Abstract:
A convertible projectile launching device includes a projectile launching device, such as a paint ball marker, a less than lethal launcher or an airsoft gun, to which a user can secure at least one shell that changes the outer configuration or appearance of a projectile launching device on which it is secured into a MILSIM style projectile launching device. Any type of fasteners may be used to secure the shells to the device. The surface of at least one shell provides a rail system for mounting objects to the projectile launching device. The shell has a mating surface that engages a corresponding mating surface on the projectile launching device in order to increase stability of the shell. A blanking plug or a butt stock can be inserted into the rear of the shell, secured by a latch or other mechanism on at least one shell.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is related to and claims priority from earlier filed provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/603,830, filed Feb. 27, 2012, the entire contents thereof is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to paintball markers and air soft guns and the gameplay related thereto. The sport of paintball is very well known and includes the use of a paintball marker or gun to pneumatically launch a rubber ball or a ball that is typically filled with a colored liquid. For air soft, plastic projectiles are shot at opposing players or targets. Each of the players in the game has such a marker or gun so they can launch projectiles toward players on the opposing team. When players on the opposing team are marked or hit with a projectile, there is typically a scoring event. 
         [0003]    The present invention is particularly related to the game of paintball and the related paintball markers. Therefore, the invention will be discussed in detail in connection with paintball markers for ease of illustration but it should be understood that the present invention is applicable to the air soft sport and air soft guns as well. 
         [0004]    Also, the present invention relates to any type of projectile launching device or any device that is or simulates a projectile launching device, such as a laser tag simulated firearm. The present invention has applicability for use in security and police forces as well as “less than lethal” and “non-lethal” firearms. For ease of discussion herein, the present invention is discussed in detail in connection with paintball markers but is should be understood that the present invention can be used in connection with any type of firearm, projectile launcher and simulated versions thereof. 
         [0005]    It is known, in the sport of paintball, that there are many different types of game play. For example, “supair or speedball”: events are very close range games, played on a small field, using inflatable bunkers or similar small barricades. Typically they last a few minutes and the turnaround between games is limited to a few minutes or seconds. Such speedball games can even be played indoors. In speedball events it is preferable to have a small low profile paintball marker that is hard for a player&#39;s opponent to see and shoot at, but is quick and easy to clean the paint from between games if the player is shot during the game. Thus, for this type of game, the basic or core paintball marker is all that is needed. 
         [0006]    On the other hand, another popular type of paintball gameplay is called a “scenario or MILSIM (military simulation)” game. Such a scenario game is played on a much larger mixed terrain field, possibly woodland or urban environment, the idea of the game is to mimic some sort of “war type scenario.” Typically these games are played over a much longer period of time, normally hours or days. In scenario games many people find it preferable to have a paintball marker that you can attach various third party devices or tactical aids to, such as a fore grip, magazine, sling mounts, light sources/torches, optical sights, laser sights, cameras etc. In other words, in these types of scenario types games, it is desirable for the paintball marker to look and have the ability to accessorize more like a real firearm, such as an M16 or M4, therefore creating a MILSIM (military simulation) marker or airsoft gun. 
         [0007]    There is a need in the prior art to enable a paintball marker (or air soft gun) to be easily and quickly converted over from its basic speedball form to a scenario or MILSIM form that includes some type of rail arrangement/system so it can more closely simulate a real firearm. As is well known, accessories, such as a light sources and scopes, are commonly mounted onto rail systems. 
         [0008]    There have been attempts in the prior art to provide rail systems on guns and replacement mounting systems that can be interchanged on these guns. However, these devices and systems are inadequate because they do not closely simulate a real weapon or firearm because they do not completely enshroud the marker or gun. Without full or substantially full enshroudment of the underlying projectile launching device, attachment of accessories simulating a real weapon or firearm is not possible. 
         [0009]    These prior art systems are also inadequate because they do not completely detach to leave a marker that is totally free from any rail mountings. There are shrouds or mounting systems available, but they typically attach to the barrel or to the existing rail mount. 
