US20030230296A1

US20030230296A1 - Pneumatic gun recock flow control

Info

Publication number: US20030230296A1
Application number: US10/458,982
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth Farrell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-06-14
Filing date: 2003-06-11
Publication date: 2003-12-18

Abstract

A normally closed valve assembly for a pneumatic gun includes a main valve that is opened by impact of a hammer, and a user-adjustable flow controller. The main valve controls the release of compressed gas and opens briefly when the gun is fired. One portion of the released compressed gas propels a projectile from the gun, and another portion recocks the gun in preparation for another firing. The flow controller adjustably restricts the flow of compressed gas provided for recocking the gun, and thereby varies the force applied in recocking the hammer. The gun user is able to adjust the recocking of the gun to achieve reliable recocking, and avoid an excessive level of recocking force that could damage the gun or a projectile to be propelled by the gun. The adjustment is performed from the exterior of the gun, while the flow controller remains in place within the gun.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on a prior co-pending provisional patent application, Ser. No. 60/388,913, filed on Jun. 14, 2002, the benefit of the filing date of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e).[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a variable flow assembly for use in pneumatic guns that release compressed gas to fire a projectile, a portion of the released gas propelling the projectile from the gun and another portion automatically recocking the gun, and more specifically, pertains to a flow controller that is adjustable in situ by a user to control the portion of the released gas that is employed for recocking the gun.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many types of pneumatic guns are available for firing projectiles such as pellets, BB's, and frangible paint-filled balls known as “paintballs.” When firing such pneumatic guns, a trigger is actuated to initiate a firing sequence in which a normally closed main valve is opened, releasing a quantity of compressed gas from a gas reservoir that propels a projectile from the muzzle of the gun. Many pneumatic guns incorporate a main valve that is opened by the impact of a hammer when the gun is fired. When the gun is ready to fire, the hammer is restrained in a cocked position in which it compresses a spring. Squeezing the trigger releases the hammer, so that the compressed spring acts on the hammer, causing it to impact upon and briefly open the normally closed main valve. Typically, the main valve is part of a valve assembly, and the hammer impact is received upon a valve pin portion of the valve assembly.

In one particular type of pneumatic gun, a portion of the compressed gas released by the main valve travels through a propulsion gas passageway and acts to propel the projectile out the muzzle of the gun, while another portion passes through a recock gas passageway and into a recock chamber. Within the recock chamber is a recock piston that moves in response to the portion of the compressed gas provided for recocking the gun. The recock piston may comprise the hammer, or may be a separate element that is coupled to the hammer and able to move the hammer to the cocked position. The portion of the released compressed gas that flows into the recock chamber acts against a face of the recock piston (or the face of the hammer, if it also comprises the recock piston) returning the hammer to the cocked position, thus automatically recocking the gun in preparation for firing again.

Pneumatic guns, generally like that described above, are often used for propelling pellets, for example, as shown in U.S. patent application No. 20030047175, and for propelling paintballs, for example, as also shown in the aforementioned patent application and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,905 (both of which were invented by the inventor of the present invention). Also, exemplary pneumatic guns, such as the PIRANHA™ sold by Pursuit Marketing, Inc. (http://www.pminetwork.com), and the MODEL 98™, sold by Tippmann Pneumatics, Inc. (http://www.tippmann.com), are specifically designed to shoot paintballs.

One of the challenges in designing, producing, and adjusting such pneumatic guns relate to providing an appropriate amount of released compressed gas for recocking the gun. If too little gas is provided, the hammer will not be driven back to the cocked position with sufficient force to ensure reliable recocking, forcing the gun user to intervene by manually recocking the gun when it fails to recock automatically. If too much gas is provided, the gas will urge the hammer back toward the cocked position with too much force, which may cause premature wear and damage to the mechanism and cause the recocking action to feel harsh to the gun user.

An even more significant concern arises if too much gas is diverted to recocking a gun that fires paintballs. Paintballs are designed to break when they strike a target, and consequently they are easily broken inside the gun if the internal parts of the gun move too fast or too forcefully in response to an excessive amount of compressed gas being provided for recocking.

Manufacturing tolerances in the components comprising a pneumatic gun main valve assembly and recocking components, as well as variability introduced by component wear and different gun operating conditions make it difficult to ensure that an appropriate amount of compressed gas will always be provided for recocking a specific pneumatic gun. On a warm day, a specific pneumatic gun may automatically recock as designed, but when cold, the increased friction of components and lower gas pressure may prevent automatic recocking, requiring that the user manually cock the gun. Conversely, a pneumatic gun used to project paintballs that provides the correct amount of compressed gas to recock on a cold day may feel rough or even break paintballs on a hot day, when the recocking process is overdriven. Thus, in pneumatic guns that when fired use a portion of the compressed gas that is released to recock the gun, there exists an unmet need for a solution to this problem. It would therefore be desirable for a user to be able to conveniently adjust the portion of gas provided for recocking such a pneumatic gun, preferably without requiring disassembly of the pneumatic gun and without requiring that parts be replaced. The user should be able to make this adjustment using only a simple tool, in only a few minutes of time.

A pneumatic gun known as the BOBCAT™, which was sold by Indian Creek Design (www.icdpaintball.com) included means disposed outside of the valve assembly, within the gun frame, for splitting the compressed gas released when the gun was fired into a portion for propelling a projectile and another portion for recocking the gun. This pneumatic gun also included means within the frame for adjusting both the flow of compressed gas used for propelling a paintball, and the portion of the gas used for recocking the gun. FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a

pneumatic paintball gun

10 that is generally similar to the BOBCAT™ gun design. As shown in this Figure, a frame 11 defines the housing of the gun. A hammer 12 is released when the trigger (not shown) is pulled and impacts on the valve impact receiving surface of a valve 13, causing the valve to open so that compressed gas flows through a valve body 14 and past a flow limiter 15, through orifices that are formed in the bolt of the gun and into a breech 17, where the compressed gas acts on a paintball (partially shown) to propel it from the barrel of the gun. Another portion of the compressed gas flows past a recocking flow control 16 and into a recock chamber 18. Flow limiter 15 and recocking flow control 16 are fully disposed within frame 11 and are not part of the valve assembly. The manufacturing costs of pneumatic paintball gun 10 are relatively high because the gun frame must incorporate means for splitting the compressed gas released when the gun is fired into propulsion and recock portions. Because it is more economical to manufacture, it would be preferable to split the compressed gas between the propulsion and recocking portions within the valve assembly, as exemplified by the aforementioned PIRANHA™ Tippmann MODEL 98™, and by numerous other paintball guns currently on the market. In addition, if an adjustment is made to the portion of compressed gas that flows into the breech to propel the paintball from the muzzle, the recocking flow control will need to be adjusted proportionally, to maintain the portion of the compressed gas used for recocking at its previous level. In other words, flow limiter 15 and recocking flow control 16 are interactive.

Thus, it will be apparent that there is need for a simple mechanism enabling a user to adjust the flow of compressed gas used for recocking a pneumatic gun to compensate for changes in the operating environment and other factors that can change the recocking characteristics of a gun. In addition, the adjustment should be easily made in situ, without requiring disassembly of the pneumatic gun, using only a single tool. Further, the mechanism should be incorporated into the main valve assembly of the pneumatic gun for economy of manufacture and so it will be more integral to the operating components of the pneumatic gun.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accord with the present invention, a valve assembly is defined that is adapted to be removably installed in a pneumatic gun in which a compressed gas is released by the valve assembly both to propel a projectile and to recock the pneumatic gun. The valve assembly includes a main valve that is normally closed and selectively opened during a firing sequence. A main passage is disposed in the valve assembly, in fluid communication with the main valve, and provides a fluid path for conveying a compressed gas that flows through the main valve when the main valve is selectively opened. In addition, a recocking gas flow passageway is fully disposed within the valve assembly, in fluid communication with the main passage, so that a minor portion of a compressed gas flowing through the main valve when selectively opened, flows through the recocking gas flow passageway. The compressed gas flowing through the recocking gas flow passageway is used for recocking the pneumatic gun. An adjustable flow control is disposed in the valve assembly, adjacent to the recocking gas flow passageway. The adjustable flow control is movable to change the extent by which a flow of the portion of the compressed gas through the recocking gas flow passageway is restricted. Thus, the adjustable flow control is selectively adjustable to control a force applied by the portion of the compressed gas in recocking the pneumatic gun.

The adjustable flow control is threaded to mate with a threaded bore that is formed within the valve assembly, so that rotation of the adjustable flow control moves a restricting portion of the adjustable flow control to change the extent by which the flow of the portion of the compressed gas through the recocking gas flow passageway is restricted by the restricting portion. The restricting portion extends at least partially into the recocking gas flow passageway to limit the flow of the portion of the compressed gas.

Preferably, the valve assembly further includes a seal disposed around the adjustable flow control to prevent the compressed gas from leaking past the adjustable flow control. The seal impinges upon the adjustable flow control, producing a friction that prevents an unintended change in a setting of the adjustable flow control. In addition, the adjustable flow control is preferably configured to engage a tool to enable the adjustable flow control to be adjusted in situ within a pneumatic gun.

