Air gun with balanced firing valve and pneumatic hammer

Abstract

A pneumatic gun includes a substantially balanced firing valve. The firing valve includes a poppet valve arranged on a valve stem that seals a valve port used to communicate compressed gas from a compressed gas storage area to a breech. A piston on a rearward end of the valve stem is configured to be contacted by a hammer to actuate the firing valve and initiate a firing operation of the pneumatic gun. A hammer piston receives a constant supply of compressed gas to bias the hammer toward a forward position. The hammer piston receives a selective supply of compressed gas through a control valve to force the hammer to a rearward position. The control valve is actuated by a trigger pull to vent compressed gas from in front of the hammer piston to cause the hammer to move forward and strike the firing valve to fire the pneumatic gun.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application is a non-provisional of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63 / 762,792, filed Feb. 25, 2025, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField Of The Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to air guns. More particularly, this invention relates to a pneumatic hammer system and firing valve design for an air gun.Related Art

[0003] Pneumatic air guns such as airsoft guns, bb guns, pellet guns, paintball guns, and the like, use firing valves to release high pressure compressed gas into contact with the projectile to fire the projectile from the gun toward the target. The firing valves may include pins impacted by a hammer or they may be operated pneumatically through a solenoid valve or other mechanism. Unfortunately, conventional firing valves for air guns can require a large amount of force to actuate, may stay open too long, may take too long to operate, and may be inefficient and allow excess amounts of compressed gas to flow through the valve during the firing operation. What is needed is an air gun firing valve that opens and closes easily and provides an efficient use of the compressed gas during a firing operation. The industry would also be benefitted by a pneumatic hammer that operates efficiently.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] According to various embodiments and principles of the present inventive concepts, a firing valve for an air gun comprises a substantially or completely balanced valve stem that requires very little pressure to operate (i.e., move from a closed to open position) a firing valve such as a poppet valve. The valve stem can be provided with a small amount of rearward bias (e.g., spring or air bias) to close the firing valve, or it can be completely balanced with neither a forward nor rearward bias. Air released through a valve port during a firing operation can assist in quickly closing the poppet valve by acting on a forward surface of a rearward end of the valve stem.

[0005] In one embodiment, a valve stem is connected to a poppet valve that operates to selectively trap and release high pressure compressed gas from a compressed gas storage area for the firing operation. A rearward end of the valve stem can comprise a control piston connected to the poppet valve that slides forward and back within a cylinder arranged on an opposite side of the valve port from the poppet valve. The control piston can be connected to the poppet valve using a stem, rod, or other connection member. A forward surface of the control piston can receive compressed gas from the firing operation to act thereon and help force the control piston backwards to help reclose the connected poppet valve following a firing operation.

[0006] A rearward end of the control piston preferably comprises a contact surface configured to be impacted by a pneumatic hammer to initiate the firing operation. The pneumatic hammer can be longitudinally arranged in a cylinder behind the control piston. An operating piston (or “sail”) of the pneumatic hammer preferably receives a constant application of compressed gas to a rearward surface and a selective supply of compressed gas to a forward surface. The forward surface has a larger surface area than the rearward surface to bias the operating piston in a rearward position when compressed gas operates on both surfaces. To initiate a firing operation, compressed gas is released from the chamber in front of the forward surface of the operating piston. The pressure acting on the rearward surface of the operating piston then drives the hammer forward until a forward end of the hammer strikes the rearward end of the control piston of the firing valve, driving the poppet valve open to initiate the firing sequence.

[0007] The release of air in front of the operating piston can be controlled using a control valve. The control valve may be a normally open / vent to cycle mechanical or electro-pneumatic valve that is operated using the trigger. When the control valve is at rest, air is supplied to the chamber in front of the operating piston. When the trigger is pulled, an actuating surface of the trigger contacts an actuator of the mechanical valve (or actuates an electro-pneumatic valve) to vent the air from the chamber in front of the forward surface of the operating piston. The control valve can include a quick exhaust valve (QEV) to increase its actuating speed and responsiveness.

