Abstract: An improved air gun for firing paint balls, pellets,, consisting of a passively venting and freeze resistant regulator, a pressure differential trigger mechanism, and a muzzle break with angled sidewalls. The freeze resistant regulator regulates incoming high pressure gas to a user predetermined pressure to operate the gun while avoiding freezing of the regulator associated with frigid incoming compressed gases and high firing rates. This is accomplished by using a heat transmission component formed by the engagement between a hemispheric shaped tip of a regulating pin and a hemispheric cavity of an adjustment piston. Passive venting of gas from the gun upon removal of the pressurized gas supply is provided by the regulator using a reciprocating regulating pin and adjustment piston which combine to compress a seal into a seat only when pressurized gas is attached to the air gun. Once detached from a pressurized air supply the compressed air in the gun vents through the seat.

Abstract: A combination including a paint ball gun with a gun barrel has both a muzzle portion and at least two interchangeable compression zone portions of slightly differing diameters. The compression zone portions are preferably attachable and deattachable from the muzzle portion by a non-threaded connection mechanism, such as by a snap-on type connection mechanism, a cam-lock type connection mechanism or a bayonet connection mechanism. The invention allows the user of a paint ball gun to select a compression zone portion which is most optimally matched to the diameter of the paint ball ammunition to be used in the paint ball gun. The invention thereby optimizes paint ball gun performance.

Abstract: Light emitting rigid fracturable projectile-type marking ammunition and reusable resilient projectile-type ammunition are provided, along with kits of the ammunition with an exciter and optionally a paintball gun. The ammunition is a phosphorescent ball in the form of a spherical pellet or capsule that includes non-phosphorescent impact diffusing materials intimately admixed with phosphorescent materials. Non-phosphorescent pigments, fillers, and surfactants may also be included. The light emitting phosphorescent ball provides a luminous trail when discharged from the paintball gun and thus, may be used effectively in the dark.

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: The present invention includes a device for increasing distance traversed by a projectile. The device includes a main body comprising a tubular component wherein the tubular component defines an orifice. The main body also comprises a collar component positionable about the tubular component. The collar component enclosed a second orifice for receipt of a screw. A tab is positioned adjacent to the orifice which is defined by the tubular component. The tab includes an oblique section. A screw is positionable in the collar component and extends through the orifice defined by the tubular component. The screw is in moveable contact with the oblique segment of the tab.

Abstract: A toy gun is disclosed. In one embodiment, the toy gun includes a housing, a barrel coupled to the housing for movement between retracted and extended positions, and a stock for movement between retracted and extended positions. In another embodiment, the toy gun includes a chamber; a device for forcing air from the chamber; a barrel coupled to the housing for movement between retracted and extended positions; and a seal for directing air forced from the chamber through the barrel.

Abstract: An improved paintball gun having significantly improved range and accuracy. The barrel of the paintball gun is formed so that the compressed gas expelling the ball from the barrel exerts differential aerodynamic forces on upper and lower hemispheres of the ball, imparting significant backspin to the paintball. Accordingly, the paintball experiences lift in flight, substantially increasing its range and accuracy. The interaction of the ball with the barrel may be wholly aerodynamic. The interior of the paintball is preferably baffled so that paint therein rotates with the shell, preventing the backspin from being damped out rapidly. The surface of the paintball may be contoured to control its aerodynamic characteristics.

Abstract: An air compressed gun (10) is provided having a stock (11), a barrel (12), a trigger (13) and a manual air pump (14). The gun also has a mounting tube (201) configured to be received within the tail bore (203) of a projectile (P) and a barrel (200) in which the projectile is positioned for launching. The mounting tube has a tapered air exit end (210) and a safety bar (211). The barrel has an lelongated slot (217) for venting compressed air.

