Valve arrangement
A valve arrangement for use in a device for propelling a projectile with compressed gas, such as a paint ball marker, has a body which defines a first space for receiving compressed gas, a second space for receiving compressed gas, a first valve for selectively venting gas from the first space, and a second valve, actuated in response to the venting of gas from the first space, for releasing gas from the second space to propel the projectile. The valve arrangement may be used in various types of devices, including a revolver style apparatus in which one or more of the valve arrangements are placed in chambers of a cylinder. The valve arrangement may also be used in a cartridge or shell arrangement, which may then be loaded into a device adapted to accept and fire such cartridges or shells.
The invention relates generally to paintball markers, and like devices for firing frangible projectiles. More specifically, the invention relates to a valve arrangement for use with such markers and devices.
BACKGROUNDSeveral methods have been developed for firing paintballs. Many of these methods employ a container of pressurized gas, which is coupled to the gun. Compressed gas is piped and valved from the container, and used to fire a paintball. Such guns allow the pressurized gas to be released directly from the container in discrete amounts through a triggering mechanism, thereby firing paintballs one at a time with the released gas.
SUMMARYThe invention allows a paintball to be fired using a novel valve arrangement. The valve arrangement can be filled or “pre-charged” with a compressed gas to fire the paintball. One embodiment of the valve arrangement allows it to be refilled with a compressed gas allowing it to fire another paintball.
The valve arrangement may be used with various types of markers to be used for firing paintballs. For example, one embodiment of the valve arrangement can be disposed in a cylinder of a revolver. An individual valve arrangement can be placed in each chamber of the cylinder, allowing each chamber to be capable of firing a paintball. In one embodiment, this configuration allows a bullet-firing revolver to be modified by replacing its cylinder with a paintball-firing cylinder. The paintball cylinder can be configured such that the firing mechanism of the revolver can be used with the valve arrangement to fire a paintball from each chamber of the paintball cylinder. In one embodiment, the paintball cylinder can also be removed and placed into a container, allowing each fired chamber to be refilled with compressed gas, such that the chambers are pre-charged to fire another paintball.
Another embodiment of the valve arrangement can be disposed in a casing to create a self-contained cartridge, thus allowing a paintball to be fired from a gun adapted for use with such cartridge. After firing, the casing and valve arrangement can be refilled with compressed gas, preparing it to fire another paintball.
While these valve arrangement embodiments may be used for firing paintballs, it is contemplated that the valve arrangements described herein can fire other non-lethal projectile types, such as pepper balls or spark balls, for example.
Additional features and advantages of the valve arrangement will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiments, exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGSThe following description references the attached drawings which are given as non-limiting examples only, in which:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein are illustrative, and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Sliding member 18 also includes port 20, disposed in a wall thereof, which allows first and second spaces 21, 23 within body 10 to communicate, as described in more detail below. O-ring 22 fits into groove 24 of sliding member 18 to create a seal within body 10. Spring 26 fits within bore 40 of sliding member 18. Valve plug 27 includes valve stem 28, base 29, and extension 31. Valve stem 28 extends from base 29. Extension 31 extends from base 29 in a direction opposite that of valve stem 28. Base 29 is larger in diameter than extension 31. This allows extension 31 to fit within spring 26 but prohibits base 29 and valve stem 28 from entering spring 26. Valve plug 27 is formed to fit within bore 40. Valve stem 28 extends through openings 33, 37 of seal 30 and seal cap 34, respectively. O-ring 32 is positioned between seal 30 and seal cap 34 with o-ring 32 fitting onto an extension of seal cap 34. (See also
With valve arrangement 12 positioned in body 10, end cap 36 can be attached to body 10, thereby sealing end 13 of body 10. This embodiment illustratively shows end cap 36 to be fastened to body 10 through interacting threads. (See also
When spaces 21, 23 are filled with a compressed gas, base 29 is forced against seal 30. Base 29 is forced against seal 30 not only by the pressure created in space 21, but also through the force generated by spring 26 in direction 64. This seals first space 21 from the environment external to body 10. Body 10 is also shown to include a bore 52, which illustratively accommodates paintball 42. Bore 52 and bore 41 communicate through opening 56. When spaces 21, 23 are pressurized, seal 16 is forced against sealing surface 62 of bore 41. This seals bore 52 from bore 40.