[0008] While conventional designs use a 4-way pneumatic valve to control air on both sides of a hammer piston to operate a pneumatic hammer, the novel design of the present inventive concepts benefits from the use of a simpler control valve which can be completely mechanical. In conventional designs, a 4-way pneumatic valve supplies air to a forward piston surface and vents air from a rearward piston surface to hold the hammer in a rearward position. When the trigger is pulled, the 4-way pneumatic control valve releases gas from the forward surface and supplies compressed gas to the rearward surface to drive the hammer forward.

[0009] One preferred embodiment uses a mechanical 3-way valve as the control valve. There are several advantages to using a mechanical 3-way valve. One main advantage is that the trigger pull and valve action using the normally open / vent to cycle mechanical valve is much shorter and faster than when using a 4-way valve, because it only needs to vent to fire. This makes the design easier for a user to operate and provides less risk of “short stroking” the trigger pull. In addition, because only one side of the hammer piston chamber is vented each cycle, this design is more gas efficient as well. Furthermore, the mechanical design is cheaper to manufacture than designs using electronically-controlled solenoid valves, while providing a similar feel and responsiveness to electronic trigger control. This design also has reduced costs as compared to conventional sear and hammer designs, while providing a more consistent trigger pull feel due to fewer parts. And the use of fewer parts increases manufacturing consistency by reducing possible variations due to machining tolerances for the parts.

[0010] By using some of the high-pressure gas released from the firing operation to help close the poppet valve, the firing valve can be closed even against actuating pressure from the hammer. This not only permits the firing valve to be closed faster, but also permits the poppet valve to reseal even when the user continues pulling the trigger. The initial strike of the hammer on the rear end of the control piston has speed and inertia because of the length of travel of the hammer before impact. This inertia allows to the hammer to open the poppet valve and cause the firing operation. After the initial strike, however, the inertia is reduced and only the force of the compressed gas on the rearward surface of the operating piston continues to apply force to the firing valve if the trigger is held. The air from the firing operation acting on the forward surface of the control piston is able to overcome this force and reseat the poppet valve even when the trigger is held.

[0011] According to other aspects of the present inventive concepts, changes or additions could be made to the air gun design described herein without departing from the principles of the present inventive concepts.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] The foregoing and additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional view showing operating components of a pneumatic gun, including a firing chamber and a firing valve, and a hammer chamber and a pneumatic hammer, according to one embodiment of the principles of the present inventive concepts.

[0014] FIG. 2A is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of a normally open / vent to cycle mechanical control valve according to other aspects of the present inventive concepts, with the control valve shown in an at rest position.

[0015] FIG. 2B is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of the normally open / vent to cycle mechanical control valve of FIG. 2A, with the control valve shown in an actuated position.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Embodiments of the present inventive concepts are shown in the accompanying drawings to illustrate various features, benefits, and configurations thereof. Additional features, benefits, and configurations will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure, and all such features, benefits, and configurations are considered within the scope of the present invention. Various illustrative embodiments will now be described in further detail in connection with the accompanying drawing(s).

[0017] FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of an air (pneumatic) gun 10 having a compressed gas storage chamber 20, firing valve 30, and hammer 60 according to various embodiments of the principles of the present inventive concepts. FIGS. 2A and 2B are somewhat schematic cross-sectional side views of a normally open / vent to cycle mechanical control valve 110 according to other aspects of the present inventive concepts, with the control valve 110 shown in an at rest position and an actuated position, respectively.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, according to various embodiments and principles of the present invention, a firing valve 30 for an air gun 10 comprises a substantially or completely balanced valve stem 32 that requires very little pressure to operate (i.e., move from a closed to open position). The valve stem 32 can be provided with a small amount of rearward bias (e.g., such as spring or air bias on a forward surface 31a) to close the poppet valve 34, or it can be completely balanced with neither a forward nor rearward bias. Air released through the valve port 36 during a firing operation can assist in quickly closing the poppet valve 34 by acting on a forward surface 38a of a control piston 38 arranged on the rearward portion of the valve stem 32.

