Pneumatically Timed Control Unit For A Gas Operated Projectile Launching Device

Abstract

A pneumatically timed control unit controls a gas operated projectile launching device. At rest, the control unit feeds pneumatic gas from a compressed gas supply to the launching device's loading, launching components and/or mechanisms, and/or gas storage chamber(s). Once the valve is partially activated, the control unit uses pneumatic pressure from the gas storage device to urge the valve to a fully activated position to start the launching and/or loading sequences of the launching device and to pneumatically hold the valve(s) within the control unit in the activated position. The control unit waits for pneumatic feedback and/or absence of feedback/exhausting pneumatic pressure from either the launching device's loading and/or launching components and/or mechanism, or from a gas storage chamber and/or a venting relief-type valve to release the pneumatic hold on the valve. This allows the valve to be shifted to the "at rest" position, ready for the next activation sequence.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to projectile launching devices and, more particularly, to a pneumatically timed control unit for a gas operated projected launching device.

[0002] Currently, controlling the fire sequence of a gas operated projectile launching device falls under two basic categories. First is the need for highly complex electro-pneumatic flow distribution devices consisting of electronic solenoids and or circuit boards, and second is a mesh of mechanical pneumatic firing systems, like for instance the use of pistons, hammers, springs, and sears.

[0003] As can be seen, there is a need for an improved system for controlling and operating a gas operated projectile launching device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In one aspect of the present invention, a pneumatically timed control unit assembly for a gas operated projectile launching device comprises a valve urged in an at rest position; and a gas storage device operable to receive pneumatic pressure through the control unit in the at rest position from a compressed gas supply, wherein when the valve is moved to a partially activated position, pneumatic pressure from the gas storage device urges the valve to a fully activated position, wherein a Gas Operated projectile launching device receives gas pressure from the gas storage device and or compressed gas supply to activate it's firing sequence. Then the pneumatically timed control unit waits for pneumatic feedback and or absence of feedback/exhaust from either the Gas Operated Projectile launching Device's loading and or launching components and or mechanisms, and or Gas storage device and or a venting relief type valve to release the pneumatic hold on the pneumatically timed control units valve, which allows the valve to be shifted to the "at Rest" position ready for the next activation sequence.

[0005] In another aspect of the present invention, a method for launching a projectile from a projectile launching device comprises receiving a compressed gas supply to a valve; delivering the compressed gas supply to at least one of a compressed gas storage device and or a firing chamber of a launching device when the valve is in an at rest position; activating an activation mechanism, the activation mechanism operable to activate a valve in a control unit; urging the valve into an activated position as the activation mechanism is activated to actuate the valve by delivering gas pressure from at least one of the compressed gas storage device and the firing chamber of the launching device; and delivering gas pressure and or exhaust to the launching device.

[0006] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a control method for a gas operated projectile launching device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a control method for a gas operated projectile launching device;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a control method for a gas operated projectile launching device;

[0010] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a control method for a gas operated projectile launching device;

[0011] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a control method for a gas operated projectile launching device;

[0012] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a pneumatically timed control unit, at rest and the pneumatic hold is released, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention

[0013] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the pneumatically timed control unit of FIG. 6, with its valve partially activated and the pneumatic hold is initiated;

[0014] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the pneumatically timed control unit of FIG. 6 with its valve in a fully activated position;

[0015] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a pneumatically timed control unit, at rest and the pneumatic hold is released, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention

[0016] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the pneumatically timed control unit of FIG. 9, with its valve partially activated and the pneumatic hold is initiated;

[0017] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the pneumatically timed control unit of FIG. 9 with its valve in a fully activated position;

[0018] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of a pneumatically timed control unit, at rest and the pneumatic hold is released, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention

[0019] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the pneumatically timed control unit of FIG. 12, with its valve partially activated and the pneumatic hold is initiated; and

[0020] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the pneumatically timed control unit of FIG. 12 with its valve in a fully activated position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0022] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a pneumatically timed control unit (also referred to as the control unit) for a gas operated projectile launching device (also referred to as the launching device). At rest (FIGS. 6, 9 and 12), the control unit feeds pneumatic gas from a compressed gas supply to the launching device's loading and/or launching components and/or mechanisms and/or gas storage chamber(s). Once the valve is partially activated (FIGS. 7, 10 and 13), the control unit uses pneumatic pressure from the gas storage device to urge the valve to a fully activated position to start the launching and/or loading sequences of the launching device and the pneumatically hold the valve(s) within the control unit in the activated position. Then, the control unit waits for pneumatic feedback and/or absence of pneumatic feedback from either the launching device's loading and/or launching components and/or mechanism, or from a gas storage chamber and/or a venting relief-type valve to release the pneumatic hold on the control unit's valve (FIGS. 8, 11 and 14). This allows the valve to be shifted to the "at rest" position, ready for the next activation sequence.

