Mechanical actuating device

Abstract

An imitation or deactivated firearm device for use with an electronic shooting game, said device comprising: a sensor for sensing a reload action; and a mechanism for signalling a reload action to the

Description

This invention relates to an electronic input / output device suitable for use in electronic shooting games, the device comprising a mechanical actuating device that enables ambidextrous reloading. BACKGROUND Electronic shooting games such as electronic clay target shooting games have grown increasingly popular due to their ability to provide immersive and realistic gaming experiences. One method to enhance this realism is to use deactivated real-life firearms, such as shotguns, as input / output devices (I / O devices). By developing and integrating new components into these deactivated firearms (and / or by modifying existing components) to make them suitable for use as I / O devices, players can experience the tactile and visual feedback of handling an actual firearm while participating in a virtual environment. A key challenge in this integration is designing a reload mechanism that maintains the shotgun's authentic look and feel, while also gearingthe shotgun to be suitable for use in an electronic clay target shooting game given the nature of the game type and the variety of users who will playthe game. Electronic target shooting games often enables a userto reload simply by shooting off screen. However, this known approach does not provide a realistic shooting experience. While traditional shotguns comprise features that could be adapted to prompt a reload signal to make the shooting experience more authentic (e.g. a safety switch or an action release lever) generally these features favour right-handed users making certain actions awkward and unnatural for left-handed users because they are either located on one side of the gun or operate in one direction, for easy operation by a right handed person. While left-handed shotguns exist, with components designed specifically for left-handed users, it would be impractical to maintain two types of guns (left-handed and right-handed) in a commercial gaming environment (or four types if both over-and-under and side-by-side style shotguns are provided as options for players, and even more if different sized guns are provided for people of different sizes) where players must be able to quickly pick up and share the shotguns, regardless of their dominant hand. Furthermore, the change in shooting style in electronic gaming often leads to players firing more rounds and wanting to reload more often and in faster succession compared to real shooting with shotguns. In real-life shooting scenarios, there is typically more time taken between firing rounds, and using a right-handed mechanism as a left-handed person (or vice versa) is less impractical due to the less frequent need for reloading. However, in electronic games, the frequent and rapid need to reload exacerbates the difficulty for left-handed users, significantly impacting their gaming experience. This disparity in user experience between left- and right-handed players detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game. The aim of the invention is to provide a device which solves or at least alleviates the problems discussed above. SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to a first aspect, there is provided an input / output device (an I / O device) for use with an electronic shooting game, said device comprising: a sensor for sensing a reload action; and a mechanism for signalling a reload action to the sensor, the mechanism comprising an actuation lever rotatable in both clockwise and anticlockwise directions about an axis of rotation from a neutral position upon application of a force in either direction (either clockwise or anti-clockwise directions) thereby defining a reload action when rotated in either direction, said mechanism being configured to signal said reload action to the sensor, wherein the mechanism is configured to return the actuation lever to the neutral position upon release of the applied force. The term "I / O device" as used herein refers to a device such as an electronic device that facilitates input and output operations, allowing a user input (e.g. a physical and / or electronic input) to prompt an output (e.g. a physical or electronic signal) between the I / O device and external systems / devices. Examples of I / O devices include, but are not limited to, keyboards, mice, displays, network interfaces, sensors, and game console controllers. I / O devices may typically comprise a housing with a cavity that accommodates various internal components for the functionality of the device. The term ‘reload action’ is used to define an action taken by a user to initiate a process of reloading of a weapon in an electronic shooting game. The reload action is defined by the rotation of the actuation lever in either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction, which covers rotation to any extent (e.g. a reload action could occur when the actuation lever is rotated to any extent (as soon as rotation occurs) or upon rotation to a specific degree / extent from the neutral position. The reload action is detected by the sensor, which is capable of sending (transmitting) an electronic signal that can be used to trigger the virtual replenishment of ammunition in the game’s firearm. Advantageously, providing an actuation lever which is rotatable and signals a reload action to the sensor when rotated in both a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction enables a reload action to easily be signalled by both a left and right-handed person since the lever can be pushed and rotated from either side to signal a reload action. Optionally, the mechanism further comprises a housing assembly, a spring held within a spring housing, and a rotational actuator. The mechanism may be configured so that upon rotating the actuation lever in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions about the axis of rotation from the neutral position, the housing assembly and rotational actuator are caused to rotate with the actuation lever and relative to the spring housing, thereby compressing the spring in either direction and enabling the spring to return the actuation lever to the neutral position with a returning force upon release of the applied force, and wherein the rotational actuator is configured to signal the reload action to the sensor through rotation in either direction. That is, it is the rotational actuator (when provided) which is configured to enable the mechanism to be configured to signal a reload action to the sensor. Optionally, the housing assembly may be configured to encase at least a portion of the spring housing and rotate around it. Optionally, the actuation lever, the housing assembly, and the rotational actuator are configured to rotate around the same axis of rotation. Optionally, the actuation lever is connected to the housing assembly. Optionally, the actuation lever comprises a protrusion configured to fit into a recess on the housing assembly, thereby preventing any rotational or lateral movement of the actuation lever relative to the housing assembly. Optionally, a mounting rod is connected to the actuation lever and onto which the housing assembly, spring, spring housing, and rotational actuator are mounted. Optionally, the mounting rod is arranged along the axis of rotation. Optionally, the device further comprises locking means configured to prevent the spring housing from rotating upon rotation of the actuation lever in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction around the axis of rotation. Optionally, the locking means comprises a locking pin, the locking pin being configured to engage with a recess arranged on the spring housing, thereby preventing the spring housing from rotating upon rotation of the actuation lever in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction around the axis of rotation when the locking pin is engaged with the recess. Optionally, the housing assembly and the spring housing are cylindrical with circumferential walls. Optionally, the housing assembly comprises a cut-out, said cut-out defining first and second walls (first and second walls of the housing assembly cut-out); the spring housing comprises a cut-out, said cut-out defining first and second walls (first and second walls of the housing assembly cut-out; and wherein the first and second walls of the housing assembly and the spring housing are configured so that when the actuation lever is in the neutral position the first walls are adjacent each other, the second walls are adjacent each other, and the spring engages with and exerts an equal force against the first walls and the second walls thereby holdingthe actuation lever in the neutral position when no force is applied thereto. Optionally, when the actuation lever is rotated in a clockwise direction the spring engages with and exerts a force against the first wall of the housing assembly and the second wall of the spring housing, said force against the first wall of the housing assembly being the returningforce for returningthe actuation levertothe neutral position upon release of the applied force. Optionally, when the actuation lever is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction the spring engages with and exerts a force against the second wall of the housing assembly and the first wall of the spring housing, said force against the second wall of the housing assembly beingthe returningforce for returningthe actuation lever to the neutral position upon release of the applied force. Optionally, the cut-outs in the housing assembly and the spring housing are cut-outs in the circumferential walls, said cut-outs defining a circumferential cut-out distance between the first wall and second wall of the housing assembly and a circumferential cut-out distance between the first wall and second wall of the spring housing. Optionally, the circumferential cut-out distances define a maximum rotational extent of the actuation lever in either direction from the neutral position. Optionally, the sensor for sensing a reload action is a hall effect sensor and the rotational actuator comprises a magnet configured to cause the sensor to sense a reload action (e.g. de-activate said sensor and thereby sense a reload action) upon the actuation lever being rotated to at least part of the way to its maximum rotational extent in either direction, and optionally upon being rotated to its maximum rotational extent in either direction. Optionally, the sensor is at least two mechanical switches, and the rotational actuator comprises a protrusion configured to activate said switches upon the actuation lever being rotated in either direction. The sensor may alternatively be one mechanical switch (i.e. the sensor could be at least one mechanical switch) which is engaged when the actuation lever is in the neutral position and breaks engagement upon rotation of the actuation lever in either direction away from the neutral position. Optionally, the spring housing comprises a recess configured to receive the rotational actuator and substantially prevent movement of the rotational actuator along the axis of rotation. Optionally, the rotational actuator comprises a wall configured to engage with the cutout of the housing assembly, thereby holding the rotational actuator in a fixed position relative to the housing assembly when said actuation lever is rotated in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. Optionally, the rotational actuator comprises clips configured to clip the rotational actuator onto the spring housing to form a detachably attachable connection and allow rotation with the actuation lever. Detachably attachable in this context means that the two parts are designed to be connected together in a way that allows them to be securely attached when needed (while still allowing said rotation) but also providing the ability for them to be separated or detached when desired. Optionally, the I / O device is an imitation firearm or a deactivated firearm, preferably the I / O device is a deactivated shotgun. Optionally, the I / O device is an imitation or deactivated shotgun comprising a barrel, an action, and a stock, wherein the action comprises the mechanism and a trigger, and wherein the tiggeris arranged on one side of the action and the actuation lever is arranged on an opposite side of the action. Optionally, the actuation lever is configured to correspond in shape and dimensions (relative to the size of the shotgun) to an action release lever such as of the type normally employed on a real life shotgun. The features described above as optional may be combined with the essential features of the first aspect in any combination. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The above and other aspects of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an example mechanism for signalling an upload in accordance with this disclosure. Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the example mechanism shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the example mechanism shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 shows a partial side view of an I / O device comprising a mechanism for signalling a reload in accordance with this disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figures 1,2 and 3 illustrate an example mechanism (100) for signalling a reload action to a sensor within an I / O device in accordance with this disclosure and show the mechanism in perspective view (Figure 1), exploded view (Figure 2), and cross-sectional view (Figure 3). Figure 4 shows an example of an I / O device in accordance with this disclosure in the form of a deactivated shotgun (1000) comprising a mechanism (100) for signalling a reload action to a sensor (not shown) within the deactivated shotgun (1000). The example mechanism (100) comprises an actuation lever (110), a housing assembly (120), a compression spring (130), a spring housing (140), a rotational actuator (150), a locking collar (160), a mounting rod (180) (comprising a head (190) a shoulder (192) and a threaded end (194), and a washer (170). The actuation (110) (or actuating lever) is directly connected to the housing assembly (120) which is cylindrical in shape. The housing assembly (120) defines an interior space (a housing) configured to receive the spring housing (140) which contains compression spring (130). The mounting rod (180) which may be a shoulder screw is utilised to secure the entire mechanism (100) together. Locking collar (160), spring housing (140), spring (130) and housing assembly (120) are all configured to be mountable onto the shoulder (192) of the mounting rod (180) via cylindrical openings which pass therethrough. Actuation lever (110) comprises a recess (not shown in the drawings) which may be a threaded recess configured to receive the threaded end (194) of the mounting rod (180) which together with the head (190) hold the mechanism (100) components together. Once mounted onto the mounting rod (180) and secured between the screwed connection of the threaded end (194) and the actuation lever (110) and the head (190), the mounting rod (180) defines an axis of rotation (X-X) about which the locking collar (160), spring housing (140), spring (130), housing assembly (120), rotational actuator (150) and actuation lever (110) may rotate. The actuation lever (110) is shaped to correspond with the shape of an action release lever of a double-barrelled shotgun and can be operated from both the left and right sides in so far as it is ergonomically shaped to comfortably accommodate a user’s fingers on both sides thereof and that it is rotatable in both directions (clockwise and anticlockwise) about an axis of rotation (X-X). The housing assembly (120) is cylindrical in shape and includes a square-shaped recess (122) with rounded corners at one end (its top end). Herein, the top of the mechanism will be used to refer to the upper end with the actuation lever (110) whereas the bottom will be used to refer to the lower end where the head (190) resides. This recess (122) is engineered to accurately and securely receive (interlock with) a matching square-shaped protrusion (112) located on the underside of the actuation lever (110). This configuration ensures precise alignment and positioning of the actuation lever (110) relative to the housing assembly (120), and once the connection is formed any relative movement between these two components on a rotational or lateral basis (i.e. perpendicular from axis X-X shown on Figure 2) is substantially prevented. Of course, the shape of the male and female parts of the protrusion (112) and recess (122) respectively cab be any shape so long as the interlocked connection formed prevents rotation between the parts. The square-shaped protrusion (112) on the underside of the lever (110) fits snugly within the square-shaped recess (122) in the housing assembly (120). This interlocking design provides a stable and robust connection between the lever (110) and the housing (120), which facilitates transmission of mechanical forces during operation from the actuation lever (110) to the housing assembly (120) and vice versa. This configuration, in combination with the spring arrangement (described herein), ensures that the actuation lever (110) is consistently oriented in the correct position for optimal user interaction, whether for left-handed or right-handed operation. The housing assembly (120) ensures alignment of the actuation lever (110) with the other features of the mechanism (100) including the spring housing (140) and the locking collar (160). The spring housing (140) and locking collar (160) of the mechanical actuating device (100) are, in the example shown in the Figures 1 to 3, integrally formed as one part which is cylindrical in shape, serving both to substantially encase the compression spring (at the spring housing (140) end) and to provide an area of reduced diameter (165) to which the rotational actuator (150) may be secured in the central portion in between the spring housing (140) and the locking collar (160). The spring housing (140) and locking collar (160) do not need to be made from one part and may alternatively be formed of independent parts which fit into each other defining the reduced diameter section (165) therebetween. The cylindrical spring housing (140) contains the main body of the compression spring (130) within its cylindrical interior cavity (142). The outer surface of the spring housing (140) is cylindrical and fits snugly within the cylindrical shape of the housing assembly (120). This snug fit allows the housing assembly (120) to rotate freely around the spring housing (140), facilitating the mechanism's ability to rotate in both clockwise and anticlockwise directions. The cylindrical spring housing (140) includes a rectangular shaped cut-out (144) on its side wall which extend from the bottom to the top of the housing (140). This cut-out (144) is designed to align with a corresponding cut-out (124) in the housing assembly (120) that can overlap exactly with each other, allowing ends (132,134) of the spring (130) which may be referred to alternatively as arms (132,134) extending away from the spring, to engage with and apply a force against the walls (126,128,146,148) of both cut-outs (124,144) when the actuation lever (110) is in a neutral position thereby holding the cut outs (124,144) in alignment when no force is being applied to the actuation lever (110). This spring arrangement causes the mechanism (100) to be in substantially the same position (the neutral position) when no force is applied to the actuation lever (110). The locking collar (160) is adjacent the spring housing (140) and is cylindrical. The locking collar (160) is of the same diameter as the cylindrical outside surface of