US3502061A - Gas gun having removable rotatable magazine - Google Patents

Description

March 24, 1970 HYO MIN YOO GAS GUN HAVING REMOVABLE ROTATABLE MAGAZINE Filed Feb. 16, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 fla I om INVENTOR.

HYO MIN YOO March 24, 1970 HYO MIN YOO 3,502,061

GAS GUN HAVING REMOVABLE ROTATABLE MAGAZINE Filed Feb. 16, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 6

INVENTOR.

HYO MIN YOO A T TOR/V5 Y March 1970 I HYO MIN Yoo 3,502,061

GAS GUN HAVING REMOVABLE ROTATABLE MAGAZINE Filed Feb. 16, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

HYO MIN YOO A TTORNE Y United States Patent US. Cl. 124-13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A gas-powered rifle appparatus having a pressurized gas reservoir communicative through a trigger-operated valve with a replaceable revolving magazine. The trigger is Provided with a pair of actuating rods which, after the valve is actuated thereby, positively index the magazine.

Applicant hereby claims the benefit of the filing dates of Korean patent applications of Feb. 16, 1966; Sept. 10, 1966; and Nov. 22, 1966.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to mechanical guns and more particularly to fluid-pressure guns of the selfcontained pump rotary magazine type.

In target practicing, either as a sport, competition or for military training, large quantities of conventional ammunition are expended. The consumption of ammunition attendant with such shooting can present quite a serious problem, particlarly in wartime when ammunition is needed for combat situations. It is therefore highly desirable that some alternate means be found to provide target practice without necessitating expenditure of live ammunition. Such a solution would be particularly appropriate in the basic training where the primary objective is to familiarize individuals with the operation .of firearms and the basic techniques of accurate shooting.

Prior art guns, of the general type to which this invention pertains, are usually single shot apparatus which require mechanical pumping between shots in order to provide fluid pressure for the succeeding shot.

Other prior art devices, equipped with compressed gas cartridges or the like, are capable of firing a plurality of projectiles, usually of the spherical type, in a semiautomatic operation.

United States Patent No. 3,119,384 is an example of this latte-r type of gun.

Other prior art devices providing multiple shot-pellet capability generally require complicated and expensive mechanisms for their operation.

In the above-described prior art apparatus, a certain degree of simulation of firearms is lost due to either the requirement for pumping between shots or the reduced impact and flight characteristics of spherical shot.

The compressed-gas cartridge type of gun is also dependent on the availability of gas cylinders and entails the expense of continual purchase of such cylinders.

SUMMARY This invention provides a fluid pressure gun which simulates the action of firearms in a more realistic manner than the apparatus of the prior art. This is achieved by providing a rifle having a fluid pressure storage chamber of large capacity by which means a large number of projectiles may be fired without the necessity of repumping.

Means are also provided to feed pellet projectiles to the firing chamber for semi-automatic operation of the gun. These means comprise a revolving magazine which is indexed by a novel actuating rod mechanism operated ice by the trigger of the gun subsequent to valving a burst of pressure to the firing chamber thereby. The revolving magazine is also capable of being quickly and simply removed from the gun structure so that charged magazines may be substituted for exhausted magazines in a manner similar to cartridge magazines of the conventional firearm.

Means are further provided for easily pumping pressure within the large capacity chamber by furnishing an integral pump which may be easily and substantially effortlessly pumped to produce a relatively large volume of high pressure gas.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a fluid pressure mechanical gun suitable for simulating a firearm by furnishing means to provide semi-automatic pellet projectile feed therefor.

It is another object of this invention to furnish a mechanical fluid pressure gun capable of firing a large number of projectiles by furnishing self-contained pump means to conveniently pressurize and store a large quantity of fluid under pressure therein.

It is still another object of this invention to furnish a mechanical gun capable of rapidly firing a large number of projectiles wtihout requiring substantial movement for reloading by providing a rotary magazine structure which is quickly replaceable, when exhausted, with a charged rotary magazine.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a fluid pressure gun having a novel rotary magazine and apparatus for actuation thereof which facilitates interchangeability with like magazines for rapid reloading of the gun.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following detailed description when viewed in the light of the accompanying drawings, wherein like components throughout the figures thereof are indicated by like numerals, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a mechanical rifle in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 taken along the line 22 thereof;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the gun of FIG. 1 partly in section;

FIG. 4 is a transverse view of a portion of the mechanism of the gun of FIG. 3 in one operational configuration thereof;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the mechanism in a different operational mode thereof;

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevational view of the revolving magazine portion of the device of FIG. 3 showing the components thereof in detail;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the forward portion of the gun of FIG. 1, partly in section;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing another embodiment in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the mechanism of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a gun, in accordance with the invention, comprises a barrel portion, shown generally at 10, aflixed to a wooden stock portion shown generally at 12. The barrel portion comprises a barrel tube 14 concentrically mounted in a barrel housing 16 and supported therein by spacers I8 suitably positioned along the length of the housing.

