Patent Application
20250012541
Not Applicable
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This invention relates to improvements in pneumatic launchers and, more particularly, to novel systems and methods for a projectile launcher that maintains breech pressure.
Conventional firearms have a firing mechanism to fire a projectile and a barrel to direct the projectile in a desired direction. Guns are made for numerous purposes and include many designs, for example, rifles, shot guns, and handguns. A broad array of different mechanisms for firing a projectile have been employed for various types of guns. For example, one type of gun is dependent on having a propellant combined with the projectile. In this type of gun, the firing mechanism detonates the propellant contained in the projectile, which launches the projectile along the barrel. This type includes shot guns, which fire cartridges comprised of shot packaged with explosive material, and conventional rifles, machine guns, and handguns, which shoot bullets comprised of a unitary slug packaged with explosive material in a casing.
Another method of firing a projectile uses a propulsion source separate from the projectile, such as compressed gas, including air, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and others. Examples of such guns include, air riffles, BB guns, and paintball guns or “markers.” These guns either include a pump for compressing ambient air or are adapted to receive compressed air from a source, such as a compressed gas cartridge or gas cylinder. Conventional paintball guns rely on such cartridges or gas cylinders for supplying compressed gas, including air, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.
Nearly all similar “blowback” systems (simultaneously firing and re-cocking) begin an erratic and non-resetting motion to take place the moment that the system does not have enough supply gas pressure to completely “reset” the unit. “ALL” of these systems. This non-resetting behavior occurs with most guns that are in the market around 650 psi at best (normal operating pressures and tanks for these systems is approximately 800 psi).
Another problem with pneumatic launcher is because the masses of the bolt or hammer is so large as opposed to the mass of the projectile and the surface area of the projectile. In the blowback system, in pressures below 650-800 psi the pressure is too low for the hammer to re-cock itself by sufficiently returning to engage on the sear. This problem is present in existing blowbacks launchers. Launchers that can operate at lower pressures have bad air use efficiencies.
What is needed is a projectile launcher that maintains breech pressure. The projectile launcher-maintained breech pressure feature disclosure found in this document provides a solution.
It is an object of the projectile launcher-maintained breach pressure feature to use a two-part bolt. The two-part bolt has a forward bolt that moves and locates the projectile from the magazine to the breach. The ball is maintained in the breach until pressurized air pushes the projective out of the barrel of the launcher.
It is another object of the projectile launcher-maintained breach pressure feature to utilize a ball holder that maintains a position of the projectile until it is moved into the breach for firing. The ball holder is biased by a spring and when the bolt is moved, the bolt will lift the ball holder and blocks loading of a second projectile. The ball holder is located above the loading queue from the magazine where projectiles are fed into the launcher. The projectile is preferably a solid BB, but the launching system could be altered to accommodate a paintball or other pneumatically launched projectile.
It is another object of the projectile launcher-maintained breach pressure for the launcher to have an adjustable backspin “hoppa system” barrel detent to alter the pressure on the projectile when it is launched to create backspin on the projectile to maintain a straight flight to overcome some (or all) of the forces of gravity for at least some of the flight time of the projectile.
It is another object of the projectile launcher-maintained breach pressure feature for the two-part bolt to create a piston interface between the two bolt parts. The piston drives the projectile forward and to prevent a “spongy shot” where all the air is not directed to the ball to go forward, but by the surface area acting on the projectile that might cause some componentry to go backwards.
It is still another object of the projectile launcher-maintained breach pressure feature for the two-part bolt to incorporate a spring between the forward bolt and the rear bolt to maintain an extended biased location between the two bolt components. Travel between the two bolt elements if maintained by a pin that is retained in the rear bolt with a pin keeper spring. The travel of the forward bolt is restrained by the pin in a pin slot. The forward bolt is pushed into the rear bolt when a shoulder in the forward bolt contacts the circumference of the inside diameter of the bolt sleeve.
Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.
It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention but is merely representative of various embodiments of the invention. The illustrated embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout.
