U.S. patent application number 11/437577 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-29 for barrel attachment for a gas gun.
This patent application is currently assigned to National Paintball Supply, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kevin Mott.
Application Number | 20070069064 11/437577 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37892672 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070069064 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mott; Kevin |
March 29, 2007 |
Barrel attachment for a gas gun
Abstract
A spin attachment attachable to the firing end of the barrel of
a compressed gas gun and a method of using the same is disclosed.
The spin attachment allows a user to control the spin on a
projectile exiting the muzzle end of a barrel of a compressed gas
gun, which in turn, allows the user to curve the trajectory of the
projectile after it is fired from the spin attachment. The spin
attachment comprises a housing having a first open end, a second
end adapted for attachment to the muzzle end of a barrel of a
compressed gas gun, and an inner wall defining a through passage
that has central longitudinal axis with the muzzle, a deflection
wall that is positioned within the housing, the deflection wall
having a stationary end adjacent the muzzle and a moveable portion
adjacent to the open end of the housing, and, a deflection wall
adjuster mounted in the housing between the housing and the
deflection wall and moveable to move the moveable portion of the
deflection wall.
Inventors: |
Mott; Kevin; (Sewell,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VOLPE AND KOENIG, P.C.
UNITED PLAZA, SUITE 1600
30 SOUTH 17TH STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Assignee: |
National Paintball Supply,
Inc.
Sewell
NJ
|
Family ID: |
37892672 |
Appl. No.: |
11/437577 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60682628 |
May 19, 2005 |
|
|
|
60703094 |
Jul 28, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
244/3.23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 21/32 20130101;
F41B 11/62 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
244/003.23 |
International
Class: |
F42B 10/06 20060101
F42B010/06 |
Claims
1. A device for controlling spin on a projectile exiting the muzzle
end of a barrel of a compressed gas gun, the device comprising: a
housing having a first open end, a second end adapted for
attachment to the muzzle end, and an inner wall defining a through
passage that has central longitudinal axis; a deflection wall that
is positioned within the housing, the deflection wall having a
stationary end adjacent the muzzle and a moveable portion adjacent
to the open end of the housing; and, a deflection wall adjuster
mounted in the housing between the housing and the deflection wall
and moveable to move the moveable portion of the deflection
wall.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the second end of the housing is
a rotatable attachment to the muzzle end of the barrel.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the adjuster is a slider adjuster
that moves within a longitudinal slot defined in the housing.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the second end of the housing is
a rotatable attachment to the muzzle end of the barrel.
5. The device of claim 3, wherein the longitudinal slot has a
plurality of defined stops.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the second end of the housing is
a rotatable attachment to the muzzle end of the barrel.
7. The device of claim 3, wherein the housing further comprises an
inwardly sloping wall adjacent the slot, wherein the sloped wall
includes stepped projections, and wherein the adjuster further
comprises a slider that engages the stepped projections as the
slider is moved from a first position to a second position, the
slider inclined toward the central longitudinal axis by the sloped
wall.
8. The spin attachment device of claim 1, wherein the deflection
wall further comprises at least one flange, and wherein the inner
wall of the housing further comprises at least one groove for
engaging the at least one flange of the deflection wall.
9. The spin attachment device of claim 7, further comprising a rail
positioned between the deflection wall and the inner wall of the
housing, the rail engaging a portion of the inner wall of the
housing, and wherein the slider further comprises at least one rail
extension positioned to run along the rail as the slider is moved
from a first position to a second position
10. A barrel attachment device for attachment to the muzzle end of
a barrel of a compressed gas gun, the spin attachment comprising: a
housing having a first end and a second end and an inner wall and
an outer wall adapted for attachment to the muzzle end of a
compressed gas gun barrel, the housing having a passage
therethrough, the passage having a central longitudinal axis, the
housing having a slot through a wall of the housing; a deflection
wall disposed at least partially within the housing adjacent the
inner wall having a first end positioned adjacent the first end of
the housing and a second end positioned adjacent the second end of
the housing, the deflection wall having a frictional contact
surface facing the passage, the deflection wall having a moveable
portion and a secured portion hingedly engaging the housing; an
adjuster positioned between the deflection wall and the inner wall
of the housing for adjusting the position of the moveable portion
of the deflection wall relative to the central longitudinal axis,
the adjuster having at least a portion extending through the slot
in the housing.
11. The barrel attachment device of claim 10, wherein the housing
further comprises an inwardly sloping wall adjacent the slot,
wherein the sloped wall includes stepped projections, and wherein
the adjuster further comprises a slider that engages the stepped
projections as the slider is moved from a first position to a
second position, the slider inclined toward the central
longitudinal axis by the sloped wall.
12. The spin attachment device of claim 10, wherein the deflection
wall further comprises at least one flange, and wherein the inner
wall of the housing further comprises at least one groove for
engaging the at least one flange of the deflection wall.
13. The spin attachment device of claim 11, further comprising a
rail positioned between the deflection wall and the inner wall of
the housing, the rail engaging a portion of the inner wall of the
housing, and wherein the slider further comprises at least one rail
extension positioned to run along the rail as the slider is moved
from a first position to a second position.
