Abstract: A paintball marker is provided including a body, an inlet control device, a firing system, a first regulator and a second regulator. The body has a paintball inlet and a barrel for receiving a paintball from the paintball inlet. The inlet control device is movable between an open position wherein the inlet control device permits entry of a paintball through the paintball inlet, and a closed position for chambering a paintball. In the closed position the inlet control device prevents entry of a paintball through the paintball inlet. The firing system includes a firing valve that is moveable between a firing position wherein the valve permits firing gas at a selected pressure to flow to the barrel and a non-firing position wherein the firing valve prevents flow of firing gas to the barrel. The first regulator is fluidically connectable to the pressurized gas source and is configurable to provide gas at a first pressure.

Abstract: A loader apparatus for use with a paintball marker having a paintball inlet is provided. The loader apparatus includes a base attachable to the paintball marker, a cartridge removably attachable to the base, a motive means and a delivery conduit. The cartridge includes a chamber for paintballs. The chamber has a paintball outlet. The cartridge further includes a flow assistor. The motive means is operatively connected to the flow assistor when the cartridge is attached to the base. The delivery conduit is in flow communication with the paintball outlet of the chamber and with the paintball inlet of the paintball marker when the cartridge is attached to the base and the base is mounted to the paintball marker.

Abstract: A paintball marker is provided including a body, a bolt and an actuator. The body defines a chamber having a paintball inlet. The bolt is slideable within the chamber between an open position wherein the bolt permits the entry of a paintball through the paintball inlet into the chamber, and a closed position wherein the bolt prevents the entry of a paintball through the paintball inlet into the chamber. The actuator is operatively connected to the bolt. The actuator is adapted to apply an opening force to move the bolt towards the open position and a closing force to move the bolt towards the closed position. The closing force is different from the opening force.

Abstract: A paintball marker is provided including a body, a bolt and an actuator. The body defines a chamber having a paintball inlet. The bolt is slideable within the chamber between an open position wherein the bolt permits the entry of a paintball through the paintball inlet into the chamber, and a closed position wherein the bolt prevents the entry of a paintball through the paintball inlet into the chamber. The actuator is operatively connected to the bolt. The actuator is adapted to apply an opening force to move the bolt towards the open position and a closing force to move the bolt towards the closed position. The closing force is different from the opening force.

Abstract: A paintball marker is provided including a body, an inlet control device, a firing system, a first regulator and a second regulator. The body has a paintball inlet and a barrel for receiving a paintball from the paintball inlet. The inlet control device is movable between an open position wherein the inlet control device permits entry of a paintball through the paintball inlet, and a closed position for chambering a paintball. In the closed position the inlet control device prevents entry of a paintball through the paintball inlet. The firing system includes a firing valve that is moveable between a firing position wherein the valve permits firing gas at a selected pressure to flow to the barrel and a non-firing position wherein the firing valve prevents flow of firing gas to the barrel. The first regulator is fluidically connectable to the pressurized gas source and is configurable to provide gas at a first pressure.

Abstract: A paintball marker is provided including a body, a bolt and an actuator. The body defines a chamber having a paintball inlet. The bolt is slideable within the chamber between an open position wherein the bolt permits the entry of a paintball through the paintball inlet into the chamber, and a closed position wherein the bolt prevents the entry of a paintball through the paintball inlet into the chamber. The actuator is operatively connected to the bolt. The actuator is adapted to apply an opening force to move the bolt towards the open position and a closing force to move the bolt towards the closed position. The closing force is different from the opening force.

Abstract: A loader apparatus for use with a paintball marker having a paintball inlet is provided. The loader apparatus includes a base attachable to the paintball marker, a cartridge removably attachable to the base, a motive means and a delivery conduit. The cartridge includes a chamber for paintballs. The chamber has a paintball outlet. The cartridge further includes a flow assistor. The motive means is operatively connected to the flow assistor when the cartridge is attached to the base. The delivery conduit is in flow communication with the paintball outlet of the chamber and with the paintball inlet of the paintball marker when the cartridge is attached to the base and the base is mounted to the paintball marker.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a loader apparatus for use with a paintball marker including a base attachable to the marker, a cartridge removably attachable to the base and a delivery conduit. The base includes a motor, which drives a driven means ending in a first gear. The cartridge includes a paintball chamber with an outlet, and a flow assistor driven by a second gear that meshes with the first gear on the base. The chamber includes a pressure plate and spring assembly which pushes the paintballs in the chamber towards the outlet. The flow assistor includes a rotating generally funnel-shaped surface having bosses and dimples to enhance the agitation of paintballs and to assist the flow of paintballs from the chamber. The operation of the flow assistor is controlled by a controller. The controller receives input from an on/off switch on the base, a second switch which senses the presence of a cartridge on the base, and a plurality of paintball sensors located in the delivery conduit.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a loader apparatus for use with a paintball marker including a base attachable to the marker, a cartridge removably attachable to the base and a delivery conduit. The base includes a motor, which drives a driven means ending in a first gear. The cartridge includes a paintball chamber with an outlet, and a flow assistor driven by a second gear that meshes with the first gear on the base. The chamber includes a pressure plate and spring assembly which pushes the paintballs in the chamber towards the outlet. The flow assistor includes a rotating generally funnel-shaped surface having bosses and dimples to enhance the agitation of paintballs and to assist the flow of paintballs from the chamber. The operation of the flow assistor is controlled by a controller. The controller receives input from an on/off switch on the base, a second switch which senses the presence of a cartridge on the base, and a plurality of paintball sensors located in the delivery conduit.