Rotary Patents (Class 124/48)
  • Publication number: 20090139507
    Abstract: There has been a problem that a projected part of a rear part of a pellet gets stuck with an end side of an attachment wall and rotation is interrupted when a rotary clip moves from a hit pin concave to an end side (i.e., attachment wall) of a magazine main body if the rear end of a pellet in a bore projects from a bore. In order to resolve the problem, there is proposed a magazine main body 1 and a magazine main body 1 having a rotary clip 2 rotatably attached to a rotary clip attachment part 3 of a magazine main body 1 characterized in that a clip opposing wall surface 33 of an attachment wall 34 of a clip opposing wall surface 33 gradually moves away from a cylindrical end surface of opposing rotary clip 2 towards an end side 31 of an attachment wall 34 within a range 35 of a rotational opposing surface positioned between a hit pin concave 32 and a side surface part 10 in the rotational direction of rotary clip 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Maruzen Company Limited
    Inventor: Tetsuo Maeda
  • Publication number: 20080257327
    Abstract: The rotary transfer device assembly of the present invention has a cylindrical-shaped rotary transfer device, which rotates about a central shaft. About the circumference of the rotary transfer device are a number of chambers, each of which can accept a single projectile as it passes through a feed aperture. As the rotary transfer device rotates, it transports the projectiles from the feed aperture to the breech from where the projectile can be launched from the barrel of the launching device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: Planet Eclipse Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven John Monks
  • Publication number: 20080236558
    Abstract: A paintball loader system designed to efficiently deliver paintballs to a paintball gun. The drive mechanism is a screw-type design comprising a resilient auger. A microcontroller is programmed to automatically adjust the rotation of the auger based on data from multiple sensor points within the loader. The auger is mounted such that both rotational axial movements are enabled during operation. The axial movement of the auger is used to maintain a constant force on the paintballs awaiting loading within the paintball gun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: John P. Bosch, Clyde McKay
  • Patent number: 7428899
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for feeding ball-like ammunition, so-called paint balls, into the projectile chamber of a sporting arm. The magazine is arranged separately from the arm and is connected to same by means of a feeder tube. A motor-driven feeder feeds the balls from the ball container into the feeder tube. In so doing, a spring element stores the traction from the motor, so that, even when the motor stops, balls can still be transported using the energy stored in the spring element. The traction from the motor is transmitted via a connection or clutch consisting of a spring element and a transmission element. Protrusions are arranged on both the spring element and the transmission element, which come to bear on each other for transmitting traction. The protrusions are at least partially flexible, so that the transmitted force is limited. This way, explosion of the balls from excessive pressure is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: KEE Action Sports I LLC
    Inventor: Heddies Andresen
  • Patent number: 7395763
    Abstract: An assembly and method for cleaning the barrel of a pneumatic gun, such as a paintball marker. A supply magazine is provided that contains a plurality of loading ports. Each loading port is filled with a cleaning projectile. The supply magazine is attached to a pneumatic gun so that the supply magazine is interposed between the breach chamber of the pneumatic gun and its barrel. When a projectile is fired from the pneumatic gun, the projectile displaces a cleaning projectile from the supply magazine and advances the cleaning projectile through the barrel. The passage of the cleaning projectile and the accompanying paintball cleans any fouling from the barrel of the pneumatic gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: Daniel P. Vari
  • Patent number: 7357129
    Abstract: A paintball loader has a motor-driven impeller with a plurality of resilient arms that engage and move paintballs in the loader housing. The resilient arms preferably are spaced to accommodate paintballs therebetween. The arms are sufficiently flexible to yield so as not to rupture the paintball shells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventors: Terry Neumaster, Bruce Crites, Michael Jezdimir
  • Patent number: 7270120
    Abstract: Each of a set of substitutable paintball magazines quickly attaches to a coupling feeder mounted on the ammunition intake port of a paintball marker, replacing the traditional hopper and sets of paintball cartridges. The coupling feeder includes a motor-driven paintball feeding mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventors: Lester V. Broersma, Joseph Landry
  • Patent number: 7234456