[0019] In one embodiment, the valve stem 32 is connected to a poppet valve 34 that operates to selectively trap and release high pressure compressed gas from a compressed gas storage area 20 for the firing operation. A forward end 32a of the valve stem can be arranged in a cylinder 22 and provide a piston with an o-ring 31 that receives pressure from the compressed gas in the storage area 20 to provide a counter balance force to the force acting on the valve stem 32 to close the poppet valve 34. A forward end of the cylinder 22 can be vented to atmosphere through a vent port 22a. A rearward end 32b of the valve stem 32 can be integrally formed with or mechanically coupled to a poppet valve 34 and a control piston 38. The control piston 38 slides forward and back within a cylinder 50 arranged on an opposite side of the valve port 40 from the poppet valve 34. The cylinder 50 can be vented to prevent resistance to the movement of the hammer 60. The control piston 38 can be connected to the poppet valve 34 through a stem, rod, or other connection member 37. A forward surface 38a of the control piston 38 can receive compressed gas from the valve (air) port 36 during the firing operation to act thereon and help force the control piston 38 backwards to help reclose the connected poppet valve 34 following a firing operation.

[0020] A rearward end 38b of the control piston 38 preferably provides a contact surface configured to be impacted by a pneumatic hammer 60 to initiate the firing operation. The pneumatic hammer 60 can be longitudinally arranged in the cylinder 50 behind the control piston 38. An operating piston (or “sail”) 62 of the pneumatic hammer 60 can be slidably arranged in a second cylinder 52 and receive a constant supply of compressed gas to a rearward surface 62b and a selective supply of compressed gas to a forward surface 62a through a control valve 110. The forward surface 62a has a larger surface area than the rearward surface 62b to bias the operating piston 62 in a rearward position when compressed gas operates on both surfaces.

[0021] To initiate a firing operation, compressed gas is released from the hammer gas chamber 52 in front of the forward surface 62a of the operating piston 62. The pressure acting on the rearward surface 62b of the operating piston 62 then drives the hammer 60 forward until a forward end 60a of the hammer 60 strikes the rearward end 38b of the control piston 38 of the firing valve 30, driving the poppet valve 34 open to initiate the firing sequence.

[0022] The release of air in front of the operating piston 62 is preferably controlled using the control valve 110, which can be a normally open / vent to cycle mechanical valve 110 having a housing 110a containing a valve mechanism 112 that is actuated in response to a trigger 12 pull of the air gun 10. When the control valve 110 is at rest, air is supplied to the hammer gas chamber 52 in front of the operating piston 62 from an air supply port 113a through an output port 113c. A constant supply of air is provided to the rear of the hammer gas chamber 52 behind the operating piston 62 from the input port 113a through the output port 113b. When the trigger 12 is pulled, an actuating surface of the trigger (or a mechanical linkage therefrom) 14 contacts an actuator 140 of the mechanical control valve 110 to cause an actuating pin 144 of the control valve 110 to open the valve mechanism 112 and vent the air from the chamber 52 in front of the forward surface 62a of the operating piston 62 through an output port 113d (as shown in FIG. 2B). The mechanical control valve 110 can include a quick exhaust valve (QEV) to increase its actuating speed and responsiveness.

[0023] While conventional designs use a 4-way pneumatic valve to control air on both sides of a hammer piston to operate a pneumatic hammer, this mechanical 3-way embodiment benefits from the novel use of a simpler mechanical control valve 110. In conventional designs, the 4-way pneumatic valve supplies air to a forward piston surface and vents air from a rearward piston surface to hold the hammer in a rearward position. When the trigger is pulled, the 4-way pneumatic control valve releases gas from the forward surface and supplies compressed gas to the rearward surface to drive the hammer forward.

[0024] There are several advantages, however, to using a simple 3-way mechanical QEV valve 110 as in the present embodiment. One main advantage is that the trigger 12 pull and valve 110 action using the normally open / vent to cycle mechanical 3-way valve 110 is much shorter and faster than when using a 4-way valve, because it only needs to vent to fire. This makes the design easier for a user to operate and provides less risk of “short stroking” the trigger 12 pull. In addition, because only one side of the hammer piston chamber 52 is vented each cycle, this design is more gas efficient as well. Of course, an electronically actuated 3-way control valve could be used instead of the mechanical 3-way valve and provide similar benefits. Such a modification is within the scope of the present inventive concepts.

