System for shooting using compressed gas

Abstract

A shooting system discharges a projectile having a chamber that stores a compressible fluid in a compressed state and having a valve mounted in a rear end of the projectile. The shooting system includes a longitudinal barrel having an opening on a front end and having a cap on a rear end. The projectile is movable within the barrel. The rear end of the projectile, the barrel, and the cap form a chamber. A striker is disposed in the cap for opening the valve of the projectile to release the fluid into the chamber to urge the projectile toward the opening of the barrel as the fluid is released. The projectile forms a hermetic seal between the projectile and the barrel to substantially contain the released fluid in the chamber until the projectile exits the opening of the barrel. A stabilizer, such as fins, may be detachably mounted to the opening of the barrel so that the projectile contacts the stabilizer and urges the stabilizer into flight to stabilize the discharged projectile. A useful load may be detachably mounted to the front end of the barrel. In another embodiment, the barrel may include a flexible inner tube disposed along an inner wall of the barrel engaging the projectile to form the chamber. The inner tube expands to engage the inner wall of the barrel during the release of the fluid. In yet another embodiment, the barrel may include a semi-rigid portion and a flexible portion. The flexible portion has a first end mounted to a front end of the semi-rigid portion and has a second end for engaging the projectile near an end of the projectile adjacent the valve and for forming a hermetic seal. The flexible portion of the barrel is insertable into the barrel to position the valve near the striker. The hermetic seal substantially contains the released fluid in the chamber until the projectile exits the opening of the barrel, and extends and disengages from the flexible portion.