Two-stage airgun fire and reset

Improvements in a more efficient use of air in a projectile launcher is disclosed. The launcher uses a two-stage air gun fire and reset to have a more efficient compressed gas usage because the gas is not wasted by performing simultaneous actions, instead, the motion dedicates a portion of the motion to firing only then transitions a “port” to close and redirect the gasses to “re-cocking” without wasted gasses going out the firing bolt. The air is redirected through a moving port or gate to allow the launcher to continue to perform and “cycle” to the point where there is low pressure in the supply tank. This prevents chopping or shredding of paintballs because the feed port of the projectiles only partially opens. The improvement allows the launcher to reliably feed and fire projectiles down to the point where it is obvious that the tank requires changing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to improvements in pneumatic launchers and, more particularly, to novel systems and methods for pneumatically launching paintballs, pellets, metal BBs, airsoft BBs, or other projectiles.

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 hand guns. 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, because of that fact, begin to “chop and shred” paintballs because the feed port of the projectiles only partially opens. 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 two-stage air gun fire and reset or a flow directing closed bolt flow-back system that is more efficient use of compressed gas by not performing simultaneous actions of firing and reloading. The disclosure found in this document provides a solution.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the two-stage air gun fire and reset to have a more efficient compressed gas usage because the gas is not wasted by performing simultaneous actions, instead, the motion dedicates1portion of the motion to firing only then transitions a “port” to close and redirect the gasses to “re-cocking” (or reset only) without wasted gasses going out the firing bolt.

It is another object of the two-stage air gun fire and reset to redirect the gases through a moving port or a moving gate to allow the unit to continue to perform and “cycle” almost to the point where there is very little pressure in the supply tank or system. 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, because of that fact, begin to “chop and shred” paintballs because the feed port of the projectiles only partially opens.

It is still another object of the two-stage air gun fire and reset for the air gun to continue to cycle and reliably feed and fire projectiles down to the point where a user can visibly see and experience from a recoil that the projectiles are leaving the barrel at a speed that is slower than if a user was throwing the projectiles by hand that indicates that it is time to change the air tank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIG. 1a launcher10is shown in accordance with the one contemplated embodiment that may support pneumatic actuation of one or more components thereof. For example, a launcher10may support pneumatic actuation or manipulation of an action thereof. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, pneumatic forces may be responsible for propelling a projecting out of a launcher10.

In selected embodiments, a launcher10may 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 inFIG. 1, a launcher10may match or substantially match the exterior dimensions, look and feel, or the like of an AR-15 type rifle. A launcher10may also have external controls that match or substantially match the exterior controls of an AR-15 type rifle. Accordingly, a launcher10may provide an effective simulation or training platform.

For example, a launcher10may include a trigger12, charging handle14, magazine release16, forward assist18, butt stock20(e.g., adjustable butt stock), grip22, fore grip24, magazine26, trigger guard30, 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 assist18and/or bolt release) may be provided merely to maintain aesthetic realism but may otherwise be non-functional.

In certain embodiments, various components of a launcher10in accordance with the present invention may be actual AR-15 parts. For example, in selected embodiments, a butt stock20, grip22, fore grip24, trigger guard30, 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 launcher10in the same manner and/or with the same parts as he or she would with an actual AR-15 type rifle.

Referring toFIG. 2, in selected embodiments, a launcher10may comprise an upper receiver (Not shown) and a lower receiver38. For example, in certain embodiments, a magazine well, valve assembly40, trigger assembly42, grip22, and stock mount44may correspond to a lower receiver38, while a barrel46, barrel detent48, bolt assembly50, and charging handle14may correspond to an upper receiver.

An upper receiver may be separable from a lower receiver36. For example, one or more pins52may secure an upper receiver34to a lower receiver36. Removal of one or more such pins52may grant access to a bolt assembly50, valve assembly40, trigger assembly42, or the like. In selected embodiments, the various components of an upper receiver may be secured. Similarly, the various components of a lower receiver36may be secured. In selected embodiments, a trigger assembly42may include a trigger12, sear54, bolt catch56, one or more pivots58,59, one or more biasing members60, one or more cushions61,62, and one or more stops63. Pulling the trigger12may cause a sear54to pivot until it contacts a bolt catch56. With sufficient pressure, a sear54may urge a bolt catch56out of engagement with a bolt64of a bolt assembly50. Once a bolt64is free of a bolt catch56, the bolt64may move forward as biased by a biasing member66acting on the bolt64. In selected embodiments, a bolt64may travel forward to actuate a valve68of a valve assembly40.

