Patents by Inventor David Michael Banks

David Michael Banks has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • PAINTBALL LOADER DRIVE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20120272940
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ball feed mechanism and associated method for use in a paintball loader. The ball feed mechanism includes a feeder which conveys or impels balls toward a feed neck, and a drive member which is concentric with the feeder. The feeder is coupled to the drive member. An electric motor is used to rotate the drive member which in turn causes the feeder to rotate. The feed mechanism includes sensors which detect the motion of the feeder and the drive member. A controller determines the position of the feeder relative to the drive member and actuates a motor when necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: KEE Action Sports I LLC
    Inventors: James T. Christopher, Chris T. Goddard, David Michael Banks
  • Differential detection system for controlling feed of a paintball loader
    Patent number: 8104462
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ball feed mechanism and associated method for use in a paintball loader. The ball feed mechanism includes a feeder which conveys or impels balls toward a feed neck, and a drive member which is concentric with the feeder. The feeder is coupled to the drive member. An electric motor is used to rotate the drive member which in turn causes the feeder to rotate. The feed mechanism includes sensors which detect the motion of the feeder and the drive member. A controller determines the position of the feeder relative to the drive member and actuates a motor when necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Kee Action Sports I LLC
    Inventors: James T. Christopher, Chris Terrence Goddard, David Michael Banks
  • DIFFERENTIAL DETECTION SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING FEED OF A PAINTBALL LOADER
    Publication number: 20090056691
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ball feed mechanism and associated method for use in a paintball loader. The ball feed mechanism includes a feeder which conveys or impels balls toward a feed neck, and a drive member which is concentric with the feeder. The feeder is coupled to the drive member. An electric motor is used to rotate the drive member which in turn causes the feeder to rotate. The feed mechanism includes sensors which detect the motion of the feeder and the drive member. A controller determines the position of the feeder relative to the drive member and actuates a motor when necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: KEE ACTION SPORTS I LLC
    Inventors: James T. Christopher, Chris T. Goddard, David Michael Banks
  • Differential detection system for controlling feed of a paintball loader
    Patent number: 7445002
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ball feed mechanism for use in a paintball loader. The ball feed mechanism includes a feeder which conveys or impels balls toward a feed neck, and a drive member which is concentric with the feeder. The feeder is coupled to the drive member through a spring. The spring is configured to store potential energy which is used to rotate the feeder and, thus, drive the balls toward the feed neck. An electric motor is used to rotate the drive member to wind the spring. The feed mechanism includes sensors which detect the motion of the feeder and the drive member. A controller determines the spring tension based on the relative motion of the feeder and drive member, and actuates a motor when necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: KEE Action Sports I LLC
    Inventors: James T. Christopher, Chris T. Goddard, David Michael Banks
  • Differential detection system for controlling feed of a paintball loader
    Patent number: 6889680
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ball feed mechanism for use in a paintball loader. The ball feed mechanism includes a feeder which conveys or impels balls toward a feed neck, and a drive member which is concentric with the impeller. The feeder is coupled to the drive member through a spring. The spring is configured to store potential energy which is used to rotate the feeder and, thus, drive the balls toward the feed neck. An electric motor is used to rotate the drive member to wind the spring. The feed mechanism includes sensors which detect the motion of the feeder and the drive member. A controller determines the spring tension based on the relative motion of the feeder and drive member, and actuates a motor when necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: National Paintball Supply, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Christopher, Chris T. Goddard, David Michael Banks
  • Differential detection system for controlling feed of a paintball loader
    Publication number: 20040074487
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ball feed mechanism for use in a paintball loader. The ball feed mechanism includes a feeder which conveys or impels balls toward a feed neck, and a drive member which is concentric with the impeller. The feeder is coupled to the drive member through a spring. The spring is configured to store potential energy which is used to rotate the feeder and, thus, drive the balls toward the feed neck. An electric motor is used to rotate the drive member to wind the spring. The feed mechanism includes sensors which detect the motion of the feeder and the drive member. A controller determines the spring tension based on the relative motion of the feeder and drive member, and actuates a motor when necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: James T. Christopher, Chris T. Goddard, David Michael Banks