Paintball marker

Abstract

A paintball marker in one embodiment of which a regulator can be located to multiple positions due to multiple flow paths to the valve assembly. For example, in some situations it could be desired to position the regulator on the grip of the marker. In other situations, the user might want the regulator to be located on a vertical grip of the marker. In another embodiment, the paintball marker has an anti jam feature including a capacitive sensor.

1 . A projectile launcher comprising:
 a barrel;   a body including a breech area dimensioned to receive a projectile;   a firing assembly adapted to propel the projectile out of the breech area through the barrel; and   a capacitive sensor adapted to detect entry of the projectile into the breech area.   
     
     
         2 . The projectile launcher as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the capacitive sensor is configured to detect entry of the projectile by sensing a change in capacitance when the projectile enters the breech area. 
     
     
         3 . The projectile launcher as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the capacitive sensor is a single capacitive sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The projectile launcher as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the capacitive sensor is adapted to detect movement of the projectile within the breech area after entry of the projectile into the breech area. 
     
     
         5 . The projectile launcher as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a wall that obstructs line of sight between the capacitive sensor and the breech area. 
     
     
         6 . A paintball marker with an anti jam feature, the anti jam feature comprising a capacitive sensor that detects entry of a paintball into a breech area. 
     
     
         7 . The paintball marker of  claim 6 , wherein the capacitive sensor detects entry of the paintball into the breech area by sensing a change in capacitance. 
     
     
         8 . The paintball marker of  claim 6 , wherein the capacitive sensor detects bounce of the paintball within the breech area by sensing a change in capacitance. 
     
     
         9 . The paintball marker of  claim 6 , wherein the anti jam feature includes a single capacitive sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The paintball marker of  claim 6 , wherein the capacitive sensor is coplanar with a path of the paintball entering the breech area. 
     
     
         11 . A method for controlling firing of a paintball marker, the method comprising the steps of:
 detecting a trigger pull;   detecting entry of a paintball into a breech area using a capacitive sensor; and   in response to detection of paintball entry into the breech area by the capacitive sensor, initiating firing of the paintball using a processor.   
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising the step of detecting bounce of the paintball in the breech area by the capacitive sensor, wherein the processor initiates firing of the paintball responsive to detection of bounce by the capacitive sensor. 
     
     
         13 . A paintball marker with an anti jam feature, the marker comprising:
 a breech area dimensioned to receive the frangible projectile;   a valve assembly operative to selectively allow flow between a supply of compressed gas and the breech area;   an electronic firing assembly including a processor;   a capacitive sensor assembly in electronic communication with the processor and configured to sense entry of the frangible projectile into the breech; and   wherein the processor is configured to initiate actuation of the valve assembly in response to detection of paintball entry into the breech area by the capacitive sensor assembly.   
     
     
         14 . The paintball marker as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the capacitive sensor assembly is configured to sense movement of the frangible projectile after entry within the breech area. 
     
     
         15 . The paintball marker as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the capacitive sensor assembly forms a portion of a wall in the breech area. 
     
     
         16 . The paintball marker as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the wall is in line with a path of the frangible projectile into the breech area. 
     
     
         17 . The paintball marker as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the capacitive sensor is located below the breech area. 
     
     
         18 . The paintball marker as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the capacitive sensor is a single capacitive sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The paintball marker as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the paintball marker includes a clamshell style body and the capacitive sensor is disposed in one side of the body. 
     
     
         20 . A paintball marker with an anti jam feature, the marker comprising:
 a breech area dimensioned to receive the frangible projectile;   a valve assembly operative to selectively allow flow between a supply of compressed gas and the breech area;   an electronic trigger assembly including a processor;   means for sensing entry of the frangible projectile into the breech by detecting a capacitive differential proximate the breech area; and   wherein the processor is configured to initiate actuation of the valve assembly in response to detection of paintball entry into the breech area.   
     
     
         21 . A paintball marker with multiple locations for a regulator, the marker comprising:
 a body;   a barrel extending from the body and dimensioned to receive a frangible projectile;   a valve assembly operative to selectively vent compressed gas to propel projectiles through the barrel;   a trigger assembly;   a firing assembly configured to actuate the valve assembly responsive to actuation of the trigger assembly;   a first fluid path extending from a first inlet port to the valve assembly for supplying compressed gas to the valve assembly;   a second fluid path extending from a second inlet port to the valve assembly for supplying compressed gas to the valve assembly;   wherein the body includes a first location configured to receive a regulator in fluid communication with the first fluid path; and   wherein the body includes a second location configured to receive a regulator in fluid communication with the second fluid path.   
     
     
         22 . The paintball marker as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the first flow path extends through a grip portion of the body. 
     
     
         23 . The paintball marker as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the second flow path extends through a front grip portion of the body. 
     
     
         24 . The paintball marker as recited in  claim 23 , wherein a portion of the second flow path extends between the barrel and grip portion. 
     
     
         25 . The paintball marker as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the second inlet portion is dimensioned to receive a front grip, wherein the front grip blocks flow through the second flow path. 
     
     
         26 . The paintball marker as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are in fluid communication with a distribution block. 
     
     
         27 . A paintball marker with multiple locations for a regulator, the marker comprising:
 a body;   a barrel extending from the body and dimensioned to receive a frangible projectile;   a valve assembly operative to selectively vent compressed gas to propel projectiles through the barrel;   a trigger assembly;   a firing assembly configured to actuate the valve assembly responsive to actuation of the trigger assembly;   a first fluid path extending from a first inlet port to the valve assembly for supplying compressed gas to the valve assembly;   a second fluid path extending from a second inlet port to the valve assembly for supplying compressed gas to the valve assembly;   wherein the body is configured to alternatively receive a first regulator configuration that supplies regulated flow through the first fluid path to the valve assembly or a second regulator configuration that supplies regulated flow through the second fluid path to the valve assembly.   
     
     
         28 . The paintball marker as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the first fluid path flows through a distribution block between the first inlet port and the valve assembly. 
     
     
         29 . The paintball marker as recited in  claim 28 , wherein the second fluid path flows through the distribution block between the second inlet port and the valve assembly. 
     
     
         30 . The paintball marker as recited in  claim 29 , wherein the first fluid path extends at least partially through a grip portion of the body. 
     
     
         31 . The paintball marker as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the second fluid path extends at least partially between the barrel and trigger assembly.