Mechanical Projectile Feed Patents (Class 124/51.1)
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Publication number: 20110023858Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: KEE ACTION SPORTS I LLCInventor: Heddies Andresen
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Publication number: 20110011386Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2009Publication date: January 20, 2011Inventor: Khanh Tran
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Publication number: 20110011384Abstract: A launching device is described that includes a launcher and an optional snowball forming device. The launching device accepts objects, such as snowballs, and propels them through a generally cylindrical housing energy stored in elastic bands. One embodiment is an automatic launcher that includes an integrated snowball forming device. Uncompacted snow is provided to a hopper. The backwards motion of a handle compacts the snow into a ball and stores energy for launching, and the release of the handle propels the snowball.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2009Publication date: January 20, 2011Inventors: Tom Michael, Ian Coats MacColl, Tony Hendrix, Gray Holland, Paul Lapidus
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Publication number: 20110003268Abstract: A realistic sparring structure used in a shooting training is provided in a frame containing a first conductor and a second conductor for connecting to a power source. The realistic sparring structure includes a rod, a conductor and a pressing piece. A top end of the rod is a locking part, the conductor is electrically connected with the first conductor and the second conductor, and the pressing piece displaces in the frame. By the aforementioned structures, when a new magazine is loaded and a last round of bullet is fired, a bolt handle should be pulled again, allowing the first conductor to electrically conduct with the second conductor, such that a problem of a constant supply of power source in a conventional toy gun can be improved, thereby achieving the practicability and progressiveness of simulating a shooting training by emulating operations of a real gun.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2008Publication date: January 6, 2011Inventor: Yin-Hsi Liao
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Patent number: 7854220Abstract: A spring tensioned paintball agitator using a stretchable tension device providing increased maintenance and replacement access. A base frame and a finger frame are provided defining a movement limit device to prevent overextension of the spring while maintaining a minimum spring position. The agitator includes vertical ball displacement tips for increasing ball agitation inside the hopper and contact finger having a variable contact face for ball position control.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2007Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Inventor: Terry Neumaster
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Patent number: 7841328Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 19, 2007Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Procaps LPInventors: Richmond Italia, Michael Steven Spurlock, Chien Ming Chen, Chun Min Wu
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Patent number: 7832389Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2006Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Kee Action Sports I LLCInventor: James T. Christopher
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Publication number: 20100258101Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2006Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: National Paintball Supply, Inc.Inventors: John Campo, Louis Spicer
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Patent number: 7779825Abstract: A range of High capacity paintball pod hopper or loader housings for use with conventional paintball gun with attached paintball feeder core egg housing. The pod hopper housing has an enclosed end and an open end in contact with the paintball feeder core egg housing and is arranged for gravity feed transfer of paintballs to the paintball gun firing chamber. The pod loader housing has an enclosed end and an open end in contact with the paintball feeder core egg housing and is arranged for power feed transfer of paintballs to the paintball gun firing chamber The pod hopper and pod loader housings are arranged for connections to the feeder core egg housings using (a) quick connector bayonets, and spring-loaded pin, and (b) permanently connected using glued or mechanical fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2007Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Inventor: Evan A. Estrate
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Publication number: 20100206282Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2010Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: Procaps LPInventors: Richmond Italia, Michael Steven Spurlock, Chien Ming Chen, Chun Min Wu
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Patent number: 7770569Abstract: The procedure for feeding balls (14) to the projectile chamber (11) of a handgun (1), in particular to the projectile chamber of a paintball weapon, whereby the balls (14) are fed by means of a motor from a ball container (3), through a feeder tube (2) into a projectile chamber (11), is characterized by the fact that the motor is controlled as a function of the movement of the balls (14) in the feeder tube (2). The feeding of the balls (14) to the projectile chamber (11) is controlled in accordance with the procedure which is the subject of the invention. The invention has the advantage that the motor is controlled as a function of the actual conditions prevailing inside the feeder tube (2).Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: KEE Action and Sports I LLCInventor: Heddies Andresen
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Patent number: 7766770Abstract: The present invention includes devices, kits and methods for an automated ball feeding device for a ball throwing machine. The present invention provides an automatic ball feeding and throwing apparatus having a ball holding container with one or more sides and a bottom in communication with a propeller. The propeller is positioned to communicate with a rotatable support mast that has a ball channel and supports a ball ejection mechanism. The ball channel extends from the ball holding container to the ball ejection mechanism. The ball is fed by the propeller through the ball channel to the ball throwing apparatus regardless of the pivot angle or rotational angle of the ball ejection mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Precision Sports Robotics, LLCInventors: Romulo J. Cucjen, Dennis Randall Duron, Brad Tilton
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Publication number: 20100180877Abstract: A novelty device for launching projectiles includes a housing defining a storage chamber and a launch channel. The launch channel is open proximate an upper end of the housing. A plurality of projectiles are disposed in the storage channel. A projectile staging arrangement is operative for moving a select one of the plurality of projectiles from the storage chamber to the launch channel. An ejector arrangement is associated with the launch channel and operative for launching a staged projectile disposed within the launch channel at one of a plurality of launch velocities.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2008Publication date: July 22, 2010Inventor: Jerry Fielding, JR.
