Abstract:
A paintball marker or other compressed gas firearm is provided including a ram driven by an electropneumatic valve when a trigger is actuated to cause a main valve between a high pressure air supply and a firing chamber to be opened. This ram assembly is independent from the main valve structurally and coupled to the air supply and electropneumatic valve sufficiently flexibly to allow the ram assembly to be operable when the ram assembly is displaced away from the main valve. A bolt is provided for directing pressurized air from the main valve to the firing chamber when the main valve is opened, and with the bolt configured to provide a high pressure air pathway which has a high degree of effectiveness in driving the ball out of the firing chamber without distorting a trajectory of the ball. The bolt can be stationary when air is flowing past the bolt.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims benefit under Title 35, United States Code §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/541,556 filed on Feb. 3, 2004. This application also incorporates by reference the entire contents of U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,306 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/877,742, having a filing date of Jul. 8, 2004. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The following invention relates to paintball markers and other firearms which deliver a projectile through force applied by compressed air or other gases. More particularly, this invention relates to paintball markers or related firearms which include a ram assembly between a trigger and a high pressure valve which can be inspected and tested while separated from other portions of the marker, and markers which control airflow for projectile launch with a high degree of effectiveness. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Paintball markers are known in the art for firing projectiles in the form of frangible balls filled with paint (called “paintballs”) to a target. Such paintball markers typically utilize compressed air to launch the paintball from a firing chamber within the marker and out of a barrel pointed at the target. Compressed air powered firearms are also known for projectile delivery firearms other than paintball. 
   Such compressed air powered firearms known in the prior art include numerous generally similar components arranged in similar ways to fire the paintball or other projectile from the firearm. In particular, such typical compressed air firearms include a body supporting the firing chamber and barrel thereon, and with a handle grippable by a hand of the user. A trigger is located near the handle and in a position where fingers of the user can readily actuate the trigger. A source of compressed gas (usually air) is typically provided in the form of a canister attachable to the body of the firearm. This high pressure air source is in fluid communication with the firing chamber in a removable fashion. 
   Typically, a main valve is provided between the high pressure air source and the firing chamber which controls flow of high pressure air to the firing chamber. The trigger is coupled to this main valve in some way so that actuation of the trigger causes the valve to open momentarily and allow a charge of compressed air to pass from the source of high pressure air to the firing chamber. Within the firing chamber, a ball is loaded through some form of load lock mechanism. The air is entered into the firing chamber behind the ball so that the air expands behind the ball pushing the ball out of the barrel. 
   While the trigger can be coupled to the main valve in many different ways, it is known with some paintball markers, and other compressed gas firearms, to control the opening and closing of this main valve through the utilization of a ram which moves to open the main valve. The trigger is coupled to the ram to cause the ram to move. One common arrangement for trigger and ram coupling involves providing an electropneumatic valve between an electric source selectively closed by actuation of the trigger and an electrically powered solenoid within the electropneumatic valve capable of opening and closing air passages leading to the ram for control of ram position. Typically, such electropneumatic valves are powered by compressed air which is often at a lower pressure than the high pressure air from the source of high pressure air. 
   Often a regulator or other pressure reducer is provided so that the high pressure air can also supply this low pressure air for powering the electropneumatic valve. Such a regulator can also allow fine tuning of pressure provided from the source of high pressure air to the firing chamber for launching the paintball. The solenoid within the electropneumatic valve can further be controlled by a logic circuit such as can be provided in an integrated circuit located upon a printed circuit board with other circuitry to properly control the electropneumatic valve and hence the ram and main valve. A power supply, such as a battery, is also typically provided to power the circuitry. 
   With regard to the ball delivery load lock, typically a feed tube is provided near the firing chamber which feeds paintballs or other projectiles, typically by gravity, into or near the firing chamber. With many paintball markers and other compressed air firearms, a bolt is provided co-linear with the barrel and the firing chamber. Such a bolt can slide forward along this line to advance the ball or other projectile into the firing chamber and to close communication between the firing chamber and the feed tube, so that compressed air delivered behind the ball has no place to escape except out of the barrel behind the paintball. 
   Particular prior art embodiments of paintball markers are typically generally similar to each other as described above, but are further modified in each individual paintball marker embodiment to improve performance, simplify construction, or to achieve other purposes. Such known prior art paintball markers have not been entirely satisfactory in some aspects. One problem encountered with many paintball markers is that after some period of use the paintball marker will cease operating properly. Because many of the elements of the paintball marker are hidden within an enclosed body it is often difficult to determine which portion of the paintball marker requires service to again achieve satisfactory performance. For instance, if the trigger is toggled with a ball in the firing chamber and yet the ball has not fired and no charge of compressed air leaves the firearm, a multitude of different potential problems could produce such a result. It is thus difficult for a user or maintenance personnel to diagnose the problem. Accordingly, a need exists for paintball markers and other compressed air firearms which can have various portions thereof fully operational in isolation from other portions of the firearm for troubleshooting purposes. 
