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 a feeder tube. A feeder driven by a motor feeds the balls from the ball container into the feeder tube. Traction from the motor is transmitted via a connection or clutch which can consist of a flexible member and a transmission element. Protrusions are arranged on both the flexible member 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. In addition, the feeder is detachably connected to the drive element by means of a bayonet-like connection to facilitate the cleaning of the ball container.

Abstract: A paintball loader for supplying a plurality of substantially similar paintballs a paintball marker. The loader comprises a housing adapted to receive the plurality of paintballs, the housing defining a feeder tube in a base thereof, the feeder tube dimensioned to allow single passage of the paintballs, a paintball receiving member comprising an elongate receiving channel spiraling radially outward in a direction of rotation from the feeder hole and having an outlet adjacent the feeder tube, the channel comprising a pair of opposing side walls spaced to allow single passage of the paintballs, and a feeder arm positioned across at least a portion of the channel walls such that the feeder arm comes into contact with one of the plurality of the paintballs when in the channel. The channel is rotatable relative to the feeder arm about the feeder hole in the direction of rotation.

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 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 and cause paintballs to be fed into the paintball marker via a feed tube. A controller linked to the marker firing sequence manages the sequential polarity changes of the electro-magnets to cause the feed cone to rotate in response to movement of paintballs in the feed tube.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A shuttlecock launching apparatus which comprises a storage for shuttlecocks, first and second launching wheels, a transfer assembly for transferring a single shuttlecock from the storage to the launching wheels, the transfer assembly being controlled by a cam wheel and cam follower which causes and guides the horizontal movement of the transfer assembly.

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.

Abstract: A drive system for a regulating the rotation of a drive system or agitator in a paintball loader is disclosed. It is designed to regulate the rotation of a feeder, especially during a jam or when projectiles in a hopper become misaligned. This allows a user to quickly and effectively clear a jam and resume or continue rapid fire without damaging projectiles, the loader or the paintball marker.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a paintball loader having a diverter member supported within a housing of the loader. The diverter member can limit the number of paintballs which enter an outlet passageway leading to a marker inlet. In some embodiments, diverter member can have projections and channels formed in a bottom surface thereof to control the number of paintballs that can simultaneously enter the entrance to the outlet passageway.

Abstract: A multiple eye paintball loader motor controller having a container and an outfeed tube to direct paintballs to a marker. Ball sensors are in the loader outfeed tube to predict incoming paintballs and the rate of supply. A controller is connected to the ball sensor to sense the incoming balls to control or adapt the operation of the loader in accordance with the supply rate. Secondary sensors may also be utilized to provide additional information. Secondary sensors may be placed in the outfeed tube, placed to provide supplemental side information, or a combination of these placements. Various placements provide feed rate information and may also detect jammed ball positions in the transition area at the end of the outfeed tube.

Abstract: A toy launcher apparatus for discharging soft foam projectiles, the apparatus having a housing, a projectile launching assembly including a launching tube and a launching spring, a trigger and a cocking assembly. The apparatus also includes a magazine container for storing a stack of projectiles and having a projectile receiving opening to enable loading of projectiles into the magazine container without removing the magazine container from the housing. This is accomplished by the apparatus having a horizontal panel operatively connected to the magazine container's upper portion and movable between a first position where the panel is retracted and does not block the projectile receiving opening and a second position where the panel blocks the projectile receiving opening during a cocking cycle of the cocking assembly.

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.

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 the 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.

Abstract: A paintball loader which feeds paintballs to a paintball marker has a rotor body and a drive motor for rotating the rotor body. The paintball loader can include a latch member for selectively securing an upper shell member to a lower shell member. The paintball loader can include a ramp member inside the upper and lower shell members. The ramp member moves between a first or flattened position and a second or raised position to facilitate operation of the loader. The components of the loader are designed so that assembly/disassembly is performed with few, if any, tools to facilitate cleaning and/or maintenance.

