Electrical control unit for paintball gun

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.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a pneumatically operated paintball gun (“marker”) and more particularly to a control system for controlling a paintball marker.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Guns using pneumatic force to propel a projectile are well known. In particular, it is well known to use pneumatic force to fire a fragile spherical projectile containing a colored, viscous substance (known as a “paintball”) which bursts upon impact with a target. However pneumatically operated guns used in paintball applications (as well as existing pneumatically operated guns in general) suffer from several deficiencies which are eliminated by the present invention.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a projectile launching device for use in the recreational and professional sport of paintball that uses electro-pneumatic control to release the pneumatic force that propels the projectile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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 can include an electrical switch that activates a launching sequence, and an electrical control unit which can be housed within both the body and a grip which directs flow between the pneumatic components to load, cock and fire the gun.

The electrical control unit preferably includes an electrical power source which activates an electrical timing circuit when the electrical switch is closed, and electrically operated pneumatic flow distribution devices (e.g., solenoid valves) which are energized by the electrical timing circuit to enable the loading of a projectile for launching and to release compressed gas from the storage chamber to fire the projectile. A projectile is fired when the electrical timing circuit actuates an electrically operated pneumatic flow distribution device to release gas from the compressed gas storage chamber into the launching mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A pneumatically operated paintball marker 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 a trigger and an electrical switch that activates the launching sequence; and an electrical control unit which can be housed within the body and a grip to direct flow between the pneumatic components to load, cock and fire the marker.

As shown inFIG. 2, the body preferably has three cylindrical pneumatic bores with axes that are preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gun body40. The gun body40can be made of materials suitable in the art for withstanding the force of the launching sequence such as metal or plastic. The first bore1contains compressed gas and is preferably sealed by a removable fitting5which is removed to inject the gas. The first bore1is preferably in communication with the second bore2and the third bore3through a series of ported passageways6aand6b, respectively, bored through the interior of the gun body40.

As shown inFIG. 3, the second bore2houses the compressed gas storage chamber11, the compressed gas filling mechanism12and the compressed gas releasing mechanism13. The third bore3is also preferably in communication with both the first bore1and the second bore2through a series of ported passageways6band6c, respectively, bored through the interior of the gun body40. As shown inFIG. 1, the third bore3houses the projectile loading mechanism14and the projectile launching mechanism15.

As shown inFIG. 3, the compressed gas storage chamber11is bordered by the interior walls of the second bore2and by the compressed gas filling mechanism12on one end and by the Compressed gas releasing mechanism13on the end opposite the compressed gas filling mechanism12. The compressed gas storage chamber11is filled with compressed gas from the first bore1by means of the interconnections6abetween the first bore1and the second bore2when the compressed gas filling mechanism12is actuated. The compressed gas storage chamber11releases stored gas to the projectile launching mechanism15by means of the interconnections6cbetween the second bore2and the third bore3when the compressed gas releasing mechanism13is actuated.

As shown inFIG. 3, the compressed gas filling mechanism12preferably consists of a valve16with a metallic or plastic conically or spherically shaped plug17which is normally shut against a metallic, plastic, or rubber conically or concavely shaped seat18by the loading of a spring19when the compressed gas filling mechanism12is not in its actuated position. The plug17is attached to a second end20bof a metallic or plastic rod-shaped mechanical linkage20which opens the valve16by compressing the spring19when the compressed gas filling mechanism12is in its actuated position to create a flow path for compressed gas from the first bore1to the compressed gas storage chamber11.

As shown inFIG. 3, the mechanical linkage20passes through the compressed gas storage chamber11and has a first end20awhich is attached to the compressed gas releasing mechanism13. The compressed gas releasing mechanism13preferably consists of a metallic or plastic cylindrical piston21which slides along the longitudinal axis of the second bore2in a space adjacent to the compressed gas storage chamber11. A second end21bof the piston21is adjacent to the compressed gas storage chamber11and is connected to the first end20aof the mechanical linkage20. The second end of the piston21bhas a flexible O-ring seal23made of rubber or other suitable synthetic sealing materials such as polyurethane that prevents gas leakage out of the compressed gas storage chamber11. Compressed gas from the first bore1is applied to the second end of the piston2dbto actuate the compressed gas releasing mechanism13by unseating the O-ring23sealing the compressed gas storage chamber11to allow stored gas to be released from the compressed gas storage chamber11into the projectile launching mechanism15by means of the interconnections6cbetween the second bore2and the third bore3. The piston21contains a notched area22adjacent to the O-ring23that provides a surface for applying compressed gas pressure from the first bore1to unseat the O-ring23and actuate the compressed gas releasing mechanism13.

The piston21has a first end21aopposite the compressed gas storage chamber11which is subjected to pneumatic pressure to actuate the compressed gas filling mechanism12by transmitting through the mechanical linkage20a compression force on the spring19that opens the valve16. The opening in the valve16is formed when the plug17is separated from the seat18to create a flow path for compressed gas from the first bore1to the compressed gas storage chamber11by means of the interconnections6abetween the first bore1and the second bore2. Compressed gas from the first bore1is applied to the first end of the piston2dato open the valve15and actuate the compressed gas filling mechanism12. The first end of the piston21aalso contains a flexible O-ring seal24which prevents20actuating pressure leakage into the compressed gas storage chamber11when the compressed gas filling mechanism12is actuated.

