FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally, to accessories for compressed gas guns, and more specifically, to a barrel attachment accessory that can affect the trajectory of a projectile fired from-a compressed gas gun. A method of imparting spin on a projectile fired from a compressed gas gun is also provided.
BACKGROUND
Action sports such as paintball have become very popular activities. Paintball is a sporting game having two teams of players usually trying to capture one another's flag. The sport is played on a large field with opposing home bases at each end. Each team's flag is located at the player's home base. In addition, all of the players have compressed gas guns (referred to herein as either “guns,” “compressed gas guns,” “markers” or “paintball markers”) that shoot projectiles commonly referred to as paintballs. The paintballs are generally spherical gelatin capsules filled with liquid paint or dye. During play of the sport, the players on each team advance towards the opposing team's base in hopes of stealing the opposing team's flag, without being eliminated from the war game. A player is eliminated from the game when the player is hit by a paintball fired from an opposing player's marker. When the paintball hits a player it usually ruptures leaving a “splat” of paint.
Compressed gas guns using a source of compressed gas for firing projectiles are well known. Examples of compressed gas guns used in the sport of paintball, also called “markers,” include products sold under the brand names EMPIRE, INDIAN CREEK DESIGNS, DIABLO, 32 DEGREES, and BT. Generally, compressed gas guns include a gun body, a grip for holding the gun, a barrel connected to the gun body including a longitudinal bore in communication with the breech (chambering area) of the gun body, and a trigger for initiating firing of the compressed gas gun. These guns are hand held and easily transportable and generally weigh no more than about 7 pounds without the gas tank and paintball feeder or “hopper” attached. As used herein, compressed gas gun refers to any gun or similar launching mechanism for use in sport wherein a projectile is fired via the force of compressed gas, and includes paintball markers. As used herein, projectile or projectiles refers to both paintballs, and other projectiles used in sport and game play. For example, the sport of airsoft utilizes compressed gas guns firing pellets. Compressed gas guns generally include a gun body 11, grip 13, barrel 12, and trigger 15, which are shown in FIG. 1.
Paintball is often played on a large field. Compressed gas guns must be able to shoot over long distances with accuracy. In addition, the sport of paintball may be played on a field with obstacles (“paintball bunkers”) or in the woods. Players can hide behind bunkers, trees or other obstacles to avoid being hit with a paintball. At least one known device for altering or affecting the trajectory of a projectile fired from a compressed gas gun is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,310, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.
It would be advantageous to have a barrel attachment for a compressed gas gun that fires a projectile for an increased distance as compared to current compressed gas guns and barrel attachment devices.
In addition, it would be advantageous to have a barrel attachment for a compressed gas gun that could fire a projectile with a user selected curved trajectory.
In addition, it would be advantageous to have a barrel attachment for a compressed gas gun that could change the trajectory of a projectile fired from the gun in an easy and effective manner during sport play, without removing the barrel attachment from the gun or barrel of the gun.
In addition, it would be advantageous to have a barrel attachment for a compressed gas gun that can be operated by the user while the marker is in an operating position, without having to withdraw the gun barrel from an in-use position, as well as the possibility of making adjustments during a firing operation remotely so that visual feedback of the projectile path can be immediately observed.
SUMMARY
The barrel attachment of the present invention also referred to herein interchangeably as a “barrel spin attachment” or “spin attachment,” and a method of imparting spin on a projectile fired from a compressed gas gun utilizing the barrel attachment of the present invention, satisfy the above-identified needs.
A spin attachment device according to the preset invention comprises a housing having a first open end, a second end adapted for attachment to the muzzle end, and an inner wall defining a through passage that has a central longitudinal axis with the muzzle. A deflection wall is positioned within the housing. The deflection wall includes a first end adjacent the muzzle and a moveable portion adjacent to the open end of the housing. In one embodiment, a deflection wall adjuster is provided mounted in the housing between the housing and the deflection wall that is moveable to move the moveable portion of the deflection wall. The housing is preferably also manually rotatable about the barrel axis, providing two separate adjustments.
In another embodiment, the deflection wall adjuster is adjusted by a second, remotely-controllable actuator, which can be remotely operated by the user, preferably with a control positioned on or near the marker grip.
In a further embodiment, the rotational position of the housing about the longitudinal axis can also be adjusted using a first remotely-controllable actuator, allowing a complete range of adjustments to made by the user while the marker is in the firing position. The first and second actuators can be driven by electric motors or may be driven by pneumatic motors or any other suitable drive arrangement.
A device for controlling spin on a projectile exiting a muzzle end of a barrel of a compressed gas gun, is provided, the device comprises: a housing comprised of an open first end, a second end, and an inner wall, the inner wall defining a through passage that has a central longitudinal axis, the second end rotatably attachable to the muzzle end of the barrel of a compressed gas gun; a deflection wall positioned within the housing, the deflection wall having a stationary end adjacent the muzzle end and a moveable portion between the stationary end and the first open end of the housing; a deflection wall adjuster mounted in the housing between the housing and the deflection wall, the deflection wall adjuster moveable to move the moveable portion of the deflection wall; and an electronically-controlled actuator coupled to the housing.
Another embodiment of a device for controlling spin on a projectile exiting a muzzle end of a barrel of a compressed gas gun, is provided, that device comprises: a housing comprised of an open first end, a second end, and an inner wall, the inner wall defining a through passage that has a central longitudinal axis, the second end rotatably attachable to the muzzle end of the barrel of a compressed gas gun; a deflection wall positioned within the housing, the deflection wall having a stationary end adjacent the muzzle end and a moveable portion between the stationary end and the first open end of the housing; a deflection wall adjuster mounted in the housing between the housing and the deflection wall, the deflection wall adjuster moveable to move the moveable portion of the deflection wall; and an electronically-controlled actuator coupled to the deflection wall adjuster.
