WO2012153166A1

WO2012153166A1 - Device for launching a projectile or another object to be launched

Info

Publication number: WO2012153166A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/052021
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pasquale Stanziale
Original assignee: NEC Plus Ultra SRL
Current assignee: NEC Plus Ultra SRL
Priority date: 2011-05-06
Filing date: 2011-05-06
Publication date: 2012-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 2013-11-06

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device (1, 11 ) for launching a projectile (85). The device (1, 11 ) comprises a support body (2), a flexible element (31 ) for pushing the projectile (85) and movable relative to the support body (2) between a rest position and a loaded position, a pulley (51, 52) pivotally mounted on the support body (2) and configured to wind a portion (31 a, 31 b) of the flexible element (31 ) during a rotation of the pulley (51, 52) in a winding direction, an elastic motor (6) for rotating the pulley (51, 52). The elastic motor (6) comprises a first member (61 ), a second member (63), and an elastic member (65) connecting the first member (61 ) to the second member (63). The elastic member comprises a spiral or helical spring (65) having more than one turn, each turn being radially overlapped with at least a part of a previous turn. The second member (63) is angularly displaceable relative to the first member (61). An elastic energy of the elastic member (65) is dependent on an angular displacement of the second member (63) relative to the first member (61). The second member (63) is connected with the pulley (51, 52), such that an angular displacement of the second member (63) is related to a rotation of the pulley (51, 52).

Description

DEVICE FOR LAUNCHING A PROJECTILE OR

ANOTHER OBJECT TO BE LAUNCHED

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a device for firing or launching a projectile, an arrow, a bolt or another object to be fired or launched. To be more specific, the present disclosure relates to a device that can be transported and used by an individual person for a sports or hunting activity.

BACKGROUND

Several types of devices for launching a projectile, both for sporting and leisure-time use and for professional use, are known.

These include in particular crossbows, which generally consist of an elongated elastic member (for instance a bow, made of wood, metal, plastic or composite material, e.g. including glass or carbon fiber) apt to accumulate elastic energy and return it to the projectile to be launched, a propulsive wire for pushing the projectile, a fastening system for keeping said propulsive wire in the loaded position and then releasing the latter when launching the projectile, a stock secured to said elongated elastic member and comprising a guide track for the projectile. The propulsive wire extends between the ends of the elongated elastic member, which is transversal or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the stock and the guide track. These prior-art devices have a relevant transversal dimension, that results in a bulky device.

I n more recent embod iments (see, for exa mple, PCT patent appl ications PCT/I B2008/054053, published as WO 2009/1 12902 and corresponding to U.S. patent application 12/400 ,573 , and PCT/I B2009/050983 , pu blished as WO 2009/1 13018 and corresponding to U.S. patent application 12/921 ,777), elastic members are parallel with the stock and they are operatively connected with pushing arms, to which the propulsive wire is connected. The pushing arms are pivoted to the stock and are arranged at opposite side of the stock, so they are transversal to the longitudinal direction of the stock. During the launching of a projectile, the rotation of the pushing arms under the drive of the elastic members moves the propulsive wire along the guide track.

Even if the embodiments described in WO 2009/1 12902 and WO 2009/1 13018 are satisfactory in many respects, the inventor has subsequently realized that improvements are possible, in particular to obtain a launching device which has a lower transversal dimension and/or is shorter, in other words to obtain a smaller device having similar launching performances as prior art devices. SUMMARY

The present disclosure is based on the technical problem of providing a device for launching a projectile or another object to be launched, said device being able to improve the prior-art devices by overcoming at least one of the disadvantages mentioned with reference to prior art and/or being able to achieve further advantages.

The solution to the technical problem can be obtained by providing a device for launching a projectile or another object to be launched, as defined in independent claim 1 .

Secondary features of the subject of the present disclosure are set forth in the corresponding dependent claims.

A device according to the present disclosure includes at least one pulley for winding a flexible element acting as pushing element for a projectile, and an elastic motor for rotating the pulley in order to carry out said winding during a launching phase of the projectile.

The elastic motor comprises a first member, a second member, and an elastic member which connects the first member to the second member. The elastic member is able to store elastic energy during a loading phase of the device and to return said energy in order to rotate the pulley during a launching phase.

The storing/returning of the elastic energy is related to an angular displacement of the second member of the elastic motor relative to the first member. In other words, a rotation of the second member relative to the first member implies a variation of a deformation extent of the elastic member, so that the stored elastic energy is increased or decreased, depending on the rotation direction.

The amount of stored elastic energy depends on the deformation extent of the elastic member, as usual for elastically deformable member, and then on the extent of the angular displacement.

To be more specific, the elastic member comprises a spiral or helical spring having more than one turn, where each turn is at least partially overlapping the previous one radially.

In other words, the turns of the spring have an increasing radius (i.e., the radius of one turn is larger than the radius of a previous turn) and they are at least partially overlapped with each other along a radial direction of the spring.

Therefore, the spring can be a spiral where all turns are completely overlapped with each other, i.e. the material (which, for example, is a metal strip or a wire) is wound according to an increasing radius, but without any increasing of the axial dimension. As an alternative, the spring can be a helix where each turn is overlapped only in part with the previous turn, because an axial displacement is provided between one turn and the previous turn; therefore, the material is wound according to an increasing radius and an increasing axial dimension.

The second member is connected with the pulley, for example by being mounted on a same pivot or being connected by a drive, a chain or a belt; the connection between the second member and the pulley is such that an angular displacement of the second member entails a rotation of the pulley, and vice versa.

The use of such an elastic motor, in particular comprising two members which are rotatable relative to each other, is useful for providing a launching device which has a lower transversal dimension; in fact, it is useful for avoiding the transversal bow or the transversally-extending pushing arms of the prior-art devices.

