U.S. patent application number 11/017736 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-02 for paintball marker and kit of parts therefor.
Invention is credited to Garfield Jong, Paul.
Application Number | 20050115553 11/017736 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32681677 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050115553 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Garfield Jong, Paul |
June 2, 2005 |
Paintball marker and kit of parts therefor
Abstract
A paintball marker is provided including a body, a bolt and an
actuator. The body defines a chamber having a paintball inlet. The
bolt is slideable within the chamber between an open position
wherein the bolt permits the entry of a paintball through the
paintball inlet into the chamber, and a closed position wherein the
bolt prevents the entry of a paintball through the paintball inlet
into the chamber. The actuator is operatively connected to the
bolt. The actuator is adapted to apply an opening force to move the
bolt towards the open position and a closing force to move the bolt
towards the closed position. The closing force is different from
the opening force.
Inventors: |
Garfield Jong, Paul;
(Markham, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BERESKIN AND PARR
40 KING STREET WEST
BOX 401
TORONTO
ON
M5H 3Y2
CA
|
Family ID: |
32681677 |
Appl. No.: |
11/017736 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11017736 |
Dec 22, 2004 |
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10361766 |
Feb 11, 2003 |
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6857423 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
124/73 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B 11/57 20130101;
F41B 11/62 20130101; F41B 11/724 20130101; F41B 11/52 20130101;
F41B 11/721 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
124/073 |
International
Class: |
F41B 011/00 |
Claims
1. A paintball marker comprising: a body, the body defining a
breech, the breech having a paintball inlet, the body defining a
barrel for holding a paintball; a bolt, wherein the bolt is
slideable within the breech between a bolt open position wherein
the bolt permits entry of a paintball through the paintball inlet
and a bolt closed position wherein the bolt prevents entry of a
paintball through the paintball inlet and wherein the bolt urges
the paintball to the barrel; a firing mechanism for controlling the
flow of gas at a firing pressure to the barrel, wherein the firing
mechanism is pneumatically controllable by means of gas at a first
pressure; a firing pressure regulator, wherein the firing pressure
regulator is connected to the firing mechanism for providing gas at
the firing pressure; a first actuator regulator, wherein the first
actuator regulator is configurable to provide gas at the first
pressure, and wherein the first actuator regulator is connected to
the firing mechanism for pneumatic control of the firing mechanism;
and a second actuator regulator, wherein the second actuator
regulator is configurable to provide gas at a second pressure,
wherein the second pressure is lower than the first pressure, and
wherein the second actuator regulator is operatively connected to
the bolt for movement of the bolt towards the bolt closed
position.
2. A paintball marker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
pressure is between approximately 10 and 50 psi.
3. A paintball marker comprising: a body, the body defining a
breech, the breech having a paintball inlet, the body defining a
barrel for holding a paintball; a bolt, wherein the bolt is
slideable within the breech between a bolt open position wherein
the bolt permits entry of a paintball through the paintball inlet
and a bolt closed position wherein the bolt prevents entry of a
paintball through the paintball inlet and wherein the bolt urges
the paintball to the barrel; a firing mechanism for controlling the
flow of gas at a firing pressure to the barrel, wherein the firing
mechanism is pneumatically controllable by means of gas at a first
pressure; a firing pressure regulator, wherein the firing pressure
regulator is connected to the firing mechanism for providing gas at
the firing pressure; a first actuator regulator, wherein the first
actuator regulator is configurable to provide gas at the first
pressure, and wherein the first actuator regulator is connected to
the firing mechanism for pneumatic control of the firing mechanism;
and a second actuator regulator, wherein the second actuator
regulator is configurable to provide gas at a second pressure which
is lower than the first pressure, and wherein the second actuator
regulator is operatively connected to the bolt for movement of the
bolt towards the bolt closed position, and wherein the second
pressure is selected to be sufficiently low to inhibit rupturing of
a paintball if, during use, the paintball is confined by the bolt
during movement of the bolt towards the closed position.
4. A paintball marker as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second
pressure is between approximately 10 and 50 psi.
5. A paintball marker comprising: a body, the body defining a
breech, the breech having a paintball inlet, the body defining a
barrel for holding a paintball; a bolt, wherein the bolt is
slideable within the breech between a bolt open position wherein
the bolt permits entry of a paintball through the paintball inlet
and a bolt closed position wherein the bolt prevents entry of a
paintball through the paintball inlet and wherein the bolt urges
the paintball to the barrel; a firing mechanism for controlling the
flow of gas at a firing pressure to the barrel, a trigger, wherein
the trigger is operatively connected to the firing mechanism; a
firing pressure regulator, wherein the firing pressure regulator is
connected to the firing mechanism for providing gas at the firing
pressure; an actuator regulator, wherein the actuator regulator is
configurable to provide gas at a selected pressure, and wherein the
actuator regulator is operatively connected to the bolt for
movement of the bolt towards the bolt closed position, and wherein
the selected pressure is selected to be sufficiently low to inhibit
rupturing of a paintball if, during use, the paintball is confined
by the bolt during movement of the bolt towards the closed
position, and wherein the actuator regulator is unconnected to the
firing mechanism.
6. A paintball marker as claimed in claim 5, wherein the selected
pressure is between approximately 10 and 50 psi.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to paintball markers and more
particularly to chambering of paintballs in paintball markers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many people today enjoy playing paintball games with
sophisticated paintball markers. A typical paintball marker has a
chamber from which paintballs are fired. A paintball tube
communicates with the chamber, and holds paintballs for feeding
into the chamber. A bolt slides within the chamber and controls the
entry of paintballs from the paintball tube into the chamber. The
bolt is typically moved between an open position whereby a
paintball is permitted to enter the chamber and a closed position
whereby the entry of paintballs into the chamber is prevented. A
pneumatic actuator is typically used to move the bolt.