[0025] By using some of the high-pressure gas released from the firing operation to help close the poppet valve 34, the firing valve 34 can be closed even against actuating pressure from the hammer 60. This not only permits the firing valve 34 to be closed faster, but also permits the poppet valve 34 to reseal even when the user continues pulling the trigger 12. The initial strike of the hammer 60 on the rear end 38a of the control piston 38 has speed and inertia because of the length of travel of the hammer 60 before impact. This inertia allows to the hammer 60 to open the poppet valve 34 and cause the firing operation. After the initial strike, however, the inertia is reduced and only the force of the compressed gas on the rearward surface 62b of the operating piston 62 continues to apply force to the firing valve 34 if the trigger 12 is held. The air from the firing operation acting on the forward surface 38a of the control piston 38 is able to overcome this force and reseat the poppet valve 34 even when the trigger 12 is held.

[0026] Having described and illustrated principles of the present invention in various preferred embodiments thereof, it should be apparent that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. In particular, it should be understood that although a preferred embodiment utilizes a mechanical control valve, an electropneumatic control valve could alternatively be used.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0016]Embodiments of the present inventive concepts are shown in the accompanying drawings to illustrate various features, benefits, and configurations thereof. Additional features, benefits, and configurations will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure, and all such features, benefits, and configurations are considered within the scope of the present invention. Various illustrative embodiments will now be described in further detail in connection with the accompanying drawing(s).

[0017]FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of an air (pneumatic) gun 10 having a compressed gas storage chamber 20, firing valve 30, and hammer 60 according to various embodiments of the principles of the present inventive concepts. FIGS. 2A and 2B are somewhat schematic cross-sectional side views of a normally open / vent to cycle mechanical control valve 110 according to other aspects of the present inventive concepts, with the control valve 1...

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application is a non-provisional of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63 / 762,792, filed Feb. 25, 2025, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField Of The Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to air guns. More particularly, this invention relates to a pneumatic hammer system and firing valve design for an air gun.Related Art

[0003] Pneumatic air guns such as airsoft guns, bb guns, pellet guns, paintball guns, and the like, use firing valves to release high pressure compressed gas into contact with the projectile to fire the projectile from the gun toward the target. The firing valves may include pins impacted by a hammer or they may be operated pneumatically through a solenoid valve or other mechanism. Unfortunately, conventional firing valves for air guns can require a large amount of force to actuate, may stay open too long, may take too long to operate, and may be inefficient and allow excess amounts of compressed gas to flow through the valve during the firing operation. What is needed is an air gun firing valve that opens and closes easily and provides an efficient use of the compressed gas during a firing operation. The industry would also be benefitted by a pneumatic hammer that operates efficiently.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] According to various embodiments and principles of the present inventive concepts, a firing valve for an air gun comprises a substantially or completely balanced valve stem that requires very little pressure to operate (i.e., move from a closed to open position) a firing valve such as a poppet valve. The valve stem can be provided with a small amount of rearward bias (e.g., spring or air bias) to close the firing valve, or it can be completely balanced with neither a forward nor rearward bias. Air released through a valve port during a firing operation can assist in quickly closing the poppet valve by acting on a forward surface of a rearward end of the valve stem.

[0005] In one embodiment, a valve stem is connected to a poppet valve that operates to selectively trap and release high pressure compressed gas from a compressed gas storage area for the firing operation. A rearward end of the valve stem can comprise a control piston connected to the poppet valve that slides forward and back within a cylinder arranged on an opposite side of the valve port from the poppet valve. The control piston can be connected to the poppet valve using a stem, rod, or other connection member. A forward surface of the control piston can receive compressed gas from the firing operation to act thereon and help force the control piston backwards to help reclose the connected poppet valve following a firing operation.

