Mechanical Projectile Feed Patents (Class 124/51.1)
  • Patent number: 11041690
    Abstract: A toy gun capable of piercing two air bottles. The toy gun comprises a gun body, a first piercing member, a screw base, and a moveable rod assembly. The gun body has an air cylinder receiving two air bottles. A connecting tube and a screwed tube are at both ends of the air cylinder. The first piercing member is in the connecting tube. The screw base is screwed to a screwed tube and has a throughhole. The moveable rod assembly has a push rod moveable to penetrate through the throughhole and a return spring flexibly held between the screw base and the push rod having a second piercing member. When pressed, the push rod drives the second piercing member to pierce one of two air bottles and then moves the other towards the first piercing member to be pierced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventor: Ho-Sheng Wei
  • Patent number: 10974111
    Abstract: A device and method of learning and training of the golf swing that is based on the performing of the swing as a continuous exercise, where the person, either a student in learning or a player in training, performs continuous movements or golf swings without depending on the presence of the ball on a ball placement site, in which the device places the ball on the ball placement site in a programmed or random way without making the person stop the succession of continuous swings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: Nicolas Rosamino
  • Patent number: 10871336
    Abstract: A Gatling type machine gun system whose rotational operation of subsystems is accomplished by way of a plurality of electronically controlled motors. The Gatling type gun system includes a core gun, a feeder subsystem, and a transfer subsystem each of which must operate at particular instance and speed to accomplish the proper operation of the gun system. Control of the gun and subsystems is provided by electronically controlled motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Inventor: Travis Johnston
  • Patent number: 10502520
    Abstract: A loader and drive system are provided. The loader is preferably configured to house a quantity of projectiles (such as paintballs) in a chamber and supply the quantity of projectiles from the chamber to an attached pneumatic gun when in operation. The loader preferably includes an outlet configured to supply projectiles from the chamber to the pneumatic gun when the loader is operatively connected to the pneumatic gun. A drive system may be arranged in the loader and include a non-rotating center member arranged above the outlet with an entrance. A way may be arranged to direct projectiles into the outlet from the chamber through the entrance. An arm may be provided and attached to the center member to direct projectiles into the entrance. A driving member may surround the non-rotating center member and rotate around the non-rotating member. The driving member preferably urges projectiles from the chamber into the way and toward the outlet during operation of the loader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Inventor: Michael S. Spurlock
  • Patent number: 10228212
    Abstract: A toy gun and a fast piercing structure for an air bottle thereof is provided. The air cylinder has a shell body and a receiving space; the shell body forms a first connecting opening and a second connecting opening. The valve seat is disposed at the first connecting opening and has an air channel. The bottle lid is assembled to the second connecting opening and has a throughhole. The piercing pin is disposed in the throughhole. The press set has a base holding the bottle lid, an elastic part, and a plug; the plug is disposed passing through the piercing pin and the base. In this way, the fast piercing structure for an air bottle is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Inventor: Ho-Sheng Wei
  • Patent number: 9903683
    Abstract: A compressed gas gun is provided, having a body. A firing mechanism may be received within the body and may comprise a bolt and valve arranged in-line along a longitudinal axis of the compressed gas gun body. Externally accessible velocity adjustment mechanisms may be provided. A removable end cap may be engaged to a rearward end of the body. A control circuit may be provided in communication with a pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: GI SPORTZ DIRECT LLC
    Inventor: Robert K. Masse
  • Patent number: 9823039
    Abstract: Among other things, methods and apparatus regarding collection, dissemination and display of information concerning paintball loaders and markers are disclosed. A loader includes a heads-up display, electronic devices for gathering, storing and disseminating information, and an antenna for sending and receiving data. Wireless voice communications among paintball players is possible via associated headsets. There is also disclosed paintball equipment and methods for controlling both the firing and loading mechanism of paintball equipment. Current systems or mechanisms have individual and discrete electronic control systems for firing operations, e.g. located in the paintball gun itself, and loading operations, e.g. located inside the paintball loader. The present disclosure unifies the electronic control of said firing and loader operations into a single electronic circuit board located on either the paintball gun or paintball loader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HTR Development, LLC
    Inventors: John Higgins, Benjamin Lynn Frederick
  • Patent number: 9658027
    Abstract: A compressed gas gun is provided, wherein the body houses a firing assembly and an internal, built-in projectile feed mechanism. The projectile feed mechanism is preferably formed as a rear or butt stock of the compressed gas gun. The projectile feed mechanism preferably feeds projectiles to the firing assembly via a feed ramp having an S-shaped transition portion. The compressed gas gun preferably includes a removable top feed rail assembly that can be removed to expose the interior of the compressed gas gun body for field stripping. Central control circuitry is preferably provided for controlling both the firing assembly and the projectile feed mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: GI SPORTZ DIRECT LLC
    Inventor: Simon B. Stevens
  • Patent number: 9513081
    Abstract: A paintball ejecting apparatus includes a current control mechanism to control current flow to a motor, the current control mechanism including a switch activator having at least a first state and a second state. The switch activator in the first state is physically forced by a paintball to occupy a first position to cause the switch to not permit a current to flow to the motor when the switch activator is in the first state. The switch activator in the second state is not physically forced by any paintball, thereby occupying a second position that results in the switch permitting current to flow to the motor when the switch activator is in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Dong Thanh Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9506718
    Abstract: The paintball loader of the present invention includes a housing having a hopper for holding a supply of paintballs. An outlet tube connected to the hopper is adapted to be connected to the inlet tube of a paintball gun. Located within the hopper is an electric motor-operated agitator capable of directing paintballs within the hopper toward the outlet tube so that the paintballs can pass through the outlet tube and into the inlet tube of the paintball gun. A sensing system located at least partially within the outlet tube senses the movement of paintballs through the outlet tube. The sensing system includes a rotatable wheel having a plurality of angularly spaced apart radially extending members. The wheel is rotatably mounted relative to the outlet tube such that paintballs passing through the tube engage the radially extending members and cause the wheel to rotate. A plurality of magnets carried by the wheel pass by a Hall effect sensor mounted on the housing as the wheel is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Valken, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Bell
  • Patent number: 9212864
    Abstract: A paintball loader for use on a paintball gun for feeding paintballs is provided. The paintball loader includes a container for holding a plurality of paintballs, a paintball agitator rotatably mounted in the container, the paintball agitator including at least two fins extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the fins spaced apart from each other forming a gap therebetween large enough to accommodate more than one paintball. At least two paintballs are positioned in the gap between the fins. A motor is configured to rotate the paintball agitator. The container includes an exit tube exiting from the bottom portion of the container and leading to an inlet tube of the paintball gun. A microprocessor in communication with a sensor may also be provided for controlling the motor. A deflector for deflecting paintballs may also be provided, the deflector movably attached to the interior surface of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: KEE Action Sports I LLC
    Inventors: James T. Christopher, Chris T. Goddard
  • Publication number: 20150144118
    Abstract: A paintball propelling device capable of propelling paintballs using bottom feed magazine is disclosed. The bottom feed magazine, in one aspect, includes a feed tube, a paddle wheel, and multiple paddles. The feed tube is situated between the bottom of magazine and the top of magazine for guiding the projectiles or paintballs to the top of magazine. The paddle wheel is configured to have a downward sloping surface grading from the top of paddle wheel to the edge of paddle wheel. The paddle wheel is able to turn around an axis which is in parallel to projectile travel direction inside the feed tube. The paddles attached to the circumference of the paddle wheel and configured to catch one or more paintballs rolling off the downward sloping surface of the paddle wheel. The paddles are used to push the paintballs into the feed tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Real Action Paintball, Inc.
    Inventor: Omar Alonso Macy
  • Patent number: 9022015
    Abstract: A magazine for an air gun is provided with first and second shells; an internal passage; a rotatable shaft including a lengthwise groove on a surface, and a transverse slot on the surface communicating with the groove; a pulley rotatably put on the shaft and having both ends rotatably secured to the first and second shells respectively; a ratchet mechanism mounted on the pulley; a pin inserted into the pulley to dispose in one end of the groove; a line having one end wound on the pulley, the line extending through the passage to have an other end engaged with a projectile support in the passage; a spring put on the line and biased between the pulley and the projectile support; and a spring biased knob disposed on an outer surface of the first shell and secured to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: Jui-Fu Tseng
  • Patent number: 8991377
    Abstract: A ball feeder assembly for a ball projecting machine includes a stand, an upper frame, a ball delivery element coupled to the frame, and a ball feeder member coupled to the ball delivery element. The assembly is configured for supporting a cylindrical ball bucket. The frame is movably coupled to the stand between at least a first position in which the frame is configured to support the bucket in a position with a top end at a higher elevation than a bottom end such that the longitudinal axis of the bucket is at angle within 0 and 80 degrees from a vertical plane, and a second position in which the frame is configured to support the bucket in a downward position with the bottom end at a higher elevation than the upper end such that the axis is within 5 to 90 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventors: David A. Jorgens, Timothy D. Greene, Jose L. Lopez
  • Publication number: 20150053192
    Abstract: A loader for a paintball gun can include a housing comprising a chamber configured to house a quantity of paintballs, and a removable drive tray comprising a drive mechanism configured to drive an agitator or feed mechanism of the loader, wherein the removable drive tray is configured to be releasably secured to the housing during operation of the loader, and is further configured to be readily removed from the housing without the use of a tool. The agitator or feed mechanism may be arranged in the removable drive tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: G.I SPORTZ, INC.
    Inventors: Richmond Italia, Michael Steven Spurlock, Chun Min Wu, Chien Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 8955502
    Abstract: A paintball propelling device capable of propelling paintballs using bottom feed magazine is disclosed. The paintball propelling device, in one embodiment, includes a receiver and a bottom feed magazine. The receiver, for example, has a top surface facing upward and a bottom surface facing downward at the ground, wherein the bottom surface of the receiver includes a bottom feed port. The bottom feed magazine provides paintballs to the receiver via a bottom feed port of the receiver. The bottom feed magazine, in one aspect, includes a feed tube, an L-shaped tube, and one-way paintball stopper. The feed tube transfers the paintballs from the bottom or floor of the bottom feed magazine to the top of the bottom feed magazine. The L-shaped tube assists to transfer paintballs from paintball reservoir to the feed tube. The one-way paintball stopper is configured to hold paintballs from leaving the feed tube back to the paintball reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Real Action Paintball (Rap4)
    Inventor: Omar Alonso Macy
  • Patent number: 8950386
    Abstract: A ball feeding arrangement (101) comprising: a rotor element (123) for pushing a ball (145); a transmission element (127) connected to the rotor element; and a drive element (130) for driving a rotational movement of the rotor element (123) via the transmission element (127), which drive element (130) is intended to be driven by a drive motor (122), wherein one of the drive element (130) and the transmission element (127) has at least one protrusion (140; 140a-b), and the other of the drive element and the transmission element (127) has a guiding surface (133) adapted to guide the at least one protrusion (140; 140a-b) during relative rotation between the drive element (130) and the transmission element (127), wherein the at least one protrusion (140; 140a-b) is yieldingly biased against the guiding surface (133), wherein the biasing force, a shape of the guiding surface (133) and a shape of the at least one protrusion are adapted to enable transfer of a rotational force of a given magnitude from the drive ele
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Daniel Hedberg Development AB
    Inventor: Daniel Hedberg
  • Publication number: 20150020786
    Abstract: A linked control system for loading projectiles in a compressed projectile accelerator that includes controllers that automate the securing of stored projectiles on a players body. Where said stored projectiles are in storage containers or pods that are held and release to the player from the carrying belt or harness by the said controllers that are connected to relationship sensors. Further, the opening and closing of the containment lids of the storage pods, as well as, the containment lid of the loader or hopper that's attached to a projectile accelerator is also controlled and automated by the said controllers that are connected to relationship sensors. The system's linked controllers can also control one or more operating parameters of said compressed projectile accelerator through said relationships or proximity sensors, while informing the player of understandable operational information and/or game information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Jay Edward Skilling