From a different viewpoint, the flexible element is connected with the support body by the elastic member, that has a first end which is fixed to the support body (via the first member of the elastic motor) and a second end which is movable together with a portion of the flexible element (via the second member of the elastic motor, the pulley and the connection between them). This shows a basic functional analogy with the conventional bow; however, such a basic functional analogy is implemented through a deeply different structure and results in a functionally different device. A lower transversal dimension allows the ends of the pushing flexible element to be closer to each other, i.e. closer to the respective sides of the stock or support body. In fact, these ends are not fastened to the tips of the bow or of the pushing arms: these ends can be fastened to pulleys which are close to the sides of the stock. This is useful for obtaining a flexible element which, in the loaded position, is arranged to form a V-shape having a small angle, or even two parallel portions extending between the distal end and the proximal end of the stock.

Therefore, the transversal dimension of the flexible element in the loaded position can be slightly higher than the transversal dimension of the stock. This is useful for obtaining a launching device whose proximal end can rest against the user's shoulder and where the flexible element in the loaded position is close to the proximal end: due to the lower transversal dimension of the flexible element, the risk of the latter hitting the user's cheek during the launching phase is substantially avoided.

In other words, the subject of the present disclosure is useful for obtaining a high draw length relative to the length of the stock, then for obtaining a shorter launching device having a same draw length as prior art devices.

Further advantages, characteristic features and the modes of use of the subject of the present disclosure will become clear from the following detailed descriptions of preferred embodiments thereof, provided solely by way of a non-limiting example. It is clear, however, that each embodiment described in the present disclosure may have one or more of the advantages listed above; in any case it is not required that each embodiment should have simultaneously all the advantages listed.

It is also to be understood that the scope of the present disclosure includes all the possible combinations of the embodiments mentioned above and those described with reference to the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference shall be made to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective left-side view (from rear-above) of a first embodiment of a device for launching a projectile according to the present disclosure, in an unloaded or rest condition;

Figure 2 shows a perspective right-side view (from front-above) of the device according to Figure 1 , in the rest condition;

Figure 3 shows a left-side view of the device according to Figure 1 , in the rest condition;

Figure 4 shows a perspective left-side view (from front-above) of the device according to Figure 1 , in a loaded condition;

Figure 5 shows a perspective right-side view (from front-above) of the device according to Figure 1 , in the loaded condition;

Figure 6 shows a top plan view of the device according to Figure 1 , in the rest condition;

Figure 7 shows a perspective right-side view (from front-above) of an enlarged detail of the device according to Figure 1 , in the rest condition;

Figure 8 shows a perspective left-side view (from front-above) of the enlarged detail according to Figure 7;

- Figure 9 shows an exploded perspective view (left side view from front-above) of the enlarged detail according to Figure 7, from which some parts have been removed;

Figure 10 shows another perspective view (left side view from front-above), with parts separated, of the enlarged detail according to Figure 7, from which some parts have been removed;

- Figure 1 1 shows a further perspective view (left side view from front-above), with parts separated, of the enlarged detail according to Figure 7, from which some parts have been removed;

- Figure 12 shows a perspective left-side view (from front-above) of a second embodiment of a device for launching a projectile according to the present disclosure, in an unloaded or rest condition.

Figure 13 shows a perspective left-side view of an enlarged detail of the device according to Figure 12, in the rest condition;

Figure 14 shows an exploded perspective view (left side view from bottom) of the enlarged detail according to Figure 13;

Figure 15 shows a perspective right-side view (from above) of the device according to Figure 12, in the rest condition;

Figure 16 shows a perspective right-side view of the device according to Figure

12, during a loading operation.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

A first embodiment of a device for firing or launching a projectile or an object to be launched or fired in general, provided according to the present disclosure, is shown in Figures 1 to 1 1 , where it is indicated by the reference number 1 . In the description below, particular reference will be made to a device for archery (for example, a crossbow or a bow), although the same principles of the subject of the present disclosure could be likewise applied also to other launching devices, such as a catapult or a device for launching aircraft models, pilotless aircraft or apparatus for experimental purposes.

In the description below, reference will also be made to a projectile, that may be an arrow, a bolt or another object to be launched in general.

The terms "up", "down", "top", "bottom", "horizontal", "vertical", "left", "right", "side", "lateral", "proximal", "distal" and similar spatially-defined terms are defined considering the spatial arrangement of the launching device 1 during customary use.

The launching device 1 comprises a support body or main frame, which in the example is an elongated stock 2 having a longitudinal development direction 201 and comprised between a rear or proximal end 205 and a front or distal end 206. During use of the launching device 1 , the proximal end 205 is closer to a user and the distal end 206 is farther from the user.

The stock 2 has a top face or top side 221 , a bottom face or bottom side 222 opposite to the top face 221 , and two opposite lateral faces or lateral sides (left lateral face 223 and right lateral face 224) between the top face 221 and the bottom face 222. The top face 221 is intended for supporting a projectile 85 during a launching phase and preferably has a guiding track or groove 225 for guiding the projectile 85.

The stock 2 has preferably a rigid non-deformable structure.

The launching device 1 comprises also a flexible element 31 , or flexible pushing element, for pushing a projectile 85 during a launching stroke, i.e. along the guiding track 225. I n other words, the flexible element 31 acts as a propulsive cable for propelling or launching the projectile 85. The flexible element 31 is preferably inextensible; in the example it consist of a cable made of plastic or interwoven synthetic fibers or interwoven metal fibers, similar to the cables used in the crossbows of the prior art.

The flexible element 31 is movable relative to the stock 2 between a rest position (shown in Figures 1 , 2, 7 and 8) and a loaded position (shown in Figures 4 and 5), and vice versa.

In the loaded position, the flexible element 31 has two side portions 31 d, 31 f extending along the length of the stock 2, and a middle portion 31 c which is close to the proximal end 205 of the stock 2; the two side portions 31 d, 31 f are nearly parallel to each other and form a small angle a therebetween.

In the rest position, the flexible element 31 extends along the stock 2 for a short section and the middle portion 31 c is closer to the distal end 206 of the stock 2. During a movement of the flexible element 31 from the loaded position to the rest position, the middle portion 31 c slides on the top face 221 of the stock 2 and so pushes the projectile 85 located on the guiding track 225.