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Publication number: 20100154765Abstract: Magazine (1) for a firearm, in particular for a semiautomatic CO2 or compressed-air firearm, comprising a basic magazine body, a number of projectile supports (2) for the reception of projectiles (3) as well as a transport means for the projectile supports, whereas the transport means is designed for receiving the projectile supports (2) movably with respect to the basic magazine body, whereas the transport means is designed for moving the projectile supports (2) in a circuit, whereas the transport means has at least one endless transport belt (4), whereas the projectile supports (2) are connected to the transport belt (4).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2006Publication date: June 24, 2010Inventors: Jurgen Klockener, Birgit Teipel, Franz Wonisch, Wulf-Heinz Pflaumer
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Publication number: 20100154766Abstract: A compressed gas projectile accelerating system that includes a compressed gas projectile accelerator and/or associated projectile equipment configured to allow an informed user to more effectively engage differing opponents. The accelerating system includes an automatic and/or automated velocity adjustment mechanism and/or method, as well as an automatic and/or automated adjustable loading mechanism and/or method, configured to allow the compressed gas projectile accelerator to effectively expel a plurality of projectiles between a first velocity setting and a second velocity setting. The velocity adjustment mechanism and/or method includes a velocity controller configured to allow the selective selection of velocity settings falling between the first velocity setting and the second velocity setting. Where the first velocity setting is a selected velocity setting below the maximum velocity of the compressed gas projectile accelerator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2009Publication date: June 24, 2010Inventor: Jay Edward Skilling
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Publication number: 20100126485Abstract: A paintball hopper apparatus for supplying paintballs including a hopper body with a feed neck and sensors displaying information about the paintball loader's operating condition. Sensors are provided for sensing the force of the driven impeller, the quantity of paintballs or the open space inside the hopper body, the number of balls discharged from the container, the rate of discharge of the paintballs, the speed of discharge of the paintballs, and the available power supply for the loader operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventor: Terry Neumaster
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Patent number: 7694669Abstract: An improved paintball feed mechanism for a paintball loader is disclosed, including a drive shaft and a motor for actuating the drive shaft. At least on rigid projection is provided connected to the drive shaft by an elastic member. The elastic member is formed so that it will bend when the rigid projection encounters a jammed or stationary paintball in the paintball loader, thus preventing paintball breakage.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2005Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Kee Action Sports I, LLCInventor: John E. Campo
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Patent number: 7673627Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 1, 2007Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Inventors: John Higgins, Kelly Lewis
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Patent number: 7654255Abstract: A paintball agitator for use with a paintball loader is provided. The paintball agitator includes a rotatable shaft having a drive end and a second end opposite the drive end. A base portion extends radially from the shaft adjacent the second end of the shaft. The base portion is rotatable in combination with the shaft. At least one fin is pivotally affixed to the base portion and extends radially from the shaft. The at least one fin is rotatable in combination with the base portion and the shaft. The paintball agitator further includes at least one sensor mounted to the base portion that detects movement of the at least one fin.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2006Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Kee Action Sports I LLCInventor: Louis Spicer
