US-20260126264-A1 - FOLDABLE BREAK BARREL AIRGUN

US20260126264A1US 20260126264 A1US20260126264 A1US 20260126264A1US-20260126264-A1

Abstract

A foldable break barrel air gun that is movable from a stowed configuration to a use configuration. The foldable break barrel air gun includes a stock having a butt stock pivotally connected to a forestock in which a firing engine is located. A barrel having a muzzle end and a breech end is provided, with the barrel being pivotally connected to the forestock proximate the breech end. A cocking linkage has a first portion that is pivotally connected to the barrel and a second portion that is connected and/or engaged with the firing engine by a releasable linkage connection. With the releasable linkage connection released, the butt stock is foldable relative to the forestock, and the barrel is foldable relative to the forestock such that the butt stock is arranged in proximity to and preferably attachable to the barrel proximate to the muzzle end in the stowed configuration.

Inventors

Tamir Porat
John Ronald Rice
Martin STELLING

Assignees

KORE OUTDOOR (US) INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20250616

Claims (16)

1 . A foldable break barrel air gun that is movable from a stowed configuration to a use configuration, the foldable break barrel air gun comprising: a stock including a butt stock pivotally connected to a forestock in which a firing engine is located; a barrel having a muzzle end and a breech end, the barrel being pivotally connected to the forestock proximate the breech end; a cocking linkage having a first portion that is pivotally connected to the barrel and a second portion that is held in at least one of connected or engaged position with the firing engine by a releasable linkage connection; wherein, with the releasable linkage connection in a released position and the second portion of the cocking linkage is disengaged from the firing engine, the butt stock is foldable relative to the forestock, and the barrel is foldable relative to the forestock such that the butt stock is attachable to the barrel proximate to the muzzle end in the stowed configuration.
2 . The air gun of claim 1 , further comprising a releasable stock latch that holds the butt stock to the forestock in the use configuration.
3 . The air gun of claim 1 , further comprising a fore end stock connected to the barrel, and the butt stock is attachable to the fore end stock proximate to the muzzle end of the barrel in the stowed configuration.
4 . The air gun of claim 3 , further comprising a releasable butt stock to barrel latch that releasably connects the butt stock to the fore end stock proximate to the muzzle end of the barrel in the stowed configuration.
5 . The air gun of claim 1 , wherein the cocking linkage is foldable to a position adjacent to the barrel in the stowed configuration.
6 . The air gun of claim 1 , wherein the butt stock is a molded plastic or composite part.
7 . The air gun of claim 1 , wherein the forestock is a molded plastic or composite part.
8 . The air gun of claim 1 , wherein the releasable linkage connection includes a lever that is located on an outer surface of the forestock.
9 . The air gun of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the butt stock in proximity to the pivotal connection to the forestock is configured to contact a trigger guard in the stowed configuration to limit a pivoting movement of the butt stock relative to the forestock.
10 . The air gun of claim 1 , further comprising a stowage area formed between the butt stock, the forestock, and the barrel in the stowed configuration, and a container located in the stowage area that is configured to engage at least one of the butt stock, the forestock, and the barrel.
11 . The air gun of claim 10 , wherein the container includes a handle portion, and the butt stock includes a recess in which the handle portion is received in the stowed configuration.
12 . The air gun of claim 10 , wherein the container is formed of a molded plastic or composite material.
13 . The air gun of claim 10 , wherein the container includes a base part and a hinged cover connected to the base part.
14 . The air gun of claim 1 , further comprising a trigger for activating the firing engine.
15 . The air gun of claim 1 , wherein the firing engine includes a gas-spring.
16 . The air gun of claim 1 , wherein the firing engine includes a spring-piston.

Description

CROSS-REFFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/463,602, filed Sep. 8, 2023, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 63/404,765 , filed Sep. 8, 2022, which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth. FIELD OF INVENTION The present disclosure relates to the field of air-powered guns, and more particularly to manually actuated spring-piston or gas-spring powered air guns. BACKGROUND Various air guns are known in the art, that can be used to fire a pellet or BB. Certain of these air guns known as break barrel air guns use a barrel that is pivotally connected to the stock that can be pivoted toward the stock for cocking in order to generate and store energy (as compressed air) for firing a shot. Such break barrel air guns may contain a firing engine formed as either a spring-piston or a gas-spring in a cylinder that is pressurized by a cocking linkage either compressing the spring-piston against a spring or pressurizing gas in the cylinder with a piston. In each case, the barrel operates as a cocking lever to compress the piston. Cocking of a break barrel rifle can be carried out by placing the stock against the thigh with the barrel pointing up and at an angle such that an end of the barrel can be grasped and pulled downwardly causing a levered cocking mechanism to compress the piston. Alternatively, one hand can grasp the barrel and the other can grasp the stock and the barrel is then pulled downwardly toward the stock. Once pressurized (or cocked) and a pellet or BB inserted in the breech, the barrel is then raised and locked in the normal inline position. Pulling the trigger activates the firing engine to release compressed air behind the pellet or BB to fire it from the barrel. Regardless of the spring type employed, break barrel air guns are known for their accuracy and can propel a 0.177 caliber pellet up to 1300 ft/sec. Because of the relatively simple mechanical pressurization means, these air guns have a high power to weight ratio and provide long and dependable service. Additionally, for camping and survivalist use, these types of air guns are preferred since there is no need for a CO2 cartridge and the only consumable is the ammunition that is being fired. It would be desirable to provide a break barrel air gun that is more compact for storage and carrying, making it more convenient for users. SUMMARY In one aspect, a foldable break barrel air gun that is movable from a stowed configuration to a use configuration is provided. The foldable break barrel air gun includes a stock having a butt stock pivotally connected to a forestock in which a firing engine is located. A barrel having a muzzle end and a breech end is provided, with the barrel being pivotally connected to the forestock proximate the breech end. A cocking linkage has a first portion that is pivotally connected to the barrel and a second portion that is held in at least one of connected or engaged position with the firing engine by a releasable linkage connection. With the releasable linkage connection in a released position, the cocking linkage can be disconnected, the butt stock is foldable relative to the forestock, and the barrel is foldable relative to the forestock such that the butt stock is arranged in proximity to and more preferably attachable to the barrel proximate to the muzzle end in the stowed configuration. In one embodiment, a releasable stock latch is provided that holds the butt stock to the forestock in the use configuration. In one embodiment, a fore end stock is connected to and pivotable with the barrel, and the butt stock is attachable to the fore end stock proximate to the muzzle end of the barrel in the stowed configuration. Preferably, a releasable butt stock to barrel latch is provided that releasably connects the butt stock to the fore end stock proximate to the muzzle end of the barrel in the stowed configuration. In one embodiment, the cocking linkage is foldable to a position adjacent to the barrel in the stowed configuration. In a preferred embodiment, the butt stock is a molded plastic or composite part. Additionally, the forestock is a molded plastic or composite part. This provides a light-weight, low maintenance arrangement. In one embodiment, the releasable linkage connection includes a lever that is located on an outer surface of the forestock. This allows for easy manual release of the cocking linkage as well as provides a visual indicator when moving the air gun to the use position that the cocking linkage is re-engaged and connected to the firing engine. In one embodiment, a portion of the butt stock in proximity to the pivotal connection to the forestock is configured to contact a trigger guard in the stowed configuration to limit a pivoting movement of the butt stock relative to the forestock. In another aspect, the air gun further includes a stowage area formed between the butt stock, the forestock,