This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Applications JP2014-150086 filed on Jul. 23, 2014, and JP2014-189357 filed on Sep. 17, 2014, the entire disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to an air gun. Specifically, the present invention relates to a bullet feed mechanism that feeds BBs or other bullets to an air gun that uses air or other gas. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cartridge for an air gun.
A conventionally known bullet feed mechanism that feeds BBs or other bullets to an air gun is shown in
As the rotary clip 2 is attached to the air gun main body 1, bullets W have to be inserted, one by one, into the holes 21 while the rotary clip 2 is rotated.
Meanwhile, a plurality of projectile supports (2) described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,765,997 are attached to an endless transport belt (4).
In the invention described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,963,280, the rotary clip 2 is attached to the main body 1. Therefore, bullets W have to be inserted, one by one, into the holes 21 while the rotary clip 2 is rotated. Eventually, it is found that inserting the bullets W is troublesome.
In the invention described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,765,997, the projectile supports (2) need to be attached to the endless transport belt (4) in order to ensure that the projectile supports (2) are continuously disposed. It means that an endless belt needs to be prepared in addition to the projectile supports (2).
Further, projectiles (3) have to be inserted, one by one, into the projectile supports (2) while the transport belt (4) is rotated. Eventually, it is found that inserting the projectiles (3) is troublesome.
The present invention has been made to form a cartridge assembly by attaching cartridges to each other without separately using the transport belt (4), which is an endless belt. The present invention has also been made to facilitate the loading of bullets into the cartridges.
The present invention provides the following embodiments. A cartridge for an air gun, wherein unitary cartridges into which bullets are to be inserted are pivotally coupled to each other to form a cartridge assembly in which cartridges are continuously disposed.
A cartridge for an air gun, wherein unitary cartridges into which bullets are to be inserted are directly pivotally coupled to each other to form a cartridge assembly in which cartridges are continuously disposed.
A cartridge for an air gun, wherein unitary cartridges into which bullets are to be inserted are pivotally coupled to each other to form an endless strip-shaped cartridge assembly in which cartridges are continuously disposed.
A cartridge for an air gun, wherein unitary cartridges into which bullets are to be inserted are directly pivotally coupled to each other to form an endless strip-shaped cartridge assembly in which cartridges are continuously disposed.
A cartridge for an air gun, comprising:
cylindrical unitary cartridges into which bullets are to be inserted; and
a cartridge assembly in which the unitary cartridges are coupled to each other and continuously disposed,
wherein the cartridge assembly is transported by a cartridge transport unit.
A cartridge for an air gun, comprising:
cylindrical unitary cartridges into which bullets are to be inserted and whose outer circumference is provided with a latch; and
a cartridge assembly in which the unitary cartridges are coupled to each other and continuously disposed,
wherein the cartridge assembly is transported by a cartridge transport unit that is latched by the latch.
Alternatively,
a cartridge for an air gun, comprising:
cylindrical unitary cartridges into which bullets are to be inserted;
a cartridge assembly in which the unitary cartridges are coupled to each other and continuously disposed; and
a magazine case that houses the cartridge assembly,
wherein the cartridge assembly is transported by a cartridge transport unit.
Alternatively,
a cartridge for an air gun, comprising:
cylindrical unitary cartridges into which bullets are to be inserted;
a cartridge assembly in which the unitary cartridges are coupled to each other and continuously disposed to form a strip shape; and
a magazine case that houses the cartridge assembly,
wherein the cartridge assembly is transported by a cartridge transport unit.
Further,
A cartridge for an air gun, wherein the cartridge assembly is formed by using a connector that fit-couples neighboring unitary cartridges to each other.
Further,
A cartridge for an air gun, wherein each of the unitary cartridges is formed of two cylindrical parts, the outer circumference of the leading end of each cylinder has a small diameter, and the cartridge assembly is formed by fit-coupling a connector to the leading end of the cylinders of neighboring unitary cartridges.
