COMPRESSED GAS GUN AND FIRING MECHANISM
A firing mechanism for a compressed gas gun is provided. The firing mechanism includes a firing chamber having a compressed gas storage chamber and a bolt chamber in communication with the compressed gas storage chamber. A bolt is positioned within the bolt chamber having a bolt passage therethrough, the bolt being moveable by a force of compressed gas from a first position to a second position, and the bolt being biased to the first position by a bolt spring. A solenoid is positioned proximate the firing chamber including a plunger moveable from a first position to a second position. A spool is moveable within the compressed gas storage chamber from a first position to a second position, the spool including a forward portion having a flow passage therethrough. The spool is adapted to selectively control the passage of compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber to the bolt chamber.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/832,548, filed Jul. 21, 2006, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.
BACKGROUNDA popular game has developed over the years, paintball, which uses compressed gas guns known as “paintball markers.” These guns fire projectiles under the force of compressed gas that may be supplied by a gas tank (such as a CO2 or NO2 tank), or another gas compressed means. Some examples of paintball marker guns are those offered under the brand names 32 DEGREES™, EMPIRE™, DIABLO™, INVERT MINI™, and INDIAN CREEK DESIGNS™, and yet others are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,708,685, 4,936,282, 5,497,758, and U.S. application Ser. Nos. 11/183,548, 11/180,506, 11/150,002, 11/064,693, 10/313,465, 10/090,810, the entire contents of which are all incorporated fully herein by reference herein. Players use the paintball guns to shoot projectiles known as paintballs (projectiles and paintballs are used interchangeably herein). These paintballs are spherical, frangible projectiles normally having gelatin or starch-based shells filled with paint (coloring or dye). The shells rupture when impacting a target, allowing the paint within to splatter on the target. The sport of paintball is sometimes played like “capture the flag.” A player is eliminated from the game when the player is hit by a paintball fired from an opposing player's marker. When the paintball hits a target such as a player, a mark or “splat” of paint is left on the player.
The present invention relates generally to the construction of compressed gas guns and more particularly to firing mechanisms for the guns designed to propel a projectile. Older existing compressed gas guns generally utilized a hammer and valve assembly to fire projectiles. When the trigger of such guns is pulled, it depresses the sear mechanism which allows the hammer, under spring or pneumatic pressure, to be driven forward and actuate a poppet-type valve that releases compressed gas through a port in the bolt, which propels a projectile (paintball) from the barrel. Such compressed gas guns generally have a “two tube” or “stacked bore” arrangement, with an upper tube containing the bolt, and a lower tube containing the hammer and valve mechanisms.
There are many problems with these arrangements, including increased maintenance, damage after repeated cycles, and a higher amount of force is required to drive the hammer mechanism backwards to be seated on the sear. Also, because the sear and resulting hammer must be made of extremely hard and weighted materials, the overall weight of the gun increases. This is problematic in the sport of paintball, where a player generally requires a very lightweight gun for maneuverability. Such arrangements can produce “kick.”
To overcome the problems of a mechanical sear, other technologies were developed. One technology is the use of a pneumatic cylinder, which uses spring or pneumatic pressure on alternating sides of a piston to first hold a hammer in the rearward position and then drive it forward to actuate a valve holding the compressed gas that is used to fire the projectile. Although the use of a pneumatic cylinder has its advantages, it requires the use of a stacked bore, where generally the pneumatic cylinder is in the lower bore and is linked to the bolt in the upper bore through a mechanical linkage. It also requires increased gas usage, as an independent pneumatic circuit must be utilized to move the piston backwards and forwards. Adjusting this pneumatic circuit can be difficult, because the same pressure of gas is used on both sides of the piston and there is no compensation for adjusting the amount of recock gas, used to drive it backwards, and the amount of velocity gas, which is the amount of force used to drive it forward and strike the valve. This results in erratic velocities, inconsistencies, and shoot-down. In addition, this technology often results in slower cycling times, as three independent operations must take place. First, the piston must be cocked. Second, the piston must be driven forward. Third, a valve is opened to allow compressed gas to enter a port in the bolt and fire a projectile.
