U.S. patent application number 11/697997 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-09 for paintball marker and kit of parts therefor.
Invention is credited to Paul Garfield Jong.
Application Number | 20070181115 11/697997 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32681677 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070181115 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jong; Paul Garfield |
August 9, 2007 |
PAINTBALL MARKER AND KIT OF PARTS THEREFOR
Abstract
A paintball marker is provided including a body, an inlet
control device, a firing system, a first regulator and a second
regulator. The body has a paintball inlet and a barrel for
receiving a paintball from the paintball inlet. The inlet control
device is movable between an open position wherein the inlet
control device permits entry of a paintball through the paintball
inlet, and a closed position for chambering a paintball. In the
closed position the inlet control device prevents entry of a
paintball through the paintball inlet. The firing system includes a
firing valve that is moveable between a firing position wherein the
valve permits firing gas at a selected pressure to flow to the
barrel and a non-firing position wherein the firing valve prevents
flow of firing gas to the barrel. The first regulator is
fluidically connectable to the pressurized gas source and is
configurable to provide gas at a first pressure. The first
regulator is operatively connected to the firing valve for movement
of the firing valve between the firing and non-firing positions.
The second regulator is fluidically connectable to the pressurized
gas source and is configurable to provide gas at a second pressure
that is lower than the first pressure. The second regulator is
operatively connected to the inlet control device for movement of
the inlet control device towards the closed position.
Inventors: |
Jong; Paul Garfield;
(Markham, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HERMAN & MILLMAN
425 UNIVERSITY AVENUE
SUITE 300
TORONTO
ON
M5G 1T6
CA
|
Family ID: |
32681677 |
Appl. No.: |
11/697997 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10811871 |
Mar 30, 2004 |
7210473 |
|
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11697997 |
Apr 9, 2007 |
|
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|
10361766 |
Feb 11, 2003 |
6857423 |
|
|
10811871 |
Mar 30, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
124/73 ;
124/74 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B 11/721 20130101;
F41B 11/724 20130101; F41B 11/62 20130101; F41B 11/57 20130101;
F41B 11/52 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
124/073 ;
124/074 |
International
Class: |
F41B 11/00 20060101
F41B011/00 |
Claims
1. A paintball marker having a trigger and a control valve, wherein
the control valve includes a housing defining an interior, the
housing having an inlet port for receiving pressurized gas, an
outlet port and a vent port, wherein the housing further includes a
first housing sealing surface between the inlet port and the outlet
port, and a second housing sealing surface between the outlet port
and the vent port, wherein each of the first and second housing
sealing surfaces is positioned on a housing feature that projects
into the interior relative to an adjacent portion of the housing,
wherein the control valve further includes a control valve spool
that is movably mounted in the housing, the control valve spool
having a first spool sealing surface between the inlet port and the
outlet port and a second spool sealing surface between the outlet
port and the vent port, wherein each of the first and second spool
sealing surfaces is positioned on a spool feature that projects
into the interior relative to an adjacent portion of the spool,
wherein the control valve is positionable in a first position
wherein the second spool sealing surface seals against the second
housing sealing surface and the first spool sealing surface is
unsealed with respect to the first housing sealing surface to
permit fluid communication between the outlet port and the vent
port, and a second position wherein the first spool sealing surface
seals against the first housing sealing surface and the second
spool sealing surface is unsealed with respect to the second
housing sealing surface to permit fluid communication between the
inlet port and the outlet port, and wherein the trigger is at least
one of mechanically and pneumatically operatively connected to the
control valve.
2. A paintball marker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing of
the control valve has a second outlet port and a second vent port,
wherein the housing further includes a third housing sealing
surface between the inlet port and the second outlet port and a
fourth housing sealing surface between the second outlet port and
the second vent port, wherein each of the third and fourth housing
sealing surfaces is positioned on a housing feature that projects
into the interior relative to an adjacent portion of the housing,
wherein the control valve spool has a third spool sealing surface
between the inlet port and the second outlet port and a fourth
spool sealing surface between the second outlet port and the second
vent port, wherein each of the third and fourth spool sealing
surfaces is positioned on a spool feature that projects into the
interior relative to an adjacent portion of the spool, wherein, in
the first position the fourth spool sealing surface seals against
the fourth housing sealing surface and the third spool sealing
surface is unsealed with respect to the third housing sealing
surface to permit fluid communication between the inlet port and
the second outlet port, and in the second position, the third spool
sealing surface seals against the third housing sealing surface and
the fourth spool sealing surface is unsealed with respect to the
fourth housing sealing surface to permit fluid communication
between the second outlet port and the second vent port.
3. A paintball marker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trigger is
mechanically operatively connected to the control valve spool.
4. A paintball marker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trigger is
directly engageable with the control valve spool.
5. A paintball marker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing
sealing surfaces are generally cylindrical and the spool sealing
surfaces fit inside the cylindrical housing sealing surfaces.
6. A paintball marker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing
sealing surfaces each include an edge and wherein the spool sealing
surfaces are configured to sealingly mate with the edges.
7. A paintball marker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spool
sealing surfaces are generally frusto-conical.
8. A paintball marker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spool
sealing surfaces are generally toroidal.
9. A paintball marker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing
sealing surfaces are generally frusto-conical.
10. A paintball marker as claimed in claim 9, wherein the spool
sealing surfaces are generally frusto-conical.
11. A paintball marker as claimed in claim 9, wherein the spool
sealing surfaces are generally toroidal.
12. A paintball marker having a trigger and a control valve,
wherein the control valve is a poppet-style spool valve, and
wherein the trigger is at least one of mechanically and
pneumatically operatively connected to the control valve without an
intervening solenoid.
13. A paintball marker as claimed in claim 12, wherein the trigger
is mechanically operatively connected to the control valve
spool.
14. A paintball marker as claimed in claim 12, wherein the trigger
is directly engageable with the control valve spool.
15. A paintball marker, comprising: a body, wherein the body
defines a paintball inlet; an inlet control device, wherein the
inlet control device is movable with respect to the body for
controlling the flow of paintballs into the marker through the
paintball inlet; a firing valve, wherein the firing valve includes
a firing valve movable element that is movable to control the flow
of firing gas to fire a paintball; an actuator, wherein the
actuator includes an actuator movable element and wherein the
actuator movable element is operatively connected to the firing
valve movable element, wherein the actuator movable element is
movable by pressurized gas; a control valve, wherein the control
valve is operatively connected to the actuator and is configured to
control the flow of pressurized gas to the actuator, wherein the
control valve is a poppet-style spool valve; and a trigger, wherein
the trigger is mechanically operatively connected to the control
valve without an intervening solenoid.
16. A paintball marker as claimed in claim 15, wherein the inlet
control device includes a bolt, wherein the bolt is movable between
a closed position wherein the bolt prevents the feed of paintballs
into the paintball marker and wherein the bolt holds a paintball in
a firing position, and an open position wherein a paintball is
permitted to feed into the paintball marker, and wherein the firing
valve movable element is movable between a non-firing position and
a firing position, wherein in the firing position, the firing valve
movable element permits the flow of firing gas to reach a paintball
and wherein in the non-firing position, the firing valve movable
element prevents the flow of firing gas from reaching a paintball,
and wherein the control valve is movable to a first position and a
second position, wherein, when the control valve is in the first
position, the bolt is in the open position and the firing valve
movable element is in the non-firing position, and wherein the
control valve is biased towards the first position.
17. A paintball marker as claimed in claim 15, wherein the inlet
control device includes a bolt, wherein the bolt is movable between
a closed position wherein the bolt prevents the feed of paintballs
into the paintball marker and wherein the bolt holds a paintball in
a firing position, and an open position wherein a paintball is
permitted to feed into the paintball marker, and wherein the firing
valve movable element is movable between a non-firing position and
a firing position, wherein in the firing position, the firing valve
movable element permits the flow of firing gas to reach a paintball
and wherein in the non-firing position, the firing valve movable
element prevents the flow of firing gas from reaching a paintball,
and wherein the control valve is movable to a first position and a
second position, wherein, when the control valve is in the first
position, the bolt is in the closed position and the firing valve
movable element is in the non-firing position, and wherein the
control valve is biased towards the first position.
18. A paintball marker as claimed in claim 15, wherein the control
valve includes a control valve spool that is movable to control the
flow of pressurized gas to the actuator, and wherein the trigger is
mechanically operatively connected to the control valve spool.
19. A paintball marker as claimed in claim 15, wherein the control
valve includes a control valve spool that is movable to control the
flow of pressurized gas to the actuator, and wherein the trigger is
directly engageable with the control valve spool.
