Abstract: A valve for a pneumatic gun includes a valve stem arranged through a compressed gas storage area that is configured to store a quantity of high-pressure compressed gas for a firing operation. A valve plug is arranged on an end of the valve stem and seals an air port that is configured to communicate compressed gas from a compressed gas storage area to a breech. A piston is arranged on the valve stem, wherein one end of the piston receives a quantity of low-pressure compressed gas from a solenoid to initiate the firing operation of the pneumatic gun. An air through-port is arranged through the valve stem and communicates high-pressure compressed gas from the firing operation to an end of the piston to assist in closing the valve plug. A pneumatic gun and method of operating are also provided.

Abstract: An barrel (or barrel section) for a pneumatic gun can comprise a plurality of grooves and ridges arranged in parallel straight lines. The ridges may have a substantially arch-shaped cross-section with a rounded upper surface to provide minimal contact with a projectile such as a paintball being launched through the barrel. The grooves preferably provide channels to permit water and debris to be expelled from the barrel without interfering with the projectile travel. A plurality of apertures may be formed through a sidewall of the barrel along one or more of the grooves to further help expel water and debris, to impart spin to the projectile, and/or to improve a sound signature of the barrel.

Abstract: An barrel (or barrel section) for a pneumatic gun can comprise a plurality of grooves and ridges arranged in parallel straight lines. The ridges may have a substantially arch-shaped cross-section with a rounded upper surface to provide minimal contact with a projectile such as a paintball being launched through the barrel. The grooves preferably provide channels to permit water and debris to be expelled from the barrel without interfering with the projectile travel. A plurality of apertures may be formed through a sidewall of the barrel along one or more of the grooves to further help expel water and debris, to impart spin to the projectile, and/or to improve a sound signature of the barrel.

Abstract: A rifled barrel may have a rifling pattern formed along an internal surface of the barrel by forming a corresponding pattern on the external surface of the barrel. The rifling pattern includes one or more indentations or protrusions formed in a spiral pattern along a length of the barrel. The corresponding pattern includes indentations formed into the external surface. A method of manufacturing includes moving a length of tubing past a die or other tool having one or more protrusions configured to indent the external surface. Alternatively, the rifled pattern may be formed by drawing a tool through tubing before it is cut into individual barrel lengths. The tool or tubing is rotated to create one or more spiral indentations and/or protrusions in a rifling pattern along the internal diameter of the tubing. The tubing is then cut and provided with threading to form a rifled barrel.

Abstract: A trigger assembly and mechanically-actuated pneumatic valve provide improved feel and performance for a pneumatic gun. The trigger assembly can include a trigger having a cam-shaped contact surface. A separate actuator can be arranged between the trigger and a valve actuator. The contact surface of the trigger contacts the actuator to cause a contact surface of the actuator to actuate the valve actuator. Roller bearing contact surfaces can be provided on one or both ends of the actuator to reduce friction between the contact surfaces. The valve actuator may control a face seal, pin valve, and plug member to control distribution of gas within the valve. The face seal and pin valve members can redundantly seal an exhaust port. The plug member can seal off an input port during a firing operation of the pneumatic gun to improve gas efficiency.

Abstract: A rifled barrel may have a rifling pattern formed along an internal surface of the barrel by forming a corresponding pattern on the external surface of the barrel. The rifling pattern includes one or more indentations or protrusions formed in a spiral pattern along a length of the barrel. The corresponding pattern includes indentations formed into the external surface. A method of manufacturing includes moving a length of tubing past a die or other tool having one or more protrusions configured to indent the external surface. Alternatively, the rifled pattern may be formed by drawing a tool through tubing before it is cut into individual barrel lengths. The tool or tubing is rotated to create one or more spiral indentations and/or protrusions in a rifling pattern along the internal diameter of the tubing. The tubing is then cut and provided with threading to form a rifled barrel.

Abstract: A trigger assembly and mechanically-actuated pneumatic valve provide improved feel and performance for a pneumatic gun. The trigger assembly can include a trigger having a cam-shaped contact surface. A separate actuator can be arranged between the trigger and a valve actuator. The contact surface of the trigger contacts the actuator to cause a contact surface of the actuator to actuate the valve actuator. Roller bearing contact surfaces can be provided on one or both ends of the actuator to reduce friction between the contact surfaces. The valve actuator may control a face seal, pin valve, and plug member to control distribution of gas within the valve. The face seal and pin valve members can redundantly seal an exhaust port. The plug member can seal off an input port during a firing operation of the pneumatic gun to improve gas efficiency.