There is the need in the compressed gas gun sports for a compressed gas gun having an in-line, “single tube,” or “single bore” arrangement, with a valving system that does not require the use of a hammer and mechanical sear.
SUMMARYThe present invention provides a firing mechanism for a compressed gas gun, and a compressed gas gun incorporating the firing mechanism. The firing mechanism includes a firing chamber having a compressed gas storage chamber and a bolt chamber in communication with the compressed gas storage chamber. A bolt is positioned within the bolt chamber having a bolt passage therethrough, the bolt being moveable by a force of compressed gas from a first position to a second position, and the bolt being biased to the first position by a bolt spring. A solenoid is positioned proximate the firing chamber including a plunger moveable from a first position to a second position. A spool is moveable within the compressed gas storage chamber from a first position to a second position, the spool including a forward portion having a flow passage therethrough. The spool is adapted to selectively control the passage of compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber to the bolt chamber. The firing mechanism further includes a collection area adjacent the rear of the spool, and a first gas in communication between the compressed gas storage chamber and the collection area. A rod is in communication with the solenoid plunger positioned within the gas passage, the rod moveable from a first position to a second position by movement of the solenoid plunger. The rod includes a forward plug at its forward end and a rearward plug at its rearward end, the solenoid controlling movement of the rod to selectively permit compressed gas to flow through the first gas passage.
For purposes of this detailed description, all reference to direction or orientation refer to the compressed gas gun 10 as oriented in
Compressed gas guns 10 generally include a gun body 12 housing the inner components of the gun 10, and include a grip 14, barrel 16, and trigger 18, which are shown in
A compressed gas gun 10 including a firing mechanism according to the present invention includes a firing chamber 26 (or housing) which is a generally cylindrical space or bore within the body 12 of the gun 10. The gun 10 of the present invention falls into the category of “inline” guns or markers, as the firing components are contained in a single chamber or tube (“single bore”), with compressed gas traveling along a generally longitudinal path through the firing components to fire a projectile 22. The firing chamber 26 may include a first housing portion 100 defining a generally cylindrical space, and a second housing portion 102 forward the first housing portion 100, as shown in
A trigger 18 is provided. The trigger 18 is actuated (e.g., pulled) by a user to initiate a firing operation (or sequence). Pulling the trigger 18 may close a trigger switch 250 in electrically operated compressed gas guns. In an electronic compressed gas gun, a signal is sent from the trigger switch 250 either directly to a solenoid 28 or the trigger switch 250 is in communication with a controller 244, which may be circuitry that may include a microprocessor 246. The trigger 18 may also contact or communicate with various other mechanical or electrical switches, which in turn activate or otherwise control a firing operation.
A solenoid 28 is provided in the firing chamber 26 preferably at the rear of the firing chamber 26. The solenoid 28 includes a solenoid body 30 and a plunger 32 (or “poppet”) moveable between a resting, rear, or first position, and an activated or forward or second position. When the gun 10 is in the ready to fire position (as shown in
A guide body 38 is provided forward of and adjacent the solenoid tip housing 36, within the first housing portion 100, as shown in
A spool 46 is provided in the firing chamber 26 forward the guide body 38, at least a portion of which is positioned within the first housing portion 100. The spool 46 includes a first or rear portion 48 having an interior passage 50 sized to receive a portion of the rod 42 and the plug 52, as shown in
A spring 54 may be provided within the passage 50 forward the plug 52, and abutting a forward inner wall 56 of the passage 50. The spring 54 will bias the plug 52 and rod 42 to a rearward position. The spool 46 may be formed to receive a portion of the guide body 38 within the rear part of the passage 50, as shown in
The spool 46 includes a gas passage such as formed by ports 58a, 58b in sidewalls of the spool 46, and a hollowed body portion provided as an interior spool passage 50, providing communication between the compressed gas storage chamber and the interior spool passage 50, as shown in
The forward portion 62 of the spool 46 is positioned relative to the second housing portion 102 as shown in
A bolt 74 having a longitudinal bolt passage 76 is positioned in the forward portion of the firing chamber 26, also referred to as a bolt chamber. The bolt passage 76 is sized to receive at least a portion of the forward portion 62 of the spool 46. As shown in
A firing operation of a preferred embodiment of the compressed gas gun 10 and firing mechanism of the present invention will now be described.
