U.S. patent application number 11/603261 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-14 for electronic paintball marker.
This patent application is currently assigned to National Paintball Supply, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert J. Ballarini, John E. Campo, Michael F. Snyder.
Application Number | 20070131209 11/603261 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34312344 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070131209 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Campo; John E. ; et
al. |
June 14, 2007 |
Electronic paintball marker
Abstract
An electronic paintball marker has a breech having an opening
that receives a paintball to be fired, the paintball having
substantially two positions within the breech, a loaded position
and a firing position, and a bolt with two corresponding rearward
and forward positions that moves the paintball between the loaded
and firing positions. The marker also has a sensor in communication
with an electronic controller and positioned to detect a paintball
in the loaded position within the breech, wherein, when the sensor
detects the paintball in the loaded position, the sensor sends a
detection signal to the electronic controller which in turn allows
the bolt to move from the rearward to the forward position.
Finally, the marker has a trigger that sends a firing signal to the
electronic controller, the firing signal initiating a firing
sequence comprising the sensor detecting a paintball within the
breech, the electronic controller moving the valve from the closed
state to the open state, and firing the paintball.
Inventors: |
Campo; John E.; (Medford,
NJ) ; Snyder; Michael F.; (Cherry Hill, NJ) ;
Ballarini; Robert J.; (Philadelphia, PA) |
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: |
34312344 |
Appl. No.: |
11/603261 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10571494 |
Mar 10, 2006 |
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PCT/US04/29760 |
Sep 10, 2004 |
|
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11603261 |
Nov 21, 2006 |
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60502037 |
Sep 10, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
124/56 ;
124/71 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B 11/723 20130101;
F41B 11/62 20130101; F41B 11/57 20130101; F41B 11/73 20130101; F41B
11/71 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
124/056 ;
124/071 |
International
Class: |
F41B 11/00 20060101
F41B011/00 |
Claims
1. In a pneumatic gun in which a projectile is radially admitted
into a breech through an aperture, a firing mechanism which
comprises: a first sensor positioned to issue a first signal
indicating the presence of an object in a section of said breech
opposite said aperture; a second sensor positioned to issue a
second signal indicating the presence of an object in a section of
said breech proximate said aperture; means for interpreting said
first and second signals; and means responsive to said means for
interpreting, for controlling the firing of said marker.
2. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said means for interpreting
comprise means for detecting the presence of said first signal.
3. The mechanism of claim 2 which further comprises means,
responsive to said means for detecting, for generating a
fire-enabling command.
4. The mechanism of claim 3, wherein said means for interpreting
further comprises: means for recognizing the presence of said
second signal in the absence of said first signal; and means,
responsive to said means for recognizing, for generating a
fire-disabling command.
5. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said means for interpreting
comprise means for recognizing the presence of said second signal
in the absence of said first signal.
6. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said means for interpreting
comprises means for perceiving the absence of said second
signal.
7. The mechanism of claim 6 which further comprises means,
responsive to said means perceiving, for delaying the firing of
said gun for a second period of time.
8. In a pneumatic gun in which a projectile is radially admitted
into a breech through an aperture, a firing mechanism which
comprises: a proximity sensor positioned to detect whether a
projectile is either completely inserted into said breech,
partially inserted into said breech, or not present within said
breech; an electronic logic circuit responsive to said sensor and
programmed to allow firing of said gun when a projectile is
completely inserted into said breech, and to prevent firing of said
gun when a projectile is only partially inserted into said
breech.
