Compressed gas gun and firing mechanism

Abstract

A firing mechanism for a compressed gas gun is provided. The firing mechanism includes a firing chamber having a compressed gas storage chamber and a bolt chamber in communication with the compressed gas storage chamber. A bolt is positioned within the bolt chamber having a bolt passage therethrough, the bolt being moveable by a force of compressed gas from a first position to a second position, and the bolt being biased to the first position by a bolt spring. A solenoid is positioned proximate the firing chamber including a plunger moveable from a first position to a second position. A spool is moveable within the compressed gas storage chamber from a first position to a second position, the spool including a forward portion having a flow passage therethrough. The spool is adapted to selectively control the passage of compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber to the bolt chamber.

1 . A firing mechanism for a compressed gas gun, the firing mechanism comprising:
 a firing chamber including a compressed gas storage chamber and a bolt chamber in communication with the compressed gas storage chamber;   a bolt positioned within the bolt chamber having a bolt passage therethrough, the bolt moveable by a force of compressed gas from a first position to a second position, the bolt biased to the first position by a bolt spring;   a solenoid positioned proximate the firing chamber including a plunger moveable from a first position to a second position;   a spool moveable within the compressed gas storage chamber from a first position to a second position, the spool including a forward portion having a flow passage therethrough, the spool adapted to selectively control the passage of compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber to the bolt chamber;   a gas collection area adjacent the rear of the spool;   a first gas passage providing communication between the compressed gas storage chamber and the collection area; and,   a rod in communication with the solenoid plunger positioned within the first gas passage, the rod moveable from a first position to a second position by movement of the solenoid plunger, the rod having a forward plug at its forward end and a rearward plug at its rearward end, the solenoid plunger controlling movement of the rod to selectively allow compressed gas to flow through the first gas passage.   
   
   
       2 . A firing mechanism for a compressed gas gun, the firing mechanism comprising:
 a compressed gas storage chamber adapted to receive compressed gas from a source of compressed gas;   a bolt chamber in fluid communication with the compressed gas storage chamber housing a bolt with a bolt passage therethrough moveable from a first position to a second position under the force of compressed gas;   a solenoid for controlling the movement of a spool by opening a flow passage providing fluid communication between the compressed gas storage chamber and the rear wall of the spool; and,   a spool positioned at least partially within the compressed gas storage chamber and at least partially within the bolt chamber adapted to move from a first position to a second position, the spool including a flow passage proximate its forward end, the spool adapted to selectively allow the passage of compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber through the flow passage to the bolt chamber when the spool is moved under the force of compressed gas from a first position to a second position.   
   
   
       3 . The firing mechanism of  claim 2 , further comprising a spool return spring biasing the spool to its first position. 
   
   
       4 . The firing mechanism of  claim 3 , further comprising a bolt spring biasing the bolt to its first position. 
   
   
       5 . The firing mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein a rear portion of the bolt coaxially surrounds a forward portion of the spool. 
   
   
       6 . The firing mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein a rear portion of the bolt coaxially surrounds a forward portion of the spool when in the first position and wherein the bolt moves forward relative to the forward portion of the spool when in the second position. 
   
   
       7 . The firing mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the spool has a first effective surface area greater than a second effective surface area, wherein selective activation of the solenoid allows compressed gas in the compressed gas storage chamber to act upon the first effective surface area. 
   
   
       8 . The firing mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the bolt comprises a first effective surface area greater than a second effective surface area, and wherein compressed gas proximate the first effective surface area biases the bolt from a first position to a second position. 
   
   
       9 . The firing mechanism of  claim 2 , further comprising a trigger adapted to actuate the solenoid. 
   
   
       10 . A firing mechanism for a compressed gas gun, the firing mechanism comprising:
 a compressed gas storage chamber in fluid communication with a bolt chamber;   a bolt reciprocally moveable within the bolt chamber, the bolt configured to move from a first position to a second position by the application of compressed gas;   a spool reciprocally moveable within the compressed gas storage chamber, the spool selectively allowing compressed gas to flow from the compressed gas storage chamber to the bolt chamber, the spool configured to move from a first position to a second position by the application of compressed gas;   a solenoid adapted to open a gas flow passage for controlling movement of the spool; and,   a trigger for actuating the solenoid.   
   
   
       11 . A compressed gas gun comprising:
 a gun body including a firing chamber;   a grip;   a trigger;   a barrel;   a compressed gas storage chamber within the firing chamber adapted to receive compressed gas from a source of compressed gas;   a bolt chamber in fluid communication with the compressed gas storage chamber housing a bolt with a bolt passage therethrough moveable from a first position to a second position under the force of compressed gas;   a spool positioned at least partially within the compressed gas storage chamber and at least partially within the bolt chamber adapted to move from a first position to a second position, the spool comprising a flow passage proximate its forward end, the spool adapted to selectively allow the passage of compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber through the flow passage to the bolt chamber when the spool is moved under the force of compressed gas from a first position to a second position; and   a solenoid for controlling the movement of the spool.   
   
   
       12 . The firing mechanism of  claim 11 , further comprising a flow passage providing fluid communication between the compressed gas storage chamber and a rear wall of the spool. 
   
   
       13 . A method of firing a compressed gas gun, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a compressed gas storage chamber in fluid communication with a bolt chamber;   (b) providing bolt reciprocally moveable within the bolt chamber, the bolt adapted to move from a first position to a second position under the force of compressed gas;   (c) providing a spool moveable within the compressed gas storage chamber adapted to selectively control the passage of compressed gas between the compressed gas storage chamber and the bolt chamber; and,   (e) selectively supplying compressed gas to move the spool from a first position to a second position.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the spool is adapted to block the passage of compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber to the bolt chamber when in a first position, and to permit the passage of compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber to the bolt chamber when in a second position. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein compressed gas is selectively supplied to move the spool from a first position to a second position by actuation of a solenoid.