Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and kits for loading paintballs into a feed tube of a paintball gun are disclosed. A loader includes a chamber for holding paintballs, a feed mechanism having a rotational feeder within the chamber that feeds paintballs from the chamber along a feed channel when rotating to fill the feed tube, and a drive mechanism that drives the rotational feeder of the feed mechanism, ceases to drive the rotational feeder responsive to stoppage of the rotational feeder, and periodically attempts to rotate the stopped rotational feeder. Paintballs are loaded from a loader into a feed tube of a paintball gun by driving a rotational feeder within the loader, the rotational feeder configured within the loader to feed paintballs into the feed tube when rotating, ceasing to drive the rotational feeder responsive to stoppage of the rotational feeder, and periodically attempting to rotate the stopped rotational feeder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective mask adapted to be worn by a person engaging in the game of paintball. The mask has a main body to cover the front, sides, mouth and ears of a user's face. It also has a removable flexible transparent lens that locks into a rigid support frame formed in the mask. The mask also has a strap to securely support the mask on a wearer's head, and a removable face engaging element provided to accommodate a face of the wearer. This face engagement element evenly engages around the wearer's face in a cushioned manner because its face engagement portion is made of foam that engages the user's face along the entire perimeter of the face engagement element. The face engagement element is securely locked onto the mask by locking clips that fit into openings on both sides of the face engagement element.

Abstract: A volume restrictor can be provided for a pneumatic paintball gun to reduce the volume of compressed gas available within a compressed gas storage area for a firing operation of the paintball gun. In one embodiment, the volume restrictor includes a body having a forward end and a rearward end. A forward sealing member can be arranged on the forward end to seal around a bolt of the paintball gun. A rearward sealing member can be arranged on the rearward end of the body to seal against a rearward endwall of the compressed gas storage area. By placing the volume restrictor within the compressed gas storage area of the paintball gun, the volume of compressed gas available for a firing operation is reduced, thereby requiring an increased operating pressure to achieve the same paintball velocity. The increased chamber pressure can result in a shorter recharge time and less velocity drop off in successive shots.

Abstract: A paintball gun preferably includes an adjustable, clamping feed tube. The feed tube can, for instance, include a lever for closing and opening a clamp, thereby tightening or loosening a receiving end of a feed tube to secure or release a hopper neck. The feed tube also preferably includes a finger adjustable nut for adjusting the size of the receiving end to accommodate differently sized hopper necks.

Abstract: A paintball gun having a quick-removal assembly for readily removing a pneumatic assembly from a chamber of the paintball gun body preferably includes a lift cap hingedly connected to an end of the pneumatic mechanism. A lift pin is preferably connected to the lift cap and removably engaged within a pin receptacle of the paintball gun body. Lifting of the lift cap preferably withdraws the lift pin from the pin receptacle and enables the pneumatic assembly to be removed from the paintball gun. A self-venting mechanism can also be provided to safely release compressed gas stored in the pneumatic assembly from the paintball gun during removal of the pneumatic assembly. A latching mechanism can latch the lift cap in a forward and closed position until a user desires to remove the assembly from the paintball gun.

Abstract: A barrel assembly for a pneumatic paintball gun includes a barrel body and a barrel insert. The barrel body has a breech end, a muzzle end, and a barrel bore extending longitudinally through the barrel body from the breech end to the muzzle end. The barrel insert has a breech end, a distal end, and an insert bore, and is configured to be removably housed within a breech portion of the bore of the barrel body. The breech end of the barrel body is configured to attach to a breech end of the paintball gun. The barrel insert collaborates with the barrel body to provide a firing bore for the barrel assembly which guides a paintball fired from the breech end of the gun through the barrel and out the muzzle end of the barrel body. The barrel insert can be constructed having a thin, flexible wall so as to permit lateral deformation of the barrel insert.

Abstract: A high-speed stacker preferably includes dual stacking arms configured to operate complementary to one another. Most preferably, an electronic control system is provided to enable precise control over the speed and positioning of the stacker arms in both horizontal and vertical orientations. Linear motion devices (such as hydraulic cylinders, screw drive linear actuators, or other devices) can be used to position the arms horizontally and vertically in response to instructions from the electronic control system. In operation, the electronic control system preferably controls the speed and ramping of the stacker arms to repeatedly move courses of material from a feed system to a stacking area at a rapid rate with little maintenance. The high-speed stacker can also be configured to operate fewer than all of the stacker arms to facilitate faster stacking of smaller courses of material.

