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: 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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A method of firing a paintball marker and dual trigger mechanism for a paintball marker are disclosed. The dual switch includes a first and a second trigger position sensors configured and arranged to detect the position of said trigger. A circuit is operatively connected to the first and second trigger position sensors and the projectile firing mechanism of the paintball marker. The circuit is configured to initiate a firing operation with said projectile firing mechanism when the first and second trigger position sensors indicate that the trigger has been depressed. The method includes the steps of detecting the position of the trigger with the first trigger position sensor and the second trigger position sensor and initiating a firing operation when the first and second trigger position sensors indicate that the trigger has been depressed.

Abstract: An improved bolt construction for use in a paintball marker assembly is provided. The improved bolt assembly is generally formed to include a cut-out in the top surface thereof along its leading edge. The cut-out has a size and shape that functions in an manner that prevents the bolt from clipping or otherwise damaging a second incoming paintball projectile as the bolt reciprocates forward to ready a first paintball that is already loaded into the breech in preparation for launch. As the bolt is moved forward to push the first paintball into a position that is ready for launch, the leading edge of the cutout passes beneath the second paintball such that the top surface of the cutout impacts the bottom of the second paintball to push the second paintball upwardly as it advances, thereby clearing it from the breech and preventing the bolt from clipping the second paintball.

Abstract: A bolt mechanism that is actuated by an electromagnetic arrangement is provided for use within a pneumatic projectile launcher or marker. The electro-magnetic arrangement provides for rapid movement and a high degree of control over the bolt. Generally, an arrangement of electro-magnetic coils is provided that exert a force on ferrous materials or permanent magnets thereby causing the bolt to reciprocate back and forth. Several embodiments are provided that disclose configurations having varied numbers of electromagnetic coils, ferrous materials and permanent magnets strategically placed within the breech and bolt of the marker, wherein energizing the coils produces movement of the bolt. Further, the electro-magnetic bolt system of the present invention is equally applicable to slide bolts as well as rotary bolts.

Abstract: An improved bolt construction for use in a paintball marker assembly is provided. The improved bolt assembly is generally formed to include a cut-out in the top surface thereof along its leading edge. The cut-out has a size and shape that functions in an manner that prevents the bolt from clipping or otherwise damaging a second incoming paintball projectile as the bolt reciprocates forward to ready a first paintball that is already loaded into the breech in preparation for launch. As the bolt is moved forward to push the first paintball into a position that is ready for launch, the leading edge of the cutout passes beneath the second paintball such that the top surface of the cutout impacts the bottom of the second paintball to push the second paintball upwardly as it advances, thereby clearing it from the breech and preventing the bolt from clipping the second paintball.

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.

Abstract: A method of preventing trigger bounce during the launching of a projectile by a projectile launcher includes the step of first providing a projectile launcher having a trigger capable of actuating between a full non-firing position and a full firing position. An amount of time is determined for the trigger to normally transition from a full non-firing position to a full firing position. A sensor, such as an analog optical sensor, is used to sense position of the trigger. If the time for the trigger to transition from a non-firing position to a firing position exceeds the time for the trigger to normally transition from a full non-firing position to a full firing position, launch of the projectile is delayed period of time requiring the trigger to be release to a full non-firing position.

Abstract: 20 A grip frame 21 replaces an existing grip frame 1 on a paintball marker in order to convert said paintball marker from a mechanically operated paintball marker into an electro-pneumatic paintball marker. The electronic grip frame 21 utilizes an optical sensor in order to detect the operation of a trigger 29 and a second optical sensor to detect the presence of objects within the breech of the paintball marker. Electrical signals from these sensors are taken to an electronic circuit board 24, which controls the operation of two solenoids (one shown 26) in order to fire and recock the paintball marker. A user interface comprising pushbuttons 12, 13, 14 and a multi-character display 16, allows the user to define how the grip frame 21 functions.

Abstract: The method of firing a paintball marker uses a grip frame 21 replaces an existing grip frame 1 on a paintball marker in order to convert said paintball marker from a mechanically operated paintball marker into an electro-pneumatic paintball marker. The electronic grip frame 21 utilises an optical sensor in order to detect the operation of a trigger 29 and a second optical sensor to detect the presence of objects within the breech of the paintball marker. Electrical signals from these sensors are taken to an electronic circuit board 24, which controls the operation of two solenoids (one shown 26) in order to fire and re-cock the paintball marker. A user interface comprising pushbuttons 12, 13, 14 and a multi-character display 16, allows the user to define how the grip frame 21 functions.

Abstract: 20 A grip frame 21 replaces an existing grip frame 1 on a paintball marker in order to convert said paintball marker from a mechanically operated paintball marker into an electro-pneumatic paintball marker. The electronic grip frame 21 utilises an optical sensor in order to detect the operation of a trigger 29 and a second optical sensor to detect the presence of objects within the breech of the paintball marker. Electrical signals from these sensors are taken to an electronic circuit board 24, which controls the operation of two solenoids (one shown 26) in order to fire and recock the paintball marker. A user interface comprising pushbuttons 12, 13, 14 and a multi-character display 16, allows the user to define how the grip frame 21 functions.