US20060027221A1 - Firing mechanism for pneumatic gun - Google Patents
Firing mechanism for pneumatic gun Download PDFInfo
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- US20060027221A1 US20060027221A1 US11/183,375 US18337505A US2006027221A1 US 20060027221 A1 US20060027221 A1 US 20060027221A1 US 18337505 A US18337505 A US 18337505A US 2006027221 A1 US2006027221 A1 US 2006027221A1
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- Prior art keywords
- bolt
- restrictor
- gas passageway
- piston
- thrust
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41B—WEAPONS FOR PROJECTING MISSILES WITHOUT USE OF EXPLOSIVE OR COMBUSTIBLE PROPELLANT CHARGE; WEAPONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F41B11/00—Compressed-gas guns, e.g. air guns; Steam guns
- F41B11/70—Details not provided for in F41B11/50 or F41B11/60
- F41B11/72—Valves; Arrangement of valves
- F41B11/723—Valves; Arrangement of valves for controlling gas pressure for firing the projectile only
Definitions
- This invention relates to firing mechanisms for pneumatic guns in which the gun bolt moves the projectile being fired to a firing chamber in response to compressed gas released to fire the gun. More specifically, the invention incorporates a latchable gas passageway restrictor that reduces the thrust exerted by the bolt on the projectile during the first portion of movement toward the firing chamber. Additionally, the gas passageway restrictor does not restrict the flow of compressed gas provided to propel the projectile from the gun.
- Pneumatic guns particularly guns configured to fire paintballs or metallic pellets, commonly include a bolt that is slidably translatable within the gun to alternately (1) move rearward to a bolt-open position and permit a new projectile to be loaded into the breech of the gun and (2) move forward to a bolt-closed position, where the bolt closes the passageway by which the projectile was loaded.
- a bolt moves forward to the bolt-closed position, it also acts to move the newly loaded projectile from the gun breech to the gun firing chamber, from which it will be propelled by the release of compressed gas.
- the position from which it will be propelled is sometimes referred to as the gun “firing chamber”, and hence the process of moving it forward from the initial loading position to the firing chamber can be referred to as “chambering”.
- the compressed gas released to fire the projectile from the gun also serves to move the bolt forward from the bolt-open to the bolt-closed position, and thus move the projectile from the breech to the firing chamber.
- the forward force exerted by the bolt on the projectile during the first portion of this forward movement should be limited to a value that will not damage the projectile if the projectile happens to jam in a partially loaded position.
- the force exerted near the end of the forward movement of the bolt must be sufficient to ensure that the bolt fully closes, particularly when an occasional oversized projectile resists being moved into the firing chamber.
- the compressed gas should have a free path to reach the projectile being propelled. Otherwise, if the gas pathway is too restricted, the compressed gas will not reach the projectile at a sufficient rate to efficiently propel the projectile with the desired velocity.
- the present invention is applicable to pneumatic guns that incorporate a bolt translatable from a bolt-open position to a bolt-closed position in response to compressed gas released during a firing operation in order to chamber a projectile before propelling it from the gun.
- a firing mechanism includes a restrictable propulsion gas passageway and a latchable gas passageway restrictor assembly.
- the latchable gas passageway restrictor assembly includes a gas passageway restrictor that functions, while in the latched position, to reduce the thrust exerted by the bolt on the projectile being chambered during the first portion of bolt movement toward the bolt-closed position.
- FIG. 1 shows a gun according to the invention in a ready to fire state, with the poppet valve closed, the bolt in the open position and a paintball loaded into the gun.
- FIG. 1A shows an enlarged view of major firing mechanism elements, with the gun in the same state as in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 2 shows the gun early in a firing operation, with the poppet valve open, the gas passageway restrictor in the latched position and the reduced-thrust bolt piston urging the bolt forward.
- FIG. 2A shows an enlarged view of major firing mechanism elements, with the gun in the same state as in FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 3 shows the gun later in a firing operation, with the bolt farther forward so that the piston contact face is just engaging the restrictor contact face.
- FIG. 3A shows an enlarged view of major firing mechanism elements, with the gun in the same state as in FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 3B shows an enlarged view of the rear portion of the gun, with the gun in the same state as in FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 4 shows the gun later in a firing operation, with the gas passageway restrictor in the unlatched state and the full-thrust bolt piston urging the bolt forward at an increased level of thrust.
- FIG. 4A shows an enlarged view of major firing mechanism elements, with the gun in the same state as in FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 5 shows the gun later in a firing operation, with the bolt forward in the bolt-closed position, the full-thrust bolt piston forward of the restrictable propulsion gas passageway and compressed gas flowing without restriction through the restrictable propulsion gas passageway and the bolt to propel the paintball forward.
- FIG. 5A shows an enlarged view of major firing mechanism elements, with the gun in the same state as in FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 6 shows the gun near the end of the firing operation, with the poppet valve closed and the bolt spring moving the bolt, the bolt piston and the gas passageway restrictor rearward.
- FIG. 6A shows an enlarged view of major firing mechanism elements, with the gun in the same state as in FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 7 shows a rear view of the gun to illustrate the gun cross section portrayed in the previous 13 figures.
- FIGS. 1, 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 and 6 Shown in FIGS. 1, 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 and 6 is a right-hand side cross sectional perspective view of one embodiment of a semiautomatic pneumatic gun 20 according to the invention.
- FIGS. 1A, 2A , 3 A, 4 A, 5 A and 6 A each show enlarged views of a central portion of gun 20 in a corresponding operating state.
- FIG. 1 shows gun 20 in a ready to fire state
- FIGS. 2-6 show it in successive stages of a firing operation.
- the cross section shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 can be seen to deviate slightly from a vertical planar cross section in order to better illustrate specific structural features of gun 20 .
- FIGS. 2, 3 , 4 , 5 and 6 (and the associated enlarged views FIGS. 2A, 3A , 3 B, 4 A, 5 A and 6 A) arrows labeled “G” indicate major gas flows and arrows labeled “M” indicate major gun element movements of particular interest to the discussion herein.
- gun 20 has a frame 24 with a forward end 26 and a rearward end 28 .
- Gun 20 is configured for the firing of paintballs.
- a paintball PB Within frame 24 is a paintball PB.
- Extending forward at forward end 26 is a gun barrel 32 that provides the firing chamber 34 from which paintball PB will be propelled when gun 20 is fired.
- Extending downward from frame 24 is a trigger frame 36 that includes a user-operable trigger 38 .
- Cartridge housing 40 Slidably accommodated into frame 24 is a cartridge housing 40 .
- Cartridge housing 40 is closed rearwardly by a reservoir plug 44 , and is retained within frame 24 by a rear gun plug 46 .
- Gun 20 includes a firing mechanism 48 . Most of the major components of firing mechanism 48 are contained within cartridge housing 40 .
- Firing mechanism 48 includes a bolt 50 .
- Bolt 50 is slidably translatable within a bolt chamber 52 that is provided partially by cartridge housing 40 and partially by frame 24 .
- Bolt chamber 52 includes a front bolt chamber portion 54 , and a rear bolt chamber portion 55 of larger diameter than front bolt chamber portion 54 .
- Bolt 50 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1 A in a rearward, bolt-open position.
- Bolt 50 is slidably translatable between the bolt-open position and a forward, bolt-closed position that is shown in FIGS. 5 and 5 A.
- a bolt spring 56 constantly urges bolt 50 rearward toward the bolt-open position.
- a resilient bolt forward buffer 58 is mounted externally on bolt 50 and serves to absorb shock as bolt 50 moves forward to the bolt-closed position.
- bolt 50 is partially penetrated from the rear by a bolt rear bore 62 that terminates forwardly in a rear bore face 64 .
- Bolt 50 is partially penetrated from the front by a bolt front bore 66 that terminates rearwardly in a front bore face 68 .
- Radially arranged and extending forward from rear bore face 64 through the front bore face 68 are a plurality of propulsion gas passageways 70 .
- bolt drive rod 74 Fixed to bolt 50 and extending rearward in bolt rear bore 62 is a bolt drive rod 74 .
