Patent Abstract:
An improved pneumatic launching apparatus is disclosed having both a partition apparatus for enabling a projectile, such as filled capsules used in paintball, marking devices or crowd control, to be loaded and readied for expulsion and a venting-pressure regulator. When the partition apparatus is in an open position, an aperture is exposed allowing a projectile of complimentary size and shape to transfer to the receiving chamber. The shape of the partition is such that a next projectile is gently cradled and separated from the receiving chamber during a closing movement. Further, the partition facilitates the projectile reaching a containing area and it creates a seal that on the chamber that significantly inhibits the escape of pressurized gas during a firing operation and facilitates the projectile loading into a containing area. The venting-pressure regulator utilizes opposed pistons with an escape mechanism to allow venting to occur without requiring a separate adjustment.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 10/067,228,, filed Feb. 7, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,171. I hereby claim the benefit under Title 35,, United States, §120, of the prior, co-pending United States application listed below and, insofar as the subject matter of each of the claims of this application is not disclosed in the manner provided by the first paragraph of Title 35,, United States Code §112,, I acknowledge the duty to disclose material information as defined in Title 37,, Code of Federal Regulations, §1.56(a), which occurred between the filing date of this application and the national or PCT international filing date of this application Ser. No. 10/067,228,, filed Feb. 7, 2002. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to compressed gas powered guns or projectile launching apparatuses that propel projectiles, and more specifically to an improved method for loading and propelling projectiles. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Numerous types of compressed gas powered guns have been developed for use in areas such as marking stock animals, non-lethal crowd control, and the tactical sport of paintball. Marking guns typically use compressed gas to fire a projectile, a gelatinous capsule containing a marking material, which breaks on impact with a target. 
     Compressed gas guns have attained widespread use in the recreational sport of paintball, an activity in which teams compete against each other. When the opposing team marks a player with a gelatinous capsule or pellet, commonly called a paintball, the player is eliminated from the game. 
     These guns, commonly called paintball markers, generally use a compressed gas cartridge or cylinder as the power source. A paintball pellet, the gelatinous capsule, is propelled from the marker. The projectiles break on impact with the target, dispersing the material to mark the target. 
     In general, the prior art compressed gas guns, such as those used for paintball, include a typical firearm-type loading mechanism called a bolt to push the projectile into and seal on a barrel before firing and a firing mechanism involving a spring loaded, large mass, hammer is used to strike an exhaust valve. There are several distinct disadvantages to these designs: 
     a.) the bolt configuration is not conductive to loading the paintball pellets because the geometry of a bolt and a falling sphere are conductive to trapping a projectile as the bolt moves forward; 
     b.) the bolt is predisposed to jamming when capsules are broken while entering the firing chamber; 
     c.) the bolt and hammer both require extensive maintenance in the form of lubrication and cleaning; and 
     d.) the bolt and hammer have a great amount of reciprocating mass, the momentum of which inhibits accuracy. 
     The disadvantages of the prior art are described in more detail in the following paragraphs: 
     
         
         a.) In standard bolt design, as a projectile is readied to be loaded, a front view looks like a figure eight with the bottom circle being the firing chamber and the top circle being the projectile to be loaded. As the projectile begins to load, the point of overlap of the ball and the bolt increases. The bolt has no natural lifting or lowering geometry and therefore, cuts, chops, or squashes the projectile. 
         b.) The bolt-type mechanism&#39;s geometry and movement break the gelatinous capsules. Ideally, a projectile will fall completely into an area known as a breech, the area the ball rests in before being forced into the barrel, by the bolt moving forward. One common problem occurs when the bolt moves forward before the pellet is entirely in the breech, and the bolt crushes the paintball. Once the pellet is crushed, the shell and the gelatinous fill are squirted up into the feed conduit, possibly destroying other pellets, into the breech of the gun, and on the bolt itself, possibly impairing function of the gun. The bolt-type mechanism can also lead to jamming the gun. In some cases, the shell of a broken paintball can become trapped between the bolt and the breech wall and prevent the movement of the bolt, effectively preventing the gun from functioning until it is dismantled and cleaned. Original compressed gas guns had the same problem. However, because they used a hand pump method to move the bolt, reset the hammer, and load pellets more slowly, the problem was not as acute. The development of semi-automatic firing increased the rate of fire and augmented the problem of damaging pellets as they load. 
         c.) Typical compressed air guns which use bolts, shuttles, or breech blocks—all of which usually have large mass and move far and fast—require constant maintenance to ensure the bolt and breech are free of debris that may inhibit their movement as well as requiring extensive lubrication to ensure proper operation. 
         d.) The large-mass bolt must be moved back and forth to allow feeding of the next projectile. This action creates a source of movement in the gun. A second source of movement in the gun occurs as the large-mass hammer is slammed against the valve to create the exhaust cycle. These motions create a jerky movement before and during the firing cycle that greatly impairs the accuracy. 
         e.) Bolt mechanism designs use a small amount of gas to reset the bolt and/or hammer or to cycle a secondary valve to reset the bolt and hammer. That gas is exhausted externally and is not used to propel the projectile. 