   Another problem encountered with many prior art paintball markers and other compressed air firearms is that the paintballs or other projectiles do not travel from the barrel to the target in as linear a fashion as would be optimal. Rather, most prior art paintball markers impart some undesirable amount of spin to the projectile or other deformation so that after a relatively short distance the paintballs are inclined to miss the target at which the barrel is pointed. While one partial solution to this problem is to increase the pressure of air used in firing the paintball, there are limits to such an approach. Excessive pressure can cause the paintball to rupture prematurely within the paintball marker. Also, excessive velocity of the paintball can make the paintball an excessively great hazard to personnel or property which the paintball strikes. Accordingly, a need exists for paintball markers and other compressed air firearms which can utilize high pressure air as effectively as possible to deliver the paintball more precisely at a target. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   With this invention, a paintball marker or related compressed gas powered firearm is provided which can have separate subassemblies of the marker operated while the marker is disassembled and which maintains airflow of high effectiveness from a source of high pressure gas through the marker for firing the paintball or other projectile. 
   The marker includes a body within which various different subassemblies of the marker are supported. These subassemblies include a barrel from which paintballs are fired located adjacent a firing chamber where the paintball resides before high pressure air launches the paintball out of the barrel. A paintball input is located near the firing chamber which delivers paintballs into or near the firing chamber when reloading of the firing chamber is required. 
   A high pressure air source is coupled to the body and a main valve is interposed between the high pressure air source and the firing chamber so that high pressure air can be selectively delivered to the firing chamber when the main valve is open. A trigger is provided which is coupled, at least indirectly, to the main valve so that a user can actuate the trigger and cause the main valve to open and the paintball to be fired from the firing chamber out of the barrel. 
   A ram assembly is provided between the main valve and the trigger. The ram assembly is provided with a housing having a bore therein. A piston is adapted to reside within the bore and move within the bore when the trigger is actuated. A shaft is coupled to the bore and extends to a shaft end referred to as a hammer. The hammer is coupled to the main valve, such as by physical contact, to cause the main valve to open and close when the hammer is adjacent the main valve. 
   The entire ram assembly including the housing, bore, piston, shaft and hammer are removable away from the main valve while the ram assembly is still operatively coupled to the trigger. In such a partially disassembled configuration, actuation of the trigger still causes the piston and hence the associated hammer to move. However, the hammer does not strike the main valve. Thus, operation of the ram assembly can be viewed and inspected without requiring that a paintball be fired and with the ram assembly partially removed from the body so that it can be visually inspected to verify proper operation of the ram assembly. 
   The high pressure air pathway from the high pressure air source, through the main valve, and on to the firing chamber is carefully configured to avoid excess turbulence and so that pressure drops are minimized through the various different portions of the high pressure air pathway. In particular, the high pressure air pathway passes through the main valve and then to the firing chamber, preferably passing along a surface of a bolt. The bolt is provided in line with the firing chamber and the barrel to advance the paintball from the feed tube to the firing chamber and to block off the feed tube before the high pressure air is passed from the main valve to the firing chamber for launching of the projectile. Surfaces of the bolt which form portions of the high pressure air pathway are configured to minimize pressure losses and turbulence of the air flowing past the bolt. In particular, curves in the bolt, as well as within the main valve, are configured to be gradual and having a relatively large radius of curvature. With such a configuration for the high pressure air pathway, high effectiveness air flow is delivered against the ball with low pressure drops and in a sufficiently uniform fashion that forces applied to the ball impart a minimum amount of spin or other distortion on the ball, but rather encourage smooth launching of the paintball from the firing chamber and out of the barrel for a precision flight to the target. 
   In one embodiment of the invention, the bolt is configured so that portions of the bolt which are adjacent the high pressure air pathway between the high pressure air source and the firing chamber are stationary at the time that the high pressure air is flowing past the bolt. Preferably, to accomplish this the bolt is compound in form with two separate portions including a forward portion and a rearward portion. 
   The forward portion includes portions of the high pressure air path thereon and is configured to abut a stop and to be stationary when high pressure air flow occurs adjacent the forward portions. The rearward portion is adapted to move independently from the forward portion at least part of the time, with a spring or other resilient member joining the forward portion and the rearward portion together. With the forward portion of the compound bolt remaining stationary during firing, maximum smoothness of high pressure air flow adjacent the bolt and to the firing chamber is achieved for the most effective airflow and associated paintball trajectory upon launch from the firing chamber. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a paintball marker or other high pressure air powered firearm which is easy to maintain and troubleshoot. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a paintball marker or other high pressure gas powered firearm which can deliver a paintball or other projectile with a high degree of precision. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a paintball marker which operates reliably and accurately. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a paintball marker which can have separate subassemblies operate when the paintball marker is partially disassembled to assist in troubleshooting. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a paintball marker which can rapidly and reliably fire paintballs. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a paintball marker which includes a ram assembly and associated housing which is independent from other portions of a body of the paintball marker for separate inspection and replacement. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a paintball marker which is easy to use and easy to aim for successful delivery of a paintball to a target. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a paintball marker which efficiently utilizes a charge of high pressure gas for launch of a paintball. 
   Other further objects of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the included drawing figures, the claims and detailed description of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views of a paintball marker according to a preferred embodiment of this invention. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  are perspective views of that which is shown in  FIG. 1 , but with a lower body portion and an upper body portion partially removed from each other such as when maintenance and troubleshooting is to occur on internal portions of the paintball marker. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are perspective views of that which is shown in  FIG. 1  with further disassembly of a ram assembly of the paintball marker from adjacent portions of the body of the paintball marker for troubleshooting and maintenance of the ram assembly. 
       FIGS. 7-9  are sequential side elevation views of that which is shown in  FIG. 1  with portions of the body cut away to reveal the relative orientation of subassemblies within the body of the paintball marker and their relative positions and interactions during the steps associated with causing the paintball marker to deliver a paintball therefrom. 
