System For Air-Based Propellant Gun Adaptation

Abstract

A pneumatic firearm firing system is utilized to discharge a projectile from a firearm utilizing propulsion provided by a pneumatic propellant. A pressurized projectile retainer is utilized to concentrically hold a projectile under pressure due to a quantity of compressed gas provided from a compressed gas vessel. The quantity of compressed gas is held within a fluid conduit that is engaged into the pressurized projectile retainer. The pressurized projectile retainer is engaged into a front end of a firearm bolt. When a trigger of the firearm is pulled, a flexible collared portion of the pressurized projectile retainer is projected forward from a rigid collared portion of the firearm bolt, releasing the projectile from the pressurized projectile retainer and causing the projectile to be propelled forward due to the propulsion provided by the quantity of compressed gas.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a system for converting the firing mechanism of a firearm. More specifically, the present invention is a pneumatic firearm firing system that enables a projectile to be discharged from a firearm due to the propulsion provided from a pneumatic propellant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Firearms are available in a wide variety of forms as well as mechanisms of operation. Conventional firearms are discharged when the primer on a chambered cartridge is struck, chemically producing heat and igniting the propellant within the cartridge and firing the projectile portion of the cartridge. Firearm owners are typically subject to regulations and restrictions regarding the types of firearms that may be possessed. Additionally, legislative restrictions significantly affect the availability and cost of ammunition. As a result, firearm owners are often forced to procure alternatives that are subject to fewer regulations and restrictions such as, but not limited to, pneumatic firearms. Pneumatic firearms are discharged utilizing compressed air in lieu of an explosive propellant and serve as a suitable alternative to conventional firearms. However, the use of a pneumatic firearm as an alternative to a conventional firearm is not without drawbacks. The most apparent drawback is in the form of the additional expense incurred by a firearm owner in order to obtain the additional firearm. Storing and transporting a pneumatic firearm in addition to already-owned conventional firearms can be a significant inconvenience as well. Finally, some firearm owners may be unhappy with the reduced power provided by pneumatic firearms, particularly at long range and other pertinent situations.

A conventional explosive propellant-based firing mechanism has a significant drawback in that much of the propellant is wasted during the discharge of a projectile, resulting in reduced muzzle velocity. The projectile immediately begins moving down the firearm barrel after the propellant is ignited. The movement of the projectile rapidly increases the size of the expansion chamber between the projectile and the propellant, reducing the force of the expanding gases produced by the burning propellant on the projectile. The propellant typically does not even finish burning until the projectile has already exited the barrel and is lost in propulsion, resulting in a muzzle flash from the burning of the excess powder. A similar loss of power occurs in a pneumatic firing mechanism when gas from a reservoir is released into an expansion chamber where the projectile is located. The gas enters the expansion chamber at a much lower pressure than when the gas was released from the reservoir. The projectile begins moving down the firearm barrel as the gas is released, similarly increasing the expansion chamber and reducing the force of the gas on the projectile.

The present invention is a pneumatic firearm firing system in which a projectile is held under pressure prior to being discharged from a firearm. The projectile is held in place with the maximum potential force already applied until the firearm trigger is actuated and the projectile is released. Prior to being discharged, the projectile serves as a sealed pressure gate, eliminating the need for an expansion chamber between the projectile and a compressed gas reservoir and allowing the projectile to be held in place with the air pressure already applied.

The present invention enables the conversion of an explosive propellant-based firing mechanism to a pneumatic firing mechanism. Implementation of the present invention allows for compliance with firearm regulations and restrictions that only permit the ownership of pneumatic firearms. Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide the means for a firearm to utilize both explosive propellants as well as pneumatic propellants without significantly altering the firearm. As a result, a firearm utilizing the present invention may be quickly switched between a conventional explosive propellant-based firing mechanism and a pneumatic firing mechanism. The present invention may additionally be integrated into a pneumatic firearm during manufacturing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic overview of the present invention in the primed configuration.

FIG. 2 is a detail view of the present invention taken from circle A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the pressurized projectile retainer and the projectile.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pressurized projectile retainer and the projectile taken along line B-B of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a detail view of the pressurized projectile retainer and the projectile taken from circle C of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a detail view of the pressurized projectile retainer and the projectile taken from circle D of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic overview of the present invention in the firing configuration.

