Not Applicable
1. Field of Invention
The present invention pertains generally to airsoft guns and, more particularly, to a high pressure fluid mechanisms to be used in airsoft guns.
2. Description of the Related Art
Airsoft guns employ compressed air fire round plastic pellets or similar projectiles, usually ranging from 0.12 g to 0.48 g. Airsoft players often fire airsoft guns at other players during airsoft games and competitions.
Various “firing” mechanisms are known in the art for airsoft guns. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 7,527,049, issued to Sheng, discloses a pneumatic pusher having a main body, a flow-guiding body, a moving body, and a delivery tube. The flow-guiding body includes a front tube with a smaller diameter and a rear tube with a larger diameter. The delivery tube is mounted on the front tube in such a way that the outer wall of the delivery tube and the inner wall of the main body define a return pressure chamber. A first gas-distributing channel extending from a first air outlet at one side of the main body leads directly to the inner side of the delivery tube. The side of the first air inlet of the main body communicates with a second gas-distributing channel. The second gas-distributing channel includes an exit located at one side of the return pressure chamber of the delivery tube. The air pressure provided through the second gas-distributing channel serves as cushioning force in pushing the delivery tube outwardly.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,453,633, issued to Tsai, discloses a spring-piston airsoft gun that includes a cylinder-and-piston assembly disposed in a barrel to force air through a muzzle end to make a shooting action, and a coil spring disposed to exert a biasing action to drive a piston head of the cylinder-and-piston assembly when changed from a compressed state to a released state. Front and rear anchor shanks are disposed for respectively mounting front and rear coil segments of the coil spring. A major shell and a minor ring are sleeved on the rear anchor shank to permit the coil spring to be sleeved thereon. The minor ring is in frictional contact with and angularly moveable relative to the major shell such that, when the coil spring is released to expand to the released state, the rear coil segment is tensed to drag the minor ring to angularly move therewith so as to minimize the frictional force therebetween.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,671,928, issued to Hague et al. and assigned to Polarstar Engineering & Machine, discloses a pneumatic assembly for a projectile launching system includes a body defining a continuous bore. A nozzle is positioned within the bore adjacent a forward end and is moveable between a rearward position wherein the nozzle facilitates passage of a projectile through a projectile port and a forward position wherein the nozzle prevents passage of a projectile through the projectile port. The nozzle is biased to the forward position and configured for fluid actuation to the rearward position by activation of a first fluid control valve. A valve seat defines an accumulation chamber rearward of the nozzle. A firing valve member is moveable between a forward position wherein the firing valve member fluidly seals a passage through the valve seat and a rearward position wherein the passage is fluidly opened such that fluid in the accumulation chamber is free to flow through the passage and out of the nozzle. Example embodiments of this pneumatic assembly generally include a nozzle spring contained between the rear surface of the nozzle and the front surface of a center cylinder.
U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2012/0216786, by Hadley and Calvin, teaches a soft impact projectile launcher including a launching mechanism that creates a burst of air or air pressure in order to launch a projectile. The launching mechanism includes an outer cylinder and a spring-loaded piston configured to generate the burst of air. The projectile launcher may also include a projectile reservoir and a loading member that positions projectiles for launching. The projectile launcher can launch projectiles that are made from a superabsorbent polymer and consist of mostly water.
U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2013/0247893, by Yang, teaches an airsoft gun structure designed to shunt high-pressure air flow during shooting. Therefore, the shunted high-pressure air flow simulates recoils as real bolt-action, single-shot rifles. Also, the ammunition supply includes different cartridges to select one of the supply-type by the users and whether shell case ejection or not. When operates the airsoft gun, the realistic action is achieved to enhance the fun of shooting. Furthermore, the dual hop up system makes the flight path of bullets more stable without shift. Moreover, the safety gasification system could make the supplied amount of the output compressed high pressure air be almost constant to enhance security during operation. The devices disclosed in Yang include a hammer block spring or magazine spring attached to an inner surface of the back block in an inner barrel.
The present general inventive concept, in some of its many embodiments, encompasses a springless high pressure air cylinder to use in an airsoft gun or similar devices and systems. In some embodiments, the present general inventive concept encompasses a cylinder in which an imbalanced poppet valve directs and controls the axial motion of a piston. Some embodiments include a two-way solenoid valve. The solenoid valve controls the flow of air to drive a piston forward; air then pushes the piston back into place.
In some embodiments of the present general inventive concept, a springless high pressure air cylinder for use in an airsoft gun includes a cylinder frame body, a piston having a nozzle member and a piston base member, the piston base member moving within the cylinder frame body along an axis, the piston base member including a first piston head surface and a second piston head surface, the piston being capable of moving between a forward position and a back position, a solenoid valve to direct air to the piston base member, whereby air pressure on the first piston head surface moves the piston from the back position to the forward position, and an auxiliary line to direct air against the second piston head surface, whereby air pressure on the second piston head surface moves the piston from the forward position to the back position.
In some embodiments, the auxiliary line is a part of the cylinder frame body. In some embodiments, the auxiliary line is separate from the cylinder frame body.
In some embodiments, the solenoid valve is a two-way solenoid valve.
Some embodiments further encompass a baffle member interposed between said piston base member and said cylinder frame body.
In some embodiments of the present general inventive concept, a high pressure air cylinder-nozzle assembly includes a cylinder frame body, a piston having a nozzle member and a piston base member, the piston base member moving within the cylinder frame body, the piston being capable of moving between a forward position and a back position, the piston base member including a primary piston head surface and a secondary piston head surface, a solenoid valve to direct air to the piston base member at a location proximate the primary piston head surface, air pressure on the primary piston head surface moving the piston from the back position to the forward position, and a secondary air line to direct air against the secondary piston head surface, air pressure on the secondary piston head surface moving the piston from the forward position to the back position.