       FIG. 10  is a detail of that which is shown in  FIG. 9  with further portions thereof cut away and with arrows particularly indicating a high pressure air pathway through the paintball marker from a high pressure air source to a firing chamber for launching of a paintball. 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded parts view of a bolt of this invention. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the bolt of  FIG. 11  shown assembled. 
       FIG. 13  is a side elevation view of a ram assembly and main valve of this invention with portions of the ram assembly cut away to reveal interior details. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of that which is shown in  FIG. 13  without any portions cut away. 
       FIG. 15  is a side elevation view similar to  FIG. 13  but with the ram transitioned to a position where a hammer of the ram is striking the main valve to actuate the main valve and cause high pressure air to travel through the main valve. 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of that which is shown in  FIG. 15  with no portions of the ram assembly cut away. 
       FIG. 17  is a side elevation view of a portion of the high pressure air pathway between the high pressure air source and the main valve with portions of the body and other structures cut away to reveal in detail the flow pathway for the high pressure air, as well as details of a regulator for providing low pressure air to control the ram assembly according to this invention. 
       FIG. 18  is a sectional view taken along line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 17  showing how low pressure air is routed toward the ram assembly. 
       FIG. 19  is a full sectional view of a ball sensor assembly which is provided near a firing chamber of the marker to verify that a ball is in proper position before execution of a firing sequence. 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a portion of that which is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  revealing further details of the high pressure air pathway and low pressure air pathway, as well as wiring for the ball sensor for the marker of this invention. 
       FIGS. 21-23  show side elevational views of an alternative embodiment of the paintball marker of  FIG. 1 , with these sequential views similar to the views of  FIGS. 7-9  except that the bolt of the preferred embodiment has been replaced with a compound bolt, and with portions of the body and other structures cut away to reveal interior details of the marker and compound bolt according to this alternative embodiment. 
       FIG. 24  is a detail of a portion of that which is shown in  FIG. 23  and particularly showing a route of the high pressure air through the marker and the compound bolt, and with portions of the compound bolt cut away to further reveal this high pressure air pathway. 
       FIG. 25  is an exploded parts view of the compound bolt of this alternative embodiment. 
       FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the compound bolt shown assembled. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral  10  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is directed to a paintball marker according to a preferred embodiment of this invention. This paintball marker  10  is configured to cause air from an air supply  2  to be delivered to a firing chamber  8  ( FIG. 7 ) for firing of a paintball B out of a barrel  4  and toward a target. Control of firing of the paintball marker  10  is provided by actuation of a trigger  18  which is operatively coupled to a main valve  60  ( FIG. 7 ) to allow high pressure air to pass selectively from the air supply  2  up to the firing chamber  8  in response to actuation of the trigger  18 . 
   In essence, and with particular reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , basic details of the paintball marker  10  are described. To cause the trigger  18  to open the main valve  60 , preferably an electropneumatic valve  20  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) is coupled to the trigger  18 . The electropneumatic valve  20  has a manifold  30  adjacent thereto which feeds low pressure air into and out of the electropneumatic valve  20  and on to a ram assembly  40  adjacent the manifold  30 . Low pressure air is supplied from a regulator  50  which takes high pressure air from the air supply  2  and reduces its pressure to feed the low pressure air to the manifold  30  and then to the electropneumatic valve  20  before delivery to the ram assembly  40 . This low pressure air causes a position of the ram  40  to be modified (such as along arrows D and E of  FIG. 4 ). The ram assembly  40  is configured to have a portion thereof selectively placable adjacent the main valve  60 . When the ram  40  is moved by the electropneumatic valve  20  (caused by actuation of the trigger  18 ) the main valve  60  is caused to open so that high pressure air can pass from the air supply  2  to the main valve  60 . 
   The high pressure air passing through the main valve  60  is delivered up to a location adjacent a bolt  70  ( FIGS. 10-12 ) with the bolt  70  defining a portion of a high pressure air pathway from the main valve  60  to the firing chamber  8 . The bolt  70  is preferably aligned along a common line with the firing chamber  8  and the barrel  4 . The bolt  70  includes a guide surface  80  which defines a portion of the bolt  70  against which high pressure air is routed to deliver the high pressure air to the firing chamber  8 . This guide surface  80  is configured to be smooth and to effectively deliver the high pressure air to the firing chamber  8 . 
   A post  90  is provided to removably couple the bolt  70  to portions of the ram  40  so that the bolt  70  moves with the ram  40 . When the post  90  is removed, the bolt  70  can be removed, such as for cleaning of a bore  71  in which the bolt  70  and firing chamber  8  reside, and to facilitate operation of the ram  40  independent from the bolt  70  and main valve  60  in a partially disassembled configuration ( FIGS. 3-6 ) for troubleshooting and maintenance on the ram  40  and other internal assemblies within the paintball marker  10 . 
   A ball sensor  100  ( FIGS. 19 and 20 ) is preferably provided to verify that a ball B is properly positioned below a feed tube  6  and directly behind the firing chamber  8 . The ball sensor  100  is coupled to circuitry between the trigger  18  and the electropneumatic valve  20  so that a firing sequence is not initiated by the electropneumatic valve  20  unless the ball B is properly positioned for the firing sequence to be effective. 
