Device for firing a projectile or another object to be fired

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device for firing a projectile. The device comprises a stock, at least two elastic members, two levers symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the stock, a first flexible element connecting the two levers with each other and intended for pushing the projectile during the firing, and a loading arrangement for shifting the device from a rest condition to a loaded condition. The two levers are movable with respect to the stock between a first position when the device is in the rest condition and a second position when the device is in the loaded condition; the two levers are operatively connected with the at least two elastic members for correlating a movement of the two levers between said first and second positions to a variation of deformation of the at least two elastic members. and vice versa. The loading arrangement includes a first loading member configured to receive a foot of a user, and a second loading member protruding from the device and configured to rest against a support surface for supporting the device during the loading phase. One between said first and second loading members is associated with the stock and the other between said first and second loading members is movable together with the two levers. A distance between the first loading member and the second loading member is lower in the loaded condition than in the rest condition.

1 . A device for firing a projectile or another object to be fired, comprising
 a stock having a longitudinal development direction between a rear or proximal end and a front or distal end, said stock having a top side for supporting the projectile and two opposite lateral sides;   at least two elastic members, each one being associated with the stock and facing a respective lateral side of the stock, the elastic members being elastically deformable in order to accumulate elastic energy;   two levers, symmetrically arranged at opposite sides of the stock;   a first flexible element connecting the two levers with each other, the first flexible element being intended for pushing the projectile;   a loading arrangement for shifting the device from a rest condition to a loaded condition,   
       wherein the two levers are movable with respect to the stock between a first position, when the device is in the rest condition, and a second position, when the device is in the loaded condition, said two levers being operatively connected with the at least two elastic members for correlating a movement of the two levers between said first and second positions with a variation of deformation of the at least two elastic members, and vice versa, 
       wherein the loading arrangement includes a first loading member configured to receive a foot of a user, and a second loading member protruding from the device and configured to rest against a support surface for supporting the device, 
       wherein one between said first and second loading members is associated with the stock and the other between said first and second loading members is movable together with the two levers, 
       a distance between the first loading member and the second loading member being lower in the loaded condition than in the rest condition. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first loading member is positioned between the second loading member and the distal end of the stock and wherein the second loading member distally protrudes from the device. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first loading member is near or flush with the second loading member when the device is in the loaded condition. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first loading member includes a stirrup and the second loading member includes two L-shaped legs. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first loading member is associated with the stock and the second loading member is associated with the two levers. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , comprising a constraining bar which connects the lever on one side to the lever on the opposite side, the constraining bar being configured to constrain a mutual movement of the two levers by preventing a mutual distance from being varied, wherein the second loading member is fastened to the constraining bar. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein each lever comprises a first branch and a second branch forming an angle between them, the second branches of the two levers being positioned between the first branches, wherein the first flexible element connects the first branches with each other and the constraining bar connects the second branches with each other. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein each lever comprises a third branch which connects the first branch with the second branch. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 6 , comprising a rail associated with the stock and a slide fastened to the constraining bar, the slide being configured to slide on the rail for guiding a movement of the constraining bar with respect to the stock. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the two levers are configured to rotate with respect to the stock between a first angular position when the device is in the rest condition and a second angular position when the device is in the loaded condition, the constraining bar being pivoted to the two levers so that the constraining bar in the rest condition is substantially parallel with the constraining bar in the loaded condition. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastic members have an elongated shape and are elastically deformable so as to bend, each elastic member being cantilevered and having a first end which is fastened to the stock and a second end which is associated with a respective lever. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 10 , wherein the elastic members have an elongated shape and are elastically deformable so as to bend, each elastic member being cantilevered and having a first end fastened to the stock and a second end associated with a respective lever, each lever being pivoted to the second end of a respective elastic member. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 1 , comprising two pairs of elastic members, each pair being associated with the stock and facing a respective lateral side thereof, wherein the elastic members of each pair are parallel with each other and are in a spaced relationship defining a cavity between them, each pair of elastic members being operatively connected with a respective lever. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein each lever comprises two first branches parallel with each other, a respective first pulley being arranged between said two first branches and being pivoted to them, and wherein each first branch of the lever is pivoted to the second end of a respective elastic member of the pair of elastic members operatively connected with said lever. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 1 , comprising two first pulleys, each first pulley being configured to rotate with respect to a respective lever and being interposed between said respective lever and the first flexible element, wherein the two first pulleys are configured to wind respective end portions of the first flexible element, an angular displacement of the two first pulleys about respective axes of rotation being operatively linked to a movement of the two levers, and vice versa, and wherein, in said loaded condition, the end portions of the first flexible element are unwound to a greater extent from the first pulleys compared to unwinding in the rest condition. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 15 , comprising at least two second pulleys, each second pulley being joined to a respective first pulley and configured to rotate together with said respective first pulley, and at least one second flexible element connecting a respective second pulley to the stock, wherein each second pulley is configured to wind a respective end portion of the at least one second flexible element, and wherein, in said loaded condition, the end portion of the at least one second flexible element is wound to a greater extent on the respective second pulley compared to winding in the rest condition. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 16 , comprising two second flexible elements and four second pulleys, each first pulley being joined to two respective second pulleys and configured to rotate together with said two respective second pulleys, each of said two respective second pulleys being configured to wind a respective end portion of a respective second flexible element, an intermediate portion of each second flexible element being associated with the stock. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein each first pulley lays between said two respective second pulleys. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein each lever comprises two first branches parallel with each other, a respective first pulley being arranged between said two first branches and being pivoted to them. 
     
     
         20 . A method comprising the step of
 providing a device according to  claim 1 ;   positioning the device with the second loading member resting against a support surface for supporting the device;   positioning a foot of a user in the first loading member;   pushing the foot of the user toward the support surface;   pulling a middle portion of the first flexible element toward the proximal end of the stock.