Abstract:
An efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun includes a lower receiver having a trigger assembly. The efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun includes an upper receiver having a gas distribution assembly and a bolt assembly configured to operate in response to actuation of the trigger assembly and configured to be operated by the gas distribution system. The bolt assembly has a first part and a second part that are separated by a small gap just prior to actuation of the trigger assembly, and become separated by a large gap, larger than the small gap, over a projectile-firing period of time immediately after the trigger assembly is actuated. The increase in the gap size is caused by movement of the second part in response to gas entering the small gap from the gas distribution assembly. The first part and the second part move together to cock the gun once they are separated by the large gap.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/551,833, filed Nov. 24, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the invention are directed, in general, to compressed gas-powered guns and, more specifically, to an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A variety of configurations of projectile guns, such as BB guns and pellet guns, exist. Some configurations are spring-loaded and use the mechanical energy of a spring to eject the projectile at a high rate of speed. Other configurations rely on compressed gas as the power source for ejecting the projectile from a barrel of the gun. Projectile guns exist in rifle configurations and pistol or handgun configurations. Additionally, there are currently single-shot configurations, semi-automatic configurations, and fully automatic configurations in existence. 
     Most compressed-gas guns use the compressed gas inefficiently. Previous designs of compressed-gas projectile guns are often lossy, or use more compressed-gas used with each shot than needed. Gas use efficiency is important, particularly for guns that operate on CO2 cartridges, and for automatic and semi-automatic guns. Gas losses can reduce the operation time on a compressed gas power source, and can increase cost of use. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered guns are described. In an embodiment, the gas-powered gun includes a lower receiver having a trigger assembly. The gas-powered gun may also include an upper receiver having a bolt assembly configured to operate in response to actuation of the trigger assembly, and a gas distribution assembly coupled to the bolt assembly, the gas distribution assembly configured to actuate the bolt assembly with a portion of gas used to fire a projectile. 
     In an embodiment, the trigger assembly includes a drop sear configured to at least partially rest on a surface of a shelf sear, the shelf sear being coupled to a trigger lever. In such an embodiment, the trigger assembly may also include an auto sear configured to engage a portion of the drop sear to cause the trigger assembly to fire repeatedly until the trigger lever is released. Additionally, such an embodiment may include a fire mode selector switch configured to cause the auto sear to engage and disengage the drop sear. Additionally, the fire mode selector switch may be configured to be a safety selector switch, wherein when a safety mode is selected, the fire mode selector switch prevents the gun from firing. In an embodiment, the trigger assembly further comprises a valve striker configured to strike a valve stem for releasing compressed air from a high pressure chamber and discharging the gun. In such an embodiment, the drop sear is configured to engage the valve striker, and to release the valve striker in response to actuation of the trigger assembly. 
     In an embodiment, the bolt assembly further comprises a bolt carrier group. In one embodiment, the bolt carrier group may include a bolt lock piston. The bolt carrier group may further include a bolt lock regulator body. In such an embodiment, the bolt lock regulator body may include a bolt lock regulator poppet. The bolt carrier group may also include a bolt probe configured to receive a portion of the compressed gas used to eject the projectile from the gun. In such an embodiment, the bolt lock regulator poppet receives compressed gas through the bolt probe for actuation of the bolt assembly. The bolt lock regulator poppet may be adjustable. Also, the bolt carrier group may include a bolt lock bushing. The bolt assembly may also include a bolt bushing configured to receive at least a portion of the bolt carrier group and allow actuation of one or more components of the bolt carrier group relative to the bolt bushing. 
     In an embodiment, the gas distribution assembly may include a high pressure chamber configured to receive compressed gas. The gas distribution assembly may also include a valve poppet configured to release the compressed gas in the high pressure port for ejecting the projectile from the gun. The gas distribution assembly may also include a valve stem coupled to the valve poppet, the valve stem configured to actuate the valve poppet in response to being struck by a valve striker. The valve poppet may be adjustable. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view diagram illustrating one embodiment of an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a receiver assembly of an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun. 