9. A method for controlling the firing of a gun having a breech
into which a projectile is radially fed through an aperture, said
method comprising; detecting by means of a first sensor associated
with said breech, whether a projectile is partially inserted
therein; detecting by means of a second sensor associated with said
breech, whether a projectile is fully inserted therein; enabling a
firing if a projectile is fully inserted in said breech; enabling a
delayed firing if no projectile is either partially or fully
inserted in said breech; and disabling firing if a projectile is
only partially inserted in said breech.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to an electronically
controlled paintball marker. In particular, it relates to a
paintball firing control system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In recent years, the popularity of the combat game known as
"Paintball" has increased dramatically. In one form of this game,
players use a paintball marker (gun) that gas-propels rounds of
ammunition called paintballs in an attempt to "paint" another
player. The paintballs are usually a spherical gelatin or similar
shell filled with a non-toxic, water-soluble, biodegradable paint.
Striking another player with one of these balls ruptures the ball
and paints the player, which provides dramatic evidence of the hit,
without substantially injuring the player.
[0003] A typical firing cycle of a paintball marker begins by a
user manually cocking a bolt in the breech of the marker
rearwardly, opening a hole in the breech through which a paintball
falls. Once the paintball is in the breech, the bolt slides forward
to contact the paintball. When the trigger is pulled, a valve opens
and releases compressed gas through the bolt into the breech, which
forces the paintball out of the marker's barrel.
[0004] Paintball markers have been developed that are automatic,
i.e. fire repeatedly when the trigger is held back without manual
recocking. These automatic markers increase a marker's rate of
fire, but have also created a problem known as "ball chop." Ball
chop occurs when the bolt moves forward towards the paintball while
the paintball is only partially within the breech. This results in
the paintball being crushed in the breech, which fouls the
paintball marker. This breakage often entirely disables the marker,
effectively ending a player's game.
[0005] Some markers have been designed to overcome the ball chop
problem. Optical and mechanical sensors have been added to
paintball markers to detect the presence of a paintball within the
breech in conjunction with sensors that detect the position of the
bolt relative thereto. A logic circuit works in concert with the
sensors to prevent the bolt from being in a position that damages a
paintball within the breech.
[0006] These solutions employ multiple sensors that detect the bolt
and paintball position, are disadvantageously positioned within the
breech, or are driven by logic circuits that are not suitable for
all paintball markers.
SUMMARY
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an automatic paintball marker that eliminates ball chop
while allowing for faster firing and uses fewer sensors.
[0008] To that end, the inventive electronic paintball marker
comprises a breech having an opening that receives a paintball to
be fired, the paintball having substantially two positions within
the breech, a loaded position and a firing position;
[0009] a bolt that reciprocates between rearward and forward
positions to move the paintball between the corresponding loaded
and firing positions;
[0010] a valve in communication with a source of compressed gas and
the breech, the valve having an open and closed state, the valve's
state controlled by an electronic controller, the valve's open
state releasing compressed gas from the source of compressed gas
into the breech for firing a paintball, the valve's closed state
preventing said firing;
[0011] a sensor in communication with the electronic controller and
positioned to detect a paintball in the loaded position within the
breech, wherein, when the sensor detects the paintball in the
loaded position, the sensor sends a detection signal to the
electronic controller which in turn allows the bolt to move from
the rearward to the forward position; and
[0012] a trigger that sends a firing signal to the electronic
controller, the firing signal initiating a firing sequence
comprising the sensor being activated to detect the paintball
within the breech, the electronic controller moving the valve from
the closed state to the open state, and firing the paintball.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of
the paintball marker showing the bolt in the rearward position.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of
the paintball marker showing the bolt in the forward position.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of
the paintball marker showing a paintball immediately after the
compressed gas has been released into the breech.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of
the paintball marker showing a paintball immediately after the
compressed gas has been released into the breech.
[0017] FIG. 4A is a schematic illustration of a third embodiment of
the paintball marker showing the bolt in the forward position.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a fourth embodiment of
the paintball marker showing the bolt in the rearward position.
[0019] FIG. 5A is a schematic illustration of a fourth embodiment
of the paintball marker showing a paintball immediately after the
compressed gas has been released into the breech.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a fifth embodiment of
the paintball marker showing the bolt in the rearward position.