- bolt drive rod 74 is circular in cross section and coaxial with bolt 50 .
- Rearward of rear bore face 64 bolt drive rod 74 has, in succession, a spacer section 76 , a reduced-thrust bolt piston 78 , and a full-thrust bolt piston 82 of successively larger diameters.
- Full-thrust bolt piston 82 has a piston rear face 83 that is rearwardly-directed, and a piston counterbalancing face 84 that is forwardly-directed and annular in shape.
- Bolt drive rod 74 has a piston contact face that is forwardly directed and that in one embodiment is provided by piston counterbalancing face 84 .
- Bolt 50 and bolt drive rod 74 are preferably constructed of nonmagnetic material. A variety of plastic materials have proven satisfactory for bolt 50 , and both aluminum and brass have proven satisfactory for bolt drive rod 74 .
- a spacer 86 surrounds spacer section 76 , and is held by reduced-thrust bolt piston 78 against rear bore face 64 .
- Spacer 86 is tapered so as to not obstruct the flow of compressed gas from bolt rear bore 62 into propulsion gas passageways 70 .
- spacer 86 consists of a nonmagnetic material such as plastic, aluminum or brass.
- a resilient spacer buffer 87 is mounted externally on bolt drive rod 74 adjacent to spacer 86 .
- breech 90 for receiving paintballs as they are loaded into gun 20 from feed tube 88 when bolt 50 is rearward in the bolt-open position.
- breech 90 contains paintball PB just loaded into gun 20 .
- firing mechanism 48 includes a poppet valve 92 .
- Poppet valve 92 includes a valve body 94 .
- Valve body 94 is fixed in position within cartridge housing 40 and is surrounded by external valve body o-rings 95 F and 95 R.
- Valve body 94 is fully penetrated axially by a valve body bore 96 .
- Full-thrust bolt piston 82 fits slidably within valve body bore 96 .
- Valve body 94 is constructed of a material selected to provide high permeability for magnetic flux. Low carbon steel has been found suitable for the construction of valve body 94 .
- Gas reservoir 104 Extending rearwardly from valve body 94 within frame 24 is a gas reservoir 104 in fluid communication with valve seat 100 .
- Gas reservoir 104 is also in fluid communication with an external source of compressed gas (not shown) that is connected to gun 20 at external source fitting 106 .
- Compressed gas from the external source enters at external source fitting 106 and then flows in succession through a reservoir gas tube 108 and a reservoir inlet 110 to reach gas reservoir 104 .
- Reservoir inlet 110 is seen best in FIG. 3B .
- a poppet 112 that in combination with valve body 94 provides poppet valve 92 for gun 20 .
- a valve seal 116 that is sealingly engageable with valve seat 100 .
- a valve spring 124 constantly urges poppet 112 forward, toward a valve-closed position where valve seal 116 is engaged on valve seat 100 .
- Poppet valve 92 is shown in this closed state in FIGS. 1A and 6A , and in an open state in FIGS. 2A, 3A , 3 B, 4 A and 5 A.
- poppet 112 has a poppet contact face 126 that is rearwardly directed.
- a poppet shaft portion 128 of poppet 112 extends rearwardly from poppet contact face 126 to terminate in a poppet drive piston 132 that is surrounded by an o-ring seal 136 .
- Gas reservoir 104 is sealed rearwardly by reservoir plug 44 .
- Reservoir plug 44 is partially penetrated from the front by a poppet drive bore 144 .
- Poppet drive piston 132 fits slidably within and, by virtue of o-ring seal 136 , seals poppet drive bore 144 .
- Solenoid valve 148 is provided on gun 20 .
- Solenoid valve 148 is a normally-open three-way solenoid valve of common commercially available construction. Solenoid valve 148 is controlled by an electronics assembly (not shown) contained in trigger frame 36 The electronics assembly is also of common commercially available construction. Trigger 38 is linked to the electronics assembly and permits the gun user to initiate a gun firing operation that briefly energizes solenoid valve 148 .
- Solenoid valve 148 has an inlet port 152 , an outlet port 160 and a common port 164 .
- Inlet port 152 receives compressed gas from the external source of compressed via an inlet gas tube 166 that provides fluid communication from external source fitting 106 to inlet port 152 .
- Outlet port 160 is in fluid communication with the atmosphere.
- Common port 164 is in fluid communication with poppet drive bore 144 via a drive bore gas tube 168 , a coupling 170 and a drive bore gas passageway 174 . Coupling 170 and drive bore gas passageway 174 are seen best in FIG. 3B .
- solenoid valve 148 When solenoid valve 148 is in the normal, non-energized state, common port 164 is in fluid communication with inlet port 152 and hence with the external compressed gas source, with the result that compressed gas can flow through solenoid valve 148 to reach poppet drive bore 144 rearward of poppet drive piston 132 .
- solenoid valve 148 When solenoid valve 148 is energized, as occurs briefly during a firing operation, common port 164 is in fluid communication with outlet port 160 and hence with the atmosphere, allowing the compressed gas rearward of poppet drive piston 132 in poppet drive bore 144 to flow through solenoid valve 148 and escape to the atmosphere.
- Poppet valve 92 functions in gun 20 as a piloted valve.
- the compressed gas provided to poppet drive bore 144 rearward of poppet drive piston 132 when solenoid valve 148 is not energized acts to urge poppet 112 forward and hence keep poppet valve 92 closed.
- solenoid valve 148 is energized briefly, allowing the compressed gas rearward of poppet drive piston 132 in poppet drive bore 144 to leak to the atmosphere.
- Poppet drive bore 144 is of larger diameter than the sealed diameter of poppet valve 92 .
- poppet drive piston 132 in poppet drive bore 144 drops sufficiently low
- the pressure exerted by the compressed gas in gas reservoir 104 on poppet drive piston 132 urges poppet 112 rearward, so that poppet valve 92 begins opening.
- poppet valve 92 starts to open, the pressure in valve body bore 96 forward of poppet 112 rises, increasing the net rearward force on poppet 112 and causing poppet valve 92 to finish opening very rapidly.
- solenoid valve 148 returns to the normal state later in the firing operation, compressed gas is again provided to poppet drive bore 144 rearward of poppet drive piston 132 , thus encouraging poppet 112 to return to the valve-closed position.
- firing mechanism 48 includes a latchable restrictor assembly 178 .
- Latchable restrictor assembly 178 includes a restrictor latch 180 and a gas passageway restrictor 184 .
- Restrictor latch 180 is in contact with and extends forward from valve body 94 .
- restrictor latch 180 consists of a cylindrical magnet.
- Restrictor latch 180 is penetrated by a magnet bore 188 .
- Restrictor latch 180 is preferably constructed of a magnetic material selected to provide high magnetic strength with low magnet volume. Commonly available rare earth magnets have been found to be suitable for use as restrictor latch 180 .
- valve body bore 96 is slightly larger than magnet bore 188 . Magnet bore 188 and valve body bore 96 in combination provide a restrictable propulsion gas passageway 192 in fluid communication with valve seat 100 that can slidably accommodate full-thrust bolt piston 82 .
- Valve body 94 and restrictor latch 180 are supported by a retainer sleeve 196 .
- Retainer sleeve 196 is fixed in position within cartridge housing 40 , and is sealed therein by a rear retainer sleeve o-ring 198 that is externally mounted on retainer sleeve 196 .
- Bolt rear bore 62 fits slidably around retainer sleeve 196 , and is sealed thereto when bolt 50 is forward in the bolt-closed position (illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 5 A) by an external retainer sleeve o-ring 200 .
- a resilient bolt rearward buffer 204 surrounds retainer sleeve 196 and serves to absorb shock as bolt 50 travels rearward.
- Valve body 94 is fixed in position within retainer sleeve 196 , and is sealed therein by external valve body o-rings 95 F and 95 R.
- Retainer sleeve 196 is preferably constructed of a nonmagnetic material. Aluminum has been found suitable for the construction of retainer sleeve 196 .
- Gas passageway restrictor 184 has a forward restrictor portion 208 annular in shape.
