Abstract:
A pneumatic paintball gun preferably includes an upper body and a rear hand grip. The upper body preferably houses a pneumatic assembly that provides the primary operating components of the paintball gun. The pneumatic assembly preferably includes a bolt piston and a bolt. The pneumatic piston is preferably coupled to the bolt for controlling movement of the bolt. The rear hand grip preferably includes a supply port for receiving compressed gas directly into the rear hand grip from a compressed gas supply. A transfer path can be arranged internally within the rear hand grip to transfer compressed gas from the supply port to the operating components of the paintball gun. The transfer path can, for instance, be a tube, a flexible hose, or another transfer mechanism. Compressed gas from the transfer path can be supplied to a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve can transfer compressed gas to the bolt piston to operate the bolt during operation of the paintball gun.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority from, copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/869,829, filed Jun. 15, 2004, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates generally to pneumatic paintball guns (“markers”) and their operating components. More particularly, this invention relates to a pneumatic paintball gun and the pneumatic components used to load a paintball into and fire it from the paintball gun.  
         [0004]     2. Related Art  
         [0005]     In the sport of paintball, it is generally desirable to have a marker that is as small and light as possible. Smaller and lighter markers increase a players&#39; mobility. Players benefit from increased mobility by being able to move more quickly from bunker to bunker, making it easier to avoid being hit. Further, in the sport of paintball, the marker is treated as an extension of the body such that a hit to the marker counts as a hit to the player. It is desirable, therefore, to have a paintball gun with as small a profile as possible while substantially maintaining or improving performance characteristics of the marker, such as firing rate, accuracy, and gas efficiency. The size of the paintball gun is generally related to the size and number of operating components that must be housed within the paintball gun body.  
         [0006]     It is further desirable to have a paintball marker that includes fewer, less complex, and less expensive, operating components and that can be more easily manufactured. The cost savings can then be passed on to the consumer. The industry is in need of a small, light, and inexpensive paintball marker that provides reliable and efficient operation.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In one embodiment of the present invention, a pneumatic paintball gun can include a body and a grip frame. The body and the grip frame can be formed separately or integrally, and are preferably formed from a molded plastic, rubber, or other rugged but relatively inexpensive material. The body preferably includes a chamber configured to receive a pneumatic assembly. The pneumatic assembly preferably provides several of the operating components of the paintball gun including a bolt, a compressed gas storage area, and a firing mechanism. A pneumatic assembly housing can be formed of metal, plastic, or a combination of materials and, in addition to housing the pneumatic components, can be configured to receive a barrel and a feed tube. A pneumatic regulator can also be provided and can, for example, be a vertical, in-line regulator or a bottom-mount regulator.  
         [0008]     The bolt preferably includes a forward and a rearward piston surface area. A quantity of compressed gas is preferably selectively supplied and vented from a forward piston surface area through a mechanical or electro-pneumatic valving mechanism. The firing mechanism preferably consists of a sealing member arranged in selective communication with an outer surface of the bolt. One or more firing ports are preferably arranged in the bolt to communicate compressed gas through the bolt to launch a paintball. Compressed gas from the regulator can be supplied to the compressed gas storage area through a supply port. The flow of compressed gas into the compressed gas storage area can be restricted or prevented during a firing operation to increase gas efficiency of the paintball gun.  
         [0009]     In operation, compressed gas is preferably supplied to the paintball gun from a compressed gas container through a pressure regulator. The compressed gas is preferably directed from the pressure regulator to the valving mechanism and to a supply port for feeding the compressed gas storage area. Compressed gas supplied to the valving mechanism is preferably transferred through the valving mechanism to the forward surface area of the bolt piston when the valving mechanism is in a neutral (non-actuated) position. This compressed gas acts on the forward bolt piston surface area to force the bolt into a rearward position. While the bolt is in a rearward position, a paintball is allowed to load into a breech of the paintball gun from the feed tube. In addition, while the bolt is rearward, the gas supply port is preferably allowed to rapidly transmit compressed gas into the compressed gas storage area.  
         [0010]     A trigger mechanism is preferably configured to operate the valving mechanism. When the trigger is depressed, the valving mechanism is preferably actuated to vent compressed gas away from the forward piston surface area of the bolt. Compressed gas is preferably applied to a rearward surface area of the bolt piston. The rearward surface area of the bolt piston can be arranged, for example, in the compressed gas storage area or at a rearward end of the bolt. The compressed gas applied to the rearward surface area of the bolt piston can therefore be supplied from the compressed gas storage area or from a separate supply port. When the compressed gas is vented from the forward bolt piston surface area, the pressure applied to the rearward bolt piston surface area preferably causes the bolt to move to a forward position.  
         [0011]     When the bolt transitions to its forward position, a sealing member of the firing mechanism preferably disengages from the bolt surface area, permitting compressed gas from the compressed gas storage area to enter the bolt firing ports and launch a paintball from the marker. In addition, with the bolt in the firing position, the flow of compressed gas into the compressed gas storage area can be restricted. This can be accomplished, for instance, by configuring a rearward portion of the bolt to reduce the area through which compressed gas travels from the supply port to the compressed gas storage area. Alternatively, the supply of compressed gas to the compressed gas storage chamber can be cut off completely to prevent compressed gas from entering the storage chamber during the firing operation. This can be accomplished, for instance, by closing off the gas supply port using sealing members on a rearward end of the bolt, using sealing members on a separate, independent piston, by pinching a gas supply tube, or using a separate valving mechanism.  
         [0012]     The valving mechanism can be a solenoid valve (such as a three-way solenoid valve), a mechanical valve, or other valving mechanism. In the case of a solenoid valve, an electronic circuit is preferably provided to control the operation of the solenoid valve based on actuation of a trigger mechanism. A switch, such as a microswitch or other switching device, is preferably arranged in communication with the trigger to send an actuation signal to the electronic circuit in response to a pull of the trigger. A power source is also preferably provided to supply power to the electronic circuit and solenoid valve. The valving mechanism preferably vents compressed gas away from a forward bolt piston surface area in response to a firing signal from the circuit board. In the case of a mechanical valve, the mechanical valve preferably communicates with the trigger to vent the compressed gas away from the forward bolt piston surface area in response to a trigger pull.  
         [0013]     In one embodiment, the bolt is preferably a free-floating bolt with balanced pressure applied to opposite ends of the bolt piston rod. This can be accomplished, for instance, by providing a vent channel from a rearward end of the bolt piston rod through to the forward end of the bolt. Alternatively, the chamber in communication with the rearward end of the bolt piston can be vented to atmosphere through a vent port arranged through the gun body.  
         [0014]     Various other aspects, embodiments, and configurations of this invention are also possible without departing from the principles disclosed herein. This invention is therefore not limited to any of the particular aspects, embodiments, or configurations described herein. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     The foregoing and additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, made with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of a paintball gun, shown with a bolt thereof in an rearward (e.g., open) position, according to certain principles of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of the paintball gun of  FIG. 1 , shown with the bolt is disposed in a forward (e.g., closed) position;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional perspective view of the pneumatic paintball gun illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of a paintball gun constructed according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of a paintball gun constructed according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIGS. 6, 7 , and  8  are a somewhat schematic perspective, cross-sectional side, and bottom plan view, respectively, illustrating a paintball detection system arrangement in a breech section of a paintball gun according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a somewhat schematic perspective view of a circuit board and sensor system for the paintball detection system configured for arrangement in the breech section of the paintball gun illustrated in  FIGS. 6, 7 , and  8 ; and  
         [0023]      FIGS. 10, 11 ,  12 , and  13  are a perspective, side, top, and bottom view, respectively, of a grip frame for a paintball gun according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]     The accompanying drawings show the construction of various preferred embodiments incorporating principles of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a pneumatic paintball gun  100  can be constructed having a body  110  and a grip  120 . A foregrip  130  can also be provided. The body  110  and the grip  120  can be formed integrally or separately and can be formed of the same or different materials. The body  110  and the grip  120  are preferably formed of a molded plastic or rubber material, such as ABS plastic, that is durable and shock resistant yet relatively inexpensive.  
