Launcher adapter

Abstract

A launcher adapter provides a versatile arrangement for using available launchers, e.g., standalone grenade launchers, to accommodate a variety of rounds, and can reduce the need for multiple launchers. The launcher adapter can include a durable, reusable adapter body configured to be loaded into a launcher. The adapter body can include a front portion with a charge end and charge end opening, a rear portion with a base end that includes a base end opening configured to receive a shell of a preselected type and an annular peripheral rim configured to engage the rear end of the launcher breech to prevent the adapter body from sliding out of the front end of the launcher when the adapter is loaded into the launcher, and a central bore extending through the adapter body along the longitudinal axis thereof, the central bore connecting the charge end opening and the base end opening.

1 . A launcher adapter, comprising:
 an adapter body configured to be seated within the bore of a launcher, the adapter body comprising:   a front portion with a charge end, wherein the charge end comprises a charge end opening;   a rear portion with a base end, wherein the base end comprises:
 a base end opening, the base end opening being configured to receive a shell of a preselected type; and 
 an annular peripheral rim configured to engage the rear end of the launcher breech to prevent the adapter body from sliding out of the front end of the launcher when the adapter is loaded into the launcher; and 
   a central bore extending through the adapter body along the longitudinal axis thereof, the central bore connecting the charge end opening and the base end opening.   
     
     
         2 . The launcher adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the launcher is a grenade launcher. 
     
     
         3 . The launcher adapter of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the adapter body is selected so as to seat the adapter body in the bore of at least one of a 37 mm grenade launcher and a 40 mm grenade launcher. 
     
     
         4 . The launcher adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the adapter body is unitarily constructed from a single material composition. 
     
     
         5 . The launcher adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the adapter body is constructed of a metal material. 
     
     
         6 . The launcher adapter of  claim 5 , wherein the metal comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         7 . The launcher adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the shell of a preselected type is selected from at least one of a short 12-gauge shotshell, a full-size 12-gauge shotshell, a 12-gauge flare, a 26.5 mm flare, a 12-gauge beanbag round and a 12-gauge pepper round. 
     
     
         8 . The launcher adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior of the front portion of the adapter body has a diameter less than the exterior of the rear portion of the adapter body. 
     
     
         9 . The launcher adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the central bore at the front portion of the adapter body is less than the diameter of the central bore at the rear portion, thereby defining a ledge portion within the bore, wherein the ledge portion is substantially flat. 
     
     
         10 . The launcher adapter of  claim 1 , further comprising an extraction groove located forward of the annular peripheral rim on the exterior of the rear portion of the adapter body. 
     
     
         11 . A launcher adapter, comprising:
 an adapter body configured to be seated within the bore of a launcher, the adapter body comprising:   a front portion with a charge end, wherein the charge end comprises:   a charge end opening; and   a plurality of holes disposed in the adapter body front portion, the holes being located equidistantly on either side of the charge end opening and extending rearward along the longitudinal axis of the charge end opening;   a rear portion with a base end, wherein the base end comprises:
 a base end opening, the base end opening being configured to receive a shell of a preselected type; and 
 an annular peripheral rim configured to engage the rear end of the launcher breech to prevent the adapter body from sliding out of the front end of the launcher when the adapter is loaded into the launcher; and 
   a central bore extending through the adapter body along the longitudinal axis thereof, the central bore connecting the charge end opening and the base end opening.   
     
     
         12 . The launcher adapter of  claim 11 , wherein the launcher is a grenade launcher. 
     
     
         13 . The launcher adapter of  claim 11 , wherein a diameter of the adapter body is selected so as to seat the adapter body in the bore of at least one of a 37 mm grenade launcher and a 40 mm grenade launcher. 
     
     
         14 . The launcher adapter of  claim 11 , wherein the adapter body is unitarily constructed from a single material composition. 
     
     
         15 . The launcher adapter of  claim 11 , wherein the adapter body is constructed of a metal material. 
     
     
         16 . The launcher adapter of  claim 15 , wherein the metal comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         17 . The launcher adapter of  claim 11 , wherein the shell of a preselected type is selected from at least one of a short 20-gauge shotshell and a full-size 20-gauge shotshell. 
     
     
         18 . The launcher adapter of  claim 11 , wherein the exterior of the front portion of the adapter body has a diameter less than the exterior of the rear portion of the adapter body. 
     
     
         19 . The launcher adapter of  claim 11 , wherein the diameter of the central bore at the front portion of the adapter body is less than the diameter of the central bore at the rear portion, thereby defining a ledge portion within the bore, wherein the ledge portion is substantially flat. 
     
     
         20 . The launcher adapter of  claim 11 , further comprising an extraction groove located forward of the annular peripheral rim on the exterior of the rear portion of the adapter body.