20. A paintball marker, comprising: a body, wherein the body
defines a paintball inlet; an inlet control device, wherein the
inlet control device is movable with respect to the body for
controlling the flow of paintballs into the marker through the
paintball inlet; a firing valve, wherein the firing valve includes
a firing valve movable element that is movable to control the flow
of firing gas to fire a paintball; an actuator, wherein the
actuator includes an actuator movable element and wherein the
actuator movable element is operatively connected to the firing
valve movable element, wherein the actuator movable element is
movable by pressurized gas; a control valve, wherein the control
valve includes a housing defining an interior, the housing having
an inlet port for receiving pressurized gas, an outlet port and a
vent port, wherein the outlet port is fluidically connected to the
actuator movable element, wherein the housing further includes a
first housing sealing surface between the inlet port and the outlet
port, and a second housing sealing surface between the outlet port
and the vent port, wherein each of the first and second housing
sealing surfaces is positioned on a housing feature that projects
into the interior relative to an adjacent portion of the housing,
wherein the control valve further includes a control valve spool
that is movably mounted in the housing, the control valve spool
having a first spool sealing surface between the inlet port and the
outlet port and a second spool sealing surface between the outlet
port and the vent port, wherein each of the first and second spool
sealing surfaces is positioned on a spool feature that projects
into the interior relative to an adjacent portion of the spool,
wherein the control valve is positionable in a first position
wherein the second spool sealing surface seals against the second
housing sealing surface and the first spool sealing surface is
unsealed with respect to the first housing sealing surface to
permit fluid communication between the outlet port and the vent
port, and a second position wherein the first spool sealing surface
seals against the first housing sealing surface and the second
spool sealing surface is unsealed with respect to the second
housing sealing surface to permit fluid communication between the
inlet port and the outlet port; and a trigger, wherein the trigger
is at least one of mechanically and pneumatically operatively
connected to the control valve.
21. A paintball marker as claimed in claim 20, wherein the housing
of the control valve has a second outlet port and a second vent
port, wherein the second outlet port is fluidically connected to
the actuator movable element, wherein the housing further includes
a third housing sealing surface between the inlet port and the
second outlet port and a fourth housing sealing surface between the
second outlet port and the second vent port, wherein each of the
third and fourth housing sealing surfaces is positioned on a
housing feature that projects into the interior relative to an
adjacent portion of the housing, wherein the control valve spool
has a third spool sealing surface between the inlet port and the
second outlet port and a fourth spool sealing surface between the
second outlet port and the second vent port, wherein each of the
third and fourth spool sealing surfaces is positioned on a spool
feature that projects into the interior relative to an adjacent
portion of the spool, wherein, in the first position the fourth
spool sealing surface seals against the fourth housing sealing
surface and the third spool sealing surface is unsealed with
respect to the third housing sealing surface to permit fluid
communication between the inlet port and the second outlet port,
and in the second position, the third spool sealing surface seals
against the third housing sealing surface and the fourth spool
sealing surface is unsealed with respect to the fourth housing
sealing surface to permit fluid communication between the second
outlet port and the second vent port.
Description
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/811,871 filed Mar. 30, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to paintball markers and more
particularly to mechanisms for chambering and firing 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
barrel from which paintballs are fired. A breech is provided which
receives paintballs through an inlet, and which communicates with
the barrel. A paintball tube holds paintballs for feeding into the
breech. A bolt slides within the breech to chamber a paintball, ie.
to move a paintball that has been fed into the breech, into the
barrel. The bolt also controls the entry of paintballs from the
paintball tube into the breech. The bolt is typically moved between
an open position whereby a paintball is permitted to enter the
breech and a closed position whereby the entry of paintballs into
the breech is prevented. A pneumatic actuator, such as a pneumatic
cylinder is typically used to move the bolt.
[0003] If a paintball does not feed correctly in the breech, 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] Another problem with current markers is the use of solenoid
valves, which have been incorporated into markers to operate the
firing valve and the bolt. Solenoid valves are favoured at least in
part for their seemingly quick response time, however, several
problems exist with markers in which solenoid valves are present.
These markers by necessity include relatively complex electrical
systems, which include a battery and typically a control circuit
which assists in timing the sequence of operation of the solenoids.
All of these electrical components are a source of unreliability in
such paintball markers. For example, during play a battery could
run out of power. Furthermore, during adverse conditions, such as
wet, cold or hot conditions, the electrical components are at risk
of failing. Typically, electrical components are not sufficiently
robust to withstand repeated impacts, which can occur as a player
inadvertently drops or otherwise impacts a marker during play.
[0005] There is, therefore, a continuing need for improved
paintball markers that have a reduced tendency to squash and
rupture paintballs during a loading and chambering operation. Also,
in another aspect, there is a need for improved markers that are
capable of firing quickly and at high frequency, but that have a
reduced dependence on electrical components, such as solenoids.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a paintball
marker including a body, an inlet control device, a firing system,
a first regulator and a second regulator. The body has a paintball
inlet and a barrel for receiving a paintball from the paintball
inlet. The inlet control device is movable between an open position
wherein the inlet control device permits entry of a paintball
through the paintball inlet, and a closed position for chambering a
paintball. In the closed position the inlet control device prevents
entry of a paintball through the paintball inlet. The firing system
includes a firing valve that is moveable between a firing position
wherein the valve permits firing gas at a selected pressure to flow
to the barrel and a non-firing position wherein the firing valve
prevents flow of firing gas to the barrel. The first regulator is
fluidically connectable to the pressurized gas source and is
configurable to provide gas at a first pressure. The first
regulator is operatively connected to the firing valve for movement
of the firing valve between the firing and nonfiring positions. The
second regulator is fluidically connectable to the pressurized gas
source and is configurable to provide gas at a second pressure that
is lower than the first pressure. The second regulator is
operatively connected to the inlet control device for movement of
the inlet control device towards the closed position. The inlet
control device may be, for example, a bolt.
[0007] In a second aspect, the invention is directed to a paintball
marker having a trigger and a flow control valve. The trigger is
operatively connected to the flow control valve. The flow control
valve includes a housing defining an interior. The housing has a
first, a second, a third, a fourth and a fifth port, wherein the
ports are longitudinally spaced apart. The housing further includes
a first, a second, a third and a fourth housing projections
extending into the interior longitudinally between the first and
second ports, the second and third ports, the third and fourth
ports and the fourth and fifth ports respectively. The housing
projections have a first, a second, a third and a fourth housing
sealing surface thereon respectively. The flow control valve
further includes an elongate valve spool that is slidably mounted
in the housing. The valve spool has a first, a second, a third and
a fourth generally ring-shaped spool projection. The spool
projections are longitudinally spaced apart. The spool projections
have a first, a second, a third and a fourth spool sealing surface
thereon respectively for sealing engagement with the housing
sealing surfaces. The valve spool is moveable between a first
position wherein the second and fourth spool sealing surfaces seal
against the second and fourth housing sealing surfaces respectively
to permit fluid communication between the third port and the fourth
port and between the first port and the second port, and a second
position wherein the first and third spool sealing surfaces seal
against the first and third housing sealing surfaces respectively
to permit fluid communication between the second port and the third
port and between the fourth port and the fifth port, The valve
spool is engageable by the trigger by at least one of a mechanical
and a pneumatic connection for movement to at least one of the
first and second positions, without the use of a solenoid to
actuate the valve. For example, the valve spool may be engageable
directly by the trigger. Furthermore, actuation of the valve spool
mechanically or pneumatically by the trigger removes steps that
occur in a solenoid actuated valve, namely the steps of contacting
the trigger with the sensor and actuating the solenoid. Because of
the configuration of the valve sealing surfaces, and because the
valve spool is actuated by the trigger mechanically or
pneumatically instead of through an intermediate solenoid, the
overall response time of the valve is fast, and the marker does not
suffer any of the problems associated with electrical components,
such as their relatively poor reliability, particularly in wet,
cold or hot conditions.
[0008] In a third aspect, the invention is directed to a gas
storage chamber and an adjustment member. The gas storage chamber
is configured for storing gas for use in firing a paintball. The
adjustment member is moveably connected to the gas storage chamber
for movement within a range of adjustment. The adjustment member
occupies a selectable portion of the volume contained within the
gas storage chamber. This permits the player to optimize the use of
the air in the air tank for the marker. For example, the player can
incrementally adjust down the volume of the chamber until the
velocity of a fired paintball is observed to drop off. In this way,
the player can obtain an increased number of shots per tank. Also,
the player can adjust the chamber volume in general, in response to
playing conditions.
