US20060076001A1

US20060076001A1 - Adjustable anti-siphon pin valve for paintball gun

Info

Publication number: US20060076001A1
Application number: US11/247,303
Authority: US
Inventors: Gregory Haisley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-12
Filing date: 2005-10-11
Publication date: 2006-04-13

Abstract

An anti-siphon pin valve for a paintball gun is adapted to remove gaseous carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide tank without removing liquid carbon dioxide from the tank. The valve allows a user to orient a siphon tube of the valve assembly relative to the inside of a propellant tank. The valve consists of an outer body portion and an inner body portion. The inner body portion is received in the outer body portion. The outer valve body portion contains threads that are used to couple the outer valve body portion with threads of a neck of the tank. The outer valve body includes a hollow passageway that receives the inner body portion and is in communication the pressure relief valve. The inner valve body portion is received into the hollow passageway of the outer valve body such that the inner valve body can rotate with respect to the outer valve body. The inner valve body includes components for introducing the propellant into an associated paintball marker. The inner valve body is associated with a siphon tube that provides fluid communication between the interior of the tank and the inner valve body components. A pressure relief valve may be provided to prevent the tank and/or paint ball gun from over-pressurizing.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. utility patent application claims the benefit of and/or priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/618,042 filed Oct. 12, 2004 entitled “Adjustable Anti-Syphon Pin Valve for Paintball Gun”, the entire contents of which is specifically incorporated herein by reference.

II. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sporting equipment that is used in connection with paint ball guns and more particularly, to a valve useable with a paint ball gun to improve the flow of carbon dioxide propellant from a carbon dioxide storage tank into and through the paint ball gun.

III. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Paint ball is a sport wherein a paint ball gun is used to shoot spherical balls that contain paint. Practitioners of the sport use this gun to shoot their opponents with a paint ball, to simulate war games and the like.
A paint ball gun in many respects operates similarly to a normal gun as it fires a projectile. Rather than using gun powder propellant typically used in a normal gun to cause a bullet or projectile to fire out of a barrel, a paint ball gun uses compressed gas to fire the paint ball out of the barrel of the paint ball gun. The compressed gas most often used is compressed carbon dioxide (CO₂). The carbon dioxide is supplied in a tank that is removably attached onto the paint ball gun. Examples of paint ball guns (often referred to as “markers”) are those manufactured by Tippmann Pneumatics LLC of Fort Wayne, Ind., whose markers are shown at www.tippmann.com.
Most gun-mountable carbon dioxide tanks are designed to be reusable. When empty, carbon dioxide from a larger storage tank is inserted into the smaller gun-mountable tank. Within the gun-mounted tank, the carbon dioxide will exist both in its liquid and gaseous forms.
In order to propel the paint ball out of the gun, carbon dioxide is preferably withdrawn from the tank in its gaseous form. Although liquid carbon dioxide can be withdrawn, it is not desirable to withdraw liquid carbon dioxide because at least two adverse events are more likely to occur from the withdrawal of liquid carbon dioxide instead of gaseous carbon dioxide.
The first potentially adverse event is that propulsion of a paint ball from a gun with liquid (as opposed to gaseous) carbon dioxide, results in a white cloud of carbon dioxide gas being emitted from the gun barrel. This emission of a gas cloud has the disadvantage of providing a visual signal to the player's opponent of the position of the shooting player, thus making the shooting player more vulnerable to attack from his opponents.
The second adverse event occurs because liquid carbon dioxide that is withdrawn from the tank will tend to expand into gaseous carbon dioxide. During this expansion process, the liquid carbon dioxide works much like a refrigerant, such as Freon®, and chills its surroundings. This refrigerant-like chilling by the liquid carbon dioxide has been known to freeze up the operating mechanism of paint ball guns, thereby preventing the paint ball gun from further operation until it thaws.
From the foregoing discussion, it can be appreciated that it is desirable to position the gun and the carbon dioxide tank in relation to each other, so that only gaseous carbon dioxide is withdrawn from the tank. With most paint ball guns, the carbon dioxide tank is positioned with respect to the gun so that the axis of the carbon dioxide tank is offset by about seven degrees (7°) from the axis of the gun's barrel. It should also be noted that the typical manner by which the carbon dioxide tank is affixed to the gun is through a screw-mounted thread that is contained on the cap on the top of the tank.
The axis of the cap of the tank is disposed co-linearly with the axis of the carbon dioxide tank. Threads are formed on a radially outwardly facing surface of the cap of the tank. Typically, these male threads are then threadedly engaged to female threads that are found on or near the stock of the gun, and the tank is rotated about its axis until the tank is fully engaged with the female threads.
When the tank is attached to the gun, and the gun is held in its firing position, the gaseous carbon dioxide will typically tend to reside at the top of the tank, whereas the liquid carbon dioxide will tend to reside at the bottom of the tank. The “top” or “bottom” of the tank at which the respective gaseous and liquid carbon dioxide will reside depends upon the particular orientation of the tank. If, for example, one could imagine a carbon dioxide tank set up on its base on a table, the gaseous carbon dioxide would typically reside near the cap, or the entrance valve that would then be located near the top. Conversely, if the carbon dioxide tank were held upside down so that cap was pointed downwardly, the gas would then accumulate near the base of the tank, which, in that orientation would be the upward-most point of the tank.
Because of the gaseous carbon dioxide at the top proximity of a carbon dioxide tank, the inflow end of the withdrawal tube is usually positioned co-linearly with the cap, just under the underside surface of the cap. Although this inflow tube positioning results in gaseous carbon dioxide being withdrawn from the tank a majority of the time, room for improvement exists in increasing the percentage of gaseous carbon dioxide withdrawals, and decreasing the percentage of liquid carbon dioxide withdrawals.
As alluded to above, a straight siphon tube that is disposed co-linearly with the axis of the tank does not perform that well. A straight tube does not perform that well because, depending upon the level of gas in the tank, a tube that is placed basically in the “middle” of the tank is likely to withdraw liquid carbon dioxide rather a gaseous carbon dioxide in a situation wherein the tank is more than half full. Even if the tank is less than full, movement of liquid within the tank tends to increase the amount of liquid carbon dioxide that is withdrawn, because the liquid carbon dioxide in an almost-full tank is likely to reside just below the entrance to the tube.
It would appear that the percentage of gaseous-to-liquid withdrawals could be improved by placing the inlet to the withdrawal tube closer to a side surface of the tank, and in particular, that portion of the side surface that is positioned above the axis of the tank.
At first blush, an elbow-shaped tube that had its inlet disposed adjacent to a radially inwardly facing surface of the inside of the tank would be an improvement that would increase gaseous carbon dioxide to liquid carbon dioxide withdrawal percentage. Interestingly, such is not the case. To understand why, it is helpful to review the structure and orientation of the tank, and the positioning of the withdrawal or “siphon” tube.
When the carbon dioxide tank is affixed onto a gun, one can imagine that the tank would have an orientation similar to a clock if one cut a plane that was perpendicular to the axis of the tank. Imagine further that clock position numbers (e.g. 1, 2, 3 . . . 12) were affixed on to the radially outwardly facing cylindrical surface of the tank. If one fixed a clock-like orientation onto the cylindrical outer circumference of the tank so that one position was arbitrarily labeled as 12:00 o'clock, with other positions around the surface being labeled appropriately (e.g. 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 . . . 11:00), one would then have a marked tank that would enable you to keep track of its rotational orientation, as the threads of the tank cap were rotated into engagement with the female threaded receiving port on the gun.
Before the tank began being rotated into engagement with the threaded receiver, the tank would have a starting orientation. For exemplary purposes, imagine that at this starting (or “disengaged”) orientation, the tank was oriented so that the 12:00 position was pointing “straight up” in the same orientation as “12:00” appears on a clock face.
When the tank is fully rotated on to the receiving port of the gun, it will assume a “fully engaged” orientation. The position of the 12:00 marking on the tank, when it is the fully engaged position will depend upon a variety of factors, such as the number of threads, and starting position of the tank. Importantly, the “12:00” position that is marked on the tank may now be positioned at some other position, such as 3:00, 4:00 and 9:00, etc.
If an elbow-shaped tube, such as the one described above were properly orientated so that the entrance to the inflow tube was disposed adjacent to the top of the tank when the tank was affixed onto the gun (i.e. 12:00 position), the tube would be more efficient in withdrawing gaseous refrigerant from the tank (when compared to a “straight” tube). Conversely however, if the tube were oriented so that the entrance to the tube was disposed adjacent one of the lower walls (e.g. the 6:00 position), the tube would be situated as to withdraw a significantly greater percentage of liquid carbon dioxide than a straight tube.
One difficulty with using such an elbow tube is orienting the tube in the carbon dioxide tank to ensure that the tube will be positioned adjacent to the upper wall of the tank because one is never sure exactly where the tube will be positioned after the tank is screwed onto the gun.
Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable tube that enables the user to adjust the siphon tube to a position wherein the tube is disposed adjacent to the top of the tank after the tank is affixed onto the gun.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a valve assembly for a paintball gun that allows user adjustment of a siphon tube of the valve assembly to withdraw a greater amount of gaseous carbon dioxide from the tank rather than liquid carbon dioxide gas from the tank.

IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a valve designed for use with a paint ball gun to remove gaseous carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide tank without removing liquid carbon dioxide from the tank. The valve is particularly designed for being inserted into the hollow interior of a reduced-diameter neck portion of a gun-mounted carbon dioxide tank.
In one form, the present invention is a valve assembly for a paintball marker that allows a user to orient a siphon tube of the valve assembly relative to the inside of a propellant tank. In another form, the present invention is a valve assembly for a paintball marker that provides a pressure relief valve.
The valve consists of three major components, an outer body portion, an inner body portion and a pressure relief valve. The inner body portion is received in the outer body portion. The pressure relief valve is received by the outer body portion.
The outer valve body portion contains male threads that are used to couple the outer valve body portion with female threads of a radially inward facing surface of the neck of the tank. The outer valve body includes a hollow passageway that receives the inner body portion and is in communication the pressure relief valve.
The inner valve body portion is received into the hollow passageway of the outer valve body such that the inner valve body can rotate with respect to the outer valve body. The inner valve body includes valving for introducing the propellant into an associated paintball marker. The inner valve body is associated with a siphon tube that provides fluid communication between the interior of the tank and the inner valve body valving.
A burst or pressure release valve is used to prevent the tank and/or paint ball gun from over pressurizing. The burst valve contains a valve therein that is set at a predetermined pressure (usually about 1500 psi). If the pressure within the tank, or paintball gun exceeds this pressure, the valve within the burst valve is designed to open, to thereby allow gas to vent through a port to the atmosphere. This will prevent the likelihood of an explosion. In one form, the burst valve is attached to the outer body portion by coupling the male threads of the burst valve to female threads of the outer valve body portion.
A C-shaped retaining ring is provided for axially retaining the inner valve assembly (inner valve body portion) within the interior passageway of the outer valve assembly (outer valve body portion) while still maintaining the ability of the inner valve assembly to rotate relative to the outer valve assembly. The retaining ring is placed into a circumferential groove of the interior passageway to axially retain the inner valve assembly. The inner valve body portion contains an elbow-shaped siphon tube, that is preferably, but not necessarily made of copper. The inlet of the siphon tube is preferably, but not necessarily, angled (formed as an angle with respect to the axis of the siphon tube). The siphon tube is used to vent carbon dioxide gas from inside the tank to the atmosphere. The siphon is also bent slightly as it extends from the inner valve body portion) and may be of different lengths.
A turning or adjustment tool is provided to allow the rotational adjustment, position or orientation of the inner valve body portion with respect to the outer valve body portion. The adjustment tool is used to adjust, position or orient the siphon tube relative to the interior of the tank typically once the valve assembly is connected to the tank. Particularly, once the outer valve body portion is coupled to the tank, the inner valve body portion and thus the orientation of the inlet of the siphon tube may be adjusted as appropriate.
The turning tool has a finger engaging gripping surface which has a knurled outer surface. The knurled outer surface improves user gripability. The turning tool allows the user to rotate the siphon tube to the best position to allow gas to vent through the tube instead of liquid. In doing so, this increases efficiency of gaseous carbon dioxide removal from the tank.
In one form, the siphon tube inflow end has an angled cut such that the tube actually engages the inner surface of the tank. When the siphon tube is rotated within the tank, an audible “scratching” sound will be made to signal relative rotational movement and position within the tank.

V. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an embodiment of an anti-siphon valve assembly according to the principles of the present invention, the anti-siphon valve assembly illustrated with respect to reception onto a gun-mountable carbon dioxide tank and with a tool for orienting a siphon tube of the valve assembly with respect to the carbon dioxide tank;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the exemplary anti-siphon valve assembly of FIG. 1 mounted onto the carbon dioxide tank, the anti-siphon valve shown with the orientation tool coupled thereto for rotating/orienting a portion of the valve before mounting onto a gun;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the exemplary anti-siphon valve assembly of FIG. 1 installed on a carbon dioxide tank, the sectional view illustrating only a front portion of the carbon dioxide tank;
FIG. 4 is an end view of the exemplary anti-siphon valve assembly of FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 5 is a top level flow diagram of a method for releasing gas from a paintball marker tank in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

VI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An exemplary valve or valve assembly 100 according to the principles of the present invention is shown in the Figures. The valve 100 is designed for being inserted into the hollow interior 25 of the reduced-diameter neck portion 27 of a gun-mountable carbon dioxide (CO₂) tank 16 and be adjusted via tool 15.
An exemplary cylindrical gun-mountable carbon dioxide container 16 is designed to hold approximately 20 oz. of carbon dioxide, although the tank 16 is typically designed to have sufficient volume to hold significantly more than 20 ounces. The tank is designed to be large enough to hold a sufficient charge of carbon dioxide to enable a user of the tank to have sufficient propellant to shoot a large number of paint balls or other projectiles. However, the tank 16 is also designed to be small enough, so that the tame will not be cumbersome to the user when the tank and gun combination are carried around by the paint ball user. It should be appreciated that other types and/or styles of tanks may be used.
The carbon dioxide tank 16 is designed to be refillable. In typical use, when the user goes to a paint ball establishment, his/her carbon dioxide tank is filled with propellant at the establishment. The tank may be refilled numerous times.
It is typical practice for the establishment to place approximately 20 oz. of liquid carbon dioxide into the typical tank. When so “filled”, approximately two-thirds of the volume of the interior of the tank will contain liquid carbon dioxide, with the remaining one-third containing gaseous carbon dioxide. As stated above in the Background of the Invention, the inflow tube for the tank is placed adjacent to the cap of the tank so the gaseous carbon dioxide is withdrawn from the tank 16, rather than liquid carbon dioxide.
The user will then screw the cap of the tank 16 onto the stock of the gun (not shown). The receiving female threads (not shown) of the stock of the gun are positioned so that the tank 16 is oriented generally horizontally, but having the axis of the tank 16 offset approximately seven degrees (7°) from the axis of the barrel of the gun.
Referring specifically to the Figures, the valve 100 includes an outer valve body, outer valve body portion or outer valve assembly 1 that is preferably, but not necessarily, machined from brass. The outer valve body 1 includes a generally cylindrical proximal portion 22 having a threaded outer surface 23. Threaded outer surface 23 has male threads that are sized and designed to be received by female threads 29 that are formed on the radially inwardly facing surface of the neck 27 of the tank 16 (see e.g. FIG. 3).
The valve body 1 also includes a distally disposed threaded portion 24 that includes male threads that are sized and positioned for being received by the female threads of a gas-receiving port of a paint ball gun or marker (not shown). A cap portion 26 of the valve body 1 has a relatively greater diameter than either the proximal threaded portion or the distal threaded portion 24, and includes a pair of opposing flats 28 that can be gripped by a wrench for threadedly engaging the outer valve body 1 to the internal threads 29 of the neck 27 of the tank 16 and thus the tank 16 itself. The valve body 1 includes a generally hollow interior passageway 34 for receiving the inner valve body 2. As will be explained later, the inner valve body 2, is disposed co-axially with the outer valve body 1; is axially retained with respect to the outer valve body 1; and is rotatable with respect to the outer valve body 1. The passageway 34 is in fluid communication with atmosphere via a bore 32.
