Abstract: A convertible projectile launching device includes a projectile launching device, such as a paint ball marker, a less than lethal launcher or an airsoft gun, to which a user can secure at least one shell that changes the outer configuration or appearance of a projectile launching device on which it is secured into a MILSIM style projectile launching device. The shell includes at least one front shell portion and at least one rear shell portion that are connected by a hinge so the rear shell portion may pivot about the hinge with respect to the front portion. By operating a locking bolt on the rear shell portion, a user can selectively lock the orientation of the rear portion with respect to the underlying marker. The locking bolt may be spring biased to a locked position.

Abstract: A paintball transfer apparatus and method for operating the apparatus to move a paintball enable a user to load a paintball into a paintball marker. The apparatus has an housing forming a cavity for storing paintballs, a path around the wall of the cavity that is shaped to guide paintballs, and a driver that rotates a roller within the cavity. Rotation of the roller moves paintballs along the path. The path may have one of a variety of shapes, such as circular or helical. The surface speed of the roller may be greater than the speed of the paintballs along the path. The roller may be made of a high friction material, and also may be a brush. The apparatus may be used to move paintballs within and about a marker, such as vertically upwards or downwards, or horizontally left or right.

Abstract: A convertible projectile launching device includes a projectile launching device, such as a paint ball marker, a less than lethal launcher or an airsoft gun, to which a user can secure at least one shell that changes the outer configuration or appearance of a projectile launching device on which it is secured into a MILSIM style projectile launching device. Any type of fasteners may be used to secure the shells to the device. The surface of at least one shell provides a rail system for mounting objects to the projectile launching device. The shell has a mating surface that engages a corresponding mating surface on the projectile launching device in order to increase stability of the shell. A blanking plug or a butt stock can be inserted into the rear of the shell, secured by a latch or other mechanism on at least one shell.

Abstract: A method of transferring data in a projectile launching device includes providing a projectile launching device that has a transmitter and a receiver. An external device also includes its own transmitter and receiver. The receivers are in range with the transmitters. Data is sent from the transmitter on the projectile launching device to the either or both the receiver on the projectile launching device and the receiver on the external device. Data is sent from the transmitter on the projectile launching device to either or both the receiver on the projectile launching device and the receiver on the external device. As a result, the projectile launching device communicates with the external device.

Abstract: A projectile launching device has a knock-open valve that is opened when forced by a hammer to release compressed air and launch a projectile from the device. The projectile launching device has a force control device between the hammer and the knock-open valve that is configured and positioned to provide force translation and control, allowing forces acting on a knock-open valve to be manipulated independently of the speed profile and mass of the hammer. A bolt is used to load a projectile into the barrel before it is launched. Where the hammer is configured to move with the bolt, the force control device allows forces acting on a knock-open valve to be manipulated independently of the speed profile and mass of the hammer and the bolt. The force control device can be a cam surface or a lever, or a lever having a cam surface.

Abstract: A paintball transfer apparatus and method for operating the apparatus to move a paintball enable a user to load a paintball into a paintball marker. The apparatus has an housing forming a cavity for storing paintballs, a path around the wall of the cavity that is shaped to guide paintballs, and a driver that rotates a roller within the cavity. Rotation of the roller moves paintballs along the path. The path may have one of a variety of shapes, such as circular or helical. The surface speed of the roller may be greater than the speed of the paintballs along the path. The roller may be made of a high friction material, and also may be a brush. The apparatus may be used to move paintballs within and about a marker, such as vertically upwards or downwards, or horizontally left or right.

Abstract: A projectile launching device has a knock-open valve that is opened when forced by a hammer to release compressed air and launch a projectile from the device. The projectile launching device has a force control device between the hammer and the knock-open valve that is configured and positioned to provide force translation and control, allowing forces acting on a knock-open valve to be manipulated independently of the speed profile and mass of the hammer. A bolt is used to load a projectile into the barrel before it is launched. Where the hammer is configured to move with the bolt, the force control device allows forces acting on a knock-open valve to be manipulated independently of the speed profile and mass of the hammer and the bolt. The force control device can be a cam surface or a lever, or a lever having a cam surface.

Abstract: The latching gas ON/OFF assembly includes a housing with a female threaded bore for receiving a male threaded neck of a gas tank cylinder having a tank valve with a pin. A bonnet is slidably connected to the housing and slides between a forward OFF position and rearward ON position. A pin depressor connected to the bonnet with a transverse latch button for locking the bonnet in the ON position and for releasing the bonnet from the ON position. When the bonnet is slid to the rearward ON position it causes the pin depressor to contact the pin of the tank valve to permit gas to flow therefrom. The latching button is spring-biased toward a locked position where a plate on the free end thereof removably resides in a complementary seat in the housing.

Abstract: A convertible projectile launching device includes a projectile launching device, such as a paint ball marker, a less than lethal launcher or an airsoft gun, to which a user can secure at least one shell that changes the outer configuration or appearance of a projectile launching device on which it is secured into a MILSIM style projectile launching device. Any type of fasteners may be used to secure the shells to the device. The surface of at least one shell provides a rail system for mounting objects to the projectile launching device. The shell has a mating surface that engages a corresponding mating surface on the projectile launching device in order to increase stability of the shell. A blanking plug or a butt stock can be inserted into the rear of the shell, secured by a latch or other mechanism on at least one shell.

Abstract: A method of transferring data in a projectile launching device includes providing a projectile launching device that has a transmitter and a receiver. An external device also includes its own transmitter and receiver. The receivers are in range with the transmitters. Data is sent from the transmitter on the projectile launching device to the either or both the receiver on the projectile launching device and the receiver on the external device. Data is sent from the transmitter on the projectile launching device to either or both the receiver on the projectile launching device and the receiver on the external device. As a result, the projectile launching device communicates with the external device.

Abstract: An improved normally open (NO) gas pressure regulator is provided. Preferably, the regulator is employed with a paintball marker and operates as a NO regulator yet automatically purges the retained pressure downstream of the regulator upon removal of the supply pressure. The gas pressure regulator of the present invention includes a pressure-controlled plunger inside the NO regulator that allows the regulated downstream gases to be purged from the system as the supply source is removed from the marker. Accordingly, since the downstream regulated gases are allowed to exit the system when the supply source is removed, the regulated gas pressure is released and the paintball marker is rendered inoperable and safe.

Abstract: The proposed invention is a new bolt and gas release valve mechanism for a projectile launching device, such as a paintball marker, that uses significantly less gas per shot than prior art devices. The open gas chamber between the projectile, such as a paintball, and the gas release mechanism is eliminated thereby requiring much less gas to be used for each launch of a given projectile. Thus, only the launching gas to propel the projectile is needed and not the additional gas required to fill the chamber in the bolt directly behind the projectile. This enables desirably smaller gas supply tanks to be used during use to launch the same number of projectiles. Also, with the present invention, more projectiles can be launched using the same gas supply tank.

Abstract: The proposed invention is a new bolt and gas release valve mechanism for a projectile launching device, such as a paintball marker, that uses significantly less gas per shot than prior art devices. The open gas chamber between the projectile, such as a paintball, and the gas release mechanism is eliminated thereby requiring much less gas to be used for each launch of a given projectile. Thus, only the launching gas to propel the projectile is needed and not the additional gas required to fill the chamber in the bolt directly behind the projectile. This enables desirably smaller gas supply tanks to be used during use to launch the same number of projectiles. Also, with the present invention, more projectiles can be launched using the same gas supply tank.

Abstract: The proposed invention is a new bolt and gas release valve mechanism for a projectile launching device, such as a paintball marker, that uses significantly less gas per shot than prior art devices. The open gas chamber between the projectile, such as a paintball, and the gas release mechanism is eliminated thereby requiring much less gas to be used for each launch of a given projectile. Thus, only the launching gas to propel the projectile is needed and not the additional gas required to fill the chamber in the bolt directly behind the projectile. This enables desirably smaller gas supply tanks to be used during use to launch the same number of projectiles. Also, with the present invention, more projectiles can be launched using the same gas supply tank.