Referring to
In selected embodiments, a launcher 10 may have an exterior look and feel that mimics, substantially matches, or matches the look and feel of a particular firearm (e.g., rifle, pistol, or the like). For example, as shown in
For example, a launcher 10 may include a trigger 12, charging handle 14, magazine release 16, forward assist 18, butt stock 20 (e.g., adjustable butt stock), grip 22, fore grip 24, magazine 26, trigger guard 30, or the like or a combination or sub-combination thereof that collectively or individually match or substantially match the operations, sizes, shapes, and/or relative positions of comparable components on an AR-15 type rifle. In certain embodiments, all such components may be functional. In other embodiments, certain components (e.g., a forward assist 18 and/or bolt release) may be provided merely to maintain aesthetic realism but may otherwise be non-functional.
In certain embodiments, various components of a launcher 10 in accordance with the present invention may be actual AR-15 parts. For example, in selected embodiments, a butt stock 20, grip 22, fore grip 24, trigger guard 30, or the like or a combination or sub-combination thereof may be actual AR-15 parts (e.g., “milspec” parts, aftermarket parts, or the like). Accordingly, a user may customize his or her launcher 10 in the same manner and/or with the same parts as he or she would with an actual AR-15 type rifle.
Referring to
An upper receiver may be separable from a lower receiver 36. For example, one or more pins 52 may secure an upper receiver 34 to a lower receiver 36. Removal of one or more such pins 52 may grant access to a bolt assembly 50, valve assembly 40, trigger assembly 42, or the like. In selected embodiments, the various components of an upper receiver may be secured. Similarly, the various components of a lower receiver 36 may be secured. In selected embodiments, a trigger assembly 42 may include a trigger 12, sear 54, bolt catch 56, one or more pivots 58, 59, one or more biasing members 60, one or more cushions 61, 62, and one or more stops 63. Pulling the trigger 12 may cause a sear 54 to pivot until it contacts a bolt catch 56. With sufficient pressure, a sear 54 may urge a bolt catch 56 out of engagement with a bolt 64 of a bolt assembly 50. Once a bolt 64 is free of a bolt catch 56, the bolt 64 may move forward as biased by a biasing member 66 acting on the bolt 64. In selected embodiments, a bolt 64 may travel forward to actuate a valve 68 of a valve assembly 40.
Compressed gas (e.g., compressed air, compress carbon dioxide, or the like) may be conducted by one or more conduits 70 to an upstream side of a valve 68 in a suitable manner. In selected embodiments, a launcher 10 may provide or include a platform supporting multiple entry points for compressed gas. For example, in certain embodiments, a lower receiver 36 may include conduits 70 for receiving compressed gas from a butt stock (e.g., via a container or conduit located in the place of a “buffer tube”) or a grip 22 (e.g., via a container or conduit located within a grip 22) or a combination thereof. In any given embodiment, entry points that are not to being used may be sealed with an appropriate plug. A manufacturer may have selected from among various arrangements or configurations with respect to the entry point of compressed gas.
Regardless of the entry point used, compressed gas may be passed by one or more conduits 70 from a reservoir, source, or container of some sort (e.g., 12 or 16-gram canister of carbon dioxide or the like) to an upstream side of a valve assembly 40 (e.g., past a trigger assembly 42 to a space 72 or cavity 72 on an upstream side of the valve assembly 40).
A valve 68 of a valve assembly 40 may be biased toward a closed position by the pressure of gas on the up-stream side of the valve 68, by a biasing member (e.g., by an unknown biasing member within the space 72 or cavity 72), or by some combination thereof. However, after a trigger 12 is pulled and a bolt 64 moves forward, a ramp 74 forming part of the bolt 64 where the striker 79 makes contact the top portion of the valve 68 (e.g., a wear element 76 of a valve 68) and force the valve 68 open.