- a restrictor tube portion 212 cylindrical in shape extends rearwardly from forward restrictor portion 208 and terminates in a restrictor pressure face 220 .
- a restrictor bore 222 extends through gas passageway restrictor 184 .
- Gas passageway restrictor 184 has a restrictor contact face that is rearwardly directed and that in one embodiment is provided by restrictor pressure face 220 .
- Restrictor tube portion 212 is slidably translatable into and out of restrictable propulsion gas passageway 192 , and is sealed therein by an internal valve body o-ring 224 .
- Gas passageway restrictor 184 is constructed of a material selected to be magnetically attractive. Low carbon steel has been found satisfactory to construct gas passageway restrictor 184 .
- gas passageway restrictor 184 When gun 20 is ready to fire as shown in FIG. 1 , gas passageway restrictor 184 resides in a latched position in close engagement with restrictor latch 180 , and is held in this position by magnetic attraction with restrictor latch 180 . As bolt 50 moves forward during a gun firing operation the piston contact face engages the restrictor contact face as shown in FIG. 3A . With further forward motion of bolt 50 , gas passageway restrictor 184 unlatches and moves forward, away from restrictor latch 180 as shown in FIG. 4A . Gas passageway restrictor 184 is shown in the latched position in FIGS. 1A, 2A and 3 A, and in an unlatched state in FIGS. 4A, 5A and 6 A.
- Full-thrust bolt piston 82 is larger than restrictor bore 222 and hence cannot pass through gas passageway restrictor 184 .
- Spacer 86 is also larger than restrictor bore 222 and hence cannot pass through gas passageway restrictor 184 .
- gas passageway restrictor 184 slidably surrounds and is captive on reduced-thrust bolt piston 78 .
- reduced-thrust bolt piston 78 fits slidably through restrictor bore 222 and, while gas passageway restrictor 184 remains in the latched position, can function therein as a piston with a diameter identified by arrow DR.
- full-thrust bolt piston 82 fits slidably through restrictable propulsion gas passageway 192 and can function therein as a piston with a diameter identified by arrow DF while gas passageway restrictor 184 is in the unlatched state.
- reduced-thrust bolt piston 78 functions as a piston to urge bolt 50 forward ( FIG. 2A ) until the piston contact face engages the restrictor contact face ( FIG.
- the gun designer can preselect the diameters and lengths of these and associated firing mechanism components to achieve the desired amount of bolt thrust that will occur during early and later portions of bolt forward movement, and the position of the bolt at which the transition from reduced to full thrust will occur.
- the gun designer can preselect the diameter of reduced-thrust bolt piston 78 to achieve a force sufficient to move bolt 50 and paintball PB forward, but not so much force that a paintball is damaged even if it happens to jam before it has moved fully down from feed tube 88 into breech 90 .
- the gun designer can preselect the diameter of full-thrust bolt piston 82 to achieve a force sufficient to ensure that bolt 50 will continue completely forward to the bolt-closed position it is approaching in FIG. 4 , and has reached in FIG. 5 , even when an occasional oversized paintball resists being moved forward into firing chamber 34
- firing mechanism 48 includes a velocity limiter 230 .
- Velocity limiter 230 is slidably translatable within gas reservoir 104 .
- velocity limiter 230 has a first limiter section 234 , and a second limiter section 238 of smaller diameter than first limiter section 234 .
- Second limiter section 238 includes at the rear a limiter stop section 240 of larger diameter than poppet drive bore 144 .
- First limiter section 234 fits slidably within gas reservoir 104 .
- velocity limiter 230 is penetrated by a first bore 242 that fits slidably around poppet shaft portion 128 , and partially from the front by a second bore 246 .
- Second bore 246 is of greater diameter than first bore 242 and fits slidably around valve spring 124 .
- Velocity limiter 230 has a first discharge face 250 , and a second discharge face 254 , both oriented toward valve seat 100 and annular in form. Valve spring 124 impinges on second discharge face 254 to urge velocity limiter 230 rearward. Velocity limiter 230 has a first driven face 260 , and a second driven face 264 , both oriented away from valve seat 100 and annular in form. On first discharge face 250 is a limiter contact face 268 that is engageable with poppet contact face 126 as velocity limiter 230 slides toward valve seat 100 .
- velocity limiter 230 divides gas reservoir 104 into a driving portion 272 and a discharge portion 276 .
- Driving portion 272 is in fluid communication with the external source of compressed gas via reservoir inlet 110 , reservoir gas tube 108 and external source fitting 106 .
- Discharge portion 276 is in fluid communication with valve seat 100 . The relative size of these two portions of gas reservoir 104 varies as velocity limiter 230 moves during a firing operation, as can be seen in the successive firing operation stages illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 , 4 , 5 and 6 .
- velocity limiter 230 When gun 20 is ready to fire, velocity limiter 230 resides rearward in a limiter at-rest position illustrated in FIG. 1 , with limiter stop section 240 in contact with reservoir plug 44 .
- poppet valve 92 opens during a firing operation as described above, compressed gas in discharge portion 276 flows out through valve seat 100 , causing the gas pressure within discharge portion 276 to decrease.
- the force exerted by the compressed gas within driving portion 272 on first driven face 260 and second driven face 264 serves to urge velocity limiter 230 toward valve seat 100 as illustrated by arrows labeled “M” in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 , compressing valve spring 124 .
- velocity limiter 230 As velocity limiter 230 travels forward in this manner, it engages with poppet contact face 126 as shown in FIG. 5 and then moves poppet 112 forward, thus closing poppet valve 92 .
- velocity limiter 230 The fit of velocity limiter 230 relative to gas reservoir 104 and to poppet shaft portion 128 is preselected by the gun designer to ensure that compressed gas can leak from driving portion 272 to discharge portion 276 .
- poppet valve 92 closes so that compressed gas is no longer able to escape from discharge portion 276
- compressed valve spring 124 will be able to urge velocity limiter 230 away from valve seat 100 and back to the limiter at-rest position shown in FIG. 1 in time for the next firing operation.
- FIG. 6 illustrates this rearward movement of velocity limiter 230 .
- gun 20 is shown in a ready to fire state.
- the electronics assembly in trigger frame 36 briefly activates solenoid valve 148 , allowing compressed gas rearward of poppet drive piston 132 in poppet drive bore 144 to escape.
- poppet 112 moves rearward in response to the drop in gas pressure rearward of poppet drive piston 132 in poppet drive bore 144 , opening poppet valve 92 .
- poppet valve 92 With poppet valve 92 open, compressed gas flows from gas reservoir 104 into restrictable propulsion gas passageway 192 . Some of this compressed gas flows past full-thrust bolt piston 82 , causing pressure to build up between piston counterbalancing face 84 and restrictor pressure face 220 .
- Reduced-thrust bolt piston 78 now reacts to the compressed gas present in restrictable propulsion gas passageway 192 , thereby urging bolt 50 forward as indicated by the arrow labeled “M” in FIG. 2A and compressing bolt spring 56 .
- the piston contact face (provided in one embodiment by piston counterbalancing face 84 ) impinges on the restrictor contact face (provided in one embodiment by restrictor pressure face 220 ). This stage of the firing operation is shown in FIG. 3A .
- Restrictable propulsion gas passageway 192 now provides an open, unrestricted path for the passage of compressed gas.
- the compressed gas in discharge portion 276 of gas reservoir 104 now flows in succession through valve seat 100 , restrictable propulsion gas passageway 192 , bolt rear bore 62 , propulsion gas passageways 70 and bolt front bore 66 to reach paintball PB in firing chamber 34 and thus propel paintball PB forward through barrel 32 .
- This gas flow is indicated schematically by the arrows labeled “G” in FIG. 5A .
- velocity limiter 230 moves forward to engage poppet contact face 126 as shown in FIG. 5 .
- Velocity limiter 230 continues to move forward, thereby moving poppet 112 forward to the poppet valve closed position shown in FIG. 6 .
- bolt 50 , bolt drive rod 74 and gas passageway restrictor 184 are able to move rearward in response to the urging of bolt spring 56 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 6 A.
