U.S. patent application number 12/324339 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-27 for compact paintball marker trigger mechanism.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kingman International Corporation. Invention is credited to Chang Kun Chang, Fabrice N.V. Halmone.
Application Number | 20100126486 12/324339 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42195079 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100126486 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Halmone; Fabrice N.V. ; et
al. |
May 27, 2010 |
COMPACT PAINTBALL MARKER TRIGGER MECHANISM
Abstract
A compact paintball marker having a compact trigger assembly.
The trigger assembly includes a trigger, a sear, a sear activator
and a connecting cable. The sear is position distally relative to
the trigger. This enables the sear to be positioned apart from the
trigger. The trigger assembly also includes a sear activator, a
sear activator spring and a sear biasing spring. The components of
the trigger assembly can be compactly organized to enable the
marker to have a smaller form factor.
Inventors: |
Halmone; Fabrice N.V.;
(Ville La Grand, FR) ; Chang; Chang Kun; (Chayi
County, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLAKELY SOKOLOFF TAYLOR & ZAFMAN LLP
1279 OAKMEAD PARKWAY
SUNNYVALE
CA
94085-4040
US
|
Assignee: |
Kingman International
Corporation
Baldwin Park
CA
|
Family ID: |
42195079 |
Appl. No.: |
12/324339 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
124/74 ; 124/31;
124/45; 124/73 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B 11/71 20130101;
F41B 11/57 20130101; F41B 11/62 20130101; F41B 11/721 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
124/74 ; 124/31;
124/73; 124/45 |
International
Class: |
F41B 11/06 20060101
F41B011/06; F41B 11/00 20060101 F41B011/00; F41B 11/02 20060101
F41B011/02 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a sear coupled to a housing of a marker
in a first position; a trigger pivotally coupled to the housing of
the marker in a proximal position relative to the sear; and a sear
activator coupled to the trigger, the sear activator to translate
movement of the trigger to disengage the sear from a striker
assembly, the sear activator positioned in a distal position
relative to the trigger; and a sear activator spring coupled to the
sear activator to bias the sear activator to a rest position.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a sear biasing
spring coupled to the sear to bias the sear to a second position to
engage the striker assembly.
3. (canceled)
4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a connecting cable
to couple the trigger to the sear activator.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sear comprises: a slide
component to engage a rail in the housing.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sear activator includes a
tip that engages the sear through an arc of a rotation of the sear
activator.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the marker has a length of
less than ten inches.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing is in the form of
a hand gun.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a valve to release
compressed air to push the striker to a cocked position when
activated.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a ball charger
that is removably coupled to the marker.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing defines a cavity
to receive a compressed gas container.
12. A method comprising: inserting a striker in a first compartment
of a housing; inserting a spring mechanism in a second compartment
of a housing; linking the striker and spring mechanism with a
striker shaft, a portion of the striker shaft is external to the
housing; and coupling a trigger mechanism to that housing such that
a sear is forward of the trigger, the trigger mechanism to activate
the striker to propel a paintball.
13. The method of claim 16, further comprising: inserting a valve
in the housing to release a flow of compressed air into the first
compartment in response to activation by the striker.
14. The method of claim 16, further comprising: inserting a
compressed gas canister into a handle of the housing to provide
propellant to propel the paintball.
15. The method of claim 16, further comprising: coupling a cocking
block and bolt to the striker, the cocking block including a sheath
covering a portion of the housing.
16. The method of claim 12, further comprising: inserting a spring
in the first compartment to bias the valve to a closed position.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a trigger mechanism for a
paintball marker. Specifically, the trigger mechanism is for a
paintball marker that has a handgun shape and a compact striker
mechanism.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Paintball markers are shaped to resemble rifles having long
barrels and housings. The long housings are necessary to
accommodate the internal components of the marker including the
striker mechanism and bolt mechanism. The housing of a paintball
marker defines two parallel tubes in which these components may be
disposed. The top tube or barrel includes a bolt that positions a
paintball and directs airflow behind the paintball to propel the
paintball. The paintball is inserted into the barrel from a loader
that is positioned above the marker housing and has a feeding tube
to guide the paintballs into the barrel.