Abstract: A mechanically-actuated pneumatic valve can comprise an input port receiving compressed gas and one or more output ports. A face seal can be arranged in the valve body and be configured to move between two positions. In a first position, the face seal can permit compressed gas from the input port to be supplied to a first output port. In a second position, the face seal can vent compressed gas from the valve body through an exhaust port. An actuator, such as a pin or pin-shaped actuator, for example, can be configured and arranged to move the face seal from the first position to the second position. An actuator of an operative device could be configured to physically contact a surface of the pin-shaped actuator and drive the face seal to its second position.

Abstract: A mechanically-actuated pneumatic valve can comprise an input port receiving compressed gas and one or more output ports. A face seal can be arranged in the valve body and be configured to move between two positions. In a first position, the face seal can permit compressed gas from the input port to be supplied to a first output port. In a second position, the face seal can vent compressed gas from the valve body through an exhaust port. An actuator, such as a pin or pin-shaped actuator, for example, can be configured and arranged to move the face seal from the first position to the second position. An actuator of an operative device could be configured to physically contact a surface of the pin-shaped actuator and drive the face seal to its second position.

Abstract: According to principles of the present inventive concepts, a mechanically-actuated pneumatic valve can comprise an input port receiving compressed gas from a compressed gas regulator and one or more output ports. A face seal can be arranged in the valve body and be configured to move between two positions. In a first position, the face seal can permit compressed gas from the input port to be supplied to a first output port. In a second position, the face seal can vent compressed gas from the valve body through an exhaust port. An actuator, such as a pin or pin-shaped actuator, for example, can be configured and arranged to move the face seal from the first position to the second position, such as during a trigger pull. A contact surface could be configured to physically contact a surface of the pin-shaped actuator (either directly from the trigger or through one or more other components or mechanisms) and drive the face seal to its second position during actuation of the trigger.

Abstract: According to principles of the present inventive concepts, a mechanically-actuated pneumatic valve can comprise an input port receiving compressed gas from a compressed gas regulator and one or more output ports. A face seal can be arranged in the valve body and be configured to move between two positions. In a first position, the face seal can permit compressed gas from the input port to be supplied to a first output port. In a second position, the face seal can vent compressed gas from the valve body through an exhaust port. An actuator, such as a pin or pin-shaped actuator, for example, can be configured and arranged to move the face seal from the first position to the second position, such as during a trigger pull. A contact surface could be configured to physically contact a surface of the pin-shaped actuator (either directly from the trigger or through one or more other components or mechanisms) and drive the face seal to its second position during actuation of the trigger.

Abstract: A paintball gun preferably includes an electro-pneumatic flow distribution mechanism such as a solenoid valve having a port connected to a pneumatic mechanism. For instance, the solenoid valve may include an input port receiving compressed gas from a compressed gas supply and an output port connected to the pneumatic mechanism. The solenoid valve can be enabled to direct compressed gas to and/or from the pneumatic mechanism to operate a bolt. The bolt may be coupled to the pneumatic mechanism.

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: An electrical control unit preferably can control operation of a paintball gun having a solenoid valve with an input port that receives compressed gas from a compressed gas supply and an output port connected to a pneumatic mechanism. For instance, the electrical control unit can contain a network of electronic components configured to receive an input signal from a trigger-actuated switch and send a signal to the solenoid valve. The solenoid valve can, for instance, direct compressed gas to and/or from the pneumatic mechanism to operate a bolt or firing valve connected to the pneumatic mechanism in response to the signal from the electrical control unit.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated projectile launching device preferably comprises an electro-pneumatic flow distribution mechanism that receives and directs compressed gas to a pneumatic mechanism to open a bolt.

Abstract: A paintball is preferably formed by forming a quantity of filling material into a desired shape and then freezing the shaped filling material. A shell material is preferably applied to the frozen filling material.

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: 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: 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 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.