Abstract: A cylindrical barrel (1), mounted on an axis with one higher end and one lower end. The barrel is mounted at the lower end by a motor (5), and at the higher end by support rollers (8). The motor is mounted to a guide plate (7) which is mounted to a frame (2). The support rollers are mounted to the frame. The barrel has an opening (4) in the higher end for loading in balls, and two or more release chambers (3) located on the lower end of the barrel at the outermost edge of the barrel face.

Abstract: A ball feeding device is disclosed that includes a trigger and feeder disposed at least partially inside a housing. The trigger may be actuated by simulating the athletic motion required to propel an athletic projectile such as a baseball, tennis ball or hockey puck by striking a wand or disrupting a beam. The feeder is actuated by the trigger to introduce an athletic projectile into a propelling device. A control member assists in reducing premature or multiple projection of projectiles for each trigger activation.

Abstract: A paintball hopper for connection to a paintball launcher or marker has a counter which includes a flexible potentiometer extending into a transfer conduit that connects to the paintball launcher or marker. The hopper has a reservoir shaped for movement of the paintballs toward the transfer conduit. The hopper has a nose with slanted surfaces that are deflection engineered to enhance the deflectability of paintballs directed at the user. The counter mechanism includes a timer and an LCD display so the user can see how many paintballs have been launched and monitor time. The hopper also includes an agitator to agitate the paintballs in the reservoir.

Abstract: A multi-barreled rapid fire gun and method of use for firing a plurality of projectiles contained within a container releasably connected to the gun. The gun includes at least one barrel for receiving the projectiles from the supply. A supply of gas is connected to the at least one barrel and a device for providing gas from the supply to the at least one barrel is connected therebetween. A gas regulator is provided for regulating a pressure of the gas supplied to the at least one barrel wherein activation of the device for providing causes the gas to be supplied to tie at least one barrel to be received at a desired pressure causing the projectile to be ejected from the at least one barrel, a velocity at which the projectile is ejected and a distance at which the projectile travels being dependent upon the pressure at which the gas is provided to the at least one barrel.

Abstract: A gas-powered paintball gun has two pressure regulators which supply two different gas pressures for gun operation: a lower-pressure gas for quickly but gently loading balls into the chamber of the gun, and a high-pressure gas for consistently and efficiently propelling balls out of the barrel. A further aspect of the invention resides in the arrangement of the bolt under a removable cover, which gives easy access to the bolt, the breech and the barrel to enable these parts to be cleaned without major disassembly of other parts of the gun.

Abstract: This invention can make a valve compact in function and improve using efficiency of a compressed gas and make an air gun compact. To achieve this object, an air gun is constructed by a hit pin arranged in a cylinder portion, a valve body arranged within a hollow portion of the cylinder portion and having a bullet supplying nozzle chamber and a valve pin chamber, a gas inlet port opened to a sleeve-shaped circumferential face of the valve pin chamber, a bullet supplying nozzle arranged within the bullet supplying nozzle chamber, and a valve pin arranged within the valve pin chamber. The hit pin is pressed on a muzzle side and the valve pin is slid to the muzzle side so that an airtight state between a valve pin flange portion and a side face of the valve pin chamber on its gun rear end side is released. A compressed gas is supplied to a nozzle chamber side opening and a valve pin chamber side opening from a clearance between the valve pin flange portion and the gun rear end side face of the valve pin chamber.

Abstract: A disc discharging toy includes a body having a hand grip; a plurality of resilient discs; a magazine mounted on the body and containing the plurality of resilient discs in a stacked position; and a single drive roller driven by a motor and imparting a discharge force to each disc when fed into a discharge position wherein the drive roller has an axis of rotation perpendicular to the axis of each resilient disc.

