Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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AIR GUN
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
100011 The present invention generally relates to a field of projectile firing
assembly,
and more particularly relates to an air gun for firing projectiles.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
100021 Historically, several outdoor games especially survival games or war
games
had been a sport to relieve stress and provide entertainment. With the
advancement of
technology, in survival games, weapons or equipment began to be an integral
part,
either for attack or defence. One such piece of equipment, in the survival
games, is a
toy gun. Such use of weapons has proved to be highly efficient in relieving
stress,
especially in the urban population. Further, toy guns which are mainly
employed for
survival games or war games include airsoft guns, and paintball guns, which
fire non-
lethal pellets or balls using pressurized air. Currently, the toy guns are
mostly driven
using mechanical firing or electronic firing means. The mechanical firing
means
include a trigger for controlling an air passage within the toy gun to fire.
It can be
noted that for each shot to be fired, the trigger is pulled. However, a user
of the
mechanical guns cannot pull the trigger fast enough for rapid fires. Further,
there are
few examples of the toy guns which involve a mechanically actuated rapid-fire
such
as, fully automatic paintball markers and many other airsoft mechanical guns.
The
fully automatic paintball markers allow full-auto fire due to an internal
operation of the
fully automatic paintball markers. However, these fully automatic paintball
markers
do not work well in full-automatic operation, due to a number of reasons, such
as, but
not limited to, a short distance traveled by a hammer which causes extremely
rapid fire,
while pressure drops quickly, and therefore, the fully automatic paintball
markers no
longer cycle fully. Further, the toy guns with the mechanically actuated rapid-
fire
designs tend to use various delay and tuning methods to slow a rate of fire of
the toy
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gun. On the other hand, the electronic firing means include a trigger for
controlling an
operation of a solenoid valve in the toy gun to fire. Further, the electronic
firing means
conducts rapid-fire. However, the electronic firing means are prone to any
faults in the
solenoid valve or the electronics of the toy guns.
100031 In order to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of the mechanical
firing
means and the electronic firing means, air guns are used which have a long
variety of
mechanisms driven pneumatically. In an example, the air guns may be, but are
not
limited to, paintball air guns. Further, a few examples of traditional
paintball air guns
may include, but not limited to, Tippmann 98, Planet. Eclipse EGO, and WGP
Autococker. However, these traditional paintball air guns do not include a Mag
(Magazine) Fed system, and therefore, a user needs to install a separate Mag
Fed
conversion kit for these traditional paintball air guns. In another example,
the paintball
air guns having a Mag Fed system, may include, but are not limited to, First
Strike T-
15, Planet Eclipse MG100, Tipprnann TMC, or Carmatech SAR-12. Typically, the
paintball air guns take the outside shape of a firearm as a shell and embed a
fixed
traditional toy gun mechanism within it. Further, such paintball air guns
having a fixed
valve unit housed within a single primary body that contains all individual
subcomponents like a firing pin, a piston, and a bolt. It can be noted that
the existing
technology of the paintball air guns, works differently when compared to
actual
firearms. Thus, the existing paintball air guns used for playing the survival
games, lack
the experience when compared to the actual firearms.
100041 Further, several air gun manufacturers provide military-style air guns,
based on
various methods of internal operation. However, such military-style air guns
have a
low-power and are also known as low-power plastic pellet air guns (referred to
as
airsoft guns). Sometimes, such type of airsoft guns is referred to as Gas
Blowback
rifles (or GBB rifles). Another such type of airsoft guns is referred to as
Automatic
Electric Gun (AEG) type. Further, such airsoft guns use some amount of
compressed
gas, via air valves, for their operation. However, such airsoft guns comprise
primary
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air valves housed within the magazine of the air gun. The use of air valves
within the
magazine may damage the projectiles within the magazine.
[0005] Prior art, for various aspects, contained therewithin, relevant to this
disclosure
includes, U.S. Patent Application No. US20140137847A1 to Omar Alonso Macy,
U.S.
Patent No. U59222748B2 to Loc T. Pham, and U.S. Patent Application No.
US20160047620A I to Jui-Fu Tseng.
[0006) In particular, reference '847 to Macy discloses a projectile launcher
capable of
optionally repositioning a bolt to a predefined position using a bolt carrier.
The
projectile launcher, in one aspect, includes a bolt, a striker, a bolt
carrier, and a ramp.
The bolt, in one example, is configured to be able to move within a bolt
chamber. The
striker has a striker reset hook that can move in a direction parallel to a
moving
direction of the bolt. The bolt carrier, having a fastener, a flexible latch,
and a bolt
repositioning latch attached to the bolt via the fastener. The flexible latch
is able to
latch to the striker reset hook, for resetting the striker during the process
of launching
a projectile. Further, the ramp facilitates disconnecting the flexible latch
from the
striker reset hook when the flexible latch moves over the ramp. However,
unlike the
subject matter of the disclosed invention, Macy does not discuss or suggest
that the bolt
carrier is compact within the bolt chamber and a striker resets a hook, every
time for
launching a projectile. Furthermore, Macy does not disclose or suggest a
moving valve
in a recoil assembly of the projectile launcher, which shuts air between the
sliding
valve, making the bolt assembly of the projectile launcher normalized to
ambient air.
100071 Another art '748 to Pham discloses a projectile launcher containing a
top-
mounted striker launching mechanism capable of propelling a projectile or
object. In
one aspect, the projectile launcher includes a bolt, a valve, and a striker.
The bolt
containing an air channel and a bolt carrier is situated inside a receiver of
the projectile
launcher. The bolt is used to facilitate the launch of a projectile. Further,
the valve
which is situated inside the receiver above a firing chamber away from the
ground, is
operable to control the release of pressurized gas for propelling the
projectile. The
striker which is coupled to the bolt via the bolt carrier and is physically
situated above
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the bolt away from the ground, is able to strike a valve pin of the valve to
release a
predefined amount of pressurized gas for propelling the projectile from the
firing
chamber to a target. Further, the recoil action of the projectile launcher has
a separate
mechanism or valve which therefore restricts the motion of the bolt carrier.
However,
unlike the subject matter of the disclosed invention, Pham does not discuss or
suggest
the aspect that the pressure chamber situated therein provides only a
predefined amount
of gas. Further, Pham does not disclose or suggest that a bolt carrier of the
projectile
launcher has a moving valve during the recoiling action of the air gun.
[0008] Another art '620 to Tseng discloses an automatic air rifle which
includes a front
sliding sleeve including upper and lower recesses. The automatic air rifle
also includes
a main biasing member secured to the front sliding sleeve and the charging
handle
respectively along with a roller. Further, the automatic air rifle includes an
L-shaped
rod; a rear diversion channel through the front sliding sleeve. Further, the
automatic
air rifle includes a rear sliding sleeve including pivotal upper and lower
hooks, a main
tube through the rear sliding sleeve and including a rear inlet, and an
annular flange
proximate the rear inlet. The automatic air rifle also includes a gas piston
disposed
forwardly of the main tube; an inlet member at a rear end of the gas piston;
and an
auxiliary biasing member put on the main tube and biased between the front
sliding
sleeve and the rear sliding sleeve. The air rifle is capable of firing in a
semi-automatic
or fully automatic position. However, unlike the subject matter of the
disclosed
invention, Tseng does not discuss or suggest the aspect that the rifle is
completely
automatic. Further, Tseng does not disclose or suggest that the bolt carrier
is compact
and does not provide a recoiling and resetting action in a single blow.
100091 The current market solutions for air gun replicas, all involve taking
toy gun
mechanisms and dressing them up superficially to outwardly resemble some type
of
actual firearms. Therefore, in the light of the above discussion and existing
air guns,
there is a need to develop an automatic air gun primarily to be used in the
sport of the
survival games like paintball, which resembles the outer structure as well as
the inside
functioning of the air gun to be similar to an actual firearm.
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SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[00101 An air gun for firing projectiles is disclosed. The air gun comprises a
recoil gas
unit and a bolt carrier unit. The recoil gas unit comprises a recoil guide
tube configured
to supply compressed air. Further, the recoil gas unit comprises a recoil
assembly
spring, wrapped around the recoil guide tube and disposed within a recoil tube
carrier,
for the movement of the recoil tube carrier. Further, the recoil gas unit is
coupled to
the bolt carrier unit. The bolt carrier unit comprises a piston disposed at a
first end of
the bolt carrier unit. The bolt carrier unit also comprises a piston chamber
integrated
at a second end of the bolt carrier unit, between a cap of the bolt carrier
unit and the
piston. The bolt carrier unit comprises a valve chamber integrated within the
piston of
the bolt carrier unit. Further, the valve chamber is a space between a first
end of the
piston and a second end of the piston. Further, the valve chamber is
configured to
facilitate movement of the piston and to receive the compressed air, for
performing a
firing stroke. Further, the compressed air contained within the valve chamber
acts to
perform the firing stroke and then retard movement of the piston some amount
before
the recoil stroke is executed.
[0011] In one embodiment, the recoil gas unit facilitates the compressed air
to flow
towards the valve chamber of the bolt carrier unit, to facilitate the firing
stoke and the
recoiling stroke of the air gun. The valve chamber is configured to
continuously retain
the compressed air during the movement of the piston, towards the barrel of
the air gun,
to move the valve chamber rearwards and to release a shut-off valve. Further,
the valve
chamber is designed to retain the received compressed air, always, when the
valve
chamber is at a first position, such as, at rest position or during forward
movement.
Further, the valve chamber is configured to release the compressed air at a
second
position and the compressed air flowing towards the valve chamber is shut off.
Further,
the recoil gas unit comprises a shut-off valve, disposed along a length of the
recoil
guide tube. The shut-off valve is configured to hinder the compressed air
being
delivered to the valve chamber. In one embodiment, the recoil gas unit
comprises a
flow reduction mechanism to achieve a sufficient pressure differential to
cycle the air
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gun. Further, the flow reduction mechanism may be used to hinder the
compressed air
being delivered to the valve chamber. Further, the flow reduction mechanism
may
comprise a narrow orifice to restrict flow of the compressed air. Further, the
supply of
compressed air to the bolt carrier unit is removed at an end of the recoil
stroke, allowing
the bolt carrier unit to reset after firing. Further, when the compressed air
continues to
flow freely from a rest position of the air gun, the air gun fires once and
then stays in a
recoiled position slowly venting the compressed air through a plurality of
bleed holes
until retained compressed air is removed. Such an assembly of the air gun
facilitates
the use of a limited supply of compressed air, for the firing and recoiling
stroke, while
firing the projectile.