The cap portion 26 of the body 1 includes an axially inwardly facing surface 30 that is disposed adjacent to an O-ring 6. The O-ring 6 provides a seal against the end of the neck 27 for preventing gas from escaping out of the tank 16 and past the outer valve body 1. The surface 30 abuts the end of the neck 27 of the tank 16. A distal O-ring 7 is sized and configured to fit within a groove 7A at the distal end 31 of the outer valve body 1. Distal O-ring 7 is provided for helping to seal valve body 1 within the gas receiving port (not shown) of the paint ball gun to prevent gas from leaking out of the gas receiving port of the paint ball gun.
A burst, pressure release or pressure relief valve 9 has a threaded radially outwardly facing surface 38 for threaded engagement with female threads 40 within the radially extending fluid passageway 32 of the cap portion 26. A hex head 45 is provided on the top of the burst valve 9 for allowing engagement with a hex tool (not shown) for inserting and removing the burst valve 9 into the bore 32 of cap portion 26. The burst valve 9 also includes a vent or venting port 44 through which gas can pass from the interior of the body 1 and thus the interior of the burst valve 9 to atmosphere.
The purpose of the burst valve 9 is to prevent the tank or gun from exploding if an over pressure condition exists within the gun or tank 16. The burst valve 9 has a port valve contained therein that is in communication and/or associated with the vent port 44 and the interior passageway 34. The port valve is set for or at a predetermined pressure (usually about 1500 psi) relative to the gun or marker being used and/or the tank. If the pressure within the tank 16 or the paint ball gun exceeds this pressure, the valve within the burst valve 9 is designed to open, to thereby allow gas to vent through port 44 to atmosphere. By so allowing the gas to vent, the over pressure situation within the tank will be relieved, thus reducing the likelihood of an explosion.
The inner valve body 2 is disposed within the hollow passageway 34 of the outer valve body 1. The inner valve body 2 is coupled to the outer valve body 1 such that the inner valve body 2 can rotate, swivel, pivot or turn with respect to the outer valve body 1, but which is axially restrained. The inner valve body 2 includes a main body portion 59 that is generally cylindrical in configuration, and includes a hollow interior 48. A radially outwardly facing, axially extending cylindrical surface of the main body portion 59 includes first and second recessed grooves 5A, 5B that are provided for receiving identical O- rings 5, 5. The O- rings 5, 5 extend between an outer surface of the main body 59 of the inner valve body portion 2 and the radially inwardly facing, axially extending interior wall of the passageway 34 of the outer body 1. This prevents gas from leaking between the outer surface of the inner valve body 2 and the inner surface 34 of the outer valve body 1.
The main body portion 59 of the valve inner body assembly 2 does not contain any threads on its radially outwardly facing surface. Female threads 49 are formed in the inner surface of the interior 48 to receive the male threads 36 of the tube bolt 3. Through this arrangement, the tube bolt 3 is coupled to the main body portion 59 so that rotation of main body portion 59 rotates tube bolt 3 and tube 17. Thus, rotation of the inner body 2 relative to the outer body 1 positions, orients or adjusts the inlet 97 of the siphon tube 17 relative to the main body 1 and a position relative to the tank 16.
A C-shaped retaining ring 4 is provided for retaining the inner valve assembly 2 within the interior passageway 34 of the outer valve assembly 1. Particularly, the retaining ring 4 axially retains the inner valve assembly 2 relative to the outer valve assembly 1 but permits rotation of the inner valve assembly 2 relative to the outer valve assembly 1. Retaining ring 4 fits into a circumferential groove 52 formed on the interior of the passageway 34.
A distal portion 65 of pin 14 includes a plunger pin 79 (see e.g. FIG. 1) having a tip 69 (see e.g. FIG. 3), and three blind holes 64 a, 64 b, 64 c, formed in end surface 83 of the tip 69 (see e.g. FIG. 4). The holes 64 a, 64 b, 64 c are sized and configured for receiving the three axially extending prongs 66 (FIG. 1) of the turning tool 15. The distal end 69 of the pin 14 comprises the distal end of plunger pin 79 and is axially movable within the passageway 48, to allow gas to flow through the air passageway 48 when the end 69 is depressed to axially move pin 14 in a proximal direction, toward tube bolt 3 and copper tube 17.