   More specifically, and with particular reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , general portions of the paintball marker  10  which are shared with many prior art paintball markers are described. The paintball marker  10  is adapted to have an air supply  2  attached thereto preferably in the form of a canister fillable with compressed air or other gases. For instance, a port can be provided with threads thereon and which is complementally sized so that the air supply  2  can be threaded into this port and cause high pressure air to pass directly from the air supply  2  up into high pressure portions of the paintball marker  10  upstream from the main valve  60 . This air supply  2  can take on many different forms depending on the volume of gas to be attached to the paintball marker  10 . As an alternative, a compressed air hose could be coupled to the air supply  2  or some form of small air compressor could be coupled to the paintball marker  10  as an alternative form of air supply  2 . 
   The barrel  4  is a generally cylindrical hollow tube extending in an elongate fashion linearly from the firing chamber  8  ( FIG. 7 ). The firing chamber  8  can be inside the barrel  4  or adjacent but outside the barrel  4 . The barrel  4  can take on many different configurations including various different lengths and the inclusion of holes therein and other structures to influence ball B trajectory upon leaving the paintball marker  10 , to influence noise generated by the paintball marker  10 , and for other purposes common with barrels of firearms generally. The feed tube  6  preferably extends perpendicularly down into a prechamber near the firing chamber  8  but slightly to a side of the firing chamber  8  opposite the barrel  4 . This feed tube  6  is preferably configured so that it can be coupled to a hopper in which multiple balls can be held until gravity fed through the feed tube  6  down into the prechamber  9 . 
   The prechamber  9  is preferably cylindrical along with the firing chamber  8  and with a similar diameter and directly adjacent each other, but with the prechamber  9  on a side of the firing chamber  8  opposite the barrel  4  and closer to the bolt  70 . A bore  71  preferably passes through the paintball marker  10  for supporting of the bolt  70 , and defining both the prechamber  9  and firing chamber  8 . Preferably, the barrel  4  threads into the paintball marker  10  so that the barrel  4  effectively extends the bore  71  entirely along a linear path through the paintball marker  10 . 
   The paintball marker  10  preferably has the various different subcomponents thereof either attached to or contained within a body. This body preferably comes in two main portions including an upper body portion  12  and a lower body portion  14  ( FIGS. 3-6 ). The upper body portion  12  and lower body portion  14  are configured so that they can be separated from each other, such as by pivoting along arrow A, to access internal structures for troubleshooting and maintenance. Preferably electrical and pneumatic connections between the upper body portion  12  and lower body portion  14  are contained within flexible conduits, such as wires or tubes so that the upper body portion  12  and lower body portion  14  can be separated from each other while the various different subassemblies remain fully functioning to the extent electrical or pneumatic “signals” are required between the different subassemblies. 
   The lower body portion  14  includes a grip  16  thereon configured to be readily held by a hand of a user. The trigger  18  is also mounted to the lower body portion  14 . The trigger  18  is coupled to a switch  19  which converts physical motion of the trigger  18  into an electronic signal for use in actuating the electropneumatic valve  20 . In particular, and with particular reference to  FIG. 7 , the trigger  18  and switch  19  are coupled to electronic circuitry including a battery  22  and a printed circuit board  24  through various different wires  25  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) so that actuation of the trigger  18  causes an input into this electronic circuitry. Preferably, the printed circuit board  24  and battery  22  are contained within a hollow chamber within the grip  16  of the lower body portion  14 . 
   With particular reference to  FIGS. 13-16 , details of the electropneumatic valve  20  and manifold  30  are described. The electropneumatic valve  20  and manifold  30  operate along with the ram assembly  40  to convert actuation of the trigger  18  into opening of the main valve  60  when appropriate for delivery of high pressure air to the firing chamber  8  and for firing of the ball B. In particular, the electropneumatic valve  20  includes a solenoid which can open and close various different low pressure air (or other gas) pathways passing between the electropneumatic valve  20  and the ram  40  through the manifold  30 . 
   Preferably, the ball sensor  100  is coupled to the circuitry including the printed circuit board  24  and appropriate logic is programmed into an integrated circuit or other logic device so that the electropneumatic valve  20  does not operate when the ball B is not in proper position for launching of the ball B. When the ball B is in proper position as detected by the ball sensor  100 , and when other criteria programmed into the logic of the circuitry are satisfied, and the trigger  18  is actuated, an electric signal is sent from the circuitry to the electropneumatic valve  20  causing the solenoid to move and for air to be delivered to one of two different paths from the electropneumatic valve  20  through the manifold  30  and to the ram  40 . 
   In particular, the electropneumatic valve  20  includes an air in port  26  coupled to a port  34  in the manifold  30  which is in communication with the flexible air coupling  32  extending from a low pressure side of the regulator  50 . The air in port  26  thus delivers low pressure air into the electropneumatic valve  20  on a supply side of the electropneumatic valve  20 . The electropneumatic valve  20  is configured to have two outlets including a drive path  27  and a return path  28 . The electropneumatic valve  20  can either be toggled through actuation of the solenoid to open the drive path  27  or to open the return path  28 . The drive path  27  is coupled to pathways within the manifold  30  leading to a drive port  44  of the ram assembly  40 . The return path  28  is configured to deliver high pressure air through the manifold  30  along appropriate pathways leading to a return port  45  of the ram assembly  40 . Thus, when the electropneumatic valve  20  is appropriately signaled, it causes delivery of air to either the drive path  27  or the return path  28  for operation of the ram  40 . 