         [0025]     A pneumatic housing  115  is preferably arranged in the body  110  to house some or all of the pneumatic components, to receive a barrel (not shown), and to receive a feed tube  140 . The pneumatic housing  115  is preferably a block or tube formed from a metal such as aluminum, but can be formed of any other metal, plastic, or other material that is sufficiently durable to perform its required functions. The grip  120  and foregrip  130  are preferably secured to the body  110  and the pneumatic housing  115  using screws or other fastening means. A plate  125  is also preferably provided and formed of a rigid material, such as metal, can also be arranged in the grip  120  to permit secure attachment of a tank receptacle (not shown) for connecting to a compressed gas tank.  
         [0026]     The foregrip  130  preferably provides a regulator  132  for regulating a supply of compressed gas down to a desired operating pressure. In this embodiment, the desired operating pressure is between about 90 to 350 psi. A battery  122  can be arranged in the grip  120  along with a circuit board  150  and a solenoid valve  250 . The solenoid valve  250  of this embodiment is preferably a normally-open, three-way solenoid valve.  
         [0027]     A pneumatic assembly  200  is preferably arranged in the body  110  and can be connected to and/or include some or all of the pneumatic housing  115 . The pneumatic assembly  200  preferably includes a compressed gas storage area  212 , a pneumatic cylinder  220 , and a guide chamber  214 . A bolt  222  is preferably slidably arranged having a first piston surface area  226   a  located within a pneumatic cylinder  220  in a piston and cylinder assembly. The bolt  222  may further include a guide rod  221  that extends through substantially the entire pneumatic assembly  200 .  
         [0028]     The guide rod  221  can include a firing valve section  221   a  that communicates with a sealing member  232  to prevent compressed gas from entering the bolt  222  from the compressed gas storage area  212  when the bolt  222  is rearward. The guide rod  221  further preferably includes a rearward section  221   b  that slides back and forth within a guide chamber  214  to provide stability for the bolt and also to restrict or prevent the flow of compressed gas into the compressed gas storage area  212  from a supply port  216  when the bolt  222  is forward. A vent channel  228  may be provided through the bolt  222  and guide rod  221  to prevent back pressure from building up on a rearward end  222   b  of the bolt  222  and provide an essentially free-floating bolt arrangement. This reduces the amount of pressure required to recock the bolt  222 . The vent channel also reduces the amount of force applied by a forward end  222   a  of the bolt  222  on a paintball, improves gas efficiency, and eliminates the need for a secondary pressure regulator. Alternatively, a vent channel (not shown) may be provided through the body  110  of the gun  100  to vent the rearward chamber area  214  to atmosphere.  
         [0029]     With the bolt  222  in an open position, compressed gas from the regulator  132  is supplied to the compressed gas storage area  212  through the supply port  216 . The sealing member  232  preferably communicates between an external surface of the bolt  222  along the firing valve section  221   a  and an inner wall of the pneumatic assembly  200  to prevent compressed gas from entering the bolt  222 . The sealing member  232  can, for example, be arranged in a recess of the inner wall (or protrusion from the inner wall) of the pneumatic assembly  200  near a forward end of the compressed gas storage chamber  212 .  
         [0030]     Alternatively, for example, a bolt port can be arranged through the bolt  222 , with an input disposed near a rearward end of the bolt  222 , to communicate compressed gas from a rearward end of the compressed gas storage area  212  through the bolt  222  and into communication with a paintball when the bolt transitions to its forward position. In this embodiment, the sealing member  232  could be arranged on the bolt  222  near a rearward end of the compressed gas storage area  212  so as to prevent compressed gas from entering the bolt  222  from the compressed gas storage area  212  when the bolt  222  is open, but to permit compressed gas from the compressed gas storage area  212  to enter the bolt  222  when the bolt is closed.  
         [0031]     The solenoid valve  250  preferably selectively supplies compressed gas to and vents compressed gas from the cylinder  220  through the port  218  to move the bolt  222 . The solenoid valve  250  preferably comprises a normally-open configuration where compressed gas input into the solenoid valve  250  through an input port  254  is supplied via an output port  256  to the forward piston surface area  226   a  of the bolt  222  to hold the bolt  222  in an open position.  
         [0032]     In response to a trigger pull, a firing signal is preferably sent from the circuit board  150  to the solenoid valve  250  to initiate a firing operation of the paintball gun  100 . In response to the firing signal, the solenoid valve  250  preferably vents compressed gas away from the forward piston area  226   a  of the bolt  222 . Pressure on an opposing surface area  226   b  of the bolt  222  thereby causes the bolt  222  to transition to a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 9 . The opposing surface area  226   b  can, for instance, be arranged in the compressed gas storage area  212  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0033]     Alternatively, the opposing surface area  226   b  can be arranged on a rearward end  222   b  of the bolt  222 , with compressed gas supplied to the rearward end  222   b  of the bolt  222  through a separate supply channel (not shown). In this alternative embodiment, the vent channel  228  would be omitted to maintain pressure in chamber  214  to function as an air spring. The opposing surface area  226   b  could likewise be positioned anywhere else where it can receive a quantity of compressed gas to force the bolt  222  into a closed position when gas is vented away from the forward surface area  226   a . The opposing surface area  226   b  preferably has a surface area less than that of the forward surface area  226   a  to prevent the bolt from moving forward until the compressed gas is vented away from the forward surface area  226   a . Alternatively, a mechanical spring or other biasing member that provides a desired amount of force (preferably less than the amount of force created by the compressed gas on the forward surface area of the bolt  226   a ) could be used to force the bolt  222  into a closed position when compressed gas is vented away from the forward surface area  226   a  of the bolt  222 .  
         [0034]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , with the bolt  222  in the closed position, compressed gas from the compressed gas storage area  212  is permitted to flow into the bolt  222  through channels  223  arranged along an external surface of the bolt  222  and ports  224  arranged to communicate compressed gas from a predetermined location along the exterior of the bolt  222  to a forward end of the bolt  222   a . While the bolt  222  is in its forward position, entry of compressed gas into the compressed gas storage area  212  from the supply port  216  can be restricted using a glide ring  225   a  arranged on the rearward section of the guide rod  221   b  near a rearward end  222   b  of the bolt  222 . A sealing member  225   b  prevents compressed gas from entering the rearward portion of the guide chamber  214  and the vent channel  228 . To prevent (rather than restrict) compressed gas from entering into the chamber during the firing operation, the glide ring  225   a  could be replaced by a sealing member (not shown).  
         [0035]     Loading and firing operations of the pneumatic paintball gun  100  will now be described in further detail with reference to  FIGS. 1-3 . Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3 , compressed gas supplied from the regulator  132  to the paintball gun  100  is directed to a manifold  252  arranged in communication with the solenoid valve  250 . Compressed gas from the regulator  132  is directed through the manifold to an inlet  254  of the solenoid valve  250 . In its normally-open position, the solenoid valve  250  directs compressed gas from the input port  254  to an output port  256  of the manifold  252  to the cylinder  220  and hence the forward bolt piston surface area  226   a.    
         [0036]     Meanwhile, compressed gas from the regulator  132  is also supplied through a second output port  258  of the manifold  252  to a supply port  216 , preferably arranged near a rearward end of the compressed gas storage area  212  in a bolt guide cylinder  235 . While the bolt  222  is open, compressed gas from the supply port  216  is preferably permitted to rapidly fill the compressed gas storage area  212 . A rearward piston surface area  226   b  of the bolt  222  is preferably arranged in or in communication with the compressed gas storage area  212 . The forward bolt piston surface area  226   a  is preferably larger than the rearward surface area  226   b . Thus, in its resting position (e.g., in the absence of a firing signal), the compressed gas supplied to the forward bolt piston surface area  226   a  holds the bolt  222  in an open position against pressure applied to a rearward bolt piston surface area  226   b . With the bolt  222  in its open (e.g., rearward position), a paintball is permitted to drop from a feed tube  140  into a breech area  145  of the paintball gun  100 .  
         [0037]     A firing operation of the paintball gun  100  is preferably initiated in response to actuation of a trigger  102 . The trigger  102  is preferably configured to initiate a firing operation of the paintball gun  100  through actuation of a microswitch  152  or other switching mechanism when pulled. Actuation of the switching mechanism  152  preferably causes the circuit board  150  to initiate a firing operation by transmitting one or more firing signals to the solenoid valve  250 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3 , the firing signal is preferably an actuation signal that energizes the solenoid of the solenoid valve  250  for a predetermined duration of time. The trigger  102  could be configured, however to actuate a firing sequence as long as the trigger  102  is pulled, particularly if a mechanical rather than electronic actuation system is utilized.  