Abstract: The latching gas ON/OFF assembly includes a housing with a female threaded bore for receiving a male threaded neck of a gas tank cylinder having a tank valve with a pin. A bonnet is slidably connected to the housing and slides between a forward OFF position and rearward ON position. A pin depressor connected to the bonnet with a transverse latch button for locking the bonnet in the ON position and for releasing the bonnet from the ON position. When the bonnet is slid to the rearward ON position it causes the pin depressor to contact the pin of the tank valve to permit gas to flow therefrom. The latching button is spring-biased toward a locked position where a plate on the free end thereof removably resides in a complementary seat in the housing.

Abstract: A pneumatic circuit for a paintball marker is disclosed. Paintball markers generally include a gas supply, a bolt mechanism and a firing chamber. The pneumatic circuit includes an exhaust path. A gas supply inlet path is in fluid communication to the gas supply. A first supply path is in fluid communication with the gas supply inlet path and the bolt mechanism. A second supply path is in fluid communication with the gas supply inlet path and the firing chamber. A first valve is configured and arranged to selectively control fluid communication of the first supply path and the exhaust path. A second valve is configured and arranged to control fluid communication of the second supply path.

Abstract: A paintball marker for firing a projectile includes a main body. The main body includes a breech and a feed port connected and a feed tube connected thereto. The main body is originally configured for launching a projectile having a first size. The invention includes a conversion kit to enable a marker to launch projectiles that are smaller than what can be originally launched. A breech insert is positioned within the breech, a feed insert is positioned within the feed port and a replacement barrel, with a smaller diameter bore, are provided to reduce the size of the all conduits within the marker for launching a projectile having a second size that smaller than the first size. The feed insert directly engages the breech adapter to prevent the movement of the breech adapter. Also, connection of the barrel secures the breech insert in place.

Abstract: A paintball marker for firing a projectile includes a main body. The main body includes a breech and a feed port connected and a feed tube connected thereto. The main body is originally configured for launching a projectile having a first size. The invention includes a conversion kit to enable a marker to launch projectiles that are smaller than what can be originally launched. A breech insert is positioned within the breech, a feed insert is positioned within the feed port and a replacement barrel, with a smaller diameter bore, are provided to reduce the size of the all conduits within the marker for launching a projectile having a second size that smaller than the first size. The feed insert directly engages the breech adapter to prevent the movement of the breech adapter. Also, connection of the barrel secures the breech insert in place.

Abstract: The proposed invention is a new bolt and gas release valve mechanism for a projectile launching device, such as a paintball marker, that uses significantly less gas per shot than prior art devices. The open gas chamber between the projectile, such as a paintball, and the gas release mechanism is eliminated thereby requiring much less gas to be used for each launch of a given projectile. Thus, only the launching gas to propel the projectile is needed and not the additional gas required to fill the chamber in the bolt directly behind the projectile. This enables desirably smaller gas supply tanks to be used during use to launch the same number of projectiles. Also, with the present invention, more projectiles can be launched using the same gas supply tank.

Abstract: The pneumatic launching assembly includes a launching body with a front end and a rear end. A first chamber is positioned in the rear end of the launching body for isolating a gas supply. A bolt is positioned in the front end of the launching body for moving a projectile into a launching position. A second chamber is coaxially forward of the first chamber for isolating the gas supply until the bolt is in a fully forward position. A firing plunger is slidably mounted in the launching body and moveable within the bolt and first chamber for regulating gas flow. In operation, the bolt moves forwardly to position the projectile into a launching position, meanwhile, the firing plunger moves rearwardly to release an gas to propel the projectile. The bolt and firing plunger are coaxially moving in opposite directions to minimize any recoil of the pneumatic launching assembly.