Yet another embodiment of a device for controlling spin on a projectile exiting a muzzle end of a barrel of a compressed gas gun, is provided, that device comprises: a housing comprised of an open first end, a second end, and an inner wall, the inner wall defining a through passage that has a central longitudinal axis, the second end rotatably attachable to the muzzle end of the barrel of a compressed gas gun; a deflection wall positioned within the housing, the deflection wall having a stationary end adjacent the muzzle end and a moveable portion between the stationary end and the first open end of the housing; a deflection wall adjuster mounted in the housing between the housing and the deflection wall, the deflection wall adjuster moveable to move the moveable portion of the deflection wall; a first electronically-controlled actuator coupled to the housing; and a second electronically-controlled actuator coupled to the deflection wall adjuster.
Also provided, is a compressed gas gun and barrel attachment device, comprising: a compressed gas gun comprising: a gun body having a first end and a second end, the gun body comprised of a breech, a grip and a trigger adjacent the grip; a barrel comprised of a first muzzle end and a second end and a bore therethrough, the second end coupled to the first end of the gun body, the bore in communication with the breech; and a source of compressed gas coupled to the gun body, the source of compressed gas in communication with the breech; a barrel attachment device rotatably attached to the first muzzle end of the barrel, the barrel attachment device comprising: a housing having a first end and a second end, the second end rotatably attached to the first muzzle end of the barrel, the housing having a passage therethrough, having a central longitudinal axis aligned with the bore of the barrel, the passage in communication with the bore of the barrel; a deflection wall disposed at least partially within the housing adjacent the passage, the deflection wall comprised of a first end positioned adjacent the first end of the housing and a second end positioned adjacent the second end of the housing, the deflection wall further comprising a frictional surface adjacent the passage, the deflection wall further comprising a moveable portion and a secured portion hingedly engaging the housing; and a deflection wall adjuster positioned between the deflection wall and the housing for adjusting the position of the moveable portion of the deflection wall relative to the central longitudinal axis; a controller within the gun body, the controller in communication with a first electronically-controlled actuator and a second electronically-controlled actuator; a power source within the gun body, the power source coupled to the controller; a switch fixed to the gun body, the switch in communication with the controller; the first electronically-controlled actuator coupled to the housing; and the second electronically-controlled actuator coupled to the deflection wall adjuster.
Also provided is a method of imparting a spin upon a projectile using a compressed gas gun and barrel attachment device, the method comprising: providing the above-referenced compressed gas gun, aiming the barrel attachment device; activating the trigger; activating the switch to rotate the housing about the muzzle end of the barrel to a user-selected position; and activating the switch to move the deflection wall adjuster to a user-selected position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side plan view of a manually-operated barrel spin attachment of the present invention secured to the firing end of the barrel of a compressed gas gun.
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a manually-operated barrel spin attachment of the present invention secured to the firing end of the barrel of a compressed gas gun wherein a first portion of the housing has been removed.
FIG. 3 is rear perspective cutaway view of a manually-operated barrel spin attachment of the present invention secured to the firing end of the barrel of a compressed gas gun.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a user firing a compressed gas gun with either a manually-operated or remotely-operated spin attachment of the present invention attached to the firing end of the barrel.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a user firing either a manually-operated or remotely-operated spin attachment of the present invention attached to the firing end of the barrel.
FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a user firing either a manually-operated or remotely-operated spin attachment of the present invention attached to the firing end of the barrel.
FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a user firing either a manually-operated or remotely-operated spin attachment of the present invention attached to the firing end of the barrel.
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the inner wall of the first portion of the housing of an embodiment of the spin attachment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the inner wall of the second portion of the housing of an embodiment of the spin attachment of the present invention with a gun barrel located within the second portion of the housing.
FIG. 8 is a side cutaway view of a projectile moving through a manually-operated spin attachment of the present invention in a first position.
FIG. 9 is a side cutaway view of a projectile moving through a manually-operated spin attachment of the present invention in a second position.
FIG. 10 is top perspective view of a deflection wall fitted within the inner wall of the first portion of the housing of either a manually-operated or remotely-operated spin attachment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the spin attachment of the present invention attached to the firing end of a gun barrel wherein the first portion of the housing has been removed.
FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the outer surface of a deflection wall of an embodiment of the spin attachment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is top perspective view of the outer surface of a deflection wall of an embodiment of the spin attachment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a manually-operated spin attachment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a side plan view of another, manually-operated spin attachment of the present invention secured to the firing end of the barrel of a compressed gas gun.
FIG. 16 is a side plan view of a remotely-controlled barrel spin attachment of the present invention secured to the firing end of the barrel of a compressed gas gun.
FIG. 17 is a rear plan view of the remotely-controlled barrel spin attachment of the present invention shown in FIG. 16.
FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the remotely-controlled barrel spin attachment shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.
FIG. 19 is a side plan view of the remotely-controlled barrel spin attachment shown in FIG. 16 with a block diagram.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the remotely-controlled barrel spin attachment of the present invention with a first actuator located on the side of the barrel.
FIG. 21 is a side cutaway view of a projectile moving through the remotely-controlled barrel spin attachment of the present invention, with the deflection wall in a first position.
FIG. 22 is a is a side cutaway view of a projectile moving through the remotely-controlled barrel spin attachment of the present invention, with the deflection wall in a second or deflected position.
FIG. 23 is a rear plan view of yet another embodiment of the control switch of the remotely-controlled barrel spin attachment of the present invention.
FIG. 24 is a block diagram of the embodiment shown in FIG. 23.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For purposes of this detailed description, all reference to direction or orientation are from the perspective of a user 24 firing a compressed gas gun 18 including the spin attachment 10 of the present invention by holding the gun 18 upright in its normal firing position (i.e., at “zero degrees” or in a “firing position”). For example, “left” refers to a position closer to the user's left side, i.e., left arm or leg, and “right” refers to a position closer to the user's right side. “Rear” or “rearward” refers to a portion or portions closer to the user and “forward” refers to a portion or portions farther away from the user.
As shown in FIG. 1, the barrel spin attachment 10 of the present invention for a compressed gas gun 18 is adapted to rotatably attach adjacent the muzzle end 14, also referred to herein as the “first end” 14 of a barrel 12 of a compressed gas gun 18 that fires projectiles 26 using a source of compressed gas, such as a CO2 tank, NO2 tank, compressor, or any other compressed gas source (not shown). The second end 16 of the barrel 12 is normally threadably connected to the body 11 of the gun 18, in communication with the breech where projectiles 26 are chambered. The barrel 12 is preferably formed with at least one o-ring 64a or 64b, and preferably two o-rings 64a and 64b, positioned adjacent the first end 14 of the barrel 12 as shown in FIG. 2. The barrel 12 has a bore 28 therethrough (shown in FIG. 3), through which projectiles 26 are fired.
As shown in FIGS. 4-5B, the spin attachment 10 of the present invention allows a user 24 (or “shooter” or “player”), preferably, a paintball player to select the trajectory of a projectile 26 fired from the gun 18, in order to fire the projectile 26 at an increased distance or to impart spin upon the projectile 26 for curving. Imparting spin to a projectile 26 can increase the distance that the projectile 26 travels, or can cause the projectile 26 to curve along a path 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d after being fired through the spin attachment 10, as shown in FIGS. 4-5B. Curving a projectile 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d may be necessary either to strike a target 20 hidden behind an obstruction or obstacle 22 (such as a paintball bunker 22, shown in FIG. 5 or a barrel as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B); or to strike a target 20 while the user 24 remains hidden behind an obstruction or obstacle 23 (i.e., a tree as shown in FIG. 4 or a barrel as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B). The spin attachment 10 of the present invention allows a user 24 to adjust the degree, amount and/or direction of spin imparted upon a projectile 26 fired from the gun 18 equipped with the spin attachment 10. It is noted that FIGS. 4 and 5 are illustrative only and do not depict actual projectile travel paths. Thee figures show generally the operation of the spin attachment 10 of the present invention and an illustrated trajectory curve of the projectiles, but in use the actual trajectories 26, 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d may vary.
FIGS. 1-14 show an embodiment of the spin attachment 10 of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the spin attachment 10 has a first end 38 and a second end 40 opposite the first end 38. A generally cylindrical housing 32 is formed from a first portion 34 and a second portion 36, also shown in FIG. 14. The housing 32 may also be formed as a one-piece, molded unit. The housing 32 may be formed from a material such as a plastic, a metal, a rubber, a composite, or a combination of those materials or other similar materials. The second end 40 of the spin attachment 10 is adapted to be rotatably attached to the first end 14 of the barrel 12 of a compressed gas gun (as shown in FIG. 1). The housing 32 is preferably a generally cylindrical unit, and the first portion 34 and the second portion 36 that are secured to each other by, for example, at least one screw 19 as shown in FIG. 14 and described in greater detail below, or may be joined by snapping engagement.
The first portion 34 of the housing 32 includes an outer wall 55 (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 14), and an inner wall 54 (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6). As shown in FIGS. 6 and 14, the first portion 34 of the housing 32 further includes a longitudinal slot or channel 30 therethrough. A sloped wall 29 is provided adjacent the channel 30 along a portion of the first portion 34. The sloped wall 29 preferably includes at least one or a plurality of adjustment steps 33, which act as defined stops. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, within the inner wall 54, are wall extensions 58a (right) and 58b (left) that extend on the inner wall 54 of the first portion 34 of the housing 32 adjacent the sloped wall 29.
A rail receiving groove 35 is provided in the inner wall 54 adjacent a second end 41 of the first portion 34 of the housing 32, as shown in FIG. 6. Deflection wall receiving grooves 45a (right side), 45b (left side) are formed on opposite sides of the second end 41 of the inner wall 54 of the first portion 34 of the housing 32 adjacent the barrel receiving section 53, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10. Deflection wall flanges 49a (right side), 49b (left side) are further provided in the inner wall 54 adjacent the second end 41 of the inner wall 54 of the first portion 34 of the housing 32, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10. A barrel receiving section 53 is provided adjacent the second end 41 of the first portion, within the inner wall 54 of the first portion 34, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10. The deflection wall flanges 49a and 49b insert into and engage deflection wall grooves 27a (right side) and 27b (left side), as shown in FIG. 10. A central slot 61 is provided in the inner wall 54 of the housing 32 adjacent the barrel receiving section 53, as shown in FIG. 6. A central flange 62 extends from the inner wall 54 adjacent the slot 61 as shown in FIG. 6.
The second portion 36 of the housing 32 includes an outer wall 84 (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 14), and an inner wall 85 (as shown in FIGS. 7 and 14). The second portion 36 of the housing 32 further includes a barrel receiving portion 88 adjacent the second end as shown in FIGS. 7 and 14. The first end 14 of the gun barrel 12 is positioned in the barrel receiving portion 88 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 14. Reinforcing ridges 17 may be provided along the inner wall 85 of the second portion 36 for support.
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 8 and 9 the inner walls 54, 85 of the first portion 34 and the second portion 36 of the housing 32 define a longitudinal passage 42 through the housing 32. The longitudinal passage includes a central longitudinal axis 44. The deflection wall 46 is positioned within the housing 32 adjacent the passage 42 and between the passage 42 and the inner wall 54 of the first portion 34 of the housing 32.
As shown in FIG. 8, a projectile fired from a gun 18 will pass through the bore of the gun barrel 12, and through the passage 42. The housing 32 is sized and formed so that the diameter of the passage 42 is larger than the diameter of a projectile 26 fired from a gun barrel 12 to which the housing 32 is attached. Space is provided in the passage 42 for a projectile 26 to pass through the passage 42 without the projectile 26 contacting the deflection wall 46, the inner wall 54 of the first portion 34 of the housing 32, or the inner wall 85 of the second portion 36 of the housing 32 (when the deflection wall 46 is not biased toward the central longitudinal axis, as described in detail below). Accordingly, and as described below, the spin attachment 10 of the present invention can be set where no spin will be imparted on a projectile 26 fired through the housing 32.
The housing 32 is designed to engage the first end 14 (or muzzle end) of a compressed gas gun barrel 12, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 14. As shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 14, preferably, the second end 40 of the housing 32 is rotatably attached to the first end 14 of the barrel 12 by a flanges 90a and 90b extending adjacent the second end 40 of the housing 32, that extends into and engages a groove 91 formed in the first end 14 of a gun barrel 12. The flanges 90a and 90b should preferably fit within the groove 91 in a substantially firm or frictional engagement, whereby the housing 32 can be rotated relative to the barrel 12 by a user, yet will remain in the user-selected rotated position when the gun 18 to which the housing 32 is attached (via the barrel 12) is fired.
As shown in FIGS. 8-10 and 14, a deflection wall 46 is provided at least partially within the housing 32 adjacent the inner wall 54 of the first portion 34 of the housing 32, and between the passage 42 and the inner wall 54 of the first portion 34 of the housing 32. The deflection wall 46 is formed from a flexible or elastic material such as latex, rubber or composite material having contact surface facing the passage 42, and preferably having at least one frictional contact surface 104 having a coefficient of friction that is greater than that of the surface of the bore 28 of the gun barrel 12.
As shown in FIGS. 10-13, the deflection wall 46 includes several sets of flanges 94a, 94b, 114a, 114b, 63a, 63b, projecting from the outer or first surface 106 of the deflection wall 46. The flanges 94a, 114a are positioned adjacent the right side of the outer surface 106 of the second end 122 of the deflection wall 46 form a groove 27a therebetween. When assembled in the housing 32, the flanges 94a and 114a engage deflection wall flange 49a and flanges 94b and 114b engage deflection wall flange 49b as shown in FIG. 10. Flange 94a extends into and is engaged by groove 45a and flange 94b extends into and is engaged by groove 45b, which are shown in detail in FIG. 6. Thus, when the deflection wall 46 is assembled in the housing 32 (FIG. 10) flanges 49a fits within groove 27a, which is formed between flanges 94a and 114a and flange 49b fits within groove 27b, which is formed between flanges 94b and 114b.
Flanges 63a and 63b extend upward from the outer surface 106 of the deflection wall 46 adjacent the second end 122. Flange 63a is rearward of flange 63b. Flanges 63a and 63b form a groove 74 therebetween. When assembled in the housing 32, flange 62, which is in the inner wall 54 of the first portion (shown in FIG. 6), fits within groove 74 (on the deflection wall, shown in FIGS. 12 and 13). Thus, flange 63a fits within groove 61, and flange 63b sits forward of flange 62.
In a preferred embodiment, the deflection wall flanges 94a, 94b, 114a, 114b, 63a, 63b are sized to frictionally engage the respective grooves 45a and 45b and slot 61. And grooves 49a and 49b are sized to frictionally engage grooves 27a and 27b respectively. The elastic material of the deflection wall 46 allows for a frictional and substantially snug fit. It is appreciated that a single flange-and-groove arrangement can be used for providing engagement of the deflection wall and the inner wall 54 of the housing 32.
The spin attachment 10 is formed so that a portion of the first end 14 of the barrel 12 extends within a portion 53 of the deflection wall 46 when the deflection wall 46 is assembled in the housing, as shown in FIGS. 3, 7, and 8-11. As shown in FIG. 10, when assembled about a gun barrel 12, a secured or hinged portion 98 of the deflection wall 46 is firmly held or “sandwiched” between the first end 14 of the barrel 12 extending into the housing 32, and the inner wall 54 of the first portion 34 of the housing 32. The deflection wall 46 is further prevented from moving within the housing 32 by the flange-in-groove arrangements described above. This arrangement creates a secured or hinge portion 98 of the deflection wall 46, such that a moveable portion 100 of the deflection wall 46 is moveable and/or pivotable relative to the secured hinge portion 98, the housing 32, the barrel 12 and the central longitudinal axis 44. Frictional contact between the deflection wall 46 and the first end 14 of the barrel 12, as well as against the o-rings 64a, 64b provided adjacent the first end 14 of the barrel 12, further act to maintain the housing 32 in place when the spin attachment 10 is rotated about the barrel and placed in a user-selected position.
As shown in detail in FIG. 10, the inner surface 104 of the deflection wall 46 is a laterally curved wall 102 curving in an arc 47 about the passage 42. The arc 47 is preferably shaped to correspond generally to the circumference of a projectile 26 passing through the passage 42, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. For example, in the sport of paintball, a projectile 26 known as a paintball, which is a generally a sphere having a diameter between 0.67 and 0.71 inches and an outer circumference “C” will pass through the passage 42. The curve of the inner surface 104 of the deflection wall 46 may form an arc 47 corresponding to the arc of the circumference “C” that may contact the inner surface 104 of the deflection wall 46 when a paintball 26 passes through the passage 42. The deflection wall 46 preferably does not curve longitudinally from its first end 120 to its second end 122, with the cross section of the deflection wall 46 and contact surface 70 generally substantially straight longitudinally, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.
As shown in FIGS. 3, 8 and 9, the passage 42 extends through the housing 32 between the first end 38 and second end 40 of the housing 32 and is aligned with the barrel bore 28. The first end of the housing 32 includes an exit opening. The passage 42 is in communication with the barrel bore 28 at the barrel receiving section 53 of the first portion 34 of the housing 32 and the barrel receiving section 88 of the second portion 36 of the housing 32. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a projectile 26 fired from the gas gun 18 travels through the barrel bore 28 and into the passage 42 of the spin attachment 10, through the passage 42, and then travels out of the opening in the first end 38 of spin attachment 10, toward a target 20 (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). In the preferred embodiment, the passage 42 is preferably sized to receive and permit the passage of paintballs that range from 0.67 to 0.71 inches in diameter, that are fired from the gun 18 with a velocity of approximately about between 200 and 500 feet per second. Preferably, paintball markers operate to fire paintballs at a velocity of between 200 and 350 feet per second. The passage 42 is preferably sized to have a diameter larger than the diameter of the barrel bore 28 allowing movement of the projectile within the housing 32.