Abstract: Light emitting rigid, fracturable projectile-type marking ammunition is disclosed. The marking ammunition is in the form of a phosphorescent paintball. An exciter is adaptable for use with paintball guns to excite the phosphorescent paintball to emit light. The exciter couples to the muzzle of a paintball gun. The light emitting paintball provides a luminous trail when discharged from the paintball gun. A paintball according to the instant invention comprises a spherical pellet or capsule defining an interior chamber, and a filler contained in the chamber. In one embodiment, the capsule is impregnated with a phosphorescent material. In an alternative embodiment, a phosphorescent material is mixed with the filler. The phosphorescent material absorbs light when exposed to a light source, and after the light source is removed, emits light. A paintball being discharged from a paintball gun enters the exciter. Upon detecting the presence of a paintball, the exciter is triggered to produce a high intensity light.

Abstract: A multi-purpose projectile launcher including a body, a barrel forwardly projecting from the body, and a tube forwardly projecting from the body within the barrel and concentric with the barrel to form an annular-shaped space therebetween. A tubular projectile extends over the tube within the barrel and forms a seal between the barrel and the tube. A firing assembly releases gas from a cartridge into an interior chamber, which is in fluid flow communication with the space behind the projectile, to drive the projectile over the tube and out of the barrel. The gas cartridge can be a pressurized gas cartridge having CO.sub.2 or N.sub.2 or a self-generating gas cartridge having gunpowder. The projectile can be longitudinally segmented so that a deflector located at a forward end of the tube separates and deflects the segments radially outward from the tube at equal velocities. The segments can be utilized to evenly deploy hobble lines or a net.

Abstract: The toy gun disclosed includes a trigger mechanism for launching projectiles from a flexible tail or other appendage. The tail bends and compressed gas is released in response to pulling the trigger to its full extent so that the projectile is launched when the flexible tail is bent.

Abstract: An improved paintball and gun therefor cooperate so that the range of the paintball and its accuracy are significantly improved. The external surface of the paintball is contoured so as to increase frictional interaction with air, and the barrel of the paintball gun interacts differentially with the upper and lower hemispheres of the ball so that significant backspin is imparted to the paintball. Accordingly, the paintball experiences lift in flight which substantially increases its range and accuracy. The interaction of the ball with the barrel may be wholly aerodynamic. The interior of the paintball is preferably baffled so that paint therein rotates with the shell, preventing the backspin from being damped out rapidly.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a toy launcher, a phoshor-containing projectile and, in combination, a toy launcher and a phosphor-containing projectile. The launcher includes a mechanism for launching the phosphor-containing projectile outwardly from the launcher, and a radiation-emitter for exposing the projectile within the launcher to phosphorescence-activating radiation prior to the projectile leaving the launcher, whereby the projectile will phosphoresce as it leaves the launcher.

Abstract: A detent assembly at the breech of a gun having a single-shot, tip-up barrel normally holds the barrel in a closed, firing position, yet permits it to be tipped up for loading purposes upon the application of sufficient upward manual force. The detent securely interlocks the barrel with the valve body closely adjacent to the point of gas transfer from the valve body into the barrel so as to minimize misalignment of the barrel and the valve body due to tolerance buildup and manufacturing inaccuracies. Sealing surfaces on the spring loaded arms of the detent assembly situated on opposite lateral sides of the barrel also serve to cover the gap between the end of the valve body and the barrel when the detent is closed so as to inhibit the escape of gas during a firing action and eliminate the need for elastomeric sealing O-rings.

Abstract: An improved barrel for guns which do not have standard internal rifling is disclosed. The barrel has a plurality of apertures which extend a first longitudinal distance along the barrel from the muzzle end toward the breech end. The apertures may define a pair of parallel helixes. The sum of the cross-sectional areas of all apertures in the barrel exceeds the cross-sectional area of the barrel itself. Additionally, each aperture is bored at an angle so that its longitudinal axis defines an acute angle with a plane which is tangent to the barrel and which intersects the aperture. The apertures expel ambient air from the barrel and allow for expansion of compressed gas to stabilize a projectile, such as a paintball, thereby improving the accuracy of the gun. The barrel may also include two-staged honing, as well as a removable choke adjacent the breech end of the barrel.

