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 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 paintball gun includes a touch-activated trigger system. The touch-activated trigger system preferably can cause the initiation of a firing operation of the paintball gun in response to contact with human flesh or a specialized glove.

Abstract: A paintball gun control system according to this invention includes an electronic circuit board configured to receive a sensor signal corresponding to a measured value of a paintball gun characteristic. The circuit board compares the measured value with a desired value. Based upon that comparison, the circuit board adjusts one or more characteristics of the paintball gun to bring the measured value into conformity with the desired value.

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: An electronically-operated pneumatic launching device preferably includes a gun-shaped body having a trigger. A bolt preferably permits a projectile to be loaded into a chamber during a loading operation. The bolt can be configured to be opened by the application of pneumatic force. A valve is preferably located in the body and selectively supplies compressed gas from a compressed gas source to the chamber during a firing operation. An electrical circuit is also preferably arranged in the body to initiate the firing operation of the paintball gun in response to actuation of the trigger.

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: The pneumatically operated projectile launching device is preferably comprised of three principal elements: a body which houses and interconnects all of the pneumatic components and also houses the electrical power source, a grip mounted to the body which includes an electrical switch that activates a launching sequence, and an electrical control unit housed within both the body and the grip which directs flow between the pneumatic components to load, cock and fire the gun. The body preferably contains a plurality of bores in communication with each other including a bore containing and distributing pressurized gas, a bore containing a compressed gas storage chamber and mechanisms for filling the storage chamber with gas and releasing gas from the storage chamber to fire the projectile, and a bore containing mechanisms for loading and launching the projectile.

Abstract: A paintball gun according to this invention comprises a pressure regulator, an electronic solenoid valve, a firing valve assembly, a pneumatic ram assembly, and a firing chamber. The pressure regulator is configured to provide low pressure gas to a solenoid valve to control loading and firing operations of the paintball gun. The pressure regulator is further configured to supply low pressure gas to the firing chamber via operation of the firing valve assembly during a firing operation. The firing valve assembly can be configured with an opening, a valve chamber, and an exit port in fluid communication with the firing chamber, each having a size sufficient to allow an appropriate volume of gas flow to be supplied to the firing chamber with no significant drop-off in pressure. The firing valve assembly can also be provided with an o-ring seated around the valve cap to provide sensitivity to the firing valve, allowing it to open and close quickly in order to ensure near instantaneous shutoff with minimal load.

Abstract: The pneumatically operated projectile launching device is preferably comprised of three principal elements: a body which houses and interconnects all of the pneumatic components and also houses the electrical power source, a grip mounted to the body which includes an electrical switch that activates a launching sequence, and an electrical control unit housed within both the body and the grip which directs flow between the pneumatic components to load, cock and fire the gun. The body preferably contains a plurality of bores in communication with each other including a bore containing and distributing pressurized gas, a bore containing a compressed gas storage chamber and mechanisms for filling the storage chamber with gas and releasing gas from the storage chamber to fire the projectile, and a bore containing mechanisms for loading and launching the projectile.

Abstract: The pneumatically operated projectile launching device is preferably comprised of three principal elements: a body which houses and interconnects all of the pneumatic components and also houses the electrical power source, a grip mounted to the body which includes an electrical switch that activates a launching sequence, and an electrical control unit housed within both the body and the grip which directs flow between the pneumatic components to load, cock and fire the gun. The body preferably contains a plurality of chambers in communication with each other including a chamber containing and distributing pressurized gas, a chamber containing a compressed gas storage chamber and mechanisms for filling the storage chamber with gas and releasing gas from the storage chamber to fire the projectile, and a chamber containing mechanisms for loading and launching the projectile.

Abstract: A pneumatic valve and regulator, and more particularly to a pneumatic valve and regulator used in a compressed gas powered gun system which is designed to project a fragile liquid-containing spherical unit which bursts upon impact with the intended target. The regulator possesses a pressure balancing device, a temperature compensating device, and relief valve features. The temperature compensator of the temperature compensating device is made of a synthetic compound material which expands and contracts at a rate that equals but is inverse to the rate of change caused by changes in the modulus of elasticity of a helical compression spring caused by a temperature differential. The valve possesses a seal made of pressure-activated material, the outer diameter of the seal is mechanically captured, the inner diameter of the seal is not constrained from moving into the cavity.

Abstract: The pneumatically operated projectile launching device is preferably comprised of three principal elements: a body which houses and interconnects all of the pneumatic components and also houses the electrical power source, a grip mounted to the body which includes an electrical switch that activates a launching sequence, and an electrical control unit housed within both the body and the grip which directs flow between the pneumatic components to load, cock and fire the gun. The body preferably contains a plurality of chambers in communication with each other including a chamber containing and distributing pressurized gas, a chamber containing a compressed gas storage chamber and mechanisms for filling the storage chamber with gas and releasing gas from the storage chamber to fire the projectile, and a chamber containing mechanisms for loading and launching the projectile.

Abstract: A pneumatic valve and regulator, and more particularly to a pneumatic valve and regulator used in a compressed gas powered gun system which is designed to project a fragile liquid-containing spherical unit which bursts upon impact with the intended target. The regulator possesses a pressure balancing device, a temperature compensating device, and relief valve features. The temperature compensator of the temperature compensating device is made of a synthetic compound material which expands and contracts at a rate that equals but is inverse to the rate of change caused by changes in the modulus of elasticity of a helical compression spring caused by a temperature differential. The valve possesses a seal made of pressure-activated material, the outer diameter of the seal is mechanically captured, the inner diameter of the seal is not constrained from moving into the cavity.

Abstract: An improved barrel for guns which do not have standard internal rifling is disclosed. The barrel has a plurality of apertures which extend a first longitudinal distance along the barrel from the muzzle end toward the breech end. The apertures may define a pair of parallel helixes. The sum of the cross-sectional areas of all apertures in the barrel exceeds the cross-sectional area of the barrel itself. Additionally, each aperture is bored at an angle so that its longitudinal axis defines an acute angle with a plane which is tangent to the barrel and which intersects the aperture. The apertures expel ambient air from the barrel and allow for expansion of compressed gas to stabilize a projectile, such as a paintball, thereby improving the accuracy of the gun. The barrel may also include two-staged honing, as well as a removable choke adjacent the breech end of the barrel.

Abstract: Apparatus and system including a hanger device which is releasably clampable to a rod. The hanger device includes a pair of blocks each having a plurality of differently configured bore sections therein adapted for cooperating with a plurality of differently configured bore sections of the other block such that predetermined ones of the cooperating bore sections may be aligned to clamp the rod therebetween, whereby the blocks may be clamped to rods of a plurality of different configurations. One of the blocks is provided with a member for suspending a hoist. The apparatus further preferably comprises structure for connecting the hanger device to a come-along device whereby the functions of the hoist and come-along device may be effectively interrelated to lift and substantially horizontally translate material in an efficient and coordinated process.