Abstract:
A innovative sliding valve used in paintball gun or other compressed gas propelled firearm, wherein a portion of the valve body where air is exhausted is reduced in size to allow pressurized air to exhaust more quietly around the valve body by feeding into the air exhaust apertures formed on an extended wall of valve body. Because the air pressure is balanced between two equal, or nearly equal, sized O-rings on a central spindle, the valve can be opened more smoothly and quietly, and with less opening force. Further, because the exhaust O-ring is contained with apertures and seals against the escaping air, with the resulting compression of the O-ring away from the sealing surface, the O-ring is held in place, and cutting and wear of the O-ring is substantially reduced.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a valve used in compressed air gun, more particularly, to a sliding valve for paintball gun. 
     Description of Related Art 
     A paintball gun, also known as paintball marker, is now used in the sport of paintball. Paintball guns may use an expanding gas, such as carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) or compressed air, to propel paintballs through the barrel. The subject matter of present invention is an indispensable component for such paintball gun—the main valve. 
     The valve is a mechanical switch that controls firing. In Poppet-valve paintball guns, the main valve is in direct physical contact with hammer—additionally referred to as rammer, or striker in the art. Said direct contacting device or assembly is also coupled to a trigger. When the trigger is actuated, a hammer contacts the main valve, causing the main valve to open momentarily, thereby releasing high pressure air to travel into the firing chamber to fire the paintball. 
     A typical impact opening main valve has an end plate, or cap, overlying on the air inlet end which momentarily pops open when actuated. This motion causes the air to escape from around the edge of the cap as the cap moves away from the main valve body. The firing pressure causes resistance to opening the cap requiring significant impact pressure to open the valve assembly. Additionally a sheer pressure occurs upon opening, this snap air pressure, caused by the overlaying cap moving away from the valve body, results in a loud sound signature. 
     Therefore, a main valve with improved air flow to lower opening pressure and reduce firing noise is desirable. 
     Inventor has two issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,490,598 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,258,114. This application provides innovative elements to the main valve which was described in above mentioned patents. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a sliding valve utilized as a main valve in paintball gun or any type of compressed air propelled firearms. 
     In one preferred embodiment this sliding valve is aligned in the same bore with a ram assembly. A central spindle in the central bore of this valve receives actuation force on one end. High pressured air is delivered and stored in the middle of this valve assembly. On the other end of the spindle is an air pressure balancing piston, held within a cap. The axis of sliding valve and balancing cap are aligned. The central spindle slides between the valve body and the cap. 
     In this sliding valve body embodiment the valve body has a step down portion right where impact opening valve normally ends. This stepped down portion allows for high pressure air to flow around this additional, narrowed portion of the valve body. This narrowed portion having, additionally, air transfer apertures or grooves. The air is therefore now not allowed around a moving portion of a cap, rather it is diffused through the air transfer grooves as the piston moves to alternately expose and then seal these air transfer grooves. 
     As stated above, a connecting rod and a piston with O-ring, located in the front cap, is additionally included as a means of making the air pressure “balanced” (or more balanced) between the O-ring that selectively allows the air to flow through the valve body. An additional O-ring of substantially the same size balances the spindle between the valve and the front cap enabling spindle to slide easily and substantially without a bias being exerted by the pressure of the stored air. 
     By placing the sealing O-ring between the escaping air and the stored air, and having the sealing take place as the escaping air compresses the sealing O-ring into its designed groove, the O-ring is pushed away from the apertures that allow for air escapement, thereby minimizing potential for cutting of said sealing O-ring. 
     The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined. In order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow. 
     Before explaining two main embodiments of the valve in detail: a Single Central Axis design with its inline bolt, and a Dual Parallel Axis design in which the valve is located in one bore and the bolt is located in a parallel bore; it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following descriptions or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals. 
         FIG. 1  is an explosive view of a paintball gun with sliding valve as used in a Dual Parallel Axis configuration, activated by an impact ram that, by means of a connection pin, also moves the bolt and showing its high pressured air source. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of sliding impact valve body with its partially revealed first cylindrical portion according to a Dual Parallel Axis embodiment of present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a view of sliding valve according to a Single Central Axis embodiment of present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of the valve body according to one embodiment of present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the sliding spindle only, according to both the Single Central Axis and the Dual Parallel Axis embodiment of present invention. In the Dual Parallel Axis embodiment, the O-ring closest to the extended activation end of the sliding spindle controls the air flow and the O-ring furthest balances the stored air. In the Single Central Axis embodiment, the O-ring furthest the activation end of the sliding spindle controls the air flow and the end closest to the activation end balances the stored air. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of alternative design with an added middle drum air cutoff according to both shown embodiments of present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is one Dual Parallel Axis version of the sliding valve with the balancing portion contained within an extended valve body, the venting feature now done through the central spindle. 