- gun 20 is returned to the ready-to-fire condition seen previously in FIG. 1 .
- a latchable restrictor assembly as disclosed herein provides two types of advantage. First, it modulates bolt thrust as the bolt moves forward during a firing operation. Thrust is weaker during the first portion of bolt travel, minimizing the risk of damaging the projectile being chambered. And thrust is stronger during the last portion of bolt travel, ensuring that the bolt closes fully and that the projectile is fully chambered. Second, a large unrestricted gas passageway is provided for compressed gas to flow to the projectile being propelled, thereby making most effective use of the available compressed gas and improving the firing performance of the gun.
Abstract
In the firing mechanism of a pneumatic gun that incorporates a bolt translatable from a bolt-open position to a bolt-closed position in response to compressed gas released during a firing operation, a latchable gas passageway restrictor is provided. The gas passageway restrictor is fixed in a latched position during the first portion of bolt movement from the bolt-open position to the bolt-closed position, and changes to an unlatched state during the last portion of bolt movement. While in the latched position the gas passageway restrictor reduces bolt thrust to a value preselected to not damage a jammed projectile that has not fully loaded into the gun. While in the unlatched state the gas passageway restrictor no longer reduces bolt thrust, thus ensuring that a fully loaded projectile is completely chambered. In addition, the gas passageway restrictor does not interfere with the flow of compressed gas provided to propel the projectile from the gun.
Description
- This application is based on a prior co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/589,166, filed on Jul. 19, 2004, the benefit of the filing date of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. This application also claims priority from prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/073,772, filed on Mar. 7, 2005, entitled Velocity Limiter for Pneumatic Gun, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.
- This invention relates to firing mechanisms for pneumatic guns in which the gun bolt moves the projectile being fired to a firing chamber in response to compressed gas released to fire the gun. More specifically, the invention incorporates a latchable gas passageway restrictor that reduces the thrust exerted by the bolt on the projectile during the first portion of movement toward the firing chamber. Additionally, the gas passageway restrictor does not restrict the flow of compressed gas provided to propel the projectile from the gun.
- Pneumatic guns, particularly guns configured to fire paintballs or metallic pellets, commonly include a bolt that is slidably translatable within the gun to alternately (1) move rearward to a bolt-open position and permit a new projectile to be loaded into the breech of the gun and (2) move forward to a bolt-closed position, where the bolt closes the passageway by which the projectile was loaded. As such a bolt moves forward to the bolt-closed position, it also acts to move the newly loaded projectile from the gun breech to the gun firing chamber, from which it will be propelled by the release of compressed gas. The position from which it will be propelled is sometimes referred to as the gun “firing chamber”, and hence the process of moving it forward from the initial loading position to the firing chamber can be referred to as “chambering”.
- In one particular type of semiautomatic pneumatic gun, the compressed gas released to fire the projectile from the gun also serves to move the bolt forward from the bolt-open to the bolt-closed position, and thus move the projectile from the breech to the firing chamber. If the projectile is fragile, as is particularly the case for paintballs, the forward force exerted by the bolt on the projectile during the first portion of this forward movement should be limited to a value that will not damage the projectile if the projectile happens to jam in a partially loaded position. However, the force exerted near the end of the forward movement of the bolt must be sufficient to ensure that the bolt fully closes, particularly when an occasional oversized projectile resists being moved into the firing chamber.
- Further, once the bolt is fully forward, the compressed gas should have a free path to reach the projectile being propelled. Otherwise, if the gas pathway is too restricted, the compressed gas will not reach the projectile at a sufficient rate to efficiently propel the projectile with the desired velocity.
- Thus for pneumatic guns in which compressed gas serves to move the bolt forward to the bolt-closed position, there exists an unmet need for a means to restrict the thrust exerted by the compressed gas on the bolt during the first portion of bolt forward movement from the bolt-open position toward the bolt-closed position, and of then increasing the amount of thrust during the last portion of bolt movement as the projectile is being chambered. Further, the means selected should not restrict the flow of compressed gas to the projectile as the projectile is being propelled forward from the gun.
- The present invention is applicable to pneumatic guns that incorporate a bolt translatable from a bolt-open position to a bolt-closed position in response to compressed gas released during a firing operation in order to chamber a projectile before propelling it from the gun. In accord with the present invention, a firing mechanism is provided that includes a restrictable propulsion gas passageway and a latchable gas passageway restrictor assembly. The latchable gas passageway restrictor assembly includes a gas passageway restrictor that functions, while in the latched position, to reduce the thrust exerted by the bolt on the projectile being chambered during the first portion of bolt movement toward the bolt-closed position.
- In order to enable the reader to attain a more complete appreciation of the invention, and of the novel features and advantages thereof, attention is directed to the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
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FIG. 1 shows a gun according to the invention in a ready to fire state, with the poppet valve closed, the bolt in the open position and a paintball loaded into the gun. -
FIG. 1A shows an enlarged view of major firing mechanism elements, with the gun in the same state as inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 2 shows the gun early in a firing operation, with the poppet valve open, the gas passageway restrictor in the latched position and the reduced-thrust bolt piston urging the bolt forward. -
FIG. 2A shows an enlarged view of major firing mechanism elements, with the gun in the same state as inFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 3 shows the gun later in a firing operation, with the bolt farther forward so that the piston contact face is just engaging the restrictor contact face. -
FIG. 3A shows an enlarged view of major firing mechanism elements, with the gun in the same state as inFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 3B shows an enlarged view of the rear portion of the gun, with the gun in the same state as inFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 4 shows the gun later in a firing operation, with the gas passageway restrictor in the unlatched state and the full-thrust bolt piston urging the bolt forward at an increased level of thrust. -
FIG. 4A shows an enlarged view of major firing mechanism elements, with the gun in the same state as inFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 5 shows the gun later in a firing operation, with the bolt forward in the bolt-closed position, the full-thrust bolt piston forward of the restrictable propulsion gas passageway and compressed gas flowing without restriction through the restrictable propulsion gas passageway and the bolt to propel the paintball forward. -
FIG. 5A shows an enlarged view of major firing mechanism elements, with the gun in the same state as inFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 6 shows the gun near the end of the firing operation, with the poppet valve closed and the bolt spring moving the bolt, the bolt piston and the gas passageway restrictor rearward. -
FIG. 6A shows an enlarged view of major firing mechanism elements, with the gun in the same state as inFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 7 shows a rear view of the gun to illustrate the gun cross section portrayed in the previous 13 figures. - Shown in
FIGS. 1, 2 , 3, 4, 5 and 6 is a right-hand side cross sectional perspective view of one embodiment of a semiautomaticpneumatic gun 20 according to the invention.FIGS. 1A, 2A , 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A each show enlarged views of a central portion ofgun 20 in a corresponding operating state.FIG. 1 showsgun 20 in a ready to fire state, andFIGS. 2-6 show it in successive stages of a firing operation. Referring to the rear view shown inFIG. 7 , the cross section shown inFIGS. 1 through 6 can be seen to deviate slightly from a vertical planar cross section in order to better illustrate specific structural features ofgun 20. - In
