Actuation mechanism for compressed gas valve of an airgun

Abstract

An actuation assembly for actuating a compressed gas main valve assembly includes a trigger, a body, and an actuation valve. The actuation assembly includes a trigger, body, and actuation valve. The trigger is configured to selective activate the actuation assembly in response to input from a user (e.g., when the user pulls the trigger). The body is configured to support the trigger, connect to the main valve assembly, provide compressed gas to an inlet of a shot plenum of the main valve assembly, and selectively supply compressed gas to a control port of a switch plenum of the main valve assembly. When activated (i.e., actuated), the activation valve blocks flow of compressed gas to the control port of the main valve assembly and vents the switch plenum to atmosphere (e.g., via the control port).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63 / 733,102 entitled “SELF RESETTING COMPRESSED GAS VALVE” filed on Dec. 12, 2024. This application claims priority to and hereby incorporates by reference in its entirety U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63 / 733,112 entitled “ACTUATION MECHANISM FOR COMPRESSED GAS VALVE OF AN AIRGUN” filed on Dec. 12, 2024. This application claims priority to and hereby incorporates by reference in its entirety U.S. patent application Ser. No. 63 / 733,062 entitled “COMPRESSIVELY SEALABLE MAGAZINE FOR AN AIR GUN” filed Dec. 12, 2024.

[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

[0003] Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates generally to air guns (e.g., pellet guns and paintball markers). More particularly, the present invention pertains to an actuation mechanism for a main valve assembly for air guns (i.e., air driven projectile launchers).

[0005] Air guns (e.g., paintball guns, pellet guns, and projectile launchers) have main valve assemblies that completely empty a shot plenum of the air gun when a user fires or discharges the gun (e.g., pulls the trigger). Much of the energy stored in the compressed gas released from the shot chamber (i.e., shot plenum) is wasted because it escapes the shot chamber after peak pressure within the bullet chamber and barrel of the gun has been reached. The shot plenum must be completely refilled before the next shot if the gun is to have repeatable power and accuracy. The need to refill the shot plenum from empty reduces the rate of fire of the gun or the accuracy of the gun (i.e., a subsequent shot occurs at a reduced barrel pressure and results in a lower muzzle velocity) or a combination thereof. The complete evacuation of the compressed gas from the shot plenum also reduces the number of properly pressure regulated shots that may be obtained from the gun before the compressed gas source needs to be refilled or changed out for a fresh source.

[0006] Actuation systems for main valve assemblies in air guns typically take input from a user via a trigger and release compressed gas via the main valve. The actuation system varies with the main valve assembly, but prior art actuation systems are generally direct mechanical linkages to the main valve assembly. Such an arrangement becomes more impractical with larger, higher pressure main valve assemblies because the force required to open the main valve becomes excessive. For these larger valves, higher pressure systems, and new main valve types, different and more powerful actuation assemblies are needed.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Aspects of the present invention provide an actuation assembly for a self resetting compressed gas main valve assembly such as in an air gun. The actuation assembly continuously provides compressed gas to an inlet to a shot plenum of the main valve assembly. The main valve assembly blocks the flow of compressed gas to the shot plenum when the main valve assembly is activated (i.e., actuated). The actuation assembly actuates the main valve by venting a control port of the main valve to atmosphere. The actuation assembly has structures for minimizing required trigger pressure while providing a clean breaking trigger (e.g., an actuation rod having a roller to activate the actuation valve of the actuation assembly and a quick exhaust valve triggered by the actuation valve). When the user releases the trigger, the actuation valve provides compressed gas to the control port instead of venting the switch plenum to atmosphere to complete the reset of the actuation assembly and main valve assembly.

