Airsoft Shotgun Firing Mechanism

An Airsoft shotgun firing mechanism has been developed that fires the spherical projectiles of each shot sequentially in rapid succession. The shotgun firing mechanism directs the airflow sequentially against each spherical projectile in the shot, thus pushing each spherical projectile out of the barrel of the Airsoft shotgun. The flow rates of the air are balanced for all the spherical projectiles so all of the spherical projectiles are accelerating when the last spherical projectile is fired. By balancing the airflows, the spherical projectiles have essentially the same energy. The relative acceleration of the spherical projectiles out of the shotgun barrel is determined or selected by balancing the size and configuration of a bypass channel versus the number or stack of spherical projectiles to be fired.

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present general inventive concept pertains to air powered rifles and guns, and more particularly to a firing mechanism for an Airsoft shotgun.

BACKGROUND

Airsoft guns are replica weapons that fire spherical non-metallic pellets, often referred to as “BBs,” rather than the lethal ammunition that the replica weapons are based upon. Airsoft gun powerplants are designed to have low muzzle energy ratings so the spherical projectiles have significantly less penetrative and easier stopping capabilities, making them generally safe to be shot with, provided proper protective gear is worn. The term “Airsoft” may also refer to a sport played with these Airsoft guns that is similar to paintball, except that the pellets fired by the Airsoft guns do not leave a color mark like those left by a paintball, and the participants typically play on the honor system of acknowledging when being hit by a pellet from an opponent's Airsoft gun. Along with reduced mess, Airsoft guns are typically cheaper to acquire and operate than paintball guns and can also be used more easily for casual target practice when not engaged in competition. One of the most valued aspects of Airsoft guns is the authentic look of the guns, as the appearance closely adheres to the actual weapons upon which they are replicated.

Airsoft guns typically use an air pump or pre-filled bottled gas dispensed by a firing mechanism designed to release a quick burst of compressed air to propel the spherical projectile through a barrel to exit the Airsoft gun. When an Airsoft gun is configured as a rifle or a pistol, each spherical projectile exits the Airsoft gun as a single shot or event. Even in automatic or rapid-fire operation, the spherical projectiles are propelled from the Airsoft gun one at a time.

In the field of Airsoft guns, numerous challenges arise in providing an Airsoft gun configured to behave as a shotgun, that is, configured to release a group of BBs at essentially the same time as a single shot or event in response to a single trigger pull, rather than one at a time. For example, it is generally understood that, when mimicking the firing behavior of a shotgun, an Airsoft gun should release multiple BBs essentially all at once, such that all or essentially all of the BBs hit a target at essentially the same time. Thus, it is generally understood that each BB should be imparted with the same or similar energy by the firing mechanism, such that the BBs are all propelled from the barrel of the Airsoft gun at approximately the same velocity. However, in most Airsoft guns, the firing mechanism is dependent upon having an airtight or essentially airtight seal formed between a single BB and an entryway to the barrel of the Airsoft gun. Otherwise, the compressed gas released by the firing mechanism will expand around the BB and continue down the barrel of the Airsoft gun without having imparted sufficient energy to the BB to accelerate the BB to the desired velocity.

If a group of Airsoft BBs is positioned proximate the proximal end of the Airsoft gun for firing all at once down the Airsoft gun barrel, significant losses in pressure of the compressed gas released by the firing mechanism at firing may occur as the compressed gas is allowed to expand into the voids between adjacent BBs and travel ahead of the BBs down the Airsoft gun barrel. This phenomenon results in the requirement for significantly more compressed gas to accelerate the group of BBs than is practical to be carried in a typical Airsoft competition. Furthermore, many conventional Airsoft shotguns have a venturi effect that unevenly distributes the energy among the BBs. The venturi effect may cause one or more of the BBs to have too little energy and others to have too much energy. This venturi effect may cause the BBs to leave the Airsoft gun with different velocities, with the result being that the BBs do not all hit a target at essentially the same time.

Additionally, a potential safety hazard occurs in conventional Airsoft shotguns when less than a full load of BBs is loaded. In this configuration, the BBs exit the Airsoft shotgun with elevated energy, to the point that the BBs may cause harm to a participant who is hit with the BBs.

As can be seen from the above description, there is an ongoing need for simple and efficient devices to more evenly distribute energy among the spherical projectiles in an Airsoft shotgun. The Airsoft shotgun of the present general inventive concept avoids or ameliorates at least one of the disadvantages associated with conventional devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, a firing mechanism for an Airsoft gun is provided that includes a tube for holding a plurality of Airsoft BB's, the tube connecting an air chamber of the Airsoft gun to a firing zone of the Airsoft gun. A bypass channel is provided also connecting the air chamber to the firing zone, the bypass channel allowing air from the air chamber to bypass one or more of the BB's in the tube as the BB's are fired from the tube.

In one aspect, the present general inventive concept provides an Airsoft shotgun firing mechanism having a housing that forms an air chamber, a firing chamber, and an exit chamber. The housing also forms an inlet in the firing chamber. A median wall separates the air chamber and the firing chamber. The median wall has a tube connecting the air chamber to the firing chamber. The median wall also has a post extending axially into the firing chamber. A shuttle is disposed axially on the post in the firing chamber. A biasing mechanism holds the shuttle adjacent to the median wall. A firing zone connects the firing chamber with the exit chamber. The firing chamber has a bypass channel directed toward the firing zone. A projectile stop is disposed in the exit chamber and adjacent to the firing zone.

In another aspect of the present general inventive concept, an Airsoft shotgun firing mechanism has a housing that forms a firing chamber and an exit chamber. At least two spherical projectiles are disposed in the firing chamber. A firing zone connects the firing chamber with the exit chamber. A bypass channel in the firing chamber directs an airflow against each spherical projectile when in the firing zone to fire the spherical projectiles of each shot sequentially in rapid succession through the exit chamber.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the present general inventive concept will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present general inventive concept, and be protected by the claims that follow. The scope of the present general inventive concept is defined solely by the appended claims and is not affected by the statements within this summary.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present general inventive concept will be set forth in part in the detailed description, the drawings, and the claims which follow, and, in part, will be obvious from such description, or may be learned by practice of the present general inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and illustrations. The example embodiments are described herein in order to explain the present general inventive concept by referring to the figures.

The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the structures and fabrication techniques described herein. Accordingly, various changes, modification, and equivalents of the structures and fabrication techniques described herein will be suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. The progression of fabrication operations described are merely examples, however, and the sequence type of operations is not limited to that set forth herein and may be changed as is known in the art, with the exception of operations necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also, description of well-known functions and constructions may be simplified and/or omitted for increased clarity and conciseness.

To provide a clear and more consistent understanding of the specification and claims of this application, the following definitions are provided.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as amounts, and the like used in the specification and claims are to be understood as indicating both the exact values as shown and as being modified by the term “about”. Thus, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical values of the specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained and the margin of error in determining the values. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the margin of error, the number of reported significant digits, and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, where a range of values is provided, each intervening value to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit between the lower limit and the upper limit of the range is included in the range of values.

The terms “a”, “an”, and “the” used in the specification claims are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated or contradicted by context. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element to be essential to the practice of the present general inventive concept.

The simplified diagrams and drawings do not illustrate all the various connections and assemblies of the various components, however, those skilled in the art will understand how to implement such connections and assemblies, based on the illustrated components, figures, and provided descriptions.

According to various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, an Airsoft shotgun firing mechanism has been developed that fires two or more spherical projectiles in each shot sequentially in rapid succession. The relative acceleration of the spherical projectiles from the shotgun barrel is determined or selected by balancing the size and configuration of a bypass channel versus the number or stack of spherical projectiles to be fired. The shotgun firing mechanism directs the airflow sequentially against each spherical projectile in the shot, thus pushing each spherical projectile out of the barrel of the Airsoft shotgun while minimizing loss of air pressure between projectiles. The flow rates of air are balanced for all the spherical projectiles so all of the spherical projectiles are accelerating when the last spherical projectile is fired. By balancing the airflows, the spherical projectiles have essentially the same or similar energy. The spherical projectiles may hit a target at essentially the same time or in close succession.