FIGS. 2, 3 , 4, 5 and 6 (and the associated enlarged viewsFIGS. 2A, 3A , 3B, 4A, 5A and 6A) arrows labeled “G” indicate major gas flows and arrows labeled “M” indicate major gun element movements of particular interest to the discussion herein. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 1 A,gun 20 has aframe 24 with aforward end 26 and arearward end 28. Gun 20 is configured for the firing of paintballs. Withinframe 24 is a paintball PB. Extending forward atforward end 26 is agun barrel 32 that provides thefiring chamber 34 from which paintball PB will be propelled whengun 20 is fired. Extending downward fromframe 24 is atrigger frame 36 that includes a user-operable trigger 38. - Slidably accommodated into
frame 24 is acartridge housing 40.Cartridge housing 40 is closed rearwardly by areservoir plug 44, and is retained withinframe 24 by arear gun plug 46.Gun 20 includes afiring mechanism 48. Most of the major components offiring mechanism 48 are contained withincartridge housing 40. - Bolt 50
-
Firing mechanism 48 includes abolt 50.Bolt 50 is slidably translatable within abolt chamber 52 that is provided partially bycartridge housing 40 and partially byframe 24.Bolt chamber 52 includes a frontbolt chamber portion 54, and a rearbolt chamber portion 55 of larger diameter than frontbolt chamber portion 54.Bolt 50 is illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 1 A in a rearward, bolt-open position.Bolt 50 is slidably translatable between the bolt-open position and a forward, bolt-closed position that is shown inFIGS. 5 and 5 A. Referring again toFIGS. 1 and 1 A, abolt spring 56 constantly urgesbolt 50 rearward toward the bolt-open position. A resilient boltforward buffer 58 is mounted externally onbolt 50 and serves to absorb shock asbolt 50 moves forward to the bolt-closed position. - Referring now to
FIG. 1A ,bolt 50 is partially penetrated from the rear by a bolt rear bore 62 that terminates forwardly in arear bore face 64.Bolt 50 is partially penetrated from the front by a bolt front bore 66 that terminates rearwardly in afront bore face 68. Radially arranged and extending forward from rear bore face 64 through the front bore face 68 are a plurality ofpropulsion gas passageways 70. - Fixed to bolt 50 and extending rearward in bolt rear bore 62 is a
bolt drive rod 74. In one embodimentbolt drive rod 74 is circular in cross section and coaxial withbolt 50. Rearward of rear bore face 64bolt drive rod 74 has, in succession, aspacer section 76, a reduced-thrust bolt piston 78, and a full-thrust bolt piston 82 of successively larger diameters. Full-thrust bolt piston 82 has a pistonrear face 83 that is rearwardly-directed, and apiston counterbalancing face 84 that is forwardly-directed and annular in shape.Bolt drive rod 74 has a piston contact face that is forwardly directed and that in one embodiment is provided bypiston counterbalancing face 84.Bolt 50 andbolt drive rod 74 are preferably constructed of nonmagnetic material. A variety of plastic materials have proven satisfactory forbolt 50, and both aluminum and brass have proven satisfactory forbolt drive rod 74. - A
spacer 86 surroundsspacer section 76, and is held by reduced-thrust bolt piston 78 againstrear bore face 64.Spacer 86 is tapered so as to not obstruct the flow of compressed gas from bolt rear bore 62 intopropulsion gas passageways 70. In oneembodiment spacer 86 consists of a nonmagnetic material such as plastic, aluminum or brass. Aresilient spacer buffer 87 is mounted externally onbolt drive rod 74 adjacent to spacer 86. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 1 A, extending upward from frontbolt chamber portion 54 is afeed tube 88. Within frontbolt chamber portion 54 adjacent to and in communication withfeed tube 88 is a breech 90 for receiving paintballs as they are loaded intogun 20 fromfeed tube 88 whenbolt 50 is rearward in the bolt-open position. InFIG. 1 breech 90 contains paintball PB just loaded intogun 20. -
Poppet Valve 92 - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 1 A,firing mechanism 48 includes apoppet valve 92.Poppet valve 92 includes avalve body 94.Valve body 94 is fixed in position withincartridge housing 40 and is surrounded by external valve body o-rings Valve body 94 is fully penetrated axially by a valve body bore 96. Full-thrust bolt piston 82 fits slidably within valve body bore 96. In fluid communication with and terminating valve body bore 96 rearwardly is avalve seat 100.Valve body 94 is constructed of a material selected to provide high permeability for magnetic flux. Low carbon steel has been found suitable for the construction ofvalve body 94. - Extending rearwardly from
valve body 94 withinframe 24 is agas reservoir 104 in fluid communication withvalve seat 100.Gas reservoir 104 is also in fluid communication with an external source of compressed gas (not shown) that is connected togun 20 at external source fitting 106. Compressed gas from the external source enters at external source fitting 106 and then flows in succession through areservoir gas tube 108 and areservoir inlet 110 to reachgas reservoir 104.Reservoir inlet 110 is seen best inFIG. 3B . - Referring to
FIGS. 1, 1A and 3B, slidably translatable ingas reservoir 104 is apoppet 112 that in combination withvalve body 94 providespoppet valve 92 forgun 20. Forwardly directed onpoppet 112 is avalve seal 116 that is sealingly engageable withvalve seat 100. Avalve spring 124 constantly urgespoppet 112 forward, toward a valve-closed position wherevalve seal 116 is engaged onvalve seat 100.Poppet valve 92 is shown in this closed state inFIGS. 1A and 6A , and in an open state inFIGS. 2A, 3A , 3B, 4A and 5A. - Referring further to
FIGS. 1 and 3 B,poppet 112 has apoppet contact face 126 that is rearwardly directed. Apoppet shaft portion 128 ofpoppet 112 extends rearwardly frompoppet contact face 126 to terminate in apoppet drive piston 132 that is surrounded by an o-ring seal 136. -
Gas reservoir 104 is sealed rearwardly byreservoir plug 44.Reservoir plug 44 is partially penetrated from the front by a poppet drive bore 144.Poppet drive piston 132 fits slidably within and, by virtue of o-ring seal 136, seals poppet drive bore 144. - A
solenoid valve 148 is provided ongun 20.Solenoid valve 148 is a normally-open three-way solenoid valve of common commercially available construction.Solenoid valve 148 is controlled by an electronics assembly (not shown) contained intrigger frame 36 The electronics assembly is also of common commercially available construction.Trigger 38 is linked to the electronics assembly and permits the gun user to initiate a gun firing operation that briefly energizessolenoid valve 148. -
Solenoid valve 148 has aninlet port 152, anoutlet port 160 and acommon port 164.Inlet port 152 receives compressed gas from the external source of compressed via aninlet gas tube 166 that provides fluid communication from external source fitting 106 toinlet port 152.Outlet port 160 is in fluid communication with the atmosphere.Common port 164 is in fluid communication with poppet drive bore 144 via a drivebore gas tube 168, acoupling 170 and a drivebore gas passageway 174. Coupling 170 and drive boregas passageway 174 are seen best inFIG. 3B . - When
solenoid valve 148 is in the normal, non-energized state,common port 164 is in fluid communication withinlet port 152 and hence with the external compressed gas source, with the result that compressed gas can flow throughsolenoid valve 148 to reach poppet drive bore 144 rearward ofpoppet drive piston 132. Whensolenoid valve 148 is energized, as occurs briefly during a firing operation,common port 164 is in fluid communication withoutlet port 160 and hence with the atmosphere, allowing the compressed gas rearward ofpoppet drive piston 132 in poppet drive bore 144 to flow throughsolenoid valve 148 and escape to the atmosphere. -
Poppet valve 92 functions ingun 20 as a piloted valve. The compressed gas provided to poppet drive bore 144 rearward ofpoppet drive piston 132 whensolenoid valve 148 is not energized acts to urgepoppet 112 forward and hence keeppoppet valve 92 closed. During a gun firingoperation solenoid valve 148 is energized briefly, allowing the compressed gas rearward ofpoppet drive piston 132 in poppet drive bore 144 to leak to the atmosphere. Poppet drive bore 144 is of larger diameter than the sealed diameter ofpoppet valve 92. As a result, after the gas pressure rearward ofpoppet drive piston 132 in poppet drive bore 144 drops sufficiently low, the pressure exerted by the compressed gas ingas reservoir 104 onpoppet drive piston 132 then urgespoppet 112 rearward, so thatpoppet valve 92 begins opening. Aspoppet valve 92 starts to open, the pressure in valve body bore 96 forward ofpoppet 112 rises, increasing the net rearward force onpoppet 112 and causingpoppet valve 92 to finish opening very rapidly. Whensolenoid valve 148 returns to the normal state later in the firing operation, compressed gas is again provided to poppet drive bore 144 rearward ofpoppet drive piston 132, thus encouragingpoppet 112 to return to the valve-closed position. -
Latchable Restrictor Assembly 178 - Referring to