         [0038]     In response to the firing signal, the solenoid valve  250  preferably vents compressed gas from the forward bolt piston area  226   a . Pressure applied from the compressed gas storage area  212  to the rearward bolt piston area  226   b  thereby causes the bolt  222  to move to its forward position. As the bolt  222  transitions to its forward position, it forces a paintball that has been loaded in the breech area  145  forward into the rearward end of a barrel (not shown).  
         [0039]     In addition, as the bolt  222  approaches its forward position, the channels  223  arranged along the external surface of the bolt  222  slide past the sealing member  232  and allow the compressed gas from the compressed gas storage area  212  to enter into the rearward portion of the cylinder  220 . Compressed gas in the rear of the cylinder  220  flows through bolt ports  224  into contact with the paintball in the barrel to cause it to be launched from the gun  100 . Also, as the bolt  222  approaches its forward position, a glide ring or sealing member  225   a  slides past the gas supply port  216  to respectively restrict or prevent the flow of compressed gas from the regulator  132  into the compressed gas storage area  212 . This can improve the gas efficiency of the paintball gun  100 .  
         [0040]     Although the embodiment of  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3  illustrates the use of an electro-pneumatic valve  250  to control the loading and firing operations of the paintball gun  100 , a mechanical valve could be used in place of the solenoid valve  250 . Like the solenoid valve  250 , the mechanical valve could be configured to supply compressed gas to the forward piston surface area  226   b  through port  218  in a resting position. In response to a pull of the trigger  102 , the mechanical valve could be configured to vent the compressed gas away from the forward piston surface area  226   b  to cause the bolt  222  to move forward and perform a firing operation. The trigger  102  could, for example, be directly mechanically coupled to the valve or could communicate with the mechanical valve through one or more intermediate components.  
         [0041]     Yet other alternative embodiments of the present invention are shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The paintball gun  100 A shown in  FIG. 4  is constructed in a manner similar to that shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3 , except, for instance, the absence of a foregrip  130 , compressed gas being supplied to the gun through a tube arranged through the grip  120 , and that the solenoid valve  250  is arranged in a different physical relationship with respect to the gun body  110 .  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a paintball gun  100 A according to this embodiment receives compressed gas into the paintball gun  100 A through a supply port  126  arranged in the grip frame  120 . More particularly, a supply path (such as a tube)  417  can be arranged to receive compressed gas from the port  126  and to supply the compressed gas to the solenoid valve  250  and the compressed gas storage area  212  through an input port  418 . The supply port  126  can be configured to receive compressed gas from a pressure regulator (not shown) attached to the bottom of the grip frame  120  of the paintball gun  100 A via screws threaded into the screw receptacle  124 . Alternatively, a supply path for the compressed gas can be formed directly in the grip frame  120 , thus eliminating the need for the tube  417 .  
         [0043]     The paintball gun  100 B depicted in  FIG. 5  is also similar to that depicted in FIGS,  1 - 3 , except that the rearward end  221   b  of the guide rod  221  does not contain a glide ring or a sealing ring where the glide ring  225   a  is arranged in the earlier-described embodiment. As with the glide ring, compressed gas is permitted to enter the compressed gas storage chamber  212  even when the bolt is in its forward position. The tolerance between the guide rod  221  and the guide chamber  214  can be configured, however, such that the rate of flow of compressed gas into the compressed gas storage chamber  212  can be restricted while the bolt  222  is arranged in its forward position. This can result in improved gas efficiency and make the bolt  222  easier to move to its retracted position.  
         [0044]     Various other alternative embodiments are also contemplated. In particular, rather than use a portion of the bolt  222  to restrict or prevent compressed gas from entering the compressed gas storage area  212 , other mechanisms could be used to provide this function. For example, a separate piston could be arranged to slide back and forth in the rearward bolt guide area to block or restrict the supply of compressed gas from the supply port  214  into the compressed gas storage area  212 . In yet another potential embodiment, a mechanical, pneumatic, or electro-pneumatic pinching member could be provided to pinch a gas supply tube (e.g., tube  217 ) to prevent or restrict the flow of compressed gas into the compressed gas storage area  212  while the bolt  222  is in the forward position.  