[0008] In one aspect, an actuation assembly for actuating a compressed gas main valve assembly includes a trigger, a body, and an actuation valve. The actuation assembly includes a trigger, body, and actuation valve. The trigger is configured to selective activate the actuation assembly in response to input from a user (e.g., when the user pulls the trigger). The body is configured to support the trigger, connect to the main valve assembly, provide compressed gas to an inlet of a shot plenum of the main valve assembly, and selectively supply compressed gas to a control port of a switch plenum of the main valve assembly. When activated (i.e., actuated), the activation valve blocks flow of compressed gas to the control port of the main valve assembly and vents the switch plenum to atmosphere (e.g., via the control port).BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a side cutaway view of a gun including a self resetting main valve assembly according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a side cutaway view of the main valve assembly of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a side cutaway view of the main valve assembly of FIG. 1 with the valve and switch in their forward positions.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a side cutaway view of the main valve assembly of FIG. 1 with the valve and switch in their forward positions.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a side cutaway view of the main valve assembly of FIG. 1 with the valve and switch in their forward positions.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a side cutaway view of the main valve assembly of FIG. 1 with the valve and switch in their rear positions during firing or discharge of the valve.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a side cutaway view of the main valve assembly of FIG. 1 with the valve and switch in their forward positions.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a side cutaway view of the main valve assembly of FIG. 1 with the valve in its forward position and the switch in its rear position showing the self reset of the main vale assembly.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a side cutaway view of the main valve assembly of FIG. 1 with the valve in its forward position and the switch in its rear position showing the self reset of the main vale assembly.

[0018] FIG. 10 is a side cutaway view of the main valve assembly of FIG. 1 with the valve in its forward position and the switch in its forward position showing the full reset and refill of the main vale assembly.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a an isometric cutaway view of the main valve assembly of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 12 is a side cutaway view of an actuation system for the main valve assembly of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 13 is a side cutaway view of the switch of the main valve assembly of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 14 is a side cutaway view of an alternative actuation system for the main valve assembly of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 15 is a partial side cutaway view of the actuation assembly of the air gun of FIGS. 1 and 14.

[0024] Reference will now be made in detail to optional embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawing and in the description referring to the same or like parts.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention.

[0026] To facilitate the understanding of the embodiments described herein, a number of terms are defined below. The terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as “a,”“an,” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but rather include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their usage does not delimit the invention, except as set forth in the claims.

[0027] As described herein, an upright position is considered to be the position of apparatus components while in proper operation or in a natural resting position as described herein. As used herein, the upright or vertical position of a gun or firearm is when assembled and held by a shooter, ready to shoot (i.e., fire or discharge), with the bore of the barrel of the gun extending generally horizontally or level along a longitudinal axis and the trigger extending generally downward. Vertical, horizontal, above, below, side, top, bottom and other orientation terms are described with respect to this upright position during operation unless otherwise specified. The term “when” is used to specify orientation for relative positions of components, not as a temporal limitation of the claims or apparatus described and claimed herein unless otherwise specified. The terms “above”, “below”, “over”, and “under” mean “having an elevation or vertical height greater or lesser than” and are not intended to imply that one object or component is directly over or under another object or component.

[0028] The phrase “in one embodiment,” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,”“might,”“may,”“e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and / or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and / or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without operator input or prompting, whether these features, elements and / or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0029] The terms “coupled” and “connected” mean at least either a direct electrical or mechanical connection between the connected items or an indirect connection through one or more passive or active intermediary devices.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1-15, in one embodiment, an air gun 100 includes a main valve assembly 103 controlled by an actuation assembly 105. The air gun 100 further includes a trigger 133 and a barrel 135. The main valve assembly 103 includes a housing 107, a main valve 109 (e.g., main valve plunger), a spring 111, and a switch 113. The housing 107 forms a shot plenum 117 and a switch plenum 115. The shot plenum 117 has an inlet 119 and an outlet 150. The outlet 150 is fluidly connected to the barrel 135 (and the barrel 135 includes a chamber for a projectile) such that the barrel 135 receives the compressed gas from the shot plenum 117 via the outlet 150 when the compressed gas passes through the outlet 150. The shot plenum is 117 is configured to receive compressed gas via the inlet 119 and provide the compressed gas via the outlet 150. In one embodiment, the air gun 100 further includes the bulk compressed gas supply 151 (e.g., a compressed gas canister) and a regulator 153. The compressed gas is supplied to the shot plenum 117 via the inlet 119 from the bulk supply 151 via the regulator 153.

