Field of the invention

A present invention relates to a projectile targeting and launching systems, especially to the puck targeting and launching systems.

Background of the invention

Multiple projectile launching systems are known starting from tennis ball delivering systems, where one of such systems is disclosed in the United states patent No. 6,776,732, followed by the puck launching systems as disclosed in United states patent publication No. 3,838,677 and Canadian patent publication No. 2 377 561. Similar systems are made for ball launching as it is disclosed in United states patent publication No. 9,452,339 - a ball launching system configured to launch a ball in pre-set direction.

United States patent No. 3,838,677 discloses an apparatus for automatically issuing a hockey puck from a hopper. The puck is then dropped onto a platform in the path of a motor drive energy storing spring, which propels the puck. The energy storing spring is provided with two separate structures for adjusting the spring energy. Canadian patent publication No. 2 377 561 discloses an installation for passing pucks to a player in a predetermined order by means of a computer-controlled circuit via a conveyor component, a puck magazine and a device that passes the pucks.

Summary of the invention

A puck targeting and launching system comprises a frame and a puck loading unit for loading a puck and a puck launching unit for targeting and launching the puck. The puck launching unit is connected to the puck loading unit so that the puck launching unit may receive the puck from the puck loading unit and launch the puck in a pre-set direction.

The puck loading unit comprises consecutively arranged a puck storage, a puck orientation unit and a dispenser. The puck storage is configured for storing a plurality of pucks to be fed and launched by the system. The puck storage comprises a puck storing magazine of revolver type, in which the pucks are stacked into columns. The puck storing magazine is rotationally attached to a puck storing platform. The puck storing platform comprises a blade configured to separate one puck from the column of the pucks, when the puck storing magazine rotates, and to guide the puck to the puck orientation unit through a passage in the puck storing platform. Hence, only one puck is selectively taken from the puck storing magazine and fed to the puck orientation unit. The puck storage further comprises a limiter positioned below the passage of the puck storing platform so that the puck exiting from the puck storage through the passage falls on the limiter in a such a way that the puck is reoriented around its axis by about 45 degrees to be fed further to the puck orientation unit.

The puck orientation unit is connected to the puck loading unit for receiving the puck and reorient thereof to be fed in a dispenser. The puck orientation unit is formed like a funnel wherein the funnel walls are formed by two covers arranged to each other and by a skirt. The skirt is made of resilient material and is pre-tensioned by a springs in each end thereof. The resilient skirt allows movement of the puck orientation unit relative to the puck storage without disintegrating (loss of function) the funnel type puck orientation unit.

The dispenser is connected to the puck orientation unit and configured for sequentially dispensing each puck separately to the puck launching unit. The dispenser comprises a positioning wheel with at least three slots where each slot is dimensioned to receive one puck and to move the puck around form a receiving position to a dispensing position. The receiving position or first position is a position where the puck is received from the puck orientation unit. The positioning wheel of the dispenser is further rotated so that the puck is transferred from the receiving position or the first position to dispensing position of the second position where the puck is ready to be dispensed to the puck launching unit by further rotation of the positioning wheel.

The puck loading unit and the puck launching unit is in communication with each other via a sliding track connected between the dispenser of the puck loading unit and a puck transfer channel of the puck launching unit. The sliding track is curved so that the puck that slides out from the dispenser onto the sliding track changes its movement direction from substantially vertical as the puck to a substantially horizontal as the puck enters the puck transfer channel. Moreover, the sliding track is hingedly connected to the puck transfer channel allowing movement of the puck launching unit independently from the puck loading unit. In another embodiment the sliding track may comprise a puck deflector to reduce a possibility that the puck sliding via the puck transfer channel may tip over.

The puck launching unit further comprises a targeting mechanism and a launching mechanism for targeting in user selected direction and launching of the puck in said direction.

The launching mechanism comprises a puck transfer channel for guiding the puck and a launch energy generating unit arranged at the puck transfer channel and configured to generate a launch speed for the puck to be launched.

The launching mechanism comprises at least two driving wheels on each side of the puck transfer channel opposite to each other and a pusher disposed before the driving wheels. The distance between two driving wheels is such that the puck can be guided through said wheels by means of the pusher and an energy from rotational movement of the wheels is transferred to the puck as linear movement for launching said puck via the transfer channel outside to a selected target.

The targeting mechanism is attached to the puck transfer channel and configured to adjust a direction and an elevation of the puck transfer channel in order to provide targeted launch of the puck, which acquired its launching energy by means of the launching mechanism. The targeting mechanism comprises a yaw angle adjustment unit attached to the puck transfer channel and configured to adjust a yaw angle of the puck transfer channel, as well as an elevation angle adjustment unit also attached to the same puck transfer channel and configured to adjust a elevation angle of the puck transfer channel.

