Pressure Regulator for Non-Lethal Projectile Launcher

Abstract

An apparatus for launching projectiles, such as a paintball marker with a pressure regulator. In one embodiment, the regulator that employs a user-friendly On/Off valve which permits or stops gas flow to the outlet port of the regulator and vents the remaining gas from the outlet port in the OFF position. In another embodiment, a direct mount regulator is provided.

1 . A paintball gun comprising:
 a gun body and a pressurized gas tank interconnected by an adapter and a regulator that partially define a fluid pathway between the tank and the gun body, the adapter and the regulator being interconnected by complimentary threaded portions on each said element; and   an ON/OFF valve control operably associated with the adapter, said ON/OFF valve being movable between a first position wherein a passage is defined through the adapter and second position wherein the flow of gas through the adapter is blocked and the gas in the gun is vented to atmosphere.   
     
     
         2 . A direct mount pressure regulator for controlling the flow of the gas from a high pressure source and outputting lower pressure gas, the pressure regulator comprising:
 a regulator housing having a gas inlet, a gas outlet and defining a flow path through a piston for gas from the high pressure source to the lower pressure outlet;   a valve mechanism in the housing for controlling the flow of the gas from a gas source to the outlet port, the valve mechanism including a biasing member for biasing the piston into an open state; and   an adjusting ring for the cooperating engagement with the biasing member, said adjusting ring movable relative to the regulator body to deflect or release the biasing member, said adjusting ring manually accessible for adjustment through the regulator body opening.   
     
     
         3 . A direct mount pressure regulator for controlling the flow of the gas from a high pressure source and outputting lower pressure gas, the pressure regulator comprising:
 a regulator housing having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and defining a flow path through a piston for gas from the high pressure source to the lower pressure outlet;   a valve mechanism in the housing for controlling the flow of the gas from a gas source to the outlet port; and   an ON/OFF valve control operably associated with the housing, said ON/OFF valve being movable between a first position wherein a passage is defined between the gas inlet and the gas outlet and second position wherein the flow of gas to the outlet is blocked and the gas outlet is vented to atmosphere.