[0005] The second tube is directly below the barrel and parallel to
the barrel. The second tube contains a striker mechanism that
repositions the bolt to load the next paintball after firing and
readies the marker for the next firing. The striker mechanism also
releases compressed gas into the barrel in response to the
activation of a trigger mechanism. A valve is positioned in a
distal end of the second tube. The valve controls the flow of gas
into the second tube from the compressed gas container that is
externally attached to the marker. The valve is activated by the
striker mechanism in response to the trigger activation. The
striker mechanism is spring loaded at a proximal end of the second
tube and held in a compressed position by the sear in the trigger
mechanism.
[0006] Depressing the trigger releases the striker, which advances
into contact with valve due to the decompression of the spring. The
striker mechanism is also coupled to the bolt. Advancing the bolt
opens an airflow path into the barrel through the bolt and seals
the barrel from the feeder tube of the loader. The contact with the
valve releases compressed gas into the second tube and the barrel
propelling the paintball out of the marker and pushing the striker
mechanism back to a cocked position.
[0007] The size and layout of the trigger mechanism is one limit on
the compactness and form of the marker. The trigger mechanism
includes two components, a trigger and a sear. The trigger
activates the sear, which releases the striker mechanism and
initiates the firing of the paintball. The sear is positioned
behind the trigger and is pivoted by the contact from the trigger
when it is depressed. Thus, the striker mechanism is positioned
behind the sear when engaged with the sear. As a result, the
housing must have a length longer than the length of the striker
mechanism and trigger mechanism to accommodate these components. To
accommodate this structure the housing has an elongated shape and
is typically manufactured to resemble a rifle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of
example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the
accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar
elements. It should be noted that different references to "an" or
"one" embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same
embodiment, and such references mean at least one.
[0009] FIG. 1A is a diagram depicting a cross-section of one
embodiment of a compact marker and trigger mechanism.
[0010] FIG. 1B is a diagram depicting a cross-section of one
embodiment of a compact marker and trigger mechanism where a
trigger is pressed and sear released.
[0011] FIG. 1C is a diagram depicting a cross-section of one
embodiment of a compact marker and trigger mechanism where the
striker mechanism is extended.
[0012] FIG. 1D is a diagram depicting a cross-section of one
embodiment of a compact marker and trigger mechanism where the sear
and trigger are returned to their normal position.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagram of one embodiment of an exterior view of
the marker with a cocking block in a rear position.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a diagram of one embodiment of a process for
manufacturing the compact marker.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] In the following description, for the purpose of
explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a
thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It will be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments
may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other
instances, certain structures and devices are omitted or simplified
to avoid obscuring the details of the various embodiments.
[0016] The following description and the accompanying drawings
provide examples for the purposes of illustration. However, these
examples should not be construed in a limiting sense as they are
not intended to provide an exhaustive list of all possible
implementations.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting a cross section of one
embodiment of a compact marker. In one embodiment, a maker propels
paintballs in response to a pull of the trigger mechanism by a
user. A marker can be used to mark trees, livestock or similar
items at a distance or can be used in paintball sports where the
user attempts to mark an opponent. The marker utilizes compressed
gases as propellant for the paintballs. The marker can be a pump
action, semi-automatic or fully-automatic device. For purposes of
clarity the embodiments described herein relate to a semi-automatic
device. One skilled in the art would understand that the principles
and design are also applicable to other types of markers.
[0018] In one embodiment, a marker includes a housing containing
multiple sub-assemblies including a trigger mechanism, a striker
mechanism, a gas delivery mechanism, a paintball delivery mechanism
and similar sub-assemblies or components. The housing defines a set
of compartments or cavities for receiving the sub-assemblies or
components of the marker. These spaces include a barrel 153 through
which a paintball exits the marker. The barrel 153 can have any
diameter and length. In one embodiment, the length of the barrel
153 and marker is less than ten inches in length or approximately
200 mm. In a further embodiment, the length of the barrel 153 and
marker is less than eight inches in length. The diameter of the
barrel 153 can be selected to match a size of a type of paintball
or similar projectile (e.g., bb or foam ball) capable of pneumatic
firing. For example, the barrel 153 can be designed to accommodate
an 11 mm paintball.