[0009] In a fourth aspect the invention is directed to a method for
controlling pneumatic operations of a paintball marker, the
paintball marker having a body having a paintball inlet and an
inlet control device, wherein the inlet control device is moveable
between an open position and closed position for controlling the
flow of paintballs through the paintball inlet and for chambering a
paintball, wherein the inlet control device is movable by means of
an inlet control device actuator, wherein the inlet control device
actuator is pneumatically operated, the paintball marker further
including a firing valve, wherein the firing valve is moveable
between an open position and a closed position and is movable to at
least one of the open and closed positions by a firing valve
actuator, wherein the firing valve actuator is pneumatically
operated, the method comprising: [0010] providing gas at a first
pressure to the inlet control device actuator to move the inlet
control device to an open position to permit entry of a paintball
through the paintball inlet; [0011] providing gas at a second
pressure the pneumatic cylinder to move the inlet control device to
a closed position to prevent entry of a paintball through the
paintball inlet and to chamber a paintball, 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 inlet
control device during movement of the inlet control device towards
the closed position; and [0012] providing gas at a third pressure
to the firing valve actuator for movement of the firing valve to at
least one of the open and closed positions, wherein the third
pressure is higher than the second pressure.
[0013] In a fifth aspect the invention is directed to a paint ball
marker having a trigger and a flow control valve. The trigger is
operatively connected to the flow control valve. The flow control
valve includes a housing defining an interior, The housing has a
plurality of longitudinally spaced projections extending into the
interior, The projections have housings sealing surfaces thereon.
The flow control valve further includes an elongate valve spool
that is slideably mounted in the housing. The valve spool has a
plurality of longitudinally spaced generally ring shaped spool
projections. The spool projections have spool sealing surfaces
thereon for sealing engagement with the housing sealing surfaces.
The valve spool is moveable between a first position and a second
position to control the flow of pressurized gas through the valve
in one direction and the exhaustion of the gas through the valve in
another direction. The valve spool is engageable by the trigger by
one of a mechanical and a pneumatic connection for movement to at
least one of the first and second positions, without the use of a
solenoid to actuate the valve. Furthermore, actuation of the valve
spool mechanically or pneumatically by the trigger removes steps
that occur in a solenoid actuated valve, namely the steps of
contacting the trigger with the sensor and actuating the solenoid.
Because of the configuration of the valve sealing surfaces, and
because the valve spool is actuated by the trigger mechanically or
pneumatically instead of through an intermediate solenoid, the
overall response time of the valve is fast, and the marker does not
suffer any of the problems associated with electrical components,
such as their relatively poor reliability, particularly in wet,
cold or hot conditions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The present invention will now be described by way of
example only with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
[0015] 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;
[0016] FIG. 1b is a partially sectional side view of the paintball
marker shown in FIG. 1a, in a bolt-open position;
[0017] FIGS. 1c and 1d are side views that illustrate the operation
of a firing mechanism that may be used with the marker shown in
FIG. 1a;
[0018] FIGS. 1e and 1f are side views that illustrate the operation
of an alternative firing mechanism that may be used with the marker
shown in FIG. 1a;
[0019] FIGS. 1g and 1h are side views that illustrate the operation
of another alternative firing mechanism that may be used with the
marker shown in FIG. 1a; and
[0020] FIGS. 1i and 1j are side views of a marker using any of the
three firing mechanisms shown in FIGS. 1c and 1d, 1e and 1f and 1g
and 1h, in a two-tube configuration;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a partially sectional side view of the paintball
marker shown in FIG. 1a, illustrating a mis-feed of a
paintball;
[0022] FIGS. 3a and 3b are magnified sectional side views
illustrating the operation of a control valve for the paintball
marker shown in FIG. 1a;
[0023] FIG. 4a is a partially sectional side view of a paintball
marker in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention, in a bolts closed position:
[0024] FIG. 4b is a partially sectional side view of the paintball
marker shown in FIG. 4a, in a bolt-open position;
[0025] FIGS. 5a and 5b are magnified sectional side views of a
control valve for use with the paintball marker shown in FIG.
4a;
[0026] 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;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a paintball marker of the prior art;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a paintball marker derived from retrofitting the
kit of parts of FIG. 6 to the paintball marker of FIG. 7; and
[0029] 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;
[0030] FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c are side views of a marker in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention, illustrating
the operation of an optional linkage between a trigger with the
firing mechanism shown in FIGS. 1g and 1h, and an optional linkage
between the trigger and a bolt on the marker;
[0031] FIGS. 11a and 1b are magnified sectional side views
illustrating the operation of a control valve that is part of one
of the linkages shown in FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c;
[0032] FIGS. 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d are side views that illustrate
the marker shown in FIG. 10a, with the alternative firing mechanism
shown in FIGS. 1e and 1f, in a closed bolt configuration;
[0033] FIGS. 13a, 13b and 13c are side views that illustrate the
marker shown in FIG. 10a, with the alternative firing mechanism
shown in FIGS. 1e and 1f, in an open bolt configuration;
[0034] FIGS. 14a and 14b are side views of a marker in accordance
with another embodiment of the invention, having a one tube
configuration; and
[0035] FIGS. 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d and 15e show alternative
configurations for sealing surfaces on control valves shown in
FIGS. 10a, 10b, 10c, 11a and 11b;
[0036] FIG. 16 shows a sectional side view of an air storage
chamber and adjustment member shown in FIGS. 1g and 1h; and
[0037] FIGS. 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d and 17e show alternative
configurations for sealing surfaces on the firing valve shown in
FIGS. 1g, and 1h;
[0038] FIGS. 18a and 18b are sectional side views of an alternative
inlet control device to that shown in FIG. 1, for use with a marker
in accordance with the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 18c is a sectional view along section lines 18c-18c in
FIG. 18b;
[0040] FIGS. 19a and 19b are perspective views of another
alternative inlet control device to that shown in FIG. 1, for use
with a marker in accordance with the present invention, wherein
FIG. 19b has a component removed for greater clarity;
[0041] FIG. 19c is a sectional side view of the inlet control
device shown in FIG. 19b;
[0042] FIG. 19d is a sectional view along section lines 19g-19d in
FIG. 19c,
[0043] FIGS. 20a and 20b are sectional side views of yet another
alternative inlet control device to that shown in FIG. 1, for use
with a marker in accordance with the present invention;
[0044] FIGS. 21a and 21b illustrate the operation of two
alternative control valves to replace the control valve shown in
FIGS. 11a and 11b;
[0045] FIGS. 22a and 22b illustrate the operation of the two
control valves shown in FIGS. 21a and 21b controlling a bolt,
whereby both control valves are connected to a single pressure
regulator; and
[0046] FIG. 23 shows the two control valves shown in FIGS. 22a and
22b connected to separate pressure regulators.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0047] Reference is made to FIG. 1a, which shows a paintball marker
10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention,
The paintball marker 10 is used to fire paintballs 12 during, for
example, a paintball game. For simplicity and greater clarity of
the FIGS., several of the components of the paintball marker 10
that are involved in the firing of paintballs 12 have not been
shown in the FIGS.
[0048] The paintball marker 10 includes a body 14, an inlet control
device 15, which may be, for example, a bolt 16, and an actuation
system 18. The body 14 defines a chamber 20, that is typically
called a breech, for holding a paintball 12 to be fired. The breech
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 breech 20. The breech 20 may extend generally linearly and may
have a front end 26, which is open. The breech 20 has a diameter
that is sufficiently large that it does not hamper the movement of
the paintball 12 therein.
[0049] A barrel 28 may be mounted in the front end 26 in fluid
communication with the breech 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 diameter of
the barrel 28 is also smaller than the diameter of the breech
20.
[0050] 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 breech 20
to the diameter of the barrel 28.
[0051] The breech 20 has a rear end 30 in which there is an opening
32. The bolt 16 is slideable within the breech 20 and connects to
the actuation system 18 through the opening 32. The bolt 16 is
moveable by means of the actuation system 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
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 12 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.
[0052] When the bolt 16 chambers a paintball 12, the bolt 16 also
blocks the paintball inlet 22, and prevents other paintballs 12
from entering the breech 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.
[0053] 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 breech 20. As
shown in FIG. 1b, when in the open position, the bolt 16 may extend
outwards from the breech 20 through the opening 32.
[0054] 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 breech 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
a paintball 12 in the breech 20. The paintball 12 in the breech 20
is positioned in such a way as to block other paintballs 12 from
entering the breech 20.
[0055] 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.
[0056] 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,
[0057] The actuation system 18 is used to move the bolt 16 between
the open and closed positions. The actuation system 18 may be any
suitable type of actuation system. For example, the actuation
system 18 may utilize gas pressure from a suitable gas source such
as a pressurized air tank 400 (see FIG. 1i), to drive the bolt 16
between the open and closed positions. The pressurized air tank 400
(FIG. 1i) 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 down to
a pressure suitable for firing a paintball 12, eg. approximately
150 psi to approximately 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 in this Figure.) and to the actuation
system 18.
[0058] The actuation system 18 includes an actuator 37, which may
be a pneumatic cylinder 37, a control valve 38, a first low
pressure regulator 40, and a second low pressure 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 breech 20.
[0059] The first and second low pressure 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.
[0060] The manifold 54 has a first port 55a for connection to the
first low pressure regulator 40 and a second port 55b for
connection to the second low pressure 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.