the housing assembly (120) and together define the overall maximum diameter of the mechanism (100). Having the spring housing (140) and locking collar (160) of matching diameter advantageously means that the mechanism (100) can be inserted into a recess of consistent diameter within the shotgun (1000). The locking collar (160) defines an area of reduced diameter (165) between the collar (160) and the spring housing (140), specifically tailored dimensionally to receive and secure the rotational actuator (150). The rotational actuator (150) is equipped with clips (154) that snap onto and fit around the reduced-diameter section (165) defined between the locking collar (160) and spring housing (140), ensuring a secure and stable connection that resists any radial forces during operation. The rotational actuator (150) is equipped with a hollow protrusion (152) that acts as the actuator for mechanical switches or sensors within the gun (such as a hall effect sensor which senses magnets within the protrusion (152) in recess (158)) when the actuation lever (110) of mechanism (100) is rotated in either clockwise or anti-clockwise directions. The recess (158) and magnet are not needed within protrusion (152) if a mechanical switch is being used. The rotational actuator (150) includes a section of curved wall (156), reminiscent of a hand guard on a sword, with side walls which align with and fit snugly into the cut-out (124) of the housing assembly (120) as well as matching the profile shape thereof once inserted into the cut-out (124). That is, the side walls of curved wall (156) are specifically configured to fit within the cut-out section (124) of the housing assembly when the rotational actuator (150) is secured onto reduced diameter section (165) and once the spring housing (140) is placed within housing assembly (120). This configuration for the rotational actuator (150) ensures that as the mechanism (100) is actuated with actuation lever (110) being rotated by a user, the clips (154) enable the rotational actuator (150) with protrusion (152) to rotate in unison with the actuator (110) and the housing assembly (120), translating manual user input into electronic signals accurately and reliably. This arrangement not only stabilises the rotational actuator (150) but also aligns it properly within the device to maintain operational accuracy and durability. The mechanism (100) can be installed into deactivated shotgun (1000) as shown in Figure 4. The mechanism (100) sits within a cylindrical housing (not shown in the figures) formed in the action (the body) of the shotgun, the cylindrical housing being of substantially the same dimensions (in terms of diameter and height) as the mechanism (100). It is common for shotguns to have such a cylindrical housing for a top lever break action release mechanism, configured to breakthe action of the gun allowingthe barrels, which are hinged, to rotate perpendicularly to the bore axis to expose the breech and allow loading and unloading of cartridges. This process is known as a breaking action, and is often complimented by an ejection or extraction mechanism which helps a user extract used shotgun cartridges from the barrel(s). In an electronic clay target shooting game it is not necessary to break the gun and so the break action mechanism can be removed and its cylindrical housing used for mechanism (100) as shown in Figure 4. Advantageously, the diameter of the housing assembly (120) and height of the mechanism (100) can be configured to correspond with the diameter and height of a top lever break action mechanism of a deactivated shotgun. The physical form of the rotational actuator (150) particularly the protrusion (152) which extends beyond the general uniform cylindrical shape of the mechanism (100) would preventthe mechanism from being inserted into / installed into a cylindrical housing formed in the action (the body) of the shotgun, however, the clips (154) allow the rotational actuator (150) to be undipped from the reduced diameter section (165) defined between the locking collar (160) and spring housing (140) while the rest of the mechanism (without the rotational actuator (150) attached) is installed within the cylindrical housing of the action. Once installed, the rotational actuator (150) may be clipped back in place via an opening cut into the side wall of the cylinder formed within the action of the shotgun, said opening allowing the rotational actuator (150) to rotate outside of the cylinder within the action (and along with the actuation lever (11)) to trigger an electronic reload function of the gun I / O device by activating a physical button or a sensor such as a hall effect sensor detecting magnets which can be provided in the protrusion (152) of the rotational actuator (150). Once the mechanism (100) is installed into a deactivated shotgun as shown in Figure 4, a locking rod (not shown in the figures) can be inserted into a hole drilled across the cylindrical housing within the body of the