Compressed gas-powered gun simulating the recoil of a conventional firearm

Abstract

A compressed gas powered gun provides recoil simulating the recoil of a gun firing gunpowder propelled projectiles. The valve assembly provides both consistent shot to shot pressure, and rearward gas pressure for generating recoil. Preferred embodiments of the compressed gas powered gun may include means for adjusting the amount of recoil provided. A trigger mechanism permitting semi-automatic operation, or full automatic operation at a user selectable cyclic rate, is provided. The air gun provides consistent gas pressure behind the projectile from shot to shot. A magazine and magazine indexing system for loading projectiles into the firing chamber in a manner contributing to the accuracy of the air gun is also provided.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 289,021, entitled, “Compressed Gas-Powered Gun Simulating The Recoil of a Conventional Firearm,” filed Nov. 6, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 756,891, filed Jan. 9, 2001.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This application relates to compressed gas powered guns. More specifically, the invention relates to training guns duplicating various characteristics of guns firing gunpowder propelled projectiles. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Guns firing projectiles propelled by compressed air or gas are commonly used for recreational target shooting or as training devices for teaching the skills necessary to properly shoot guns firing gunpowder propelled projectiles. Ammunition for air guns is significantly less expensive than gunpowder propelled ammunition. A typical gas powered projectile ha...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The preferred embodiment of the invention is an air or gas powered gun providing a recoil similar to that of a gun firing a powder propelled projectile. The compressed gas powered gun includes an improved magazine and magazine indexing system, contributing to the accuracy of the gun. The compressed gas powered gun preferably also duplicates many other features of a conventional firearm, for example, the sights, the positioning of the controls, and method of operation. One preferred embodiment simulates the characteristics of an AR-15 or M-16 rifle, although the invention can easily be applied to simulate the characteristics of other conventional firearms.

[0016] A compressed gas powered gun of the present invention preferably includes a magazine and magazine indexing assembly configured to facilitate precise alignment of the firing chambers with the barrel. A preferred embodiment of the magazine is a cylinder. The term “cylinder” as used herein does not necessarily mean a perfect geometrical cylinder, but is used to denote a generally cylindrical magazine wherein a plurality of firing chambers are located around its circumference, as known to those skilled in the art of revolvers. A preferred cylinder will have six chambers, although this number may vary. The exterior surface of the cylinder will preferably include a plurality of flutes, with the flutes located between the chambers, and with an equal number of chambers and flutes. One preferred embodiment of the cylinder aligns the chamber with the barrel in the three o'clock position when viewed from the rear or the nine o'clock position when viewed from the front. A spring-biased bearing preferably engages the flutes, thereby precisely aligning the cylinder with the barrel. A preferred bearing will have a larger radius than the radius of the flutes, thereby maximizing the precision with which the chamber and barrel may be aligned. This arrangement permits the barrel and chamber to be aligned with such precision that a forcing cone is not needed at the breach of the barrel.

[0021] If the air resistance bolt driver is positioned directly behind the bolt, light recoil results. The air resistance bolt driver has less mass than the floating mass bolt driver, resulting in less mass reciprocating back and forth. Additionally, the air resistance bolt driver will trap air behind it as it reciprocates, thereby slowing travel of the reciprocating mass. Conversely, positioning the floating mass bolt driver behind the bolt results in heavier recoil, due to the increased reciprocating mass and the lack of the ability of the floating mass bolt driver to trap air. The shooter may therefore select the desired level of recoil to correspond with the recoil of the conventional firearm the shooter wishes to simulate.

[0027] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a compressed gas powered gun utilizing a magazine and magazine indexing system providing precise alignment of the firing chambers with the barrel.

[0029] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a compressed gas powered gun for providing training that accurately simulates shooting a conventional firearm.

[0030] It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a compressed gas powered gun that may be legally owned and utilized in locations where conventional firearms are heavily restricted.

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, the low velocity and energy of air powered projectiles makes air guns significantly less useful as weapons than guns firing gunpowder propelled projectiles.

The usefulness of a gas powered gun as a training tool is limited to the extent that any of the above listed characteristics cannot be accurately duplicated.

Presently available air guns do not duplicate the recoil of a gun firing a powder propelled projectile.

The inability to get a trainee accustomed to the recoil generated by conventional firearms is one of the greatest disadvantages in the use of air guns as training tools.

Additionally, although presently available air guns can be made extremely accurate, variations in gas pressure can cause differences in shot placement from shot to shot, or from the beginning of a gas cartridge to the end.

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