This invention relates to a reusable marker projectile to be pneumatically or mechanically shot from a barrel. More specifically, this invention relates to a lightweight reusable marker which can be accurately propelled at low velocity to minimize impact force while achieving an effective indication of impact location on a target.
The sport of paintball is one of the fastest growing sports among teenagers and young adults. It is a combat type game in which players suitably attired in padded clothing and face shields shoot paint filled balls at each other through compressed air guns. On impact, the paintball typically breaks open to leave a splotch of water soluble, colored liquid. Suppliers of paintball equipment have substantially standardized the size of conventional paintballs to be approximately 0.688 to 0.690 inches or about 17.5 mm in diameter. The skin or capsule wall of a paintball is characteristically in the range of 0.2 to 0.4 mm in thickness so that the liquid volume contained within the paintball is a little more than 2.5 cubic centimeters. The weight of a typical paintball is slightly more than 3 grams. In short, it is a dense round ball and potentially dangerous.
The guns developed for shooting conventional paintballs include a barrel having a bore corresponding in size to the diameter of standard paintballs as previously mentioned. Such guns normally operate with compressed carbon dioxide (CO2) gas stored in a canister that is a part of the gun itself. The CO2 canister may be a rechargeable type or it may be disposable. In either case, the conventional paintball gun is designed to propel a paintball weighing more than 3 grams at a velocity of approximately 300 feet per second or slightly more than 90 meters per second. The momentum of the paintball, therefore, is sufficient on impact to cause bruising even under protective clothing. Although a strong desire to engage in this sport exists for pre-teenage youth, pain aversion among youngsters limits participation.
It is also well known that the sport of paintball and the associated use of paintball equipment pose serious safety concerns. Accordingly, the dangers associated with paintball have significantly limited participation by pre-teenage youth either through exercise of parental control or through age restrictions imposed by paintball field operators.
Another limiting factor associated with the sport of paintball is expense. During a staged combat on a paintball field, a player can shoot several hundred paintballs most of which break on contact with whatever they hit. Even those which remain unbroken cannot be reused due to distortion or dirt, either of which interfere with operation of the paintball gun if one attempts to reload a spent, but unbroken paintball.
Although it is impossible to eliminate all risks associated with any shooting recreation, nonetheless, a need exists in the sports industry to provide a reusable, low velocity marker projectile for youth sports designed to lessen the impact experienced by a hit while retaining the marking feature which has made the paintball sport so popular. The primary objective of this invention is to meet this need.
More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a low velocity marker projectile for youth shooting sports as an effective alternative to the sport of paintball.
Another object of the invention is to provide a marker projectile for youth shooting sports with a diminished impact as compared with traditional paintball. By combining a velocity of less than 150 feet per second (45 meters per second) with a greater impact surface area, impact from the marker projectile of this invention can be tolerated by youngsters wearing appropriate protective clothing.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a reusable marker projectile for youth shooting sports which, after shooting, may be recovered and recharged with a marking agent for repeated shots. This feature renders the marker projectile more economical for the youth market as compared with the expense associated with the traditional paintball sport.
A further object of the invention is to provide a reusable marker projectile of the character previously described which is aerodynamically shaped and durably fabricated.
A corollary object of the invention is to provide a reusable marker projectile of the character previously described which also resists shape distortion to provide reliable accuracy when once spent projectiles are reused.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a reusable marker projectile of the character previously described which is generally cone-shaped and can be nested in a head-to-tail fashion for condensed packaging or for storage in the magazine of a marker gun.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a nestable marker projectile of the character previously described with features to prevent one projectile from being wedged or stuck into another when several of the projectiles are nested in a head-to-tail fashion.
A further object of the invention is to provide a reusable marker projectile for youth shooting sports which is generally spherical in shape and which, after shooting, may be recovered and recharged with a marking agent for repeated shots.
In summary, a lower impact, reusable marker projectile for youth shooting sports as an acceptable alternative to the traditional sport of paintball. The projectile is fabricated from durable polymer material to conform to the circular bore of a barrel for discharge under the influence of a pneumatic or mechanical force. The projectile incorporates a marking agent retainer to carry a sufficient quantity of liquid or powder marking agent to leave a visual indication of impact location on a target. The projectile may alternatively be formed in a general cone-shape or a sphere-shape. The cone-shaped projectiles are capable of being nested without distortion and without wedging for the purpose of condensed storage.