         FIG. 8  is a view of one Single Central Axis version of the gun in the rest position. 
         FIG. 9  is a view of one Single Central Axis version of the gun in partial firing position. 
         FIG. 10  is a view of one Single Central Axis version of the gun in firing position. 
         FIG. 11  is a closer perspective view of air release portion of sliding valve with its partially revealed first cylindrical portion according to the Single Central Axis presentation of present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is disclosed a sliding valve in a Dual Parallel Axis configuration, with its partially revealed installation position in a paintball gun. Sliding valve assembly is show with valve body  14  at one end and a vented, air balancing front cap with central bore the majority of caps length  41  at the other. Sliding spindle  51  is held between said valve body  14 , and said front cap  41 . The hammer  32  of a ram assembly  31  is in line to actuation end  52  of said hammer  32  of said valve body  14 . Hammer  32  strikes the spindle head  52  of valve assembly along the arrow F, moving the spindle shaft  51  towards the direction of said front balancing cap  41 . High pressured air, shown entering through the grip frame  62 , is stored within the gun body between O-rings  18 ; one of said O-rings  18  is located on said valve body  14 , the other on said front cap  41 . Said high pressure air is released through the plurality of apertures  16  located in extension of valve body  12  into central bore of main valve body  11 , then redirected through extension of valve body  13  into a vertical bore  17 . Inside said front cap  41 , is preferably a spring (not shown) is held within said bore of said cap and front piston  55  of said sliding spindle  51  to bias said spindle into closed position at rest. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , discloses valve body  14  of valve assembly with one of the two piston  55  and O-ring  56  portions of the sliding spindle  51 , and the impact receiving end  52  of said sliding spindle  51 . Valve body  14  comprising of first cylindrical portion  11  and on one side of said first cylindrical portion  11  is air tightly adjacent a second cylindrical portion  12  with a plurality of apertures  16  that serve as air transfers for high pressure air stored between O-ring  18  and front cap  41  (seen in  FIG. 1 ). Additionally air tightly attached on opposite side of  12  is an air redirection portion  13  designed to turn the air into a hole  17  which is bored perpendicularly to the longitude axis of said cylindrical extension portion  13  causing the air to be directed up and into the bolt assembly  71  (see  FIG. 1 ) as is known in the art. When force is applied to said force end  52  of said spindle  51 , said spindle travels along line indicated by arrow H. Movement of said piston and O-ring allowing High Pressure Air to exhaust through plurality of apertures  16 , into central bore  15 , then up bore  17 , then into and through bolt  71  (See  FIG. 1 ) and consequently causing the firing of the paintball. There are eight (8) apertures  16  formed on the wall of said second cylindrical portion  12  in a preferred embodiment of present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , discloses a Single Central Axis configuration of the present invention. Sliding valve assembly  10  is shown with sliding spindle  51 . An actuator  81  pushes the end  52  of said sliding spindle  51  along the path shown as arrow F. Sliding spindle  51  moves towards the direction of the plurality of apertures  16 . High pressured air supplied through grip frame  62  (not shows, see  FIG. 1 ) is held in gun body and between O-rings  18  of valve body  14 . When high pressure air flows through central bore  15  by means of said plurality of apertures  16 , said high pressure air pushes bolt (Not shown, see  FIGS. 8-10 ) forward until said bolt clears valve body O-ring  59 , at which time the high pressure air flows through central bore of the bolt and fires the paintball. Said valve body  14  comprises a first cylindrical portion  11 . On one side of said first cylindrical portion  14  is air tightly adjacent a second cylindrical portion  12  with a plurality of apertures  16  that serve as air transfers for the stored high pressure air. Sliding spindle  51  is shown within said valve body  14 . Said sliding spindle  51  is show in its forward position. Said spindle slides by means of its activation end  52 , into forward position allowing the high pressure air stored between the two O-rings  18  to flow down said center bore  15  of said valve body portions  11  and  12 , and exhaust out the valve body through said apertures  16  to fire a paintball. There are eight (8) apertures  16  formed in the wall of said second cylindrical portion  12  in a preferred embodiment of present invention. Preferably a spring (not shown) is held between the front of said piston  55  and front wall of said extended portion  12  of said valve body  14  to bias said sliding spindle  51  into closed position at rest. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , R 0  refers to the radius of the central axis through bore  20  of valve assembly  10 . 