Further,
A cartridge for an air gun, wherein the cartridge assembly is formed by sequentially fit-coupling neighboring unitary cartridges to each other.
Further,
A cartridge for an air gun, wherein each of the unitary cartridges is formed of two cylindrical parts, and the cartridge assembly is formed by sequentially fit-coupling the cylinders of neighboring unitary cartridges to each other.
Further,
A cartridge for an air gun, wherein the cartridge transport unit is attached to the magazine case.
According to the present invention, unitary cartridges into which bullets are to be inserted are pivotally coupled to each other to form a cartridge assembly in which the cartridges are continuously disposed. Therefore, the cartridges are transformably coupled to each other without requiring a separate member. Thus, the cartridge assembly is transformable.
Further, the present invention makes it easy to load the bullets into the cartridges.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to
The reference numeral 11 denotes a magazine case. In the first embodiment, the magazine case 11 is oval in shape. As shown in
Although the magazine case 11 is oval in shape in the present embodiment, it may alternatively be formed in a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, or any other shape in accordance with the shape of an air gun as far as it receives the cartridge assembly guide 13.
The reference numeral 14 denotes a cover. The reference numeral 15 denotes an opening in the magazine case 11. The cover 14 is used to cover or uncover the opening 15.
The magazine case 11 is inserted into and set in an air gun main body that shoots a bullet by using air or other gas. Alternatively, the magazine case 11 may be housed in a magazine stand 21 as shown in
Referring to
As shown in
The reference numeral 51 shown in
The leading-end unitary cartridge 31A and the trailing-end unitary cartridge 31B, which form both ends of the cartridge assembly 33, do not have a small-diameter leading-end outer circumference. The reason is that the leading-end outer circumferences of the leading-end unitary cartridge 31A and trailing-end unitary cartridge 31B need not be coupled to the connector 51 as they are not to be connected to the other unitary cartridges (31A, 31B, 31C).
The connector 51 is fit-coupled to the small-diameter portions 36 of neighboring unitary cartridges 31, 31A, 31B, 31C, which are at the leading end of the hollow cylindrical portion 35 having the hollow 34. The unitary cartridges 31 (31A, 31B, 31C) are then pivotally coupled to each other by the connector 51. Consequently, the cartridge assembly 33, in which the intermediate unitary cartridges 31C are continuously disposed between the leading-end unitary cartridge 31A and the trailing-end unitary cartridge 31B, is formed into a strip shape or into a caterpillar shape.
The unitary cartridges 31, 31A, 31B, 31C are allowed to pivot on the coupling portion between the small-diameter portion 36 and the connector 51. Therefore, the entire cartridge assembly 33 is transformable as shown in
The reference numeral 32 denotes a latch of the leading-end unitary cartridge 31A, the trailing-end unitary cartridge 31B, and the intermediate unitary cartridges 31C. In the present embodiment, the latch 32 is an outwardly protruding claw. The latch 32 is formed on the surface of the unitary cartridge 31 and oriented outward.
The reference numeral 41 denotes a cartridge transport unit. The cartridge transport unit 41 is latched by the latch 32 to transport the cartridge assembly.
The cartridge transport unit 41 is attached to the magazine case 11. Further, the cartridge transport unit 41, which is placed in the air gun main body, is disposed to engage with the leading-end unitary cartridge 31A, the trailing-end unitary cartridge 31B, or the intermediate unitary cartridges 31C, which are included in the cartridge assembly 33 in the magazine case 11.
As shown in
When bullets are to be loaded, the cartridge assembly 33 is removed from the magazine case 11 and unfolded. The bullets are then inserted into the hollows 34 in the unitary cartridges 31 (31A, 31B, 31C).
