Abstract: The invention is directed toward a device and method for attaching one or more paintball pods the underside of the air canister of a paintball marker. A band of material encircles the canister, either covering the entire bottom and mid-section of the canister as a one-piece jacket or cover, or encircling the canister through a flat harness body with a retaining loop around which double-sided Velcro® cinches the harness body to the canister. The harness can be made of a number of different materials with some combination of non-skid and cushioning characteristics. The device protects the air canister, makes retrieving paintball pods easy and efficient, and presents a much smaller target than do other means of providing replacement paintballs. The invention also allows the player to gain mobility, as he/she does not have to deal with paintball pods flopping around during running, diving, crouching, jumping and crawling activities.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a device and method of providing a substantial quantity of paintballs to a paintball gun in a manner which minimizes the target silhouette of the user and allows him/her to supply the paintball gun with relative ease, safety, and efficiency in that he/she does not have to reach for paintball pods to refill his/her marker. A force-feed mechanism removes paintballs from the backpack hopper and feeds them into the marker, while a ratcheting ceiling communicates with a sensor and brings the ceiling of the backpack hopper down on the remaining paintballs as more are fired to ensure that there is a constant pressure feeding the remaining paintballs into the force feed mechanism. The invention also optionally provides for an air canister located in the backpack hopper which even further lowers the player's profile as a target and protects the canister from damage.