Patent ID: 8033276

Claim:
An apparatus for propelling a projectile with compressed gas, the apparatus comprising: a barrel; a compressed gas source; a body coupled with the barrel, wherein the body defines a gas storage chamber adapted to be in fluid communication with the compressed gas source and hold a predetermined volume of compressed gas therein; a receptacle configured to provide a supply of projectiles to the body; a firing tube into which the gas storage chamber is vented; a valve arrangement movable between a ready-to-fire position that allows fluid communication between the gas storage chamber and the compressed gas source and a firing position that vents gas from the gas storage chamber to propel projectiles through the barrel, wherein the valve arrangement includes: a first valve with a proximate end and a distal end, wherein the distal end includes a sealed portion that prevents venting of the gas storage chamber into the firing tube when the valve arrangement is in the ready-to-fire position and allows venting of the gas storage chamber when the valve arrangement is in the firing position, and a second valve that is configured to selectively provide compressed gas to the proximate end of the first valve for moving the valve arrangement between the ready-to-fire position and the firing position; a firing mechanism for actuating the second valve; wherein the valve arrangement includes a control passageway adapted to provide fluid communication between the compressed gas source and the proximate end of the first valve, wherein the second valve prevents fluid communication between the control passageway and the compressed gas source when the valve arrangement is in the ready-to-fire position; and wherein the proximate end of the first valve includes a portion into which a biasing member is disposed, wherein the biasing member urges the distal end toward the firing tube, wherein compressed gas flowing through the control passageway overcomes a biasing force of the biasing member to move the distal end away from the firing tube when the valve arrangement is in the firing position.