US20070089723A1 - Feed elbow for compressed gas gun and method of using same - Google Patents
Feed elbow for compressed gas gun and method of using same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070089723A1 US20070089723A1 US11/482,145 US48214506A US2007089723A1 US 20070089723 A1 US20070089723 A1 US 20070089723A1 US 48214506 A US48214506 A US 48214506A US 2007089723 A1 US2007089723 A1 US 2007089723A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- adapter
- latch
- gas gun
- housing
- mounting element
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
- F41A9/00—Feeding or loading of ammunition; Magazines; Guiding means for the extracting of cartridges
- F41A9/01—Feeding of unbelted ammunition
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41B—WEAPONS FOR PROJECTING MISSILES WITHOUT USE OF EXPLOSIVE OR COMBUSTIBLE PROPELLANT CHARGE; WEAPONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F41B11/00—Compressed-gas guns, e.g. air guns; Steam guns
- F41B11/50—Magazines for compressed-gas guns; Arrangements for feeding or loading projectiles from magazines
- F41B11/52—Magazines for compressed-gas guns; Arrangements for feeding or loading projectiles from magazines the projectiles being loosely held in a magazine above the gun housing, e.g. in a hopper
Definitions
- This invention relates to the sport of paintball. More specifically, it relates to equipment for playing the sport of paintball; namely, a feed elbow for connecting a paintball marker loader (i.e., a hopper) to a paintball marker.
- a paintball marker loader i.e., a hopper
- the sport of paintball is played by two teams.
- a flag is located at each team's home base, which are located at opposite ends of the field.
- the object of the game is to “capture” the opposing team's flag before they capture yours.
- Players are armed with gas guns, that is, guns firing projectiles called paintballs under the force of compressed gas, called paintball markers (such sport gas guns are referred to herein interchangeably as “gas guns” or “markers”). If a player is hit with a paintball—a projectile filled or formed with a non-toxic “paint” fired by a marker of a player on the opposing team—the player that is hit is then eliminated from the game.
- Projectiles such as paintballs are stored within a hopper (also referred to as a loader or magazine) that is connected to the marker. Paintballs travel from the hopper through at least one outlet passage into an inlet passage that leads to a breech of the paintball marker where they are fired toward a target. Because it is advantageous to hit as many opposing players as possible, hoppers typically hold a large quantity of paintballs, which feed into the marker (usually capable of automatic or semi-automatic fire). This process can cause paintballs to jam and sometimes break within the inlet or outlet passages or the breech. Further, because the sport of paintball is typically played outdoors on a field where players maneuver along the ground, dirt and debris frequently enter the breech, hopper, or feed passages. Because the game moves rapidly, there is little time for cleaning the marker; however, debris combined with damaged paintballs can severely damage a player's marker and severely hinder the player's experience if not cleaned.
- paintball markers do not allow for easy and quick cleaning.
- the inlet passage through which paintballs move into the breech is stationary and is connected to a hopper outlet passage via threaded members. While this provides for a secure connection between the hopper and the inlet passage, it does not allow for easy cleaning of the breech because a player must completely remove (i.e., unscrew) the hopper outlet passage from the inlet passage to access the breech for cleaning.
- the present invention provides an adapter for releasably connecting a hopper to a gas gun.
- the adapter includes a body with a clamp ring securable to an outlet tube of the hopper.
- An inlet passage through the body of the adapter includes a clamp ring end in communication with the clamp ring and a breech end alignable with a breech opening of the gas gun.
- the adapter further includes a mounting element connected to the body.
- the mounting element includes an interior portion for receiving a segment of a rail system of the gas gun.
- a locking device is positioned adjacent the mounting element and is configured to releasably secure the mounting element to the rail system of the gas gun in a locked position.
- the present invention further includes a method of releasably connecting a hopper to a gas gun.
- a clamp ring of an adapter is secured to an outlet tube of the hopper.
- a button end of a latch of the adapter is manually depressed, thereby configuring an interior portion of a mounting element of the adapter to receive a segment of a rail system of the gas gun.
- the adapter is slid along the rail system of the gas gun, and a breech end of an inlet passage of the adapter is substantially aligned with a breech opening of the gas gun.
- the button end of the latch of the adapter is then released, thereby securing the adapter to the rail system in a locked position, with the adapter breech end aligned with the breech opening of the gas gun.
- the present invention also provides a method of releasing a hopper from a gas gun.
- a latch of an adapter which is releasably connecting the hopper to the paintball marker is actuated, thereby releasing the adapter from a rail system of the gas gun in an unlocked position.
