Abstract: A compressed gas regulator of a piston type is disclosed in which a regulator is configured with an input valve situated entirely inside a compressed air canister, which regulator is then attached to a paintball gun, marker or other device for providing discrete charges of gas at a predetermined pressure to the attached device. The overall size and weight of the regulator are minimized, which allows increased capabilities to the user. A regulator overpressurization port vents behind a conventional safety gauge for safety purposes. Fill, gage, and canister overpressurization rupture ports are interconnected with a fill channel that extends from the canister to the ports without intersecting or interfering with the regulating components within the regulator. The input valve seat face is surrounded by a shallow generally conical surface within an input plenum. The shallow generally conical surface extends at approximately 5 to 15 degrees.

Abstract: A projectile launcher having a pneumatic assembly that reduces recoil. The launcher may include a gas storage chamber that is filled with compressed gas and then selectively vented to propel projectiles. In some cases, an electronic control circuit may be provided to selectively vent the gas storage chamber. In some embodiments, the launcher may include an anti jam feature that reduces breakage of projectiles during firing.

Abstract: A projectile launcher having a pneumatic assembly that reduces recoil. The launcher may include a gas storage chamber that is filled with compressed gas and then selectively vented to propel projectiles. In some cases, an electronic control circuit may be provided to selectively vent the gas storage chamber. In some embodiments, the launcher may include an anti jam feature that reduces breakage of projectiles during firing.

Abstract: A paintball gun system comprises a bolt defining a propellant passageway and a gun body defining the following elements: a receptacle for receiving the bolt, a firing charge storage chamber adjacent to but separate from the bolt receptacle, a gas inlet port, a first passageway between the storage chamber and the receptacle, a second fixed passageway between the gas inlet and the receptacle. The first passageway communicates with a first flow opening into the receptacle and the second passageway communicates with a second flow opening into the receptacle. The bolt is axially movable between a chargeup position and a firing position. In the chargeup position, the bolt and the body together define a confined flow circuit between the first opening and the storage chamber. In the firing position, the bolt and the body together define a confined flow circuit between the storage chamber and the discharge inlet.

Abstract: Paintball regulators of the present invention receive higher pressure gas from a gas canister, output lower pressure gas to a gun body, but resist violent separation if inadvertently disassembled. The paintball regulators include a hollow valve body, a plug seat fixed in the valve body, a piston subassembly removably secured to the valve body, a plug, a first coacting member on the plug and a second coacting member on the piston subassembly. The valve body defines an open end for receiving the piston subassembly and a gas supply opening. A plug seat is set in the valve body such that the plug seat and the valve body together define a fluid pathway between the supply opening and the open end. The piston subassembly is removably secured to and engageable with the open end. The plug is positioned in the pathway and complementary to the plug seat.

Abstract: A paintball gun system comprises a gun body and a propellant tank interconnected by a quick-change coupling. The quick-change coupling partially defines a fluid pathway between the tank and the gun body in that it is included in a sequence of components from the tank to a pneumatic circuit in the paintball gun body. The quick-change coupling includes a gun-side fitting and a tank-side fitting. The gun-side fitting is in communication with the gun body at one end and terminates in an opposite open-end configured for sealed engagement of the tank-side fitting. The tank-side fitting being is in communication with the tank and has an opposite open end for sealed engagement of the gun-side fitting. Each fitting has complementary interlocking contours.

Abstract: An apparatus for launching projectiles, such as a paintball marker with a pressure regulator. In one embodiment, the regulator that employs a user-friendly On/Off valve which permits or stops gas flow to the outlet port of the regulator and vents the remaining gas from the outlet port in the OFF position. In another embodiment, a direct mount regulator is provided.

Abstract: A compressed gas regulator of a piston type is disclosed in which a regulator is configured with an input valve situated entirely inside a compressed air canister, which regulator is then attached to a paintball gun, marker or other device for providing discrete charges of gas at a predetermined pressure to the attached device. The overall size and weight of the regulator are minimized, which allows increased capabilities to the user. A regulator overpressurization port vents behind a conventional safety gauge for safety purposes. Fill, gage, and canister overpressurization rupture ports are interconnected with a fill channel that extends from the canister to the ports without intersecting or interfering with the regulating components within the regulator. The input valve seat face is surrounded by a shallow generally conical surface within an input plenum. The shallow generally conical surface extends at approximately 5 to 15 degrees.

Abstract: A method of laparoscopic (or robotic) surgery, using a hand-port, comprising providing a trocar port operably disposed within a first abdominal incision opening of a patient, providing a hand-port operably disposed within a second abdominal incision opening, introducing an elongate positioner dimensioned to extend through the trocar, introducing a spatulate element through the hand port and joining the spatulate element to the positioner. The procedure further comprises removing an internal organ or other tissue from the operating area in order to make room and add visibility for the laparoscopic intervention, detaching the spatulate element from the positioner, and withdrawing the positioner through the trocar port and the spatulate through the hand port.