Abstract: A stopper for stoppering a bottle having a bottleneck and containing a beverage pressurized by carbon dioxide. The stopper includes a hollow body, preferably made of plastic, having a top opening which is able to be closed by a cover, the hollow body having a shank. A compressed elastic, for example, a spring, is being positioned in the hollow body. A charge carrier is arranged on an end of the compressed elastic and is directed toward the opening of the hollow body. The charge carrier is locked into position on the end of the elastic and is retained in a compressed state for as long as the shank of the hollow body is in the bottleneck of the bottle and is hindered by the bottleneck from giving way outwardly.

Abstract: A launcher for a soft compressible closed cell foam ball which includes a cavity in which the ball is forced into from the front of the barrel and is held loosely therein and a plunger coupled to the barrel for causing theball to be compressed and then spring out of the cavity accompanied by a loud popping sound.

Abstract: A ball launcher for launching a plurality of soft closed cell plastic compressible balls, one ball at a time, by causing a plurality of balls in a line, one ball at a time (each time the plunger is moved back and forth), to squeeze past a constriction at the front of the launcher. The front most ball in the line of balls, to be launched, is urged against the constriction by a resilient biasing carriage engaging the rear most ball in the line of balls.

Abstract: A safety cap (10) having a sleeve (12) with a screen mesh (14) for slidable engagement with a gun barrel (16) to fragment an unintentionally discharged jelled paint pellet. The sleeve (12) has a longitudinal axially bore (22) sized and shaped to be slidably received over the gun barrel (16) with a tight fit. The plurality of filaments (34) on the screen mesh (14) form openings (36) that are sized and shaped to fragment the jelled paint pellet and permit all of the fragments of the jelled paint pellet to exit the gun barrel (16) to avoid plugging of the bore (18). A threadable fastener (52) can be used to secure the attachment of the safety cap (42) to the gun barrel (50).

Abstract: A short archery arrow equipped with a sabot and a launching barrel therefor that may be used with either a regular bow or a crossbow. When in the form of a hunting arrow, the cutting blades alone provide all the required fletching action and the center of gravity of the arrow lies forwardly of the blades. The blades are preferably not sharpened when the arrows are used for target shooting. The sabots and launching barrels have interfitting tongue and groove formations which provide guidance action to the arrows. On leaving the launching barrel the sabots separate from the arrows due to wind resistance action on the sabots.

Abstract: A nest extermination kit includes a spring loaded trigger actuated gun with a sighting arrangement enabling propelling an insect destroying projectile with accuracy. The kit further includes an elongate segmented pole for manual manipulation to actuate a remote coacting plural jaw arrangement to grasp and remove remaining nest-like structure.

Abstract: A reciprocable barrel-like device for mounting on an archery bow for accurately guiding the launch of special arrows which are substantially shorter and lighter than conventional arrows and equipped with at least one sabot. The device may also include elements for removing, breaking or severing rubber bands or other retainers which releasably retain multi-part sabots on the shafts of arrows and which fall away as the arrows are launched into free flight trajectories. In addition to a barrel-like launching guide the device includes elements for mounting the barrel of the device onto a bow so that the device and an arrow disposed therein may be drawn back in unison with the bow string during the drawing or cocking action. The arrows shoot through the retracted barrel-like guide when the bow string is released.

Abstract: A gun is provided with a pivoting barrel and a cocking and retaining lever which cocks the hammer and retains the barrel in the firing position. When the lever moves to the unlocking position, the barrel is released and the hammer is cocked. When the barrel is loaded, the barrel is pivoted back to the firing position and the lever is moved to the position to retain the barrel.

Abstract: An archery practice/exercise device for use with a bow including a handleriser portion and a bow string. The practice/exercise device includes a cylinder having a closure member for partially closing a forward end of the cylinder so as to delimit an orifice through which air may be expelled from the cylinder. A piston is mounted for movement within the cylinder and an arrow-like shaft having a forward end is coupled to the piston and extends outwardly from a rear end of the cylinder. A fastening arrangement is disposed proximate to the rear end of the cylinder and secured thereto for enabling rigid attachment of the cylinder to the handleriser of the bow whereupon attachment to the handleriser, the cylinder extends forwardly of the handleriser for stabilizing the bow.

Abstract: An archery practice/exercise device for use with a bow including a handleriser portion and a bow string. The practice/exercise device includes a cylinder having a closure member for partially closing a forward end of the cylinder so as to delimit an orifice through which air may be expelled from the cylinder. A piston is mounted for movement within the cylinder and an arrow-like shaft having a forward end is coupled to the piston and extends outwardly from a rear end of the cylinder. A fastening arrangement is disposed proximate to the rear end of the cylinder and secured thereto for enabling rigid attachment of the cylinder to the handleriser of the bow whereupon attachment to the handleriser, the cylinder extends forwardly of the handleriser for stabilizing the bow.

Abstract: A device is provided which enables a person to capture a fugitive without injuring the fugitive. The device comprises a tubular body having angularly disposed tubular barrels extending therefrom. The barrels each have a slot extending along the length thereof such that a pair of projectiles can be loaded into the device while a flexible line interconnects the pair of projectiles.To catch the fugitive, the device is aimed at the fugitive and the pair of projectiles are propelled from the barrels in diverging lines of flight. As the line extends between the diverging projectiles, the fugitive is engaged by the line. The momentum of the moving projectile causes the projectiles to wrap the line about the fugitive thereby entangling him and preventing him from further fleeing.

Abstract: A blow dart game comprises a tube having an abutment therein for abutting against a dart which is inserted into the tube, thereby preventing the dart from coming out of the tube and being ingested or swallowed by a user. The abutment may be provided directly on the tube, or on a mouthpiece which is connected to the tube at one end of the tube. The darts have suction cups at the front ends thereof and a seal for providing a substantial air seal against the inner surface of the tube. The dart further has a shock absorbing section at the forward portion thereof to enhance its adherence to non-flat and/or non-perpendicular target surfaces. An impact member is provided in some of the darts to improve adherence to the target surface.

Abstract: A gun for firing a resilient loop projectile, wherein the missile is stretched over a frame and discharged by a firing mechanism movable against the bias of on elastic member on an upwardly and rearwardly directed rectilinear path of travel. A combination plunger and rear sight has a forwardly curved surface to lift the loop upwardly off the firing groove to discharge the missile from the gun. The contour of the gun permits rapid movement of a missile from a ready position to a firing position and admits of the simultaneous loading with two missiles for rapid fire. The gun is constructed in a manner to resemble the feel and firing characteristics of a conventional hand gun. The projectiles for the gun are fabricated from a length of elastic tubing having a flexible polyurethane rod joining the tube ends to close the loop and enhance the firing accuracy and durability of the missile. The projectile is made of high visibility material and is floatable to insure recoverability after firing.

Abstract: The sling-shot apparatus includes a handle with lateral arms to which an elastic cord is attached to form a sling. A projectile holding member is connected to this sling and also, a guide structure provided for guiding the movement of the projectile holding member along a rectilinear path when the elastic cord is stretched and released. Sighting members can be provided on the guide structure so that much greater accuracy is possible with the sling-shot.

Abstract: An automatic ball serving apparatus for serving tennis balls for practice purposes. Balls which are loaded into a feed container are passed through a main bucket and fired through a firing barrel by compressed air. A pair of motors oscillate the firing barrel independently in both horizontal and vertical directions so that balls will be fired having random trajectory, distance and lateral displacement.

Abstract: A ball projecting device, preferably pneumatically operated, is provided wherein the projected ball has "spin". The device comprises a projection tube including a curved portion, wherein the area of maximum curve radius of the curved portion, preferably is provided with a material having a high coefficient of friction; the ball is caused to roll along this high friction area, thereby imparting spin. The tube is preferably pivotable about two transverse axes, such that the elevation and spin-directing orientation of the tube end can be adjusted. The curved portion of the projection tube has a device for varying the radius of curvature from substantially infinite, i.e., a straight tube, to the desired minimum value.

Abstract: A ball projecting apparatus is described, including a spring biased plunger for striking a hollow ball positioned within a guide tube to project the ball out of such tube. The ball projecting apparatus is useful as a baseball hitting trainer. An adjustment device is provided for changing the position where the plunger inpacts that ball to enable the path of the ball to curve to the left or right to simulate baseball pitching. Also the top half of the guide tube is removed to reduce its resistance to lateral spin of the ball across its direction of travel. In one embodiment, the plunger impact position is adjusted by changing the angle of the plunger shaft relative to the ball guide tube axis. In another embodiment, this adjustment is achieved by supporting the plunger shaft substantially parallel to the guide tube axis but spaced therefrom and rotating such plunger shaft about such axis into different rotational positions relative to the center of the ball.

Abstract: A catapult device and projectile therefore, the catapult device having a body member intersected by a passage having a predetermined cross sectional configuration and including a slot composing part of and extending longitudinally of the passage and a resilient band borne by the body member for propelling the projectile through the passage and from the body member, and the projectile having a cross sectional configuration conforming to the passage of the body member and including a fin extended longitudinally of the projectile.The passage has slots which extend radially in a pattern relative to the axis of the passage and extend the entire length of the passage. In the passage is slidably disposed the projectile which has fins extending radially therefrom in a pattern matching the slots, and they extend substantially the entire length of the projectile.

Abstract: A machine for throwing a ball with a cylindrical aperture. The machine comprises an arrangement for mounting a rod which carries the ball and which is rotatably mounted to fall from an initial vertical position to a selected angular position after a preselected period. At the selected angular position, a spring drive projects the ball through the air. In a preferred embodiment the ball, which may be of any type, is projected with a spiral motion.

Abstract: An improved archery bow with arrow guiding device incorporating a two-section jointed tubular member through which slotted clearance is provided for the passage of the head and fletchings of the arrow, the guiding device being foldable for storage. A hand-and-jawbone butt is provided for stabilizing the bow during the aiming and launching of the arrow.

Abstract: An apparatus for shooting a curve ball used in the practice of baseball, table tennis, or tennis. A conventional shooting mechanism substantially comprises a flexible hose through which a ball is carried under air pressure, a loop holder which supports the shooting end of the flexible hose in a loop shape and a support strut which rigidly supports the loop holder. A novel feature of this invention is that the apparatus is further provided with a device which can rotate and tilt the loop holder so that the ball shot from the shooting end of the flexible hose can be imparted a desired kind of spin.

Abstract: A projectile propelling assembly for use with a bow includes an elongated guide member for guiding a projectile to be shot by the bow. The guide member is mounted on the bow by a support and in its mounted position the guide member extends longitudinally in the direction of the shooting motion of the bowstring. In one embodiment of the invention the tension for the bow is provided by a spring, and in another embodiment, a pair of flexible bow arms is employed. A channel is provided for movement of a fluid and is operatively associated with the guide member. The bowstring is operatively associated with the tension source of the bow, the channel, and the guide member. The drawing movement of the bowstring increases the tension in the bow and when the bowstring is released, the tension of the bow acts on the fluid which in turn acts on the projectile to propel it from the bow.

Abstract: A ball projecting device, preferably pneumatically operated, is provided wherein the projected ball has "spin". The device comprises a projection tube including a curved portion, wherein the area of maximum curve radius of the curved portion, preferably is provided with a material having a high coefficient of friction; the ball is caused to roll along this high friction area, thereby imparting spin. The tube is preferably pivotable, such that the elevation of the tube end can be adjusted.

Abstract: A device for use with a tennis ball projecting machine to control the flight of the balls projected from the machine through a flexible tube. The device has a pair of adjacent casings supporting the tube. The first casing is pivotably mounted at its rear end to the machine for swinging about a vertical axis. The second casing is pivoted at its rear end to the front end of the first casing and holds the outlet end of the tube at its free end. The second casing can be moved up or down, and fixed in place, to control the ball trajectory. A power mechanism is provided on the device to oscillate the first casing, and thus the second as well, about the vertical axis to swing the ball projecting tube according to a predetermined angle about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A missile propelling device includes a rigid bow having an ejection tube formed integrally with the bow and disposed intermediate the ends thereof, a plurality of parallel guide rods having corresponding ends thereof secured about the periphery of said ejection tube to define an elongated missile guiding passage whose axis is aligned with the axis of said ejection tube, an elastic string attached to the ends of said bow and having its midportion disposed between preselected guide rods and astride said missile guiding passage, an end cap secured to the ends of said guide rods remote from said ejection tube, and a hook mounted on said end cap and arranged releasably to engage the midportion of said string so that a missile disposed in said elongated missile guiding passage is propelled outwardly therethrough and through said ejection tube in response to release of said string from said hook.