[0003] If a paintball does not feed correctly in the chamber, the
bolt can squash and rupture the paintball, releasing paint onto the
interior mechanisms of the marker. As a result, the released paint
can disrupt the proper functioning of the marker. Consequently,
after a paintball is squashed inside a marker, it is usually
required for the marker to be disassembled and cleaned to remove
any paint on the interior mechanisms.
[0004] There is, therefore, a continuing need for paintball markers
that have a reduced tendency to squash and rupture paintballs
contained therein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a
paintball marker including a body, a bolt and an actuator. The body
defines a chamber having a paintball inlet. The bolt is slideable
within the chamber between an open position wherein the bolt
permits the entry of a paintball through the paintball inlet into
the chamber, and a closed position wherein the bolt prevents the
entry of a paintball through the paintball inlet into the chamber.
The actuator is operatively connected to the bolt. The actuator is
adapted to apply an opening force to move the bolt towards the open
position and a closing force to move the bolt towards the closed
position. The opening force is different from the closing
force.
[0006] In a second aspect the present invention is directed to an
actuator for a paintball marker. The paintball marker includes a
body that defines a chamber. The chamber has a paintball inlet. The
paintball marker further includes a bolt that is slideable within
the chamber between an open position wherein the bolt permits the
entry of a paintball through the paintball inlet into the chamber
and a closed position wherein the bolt prevents the entry of a
paintball through the paintball inlet into the chamber. The
paintball marker further includes a pneumatic cylinder that is
operatively connected to the bolt. The actuator comprises a control
valve. The control valve is positionable in a first control valve
position wherein the control valve is adapted to transmit gas at a
first pressure to the pneumatic cylinder for driving the bolt
towards the open position. The control valve is also positionable
in a second control valve position wherein the control valve is
adapted to transmit gas at a second pressure to the pneumatic
cylinder to drive the bolt towards the closed position. The second
pressure is different from the first pressure.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect, the
paintball marker includes a first regulator, and the actuator
includes a second regulator. The first regulator is fluidly
connectable to a pressurized gas source and is adapted to provide
gas at the first pressure. The second regulator is fluidly
connectable to the pressurized gas source and is adapted to provide
gas at the second pressure.
[0008] In a third aspect, the present invention is directed to a
method for controlling the flow of paintballs through a paintball
inlet into a chamber that is defined in a body of a paintball
marker. The paintball marker includes a bolt that is slideable
within the chamber. The method comprises:
[0009] applying an opening force to the bolt to move the bolt to an
open position to permit the entry of a paintball through the
paintball inlet into the chamber; and
[0010] applying a closing force to the bolt to move the bolt to a
closed position to prevent the entry of a paintball through the
paintball inlet into the chamber, wherein the closing force is
different from the opening force.
[0011] In a fourth aspect, the present invention is directed to a
paintball marker including a body, a bolt, a pneumatic cylinder and
a control valve. The body defines a chamber that has a paintball
inlet. The bolt is slideable within the chamber between an open
position wherein the bolt permits entry of a paintball through the
paintball inlet into the chamber and a closed position wherein the
bolt prevents entry of a paintball through the paintball inlet into
the chamber. The pneumatic cylinder includes a cylinder housing
that has a first cylinder port and a second cylinder port. The
pneumatic cylinder further includes a piston that is slideable
within the cylinder housing between the first and second cylinder
ports. The piston is operatively connected to the bolt. The control
valve is for controlling gas flow to the first and second cylinder
ports. The control valve is adapted to send gas to the first
cylinder port to move the piston in a first direction to move the
bolt towards the open position with an opening force. The control
valve is adapted to send gas to the second cylinder port to move
the piston in a second direction to move the bolt towards the
closed position with a closing force. The closing force is
sufficiently low as to inhibit rupturing of a paintball if, during
use, the paintball is confined by the bolt during movement of the
bolt towards the closed position.
[0012] In a fifth aspect, the present invention is directed to a
paintball marker including a body, a bolt and an actuator. The body
defines a chamber that has a paintball inlet. The bolt is slideable
within the chamber between an open position wherein the bolt
permits entry of a paintball through the paintball inlet into the
chamber and a closed position wherein the bolt prevents entry of a
paintball through the paintball inlet into the chamber. The
actuator is operatively connected to the bolt and is adapted to
apply a closing force to move the bolt towards the closed position.
The closing force is sufficiently low as to inhibit rupturing of a
paintball if, during use, the paintball is confined by the bolt
during movement of the bolt towards the closed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The present invention will now be described by way of
example only with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1a is a partially sectional side view of a paintball
marker in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention, in a bolt-closed position;
[0015] FIG. 1b is a partially sectional side view of the paintball
marker shown in FIG. 1a, in a bolt-open position;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a partially sectional side view of the paintball
marker shown in FIG. 1a, illustrating a mis-feed of a
paintball;
[0017] FIGS. 3a and 3b are magnified sectional side views
illustrating the operation of a control valve for the paintball
marker shown in FIG. 1a;
[0018] FIG. 4a is a partially sectional side view of a paintball
marker in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention, in a bolt-closed position;
[0019] FIG. 4b is a partially sectional side view of the paintball
marker shown in FIG. 4a, in a bolt-open position;
[0020] FIGS. 5a and 5b are magnified sectional side views of a
control valve for use with the paintball marker shown in FIG.
4a;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a kit of parts in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention for retrofit to a paintball
marker of the prior art;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a paintball marker of the prior art;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a paintball marker derived from retrofitting the
kit of parts of FIG. 6 to the paintball marker of FIG. 7; and
[0024] FIG. 9 is a magnified sectional side view of a combined
cylinder/control valve unit that may be incorporated into the
paintball markers shown in FIGS. 1a and 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Reference is made to FIG. 1a, which shows a paintball marker
10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] The paintball marker 10 is used to fire paintballs 12
during, for example, a paintball game. For simplicity and greater
clarity of the Figures, several of the components of the paintball
marker 10 that are involved in the firing of paintballs 12 have not
been shown in the Figures.