shotgun (and at an angle perpendicular thereto) and slid across groove (162) on the locking collar (160) so that the locking collar (160) and spring housing (140) are held in a fixed position when the actuator lever (110) is rotated. During operation, as the actuation lever (110) starting from a neutral central position is moved / rotated in either direction (clockwise or anti-clockwise), the housing assembly (120) and rotational actuator (150) rotate along with the actuation lever (110) and with respect to the spring housing (140) and locking collar (160) which remain in a fixed position due to the locking rod holding the locking collar (160) in a fixed position via the groove (162). In the neutral central position, the spring ends (132,134) push against the walls (126,128,146,148) of the cut-outs (124,144) in the housing assembly (120) and spring housing (140). When rotated in a clockwise direction the spring end (134) is rotated away from the side wall (146) of cut-out (144) of the spring housing (140) by the cut-out side wall (126) of the housing assembly (120), and simultaneously spring end (132) is pushed up and held against the opposing side wall (148) of cut-out (144) as the housing assembly (120) is further rotated and the side wall (128) of cut-out (124) is rotated away therefrom. This rotating action loads the spring in compression until force is removed from the actuation lever (110) and the compressed spring releases a counterforce forcing the mechanism backto the neutral position. When rotated in an anti-clockwise direction the spring end (132) is rotated away from the side wall (148) of cut-out (144) of the spring housing (140) by the cut-out side wall (128) of the housing assembly (120), and simultaneously spring end (134) is pushed up and held against the opposing side wall (146) of cut-out (144) as the housing assembly (120) is further rotated and the side wall (126) of cut-out (124) is rotated away therefrom. This rotating action loads the spring in compression until force is removed from the actuation lever (110) and the compressed spring releases a counterforce forcing the mechanism backto the neutral position. Clockwise and anti-clockwise movement of the actuation lever (110) compresses the spring (130) and, upon release, the stored energy in the spring (130) returns the lever (110) to its central position. Simultaneously, the movement of the rotational actuator’s (150) protrusion (152) in either clockwise or anti-clockwise directions is configured to trigger an electronic reload function of the gun I / O device through the button actuator such as a mechanical switch (or sensor such as a hall effect sensor detecting magnets which can be provided in the protrusion (152)), providing a realistic feedback mechanism for the electronic game. The spring (130) is calibrated to provide enough resistance to simulate the feel of a traditional shotgun action release while ensuring a smooth and purposeful return to the neutral position post-actuation, once applied force on the actuation lever (110) has been removed. In use, the user engages the actuation lever (110) to simulate reloading within the game. The lever can be operated from either direction, mimicking the natural action of a shotgun reload. The compression spring (30) and rotational actuator (150) translate this manual input into a digital signal that interfaces with the gaming console to register the reload action. This innovative approach not only improves accessibility and ease of use but also enhances the realistic experience of handling a shotgun in a competitive electronic shooting game. The components of the mechanism (100) may be made from any suitable materials such as metal or polymer-based materials. Preferably, the components of the mechanism (100) are made from metal. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of the words, for example “comprising” and “comprises”, mean “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to (and do not) exclude other components. It will be appreciated that variations to the foregoing embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention. Each feature disclosed in this specification, unless stated otherwise, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent features. All of the features disclosed in this specification may be combined in any combination, expect combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually 5 exclusive. In particular, the preferred features of the invention are applicable to all aspects of the invention and may be used in any combination. Likewise, features described in non-essential combinations may be used separately (not in combination). It will be appreciated that many of the features described above, particularly of the preferred embodiments, are inventive in their own right and not just as part of an 10 embodiment of the present invention. Independent protection may be sought for these features in addition to or alternative to any invention presently claimed.