Abstract: An improved pressure regulator suitable for use with paint ball guns comprises a hollow valve body, a valve mechanism for selectively releasing gas from a gas source to an output, and an ON-OFF control. The valve body has a coupling portion, a regulator seat, an output port, an inlet opening, and sidewalls defining a transverse spool socket. The valve mechanism includes a regulator seat, a valve plug movable within a plug chamber for sealing engagement with a regulator seat, and a fluid barrier axially movable with respect to the valve body. A spool is received in the socket and movable between a first position wherein an internal passage is defined between the gas inlet opening and the regulator seat, and a second position wherein the flow of gas from the gas inlet is blocked.

Abstract: Paintball regulators of the present invention receive higher pressure gas from a gas canister, output lower pressure gas to a gun body, but resist violent separation if inadvertently disassembled. The paintball regulators include a hollow valve body, a plug seat fixed in the valve body, a piston subassembly removably secured to the valve body, a plug, a first coacting member on the plug and a second coacting member on the piston subassembly. The valve body defines an open end for receiving the piston subassembly and a gas supply opening. A plug seat is set in the valve body such that the plug seat and the valve body together define a fluid pathway between the supply opening and the open end. The piston subassembly is removably secured to and engageable with the open end. The plug is positioned in the pathway and complementary to the plug seat.

Abstract: A paintball gun having a power assisted trigger mechanism is described. The paintball gun includes a body portion defining a launching chamber, a pneumatic circuit for directing propellant gas into the launching chamber, a valve in the pneumatic circuit for controlling the release of propellant, a rotating motor coupled to the valve, a trigger sensor responsive to movement of the trigger, an electric power source, an electric circuit connecting the power source to the motor and a switch operably connected to the trigger sensor for controllably opening and closing the electric circuit.

Abstract: An improved pressure regulator suitable for use with paint ball guns comprises a hollow valve body, a valve mechanism for selectively releasing gas from a gas source to an output, and an ON-OFF control. The valve body has a coupling portion, a regulator seat, an output port, an inlet opening, and sidewalls defining a transverse spool socket. The valve mechanism includes a regulator seat, a valve plug movable within a plug chamber for sealing engagement with a regulator seat, and a fluid barrier axially movable with respect to the valve body. A spool is received in the socket and movable between a first position wherein an internal passage is defined between the gas inlet opening and the regulator seat, and a second position wherein the flow of gas from the gas inlet is blocked.

Abstract: An improved pressure regulator suitable for use with paint ball guns comprises a hollow valve body, a valve mechanism for selectively releasing gas from a gas source to an output, and an ON-OFF control. The valve body has a coupling portion, a regulator seat, an output port, an inlet opening, and sidewalls defining a transverse spool socket. The valve mechanism includes a regulator seat, a valve plug movable within a plug chamber for sealing engagement with a regulator seat, and a fluid barrier axially movable with respect to the valve body. A spool is received in the socket and movable between a first position wherein an internal passage is defined between the gas inlet opening and the regulator seat, and a second position wherein the flow of gas from the gas inlet is blocked.

Abstract: An improved pressure regulator suitable for use with paint ball guns comprises a hollow valve body, a valve mechanism for selectively releasing gas from a gas source to an output, and an ON-OFF control. The valve body has a coupling portion, a regulator seat, an output port, an inlet opening, and sidewalls defining a transverse spool socket. The valve mechanism includes a regulator seat, a valve plug movable within a plug chamber for sealing engagement with a regulator seat, and a fluid barrier axially movable with respect to the valve body. A spool is received in the socket and movable between a first position wherein an internal passage is defined between the gas inlet opening and the regulator seat, and a second position wherein the flow of gas from the gas inlet is blocked.

Abstract: An electronic trigger grip for a paintball gun having a firing actuator is described. The grip subassembly includes a frame adapted for mounting to the gun, a trigger movably secured to the frame, a sensor positioned to detect a pull of the trigger, a linear motor adapted for mechanical coupled to the firing actuator, and a source of electric power. A pulsation power controller is electrically connected to the sensor, the power source and the linear motor for energizing the linear motor with a pulsating signal in response to a trigger pull.

Abstract: An electronic trigger grip for a paintball gun having a firing actuator is described. The grip subassembly includes a frame adapted for mounting to the gun, a trigger movably secured to the frame, a sensor positioned to detect a pull of the trigger, a linear motor adapted for mechanical coupled to the firing actuator, and a source of electric power. A pulsation power controller is electrically connected to the sensor, the power source and the linear motor for energizing the linear motor with a pulsating signal in response to a trigger pull.