U.S. patent application number 12/198757 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-04 for sensor cover and angled ball detent for paintball gun.
This patent application is currently assigned to Smart Parts, Inc.. Invention is credited to Danial S. Jones, Edward S. Telford.
Application Number | 20100051007 12/198757 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41723496 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100051007 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Telford; Edward S. ; et
al. |
March 4, 2010 |
SENSOR COVER AND ANGLED BALL DETENT FOR PAINTBALL GUN
Abstract
A paintball gun can include a sensor for detecting the presence
(or absence) of a paintball gun in a breech chamber of the
paintball gun. A quick-access sensor cover can be provided to
enable easy access to the sensor for cleaning or maintenance. The
body of the paintball gun can include a receptacle that receives
the sensor cover. The cover can be sized and shaped to matingly fit
within the receptacle. A recess can be arranged in one end of the
receptacle to receive a lip of the sensor cover. The sensor cover
can further include a magnetic closure mechanism for retaining the
cover in a closed relationship with respect to the paintball gun.
Oppositely polarized magnets can, for instance, be arranged in the
cover and the paintball gun body to attract and secure the cover in
its closed position. The sensor can be positioned within a
retaining member in the cover receptacle. Additionally, an angled
ball detent can also be included in the sensor cover to prevent
double-feeding of paintballs into the breech chamber. The ball
detent can be arranged at an angle of less than ninety degrees, and
most preferably less than forty-five degrees, with respect to a
bolt of the paintball gun.
Inventors: |
Telford; Edward S.;
(Greensburg, PA) ; Jones; Danial S.; (Ligonier,
PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SIMPLE IP LAW, P.C.
9600 SW OAK STREET., SUITE 525
TIGARD
OR
97223
US
|
Assignee: |
Smart Parts, Inc.
Loyalhanna
PA
|
Family ID: |
41723496 |
Appl. No.: |
12/198757 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
124/73 ;
124/80 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B 11/57 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
124/73 ;
124/80 |
International
Class: |
F41B 11/00 20060101
F41B011/00 |
Claims
1. A sensor cover configured to be removably positioned within a
cover receptacle of a paintball gun to protect a paintball
detection sensor and provide easy access to the paintball detection
sensor for cleaning or maintenance, said sensor cover comprising: a
cover body shaped to be arranged within a cover receptacle of a
paintball gun; and a magnetic closure mechanism arranged in the
cover body and configured to bias the cover body in a closed
position with respect to the paintball gun when the cover is
installed in the paintball gun.
2. A sensor cover according to claim 1, wherein the cover further
comprises a lip arranged on one end of the cover body to matingly
fit within a recess in the receptacle of the paintball gun.
3. A sensor cover according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic
closure mechanism is arranged in an opposite end of the cover body
as the lip.
4. A sensor cover according to claim 3, wherein the lip is arranged
in a forward end of the sensor cover and wherein the magnetic
closure mechanism is arranged in a rearward end of the sensor
cover.
5. A sensor cover according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic
closure mechanism comprises one or more magnets arranged in the
sensor cover.
6. A sensor cover according to claim 5, wherein the one or more
magnets comprises two magnets arranged in magnet receptacles formed
in a rearward end of the sensor cover.
7. A sensor cover according to claim 1, further comprising: a ball
detent receptacle; and a ball detent arranged within the ball
detent receptacle.
8. A sensor cover according to claim 7, wherein the ball detent
comprises a detent plunger slidingly arranged in the ball detent
receptacle and a biasing member that biases the detent plunger in
an extended position.
9. A sensor cover according to claim 8, wherein the detent plunger
is arranged at an angle of less than ninety degrees with respect to
a longitudinal orientation of the cover body.
10. A sensor cover according to claim 9, wherein the detent plunger
is arranged to be positioned at an angle of less than forty-five
degrees with respect to a direction of a bolt movement of the
paintball gun when the cover is positioned in its closed position
with respect to the paintball gun.