[0061] 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 low pressure
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.
[0062] Pressurized air travels from the air tank 400 (FIG. 1i)
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 low pressure
regulators 40 and 42.
[0063] 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.
[0064] The low pressure 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 low pressure regulator 40
may reduce the pressure of the air to between approximately 50 psi
and approximately 100 psi, and the second low pressure regulator 42
may reduce the pressure of the air to between approximately 5 psi
and approximately 50 psi. The air pressures provided by the low
pressure 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 breech 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 breech 20 then
accordingly, lower pressure may be selected for the second
regulator 42 and for the first regulator 40 if it is involved in
movement of the bolt 16 towards its open position.
[0065] 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.
[0066] 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 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.
[0067] 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.
[0068] 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 breech 20,
it is possible for a variety of reasons for the paintball 12 not to
have fully entered the breech 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.
[0069] 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 a valving element 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 FIGS., 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.
[0070] The valving element 74 is moveable within the internal
passage 76 to direct the flow of air into and out of the control
valve 38. The valving element 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.
[0071] 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.
[0072] 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 valving element 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.
[0073] 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 Font of the piston 46, which
drives the piston 46 to its rearwardmost position, as shown in FIG.
1b.
[0074] 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 may be mechanical, pneumatic,
hydraulic, electrical, electronic or any combination thereof.
[0075] The trigger 92 is operatively connected to the actuation
system 18, and more specifically to the valving element 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 valving
element 74 between the first control valve position (see FIG. 3a)
and the second control valve position (see FIG. 3b). The valving
element 74 may extend out of the housing 72 (see FIGS. 3a and 5b)
for operatively connecting to the trigger 92.
[0076] 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 12 from the barrel 28.
[0077] Reference is made to FIGS. 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g and 1h, which
illustrate alternative firing mechanisms 300 that may be used with
the marker 10. The firing mechanism 300 in general controls the
release of a volume of high-pressure air into the bolt 16 for
firing the paintball 12.
[0078] Referring to FIGS. 1c and 1d, the firing mechanism 300 may
comprise a firing valve 302 and an actuator 303, which may include
a striker 304 and a spring 306 connected between a fixed element of
the marker 10 and the striker 302. The striker 304 is held in a
rest position wherein the spring 306 is compressed (see FIG. 1c),
by a holding means, such as a sear (not shown). The trigger 92
(FIG. 1a) may be operatively connected to the holding means (not
shown). When the trigger 92 is pulled; the holding means, eg. the
sear, releases the striker 304, at which point the spring 306
drives the striker 304 into a valving element 308 in the firing
valve 302. The valving element 308 is engaged by the striker 304
and is moved into an open position (see FIG. 1d) to permit a volume
of air to pass through the valve 302, as shown by the arrow A, out
the valve outlet, shown at 312, and indirectly or directly into the
bolt 16 (see FIG. 1a), for firing the paintball 12.
[0079] After releasing air through the valve 302, the valving
element 312 moves from the open position to the closed position
(see FIG. 1c). The valving element 312 may be driven towards the
closed position by any suitable means, such as, for example, by
means of air pressure from the firing air acting on the valving
element 312 or by a spring (not shown).
[0080] Any suitable means, eg. pneumatic pressure from the first
low pressure regulator 40 (FIG. 1a), may be used to drive the
striker 304 back to re-compress the spring 306 and re-engage the
sear (not shown).
[0081] Movement of the sear (not shown) may be accomplished by any
means known in the art. For example, the sear may be actuated by a
mechanical linkage connected to the trigger 92. Alternatively,
movement of the sear may be controlled by an electric solenoid or
by an electronic solenoid valve.
[0082] Reference is made to FIGS. 1e and 1f, which show an
alternative firing mechanism 300. In this alternative, the actuator
303 may include the striker 304 and a pneumatic cylinder 314
instead of a spring and sear. The pneumatic cylinder 314 includes a
first pod 316 and a second pod 318, which may both be configured to
selectively receive air from the first regulator 40. The trigger 92
(FIG. 1a) is operatively connected to the pneumatic cylinder 314 to
control air from the first regulator 40 through each of the ports
316 and 318. Air flow to the first and second ports 316 and 318
controls the movement of a piston (not shown) inside the cylinder
314. A piston rod 320 is connected at one end, to the piston (not
shown). The striker 304 is connected to the other end of the piston
rod 320.
[0083] When the trigger 92 (FIG. 1a) is pulled, air from the first
regulator 40 is released into the first pod, and drive the piston
(not shown), the piston rod 320 and striker 304 into engagement
with the valving element 312, pushing the valving element 312 open
to permit a volume of high pressure air through the valve 306 and
into the bolt 16 (see FIG. 1a) for firing.
[0084] The firing valve 302 may be configured to close by the same
means used in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1c and 1d, eg. by means
of the high pressure firing air. The trigger 92 (FIG. 1a) may be
operatively connected to the pneumatic cylinder to control air flow
thereto from the first regulator 40, by any suitable means.
[0085] Reference is made to FIGS. 1i and 1j, which illustrate the
operation of the marker 10, configured as a two-tube marker,
incorporating the firing valve 302, the striker 304 and optionally
either one of the spring 306 or the pneumatic cylinder 314. The
bolt 16 is open in the position shown in FIG. 1i, and is closed in
the position shown in FIG. 1j. In the position shown in FIG. 1j,
the paintball is chambered and ready for firing.
[0086] Reference is made to FIGS. 1g and 1h, which show another
alternative embodiment of the firing mechanism 300. In this
embodiment the firing mechanism 300 comprises a pneumatic valve
322. The pneumatic valve 322 includes a housing 324 and a spool
326. The housing 324 is generally elongate and may be more
specifically generally cylindrical. The housing 324 has an inlet
328 and an outlet 330, which are spaced from each other
longitudinally. The inlet 328 is connected fluidically to the high
pressure firing air from the primary regulator (not shown). The
outlet 330 is connected fluidically to the bolt 16 (FIG. 1a) to
convey firing air to a chambered paintball 12.
[0087] First and second housing sealing surfaces 332 and 334 extend
on projections 332a and 334a, into the interior of the housing 324
from its inside wall 335, The housing sealing 332 and 334 may
extend about the entire circumference of the housing 324. The first
and second housing sealing surfaces 332 and 334 are positioned
longitudinally between the inlet 328 and outlet 330, and are at
selected longitudinal distances from each other in the housing
324.
[0088] The spool 326 is elongate and may be generally cylindrical.
The spool 326 is movable in the housing 324 and extends through at
least one end of the housing 324 to the exterior thereof. The spool
326 includes first and second spool sealing surfaces 336 and 338,
which extend outwardly on projections 336a and 338a, from the spool
exterior surface; shown at 340. The first and second spool sealing
surfaces 336 and 338 may be spaced from each other by a distance
that differs from the distance between the housing sealing surfaces
332 and 334, The spool 326 is movable in the housing between a
first position (see FIG. 1g) wherein the first spool and housing
sealing surfaces 336 and 332 align and seal, and a second position
(see FIG. 1h), wherein the second spool and housing sealing
surfaces 338 and 334 align and seal.
[0089] In the position shown in FIG. 1g, high pressure firing air
is permitted into a space 342 defined between the two housing
sealing surfaces 332 and 334, but is prevented from flowing out of
the pneumatic valve outlet 330 by the seal formed by the second
sealing surfaces 33 and 338. The space 342 communicates with a
firing air storage chamber 344. Accordingly, high pressure firing
air fills the storage chamber 344 when the valve 322 is in the
position in FIG. 1g. In the position shown in FIG. 1h, the
high-pressure firing air is permitted to flow from the storage
chamber 344: though the space 342, out the valve outlet 330 and
into the bolt 16 for firing the paintball 12. The firing air is
prevented from backflowing out the valve inlet 328 by the seal
formed by the first spool and housing sealing surfaces 336 and
332.
[0090] The air storage chamber 344 shown in FIGS. 1g and 1h stores
a selected volume of air for use in firing a paintball 12. The
chamber 344 has an adjustment member 348 connected thereto for
adjusting the overall contained volume of the chamber 344. This
permits a player to adjust the volume of air used for each shot,
thereby controlling the number of shots available in the air tank
400 (FIG. 1i). Furthermore, when too much air is released during a
shot, some of that air is released after the paintball is ejected
from the marker, and therefore, some portion of that air is wasted.
Accordingly, providing adjustability to the volume of the air
storage chamber 344 permits a player to find the lowest volume at
which the velocity of the fired paintball 12 is substantially
unchanged, Thus, the number of shots per tank can be maximized for
any given firing velocity.
[0091] The adjustment member 348 is preferably infinitely
adjustable between over a range of adjustment. To provide infinite
adjustability, the adjustment member 348 may, for example., include
a threaded insert that sealingly engages a threaded aperture 349 in
the air storage chamber 344. The volume of the chamber 344 can thus
be controlled by screwing in or screwing out of the adjustment
member 348. The adjustment member 348 is preferably adjustable by
hand without the need for tools, to facilitate volume
adjustment.