FIG. 1A , firingmechanism 48 includes a latchablerestrictor assembly 178. Latchablerestrictor assembly 178 includes arestrictor latch 180 and agas passageway restrictor 184.Restrictor latch 180 is in contact with and extends forward fromvalve body 94. In oneembodiment restrictor latch 180 consists of a cylindrical magnet.Restrictor latch 180 is penetrated by amagnet bore 188.Restrictor latch 180 is preferably constructed of a magnetic material selected to provide high magnetic strength with low magnet volume. Commonly available rare earth magnets have been found to be suitable for use asrestrictor latch 180. In one embodiment valve body bore 96 is slightly larger than magnet bore 188. Magnet bore 188 and valve body bore 96 in combination provide a restrictablepropulsion gas passageway 192 in fluid communication withvalve seat 100 that can slidably accommodate full-thrust bolt piston 82. -
Valve body 94 andrestrictor latch 180 are supported by aretainer sleeve 196.Retainer sleeve 196 is fixed in position withincartridge housing 40, and is sealed therein by a rear retainer sleeve o-ring 198 that is externally mounted onretainer sleeve 196. Bolt rear bore 62 fits slidably aroundretainer sleeve 196, and is sealed thereto whenbolt 50 is forward in the bolt-closed position (illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 5 A) by an external retainer sleeve o-ring 200. A resilient bolt rearward buffer 204 surroundsretainer sleeve 196 and serves to absorb shock asbolt 50 travels rearward.Valve body 94 is fixed in position withinretainer sleeve 196, and is sealed therein by external valve body o-rings Retainer sleeve 196 is preferably constructed of a nonmagnetic material. Aluminum has been found suitable for the construction ofretainer sleeve 196. - Gas passageway restrictor 184 has a forward
restrictor portion 208 annular in shape. Arestrictor tube portion 212 cylindrical in shape extends rearwardly from forwardrestrictor portion 208 and terminates in arestrictor pressure face 220. A restrictor bore 222 extends throughgas passageway restrictor 184. Gas passageway restrictor 184 has a restrictor contact face that is rearwardly directed and that in one embodiment is provided byrestrictor pressure face 220.Restrictor tube portion 212 is slidably translatable into and out of restrictablepropulsion gas passageway 192, and is sealed therein by an internal valve body o-ring 224. Gas passageway restrictor 184 is constructed of a material selected to be magnetically attractive. Low carbon steel has been found satisfactory to constructgas passageway restrictor 184. - When
gun 20 is ready to fire as shown inFIG. 1 ,gas passageway restrictor 184 resides in a latched position in close engagement withrestrictor latch 180, and is held in this position by magnetic attraction withrestrictor latch 180. Asbolt 50 moves forward during a gun firing operation the piston contact face engages the restrictor contact face as shown inFIG. 3A . With further forward motion ofbolt 50,gas passageway restrictor 184 unlatches and moves forward, away fromrestrictor latch 180 as shown inFIG. 4A . Gas passageway restrictor 184 is shown in the latched position inFIGS. 1A, 2A and 3A, and in an unlatched state inFIGS. 4A, 5A and 6A. - Full-
thrust bolt piston 82 is larger thanrestrictor bore 222 and hence cannot pass throughgas passageway restrictor 184.Spacer 86 is also larger thanrestrictor bore 222 and hence cannot pass throughgas passageway restrictor 184. Thusgas passageway restrictor 184 slidably surrounds and is captive on reduced-thrust bolt piston 78. - Referring to
FIG. 2A , reduced-thrust bolt piston 78 fits slidably throughrestrictor bore 222 and, whilegas passageway restrictor 184 remains in the latched position, can function therein as a piston with a diameter identified by arrow DR. Referring toFIG. 4A , full-thrust bolt piston 82 fits slidably through restrictablepropulsion gas passageway 192 and can function therein as a piston with a diameter identified by arrow DF whilegas passageway restrictor 184 is in the unlatched state. Asbolt 50 moves forward in response to compressed gas released during a gun firing operation, reduced-thrust bolt piston 78 functions as a piston to urgebolt 50 forward (FIG. 2A ) until the piston contact face engages the restrictor contact face (FIG. 3A ) andgas passageway restrictor 184 unlatches, after which full-thrust bolt piston 82 functions as a piston to urgebolt 50 forward (FIG. 4A ) until pistonrear face 83 is forward of restrictablepropulsion gas passageway 192 as shown inFIG. 5A . - Referring to
FIG. 2A , whenpoppet valve 92 opens during a firing operation, compressed gas enters restrictablepropulsion gas passageway 192, where it reacts against various portions ofbolt drive rod 74 and thereby serves to urgebolt 50 forward from the bolt-open position. Whilegas passageway restrictor 184 is in the latched position the portion ofbolt drive rod 74 providing thrust is the reduced-thrust bolt piston 78. This occurs because the diameters of full-thrust bolt piston 82 relative to restrictablepropulsion gas passageway 192, and of reduced-thrust bolt piston 78 relative torestrictor bore 222, are preselected to ensure that whilegas passageway restrictor 184 resides in the latched position some of the compressed gas entering restrictablepropulsion gas passageway 192 flows past full-thrust bolt piston 82 faster than it can flow past reduced-thrust bolt piston 78. As a result, compressed gas accumulates in the portion of restrictablepropulsion gas passageway 192 forward ofpiston counterbalancing face 84 and rearward ofrestrictor pressure face 220. - When
gas passageway restrictor 184 moves from the latched position shown inFIG. 2A to the unlatched state shown inFIG. 4A , the compressed gas pressure between counterbalancingface 84 andrestrictor pressure face 220 is lost, and the portion ofbolt drive rod 74 providing thrust now becomes full-thrust bolt piston 82. - Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 2 A, because the diameter DR of reduced-thrust bolt piston 78 is smaller than the diameter DF of full-thrust bolt piston 82, theforce urging bolt 50 forward during the first portion of bolt movement from the bolt-open position toward the bolt-closed position is less than the force provided later. Importantly, the gun designer can preselect the diameters and lengths of these and associated firing mechanism components to achieve the desired amount of bolt thrust that will occur during early and later portions of bolt forward movement, and the position of the bolt at which the transition from reduced to full thrust will occur. More specifically, the gun designer can preselect the diameter of reduced-thrust bolt piston 78 to achieve a force sufficient to movebolt 50 and paintball PB forward, but not so much force that a paintball is damaged even if it happens to jam before it has moved fully down fromfeed tube 88 intobreech 90. And the gun designer can preselect the diameter of full-thrust bolt piston 82 to achieve a force sufficient to ensure thatbolt 50 will continue completely forward to the bolt-closed position it is approaching inFIG. 4 , and has reached inFIG. 5 , even when an occasional oversized paintball resists being moved forward into firingchamber 34 -
Velocity Limiter 230 - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 3 B,firing mechanism 48 includes avelocity limiter 230.Velocity limiter 230 is slidably translatable withingas reservoir 104. In oneembodiment velocity limiter 230 has afirst limiter section 234, and asecond limiter section 238 of smaller diameter thanfirst limiter section 234.Second limiter section 238 includes at the rear alimiter stop section 240 of larger diameter than poppet drive bore 144.First limiter section 234 fits slidably withingas reservoir 104. Longitudinally,velocity limiter 230 is penetrated by afirst bore 242 that fits slidably aroundpoppet shaft portion 128, and partially from the front by asecond bore 246.Second bore 246 is of greater diameter thanfirst bore 242 and fits slidably aroundvalve spring 124. -
Velocity limiter 230 has afirst discharge face 250, and asecond discharge face 254, both oriented towardvalve seat 100 and annular in form.Valve spring 124 impinges onsecond discharge face 254 to urgevelocity limiter 230 rearward.Velocity limiter 230 has a first drivenface 260, and a second drivenface 264, both oriented away fromvalve seat 100 and annular in form. Onfirst discharge face 250 is alimiter contact face 268 that is engageable withpoppet contact face 126 asvelocity limiter 230 slides towardvalve seat 100. - As can be understood from the foregoing,
velocity limiter 230 dividesgas reservoir 104 into a drivingportion 272 and adischarge portion 276. Drivingportion 272 is in fluid communication with the external source of compressed gas viareservoir inlet 110,reservoir gas tube 108 and external source fitting 106.Discharge portion 276 is in fluid communication withvalve seat 100. The relative size of these two portions ofgas reservoir 104 varies asvelocity limiter 230 moves during a firing operation, as can be seen in the successive firing operation stages illustrated inFIGS. 2, 3 , 4, 5 and 6. - When
