EP1293746B1 - Automatic compressed air distributor - Google Patents

Abstract

The gas distributor, comprising a cylinder (1) and a sliding piston (8) with a head (11), a compressed gas inlet (14) and a chamber, is designed to provide automatic forward movement of the piston, allowing compressed gas into the chamber, recoil and return of the piston, closing the compressed gas inlet, release of residual gases in a forward direction and return of the piston to its initial position. The distributor has a valve (5) and a double seal (3) for opening the compressed gas inlet, each with a return spring (6, 4).

Description

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to an air or compressed gas distributor placed or not at the end of a cylinder piston and which, after its activation, has an automatic operation caused by the pressure and the depression of the air in the jack .

The present invention also relates to an embodiment in the form of kit or integrated into any moving assembly moved by compressed air or pneumatic pressure (possibly pressurized gas other than air).

State of the art

Many types of compressed air distributor are already known, but they are all actuated by mechanical, electromechanical or electronic means without having the possibility of closing and automatic opening of the compressed air supply as a function of the pressure / vacuum of the compressed air. air, as well as automatic exhaust air when returning the cylinder piston.

The preferred technical field of use of such devices is of course that of armament and in particular that of airguns. Thus, generally, the compressed air by a mechanical means implemented by the operator at the time of loading (hand pumping), or a compressed gas, such as that the carbon dioxide contained in a cartridge is distributed from a storage chamber to the barrel of the weapon. This distribution is done by means of a valve operable by pressure on the trigger.

For example, US-A-5,400,536 discloses a rotary, dual-acting gun having a ram in line with the barrel for firing projectiles. At the time of firing, a rod secured to the piston of the cylinder is struck by the dog, which opens the valve and releases a gas under pressure in the barrel.

US-A-5,613,483 discloses the assembly of a piston and a cylinder for a gas weapon. The piston can move back and forth between a loading position and a firing position. The cylinder has two chambers through which the piston moves. When the piston is in the loading position, the cylinder is in communication via the first chamber with a device for supplying gas under pressure. This position of the piston prevents any communication between the two chambers. On the other hand, in the firing position, there is no longer communication between the first chamber and the supply of gas but communication between the two chambers, which allows the gas to pass from the first into the second chamber. To do this, the piston rod is provided with a passage section at the contact with the cylinder which extends longitudinally.

US-A-5,363,834 discloses a weapon having a first mode of operation for the propulsion of a projectile by compressed gas contained in a cartridge and a second mode of operation for the propulsion by compressed air generated by a pumping mechanism manual. The aim is to be able to remedy a failure of the compressed gas supply system (dioxide of carbon). A manual switch actuated by the shooter to switch from one operating mode to another, by contacting a storage chamber is with the compressed gas, or with the compressed air obtained by pumping. Upon firing, the dog hits a piston piston member that releases air or pressurized gas to the barrel of the weapon.
British Patent GB-A-713 044 discloses an air gun comprising a chamber filled with compressed air which can, via an evacuation valve, enter the barrel at the rear of a projectile and allow the discharge of the weapon. The discharge valve is integral with a piston which also carries a balancing valve, the first valve opening towards the inside and the second valve opening towards the outside of the chamber, one or the other. The other of the two valves is further provided with an elastic packing ring whose edges are in closed contact with the adjacent parts, thus protecting them from possible damage.

None of the state of the art compressed air distributors mentioned above have an automatic mode of operation. In addition, these very complex devices are not compatible with the arrangement of a dispenser in the form of a kit. However, in the case of armament for example, it is increasingly desired to carry out functional simulations, that is to say, devoid of sending a projectile, but faithfully reproducing all the normal functions of the weapon such as movement of moving parts and associated recoil, efforts on relaxation, etc. Such simulations call for example the sending of a laser beam on a target. The laser beam can be triggered by an electrical contactor struck by a valve piston.

There is therefore a potential interest in developing an automatic jack system.

Goals of the invention

The present invention aims to provide a cylinder and its compressed gas dispenser, preferably in line, fully automatic operation after activation through an initial pulse.

The invention has the complementary purpose of providing, for certain applications, such a jack and its distributor in kit form, easily adaptable to existing equipment.