The distal portion 65 comprises a valve seat 11 that comprises a relatively larger diameter portion of the pin 14. A urethane seal 10 is applied onto the pin 14 proximally of the valve seat 11. The valve seat 11 has two raised portions, with a recessed groove 11 a that is disposed between the two relatively larger diameter portions. The groove 11 a is provided for receiving O-ring 11.
The valve pin 14 does not include an interior passageway through which gas flows, since gas flows around the outside of the pin 14. At the proximal end of the pin 14 is a hex portion 68 that has an axially inwardly facing surface 71 that serves as a seat for the distal end 73 of spring 13.
Spring 13 is a compression spring, such that when the device 100 is assembled, the spring 13 is compressed, to thereby exert an axially outwardly biased force (an expansionary force) to separate hex portion 68 (and hence pin 14) from tube bolt 3 as far as possible. As the position of tube bolt 3 is fixed with respect to the main body portion 59 of the inner valve assembly 2, the spring 13 exerts a force to push the pin 14 axially outwardly, so that the valve seat 65 closes the distal end of the valve body, to prevent the passage of gas therethrough.
The proximal portion 82 of pin 14 is generally cylindrical in configuration, and has a diameter that is slightly smaller than the hex portion 68, but slightly larger than the central portion of the pin 79. The proximal portion 82 includes a distal end 89. The proximal portion 82 is received interiorly 73 of/by the spring 13, and thereby retains the spring 13 in its appropriate position on the pin 14. The tube bolt 3 includes a threaded portion 88 having threads 36. The threads 36 engage the female threads 49 of the main body portion 59. The hex portion of the tube bolt 3 is provided for enabling the user to tighten the tube bolt 3 into engagement with the main body portion 59. An elbow-shaped siphon tube 17 extends proximally from the tube bolt 3. The siphon tube 17 is preferably, but not necessarily, made from copper. The siphon tube 17 includes an axially extending portion 91, an elbow-like bend 95, and a radially extending portion 99 that terminates at the inflow port, inlet or the like 97 of the interior passageway of the hollow siphon tube 17. Preferably, but not necessarily, the tube 17 and especially the radially extending portion 19 are sized so that the opening 97, when placed in the cylindrical carbon dioxide tank 16 will be disposed adjacent to the interior side surface 105 of the cylindrical tank 16 (see FIG. 3).
Preferably, inflow end of the tube 17 has an angled cut, so that the proximal most end of the angle cut tube will actually engage surface 105, so that as the tube is rotated within the cylindrical tank 16, an audible “scratching” sound will be made that both signals the movement in the tube 17 in the tank 16, and also helps to indicate the relative rotational position of the tube 17 within the tank 16. The size and shape of the siphon tube 17 will, to a large extent, be determined by the size and shape of the tank 16. It will be appreciated that different sizes and possibly different shaped siphon tubes 17 would be used in connection with cylindrical tank 16 that are shaped differently than the one shown in the drawings.
The tube 17 is preferably press fit or crimped into tube bolt 3, or, may be welded or soldered. When the device 100 is assembled, as shown in FIG. 3, the inner valve body 2, tube 17 and pin 14 are fixedly positioned with respect to each other but rotatably movable with respect to the outer valve body 1.
When so assembled, it is preferred that the threads 36 of the tube bolt be configured so that one of the blind holes, such as 64 a (relative to central pin 14) lines up with the radial direction in which the tube 17 extends. Viewed another way, when the device 100 is assembled, the open end 97 of the tube 17 should be positioned to open up and extend in the same direction, as blind hole 64 a.
The inner tube and inner valve body assembly 2 is then placed with the interior passageway of the outer valve body 1, and the outer valve body 1 is coupled to the cylindrical tank 16. When so assembled, one can then view the relative position of blind hole 64 a, and by so doing, will be able to readily deduce the position of the opened-end 97 of the tube 17, as the two should be placed in the same direction. More importantly from the user's standpoint, as the blind hole 64 a is visible from the exterior of the tank when the valve assembly 100 is inserted therein, the alignment of the blind hole 64 a with the direction of extent of the radial portion 99 of the inner tube 17, will enable the user to effectively “view inside” the cylindrical gas tank 16, so that the user will know where the inflow end 97 of the tube is pointed.