Compressed gas (e.g., compressed air, compress carbon dioxide, or the like) may be conducted by one or more conduits70to an upstream side of a valve68in a suitable manner. In selected embodiments, a launcher10may provide or include a platform supporting multiple entry points for compressed gas. For example, in certain embodiments, a lower receiver36may include conduits70for receiving compressed gas from a butt stock (e.g., via a container or conduit located in the place of a “buffer tube”) or a grip22(e.g., via a container or conduit located within a grip22) 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 conduits70from a reservoir, source, or container of some sort (e.g., 12 or 16-grain canister of carbon dioxide or the like) to an upstream side of a valve assembly40(e.g., past a trigger assembly42to a space72or cavity72on an upstream side of the valve assembly40).

A valve68of a valve assembly40may be biased toward a closed position by the pressure of gas on the up-stream side of the valve68, by a biasing member (e.g., by an unknown biasing member within the space72or cavity72), or by some combination thereof. However, after a trigger12is pulled and a bolt64moves forward, a ramp74forming part of the bolt64may contact the top portion of the valve68(e.g., a wear element76of a valve68) and force the valve68open.

In selected embodiments, a ramp74and/or wear element76of a valve68may be configured to provide a long service life. For example, materials used in the formation of a ramp74and/or wear element76may be selected to produce little wear on each other. In selected embodiments, one or both of a wear element76and a ramp74may be formed of a carbide material. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, a ramp74may be free to rotate with respect to other components of a bolt64(e.g., free to rotate about a central axis of a bolt64). Accordingly, wear caused by the contact between a ramp74and a valve68may be distributed over a large area of the ramp74.

With a valve68open, compressed gas may be able to pass from an upstream side of the valve68and through one or conduits of a manifold78forming a down-stream part of a valve assembly40. Accordingly, in selected embodiments, a manifold78may control how compressed gas is distributed within a launcher10. For example, in selected embodiments, a manifold78may include a first aperture80directing a first stream of compressed gas to launch a chambered projectile (not shown) and a second aperture81directing a second stream of compressed gas to an aperture82feeding a particular space84within a bolt assembly50. Compressed gas within this particular space84may slow the forward motion of a bolt64, stop the forward motion of the bolt64, produce a rearward motion of the both64, return a bolt64to a cocked position (e.g., where a bolt catch56has once again engaged a bolt64), or some combination thereof.

In selected embodiments, a bolt assembly50may include a bolt sleeve86, separator88, end cap92, buffer94, bolt64, or the like or a combination or sub-combination thereof. A bolt sleeve86may provide an interface between a bolt64and an upper receiver34. In certain embodiments, a bolt sleeve86may include apertures permitting a valve68, compressed gas, bolt catch56, to enter a bolt assembly50. A bolt sleeve86may have an interior surface against which various other components of a bolt assembly50may seal. In certain embodiments, a bolt sleeve86may be selectively removable. Accordingly, one or more fasteners90(e.g., threaded fasteners) may secure a bolt sleeve86.

In selected embodiments, the separator88may separate compressed gas for launching a projectile from compressed gas for returning the bolt64to a cocked position. In selected embodiments, the bolt64may pass through a central aperture of a separator88. Additionally, the separator88may include an aperture104aligned to receive compressed gas from a first aperture80of a manifold78. Accordingly, once a valve68is actuated, this aperture104of the separator88may align with an aperture106in a forward portion96of the bolt64, thereby enabling compressed gas to pass forward through a central (e.g., axial) aperture108in the forward portion96and propel a projectile out the barrel46.

The end cap92may fit within a bolt sleeve86and provide an interface between a bolt assembly50and a stock mount44of a lower receiver36. A stock mount44may be sized, shaped, and contain sufficient material (e.g., be substantially solid material as opposed to the ring of material found in an actual AR15 type rifle) to properly and repeatedly resolve the loads imposed thereon by a bolt assembly50. In selected embodiments, the end cap92may include a center extension for supporting and aligning a biasing member66acting on the bolt64. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the end cap92may house, support, or locate the buffer94. The buffer94may cushion an impact between a returning bolt64and the end cap92.

The bolt64may include a forward portion96, rearward portion98, ramp74, extension100, or the like or a combination or sub-combination thereof. A rearward portion98may interface with the biasing member66urging the bolt64forward. For example, in selected embodiments, a rearward portion98may include an aperture for receiving such the biasing member66. As a bolt moves forward, the forward portion96may push a projectile off the top of the magazine26and into the chamber location of the barrel46. In a forward position, a forward portion96may also form a bridge for conducting compressed gas past one or more openings (e.g., a port110in a barrel through which projectiles pass) that would otherwise permit compressed gas to escape.

In selected embodiments, an extension100of the bolt64may extend through a corresponding slot102in the bolt sleeve86. According, as the charging handle14is pulled rearward, it may engage an extension100and pull the bolt64rearward. This rearward motion may continue until the bolt catch56engages an appropriate edge, lip, or surface of the bolt64(e.g., of the rearward portion98). In this manner, certain embodiments of the launcher10may be manually cocked.

The bolt assembly50may include various seals as desired or necessary. For example, one or more seals may interface between the forward portion96and the barrel46, the separator88and the bolt sleeve86(grooves for seals are show in separator88, by the seals are not shown), the separator and the forward portion96, the rearward portion and a bolt sleeve86, or the like or a combination or sub-combination thereof.

In selected embodiments, the barrel46may include a projectile retainer112. The projectile retainer112may hold a projectile in a desired location, ready to be pushed forward into the chamber of the barrel46. In certain embodiments, the projectile retainer112may deflect or pivot out of the way as the forward portion96of the bolt64chambers a projectile.

A launcher10in accordance with the present invention may be modular and easily converted between various configurations. For example, in selected embodiments, upper and lower receivers36may form a platform into which various modules or sub-assemblies may be easily swapped in and out. This swapping in and out may be accomplished with simple motions like threading fasteners and pushing or pulling pins and without any machining, welding, bonding, or other permanent changes.

For example, in selected embodiments, a lower receiver36and the components corresponding thereto may be left unchanged, while a barrel46and all or some portion of a bolt assembly50is replaced in an upper receiver.

In selected embodiments, the valve assembly40or some portion thereof (e.g., the manifold78may extend forward into a portion of the magazine well38. This may enable the valve assembly40to receive compressed gas from the magazine26. Alternatively, this may enable a valve assembly40to direct compressed air into a magazine26. This compressed gas may then be used within the magazine to aid in some function such as urging projectiles or the like. In selected embodiments, compressed gas delivered to the magazine26may be stored in the form of advancing a piston or the like against a biasing member. In this manner energy from the compressed gas associated with multiple firing events may be collected and used as desired.

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 very 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. The following prior art description provides further description of the problem.FIG. 3shows the prior art blowback bolt motion in the cocked rearward position,FIG. 4shows the bolt assembly mid stroke,FIG. 5shows the bolt assembly in the forward position. The separator88stays stationary in all the figures. The bolt assembly is the forward bolt64, the ramp74and the rear bolt65. In cocked configuration shown inFIG. 3, the bolt assembly is held in position in the bolt sleeve86with the bolt catch56in the catch57of the rear bolt65. The bolt assembly is compressing the spring or biasing member66.

InFIG. 4the trigger is pulled and the bolt catch56is released from the catch57. The compression of the spring66moves the bolt assembly forward. As the bolt assembly reaches the end of stroke, as shown inFIG. 5, the ramp74depressed the wear member76and opens the valve68to let the air in the space72escape in two directions.FIG. 6shows a sectional view of the launcher with air movement at launch. The first direction120is out the front of the bolt to propel the projectile. The second direction122fills the gland area124between the separator and the ramp. The two directions of flow occur essentially simultaneously. After firing the ball, all the mass that fires the ball, all the gas that has been building-up in the gland area124blows the bolt assembly50back126to the position shown inFIG. 3. The O-ring seal the area that acts like a gland124. During the drawback the pulse of air is shared.