[0027] The paintball marker 10 includes a body 14, a bolt 16, and
an actuator 18. The body 14 defines a chamber 20 for holding a
paintball 12 to be fired. The chamber 20 has a paintball inlet 22
through which paintballs 12 are fed one at a time for firing. A
paintball tube 24 may extend outwards from the body 14 for holding
a plurality of paintballs 12 to be fed into the chamber 20. The
chamber 20 may extend generally linearly and may have a front end
26, which is open. The chamber 20 has a diameter that is
sufficiently large that it does not hamper the movement of the
paintball 12 therein.
[0028] A barrel 28 may be mounted in the front end 26 in fluid
communication with the chamber 20. The barrel 28 may have a
diameter that is the same or optionally slightly smaller than the
diameter of the paintballs 12. It will be appreciated that the
barrel diameter is also smaller than the chamber diameter.
[0029] The barrel 28 has an inlet which is shown at 29. The inlet
29 includes a transition portion 29a (shown more clearly in FIG.
1b), which smoothly transitions from the diameter of the chamber 20
to the diameter of the barrel 28.
[0030] The chamber 20 has a rear end 30 in which there is an
opening 32. The bolt 16 is slideable within the chamber 20 and
connects to the actuator 18 through the opening 32. The bolt 16 is
moveable by means of the actuator 18, between a closed position, as
shown in FIG. 1a and an open position, as shown in FIG. 1b. When
the bolt 16 is in the closed position, a paintball 12 in the
chamber 20 is held in position between the forward end of the bolt
16, which is shown at 35, and the inlet 29 of the barrel 28.
Because of the snug fit of the paintball 12 in the barrel 28, the
paintball is prevented from rolling out of the barrel 28 prior to
firing of the paintball marker 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
1a, the paintball 12 is positioned only partially in the barrel 28
when the bolt 16 is in the closed position. It is alternatively
possible, however, to have an embodiment (not shown), wherein the
bolt 16 pushes the paintball 12 further into the barrel 28 prior to
firing of the marker 10.
[0031] In addition to retaining the paintball 12 in place in the
chamber 20, the bolt 16 also blocks the paintball inlet 22, and
prevents other paintballs 12 from entering the chamber 20, when in
the closed position shown in FIG. 1a. An outlet 35a is provided in
the forward end 35 of the bolt 16, for pressurized air. When the
paintball marker 10 is fired, pressurized air exits through the
outlet 35a to fire the paintball 12 through the barrel 28 and out
of the marker 10.
[0032] Reference is made to FIG. 1b, which shows the paintball
marker 10 in the bolt-open position. When the bolt 16 is in the
open position, the bolt 16 does not block the paintball inlet 22,
and thus permits the entry of a paintball 12 into the chamber 20.
As shown in FIG. 1b, when in the open position, the bolt 16 may
extend outwards from the chamber 20 through the opening 32.
[0033] When in the open position, the front end 35 of the bolt 16
may be positioned generally aligned with the rearmost edge of the
paintball inlet 22. A detent 34 extends into the chamber 20
proximate the forwardmost edge of the paintball inlet 22. When the
bolt 16 is open, the detent 34 and the bolt 16 cooperate to retain
one paintball 12 in the chamber in a position to block other
paintballs 12 from entering the chamber 20.
[0034] The detent 34 is resilient so as to permit the bolt 16 to
push a paintball 12 therepast during closure of the bolt 16. The
detent 34 may be resilient by any suitable means, such as by being
spring loaded.
[0035] The detent 34 is shaped so as not to rupture the paintball
12 as it moves therepast. For example the detent 34 may be
spherical.
[0036] The actuator 18 is used to move the bolt 16 between the open
and closed positions. The actuator 18 may be any suitable type of
actuator. For example, the actuator 18 may utilize gas pressure
from a suitable gas source such as a pressurized air tank (not
shown), to drive the bolt 16 between the open and closed positions.
The pressurized air tank (not shown) may contain an actuation gas,
such as air, at several thousand psi, at least initially. A primary
regulator (not shown) may be connected to the air tank to reduce
the air pressure of the actuation air down to a pressure suitable
for use in firing the paintball marker 10, eg. 150-350 psi. The
primary regulator (not shown) may be a single stage regulator, or
alternatively may be a dual stage regulator, essentially consisting
of two regulators in series to reduce the air pressure in stages
down to the firing pressure. The marker 10 includes an air conduit
36 for transporting air from the primary regulator (not shown)
through an inlet 36a, to the firing mechanism (not shown) and to
the actuator 18.
[0037] The actuator 18 includes a pneumatic cylinder 37, a control
valve 38, a first actuator regulator 40, and a second actuator
regulator 42. The pneumatic cylinder 37 includes a housing 44 and a
piston 46. Movement of the piston 46 within the housing 44 is
controlled by the entry and discharge of air in the housing 44
through a first port 48 and a second port 50. A rod 52 extends from
the piston 46 out from the pneumatic cylinder 37 and through the
body 14 of the paintball marker 10. The rod 52 connects the piston
46 to a back plate 53, to which the bolt 16 is also connected. By
virtue of the connection of the piston 46 to the bolt 16 by means
of the rod 52 and the back plate 53, movement of the piston 46 in
the housing 44 causes movement of the bolt 16 in the chamber
20.
[0038] The first and second actuator regulators 40 and 42 are
mounted in fluid communication with the air conduit 36 to receive
air from the primary regulator (not shown). More specifically, the
paintball marker 10 may include a manifold 54 that has an internal
air conduit 55 therein that is in fluid communication with the air
conduit 36.
[0039] The manifold 54 has a first port 55a for connection to the
first actuator regulator 40 and a second port 55b for connection to
the second actuator regulator 42. The manifold 54 may optionally
also include a third port 55c, which may be used as desired, or
which may be plugged when not in use.