The portion of the stock 2 which is closer to a user during the launching phase, that is the proximal portion, comprises a butt 23 which is intended for resting against a shoulder of the user. A handle 24 is fastened to the stock 2, approximately at the middle of its length, for allowing a stable hold by the user.

For example, the stock 2 has a length L2 of 635 mm; the handle 24 is located at a distance L24 of 330 mm from the proximal end 205.

The launching device 1 comprises a releasable fastening system (for instance, a retractable tooth 28 located in the proximal region of the stock 2 and projecting from the top face 221 ) for releasably fastening the flexible element 31 in the loaded position and a trigger 29 (for instance, located near the handle 24) for opening the fastening system 28 in order to release the flexible element 31 when launching the projectile 85. The components listed so far are substantially prior-art components and shall not be described or shown in greater detail.

The proximal region of the stock 2 is equipped with an elongated protective shield 25 and prong-shaped projections 26. The protective shield 25 is arranged at a lateral side of the stock 2 (for example, at left face 223 of the stock 2 for a right- handed device 1 as shown in the figures) for protecting a respective user's cheek from being hit by the flexible element 31 during the launching phase.

As shown in Figures 1 and 6, the butt 23 and the handle 24 are mounted on the left face 223 of the stock 2, i.e. they are misaligned with the longitudinal development direction 201 of the stock 2. This is useful for further spacing the flexible element 31 from the user's cheek.

The prong-shaped projections 26 are arranged at the top face 221 of the stock 2 to prevent the flexible element 31 from jumping over the projectile 85 when the former is released from the fastening system 28. In other words, a seat is defined between the prong-shaped projections 26 and the top face 221 ; the middle portion 31 c of the flexible element 31 in the loaded position is housed in this seat.

The launching device 1 comprises an elongated base 27 for supporting and mounting an optical system, for example a telescopic sight (non shown). The elongated base 27 is kept spaced above the top face 221 by a suitable supporting structure, for example including an L-shaped leg 271 connecting it to the proximal end 205 of the stock 2 and a C-shaped bracket 272 connecting it to a side face 224 of the distal end 206 of the stock 2. Thanks to the shape of the supporting structure, the movement of the flexible member 31 and the projectile's trajectory are not hampered by the elongated base 27 and its supporting structure. As shown in Figure 6, the elongated base 27 is misaligned with the longitudinal development direction 201 of the stock 2, so as to be aligned with the user's eye.

Therefore, the stock 2 is a support body for the other components of the launching device 1 and it is also configured to support and guide the projectile 85 during a launching stroke along the guiding track 225.

The launching device 1 comprises two pulleys 51 , 52 which are pivotally mounted on the stock 2. The pulleys 51 , 52 are arranged at opposite lateral sides of the stock 2, so that a portion of the stock 2 and the guiding track 225 are positioned between them: a left pulley 51 faces the left lateral face 223 of the stock 2 and a right pulley 52 faces the right lateral face 224 of the stock 2.

The pulleys 51 , 52 are parallel to each other. To be more specific, the pulleys 51 , 52 are symmetrically positioned relative to the guiding track 225 and are rotatable about a rotation axis 500 which is substantially perpendicular to the guiding track 225.

When the launching device 1 is in use, the pulleys 51 , 52 are substantially vertical and the rotation axis 500 is substantially horizontal. This is useful for having a small transversal dimension of the launching device 1 .

In the embodiment shown, the pulleys 51 , 52 are hinged in a seat 227 provided in a protrusion 228 extending from the bottom face 222 of the stock 2. In the embodiment shown, the pulleys 51 , 52 are hinged in a distal region of the stock 2. The left and right pulleys 51 , 52 are configured to rotate jointly, i.e. they are rotationally connected with each other. I n fact, the pulleys 51 , 52 are fixedly mounted on a common pivot or shaft 55 which is housed idle in the seat 227. For example, the common pivot 55 has a hexagonal cross section which matches hexagonal through holes 513, 523 at the center of the pulleys 51 , 52. Therefore, the pulleys 51 , 52 have a common rotation axis 500, which is also the axis of the pivot 55.

Each pulley 51 , 52 has a respective perimetral track or groove 51 1 , 521 configured to wind a respective portion of the flexible element 31 .

To be more specific, the opposite ends 31 a, 31 b of the flexible element 31 are associated with, and fastened to, the perimetral groove 51 1 , 521 of a respective pulley 51 , 52. Each pulley 51 , 52 is configured to wind the respective end portion 31 a, 31 b of the flexible element 31 during an angular displacement, or rotation, about the axis of rotation 500. In particular, each end portion 31 a, 31 b is unwound from the respective pulley 51 , 52 during an angular displacement in a first direction of rotation (i.e., in an unwinding direction) and is wound onto the respective pulley 51 , 52 (more specifically, inside the perimetral groove 51 1 , 521 ) during an angular displacement, or rotation, in the opposite direction (i.e., in a winding direction).

The flexible element 31 in rest position is wound on the pulleys 51 , 52 to a greater extent than in loaded position , that is the winding extent in the rest position is greater than the winding extent in the loaded position. As an example, the winding extent of the flexible element 31 on each pulley 51 , 52 is 1 .3 turns in the rest position.

Therefore, the flexible element 31 is moved from the loaded position to the rest position during the winding on the pulleys 51 , 52.

