Patent Grant
7159585
This invention relates to an assembly for a compressed gas gun, and more particularly, to a novel pneumatic assembly including a novel hammer and valve arrangement for a compressed gas gun.
Paintball is a sporting game having two teams of players usually trying to capture one another's flag. The sport is played on a large field with opposing home bases at each end. Each team's flag is located at the player's home base. In addition, all of the players have compressed gas guns, referred to herein as either “compressed gas guns” or “paintball markers”, that shoot projectiles commonly referred to as paintballs. These paintballs are generally spherical gelatin capsules filled with paint. During play of the sport, the players on each team advance towards the opposing team's base in hopes of stealing the opposing team's flag, without being eliminated from the war game. 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 player, a “splat” of paint is left on the player.
Compressed gas guns using compressed gas or air for firing projectiles are well known. As used herein, compressed gas gun refers to any gun wherein a projectile is fired via the force of compressed gas, and includes paintball markers. As used herein, projectiles refers to both paintballs, and other projectiles used in sport and game play.
Paintball markers have two basic mechanisms that operate for firing a paintball from the marker during a firing operation. One of these mechanisms is for chambering a paintball in the breech of a paintball marker. This mechanism usually involves the use of a bolt that reciprocates from a loading position to a firing position in the chamber of the marker. The other mechanism operates to release a burst of compressed gas to propel the paintball from the breech and out the barrel of the marker. This mechanism usually involves either a mechanically controlled or electronically controlled valving system.
A variety of different types of paintball markers exist in the field, using a variety of mechanisms for accomplishing their purpose of projecting paintballs. Two of the types of “actions” are the open bolt action and the closed bolt action.
In the open bolt action, the gun body comprises two parallel tubular chambers or bores. The upper chamber contains the bolt, while the lower chamber includes a hammer and at least one discharge or pin-type valve, also referred to as an exhaust or firing valve. The lower chamber also houses a pin valve that opens and closes a flow passage between a high pressure chamber, and the upper chamber. The bolt and hammer components are linked together, usually via a mechanical linkage, allowing them to move in concert. The bolt and hammer assembly is held in the cocked position via a trigger sear, which catches the hammer portion of the assembly. In this position, the breech is open and a paintball is able to drop via an infeed tube into position in front of the bolt. When the trigger is pulled, the sear releases the hammer and a spring drives the hammer and bolt forward. As the bolt moves forward, it chambers a paintball into the barrel of the marker gun. In the lower chamber, the hammer moves forward to strike the pin valve and open the flow passage. The pin valve releases a burst of high pressure gas into and through the bolt, expelling the paintball from the barrel.
The closed bolt action differs from the open bolt action in that in the closed bolt action, when the marker gun is in the cocked configuration the bolt is in the closed position, and a paintball is already chambered in the barrel. Also, in a closed bolt action, the hammer and bolt move independently. Since a ball is chambered with the bolt stationary while the hammer moves, there is less “bounce” or “kick” during firing of the marker. Additionally, the paintball is not impacted by the bolt immediately before it is discharged from the marker gun, and therefore, the paintball should experience less surface distortion. This combination of fewer inertial forces and reduced distortion of the surface of the projectile may improve precision and accuracy of a closed bolt marker over the same marker using an open bolt action.
In the “autococking” action paintball marker, when the trigger is pulled, the hammer is released, striking the valve and sending gas through the bolt and down the barrel, thus firing a paintball. Gas is also vented to a low pressure regulator, which in turn supplies a three-way valve. The three-way valve is connected to a pneumatic ram, which in turn is mechanically linked to a back block cocking mechanism and to the bolt.
The consistency with which paintballs are chambered and with which compressed gas is released greatly impacts the accuracy of a paintball marker. It would be advantageous to have a compressed gas gun where the chambering and valving mechanisms are completely independent. In addition, it would be advantageous to have a compressed gas gun with a pneumatic assembly where the hammer was operated by compressed gas directly supplied by a solenoid valve, and where the pneumatic assembly includes a way to channel compressed gas directly to the hammer while avoiding loss of compressed gas, to increase the efficiency of the compressed gas gun. In addition, it would be advantageous to have a pneumatic assembly for firing a compressed gas gun where there are few moving parts.
There is, accordingly, the need for a pneumatic assembly for a compressed gas gun, comprising a hammer and valving arrangement that is simple in construction, has few moving parts, is completely independent of the bolt system, and is easily adjustable.
Briefly stated, the present invention is directed to a novel pneumatic assembly for a compressed gas gun. The novel pneumatic assembly can be utilized in either a closed bolt or an open bolt action compressed gas gun, although it is preferred that the novel pneumatic assembly be incorporated into a closed bolt action compressed gas gun.