Abstract: A pneumatic assembly for a paintball gun preferably includes a bolt slidable between an open and a closed position. The bolt preferably provides a firing mechanism for the paintball gun by permitting compressed gas to flow through the bolt to fire the paintball gun when the bolt is closed but preventing the transfer of compressed gas through the bolt when the bolt is open. This can be accomplished, for instance, by arranging a sealing member in communication with a surface of the bolt. A port is also preferably arranged through a lateral sidewall of the bolt at a predetermined location. The bolt preferably slides in relation to the sealing member such that when the bolt is open, the sealing member prevents compressed gas from flowing into the forward end of the bolt, but when the bolt is closed, compressed gas is permitted to flow into the forward end of the bolt to launch a paintball. The bolt is preferably controlled by using a control valve such as a three-way solenoid valve to operate a pneumatic piston.

Abstract: A pneumatic assembly for a paintball gun preferably includes a bolt slidably arranged on a valve stem. The bolt is preferably moveable between an open and a closed position. The bolt preferably provides a firing mechanism for the paintball gun by permitting compressed gas from a compressed gas storage area to flow through the bolt to fire the paintball gun when the bolt is closed but preventing the transfer of compressed gas through the bolt when the bolt is open. An internal area of the valve stem can be arranged to communicate with the compressed gas storage area to increase the effective volume of the compressed gas storage area without increasing the size of the paintball gun. This can permit lower pressure operation of the paintball gun. A supply of compressed gas to the compressed gas storage area can be cut off during firing to improve gas efficiency.

Abstract: A paintball gun kit preferably includes a plurality of non-fully assembled paintball gun components packaged for retail sale to a consumer. Instructions are preferably provided to instruct the consumer how to assemble the paintball gun components into an operational paintball gun. The paintball gun components can be packaged together or separately. The paintball gun kit can include, for example, a body, a grip, and a pneumatic assembly. Various numbers and arrangements of components are contemplated. Various styles, materials, and colors of paintball gun components can also be provided consistent with the principles of the present invention.

Abstract: A bolt for a pneumatic paintball gun is preferably slidable between an open and a closed position. The bolt preferably provides a firing mechanism for the paintball gun by permitting compressed gas to flow through the bolt to fire the paintball gun when the bolt is closed but preventing the transfer of compressed gas through the bolt when the bolt is open. This can be accomplished, for instance, by arranging a sealing member in communication with a surface of the bolt. A port is also preferably arranged through a lateral sidewall of the bolt at a predetermined location. The bolt preferably slides in relation to the sealing member such that when the bolt is open, the sealing member prevents compressed gas from flowing into the bolt, but when the bolt is closed, compressed gas is permitted to flow into the bolt. The bolt is preferably controlled by using a control valve such as an electronic solenoid valve to operate a pneumatic piston.

Abstract: A pneumatic paintball gun preferably includes a body and a grip. The body preferably holds a pneumatic housing that contains the primary operating components of the paintball gun. The pneumatic housing preferably includes a pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly. The pneumatic piston is preferably coupled to a bolt for controlling movement of the bolt based on the supply and venting of compressed gas from the cylinder. Most preferably, a normally-open three way solenoid valve supplies compressed gas to a forward surface area of the piston to hold the bolt in an open position. In the open position, a paintball is permitted to load into a breech area of the paintball gun. In response to a trigger pull, the three-way solenoid valve is preferably configured to vent compressed gas away from the forward piston surface area. Pressure supplied to a rearward piston surface area preferably causes the bolt to close, moving the paintball into a barrel.

Abstract: A paintball gun preferably includes an electro-pneumatic flow distribution mechanism such as a solenoid valve having a port connected to a pneumatic mechanism. For instance, the solenoid valve may include an input port receiving compressed gas from a compressed gas supply and an output port connected to the pneumatic mechanism. The solenoid valve can be enabled to direct compressed gas to and/or from the pneumatic mechanism to operate a bolt. The bolt may be coupled to the pneumatic mechanism.