While this is the prior art method, in the preferred embodiment, it is preferred to first have all of the air going to the back of the projectile only, without any air going to the gland chamber124until the projectile has been launched. After the projectile is launched the air should be redirected into the gland area124, thereby not wasting any air that would blow into the gland area124at the same time air is being used to launch the projectile. The sharing of the air is inefficient and limits ball velocity at low air pressure.

The improvement changes the operation with a shuttle valve, but the valve may be referred to as a spool valve.

FIG. 7shows the improvement in the shuttle system and the new bolt51. The air is coining through into this back of this re-cocked chamber from a hole that is drilled on the other side of the front bolt to form a manifold and there is the vent for the back of the re-cock chamber. This is a bulkhead separator130the redirects air from the manifold up to the center of the bolt. This flange134rests on the shoulder and the purpose of the shoulder is at the right point, the bulkhead separator130is struck by the bolt, the bulkhead130is retained. In this figure, the springs132have a limited travel stroke and stop point that is controlled by the pin137. In this embodiment, the O-rings are important for sealing the different areas of the launcher. There is a definite limited stroke and stop point. The springs132allows the bulkhead separator130to collapse a finite amount136then return to the stop by resting on pin137. In the prior art the bulkhead is a fixed length and does not change the overall length. The sleeve is also different to control air movement into the gland area after the projectile has been launched.

FIG. 8A-8Cshow a cross-section of the new bolt sleeve87. There is a port140whereby air coining from the airspace72in the valve68from the pulse of the valve68through port140and is redirected to a communication port means or an internal groove142that goes completely around the inside of the bolt sleeve. This allows air to move around the bolt sleeve to evenly distribute air around the bolt.

FIG. 9shows a cross sectional view of the new bolt as the projectile is being launched. In the sequence of operation when the trigger12is pulled, the ramp74comes into contact and strikes the bulk head separator130. The valve68is opened to allow air to flow into the aperture104and out of the front bolt64to launch the projectile. The valve68is completely opened and the air can only flow out the aperture104, into the front bolt64and towards the projectile. Air is blocked from filling the gland area124. In the continued process, the forward momentum continues to drive the rear bolt65forward. As the rear bolt and ramp74moves forward an O-ring144seals off the port104.

FIG. 10shows a cross sectional view of the new bolt ready to reset. The momentum moves the bulkhead separator130over the grove142and passes the bulkhead separator130over that gland124, the gasses can only enter the gland124because the gasses are sealed by O-rings144. The gassed then fill-up the gland124. The mass of the bulkhead separator130is forced forward, and orifice aperture104that is firing the projectile closes and shuts the port off. As the bulkhead separator130moves to a forward stop the orifice aperture is completely shut off, and all of the gasses are re-directed to the gland area124to push the bolt assembly51rearward.

The bolt assembly is pushed to compress the biasing spring65to the reset position closing up the valve68. This works in the full-auto mode, because of the two cycles, wherein the first cycle all of the air is going and firing the ball and none of the air is going into the re-cock chamber, then as the bulkhead separator130continues to go forward, it closes off all of the air that would want to escape freely throughout this chamber and the passage and goes to launch the projectile. In this embodiment, air is no longer wasted and is instead re-directed to the re-cock chamber to blowing the bolt back and then resetting the bolt of the launcher to prepare the launcher to fire another projectile.

FIG. 11Ashows the outer tube assembly of the flow directing closed bolt flow-back system. AndFIG. 11Bshows the flow directing closed bolt flow-back system with the bolt sleeve and the rear bolt sleeve removed. A pin137is shown inFIG. 11B. The pin137is press-fit to be flush with the bottom surface of the manifold. The pin137acts as the forward stop to the bulkhead separator130. The bulkhead separator130can then move back-and-fourth. It can then move against the washer and the bulkhead separator130is limited from going forward by the pin137that stop or limits movement. The description and interaction of these components is shown and described inFIGS. 12A-12D.

FIG. 12A-12Dshow the flow directing closed bolt flow-back system in the different stages of firing. These figures show a high-performance bolt system that will fit into the platform of the previously described projectile launching system. This is a flow directing closed bolt flow-back system. This utilizes the ball retention system with the new detent system.FIG. 12Ashows a system that is similar to a blow-back system but has several differences. InFIG. 12Athe rear bolt65is retracted in the bolt sleeve87, where the rear bolt65is held in place by the bolt catch56. The bolt catch56prevents the compression spring66from pushing the rear bolt65forward.

