U.S. patent application number 13/737214 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-25 for shot sensor hooping device for paintball gun.
The applicant listed for this patent is Yi Tsong Chen. Invention is credited to Yi Tsong Chen.
Application Number | 20130186382 13/737214 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47716825 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130186382 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen; Yi Tsong |
July 25, 2013 |
SHOT SENSOR HOOPING DEVICE FOR PAINTBALL GUN
Abstract
Provided is a shot sensor hooping device for a paintball gun,
wherein a shot sensor has an insertion portion and a top end ring.
The insertion portion is connected to a receiving hole of a gun
body. The shot sensor hooping device includes: a hooping ring
disposed above the receiving hole of the gun body; an operation
unit disposed on a side of the hooping ring; and a hooped portion
disposed between the insertion portion and the top end ring of the
shot sensor and corresponding in position to an inner wall of the
hooping ring and enclosed therein. The shot sensor hooping device
enables the coupling and decoupling of the shot sensor and the gun
body to be performed easily and quickly without operating any tool
by hand.
Inventors: |
Chen; Yi Tsong; (Tainan
City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Chen; Yi Tsong |
Tainan City |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
47716825 |
Appl. No.: |
13/737214 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
124/41.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B 11/71 20130101;
F41B 11/52 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
124/41.1 |
International
Class: |
F41B 11/52 20060101
F41B011/52 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 9, 2012 |
TW |
101200452 |
Claims
1. A shot sensor hooping device for a paintball gun, wherein a shot
sensor has an insertion portion and a top end ring, the insertion
portion being connected to a receiving hole of a gun body, the shot
sensor hooping device comprising: a hooping ring disposed above the
receiving hole of the gun body; an operation unit disposed on a
side of the hooping ring; and a hooped portion disposed between the
insertion portion and the top end ring of the shot sensor and
corresponding in position to an inner wall of the hooping ring and
enclosed therein.
2. The shot sensor hooping device of claim 1, wherein the hooping
ring is a ring comprising a first protruding portion, a second
protruding portion, and a gap, the first protruding portion having
a first through hole and an embedding recess integrally formed
therewith to form a unitary structure, wherein a via corresponding
in position to the first through hole of the first protruding
portion is disposed at the second protruding portion, and a screw
nut recess is disposed at an outer end of the via, and the gap
being disposed between the first protruding portion and the second
protruding portion.
3. The shot sensor hooping device of claim 2, wherein the operation
unit comprises a spanner pad, a pin, a spanner, an axle, and a
snap-fit screw nut, the spanner pad being disposed in the embedding
recess of the first protruding portion, the spanner pad having
therein a second through hole, the pin having an end provided with
a thread section, the pin penetrating the second through hole of
the spanner pad, the first through hole of the first protruding
portion, and the via of the second protruding portion in sequence,
the pin having another end provided with a flat section having a
third through hole, the spanner having an end portion provided with
a notch into which the flat section of the pin inserts and having a
fourth through hole perpendicular to the notch, the axle being
penetratingly disposed in the fourth through hole of the spanner
and the third through hole of the pin, and the snap-fit screw nut
being disposed in the screw nut recess of the second protruding
portion and having therein a screw hole corresponding in position
to and meshing with a thread section of the pin.
4. The shot sensor hooping device of claim 3, wherein a diameter of
an inner rim of the spanner equals an outer diameter of the hooping
ring.
5. The shot sensor hooping device of claim 3, wherein a pivotal
connection end of the spanner is of a round shape, and the fourth
through hole deviates from a center of the pivotal connection
end.
6. The shot sensor hooping device of claim 1, wherein the insertion
portion of the shot sensor corresponds in position to the receiving
hole of the gun body and is of a non-circular shape.
7. A shot sensor for a paintball gun comprising: an insertion
portion and a top end ring, the insertion portion configured to
insert into to a receiving hole of a paintball gun body, and the
top end ring configured to secure a hopper or loader for use with a
paintball gun; a hooped portion disposed between the insertion
portion and the top end ring of the shot sensor, the hooped portion
configured to be received by a corresponding structure of the
paintball gun body; a through hole in the insertion portion
configured to allow a shot to pass through the insertion portion;
and a sensing unit configured to sense a shot passing through the
through hole in the insertion portion.