With a valve 68 open, compressed gas may be able to pass from an upstream side of the valve 68 and through one or conduits of a manifold 78 forming a down-stream part of a valve assembly 40. Accordingly, in selected embodiments, a manifold 78 may control how compressed gas is distributed within a launcher 10. For example, in selected embodiments, a manifold 78 may include a first aperture 80 directing a first stream of compressed gas to launch a chambered projectile (not shown) and a second aperture 81 directing a second stream of compressed gas to an aperture 82 feeding a particular space 84 within a bolt assembly 50. Compressed gas within this space 84 may slow the forward motion of a bolt 64, stop the forward motion of the bolt 64, produce a rearward motion of both 64, return a bolt 64 to a cocked position (e.g., where a bolt catch 56 has once again engaged a bolt 64), or some combination thereof.
In selected embodiments, a bolt assembly 50 may include a bolt sleeve 86, separator 88, end cap 92, buffer 94, bolt 64, or the like or a combination or sub-combination thereof. A bolt sleeve 86 may provide an interface between a bolt 64 and an upper receiver 34. In certain embodiments, a bolt sleeve 86 may include apertures permitting a valve 68, compressed gas, bolt catch 56, to enter a bolt assembly 50. A bolt sleeve 86 may have an interior surface against which various other components of a bolt assembly 50 may seal. In certain embodiments, a bolt sleeve 86 may be selectively removable. Accordingly, one or more fasteners 90 (e.g., threaded fasteners) may secure a bolt sleeve 86.
In selected embodiments, the separator 88 may separate compressed gas for launching a projectile from compressed gas for returning the bolt 64 to a cocked position. In selected embodiments, the bolt 64 may pass through a central aperture of a separator 88. Additionally, the separator 88 may include an aperture 104 aligned to receive compressed gas from a first aperture 80 of a manifold 78. Accordingly, once a valve 68 is actuated, this aperture 104 of the separator 88 may align with an aperture 106 in a forward portion 96 of the bolt 64, thereby enabling compressed gas to pass forward through a central (e.g., axial) aperture 108 in the forward portion 96 and propel a projectile out the barrel 46.
The bolt 64 may include a forward portion 96, rearward portion 98, ramp 74, extension 100, or the like or a combination or sub-combination thereof. A rearward portion 98 may interface with the biasing member 66 urging the bolt 64 forward. For example, in selected embodiments, a rearward portion 98 may include an aperture for receiving such the biasing member 66. As a bolt moves forward, the forward portion 96 may push a projectile off the top of the magazine 26 and into the chamber location of the barrel 46. In a forward position, a forward portion 96 may also form a bridge for conducting compressed gas past one or more openings (e.g., a port 110 in a barrel through which projectiles pass) that would otherwise permit compressed gas to escape.
In selected embodiments, an extension 100 of the bolt 64 may extend through a corresponding slot 102 in the bolt sleeve 86. According, as the charging handle 14 is pulled rearward, it may engage an extension 100 and pull the bolt 64 rearward. This rearward motion may continue until the bolt catch 56 engages an appropriate edge, lip, or surface of the bolt 64 (e.g., of the rearward portion 98). In this manner, certain embodiments of the launcher 10 may be manually cocked.
An upper receiver may be separable from a lower receiver 36. For example, one or more pins 52 may secure an upper receiver 34 to a lower receiver 36. The trigger assembly 42 may include a trigger 12, sear 54, bolt catch 56, one or more pivots 58, 59, one or more biasing members 60, one or more cushions 61, 62, and one or more stops 63. Pulling the trigger 12 may cause a sear 54 to pivot until it contacts a bolt catch 56. With sufficient pressure, a sear 54 may urge a bolt catch 56 out of engagement with the rear bolt 83. Once the rear bolt 83 is free of a bolt catch 56, the bolt assembly may move forward as biased by a biasing member 66 acting on the rear bolt 83.
Compressed gas (e.g., compressed air, compress carbon dioxide, or the like) may be conducted by one or more conduits 70 to an upstream side of a valve 68 in a suitable manner past a trigger assembly 42 to a space 72 or cavity 72 on an upstream side of the valve assembly 40).