Certain embodiments are further characterized in that the high pressure air cylinder-nozzle assembly is used in an airsoft gun.
Certain embodiments are further characterized by a spring positioned within the cylinder frame body to assist in moving the piston from the forward position to the back position.
Certain embodiments are further characterized by a spring positioned within the cylinder frame body to assist in moving the piston from the back position to the forward position.
Certain embodiments are further characterized in that the secondary air line is a part of the cylinder frame body.
Certain embodiments are further characterized in that the solenoid valve is a two-way solenoid valve.
Some embodiments further encompass a baffle member interposed between said piston base member and said cylinder frame body.
Certain embodiments are further characterized in that said baffle member includes air slits air slits permitting passage of air from said secondary air line to said secondary piston head surface when said piston from is in the forward position.
Certain embodiments are further characterized in that the primary piston head surface and the secondary piston head surface are opposing surfaces of one piston member.
In some embodiments of the present general inventive concept, a high pressure cylinder for use in a gun includes a cylinder frame body, a piston having a nozzle member and a piston base member, the piston base member moving within the cylinder frame body along an axis, the piston base member including a first piston head surface and a second piston head surface, the piston being capable of moving between a forward position and a back position, a solenoid valve to direct a fluid to the piston base member, whereby fluid pressure on the first piston head surface moves the piston from the back position to the forward position, and an auxiliary fluid line to direct fluid against the second piston head surface, whereby fluid pressure on the second piston head surface moves the piston from the forward position to the back position.
In some embodiments, the auxiliary line is a part of the cylinder frame body.
In some embodiments, the solenoid valve is a two-way solenoid valve.
Some embodiments further encompass a baffle member interposed between said piston base member and said cylinder frame body.
In some embodiments, said baffle member includes air slits permitting passage of air from said secondary air line to said secondary piston head surface when said piston from is in the forward position.
In some embodiments, said primary piston head surface and said secondary piston head surface are opposing surfaces of one piston member.
The above-mentioned and additional features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:
Disclosed herein are various example embodiments of a springless high pressure air cylinder to use in an airsoft gun or similar devices and systems. In some embodiments, the present general inventive concept encompasses a cylinder in which an imbalanced poppet valve directs and controls the axial motion of a piston. Some embodiments include a two-way solenoid valve. The solenoid valve controls the flow of air to drive a piston forward; air then pushes the piston back into place.
Turning to the figures,
As air flows into the antepiston compartment 320, the air pushes on a primary piston head surface 222. Air pressure on the primary piston head surface 222 pushes the piston 210 forward within the cylinder frame body 110, until the piston 210 is in a “forward” position, illustrated in
With the piston 215 in the forward position, the valve within the solenoid 310 closes, and high pressure air being fed into the HPA compartment 120, instead of flowing through the solenoid 310, flows through an auxiliary tube 130 and auxiliary line 135 into a forward air feed tube, which feeds the air into a forward air compartment 145 within the cylinder frame body 110. The air in the forward air compartment 145 exerts pressure on a secondary piston head surface 224, and that pressure drives the piston 210 to return to the back position shown in
In some embodiments of the present general inventive concept, the two piston surfaces are opposite sides of the same piston, with the center diameter of the two sides differing—thereby leading to a difference in the surface area of the two piston surfaces.
Some further example embodiments of the present general inventive concept include assemblies in which a spring positioned within the cylinder frame body assists in returning the piston to the back position. This spring, then, supplements the motive force of the air supplied by the auxiliary line. Some further example embodiments of the present general inventive concept include assemblies in which a spring positioned within the cylinder frame body assists in returning the piston to the forward position. This spring, then, supplements the motive force of the air supplied by the auxiliary line
In some embodiments, the cylinder-nozzle assembly is designed to fit into an existing gear box. In some embodiments, the cylinder-nozzle assembly is designed to operate as a stand-alone unit to fit into an airsoft gun or other similar device or system.
The cross-sectional view of
To move the piston 510, high pressure air enters the assembly through an air input channel to a HPA compartment 415. From the HPA compartment 415, air passes through a solenoid input channel 425 into the solenoid 610. Within the solenoid 610 is a valve, which is capable of switching between a closed state and an open state. When a trigger mechanism of the airsoft gun activates the solenoid 610, the valve within the solenoid 610 switches into its open state, allowing the passage of air from the input channel through the solenoid 610 and into an antepiston compartment defined by the cylinder frame body 110 and proximate to both the central head member 625 and to the piston base 520. As air flows into the antepiston compartment, the air pushes on a primary piston head surface. Air pressure on the primary piston head surface pushes the piston base 520 forward within the cylinder frame body 410 and baffle member 540, until the piston 510 is in a “forward” position, illustrated in the cross-sectional view in
With the piston 510 in the forward position, the valve within the solenoid 610 closes, and high pressure air being fed into the HPA compartment 415, instead of flowing through the solenoid 610, flows through a secondary air line 435, which feeds the air into a forward air compartment within the cylinder frame body 410. The air in the forward air compartment exerts pressure on a secondary piston head surface, and that pressure drives the piston 510 to return to the back position shown in
In the example embodiments illustrated thus far, the nozzle is substantially centered with respect to the cylinder frame body. However, other configurations are contemplated by the present general inventive concept. For example,
While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.
This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/020,458, filed Jul. 3, 2014, and of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/048,590, filed Sep. 10, 2014. The content of both foregoing applications is incorporated herein by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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