As already said, the pulleys 51 , 52 rotate jointly about a common rotation axis 500; therefore, they rotate synchronically and have a same angular velocity. This is useful for having a flexible element 31 whose ends 31 a, 31 b are wound with a same velocity, in order to have a balanced and symmetrical push on the projectile 85. The diameter of the pulleys 51 , 52 is selected so that a top edge 515, 525 of each pulley 51 , 52 is substantially flush with the top face 221 of the stock 2; therefore, the flexible element 31 is kept substantially flush with the top face 221 in order to assure a proper and balanced push on the projectile 85 during the whole launching stroke. In the present embodiment, the perimetral grooves 51 1 , 521 are circular, because the pulleys 51 , 52 are circular as well, i.e. they have a circular profile; in other embodiments, the pulleys 51 , 52 may be elliptical or eccentric, with a corresponding perimetral groove which is non-circular with respect to the rotation axis 500. Moreover, the perimetral groove 51 1 , 521 may be a simple annular groove or it may have a spiral or helical shape, so as to wind a plurality of turns of the flexible element. It should be noted that, within the context of the present disclosure, the term "pulley" should be generally understood as a rotatable member having a profile or a side edge, or a part of profile, able to wind at least partially the flexible element during a rotation movement, or able to house a portion of the flexible element passing around its profile; it is not necessarily required that a pulley should have a perimetral groove which defines a closed line: in fact, the pulleys may have a discontinuous lateral edge.

The launching device 1 comprises an elastic motor 6 for rotating the pulleys 51 , 52. The elastic motor 6 is configured to store elastic energy during a loading phase of the launching device 1 and to supply said elastic energy to the projectile 85 during the launching.

The elastic motor 6 comprises a casing 61 , a spool 63 and a spiral leaf spring 65.

The spool 63 and the spiral leaf spring 65 are positioned inside the casing 61 and the spiral leaf spring 65 connects the spool 63 to the casing 61.

For example, the spiral leaf spring 65 comprises a metal strip which is spirally rolled up around the spool 63, between the spool 63 and the casing 61 .

The spiral leaf spring 65 comprises more than one turn; each turn is at least partially overlapping the previous one radially. For example, the spiral leaf spring 65 comprises at least seven turns.

The metal strip is wound according to an increasing radius, so that the turns are progressively overlapped with each other along a radial direction of the spiral spring 65. In other words, the spiral leaf spring 65 is a leaf spring having a pronounced curvature.

Each turn has a radius R65 and an axial width L65.

As shown in Figure 3, the radius Rb of one turn 650b is larger than the radius Ra of a previous turn 650a. The one turn 650b is overlapped with all the previous turn 650a.

The casing 61 is ring-shaped and its external surface 61 1 includes a protrusion 62 for fastening the casing 61 to the stock 2. To be more specific, the casing 61 includes a Y-shaped flange 625 and a ring-bent band 610 fastened to the flange 625. The protrusion 62 is a leg of the Y-shaped flange 625.

A first end 651 , or external end, of the spiral leaf spring 65 is fixed to the internal surface 612 of the ring-shaped casing 61 , for example by means of screws (not shown).

A second end 652, or internal end, of the spiral leaf spring 65 is fixed to the spool 63. In the embodiment shown, the second end 652 is fastened to a wedge-shaped member 64 by means of screws (not shown); the wedge-shaped member 64 is configured to be fitted into a suitable seat 635 of the spool 63.

When the elastic motor 6 is assembled , the casing 61 and the spool 63 are substantially concentric and the spiral leaf spring 65 extends from the former to the latter.

An angular displacement of the spool 63 relative to the casing 61 in a first angular direction causes the spiral leaf spring 65 to be further rolled up and then to be loaded. The spiral leaf spring 65 in a loaded condition forces the spool 63 to rotate relative to the casing 61 in a second angular direction, which is opposite to said first angular direction.

Generally speaking, the elastic motor 6 comprises a first member (which is the casing 61 in the embodiments shown), a second member (which is the spool 63 in the embodiments shown), and an elastic member (which is the spiral leaf spring 65 in the embodiment shown) connecting the first member to the second member; the second member is angularly displaceable relative to the first member and the elastic energy of the elastic member is dependent on an angular displacement of the second member relative to the first member.

The elastic motor 6 is mounted on a lateral face the stock 2 (in the embodiment shown, on the left lateral side 223), so that a respective pulley 51 is sandwiched or enclosed between the elastic motor 6 and the lateral face 223 of the stock 2. For example, the elastic motor 6 is fastened to the stock 2 by means of two screws 615 which are housed in respective through holes 622 of the Y-shaped flange 625 and in threaded bores 220 of cylindrical side projections 229 of the stock 2. Therefore, the casing 61 is securely blocked on the stock 2 and any movement of the casing 61 relative to the stock 2 is prevented. In other words, the connection between the casing 61 and the stock 2 is configured to prevent the casing 61 from being angularly displaceable relative to the stock 2.

The spool 63 is connected with the pulleys 51 , 52, such that an angular displacement of the spool 63 is related to a rotation of the pulleys 51 , 52.

In other words, the spool 63 is rotationally connected with the pulleys 51 , 52 and they rotate jointly. In the embodiment shown, the spool 63 is mounted on the same common pivot or shaft 55 of the pulleys 51 , 52. For example, the wedge-shaped member 64 extends u ntil the region of the center of the spool 63 and has a hexagonal through hole 643 corresponding with the rotation centre of the spool 63 and matching the hexagonal cross section of the common pivot 55.

Therefore, the spool 63 and the pulleys 51 , 52 are configured to rotate jointly about the common rotation axis 500. This is useful for implementing an easy way for transmitting energy between the pulleys 51 , 52 and the elastic motor 6.

The rolling-up direction of the spiral leaf spring 65 is such that the spiral leaf spring

65 gets loaded when the flexible member 31 is unwound from the pulleys 51 , 52

(that is, when the flexible member 31 is moved to the loaded position) and the spiral leaf spring 65 gets unloaded when the flexible member 31 is wound on the pulleys

51 , 52 (that is, when the flexible member 31 is moved to the rest position).

In other words, the spiral leaf spring 65 has an elastic energy which, when the flexible element 31 is in the loaded position, is greater than an elastic energy when the flexible element 31 is in the rest position.

In particular, the spiral leaf spring 65 has a residual elastic energy when the flexible element 31 is in the rest position; in other words, the spiral leaf spring 65 is preloaded when the flexible element 31 is in the rest position.