FIGS.1-7depict various views of one embodiment shotgun firing mechanism100for an Airsoft shotgun. The Airsoft shotgun firing mechanism100is contained within a housing102having a rear104and a front106. The rear104connects to a stock (not shown) with a trigger, electric and/or mechanical controls, of the type commonly associated with an Airsoft gun. The front106is connected to a barrel138of the Airsoft shotgun.

The housing102forms an air chamber108disposed toward the rear104thereof, and the shotgun firing mechanism100forms a firing chamber110disposed forward of the air chamber108. The air chamber108and a firing chamber110are separated by a median wall112. The median wall112forms a post114extending axially into the firing chamber110toward the front106of the shotgun firing mechanism100. The median wall112also forms a tube116connecting the air chamber108to the firing chamber110. An air intake conduit111is provided in fluid communication with the air chamber108and defines a connector113of the type commonly used in Airsoft guns to connect the conduit111to a source of pressurized gas, such as for example an air pump, pressurized air canister, or the like.

A valve, such as the illustrated solenoid valve or “solenoid”120, is disposed in the air chamber108and includes an annular gasket115encircling a portion of the main body of the solenoid120to form a substantially airtight barrier between the air chamber108and the remainder of the housing interior rearward of the median wall112. The solenoid120is positioned forward in the housing102toward the median wall112, with the annular gasket115positioned between the air chamber108and the air intake conduit111. In this position, the annular gasket115limits fluid communication between the air intake conduit111and the air chamber108. The solenoid120is operatively connected to an actuating mechanism (not shown) such that, when the trigger of the Airsoft shotgun is activated, a valve in the solenoid120is made to permit fluid communication between the air intake conduit111and the air chamber108. Thus, in the activated position of the solenoid120, the air intake conduit111provides pressurized air to the air chamber108. This pressurized air is permitted to travel from the air chamber108through the tube116into the firing chamber110. It will be recognized that other devices may be used to provide pressurized air to the firing chamber110such as a controlled-release gas vessel or other devices known to one of skill in the art.

The housing102further forms an exit chamber124disposed toward the front106of the shotgun firing mechanism100. The exit chamber124has a firing zone126connected to the firing chamber110. The firing zone126connects to the barrel138when the Airsoft shotgun is assembled. The housing102has a projectile stop128extending into the exit chamber124adjacent to the firing zone126. The projectile stop128may, in some embodiments, prevent a spherical projectile from rolling or being pushed down the exit chamber124without sufficient air pressure, and once a projectile is fired down the exit chamber124, the projectile stop128may apply backspin to the fired projectile as the projectile moves down the barrel and out of the Airsoft gun. The projectile stop128could be an additional elastic interface disposed along the inside circumference of the exit chamber124, a rib or detent formed by the housing102into the exit chamber124, or the like. Preferably, the exit chamber124also defines a flexible, resilient, annular, backward inclined ramp facing toward the firing zone126, of the type known to one of skill in the art, which allows each projectile to “seat” at the firing zone near the entrance to the exit chamber124before being fired into the exit chamber124and down the barrel. When the Airsoft shotgun is fired, the spherical projectiles have sufficient air pressure to push past the ramp and projectile stop128to exit the Airsoft shotgun.

