Compact projectile launcher

Abstract

The present embodiments provide compact launching apparatuses for use in launching non-lethal projectiles. Some embodiments provide handheld apparatuses for use in launching non-lethal projectiles that include a source of compressed gas, an expansion chamber cooperated with the source of gas to receive gas released from the source of gas, a barrel having a bore aligned with an output of the expansion chamber, and a burst disk positioned between the barrel bore and the output of the expansion chamber. The burst disk is configured to rupture releasing the gas within the expansion chamber when the pressure within the expansion chamber. Some embodiments provide for quick reload devices with disposable portions of the apparatus. Some embodiments contain a gas pressure diffuser to enhance the ability to simultaneously launch multiple frangible projectiles. The present embodiments can be used offensively, and defensively as protection against threatening humans or animals.

1 . A handheld apparatus for use in launching non-lethal projectiles, comprising: 
 a source of compressed gas;    an expansion chamber cooperated with the source of gas to receive gas released from the source of gas;    a barrel having a bore coupled with an output of the expansion chamber; and    a burst disk positioned between the barrel bore and the output of the expansion chamber, where the burst disk is configured to rupture releasing the gas within the expansion chamber.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the barrel comprises the burst disk and at least one projectile such that the barrel is detachable from the expansion chamber.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a puncture pin; and    a spring compressed against the gas source, such that the spring when released drives the compressed gas onto the puncture pin.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a gas cartridge housing having a spring flange in contact with the spring; and    the source of gas is a compressed gas cartridge positioned within the gas cartridge housing.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a puncture pin; and    a spring compressed against the puncture pin, such that the spring when released drives the puncture pin into the compressed gas source.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an actuator comprising a retaining member and a receiving cavity, where the retaining member maintains a position of the source of gas until the actuator is activated such that the retaining member is received into the receiving cavity releasing the source of gas.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an activation system comprising an actuator and a first portion of the barrel; and    a propelling system comprising the source of gas, the expansion chamber, a second portion of the barrel and the burst disk, where the propelling system is detachable from the activation system.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an electrically activated actuator cooperated with the source of gas to initiate the release of the gas.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a puncture pin, where the electrically activated actuator comprises an electrically ignitable explosive substance that drives the source of gas onto the puncture pin.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a puncture pin, where the electrically activated actuator comprises an electrically ignitable explosive substance that drives the puncture pin into the source of gas.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the source of gas is contained within the expansion chamber.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a puncture pin comprising a back seal, where the puncture pin is movably secured with the expansion chamber and the puncture pin is configured to puncture the source of gas releasing the gas and to be forced back from the gas source due to the released gas such that a gas seal is formed with the expansion chamber.    
   
   
       13 . A relatively compact apparatus for use in launching non-lethal projectiles, comprising: 
 an activation system comprising an actuator; and    a propelling system comprising a source of compressed gas, an expansion chamber cooperated with the source of gas to receive the gas, and a first portion of a barrel coupled with the expansion chamber to receive the gas from the expansion chamber, where the propelling system is detachable from the activation system.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the activation system further comprising a second portion of the barrel that aligns with the first portion of the barrel with the propelling system is attached with the activation system.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the propelling system further comprises a burst disk positioned between the expansion chamber and the first portion of the barrel, where the burst disk is configured to rupture releasing gas expanded in the expansion chamber into the first portion of the barrel when a pressure within the expansion chamber exceeds a threshold.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the activation system further comprises a driver cooperated with the actuator such that when the actuator is activated the driver contacts the source of gas such that the gas is released into the expansion chamber.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the propelling system further comprises a puncture pin aligned with the source of gas such that the driver drives the source of gas onto the puncture pin releasing the gas.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the activation system further comprises a driver cooperated with the actuator such that when the actuator is activated the driver drives a puncture pin into the source of gas such that the gas is released into the expansion chamber.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the activation system includes a safety system cooperated with the actuator.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a laser aiming mechanism.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the laser is activated through the movement of a safety of the safety system.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the propelling system further comprises an expansion chamber system that comprises the expansion chamber defined between an expansion chamber plate and an expansion chamber cavity plate.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of claim  28 , wherein the propelling system further comprises a gas source housing that contains the source of gas, and the expansion chamber extends into the gas cartridge housing such that the source of gas is contained within the expansion chamber.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the propelling system further comprises an expansion chamber system that comprises the expansion chamber defined by a volume formed within a single molded expansion chamber frame.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 at least one non-lethal projectile launched from the barrel, wherein the projectile contains and inhibiting substance to be dispersed upon impact at least proximate an animal to inhibit the animal.    
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 at least one non-lethal projectile launched from the barrel, wherein the projectile contains and inhibiting substance to be dispersed upon impact at least proximate a human to inhibit the human.    
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the propelling system further comprises a diffuser plate positioned proximate the barrel such that the gas entering the barrel is diffused.