Abstract: The pneumatically operated projectile launching device is preferably comprised of three principal elements: a body which houses and interconnects all of the pneumatic components and also houses the electrical power source, a grip mounted to the body which includes an electrical switch that activates a launching sequence, and an electrical control unit housed within both the body and the grip which directs flow between the pneumatic components to load, cock and fire the gun. The body preferably contains a plurality of chambers in communication with each other including a chamber containing and distributing pressurized gas, a chamber containing a compressed gas storage chamber and mechanisms for filling the storage chamber with gas and releasing gas from the storage chamber to fire the projectile, and a chamber containing mechanisms for loading and launching the projectile.

Abstract: A gas-powered paintball gun has two pressure regulators which supply two different gas pressures for gun operation: a lower-pressure gas for quickly but gently loading balls into the chamber of the gun, and a high-pressure gas for consistently and efficiently propelling balls out of the barrel. A further aspect of the invention resides in the arrangement of the bolt under a removable cover, which gives easy access to the bolt, the breech and the barrel to enable these parts to be cleaned without major disassembly of other parts of the gun.

Abstract: A feed mechanism for use with a paintball gun having an infeed tube for receiving paintballs that are to be fired from the paintball gun. The feed mechanism includes a storage container, a feeder tube, a feed structure, an electric motor and a switch for automatically stopping the electric motor. The storage container holds paintballs and has a bottom wall with a feeder opening therein. The feeder tube is connected to the infeed tube so as to form a feed path. The feed structure has a passage that extends between the feeder opening of the storage container and the feeder tube. The passage is defined in part by a first surface secured to the periphery of a first wheel and a second surface secured to the periphery of a second wheel. The first and second surfaces have a spacing therebetween that is smaller than the diameter of the paintballs. The first and second surfaces are composed of a deformable material that grips paintballs at the feeder opening.

Abstract: There is a machine for launching clay shooting targets. The machine comprises a target storage magazine, a delivery plate adjacent the base of said magazine and a user controllable delivery mechanism adapted to unload either one or a pair of said targets from the magazine onto the plane of the delivery plate. There is a throwing arm adapted upon release to move across the delivery plate from a cocked position behind the targets to a discharged position so that the targets are catapulted into the air from the delivery plate. The leading edge of the throwing arm is curved so as to be in contact with or sufficiently closely adjacent the targets when in the cocked position to avoid target breakage upon release and also provide close flight trajectories for said pair of targets.

Abstract: An improved loading plate for a repeat-air rifle for pellets or ammunition including a loading plate positioned vertically in front of a compression chamber of the rifle, a first rectangular, slightly curved plate coinciding with a curvature of a barrel of the rifle, and a second rectangular, slightly curved plate coinciding with the curvature of a lower part of the rifle. The loading plate is of a rectangular shape and has a circular borehole. The loading plate has a first tongue extending from an upper part thereof so as to cover an exit of the pellets or ammunition. The loading plate has a second tongue extending from a lower part thereof having a central borehole therein so as to receive an oppressing bolt for limiting a movement of the loading plate. A spring is received by a plurality of longitudinal lodging for urging an upward movement of the loading plate.

Abstract: A disc discharging toy for discharging discs is provided which comprises a plurality of resilient discs, a magazine for holding the discs in a stacked position, a forcibly feeding device for forcibly feeding the discs so held in the supply portion piece by piece toward a discharging position, and a discharging device for discharging the disc so fed. The discharging device includes two rollers and a motor for rotating at least one of the two rollers in a direction in which the disc is discharged.

Abstract: An indexing helical magazine for use with delicate projectiles, such as pellets and paint balls. The magazine has a housing with a helical rib extending partially into the housing. A carrier for the projectiles is rotatably coupled within the housing and guides the projectiles along the helical rib. An end cap coupled to the housing feeds the projectiles from the housing into the gun. A ratchet coupled to the drive member rotates the drive member via interaction with a camming member. The indexing magazine may also include a loading member for disengaging the ratchet and the carrier so that projectiles can be loaded into the carrier. Finally, the magazine may also include a stop member for preventing reverse rotation of the carrier.

Abstract: A machine for delivering balls, especially tennis balls, has a ball feeder (6) to feed individual balls (5) from a ball magazine (2) to a ball ejector (3) and a machine intrinsic feed controller (30) for sending internal control signals, controlling the ball feed and thus the ejection time, to the ball feeder (6). To enable external synchronization of the ball ejection time of several machines that the machine for delivering balls has a device (33, 35) to deactivate the machine's own feed controller (30) and a control input (34) connected electrically to the ball feeder (6) in order to attach an external control cable (39), by way of which, instead of the internal control signals external control signals, controlling the ball feed, and thus the ejection time, can be fed to the ball feeder (6).

Abstract: A disc discharging toy for discharging discs is provided which comprises a plurality of resilient discs, a magazine for holding the discs in a stacked position, a forcibly feeding device for forcibly feeding the discs so held in the supply portion piece by piece toward a discharging position, and a discharging device for discharging the disc so fed. The discharging device includes two rollers and a motor for rotating at least one of the two rollers in a direction in which the disc is discharged.

Abstract: An action toy system including a capsule for containing water having an orifice and a plunger and a spring loaded mechanism for driving the water from the orifice. The action toy may be configured as a shotgun accepting a plurality of prefilled shell capsules into its breechblock for firing through its barrel. It may also be configured as a missile launcher in which the capsules are mounted to the front of the launcher and the water is ejected directly from the capsule against the target. In yet another embodiment, the invention is configured as a crossbow with the bow loading the spring-loaded mechanism and a water stream obtained on release of the bow. In a still further embodiment, the action toy is fitted with a double feature nozzle for either producing a stream of water or propelling an object.

Abstract: A device for holding spherical projectiles in position is described. The two-pronged or fingered device is made up of resilient, elastic, tough and durable material such as elastomers of the class of rubber and which are dimensionally recuperative after being deformed. The two fingered device holds spherical projectiles in place and is sufficiently deformable to allow the projectile to be discharged from the area in which it is held by the retention system.

Abstract: An action to system including a capsule for containing water having an office and a plunger and a spring loaded mechanism for driving the water from the orifice. The action toy may be configured as a shotgun accepting a plurality of prefilled shell capsules into its breechblock for firing through its barrel. It may also be configured as a missile launcher in which the capsules are mounted to the front of the launcher and the water is ejected directly from the capsule against the target. In yet another embodiment, the invention is configured as a crossbow with the bow loading the spring-loaded mechanism and a water stream obtained on release of the bow.

Abstract: A new and innovative game for the amusement industry comprises a gun which players use to guide a stream of balls to an intended target or objective. A revolving turntable feeds a plurality of balls one at a time into a tube where a motorized pinch wheel forces the balls up and through a tube to the gun. A blower is coupled to the tube to force the balls out of the tube end which is surrounded by a gun facade. The balls exit the tube end in a rapid stream which is directed at a target. A solenoid with a plunger mounted to the tube wall and movable within the tube is used to turn the gun on and off by halting the flow of balls.

Abstract: A gun includes a frame and a pivoting barrel assembly which is releasably latched in a firing position by a pair of flexible and resilient latches on the barrel assembly which engage shoulders on the frame. A trigger is slidably mounted on the frame for movement between a rest position and a firing position. A projectile loader is mounted on the frame at the breech end of the barrel assembly for movement between a loading position and a firing position. The loader is provided with an opening which is aligned with a magazine in the frame when the loader is in the loading position and is aligned with the bore of the barrel assembly when the loader is in the firing position. A camming ramp on the trigger is engageable with the loader for moving the loader between the loading and firing positions as the trigger moves between the rest and firing positions.

