Abstract: A pneumatically timed control unit controls a gas operated projectile launching device. At rest, the control unit feeds pneumatic gas from a compressed gas supply to the launching device's loading, launching components and/or mechanisms, and/or gas storage chamber(s). Once the valve is partially activated, the control unit uses pneumatic pressure from the gas storage device to urge the valve to a fully activated position to start the launching and/or loading sequences of the launching device and to pneumatically hold the valve(s) within the control unit in the activated position. The control unit waits for pneumatic feedback and/or absence of feedback/exhausting pneumatic pressure from either the launching device's loading and/or launching components and/or mechanism, or from a gas storage chamber and/or a venting relief-type valve to release the pneumatic hold on the valve. This allows the valve to be shifted to the “at rest” position, ready for the next activation sequence.

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 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 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 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 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 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.

Abstract: A pneumatically actuated clip for a paintball gun may include a driving member such as a soft sealing ball or a flexible drive piston that conforms in shape and size to a cross-sectional area of a passageway containing a supply of paintballs. The passageway preferably provides a paintball route (or pathway) inside the clip that supplies the paintballs to the paintball gun. In one embodiment, the driving member creates a pneumatic chamber (sealing as it moves) in the area behind the driving member. Pressurized gas supplied to the pneumatic chamber preferably drives the driving member and the supply of paintballs forward along the pathway. The pressurized gas that drives the driving member can, for instance, be controlled by means of an integrated regulator or can be a timed pulse of air supplied through a solenoid valve as controlled by a signal from a control board.

Abstract: A paintball gun preferably includes a compressed gas storage chamber, a bolt, and a firing valve arranged in a longitudinal chamber of the paintball gun. The firing valve preferably includes a valve plug arranged in a sealing engagement within a plug receptacle to retain the compressed gas in the compressed gas storage chamber when the firing valve is in a closed position. In an open position, the valve plug is preferably withdrawn from the plug receptacle to permit compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber to enter the bolt. A pneumatic piston is preferably operably connected to the firing valve to move it between an open and closed position.

Abstract: A bolt assembly for a pneumatic paintball gun preferably includes a bolt front, a firing valve, and a bolt back. The bolt back preferably includes a valve chamber and a pneumatic passage connecting the valve chamber to an input/output port. The bolt front is preferably connected to a forward end of the bolt back in communication with the valve chamber. The firing valve is preferably arranged in the valve chamber. A plurality of bolt ports can be arranged in the bolt back in fluid communication with the valve chamber to transfer compressed gas to and from a compressed gas storage chamber. In a forward position, compressed gas can be supplied to a rearward portion of the valve chamber from the input/output port through the pneumatic passage. The firing valve can be biased forward by the pneumatic pressure and be seated within a valve seat formed in a rearward end of the valve front. The pneumatic pressure preferably further deforms an edge of the firing valve and fills the compressed gas storage chamber.

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.

Abstract: A pneumatic paintball gun preferably includes an upper body and a rear hand grip. The upper body preferably houses a pneumatic assembly that provides the primary operating components of the paintball gun. The pneumatic assembly preferably includes a bolt piston and a bolt. The pneumatic piston is preferably coupled to the bolt for controlling movement of the bolt. The rear hand grip preferably includes a supply port for receiving compressed gas directly into the rear hand grip from a compressed gas supply. A transfer path can be arranged internally within the rear hand grip to transfer compressed gas from the supply port to the operating components of the paintball gun. The transfer path can, for instance, be a tube, a flexible hose, or another transfer mechanism. Compressed gas from the transfer path can be supplied to a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve can transfer compressed gas to the bolt piston to operate the bolt during operation of the paintball gun.

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 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.