This embodiment makes to two operates independent from each other, propelling a projectile114from the breach area and re-cocking the rear bolt65and the connected components.FIG. 13is an enlarged area of the breach. In this figure the bolt sleeve87is different.

Where the re-cock port69is going up as normal to the bolt sleeve86, what is different is that we channel that, not directly to the bolt sleeve86in through here, but by a communication port means, hole or groove142. On the outside of the bolt sleeve87is a communication port means, air channel or inner groove142as shown inFIG. 8C. This embodiment also includes a spring-loaded bulkhead separator130that is allowed to float as shown inFIG. 7.

When the bulkhead separator130moves from the rear bolt65, where the striker79contacts the bulkhead separator130, the rear bolt65pushes the bulkhead separator130. This is the transition fromFIG. 11A to 11B. An O-ring144isolates the area where the air is going to direct air flow only into the aperture104. The moment this gets struck all of the air is going through the rear bolt64when the catch releases the rear bolt65.

The air is being directed to the back of the ball or projectile114, and no air is going into the re-cock gland area124. Momentum will continue to carry the rear bolt65and the bulkhead separator130forward, and it will start pushing the bulkhead separator130and turns the bulkhead separator130and turn it into an actual valve. Note that inFIG. 12Bthe wear element76of the valve68has just made contact with the ramp area74of the striker79.

The outside surface area of the front bolt64, or the greater portion of the surface area locks itself into position as the ball151engages into annular groove153as shown inFIG. 12Bas the front bolt and the sliding bolt150continue forward the ball151comes up and locks itself into this groove164. The engagement of the ball151into groove154, it pushes this bulkhead seal O-ring144over the other side of this groove142. This is shown in the transition fromFIG. 12B to 12C. Now the air is starting to be vented into the recock gland area124. The air fills the recock gland area124and makes the bulkhead separator130completely move even farther forward as in the transition fromFIG. 13CtoFIG. 12D. The air in the recock gland area124shuts-off any air in the aperture80to the pathway to the aperture104.

At the position shown inFIG. 12Dall of the air is going into the recock chamber gland area124only. The bulkhead separator130acts like a slide valve. After the bulkhead separator130re-cocks the rear bolt65and the connected components where they slide into position as shown inFIG. 12Awhere bolt catch56holds the rear bolt65again and the pneumatic launcher is ready to re-fire.

FIGS. 14A and 14Bshow detailed views of the sliding bolt on the front bolt. In these figures, the annular groove153on the inside of the front bolt64is shown. The annular groove153is conformal to at least one or more balls151(only one ball is shown). While balls are shows it can also be a rod(s) or roller bearing(s). The ball(s) is/are retained with a wire keeper156or clip that keeps the ball(s) rod(s) or bearing(s)151from falling out. As the front bolt64goes forward a lug this lug160on the front bolt64hits the end161of the slot162to create a stop point, and the outer portion of the lug160hits the end161portion of the front bolt64and the front bolt64is prevented from moving forward. Because the front bolt64is stopped on the outside portion of the bolt, the sliding bolt150continues to move forward. As the sliding bolt150continues to move forward, the sliding bolt150continues to push the ball(s)151up into the groove153, locking it. Because the pressure of the ball(s)151can't act on the large outside diameter surface area of the groove154(see the position of the ball151in groove154fromFIG. 12C) of the surface area.

The difference between this inside diameter of the front bolt64is about 0.50 inch in diameter compared to the diameter of the projectile114that is about 0.69. The difference in diameters as about double the surface area. As the pressure builds behind the projectile114, the pressure has no influence on the inner diameter of front bolt64. It only has influence on the inner diameter of the bolt sleeve86.

InFIGS. 14A and 14Bthe grooves153are shown with the ball(s)151recessed in the front bolt64. When the front bolt64moves forward the ball(s)151have clearance to retract within the groove153or recess area. When the front bolt64moves forward the lugs160on the sliding bolt150stop forward movement of the sliding bolt150locks. The front bolt64continues to move forward, locking these three balls151into place. The front bolt64can continue to move forward and it can even go all of the way up to flush, depending upon momentum. The rear bolt65, front bolt and the sliding bolt150become a complete looking bolt.

Thus, specific embodiments of a pneumatic launcher system and method has 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.