8. The shot sensor for a paintball gun of claim 7 wherein the
receiving hole of a paintball gun body is in communication with a
hooping portion configured to substantially secure the shot sensor
to the paintball gun.
9. The shot sensor for a paintball gun of claim 8 wherein the
hooping portion comprises a first quick release lever.
10. The shot sensor for a paintball gun of claim 9 wherein the
first quick release lever comprises a first protruding portion, a
second protruding portion, and a gap, the first protruding portion
having a first through hole and an embedding recess integrally
formed therewith to form a unitary structure, wherein a via
corresponding in position to the first through hole of the first
protruding portion is disposed at the second protruding portion,
and a screw nut recess is disposed at an outer end of the via, and
the gap being disposed between the first protruding portion and the
second protruding portion.
11. The shot sensor for a paintball gun of claim 7 wherein the
insertion portion of the shot sensor corresponds in position to the
receiving hole of the gun body and is of a non-circular shape.
12. The shot sensor for a paintball gun of claim 7 wherein the top
end ring comprises a second quick release lever.
13. The shot sensor for a paintball gun of claim 11 wherein the
second quick release lever comprises a first protruding portion, a
second protruding portion, and a gap, the first protruding portion
having a first through hole and an embedding recess integrally
formed therewith to form a unitary structure, wherein a via
corresponding in position to the first through hole of the first
protruding portion is disposed at the second protruding portion,
and a screw nut recess is disposed at an outer end of the via, and
the gap being disposed between the first protruding portion and the
second protruding portion.
14. A shot sensor system for a paintball gun comprising: an
insertion portion and a top end ring, the insertion portion
configured to insert into to a receiving hole of a paintball gun
body, and the top end ring configured to secure a hopper or loader
for use with a paintball gun; a hooped portion disposed between the
insertion portion and the top end ring of the shot sensor, the
hooped portion configured to be received by a hooping portion in
communication with the receiving hole of the paintball gun body and
configured to substantially secure hooped portion to the paintball
gun; a through hole in the insertion portion configured to allow a
shot to pass through the insertion portion; a sensing unit
configured to sense a shot passing through the through hole in the
insertion portion.
15. The shot sensor system of claim 14 wherein the hooping portion
comprises a first quick release lever.
16. The shot sensor system of claim 15 wherein the top end ring
comprises a second quick release lever.
17. The shot sensor system of claim 15 wherein the insertion
portion of the gun body is a non-circular shape corresponding to
the shape of the receiving hole.
18. The shot sensor system of claim 15 wherein the first quick
release lever comprises a first protruding portion, a second
protruding portion, and a gap, the first protruding portion having
a first through hole and an embedding recess integrally formed
therewith to form a unitary structure, wherein a via corresponding
in position to the first through hole of the first protruding
portion is disposed at the second protruding portion, and a screw
nut recess is disposed at an outer end of the via, and the gap
being disposed between the first protruding portion and the second
protruding portion.
19. The shot sensor system of claim 16 wherein the second quick
release lever comprises a first protruding portion, a second
protruding portion, and a gap, the first protruding portion having
a first through hole and an embedding recess integrally formed
therewith to form a unitary structure, wherein a via corresponding
in position to the first through hole of the first protruding
portion is disposed at the second protruding portion, and a screw
nut recess is disposed at an outer end of the via, and the gap
being disposed between the first protruding portion and the second
protruding portion.
20. The shot sensor system of claim 15 wherein the top end ring
comprises a second quick release lever and wherein the second quick
release lever comprises a first protruding portion, a second
protruding portion, and a gap, the first protruding portion having
a first through hole and an embedding recess integrally formed
therewith to form a unitary structure, wherein a via corresponding
in position to the first through hole of the first protruding
portion is disposed at the second protruding portion, and a screw
nut recess is disposed at an outer end of the via, and the gap
being disposed between the first protruding portion and the second
protruding portion.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims the priority of Taiwanese Patent
Application No. 101200452, filed Jan. 9, 2012, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to shot sensor hooping devices
for paintball guns, and more particularly, to a shot sensor hooping
device for performing the coupling and decoupling of a shot sensor
and a gun body easily and quickly without operating any tool by
hand.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Referring to FIG. 6, Taiwan utility model patent
application, which is entitled Paintball Sensor Assembling and
Positioning Structure (Application No. 099207818, and Patent No.
M389246) and filed by the inventor of the present invention on Apr.
29, 2010, discloses: a shot sensor A corresponds in position to a
receiving hole B1 of a gun body B and has an insertion portion A1;
a sensing unit C is disposed at an end portion of the insertion
portion A1; and the sensing unit C is flanked by an ejecting end C1
and a receiving end C2 which correspond in position to each
other.
[0006] The aforesaid utility model patent further discloses: to
enable the insertion portion A1 of the shot sensor A to enter the
receiving hole B1 of the gun body B and be fixed thereto, it is
necessary that at least one penetrating hole A4 for penetration by
a screwing element A3 is disposed at a top end ring A2 of the shot
sensor A, whereas at least one screw hole B2 for meshing with the
screwing element A3 is disposed beside the receiving hole B1 of the
gun body B and corresponds in position to the penetrating hole
A4.
[0007] The aforesaid utility model patent further discloses: the
sensing unit C is positioned inside the receiving hole B1 as long
as the shot sensor A and the gun body B are coupled together; after
the paintball gun has been in use for a period of time, dust is
likely to accumulate on the ejecting end C1 and the receiving end
C2 of the sensing unit C and thereby compromise paintball detection
performance.
[0008] The removal of dirt from the ejecting end C1 and the
receiving end C2 is confronted with the following problems:
[0009] 1. The removal of dirt entails operating a tool by hand to
terminate the meshing relationship between the screwing element A3
and the screw hole B2 before cleansing the ejecting end C1 and the
receiving end C2 of the sensing unit C.
[0010] 2. It is time-consuming and laborious to effectuate the
engagement and disengagement between the screwing element A3 and
the screw hole B2, whereas the engagement and disengagement between
the screwing element A3 and the screw hole B2 is effectuated with a
tool and by hand to the detriment of user convenience.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In view of this, some embodiments of the present invention
provide a shot sensor hooping device for a paintball gun with a
view to overcoming the aforesaid drawback of the prior art, that
is, according to the prior art, the coupling and decoupling of a
shot sensor and a gun body has to be done with a tool and therefore
inconveniently.
[0012] One embodiment of the present invention provides a shot
sensor hooping device for a paintball gun, wherein a shot sensor
has an insertion portion and a top end ring, the insertion portion
being connected to a receiving hole of a gun body, the shot sensor
hooping device comprising: a hooping ring disposed above the
receiving hole of the gun body; an operation unit disposed on a
side of the hooping ring; and a hooped portion disposed between the
insertion portion and the top end ring of the shot sensor and
corresponding in position to an inner wall of the hooping ring and
enclosed therein.
[0013] The hooping ring is a ring comprising a first protruding
portion, a second protruding portion, and a gap. The first
protruding portion has a first through hole and an embedding recess
integrally formed therewith to form a unitary structure, wherein a
via corresponding in position to the first through hole of the
first protruding portion is disposed at the second protruding
portion, and a screw nut recess is disposed at an outer end of the
via. The gap is disposed between the first protruding portion and
the second protruding portion.
[0014] The operation unit comprises a spanner pad, a pin, a
spanner, an axle, and a snap-fit screw nut. The spanner pad is
disposed in the embedding recess of the first protruding portion.