   The electropneumatic valve  20  and manifold  30  are preferably coupled directly to the ram assembly  40  so that relative motion between the electropneumatic valve  20 , manifold  30  and ram  40  is precluded. As an alternative, the various different pathways between the electropneumatic valve  20 , the manifold  30  and the ram  40  could occur along flexible couplings, such as air tubes, so that the electropneumatic valve  20 , manifold  30  and ram  40  could all be structured to move somewhat independently of each other. It is also conceivable that the electropneumatic valve  20 , manifold  30  and/or ram  40  could be more completely integrated so that they are formed together as a single assembly, rather than merely being separate structures fixed to each other with fasteners. 
   With continuing reference to  FIGS. 13-16 , details of the ram assembly  40  are described. The ram assembly  40  is preferably provided as a separate assembly contained within the body of the paintball marker  10  and interacting with various different structures including the main valve  60  and bolt  70  of the paintball marker  10  when actuated by the electropneumatic valve  20 , such as when the trigger  18  is actuated. The ram  40  can thus be removed from other portions of the paintball marker  10 , such as by movement along arrow C ( FIG. 5 ) while the ram assembly  40  remains operatively coupled to the electropneumatic valve  20 , manifold  30  and the source of low pressure air and wiring necessary to allow the ram assembly  40  to function even when partially removed from other portions of the paintball marker  10 . The ram assembly  40  includes the housing  41  generally in the form of a chamber with a cylindrical bore  42  therein, and with the housing  41  also including a cap to close off this bore  42  so that air is effectively trapped within the bore  42 . A piston  43  resides within the bore  42  and is adapted to slide within the bore  42 . While the ram  40  is preferably configured to operate to move the piston  43  in a linear fashion, it is conceivable that the ram  40  could be modified to allow the piston  43  to travel along an arcuate path or to rotate rather than translating linearly. 
   The bore  42  includes a drive port  44  and a return port  45  on opposite sides of the piston  43  and at opposite ends of the bore  42 . The drive port  44  is coupled to the drive path  27  of the electropneumatic valve  20  and the return port  45  is coupled to the return path  28  of the electropneumatic valve  20 . When low pressure air is supplied through the return port  45  into the bore  42 , the piston  43  of the ram assembly  40  is caused to translate linearly away from the return port  45  and causing a shaft  46  coupled to the piston  43  to be retracted. Such motion is particularly shown in  FIG. 13  with air flow along arrow O pushing the piston  43  and associated shaft  46  to cause retraction of a hammer  47  of the ram assembly  40  along arrow E. This in turn blocks flow of high pressure air along arrow I through the main valve  60 . 
   When low pressure air is fed through the drive port  44  the reverse takes place. Particularly, air flow along arrow N passes through the drive port  44  and into the bore  42  to drive the piston  43  away from the drive port  44  so that the drive shaft  46  extends out of the bore  42  pushing the hammer  47  (along arrow D of  FIG. 15 ) into contact with the main valve  60  to open the main valve  60  and allow high pressure air flow I through the main valve  60 . Low pressure air flow H feeds the electropneumatic valve  20  and supplies both the return port  45  and drive port  44  with air to move the piston  43  and associated shaft  46  of the ram assembly  40 . Appropriate seals are provided on the piston  43  and cap of the housing  41  so that air is prevented from leaking out of the bore  42  while the piston  43  is allowed to move within the bore  42  and the shaft  46  is allowed to slide into and out of the bore  42  through the cap of the housing  41 . 
   The hammer  47  of the ram  40  is preferably merely an enlarged portion of an end of the shaft  46 , with the hammer  47  being optionally replaced by an end or mid portion of the shaft itself. The hammer  47  includes a face  48  ( FIGS. 13-16 ) which is adapted to strike a pin  68  on the main valve  60  to cause the main valve  60  to open. Such contact does not occur when the ram assembly  40  is removed from the body of the paintball marker  10  as shown in  FIGS. 3-6 . Thus, the ram assembly  40  can be fully tested without causing the main valve  60  to open during such testing. The hammer  47  or shaft  46  can be coupled to the man valve  60  in ways other than striking contact, such as with mechanical links or other couplings. 
   The hammer  47  includes a hole  49  preferably extending into said hammer  47  in a direction perpendicular to a long axis of the shaft  46 . This hole  49  is sized to receive the post  90  of the bolt  70  for selectively securing the hammer  47  of the ram assembly  40  to the bolt  70 . When the post  90  is removed, the ram assembly  40  can be tested without causing the bolt  70  to move. Also, such disconnecting between the bolt  70  and ram  40  facilitates removal of the bolt  70  out of the body of the paintball marker  10 , such as when cleaning of the bore  71 , firing chamber  8 , prechamber  9  and barrel  4  is desired. 
   With particular reference to  FIGS. 10 ,  17  and  20 , particular details of the regulator  50  and portions of the high pressure air pathway upstream of the main valve  60  are described. The regulator  50  is provided according to the preferred embodiment to control a level of pressure of the high pressure air pathway, as well as to provide low pressure air for the electropneumatic valve  20 . It is conceivable that the electropneumatic valve  20  could be modified to be operated on high pressure air, as well as for the ram  42  to be operated on high pressure air, and for the regulator  50  to be dispensed with. However, it is desirable to have the additional control associated with the regulator  50  and the relatively low pressures required to drive the ram  40  through the electropneumatic valve  20  can beneficially best be provided with lower pressure air such as can be provided by the regulator  50 . 
   The regulator  50  is preferably located within a chamber  51  in the upper body  12  of the paintball marker  10 . This chamber  51  is downstream from the air supply  2  and upstream of the main valve  60 . The regulator  50  includes an inlet  52  which feeds low pressure outlet paths  53  to deliver air (along arrow H) to the electropneumatic valve  20 . A pressure control spring  54  is located within the regulator  50  which includes an adjustment screw  55  for adjusting of the pressure control spring  54 . 
   The low pressure outlet paths  53  are in the form of various paths extending radially to an annular portion which feeds a low pressure tunnel  56  passing through the upper body and feeding an end of the flexible air coupling  32  which then extends on to the manifold  30  and electropneumatic valve  20 . A low pressure gauge  58  is preferably located along the low pressure tunnel  56  ( FIG. 20 ) so that the low pressure gauge  58  can show that the regulator  50  is operating properly and that maximum pressures are not being exceeded for operation of the electropneumatic valve  20  and ram  40 . 
   The regulator  50  also includes a high pressure outlet  57  through which high pressure air is delivered to an upstream side of the main valve  60 . High pressure air flow from the air supply  2 , along arrow G ( FIG. 17 ) feeds the inlet  52  leading to the low pressure outlet paths  53  as well as feeding the high pressure outlet  57 . The regulator  50  can be configured to moderate the high pressure between the air supply  2  and the high pressure outlet  57 , or the regulator  50  can be provided merely to deliver low pressure air to the low pressure outlet paths  53  feeding the manifold  30  and electropneumatic valve  20 . 
   With particular reference to  FIGS. 10 and 17 , details of the main valve  60  are provided. The main valve  60  controls the high pressure air pathway from the air supply  2  to the firing chamber  8 . When the main valve  60  opens, high pressure air is supplied to the firing chamber  8  for firing of the ball B. When the main valve  60  is closed, the high pressure air pathway is blocked. 
   The main valve  60  includes a body  61  with an air pathway  65  passing therethrough. A plate  62  is provided adjacent the body  61  with a spring  63  abutting the plate  62  and pressing the plate  62  against the body  61  overlying an entrance  64  feeding the air pathway  65  of the body  61 . The spring  63  keeps the plate  62  in position blocking the entrance  64  to the air pathway  65  except when the spring  63  is compressed and the plate  62  is moved off of the entrance  64  to allow high pressure air flow into the air pathway  65 . 
   The air pathway  65  preferably bends 90° at a curve  66  within the body  61  between the entrance  64  and an outlet  69  from the main valve  60 . This curve  66  is preferably gradual, such as having a radius of curvature similar to a radius of the air pathway  65  itself and a radius of the entrance  64  and the outlet  69 . The curve  66  can be made even more gradual, such as by having a radius of curvature similar to a width of the air pathway  65  and the outlet  69  and entrance  64 . By making the curve  66  gradual, turbulence is minimized and the air is most effectively redirected perpendicularly between the entrance  64  and the outlet  69 . 
   A shaft  67  is coupled to the plate  62  and extends through the body  61  to the pin  68 . The pin  68  is in position to be struck by the hammer  47  or the ram  40  so that the ram  40  can cause the shaft  67  to move, and for the plate  62  coupled to the shaft  67  to move off of the entrance  64  so that high pressure air can pass through the main valve  60  along the air pathway  65 . 
   While the spring  63  is shown external to the body  61  of the main valve  60 , it is conceivable that the spring  63  could be located inside the body  61  of the main valve  60 , such as by configuring the spring  63  as a tension spring rather than as a compression spring. The main valve  60  is positioned so that the outlet  69  is directly below and near the bore  71  in which the bolt  70  resides, so that high pressure air can be fed up to the bore  71  and on to the firing chamber  8 . along a surface of the bolt  70  during firing. 
   With particular reference to  FIGS. 7-12 , particular details of the bolt  70  and portions of the high pressure air pathway between the main valve  60  and the firing chamber  8  are described. The bolt  70  resides within the cylindrical bore  71  which is preferably aligned with the prechamber  9 , firing chamber  8  and barrel  4 . Preferably, this alignment is parallel with the entrance  64  into the main valve  60  but with air flow preferably reversed 180° between the entrance  64  of the main valve  60  and the firing chamber  8 . While the main valve  60  rotates this flow 90°, the bolt  70  assists in redirecting the high pressure air 90° and toward the firing chamber  8 . In particular, the bore  71  includes a hole directly above the main valve  60  which allows high pressure air to be fed from the main valve  60  into the bore  71 . 
   The bolt  70  is preferably configured in two pieces including a core  72  and a sleeve  74 . The core  72  is cylindrical in form and the sleeve  74  is cylindrical and hollow. The sleeve  74  is adapted to have the core  72  slid snugly into the sleeve  74 . A coupling pin  75  is provided to secure the core  72  to the sleeve  74 . A post receiver  76  passes through both the core  72  and sleeve  74  in a direction perpendicular to a long axis of the bolt  70 . The post receiver  76  is sized to receive the post  90  therethrough and allow the post  90  to be removably attached to the bolt  70  and extend down from the bore  71  to the hammer  47  of the ram assembly  40 . 
   Preferably, the post  90  is somewhat captured within the post receiver  76  of the bolt  70  by providing a retainer ball  78  and adjustable spring and set screw combination  79  to hold the pin  90  in position within the post receiver  76 . When sufficient upward force (along arrow M of  FIG. 10 ) is exerted upon the post  90 , the post  90  can be removed form the post receiver  76  of the bolt  70 , so that the post  90  can be removed from the bolt  70 . By reversing this procedure, the post  90  can be reinserted through the post receiver  76  and into the bolt  70 , and causing the bolt  70  to be recoupled to the ram assembly  40 . 