[0006] A rearward end of the control piston preferably comprises a contact surface configured to be impacted by a pneumatic hammer to initiate the firing operation. The pneumatic hammer can be longitudinally arranged in a cylinder behind the control piston. An operating piston (or “sail”) of the pneumatic hammer preferably receives a constant application of compressed gas to a rearward surface and a selective supply of compressed gas to a forward surface. The forward surface has a larger surface area than the rearward surface to bias the operating piston in a rearward position when compressed gas operates on both surfaces. To initiate a firing operation, compressed gas is released from the chamber in front of the forward surface of the operating piston. The pressure acting on the rearward surface of the operating piston then drives the hammer forward until a forward end of the hammer strikes the rearward end of the control piston of the firing valve, driving the poppet valve open to initiate the firing sequence.

[0007] The release of air in front of the operating piston can be controlled using a control valve. The control valve may be a normally open / vent to cycle mechanical or electro-pneumatic valve that is operated using the trigger. When the control valve is at rest, air is supplied to the chamber in front of the operating piston. When the trigger is pulled, an actuating surface of the trigger contacts an actuator of the mechanical valve (or actuates an electro-pneumatic valve) to vent the air from the chamber in front of the forward surface of the operating piston. The control valve can include a quick exhaust valve (QEV) to increase its actuating speed and responsiveness.

[0008] While conventional designs use a 4-way pneumatic valve to control air on both sides of a hammer piston to operate a pneumatic hammer, the novel design of the present inventive concepts benefits from the use of a simpler control valve which can be completely mechanical. In conventional designs, a 4-way pneumatic valve supplies air to a forward piston surface and vents air from a rearward piston surface to hold the hammer in a rearward position. When the trigger is pulled, the 4-way pneumatic control valve releases gas from the forward surface and supplies compressed gas to the rearward surface to drive the hammer forward.

[0009] One preferred embodiment uses a mechanical 3-way valve as the control valve. There are several advantages to using a mechanical 3-way valve. One main advantage is that the trigger pull and valve action using the normally open / vent to cycle mechanical valve is much shorter and faster than when using a 4-way valve, because it only needs to vent to fire. This makes the design easier for a user to operate and provides less risk of “short stroking” the trigger pull. In addition, because only one side of the hammer piston chamber is vented each cycle, this design is more gas efficient as well. Furthermore, the mechanical design is cheaper to manufacture than designs using electronically-controlled solenoid valves, while providing a similar feel and responsiveness to electronic trigger control. This design also has reduced costs as compared to conventional sear and hammer designs, while providing a more consistent trigger pull feel due to fewer parts. And the use of fewer parts increases manufacturing consistency by reducing possible variations due to machining tolerances for the parts.

[0010] By using some of the high-pressure gas released from the firing operation to help close the poppet valve, the firing valve can be closed even against actuating pressure from the hammer. This not only permits the firing valve to be closed faster, but also permits the poppet valve to reseal even when the user continues pulling the trigger. The initial strike of the hammer on the rear end of the control piston has speed and inertia because of the length of travel of the hammer before impact. This inertia allows to the hammer to open the poppet valve and cause the firing operation. After the initial strike, however, the inertia is reduced and only the force of the compressed gas on the rearward surface of the operating piston continues to apply force to the firing valve if the trigger is held. The air from the firing operation acting on the forward surface of the control piston is able to overcome this force and reseat the poppet valve even when the trigger is held.

[0011] According to other aspects of the present inventive concepts, changes or additions could be made to the air gun design described herein without departing from the principles of the present inventive concepts.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] The foregoing and additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional view showing operating components of a pneumatic gun, including a firing chamber and a firing valve, and a hammer chamber and a pneumatic hammer, according to one embodiment of the principles of the present inventive concepts.

[0014] FIG. 2A is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of a normally open / vent to cycle mechanical control valve according to other aspects of the present inventive concepts, with the control valve shown in an at rest position.