The housing102also forms an inlet130that opens into the firing chamber110. Spherical projectiles133(seeFIGS.3and4) are loaded or pass through the inlet130into the firing chamber110from a magazine (not shown) for multiple shots or as a single shot. Each shot contains two or more spherical projectiles133, and preferably multiple projectiles133. The firing chamber110has a projectile channel132extending from the inlet130to the firing zone126. Spherical projectiles133move along the projectile channel132for sequential firing through the exit chamber124. The projectile channel132alternatively may be incorporated into or formed by the structure or shape of the exit chamber124. The firing chamber110forms a bypass channel that routes air from the air chamber108to the firing zone126. The bypass channel can be provided by a bypass conduit134or can be formed by the sides of the firing chamber110, the sides of the projectile channel132, a combination, or the like. For example, in one embodiment (not shown), the bypass channel is formed by way of the projectile channel being sized to a larger diameter than the projectiles disposed therein from portions of the projectile channel nearest the inlet130to near the firing zone, but constricting to a diameter near that of the projectiles near the firing zone. In other embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment, a separate bypass conduit134is provided. In operation, the bypass channel routes air past some, but not all, of the spherical projectiles133disposed in the firing zone126. The balance of the air carried by the bypass channel to bear pressure against the one or more projectiles133nearest the firing zone versus the air carried by the tube to bear pressure against the rear-most projectile in the tube116determines the relative acceleration of the spherical projectiles133through the exit chamber124and out of the Airsoft shotgun barrel138.

A generally cylindrical shuttle136is slidably disposed in the firing chamber110and is permitted to slide from a first position, adjacent to the median wall112, to a second position generally encircling at least a portion of the projectile channel132. The shuttle136has an open forward annular end and a rearward annular end defining a rear wall having an opening defined therein. The post114extends axially through the rear wall opening of the shuttle136, such that when the shuttle is positioned adjacent to the median wall112, the post114and shuttle rear wall cooperate to prohibit fluid communication between the tube116and the firing chamber110. The shuttle136is biased or pressed by a spring (not shown) or other biasing mechanism against the median wall112in the first position, so as to not block or obstruct the inlet130, but instead to cooperate with the post to prohibit fluid communication between the tube116and the firing chamber110.

With reference toFIGS.3and4, when the solenoid120is activated and pressurized air is permitted to enter the tube116from the air intake conduit111and the air chamber108, the increase in air pressure in the tube116causes the shuttle136to move against the bias of the spring, away from the median wall112and into the second position (seeFIG.4). In this second position, the shuttle136blocks or obstructs the inlet130to prevent additional spherical projectiles133from entering the firing chamber110. At the same time, the shuttle136and the post114separate, thereby allowing pressurized air from the tube116to travel into the firing chamber110. Once the pressurized air enters the firing chamber110, the pressurized air is imparted to each of the projectiles133in the projectile channel132via the projectile channel132, and to the first projectile in the projectile channel132via both the projectile channel132and the bypass channel134. Thus, the first projectile in the projectile channel132is fired into the exit chamber124and down the barrel of the Airsoft shotgun, and the remaining projectiles133are advanced within the projectile channel132such that the second projectile is positioned to receive pressurized air from both the projectile channel132and the bypass channel134. At this point, the second projectile is imparted with sufficient pressurized air from both the projectile channel132and the bypass channel134to fire the projectile into the exit chamber124and down the barrel of the Airsoft shotgun, whereupon the remaining projectiles133are advanced within the projectile channel132, thereby positioning the next projectile to receive pressurized air from both the projectile channel132and the bypass channel134, and so on. Once all of the projectiles within the projectile channel132leave the exit chamber124and barrel, the firing chamber110, tube116, and air chamber108are rendered in fluid communication with the exterior of the Airsoft shotgun, and the pressure within these components is allowed to dissipate. In this configuration, the spring bias of the shuttle136causes the shuttle to return to its starting position surrounding the post114(seeFIG.3), whereupon the shuttle136is no longer blocking additional BB's from entering the projectile channel132through the inlet130. Additional BB's are allowed to enter the projectile channel132through the inlet130, and the Airsoft shotgun firing mechanism110is thus made ready for the next shot.

In operation, a shot is loaded or enters the projectile chamber132of the firing chamber110. Each shot comprises two or more spherical projectiles133, which could be any of the typical projectiles used in Airsoft guns. Preferably, two to ten spherical projectiles are loaded for each shot. More preferably, seven spherical projectiles are loaded for each shot. The spherical projectiles may come from an attached magazine that can provide multiple shots or may come from a single shot loaded into the firing chamber110.

The spherical projectiles133move along the projectile channel132to position the first spherical projectile in the firing zone126. The first spherical projectile is held in the firing zone126or is prevented from moving farther into the exit chamber124by the projectile stop128. When the Airsoft shotgun is operated or triggered, the valve of the solenoid opens to allow pressurized air from the air intake conduit111to pressurize the air chamber108and the tube116, which pushes the shuttle136farther into the firing chamber110and toward the exit chamber124. The shuttle136moves into position to block the inlet130and to prevent any further spherical projectiles133from entering the firing chamber110.

When the shuttle136moves or is pushed past the post114, the air enters the firing chamber110and propels the spherical projectiles out of the firing chamber110, into the exit chamber124, and out of the barrel138. The airflow is directed by the bypass channel134against the first or first few spherical projectiles in the firing zone126. Pressure from both the projectile channel132and the bypass channel134pushes the first spherical projectile past the projectile stop128, through the exit chamber124, and out of the barrel138of the Airsoft shotgun. Pressure from the projectile channel132causes the remaining spherical projectiles within the projectile channel132to advance and the next spherical projectile to enter the firing zone126as the first spherical projectile leaves, and this next spherical projectile is similarly pushed by the air from both the projectile channel132and the bypass channel134past the projectile stop128, through the exit chamber124, and out of the barrel138of the Airsoft shotgun. The remaining spherical projectiles advance, thereby entering and leaving the firing zone126in similar fashion as the first projectiles. A shot is completed when no spherical projectiles remain in the firing chamber. At this point, air pressure within the firing chamber110and the tube116depletes, causing the shuttle136to return to position against the median wall112and opening the inlet130for another shot having more spherical projectiles133to enter the firing chamber110. The solenoid120and triggering mechanism of the Airsoft shotgun return to their original configuration, and the process may begin again.

The shotgun firing mechanism100fires the two or more spherical projectiles of each shot sequentially in rapid succession. The spherical projectiles may hit a target at essentially the same time. The shotgun firing mechanism100avoids having the elevated energy of one or more spherical projectiles when less than a full load of spherical projectiles is used because the energy per spherical projectile from the shotgun firing mechanism100is very similar, essentially the same, for all the spherical projectiles in the same shot. Preferably, the shotgun firing mechanism100completely fires all the spherical projectiles in a single shot within one (1.0) second or less. More preferably, the shotgun firing mechanism100completely fires all the spherical projectiles in a single shot within approximately twenty (20) milliseconds or less.

The relative acceleration of the spherical projectiles out of the shotgun barrel is determined or selected by balancing the size and configuration of the bypass channel in relation to the number or stack of spherical projectiles to be fired. The flow rates of the air flowing through the channel bypass are balanced for all the spherical projectiles133so all of the spherical projectiles are accelerating when firing the last spherical projectile in a shot. The size and configuration of the bypass channel134controls the energy of each spherical projectile, which is essentially the same for each spherical projectile133in a shot regardless of the number of spherical projectiles in the shot. By balancing the airflows, the spherical projectiles have essentially the same energy thus avoiding the hazard of elevated energy even when less than a full load of spherical projectiles is used in a shot.

FIGS.8-10illustrate another embodiment of a shotgun firing mechanism200constructed in accordance with several features of the present general inventive concept. In the embodiment ofFIG.8, a portion of the shotgun firing mechanism200is provided within a discrete shell202which is sized and shaped to resemble a shotgun shell. More specifically, the shell202comprises a generally cylindrical curved outer side wall204having a generally circular forward end wall206and a generally circular rearward end wall208. The rearward end wall208defines an outwardly-projecting annular lip210extending along the intersection of the outer side wall204and the rearward end wall208, the lip210resembling a rim portion of a shotgun shell.

