Patent Grant
8251050
This invention relates to the field of projectile loaders for feeding projectiles to, for example, compressed gas guns. Specifically, the present invention relates to an improved drive system for a paintball loader, and a paintball incorporating the improved drive system.
Paintball, a popular sport has developed over the years, which uses paintball markers (guns), which are guns utilizing compressed gas to fire projectiles. Some examples of paintball guns are those offered under the brand names 32 DEGREES™, EMPIRE™, DIABLO™, BT™ and INVERT MINI™, and others shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,708,685; 4,936,282; 5,497,758; and U.S. application Ser. Nos. 11/183,548; 11/180,506; 11/150,002; 11/064,693; 10/313,465; 10/090,810, the entire contents of which are all incorporated fully herein by reference. Players use the paintball guns to shoot projectiles known as paintballs (projectiles and paintballs are used interchangeably herein). These paintballs are spherical, frangible projectiles normally having gelatin or starch-based shells filled with paint (coloring or dye). The shells break when impacting a target, allowing the paint within to splatter on the target. The sport of paintball is often played like capture the flag. 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 target such as a player, a mark or “splat” of paint is left on the player.
Paintball loaders (otherwise known as hoppers or magazines, and also referred to herein as “projectile loaders” or “loaders”) generally sit atop the markers and feed projectiles into the marker. These projectile loaders (the terms “hopper,” “magazine,” and “loader” are used interchangeably herein) store projectiles, and have an outlet or exit tube (outfeed tube or neck). The outlet tube is connected to an inlet tube (or feed neck) of a paintball marker, which is in communication with the breech of the paintball marker. Thus, the loaders act to hold and feed paintball projectiles into the breech of a paintball marker, so that the projectiles can be fired from the marker.
Many loaders contain agitators or feed systems to mix, propel, or otherwise move projectiles in the loader. This mixing is performed by an impeller, projection, drive cone, agitator, paddle, arm, fin, carrier, or any other mechanism, such as those shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,213,110; 6,502,567; 5,947,100; 5,791,325; 5,954,042; 6,109,252; 6,889,680; and 6,792,933, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. In a “gravity feed” or “agitating” loader, an agitator mixes projectiles so that no jams occur at the exit opening of the outlet tube. In a “force feed” or “active feed” paintball loader, the agitator (drive cone, carrier, paddle or any other force feed drive system) forces projectiles through the exit tube. Because it is desirable to eliminate as many opposing players as possible, paintball markers are capable of semi-automatic rapid fire. Accordingly, the paintball loaders act to hold a quantity of projectiles, and ensure proper feeding, and feed rate of the projectiles to the marker for firing.
Modern paintball loaders utilize projections, paddles, arms, carriers, drive cones, or other agitators to mix or advance paintballs. These agitators are operated by motors, which are usually electrical and powered by a power source such as a battery.
One critical problem with current paintball loaders is when such loaders and the agitators in such loaders encounter a jammed paintball (such as when a paintball is jammed such as at an exit opening or cannot otherwise move), paintball breakage can occur. In addition, the motors may be damages if they cannot operate or become jammed.
Thus, there is the need for a paintball loader that can continue to operate, even when a paintball jam occurs, and that will not break paint or damage the motor of a paintball agitator when encountering a jam or other disruption in operation.
The present invention is directed to a drive system for a paintball loader comprising a drive shaft rotatable about a central axis, a drive mechanism rotatable about a drive shaft, the drive mechanism including a first magnetic surface, a feed mechanism carrier adjacent the drive mechanisms including at least one magnetically attractable portion that is attractable to the magnet of the drive mechanism.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a drive system for a paintball loader comprising a drive shaft rotatable about a central axis, a drive mechanism attached to the drive shaft, the drive mechanism having a magnetically attractable portion, a feed mechanism carrier attachable to a feeder adjacent the drive mechanism and rotatable about the drive shaft, the feed mechanism carrier having at least one magnet that is attractable to the magnetically attractable portion of the drive mechanism.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a drive system for a paintball loader comprising a drive shaft rotatable about a central axis, having a magnet attached thereto, the drive shaft extending vertically through a hole in a feed mechanism carrier that is rotatable about the drive shaft, wherein the feed mechanism carrier has at least one magnetically attractable portion that is attractable to the magnet of the drive shaft.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a drive system for a paintball loader comprising a drive shaft rotatable about a central axis, having a magnetically attractable portion attached thereto, the drive shaft extending vertically through a hole in a feed mechanism carrier attachable to a feeder, the feed mechanism carrier rotatable about the drive shaft and having at least one magnet that is attractable to the magnetically attractable portion of the drive shaft.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a drive system for a paintball loader comprising a drive shaft rotatable about a central axis, a feed mechanism carrier connected to the drive shaft, the feed mechanism carrier having at least one sloped upper portion and a spring attached thereto, the feed mechanism carrier in contact with a feeder, a spring attached to the feeder, the spring contained and moveable within a spring guide.
The present invention is further directed to a drive mechanism for a paintball loader, the loader having a feed mechanism including a first plate which rotates with a drive shaft of the paintball loader, the first plate having a magnetic or magnetically attractable portion. The feed mechanism also including a second plate magnetically attractable to the magnetic or magnetically attractable portion of the first plate. The second plate is in communication with a feeder that rotates independently of the drive shaft.
In another embodiment, the present invention is a drive system for a paintball loader comprising a drive shaft rotatable about a central axis, a feed mechanism carrier connected to the drive shaft, the feed mechanism comprising a separate cover or cap for the feed mechanism carrier having at least one sloped upper portion. The feed mechanism carrier having a spring abutment which abuts an end of the spring, the feed mechanism carrier is also in contact with a spring housing coupled to the feeder, the spring contained and moveable within the spring housing.
a-e show isometric views of various drive configurations of the feed mechanism of the present invention.
As used herein, the term “binding element” refers to either a magnet or a magnetically attractable element. As used herein, a “magnetically attractable element” can be any element that is attracted to a magnet including, but not limited to, ferromagnetic materials such as iron, nickel, cobalt, neodymium, etc. As used herein, the terms “feeder”, “feed mechanism”, or “impeller” are used interchangeably to refer to any apparatus that impels, moves, pushes, agitates, or otherwise mixes projectiles within a loader or hopper, such as an agitator, arms, fins, paddles, paddle arms, spokes, drive cones, carriers, including, but not limited to, those shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,213,110; 6,502,567; 5,947,100; 5,791,325; 5,954,042; 6,109,252; 6,889,680; and 6,792,933, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein, and those used in commercially available paintball loaders such as the various HALO® brand paintball loaders, the EMPIRE RELOADER™ paintball loaders, and any substitutes or equivalents thereof.
An exemplary paintball loader 10 is shown in more detail in
A first embodiment of a drive mechanism for a paintball loader according to the present invention is shown in
As shown in greater detail in
The feed mechanism 40 includes an opening 140 for receiving a screw 142. The screw 142 is preferably sized smaller than the opening 140, and is received in a threaded opening 144 in the upper portion 68 of the drive shaft 36. In this arrangement, the feed mechanism 40 is free to rotate about the screw 142. A bushing (or bearing) 146 and/or washer 148 may be provided for assisting free rotation of the feed mechanism 40. It is appreciated that a thinner diameter portion extension of the drive shaft 36 may extend though the opening 140, and may be affixed in place with a screw or other connection means.
When the motor 66 operates the drive shaft 36, the drive shaft 36 will rotate in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about the central axis 64. The binding element 32 and second binding element 138 will have a magnetic attraction to each other. Thus, when the drive shaft 36 rotates, the binding element 32 will impart (or have imparted upon it) a magnetic force (adhesion force) on the second binding element 138, that will rotate in tandem the feed mechanism 40 when there are no jammed paintballs in the paintball loader 10.
If a paintball jam is encountered, or if the paintballs cannot be agitated or otherwise moved for some reason, the drive shaft 36 will continue to rotate. With the feed mechanism 40 unable to continue rotation, the binding element 32 will rotate past the second binding element 138 of the feed mechanism 40 when the force of the motor 66 on the drive shaft 36 cannot overcome the force holding the feed mechanism 40 in place. In this manner, the motor 66 will not be damaged, and the feed mechanism 40 will not be forced to break or otherwise rupture paintballs that cannot be agitated.
Accordingly, the present invention provides for a magnetic clutch system. When the drive shaft 36 continues to rotate, the binding element 32 will again come into proximity to the second binding element 138. The binding element 32 and second binding element 138 can be positioned at any location on or about the drive shaft 36 or the feed mechanism 40 to permit the binding element 32 and second binding element 138 to come into proximity and be in position so that a magnetic attraction occurs between the binding element 32 and second binding element 138. As shown in
The second end 68 of the drive shaft 36 may include at last one or a plurality of binding elements 32, as shown in
The motor 66 may be controlled by the controller 114 such as an electronic control circuit that may include a microprocessor 116. The paintball loader 10 may include at least one sensor 118 in communication with the motor 66 and/or controller 114 for detecting paintballs, such as an electromechanical sensor or switch, an optical sensor, and infrared (IR) sensor, a sound or shockwave sensor, or any other sensor as are known in the art. The controller 114 can control rotation of the motor 66 in either direction, providing for a reversible feed mechanism 40 operation.
In an alternate embodiment, as shown in
Alternatively, the plate 28 may be formed entirely from the material comprising the binding element 32, such as a magnetic or magnetically attractable material. The plate 28 may also be formed with the binding elements 32 fashioned as rectangular inserts, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14-16. The binding elements 32 may be removable, or permanently affixed to the plate 28. Through the variation of the binding elements, one is able to adjust the attractive forces to correspond with the specific properties of the projectile.
According to this embodiment of the present invention, the feed mechanism 40 includes an impeller portion 42, and a base portion 44. The impeller portion has an opening 46 therethrough and the base portion 44 has an opening 48 therethrough. The openings 46, 48 are sized to accept a portion of the drive shaft 36, and to permit the feed mechanism 40 to freely rotate about the drive shaft 36. At least one binding element 50, preferably located on, formed in, inserted into, or affixed to the bottom surface 52 of the base portion 44. FIGS. 11 and 17-20 show the base portion 44 substantially the same size and shape as the clutch plate 28. The feed mechanism 40 may be larger or smaller than the clutch plate 28 or of a different shape. It is appreciated that the feed mechanism 40 can be provided as a single unit, with at least one binding element 50 positioned at any position to be attracted magnetically to the binding element 32 of the clutch plate 28, such as on a lower wall 82 including one or a plurality of binding elements 50, as shown in
In a preferred embodiment, the base portion 44 of the feed mechanism 40 may be formed as an open cylinder having an upstanding annular wall 54 and a floor 58, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 17-19. The base portion 44 is positioned below the impeller portion 42. A gap or space 56 may be provided between the floor 58 of the base portion 44 and the lower face 60 of the impeller portion 42. In one embodiment of the present invention, the base portion 44 is formed as an open cylinder 88, having a base or floor 90 and an annular wall 92. The floor 90 may be provided with at least one or a plurality of cavities 94 sized and shaped to receive corresponding binding elements 50. The binding elements 50 can be sized and shaped to removably engaged the cavities 94 whereby the binding elements 50 will be sized to securely fit within the cavities 94a shown in FIGS. 11 and 19-20, so that they will not fall out of the cavities 94 during operation. By being able to interchange the binding elements 50, magnetic attractive forces between the at least one magnetic portion of the drive shaft and the at least one magnetic or magnetically attractable portion of the feed mechanism can be varied and regulated. In this way the magnetic force is less than a rupture force of a paintball adapted to be loaded by the feed mechanism.
In the embodiment of the drive mechanism 26 of the present invention, shown in
The binding element 32 of the clutch plate 28 is positioned to provide an attractive magnetic force when adjacent the binding element 50 of the base portion 44. It is appreciated that the binding element 32 and binding element 50 may be any combination of elements producing magnetic attraction between them, for example: binding element 32 is a magnet of a first polarity, and binding element 50 is a magnet of a second an opposite polarity; binding element 32 is a magnet, and binding element 50 is a magnetically attractable insert attractable to the magnet; and/or, binding element 32 is a magnetically attractable insert, and binding element 50 is a magnet.
The attractive magnetic force (also referred to herein as the “adhesion force”) between the binding elements 32, 50 is preferably such that when the drive shaft 36 rotates and turns the clutch plate 28, the magnetic attraction between the binding element 32 and the binding element 50 correspondingly rotates the base portion 44 of the feed mechanism 40, which in turn rotates the impeller portion 42 of the feed mechanism 40. If a spring 76 is used, the rotation of the base portion 44 will be translated to the impeller portion 42 via movement of the first spring contact wall 72 against the end 78 of the spring 76, as described in greater detail above.
When the binding element 32 and the binding element 50 are aligned, the rotation of the clutch plate 28 drives the feed mechanism 40 by magnetic attraction between the binding elements 32, 50. During operation, the projection 84 of the impeller portion 42 may encounter a stationary or jammed projectile 62. In this instance, when the force of a stationary, jammed, or slow moving projectile 62 upon the feed mechanism 40 overcomes the magnetic force between the binding elements 32, 50, the motor 66 will continue to rotate the drive shaft 36, which will turn the clutch plate 28. The binding element 32 of the clutch plate 28 will “slip” or otherwise move past the binding element 50 on the base 44. The clutch plate 28 will continue to rotate independently of the feed mechanism 40. During each rotation of the clutch plate 28, the binding element 32 will be magnetically attracted to the binding element 50 of the base 44 when the binding elements 32, 50 are in proximity such that they are magnetically attracted. When the feed mechanism 40 is free to again rotate (such as when the paintball stack is moving, or a jammed projectile 62 is dislodged) the binding element 32 will again attract the binding element 50, and the feed mechanism 40 will rotate to propel or otherwise mix projectiles 62.