The launching device 1 comprises a stopping system 7 for stopping the flexible member 31 in the rest position.

To be more specific, the stopping system 7 comprises two stopping members 71 arranged on opposite sides of the guiding track 225, in the region where the middle portion 31 c of the flexible element 31 is located when it is in the rest position.

Each stopping member 71 comprises a stopping head 72 which faces the middle portion 31 c of the flexible element 31 and protrudes from the top face 221 of the stock 2, such that the stopping head 72 is configured to receive the middle portion 31 c impacting against it.

In the embodiment shown, the stopping head 72 is movable and is connected with a shock-absorber to cushion the impact of the flexible element 31 against the stopping head 72.

Each stopping member 71 comprises a guiding base 73 having a groove or rail 731 and a through bore 732, both having a respective development direction which is parallel with the longitudinal direction 201 of the stock 2. To be more specific, the groove 731 is provided in a bottom part 73a of the guiding base 73 and the through bore 732 is provided in a projecting shoulder 73b of the guiding base 73.

Each guiding base 73 comprises holed seats 734 for fastening the guiding base 73 to the respective side 223, 224 of the stock 2 (or to a respective seating 270 in the stock 2) through screws 735.

The stopping head 72 includes a bottom projecting tooth 721 which is slidably housed in the groove 731 of the guiding base 73. A rod 75 is mounted on the distal face 72a of the stopping head 72 and is slidably housed in the through bore 732 of the guiding base 73. The projecting tooth 721 and the rod 75, which cooperate with the groove 731 and the through bore 732, constrain the stopping head 72 to slide only along the longitudinal direction 201 .

A coil spring 76 is mounted on the rod 75 and is located between the distal face 72a of the stopping head 72 and the shoulder 73b.

A limit-stop washer 77 is fastened to the distal end of the rod 75 sticking out of the through bore 732, in order to prevent the rod 75 from slipping out of the shoulder 73b.

When the flexible element 31 , moving from the loaded position to the rest position, impacts against the stopping heads 72, the latter move towards the distal end 206 of the stock 2, being guided by the projecting teeth 721 and the rods 75. During the motion, the coil springs 76 are compressed between the stopping heads 72 and the shoulders 73b, therefore the coil springs 76 act as a shock-absorber to dampen the residual kinetic energy of the flexible element 31 .

When the flexible element 31 is in the rest position , its middle portion 31 c is positioned against the stopping heads 72. Since the spiral leaf spring 65 is preloaded (as mentioned above), the force exerted by the preloaded spiral spring 65 on the flexible element 31 in the rest position is counterbalanced by a compression of the coil springs 76, which act on the flexible element 31 via the stopping heads 72.

In a launching device 1 according to the present disclosure, the stock 2, the pulleys 51 , 52 and the other components that are required to be rigid and substantially non- deformable, are made of a suitable material as for example aluminum, metal, carbon or composite plastic. The weight of the stock 2 can be made lower by providing a plurality of lightening recesses 226 in the lateral faces 223, 224; this is useful for reducing the amount of material of the stock 2, while maintaining an equivalent structural strength.

The operation of the launching device 1 is described in the following.

Before beginn ing of a load ing operation , the launching device 1 is in a rest condition, i.e. the flexible element 31 is in the rest position and the spiral leaf spring

65 is unloaded or, in case of preloading, has a residual elastic energy.

When loading of the launching device 1 is required, the user holds the stock 2 or the handle 24 with one hand and grips the middle portion 31 c of the flexible element 31 with the other hand, directly or by means of a suitable tool.

The user pulls the middle portion 31 c of the flexible element 31 toward the proximal end 205 of the stock 2, until the middle portion 31 c reaches the releasable fastening system 28, where it gets engaged. Side portions 31 d, 31 f of the flexible element 31 , each one comprised between a respective end portion 31 a, 31 b and the middle portion 31 c, extend along the stock 2; the side portions 31 d, 31f are substantially flush with or slightly above the top face 221 of the stock 2.

The pulling of the middle portion 31 c causes the unwinding of the flexible element 31 from the two pulleys 51 , 52 and the rotation of the pulleys 51 , 52 in a first direction of rotation. Thus a greater free length of flexible element 31 (i.e., a greater length of flexible element 31 extending between the pulleys 51 , 52 and the middle portion 31 c) is provided, as required by the drawing-away movement of the middle portion 31 c.

Since the pulleys 51 , 52 rotate together with the spool 63, the latter also rotates in the same first direction of rotation and loads the spiral leaf spring 65.

As a consequence, when the flexible element 31 is in the loaded position, the spiral leaf spring 65 is loaded and has a stored elastic energy that can be used for launching the projectile 85.

When the launching device 1 is in this loaded condition , the user holds the launching device 1 so that the butt 23 is against his/her right shoulder and his/her right hand clasps the handle 24. In this launching position, the stock 2 is near the user's right cheek. The protective shield 25, which is raised relative to the top face 221 of the stock 2, protects the user's cheek from being hit by the flexible element 31 . In other words, the protective shield 25 is arranged between the user's right cheek and the flexible member 31 in the loaded position.

A projectile 85 is arranged in the guiding track 225 such as to have its tail-end facing the middle portion 31 c of the flexible element 31 .

When the user pulls the trigger 29, the releasable fastening system 28 releases the middle portion 31 c and launching operation begins.

During launching operation, the spiral leaf spring 65 tends to return toward the rest condition, i.e. towards the condition where it is non-deformed or has a lower elastic energy.

Therefore, the spiral leaf spring 65 forces the spool 63 to rotate in a second direction of rotation, opposite to the first direction. Since the spool 63 is configured to rotate together with the pulleys 51 , 52, these are forced to rotate in the same second direction as well.

Thus, when rotating in the second direction, the pulleys 51 , 52 wind up and recall the flexible element 31 . The middle portion 31 c of the flexible element 31 is drawn substantially along the guiding track 225 toward the distal end 206 of the stock 2 and so pushes against the tail-end of the projectile 85, causing it to accelerate. Energy is thus transferred from the elastic motor 6 to the projectile 85, which is launched.