Subsequently, the cartridge assembly 33 is inserted into the magazine case 11 in the direction of arrow 2 in
As a result, the cartridge assembly 33 is formed into an oval shape and housed in the magazine case 11 as shown in
When the unitary cartridges 31 (31A, 31B, 31C) in the cartridge assembly 33 are emptied of bullets and the cartridge assembly 33 needs to be removed from the magazine case 11, the above-described procedure is reversed by removing the cartridge assembly 33 in an opposite direction, that is, in the direction of arrow 1 in
In other words, the unitary cartridges 31A, 31B, 31C are configured so that two sets of hollow cylindrical portions 35A, 35B having the hollow 34 are arranged to form one unit as shown in
The hollow cylindrical portion 35A is formed to be longer than the hollow cylindrical portion 35B. The leading-end unitary cartridge 31A, the trailing-end unitary cartridge 31B, and the intermediate unitary cartridges 31C, which are the unitary cartridges, have the small-diameter portion 36. As shown in
The unitary cartridges 31 (31A, 31B, 31C) are allowed to pivot on the coupling portion between the small-diameter portion 36 of a unitary cartridge 31 (31A, 31B, 31C) and the hollow cylindrical portion 35B of a neighboring unitary cartridge 31 (31A, 31B, 31C). Therefore, the entire cartridge assembly 33 is transformable as shown in
The leading-end outer circumferences of the leading-end unitary cartridge 31A and trailing-end unitary cartridge 31B are not small in diameter. The reason is that they are not to be connected to the other unitary cartridges 31, 31A, 31B, 31C.
The latch 32 is formed only on the unitary cartridge 31C, which is shown on the left side of
The reference numeral 37 denotes a hook. The hook 37 is formed on the outer circumference of the small-diameter portion 36 and shaped like a convex that bulges outward.
The small-diameter portion 36 at the leading end of the hollow cylindrical portion 35 of a unitary cartridge 31A, 31B, 31C is fit-coupled to the hollow 34 in a neighboring unitary cartridge 31A, 31B, 31C in order to couple the unitary cartridges 31 (31A, 31B, 31C) together. Consequently, the intermediate unitary cartridges 31C are continuously disposed in a strip shape between the leading-end unitary cartridge 31A and the trailing-end unitary cartridge 31B to form the cartridge assembly 33.
The hook 37 ensures that the unitary cartridges 31A, 31B, 31C engage with each other in a moderate manner.
In the second embodiment, the unitary cartridges 31A, 31B, 31C into which bullets are to be inserted are directly pivotally coupled to each other to form a strip-shaped cartridge assembly 33 in which the unitary cartridges 31A, 31B, 31C are continuously disposed.
The reference numeral 11A denotes a magazine case. In the present embodiment, the magazine case 11A is hollow and shaped like an oval. As shown in
As shown in
The reference numeral 61 denotes a cartridge transport unit. The cartridge transport unit 61 is a mechanism that feeds the unitary cartridges 31D. In the third embodiment, the cartridge transport unit 61 is formed of a rotation shaft that is disposed near the upper end of the magazine case 11A. The rotation shaft of the cartridge transport unit 61 is shaped like a gear or a star and provided with a plurality of teeth 62. The teeth 62 of the rotation shaft are arranged to fit into a gap between the outer circumferences of the unitary cartridges 31D. In the present embodiment, the rotation shaft has five teeth 62.
When the cartridge transport unit 61 rotates, its teeth 62 catch in a groove 38 between neighboring unitary cartridges 31D to transport the cartridge assembly 33A. As the cartridge transport unit 61 rotates, the cartridge assembly 33A moves in a predetermined direction by an amount equivalent to one unitary cartridge 31D.
The groove 38 in the third embodiment corresponds to the latch 32 in the first embodiment and provides the same operational advantage as the latch 32 in the first embodiment.
In addition to the teeth 62, an anti-rotation groove into which the cartridge transport unit 61 clicks is provided to prevent an excessive rotation of the cartridge transport unit 61.
The cartridge transport unit 61 rotationally transports the unitary cartridges 31D by an amount equivalent to one unitary cartridge 31D upon each activation of the trigger of the air gun.