The spanner pad has therein a second through hole. The pin has an
end provided with a thread section. The pin penetrates the second
through hole of the spanner pad, the first through hole of the
first protruding portion, and the via of the second protruding
portion in sequence. The pin has another end provided with a flat
section having a third through hole. The spanner has an end portion
provided with a notch into which the flat section of the pin
inserts and has a fourth through hole perpendicular to the notch.
The axle is penetratingly disposed in the fourth through hole of
the spanner and the third through hole of the pin. The snap-fit
screw nut is disposed in the screw nut recess of the second
protruding portion and has therein a screw hole corresponding in
position to and meshing with a thread section of the pin.
[0015] The diameter of an inner rim of the spanner equals an outer
diameter of the hooping ring.
[0016] A pivotal connection end of the spanner is of a round shape,
and the fourth through hole deviates from the center of the pivotal
connection end.
[0017] The insertion portion of the shot sensor corresponds in
position to the receiving hole of the gun body and is of a
non-circular shape.
[0018] Some embodiments of the present invention have the following
advantages:
[0019] 1. The shot sensor hooping device features ease of use,
because the coupling and decoupling of a shot sensor and a gun body
can be performed easily and quickly by operating a spanner, thereby
reducing the time and costs spent on coupling the shot sensor to
the gun body.
[0020] 2. The shot sensor hooping device features ease of use,
because no tool is required for removing the shot sensor from the
gun body, such that a paintball gun user can remove dirt from the
ejecting end and receiving end on the two sides of the sensing unit
quickly and conveniently.
[0021] 3. The shot sensor hooping device is advantageously
characterized in that the shot sensor and the gun body are
positioned and coupled together firmly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a shot sensor and a gun body
according to the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shot sensor and the gun
body which are fastened to each other according to the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a front view of the shot sensor and the gun body
which are fastened to each other according to the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the shot sensor and the
gun body which are fastened to each other and taken along line Z-Z
according to the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the shot sensor and the
gun body which are unfastened from each other and taken along line
Z'-Z' according to the present invention; and
[0027] FIG. 6 (prior art) is an exploded view of a conventional
shot sensor and a conventional gun body.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, there are shown an exploded
view and a perspective view of a shot sensor hooping device for a
paintball gun according to the present invention. As shown in the
diagrams, a shot sensor 5 has an insertion portion 51 and a top end
ring 52. The insertion portion 51 is connected to a receiving hole
41 of a gun body 4. The shot sensor hooping device comprises a
hooping ring 1, an operation unit 2, and a hooped portion 3.
[0029] The hooping ring 1 is disposed above the receiving hole 41
of the gun body 4. The hooping ring 1 is a ring that comprises a
first protruding portion 11, a second protruding portion 12, and a
gap 13. A first through hole 111 and an embedding recess 112 (shown
in FIGS. 3, 4) are disposed at the first protruding portion 11 and
integrally formed therewith to form a unitary structure. A via 121
corresponding in position to the first through hole 111 of the
first protruding portion 11 is disposed at the second protruding
portion 12. A screw nut recess 122 is disposed at an outer end of
the via 121. The gap 13 is disposed between the first protruding
portion 11 and the second protruding portion 12.
[0030] The operation unit 2 comprises a spanner pad 21, a pin 22, a
spanner 23, an axle 24, and a snap-fit screw nut 25. The spanner
pad 21 is disposed in the embedding recess 112 of the first
protruding portion 11. The spanner pad 21 has therein a second
through hole 211. A thread section 221 is disposed at one end of
the pin 22. The pin 22 penetrates the second through hole 211 of
the spanner pad 21, the first through hole 111 of the first
protruding portion 11, and the via 121 of the second protruding
portion 12 in sequence. A flat section 223 having a third through
hole 222 is disposed at the other end of the pin 22. A notch 231 is
disposed at an end portion of the spanner 23, such that the flat
section 223 of the pin 22 can insert into the notch 231. A fourth
through hole 232 is disposed at the spanner 23 and is perpendicular
to the notch 231. The diameter of the inner rim of the spanner 23
equals the outer diameter of the hooping ring 1. A pivotal
connection end of the spanner 23 is of a round shape. The fourth
through hole 232 deviates from the center of the pivotal connection
end of the spanner 23. The axle 24 is penetratingly disposed in the
fourth through hole 232 of the spanner 23 and the third through
hole 222 of the pin 22. The snap-fit screw nut 25 is disposed in
the screw nut recess 122 of the second protruding portion 12 and
has therein a screw hole 251 (see FIGS. 4, 5) corresponding in
position to and meshing with a thread section 221 of the pin 22.