         [0010]    There is a need to provide a rail kit for a paintball marker or an air soft gun that can also simultaneously easily convert the marker from a normal non-MILSIM setup to a modified scenario MILSIM set up that more closely simulates a real firearm. There is a need to provide a rail kit for a paintball marker or an air soft gun that is easy to install, remove and clean, and allows easy access to the eyes or ball detectors, without the need to remove the rail kit. There is a need to provide a rail kit for a paintball marker or airsoft gun that allows easy access to the internals of the paintball marker, without the need to remove the complete rail kit, by providing an easily removable rear cap or opening to allow removal of the internal firing mechanism for easy maintenance. There is a need to provide a rail kit for a paintball marker or airsoft gun that allows easy fitment of a stock via a quick release mechanism that may be operated with a lever latch mechanism, screw fit, bayonet fit or other mechanism. There is also a need to provide a rail kit for a paintball marker or airsoft gun that has rail mounts or the ability to mount accessory rails, such as Weaver, Picatinny or NATO rails built into the rail kit. There is a need to provide a rail kit for a paintball marker or airsoft gun that does not clamp onto, nor interfere with the barrel of the paintball marker or airsoft gun. Finally, there is a need to provide a rail kit that can receive a wide range of accessories thereon like a rail system of a real firearm. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention preserves the advantages of prior art paintball markers and airsoft guns accessories added thereto. In addition, it provides new advantages not found in currently available markers, guns and accessories and overcomes many disadvantages of such currently available markers, guns and accessories. 
         [0012]    The invention is generally directed to the novel and unique rail kit that is attached to a paintball marker, air soft gun or any other type of projectile launching device or simulated device thereof. The rail kit can quickly and easily convert a standard paintball marker or air soft gun from a conventional speedball non-MILSIM setup to a scenario or MILSIM setup that simulates the look and mounting flexibility of a real firearm. The purpose of the rail kit of the present invention is to allow the user to play ‘speedball type games’ and “scenario type games” with the same paintball marker by simply adding or removing the rail kit system. 
         [0013]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a rail kit for a paintball marker or an air soft gun that can easily convert it from a normal non-MILSIM setup to a modified scenario MILSIM set up that more closely simulates a real firearm. 
         [0014]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a rail kit for a paintball marker or an air soft gun that is easy to install, remove and clean. 
         [0015]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a rail kit for a paintball marker or airsoft gun that allows easy access to the eyes or ball detectors, without the need to remove the rail kit, by providing easily removable eye cover plates. 
         [0016]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a rail kit for a paintball marker or airsoft gun that allows easy access to the internals of the paintball marker, without the need to remove the complete rail kit, by providing an easily removable rear cap or opening to allow removal of the internal firing mechanism, such as for easy maintenance or any other purpose. 
         [0017]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a rail kit for a paintball marker or airsoft gun, projectile launcher or simulation thereof that allows easy fitment of a stock via a quick release mechanism that may be operated with a lever latch mechanism or any other type of mechanism. 
         [0018]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a rail kit for a paintball marker or airsoft gun that has rail mounts such as Weaver, Picatinny or NATO rails built into the rail kit. 
         [0019]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a rail kit for a paintball marker, airsoft gun, projectile launcher or simulation thereof that has the ability to mount accessory rails such as Weaver, Picatinny, NATO rails, dovetail rail or other rail system onto the rail kit. 
         [0020]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a rail kit for a paintball marker or airsoft gun that does not clamp onto, nor interfere with the barrel of the paintball marker or airsoft gun. Therefore allowing the barrel to be removed without the need to remove the complete rail kit. For example, optionally, the regulator, frame, feed neck can be removed where the rail kit does not interfere of clamp onto these components. 
         [0021]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a rail kit that can receive a wide range of accessories thereon like a rail system of a real firearm. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    The novel features which are characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention&#39;s preferred embodiments, together with further objects and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the rail kit of the present invention installed on a standard paintball marker; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of a marker equipped with the rail kit of the present invention with some accessories installed on the rail system; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a standard type paintball marker, without the rail kit of the present invention installed, that could be used in speedball non-MILSIM type paintball games; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the paintball marker of 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  with the rail kit of the present invention shown enshrouded thereabout in exploded fashion along with a blanking plug, which is retained in place by a lever latch lock system; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is one of the half-shells of the rail kit of the present invention showing contact points; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a shows contact points between an underlying paintball marker and the shell (as in  FIG. 5 ), when fully assembled, such as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 7-10  show the process of installing a blanking plug in the rear of the rail kit of the present invention as retained by a lever lock latching system, one of the shells being removed for illustration purposes; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  shows a butt stock, as in  FIG. 2 , installed in place and retained by the lever lock latching system, one of the shells being removed for illustration purposes. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0032]    The add-on mounting rail kit  10  is designed to be simple to add or remove from a paintball marker  11 , thus enabling the player to enjoy all types of paintball games with the same paintball marker  11 . This negates the need for the player to have to buy two guns to play all types of the game, saving the player a great deal of money. 
