Compressed Gas Cartridge Puncture Apparatus

Abstract

The present embodiments provide apparatus and methods for use in releasing gas from a compressed gas source. Some embodiments provide apparatuses for use in releasing compressed gas from a source that include a source of compressed gas, a puncture pin, a driving mechanism positioned relative to the source of compressed gas, and a trigger mechanism. Upon activation of the trigger mechanism the driving mechanism drives the compressed gas onto the puncture pin releasing the compressed gas from the source. In other embodiments, upon activation of the trigger mechanism the driving mechanism drives the puncture pin into the compressed gas releasing the compressed gas from the source.

1 . An apparatus for use in releasing compressed gas from a source, comprising: 
 a source of compressed gas;    a puncture pin;    a driving mechanism positioned relative to the source of compressed gas; and    a trigger mechanism, wherein upon activation of the trigger mechanism the driving mechanism drives the compressed gas onto the puncture pin releasing the compressed gas from the source.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the driving mechanism comprises a compressed spring that is released upon activation of the trigger mechanism to force the source of compressed gas onto the puncture pin.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein driving mechanism comprises a wedge device such that upon activation of the trigger mechanism the wedge device forces the gas cartridge onto the puncture pin.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein driving mechanism comprises an explosive material such that upon activation of the trigger mechanism the explosive material is ignited generating an explosive force that forces the gas cartridge onto the puncture pin.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a trigger link mechanism cooperated with the trigger mechanism such that an activation of the trigger link mechanism causes the activation of the trigger mechanism.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a gas source housing within which the source of gas is positioned, and the driving mechanism is positioned to drive the gas source housing to drive the source of gas onto the puncture pin.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger mechanism comprises a retaining member and a recess, where the retaining member maintains a position of the source of gas relative to the puncture pin and upon the activation of the trigger mechanism the recess is at least partially aligned with the retaining member such that the retaining member shifts such that at least a portion of the retaining member enters the recess allowing the driving mechanism to force the source of gas onto the puncture pin.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a trigger link mechanism cooperated with the trigger mechanism such that an activation of the trigger link mechanism cause the at least partial alignment of the recess with the retaining member such that the retaining member shifts releasing the driving mechanism.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger mechanism comprises a trigger lever hinged to pivot about the hinge.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for use in releasing compressed gas from a source, comprising: 
 a source of compressed gas;    a puncture pin;    a driving mechanism positioned relative to the source of compressed gas; and    a trigger mechanism, wherein upon activation of the trigger mechanism the driving mechanism drives the puncture pin into the source of gas releasing the compressed gas from the source.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the driving mechanism comprises a compressed spring that is released upon activation of the trigger mechanism to force the puncture pin into the source of compressed gas  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein driving mechanism comprises a wedge device such that upon activation of the trigger mechanism the wedge device forces the puncture pin into the gas cartridge.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein driving mechanism comprises and explosive material such that upon activation of the trigger mechanism the explosive material is ignited generating an explosive force that forces the puncture pin into the gas cartridge.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a trigger link mechanism cooperated with the trigger mechanism such that an activation of the trigger link mechanism causes the activation of the trigger mechanism.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the trigger mechanism comprises a retaining member and a recess, where the retaining member maintains a position of the source of gas relative to the puncture pin and upon the activation of the trigger mechanism the recess is at least partially aligned with the retaining member such that the retaining member shifts such that at least a portion of the retaining member enters the recess allowing the driving mechanism to force the puncture pin into the source of gas.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 a trigger link mechanism cooperated with the trigger mechanism such that an activation of the trigger link mechanism cause the at least partial alignment of the recess with the retaining member such that the retaining member shifts releasing the driving mechanism.    
   
   
       17 . A method for use in releasing compressed gas from a source, comprising: 
 activating a trigger mechanism;    causing a release of a driving mechanism;    driving a source of compressed gas onto a puncture pin; and    causing a release of the gas from the source.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the activating a trigger mechanism comprises activating a trigger link mechanism and causing the trigger link mechanism to activate the trigger mechanism.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the activating the trigger mechanism comprises forcing trigger lever mechanism from a first position to a second position.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the causing the release of the driving mechanism comprises igniting an explosive material causing an explosion to implement the driving of the source of compressed gas onto the puncture pin.  
   
   
       21 . A method for use in releasing compressed gas from a source, comprising: 
 activating a trigger mechanism;    causing a release of a driving mechanism;    driving a puncture pin into a source of compressed gas; and    causing a release of the gas from the source.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the causing the release of driving mechanism comprising forcing a wedge device against the puncture pin implementing the driving of the puncture pin into the source of compressed gas.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the releasing of the driving mechanism comprises releasing a spring that implements the driving of the puncture pin into the source of compressed gas.