[0092] Referring to FIG. 16, the adjustment member 348 may include
a sealing element 348a, which mates with a sealing surface 349a
adjacent the threaded aperture 349. This provides a seal between
the adjustment member 348 and the chamber 344 regardless of the
position of the adjustment member 348.
[0093] The inlet 328 and outlet 330 on the pneumatic valve 322 may
be of relatively large size on the valve 322, thereby reducing
pressure drop therethrough, reducing the amount of time required to
fill the firing air storage chamber 344 with firing air, and
reducing the amount of time to release the firing air contained in
the air storage chamber 344. One reason that the inlet 328 and
outlet 330 may be sized relatively large, lies in the configuration
of the sealing surfaces 332, 334, 336 and 338. Because the sealing
surfaces 334 and 338 on the spool 326 do not engage or sweep past
the inlet 328 or outlet 330, as they do on other types of spool
valve, the inlet 328 and outlet 330 may be made relatively large
without impacting the overall stroke required by the spool 326 to
open or close the valve 322. The large inlet 328 and outlet 330
reduce the pressure drop thereacross, which increases the firing
efficiency of the marker 10, in that less energy is lost during
passage of firing air from the air storage chamber to the bolt 16.
Furthermore a large inlet 328 and a large outlet 330 also reduce
the amount of time required to fill the air storage chamber 344 to
its target pressure, and also analogously reduces the amount of
time required for the firing air to leave the air storage chamber
344.
[0094] By contrast, spool valves that incorporate sealing surfaces
that sweep past the valve inlet and valve outlet (such as the spool
valve 38 shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b) typically have relatively small
inlet and outlet apertures in an effort to reduce the actuation
stroke and thus the actuation time of the spool. The small inlet
and outlet of such spool valves typically provide a relatively high
pressure drop, and increase the amount of time required for a
selected volume of air to pass through them for firing a
paintball.
[0095] The spool 326 requires a relatively short stroke to move
between the first or filling position shown in FIG. 1g and the
second or firing position shown in FIG. 1h. The short stroke
required makes the actuation of the pneumatic valve 322 relatively
quick compared to valves that have longer travel between the closed
and open positions.
[0096] The quick actuation of the valve 322 makes for an overall
quicker firing of the paintball 12 from the time the trigger 92 is
pulled. Furthermore, the overall cycle time to complete a firing of
the paintball 12, which makes the marker 10 capable of an increased
firing frequency.
[0097] The sealing surfaces 332 and 334, and 336 and 338 may have
several configurations. For example, referring to FIG. 17a, the
sealing surfaces 332 and 334 may be generally cylindrical, and the
sealing surfaces 336 and 338 may be generally toroidal (ie. O-ring
shaped). In this configuration, the seals are formed by sliding the
sealing surfaces 336 and 338 within the cylindrical sealing
surfaces 332 and 334.
[0098] Referring to FIG. 17b, the sealing surfaces 332 and 334 may
have edges 367b, 368b, 369b and 370b respectively. In this
alternative, the sealing surfaces 336 and 338 are configured to
engage the edges 367b, 368b, 369b and 370b and form a seal
therewith. The sealing surfaces 336 and 338 may be generally
toroidal (ie. O-ring shaped). Alternatively, they may have another
configuration, such as, for example, a generally frusto-conical
configuration as shown in FIG. 17c.
[0099] Referring to FIG. 17d, the sealing surfaces 336 and 338 and
332 and 334 may all be frusto-conical, thereby mating to form seals
with more surface-to-surface contact than the seal shown in FIG.
17b whereby a seal is formed incorporating surface-to-edge
contact.
[0100] Referring to FIG. 17e, the sealing surfaces 332 and 334 may
be frusto-conical and the sealing surfaces 336 and 338 may be
generally toroidal (ie. O-ring shaped). In this way, seals are
formed without the need for matching of cone angles on the mating
sealing surfaces.
[0101] In the configuration shown in FIG. 17a, the seals are formed
between the sealing surfaces 336 and 338 and 332 and 334 by sliding
contact between the mating pairs of sealing surfaces.
[0102] In the configurations shown in FIGS. 17b, 17c, 17d and 17e,
the seals may be formed between the sealing surfaces 336 and 338
and 332 and 334 with reduced sliding contact than occurs in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 17a. Accordingly, less energy may be
required to move the spool 360 from one position to another, to
form seals between selected pairs of sealing surfaces. Furthermore,
less wear may occur between the sealing surfaces as a result of the
reduced sliding contact therebetween. Configurations such as those
shown in FIGS. 17b, 17, 17d and 17e may be referred to as
poppet-style spool valve configurations.
[0103] The trigger 92 may be operatively connected to the spool 326
for movement of the spool 326 in the housing 324, by any suitable
means. For example, the trigger 92 may be connected to the spool
326 by one or more of a mechanical linkage, a pneumatic connection,
an electric solenoid, and an electronic solenoid valve.
[0104] An exemplary linkage 350 between the trigger 92 and the
firing mechanism 300 is shown in FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c. The
linkage 350 includes a firing valve actuation valve 352. The firing
valve actuation valve 352 is configured to selectively direct air
from the first low pressure regulator 40 to an actuator 354 that
may be, for example, a pneumatic cylinder 354, that is operatively
connected to the spool 326 of the firing valve 322. The cylinder
has a first port 355a and a second pod 355b.
[0105] Preferably, the firing valve actuation valve 352 is sized to
fit within the grip of the marker 10, shown at 356. The firing
valve actuation valve 352 may be configured similarly to the firing
valve 322, in that it contains sealing surfaces that do not sweep
past the inlet and outlet ports. Referring to FIGS. 11a and 11b,
the firing valve actuation valve 352 includes a housing 358 and an
elongate valve spool 360 that is positionable in a first position
or non-firing position (FIG. 11a) and a second position or firing
position (FIG. 11b). The housing 358 is generally elongate and may
be more specifically generally cylindrical. The housing 358 has an
inlet 362 and two outlets 363 and 364, one on either side of the
inlet 362. The housing 358 also has two exhausts 365 and 366, which
may be the two outermost ports on the housing 358,
[0106] The inlet 362 is connected fluidically to air from the first
low pressure regulator 40 (see FIG. 10a-the fluid path from the
regulator 40 to the inlet 362 is not shown, however). The outlets
363 and 364 are connected fluidically to the two ports 355a and
355b respectively on the pneumatic cylinder 354 for actuating the
cylinder and in turn the spool 326 on the firing valve 322, (the
fluid paths from the outlets 363 and 364 to the ports 355a and 355b
on the pneumatic cylinder 354 are not shown).
[0107] The housing has first, second, third and fourth housing
sealing surfaces 367, 368, 369 and 370, which are positioned on
circumferential projections 367a, 368a, 369a and 370a respectively,
which project into the interior of the housing 358 from its inside
wall 371, The housing sealing surfaces 367, 368, 369 and 370 extend
about the entire circumference of the housing 358. The sealing
surface 367 is positioned longitudinally between the first exhaust
port 365 and the first outlet 363. The sealing surface 368 is
positioned longitudinally between the first outlet 363 and the
inlet 362. The sealing surface 369 is positioned longitudinally
between the inlet 362 and the second outlet 364. The sealing
surface 370 is positioned longitudinally between the second outlet
364 and the second exhaust port 366. The sealing surfaces 367, 368,
369 and 370 are positioned at selected longitudinal distances from
each other in the housing 358.
[0108] The spool 360 is elongate and may be generally cylindrical.
The spool 360 is movable in the housing 358 and extends through at
least one end of the housing 358 to the exterior thereof. The spool
360 includes first, second, third and fourth spool sealing surfaces
372, 373, 374 and 375, which are positioned on ring-shaped
projections 372a, 373a, 374a and 375a, which extend outwardly from
its exterior surface, shown at 376. The spool sealing surfaces 372,
373, 374 and 375 are positioned on the spool 360 at a selected
spacing so that, when the spool 360 is in a firing position (see
FIG. 11b), the first sealing surfaces 367 and 372 engage and the
third sealing surfaces 369 and 374 engage. Air from the first low
pressure regulator 40 passes through the inlet 362 and through the
first outlet 363 to the first cylinder port 355a . Simultaneously
air passes from the cylinder port 355b into the valve 352 through
the second outlet 364 and out through the second exhaust 366. Thus,
the cylinder 354 is actuated in a direction which operates the
firing valve 322 to fire a paintball 12.
[0109] When the spool 360 is in the non-firing position (see FIG.
11a), the second sealing surfaces 368 and 373 engage and the fourth
sealing surfaces 370 and 375 engage. Air from the first low
pressure regulator 40 passes through the inlet 362 and through the
second outlet 364 to the second cylinder port 355b. Simultaneously
air passes from the cylinder port 355a into the valve 352 through
the first outlet 363 and out through the first exhaust 365. Thus,
the cylinder 354 is actuated in a direction which returns the
firing valve 322 to its non-firing position for filling the air
storage chamber 344.
[0110] The inlet 362, outlets 363 and 364, and exhaust ports 365
and 366 may be of relatively large size thereby reducing pressure
drop therethrough, and reducing the actuation time for the cylinder
354 by reducing resistance (ie. pressure drop) to air passing
therethrough. The reasons for this are the same as the reasons
provided above in relation to the valve 322.
[0111] Furthermore, the valve 352 requires a relatively short
stroke of the spool 360 to move the spool 360 between the nonfiring
position shown in FIG. 11a and the firing position shown in FIG.
11b, for the same reasons as explained above in relation to the
valve 322. Accordingly, the actuation time of the valve 352 is
reduced as a result of the short stroke.
[0112] The quick actuation of the valve 352 makes for an overall
quicker actuation of the pneumatic cylinder 354. Because the valve
352 transmits the pulling of the trigger 92 to the valve 322 more
quickly, the overall actuation of the firing valve 322 is quicker,
which contributes to reducing the overall cycle time to complete a
firing of the paintball 12 from the pulling of the trigger 92. The
reduced firing cycle time makes for an increased firing frequency
capability for the marker 10.
[0113] The sealing surfaces 367, 368, 369 and 370, and 372, 373,
374 and 375 may have several configurations. For example, referring
to FIG. 15a, the sealing surfaces 367, 368, 369 and 370 may be
generally cylindrical, and the sealing surfaces 372, 373, 374 and
375 may be generally toroidal (ie. Oaring shaped). In this
configuration, the seals are formed by sliding the sealing surfaces
372, 373, 374 and 375 within the cylindrical sealing surfaces 367,
368, 369 and 370.
[0114] Referring to FIG. 15b, the sealing surfaces 367, 368, 369
and 370 may have edges 367b, 368b, 369b and 370b respectively. In
this alternative, the sealing surfaces 372, 373, 374 and 375 are
configured to engage the edges 367b, 368b, 369b and 370b and form a
seal therewith. The sealing surfaces 372, 373, 374 and 375 may be
generally toroidal (ie. O-ring shaped). Alternatively, they may
have another configuration, such as, for example, a generally
frusto-conical configuration as shown in FIG. 15c.
[0115] Referring to FIG. 15d, the sealing surfaces 372, 373, 374
and 375 and 367, 368, 369 and 370 may all be frusto-conical,
thereby mating to form seals with more surface-to-surface contact
than the seal shown in FIG. 15bwhereby a seal is formed
incorporating surface-to-edge contact.
[0116] Referring to FIG. 15e, the sealing surfaces 367, 368, 369
and 370 may be frusto-conical and the sealing surfaces 372, 373,
374 and 375 may be generally toroidal (ie. O-ring shaped). In this
way, seals are formed without the need for matching of cone angles
on the mating sealing surfaces.
[0117] In the configuration shown in FIG. 15a, the seals are formed
between the sealing surfaces 372, 373, 374 and 375 and 367, 368,
369 and 370 by sliding contact between the mating pairs of sealing
surfaces
[0118] In the configurations shown in FIGS. 15b, 15c, 15d and 15e,
the seals may be formed between the sealing surfaces 372, 373, 374
and 375 and 367, 368, 369 and 370 with reduced sliding contact than
occurs in the embodiment shown in FIG. 15a. Accordingly, less
energy may be required to move the spool 360 from one position to
another, to form seals between selected pairs of sealing surfaces.
Furthermore, less wear may occur between the sealing surfaces as a
result of the reduced sliding contact therebetween. Configurations
such as those shown in FIGS. 15b, 15c, 15d and 15e may be referred
to as poppet-style spool valve configurations.
[0119] Referring to FIGS. 10a and 10c particularly, the spool 360
may be configured to be directly engaged by the trigger 92. In
other words, when it is desired to fire a paintball 12, the trigger
92 is pulled. Pulling the trigger 92 brings the trigger 92 into
engagement with the spool 360 and moves the spool 360 to actuate
the pneumatic cylinder 354, which in turn actuates the firing valve
322.
[0120] The valve 352 may include a biasing mechanism 379 for
biasing the spool 360 in the position shown in FIG. 11b, so that
the firing valve 322 is positioned in the filling position.
[0121] The pneumatic cylinder 354 may be operatively connected to
the spool 326 of the firing valve 322 in any suitable way. For
example, the cylinder 354 may be integrally formed with the firing
valve 322
[0122] As shown in FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c, the marker 10 may
further include a bolt-actuating valve 380 instead of the
bolt-actuating valve 38. The bolt-actuating valve 380 may be
actuated directly from the trigger 92 in a manner similar to the
valve 352. It is preferable for the valve 380, like the valve 352,
to be positioned in the grip 356 of the marker 10, however, it is
alternatively possible for the valve 380 to be positioned elsewhere
within the marker 10.
[0123] The valve 380 may be similar in configuration to the valve
352, except that the outputs of the valve 380, shown at 382 and 384
are connected fluidically to the ports 386 and 388 on the pneumatic
cylinder 390. The pneumatic cylinder 390 is operatively connected
to the bolt 16, The valve may also include two exhaust ports 391
and 392, which are associated with the outlet ports 382 and 384
respectively.
[0124] The valve 380 may be configured to have a single input 393,
as shown in FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c. The input 393 may be
fluidically connected to the second low pressure regulator 42
(connection not shown). When the valve 380 is in a first position,
air from the second regulator 42 is directed through the inlet 393,
out through the second outlet 384 and into the cylinder 390 through
the port 388. In this position, air is also permitted to pass from
the cylinder port 386, into the first valve 380 through the first
outlet 382 and out through the first exhaust port 391. In this
position, the cylinder 390 is driven to move the bolt 16 to an open
position, permitting entry of a paintball 12 into the breech
20.
[0125] When the valve 380 is positioned in a second position, air
from the second regulator 42 is directed through the inlet, out
through the first outlet 382 and into the cylinder 390 through the
port 386. In this position, air is also permitted to pass from the
cylinder port 388, into the first valve 380 through the second
outlet 384 and out through the second exhaust port 392. In this
position, the cylinder 390 is driven to move the bolt 16 to a
closed position, thereby chambering a paintball 12. It will be
noted that the valve 380 configured as shown in FIGS. 10a, 10b and
10c uses air from the second low pressure regulator 42 to move the
bolt 16 to both the open and closed positions. The valve 352 uses
air from the first low pressure regulator 40 to control the firing
valve 322. In embodiments wherein air from regulator 42 is used to
control bolt movement and air from regulator 40 is used to control
the firing valve 322, or any other firing valve, the linkages used
to control the bolt and firing valve may be mechanical, pneumatic,
electrical, electronic or any combination thereof. Regardless of
what is used to operatively link the trigger 92 to the firing
mechanism 300, and what is used to operatively link the trigger 92
to the bolt 16, it is advantageous to operate with air from the
second regulator 42 to close the bolt 16 and to operate the firing
mechanism with air from the first regulator 40. The bolt 16 may
also moved to the open position using air from the second regulator
42.
[0126] For quick actuation and good reliability, however, it is
preferable to use at least one of the valves 322, 352 and 380 in
the marker 10. Preferably, all three may be included in the marker
10 to control both the firing and the bolt movement without using
solenoids.
[0127] The valve 380 may include a biasing mechanism 394 for
biasing the valve 380 in either the first or second positions.
Accordingly, the biasing mechanism effectively biases the bolt in
either the bolt-open or bolt closed positions. In the system shown
in FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c, the valve 380 when not actuated by the
trigger 92 (see FIG. 10a) is in the first position, whereby the
bolt 16 is open. When the marker 10 is configured this way, it may
be referred to as an open bolt marker 10.
[0128] The valve 380 may advantageously incorporate any of the
configurations of sealing surfaces 372, 373, 274 and 375, and 367,
368, 369 and 370 shown in FIGS. 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d and 15e.
[0129] Referring to FIG. 10b when the trigger 92 is first pulled,
it first engages the spool of the valve 380, which is shown at 395.
The valve 380 is moved to its second position, thereby moving the
bolt 16 forward to chamber the paintball 12, As the trigger 92 is
pulled further, the valve 352 is engaged (see FIG. 3), thereby
firing the paintball 12 from the marker 10.
[0130] It will be noted that until the bolt 16 has chambered the
paintball 12, the fluid path, shown at 396, from the firing valve
322 into the bolt 16 is closed (see FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c)
[0131] Releasing the trigger 92 returns the valves 352 and 380 to
their rest positions. The bolt 16 returns to the open position to
permit another paintball 12 into the breech 20. The firing valve
322 returns to the filling position for filling the air storage
chamber 344,
[0132] It is alternatively possible for the marker 10 shown in
FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c to be a closed bolt design. In a closed bolt
design, the bolt 16 remains in at rest in the closed position.
