Information
-
Patent Grant
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6729321
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Patent Number
6,729,321
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Date Filed
Monday, July 1, 200222 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, May 4, 200420 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
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CPC
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US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 124 49
- 124 50
- 124 73
- 124 74
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International Classifications
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Abstract
A paint ball gun magazine or a combined hopper/feeder apparatus is disclosed, where the magazine includes a closing assembly designed to allow the magazine to transition between a closed state and an open state, and to a paint ball gun including a closable magazine or hopper/feeder apparatus.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a combined hopper/feeder apparatus for paint ball guns and paint ball guns having a combined hopper/feeder apparatus and to method for using same.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a combined hopper/feeder apparatus for paint ball guns and an improved paint ball gun including a combined hopper/feeder apparatus, where the hopper/feeder apparatus includes an outer shell, an interior designed to hold paint balls, a first aperture having a lip for filling the hopper/feeder apparatus with paint balls, a second aperture having a paint ball dispensing tube depending from a center portion of the apparatus and a retractable closing assembly located at an upper portion of the dispensing tube for preventing paint balls from entering the depending tube until the closing assembly is retracted. The gun can also include a lid designed to engage the lip of the first aperture in a detachable manner and optionally a connecting member; preferably, the lid is pivotally mounted on, a top of the hopper/feeder apparatus so that the lid can be opened and closed. The present invention also relates to methods for making and using same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Numerous types of paint ball guns have been developed and used in a variety of manners, such as in simulated war games. These paint ball guns are generally powered by CO
2
cartridges or cylinders which, generally, propel the paint balls at a specified velocity, such as three hundred (300) feet per second out of the gun barrel. In general, the prior art paint ball guns include a typical firearm type mechanism including a bolt, spring and cocking handle.
These prior art paint ball guns generally include a paint ball holder/hopper/feeder apparatus, typically called a hopper that is secured to the gun by a connector where the connector has a first end that attaches to a feed tube of the gun and a second end that attaches to the hopper. Regardless of the method for connecting, e.g., friction, threaded connections or the like, the guns includes a hopper and a feeder. The hopper generally includes a detachable lid, which is detached and paint balls are loaded into the hopper from a feeder. After the paint balls are added to the hopper, the lid is reattached and the feeder is either dropped on placed in a bag or back pack. Although the system is workable, considerable time can be lost in reloading—transferred paint balls from the feeder to the hopper. Moreover, the transfer is wrought with difficulties and generally always results in spilled paint balls.
Thus, there is a need in the art for an improved paint ball gun including a combined hopper/feeder apparatus, where no paint ball transfer is required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a combined paint ball hopper/feeder apparatus having a retractable closing assembly, where the feeder/hopper apparatus is designed to hold a plurality of paint balls and the closing assembly is designed to retain the paint balls in the apparatus until the assembly is retracted by a user. The major benefit of the apparatus is the elimination of the feeder tubes used to fill prior art hoppers and the need to transfer paint balls to the hopper during a game.
The present invention also provides a paint ball gun apparatus including: a gun assembly having a handle, a barrel, a gas inlet, and a paint ball feed tube; and a feeder/hopper or magazine having an outer shell, an interior designed to hold paint balls, preferably a smooth interior, a first aperture having a lip for receiving paint balls, a second aperture having a paint ball dispensing tube depending from a center portion of the magazine, preferably a lowermost portion, and a retractable closing assembly at an upper portion of dispensing tube, where: the magazine dispensing tube is designed to engage the gun feed tube to form a conduit for supplying paint balls to the gun barrel; the gas inlet is designed to be connected to a source of propellant gas for propelling paint balls out of the barrel; the first aperture of the magazine is designed to receive paint balls; and the closing assembly is designed to hold the paint balls inside the interior of the magazine until the closing assembly is retracted by a user, permitting the paint balls to travel into the conduit and into the barrel for shooting out of the barrel. The magazine preferably also includes a lid designed to engage the lip of the first aperture in a detachable manner, preferably, the lid is pivotally mounted on a top of the apparatus so that the lid can be opened and shut.
The present invention also provides a method for supplying paint balls to a paint ball gun including the steps of: loading paint balls into a magazine of this invention with the retractable closing assembly unretracted; connecting a depending tube of the magazine to the feed tube of a paint ball gun to form a conduit from the magazine to the barrel; and retracting the closing assembly to connect the magazine interior to the conduit so that paint balls can enter the barrel via the conduit.
The present invention also provides a method for shooting paint balls from a paint ball gun including the steps of: loading paint balls into a magazine of this invention with the retractable closing assembly unretracted; connecting a depending tube of the magazine to the feed tube of a paint ball gun to form a conduit from the magazine to the barrel; retracting the closing assembly to connect the magazine interior to the conduit so that paint balls can enter the barrel via the conduit; and firing a paint ball at a target. The method can also include the step of aiming the gun prior to firing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention can be better understood with reference to the following detailed description together with the appended illustrative drawings in which like elements are numbered the same:
FIGS. 1A-B
depicts a preferred embodiment of a hopper/feeder or magazine apparatus of this invention in an open and closed state, respectively;
FIGS. 2A-B
depicts another preferred embodiment of a hopper/feeder or magazine apparatus of this invention in an open and closed state, respectively;
FIGS. 3A-B
depicts another preferred embodiment of a hopper/feeder or magazine apparatus of this invention in an open and closed state, respectively;
FIGS. 4A-B
depicts another preferred embodiment of a hopper/feeder or magazine apparatus of this invention in an open and closed state, respectively;
FIG. 5A
depicts a preferred embodiment of a paint ball gun having a hopper/feeder apparatus of this invention attached to a gun barrel feed tube via a threaded connection;
FIG. 5B
depicts another preferred embodiment of a paint ball gun having a hopper/feeder apparatus of this invention attached to a gun barrel feed tube via a threaded connection and a tightening member;
FIGS. 5C-E
depict two front views and one side view of a preferred embodiment of a tightener for use with the paint ball gun of this invention, where the two front views depict the tightener in an untightened state and a tightened state, respectively;
FIG. 6A
depicts another preferred embodiment of a paint ball gun having a connecting member and a hopper/feeder apparatus, where the connecting member connects to the feed tube and to the hopper/feeder apparatus and the connection between the connecting member is via a threaded connection;
FIG. 6B
depicts another preferred embodiment of a paint ball gun having a connecting member and a hopper/feeder apparatus, where the connecting member connects to the feed tube and to the hopper/feeder apparatus and the connection between the connecting member is via a threaded connection and a tightening member;
FIG. 7
depicts another preferred embodiment of a paint ball gun having a bent connecting member and a hopper/feeder apparatus, where the connecting member connects to the feed tube and to the hopper/feeder apparatus and the connection between the connecting member is via a threaded connection;
FIGS. 8A-C
depict a cross-sectional view, a side view and a top interior plan view of a preferred embodiment of a closing system for the hopper/feeder apparatus of this invention, respectively;
FIGS. 9A-D
depict two top plan views, a front view, and side plan view of another preferred embodiment of a closing system for the hopper/feeder apparatus of this invention and an exterior plan view of the closing system integrated into hopper/feeder apparatus, respectively.
FIGS. 10A-B
depict a side view and a bottom view of another preferred embodiment of a closing system for the hopper/feeder apparatus of this invention;
FIGS. 11A-B
depict two side views of another preferred embodiment of a closing system for the hopper/feeder apparatus of this invention, one view shows the closed state and one view shows the open state, respectively; and
FIGS. 12A-B
depict two side views of another preferred embodiment of a closing system for the hopper/feeder apparatus of this invention, one view shows the closed state and one view shows the open state, respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The inventor has found that a paint ball gun can be constructed with a combined hopper/feeder or assembly or apparatus sometimes referred to herein as a magazine. The combined hopper/feeder apparatus or magazine includes a retractable closing assembly designed to block a depending tube depending from a bottom portion of the magazine and hold a quantity of paint balls in the hopper/feeder apparatus or magazine until a user retracts the closing mechanism so that the paint balls can exit the magazine through the dispensing tube. The magazines are designed to detachably engage a feed tube of the gun so that when the closing assembly is retracted, the paint balls can drop from the magazine through the dispensing tube and into the feed tube of the gun for firing. The gun and magazine can also be equipped with detachable locking connectors so that the magazine can be detachably locked to the gun, where one connector is associated with a distal end of the depending tube of the magazine and the second connector is associated with the feed tube of the gun. The locking connectors are designed to reduce detachment of the magazine from the gun during use. The gun assembly can also include a connecting member interposed between the hopper/feeder apparatus and the gun. Preferably, the connecting member includes a detachable locking connectors at its proximal and distal end for interlocking the connecting member between the depending tube of the magazine and the feed tube of the paint ball gun.
The present invention broadly relates to a combined hopper/feeder apparatus or magazine including an outer shell, an interior designed to hold paint balls, preferably smooth, a first aperture for receiving paint balls, a second aperture having a paint ball dispensing tube depending from a bottom portion thereof for dispensing paint balls and a closing system associated with an upper portion of dispensing tube for blocking the depending tube. The magazine also preferably includes a lid designed to close the first aperture, which is preferably pivotally mounted on a top portion of the magazine. The first aperture also preferably includes a lip or other member designed to engage the lid and hold the lid in place until opened by a user.
The present invention also broadly relates to a paint ball gun including a hopper/feeder apparatus of this invention. The guns can include a locking connector on the hopper/feeder apparatus and on a locking connector on the feed tube of the gun, where the two connectors are designed to engage each other in a detachably locking manner. The gun also includes a connecting member having a second locking connector, where the two locking end are designed to lockingly secure the hopper/feeder apparatus to the connecting member with sufficient locking force to decrease or eliminate the hopper/feeder apparatus falling off of the gun during training exercises or games.
The present invention also broadly relates to a method for supplying paint balls to a paint ball gun including the steps of: loading paint balls into a magazine of this invention with the retractable closing assembly unretracted; connecting a depending tube of the magazine to the feed tube of a paint ball gun to form a conduit from the magazine to the barrel; and retracting the closing assembly to connect the magazine interior to the conduit so that paint balls can enter the barrel via the conduit.
The present invention also broadly relates to a method for shooting paint balls from a paint ball gun including the steps of: loading paint balls into a magazine of this invention with the retractable closing assembly unretracted; connecting a depending tube of the magazine to the feed tube of a paint ball gun to form a conduit from the magazine to the barrel; retracting the closing assembly to connect the magazine interior to the conduit so that paint balls can enter the barrel via the conduit; and firing a paint ball at a target. The method can also include the step of aiming the gun prior to firing.
The hopper/feeder apparatus can be constructed in any suitable geometry, provided that the paint balls can reliably flow from the hopper/feeder apparatus through a delivery conduit to the barrel of the paint ball gun for ultimate firing from the gun. Preferred geometric shapes include, without limitation, banana-shapes, spherical shapes, hemispherical shapes, quadrilateral shapes such as square or rectangular shapes, triangular shapes, or any other shape that provides a paint ball reservoir and a conduit for paint balls to drop from the reservoir to the gun barrel one at a time. The hopper/feeder apparatus or magazine can be of a unitary construction or can be constructed of multiple parts that are fastened together by fasteners or snap together as is well known in the art.
Suitable materials out of which the hopper/feeder apparatus can be constructed include, without limitations, metals, plastics, composites, ceramics, or the like, or mixtures or combinations thereof. Preferably, the hopper/feeder apparatus is constructed out of plastics or composites or mixtures or combinations thereof. Suitable metals include, without limitation, aluminum and its alloys such as aluminum-magnesium alloys or the like, titanium, steel or other iron alloys, copper and its alloys such as bronze, brass or the like, or any other metal or its alloys and mixture or combinations thereof. Suitable plastics include, without limitation, polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polyhexylene, polystyrene, polyalphamethylstyrene, or the like or copolymers thereof, acrylics, urethanes, polyesters, thermoplastics, thermal setting resins, thermoplastic elastomers, liquid crystal polymers, polyalkyleneoxides, or any other structural plastic suitable for making a durable paint ball hopper/feeder apparatus. Suitable composites includes, without limitation, polymer matrices selected from the plastics listed above reinforced by a fiber such as carbon fibers, polyamides such as Kevlar, boron-nitride fibers, glass fibers, or the like or mixture or combination thereof.
Suitable material out of which the hopper/feeder apparatus covers can be made include, without limitation, elastomers such as natural or synthetic rubbers or the like, urethanes rubbers, silicon rubbers or any other resilient and shock absorbing materials or mixtures or combinations thereof.
Suitable locking connections include, without limitations, threaded connections comprising a male threaded connector and a female threaded connector, clip rings, cotter pins, snap fittings including a lip and an groove, quick disconnects such as used in water holes, or any other locking connection assembly or combinations thereof. The locking connections can also be rubber inserts position in the connectors in such as way as to engage the other connector to increase the frictional interlocking of the smooth surface of the connectors.
Combined Hopper/Feeder Apparatus—Closable Magazines
Referring now to
FIGS. 1A&B
, a preferred embodiment of a combined hopper/feeder apparatus or magazine of this invention, generally
100
, is shown to include an open ended, substantially rectangular-shaped outer shell
102
, an interior
104
adapted to hold a plurality of paint balls (not shown), a dispensing tube
106
depending from a center region
108
of the magazine
100
, a lid
110
designed to detachable engage a lip
112
associated with a top portion
114
of the open end
116
of the magazine
100
and a slidable closing member
118
. The closing member
118
slides in a slot
120
in a bottom portion
122
of the outer shell
102
. The closing member
118
is designed to prevent paint balls from entering the tube
106
from the interior
104
when in a closed state as shown in
FIG. 1A
, and to allow paint balls to enter the tube
106
from the interior
104
when in an opened state as shown in FIG.
1
B. Thus, when the magazine is first attached to a paint ball gun, the member is in its closed state and the interior is filled with paint balls. Once the magazine is properly attached to the gun and the game is afoot, a user simply slides the member from its closed state to its opened state and starts firing at targets.
Referring now to
FIGS. 2A&B
, a preferred embodiment of a combined hopper/feeder apparatus or magazine of this invention, generally
200
, is shown to include an open ended, substantially funnel-shaped outer shell
202
, an interior
204
adapted to hold a plurality of paint balls (not shown), a dispensing tube or neck
206
depending from a center region
208
of the magazine
200
, a lid
210
designed to detachable engage a lip
212
associated with a top portion
214
of the open end
216
of the magazine
200
and a slidable closing member
218
. The closing member
218
slides in a slot
220
in a bottom portion
222
of the outer shell
202
. The closing member
218
is designed to prevent paint balls from entering the tube
206
from the interior
204
when in a closed state as shown in
FIG. 2A
, and to allow paint balls to enter the tube
206
from the interior
204
when in an opened state as shown in FIG.