11. A ball detent for a paintball gun, said ball detent comprising:
a detent plunger arranged in a detent receptacle; a biasing member
configured to bias the detent plunger in an extended position; and
wherein the detent plunger is arranged at an angle of less than
ninety degrees with respect to a longitudinal orientation of a bolt
of the paintball gun.
12. A ball detent according to claim 11, wherein the detent plunger
is arranged at an angle of less than forty-five degrees with
respect to the longitudinal orientation of the bolt of the
paintball gun.
13. A ball detent according to claim 11, wherein the detent
receptacle is arranged in a sensor cover for the paintball gun.
14. A ball detent according to claim 13, wherein the sensor cover
comprises a magnetic closure mechanism for biasing the cover in a
closed relationship with respect to the paintball gun.
15. A paintball gun comprising: a paintball gun body having a
breech chamber arranged therein; a bolt configured to move between
a first and second position to load a paintball into the breech
chamber of the paintball gun body; a sensor configured to detect
the presence of a paintball in the breech chamber of the paintball
gun body; a sensor cover configured to cover an opening in the
paintball gun body that permits access to the sensor, said sensor
cover comprising a magnetic closure mechanism configured to bias
the sensor cover in a closed relationship with respect to the
paintball gun; and a ball detent arranged to extend into the breech
chamber of the paintball gun at an angle of less than ninety
degrees with respect to a direction of movement of a bolt.
16. A paintball gun according to claim 15, further comprising a
cover receptacle arranged in an exterior sidewall of the paintball
gun body, wherein the sensor cover is sized and shaped to be
received within the cover receptacle.
17. A paintball gun according to claim 16, wherein the cover
receptacle further comprises a recess arranged in an end of the
receptacle to matingly receive a lip of the sensor cover.
18. A paintball gun according to claim 16 further comprising a
sensor retainer arranged in the cover receptacle to retain the
sensor in place.
19. A paintball gun according to claim 15, wherein the ball detent
is arranged in a detent receptacle of the sensor cover.
20. A paintball gun according to claim 18, further comprising an
opening through the paintball gun body configured to permit the
ball detent of the sensor cover to extend into the breech chamber
of the paintball gun.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to mechanisms and methods for
protecting a paintball detection sensor in a paintball gun and for
preventing multiple paintballs from entering a breech chamber or
barrel of a paintball gun during a single loading/firing operation.
In particular, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for
covering an opening in a paintball gun that exposes a paintball
sensor. This invention further relates to a ball detent for
maintaining a paintball in a desired position in the breech chamber
of the paintball gun until a firing operation of the paintball gun
is performed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Modem paintball guns are frequently electronically
controlled and capable of operating at high rates of fire. For
paintball guns that operate electronically at high rates of fire,
electronic sensors are frequently implemented to prevent ball
breaks in the breech of the paintball gun. Even with the use of
such sensors, however, ball breaks may occasionally occur and the
sensors may need to be cleaned. In addition, the sensors may need
routine maintenance or cleaning from time to time. Conventionally,
paintball sensor covers have been provided with a mechanical
closure mechanism for maintaining the sensor cover in a closed
relationship with respect to the paintball gun, which generally
require the use of tools for removal.
[0003] Conventional paintball guns also frequently provide separate
ball detent mechanisms for keeping a paintball in a desired
position in a breech chamber of a paintball gun until a firing
operation. Conventional ball detent mechanisms typically consist of
a spring biased detent extending into a forward end of the breech
chamber of a paintball gun through a ball detent aperture located
proximal to the barrel. The detents are conventionally arranged
substantially perpendicular (i.e., at a 90 degree angle) to the
paintball gun body and the bolt.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The industry would be benefited through an improved breech
sensor cover having a secure yet readily operable closure
mechanism, which can be operated without the use of tools. It would
also be beneficial to provide a ball detent arranged at an angle
other than 90 degrees with respect to a bolt arranged in the
paintball gun body (and/or a direction of bolt movement). Most
preferably, a breech sensor cover can comprise a magnetic closure
means and an angled ball detent to satisfy both industry needs in a
single device.
[0005] According to principles of the present invention, a breech
sensor cover for a paintball gun preferably comprises one or more
magnets or magnetically attractable metals. One or more
corresponding oppositely polarized magnets or magnetically
attractable metals are preferably arranged in the paintball gun
body. In one embodiment, two magnets are arranged in a rearward end
of the breech sensor cover in an upper and lower portion of the
cover, respectively. Corresponding oppositely polarized magnets are
preferably arranged in the paintball gun body.
[0006] A lip formed on a forward end of the breech sensor cover
preferably slides into a mating relationship in a slot arranged in
the paintball gun body. The oppositely polarized magnets in the
breech sensor cover and paintball gun body then attract each other
to draw and bias the sensor cover in a closed relationship with
respect to the paintball gun body. Latches can also be provided to
further secure the sensor cover in a closed position with respect
to the paintball gun.
[0007] A ball detent can also be arranged in the breech sensor
cover according to additional principles of the present invention.
The ball detent is preferably arranged at an angle with respect to
the sensor cover so that the ball detent is angled rearwardly
(i.e., with a top surface of the ball detent facing inward and
rearward) when the breech sensor cover is installed in the
paintball gun body. In a most preferred configuration, the ball
detent is arranged at an angle between 15 and 35 degrees with
respect to the bolt (e.g., a longitudinal axis of the bolt) and/or
the direction of bolt travel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The foregoing and additional objects, features, and
advantages of the present invention will become more readily
apparent from the following detailed description, made with
reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic side view of a paintball gun
body having a sensor cover with a ball detent installed therein,
according to various principles of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2A is a somewhat schematic side view of the paintball
gun body of FIG. 1 shown with the sensor cover and ball detent
removed;
[0011] FIG. 2B is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of
the paintball gun body of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a somewhat schematic perspective view of the
paintball gun body with sensor cover and ball detent of FIG. 1,
shown with the sensor cover partially removed;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a somewhat schematic perspective view of the
paintball gun body of FIG. 1, shown with the sensor cover and ball
detent completely removed;
[0014] FIG. 5A is a somewhat schematic perspective view of the
sensor cover with ball detent of FIG. 1, shown removed from the
paintball gun body;
[0015] FIG. 5B is a somewhat schematic perspective view of the ball
detent plunger and spring removed from the sensor cover of FIG.
5A;
[0016] FIG. 5C is another somewhat schematic perspective view of
the sensor cover and ball detent of FIG. 5A;
[0017] FIG. 6A is a somewhat schematic side perspective view of the
sensor cover of FIG. 5A;
[0018] FIG. 6B is another somewhat schematic side perspective view
of the sensor cover of FIG. 6A, shown with the magnets and ball
detent removed; and
[0019] FIGS. 7A-7E are somewhat schematic perspective views
illustrating a procedure for performing maintenance on a ball
sensor and ball detent arranged in the paintball gun body with
sensor cover of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings, which form part thereof, and in which
are shown by way of illustration only, exemplary, non-limiting
embodiments that illustrate various principles of the present
invention and how it may be practiced.
[0021] In the drawings, FIG. 1 provides a somewhat schematic side
view of a paintball gun body 100 having a sensor cover 200,
according to various principles of the present invention, and FIGS.
2-6B provide various additional views of the paintball gun body 100
and sensor cover 200 to help more fully convey an understanding of
the principles of the present invention.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1-6B, a paintball gun body 100 is
configured to receive a paintball sensor (or "Vision eye") cover
200 having a ball detent 220 arranged therein. The ball detent 220
preferably includes a plunger 222 slidingly arranged in a plunger
hole 216 in the cover 200, and biased forward by a spring 226. Tabs
224 can be provided to retain the plunger in place in the plunger
hole 216.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the paintball gun body 100
includes a receptacle 110 shaped to receive the sensor cover 200.