[0019] A bolt 105 is disposed within the barrel 153. The bolt 105
slides from a first position in the barrel 153 to a second position
in the barrel 153. The bolt 105 defines an airflow path that
directs gas toward the paintball propelling it out of the barrel
153. The bolt 105 defines an opening in its outer wall that can be
aligned with an opening in the barrel 153 through which gas from
the valve 109 can be received if the bolt 105 is in the second
position. In the second position, the outer wall of the bolt 105
blocks a path from the feeding tube into the chamber of the barrel
153 preventing another paintball from entering the barrel 153
during a firing action. If the bolt 105 is in the first position
the outer wall of the bolt 105 blocks the airflow path, preventing
the escape of compressed air. In the first position, a paintball
may also enter the barrel 153 or chamber of the marker.
[0020] In one embodiment, the bolt 105 is driven by a striker
mechanism. The striker mechanism can include a striker 101, a
striker spring 129, a striker spring housing 125 and a striker
shaft. The striker 101 is situated in a first compartment 155 that
is adjacent and parallel to the barrel 153. The striker spring 129
and striker spring housing 125 are disposed in a second compartment
157. The striker spring housing 125 and striker 101 are attached to
one another by the striker shaft, which runs parallel with the
barrel 153, but is primarily external to the housing of the
marker.
[0021] The striker 101 is coupled to the bolt 105 by a bolt pin
103. As a result, if the striker 101 moves, then the bolt 105 moves
in tandem. The striker 101 can have any size or shape that
complements the size and shape of the first compartment 155. For
example, the first compartment 155 and striker 101 can be
cylindrical. The size and weight of the striker 101 can be selected
to balance the air pressure exerted against the striker and the
force of the striker spring 129. The striker 101 also moves between
two positions: a cocked position and an activated position. In the
activated position, the striker 101 contacts the valve 109 to
activate the valve 109. In the cocked position, the striker 101 is
at a proximal position in the first compartment 155 and not in
contact with the valve 109. In this position, the valve 109 is
closed and gas does not pass through the valve 109 into the bolt
105 and barrel 153.
[0022] The valve 109 includes a body, cups seal 111, cup seal
spring 113 and cup seal pin 107. The striker 101 opens the valve
109 by contacting the cup seal pin 107. The cup seal pin 107 in
turn pushes the cup seal 111 away from the valve body allowing gas
to pass through the valve 109 into the first compartment and into
the barrel 153 if the bolt 105 is positioned to open the airflow
path. The cup seal spring 113 biases the valve to a closed position
by pressuring the cup seal 111 into the valve body.
[0023] A second compartment 157 includes a striker spring 129 and
striker spring housing 125. A front compartment plug 119 seals the
second compartment 157 and provides access to the second
compartment 157, if removed. The front compartment plug 119 can be
screwed into or similarly attached to the second compartment 157 to
seal it. In one embodiment, the front compartment plug 119 is made
from a compressible material such as foam, fabric, elastomeric
material or similar materials. The front compartment plug 119
compresses when the striker spring housing 125 is released by the
sear 127 and decompresses when the striker spring housing 129
returns to a position where the sear 127 engages it. In other
embodiments, the front compartment plug 119 is solid and disposed
at the furthest extent of the striker spring housing 125 movement
range.
[0024] In one embodiment, the striker spring 129 biases the striker
101 to an activated position by exerting a force on the striker
spring housing 125 pushing it toward the distal end of the marker.
The striker spring housing 125 is connected to the striker 101 by a
striker shaft 151 and thereby transfers the biasing force of the
striker spring 129 to the striker 101.
[0025] The second compartment 157, striker spring housing 125 and
striker spring 129 can have complementary shapes and sizes such
that the striker spring housing 125 can be slidably disposed within
the second compartment 157 and the striker spring 129 can engage
the striker spring housing 125. The striker shaft can be
dimensioned with sufficient length to connect the striker 101 with
the striker spring housing 125 and sufficient width and material
strength to transfer the force of the spring to the striker 101 in
the first compartment.
[0026] In one embodiment, the striker spring housing 125 engages a
trigger 133 through a sear 127. The sear 127 catches the striker
spring housing 125 to hold it in a proximal position in the second
compartment 157 preventing it from advancing the striker 101 to
activate the valve 109. Activation of the trigger 133 by a user
disengages the sear 127 from the striker spring housing 125
allowing the striker spring 129 to advance the striker spring
housing 125 and the striker 101 thereby opening the valve 109 and
releasing the gas to propel the paintball.
