Abstract: An apparatus for releasably coupling a provided paintball hopper to a provided paintball marker. The apparatus includes a marker mount, a feed neck, a plurality of spheres, and a retaining sleeve. The marker mount includes an axial passage and a plurality of bores perpendicular to the passage. The feed neck includes an axial passage and a plurality of cavities. The retaining sleeve includes a plurality of voids. The marker mount for coupling to the paintball marker. The feed neck for coupling to the paintball hopper. Each one cavity is separate from any other cavity. Each bore includes a first end portion and a second end portion respectively. One sphere is moveably positioned in each bore. The feed neck slidably engages the marker mount. The retaining sleeve is biased in a locked position and rotationally movable to an unlocked position. In the unlocked position, each sphere partially protrudes from the first end portion of its respective bore into a respective void of the plurality of voids.

Abstract: An apparatus, according to various aspects of the present invention, adjusts fluid pressure. The apparatus includes a body, a seal seat, a sphere, and an adjustment rod. The body includes an axis and an adjustment passage. The adjustment passage is positioned angularly to the axis. The seal seat includes an adjustment end portion. The seal seat is disposed in the body and moves along the axis. The sphere is disposed in the body and moves angularly to the axis. The sphere contacts the adjustment end portion of the seal seat. The adjustment rod includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The adjustment rod is movably disposed in the adjustment passage. The first end portion of the adjustment rod contacts the sphere. The sphere in cooperation with the first end portion of the adjustment rod and the adjustment end portion of the seal seat translates displacement of the adjustment rod into axial displacement of the seal seat. The adjustment end portion of the seal seat includes a groove having a ramp.

Abstract: An apparatus for releasably coupling a provided paintball hopper to a provided paintball marker. The apparatus includes a marker mount, a feed neck, a plurality of spheres, and a retaining sleeve. The marker mount includes an axial passage and a plurality of bores perpendicular to the passage. The feed neck includes an axial passage and a plurality of cavities. The retaining sleeve includes an annular groove. The marker mount for coupling to the paintball marker. The feed neck for coupling to the paintball hopper. Each one cavity is separate from any other cavity. Each bore having a first end portion and a second end portion respectively. One sphere is moveably positioned in each bore. The feed neck slidably engages the marker mount. The retaining sleeve is biased in a locked position and axially movable to an unlocked position. In the unlocked position, each sphere partially protrudes from the first end portion of its respective bore into the annular groove.

Abstract: An on-off controller, according to various aspects of the present invention, for controlling a flow of fluid from a provided bottle, wherein the bottle has a poppet valve biased in a closed position, wherein fluid flows from the bottle when the poppet valve is open. The on-off controller includes a body, a bore, an activator, and a position mechanism. The body includes an axis and an inlet. The inlet is positioned axially and couples to the bottle. The bore is formed through the body. Each end portion of the bore is open at the exterior of the body and the bore is not parallel to the axis. The activator includes a depressor that opens the poppet valve, a position connector, and at least one pin disposed between the depressor and the position connector. The activator does not obstruct the bore. The position mechanism moves the activator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to various aspects of the present invention comprise an on-off controller configured to control the flow of pressurized pneumatic fluid. In one embodiment, the on-off controller comprises a body having an inlet, at least one outlet, a vent, a vent passage, a rod positioned axially in the body, a position mechanism configured to move the rod axially in the body, a seal configured to sealably contact the rod and seal the vent passage, wherein the position of the rod may define operating states comprising: an on-state, an off-state, and a vent-state.

Abstract: A coupler enables a paintball hopper to be easily connected to and disconnected from a paintball marker. A part of the coupler is connected to the paintball marker while another part is connected to the paintball hopper. The coupler has a locked and an unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the portion of the coupler connected to the paintball hopper is easily removed from or inserted into the coupler. In the locked position, the paintball hopper is held immobile and capable of being used in a competitive environment. The coupler provides fixed positions while locked and uses techniques to keep the hopper immobile when locked to the paintball marker.