Coupler Assembly for Dispensing Fluid from a Compressed Fluid Source

Abstract

There is provided a coupler assembly for dispensing fluid from a compressed fluid source, the coupler assembly comprising a chamber, an inlet port, the inlet port comprising a releasable member to be connected to a hose originating from a compressed fluid source, the releasable member comprising a valve, the inlet port further comprising a receiving member for receiving the releasable member, the receiving member being in fluid communication with the chamber, an outlet port in fluid communication with the chamber and a fluid control mechanism operatively coupled to the chamber for controlling an amount of fluid dispensed from the inlet port to the outlet port.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a coupler assembly. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a coupler assembly for providing fluid from a compressed fluid source.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Paintball has been popular for over two decades. Teams of opposing players shoot paint-filled, gelatin paintballs at each other using a gas-powered paintball marker, or paintball gun, which is trigger-activated.[0003]Paintball markers are typically powered using compressed gas bottles, typically containing CO2 or air, wherein the pressure ranges from 1800 psi to 4500 psi. Those gas bottles are sometimes placed in a backpack worn by the player and connected to the paintball marker using a remote gas line.[0004]During play, a player may want to switch his gas bottle for a gas bottle containing a different gas or the same gas stored at a different pressure. This allows the player to give different effects and trajectories to paintballs fired from his pa...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The coupler assembly is designed to connect a compressed fluid source to a hose through an inlet port. It includes a chamber, a valve, and a receiving member for connecting the hose. The assembly also has an outlet port for dispensing fluid. A fluid control mechanism is used to control the amount of fluid dispensed from the inlet port to the outlet port. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a reliable and efficient way to connect a compressed fluid source to a hose for dispensing fluid in a controlled manner."

Problems solved by technology

This operation can be hazardous and must be conducted with extreme care.

Due to the high pressure present in the gas bottle, a gas bottle disconnected quickly from a paintball marker may be propelled through the air in a missile-like fashion by the pressure from the compressed fluid flowing freely from the gas bottle, potentially damaging structures and causing bodily harm to players or bystanders.

A paintball may thus still be accidentally fired from the paintball marker even after the gas bottle has been disconnected.

It will be appreciated that this task is cumbersome and time consuming, and may not be undertaken during paintball games where the play time is limited or key.

During this whole process, the player is also prevented from using his paintball marker, which renders that situation highly undesirable during play.

These references do not address all of the above-identified problems, either because they do not allow the player to relieve pressure from the paintball marker at all or because they do not allow quick relief of pressure from the paintball marker.

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