FIG. 8 is a detail view of the present invention taken from circle E of FIG. 7.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a pneumatic firearm firing system. The present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and comprises a firearm bolt 1, a pressurized projectile retainer 4, and a fluid conduit 7. The firearm bolt 1 is utilized to block the rear of a cartridge chamber 12 of a firearm 11 and is configured to receive the pressurized projectile retainer 4 and the fluid conduit 7. Within the context of the present invention, the firearm bolt 1 does not include a firing pin and the firing pin is replaced by the pressurized projectile retainer 4 and the fluid conduit 7. The pressurized projectile retainer 4 holds a projectile 16 under pressure until the projectile 16 is discharged from the firearm 11. The fluid conduit 7 is connected to a compressed gas vessel 10 and enables a quantity of compressed gas 22 to be supplied to the pressurized projectile retainer 4 in order to hold the projectile 16 under pressure within the pressurized projectile retainer 4. The compressed gas vessel 10 is preferably positioned external to the firearm 11, allowing the compressed gas vessel 10 to be easily removed from the firearm 11.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the pressurized projectile retainer 4 is concentrically and slidably engaged into a front end 2 of the firearm bolt 1. This enables the pressurized projectile retainer 4 to protrude from the front end 2 upon a trigger 14 of the firearm 11 being pulled, causing the firearm 11 to be discharged. When the trigger 14 is pulled, a firing assembly 15 that is positioned within the firearm 11 is engaged. The trigger 14 is mechanically coupled to the firearm bolt 1 through the firing assembly 15. The firing assembly 15 thus causes the pressurized projectile retainer 4 to project from the front end 2 when the trigger 14 is pulled. This mechanism is similar to that of a firing pin that is projected forward in order to ignite the primer of a conventional cartridge. In the case of the present invention, there is no firing pin present and the pressurized projectile retainer 4 is projected forward via the force of a mechanical spring 23 when the trigger 14 is pulled. This causes the projectile 16 to be released from the pressurized projectile retainer 4, discharging the projectile 16 from the firearm 11. A first end 8 of the fluid conduit 7 is engaged into the pressurized projectile retainer 4 while a second end 9 of the fluid conduit 7 is connected to the compressed gas vessel 10. The compressed gas vessel 10 is in fluid communication with the pressurized projectile retainer 4 through the fluid conduit 7. The fluid conduit 7 is preferably straight in order to provide a straight flow path for the quantity of compressed gas 22 within the fluid conduit 7. The quantity of compressed gas 22 from the compressed gas vessel 10 is thus able to be supplied to the pressurized projectile retainer 4 through the fluid conduit 7. The second end 9 is preferably a quick-connect coupling to allow the fluid conduit 7 to be easily attached to and removed from the compressed gas vessel 10.

The firearm bolt 1 is concentrically positioned along a central axis 13 of the cartridge chamber 12 and is slidably engaged into the cartridge chamber 12. The firearm bolt 1 is thus able to slide within the cartridge chamber 12 while being cocked. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pressurized projectile retainer 4 is a collet. The projectile 16 is secured within the pressurized projectile retainer 4 by cocking the firearm bolt 1. When the firearm bolt 1 is cocked, the pressurized projectile retainer 4 is drawn into the front end 2 and the collet is able to close around the projectile 16, securely holding the projectile 16 in place.

The firearm bolt 1, the pressurized projectile retainer 4, and the projectile 16 are shown in a primed configuration in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 while the pressurized projectile retainer 4 and the projectile 16 are shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3-6. In the primed configuration, the projectile 16 is held under pressure within the pressurized projectile retainer 4. The firearm bolt 1 comprises a rigid collared portion 3 while the pressurized projectile retainer 4 comprises a flexible collared portion 5. The rigid collared portion 3 prevents the flexible collared portion 5 from expanding and as such, the flexible collared portion 5 is positioned within the rigid collared portion 3 in the primed configuration. The pressurized projectile retainer 4 additionally comprises an annular ring 6 that is utilized to secure the projectile 16 in place. The projectile 16 comprises an annular groove 18 that is able to interface with the annular ring 6 to hold the projectile 16 in place within the pressurized projectile retainer 4. The projectile 16 further comprises a lateral surface 17 and the annular groove 18 traverses into the projectile 16 from the lateral surface 17. The annular groove 18 comprises a trapezoidal cross-section 19. The trapezoidal cross-section 19 assists in securing the projectile 16 within the pressurized projectile retainer 4. The angled edges of the trapezoidal cross-section 19 allow the projectile 16 to be easily freed from the pressurized projectile retainer 4 as well when the firearm 11 is discharged. The trapezoidal cross-section 19 comprises a first base 20 and a second base 21 that are opposing bases of the trapezoidal cross-section 19. The second base 21 is greater in length than the first base 20, forming the angled edges of the trapezoidal cross-section 19 that facilitate the freeing of the projectile 16 from the pressurized projectile retainer 4 when the firearm 11 is discharged. The second base 21 is positioned coincident to the lateral surface 17. Because the second base 21 is greater in length than the first base 20, the second base 21 is thus positioned in a manner such that the angled edges of the trapezoidal cross-section 19 are able to facilitate the release of the projectile 16 from the pressurized projectile retainer 4 by sliding.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in the primed configuration, the projectile 16 is concentrically and releasably engaged into the pressurized projectile retainer 4. The projectile 16 is thus securely held in place along the circumference of the projectile 16 before being released from the pressurized projectile retainer 4. The projectile 16 is held under pressure as a quantity of compressed gas 22 is hermetically sealed within the fluid conduit 7 in between the second end 9 and the projectile 16. This eliminates the need for an expansion chamber and the projectile 16 is held in place with the maximum potential force already applied. The pressurized projectile retainer 4 is concentrically pressed around the projectile 16 and the projectile 16 is frictionally held in place within the pressurized projectile retainer 4. Additionally, an O-ring seal 24 is present within the pressurized projectile retainer 4 in order to prevent leakage of the quantity of compressed gas 22. The quantity of compressed gas 22 is thus unable to leak from between the second end 9 and the projectile 16. In this sense, the projectile 16 serves as a pressure gate for the quantity of compressed gas 22. The annular ring 6 is positioned within the annular groove 18 to secure the projectile 16 in place and further prevent leaking of the quantity of compressed gas 22.

