Paint ball gun

A device for operating a firing valve of a compressed gas powered gun, the device comprising:

• a body defining a bore adjacent the firing valve;
• a pneumatic ram adapted for sliding movement in the bore between a retracted position and an extended position;
• a pneumatic valve adapted to drive the pneumatic ram through the bore between the retracted position and the extended position;
• and
• a clamp adapted to hold the pneumatic ram in the retracted position until sufficient gas pressure has built up for the pneumatic ram to overcome the clamp, wherein, the firing valve is operated by being struck by the pneumatic ram when the pneumatic ram is driven to the extended position.

A pneumatic system for use with a compressed air powered gun, the system comprising:

• a poppet valve for releasing a pressurized gas stream in order to drive a projectile from the gun;
• a body defining a bore, the bore being in communication with the poppet valve;
• a pneumatic ram mounted in the bore in a sliding relationship;
• a pneumatic valve adapted to move the pneumatic ram from a first position in the bore at a distance from the poppet valve to a second position in the bore proximate the poppet valve;
• and
• a clamp adapted to hold the pneumatic ram in the first position until sufficient pressure has built up to cause the pneumatic ram to overcome the clamp, causing the pneumatic ram to strike the poppet valve, thereby releasing the pressurized gas stream and driving the projectile from the gun.