Receiver/grip assembly for a paintball marker
A receiver/grip assembly for a paintball marker includes a first casting formed to include at least a portion of a grip and a portion of a receiver, and a second casting formed to include at least a portion of the grip. The castings are formed to receive, alternatively, a mechanical trigger assembly or an electronic trigger assembly. In one embodiment, the grip and receiver are substantially bisected by the parting line when the first and second castings are joined.
The present invention relates generally to paintball markers, and more specifically to receiver/grip assemblies for paintball markers. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a cast receiver/grip assembly for alternatively receiving various trigger assemblies.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARYPaintball markers are assembled in various ways. For example, some paintball markers are assembled by bolting a receiver and a grip to one another. Paintball markers are also assembled through castings that form various portions of the paintball marker that are subsequently coupled to one another. Further, these castings have been formed to receive various components of a paintball marker, such as the components necessary for triggering the firing of a paintball.
The invention allows a paintball marker, which includes die cast components, to readily and alternatively receive various trigger assemblies, such as mechanical or electronic assemblies. This allows a single die set to be used in manufacturing paintball marker castings. The decision to install a specific trigger assembly can thus be made at a time subsequent to the casting of the paintball marker. Subsequent modification of the marker to accept an alternative assembly is also facilitated.
In one illustrative embodiment, a paintball marker includes a plurality of castings. A first casting includes a portion of the paintball marker receiver and a portion of the paintball marker grip. This illustrative embodiment also has a second casting which includes another portion of the receiver and of the grip. The first and second castings are coupled to one another to form the paintball grip and receiver. It is to be appreciated that the plurality of castings can include various portions of the grip and receiver, such as the first casting including the entire receiver and a portion of the grip, while the second casting includes only a grip portion, for example. In another illustrative embodiment, the plurality of castings are formed of metals, such as aluminum, zinc, or magnesium, for example. In another illustrative embodiment, the castings are nickel-plated. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the castings are formed of non-metallic material, such as a polymer resin, for example.
In certain embodiments, the castings are formed to receive various trigger assemblies, such as mechanical or electronic assemblies. The castings are specifically formed to receive these trigger assemblies alternatively, so that the mechanical triggering assembly can be installed after the castings have been created, or alternatively, the electronic trigger assembly can be installed. Also, the castings may be retrofitted so that a paintball marker including an electronic trigger assembly can be converted to include a mechanical assembly, or vice versa.
In another illustrative embodiment, an electronic trigger assembly includes a battery, electronic circuitry, a linear actuator, and a capacitor. An illustrative mechanical trigger assembly includes a projection which acts on a sear to cause the firing of a paintball. The mechanical trigger assembly can also include a trigger assist apparatus, which biases the trigger forward after the trigger is pulled for firing, thereby allowing a faster rate of paintball firing in a semi-automatic paintball marker. In another illustrative embodiment, the trigger assemblies, mechanical or electronic, are enclosed within the castings when the first and second castings are coupled to one another. In this and other embodiments, the first and second castings are configured to accept a plurality of fasteners to secure the first and second castings to one another.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGSThe present invention will be described hereafter with reference to the attached drawings which are given as non-limiting examples only, in which:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the receiver/grip assembly, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the receiver/grip assembly in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In this illustrative embodiment, grip portion 28 has electronic trigger assembly 115 located thereon. Trigger assembly 115 illustratively includes: battery 116, capacitor 118, linear actuator 120, rod 122, electronic circuitry 124, and switch 128. Linear actuator 120 is illustratively shown in
Grip portion 30 of casting 22 is similarly formed to receive the components shown in
Grip portions 28, 30 are not only formed to receive all of the components of electronic trigger assembly 115, but also a trigger assembly using mechanical components. Many of the components typically used in both electronic and mechanical trigger assemblies such as sear 112 and springs 110, 114 are shown in
Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, from the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present invention. Various changes and modifications may be made to adapt the various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A receiver/grip assembly for a paintball marker comprising:
- (a) a first casting formed to include at least a first portion of a grip and at least a first portion of a receiver; and
- (b) a second casting formed to include at least a second portion of the grip;
- (c) wherein, said castings are formed to receive a mechanical trigger assembly; and
- (d) wherein, said castings are formed to alternatively receive an electronic trigger assembly.
2. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 1, wherein said second casting is formed to include at least a second portion of said receiver.
3. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 2, wherein said grip is substantially bisected to form said grip portions respectively included in said first and second castings.
4. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 3, wherein said receiver is substantially bisected to form said receiver portions respectively included in said first and second castings.
5. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 1, wherein said first and second castings are configured to accept fasteners which secure said castings to one another.
6. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of said mechanical trigger assembly is enclosed within said castings when said first and second castings are secured to one another.
7. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of said electronic trigger assembly is enclosed within said castings when said first and second castings are secured to one another.
8. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 2, wherein said electronic trigger assembly comprises:
- (a) a battery;
- (b) electronic circuitry;
- (c) an actuator; and
- (d) a switch.
9. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a surface, said surface being substantially flat to support said batter.
10. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 9, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a removable portion, wherein said battery is accessible from the exterior of said casting when said removable portion is removed.
11. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a recess formed to receive said electronic circuitry.
12. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a plurality of pegs;
- (a) wherein, said switch comprises a plurality of openings disposed therethrough; and
- (b) wherein, each opening is formed to receive one of said pegs.
13. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a knock-out formed to receive at least a portion of said actuator.
14. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 8, wherein said electronic trigger assembly further comprises a capacitor.
15. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 14, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a recess formed to receive said capacitor.
16. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 1, wherein said mechanical trigger assembly comprises a trigger assist apparatus.
17. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 16, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a groove formed to receive said trigger assist apparatus.
18. The receiver/grip of claim 17, wherein said trigger assist apparatus is pneumatically powered.
19. A paintball marker comprising:
- (a) a hopper for holding a supply of paintballs;
- (b) a barrel through which paintballs may be sequentially discharged;
- (c) a supply of compressed gas; and
- (d) a receiver/grip assembly which comprises:
- (e) a first casting formed to include at least a first portion of a grip and at least a first portion of a receiver; and
- (f) a second casting formed to include at least a second portion of said grip;
- (g) wherein, said castings are formed to receive a mechanical trigger assembly; and
- (h) wherein, said castings are formed to alternatively receive an electronic trigger assembly.
20. The paintball marker of claim 19, wherein said second casting is formed to include at least a second portion of said receiver.
21. The paintball marker of claim 20, wherein said grip is substantially bisected to form said grip portions respectively included in said first and second castings.
22. The paintball marker of claim 20, wherein said receiver is substantially bisected to form said receiver portions respectively included in said first and second castings.
23. The paintball marker of claim 19, wherein said first and second castings are configured to accept fasteners which secure said castings to one another.
24. The paintball marker of claim 23, wherein at least a portion of said mechanical trigger assembly is enclosed within said castings when said first and second castings are secured to one another.
25. The paintball marker of claim 24, wherein at least a portion of said electronic trigger assembly is enclosed within said castings when said first and second castings are secured to one another.
26. The paintball marker of claim 19, wherein said electronic trigger assembly comprises:
- (a) a battery;
- (b) electronic circuitry;
- (c) an actuator; and
- (d) a switch.
27. The paintball marker of claim 26, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a surface, said surface being substantially flat to support said batter.
28. The paintball marker of claim 27, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a removable portion, wherein said battery is accessible from the exterior of said casting when said removable portion is removed.
29. The paintball marker of claim 26, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a recess formed to receive said electronic circuitry.
30. The paintball marker of claim 26, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a plurality of pegs;
- (a) wherein said switch comprises a plurality of openings disposed therethrough; and
- (b) wherein, each opening is formed to receive one of said pegs.
31. The paintball marker of claim 26, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a knock-out formed to receive at least a portion of said actuator.
32. The paintball marker of claim 26, wherein said electronic trigger assembly further comprises a capacitor.
33. The paintball marker of claim 32, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a recess formed to receive said capacitor.
34. The paintball marker of claim 19, wherein said mechanical trigger assembly comprises a trigger assist apparatus.
35. The paintball marker of claim 34, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a recess formed to receive said trigger assist apparatus.
36. The paintball marker of claim 35, wherein said trigger assist apparatus is pneumatically powered.
37. The paintball marker of claim 19, wherein said castings are formed of aluminum.
38. The paintball marker of claim 19, wherein said castings are formed of zinc.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 1, 2005
Publication Date: Aug 3, 2006
Inventor: Dennis Tippmann (Fort Wayne, IN)
Application Number: 11/047,931
International Classification: F41B 11/00 (20060101);