Spring assist for launch from compressed gas gun

Abstract

The present invention is a specially curved discharge port and port within a bolt within the breech for a compressed gas powered gun for the firing of projectiles. The invented gun has many improvements over the prior art including the use of improved gas pressure routing allowing for operation at lower pressures with no decrease in firing rate, efficiency, trajectory, or range. The structure of the present invention provides for embodiments which include the use of specific maximum angles within the gas passage from a compressed gas storage chamber and a portion of the breech through which the gas is routed as it expands to launch a projectile from the gun.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A spring assisted launching mechanism for a compressed gas powered gun comprising: 
 (a) a breech having a forward end and a rear end;    (b) a bolt having an aperture therethrough contained within the breech, the bolt moveable within the breech between a rearward position to a forward position;    (c) a chamber adjacent to the breech having a forward end and a rear end, the chamber containing a slider moveable between a rearward and a forward position, the slider connected to the bolt;    (d) a firing valve positioned forward of the slider;    (e) a spring within the chamber positioned rearward of the slider and biasing the slider toward the forward position; and,    (f) a trigger adapted to send an electronic signal for firing the gun when the trigger is pulled.    
     
     
         2 . The spring assisted launching mechanism for a compressed gas powered gun of  claim 1 , wherein the valve has a valve stem, further comprising a hammer disposed on the forward end of the slider, the hammer contacting the valve stem when the slider is in the forward position.  
     
     
         3 . The spring assisted launching mechanism for a compressed gas powered gun of  claim 1 , further comprising an electronic firing system, the electronic firing system adapted to receive the electronic signal from the trigger, the electronic firing system being connected to the slider for controlling actuation of the slider.  
     
     
         4 . The spring assisted launching mechanism for a compressed gas powered gun of  claim 1 , further comprising means for dampening the rearward motion of the slider.  
     
     
         5 . The spring assisted launching mechanism for a compressed gas powered gun of  claim 1 , further comprising a low pressure circuit extending between an input port for receiving compressed gas and the chamber at a location rearward of the slider.  
     
     
         6 . The spring assisted launching mechanism for a compressed gas powered gun of  claim 5 , further comprising a high pressure circuit extending between the input port and the breech, wherein the firing valve controls passage of compressed gas through the high pressure circuit.  
     
     
         7 . A spring assisted launching mechanism for a compressed gas powered gun comprising: 
 (a) a breech having a forward end and a rear end;    (b) a bolt having an aperture therethrough contained within the breech, the bolt moveable within the breech between a rearward position to a forward position;    (c) a chamber parallel to the breech having a forward end and a rear end, the chamber containing a slider moveable between a rearward and a forward position, the slider connected to the bolt, the chamber adapted to receive compressed gas from a source of compressed gas;    (d) a firing valve positioned adjacent the slider, the hammer contacting the firing valve when the slider is in the forward position;    (e) a low pressure circuit for conveying compressed gas between the source of compressed gas and the chamber rearward of the slider; and,    (f) a spring within the chamber positioned rearward of the slider and biasing the slider toward the forward position, the spring assisting the compressed gas in moving the slider toward a forward position.    
     
     
         8 . The spring assisted launching mechanism for a compressed gas powered gun of  claim 7 , further comprising a trigger adapted to send an electronic signal for firing the gun when the trigger is pulled.  
     
     
         9 . The spring assisted launching mechanism for a compressed gas powered gun of  claim 7 , further comprising an electronic firing system, the electronic firing system adapted to receive the electronic signal from the trigger, the electronic firing system being connected to the slider for controlling actuation of the slider.  
     
     
         10 . The spring assisted launching mechanism for a compressed gas powered gun of  claim 7 , wherein the valve has a valve stem, further comprising a hammer disposed on the forward end of the slider, the hammer contacting the valve stem when the slider is in the forward position.  
     
     
         11 . The spring assisted launching mechanism for a compressed gas powered gun of  claim 7 , further comprising a high pressure circuit extending between the source of pressurized gas and the breech, wherein the firing valve controls passage of compressed gas through the high pressure circuit.  
     
     
         12 . A spring assisted launching mechanism for a compressed gas powered gun comprising: 
 (a) a breech having a forward end and a rear end;    (b) a bolt having an aperture therethrough contained within the breech, the bolt moveable within the breech between a rearward position to a forward position;    (c) a chamber adjacent to the breech having a forward end and a rear end, the chamber containing a slider moveable between a rearward and a forward position, the slider connected to the bolt;    (d) a high pressure circuit extending between an input port for receiving a source of pressurized gas and the breech;    (e) a firing valve positioned forward of the slider, the firing valve controlling passage of compressed gas through the high pressure circuit;    (f) a spring within the chamber positioned rearward of the slider and biasing the slider toward the forward position and into engagement with the firing valve;    (g) an electronic firing system located within the gun, the electronic firing system including an solenoid connected to the slider for controlling actuation of the slider; and    (h) a trigger adapted to send an electronic signal to the electronic firing system when depressed, the electronic firing system actuating the slider in response to the signal.    
     
     
         13 . The spring assisted launching mechanism for a compressed gas powered gun of  claim 12 , wherein the solenoid is adapted to retract the slider after firing to reload the gun.  
     
     
         14 . The spring assisted launching mechanism for a compressed gas powered gun of  claim 12 , wherein the electronic control system includes a user selectable switch to permit the solenoid to automatically re-actuate the slider after firing and reloading when the switch is set into a first mode.