Thus, when the trigger 92 is pulled the valve 352 would be actuated
first instead of the valve 380, thereby firing the paintball 12.
Then, as the trigger 92 is pulled further, the valve 380 is
actuated to move to its first position which would move the bolt to
its open position for receiving another paintball 12 in the breech
20. When the trigger 92 would be released, the valve 380 would
return to its second position, closing the bolt 16 and chambering
another paintball 12. In this alternative embodiment, the valve 380
would be biased towards its second position. The valve 352 would
still be biased towards its first position, for filling the air
storage chamber 344.
[0133] By incorporating the aforementioned quick-acting, high air
flow pneumatic valves 322, 352 and 380 and by operating the
actuation valves 352 and 380 directly from the trigger 92 without
the use of a solenoid, the performance of the marker 10 in terms of
firing frequency remains good, without incurring the drawbacks
associated with having solenoids and their attendant power delivery
and electrical systems. For example, the marker 10 shown in FIGS.
10a, 10b and 10c does not require a battery, and accordingly is not
at risk of stranding a player as a result of a dead or weak
battery. Furthermore, by eliminating the solenoids and associated
electrical systems, the marker 10 can be operated with reduced risk
of damage during wet, hot or cold playing conditions, all of which
pose a risk to electrical components.
[0134] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c, the
marker 10 included a pneumatic valve 322 as the firing valve.
Referring to FIGS. 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d, it is alternatively
possible for the marker 10 to include the firing valve 302 and, for
example, the pneumatic cylinder 314. The valve 352 may be used to
operate the cylinder 314 in similar manner to the operation of the
cylinder 354 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c.
[0135] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d is a
closed bolt marker. Thus, the valve (not shown) that actuates the
bolt 16 is biased in a position for closing the bolt 16 (see FIG.
12a). When the trigger 92 is pulled, a valve (not shown) actuates
the cylinder 314 and a paintball 12 is fired from the marker 10
(see FIG. 12b). The firing air may be sent to the bolt 16 from an
air storage chamber 344 (FIG. 1g), through the firing valve 302.
The bolt 16 is then opened to permit entry of another paintball 12
into the breech 20 (FIG. 12c). The bolt 16 is then closed thereby
chambering the new paintball 12 (FIG. 12d).
[0136] Reference is made to FIGS. 13a, 13b and 13c, which
illustrate the operation of the marker 10 with the firing valve 302
and the pneumatic cylinder 314 in an open bolt configuration. Prior
to pulling the trigger 92, the bolt 16 is open and a paintball 12
is in the breech 20. When the trigger 92 is pulled, the bolt 16 is
closed thereby chambering the paintball 12 (see FIG. 13b). A valve
(not shown) actuates the cylinder 314 and the chambered paintball
12 is fired from the marker 10 (see FIG. 13c). The firing air may
be sent to the bolt 16 from an air storage chamber 344 (FIG. 1g),
through the firing valve 302. The bolt 16 is opened to permit entry
of another paintball 12 into the breech 20 (FIG. 12a).
[0137] It will be noted that the embodiments shown in FIGS. 12a,
12b, 12c and 12d and 13a, 13b and 13c can be referred to as a
two-tube configuration, in that the body 14 of the marker 10
includes two chambers, one housing the firing mechanism 300 and one
housing the bolt 16 and bolts actuating cylinder. It is
alternatively possible for the marker 10 to have a one-tube or a
three-tube configuration, or to incorporate any of the firing
mechanisms disclosed herein.
[0138] Reference is made to FIGS. 14a and 14b, which illustrate the
operation of the marker 10 with the firing mechanism 300, the bolt
16 and the bolt-actuating cylinder all incline. This is referred to
as a single-tube or one-tube configuration.
[0139] 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 actuation
system 96 instead of the actuation system 18 (see FIG. 1a).
[0140] In similar fashion to the actuation system 18 (FIG. 1a), the
actuation system 96 may utilize air pressure from a pressurized air
tank 400 (see FIG. 1i), to drive a bolt 97 between open and closed
positions (FIG. 4b and 4a respectively). A primary regulator (not
shown) may be fluidically connected to the air tank 400 (FIG. 1i)
to reduce the air pressure from the air tank 400 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 actuation system 96.
[0141] The actuation system 96 includes a pneumatic cylinder 99, a
control valve 100 and an actuation system 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.
[0142] 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.
[0143] 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.
[0144] The actuation system 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.
[0145] The manifold 122 has a first port 123a for connection to the
actuation system 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.
[0146] 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.
[0147] 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 a valving element 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 valving element 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.
[0148] 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 actuation system
regulator 101 to the portion of the pneumatic cylinder housing in
front of the piston 104 (see FIG. 4b).
[0149] The movement of the valving element 138 between the first
and second control valve positions may be initiated by moving a
trigger 154 which may be connected to the valving element 138 by
any suitable means (not shown). The connection means may be
mechanical, pneumatic; hydraulic, electrical, electronic, or any
combination thereof.
[0150] 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.
[0151] 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.
[0152] 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.
[0153] 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 5 psi to approximately
50 psi, is preferably configured to produce an outlet pressure of
approximately 10 psi to approximately 50 psi, and is more
preferably configured to produce an outlet pressure of
approximately 10 psi to approximately 20 psi.
[0154] 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.
The port 165c is shown as being plugged in FIG. 6, since the kit of
parts 156 can operate without the need for the port 165c.
[0155] Referring to FIG. 7, the paintball marker 158 of the prior
art includes a body 172 that defines a breech 174 for receiving a
paintball 12 to be fired. A bolt 176 is slideable within the breech
174, between a closed position, as shown in FIG. 7, and an open
position (not shown).
[0156] An actuator, eg. 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.
[0157] 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.
[0158] 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.
[0159] The paintball marker 158 may be connectable to a pressurized
air tank 400 (FIG. 1i) 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 actuation system 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.
[0160] 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.
[0161] 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.
[0162] 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.
[0163] 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.
[0164] 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).
[0165] 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 the case (not shown) where the
existing manifold does not include a second port and is not
removable, the user may be instructed to machine a second port into
the existing 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).
[0166] 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. approximately 5 psi to approximately 50 psi.
[0167] 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.
[0168] 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.
[0169] 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.
[0170] 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.
[0171] 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.
[0172] A valving element 244, which may be similar to the valving
element 74, is positioned in the control valve housing 222. The
valving element 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.
[0173] 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.
[0174] Particular examples of flow control valve have been
described above. It will be noted that any suitable type of flow
control valve may be used instead of those described above.
[0175] In the embodiments described above the inlet control device
15 has comprised a bolt. It is alternatively possible for the inlet
control device 15 to include any other suitable device instead of,
or in addition to, a bolt. For example, referring to FIGS. 18a, 18b
and 18c, a marker in accordance with the present invention may
include a sliding door 420 that is movable between an open position
(FIG. 18a) and a closed position (FIG. 18b). In the open position
(FIG. 18a), the sliding door 420 permits entry of a paintball 12
through the paintball inlet 22 into a chamber 424 in the body 14 of
the marker. In the closed position (FIG. 18b), the door 420
captures the paintball 12 in the chamber 424. The chamber 424 may
comprise the inlet to a barrel 426, and is configured so that when
the door 420 is closed, the paintball 12 is chambered in the barrel
426. Aft of the paintball 12 is an outlet 428 for releasing firing
gas to fire the paintball 12 through the barrel 42 and out of the
marker 10
[0176] As shown in FIG. 18c, the sliding door 420 may have a curved
cross-sectional shape to more closely mate with the paintball 12,
thereby reducing any leakage of firing gas around the paintball 12
during firing (See FIG. 18c).
[0177] The door 420 may be operated pneumatically by the actuation
system 18. The actuation system 18 may include, for example, the
pneumatic cylinder 37, or may alternatively include any other
suitable actuator.
[0178] Accordingly, the sliding door 420 could be operated
advantageously with gas from the second regulator 42 (see FIG. 1a),
ie. at a pressure that is selected to be sufficiently low to
inhibit rupturing of a paintball 12 in the event that the sliding
door 420 confines a paintball 12. The reduced pressure gas may also
be used to open the sliding door 420, Furthermore, the sliding door
420 may be controlled by means of a flow control valve such as the
valve 380.