The invention also aims to provide such a dispenser that is compact, that is to say, causing a very small increase in the length of the cylinder by integrating the dispenser, simple and easy to implement.

Finally, the invention aims to provide an automatic pneumatic dispenser for use in a large number of technical fields and not limited to the specific sector of armament.

Main characteristic elements of the invention

The present invention relates to a device with automatic operation for the distribution of compressed gas, comprising a jack consisting of a cylinder in which a piston with a piston head can slide, and a rear end a distributor, comprising a dispenser support formed by a closable front end of said cylinder and having a compressed gas inlet, a chamber capable of containing a compressed gas being dynamically located between the dispenser support and the piston head.

• un déplacement du percuteur vers l'avant à partir d'une position d'équilibre initiale, provoquant ainsi une admission de gaz comprimé dans la chambre et une pressurisation de celle-ci,
• un recul du piston vers l'arrière , provoquant ainsi l' échappement du gaz comprimé contenu dans la chambre et la dépressurisation de celle-ci,
• un retour du piston vers sa position initiale, avec fermeture de l'arrivée de gaz comprimé, échappement vers l'avant du gaz résiduel contenu dans la chambre.

The device of the invention is characterized in that it comprises means for successively and automatically performing the following operations, after the rear end of a striker capable of sliding freely inside the piston has been struck initially by a hammer :

• moving the firing pin forward from an initial equilibrium position, thereby causing an admission of compressed gas into the chamber and pressurizing it,
• a recoil of the piston towards the rear, thus causing the escape of the compressed gas contained in the chamber and the depressurization thereof,
• a return of the piston to its initial position, with closure of the compressed gas inlet, exhaust to the front of the residual gas contained in the chamber.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a valve capable of opening and closing along the axis of the cylinder and a double seal allowing the opening and closing of the compressed gas inlet, the valve being provided with a return spring such as in equilibrium, it is detached from the double seal, rear side, the double seal being provided with a return spring such as equilibrium, it closes the arrival of compressed gas.

Advantageously, the piston head can come into contact with the valve at the front of the cylinder, which causes the valve to move back together and the double seal to stop against the distributor support, which causes admission by an inlet. compressed gas in the chamber.

According to the invention, during depressurization of the chamber by returning the piston to the rear, the pressurized gas escapes either by leaving the piston out of the cylinder, or by an orifice arranged in the cylinder, the piston then remaining inside the cylinder.

Preferably, the piston is provided with a return spring which tends to return it to its equilibrium position at the front of the cylinder.

Still according to the invention, the chamber not being or being weakly pressurized and the piston no longer in contact with the valve, the valve and the double seal are in their equilibrium position under the effect of their respective return springs and the valve is detached from the double seal, thereby allowing escape of contained gas in the chamber through an orifice provided in the wall of the dispenser support, the double seal being in the closed position of the gas inlet under pressure.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the initial control of the distributor is made by contact between a front end of the striker and the valve, the rear portion of the striker having been initially struck by the hammer.

According to yet another alternative embodiment of the invention, the dispenser can be controlled by a traction device placed in front of the assembly constituted by the distributor and its jack. In this case, the traction device replaces the initial percussion of the piston with a hammer.

The fact of presenting a very compact set makes it possible to greatly reduce the compressed air losses due to the distance between the distributor and the jack.

Another advantage lies in the fact of being able to very easily reset the activation element (hammer) of the distributor by the recoil of the piston.

The cylinder / dispenser device of the present invention can be used advantageously with weapons operating pistol type (with slide) or rifle (with bolt).

Brief description of the figures

The present invention will be described with the aid of the appended figures showing an exploded accompanied by its nomenclature, as well as the positioning of the parts according to the different stages of the basic principle of operation, this principle being able moreover to be adapted according to the needs of the users.

FIG. 1 represents an exploded view with nomenclature according to the control principle by a striker passing through the piston of the jack according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the different parts of the cylinder / distributor of Figure 1, as well as a detail view, in the rest position, with the compressed air inlet closed.

Figure 3 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the different parts of the cylinder / distributor of Figure 1, as well as a detail view, in the activation position of the distributor for opening the air.

Figure 4 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the different parts of the cylinder / dispenser of Figure 1, and a detail view in the retracted position of the piston, with the open compressed air supply.

Figure 5 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the various parts of the cylinder / distributor of Figure 1, as well as a detail view, in the piston position out of the cylinder tube, the compressed air inlet being closed.

FIG. 6 represents a longitudinal sectional view of the various cylinder / distributor parts of FIG. 1, as well as a detailed view, in the return position of the piston of the cylinder moved by its spring, with the escape of the compressed air through the distributor. .

Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention Description of operation

The device for dispensing automatic compressed air according to the invention can be produced in the form of a kit or integrated into any mechanism such as a rifle or a pistol, in particular for firing simulation or in any mechanism depending on the possibilities of exploiting the advantages. of the invention. The initial activation of the dispenser is obtained by percussion of a striker 9 which can slide freely inside a piston 80, by means of a hammer (or dog) 15 which can be an original part of a weapon or device equipped with the automatic compressed air dispenser according to the invention. The percussion is done by pivoting forward of the hammer 15 in a recess of the piston body 8.

In the rest position or initial position (FIG. 2), the supply of compressed air from any supply system via the connector 14 is closed by the circular double distribution seal 3.

Figure 3 shows the open position of the air inlet. In the embodiment described, we have taken the example of a control via a striker 9 which passes through the piston 80 of the cylinder and is controlled by a hammer 15 which strikes the striker 9 This latter transmits its linear displacement to the valve 5 of the distributor. The valve 5 then comes into contact with the distributor seal 3, the latter moving to the left, which allows the compressed air to pass between the attached assembly seal 3 - valve 5 and the piston head 11 of the cylinder .

The entry of the compressed air into the cylinder 1 has the effect of maintaining, by the pressure of the air which is compressed therein, the assembly 3.5 in the position with a left stop against the distributor support 2, the air inlet 14 remaining open and also effect the integral retraction of the various parts 8,9,10,11 component piston 80 of the cylinder to the right (Figure 4).

Figure 5 shows the position of depressurization in the cylinder. During the retreat of the piston 80 of the cylinder, the latter can either out of the cylinder or cylinder tube 1 or remain in the cylinder through a side air exhaust 12 in the cylinder tube 1. In both cases, this has the effect of reducing the pressure in the cylinder tube 1 and, at the same time, to reduce the pressure on the seal valve assembly 3 and valve 5. The assembly 3.5 can then, under the effect of respective springs 4.6 of the two parts 3.5 resume its initial position to the right (Figure 6), which closes the compressed air supply through the circular double seal of the distributor 3. This also allows the exhaust of the air still in the chamber 10 during the return of the piston 80 of the cylinder which moved by its spring (not shown) returns to its initial rest position to the left. The exhaust air, during this return, is achieved through the detachment of the valve 5 of the distributor gasket 3, through the lower hole 20 of the support of the distributor 2 (see detail view of Figure 6). The compressed air supply remains closed at this stage and the system has returned to its initial rest position. The complete sequence of movements of the jack and the dispenser is therefore performed automatically since it is initiated solely by the hammer pulse 15, without the need for any other intervention.

Since the system has a universality criterion, it is obvious that the embodiment relating to the figures above is given by way of illustration and example and that the principle can be adapted according to the needs of the user. .

For example, the striker portion 9 could be absent and be replaced by direct contact between the piston 80 of the cylinder and the valve 5, which would have the effect that, when closing the cylinder to the left, it would automatically be available all functions illustrated in Figures 3 to 6. To stop in this configuration, the operating cycle, simply interrupt the piston of the cylinder tube before its contact with the valve 5.

The device of the invention can be made in the form of a kit to be mounted directly in shooting simulation weapons or be adaptable to any other mechanism, either in a kit, or integrated into a more complex set, requiring or not modifications of the device original.

• grande compacité vu la très faible augmentation de la longueur du vérin par l'intégration du distributeur ;
• fonction ouverture de l'arrivée d'air avec maintien pendant toute la durée du déplacement du piston vers l'arrière ;
• fonction fermeture automatique de l'arrivée d'air comprimé par dépression de chambre ;
• fonction échappement de l'air automatique lors du retour de piston ;
• possibilité de réalisation sous forme de kit ;
• réarmement automatique du marteau ;
• possibilité de déplacement de pièces mobiles, non exclusivement limité à des fins d'alimentation pneumatique dans des armes à gaz ou air comprimé.

The cylinder / distributor of the invention has the following advantages:

• great compactness considering the very small increase in the length of the cylinder by the integration of the distributor;
• function opening of the air intake with maintenance for the duration of the displacement of the piston towards the rear;
• automatic closing function of compressed air inlet by chamber depression;
• automatic air exhaust function during piston return;
• possibility of realization in kit form;
• automatic reset of the hammer;
• possibility of displacement of moving parts, not exclusively limited to pneumatic feeding purposes in gas or compressed air weapons.

The skilled person can easily adapt the implementation of the device of the invention to the specificities of a given product while keeping the same principles of operation.

Nomenclature

1. 1. cylinder of cylinder
2. 2. distributor support
3. 3. double distribution seal
4. 4. seal spring
5. 5. valve
6. 6. valve spring
7. 7. circlips
8. 8. center recess piston body
9. 9. striker
10. 10. piston seal
11. 11. piston head
12. 12. cylinder side opening
13. 13. room
14. 14. connection for compressed air supply
15. 15. trigger (dog or hammer)
16. 20. dispenser support port
17. 80. piston (whole)

Claims (10)

1. Automatically-operated device for the distribution of compressed gas, comprising:

   - a jack comprising a cylinder (1) into which a piston (80) provided with a piston head (11) and a back end may slide;

   - a distributor, comprising a distributor support (2) formed by a front end of said cylinder (1) that can be closed off and having an intake for compressed gas (14);

   - a chamber (13) that can contain a compressed gas, dynamically located between the distributor support (2) and said piston head (11);

   characterised in that the device comprises a means for successively and automatically performing the following operations after the back end of a striker (9) capable of freely sliding inside the piston (80) has first been struck by a hammer (15) :

   - a forward displacement of the striker (9) from an initial balance position, thus resulting in the admission of compressed gas into the chamber (13) and the pressurisation of the latter;

   - a backward movement of the piston (80), thus resulting in the exhaust of said compressed gas contained in the chamber (13) and therefore the depressurisation of the latter;

   - a return of the piston (80) to its initial position, with closure of the intake for the compressed gas (14) and exhaust of the residual gas contained in the chamber (13) to the front.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a valve (5) capable of opening and closing along the axis of the cylinder (1) and a double joint (3) allowing the opening and closing of the intake for the compressed air (14), the valve (5) being provided with a return spring (6) in such a way that, in balance, it is disengaged from the double joint (3) on the back side, the double joint (3) being provided with a return spring (4) in such a way that, in balance, it blocks the intake of the compressed gas.
3. Device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the piston head (11) may come into contact at the front of the cylinder with the valve (5), which results in the backward movement of both said valve (5) and double joint (3) with a stop against the distributor support (2), which causes the admission of the compressed gas by an intake (14) into the chamber (10).
4. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that when the chamber (10) is depressurised by the return of the piston (80) to the back, the gas under pressure escapes when the piston comes out of the cylinder.
5. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that when the chamber (10) is depressurised by the return of the piston (80) to the back, the gas under pressure escapes by an aperture (12) provided in the cylinder (1), the piston (80) remaining inside the cylinder (1).
6. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the piston (80) is provided with a return spring which tends to bring it back to its balance position at the front of the cylinder.
7. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that, given that the chamber is not or is weakly pressurised and that the piston (80) is not in contact with the valve (5), the valve (5) and the double joint (3) are in their balance positions under the effect of their respective return springs (6,4) and the valve (5) is disengaged from the double joint (3), which allows the gas contained in the chamber (10) to escape through an aperture (20) provided in the wall of the distributor support (2), the double joint (3) being positioned so as to close the intake for the gas under pressure (14).
8. Device according to any one of Claims 2 to 7, characterised in that the initial control of the distributor is performed by contact between a front end of the striker (9) and the valve (5), the back end of the striker (9) having first been struck by the hammer (15).
9. Device according to any one of Claims 2 to 7, characterised in that the initial control of the distributor is performed by a pulling device located in front of the assembly of the distributor and its jack.
10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the compressed gas is compressed air.

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