A launcher system includes a launcher having a barrel adapted to receive a projectile with a charge of propellant and a magazine adapted to hold additional projectiles, with each projectile including a piston shiftably mounted for movement relative to a main body. When propellant in the projectile i
A launcher system includes a launcher having a barrel adapted to receive a projectile with a charge of propellant and a magazine adapted to hold additional projectiles, with each projectile including a piston shiftably mounted for movement relative to a main body. When propellant in the projectile is ignited, either mechanically or electrically, the propellant forces the piston from a retracted position during a period of initial thrust and then the propellant exits through at least one vent hole to provide an additional thrust for the projectile upon the piston moving to a fully extended position and safely discharge pressure from within the projectile. The projectile may be fired at lethal or non-lethal velocities.
대표청구항▼
1. A launcher system for firing projectiles comprising: a launcher including a barrel adapted to receive a projectile, a mechanism for activating the projectile and a magazine for storing additional projectiles; anda caseless projectile including: a main body including a front end portion, a base po
1. A launcher system for firing projectiles comprising: a launcher including a barrel adapted to receive a projectile, a mechanism for activating the projectile and a magazine for storing additional projectiles; anda caseless projectile including: a main body including a front end portion, a base portion and a connecting portion, said base portion having a piston hole and at least one vent hole positioned radially of the piston hole;a piston, including a head and a shaft, slidably mounted within the main body for movement between a retracted position, wherein the head and shaft are located within the main body, and an extended position, wherein the shaft of the piston extends through the piston hole and extends out of the main body while the piston head is retained in the main body; anda charge provided in the main body whereby, when the mechanism activates the projectile and the charge is initiated, gases are created which force the piston to shift from the retracted position such that the shaft extends through the piston hole and engages the launcher to provide an initial thrust for the projectile within the barrel and, when the piston is in the extended position, the gases exit the main body through the at least one vent hole to provide additional thrust for the projectile. 2. The launcher system of claim 1, wherein the charge includes slow burning propellant that is present in an amount that primarily accelerates the projectile in the barrel to less than 300 feet per second whereby the projectile is a non-lethal projectile. 3. The launcher system of claim 2, wherein the main body includes a front wall that is shaped as a blunt dome, and a decreased diameter section, said main body being made of Noryl or other suitable high strength polymer. 4. The launcher system of claim 1, wherein the charge includes a slow burning propellant that is present in an amount that primarily accelerates the projectile after it leaves the barrel to greater than 800 feet per second, whereby the projectile is a lethal projectile. 5. The launcher system of claim 4, wherein the main body includes a front wall that is sharp and non-compliant. 6. The launcher system of claim 1, wherein the piston includes a tapered portion and the base portion includes a shear flange extending into the piston hole for engagement with the tapered portion to control propellant combustion, and an external straight knurl for engagement with the main body. 7. The launcher system of claim 1, wherein the at least one vent hole comprises multiple vent holes equally spaced around the piston hole, the main body is made from an injection moldable material with steel or aluminum inserts and the charge is shaped into a cylinder and mounted in the piston hole so that the piston slides within the cylinder. 8. The launcher system of claim 1, wherein the barrel is made from lightweight plastic with a thin steel liner that is rifled. 9. The launcher system of claim 1, further comprising: a bracket configured to attach the launcher to a conventional rifle. 10. The launcher system of claim 1, wherein the mechanism includes a trigger and the launcher further comprises: a hammer activated by the trigger, wherein the projectile further includes a primer located near a front wall of the main body and adjacent the charge whereby, when the trigger is pulled, the hammer hits the front wall of the projectile and causes ignition of the primer. 11. The launcher system of claim 1, wherein the mechanism includes a trigger and a firing circuit that is activated by the trigger and wherein the projectile further includes a primer located near a front wall of the main body whereby, when the trigger is pulled, the firing circuit causes ignition of the primer. 12. The launcher system of claim 11, wherein the firing circuit includes a spring electrode extending onto the primer. 13. A caseless projectile for use with a launcher system comprising: a main body including a front end portion, a base portion and a connecting portion, said base portion having a piston hole and at least one vent hole positioned radially of the piston hole;a piston, including a head and a shaft, slidably mounted within the main body for movement between a retracted position, wherein the head and shaft are located within the main body, and an extended position, wherein the shaft of the piston extends through the piston hole and projects out of the main body while the piston head is retained in the main body; anda charge provided in the main body whereby, when the charge is initiated, gases are created which force the piston to shift from the retracted position such that the shaft extends through the piston hole and to provide an initial thrust for the projectile and, when the piston is in the extended position, the gases exit the main body through the at least one vent hole to provide additional thrust for the projectile. 14. The projectile of claim 13, wherein the charge includes slow burning propellant that is present in an amount that primarily accelerates the projectile in a barrel of the launcher to less than 300 feet per second whereby the projectile is a non-lethal projectile. 15. The projectile of claim 14, wherein the main body includes a front wall that is shaped as a blunt dome, and a decreased diameter section and is made of Noryl or other suitable high-strength polymer. 16. The projectile of claim 13, wherein the charge includes slow burning propellant that is present in an amount that primarily accelerates the projectile after it leaves a barrel of the launcher to greater than 800 feet per second, whereby the projectile is a lethal projectile. 17. The projectile of claim 16, wherein the main body includes a front wall that is sharp and non-compliant. 18. The projectile of claim 13, wherein the at least one vent hole comprises multiple vent holes spaced around the piston hole, the main body is made from an injection moldable material with steel or aluminum inserts and the charge is shaped into a cylinder and mounted in the piston hole so that the piston slides within the propellant shaped into a cylinder. 19. The projectile of claim 13, wherein the piston includes a tapered portion and the base portion includes a shear flange extending into the piston hole for engagement with the tapered portion, and an external straight knurl for engagement with the main body. 20. A method of firing a projectile from a launcher comprising: initiating a charge provided in a main body of a caseless projectile;forcing a piston, having a head and a shaft slidably mounted in the main body of the projectile, to shift, from a retracted position, relative to the main body such that the shaft extends out a through hole of the main body and engages the launcher to provide an initial thrust for the projectile;causing continued relative shifting between the piston and the main body until the piston reaches an extended position wherein the shaft projects from the main body but the head is retained within the main body; andventing charge gases through at least one vent hole after the piston reaches the fully extended position to provide additional thrust for the projectile and safely discharge pressure retained in the projectile. 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising: accelerating the projectile to less than 300 feet per second so that the projectile impacts a target with non-lethal force. 22. The method of claim 20, further comprising: accelerating the projectile to at least 800 feet per second so that the projectile is able to impact a target with deadly force. 23. The method of claim 20, wherein burning the charge includes delaying ignition of some of the charge until after the projectile leaves the launcher. 24. The method of claim 20, wherein initiating the charge includes striking the projectile with a hammer to cause the piston to impact to a priming compound that initiates the charge. 25. The method of claim 20, wherein initiating the charge includes forming an electric current that ignites a priming compound to initiate the charge.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (19)
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