When the flexible element 31 reaches the rest position during the launching phase, the pulleys 51 , 52 and the flexible element 31 still possess a certain amount of residual kinetic energy. Thus, the flexible element 31 impacts against the stopping heads 72 and the residual kinetic energy is dampened by the stopping system 7, as already explained above.

During stopping operation, the middle portion 31 c of the flexible element 31 moves towards the distal end 206 for an additional length, following the displacement of the stopping heads 72, and the pulleys 51 , 52 wind up additional portions of flexible element 31 , until the residual kinetic energy has been completely absorbed by the stopping system 7.

After that, the coil springs 76 bring the flexible element 31 , the pulleys 51 , 52 and the spiral leaf spring 65 back to the rest position, where the force of the spiral leaf spring 65 is balanced by the force of the coil springs 76.

A second embodiment of a launching device according to the present disclosure is shown in Figures 12 to 16 and it is indicated by the reference number 1 1.

Parts which have the same function and structure as in the embodiment 1 previously described are not described again in detail and retain the same reference number.

The launching device 1 1 can be provided with an elongated base (not shown in Figures 12 to 16) for supporting and mounting an optical system, as for the previously described embodiment 1.

The launching device 1 1 comprises an elastic motor 6 wherein the preloading extent of the spiral leaf spring 65 can be varied and adjusted by the user.

The casing 61 is rotatably mounted on the stock 2, so that the casing 61 can be rotated relative to the stock 2 about the same rotation axis 500 of the spool 63. In other words, the launching device 1 1 comprises a connection between the casing 61 and the stock 2; this connection is operable by a user and is configured to adjust an angular position of the casing 61 relative to the stock 2. The elastic energy of the spiral leaf spring 65 when the flexible element 31 is in the rest position is related to the angular position of the casing 61 relative to the stock 2.

In the embodiment shown, the casing 61 is ring-shaped and comprises a circular wall 619 which is associated with the stock 2 by a connecting member 66, or clasping member. For example, the connecting member 66 is fastened to the stock

2 in a similar manner as the Y-shaped flange 625 of the launching device 1 .

The connecting member 66 has a channel 662 provided with side grooves 664, where a portion of the circular wall 619 of the casing 61 is slidingly housed in.

In other words, the connecting member 66 holds the casing 61 by clasping its wall

619 inside the channel 662. The casing 61 is rotatable about the rotation axis 500, because the circular wall 619 can slide in the channel 662, whose side grooves 664 have a curved shape whose radius of curvature equals the radius of the circular wall 619.

The external surface 61 1 of the circular wall 619 is provided with a toothed portion or worm rack 617. In the embodiment shown, the worm rack 617 extends along about a quarter of the external perimeter of the circular wall 619. In a variant embodiment, the worm rack 617 extends along the whole perimeter of the circular wall 619, so that the casing 61 is like a worm gear.

A corresponding worm screw 667 is pivoted to the connecting member 66 and is rotatable about a respective axis 660. The worm screw 667 is mounted on a shaft 668 extending in a bottom region of the clamping member 66 and is provided with a knob 669. The knob 669 allows the user to manually rotate the worm screw 667. The worm screw 667 has a helical screw thread which matches with the worm rack 617. In other words, the worm rack 617 and the worm screw 667 compose a worm drive, which in particular is of a self-locking type.

Therefore, the rotation of the worm screw 667 by hand causes a corresponding rotation of the casing 61 . On the contrary, the casing 61 is not able to drive a rotation of the worm screw 667. As a consequence, the casing 61 is hold at the angular position which is set by the user through the worm screw 667.

The spool 63 is substantially blocked during the rotation of the casing 61 ; in fact, a rotation of the spool 63 is prevented (via the pulleys 51 , 52) by the flexible element 31 which is in the rest position and is pressed against the stopping members 71 . At the most, a slight rotation of the spool 63 is allowed and is counterbalanced by a slight movement of the stopping head 72 and a corresponding deformation of the coil springs 76.

In any case, the rotation of the casing 61 by the user causes a deformation of the spiral leaf spring 65 (i.e., a variation of its spiral rolling up) and a variation of its preloading extent. For example, Figure 13 shows the spiral leaf spring 65 in a fully unloaded condition, where no residual elastic energy is stored when the flexible element 31 is in the rest position. The rotation of the casing 61 in an anticlockwise direction (referring to Figure 13) entails an increasing preloading of the spiral leaf spring 65.

Therefore, the residual elastic energy of the spiral leaf spring 65 in the rest condition can be adjusted by the user. This is useful for adjusting and varying the power of the launching device 1 1. In fact, the higher the residual elastic energy of the spring 65 is, the higher the power of device 1 1 is.

The launching device 1 1 further comprises a strut or leg 90 to help the user when loading the launching device 1 1 .

Basically, the strut 90 is an elongated member mounted on the stock 2; when the strut 90 extends from the proximal end 206 of the stock 2, an end of the strut 90 is adapted to rest on a ground 98 and receive a user's foot.

To be more specific, the strut 90 is an L-shaped bar having a first section 90a and a second section 90b, which is perpendicular to the first section 90a and is located at a first end of the latter. The second end of the first section 90a is pivoted to the stock 2, for example at a side protrusion 224a on a lateral face 224 of the stock 2. In particular, the strut 90 is pivoted to that lateral side 224 where the elastic motor 6 is not mounted, in order to avoid any mutual interference between the dimensions of the elastic motor 6 and the dimensions of the strut 90.

The strut 90 is movable between a first position (shown in Figure 15) and a second position (shown in Figure 16).

In the first position, the first section 90a is close to and along the lateral face 224 of the stock 2; the second section 90b is near the proximal end 205 of the stock 2 and projecting from the lateral face 224. In the first position, the strut 90 is not operative and the launching device 1 1 is ready for transportation or for launching.