A compressed gas gun comprising the pneumatic assembly of the present invention comprises a compressed gas gun body having a breech, a bolt moveable within the breech from a loading position to a firing position, and a pneumatic assembly in communication with breech. A hammer conduit is provided within a hammer chamber at the rearward portion of a pneumatic assembly. A hammer for impacting a discharge valve is provided within the hammer chamber, the hammer being moveable from a ready-to-fire position to a firing position. At least a portion of the hammer receives at least a portion of the hammer conduit. When the trigger of the compressed gas gun is actuated (pulled) to initiate a firing operation, compressed gas flows through the hammer conduit, forcing the hammer forward in the hammer chamber. The hammer impacts a discharge valve, opening a flow passage between a high pressure chamber and the bolt.
The present invention also relates to a pneumatic assembly comprising a high pressure chamber, a hammer chamber, and a discharge valve between the high pressure chamber and hammer chamber. The hammer is biased to a ready-to-fire or first position by a hammer return spring. Compressed gas from a compressed gas source is routed to the rear of the hammer through a hammer conduit, propelling the hammer forward toward the discharge valve. A hammer return spring is positioned forward of the hammer, biasing the hammer toward the ready-to-fire position. As the hammer moves forward, the hammer return spring is compressed. The hammer contacts the stem of the discharge valve, opening a flow passage releasing compressed gas to fire the paintball from the compressed gas gun. The compressed gas behind the hammer is vented, allowing the hammer return spring to return the hammer to the ready-to-fire position.
The present invention is also directed to a conversion kit for modifying a compressed gas gun to include a pneumatic assembly of the present invention.
Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts upon reading the following detailed description of a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, which illustrates the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Certain terminology is used in the following detailed description for convenience only and is not considered limiting. A preferred embodiment of a compressed gas gun and pneumatic assembly of the present invention is disclosed here and in the Figures. For clarity, within this document all reference to the top and bottom of the compressed gas gun and pneumatic assembly will correspond to the compressed gas gun as oriented in
A cross sectional side view of an illustrative prior art closed bolt mechanically cocking, or “autococking,” compressed gas gun is shown in
As shown in
A ram 228, which acts as a piston, is connected to a rod 230 that is attached to the back block 224. The ram 228 is controlled by a three-way valve 232 that is mechanically connected to a trigger 234 that is housed in a trigger frame 248. When the trigger 234 is actuated (pulled), the three-way valve 232 shunts compressed gas to the forward end of the ram 228 which in turn moves the ram and back block rearward, placing the bolt in a loading position. When this happens, the block pulls the bolt and cocking rod back as well. The bolt 220 is now in a loading position which allows a paintball to fall into the chamber. The cocking rod 208 is also moved rearward by the back block, so the hammer 210 is also pulled back until the sear 236 catches on the trigger. When the trigger is released, the three-way shunts compressed gas to the rearward portion of the ram, pulling the back block forward, thereby closing the bolt. The compressed gas gun is now prepared for firing. Actuating the trigger releases the sear, the spring biases the hammer forward to hit the seat, the exhaust valve opens to send compressed gas through the bolt, and the paintball is fired, automatically starting the process over again to load the next paintball. Several companies offer “autococking” compressed gas guns of the closed bolt design described herein, including, by way of example, SHOCKTECH, KAPP and DYE.
As can be discerned from the above description, the mechanical back block, cocking rod and sear arrangement is not efficient. The present invention eliminates the cocking rod and hammer arrangement of known “autococking” compressed gas guns, eliminates the sear, may eliminate the three-way valve, and provides a simple, efficient pneumatic firing system that may be electronically controlled.
Referring now to
The gun body 12, shown in detail in
During a firing operation, which is initiated by actuation of the trigger 24 (i.e., pulling the trigger 24), closed bolt compressed gas guns begin in the firing position, as shown in
As shown in
The pneumatic assembly 32 further comprises a hammer chamber 62 which is preferably at the rearward portion of the pneumatic assembly 32. A hammer conduit 46 is provided in rear portion of the hammer chamber 62 in communication with the solenoid valve 42 via conduit 44. The hammer conduit 46 has at least a portion that comprises a tube wall, designated herein as a hammer conduit wall extension 48, having a diameter D1, and having an aperture 50 therethrough, as shown in detail in
A hammer 52, moveable from a ready-to-fire or first or rear position, to a firing or second or forward position, is disposed within the hammer chamber 62. The hammer comprises a striking portion 54 at the forward end of the hammer 52. The hammer 52 includes an aperture 56 sized for receiving the hammer conduit wall extension 48. The aperture 56 of the hammer 52 has a diameter D2 that is greater than the diameter D1 of the hammer conduit wall extension 48. Thus, the aperture 56 coaxially surrounds the hammer conduit wall extension 48. A hammer return spring 58 is positioned forward of the hammer 52 in the hammer chamber 62, biasing the hammer 52 to a ready-to-fire, or rear, position. However, it is appreciated that the hammer return spring could be located in any suitable position, and can be a compression or tension spring, depending on the location.