     In a Dual Parallel Axis configuration of the present invention, the spindle activation end  52  (seen in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ) protrudes out of the valve body  14 , by means of said R 0  to receive force to actuate said valve assembly  10 . 
     In Single Central Axis configuration R 0  refers to a vent hole or through bore in end of extension  12 , so that sliding spindle  51  (seen in  FIGS. 3 and 11 ), can slide freely without becoming air locked 
     R 1  refers to the radius of the central bore  15  (seen in  FIGS. 2 &amp; 3 ), said bore extending the majority of the length of valve body  14 . 
     R 2  refers to the outer dimension of cylindrical extension portion  12 . 
     R 2  is larger than R 1  so that a flange extension  12  is formed. 
     R 3  refers to is the outside diameter  23  of valve body  14 . 
     R 4  refers to the outside diameter  24  of O&#39;Ring groove for O-ring  18 . 
     Note: the Single Central Axis configuration diameters&#39; of R 3  and R 4  may be larger than the shown diameter in this preferred example of a Dual Parallel Axis configuration. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , at least two O-rings  56  are configured to sit on the outer surface groove of the piston portions  55  of central sliding spindle  51  to seal the flow of air from said plurality of apertures  16  (see  FIGS. 2 &amp; 3 ), when said spindle is in its rest position. The combination of apertures  16 , piston portions  55  and O-rings  56  control the air flow in the central bore of the valve body  14  (see  FIGS. 2 &amp; 3 ), while O-Rings  18  (see  FIGS. 2 &amp; 3 ), contain the stored air within the gun body. The equally sized, or nearly equally sized, pistons  55  and O&#39;Rings  56  eliminates the excessive air pressure of previous designs in which the firing air held the cap closed, this configuration making the sealing air pressure “balanced” (or more balanced) for easier opening. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6  an alternative embodiment of present invention is presented. Between raised pistons  55  a middle drum  53  acts as an air cutoff so that O-rings  58  located on said middle drum straddle the air bore  62  (see  FIG. 1 ), which delivers high pressure air to storage area between O-rings  18 . Said barrel  53  with O-rings  58  cuts off the incoming air so that the shot volume is limited and defined when valve assembly  10  slides open.  57  details a through bore(s) and escapement cut within and on said cutoff barrel that allows continuous communication of air in stored air portion of gun body. 
       FIG. 7  discloses an alternate embodiment of the present invention of Dual Parallel Axis configuration wherein the vented front cap  41  (see  FIG. 1 ), originally containing the balancing piston  55  and O-ring  56 , has said O&#39;Ring  56  housed within a further extension  12  of the valve body. Venting of the air, for the purposes of making a balanced operation, is then accomplished through the activation portion of the sliding spindle, more precisely a bore is drilled in the central axis of said spindle,  51 . Both O-rings  18  remain in their previous respective locations, one on valve body  14  and the second on the front cap  41  (not shown) however said front cap is no longer vented. The stored high pressure air is still held between said O-rings  18 . An additional sealing cap  91  is shown on a further extension of valve  12  allowing for balanced air feature. Both O-rings  56  are now contained within the extension of the valve body  12 . The balancing air is then vented in a bore in the sliding spindle  51  into ambient air shown as  57  or alternately into the firing air  54 . 
       FIG. 8 - FIG. 10  Show more precisely, the operation of a Single Central Axis configuration of the present invention. Air chamber is a fixed area located between the two O-rings  18 . The sliding spindle  51 , balances said high pressure air between two O-rings  56 . Additionally shown is a blow forward bolt  61 . This type of bolt is known in the art as a “Top Hat”. Said Top Hat bolt can be preferably returned by either: a spring or pressurized air directed between O&#39;Ring  63  of the Top Hat bolt and bolt sealing O&#39;Ring  64 . 
     In  FIG. 8 , the sliding spindle  51  of the invention is fully retracted into the valve body  14 . Actuation end  52  of said spindle is fully retracted into Actuator  81 . The Top Hat Bolt  61  is fully retracted and is riding on the valve body extension  12  The feed hole  9  is open to receive a paintball. 