[00121 Further, the bolt carrier unit comprises a firing pin integrated at the
second end
of the bolt carrier unit. The firing pin is actuated by a hammer retained by a
trigger of
the air gun. The bolt carrier unit also comprises a retainer coupled to the
cap of the
bolt carrier unit and the firing pin. In one embodiment, the retainer may be
installed
on the firing pin itself. In another embodiment, an e-clip retainer may be
incorporated
on the firing pin. The retainer is configured to hold the firing pin from
falling out of
the bolt carrier unit. Further, such usage of the retainer prevents the firing
pin from
loosening, due to repeated actuation by the hammer.
[00131 In one embodiment, the piston comprises a piston head at the first end
of the
piston and a valve pin coupled with the piston head, at the second end of the
piston.
The piston further comprises a valve pin spring wrapped around the valve pin.
The
valve pin, and the valve pin spring are configured to move towards a barrel of
the air
gun to release air after the firing stroke is completed. The piston head is
further
configured to move within the bolt carrier unit during the firing stroke of
the air gun.
Further, the second end of the piston is sealed by the valve pin. Further, the
bolt carrier
unit comprises a bolt coupled at the second end of the piston. Further, the
bolt is
configured to be pushed forward against the barrel, causing the bolt carrier
unit to move
rearwards and the bolt is configured to be pulled rearwards by recoiling
action of the
bolt carrier unit. The bolt provides compactness to the second end of the
piston and is
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further configured to project the compressed air released from the valve
chamber to
eject projectile from the air gun. Further, the compressed air is released
from the valve
chamber, and fed into the piston chamber to initiate a recoiling action or
recoil stroke
of the bolt carrier unit.
[00141 In one embodiment, the recoil assembly spring is configured to push the
bolt
carrier unit forward to a resetting position, when the recoil stroke is
completed. The
recoil assembly spring is further configured to decompress to an initial
length when the
bolt carrier unit moves forward to the resetting position. Further, during a
firing
operation of the air gun, the trigger is actuated by an operator of the air
gun. The air
gun is configured for an automatic function, by recharging the hammer during a
rearward movement of the bolt carrier unit at the end of the recoiling stroke.
[00151 In one embodiment, the bolt carrier unit further comprises a check
valve
integrated on a side air passage of the bolt carrier unit. Further, the check
valve may
act a passage integrated between the recoil gas unit and the valve chamber.
The bolt
carrier unit is configured to prevent the compressed air from venting out of
the valve
chamber. The ball check valve is further configured to retain the compressed
air within
the valve chamber, when the bolt carrier unit is manually charged or pulled
rearwards
to load or unload the air gun. The bolt carrier unit further comprises a
recoil piston
return spring placed between the piston and a forward end of the piston
chamber.
Further, the recoil piston return spring is configured to sit between the
piston and a
forward end of the piston chamber, to return the piston to a rearward position
after the
recoiling stroke is completed. The piston chamber is configured to facilitate
a recoiling
action of the bolt carrier unit when the compressed air is fed into the piston
chamber
during an initial stage of recoil stroke. Further, the compressed air supplied
from the
recoil gas tube unit and then into the recoil tube carrier, past the check
valve, moves
into that piston chamber. Further, the piston chamber is diverted rearwards by
the
forward movement of the valve pin which forms a pressurized chamber. Such air
gun
resembles the actual firing equipment (like AK-47) for the operation performed
with
the help of the recoil gas unit and the bolt carrier unit.
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100161 These and other examples of the invention will be described in further
detail
below.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00171 The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of systems,
methods, and embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure. Any person of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element
boundaries (e.g.,
boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example
of the
various boundaries representative of the disclosed invention. It may be that
in some
examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple
elements
may be designed as one element. In other examples, an element shown as an
internal
component of one element may be implemented as an external component in
another,
and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. Non-limiting
and
non-exhaustive descriptions of the present disclosure are described with
reference to
the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to
scale,
emphasis instead being placed upon the illustrated principles.
[00181 Various embodiments will hereinafter be described in accordance with
the
appended drawings, which are provided to illustrate and not to limit the scope
of the
disclosure in any manner, wherein similar designations denote similar
elements, arid in
which:
100191 FIGS. IA and IB illustrate an overview of an air gun, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
100201 FIG. 2A illustrates a sectional view of the air gun in a partial
recoiling position,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
100211 FIG. 2B illustrates a sectional view of the air gun in a complete
recoiling
position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
100221 FIG. 2C illustrates a sectional view of the air gun in a rest or a
ready-to-fire
position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
100231 FIGS. 3A-3E illustrate exemplary embodiments of a recoil gas unit of
the air
gun, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[00241 FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate exemplary embodiments of a bolt carrier unit of
the air
gun, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
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[0025] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate another exemplary embodiment of the bolt carrier
unit
of the air gun, according to one preferred embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0026] FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate a firing sequence operation of the air gun,
according to
one preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate a first stage of recoiling action sequence of
the air gun,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0028] FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate a second stage of the recoiling action sequence
of the
air gun, in conjunction with FIGS. 7A-7B, according to an embodiment of the
present
disclosure;
[0029] FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate the recoil stroke of the air gun, according to
an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
100301 FIG. 10 illustrates a final return position of the air gun, according
to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 11 illustrates a reset position of the air gun, according to an
embodiment
of the present disclosure; and
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00321 Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or
features,
examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever
possible,
corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the
drawings to
refer to the same or corresponding parts. Moreover, references to various
elements
described herein, are made collectively or individually when there may be more
than
one element of the same type. However, such references are merely exemplary in
nature. it may be noted that any reference to elements in the singular may
also be
construed to relate to the plural and vice-versa without limiting the scope of
the
disclosure to the exact number or type of such elements unless set forth
explicitly in
the appended claims.
[0033] In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the
implementations
described herein are shown and described. It will, of course, be understood
that in the
development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-
specific
decisions may be made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such
as
compliance with application- and business-related constraints, and that these
specific
goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to
another.
Moreover, it will be understood that such a development effort might be
complex and
time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine underta.king of engineering
for
those of ordinary skills in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
[0034] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features,
will now be
discussed in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and
"including,"
and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-
ended
in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be
an
exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the
listed item
or items.
[00351 It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims,
the singular
forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context
dictates
otherwise. Although any number of systems and methods similar or equivalent to
those
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described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the
present
disclosure, the preferred systems, and methods are now described.
[0036] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully
hereinafter
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent
like
elements throughout the several figures, and in which example embodiments are
shown. Embodiments of the present disclosure may, however, be embodied in
alternative forms and should not be construed as being limited to the
embodiments set
forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are
merely
examples among other possible examples.
[00371 FIG. lA illustrates an overview of an air gun 100, according to an
embodiment
of the present disclosure. FIG. I A is described in conjunction with FIG. I B.
[0038] In one embodiment, the air gun 100 may be a replica of traditional
firearms
such as AK-47 or AK-M type. The air gun 100 may comprise a housing 102, a
cover
104, a magazine 106, a trigger 108, an air inlet swivel 110, a handle 112, a
barrel 114,
a butt.stock 116, and a handguard 118. The housing 102 may enclose a recoil
gas unit
120 and a bolt carrier unit 122. It can be noted that the recoil gas unit 120
and the bolt
carrier unit 122 together perform various operations of the air gun 100.
Further, the
recoil gas unit 120 may be coupled to the bolt carrier unit 122. In one
embodiment, the
bolt carrier unit 122 may he referred as a recoiling element, as the bolt
carrier unit 122
may be configured to perform, a recoiling action by the moving between a first
position
to a second position within the housing 102. In one embodiment, the bolt
carrier unit
122 may be referred to as a bolt carrier assembly and the recoil gas unit 120
may be
referred to as a recoiling assembly.
[00391 At first, the housing 102 may be provided with the cover 104 to protect
the
recoil gas unit 120 and the bolt carrier unit 122 from air intake or dust. It
can be noted
that the cover 104 may be detachably coupled to the housing 102. Further, the
cover
104 may be made from a material selected from a group of materials such as,
but not
limited to, stainless-steel, polymer, carbon fiber, plastic, metal, or alloy.
In one
embodiment, the cover 104 and the housing 102 may be made of the same
material.
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Further, the air gun 100 includes the magazine 106 for storing projectiles. In
one
embodiment, the air gun 100 may use a plurality of forms of feeding
projectiles via the
magazine 106, such as, but not limited to, a spring tube feed, a gravity feed
from a
hopper, a belt feed, or a force feed system that uses electronic, mechanical,
or
pneumatic actuation to feed projectiles into the air gun 100. It can be noted
that the
magazine 106 may be detachably coupled to the housing 102 of the air gun 100,
as
shown in FIG. 1A. In one embodiment, the magazine 106 may be detachably
attached
to the air gun 100, for holding the magazine 106 firmly into the air gun 100.
In another
embodiment, the magazine 106 may be spring-loaded and may be coupled to the
air
gun 100, by pushing the magazine 106 into a chamber of the air gun 100 and may
be
detached from the air gun 100 by simply pushing a spring forward or
manipulating a
retention lever. Further, the magazine 106 may be made from a material
selected from
a group of materials such as, but not limited to, stainless-steel, polymer,
carbon fiber,
plastic, metal, alloy, etc. In one embodiment, the magazine 106 and the
housing 102
may be made of the same material.
[0040] Further, the magazine 106 may hold a pre-defined number of projectiles.
In
one exemplary embodiment, the magazine 106 holds 20 projectiles. Further, the
magazine 106 may facilitate automatic reloading of the air gun 100. It can be
noted
that the use of the magazine 106 reduces the time and need to re-load the air
gun 100
manually, each time a projectile is fired from the air gun 100. Further, the
size of the
projectile may be based on the dimensions of the air gun 100 and the
dimensions of the
magazine 106. In one embodiment, the projectiles may be made from a material
selected from a group of materials from stainless-steel, polymer, carbon
fiber, plastic,
metal, alloy, etc. In one exemplary embodiment, the projectiles may be
paintballs and
the air gun 100 may be a paintball air gun, being used in the game of
paintball. The
projectile can also be referred to as an object, such as, but not limited to,
paintball; non-
lethal projectile (such as pepper balls), lead or plastic pellets of various
calibers,
shooting foam darts, or foam-balls, a less-lethal projectile, and/or lethal
projectile. For
example, a non-lethal projectile can be a food-color based paintball, and a
lethal
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projectile can be a bullet. It should be noted that the terms "paintball,"
"non-lethal
projectile," "less-lethal projectile," and "lethal projectile" will be used
interchangeably
herein.
[00411 In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, the magazine 106 may be
detachable
from the air gun 100 using a magazine release lever 124. In an embodiment, the
magazine 106 may be provided with a magazine catch, which is configured to
properly
lock in the magazine 106 when inserted into the air gun 100. Further, the
magazine
106 may comprise an inner structure 126 and an outer structure 128. Further,
the outer
structure 128 may be frame made of metal such as sheet metal or plastic. The
inner
structure 126 may comprise a spring and a spring follower. Further, the spring
may be
configured push a projectile forward and the spring follower may eject the
projectile
out of the inner structure 126 of the magazine towards a barrel feed port (not
shown)
of the barrel 114. In one embodiment, the magazine 106 may use the spring and
the
spring follower within the inner structure 126 to push the plurality of
projectiles into
the air gun 100.