In some cases, a bypass path is included within the valve assembly, generally parallel to the recocking gas flow passageway, but unrestricted by the adjustable flow control. Some of the compressed gas flows into the recocking chamber through the bypass path, avoiding the limitation of the adjustable flow control.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method for adjusting a flow of a compressed gas through a main valve body that is removably inserted within a pneumatic gun. The method includes steps that are generally consistent with the valve assembly discussed

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0016]
FIG. 1 (Prior Art) illustrates a portion of a pneumatic gun that includes an adjustable recocking flow control disposed within a passage formed in a housing of the pneumatic gun; [0017]
FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a pneumatic gun, illustrating an exemplary valve assembly and one embodiment of a flow controller according to the present invention; [0018]
FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the valve assembly of FIG. 2, in an open state just after the pneumatic gun has been fired; [0019]
FIG. 3A is an enlarged partially cutaway perspective view of the flow controller embodiment of FIG. 3; [0020]
FIG. 3B is an enlarged partially cutaway perspective view of the flow controller embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 3A, showing the flow controller after it has been rotated several revolutions to further restrict the flow of compressed gas; [0021]
FIG. 4 is a left-hand side cross sectional view of the valve assembly of FIG. 3, in the open state, just as in FIG. 3; [0022]
FIG. 5 is a bottom cross sectional view of the valve assembly of FIG. 3, in the same open state as in FIG. 3; [0023]
FIG. 6 is an enlarged partially cutaway perspective view of another embodiment of a flow controller included in the exemplary valve assembly and pneumatic gun of FIGS. [0024] 2-5; and
FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway top perspective view of still another embodiment of a flow controller according to the present invention, included in a different exemplary valve assembly. [0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