The compressed gas gun 10 further includes a controlled 244 for controlling the operation of the compressed gas gun 10, which may be an selected electronic or electrical circuitry as is known in the art for operating or controlling the operation of compressed gas guns. The controller 244 may include a microprocessor 246, and electronic or electrical circuitry may control operation of the solenoid 28. In an electronic paintball marker, the trigger generally actuates a trigger switch 250 to initiate a firing operation.
The spool 46 has a first effective surface area upon which compressed gas including compressed gas in the collection area 86 can act, with a pressure force being exerted upon the first effective surface area to the left (e.g., toward the forward end of the gun) in the Figures, which is greater than the effective surface of the spool 46 upon which compressed gas acts in the opposing direction, which is a force being exerted to the right in the figures. Due to the pressure differential created by compressed gas acting upon the different effective surface areas, the spool 46 is shifted forward (to the left) as shown in
When the solenoid 28 is activated, the plunger 32 moves the plug 52 away from the forward opening in the guide body 38, against the bias of spring 54. Compressed gas is permitted to flow from the first area 90, through the channel 40 and into the collection area 86. When the solenoid 28 is deactivated (or activated to move rearwardly), or the plunger 32 is otherwise moved rearwardly, the plug 52 moves rearward under the bias of the spring 54. This closes off the flow passage through the channel 40, preventing fluid communication between the first area 90 and the collection area 86. In the rear position, the tip 34 of the plunger 32 moves rearward of the rear opening in the guide body 38, permitting compressed gas in the collection area 86 to exhaust.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The charge of compressed gas propels the projectile 22 out of the barrel 16. As shown in
As shown in
Another embodiment of a compressed gas gun firing mechanism of the present invention is shown in
The first portion 48 of the spool moves within a first spool chamber 202. A spool return spring 82 is provided in the forward portion of the first spool chamber 202, biasing the spool to a first or rearward position.
Forward the first portion 48 of the spool is a first decreased diameter portion 204, and an annular wall 206 having a diameter larger than the first decreased diameter portion 204. The annular wall 206 is preferably provided with an o-ring to block the passage of gas. The first decreased diameter portion 204 and annular wall 206 are held within a channel 208 in the housing 200 when the firing mechanism is in a first, resting, or ready to fire state, as shown in
Gas under pressure enters the housing 200 via the input port 212. Gas is initially held within a compressed gas storage chamber 104. When the firing mechanism is in the ready to fire or first or resting position, gas is held generally within the compressed gas storage chamber 104 between the first spool chamber 202 and the channel 208. In this position, the annular wall 206 and o-ring prevent gas from passing from the compressed gas storage chamber 104 forward.
A cylinder housing 214 is provided forward the channel 208 and adjacent the housing 200, defining a cylindrical cavity 218. A forward portion 216 of the spool is provided as a cylindrical projection that extends into the cylindrical cavity 218. Coaxially surrounding the forward portion 216 of the spool is a nozzle or flow tube 220 having an interior through passage 222. The forward portion of the flow tube 220 extends forward beyond the cylinder housing 214, and threadably engages a bolt 224. The bolt 224 may also be formed as a single piece with the flow tube 220. The flow tube 220 is reciprocally moveable in the cylinder housing 214 from a first or ready to fire position to a second or firing position. A flow tube spring 226 positioned within the cylinder housing 214 biases the flow tube 220 and the bolt 224 to a rearward position. The flow tube 220 includes indentations 230 at the first end of the flow tube 220, adjacent the rearward opening in the flow tube 220. The flow tube 220 has a rear enlarged portion 232 that has a diameter smaller than the cylindrical cavity 218.
In operation, the firing mechanism shown in
The gas in the collection area 86 acts upon a rearwardly facing effective surface area of the spool 46 that is greater than the forwardly facing effective surface area of the spool 46. The gas pressure in the collection area 86 will therefore push the spool 46 forward due to the differential in the gas pressure forces.
The annular wall 206 of the spool 46 moves forward in the channel 208, contacting and pushing the flow tube 220 forward. At a certain point, the annular wall 206 will pass the forward wall of the housing 200 adjacent the channel 208, allowing compressed gas to flow into the cylindrical cavity 218. Gas will flow into the indentations 230 at the rear of the flow tube 220. The flow tube 220 has a rearwardly facing effective surface area that is greater than the forwardly facing effective surface area of the flow tube 220. Thus, the flow tube 220 will be pushed forward by the pressure of the gas acting on the rearwardly facing effective surface area.
The spool 46 will reach its forward movement limit. The solenoid plunger 32 may be retracted, moving the tip 34 away from the rearward opening in the guide body 38, and allowing gas to be vented from collection area. The spool 46 will move rearward, biased by the spool return spring 82.
The flow tube 220 will continue to move forward under the pressure of the compressed gas in the cylindrical cavity 218, until the flow tube 220 moves off of the forward portion 216 of the spool. Compressed gas will rush through the passage 222 in the flow tube 220. The bolt 224 will be in a firing position, having chambered a projectile, and the compressed gas will fire the projectile from the gun.
Relief of the pressure in the cavity will allow the flow tube spring 226 to return the flow tub 220 to its rear position. Compressed gas will again collect in the compressed gas storage chamber 104, and the firing mechanism is ready to fire again.
The bolt 74 comprises a tapered portion 316 extending annularly about an internal surface of the bolt 74, as shown in
Having thus described in detail several embodiments the present invention, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes, only a few of which are exemplified in the detailed description of the invention, could be made without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. It is also to be appreciated that numerous embodiments incorporating only part of the preferred embodiment are possible which do not alter, with respect to those parts, the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein.
The present embodiment and optional configurations are therefore to be considered in all respects as exemplary and/or illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all alternate embodiments and changes to this embodiment which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of said claims are therefore to be embraced therein.
Claims
1. A firing mechanism for a compressed gas gun, the firing mechanism comprising:
- a firing chamber including a compressed gas storage chamber and a bolt chamber in communication with the compressed gas storage chamber;
- a bolt positioned within the bolt chamber having a bolt passage therethrough, the bolt moveable by a force of compressed gas from a first position to a second position, the bolt biased to the first position by a bolt spring;
- a solenoid positioned proximate the firing chamber including a plunger moveable from a first position to a second position;
- a spool moveable within the compressed gas storage chamber from a first position to a second position, the spool including a forward portion having a flow passage therethrough, the spool adapted to selectively control the passage of compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber to the bolt chamber;
- a gas collection area adjacent the rear of the spool;
- a first gas passage providing communication between the compressed gas storage chamber and the collection area; and,
- a rod in communication with the solenoid plunger positioned within the first gas passage, the rod moveable from a first position to a second position by movement of the solenoid plunger, the rod having a forward plug at its forward end and a rearward plug at its rearward end, the solenoid plunger controlling movement of the rod to selectively allow compressed gas to flow through the first gas passage.
2. A firing mechanism for a compressed gas gun, the firing mechanism comprising:
- a compressed gas storage chamber adapted to receive compressed gas from a source of compressed gas;
- a bolt chamber in fluid communication with the compressed gas storage chamber housing a bolt with a bolt passage therethrough moveable from a first position to a second position under the force of compressed gas;
- a solenoid for controlling the movement of a spool by opening a flow passage providing fluid communication between the compressed gas storage chamber and the rear wall of the spool; and,
- a spool positioned at least partially within the compressed gas storage chamber and at least partially within the bolt chamber adapted to move from a first position to a second position, the spool including a flow passage proximate its forward end, the spool adapted to selectively allow the passage of compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber through the flow passage to the bolt chamber when the spool is moved under the force of compressed gas from a first position to a second position.