[00421 In one embodiment, the air gun 100 further comprises the trigger 108
coupled
to the housing 102 of the air gun 100. It can he noted that the trigger 108
may be
disposed between the handle 112 and the magazine 106 of the air gun 100.
Further,
the trigger 108 may be actuated to allow an operator of the air gun 100, to
control a
firing operation of the air gun 100. In one embodiment, the trigger 108 may be
manually actuated. In one exemplary embodiment, the manual actuation of the
trigger
108 may be initiated by pulling the trigger 108 backward. Further, the trigger
108 may
allow the operator to initiate a mechanism or operation of the air gun 100,
when a
trigger 108 is actuated by the operator. It can be noted that the trigger 108
may allow
the operator to fire the projectile from the air gun 100. Further, the trigger
108 may be
of a suitable shape, to allow the operator of the air gun 100, to comfortably
rest his/her
finger on the trigger 108. In one embodiment, the trigger 108 may be made from
a
material selected from a group of materials such as, but not limited to,
stainless-steel,
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polymer, carbon fiber, plastic, metal, alloy, etc. In another embodiment, the
trigger
108 and the housing 102 may be made of the same material.
[0043] In one embodiment, the air gun 100 comprises the air inlet swivel 110
which
may be disposed at a lower end of the air gun 100. In one embodiment, the air
inlet
swivel 110 may be integrated within the handle 112. The air inlet swivel 110
may be
herein referred to as an air flow guiding element. Further, the air inlet
swivel 110 may
be connected to a compressed air flow unit or an external air compressor. In
one
embodiment, the compressed air flow unit may be an air pressure vessel or an
air tank.
The air inlet swivel 110 may be configured to supply a stream of compressed or
pressurized gas or air to launch a projectile such as a paintball, through the
air gun 100.
Further, the air inlet swivel 110 may be coupled with a means to supply air at
a
predefined pressure into the recoil gas unit 120 within the housing 102, via
the handle
112. It can be noted that the recoil gas unit 120 may receive compressed air
from the
air inlet swivel 110, via an external air supply. The air supply may be
attached to the
air gun 100, via the air inlet swivel 110. In one embodiment, the air supply
may bypass
the handle 112 entirely. In one exemplary embodiment, the air supply may be
attached
to the buttstock 116 of the air gun 100. The air pressure may be supplied into
the recoil
gas unit 120 and thereby into the bolt carrier unit 122, to perform the firing
operation
(as described below) of the air gun 100. Further, the trigger 108 may be
actuated to
prepare the bolt carrier unit 122 to eject the projectile when the air
pressure is fed from
the air inlet swivel 110, out of the air gun 100 towards a target. It can be
noted that air
inlet swivel 110 may be shaped to easily attach to an external air supply.
Further, the
air inlet swivel 110 may be coupled to an external air supply, using an
adapter (not
shown). The air inlet swivel 110 may be made from a group of materials such as
stainless-steel, polymer, carbon fiber, plastic, metal, alloy, etc. Such use
of the air inlet
swivel 110 may allow the use of a fixed supply of air to fire the projectile,
to reduce
the amount of energy loss from air charge for firing the projectile.
[0044] In one embodiment, the handle 112 may allow an operator of the air gun
100,
to hold the air gun 100. The handle 112 may be made from a material selected
from a
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group of materials such as, but not limited to, stainless-steel, polymer,
carbon fiber,
plastic, metal, alloy, etc. In another embodiment, the handle 112 and air gun
100 may
be made of the same material. In one embodiment, the handle 112 may be
provided
with an additional grip, which allows firm hold of the air gun 100 by the
user. In one
embodiment, the grip may be an outer layer on the handle 112, which provides
an anti-
slip hold to the user. The grip may be made from an elastic material such as
rubber or
may be carved into the material of the handle 112.
100451 In one embodiment, the air gun 100 comprises the barrel 114 that allows
the
projectile to be ejected from the air gun. 100, towards the target. It can be
noted that a
first end of the barrel .114 may be connected to the housing 102 and the
second end of
the barrel 114 may be set free from where the projectile ejects. Further, the
first end
of the barrel 114 may be configured to receive the projectile, when pushed
forward
during the recoil stroke. The barrel 114 may be a straight-shooting tube,
usually made
of rigid high-strength metal, through which a contained rapid expansion of
high-
pressure gas(es) is used to propel the projectile out of the air gun 100. In
one
embodiment, the barrel 114 may comprise a muzzle (not shown) connected to the
second end of the barrel 114. It can be noted that precision matching of the
muzzle is
crucial to accuracy, as it is the last point of contact between the barrel 114
and the
projectile. Further, it can also be noted that the barrel 114 may incorporate
rifling or
other treatment to affect the projectile for greater accuracy or range.
[00461 In one embodiment, the air gun 100 includes the buttstock 116 that may
be
referred to as a back handle or telescoping stock. Further, the buttstock 116
may be
detachably coupled from the air gun 100. The buttstock 116 may be coupled to a
rear
end of the air gun 100, as shown in FIG. 1. It can be noted that the length of
the
buttstock 116 may be increased or decreased depending upon the requirements of
the
operator or the arm length of the operator. Further, the buttstock 116 may be
expandable, to readily adjust the length of the air gun 100. In one
embodiment, the
length of the buttstock 116 may be increased by simply pulling the buttock
part of the
buttstock 116 away from the air gun 100 and the length of the buttstock 116
may be
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decreased by pushing the buttock part and contracting the buttstock 116. The
buttstock
116 may be made from any material including stainless-steel, polymer, carbon
fiber,
plastic, metal, alloy, wood, etc. in another embodiment, the buttstock 116 and
the
housing 102 may be made of the same material. It can be noted that mostly a
lightweight material is selected, such as polymer or carbon fiber, which
facilitate
handling the recoil of the air gun 100. In one exemplary embodiment, a
IVIAGPUI.,
Zukhov stock is installed in the air gun 100.
100471 In one embodiment, the air gun 100 comprises the handguard 118 disposed
around the barrel 114 of the air gun 100. In one embodiment, the handguard 118
may
be a pair of pieces with a first piece wrapped around a lower section of the
barrel 114
and a second piece wrapped around an upper section of the barrel 114. In
another
embodiment, the handguard 118 may be a single piece wrapped around the barrel
114.
The handguard 118 may be provided to hold the air gun 100 while firing
projectiles.
In one exemplary embodiment, a right-hand operator while using the air gun
100, holds
the handle 112 into the right hand with a forefinger resting on the trigger
108, and the
handguard 118 may be held by the left hand of the operator. In one embodiment,
the
handguard 118 may be made from materials that are light in weight and are good
absorbers of sound. The handguard 118 may facilitate in reducing the sound or
noise
produced during the firing of projectiles and recoiling of the air gun 100. In
one
exemplary embodiment, the handguard 118 may be made from a material selected
from
a group of materials such as, but not limited to, wood, polymer, plastic,
carbon fiber,
or any metal. In one embodiment, the handguard 118 may be made of a sheet
metal
with perforations, to dissipate heat of the air gun 100.
100481 The housing 102 of the air gun 100 may be covered with a main body made
from any possible lightweight material such as wood, carbon fiber, polymer,
etc.
Further, all the components or parts of the air gun 100 herein disclosed may
be made
from materials selected from a group of materials of steel, polymer, wood,
carbon fiber,
etc. without departing from the scope of the disclosure. It may be apparent to
one
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skilled in the art, that the air gun 100 may comprise some other elements as
well, apart
from the above disclosed elements.
[00491 FIGS. 2A-2C illustrates sectional views of the air gun 100 according to
an
embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 2A-2C are explained in conjunction
with
FIG. 1. The FIG. 2A illustrates the sectional view 200A of the air gun 100,
when the
air gun 100, is in a partial recoiling position. The air gun 100 may include
but not
limited to components or mechanisms as may be herein described. The air gun
100
may be provided with a design of components and with an intention to create an
automatic air gun which may be primarily employed in the game of paintbali and
firing
non-lethal projectiles. The air gun 100 may involve a mechanism that ejects,
or fires
projectiles using compressed air and may also contain a majority of its
critical firing
mechanism within a moving unit that creates recoiling motion which may cycle
and
reset the action of the air gun 100.
[00501 FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate the sectional views of the air gun 100 which may
include
a primary set of components and a secondary set of components. In one
embodiment,
the primary set of components may include, but are not limited to, the bolt
carrier unit
122, as discussed in FIG. 1. It can be noted that the bolt carrier unit 122
maybe referred
to as a bolt-valve assembly or a bolt carrier assembly. In another embodiment,
the
secondary set of components may include, but are not limited, to the recoil
gas unit
120, as discussed in FIG. 1. It can be noted that the recoil gas unit 120
maybe referred
to as a recoiling assembly.
100511 In one embodiment, the air gun 100 may comprise a regulator 202,
coupled to
the handle 112. The regulator 202 may also be coupled to a recoil guide tube
204,
which may be positioned under the cover 104 of the air gun 100. It can be
noted that
the regulator 202 may supply an air charge or compressed air, which may travel
upwards into the recoil guide tube 204. Further, the regulator 202 may be
connected
to the recoil guide tube 204, via an air channel. In one embodiment, the
regulator 202
may act as a screw to clamp the handle 112 onto the air gun 100. In one
exemplary
embodiment, the regulator 202 may be referred to as an air flow guiding
element or an
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air passage. In one exemplary embodiment, the recoil guide tube 204 may be a
long-
elongated pipe used to guide the compressed air in the air gun 100, into the
bolt carrier
unit 122, for ejecting the projectile. Further, the recoil guide tube 204 may
be
configured to supply the air charge or compressed air. Further, the recoil
guide tube
204 may be wrapped around with a recoil assembly spring 206, which may assist
the
recoil guide tube 204 during the recoiling action of the air gun 100. In one
embodiment,
the recoil guide tube 204 may be coupled to a shut-off valve 208 at a front
end of the
air gun 100, as shovvn in FIG. 2A. The shut-off valve 208 may be disposed
along a
length of the recoil guide tube 204 and configured to hinder the compressed
air being
delivered to bolt carrier unit 122. Further, the shut-off valve 208 may
prevent the
compressed air from flowing out of the recoil gas unit 120, during recoil
stroke of the
air gun 100. In one embodiment, the shut-off valve 208 may result in lowering
of
friction between the bolt carrier unit 122 and the recoil gas unit 120 when
high
pressures may be applied to the sealing surfaces of the bolt carrier unit 122
and the
recoil gas unit 120. In one embodiment, the shut-off valve 208 may be referred
as an
air flow restriction device. In an embodiment, the recoil gas unit 120 may
comprise a
flow reduction mechanism to achieve a sufficient pressure differential to
cycle the air
gun 100. Further, the flow reduction mechanism may be used to hinder the
compressed
air being delivered to the bolt carrier unit 122. Further, the flow reduction
mechanism
may comprise a narrow orifice to restrict flow of compressed air.
