Air cannon apparatus and method

Abstract

An air cannon for projecting a coherent mass of air in a targeted direction. The air cannon has a membrane inside a frustoconical shell that is placed under tension and released suddenly to force air out the small diameter end of the cannon past a lip. The cannon can have a port for injecting a scent, smoke or fog into the cannon for delivery as a coherent mass with the air. The mass of air remains coherent a relatively long distance so that the air, scent, smoke or fog is experienced by a person located at the target location.

1 . An air cannon for propelling a mass of air in a predetermined direction, comprising: 
 a frustoconical shell having a large diameter end and a small diameter end;    a flexible membrane mounted over and closing the large diameter end of the shell;    a lip inside the small diameter end forming an effect port;    at least one resilient member inside the shell connected between the membrane and the small diameter end ; and    tension means for placing the flexible membrane and at least one resilient member under tension whereby releasing the tension means causes the membrane to quickly return to a relaxed state and forces the mass of air through the effect port in the predetermined direction.    
   
   
       2 . The air cannon of  claim 1 , wherein there are two resilient members connected between a center region of the membrane and the small diameter end.  
   
   
       3 . The air cannon of  claim 1 , wherein the tension means comprises a handle affixed to a center region of the membrane on a side of the membrane facing the exterior of the shell.  
   
   
       4 . The air cannon of  claim 1 , further comprising an opening through the side of the shell forming a scent port, and scent means for delivering a scent, smoke or fog through the scent port into the shell.  
   
   
       5 . The air cannon of  claim 4 , wherein said scent means comprises a tube delivering a scent, smoke or fog inserted into the scent port.  
   
   
       6 . The air cannon of  claim 4 , wherein said scent means comprises a cup holding a source of scent, smoke or fog, the cup being attached to the scent port.  
   
   
       7 . The air cannon of  claim 1 , further comprising a targeting indicator on the shell.  
   
   
       8 . The air cannon of  claim 1 , further comprising a hand grip or stand support for the shell.  
   
   
       9 . The air cannon of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible membrane is resilient or stretchable.  
   
   
       10 . The air cannon of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible membrane is made of polyethylene.  
   
   
       11 . A method for propelling a mass of air at a target in a predetermined direction using an air cannon comprising a shell having a large diameter end and a small diameter end, a flexible membrane mounted over and closing the large diameter end of the shell, a lip inside the small diameter end forming an effect port, at least one resilient member inside the shell connected between the membrane and the small diameter end, the method comprising the steps of: 
 placing the flexible membrane under tension in a direction away from the interior of the shell;    aiming the air cannon small diameter end at a target area;    releasing the flexible membrane from tension so that the at least one resilient member rapidly returns the flexible membrane to a relaxed state, whereby the mass of air is forced out of the shell through the effect port at the target area.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising injecting a scent, smoke or fog into the shell before releasing the flexible membrane from tension.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein injecting a scent, smoke or fog comprises inserting a supply tube through a scent port opening in a sidewall of the shell and dispensing the scent, smoke or fog through the supply tube.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein injecting a scent, smoke or fog comprises attaching a cup containing a source of scent, smoke or fog to a scent port opening through a sidewall of the shell.