Abstract: A machine for pitching baseballs includes two discs which are mounted on independently rotatable shafts. The discs have urethane at their peripheries. The spacing between the shafts can be adjusted in order to set the width of a gap between the discs. A ball feed mechanism inserts balls into the gap between the discs, which then fling the balls outward in a pitching style which depends upon the orientation of the pitching machine and the relative rotational speeds of the discs. In one embodiment, the ball feed mechanism employs a tubular feed body having a tapered outlet end which is positioned adjacent the gap. A piston in the feed body reciprocates to push the balls out. In another embodiment, the ball feed mechanism is mounted on a chassis having casters and is connected via a flexible hose to a feed nozzle positioned adjacent the gap. A reciprocating slider transfers balls from a storage chamber to an inverted-T tube arrangement, whence they are blown pneumatically through the hose to the feed nozzle.

Abstract: The invention feeds balls to a connected ball propelling machine, such as those used to propel softballs and baseballs. The feeder includes a chute angled with respect to gravity so that balls loaded into an upper end thereof tend to travel through the chute but are restricted in their movement by an abutment surface. The abutment surface is formed on a bumper member extending upwardly into the chute. A rotating shaft extends across the chute in proximity to and behind the abutment surface. The shaft includes a pair of hooks extending about the bumper member so that upon rotation of the shaft, the hooks lift one ball at a time over the bumper member. This allows the lifted ball to continue its travel down the chute and into the ball propelling machine. A cam included on the shaft, and switches are used to control a motor connected to rotate shaft.

Abstract: A hunting or target practice blow gun includes a source of pressurized air or gas and a breath operated valve for connecting the pressurized gas to the blow gun tube to propel a dart or projectile with a force and velocity greater than is possible when using the user's breath alone. No direct connection exists between the mouthpiece and the blow gun tube, and no danger exists of the user swallowing the dart. Target practice darts of 10 to 15 grains may be shot up to 1000 ft. using a canister of gas pressurized to 120 psi.

Abstract: An air gun, especially an air pistol, with a piston (2) movable in a weapon housing in a pressure chamber and adapted to be brought to a cocking position against a spring pressure by a cocking arrangement (7, 8, 9) that engages said piston (2). The barrel (6) has a rear barrel opening (5) in which is insertable an elongated profiled bullet (4). In the weapon housing is situated a bullet magazine (16) for several consecutively arranged bullets (4), the inner space (17) of the bullet magazine is at least approximately adapted to the profile of the bullets and the bullets are prestressed in the direction toward the barrel opening (5) via a feed device (19, 20).

Abstract: A machine for repetitively throwing footballs by means of spaced apart confronting surfaces of spinning wheels. The machine includes a magazine with clamps for holding a plurality of footballs fixed in predetermined alignment for transfer for eventual throwing. A transfer arm is disclosed for sequentially transferring successive balls from the magazine to the throwing wheels while continuously holding them against misalignment until engagement by the throwing wheels. Several components of the machine are pivoted about a common axis to enable ball transfer without letting go of the balls. An operator's station and controls are provided so an operator can control all functions of the machine without touching the balls.

Abstract: An arrangement for propelling liquids over long distances involves enclosing liquid in a plurality of thin plastic spheres having a dimpled surface. The liquid containing spheres are propelled over substantial distances by shooting them from a pipe by means of compressed air.

Abstract: An apparatus for propelling metal cans into the air for target use with a BB gun utilizes a motor-driven launching wheel having a resilient perimeter, and a gripping surface spaced apart from the perimeter by a distance equal to the diameter of the can to be launched. A downwardly inclined feed ramp sends cans to a launching arm which is raised by a solenoid so as to place the can between the wheel and gripping surface.

Abstract: A ball tossing apparatus which automatically varies the direction of successive tosses is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a ball feeding unit and a ball tossing unit. The ball tossing unit comprises a housing which is pivotally mounted on a stand. A cam shaft is mounted in the housing and has a cam which extends through the bottom wall of the housing and rests on a tilt plate mounted on the stand. Rotation of the cam shaft and cam after each toss changes the tilt angle of the housing and therefore the direction of the next toss.

Abstract: In a training device for sports equipment, especially for serving tennis balls, the balls are supplied from a storage container through a laterally pivotable charging opening to a ball supply device. The ball supply device includes an endless belt circulating vertically over two rollers and the balls are rolled upwards beneath a lower roller and between the endless belt and a side wall of a housing of the ball supply device and roll over an upper roller into a waiting position. From the waiting position the balls arrive in a serving position on curved guide tracks of a supporting and guiding device provided with a ball striker. Between the guide tracks, a rotatable serving device is arranged on a base plate and is connected to a central shaft and a driving device for rotation therewith. The serving device has a serving plate pivotable into the ball serving track. The serving frequency and the flight path of the balls are adjustable through a control device.

Abstract: A ball throwing machine comprises a pipe (4) for supplying balls (5) and an impeller (9) with a hammer (10) fitted on a drive shaft (8). There is provided a follower (11) to which are cantilevered two support tabs (15) adapted to receive and retain the ball (5). The support tabs (15) are spaced from each other at a distance smaller than the diameter of the ball (5) and greater than the width of the hammer (10) of the impeller (9) and positioned in such a manner as to let the hammer (10) of the impeller (9).

Abstract: A distributor for feeding projectiles to the trajectory of a projectile engaging vane carried by a cylindrical gun in a centrifugal launcher of the type including a rotor having an open central zone, the distributor being defined by a support provided with a transfer zone and a passage for storing a plurality of projectiles that are fed by a jack into the transfer zone for successive engagement by a slide, the latter being periodically advanced in synchronization with rotation of the rotor to engage and bring each projectile against an anvil and in the trajectory of the projectile engaging vane. The slide blocks the passage while in its advanced position, and unblocks the passage when retracted to permit feeding of the projectiles into the transfer zone. An engagable lock maintains the slide in the advanced position in opposition to its retraction.

Abstract: A supply mechanism for gas projectile firing devices includes: a magazine having a storage column for projectiles and a transfer slide for moving projectiles from a column to a position in line with the firing chamber; a mobile element having a transfer bar for moving the transfer slide from the column to its position next to the firing chamber, an insertion piston for moving projectiles from the transfer slide into the firing chamber and a firing pin for opening the valve connecting the compressed gas reservoir to the firing chamber; a trigger which activates the firing and prevents double insertion of a projectile, and a cocking rod which controls the mobile element and the trigger. The mechanism is applicable to training and sports weapons, and to nail and staple guns.

Abstract: A machine projects footballs with varying degrees and directions of spin about either the longitudinal axis, as in a pass, or the transverse axis, as when kicked. The ball is projected by two juxtaposed wheels rotating in opposite directions. The wheels are spaced apart sufficiently to allow passage of the football without permanently damaging the ball, yet close enough together to impart velocity to the football. The football can be projected with a variable amount of spin by varying the relative orientation of the two projecting wheels. The footballs are fed into the projecting wheels by a reciprocating longitudinal plunger having an end attachment which is altered to conform to either the pass or kick orientation of the football. Rotating guide members maintain the football orientation as it is fed into the projecting wheels. A positioning chute orients the football in a vertical, kick position as it is fed into the reciprocating plunger and then into the projecting wheels.

Abstract: A toy tank is disclosed having tracks and a cannon supported on a turret. The tracks consist of multi-element, hingeable links forming a chain type loop supported by tensioned rollers and idlers such that the tracks are articulated realistically in accordance with the contours of the surface on which the tank travels. The turret carries a cannon for dispensing bullet-like projectiles in a realistic fashion. Atop the turret is a projectile containing and feeding mechanism which automatically loads the breech of the cannon when the cannon ram rod or plunger is fully withdrawn therefrom in order that same is cocked for the next firing sequence.

Abstract: One of a pair of laterally spaced ball projecting wheels is adjustable laterally with respect to the other for accommodating the projecting of balls of different diameters, and a ball feed chute associated with the wheels is formed in lateral segments one of which is movable laterally with the laterally adjustable wheel for varying the width of the feed chute to correspond with the spacing between the wheels.

Abstract: A removable projectile loader for a gun facilitates loading a gun with a projectile and is removable from the gun to permit a jammed projectile to be cleared from the gun. The loader is provided with a bore into which a projectile is loaded, and the loader is movable to a firing position to align the bore with the barrel of the gun. A bolt on the gun is movable through the bore of the loader into the barrel to position the projectile in the barrel for firing.

Abstract: A ball throwing machine having a flat, circular resilient disc with an off-center opening formed therein through which a ball to be thrown is forced at a predetermined velocity. By properly positioning the flat circular resilient disc, having the off-center opening formed therein, a thrown ball can be made to spin about any axis perpendicular to the ball trajectory. A tubular barrel is mounted adjacent to the resilient disc so that as a ball is forced from the throwing machine it is forced through the opening in the resilient disc and into and out of the barrel. The barrel, which is positionable, permits the ball ejected from the throwing machine to be accurately aimed in any desired direction. A firing chamber is located adjacent the resilient disc on the side opposite the barrel. Balls to be thrown are fed into the firing chamber by a ball feeder.

Abstract: Table tennis balls are pushed by a rotated, notched, feed disc from a hopper to a pair of rotated throwing discs which move each ball along either an adjustable, spin producing, bottom guide or an adjustable, spin producing, upper guide. Thrown balls hit back by a player into a retrieving net roll into a vertical tube having a hose connected to the upper end of the hopper which has a fan mounted therein to draw the balls through the hose into the hopper. The tube is mounted on legs, and the hopper and a drive of the discs are mounted on a bar pivotal on a rod mounted adjustably on the tube. A crank drive carried by the bar and connected to the rod oscillates the bar to vary the direction of throw of the discs. Remote controls are manually actuated to vary the rate of oscillation, to vary the rate of rotation of the feed disc, and to vary the speed of the throwing discs. The net is mounted on segmental rod frames mounted on the tube and an upright secured to the tube.

Abstract: A football is projected with rotation on its longitudinal axis, in the manner of a forward pass, when it is fed into the space between, and thereby gripped frictionally by, the laterally spaced, confronting surfaces of a pair of driven wheels which confronting surfaces move in a forward, football throwing direction but in planes which extend forward angularly to opposite sides of the line on which the football is projected, the planes forming an included acute angle with each other. The speed and direction of football rotation may be varied by adjusting said angular relationship, and the speed of forward projection of the football may be varied by adjusting the rotational speed of the wheels. By adjusting said confronting surfaces to a common plane and feeding a football into the space therebetween such that said surfaces grip the football below its longitudinal centerline, the football is projected therefrom with rotation on its transverse axis, in the manner of an end-over-end kick-off.

Abstract: A tennis ball feeder and server characterized by a cooperating helical screw type ball feed and a rotating inertia wheel. The feed screw is positioned to revolve on a horizontal axis between a pair of spaced apart, upstanding rails which define an opening through which tennis balls pass to be advanced to the server by the feed screw. The feed screw is formed of a helical rod supported on radial spokes projecting from a horizontally disposed drive shaft. The inertia wheel is supported over a ball engaging rail in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the feed screw and adjacent one end thereof such that when a ball is advanced by the feed screw to an entrance end of the rail it will be wedged between the rail and inertia wheel to be propelled from the exit end of the rail.

Abstract: There is herein disclosed an air gun having a breech block assembly, including a plurality of mating molded plastic members defining a guideway for a pivotally mounted projectile transfer member, movable during cocking of the gun from a firing position holding a projectile in alignment with the gun barrel to a loading position to receive another projectile and back to the firing position, with sealing means being provided to effect sealing engagement between the projectile transfer member and the molded plastic members of the breech block assembly in the firing position whereat the projectile is transferred from the projectile transfer member to a firing chamber provided in one of the molded plastic members by air pressure at the beginning of a firing cycle and held in the firing chamber in sealing engagement therewithin during an intermediate portion of the firing cycle and then discharged from the firing chamber through the gun barrel upon application of predetermined high pressure air toward the end of the