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.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims priority from, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/480,093, filed Jun. 29, 2006; which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/642,044 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,593), filed Aug. 15, 2003; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/254,891 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,421), filed on Sep. 24, 2002; which is a continuation of, and claims priority from, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/490,735 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,326 B1), filed Jan. 25, 2000; which is a continuation of, and claims priority from, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/586,960 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,843), filed Jan. 16, 1996, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional side view of a paintball gun, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of the paintball gun of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional top view of the body of the paintball gun of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     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 in  FIG. 2 , the body preferably has three cylindrical pneumatic bores with axes that are preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gun body  40 . The gun body  40  can be made of materials suitable in the art for withstanding the force of the launching sequence such as metal or plastic. The first bore  1  contains compressed gas and is preferably sealed by a removable fitting  5  which is removed to inject the gas. The first bore  1  is preferably in communication with the second bore  2  and the third bore  3  through a series of ported passageways  6   a  and  6   b , respectively, bored through the interior of the gun body  40 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the second bore  2  houses the compressed gas storage chamber  11 , the compressed gas filling mechanism  12  and the compressed gas releasing mechanism  13 . The third bore  3  is also preferably in communication with both the first bore  1  and the second bore  2  through a series of ported passageways  6   b  and  6   c , respectively, bored through the interior of the gun body  40 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the third bore  3  houses the projectile loading mechanism  14  and the projectile launching mechanism  15 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the compressed gas storage chamber  11  is bordered by the interior walls of the second bore  2  and by the compressed gas filling mechanism  12  on one end and by the Compressed gas releasing mechanism  13  on the end opposite the compressed gas filling mechanism  12 . The compressed gas storage chamber  11  is filled with compressed gas from the first bore  1  by means of the interconnections  6   a  between the first bore  1  and the second bore  2  when the compressed gas filling mechanism  12  is actuated. The compressed gas storage chamber  11  releases stored gas to the projectile launching mechanism  15  by means of the interconnections  6   c  between the second bore  2  and the third bore  3  when the compressed gas releasing mechanism  13  is actuated. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the compressed gas filling mechanism  12  preferably consists of a valve  16  with a metallic or plastic conically or spherically shaped plug  17  which is normally shut against a metallic, plastic, or rubber conically or concavely shaped seat  18  by the loading of a spring  19  when the compressed gas filling mechanism  12  is not in its actuated position. The plug  17  is attached to a second end  20   b  of a metallic or plastic rod-shaped mechanical linkage  20  which opens the valve  16  by compressing the spring  19  when the compressed gas filling mechanism  12  is in its actuated position to create a flow path for compressed gas from the first bore  1  to the compressed gas storage chamber  11 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the mechanical linkage  20  passes through the compressed gas storage chamber  11  and has a first end  20   a  which is attached to the compressed gas releasing mechanism  13 . The compressed gas releasing mechanism  13  preferably consists of a metallic or plastic cylindrical piston  21  which slides along the longitudinal axis of the second bore  2  in a space adjacent to the compressed gas storage chamber  11 . A second end  21   b  of the piston  21  is adjacent to the compressed gas storage chamber  11  and is connected to the first end  20   a  of the mechanical linkage  20 . The second end of the piston  21   b  has a flexible O-ring seal  23  made of rubber or other suitable synthetic sealing materials such as polyurethane that prevents gas leakage out of the compressed gas storage chamber  11 . Compressed gas from the first bore  1  is applied to the second end of the piston  2   db  to actuate the compressed gas releasing mechanism  13  by unseating the O-ring  23  sealing the compressed gas storage chamber  11  to allow stored gas to be released from the compressed gas storage chamber  11  into the projectile launching mechanism  15  by means of the interconnections  6   c  between the second bore  2  and the third bore  3 . The piston  21  contains a notched area  22  adjacent to the O-ring  23  that provides a surface for applying compressed gas pressure from the first bore  1  to unseat the O-ring  23  and actuate the compressed gas releasing mechanism  13 . 
     The piston  21  has a first end  21   a  opposite the compressed gas storage chamber  11  which is subjected to pneumatic pressure to actuate the compressed gas filling mechanism  12  by transmitting through the mechanical linkage  20  a compression force on the spring  19  that opens the valve  16 . The opening in the valve  16  is formed when the plug  17  is separated from the seat  18  to create a flow path for compressed gas from the first bore  1  to the compressed gas storage chamber  11  by means of the interconnections  6   a  between the first bore  1  and the second bore  2 . Compressed gas from the first bore  1  is applied to the first end of the piston  2   da  to open the valve  15  and actuate the compressed gas filling mechanism  12 . The first end of the piston  21   a  also contains a flexible O-ring seal  24  which prevents  20  actuating pressure leakage into the compressed gas storage chamber  11  when the compressed gas filling mechanism  12  is actuated. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the third bore  3  of the gun body  40  houses the projectile loading mechanism  14  and the projectile launching mechanism  15 . The projectile loading mechanism  14  preferably consists of a metallic or plastic cylindrical piston  25  which slides along the longitudinal axis of the third bore  3 . The projectile launching mechanism  15  preferably consists of a metallic or plastic cylindrical bolt  26  which also slides along the longitudinal axis of the third bore  3  and which has a port  27  for receiving released gas from the compressed gas storage chamber  11  to propel a projectile  41  from the gun body  40 . The bolt  26  is connected to the piston  25  by a metallic or plastic rod-shaped mechanical linkage  28 , which moves the bolt  26  to receive the projectile  41  by gravity loading from the projectile feed mechanism  29  when the projectile loading mechanism  14  is actuated. 
     The projectile loading mechanism  14  is actuated when compressed gas from the first bore  1  is applied by means of the interconnections  6   b  between the first bore  1  and the third bore  3  to a first end  25   a  of the piston  25  which is attached to the mechanical linkage  28 . This compressed gas acts against the piston  25  and the mechanical linkage  28  to drive the bolt  26  back to the cocked position which enables the loading of a projectile  41  into engagement with the bolt  26  from the projectile feed mechanism  29 . The subsequent release of stored gas from the compressed gas storage chamber  11  through the bolt port  27  will drive the projectile  41  from the gun body  40 . After the launching sequence has been completed compressed gas is applied from the first bore  1  to a second end  25   b  of the piston  25  opposite the mechanical linkage  25  to disable the bolt  26  from receiving a projectile  41  by driving the bolt  26  to the shut position. The second principal element is a grip, for instance as shown in  FIG. 1 . The grip is mounted to the body and preferably houses three principal components, a handle  7 , a trigger S and an electrical switch  30 . The handle  7  can 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 trigger  8  is attached to the handle  7  and preferably has a leading edge shaped to be pulled by two fingers with a cam shaped trailing edge to engage the electrical switch  30 . A trigger guard  9  which prevents accidental trigger displacement is preferably attached to the trigger  8 . A spring  10  preferably returns the trigger  8  to a neutral position after the electrical switch  30  has been contacted to initiate a launching sequence. The electrical switch  30  is preferably a two-pole miniature switch which contains a plunger  31  loaded by a spring  32 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 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 circuit  34  housed in the handle  7  along with two electrically operated 3-way solenoid valves  35  and  36  housed in the gun body  40  and an electrical battery power source  33  housed in a fourth bore  4  of the gun body  40 . The electrical timing circuit  34  is 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 valves  35  and  36  which function as electrically operated pneumatic flow distribution mechanisms. When actuated the solenoid valves  35  and  36  pass compressed gas flow from the first bore  1  and when not actuated the solenoid valves  35  and  36  operate to vent gas from the pressurized area. Upon initiation of the launching sequence the electrical timing circuit  34  energizes each solenoid valve  35  or  36  separately in a timed sequence to ensure that each solenoid valve  35  or  36  either passes or vents pressurized gas at the appropriate time within the launching sequence to propel a projectile  41  from the gun body  40 . 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , before the initiation of a launching sequence the introduction of compressed gas into the first bore  1  will preferably automatically cause pneumatic pressure to be applied to the first end of piston  21   a  to cause gas flow from the first bore  1  to the compressed gas storage chamber  11  through actuation of the compressed gas filling mechanism  12  as described above. Simultaneously pneumatic pressure will preferably automatically be applied to the second end of piston  25   b  driving the bolt  26  to the shut position to disable the loading of a projectile  41 . When these conditions are met the compressed gas storage chamber  11  is charged with the bolt  26  closed and the gun is ready for the initiation of a launching sequence. 
     A launching sequence is preferably initiated when the electrical switch  30  completes a circuit between the electrical power source  33  and the electrical timing circuit  34  as the cam shaped trailing edge of the trigger  8  contacts the plunger  31  to compress the spring  32 . When contact is made the electrical power source  33  energizes the electrical timing circuit  34  which first sends an energizing pulse to actuate the first solenoid valve  35 . When actuated the first solenoid valve  35  passes pressurized gas flow to the first end of piston  25   a  to actuate the projectile loading mechanism  14  by driving the bolt  26  back to the cocked position and to enable the loading of a projectile  41  into engagement with the bolt  26  from the projectile feed mechanism  29 . 
     Before the launching sequence is completed, pneumatic pressure is again preferably automatically applied to the second end of piston  25   b  to drive the bolt  26  shut. The electrical timing circuit  34  then sends an energizing pulse to actuate the second solenoid valve  36  which then passes pressurized gas flow to the second end of piston  21   b  to actuate the compressed gas releasing mechanism  13 . Simultaneously, the first solenoid valve  35  returns to its non-actuated position to vent the first end of piston  25   a . This venting in combination with the actuation of the compressed gas releasing mechanism  13  allows the stored gas released into the bolt port  27  from the compressed gas storage chamber  11  to drive the projectile  41  from the gun body  40 . Following the launching sequence, pneumatic pressure is again preferably automatically applied to the first end of piston  21   a  to actuate the compressed gas filling mechanism  12  to re-pressurize the compressed gas storage chamber  11 . 
     The volume of the compressed gas storage chamber  11  and the bore interconnections  6  are 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 chamber  11  and the 0.0315 square inch area of the bore interconnection orifices  6  will 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.