2
B. Thus, when the magazine is first attached to a paint ball gun, the member is in its closed state and the interior is filled with paint balls. Once the magazine is properly attached to the gun and the game is afoot, a user simply slides the member from its closed state to its opened state and starts firing at targets.
Referring now to
FIGS. 3A&B
, a preferred embodiment of a combined hopper/feeder apparatus or magazine of this invention, generally
300
, is shown to include a banana-shaped outer shell
302
, an opened end
304
having a lip
306
, a closed end
308
, a paint ball reservoir
310
, and a pivotally hinged cover
312
. The cover
312
is designed to engage the lip
306
of the opened end
304
so that the opened end
304
can be closed after the hopper/feeder apparatus
300
is filled with paint balls (not shown). The hopper/feeder apparatus
300
further includes a paint ball dispensing neck
314
depending from a lower central region
316
of an arcuate bottom contour
318
of the hopper/feeder apparatus
300
. The neck
314
includes a male, threaded connector
320
at its distal end
322
, where the connectors
322
is designed to lockingly secure the paint hopper/feeder apparatus
300
to the either a connecting member or directly to the feed tube of a paint ball gun, which of course, would have a female threaded connector. The magazine
300
also includes a slidable closing member
324
. The closing member
324
slide in a slot
326
in a bottom portion
328
of the outer shell
302
. The closing member
324
is designed to prevent paint balls from entering the neck
314
from the reservoir
310
when in a closed state as shown in
FIG. 3A
, and to allow paint balls to enter the neck
314
from the reservoir
310
when in an opened state as shown in FIG.
3
B. Thus, when the magazine is first attached to a paint ball gun, the member is in its closed state and the interior is filled with paint balls. Once the magazine is properly attached to the gun and the game is afoot, a user simply slides the member from its closed state to its opened state and starts firing at targets. The magazine
300
can also include a protective covering
330
to absorb impacts to a from portion
332
of the outer shell
302
.
Referring now to
FIGS. 4A&B
, a preferred embodiment of a combined hopper/feeder apparatus or magazine of this invention, generally
400
, is shown to include a spherically-shaped outer shell
402
, an opened end
404
having a lip
406
, a paint ball reservoir
408
, and a pivotally hinged cover
410
. The cover
410
is designed to engage the lip
406
of the opened end
404
so that the opened end
404
can be closed after the hopper/feeder apparatus
400
is filled with paint balls (not shown). The hopper/feeder apparatus
400
further includes a paint ball dispensing neck
412
depending from a lower central region
414
of the magazine
400
. The neck
412
includes a male, threaded connector
416
at its distal end
418
, where the connectors
422
is designed to lockingly secure the paint hopper/feeder apparatus
400
to the either a connecting member or directly to the feed tube of a paint ball gun, which of course, would have a female threaded connector. The magazine
400
also includes a slidable closing member
420
. The closing member
420
slide in a slot
422
in a bottom portion
424
of the outer shell
402
. The closing member
424
is designed to prevent paint balls from entering the neck
414
from the reservoir
410
when in a closed state as shown in
FIG. 4A
, and to allow paint balls to enter the neck
414
from the reservoir
410
when in an opened state as shown in FIG.
4
B. Thus, when the magazine is first attached to a paint ball gun, the member is in its closed state and the interior is filled with paint balls. Once the magazine is properly attached to the gun and the game is afoot, a user simply slides the member from its closed state to its opened state and starts firing at targets.
Paint Ball Guns with Closable Magazines
Referring now to
FIG. 5A
, a preferred embodiment of a paint ball gun of this invention, generally
500
, is shown to include a gun body
502
having a handle
504
, a barrel
506
and a hollow, paint ball feed tube
508
extending upward from the barrel
504
near its handle end
510
of the barrel
506
. The gun
500
also includes a paint ball hopper/feeder apparatus
512
. The hopper/feeder apparatus or magazine
512
includes a substantially rectangular shaped outer shell
514
, an open top end
516
, an interior
518
adapted to hold a plurality of paint balls (not shown), a dispensing tube
520
depending from a bottom center region
522
of the magazine
512
, a lid
524
designed to detachable engage a lip
526
associated with a top portion
528
of the open end
516
of the magazine
512
and a slidable closing member
530
. The closing member
530
slides in a slot
532
in a bottom portion
534
of the outer shell
514
. The closing member
530
is designed to prevent paint balls from entering the dispensing tube
520
from the interior
518
when in a closed state as shown in
FIG. 5A
, and to allow paint balls to enter the dispensing tube
520
from the interior
518
when in an opened state as shown in FIG.
5
B. Thus, when the magazine is first attached to a paint ball gun, the member is in its closed state and the interior is filled with paint balls. Once the magazine is properly attached to the gun and the game is afoot, a user simply slides the member from its closed state to its opened state and starts firing at targets.
Referring now to
FIG. 5B
, another preferred embodiment of a paint ball gun of this invention, generally
550
, is shown to include a gun body
551
having a handle
552
, a barrel
553
and a hollow, paint ball feed tube
554
extending upward from the barrel
553
near its handle end
555
. The feed tube
554
includes a male, threaded connector
556
at its distal end
557
. The gun
550
also includes a paint ball hopper/feeder apparatus
558
.
The hopper/feeder apparatus or magazine
558
includes a substantially rectangular-shaped outer shell
560
, an open top end
562
, an interior
564
adapted to hold a plurality of paint balls (not shown), a dispensing tube or neck
566
depending from a bottom center region
568
of the magazine
558
, a lid
570
designed to detachable engage a lip
572
associated the open end
562
of the magazine
558
and a slidable closing member
574
.
The closing member
574
slides in a slot
576
in a bottom portion
578
of the outer shell
560
. The neck
566
includes a female, threaded connector
580
and a security tightener
582
, where the connectors
556
and
580
are designed to lockingly secure the paint hopper/feeder apparatus
558
to the gun feed tube
554
and the tightener
582
is designed to increase the locking force on the threaded connection between the connectors
556
and
580
.
Referring now the
FIGS. 5C-E
, the tightener
582
includes a T-shaded slot
584
extending upward from a distal end
586
of the tube or neck
566
and two tightening blocks
588
a
&
b
protruding from the distal end
586
. The block
588
a
includes an aperture
590
a
and an indentation
592
a
for receiving a wing nut
594
. The block
588
b
includes an aperture
592
b
and an indentation
594
b
holding a locking nut
596
, where the aperture
590
b
and the nut
596
are adapted to receive and to engage the wing nut
594
, respectively. The tightener
582
operates by inserting the wing nut
594
into and through the aperture
590
a
in the block
588
a
and into the aperture
590
b
in the block
588
b
until the wing nut
594
engages the nut
596
. Once the wing nut
594
has engaged the locking nut
596
, turning the wing nut
594
will cause the blocks
588
a
&
b
to be pulled together as shown in
FIG. 5D
until the desired tightening force is achieved on the threaded connection between the connectors
556
and
580
.
Of course, it should be easily recognized by an ordinary artisan that the feed tube can include a female connector and the hopper/feeder apparatus can include a male connector. It should also be recognized, that by reversing the feed tube connector to a female connector, any tightener would have to be associated with the feed tube.
Referring now to
FIG. 6A
, another preferred embodiment of a paint ball gun of this invention, generally
600
, is shown to include a gun body
602
having a handle
604
, a barrel
606
and a hollow, paint ball feed tube
608
extending upward from the barrel
606
near its handle end
610
. The feed tube
608
includes a male connector
612
at its distal end
614
. The gun
600
also includes a spherically shaped, paint ball hopper/feeder apparatus
616
and a bent connecting member
618
. The connecting member
618
includes a gun side, female connector
620
for engaging the feed tube connector
612
and a hopper/feeder side, female connector
622
for engaging the hopper/feeder apparatus
616
.
The hopper/feeder apparatus
616
includes a spherically shaped outer shell
624
, an open top end
626
having a lip
628
, a paint ball reservoir
630
, and a hinged cover or lid
632
. The lid
630
is designed to detachably engage the lip
626
of the open top end
624
so that the open top end
624
can be closed after the hopper/feeder apparatus
616
is filled with paint balls (not shown). The hopper/feeder apparatus
616
also includes a paint ball dispensing tube or neck
634
depending from a central bottom portion
636
of the magazine
616
, where the neck
634
includes a male, threaded connector
638
at this distal end
640
, where the connectors
622
and
638
are designed to lockingly secure the paint hopper/feeder apparatus
616
to the connecting member
618
and the connectors
612
and
620
are designed to secure the connecting member
618
with the magazine
616
secured thereto to the feed tube
608
. The magazine
616
also includes a slidable closing member
642
. The closing member
642
slides in a slot
643
in a bottom portion
644
of the outer shell
624
. The feed tube
608
also includes a safety
646
at its proximal end
647
and a view slot
648
.
Referring now to
FIG. 6B
, another preferred embodiment of a paint ball gun of this invention, generally
650
, is shown to include a gun body
652
having a handle
654
, a barrel
656
and a hollow, paint ball feed tube
658
extending upward from the barrel
656
near its handle end
660
. The feed tube
658
includes a male connector
662
at its distal end
664
. The gun
650
also includes a paint ball hopper/feeder apparatus or magazine
666
and a straight connecting member
668
. The connecting member
668
includes a female connector
670
for engaging the feed tube connector
662
and a female, threaded hopper/feeder apparatus connector
672
.
The magazine
666
includes a spherically shaped outer shell
674
, an open top end
676
having a lip
678
, a paint ball reservoir
680
, and a hinged cover or lid
682
. The lid
682
is designed to detachably engage the lip
678
of the open top end
676
so that the open top end
676
can be closed after the hopper/feeder apparatus
666
is filled with paint balls (not shown). The magazine
666
also includes a paint ball dispensing neck
684
depending from a lower central region
686
of the magazine
666
, where the neck
684
includes a male, threaded connector
688
at its distal end
690
. The connectors
672
and
688
are designed to lockingly secure the magazine
666
to the connecting member
668
, while the connectors
662
and
670
are designed to secure the connecting member
668
with the magazine
666
secured thereto to the feed tube
658
. The magazine
666
also includes a slidable closing member
692
. The closing member
692
slides in a slot
693
in a bottom portion
694
of the outer shell
674
. The feed tube
658
also includes a safety
696
and a view slot
698
.
It should be recognized that the embodiments depicted in
FIGS. 6A and 6B
can also include tighteners associated with the connectors
670
and
672
or if the gender of the connectors are reversed, then the connectors
662
and
688
as described in
FIGS. 1B-E
. Of course, the connectors can be of any gender provided that its mate is the opposite gender.
Referring now to
FIG. 7
, another preferred embodiment of a paint ball gun of this invention, generally
700
, is shown to include a gun body
702
having a handle
704
, a barrel
706
and a hollow, paint ball feed tube
708
extending upward from the barrel
706
near its handle end
710
. The feed tube
708
includes a male connector
712
at its distal end
714
. The gun
700
also includes a banana-shaped, paint ball hopper/feeder apparatus
716
and a bent connecting member
718
. The connecting member
718
includes a female connector
720
for engaging the feed tube connector
712
and a female, threaded hopper/feeder apparatus connector
722
.
The hopper/feeder apparatus
716
includes an open end
724
having a lip
726
, a closed end
728
, a paint ball reservoir
730
, and a lid or cover
732
. The cover
732
is designed to engage the lip
726
of the opened end
724
so that the opened end
724
can be closed after the hopper/feeder apparatus
716
is filled with paint balls (not shown). The hopper/feeder apparatus or magazine
716
also includes a paint ball dispensing neck
734
depending from a lower central region
736
of an arcuate bottom contour
738
of the hopper/feeder apparatus
716
. The neck
734
includes a male, threaded connector
740
at this distal end
742
, where the connectors
722
and
740
are designed to lockingly secure the paint hopper/feeder apparatus
716
to the connecting member
718
and the connectors
712
and
720
are designed to secure the connecting member
718
, with the magazine
716
secured thereof, to the feed tube
708
. The magazine
716
also includes a slidable closing member
744
. The closing member
744
slides in a slot
746
in a bottom portion
748
of the magazine
716
. The feed tube
708
also includes a safety
750
and a view slot
752
. The magazine
716
is constructed of two halves
754
and
756
held together by fasteners
758
and
760
. The faster
760
also serves to pivotally mount the lid
732
at its proximal end
762
via arm
764
.
It should be recognized that the embodiments depicted in
FIG. 7
can also include tighteners associated with the connectors
720
and
722
or if the gender of the connectors are reversed, then the connectors
712
and
740
as described in
FIGS. 1B-E
. Of course, the connectors can be of any gender provided that its mate is the opposite gender. It should also be recognized that the connecting member, the gun body and the magazine do not require locking interconnections—the threaded connections are not necessary provided that the closing member is present. Moreover, the assembly does not even require the connecting member.
Closing Assemblies
Referring now to
FIGS. 8A-C
, a preferred slidable closing assembly of this invention, generally
800
, is shown to include a tongue
802
having a tab
804
depending from a portion
806
having an aperture
808
. The tab
804
shown here is located off center, but the tab
804
can be at any location on the tongue
802
provided that the tongue
802
is still able to prevent paint balls from entering the neck from the interior of the magazine when the closing assembly
800
is in its closed state. The closing assembly
800
also includes a spring loaded slide bar
810
. The slide bar
810
includes a substantially rectangular body
812
, two side apertures
814
and
816
and one center aperture
818
. The two side apertures
814
and
816
include a ball
820
held into an indentation
822
in an outer shell
824
of a magazine (not shown) by a spring
826
held in place by a screw
828
. The center aperture
818
includes a tongue screw
830
designed to secure the bar
810
to the tab
804
of the tongue
802
. Once the tongue screw
830
is in place, then a user can move the bar
810
from an open position as shown in
FIG. 8C
, where the balls
820
are in the indentations
822
to a closed position indicated by closed indentation
832
designed to receive the spring loaded balls
820
along the slot
834
.
Referring now to
FIGS. 9A-D
, another a preferred slidable closing assembly of this invention, generally
900
, is shown to include a tongue
902
and a slide bar
904
with a neck
906
interposed therebetween located at an end portion
908
thereof. The slide bar
904
includes a substantially rectangular body
910
, two button assemblies
912
, an aperture
914
retaining a spring
916
. The button assemblies
912
include first protrusion
918
having a retainer
920
, where the protrusions
918
are designed to be engaged by a user's finger and thumb so that the button assemblies
912
can be pushed in. The button assemblies
912
also includes a second protrusion
922
, where the second protrusions
922
are designed to engage indentations
924
in a slot
926
of an outer shell
927
of a magazine. The closing assembly
900
is designed to be moved from an open position as shown in
FIG. 8D
, where the second protrusions
922
engage an open position indentations
928
associated with the slot
926
, to a closed position where the second protrusions
922
engage a closed position indentations
930
associated with the slot
926
.
Referring now to
FIGS. 10A-B
, a spherical magazine, generally
1000
, having another preferred closing assembly of this invention, where the magazine
1000
is shown to include an outer shell
1002
, an open top
1004
, an interior
1006
adapted to hold a plurality of paint balls (not shown), a dispensing tube or neck
1008
depending from a center, bottom region
1010
of the magazine
1000
, a lid
1012
designed to detachable engage a lip
1014
associated with the open end
1004
of the magazine
1000
and a closing member
1016
. The closing member
1016
comprises a simple blade
1018
, which is inserted into a slot
1020
in the neck
1008
prior to filling the magazine
1000
with paint balls. The blade
1018
includes a tongue
1022
and a head
1024
, where the tongue
1022
is designed to prevent paint balls exiting the neck
1008
of the magazine
1000
until the blade
1018
is removed by a user grabbing the head
1024
to remove the blade
1018
. Looking at
FIG. 10B
, the magazine
1000
with the blade
1018
inserted therein is shown in a bottom view.
Referring now to
FIGS. 11A-B
, a spherical magazine, generally
1100
, having another preferred closing assembly of this invention, where the magazine
1100
is shown to include an outer shell
1102
, an open top
1104
, an interior
1106
adapted to hold a plurality of paint balls (not shown), a dispensing tube or neck
1108
depending from a center, bottom region
1110
of the magazine
1100
, a lid
1112
designed to detachable engage a lip
1114
associated with the open end
1104
of the magazine
1100
and a closing member
1116
.
FIG. 11A
shows the closing member
1116
in a closed state, while
FIG. 11B
shows the closing member
1116
in an open state. The closing member
1116
comprises a exterior flip tab
1118
pivotally mounted in a slot
1120
in the neck
1108
by a pin
1122
. The tab
1118
includes a tongue
1124
and a flip head
1126
, where the tongue
1124
prevent paint balls exiting the neck
1108
of the magazine
1100
until a user flips the tab
1118
up using the flip head
1126
, which cause the tongue
1124
to recess into a groove
1128
in an inner surface
1130
of the neck
1108
.
Referring now to
FIGS. 12A-D
, a spherical magazine, generally
1200
, having another preferred closing assembly of this invention, where the magazine
1200
is shown to include an outer shell
1202
, an open top
1204
, an interior
1206
adapted to hold a plurality of paint balls (not shown), a dispensing tube or neck
1208
depending from a center, bottom region
1210
of the magazine
1000
, a lid
1212
designed to detachable engage a lip
1214
associated with the open end
1204
of the magazine
1200
and a closing member
1216
.
FIG. 12A
shows the closing member
1216
in a closed state, while
FIG. 21B
shows the closing member
1216
in an open state. The closing member
1216
comprises an interior flip tab
1218
pivotally mounted at a bottom
1220
of the neck
1208
by a pin
1222
. The tab
1218
includes a tongue
1224
, where the tongue
1224
is designed to prevent paint balls exiting the neck
1208
of the magazine
1200
until the magazine
1200
is attached to either a feed tube of a paint ball gun (not shown) or a connecting member (not shown) that includes a finger that forces the tab
1218
up causing the tongue
1224
to recess into a groove
1226
in an inner surface
1228
of the neck
1208
.
Although several preferred embodiments of closing assemblies of this invention are shown, it should be clear to an ordinary artisan that any closing assembly can be used as well all of which are intended to be covered in the appended claims.
All references cited herein are incorporated by reference. While this invention has been described fully and completely, it should be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Although the invention has been disclosed with reference to its preferred embodiments, from reading this description those of skill in the art may appreciate changes and modification that may be made which do not depart from the scope and spirit of the invention as described above and claimed hereafter.
Claims
- 1. A paint ball gun comprising a handle, a barrel, a feed tube and a paint ball hopper/feeder apparatus or magazine, where the magazine includes an outer shell, a paint ball reservoir, an open end having a lid, a hollow neck and a closing assembly, where the closing assembly has a closed state and an open state and where paint balls can exit the magazine into the barrel through the neck and feed tube when the closing assembly is in the open state and paint balls cannot exit the magazine into the barrel through the neck and feed tube when the closing assembly is in the closed state.
- 2. The gun of claim 1, wherein the closing assembly comprises a slot in a bottom portion of the outer shell of the magazine and a closing member adapted to slide in the slot between the open state and closed state.
- 3. The gun of claim 1, wherein the closing assembly comprises a slot in neck and a closing member adapted to be removed from the slot to transition the assembly from its closed state and its open state.
- 4. The gun of claim 1, wherein the closing assembly comprises a groove in an inner surface of the neck and a closing member adapted to fit in the groove when the assembly is in its open state and extend across the neck when the assembly is in its closed state.
- 5. The gun of claim 1, wherein the neck includes a first connector as its distal end, where the connector is designed to lockingly engage a second connector on paint ball gun feed tube, where the connectors are threaded connectors or snap connectors.
- 6. The gun of claim 5, wherein the neck further includes a tightener adapted to increase a locking force of the threaded connectors.
- 7. The gun of claim 1, wherein the neck further includes a tightener adapted to secure the magazine to the feed tube.
- 8. The gun of claim 1, wherein the hopper/feeder apparatus comprises a unitary structure and the lid is pivotally mounted on the open end of the hopper/feeder apparatus or the hopper/feeder apparatus comprises a first half and a second half held together by a plurality of fasteners and wherein the lid is pivotally mounted on the open end of the hopper/feeder apparatus.
- 9. A paint ball gun comprising a handle, a barrel, a feed tube, a paint ball magazine, and a hollow connecting member interposed between the magazine and the feed tube, where the magazine includes an outer shell, a paint ball reservoir, an open end having a lid, a hollow neck and a closing assembly, where the closing assembly has a closed state and an open state and where paint balls can exit the magazine into the barrel through the neck and feed tube when the closing assembly is in the open state and paint balls cannot exit the magazine into the barrel through the neck and feed tube when the closing assembly is in the closed state.
- 10. The gun of claim 9, wherein the closing assembly comprises a slot in a bottom portion of the outer shell of the magazine and a closing member adapted to slide in the slot between the open state and closed state.
- 11. The gun of claim 9, wherein the closing assembly comprises a slot in neck and a closing member adapted to be removed from the slot to transition the assembly from its closed state and its open state.
- 12. The gun of claim 9, wherein the closing assembly comprises a groove in an inner surface of the neck and a closing member adapted to fit in the groove when the assembly is in its open state and extend across the neck when the assembly is in its closed state.
- 13. The gun of claim 9, wherein the neck includes a first detachable connector as its distal end, where the first connector is designed to lockingly engage a second detachable connector associated with a first end of the connecting member and the feed tube includes a third detachable connector, where the third connector is designed to lockingly engage a forth detachable connector associated with a second end of the connecting member and where the connectors s are threaded connectors or snap connectors.
- 14. The gun of claim 13, wherein the connecting member further includes tighteners associated with the second and third connectors adapted to increase a locking force of the threaded connectors.
- 15. The gun of claim 9, wherein the neck further includes a tightener adapted to secure the magazine to the feed tube.
- 16. The gun of claim 9, wherein the hopper/feeder apparatus comprises a unitary structure and the lid is pivotally mounted on the opened end of the hopper/feeder apparatus or the hopper/feeder apparatus comprises an first half and a second half held together by a plurality of fasteners and wherein the lid is pivotally mounted on the opened end of the hopper/feeder apparatus.
- 17. A paint ball hopper comprising an outer shell, a paint ball reservoir, an open end having a lid, a hollow neck and a closing assembly, where the closing assembly has a closed state and an open state and where paint balls can exit the hopper into a barrel through the a neck and a feed tube when the closing assembly is in the open state and paint balls cannot exit the hopper into the barrel through the neck and feed tube when the closing assembly is in the closed state.
- 18. The hopper of claim 17, wherein the closing assembly comprises a slot in a bottom portion of the outer shell of the hopper and a closing member adapted to slide in the slot between the open state and closed state.
- 19. The hopper of claim 17, wherein the closing assembly comprises a slot in the neck and a closing member adapted to be removed from the slot to transition the assembly from its closed state and its open state.
- 20. The hopper of claim 17, wherein the closing assembly comprises a groove in an inner surface of the neck and a closing member adapted to fit in the groove when the assembly is in its open state and extend across the neck when the assembly is in its closed state.
- 21. The hopper of claim 17, wherein the neck includes a detachable connector as its distal end, where the connector is designed to lockingly engage a connector on paint ball gun feed tube or a connecting member.
- 22. The hopper of claim 17, wherein the hopper comprises a unitary structure and the lid is pivotally mounted on the opened end of the hopper or the hopper comprises an first half and a second half held together by a plurality of fasteners and wherein the lid is pivotally mounted on the opened end of the hopper.
US Referenced Citations (31)