Valve assembly for an air gun and a bleed apparatus for the air gun

Abstract

A valve assembly for an air gun includes a valve housing defining a first bore. The valve assembly includes a plug disposed in the first bore. The plug is movable relative to the valve housing to an open position which allows fluid communication through the first bore and a closed position which prevents fluid communication through the first bore. A slide block includes an engagement surface. The slide block is movable relative to the valve housing to a safety position in which the engagement surface is spaced a first predetermined distance from the plug, a firing position in which the engagement surface is spaced a second predetermined distance from the plug, and a bleed position in which the engagement surface engages the plug to move the plug to the open position. A bleed apparatus includes a gas-spring assembly and the valve assembly discussed above coupled to the gas-spring assembly.

1 . A valve assembly for an air gun; the valve assembly comprising:
 a valve housing defining a first bore;   a plug disposed in the first bore and movable relative to the valve housing to an open position which allows fluid communication through the first bore and a closed position which prevents fluid communication through the first bore; and   a slide block including an engagement surface, and the slide block is movable relative to the valve housing to a safety position in which the engagement surface is spaced a first predetermined distance from the plug, a firing position in which the engagement surface is spaced a second predetermined distance from the plug, and a bleed position in which the engagement surface engages the plug to move the plug to the open position.   
     
     
         2 . The valve assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the first predetermined distance is greater than the second predetermined distance. 
     
     
         3 . The valve assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein:
 the valve housing includes a first end and a second end spaced from each other relative to a longitudinal axis; 
 the first bore is disposed between the first and second ends axially relative to the longitudinal axis; and 
 the slide block is movable axially relative to the longitudinal axis to the safety position, the firing position, and the bleed position. 
 
     
     
         4 . The valve assembly as set forth in  claim 3  wherein:
 the plug includes a first flange and a second flange spaced from each other and each disposed outside of the valve housing relative to the first and second ends respectively; 
 the first flange engages the first end of the valve housing when the plug is in the closed position, and the first flange is spaced from the first end of the valve housing when the plug is in the open position; and 
 the engagement surface engages the second flange when the slide block is in the bleed position which causes the second flange to move toward the second end of the valve housing and the first flange to move away from the first end of the valve housing. 
 
     
     
         5 . The valve assembly as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the slide block includes an arm spaced from the engagement surface, and the arm is configured to slide the slide block axially relative to the longitudinal axis to the safety position, the firing position, and the bleed position. 
     
     
         6 . The valve assembly as set forth in  claim 5  wherein:
 the slide block includes a front end and a rear end spaced from each other relative to the longitudinal axis; 
 the front end faces the second end of the valve housing, and the rear end faces away from the valve housing; and 
 the arm protrudes from the rear end of the slide block, and the engagement surface is disposed along the front end of the slide block. 
 
     
     
         7 . The valve assembly as set forth in  claim 6  wherein:
 the slide block defines a slot that extends axially relative to the longitudinal axis; 
 the slot is open to the front end of the slide block, and the slot is closed between the front and rear ends; and 
 the engagement surface is disposed adjacent to the slot. 
 
     
     
         8 . The valve assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein:
 the valve housing includes a first end and a second end spaced from each other relative to a longitudinal axis; 
 the first bore is disposed between the first and second ends axially relative to the longitudinal axis; and 
 the valve housing defines a second bore in fluid communication with the first bore, and wherein the second bore is disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis. 
 
     
     
         9 . The valve assembly as set forth in  claim 8  wherein:
 the plug includes a first flange that engages the first end of the valve housing when the plug is in the closed position to prevent fluid communication through the first bore, and the first flange is spaced from the first end of the valve housing when the plug is in the open position to allow fluid communication through the first bore and the second bore; 
 the plug includes a second flange that faces the engagement surface; and 
 the first and second flanges are operably coupled to each other such that movement of the second flange causes movement of the first flange when the engagement surface engages the second flange in response to the slide block being in the bleed position. 
 
     
     
         10 . The valve assembly as set forth in  claim 9  further including a biasing member disposed between the valve housing and one of the first and second flanges, and the biasing member continuously biases the plug to the closed position. 
     
     
         11 . The valve assembly as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the biasing member is disposed between the second end of the housing and the second flange. 
     
     
         12 . The valve assembly as set forth in  claim 8  further including a seal disposed in the first bore, and the seal surrounds part of the plug to fluidly close the second end of the valve housing. 
     
     
         13 . The valve assembly as set forth in  claim 1 :
 wherein the valve housing includes a first retaining wall and a second retaining wall spaced from each other inside the first bore to define a pocket;   wherein the plug is disposed in the pocket and engages the second retaining wall when the plug is in the closed position;   wherein the plug is continuously biased to the closed position via fluid pressure; and   further including a seal disposed in the pocket, and the plug is surrounded via the seal when the plug is in the closed position.   
     
     
         14 . The valve assembly as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the plug is further defined as a spherical-ball. 
     
     
         15 . The valve assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the slide block includes an arm spaced from the engagement surface, and the arm is configured to move the slide block to the safety position, the firing position, and the bleed position. 
     
     
         16 . A bleed apparatus for an air gun comprising:
 a gas-spring assembly including a cylinder defining a chamber configured to contain a compressed gas; and   a valve assembly coupled to the gas-spring assembly, and the valve assembly includes:
 a valve housing defining a first bore coupled to the chamber; 
 a plug disposed in the first bore and movable relative to the valve housing to an open position which allows fluid communication through the first bore and the chamber and a closed position which prevents fluid communication through the first bore and the chamber; and 
 a slide block including an engagement surface, and the slide block is movable relative to the valve housing to a safety position in which the engagement surface is spaced a first predetermined distance from the plug, a firing position in which the engagement surface is spaced a second predetermined distance from the plug, and a bleed position in which the engagement surface engages the plug to move the plug to the open position. 
   
     
     
         17 . The bleed apparatus as set forth in  claim 16 :
 wherein the slide block defines a slot disposed axially relative to a longitudinal axis, and the plug is movable axially relative to the longitudinal axis to the open and closed positions; and   further including a trigger housing and a pin fixed to the trigger housing and disposed through the slot transverse to the longitudinal axis such that the pin prevents transverse movement of the slide block relative to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         18 . The bleed apparatus as set forth in  claim 17  wherein:
 the slide block includes a first wall, a second wall, and an end wall cooperating with each other to present a boundary of the slot; 
 the slot is open at one end of the slide block, and the slot is closed at the end wall; and 
 the slide block is movable relative to the pin such that the end wall of the slot is disposed at a first position relative to the pin when the slide block is in the safety position, a second position relative to the pin when the slide block is in the firing position, and a third position relative to the pin when the slide block is in the bleed position; 
 wherein the first position of the end wall is farther from the pin than is the second and third positions of the end wall; and 
 wherein the third position of the end wall is closest to the pin than is the first and second positions of the end wall. 
 
     
     
         19 . The bleed apparatus as set forth in  claim 16 :
 further including a rod attached to the valve assembly, and the rod defines a hole axially along a longitudinal axis;   wherein the hole and the chamber are in fluid communication with each other; and   wherein the hole and the first bore are in fluid communication with each other when the plug is in the open position to move the compressed gas into or out of the chamber.   
     
     
         20 . The bleed apparatus as set forth in  claim 19  wherein the first predetermined distance is greater than the second predetermined distance, and the slide block is movable axially relative to the longitudinal axis to the safety position, the firing position, and the bleed position.