PneuVentures Inc.
PneuVentures Inc. (PVI, also styled pneuVentures) was an American pneumatic equipment manufacturer involved in the development and production of early electronic paintball markers. The company was the original manufacturer of the Shocker, an electropneumatic marker developed in cooperation with Smart Parts and introduced in 1996. Following the end of its distribution relationship with Smart Parts in 1997, PneuVentures developed the Cyber 9000, an electronic marker that never entered commercial production.[1][2][3]
History
[edit]Original Shocker
[edit]PneuVentures collaborated with Smart Parts during the mid-1990s to develop an electronically controlled, pneumatically operated paintball marker.
The resulting PVI Shocker was introduced at the 1996 International Amateur Open, alongside the WDP Angel. The two markers were among the earliest mass-produced electropneumatic markers introduced to competitive paintball in the United States.[1]
PneuVentures manufactured the original Shocker, while Smart Parts acted as its exclusive distributor.[3]
Unlike conventional mechanical semi-automatic markers, the Shocker used electronic circuitry and two solenoid valves to control its firing cycle.
The marker incorporated a closed-bolt operating system, with one solenoid controlling bolt movement and the other controlling the firing valve. Its hammerless design allowed relatively low-pressure operation.[4]
The original Shocker was supplied with a Smart Parts All American barrel and a PneuVentures low-pressure regulator. It operated at approximately 150–200 psi and used four AA batteries to power its electronics.[4]
Patent development
[edit]PneuVentures and Smart Parts jointly developed technology associated with the original Shocker.
United States patent 6,035,843, titled Pneumatically operated projectile launching device, was filed on 16 January 1996 and granted on 14 March 2000.
The patent identifies David L. Smith, Raymond S. Gaston, William M. Gardner Jr. and Adam Gardner as inventors, with PneuVentures and Smart Parts named in the original assignment records.[5]
The patent covered aspects of the compressed-gas firing system developed for the marker.
Separation from Smart Parts
[edit]The commercial relationship between PneuVentures and Smart Parts ended during 1997.
According to the historical technical archive maintained by ZDSPB, the companies dissolved their exclusive distribution agreement in August 1997 following disagreements over their business relationship.[3]
Smart Parts subsequently developed its own revised Shocker, the Shocker Sport, which entered the market in 1998.[3]
Cyber 9000
[edit]Following the separation, PneuVentures developed a proposed successor to the original Shocker known as the Cyber 9000, also referred to as the Warrior.
The marker was publicly demonstrated at the 1997 NPPL World Cup in Kissimmee, Florida.
Contemporary WARPIG television coverage included an interview with PneuVentures representative Mary Ellen Mest discussing the Cyber 9000. The same programme featured Smart Parts representative Bill Gardner Jr. demonstrating the competing Shocker Sport 4x4.[2]
The Cyber 9000 was based on the original Shocker's electropneumatic system but incorporated updated electronic controls, including an LCD display.
The proposed design also included an integrated chronograph function.[6]
Although prototype examples were produced and demonstrated, the Cyber 9000 did not enter commercial production.[3]
End of operations
[edit]PneuVentures ceased operating as an independent paintball marker manufacturer following its separation from Smart Parts.
United States patent assignment records show that interests associated with the original Shocker technology were transferred through several parties in May 2000, ultimately reaching Smart Parts.[5]
The precise date of PneuVentures' dissolution has not been independently established.
Products
[edit]PVI Shocker
[edit]The company's principal commercial paintball product was the original PVI Shocker, introduced in 1996.
Its documented features included:
- Electronic closed-bolt operation.
- Two solenoid valves independently controlling the bolt and firing system.
- Low-pressure operation at approximately 150–200 psi.
- Four AA batteries.
- Adjustable electronic trigger activation.
- Optional remote firing control.
- Smart Parts All American barrel.
- PneuVentures low-pressure regulator.[4]
Cyber 9000
[edit]The Cyber 9000 was an unreleased successor demonstrated in 1997.
The marker incorporated electronic controls and an LCD interface but did not progress to commercial production.[2][3][6]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- WARPIG – Smart Parts 03 Shocker Technical Review, by Bill Mills, May 2004.
- WARPIG – 1997 NPPL World Cup, PigTV Episode 4, interview with PneuVentures representative Mary Ellen Mest.
- ZDSPB – PVI Shocker Introduction and History.
- ZDSPB – Original PneuVentures Shocker Technical Specifications and Manufacturer Warranty.
- United States Patent 6,035,843 – Pneumatically Operated Projectile Launching Device, filed 16 January 1996, granted 14 March 2000.
- ANSgear – The History of Paintball, electronic marker development and PneuVentures Cyber 9000.