The purpose of the snap-fit screw nut 25 is to adjust the tightness
of the hooping ring 1 during an assembly process.
[0031] The hooped portion 3 is disposed between the non-circular
insertion portion 51 and the top end ring 52 of the shot sensor 5.
The hooped portion 3 corresponds in position to the inner wall of
the hooping ring 1 and is enclosed therein. A sensing unit 6 is
disposed at the outer end of the insertion portion 51 of the shot
sensor 5. An ejecting end 61 and a receiving end 62 flank the
sensing unit 6 and correspond in position to each other.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, an assembly process of the
shot sensor hooping device of the present invention comprises the
steps of: positioning the spanner pad 21 in the embedding recess
112 of the first protruding portion 11; passing the pin 22 through
the second through hole 211 of the spanner pad 21, the first
through hole 111 of the first protruding portion 11, and the via
121 of the second protruding portion 12; meshing the pin 22 with
the screw hole 251 of the snap-fit screw nut 25; inserting the flat
section 223 of the pin 22 into the notch 231 of the spanner 23;
passing the axle 24 through the fourth through hole 232 of the
spanner 23 and the third through hole 222 of the pin 22 in
sequence, so as to finalize the assembly process of the shot sensor
hooping device.
[0033] Direct insertion of the non-circular insertion portion 51 of
the shot sensor 5 into the non-circular receiving hole 41 of the
gun body 4 brings about a positioning effect. If the inner wall of
the hooping ring 1 is disposed around the hooped portion 3 of the
shot sensor 5, and a user actuates the spanner 23 to bend the
spanner 23 until the inner curve of the spanner 23 fits the outer
rim of the hooping ring 1 (see FIG. 4), the width of the gap 13
between the first protruding portion 11 and the second protruding
portion 12 will decrease, because the axle 24 of the spanner 23 is
positioned at the eccentric center of the pivotal connection end,
and a cam disposed at the pivotal connection end rotates and pushes
the first protruding portion 11 toward the second protruding
portion 12. As a result, the inner wall of the hooping ring 1 hoops
the hooped portion 3 (in a tight-fitting manner), thereby fastening
and positioning the shot sensor 5 and the gun body 4 in place.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 5, if the user makes the spanner 23 rotate
and thereby separates the inner curve of the spanner 23 from the
outer rim of the hooping ring 1, the gap 13 between the first
protruding portion 11 and the second protruding portion 12 will
restore its normal width as a result of the rotation of the cam
disposed at the pivotal connection end of the spanner 23. Hence,
the inner wall of the hooping ring 1 is disposed around the hooped
portion 3 (in a loose manner), and thus the shot sensor 5 can be
removed from the receiving hole 41 of the gun body 4 quickly and
easily. Therefore, the paintball gun user can conveniently cleanse
the ejecting end 61 and the receiving end 62 which flank the
sensing unit 6.
[0035] The present invention is disclosed above by preferred
embodiments. However, persons skilled in the art should understand
that the preferred embodiments are illustrative of the present
invention only, but should not be interpreted as restrictive of the
scope and features of the present invention. All re-inventions
based on an invention principle and related technical means of the
present invention should fall into the scope of the invention of
this application. Therefore, the disclosure contained in the
specification and drawings of the present invention is not
restrictive of the scope of the implementation of present
invention. Hence, all equivalent changes or modifications made by
persons skilled in the art to the aforesaid embodiments should fall
within the scope of the present invention, provided that they do
not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Accordingly, the legal protection for the present invention should
be defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *