Combination fill nipple and on/off valve for a paintball gun

Abstract

An integrated fill nipple and on/off valve for a paintball gun preferably includes a body. The body preferably includes a gas inlet to receive a gas from a compressed gas source and a gas outlet to transmit the gas to the paintball gun. The body also preferably contains a plug cavity for receivingly engaging a plug. The plug preferably includes a flow aperture for transmitting the gas from the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture. An actuator preferably controls the plug position and, hence, a supply of gas through the flow aperture. A fill nipple is also preferably arranged on the plug. Movement of an actuator between an “on” position and an “off” position can be configured to open and close the on/off valve. In an open position, the flow aperture is preferably positioned in communication with the inlet aperture to permit a flow of gas from the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture. Conversely, in a closed position, gas flow between the gas inlet and the gas outlet is preferably prevented. Filling of the compressed gas tank through the fill nipple can be permitted in either position or in only one of the positions.

1 . An integrated on/off valve and fill nipple for a paintball gun compressed gas system, comprising: 
 a valve body;    an on/off valving mechanism arranged in the valve body; and    a fill nipple arranged on a member of the valving mechanism.    
   
   
       2 . An integrated on/off valve and fill nipple according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a plug cavity arranged through the valve body; and    a plug stem arranged through the plug cavity, wherein the plug stem comprises a fill nipple arranged on an end thereof, and wherein the plug stem further provides a portion of the valving mechanism.    
   
   
       3 . An integrated on/off valve and fill nipple according to  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a gas inlet arranged in the valve body to communicate compressed gas between a compressed gas storage tank and the plug cavity;    a gas outlet arranged in the valve body to communicate compressed gas between the plug cavity and a gas connection to the paintball gun; and    a flow aperture arranged in the plug stem to communicate compressed gas from the gas inlet to the gas outlet when the valve is in an open position.    
   
   
       4 . An integrated on/off valve and fill nipple according to  claim 1 , wherein the fill nipple permits the flow of compressed gas into the compressed gas tank regardless of the position of the on/off valve.  
   
   
       5 . An integrated on/off valve and fill nipple according to  claim 1 , wherein the fill nipple permits the flow of compressed gas into the compressed gas tank only when the on/off valve is in the off position.  
   
   
       6 . An integrated on/off valve and fill nipple according to  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of o-rings arranged around the plug stem.  
   
   
       7 . An integrated on/off valve and fill nipple according to  claim 2 , wherein the fill nipple comprises a fill aperture disposed through a portion of the plug stem.  
   
   
       8 . An integrated on/off valve and fill nipple according to  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator arranged to turn the valve on and off.  
   
   
       9 . An integrated on/off valve and fill nipple according to  claim 2 , further comprising an actuator arranged on an end of the plug stem opposite the fill nipple.  
   
   
       10 . An integrated on/off valve and fill nipple according to  claim 9 , wherein the valve actuator is actuated to rotate the plug stem to turn the valve on and off.  
   
   
       11 . An integrated on/off valve and fill nipple according to  claim 3 , wherein the inlet comprises an outlet port arranged in proximity to the plug cavity.  
   
   
       12 . An integrated on/off valve and fill nipple according to  claim 11 , further comprising an o-ring arranged in the outlet port of the plug cavity.  
   
   
       13 . An integrated on/off valve and fill nipple for a paintball gun compressed gas system, comprising: 
 a valve body;    an on/off valving mechanism arranged in the valve body;    a plug cavity arranged through the valve body; and    a plug stem arranged through the plug cavity, wherein the plug stem comprises a fill nipple arranged on an end thereof, and wherein the plug stem further provides a portion of the valving mechanism.    
   
   
       14 . An integrated on/off valve and fill nipple according to  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a gas inlet arranged in the valve body to communicate compressed gas between a compressed gas storage tank and the plug cavity;    a gas outlet arranged in the valve body to communicate compressed gas between the plug cavity and a gas connection to the paintball gun; and    a flow aperture arranged in the plug stem to communicate compressed gas from the gas inlet to the gas outlet when the valve is in an open position.    
   
   
       15 . An integrated on/off valve and fill nipple according to  claim 14 , wherein the inlet comprises an outlet port arranged in proximity to the plug cavity.  
   
   
       16 . An integrated on/off valve and fill nipple according to  claim 15 , further comprising an o-ring arranged in the outlet port of the plug cavity.  
   
   
       17 . An integrated on/off valve and fill nipple for a paintball gun compressed gas system, comprising: 
 a valve body;    an on/off valving mechanism arranged in the valve body;    a plug cavity arranged through the valve body;    a plug stem arranged through the plug cavity, wherein the plug stem comprises a fill nipple arranged on an end thereof, and wherein the plug stem further provides a portion of the valving mechanism;    a gas inlet arranged in the valve body to communicate compressed gas between a compressed gas storage tank and the plug cavity;    a gas outlet arranged in the valve body to communicate compressed gas between the plug cavity and a gas connection to the paintball gun; and    a flow aperture arranged in the plug stem to communicate compressed gas from the gas inlet to the gas outlet when the valve is in an open position.    
   
   
       18 . An integrated on/off valve and fill nipple according to  claim 17 , wherein the inlet comprises an outlet port arranged in proximity to the plug cavity.  
   
   
       19 . An integrated on/off valve and fill nipple according to  claim 18 , further comprising an o-ring arranged in the outlet port of the plug cavity.  
   
   
       20 . An integrated on/off valve and fill nipple according to  claim 17 , wherein the fill nipple is configured to permit filling of a compressed gas storage tank regardless of a position of the on/off valve.