As shown inFIG. 1, the third bore3of the gun body40houses the projectile loading mechanism14and the projectile launching mechanism15. The projectile loading mechanism14preferably consists of a metallic or plastic cylindrical piston25which slides along the longitudinal axis of the third bore3. The projectile launching mechanism15preferably consists of a metallic or plastic cylindrical bolt26which also slides along the longitudinal axis of the third bore3and which has a port27for receiving released gas from the compressed gas storage chamber11to propel a projectile41from the gun body40. The bolt26is connected to the piston25by a metallic or plastic rod-shaped mechanical linkage28, which moves the bolt26to receive the projectile41by gravity loading from the projectile feed mechanism29when the projectile loading mechanism14is actuated.

The projectile loading mechanism14is actuated when compressed gas from the first bore1is applied by means of the interconnections6bbetween the first bore1and the third bore3to a first end25aof the piston25which is attached to the mechanical linkage28. This compressed gas acts against the piston25and the mechanical linkage28to drive the bolt26back to the cocked position which enables the loading of a projectile41into engagement with the bolt26from the projectile feed mechanism29. The subsequent release of stored gas from the compressed gas storage chamber11through the bolt port27will drive the projectile41from the gun body40. After the launching sequence has been completed compressed gas is applied from the first bore1to a second end25bof the piston25opposite the mechanical linkage25to disable the bolt26from receiving a projectile41by driving the bolt26to the shut position. The second principal element is a grip, for instance as shown inFIG. 1. The grip is mounted to the body and preferably houses three principal components, a handle7, a trigger S and an electrical switch30. The handle7can be made of any suitable material such as metal or plastic and is preferably shaped with a hand grip to allow the gun to be held in a pistol-like fashion. The metallic or plastic trigger8is attached to the handle7and preferably has a leading edge shaped to be pulled by two fingers with a cam shaped trailing edge to engage the electrical switch30. A trigger guard9which prevents accidental trigger displacement is preferably attached to the trigger8. A spring10preferably returns the trigger8to a neutral position after the electrical switch30has been contacted to initiate a launching sequence. The electrical switch30is preferably a two-pole miniature switch which contains a plunger31loaded by a spring32.

As shown inFIG. 1, the third principal element is an electrical control unit which is housed within both the body and the grip. The electrical control unit preferably consists of an electrical timing circuit34housed in the handle7along with two electrically operated 3-way solenoid valves35and36housed in the gun body40and an electrical battery power source33housed in a fourth bore4of the gun body40. The electrical timing circuit34is preferably a network of electronic components that can include two solid state integrated circuit timers which control the launching sequence by sending energizing pulses to the solenoid valves35and36which function as electrically operated pneumatic flow distribution mechanisms. When actuated the solenoid valves35and36pass compressed gas flow from the first bore1and when not actuated the solenoid valves35and36operate to vent gas from the pressurized area. Upon initiation of the launching sequence the electrical timing circuit34energizes each solenoid valve35or36separately in a timed sequence to ensure that each solenoid valve35or36either passes or vents pressurized gas at the appropriate time within the launching sequence to propel a projectile41from the gun body40.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, before the initiation of a launching sequence the introduction of compressed gas into the first bore1will preferably automatically cause pneumatic pressure to be applied to the first end of piston21ato cause gas flow from the first bore1to the compressed gas storage chamber11through actuation of the compressed gas filling mechanism12as described above. Simultaneously pneumatic pressure will preferably automatically be applied to the second end of piston25bdriving the bolt26to the shut position to disable the loading of a projectile41. When these conditions are met the compressed gas storage chamber11is charged with the bolt26closed and the gun is ready for the initiation of a launching sequence.

A launching sequence is preferably initiated when the electrical switch30completes a circuit between the electrical power source33and the electrical timing circuit34as the cam shaped trailing edge of the trigger8contacts the plunger31to compress the spring32. When contact is made the electrical power source33energizes the electrical timing circuit34which first sends an energizing pulse to actuate the first solenoid valve35. When actuated the first solenoid valve35passes pressurized gas flow to the first end of piston25ato actuate the projectile loading mechanism14by driving the bolt26back to the cocked position and to enable the loading of a projectile41into engagement with the bolt26from the projectile feed mechanism29.

Before the launching sequence is completed, pneumatic pressure is again preferably automatically applied to the second end of piston25bto drive the bolt26shut. The electrical timing circuit34then sends an energizing pulse to actuate the second solenoid valve36which then passes pressurized gas flow to the second end of piston21bto actuate the compressed gas releasing mechanism13. Simultaneously, the first solenoid valve35returns to its non-actuated position to vent the first end of piston25a. This venting in combination with the actuation of the compressed gas releasing mechanism13allows the stored gas released into the bolt port27from the compressed gas storage chamber11to drive the projectile41from the gun body40. Following the launching sequence, pneumatic pressure is again preferably automatically applied to the first end of piston21ato actuate the compressed gas filling mechanism12to re-pressurize the compressed gas storage chamber11.

The volume of the compressed gas storage chamber11and the bore interconnections6are preferably sized to produce projectile velocities in the 290 to 300 feet per second range at an operating gas pressure of approximately 125 pounds per square inch gauge pressure. However, the 1.5 cubic inch volume of the compressed gas storage chamber11and the 0.0315 square inch area of the bore interconnection orifices6will allow operation of the preferred embodiment at gas pressures of up to 175 pounds per square inch gauge pressure. As will be obvious to one skilled in the art, these parameters may be varied in order to allow for a differing operating gas pressure or projectile velocity.

While presently preferred embodiments have been shown and described in particularity, the invention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the appended claims.