         [0033]    The construction of the rail kit  10  of the present invention can be seen best in connection with  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 . The uniqueness of the present invention is directed to the rail kit  10  providing a substantially full shroud about the underlying marker  11  (such as seen in  FIG. 3 ) to convert it&#39;s exterior configuration to a scenario MILSIM type marker, as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0034]    An example of an underlying marker  11  is shown in  FIG. 3 . The marker  11  has a barrel end  12  and a handgrip end  16 . The handgrip end  16  has a trigger  14  and a gas tube receiver  18  for receiving compressed gas from a tank (not shown) to operate the paintball marker  11 . The marker  11  also has notches  21  on the outer surface of the marker  11  and contact points  23  on the upper surface of the marker  11 . These notches  21  and contact points  23  help secure mounting of the conversion kit  10  of the present invention. On the upper surface of the marker  11  is a paintball receiver  19  capable of engaging a paintball hopper  20 , as seen in  FIG. 2 . Other hoppers, magazines and paintball feeding mechanisms could be mounted on or under the conversion kit  10  in order to provide paintballs to the marker, in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  shows the conversion kit  10  of the present invention enshrouding or covering the underlying marker  11  while still allowing the user to access and inspect features, parts and components of the marker  11 , such as the trigger  14 , the gas tube receiver  18 , the paintball receiver  19 , and the barrel  12  without removing the conversion kit  10  from the marker. Thus, even when the conversion kit  10  is installed on the marker  11 , the operation of the underlying marker  11  remains unaffected and the marker  11  operates in a normal fashion. 
         [0036]    The conversion kit  10 , shown in  FIG. 1 , preferably has two shells  31 A,  31 B that are secured on the marker  11 . While two shells are preferred, it is envisioned that the conversion kit  10  may include more than two shells, such as where multiple shells are secured about each side of the marker  11 . These variations in the configuration of the shells are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , for example, the shells have apertures  40  through the sides of the shells  31 A,  31 B and a rail system  38 A formed on the upper surfaces of the shells and rail system  38 B on the lower surface of the shells  31 A and  31 B. It should be noted that the tops of the shells  31 A and  31 B are show to respectively provide a partial rail system. When the shells  31 A and  31 B are mated together, as in  FIG. 1 , they form, together, a full rail system of a desirable width. It is also possible that the rail system is provided on only one of the shells. It is also possible that the rail system is provided on any surface of the shells. Further apertures  41  are also preferably provided to receive eye covers  34 , which are secured by fasteners  36 . This enables access to important components on the marker  11 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  also shows that additional side rails  37  may be mounted on the apertures of the conversion kit. These features both give the marker an appearance that is more similar to a real firearm. Furthermore, the rail system  38  and side rails  37  each allow the user to mount objects to the marker with the conversion kit  10 . For example,  FIG. 2  shows a light  39  that is mounted to the rail system  38  of the conversion kit  10 . A user could also mount other objects, such as a laser sight, an optical sight, a scope, a magazine or other firearm accessories. Although the rail system, collectively  37  and  38 , shown in the figures resembles a common rail system design, other rail systems are also possible. Also, although the figures show a rail system  38  on the upper surfaces of the shells and side rails  37 , in other embodiments, the rail system may be provided on a lower, or any surface of the shells, such that objects could be mounted directly below or on any surface of the shells  31 A,  31 B. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  shows the shells  31 A,  31 B have removable eye cover plates  34  that allow easy access to ball detectors  39 , without the need to remove the rail kit  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the eye cover plates  34  are removably fastened to the shells  31 A,  31 B using cover plate fasteners  36 . In  FIG. 1 , these cover plate fasteners  36  are shown as threaded fasteners, but a person of ordinary skill in the art could use other fastening methods. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 4-6  show how the shells  31 A,  31 B (preferably two half shells) are secured onto and about the body of the marker  11 . It is envisioned that the two half shells  31 A,  31 B can be retained together by any means possible. For example, it is possible to retain the shells together by a fastener, such as a screw  32  and retained nut arrangement.  FIG. 4  shows male threaded screws  32  routed through pass through holes  35  on one shell  31 A and into female threaded holes  33  on the other shell  31 . Other possible ways to retain the shells together could be cable ties, clips, ratchets and any other structure envisioned including any of those envisioned by a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 4-6  show the contact points between an underlying paintball marker  11  and the shells  31 A and  31 B, particularly as in  FIG. 5  when fully assembled. The contact points are between the protrusions  60  on the shells, as in  FIG. 5 , and seats (or surfaces)  62 , as in  FIG. 6 , on the marker  11  itself. The communication between the contact points  60  into and onto seats (or surfaces)  62  help key and align a given shell,  31 A,  31 B to the marker  11 . It should be understood that the communication and keying of the shells  31 A,  31 B to the marker  11  is just one example. The communication can be reversed where the protrusions are on the marker  11  and the recessed seats are on the shells  31 A,  31 B. Any other complementary contact surface mate between a marker  11  and the shells  31 A,  31 B can be employed and still be within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0042]    These contact points are an integral part of the attachment method around the body giving the clamping sections stability when the mating pads or protrusions  60  on the inner surface of the shell  31 A,  31 B, as in  FIG. 5 , are inserted into or onto the notches or seats (or surfaces)  62  and put under tension. This tension is caused by the pads or protrusions (that can be solid or made from a soft foam or rubber material)  60  that push on the upper section of the marker body ( FIG. 5 ). Although these figures show one arrangement of protrusions and notches, there is scope for many contact points or indeed for the whole surface to be a contact point, a wide variety of arrangements are possible and are considered to be covered by this invention. 
         [0043]    Although the conversion kit  10  is shown as including two shells in the figures, the conversion kit could also be formed of a single shell. For example, a shell could be formed as a single piece that is capable of being placed around a marker. A flexible portion or a hinged portion on the single shell would allow a single shell to completely enshroud the marker  11 . Another example of a single shell would be a shell that provides an upper shroud for a marker and has an aperture in the lower surface of the shell for receiving a marker. Single shell embodiments such as these would allow the user to more quickly convert the marker to a MILSIM type marker, and also provide a conversion kit that more closely simulates a real firearm. 
         [0044]    When the two shells  31 A,  31 B are mated together and enshrouding the marker  11 , they leave a rear open end  65 . This open end  65  can be either closed up or have an accessory mounted therein. A unique lever latch system, employing a locking latch lever  54  preferably pivotally mounted to one or both of the shells  31 A,  31 B, as seen in  FIGS. 7-11 , is integral to the rear open end of the conversion kit  10 . More specifically, a blanking plug  51  ( FIGS. 7-10 ) is receivable into the rear open end  65 . In  FIG. 7 , where shell  31 B is not shown for illustration purposes, it can be seen that open end  65  is rearwardly facing. Plug  51  is configured to be complementary in shape to the open end. The plug  51  is directed into the rear open end  65 , as shown by the arrow. During which time, lever  54  is set in an open position, as seen in  FIG. 7 . This permits the plug  51  to be easily routed into the rear open end  65 . More specifically, tab  69  of plug  51  can easily pass over notch  54   a  of lever  54 . In  FIG. 8 , the plug  51  is shown partially installed into the rear open end  65  with  FIG. 9  showing the plug  51  fully installed. It should be noted that its is possible that the plug is not solid but open inside to define opening  67  to permit optional actuation of components of the marker  11 , such as a firing pin, bolt or the like (not shown). 
         [0045]      FIG. 10  shows the plug  51  fully installed and seated in place in the rear open end  65  with the lever  54  rotated clockwise in the direction of the arrow shown to locate stop portion  54   a  of the lever  54  directed behind tab  69 . As a result, plug  51  is secured in place and is prevented from moving rearward out from the rear open end  65 . 
         [0046]    Turning now to  FIG. 11 , as an alternative and as another example of an accessory that can be installed in the rear open end  65 , a butt stock  53  is shown installed. Such installation still allows the simple quick access to the internals of the paintball marker without removing the whole rail kit  10 . The butt stock includes a forward portion this is received in the rear open end  65  in similar fashion to the forward portion of the plug  51 . Similarly, a tab  70  is provided on the butt stock  53  to engage with lever  54 . Once the butt stock is installed and residing the open end  65 , the lever latch  54  is rotated to lock the butt stock  53  in place, as seen in  FIG. 11 . Further figures are not included herein to show the butt stock  53  unlocked because it is, essentially, the same as how the plug  51  is shown unlocked in  FIGS. 7-9 . 
         [0047]    Although the invention is shown as having a lever  54  to secure the accessories inserted into the rear of the conversion kit  10 , the conversion kit  10  could use other retention devices. For example, a user could secure a blanking plug  51  or butt stock  53  in the rear of the conversion kit  10  using cable ties, clips, ratchets, screw thread, bayonet fitting and any other structure envisioned including any of those envisioned by a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0048]    In view of the foregoing, a new and novel rail kit system and conversion kit  10  is provided that can easily convert a standard paintball marker or air soft gun  11  from a speedball non-MILSIM setup with no rail system to a scenario MILSIM type setup where a rail kit  31 A,  31 B fully enshrouds the marker or gun  11  to better simulate a real MILSIM firearm and provide a rail system  38  for receipt of accessories thereon. 
         [0049]    The rail kit  10  of the present invention may be made out of any suitable material and manufactured in many different ways. For example, the rail kit  10  may be molded out of plastic or machined from metal, such as aluminum. Any such material and method of manufacture is considered within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0050]    It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the appended claims.