Non-lethal projectile launcher with split receiver

Abstract

A non-lethal projectile launcher (such as a paintball marker) having a clamshell type receiver. One side of the receiver may be split into a front portion and a rear portion that can be independently detached from the other side. This allows the rear portion to be detached to provide access to internal components without requiring removal of the entire side of the receiver.

1 . A non-lethal projectile launcher comprising:
 a barrel having a bore dimensioned to receive a projectile;   a firing mechanism configured to propel a projectile through the bore in the barrel;   a clamshell type receiver comprising a first side and a second side, wherein the first side comprises a front portion and a rear portion that are attachable to the second side;   wherein the front portion is adapted to receive a portion of the barrel; and   wherein the rear portion is independently releasable from the second side with respect to the front portion to provide access to internal components disposed within the receiver.   
     
     
         2 . The projectile launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the front portion and the rear portion are separate, unconnected pieces. 
     
     
         3 . The projectile launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the front portion and the rear portion define a substantially uninterrupted exterior surface. 
     
     
         4 . The projectile launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the front portion and the rear portion in combination extend longitudinally substantially an entire length of the receiver. 
     
     
         5 . The projectile launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver includes a grip portion adapted to be grasped by a user, wherein the rear portion defines the grip portion on the first side of the receiver. 
     
     
         6 . The projectile launcher of  claim 1 , further comprising a foregrip extending from the front portion. 
     
     
         7 . The projectile launcher of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the firing mechanism is disposed between the rear portion of the first side and the second side. 
     
     
         8 . The projectile launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the front portion includes threads adapted to be coupled with threads on the barrel. 
     
     
         9 . The projectile launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the firing mechanism includes a valve arrangement configured to propel a projectile with compressed gas. 
     
     
         10 . The projectile launcher of a  claim 1 , wherein the firing mechanism includes a valve arrangement configured to propel a projectile with a combustible gas. 
     
     
         11 . A receiver assembly for a projectile launcher, the receiver assembly comprising:
 a first side comprising a front portion and a rear portion that in combination extend longitudinally between a barrel receiving portion and a grip portion;   a second side extending longitudinally between the barrel receiving portion and the grip portion;   wherein the second side is attachable to the front portion and the rear portion, and   wherein the front portion and the rear portion are separate, unconnected pieces.   
     
     
         12 . The receiver assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the front portion and the rear portion define a substantially uninterrupted exterior surface. 
     
     
         13 . The receiver assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the first side and second side include complementary portions along a longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         14 . The receiver assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the second side includes a plurality of spaced apart connection points for attaching a rail to the second side. 
     
     
         15 . The receiver assembly of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the second side connection points comprise a recess dimensioned to receive a nut. 
     
     
         16 . The receiver assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the nut is configured to receive a bolt extending through an opening in the rail. 
     
     
         17 . The receiver assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the rear portion defines a grip portion adapted to be grasped by a user. 
     
     
         18 . The receiver assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the front portion is configured to receive a foregrip. 
     
     
         19 . The receiver assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the front portion includes threads adapted receive threads on a barrel. 
     
     
         20 . A non-lethal projectile launcher comprising;
 a receiver;   a barrel coupled with the receiver;   a supply of compressed gas;   a valve arrangement operative to selectively allow flow from the supply of compressed gas to propel a projectile out of the barrel;   a trigger operative to actuate the valve assembly;   a coupling in fluid communication between the valve arrangement and the supply of compressed gas, wherein the coupling is movable between a first position that engages the valve arrangement and a second position out of engagement with the valve arrangement; and   a fastener configured to selectively fix the coupling in the first position.   
     
     
         21 . The projectile launcher of  claim 20 , wherein the coupling substantially reduces lateral movement of at least a portion of the valve arrangement when in the first position. 
     
     
         22 . The projectile launcher of  claim 20 , wherein the fastener is spaced apart from the valve arrangement. 
     
     
         23 . The projectile launcher of  claim 22 , wherein the receiver defines a recess spaced apart from the valve arrangement and the fastener is disposed within the recess. 
     
     
         24 . The projectile launcher of  claim 23 , wherein the coupling extends through the recess. 
     
     
         25 . The projectile launcher of  claim 24 , wherein at least a portion of the coupling is disposed between the linear actuator and the valve arrangement. 
     
     
         26 . The projectile launcher of  claim 20 , wherein a leading end of the coupling is seated in a portion of the valve arrangement. 
     
     
         27 . The projectile launcher of  claim 26 , wherein the leading end has an approximately inverted flare shape. 
     
     
         28 . The projectile launcher of  claim 27 , wherein a portion of the valve arrangement that receives the leading end has a tapered portion. 
     
     
         29 . The projectile launcher of  claim 28 , wherein the leading end and the portion of the valve arrangement is a direct connection. 
     
     
         30 . The projectile launcher of  claim 20 , wherein the coupling includes external threads that are received by internal threads of the fastener. 
     
     
         31 . The projectile launcher of  claim 31 , wherein a portion of the coupling that engages the valve arrangement does not include threads. 
     
     
         32 . The projectile launcher of  claim 20 , wherein the fastener comprises a nut. 
     
     
         33 . A non-lethal projectile launcher comprising;
 a receiver;   a barrel coupled with the receiver;   a supply of compressed gas;   a valve arrangement operative to selectively allow flow from the supply of compressed gas to propel a projectile out of the barrel;   a trigger operative to actuate the valve assembly;   a coupling operative to provide a sealed connection between the valve arrangement and the supply of compressed gas; and   wherein the coupling is configured to lock at least a portion of the valve arrangement in a substantially fixed position with respect to the receiver.   
     
     
         34 . The non-lethal projectile launcher of  claim 33 , wherein the coupling directly engages at least a portion of the valve arrangement. 
     
     
         35 . The non-lethal projectile launcher of  claim 33 , further comprising a nut spaced apart from the valve arrangement, wherein at least a portion of the coupling passes through the nut. 
     
     
         36 . The non-lethal projectile launcher of  claim 35 , wherein the coupling includes external threads that mate with internal threads of the nut. 
     
     
         37 . The non-lethal projectile launcher of  claim 36 , wherein the nut is disposed in an internal cavity of the receiver. 
     
     
         38 . The non-lethal projectile launcher of  claim 37 , wherein the nut has a fixed position within the receiver.