The reference numeral 63 denotes a cartridge transport assistance unit. The cartridge transport assistance unit 63 is attached to an end of the magazine case 11A that is opposite the end to which the cartridge transport unit 61 is attached. The cartridge transport assistance unit 63 is formed of a rotation shaft. A roller is used to rotate the cartridge transport assistance unit 63 in order to reduce resistance, thereby assuring unobstructed rotation. The cartridge transport assistance unit 63 is provided with an independent suspension in order to prevent the cartridge assembly 33A from bending. The cartridge transport assistance unit 63 is structured so that its spring removes a bend from the cartridge assembly 33A.
The magazine case 11A is inserted into and set in the air gun main body that shoots a bullet by using air or other gas. Alternatively, the magazine case 11A may be housed in a magazine stand 21A as shown in
The reference numeral 31D denotes a unitary cartridge. As shown in
The third embodiment is similar to the second embodiment in that the unitary cartridges 31D are directly pivotally coupled to each other by fit-coupling the small-diameter portion 36 of one unitary cartridge 31D to another unitary cartridge 31D without using a connector in order to form the cartridge assembly 33A into an endless strip shape.
As shown in
The hollow cylindrical portion 35A is formed to be longer than the hollow cylindrical portion 35B. As shown in
The unitary cartridges 31D are allowed to pivot on the coupling portion between the small-diameter portion 36 of a unitary cartridge 31D and the hollow cylindrical portion 35B of a neighboring unitary cartridge 31D. Therefore, the entire cartridge assembly 33A is transformable and may be, for instance, in oval shape as shown in
The small-diameter portion 36 at the leading end of the hollow cylindrical portion 35A of a unitary cartridge 31D is fit-coupled into the hollow 34 in the hollow cylindrical portion 35B of a neighboring unitary cartridge 31D while the small-diameter portion 36 of one unitary cartridge 31D is positioned opposite the small-diameter portion 36 of another unitary cartridge 31D with their leading ends facing each other. As a result, the unitary cartridges 31D are coupled as shown in
The hook 37 ensures that the unitary cartridges 31D engage with each other in a moderate manner.
In the third embodiment, the unitary cartridges 31D into which bullets are to be inserted are directly pivotally coupled to each other to form a strip-shaped or caterpillar-shaped cartridge assembly 33A in which the unitary cartridges 31D are continuously disposed.
When a bullet is to be loaded into each unitary cartridge 31D, the magazine case component part 11B is disengaged from the magazine case component part 11C to expose the interior of the magazine case 11A.
Next, the cartridge assembly 33A is removed from the magazine case 11A and unfolded. A bullet is then loaded into the hollow 34 in each unitary cartridge 31D.
Subsequently, the cartridge assembly 33A is housed into the oval magazine case 11A as shown in
When the unitary cartridges 31D in the cartridge assembly 33A are emptied of bullets and the cartridge assembly 33A needs to be removed from the magazine case 11A, the above-described procedure is performed in reverse order.
When the magazine case 11A is set in the air gun main body and the cartridge transport unit 61 rotates upon the activation of the trigger of the air gun, the teeth 62 of the cartridge transport unit 61 catch in the groove 38 between neighboring unitary cartridges 31D to rotate the cartridge transport unit 61. As the cartridge transport unit 61 rotates, the cartridge assembly 33A in an endless strip shape moves in a predetermined direction by an amount equivalent to one unitary cartridge 31D.
In the third embodiment, the unitary cartridges 31D into which bullets are to be inserted are pivotally coupled to each other to form the cartridge assembly 33A in which the unitary cartridges 31D are continuously disposed. Therefore, the unitary cartridges are transformably coupled to each other to form a transformable cartridge assembly. Consequently, the cartridge assembly may be formed in an endless strip shape.
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to
More specifically, the unitary cartridges 31C are used entirely in place of the leading-end unitary cartridge 31A and trailing-end unitary cartridge 31B, which are used in the second embodiment. Further, the small-diameter portion 36 located at one end are fit into the hollow 34 in the hollow cylindrical portion 35B located at another end in order to form an endless cartridge assembly 33.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2014-150086 | Jul 2014 | JP | national |
2014-189357 | Sep 2014 | JP | national |