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Publication number: 20100000505Abstract: A BB gun loading device includes a feeder, a loading unit, a power breaker, and an ejection unit. The loading unit includes a worm, a driven pulley, and a motor. The worm is inserted into the feeder and coupled to the driven pulley which is driven by the motor to rotate. The rotation of the driven pulley links the worm to load BB balls in the feeder for shooting. The power breaker is adapted to cut off power supply. The ejection unit includes a press rod and a touch switch. By pressing the press rod, the touch switch is activated to link the worm to move backward so as to clear the jammed chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2008Publication date: January 7, 2010Inventor: Hsin-Cheng Yeh
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Patent number: 7640924Abstract: A feeding mechanism for ball bullets from a bin to a holder. The mechanism contains a bin 1 and additional reservoir 2 which in a lower part communicate. A vibrator 3 is placed in the lower part of the bin 1 and the additional reservoir 2. The vibrator 3 is formed of two plates 4 and 5 of L-shape that oscillate on the axis 6 due to spring 7 and cam 8, which is rotated by the electric drive 9. A feeding screw mechanism is disposed in the lower part of the bin 1 and the additional reservoir 2, the mechanism comprising a screw 10 with a helical spring. The base 12 is connected to cam 8 through a friction coupling 13. The cam 8 gains rotation from the electric drive 9 through the gearing 14. The bin 1 with additional reservoir 2 communicates with the holder 16 through the channel 15.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2006Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Federalnoe Gosudarstvennoe Unitarnoe Predpriyatie “Izhevsky Mekhanichesky Zavod”Inventor: Valery Leonidovich Cherepanov
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Patent number: 7617817Abstract: The invention is an improvement to an active paintball loader used to feed a supply of paintballs to the breech of a paintball marker wherein the loader is located remote from the marker breech to reduce the target profile of the paintball game player. The loader includes a conventional reservoir for storing a quantity of paintballs, a drive mechanism for moving individual paintballs out of the loader reservoir and into a feed tube where they are forced to the breech inlet of the marker. Locating the loader on the compressed gas storage cylinder reduces the frontal area of the marker/loader combination thereby reducing the target area of a competitor using the LRL during a paintball competition. The location also improves the balance of the combination marker, loader, gas cylinder apparatus making it easier for the player to handle during evasive maneuvers during paintball game play.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2005Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Inventor: Donald Lee Kulp
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Publication number: 20090266349Abstract: A paintball loader, more specifically a paintball loader which rapidly and forcibly feeds paintballs to a paintball marker, comprises a rotor body (9) having at least one rotor fin (10), and a drive motor (7) for rotating said rotor body (9) in a first direction. The paintball loader has a central outlet (5) located radially inwards of the tip of the rotor fin (10) and an abutment body (11) arranged to interact with said at least one rotor fin (10). When the rotor body (9) is rotated, a paintball (24), located in a space (14) formed between said at least one rotor fin (10) and said abutment body (11), is pushed out of said paintball loader (1) through the central outlet (5).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2009Publication date: October 29, 2009Applicant: DYE PRECISION, INC.Inventor: Daniel Hedberg
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Publication number: 20090255522Abstract: A pellet gun feeder aligns at least one pellet with the breech of a pellet gun, such as a pellet pistol or a pellet rifle, and places at least one pellet in the pellet gun for use or to be discharged therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2008Publication date: October 15, 2009Inventor: Dewey O. Broberg, JR.
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Publication number: 20090241929Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2007Publication date: October 1, 2009Inventors: Richmond Italia, Michael Steven Spurlock, Chun Ming Chen, Chun Min Wu
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Publication number: 20090235909Abstract: A pain ball gun includes a ball receiving member rotatably received in the top tube of the paint ball gun and the ball receiving member includes a space defined therein which communicates with a receiving hole so that paint balls drop into the space via the receiving hole. The ball receiving member is connected with a rotary unit which is controlled by operation of the trigger powered by a power unit which introduces pressurized air to activate the rotary unit which rotates the ball receiving member. The receiving hole communicates with a hopper to receive a paint ball and pressurized air cannot enter into the ball receiving member when the ball receiving member is in the first position. The receiving hole is sealed and pressurized air enters into the ball receiving member to shoot the paint ball when the ball receiving member is in the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2008Publication date: September 24, 2009Inventor: Sheng-Jen Lian
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Patent number: 7591260Abstract: A paintball hopper, comprising, a container defining a bottom paintball guide and a paintball moving assembly, adapted to move paintballs in a path determined by the bottom paintball guide. In addition a chute leading from the paintball guide is so disposed that paintballs may enter the chute from the guide without undergoing a substantial change in direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2005Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Inventor: Richard Mu
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Publication number: 20090229590Abstract: A pitching machine includes a pedestal, a hopper, a guide channel connecting the hopper with a ball rack for guiding a ball in the hopper to the ball rack, and a ball hitting mechanism which includes a striking rod pivotally coupling with the pedestal, a resilient element for applying a pulling force against the striking rod to drive a lower end thereof towards the ball rack, and a striking rod drive mechanism. The striking rod drive mechanism drives the lower end of the striking rod backward, wherein when the striking rod is pivotally and backwardly moved at an utmost limit, the lower end of the striking rod is released, such that the lower end of the striking rod rapidly swings towards the ball rack for hitting the ball thereat. Therefore, the pitching machine is safe and easy to operate and brings convenience for batters.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2009Publication date: September 17, 2009Inventor: Guangming Tan
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Publication number: 20090211562Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2009Publication date: August 27, 2009Inventor: Nicholas KARNIS
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Publication number: 20090194085Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2008Publication date: August 6, 2009Inventor: Tom Lalor
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Patent number: 7568478Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Dye Precision, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Hedberg
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Publication number: 20090178659Abstract: A paintball agitator for use with a paintball loader is provided, as is a paintball loader incorporating the paintball agitator. The paintball agitator includes a rotatable shaft having a drive end and a second end opposite the drive end. A base portion is provided adjacent the second end of the shaft. The base portion is rotatable with the shaft. At least one fin is pivotally attached to the base portion. The at least one fin is rotatable in combination with the base portion and the shaft. The paintball agitator further includes at least one adapted to detect movement of the at least one fin. A controller may be provided in communication with the sensor to control operation of the paintball loader.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2008Publication date: July 16, 2009Applicant: KEE ACTION SPORTS I, LLCInventor: Louis Spicer
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Publication number: 20090133680Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2008Publication date: May 28, 2009Applicant: KEE ACTION SPORTS I LLCInventors: James T. Christopher, Simon Benjamin Stevens, Chris Goddard
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Publication number: 20090056691Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: KEE ACTION SPORTS I LLCInventors: James T. Christopher, Chris T. Goddard, David Michael Banks
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Publication number: 20090056690Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: Maruzen Company LimitedInventor: Tetsuo Maeda
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Publication number: 20090050126Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2008Publication date: February 26, 2009Inventor: John Higgins
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Publication number: 20090025700Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2008Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: KEE ACTION SPORTS I LLCInventor: Heddies Andresen
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Publication number: 20090000608Abstract: A drive cone for use on a paintball loader for 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: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2008Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: KEE ACTION SPORTS I LLCInventors: James T. CHRISTOPHER, Chris T. GODDARD
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Patent number: 7458370Abstract: A feeding device of a paintball marker gun includes a signal transmitter, a signal receiver, and a paintball feeding unit containing paintballs; the signal transmitter is electrically connected to a controller held in the pistol grip; the paintball feeding unit is connected to the signal receiver, and it includes a stepping motor; when the trigger of the paintball marker gun is pressed to shoot a paintball, the signal transmitter will transmit a signal immediately, which will be received through the signal receiver such that the stepping motor of the paintball feeding unit will start rotating so as to feed a paintball to a main body of the paintball marker gun, thus making shooting and feeding of paintballs happen in a synchronized manner as well as preventing blockage and jams of paintballs.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2005Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Inventor: Jian-Ming Chen