A valve 68 of a valve assembly 40 may be biased toward a closed position by the pressure of gas on the up-stream side of the valve 68, by a biasing member (e.g., by an unknown biasing member within the cavity space 72, or by some combination thereof. However, after a trigger 12 is pulled and the rear bolt 83 moves forward, a ramp 74 forming part of the rear bolt 83 where the striker 79 makes contact the top portion of the valve 68 (e.g., a wear element 76 of a valve 68) and force the valve 68 open.
With a valve 68 open, compressed gas may be able to pass from an upstream side of the valve 68 and through one or conduits of a manifold 78 forming a down-stream part of a valve assembly 40. Accordingly, in selected embodiments, a manifold 78 may control how compressed gas is distributed within a launcher 11. A bolt sleeve 86 provides an interface between a bolt and an upper receiver.
In selected embodiments, the separator 88 may separate compressed gas for launching a projectile from compressed gas for returning the rear bolt 83 to a cocked position. The separator 88 may include an aperture 104 aligned to receive compressed gas from a first aperture 80 of a manifold 78. Accordingly, once a valve 68 is actuated, this aperture 106 of the separator 88 may align with an aperture 106 in a forward portion 96, thereby enabling compressed gas to pass forward through a central (e.g., axial) aperture 106 in the forward portion 96 and propel a projectile out the barrel 46.
The end cap 92 may fit within a bolt sleeve 86 and provide an interface between the rear bolt 83 and a stock mount 44 of a lower receiver 36. The buffer 94 may cushions an impact between a returning rear bolt 83 and the end cap 92. The bolt assembly includes a forward bolt 67
The barrel 46 includes a projectile retainer 112. The projectile retainer 112 may hold a projectile 114 in a desired location, ready to be pushed forward into the chamber of the barrel 46. In certain embodiments, the projectile retainer 112 may deflect, retract (in the embodiment shown) or pivot out of the way as the forward bolt 67 chambers a projectile.
When the motion of the bolt going forward, as a ball is loaded the striker goes forward and contacts the valve. The first thing the air wants to do is to immediately blow it back because the gasses are simultaneously going out to the ball and also back to the re-cock chamber. In the blow-back systems the air that is expelled is expelled against a large diameter that translates into a very large surface area. This creates and additional piston that wants to be blown-back. Air is trying to blow the projectile out, while the pressure that is building to fire the projectile out is also trying to urge the chamber rearward against the valve.
When the bolt catch is released from the catch 57, the bolt assembly moves forward until the ramp 74 of the striker 79 contacts the valve 76 (shown in previous figures). When the bolt assembly 51 moves forward the air path of the bolt sleeve aperture 104 aligns with the air supply. As the bolt assembly 51 moves forward, a compression of the bolt assembly 51 occurs as the two-part bolt 67/83 is pushed together when the shoulder 53 of the forward bolt 67 makes contact with the circumference of the inside diameter 55 of the bolt sleeve 86 (shown in
When high pressure pushes the back of the projectile in the breach 114 no portion of the bolt acts like a piston to drive air or a component backwards, that might result in a “spongy shot” where all of the air is not directed to the ball to go forward, but by the surface area acting on the projectile 15 that might cause some componentry to go backwards unless we have incorporate the piston area 43 that maintains more pressure behind this piece the forward bolt 67, to keep the forward bolt 67 from being urged rearward because there is spring 73 pressure against second side of the forward bolt 67.
The spring 73 pressure exceeds any pressure that can build-up behind the projectile that could cause the forward bolt 67 to go backward regardless of the weight or mass of the projectile 15 or if the projectile 15 is larger. In this embodiment the projectile is 6 mm or 0.236 inches in diameter. If the projectile is a different diameter the components of the launcher would be re-proportioned. The portion is at least a 30% greater cross-sectional area than the projectile. Projectiles of greater than 30 caliber or 0.300 diameter are contemplated. The Cross-sectional ratio of the piston to the projectile is preferably between 125% and 300%.
After the projectile is launched, the two-part bolt 67/83 is returned to the original position (as shown in
Thus, specific embodiments of a projectile launcher with a two-part bolt have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.