- the adapter is slid along the rail system to disconnect a breech end of an inlet passage of the adapter from a breech opening of the gas gun.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded front perspective view of a feed elbow for a gas gun in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 2 is an exploded right-side view of the feed elbow of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is an exploded right-side perspective view of the feed elbow of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is a right-side perspective view of the feed elbow of FIG. 1 fully assembled and in a locked position;
- FIG. 5 is a front right perspective view of the feed elbow of FIG. 4 connected to a rail system of the compressed gas gun in a locked position;
- FIG. 6 is a front left perspective view of the feed elbow of FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 7 is a right-side perspective view of the feed elbow of FIG. 1 fully assembled and in an unlocked position
- FIG. 8 is a front right perspective view of the feed elbow of FIG. 7 connected to a rail system of the compressed gas gun in an unlocked position.
- an adapter for example, a feed elbow 10 is shown, which releasably connects a hopper 70 (represented only in FIG. 5 for the sake of clarity) to a gas gun (gun or marker that fires projectiles under the force of compressed gas), for example, a paintball marker 60 .
- the feed elbow 10 includes a clamp ring 12 securable to an outlet tube 72 of the paintball hopper 70 .
- An inlet passage 14 of the feed elbow 10 having a diameter sufficient to allow the passage of paintballs, includes a clamp ring end 16 in communication with the clamp ring 12 and a breech end 18 alignable with an opening 62 of a breech 64 of the paintball marker 60 .
- the feed elbow 10 further includes a mounting element 20 connected to the clamp ring 12 and the inlet passage 14 .
- the mounting element 20 may be affixed to both the clamp ring 12 and the inlet passage 14 or, alternatively, it may be affixed to only the clamp ring 12 or only the inlet passage 14 .
- the mounting element 20 includes an interior portion 22 for receiving a segment of a rail system 66 of the paintball marker 60 .
- a locking device 24 is positioned adjacent the mounting element 20 and is configured to releasably secure the mounting element 20 to the rail system 66 of the paintball marker 60 in a locked position.
- FIGS. 1-3 illustrate exploded perspective views of the feed elbow 10 .
- the clamp ring 12 receives a hopper outlet tube 72 and is flexible to receive hopper outlet tubes of varying diameters.
- the clamp ring 12 includes an adjustable fastening device to secure the clamp ring 12 to the outlet tube 72 of the hopper 70 . More specifically, the clamp ring 12 is a flexible band with an opening 26 .
- a clevis device 28 is integrated into the clamp ring 12 at the location of the opening 26 .
- a bolt 30 with a washer 32 extends through the clevis device 28 and is fastened by a nut 34 , as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 8 , to secure the clamp ring 12 to the outlet tube 72 of the paintball hopper 70 .
- the clamp ring 12 is adjusted (i.e., tightened or loosened) by adjusting the bolt 30 with respect to the nut 34 to connect the clamp ring 12 to the hopper outlet tube 72 .
- the clamp ring 12 of the present invention is not limited to such a design, and may expand and retract by alternative means such as elastic, snap-in teeth, quick release-type skewer, magnets, threads, etc.
- the locking device 24 of the feed elbow 10 further includes a housing 36 in communication with the mounting element 20 including a substantially longitudinal axis A (represented only in FIG. 4 for the sake of clarity), a closed end 38 , and an open end 40 .
- the housing 36 may be integral with both the mounting element 20 and the clamp ring 12 or, alternatively, it may be integral with only the mounting element 20 or only the clamp ring 12 .
- a spring 42 is disposed within the housing 36 along the longitudinal axis A toward the closed end 38 of the housing 36 .
- a latch 44 is substantially disposed within the housing 36 along the longitudinal axis A toward the open end 40 of the housing 36 .
- the latch 44 partially extends from the housing 36 in a locked position (as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6 ), and is preferably fully disposed within the housing 36 in an unlocked position (as illustrated in FIG. 7 ).
- the latch 44 includes a spring end 46 in contact with the spring 42 , a button end 48 extending from the housing 36 adjacent the open end 40 , and a locking element 50 extending longitudinally along an exterior surface of the latch 44 adjacent the mounting element 20 .
- a cap 52 includes an aperture 54 and is mounted to the open end 40 of the housing 36 , thereby containing the latch 44 and the spring 42 within the housing 36 , as illustrated in FIGS. 4-8 .
- the button end 48 of the latch 44 extends along the longitudinal axis A through the aperture 54 of the cap 52 .
- the housing 36 further includes a channel (not shown) extending longitudinally along an internal surface of the housing 36 for receiving the locking element 50 of the latch 44 .
- a pair of guide members 56 extends within the interior portion 22 of the mounting element 20 of the feed elbow 10 .
- the guide members 56 complement the shape of the interior portion 22 of the mounting element 20 and help secure the feed elbow 10 to the rail system 66 of the paintball marker 60 in the locked position, and help slide the feed elbow 10 along the rail system 66 in the unlocked position.