[0179] As a further alternative (not shown) to the inlet control
device 15 shown in FIGS. 18a and 18b, the marker may include both
the sliding door 420 and a moveable bolt such as the bolt 16 shown
in FIG. 1a. The bolt may be separately moveable relative to the
sliding door 420 so that a loading sequence may comprise: opening
the sliding door 420 and the bolt to permit entry of a paintball 12
into a breech; closing the sliding door 420; and finally moving the
bolt forward to chamber the paintball 12. In this case, the sliding
door 420 may be flat, since it would not necessarily form part of
the barrel and accordingly would not be involved in inhibiting air
leakage past the paintball 12 during firing, in contrast to the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 18a and 18b. In this alternative that is
not shown, one or both of the bolt and the sliding door 420 could
be operated advantageously with gas from the second regulator 42
(see FIG. 1a), ie. at a pressure that is selected to be
sufficiently low to inhibit rupturing of a paintball 12 in the
event that it confines a paintball 12 during closure, The reduced
pressure gas from the second regulator 42 (FIG. 1a), may also be
used to open the sliding door 420 and/or the bolt, Furthermore, one
or both of the sliding door 420 and the bolt may be controlled by
means of a flow control valve such as the valve 380. In other
words, one flow control valve 380 may be used to control either or
both of the sliding door 420 and the bolt; or alternatively, two
flow control valves 380 may be provided, wherein one valve 380 is
provided for each of the sliding door 420 and the bolt.
[0180] Reference is made to FIGS. 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d, which show
another alternative inlet control device 15 for use with a marker
in accordance with the present invention. The inlet control device
15 in this embodiment includes a rotary sliding door 430. The
rotary sliding door 430 may be actuated by any suitable actuator,
such as by a pneumatic cylinder 432 (not shown in FIG. 19b), which
may be similar to the pneumatic cylinder 37 (FIG. 1a). The
pneumatic cylinder 432 may be connected by pin connections to both
the marker body 16 and to the rotary sliding door 430 to permit
rotational movement of the rotary sliding door 430 about its pivot
434, during extension and retraction of the cylinder 432. The
rotary sliding door 430 may be similar to the sliding door 420
(FIG. 38a) in that it may be moveable between an open position
shown in FIG. 19a and a closed position shown in FIG. 19b. In the
open position, the sliding door 430 permits entry of a paintball 12
into a chamber 436 in the body 16. If a moveable bolt is not
provided, then the chamber 436 may function as the inlet to a
barrel 438. When the sliding door 430 is in the closed position, it
may also make up a portion of the inlet to the barrel 438. The
rotary sliding door 430 may move along an arcuate channel 439 that
includes at one end, the paintball inlet 22 to the marker.
[0181] A gas outlet 440 may be provided at the aft end of the
chamber 436 for releasing firing gas to the paintball for firing
the paintball through the barrel 438. Referring to FIG. 19d, the
sliding door 430 may be contoured to match the curvature of the
paintball 12 to inhibit air leakage from around the paintball 12
during firing,
[0182] In a further alternative (not shown) to the embodiment shown
in FIGS. 19a, 19b and 19c a moveable bolt may be provided in the
chamber 436 for moving the paintball to a barrel after the
paintball 12 has been fed into the chamber 436. In this
alternative, the chamber functions as a breech. The sliding door
430 may be controlled using gas at a selected sufficiently low
pressure eg. by gas from the second regulator 42, to inhibit
paintball rupture during closure. The reduced pressure gas may also
be used to open the sliding door 430, Additionally, the sliding
door 430 may be controlled by a flow control valve such as the flow
control valve 380. Furthermore, if a bolt is provided for use in
conjunction with the sliding door 430, the bolt may also be
controlled by the same flow control valve, or by a dedicated flow
control valve such as the valve 380.
[0183] Reference is made to FIGS. 20a and 20b, which show another
alternative inlet control device 15 for use with a marker in
accordance with the present invention. The inlet control device 15
may include a barrel 450 that is movable in a breech 452. When the
barrel 450 is in an open position (FIG. 20a), entry of a paintball
12 through the inlet 22 into the breech 452 is permitted. The
breech 452 includes an aft wall 454 which includes a gas outlet 456
for the firing gas.
[0184] When the barrel 450 moves aftwards to a closed position, it
brings the paintball 12 into its inlet, since the paintball 12 is
prevented from aft movement by the aft wall 454 of the breech 452.
Also, in the closed position, paintballs are prevented from entry
into the breech 452. Firing gas may then be released for firing of
the paintball 12 from the barrel 450. The barrel 450 may be moved
by means of the actuator 37, which may be a pneumatic cylinder 37.
For example, the cylinder 37 may include a piston rod 458 which may
be connected by any suitable means to the barrel 450 so that when
the piston in the cylinder 37 moves, the barrel 450 moves.
[0185] The movable barrel may be controlled using gas at a selected
sufficiently low pressure eg. by gas from the second regulator 42
(FIG. 1a), to inhibit paintball rupture during closure. The reduced
pressure gas may also be used to open the movable barrel 450.
Additionally, the movable barrel 450 may be controlled by a flow
control valve such as the flow control valve 380.
[0186] One or both of the firing valve actuation valve 352 and the
inlet control device and actuation valve 380, each of which has
five ports, may alternatively be functionally replaced by two
actuation valves 500a and 500b each having three ports, For
example, the firing valve actuation valve 352 (FIGS. 10a-10c) may
be replaced by the two valves 500a and 500b, as shown in FIGS. 21a
and 21b.
[0187] The first actuation valve 500a may be connected to the
cylinder port 355a and may control filling and exhaustion of gas
with respect to that port. The second actuation valve 500b may be
connected to the cylinder port 355b for controlling filling and
exhaustion of gas with respect to that port. The valves 500a and
500b may both be actuated directly from the trigger 92, as shown in
FIGS. 21a and 21b. In the first position, shown in FIG. 21a, the
trigger 92 is not actuated and the valves 533a and 500b are
positioned to provide pressurized gas to the cylinder port 355b of
the firing valve actuator 354 and to exhaust gas from the cylinder
port 355a, so that the firing valve 322 is in its non-firing
position. In the second position shown in FIG. 21b, the trigger is
actuated and the valves 500a and 500b are positioned to provide
pressurized gas to the cylinder port 355a of the firing valve
actuator 354 and to exhaust gas from the cylinder port 355b, so
that the firing valve 322 is in the firing position, whereby it
releases firing gas to the barrel 28. A biasing mechanism 514, such
as a spring may be included to bias the valves 500a and 500b to the
first positions.
[0188] The valves 500a and 500b each may include a housing 501 and
a spool 502. The housing 501 includes first second and third ports
503 504 and 505. Housing sealing surfaces 506 and 507 may be
positioned on housing projections 508 and 509, which are positioned
between the first and second ports 503 and 504 and between the
second and third ports 504 and 505 respectively. The spool 502
includes two spool projections 510 and 511, which have spool
sealing surfaces 512 and 513 thereon respectively. The spool
sealing surfaces 512 and 513 and the housing sealing surfaces 506
and 507 may be configured similarly to any of the configurations
shown for sealing surfaces 372-375 and 367-370 in FIGS.
15a-15e.
[0189] The valve 500a may be configured so that the first port is
an exhaust port, the second port 504 is connected to the cylinder
port 355a, and the third port is connected to the first regulator
40.
[0190] Instead of both valves 500a and 500b being directly
connected to the trigger 92, they may alternatively be mechanically
or pneumatically connected to each other so that the trigger 92
engages one of the valves 500a and that valve engages the other of
the valves 500a and 500b.
[0191] Referring to FIGS. 22a and 22b, the inlet control device
actuation valve 380 (FIGS. 10a-10c) may be replaced by the two
valves 500a and 500b. The valves 500a and 500b may be moveable
between a bolt-open position shown in FIG. 22a, wherein pressurized
gas from the second regulator 42 actuates the cylinder 37 and a
bolt-closed position wherein pressurized gas from the second
regulator 42 actuates the cylinder 37 to move the bolt 16 to a
closed position. Referring to FIG. 23, it is alternatively possible
for the first regulator 40 to be connected to the valve 500b for
actuation of the bolt 16 to the bolt-open position, while the
second regulator 42 is connected to the valve 500a for actuation of
the cylinder 37 to the bolt-closed position.
[0192] In the embodiments wherein the markers 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.
[0193] 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.
[0194] It has been described as being advantageous to provide a
paintball marker wherein a flow control valve is incorporated
without a solenoid actuator, and with a mechanical or pneumatic
connection to the trigger. One or more such flow control valves may
be used to control one or both of the firing system and the inlet
control device. By eliminating the solenoid, the reliability of
operation of at least one of the firing system and the loading and
chambering of a paintball is improved, since a solenoid or a sensor
for contact by the trigger for actuating a solenoid, can be
inadvertently rendered inoperative for example by a dead battery,
or by damage during play from temperature conditions or from
moisture. It will be appreciated that the marker of the present
invention can include the one or more non-solenoid actuated flow
control valves while still containing electronic components for
control of other valves or other functions, such as an information
display or a loader flow assistor.
[0195] Reference has been made in 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.
[0196] 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.
* * * * *