14. A compressed gas gun and barrel attachment device, comprising:
a compressed gas gun, the gun including a gun body and a barrel
having a bore therethrough and a muzzle end opposite the gun body;
a spin attachment device rotatably attached to the muzzle end of
the barrel, comprising: a housing having first end and second end
rotatably attached to the muzzle end of the barrel, the housing
having a passage therethrough, the passage having a central
longitudinal axis aligned with the bore of the barrel; a deflection
wall disposed at least partially within the housing adjacent the
passage having a first end positioned adjacent the first end of the
housing and a second end positioned adjacent the second end of the
housing, the deflection wall having a frictional surface adjacent
the passage, the deflection wall having a moveable portion and a
secured portion hingedly engaging the housing; an adjuster
positioned between the deflection wall and the housing for
adjusting the position of the moveable portion of the deflection
wall relative to the central longitudinal axis.
15. The barrel attachment device of claim 14, wherein the housing
further comprises an inwardly sloping wall adjacent the slot,
wherein the sloped wall includes stepped projections, and wherein
the adjuster further comprises a slider that engages the stepped
projections as the slider is moved from a first position to a
second position, the slider inclined toward the central
longitudinal axis by the sloped wall.
16. The spin attachment device of claim 14, wherein the deflection
wall further comprises at least one flange, and wherein the inner
wall of the housing further comprises at least one groove for
engaging the at least one flange of the deflection wall.
17. The spin attachment device of claim 15, further comprising a
rail positioned between the deflection wall and the inner wall of
the housing, the rail engaging a portion of the inner wall of the
housing, and wherein the slider further comprises at least one rail
extension positioned to run along the rail as the slider is moved
from a first position to a second position.
18. A method of imparting a spin upon a projectile fired from a
compressed gas gun, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a
compressed gas gun having a barrel including a bore therethrough;
(b) providing a barrel attachment device rotatably attached to the
muzzle end of the barrel and including a passage in communication
with the bore of the barrel, the barrel attachment device including
a deflection wall having a frictional surface, the deflection wall
having a moveable portion moveable relative to the passage, the
barrel attachment including a slideable adjuster for adjusting the
position of the moveable portion of the deflection wall relative to
the passage; (c) positioning the adjuster to move the moveable
portion of the deflection wall to a user-selected position; and,
(d) firing a projectile from the compressed gas gun.
19. The method of imparting a spin upon a projectile fired from a
compressed gas gun according to claim 13, further comprising the
step of rotating the barrel attachment device to a user-selected
position while the spin attachment device is rotatably attached to
the barrel relative to the barrel after step (c).
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent
application No. 60/682,628, filed May 19, 2005 and U.S. provisional
patent application No. 60/703,094, filed on Jul. 28, 2005, the
entire contents of which are incorporated by reference as if fully
set forth herein.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally, to accessories for
compressed gas guns, and more specifically, to a barrel attachment
accessories that can affect the trajectory of a projectile fired
from a compressed gas gun. A method of imparting spin on a
projectile fired from a compressed gas gun is also provided.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Action sports such as paintball have become very popular
activities. Paintball is a sporting game having two teams of
players usually trying to capture one another's flag. The sport is
played on a large field with opposing home bases at each end. Each
team's flag is located at the player's home base. In addition, all
of the players have compressed gas guns (referred to herein as
either "guns," "compressed gas guns," "markers" or "paintball
markers") that shoot projectiles commonly referred to as
paintballs. The paintballs are generally spherical gelatin capsules
filled with liquid paint or dye. During play of the sport, the
players on each team advance towards the opposing team's base in
hopes of stealing the opposing team's flag, without being
eliminated from the war game. A player is eliminated from the game
when the player is hit by a paintball fired from an opposing
player's marker. When the paintball hits a player it usually
ruptures leaving a "splat" of paint.
[0004] Compressed gas guns using a source of compressed gas for
firing projectiles are well known. Examples of compressed gas guns
used in the sport of paintball, also called "markers," include
products sold under the brand names EMPIRE, INDIAN CREEK DESIGNS,
DIABLO, 32 DEGREES, and BT. Generally compressed gas guns include a
gun body, a grip for holding the gun, a barrel connected to the gun
body including a longitudinal bore in communication with the breech
(chambering area) of the gun body, a trigger for initiating firing
of the compressed gas gun. These guns are hand held, and easily
transportable and generally weigh no more than about 7 pounds
without the gas tank and paintball feeder or "hopper" attached. As
used herein, compressed gas gun refers to any gun or similar
launching mechanism for use in sport wherein a projectile is fired
via the force of compressed gas, and includes paintball markers. As
used herein, projectile or projectiles refers to both paintballs,
and other projectiles used in sport and game play. For example, the
sport of airsoft utilizes compressed gas guns firing pellets.
Compressed gas guns generally include a gun body 11, grip 13,
barrel 12, and trigger 15, which are shown in FIG. 1.
[0005] Paintball is often played on a large field. Compressed gas
guns must be able to shoot over long distances with accuracy. In
addition, the sport of paintball may be played on a field with
obstacles ("paintball bunkers") or in the woods. Players can hide
behind bunkers, trees or other obstacles to avoid being hit with a
paintball. At least one known device for altering or affecting the
trajectory of a projectile fired from a compressed gas gun is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,310, the entire contents of which
is incorporated by reference herein.
[0006] It would be advantageous to have a barrel attachment for a
compressed gas gun that fires a projectile for an increased
distance as compared to current compressed gas guns and barrel
attachment devices.