[0040] The manifold 54 may be a separate component that mounts to
the body 16 of the paintball marker 10, or alternatively, the
manifold 54 may be integral with the body 16. The manifold 54 may
include mounting means for the first and second actuator regulators
40 and 42, for the control valve 38 and for the pneumatic cylinder
37, as shown in FIG. 1a. It is alternatively possible, however, for
some or all of these components to mount to the body 16 instead of
mounting onto the manifold 54.
[0041] Pressurized air travels from the air tank (not shown)
through the primary regulator (not shown), where it is reduced to
the firing pressure. From there the air travels through the air
conduit 36 in the body 16, and from the air conduit 36, through the
internal air conduit 55 in the manifold 54. From the air conduit
55, the air is distributed to the first and second actuator
regulators 40 and 42.
[0042] It is alternatively possible, however, for the primary
regulator (not shown) to be connected directly into the manifold 54
using the optional port 55c, instead of being connected to the air
conduit inlet 36a on the body 16. In that case, it will be
appreciated that the inlet 36a on the body 16 would require
plugging.
[0043] The actuator regulators 40 and 42 reduce the pressure of the
air received from the primary regulator (not shown), down to two
different outlet pressures. The first regulator 40 may reduce the
pressure of the air to between 50-100 psi, and the second regulator
42 may reduce the pressure of the air to between 10-50 psi. The air
pressures provided by the regulators 40 and 42 may be selected
based on the specific characteristics of the components of the
paintball marker 10. For example, if there is significant
resistance in the movement of the bolt 16 in the chamber 20, the
regulators 40 and 42 may be selected to provide air at higher
pressures. Conversely, if for example, the bolt 16 moves with
little resistance in the chamber 20 then accordingly, lower
pressures may be selected for the first and second regulators 40
and 42.
[0044] The control valve 38 controls the movement of the piston 46
by controlling the flow of air from the regulators 40 and 42 to the
first and second ports 48 and 50. The control valve 38 includes a
first inlet port 56, a second inlet port 58, a first outlet port 60
and a second outlet port 62. The first inlet port 56 is connected
to the outlet of the regulator 40 by means of a first conduit 64.
The first outlet port 60 is connected to the first port 48 of the
pneumatic cylinder 37 by means of a second conduit 68. The second
inlet port 58 is connected to the outlet of the regulator 42 by
means of a third conduit 66. The second outlet port 62 is connected
to the second port 50 of the pneumatic cylinder 37 by means of a
fourth conduit 70. The conduits 64, 66, 68 and 70 may be flexible
conduits, such as, for example, flexible plastic tubing.
Alternatively, they may be rigid or semi-rigid conduits, such as,
for example, stainless steel tubing.
[0045] When it is desired to move the bolt 16 from the closed
position shown in FIG. 1a to the open position shown in FIG. 1b,
the control valve 38 directs air from the first actuator regulator
40 to the first port 48 on the pneumatic cylinder 37. The increase
in pressure in the housing 44 in front of the piston 46 drives the
piston 46 rearwardly. Because the bolt 16 is connected to the
piston 46 by means of the back plate 53 and the rod 52, the bolt 16
is also moved rearwardly as a result of the movement of the piston
46.
[0046] When it is desired to move the bolt 16 from the open
position shown in FIG. 1b to the closed position shown in 1a, the
control valve 38 directs air from the regulator 42 to the second
port 50 on the pneumatic cylinder 37. The increase in air pressure
in the housing 44 behind the piston 46 drives the piston 46, and in
turn, the bolt 16 forward to the closed position.
[0047] Reference is made to FIG. 2. When the bolt 16 is in the open
position to permit the entry of a paintball 12 into the chamber 20,
it is possible for a variety of reasons for the paintball 12 not to
have fully entered the chamber 20 when the bolt moves towards the
closed position. In such an instance, the bolt 16 can jam against
the mis-fed paintball, pinning the paintball 12 in the paintball
inlet 22. Because of the relatively low air pressure and
corresponding relatively low force used to drive the piston 46 and
the bolt 16 forward, the bolt 16 has a reduced likelihood of
rupturing the mis-fed paintball 12 upon jamming there against.
[0048] Reference is made to FIGS. 3a and 3b which show the control
valve 38 in more detail, and which illustrate its operation. The
control valve 38 includes a housing 72 and an actuator 74. The
inlet ports 56 and 58 and the outlet ports 60 and 62 may be
positioned in a linear arrangement on the housing 72, and may be in
the order shown in the Figures, whereby the first and second inlet
ports 56 and 58 are positioned inside the first and second outlet
ports 60 and 62. The housing 72 defines an internal passage 76 with
which all of the ports 56, 58, 60 and 62 communicate. The housing
72 has a first end 78. The internal passage 76 has a first vent 80
in the first end 78. The housing 72 has a second end 82 in which
there is positioned a second vent 84 for the internal passage
76.
[0049] The actuator 74 is moveable within the internal passage 76
to direct the flow of air into and out of the control valve 38. The
actuator 74 includes a first seal 86, a second seal 88, and a third
seal 90. When the control valve 38 is in a first control valve
position, as shown in FIG. 3a, the first seal 86 is positioned
between the first inlet port 56 and the first outlet port 60,
thereby preventing them from communicating with each other.
Furthermore, the first outlet port 60 is in fluid communication
with the first vent 80. Because the first outlet port 60 is also in
fluid communication with the portion of the pneumatic cylinder
housing 44 in front of the piston 46, this portion of the housing
44 is at substantially atmospheric pressure.
[0050] In the first control valve position shown in FIG. 3a, the
second and third seals 88 and 90 are positioned to form a chamber
with which the second inlet port 58 and the second outlet port 62
communicate. Thus, in this position, air from the outlet of the
second regulator 42 is transmitted to the portion of the pneumatic
cylinder housing 44 behind the piston 46. This, in turn, causes the
piston 46 to move to its forwardmost position, as shown in FIG. 1a.
