GB1132914A - Popgun - Google Patents

Abstract

1,132,914. Popgun. VICTOR COMPTOMETER CORP. 18 May, 1966 [15 June, 1965], No. 22174/66. Heading A6S. In a popgun of the type wherein, upon firing, a plunger assembly 19 is propelled along barrel 11 towards valve assembly 71, the latter being momentarily opened on contact with the plunger assembly, said valve assembly is spaced from muzzle end 101 of barrel 11 by a distance several times the diameter of the barrel whereby there is emitted an audible ring of air which is sufficiently coherent to produce an accurate and visible effect on targets up to 15 feet from the gun. For instance, the valve may be spaced 5 13/16" from the muzzle, the barrel having an internal diameter of ¥". Preferably the valve assembly 71 comprises cup 73 centrally apertured at 79, disc 81 held against cup wall 75 by spring 83 and having domed recess 89 and projections 91, and elastomeric seal 93 with rearward annular projection 99 which engages piston 25 in its forwardmost position. Spring 83 is strong enough to retain disc 81 against cup wall 75 until struck by rod 36 attached to piston 25, the length of rod 36 being such as to displace disc 81 only a small amount e.g. 1/6400th of an inch, whereby an instantaneous release of air compressed by the movement of piston 25 towards valve assembly 71 is effected causing a loud bang. A washer 37 of absorbent material and forming part of plunger assembly 19 is saturated with oil for lubrication and also has the effect of producing smoke when the gun is fired. The ring of air emitted may be doughnut-shaped.