A pump cylinder 20 is disposed in abutting, substantially coextensive relationship to the barrel housing 16 and includes a piston 22, valved with a suitable check valve 24, and a piston rod 26 connected at one end to the piston and, at the other end, to a cap portion 28. A

transversely disposed extension 30 is aflixed to the cap portion and is provided with a lock pin 32 extending transversely therefrom. A tubular sight 34 is mounted on the upper front end of the barrel housing 16 and has an opening 36 disposed through the wall thereof to receive the lock pin 32 as shown. The cylinder 20 also contains a pressure accumulator, including a spring-loaded piston 38, and a stationary check valve 40 for the purpose of storing gas under pressure for operation of the gun. Obviously, any suitable storage arrangement may be provided in place of the pressure accumulator illustrated, if so desired.

In operation, the aforedescribed pump mechanism is actuated by rotating the extension 30 so as to remove the lock pin 32 from the opening 36. The extension is then disposed on a surface, the ground, for example, and held in place by such means as the operators foot. The piston is then actuated to pump pressure into the accumulator by reciprocating the gun relative to the rod 26 and extension 30. When sufficient pressure has been pumped, the pin 32 is reinserted into the opening 36 and the gun is ready for loading.

Turning now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the firing mechanism of the gun, shown in enlarged detail, comprises a trigger mechanism, shown generally at 42, disposed in a housing 44 inserted in a suitable recess in the stock 12, and a magazine assembly indicated generally at 46.

The trigger assembly 42 comprises a trigger 48 pivotally mounted in the housing 44 by a pin 50 extending from the housing into the confines of an area defined by a trigger guard 52. A hammer 54, pivotally mounted in the housing 44 on a pin 56, engages the trigger 48 through a pawl 58, pivotally mounted on the hammer 54 on a pin 60. The pawl is biased in the position shown in the figure by means of a compression spring 62 disposed between the pawl and the forward face of the hammer 54. A hammer follower 60, engaging the hammer 54 under the influence of a compression spring 66, serves to bias the hammer in the position shown in the figure.

The trigger 48 is provided with a transversely extending pin 68 which is disposed in an arcuate slot 70 formed in an upwardly extending arm 72. The arm 72 is provided with an L-shaped leg 74 at the bottom thereof which is engaged by a rod 76 biased downwardly under the influence of a spring 78 disposed in a cylindrical housing 80. The spring 78 functions to bias the arm 72 in a downward direction and therefore spring loads the trigger 48 in the position shown in the figure.

In operation of the trigger assembly as thus far described, backward pressure applied to the trigger 48 results in counter-clockwise rotation thereof around the pivot pin 50 and, through the pawl 58, clockwise rotation of the hammer 54 around the pivot pin 56. Due to the path of the pawl engaging edge of the trigger 48 as the trigger rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, contact with the pawl 58 is eventually terminated and the hammer 54 is quickly returned to its initial position under the influence of the spring 66.

After pressure is removed from the trigger 48, the structure returns to the position shown in the figure and, in so returning, contacts the forward face of the pawl 58 forcing the pawl rearwardly in a counterclockwise direction around the pin 60. As the trigger reaches the position shown in the figure, the pawl 58 returns to the position shown in the figure under the influence of the spring 62 and reengages the upper rear surface of the trigger 48 for the next firing cycle.

The interior of the cylinder 20 is communicative, through a valve member 82 and bore 84, with the interior of the barrel 14. A valve stem 86, coaxially disposed to the valve member 82 and the cylinder 20 extends rearwardly through the bore 84 and a plug 88 threaded in the rear end of the cylinder to be engageable by the forward face of the hammer 54. A compression spring 90 mounted between the valve member 82 and a transverse apertured wall 92 in the cylinder 20 biases the valve member against a conical seat 94 to normally block flow between the interior of the cylinder 20 and the barrel 14. Under static conditions, the strength of the spring 90 is sufiicient to maintain the valve member 82 seated against the seat 94 overcoming the influence of the spring 66 biasing the hammer 54 in the forward direction.

