Patents Assigned to Smart Parts, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7866308
    Abstract: A volume restrictor can be provided for a pneumatic paintball gun to reduce the volume of compressed gas available within a compressed gas storage area for a firing operation of the paintball gun. In one embodiment, the volume restrictor includes a body having a forward end and a rearward end. A forward sealing member can be arranged on the forward end to seal around a bolt of the paintball gun. A rearward sealing member can be arranged on the rearward end of the body to seal against a rearward endwall of the compressed gas storage area. By placing the volume restrictor within the compressed gas storage area of the paintball gun, the volume of compressed gas available for a firing operation is reduced, thereby requiring an increased operating pressure to achieve the same paintball velocity. The increased chamber pressure can result in a shorter recharge time and less velocity drop off in successive shots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventors: Danial S. Jones, William M. Gardner, Jr., Hans Semelsberger
  • Patent number: 7762246
    Abstract: A paintball gun preferably includes an adjustable, clamping feed tube. The feed tube can, for instance, include a lever for closing and opening a clamp, thereby tightening or loosening a receiving end of a feed tube to secure or release a hopper neck. The feed tube also preferably includes a finger adjustable nut for adjusting the size of the receiving end to accommodate differently sized hopper necks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward S. Telford
  • Patent number: 7691759
    Abstract: A barrel assembly for a pneumatic paintball gun includes a barrel body and a barrel insert. The barrel body has a breech end, a muzzle end, and a barrel bore extending longitudinally through the barrel body from the breech end to the muzzle end. The barrel insert has a breech end, a distal end, and an insert bore, and is configured to be removably housed within a breech portion of the bore of the barrel body. The breech end of the barrel body is configured to attach to a breech end of the paintball gun. The barrel insert collaborates with the barrel body to provide a firing bore for the barrel assembly which guides a paintball fired from the breech end of the gun through the barrel and out the muzzle end of the barrel body. The barrel insert can be constructed having a thin, flexible wall so as to permit lateral deformation of the barrel insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventors: Roderick A. Perry, William Gardner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7690373
    Abstract: A paintball gun having a quick-removal assembly for readily removing a pneumatic assembly from a chamber of the paintball gun body preferably includes a lift cap hingedly connected to an end of the pneumatic mechanism. A lift pin is preferably connected to the lift cap and removably engaged within a pin receptacle of the paintball gun body. Lifting of the lift cap preferably withdraws the lift pin from the pin receptacle and enables the pneumatic assembly to be removed from the paintball gun. A self-venting mechanism can also be provided to safely release compressed gas stored in the pneumatic assembly from the paintball gun during removal of the pneumatic assembly. A latching mechanism can latch the lift cap in a forward and closed position until a user desires to remove the assembly from the paintball gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward S. Telford, Danial S. Jones
  • Publication number: 20100051007
    Abstract: A paintball gun can include a sensor for detecting the presence (or absence) of a paintball gun in a breech chamber of the paintball gun. A quick-access sensor cover can be provided to enable easy access to the sensor for cleaning or maintenance. The body of the paintball gun can include a receptacle that receives the sensor cover. The cover can be sized and shaped to matingly fit within the receptacle. A recess can be arranged in one end of the receptacle to receive a lip of the sensor cover. The sensor cover can further include a magnetic closure mechanism for retaining the cover in a closed relationship with respect to the paintball gun. Oppositely polarized magnets can, for instance, be arranged in the cover and the paintball gun body to attract and secure the cover in its closed position. The sensor can be positioned within a retaining member in the cover receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward S. Telford, Danial S. Jones
  • Patent number: 7640925
    Abstract: A pneumatic assembly for a paintball gun preferably includes a bolt slidably arranged on a valve stem. The bolt is preferably moveable between an open and a closed position. The bolt preferably provides a firing mechanism for the paintball gun by permitting compressed gas from a compressed gas storage area to flow through the bolt to fire the paintball gun when the bolt is closed but preventing the transfer of compressed gas through the bolt when the bolt is open. An internal area of the valve stem can be arranged to communicate with the compressed gas storage area to increase the effective volume of the compressed gas storage area without increasing the size of the paintball gun. This can permit lower pressure operation of the paintball gun. A supply of compressed gas to the compressed gas storage area can be cut off during firing to improve gas efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventor: Danial Jones
  • Patent number: 7640926
    Abstract: A pneumatic assembly for a paintball gun preferably includes a bolt slidable between an open and a closed position. The bolt preferably provides a firing mechanism for the paintball gun by permitting compressed gas to flow through the bolt to fire the paintball gun when the bolt is closed but preventing the transfer of compressed gas through the bolt when the bolt is open. This can be accomplished, for instance, by arranging a sealing member in communication with a surface of the bolt. A port is also preferably arranged through a lateral sidewall of the bolt at a predetermined location. The bolt preferably slides in relation to the sealing member such that when the bolt is open, the sealing member prevents compressed gas from flowing into the forward end of the bolt, but when the bolt is closed, compressed gas is permitted to flow into the forward end of the bolt to launch a paintball. The bolt is preferably controlled by using a control valve such as a three-way solenoid valve to operate a pneumatic piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventor: Danial Jones
  • Patent number: 7624723
    Abstract: A paintball gun kit preferably includes a plurality of non-fully assembled paintball gun components packaged for retail sale to a consumer. Instructions are preferably provided to instruct the consumer how to assemble the paintball gun components into an operational paintball gun. The paintball gun components can be packaged together or separately. The paintball gun kit can include, for example, a body, a grip, and a pneumatic assembly. Various numbers and arrangements of components are contemplated. Various styles, materials, and colors of paintball gun components can also be provided consistent with the principles of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventors: William Gardner, Jr., Danial Jones
  • Patent number: 7617820
    Abstract: A pneumatic paintball gun preferably includes a body and a grip. The body preferably holds a pneumatic housing that contains the primary operating components of the paintball gun. The pneumatic housing preferably includes a pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly. The pneumatic piston is preferably coupled to a bolt for controlling movement of the bolt based on the supply and venting of compressed gas from the cylinder. Most preferably, a normally-open three way solenoid valve supplies compressed gas to a forward surface area of the piston to hold the bolt in an open position. In the open position, a paintball is permitted to load into a breech area of the paintball gun. In response to a trigger pull, the three-way solenoid valve is preferably configured to vent compressed gas away from the forward piston surface area. Pressure supplied to a rearward piston surface area preferably causes the bolt to close, moving the paintball into a barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventor: Danial Jones
  • Patent number: 7617819
    Abstract: A bolt for a pneumatic paintball gun is preferably slidable between an open and a closed position. The bolt preferably provides a firing mechanism for the paintball gun by permitting compressed gas to flow through the bolt to fire the paintball gun when the bolt is closed but preventing the transfer of compressed gas through the bolt when the bolt is open. This can be accomplished, for instance, by arranging a sealing member in communication with a surface of the bolt. A port is also preferably arranged through a lateral sidewall of the bolt at a predetermined location. The bolt preferably slides in relation to the sealing member such that when the bolt is open, the sealing member prevents compressed gas from flowing into the bolt, but when the bolt is closed, compressed gas is permitted to flow into the bolt. The bolt is preferably controlled by using a control valve such as an electronic solenoid valve to operate a pneumatic piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventor: Danial S. Jones
  • Patent number: 7610908
    Abstract: A paintball gun preferably includes an electro-pneumatic flow distribution mechanism such as a solenoid valve having a port connected to a pneumatic mechanism. For instance, the solenoid valve may include an input port receiving compressed gas from a compressed gas supply and an output port connected to the pneumatic mechanism. The solenoid valve can be enabled to direct compressed gas to and/or from the pneumatic mechanism to operate a bolt. The bolt may be coupled to the pneumatic mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventors: William Gardner, Jr., Adam Gardner
  • Patent number: 7603997
    Abstract: An electrical control unit preferably can control operation of a paintball gun having a solenoid valve with an input port that receives compressed gas from a compressed gas supply and an output port connected to a pneumatic mechanism. For instance, the electrical control unit can contain a network of electronic components configured to receive an input signal from a trigger-actuated switch and send a signal to the solenoid valve. The solenoid valve can, for instance, direct compressed gas to and/or from the pneumatic mechanism to operate a bolt or firing valve connected to the pneumatic mechanism in response to the signal from the electrical control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Hensel, David L. Smith, Raymond S. Gaston, William M. Gardner, Jr., Adam Gardner
  • Patent number: 7591262
    Abstract: A pneumatic paintball gun preferably includes a bolt having an interior chamber. The interior chamber of the bolt is preferably arranged to communicate with a compressed gas storage area to effectively increase the volume of compressed gas stored in the compressed gas storage area without increasing the size of the paintball gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventors: Danial Jones, William Gardner, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090219245
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for display of digital images that provides for duplicate file detection, dynamic simultaneous and sequential display of multiple images, user modifiable image display sequences, operating mode transition based upon motion sensing and automatic and selective transfer of images from external devices without requiring user or other human intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles H. Frankel, Morgan C. Jones, Arthur D. Truesdell
  • Patent number: 7556032
    Abstract: A pneumatic assembly preferably includes a sealing member disposed between a compressed gas storage area and a compressed gas releasing area. A piston rod is preferably arranged in communication with the sealing member and disposed longitudinally in the pneumatic assembly extending between the compressed gas storage and compressed gas releasing areas. One or more vent channels are preferably formed in the piston rod, with one or more ribs arranged longitudinally through or between the vent channels. The ribs are preferably configured to maintain the sealing member within a sealing member retaining groove while compressed gas is being released from the compressed gas storage area to the compressed gas releasing area. A grip mounted circuit board arrangement can also be provided wherein a circuit board is configured to securely mount within one or more slots arranged in a grip frame of a paintball gun. The circuit board may include a solenoid valve and a trigger-actuated switch arranged on the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventors: Danial Jones, William Gardner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7490622
    Abstract: A quick exhaust valve is preferably constructed having a port connector, an input body, and an exhaust body. The input body and exhaust body are preferably arranged in a rotatable relationship with the port connector such that an input port of the input body can be arranged in a desired orientation with respect to a connected device and still permit communication between ports in the input and exhaust bodies and a port in the port connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventor: Danial Jones
  • Patent number: 7461646
    Abstract: A bolt assembly for a paintball gun preferably includes a valve stem having an output port that can supply compressed gas to a compressed gas storage chamber. A bolt is preferably slidably mounted on the valve stem to move between a forward and a rearward position. The bolt can include one or more bolt ports configured to communicate compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber to a forward end of the bolt for launching a paintball when the bolt is in the forward position. When the bolt is in a rearward position, the bolt ports preferably communicate compressed gas from the outlet port of the valve stem into the compressed gas storage chamber. A sealing member can be arranged on the valve stem in communication with the bolt to prevent compressed gas in the compressed gas storage chamber from entering a forward bolt chamber when the bolt is in the rearward position and to permit compressed gas to enter the forward bolt chamber through the bolt ports when the bolt is in the forward position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventor: Danial Jones
  • Patent number: 7401761
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for preventing accidental disconnection of a valve fitting from a compressed gas cylinder (tank) is provided. A valve safety device preferably includes a valve stem having a first threaded section. The first threaded section is preferably configured to engage threads in an internal section of a compressed gas storage device during insertion and reside within an internal portion of the compressed gas storage device following insertion. A non-threaded section is preferably arranged proximal to the first threaded section. One or more vents are preferably provided on the non-threaded section to provide for a safe release of compressed gas from the compressed gas storage device before the first threaded section can be removed from the compressed gas storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventors: William Gardner, Jr., Danial S. Jones
  • Publication number: 20070277890
    Abstract: A valve for a paintball gun preferably includes a valve body, a tank connection member, and a device connection member. The valve can, for instance, be an on/off valve or a tank pin-valve. The device connection member is preferably attached to the valve body in a rotationally adjustable relationship. Alternatively, the tank connection member (or both) could be arranged in a rotationally-adjustable relationship with respect to the valve body. A locking member can be provided to lock one or more of the connection members in a desired orientation with respect to the valve body. In an on/off valve configuration, a vent can be provided to permit venting of residual compressed gas from an attached device when the valve is switched to an off position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventor: Roderick A. Perry
  • Patent number: D571415
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Smart Parts, Inc.
    Inventor: Danial Jones