- FIG. 6 most clearly illustrates the configuration between the guide members 56 and the rail system 66 .
- the mounting element 20 further includes an aperture 58 configured to receive the locking element 50 of the latch 44 (as shown in FIG. 4 ). More specifically, the aperture 58 extends between the interior portion 22 of the mounting element 20 and the interior surface of the housing 26 , adjacent the channel (not shown), in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the longitudinal axis A of the housing 26 .
- the spring 42 is biased to maintain the latch 44 toward the open end 40 of the housing 36 , thereby maintaining the button end 48 of the latch 44 extending from the housing 36 adjacent the open end 40 and the locking element 50 disposed within the aperture 58 of the mounting element 20 (as illustrated in FIG. 4 ) to secure the mounting element 20 to the rail system 66 of the paintball marker 60 in the locked position (as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 ).
- the inlet passage 14 of the feed elbow 10 is substantially aligned with the breech opening 62 of the paintball marker 60
- the locking element 50 is disposed between rails 68 of the rail system 66 of the paintball marker 60 to maintain the paintball hopper 70 in the locked position as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 .
- the locked position is that in which the user can fire the paintball marker 60 , i.e., paintballs can be passed from the paintball hopper 70 , through the feed elbow 10 , and to the breech 64 for firing.
- FIG. 8 A rearward position is represented in FIG. 8 .
- the breech opening 62 is uncovered allowing access to the inside of the breech 64 .
- the user simply slides the feed elbow 10 back into the firing position, i.e., until the inlet passage 14 is substantially aligned with the breech opening 64 as illustrated in FIG. 5 .
- the user then locks the feed elbow 10 into place by releasing the button end 36 which in turn releases the spring 42 .
- the bias of the spring 42 forces the latch 44 toward the open end 40 of the housing 36 .
- Such movement of the latch 44 causes the locking element 50 of the latch 44 to slide out from the channel (not shown) of the housing 36 and into the aperture 58 of the mounting element 20 (as illustrated in FIG. 4 ) to secure the mounting element 20 to the rail system 66 of the paintball marker 60 back into the locked position.
- the feed elbow 10 is preferably made from polymeric material, for example, polyurethane, nylon, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.
- polymeric material for example, polyurethane, nylon, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.
- the present invention is not limited to such material, and the feed elbow 10 may be made from various plastics, resin, metal, or any other material suitable for performing the above-stated functions.
- the rail system 66 of the paintball marker 60 may be of the Picatinny-type, the Weaver-type, or any other type that provides an adequate mounting platform for the feed elbow 10 (and hence, the hopper 70 ) of the present invention.
- the feed elbow 10 of the present invention allows a user to quickly and easily clean the breech 64 without having to disassemble the unit.
- the present invention also allows a user to quickly return to firing the paint marker 60 at opposing players after cleaning.
- the feed elbow 10 of the present invention is adaptable for right or left-handed users.
Abstract
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/696,920, filed Jul. 6, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth.
- This invention relates to the sport of paintball. More specifically, it relates to equipment for playing the sport of paintball; namely, a feed elbow for connecting a paintball marker loader (i.e., a hopper) to a paintball marker.
- The sport of paintball is played by two teams. A flag is located at each team's home base, which are located at opposite ends of the field. The object of the game is to “capture” the opposing team's flag before they capture yours. Players are armed with gas guns, that is, guns firing projectiles called paintballs under the force of compressed gas, called paintball markers (such sport gas guns are referred to herein interchangeably as “gas guns” or “markers”). If a player is hit with a paintball—a projectile filled or formed with a non-toxic “paint” fired by a marker of a player on the opposing team—the player that is hit is then eliminated from the game.
- Projectiles such as paintballs are stored within a hopper (also referred to as a loader or magazine) that is connected to the marker. Paintballs travel from the hopper through at least one outlet passage into an inlet passage that leads to a breech of the paintball marker where they are fired toward a target. Because it is advantageous to hit as many opposing players as possible, hoppers typically hold a large quantity of paintballs, which feed into the marker (usually capable of automatic or semi-automatic fire). This process can cause paintballs to jam and sometimes break within the inlet or outlet passages or the breech. Further, because the sport of paintball is typically played outdoors on a field where players maneuver along the ground, dirt and debris frequently enter the breech, hopper, or feed passages. Because the game moves rapidly, there is little time for cleaning the marker; however, debris combined with damaged paintballs can severely damage a player's marker and severely hinder the player's experience if not cleaned.
- Nevertheless, many paintball markers do not allow for easy and quick cleaning. In most conventional markers, the inlet passage through which paintballs move into the breech is stationary and is connected to a hopper outlet passage via threaded members. While this provides for a secure connection between the hopper and the inlet passage, it does not allow for easy cleaning of the breech because a player must completely remove (i.e., unscrew) the hopper outlet passage from the inlet passage to access the breech for cleaning.
- Accordingly, there remains a need for a paintball marker component that maintains a secure connection between the hopper outlet passage and the inlet passage while allowing a player to quickly and easily clean the breech and feed passage.
- The present invention provides an adapter for releasably connecting a hopper to a gas gun is provided. The adapter includes a body with a clamp ring securable to an outlet tube of the hopper. An inlet passage through the body of the adapter includes a clamp ring end in communication with the clamp ring and a breech end alignable with a breech opening of the gas gun. The adapter further includes a mounting element connected to the body. The mounting element includes an interior portion for receiving a segment of a rail system of the gas gun. A locking device is positioned adjacent the mounting element and is configured to releasably secure the mounting element to the rail system of the gas gun in a locked position.
- The present invention further includes a method of releasably connecting a hopper to a gas gun. A clamp ring of an adapter is secured to an outlet tube of the hopper. A button end of a latch of the adapter is manually depressed, thereby configuring an interior portion of a mounting element of the adapter to receive a segment of a rail system of the gas gun. The adapter is slid along the rail system of the gas gun, and a breech end of an inlet passage of the adapter is substantially aligned with a breech opening of the gas gun. The button end of the latch of the adapter is then released, thereby securing the adapter to the rail system in a locked position, with the adapter breech end aligned with the breech opening of the gas gun.
- The present invention also provides a method of releasing a hopper from a gas gun. A latch of an adapter which is releasably connecting the hopper to the paintball marker is actuated, thereby releasing the adapter from a rail system of the gas gun in an unlocked position. The adapter is slid along the rail system to disconnect a breech end of an inlet passage of the adapter from a breech opening of the gas gun.
- The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description, will be readily understood in conjunction with the appended drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiments of the invention in the drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is an exploded front perspective view of a feed elbow for a gas gun in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is an exploded right-side view of the feed elbow ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is an exploded right-side perspective view of the feed elbow ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is a right-side perspective view of the feed elbow ofFIG. 1 fully assembled and in a locked position; -
FIG. 5 is a front right perspective view of the feed elbow ofFIG. 4 connected to a rail system of the compressed gas gun in a locked position; -
FIG. 6 is a front left perspective view of the feed elbow ofFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 7 is a right-side perspective view of the feed elbow ofFIG. 1 fully assembled and in an unlocked position; and -
FIG. 8 is a front right perspective view of the feed elbow ofFIG. 7 connected to a rail system of the compressed gas gun in an unlocked position. - Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not considered limiting. Words such as “front,” “back,” “top,” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Similarly, the terms “right,” “left,” “top,” “bottom,” “forward,” and “rearward” are from the perspective of a user operating a compressed gas gun. Rear or rearward means toward the user and forward means away from the user. This terminology includes the words specifically noted above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Additionally, the terms “a” and “one” are defined as including one or more of the referenced item unless specifically noted. The phrase “at least one of” followed by a list of two or more items, such as A, B, or C, means any individual one of A, B, or C, as well as any combination thereof.
- The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawing figures where like numerals represent like elements throughout.
- Referring to
FIGS. 1-8 , generally, an adapter, for example, afeed elbow 10 is shown, which releasably connects a hopper 70 (represented only inFIG. 5 for the sake of clarity) to a gas gun (gun or marker that fires projectiles under the force of compressed gas), for example, apaintball marker 60. Thefeed elbow 10 includes aclamp ring 12 securable to anoutlet tube 72 of thepaintball hopper 70. (FIG. 5 represents, with a downward arrow, the positioning ofoutlet tube 72 within theclamp ring 12.) Aninlet passage 14 of thefeed elbow 10, having a diameter sufficient to allow the passage of paintballs, includes aclamp ring end 16 in communication with theclamp ring 12 and abreech end 18 alignable with an opening 62 of abreech 64 of thepaintball marker 60. Thefeed elbow 10 further includes amounting element 20 connected to theclamp ring 12 and theinlet passage 14. Themounting element 20 may be affixed to both theclamp ring 12 and theinlet passage 14 or, alternatively, it may be affixed to only theclamp ring 12 or only theinlet passage 14. Themounting element 20 includes aninterior portion 22 for receiving a segment of arail system 66 of thepaintball marker 60. Alocking device 24 is positioned adjacent themounting element 20 and is configured to releasably secure themounting element 20 to therail system 66 of thepaintball marker 60 in a locked position. -