Where a spring 76 is used as discussed in detail above, the binding elements 32, 50 should be selected such that the magnetic force (adhesion force) between the binding elements 32, 50 is strong enough to overcome the biasing force of the spring 76 on the walls 72, 74, yet will “slip” when the spring 76 is compressed or otherwise wound to a certain selected degree or amount. A paintball stack may form, for example, when a paintball marker to which a paintball loader is attached has indexed projectiles 62 in the outfeed tube and feed neck 22, but the paintball marker 12 is not being fired. Projectiles 62 back up forming a stack. When the projection 84 contacts the stationary paintball stack, the base portion 44 will continue to turn, by way of example, counter-clockwise, if the feeding direction is counter-clockwise. This will compress and increase tension in the spring 76 as the base portion 44 rotates relative to the impeller portion 42. However, it may be desired that the drive mechanism will slip (the adhesion force between the binding elements 32, 50 is overcome) when the spring 76 is compressed to a certain degree or amount, which may be a user selected degree or amount. For example, the binding elements 32, 50 may be selected such that, when the base portion 44 rotates a certain angular distance relative to the point of contact between the projection 84 and the paintball stack, the binding elements 32, 50 slip. This is shown schematically in
Released from the forces of the attraction between the binding elements 32, 50, the base portion 44 will unwind (in a clockwise direction in the example) as the spring 76 releases tension. A second binding element 32 may be positioned on the clutch plate 28, to “catch” or attract the base portion 44 as it unwinds, so that the spring 76 does not fully decompress. In this manner, tension is retained in the spring 76 for propelling projectiles 62 once the stack begins to move. In addition, the slipping action of the drive mechanism will not force, break or otherwise crush or rupture projectiles. A plurality of binding elements 32 maybe provided on a clutch plate 28. Each of the binding elements 32 will attract the binding element 50, as the clutch plate 28 rotates.
The operation of the novel drive mechanism of the prevent invention can be adjusted in several ways. For example, the force necessary to overcome the magnetic attraction between the binding elements 32 and 50 can be adjusted by utilizing magnets of varying magnetic strengths. The size of the magnets used for the binding elements 32, 50 can be varied. The distance between the clutch plate 28 and the bottom surface 52 of the feed mechanism 40 can also be varied, thus adjusting the interaction of the magnets and/or magnet and magnetically attractable inserts. A shim or other divider piece can be formed between the clutch plate 28 and the bottom surface 52 of the feed mechanism 40. In addition, the spring 76 can further be selected having a particular tension.
The number of binding elements 32, 50 can be varied, such as illustrated in
It should be appreciated that the drive system 34 operates as a clutch system to avoid or manage projectile jams, and to provide fine-tuning of paintball loader operation. If the feed mechanism 40 stops or slows its rotation relative to the rotation of the drive mechanism 26 and drive shaft 36 due to a jam, the system will not chop or otherwise break projectiles. Projectiles may back-up or otherwise block the outlet tube, and interfere with the rotation of the projections 84, which slows or stops the feeder 36. In the many loaders currently known in the art the feeder 36 continues to try to rotate with the force of the motor, and therefore, the projections 84 continue to try to impel projectiles through the loader. The continued impelling force from the feeder on the jammed projectiles can break the projectiles, the feeder 36, the impellers 39, and/or other parts of the loader.
In the present invention, when the feed mechanism 40 stops rotating, the force of the rotation of the drive shaft 36 on the clutch plate 28 overcomes the magnetic attraction between the binding elements 32, 50. This causes the feed mechanism 40 to move relative to, or slip past the base portion 44. The drive mechanism 26 no longer rotates the feed mechanism 40, which therefore, no longer rotates the feeder 36. Thus, the feeder impellers 39 stop moving against the stationary, jammed or blocked projectiles.
When the paintball jam is cleared (players often shake or jostle the hopper), and the feeder 36 and paintball feed mechanism 40 are free to once again rotate, the drive mechanism 26 binding element 32 will attract the paintball feed mechanism 40 binding element 50 and begin rotating the paintball feed mechanism 40 and the connected feeder 36 in conjunction therewith.
In another embodiment of the present invention, an entire surface of the clutch plate 28 may be formed as a binding element, such as a magnet or a magnetically attractable material. In addition, in another embodiment, an entire surface of the floor 58 of the base portion 44 may be formed as a binding element, such as a magnet or a magnetically attractable material.
In another embodiment of the present invention, shown in
A central portion 122 of the base portion 44 is adapted to rotate independently from the other portions of the base portion 44. The central portion 122 includes at least one binding element 124, which may be a magnet or magnetically attractable insert, positioned adjacent an annular wall 128 of the central portion 122. Binding element 120 and binding element 124 are selected so that they are magnetically attracted to each other.
The upper surface 130 of the floor 58 of the base portion further includes at least one binding element 132, which may be a magnet or magnetically attractable insert. Binding element 132 is selected so that it is magnetically attracted to binding element 124.
In the embodiments shown in
A cross section of the feed portion 40 of the feed device 26 is shown in
In addition, in an alternate embodiment, the clutch plate 28 can be eliminated, and the drive shaft 36 will act as the clutch system for the drive mechanism 26. Further, the central portion 122 can be eliminated, and the binding element 120 of the drive shaft 36 can be selected to directly magnetically attract the binding element 132 of the upper surface of the floor 130.
As shown in detail in
A motor 226 is provided to drive the feed mechanism 210 and may drive the feed mechanism via drive system including a gear, gears or gearbox 224. The motor 226 is preferably mounted adjacent the catch cup 212 as shown in
In one embodiment, the gearbox 224 comprises a belt and pulley system having a first pulley 228, a drive belt 234, and a second pulley 232. The second pulley 232 comprises an integral pinion gear 233 configured to drive a spur gear 236. The shaft 211 of the feed mechanism 210 is preferably keyed into the spur gear 236 by means of a profiled portion 216 of the shaft 211 and complementary profiled opening 217 of the spur gear 236, whereby the rotation of the spur gear 236 rotates the feed mechanism 210.
It is envisioned that this combination belt drive and gear arrangement could be replaced with any other suitable means to transmit the rotational force of the motor 226 to the feed mechanism 210 including direct, gear, belt, or fluid drives. It is also envisioned that the size of respective pulleys 228, 232 and gears 233, 236 could be varied in order to change the rotational speed of the feed mechanism 210, thereby varying the feed rate of the balls into the marker, as well as the torque delivered by the shaft 211. A motor 226 may also directly drive the shaft 211 of the feed mechanism 210, without the use of additional gears or belts. Any arrangement for coupling the motor to the drive shaft to operate the drive shaft is contemplated as included within the scope of the present invention.
The shaft 211 of the feed mechanism 210 may be supported on either side of the spur gear 236 by bushings or bearings 237. In a preferred embodiment, one bearing 237 is positioned in or between each of the catch cup 212 and a gearbox cover 214, and the spur gear 236.
The gearbox cover 214 preferably provides a generally sealed enclosure for the gear box assembly 224 and motor 226, protecting the components from dirt, debris, and other objects which could potential jam the mechanism and/or inhibit its function. A cover 241 may be utilized to provide access to the gearbox assembly 224 to facilitate maintenance, inspection, or any other suitable use.
The gearbox cover 214 is preferably secured to the bottom of the catch cup 212 by fasteners 238. In one embodiment, the fasteners 238 comprise standard bolt and nut 239 combinations, however it is envisioned that other suitable attachment means may be utilized. In a more preferred embodiment, dowel pins 244 may be used in combination with the fasteners 238 to ensure the proper orientation of the gear box cover 214 with the catch cup 212.
An anti-jamming or manual winding wheel 242 is preferably provided on an end of the shaft 211 accessible outside of the loader 200 in order to provide a means to manually rotate the feed mechanism 210, thereby facilitating the clearing of any jams in the system, or otherwise rotating the drive shaft based on a user's needs. Such an anti-jamming and/or manual reversing mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,343,909, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein. The wheel 242 is preferably keyed to the shaft 211 at a lower portion 216 and is secured by use of a retaining clip 243, however, any suitable means of connection may be used.
Additional means to prevent jamming include resiliently mounted beads 218 and/or an anti-jamming deflection spring 219 mounted to the interior of the loader 200, adjacent the outfeed tube 222. In one embodiment, these elements are mounted to an inner surface of the catch cup 212 adjacent the exit portion 281, and aid in ensuring the proper positioning the projectiles onto the lip 253 of the feed mechanism 210.
It is envisioned that the above-described cup assembly 201 could be integrated into a loader 200 specifically configured to accept such an assembly, or in an alternate embodiment, may be installed into an existing loader as part of a retrofitted kit. This embodiment would allow a user to enhance the performance of their present loader without requiring the purchase of the entire loader and cup arrangement. In such an arrangement, the cup assembly 201, including the feed mechanism 210, the gearbox 224 and the inlet cup 222 would be placed into the interior of an existing loader, and securely attached thereto.
As shown in detail in
A second plate 240 formed from a magnetically attractable material is positioned about the drive shaft 211 adjacent the first plate 230, and preferably above the first plate 230, as shown in
As shown in
A housing 260 is positioned about the drive shaft 211, and is preferably positioned above the second plate 240 as shown in
In one embodiment of the present invention, the housing 260 has an outer annular wall 257 and an inner annular wall 256 forming a receiving area 258 (
The first plate 230 acts as a binding element or magnet carrier or holder. The first plate 230 provides for the potential for various configurations of magnets 250 or binding/attraction points. In the illustrative first plate shown in
The second plate 240 is magnetically attracted to the binding elements 250 of the first plate 230. Accordingly, when the drive shaft 211 rotates the first plate 230, the second plate 240 will rotate due to the magnetic attractive force between the plates.
The magnetic attraction force between the binding elements 250 of the first plate 230 and the second plate 240 is, in part, a function of the shape of the second plate 240. Different binding element 250 configurations (such as by selective placement of a selected number of binding elements 250 in selected openings 261, 262 in the first plate 230) and different second plate 240 shapes will interact with differently positioned binding elements 250 to produce different magnetic attraction forces when the drive mechanism of a paintball loader of the present is in operation.
By varying the shape of the second plate 240, the magnetic attractive forces between the binding elements 250 of the first plate 230 and the second plate may be selectively varied. This may vary the “magnetic moment,” which is a measure of the torque exerted on a magnetic system (as a bar magnet or dipole) when placed in a magnetic field and that for a magnet is the product of the distance between its poles and the strength of either pole.
The attraction area between the first plate 230 and the second plate 240 can be considered the total area where binding elements 250 can exert a magnetic attraction force on the second plate 230 at a given time. In one embodiment, the second plate 240 as shown in
Another exemplary plate 240′, shown in
It is appreciated that exemplary shaped second plates 240 and 240′ have central portions that will remain adjacent any binding elements 250 of the inner ring portion I of the first plate 230, even as the binding elements 250 of the outer ring portion O release or slip. Thus, the binding elements 250 of the inner ring portion I provide a substantially continuous magnetic attraction force between the first plate 230 and the second plate 240, even as the first plate 230 moves relative to the second plate 240.
Exemplary plate 240″ shown in
The exemplary plate 240″′ shown in
Finally, the exemplary plate 240″″ of
It should be appreciated that any shaped upper or lower plates 240, 230 may be utilized in combination with any arrangement of the binding elements 250 in order to achieve a desired attraction area or various magnetic forces through the magnetically attractive elements of the first plate and the second plate. It is also appreciated that the first plate may be formed as a magnet having a particular shape, or with magnets pre-formed and set in pre-selected positions.
The drive mechanism of the present invention operates as a slip clutch for a paintball loader, providing a force for feeding paintballs to a paintball marker, while “slipping” to prevent paintball breakages. When a paintball loader including the drive mechanism of the present invention is coupled to a paintball marker, a user will fire the paintball marker, which will shoot a paintball from the marker. The marker will require constant replenishing of paintballs supplied by the paintball loader.
In operation, when a paintball marker requires more paintballs, the sensor 252 and/or controller 207 may signal the motor 226 to operate to rotate the drive shaft 211. The drive shaft 211 will in turn rotate the first plate 230 which engages the drive shaft 211 at the keyed portion 215. The magnets 250 of the first plate will exert a magnetic attractive force on the second plate 240. Thus, rotation of the first plate 230 will rotate the second plate 240 via magnetic force.
The second plate 240 is coupled to the housing 260. Rotation of the second plate 260 will rotate the housing 260. This will wind the spring 270, and a biasing force will be translated via the spring 270 to the feeder 220. The feeder will rotate under the biasing force of the spring 270.
During operation, a paintball marker may cease firing, and a line of paintballs or a “paintball stack” may form in the outfeed tube 222 of the paintball loader. The motor 226 of the present invention can be set to continue to rotate, even though there is a stationary paintball stack. A fin 225 of the feeder 220 will contact a stationary paintball. The housing 260 may continue to turn, thus winding the spring 270 and creating increased tension spring and potential energy. The feeder 220 will then be forced by spring tension against the paintball stack, and will provide a driving force on the paintball stack for immediate feeding when a user again fires the paintball marker, and the paintball marker requires additional paintballs fed from the loader. When the paintball stack moves through the outfeed tube 222, the spring tension and potential energy may be released by movement of the feeder 220.
The present invention provides a means for operation of the drive mechanism that provides for the application of force on the paintballs that may be continuous, near continuous or intermittent, while also providing for a slip clutch that prevents paintball breaks due to the application of too much force. The motor 226 may wind the spring 270 to a point where the spring 270 may provide a force on the feeder 220 that will provide a force on a paintball stack that could break a paintball, or otherwise break a paintball within the loader. The magnetic slip clutch of the present invention operates to prevent such breakages. When the housing is turned to a certain degree (a degree which can be adjusted by a user, set by the controller or otherwise varied), the force of the drive shaft 211 on the first plate 230 will be greater than the magnetic force between the binding elements 250 of the first plate 230 and the second plate 240. In that case, the drive shaft 211 will rotate the first plate 230 so that the first plate “releases” or “slips” from its magnetic engagement of the second plate 240, that is, the magnetic attractive force cannot hold the first plate 230 and second plate 240 in the same orientation as to each other. After slipping, the binding elements 250 will again “catch” and exert a magnetic attractive force on the second plate 240 each time the binding elements 250 are adjacent a portion of the second plate 240.
A user of a paintball loader of the present invention can select the configuration of magnets to meet the needs and operation of the user and the user's paintball marker. A variety of configurations of magnets 250 placed in the openings 235 of the first plate 230 provide a highly “tunable” coupling capable of varying the amount of force transferred to the second plate, and thus, the feeder 220. An inner ring I is arranged for a maximum of six (6) magnets, in an embodiment, to provide a total holding force up to a point past total spring wind. After a slip occurs the magnets 250 may hold and not allow the feed mechanism's spring 270 to unwind. An outer, non-continuous binding configuration O provides extra force to be maintained. Once a slip is achieved, the holding force of the outer binding points 235o is released. The inner binding points 235i which remain adjacent a portion of the second plate 240 at all times, will continue to exert a force to prevent unwinding of the feed spring 270.
Various degrees of magnetic attraction or attraction areas can be achieved by the placement of magnets or binding elements 250 in the openings 253 of the outer ring O of the second plate 230. Openings 235 receive magnets 250, which, depending on the number and placement of the magnets 250, will determine the amount of attractive force and attraction area between the first and second plates 230, 240. Additional or varied attractive/holding forces can be achieved by moving magnets 250 further from center, adding multiple magnets 250 around the same circumference, and stacking magnets 250 to create a stronger field for a given binding area. By increasing attraction force, more rotational force is needed to overcome such attractive forces. The magnetic attractive force can be increased to complete motor stall which is the operational mechanical force limit of any feeding device.
The housing 260 is rotated by movement of the second plate 240 resulting from magnetic attraction with the binding elements 250 of the first plate 230 that is in coupled rotation with the drive shaft 211. The arrangement of the first plate 230, which carries binding elements 250, with the second plate 240, which is integral in rotation with the housing 260, acts a magnetic clutch or magnetic slip clutch. It is appreciated that the present invention could operate without the need for using a spring, in which case, the housing could be a part of or otherwise contact the feeder such that the feeder moves when the housing is rotated.
As described above, the “slipping” of the magnetic clutch of the present invention can be adjusted by using fewer magnets 250 in the outer ring I in relation to how many potential contact points the various second plates 240, 240′, 240″, 240″′, 240″″ may comprise. In a first exemplary arrangement, six magnets 250 are placed in the outer ring O of the first plate 230. If the second plate 240 (six-pointed) is used, there would be a high “slip” frequency. The magnetic force would release quickly, followed by a fast recovery at the next point.
In an alternate illustrative arrangement, if the number of outer ring O magnets 250 was reduced to three (3), the hold force would decrease, however, the frequency would be the same due to the six-pointed plate 240 being deployed. However, in a further illustrative arrangement, if the second plate used is the three-pointed plate 240′ of
Feed mechanisms are sometimes inefficient when a loader is over-loaded or balls are misaligned due to the weight of the balls directly on top of the feeder. Since the top feed surface or cover 280 of the present invention is separate from the feeder 220, the weight is borne by the cover 280 and does not weigh on the feeder 220. The cover 280 is keyed to the top of the drive shaft 211 and held in place by a standard retaining screw 221. The cover 280 is preferably in coupled rotation with the drive shaft 211. Therefore, the feeder 220 does not bear the weight of the paintballs in the loader.
The feed mechanism 210 rotates independently by the spring forces applied to it through the housing 260. Without the extra weight of the balls being directly on top of the feeder 220, the feed mechanism 210 operates much more efficiently. It responds quicker and is more efficient for a given amount of spring pressure.
This separated top surface or cover 280 can be used to enhance any feed system using a paddle, drive cone or other type of agitator. The top cone 280 also provides protection from contaminates entering the mechanics of the feed mechanism area.
The cover 280 can comprise selective raised or dimpled surfaces 285 to allow for agitation of the balls resting on top. The raised surfaces can be in the form of ribs, bumps, dimples, nubs, undulations, etc. In the embodiment shown, the cover 280 comprises bumps 285. The bumps 285 allow the balls to be contacted from a variety of orientations allowing them to fluidize more efficiently.
The separate top feeding surface, or feeder cap 280, ensures that weight from over loading or misaligned balls does not affect the feeder 220 which rotates independently. The cap 280 is keyed to a keyed portion 115 of the drive shaft 211 and is in coupled rotation with it. Furthermore, the separated top feeding surface or cap 280 also provides agitation independent of the feeder 220 since it does not necessarily rotate with the feeder 220. Since the weight of the paintballs is borne by the cap 280, the feeder 220 responds more quickly due to the lack of weight it has to overcome.
The separate feeder cap 280 can be utilized with or without a clutch mechanism and can comprise various types of bumps or ridges 285 to provide agitation in multiple directions.
It is appreciated that the second plate 240, in addition to or in an alternative to the first plate 230, maybe provided with openings 235 for receiving binding elements 250, and the first plate 230 may be formed being magnetically attractable to the binding elements of the second plate 240. Accordingly, as shown in
Having thus described in detail several embodiments of the present invention, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes, only a few of which are exemplified in the detailed description of the invention, could be made without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. It is also to be appreciated that numerous embodiments incorporating only part of the preferred embodiments are possible which do not alter, with respect to those parts, the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. The present embodiments and optional configurations are therefore to be considered in all respects as exemplary and/or illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all other embodiments and changes to these embodiments which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of said claims are therefore to be embraced therein.
This application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/949,137, filed Jul. 11, 2007, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/548,588, filed Oct. 11, 2006, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/725,395, filed Oct. 11, 2005, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1743576 | Smith | Jan 1930 | A |
| 3384354 | Albrecht et al. | May 1968 | A |
| 3807379 | Vodinh | Apr 1974 | A |
| 4027646 | Sweeton | Jun 1977 | A |
| 4116192 | Scott | Sep 1978 | A |
| 4207857 | Balka, Jr. | Jun 1980 | A |
| 4502455 | Stokes | Mar 1985 | A |
| 4759435 | Cedrone | Jul 1988 | A |
| 4765223 | Beckmann | Aug 1988 | A |
| 4817955 | Hickson et al. | Apr 1989 | A |
| 5282454 | Bell et al. | Feb 1994 | A |
| 5791325 | Anderson | Aug 1998 | A |
| 5816232 | Bell | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5947100 | Anderson | Sep 1999 | A |
| 5954042 | Harvey | Sep 1999 | A |
| 6109252 | Stevens | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6206562 | Eyraud et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
| 6213110 | Christopher et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6305367 | Kotsiopoulos | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6467473 | Kostiopoulos | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6502567 | Christopher et al. | Jan 2003 | B1 |
| 6520854 | McNally | Feb 2003 | B1 |
| 6701907 | Christopher et al. | Mar 2004 | B2 |
| 6739323 | Tippmann, Jr. | May 2004 | B2 |
| 6792933 | Christopher et al. | Sep 2004 | B2 |
| 6889680 | Christopher et al. | May 2005 | B2 |
| 6915792 | Sheng | Jul 2005 | B1 |
| 7021302 | Neumaster | Apr 2006 | B2 |
| 7040505 | Hashimoto et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
| 7222617 | Andresen | May 2007 | B2 |
| 7357129 | Neumaster et al. | Apr 2008 | B2 |
| 7357130 | Broersma | Apr 2008 | B2 |
| 7428899 | Andresen | Sep 2008 | B2 |
| 7445002 | Christopher et al. | Nov 2008 | B2 |
| 7568478 | Hedberg | Aug 2009 | B2 |
| 7654255 | Spicer | Feb 2010 | B2 |
| 7832389 | Christopher | Nov 2010 | B2 |
| 7921835 | Campo et al. | Apr 2011 | B2 |
| 20040074487 | Christopher et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
| 20040074489 | Neumaster et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
| 20040211402 | Christopher et al. | Oct 2004 | A1 |
| 20060086347 | Hedberg | Apr 2006 | A1 |
| 20060196489 | Campo | Sep 2006 | A1 |
| 20060249131 | Broersma | Nov 2006 | A1 |
| 20070017494 | Andresen | Jan 2007 | A1 |
| 20070056573 | Campo | Mar 2007 | A1 |
| 20070113834 | Spicer | May 2007 | A1 |
| 20070137631 | Christopher | Jun 2007 | A1 |
| 20080141990 | Andresen | Jun 2008 | A1 |
| 20090133680 | Christopher et al. | May 2009 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 876370 | May 1953 | DE |
| 2035097 | Aug 1982 | DE |
| 3721527 | Jan 1989 | DE |
| 4343870 | Jun 1994 | DE |
| 19922589 | Dec 2000 | DE |
| 0075970 | Apr 1983 | EP |
| 01054228 | Nov 2000 | EP |
| 01653189 | May 2006 | EP |
| 921527 | May 1947 | FR |
| 470201 | Aug 1937 | GB |
| 551077 | Feb 1943 | GB |
| 2322438 | Aug 1998 | GB |
| 1179898 | Jul 1989 | JP |
| 6325233 | Nov 1994 | JP |
| 9813660 | Apr 1998 | WO |
| 0144745 | Jun 2001 | WO |
| 0242708 | May 2002 | WO |
| 03087698 | Oct 2003 | WO |
| 2007035601 | Mar 2007 | WO |
| 2007033309 | Mar 2007 | WO |
| 2007044546 | Apr 2007 | WO |
| 2007044822 | Apr 2007 | WO |
| 2008104061 | Apr 2008 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20090133680 A1 | May 2009 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60949137 | Jul 2007 | US | |
| 60725395 | Oct 2005 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11548588 | Oct 2006 | US |
| Child | 12171956 | US |