[0027] The trigger 133 is connected to the sear 127 by a connecting
cable 171 and sear activator 173. The connecting cable 171 is a
stiff and resilient connector that can be pivotally coupled at each
end to the trigger 133 and sear activator 173. The connecting cable
171 can have any length sufficient to span the distance between the
trigger 133 and the sear activator 173. The connecting cable 171
has a diameter and material strength sufficient to transfer the
load of the force applied to the trigger 133 to the sear activator
173.
[0028] The sear activator 173 is pivotally coupled to the housing
and rotates from a first position to a second position. The sear
activator 173 is biased by a sear activator spring 175 to the first
position. The first position is tied to the resting position of the
trigger 133. The biasing of the sear activator 173 also biases the
trigger 133 via the connecting cable 171. In the second position,
the sear activator 173 engages the sear 127. Engaging the sear 127
rotates the sear 127 to move it from a protruding position (i.e.,
protruding into the second compartment 157) to a retracted position
(i.e., the whole of the sear is retracted from the second
compartment 157 thereby disengaging the striker spring housing
125).
[0029] The sear 127 is pivotally coupled to the housing and a sear
biasing spring 177. The sear 127 is positioned forward or distally
relative to the trigger 133. The connection to the trigger 133
through the sear activator 173 and connecting cable 171 allow the
sear 127 to be in this position. The sear can be positioned at any
distance distally from the trigger 133 by selection of a connecting
cable 171 of sufficient length and positioning of the sear
activator 173. The sear biasing spring 177 biases the sear 127 to
the protruding position to engage the striker spring housing 125.
In one embodiment, the sear 127 includes a slide component 181. The
slide component 181 engages a rail or similar structure of the
housing that allows the sear 127 to move laterally relative to the
sear activator 173.
[0030] The positioning of the sear 127 distal to the trigger 133
enables a design of the marker that is more compact as the length
of the marker does not have to encompass a combined length of the
trigger assembly and the sear 127. The distal positioning of the
sear 127 also enables the striker spring housing 125 and overall
striker assembly to be positioned in a more distal position
relative to the trigger and handle thereby enabling the length of
the entire marker to be shortened. Further the biasing springs 175,
177 for the sear 127 and sear activator 173 also improves the
reliability of the engagement of the striker spring housing 125
upon return after firing. This diminishes the frequency at which
the marker must be manually cocked.
[0031] In another embodiment, the trigger assembly can include
electronic components that enable automatic fire, multiple
paintball firings per trigger pull or similar functionality.
Electronic trigger components can include a trigger depression
sensor, an integrated circuit for controlling the sear to affect
the desired functionality and similar components. In one
embodiment, motors, solenoids or similar mechanisms can be used to
replace the biasing springs 175, 177 to allow an integrated circuit
to directly position the sear 127 and sear activator 173 in
response to user engagement of the trigger 133. Electronic
components can also provide other functionality or information
related to the function of the marker or the operating conditions.
For example, electronic components can include sensors for gas
pressure, paintball count, temperature and similar conditions and
electronic displays for displaying sensor information and similar
electronic components.
[0032] In one embodiment, compressed gas can be provided as
propellant for firing paintballs. The compressed gas can be
compressed carbon dioxide, compressed air or similar compressed
gas. The compressed gas can be stored in an internal storage device
such as a sparklet or similar container. The container can be
steel, aluminum, wound carbon-fiber or similar construction. The
compressed gas container 149 can be disposed within a handle or
similar cavity of the housing of the marker. The compressed gas
container 149 can be held in position by a plug 147 or similar
retaining mechanism. The compressed gas container 149 can engage
the first compartment 155 of the valve 109 to supply pressurized
gas into those spaces and components to be utilized to propel a
paintball out of the marker. The compressed gas container 149 can
be screwed into or similarly attached to the housing and the first
compartment.
[0033] In one embodiment, the compressed gas container 149 can be
removable and replaced when emptied. For example, the compressed
gas container 149 can be a 12 g compressed CO.sub.2 cartridges that
can be replaced after it is expended. In another embodiment, the
compressed gas container 149 can be refilled within the marker
without removing it from the marker. In another embodiment, an
external tank can be connected to the marker in place of a
compressed gas container 149. The connection for an external gas
tank can be disposed through the plug 147 or similarly attached.
The source of gas and the pressure of the provided gas can be
compensated by adjustment of the type, size, placement or force of
the springs in the marker.
[0034] In one embodiment, the paintballs can be fed into the marker
by a charger 137. The charger 137 can contain any number of
paintballs. The charger 137 can feed the paintballs into the
chamber or barrel 153 of the marker one at a time. The charger 137
can hold the paintballs in-line. In one embodiment, the charger 137
is disposed substantially vertical or at a slight angle to the
barrel 153 and within a handle portion of the marker. In another
embodiment, the charger 137 can attach to the marker from a
horizontal disposition or similarly engage the marker.
[0035] A latch mechanism or similar mechanism can be used to hold
paintballs in the charger when a paintball is already in the barrel
153. The charger 137 can include a pusher, charger spring 143 and
charger plug. The pusher can be coupled to the charger spring 143,
which exerts a biasing force on the pusher to push the paintballs
into the barrel 153 of the marker. The charger spring 143 can press
against the charger plug to compress the pusher into the chamber or
barrel 153 of the marker. The charger 137 can hold any number of
paintballs. In one embodiment, the charger 137 can be removably
attached to the marker. For example, the charger 137 can be removed
when empty and another full charger can be inserted in its place
while the original is reloaded. The charger 137 can be disposed
entirely within the housing of the marker or can protrude from the
housing, e.g., from the bottom of the handle, or similarly have
portions that are external to the housing.
[0036] In one embodiment, the housing of the marker can include a
frame and body or similar components. The housing can have any
number of sections that can be attached to one another to form a
marker in the shape of a pistol or similar handgun. The components
of the housing can be removably coupled to one another to allow
access to the internal components to remove or maintain the
internal components.
[0037] In one embodiment, a cocking block 115 can be attached to
the marker over the housing. The cocking block 115 can have any
shape or size sufficient to let a user grip the cocking block 115
to use it to ready the marker. The cocking block 115 can be used to
move the striker mechanism and bolt from an activate position to a
deactivated position if not automatically transitioned to that
state during operation.
[0038] FIG. 1B is a diagram depicting a cross-section of one
embodiment of a compact marker and trigger mechanism where a
trigger is pressed and sear released. When a lateral force is
applied to the trigger 133, the connecting cable 171 transfers the
force to the sear activator 173. The application of the force to
sear activator 173 rotates the sear activator 173, which engages
the sear 127. The sear activator 173 rotates the sear 127, which is
then disengaged from the striker spring housing 125. The striker
spring housing 125 is then subject to the expanding force of the
striker spring 129 that biases the striker mechanism toward the
distal end of the marker. The sear 127 holds the striker mechanism
in place, but once disengaged from the striker mechanism, the
striker mechanism moves to the distal position.
[0039] FIG. 1C is a diagram depicting a cross-section of one
embodiment of a compact marker and trigger mechanism where the
striker mechanism is extended. At the time that the trigger 127
reaches or nears a completely depressed state, the sear activator
127 has rotated through its engagement with the sear 127. The sear
activator 173 can include a tip or similar portion that is
positioned to engage the sear 127 through a portion of its arc of
movement. After the sear activator 173 rotates passed this arc the
tip disengages the sear 127.
[0040] Once the sear 127 is disengaged from the sear activator 173,
the sear biasing spring 177 rotates the sear 127 back to an
extended position (i.e., a position where the sear 127 protrudes
into the second compartment). In one embodiment, the sear biasing
spring 177 also biases a lateral position of the sear 127 in a
track or railing mechanism that allows the sear 127 to move
relative to the remainder of marker. The relative movement of the
sear 127 can be utilized to disengage the sear 127 from the sear
activator 173.
[0041] FIG. 1D is a diagram depicting a cross-section of one
embodiment of a compact marker and trigger mechanism where the sear
and trigger are returned to their normal position. Once the force
depressing the trigger 133 is removed, the sear activator spring
175 rotates the sear activator 173 to a rest position. The
connecting cable 171 transfers this force to the trigger 133, which
then rotates back to its rest position. The marker is then ready to
automatically re-cock once the force of the released CO.sub.2 on
the striker mechanism moves it back to a proximal position and
engages the sear 127, thereby returning the state of the marker to
that depicted in FIG. 1A.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the external housing of one
embodiment of the compact marker. In one embodiment, the external
housing 203 can have any number of individual sections, plates or
similar components. The housing can be constructed from metal,
plastics, resins or similar materials or combinations thereof. The
housing can be shaped to define a handle portion and projection
portion.