FIGS. 1-3 illustrate exploded perspective views of thefeed elbow 10. Theclamp ring 12 receives ahopper outlet tube 72 and is flexible to receive hopper outlet tubes of varying diameters. Theclamp ring 12 includes an adjustable fastening device to secure theclamp ring 12 to theoutlet tube 72 of thehopper 70. More specifically, theclamp ring 12 is a flexible band with anopening 26. Aclevis device 28 is integrated into theclamp ring 12 at the location of theopening 26. Abolt 30 with awasher 32 extends through theclevis device 28 and is fastened by anut 34, as illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 8 , to secure theclamp ring 12 to theoutlet tube 72 of thepaintball hopper 70. Theclamp ring 12 is adjusted (i.e., tightened or loosened) by adjusting thebolt 30 with respect to thenut 34 to connect theclamp ring 12 to thehopper outlet tube 72. Theclamp ring 12 of the present invention is not limited to such a design, and may expand and retract by alternative means such as elastic, snap-in teeth, quick release-type skewer, magnets, threads, etc. - The locking
device 24 of thefeed elbow 10 further includes ahousing 36 in communication with the mountingelement 20 including a substantially longitudinal axis A (represented only inFIG. 4 for the sake of clarity), aclosed end 38, and anopen end 40. Thehousing 36 may be integral with both the mountingelement 20 and theclamp ring 12 or, alternatively, it may be integral with only the mountingelement 20 or only theclamp ring 12. Aspring 42 is disposed within thehousing 36 along the longitudinal axis A toward theclosed end 38 of thehousing 36. Alatch 44 is substantially disposed within thehousing 36 along the longitudinal axis A toward theopen end 40 of thehousing 36. In other words, and as will be described in greater detail below, thelatch 44 partially extends from thehousing 36 in a locked position (as illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 6 ), and is preferably fully disposed within thehousing 36 in an unlocked position (as illustrated inFIG. 7 ). Thelatch 44 includes aspring end 46 in contact with thespring 42, abutton end 48 extending from thehousing 36 adjacent theopen end 40, and a lockingelement 50 extending longitudinally along an exterior surface of thelatch 44 adjacent the mountingelement 20. Acap 52 includes anaperture 54 and is mounted to theopen end 40 of thehousing 36, thereby containing thelatch 44 and thespring 42 within thehousing 36, as illustrated inFIGS. 4-8 . Thebutton end 48 of thelatch 44 extends along the longitudinal axis A through theaperture 54 of thecap 52. - The
housing 36 further includes a channel (not shown) extending longitudinally along an internal surface of thehousing 36 for receiving the lockingelement 50 of thelatch 44. - A pair of
guide members 56 extends within theinterior portion 22 of the mountingelement 20 of thefeed elbow 10. Theguide members 56 complement the shape of theinterior portion 22 of the mountingelement 20 and help secure thefeed elbow 10 to therail system 66 of thepaintball marker 60 in the locked position, and help slide thefeed elbow 10 along therail system 66 in the unlocked position.FIG. 6 most clearly illustrates the configuration between theguide members 56 and therail system 66. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 7 , the mountingelement 20 further includes anaperture 58 configured to receive the lockingelement 50 of the latch 44 (as shown inFIG. 4 ). More specifically, theaperture 58 extends between theinterior portion 22 of the mountingelement 20 and the interior surface of thehousing 26, adjacent the channel (not shown), in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the longitudinal axis A of thehousing 26. - The
spring 42 is biased to maintain thelatch 44 toward theopen end 40 of thehousing 36, thereby maintaining thebutton end 48 of thelatch 44 extending from thehousing 36 adjacent theopen end 40 and the lockingelement 50 disposed within theaperture 58 of the mounting element 20 (as illustrated inFIG. 4 ) to secure the mountingelement 20 to therail system 66 of thepaintball marker 60 in the locked position (as illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6 ). In the locked position, theinlet passage 14 of thefeed elbow 10 is substantially aligned with thebreech opening 62 of thepaintball marker 60, and the lockingelement 50 is disposed betweenrails 68 of therail system 66 of thepaintball marker 60 to maintain thepaintball hopper 70 in the locked position as illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6 . More specifically, mechanical interference between therails 68 and the lockingelement 50 secures the mountingelement 20 in the locked position. The locked position is that in which the user can fire thepaintball marker 60, i.e., paintballs can be passed from thepaintball hopper 70, through thefeed elbow 10, and to the breech 64 for firing. - Manual depression of the