Abstract: A rapid-fire B.B. pellet-type machine gun operated from a source of gas propellant preferably a canister of liquefield gas, has a trigger-operated valve releasing propellant gas from the source to a pellet containing magazine for projecting the pellets in rapid succession through a barrel passageway to be ejected from the gun at high speed at a target to which the gun is pointed. The pellets underlie and surround a sleeve in the magazine acting as a cofferdam to maintain a local level of the pellets below the gas inlet and the gas outlet so that the gas will impinge against and actuate the pellets causing them to be successively swept into the gas outlet for discharge through the barrel.

Abstract: A gun for rapidly firing projectiles from a package inserted into a magazine as a cartridge and which are automatically fed into a propelling chamber and barrel connected thereto by a continuous stream of high pressure gas, a portion or all of which flows through the magazine. The flow of propellant gas is started and stopped by a manually or automatically controlled gate and the rate of firing and muzzle velocity of the projectiles are controlled by varying the pressure of the propellant gas, the geometry of the propelling chamber, or both. The magazine is so shaped as to deliver projectiles into the propelling chamber successively and the propelling chamber is so shaped as to direct the projectiles forwardly therein and form alternating slugs of gas and projectiles. The outlet from the propelling chamber may be connected through a flexible tube or directly to a curved or a conventional barrel.

Abstract: The invention is a pistol designed to fire inverted concave disks which are smaller in size but similar in principle to the flying saucers popularized under the trademark, Frisbee. The pistol is characterized by a generally rectangular firing chamber into which the disks are individually loaded, there being a spring loaded plunger which is trigger operated to strike the disks off center to impart a spinning as well as translational movement to them, and a rib at the exit end of the firing chamber retards one side of the existing disk to accelerate the spin.

Abstract: A blow gun and projectile combination for use in connection with targets which provide safety, enjoyment, and fun without being hazardous. The blow guns are accurate with the projectiles used, and the projectiles are extremely lightweight and do not have sufficient mass to cause injury if fired so that they strike a person. In addition, the blow gun includes mouthpiece indentations. These indentations cooperate with a disc located on the forward end of each projectile to prevent the projectiles from being inhaled through the mouthpiece by a user of the blow gun.

Abstract: A barrel for a ball throwing machine using air to expell balls from the barrel randomly directs balls within a lateral range of directions. Upper and lower crowned and centered ball contact strips extend the length of the barrel which widens laterally toward its muzzle. Adjustable side contact strips may be provided to limit the extent to which a ball may travel down one side of the barrel or the other. Some few balls remain precariously centered between the upper and lower strips for a straight throw, but most slip from between the spring tension of the upper and lower strips to reach the muzzle displaced to one side or the other to different extents. Rigidly mounted deflectors having inwardly extending surfaces on each side of the muzzle deflect balls striking them in the direction of the opposite side greatly amplifying the deviation in direction with which the balls leave the barrel. The deflectors may be adjusted to set the lateral range of directions within which balls are expelled.

Abstract: A competitive game apparatus of the type resembling a table tennis game including a table having opposed playing areas divided by a transverse barrier or "net". The opposed playing areas slope downwardly from the barrier to define a crown below the barrier. A pair of hand manipulatable projecting devices are provided, one for each player of the game, for receiving a substantially hard ball rolling along the playing area and projecting the ball back across the barrier. The playing areas are resiliently supported to dampen the bouncing effect of the ball so that it lands on the playing surface and rolls toward the player down the playing area. Each projecting device is electrically operated and includes a rotatable roller having a resiliently flexible periphery for engaging the ball and directing it through a chute for return to the opposite playing area.