[0023] The control unit for launching devices may be configured to retrofit into an existing launching device or can be configured as an integral control unit of a launching device's assembly.

[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5, a user may activate a trigger/actuator 04 to activate a valve in a control unit 06/08. Alternatively, a secondary ram, controlled by a pneumatic pulse generating valve and/or shuttle valve 16 may activate the valve in the control unit 06/08. The valve may receive a compressed gas supply 18. The control unit 06/08 can include valves 06 and a housing 08.

[0025] In the "at rest" position (FIGS. 6, 9 and 12), gas from the compressed gas supply 18 may be delivered to, for example, a gas storage device 14 and/or a firing chamber of a launching device 02. A metering valve 20 may be optionally present to meter the gas flow to and/or from the gas storage device 14. As the valve is actuated, gas pressure from the gas storage device 14 and/or firing chamber may urge the valve to an activated position. A pneumatic linkage device and/or integrated porting and/or hoses 12 may deliver gas pressure to and or from the launching device 02. This gas pressure may be delivered through an optional pneumatic solenoid 10.

[0026] Valve(s) 06 may comprise sealing member(s) to direct gas into inlets and or outlets within the valve body and/or housing 08 which may also comprise sealing members. The valve 06 may include opposing pneumatic forces, whether by area differences and or pressure differences applied to the valve 06, directly and/or indirectly from the compressed gas supply 18 and/or pneumatic feedback and/or absence of feedback/exhausting from the launching device 02 for shifting the "at rest" and/or "activated" position(s) of the valve 06 within the valve housing 08. The valve 06 may also include the use of springs for resetting the "at rest" and/or "activated" position(s) of the valve 06 within the valve housing 08.

[0027] Once the control unit has been activated, and the launching device has been fired, the valve 06 may detect the reduction in pressure in, for example, the gas storage chamber, and allow the valve to release it's pneumatic hold on the valve and to reset to the "at rest" position. If the launching device does not fire after the valve 06 has been activated, gas may be vented from the control unit, optionally through a flow restricted exhaust and/or metering valve 20, releasing its pneumatic hold on the valve 06 and allowing the valve to reset to the "at rest" position ready for the next activation sequence.

[0028] The control unit 06/08 can, directly or indirectly control the operation of the launching device 02 by having a valve or plurality of valves 06 with pneumatic input port(s) to the valve housing 08 that may receive compressed gas from a compressed gas supply 18 and an output port(s) pneumatically linked 12 to a pneumatic component(s) and or mechanism(s) to initiate the loading and or launching operation of the launching device 02.

[0029] For instance, the control unit 06/08 can contain a network of pneumatic components configured to receive activation from a trigger and/or actuator 04, to send and or receive pneumatic signal(s) by means of pneumatic linkage 12 to a pneumatic solenoid valve(s) 10. The pneumatic solenoid valve(s) 10 can, for instance, direct compressed gas and or exhaust pneumatic pressure by means of pneumatic linkage 12 to and/or from the pneumatic loading and or launching components and/or mechanism(s) of the launching device 02 to operate the pneumatic components and/or mechanism(s) in response to the pneumatic signal from the control unit 06/08. The trigger/actuator 04 may be mounted to slide and/or pivot in such a manner as to make contact with the valve(s) 06 of the control unit for starting and/or stopping the control unit's pneumatic output and or input sequence(s).

[0030] The control unit 06/08 may include an adjustable and/or fixed pneumatic time delay signal for completing the loading and/or launching operation of the launching device 02, typically by use of fixed, and/or adjustable pneumatic flow restricting devices 20.

[0031] The gas storage device 14, fixed and/or adjustable in volume and/or pressure, and or flow, may be used in conjunction with and/or separately from the pneumatic feedback 12 from the launching device 02 to store and/or release gas to and/or from the control unit 06/08 in such a manner as to apply adjustable and/or fixed, momentary pneumatic pressure to the control unit 06/08 for pneumatically holding and/or releasing the valve 06, therefore producing timing control of the launching device, and/or a means for metering the output and/or input and or exhaust of the gas storage device 14. The control unit 06/08 can be shaped to mount and/or assemble within the body and/or frame of the launching device 02. The control unit 06/08 can be arranged to send one or more timed pneumatic signals to initiate the loading and/or launching operation(s) of the launching device in response to the trigger 04 pull and/or release of the trigger 04 pull.