Abstract: An electrical control unit preferably can control operation of a paintball gun having a solenoid valve with an input port that receives compressed gas from a compressed gas supply and an output port connected to a pneumatic mechanism. For instance, the electrical control unit can contain a network of electronic components configured to receive an input signal from a trigger-actuated switch and send a signal to the solenoid valve. The solenoid valve can, for instance, direct compressed gas to and/or from the pneumatic mechanism to operate a bolt or firing valve connected to the pneumatic mechanism in response to the signal from the electrical control unit.

Abstract: A gate assembly constructed according to principles of the present invention preferably has the ability, with only a small amount of manual force, to open a gate by pivoting the gate upwardly about a pivot point. The gate assembly can include, for instance, a pivot arm to which the gate is attached. The pivot arm preferably pivots at the pivot point about a pivot axis, for instance, using a pin and bearing setup attached to a main frame. A biasing member can provide a biasing force to the gate to maintain the gate in an open or closed position and/or to assist in opening the gate. An adjustment mechanism can be provided to enable adjustment of an amount of the biasing force. When the biasing member is a spring assembly, a spring adjustment sleeve can be slidably arranged on the pivot arm and attached to an end of one or more springs, with a desired number of springs (and spring force) selected depending on the weight of the gate.

Abstract: A pneumatic paintball gun preferably includes a bolt having an interior chamber. The interior chamber of the bolt is preferably arranged to communicate with a compressed gas storage area to effectively increase the volume of compressed gas stored in the compressed gas storage area without increasing the size of the paintball gun.

Abstract: A pneumatic assembly preferably includes a sealing member disposed between a compressed gas storage area and a compressed gas releasing area. A piston rod is preferably arranged in communication with the sealing member and disposed longitudinally in the pneumatic assembly extending between the compressed gas storage and compressed gas releasing areas. One or more vent channels are preferably formed in the piston rod, with one or more ribs arranged longitudinally through or between the vent channels. The ribs are preferably configured to maintain the sealing member within a sealing member retaining groove while compressed gas is being released from the compressed gas storage area to the compressed gas releasing area. A grip mounted circuit board arrangement can also be provided wherein a circuit board is configured to securely mount within one or more slots arranged in a grip frame of a paintball gun. The circuit board may include a solenoid valve and a trigger-actuated switch arranged on the circuit board.

Abstract: A slat positioning and placing machine is preferably configured to place slats on top of or between accumulated material layers. A set of actuating arms preferably includes complementary operating slat holding holders, such as pans or other holding devices. As a first slat holder is inserting a slat into a material package being formulated, a second slat holder is preferably positioned to receive a slat. As the second slat holder is being positioned to insert the slat into the package, the first slat holder is preferably being cycled back to receive a slat. A controls methodology preferably electronically profiles the forward and rearward movement of the actuating arms. The raising and lowering functions can also be electronically profiled. The profiles can also preferably be adjusted to increase the cycle rates for various lengths being processed, and various cycling and positioning methods are contemplated.

Abstract: A quick exhaust valve is preferably constructed having a port connector, an input body, and an exhaust body. The input body and exhaust body are preferably arranged in a rotatable relationship with the port connector such that an input port of the input body can be arranged in a desired orientation with respect to a connected device and still permit communication between ports in the input and exhaust bodies and a port in the port connector.

Abstract: A bolt assembly for a paintball gun preferably includes a valve stem having an output port that can supply compressed gas to a compressed gas storage chamber. A bolt is preferably slidably mounted on the valve stem to move between a forward and a rearward position. The bolt can include one or more bolt ports configured to communicate compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber to a forward end of the bolt for launching a paintball when the bolt is in the forward position. When the bolt is in a rearward position, the bolt ports preferably communicate compressed gas from the outlet port of the valve stem into the compressed gas storage chamber. A sealing member can be arranged on the valve stem in communication with the bolt to prevent compressed gas in the compressed gas storage chamber from entering a forward bolt chamber when the bolt is in the rearward position and to permit compressed gas to enter the forward bolt chamber through the bolt ports when the bolt is in the forward position.