       
    
     Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved pneumatic gun or launching apparatus design which eliminates the bolt and hammer, thus eliminating pellet breakage and jams caused by breakage, reducing part ware, and maintenance while improving accuracy. 
     Prior art has failed to solve this problem because no design to date has effectively eliminated heavy moving parts and effectively employed an alternate means to load the projectiles and activate the exhaust cycle. 
     In addition, prior art compressed gas guns, such as those used for paintball, include a standard regulator which has several disadvantages: 
     a.) They employ face seals which commonly trap debris; 
     b.) The sealing point of the regulator is inconsistent. Because the face of the sealing surface compresses the seal, over time, the point at which the regulator is set changes. 
     c.) The output is a diaphragm which has no relief mechanism for venting over pressure; 
     d.) If the regulator has a vent in the system, it requires a separate adjustment which is usually independent of the regulator adjustment. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention overcomes the problems of prior loading apparatus designs by providing an improved loading system that uses a moveable partition to separate a projectile in a receiving chamber from a next projectile in a feed conduit and move it to a containing area for propulsion and a single adjustment, opposed-piston, venting regulator. In accordance with one embodiment, the pneumatic launching apparatus includes a compressed gas source, a feed conduit, a receiving chamber, a containing area, a movable partition, an activation means for the partition, an opposed-piston regulator, and a firing means. 
     In this improved design, the moveable partition, which in the preferred embodiment is a small, generally thin plate with low mass, requires only a light actuating force. The actuating force is far less than that required to damage a projectile, even those as fragile as capsules such as those used as paintballs or pepper balls. This design eliminates mechanical damage to projectiles as they load into the launching device and, in turn, eliminates jams related to broken projectile debris. 
     In addition, using low-mass parts that are actuated with low force creates increased accuracy due to greater stability while allowing for lower maintenance. 
     The design is efficient because all of the gas supplied into the system is used to propel the projectile. In addition, consistency of the launching apparatus is improved by using a single adjustment, opposed-piston regulator that vents overpressure and acts as a failsafe if an input seal fails. 
     These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent upon reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and upon reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, each related figure is identified by the figure number and an alphabetic suffix. Individual components within the figures are identified according to the number of the related figure and the number of the individual component. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a pneumatic launching apparatus with attached barrel, compressed gas system, and projectile storage device. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates external components of the pneumatic launching apparatus. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates passages and cavities within the main body of the pneumatic launching apparatus. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates passages and cavities within the grip frame of the pneumatic launching apparatus. 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates passages and cavities within the gas system adaptor. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates the assembled partition activation components in the discharged position. 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates the assembled partition activation components in the charged position. 
         FIG. 4C  illustrates the partition activation components in an exploded view. 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates the assembled exhaust valve components in the charged position. 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates the assembled exhaust valve components in the exhaust position. 
         FIG. 5C  illustrates the exhaust valve components in an exploded view. 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates the assembled transfer valve components in the open position. 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates the assembled transfer valve components in the closed position. 
         FIG. 6C  illustrates the transfer valve components in an exploded view. 
         FIG. 7A  illustrates the assembled regulator components. 
         FIG. 7B  illustrates the input assembly of the regulator in a detailed view. 
         FIG. 7C  illustrates the heart assembly of the regulator in a detailed view. 
         FIG. 7D  illustrates the output assembly of the regulator in a detailed view. 
         FIG. 7E  illustrates the regulator components in an exploded view. 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates the assembled safety and actuator components. 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates the safety assembly parts in an exploded view. 
         FIG. 8C  illustrates the actuator assembly parts in an exploded view. 
         FIG. 9A  illustrates the partition and activating means in a charged position from a top view. 
         FIG. 9B  illustrates the partition and activating means in a discharged position and feed conduit attaching holes. 
         FIG. 9C  illustrates the partition and activating means in a charged position from a side view. 
         FIG. 9D  illustrates the partition and activating means in a discharged position from a side view. 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates gas flow into the regulator past the input piston and the regulated pressure chamber. 
         FIG. 10B  illustrates the unregulated inlet gas being sealed from entering the regulated pressure chamber. 