This, in turn, causes the bolt 16 to move to the closed position,
as shown in FIG. 1a.
[0051] Reference is made to FIG. 3b, which shows the control valve
38 in a second control valve position. In the second control valve
position, the actuator 74 is moved so that the third seal 90 is
positioned between the second inlet port 58 and the second outlet
port 62, thus preventing them from communicating with each other.
Furthermore, in the position shown in FIG. 3b, the second outlet
port 62 is in fluid communication with the second vent 84, which in
turn causes the portion of the pneumatic cylinder housing 44 behind
the piston 46 to be at substantially atmospheric pressure.
[0052] Furthermore, the first and second seals 86 and 88 cooperate
to define a chamber around the first inlet port 56 and the first
outlet port 60, permitting them to be in fluid communication with
each other. Thus, in the position shown in FIG. 3b air from the
outlet of the first regulator 40 is transmitted to the portion of
the pneumatic cylinder housing 44 in front of the piston 46, which
drives the piston 46 to its rearwardmost position, as shown in FIG.
1b.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 1a, when it is desired to fire the
paintball marker 10, a trigger 92 that is positioned on the body
14, is pulled. Pulling of the trigger 92 causes pressurized air to
be released through the outlet 35a in the bolt 16, to fire the
chambered paintball 12 from the barrel 28. The linkage between the
trigger 92 and the firing mechanism is not shown, and any suitable
type of linkage may be used. The linkage may be mechanical,
pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, electronic or any combination
thereof.
[0054] The firing mechanism itself is largely not shown, except for
the outlet 35a in the bolt 16. The firing mechanism itself is not
limited to any particular configuration for the purposes of this
invention.
[0055] The trigger 92 is operatively connected to the actuator 18,
and more specifically to the control valve actuator 74 (FIGS. 3a
and 3b). The connection may be by any suitable means, such as, for
example, a mechanical linkage (not shown), a pneumatic connection
(not shown), an electrical connection (not shown), an electronic
connection (not shown), or any combination thereof. Pulling of the
trigger 92 causes firing of the chambered paintball 12 as described
above, and then causes movement of the actuator 74 between the
first control valve position (see FIG. 3a) and the second control
valve position (see FIG. 3b). The actuator 74 may extend out of the
housing 72 (see FIGS. 3a and 3b) for operatively connecting to the
trigger 92.
[0056] The paintball marker 10 shown in the embodiment in FIGS. 1a
and 1b is a "closed bolt" configuration, because the bolt 16
remains in the closed position (shown in FIG. 1a) when the trigger
92 is at rest. It is alternatively possible, however, for a
paintball marker within the scope of this invention to have an
open-bolt configuration, whereby the bolt remains in the open
position when the trigger is at rest. In that case, when the
trigger is pulled, the bolt closes with a closing force that is
sufficiently low so as to inhibit rupturing of the paintball. Once
in the closed position, the paintball that has been chambered is
held between the bolt and the barrel. At this point, pressurized
air is released to fire the paintball from the barrel.
[0057] Reference is made to FIG. 4a, which shows a paintball marker
94 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
The paintball marker 94 may be similar to the paintball marker 10,
except that the paintball marker 94 incorporates an actuator 96
instead of the actuator 18 (see FIG. 1a).
[0058] In similar fashion to the actuator 18 (FIG. 1a), the
actuator 96 may utilize air pressure from a pressurized air tank
(not shown), to drive a bolt 97 between open and closed positions
(FIGS. 4b and 4a respectively). A primary regulator (not shown) may
be connected to the air tank to reduce the air pressure from the
air tank down to a pressure suitable for use in firing the
paintball marker 94. The primary regulator (not shown) may be a
single stage regulator, or alternatively may be a dual stage
regulator, essentially consisting of two regulators in series to
reduce the air pressure in two stages down to the firing pressure.
The marker 94 includes an air conduit 98 for transporting air from
the primary regulator (not shown) through an inlet 98a, to the
firing mechanism (not shown) and to the actuator 96.
[0059] The actuator 96 includes a pneumatic cylinder 99, a control
valve 100 and an actuator regulator 101. The pneumatic cylinder 99
includes a housing 102 and a piston 104. The housing 102 may be
similar to the pneumatic cylinder housing 44 (see FIG. 1a), and may
have a first port 106 proximate its front end and a second port 108
proximate its rear end. The piston 104 is moveable within the
housing 102 between a forwardmost position as shown in FIG. 4a, and
a rearwardmost position, as shown in FIG. 4b.
[0060] The piston 104 has a front face 110 and a rear face 112. A
rod 114 may be connected at a first end to the rear face 112 of the
piston 104, and at a second end to a back plate 116. The back plate
116 may, in turn, be connected to the bolt 97. The rod 114 may be a
two stage rod, and may have a front portion 120 and a rear portion
121. The front portion 120 is connected to the rear face 112 of the
piston 104, and extends out of the rearwardmost end of the
pneumatic cylinder housing 102. Thus, the pressure bearing surface
area of the rear face 112 is smaller than the pressure bearing
surface area of the front face 110, because of the surface area
occupied on the rear face 112 by the front portion 120 of the rod
114. For example, if the front portion 120 of the rod 114 is
generally cylindrical, the pressure bearing surface area on the
rear face 112 will be an annulus having a surface area that is
equal to the overall surface area of the rear face 112 minus the
cross-sectional area of the front portion 120. It will be noted
that, the front portion 120 of the rod 114 extends out of the
housing 102, throughout the range of motion of the piston 104. This
provides a constant pressure bearing surface area on the rear face
112 of the piston 104, that is smaller than that of the front face
110. The pressure bearing surface areas on the rear and the front
faces 112 and 110 are discussed further below.