[0032] Compressed gas 18 may supply pneumatic pressure to the control unit 06/08. The trigger/actuator 04 (which may not need to be present for functionality) can, for instance, be manually acted upon to depress the valve 06 within the control unit valve body and/or housing 08.

[0033] The control unit valve(s) 06 and valve housing 08 may redirect pneumatic gas and or exhaust thru pneumatic linkage 12, to and/or from the pneumatic component(s) and/or mechanism(s) of the launching device 02 to activate the pneumatic sequence of events that initiate the loading and/or launching operation(s) of the launching device 02. The launching device 02 may also direct pneumatic pressure and/or exhaust of pressure from its pneumatic component(s) and/or mechanism(s) that initiated its loading and/or launching operation(s) back to the control unit 06/08 thru the pneumatic linkage 12 for use of pneumatically activating and/or deactivating the valve 06 position(s) within the control unit valve housing 08.

[0034] The control unit 06/08 may be comprised to redirect pneumatic gas pressure to and/or from a pneumatic solenoid(s) 10 (which may in some cases not need be present for functionality), where the pneumatic solenoid(s) 10 may be configured to activate the pneumatic sequence of events to initiate the loading and/or launching operation of the launching device 02 in response to a trigger 04 pull and/or release of a trigger 04 pull of the control unit.

[0035] The pneumatically timed control unit assembly 06/08 could be used in various applications, such as military applications, the paintball industry, the toy industry, scuba, and or pneumatic tooling industries, to name a few. The pneumatically timed control unit invention enables pneumatic timing control of a gas operated projectile launching device 02, by a choice of two applications, or combination of both, one being pneumatic feedback, or absence of feedback, to the pneumatically timed control unit assembly 06/08 from the gas operated projectile launching device 02 and its pneumatic component(s) and/or mechanism(s) and/or two, a gas storage device 14, possibly adjustable and/or fixed in volume and/or pressure, both used to store and/or release gas in such a manner as to apply adjustable and/or fixed momentary pneumatic pressure and/or exhaust of pressure to the pneumatically timed control units valve 06 by pneumatically activating and/or deactivating the valve 06 positions within the pneumatically timed control unit's valve body and/or housing 08 for loading and/or launching control of the gas operated projectile launching device 02.

[0036] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A pneumatically timed control unit assembly for a gas operated projected launching device comprising: a control unit having a valve movable between at least an at rest position, a partially activated position and a fully activated position, the valve being urged in the at rest position; and a gas storage device operable to receive pneumatic pressure through the control unit in the at rest position from a compressed gas supply, wherein when the valve is moved to the partially activated position, pneumatic pressure from the gas storage device urges the valve to the fully activated position, wherein, in the fully activated position, a launching device receives gas pressure from the gas storage device or exhaust of pneumatic pressure from the Control Unit.

2. The control unit assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pneumatic solenoid for controlling gas flow to the launching device.

3. The control unit assembly of claim 1, further comprising a metering valve to control the flow of gas to or from the gas storage device.

4. The control unit assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pneumatic linkage device to fluidly connect the valve with the launching device.

5. The control unit assembly of claim 1, further comprising an activation mechanism for moving the valve from the at rest position to the partially activated position.

6. The control unit assembly of claim 5, wherein the activation mechanism includes at least one of a trigger, an actuator, a pneumatic pulse generating valve, and a shuttle valve.

7. A method for launching a projectile from a projectile launching device, the method comprising: receiving a compressed gas supply to a valve of a control unit; delivering the compressed gas supply to at least one of a compressed gas storage device and a firing chamber of a launching device when the valve is in an at rest position; activating an activation mechanism, the activation mechanism operable to activate and deactivate the valve in the control unit; urging the valve into an activated position as the activation mechanism is activated to actuate the valve by delivering gas pressure from at least one of the compressed gas storage device and the firing chamber of the launching device; and delivering gas pressure or exhaust to or from the launching device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the activation mechanism is at least one of a trigger, an actuator, a pneumatic pulse generating valve, and a shuttle valve.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising metering the gas flow to or from the compressed gas storage device with a metering valve.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising delivering the gas pressure to the launching device through a pneumatic solenoid.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising detecting a reduction/exhaust in pressure after the launching device has fired and allowing the valve to reset to the at rest position.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising venting gas from the control unit if the launching device does not fire after the valve has been activated through a restrictive or metering exhaust orifice.