[0021] FIG. 6A is a schematic illustration of a fifth embodiment of
the paintball marker showing a paintball immediately after the
compressed gas has been released into the breech.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a sixth embodiment of
the paintball marker showing the shutter gate in the closed
position.
[0023] FIG. 7A is a schematic illustration of a sixth embodiment of
the paintball marker showing the shutter gate in the open position
and a paintball exiting the barrel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0024] A paintball marker is usually a futuristic "gun-shaped"
device having one or two grips for firing, a barrel from which a
paintball is discharged, and a trigger for activating the marker to
fire the paintball. The actual body and shape of the marker is not
shown in the Figures because the invention discussed herein relates
to only several components of a marker, and not the body of the
marker itself. It should be understood that the invention herein
could be adapted for use in almost any paintball marker body.
[0025] FIG. 1 shows an electronic paintball marker 10 comprising at
least one electronic controller 32, typically a microprocessor,
that can receive electronic signals from marker components and also
control many marker functions. In the Figures, these electronic
signals and control function relationships are shown by lines
connecting components with the controller 32.
[0026] Signals to and from the Controller
[0027] The controller 32 can receive a signal from the trigger 50,
bolt 16, valve 34, sensor 20, and shutter gate 70, all of which are
actuated as discussed below. Although the Figures show one central
controller 32, there could be multiple controllers that control and
receive signals from the components, or the controllers could be
integral with the components themselves and not separate as shown.
The controller is not limited to receiving only these signals, and
it can also control more functions than those described.
[0028] Pulling the trigger 50 sends a signal to the electronic
controller 32 that reflects a player's desire to fire the marker
10. When the signal is received by the electronic controller, a
firing sequence is initiated, the final step in which, in normal
operation, is the firing of the paintball. The firing sequence(s)
will be discussed in greater detail after the other sensors and
components are introduced.
[0029] The bolt 16 optionally sends a signal to the controller to
indicate its position in the breech 12. The bolt has two positions
in the breech 12, a rearward position shown in FIG. 1 and a forward
position shown in FIG. 2. During automatic firing, the bolt
reciprocates between these positions rapidly with each firing of a
paintball 14 from the marker 10.
[0030] The valve 34 may also send a signal to the controller 32
indicating its state as open or closed. When the valve 34 is
opened, gas from a source of compressed gas 26, such as CO2 air
tank or similar tank as is known in the art of paintball sports,
travels through channel 27 through the valve 34, then through
channel 28 and into the breech 12. This compressed gas drives the
paintball 14 out of the barrel 17 in direction designated by A (see
FIG. 7A showing a paintball 14 leaving the barrel 17). The Figures
show an aperture 28a in the bolt that allows the compressed gas
into the breech to fire the paintball, however, the compressed gas
could be directed around the bolt 16 into the breech 12, or from a
separate chamber (not shown) and into the breech, as shown in U.S.
Publication No. 2004/0144377 to Dobbins, herein incorporated by
reference. When the valve 34 is closed, the marker 14 cannot
fire.
[0031] In a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, once the trigger
50 is actuated, a firing signal is sent to the electronic
controller. The electronic controller activates a sensor 20 that
detects a paintball 14 within the breech 12 and sends a
corresponding signal to the controller. The sensor 20 may send a
paintball detected signal, paintball absent signal, or either one
of the two depending on whether a paintball 14 is present. In a
preferred embodiment, the sensor 20 sends a paintball detected
signal to the controller 32 when it detects the paintball 14 within
the breech 12.
[0032] When the sensor sends a signal to the electronic controller
32 that a paintball has been detected within the breech 12, the
electronic controller 32 can send a signal to actuate the bolt 16
from the rearward to the forward position. If no such signal is
detected, the electronic controller 32 will not move the bolt 16
from the rearward to the forward position, since such movement
could crush a paintball 14 that is falling from the feed tube 22,
or drive the bolt 16 forward with no paintball 14 within the breech
12, resulting in a non-fire.
[0033] FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the marker 10 showing a
firing sensor 20a located forward of sensor 20 within the breech 12
or barrel 17. The firing sensor is preferably an optical sensor
(see below) that detects the paintball 14 as it passes after the
paintball is fired. Once the paintball 14 is detected by the firing
sensor 20a, the sensor 20a sends a corresponding signal to the
controller 32.
[0034] The controller 32 receives the signal from the firing sensor
and then sends a signal to actuate the bolt 16 from the forward to
the rearward position to reload another paintball 14 into the
breech 12 through an opening between the feed tube 22 and the
breech 12. By waiting for the paintball 14 to pass the firing
sensor 20a before moving the bolt from the forward to the rearward
position, the marker 10 insures that it will not load a second
paintball 14 into the breech 12 if the first paintball 14 did not
fire. It further automates a process that demands precision
timing.
[0035] FIG. 4A shows a third embodiment of the marker 10 with a
forward sensor 20d that detects the paintball 14 in a firing
position (as opposed to the paintball loading position shown in
FIG. 1), and sends a corresponding signal to the controller 32.
Upon receipt of the signal, the controller 32 sends a signal to
open the valve 34 to release compressed gas into the breech 12 to
fire the paintball 14. Thus sensor 20d could also be a mechanical
sensor that protrudes slightly into the breech to serve a second
purpose as a detent that holds a paintball 14 in place. This slight
"holding" is overcome when the paintball 14 is fired, and just
prevents the paintball 14 from falling down the barrel 17 when the
marker 10 is pointed downward.
[0036] Although the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A show the
firing and forward sensors 20a, 20d used in conjunction with sensor
20, these sensors 20a, 20d could be used alone or in combination
with each other to decrease the chance of a misfire in a paintball
marker.
[0037] FIGS. 5, 5A, 6, and 6A show fourth and fifth embodiments of
a sensor located on or within the bolt 16 that detects a paintball
14 and sends a corresponding signal to the controller 32. The
controller 32 responds to this signal in a similar manner as
described in the first embodiment, that is, by moving the bolt 16
to the forward position, opening the valve 34, and returning the
bolt 16 to the rearward position.
[0038] The fourth embodiment sensor 20b in FIGS. 5 and 5A is
preferably an optical sensor located on a lower half of a front
face 16a of the bolt 16. The reason for this location is that the
sensor 20b will detect the paintball 14 as it nears the bottom
surface 12a of the breech 12. When the paintball 14 is in this
position, it is less likely to be crushed or cause a jam as the
bolt 16 moves forward.
[0039] The fifth embodiment sensor 20c in FIGS. 6 and 6A is a
mechanical sensor 20c that is activated by contact with the
paintball 14 in the loaded position (FIG. 6), and sends a
corresponding signal to the controller 32. The mechanical sensor
20c is preferably located on a front face 16a of the bolt 16, that
is, facing toward the barrel 17. Once the marker 10 is fired (FIG.
6A), the sensor 20c will no longer detect a paintball, and the
controller will automatically move the bolt 16 to the rearward
position for reloading another paintball 14 into the breech 12.
[0040] Generally, the sensors can be one of several types. A
mechanical sensor requires contact of the paintball on the sensor
to initiate the sequence. A mechanical sensor system must be
adjusted when using paintballs of different weights and is not as
accurate as an optical sensor. Further, piezoelectric sensors can
be problematic in certain paintball situations, because the marker
is often held at different angles and the paintball will not always
contact the sensor with the same force. The mechanical or
piezoelectric sensor 20 and 20c shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A does not
have this detection problem because it is preferably activated by
contact, not weight. Optical sensors, which do not suffer from this
weight problem, are preferred for the embodiment shown in FIGS.