[00521 In one embodiment, the trigger 108 may be disposed between the handle
112
and the magazine 106 of the air gun 100. It can be noted that the air gun 100
is put into
action, when the trigger 108, is pulled backwards by an operator of the air
gun 100. In
one embodiment, the trigger 108 may be pulled backwards manually in order to
actuate
a hammer 210. Further, the hammer 210 may be mounted to the housing 102 over
an
axis pin, and a spring between the trigger 108 and hammer 210, may cause the
hammer
210 to swing up and move forward with force. Further, when actuated, the
hammer
210 may strike a firing pin 212 of the bolt carrier unit 122. It can be noted
that the
firing pin 212 may be the first component of the bolt carrier unit 122, which
is triggered
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by the trigger 108, via the hammer 210. Further, the firing pin 212 may be
disposed at
a rear end or a second end of the bolt carrier unit 122. In one embodiment,
the firing
pin 212 may be provided with a retainer 214, disposed on an inner side of the
bolt
carrier unit 122. In one embodiment, the retainer 214 may be on an outer side
of the
bolt carrier unit 122 or on an outer side of the firing pin 212. It can be
noted that the
retainer 214 may allow the bolt carrier unit 122, to retain or hold the firing
pin 212 in
place and may prevent the firing pin 212 from falling out of the bolt carrier
unit 122.
100531 Further, the bolt carrier unit 122 may comprise a piston head 216 and a
recoil
piston return spring 218. In one embodiment, a first end of the recoil piston
return
spring 218 may be coupled to the retainer 214, and a second end of the recoil
piston
return spring 218 may be coupled to the piston head 216. In one embodiment,
the recoil
piston return spring 218 may be positioned between a forward face of the
piston head
216, and an inside surface of the bolt carrier unit 122. Further, the bolt
carrier unit 122
may comprise a valve chamber 220 integrated within a piston 224. Further, the
recoil
piston return spring 218, may act to bias the piston 224 towards rear, and
ensures that
a rear edge of the piston 224 may be sealed into a rear end of a piston
chamber 226.
Further, the piston chamber 226 may be a region integrated behind the piston
head 216.
In one embodiment, the piston chamber 226 may be referred as a cylinder bore.
Further, at rest, the piston 224 may be at the rear end of the piston chamber
226, and
the valve chamber 220 may be at a maximal volume while the piston chamber 226
may
be at minimal volume. Further, during firing, as the recoil stroke starts to
happens, the
piston chamber 226 may be filled with a high pressure air, while the valve
chamber
220 may be venting its air down the barrel 114, and therefore, a new pressure
gradient
created, may cause the recoil effect. Further, the recoil effect may compress
the recoil
piston return spring 218 and thereby may make the valve chamber 220 reduce to
minimal volume while the piston chamber 226 may be at maximal volume. Lastly,
due
to a plurality of small sized bleed holes, the piston chamber 226 may quickly
return to
the atmospheric pressure, while the recoil piston return spring 218, may force
a bolt
228 back to a rear of the bolt carrier unit 122, expanding the size of the
valve chamber
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220 again, and pushing a valve pin 222 back into position so that when air
pressure is
again supplied it may fill the valve chamber 220.
[00541 In one embodiment, when the piston head 216 is actuated, the valve pin
222
may be pushed forward by the firing pin 212. It can be noted that the area
between the
retainer 214 and the piston head 216 may be referred to as the piston chamber
226.
Further, the recoil piston return spring 218 may be disposed within the piston
chamber
226. The piston chamber 226 may be integrated at the second end of the bolt
carrier
unit 122. The second end of the bolt carrier unit 122 may be the rear end of
the bolt
carrier unit 122. In one embodiment, when the trigger 108 is actuated, a check
valve
(not shown) integrated on a side air passage of the bolt carrier unit 122 may
be opened
and may draw compressed air into the bolt carrier unit 122. Further, the check
valve
may be open while the bolt carrier unit 122 may be in a resting forward
position,
allowing air pressure to be normalized between the air gun 100 and bolt
carrier unit
122. Further, the check valve may only close up, when the bolt carrier unit
122 moves
into a position as there may be no longer compressed air upstream of the check
valve,
at which point the check valve may prevent the compressed air inside the bolt
carrier
unit 122 from venting. It can be noted that the bolt carrier unit 122 allows
compressed
air, from the recoil guide tube 204, to travel into the valve chamber 220. The
compressed air may be expanded and may allow ejecting projectiles down the
barrel
114 and out of the air gun 100. It can be noted that the check valve may also
prevent
a back flow of compressed air out of the bolt carrier unit 122 into the
atmosphere. In
one embodiment, the recoil piston return spring 218 may be a low-energy recoil
piston
return spring 218. Such a use of the low-energy recoil piston return spring
218 may
reduce the chances of damage of the projectile by the recoil piston return
spring 218.
Further, the low-energy recoil piston return spring 218 may reduce to a round
being
loaded by the bolt into the barrel 114. In another embodiment, the recoil
piston return
spring 218 may be a high-energy spring, causing the bolt 228 to smash the
rounds. In
another embodiment, the recoil piston return spring 218 may be a combination
of a
low-energy spring and a high-energy spring.
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[0055] In one embodiment, the piston head 216 may be coupled to the valve pin
222.
It can be noted that the valve pin 222 is positioned inside the piston 224 of
the bolt
carrier unit 122. In an embodiment, the piston head 216 may be coupled to the
piston
224 at the first end, and the valve pin 222 may be coupled with the piston
head 216 at
the second end of the piston 224. The piston 224 may be disposed at a first
end of the
bolt carrier unit 122. Further, the valve pin 222 may be also referred to as a
cup seal.
The valve pin 222 may be coupled with the piston head 216, at the second end
of the
piston 224. Further, the valve pin 222 may be wrapped around with a valve pin
spring
230, as shown in FIG. 2A. In on embodiment, during the firing stroke the
firing pin
212 may actuate the valve pin 222 and the valve pin spring 230 wrapped around
the
valve pin 222 may be compressed. The valve pin spring 230 may also be referred
to as
a firing pin spring. Further, after firing the projectile, the valve pin
spring 230 may
allow to push and then recoil or move back the valve pin 222. In an
embodiment, the
piston head 216 may remain fixed, and the valve pin 222, and the valve pin
spring 230
may be configured to move towards the barrel 114 of the air gun 100, to
release air
after the firing stroke is completed. The second end of the piston 224 may be
coupled
with a bolt 228 (also known as bolt cap) to provide compactness to the piston
224. In
one embodiment, the bolt 228 may be configured to move rearward and may be
pushed
against the barrel 114, when the piston chamber 226 causes a recoiling action
of the
bolt carrier unit 122. In one embodiment, the bolt 228 may be threaded on an
inner
rear side and may be provided with a bolt flange 232. In one embodiment, the
function
of the bolt 228 may be to chamber a round of the air gun 100. Further, the
bolt flange
232 may be provided to press up against the barrel 114 and may transmit energy
from
the piston head 216 into the barrel 114. It can be noted that the piston head
216, the
valve pin 222, the valve pin spring 230, and the piston 224, together may be
herein
referred to as a bolt piston or a recoil piston, or simply a piston or a valve
chamber 220.
[0056] In one embodiment, the recoil guide tube 204 may be coupled with the
recoil
unit 120 at a recoil tube carrier 234. The recoil guide tube 204 may be
attached to the
recoil tube carrier 234 at a first end of the recoil guide tube 204. The first
end of the
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recoil guide tube 204 may be a front end of the recoil guide tube 204. It can
be noted
the recoil tube carrier 234 may be referred to as an upper tube. The recoil
tube carrier
234 may also be referred to as a recoil assembly compartment. The compressed
air
may pass through the recoil gas unit 120 into the valve chamber 220 via the
piston head
216 of the bolt carrier unit 122. Further, the recoil piston return spring 218
may be
loaded over the piston 224. In one embodiment, the piston chamber 226 may be
integrated within the second end of the bolt carrier unit 122, between the cap
236 and
the piston 224. Further, the valve chamber 220 may facilitate the movement of
the
piston 224 and may be configured to receive the compressed air for performing
the
firing stroke of the air gun 100.
[00571 In one embodiment, the compressed air from the recoil tube carrier 234
may
travel into the piston 224. Further, the piston 224 may be provided with a
plurality of
holes around its circumference, which allow the valve pin 222 to fire the
projectile
down the barrel 114. In another embodiment an annular cup seal may be provided
on
the valve pin 222 and the valve pin 222 may be held rightly against a forward
surface
of the piston 224 and when pushed forward the annular cup seal may break
allowing
the compressed air to escape through a cap and around the cup seal. Further, a
recoil
action of the air gun 100 may cause the valve pin 222 to move forward and
compress
the valve pin spring 230 and allow the air which inside the piston 224, to
expel out
from the air gun 100. It can be noted that during the recoil stroke, the shut-
off valve
208 may prevent any air to expel out of the recoil tube carrier 234. Further,
the piston
224 may be coupled with the cap 236. It can be noted that the cap 236 may
restrict the
flow of air from the piston 224. In one embodiment, the cap 236 may comprise a
plurality of bleed holes integrated on the cap 236 to vent the restricted flow
of air
quickly after the recoil stroke. In an embodiment, the cap 236 may be referred
as a
back cap or front-end cap of the bolt carrier unit 122.
100581 In an embodiment, a ball check valve 238 may be integrated on a side
air
passage of the bolt carrier unit 122. It can be noted that the ball check
valve 238 may
prevent the compressed air from venting out or flowing back out of the bolt
carrier unit
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122, through the recoil tube carrier 234, when the bolt carrier unit 122 is in
recoiling
position. It can be noted that the ball check valve 238 may be referred to as
a check
valve. In an embodiment, the ball check valve 238 may be configured to prevent
the
compressed air from venting out of the valve chamber 220 and the piston
chamber 226.
In an exemplary embodiment, when the bolt carrier unit 122 moves so that the
recoil
guide tube 204 is not engaged and sealed inside the recoil tube carrier 234,
the ball
check valve 238 prevents the air from venting out of the valve chamber 220. In
another
embodiment, the ball check valve 238 may be configured to retain the
compressed air
within the valve chamber 220, when the bolt carrier unit 122 may be
disassembled from
the air gun 100. It can be noted that the ball check valve 238 may also
prevent a back
flow of compressed air out of the bolt carrier unit 122 into the atmosphere.
[0059] In one embodiment, during a firing operation of the air gun 100, the
trigger 108
is actuated by an operator of the air gun 100. Further, the actuation of the
trigger 108
may allow the regulator 202 to expel the compressed air (also known as an air
charge),
from the external air supply, into the barrel 114. The expelling air forces
the projectile
to run down the barrel 114 and launch the projectile at a desired speed from
the muzzle
of the barrel 114. In another embodiment, the air gun 100 after being fired
may have
a recoil stroke. It can be noted that when an initial air charge, while the
firing operation,
is directed into the barrel 114, an amount of compressed air may be sent to
the piston
224. The compressed air may result in creating a recoil force in the bolt
carrier unit
122. The recoil force may move the bolt carrier unit 122, in the backward
direction.
Further, the recoil stroke may recharge the hammer 210. In yet another
embodiment,
after the recoil stroke of the air gun 100, the recoil piston return spring
218 may push
bolt carrier unit 122 to the resting position, as shown in FIG. 2C. Further, a
projectile
may be fed, from the magazine 106, into a path of the bolt carrier unit 122,
to be loaded
into air gun 100. The piston 224 may include the piston head 216 which may be
coupled with the valve pin 222 and the valve pin spring 230. The piston 224
may be
closed with the bolt 228 on the front end of the bolt carrier unit 122. The
bolt 228 may
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be provided with a circular flange which may move according to the motion of
the bolt
228 during the recoiling and the returning stroke.
[00601 FIG. 2B illustrates the sectional view 200B of the air gun 100 in a
complete
recoiling position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Further, the
sectional view 200B illustrates the bolt carrier unit 122 in a complete
recoiled position.
It can be noted that during the complete recoiled position of the bolt carrier
unit 122,
the recoil assembly spring 206 may be pushed rearwards and may be in complete
tension. The recoil assembly spring 206 may be coupled to the recoil guide
tube 204
and disposed within the recoil tube carrier 234, for movement of the recoil
guide tube
204. The recoil assembly spring 206 may facilitate the movement of the bolt
carrier
unit 122 during a recoil stroke. Further, the recoil tube carrier 234 may also
move
along the length of the recoil guide tube 204, and thereby the recoil assembly
spring
206 may get compressed for an increased length than in standing or rest
position. In
one embodiment, the air gun 100 may be referred to have a closed bolt type
action,
which means that at rest the bolt 228 may be held closed by the bolt carrier
unit 122
and the bolt carrier unit 122 may be pushed forwards by the recoil assembly
spring 206.
It can be noted that during the recoil stroke, the bolt carrier unit 122 may
be pushed
completely backwards and the recoil piston return spring 218 may be expanded
and the
air within the piston chamber 226 may also get expanded. Thus, resulting into
holding
the recoil assembly spring 206, in a compressed state and under tension. The
recoil
assembly spring 206 in tension, along with the use of the shut-off valve 208
hinders
the supply of compressed air from the regulator 202, via the recoil guide tube
204.
[00611 In one embodiment, during the recoil, the backward movement of the bolt
carrier unit 122 may cock or actuate the hammer 210. Further, due to the
recoil, the
gap between the rear end of the bolt carrier unit 122 and the back end of the
air gun
100 may be reduced. It can be noted that under tension, the recoil assembly
spring 206
may push the bolt carrier unit 122 forward for firing the next round of
projectile.
Further, the bolt carrier unit 122 may be configured to have a controlled
motion of
moving back and forth during the recoil stroke and the return stroke of the
air gun 100.
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Further, the bolt carrier unit 122 may be configured to move along the length
of the
recoil guide tube 204. The bolt carrier unit 122 may return to rest or ready
to fire
position by the expansion or decompression of the recoil assembly spring 206.
It can
be noted that once the projectile is fired from the air gun 100, the air
charge may be
directed to the piston chamber 226, during the recoil stroke. Further, the air
charge
may create a recoil force in the bolt carrier unit 122 and allow the bolt
carrier unit 122
to move backward. This action may also re-charge or cock the hammer 210. In
one
embodiment, the air gun 100 may be a referred to as a closed bolt gun, as the
air gun
100 is loaded and ready to fire, before the operator pulls the trigger 108. In
one
embodiment, during the backward movement of the bolt carrier unit 122 or the
complete recoiling action, the bolt 228 may also move rearwards, and by action
of that,
a new projectile is loaded into the barrel 114 in-front of the bolt 228.
[00621 FIG. 2C illustrates the sectional view 200C of the air gun 100 in a
rest or a
ready-to-fire position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Further,
the sectional view 200C illustrates a bolt carrier unit 122 at rest or in a
standing
position. It can be noted that the hammer 210 may be re-charged when the bolt
carrier
unit 122 moves rearwards. Further, the projectile may be reloaded when the
bolt carrier
unit 122 moves in a forward direction. In one embodiment, the shut-off valve
208 may
also be referred to as a sliding valve. Further, during the forward stroke,
the shut-off
valve 208 may draw the air charge into the valve chamber 220. It can be noted
that the
recoil piston return spring 218 may be at minimal tension to hold the piston
224
rearwards and to ensure the flow of compressed air entering into the valve
chamber
220. The mechanism of firing the projectile may be the same as described
earlier.
Further, the regulator 202 may be configured to supply a compressed air charge
into
the valve chamber 220 of the bolt carrier unit 122. The compressed air may be
supplied
via the recoil guide tube 204 and the recoil tube carrier 234. In one
embodiment, the
hammer 210 may be actuated by the trigger 108 in order to strike over the
firing pin
212. The projectile drawn into the barrel 114 may be ejected towards a target
as long
as the compressed air flows out of the valve chamber 220 past the opened valve
pin
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222 into the bolt 228 behind the projectile. Further, on the backside of the
piston 224,
the compressed air may flow into that piston chamber 226 which may decompress
the
recoil piston return spring 218. Further, this action may actively force the
remaining
compressed air inside the valve chamber 220 to be forced out down the barrel
114, and
as the air pressure holds the valve pin 222 in the forward position, the air
may escape.
[00631 In one embodiment, the bolt carrier unit 122 of the air gun 100 may
include the
piston 224 and the cap 236. Further, the cap 236 may be provided with the
firing pin
212 and the retainer 214, which holds the firing pin 212 intact. In one
embodiment,
the cap 236 may enclose a plurality of detents or locking surfaces, which
provide
additional support to the bolt carrier unit 122. In one embodiment, the cap
236 of the
bolt carrier unit 122 may be coupled with an 0-ring to seal the piston chamber
226
from the ambient atmosphere.
[00641 In an embodiment, during the return stroke of the air gun 100, the
recoil
assembly spring 206 may act to push the bolt carrier unit 122 forward to its
resting or
resetting position. During this, any number of mechanisms or magazines may be
used
to feed a projectile into the path of the bolt carrier unit 122 for it to be
loaded into the
chamber of the air gun 100. During the return stroke, the hammer 210 or
striker system
may be fully reset into a ready-to-fire position. In one embodiment, the
hammer 210
may be activated at the end of the stroke when the system may be configured
for full-
automatic function. Such use of the air gun mechanism may provide a continuous
operation of the air gun 100, without any manual intervention required by the
operator.
In one embodiment, the air gun 100 may resemble the operation of an
operational
firearm, such as the AK-47 gun.
[00651 FIGS. 3A-3E illustrate exemplary embodiments of the recoil gas unit 120
of the
air gun 100, in conjunction with FIGS. 2A-2C, according to an embodiment of
the
present disclosure. The recoil gas unit 120 may further comprise a plug screw
302, a
recoil base 304, an air channel 306, an extended hook 308, and an on/off
shuttle valve
310. The plug screw 302 may be coupled at the first end of the recoil guide
tube 204.
In one embodiment, the plug screw 302 may act as a seal to prevent the flow of
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compressed gas flowing through the recoil guide tube 204. In another
embodiment,
the plug screw 302 may act as an end-wall or barrier for the compressed air
flowing
from the recoil guide tube 204 into the bolt carrier unit 122, which may flow
directly
out of the recoil guide tube 204 into the atmosphere. Further, the recoil
guide tube 204
may be coupled to the recoil base 304 at the second end of the recoil guide
tube 204.
Further, the recoil base 304 may be coupled with the air inlet swivel 110 for
receiving
the compressed air. In one embodiment, the recoil base 304 may be integrated
with the
air channel 306 coupled at one end to the second end of the recoil guide tube
204 and
at other end to the air inlet swivel 110. In one embodiment, the recoil base
304 an I.,-
shaped solid metal piece with. the air channel 306 integrated within for
compressed air
flow. In one embodiment, the recoil base 304 may be provided with an extended
hook
308 integrated at a rear side of the recoil base 304. In one embodiment, the
extended
hook 308 may be configured to be coupled with. the cover 104.
[0066] The recoil gas unit 1.20 may further comprise the on/off shuttle valve
310
coupled at the first end of the recoil guide tube 204. Further, the on/off
shuttle valve
310 may be provided with a plurality of 0-rings 312 to seal the recoil guide
tube 204
and the on/off shuttle valve 310 with the recoil tube carrier 234. Further,
the on/off
shuttle valve 310 may be a sleeve fitted around the recoil guide tube 204. In
one
embodiment, when the on/off shuttle valve 310 may be pushed forward within the
recoil tube carrier 234, the compressed air may be released. In one
embodiment, the
recoil tube carrier 234 may be an elongated tube with a first plurality of
holes integrated
at a first side of the recoil tube carrier 234. In another embodiment, the
on/off shuttle
valve 310 may be provided with a second plurality of holes 314. Further,
during the
forward movement of the on/off shuttle valve 310 inside the recoil tube
carrier 234, the
second plurality of holes 314 may be aligned with the first plurality of holes
of the
recoil tube carrier 234, to release the compressed air into the atmosphere. In
one
embodiment, the second end of the recoil guide tube 204 may be coupled to the
recoil
base 304 and the first end of the recoil guide tube 204 may be coupled to the
recoil tube
carrier 234.
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[00671 As shown in FIGS. 3C-3D, the recoil gas unit 120 may comprise an air
tube
316 coupled at the first end of the recoil guide tube 204. Further, the air
tube 316 may
be referred as a forward air tube, which extends beyond the recoil tube
carrier 234
parallel to the barrel 114 of the air gun 100. Further, the air tube 316 may
be coupled
with an air reservoir 318. In one embodiment, the air reservoir 318 may be
referred as
a forward air reservoir. Further, the air reservoir 318 may be a hollow
cylinder intended
to add a substantial volume of air or compressed air to the air gun 100. In
one
embodiment, the air reservoir 318 may be configured to store the compressed
air
supplied by the recoil guide tube 204, when the compressed air supply for the
bolt
carrier unit 122 may be shut-off during the recoiling stroke.