Fluid communication between the cylinder 20 and the interior of the barrel 14 is effected as follows:

As the hammer 54 returns to the position shown in the figure after actuation thereof by the trigger 48, the forward face thereof contacts the rearward end of he rod 86 and, due to the inertial load imposed thereby, momentarily moves the valve member 82 away from the seat 94 against the bias of the spring 90. When the inertial load imposed by the hammer 54 is overcome by the bias of the spring 90, the valve member 82 quickly returns to abut against the seat 94, thereby rapidly initiating and terminating a burst of pressure from the interior of the cylinder 20 to the interior of the barrel 14 through the bore 84.

The above-described valve structure and operation are similar to prior art devices and may be replaced with other suitable structures, if so desired.

An end member 96 is mounted on the upper surface of the cylinder 20 in spaced relationship to the rearward end of the barrel housing 16, cooperating therewith, to support a cylindrical magazine 98 therebetween. By reference, more particularly to FIGS. 4 through 6, the magazine 98 has a plurality of pellet-receiving chambers 100 formed therein, each chamber being provided, proximate the rearmost end thereof, with reduced portions 102 to form a shoulder therein and provide a stop for pellets inserted in the forward end thereof. A center bore 104 is formed through the magazine 98 and receives forwardly and rearwardly facing conical shells 106 and 108, biased apart from one another by a compression spring 110 received therebetween. As is seen best in FIG. 3, each of the chambers 100 is adapted to be aligned with the interior of the barrel 14 when disposed in the lowermost index position as seen in that figure. Referring still to FIG. 3, it is also seen that, through the provision of suitable recesses 112 and 114 in rearward and forward walls of barrel housing 16 and the end member 96 respectively, the magazine 98 is snap-fitted between the valve housing 16 and the end member 96 for rotary support thereby. This arrangement provides for rapid and easy replacement of the magazine when expended with a like magazine and thereby furnishes a means to quickly reload the gun without the necessity of reloading each individual chamber in the magazine. In this manner, a plurality of preloaded magazines may be provided for a shooter so that his firing need not be interrupted nor his position changed for reloading. Obviously ball detents or other shaped members may be substituted for the conical shells specifically described, if so desired.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper end of the arm 72 as well as the upper end of a second arm 116 are disposed proximate the rear face of the magazine 98. The second arm 116 is shorter in length than the arm 72 and is pivotally attached to the trigger 48 on the opposite side thereof from the attachment of the arm 72 (FIG. 3).

As was described above, the arm 72 is associated with the trigger 48 through a pin 68 disposed in a slot 70 in the arm. The configuration of this slot is such that the pin 68 does not engage the upper end thereof until the trigger 48 has been rotated in a counterclockwise direction to a sufiicient degree to release the hammer 54 for actuation of the valve member 82. By suitable design, then, the pin 68 engages the upper end of the slot 70 subsequent to firing a pellet from the aligned chamber 100 in the magazine 98.

In operation of the above-described indexing mechanism rotation of the trigger 48 in the counterclockwise direction past the above-described point of hammer release, through engagement of the pin 68 and the upper end of the slot 70, moves the arm 72 upwardly and, as seen in FIG. in particular, causes rotation of the magazine 98 in a clockwise direction as a result of engagement of the upper end of the arm 72 and the upper surface of the reduced portion 102 of the chamber 100 most proximate thereto. The relative lengths of the arm 72 and the arm 116 are such that, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper end of the arm 116 engages the upper surface of the reduced portion 102 most proximate thereto when the arm 72 is in its uppermost position and the chamber 100 disposed therebetween is in alignment with the interior of the barrel 14 (FIG. 1). Release of the pressure from the trigger 48 then allows return of the trigger and the arms 72 and 116 to the positions shown in FIG. 3 under the influence of the spring 78 so that, as is best seen in FIG. 4, the arms 72 and 116 are disposed in the position shown therein ready for the next cycle of firing.

