Patent ID: 7073284
Filing Date: 2006-07-11
Classification: F41A,F41B

Abstract:
1. A method of firing a paintball marker, comprising the steps of: providing a frame; providing a trigger, having a front side and a rear side and being rotatable about a pivot axis, pivotally connected to the frame; connecting a prong to and emanating rearwardly away from the rear side of the trigger; mounting a light emitter, capable of emitting light, to the frame; mounting a light detector to the frame and positioned in parallel spaced apart relationship to the light emitter defining an elongated passage therebetween having a longitudinal centerline; the light detector being capable of detecting light emitted from the light emitter transversely through the elongated passage; moving the prong along the longitudinal centerline between a depressed firing position between the light emitter and the light detector and a released non-firing position not between the light emitter and the light detector; the light emitter and the light detector forming an optical sensor; moving the prong along the longitudinal centerline upon rotation of the trigger about the pivot axis; providing an electrical output connected to the optical sensor; generating a first electrical signal indicative of the trigger at the released non-firing position where light from the light emitter is directly detected by the light detector; generating a second electrical signal indicative of the trigger at the depressed firing position where the presence of the prong in the elongated passage prevents light from the light emitter from directly being detected by the light detector; depressing the trigger; sensing movement of the trigger to a depressed firing position; and sending the second electrical signal indicating that the trigger is present in the depressed firing position.