[0007] In addition, it would be advantageous to have a barrel
attachment for a compressed gas gun that could fire a projectile
with a user selected curved trajectory.
[0008] In addition, it would be advantageous to have a barrel
attachment for a compressed gas gun that could change the
trajectory of a projectile fired from the gun in an easy and
effective manner during sport play, without removing the barrel
attachment from the gun or barrel of the gun.
SUMMARY
[0009] The barrel attachment of the present invention, also
referred to herein interchangeably as a "barrel spin attachment" or
"spin attachment," and a method of imparting spin on a projectile
fired from a compressed gas gun utilizing the barrel attachment of
the present invention, satisfy the above-identified needs.
[0010] A spin attachment device according to the preset invention
comprises a housing having a first open end, a second end adapted
for attachment to the muzzle end, and an inner wall defining a
through passage that has central longitudinal axis with the muzzle.
A deflection wall is provided is positioned within the housing. The
deflection wall includes a stationary end adjacent the muzzle and a
moveable portion adjacent to the open end of the housing. A
deflection wall adjuster is provided mounted in the housing between
the housing and the deflection wall and moveable to move the
moveable portion of the deflection wall.
[0011] A method of imparting a spin upon a projectile fired from a
compressed gas gun is provided, comprising the steps of providing a
compressed gas gun having a barrel including a bore therethrough;
providing a barrel attachment device rotatably attached to the
muzzle end of the barrel and including a passage in communication
with the bore of the barrel, the barrel attachment device including
a deflection wall having a frictional surface, the deflection wall
having a moveable portion moveable relative to the passage, the
barrel attachment including a slideable adjuster for adjusting the
position of the moveable portion of the deflection wall relative to
the passage; positioning the adjuster to move the moveable portion
of the deflection wall to a user-selected position; and, firing a
projectile from the compressed gas gun.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is side plan view of an embodiment of the barrel spin
attachment of the present invention secured to the firing end of
the barrel of a compressed gas gun.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the
barrel spin attachment of the present invention secured to the
firing end of the barrel of a compressed gas gun wherein a first
portion of the housing has been removed.
[0014] FIG. 3 is rear perspective cutaway view of an embodiment of
the barrel spin attachment of the present invention secured to the
firing end of the barrel of a compressed gas gun.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a user firing a compressed
gas gun with an embodiment of the spin attachment of the present
invention attached to the firing end of the barrel.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a user firing a compressed
gas gun with an embodiment of the spin attachment of the present
invention attached to the firing end of the barrel.
[0017] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a user firing a compressed
gas gun with an embodiment of the spin attachment of the present
invention attached to the firing end of the barrel.
[0018] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a user firing a compressed
gas gun with an embodiment of the spin attachment of the present
invention attached to the firing end of the barrel.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the inner wall of the first
portion of the housing of an embodiment of the spin attachment of
the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the inner wall of the second
portion of the housing of an embodiment of the spin attachment of
the present invention with a gun barrel located within the second
portion of the housing.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a side cutaway view of a projectile moving through
an embodiment of the spin attachment of the present invention in a
first position.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a side cutaway view of a projectile moving through
an embodiment of the spin attachment of the present invention in a
second position.
[0023] FIG. 10 is top perspective view of a deflection wall fitted
within the inner wall of the first portion of the housing of an
embodiment of the spin attachment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the spin
attachment of the present invention attached to the firing end of a
gun barrel wherein the first portion of the housing has been
removed.
[0025] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the outer surface of a
deflection wall of an embodiment of the spin attachment of the
present invention.
[0026] FIG. 13 is top perspective view of the outer surface of a
deflection wall of an embodiment of the spin attachment of the
present invention.
[0027] FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the spin attachment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] For purposes of this detailed description, all reference to
direction or orientation are from the perspective of a user firing
a compressed gas gun 18 including the spin attachment 10 of the
present invention by holding the gun 18 upright in its normal
firing position (i.e., at "zero degrees" or in a "firing
position"). For example, "left" refers to a position closer to the
user's left side, i.e., left arm or leg, and "right" refers to a
position closer to the user's right side. "Rear" or "rearward"
refers to a portion or portions closer to the user and "forward"
refers to a portion or portions farther away from the user.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the barrel spin attachment 10 of the
present invention for a compressed gas gun 18 is adapted to
rotatably attach adjacent the muzzle end 14, also referred to
herein as the "first end" 14 of a barrel 12 of a compressed gas gun
18 that fires projectiles 26 using a source of compressed gas, such
as a CO2 tank, NO2 tank, compressor, or any other compressed gas
source (not shown). The second end 16 of the barrel 12 is normally
threadably connected to the body 11 of the gun 18, in communication
with the breech where projectiles are chambered. The barrel 12 is
preferably formed with at least one o-ring 64a or 64b, and
preferably two o-rings 64a and 64b, positioned adjacent the first
end 14 of the barrel 12 as shown in FIG. 2. The barrel 12 has a
bore 28 therethrough (shown in FIG. 3), through which projectiles
26 are fired.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 4-5B, the spin attachment 10 of the
present invention allows a user 24 (or "shooter" or "player"),
preferably, a paintball player to select the trajectory of a
projectile 26 fired from the gun 18, in order to fire the
projectile 26 at an increased distance or to impart spin upon the
projectile 26 for curving. Imparting spin to a projectile 26 can
increase the distance that the projectile 26 travels, or can cause
the projectile 26 to curve along a path 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d after
being fired through the spin attachment 10, and as shown in FIGS.
4-5B. Curving a projectile 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d may be necessary
either to strike a target 20 hidden behind an obstruction or
obstacle 22 (such as a paintball bunker 22 shown in FIG. 5 or a
barrel as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B); or to strike a target 20 while
remaining hidden behind an obstruction or obstacle 23 (i.e., a tree
as shown in FIG. 4 or a barrel as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B). The
spin attachment 10 of the present invention allows a user 24 to
adjust the degree, amount and/or direction of spin imparted upon a
projectile 26 fired from the gun 18 equipped with the spin
attachment 10. It is noted that FIGS. 4 and 5 are illustrative only
and do not depict actual projectile travel paths. The figures show
generally the operation of the spin attachment 10 of the present
invention and an illustrated trajectory curve of the projectiles,
but in use the actual trajectories 26, 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d may
vary.
[0031] FIGS. 1-14 show an embodiment of the spin attachment 10 of
the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the spin
attachment 10 has a first end 38 and a second end 40 opposite the
first end 38. A generally cylindrical housing 32 is formed from a
first portion 34 and a second portion 36, also shown in FIG. 14.
The housing 32 may also be formed as a one-piece, molded unit. The
housing 32 may be formed from a material such as a plastic, a
metal, a rubber, a composite, or a combination of those materials
or other similar materials. The second end 40 of the spin
attachment 10 is adapted to be rotatably attached to the first end
14 of the barrel 12 of a compressed gas gun (as shown in FIG. 1).
The housing 32 is preferably a generally cylindrical unit, and the
first portion 34 and the second portion 36 that are secured to each
other by, for example, at least one screw 19 as shown in FIG. 14
and described in greater detail below, or may be joined by snapping
engagement.
[0032] The first portion 34 of the housing 32 includes an outer
wall 55 (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 14), and an inner wall 54 (as
shown in FIGS. 3 and 6). As shown in FIGS. 6 and 14, the first
portion 34 of the housing 32 further includes a longitudinal slot
or channel 30 therethrough. A sloped wall 29 is provided adjacent
the channel 30 along a portion of the first portion 34. The sloped
wall 29 preferably includes at least one or a plurality adjustment
steps 33, which act as defined stops. Also, as shown in FIG. 6,
within the inner wall 54, are wall extensions 58a (right) and 58b
(left) that extend on the inner wall 54 of the first portion 34 of
the housing 32 adjacent the sloped wall 29.
[0033] A rail receiving groove 35 is provided in the inner wall 54
adjacent a second end 41 of the first portion 34 of the housing 32,
as shown in FIG. 6. Deflection wall receiving grooves 45a (right
side), 45b (left side) are formed on opposite sides of the second
end 41 of the inner wall 54 of the first portion 34 of the housing
32 adjacent the barrel receiving section 53, as shown in FIGS. 6
and 10. Deflection wall flanges 49a (right side), 49b (left side)
are further provided in the inner wall 54 adjacent the second end
41 of the inner wall 54 of the first portion 34 of the housing 32,
as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10. A barrel receiving section 53 is
provided adjacent the second end 41 of the first portion, within
the inner wall 54 of the first portion 34, as shown in FIGS. 6 and
10. The deflection wall flanges 49a and 49b insert into and engage
deflection wall grooves 27a (right side) and 27b (left side), as
shown in FIG. 10. A central slot 61 is provided in the inner wall
54 of the housing 32 adjacent the barrel receiving section 53, as
shown in FIG. 6. A central flange 62 extends from the inner wall 54
adjacent the slot 61 as shown in FIG. 6.
[0034] The second portion 36 of the housing 32 includes an outer
wall 84 (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 14), and an inner wall 85 (as
shown in FIGS. 7 and 14). The second portion 36 of the housing 32
further includes a barrel receiving portion 88 adjacent the second
end as shown in FIGS. 7 and 14. The first end 14 of the gun barrel
12 is positioned in the barrel receiving portion 88 as shown in
FIGS. 7 and 14. Reinforcing ridges 17 may be provided along the
inner wall 85 of the second portion 36 for support.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 8 and 9 the inner walls 54, 85 of
the first portion 34 and the second portion 36 of the housing 32
define a longitudinal passage 42 through the housing 32. The
longitudinal passage includes a central longitudinal axis 44. The
deflection wall 46 is positioned within the housing 32 adjacent the
passage 42 and between the passage 42 and the inner wall 54 of the
first portion 34 of the housing 32.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 8, a projectile fired from a gun 18 will
pass through the bore of the gun barrel 12, and through the passage
42. The housing 32 is sized and formed so that the diameter of the
passage 42 is larger than the diameter of a projectile 26 fired
from a gun barrel 12 to which the housing 32 is attached. Space is
provided in the passage 42 for a projectile 26 to pass through the
passage 42 without the projectile 26 contacting the deflection wall
46, the inner wall 54 of the first portion 34 of the housing 32, or
the inner wall 85 of the second portion 36 of the housing 32 (when
the deflection wall 46 is not biased toward the central
longitudinal axis, as described in detail below). Accordingly, and
as described below, the spin attachment 10 of the present invention
can be set where no spin will be imparted on a projectile 26 fired
through the housing 32.