First Embodiment of Flow Controller [0026]
FIGS. [0027] 2-5 illustrate a first embodiment of a flow controller 20 that adjusts the flow of compressed gas through a recock gas passageway 22, in accord with the present invention. As shown therein, the flow controller and recock gas passageway are disposed within a valve assembly 24 that is included in an exemplary pneumatic gun 28. Valve assembly 24 is normally closed and opens as a result of an impact by a spring driven component when the gull is fired. Pneumatic gun 28 is configured for propelling paintballs, but can readily be alternatively configured for propelling other types of projectiles, such as BBs or pellets.
As shown in FIG. 2, [0028] pneumatic gun 28 includes a frame 32 with a forward end 36, a rearward end 38, and an exterior surface 40. Penetrating the lower portion of frame 32 is all access port 42. Extending longitudinally within frame 32 are a lower cavity 44, which is defined by a lower-cavity sidewall 48, and an upper cavity 52 that is disposed above and aligned with the lower cavity. An intercavity passageway 56 couples lower cavity 44 in fluid communication with upper cavity 52. In upper cavity 52 is disposed a bolt 60, which is penetrated internally by a bolt propulsion gas passageway 64. Forward of bolt 60, within a gun firing chamber 66, is disposed a paintball 68, which is shown in position to be propelled forward and expelled from pneumatic gun 28 by a release of compressed gas, as explained below.
Referring again to FIG. 2, [0029] valve assembly 24 is disposed within lower cavity 44. Forward of valve assembly 24 within lower cavity 44 is a gas reservoir 72 that receives compressed gas from a gas cylinder 76. Rearward of valve assembly 24, within lower cavity 44, is a recock chamber 80. A hammer 84 is slidably translatable and forwardly biased within recock chamber 80 by a helical coil spring (not shown). The hammer terminates forwardly in a hammer face 88. Externally mounted on hammer 84 is a hammer O-ring 92 that provides a seal around the periphery of the hammer to minimize compressed gas leaking past the hammer.
Valve Body [0030]
As shown in FIG. 4, [0031] valve assembly 24 includes a valve body 96 fixed in position within lower cavity 44 by a fastener 100. Valve body 96 has a front face 102, a rear face 104, an exterior peripheral surface 106, an external forward O-ring 108, and an external rear O-ring 112 that provide a seal between the exterior peripheral surface and an interior surface of lower cavity 44. Valve body 96 is penetrated longitudinally from rear face 104 by a rear bore 116, which is centrally disposed in the valve body. Forwardly directed on front face 102 is an annular valve seat 120 in fluid communication with gas reservoir 72. Valve body 96 is also penetrated longitudinally by an intermediate bore 124 that is surrounded by annular valve seat 120. Intermediate bore 124 provides a main passage for gas flowing through annular valve seat 120 from gas reservoir 72. Rear bore 116 extends forwardly into intermediate bore 124, but is smaller in diameter than intermediate bore 124. An upper passageway 128 extends upwardly into intercavity passageway 56 from intermediate bore 124, just forward of where rear bore 116 connects into intermediate bore 124.
Valve Pin and Main Valve [0032]
Referring again to FIG. 4, [0033] valve assembly 24 also includes a valve pin 132, having a valve pin shaft 136 that slidably extends through rear bore 116. Valve pin shaft 136 terminates rearwardly in an impact-receiving face 140, which is receptive of a valve-opening impact by hammer face 88 of hammer 84 when the pneumatic gun is fired. The forward end of valve pin 132 includes a seal body 144 having a rearwardly directed valve seal 148 that is formed of a resilient material selected to close with and sealingly engage valve seat 120. Valve seal 148 and valve seat 120 thus cooperate to provide a main valve 152. When closed, main valve 152 interrupts the flow of compressed gas (e.g., compressed air) from gas reservoir 72, and when open permits the release of compressed gas from gas reservoir 72 into intermediate bore 124. A valve spring 156 serves to continually urge valve seal 148 toward valve seat 120, so as to close main valve 152. Main valve 152 is normally closed, and only opens briefly due to the impact by hammer 84 on impact-receiving face 140 when hammer 84 is released to move forward as a result of pneumatic gun 28 being fired.
Flow Controller [0034]
The bottom view of the valve assembly shown in FIG. 5 and the enlarged top perspective view shown in FIG. 3A clearly illustrate a recock gas bore [0035] 160 that penetrates valve body 96 longitudinally from rear face 104 and extends into intermediate bore 124. In this embodiment, recock gas bore 160 defines a restrictable recock gas passageway 22 that provides a fluid communication path for gas released by main valve 152 (see FIG. 3) to flow into recock chamber 80, as illustrated in part by arrow R. Penetrating valve body 96 transversely from exterior sidewall 106 to intermediate bore 124, and partially intersecting recock gas bore 160, is a threaded bore 168, which serves as a flow controller receptacle. A flow controller 20, which is threaded around its exterior surface, is at least partially rotatably secured in threaded bore 168.
A [0036] tool access recess 176 having a hexagonal internal cross section is formed in the outer end of flow controller 20 and is sized to receive a recock adjustment tool 178, e.g., a common hexagonal wrench as illustrated in FIG. 3, for the purpose of manually rotating flow controller 20 to adjust the recocking gas flow. In practice, flow controller 20 may comprise a threaded fastener, such as a common 4-40 set screw.
Referring further to FIG. 5 and enlarged FIG. 3A, the inwardly extending end of [0037] flow controller 20 has a restricting portion 180 disposed adjacent to restrictable recock gas passageway 22 that can variably restrict the flow of compressed gas through restrictable recock gas passageway 22. When flow controller 20 is rotated, it moves inwardly or outwardly within threaded bore 168. The direction of movement depends on the direction of rotation of the flow controller. The amount of the flow control achieved by a specific amount of rotation, and more importantly, the amount of change in flow of compressed gas through restrictable recock gas passageway 22, depends on the geometry of restrictable recock gas passageway 22, and on the thread pitch and thread size of flow controller 20, which will all be selected to provide a desired range and resolution of adjustment for varying the flow of compressed gas through restrictable recock gas passageway 22.
In general, the farther that restricting [0038] portion 180 is moved inwardly to block restrictable recock gas passageway 22, the less compressed gas flow through restrictable recock gas passageway 22 will be permitted. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the size and geometry of restrictable recock gas passageway 22 and flow controller 20, the thread size and the thread pitch of flow controller 20 will be selected to determine the number of revolutions of flow controller 20 required to change from a minimum to maximum flow restriction, and to establish whether at maximum restriction of restrictable recock gas passageway 22, the flow of compressed gas allocated for recocking is totally or only partially blocked. For example, as illustrated for this embodiment in FIG. 3B, it will be apparent that even if flow controller 20 is moved inwardly to full permitted limit, restricting portion 180 will not fully close restrictable recock gas passageway 22. Consequently, some compressed gas will still flow through restrictable recock gas passageway 22 to reach recock chamber 80, as illustrated by arrow R.