[00681 As shown in FIG. 3E, the recoil gas unit 120 may comprise a recoil
guide
assembly 320 coupled between the recoil base 304 and the recoil tube carrier
234. The
recoil tube carrier 234 may be configured to receive the compressed air from
the air
inlet swivel 110 and transmit the compressed air to the bolt carrier unit 122,
through
the on/off shuttle valve 310. In one embodiment, a first end of the recoil
guide
assembly 320 may be a conical section 322. Further, the on/off shuttle valve
310 may
have a tapered mating surface 324. In one embodiment, the on/off shuttle valve
310
may be coupled with the air reservoir 318 to form a single elongated unit. In
one
embodiment, the conical section 322 of the recoil guide assembly 320 may be
coupled
with the tapered mating surface 324 of the on/off shuttle valve 310. In one
embodiment, the on/off shuttle valve 310 may be provided with a shuttle
retainer cap
326 configured to retain the on/off shuttle valve 310 with the air reservoir
318. In one
embodiment, the conical section 322 of the recoil guide assembly 320 may be
disengaged from the tapered mating surface 324 of the on/off shuttle valve 310
during
the firing stroke, when the firing stroke is completed. In addition, the
compressed air
supply to the bolt carrier unit 122 may be shut-off and the tapered mating
surface 324
may engage with the conical section 322 for the flow of the compressed air
towards the
air reservoir 318.
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[0069] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate exemplary embodiments of bolt carrier unit 122
of the
air gun100, in conjunction with FIGS. 2A-2C, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure. The bolt carrier unit 122 comprises the piston 224 (as
shown in
FIG. 4A). The piston 224 may comprise a piston body 402. In one embodiment, a
first
end of the piston body 402 may be coupled with the bolt 228 and a second end
of the
piston body 402 may be coupled with the piston head 216. Further, the piston
body
402 may comprise a first pin seal 404, a second pin seal 406, and a third pin
seal 408.
Further, the first pin seal 404 may be integrated on the valve pin 222, at the
first end of
the piston 224. Further, the first pin seal 404 may be held between the piston
head 216
and the valve pin 222. In one embodiment, the first pin seal 404 may act as a
seal for
the compressed air stored within the valve chamber 220 and prevent the
compressed
air from flowing out of the first end of the valve pin 222. Further, the
second pin seal
406 may be integrated within the piston body 402, at the second end of the
piston 224
and pressed between the piston body 402 and the bolt 228. Further, the third
pin seal
408 may be held at the second end of the piston 224 and pressed by a forward
face of
piston 224 from a rear side of the third pin seal 408, by an inner ridge of
the bolt 228
from a front side of the third pin seal 408, and by the valve pin 222 from a
bottom side
of the third pin seal 408. In one embodiment, the valve pin 222 may be a solid
metal
shaft having a first plurality of grooves 410. Further, a first end of the
valve pin 222
may be coupled to the piston head 216 and a second end of the valve pin 222
having a
valve pin sealing surface 412 towards the second end of the piston 224.
Further, the
first plurality of grooves 410 of the valve pin 222 may be integrated on the
second end
of the valve pin 222 and placed behind the valve pin sealing surface 412. The
valve
pin 222, under the effect of forward push by the firing pin 212, may move
forward and
the compressed air in the valve chamber 220 may travel through the first
plurality of
grooves 410 around the third seal pin 408.
[00701 As shown in FIG. 4B, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure,
the second end of the piston 224 may be integrated with an 0-ring gland 414
and the
second seal pin 406 may be disposed within the 0-ring gland 414, during the
forward
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motion of the second end of the valve pin 222 to release compressed air.
Further, the
second pin seal 406 may be retained within the 0-ring gland 414 of the piston
body
402. In one embodiment, the first pin seal 404 may be referred as a rear pin
seal and
the third pin seal 408 may be referred as a forward pin seal. It can be noted
that the
forward pin seal may be retained by the bolt 228. In one embodiment, the
second pin
seal 406 and the third pin seal 408 may include a poppet or a spool type
sealing element.
The first pin seal 404, the second pin seal 406 and the third pin seal 408 are
commonly
referred as 0-ring sails. In one embodiment, the first pin seal 404, the
second pin seal
406 and the third pin seal 408 may be made from a group of materials of
rubber,
stainless steel, brass, alloy steel, and carbon fiber. Further, the first pin
seal 404, the
second pin seal 406 and the third pin seal 408 may be highly flexible 0-ring
seals. In
one embodiment, the first pin seal 404, the second pin seal 406 and the third
pin seal
408 may correspond to a dynamic 0-ring to withstand dynamic shear and loads
when
in use. It can be noted that the first pin seal 404, the second pin seal 406
and the third
pin seal 408 may create a better, more leak-proof seal for the bolt 228 and
the piston
body 402, with the aim usually being to prevent the unwanted escape of gases.
[0071] In one embodiment, the first plurality of grooves 410 of the valve pin
222 may
be referred as vent grooves. Further, the first plurality of grooves 410 may
be used for
venting the compressed air stored within valve chamber 220 towards the
projectile via
the bolt 228. Further, the first plurality of grooves 410 may also prevent the
extrusion
of second pin seal 406.
100721 As shown in FIG. 4C, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure,
the valve pin 222 may be provided with a forward pin seal 0-ring 416
integrated on
the second end of the valve pin 222 at the second end of the piston 224. In
one
embodiment, the 0-ring 416 may be a soft plastic cup working as a face seal or
a radial
seal. Further, the forward pin seal 0-ring 416 may be held between the valve
pin 222
and the piston body 402. In one embodiment, the forward pin seal 0-ring 416
may be
pressed against the piston body 402 and the bolt 228. In one embodiment, the
piston
body 402 may be provided with a sealing surface to act as a precision bore. In
one
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embodiment, the bolt 228 may be provided with a second plurality of grooves
418 for
retaining the forward pin seal 0-ring 416 within the integrated section of the
second
end of valve pin 222. Further, due to the movement of the valve pin 222 to
release the
compressed air, which may be at high pressure, the second plurality of grooves
418
integrated on the bolt 228 may prevent the forward 0-ring pin seal 416 from
blowing
free off the valve pin 222. In one embodiment, the second plurality of grooves
418
may also be referred as ridges integrated on an inner surface of the bolt 228.
In one
embodiment, the second plurality of grooves 418 may be referred as vent
grooves.
Further, the second plurality of grooves 418 may be used for venting the
compressed
air during the forward movement of the valve pin 222 and may prevent extrusion
of
forward 0-ring seal 416.
[0073] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate another exemplary embodiment of the bolt carrier
unit
122 of the air gun 100, according to one preferred embodiment of the present
disclosure. The bolt carrier unit 122 comprises the valve pin 222. Further,
the valve
pin 222 may comprise a cup seal 502 disposed over the second end of the valve
pin
222, towards the second end of the piston 224 (as shown in FIG. 5A). Further,
the cup
seal 502 may act as a forward seal to prevent the compressed air stored within
th.e valve
chamber 220, from flowing out into the bolt 228 without the movement of the
valve
pin 222. In one embodiment, the cup seal 502 may be affixed to the second end
of the
valve pin 222 and may be held against the second end of the piston 224 to
create a seal.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the valve pin 222 may travel a short distance
forward,
before completely opening for venting the compressed air, to provide an early
acceleration of the projectile. In one embodiment, the cup seal 502 may be
referred as
a solid cup seal. In one embodiment, the cup seal 502 and the valve pin 222
may be
forged as separate units. In another embodiment, the cup seal 502 and the
valve pin
222 may be forged as a single unit, such that the cup seal 502 may be over-
molded
permanently onto the valve pin 222.
[0074] As shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the piston head 216 may comprise a plurality
of
incoming air passages 504 integrated around the circumference of the piston
head 216.
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Further, a first incoming air passage of the plurality of incoming air
passages 504 may
be integrated on the piston head 216 in front of the first pin seal 404
integrated on the
valve pin 222. In one exemplary embodiment, the first incoming air passage may
be
located on an upper side of circumference of the piston head 216. In one
embodiment,
the first incoming air passage may be configured to receive compressed air
from the
recoil gas unit 120 past the ball check valve 238, such that the received
compressed air
flows into the valve chamber 220 during the firing stroke. Further, when the
firing pin
212 pushes the first end of the valve pin 222 within the piston head 216, the
valve pin
222 moves forward to break the seal of the cup seal 502, and release high
pressure
compressed air towards the projectile. At the same time, the first end of the
valve pin
222 may move past the first incoming air passage and the air being supplied at
the
moment, may get flown towards a second incoming air passage of the plurality
of
incoming air passages 504. In one exemplary embodiment, the second incoming
air
passage may be located on a lower side of circumference of the piston head
216.
Further, the second incoming air passage may deliver the received compressed
air to
the piston chamber 226 for recoiling action of the bolt carrier unit 122. In
one
embodiment, the piston chamber 226 may be space integrated between the piston
head
216 and the cap 236.
[00751 In one embodiment, the plurality of incoming air passages 504 may have
different diameters according to a size of the piston head 216. In one
exemplary
embodiment, the diameter of the plurality of incoming air passages 504 may be
in a
range of between 0.2 millimeters (mm) to 0.8mm. It can be noted that the first
incoming air passage and the second incoming air passage may be integrated to
maximize volume and strength of the valve chamber 220 during and after the
firing
stroke. In one embodiment, the plurality of air passages 504 inside the piston
head 216
and the valve chamber 220 may reduce application of conventional tools during
assembling and disassembling of the air gun 100.
[00761 FIG. 6A-6D illustrate a firing sequence operation of the air gun 100,
in
conjunction with FIG. 1, FIGS. 2A-2C, FIGS. 3A-3E, FIGS. 4A-4C, and FIGS. 5A-
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5C, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. At first, the air
gun 100
may be configured to receive the compressed air supply from the inlet air
swivel 202,
integrated within the handle 112 (as shown in FIG. 2A). Further, the
compressed air
may flow from the handle 112 into the air channel 306 of the recoil base 304.
The
compressed air may then flow from the air channel 306 into the recoil guide
tube 204
of the recoil guide assembly 320. Further, the conical section 322 of the
recoil guide
assembly 320 may be disengaged with the tapered mating surface 324, and cause
the
compressed air flowing through the recoil guide tube 204 of the recoil guide
assembly
320 flows into the valve chamber 220 of the bolt carrier unit 122, past the
ball check
valve 238. In one embodiment, the connection of the conical section 322 and
the
tapered mating surface 324, may be referred as a shuttle, which may be engaged
and
disengaged during the firing stroke and the recoil stroke of the air gun 100.