[0031] The main valve 109 has a forward position (see, for example, FIGS. 2-5, and 8-10) and a rear or rearward position (see, for example, FIGS. 6-7). In the forward position, the main valve 109 is pressed into or against the outlet 150 and seals the outlet 150, preventing compressed gas from exiting the shot plenum 117 via the outlet 150. The spring 111 biases the main valve 109 into the forward position of the main valve 109. The spring 111 presses against the main valve 109 and the switch 113 to push them away from one another, biasing the switch 113 rearward and the main valve 109 forward.

[0032] The switch 113 is configured to separate the shot plenum 117 from the switch plenum 115 when the main valve assembly 103 is assembled. The switch 113 is sealed to the housing 107 in at least one place and is configured to move longitudinally within the housing 107. The switch plenum 115 has a control port 131. The switch 113 has a forward position (see, for example, FIGS. 2-5 and 10) and a rear or rearward position (see, for example, FIGS. 6-9). In the forward position of the switch 113, compressed gas can flow into the shot plenum 117 via the inlet 119. In the rear position, the switch 113 blocks compressed gas from flowing into the shot plenum 117 via the inlet 119. At rest, before discharging (i.e., firing) the air gun 100, compressed gas in the switch plenum 115 biases the switch 113 into the forward position of the switch 113.

[0033] The control assembly or actuation assembly 105 is configured to selectively evacuate or vent the compressed gas from the switch plenum 115. In one embodiment, the actuation assembly 105 vents the switch plenum 115 to atmosphere (i.e., to the air outside the air gun 100). The actuation assembly 105 vents the switch plenum 115 via the control port 131 when the user pulls the trigger 133. In one embodiment, the actuation assembly 105 continues to vent the switch plenum 115 while the user keeps the trigger 133 pulled or depressed. The trigger 133, actuation assembly 105, and barrel are supported by the housing 107 when the air gun 100 is assembled. In one embodiment, the bulk supply 151 and regulator 153 are also supported by the housing 107 either directly, or via one or more structures of the air gun 100. The control port 131 is fluidly connected to the regulator 153 to provide compressed gas from the bulk supply 151 to the switch plenum 115. In one embodiment, pulling the trigger 133 blocks compressed gas from the regulator 153 from flowing into the switch plenum 115 and vents the switch plenum 115. In one embodiment, pulling the trigger 133 actuates a small valve within the actuation assembly 105 to vent the switch plenum 115, and the action of the small valve actuates a quick exhaust valve 155 or pneumatic sear poppet valve to rapidly deplete the switch plenum 115 such that the air pressure of the shot plenum 117 pushes the switch 113 and main valve 109 rearward faster than the spring 111 can move the main valve 109 forward, momentarily unseating the main valve 109 from the outlet 150.. When the main valve 109 unseats from the outlet 150, the main valve 109 remains unseated from the outlet 150 until the forward pressure on the main valve 109 from the spring 111 overcomes rearward backpressure in the outlet 150. In this way, pressure is retained in the shot plenum 117 during firing such that it can be quickly refilled, and a consistent, metered amount of pressurized air is repeatably released to the outlet 150. It is contemplated that spring 111 may be a metal or plastic spring, or the spring 111 may be a gas spring that is permanently filled or refilled in each firing sequence. The quick exhaust valve 155 resets when the pressure between the switch plenum 115 and atmosphere is equal. The main valve 109 reset before the trigger 133 is released because the spring 111 reseats the main valve 109 in the outlet 150 regardless of the resetting (i.e., return to the forward position) of the switch 113. When the trigger 133 is released, the switch plenum 115 refills with compressed air, moving the switch 113 to its forward position such that the inlet 119 is unblocked by the switch 113 and the compressed gas from the regulator 153 can refill the shot plenum 117, fully resetting the main valve assembly 103 for a subsequent shot or discharge.