The receptacle 110 preferably includes a recess 112 in the forward
end 110a of the receptacle 110 that receives a detent or lip 212 of
the sensor cover 200. Magnets 142, 144 are preferably also arranged
in pockets 118, 119 in the receptacle 110 to attract corresponding
magnets 242, 244 arranged in pockets 218, 219 of the sensor cover
200. The magnets 142, 144, 242, 244 preferably operate to bias the
sensor cover 200 in its closed position with respect to the
paintball gun body 100. A bumper 230 can be provided to help hold
the sensor 300 in its proper position and further protect it.
[0024] One or more openings 102, 104, 106 are preferably provided
through the paintball gun body 100. A first opening 102 preferably
allows a wire or flex circuit 302 for the ball sensor 300 to be fed
from the inside of the paintball gun body 100 to the receptacle 110
on the external side of the paintball gun body 100. The sensor 300
can be received and retained in position by grooves or slots 114a
in a retainer 114 in the receptacle 110. A second opening 104 can
be formed through the paintball gun body 100 in a central portion
of the retainer 114 area to permit the sensor 300 to detect a
paintball in the breech chamber 120 of the paintball gun body 100.
In the preferred embodiment, the sensor or sensor system 300 is an
optical (or "eye") sensor system that visually detects the presence
of a paintball in the breech chamber 120 of the paintball gun body
100. The optical sensor system can, for instance, include an
emitter and sensor arranged on opposite sides of the breech chamber
120. The description relating to the sensor can therefore also be
applied equally to the emitter in that embodiment. Of course other
types of sensors (such as a contact sensor, motion sensor, etc.)
could be used.
[0025] A third opening 106 in the paintball gun body 100 preferably
receives the ball detent 220 from the sensor cover 200. The ball
detent 220 is most preferably arranged in the sensor cover 200 such
that when the sensor cover 200 is installed in the paintball gun
body 100, the ball detent plunger 222 is arranged through the
opening 106 at an angle .alpha. of less than 90 degrees with
respect to a bolt (not shown) and/or direction of bolt movement
within the paintball gun. In a most preferred configuration, the
angle is preferably about 23 degrees with respect to the bolt/bolt
movement. Of course, other angles .alpha. are also acceptable and
can range, for instance, between 15 and 35 degrees, or even from 0
to 90 degrees or any range in between.
[0026] Conventionally, plunger style ball detents have become the
standard for top-end tournament markers because they provide a
reliable method of preventing double-feeds, even with the
aggressive force-feed loaders needed for high rates of fire.
Unfortunately, however, conventional ball detents are angled at 90
degrees to the bolt, so the bolt has to scrape against a rounded
edge of the ball detent plunger or bearing to push it out of the
way. In one aspect of the present invention, a significant
improvement over those conventional ball detents can be provided by
supplying an angled ball detent at less than 90 degrees (preferably
less than 45 degrees and most preferably around 23 degrees) to the
bolt, so that the ball and bolt strike the detent closer to the
direction it actually moves. The result is longer detent life, less
pressure on fragile paintballs, and smoother operation.
[0027] In operation, the sensor cover 200 is installed in the
paintball gun body 100 by inserting the forward lip 212 into the
recess 112 of the receptacle 110. The cover body 210 is preferably
sized and shaped to matingly fit within the receptacle 110. As the
cover 200 is positioned in the paintball gun body 100, the one or
more magnets 242, 244 arranged in the sensor cover 200 are
preferably attracted to the one or more oppositely polarized
magnets 142, 144 (or other magnetically attractable material) to
bias the cover 200 in a closed position with respect to the
paintball gun body 100.
[0028] As the cover 200 is positioned in place in the paintball gun
body 100, the ball detent plunger 222 is arranged through the
opening 106 to extend into a forward end of the breech chamber 120.
As explained earlier, the ball detent 220 prevents multiple
paintballs from feeding from the feed tube into the breech chamber
120 during a single firing operation.
[0029] The "quick-snap" sensor cover assembly 200 of the preferred
embodiment described above serves to both prevent double feeding of
paintballs into the breech chamber 120 and to protect the breech
sensor system 300. The magnetic latch system helps keep the sensor
cover 200 securely closed and positioned during game play, while
allowing for easy, tool-free cleaning and/or maintenance.
[0030] According to still further principles of the present
invention, a method of cleaning or performing maintenance on the
ball sensor 300 and ball detent 220 arranged in a paintball gun
body 100 including a sensor cover 200, such as that described
above, is also provided. FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate various steps in
the cleaning or maintenance procedure. Preferably, a ball
detent/cover assembly 200 is arranged on each side of the paintball
gun body 100 and each can be inspected and cleaned and/or serviced
in a similar manner.
[0031] Referring first to FIGS. 7A-7B (with additional reference to
FIGS. 1-6A), the ball sensor cover 200 can be removed for
maintenance by pressing on a forward end (point) 202 of the ball
detent/sensor assembly 200. This separates the magnets 242, 244 at
the rear 204 of the cover 200 from the corresponding magnets 142,
144 in the paintball gun body 100 while also pushing the back edge
204a of the cover assembly away from the paintball body 100. A user
can then grasp the rearward end 204 of the ball detent/cover
assembly 200 and lift it outward, removing it from the paintball
gun body 100. The sensor 300 and ball detent 220 can then be
inspected and cleaned.
[0032] Referring additionally to FIG. 7C, the sensor (preferably an
optical sensor) 300 can be removed from its pocket or receptacle
114 in the paintball gun body 100 by sliding it out of the grooves
114a. A soft cloth, cotton swab, or other appropriate material can
then be used to clean any paint, grease, or debris from the opening
104 in the body and from the sensor 300 itself. If debris build-up
is severe, a cotton swab dampened with rubbing alcohol or other
cleaning solution could be used to clean the opening 104 and the
sensor 300. The sensor 300 and the opening 104 should each be
allowed to dry completely, however, before reassembly. The optical
sensor 300 should be cleaned carefully to avoid scratching or
damaging the sensor 300 or its wiring 302. Once cleaned, the sensor
300 can be reseated in its receptacle 114 with its emitter or
sensor 300 facing towards the interior of the breech chamber 120 of
the paintball gun body 100.
[0033] Referring now also to FIG. 7D, the ball detent plunger 220
arranged in the cover 200 can also be inspected for debris and/or
wear. Debris can be cleaned from the plunger 220 using a clean
cloth or cotton swab, for instance. The plunger 220 can also be
tested to ensure proper operation. It should move freely when
pressed in and released. If the plunger 220 shows significant signs
of wear or binding, it should be removed and replaced. The plunger
220 can be removed by inserting a tool, such as a hex wrench, into
an opening 217 in a side of the plunger receptacle 216 and applying
pressure to tabs 224 arranged on a side of the plunger 220.
[0034] Referring further to FIG. 7E, once the cleaning and
maintenance has been performed, the ball detent/sensor cover
assembly 200 can be reinserted into the paintball gun body 100.
This can be done by reinserting the forward detent (pointed edge)
212 into the recess 112 in the front end 110a of the cover
receptacle (pocket) 110 in the paintball gun body 100. The rearward
end 204 of the cover 200 can then be angled into place and situated
into the receptacle 110 as the magnets 242, 244 (e.g., rare-earth
or other magnetic devices) secure the cover 200 in place.
[0035] Having described and illustrated principles of the present
invention in various preferred embodiments thereof, it should be
apparent that the invention can be modified in arrangement and
detail without departing from such principles. Furthermore, in the
described method, one or more of the steps can be combined with
other steps, separated into additional steps, rearranged with other
steps, or omitted altogether. We therefore claim all modifications
and variations coming within the spirit and scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *