Valve arrangement

Abstract

A valve arrangement for use in a device for propelling a projectile with compressed gas, such as a paint ball marker, has a body which defines a first space for receiving compressed gas, a second space for receiving compressed gas, a first valve for selectively venting gas from the first space, and a second valve, actuated in response to the venting of gas from the first space, for releasing gas from the second space to propel the projectile. The valve arrangement may be used in various types of devices, including a revolver style apparatus in which one or more of the valve arrangements are placed in chambers of a cylinder. The valve arrangement may also be used in a cartridge or shell arrangement, which may then be loaded into a device adapted to accept and fire such cartridges or shells.

1 . An apparatus for propelling a projectile with a compressed gas, comprising: 
 a) a body;    b) a first portion of said body defining a first space for receiving compressed gas;    c) a second portion of said body defining a second space for receiving compressed gas;    d) a first valve for selectively venting gas from the first space; and    e) a second valve, actuated in response to the venting of gas from the first space, for releasing gas from the second space to propel the projectile.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of said body further defines a space for receiving and positioning the projectile relative to the second space.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first space is substantially smaller than said second space.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of to  claim 1 , wherein said first valve comprises a valve stem extending outwardly from the body.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said valve stem comprises a sealing surface, and further comprising a spring to bias said sealing surface toward a seal element disposed in or adjacent the first space.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein an end of the valve stem is adapted for interaction with a firing mechanism for selectively venting the first space.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein an end of the valve stem is adapted for interaction with a charging mechanism for charging the first space with compressed gas.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said second valve comprises a movable element disposed within said second space.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said second valve further comprises a sealing element which interacts with a sealing surface, and further comprising a spring which biases the sealing element toward the sealing surface.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said movable element further comprises a seal disposed between the first and second spaces for limiting a flow of gas between said spaces.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of said movable element is disposed adjacent said first space and said second space, and wherein said portion of said movable valve element has a port extending therethrough to fluidly connect said first and second spaces.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein a dimension of said port is selected so as to provide for a regulated flow of gas between said first and second spaces.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising means for providing for a regulated flow of gas between said first and second spaces.  
   
   
       14 . A revolver-style apparatus for firing a non-lethal projectile, such as a paintball, comprising: 
 a barrel;    a firing mechanism; and    a revolving cylinder;    wherein said cylinder comprises at least one chamber, and wherein said chamber is configured to accept a charge of compressed gas, said cylinder further comprising a valve arrangement which operates to selectively release the compressed gas from the chamber in response to operation of the firing mechanism to propel the projectile through the barrel.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said cylinder comprises a plurality of chambers, each of said chambers having a valve arrangement disposed therein.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein a first portion of said chamber defines a first space for receiving compressed gas, and a second portion of said chamber defines a second space for receiving compressed gas.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said first space is substantially smaller than the second space.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said valve arrangement comprises: 
 a) a first valve for selectively venting gas from said first space; and    b) a second valve, actuated in response to the venting of gas from the first space, for releasing gas from the second space to propel the projectile.    
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said valve arrangement further comprises a valve stem having a sealing surface, and a spring to bias said sealing surface toward a seal element disposed in or adjacent the first space.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein an end of the valve stem is adapted for interaction with the firing mechanism for selectively venting the first space.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein an end of the valve stem is adapted for interaction with a charging mechanism for charging the first space with compressed gas.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said second valve comprises a movable element disposed within said second space.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said second valve further comprises a sealing element which interacts with a sealing surface, and a spring which biases the sealing element toward the sealing surface.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein said movable element further comprises a seal disposed between the first and second spaces for limiting a flow of gas between said spaces.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein at least a portion of said movable element is disposed adjacent said first space and said second space, and wherein said portion of said movable element has a port extending therethrough to fluidly connect said first and second spaces.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein a dimension of said port is selected so as to provide for a regulated flow of gas between said first and second spaces.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising means for providing for a regulated flow of gas between said first and second spaces.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said cylinder further comprises a bore for receiving and positioning the projectile relative to the second space.  
   
   
       29 . A self-contained cartridge for use with an apparatus for firing a non-lethal projectile, such as a paintball, said cartridge comprising: 
 a) a hollow casing;    b) a sealing element disposed within the hollow casing for sub-dividing a space within the casing into first and second spaces for receiving compressed gas;    c) a non-lethal projectile disposed adjacent said second space; and    d) a valve arrangement for selectively releasing the compressed gas from the second space to propel the projectile.    
   
   
       30 . The cartridge of  claim 29 , wherein a portion of said casing further defines a space for receiving and positioning the projectile relative to the second space.  
   
   
       31 . The cartridge of  claim 29 , wherein said first space is substantially smaller than said second space.  
   
   
       32 . The cartridge of  claim 29 , wherein said valve arrangement comprises: 
 a) a first valve for venting gas from said first space;    b) a second valve, actuated in response to the venting of gas from the first space, for releasing gas from the second space to propel the projectile; and    c) a valve stem extending outwardly from the body.    
   
   
       33 . The cartridge of  claim 32 , wherein said valve stem comprises a sealing surface and spring to bias said sealing surface toward a seal element disposed in or adjacent the first space.  
   
   
       34 . The cartridge of  claim 32 , wherein an end of the valve stem is adapted for interaction with a firing mechanism for selectively venting the first space.  
   
   
       35 . The cartridge of  claim 32 , wherein an end of the valve stem is adapted for interaction with a charging mechanism for charging the first space with compressed gas.  
   
   
       36 . The cartridge of  claim 32 , wherein said second valve comprises a movable element disposed within said second space.  
   
   
       37 . The cartridge of  claim 32 , wherein said second valve further comprises a sealing element which interacts with a sealing surface, and a spring which biases the sealing element toward the sealing surface.  
   
   
       38 . The cartridge of  claim 36 , wherein said movable element is disposed adjacent said first space and said second space, and wherein said portion of said movable element has a port extending therethrough to fluidly connect said first and second spaces.  
   
   
       39 . The cartridge of  claim 38 , wherein the dimensions of said port are selected so as to provide for a regulated flow of gas between said first and second spaces.  
   
   
       40 . The cartridge of  claim 29 , further comprising means for providing for a regulated flow of gas between said first and second spaces.  
   
   
       41 . The cartridge of  claim 29 , wherein the hollow casing further defines a space for receiving and positioning the projectile relative to the second space.