Closed Loop Control System for Projectile Firing Device

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/686,386, filed on Aug. 23, 2024, the content of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present general inventive concept pertains to airsoft guns, and more particularly to a multi-detector chronograph system used to measure and regulate various performance characteristics of an airsoft gun.

BACKGROUND

Airsoft guns are replica weapons that fire spherical non-metallic pellets rather than the lethal ammunition that the replica weapons are based upon. The term “airsoft” is also used to refer to a combat-simulation sport played with these airsoft guns that is similar to paintball, except that the pellets fired by the airsoft guns do not leave a color mark like those left by a paintball, and the participants typically play on the honor system of acknowledging when being hit by a pellet from an opponent's airsoft gun. Along with reduced mess, airsoft guns are typically cheaper to acquire and operate than paintball guns and can also be used more easily for casual target practice when not engaged in competition. Airsoft guns employ compressed air to fire round plastic pellets or similar projectiles, usually ranging from 0.12 grams to 0.48 grams.

One common problem with conventional airsoft guns is the difficulty in accurately and precisely measuring and regulating the air pressure used to propel pellets from an airsoft gun, and thus the energy imparted to the pellets. In this regard, many airsoft guns and components for airsoft guns are designed to allow the amount of air pressure used in propelling pellets from the airsoft gun to be adjusted. Thus, pellets can be propelled from the gun using varied amounts and pressures of compressed air, and thus varied amounts of energy. In certain circumstances, a competitor in an airsoft event may wish to increase the energy imparted to a pellet in order to improve range and accuracy of the pellet during flight. In other circumstances, an airsoft competitor may wish to decrease the energy imparted to a pellet, for example, to conserve a limited supply of compressed air or to lessen the impact with which the pellet strikes a target, for example to improve safety or to reduce discomfort experienced by an airsoft competitor when struck by the pellet.

Often, an airsoft sporting event may include rules regarding the maximum or minimum amount of energy which may be imparted to a pellet or the maximum or minimum amount of air and/or air pressure which may be used to propel a pellet during play. In such instances, it becomes critical to an airsoft competitor wishing to maximize the energy imparted to a pellet while not violating the rules of play to be able to accurately and precisely measure and regulate the air pressure and energy used to propel pellets from the competitor's airsoft gun. Likewise, it becomes critical to an airsoft competitor wishing to minimize the amount of compressed air used in firing a pellet without violating the rules of play to be able to accurately and precisely measure and regulate the air pressure and energy used to propel pellets from the competitor's airsoft gun. Additionally, many airsoft competitors may wish to monitor various performance characteristics of an airsoft gun, for example to detect any maintenance issues which may arise with regard to the gun.

In light of the above, there exists a desire to provide an improved system for measuring and regulating various performance characteristics of an airsoft gun.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, multi-detector chronograph system is provided that includes a measuring device in communication with multiple detectors configured to sense moving projectiles along a passage of a firing device for launching projectiles along the passage. The measuring device may be configured to produce data in relation to sensed moving projectiles along the passage. Various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept may also include a control unit for handling the data and configured to produce an output corresponding to an adjustment of the control device.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present general inventive concept will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the present general inventive concept.

The foregoing and/or other aspects and advantages of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing a multi-detector chronograph system comprising a firing device for launching projectiles along a passage for direction of projectiles. The firing device may comprise at least one control device for regulation of at least one configuration of the firing device selected from the group consisting of a motor function, a gear train configuration, an amount of pressurized gas used in firing a projectile, a pressure of gas used in firing a projectile, a dwell time of a projectile within the firing device, and a timing of firing of the firing device. A measuring device may be provided with multiple detectors configured to sense moving projectiles along the passage. The measuring device may be configured to produce data in relation to sensed moving projectiles along the passage. A control unit may be provided for handling the data and configured to produce an output corresponding to an adjustment of the control device.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing a multi-detector chronograph system in which the control unit is in operative communication with the firing device to allow adjustment of the control device. In various embodiments, the measuring device may include at least two detectors configured to measure at least one of a velocity of a projectile and a timing of subsequently fired projectiles. In various embodiments, the firing device may be an airsoft gun. In various embodiments, the detectors may be responsive to an airsoft pellet travelling along a barrel of the airsoft gun. In various embodiments, the control unit may be a controller that receives measured data from the measuring device and provides automatic adjustment of the at least one configuration. In various embodiments, a display may be provided that provides an indication of recommended setting changes to be made to the firing device.