[0015] FIG. 2B is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of the normally open / vent to cycle mechanical control valve of FIG. 2A, with the control valve shown in an actuated position.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Embodiments of the present inventive concepts are shown in the accompanying drawings to illustrate various features, benefits, and configurations thereof. Additional features, benefits, and configurations will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure, and all such features, benefits, and configurations are considered within the scope of the present invention. Various illustrative embodiments will now be described in further detail in connection with the accompanying drawing(s).

[0017] FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of an air (pneumatic) gun 10 having a compressed gas storage chamber 20, firing valve 30, and hammer 60 according to various embodiments of the principles of the present inventive concepts. FIGS. 2A and 2B are somewhat schematic cross-sectional side views of a normally open / vent to cycle mechanical control valve 110 according to other aspects of the present inventive concepts, with the control valve 110 shown in an at rest position and an actuated position, respectively.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, according to various embodiments and principles of the present invention, a firing valve 30 for an air gun 10 comprises a substantially or completely balanced valve stem 32 that requires very little pressure to operate (i.e., move from a closed to open position). The valve stem 32 can be provided with a small amount of rearward bias (e.g., such as spring or air bias on a forward surface 31a) to close the poppet valve 34, or it can be completely balanced with neither a forward nor rearward bias. Air released through the valve port 36 during a firing operation can assist in quickly closing the poppet valve 34 by acting on a forward surface 38a of a control piston 38 arranged on the rearward portion of the valve stem 32.

[0019] In one embodiment, the valve stem 32 is connected to a poppet valve 34 that operates to selectively trap and release high pressure compressed gas from a compressed gas storage area 20 for the firing operation. A forward end 32a of the valve stem can be arranged in a cylinder 22 and provide a piston with an o-ring 31 that receives pressure from the compressed gas in the storage area 20 to provide a counter balance force to the force acting on the valve stem 32 to close the poppet valve 34. A forward end of the cylinder 22 can be vented to atmosphere through a vent port 22a. A rearward end 32b of the valve stem 32 can be integrally formed with or mechanically coupled to a poppet valve 34 and a control piston 38. The control piston 38 slides forward and back within a cylinder 50 arranged on an opposite side of the valve port 40 from the poppet valve 34. The cylinder 50 can be vented to prevent resistance to the movement of the hammer 60. The control piston 38 can be connected to the poppet valve 34 through a stem, rod, or other connection member 37. A forward surface 38a of the control piston 38 can receive compressed gas from the valve (air) port 36 during the firing operation to act thereon and help force the control piston 38 backwards to help reclose the connected poppet valve 34 following a firing operation.

[0020] A rearward end 38b of the control piston 38 preferably provides a contact surface configured to be impacted by a pneumatic hammer 60 to initiate the firing operation. The pneumatic hammer 60 can be longitudinally arranged in the cylinder 50 behind the control piston 38. An operating piston (or “sail”) 62 of the pneumatic hammer 60 can be slidably arranged in a second cylinder 52 and receive a constant supply of compressed gas to a rearward surface 62b and a selective supply of compressed gas to a forward surface 62a through a control valve 110. The forward surface 62a has a larger surface area than the rearward surface 62b to bias the operating piston 62 in a rearward position when compressed gas operates on both surfaces.

[0021] To initiate a firing operation, compressed gas is released from the hammer gas chamber 52 in front of the forward surface 62a of the operating piston 62. The pressure acting on the rearward surface 62b of the operating piston 62 then drives the hammer 60 forward until a forward end 60a of the hammer 60 strikes the rearward end 38b of the control piston 38 of the firing valve 30, driving the poppet valve 34 open to initiate the firing sequence.

[0022] The release of air in front of the operating piston 62 is preferably controlled using the control valve 110, which can be a normally open / vent to cycle mechanical valve 110 having a housing 110a containing a valve mechanism 112 that is actuated in response to a trigger 12 pull of the air gun 10. When the control valve 110 is at rest, air is supplied to the hammer gas chamber 52 in front of the operating piston 62 from an air supply port 113a through an output port 113c. A constant supply of air is provided to the rear of the hammer gas chamber 52 behind the operating piston 62 from the input port 113a through the output port 113b. When the trigger 12 is pulled, an actuating surface of the trigger (or a mechanical linkage therefrom) 14 contacts an actuator 140 of the mechanical control valve 110 to cause an actuating pin 144 of the control valve 110 to open the valve mechanism 112 and vent the air from the chamber 52 in front of the forward surface 62a of the operating piston 62 through an output port 113d (as shown in FIG. 2B). The mechanical control valve 110 can include a quick exhaust valve (QEV) to increase its actuating speed and responsiveness.