3. The firing mechanism of claim 2, further comprising a spool return spring biasing the spool to its first position.
4. The firing mechanism of claim 3, further comprising a bolt spring biasing the bolt to its first position.
5. The firing mechanism of claim 2, wherein a rear portion of the bolt coaxially surrounds a forward portion of the spool.
6. The firing mechanism of claim 2, wherein a rear portion of the bolt coaxially surrounds a forward portion of the spool when in the first position and wherein the bolt moves forward relative to the forward portion of the spool when in the second position.
7. The firing mechanism of claim 2, wherein the spool has a first effective surface area greater than a second effective surface area, wherein selective activation of the solenoid allows compressed gas in the compressed gas storage chamber to act upon the first effective surface area.
8. The firing mechanism of claim 2, wherein the bolt comprises a first effective surface area greater than a second effective surface area, and wherein compressed gas proximate the first effective surface area biases the bolt from a first position to a second position.
9. The firing mechanism of claim 2, further comprising a trigger adapted to actuate the solenoid.
10. A firing mechanism for a compressed gas gun, the firing mechanism comprising:
- a compressed gas storage chamber in fluid communication with a bolt chamber;
- a bolt reciprocally moveable within the bolt chamber, the bolt configured to move from a first position to a second position by the application of compressed gas;
- a spool reciprocally moveable within the compressed gas storage chamber, the spool selectively allowing compressed gas to flow from the compressed gas storage chamber to the bolt chamber, the spool configured to move from a first position to a second position by the application of compressed gas;
- a solenoid adapted to open a gas flow passage for controlling movement of the spool; and,
- a trigger for actuating the solenoid.
11. A compressed gas gun comprising:
- a gun body including a firing chamber;
- a grip;
- a trigger;
- a barrel;
- a compressed gas storage chamber within the firing chamber adapted to receive compressed gas from a source of compressed gas;
- a bolt chamber in fluid communication with the compressed gas storage chamber housing a bolt with a bolt passage therethrough moveable from a first position to a second position under the force of compressed gas;
- a spool positioned at least partially within the compressed gas storage chamber and at least partially within the bolt chamber adapted to move from a first position to a second position, the spool comprising a flow passage proximate its forward end, the spool adapted to selectively allow the passage of compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber through the flow passage to the bolt chamber when the spool is moved under the force of compressed gas from a first position to a second position; and
- a solenoid for controlling the movement of the spool.
12. The firing mechanism of claim 11, further comprising a flow passage providing fluid communication between the compressed gas storage chamber and a rear wall of the spool.
13. A method of firing a compressed gas gun, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a compressed gas storage chamber in fluid communication with a bolt chamber;
- (b) providing bolt reciprocally moveable within the bolt chamber, the bolt adapted to move from a first position to a second position under the force of compressed gas;
- (c) providing a spool moveable within the compressed gas storage chamber adapted to selectively control the passage of compressed gas between the compressed gas storage chamber and the bolt chamber; and,
- (e) selectively supplying compressed gas to move the spool from a first position to a second position.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the spool is adapted to block the passage of compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber to the bolt chamber when in a first position, and to permit the passage of compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber to the bolt chamber when in a second position.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein compressed gas is selectively supplied to move the spool from a first position to a second position by actuation of a solenoid.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 23, 2007
Publication Date: Apr 23, 2009
Applicant: KEE Action Sports I LLC (Sewell, NJ)
Inventors: Michael J. Wood (Newnan, GA), Simon Benjamin Stevens (Sewell, NJ)
Application Number: 11/781,821
International Classification: F41B 11/00 (20060101);