Patent Application
20120325192
The present invention relates to paintball guns, paintball assemblies, or paintball markers. More specifically, the present invention relates to paintball and/or projectile propelling mechanisms.
With increasing popularity of paintball tournaments as well as professional trainings such as military and athletic competitions, more accurate and realistic looking paintball guns or markers are in demand. For example, success in training or competition typically rests largely upon the speed in which an operator of a paintball marker can eliminate opponents by marking them with paint via paintballs or paint projectiles. A problem associated with a conventional paintball marker is ball damage (or chop) before it is launched or propelled by a marker.
A conventional paintball gun or marker typically loads the paintball into a loading chamber either by gravity from a top-load hopper, or by forced-fed loaders from a magazine. After loading, pressurized gas is guided through the control of a firing mechanism to propel the paintball out of the barrel. A problem associated with a conventional paintball marker is that as the paintball marker being carried and moved around, the paintball in the loading chamber may be dislodged from its original intended loading position, and may become misaligned with the firing mechanism. For example, when a bolt hits or impacts a paintball which is misaligned with the barrel or the barrel coupling system, the paintball may be chopped before it leaves the gun through the barrel. As a result, misaligned paintballs are often chopped or crushed inside the paintball gun during the process of firing or launching.
Another drawback associated with a conventional paintball marker is that the paintball in the loading chamber may move into the gun barrel prematurely due to the movement of the marker. For example, when the gun barrel is pointed downward, the paintball in the loading chamber may roll out of the barrel. Chopped and/or leaking paintballs can jam the firing mechanism of the marker causing it malfunction.
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a paintball assembly capable of receiving a paintball in the loading chamber and retaining the paintball in a predefined position in the chamber until it is launched by the firing mechanism. The paintball assembly includes a loading chamber, a detent, and a bolt wherein the loading chamber is coupled to a loading port to receive paintballs. In one embodiment, the detent includes a paintball catcher capable of catching the paintball as it is loaded into the loading chamber. In one example, the paintball catcher is a flexible paintball catcher extending into the loading chamber and is able to catch the paintball and hold it in a predefined position. When a trigger is pulled, the bolt pushes the paintball into a firing chamber while the paintball catcher releases the paintball.
Additional features and benefits of the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, figures and claims set forth below.
Exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the invention, which, however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific embodiments, but are for explanation and understanding only.
Exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention is described herein in the context of a method, system and apparatus of controlling a paintball in a loading chamber using a detent having a paintball catcher.
Those of ordinary skills in the art will realize that the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiment(s) is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of the exemplary embodiment(s) as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following detailed description to refer to the same or like parts.
References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “various embodiments,” “exemplary embodiment,” “one aspect,” “an aspect,” “exemplary aspect,” “various aspects,” etc., indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.
In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will, of course, be understood that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions may be made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with application- and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be understood that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skills in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
Various embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. Rather, the dimensions of the various features may be expanded or reduced for clarity. In addition, some of the drawings may be simplified for clarity. Thus, the drawings may not depict all of the components of a given apparatus (e.g., device) or method.
As used herein, the singular forms of article “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Also, the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a paintball assembly or paintball gun configured to position a paintball at a predefined location in a loading chamber using a detent. The paintball assembly includes a loading chamber, a detent, and a bolt wherein the loading chamber is further coupled to a loading port to receive paintballs. In one embodiment, the detent having a paintball catcher is capable of catching a paintball as it moves into the loading chamber. The paintball catcher, which can be flexible, extends into the loading chamber to hold and position a paintball in a predefined location. Upon pulling the trigger of a paintball gun, while the paintball catcher releases the paintball, the bolt pushes the paintball into a firing chamber for launching. It should be noted that the terms “paintball marker,” “paintball gun,” and “paintball assembly” are used interchangeably herein.
As paintball 108 is loaded from loading port 118 to loading chamber 126 as indicated by numeral 120, detent 101 is able to receive or catch paintball 108 and subsequently position paintball 108 in a predefined location within loading chamber 126. The predefined location, which may be adjustable, is an optimal or ideal location for holding paintball 108 before it is being launched. The optimal location, in one aspect, provides least obstacles and/or frictions during the paintball launch or firing process. The optimal location also reduces and/or minimizes paintball damage or chopping during the launch process. Detent 101, in an alternative aspect, further prevents unintended paintball movements or rolling between loading chamber 126 and the firing chamber (or barrel) due to the movement of paintball gun.
Detent 101 includes a cover 102, a lever lock 104, a catcher 106, and a spring 112. Cover 102, in one embodiment, is coupled to the paintball assembly and configured to provide support to detent 101. Cover 102 is removable from outside of a paintball assembly and allows a user to access detent 101 for location adjustments. Depending on the applications, cover 102 can be fabricated by solid materials such as steel, plastic, alloy, ceramic, polymer, composite compounds, and the like. Spring 112 is used to couple cover 102 with lever lock 104.
Lever lock 104 is configured to pivot up and down in directions indicated by numeral 130 in response to pivot pin 110 and spring 112. Lever lock 104, in one embodiment, provides a physical and structure support to paintball catcher or catcher 106. As soon as a paintball is fired or launched, a new paintball moves into loading chamber 126 from loading port 118 in a direction indicated by numeral 120, catcher 106 together with lever lock 104 to receive the new paintball such as paintball 108. Depending on pivot pin 110 and the spring force provided by spring 112, paintball 108 is set or held in an optimal location before it is being fired. Paintball catcher 106 coupled to lever lock 104 extends into loading chamber 126 to hold and position paintball 108 in such a way that it minimizes occurrence(s) of paintball chopping or damaging.
The paintball catcher or catcher 106, in one embodiment, is shaped as a hook-shaped latch or bar with a relatively smooth surface capable of restraining the movement of a paintball while does not damage the paintball. Paintball catcher 106 can be made of various types of material to provide best catching capability based on the properties of the paintball used. For example, paintball catcher 106 may be made of an elastically flexible substance such as hardened rubber. Alternatively, catcher 106 may be made of plastic, polymer, steel, alloy, or rubber depending on the applications. Catcher 106, for instance, is flexible enough to deform or change its shape in directions indicated by numeral 132. It should be noted that catcher 106 can be formed in different shapes and dimensions to optimize the ability of stabilizing the paintball in loading chamber 126.
Spring 112 coupling cover 102 and lever lock 104 provides necessary force for lever lock 104 and paintball catcher 106 to catch and to retain the paintball in a predefined position in loading chamber 126. In one embodiment, the force induced by spring 112 is adjustable such that the force for catching and retaining a paintball can be fine tuned for different types of paintballs. For example, the paintballs can be hard, brittle, or soft spherical-shaped objects. Spring 112 may be made of steel, plastic, composite material, alloy, and polymers. In one aspect, spring 112 can be replaced with other types of elastic bar or latch which are able to function as a spring.
Referring back to
Bolt 114, which is connected to a hammer as part of a paintball projectile propulsion system, is used to push paintball 108 from loading chamber 126 to the firing chamber for firing. Barrel coupler system 116 connects the body of paintball assembly to a gun barrel wherefrom the projectile or paintball leaves or exits from the paintball gun(s). As firing is commenced, while paintball catcher 106 releases paintball 108, bolt 114 traveling in a direction indicated by arrow 124 pushes paintball 108 into a firing chamber or a barrel in a direction 122 before launching paintball 108.
Catcher 106, in one embodiment, is a flexible paintball catcher which has sufficient strength or physical stiffness as shown in a dotted-line 146 to hold a paintball in loading chamber 126, and deforms its shape when paintball 108 is pushed by bolt 114 in a direction 124. Flexible paintball catcher 106 deforms part of its structure upwards in a direction indicated by arrow 132 and releases paintball 108 by the flexible paintball catcher.
When a catcher 106 is made of less flexible material, catcher 106 along with lever lock 104 can be configured to allow lever lock 104 to move upward pivoting around pivot pin 110 and release paintball 108 when the paintball is pushed. Spring 112, for example, may be compressed to pull lever lock 104 upward for releasing paintball 108. After paintball 108 is launched via the barrel, bolt 114 retreats back to its standby position. Before a new paintball is reloaded, lever lock 104 pivots downward into the loading chamber with respect to pivot pin 110 and spring 112.
When lever lock 104 pivots down, the detent prevents the paintball marker from firing since paintball(s) has not been loaded in the loading chamber. The pivoting down of lever lock 104 blocks or at least partially blocks the passage of bolt 114 which extends from the loading chamber to the firing chamber in a barrel. The passage is cleared when paintball 108 is properly loaded and secured in the loading chamber. As shown in diagram 100, paintball catcher 106 and lever lock 104 which is in position 152 are in launching position when a paintball is properly secured.
When paintball 108 moves from the loading port in a direction 120 from a magazine into loading chamber 126, paintball 108 contacts lever lock 104 and paintball catcher 106. Paintball 108 continues to move up pushing lever lock 104 and catcher 106 toward cover 102. Spring 112 generates a force against the paintball movement whereby slowing down the paintball and eventually stopping the paintball's movement. In one embodiment, the spring force is tuned in such a way that the paintball stops at a balanced or optimal position, wherein paintball catcher 106 and lever lock 104 catch and secure the paintball at a location aligned with the firing mechanism. In one embodiment, the flexible paintball catcher 106 deforms or flexes a portion of the extended prong to accommodate and restrain the paintball in loading chamber 126.
Catcher 206, in one embodiment, is an elongated oval shape configured to restrain a paintball's movement when the paintball such as paintball 108 is in contact with catcher 206. In one example, lever lock 104 which houses catcher 206 may be fabricated in a single unit. Catcher 206 is flexible capable of stretch when a force applies to it, and can be made of elastic materials, such as rubber, plastic, polymer, composite substances, et cetera. Alternatively, catcher 206 is made of solid materials, such as steel, iron, aluminum, plastic, polymer, alloy, and the like.
Catcher 206, in an alternative embodiment, is controlled by a latch, not shown in
Catcher 256, in one embodiment, includes a catching tip 252 wherein catching tip 252 moves up and down in a direction indicated by arrow 258. For example, when the electrical current is low, catching tip 252 is in downward position which restrains the movement of paintball 108. When the electrical current is high, catching tip 252, for example, releases paintball 108. In an exemplary situation, catcher 256 includes a solenoid which is able to control the actuation of catcher tip 252 in response to the electrical current.
The electrical current, in one aspect, may be generated and/or controlled by bolt 114. Alternatively, the trigger of paintball gun may be used to control the electrical current. To improve the performance of paintball gun, a combination of mechanical, electrical, and optical components may be used to more accurately align and control paintball 108 with the propelling/firing mechanism.
Paintball catcher 310 having at least one extended prong is coupled to lever lock 306. Spring 304 is used to couple cover 302 to lever lock 306 and provides a flexible force required to pivot lever lock 306 against pivot pin 312 and stop pin 318. During the loading and releasing of a paintball, lever lock 306 is allowed to pivot around pivot pin 312 and stop pin 318. The force induced by spring 304 may be adjustable whereby the force for catching and retaining a paintball can be altered to accept different kinds of paintballs.
Paintball catcher 310, in one embodiment, is a flexible prong with relatively smooth surface capable of catching and restraining movement of a paintball while minimizing paintball damage or chop. Paintball catcher 310 is made of various different types of material, such as rubber, plastic, aluminum, polymer, cloth, wood, and the like. The prong of catcher 310, for instance, is sufficiently flexible or elastic whereby the prong deforms when paintball 108 is pushed by the bolt. It should be noted that the prong of catcher 310 can be formed in different shapes and dimensions to optimize the ability of stabilizing the paintball in loading chamber 126.
Adaptor body 402, coupled to a fourth side or bottom side of adaptor body 402, includes a loading port 118 capable of coupling to a bottom feed magazine, not shown in
The detent includes a cover 302, a lever lock 306, a flexible catcher 310 wherein detent may be removable from adaptor body 402 and is capable of being adjustable to reduce paintball damage. In one aspect, the detent can be disassembled from outside of adaptor body 402, and spring 304 and lever lock 306 can be adjusted to reduce paintball damage. Referring back to
During operation, paintball 108 is loaded from loading port 118 in loading chamber 126 and is held in position by paintball catcher 310 and lever lock 306. Pins 360 are inserted to couple cover 302 to adaptor body 402. Paintball 108 is securely positioned in loading chamber 126 and is in alignment with the bolt and the barrel. During firing, paintball 108 is launched in a direction indicated by arrow 122.
Projectile propelling system 620 includes valve 602, bolt 604, hammer 606, air pipe 68, and transfer rod 610. Valve 602, which has also been referred to as main valve, in-line valve, switch, et cetera, is able to launch, propel, throw, or hurl a paintball over a distance using a combination of cocking and firing mechanisms using pressurized gas. Valve 602 controls pressurized gas supplied from air pipe 608 and channels pressurized gas to propel a paintball over a distance via a barrel. A function of valve 602 is to switch on and/or off pressurized gas in response to the position of trigger.
Valve 602, in one embodiment, is structured in two cylindrical portions including an extended cylindrical portion 603. While main valve 602 controls the pressurized gas, extended cylindrical portion or extended portion 603 provides a track or direction to bolt 604 and provides directional guidance for the movement of bolts 604. Note that valve 602, extended portion 603, bolt 604, and hammer 606 are all axially aligned with the breech end of a barrel.
During an operation, as the paintball 108 is received from loading port 118, detent 101 catches and retains the paintball 108 in the loading chamber and secures it at a position aligned axially with the firing mechanism 620. After the cocking device 616 pushes the hammer 606 and the bolt 604 to their firing positions, the paintball assembly 600 is now armed and ready to launch the paintball 108. When a trigger is pulled, the bolt 604 and the hammer 606, connected by the transfer rod 610, move forward, and guides or pushes the paintball 108 into a firing chamber through the barrel coupler 116 while the detent 101 releases the paintball 108 from its secured position. The forward movement of the hammer 606 also manages or controls the main valve 602 to releases the pressurized gas supplied by the air pipe 608 to launch the paintball 108. The transfer rod 610 is used to synchronize the movement of the bolt 604 and the hammer 606.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those of ordinary skills in the art that based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from this exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention and its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention.