         FIG. 10C  illustrates gas in the regulated pressure chamber venting excess pressure from the regulated pressure chamber. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates flow of regulated gas in the pneumatic launching device and relative position of affected components, actuator released, assembly charged. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates gas in the storage chamber being isolated as the actuator is partially pulled and the transfer valve rod enters its seal. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates the gas in the storage chamber being exhausted and propelling the projectile as the actuator is fully pulled. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates the relative position of affected components after exhaust of gas from the storage chamber as the actuator is fully pulled. 
         FIGS. 15A , C, E, and G are shown in side views illustrating the sequence of a projectile entering the receiving chamber as the partition transitions from open to closed and separates the projectile in the receiving chamber from the others in the feed conduit. 
         FIGS. 15B , D, F, and H are shown in orthogonal views illustrating the sequence of a projectile entering the receiving chamber as the partition transitions from open to closed and separates the projectile in the receiving chamber from the others in the feed conduit. 
         FIGS. 16A , C, E, and G are shown in side views illustrating the sequence of a projectile that has not fully entered the receiving chamber as it is cradled and lifted back into the feed conduit and as the partition transitions from open to closed isolating the projectiles in the feed conduit from the receiving chamber. 
         FIGS. 16B , F, F, and H are shown in orthogonal views illustrating the sequence of a projectile that has not fully entered the receiving chamber as it is cradled and lifted back into the feed conduit and as the partition transitions from open to closed isolating the projectiles in the feed conduit from the receiving chamber. 
         FIGS. 17A , C, E, and G are shown in side views illustrating the sequence of a projectile entering the receiving chamber as the partition transitions from open to closed and separating the projectile in the receiving chamber from the other in the feed conduit and moving the projectile to the containing area. 
         FIGS. 17B , D, F, and H are shown in orthogonal views illustrating the sequence of a projectile entering the receiving chamber as the partition transitions from open to closed and separating the projectile in the receiving chamber from the other in the feed conduit and moving the projectile to the containing area. 
         FIGS. 18A , C, and E illustrate the top view of the feed conduit using different shaped projectiles. 
         FIGS. 18B , D, and F illustrate the feed conduit and receiving chamber using different shaped projectiles 
         FIGS. 19A  through E illustrate the partition and actuation components in a sequence moving from closed to open to closed encountering the momentum control means and the latching means. 
         FIGS. 20A , B, C, D, illustrate the top view of the sequence of the partition blocking the aperture using a pivoting movement. 
         FIGS. 20E , F, G, H, illustrate the top view of the sequence of the partition blocking the aperture by closing inside of the perimeter of the aperture. 
         FIGS. 20I , J, K, L, illustrate the front view of the sequence of the partition blocking the aperture using a rotational movement following the contour of the receiving chamber perimeter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Features and Advantages 
     Accordingly, several features and advantages of this invention are related to the elimination of both the bolt and the hammer, which are large-mass moving parts. By using a small, low-mass, low-force activated partition to separate projectiles as they load into the receiving/firing chamber of the launching apparatus, projectiles cannot be damaged, and therefore, this type of possible jam is eliminated.
         a.) The geometry of the movable partition takes advantage of complementary geometry which is conducive to lifting or lowering a projectile which has not fully transferred from the loading aperture to the receiving chamber. The movable partition is formed so that it cradles and aids in lifting or lowering the projectile rather than trapping or crushing it.   b.) The light, moveable partition moves forward with less force than required to crush a gelatinous capsule. Thus, the capsule, which is often used as the projectile, if trapped by the partition remains intact. In the rare case that the partition closes directly on the projectile, it will be held by the partition, the result being that the launching apparatus will exhaust without a projectile one cycle. The next cycle will release the projectile and allow it to load into the receiving/receiving chamber.   c.) Since the moveable partition will not crush the projectile, debris from broken projectiles is eliminated and, therefore, will not jam the launching apparatus.   d.) Since the movable partition seals the receiving/firing independent of the projectile, the projectile needs only to be pushed to the barrel, not down it, creating less movement of the projectile and in the marker. In a regular bolt design, the bolt pushes the projectile completely into and usually down the barrel to attain a seal on the chamber.   e.) Another feature and advantage of this design is reduced maintenance of the launching apparatus. There are fewer moving parts which have less mass and are activated with less force than a standard bolt-operated gun design; thus, there is reduced maintenance and replacement of parts.   f.) Because there is not bolt or hammer, there is less reciprocating mass which, in turn, creates less motion as the launching apparatus cycles. This results in improved accuracy of the launching apparatus.   g.) The design is efficient because all of the gas supplied into the system is used to propel the projectile.   h.) Consistency of the launching apparatus is improved by using an opposed piston regulator that vents overpressure.       

     A further advantage over prior art is the opposed-piston regulator design.
         a.) Because the opposed piston regulator uses circumferential seals rather than face seals, there is less area to trap debris. Any debris which may enter the sealing area will simply be blown out in the next cycle.   b.) The opposed-piston regulator uses circumferential seals; thus, pressure is not applied to the seal in a way which would change the set operating point. The seal maintains its position, and the set point remains consistent.   c.) Unlike standard regulators, the opposed-piston regulator provides for an automatic venting mechanism for over pressure. If gas within the regulator expands or exceeds the set pressure for any reason, the pressure of the gas will continue to move the output piston to a point where the piston leaves its seal and vents overpressure until pressure normalizes and the piston returns to its seal, thus creating a failsafe mechanism.   d.) The opposed-piston design requires only one adjustment. Once the pressure within the regulator is set, any over-pressure within the regulator will automatically move the second piston and provide a venting mechanism without the need for a second adjustment.       

     These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent upon reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and upon reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a projectile launching apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention which is compressed gas powered semi-automatic action apparatus capable of expelling projectiles of like size out of an attached barrel  102 . The common use of this apparatus is as a marker or gun to propel gelatinous capsules known as paintballs; however, the projectiles should not be limited to this specific application. A projectile-storage chamber  101 , such as a paintball loader, is preferably attached to a feed conduit  202 . A compressed gas source  103  is preferably attached to a gas system adapter  235  by means of the threaded cavity  342  to provide a power source to operate the apparatus and propel the projectile. 
     A gas system adapter  235  attaches to the bottom of a grip frame  220  and directs inlet gas to flow from an external gas source  103  through a filter  233  located in the grip frame  220 . A passage  330  extends past the filter  233  and directs the gas into a pressure regulator, which regulates the pressure by means of a spring and piston combination which has its operating pressure determined by the preset on the spring  723  created by pressure adjusting screw  231 . 
     The regulated gas is the directed to a transfer valve assembly  FIG. 6A , which controls the flow of gas to storage chamber  307 . 
     The grip frame  220  houses a regulator assembly  FIG. 7A . The regulator assembly as shown in  FIG. 7A  consists of a regulator-input assembly as shown in  FIG. 7B , a regulator-heart assembly as shown in  FIG. 7C , and a regulator-output assembly as shown in  FIG. 7D . An exploded view of the entire regulator  FIG. 7A  is shown in  FIG. 7E . 
     Regulator-input Assembly as Shown in FIG.  7 B 
     A regulator-input assembly as shown in  FIG. 7B  is located in cavity  328  of the grip frame  220 .  FIG. 7B  includes of a regulator-input housing  714  with a passage from the input to the output. The output passage is a gland  703 , with radial flow passages, which supports a regulator-input seal  716 . An input shaft  713  sits within housing  714  axially concentric and extending through seal  716 . A return spring  712  sits atop input shaft  713 , and a retaining clip  711  sits atop return spring  712  in a groove  701 . A seal  715  is located in a groove  702  on the outside of the housing  714 . 
     Regulator-heart Assembly as Shown in FIG.  7 C 
     The regulator-heart assembly as shown in  FIG. 7C  is located in a cavity  329  of grip frame  220 .  FIG. 7C  includes of a regulator-heart housing  718  which contains concentric input passage  704 , output passage  708 , and radial passages  705 . Passages  705  run from the regulated pressure chamber  727  of the regulator heart  718 . Input passage  704  is a gland that supports input seal  716 . Output passage  708  is a gland that supports regulator-output seal  719 . Regulator-input shaft  713  extends through input passage  704 . A seal  717  is located in a groove  706  on the outside of housing  718 . 
     Regulator-output Assembly as Shown in FIG.  7 D 
     The regulator-output assembly  FIG. 7D  is located in cavity  329  of grip frame  220 .  FIG. 7D  includes a regulator-output housing  720  which contains concentric input passage  709  and output passage  710 . Input passage  709  is a gland with radial flow passages that support regulator-output seal  719 . Regulator-output housing  720  contains the output shaft  722 , which has radial flow passages  721 . Output shaft  722  extends through output seal  719  and joins axially to input shaft  713 . Main-spring cap  724  sits on the opposite side of and partially contains a main spring  723 . The main spring  723  sits partially within output shaft  722 . A main-spring cap  724  contains a passage  725 . Main-spring cap  724  fits into regulator-output housing  720 . 
     Transfer-valve Assembly as Shown in FIG.  6 A 
     A transfer valve assembly as shown in  FIG. 6A  is located in a cavity  326  of grip frame  220 .  FIG. 6C  is an exploded view of the components of  FIG. 6A . A seal  601  is located at the bottom of cavity  326 . The front of a shaft  602  extends through seal  601  and rests against a metal slide  808  in cavity  322 . A spring  603  acts against the shaft  602 . The opposite side of spring  603  is seated against a plate  604 . Plate  604  retains a seal  605  in transfer valve plug  611 . A seal  605  is inset into the end of transfer valve plug  611 . A passage extends through seal  605  and connects to radial passages  608  located in transfer valve plug  611 . Seal  606  is located in groove  607  on the outside of transfer valve plug  611 . Seal  609  is located in groove  610  on the outside of transfer valve plug  611 . 
     Partition and Partition-Activation Assembly as Shown in FIG.  4 A 
     The partition-activation assembly as shown in  FIG. 4A  is located in a cavity  306  in the main body  207 .  FIG. 4A  illustrates components in the discharged position, and  FIG. 4B  illustrates components in the charged position.  FIG. 4C  is an exploded view of the components of  FIG. 4A . At the bottom of the cavity  306 , a seal  401  sits concentrically within the seal  402 . A tube  403  is located in cavity  306  and retains the seal  401  and seal  402  in position. A spring  404  is located within tube  403 . A rod  405  sits concentrically within spring  404 . The notched end of rod  405  extends through the end of tube  403 , through seal  401 , and into a cavity  343 . Plate  406  sits within cavity  313  and retains tube  403  and assembled components contained within cavity  306 . Plate  406  is retained with screw  407  which threads into hole  312 . 
     Partition  203  is located in cavity  343 . Partition  203  attaches to rod  405  by means of a tab which hooks onto the notched end of rod  405 . Rod  405  extends into cavity  343  from the cavity  306 . Extension  1701  of partition  203  extends into cavity  302 . 
     The Exhaust-valve Assembly as Shown in FIG.  5 A 
     The exhaust-valve assembly as shown in  FIG. 5A  is located above metal slide  808  between the main body  207  and the grip frame  220  with the lower portion in cavity  317  and the upper portion in cavity  310 .  FIG. 5A  illustrates exhaust valve assembly in the charged position.  FIG. 5B  illustrates the exhaust valve assembly in the discharged position.  FIG. 5C  is an exploded view of the components of  FIG. 5A . A bumper  509  sits within an exhaust-valve body  510 . A spring  508  sits concentrically within the bumper  509 . An exhaust-piston cup  507  attached to an exhaust piston  506  contains spring  508  and sits concentrically within exhaust-valve body  510 . The bottom of exhaust piston  506  aligns with a passage  511  located in the bottom of exhaust-valve body  510 . An exhaust-valve cap  505  is attached to exhaust-valve body  510  and contains components  506 ,  507 ,  508 , and  509 . The top of exhaust piston  506  extends through exhaust-valve cap  505 . A spring  504  with an alignment tab on each end indexes atop cap  505 , concentric with the exhaust piston  506 . A jet  503  sits atop spring  504  and is indexed by means of a tab on spring  504 . Exhaust piston  506  extends through jet  503  and into a seal  501 . Seal  501  sits atop jet  503  in cavity  310  in main body  207 . Passage  502  in jet  503  directs the exhaust gas to passage  305  in main body  207 . 
     Actuator as Shown in FIG.  8 A 
     An actuator assembly as shown in  FIG. 8A  is located in cavity  322  of grip frame  220 .  FIG. 8C  is an exploded view of the actuator components.  FIG. 8B  is an exploded view of the safety components. A pivoting lever  805  is located in front of a metal slide  808 . An actuator-movement-limiting screw  807  is located in the top of pivoting lever  805 . The pivoting lever  805  is attached to grip frame  220  in cavity  322  by means of a pin  810 , located in a hole  315 . Pin  810  also retains bearing  806  and supports the front of metal slide  808 . A pin  811 , located in a hole  318  of grip frame  220 , retains bearing  809  and supports the rear of metal slide  808 . 
     A safety assembly  FIG. 8B  is located behind the front portion of the metal slide  808 . The shaft  804  is contained in a hole  316  in grip frame  220 . A ball  803  located in a hole  346  sits in one of two grooves in the safety shaft  804 . A spring  802  is located atop ball  803  and is retained by a safety screw  801 . 
     An actuator-stop screw  225  is located in a threaded hole  323  in grip frame  220 . 
