Semi-automatic-firing, compressed-gas gun

Abstract

A pneumatic gun wherein a dual-action firing bolt moves forward, assisting in launching a projectile, under gas pressure. The bolt then releases the compressed gas to carry the projectile down the barrel. Return springs operate to move the bolt and its valves to a ready-to-fire position. Similarly, trigger actuation mechanisms are spring-actuated to return to the ready-to-fire position.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . An action for a compressed-gas gun, the action comprising; 
 a propellant chamber controlling the amount of gas expelled per firing and comprising an entrance aperture and an exit aperture defined according to a direction of flow of gas trough the propellant chamber;    an actuator selectively blocking and unblocking the exit aperture; and    a trigger operably connected to, when pulled, move the actuator contrary to the direction of flow to unblock the exit aperture    
   
   
       22 . The action of  claim 21 , wherein the actuator selectively blocks and unblocks the entrance aperture.  
   
   
       23 . The action of  claim 22 , wherein the actuator moves within the propellant chamber between a first position and a second position, the first position characterized by the actuator blocking the exit aperture and not blocking the entrance aperture, the second position characterized by the actuator blocking the entrance aperture and not blocking the exit aperture.  
   
   
       24 . The action of  claim 23 , wherein: 
 the actuator, when moving from the first position to the second position, blocks the entrance aperture before unblocking the exit aperture; and    the actuator, when moving from the second position to the first position, blocks the exit aperture before unblocking the entrance aperture.    
   
   
       25 . The action of  claim 24 , further comprising a propellant reservoir in fluid communication with the propellant chamber through the entrance aperture.  
   
   
       26 . The action of  claim 25 , further comprising a projectile chamber in fluid communication with the propellant chamber through the exit aperture.  
   
   
       27 . The action of  claim 26 , wherein the projectile chamber comprises a barrel.  
   
   
       28 . The action of  claim 27 , wherein the actuator transitions between the first position and the second position substantially exclusively by translation.  
   
   
       29 . The action of  claim 28 , further comprising a return mechanism biasing the actuator toward the first position.  
   
   
       30 . An action for a compressed-gas gun projecting projectiles in a forward direction, the action comprising: 
 a propellant chamber having an entrance aperture and an exit aperture;    an actuator;    the actuator moving within the propellant chamber between a first position and a second position, the first position characterized by the actuator blocking the exit aperture and not blocking the entrance aperture, the second position characterized by the actuator blocking the entrance aperture and not blocking the exit aperture, the first position spaced in the forward direction from the second position; and    a trigger operably connected to, when pulled, move the actuator from the first position toward the second position.    
   
   
       31 . The action of  claim 30 , wherein the actuator translates as it transitions between the first position and the second position.  
   
   
       32 . The action of  claim 31 , wherein the actuator is formed as a monolithic component.  
   
   
       33 . The action of  claim 32 , wherein the actuator, when translating from the first position to the second position, blocks the entrance aperture before unblocking the exit aperture.  
   
   
       34 . The action of  claim 33 , wherein the actuator, when translating from the second position to the first position, blocks the exit aperture before unblocking the entrance aperture.  
   
   
       35 . The action of  claim 34 , wherein the propellant chamber further comprises at least one entrance seal forming the interface between the actuator and the entrance aperture.  
   
   
       36 . The action of  claim 35 , wherein the propellant chamber further comprises at least one exit seal forming the interface between the actuator and the exit aperture.  
   
   
       37 . The action of  claim 36 , further comprising a projectile chamber, the exit aperture providing fluid communication between the propellant chamber and the projectile chamber.  
   
   
       38 . The action of  claim 37 , further comprising a return mechanism biasing the actuator toward the first position.  
   
   
       39 . The action of  claim 30 , wherein: 
 the actuator is positioned to translate within the propellant chamber between the first position and the second position;    the actuator, when translating from the first position to the second position, blocks the entrance aperture before unblocking the exit aperture; and    the actuator, when translating from the second position to the first position, blocks the exit aperture before unblocking the entrance aperture.    
   
   
       40 . An action for a compressed-gas gun, the action comprising: 
 a propellant chamber controlling the amount of gas expelled per firing and comprising an entrance aperture and an exit aperture defined according to a direction of flow of gas though the propellant chamber;    an actuator translating within the propellant chamber between a first position and a second position, the first position characterized by the actuator blocking the exit aperture and not blocking the entrance aperture, the second position characterized by the actuator blocking the entrance aperture and not blocking the exit aperture; and    a trigger operably connected to, when pulled, translate the actuator contrary to the direction of flow from the first position toward the second position.