The foregoing and/or other aspects and advantages of the present general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a multi-detector chronograph system comprising a firing device for launching projectiles along a passage for direction of projectiles, the firing device comprising at least one control device for regulation of at least one configuration of the firing device selected from the group consisting of a motor function, a gear train configuration, an amount of pressurized gas used in firing a projectile, a pressure of gas used in firing a projectile, a dwell time of a projectile within the firing device, and a timing of firing of the firing device. In various embodiments, a measuring device may be provided with multiple detectors configured to sense moving projectiles along the passage. The measuring device may be configured to produce data in relation to sensed moving projectiles along the passage. At least one display may be provided in which the at least one display provides an indication of data produced by the measuring device or recommended setting changes to be made to the firing device.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing a multi-detector chronograph system in which the measuring device includes at least two detectors configured to measure at least one of a velocity of a projectile and a timing of subsequently fired projectiles. In various embodiments, the firing device may be an airsoft gun. In various embodiments, the detectors may be responsive to an airsoft pellet travelling along a barrel of the airsoft gun.

The foregoing and/or other aspects and advantages of the present general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a multi-detector chronograph system that is mountable on a firing device configured to launch projectiles along a passage for direction of the projectiles. In various embodiments, the multi-detector chronograph system may comprise a plurality of detectors mountable along the passage and configurable to detect moving projectiles along the passage. In various embodiments, a measuring device may be provided in communication with the plurality of detectors and configured to receive data from each of the plurality of detectors regarding sensed moving projectiles along the passage. In various embodiments, a controller may be configured to process the data received by the measuring device and produce an output of recommended setting changes to be made to the firing device.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing a multi-detector chronograph system in which the output of recommended setting changes to be made to the firing device corresponds to at least one of a motor function, a gear train configuration, an amount of pressurized gas used in firing a projectile, a pressure of gas used in firing a projectile, a dwell time of a projectile within the firing device, and a timing of firing of the firing device. In various embodiments, the multi-detector chronograph system may comprise at least one display configured to receive data from at least one of the detectors and the measuring device, or to receive the output of recommended setting changes produced by the controller, and to provide an indication of the received data or the output. In various embodiments, the controller may be configured to be placed in operative communication with at least one control device of the firing device to actuate the control device in response to the output. In various embodiments, the control device may being configured to regulate at least one configuration of the firing device selected from the group consisting of a motor function, a gear train configuration, an amount of pressurized gas used in firing a projectile, a pressure of gas used in firing a projectile, a dwell time of a projectile within the firing device, and a timing of firing of the firing device. In various embodiments, the controller may be configured to communicate wirelessly with the control device. In various embodiments, the display may be configured to produce an audible sound in response to the output. In various embodiments, the controller may be configured to communicate wirelessly with the measuring device.

Other features and aspects may be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The following example embodiments are representative of example techniques and structures designed to carry out the objects of the present general inventive concept, but the present general inventive concept is not limited to these example embodiments. In the accompanying drawings and illustrations, the sizes and relative sizes, shapes, and qualities of lines, entities, and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. A wide variety of additional embodiments will be more readily understood and appreciated through the following detailed description of the example embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an airsoft gun together with a schematic view of a multi-detector chronograph system according to an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an airsoft gun together with a schematic view of a multi-detector chronograph system according to another example embodiment of the present general inventive concept; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram showing the operations of a multi-detector chronograph system according to one example embodiment of the present general inventive concept; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram showing the operations of a multi-detector chronograph system according to another example embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and illustrations. The example embodiments are described herein in order to explain the present general inventive concept by referring to the figures. The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the structures and fabrication techniques described herein. Accordingly, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the structures and fabrication techniques described herein will be suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. The progression of operations described herein are merely examples, however, and the sequence of operations is not limited to that set forth herein and may be changed as is known in the art, with the exception of operations necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also, description of well-known functions and constructions may be simplified and/or omitted for increased clarity and conciseness.

Note that any spatially relative terms used herein, such as “up,” “down,” “right,” “left,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, are used for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over or rotated, elements described herein as being “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below, depending upon the orientation of the overall device. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

According to various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, and with reference to FIG. 1, a multi-detector chronograph system (“system”) 10 is provided that includes a multi-detector chronograph (“chronograph”) 12 deployed in conjunction with an airsoft gun 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the chronograph 12 is provided in the form of a mountable device which is securable through any of a number of fastening devices and configurations of the type known to one of skill in the art to a muzzle end of a barrel 20 of an airsoft gun 14. However, in other embodiments, the chronograph 12 may be a stand-alone device through which the airsoft gun 14 is configured to fire a pellet.

The chronograph includes at least two detectors 16, 18 responsive to an airsoft pellet travelling along a barrel 20 of the airsoft gun 14 and exiting the barrel 20, and is configured to measure the velocity of the pellet as it is fired from the airsoft gun 14. Various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept may also include a controller 22 that is configured to receive the measured velocity data from the chronograph 12 and to provide an output corresponding to one or more recommended adjustments of one or more settings of the airsoft gun 14 in response to the velocity data received from the chronograph 12. Various other example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, including the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, may include a display 24 or other user interface which is configured to provide an indication of recommended setting changes to be made to the airsoft gun 14 in response to the velocity data received from the chronograph 12.

In various embodiments, the chronograph 12 and associated detectors 16, 18 may be configured to detect and measure the velocity of a pellet being fired from an airsoft gun 14 and/or a time lapse between subsequent pellets fired from an airsoft gun 14, and to produce an output signal in response to the one or more measurements. The output signal produced by the chronograph may be received by the controller 22 and processed through one or more algorithmic systems to produce a signal indicating an action to be taken with regard to the airsoft gun 14. Such actions could include, for example, adjustment of a dwell time feature of an airsoft gun 14, a timing of firing of an airsoft gun 14, or adjustment of the amount or rate of compressed air supplied to the airsoft gun 14 via an appropriate valve. Such actions could also include, for example, adjustment of a motor and/or gear train system of an electric firing system of an airsoft gun 14. Additional or alternative actions could include, for example, flagging the airsoft gun 14 as being in a safe or unsafe condition, shutting down or disabling the airsoft gun 14 in the event of excessively high energy, system fault detection, or storing the measurement signal in a computer-readable medium for use in subsequent analysis, for example, to determine whether airsoft event rules have been complied with. Those of skill in the art will recognize other actions whose indication may be provided by the system 10, and such additional action indications may be provided through the system 10 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept.

Various example embodiments may provide a host of configurations for communication between the chronograph 12 and the controller 22 and/or between the chronograph 12, controller 22 and/or the user interface 24. For example, such example embodiments may include such devices as a screen with a graphical user interface (GUI), voice activated controls, etc., and/or may communicate wirelessly with a smartphone or tablet to control the airsoft gun. In various example embodiments, controller and/or user interface may be located on an exterior surface of the airsoft gun.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a multi-detector chronograph system constructed in accordance with several features of the present general inventive concept. In the multi-detector chronograph system 10a shown in FIG. 2, the controller 22 is configured to receive the measured velocity data from the chronograph 12 and to provide an output corresponding to one or more automatic adjustments of one or more settings of the airsoft gun 14 in response to the velocity data received from the chronograph 12. The controller 22 is in operative communication with an automatic control unit 36, which is in turn configured to provide automatic adjustment of one or more settings of the airsoft gun 14. Such settings could include, for example, a dwell time setting of the airsoft gun 14, a timing of firing setting of the airsoft gun 14, or an amount or rate of compressed air supplied to the airsoft gun 14 via an appropriate valve. Such settings could also include, for example, settings related to a motor and/or gear train system of an electric firing system of an airsoft gun 14, one or more indicators configured to indicate whether the airsoft gun 14 is in a safe or unsafe condition, or an operational or disabled setting of the airsoft gun 14. Those of skill in the art will recognize other settings whose adjustment may be provided by automatic control unit 36 of the system 10a, and such additional setting adjustments may be provided through the automatic control unit 36 of the system 10a without departing from the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept.