         [0045]     Further aspects of the present invention are illustrated in  FIGS. 6, 7 , and  8 . Referring to  FIGS. 6-9 , a paintball detection system  600  can be arranged in communication with a breech area  145  of the paintball gun  100  (see  FIG. 1 ). Most preferably, the paintball detection system  600  contains a break-beam sensor arrangement on a circuit board  610 . A breech portion  142  of the pneumatic housing  115  of the paintball gun  100  is preferably provided with a recess or a cutout area  144  to receive the circuit board and opposing cutout regions  144   a ,  144   b  located on opposite sides of the breech area  145  that are configured to receive the break-beam sensors  612 .  
         [0046]     A preferred circuit board  610  and sensor  612  arrangement for the paintball detection system  600  of  FIGS. 6, 7 , and  8  is shown in  FIG. 9 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , the circuit board  610  preferably comprises the circuitry for controlling the break-beam or other sensors  612  and an electronic communications port  614  for communicating with a circuit board  150  of the paintball gun  100  (see  FIG. 1 ) through wiring or wirelessly. The sensors  612  can be mounted directly to the circuit board  610 , as illustrated, or can be connected remotely via wires or wirelessly. In a preferred embodiment, the circuit board  610  is configured having a “C” shape with sensors  612  arranged on opposite arms of the circuit board  610 . The circuit board  610  is preferably configured to fit within a recess or cutout  144  in the pneumatic housing and locate the sensors  612  within sensor cutout regions  144   a ,  144   b  in the pneumatic housing  115  on opposite sides of the breech area  145 . In the preferred break-beam sensor embodiment, the sensors  612  are preferably configured such that one transmits a beam (or other optical or radio signal) to the other sensor  612  until that signal is interrupted by the presence of a paintball  101  in the breech area  145 .  
         [0047]     Operation of the paintball detection system  600  according to the foregoing embodiment will now be described in further detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 6 - 9 . Referring to  FIGS. 6-9 , with the bolt  222  arranged in a rearward position, a paintball  101  is preferably permitted to drop from the feed tube  140  into the breech area  145  of the paintball gun  100  through the feed tube opening  116 . As the paintball  101  enters the breech area  145 , it breaks a beam transmitted from one of the sensors  612  to the opposing sensor  612 . A signal is then preferably generated by the detection system circuit board  610  to indicate that a paintball  101  has been loaded into the paintball gun  100 . Alternatively, the detection system circuit board  610  could be configured to send a signal corresponding to the absence of a paintball  101  from the breech area  145 .  
         [0048]     The detection system circuit board  610  therefore preferably communicates a signal to the paintball gun circuit board  150  to indicate either the presence or the absence of a paintball  101  in the breech area  145  of the paintball gun  100 . In response to this signal, the paintball gun circuit board  150  can preferably be configured to either execute or refrain from executing a firing operation in response to a trigger pull. More specifically, if the detection system circuit board  610  indicates the absence of a paintball  101  from the breech area  145  of the paintball gun  100 , the paintball gun circuit board  150  is preferably configured to refrain from executing a firing operation in response to a trigger pull. If a paintball  101  is detected in the breech area  145  of the paintball gun  100 , however, the paintball gun circuit board  150  is preferably configured to execute the firing operation in response to a trigger pull.  
         [0049]      FIGS. 10-13  are perspective, side, top, and bottom views of a grip frame  120 A for a paintball gun according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 10-13 , the paintball gun grip frame  120 A includes a supply port  126  configured to receive a supply of compressed gas from a compressed gas source such as a pressure regulator (not shown). A supply path, such as a supply tube (also not shown), can be connected between the supply port  126  and an input port  418 . A groove  419  can be provided to receive the supply tube and direct it around the trigger components (not shown) and to the input port  418 .  
         [0050]     Having described and illustrated various principles of the present invention through descriptions of exemplary preferred embodiments thereof, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that these embodiments can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from the inventive principles made apparent herein. The claims should therefore be interpreted to cover all such variations and modifications.