     Gas-source Adapter as Shown in FIG.  3 C 
     The gas source adaptor  235  as shown in  FIG. 3C  illustrates passages, cavities, and holes. The gas source adaptor  235  attaches to the bottom of grip frame  220  by means of screw  229  and screw  236 . Screw  229  extends through hole  333  of grip frame  220  and attaches at hole  334 . Screw  236  extends through hole  336  and attaches at hole  325  of grip frame  220 . One end of the gas-source adapter  235  has a threaded cavity  342 . A passage  335  extends from the threaded cavity  342  to the top of the gas-source adapter  235 . A screw  231  threads into cavity  332  in gas-source adapter  235 . A passage  337  runs from the top to the bottom of gas-source adapter  235 . Two accessory-attaching holes  339  and  341  are located in the bottom of the gas-source adapter  235 . Vent hole  340  runs from threaded cavity  342  to the outside of gas-source adapter  235 . Variations in the form of the adapter can be made to accommodate different connection fittings. Different manufacturers&#39; gas sources and related fittings dictate an associated complementary gas source adapter. 
     Grip Frame as Shown in FIG.  3 B 
       FIG. 3C  illustrates passages, cavities, and holes. Grip frame  220  has a cavity  347  which contains a seal  234  that retains a filter  233 . A seal  232  is located on the opposite side of a filter  233 . A passage  330  leads from the cavity  347  to passage  327  to cavity  328 . Cavity  328  contains a regulator input housing assembly  FIG. 7B . Cavity  329  attaches to a cavity  328 . The cavity  329  contains a regulator heart assembly  FIG. 7C  and a regulator output assembly  FIG. 7D . A passage  324  leads to a cavity  326  that contains a transfer valve assembly  FIG. 6A . A passage  320  leads from the cavity  326  to the top of the grip frame  220 . At the top of the grip frame  220  is a cavity  319 , which retains a seal  219 . The cavity  317  retains the bottom portion of an exhaust-valve assembly  FIG. 5A . 
     A screw  224  extends through hole  314  in grip frame  220  and into threaded hole  334  of main body  207 . A screw  226  extends through hole  321  in grip frame  220  through hole  346  in the main body  207  and into hole  211  in rear cap  210 . 
     Main Body as Shown in FIG.  3 A 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates passages, cavities and holes within a main body  207 . The cavity  307  is attached to cavity  313  which contains partition retaining plate  406 . The cavity  307  attaches to a cavity  306  which partition-activation assembly  FIG. 4A . The cavity  307  attaches to passage  305 . Passage  305  intersects with a passage  311  and leads to cavity  310 . The passage  311  leads to the bottom of the main body  207  and aligns with passage  320  in grip frame  220 . The cavity  310  contains the top portion of an exhaust-valve assembly  FIG. 5A . A passage  304  extends from the cavity  310  to a cavity  302  through a diffuser  237  contained in cavity  303 . A screw  216  in a hole  309  retains the diffuser  237 . The cavity  301  is threaded to allow a barrel  102  to attach coaxially. A first ball positioner  217  extends into the cavity  302  through a hole  345 . A screw  218  retains Ball positioner  217 . A second ball positioner  212  extends into the cavity  302  through a hole  344 . A spring  213  is located below the ball positioner  212  and is retained by a screw  214 . 
     Rear Cap as Shown in FIG.  2   
     Seal  209  is located in groove  208  of rear cap  210 . The rear cap  210  extends into a cavity  307  of the main body  207 . 
     Fore Grip as Shown in FIG.  2   
     The fore grip  221  attaches to main body  207  by means of washer  222  and screw  223  threaded into hole  308 . 
     Loader Plate as Shown in FIG.  2   
     The loader plate  202  attaches to main body  207  by means of screw  200  which threads into hole  901  and screw  201  which threads into hole  902 . 
     Description of the Operation of the Invention 
     Operation of Regulator 
     A high-pressure gas source  103  is attached to air system adapter  235 . The high-pressure gas  726  flows through a passage  335  to a filter  233  in cavity  347  which limits debris from entering the system. 
     The high-pressure gas flows to the regulator input assembly  FIG. 7B . The gas flows past piston  713  and through the input seal  716  to a chamber  727  which contains the regulator output piston  722 . As pressure increases, the output piston  722  moves against the regulator main spring  723 . The regulator-input piston  713 , which is returned by a spring  712 , tracks with the output piston  722  to the point where the input piston  713  enters the input seal  716 . This action creates a regulated gas pressure chamber determined by the preset on the main spring  723  which is set by the adjuster screw  231  in the air system adapter  235 . 
