Patent US3724438A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3724438A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Target launcher
Assignee: Olin Corp
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Filing: 1971-02-19
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-02-19
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for launching spherical targets into the air including a tubular pneumatic conveyor system having a main trunk portion and branch portions. A transfer mechanism is connected to a remote end of each of the branch portions of the conveyor to receive a target from the conveyor and deposit the targets is a pneumatically actuated launching tube. Targets are thus fed from a source through the conveyor and into the launching tubes to be propelled into the air.
Inventors
- 👤 W Brandt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:49
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41J; F41J9/00; F41J9/16; F41J9/18; F41J9/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
Apparatus for launching spherical objects into the air, said apparatus comprising: a. tubular conveyor means for transporting a spherical object, said conveyor means having a plurality of terminal points; b. means communicating with said conveyor means for creating a positive fluid pressure condition within said conveyor means; c. a plurality of tubular launching means, there being one of said launching means adjacent each terminal point of said conveyor means; d. lateral venting means associated with each of said launching means for venting the interior thereof to the atmosphere; e. means connected to each of said launching means for selectively opening at least a portion of the interior thereof to the respective terminal points of said conveyor means to permit a spherical object to pass from said conveyor means into said launching means; and f. means for opening said venting means on a preselected launching means to the atmosphere, said venting means being open to the atmosphere at that time only when the interior of said preselected launching means is opened to the respective terminal of said conveyor means to establish a fluid flow path through said conveyor means to said preselected launching means to transport a spherical object by fluid flow through said conveyor means to said preselected launching means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
Apparatus for launching spherical objects into the air, said apparatus comprising: a. tubular conveyor means for transporting a spherical object, said conveyor means having a plurality of terminal points; b. means communicating with said conveyor means for creating a positive fluid pressure condition within said conveyor means; c. a plurality of tubular launching means, there being one of said launching means adjacent each terminal point of said conveyor means; d. lateral venting means associated with each of said launching means for venting the interior thereof to the atmosphere; e. means connected to each of said launching means for selectively opening at least a portion of the interior thereof to the respective terminal points of said conveyor means to permit a spherical object to pass from said conveyor means into said launching means; and f. means for opening said venting means on a preselected launching means to the atmosphere, said venting means being open to the atmosphere at that time only when the interior of said preselected launching means is opened to the respective terminal of said conveyor means to establish a fluid flow path through said conveyor means to said preselected launching means to transport a spherical object by fluid flow through said conveyor means to said preselected launching means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising feeding means for feeding a spherical object into a first part of the interior of said conveyor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said positive fluid pressure creating means is a blower, and further including a blower-actuating means for actuating said blower only when a spherical object is positioned within said conveyor means in contact with said blower-actuating means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said conveyor means includes a tubular trunk portion opening into tubular branch portions extending to each of said terminal points, said branch portions intersecting said trunk portion at points longitudinally offset along the axis of said trunk portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the axis of each of said branch portions is substantially perpendicular to the axis of said trunk portion at the point of intersection.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |