Patents by Inventor Michael P. Steenbeke

Michael P. Steenbeke 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).

  • Patent number: 7000603
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: Michael P. Steenbeke