As FIG. 3B illustrates, the invention does not contemplate as essential a range of flow controller adjustment that can completely prevent compressed gas from reaching the gun recock chamber. Instead, any range of adjustment of the compressed gas used for recocking deemed beneficial by the gun designer may be employed when selecting the parameters for [0039] flow controller 20 and restrictable recock gas passageway 22.
Further, as will be made clear in the description below of another embodiment of the invention, all of the compressed gas that flows to the recock chamber need not pass through the restrictable recock gas passageway. Instead, the designer may choose to provide one or more unrestricted recock gas passageways functionally parallel to restrictable [0040] recock gas passageway 22. For example, if valve body rear bore 116 shown in FIG. 3 were made significantly larger than valve pin shaft 136, some of the compressed gas released into intermediate bore 124 will bypass the flow controller by flowing through valve body rear bore 116 alongside valve pin shaft 136 to reach recock chamber 80 and will therefore not be adjustable by flow controller 20.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 3A, [0041] access port 42, which penetrates frame 32, is concentric with threaded bore 168 and is sized to permit access to tool access recess 176 by recock adjustment tool 178, without interference. Access port 42 thus enables a user to insert recock adjustment tool 178 into tool access recess 176 to adjust flow controller 20 in situ within pneumatic gun 28. In this embodiment, access port 42 is also sized to permit flow controller 20 to pass therethrough and thus, also enables a user to install or remove flow controller 20 from pneumatic gun 28.
An O-[0042] ring recess 196 containing an access port O-ring 198 penetrates the outer surface of valve body 96 and is concentric with threaded bore 168. O-ring 198 prevents, or at least substantially reduces, the escape of compressed gas outwardly through access port 42 when main valve 152 is opened. Access port O-ring 198 also impinges on flow controller 20 and the friction that it provides thereby prevents the unintended free rotation of flow controller 20 in response to vibration, as pneumatic gun 28 is fired and recocked.
As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, a removable cover (not shown) can be inserted into [0043] access port 42 if desired, to prevent the introduction of foreign matter while pneumatic gun 28 is in use.
Operation [0044]
Referring to FIG. 2, when [0045] pneumatic gun 28 is fired, hammer 84 is released to move forward in response to a forward bias applied to the hammer by a helical coiled spring (not shown) when the hammer is cocked. Forward movement of hammer 84 results in hammer face 88 impacting on impact-receiving face 140 of valve pin 132, causing main valve 152 to open briefly and releasing compressed gas from gas reservoir 72 into intermediate bore 124. A major portion of the compressed gas released by main valve 152 travels in succession through intermediate bore 124, upper passageway 128, intercavity passageway 56, and into bolt propulsion gas passageway 64, to impinge on and propel paintball 68 forward from pneumatic gull 28.
Referring to FIG. 3, a minor portion of the compressed gas released by [0046] main valve 152 passes into intermediate bore 124 and through restrictable recock gas passageway 22 to recock chamber 80, where it reacts against hammer face 88 to urge hammer 84 rearward and back to its cocked position. Hammer 84 is retained in its cocked position by a pawl or other suitable mechanism (not shown). Depending on the amount of compressed gas reaching recock chamber 80, hammer 84 will be urged rearward with greater or lesser force. As described above, flow controller 20 can be rotated by the gun user to adjust the flow of compressed gas through restrictable recock gas passageway 22, thus controlling the amount of compressed gas that reaches recock chamber 80 and the force that urges hammer 84 rearward toward its cocked position.
Embodiment Using a Needle Valve to Adjust Flow [0047]
The following discussion, which describes an additional embodiment of the present invention, employs the same reference numbers for corresponding components, but indicates related, though different, components, using a prime notation. For example, in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a [0048] valve body 96′ is employed that is similar to valve body 96, except as described below. In this second embodiment, restrictable recock gas passageway 22, threaded bore 168, and flow controller 20 are replaced, while access port O-ring 198 in O-ring recess 196, recock adjustment tool 178, and access port 42 in frame 32 of pneumatic gun 28 are as described above.
In [0049] valve body 96′, an inner bore 208 extends outwardly from intermediate bore 124. A threaded bore 212 that is coaxial with and of larger diameter than inner bore 208 extends inwardly through valve body 96′, from exterior sidewall 106, and into inner bore 208, thereby forming an orifice 220 that faces outwardly. Threaded bore 212 serves as a flow controller receptacle.
A recock gas bore [0050] 232 penetrates valve body 96′ longitudinally from rear face 104 to intersect with threaded bore 212. Thus, in this embodiment, inner bore 208, orifice 220, threaded bore 212, and recock gas bore 232 in succession, comprise a restrictable recock gas passageway 236 in communication with intermediate bore 124 that conveys compressed gas released by the pneumatic gun main valve to recock chamber 80, as illustrated in part by arrow R.
Rotatably receivable into threaded [0051] bore 212 is a flow controller 248 that is threaded to mate with threaded bore 212 and which terminates inwardly in a restricting portion 260 having a conical shape. As restricting portion 260 is moved inward toward orifice 220, the flow of compressed gas through orifice 220, and hence, through restrictable recock gas passageway 236, becomes more restricted. By rotating flow controller 248 to move it inwardly or outwardly within threaded bore 212 (the direction of translation depending on the direction of rotation), the flow of compressed gas used to recock the pneumatic gun is varied, generally as described above for the first embodiment of the present invention.
A [0052] tool access recess 268 having a hexagonal internal cross section is disposed on tie outer end of flow controller 248 and is sized to receive a recock adjustment tool 178 (only partially shown) for the purpose of manually rotating flow controller 248 to adjust the flow of compressed gas for recocking the pneumatic gun. Access port O-ring 198 again prevents or substantially reduces the escape of compressed gas outwardly through access port 42 and also impinges on flow controller 248, so that the resulting friction prevents unintended rotation of flow controller 248 in response to vibration as pneumatic gun 28 is fired and recocked.
Embodiment Usable in Tippmann 1—Tube Type of Pneumatic Gun [0053]
FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a [0054] flow controller 620 and a restrictable recock gas passageway 622, according to the present invention. This embodiment is included in an exemplary valve assembly 624 used in a pneumatic gun 626, which is similar to paintball guns sold by Tippmann Pneumatics, Inc. (http://www.tippmaim.com), under the trademark MODEL 98. To simplify the drawing and attendant explanation of this embodiment of the present invention, only a portion of valve assembly 624 and pneumatic gun 626 are shown. In such guns, the projectile to be propelled (not shown) is disposed forward of and generally on the axis of the valve assembly.
Behind valve assembly [0055] 624 (i.e., to the right as shown in FIG. 7) is a hammer 632, only partially shown. Hammer 632 is forwardly biased to move to the left by a helical spring (not shown), and has a hammer face 636 that is forwardly directed, and an exterior O-ring 638 to seal around the peripheral edge of the hammer so that recocking gas does not readily leak past the hammer, but instead forces the hammer back to the right.
Surrounding [0056] valve assembly 624 is a power tube 628, only partially shown. Power tube 628 extends rearwardly from valve assembly 624 to provide a recock chamber 640 that slidably accommodates hammer 632. A left-side gun frame half 642 and a right-side gull frame half 644, each only partially shown, are coupled together to surround and support power tube 628, valve assembly 624, and hammer 632. Penetrating power tube 628 is a power tube controller access port 646. A gun frame controller access port 648 penetrates left-side gun frame half 642 and is concentric with power tube controller access port 646.
[0057] Valve assembly 624 includes a valve body 650, which is fixed in position within power tube 628 and to right-side gun frame half 644 by a threaded fastener 652. Valve assembly 624 also comprises a valve pin 654 having a valve pin shaft 656. Terminating the rear end of valve pin shaft 656 is an impact-receiving face 660, which receives a valve-opening impact by hammer face 636 as hammer 632 moves forward, when pneumatic gun 626 is fired. On the opposite or forward end of valve pin shaft 656 is a seal body 664, having a rearwardly directed resilient valve seal 668.
Extending forward (i.e., to the left in FIG. 7) within [0058] valve body 650 is a gas reservoir 672 that holds compressed gas provided from an external source (not shown). At the rear of gas reservoir 672 is disposed a normally closed main valve 680 comprising a forwardly-directed annular valve seat 676 that is sealingly engaged by valve seal 668 when the main valve is closed. Gas reservoir 672 is thus closed at the rear by main valve 680. Main valve 680 opens briefly to release compressed gas when pneumatic gun 626 is fired, as a result of hammer 632 moving forward to impact on valve pin 654. One portion of the released compressed gas serves to propel a projectile such as a paint ball (not shown), and another portion is conveyed into recock chamber 640 to recock pneumatic gun 626.
An [0059] intermediate bore 684 extends rearwardly from annular valve seat 676 and is in fluid communication with a transverse passageway 688 in valve body 650. The transverse passageway extends outwardly to connect with power tube 628. Extending toward the forward end of pneumatic gun 626, exteriorly on valve body 650 from transverse passageway 688 are propulsion gas passageways 692 for conducting compressed gas forward to propel the projectile from pneumatic gun 626. A cross section of one and a rear end of another passageway 692 are indicated in FIG. 7.
[0060] Valve body 650 has a valve body rear portion 696 that has a rear face 698, an exterior sidewall 700 and an exterior O-ring 702. Valve body rear portion 696 is fully penetrated by a rear bore 704 coaxial with annular valve seat 676. Valve pin shaft 656 fits slidably through rear bore 704. A flat 708 extending longitudinally along valve pin shaft 656 defines a bypass passage for compressed gas to flow through rear bore 704 past the valve pin shaft, and thus, provides an unrestrictable recock gas passageway 712 for compressed gas released by main valve 680 into intermediate bore 684, to flow to recock chamber 640, as illustrated in part by arrow R2.
A recock gas bore [0061] 716 penetrates valve body rear portion 696 longitudinally from rear face 698 to transverse passageway 688 to provide a restrictable recock gas passageway 622. A minor portion of the compressed gas that was released when main valve 680 opens flows through intermediate bore 684 and transverse passageway 688, and then through restrictable recock gas passageway 622 and into recock chamber 640, as illustrated in part by arrow R.
A threaded [0062] bore 720, which is coaxial with power tube controller access port 646 and gun frame controller access port 648, penetrates valve body rear portion 696 transversely from exterior sidewall 700 and intersects with recock gas bore 716. Threaded bore 720 serves as a flow controller receptacle, since a mating threaded flow controller 620 is rotatably received within threaded bore 720. A tool access recess 728 having a hexagonal internal cross section is disposed on the outer end of flow controller 620 and is sized to receive recock adjustment tool 732 (partially shown) so that a user can manually rotate flow controller 620 to adjust the flow of compressed gas employed to recock hammer 632.
[0063] Flow controller 620 has a restricting portion 736 on its inner end, for variably restricting the flow of compressed gas through restrictable recock gas passageway 622. When flow controller 620 is rotated, it moves inwardly or outwardly within threaded bore 720, the direction of movement depending on the direction of rotation of the flow controller. The farther that restricting portion 736 is rotated inwardly, the greater will be the restriction of gas flow through restrictable recock gas passageway 622. However, even if gas flow through restrictable recock gas passageway 622 is reduced to zero by flow controller 620, some compressed gas will still flow into recock chamber 640 through unrestrictable recock gas passageway 712.
Power tube [0064] controller access port 646 and gun frame controller access port 648 provide external access for the gun user to insert recock adjustment tool 732 for the purpose of adjusting flow controller 620 in situ within pneumatic gun 626, and in this embodiment, also provide a user access to install or remove flow controller 620 from pneumatic gun 626.
An O-[0065] ring recess 744 containing an access port O-ring 748 is disposed in valve body rear portion 696, concentric with threaded bore 720. Access port O-ring 748 serves to prevent or substantially minimize escape of compressed gas outwardly through power tube controller access port 646 when main valve 680 is opened. Access port O-ring 748 also impinges on flow controller 620 and the friction it provides thereby prevents unintended rotation of flow controller 620 in response to vibration when pneumatic gun 626 is fired and recocked.
The foregoing describes how the present invention is included in exemplary pneumatic guns that include a valve assembly as a separate and removable component. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the invention can, with equivalent benefit, also be incorporated into other pneumatic gun configurations. [0066]
Although the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred form of practicing it and modifications thereto, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that many other modifications can be made to the present invention within the scope of the claims that follow. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the invention in any way be limited by the above description, but instead be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow. [0067]

Claims

The invention in which an exclusive right is claimed is defined by the following:

1. A valve assembly adapted to be removably installed in a pneumatic gull in which a compressed gas is released both to propel a projectile and to recock the pneumatic gun, said valve assembly comprising:

(a) a main valve that is normally closed and selectively opened during a firing sequence;

(b) a main passage disposed in the valve assembly, in fluid communication with the main valve, said main passage providing a fluid path for conveying a compressed gas that flows through the main valve when the main valve is selectively opened;

(c) a recocking gas flow passageway fully disposed within the valve assembly, in fluid communication with the main passage, so that a portion of a compressed gas flowing through the main valve when selectively opened, flows through the recocking gas flow passageway for use in recocking a pneumatic gun;

(d) a threaded bore formed within said valve assembly, adjacent to the recocking gas flow passageway; and

(e) an adjustable flow control, said adjustable flow control externally threaded and rotatably disposed in the threaded bore adjacent to the recocking gas flow passageway, the adjustable flow control being movable to change an extent by which a flow of the portion of the compressed gas through the recocking gas flow passageway is restricted, said adjustable flow control being thereby selectively adjustable to control a force applied by the portion of the compressed gas in recocking a pneumatic gun.

2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the adjustable flow control has a restricting portion, and wherein rotation of the adjustable flow control moves the restricting portion of the adjustable flow control to change the extent by which the flow of the portion of the compressed gas through the recocking gas flow passageway is restricted.

3. The valve assembly of claim 2, wherein the restricting portion extends at least partially into the recocking gas flow passageway when the flow of the portion of the compressed gas is limited thereby.

4. The valve assembly of claim 1, further comprising a seal disposed around the adjustable flow control to prevent the compressed gas from leaking past the adjustable flow control.

5. The valve assembly of claim 4, wherein said seal impinges upon the adjustable flow control, producing a friction that prevents an unintended change in a setting of the adjustable flow control.

6. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the adjustable flow control is configured to engage a tool to enable the adjustable flow control to be adjusted in situ within a pneumatic gun.

7. The valve assembly of claim 1, further comprising a bypass path within the valve assembly, said bypass path being generally parallel to the recocking gas flow passageway, but unrestricted by the adjustable flow control.

8. A main valve assembly that is adapted to be installed in a pneumatic gun for controlling a flow and a distribution of a compressed gas supplied from a reservoir, wherein a portion of the compressed gas is employed to propel a projectile from the pneumatic gun and another portion is employed to recock the gun for a subsequent firing, said main valve assembly comprising:

(a) a main valve body;

(b) a main valve seat disposed in the main valve body and a main valve seal that is movable to an open state from a normally closed position, said main valve seal being biased in a sealing relationship against the main valve seat when in the normally closed position, and moved away from the main valve seat when in the open state;

(c) a main valve passage that extends through the main valve assembly from the main valve seat and which is adapted to convey a compressed gas that has flowed past the main valve seat when the main valve seal is in the open state;

(d) a recocking flow passage fully disposed in the main valve body and coupled in fluid communication with the main valve passage, said recocking flow passage being adapted to convey a portion of a compressed gas that has flowed past the main valve seat when the main valve seal is in the open state, for use in recocking a pneumatic gun;

(e) a threaded bore disposed within said valve assembly adjacent to the recocking flow passage; and

(f) an adjustable recocking flow control rotatably disposed in the threaded bore adjacent to the recocking flow passage, said adjustable recocking flow control having a restricting portion that adjustably limits a flow of a compressed gas through the recocking flow passage to a desired level as the adjustable recocking flow control is rotated.

9. The main valve assembly of claim 8, further comprising a seal disposed around a periphery of the main valve body, for use in preventing a compressed gas from flowing past the periphery of the main valve body when installed in a pneumatic gun.

10. The main valve assembly of claim 8, further comprising a tool receptacle disposed in an outer end of the adjustable recocking flow control, for receiving a tool used to adjust the adjustable recocking flow control in situ, to change the flow of a compressed gas through the recocking flow passage to the desired level.

11. The main valve assembly of claim 8, further comprising an elastomeric seal disposed around the adjustable recocking flow control to prevent a compressed gas from leaking past the adjustable recocking flow control from the recocking flow passage.

12. The main valve assembly of claim 11, wherein the elastomeric seal impinges upon the adjustable recocking flow control, producing a frictional drag that prevents an unintended change in a setting of the adjustable recocking flow control.

13. The main valve assembly of claim 8, further comprising a bypass path for a compressed gas to flow in parallel with the recocking flow passage without being limited by the adjustable recocking flow control.

14. The main valve assembly of claim 8, wherein the adjustable flow control is elongate and includes a tapered end that is moved relative to the recocking flow passage to variably limit the flow of a compressed gas into the recocking flow passage.

15. A method for adjusting a flow of a compressed gas through a main valve body that is removably inserted within a pneumatic gun, comprising the steps of:

(a) interrupting the flow of the compressed gas through a main passage formed in the main valve body with a main valve that is normally closed and which is opened when the pneumatic gun is fired, said main passage being in fluid communication with a firing chamber into which a major portion of the compressed gas is delivered to propel a projectile from the pneumatic gun when the main valve is opened;

(b) diverting a minor portion of the compressed gas through a recocking passage fully formed in the main valve body and into a recocking chamber, when the main valve is opened;

(c) positioning a recocking flow control so that a restricting portion thereof is disposed adjacent to the recocking passage, said recocking flow control including threads around an outer surface thereof, said threads mating with corresponding threads within a bore in the main valve body, so that rotation of the recocking flow control moves the recocking flow control longitudinally; and

(d) enabling a user to adjust the recocking flow control in situ by rotating it to position the restricting portion of the recocking flow control so as to achieve a desired level of flow of the minor portion of the compressed gas through the recocking flow passage and into the recocking chamber.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the recocking flow control is rotatable to adjust the flow of the minor portion of the compressed gas into the recocking passage.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the restricting portion of the recocking flow control comprises a tapered distal end thereof, so that rotation of the recocking flow control varies an extent by which the tapered distal end limits the flow of the minor portion of the compressed gas into the recocking chamber through the recocking passage.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of sealing around the recocking flow control to prevent the compressed gas from leaking past the recocking flow control.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of providing a bypass path that is in fluid communication with the main passage and the recocking chamber and which conveys at least some of the compressed gas from the main passage into the recocking chamber in parallel with the minor portion of the compressed gas that flows through the recocking passage and into the recocking chamber.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of enabling a user to adjust the recocking flow control in situ comprises the step of providing an opening in the pneumatic gun that is disposed adjacent an end of the recocking flow control, so that the end of the recocking flow control can be engaged with a tool used to adjust the recocking flow control.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of forming the end of the recocking flow control to be readily engage by the tool.