[0023] While conventional designs use a 4-way pneumatic valve to control air on both sides of a hammer piston to operate a pneumatic hammer, this mechanical 3-way embodiment benefits from the novel use of a simpler mechanical control valve 110. In conventional designs, the 4-way pneumatic valve supplies air to a forward piston surface and vents air from a rearward piston surface to hold the hammer in a rearward position. When the trigger is pulled, the 4-way pneumatic control valve releases gas from the forward surface and supplies compressed gas to the rearward surface to drive the hammer forward.

[0024] There are several advantages, however, to using a simple 3-way mechanical QEV valve 110 as in the present embodiment. One main advantage is that the trigger 12 pull and valve 110 action using the normally open / vent to cycle mechanical 3-way valve 110 is much shorter and faster than when using a 4-way valve, because it only needs to vent to fire. This makes the design easier for a user to operate and provides less risk of “short stroking” the trigger 12 pull. In addition, because only one side of the hammer piston chamber 52 is vented each cycle, this design is more gas efficient as well. Of course, an electronically actuated 3-way control valve could be used instead of the mechanical 3-way valve and provide similar benefits. Such a modification is within the scope of the present inventive concepts.

[0025] By using some of the high-pressure gas released from the firing operation to help close the poppet valve 34, the firing valve 34 can be closed even against actuating pressure from the hammer 60. This not only permits the firing valve 34 to be closed faster, but also permits the poppet valve 34 to reseal even when the user continues pulling the trigger 12. The initial strike of the hammer 60 on the rear end 38a of the control piston 38 has speed and inertia because of the length of travel of the hammer 60 before impact. This inertia allows to the hammer 60 to open the poppet valve 34 and cause the firing operation. After the initial strike, however, the inertia is reduced and only the force of the compressed gas on the rearward surface 62b of the operating piston 62 continues to apply force to the firing valve 34 if the trigger 12 is held. The air from the firing operation acting on the forward surface 38a of the control piston 38 is able to overcome this force and reseat the poppet valve 34 even when the trigger 12 is held.

[0026] Having described and illustrated principles of the present invention in various preferred embodiments thereof, it should be apparent that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. In particular, it should be understood that although a preferred embodiment utilizes a mechanical control valve, an electropneumatic control valve could alternatively be used.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0016]Embodiments of the present inventive concepts are shown in the accompanying drawings to illustrate various features, benefits, and configurations thereof. Additional features, benefits, and configurations will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure, and all such features, benefits, and configurations are considered within the scope of the present invention. Various illustrative embodiments will now be described in further detail in connection with the accompanying drawing(s).

[0017]FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of an air (pneumatic) gun 10 having a compressed gas storage chamber 20, firing valve 30, and hammer 60 according to various embodiments of the principles of the present inventive concepts. FIGS. 2A and 2B are somewhat schematic cross-sectional side views of a normally open / vent to cycle mechanical control valve 110 according to other aspects of the present inventive concepts, with the control valve 1...

Claims

1. An air gun, comprising:a hammer configured to slide forward and rearward within a cylinder;a firing valve having a valve stem arranged through a compressed gas storage area, said compressed gas storage area configured to store a quantity of compressed gas for a firing operation of the pneumatic gun;a poppet valve arranged on the valve stem and configured to seal an air port, wherein the air port is configured to communicate the stored compressed gas from the compressed gas storage area to a breech of the air gun;a control piston arranged on the valve stem, wherein the control piston is configured to be contacted by the hammer to unseat the poppet valve and initiate the firing operation by releasing the compressed gas from the compressed gas storage area into the air port; anda control valve configured to vent compressed gas from a chamber in front of the hammer piston in response to a trigger pull to cause the hammer to move forward.