[0043] In one embodiment, the housing defines a space that allows
the striker shaft 251 to move between two different positions.
Similarly, the cocking block 115 can cover or sheath a portion of
the housing. The cocking block 115 can be slidably coupled to the
marker through an opening defined by the housing, allowing the
cocking block 115 to engage the bolt mechanism in a back position.
The cocking block 115 can have any shape, size or dimensions
suitable for being gripped by the user to ready the marker for
firing. In one embodiment, the cocking block 115 can define a set
of sights or similar structures common to markers.
[0044] A cocking block 115 can be advanced to a back or proximal
position by the application of lateral force by a user. This
movement causes the cocking block return spring to be compressed
against the protrusion of the housing. If the manual force is
removed, then the compressed spring will bias the cocking block 115
back to the front position.
[0045] The cocking block 115 engages the bolt pin in the back or
proximal position. As a result, the bolt can be advanced to a
cocked position. A protrusion on the lower surface of the cocking
block 115 engages the bolt pin. This mechanism can be referred to a
snap catch mechanism. In other embodiments, other types of
mechanism for advancing the bolt to the cocked position without
tying it to the movement of cocking block in both directions can be
utilized.
[0046] FIG. 3 is a diagram of one embodiment of a process for
manufacturing the compact marker. In one embodiment, a marker
manufacturer can be responsible for the assembly of the marker. In
another, embodiment, the manufacturer can also fabricate at least
some of the parts of the marker. The marker can be mass produced by
automated or manual assembly.
[0047] In one embodiment, the assembly process begins with the
assembly or partial assembly of the housing of the marker (block
301). The individual components of the housing can be fabricated
out of metals such as aluminum, steel and similar metals, plastics,
resins and similar materials. The components can be combined by
machining, attachment mechanisms such as snap fit, screws,
interlocking parts, welding or similar techniques.
[0048] In one embodiment, the striker assembly can then be inserted
into the housing or partially constructed housing (block 303). The
striker assembly components can be fabricated from metals,
plastics, resins and similar materials. The components of the
striker assembly may include a set of O-rings that prevent the
leakage of gas around them thereby forming an airtight compartment.
The striker assembly can be calibrated or similarly tested to
ensure that the striker assembly is properly balanced against the
air pressure supplied to the marker to ensure that the marker will
recover properly.
[0049] In one embodiment, the trigger assembly can then be added to
the housing (block 305). The trigger assembly can include any
combination of mechanical or digital components including those
described herein above. Different models can have different
components. For example, high end models may have digital
components and features that allow for multiple paintballs to be
fired in succession with any action by the user or similar
functionality. Low end models may have entirely mechanical
triggering mechanisms. The sear, sear activator, biasing springs
and similar components of the trigger assembly can be formed from
any combination of polymer, resin, metal or similar material. The
components can be manually or automatically assembled.
[0050] In one embodiment, the cocking block is attached to the bolt
of the marker over the top portion of the marker (block 307). The
cocking block can have any shape or dimensions. In one embodiment,
electronics such as temperature gauges, compressed air gauge,
firing control and similar components can be added to the marker
(block 309). These components can be programmed prior to
installation or after installation.
[0051] In one embodiment, the manufacturer can also assemble the
gas delivery components (block 311). The main container can be
placed in the handle of the marker. The container can be removed
for filling and locked back into place using the plug. In other
embodiments, the gas delivery components can be fixed in the system
or external to the system.
[0052] In one embodiment, a ball charger can be added to the marker
(block 313). The ball charger can be added as integral part of the
housing and components of the charger can be placed within the
housing. In another embodiment, the charger can be added by a user
after retail purchase.
[0053] In the foregoing specification, the embodiments of the
invention have been described with reference to specific
embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various
modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing
from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in
the appended claims. The specification and drawings are,
accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a
restrictive sense.
* * * * *