1-5, 7 and 7A. Optical sensors may use infrared light to detect the
ball, and may comprise an emitter and a detector that form a light
beam, the sensor being activated when an paintball 14 crosses the
light beam. The emitter and detector may be positioned as required
to detect a paintball within the breech or barrel. Or an optical
sensor may detect a paintball when light emitted from the sensor is
reflected back on the sensor.
[0041] FIGS. 7 and 7A show a sixth embodiment sensor 20 (although
it should be understood that any of the previous sensors or
combinations thereof could be used) that works with a shutter gate
70 in communication with the controller 32. The shutter gate 70 is
closed (FIG. 7) when the paintball is detected by the sensor 20,
and open (FIG. 7A) for loading in direction B when the sensor does
not detect a paintball 14 in the breech. In this embodiment, the
bolt 16 need not move between the rearward and forward position to
block the opening between the feed tube 22 and the breech 12, since
the shutter gate 70 blocks such opening. A variant shutter gate 70
could be an iris gate.
[0042] Firing Sequence
[0043] The firing sequence that is initiated by pulling the trigger
50 will now be described. Generally, the firing sequence comprises
the sensor 20 being activated to detect a paintball 14 within the
breech 12, the electronic controller 32 moving the valve 34 from
the closed state to the open state, and firing the paintball 14.
However, this firing sequence can involve more, and also
sequential, steps in two types of markers called open bolt and
closed bolt markers.
[0044] An open bolt marker is so-named because before the firing
sequence is initiated, the bolt 16 is in the rearward position,
which leaves the breech "open" to loading a paintball 14 from the
feed tube 22 through the hole in the breech. In an open bolt
marker, the firing sequence comprises the sequential steps of:
[0045] (a) the sensor 20 being activated (directly from a signal
from the trigger 50 or through the controller 32) to detect the
paintball 14 within the breech 12 and if such detection occurs,
sending a detection signal to the electronic controller 32 to allow
the electronic controller 32 to carry out step (b);
[0046] (b) the electronic controller 32 moving the bolt 16 from the
rearward position (FIG. 1) to the forward position (FIG. 2);
and
[0047] (c) the electronic controller 32 moving the valve 34 from
the closed position to the open position to fire the paintball
14.
[0048] An additional step may be (d) the controller 32 returning
the bolt to the rearward position.
[0049] A closed bolt marker by contrast, begins with the bolt 16 in
the forward position, which blocks the hole in the breech between
the feed tube 22 and the breech 12 before the firing sequence is
initiated. In such a closed bolt marker, the firing sequence
comprises the sequential steps of:
[0050] (a) the electronic controller 32 moving the bolt 16 from the
forward position to the rearward position;
[0051] (b) the sensor 20 being activated (directly from a signal
from the trigger 50 or through the controller 32) to detect the
paintball 12 within the breech, and if such detection occurs,
sending the detection signal to the electronic controller 32 to
allow the electronic controller 32 to carry out step (c);
[0052] (c) the electronic controller 32 moving the bolt 16 from the
rearward position to the forward position; and
[0053] (d) the electronic controller 32 moving the valve 34 from
the closed position to the open position to fire the paintball
14.
[0054] Actuation of Components
[0055] Although the application mentions that the electronic
controller 32 controls the movement of several components in the
marker 10, it does so using one or more actuators (not shown).
[0056] The controller 32 controls the operation of the valve 34 and
shutter gate 70 through the actuator that moves the components
between an open and closed state.
[0057] The bolt 16 is reciprocated between the rearward position
(FIG. 1) and forward position (FIG. 2) using one of several types
of actuators or combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment,
the actuator is an electronic motor that reciprocates the bolt.
Other actuators may use magnets, solenoids, and/or electromagnets
to reciprocate the bolt using electronic, magnetic and/or
electromagnetic forces. Other markers, such as that shown in U.S.
Publication No. 2004/0144377 to Dobbins, herein incorporated by
reference, show a bolt that reciprocates using the compressed gas.
Finally, the bolt can reciprocate using a spring.
* * * * *