     Input piston  713 , once in the seal  716 , rests on a mechanical stop to restrict further movement. The output piston  722  is capable of continued movement on its own against the main spring  723 . If there is an increase in pressure in the regulated gas pressure chamber, the output piston  722  will continue to compress the main spring  723  and move out of its seal  719  venting the over-pressure externally through a passage  337  in the air system adapter  235 . When pressure drops sufficiently to allow the output piston  722  to re-enter its seal  719 , the chamber will maintain regulated pressure. 
     Operation of the Transfer Valve 
     The regulated gas in chamber  727  then flows to the transfer valve  FIG. 6A . In the open position, the transfer valve piston  602  is held forward by a spring  603  and gas pressure on seal  601  which seals the forward most portion of the piston  602 . While the transfer-valve piston  602  remains in the open position, it allows gas to pass through the seal  605  to the radial passages  608  in the transfer valve plug  611 . 
     When the transfer valve piston  602  is moved rearward, it enters a seal  605  which is contained in the end of the transfer valve plug  611 . This action effectively seals off the regulated gas pressure from passing through the seal  605 . 
     Operation of Actuator 
     The pivoting lever  805  is used to provide mechanical advantage against the slide  808  to create movement in it and transfer valve piston  602 . The metal slide  808  also contains a cavity  812  in which the bottom portion of exhaust-valve piston  506  can enter and move to its exhaust position. 
     Operation of the Movable Partition 
     The partition rod assembly  FIG. 4A  is sealed within the cavity  306  by a seal stack consisting of a first seal  401  within a second seal  402 . A plate  406  and a screw  407  contain the assembly, including the tube  403 , spring  404 , rod  405 , and seals  401  and  402 . The partition  203  is contained in cavity  343  by the loader plate  202 . Partition  203  is attached to rod  405  by means of a tab in partition  203  and a notch in the partition rod  405 . Regulated gas acts against partition rod  405  to moves it to the charged position. Rod  405  with attached partition  203  encounters momentum control means  1901  where its momentum can be altered before its movement is limited by partition  203 &#39;s closing against a stop. As partition  203  moves to the closed position, it slides between two adjacent projectiles, separating them and lifting the second projectile slightly, sealing the receiving chamber  302 , and facilitating the movement of the projectile to containing area  1703  using extension  1701  of partition  203 . While gas pressure is present, partition rod  405  is held in the charged position against the compressed spring  404 . While not under pressure, partition rod  405  is held in the discharged position by spring  404 . While moving to the discharged position rod  405  with attached partition  203  encounters momentum control means  1901  where its momentum can be altered before its movement is limited by partition  203 &#39;s opening against a stop. 
     Operation of the Exhaust Valve 
     The exhaust-valve assembly  FIG. 5A  is contained within grip frame cavity  317  and supports the exhaust jet  503  and seal  501 . A seal  501  with concentric exhaust piston  506  seals gas from escaping from storage chamber  307 ,  FIG. 12 . Charged, with metal slide  808  in the forward position, the exhaust valve piston  506  rests on the metal slide  808  as seen in  FIG. 11 . Gas pressure moves the seal  501  and exhaust jet  503  to the charged position. The regulated gas guides the seal  501  over the exhaust piston  50 , 6  and it seals both internally on piston  506  and externally in cavity  301 . The exhaust jet  503 , which rests atop the exhaust valve body cap  505 , maintains the seal&#39;s position. 
     When the metal slide  808  is moved rearward, a cavity  812  is exposed below the exhaust piston  506 , as seen in  FIG. 13 . The exhaust piston  506  is opened by the gas in  307 , exiting through passage  502  in jet  503 . As the gas pressure in cavity  307  dissipates, the exhaust jet  503  is moved to its exhaust position by a spring  504 , which in turn moves the seal  501  to its upper-most position, as seen in  FIG. 14 . Once the gas pressure is exhausted, the exhaust piston  506  returns to its up position by means of the exhaust valve spring  508 . The assemblies will maintain this up position until chamber  307  is charged. 
     Description of Operation—One Semi-Automatic Cycle 
     The preferred embodiment of one semi-automatic cycle involves supplying compressed gas to the regulator where the output piston  722 , under pressure, moves against the main spring  723 , as seen in  FIG. 10A . The output piston  722  continues its movement until the input piston  713  enters its seal  716  effectively sealing off any further gas from entering the chamber  727 , as seen in  FIG. 10B . The regulated gas flows through seal  605  of the transfer valve then to storage chamber  307 , as seen in  FIG. 11 . The regulated gas acts to move the partition rod  405  and partition  203  to the closed or charged position. The regulated gas also acts to seal the exhaust-valve seal  501  against exhaust-valve piston  506 . 
     When the pivoting lever  805  is engaged, it in turn moves slide  808  against the transfer valve piston  602 , which moves into its seal  605 , as seen in  FIG. 12A . This action separates the regulated pressure in the regulated pressure chamber from the pressure in the storage chamber  307 . The lever  805 , slide  808 , and transfer valve piston  602  continue to move rearward to the point where cavity  812  is exposed to the exhaust-valve piston  506 , as seen in  FIG. 13A . The piston  506  is then able to move to its exhaust position and expel the gas held in the storage chamber  307  through a gas diffuser  237 . The gas diffuser  237  controls the gas flow to the receiving chamber. The force of the gas causes a projectile to be ejected from the receiving chamber, as seen in  FIG. 14A . The pressure exhausted, the exhaust-valve piston  506  returns to the set position. Partition rod  405  and partition  203  move to the open or discharged position. When pivoting lever  805  is disengaged, it allows metal slide  808  to move forward which, in turn, moves cavity  812  from under the exhaust-valve piston  506  and blocks it from moving. This action also allows transfer-valve piston  602  to move out of seal  605  in reaction to force supplied by spring  603 , which, in turn, allows gas to flow to the storage chamber  307 . 
     As the regulated gas flows to the storage chamber  307 , the pressure in the regulated-pressure chamber  727  decreases. The decrease in pressure causes output shaft  722  to be moved by the compressed spring  723 , which in turn moves the input shaft  713  out of its seal  716  allowing the compressed gas to flow into the regulator, as seen in  FIG. 10A . This action completes one semi-automatic activation and prepares it for the next cycle. 
     Alternative Embodiments 
     Modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above description. Alternative embodiments may include but should not be limited to the following:
         The metal slide can become the actuator itself in which a pivoting lever is not used for mechanical advantage.   Movement means used in the regulator, valving, actuators, partition, momentum control means, latching means, and/or containing area can be selected from the group comprising, but not limited to, mechanical, electro-mechanical, pneumatic, electromagnetic, magnetic, electronic, piezo-electric, sound pressure, foam or activated foam.   The containing area can be dynamic in that it is adjusted before, during, or after a loading or firing cycle.   The size or shape of the containing area can be adjusted through use of sleeves.   Movement of the partition can be selected from, but not limited to, the group comprising sliding, rotating, pivoting, rolling, pushing, dragging, pulling, vibrating, wedging, constricting, contracting, conforming, or orbiting.   The movable partition apparatus may have an extension such as a lever or pin, which helps the projectile load to the containing area.   The aperture may be blocked by a partition using more than one element in such a way that the elements meet somewhere within the perimeter of the aperture similar to elevator doors or a camera shutter.   The partition element may be thin but not generally flat in that it may conform to the perimeter of the receiving chamber to reveal or block the aperture.   The volume between the exhaust port and the projectile can be varied either statically, such as through the use of spacers, or dynamically during the load/fire cycle to control efficiency, operating pressure or pressure wave applied to the projectile.   A momentum control means may be used to vary the momentum of the movable partition apparatus.   Sensors can be used to determine conditions of the process such as projectile loading status or partition location and adjust the cycle rate to those conditions.   The feed conduit, aperture, receiving chamber and barrel can be changed to accommodate projectiles of different shapes and sizes.   Different forms of diffusers or control orifices, such as single or multiple holes of various sizes and placement can be used to control the exhaust gas and/or pressure wave that is applied to the projectile.   A secondary valve can be incorporated behind the projectile possibly into the air diffuser to pneumatically or mechanically help accelerate the projectile from rest prior to or during the first part of the exhaust cycle.   Transfer-valve seals and pistons can be altered in size to change the balance of pressure on the actuator mechanism thereby altering the performance of the actuator pull and return.   The exhaust seal and piston can be altered in size to change performance of the exhaust-valve system.   Other projectile retaining devices such as formed springs, ramps or constriction devices can be incorporated in place of the ball stops.   Electronic, piezo-electric, magnetic, mechanical, or pneumatic devices may be incorporated as part of the actuating mechanism to enhance performance. This may be done to either lighten the activating force necessary to cycle the apparatus, make it cycle faster (more rapidly), or be used in an automatic mode where one cycle of actuator will result in one or more cycles of the launching apparatus.       

     Although the above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the alternate embodiments of this invention. For example, the movable partition can have other shapes, such as circular, oval, trapezoidal, triangular, etc., based on the projectile it must accommodate; the compressed gas source could be generated or contained in a variety of ways; and the mechanical movement of the springs in the regulator, actuator or partition can be duplicated with magnetism or other forces. 
     Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given:

Technology Classification (CPC): 5