gun 20 is ready to fire,velocity limiter 230 resides rearward in a limiter at-rest position illustrated inFIG. 1 , withlimiter stop section 240 in contact withreservoir plug 44. Whenpoppet valve 92 opens during a firing operation as described above, compressed gas indischarge portion 276 flows out throughvalve seat 100, causing the gas pressure withindischarge portion 276 to decrease. As a result, the force exerted by the compressed gas within drivingportion 272 on first drivenface 260 and second drivenface 264 serves to urgevelocity limiter 230 towardvalve seat 100 as illustrated by arrows labeled “M” inFIGS. 2, 3 and 4, compressingvalve spring 124. Asvelocity limiter 230 travels forward in this manner, it engages withpoppet contact face 126 as shown inFIG. 5 and then movespoppet 112 forward, thus closingpoppet valve 92. - The fit of
velocity limiter 230 relative togas reservoir 104 and topoppet shaft portion 128 is preselected by the gun designer to ensure that compressed gas can leak from drivingportion 272 to dischargeportion 276. As a result, oncepoppet valve 92 closes so that compressed gas is no longer able to escape fromdischarge portion 276, compressed gas leaking from drivingportion 272 to dischargeportion 276 will make the gas pressures in the two portions more equal, andcompressed valve spring 124 will be able to urgevelocity limiter 230 away fromvalve seat 100 and back to the limiter at-rest position shown inFIG. 1 in time for the next firing operation.FIG. 6 illustrates this rearward movement ofvelocity limiter 230. - Operation
- Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 1 A,gun 20 is shown in a ready to fire state. At the beginning of a firing operation the electronics assembly intrigger frame 36 briefly activatessolenoid valve 148, allowing compressed gas rearward ofpoppet drive piston 132 in poppet drive bore 144 to escape. - Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 2 A, where major gas flows are identified by arrows labeled “G”,poppet 112 moves rearward in response to the drop in gas pressure rearward ofpoppet drive piston 132 in poppet drive bore 144, openingpoppet valve 92. Withpoppet valve 92 open, compressed gas flows fromgas reservoir 104 into restrictablepropulsion gas passageway 192. Some of this compressed gas flows past full-thrust bolt piston 82, causing pressure to build up betweenpiston counterbalancing face 84 andrestrictor pressure face 220. - Reduced-
thrust bolt piston 78 now reacts to the compressed gas present in restrictablepropulsion gas passageway 192, thereby urgingbolt 50 forward as indicated by the arrow labeled “M” inFIG. 2A and compressingbolt spring 56. Asbolt 50 andbolt drive rod 74 continue to move forward, the piston contact face (provided in one embodiment by piston counterbalancing face 84) impinges on the restrictor contact face (provided in one embodiment by restrictor pressure face 220). This stage of the firing operation is shown inFIG. 3A . - The forward motion of
bolt 50 andbolt drive rod 74 continues beyond the point illustrated inFIG. 3A , unlatching gas passageway restrictor 184 fromrestrictor latch 180 as illustrated inFIG. 4A and allowing it to slide forward to contactspacer buffer 87 as shown inFIG. 5A . - Referring further to
FIG. 4A , withgas passageway restrictor 184 now in this unlatched state, the compressed gas betweenpiston counterbalancing face 84 andrestrictor pressure face 220 is gone. Full-thrust bolt piston 82 now reacts to the compressed gas present in restrictablepropulsion gas passageway 192 to urgebolt 50 forward with greater force. This increased forward force helps to ensure thatbolt 50 will continue completely forward to the bolt-closed position it is approaching inFIG. 4 , and has reached inFIG. 5 , even when an occasional oversized paintball resists being moved forward into firingchamber 34. - As
bolt 50 continues to move forward beyond the position shown inFIG. 4A to the bolt closed position shown inFIGS. 5 and 5 A, full-thrust bolt piston 82 clears restrictablepropulsion gas passageway 192. Restrictablepropulsion gas passageway 192 now provides an open, unrestricted path for the passage of compressed gas. The compressed gas indischarge portion 276 ofgas reservoir 104 now flows in succession throughvalve seat 100, restrictablepropulsion gas passageway 192, boltrear bore 62,propulsion gas passageways 70 and bolt front bore 66 to reach paintball PB in firingchamber 34 and thus propel paintball PB forward throughbarrel 32. This gas flow is indicated schematically by the arrows labeled “G” inFIG. 5A . - As compressed gas now flows rapidly from
discharge portion 276 ofgas reservoir 104,velocity limiter 230 moves forward to engagepoppet contact face 126 as shown inFIG. 5 .Velocity limiter 230 continues to move forward, thereby movingpoppet 112 forward to the poppet valve closed position shown inFIG. 6 . With the flow of compressed gas into restrictablepropulsion gas passageway 192 thus cut off,bolt 50,bolt drive rod 74 andgas passageway restrictor 184 are able to move rearward in response to the urging ofbolt spring 56 as illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 6 A. As this rearward movement is completed,gun 20 is returned to the ready-to-fire condition seen previously inFIG. 1 . - Thus it can be seen that a latchable restrictor assembly as disclosed herein provides two types of advantage. First, it modulates bolt thrust as the bolt moves forward during a firing operation. Thrust is weaker during the first portion of bolt travel, minimizing the risk of damaging the projectile being chambered. And thrust is stronger during the last portion of bolt travel, ensuring that the bolt closes fully and that the projectile is fully chambered. Second, a large unrestricted gas passageway is provided for compressed gas to flow to the projectile being propelled, thereby making most effective use of the available compressed gas and improving the firing performance of the gun.
- Although the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred form of practicing it and modifications thereto, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that many other modifications can be made to the present invention within the scope of the claims that follow. By way of example but not limitation, a mechanical latch might be substituted for the magnetic latch described herein. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the invention in any way be limited by the above description, but instead be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.
- It is to be appreciated that the various aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein are an important improvement in the state of the art, especially for paintball guns. Although only an exemplary embodiment has been described in detail, various details are sufficiently set forth in the drawings and in the specification provided herein to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention(s), which need not be further described by additional writing in this detailed description. Importantly, the aspects and embodiments described and claimed herein may be modified from those shown without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages provided by this invention, and may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. In particular, while the foregoing description describes propulsion of paintballs, one skilled in the art can easily configure guns according the invention to propel other projectiles such as metallic pellets.
- Therefore, the embodiments presented herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. As such, this disclosure is intended to cover the structures described herein and not only structural equivalents thereof, but also equivalent structures. Numerous modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention(s) may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Thus, the scope of the invention(s), as set forth in the appended claims, and as indicated by the drawing and by the foregoing description, is intended to include variations from the embodiment provided which are nevertheless described by the broad interpretation and range properly afforded to the plain meaning of the claims set forth below.
Claims (9)
1. A firing mechanism for a pneumatic gun, said firing mechanism comprising
a bolt, a bolt drive rod, a restrictable propulsion gas passageway and a latchable restrictor assembly,
said latchable restrictor assembly comprising a restrictor latch and a gas passageway restrictor,
said gas passageway restrictor comprising a restrictor pressure face and a restrictor contact face,
said bolt drive rod comprising a reduced-thrust bolt piston and a piston contact face,
said piston contact face engageable with said restrictor contact face,
said reduced-thrust bolt piston slidable into said restrictable propulsion gas passageway,
said gas passageway restrictor slidably surrounding said reduced-thrust bolt piston and captive thereon.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said restrictor latch further comprises a ring magnet and said gas passageway restrictor is constructed of a magnetically attractive material, whereby said gas passageway restrictor is retained in a latched position by magnetic attraction between said restrictor latch and said gas passageway restrictor.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said firing mechanism further comprises a bolt return spring.