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Patent number: 7445002Abstract: 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 feeder. 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: GrantFiled: April 28, 2005Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: KEE Action Sports I LLCInventors: James T. Christopher, Chris T. Goddard, David Michael Banks
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Patent number: 7441556Abstract: A paintball feeding apparatus includes a paintball reservoir, and a housing mounted under the paintball reservoir with an inlet opening communicating with the paintball reservoir such that paintballs can move from the paintball reservoir though the inlet opening. The housing defines an outlet opening at a front end thereof adapted to be connected to a paintball gun feed tube. An auger is rotatably mounted in the housing such that pockets are formed between the auger flights, the pockets configured to receive and maintain a paintball in each pocket. A drive is operative to rotate the auger to move paintballs out the outlet opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2006Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Inventors: Brant Friesen, Shawn Curtis
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Publication number: 20080236558Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: John P. Bosch, Clyde McKay
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Patent number: 7428899Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 2004Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: KEE Action Sports I LLCInventor: Heddies Andresen
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Publication number: 20080216805Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2008Publication date: September 11, 2008Applicant: KEE ACTION SPORTS I LLCInventors: James T. CHRISTOPHER, Albert G. SCHILLING, Chris T. GODDARD
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Patent number: 7392802Abstract: A paintball gun loading device includes a main body, a tightening ring and a retaining ring. The main body has a first clamping section and a second clamping section. The first clamping section comprises a first inclined surface and the second clamping section comprises a second inclined surface. The tightening ring comprises a third inclined surface and a fourth inclined surface. The third inclined surface is engaged with the first inclined surface of the first clamping section, while the fourth inclined surface corresponds to a fifth inclined surface of the retaining ring. The retaining ring further comprises a sixth inclined surface corresponding to the second inclined surface of the second clamping section. This tightness of the retaining ring does not apply to the main body direct. There is no deformation concern of the main body.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2006Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Sunwold Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hsin-Cheng Yeh
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Publication number: 20080141990Abstract: The procedure for feeding balls (14) to the projectile chamber (11) of a handgun (1), in particular to the projectile chamber of a paintball weapon, whereby the balls (14) are fed by means of a motor from a ball container (3), through a feeder tube (2) into a projectile chamber (11), is characterized by the fact that the motor is controlled as a function of the movement of the balls (14) in the feeder tube (2). The feeding of the balls (14) to the projectile chamber (11) is controlled in accordance with the procedure which is the subject of the invention. The invention has the advantage that the motor is controlled as a function of the actual conditions prevailing inside the feeder tube (2).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2007Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: KEE ACTION SPORTS I LLCInventor: Heddies ANDRESEN
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Patent number: 7357130Abstract: A mechanism for feeding uniformly-sized spherical projectiles such as paintballs into a gun adapted to shoot said projectiles is positioned in a lower region of a paintball-holding magazine, and includes a spinning body in the form of a spool from the peripheral side of which project radial arms shaped and dimensioned to urge projectiles toward a duct leading to the ammunition intake port of the gun. The spool is driven by a switchable electrical motor. In order to avoid gaps into the row of paintballs that are urged toward the ammunition intake port when the motor is not running which could result in dry firing, a resiliently variable linkage between the propelling arms is provided by a spiral spring or a pair of stretchable coil springs.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2005Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: JT USA, LLCInventor: Lester Broersma
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Patent number: 7357129Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 3, 2006Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Inventors: Terry Neumaster, Bruce Crites, Michael Jezdimir
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Patent number: 7350515Abstract: A ball feeder for ball serving machine includes a seat consisting of a hollow transfer frame and a shaft bear, a rotating unit mounted to one side of the seat and having a ball scoop extended from an end thereof, and a plurality of guide sections sequentially rotatably connected at an end to the shaft bearing. The guide sections may be turned about the shaft bearing in the same direction to form a nonlinearly inclined spiral ball guide path. A ball put in the top guide section automatically rolls down along the ball guide path and falls into the transfer frame to be caught by the ball scoop. When the ball scoop is turned by the rotating unit to face downward, the ball on the ball scoop falls into a feeding mouth on a body of the ball serving machine and is automatically served.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2005Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Long Way Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventors: Lin Zhan Yao, Ze Jun Li
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Patent number: 7343909Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2005Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Kee Action Sports I LLCInventors: James T. Christopher, Albert G. Schilling, Christ T. Goddard