U.S. patent application number 11/280011 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-18 for projectile launcher with offset feed tube.
This patent application is currently assigned to Planet Eclipse Limited. Invention is credited to Jack Kingsley Wood.
Application Number | 20060102161 11/280011 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36384873 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060102161 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wood; Jack Kingsley |
May 18, 2006 |
Projectile launcher with offset feed tube
Abstract
A launcher body defining with breech therein for receiving a
projectile is provided. The breech defines a breech longitudinal
axis through the center thereof. A feed tube is connected to the
launcher body and defines a projectile feed bore. The projectile
feed bore includes a projectile feed bore longitudinal axis through
the center thereof. The breech longitudinal axis and the projectile
feed bore longitudinal axis are configured to be offset from and
not to intersect each other. A projectile is routed through the
feed bore, such as from a hopper using gravity, and into the
breech. The center axis of the projectile is substantially aligned
with the breech longitudinal axis so that the projectile is
prevented from bouncing back into the feed bore to avoid jamming of
the projectile during firing.
Inventors: |
Wood; Jack Kingsley;
(Chelford, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BARLOW, JOSEPHS & HOLMES, LTD.
101 DYER STREET
5TH FLOOR
PROVIDENCE
RI
02903
US
|
Assignee: |
Planet Eclipse Limited
|
Family ID: |
36384873 |
Appl. No.: |
11/280011 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60628855 |
Nov 17, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
124/41.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B 11/52 20130101;
F41B 11/62 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
124/041.1 |
International
Class: |
F41F 1/00 20060101
F41F001/00 |
Claims
1. A projectile launcher, comprising: a launcher body defining a
breech therein for receiving a projectile; the breech defining a
breech longitudinal axis through the center thereof; a feed tube
connected to the launcher body and defining a projectile feed bore;
the projectile feed bore including a projectile feed bore
longitudinal axis through the center thereof; and the breech
longitudinal axis and the projectile feed bore longitudinal axis
being configured to not intersect each other.
2. The projectile launcher of claim 1, wherein the breech
longitudinal axis and the projectile feed bore longitudinal axis
are arranged approximately 90 degrees from each other.
3. The projectile launcher of claim 1, wherein the breech
longitudinal axis and the projectile feed bore longitudinal axis
being offset from each other a distance of approximately 3 mm.
4. The projectile launcher of claim 1, wherein the breech
longitudinal axis and the projectile feed bore longitudinal axis
being offset from each other a distance of approximately 4 mm.
5. The projectile launcher of claim 1, wherein the breech
longitudinal axis and the projectile feed bore longitudinal axis
being offset from each other a distance in the range of
approximately 1 mm to approximately 5 mm.
6. The projectile launcher of claim 1, further comprising: a hopper
connected to the feed tube; and projectiles located within the
hopper and being routable by gravity through the projectile feed
bore and into the breech.
7. A method of loading a projectile into a projectile launcher,
comprising the steps of: providing a launcher body defining a
breech therein for receiving a projectile; the breech defining a
breech longitudinal axis through the center thereof; providing a
feed tube connected to the launcher body and defining a projectile
feed bore; the projectile feed bore including a projectile feed
bore longitudinal axis through the center thereof; positioning the
breech longitudinal axis and the projectile feed bore longitudinal
axis to not intersect each other; providing a projectile for
launching having a center axis therethrough; routing a projectile
through the feed bore; routing the projectile into the breech;
substantially aligning the center axis of the projectile with the
breech longitudinal axis; and whereby the projectile is prevented
from bouncing back into the feed bore.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the breech longitudinal axis and
the projectile feed bore longitudinal axis are positioned
approximately 90 degrees from each other.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the breech longitudinal axis and
the projectile feed bore longitudinal axis are positioned from each
other a distance of approximately 3 mm.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein the breech longitudinal axis and
the projectile feed bore longitudinal axis are positioned from each
other a distance of approximately 4 mm.
11. The method of claim 7, wherein the breech longitudinal axis and
the projectile feed bore longitudinal axis are positioned from each
other a distance in the range of approximately 1 mm to
approximately 5 mm.
12. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of:
providing a hopper connected to the feed tube with projectiles
therein; routing the projectiles from the hopper into the feed tube
by gravity.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is related to and claims priority from
earlier filed provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/628,855,
filed Nov. 17, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to projectile
launchers, including paintball markers. More specifically, the
present invention relates to a new bore and feed tube configuration
for projectile launchers, and, more specifically, paintball
markers.
[0003] It should be understood that the present invention relates
to the general loading of a projectile into the breech of a
projectile launcher. The present invention can be used in
connection with any type of projectile launcher but is particularly
well-suited for use in a paintball marker environment for launching
paintballs. While reference may be made specifically to paintball
markers for launching paintballs, this is just one of many
different types of devices that can employ the present invention.
It should be understood that the scope of the present invention is
intended to encompass all type of projectile launchers for
launching any type of projectile.
[0004] By way of example for ease of illustration and discussion,
the prior art and the present invention will discussed in detail in
connection with a paintball marker and its breech system.
[0005] In the prior art, it is well known to feed paintballs
individually from a hopper which is commonly gravity fed. As seen
in FIG. 1, a prior art paintball marker 10 is generally shown to
include a main body 12 with a grip 20, trigger 18 and barrel 14.
Within the main body 12 is a breech 22 with a bolt 24 that actuates
back and forth therein. The bolt 24 is retracted to allow a
paintball 16 at position 16A to enter the breech 22 from a supply
of paintballs in a gravity-fed hopper 26, for example, via feed
tube 30, in preparation for launching. Once the ball 16 is within
the breech as shown at position referenced as 16B, the bolt 24 can
be moved forward, as in well known in the art, to prevent further
projectiles to enter breech 22. Then, the projectile 16 within the
breech can then be launched in the normal fashion from the barrel
14 at position 16C, such as by the delivery of a blast of
compressed air behind the projectile 16. However, the paintball 16
may bounce back up either fully or partially back up into the
breech 22 as shown at position referenced as 16C.
[0006] The desire for faster cycle times and firing rates has
required that the loading and launching sequence be sped up
considerably. This requires that the paintball 16 be loaded and
prepared for launching much faster. In the prior art, breech
sensors, such as the sensor 28 shown in FIG. 1, are typically
employed to sense when the paintball 16 is in the breech 22 and
ready to be launched. This sensor 28 is electronically connected to
the operating system and the pneumatics of the marker 10 to fully
control the timing of loading and launching. Thus, if a paintball
16 is sensed within the breech 22 because it has reached position
16B, then it is perceived by the operating system that the
paintball 16 is suitable for immediate launching.
[0007] However, there are significant problems that can arise in
current markers that have increased firing rates. There are further
problems that arise when a breech sensor 28 is relied upon to
determine whether there is a paintball 16 in the breech ready for
launch at position 16B. More specifically, as will be discussed
below, it is possible that a paintball 16 may enter the breech 22,
set off the breech sensor 28 indicating that a paintball is in the
breech at position 16B when it is, in fact, still moving within the
breech, namely, bouncing upward at position 16C. If a launch
sequence is initiated when the paintball 16 is bouncing, rather
than settled in the breech at position 16B, it will likely be
chopped by the bolt 24 when it moves forward.
[0008] Turning now to 2a, 2b and 2c, a prior art system is shown in
detail. In FIG. 2A, the breech 22 of prior art marker 10 is shown
receiving a paintball 16, in position 16A, from a vertically
positioned feed tube 30 emanating downwardly from a feed hopper
(not shown in FIGS. 2A-C). A paintball 16 is shown moving downward
into the breech 22 of the marker 10 in the direction of the
indicated arrows. As can be seen, the longitudinal downward path of
travel of the paintball 16 is directly aligned with the center
floor position of the breech 22 marked by an "x" in FIG. 2A where
the center point P of the paintball passes substantially exactly
through the longitudinal axis B of the breech 22. Thus, the
lowermost point of the paintball 16 contacts the floor of the
breech 22 as if the paintball 16 were hitting a flat surface. FIG.
2B illustrates a position of the paintball 16 just before it
impacts with the floor of the breech 22 which is at position 16B.
At point, the breech sensor 28 can sense the paintball 16 believing
that it is suitable to be launched. However, the paintball 16 then
bounces directly upward, as shown in FIG. 2C, as indicated by the
arrow, up to position 16C. Since the upward bounce path is aligned
with the downward travel path solely within a Y axis, all energy of
the travel is directed to the upward bounce path thereby causing
bounce-back back up into the feed tube 30 thereby risking chop of
the paintball 16.
[0009] This bounce-back, of even only a few millimeters, is very
problematic because the breech sensor 28 perceives that the
paintball 16 is in the breech 22 when it sees it for the first
time. However, it will not likely fully reside within the breech 22
during the bounce back period, namely, when it is at position 16C.
When the breech sensor 28 senses a paintball 16, it allows bolt
cycling, namely, the movement of the bolt 24 to a forward position
in preparation for launch. If a paintball 16, which has been sensed
within the breech 22, is in fact bouncing back and a pull of
trigger 18 is executed, subsequent cycling of the bolt 24 will chop
the ball in half, thereby damaging it resulting in serious
problems. It is possible that the marker will completely jam due to
the presence of paintball shards within the breech 22 thereby
prevention further cycling of bolt 24. Thus, detection of a
paintball 16 within the breech 22 does not mean that the paintball
16 will still reside in the breech 22 to stay in a proper launching
position at 16B when the bolt cycles next for launching.
[0010] There have been many attempts in the prior to address the
foregoing bounce-back problem associated with vertical feed tubes.
In one example, the breech sensor may be programmed to only permit
bolt cycling if a paintball is sensed continuously for a given
period of time to ensure that it has settled down from bouncing.
However, this prior art attempt to solve this problem by waiting
for the paintball to settle undesirably increases cycle time.
[0011] There have been various other attempts to speed up firing
rates in the prior art where paintballs are pre-loaded with a side
positioned hopper/loader. The "pre-loading" system of these markers
position paintballs to be later launched within a cam or similar
structure for later controlled loading into the breech. Due to this
"pre-loading", cycle times are slower than those than can be
achieved with gravity fed hoppers. Also, these pre-loading systems
do not use breech sensors. The use of breech sensors can
dramatically speed up cycle time because the bolt system can be
cycled as soon as a paintball is sensed within the breech without
having to wait for the pre-loader to cycle.
[0012] In view of the foregoing, there is a need to improve a
marker construction to increase firing rates and cycle times
without requiring extended wait times for paintball to settle prior
to bolt cycling or custom pre-loading systems. Thus, there is a
need for an improved breech and feed tube construction to deaden
the travel of a paintball upon entry into a breech to ensure that
the paintball is properly positioned when the bolt cycles for
launching.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention preserves the advantages of prior art
projectile launchers and projectile feed systems, devices and
methods. In addition, it provides new advantages not found in
currently available systems and methods and overcomes many
disadvantages of such currently available systems, devices and
methods.
[0014] The invention is generally directed to the novel and unique
projectile feed tube configuration that enables faster launching
cycle times while avoiding jamming of projectiles during such
launching.
[0015] The present invention includes a launcher body that defines
a breech therein for receiving a projectile is provided. The breech
defines a breech longitudinal axis through the center thereof. A
feed tube is connected to the launcher body and defines a
projectile feed bore. The projectile feed bore includes a
projectile feed bore longitudinal axis through the center thereof.
The breech longitudinal axis and the projectile feed bore
longitudinal axis are configured to be offset from and not
intersect each other. A projectile is routed through the feed bore,
such as from a hopper using gravity, and into the breech. The
center axis of the projectile is substantially aligned with the
breech longitudinal axis so that the projectile is prevented from
bouncing back into the feed bore to avoid jamming of the projectile
during firing.
[0016] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an improved marker construction that prevent unwanted
bounce-back of paintballs caused by gravity fed hoppers. There is a
need to increase firing rates and cycle times without requiring
extended wait times for a paintball to settle in the breech prior
to bolt cycling or custom pre-loading systems. Thus, there is a
need for an improved breech and feed tube construction to deaden
the travel of a paintball upon entry into a breech to ensure that
the paintball is properly positioned before the bolt cycles for
launching.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The novel features which are characteristic of the present
invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the
invention's preferred embodiments, together with further objects
and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to
the following detailed description taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a prior art paintball
marker;
[0019] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view through the line 1-1 of
FIG. 1 when a paintball is traveling through a feed tube from a
hopper;
[0020] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view through the line 1-1 of
FIG. 1 when a paintball is bottoming out in the breech and being
sensed by the breech sensor;
[0021] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view through the line 1-1 of
FIG. 1 when a paintball is bouncing back up into the feed tube
after being sensed by the breech sensor;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a paintball marker
equipped with the feed tube and breech construction of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view through the line 3-3 of
FIG. 3 when a paintball is traveling through a feed tube from a
hopper;
[0024] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view through the line 3-3 of
FIG. 3 when a paintball is entering further into the breech;
[0025] FIG. 4C is cross-sectional view through the line 3-3 of FIG.