[0061] The rear portion 121 has been described as being smaller in
diameter than the front portion 120. It is alternatively possible
for a rod to be provided wherein the rear portion is the same
diameter as the front portion (ie. whereby the entire rod is of a
constant diameter, and is suited to occupy a selected portion of
the surface area on the rear face 112 of the piston 104). However,
it is not necessary for the entire rod to be of a constant
diameter.
[0062] The actuator regulator 101 is mounted in fluid communication
with the air conduit 98 to receive air from the primary regulator
(not shown). More specifically, the paintball marker 94 may include
a manifold 122 that has an internal air conduit 123 therein that is
in fluid communication with the air conduit 98.
[0063] The manifold 122 has a first port 123a for connection to the
actuator regulator 101. The manifold 122 may optionally also
include a second port 123b, which may be used as desired, or which
may be plugged when not in use. It is alternatively possible for
the primary regulator (not shown) to be connected directly into the
manifold 122 using the optional port 123b, instead of being
connected to the air conduit inlet 98a. In that case, it will be
appreciated that the inlet 98a would require plugging.
[0064] The control valve 100 controls the movement of the piston
104 by controlling the flow of air from the regulator 101 to the
first and second ports 106 and 108 on the pneumatic cylinder 99.
The control valve 100 has a single inlet port 124, a first outlet
port 126 and a second outlet port 128. The inlet port 124 is
connected to the regulator 101 by means of a first conduit 130. The
first outlet port 126 is connected to the first port 106 on the
pneumatic cylinder 99 by means of a second conduit 132. The second
outlet port 128 is connected to the second port 108 on the
pneumatic cylinder 99 by means of a third conduit 134.
[0065] Reference is made to FIGS. 5a and 5b which show the control
valve 100 in more detail, and which illustrate its operation. The
control valve 100 includes a housing 136 and an actuator 138. The
housing 136 defines an internal passage 140 therethrough. The inlet
port 124 and the first and second outlet ports 126 and 128 each
communicate with the internal passage 140 and are arranged in a
linear orientation on the housing 136, with the inlet port 124
positioned between the two outlet ports 126 and 128. The housing
136 has a first end 142 in which is positioned a first vent 144.
The housing 136 has a second end 146 in which is positioned a
second vent 148. The actuator 138 includes a first seal 150 and a
second seal 152. In a first control valve position, which is shown
in FIG. 5a, the first seal 150 is positioned between the inlet port
124 and the first outlet port 126, so that fluid communication
between these two ports is prevented. Furthermore, the first outlet
port 126 is in fluid communication with the first vent 144, which
causes the portion of the pneumatic cylinder housing 102 in front
of the piston 104 to be at substantially atmospheric pressure (see
FIG. 4a). The first and second seals 150 and 152 cooperate to
define a chamber around the inlet port 124 and the second outlet
port 128. In doing so, the control valve 100 transmits air from the
regulator 101 to the portion of the pneumatic cylinder housing 102
behind the piston 104, which drives the piston 104 to its
forwardmost position, as shown in FIG. 4a.
[0066] Reference is made to FIG. 5b, which shows the control valve
100 in a second control valve position. In this position, the
second seal 152 is positioned between the inlet port 124 and the
second outlet port 128, preventing them from communicating with
each other. Furthermore, the second outlet port 128 is in fluid
communication with the second vent 148, and consequently the
portion of the pneumatic cylinder housing 102 behind the piston 104
is at substantially atmospheric pressure (see FIG. 4b).
Furthermore, the first and second seals 150 and 152 cooperate to
define a chamber around the inlet port 124 and the first outlet
port 126, so that air is transmitted from the actuator regulator
101 to the portion of the pneumatic cylinder housing in front of
the piston 104 (see FIG. 4b).
[0067] The movement of the actuator 138 between the first and
second control valve positions may be initiated by moving a trigger
154 which may be connected to the actuator 138 by any suitable
means (not shown). The connection means may be mechanical,
pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, electronic, or any combination
thereof.
[0068] It will be noted that in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4a
and 4b, the same air pressure is used to actuate the piston 104 in
both directions, i.e. towards its forwardmost position and towards
its rearwardmost position. However, because the pressure bearing
surface area of the rear face 112 of the piston 104 is smaller than
that of the front face 110, the force with which the piston 104 is
driven towards its forwardmost position is smaller than the force
with which the piston 104 is driven towards its rearwardmost
position. The pressure bearing surface area on the rear face 112
may be selected so that the force with which the bolt 97 is moved
towards the closed position is low enough to inhibit the rupturing
of a paintball 12 in the event of a paintball mis-feed.
[0069] Reference is made to FIGS. 6 and 7. A kit of parts 156 is
shown in FIG. 6, in accordance with another embodiment of the
present invention. The kit of parts 156 can be retrofitted to a
paintball marker 158 of the prior art, as shown in FIG. 7, to
provide the paintball marker 158 with a reduced tendency for
rupturing paintballs during bolt closure. The kit of parts 156
includes a control valve 160, a regulator 162, a conduit 163 and a
manifold 164.
[0070] The control valve 160 may be similar to the control valve 38
in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a. The control valve 160 includes
a first inlet port 166, a second inlet port 168, a first outlet
port 170 and a second outlet port 171.
[0071] The regulator 162 may be similar to the regulator 42 in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1a. The regulator 162 may be configured to
produce an outlet pressure of approximately 10-50 psi.
[0072] The manifold 164 may be similar to the manifold 54 in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1a. The manifold 164 has an air conduit
165 therein, and has a first port 165a and a second port 165b in
communication with the air conduit 165. The manifold 164 may also
have a third port 165c in communication with the air conduit
165.
[0073] Referring to FIG. 7, the paintball marker 158 of the prior
art includes a body 172 that defines a chamber 174 for holding a
paintball 12 to be fired. A bolt 176 is slideable within the
chamber 174, between a closed position, as shown in FIG. 7, and an
open position (not shown).
[0074] A pneumatic cylinder 178 is operatively connected the bolt
176 for moving the bolt 176 between the open and closed positions.
The pneumatic cylinder 178 includes a housing 180 and a piston 182.
The housing 180 has a first port 184 and a second port 186.
[0075] A control valve 188 is used to control the movement of the
piston 182 in the pneumatic cylinder 178. The control valve 188 may
be similar to the control valve 100 in the embodiment shown in FIG.
4a, and includes an inlet port 190, a first outlet port 192 and a
second outlet port 194. The inlet port 190 is connected to the
outlet of a pressure regulator 196 by means of a first conduit 198.
The first outlet port 192 is connected to the first port 184 on the
pneumatic cylinder 178 by means of a second conduit 200. The second
outlet port 194 is connected to the second port 186 on the
pneumatic cylinder 178 by means of a third conduit 202.
[0076] The control valve 188 is used to direct air from the
regulator 196 to either of the two ports 184 and 186 on the
pneumatic cylinder 178. Thus, the same air pressure is used to
drive the piston 182 in both directions, i.e., towards its
forwardmost position, and towards its rearwardmost position. The
pressure bearing surface area of the piston 182 is substantially
the same on both its front face and its rear face, and as a result,
the force exerted on the piston 182 by the air is substantially the
same in both directions.
[0077] The paintball marker 158 may be connectable to a pressurized
air tank (not shown) and a primary regulator (not shown) through an
air conduit 204 which has an inlet 204a, and in turn, through a
manifold 206, which has an air conduit 208 that is in communication
with the air conduit 204. The manifold 206 has a first port 208a,
which communicates pressurized air from the primary regulator (not
shown) to the actuator regulator 196. The manifold 206 may have a
second port 208b, which is typically plugged. The manifold 206 may
be removable from the body 172 of the marker 158.
[0078] In order to prepare the paintball marker 158 for retrofit
with the kit of parts 156, the control valve 188 is removed from
the paintball marker 158. The manifold 196 may be removed from the
paintball marker 158. The conduits 198, 200, and 202 are not
required to be removed from the regulator 196 and the pneumatic
cylinder 178, respectively.
[0079] The manifold 164 may be mounted to the body 172 so that the
manifold air conduit 165 is in fluid communication with the air
conduit 204. The control valve 160 (FIG. 6) may be attached to the
manifold 164, or alternatively to the body 172. The regulators 196
and 162 and the pneumatic cylinder 178 may be mounted to the
manifold 164. Alternatively, some or all of these components may be
mounted to the body 172. However, the regulators 196 and 162 are to
be mounted in any case so that they are each in fluid communication
with the air conduit 165, eg. through the ports 165a and 165b.
[0080] Reference is made to FIG. 8, which shows a paintball marker
210, which is the paintball marker 158 of FIG. 7 retrofitted with
the kit of parts 156 of FIG. 6. The conduit 198 leading from the
regulator 196 may be connected to the first inlet port 166. The
conduit 200 leading from the first port 184 on the pneumatic
cylinder 178 may be connected to the first outlet port 170. The
conduit 202 leading from the second port 186 on the pneumatic
cylinder 178 may be connected to the second outlet port 171. The
outlet of the regulator 162 may be connected to the second inlet
port 168 on the control valve 160 by means of the conduit 163. Once
the above steps are completed, the paintball marker 158 of the
prior art (FIG. 7) has been converted into the paintball marker
210. The control valve 160 controls the actuation of the pneumatic
cylinder 178, instead of the control valve 188 (FIG. 7). Similarly
to the control valve 38 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a, the
control valve 160 directs air from the regulator 162 to drive the
piston 182 towards its forwardmost position, and directs air from
the regulator 196 to drive the piston 182 towards its rearwardmost
position. Because the regulator 162 provides air at a lower
pressure than the regulator 196, the force with which the bolt 176
closes is less than the force with which the bolt 176 opens. The
pressure of the air provided by the regulator 162 may be selected
to inhibit rupturing of paintballs 12 in the event that the bolt
176 jams against a paintball 12 during bolt closure.
[0081] Optionally, the kit of parts 156 of FIG. 6 may be provided
with enough conduit to replace the conduits 198, 200 and 202. The
conduits 198, 200 and 202 may require replacement if they are
damaged during disconnection from the control valve 188 and from
the regulator 196. The conduit provided with the kit of parts 156
may be cut into separate lengths configured to replace the conduits
198, 200 and 202, as well as a length for the conduit 163.
Alternatively, the conduit provided with the kit of parts 156 may
be a single length of conduit that the user can cut as desired to
provide the conduit 163 and to replace whichever of the conduits
198, 200 and 202 require replacement, if any. As another option,
the kit of parts 156 of FIG. 6 may lack any conduits, with the
expectation that any conduits that are required may be supplied by
the user who acquires the kit of parts 156 for retrofit it to the
marker 158.
[0082] In the case where the existing manifold 206 (FIG. 7) on the
paintball marker 158 of the prior art, includes the second port
208b (FIG. 7), the manifold 164 (FIG. 6) is not required to be
included in the kit of parts 156 (FIG. 6). This is because the
second regulator 162 (FIG. 6) may be connected into the port 208b
(FIG. 6) on the existing manifold 206 (FIG. 6). In this case, it is
not important whether the existing manifold 206 (FIG. 6) is a
separate piece that is removable from the paintball marker 158
(FIG. 7) or is integral with the body 172 (FIG. 7) of the marker
158 (FIG. 6).
[0083] Furthermore, the second regulator 162 (FIG. 8) has been
described as being connected to a second port 165b (FIG. 8) or 208b
(FIG. 7) that is provided on the manifold 164 (FIG. 8) or 206 (FIG.
7), so that the second regulator 162 (FIG. 8) is in fluid
communication with the pressurized air from the primary regulator
(not shown). It is not important how the second regulator 162 (FIG.