In the second position, the strut 90 is rotated to 180 degrees from the first position: the first section 90a sticks out from the distal end 206 of the stock 2, substantially parallel with the latter; the second section 90b is parallel with the rotation axis 500 of the pulleys 51 , 52.

In the second position, the strut 90 is operative to help the user during a loading operation of the launching device 1 1 .

Du ring load i ng operation , the user arranges the lau nch ing device 1 1 in a substantially vertical orientation, where the second section 90b rests on a ground 95 or on another supporting surface and the butt 23 is against a shoulder of the user. In other words, the strut 90 in the second position is a resting leg for the stock 2.

The user puts one foot on the second section 90b and grips the middle portion 31 c of the flexible element 31 with one or two hands or using a suitable tool.

The user pulls the middle portion 31 c of the flexible element 31 toward the proximal end 205 of the stock 2, until the middle portion 31 c reaches the releasable fastening system 28, where it gets engaged; simultaneously, the user 8 pushes said foot to the ground 95, thus keeping the second section 90b on the ground 95. In other words, a share of the body weight of the user is transferred to the strut 90. Therefore, the stock 2 is forced to the ground 95 and it is prevented from following the middle portion 31 c of the flexible element 31 .

The pulling of the middle portion 31 c causes the unwinding of the flexible element 31 from the pulleys 51 , 52 and the loading of the spiral leaf spring 65, as already described.

The strut 90 is useful for helping the user to keep the launching device 1 1 in a stable position during the loading phase, leaving his/her hands free to pull the flexible element 31 .

It should be noted that, when the strut 90 is in the second position, the second section 90b is oriented so that the pressing foot of the user is vertically aligned with the center of mass of the launching device 1 1. This is useful for a more stable position during loading.

Also the launching device 1 according to the previously described embodiment can be provided with a strut 90 as described.

Other embodiments of the subject of the present disclosure may exist, all of these falling within the scope of protection of the claims which are provided hereinbelow. Some examples are given in the following.

In a variant embodiment, the elastic member of the elastic motor 6 is a spiral spring in general; in fact, it is not required to be a leaf spring. For example, the wound member has a circular or elliptical cross section.

In a variant embodiment, the elastic member of the elastic motor 6 is a helical spring instead of a spiral spring 65.

To be more specific, the elastic member comprises a spiral or helical spring having more than one turn, which are at least partially overlapped in a radial direction. In other words the spring can be a spiral where all the turns are completely overlapped with each other in the radial direction: each turn is radially overlapped with all the surface of the previous turn. Then, the material is wound according to an increasing radius, but without any increasing of the axial dimension. As an alternative, the spring can be a helix where each turn is radially overlapped only with a part of the previous turn, so that the material is wound according to an increasing radius and an increasing axial dimension.

It should be considered that a spiral spring has a two-dimensional development and then has a plurality of turns which progressively crown or overlap each other; a helical spring accord ing to the present disclosure has a th ree-dimensional development and has a plurality of turns or coils which are progressively coiled on each other with an increasing radius R65 and with an axial step that is lower than the axial width L65 of each turn, so that the turns are partially overlapped with each other. Therefore, the helical spring according to the present disclosure has a substantially conical shape. An elastic motor 6 having a spiral spring is thinner than an elastic motor having a helical spring, however the latter can be adopted as well. Other types of elastic motor having an operation as generally mentioned and claimed, can be adopted as well.

In a variant embodiment, more than one elastic motor 6 are provided. For example, two elastic motors 6 are provided, each on a respective side 223, 224 of the stock 2; for example, each pulley 223, 224 is positioned between an elastic motor and the respective lateral face of the stock 2. This is useful for doubling the power of the launching device 1 , 1 1 .

In a variant embodiment, the elastic motor or each of the elastic motors includes more than one spiral or helical spring. In this case, the spiral or helical springs of an elastic motor can be concentrically arranged, that is they can be arranged in series. Alternatively, the spiral or helical springs of an elastic motor can be arranged side by side, that is they can be arranged in parallel.

The spiral or helical springs of a same elastic motor can be mutual arranged such that all of them get loaded during a rotation of the pulleys in a first direction and get unloaded during a rotation in the opposite direction. They can be mutually co- rotating, for example being mounted on a same shaft. Alternatively, they can be mutually counter-rotating, for example being mounted on different shafts connected by a transmission configured to reverse the direction of rotation. A counter-rotating arrangement can be useful for reducing or canceling the torque acting on the stock during the use of the device.

The spiral or helical springs of a same elastic motor can be mutual arranged such that some of them get loaded and the others get unloaded during a same rotation of the pulleys. Also in this case, they can be co-rotating or counter-rotating. This is useful for implementing a braking phase (i.e., an after-launch phase) where the components of the device can move beyond the rest position and are dampened by the loading of one of the spiral or helical springs.

In a variant embodiment, the spool 63 is fastened to the stock 2 and the casing 61 is configured to rotate together with the pulleys 51 , 52.

In a variant embodiment, the elastic motor is not mounted on the same pivot 55 of the pulleys 51 , 52. For example, the elastic motor is at a different position, closer to the proximal end 205 of the stock 2, and it is connected to the pulleys 51 , 52 via a drive, a belt, a chain, a gearing or another transmission device.

In a variant embodiment, the elastic motor 6 and the pulleys 51 , 52 are mounted closer to the proximal end 205 of the stock 2; return pulleys may be pivoted near the distal end 206 (basically at the same position of the pulleys 51 , 52 of the embodiments shown) to return the flexible element 31 to the proximal pulleys 51 , 52. In a variant embodiment, only one pulley 51 is provided, which is configured to wind a first end 31 a of the flexible element 31 ; the second end 31 b of the flexible element 31 is fastened at the distal end 206 the stock 2. In this case, for example, a slide configured to slide along the track 225 may be provided for balancing the force exerted by the flexible element 31 on the projectile; the slide may comprise a return pulley for the flexible element 31 , so that the slide is set in motion by the flexible element winding on the single pulley 51 . In this case, the projectile is pushed by the flexible element 31 via the slide.