The yaw angle adjustment unit comprises a linear guide connected to the puck transfer channel and a drive unit connected to the linear guide for driving thereof.

The elevation angle adjustment unit comprises a linear guide connected to the puck transfer channel and a drive unit connected to the linear guide for driving thereof. Brief description of the drawings

These and other objects and advantages of the invention and a better understanding of the principles and details of the invention will be evident from the following description taken in connection with the following drawings in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a puck targeting and launching system within a frame

26

Fig. 2 illustrates main units of the puck targeting and launching system.

Fig. 3 illustrates a puck storage 29.

Fig. 4 illustrates a puck storage 29 as shown in Fig. 3 and how a puck 1 is moved from a puck storing magazine 4 to a limiter 6, where the puck 1 is pre-positioned for further movement in a puck orientation unit 7 (not shown in Fig. 4).

Fig. 5 illustrates a puck orientation unit 7 and a dispenser 10.

Fig. 6 illustrates a puck loading unit 18 comprising the puck orientation unit 7 as shown in Fig. 5, a dispenser 10 and a sliding track 15.

Fig. 7 illustrates an isometric view of the puck targeting and launching system comprising the puck storing platform 2 as shown in Figs, 3 and 4, the puck orientation unit 7, the dispenser 10, the sliding track 15, a launch energy generating unit 36 and a targeting mechanism 23.

Fig. 8 illustrates an isometric view of the puck targeting and launching system as shown in Fig. 7.

Detailed description of the invention

A puck targeting and launching system comprises a frame 26, on which other elements of the system are mounted. For the sake of clarity, all covers of the frame are removed. The systems further comprises a puck storage 29 positioned in the upper part of the frame 26, a puck orientation unit 7 followed by a dispenser 10, and a launching mechanism 19 and a targeting mechanism 23 which mainly comprises a yaw angle adjustment unit 24 and an elevation angle adjustment unit 25 to adjust the launching mechanism 19 for targeted launch of a puck (see Fig. 1).

The puck targeting and launching system comprises to main units: a puck loading unit 18 and a puck launching unit 81. The puck loading unit 18 comprises the puck storage 29 for storing pucks 1, a puck orientation unit 7 for receiving the puck from the puck storage 29 and changing orientation of the puck 1 to be fed to the dispenser 10 which is also part of the puck loading unit 18. The dispenser 10 is configured to feed pucks 1 one by one to the puck launching unit 81 upon receipt of the instructions from an operator of the system (see Figs. 2, 7 and 8).

The puck launching unit 81 is connected to the puck loading unit 18 via a sliding track 15 which changes direction of the puck by about 90 degrees from substantially vertical movement of the puck through the puck loading unit 18 to substantially horizontal movement of the puck 1 through the puck launching unit 81. The puck launching unit 81 is configured to receive the puck 1 from the puck loading unit 18 and launch the puck 1 in a pre-set direction regarding yaw and elevation. The puck launching unit 81 comprises a launching mechanism 19, which provides propulsion to the puck 1 to be launched, and a targeting mechanism 23 for providing targeted shoots of the puck 1 (see Figs. 2, 7 and 8).

The puck storage 29 comprises a revolver type puck storing magazine 4, in which the pucks 1 are stacked into five columns. The puck storing magazine 4 is supported on a puck storing platform 2, on which the puck storing magazine 4 may rotate. The puck storing platform 2 further comprises a passage 3 for passage of the puck 1 from the puck storing magazine 4 through the puck storing platform to the puck orientation unit 7. The puck storing platform 2 further comprises a blade 5 configured to separate one puck 1 from the column of the pucks 1 in the puck storing platform 4 while the platform 4 rotates. The blade 5 guides the puck 1 to the puck orientation unit 7 through the passage 3 in the puck storing platform 2. The puck storing platform 4 further comprises a limiter 6 positioned just below the passage 3 so that the puck 1 which falls through the passage falls on the limiter 6 in a such a way that the puck 1 is reoriented around its axis by about 45 degrees to be fed in the puck orientation unit 7 (see Figs. 3 and 4).