[0037] The housing 32 is designed to engage the first end 14 (or
muzzle end) of a compressed gas gun barrel 12, as shown in FIGS. 2
and 14. As shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 14, preferably, the second end
40 of the housing 32 is rotatably attached to the first end 14 of
the barrel 12 by a flanges 90a and 90b extending adjacent the
second end 40 of the housing 32, that extends into and engages a
groove 91 formed in the first end 14 of a gun barrel 12. The
flanges 90a and 90b should preferably fit within the groove 91 in a
substantially firm or frictional engagement, whereby the housing 32
can be rotated relative to the barrel 12 by a user, yet will remain
in the user-selected rotated position when the gun 18 to which the
housing 32 is attached (via the barrel 12) is fired.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 8-10 and 14, a deflection wall 46 is
provided at least partially within the housing 32 adjacent the
inner wall 54 of the first portion 34 of the housing 32, and
between the passage 42 and the inner wall 54 of the first portion
34 of the housing 32. The deflection wall 46 is formed from a
flexible or elastic material such as latex, rubber or composite
material having contact surface facing the passage 42, and
preferably having at least one frictional contact surface 104
having a coefficient of friction that is greater than that of the
surface of the bore 28 of the gun barrel 12.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 10-13, the deflection wall 46 includes
several sets of flanges 94a, 94b, 114a, 114b, 63a, 63b, projecting
from the outer or first surface 106 of the deflection wall 46. The
flanges 94a, 114a are positioned adjacent the right side of the
outer surface 106 of the second end 122 of the deflection wall 46
form a groove 27a therebetween. When assembled in the housing 32,
the flanges 94a and 114a engage deflection wall flange 49a and
flanges 94b and 114b engage deflection wall flange 49b as shown in
FIG. 10. Flange 94a extends into and is engaged by groove 45a and
flange 94b extends into and is engaged by groove 45b, which are
shown in detail in FIG. 6. Thus, when the deflection wall 46 is
assembled in the housing 32 (FIG. 10) flanges 49a fits within
groove 27a, which is formed between flanges 94a and 114a and flange
49b fits within groove 27b, which is formed between flanges 94b and
114b.
[0040] Flanges 63a and 63b extend upward from the outer surface 106
of the deflection wall 46 adjacent the second end 122. Flange 63a
is rearward of flange 63b. Flanges 63a and 63b form a groove 74
therebetween. When assembled in the housing 32, flange 62, which is
in the inner wall 54 of the first portion (shown in FIG. 6), fits
within groove 74 (on the deflection wall, shown in FIGS. 12 and
13). Thus, flange 63a fits within groove 61, and flange 63b sits
forward of flange 62.
[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the deflection wall flanges 94a,
94b, 114a, 114b, 63a, 63b are sized to frictionally engage the
respective grooves 45a and 45b and slot 61. And grooves 49a and 49b
are sized to frictionally engage grooves 27a and 27b respectively.
The elastic material of the deflection wall 46 allows for a
frictional and substantially snug fit. It is appreciated that a
single flange-and-groove arrangement can be used for providing
engagement of the deflection wall and the inner wall 54 of the
housing 32.
[0042] The spin attachment 10 is formed so that a portion of the
first end 14 of the barrel 12 extends within a portion 53 of the
deflection wall 46 when the deflection wall 46 is assembled in the
housing, as shown in FIGS. 3, 7, and 8-11. As shown in FIG. 10,
when assembled about a gun barrel 12, a secured or hinged portion
98 of the deflection wall 46 is firmly held or "sandwiched" between
the first end 14 of the barrel 12 extending into the housing 32,
and the inner wall 54 of the first portion 34 of the housing 32.
The deflection wall 46 is further prevented from moving within the
housing 32 by the flange-in-groove arrangements described above.
This arrangement creates a secured or hinge portion 98 of the
deflection wall 46, such that a moveable portion 100 of the
deflection wall 46 is moveable and/or pivotable relative to the
secured hinge portion 98, the housing 32, the barrel 12 and the
central longitudinal axis 44. Frictional contact between the
deflection wall 46 and the first end 14 of the barrel 12, as well
as against the o-rings 64a, 64b provided adjacent the first end 14
of the barrel 12, further act to maintain the housing 32 in place
when the spin attachment 10 is rotated about the barrel and placed
in a user-selected position.
[0043] As shown in detail in FIG. 10, the inner surface 104 of the
deflection wall 46 is a laterally curved wall 102 curving in an arc
47 about the passage 42. The arc 47 is preferably shaped to
correspond generally to the circumference of a projectile 26
passing through the passage 42, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. For
example, in the sport of paintball, a projectile 26 known as a
paintball, which is a generally a sphere having a diameter between
0.67 and 0.71 inches and an outer circumference "C" will pass
through the passage 42. The curve of the inner surface 104 of the
deflection wall 46 may form an arc 47 corresponding to the arc of
the circumference "C" that may contact the inner surface 104 of the
deflection wall 46 when a paintball 26 passes through the passage
42. The deflection wall 46 preferably does not curve longitudinally
from its first end 120 to its second end 122, with the cross
section of the deflection wall 46 and contact surface 70 generally
substantially straight longitudinally, as shown in FIGS. 8 and
9.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 3, 8 and 9, the passage 42 extends through
the housing 32 between the first end 38 and second end 40 of the
housing 32 and is aligned with the barrel bore 28. The first end of
the housing 32 includes an exit opening. The passage 42 is in
communication with the barrel bore 28 at the barrel receiving
section 53 of the first portion 34 of the housing 32 and the barrel
receiving section 88 of the second portion 36 of the housing 32. As
shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a projectile 26 fired from the gas gun 18
travels through the barrel bore 28 and into the passage 42 of the
spin attachment 10, through the passage 42, and then travels out of
the opening in the first end 38 of spin attachment 10, toward a
target 20 (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). In the preferred embodiment,
the passage 42 is preferably sized to receive and permit the
passage of paintballs that range from 0.67 to 0.71 inches in
diameter, that are fired from the gun 18 with a velocity of
approximately about between 200 and 500 feet per second.
Preferably, paintball markers operate to fire paintballs at a
velocity of between 200 and 350 feet per second. The passage 42 is
preferably sized to have a diameter larger than the diameter of the
barrel bore 28 allowing movement of the projectile within the
housing 32.
[0045] A user can selectively adjust the spin attachment 10 of the
present invention to impart varying degrees, orientations and/or
directions of spin upon a projectile 26 that will cause the
projectile 26 to spin as it moves through the passage 42 of the
spin attachment 10. Imparting spin to a projectile 26 may cause the
projectile 26 to travel with a curved trajectory (26a and 26b in
FIGS. 4 and 5) selected by the user, or to travel for along a
longer and straighter path, also shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The degree
or amount of spin imparted upon a projectile 26 passing through the
spin attachment 10 is produced by selectively moving the deflection
wall 46 relative to the center of the longitudinal axis 44 of the
spin attachment 10.
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a user may selectively adjust the
position of the moveable portion 100 of the deflection wall 46
relative to the central longitudinal axis 44 of the passage 42 by
using an adjuster. In a preferred embodiment, the adjuster is a
control slider, referred to herein as a "slider" 50, and shown in
detail in FIGS. 13 and 14. The slider 50 may be a single plastic
molded piece that includes a projection 56, and rail engagement
portions 57a (right), 57b (left). Preferably, the slider 50 is
formed in a curved shaped conforming substantially to the curve of
the outer surface 106 of the deflection wall 46.
[0047] As shown in FIGS. 11-14, positioned adjacent an outer
surface 106 of the deflection wall 46 is a rail 48. The rail 48
extends along the right side 80 and left side 81 of the outer
surface 106 of the deflection wall 46. The rail 48 is preferably
formed as a single metal wire, with a first portion 111a that
extends along adjacent the right side 80 of the outer surface 106
of the deflection wall 46, and a second portion 111b that extends
adjacent the left side 81 of the outer surface 106 of the
deflection wall 46. A transverse portion 43 extends between and
connects the first portion 11a, and second portion 111b of the rail
48. It is appreciated that the rail 48 could be provided as a
single extending portion, rather than the two portions 111a and
111b, that engages the inner wall 54 of the housing 32 and is
positioned between the outer surface 106 of the deflection wall 46
and the inner wall 54 of the housing 32.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 14, when the spin attachment 10 is
assembled, the rail 48 is positioned between the outer surface 106
of the deflection wall 46 and the inner surface 54 of the first
portion 34 of the housing 32. The outer surface 106 of the
deflection wall 46 includes slots 112a (right side), 112b (left
side) adjacent its first end 120 for receiving end portions of the
first portion 111a and second portion 111b of the rail 48. When
assembled, as shown in FIGS. 12-14, the transverse portion 43 is
received within the rail receiving groove 35. This provides a hinge
or pivot point, whereby the first portion 111a and second portion
111b of the rail 48 can move about the hinge or pivot point
relative to the central longitudinal axis 44.
[0049] The rail engaging portions 57a, 57b of the slider 50 engage
and slide along the first portion 111a and second portion 11b of
the rail 48, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13. Wall extensions 58a, 58b
are provided that run along the inner wall 54 of the first portion
34 of the housing 32, as shown in FIG. 6, and assist in maintaining
or pressing the slider engaging portions 57a, 57b against the rail
48 to maintain the slider engaging portions 57a, 57b on the rail as
the slider 50 moves along the rail 48. The elasticity of the
deflection wall 46 against the rail 48 and the slider 50, biases
the slider 50 against the inner wall 54 and wall extensions 58a and
58b. As shown in FIG. 2, the projection 56 of the slider 50
projects through the channel 30 and is accessible from the outer
wall 55 of the housing 32. The slider 50 is adapted to move along
the rails 48, between a first position adjacent the second end of
the housing (FIG. 8), and a second position, closer to the first
end 38 of the housing 32 (FIG. 9).
[0050] A portion of the housing 32 preferably including a portion
of the inner wall 54, is formed as an inwardly sloping or sloped
wall 29, as shown in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9. The sloped wall 29
preferably slopes inwardly (relative to the central longitudinal
axis) as it extends from the adjacent the second end toward the
first end of the spin attachment 38. The projection 56 of the
slider 50 extends through the slot 30 or channel in the sloped wall
29. The slot 30 provides an opening in the housing 32 and runs
longitudinally along the sloped wall 29, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.
Located along the inner wall 54 of the sloped wall 29 are molded
steps 33 or stops or ridges facing the deflection wall 46. The
steps 33, which extend between the inner wall 54 of the first
portion 34 of the housing 32 and the outer surface 106 of the
deflection wall 46 allow the slider 50 to move in a step-like
incremental fashion along the steps 33. This allows a user to
selectively set the slider 50 at one of various incremental
positions in between a first and a second position. The steps 33
have a contoured receiving shape adapted to engage one of the
rounded protrusions 60 of the slider 50. The slider 50 is set
within a molded step 33 when a rounded protrusion 60 (shown in
detail in FIG. 13) that extends from the slider projection 56,
engages the molded step 33 (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9). The slider 50
is biased toward the steps 33 by the deflection wall 46. This
configuration allows the slider 50 to be held in place at a
selected step 33 and makes the slider 50 move in a "clicking"
fashion along the steps 33 due to the frictional force between the
protrusion 60 and a given step 33.
[0051] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a user may selectively adjust the
position of the slider 50 along the steps 33 by moving the
projection 56 that extends through the slot 30 of the outer surface
55 of the first portion 54 of the housing 32. As explained in
greater detail below, this arrangement allows a user to adjust the
position of the deflection wall 46 at varying degrees with respect
to a central longitudinal axis 44. The channel may be marked along
its path with adjustment setting indicators such as numbers, hash
marks, or words that correspond to the slider's 50 adjustment
position (i.e., in which step 33 the protrusion 60 is located
in).
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the deflection wall 46 is
moved from a first (non-deflected) position to a second (deflected)
position, at least a portion 100 of the deflection wall 46 is moved
closer to the central longitudinal axis 44, so that the deflected
portion 100 will be in the path of a projectile 26 passing through
the passage 42. A portion 100 of the deflection wall 46 is
positioned within the path of a projectile 26 fired from a
compressed gas gun 18 to which the spin attachment 10 is attached.
Thus, the deflection wall 46 will contact a projectile 26 as the
projectile 26 passes through the passage 44. The portion 100 of the
deflection wall 46 contacting the projectile 26 will impart a
frictional force 66 at the point or points of contact 70 causing
the projectile 26 to rotate or spin 68 in a direction opposite the
direction the projectile 26 is traveling. This spin is illustrated
by the arrow in FIG. 9. The rotation 68 imparted upon the
projectile 26 causes the projectile 26 to travel with a curved
trajectory or path (as illustrated for example in 26a and 26b in
FIGS. 4 and 5) after the projectile 26 exits the spin attachment
10.
[0053] As described above and seen in the Figures, the slider 50
acts to allow a user to selectively vary the distance between a
portion of the deflection wall, and the central longitudinal axis.
Although described herein as a slider, it is appreciated that other
adjusters may be used, such as a button, a dial, a switch, or other
adjusters adapted to allow selectively varying the distance between
the a portion of the deflection wall, and the central longitudinal
axis. For example, FIG. 15 shows a button 200 that extends through
an opening 202 in the housing 32 and contacts the outer surface 106
of the deflection wall 46. The button 200 can be pressed by a user,
in order to selectively vary the distance between a portion of the
deflection wall 46, and the central longitudinal axis 44. The
button 200 may be spring loaded, as is known in the art, to return
to its initial position after it is released. Locking means or
stops or a collar may be provided for holding the button in place
at a user-selected position.
[0054] As shown in detail in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the first position
76, the deflection wall 46 runs substantially parallel to the
central longitudinal axis 44 of the passage 42, and the deflection
wall 46 does not extend into the passage 42 to contact a projectile
26 passing through the passage 42. In this position, a projectile
26 traveling through the passage 42 will not contact (or will
negligibly contact) the frictional surface 70 of the deflection
wall, so that no spin is imparted (or a negligible amount of spin
is imparted) to the projectile 26.
[0055] As a user slides the slider 50 along the channel 30 toward
the second position adjacent the first end 38 of the spin
attachment 10 housing 32, shown in FIG. 9, the slider 50 moves
along the sloped wall 29 of the inner surface 54 of the housing 32,
and is thereby moved closer to the central longitudinal axis 44 of
the passage 42 as the slider 50 moves along each step 33. As shown
in FIG. 9, this movement causes the slider 50 to move the
deflection wall 46 toward the longitudinal axis 44. The degree to
which the deflection wall 46 is angled toward the longitudinal axis
44 increases as the slider 50 is moved closer toward the second
position (i.e., as the slider 50 moves toward the first end 38 of
the spin attachment--toward the position shown in FIG. 9).
[0056] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, as the degree to which the
deflection wall 46 is angled toward the longitudinal axis 44 is
increased, a greater portion of the deflection wall 46 is
positioned within the passage 42, such that a projectile 26
traveling through the passage 42 will contact a greater portion of
the deflection wall 46. This produces a point of contact 70 at an
increased angle, and an increased frictional contact surface area.
The combined frictional forces 66 will impart a greater spin 68
upon a projectile 26 traveling through the passage 42. As a user
moves the slider 50 back toward the first position (FIG. 8), the
deflection wall 46 will move back to its first position, where a
portion of the deflection wall 46 will not extend toward the
longitudinal axis 44 into the passage 42. Therefore, if a user
wants more spin 68 on a projectile, the user sets the adjuster 50
to adjustment setting indicator toward the higher number, which
corresponds to a greater angle of deflection (shown in FIG. 9). If
the user wants little or no spin, they may move the slider 50
toward adjustment setting indicator numbers 0 or 1, which
correspond to a smaller angle of deflection. The user positionable
slider 50 and the steps 33 allow the user to adjust and quickly set
the amount of curve on the projectile 26 allowing the user to
easily adjust "on the fly."
[0057] The spin attachment 10 of the present invention not only
allows the user to adjust the degree of spin imparted on a
projectile 26, but further allows a user to select and adjust the
direction of spin relative to the position of the gun 18. As shown
in FIGS. 2, 7-9 and 14 and described above, the spin attachment 10
housing 32 is adapted to be secured to the first end 14 of the
barrel 12 by a flanges 90a on the first portion 34 of the housing
and flanges 90b on the second 36 portion of the housing 32. These
flanges 90a and 90b fit within an annular groove 91 channeled in
the outer surface of the first end 14 of the barrel 12. This
flange-in-groove connection allows the spin attachment 10 to rotate
360 degrees in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise (as measured
from the perspective of a user firing a gun), about the central
longitudinal axis 44, while the spin attachment is rotatably
attached to the barrel. A user need not remove the spin attachment
from the barrel for selected spin adjustment. The o-rings 64a, 64b
may be positioned about the first end 14 of the barrel 12 to assist
in holding the spin attachment 10 at a position selected by a user
while the gun 18 is being fired.
[0058] When the spin attachment 10 is positioned with the
deflection wall 46 at the topmost position, the spin imparted on a
projectile 26 will be a lifting "backspin", as shown schematically
by the arrow in FIG. 9. Imparting spin to a projectile to cause a
lift force in a desired direction is referred to as the "Magnus
Effect." The lifting backspin will cause a projectile 26 to travel
for a longer distance, with increased lift through the "Magnus
Effect," as is well known in the art of projectiles. Essentially,
increased lift results from different levels of air pressure on the
surfaces of the projectile when backspin is provided. A detailed
explanation of the Magnus Effect can be found in "Aerodynamics of
sports balls," Rabindra D. Mehta, in Annual Reviews of Fluid
Mechanics, 1985, Watts, R. G. and Ferrer, R. (1987), "The lateral
force on a spinning sphere: Aerodynamics of a curveball," American
Journal of Physics 55, 40-44, and Briggs, L. J. (1959), "Effect of
spin and speed on the lateral deflection of a baseball; and the
Magnus effect for smooth spheres," Am. J. Phys., 27, 589.
[0059] Additional means may be provided to lock the spin attachment
10 in a particular rotated position, such as a screw or a
spring-loaded clamp, once the user selects the desired spin
position. Because the spin attachment 10 is freely rotatable
relative to the barrel 12, a user can rotate it, and thereby adjust
the direction of spin during automatic, semi-automatic or rapid
fire, allowing a user to continuously adjust the direction of the
shot until it reaches his target.
[0060] Rotating the spin attachment 10 allows the user to
selectively position the deflection wall 46 relative to the gun 18.
This allows the user to select the curved trajectory of a
projectile in a user-selected path. For example, when the spin
attachment 10 is rotated right, approximately about a quarter turn
or ninety degrees counterclockwise from the shooter's perspective,
(if zero degrees is considered the slider at the top), as shown in
FIG. 1, the deflection wall 46 is positioned to the right side of a
projectile 26 fired from the gun 18. The deflection wall 46 will
contact the projectile 26 on the projectile's 26 right side,
causing the projectile to curve toward the right when fired from
the gun 18.
[0061] The present invention has many advantages. First, the
ability to rotate the spin attachment three hundred sixty (360)
degrees in either rotational direction (clockwise or
counter-clockwise when the gun is ready for firing in a firing
position) provides a user with many projectile trajectory spin
choices. The ability to increase the amount of spin on the
projectile provides the user with many options with regard to the
degree a projectile curves after being fired through the spin
attachment. Thus, the present invention provides the user with a
number of projectile spin options. Second, the spin attachment is
easily attachable and detachable, and universally adaptable to any
compressed gas gun barrel. Third, the spin attachment is easy to
use, even for beginners.
[0062] A method of imparting a spin upon a projectile fired from a
compressed gas gun is provided. A compressed gas gun is provided,
including a barrel. A barrel spin attachment device according to
the present invention is rotatably attached to the muzzle end of
the barrel. A user positions the adjuster to a desired setting,
thereby moving a portion of the deflection wall to a desired
position relative to the passage. The spin attachment may also be
rotated clockwise or counterclockwise relative to the barrel of the
gun by a user, to provide a user-selected direction of spin. If the
deflection wall is set in its top position, this will increase the
distance a projectile travels when exiting the spin attachment. The
gun is aimed at a target by a user. The gun is fired by the user by
pulling the trigger. The release of compressed gas from a source of
compressed gas will fire a projectile through the barrel and
through the passage of the spin attachment, where the projectile
will contact a portion of the deflection wall. The projectile will
travel with the user-selected spin.
[0063] Having thus described in detail a preferred selection of
embodiments of the present invention, it is to be appreciated and
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical
changes could be made in the apparatus without altering the
inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. The present
embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being
indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing
description, and all changes which come within the meaning and
range of equivalency of the claims are therefore to be embraced
therein.
* * * * *