From the above description, it is seen that a novel and simple mechanism for both actuating the cylindrical magazine 98 through longitudinal movement of the arm 72 and accurate indexing of the magazine to the proper position through engagement by the arm 116 at the requisite point, is provided by this invention. The use of the chambers as actuating surfaces for the indexing mechanism obviates the requirement for machined recesses or other structure in the magazine as has been common in the prior art. It is also evident that the indexing mechanism, through the utilization of the dual-arm structure, provides accurate indexing without requiring additional homing mechanism such, for example, as detents or the like. The aforedescribed structure also provides rapid and easy replacement of exhausted magazines as they are expended, thereby furnishing means to quickly reload the gun with a minimum of effort and expended time.

Referring now to FIG. 7 of the drawings, a soundsuppressing device, shown generally at 118, is disposed in the forwardmost end of the barrel housing 16. The device comprises a plurality of annular baflle plates 120 C0- axially disposed in spaced relationship in the forward part of the barrel housing 16 ahead of the muzzle end of the barrel 14. Central bores 122 through the baffle plates 120, of suflicient diameter to allow passage of pellets ejected from the barrel 14 without interference thereto, serve to deflect expanding gases, as indicated by the arrows in that figure, from the general path of the projectile. An exhaust bore 124 is provided through the wall of the barrel housing 16 and the cylinder 20 to provide for expansion of a portion of the muzzle blast from the interior of the barrel housing 16 and thereby reduce the pressure therein.

In operation, the aforedescribed baflle structure functions to deflect the high pressure muzzle blast from the barrel 14 behind the passing projectile into the interior of the housing 16 and the cylinder 20, thereby reducing the sound generating pressure waves transmitted from the breech of the barrel 14.

With reference now to FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawings, a modification of the trigger mechanism and a magazine indexing structure is illustrated. In these figures, components thereof corresponding to like components of the aforedescribed embodiment are indicated by like numerals,-only of the next higher order. The primary disstinction between the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 and of the aforedescribed figures is that structure is provided to simulate a bolt action type rifle as opposed to the revolver or rotary magazine action of the preceding embodiment. In this embodiment, a hammer 254 is biased in a forward position, as shown in FIG. 8, by a spring 266 disposed in a recess therein and against an end plug 288. A trigger 248, having an L-shaped transverse arm 325 at the upper end thereof, is pivotally mounted on a pin 250 and biased in a counterclockwise direction by a spring 326 disposed between the arm 325 and a recess in the stock 212. An upwardly projecting arm 258 is mounted on the upper surface of the arm 325 and rides against the lower surface of the hammer 254. A valve member 282, biased in a sealing direction against a valve seat 284 by a spring 290 and provided with a valve stem 286, is disposed in a bore 284 which provides communication between the interior of the cylinder 220 and the interior of the barrel 214 as in the aforedescribed embodiment. The rearward end of the valve stem 286 is in abutting relation to the forward face of the hammer 254, and the relative strength of the springs 290 and 266 are such that the valve member is in sealing engagement with the valve seat 294 when the structure is in a static condition. A bolt actuator 328 (FIG. 9) is disposed extending transversely from the hammer 254.

In the operation of the structure as thus far described, the hammer 254 is drawn rearwardly by pressure applied in a rearward direction against the bolt actuator 328 until the projection 258 on the trigger 248 clears the hammer and extends upwardly to engage the front face thereof to lock the mechanism in a cocked position. Upon exertion of rearward pressure against the trigger 248, the projection 258 is withdrawn and the hammer 254 is released to dynamically engage the valve stem 286 and momentarily communicate a burst of pressure past the valve member 282 and, through the bore 284, to the interior of the barrel 214.

The magazine indexing mechanism comprises a longitudinally movable arm 272, having a downward projection 270 extending into a longitudinal slot 268 in the hammer 254, biased in a forward direction by a spring 278. The forward end of the arm 272 is pivotally connected to an L-shaped actuator 330 mounted on a pin 332 for pivotal motion thereabout. A magazine actuating arm 334 is pivotally mounted on the forward end of the actuator 330 by a pin 336 and is biased in a forward direction by a spring 338. A chamber engaging tooth 340 extends from the forward edge of the arm 334 and is disposed to engage the lower surface of the reduced portion 302 of the chamber 300.

In operation, the arm 272 is drawn in a rearward direction to draw the hammer 254 rearwardly as was described above. Rearward withdrawal of the arm 272 pivots the actuating member 330 in a counterclockwise direction moving the arm 334 downwardly. As best seen by reference to FIG. 9, the tooth 340 engages the lower surface of a reduced portion 302 and effects downward movement of the arm 334 thereby resulting in rotation and indexing of the rotary magazine 298 in a counterclockwise direction as seen from the rear of the magazine. Suitable means, such for example, as a ratchet mechanism (not shown) may be provided to block clockwise rotation of the magazine 298. The aforedescribed device is so designed that the magazine 298 is indexed one-sixth of a turn, in the embodiment illustrated, so that a loaded chamber is next presented to the interior of the barrel 214 for firing the pellet therefrom.

Upon firing of the gun and movement of the hammer 254 to the position shown in FIG. 8, the arm 272 returns forwardly under the influence of the spring 278 to the position shown, thereby returning the actuating member 330 and the arm 334 to the positions illustrated and indexing the tooth 340 for engagement of the next adjacent chamber in preparation for succeeding cyclings of the mechanism.

It should be understood that, in addition to or as a substitute for the aforedescribed pumping and pressure storage apparatus, provision may be made, if so desired, for the incorporation of a conventional gas cartridge source of propellant or for reception and storage of pressurized gas from an external pumping device without exceeding the scope of this invention.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. Consequently, such changes and modifications are properly, equitably, and intended to be, Within the full range of equivalence of the following claims.

It should also be obvious that the detent system comprising the spring 110 and conical members 106 and 108 of FIGURES 3 and 6 could, if desired, be mounted in the frame of the gun with the recesses 112 and .114 disposed in the magazine 98. With this configuration, the magazine may be fabricated from plastic by die molding, for example, and may be made cheaply enough to be preloaded by the manufacturer and disposed after use, if so desired.

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid pressure gun comprising:

a barrel;

a frame supporting said barrel;

a housing for containing a source of fiuid pressure;

a rotary magazine having a plurality of chambers alignable with said barrel; members disposed between opposed surfaces of said magazine and said frame coaxial with said magazine, said members being mounted on one of said surfaces and biased into engagement with corresponding recesses in the other of said surfaces to thereby rotatably and removably mount said magazine; means including a normally closed valve to controllably communicate said housing with said barrel through the aligned chamber of said magazine;

trigger means including a hammer to momentarily open said valve and provide communication between said chamber and said barrel; and

magazine indexing means including a chamber engaging member actuated by said trigger means to sequentially align said chambers with said barrel.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said magazine has a bore coaxially disposed therethrough for relieving said members, and a spring disposed in said bore to bias said members outwardly into engagement with corresponding recesses in said frame.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said magazine indexing means comprises a first and second chamber engaging member, said first chamber engaging member being associated with said trigger means for longitudinal reciprocation between a first and second position upon actuation thereof, said first member being of suitable length to rotate said magazine and supplant a chamber therein aligned with said barrel with the next succeeding chamber thereto when reciprocated to said second position, said second chamber engaging member being pivotally connected to said trigger means and longitudinally reciprocable between a first position and a second position, engaging a chamber in said magazine when said first member is reciprocated to said second position to preclude further rotation of said magazine.

4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said chamber engaging member includes a first arm engageable by said trigger means for longitudinal reciprocation thereof, a pivotally mounted, L-shaped actuator pivotally connected to said first arm at one end thereof, a second arm pivotally connected to said L-shaped actuator at the other end thereof for longitudinal reciprocation thereof in a direction perpendicular to the reciprocation of said first arm, said second arm engaging a chamber in said magazine for rotation thereof when reciprocated to supplant a chamber therein aligned with said barrel with the next succeeding chamber thereto.

5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing includes a pump for transmitting fluid under pressure thereto, said pump comprising a piston reciprocable in said housing, a valve means for bypassing fluid through said piston during one stroke of the reciprocation thereof and blocking fiuid egress through said piston during the other reciprocating stroke thereof, and a piston rod extending through said housing to drive said piston, said rod being engageable with a fixed surface to provide actuation of said pump means by reciprocation thereof with respect to said gun.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,454,947 5/1923 Bechtol 12448 2,006,030 6/1935 Price 12448 2,237,678 4/1941 Lohr l2448 2,528,462 10/1950 Wells 124l3 2,568,432 9/1951 Cook 124-13 2,594,240 4/1952 Wells 12413 2,625,927 l/ 1953 Rosenbloom 12448 3,212,489 10/1965 Merz 124-48 RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner R. W. DIAZ, I R, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 12430, 48

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