Claims

1 . A device (1 , 1 1 ) for launching a projectile (85) or another object to be launched, comprising

- a support body (2) configured to support and guide the projectile (85) during a launching stroke;

- a flexible element (31 ) configured to push the projectile (85) during the launching stroke, the flexible element (31 ) being movable relative to the support body (2) between a rest position and a loaded position, and vice versa;

- a pulley (51 , 52) pivotally mounted on the support body (2), the flexible element (31 ) being fastened to the pulley (51 , 52) and the pulley (51 , 52) being configured to wind a portion (31 a, 31 b) of the flexible element (31 ) during a rotation of the pulley (51 , 52) in a winding direction, the winding extent of the flexible element (31 ) on the pulley (51 , 52) in the rest position being greater than a winding extent in the loaded position;

- an elastic motor (6) for rotating the pulley (51 , 52),

wherein the elastic motor (6) comprises a first member (61 ), a second member (63), and an elastic member (65) connecting the first member (61 ) to the second member (63), the second member (63) being angularly displaceable relative to the first member (61 ) and an elastic energy of the elastic member (65) being dependent on an angular displacement of the second member (63) relative to the first member (61 ),

the second member (63) being connected with the pulley (51 , 52), whereby an angular displacement of the second member (63) is related to a rotation of the pulley (51 , 52),

wherein the elastic member comprises a spiral or helical spring (65) having more than one turn, each turn being radially overlapped with at least a part of a previous turn.

2. The device (1 , 1 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein one between the first member and the second member is a casing (61 ), and the other one between the first member and the second member is a spool (63), the spool (63) being positioned inside the casing (61 ) and the elastic member (65) being positioned between the casing (61 ) and the spool (63).

3. The device (1 , 1 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second member (63) is configured to rotate jointly with the pulley (51 , 52), the pulley (51 , 52) and the second member (63) being rotatable about a common rotation axis (500).

4. The device (1 , 1 1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the elastic member (65) has an elastic energy which, when the flexible element (31 ) is in the loaded position, is greater than an elastic energy when the flexible element (31 ) is in the rest position, the elastic member (65) having a residual elastic energy when the flexible element (31 ) is in the rest position.

5. The device (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a connection

(615) between the first member (61 ) and the support body (2), wherein the connection (615) is configured to prevent the first member (61 ) from being angularly displaceable relative to the support body (2).

6. The device (1 1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising an operable connection (66, 617, 667) between the first member (61 ) and the support body (2), wherein the operable connection (66, 617, 667) is configured to adjust an angular position of the first member (61 ) relative to the support body (2), an elastic energy of the elastic member (65) when the flexible element (31 ) is in the rest position being related to the angular position of the first member (61 ) relative to the support body (2).

7. The device (1 1 ) according to claim 6, wherein the operable connection comprises a worm screw (667) and a worm rack (617), the worm screw (667) and the worm rack (617) being matching to each other to compose a worm drive.

8. The device (1 1 ) according to claim 7, wherein the first member is a ring-shaped casing (61 ) and the operable connection comprises a connecting member (66) fastened to the support body (2), the connecting member (66) comprising a channel (662) for slidingly housing a portion of the ring-shaped casing (61 ), wherein the worm rack (617) is provided on the ring-shaped casing (61 ) and the worm screw (667) is pivoted to the connecting member (66).

9. The device (1 , 1 1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the support body (2) has a top face (221 ), a first lateral face (223) and a second lateral face (224) opposite to the first lateral face (223), the top face (221 ) comprising a guiding track (225) for guiding the projectile (85) during the launching stroke, wherein the pulley (51 , 52) faces a lateral face (223, 224) and is rotatable about a rotation axis (500), the rotation axis (500) being substantially perpendicular to the guiding track (225).

10. The device (1 , 1 1 ) according to claim 9, wherein, in use, the pulley (51 , 52) is substantially vertical and its rotation axis (500) is substantially horizontal.

1 1 . The device (1 , 1 1 ) according to claim 9 or 1 0, wherein the pulley (51 ) is enclosed between the elastic motor (6) and the lateral face (223) of the support body (2).

12. The device (1 , 1 1 ) according to claim 9, 10 or 1 1 , wherein a top edge (515, 525) of the pulley (51 , 52) is substantially flush with the top face (221 ) of the support body (2).

13. The device (1 , 1 1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising two of said pulleys (51 , 52), each pulley (51 , 52) being pivotally mounted on the support body (2), wherein a first one (51 ) of said pulleys is configured to wind a respective first portion (31 a) of the flexible element (31 ) and a second one (52) of said pulleys is configured to wind a respective second portion (31 b) of the flexible element (31 ), the flexible element (31 ) further comprising a middle portion (31 c) interposed between the first portion (31 a) and the second portion (31 b), the middle portion (31 c) being configured to push the projectile (85) during the launching stroke.

14. The device (1 , 1 1 ) according to claim 13 and any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the first pulley (51 ) faces the first lateral face (223) and the second pulley (52) faces the second lateral face (224), the guiding track (225) being positioned between the first pulley (51 ) and the second pulley (52).

15. The device (1 , 1 1 ) according to claim 14, wherein the two pulleys (51 , 52) are symmetrically positioned relative to the guiding track (225).

16. The device (1 , 1 1 ) according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the two pulleys (51 , 52) are rotatable about a common rotation axis (500) and are configured to rotate jointly.

17. The device (1 , 1 1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, comprising a stopping system (7) for stopping the flexible member (31 ) in the rest position.

18. The device (1 , 1 1 ) according to claim 1 7, wherein the stopping system (7) comprises a shock-absorber (76) configured to cushion an impact of the flexible element (31 ) against the stopping system (7).

19. The device (1 1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, comprising a strut (90) pivoted to the support body (2), the strut (90) being movable between a first position where the strut (90) is along a lateral face (224) of the support body (2), and a second position where the strut (90) sticks out of a distal end (206) of the support body (2), the strut (90) in the second position being a resting leg for the support body (2).