Valve for air tank

Abstract

A valve, possibly for use in a paintball marker, has a longer threaded portion that insures a canister that engages the valve must undergo many twists to become unscrewed from the valve. Alternatively, the valve has an elongated threaded portion with gas bleed channels that extend along a substantial portion of the threading. Still alternatively, the valve may use visual markings along the length of the threaded portion to indicate to a user that the canister is being unscrewed.

1 . A paintball marker and compressed gas canister combination, comprising:
 a paintball marker;   a compressed gas canister adapted to removable engage a valve comprising a propellant interface portion,   a threaded portion for provided threaded engaging between the paintball marker and the canister, the canister in communication with the propellant interface portion through an axial hole extending through the threaded portion and propellant interface, the threaded portion including at least one channel extending through threads in the threaded portion.   
     
     
         2 . A valve for a paintball marker comprising:
 a propellant interface portion; and   a threaded portion for threadedly engaging a canister of compressed gas and in communication with the propellant interface portion through an axial hole extending through the threaded portion and propellant interface.   
     
     
         3 . The valve of  claim 2  wherein the threaded portion is between ¾ and 2.0 inches long. 
     
     
         4 . The valve of  claim 2  wherein the threaded portion comprises at least one channel extending through threads in the threaded portion. 
     
     
         5 . The valve of  claim 3  wherein the number of channels is an even number, and the paired channels are located parallel to an axis of the axial hole and equidistant from each other on opposed portions of a circumference defined by the threaded portion. 
     
     
         6 . The valve of  claim 4  wherein the channels extend for more than half the length of the threaded portion. 
     
     
         7 . The valve of  claim 4  wherein the number of channels is an even number of four or more, and each pair of opposed channels is located at a different distance from a terminal end of the threaded portion as another pair of channels. 
     
     
         7 . A valve safety device for compressed gas storage devices, comprising: a valve stem having a first threaded section and a non-threaded section; wherein the first threaded section is configured to engage internal threads of a compressed gas storage device during insertion of the valve stem into the compressed gas storage device, and wherein the first threaded section is further configured to be arranged within an interior portion of the compressed gas storage device following insertion; and one or more vents arranged along the non-threaded section to permit release of compressed gas from the compressed gas storage device before the first threaded section can be removed from the compressed gas storage device. 
     
     
         8 . A valve safety device, comprising: a valve stem; a first threaded section arranged on one end of the valve stem; a second threaded section arranged on an opposite end of the valve stem; and a non-threaded section arranged between the first threaded section and the second threaded section, wherein the non-threaded section is configured to extend into an internal area of a compressed gas storage device when the valve stem is fitted in the compressed gas storage device. 
     
     
         9 . A valve safety stem for a compressed gas storage device, said valve safety stem comprising: a first threaded section arranged on the valve stem and configured to engage internal threads of a compressed gas storage device during insertion into the compressed gas storage device; and one or more vents arranged on the valve stem to vent compressed gas from within the compressed gas storage device before the first threaded section is completely removed from the compressed gas storage device.