In the illustrated embodiment, the forward end wall206defines an axially-located annular through opening210opening to an interior of the shell202. The through opening210leads to a firing zone126of the type described above, having a projectile channel132extending from an inlet230defined in the side wall204to the firing zone126. A projectile stop128is defined in the shell202near the forward end wall206and is configured to limit free movement of spherical projectiles133from within the projectile channel132through the firing zone126and out the through opening210. As discussed above, a bypass channel134is defined extending between the firing zone126and a portion of the projectile channel132near the inlet230.

Within the shell202, a cylindrical shuttle136is provided which is slidably disposed between a first position, in which the shuttle136is adjacent the rearward end208of the shell202and clear of the inlet230and projectile channel132, and a second position, in which the cylindrical shuttle136is translated forward of the first position within the shell202to substantially block the inlet230and at least partially surround the projectile channel132. As discussed above, the cylindrical shuttle136is biased toward the first position, as by a compression spring (not shown) disposed between the shuttle136and a forward portion of the shell202. The rearward end wall208of the shell202defines an opening212which opens to an interior of the shell202and which exposes at least a portion of a rearward end of the cylindrical shuttle136. A rearward end of the shuttle136defines an annular through opening270which is sized and shaped to receive and fit in substantially airtight registration with a post114portion of a firing mechanism (seeFIG.9).

In various embodiments, one or more of a plug, door, panel, or the like may be provided to allow selective opening and closure of the inlet230. For example, in one embodiment (seeFIG.11), a resilient plug280may be provided sized and shaped to fit snugly within the inlet230and to establish a frictional connection therewith. Thus, the plug280may be removed to allow a user to place one or more spherical projectiles within the projectile channel132to establish a full load of projectiles within the shell202. Thereafter, the plug280may be replaced within the inlet230, thereby at least temporarily “sealing” the load of projectiles within the projectile channel132in the shell202.

With reference toFIGS.9and10, in the present embodiment, further portions of the shotgun firing mechanism200are provided by a receiver unit250which may be installed within a firing mechanism of an Airsoft shotgun. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver unit250includes a generally cylindrical receiver chamber252having a loading port254configured to receive a shell202therethrough, such that the shell202may be positioned generally coaxially within the receiver chamber252. A forward portion of the receiver chamber252defines an exit chamber124of the type described above, configured to be secured to a barrel of an Airsoft gun and to allow one or more spherical projectiles to travel through the exit chamber124and into the barrel of the Airsoft gun. When the shell202is received within the receiver chamber252(seeFIG.8), the exit chamber124aligns with the through opening210of the forward end wall206such that projectiles exiting the firing zone126may pass through the exit chamber124and outward through the barrel of the Airsoft gun.

A rearward portion272of the receiver unit250is slidably mounted within the firing mechanism of the Airsoft shotgun and includes an air chamber256having a solenoid valve258or other valve disposed therein, and an annular gasket115encircling the solenoid258to establish a substantially airtight barrier between the air chamber108and portions of the Airsoft shotgun rearward of the solenoid258. Forward of the air chamber256, a median wall260is provided separating the air chamber256from the receiver chamber252. The median wall260forms a post114which is sized and shaped to be received within, and to register with, the through opening270of cylindrical shuttle136, such that the post114forms a substantially airtight seal between the air chamber256and portions of the interior of the shell202forward of the cylindrical shuttle136. The rearward portion272is slidable between a first position (FIG.7), in which the post114is retracted axially from the receiver chamber252to allow a shell202to be received into the receiver chamber252, and a second position (FIG.8), in which the post114is advanced axially into the receiver chamber252to allow the post114to be received within the through opening270of the cylindrical shuttle136to substantially seal the through opening270. In various embodiments, suitable seals or gaskets may be provided such that positioning the rearward portion272of the receiver unit250in the second position also forms a substantially airtight seal between the tube262connecting the air chamber256to the receiver chamber252and the rearward surface of the cylindrical shuttle136.

As discussed above, an air intake conduit264is provided in fluid communication with the air chamber256and defines a connector266of the type commonly used in Airsoft guns to connect the conduit264to a source of pressurized gas, such as for example an air pump, pressurized air canister, or the like. Thus, when the Airsoft shotgun is actuated, the solenoid258travels rearward of the conduit264, thereby opening the conduit264to fluid communication with the air chamber256, and thereby pressurizing the air chamber256. As the air chamber256is pressurized, air flows through the tube262connecting the air chamber256to the receiver chamber252. Thus, pressurized air within the air chamber256pushes against the rearward surface of the cylindrical shuttle136, thereby urging the cylindrical shuttle136forward from the first position to the second position thereof. Once the rearward surface of the cylindrical shuttle136clears the post114, pressurized air from the air chamber256is permitted to flow into the firing chamber of the shell202, whereupon the spherical projectiles are fired from the projectile channel132, through the inlet230, and outward through the barrel of the Airsoft gun as discussed above. Upon firing the projectiles, the shell202may be removed from the receiver chamber252, either manually, via an appropriate ejector and ejector port, or by other means of the type known to one of skill in the art. A new shell202loaded with additional projectiles may then be received into the receiver chamber252, and the Airsoft gun may be fired again.

FIG.11illustrates another embodiment of a shell302constructed in accordance with various aspects of the present general inventive concept. Similar to the above-discussed embodiment ofFIG.8, in the embodiment ofFIG.11, the shell302comprises a generally cylindrical curved outer side wall304, a generally circular forward end wall306, and a generally circular rearward end wall308and outwardly-projecting annular lip310, such that the shell302resembles the approximate size and shape of a conventional shotgun shell. However, in the illustrated embodiment, no shuttle136is provided within the shell302. Rather, an open rearward end312of the rearward end wall308leads directly to an inlet230, and projectile channel132, and bypass channel134. The forward end wall306defines an axially-located annular through opening310opening directly to the firing zone126of the shell302, forward of the projectile channel132, and bypass channel134. As discussed above, a resilient plug280is provided that fits snugly within the inlet230and establishes a frictional connection therewith. Thus, the plug280may be removed to allow a user to place one or more spherical projectiles133within the projectile channel132to establish a full load of projectiles within the shell302. Thereafter, the plug280may be replaced within the inlet230, thereby at least temporarily “sealing” the load of projectiles additional projectiles133within the projectile channel132in the shell202.

From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by one of skill in the art that the shotgun firing mechanism of the present general inventive concept provides numerous advantages over other firing mechanisms known in the art. For example, the shotgun firing mechanism described herein allows the firing of a rapid series of projectiles having the same, or substantially similar, energy, thereby allowing the projectiles to “travel together” in a manner than mimics shot projectiles fired from a traditional shotgun firearm. In embodiments such as the embodiment shown inFIGS.6and7, the shotgun firing mechanism allows the use of the shotgun firing mechanism in the form of a simulated shotgun shell which may be loaded into an Airsoft gun and fired in a manner similar to the loading and firing of a traditional shotgun firearm, thereby improving the perceived “realism” of the Airsoft shotgun with which the shotgun firing mechanism is used.

While various aspects of the present general inventive concept are described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the present general inventive concept. Accordingly, the present general inventive concept is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Numerous variations, modifications, and additional embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. For example, regardless of the content of any portion of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, there is no requirement for the inclusion in any claim herein or of any application claiming priority hereto of any particular described or illustrated activity or element, any particular sequence of such activities, or any particular interrelationship of such elements. Moreover, any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed by multiple entities, and/or any element can be duplicated.

While the present general inventive concept has been illustrated by description of several example embodiments, and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the general inventive concept to such descriptions and illustrations. Instead, the descriptions, drawings, and claims herein are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and additional embodiments will readily appear to those skilled in the art upon reading the above description and drawings. Additional modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.