Claims

1. An imitation or deactivated firearm device for use with an electronic shooting game, said device comprising:a sensorfor sensing a reload action; anda mechanism for signalling a reload action to the sensor, the mechanism comprising an actuation lever rotatable in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions about an axis of rotation (X-X) from a neutral position upon application of a force in either direction thereby defining a reload action, said mechanism being configured to signal said reload action to the sensor, wherein the mechanism is configured to return the actuation lever to the neutral position upon release of the applied force.

2. The device of claim 1, the mechanism further comprising:a housing assembly, a spring held within a spring housing, and a rotational actuator; whereinthe mechanism is configured so that upon rotating the actuation lever in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions about the axis of rotation (X-X) from the neutral position, the housing assembly and rotational actuator are caused to rotate with the actuation lever and relative to the spring housing, thereby compressing the spring when the actuation lever is rotated in either direction and enabling the spring to return the actuation lever to the neutral position with a returning force upon release of the applied force, and wherein the rotational actuator is configured to signal the reload action to the sensor through rotation in either direction.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the housing assembly is configured to encase at least a portion of the spring housing and rotate around it.

4. The device of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the actuation lever, the housing assembly, and the rotational actuator are configured to rotate around the axis of rotation (X-X).

5. The device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the actuation lever is connected to the housing assembly.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the actuation lever comprises a protrusion configured to fit into a recess on the housing assembly, thereby preventing any rotational or lateral movement of the actuation lever relative to the housing assembly.

7. The device according to claim 5 or claim 6, further comprising a mounting rod connected to the actuation lever and onto which the housing assembly, spring, spring housing, and rotational actuator are mounted.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the mounting rod is arranged along the axis of rotation (X-X).

9. The device of any one of claims 2 to 8, the device further comprising locking means configured to prevent the spring housing from rotating upon rotation of the actuation lever in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction around the axis of rotation.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the locking means comprises a locking pin, the locking pin being configured to engage with a recess arranged on the spring housing, thereby preventingthe spring housingfrom rotating upon rotation of the actuation lever in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction around the axis of rotation when the locking pin is engaged with the recess.

11. The device of any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the housing assembly and the spring housing are cylindrical and comprise a circumferential wall.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein:the housing assembly comprises a cut-out, said cut-out defining first and second walls;the spring housing comprises a cut-out, said cut-out defining first and second walls; and whereinthe first and second walls of the housing assembly and the spring housing are configured so thatwhen the actuation lever is in the neutral positionthe first walls are adjacent each other,the second walls are adjacent each other, andthe spring engages with and exerts an equal force against the first walls and the second walls thereby holding the actuation lever in the neutral position when no force is applied thereto.

13. The device according to claim 12, whereinwhen the actuation lever is rotated in a clockwise direction the spring engages with and exerts a force against the first wall of the housing assembly and the second wall of the spring housing, said force against the first wall of the housing assembly being the returning force for returning the actuation lever to the neutral position upon release of the applied force.14.The device according to claim 12or claim 13, whereinwhen the actuation lever is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction the spring engages with and exerts a force against the second wall of the housing assembly and the first wall of the spring housing, said force against the second wall of the housing assembly being the returning force for returning the actuation lever to the neutral position upon release of the applied force.

15. The device according to anyone of claims 12 to 14, wherein the cut-outs in the housing assembly and the spring housing are cut-outs in the circumferential walls, said cut-outs defining a circumferential cut-out distance between the first wall and second wall of the housing assembly and a circumferential cut-out distance between the first wall and second wall of the spring housing.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the circumferential cut-out distances define a maximum rotational extent of the actuation lever in either direction from the neutral position.

17. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensor for sensing a reload action is a hall effect sensor and the rotational actuator comprises a magnet configured to cause said sensorto sense a reload action upon the actuation lever being rotated to at least part of the way to its maximum rotational extent in either direction, and optionally upon being rotated to its maximum rotational extent in either direction.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the sensor is at least one mechanical switch, and the rotational actuator comprises a protrusion configured to cause said at least one switch to sense a reload action upon the actuation lever being rotated in either direction.

19. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the spring housing comprises a recess configured to receive the rotational actuator and substantially prevent movement of the rotational actuator along the axis of rotation (X-X).

20. The device according to any preceding claim, where the rotational actuator comprises a wall configured to engage with the cut-out of the housing assembly, thereby holding the rotational actuator in a fixed position relative to the housing assembly when said actuation lever is rotated in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.

21. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the rotational actuator comprises clips configured to clip the rotational actuator onto the spring housing to form a detachably attachable connection and allow rotation with the actuation lever.

22. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the imitation firearm or deactivated firearm is a deactivated shotgun.

23. The device according to any preceding claim, comprising a barrel, an action, and a stock, wherein the action comprises the mechanism, the sensor, and a trigger, and wherein the tigger is arranged on one side of the action and the actuation lever is arranged on an opposite side of the action.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein the actuation lever is configured to correspond in shape and dimensions to an action release lever.s

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