8) is made to be in communication with the pressurized air. It may
be by any means. For example, in cases (not shown) where the second
manifold, t does not include a second port, it is possible that the
user may be instructed to machine a second port into the manifold
for receiving the second regulator 162 (FIG. 8). Thus, in this
instance, the new manifold 164 (FIG. 6) may be omitted from the kit
of parts 156 (FIG. 6).
[0084] Referring to FIG. 6, the regulator 162 has been described as
being included as part of the kit of parts 156. It is alternatively
possible for the kit of parts 156 to not have a regulator for
providing air at a second pressure. Instead, the user may be
instructed to provide an equivalent to the regulator 162, and to
connect it to the marker 158 to provide air at the second pressure,
eg. 10-50 psi.
[0085] Reference is made to FIG. 9, which shows a combined unit
212, having therein a pneumatic cylinder 214 and a control valve
216. The combined cylinder/valve unit 212 may be used to replace
the pneumatic cylinder 37 and the control valve 38 in the
embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1a. Furthermore, it is
possible that the combined cylinder/valve unit 212 may be included
as part of the kit of parts 156 shown in FIG. 6, instead of the
control valve 160. Referring to FIG. 7, the pneumatic cylinder 178
and the control valve 188 would, in this case, be removed from the
paintball marker 158 and replaced by the combined unit 212. The
connection means between the trigger and the control valve 216 may,
in this case, require some reconfiguring due to the new positioning
of the control valve 216, relative to the position of the original
control valve 188.
[0086] The combined unit 212 has a body 218. The body 218 has a
first portion 220 that serves as a cylinder housing, and a second
portion 222 that serves as a control valve housing. A first port
224 and a second port 226 permit fluid communication between the
cylinder housing 220 and the control valve housing 222. The first
and second ports 224 and 226 serve as first and second outlet ports
from the control valve 216, and also serve as first and second
inlet ports for the cylinder 214.
[0087] A piston 228 is positioned in the cylinder housing 220. The
piston 228 is moveable in the cylinder housing 220 between the
first and second ports 224 and 226, based on the entry and
discharge of pressurized air through the first and second ports 224
and 226. A rod 230 extends from the piston and may be connected
directly or indirectly to a back plate on a paintball marker of the
present invention.
[0088] The control valve housing 222 has a first end 232 in which
there is a first vent 234, and a second end 236 in which there is a
second vent 238. The first and second vents 234 and 238 permit
pressurized air in the cylinder 214 to discharge as required during
movement of the piston 228.
[0089] The control valve housing 222 has a first inlet port 240 and
a second inlet port 242. The inlet ports 240 and 242 are positioned
generally centrally, and may be circumferentially opposed to the
first and second outlet ports 224 and 226, to facilitate connection
to other components, such as conduits for pressurized air.
[0090] An actuator 244, which may be similar to the actuator 74, is
positioned in the control valve housing 222. The actuator 244 is
moveable within the control valve housing 222 to permit fluid
communication between either the first inlet and outlet ports 240
and 224, or between the second inlet and outlet ports 242 and 226.
If the first inlet and outlet ports 240 and 224 are permitted to
communicate, eg. in the control valve position shown in FIG. 9, the
second outlet port 226 is in fluid communication with the second
vent 238. If the second inlet and outlet ports 242 and 226 are
permitted to communicate (not shown), the first outlet port 224 is
in fluid communication with the first vent 234. In this way, when
the portion of the cylinder housing 220 behind the piston 228 is
being charged with pressurized air, the portion of the cylinder
housing 220 in front of the piston 228 is venting pressurized air,
and vice versa.
[0091] It has been described that the combined cylinder/control
valve unit 212 could be provided with the paintball marker 10 (FIG.
1a) and the kit of parts 156 (FIG. 6). It is alternatively possible
to have a similar combined cylinder/control valve unit (not shown)
that would be an analogous combination of the pneumatic cylinder 99
and the control valve 100 (FIG. 4a). In that instance, the cylinder
would include first and second ports which would communicate with
the control valve, however, the control valve would include a
single inlet port, since the unit would not require inlet air at
two different pressures to operate.
[0092] In all of the embodiments described above, particular
examples of control valve have been provided. It will be noted that
any suitable type of control valve may be used instead of those
described above.
[0093] In all of the embodiments described above, the opening force
with which the bolt is moved towards its open position is greater
than the closing force with which the bolt is moved towards its
closed position. This is because there is no risk of pinning and
rupturing a paintball as the bolt moves towards its open position.
It is alternatively possible, however, for the bolt to move towards
its open position with the same degree of force as it uses to move
towards its closed position. It is, however, quicker for the bolt
to move to the open position using a greater force than that which
is used to move the bolt to its closed position.
[0094] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1a and 8, the markers 10
and 210 have two regulators, one of which provides a higher
pressure for opening the bolt, and one of which provides a lower
pressure for closing the bolt. It is alternatively possible for the
markers 10 and 210 to have a single regulator (not shown) that has
two outputs, one output at a higher pressure and one output at a
lower pressure, to replace the two separate regulators included in
the markers 10 and 210.
[0095] In each of the embodiments described above, the outputs of
the control valves have been shown to be connected to the ports on
the pneumatic cylinder in a certain way. It is alternatively
possible for the connections between the ports on the control valve
and the ports on the pneumatic cylinder to be reversed, so that the
control valve actuator would move forward to effect forward
movement of the piston, and the control valve actuator would move
rearward to effect rearward movement of the piston. Such a
configuration may be used, depending on the mechanism connecting
the trigger to the control valve.
[0096] Reference has been made throughout this description to an
air tank and to using air to operate the actuators in accordance
with the present invention. It will be appreciated that any
suitable gas may be used instead of air, to operate the actuators
of the embodiments described herein.
[0097] While the above description constitutes the preferred
embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is
susceptible to modification and change without departing from the
fair meaning of the accompanying claims.
* * * * *