The puck storage 29 is followed by the puck orientation unit 7 for guiding and positioning of the puck 1 to the dispenser 10, which is below the puck orientation unit 7. (see Figs. 5 and 6). The puck orientation unit 7 comprises two covers 8 arranged opposite to each other and a skirt 9 positioned within and between the two covers 8 so that a funnel is created where the puck 1 drops in from the puck storage 29 and is guided and reoriented by means of the covers and the skirt 9. Moreover the two covers 8 are fixed to the frame 26, but the skirt 9 is attached to the frame 26 by means of elastic elements such as springs 30. The covers 8 do not move relative to the movement of the dispenser 10 and the launching mechanism 19. The puck storage 29 is also fixed to the frame 26. In order to bring the puck from puck storage 28 fixed to the frame 26 to the movable dispenser 10, the skirt 9 is provided. The skirt 9 moves along the movement of the dispenser 10 and covers a space between the covers 8 providing a funnel all the way for of the puck orientation unit 7 when the dispenser 10 is moved (see Fig. 5 and 6).

The dispenser 10 has an entry 11 connected to the puck orientation unit 7 for receiving the puck 1. The entry 11 of the dispenser 10 further comprises a flange 12 for assisting in guiding the puck into the dispenser 10 via the entry 11. The dispenser 10 comprises a positioning wheel 34 rotatably positioned within the dispenser 10. The positioning wheel 34 has three spikes forming three slots 35. Each slot 35 is dimensioned to receive one puck 1 and to transfer the puck 1 around form a receiving position 13 where the puck 1 is received from the puck orientation unit 7 to a dispensing position 14 where the puck 1 is ready to be dispensed by further rotation of the positioning wheel 34 to the puck launching unit 81 via a sliding track 15. The sliding track 15 is equipped with a puck deflector 16 so that the puck 1 that slides along the sliding track 15 does not fall out or overturn (see Figs. 5 and 6). At the end of the sliding track 15 just before entrance in a puck transfer channel 20 of the launching mechanism 19 a pusher 17 is located for moving the puck in the puck transfer channel 20 of the launching mechanism 19 (see Fig. 7).

The launching mechanism 19 comprises the puck transfer channel 20 for guiding the puck 1 which came from the dispense 10 via the sliding track 15. Inside surface of the puck transfer channel 20 is covered with inserts 22. The puck 1 moves along the puck transfer channel 20, which is adjustable in its yaw and elevation angle to provide targeted shooting of the puck 1. The launching mechanism 19 further comprises a launch energy generating unit 36 arranged at the puck transfer channel 20 and configured to generate a launch speed for the puck 1 to be launched. The launch energy generating unit 36 comprises at least two driving wheels 21 on each side of the puck transfer channel 20 opposite to each other. The distance between two driving wheels 21 is such that the puck 1 can be guided through said wheels 21 by means of the pusher 17 and an energy from rotational movement of the driving wheels 21 is transferred to the puck 1 as linear movement for launching thereof (see Figs. 7 and 8). The launching mechanism 19 comprises a targeting mechanism 23 attached to the puck transfer channel 20 and configured to adjust a direction and an elevation of the puck transfer channel 20 in order to provide targeted launch of the puck 1. The targeting mechanism 23 further comprises a yaw angle adjustment unit 24 configured to adjust a yaw angle of the puck transfer channel 20, and an elevation angle adjustment unit 25 configured to adjust a elevation angle of the puck transfer channel 20. The yaw angle adjustment unit 24 comprises a linear guide 28 connected to the puck transfer channel 20 and a drive unit 27 connected to the linear guide 28 for driving thereof. Elevation angle adjustment unit 25 comprises a linear guide 82 connected to the puck transfer channel 20 and a drive unit 72 connected to the linear guide 82 for driving thereof (see Fig. 7 and 8).

While the inventions have been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the inventions not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed herein.

References in the figures

1 - a puck;

2 - a puck storing platform;

3 - a passage in a puck storing platform;

4 - a puck storing magazine;

5 - a blade;

6 - a limiter;

7 - a puck orientation unit;

8 - a cover of a puck orientation unit;

9 - a skirt;

10 - a dispenser;

11 - an entry of a dispenser;

12 - a flange of an entry of a dispenser;

13 - a receiving position of a puck in a dispenser;

14 - a dispensing position of a puck in a dispenser;

15 - a sliding track;

16 - a puck deflector;

17 - a pusher; - a puck loading unit;

- a launching mechanism;

- a puck transfer channel;

- a driving wheel;

- an insert of a puck transfer channel;

- a targeting mechanism;

- a yaw angle adjustment unit;

- an elevation angle adjustment unit;

- a frame;

- a drive unit for a yaw angle adjustment unit;

- a linear guide for a yaw angle adjustment unit; - a puck storage;

- a spring of a skirt;

- a positioning wheel of a dispenser;

- a slot of a positioning wheel;

- a launch energy generating unit;

- a drive unit for a elevation angle adjustment unit; - a puck loading unit;

- a linear guide for a elevation angle adjustment unit.