In one
embodiment, when the conical section 322 and the tapered mating surface 324
may be
disengaged, and the compressed air flowing into the recoil guide tube 204 may
not have
an inherent directionality. Further, the disengagement of the conical section
322 and
the tapered mating surface 324, the air reservoir 318 may be at full pressure
and as a
result of the pressure, the air reservoir 318 may be pushed forward away from
the
conical section 322 of the recoil guide assembly 320.
[00771 As shown in FIG. 6A, the air gun 100 is in ready to fire slate and may
be loaded
with the bolt carrier unit 122 in forward position, at this moment the
compressed air
may be supplied continuously to the valve chamber 220 of the bolt carrier unit
122.
Further, the hammer 210 may be cocked and the hammer 210 may be retained by a
hook 602 of the trigger 108. In one embodiment, the safety selector 604 may be
set in
an automatic position (as shown in FIG 6A). During the forward position of the
bolt
carrier unit 122, the valve chamber 220 may be fully pressurized in a ready to
fire
position. Further, during the ready to fire position of the air gun 100, the
projectile
may be loaded into the chamber of the barrel 114. In one embodiment, the
projectile
may be retained by a rubber dent, which may be integrated on a side wall of
the barrel
114.
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100781 As shown in FIG. 6B, the air gun 100 may be in a first stage of firing.
Herein,
the trigger 108 may be pulled by the user and the hammer 210 may be actuated.
In one
embodiment, the hammer 210 may be lifted upwards from a disconnector 606. In
one
embodiment, the disconnector 606 may be pivoted on an axis parallel to an axis
of the
hammer 210. Further, the disconnector 606 may be configured to retain the
hammer
210 during the recoil stroke of the air gun 100. Further, the hammer 210 may
be pivoted
forward and the hook 602 of the trigger 108 may release the hammer 210. In one
embodiment, the hammer 210 may be provided with a hammer spring (not shown)
which may be configured to swing the hammer 210 up and forwards, when the
hammer
210 may be released from the hook 602. Further, the hammer spring may be under
tension to lift the hammer 210 upwards and then rapidly forwards towards the
firing
pin 212 of the bolt carrier unit 122.
[00791 As shown in FIG. 6C, the air gun 100 may be in a second stage of
firing. In
one embodiment, after being swung forward by the hammer spring, the hammer 210
may strike the firing pin 212 with a force. Further, the tiring pin 212 may be
configured
to push the first end of the valve pin 222. In one embodiment, the firing pin
212 may
be provided with the retainer 214 coupled to the cap 236 of th.e bolt carrier
unit 122, to
retain or hold the firing pin 212 within the cap 236 after striking on the
first end of the
valve pin 222. After, the strike of the firing pin 212, the valve pin 222
under an impact
of the force, may move forward towards the second end of the piston 224.
Further, the
second end of the valve pin 222 may crack the seal created between the cup
seal 502
and the second end of the piston body 402. Further, the compressed air stored
within
the valve chamber 220 may be at high pressure, and the seal break may allow
the
compressed air to flow or vent out into the bolt 228, behind the projectile.
In one
exemplary embodiment, after the second end of the valve pin 222 moves beyond
the
piston body 402 by breaking the seal, the compressed air stored within the
valve
chamber 220 may begin to vent out of the valve chamber 220 through the first
plurality
of grooves 410. In another exemplary embodiment, the compressed air within the
valve
chamber 220 may vent out through the second plurality of grooves 418. Further,
the
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compressed air at high pressure may fill up the bolt 228, which may be
projected behind
the projectile, to eject the projectile down the barrel 114 towards the
target. In one
embodiment, the compressed air may build up a charge, behind the projectile,
to fire
the projectile down the barrel 114.
[00801 As shown in FIG. 6D, the air gun 100 may be in a third stage of the
firing.
After, striking the firing pin 212, both the hammer 210 and the firing pin 212
may fully
stop. Further, the valve pin 222 may move further forward after the seal is
broken, to
allow maximum flow of air to the barrel 114, or behind the projectile.
Further, the first
end of the valve pin 222 may move past the plurality of incoming air passages
504
integrated on the piston head 216. Further, during the movement of valve pin
222
forwards, the first pin seal 404 integrated on the first end of the valve pin
222 may
move past the plurality of incoming air passages 504. In one embodiment, the
plurality
of incoming air passages 504 may begin to fill in the compressed air around
the firing
pin within the bolt carrier unit 122. Further, the plurality of incoming air
passages 504
may be configured to allow the compressed, air supplied from the recoil gas
unit 120
via the ball check valve 238, to fill in a space between the cap 236 of the
bolt carrier
unit 122 and the first end of valve pin 222.
100811 In one embodiment, the plurality of incoming air passages 504 may be
referred
as vent holes. In another einbodiment, the plurality of incoming air passages
504 may
be referred as radial holes of the piston head 216, configured to supply
incoming
compressed air flow towards the valve chamber 220 and the piston chamber 226.
In
one embodiment, the high pressure compressed air of the valve chamber 220,
which
may be stored between the piston body 402 and a forward wall of the bolt
carrier unit
122, may resist the bolt carrier unit 122, from moving during an initial stage
of firing.
In one embodiment, the high-pressure air releasing from the valve chamber 220
may
begin to accelerate the projectile which may move past to a rubber dent 608 of
the
barrel 114 and may engage with a plurality of barrel bores 610 of the barrel
114.
100821 FIG. 7A-7B illustrate a first stage of recoiling action sequence of the
air gun
100, in conjunction with FIG. 1, FIGS. 2A-2C, FIGS. 3A-3E, FIGS. 4A-4C, FIGS.
5A-
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5C, and FIGS. 6A-6D, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The
recoiling action of the air gun 100 may be categorized in two stages, a first
stage may
be referred as a recoil power stroke as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, and a second
stage may
be referred as a recoil coast stroke which may be shown in FIGS. 8A-8B.
Further, the
recoil power stroke may be performed in two steps, as illustrated in 7A and
7B.
[00831 As shown in FIG. 7A, during the recoil power stroke, the projectile may
accelerate down the barrel 114 due to the high pressure compressed air venting
out of
the valve chamber 220. At this moment, the plurality of incoming air passages
504 of
the piston head 216 may rapidly supply the compressed air into the piston
chamber
226. The compressed air may push the firing pin 212 or the cap 234 rearwards,
and
which may consequently force the whole bolt carrier unit 122 to move
rearwards.
Further, the movement of the firing pin 212 rearwards, the hammer 210, which
may be
in a stop position with the firing pin 212, may be pushed rearwards. Further,
the
movement of the bolt carrier unit 122 towards the recoil base 304 may also
disengage
the conical section 322 and the tapered mating surface 324 of the recoil guide
assembly
320. Consequently, the air pressure inside the valve chamber 220 may being to
drop
as the projectile moves down the barrel 114. Therefore, the reduction of air
pressure
inside the valve chamber 220, may reduce a force holding the second end of the
piston
224. Further, the hammer 210 may be pushed by the rearward movement of the
bolt
carrier unit 122, and therefore swinging the hammer 210 away from the firing
pin 212.
In one embodiment, the piston chamber 226 may begin to receive the compressed
air
from the plurality of incoming air passages 504 of the piston head 216, and by
the effect
of which, may move the bolt carrier unit 122 rearwards, against the piston
224, which
may be held in place by the bolt 228. In one embodiment, the bolt flange 232
may
press firmly against the barrel 114 and thereby may prevent the bolt 228 and
the piston
224 from moving forwards.
[0084] As shown in FIG. 7B, during the recoil power stroke, the air gun 100
may be in
a second step of the recoil power stroke. The valve chamber 220 may vent or
release
out remaining air when the projectile leaves the barrel 114. The bolt carrier
unit 122
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may be forced to move further rearwards towards the recoil base 304, and
consequently, the recoil guide assembly 320 may be opening or disengaging the
conical
section 322 from the tapered mating surface 324. This disengagement may fully
stop
or seal off the compressed air supply and the recoil piston return spring 218
may be
fully compressed. Further, the hammer 210 may start to press against the
disconnector
606. In one embodiment, the hammer 210 may be nearly cocked or recharged back,
and a rear catch of the hammer 210 may start interfacing with the disconnector
606,
which may rotate against the hammer spring. In one embodiment, the firing pin
212
may be further pushed rearwards of the bolt carrier unit 122. During this
movement of
the bolt carrier unit 122, the air pressure inside the piston chamber 226 may
reach to a
maximum point, and the bolt carrier unit 122 may be accelerated at a maximum
rearward velocity towards the recoil base 304.
[00851 As shown in FIG. 713, during the recoil power stroke, the on/off
shuttle valve
310 may start pressing against the recoil guide tube 204 of the recoil guide
assembly
320. In one embodiment, the on/off shuttle valve 310 may seal the recoil guide
tube
204 from supplying compressed air, as the bolt carrier unit 122 may be rio
longer sealed
to the on/off shuttle valve 310. In one embodiment, when the on/off shuttle
valve 310
seals, a pressure disparity is created in the air tube 316. Further, the
pressure of the air
tube 316 and the air reservoir 318, may be pushed back on the on/off shuttle
valve 310
and is more than the pressure from the recoil guide tube 204. Therefore, this
pressure
difference may be configured to maintain a greater seal. In one embodiment,
when the
projectile leaves the barrel 114, and the valve chamber 220 may vent out all
the
remaining air, the air pressure inside the valve chamber 220 drops quickly to
ambient.
[00861 FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate a second stage of the recoiling action sequence
of the
air gun 100, in conjunction with FIGS. 7A-7B, according to an embodiment of
the
present disclosure. The second stage of the recoiling action sequence of the
air gun
100 may be referred as the recoil coast stroke and may be performed in two
steps, as
disclosed in FIGS. 8A-8B. At first, as shown in FIG. 8A, the movement of the
bolt
carrier unit 122 rearwards may compress the recoil assembly spring 206 of the
recoil
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guide tube 204, and the bolt carrier unit 122 may coast rearwards against the
recoil
assembly spring 206. Further, the piston 224 along with the bolt 228 may be
pulled
rearwards due to the rearward movement of the bolt carrier unit 122. in one
embodiment, when the bolt 228 may move past a barrel feed port 802, a new
projectile
804 may start entering into the barrel 114. In one embodiment, the magazine
106 may
quickly feed the new projectile 804 up in position, to be fed to the barrel
114. In one
embodiment, the valve pin 222 may begin to reset as the air pressure inside
the valve
chamber 220 may drop on both sides of the valve pin 222,
[0087] During, the rearward movement of the bolt carrier unit 122 against the
recoil
assembly spring 206, the hammer 210 may be fully cocked and may be retained by
the
disconnector 606. in one embodiment, the housing 102 may further comprise an
auto
sear 806, which may be fixed over a pivot. Further, the auto sear 806 may be
held
forward by a base of hammer 210 and may be configured to drop into a notch of
the
hammer 210, after the hammer 210 may be fully retained by the disconnector
606. In
one embodiment, the cap 236 (or may be referred as back end of the bolt
carrier unit
122) may be provided with a plurality of bleed holes 808. Further, the
plurality of
bleed holes 808 may be configured to vent out the compressed air inside the
piston
chamber 226 and consequently, pressure inside the piston chamber 226 begins to
drop.
