when an arrow is locked in the ready-to-fire position. Arrow holder arms  40  comprise facing concave portions that form a circular arrow holder opening  52  that is sized to receive the shaft of the arrow to be launched by the device. The forward end of an arrow may thus be locked into place with the device in a ready-to-fire position without concern about the forward end of the arrow slipping from arrow rest assembly  32  due to the user&#39;s movements. 
     In order to fire an arrow, or to load an arrow into the device, trigger  44  is depressed in the direction shown by the adjacent arrow in  FIG. 2B . Depression of trigger  44  on trigger mount  46  causes a rotation of cam  48  from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation, which causes arrow holder arms  40  to be pushed laterally and pivoted from their downward ends, thus moving apart from each other in the direction indicated by the adjacent arrows of  FIG. 2B . After the arrow is fired, or an arrow is loaded depending upon the operation being performed, trigger  44  may be released. Spring  50  then draws arrow holder arms  40  back together, pivoting cam  48  back to a vertical orientation. It may be noted that while spring  50  is employed in the preferred embodiment, any other resilient member or other return means may be employed in alternative embodiments of the invention to return arrow holder arms  40  to the “closed” position. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the operation of a preferred embodiment of the invention may be described in greater detail.  FIG. 3  illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention in a ready-to-fire configuration, with an arrow  54  loaded. To load the device, the user first grips pull ring  28  and positions strap  26  such that it is pulled rearward farther than and just above the rearward end of strap support  18 . Strap  26  is then lowered until it rests on the upturned end of strap support  18 . It may be seen that the preferred embodiment may be held in this position indefinitely, without any strain upon the user. While gripping the preferred embodiment at handle  16 , the user then depresses trigger  44 , which causes arrow holder arms  40  to open outward. An arrow is then placed such that arrow rest  38  supports its forward end, and the notch at the rear of the arrow is fitted onto notch string  30 . Once positioned in this manner, the user may release trigger  44 , which due to the force of spring  50  (shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) causes arrow holder arms  40  to return to the “closed” position, trapping the shaft of arrow  54  in holder opening  52 . It may be seen that in this configuration, the user may move about, even run at speed, without disturbing the position of arrow  54  with respect to rest  38  and notch string  30 , and thus the preferred embodiment will be maintained in the ready-to-fire position even during strenuous physical movement such as may be performed while hunting. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention just as an arrow  54  is being fired. Trigger  44  is depressed in order to release the forward end of arrow  54  by the opening of arrow holder arms  40 . The user then pulls back on pull ring  28  until elastic tubes  20  are at the desired tension for the release of arrow  54 . It will be seen that the shaft of arrow  54  slides across arrow rest  38  during this process. Arrow  54  is aimed at the target, and then pull ring  28  is released. The tension in elastic tubes  20  causes the arrow to slide forward rapidly across arrow rest  38 . As arrow  54  leaves the device, the notch portion on the rearward end of arrow  54  disengages from notch string  30 . The arrow then proceeds to its target in an otherwise conventional manner. 
     The present invention has been described with reference to certain preferred and alternative embodiments that are intended to be exemplary only and not limiting to the full scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.