     In  FIG. 9 , the sliding spindle  51  has partially moved forward, high pressure air is partially escaping through plurality of apertures  16 , which causes the Top Hat Bolt  61  to begin forward movement. Said high pressure air is now clearing the sealing O-ring  59  on said valve body extension  12  for the central bore of said bolt  61 , however said high pressure as is not fully able to flow down the central bore of said Bolt  61  to launch the ball. The feed hole  9  is closed but not past front seal. 
     In  FIG. 10 , sliding spindle  51  of the invention is fully forward. The plurality of apertures  16  are fully opened, pressurized air is fully flowing through central bore of the Top Hat Bolt  61 , which is fully forward. The said bolt  61  is closed and sealing feed hole  9  by means of O-ring seals  64  and  65 , and if a paintball was present it would have fired. 
       FIG. 11  more precisely discloses the escaping airflow of a Single Central Axis configuration in which high pressure air flows around sliding spindle  51  by means of a central bore  15  cut in valve body (not fully shown) feeding air to transfer grooves  16 . There is a vent  20  in the valve extension  12  of valve body to allow said sliding spindle  51  to eliminate air lock allow movement. Upon said forward movement of said spindle  51 , high pressure air in the gun body and held between O&#39;Rings  18  flows through said central bore  15  of said valve body  14  and exhausting out plurality of apertures  16  to fire the paintball. 
     Notes: 
     In  FIG. 8-10  the sliding spindle is shown with an undisclosed activation system  81 , rather figures simply show the movement said sliding spindle  51 . Said movement of said sliding spindle  51  can be accomplished in alternate ways. Examples are easily seen to include direct movement by a solenoid, movement by an air solenoid valve with attached rammer, or by mechanical movement. 
       FIG. 1  shows a rammer activated by a solenoid valve as the preferred embodiment of a Dual Parallel Axis configuration. An alternate embodiment of the invention for said Dual Parallel Axis configuration, and the preferred embodiment for the Single Central Axis configuration is when the actuator end of the Spindle  52 , which is used to move the sliding spindle  51  of the valve assembly, is not moved the striking impact of a Rammer, but rather is moved directly by one of the coupled devices referenced in the previous paragraph. 
     To further clarify alternate ways a Dual Parallel Axis configuration might be configured as above, is where the movement of the bolt  71  (See  FIG. 1 ) is no longer coupled to the ram, or linked to opening of the valve assembly  10 . Rather bolt is moved by the use of a second solenoid, and where the bolt itself performs as an air powered ram pushing the ball forward and sealing the loading chamber. This said second solenoid sending pressurized air alternately to the bolt  61  to move it forwards and backwards, the opening and closing of the bolt, timed by a circuit board. The sliding spindle  51  moved by a dedicated solenoid  81 . Said dedicated solenoid  81  acting on said valve assembly&#39;s sliding spindle  51 , moving said sliding spindle  51  linearly by: 
     A) Attaching to said central spindle activation end  52  a direct acting electric solenoid. Said solenoid known in the art as a “Clapper Valve”, said clapper valve&#39;s movement of its center spindle causing the movement of center spindle of the valve spindle, which in turn, causes the opening and closing of the valve assembly and the firing of the paintball. 
     B) Keeping the rammer with its attached air solenoid valve as shown in  FIG. 1 . The difference being the ram&#39;s movement is then of a decidedly shorter length because the ram&#39;s length of movement would need to be only long enough to move the sliding spindle to alternately open and close the valve assembly. 
     C) Another alternative is that said 5 way valve might be replace by a 3 way valve with a spring return, or in unbalanced configuration wherein the front of the ram assembly would be continuously supplied with pressurized air and the back would be selectively supplied. 
     While there have been shown, described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are entitled. 
     As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the innovative concepts described in the present application can be modified and varied over a tremendous range of applications, and accordingly the scope of patented subject matter is not limited by any of the specific exemplary teachings given. It is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. 
     None of the description in the present application should be read as implying that any particular element, step, or function is an essential element which must be included in the claim scope: THE SCOPE OF PATENTED SUBJECT MATTER IS DEFINED ONLY BY THE ALLOWED CLAIMS. Moreover, none of these claims are intended to invoke paragraph six of 35 USC section 112 unless the exact words “means for” are followed by a participle. 
     The claims as filed are intended to be as comprehensive as possible, and NO subject matter is intentionally relinquished, dedicated, or abandoned.