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for feeding projectile balls into the ball chamber of a handgun, especially into the ball chamber of a paintball gun, having a ball container with an outlet port, a feeder tube between the outlet port and the ball chamber, and an essentially cylindrical feeder with an axis for feeding the balls from the ball container to the feeder tube. The device comprises a flexible element that is disposed inside the ball container adjacent to the outlet port. A first end of the flexible element is fixed to the ball container and the flexible element is essentially rigid in the direction of the axis. Balls that are not in the correct position when approaching the outlet port are deflected back into the ball container, instead of hitting the edge of the outlet port. This way, jamming of the balls and explosion by excessive pressure are prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: KEE Action Sports
    Inventor: Heddies Andresen
  • Patent number: 7222617
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for feeding ball-like ammunition, so-called paint balls, into the projectile chamber of a sporting arm. The magazine is arranged separately from the arm and is connected to same by means of a feeder tube. A motor-driven feeder feeds the balls from the ball container into the feeder tube. In so doing, a spring element stores the traction from the motor, so that, even when the motor stops, balls can still be transported using the energy stored in the spring element. The traction from the motor is transmitted via a connection or clutch consisting of a spring element and a transmission element. Protrusions are arranged on both the spring element and the transmission element, which come to bear on each other for transmitting traction. The protrusions are at least partially flexible, so that the transmitted force is limited. This way, explosion of the balls from excessive pressure is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: AJ Acquisition I LLC
    Inventor: Heddies Andresen
  • Patent number: 7021302
    Abstract: An impeller for an active-feed paintball loader has resilient arms that engage paintballs in the lower portion (well) of the loader and advance them to and through the outfeed tube. The resilient arms are sufficiently stiff to move unobstructed paintballs located between the arms, and sufficiently flexible to yield when forced against stationary paintballs so as not to rupture the paintball shells, the arms substantially returning to their original shape when the obstruction is removed. Accordingly, when the motor is shut off, the arms will simply flex backward as they encounter stationary paintballs. Should a paintball jam occur in the vicinity of the impeller, the arm(s) can flex around the jammed ball without breaking it, and help to dislodge it so as to clear the jam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Brass Eagle LLC
    Inventors: Terry Neumaster, Bruce Crites, Michael Jezdimir
  • Patent number: 6978776
    Abstract: A loader stores and loads round objects is presented. The loader includes a screw and a drive tube. The screw has a helical groove. The helical groove winds in a first direction. The drive tube has multiple helical grooves on an inner surface of the drive tube. The multiple helical grooves wind in a second direction. The second direction is counter to the first direction. The screw is located within a center of the drive tube along a length of the drive tube so that round objects loaded within the drive tube are each within the helical groove of the screw and within one of the multiple helical grooves on the inner surface of the drive tube. When the drive tube rotates with respect to the screw, round objects within the drive tube are constrained to travel along the helical groove of the screw and along one of the multiple helical grooves on the inner surface of the drive tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Ancient Innovations Corp.
    Inventor: Jared L. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 6974396
    Abstract: A batting aid is described. The batting aid includes a height-adjustable stand having top and bottom portions. A hollow tube having first and second ends is attached to the top portion of the stand. A mechanism is attached to the second end of the tube, and is adjustable to modify the exit angle of a ball placed in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Quickswing, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Mauer, Gregory Knutson, James Mauer
  • Patent number: 6915792
    Abstract: The invention relates to a paintgun having a barrel assembly with a barrel and a firing mechanism for paintballs; a trigger assembly connected with the barrel assembly for actuating the firing mechanism; and a revolving disc for feeding paintballs interposed between the barrel and the firing mechanism; a series of uniformly spaced paintball holes being formed at the rim of the revolving disc that is rotatable by a driving apparatus to bring the paintballs within the paintball holes to a discharge area coaxial to the barrel for discharging the paintballs; and a paintball adjacent to the revolving disc and the firing mechanism within the barrel assembly being provided for storing the paintballs disposed. Meanwhile, the paintball container includes a guiding slope for directing the paintballs into the paintball holes. The revolving disc with the paintballs is rotatable one after another to the discharge area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventor: Chih-Sheng Sheng
  • Patent number: 6889680
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ball feed mechanism for use in a paintball loader. The ball feed mechanism includes a feeder which conveys or impels balls toward a feed neck, and a drive member which is concentric with the impeller. The feeder is coupled to the drive member through a spring. The spring is configured to store potential energy which is used to rotate the feeder and, thus, drive the balls toward the feed neck. An electric motor is used to rotate the drive member to wind the spring. The feed mechanism includes sensors which detect the motion of the feeder and the drive member. A controller determines the spring tension based on the relative motion of the feeder and drive member, and actuates a motor when necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: National Paintball Supply, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Christopher, Chris T. Goddard, David Michael Banks
  • Patent number: 6832604
    Abstract: The disclosed device is directed toward a delivery system comprising a source of pressurized fluid. A discharger is coupled to the source of pressurized fluid. A barrel is coupled to the discharger. A loading mechanism is coupled to the barrel, wherein the loading mechanism includes a chamber disposed in the barrel and a loader is coupled to the chamber and a reloader is coupled to the loader. An elevator is coupled to the barrel. A direction swivel is couple to the source of pressurized fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: Paul Thompson
  • Patent number: 6796300
    Abstract: A magazine for a bullet-shooting pneumatic firearm comprises a casing 1. Inside the casing 1 a closed passage 2 is provided, equipped with containers 3 with bullets 5. The magazine has a bullet opening 11 in a wall 9 of the casing 1, through which the bullet 5 during the shot, under the action of a portion of gas, gets from the container 3 into a bullet passage 12 of a barrel 10 of the firearm. The opening 11 is disposed coaxially with the bullet passage 12 of the barrel 10 of the firearm and with a through opening 4 of the container 3occupying such position before each shot. In the wall 9 of the casing 1 above the closed passage 2 above the through opening 4 of the containers 3 a port 14 is provided for receiving an external arm 15 of a striker-and-trigger mechanism 16, under the action of which the containers 3 move along the closed passage 2, each container 3 being positioned sequentially to the shooting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Zakrytoe aktsionernoe obshchestvo Gruop “ANICS”
    Inventors: Aleksei Lvovich Petrosyan, Aleksei Borisovich Shipachev
  • Patent number: 6792933
    Abstract: A drive cone for use on a paintball loader loading paintballs into a conventional paintball gun. The drive cone is located at a bottom portion of the container and is rotated by a motor. The drive cone includes at least one fin which forms a gap for which a plurality of paintballs may fit. The drive cone feeds the paintballs into an exit tube located at the bottom of the container which feeds into the paintball gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: National Paintball Supply, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Christopher, Chris T. Goddard
  • Publication number: 20040149276
    Abstract: A magazine for a bullet-shooting pneumatic firearm comprises a casing 1. Inside the casing 1 a closed passage 2 is provided, equipped with containers 3 with bullets 5. The magazine has a bullet opening 11 in a wall 9 of the casing 1, through which the bullet 5 during the shot, under the action of a portion of gas, gets from the container 3 into a bullet passage 12 of a barrel 10 of the firearm. The opening 11 is disposed coaxially with the bullet passage 12 of the barrel 10 of the firearm and with a through opening 4 of the container 3 occupying such position before each shot. In the wall 9 of the casing 1 above the closed passage 2 above the through opening 4 of the containers 3 a port 14 is provided for receiving an external arm 15 of a striker-and-trigger mechanism 16, under the action of which the containers 3 move along the closed passage 2, each container 3 being positioned sequentially to the shooting line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Zakrytoe aktsionemoe obschchestvo "Gruop "ANICS"
    Inventors: Aleksei Lvovich Petrosyan, Aleksei Borisovich Shipachev
  • Patent number: 6739323
    Abstract: A paint ball gun is provided. The paint ball gun has a paint ball feed mechanism which comprises an actuator, a paint ball advance assembly, a bias member, and a paint ball feed assembly. The actuator is configured to advance such that the paint ball advance assembly, coupled to the actuator, moves in response to movement by the actuator. The paint ball feed assembly is coupled to the paint ball advance assembly moving therewith and engaging a paint ball to feed the same into the paint ball gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Tippmann Pneumatics, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis J. Tippmann, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6729322
    Abstract: A compressed gas powered gun provides recoil simulating the recoil of a gun firing gunpowder propelled projectiles. The valve assembly provides both consistent shot to shot pressure, and rearward gas pressure for generating recoil. Preferred embodiments of the compressed gas powered gun may include a system for adjusting the amount of recoil provided. A trigger mechanism permitting semi-automatic operation, or full automatic operation at a user selectable cyclic rate, is provided. The air gun provides consistent gas pressure behind the projectile from shot to shot. A magazine and magazine indexing system for loading projectiles into the firing chamber in a manner contributing to the accuracy of the air gun is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Mark Schavone
  • Patent number: 6701907
    Abstract: A spring-loaded feed mechanism for a paintball loader. The feed mechanism includes an inner spool and an outer spool. A torsion spring is positioned between the inner and outer spools. The outer spool includes a pressure wall, from which the torsion spring is located on one end of the spring. A retaining wall is attached to the inner spool and is located at the opposite end of the torsion spring. When an operator of a paintball gun using the spring-loaded feed mechanism discontinues firing paintballs, the feed mechanism is stopped. Simultaneously, during the deceleration of the feed mechanism, the torsion spring is compressed, which allows the mechanical energy of the rotating feed mechanism to be stored within the compressed spring. When the operator desires to fire the paintball gun, the feed mechanism is accelerated to the requisite rotational speed. The compressed spring is release, thereby allowing the spring to assist in accelerating the feed mechanism to the necessary rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: National Paintball Supply, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Christopher, Chris T. Goddard
  • Patent number: 6688298
    Abstract: A magazine for an air gun of this invention can be freely attached to and detached from an air gun body using a magazine body, and has a plurality of pellet holders capable of being loaded with one pellet at a time. The plurality of pellet holders move orbitally about a pellet holder path and the pellets can be fed one at a time from the pellet holders towards a rotary sub chamber positioned below. With the air gun of this invention, the direction of the rotary sub chamber can be changed by shifting a rotary sub chamber positioned below the magazine, a trans link and a bolt forwards and backwards, so that the direction of single pellets dropping from the magazine can be changed by ninety degrees for feeding into the barrel. The magazine conveyor link is also interlocked so as to move to the front and rear in unison with movement to the front and rear of the trans link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Maruzen Company Limited
    Inventors: Tetsuo Maeda, Yoshiyuki Maeda
  • Patent number: 6666203
    Abstract: A magazine for an air gun of this invention can be freely attached to and detached from an air gun body using a magazine body, and has a plurality of pellet holders capable of being loaded with one pellet at a time. The plurality of pellet holders move orbitally about a pellet holder path and the pellets can be fed one at a time from the pellet holders towards a rotary sub chamber positioned below. With the air gun of this invention, the direction of the rotary sub chamber can be changed by shifting a rotary sub chamber positioned below the magazine, a trans link and a bolt forwards and backwards, so that the direction of single pellets dropping from the magazine can be changed by ninety degrees for feeding into the barrel. The magazine conveyor link is also interlocked so as to move to the front and rear in unison with movement to the front and rear of the trans link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Maruzen Company Limited
    Inventors: Tetsuo Maeda, Yoshiyuki Maeda
  • Publication number: 20030188730
    Abstract: A magazine for an air gun of this invention can be freely attached to and detached from an air gun body using a magazine body, and has a plurality of pellet holders capable of being loaded with one pellet at a time. The plurality of pellet holders move orbitally about a pellet holder path and the pellets can be fed one at a time from the pellet holders towards a rotary sub chamber positioned below.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: Maruzen Company Limited
    Inventors: Tetsuo Maeda, Yoshiyuki Maeda
  • Patent number: 6578565
    Abstract: A frame bearing a compressed air/gas reservoir connected to an assembly of a valve operated by a hammer striking the valve slide, a trigger operating the hammer, a tilting assembly on the frame including a barrel and a detachable, rotating, cylindric loading clip with a plurality of recesses for a projectile. A device for step by step rotating the loading clip is mounted on the frame including a first set of levers connected to each other, one of them being linked to the trigger and another linked to the loading clip when the tilting assembly is in the firing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Industrias El Gemo, SA
    Inventor: Francisco Casas Salva
  • Patent number: 6530368
    Abstract: A magazine for an air gun of this invention can be freely attached to and detached from an air gun body using a magazine body, and has a plurality of pellet holders capable of being loaded with one pellet at a time. The plurality of pellet holders move orbitally about a pellet holder path and the pellets can be fed one at a time from the pellet holders towards a rotary sub chamber positioned below. With the air gun of this invention, the direction of the rotary sub chamber can be changed by shifting a rotary sub chamber positioned below the magazine, a trans link and a bolt forwards and backwards, so that the direction of single pellets dropping from the magazine can be changed by ninety degrees for feeding into the barrel. The magazine conveyor link is also interlocked so as to move to the front and rear in unison with movement to the front and rear of the trans link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Maruzen Company Limited
    Inventors: Tetsuo Maeda, Yoshiyuki Maeda
  • Patent number: 6502567
    Abstract: A rapid feed paintball loader for use upon a conventional paintball gun. The rapid feed paintball loader includes a container for holding a plurality of paintballs. At a bottom portion of the container is a rotatable drive cone having a plurality of vertical fins. Each fin forms a gap with an adjacent fin large enough to accommodate a paintball. At the bottom of the container is an exit tube which exits from the bottom portion of the container and leads to an inlet tube of the paintball gun. A tube extension is mounted on an interior surface of the container adjacent to the sloped exit portion of the exit tube. The tube extension is mounted at a height which is above the top feed surface of the fins, and which is approximately equal to the radius of a paintball. A pivotable deflector is also mounted on an interior surface of the container adjacent the tube extension to prevent paintball jams from occurring within the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Odyssey Paintball Products, LLC
    Inventors: James T. Christopher, Albert G. Schilling
  • Patent number: 6502568
    Abstract: A model gun in the type of revolver includes a frame member to which a barrel is fixed and a hammer is rotatably attached, a cylindrical movable member containing a pressure accumulating chamber, a plurality of bullet holding chambers, a plurality of gas leading passages connected with the bullet holding chambers respectively, and a plurality of valves each operative to cause one of the gas leading passages to open into the pressure accumulating chamber in response to movement of the hammer and mounted detachably on the frame member between the barrel and the hammer, a control mechanism operative to keep selectively the cylindrical movable member mounted detachably on the frame member in a locked condition wherein one of the bullet holding chambers is positioned to face closely a rear end portion of the barrel and to release the cylindrical movable member mounted detachably on the frame member from the locked condition so as to be revolved on a central axis thereof in response to positions of a trigger, a dri
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Western Arms
    Inventor: Keiichi Kunimoto
  • Patent number: 6488019
    Abstract: A feeder for use with a paintball gun has an inlet through which paintballs enter, and an outlet through which they exit. A feed mechanism disposed inside the feeder frictionally engages the paintballs as they enter and transports them to the outlet. The feed mechanism may include rotatable disks. The space between the rotatable disks may be less than the diameter of the paintballs. At least one of the rotatable disks may include a material that flexes to accommodate a paintball. The paintball feeding system may additionally incorporate a circuit that senses when the gun is fired and controls the rate at which paintballs are fed into the paintball gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas G. Kotsiopoulos
  • Patent number: 6470871
    Abstract: A bullet loading device for an air gun comprises a removable loader (50) including a housing (1) wherein a revolving, small bullet carrying drum (2) is provided with axial through holes (3) uniformly distributed around the turning axis of the drum (2), each hole (3) being apt to house a bullet, the housing (1) being provided with an oscillating driving member (5) to revolve the drum (2) to sweep one angular interval, and a retainer to hold each of the axial holes (3) in alignment with a barrel of the gun, the gun integrating a slide (4) linearly guided on the housing (1) and kinematically linked to the oscillating driving member (5), which is provided with resilient driving catch (6) being apt to in turn engage stops of the drum (2) in order to thus revolve it in only one sense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Industrias, El Gamo, SA
    Inventor: Francisco Casas-Salva
  • Patent number: 6371872
    Abstract: A table tennis practice system comprised of a robot and an enclosure or recycle net which catches balls returned by a player. The robot propels balls fed to it at a set rate so that a player on the other end of the table can receive practice similar to that between humans. The robot and recycle net are constructed so that the robot may be placed anywhere between the sides of one end of the table while simultaneously retrieving and recycling balls returned by a player. This lateral mobility of the robot permits serves from the corners of the table or any point between. Its recycle system does not rely on air movement for ball transportation, hence there is improved reliability. The timing system eliminates jamming when it can be caused by balls falling into the holes of perforated platters or notched wheels of timing devices at an in appropriate time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventor: Westphal Daley
  • Patent number: 6347621
    Abstract: A device for feeding projectiles to a gun barrel includes a hopper for containing projectiles for feeding to a housing. The housing has an outlet communicating with the gun barrel and an indexed loading disk mounted at the outlet over a flat housing floor. The loading disk has a number of projectile spaces for receiving projectiles, and the disk is selectively positionable at index positions with the spaces over the outlet to gravity feed projectiles into the gun barrel. A trigger assembly is coupled to the loading disk and includes a ratchet to engage fins on the disk to sequentially rotate the disk to the index positions to drop projectiles into the barrel. The trigger also includes a projection for substantially continually engaging a corresponding slot on the disk for holding and stabilizing the disk in the housing during operation. The device is configured to be used to sequentially load a single paintball to a blowgun by successive pulls of the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Christopher L. Guthrie
  • Patent number: 6327953
    Abstract: A device for storing projectile balls and for feeding them to the projectile chamber of a hand weapon (1), with a ball container (3), with a conveying tube (2) which is connected at one end to the latter and the other end of which leads to the weapon (1), and with a conveyor for conveying a continuous row of balls out of the ball container (3) into the conveying tube, wherein the conveying tube (2) is designed as a flexible long conveying hose and the ball container (3) is provided with a carrying fixture (12) independent of the weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Armatec GmbH & CIE. KG
    Inventor: Heddies Andresen
  • Patent number: 6213110
    Abstract: A rapid feed paintball loader for use upon a conventional paintball gun. The rapid feed paintball loader includes a container for holding a plurality of paintballs. At a bottom portion of the container is a rotatable drive cone having a plurality of vertical fins. Each fin spirals outwardly from a center axis of the drive cone. In addition, each fin forms a gap with an adjacent fin large enough to accommodate a paintball. At the bottom of the container is an exit tube which exits from the bottom portion of the container and leads to an inlet tube of the paintball gun. A portion of the exit tube is sloped at an angle equivalent to the slope of a top surface of the drive cone. A catch arm is mounted on an interior surface of the container adjacent to the sloped exit portion of the exit tube. The catch arm is mounted at a height which is above the top surface of the fins, and which is approximately equal to the radius of a paintball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Odyssey Paintball Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Christopher, Albert G. Schilling
  • Patent number: 6109252
    Abstract: Apparatus for feeding of paint balls to the breech of a paint ball gun. Paint balls are received in pockets around the periphery of a carrier. Rotation of the carrier moves the paint balls into contact with a guide assembly. The guide assembly, which comprises a guide bar and a squash plate, move the paint balls from the pockets and into an outlet of the apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, a guide disc is mounted above the carrier, the guide disc having a plurality of guide openings which are aligned above the pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Simon Benjamin Stevens
  • Patent number: 5954042
    Abstract: A loader mountable below the barrel of a semi-automatic paintball gun for feeding a supply of paintballs into the firing chamber of the paintball gun against the force of gravity. The loader includes a mechanically driven rotating paddle wheel that moves the individual paintballs upward and out of the loader housing and into a feed tube. The feed tube connects the outlet of the housing to the firing chamber of the paintball gun such that the combination of the feed tube and paddle wheel continuously supply paintballs to the firing chamber of the paintball gun. The loader includes a motor and a drive spring for rotating the paddle wheel within the housing. The motor winds the drive spring, such that upon a demand for paintballs, the drive spring provides the driving force to the paddle wheel to rotate the paddle wheel within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Inventor: Daniel D. Harvey
  • Patent number: 5913304
    Abstract: An air compressed gun (10) is provided having a pressure chamber (35), a moveable magazine (18) and a conduit conveying pressurized air from the pressure chamber to the magazine. The conduit has a resilient sealing gasket (42) which is reconfigurable between a relaxed configuration and an expanded configuration with the presence of pressurized air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5906191
    Abstract: The invention discloses a compressed gas-operated firearm (1), especially a pistol, which at the utilization of a drum (18) for multi-shot projectile receipt distinguishes itself through a linearly displaceable weapon barrel (3) to achieve a loading position, or, respectively, firing position, and through a trigger (4) which is automatically secured against actuation in the loading position. Furthermore, a new type of valve system (25) is proposed for the impulse-like emission of the compressed gas upon the discharge of a shot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Umarex Sportwaffen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Wonisch, Dietmar Emde
  • Patent number: 5816232
    Abstract: An active feed loader for a paintball gun. The active feed loader includes a generally horizontal interior passageway or channel having a first end in communication with an interior space of the housing where paintballs are housed. A rotatable paddle positioned in the interior space forces paintballs out of the housing and through the interior passageway or channel until they drop through an opening therein into a vertical outfeed tube where they form a paintball stack. When the paintball gun is fired, the paintball stack is depleted until a sensor detects the absence of a paintball at a specified location within the outfeed tube. Upon detecting the absence, the sensor activates a motor which rotates the paddle to force paintballs through the interior passageway and into the outfeed tube where they replenish the paintball stack. When the stack is fully replenished, the sensor will detect the presence of a paintball at the specified location and deactivate the motor, thereby stopping the paddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: CM Support, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Bell
  • Patent number: 5724955
    Abstract: An air compressed gun (10) is provided having a stock (11), a barrel (12), a trigger (13) and a manual air pump (14). The gun also has a magazine (18) having a series of barrels (26) for holding several projectiles (P). An actuator (50) indexes the magazine with each shot of the gun. The triggering of the gun is controlled by a voice activated triggering system (215) which includes a microphone (216), a control circuit (220) and a control valve (219).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, John T. Applewhite
  • Patent number: 5722383
    Abstract: An ammunition feed mechanism for an automatic or semiautomatic weapon which includes a mechanism for retarding the cyclic feeding of ammunition into the chamber of the weapon. The mechanism for retarding the cyclic feeding of ammunition includes an impeder which engages the bolt of the weapon. The ammunition feed mechanism also includes a magazine having a ramped bottom which directs ammunition projectiles to an exit therein where the ammunition projectiles are fed into the chamber of the weapon. The magazine includes a plurality of curved projections in the bottom which define a plurality of spaces into which the ammunition projectiles are received. The plurality of curved projections also guide the ammunition projectiles through the exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Tippmann Pneumatics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Tippmann, Sr., Dennis J. Tippmann, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5709199
    Abstract: An air compressed gun (10) is provided having a stock (11), a barrel (12), a trigger (13) and a manual air pump (14). The gun also has a magazine (18) having a series of barrels (26) for holding several projectiles (P). An actuator (50) indexes the magazine with each shot of the gun and automatically controls bursts of pressurized air. The magazine has a mounting plate (25) with two concentric annular arrays of opening (28). A sealing plate (38) is configured to seal one opening with each sequential indexing of the magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, John T. Applewhite
  • Patent number: 5596978
    Abstract: An air compressed gun (10) is provided having a stock (11), a barrel (12), a trigger (13) and a manual air pump (14). The gun also has a magazine (18) having a series of barrels (26) for holding several projectiles (P). An actuator (50) indexes the magazine with each shot of the gun and automatically actuates a release valve (36) which controls the firing of the gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Co, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, John Applewhite
  • Patent number: 5592931
    Abstract: An air compressed gun (70) is provided having a housing (71), a magazine (75) having multiple barrels (89) for holding projectiles, and a manual air pump (76). The gun also has a pneumatic indexer (82) which indexes the magazine for firing with each shot of the gun and a harness (77) which enables the magazine to be supported adjacent the head of a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Co, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, John Applewhite
  • Patent number: 5544642
    Abstract: A multi-shot blow gun assembly includes a rotatable dart magazine mounted around a fixed shaft. A proximal end cap is secured to the shaft adjacent the proximal end, and defines a projectile loading aperture and an air input aperture. A distal end cap is secured to the shaft adjacent the distal end, and defines a projectile exit aperture. The projectile magazine is rotably mounted around the shaft between the proximal and distal caps, and defines a number of chambers each configured to receive one of the plurality of projectiles. Selectively revolving the magazine about the shaft aligns each of the number of chambers with the loading aperture to define a corresponding projectile loading path and aligns each of the number of chambers with the input and exit apertures to define a corresponding projectile launching path. A spring-loaded indexer is coupled between an end face of the magazine and one of the proximal and distal caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: G&G Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher L. Guthrie
  • Patent number: 5535729
    Abstract: A projectile launcher includes a launcher body having a nonrotatable projectile magazine thereon, a piston and cylinder assembly in the launcher body, and a lever operated actuating mechanism on the launcher body. The actuating mechanism is operative for loading and releasing the piston in the cylinder for producing individual blasts of compressed air and also for rotating the cylinder so that sequential blasts of compressed air are delivered to sequential launching chambers on the magazine in order to launch sequential projectiles therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Griffin, Ronald C. Boyle
  • Patent number: 5522374
    Abstract: Air operated apparatus for successively launching a plurality of projectiles are disclosed. The apparatus employ novel constructions for multi-projectile magazines wherein projectiles may be launched from either the inner passageways of a plurality of barrels, or from the exteriors of the barrels. The magazines are designed for economical production as a molded unit. The apparatus are adapted so that an air pump may be cocked and the magazine advanced in a single operation through the use of a hand drawn slide mechanism. The invention further provides novel mechanisms for intermittent sealing of an air pump discharge port with successively selected projectile launching barrels on the magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Inventor: Richard A. Clayton
  • Patent number: 5505186
    Abstract: A toy gun is provided for ejecting a plurality of high tension elastic bands in rapid succession. The gun includes a frame having a barrel and a handle. A longitudinal recession in the barrel rotatably supports a spring loaded cylindrical band holding magazine which supports a plurality of high tension bands in a fully stretched condition. A trigger element is mounted within the frame and permits controlled movement of the cylindrical magazine to eject the high tension bands with successive pulls of the trigger. A lever device is included in the handle of the gun for positioning the high tension bands on the magazine in a condition of maximum elongation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventor: Michael Stagnero
  • Patent number: 5460150
    Abstract: There is provided a gun for shooting a plurality of elastic bands in a repeating fashion. The gun includes a frame and a grip. A magazine which holds a plurality of stretched elastic bands is rotatably mounted on an elongated spindle which extends from the frame. The magazine includes a plurality of upwardly-extending lands which are proximal to the frame and a plurality of corresponding outwardly-extending posts which are distal to the frame. Each land and its corresponding post receive an elastic band in its stretched condition. A rotatable string containing a spool is connected to the frame. Portions of the string extending from the spool are received between each of the lands and the elastic bands so that the elastic bands are released by the upward movement of the string as the string is retrieved onto the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Inventor: Brent Joppe
  • Patent number: 5415152
    Abstract: A method of successively launching a plurality of projectiles, such as fireworks projectiles, which explode into an aerial pyrotechnic display. The projectiles are launched from a launcher having a pressure tank containing a compressed gas and a plurality of launching tubes for holding the projectiles. The launching tubes are constructed to form a magazine to enable successive launching of fireworks projectiles by appropriate indexing of the magazine which brings the launching tubes into registration with the output port of a valve. The valve introduces compressed gas into one of the launching tubes to launch a projectile into the air. Indexing of the launching tubes when the pressure tank is pressurized prior to launch is prevented by a stop mechanism. The stop mechanism also prevents inadvertent or accidental detonation of the projectile in the launching tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventors: William G. Adamson, Donald Updyke, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5114768
    Abstract: A solid surface that is exposed to protein solutes in use, such as medical implants or capillary tubes useful in capillary zone electrophoresis, is defined by or carries a polymer. An interfacial layer is covalently bound to the polymer and functions to reduce interactions between the surface and protein solutes. The interfacial layer includes either a hydratable amphoteric phase or a plurality of halogen atoms bound in the interfacial layer through at least one heteroatom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Sally A. Swedberg