2. The air gun according to claim 1, wherein the hammer comprises a hammer piston that drives the hammer forward and rearward under pneumatic control.

3. The air gun according to claim 2, wherein the hammer piston is held rearward by a selective supply of compressed gas.

4. The air gun according to claim 3, wherein the hammer piston is driven forward by a constant supply of compressed gas when the selective supply of compressed gas is vented away from the hammer piston.

5. The air gun according to claim 4, wherein the control valve comprises a normally open mechanical 3-way valve configured to supply the selective supply of compressed gas to the hammer piston in a rest configuration and to vent the selective supply of compressed gas from the hammer piston when actuated in response to the trigger pull.

6. The air gun according to claim 4, wherein the control valve comprises an electropneumatic 3-way valve configured to vent the selective supply of compressed gas from the hammer piston in response to the trigger pull.

7. The air gun according to claim 1, wherein the poppet valve is mechanically connected to the control piston.

8. The air gun according to claim 7, wherein the control piston is arranged on an opposite side of a firing valve port from the poppet valve.

9. The air gun according to claim 7, wherein the compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber contacts the control piston during the firing operation to drive the control piston and force the connected poppet valve back into a closed position.

10. The air gun according to claim 1, wherein a forward end of the valve stem is arranged in a cylinder, wherein a forward end of the cylinder is vented and a rearward end of the cylinder communicates with the compressed gas storage area.

11. A method of operating a pneumatic gun comprising a firing valve having a poppet valve, wherein the firing valve comprises a control piston configured to be contacted by a hammer to open the poppet valve and release compressed gas from a compressed gas storage area to fire the pneumatic gun, said method comprising:substantially balancing forces on the firing valve such that minimal force is required to open the poppet valve;supplying a constant supply of compressed gas to a hammer piston to bias the hammer in a forward position;supplying a selective supply of compressed gas to the hammer piston to force the hammer to a rearward position against the biasing force of the constant supply of compressed gas; andventing the selective supply of compressed gas from the hammer piston in response to a trigger pull to cause the hammer to move forward and strike the control piston to cause a firing operation of the pneumatic gun.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein venting the selective supply of compressed gas from the hammer piston is accomplished by actuating a normally-open 3-way mechanical valve in response to the trigger pull.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the poppet valve is mechanically connected to the control piston and wherein the method further comprises supplying compressed gas from a firing operation to the control piston to move the poppet valve to a closed position.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein venting the selective supply of compressed gas from the hammer piston is accomplished by actuating an electropneumatic 3-way valve in response to the trigger pull.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein compressed gas from the compressed gas storage area acts on a surface of the firing valve to bias the poppet valve in a closed position.

16. A pneumatic gun comprising:a compressed gas storage area;a firing valve having a substantially balanced valve stem extending through the compressed gas storage area, the firing valve comprising a poppet valve mechanically connected to the valve stem and a control piston, wherein the firing valve is configured to release compressed gas from the compressed gas storage area into a breech of the pneumatic gun during a firing operation;a hammer comprising a hammer piston configured to receive a constant supply of compressed gas to bias the hammer in a striking position;a control valve configured to supply a selective supply of compressed gas to the hammer piston to force the hammer into a ready position against the force of the constant supply of compressed gas; andwherein the control valve is configured to be actuated in response to a trigger pull to vent the selective supply of compressed gas away from the hammer piston to cause the hammer to move from the ready position to the striking position, wherein in the striking position the hammer strikes the control piston to open the poppet valve and cause the firing operation of the pneumatic gun.

17. The pneumatic gun according to claim 16, wherein the control piston is configured to be contacted by compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber during the firing operation to drive the control piston and close the poppet valve.

18. The pneumatic gun according to claim 16, wherein the control valve comprises a 3-way mechanical valve.

19. The pneumatic gun according to claim 16, wherein the control valve comprises a 3-way electropneumatic valve.

20. The pneumatic gun according to claim 16, wherein the firing valve is balanced such that minimal force is required to open the poppet valve.

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