Paintball Work Table

Abstract

A paintball work table having a paintball pod carry suspender, helmet cavity and paintball gun cavity is described herein. The paintball work table permits the paintball player to effectively and efficiently manage his/her equipment between paintball scrimmages. Also, the paintball work table may be foldable and easy to carry.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a work table for preparing and/or storing paintball equipment including a paintball gun, paintball helmets and paintball pods.

Paintball players invest hundreds and thousands of dollars in their paintball equipment. By way of example and not limitation, a quality paintball gun may cost approximately one thousand to fifteen hundred dollars ($1,000-$1,500). Accordingly, paintball players take care of their equipment such that their equipment is not scratched, dinged, etc.

During paintball play, a paintball player may play a number of paintball scrimmages during the day. Between each paintball scrimmage, the paintball player may perform maintenance on his/her paintball gun and also reload the paintball pods with paintballs.

Unfortunately, the paintball player must lay his/her equipment on the ground or the back of a truck bed to perform maintenance. In doing so, the paintball player may scratch or ding his/her paintball equipment. Additionally, to fill the paintball pods with paintballs, the paintball player must use one hand to hold the paintball pod and the other hand to pour the paintballs from the paintball container.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a device to assist the paintball player during paintball play.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The paintball work table discussed herein addresses the needs discussed above, discussed below, and those that are known in the art. The paintball work table may be traversed between a folded position and an unfolded position. In the folded position, the paintball player may carry the paintball work table with a handle. In the unfolded position, the paintball work table provides an area for the paintball player to lay his/her paintball pod belt. Also, there is a cavity for holding the player's paintball helmet and also a cavity for holding the player's paintball gun. Empty paintball pods may be removed from his/her paintball pod belt and placed in a paintball pod carry suspender attached to the paintball work table. The empty paintball pods may be oriented in a vertical direction such that the paintball player may conveniently fill the empty paintball pods with paintballs.

More particularly, a paintball work table for preparing and/or storing paintball equipment including a paintball gun, paintball helmet and paintball pods is discussed herein. The paintball work table may comprise a table top foldable into a compact configuration. A handle may be attached to the table top for carrying the folded table top. A plurality of legs may be attached to the table top and foldable into the compact configuration. For example, four legs may be foldably disposed at corners of the tabletop. A paintball gun cavity may be formed in the table top for holding the paintball gun. A paintball helmet cavity may be formed in the table top for holding the paintball helmet. Also, a paintball pod carry suspender may be attached to the table top for holding the paintball pods in an upright position for reloading of the paintball pods with paintballs.

The paintball gun cavity may be a first aperture formed in the table top. A flexible support layer may be attached to an inner peripheral portion of the first aperture for supporting the paintball gun. The flexible support layer may be an elastic band. The paintball gun cavity may also include a rigid support structure disposed below the table top when the table top is in the open position. The flexible support layer may extend below the table top when the table top is traversed to an open position. The flexible support layer may be disposed between first and second parts of the table top when the table top is traversed to a folded position.

The paintball helmet cavity may be a second aperture formed in the table top. A flexible support layer may be attached to an inner peripheral portion of the second aperture for supporting the paintball helmet. The flexible support layer of the paintball helmet cavity may extend below the table top when the table top is traversed to an open position. Similarly, to the flexible support layer of the paintball gun cavity, the flexible support layer of the paintball helmet cavity may be disposed between first and second halves or parts of the table top when the table top is traversed to a folded position. The flexible support layer may extend sufficiently below the table top so the paintball helmet does not protrude above the table top when the paintball helmet is disposed in the paintball helmet cavity and the work table to traverse to the unfolded position.

The paintball pod carry suspender may be a first elastic band attached to an outer peripheral portion of the table top. The first elastic band may form a plurality of slots for inserting individual paintball pods. The table top may include a rim. The first elastic band may be attached to the rim to form the plurality of slots for inserting individual paintball pods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paintball work table in an unfolded position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the paintball work table in a folded configuration for easy carry and transport;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the paintball work table shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the paintball gun cavity;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a helmet cavity; and

FIG. 6 is a top view of a paintball pod carry suspender.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a paintball work table 10 in an unfolded position is shown. The paintball work table 10 may have a tabletop 12 comprised of two halves 14, 16. The paintball work table 10 may additionally have four legs 18a, b, c, d. The legs 18a, b may be pivotably attached to the second half 16 of the tabletop 12 at its distal end portion. The legs 18c, d may be pivotably attached to the first half 14 of the tabletop 12 at its distal end portion. The legs 18a, b, c and d are traversable to the unfolded position with a telescoping brace 20 (see FIG. 3) and a cross member 22 (see FIG. 3). The cross member 22 may be rigidly secured to the legs 18a, b at its upper portion. The telescoping brace 20 may be pivotably attached to the middle section of the cross member 22 and the underside of the second half 16 of the tabletop 12. The telescoping brace 20, as shown in FIG. 3, may have a first tube 24 slidably disposable within a second tube 26. The first tube 24 may be slid into the second tube 26 to reduce the overall length of the telescoping brace 20. Conversely, the first tube 24 may be slid out of the second tube 26 and locked to a predetermined length by detent 28. Likewise, the legs 18c, d may be attached to a cross member 30 and a telescoping brace 32, as shown in FIG. 1. The cross member 30 and telescoping brace 32 from the first half 14 may have the same structure as the telescoping brace 20 and the cross member 22 discussed above.

Each of the legs 18a, b, c and d may comprise first and second tubes 34, 36, as shown in FIG. 1. The first tube 34 may be slid into the second tube 36 to shorten the length of the leg. Conversely, the first tube 34 may be extended out of the second tube 36 and locked into position with detent 38.

To traverse the paintball work table 10 to the folded position, as shown in FIG. 2, the first tubes 34 of the legs 18a, b, c and d are slid into the second tubes 36 of each of the legs 18a, b, c and d. The detents 38 are depressed to unlock the first and second tubes 34, 36 and the first tubes 34 are slid into the second tubes 36 to shorten the legs 18a, b, c and d. Thereafter, the detents 28 of the telescoping braces 20, 32 are depressed to shorten the length of the telescoping braces 20, 32. The legs 18a, b are pivoted inward (see arrow 40a) and lay flush to the underside of the second half 16 of the tabletop 12. Likewise, the legs 18c, d are pivoted inward (see arrow 40b) and lay flush or against the underside of the first half 14 of the tabletop 12. The pivoting of the legs 18a, b and legs 18c, d are shown by arrows 40a, b. The two halves 14, 16 are then folded upon each other in the direction of the arrows 42a, b. The first and second halves 14, 16 may each have a rim 44, 46. The rims 44, 46 extend downward from the first and second halves 14, 16 and provide a small gap between the upper surfaces 48, 50 of the first and second halves 14, 16 when the work table is traversed to the folded position. After the paintball work table 10 is folded, handles 52a, b (see FIG. 2) which are attached to the distal ends of the first and second halves 14, 16 of the tabletop 12 and aligned to each other may be used to lift the paintball work table 10 and easily transport the paintball work table 10.

The first half 14 may have a helmet cavity 54 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The helmet cavity 54 may be formed by an aperture defined by inner periphery 56. The inner periphery 56 may have a rectangular configuration and be sized and configured to have a paintball helmet 58 pass there through. A plurality of elastic bands 60 may be attached to the inner periphery 56. The elastic bands 60 may be configured to drop below the upper surface 48 of the first half 14 of the tabletop 12. This is better shown in FIG. 5. By way of example and not limitation, three elastic bands 60 may be attached to opposed longitudinal edges of the inner periphery 56. Two elastic bands 60 (see FIG. 4) may be attached to opposed sides of a lateral edge of the inner periphery 56. The matrix of elastic bands 60 drops below the upper surface 48 of the first half 14 of the tabletop 12 a sufficient distance such that the paintball helmet 58 does not extend above the upper surface 48, as shown in FIG. 5. In this manner, the paintballs helmet 58 does not interfere with the player while the player works on the paintball gun or paintball pods. The helmet cavity 54 may be located anywhere on the first and second halves 14, 16 of the tabletop 12. However, preferably, the helmet cavity 54 is located on a lateral side of the first half 14 of the tabletop 12 such that the helmet 58 does not interfere with the telescoping brace 32 (see FIG. 5).

The paintball gun cavity 62 may be defined by inner periphery 64 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The inner periphery 64 may have a rectangular configuration. Additionally, the paintball gun cavity 62 may be disposed centrally on the second half 16 of the tabletop 12 such that the telescoping brace 20 and the cross member 22 may support the paintball gun 66. (See FIG. 3). Elastic bands 68 may be attached to opposed longitudinal edges of the inner periphery 64. The elastic bands 68 may be positioned so as to support the paintball gun 66. More particularly, the paintball gun 66 may comprise a compressed gas tank 70 and a fitting 72 attached to a handle 74 of the paintball gun 66 (see FIG. 1). To support the paintball gun 66 in the paintball gun cavity 62, the gas tank 70 of the paintball gun 66 may be inserted into the paintball gun cavity 62, as shown in FIG. 1. The gas tank 70 rests against the cross member 22 and the telescoping brace 20 such that the paintball gun 66 does not fall through the paintball gun cavity. To provide additional support, the elastic bands 68 may be stretched out and provide support to the gas tank 70. (See FIG. 3). The fitting 72 may be laid against a lateral edge of the inner periphery 64, as shown in FIG. 1. The paintball gun 66 may be balanced within the paintball gun cavity such that the paintball gun 66 stands upright as shown in FIG. 1.

Paintball pod carry suspenders 76 may be attached to the rim 44 of the first half 14 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) or the second half 16 of the tabletop 12. The suspenders 76 may comprise a first inner elastic band 78 and a second outer elastic band 80. The first inner elastic band 78 may be secured to the rim 44 at preset intervals with securement means such as rivets 81. The first inner elastic band 78 may have some slack to permit the paintball pods 82 to be insertable between the first inner elastic band 78 and the rim 44. As shown in FIG. 6, the first inner elastic band 78 may form a plurality of slots (e.g., four slots). One paintball pod 82 may be inserted into each of the slots. Upon insertion, the first inner elastic band 78 is tightened onto the pods 82 to prevent the pods 82 from slipping through. The outer elastic band 80 may be secured to the rim 44 and provide additional tension to the paintball pods 82 such that the paintball pods 82 do not slip downward and through the slots. It is also contemplated that the first inner elastic band 78 may form additional slots to support additional paintball pods 82.

To load the paintball pods 82 which have been emptied during paintball play with paintballs, the player may insert paintball pods 82 into the slots of the paintball pod carry suspenders 76. The lids 84 may be flipped open as shown in FIG. 6. The player may then pour paintballs into the empty paintball pods 82 until filled. This provides a convenient and easy method of refilling paintball pods. The player may use one hand to tilt the container containing the paintballs and guide the paintballs into the paintball pods with the other hand.

The paintball work table 10 provides a convenient device for assisting the paintball player in managing his/her equipment. The paintball work table 10 provides a convenient location for the paintball helmet 58. The paintball helmet 58 is recessed below the upper surface 48 of the first half 14 of the tabletop 12. The paintball helmet 58 does not interfere with the preparation of the next game. The player may also place his/her paintball pod belt 86 on the upper surface 48. The paintball gun 66 may be stored in the paintball gun cavity 62. Between paintball scrimmages, the player may use the paintball work table 10 to store his/her equipment, to refill his/her paintball pods, and to fix any broken or damaged equipment.

After use of the paintball work table 10, the paintball work table 10 may be folded into a compact configuration for storage and/or transport.

The helmet cavity 54 may have a plurality of elastic bands 60 which support the helmet 58. It is also contemplated that the elastic bands 60 may be replaced with a cloth member or other flexible support to support the paintball helmet 58. Likewise, in relation to the paintball gun cavity 62, the elastic bands 68 may be replaced with a flexible support to help balance the paintball gun 66 in the paintball gun cavity 62.

It is also contemplated that the inner surfaces of the elastic bands 60, 68 or the replacement flexible supports may have anti-slip coating. The upper surfaces 48, 50 of the first and second halves 14, 16 may also have anti-slip material or coating.

In an aspect of the paintball work table 10, the paintball gun 66, and more particularly, the gas tank 70 of the paintball gun 66 is rested upon the cross member 22 and the telescoping brace 20. The telescoping brace 20 and the cross member 22 provide a rigid support for the gas tank 70. Alternatively, it is contemplated that a collapsible rigid support member may be attached to the underside of the second half 16 (or first half 14) of the tabletop 12. The collapsible support may be a part of the frame of the paintball work table 10 or a separate rigid support.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein, including various ways of collapsing the paintball work table. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.

Claims

1. A paintball work table for preparing and/or storing paintball equipment including a paintball gun, paintball helmet and paintball pods, the paintball work table comprising:

a table top foldable into a compact configuration;

a handle attached to the table top for carrying the folded table top;

a plurality of legs attached to the table top and foldable into the compact configuration;

a paintball gun cavity formed in the table top for holding the paintball gun;

a paintball helmet cavity formed in the table top for holding the paintball helmet; and

a paintball pod carry suspender attached to the table top for holding the paintball pods in an upright position for reloading of the paintball pods.

2. The work table of claim 1 wherein the paintball gun cavity is a first aperture formed in the table top with a flexible support layer attached to an inner peripheral portion of the first aperture for supporting the paintball gun.

3. The work table of claim 2 wherein the flexible support layer is an elastic band.

4. The work table of claim 2 wherein the paintball gun cavity includes a rigid support structure disposed below the table top when the table top is in the open position.

5. The work table of claim 3 wherein the flexible support layer extends below the table top when the table top is traversed to an open position and disposed between first and second halves of the table top when the table top is traversed to a folded position.

6. The work table of claim 1 wherein the paintball helmet cavity is a second aperture formed in the table top with a flexible support layer attached to an inner peripheral portion of the second aperture for supporting the paintball helmet.

7. The work table of claim 6 wherein the flexible support layer of the paintball helmet cavity extends below the table top when the table top is traversed to an open position and disposed between first and second parts of the table top when the table top is traversed to a folded position.

8. The work table of claim 6 wherein the flexible support layer extends sufficiently below the table top so the paintball helmet does not protrude above the table top when the paintball helmet is disposed in the paintball helmet cavity and the work table to traversed to the unfolded position.

9. The work table of claim 1 wherein the paintball pod carry suspender is a first elastic band attached to an outer peripheral portion of the table top and the first elastic band forms a plurality of slots for inserting individual paintball pods.

10. The work table of claim 9 wherein the table top includes a rim, the first elastic band being attached to the rim to form the plurality of slots for inserting individual paintball pods.

11. The work table of claim 1 wherein the plurality of legs is four legs foldably disposed at corners of the table top.

12. A work table for preparing and/or storing paintball equipment including a paintball gun between paintball scrimmages, the work table comprising:

a table top;

a plurality of legs attached to the table top for raising the support table above a surface; and

a paintball gun cavity formed in the table top for supporting the paintball gun, the paintball gun cavity comprising: a first aperture formed in the table top with a flexible support layer attached to an inner peripheral portion of the first aperture; and a rigid support disposed below the table top and generally aligned to the first aperture; wherein the flexible support layer and the rigid support provides support for the paintball gun.

13. The work table of claim 12 wherein the table top is foldable into a compact configuration, and further comprises a handle attached to the table top for carrying the folded work table.

14. A work table for refilling paintball pods between paintball scrimmages, the work table comprising:

a table top;

a plurality of legs attached to the table top for raising the support table above a surface; and

a paintball pod carry suspender attached to the table top for holding the paintball pods in an upright position for reloading of the paintball pods, the paintball pod carry suspender comprising: a first elastic band attached the table top at a plurality of locations for forming slots sized and configured to receive the paintball pods.

15. The work table of claim 14 wherein the paintball pod carry suspender further comprises a second elastic band attached to the table top at opposed distal end portions of the first elastic band for providing additional support to the paintball pods.

16. The work table of claim 15 wherein the table top further comprises a rim, and the first and second elastic bands are attached to the rim.