  • Publication number: 20140366859
    Abstract: A paintball loader, more specifically a paintball loader which rapidly and forcibly feeds paintballs to a paintball marker, comprises a rotor body having at least one rotor fin, and a drive motor for rotating said rotor body in a first direction. The paintball loader has a central outlet located radially inwards of the tip of the rotor fin and an abutment body arranged to interact with the at least one rotor fin. When the rotor body is rotated, a paintball, located in a space formed between the at least one rotor fin and the abutment body, is pushed out of the paintball loader through the central outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel Hedberg
  • Patent number: 8899216
    Abstract: A machine for launching disk-shaped targets has two faces located on each side of an edge. The machine includes means for loading a target into a launch area, an arm for launching the target placed in the launch area and a surface guiding the target by means of contact with at least one of the aforementioned faces thereof. The guiding surface has at least one portion wherein the areas that come into contact with the face of the target are not continuous. The machine is particularly suitable for shooting practice, such as archery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: LaPorte Holding
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Laporte, Jean-Marc Fouques
  • Publication number: 20140345587
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ball feed mechanism and associated method 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 feeder. The feeder is coupled to the drive member. An electric motor is used to rotate the drive member which in turn causes the feeder to rotate. The feed mechanism includes sensors which detect the motion of the feeder and the drive member. A controller determines the position of the feeder relative to the drive member and actuates a motor when necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: James T. Christopher, Chris T. Goddard, David M. Banks
  • Patent number: 8875689
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the dart in a barrel of a toy gun is provided. The apparatus includes a dart sensor lever, a linkage, a transmission mechanism between the dart sensor lever and the linkage, and a pivot attached to the gun body. The dart sensor lever is linked with the pivot so that it will swing around the pivot. The transmission mechanism is linked with the linkage, which causes the linkage to move. Other modifications and features suitable for practice therewith, and methods and means of operating the device, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Buzz Bee Toys (H.K.) Company Limited
    Inventor: Ma Chor-Ming
  • Patent number: 8875690
    Abstract: A toy gun that includes a dart ejecting device and a magazine for loading darts and shells is disclosed herein. The gun also includes a shell ejecting device having a driving mechanism and a shell ejecting mechanism. The driving mechanism includes a handle, a linkage through the center of the magazine, and a sliding piece, each of which are joined together in sequence. Other modifications and features suitable for practice therewith, and methods and means of operating the device, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Buzz Bee Toys (H.K.) Company Limited
    Inventor: Ma Chor-Ming
  • Publication number: 20140246004
    Abstract: The ammunition supply device for a toy gun is detachably plugged in a chamber of the toy gun's body. The ammunition supply device contains a transmission module and a loading module interacting with the transmission module. The chamber stores the BBs and the loading module of the ammunition supply device loads the BBs for firing by the toy gun. After firing, the ammunition supply device can be conveniently removed and it is assured that no BBs are remained in the toy gun. With the present invention, a toy gun of increased capacity, convenient assembly, and enhanced safety is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: GUAY GUAY TRADING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: YIN-HSI LIAO
  • Patent number: 8820307
    Abstract: A paintball loader, more specifically a paintball loader which rapidly and forcibly feeds paintballs to a paintball marker, comprises a rotor body having at least one rotor fin, and a drive motor for rotating said rotor body in a first direction. The paintball loader has a central outlet located radially inwards of the tip of the rotor fin and an abutment body arranged to interact with the at least one rotor fin. When the rotor body is rotated, a paintball, located in a space formed between the at least one rotor fin and the abutment body, is pushed out of the paintball loader through the central outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Dye Precision, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Hedberg
  • Publication number: 20140230801
    Abstract: A paintball loader for use on a paintball gun for feeding paintballs is provided. The paintball loader includes a container for holding a plurality of paintballs, a paintball agitator rotatably mounted in the container, the paintball agitator including at least two fins extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the fins spaced apart from each other forming a gap therebetween large enough to accommodate more than one paintball. At least two paintballs are positioned in the gap between the fins. A motor is configured to rotate the paintball agitator. The container includes an exit tube exiting from the bottom portion of the container and leading to an inlet tube of the paintball gun. A microprocessor in communication with a sensor may also be provided for controlling the motor. A deflector for deflecting paintballs may also be provided, the deflector movably attached to the interior surface of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: KEE Action Sports I LLC
    Inventors: James T. Christopher, Chris T. Goddard
  • Patent number: 8800541
    Abstract: An electric toy gun includes a gun body carrying a piston set and a gear set having a first gearwheel provided with a side pin and rotatable to move the piston of the piston set, the gear set is arranged above the axis of movement of the piston of the piston set, a backlash vibration mechanism for producing a backlash vibration when the electric toy gun fires a bullet, and an attached cartridge carrier, which simulates the cartridge feeding operation of a real gun. The backlash vibration mechanism includes a connection block arranged on the axis of movement of the piston of the piston set, a weight fixedly connected to the bottom side of the connection block beneath the axis of movement of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Shih-Che Hu
  • Publication number: 20140216432
    Abstract: A bullet-thrusting structure of the toy gun magazine has a magazine guided channel furnished in the gun body. The magazine guided channel has a outward communicating opening furnished at one end and a bullet chamber connected at the other end for containing the ready-percussion bullets. A magazine having a long-shaped bullet containing space for containing bullets and capable of being stretched in through the opening has a bullet exit, which is connected to the bullet containing space, furnished at one end and a thrusting spring furnished at the other end. A bullet-thrusting element package is consisted of a combining element which is propped against the thrusting spring, a connecting piece, and a bullet-thrusting head having an arcuate part for squeezing the bullets contained in the bullet containing space in the direction toward the bullet exit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: CHUNG-KUAN YANG
  • Patent number: 8746225
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ball feed mechanism and associated method 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 feeder. The feeder is coupled to the drive member. An electric motor is used to rotate the drive member which in turn causes the feeder to rotate. The feed mechanism includes sensors which detect the motion of the feeder and the drive member. A controller determines the position of the feeder relative to the drive member and actuates a motor when necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: KEE Action Sports I LLC
    Inventors: James T. Christopher, Chris T. Goddard, David M. Banks
  • Publication number: 20140123970
    Abstract: A paintball transfer apparatus and method for operating the apparatus to move a paintball enable a user to load a paintball into a paintball marker. The apparatus has an housing forming a cavity for storing paintballs, a path around the wall of the cavity that is shaped to guide paintballs, and a driver that rotates a roller within the cavity. Rotation of the roller moves paintballs along the path. The path may have one of a variety of shapes, such as circular or helical. The surface speed of the roller may be greater than the speed of the paintballs along the path. The roller may be made of a high friction material, and also may be a brush. The apparatus may be used to move paintballs within and about a marker, such as vertically upwards or downwards, or horizontally left or right.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Planet Eclipse Limited
    Inventor: Steven John Monks
  • Publication number: 20140096755
    Abstract: A magazine for storing and feeding paintballs to a paintball marker is disclosed. The magazine includes at least one channel that is open to an opening and a follower configured to travel within the at least one channel and contact a column of paintballs. The magazine can further include a door biased to cover the opening so as to prevent the paintball from passing through the opening. The magazine can include a retainer that is movable between at least a first position and a second position. The retainer prevents the follower from moving towards the opening when in the first position and allows the follower to move towards the opening when in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Dye Precision, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Patrick Larmer, Gerald R. Parks, Ming-Chuan Chen
  • Patent number: 8662063
    Abstract: An electric toy gun includes a gun body carrying a piston set and a gear set having a first gearwheel provided with a side pin and rotatable to move the piston of the piston set, and an attached cartridge carrier, which includes a propelling member movable back and forth by the pin of the first gearwheel, a swivel hook member turnable back and forth by the propelling member, a cartridge rack hung on the swivel hook member and movable back and forth with the swivel hook member to simulate the cartridge feeding operation of a real gun and a return spring for returning the propelling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Shih-Che Hu
  • Publication number: 20140053821
    Abstract: A ball feeding arrangement (101) comprising: a rotor element (123) for pushing a ball (145); a transmission element (127) connected to the rotor element; and a drive element (130) for driving a rotational movement of the rotor element (123) via the transmission element (127), which drive element (130) is intended to be driven by a drive motor (122), wherein one of the drive element (130) and the transmission element (127) has at least one protrusion (140; 140a-b), and the other of the drive element and the transmission element (127) has a guiding surface (133) adapted to guide the at least one protrusion (140;140a-b) during relative rotation between the drive element (130) and the transmission element (127), wherein the at least one protrusion (140;140a-b) is yieldingly biased against the guiding surface (133), wherein the biasing force, a shape of the guiding surface (133) and a shape of the at least one protrusion are adapted to enable transfer of a rotational force of a given magnitude from the drive eleme
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: DANIEL HEDBERG DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventor: Daniel Hedberg
  • Publication number: 20140041646
    Abstract: There is a loader for a paintball gun. The loader includes a container for holding a supply of paintballs, a motor operated drive for feeding paintballs from said container through an exit tube communicating with said gun and sensing means associated with a segment of said exit tube. The sensing means is adapted to control the operation of said drive motor in accordance with pressure by or on a static column of paintballs in said exit tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Farrer Middlebrook, James Conrad Grundy, Bourke Raymond Grundy
  • Patent number: 8584660
    Abstract: A paintball system may include a marker and delivery system configured to deliver paintballs to the marker. The delivery system may include a conduit and a gas supply. The gas supply may be configured to provide gas flow to the conduit, which may propel paintballs in the conduit to the marker. The gas supply may be configured to dynamically alter the gas flow to the conduit. The delivery system may include a first seal sized and configured to form a seal with at least one of the paintballs in the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: David L. Hall
  • Patent number: 8578920
    Abstract: Hoppers and similar loading systems have an integrated imaging system for still and/or video capture, display and/or networked transmission. The imaging system allows real time capture, display and/or transmission live paintball play action from the point of view of the player. Images can be transmitted to team mates in proximity with a corresponding imaging system and/or to off field personnel. Such image transmission from the perspective of the hopper held by the player permits coordination of on field activities among the team members or by an off field coach. In tournament play, the real time video transmission can be broadcast through the off field systems for display to a local audience or streamed to an internet audience. Recordable media within each hopper system permit the recorded images to be stored for later analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Evan A. Estrate
  • Patent number: 8561600
    Abstract: A paintball loader for use on a paintball gun for feeding paintballs is provided. The paintball loader includes a container for holding a plurality of paintballs, a paintball agitator rotatably mounted in the container, the paintball agitator including at least two fins extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the fins spaced apart from each other forming a gap therebetween large enough to accommodate more than one paintball. At least two paintballs are positioned in the gap between the fins. A motor is configured to rotate the paintball agitator. The container includes an exit tube exiting from the bottom portion of the container and leading to an inlet tube of the paintball gun. A microprocessor in communication with a sensor may also be provided for controlling the motor. A deflector for deflecting paintballs may also be provided, the deflector movably attached to the interior surface of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: KEE Action Sports I LLC
    Inventors: James T. Christopher, Chris T. Goddard
  • Publication number: 20130247890
    Abstract: An ammunition loading apparatus and associated methods is provided. The ammunition loading apparatus include a storage compartment. A preload chamber is connected to the storage compartment. A load tube is sized to receive a quantity of ammunition within an interior ammunition passageway, the load tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the preload chamber. A magazine is removably connectable to the second end of the load tube. A pump device is movable along at least a portion of a length of the load tube. A load pin is connected to the pump device and is movably controlled by the pump device along the portion of the length of the load tube, wherein the load pin is further movable between at least a first position intersecting the interior ammunition passageway and a second position not intersecting the interior ammunition passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventor: Ian Gilley
  • Patent number: 8534270
    Abstract: Methods are presented which improve the performance of semi and fully automatic paintball guns include sensing paintball and gun bolt position during loading to coordinate and pace the gun for maximum automatic feed rate and minimal chopping. In addition, methods are presented for indicating a need for servicing through an alarm when the magazine nears empty based upon various conditions such as sensed magazine feed rate fall-off. Additional apparatus are discussed for carrying out the methods, and for performance of other tasks such as selection of pre-wind in spring-type forced-feed loaders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Joel A. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20130220293
    Abstract: A paintball loader for use on a paintball marker, including a refillable container defining an internal space for accommodating a plurality of paintballs, the container further including an outlet for enabling paintballs to sequentially exit the container towards the marker, an agitating member including at least one rotor fin rotatably disposed within the container, a drive mechanism including an electric motor, the drive mechanism being operable to rotate the agitating member so as to agitate one or more paintballs present in the container and facilitate their movement towards the outlet, and a protrusive housing extending inside the internal space, wherein the drive mechanism is at least partially located within the housing in the internal space. The loader may be modular and include a plurality of releasably attachable body portions. The loader may incorporate a speed feed system. The loader may include a piezoelectric sensor for shot detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: Eero KAAKKOLA
  • Patent number: 8469014
    Abstract: A bullet loader for inserting toy bullets into a magazine is disclosed to include a housing having a bullet chamber, opposing inlet and outlet and a bullet passage in communication between the bullet chamber and the outlet, a press-control device having a press knob and a plunger extended from the press knob and inserted into the bullet chamber and terminating in a repeatedly curved lower plunger portion for pushing toy bullets out of the bullet passage into the outlet, a movable block coupled to the plunger in and horizontally reciprocatable by the repeatedly curved lower plunger portion to turn over storage toy bullets upon a vertical reciprocating motion of the plunger relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Shih-Che Hu
  • Patent number: 8459245
    Abstract: An electronically controlled, brushless DC, electromagnetic induction drive apparatus for use in a paintball marker active loader capable of directly driving the feeder element in the active loader while providing independently user selectable torque transfer capability and rotational speed whether used to continuously or intermittently rotate the loader feeder element. A plurality of selectively polarity reversible electromagnets are disposed in the loader housing and act to move a plurality of magnetic drive elements disposed on the rotating feed cone to rotate the feed cone a predetermined amount for each polarity cycle and cause paintballs to be fed into the paintball marker via a feed tube. A controller linked to the marker firing sequence manages the number and frequency of the sequential polarity changes of the electro-magnets to cause the feed cone to rotate in response to sensed movement of paintballs in the feed tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventors: Michael J. Fiorill, Donald Lee Kulp
  • Patent number: 8448631
    Abstract: A wireless projectile loader system is provided. The system includes at least one sensor for detecting a firing operation of a compressed gas gun and sending a signal to a wireless transmitter. The system further includes a wireless transmitter in communication with the at least one sensor, the wireless transmitter adapted to send a wireless signal in response to the sensor detecting a firing operation. The system further includes at least one wireless receiver for receiving the wireless signal in communication with a motor of a projectile loader and adapted to operate the motor in response to the signal transmitted by the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: KEE Action Sports I LLC
    Inventors: Louis Spicer, John Campo
  • Patent number: 8408194
    Abstract: A device for storing projectile balls and feeding the balls into a projectile chamber of a gun is provided. A ball container includes a feeder positioned within the ball container for feeding balls into a feeder tube. A motor is configured to supply drive energy to the feeder. Operation of the motor is controlled as a function of the movement of the balls in the feeder tube. A spring element having a storage capacity is configured to store at least some drive energy of the motor. A slip clutch is configured to dissipate drive energy of the motor that exceeds the storage capacity of the spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: KEE Action Sports I LLC
    Inventor: Heddies Andresen
  • Patent number: 8402959
    Abstract: A paintball loader having a loader body with an exit tube, and a drive assembly including a drive member that rotates about an axis and has at least one fin affixed thereto for moving a paintball toward the exit tube is provided. The drive member has an inner surface and an outer surface. A motor is provided that rotates a drive shaft. At least one first magnet is connected to the drive shaft and at least one second magnet is connected to the drive member. The at least one first magnet and the at least one second magnet have like poles arranged facing each other in a circumferential direction of the drive member about the axis, such that rotation of the drive shaft causes the first magnet to repel the second magnet, rotating the drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Kee Action Sports I LLC
    Inventor: Gregory Nungester
  • Patent number: 8402958
    Abstract: The wheel also includes an opening in the third portion leading to a chamber in a hollow support of the wheel. A spring-biased knob is mounted on a shaft that also mounts the wheel. Both the knob and the wheel have axially align protrusions that may engage each other to allow the wheel to be rotationally adjusted to correct any jam or misalignment of the darts stored on the wheel. A flexible arm and a pusher structure are also included with the magazine apparatus and are connected to a constant force spring, where the flexible arm and a portion of the constant force spring are lodged in the chamber of the hollow support during a dart loading process of the wheel, and the constant force spring uncoils when the wheel is rotated during the loading process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Victor, Raymond Aaron Mead, Robert L. Brown, Fred D. Eddins, Meredith Brooks, Douglas C. Weiler
  • Patent number: 8387607
    Abstract: An paintball loader for supplying paintballs to a paintball marker is provided. The loader includes a container for storing a plurality of paintballs. An outfeed tube on the container is connected to an inlet tube on the marker. The loader further includes a drive shaft, and a feeder rotatably disposed in the container for feeding paintballs into the outfeed tube. The loader further includes a mechanical drive handle accessible externally of the loader and connected to the drive shaft to manually wind the drive spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: KEE Action Sports I LLC
    Inventors: James T. Christopher, Albert G. Schilling, Chris T. Goddard
  • Patent number: 8381710
    Abstract: Paintball ejecting apparatus having a body, a breech, and a barrel for ejecting paintballs through and out of the barrel is disclosed. There are included a paintball reservoir disposed in an other-than-top-of-body position and a paintball conduit coupling the paintball reservoir to the breech for facilitating transport of paintballs from the paintball reservoir to the breech. There is also included a paintball transport arrangement having an actuator to move paintballs toward the breech, the paintball transport arrangement automatically moves at least a first paintball from the paintball conduit into the breech if the breech is empty and open for receiving the at least first paintball, the paintball transport arrangement automatically ceasing moving another paintball into the breech after the at least first paintball is disposed in the breech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Dong Thanh Nguyen
  • Patent number: RE45477
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a device and method for wireless communication between a paintball marker or gun and it's associated paintball loading device. This wireless communication, whether bidirectional or unidirectional, allows for the transmission of “load” commands and various other useful information between the paintball marker and the paintball feeding device. When the “load” command, which is much more responsive than the “passive” communication found in the prior art, is wirelessly received by the paintball feeding device, the paintball feeding device loads a singular or plurality of paintballs into the paintball marker of appropriate conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: HTR Development, LLC
    Inventors: John Higgins, Kelly Lewis
  • Patent number: RE45490
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and kits for loading paintballs into a feed tube of a paintball gun are disclosed. A loader includes a chamber for holding paintballs, a feed mechanism having a rotational feeder within the chamber that feeds paintballs from the chamber along a feed channel when rotating to fill the feed tube, and a drive mechanism that drives the rotational feeder of the feed mechanism, ceases to drive the rotational feeder responsive to stoppage of the rotational feeder, and periodically attempts to rotate the stopped rotational feeder. Paintballs are loaded from a loader into a feed tube of a paintball gun by driving a rotational feeder within the loader, the rotational feeder configured within the loader to feed paintballs into the feed tube when rotating, ceasing to drive the rotational feeder responsive to stoppage of the rotational feeder, and periodically attempting to rotate the stopped rotational feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: G.I. Sportz, Inc.
    Inventors: Richmond Italia, Michael Steven Spurlock, Chun Min Wu, Chien Ming Chen