The firearm bolt 1, the pressurized projectile retainer 4, and the projectile 16 are shown in a firing configuration in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. The firing configuration is the configuration after the trigger 14 of the firearm 11 has been pulled. In the firing configuration, the flexible collared portion 5 is positioned adjacent to the rigid collared portion 3. Because the flexible collared portion 5 is no longer contained within the rigid collared portion 3, the flexible collared portion 5 is able to relax from around the projectile 16, allowing the projectile 16 to be freed from the pressurized projectile retainer 4. The annular ring 6 is positioned adjacent to the annular groove 18 as the projectile 16 begins to slide out of the pressurized projectile retainer 4.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the projectile 16 is loaded into the pressurized projectile retainer 4. The firearm bolt 1 is then cocked, drawing the flexible collared portion 5 into the rigid collared portion 3. This causes the pressurized projectile retainer 4 to concentrically press and close around the projectile 16 with the annular ring 6 being positioned within the annular groove 18. The pressurized projectile retainer 4 is then pressurized by releasing the quantity of compressed gas 22 into the fluid conduit 7. This is generally accomplished by opening a valve for the compressed gas vessel 10 in order to release the quantity of compressed gas 22. After the pressurized projectile retainer 4 is pressurized and the projectile 16 is held under pressure, the valve for the compressed gas vessel 10 is closed. The firearm 11 may then be discharged by pulling the trigger 14. When the trigger 14 is pulled, the pressurized projectile retainer 4 is projected forward from the front end 2. The flexible collared portion 5 moves adjacent to the rigid collared portion 3, allowing the flexible collared portion 5 to expand and release the projectile 16. The projectile 16 is then propelled forward due to the quantity of compressed gas 22 that is held within the fluid conduit 7. The lack of an expansion chamber for the quantity of compressed gas 22 eliminates any loss of force exerted on the projectile 16.

The present invention may additionally feature an air pressure amplifier in order to increase the maximum air pressure provided by the compressed gas vessel 10. The ability to adjust the air pressure output of the compressed gas vessel 10 allows the present invention to be utilized with varying sizes and weights of ammunition. The air pressure amplifier is additionally able to ensure consistency in air pressure between discharges of the firearm 11. The air pressure amplifier may be positioned within the firearm 11, externally mounted to the firearm 11, or be positioned completely separate from the firearm 11.

The pressurized projectile retainer 4 may be utilized to hold multiple types of projectiles. While the pressurized projectile retainer 4 is primarily intended for use with bullets and similarly shaped projectiles, the pressurized projectile retainer 4 may additionally be utilized with arrows and similar projectiles.

The present invention may be retrofit into an existing firearm in order to convert an existing firearm from a conventional explosive propellant-based firing mechanism to a pneumatic firing mechanism. In the case of a retrofit of the present invention, the present invention enables the ability to quickly convert the existing firearm between the explosive propellant-based firing mechanism and the pneumatic firing mechanism. Alternatively, the present invention may be integrated into a pneumatic firearm during manufacturing.

Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A pneumatic firearm firing system comprises: a firearm bolt;a pressurized projectile retainer;a fluid conduit, wherein the fluid conduit is connected to a compressed gas vessel;the pressurized projectile retainer being concentrically and slidably engaged into a front end of the firearm bolt;a first end of the fluid conduit being engaged into the pressurized projectile retainer;a second end of the fluid conduit being connected to the compressed gas vessel; andthe compressed gas vessel being in fluid communication with the pressurized projectile retainer through the fluid conduit.