[0034] In one embodiment, an air gun 100 or air powered projectile launcher includes a main valve assembly 103 and an actuation assembly 105. The main valve assembly 103 includes a housing 107, a main valve (i.e., main valve plunger 109), a spring 111, and a switch 113. The housing 107 forms a shot plenum 117 and a switch plenum 115. The switch 113 separates the shot plenum 117 from the switch plenum 115 and is configured to move further into the shot plenum 117 in a forward position of the switch 113 and further into the switch plenum 115 in a rear or rearward position of the switch 113. The shot plenum 115 is filled through an inlet 119 and provides pressurized gas to a chamber (e.g., barrel 135) of the air gun 100 through an outlet 150 of the shot plenum 117. The main valve 109 (i.e., plunger) blocks the outlet 150 of shot plenum 115 in a forward position of the main valve 109 and allows compressed gas to pass through the outlet 150 of the shot plenum 115 when the main valve 109 is not in the forward position. The spring 111 biases the main valve 109 toward the forward position of the main valve 109. Compressed gas in the shot plenum 117 pushes the main valve 109 into or against the outlet 150 of the shot plenum 117 and the switch 113 rearward. Compressed gas in the switch plenum 115 holds the switch 113 in the forward position of the switch 113. The switch plenum 115 is filled and emptied via a control port 131 to actuate the main valve assembly 103.

[0035] When the gun 100 is fired or discharged, the main valve assembly 103 is actuated. When the compressed gas pressure in the switch plenum 115 is evacuated via the control port 131 (e.g., vented to atmosphere), the compressed gas pressure in the shot plenum 117 pushes the switch 113 rearward faster than the spring 111 can push the main valve 109 forward such that the seal between the main valve 109 and the outlet 150 of the shot plenum 117 is broken and compressed gas in the shot plenum 117 passes through the outlet 150 of the shot plenum 117. When the switch 113 is in the rear position, the switch 113 blocks the inlet 119 to the shot plenum 117 such that additional compressed gas cannot enter the shot plenum 117 via the inlet 119 to the shot plenum 117. After some, but not all, of the compressed gas has exited the shot plenum 117 via the outlet 150 of the shot plenum 117, the spring 111 pushes the main valve 109 back against the outlet 150 of the shot plenum 117 to seal the outlet 150 of the shot plenum 117. Thus, a metered amount of compressed gas can be passed through the outlet 150 of the main valve assembly 103.

[0036] To fully reset the main valve assembly 103, the switch plenum 115 is refilled with compressed gas via the control port 131 when the user releases the trigger 133. This moves the switch 113 forward to its forward position such that the inlet 119 to the shot plenum 117 is unblocked, and compressed gas can refill the shot plenum 117 via the inlet 119 to the shot plenum 117. Thus, the main valve assembly 103 is refilled and reset with the main valve 109 and switch 113 in their forward positions and the shot plenum 117 and switch plenum 115 filled with compressed gas. The main valve assembly 103 is thus ready for discharge (e.g., the air gun 100 or projectile launcher is recharged and ready to fire or discharge).

[0037] In one embodiment, the compressed gas is continuously supplied to the inlet 119 to the shot plenum 117 from a bulk supply 151 via a regulator 153. The switch plenum 115 is selectively filled with the compressed gas via the regulator 153 through the control port 131 of the switch plenum 115 and vented to the atmosphere via the control port 131 (to actuate the main valve assembly 103 and discharge the air gun 100 or projectile launcher).

[0038] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-13, the actuation assembly 105 includes the trigger 133, a body 303, and an actuation valve 305. The trigger 133 is configured to receive input from the user to selectively activate the actuation assembly 105. The body 303 is configured to connect to the main valve assembly 103, receive compressed gas from the bulk compressed gas supply 151, and provide the received compressed gas to the inlet 119 of the shot plenum 117 of the main valve assembly 103.

[0039] The actuation valve 305 is supported by the body 303 when the actuation assembly 105 is assembled. The actuation valve 305 is configured to block the flow of bulk compressed gas form the bulk compressed gas supply 151 to the control port 131 of the switch plenum 115 when the trigger 133 is activating the actuation assembly 105. The actuation valve 305 is also configured to vent the control port 131 of the switch plenum 115 to atmosphere (e.g., outside the body 303) when the trigger 133 is activating the actuation assembly 105. When the actuation valve 305 is in a first or rest position (see FIGS. 2-3 and 14) compressed gas is provided through the actuation valve to the control port of the switch plenum, and when the actuation valve is in the activated position (see FIGS. 4-12), the switch plenum is vented to the atmosphere. In one embodiment, when the actuation valve of the actuation assembly vents the control port of the main valve assembly to atmosphere, the quick exhaust valve opens to vent the control port to atmosphere faster. In one embodiment, the actuation valve 305 includes a poppet valve 309 configured to vent the control port 131 to atmosphere when the trigger 133 is receiving input form the user to activate the actuation assembly 105.

