# US 7,610,908 B2 · Pneumatically operated projectile launching device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,610,908 B2 - Document ID: US7610908B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/480,093 - Filed: 2006-06-29 - Published: 2006-11-02 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 1996-01-16 - Assignees: Smart Parts, Inc. - Inventors: William Gardner, Jr.; Adam Gardner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7610908B2 ## CPC - F41B 11/57: Electronic or electric systems for feeding or loading (F41B11/53 takes precedence) - F41B 11/52: the projectiles being loosely held in a magazine above the gun housing, e.g. in a hopper - F41B 11/62: with pressure supplied by a gas cartridge - F41B 11/71: Electric or electronic control systems, e.g. for safety purposes - F41B 11/721: for controlling gas pressure for both firing the projectile and for loading or feeding - F41B: WEAPONS FOR PROJECTING MISSILES WITHOUT USE OF EXPLOSIVE OR COMBUSTIBLE PROPELLANT CHARGE; WEAPONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (projectiles for fishing, e.g. fish-spears, A01K81/00; sports implements for throwing A63B65/00, e.g. boomerangs A63B65/08; stationary apparatus for projecting sports balls, e.g. tennis balls, A63B69/40; throwing or slinging toys A63H33/18; knives, axes B26B; projectiles or missiles other than those incorporating springs as projecting means F42B6/00) ## Abstract A paintball gun preferably includes an electro-pneumatic flow distribution mechanism such as a solenoid valve having a port connected to a pneumatic mechanism. For instance, the solenoid valve may include an input port receiving compressed gas from a compressed gas supply and an output port connected to the pneumatic mechanism. The solenoid valve can be enabled to direct compressed gas to and/or from the pneumatic mechanism to operate a bolt. The bolt may be coupled to the pneumatic mechanism. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pneumatic gun configured to use a pneumatic force to launch a projectile, comprising: a bolt connected to a pneumatic mechanism, wherein the pneumatic mechanism comprises a pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly, and wherein the bolt is connected to the pneumatic piston through a mechanical linkage; an electro-pneumatic flow distribution device arranged in fluid communication with a gas supply and the pneumatic mechanism to transfer compressed gas from the gas supply through the electro-pneumatic flow distribution device to the pneumatic mechanism to operate the bolt; and a compressed gas releasing mechanism configured to communicate compressed gas into the bolt during a firing operation, and wherein the bolt is configured to receive compressed gas from the compressed gas releasing mechanism into the bolt and permit it to travel through the bolt to launch a projectile during a firing operation. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A pneumatic gun according to claim 1, wherein the compressed gas releasing mechanism is pneumatically operated. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A pneumatic gun according to claim 1, wherein a rearward end of the pneumatic mechanism is arranged in fluid communication with the gas supply to close the bolt. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A pneumatic gun according to claim 1, wherein the electro-pneumatic flow distribution mechanism comprises a solenoid valve. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A pneumatic gun according to claim 4, wherein an input of the solenoid valve is connected to the gas supply and wherein an output of the solenoid valve is connected to the pneumatic mechanism. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A pneumatic gun according to claim 1, wherein the electro-pneumatic flow distribution device comprises a solenoid valve, and wherein a solenoid valve port is arranged in fluid communication with a forward end of the pneumatic piston to open the bolt. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A pneumatic gun according to claim 6, wherein the solenoid valve port is arranged in communication with the forward end of the pneumatic piston to vent compressed gas from the forward end of the pneumatic piston through the solenoid valve to permit the bolt to close. ### Claim 8 A pneumatic gun configured to launch a projectile using a pneumatic force, comprising: a bolt coupled to a pneumatic mechanism comprising a pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly, wherein said bolt is configured to receive compressed gas into the bolt and transmit the compressed gas through the bolt to launch the projectile during a firing operation; and an electro-pneumatic flow distribution device comprising a solenoid valve having a port connected in fluid communication with the pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly to supply compressed gas from the solenoid valve to the pneumatic piston to operate the bolt during each and every launching sequence. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A pneumatic gun according to claim 8, wherein the pneumatic piston is not integrally formed with the bolt. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A pneumatic gun according to claim 9, wherein the pneumatic piston is coupled to the bolt through a mechanical linkage. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A pneumatic gun according to claim 8, wherein compressed gas is vented from the pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly through the solenoid valve to permit the bolt to move in one direction. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) A pneumatic gun according to claim 8, further comprising a firing valve configured to selectively release compressed gas into communication with a paintball through a port arranged in the bolt. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A pneumatic gun according to claim 12, wherein the bolt and the firing valve are arranged in separate longitudinal chambers of the pneumatic gun. ### Claim 14 A pneumatic gun configured to launch a projectile using pneumatic force, comprising: an electro-pneumatic flow distribution device comprising a solenoid valve having an input port and an output port, wherein the input port is connected to a compressed gas supply to receive a supply of compressed gas, wherein the output port is connected in fluid communication with a pneumatic mechanism comprising a pneumatic piston coupled to a bolt, and wherein said solenoid valve selectively transmits compressed gas through the solenoid valve to the pneumatic piston to operate the bolt during each firing cycle of the pneumatic gun; and a firing valve, wherein compressed gas is transmitted through the firing valve into the bolt and through the bolt to launch a projectile from the pneumatic gun during each and every firing cycle of the pneumatic gun. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A pneumatic gun according to claim 14, wherein the firing valve is pneumatically operated in response to a signal from an electronic switch. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) A pneumatic gun according to claim 14, wherein the firing valve is coupled to a pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) A pneumatic gun according to claim 14, wherein the firing cycle of the pneumatic gun is controlled using a control circuit arranged in a grip of the pneumatic gun. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A pneumatic gun according to claim 17, wherein said grip further comprises a trigger-activated electronic switch.