Various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept may provide various forms of smart controls for the system, which may provide secondary controls for other features of the airsoft gun 14. Such an example embodiment may allow the operator, for example, to actuate the adjustment of the amount of compressed air or air pressure used in firing a pellet, or the speed of the motor or gear train system employed in an electric firing mechanism, etc., via wireless connectivity through an application on an information processing device such as a smartphone, tablet, etc., and/or with a centralized touchscreen interface controlling the adjustment features of the airsoft gun 14. In various example embodiments such power-able features may include actuation of knobs, mechanical or electrical switches, etc., or any combination of such features. Such smart control features may be optional in the various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, and any and all such powered features may also be controlled by a hardwired dedicated interface accessible from, for example, an exterior surface of the airsoft gun 14. In example embodiments in which only local (proximate) control of an airsoft gun 14 may be desired, the chronograph 12, controller 22, and/or user interface 24 may be connected together via short-range wireless technology such as BLUETOOTH®. Each component of the system 10 may have an individual BLUETOOTH® module, and one of the components (or a separate master device) may act as a BLUETOOTH® hub. This would enable controlling certain functions of several airsoft guns 14 at the same time. Such a configuration would be useful, for example, by a referee or organizer of an airsoft competition to regulate maximum and/or minimum energies imparted to pellets fired from the airsoft guns 14 of multiple competitors in one or more airsoft events. Remote (distant) control of the airsoft guns 14 may be achieved by adding a master Wi-Fi module to a component of the system (or by adding a separate master device) that also acts as the BLUETOOTH® hub. This “master” device may receive input over a local Wi-Fi network and relay the output to the cabinets via BLUETOOTH® or an equivalent wireless method. The apps on smartphones/tablets may be, for example, Android/iOS apps, open source home automation software like Home Assistant, or the like. The latter may work with a dedicated personal computer, which could also be used as the Wi-Fi/BLUETOOTH® hub. In such example embodiments as these described above, two-way data transfer may be established to allow remote monitoring of allowable energy, air pressure, or air amount settings, to, for example, allow competitors participating in an airsoft competition to monitor the settings imposed upon each of the airsoft guns 14 being used in the airsoft competition.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing the general operations of a multi-detector chronograph system according to one example embodiment of the present general inventive concept. In the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, when the airsoft gun is fired 26, a process begins in which the chronograph 12, through the associated sensors 16, 18 detects the velocity of the pellet 28 as it travels through the barrel 20 of the airsoft gun 14 and exits the gun and/or the time delay between subsequently fired pellets traveling down the barrel 20 of the airsoft gun 14. The chronograph 12 sends the measured velocity and/or timing data 30 to the controller 22, wherein algorithmic processing is performed to determine what, if any, action should be taken in response to the measured data. Upon completion of such algorithmic processing, and if an action is to be taken, a signal is generated 32 indicating the action to be taken regarding the airsoft gun. For example, the signal 32 may indicate an adjustment to one or more controls of the airsoft gun, such as for example controls regulating the motor function or gear linkage of an electric firing mechanism, the amount or pressure of compressed air supplied to a pneumatic airsoft gun firing mechanism, controls regulating the dwell time or timing of firing of the airsoft gun, etc. The signal 32 may alternatively or collectively also indicate the signaling of the gun as being in a safe or unsafe condition, compliance with a threshold value of velocity readings, etc.

In embodiments in which the system 10 is configured to provide recommended adjustment of the features of the airsoft gun 14 to a display device 24 or other user interface, the signal may be sent 34 to the display device 24 or other user interface for perception by the user. In embodiments in which a user interface or display is provided, the user interface or display 24 may receive the signal 32 generated by the controller 22 and display a visible indicia or provide an audible indicia corresponding to the indications of the signal 32 generated by the controller 22. Upon perceiving the indicia provided by the user interface 24, the user of the airsoft gun may then manually adjust one or more features of the airsoft gun 14 in response to the indicia.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the general operations of a multi-detector chronograph system according to another example embodiment of the present general inventive concept. Similar to the process described in FIG. 3, above, in the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, when the airsoft gun is fired 26, the chronograph 12 detects the velocity of the pellet 28 as it travels through the barrel 20 of the airsoft gun 14 and exits the gun and/or the time delay between subsequently fired pellets traveling down the barrel 20 of the airsoft gun 14. The chronograph 12 sends the measured velocity and/or timing data 30 to the controller 22, wherein algorithmic processing is performed to determine what, if any, action should be taken in response to the measured data. Upon completion of such algorithmic processing, and if an action is to be taken, a signal is generated 32 indicating the action to be taken regarding the airsoft gun.

In embodiments in which the system 10a is configured to provide automatic adjustment of the features of the airsoft gun 14 through the above-described automatic control unit 36, such features may be adjusted 38 by the automatic control unit 36 according to the indications of the signal 32 generated by the controller 22. Where no adjustment is needed, the adjustment step 38 may be bypassed, and the process may repeat each subsequent time the airsoft gun 14 is fired.

Numerous variations, modifications, and additional embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. For example, regardless of the content of any portion of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, there is no requirement for the inclusion in any claim herein or of any application claiming priority hereto of any particular described or illustrated activity or element, any particular sequence of such activities, or any particular interrelationship of such elements. Moreover, any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed by multiple entities, and/or any element can be duplicated.

It is noted that the simplified diagrams and drawings included in the present application do not illustrate all the various connections and assemblies of the various components, however, those skilled in the art will understand how to implement such connections and assemblies, based on the illustrated components, figures, and descriptions provided herein, using sound engineering judgment. Numerous variations, modification, and additional embodiments are possible, and, accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept.

While the present general inventive concept has been illustrated by description of several example embodiments, and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the general inventive concept to such descriptions and illustrations. Instead, the descriptions, drawings, and claims herein are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and additional embodiments will readily appear to those skilled in the art upon reading the above description and drawings. Additional modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.