End cap 72 also includes a plurality of openings 74 that align with chambers 68. This alignment allows valve stem 28 to be accessed through its respective opening 74. Opening 74 is large enough to allow a revolver hammer to strike valve stem 28, thereby activating valve arrangement 12, as illustrated and described below with reference to
The pressure differential causes sliding member 18 to move in direction 64, as shown in
It is appreciated that body 10 and cylinder 66 are illustrative examples of the manner in which valve arrangement 12 may be used. Valve arrangement 12 can be similarly adapted to fire a paintball from a variety of markers. Different calibers of paintballs, or other projectiles, can be employed. The arrangement is intended to be refillable with compressed gas in a manner such as that described in the foregoing. However, it is possible to employ the valve arrangement described in a “single-use” manner, if the application warrants.
Although the present description references particular means, materials and embodiments, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics from the foregoing description. Various changes and modifications may be made to adapt the various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1-41. (canceled)
42. A revolver-style apparatus for firing a non-lethal projectile, the apparatus comprising:
- a barrel;
- a firing mechanism;
- a revolving cylinder comprising at least one chamber, wherein the chamber defines a first space configured to receive compressed gas and a second space configured to receive compressed gas;
- a first valve configured to vent gas from the first space responsive to operation of the firing mechanism;
- a second valve configured to release gas from the second space responsive to venting of gas from the first space to propel the projectile through the barrel;
- wherein the second valve includes an elongated portion and a head portion;
- wherein the head portion is movable between a first position that prevents release of gas from the second space and a second position that allows release of gas from the second space; and
- wherein the head portion includes a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves.
43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the head portion has a substantially greater diameter than the elongated portion.
44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the head portion includes a front face adjacent a bore configured to receive and position the projectile relative to the second space and the front face includes a seal configured to prevent release of gas from the second space.
45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein at least a portion of the head portion is adjacent to the bore without any intervening structure between at least a portion of the head portion and the bore.
46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the bore is adjacent to the barrel.
47. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the elongated portion defines a cavity dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the first valve.
48. A revolver-style apparatus for firing a non-lethal projectile, the apparatus comprising:
- a barrel;
- a firing mechanism;
- a revolving cylinder comprising at least one chamber, wherein the chamber defines a first space configured to receive compressed gas and a second space configured to receive compressed gas;
- a first valve configured to vent gas from the first space responsive to operation of the firing mechanism;
- a second valve configured to release gas from the second space responsive to venting of gas from the first space to propel the projectile through the barrel;
- wherein the second valve includes an elongated portion and a head portion;
- wherein the head portion is movable between a first position that prevents release of gas from the second space and a second position that allows release of gas from the second space; and
- wherein the head portion has a substantially greater diameter than the elongated portion.
49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said head portion includes a front face adjacent a bore configured to receive and position the projectile relative to the second space and the front face includes a seal configured to prevent release of gas from the second space.
50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein at least a portion of the head portion is adjacent to the bore without any intervening structure between at least a portion of the head portion and the bore.
51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the bore is adjacent to the barrel.
52. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the elongated portion defines a cavity dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the first valve.
53. A method for converting a bullet-firing revolver into a revolver-style paintball marker, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a bullet-firing revolver with a bullet-firing cylinder disposed in a cavity of the bullet-firing revolver, wherein the bullet-firing cylinder includes a plurality of circularly arranged chambers that are each dimensioned to receive a bullet;
- removing the bullet-firing cylinder from the bullet-firing revolver;
- providing a paintball-firing cylinder dimensioned to be received in the cavity, wherein the paintball-firing cylinder includes a plurality of circularly arranged chambers configured to receive compressed gas, wherein the chambers of the paintball-firing cylinder have the same relative spatial relationship as the chambers of the bullet-firing cylinder and wherein each chamber of the paintball-firing cylinder includes a valve arrangement configured to propel a paintball out of the bullet-firing revolver responsive to a firing mechanism of the bullet-firing revolver; and
- coupling the paintball-firing cylinder to the bullet-firing revolver.
54. The method of claim 53, further comprising the steps of removing the paintball-firing cylinder from the bullet-firing revolver and placing the paintball-firing cylinder into a container that fills each chamber with compressed gas.
55. A method for charging a paintball-firing cylinder with compressed gas, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a paintball-firing revolver with a paintball-firing cylinder disposed in a cavity of the paintball-firing revolver, wherein the paintball-firing cylinder includes a plurality of circularly arranged chambers that each include a valve arrangement;
- removing the paintball-firing cylinder from the bullet-firing revolver;
- placing the paintball-firing cylinder into a container configured to simultaneously fill each chamber with compressed gas; and
- coupling the paintball-firing cylinder to the paintball-firing revolver.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 30, 2006
Publication Date: Jan 25, 2007
Inventor: Dennis Tippmann (Fort Wayne, IN)
Application Number: 11/480,301
International Classification: F42B 5/00 (20060101);