Patent Publication Number: US-11639729-B2

Title: Explosively propelled piston assembly

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention generally pertains to actuating devices, and more particularly to an explosively propelled piston assembly that provides a contained explosive force for pushing, flipping, rolling or other movement of an object. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     For certain industries, it is sometimes necessary to instantaneously propel or otherwise move an object(s). An example of one such industry is film and television production, during which a vehicle seemingly experiences a violent action that causes the vehicle to slide, flip, roll or perform other movement. In order to produce the most realistic action, an explosive force which is powerful and instantaneous, is typically utilized. 
     The most common device employed for this purpose is an explosively activated piston. A common implementation utilizes a breach load, screw-in design, with the breach having an off-set retainer or other means to contain the breach from the explosive force. This design does function as intended and has been in use for a long time, therefore there have not been improvements or new designs that will function more effectively. 
     The instant invention does offer improvements by utilizing the best design characteristics of the prior/current art, and modifying these designs to provide a contained explosive force that actuates a piston while providing consistent power based on the size of an explosive or pneumatic force. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any literature or patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. However, the following U.S. patents are considered related: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 PAT. NO. 
                 INVENTOR 
                 ISSUED 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 8,900,031 
                 Benedict, et al 
                 Dec. 2, 2014 
               
               
                   
                 9,764,248 
                 Schwalm Jr. 
                 Sep. 19, 2017 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The U.S. Pat. No. 8,900,031 discloses a toy vehicle that includes a vehicle body configured for moving along a support surface when disposed in a first orientation. A platform is rotatably coupled to an underside of the vehicle body, and a lever is pivotally coupled to the platform. The lever causes the vehicle to be overturned from a first orientation when the lever is moved from a first position to a second position. 
     The U.S. Pat. No. 9,764,248 discloses a pressure contained car cannon for the launching and/or flipping of vehicles, or other large-scale props. The device consists of a barrel, a cannon foot and a piston. By way of pneumatic pressure, force is achieved by transferring energy from the piston to the cannon foot, resulting in a push force which expels the cannon foot from the cannon barrel. 
     For background purposes and indicative of the art to which the invention relates, reference may be made to the following remaining patents found in the patent search. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 PAT. NO. 
                 INVENTOR 
                 ISSUED 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 2,835,208 
                 Faverty 
                 May 20, 1958 
               
               
                   
                 3,242,878 
                 Floehr 
                 Mar. 29, 1966 
               
               
                   
                 4,894,042 
                 Kamikawa 
                 Jan. 16, 1990 
               
               
                   
                 5,259,808 
                 Garr 
                 Nov. 9, 1993 
               
               
                   
                 2005/0287918 
                 Sheltman, et al 
                 Dec. 29, 2005 
               
               
                   
                 2007/02590601 
                 Dunham 
                 Nov. 8, 2007 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     An explosively propelled piston assembly comprising an optional mounting plate having a circular center opening and at least one corner opening. By placing at least one screw, at least one bolt, at least one nail or other securing means through the corner opening(s), the mounting plate can be secured onto a surface. Extending from the mounting plate are at least one lower cylinder fastener. Extending upward at the center of the fastener(s) and mounting plate center opening is a breach bolt, with a base and an upward extending member. Above the breach bolt is a breach plate with a plurality of surround openings. A breach gasket interfaces with and extends upward on the breach plate via openings that correspond to fasteners on the breach plate. Extending upward from the breach plate is a combustion piston having a base, a center opening, an upward extending side wall, and a threaded opening. A piston dampening ring is located above and interfaces with the upper end of the combustion piston. A combustion cylinder has an upper section, a lower section and an upward extending member circumventing the perimeter of the lower section. At least one ventilation bore extends through the cylinder to allow explosive or pneumatic gas to escape, thereby relieving pressure within the piston assembly. Located above the combustion cylinder is a combustion piston adapter plate that has plate bores and at least one corner opening for securing the adapter plate. Extending downward through the adapter plate are a plurality of threaded plate fasteners that extend into threaded openings on the upper end of the combustion piston. 
     Once assembled, an explosive charge is placed into the piston assembly. The charge is then activated which products a contained explosive force that actuates the piston, causing the piston to extend outward, applying the force onto an object in contact with or adjacent to the piston assembly. 
     In view of the above disclosure the primary object of the invention is to provide an explosively propelled piston assembly that can produce an instantaneous force on an object to push, flip or roll the object. 
     In addition to the primary object, it is also an object of the invention to provide an explosively propelled piston assembly that:
         is easy to use,   can produce additional movement(s), or function as an impact device,   is robust and durable,   can be made in a variety of sizes,   can be used vertically or horizontally,   can be made watertight for use underwater,   can be used for other purposes including cutting rope, wire, chain or other material, or for hurling an object,   can be used as a support structure,   is particularly effective for use in film and television productions for special effects,   is easy to transport,   can be used in arrangements of multiple piston assemblies for large/heavy applications,   can be used repeatably, and   is cost effective from both a manufacturer&#39;s and user&#39;s point of view.       

     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is an elevational side view showing an explosively propelled piston assembly (EPPA). 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded view showing the EPPA. 
         FIG.  3    is an elevational side view showing the EPPA breach bolt. 
         FIG.  4    is a top plan view showing the EPPA combustion piston. 
         FIG.  5    is a top plan view showing the EPPA combustion piston adapter plate. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms that disclose a preferred embodiment of an explosively propelled piston assembly (EPPA), which is know as the “Load Lifter”™. In certain industries it is sometimes necessary to push, flip, roll or perform other movement of an object. One industry that requires this capability is the film/television production. The most typical example of the functionality is when a vehicle experiences a violent action. In order to accomplish a realistic and controlled action, such as a vehicle flipping over, an explosively actuated piston is usually utilized. These devices have been in use for some time, but there are negative aspects to the use. The EPPA  10 , as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 5   , provides an improved design of an explosively propelled piston that offers increased performance characteristics compared to other/prior art similar devices. 
     The EPPA is comprised of the following major elements: a mounting plate  12 , a breach bolt  24 , a breach plate  32 , a combustion piston  44 , and a combustion cylinder  60 . While the EPPA  10  can be placed in any orientation, depending on the requirement of use, for the purpose of this disclosure the EPPA  10  will be described and shown in an upright/vertical orientation, with the force directed upward and outward. Also, the EPPA  10  can be manufactured in a variety of shapes/dimensions, again depending on the requirement of use. For this disclosure, a substantially circular design will be disclosed and shown. Also, it should be noted, that while the EPPA can be utilized both vertically and horizontally, for this disclosure the EPPA will be described from an upright, vertical perspective. To provide the greatest amount of structural integrity the assembly of the EPPA  10  utilizes an opposed/keyed interface that is maintained by at least one, and preferably multiple, attachment means such as screws. 
     The mounting plate  12 , as shown in  FIG.  1   , has a circular center opening  14  and at least one corner opening  16 . By placing at least one screw, at least one bolt, at least one nail or at least one other securing means through the corner opening(s), the mounting plate  12  can be secured onto a surface. It should be noted that for certain applications a mounting plate is not required and/or desired. In these cases, the mounting plate  12  is not utilized, which does not affect the operation of the EPPA  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , extending upward from the mounting plate  12  are a plurality of lower cylinder fasteners  20 , preferably arranged in a circular configuration. Extending upward at the center of the fasteners and mounting plate center opening is the breach bolt  24  that has a base  26  (which can also be identified as the bolt head) and an upward extending member  28 , as shown in  FIGS.  1  and  3   . Above the breach bolt  24  is the breach plate  32  that has surround openings  34  into which the plurality of fasteners are inserted. The breach bolt  24  upward extending member  28  extends up through the substantial center of the breach plate  32 . A breach gasket  38  preferably made of copper interfaces with the breach plate via a plurality of openings  40  that correspond to the fasteners  20  extending upward through the breach plate  32 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  4   , extending upward from the breach plate  32  is the combustion piston  44  that includes a base  46 , a center opening  48 , upward extending side wall  50  and a threaded opening  52 . Located above and interfacing with the upper end of the combustion piston  44  is a piston dampening ring  56 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the combustion cylinder  60  includes an upper section  62  and a lower section  64  with upward extending members  66  circumventing the perimeter of the lower section. Ventilation bores  68  extending through the cylinder  60  allow an explosive  86  or pneumatic gas to escape as the piston extends outward. Once the piston is at a final extended length engaging the piston dampening ring  56 , the ventilation bores  68  allow gas to escape, thereby relieving pressure within the EPPA  10 . 
     Above the combustion cylinder  60  is a combustion piston adapter plate  72 . As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  5   , the plate  72  has plate bores  74  and at least one corner opening  76  for securing the plate  72 . The design of the adapter plate  72  can be universal for a variety of applications, or can have a use-specific design for specializes application. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1    extending downward into and through the adapter plate are a plurality of threaded plate fasteners  80  that extend into corresponding threaded openings on the upper end of the combustion piston  44 . 
     Once assembled, an explosive charge  86  is placed into the EPPA  10 . The charge is then activated which produces a contained explosive force that actuates the piston, causing the piston to extend outward, applying the force onto an object in contact with, or adjacent to, the EPPA. Consistent power from the EPPA  10  is achieved based on the size of the explosive/pneumatic force. 
     In addition to the previously disclosed pushing, flipping, rolling or other movement, the EPPA  10 , can also be used as an impact device or with an adapter for specific tasks such as cutting rope, wire, chain or other materials, or for hurling an object and other user-specific purposes that require instantaneous actuation (i.e., a push). 
     In an alternate functionality, the piston remains in an extended position after an explosive force. In this position, the piston can be utilized as a support for various objects. Also, if the combustion cylinder chamber is made watertight, the EPPA can be used, with modification, in/under water. It is important to note that the force within the EPPA is a contained force which results in control and lessening of the typical reactionary effects that occur when using an explosive. 
     While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modification may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the claims.