4. A firing mechanism for a pneumatic gun, the pneumatic gun for firing projectiles by release of compressed gas as a propellant,
said firing mechanism comprising a bolt, a bolt drive rod, a restrictable propulsion gas passageway and a latchable restrictor assembly,
said bolt slidably translatable between a bolt-open position and a bolt-closed position,
said latchable restrictor assembly comprising a restrictor latch and a gas passageway restrictor,
said gas passageway restrictor comprising a restrictor pressure face and a restrictor contact face,
said bolt drive rod comprising a reduced-thrust bolt piston, a full-thrust bolt piston and a piston contact face,
said reduced-thrust bolt piston smaller in diameter than said full-thrust bolt piston,
said reduced-thrust bolt piston and said full-thrust bolt piston slidable into
said restrictable propulsion gas passageway,
said gas passageway restrictor slidably surrounding said reduced-thrust bolt piston and captive thereon,
said gas passageway restrictor residing, when said pneumatic gun is ready to fire, in a latched position,
said reduced-thrust bolt piston reactive, when said gas passageway restrictor is in said latched position, to compressed gas released during a firing operation to thereby urge said bolt from said bolt-open position toward said bolt-closed position,
said piston contact face engageable with said restrictor contact face as said bolt moves toward said bolt-closed position to urge said gas passageway restrictor from said latched position to an unlatched state,
said full-thrust bolt piston reactive, when said gas passageway restrictor is in said unlatched state, to the compressed gas released during a firing operation to thereby urge said bolt toward said bolt-closed position.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said restrictor latch comprises a ring magnet and said gas passageway restrictor is constructed of a magnetically attractive material, whereby said gas passageway restrictor is retained in said latched position by magnetic attraction.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said firing mechanism comprises a bolt return spring for urging said toward said bolt-open position.
7. A firing mechanism for a pneumatic gun, said firing mechanism comprising
a bolt, a bolt drive rod, a restrictable propulsion gas passageway and a latchable restrictor assembly,
said latchable restrictor assembly comprising a restrictor latch and a gas passageway restrictor,
said gas passageway restrictor comprising a restrictor pressure face, a restrictor contact face and a restrictor bore,
said bolt drive rod comprising a reduced-thrust bolt piston and a piston contact face,
said piston contact face engageable with said restrictor contact face,
said reduced-thrust bolt piston slidable into said restrictable propulsion gas passageway,
said gas passageway restrictor slidably surrounding said reduced-thrust bolt piston and captive thereon,
said gas passageway restrictor residing, when said pneumatic gun is ready to fire, in a latched position whereat compressed gas released during a firing operation reacts on said reduced-thrust bolt piston to urge said bolt from said bolt-open position toward said bolt-closed position,
said gas passageway restrictor retained in said latched position by magnetic attraction between said restrictor latch and said gas passageway restrictor.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said restrictor latch comprises a ring magnet and said gas passageway restrictor is constructed of a magnetically attractive material.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said firing mechanism comprises a bolt return spring for urging said toward said bolt-open position.
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US11/183,375 US20060027221A1 (en) | 2004-07-19 | 2005-07-18 | Firing mechanism for pneumatic gun |
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US58916604P | 2004-07-19 | 2004-07-19 | |
US7377205A | 2005-03-07 | 2005-03-07 | |
US11/183,375 US20060027221A1 (en) | 2004-07-19 | 2005-07-18 | Firing mechanism for pneumatic gun |
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US7377205A Continuation-In-Part | 2004-07-19 | 2005-03-07 |
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US11/183,375 Abandoned US20060027221A1 (en) | 2004-07-19 | 2005-07-18 | Firing mechanism for pneumatic gun |
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US20100199961A1 (en) * | 2009-02-06 | 2010-08-12 | Sheng-Jen Liao | Paintball gun |
US20110048395A1 (en) * | 2009-08-28 | 2011-03-03 | Maruzen Company Limited | Toy gun |
US20110265775A1 (en) * | 2010-04-28 | 2011-11-03 | Maruzen Company Limited | Toy gun |
US20170160046A1 (en) * | 2015-12-03 | 2017-06-08 | Liang-Chi Shen | Pneumatic firing device |
US9797678B2 (en) * | 2016-09-02 | 2017-10-24 | Jui-Fu Tseng | Electromagnetic valve activated firing mechanism of airsoft gun |
US20210102639A1 (en) * | 2019-10-08 | 2021-04-08 | War Machine, Inc. | Pneumatic Actuation Valve Assembly |
US11204218B1 (en) * | 2020-06-12 | 2021-12-21 | Ho-Sheng Wei | Toy gun with fixed firing pin structure mechanism |
US20230102220A1 (en) * | 2021-09-27 | 2023-03-30 | War Machine, Inc. | Gas projectile platform and assembly |
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US20070028909A1 (en) * | 2004-12-15 | 2007-02-08 | National Paintball Supply, Inc. | Paintball marker with ball velocity control |
US20070113835A1 (en) * | 2005-01-05 | 2007-05-24 | Hsin-Cheng Yeh | Paintball gun |
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US20070163562A1 (en) * | 2006-01-19 | 2007-07-19 | Yiauguo Gan | Gas gun having pneumatic driving device |
US20070163564A1 (en) * | 2006-01-19 | 2007-07-19 | Yiauguo Gan | Gas gun having pressure driving device |
US20070163561A1 (en) * | 2006-01-19 | 2007-07-19 | Yiauguo Gan | Gas gun having air driving device |
US20080127959A1 (en) * | 2006-01-19 | 2008-06-05 | Yiauguo Gan | Gas Gun Having An Air Driving Device |
US20080127960A1 (en) * | 2006-01-19 | 2008-06-05 | Yiauguo Gan | Gas Gun Having A Pressure Driving Device |
US20080135031A1 (en) * | 2006-01-19 | 2008-06-12 | Yiauguo Gan | Gas Gun Having A Pneumatic Driving Device |
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US7597096B2 (en) | 2006-01-19 | 2009-10-06 | Yiauguo Gan | Gas gun having an air driving device |
US7597097B2 (en) | 2006-01-19 | 2009-10-06 | Yiauguo Gan | Gas gun having a pneumatic driving device |
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US20100199961A1 (en) * | 2009-02-06 | 2010-08-12 | Sheng-Jen Liao | Paintball gun |
US7861703B2 (en) * | 2009-02-06 | 2011-01-04 | Yao-Gwo Gan | Paintball gun |
US20110048395A1 (en) * | 2009-08-28 | 2011-03-03 | Maruzen Company Limited | Toy gun |
US8109260B2 (en) * | 2009-08-28 | 2012-02-07 | Maruzen Company Limited | Toy gun |
US20110265775A1 (en) * | 2010-04-28 | 2011-11-03 | Maruzen Company Limited | Toy gun |
US8161957B2 (en) * | 2010-04-28 | 2012-04-24 | Maruzen Company Limited | Toy gun |
US9835404B2 (en) * | 2015-12-03 | 2017-12-05 | Liang-Chi Shen | Pneumatic firing device |
US20170160046A1 (en) * | 2015-12-03 | 2017-06-08 | Liang-Chi Shen | Pneumatic firing device |
US9797678B2 (en) * | 2016-09-02 | 2017-10-24 | Jui-Fu Tseng | Electromagnetic valve activated firing mechanism of airsoft gun |
US20210102639A1 (en) * | 2019-10-08 | 2021-04-08 | War Machine, Inc. | Pneumatic Actuation Valve Assembly |
US11536391B2 (en) * | 2019-10-08 | 2022-12-27 | War Machine, Inc. | Pneumatic actuation valve assembly |
US20230083323A1 (en) * | 2019-10-08 | 2023-03-16 | War Machine, Inc. | Pneumatic Actuation Valve Assembly |
US11204218B1 (en) * | 2020-06-12 | 2021-12-21 | Ho-Sheng Wei | Toy gun with fixed firing pin structure mechanism |
US20230102220A1 (en) * | 2021-09-27 | 2023-03-30 | War Machine, Inc. | Gas projectile platform and assembly |
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