         FIG. 3  is an internal view diagram illustrating one embodiment of an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view diagram illustrating one embodiment of internal components of an upper receiver for an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view diagram illustrating one embodiment of internal components of an upper receiver for an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a bolt assembly of an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a bolt assembly of an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-section view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a bolt assembly of an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a gas distribution block assembly of an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-section view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a gas distribution block assembly of an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a trigger assembly of an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. One skilled in the art may be able to use the various embodiments of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a side view diagram illustrating one embodiment of an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun  100 . In an embodiment the gun  100  includes a lower receiver  102  coupled to an upper receiver  104 . Additionally, the gun  100  may include a compressed gas power source  110  and a barrel  106 . Optionally, the gun  100  may include a hand guard  108  a butt stock  112 , and other optional components, such as a magazine  114 , flashlight (not shown), optics (not shown), etc. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a receiver assembly  200  of an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun. In an embodiment, the receiver assembly  200  includes an upper receiver  104  and a lower receiver  102 . The upper receiver  104  may be coupled to the lower receiver  102 . In certain embodiments, the upper receiver  104  may be detachable from the lower receiver  102 . In still other embodiments, the upper receiver  104  may swivel or otherwise operate with reference to the lower receiver  102 . In such embodiments, the upper receiver  104  may be coupled to the lower receiver  102  by one or more pins, hinges, or the like. 
     In an embodiment, a handle grip  202  may be coupled to the lower receiver  102 . Additionally, the lower receiver  102  may include a fire-safety selector switch  206  and a trigger  204 . In some embodiments, the lower receiver  102  may include a magazine retention or release device  208  for retaining and releasing the magazine  114  relative to the lower receiver  102 . 
     In an embodiment, a gas power source adapter  214  may be coupled to the upper receiver  104  and configured to receive a gas power source  110 , such as a compressed gas bottle. The upper receiver  104  may also include an accessory attachment rail  210 . For example, the accessory attachment rail  210  may be a Mil-Spec Picatinny rail configured to receive optional optics, flashlights, laser targeting devices, flashlights, etc. The upper receiver  104  may also include a housing  212  for receiving a bolt assembly and gas distribution assembly as described further below. 
       FIG. 3  is an internal view diagram illustrating one embodiment of an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun  100 . In an embodiment, the gun  100  may include a trigger assembly  302 , a bolt assembly  306 , and a gas distribution assembly  310 . The gas power source adapter  214  may receive compressed gas from the gas power source  110 . The gas may be used to operate the bolt assembly  306  in response to operation of the trigger assembly  302 . The gas distribution assembly  310  may further utilize the gas to reset the bolt assembly  306  and/or reset the trigger assembly  302 . 
     In an embodiment, the trigger assembly  302  may include a trigger  204  configured for manual actuation by a finger of a user. Additionally, the trigger assembly  302  may include a hammer  308  for catching and releasing the bolt assembly  306 . The bolt assembly  306  may include a main spring  304  configured for mechanical actuation of the bolt assembly. The main spring  304  may be configured to provide a bias force to the bolt assembly  306  for biasing the bolt assembly  306  in a specific position. In an embodiment, the trigger assembly  302  may also include a striker linkage  312 , coupled to a striker pin  316 , which is coupled to a striker pin bushing  314 . The striker linkage  312  may cause the gas distribution assembly  310  to release gas to fire a projectile and to reset the trigger assembly into a cocked position. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view diagram illustrating one embodiment of internal components of an upper receiver  104  for an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun  100 . In an embodiment, the bolt assembly  306  includes a bolt bushing  402  with a cam lock slot  404 . In an embodiment, a cam pin  406  coupled to a component within the bolt carrier  410  may slide within the cam lock slot  404 . In some embodiments, the cam pin  406  may lock within a lock notch  408  in the cam lock slot  404 . The trigger assembly  302  may actuate the cam pin  406  within the cam lock slot  404  to release the cam pin  406  from the lock notch  408 , which may allow the bolt carrier  410  to move relative to the bolt bushing  402 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view diagram illustrating one embodiment of internal components of an upper receiver  104  for an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun  100 . In an embodiment, the upper receiver  102  includes a gas power supply adapter  214  configured to receive gas from a gas power supply  110 . In an embodiment, the gas may operate the bolt assembly  306 . The bolt assembly may include a recoil buffer  502  coupled to the bolt carrier  410 . The bolt assembly  306  may be coupled to the main spring  304  via spring guide  506 . Additionally, a charging handle  504  may be coupled to the bolt carrier  410  for manual actuation of the bolt assembly  306 . The gas distribution assembly  310  may be coupled to a gas transfer tube  508  configured to transfer gas for operation of the bolt assembly  306 . The lower receiver  102  may include a trigger assembly  302  configured for release and retention of the bolt assembly  306  to cock and fire the gun  100 . 
       FIG. 6  is a side view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a bolt assembly  306  of an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun  100 . In an embodiment, the bolt assembly  306  includes a bolt bushing  402 . The bolt carrier  410  may be configured to slide against a surface of the bolt bushing  402 . The charging handle  504  may be used to cock the bolt assembly  306  by actuating the bolt carrier  410  relative to the bolt bushing  402  and compressing the main spring  304  along the spring guide  506 . In an embodiment, the hammer cocking boss  606  may operate to cock the trigger assembly  302 . Additionally, the bolt probe  608  may be inserted into a firing chamber by operation of the bolt assembly  306 . The bolt probe O-ring  610  may seal the firing chamber, preventing leakage of air from the bolt probe  608 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a bolt assembly  306  of an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun  100 . In an embodiment, the bolt assembly  306  includes a recoil buffer  502  configured to guard against damage from the bolt cycling within the upper receiver  104 . Additionally, the bolt assembly  306  may include a charging handle  504 . The charging handle  504  may be coupled to a bolt lock piston  704 . The bolt lock piston  704  may be fixed to the bolt carrier  410  by a cap screw  814  shown in  FIG. 8 . The bolt assembly  306  may also include a bolt lock regulator body  706  that is fixed to the bolt lock probe  608  by a cap screw  714 . In an embodiment, O-ring  702  may be coupled to the bolt lock piston  704  and piston ring  703  may be coupled to the bolt lock regulator body  706  to prevent leakage of gas from the bolt assembly  306 . A bolt lock spring  708  may bias the bolt lock regulator body  706  apart from a bolt lock bushing  710  and, acting as a torsion spring, bias the bolt lock bushing  710  to rotate about the bolt probe  608 . In an embodiment, a setscrew  712  may be coupled through the bolt lock bushing  710  and into a groove  816  in the bolt lock probe  608  (see  FIG. 8 ). This arrangement prevents the bolt lock bushing  710  from moving laterally with respect to the bolt lock probe  608  but allows the bolt lock bushing  710  to rotate around the bolt lock probe  608 . 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-section view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a bolt assembly  306  of an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun  100 . In an embodiment, the bolt probe  608  may include a probe transfer port  802 . In an embodiment, compressed gas may be directed through the probe transfer port  802 . In some embodiments, the gas directed through the probe transfer port  802  may cause the bolt lock regulator poppet  806  to release compressed gas through a hollow bolt lock regulator adjustment screw  812  into a gap  705  between the bolt lock piston  704  and the bolt lock regulator body  706  causing the two bodies to separate by the distance the cap screw  714  can move in the slot  612  (see  FIG. 6 ). The gap  705  increases from the small gap shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  to a large gap, which is larger than the gap  705  shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  by the length of the slot  612 , in a projectile-firing period of time. During the projectile-firing period of time all of the gas, except that used to increase the size of the gap  705 , is used to fire the projectile from the gun  100 . Movement of the bolt lock piston  704  causes the bolt lock carrier  410  to translate relative to the bolt lock bushing  710 . The translation of the bolt lock carrier  410  relative to the bolt lock bushing  710  and a cam interaction therebetween may cause the cam pin  406  to move upwardly from a position low in the lock notch  408  (see  FIG. 4 ) into the cam lock slot  404 . The upward movement of the cam pin  406  causes the bolt lock bushing  710  to rotate relative to the bolt lock regulator body  706 , which rotation is resisted by the torsion spring  708 . Once the cam pin  406  enters the cam lock slot  404 , which occurs after the projectile-firing period of time, the entire bolt assembly  306 , including the bolt lock piston  704 , the bolt lock regulator body  706 , the bolt lock bushing  710 , and the bolt probe  608  may be moved toward the gas power source adapter  214  by a portion of the gas, causing the gun to cock. Once the pressure in the probe transfer port  802  dissipates, the main spring  304  may drive the bolt assembly  306  back into its original position and the bolt lock spring  708  may rotate the bolt lock bushing  710  to its original position and the cam pin  704  into a position low in the lock notch  408 . The bolt lock regulator spring  810  may bias the bolt lock regulator poppet  806  into a closed position, thereby sealing off the probe transfer port  802  once the bolt lock regulator body  706  is in a predetermined position. In an embodiment, the bolt lock regulator adjustment screw  812  may be used to adjust the bias force from the bolt lock regulator spring  810  on the bolt lock regulator poppet  806 . Such adjustments may control the amount of pressure in the probe transfer port  802  required to open the bolt lock regulator poppet  806 . 