Abstract: A rear derailleur assembly for mounting to a bicycle having a frame. The rear derailleur assembly includes an upper body portion configured to operationally engage the rear derailleur assembly to the frame, a controller portion pivotally connected to the upper body, a lower body portion pivotally connected to the upper body and pivotally connected to the controller portion, and a chain cage assembly. The chain cage assembly includes at least two pulleys configured to engage a chain of the bicycle, and a one-piece chain cage configured to retain each pulley at a particular fixed position. Each pulley is rotatable relative to the one-piece chain cage at the particular fixed position of the pulley. The lower body portion is operationally connected to the one-piece chain cage and configured to allow the one-piece chain cage to pivot relative to the lower body portion.

Abstract: A rear derailleur assembly for mounting to a bicycle having a frame. The rear derailleur assembly includes an upper body portion configured to operationally engage the rear derailleur assembly to the frame, a controller portion pivotally connected to the upper body, a lower body portion pivotally connected to the upper body and pivotally connected to the controller portion, and a chain cage assembly. The chain cage assembly includes at least two pulleys configured to engage a chain of the bicycle, and a one-piece chain cage configured to retain each pulley at a particular fixed position. Each pulley is rotatable relative to the one-piece chain cage at the particular fixed position of the pulley. The lower body portion is operationally connected to the one-piece chain cage and configured to allow the one-piece chain cage to pivot relative to the lower body portion.

Abstract: A rear derailleur assembly for mounting to a bicycle having a frame. The rear derailleur assembly includes an upper body portion configured to operationally engage the rear derailleur assembly to the frame, a controller portion pivotally connected to the upper body, a lower body portion pivotally connected to the upper body and pivotally connected to the controller portion, and a chain cage assembly. The chain cage assembly includes at least two pulleys configured to engage a chain of the bicycle, and a one-piece chain cage configured to retain each pulley at a particular fixed position. Each pulley is rotatable relative to the one-piece chain cage at the particular fixed position of the pulley. The lower body portion is operationally connected to the one-piece chain cage and configured to allow the one-piece chain cage to pivot relative to the lower body portion.

Abstract: A protective lens to be attached to a face mask or used without a face mask as goggles or glasses to cover the eyes of, for example, one playing the game of paintball. The protective lens has a body to be worn over the eyes of a wearer and a thermal backing that is spaced from the lens body to lie closer to the wearer's eyes than the lens body. A volume of air or similar gas is trapped within an air space between the lens body and the thermal backing to prevent the transfer of heat from one to the other. A seal surrounds the air space so that the air trapped therein is isolated from the atmosphere. A rib projecting from the lens body surrounds and lies outside the seal to prevent the seal from becoming saturated with liquid, paint, and the like which might be encountered during play. The trapped air within the air space prevents the protective lens from fogging and obstructing the wearer's view as a consequence of the lens body and the thermal backing having different temperatures.

Abstract: Padded arm and leg protectors having particular application to be worn around the arm and leg of one playing the game of paintball to prevent injury as a consequence of a paintball propelled from a paintball marker striking the player's arm or leg. In one embodiment, the arm protector includes a sleeve surrounding the arm and extending at least between the elbow and the wrist of the player. The sleeve has an outside top layer, an inside bottom layer, and a plurality of protective pads retained between the layers. The protective pads are strategically positioned along the sleeve to cover the wearer's elbow, his wrist and at least some of the muscles of the arm between the elbow and the wrist. The protective pads are separated and spaced from one another by respective channels which extend completely around each pad.

Abstract: Disclosed is a protective mask of the kind having particular application for covering the eyes, ears, nose and chin of one playing the game of paintball. The protective mask has a lens that can be quickly and easily removed for replacement as a consequence of paint splatter or cracking such as that caused by the impact thereagainst of a paintball traveling at high speed. The protective mask also has a detachable head strap that is coupled to the lens through the mask. More particularly, a hole formed through an ear covering section of the mask is axially aligned with a hole formed through an ear covering section of the removable lens. One end of the detachable head strap is tied to a first connector. The first connector includes an upstanding locking catch that is moved into the axially aligned holes formed through the mask and the lens.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making a non-metallic, fiber-reinforced barrel tube having particular application for use in a barrel system to be attached to a paintball marker in order to direct paintballs propelled by the marker towards a target. A mandrel is first dipped in a releasing agent. The mandrel is then coated with a thin layer of metal (e.g., nickel or chrome) by means of a nano vapor deposition process. Next, a fiber-reinforced resinous sheet is wrapped over the thin metal layer to establish a tube therearound. A heat-sensitive plastic tape is wound around the tubular resinous sheet. The mandrel is heated in an oven to cause the thin metal layer to bond to the tubular resinous sheet. At the same time, the heat-sensitive tape shrinks to squeeze any air bubbles from the resinous sheet.

Abstract: A paintball marker of the kind used for propelling a paintball towards a target during the game of paintball. The paintball marker includes a handle to be grasped by the hand of a user during play. A comfortable grip is detachably connected to the handle and a replaceable insert is removably received within an insert opening through the grip. The replaceable insert has a particular color, indicia, and/or three-dimensional design to provide an ornamentally and visually distinctive grip to identify the user or represent his team. The insert can be quickly and easily separated from the grip to be replaced by a different insert having a different color, indicia, or design according to the needs of the user. Accordingly, the ornamentality of the grip of the paintball marker may be quickly and easily changed without having to replace the entire grip.

Abstract: A barrel system for a paintball marker including a breach removably connected to the paintball marker and a composite front detachably connected to the breach. The composite front of the barrel system includes a hollow bore through which a paintball is propelled, a non-metallic inner layer surrounding the bore, and a non-metallic outer layer surrounding the inner layer. The non-metallic inner layer is preferably manufactured from a plurality of unidirectional graphite fibers embedded within an epoxy resin. The non-metallic outer layer is preferably manufactured from a plurality of graphite fibers that are woven together and embedded with an epoxy resin for surrounding and reinforcing the inner layer. The non-metallic inner layer of the composite front is smoothly and continuously tapered to cause the hollow bore to be tapered from a relatively narrow diameter to a relatively wide diameter in the direction of travel of the paintball.

Abstract: A paintball marker of the kind used for propelling a paintball towards a target during the game of paintball. The paintball marker includes a handle to be grasped by the hand of a user during play. A comfortable grip is detachably connected to the handle and a replaceable insert is removably received within an insert opening through the grip. The replaceable insert has a particular color, indicia, and/or three-dimensional design to provide an ornamentally and visually distinctive grip to identify the user or represent his team. The insert can be quickly and easily separated from the grip to be replaced by a different insert having a different color, indicia, or design according to the needs of the user. Accordingly, the ornamentality of the grip of the paintball marker may be quickly and easily changed without having to replace the entire grip.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making a non-metallic, fiber-reinforced barrel tube having particular application for use in a barrel system to be attached to a paintball marker in order to direct paintballs propelled by the marker towards a target. A mandrel is first dipped in a releasing agent. The mandrel is then coated with a thin layer of metal (e.g., nickel or chrome) by means of a nano vapor deposition process. Next, a fiber-reinforced resinous sheet is wrapped over the thin metal layer to establish a tube therearound. A heat-sensitive plastic tape is wound around the tubular resinous sheet. The mandrel is heated in an oven to cause the thin metal layer to bond to the tubular resinous sheet. At the same time, the heat-sensitive tape shrinks to squeeze any air bubbles from the resinous sheet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a protective mask of the kind having particular application for covering the eyes, ears, nose and chin of one playing the game of paintball. The protective mask has a lens that can be quickly and easily removed for replacement as a consequence of paint splatter or cracking such as that caused by the impact thereagainst of a paintball traveling at high speed. The protective mask also has a detachable head strap that is coupled to the lens through the mask. More particularly, a hole formed through an ear covering section of the mask is axially aligned with a hole formed through an ear covering section of the removable lens. One end of the detachable head strap is tied to a first connector. The first connector includes an upstanding locking catch that is moved into the axially aligned holes formed through the mask and the lens.

Abstract: A retrofittable heating and air conditioning system for a single family dwelling including a heater and air conditioning furnace system connected to individual zones of a building by a series of output ducts. Each opening of a duct to an individual zone may have a unique, fully sealing, controllable output register assembly. Also, in each zone is a thermostat for sensing the zone temperature and for providing a means for the user to control the temperature of that zone. The system further includes a master controller with such temperature controlling features as a universal zone controller, individual zone controllers, and a timer. Finally, the system includes a central controller for controlling the register assemblies and the air conditioning, heating, and fan with respect to instructions set by the individual zone registers and the master controller.

Abstract: A retrofittable heating and air conditioning system for a single family dwelling including a heater and air conditioning furnace system connected to individual zones of a building by a series of output ducts. Each opening of a duct to an individual zone may have a unique, fully sealing, controllable output register assembly. Also, in each zone is a thermostat for sensing the zone temperature and for providing a means for the user to control the temperature of that zone. The system further includes a master controller with such temperature controlling features as a universal zone controller, individual zone controllers, and a timer. Finally, the system includes a central controller for controlling the register assemblies and the air conditioning, heating, and fan with respect to instructions set by the individual zone registers and the master controller.

Abstract: A circuit tester includes a light-weight portable transmitter and receiver, with the transmitter being provided with several interchangeable plugs for the testing of power circuits of different voltage. The plugs are alternately firmly electrically and mechanically coupled to apply power to the transmitter, which does not need a battery. The transmitter transmission circuitry operates on a relatively low voltage such as 9 volts, and the transmitter input circuitry operates without switching circuits to reduce the applied power to this operating level. The transmitter only weighs 21/2 or 3 ounces and the receiver only weighs 7 or 8 ounces. Unique modulation or interruption of the transmitter operates audio and/or visual signalling elements in the receiver.