Patent Grant
8950387
This invention relates to the field of paintball markers, and more particularly, to a paintball gun with a split body.
Paintball, a popular sport that has developed over the years, which uses compressed gas guns (paintball markers or paintball guns), which utilize compressed gas to fire projectiles. Some examples of paintball guns are those offered under the brand names EMPIRE™, BT™, and MINI™, and others shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,708,685; 4,936,282; 5,497,758; and U.S. patent 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 all of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. Players use the paintball guns to shoot projectiles known as paintballs (projectiles and paintballs may be used interchangeably herein). These paintballs are spherical, frangible projectiles normally having gelatin shells that may rupture on impact filled with paint (coloring or dye). The shells break when impacting a target, allowing the paint within to splatter on a target. A player is eliminated from a game when the player is hit by a paintball fired from an opposing player's paintball gun. When the paintball hits a target such as a player, a mark or “splat” of paint is left on the player.
Paintball guns generally have two basic mechanisms working in conjunction for firing a paintball from the marker during a firing operation. One of these mechanisms is for loading a paintball in the breech of a paintball marker, and usually involves a bolt that reciprocates from a loading position, allowing a projectile into the breech, to a firing position. A valving system is employed to release compressed gas from a source of compressed gas to fire the projectile from the marker.
Referring to
A main hammer spring 150 is disposed within the gun body 132 and biases the hammer 144 toward the forward or firing position. The hammer 144 is retained in a cocked or ready position by a sear 152 that pivots to engage a portion of the hammer 144. Actuation of a trigger 154 (such as by pulling the trigger) disengages the sear 152 from the hammer 144, allowing the hammer 144 to spring forward under the bias of the main hammer spring 150.
A bolt 156 is disposed within the gun body 132. A firing tube 158 is partially disposed within the bolt 156, such that the bolt 156 coaxially surrounds the firing tube 158. A lateral screw 194 for adjusting the velocity of gas within the firing tube 158 protrudes as shown. Forward movement of the bolt 156 causes forward movement and loading of a projectile 142.
A valve 160 is disposed within the gun body 132 between the hammer 144 and the bolt 156. The valve 160 includes a valve pin 148 extending rearward toward the hammer 144, the valve pin 148 including a contact end 162. A connecting rod 64 connects the hammer 44 and the bolt 56 for synchronized movement of the hammer 44 and the bolt 56. A connecting rod 164 provides a mechanical linkage between the hammer 144 and the bolt 156. The valve 160 assembly includes a valve housing 166 and a valve body 168 disposed within the valve housing 166. The valve body 168 includes an inlet port 170 for receiving gas under pressure from a gas line 196. The valve body 168 includes an outlet port 176 for communicating gas under pressure from within the valve body 168 when the valve 160 is actuated or open. A valve poppet 184 is disposed within the valve body 168. A sealing member such as a cup seal 186 is provided to the valve poppet 184.
A problem with prior art paintball guns is that it is not always easy to gain access to the interior. For example, the body of the paintball gun is usually held together by various screws, bolts and pins, making it difficult to gain access to the interior contents to check or service the paintball gun. If a paintball ruptures inside the paintball gun, a player must gain access to the components to clean and/or otherwise service the paintball gun.
In addition, paintball sport players, as well as those who may service a paintball gun (collectively, any person who may maintain, service, access the interior of, clean or adjust a paintball gun referred to as a “user”), may want to field strip a paintball gun; that is, a user may wish to disassemble a paintball gun for cleaning, service, maintenance, adjustment and/or inspection. During a break from game play, a paintball sport player might wish to take their paintball gun apart to adjust or otherwise service it.
In order to field strip a paintball gun, many such known guns require the removal of numerous parts, and/or the process is difficult, inefficient and/or time consuming. For example, the bodies of many prior art paintball guns were formed as solid and/or one-piece units, having only an opening at one end. This provides a very limited access to the internal components such as the firing assembly of the paintball gun. Of course, the paintball gun then has to be put back together for use, and that too, may be time consuming in connection with prior art designs.
Accordingly, there is the need for a paintball gun having a body that provides efficient, simple and/or easy access to the interior contents.
The present invention is directed to a paintball gun comprising a body with a forward end and a rearward end. The body is split substantially along a central longitudinal axis into an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is preferably attached to the lower portion by a hinge positioned preferably adjacent to the forward end of the body with the upper portion and the lower portion of the body moveable relative to each other via the hinge. Movement of the upper portion relative to the lower portion exposes a firing mechanism of the paintball gun for maintenance.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a paintball gun comprising a body with a forward end and a rearward end. The body is split substantially along a central longitudinal axis into an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is preferably attached to the lower portion by a hinge positioned adjacent to the forward end of the body and the upper portion and the lower portion are moveable relative to each other via the hinge. A valve assembly is preferably secured to the lower portion and is configured to remain secured to the lower portion when the upper portion and lower portion are moved away from each other.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a paintball gun comprising a barrel, a barrel adapter attached to the barrel, and a body having a forward end and a rearward end. The body is preferably split substantially along a central longitudinal axis into an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is preferably attached to the lower portion by a hinge positioned adjacent the forward end of the body, the upper portion and lower portion moveable relative to each other via the hinge. A recess is positioned on the inner surface of one of the lower portion or the upper portion adjacent the forward end of the paintball gun. A barrel gripping piece configured to mate with the recess is configured to hold the barrel adaptor in place between the upper portion and the lower portion during operation.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a paintball gun comprising a barrel having a bore dimensioned to receive a frangible projectile, a body including a plurality of walls defining an interior cavity with a breech area, a valve assembly configured to selectively allow flow between a supply of compressed gas and the breech area to propel the frangible projectile through the barrel, a front bolt moveable between a first position and a second position, a rear bolt connected to the front bolt with a linkage arm and movable between a cocked position and a firing position, a drive spring configured to urge the rear bolt toward the firing position, and a firing mechanism configured to selectively release the rear bolt in response to actuation of a trigger. The front bolt is configured to push the frangible projectile towards the barrel as the front bolt moves from the first position to the second position. The rear bolt is configured to actuate the valve assembly when the rear bolt moves from the cocked position to the firing position. At least one wall of the body is movable with respect to one or more other walls of the body between an open position that opens the interior cavity to expose a top portion of the front bolt and a top portion of the rear bolt for servicing the gun and a closed position that blocks access to the interior cavity.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a paintball gun comprising a barrel dimensioned to receive a frangible projectile, a body having a rearward end defining a grip and a forward end, wherein the barrel extends from the forward end of the body, a breech area defined by the body dimensioned to receive a frangible projectile for firing, a valve assembly disposed in the body and operative to selectively allow flow between a supply of compressed gas and the breech area to propel frangible projectiles through the barrel, and a firing mechanism configured to actuate the valve assembly in response to actuation of a trigger. A wall of the body is movable between an open position that allows access to internal components and a closed position.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a paintball gun comprising a barrel having a bore dimensioned to receive a frangible projectile, a body defining an interior cavity with a breech area, wherein the body includes a body shell top portion, a valve assembly configured to selectively allow a flow between a supply of compressed gas and the breech area to propel the frangible projectile through the barrel, a front bolt movable between a first position and a second position, a rear bolt connected to the front bolt with a linkage arm and movable between a cocked position and a firing position, a drive spring configured to urge the rear bolt toward the firing position, and a firing mechanism configured to selectively release the rear bolt in response to actuation of the trigger. The front bolt is configured to push the frangible projectile towards the barrel as the front bolt moves from the first position to the second position. The rear bolt is configured to actuate the valve assembly when the rear bolt moves from the cocked position to the firing position. The body shell top is configured to pivot between an open position that provides access to a top portion of the front bolt and a top portion of the rear bolt and a closed position that blocks access to the top portion of the front bolt and the top portion of the rear bolt.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a paintball gun comprising a barrel having a bore dimensioned to receive a frangible projectile, a body including a plurality of walls defining an interior cavity with a breech area, a valve assembly configured to selectively allow flow between a supply of compressed gas and the breech area to propel the frangible projectile through the barrel, a front bolt movable between a first position and a second position, a rear bolt connected to the front bolt with a linkage arm and movable between a cocked position and a firing position, a drive spring configured to urge the rear bolt toward the firing position, and a firing mechanism configured to selectively release the rear bolt in response to actuation of a trigger. The front bolt is configured to push the frangible projectile towards the barrel as the front bolt moves from the first position to the second position. The rear bolt is configured to actuate the valve assembly when the rear bolt moves from the cocked position to the firing position. At least one wall of the body is movable with respect to one or more other walls of the body between an open position that opens the interior cavity to expose a top portion of the front bolt and a top portion of the rear bolt for servicing the gun and a closed position that blocks access to the interior cavity.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a body for a paintball gun. The body comprises a plurality of walls defining an interior cavity with a breech area and the plurality of walls includes a body shell top pivotally connected to the at least one other wall. The body also comprises a feed neck extending from the body shell top and defining an inlet into the breech area of the interior cavity and the body shell top is configured to move between an open position that provides access to the breech area and a closed position that blocks access to the breech area. The body shell top longitudinally divides the body in an open position along plane that intersects with the breech area.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of servicing a paintball gun. The method includes the steps of providing a paintball gun with a split body having an upper portion movable between an open position that provides access to at least portions of at least some of the internal components of the paintball gun and a closed position that blocks access to at least portions of at least some of the internal components with the body in a closed position, and moving the upper and/or lower portions to an open position.
The paintball gun of
A forward body projection 79 extends adjacent the forward end 75 of the upper portion 77 of the body 39, having a first side 86a on one side of the body 39 and a second side 87a on the other side of the gun body. Each of the first side 86a and second side 87b has holes 88a therethrough.
A rearward body projection 89 extends adjacent the rearward end 76 of the upper portion 77, having a first side 86b on one side of the body 39 and a second side 87b on the other side of the gun body with each of the first side 86b and second side 87b having holes 88b therethrough. The front body projection 79 and rear body projection 89 may have a generally U-shaped cross section, having open bottoms, as shown, for example, in
The lower portion 78 includes holes 200a corresponding to the holes 88a in the forward body projection 79. The lower portion 78 further includes holes 200b corresponding to the holes 88b in the rearward body projection 89. When the paintball gun is in a closed or assembled position, the holes 200a adjacent the forward end 75 of the lower portion 78 are aligned with the holes 88a in the front body projection 79, and the holes 200b adjacent the rear end 76 of the lower body portion 78 are aligned with the holes 88b in the rear body projection 89.
The lower body portion 78 is preferably attached to the grip frame 63, and may be received in and partially fit in a space at the top of the grip frame 63 configured to receive a part of the lower body portion 78, as shown, for example, in at least
A split line 90 runs generally along or near the middle of the body 39 where the upper portion 77 and lower portion 78 meet when the body 39 is assembled.
The upper portion 77 is preferably secured to the lower portion 78 adjacent the forward end 75 by a pin which may be designated as a front body pin 48 extending through holes 88a in the first side 86a and second side 87a of the forward body projection 79, and the holes 200a adjacent the forward end 75. The upper portion 77 may be secured to the lower portion 78 (and also may be secured to the grip frame 63) adjacent the rearward end 76 by a rear pin 92 extending through holes 88b in the first side 86b and second side 87b of the rearward body projection 89, the holes 200b adjacent the rearward end 76 of the lower body 78 and the corresponding holes 199b in the rear grip frame 63.
The pin 48 preferably acts as a hinge 82 about which the upper body portion 77 and lower body portion 79 can move relative to each other. Accordingly, the body shell top 35 may be hingedly connected to body shell bottom 45 by the pin 92 through the forward body projection 79 to form a hinge 82, and the body shell top 35 is movable relative to body shell bottom 45 to form an open or disassembled, or closed or assembled, position of the body 39. Preferably, the body shell top 35 and body shell bottom 45 pivot about hinge 82, as shown in the Figures and described in greater herein. The pins 48, 92 are preferably quick-release type pins or may be other quick-release fasteners as are known in the art. The pins may be, for example, spring-loaded pins, detent pins, push-pull pins, pin with spring clip, push pins, pull-pins, clevis pin, cotter pins, combinations of the foregoing, or any other similar quick release attachments which those of skill in the art will readily appreciate.
The use of quick release pins allows for opening of the body 39 is a very simple and easy manner. Removing just a single pin (rear pin 92), which may be without the use of any tools, allows the body 39 to be moved to an open position for access or service. No other latches, screws or other types of attachments must be removed in order to open the body 39. Thus, the body may be opened in just one or two steps: removal of the pin 92, and moving, rotating and/or pivoting the upper portion 77 about the hinge 82 relative to the lower portion 78.
The forward end of the grip frame 63 also may be attached to the lower portion 78 by a forward grip frame pin 201a which may extend through grip frame hole 199a and corresponding holes in the lower portion 78.
A feed port or feed neck 91 is shown adjacent the forward end 75 of the upper portion 77 for receiving a paintball loader or “hopper” as in known in the art. This feed port 91 connects to the feed outtake port of paintball loader or “hopper,” and paintballs are fed into the breech of the paintball marker accordingly.
At least
The firing assembly 80 preferably includes a front bolt 5, a power tube 6 about which the front bolt 5 is positioned, a rear bolt 17, a bolt plug 18, a drive spring 20, an end cap 23, a linkage arm 37, and a valve assembly 81. In operation, when the trigger 53 is actuated, the drive spring 20 will provide a force to bias the rear bolt 17 forward to contact the valve assembly 81. Since the front bolt 5 is connected to the rear bolt 17 by a linkage arm 37, the front bolt 5 will also be biased forward to chamber a paintball. When the rear bolt 15 contacts the valve assembly 81, compressed gas is released (such as supplied to the paintball gun by a compressed gas tank), and a projectile is fired from the paintball gun. Movement of the upper portion 77 relative to the lower portion 78 exposes the firing mechanism 80 of the paintball gun for field stripping, adjustments, service, or any maintenance.
As described, the body 39 is split horizontally along a substantially central longitudinal axis into the upper portion 77 and the lower portion 78. The upper portion 77 is attached at its forward end 75 to the lower portion 78 by the hinge 82 positioned adjacent the forward end 75 of the body 39. The upper portion 77 and lower portion 78 generally each form approximately about one-half of the body 39.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the valve assembly 81 is preferably fixedly secured to the lower portion 78 within the body shell bottom 45. At least portions of the valve assembly 81 are configured to remain secured to the lower portion 78 when the upper portion 77 and lower portion 78 are moved away from each other. It is preferred that at least parts of the valve assembly 81 and the lower portion 78/body shell bottom 45 are firmly secured together so that they do not move relative to each other when the body 39 is in the open position. Moreover, the valve assembly 81 should remain in place unless a user completely disassembles that component, if it can be disassembled at all. For example, securing bolts 93 shown in
In an embodiment of the present invention, the barrel 1 is connected to or otherwise secured to the body 39 of the paintball gun with a barrel adapter 3, as shown in at least
As can be appreciated, when using a paintball gun, it is important that the barrel is tightly secured and does not move or wobble relative to the body 39, so that the paintball gun fires accurately and the projectile travels through the barrel without disruption. In addition, when a moveably body of a paintball gun is provided, such as in the present invention, the body portions may not come together as tightly to clamp the barrel adapter 3 after continued use. Accordingly, to assist in securing the barrel adapter 3 in place and ensure a tight fit so that the barrel 1 does not move or otherwise wobble, a barrel gripping piece 38 is provided, as shown in at least
As can be appreciated from, for example, at least
In addition to the capability of rotating the upper portion 77 of the body 39 relative to the lower portion 78 of the body 39 about the hinge 82, the entire upper portion 77 also may be removed. Accordingly, as shown in
It is preferred that one or both of the pins 48, 92 are removable without the use of tools, and such a design is designated herein as “tool-less.” Thus, a user (e.g., paintball sport player or person performing maintenance on a paintball gun) may readily field strip the paintball gun of the present invention, without having to carry a set of tools with them, or without having to use a tool. The user may simply extract or otherwise push out, for example, front body pin 48, and the body 39 may be opened. As shown for example in
A method of servicing a paintball gun according to an embodiment of the present invention, the method comprising the steps of providing a paintball gun with a body 39 having a body shell top 35 movable between an open position that provides access to at least portions of at least some of the internal components of the paintball gun, and a closed position that blocks access to at least portions of at least some of the internal components of the paintball gun, wherein the body shell top 35 may be secured in the closed position, releasing the body shell top 35 to allow movement towards the open position, and moving the body shell top 35 to the open position to expose at least portions of at least some of the internal components of the paintball gun.
It is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover all modifications and combinations which are within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein and/or defined by the appended claims, and/or shown in the attached drawings.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/756,813, filed Jan. 25, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
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