A user can selectively adjust the spin attachment 10 of the present invention to impart varying degrees, orientations and/or directions of spin upon a projectile 26 that will cause the projectile 26 to spin as it moves through the passage 42 of the spin attachment 10. Imparting spin to a projectile 26 may cause the projectile 26 to travel with a curved trajectory (26a and 26b in FIGS. 4 and 5) selected by the user, or to travel for along a longer and straighter path, also shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The degree or amount of spin imparted upon a projectile 26 passing through the spin attachment 10 is produced by selectively moving the deflection wall 46 relative to the center of the longitudinal axis 44 of the spin attachment 10.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a user may selectively adjust the position of the moveable portion 100 of the deflection wall 46 relative to the central longitudinal axis 44 of the passage 42 by using an adjuster. In a preferred embodiment, the adjuster is a control slider, referred to herein as a “slider” 50, (or deflection wall adjuster) and shown in detail in FIGS. 13 and 14. The slider 50 may be a single plastic molded piece that includes a projection 56, and rail engagement portions 57a (right), 57b (left). Preferably, the slider 50 is formed in a curved shaped conforming substantially to the curve of the outer surface 106 of the deflection wall 46.
As shown in FIGS. 11-14, positioned adjacent an outer surface 106 of the deflection wall 46 is a rail 48. The rail 48 extends along the right side 80 and left side 81 of the outer surface 106 of the deflection wall 46. The rail 48 is preferably formed as a single metal wire, with a first portion 111a that extends along adjacent the right side 80 of the outer surface 106 of the deflection wall 46, and a second portion 111b that extends adjacent the left side 81 of the outer surface 106 of the deflection wall 46. A transverse portion 43 extends between and connects the first portion 11ia, and second portion 111b of the rail 48. It is appreciated that the rail 48 could be provided as a single extending portion, rather than the two portions 111a and 111b, that engages the inner wall 54 of the housing 32 and is positioned between the outer surface 106 of the deflection wall 46 and the inner wall 54 of the housing 32.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 14, when the spin attachment 10 is assembled, the rail 48 is positioned between the outer surface 106 of the deflection wall 46 and the inner surface 54 of the first portion 34 of the housing 32. The outer surface 106 of the deflection wall 46 includes slots 112a (right side), 112b (left side) adjacent its first end 120 for receiving end portions of the first portion 111a and second portion 111b of the rail 48. When assembled, as shown in FIGS. 12-14, the transverse portion 43 is received within the rail receiving groove 35. This provides a hinge or pivot point, whereby the first portion 11ia and second portion 111b of the rail 48 can move about the hinge or pivot point relative to the central longitudinal axis 44.
The rail engaging portions 57a, 57b of the slider 50 engage and slide along the first portion 111a and second portion 111b of the rail 48, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13. Wall extensions 58a, 58b are provided that run along the inner wall 54 of the first portion 34 of the housing 32, as shown in FIG. 6, and assist in maintaining or pressing the slider engaging portions 57a, 57b against the rail 48 to maintain the slider engaging portions 57a, 57b on the rail as the slider 50 moves along the rail 48. The elasticity of the deflection wall 46 against the rail 48 and the slider 50, biases the slider 50 against the inner wall 54 and wall extensions 58a and 58b. As shown in FIG. 2, the projection 56 of the slider 50 projects through the channel 30 and is accessible from the outer wall 55 of the housing 32. The slider 50 is adapted to move along the rails 48, between a first position adjacent the second end of the housing (FIG. 8), and a second position, closer to the first end 38 of the housing 32 (FIG. 9).
A portion of the housing 32 preferably including a portion of the inner wall 54, is formed as an inwardly sloping or sloped wall 29, as shown in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9. The sloped wall 29 preferably slopes inwardly (relative to the central longitudinal axis) as it extends from the adjacent the second end toward the first end of the spin attachment 38. The projection 56 of the slider 50 extends through the slot 30 or channel in the sloped wall 29. The slot 30 provides an opening in the housing 32 and runs longitudinally along the sloped wall 29, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Located along the inner wall 54 of the sloped wall 29 are molded steps 33 or stops or ridges facing the deflection wall 46. The steps 33, which extend between the inner wall 54 of the first portion 34 of the housing 32 and the outer surface 106 of the deflection wall 46 allow the slider 50 to move in a step-like incremental fashion along the steps 33. This allows a user to selectively set the slider 50 at one of various incremental positions in between a first and a second position. The steps 33 have a contoured receiving shape adapted to engage one of the rounded protrusions 60 of the slider 50. The slider 50 is set within a molded step 33 when a rounded protrusion 60 (shown in detail in FIG. 13) that extends from the slider projection 56, engages the molded step 33 (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9). The slider 50 is biased toward the steps 33 by the deflection wall 46. This configuration allows the slider 50 to be held in place at a selected step 33 and makes the slider 50 move in a “clicking” fashion along the steps 33 due to the frictional force between the protrusion 60 and a given step 33.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a user may selectively adjust the position of the slider 50 along the steps 33 by moving the projection 56 that extends through the slot 30 of the outer surface 55 of the first portion 54 of the housing 32. As explained in greater detail below, this arrangement allows a user to adjust the position of the deflection wall 46 at varying degrees with respect to a central longitudinal axis 44. The channel may be marked along its path with adjustment setting indicators such as numbers, hash marks, or words that correspond to the slider's 50 adjustment position (i.e., in which step 33 the protrusion 60 is located in).
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the deflection wall 46 is moved from a first (non-deflected) position to a second (deflected) position, at least a portion 100 of the deflection wall 46 is moved closer to the central longitudinal axis 44, so that the deflected portion 100 will be in the path of a projectile 26 passing through the passage 42. A portion 100 of the deflection wall 46 is positioned within the path of a projectile 26 fired from a compressed gas gun 18 to which the spin attachment 10 is attached. Thus, the deflection wall 46 will contact a projectile 26 as the projectile 26 passes through the passage 44. The portion 100 of the deflection wall 46 contacting the projectile 26 will impart a frictional force 66 at the point or points of contact 70 causing the projectile 26 to rotate or spin 68 in a direction opposite the direction the projectile 26 is traveling. This spin is illustrated by the arrow in FIG. 9. The rotation 68 imparted upon the projectile 26 causes the projectile 26 to travel with a curved trajectory or path (as illustrated for example in 26a and 26b in FIGS. 4 and 5) after the projectile 26 exits the spin attachment 10.
As described above and seen in the Figures, the slider 50 acts to allow a user to selectively vary the distance between a portion of the deflection wall, and the central longitudinal axis. Although described herein as a slider, it is appreciated that other adjusters may be used, such as a button, a dial, a switch, or other adjusters adapted to allow selectively varying the distance between the a portion of the deflection wall, and the central longitudinal axis. For example, FIG. 15 shows a button 200 that extends through an opening 202 in the housing 32 and contacts the outer surface 106 of the deflection wall 46. The button 200 can be pressed by a user, in order to selectively vary the distance between a portion of the deflection wall 46, and the central longitudinal axis 44. The button 200 may be spring loaded, as is known in the art, to return to its initial position after it is released. Locking means or stops or a collar may be provided for holding the button in place at a user-selected position.
As shown in detail in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the first position 76, the deflection wall 46 runs substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis 44 of the passage 42, and the deflection wall 46 does not extend into the passage 42 to contact a projectile 26 passing through the passage 42. In this position, a projectile 26 traveling through the passage 42 will not contact (or will negligibly contact) the frictional surface 70 of the deflection wall, so that no spin is imparted (or a negligible amount of spin is imparted) to the projectile 26.
As a user slides the slider 50 along the channel 30 toward the second position adjacent the first end 38 of the spin attachment 10 housing 32, shown in FIG. 9, the slider 50 moves along the sloped wall 29 of the inner surface 54 of the housing 32, and is thereby moved closer to the central longitudinal axis 44 of the passage 42 as the slider 50 moves along each step 33. As shown in FIG. 9, this movement causes the slider 50 to move the deflection wall 46 toward the longitudinal axis 44. The degree to which the deflection wall 46 is angled toward the longitudinal axis 44 increases as the slider 50 is moved closer toward the second position (i.e., as the slider 50 moves toward the first end 38 of the spin attachment—toward the position shown in FIG. 9).
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, as the degree to which the deflection wall 46 is angled toward the longitudinal axis 44 is increased, a greater portion of the deflection wall 46 is positioned within the passage 42, such that a projectile 26 traveling through the passage 42 will contact a greater portion of the deflection wall 46. This produces a point of contact 70 at an increased angle, and an increased frictional contact surface area. The combined frictional forces 66 will impart a greater spin 68 upon a projectile 26 traveling through the passage 42. As a user moves the slider 50 back toward the first position (FIG. 8), the deflection wall 46 will move back to its first position, where a portion of the deflection wall 46 will not extend toward the longitudinal axis 44 into the passage 42. Therefore, if a user wants more spin 68 on a projectile, the user sets the adjuster 50 to adjustment setting indicator toward the higher number, which corresponds to a greater angle of deflection (shown in FIG. 9). If the user wants little or no spin, they may move the slider 50 toward adjustment setting indicator numbers 0 or 1, which correspond to a smaller angle of deflection. The user positionable slider 50 and the steps 33 allow the user to adjust and quickly set the amount of curve on the projectile 26 allowing the user to easily adjust “on the fly.”
The spin attachment 10 of the present invention not only allows the user, to adjust the degree of spin imparted on a projectile 26, but further allows a user to select and adjust the direction of spin relative to the position of the gun 18. As shown in FIGS. 2, 7-9 and 14 and described above, the spin attachment 10 housing 32 is adapted to be secured to the first end 14 of the barrel 12 by a flanges 90a on the first portion 34 of the housing and flanges 90b on the second 36 portion of the housing 32. These flanges 90a and 90b fit within an annular groove 91 channeled in the outer surface of the first end 14 of the barrel 12. This flange-in-groove connection allows the spin attachment 10 to rotate 360 degrees in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise (as measured from the perspective of a user firing a gun), about the central longitudinal axis 44, while the spin attachment is rotatably attached to the barrel. A user need not remove the spin attachment from the barrel for selected spin adjustment. The o-rings 64a, 64b may be positioned about the first end 14 of the barrel 12 to assist in holding the spin attachment 10 at a position selected by a user while the gun 18 is being fired.
When the spin attachment 10 is positioned with the deflection wall 46 at the topmost position, the spin imparted on a projectile 26 will be a lifting “backspin”, as shown schematically by the arrow in FIG. 9. Imparting spin to a projectile to cause a lift force in a desired direction is referred to as the “Magnus Effect.” The lifting backspin will cause a projectile 26 to travel for a longer distance, with increased lift through the “Magnus Effect,” as is well known in the art of projectiles. Essentially, increased lift results from different levels of air pressure on the surfaces of the projectile when backspin is provided. A detailed explanation of the Magnus Effect can be found in “Aerodynamics of sports balls,” Rabindra D. Mehta, in Annual Reviews of Fluid Mechanics, 1985, Watts, R. G. and Ferrer, R. (1987), “The lateral force on a spinning sphere: Aerodynamics of a curveball,” American Journal of Physics 55, 40-44, and Briggs, L. J. (1959), “Effect of spin and speed on the lateral deflection of a baseball; and the Magnus effect for smooth spheres,” Am. J. Phys., 27, 589.
Additional means may be provided to lock the spin attachment 10 in a particular rotated position, such as a screw or a spring-loaded clamp, once the user selects the desired spin position. Because the spin attachment 10 is freely rotatable relative to the barrel 12, a user can rotate it, and thereby adjust the direction of spin during automatic, semi-automatic or rapid fire, allowing a user to continuously adjust the direction of the shot until it reaches his target.
Rotating the spin attachment 10 allows the user to selectively position the deflection wall 46 relative to the gun 18. This allows the user to select the curved trajectory of a projectile in a user-selected path. For example, when the spin attachment 10 is rotated right, approximately about a quarter turn or ninety degrees counterclockwise from the shooter's perspective, (if zero degrees is considered the slider at the top), as shown in FIG. 1, the deflection wall 46 is positioned to the right side of a projectile 26 fired from the gun 18. The deflection wall 46 will contact the projectile 26 on the projectile's 26 right side, causing the projectile to curve toward the right when fired from the gun 18.
