Abstract: An electro-pneumatic paintball gun preferably comprises a bolt assembly and a firing valve assembly that can be readily removed from the paintball gun. A bolt assembly preferably comprises a bolt sleeve. The bolt assembly is preferably removed by turning the bolt sleeve a predetermined rotational distance and then retracting the bolt assembly from a rearward opening in the paintball gun. The firing assembly preferably comprises a pneumatic piston rod and cylinder and a firing valve. A firing mass is preferably arranged on a rearward end of the piston rod. The forward end of the piston rod preferably engages the firing valve. The firing mass can include a groove for receiving a bolt linkage from the bolt assembly.

Abstract: A pneumatic assembly for a paintball gun preferably includes a bolt slidable between an open and a closed position. The bolt preferably operates as a firing valve by permitting compressed gas to flow through the bolt when the bolt is in the closed position but preventing the transfer of compressed gas through the bolt when in the open position. This can be accomplished, for instance, by arranging a sealing member in communication with a surface of the bolt. A port is also 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 in an open position, the sealing member prevents compressed gas from flowing into the bolt, but when the bolt is in a closed position, compressed gas is permitted to flow into the bolt. Movement of the bolt is preferably controlled using a control valve such as an electronic solenoid valve.

Abstract: A paintball gun preferably includes a compressed gas storage chamber, a bolt, and a firing valve all arranged in a longitudinal chamber of the paintball gun. The bolt preferably includes a first and a second surface area. One of the two bolt surface areas is preferably larger than the other bolt surface area. The bolt can be operated by supplying compressed gas of the a selected pressure to one bolt surface area and selectively supplying compressed gas of the selected pressure to the larger of the two bolt surface areas. A firing valve can also be operated by supplying compressed gas of the selected pressure to differentially-sized surface areas of the firing valve.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated projectile launching device preferably comprises an electro-pneumatic flow distribution mechanism that receives and directs compressed gas to a pneumatic mechanism to open a bolt.

Abstract: A pneumatic paintball gun preferably includes a bolt slidable between an open and a closed position. The bolt preferably operates as a firing valve by permitting compressed gas to flow through the bolt and out of the paintball gun when the bolt is closed, but preventing the transfer of compressed gas through the forward end of the bolt when open. This can be accomplished, for instance, by arranging a sealing member in communication with a surface of the bolt. A port is also 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 in an open position, the sealing member prevents compressed gas from flowing into the bolt, but when the bolt is in a closed position, compressed gas is permitted to flow into the bolt.

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 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 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 paintball is preferably formed by forming a quantity of filling material into a desired shape and then freezing the shaped filling material. A shell material is preferably applied to the frozen filling material.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for preventing accidental disconnection of a valve fitting from a compressed gas cylinder (tank) is provided. A valve safety device preferably includes a valve stem having a first threaded section. The first threaded section is preferably configured to engage threads in an internal section of a compressed gas storage device during insertion and reside within an internal portion of the compressed gas storage device following insertion. A non-threaded section is preferably arranged proximal to the first threaded section. One or more vents are preferably provided on the non-threaded section to provide for a safe release of compressed gas from the compressed gas storage device before the first threaded section can be removed from the compressed gas storage device.

Abstract: A paintball gun preferably includes a compressed gas storage chamber, a bolt, and a firing valve all arranged in a longitudinal chamber of the paintball gun. The bolt preferably includes a first and a second surface area. One of the two bolt surface areas is preferably larger than the other bolt surface area. The bolt can be operated by supplying compressed gas of the a selected pressure to one bolt surface area and selectively supplying compressed gas of the selected pressure to the larger of the two bolt surface areas. A firing valve can also be operated by supplying compressed gas of the selected pressure to differentially-sized surface areas of the firing valve.

Abstract: A pneumatic assembly preferably includes a compressed gas storage area, a firing valve, and a bolt arranged along substantially the same horizontal axis. A valve retainer, a compressed gas storage area housing, and a bolt assembly are preferably arranged to form a substantially contiguous assembly housing. The firing valve is preferably configured to open when gas pressure is applied to a surface area thereof through a control valve. The bolt is preferably configured to move to a closed position before the firing valve is actuated. The control valve is preferably an electro-pneumatic valve configured to actuate the firing valve in response to a trigger pull of a paintball gun.

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 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 assembly for a paintball gun preferably includes a bolt slidable between an open and a closed position. The bolt preferably operates as a firing valve by permitting compressed gas to flow through the bolt when the bolt is in the closed position but preventing the transfer of compressed gas through the bolt when in the open position. This can be accomplished, for instance, by arranging a sealing member in communication with a surface of the bolt. A port is also 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 in an open position, the sealing member prevents compressed gas from flowing into the bolt, but when the bolt is in a closed position, compressed gas is permitted to flow into the bolt. Movement of the bolt is preferably controlled using a control valve such as an electronic solenoid valve.

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.