2. The pneumatic firearm firing system as claimed in claim 1 further comprises: a firearm;the firearm comprises a cartridge chamber;the firearm bolt being concentrically positioned along a central axis of the cartridge chamber; andthe firearm bolt being slidably engaged into the cartridge chamber.

3. The pneumatic firearm firing system as claimed in claim 1 further comprises: the second end being a quick-connect coupling.

4. The pneumatic firearm firing system as claimed in claim 2 further comprises: a trigger;a firing assembly;the firing assembly being positioned within the firearm; andthe trigger being mechanically coupled to the firearm bolt through the firing assembly.

5. The pneumatic firearm firing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressurized projectile retainer is a collet.

6. The pneumatic firearm firing system as claimed in claim 2 further comprises: the compressed gas vessel being positioned external to the firearm.

7. The pneumatic firearm firing system as claimed in claim 1 further comprises: wherein the firearm bolt, the pressurized projectile retainer, and a projectile are in a primed configuration;the firearm bolt comprises a rigid collared portion;the pressurized projectile retainer comprises a flexible collared portion and an annular ring;the projectile comprises a lateral surface and an annular groove;the annular groove comprises a trapezoidal cross-section;the annular groove traversing into the projectile from the lateral surface;the projectile being concentrically and releasably engaged into the pressurized projectile retainer;a quantity of compressed gas being hermetically sealed within the fluid conduit in between the second end and the projectile;the pressurized projectile retainer being concentrically pressed around the projectile, wherein the projectile is frictionally held in place within the pressurized projectile retainer;the flexible collared portion being positioned within the rigid collared portion; andthe annular ring being positioned within the annular groove.

8. The pneumatic firearm firing system as claimed in claim 1 further comprises: wherein the firearm bolt, the pressurized projectile retainer, and a projectile are in a firing configuration;the firearm bolt comprises a rigid collared portion;the pressurized projectile retainer comprises a flexible collared portion and an annular ring;the projectile comprises a lateral surface and an annular groove;the annular groove comprises a trapezoidal cross-section;the annular groove traversing into the projectile from the lateral surface;the flexible collared portion being positioned adjacent to the rigid collared portion; andthe annular ring being positioned adjacent to the annular groove.

9. A pneumatic firearm firing system comprises: a projectile;the projectile comprises a lateral surface and an annular groove;a trapezoidal cross-section of the annular groove comprises a first base and a second base;the annular groove traversing into the projectile from the lateral surface;the second base being greater in length than the first base; andthe second base being positioned coincident to the lateral surface.

10. The pneumatic firearm firing system as claimed in claim 9 further comprises: a firearm;a firearm bolt;a pressurized projectile retainer;a fluid conduit, wherein the fluid conduit is connected to a compressed gas vessel;the firearm comprises a cartridge chamber;the pressurized projectile retainer being concentrically and slidably engaged into a front end of the firearm bolt;a first end of the fluid conduit being engaged into the pressurized projectile retainer;a second end of the fluid conduit being connected to the compressed gas vessel;the compressed gas vessel being in fluid communication with the pressurized projectile retainer through the fluid conduit;the firearm bolt being concentrically positioned along a central axis of the cartridge chamber; andthe firearm bolt being slidably engaged into the cartridge chamber.

11. The pneumatic firearm firing system as claimed in claim 10 further comprises: the second end being a quick-connect coupling.

12. The pneumatic firearm firing system as claimed in claim 10 further comprises: a trigger;a firing assembly;the firing assembly being positioned within the firearm; andthe trigger being mechanically coupled to the firearm bolt through the firing assembly.

13. The pneumatic firearm firing system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the pressurized projectile retainer is a collet.

14. The pneumatic firearm firing system as claimed in claim 10 further comprises: the compressed gas vessel being positioned external to the firearm.

15. The pneumatic firearm firing system as claimed in claim 9 further comprises: wherein a firearm bolt, a pressurized projectile retainer, and a projectile are in a primed configuration;the firearm bolt comprises a rigid collared portion;the pressurized projectile retainer comprises a flexible collared portion and an annular ring;the projectile being concentrically and releasably engaged into the pressurized projectile retainer;a quantity of compressed gas being hermetically sealed within the fluid conduit in between the second end and the projectile;the pressurized projectile retainer being concentrically pressed around the projectile, wherein the projectile is frictionally held in place within the pressurized projectile retainer;the flexible collared portion being positioned within the rigid collared portion; andthe annular ring being positioned within the annular groove.

16. The pneumatic firearm firing system as claimed in claim 9 further comprises: wherein a firearm bolt, a pressurized projectile retainer, and a projectile are in a firing configuration;the firearm bolt comprises a rigid collared portion;the pressurized projectile retainer comprises a flexible collared portion and an annular ring;the flexible collared portion being positioned adjacent to the rigid collared portion; andthe annular ring being positioned adjacent to the annular groove.