Paintball gun with power assisted trigger

Abstract

A paintball gun having a power assisted trigger mechanism is described. The paintball gun includes a body portion defining a launching chamber, a pneumatic circuit for directing propellant gas into the launching chamber, a valve in the pneumatic circuit for controlling the release of propellant, a rotating motor coupled to the valve, a trigger sensor responsive to movement of the trigger, an electric power source, an electric circuit connecting the power source to the motor and a switch operably connected to the trigger sensor for controllably opening and closing the electric circuit.

1 . A paintball gun having a power assisted trigger mechanism including a trigger, the gun comprising: 
 a body defining a launching chamber configured to receive propellant gas from a compressed gas source;    a pneumatic circuit for directing propellant gas into the launching chamber, the pneumatic circuit including a valve for controlling the release of propellant;    a rotating motor coupled to the valve;    a trigger sensor responsive to movement of the trigger;    a power source;    an electric circuit connecting the power source to the motor;    a switch in the electric circuit for controllably opening and closing the circuit, the switch being operably connected to the trigger sensor.    
     
     
         2 . The paintball gun according to  claim 1  wherein the valve is configured to directly release propellant into the launching chamber.  
     
     
         3 . The paintball gun according to  claim 1  wherein the valve is configured to start a sequence of mechanical movements that release propellant into the launching chamber.  
     
     
         4 . The paintball gun according to  claim 1  further comprising a cam mechanism operably adapted between the valve and the motor for actuating the valve.  
     
     
         5 . The paintball gun according to  claim 4  wherein the cam mechanisms includes an end cam.  
     
     
         6 . The paintball gun according to  claim 4  wherein the cam mechanisms includes an end cam.  
     
     
         7 . The paintball gun according to  claim 1  further comprising a motor-position feedback sensor adapted to indicate the position of the motor.  
     
     
         8 . The paintball gun according to  claim 6  wherein the feedback sensor and the motor are integrated into a single component housing.  
     
     
         9 . The paintball gun according to  claim 1  wherein the motor includes a mechanical reset.  
     
     
         10 . The paintball gun according to  claim 1  further comprising a worm mechanism for actuating the valve.  
     
     
         11 . The paintball gun according to  claim 9  wherein the worm mechanism and the motor are integrated as a single component.  
     
     
         12 . The paintball gun according to  claim 9  wherein the worm mechanism and the motor are integrated into the same component housing.  
     
     
         13 . The paintball gun according to  claim 1  wherein the trigger sensor and the trigger are combined as a touch sensitive sensor.  
     
     
         14 . The paintball gun according to  claim 1  wherein the rotating motor is coupled to the valve indirectly via a sear-hammer mechanism.  
     
     
         15 . The paintball gun according to  claim 1  wherein the rotating motor is configured to actuate a sear.  
     
     
         16 . A grip subassembly suitable for automated firing of a paintball gun having a propellant flow valve, the subassembly comprising: 
 a frame adapted for mounting to the gun;    a trigger sensor positioned to detect a pull of a trigger;    a rotating motor adapted to be coupled to the valve;    a power source connection;    an electric circuit connecting the power source connection to the motor;    a switch in the electric circuit for controllably opening and closing the circuit, the switch being operably connected to the trigger sensor.    
     
     
         17 . A paintball gun having a power assisted trigger mechanism including a trigger, the gun comprising: 
 a body defining a launching chamber configured to receive propellant gas from a compressed gas source;    a pneumatic circuit for directing propellant gas into the launching chamber, the pneumatic circuit including a valve for controlling the release of propellant;    a linear motor coupled to the valve;    a trigger sensor responsive to movement of the trigger;    a power source;    a circuit connecting the power source to the linear motor;    a switch in the circuit for controllably opening and closing the circuit, the switch being operably connected to the trigger sensor.    
     
     
         18 . The paintball gun according to  claim 17  wherein the valve is configured to directly release propellant into the launching chamber.  
     
     
         19 . The paintball gun according to  claim 17  wherein the motor is a brushless linear drive.  
     
     
         20 . The paintball gun according to  claim 17  wherein the valve is configured to initiate a sequence of mechanical actions.