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a gas distribution block assembly  310  of an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun  100 . In an embodiment, the gas distribution assembly  310  may include a distribution block body  902 , which may house gas distribution valves and gas transfer tubes. In an embodiment, the distribution block body  902  may include a barrel port  904  configured to receive barrel  106 . In some embodiments, the barrel port  904  may be threaded or grooved to retain the barrel  106  within the barrel port  904 . In an embodiment, the distribution block body  902  may also include a transfer tube port  906 . The transfer tube port  906  may transfer a portion of the gas distributed to the bolt assembly  306  for actuation of the bolt regulator body  706 . Additionally, the distribution block body  902  may include a valve stem  908  for receiving gas to actuate valves within the distribution assembly  310 . 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-section view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a gas distribution block assembly  310  of an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun  100 . In an embodiment, the assembly may include the valve stem  908  and a transfer tube inlet port  906 . The valve stem  908  may actuate a valve poppet  1010  allowing high pressure gas to be injected through the high pressure access port  1006 . In an embodiment, the valve assembly, including the valve poppet  1010  may be accessible via the high pressure port plug  1012 . 
     In an embodiment, the barrel retention setscrew  1002  may retain the barrel  106  within the barrel port  906 . A distribution block anchor screw hole  1014  may be configured to receive a screw for holding the distribution assembly  310  within the upper receiver  104 . 
       FIG. 11  is a side view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a trigger assembly  302  of an efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun  100 . In an embodiment, the trigger assembly  302  may include a trigger lever  204  and a fire mode and safety selector switch  206  as described above with reference to  FIG. 2 . In a further embodiment, the trigger assembly  302  may include a valve striker  1108  coupled to the striker spring  1128 . The striker spring  1128  may be coupled to a striker spring guide  1126 . In an embodiment, the fire mode and safety selector switch  206  may be coupled to a selector spring  1124 . The selector switch  206  may be retained in position by a selector detent  1122 . In an embodiment, the trigger assembly  302  may include one or more sear components. For example, the trigger assembly  302  may include a drop sear  1106 , a shelf sear  1104 , an auto sear  1110 , or the like. Additionally, the sears may be coupled to sear springs. For example, the auto sear  1110  may be coupled to an auto sear spring  1114 , the shelf sear  1104  may be coupled to a shelf sear spring  1116 , and the drop sear  1106  may be coupled to a drop sear spring  1120 . Further, the trigger assembly  306  may include one or more auto actuators  1102 . The auto actuators may be coupled to the trigger  204  via an actuator link pin  1112 . The trigger  204  may also be coupled to a trigger torsion spring  1118 . The various springs may be used to bias each sear and the trigger  204  into predetermined positions. 
     In an embodiment, the drop sear  1106  holds the valve striker  1108  back, under spring tension when it&#39;s cocked. When the trigger  204  is pulled, the drop sear  1106  releases the valve striker  1108  and the valve striker  1108  strikes the valve stem  908 , firing the rifle. In a semi-automatic mode, the auto sear  1110  engages when the drop sear  1106  is pulled. In such an embodiment, when the drop sear  1106  is pulled and the valve striker  1108  is released, the valve striker  1108  strikes the valve stem  908 , and when the piston system moves the valve striker  1108  backwards in an effort to cock it, the auto sear  1110  engages, and holds the valve striker  1108  in place until the drop sear  1106  is reset (i.e. the user lets go of the trigger  206 ). 
     In an embodiment, the selector switch  206  is similar to an AR-15 type selector. For example, the selector switch  206  may operate as both a safety system and fire mode selection switch. It may include a series of half slots so that when turned or oriented in a certain way it can block the travel of the shelf sear  1104  to act as a safety, or raise up and engage/disengage the automatic fire linkage to act as a fire mode selector. In an embodiment, the selector switch fits the same form factor as a Mil-Spec M4/M16. 