[0088] As shown in FT.G. 8B, a second step of the recoil coast stroke the bolt
carrier
unit 122 may reach to an end of its rearward movement towards the recoil base
304,
and thereby may impart a remaining momentum of its acceleration into the air
gun 100.
Further, the plurality of bleed holes 808 may vent out the compressed air from
the
piston chamber 226, and the piston 224 and the bolt 228 may be returned to
their
rearward positions by a maximum compression of the recoil piston return spring
218
and a maximum expansion of the valve pin spring 230. Further, as the piston
chamber
226 starts venting out compressed air, the recoil piston return spring 218 may
be
configured to pull the piston 224 and the bolt 228 back into the bolt carrier
unit 122.
Further, when the bolt carrier unit 122 reaches to the end of travel, the
recoil assembly
spring 206 may reach to a maximum compression. In one embodiment, the bolt
carrier
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unit 122 may reach the end of the rearward motion. In one embodiment, during
the
rearward movement of the piston 224 and the bolt 228 along with the bolt
carrier unit
122, the new projectile 804 may be fully loaded into the barrel 114. Further,
the valve
pin 222 may be fully reset at this point of rearward travel of the bolt
carrier unit 122.
[00891 FIG. 9A-9C illustrate the return stroke of the air gun 100, in
conjunction with
FIG. 1, FIGS. 2A-2C, FIGS. 3A-3E, FIGS. 4A-4C, FIGS. 5A-5C, FIGS. 6A-6D, FIGS.
7A-7B, and FIGS. 8A-8B, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The
return stroke of the air gun 100 may be performed in three stages or steps, as
illustrated
by FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, and FIG. 9C respectively. As shown in FIG. 9A., after the
return
coast of the bolt carrier unit 122, the recoil assembly spring 206 may be at
the maximal
compression and therefore, under its natural state, the recoil assembly spring
206 may
begin to unload tension. Further, when the recoil assembly spring 206 may
begin to
unload, the bolt carrier unit 122, may be pushed back forwards, towards the
barrel 114.
In one embodiment, the valve pin 222, the piston 224, the cap 236, and the
valve pin
spring 226, may be fully reset to default positions.
[0090] As shown in FIG. 9B, the recoil assembly spring 206 may continue to
unload
and may push the bolt carrier unit 122 towards the barrel 114. In one
embodiment, the
hammer 210 may no longer held in pressed stated by the bolt carrier unit 122
and may
be now retained by the auto sear 804 and the disconnector 606. Further, the
bolt 228
may re-enter into the barrel 114 and may begin to load the new projectile, by
forcing it
past the detents into the chamber of the barrel 114. In one embodiment, the
piston
chamber 226 may completely release the compressed air from the plurality of
bleed
holes 808, and the firing pin 212 may be fully reset touching the first end of
the valve
pin 222.
[0091] As shown in FIG. 9C, the recoil assembly spring 206 may further
continue to
unload and may push the bolt carrier unit 122 further forwards, such that the
bolt 228
may now be inside the barrel 114, pushing the new projectile 804 past the
detents of
the barrel 114. In one embodiment, the first pin seal 404 may be behind the
plurality
of incoming air passages 504 integrated on the piston head 216. In one
embodiment,
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the compressed air pressure from the regulator 202 may suddenly drop, as the
air may
be pulled from the air gun 100, to refill the bolt carrier unit 122. Further,
the on/off
shuttle 310 may be pushed forwards and may break the seal between the conical
section
322 and the tapered mating surface 324. In one embodiment, the recoil guide
tube 204
may be configured to allow the compressed air to pressurize the bolt carrier
unit 122
once again. Further, the on/off shuttle valve 310 breaks the seal with the
recoil guide
tube 204, and the air may rapidly fill in and thereby rebalance the conical
section 322
and the tapered mating surface 324. In one embodiment, the first end of the
bolt carrier
unit 122 may impact force on the on/off shuttle valve 310 and consequently may
force
the on/off shuttle valve 310 forwards against holding air pressure from the
recoil guide
tube 204. In one embodiment, the compressed air may flow into the bolt carrier
unit
122 via the ball check valve 238. Further, the compressed air may flow through
the
plurality of incoming air passages 504 on the piston head 216 and may start
filling the
valve chamber 220. In one embodiment, the bolt 228 may be moved past the
barrel
feed port 802 and may seal the new projectile into the chamber of the barrel
114.
[0092] FIG. 10 illustrates a final return position of the air gun 100, in
conjunction with
FIG. 1, FIGS. 2A-2C, FIGS. 3A-3E, FIGS. 4A-4C, FIGS. 5A-5C, FIGS. 6A-6D, FIGS.
7A-7B, FIGS. 8A-8B, and FIGS. 9A-9C, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. In one embodiment, the final return position of the air gun 100
may be
referred as an in-battery state. The bolt carrier unit 122 may be herein in a
forward end
of the travel. Further, the auto sear 806 may be provided with an arm 1002
wrapped
around the pivot of the auto sear 806 and coupled at a first end with the bolt
carrier unit
122 and a second end may slide down the pivot axis of hammer 210. In one
embodiment, when the air gun 100 may be in semi-automatic position, the
movement
of the bolt carrier unit 122 towards the barrel 114, may press down the first
end of the
arm 1002, and second end of the arm 1002 may lift up the hammer 210. Further,
during
the semi-automatic position, the trigger 108 may be held to a rear and the
hammer 210
may be retained by the disconnector 606. In one embodiment, the safety
selector 604
may be in a ready to fire position during semi-automatic position of the air
gun 100. In
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one embodiment, the conical section 322 may be disengaged from the tapered
mating
surface 324 of the recoil guide assembly 320. In one embodiment, the on/off
shuttle
valve 310 may be configured to deliver the compressed air into the bolt
carrier unit
122. Further, the valve chamber 220 may be fully pressurized by the compressed
air
flowing from the plurality of incoming air passages 504. In one embodiment,
the new
projectile 804 loaded into the barrel 114 may be held by the detent
[00931 FIG. 11 illustrates a reset position of the air gun 100, in conjunction
with FIG.
1, FIGS. 2A-2C, FIGS. 3A-3E, FIGS. 4A-4C, FIGS. 5A.-5C, FIGS. 6A-6D, FIGS. 7A-
713, FIGS. 8A.-8B, FIGS. 9A-9C, and FIG. 10, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure. The reset position of the air gun 100 may be referred as
the ready
to fire position. The trigger 108 may be pulled and the disconnector 606 may
release
the hammer. Further, the hammer 210 may lift slightly up and may be now
retained
only by the hook 602 of the trigger 108. Therefore, the air gun 100 may return
to the
first stage of firing sequence, as described in FIG. 6A-B. In one embodiment,
when
the safety selector 604 of the air gun 100 may be set in full-automatic, the
disconnector
606 may be held back for entire operation of the air gun 100. In another
embodiment,
during the full-automatic setting of the air gun 100, the hammer 210 may be
swinging
back forward as soon as the auto sear 806 may be pushed forward during the
ready to
fire position of the air gun 100. In one exemplary embodiment, the air gun 100
may
be provided with a scope for shooting the projectile out of the barrel 114
towards the
target in a more accurate manner.
100941 The overall operation of the air gun 100 as herein described may be
heavily
derived from the commonly understood mechanisms of most modern firearms. The
intent of the present invention may be to replicate the action of such
firearms through
the use of a compressed air supply instead of controlled explosions.
[0095] Another aspect of the present air gun 100 may be the actuation of the
trigger or
striker assemblies that may follow various implementations. Further, it may
depend
upon the specific firearms as may be the specific layout and external shape of
the bolt
carrier assembly and the recoil assemblies in order for the overall fit and
form to match
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a specific firearm. An additional application area of the air gun 100 may be
for
military/law enforcement use, self-defense purposes, for training tools, for
recreational
purposes (target shooting, sport of airsoft, NERF, etc.) or for other types of
activities
that may include the use of similar type of air guns. Another additional
application
area of the air gun 100 may be to omit the firing of a projectile and use the
air gun 100
for its effect of recoil and for the loud sound of firing. Such an application
area may
require more air pressure to increase the recoil power without the concern for
projectile
velocity or efficiency.
[0096] List of Elements
100 Air Gun
102 Housing
104 Cover
106 Magazine
108 Trigger
110 Air inlet swivel
112 Handle
114 Barrel
116 Buttstock
118 Handguard
120 Recoil gas unit
122 Bolt Carrier Unit
124 Magazine Release Lever
126 inner Structure
128 Outer Structure
200A Sectional View of Air Gun in Partial Recoil Position
200B Sectional View of Air Gun in Full Recoil Position
200C Sectional View of Air Gun in Rest or Forward or Ready to Fire Position
202 Regulator
204 Recoil Guide Tube
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206 Recoil Assembly Spring
208 Shut-Off Valve
210 Hammer
212 Firing Pin
214 Retainer
216 Piston Head
218 Recoil Piston Return Spring
220 Valve Chamber
222 Valve Pin
:10 224 Piston
226 Piston Chamber
228 Bolt
230 Valve Pin Spring
232 Bolt Flange
234 Recoil Tube Carrier
236 Cap
238 Ball Check Valve
302 Plug Screw
304 Recoil Base
306 Air Channel
308 Extended Hook
310 On/Off Shuttle Valve
312 Plurality of 0-rings
314 Second Plurality of holes
316 Air Tube
318 Air Reservoir
320 Recoil Guide Assembly
322 Conical Section
324 Tapered Mating Surface
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326 Shuttle Retainer Cap
402 Piston Body
404 First Pin Seal
406 Second Pin Seal
408 Third Pin Seal
410 First Plurality of Grooves
412 Valve Pin Sealing Surface
414 0-ring Gland
416 Forward Pin Seal 0-ring
418 Second Plurality of Grooves
502 Cup Seal
504 Plurality of incoming Air passages
602 Hook of the Trigger
604 Safety Selector
606 Disconnector
608 Rubber Dent
610 Plurality of Barrel Bores
802 Barrel Feed Port
804 New Projectile
806 Auto Sear
808 Plurality of Bleed Holes
1002 Arm
[00971 While there is shown and described herein certain specific structures
illustrating
various embodiments of the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in
the art that
various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without
departing
from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the
same is not
limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as
indicated
by the scope of the appended claims.
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