A discharge valve 60 is provided between the high pressure chamber 34 and the hammer chamber 62. The discharge valve 60 may be any valving mechanism that can selectively supply compressed gas to the breech upon being struck by the hammer 52. In one embodiment of the present invention, the discharge valve 60 is a pin valve that includes a seat member 64 movably receiving a pin valve member 66. The pin valve member 66 includes an elongate stem portion 68 extending rearwardly through the seat member 64, and a sealing portion 74 forward of the seat member 64. A flow passage 70 (also referred to as a “flow path”, both “flow passage” and “flow path” being used interchangeably herein) is provided through the seat member 64 and provides communication between the high pressure chamber 34 and the aperture 30 of the bolt 18 when the pin valve member 66 is unseated. A valve spring 72 is provided, biasing the pin valve member 66 rearward, and therefore, sealing the flow passage 70 until the stem portion 68 is struck by the hammer 52.
A plug 128 may be provided at the rear of the hammer chamber 62, threadably attached to the gun body 12. Removal of the plug 128 allows for easy access, adjustment, and replacement of the various components of the pneumatic assembly 32 of the present invention. The plug 128 may also be used to adjust the axial position of the hammer conduit, thereby controlling movement of the hammer 52 against the hammer return spring 58.
A compressed gas gun having the pneumatic assembly of the present invention operates as follows. In a closed bolt arrangement, the bolt 18 of the compressed gas gun 10 begins in the firing or forward position, as shown in
The compressed gas released by the solenoid valve flows through conduit 44, through the hammer conduit 46, and acts upon the hammer 52. The hammer is moved by the force of compressed gas channeled through the hammer conduit 46 toward the forward or firing position, against the bias of the hammer return spring 58. Thus, in order to fire the compressed gas gun, the force of the compressed gas flowing through the hammer conduit 46 must be able to overcome the bias of the hammer return spring 58.
The components of the gun body, or discrete components of the pneumatic assembly, may be offered as parts of a kit, with selective parts of the gun body or pneumatic assembly described herein included in the kit, so that a user may convert a compressed gas gun to operate according to the present invention.
So that the hammer 52 may be returned to a ready-to-fire position, compressed gas may be vented rearward of the hammer 52, such as through a vent hole formed at an appropriate position in the gun body 12. In another embodiment, a valve 76, such as an elbow valve or a quick exhaust valve (or QEV) as is known in the art may be used at the junction of the conduit 44, and the hammer conduit 46. It is appreciated that while use of the quick exhaust valve allows a faster return of the hammer, it is not required.
In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in
As shown in the Figures, the illustrative embodiment of the present invention shows the trigger 24 operating the solenoid valve 42. It is appreciated that the trigger can operate the solenoid valve either mechanically, such as with a mechanical switch, or electronically. In one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic control circuit 96 may be utilized for initiating the firing operation of a compressed gas gun of the present invention. The electronic control circuit 96 may be in electronic communication with the trigger, so that pulling the trigger will activate the electronic control circuit. When the trigger is actuated by a user, an electronic signal is sent to the control circuit. The control circuit opens the solenoid valve, allowing compressed gas to flow through the hammer conduit, firing the compressed gas gun. A microprocessor may be used as part of the control circuit to control gun operation, as well as to track variables of gun operation, including tracking data such as shots fired, power supply, game time, firing parameters, firing mode, etc. As shown in
The pneumatic assembly of the present invention may also be used to convert an existing “autococking” compressed gas gun to include the pneumatic assembly disclosed herein. In that case, the original cocking rod, hammer and three-way valve may be replaced by one or more solenoid valves, hammer conduit and hammer of the present invention.
Although illustrated as a closed bolt arrangement above, it is appreciated that the pneumatic assembly of the present invention may be employed in an open bolt compressed gas gun, as shown in
The present invention is also directed to a compressed gun body, as shown in
The components of the gun body, or discrete components of the pneumatic assembly, may be offered as parts of a “kit,” with selective parts of the gun body or pneumatic assembly described herein included in the kit, so that a user may convert a compressed gas gun to operate according to the present invention.
Having thus described in detail several embodiments of the attachment system of 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.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application No. 60/546,219, filed Feb. 23, 2004, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.
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