3 just before a paintball bottoms out on the floor of the
breech;
[0026] FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view through the line 3-3 of
FIG. 3 when a paintball is bottoming out on the floor of the
breech; and
[0027] FIG. 4E is a cross-sectional view through the line 3-3 of
FIG. 3 when a paintball is deflected laterally into the breech
without further bounce-back.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0028] Turning first to FIG. 3, and in accordance with the present
invention, an improved paintball marker 110 construction is
provided. The marker 110 of the present invention includes an
improved breech 122 and feed tube construction where the feed tube
130 is offset relative to the breech 122 a distance O, as shown in
FIG. 4A.
[0029] A paintball, as an example projectile, is typically
approximately 17.5 mm. For this sized projectile, an offset of feed
tube 130 to breech 122 is preferably in the range of 1-5 mm but can
be greater or smaller depending on the application. For example,
the offset can be 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm or greater.
[0030] Turning now specifically to FIGS. 3 and 4A-E, the marker 110
construction of the present invention is shown. In FIG. 3, the
marker 110 of the present invention is generally shown to include a
main body 112 with a grip 120, trigger 118 and barrel 114. Within
the main body 112 is a breech 122 with a bolt 124 that actuates
back and forth therein. The bolt 124 is retracted to allow a
paintball 116 to enter the breech 122 from a supply of paintballs
116 in a gravity-fed hopper 126, for example, in preparation for
launching from position 116A. Once the paintball 116 is within the
breech 122 at position 116B, the bolt 124 can be moved forward, as
in well known in the art, to prevent further projectiles 116 to
enter breech 122. Then, the projectile 116 within the breech 116
can then be launched in the normal fashion, such as by the delivery
of a blast of compressed air behind the projectile, through barrel
114 at position 116C. The present invention specifically provides
an improved feed tube 130 and breech 122 to prevent the paintball
116 from bouncing back up into the feed tube 130, either fully or
partially, to remain seated in the breech 122 at position 116B.
[0031] In FIG. 4A, a paintball 116 is shown descending vertically
from a feed hopper (not shown in FIGS. 4A-E) by the assistance of
gravity. As can be seen, the vertical centerline 132 of the
paintball 116 is aligned with the vertical centerline 134 of the
feed tube 130. Thus, the travel of the paintball 116 is initially
along this vertical path. FIG. 4B illustrates further downward
movement of the paintball 116 along this vertical path. As the
paintball 116 further drops, as shown in FIG. 4C, an off-center
portion of the paintball 116 first contacts the side wall of the
breech at contact point 136. Such an off-center impact causes the
paintball 116 to deflect laterally (i.e. to the left), as shown in
FIG. 4D and indicated by the arrow. With this lateral movement, the
deflection forces of the paintball 116 are distributed in both the
Y and X directions as opposed to solely in the vertical Y direction
as in the prior art shown in FIGS. 2A-C. FIG. 4E illustrates
further lateral deflection of the paintball 116 to bring it to a
deadened stop resting within the breech 122 without any bounce-back
where the center point 138 of paintball is now aligned with the
centerline 138 of the breech 122 rather than aligned with the
centerline 140 of the feed tube 130. In fact, the center point P of
the paintball in FIG. 4E is substantially on the longitudinal axis
running through the breech 122 and through the centerline 138
running therethrough. At this point, as shown as position 116B in
FIG. 3, the paintball 116 can be is sensed within the breech 122 by
breech sensor 128 to accurately indicate that there is, in fact, a
paintball 116 in position 116B which is ready for launch. Then,
cycling of bolt 124 can immediately begin with confidence because
the paintball 116 is ready for launching and not bouncing within
the breech 122, as in the prior art paintball constructions.
[0032] The feed tube 130 is positioned offset relative to the
breech 122 to achieve the desired results discussed herein. It is
preferred that the feed tube 130 is integrated into the main body
112 of the marker 110 for improved precision control of the
movement of paintballs 116 as they enter the breech 122 of a marker
110.
[0033] In view of the foregoing, a paintball marker 110 is provided
with an improved breech 112 and feed tube 130 construction. The
offset positioning of the feed tube 130 relative to the breech 122
causes a paintball 116 to come to a stop faster at position 116B
than in prior art constructions thereby allowing bolt cycling to
begin sooner with the assistance of a breech sensor 124.
[0034] It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated
embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present
invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be
covered by the appended claims.
* * * * *