The inner valve body turning tool or configuration 15 is generally cylindrical in configuration and includes a knurled outer surface 113 to improve a user's grip (i.e. “gripability”). Three prongs, each of which is labeled 66, are disposed at 12:00, 3:00 and 9:00 to the axis of the tool 15 and extend axially outwardly from a surface 91 of extension 67 along lines that are parallel to the axis of the inner valve body 2 and the tool 15. As is described in more detail below, the prongs 66 are engagable within three similarly positioned blind holes 64 a, 64 b and 64 c that are formed in the axially outwardly facing, radially extending distal surface of the inner valve body 2 (see e.g. FIG. 4). Rotation of the tool 15 thus rotates the inner valve assembly 1 (siphon tube 17) relative to the outer valve body 2. The siphon tube 17 and thus the inlet 97 are positionable relative to the tank 16 and more particularly to a known orientation relative to the interior of the tank.
To adjust the valve, the user affixes the valve-containing cylindrical tank 16 onto a gun, and rotates the tank 16 until it is fully engaged on the gun. The user then places a mark, with a marker or marking tool, such as mark 109, at the top dead-center position of the exterior surface 111 of the tank 16 (see FIG. 2). The user then removes the cylindrical tank 16 from the gun. The user then employs the valve adjusting tool 15, by inserting the axially extending legs 66 into the three blind holes 64 a, 64 b and 64 c. The adjusting tool 15 can include a mark, that may comprise a recessed divot, raised “pimple” or the like 123 that indicates the position of the axially protruding leg 66 that is positioned to engage the blind hole 64 a that is lined up with the position of the inflow tube 17, and more particularly, with the inflow opening 97 of tube 17. The knurled surface 113 of the adjusting tool 15 can then be gripped by the user, and the tool 15 rotated until such time as the top dead center mark 123 of the adjusting tool 15 lines up with the top dead center hash mark 109 (FIG. 2) of the cylindrical tank 16. When so positioned, the user will know that the inflow opening 97 of the tube 17 is pointing up, and will point up when the cylindrical tank 16 is threadedly engaged onto the stock of the paint ball gun.
The above valve adjustment procedure may be summarized in the flow chart or diagram 200 of FIG. 5. Initially, in step 202, the valve 100 is coupled to the tank 16. In step 204, a mark 109 is made on the exterior 111 of the tank 16 at a top dead center (TDC) position of the tank as mounted onto and thus relative to the gun. Thereafter, in step 206, the tank 16 is removed from the gun.
In step 208, the tool 15 is engaged with the inner valve body 2 of the valve 100. Particularly, the prongs 66 are properly aligned with and inserted into the bores 64 a, 64 b, 64 c of the inner valve body 2. The tool 15 is then rotated in step 210 until a TDC (hash) mark on the tool 15 aligns with the TDC mark 109 on the tank 16. The tool is then removed. In step 212, the tank is then placed back onto the gun.
One additional feature of this adjustability is that it enables a tank 16 to be readily transferred between guns. For example, it is likely that the valve 100 will only need to be adjusted once in order to enable a particular tank to fit onto a particular gun. However, different guns have different thread arrangements. As such, if the same tank is used on a second gun, the tube opening 97 may not point to top dead center within the tank 16. However, by following the procedure outlined above, the user can quickly adjust the tank 16 to fit this second gun. As will be appreciated, this feature would be especially handy in situations wherein the paint ball facility operated a tank exchange program, wherein users could trade in their empty tanks for a full tank at the facility, rather than have their existing tanks filled at the facility.
In summary, the present invention provides a vehicle for increasing the efficiency of gaseous carbon dioxide (CO₂) removal from a tank 16 that is attached to a paint gun, and also makes tanks more universally adaptable to a wide variety of different guns, having different thread attachment configurations.
Although the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that all changes and modifications and devices that come within the spirit of the invention and the appended claims are desired to be protected.

Claims

1. A valve for use with a paint ball marker having a hand hold mount and a gas port for receiving propellant from a tank, the valve comprising:

an outer valve body portion having a first coupling for coupling the outer valve body to a tank and a first fluid passageway;

an inner valve body portion disposed in the first fluid passageway of the outer valve body portion and having a first body portion fluid passageway for directing fluid through the inner valve body portion; and

a burst valve member connected to the outer valve body portion and in fluid communication with the first fluid passageway to prevent the tank and paint ball marker from over pressurization.

2. The valve of claim 1, wherein the outer valve body portion and inner valve body are coupled as to allow the inner valve body portion to rotatably move within the first fluid passageway of the outer valve body portion.

3. The valve of claim 1, wherein the burst valve member includes a port to allow gas to vent to atmosphere during an over pressurization of the tank or paint ball maker.

4. The valve of claim 1, wherein the outer valve body portion is coupled with the inner valve body by use of a C-shaped retaining ring.

5. The valve of claim 1, wherein the inner valve body portion includes a hollow tubular member radially extending from the inner valve body portion.

6. The valve of claim 5, wherein the hollow tubular member has an elbow-like bend.

7. The valve of claim 5, wherein the hollow tubular member extends radially into the tank wherein the tube is disposed adjacent to the top of the tank after the tank is affixed onto the gun.

8. The valve of claim 5, wherein the hollow tubular member is positioned at a vaporous end the tank so that only gaseous carbon dioxide is withdrawn from the tank thereby increasing the efficiency of gaseous carbon dioxide removal from the tank.

9. The valve of claim 5, wherein the hollow tubular member includes an angled cut so that the cut tube engages with the inner surface of the tank creating an audible sound to signal movement of the hollow tubular member within the tank and also to indicate relative rotational position of the hollow tubular member.

10. A valve assembly coupleable between a tank for holding a gas propellant and a paintball marker, the valve assembly comprising:

an outer valve assembly having a first threaded end for threadedly engaging the tank, a second threaded end for threadedly engaging a gas input port of the paintball marker, and a first fluid passageway disposed through the first and second threaded ends;

an inner valve assembly having a proximal end, a distal end, and a second fluid passageway disposed through the proximal and distal ends, the inner valve assembly disposed in the first fluid passageway so as to be axially restrained but rotatable relative to the outer valve assembly; and

a siphon tube coupled with and extending from the inner valve assembly, the siphon tube in fluid communication with the second passageway and having an inlet rotatable with the inner valve assembly.

11. The valve assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a coupling member disposed in the first fluid passageway and configured to restrain axial movement of the inner body relative to the outer body while allowing rotation of the inner body relative to the outer body.

12. The valve assembly of claim 11, wherein the coupling member comprises a C-shaped retaining ring.

13. The valve assembly of claim 10, wherein the inner valve assembly includes configured bores on an axial end surface of the distal end of the inner valve assembly, the configured bores adapted to receive configured prongs of a tool for rotating the inner valve assembly relative to the outer valve assembly.

14. The valve assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a pressure release member connected to the outer valve body portion and in fluid communication with the first fluid passageway to prevent the tank and paint ball marker from over pressurization.

15. The valve assembly of claim 14, wherein the pressure release member includes a port to allow gas to vent to atmosphere during an over pressurization of the tank or paint ball maker.

16. The valve of claim 10, wherein the inlet is angled for engaging the inner surface of the tank to create an audible sound to signal movement of the siphon tube within the tank and also to indicate relative rotational position of the siphon tube.

17. A method for extracting gaseous carbon dioxide from a tank of gaseous and liquid carbon dioxide, the method comprising:

a. coupling a valve assembly to a carbon dioxide tank, the valve assembly having a siphon tube that is rotatably positionable relative to the carbon dioxide tank;

b. placing a mark on an exterior of the tank, the mark corresponding to a top dead center position of the tank relative to a gun;

c. removing the tank from the gun;

d. engaging a portion of the valve assembly associated with the rotatable siphon tube with an adjustment tool, the adjustment tool having an alignment mark which corresponds to a top dead center position of the siphon tube inlet relative to the tank when the alignment mark is coaxial with the exterior tank mark;

e. rotating the adjustment tool until the tool alignment mark coaxially aligns with the exterior tank mark; and

f. re-coupling the tank to the carbon dioxide tank.

18. The method of claim 20, wherein the valve assembly comprises:

an outer valve assembly having a first threaded end for threadedly engaging the tank, a second threaded end for threadedly engaging a gas input port of the gun, and a first fluid passageway disposed through the first and second threaded ends;

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the valve assembly comprises:

a burst valve member connected to the outer valve body portion and in fluid communication with the first fluid passageway to prevent the tank and the gun from over pressurization.