     In an embodiment, the valve striker  1108  acts as a “hammer” of the trigger action. The valve striker  1108  may be held back under pressure from the striker spring  1128 . When the trigger  204  is pulled the valve striker  1108  is freed and strikes the valve stem  908  with great force, allowing the valve poppet  1010  to momentarily open and cause the airgun  100  to discharge its projectile. 
     In an embodiment, the drop sear  1106  may hold the valve striker  1108  in place against the mainspring pressure and release the valve striker  1108  when the action is fired. The drop sear  1106  may hold all of the striker spring tension in its locator pin so the sear itself is easily tripped, hence requiring very little force to trigger the much larger striker spring force. In an embodiment, the drop sear&#39;s pivot point may be slotted around the locator pin to allow for front to rear movement of about 0.15 in. The drop sear  1106  may also have a drop sear spring  1120  that allows this sliding movement to happen automatically. The front portion of the drop sear  1106  may have a geometry that allows the auto sear  1110  to “catch” it and hold it until the trigger  204  is released or the bolt locks full forward for automatic fire mode. 
     In an embodiment, the shelf sear  1104  holds up the drop sear  1106  when the action is armed and releases the drop sear  1106  when the trigger  204  is pulled. The shelf sear  1104  may include a shelf sear spring  1116  on its front end pushing up and providing resistance to the lever. The shelf sear  1104  may also be configured such that the selector switch  206 , when is safe mode, will impede its travel rendering the action un fire-able. 
     In an embodiment, the auto sear  1110  may move forward and backward against the auto sear spring  1114 . In such an embodiment, the auto sear  1110  may catch and hold the drop sear  1106  during the setting and resetting of the action after firing. In semiautomatic mode, the auto sear  1110  may release the drop sear  1106  when the trigger  204  is released by the shooter, allowing the shelf sear  1104  to get into a position to catch the drop sear  1106 , preventing the gun  100  from runaway firing. 
     In an embodiment, the auto actuators  1102  may be linked to the movement of the trigger  204  such that when the trigger  204  is pulled they allow the auto sear  1110  to move into a position so it can catch the drop sear  1106  after the action has been fired. When the trigger  204  is released the auto actuators  1102  may move the auto sear  1110  into a position that allows the drop sear  1106  to be released only when the shelf sear  1104  is in a place to catch the drop sear  1106 . 
     In an embodiment, the trigger  204  is the part the shooter touches and controls the firing of the weapon. When the trigger  204  is pulled its rearward end travels upwards and acts on the rearward end of the shelf sear  1104 , thus firing the weapon. The trigger  204  may have a torsion spring  1118  that provides resistance on the trigger  204 . 
     In an embodiment, the trigger assembly  302  may be operated by a shooter by pulling the trigger  204 . In such an embodiment, when the trigger is pulled rearwards by the shooter, the rear part of the trigger  204  moves upwards acting on the rear portion of the shelf sear  1104 . The auto actuators  1102  may move in sequence with the trigger  204  to position the auto sear  1110 . The trigger  204  may be pulled far enough back so that the “shelf portion” of the shelf sear  1104  no longer supports the drop sear  1106  and the drop sear  1106  falls downwards releasing the valve striker  1108 . 
     Upon release of the valve striker  1108 , the drop sear spring  1120  can now act on the drop sear  1106  pulling it rearwards a measured amount and also drawing the rear of the drop sear down  1106  and the front of it upwards, resting the catch on the auto sear  1110 . As the valve striker  1108  slams forward under mainspring pressure, the valve may fire. The action cycles and the valve striker  1108  is pushed back by the bolt assembly  306 . As the valve striker  1108  pushes over the drop sear  1106  its front portion is allowed to travel down and out of the way so the sear portion can once again be engaged by the valve striker  1108 . The main spring force may then take over and the valve striker  1108  may begin moving forward, driving the drop sear pivot point to the forward part of the slot and finally allowing the drop sear  1106  catch to rest on the auto sear  1110 . 
     In semi-automatic mode, the action may stay in this orientation until the trigger  204  is released by the shooter, causing the auto sear  1110  to move rearwards via the auto actuators  1102  and thereby allowing the drop sear  1106  to come to rest on the shelf sear  1104 . The action has now been reset and is ready to fire again. In full auto mode, the auto sear  1110  is pushed forward by connection linkage when the bolt is full forward and locked, thereby releasing the drop sear  1106  fully and allowing the valve striker  1108  to release, cycling the weapon until the trigger  204  is released. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.