Abstract: A cartridge box of a pneumatic toy gun includes an air lock system and a struck element disposed on the upper inside the case of the cartridge box, and further includes a control system having a pushing rod and a resisting rod, wherein a front end of the pushing rod extends into the bullet-out passage disposed inside the case. When there is no bullet in the bullet-out passage, a lateral end of the stripping rod resists upward against the front end of the pushing rod to make the back end of the resisting rod moving downward to resist against the resisting portion of the struck element, resulting that the struck element cannot push the air lock system forward. Thereby, when there is no bullet in the cartridge box, even if the trigger is pressed, the air lock system cannot moves to push the bolt. Hence, firing without bullet will be avoided and the effects of the simulate gun would be achieved.

Abstract: A link for a toy ammunition chain made up of a plurality of links hinged together side-by-side in articulated fashion includes a cylindrical body adapted to receive a soft projectile. A first hinge component extends laterally from the body and has a pair of hinge pins. A second hinge component extends laterally from the body at a position opposite the first hinge component and has a pair of recesses each for pivotally receiving a hinge pin of an adjacent link in the chain.

Abstract: A gatling gun style projectile launcher comprising an assembly of rotating, pressurized-air driven guns. A loader assembly mounted on the gun assembly rotates synchronously through mating of drive gears with the assembly of guns. The loader applies centrifugal force to the paintballs within, urging them into loader tubes positioned in the wall of the loader. Synchronous timing gears align the rotating loader tubes with cognate breech openings in the guns, thereby transferring paintballs into the firing positions from which the paintballs are launched.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A bottom feed magazine of a paintball gun includes a housing for storing a plurality of paintballs. A circular tray is mounted to the housing. A hub is rotatable about a shaft within the circular tray at a center thereof. The circular tray and the hub together define an annular channel for receiving paintballs dropped therein from the housing. A plurality of arms is provided on the hub for driving the paintballs along the channel. A tube has an inlet end extending into the channel and an outlet end extending generally upwards to a top wall of the housing. When the central hub rotates, the paintballs in the channel are driven along the channel, into the inlet end and pushed up along the tube towards the outlet end.

Abstract: A toy launcher that can house a substantially large amount (e.g., 40, 60, 100, 200, etc.) of projectiles along the length of a rotatable projectile feed assembly. During use, a user can cause rotatable projectile feed assembly to rotate about it own axis and can cause projectiles to advance from the rotatable projectile feed assembly to a projectile launch assembly. At the projectile launch assembly, projectiles interact with at least one accelerator launching the projectile out of the toy launcher. The accelerator can be at least one rotating body.

Abstract: An automatic feed mechanism for use with a batting aid device having a first end configured to receive a ball and a second end configured to drop the ball from the batting aid device. The automatic feed mechanism includes a substantially enclosed tubular member configured to receive a ball from the batting aid device and defining an internal support surface configured to support the ball, a wheel coupled to and positioned at least partially within the tubular member and having a rotational axis orientated substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the tubular member, and a motor configured to rotate the wheel at least a portion of a full rotation; wherein as the wheel rotates, the wheel is configured to engage and advance the ball through the tubular member in a direction from the first end toward the second end of the batting aid device.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A rapid feed paintball loader for use on a paintball gun for force feeding paintballs is provided. The paintball loader includes a container for holding a plurality of paintballs, a paintball agitator rotating about an axis and 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 and sensor may also be provided. The agitator may include a central dome-shaped area.

Abstract: A paintball feeding device of a paintball gun includes a container, in which paintballs are received, mounted on the paintball gun. A transporting member is received in the container. The transporting member has ball carrying portions to hold the paintballs. The paintball gun has a frame with a chamber therein, and the frame is provided with an inlet and an outlet on opposite sides thereof to be communicated with the chamber respectively. A driving member is connected to the transporting member for driving the transporting member to have the ball carrying portions entering the chamber via the inlet in sequence and leaving the chamber via the outlet.

Abstract: A paintball loader which feeds paintballs to a paintball marker has a rotor body and a drive motor for rotating the rotor body. The paintball loader can include a latch member for selectively securing an upper shell member to a lower shell member. The paintball loader can include a ramp member inside the upper and lower shell members. The ramp member moves between a first or flattened position and a second or raised position to facilitate operation of the loader. The components of the loader are designed so that assembly/disassembly is performed with few, if any, tools to facilitate cleaning and/or maintenance.

Abstract: An active feed paintball loader for supplying paintballs to a paintball marker. 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, a feeder rotatably disposed in the container for feeding paintballs into the outfeed tube, and a drive spring having first and second ends. The first end is engaged to the feeder to provide a driving force to rotate the feeder within the container. The second end is coupled to the drive shaft. The drive shaft operates to wind the drive spring to maintain sufficient tension on the drive spring to maintain a paintball stack in 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A rapid feed paintball loader for use on a paintball gun for force feeding paintballs is provided. The paintball loader includes a container for holding a plurality of paintballs, a paintball agitator rotating about an axis and 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 and sensor may also be provided. The agitator may include a central dome-shaped area.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for launching targets, retrieval devices and combination target and retrieval devices, wherein the targets and retrieval devices may be irregularly shaped, such as like birds. Multiple targets are held on a carousel delivery system and eventually moved in a launching position by a push arm. A throwing arm is then rotated, pushing the target along a throwing guide until it reaches a launching position, at which point the target is released for use in shooting practice and/or training retrieving dogs.

Abstract: A magazine has a magazine body provided with a rotary clip, and the magazine body comprises an ejector member capable of movement, an ejector elastic member provided on the ejector member and being capable of expansion and contraction, and an engagement indent section capable of being engaged with a magazine catch at the time of loading the magazine into the air gun body, and the air gun body has a magazine ejector structure with the magazine catch that is urged by a catch elastic member to the magazine holding section and capable of engaging with the engagement indent section of the magazine, and a stopper that is capable of pressing part of the ejector member.

Abstract: A gatling gun style projectile launcher comprising an assembly of rotating, pressurized-air driven guns. A loader assembly mounted on the gun assembly rotates synchronously through mating of drive gears with the assembly of guns. The loader applies centrifugal force to the paintballs within, urging them into loader tubes positioned in the wall of the loader. Synchronous timing gears align the rotating loader tubes with cognate breech openings in the guns, thereby transferring paintballs into the firing positions from which the paintballs are launched.

Abstract: Paintballs are loaded into a paintball gun. The paintballs are stored within a drive tube of a paintball loader. The paintballs are loaded into the paintball gun from the drive tube of the paintball loader. A screw is rotated with respect to the drive tube so that the paintballs are constrained to travel along a helical groove of the screw and along one of multiple column grooves on an inner surface of the drive tube.

Abstract: A paintball marker includes a main body and a dual feed adapter coupled to the main body. The dual feed adapter has a hollow interior, a top feed port and a bottom feed port. A top feed storage hopper is detachably connected to the dual feed adapter at the top feed port, and a bottom feed storage magazine is detachably connected to the dual feed adapter at the bottom feed port. A sleeve with an opening is rotatable within the dual feed adapter between a first position where the sleeve opening aligns with the top feed port for feeding therethrough a first group of paintballs from the hopper, and a second position where the sleeve opening aligns with the bottom feed port for feeding therethrough a second group of paintballs from the magazine.

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.

Abstract: A loader for storing and delivering paintballs to a paintball marker comprising a removable drive unit. The drive unit is arranged within a cartridge configured to be received into a cavity provided within the body of the loader. This arrangement provides for the quick removal of the drive system from the loader, facilitating ease of repair, replacement, or upgrading of the drive unit.

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.

Abstract: A roulette wheel-type funnel device for use with a hopper of a paintball marker is configured according to the hopper and essentially includes a funnel body and a roulette wheel. The funnel body is formed therein with a receiving chamber connected with a ball channel. The ball channel is in tangential communication with the receiving chamber so as to form a smooth guide path. A covering plate formed adjacent to an inlet of the ball channel and has an inclined surface and extends into the receiving chamber. The roulette wheel has a sloped surface formed with at least one fin. The roulette wheel is driven to rotate by a motor and facilitates rolling of paintballs. With the ball channel being in tangential communication with the receiving chamber and forming the smooth guide path, the paintballs are fed easily and smoothly into the ball channel and prevented from being stuck.

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.