Other and further objects of the invention, together with the features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear in the course of the detailed description of the drawings.
In the following description of the drawings, in which like reference numerals are employed to indicate like parts in the various views:
Referring to the drawings in greater detail, attention is directed to the first preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in
The skirt 32 also defines a tail cavity 34 in the trailing end of the projectile 30 which is larger in diameter than the size of the nosepiece 31. This feature controls weight and also provides a nesting function as will be later discussed.
Connected to the leading end of the nosepiece 31, and projected forwardly therefrom, is an integrally formed retainer cup 35 smaller in diameter than the size of the nosepiece 31. The cup 35 securely, but removably, holds an absorbent sponge or pad 36. The pad 36 projects out from the cup 35 in order to first come in contact with any target at which the projectile 30 is directed. The pad 36 is saturated with a suitable marking agent, a portion of which is released to provide a visual indication of the point of impact whenever the projectile 30 strikes a target. When the marking agent has been dissipated from the absorbent pad 36, the pad may be recharged with additional marking agent in order to continue reuse of the recovered projectile 30.
Marking agents suitable for use with this embodiment of the invention include a broad spectrum of liquids, such as water, inks, dyes, pigments and paints, as well as fine powders. Preferably, any ink, dye, pigment, paint or powder utilized will be water soluble in order to facilitate removal from clothing, face shields, equipment and other objects impacted by the projectile 30.
As previously noted, the tail cavity 34 of the projectile 30 is larger than the nosepiece 31 such that the nosepiece 31 of one projectile 30 may be inserted into the tail cavity 34 of a like projectile 30 as illustrated in
When the projectiles 30 are nested in a head-to-tail orientation as illustrated, two mechanical concerns are important. First, it is important that one projectile not become wedged or stuck to an adjacent projectile. And second, it is important that the absorbent pad 36 not contact the interior of the tail cavity 34 of the projectile such that the marking agent could be dispensed from the pad 36. These concerns are addressed in the first embodiment of the invention by providing ridges 37 secured to skirt 32 in a radially spaced fashion around the projectile 30. The leading shoulder 38 of each such ridge 37 is rounded to present a smooth contact surface. As shown in
In the embodiment of
Projectiles 30 constructed in accordance with the foregoing principles have been found to be aerodynamically stable in flight at velocities within the range of 75 to 150 feet per second (22 to 45 meters per second) and to reliably meet the objectives previously set forth.
Attention is next directed to the second preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in
The skirt 42 also defines a tail cavity 44 in the trailing end of the projectile 40 which is larger in diameter than the size of the nosepiece 41. This feature controls weight and also provides a nesting function as will be later discussed.
Recessed into the leading end of the nosepiece 41 is a retainer cup 45 smaller in diameter than the size of the nosepiece 41. The cup 45 securely, but removably, holds an absorbent sponge or pad 46. The pad 46 projects out from the cup 45 in order to first come in contact with any target at which the projectile 40 is directed. The pad 46 is saturated with a suitable marking agent, a portion of which is released to provide a visual indication of the point of impact whenever the projectile 40 strikes a target. When the marking agent has been dissipated from the absorbent pad 46, the pad may be recharged with additional marking agent in order to continue reuse of the recovered projectile 40.
Marking agents suitable for use with this embodiment and materials of construction of the projectile body are the same as previously disclosed with reference to the first embodiment.
As previously noted, the tail cavity 44 of the projectile 40 is larger than the nosepiece 41 such that the nosepiece 41 of one projectile 40 may be inserted into the tail cavity 44 of a like projectile 40 as illustrated in
When the projectiles 40 are nested in a head-to-tail orientation as illustrated, two mechanical concerns are important. First, it is important that one projectile not become wedged or stuck to an adjacent projectile. And second, it is important that the absorbent pad 46 not contact the interior of the tail cavity 44 of the projectile such that the marking agent could be dispensed from the pad 46. These concerns are addressed in the second embodiment of the invention by providing an abutment wall 47 within the tail cavity 44 which is engagable by the forward surface of the nosepiece 41 to limit penetration of one projectile 40 within another. It should also be noted that the nosepiece 41 and the leading portion of the skirt 42 are sized smaller than the inside tapered diameter of the tail cavity 44 so that no contact between these surfaces occurs when the projectiles 40 are nested.
Centrally recessed in the abutment wall 47 is an interior cup 48 to accommodate the pad 46 so that it does not contact any interior surfaces of the projectile body and thereby disperse the marking agent it carries.
As illustrated, the exterior surface of the skirt 42 and portions of the nosepiece 41 may be contoured by grooves 49 for aerodynamic effect and to limit material weight. In comparing this construction with the first embodiment, therefore, those skilled in the molding arts will understand that the material of construction for projectile 40 should be selected to be slightly stiffer in order to resist distortion with reduced mass.
Projectiles 40 constructed in accordance with the foregoing principles have been found to be aerodynamically stable in flight at velocities within the range of 75 to 150 feet per second (22 to 45 meters per second) and to reliably meet the objectives previously set forth.
Attention is next directed to the third preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in
The skirt 52 also defines a tail cavity 54 in the trailing end of the projectile 50 which is larger in diameter than the leading portion of the nosepiece 51. This feature controls weight and also provides a limited nesting function as will be later discussed.
The leading end of the nosepiece 51 is formed by a flat face 55 on which is glued, or removable connected by a hook and pile fastener, an absorbent sponge or pad 56. The pad 56 projects forwardly from the face 55 in order to first come in contact with any target at which the projectile 50 is directed. The pad 56 is saturated with a suitable marking agent, a portion of which is released to provide a visual indication of the point of impact whenever the projectile 50 strikes a target. When the marking agent has been dissipated from the absorbent pad 56, the pad may be recharged with additional marking agent in order to continue reuse of the recovered projectile 50.
Marking agents suitable for use with this embodiment and materials of construction of the projectile body are the same as previously disclosed with reference to the first embodiment.
As previously noted, the tail cavity 54 of the projectile 50 is larger than the leading portion of the nosepiece 51 such that the nosepiece 51 of one projectile 50 may be inserted into the tail cavity 54 of a like projectile 50 as illustrated in
As illustrated, contact between adjacent projectiles 50 in a nested orientation occurs when the trailing end of the skirt 52 engages the shoulder of the nosepiece 51. In comparing this construction with the first embodiment, therefore, those skilled in the molding arts will understand that the material of construction for projectile 50 should be selected to be slightly stiffer in order to resist distortion of the skirt 52.
Projectiles 50 constructed in accordance with the foregoing principles have been found to be aerodynamically stable in flight at velocities within the range of 75 to 150 feet per second (22 to 45 meters per second) and to reliably meet the objectives previously set forth.
Attention is next directed to the fourth preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in
The skirt 62 also defines a tail cavity 64 in the trailing end of the projectile 60 which is larger in diameter than the leading portion of the nosepiece 61. This feature controls weight and also provides a limited nesting function as will be later discussed.
In this embodiment, the absorbent pad functioning as a marking agent retainer of the prior examples has been replaced with an alternative construction. Cut into the surface of the leading end of the nosepiece 61 are a plurality of capillary grooves 65 to function as a marking agent retainer for liquid marking agents. The grooves 65 may range in width from 0.5 to 0.7 millimeters and have a depth of at least 2 millimeters. As illustrated in
Marking agents suitable for use with this embodiment of this invention include a broad spectrum of liquids, such as water, inks, dyes, pigments and paints, which have a surface tension sufficient to display capillary action within the capillary grooves 65. Preferably, any ink, dye, pigment, paint or powder utilized will be water soluble in order to facilitate removal from clothing, face shields, equipment and other objects impacted by the projectile 60.
As previously noted, the tail cavity 64 of the projectile 60 is larger than the leading portion of the nosepiece 61 such that the nosepiece 61 of one projectile 60 may be inserted into the tail cavity 64 of a like projectile 60 as illustrated in
As illustrated, contact between adjacent projectiles 60 in a nested orientation occurs when the trailing end of the skirt 62 engages the shoulder of the nosepiece 61 beside the region containing the capillary grooves 65. In comparing this construction with the first embodiment, therefore, those skilled in the molding arts will understand that the material of construction for projectile 60 should be selected to be slightly stiffer in order to resist distortion of the skirt 62.
Projectiles 60 constructed in accordance with the foregoing principles have been found to be aerodynamically stable in flight at velocities within the range of 75 to 150 feet per second (22 to 45 meters per second) and to reliably meet the objectives previously set forth.
Attention is now directed to the fifth preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in
The skirt 72 also defines a tail cavity 74 in the trailing end of the projectile 70 which is larger in diameter than the leading portion of the nosepiece 71. This feature controls weight and also provides a limited nesting function as will be later discussed.
As in the previous example, the marking agent retainer is provided by a series of capillary grooves. Cut into the surface of the leading end of the nosepiece 71 are a plurality of capillary grooves 75 to function as a marking agent retainer for liquid marking agents. The grooves 75 may range in width from 0.5 to 0.7 millimeters and have a depth of at least 2 millimeters. As illustrated in
Marking agents suitable for use with this embodiment of this invention include a broad spectrum of liquids, such as water, inks, dyes, pigments and paints, which have a surface tension sufficient to display capillary action within the capillary grooves 75. Preferably, any ink, dye, pigment, paint or powder utilized will be water soluble in order to facilitate removal from clothing, face shields, equipment and other objects impacted by the projectile 70.
As previously noted, the tail cavity 74 of the projectile 70 is larger than the leading portion of the nosepiece 71 such that the nosepiece 71 of one projectile 70 may be inserted into the tail cavity 74 of a like projectile 70 as illustrated in
Materials suitable for fabrication of the projectile body, as in the case of earlier embodiments of the invention, include relatively lightweight plastics and moldable foams. Particularly desirable as the materials of construction are polymers such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane (PU) or polyethylene (PE). These materials provide workable ranges for durability, density, flexibility and hardness in the fabricated projectile.
In this particular construction, a formulation of the material of construction was selected to provide a softer, more flexible material. In order to reinforce the skirt 72, radial support webs 76 are included within the tail cavity 74. Additionally, rather than have the more flexible skirt 72 engage the shoulder of the nosepiece 71 as in the case of the previous example, an axial support post 77 is located within the tail cavity 74 and is integrally formed with the nosepiece 71 and the support webs 76. In order to prevent distortion of the skirt 72, therefore, the central portion of the nosepiece 71 engages the end of the axial support post 77 within the tail cavity when adjacent projectiles 70 are nested.
Projectiles 70 constructed in accordance with the foregoing principles have been found to be aerodynamically stable in flight at velocities within the range of 75 to 150 feet per second (22 to 45 meters per second) and to reliably meet the objectives previously set forth.
Lastly, attention is directed to the sixth preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in
As in the previous example, the marking agent retainer is provided by a series of capillary grooves. Cut into the spherical surface of the marker projectile 80 are a plurality of capillary grooves 81 to function as a marking agent retainer for liquid marking agents. The grooves 81 may range in width from 0.5 to 0.7 millimeters and have a depth of at least 2 millimeters. As illustrated in
Marking agents suitable for use with this embodiment of this invention include a broad spectrum of liquids, such as water, inks, dyes, pigments and paints, which have a surface tension sufficient to display capillary action within the capillary grooves 85. Preferably, any ink, dye, pigment, paint or powder utilized will be water soluble in order to facilitate removal from clothing, face shields, equipment and other objects impacted by the projectile 80.
Materials suitable for fabrication of the projectile body 80, as in the case of earlier embodiments of the invention, include relatively lightweight plastics and moldable foams. Particularly desirable as the materials of construction are polymers such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane (PU) or polyethylene (PE). These materials provide workable ranges for durability, density, flexibility and hardness in the fabricated projectile.
Projectiles 80 constructed in accordance with the foregoing principles have been found to be aerodynamically stable in flight at velocities within the range of 75 to 150 feet per second (22 to 45 meters per second) and to reliably meet the objectives previously set forth.
From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with the other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the invention.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
This application is related in part to copending nonprovisional application Serial No. ______, filed May 10, 2004.
The inventions described and claimed in this application were not made under federally sponsored research and development.