button end 48 of thelatch 44 moves thelatch 44 toward theclosed end 38 of thehousing 36 which overcomes the spring bias and compresses thespring 42 towardclosed end 38 of thehousing 36. Such movement of thelatch 44 causes the lockingelement 50 of thelatch 44 to slide from theaperture 58 of the mountingelement 20 into the channel (not shown) of thehousing 36 to release the mountingelement 20 from therail system 66 of thepaintball marker 60 to an unlocked position. More specifically, the lockingelement 50 is released from between therails 68 of therail system 66 of thepaintball marker 60 to release the mountingelement 20 to the unlocked position. The unlocked position is that in which the user can access the components for cleaning, etc. - While keeping the
button end 36 depressed, the user slides thefeed elbow 10 along therail system 66 of thepaint marker 60 either forward or rearward of thebreech opening 62. A rearward position is represented inFIG. 8 . As illustrated inFIG. 8 , thebreech opening 62 is uncovered allowing access to the inside of thebreech 64. - After a user cleans the breech 64, the
breech opening 62, and/or theinlet passage 14, the user (while keeping thebutton end 36 depressed) simply slides thefeed elbow 10 back into the firing position, i.e., until theinlet passage 14 is substantially aligned with thebreech opening 64 as illustrated inFIG. 5 . The user then locks thefeed elbow 10 into place by releasing thebutton end 36 which in turn releases thespring 42. The bias of thespring 42 forces thelatch 44 toward theopen end 40 of thehousing 36. Such movement of thelatch 44 causes the lockingelement 50 of thelatch 44 to slide out from the channel (not shown) of thehousing 36 and into theaperture 58 of the mounting element 20 (as illustrated inFIG. 4 ) to secure the mountingelement 20 to therail system 66 of thepaintball marker 60 back into the locked position. - The
feed elbow 10 is preferably made from polymeric material, for example, polyurethane, nylon, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The present invention, however, is not limited to such material, and thefeed elbow 10 may be made from various plastics, resin, metal, or any other material suitable for performing the above-stated functions. - The
rail system 66 of thepaintball marker 60 may be of the Picatinny-type, the Weaver-type, or any other type that provides an adequate mounting platform for the feed elbow 10 (and hence, the hopper 70) of the present invention. - The
feed elbow 10 of the present invention allows a user to quickly and easily clean the breech 64 without having to disassemble the unit. Thus, the present invention also allows a user to quickly return to firing thepaint marker 60 at opposing players after cleaning. Thefeed elbow 10 of the present invention is adaptable for right or left-handed users. - While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail above, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described which should be considered as merely exemplary. Further modifications and extensions of the present invention may be developed and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/482,145 US20070089723A1 (en) | 2005-07-06 | 2006-07-06 | Feed elbow for compressed gas gun and method of using same |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US69692005P | 2005-07-06 | 2005-07-06 | |
US11/482,145 US20070089723A1 (en) | 2005-07-06 | 2006-07-06 | Feed elbow for compressed gas gun and method of using same |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20070089723A1 true US20070089723A1 (en) | 2007-04-26 |
Family
ID=37984195
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/482,145 Abandoned US20070089723A1 (en) | 2005-07-06 | 2006-07-06 | Feed elbow for compressed gas gun and method of using same |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20070089723A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20150211827A1 (en) * | 2014-01-27 | 2015-07-30 | Christopher Ryan Boza | Magazine Adapter for a Paintball Gun |
US20160076850A1 (en) * | 2014-02-24 | 2016-03-17 | Brian E. Sullivan | Pneumatic Launcher System and Method |
EP3859266A1 (en) * | 2019-05-21 | 2021-08-04 | Planet Eclipse UK Limited | Latching loader mechanism with gated feed |
US11346634B2 (en) | 2020-09-29 | 2022-05-31 | Legacy Products Llc | Two-stage airgun fire and reset |
Citations (20)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3789891A (en) * | 1972-03-02 | 1974-02-05 | J Bosch | B-b gun funnel device |
US4850330A (en) * | 1987-12-01 | 1989-07-25 | Katsumi Nagayoshi | Device for shooting bullets by pressure medium for use in a toy gun |
US5361746A (en) * | 1992-06-01 | 1994-11-08 | Szente Pedro A | Magazine for compressed gas single-shot bolt-action pellet shoulder guns |
US5505188A (en) * | 1994-03-17 | 1996-04-09 | Williams; Robert A. | Paint ball gun |
US6408836B1 (en) * | 2001-01-02 | 2002-06-25 | Chen Ming-Hsien | Bullet feeding device for pneumatic toy guns |
US20030047175A1 (en) * | 2001-07-26 | 2003-03-13 | Kenneth Farrell | Pneumatic gun |
US6588412B2 (en) * | 2000-11-17 | 2003-07-08 | William J. Ferrara | Hopper adaptor for a paint ball gun |
US20030127084A1 (en) * | 2002-01-04 | 2003-07-10 | Tippmann Dennis J. | Feed mechanism for paint ball gun |
US6591824B2 (en) * | 2000-04-27 | 2003-07-15 | Forest A. Hatcher | Positive fit feed adapter for paintball gun |
US6739322B2 (en) * | 2002-01-15 | 2004-05-25 | Npf Limited | Paintball feed system |
US6742512B1 (en) * | 2003-06-23 | 2004-06-01 | Avalon Manufactoring Co. | Paintball guns having hopper, adapter and/or feed tube aiming/pointing device mounting assemblies |
US20040134475A1 (en) * | 2001-07-11 | 2004-07-15 | Jong Paul Garfield | Paintball marker loader apparatus |
US6802306B1 (en) * | 2001-10-26 | 2004-10-12 | Jack V. Rice | Paint ball loading and firing apparatus |
US6834892B2 (en) * | 2001-12-20 | 2004-12-28 | Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. | Self-aligning coupling assembly |
US6860258B2 (en) * | 2002-03-11 | 2005-03-01 | Kenneth R. Farrell | Paintball loader |
US20050217654A1 (en) * | 2004-03-12 | 2005-10-06 | Yeh Ken-Chin | Paintball gun loading device |
US20050241628A1 (en) * | 2002-02-26 | 2005-11-03 | Hatcher Forest A | Feed port for pneumatic projectile device |
US20050284457A1 (en) * | 2001-04-25 | 2005-12-29 | Hatcher Forest A | Positive fit "lever" feed adapter for paintball gun |
US20050284456A1 (en) * | 2004-05-18 | 2005-12-29 | Jason Chipley | Adjustable paintball drop tube |
US20060032488A1 (en) * | 2004-08-10 | 2006-02-16 | Telford Edward S | Adjustable feed tube |
-
2006
- 2006-07-06 US US11/482,145 patent/US20070089723A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (22)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3789891A (en) * | 1972-03-02 | 1974-02-05 | J Bosch | B-b gun funnel device |
US4850330A (en) * | 1987-12-01 | 1989-07-25 | Katsumi Nagayoshi | Device for shooting bullets by pressure medium for use in a toy gun |
US5361746A (en) * | 1992-06-01 | 1994-11-08 | Szente Pedro A | Magazine for compressed gas single-shot bolt-action pellet shoulder guns |
US5505188A (en) * | 1994-03-17 | 1996-04-09 | Williams; Robert A. | Paint ball gun |
US5572982A (en) * | 1994-03-17 | 1996-11-12 | Williams; Robert A. | Paint ball gun with crack valve |
US6591824B2 (en) * | 2000-04-27 | 2003-07-15 | Forest A. Hatcher | Positive fit feed adapter for paintball gun |
US20040112356A1 (en) * | 2000-04-27 | 2004-06-17 | Hatcher Forest A. | Positive fit feed adapter for paintball gun |
US6588412B2 (en) * | 2000-11-17 | 2003-07-08 | William J. Ferrara | Hopper adaptor for a paint ball gun |
US6408836B1 (en) * | 2001-01-02 | 2002-06-25 | Chen Ming-Hsien | Bullet feeding device for pneumatic toy guns |
US20050284457A1 (en) * | 2001-04-25 | 2005-12-29 | Hatcher Forest A | Positive fit "lever" feed adapter for paintball gun |
US20040134475A1 (en) * | 2001-07-11 | 2004-07-15 | Jong Paul Garfield | Paintball marker loader apparatus |
US20030047175A1 (en) * | 2001-07-26 | 2003-03-13 | Kenneth Farrell | Pneumatic gun |
US6802306B1 (en) * | 2001-10-26 | 2004-10-12 | Jack V. Rice | Paint ball loading and firing apparatus |
US6834892B2 (en) * | 2001-12-20 | 2004-12-28 | Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. | Self-aligning coupling assembly |
US20030127084A1 (en) * | 2002-01-04 | 2003-07-10 | Tippmann Dennis J. | Feed mechanism for paint ball gun |
US6739322B2 (en) * | 2002-01-15 | 2004-05-25 | Npf Limited | Paintball feed system |
US20050241628A1 (en) * | 2002-02-26 | 2005-11-03 | Hatcher Forest A | Feed port for pneumatic projectile device |
US6860258B2 (en) * | 2002-03-11 | 2005-03-01 | Kenneth R. Farrell | Paintball loader |
US6742512B1 (en) * | 2003-06-23 | 2004-06-01 | Avalon Manufactoring Co. | Paintball guns having hopper, adapter and/or feed tube aiming/pointing device mounting assemblies |
US20050217654A1 (en) * | 2004-03-12 | 2005-10-06 | Yeh Ken-Chin | Paintball gun loading device |
US20050284456A1 (en) * | 2004-05-18 | 2005-12-29 | Jason Chipley | Adjustable paintball drop tube |
US20060032488A1 (en) * | 2004-08-10 | 2006-02-16 | Telford Edward S | Adjustable feed tube |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20150211827A1 (en) * | 2014-01-27 | 2015-07-30 | Christopher Ryan Boza | Magazine Adapter for a Paintball Gun |
US20160076850A1 (en) * | 2014-02-24 | 2016-03-17 | Brian E. Sullivan | Pneumatic Launcher System and Method |
US9587903B2 (en) * | 2014-02-24 | 2017-03-07 | Brian E. Sullivan | Pneumatic launcher system and method |
US9952016B2 (en) | 2014-02-24 | 2018-04-24 | Brian E. Sullivan | Pneumatic launcher system and method |
EP3859266A1 (en) * | 2019-05-21 | 2021-08-04 | Planet Eclipse UK Limited | Latching loader mechanism with gated feed |
US11346634B2 (en) | 2020-09-29 | 2022-05-31 | Legacy Products Llc | Two-stage airgun fire and reset |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5630406A (en) | Paint-ball gun | |
US9952016B2 (en) | Pneumatic launcher system and method | |
US9273926B2 (en) | Conversion kit with a rail system for a paintball marker | |
US8667725B2 (en) | Trigger guard for loading and unloading a weapon | |
US7823572B2 (en) | Crossbow having elongated draw length | |
US5383442A (en) | Pump action marking pellet gun | |
US7699047B2 (en) | Paintball marker with tool box | |
DE102007003180B4 (en) | Weapon with recoil damping | |
US20080295818A1 (en) | Paintball gun, retrofit kit assembly, and methods of making and using | |
US8671926B1 (en) | Toy launcher apparatus with inner and outer tubes | |
US20070089723A1 (en) | Feed elbow for compressed gas gun and method of using same | |
US7690371B2 (en) | Toy gun | |
US20100224180A1 (en) | Paintball marker with configurable supply line | |
US7426927B1 (en) | Paintball marker with intergrated hopper | |
US7191773B2 (en) | Paintball loading container | |
US8578921B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for channeling air line inside of paintball assembly having a transfer rod | |
US11828565B2 (en) | Repeating toy crossbow | |
US6530169B1 (en) | Toggle action see through shotgun shell catcher | |
US20160084610A1 (en) | Conversion kit with a rail system for a paintball marker having a hinged portion | |
US9328989B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for controlling paintball loading using a detent | |
US10260828B2 (en) | Receiver assembly for locked breech pistol | |
US20150083101A1 (en) | Toy launch apparatus with safety valve | |
US11353283B2 (en) | Rotatable forward grip | |
US20080216806A1 (en) | Blowgun | |
WO2007091236A1 (en) | Device for a firearm |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, CA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:AJ INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS LLC;AJ ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.;AJ ACQUISITION I LLC;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:018635/0117 Effective date: 20061117 Owner name: NATIONAL PAINTBALL SUPPLY, INC., NEW JERSEY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MOTT, KEVIN;REEL/FRAME:018643/0822 Effective date: 20061212 Owner name: AJ ACQUISITION I LLC, NEW JERSEY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NATIONAL PAINTBALL SUPPLY, INC.;REEL/FRAME:018656/0587 Effective date: 20061117 Owner name: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT,CAL Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:AJ INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS LLC;AJ ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.;AJ ACQUISITION I LLC;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:018635/0117 Effective date: 20061117 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: KEE ACTION SPORTS I LLC, NEW JERSEY Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:AJ ACQUISITION I LLC;REEL/FRAME:019704/0506 Effective date: 20070202 Owner name: KEE ACTION SPORTS I LLC,NEW JERSEY Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:AJ ACQUISITION I LLC;REEL/FRAME:019704/0506 Effective date: 20070202 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: KEE ACTION SPORTS II LLC (F/K/A AJ ACQUISITION II Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:AG PAINTBALL HOLDINGS LLC, AS SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT TO BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:036145/0129 Effective date: 20150720 Owner name: KEE ACTION SPORTS II CANADA LLC (F/K/A AJ ACQUISIT Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:AG PAINTBALL HOLDINGS LLC, AS SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT TO BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:036145/0129 Effective date: 20150720 Owner name: KEE ACTION SPORTS I LLC (F/K/A AJ ACQUISITION I LL Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:AG PAINTBALL HOLDINGS LLC, AS SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT TO BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:036145/0129 Effective date: 20150720 Owner name: KEE ACTION SPORTS HOLDINGS, INC. (F/K/A AJ ACQUISI Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:AG PAINTBALL HOLDINGS LLC, AS SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT TO BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:036145/0129 Effective date: 20150720 Owner name: KEE ACTION SPORTS CANADA, INC. (F/K/A AJ ACQUISITI Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:AG PAINTBALL HOLDINGS LLC, AS SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT TO BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:036145/0129 Effective date: 20150720 Owner name: KEE ACTION SPORTS LLC (F/K/A AJ INTERMEDIATE HOLDI Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:AG PAINTBALL HOLDINGS LLC, AS SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT TO BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:036145/0129 Effective date: 20150720 |