Abstract:
A system and method for launching promotional material is described. A gas-powered cannon having an actuation system and a magazine attached to the actuation system is provided. The magazine includes a plurality of tubes capable of receiving the promotional items to be launched. A promotional item is loaded into each tube, wherein loading includes loading a first promotional item in a first one of the plurality of tubes and loading a second promotional item into a different one of the plurality of tubes. The first promotional item is launched and then the magazine is rotated around the actuation system under gas power to line up the second promotional item. The second promotional item is then launched.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/482,444, entitled “T-SHIRT CANNON,” filed on May 4, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    T-shirt cannons are made specifically for fan and spectator entertainment around the world. They are a unique and crowd entertaining way to market your team or company. They operate like a paintball gun. That is, a compressed gas source, controlled through the use of valves and regulators, propels a t-shirt from the cannon. To use, a t-shirt or other promotional item is loaded into the barrel. When the trigger is activated, gas from the compressed gas source is released into the barrel of the cannon. The compressed gas expands out through the barrel, which in turn propels the t-shirt from the barrel. These custom crafted tools are used to launch t-shirts or other promotional items to fans, spectators, and employees. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0003]    In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document. 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example t-shirt cannon; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the t-shirt cannon of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a pneumatic system that can be used in the t-shirt cannon of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  illustrates an actuation system that can be used in the t-shirt cannon of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  illustrates an example magazine and actuator interface; 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  illustrates a frame and barrel system that can be used in the t-shirt cannon of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  illustrates a magazine assembly that can be used in the t-shirt cannon of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  illustrates a detent system at can be used in the magazine system of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  illustrates a ratchet system that can be used in the magazine system of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  illustrates an electrical system that can be used in the t-shirt cannon of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 11  illustrates a handle assembly system that can be used in the t-shirt cannon of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    In the following detailed description of example embodiments of the invention, reference is made to specific examples by way of drawings and illustrations. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and serve to illustrate how the invention may be applied to various purposes or embodiments. Other embodiments of the invention exist and are within the scope of the invention, and logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the subject or scope of the present invention. Features or limitations of various embodiments of the invention described herein, however essential to the example embodiments in which they are incorporated, do not limit the invention as a whole, and any reference to the invention, its elements, operation, and application do not limit the invention as a whole but serve only to define these example embodiments. The following detailed description does not, therefore, limit the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0016]    A gas-powered cannon  100  is shown in  FIG. 1 . In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , cannon  100  includes a barrel  102  connected through a frame  104  to magazine  106 . Cannon  100  also includes a high pressure chamber attached to the frame. The high pressure chamber provides power to magazine  106 . 
         [0017]    In the embodiment shown, magazine  106  includes a plurality of tubes  108  mounted around an actuator  110 . In one such embodiment, tubes  108  are mounted adjacent to actuator  110 . Actuator  110  is connected to the high pressure chamber such that actuator  110  moves under gas power to rotate magazine  106  such that promotional items placed inside each tube  108  are lined up to be launched. The result is a revolver-style cannon capable of launching multiple promotional items over a short period of time. The revolver-type cannon design adds much excitement to the industry. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, cannon  100  uses a compressed gas to launch promotional items. In one such embodiment, a large-volume chamber pressurized with an air compressor or a regulated CO2 tank, and a fast-acting dump valve are used to provide propulsion. The valve, when tired, dumps that entire amount of air into barrel  102 , sending the promotional item projectile down the barrel at great velocities. 
         [0019]    An exploded view of cannon  100  is shown in  FIG. 2 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , frame  104  is configured to receive actuation tube  110 . Magazine  106  is mounted to actuation tube  110 . In the embodiment show, magazine  106  includes a plurality of tubes  108  that rotate around actuation tube  110 . Actuation tube  110 , when activated, rotates the magazine under gas power to position one of the tubes  108  so that an item placed in the tube is lined up to be launched. 
         [0020]    In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , a bracket  114  is mounted to frame  104  and actuation tube  110  to hold magazine  108  in place. In one such embodiment, barrel  102  is connected in turn to bracket  114  to provide additional accuracy to cannon  100 . 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, cannon  100  includes a pneumatic air system having air lines, connection fittings, three regulators, an air source adapter, a low pressure tank ( 15 ,  16 ) at 150 psi output and a high pressure 90 cubic in. carbon fiber air tank capable of outputting 4500 psi and an aluminum 2-way air cylinder used for the actuation. In one embodiment, the high pressure air tank is modified to output around 450 psi. 
         [0022]    In one such embodiment, most of the components are either made out of aluminum or plastic. In addition, in some such embodiments, the low pressure air tank  116  acts as storage for the various regulators and electronics necessary to power the system. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, cannon  100  includes a handle mount ( 4 ,  14 ) designee to enable the use of a pre-made electronic control grip. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, brass air valve ( 13 ) is able to handle a max pressure of 150 psi and is capable of producing large mass flow rates. A block diagram of a representative pneumatic system is shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0025]    In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , high pressure tank  130  is connected through regulator  131  to a manifold  132 . The manifold is connected to two regulators ( 133  and  134 ) that feed actuation tube  110  and low pressure tank  135 , respectively. Low pressure tank  135  supplies the gas to propel the promotional item from tube  108  through main valve  136 . Solenoid valve  137  supplies gas to a 2-way aluminum air cylinder  138  in actuation tube  110 . 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, regulators within cannon  100  the adjustment of exit or muzzle velocity. 
         [0027]    The low pressure tank  135  is the part of the cannon that holds the compressed air that is waiting to fire the t-shirt. In one example embodiment, the tank has a volume of 130 cubic inches. To construct the tank, we chose 3 inch schedule 10 aluminum pipe. This pipe was relatively inexpensive and we are able to fabricate it in-house. The max pressure that our tank has to hold is 150 psi. This is limited by the valve that we chose to use. Since pressure higher than 150 psi could damage our valve, we designed our tank around that pressure. The aluminum that the tank is made out of is 6063-T6 aluminum with yield strength of 31,000 psi. The 3 inch schedule 10 pipe has an outside diameter of 3.5 inches and a wall thickness of 0.12 inches. 
         [0028]    To regulate the air pressure in our pneumatic system we use a series of three regulators. We needed to use three because the air coming out of our tank is at 450 psi. This is too high for conventional regulator like those found on an air compressor. That is why the first regulator in our system is a meant for use on a paintball gun. It is able to handle input pressures of up to 850 psi while being able to output anything below that. Our design calls for an input or 450 psi and an output of 150. After the paintball regulator, we split the system into two separate regulators. These regulators have maximum inputs of 150 psi. With these two separate regulators we can adjust the air pressure going to the pneumatic actuator and the low pressure tank separately. This allows us to change the distance we shoot a t-shirt and still have the machine actuate properly. 
         [0029]    To control the air cylinder that actuates the magazine, we use a 4 way solenoid valve  137 . The purpose of the solenoid valve is to direct the air to the two different chambers in the air cylinder  138  that makes our magazine rotate. In one example embodiment, the solenoid is a Numatics brand solenoid valve that uses a 24 volt DC solenoid to actuate the valve. We chose this solenoid because it allows us to have input pressures of up to 150 psi. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, cannon  100  includes an actuation system  120  that includes actuation tube  110 . In one embodiment, such as is shown in  FIG. 4   a , actuation system  120  includes two or more actuation tubes. In one embodiment, as is shown in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , actuation system  120  includes a steel actuation tube  122  with 24 teeth  130  located at the aft end of the tube  122 . 
         [0031]    In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 4   a , actuation system  120  includes a push block  124  inserted in actuation tube  122 . In the embodiment shown, push block  124  is attached to a linear actuator  126 . In one such embodiment, actuation system  120  fits within and is mechanically coupled to actuation tube  2  in  FIG. 6 . Actuation system  120  turns magazine  106  by turning actuation tube  2  as push block  124  traces cutout  128 . In one example embodiment, gas from high pressure tank  130  is used to drive push block  124  through a predefined path defined by cutout  128 . As the air cylinder moves linearly, the push block moves through the profile of the tube. In one such embodiment, cutout  128  defines the maximum stroke of push block  124  and, therefore, defines the rotation of actuator  110  and magazine  106 . For the six tube magazine shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5 , cutout  128  is sufficient to rotate magazine  106  sixty degrees after each launch. 
         [0032]    The first step in sizing our components in the actuation system was to calculate the torque required to index the magazine to the next slot in a given amount of time. To do this, we set up a spreadsheet that calculates the torque required based on the time we want the indexing to take and the mass moment of inertia of the magazine itself. 
         [0033]    Once we had a way to calculate the torque required to actuate the system, we needed away to turn the linear motion of an air cylinder into rotation for the magazine. The ratchet tube we designed has two helical slots cut in it that allow a pin to travel down the slot and turn the magazine. A critical component in this system is the pin that travels down the slot. To size this pin and thus the slot in the ratchet tube we made another spreadsheet. This spreadsheet has the torque required from the previous calculation as well as the geometry of the ratchet tube to calculate the forces on the pin. We decided to use a 0.375 grade 8 bolt for this pin. To allow these pins to rotate as they travel down the groove in the ratchet tube, we installed bearings in the push block that hold the pins in place and allow them to rotate. 
         [0034]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , a hammer switch  132  is mounted after magazine  106  is mounted on frame  104  and actuator  110 . The hammer switch locks the magazine into place to ensure the magazine doesn&#39;t rotate without it being energized. In the embodiment shown, hammer switch  132  holds magazine  106  in place as actuator  110  rotates such that magazine  106  rotates as well. 
         [0035]    An exploded view of frame  104  and barrel  102  is shown in  FIG. 6 . In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , frame  104  includes a top plate  150 , end plates  152  and  154 , connecting rods  106  and Teflon wear surfaces  158 . In one example embodiment, end plates  152  and  154  are manufactured from 6061-T6 aluminum. The end plates have an overall thickness of 1″ while the rods have a diameter of ⅜″. The Teflon wear surfaces  158  were designed to act as seals between frame  104  and magazine  106 . The wear surfaces are modeled to seat in the end plates trapping any air that may move by as the valve is energized. Lastly, the top plate  150  is 16 gauge  1018  steel with two bends to fit along the top surfaces of the end plates  152  and  154 . 
         [0036]    An exploded view of magazine  106  is shown in  FIG. 7 . In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , end plate  170  and  172  are ¼″ 6061-T6 aluminum, tubes  198  are 9.5″ woven carbon fiber cylinders  174  with ABS cylinder collars  176  and small steel ratchet teeth, located towards the center of magazine  106 . The ¼ in. end plates  170  and  172  are designed to hold the rest of the components together. The 9.5″ woven carbon fiber tubes were cut to length and designed to hold the t-shirts while reducing weight significantly. The carbon fiber tubes weigh approximately 0.4 lbs. per foot. The tow impact ABS collars  176  were designed to secure the cylinders to the end plates. 
         [0037]    In the event of a cylinder  108  failing, it is simply removed and replaced with anew cylinder  108 . Lastly, the small teeth  182  are made of steel and were designed to catch the ratchet tube  122  to hold it into place. The ratchet system lets the tube rotate and then holds the magazine in place during launch. 
         [0038]    In the embodiment of magazine  106  shown in  FIG. 8 , each tube  108  includes a detent  180  used to stop the shirt from passing through tube  108 . 
         [0039]    An example embodiment of an electrical system  190  such as could be used in cannon  100  is shown in  FIG. 10 . In the example shown in  FIG. 10 , batteries  190  power electrical system  190 . Batteries  190  are connected to a rocker switch  194 , a button  196 , a trigger  198 , a solenoid  200  and a valve  202  as shown in  FIG. 10 . In one embodiment, batteries  190  are 24 AA batteries @ 1 VAC. In one embodiment, 18 and 20 gauge wiring are used. The 24 AA batteries were picked for their ease of use, and all electrical components ran off of 24 VAC. The ability to change out batteries easily and quickly made this choice very simple. The design group elected to use a terminal block as well. It allows for clean and easy wired connections to be made. 
         [0040]    In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 ; multiple switches are integrated in cannon  100  to insure that firing will not occur when the magazine  106  is rotating. By integrating the switches into control grips within cannon  100 , we try to insure safe use. 
         [0041]    One example embodiment of a rocker switch assembly  220  integrated into a control grip is shown in  FIG. 11 . In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , rocker switch  194  is mounted in the front handle of cannon  100 . Overall, it takes two separate buttons on the entire system to activate any function. Furthermore, the buttons are separated such that each hand has to depress a button at the same exact time for any system to energize. 
         [0042]    In one embodiment, weight of cannon  100  is reduced through the use of aluminum and composite materials. In one such embodiment, a smaller macro line replaces the steel industrial pressure lines to reduce weight in the assembly. 
         [0043]    To use cannon  100 , one would connect a high pressure tank to cannon  100 , load shirts into tubes  108  and turn on electrical power switch. To actuate the magazine, one would press and hold the bottom toggle button on the front handle and then press and hold the button on the trigger to actuate magazine until a chamber is aligned with the barrel. To fire the cannon, one would then press and hold the top toggle button on front handle and then press and hold trigger on rear handle to fire (hold trigger until shirt has left the barrel). Repeat until all desired shots are tired. When done, one would deactivate high pressure tank, fire cannon  100  once to remove all pressure and then turn off electrical power switch. 
         [0044]    What has been described is a novel gas-powered cannon for launching promotional items. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. The invention may be implemented in various modules and in hardware, software, and various combinations thereof, and any combination of the features described in the examples presented herein is explicitly contemplated as an additional example embodiment. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the example embodiments of the invention described herein. It is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims, and the full scope of equivalents thereof.