[0040] In one embodiment, the actuation assembly 105 further includes a quick exhaust valve 155. The quick exhaust valve 155 is configured to vent the switch plenum 115 of the main valve assembly 103 to atmosphere in response to the actuation valve 305 venting the switch plenum 115 of the main valve assembly 103 to atmosphere. The quick exhaust valve 155 is supported by the body 303 when the actuation assembly 105 is assembled. The quick exhaust valve 155 is configured to vent the switch plenum 115 to atmosphere in response to poppet valve 309 venting the switch plenum 115 to atmosphere.

[0041] In one embodiment, the actuation assembly 105 further includes an actuation rod 307. The actuation rod 307 extends rearward from the trigger 133 to the actuation valve 305 and is configured to move the actuation valve 305 from a first position (i.e., rest or set position) to a second position (i.e., fire, activated, or actuated position) when the trigger 133 is receiving input form the user to activate the actuation assembly 105. In the first position (see FIGS. 2-3 and 14), the actuation valve 305 allows flow of the compressed gas from the bulk supply 151 to the control port 131 of the switch plenum 115 and to the inlet 119 of the shot plenum 117. In the second position (see FIGS. 4-12), the actuation valve 305 blocks flow of compressed gas from the bulk supply 151 to the control port 131 and vents the switch plenum 115 to atmosphere via the control port 131.

[0042] In the embodiment of FIGS. 14 and 15, the actuation assembly 105 includes the actuation valve 305 integrated into the actuation rod 307. The actuation rod 307 has a plurality of seals 501 mounted thereon and sealing between the actuation rod 307 and body 303. The body 303 includes a plurality of passages therethrough. A supply passage 503 extends from the bulk compressed gas supply 151 to the actuation rod 307. A vent passage 505 extends from the actuation rod 307 to atmosphere outside the body 303. A control port passage 507 extends through the body 303 form the actuation rod 307 to the control port 131 of the switch plenum 115 when the air gun 100 is assembled. The trigger 133 actuates the actuation assembly 105 by moving the actuation rod 307 from the first or rest position (see FIGS. 2-3 and 14) to the second, activated, or actuated position (see FIGS. 4-12). The seals 501 are mounted to the actuation rod 307 such that in the first position, the control port passage 507 is fluidly connected to the supply passage 503, and the vent passage 505 is fluidly disconnected from the control port passage 507. In the second position, the supply passage 503 is blocked off and the control port passage 507 is fluidly connected to the vent passage 505. That is, moving the actuation rod 307 to the second position (i.e., pulling the trigger 133) halts the flow of compressed gas through the body 303 to the control port 131 of the switch plenum 115 and vents the switch plenum 115. The quick exhaust valve 155 is activated by the flow of compressed gas from the switch plenum 115 to atmosphere and opens to vent the switch plenum 155 to atmosphere quicker. In one embodiment, the quick exhaust valve 155 is configured to vent the switch plenum 115 to atmosphere in response to the actuation valve 305 connecting the control port passage 503 to the vent passage 505 (i.e., the quick exhaust valve 155 may vent the switch plenum 115 separately from the control port 131.)

[0043] In one embodiment, when the switch plenum is equalized to the atmosphere, the quick exhaust valve 155 closes regardless of the status of the actuation valve 305. The actuation assembly 105 fully resets or returns to the rest position when the user releases the trigger 133. The trigger 133 is biased forward such that the trigger 133 returns to a rest or set position when the user releases pulling pressure on the trigger 133. Upon reset of the trigger 133, the actuation valve 305 returns to the rest position such that the body 303 resumes supplying compressed gas to the control port 131 of the switch plenum 115 and the switch plenum 115 is sealed off from the atmosphere. It is contemplated within the scope of the claims that the switch plenum 115 may be supplied compressed gas and vented through a single control port 131, or the switch plenum 115 may be supplied compressed gas through one control port and vented through a separate control port.

[0044] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

[0045] It will be understood that the particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention may be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

[0046] All of the compositions and / or methods disclosed and claimed herein may be made and / or executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of the embodiments included herein, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and / or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0047] Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An actuation assembly configured to actuate a main valve assembly configured to selectively release compressed gas from a shot plenum of the main valve assembly through an outlet of the main valve assembly, said actuation assembly comprising:a trigger configured to receive input from a user to selectively activate the actuation assembly;a body configured to connect to the main valve assembly, receive compressed gas from a bulk compressed gas supply, and provide the received compressed gas to an inlet of a shot plenum of the main valve assembly; andan actuation valve supported by the body when the actuation assembly is assembled, wherein:the actuation valve is configured to block the flow of bulk compressed gas from the bulk compressed gas supply to the control port of the switch plenum when the trigger is activating the actuation assembly; andthe actuation valve is configured to vent the control port of the switch plenum of the main valve assembly to atmosphere when the trigger is activating the actuation assembly.

2. The actuation assembly of claim 1, wherein:the actuation assembly further comprises a quick exhaust valve configured to vent the switch plenum of the main valve assembly to atmosphere in response to the actuation valve venting the switch plenum of the main valve assembly to atmosphere.

3. The actuation assembly of claim 1, wherein:the actuation assembly further comprises a quick exhaust valve configured to vent the switch plenum of the main valve assembly to atmosphere in response to the actuation valve venting the switch plenum of the main valve assembly to atmosphere; andthe quick exhaust valve is supported by the body when the actuation assembly is assembled.

4. The actuation assembly of claim 1, wherein:the actuation valve and the quick exhaust valve are supported by the body when the actuation assembly is assembled.

5. The actuation assembly of claim 1, wherein:the actuation assembly further comprises an actuation rod, said actuation rod extending rearward from the trigger to the actuation valve and configured to move the actuation valve from a first position to a second position when the trigger is receiving input from the user to activate the actuation assembly, wherein:in the first position, the actuation valve allows flow of compressed gas from the bulk compressed gas supply to the control port of the switch plenum and to an inlet of the shot plenum of the main valve assembly; andin the second position, the actuation valve blocks flow of compressed gas from the bulk compressed gas supply to the control port of the switch plenum and vents control port of the switch plenum to atmosphere.

6. The actuation assembly of claim 1, wherein:the actuation valve comprises a poppet valve configured to vent the control port to atmosphere when the trigger is receiving input from the user to activate the actuation assembly.

7. The actuation assembly of claim 1, wherein:the actuation assembly further comprises a quick exhaust valve configured to vent the switch plenum of the main valve assembly to atmosphere in response to the actuation valve venting the switch plenum of the main valve assembly to atmosphere.

8. The actuation assembly of claim 1, wherein:the actuation valve comprises a poppet valve configured to vent the control port to atmosphere when the trigger is receiving input from the user to activate the actuation assembly; andthe actuation assembly further comprises a quick exhaust valve configured to vent the switch plenum of the main valve assembly to atmosphere in response to the poppet valve venting the control port to atmosphere.

9. The actuation assembly of claim 1, wherein:the actuation assembly further comprises an actuation rod, said actuation rod extending rearward from the trigger to the actuation valve and configured to move the actuation valve from a first position to a second position when the trigger is receiving input from the user to activate the actuation assembly, wherein:in the first position, the actuation valve allows flow of compressed gas from the bulk compressed gas supply to the control port of the switch plenum and to an inlet of the shot plenum of the main valve assembly; andin the second position, the actuation valve blocks flow of compressed gas from the bulk compressed gas supply to the control port of the switch plenum and vents control port of the switch plenum to atmosphere;the actuation valve comprises a poppet valve configured to vent the control port to atmosphere when the trigger moves the actuation rod from the first position the second position;the actuation assembly further comprises a quick exhaust valve configured to vent the switch plenum of the main valve assembly to atmosphere in response to the poppet valve venting the control port to atmosphere; andthe trigger activates the actuation assembly in response to the user pulling the trigger rearward.

10. The actuation assembly of claim 1, wherein:the actuation assembly further comprises an actuation rod, said actuation rod extending rearward from the trigger to the actuation valve and configured to move the actuation valve from a first position to a second position when the trigger is receiving input from the user to activate the actuation assembly, wherein:in the first position, the actuation valve allows flow of compressed gas from the bulk compressed gas supply to the control port of the switch plenum and to an inlet of the shot plenum of the main valve assembly; andin the second position, the actuation valve blocks flow of compressed gas from the bulk compressed gas supply to the control port of the switch plenum and vents control port of the switch plenum to atmosphere;the actuation valve is integral with the actuation rod and the actuation valve is formed by a plurality of seals between the actuation rod and the body, a supply passage in the body from the bulk compressed gas supply to the actuation rod, a control port passage through the body from the actuation rod to the control port, and a vent passage from the actuation rod to atmosphere outside the body such that in the first position of the actuation rod, the control port passage is fluidly connected to the supply passage and the vent passage is fluidly disconnected from the control port passage, and in the second position of the actuation rod, the supply passage is blocked off and the control port passage is fluidly connected to the vent passage.

11. The actuation assembly of claim 1, wherein:the actuation assembly further comprises an actuation rod, said actuation rod extending rearward from the trigger to the actuation valve and configured to move the actuation valve from a first position to a second position when the trigger is receiving input from the user to activate the actuation assembly, wherein:in the first position, the actuation valve allows flow of compressed gas from the bulk compressed gas supply to the control port of the switch plenum and to an inlet of the shot plenum of the main valve assembly; andin the second position, the actuation valve blocks flow of compressed gas from the bulk compressed gas supply to the control port of the switch plenum and vents control port of the switch plenum to atmosphere;the actuation valve is integral with the actuation rod and the actuation valve is formed by a plurality of seals between the actuation rod and the body, a supply passage in the body from the bulk compressed gas supply to the actuation rod, a control port passage through the body from the actuation rod to the control port, and a vent passage from the actuation rod to atmosphere outside the body such that in the first position of the actuation rod, the control port passage is fluidly connected to the supply passage and the vent passage is fluidly disconnected from the control port passage, and in the second position of the actuation rod, the supply passage is blocked off and the control port passage is fluidly connected to the vent passage; andthe actuation assembly further comprises a quick exhaust valve connected to the control port passage and the quick exhaust valve is configured to vent the switch plenum of the main valve assembly to atmosphere in response to the actuation valve connecting the control port passage to the vent passage.

12. An air gun comprising:a barrel;a main valve assembly configured to selectively release compressed gas from a shot plenum of the main valve assembly through an outlet of the main valve assembly;an actuation assembly configured to provide compressed gas from a compressed gas supply to the shot plenum of the main valve assembly and selectively supply compressed gas from the bulk compressed gas supply to a control port of the main valve assembly, said actuation assembly comprising:a trigger configured to receive input from a user to selectively activate the actuation assembly;a body configured to connect to the main valve assembly, receive compressed gas from a bulk compressed gas supply, and provide the received compressed gas to an inlet of a shot plenum of the main valve assembly; andan actuation valve supported by the body when the actuation assembly is assembled, wherein:the actuation valve is configured to block the flow of bulk compressed gas from the bulk compressed gas supply to the control port of the switch plenum when the trigger is activating the actuation assembly; andthe actuation valve is configured to vent the control port of the switch plenum of the main valve assembly to atmosphere when the trigger is activating the actuation assembly.

13. The air gun of claim 12, wherein:the actuation assembly further comprises a quick exhaust valve configured to vent the switch plenum of the main valve assembly to atmosphere in response to the actuation valve venting the switch plenum of the main valve assembly to atmosphere.

14. The air gun of claim 12, wherein:the actuation assembly further comprises a quick exhaust valve configured to vent the switch plenum of the main valve assembly to atmosphere in response to the actuation valve venting the switch plenum of the main valve assembly to atmosphere; andthe quick exhaust valve is supported by the body when the actuation assembly is assembled.

15. The air gun of claim 12, wherein:the actuation assembly further comprises an actuation rod, said actuation rod extending rearward from the trigger to the actuation valve and configured to move the actuation valve from a first position to a second position when the trigger is receiving input from the user to activate the actuation assembly, wherein:in the first position, the actuation valve allows flow of compressed gas from the bulk compressed gas supply to the control port of the switch plenum and to an inlet of the shot plenum of the main valve assembly; andin the second position, the actuation valve blocks flow of compressed gas from the bulk compressed gas supply to the control port of the switch plenum and vents control port of the switch plenum to atmosphere.

16. The air gun of claim 12, wherein:the actuation valve comprises a poppet valve configured to vent the control port to atmosphere when the trigger is receiving input from the user to activate the actuation assembly.

17. The air gun of claim 12, wherein:the actuation valve comprises a poppet valve configured to vent the control port to atmosphere when the trigger is receiving input from the user to activate the actuation assembly; andthe actuation assembly further comprises a quick exhaust valve configured to vent the switch plenum of the main valve assembly to atmosphere in response to the poppet valve venting the control port to atmosphere.

18. The air gun of claim 12, wherein:the actuation assembly further comprises an actuation rod, said actuation rod extending rearward from the trigger to the actuation valve and configured to move the actuation valve from a first position to a second position when the trigger is receiving input from the user to activate the actuation assembly, wherein:in the first position, the actuation valve allows flow of compressed gas from the bulk compressed gas supply to the control port of the switch plenum and to an inlet of the shot plenum of the main valve assembly; andin the second position, the actuation valve blocks flow of compressed gas from the bulk compressed gas supply to the control port of the switch plenum and vents control port of the switch plenum to atmosphere;the actuation valve comprises a poppet valve configured to vent the control port to atmosphere when the trigger moves the actuation rod from the first position the second position;the actuation assembly further comprises a quick exhaust valve configured to vent the switch plenum of the main valve assembly to atmosphere in response to the poppet valve venting the control port to atmosphere; andthe trigger activates the actuation assembly in response to the user pulling the trigger rearward.

19. The air gun of claim 12, wherein:the actuation assembly further comprises an actuation rod, said actuation rod extending rearward from the trigger to the actuation valve and configured to move the actuation valve from a first position to a second position when the trigger is receiving input from the user to activate the actuation assembly, wherein:in the first position, the actuation valve allows flow of compressed gas from the bulk compressed gas supply to the control port of the switch plenum and to an inlet of the shot plenum of the main valve assembly; andin the second position, the actuation valve blocks flow of compressed gas from the bulk compressed gas supply to the control port of the switch plenum and vents control port of the switch plenum to atmosphere;the actuation valve is integral with the actuation rod and the actuation valve is formed by a plurality of seals between the actuation rod and the body, a supply passage in the body from the bulk compressed gas supply to the actuation rod, a control port passage through the body from the actuation rod to the control port, and a vent passage from the actuation rod to atmosphere outside the body such that in the first position of the actuation rod, the control port passage is fluidly connected to the supply passage and the vent passage is fluidly disconnected from the control port passage, and in the second position of the actuation rod, the supply passage is blocked off and the control port passage is fluidly connected to the vent passage.

20. The air gun of claim 12, wherein:the actuation assembly further comprises an actuation rod, said actuation rod extending rearward from the trigger to the actuation valve and configured to move the actuation valve from a first position to a second position when the trigger is receiving input from the user to activate the actuation assembly, wherein:in the first position, the actuation valve allows flow of compressed gas from the bulk compressed gas supply to the control port of the switch plenum and to an inlet of the shot plenum of the main valve assembly; andin the second position, the actuation valve blocks flow of compressed gas from the bulk compressed gas supply to the control port of the switch plenum and vents control port of the switch plenum to atmosphere;the actuation valve is integral with the actuation rod and the actuation valve is formed by a plurality of seals between the actuation rod and the body, a supply passage in the body from the bulk compressed gas supply to the actuation rod, a control port passage through the body from the actuation rod to the control port, and a vent passage from the actuation rod to atmosphere outside the body such that in the first position of the actuation rod, the control port passage is fluidly connected to the supply passage and the vent passage is fluidly disconnected from the control port passage, and in the second position of the actuation rod, the supply passage is blocked off and the control port passage is fluidly connected to the vent passage; andthe actuation assembly further comprises a quick exhaust valve connected to the control port passage and the quick exhaust valve is configured to vent the switch plenum of the main valve assembly to atmosphere in response to the actuation valve connecting the control port passage to the vent passage.

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