   The core  72  is preferably modified on a lower and forward portion thereof to include a guide surface  80  defining one side of the high pressure air pathway between the main valve  60  and the firing chamber  8 . This guide surface  80  works along with surfaces of the sleeve  74  to surround the high pressure air pathway between the main valve  60  and the firing chamber  8 . The guide surface  80  includes a main curve  82  directly above the main valve  60 . This main curve  82  causes the high pressure air pathway to rotate 90° and to cause the high pressure air flow to be directed toward the firing chamber  8 . 
   Preferably, this main curve  82  is sufficiently gradual to avoid excessive turbulence and to effectively redirect the high pressure air flow. In particular, the main curve  82  is preferably at least as gradual as the curve within the main valve  60 , such as by providing the main curve  82  with a radius of curvature not less than a radius of the outlet  69  of the main valve  60  and similar to a radius of an inlet  85  formed in the sleeve  74  to allow the high pressure air to pass through the sleeve  74  and against the main curve  82  and guide surface  80 . 
   The guide surface  80  additionally includes an overhang  84  which is preferably substantially planar and extends from the main curve  82  to an outlet  86  adjacent the prechamber  9  or firing chamber  8 , depending on the particular position of the bolt  70 . The high pressure air path along the guide surface  80  and through the bolt  70  exhibits a crescent shape ( FIG. 12 ) in cross section beneath the guide surface  80  and extending to the outlet  86 . The guide surface  80  can optionally stop short of the bolt outlet  86 , with the surface  80  preferably extending at least half of the distance and most optimally substantially all of the distance from the main curve  82  to the outlet  86 . 
   The overhang  84  of the guide surface  80  is preferably near a centerline of the core  72  of the bolt  70 . However, the overhang  84  is preferably slightly below this centerline. Portions of the sleeve  74  adjacent the outlet  86  are preferably curved so that the ball B can be located directly adjacent the sleeve  74 . The high pressure air thus strikes the ball B near a center of the ball B, but slightly below a center of the ball B. Experience has shown that such a configuration for the high pressure air pathway directly adjacent the ball B is particularly effective in delivering the ball B precisely to targets a considerable distance away. The guide surface  80  of the bolt  70  thus effectively redirects the high pressure air from passing vertically along arrow I to passing horizontally along arrow J to impact the ball B. 
   The post  90  is preferably configured to include a head  92  opposite a tip  94  and with a notch  96  extending along a side of the post  90  near where the post  90  is located adjacent the retainer ball  78 . The head  92  facilitates a user in grabbing the post  90  and manually adjusting a position of the post  90  vertically when desired. 
   While the bolt  70  has been previously described in its capacity to redirect high pressure air from the main valve  60  to the firing chamber  8 , the bolt  70  additionally preferably operates to close off a rear side of the bore  71  and rear side of the firing chamber  8 , as well as to advance the ball B from the prechamber  9  to the firing chamber  8  and to close off the feed tube  6  before the firing sequence is initiated. In particular, and as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , the sequence of firing the paintball B is described. Initially, low pressure air acts through the electropneumatic valve  20  to cause the ram assembly  40  to have the hammer  47  retracted (along arrow E). This in turn causes the bolt  70  to move away from the firing chamber  8 . When the bolt  70  is moved sufficiently rearwardly, a ball within the feed tube  6  can fall down into the prechamber  9 . The ball B is now in position within the bore  71 . 
   The ball sensor  100  can be utilized to verify that the ball B is indeed in proper position within the prechamber  9 . In particular, and with reference to  FIGS. 19 and 20 , the ball sensor  100  is preferably an electro-optical sensor which includes a light emitter  104  and a light sensor  106  each coupled by wires  102  to the circuitry on the printed circuit board  24 . If the sensor  106  detects light, the ball B is not in proper position. If the sensor  106  does not detect light, the ball B is in proper position and the firing sequence can proceed. Preferably, a pair of cover plates  108  are provided to cover the wires  102  and to enhance a decorative appearance of the paintball marker  10 . Other forms of ball position sensors could alternatively be provided. 
   With continuing reference to  FIG. 7 , the trigger  18  can then be toggled, causing the switch  19  to generate an electrical signal indicating to the circuitry on the printed circuit board  24  that launch of a paintball B is authorized. A signal is sent to the electropneumatic valve  20  causing low pressure air to be directed to the drive path  27  ( FIGS. 13-16 ) so that the ram assembly  40  is operated, driving the hammer  47  forward (along arrow D). This simultaneously causes the bolt  70  to advance within the bore  71 , causing the ball B to be advanced from the prechamber  9  to the firing chamber  8 . 
   When the hammer  47  has advanced to the point where it contacts the pin  68  on the main valve  60 , the inlet  85  in the sleeve  74  of the bolt  70  has come into alignment with the hole above the outlet  69  of the main valve  60 . Further movement of the hammer  47  against the pin  68  causes the main valve  60  to open, allowing high pressure air to pass up out of the outlet  69  of the main valve  60 , through the hole and into the inlet  85  within the bolt  70 . 
   This high pressure air is then directed along the guide surface  80  to the firing chamber  8  where it impacts the ball B and drives the ball B out of the barrel  4 . Such motion of the bolt  70  (along arrow F of  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) thus both advances the ball B into the firing chamber  8 , aligns the inlet  85  with the outlet  69  and causes portions of the sleeve  74  of the bolt  70  to block the feed tube  6  so that high pressure air is prevented from passing into the feed tube  6 , and precluding further interference of other balls with the launching of the ball B from the barrel  4 . This sequence is then repeated shortly thereafter by having the electropneumatic valve  20  switch to cause delivery of return air to the ram so that the hammer  47  cycles back (along arrow E of  FIG. 7 ) and retracting the bolt  70  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
   With particular reference to  FIGS. 21-26 , details of a compound bolt  110  according to an alternative embodiment of this invention are described. This compound bolt  110  can essentially be substituted for the bolt  70  without modification of other structures and subassemblies of the paintball marker  10  of the preferred embodiment. The compound bolt  110  includes two portions including a forward portion  112  and a rearward portion  114  which are each generally similar to forward and rearward portions of the bolt  70 , except that the forward portion  112  and rearward portion  114  are separated from each other. A spring  116  or other bias is preferably interposed between the forward portion  112  and rearward portion  114  so that these portions  112 ,  114  are connected together, but are capable of limited motion independently from one another. 
   A stop surface  117  is contained within the body of the paintball marker  10  directly below the bore  71  and on a portion of the bore  71  preferably slightly forward of a cavity in which the hammer  47  of the ram assembly  40  resides. This stop surface  117  is positioned to interact with a stop post  118  passing through a rearward portion  114  of the compound bolt  110 . The stop post  118  fits within a forward hole  119  in the forward portion  112  of the compound bolt  110 . This stop post  118  is similar to the post  90 , except that it is not coupled to the hammer  47 , but rather is provided to stop motion of the forward portion  112  when the stop post  118  comes into contact with the stop surface  117 . It is conceivable that the stop post  118  could be replaced by some other form of structure on the forward portion  112  that extends radially from the centerline of the bolt  110  sufficient to abut the stop surface  117 . This structure could be an annular ring, or some other strong element extending laterally from the bolt  110 . 
   The forward portion  112  includes a guide surface  120  generally similar to the guide surface  80  and including a main curve  122 , overhang  124 , inlet  125  and outlet  126  each analogous to the guide surface  80  of the preferred embodiment. A drive post  130  is provided passing through the rearward portion  114  of the compound bolt  110 . This drive post  130  is movably coupled to the hammer  47  and functions similar to the post  90  of the preferred embodiment. Hence, the drive post  130  causes the rearward portion  114  of the compound bolt  110  to move with the hammer  47  of the ram  40 . The forward portion  112  of the compound bolt  110  either moves along with the rearward portion  114  or is stopped by impacting of the stop post  118  against the stop surface  117  so that the forward portion  112  is stationary, even though the rearward portion  114  is still moving somewhat. 
   The forward portion  112  and rearward portion  114  are configured to allow relative motion therebetween only for a distance similar to an amount of travel required by the hammer  47  against the pin  68  of the main valve  60  to cause the main valve  60  to open. With the compound bolt  110  configured as described above, the compound bolt  110  provides the advantage that the guide surface  120  and other parts of the forward portion  112  of the compound bolt  110  are stationary when the main valve  60  opens and high pressure air passes along the guide surface  120  and on to the firing chamber  8 . 
   In particular, and with reference to  FIGS. 21-24 , initially the compound bolt  110  is in a rearward position allowing a ball B to drop from the feed tube  60  down into the prechamber  9 . When the firing sequence is initiated, the hammer  47  of the ram  40  moves forward causing the ball B to be pushed from the prechamber  9  to the firing chamber  8  and causing the feed tube  6  to be closed off. Also, the inlet  125  below the guide surface  120  is brought into precise alignment with the hole above the outlet  69  in the main valve  60 . The forward portion  112  is configured so that just as the inlet  125  comes into precise alignment with the outlet  69  of the main valve  60 , the stop post  118  of the compound bolt  110  strikes the stop surface  117  so that the forward portion  112  stops moving. Thus, as shown in  FIG. 22 , both the forward portion  112  moves along arrow K and the rearward portion  114  moves along arrow L. 
   After the stop post  118  strikes the stop surface  117 , the forward portion  112  ceases moving and the high pressure air pathway along the guide surface  120  is completely ready for optimal handling of high pressure air flow. The hammer  47  continues to move, so that the rearward portion  114  continues to move along arrow L ( FIG. 23 ) and the spring  116  is caused to be compressed. Also, the hammer  47  begins to strike the pin  68  of the main valve  60 , causing high pressure air to pass through the main valve  60 . This high pressure air has the benefit of passing against a guide surface  120  which is entirely stationary, and striking the ball B for launch out of the barrel  4 . When the ram assembly  40  cycles back to retract the hammer  47  away from the main valve  60 , the rearward portion  114  and forward portion  112  of the compound bolt  110  are each retracted back to the position shown in  FIG. 21 , such that another ball B can be dropped into the prechamber  9  and the firing sequence repeated. 
   This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of the invention and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thus described the invention in this way, it should be apparent that various different modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention disclosure. When structures are identified as a means to perform a function, the identification is intended to include all structures which can perform the function specified. When structures of this invention are identified as being coupled together, such language should be interpreted broadly to include the structures being coupled directly together or coupled together through intervening structures. Such coupling could be permanent or temporary and either in a rigid fashion or in a fashion which allows pivoting, sliding or other relative motion while still providing some form of attachment, unless specifically restricted.