Gravity Fed Patents (Class 124/49)
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Patent number: 7270120Abstract: Each of a set of substitutable paintball magazines quickly attaches to a coupling feeder mounted on the ammunition intake port of a paintball marker, replacing the traditional hopper and sets of paintball cartridges. The coupling feeder includes a motor-driven paintball feeding mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2005Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Inventors: Lester V. Broersma, Joseph Landry
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Patent number: 7243645Abstract: A positive fit feed adapter for use between a paintball loader and a paintball gun. The feed adapter includes a threaded connector formed on either the paintball gun or the paintball loader. The threaded connector includes a plurality of expansion slots that allow the outer diameter of the connector to expand or compress. The feed adapter further includes a collet having an internally threaded surface that is tapered from a first end to a second end. When the feed tube from the other of the paintball gun and the paintball loader is inserted into the threaded connector, the collet is tightened along the external threads to reduce the diameter of the connector to provide a positive fit between the paintball gun and the paintball loader.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2005Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Inventor: Forest A. Hatcher
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Patent number: 7231914Abstract: An improved feed port for a pneumatic projectile device comprising a moveable feed port aperture attached to a pneumatic device through which projectiles can be introduced to the breech of the pneumatic device, the feed port having an aperture permitting the free flow of projectiles from an external source.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2002Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Inventor: Forest A Hatcher
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Patent number: 7231946Abstract: A paintball hopper refill apparatus or loading apparatus is disclosed, which includes a body, an interior, a neck and a dispensing portion where the body is made of a flexible material, the interior is designed to be filled with a plurality of paintballs and the dispensing portion is designed to be opened either by pulling a pull string or by squeezing allowing the paintballs to flow from the loading apparatus to the hopper. A method for filling a hopper using the loading apparatus of this invention is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2003Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Avalon Advanced Products, IncInventors: Stephen Ho, Kheng Pang
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Patent number: 7229105Abstract: An auto-adapting fitting for releasably connecting in an end-to-end orientation, a first tube end to a second tube end having an outer diameter within a specified range for use between the ammunition feed port of a paintball gun and the outlet port of a paintball magazine. The fitting is formed onto the end portion of the gun inlet tube. The fitting comprises a resilient sleeve-shaped collar having a number of radially, inwardly extending projections that pass through corresponding radially penetrating holes through the side wall of the end portion of the feed port near its upper opening. The projections bear against the outer surface of the magazine outlet tube. Magazine outlet tubes of a larger outer diameter will cause the collar to be resiliently pushed outwardly.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: JT USA LLCInventor: Lester V. Broersma
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Patent number: 7216641Abstract: A loading system for a paintball gun comprises a paintball reservoir having an outlet at a bottom thereof. An inlet opening is defined in the reservoir, and a door covers the opening when in a closed position, and movable to an open position. A paintball canister has an opening, and a lid covers the opening when in a closed position, and is movable to an open position. The system is configured such that the canister can be engaged with the reservoir with the door and lid in respective open positions such that paintballs in the canister can flow into the reservoir, and the canister can be locked to the reservoir. The system can be configured such that the door and lid open automatically during engagement, and such that the canister ejects when empty.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2005Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Inventors: Brant Friesen, Shawn Curtis
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Patent number: 7191773Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a magazine for loading paintballs into a guppy. The magazine is in the form of a tapered plastic container defining a chamber, an exit port leading from the chamber and a top loading opening leading to the chamber. A cover is snap mounted to the container and a paintball feed mechanism is mounted adjacent the bottom of the container next to the port. The feed mechanism comprising a slide housing mounted to the container and a slide member defining a beveled aperture sidably mounted in the slide housing, the slide member being spring biased in a closed position to provide selective access to paintballs held in the container chamber allowing a guppy to be mounted to a guppy support member which extends away from the feed mechanism to be loaded with paintballs.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Inventor: Brad L. Vincent
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Patent number: 7178515Abstract: A coupler enables a paintball hopper to be easily connected to and disconnected from a paintball marker. A part of the coupler is connected to the paintball marker while another part is connected to the paintball hopper. The coupler has a locked and an unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the portion of the coupler connected to the paintball hopper is easily removed from or inserted into the coupler. In the locked position, the paintball hopper is held immobile and capable of being used in a competitive environment. The coupler provides fixed positions while locked and uses techniques to keep the hopper immobile when locked to the paintball marker.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Inventors: Dale Carpenter, Jason Scott Henley
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Patent number: 7093591Abstract: A hopper device includes a reservoir sized and shaped for defining a cavity therein and has first and second openings in fluid communication with the cavity. The first opening is disposed at a first end portion of the reservoir and the second opening is disposed subjacent to the first opening. An articulatable valve is connected to the first opening and is manually adaptable between open and closed positions for allowing and restricting flow of the paintball mobiles. A spout having opposed end portions is attached to the second opening and terminates away therefrom for assisting to dispense the paintball mobiles outwardly from the reservoir. The present invention further includes a mechanism for heating the reservoir and effectively maintaining an internal temperature of the cavity within the temperature range such that the paintball mobiles can be maintained at a liquefied state.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2005Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Inventor: Jarrod Baxter
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Patent number: 7077118Abstract: A paintball gun reloading system comprises a cylindrical shaped canister having a gate at an open end, which can be spring-biased to a closed position. A port cover closing a filling port in a paintball gun storage reservoir comprises a hands-free openable cover which is adapted to open when the reloading canister is inserted into the filling port, and to close when the canister is removed from the filling port. The gate is opened as the canister is inserted into the filling port, and is reclosable as the canister is removed from the filling port.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Inventor: Robert Lewis
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Patent number: 7021302Abstract: An impeller for an active-feed paintball loader has resilient arms that engage paintballs in the lower portion (well) of the loader and advance them to and through the outfeed tube. The resilient arms are sufficiently stiff to move unobstructed paintballs located between the arms, and sufficiently flexible to yield when forced against stationary paintballs so as not to rupture the paintball shells, the arms substantially returning to their original shape when the obstruction is removed. Accordingly, when the motor is shut off, the arms will simply flex backward as they encounter stationary paintballs. Should a paintball jam occur in the vicinity of the impeller, the arm(s) can flex around the jammed ball without breaking it, and help to dislodge it so as to clear the jam.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2003Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Brass Eagle LLCInventors: Terry Neumaster, Bruce Crites, Michael Jezdimir
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Patent number: 7000603Abstract: A magazine chamber that is cooperative with existing self-closing refill pods has two longitudinally extending tracks, the first which engages the pod hinge and the second which engages the thumb tab protruding from the cover. The tracks guide the refill pod into the magazine chamber, and once fully inserted, the tracks then rotate the pod about the magazine chamber. This rotation guides the refill pod in a rotation that is differential between the two tracks, with a slight helical offset therebetween. This offset results in longitudinal displacement between thumb tab and pod hinge, effecting an opening of the pod cover and a release of the paintballs held therein into the magazine chamber. Removable covers are provided for the closed end of the magazine chamber that harmlessly deflect longitudinally traveling paintballs. The covers are preferably fabricated with team colors or insignia. Various removable couplers are also disclosed for coupling the magazine to one or more styles of paintball guns.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2004Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Inventor: Michael P. Steenbeke
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Patent number: 6981493Abstract: A paintball backpack includes a housing including a plurality of isolated compartments having open top end portions. The compartments include a plurality of releasable flap portions connected adjacent the top end portions. The housing further has a lower cavity provided with an outlet positioned substantially medially thereof. The lower cavity is disposed subjacent the compartments and has a bottom surface sloping downwardly and inwardly towards the outlet. The backpack further includes a harness including a plurality of shoulder portions adjacent the flap portions of the housing and extending about a user's torso and a belt section integral therewith. The backpack further includes a mechanism for selectively moving paintballs from the top end portions to the lower cavity and a mechanism for dispensing paintballs outwardly and away from the lower cavity wherein the paintballs are projected from the housing at a predetermined velocity.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2004Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Inventor: Charles J. Poteracke
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Patent number: 6974396Abstract: A batting aid is described. The batting aid includes a height-adjustable stand having top and bottom portions. A hollow tube having first and second ends is attached to the top portion of the stand. A mechanism is attached to the second end of the tube, and is adjustable to modify the exit angle of a ball placed in the device.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2003Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Quickswing, Inc.Inventors: Donald Mauer, Gregory Knutson, James Mauer
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Patent number: 6935324Abstract: A hopper for a paintboll gun is disclosed. The hopper is a gravity feed hopper and has a lower profile than those in the previous art. The hopper fits closely to the profile of the paintball gun and may have multiple chambers along with unidirectional gates to control the flow between chambers and within chambers as well. This invention may take the form of a hopper mounted onto a previous type of paintboll gun as an aftermarket add-on or it may be built into the paintball gun itself as part of its construction.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Inventors: Jason D. Watson, John L. Smith
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Patent number: 6923170Abstract: 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 including a closable magazine. A paintball adapter is also disclosed, where the adapter includes a closing assembly designed to allow the adapter to transition between a closed state and an open state and to a paint ball gun including a closable magazine and/or a closable adapter.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2003Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Avalon Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Stephen Ho, Kheng Phang
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Patent number: 6860258Abstract: A paintball gun loader. The loader is used in a closed-bolt paintball gun. The loader provides a paintball contact surface that moves in oscillating fashion in response to movement of the bolt to load individual paintballs into the gun while the gun loading port is open, which occurs as the gun cycles when fired. The loader includes a spring element that limits the force exerted on the paintball being loaded, even in case of a jam when the paintball contact surface is urged toward the paintball. In one embodiment, a pivotally mounted flexible lever arm having a paintball contact surface oscillates through an angular range of motion in response to a cam surface of the bolt engaging a cam follower on the the loader. In such embodiment, the cam follower is urged toward the cam surface of the bolt, which in turn biases the paintball contact surface toward an open, paintball receiving position.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2003Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Inventor: Kenneth R. Farrell
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Patent number: 6745755Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a magazine of shots for repeating guns, in particular for compressed-air guns, which comprises at least two cylinders in series, front and rear, respectively, the front cylinder provided with N identical chambers for housing the shots and with a crown of N teeth intended to be engaged by a mechanism of rotation, the rear cylinder provided with N−1 chambers for housing the shots and with an aperture of smaller diameter intended to make possible the passage of the firing gas from the valve to the chamber of the front cylinder, which is aligned with the barrel from time to time. The front and rear cylinders are provided with complementary couplings, shaped to interact with one another for a contemporary rotation of the two cylinders only after the first N shots have been fired from the front cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2003Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Valtro Europe S.r.l.Inventor: Carlo Piccini
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Patent number: 6742512Abstract: A paintball gun is disclosed, which includes at least one aiming and/or pointing device mount assembly connected to, affixed to or integral with a paintball gun's hopper, adapter, and/or feed tube.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2003Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Avalon Manufactoring Co.Inventors: Stephen Ho, Kheng Phang
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Patent number: 6739322Abstract: A paintball feed system (10) comprises flexible detent beams (32a,b) that flex about first and second support points (33,34) such that they allow a paintball (22a) to pass from a hopper (18) into a feed tube (12) leading to a paintball marker's breech (16) under it's own weight when flexing about the first support point (33). The beams (32a,b) are rigid enough, when flexing about the second support pint (34), to prevent the return of the paintball (22a) back into the hopper (18) from the feed tube (12).Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2003Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: NPF LimitedInventors: John Ronald Rice, Nicholas John Marks, Fraser Colley
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Patent number: 6739323Abstract: A paint ball gun is provided. The paint ball gun has a paint ball feed mechanism which comprises an actuator, a paint ball advance assembly, a bias member, and a paint ball feed assembly. The actuator is configured to advance such that the paint ball advance assembly, coupled to the actuator, moves in response to movement by the actuator. The paint ball feed assembly is coupled to the paint ball advance assembly moving therewith and engaging a paint ball to feed the same into the paint ball gun.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2002Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Tippmann Pneumatics, Inc.Inventor: Dennis J. Tippmann, Jr.
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Patent number: 6729321Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Avalon Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Stephen Ho
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Publication number: 20040079352Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a magazine of shots for repeating guns, in particular for compressed-air guns, which comprises at least two cylinders in series, front and rear, respectively, the front cylinder provided with N identical chambers for housing said shots and with a crown of N teeth intended to be engaged by a mechanism of rotation, the rear cylinder provided with N−1 chambers for housing said shots and with an aperture of smaller diameter intended to make possible the passage of the firing gas from the valve to the chamber of the front cylinder, which is aligned with the barrel from time to time. The front and rear cylinders are provided with complementary coupling means, shaped to interact with one another for a contemporary rotation of the two cylinders only after the first N shots have been fired from the front cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2003Publication date: April 29, 2004Inventor: Carlo Piccini
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Patent number: 6725852Abstract: An ammunition magazine for dispensing uniformly-sized spherical projectiles such as paintballs into a gun adapted to shoot said projectiles has a generally oblong, closed container having a channel defined in its bottom from a distal axial end to an outlet port located in a lowermost, median portion of the container. The proximal portion of the container floor defines a slanted platform which extends above and beyond the outer port so that projectiles are urged by the platform toward the distal end of the channel from where they roll under the platform and into the outlet port. A helicoidal stirring arm projects from a distal area of the platform obliquely over the exposed part of the channel. The steering arm is driven by an electrical motor controlled by a switch conveniently mounted on the side of the magazine. The arm spins in a ball-uplifting direction to break any jamming of the balls above the channel.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2003Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: JT USA, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Yokota, Joseph A. Landry, Lester Broersma
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Patent number: 6722355Abstract: A paintball container is provided having a semi-circular door for fast, efficient loading of paintballs. The container can be in the form of a gun magazine or can be in the form of a pod for supplying paintballs to the magazine. A semi-circular door of the magazine is biased closed with a spring and allows the magazine to be quickly loaded. The magazine includes a door tab attached to the door and a fixed tab attached to a stop which cooperatively engage respectively a fixed tab and a door tab of a paintball pod which is inverted thereon and rotated during magazine loading.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Harlen R. Andrews, Jr.
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Patent number: 6701907Abstract: A spring-loaded feed mechanism for a paintball loader. The feed mechanism includes an inner spool and an outer spool. A torsion spring is positioned between the inner and outer spools. The outer spool includes a pressure wall, from which the torsion spring is located on one end of the spring. A retaining wall is attached to the inner spool and is located at the opposite end of the torsion spring. When an operator of a paintball gun using the spring-loaded feed mechanism discontinues firing paintballs, the feed mechanism is stopped. Simultaneously, during the deceleration of the feed mechanism, the torsion spring is compressed, which allows the mechanical energy of the rotating feed mechanism to be stored within the compressed spring. When the operator desires to fire the paintball gun, the feed mechanism is accelerated to the requisite rotational speed. The compressed spring is release, thereby allowing the spring to assist in accelerating the feed mechanism to the necessary rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: National Paintball Supply, Inc.Inventors: James T. Christopher, Chris T. Goddard
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Patent number: 6691691Abstract: The table tennis ball distribution and storage apparatus and method described herein stores a plurality of table tennis balls and automatically projects a single ball on command. The apparatus includes an integrated timing system that simultaneously loads a single ball from a storage unit into a firing cavity, cuts power to a motor to keep the ball within the firing cavity, and arms a flipper system. The integrated timing system includes an integrated ball support/feeder system, a flipper system, and an actuator system. The integrated ball support/feeder system both supports the stored balls and loads a single ball into the firing cavity. The flipper system is used on the apparatus to propel the ball in an exact and proper trajectory. An actuator system controls the timing of the flipper system. The table tennis ball distribution and storage method uses the apparatus to store and distribute table tennis balls.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2003Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Inventors: Brian Beynon, John Stump, Tim Armstrong
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Publication number: 20040000300Abstract: A paint ball gun magazine or a combined hopper/feeder apparatus is closed, 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 including a closable magazine.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2002Publication date: January 1, 2004Inventor: Stephen Ho
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Patent number: 6616555Abstract: In an athletic ball server, a collapsible tripod supports an elongated inclined tray containing a linear array of balls. A gate at the low end of the tray cyclically releases balls one at a time from the array to gravity. One edge of a trampoline is pivoted on the tripod. The central portion of the trampoline is aligned to bounce a ball released from the tray. An eye-bolt is connected between the tripod and the trampoline allowing the angular position of the trampoline to be varied. By adjusting the eye-bolt, it is possible to achieve any desired trajectory of the bounced ball from a pop-up or slow pitch trajectory to a ground ball trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2001Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Inventor: Carl Dwain Bewley
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Publication number: 20030154967Abstract: A paint ball gun hopper/pod loader device comprising a storage container and a nozzle to allow the user to quickly and efficiently reload a paint ball gun hopper/pod. The nozzle of the paint ball gun hopper/pod loader device allows for the smooth transfer of paint balls from the interior of the container into the paint ball gun hopper/pods. The paint ball gun hopper/pod loader device has a lid to complete the enclosure of the container leaving the only opening of the device the transfer nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Inventors: Thomas Anthony Trier, Kathleen Mary Trier, Jonathan Thomas Trier
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Publication number: 20030131835Abstract: A paintball feed system (10) comprises flexible detent beams (32a,b) that flex about first and second support points (33,34) such that they allow a paintball (22a) to pass from a hopper (18) into a feed tube (12) leading to a paintball marker's breech (16) under it's own weight when flexing about the first support point (33). The beams (32a,b) are rigid enough, when flexing about the second support pint (34), to prevent the return of the paintball (22a) back into the hopper (18) from the feed tube (12).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2003Publication date: July 17, 2003Inventors: John Ronald Rice , Nicholas John Marks , Fraser Colley
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Patent number: 6591824Abstract: A positive fit feed adapter for use between a paintball loader and a paintball gun. The feed adapter includes a threaded connector formed on either the paintball gun or the paintball loader. The threaded connector includes a plurality of expansion slots that allow the outer diameter of the connector to expand or compress. The feed adapter further includes a collet having an internally threaded surface that is tapered from a first end to a second end. When the feed tube from the other of the paintball gun and the paintball loader is inserted into the threaded connector, the collet is tightened along the external threads to reduce the diameter of the connector to provide a positive fit between the paintball gun and the paintball loader.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Inventor: Forest A. Hatcher
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Publication number: 20030127084Abstract: A paint ball gun is provided. The paint ball gun has a paint ball feed mechanism which comprises an actuator, a paint ball advance assembly, a bias member, and a paint ball feed assembly. The actuator is configured to advance such that the paint ball advance assembly, coupled to the actuator, moves in response to movement by the actuator. The paint ball feed assembly is coupled to the paint ball advance assembly moving therewith and engaging a paint ball to feed the same into the paint ball gun.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Inventor: Dennis J. Tippmann
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Patent number: 6588412Abstract: An adaptor is provided between a hopper of a paint ball gun and the gun itself so as to effectuate a stable and secure but removable connection that does not deteriorate with successive disconnections and reconnections A compressible bushing is acted upon by a nut so as to radially compress the bushing and form a tight fit against a tube extending from the hopper. The nut is threaded onto a tube that is threadingly connected to the gun.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Inventors: William J. Ferrara, Brian P. Saponaro
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Patent number: 6532946Abstract: A paintball gun for propelling paintballs has a barrel formed with a loading tube and a hopper for feeding paintballs into the loading tube for delivery to the barrel. A cleaning ball storage and feeding device is interconnected between the hopper and the loading tube for selectively feeding cleaning balls into the barrel to purge the barrel from shell particles and filler paint deposited from a previously propelled ruptured paintball.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Inventor: Ryan A. Paquette
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Publication number: 20030047173Abstract: A lacquer bullet gun feeding system, comprising a storing case, a feeding opening, a feeding tube, a motor, a battery, and a funnel-shaped turntable. The storing case, has a curved inner side, accommodating lacquer bullets, with the feeding opening placed at a lowermost location thereof. The feeding tube continues from the feeding opening, guiding the lacquer bullets into a lacquer bullet gun. The motor is fastened on one side of the feeding tube, driving a cog via speed-changing gear, with the cog in turn driving a large gear. The battery supplies the motor with power. The funnel-shaped turntable is placed on the feeding opening, having an inclined wall with at least one upward projection and a downward extending tube body, surrounded by the large gear which is fixed thereon, so that the funnel-shaped turntable rotates as driven by the cog.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2001Publication date: March 13, 2003Inventor: Chih-Chen Juan
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Patent number: 6526955Abstract: A lacquer bullet gun feeding system, comprising a storing case, a feeding opening, a feeding tube, a motor, a battery, and a funnel-shaped turntable. The storing case, has a curved inner side, accommodating lacquer bullets, with the feeding opening placed at a lowermost location thereof. The feeding tube continues from the feeding opening, guiding the lacquer bullets into a lacquer bullet gun. The motor is fastened on one side of the feeding tube, driving a cog via speed-changing gear, with the cog in turn driving a large gear. The battery supplies the motor with power. The funnel-shaped turntable is placed on the feeding opening, having an inclined wall with at least one upward projection and a downward extending tube body, surrounded by the large gear which is fixed thereon, so that the funnel-shaped turntable rotates as driven by the cog.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2001Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Inventor: Chih-Chen Juan
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Patent number: 6481432Abstract: A paintball hopper for connection to a paintball launcher or marker has a counter which includes a flexible potentiometer extending into a transfer conduit that connects to the paintball launcher or marker. The hopper has a reservoir shaped for movement of the paintballs toward the transfer conduit. The hopper has a nose with slanted surfaces that are deflection engineered to enhance the deflectability of paintballs directed at the user. The counter mechanism includes a timer and an LCD display so the user can see how many paintballs have been launched and monitor time. The hopper also includes an agitator to agitate the paintballs in the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2001Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: American International Marketing, Inc.Inventors: Ennis Rushton, Douglas M. Odom, Mark Wenzel, Joseph Harris, Gregory Misbach, Gordon B. Langford
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Patent number: 6460530Abstract: A ball feeding device for a for connection to a separate and independent ball propelling machine, such as those used to propel softballs, tennis balls, and baseballs. The preferred embodiment includes a lower chute connected to the feed port of a ball machine. Balls are delivered to the lower chute from a hopper through a feed port comprising of a tumbler casing of a hollow tube formation having an entry hole on its open upper end and a feed hole on its open lower end. The casing has a tumbler hole on its wall leading to the feed port. A tumbler sleeve is positioned in the tumbler hole and axial extends perpendicular to the path of the feed port. The tumbler sleeve has a ring gear around its circumference. The tumbler sleeve also has a semicircular sleeve extension, having an inner and outer wall which extends a predetermined distance into the feed port and obstructs the passage of balls though the port. The upper end of the casing is placed within the exit hole of the hopper.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Inventors: Dean A. Backeris, James Kappernaros, Frank J. Costa
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Publication number: 20020129805Abstract: A paint ball gun reservoir connector for connecting a paint ball reservoir to a paint ball gun. The reservoir connector includes a connector nipple with a collet disposed at the upper end of the connector nipple. The lower end of the connector nipple is attached to the upper portion of the paint ball gun, immediately above the breach portion of the paint ball gun. The paint ball reservoir has a downwardly directed reservoir nipple which is securely clamped to the upper end of the connector nipple by the collet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2001Publication date: September 19, 2002Inventor: Dennis J. Sullivan
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Publication number: 20020129804Abstract: A paint ball gun having a paint ball reservoir. The paint ball gun has a reservoir connector including a connector nipple with a clamp disposed at the upper end of the connector nipple. The lower end of the connector nipple is attached to the upper portion of the paint ball gun, immediately above the breach portion of the paint ball gun. The paint ball reservoir has a downwardly directed reservoir nipple which is securely clamped to the upper end of the connector nipple by the clamp. A stiffener insert is disposed within the reservoir nipple to reinforce the reservoir nipple so as to prevent the clamp from flattening out the reservoir nipple.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2001Publication date: September 19, 2002Inventors: Dennis J. Sullivan, Michael Wood
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Publication number: 20020112713Abstract: A ball feeding device for a for connection to a separate and independent ball propelling machine, such as those used to propel softballs, tennis balls, and baseballs. The preferred embodiment includes a lower chute connected to the feed port of a ball machine. Balls are delivered to the lower chute from a hopper by a tumbler which revolves below the exit hole of the hopper, dispensing one ball at a time. The tumbler has a tumbler hole or plurality of tumbler hole cut onto its body leading to a separate and distinct chamber or chambers. The tumbler revolves within a tumbler casing which has an entry hole on its upper wall and a load hole on its opposite wall. A collar surrounds the entry hole. The collar is placed within the exit hole of the hopper. A turnstile ring with two vertical posts surrounds the collar causing the balls to be mixed, sorted, and dispensed into the exit hole as the ring rotates.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2000Publication date: August 22, 2002Inventors: Dean A. Backeris, James Kappernaros, Frank J. Costa
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Publication number: 20020096163Abstract: A bulk loader for supplying paintballs to a paintball gun including a loader housing for internally storing a quantity of paintballs, this housing having a bottom outlet through which paintballs can sequentially drop. A feed tube is connected to this housing at the outlet and extends downwardly therefrom. A paintball moving device which can take the form of a vibrator housing, is mounted in the loader housing and is capable of vibrating in order to move paintballs located near the bottom outlet. A vibrator, which can include a small electrical motor, causes the moving device to vibrate when a paintball jam must be freed up. Preferably the vibrator is mounted in the housing forming the moving device. A control mechanism controls the operation of the vibrator and includes a switch mounted in or adjacent to the feed tube for sensing the absence of a paintball within the feed tube. The vibrator can include a vibration causing weight that is mounted on the output shaft of the motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2001Publication date: July 25, 2002Inventor: Aldo Perrone
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Patent number: 6418919Abstract: A bulk loader for supplying paintballs to a paintball gun including a loader housing for internally storing a quantity of paintballs, this housing having a bottom outlet through which paintballs can sequentially drop. A feed tube is connected to this housing at the outlet and extends downwardly therefrom. A paintball moving device which can take the form of a vibrator housing, is mounted in the loader housing and is capable of vibrating in order to move paintballs located near the bottom outlet. A vibrator, which can include a small electrical motor, causes the moving device to vibrate when a paintball jam must be freed up. Preferably the vibrator is mounted in the housing forming the moving device. A control mechanism controls the operation of the vibrator and includes a switch mounted in or adjacent to the feed tube for sensing the absence of a paintball within the feed tube. The vibrator can include a vibration causing weight that is mounted on the output shaft of the motor.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2001Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Inventor: Aldo Perrone
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Patent number: 6415781Abstract: A bulk loader apparatus for supplying paintballs to a paintball gun includes a housing for internally storing a quantity of paintballs, this housing having a bottom outlet through which stored paintballs can drop. A feed tube is connected to the housing at the bottom outlet and extends downwardly therefrom. This feed tube is connectible to the gun and capable of sequentially delivering the paintballs to the gun. An auger-like member is rotatably mounted at the bottom outlet and operable to clear a paintball feed jam or move one or more paintballs located at or near the outlet. The mechanism for controlling the operation of the moving member preferably includes a microswitch mounted in the feed tube for sensing the absence of a paintball within the feed tube. The control mechanism operates and moves the paintball moving member to clear the jam or move paintballs at the outlet when the position of the microswitch indicates the absence of a paintball.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1999Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Inventor: Aldo Perrone
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Publication number: 20020083936Abstract: A pneumatic toy gun includes a groove and two first holes respectively defined through a barrel thereof the gun and a bullet feeding device is connected to the barrel. The feeding device includes a first part and a second part, wherein the first part has a feeding tube. The second part has a protrusion extending therefrom so as to be inserted into the groove in the barrel. The first part is then connected to the second part by screws. The connection of the protrusion and the groove set the second part in position so that the feeding tube can be positioned at a desired position when the two parts are connection with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2001Publication date: July 4, 2002Inventor: Chen Ming-Hsien
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Patent number: 6408836Abstract: A pneumatic toy gun includes a barrel having a groove and two first holes extending therethrough. A bullet feeding device is connected to the barrel. The feeding device includes a first part and a second part, wherein the first part has a feeding tube. The second part has a protrusion extending therefrom so as to be inserted into the groove in the barrel. The first part is then connected to the second part by screws. The connection of the protrusion and the groove set the second part in position so that the feeding tube can be positioned at a desired position when the two parts are in connection with each other.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2001Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Inventor: Chen Ming-Hsien
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Publication number: 20020059928Abstract: An adaptor is provided between a hopper of a paint ball gun and the gun itself so as to effectuate a stable and secure but removable connection that does not deteriorate with successive disconnections and reconnections A compressible bushing is acted upon by a nut so as to radially compress the bushing and form a tight fit against a tube extending from the hopper. The nut is threaded onto a tube that is threadingly connected to the gun.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2001Publication date: May 23, 2002Inventors: William J. Ferrara, Brian P. Saponaro
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Patent number: 6374819Abstract: A paintball feeding device for a paintball marker which has a hole defined in a barrel thereof and the feeding device includes a tubular body connected to the barrel and communicating with the hole of the barrel. An end member is snapped to an end of said tubular body by receiving two protrusions on the end member in two apertures in the tubular body.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2001Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Inventor: Chen Ming-Hsien
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Patent number: 6347622Abstract: A paint bullet gun is constructed to include a gun body, a stock, a trigger, a bullet loading guide, a rear sight rack, and a carburetion chamber, wherein the gun body is formed of an upper gun barrel and a lower barrel, the upper gun barrel having a top bullet loading hole, a plurality of recessed holes longitudinally aligned at a top side thereof, a side slot, and a rubber stop mounted in the side slot and adapted to stop the loaded paint bullets in position; the bullet loading guide is sleeved onto the upper gun barrel to hold the rubber stop in the side slot, having a plurality of fixing devices, which are respectively fastened to the recessed holes of the upper gun barrel to fix said bullet loading guide to the upper gun barrel, the fixing devices each having a compression spring, and a steel ball supported on the compression spring at a bottom side and forced by the compression spring into engagement with one recessed hole of the upper gun barrel.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2000Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Inventor: Chieh-Lung Hsueh