The present invention has many advantages. First, the ability to rotate the spin attachment three hundred sixty (360) degrees in either rotational direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise when the gun is ready for firing in a firing position) provides a user with many projectile trajectory spin choices. The ability to increase the amount of spin on the projectile provides the user with many options with regard to the degree a projectile curves after being fired through the spin attachment. Thus, the present invention provides the user with a number of projectile spin options. Second, the spin attachment is easily attachable and detachable, and universally adaptable to any compressed gas gun barrel. Third, the spin attachment is easy to use, even for beginners.
A method of imparting a spin upon a projectile fired from a compressed gas gun is provided. A compressed gas gun is provided, including a barrel. A barrel spin attachment device according to the present invention is rotatably attached to the muzzle end of the barrel. A user positions the adjuster to a desired setting, thereby moving a portion of the deflection wall to a desired position relative to the passage. The spin attachment may also be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise relative to the barrel of the gun by a user, to provide a user-selected direction of spin. If the deflection wall is set in its top position, this will increase the distance a projectile travels when exiting the spin attachment. The gun is aimed at a target by a user. The gun is fired by the user by pulling the trigger. The release of compressed gas from a source of compressed gas will fire a projectile through the barrel and through the passage of the spin attachment, where the projectile will contact a portion of the deflection wall. The projectile will travel with the user-selected spin.
As shown in FIG. 15, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the barrel spin attachment of this embodiment is adapted to rotatably attach adjacent the muzzle end 14, of a barrel 12 of a compressed gas gun 18. The second end 16 of the barrel 12 is threadably connected to the body 11 of the gun 18, in communication with the breech. The barrel 12 is preferably formed with at least one o-ring 64a or 64b, and preferably two o-rings 64a and 64b, positioned adjacent the first end 14 of the barrel 12 as shown in FIG. 2. The barrel 12 has a bore 28 therethrough (shown in FIG. 3), through which projectiles 26 are fired.
FIGS. 16-23 show another embodiment of the present invention, which is a remotely-controlled spin attachment 10′, which operates to change the flight path of the projectile 26 under the same principles described in the previous, “manually-operated” embodiments 10. The degree to which the deflection wall 46 is deflected determines the amount of spin on the projectile 26 (if any) and the rotational position of the housing 32 determines the direction of any spin. The difference in this embodiment is that the user 24 can change the deflection of the deflection wall 46 and the rotational position of the housing 32 by simply moving at least one control switch 204. Thus, this remotely-operated attachment 10′ can be operated by the user 24 while the marker 18 is in an operating position, without having to withdraw the gun barrel 12 from an in-use position, as well as the possibility of making adjustments during a firing operation so that visual feedback of the projectile 26 path can be immediately observed.
As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, in the preferred embodiment, the control switch is a four way toggle switch 204. It is physically located at the rear 21 of the gun body 11; preferably, near the grip 13 so that it is easily accessible to a user 24. In particular, this placement allows the user 24 to move the toggle switch 204 with his thumb while shooting the marker 18, which allows the user 24 to adjust the rotation of the housing 32 and the position of the deflection wall easily, and thereby “hone in” on his target while firing. In other embodiments, the toggle switch 204 may be located elsewhere on the gun body 11, or, may be remote from the gun body 11. As explained in more detail below, moving the toggle switch 204 left to right (from the perspective of a user 24) rotates the housing 32. Moving the toggle switch 204 up and down (from the perspective of a user 24) moves the deflection wall up or down (i.e., toward or away from the central longitudinal axis 44).
As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the toggle switch 204 is coupled to a controller or circuit 206. The controller or circuit 206 includes a microprocessor (not shown) for receiving signals 248, 254 from the toggle switch 204. The controller 206 is coupled to a first actuator 208 (or, first electronically-controlled actuator) and a second actuator 210 (or, second electronically-controlled actuator) and a power source 212, which is preferably, a battery located in the grip 13. In other embodiments, the batteries are located in a battery pack or in another part of the gun body 11. The first actuator 208 and second actuator 210 may comprise solenoids, magnets, DC motors, single-phase AC motors, three-phase AC motors, stepper motors, linear motors, servo motors, pneumatic motors, shafts, pinions, etc. The first actuator 208 is coupled the housing 32 and the second actuator 210 is coupled to the deflection wall 46. The first actuator 208 rotates the housing 32 and the second actuator 210 deflects the deflection wall 46 as described below.
Preferably, the housing 32 is rotatably secured to the firing end 14 of the barrel 12 as it is in the above-described, manually-operated embodiments. Namely, the second end 40 of the housing 32 is rotatably attached to the first end 14 of the barrel 12 by a flanges 90a and 90b extending adjacent the second end 40 of the housing 32, that extends into and engages a groove 91 formed in the first end 14 of a gun barrel 12. The flanges 90a and 90b fit within the groove 91 in a substantially firm or frictional engagement, whereby the housing 32 can be rotated relative to the barrel 12, yet will remain in the user-selected rotated position when the gun 18 to which the housing 32 is attached (via the barrel 12) is fired.
In one preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 20, the first actuator 208 comprises a first motor/activator 218 having a shaft 220 with a pinion 222. The first motor/activator 218 is contained within a first housing 258. The teeth 224 of the pinion 222 engage teeth 226 located adjacent the second end 40 of the housing 32. These teeth 226 may be a part of the housing 32 or may be located on a separate component attached to the housing 32. The first motor/activator 218 is coupled to the controller/circuit 206 via a first wire 242. The first motor/activator 218 housing 258 is attached to the barrel 12 via a strap 230, which may be rubber, plastic or metal. In other embodiments, the first motor/activator 218 housing 258 is formed as part of the barrel 12 or is attached by welding to the barrel 12.
As also shown in FIG. 20, the second actuator 210 comprises a second motor/activator 232 having a threaded drive shaft 234 extending therefrom. The second motor/activator 232 is contained within a housing 260 (shown in more detail in FIGS. 21-22). The drive shaft 234 extends through a threaded hole 236 in the projection 56′ of a modified slider. The drive shaft 234, preferably has an “Acme thread”. The first end 238 of the drive shaft 234 is within the second motor/activator and the second housing 260 end 240 of the drive shaft 234 is within a concave portion 242 of the housing 32. The second end 240 of the drive shaft 234 is not threaded nor is the concave portion 242. The second motor/activator 232 is coupled to the controller/circuit 206 via a second wire 244.
The remotely-operated spin attachment 10′ operates as follows. To rotate the housing 32 the user 24 moves the toggle switch 204 (FIG. 17) left or right (X-axis movement 246), which, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, sends a corresponding signal 248 to the controller 206. The controller 206 processes the signal 248 and sends a signal 256 to the first actuator 208 telling the first actuator 208 to rotate the housing 32 either clockwise or counterclockwise depending upon the movement of the toggle switch 204. The first motor/activator 218 rotates the shaft 220 and the pinion 222 (FIG. 20), which in turn, concomitantly rotates the housing 32 via the engaged teeth 224 and 226. Moving the toggle switch 204 right causes the first motor/activator 218 to simultaneously rotate the shaft 220 and pinion teeth 224 counterclockwise, which rotates the housing 32 clockwise. When the user 24 stops moving the toggle, it returns to the center position and the housing 32 stops rotating. The housing 32 is held in place until the user 24 rotates it again.
Similarly, moving the toggle switch 204 left sends a signal 248 to the controller 206. The controller 206 sends a signal 250 to the first actuator 208 to simultaneously rotate the housing 32 left; i.e., counterclockwise. The first motor/activator 218 rotates the shaft 220 and pinion 222 clockwise to rotate the housing 32 counterclockwise. A user 24 can rotate the housing 32, 360 degrees in either direction due to the controller/circuit 206 and power source 212 configuration. This provides a user 24 with an almost infinite number of spin directions to choose from. If 360 degree rotation is not desired the housing teeth 226 will not completely surround the second end 40 of the housing 32. One skilled in the art would also understand that the housing teeth 226 may be located on the inside of the housing 32 or adjacent another portion of the housing 32.
To move the deflection wall toward or away from the central longitudinal axis 44, the user 24 moves the toggle switch 204 (FIG. 17) up or down (Y-axis movement 252 in FIG. 18). As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, this movement sends a corresponding signal 254 to the controller 206. The controller 206 processes the signal 254 and sends a signal 256 to the second actuator 210 telling the second actuator 210 to move the deflection wall 46 toward or away from the central longitudinal axis 44 depending upon the movement of the toggle switch 204. If the user 24 moves the toggle switch 204 down, the second motor/activator 232 simultaneously rotates the drive shaft 234 counterclockwise. Due to the threaded engagement between the drive shaft 234 and the threaded hole 236 in the modified slider projection 56′, the slider 50′ moves along the channel 30 toward the first end 38 of the housing 32. This position is shown in FIG. 22.
As in the manually-operated embodiments, the deflection wall 46 is “hinged” at the second end 40 of the spin attachment 10′ by being sandwiched between the first end 14 of the barrel 12 extending into the housing 32, and the inner wall 54 of the first portion 34 of the housing 32, which is shown in FIG. 3. The modified slider 50′ moves toward the first end 38 of the housing 32 by the slider rail engagement portions 57a (right), 57b (left) sliding along the rails 48 located on the outer or first surface 106 of the deflection wall 46. As the manually-operated embodiments, the modified slider moves toward the first end 38 of the housing 32 it deflects the deflection wall 46 further toward the central longitudinal axis 44 as shown in FIG. 22.
If the user 24 moves the toggle switch 204 upward, the toggle switch 204 sends a signal to the controller 206. The controller 206 signals 256 the second actuator 210 to move the deflection wall away from the central longitudinal axis 44, shown in FIG. 21. The second motor/activator 232 rotates the drive shaft 234 clockwise simultaneously with the user's movement of the toggle switch 204. Due to the threaded engagement between the drive shaft 234 and the threaded hole 236 in the modified slider projection 56′, the slider moves along the channel 30 toward the second end 40 of the housing 32. This position is shown in FIG. 21. The second motor/activator 232 is capable of rotating the drive shaft 234 360 degrees in either direction because the controller 206 is coupled to the power source 212. The configuration of the second activator 226 allows the slider 50 to move easily to almost any position along the channel 30 allowing the user 24 to fire with almost infinite degrees of spin. The toggle switch 204 will automatically return to the center position when the user 24 ceases moving the toggle switch 204. In the center position, the toggle switch 204 (and therefore, the spin attachment 10′) remains “locked” until moved by the user 24.
In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the first activator 208 and the second activator 210 are coupled to the controller 206 wirelessly. This embodiment operates as does the ones described above except that the first activator 208 and the second activator 210 comprise receivers (not shown) for receiving signals from transmitters (not shown) located on the switches or the controller 206.
Preferably, to operate the electronically-operated embodiments 10′ during play, a user 24 identifies his target 20 (FIGS. 4-5B) and fires a projectile 26. The user 24 then moves the toggle switch 204 left or right and/or up and down while firing to “hone in” on his target 20.
One of skill in the art would understand that many different types of control switches can be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, there are two control switches that are first 262 and second 264 rotatable knobs. As shown in FIGS. 23-24, turning the first knob 262 sends a signal 266 to the controller 206. The controller 206 processes the signal 262 and sends a signal 270 to the first actuator 208. The first actuator 208 simultaneously rotates the housing 32 in the direction that the knob 262 is turned. Turning the second knob 264 sends a signal 268 to the controller 206. The controller 206 processes the signal 268 and sends a signal 272 to the second actuator 210. The second actuator 210 moves the deflection wall toward or away from the central longitudinal axis 44. For example, turning the second knob 264 counterclockwise simultaneously moves the deflection wall 46 toward the central longitudinal axis 44 and turning the knob 264 clockwise moves the deflection wall 46 away from the central longitudinal axis 44. Simply stopping turning the first knob 262 and second knob 264 stops the housing 32 from rotating or the deflection wall 46 from moving. The advantage of this embodiment is that it may provide a user 24 with more exacting control.
In another embodiment (not shown), the control switches are four-button switches arranged in a cross pattern with the buttons being depressable to perform the left of right rotation of the housing 32 and the deflection of the deflection wall.
Having thus described in detail a preferred selection of embodiments of the present invention, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes could be made in the apparatus without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore to be embraced therein.
Patent Application
20070125351
