Abstract:
In one aspect, the invention is directed to a loader apparatus for use with a paintball marker including a base attachable to the marker, a cartridge removably attachable to the base and a delivery conduit. The base includes a motor, which drives a driven means ending in a first gear. The cartridge includes a paintball chamber with an outlet, and a flow assistor driven by a second gear that meshes with the first gear on the base. The chamber includes a pressure plate and spring assembly which pushes the paintballs in the chamber towards the outlet. The flow assistor includes a rotating generally funnel-shaped surface having bosses and dimples to enhance the agitation of paintballs and to assist the flow of paintballs from the chamber. The operation of the flow assistor is controlled by a controller. The controller receives input from an on/off switch on the base, a second switch which senses the presence of a cartridge on the base, and a plurality of paintball sensors located in the delivery conduit. Magnetic plates mounted in the cartridge and in the base mate to each other when the cartridge is mounted to the base, helping to hold them together. Similarly, the base includes an external battery pack which is mounted to the base by a magnetic plate arrangement. A tube mounted in the base communicates with the paintball outlet of the chamber, and with the paintball inlet of the paintball marker.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to loader apparatuses for paintball markers, and more particularly the invention relates to apparatuses which include removable paintball cartridges. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Paintball games are today played with sophisticated paintball markers that can shoot as fast as the finger can pull the trigger. The marker is equipped with a fixed bulk loader which is mounted onto the paintball inlet of the marker. The paintballs are gravity fed from the loader into the paintball inlet of the marker often with the aid of a motorized flow assistor paddle or wheel located in the loader. The flow assistor is activated when a sensor in the neck of the loader senses an absence of paintballs leading down into the paintball inlet of the marker. 
     Many problems exist with these conventional loaders. Because the paintballs are gravity fed, the paintball marker must be held in a substantially vertical orientation in order that paintballs can be fed into the marker. As the angle of orientation of the marker changes away from the vertical, the efficiency of the paintball feed is reduced. At some critical angle, which varies depending on the design of the loader, paintball feed into the inlet of the marker, stops completely, making the marker ineffective. Furthermore, the sensors located in the neck of the loader, upon detecting the lack of paintball flow, will activate the flow assistor in an attempt to initiate paintball flow. The noise caused by the flow assistor actuation can inadvertently give away the location of the game player to others. While the activation of the flow assistor is important to maintain paintball flow, it is also important that the activation be kept infrequent to reduce the risk of disclosing the player&#39;s location to others. Furthermore, when a player moves a marker with a partially full loader, the paintballs inside the loader can rattle, also giving away the player&#39;s location. 
     Another common problem with conventional loaders is that the process for refilling an empty loader is both cumbersome and time consuming. The end cap on the loader must be opened and the player must fill the loader by pouring paintballs from a paintball storage tube which is carried on the player&#39;s belt. The reloading process, while slow, is also prone to causing unwanted noise. 
     Another problem with conventional loaders is that the power source for the motor can fail during play, and is difficult and time consuming to replace. 
     Consequently, there is a need for a paintball loader apparatus for a marker that enables the marker to be operated in any orientation, that reduces unwanted noise from the flow assistor device and from the paintballs, and that enables the player to reload the loader with new paintballs and with a fresh power source quickly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a loader apparatus for use with a paintball marker having a paintball inlet, whereby the loader apparatus includes a base attachable to the paintball marker, a cartridge removably attachable to the base, and a delivery conduit. The base includes a motor which drives a first driven means. The cartridge includes a chamber for paintballs, the chamber defining a paintball outlet, and having a second driven means which is operatively connected to a flow assistor. The second driven means connects to the first driven means when the cartridge is attached to the base. The delivery conduit is in flow communication with the paintball outlet of the chamber and with the paintball inlet of the paintball marker when the cartridge is attached to the base and the base is mounted on the paintball marker. 
     In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the loader may further include a pressurizing member in the chamber of the cartridge. The pressurizing member pushes paintballs in the chamber towards the paintball outlet. 
     In a second aspect, the invention is directed to a loader apparatus for use with a paintball marker having a paintball inlet, the loader apparatus including a cartridge and a delivery conduit. The cartridge includes a chamber for paintballs, the chamber defining a paintball outlet, and a pressurizing member for maintaining a force on the paintballs in the chamber towards the paintball outlet. The delivery conduit is in flow communication with the paintball outlet of the chamber, and with the paintball inlet of the paintball marker when the loader is attached to the paintball marker. 
     In a third aspect, the invention is directed to a loader apparatus for use with a paintball marker having a paintball inlet. The loader apparatus includes a cartridge having a chamber for paintballs having a paintball outlet, a rotatable flow assistor, a delivery conduit, a motor and driven means. The rotatable flow assistor has a funnel shaped agitation surface for agitating paintballs. The agitation surface has a large end and a small end. The small end is connected to the paintball outlet. The flow assistor is positioned within the chamber so that during rotation, the large end is adapted for receiving paintballs and the small end is adapted for discharging paintballs out of the outlet. The motor is for driving the flow assistor. The driven means is for connecting the flow assistor to the motor. The delivery conduit is in flow communication with the paintball outlet of the chamber, and with the paintball inlet of the paintball marker when the loader is attached to the paintball marker. 
     In a fourth aspect, the invention is directed to a loader apparatus for use with a paintball marker having a paintball inlet. The loader apparatus includes a base attachable to the paintball marker, a cartridge having a chamber for paintballs, a delivery conduit, a flow assistor and a battery pack. The base includes a motor and a first mating surface. The cartridge includes a chamber for paintballs. The chamber has a paintball outlet. The delivery conduit is in flow communication with the paintball outlet of the chamber, and with the paintball inlet of the paintball marker when the loader is attached to the paintball marker. The flow assistor assists the flow of paintballs towards the paintball outlet. The motor is for driving the flow assistor. Driven means are included for connecting the flow assistor to the motor. The battery pack includes a housing and a battery which is connectable to the motor by an electrical conduit. The housing includes a second mating surface. Holding means are included for releasably holding the first and second mating surfaces together. 
     In a fifth aspect, the present invention is directed to a belt for use with a paintball loader apparatus having a base for the mounting of cartridges of paintballs. The belt includes a strap and at least one cartridge mounting assembly connected to the strap. The cartridge mounting assembly is adapted for holding a cartridge. In a preferred embodiment of the third aspect, the belt includes at least one battery pack mounting assembly connected to the strap, for holding a battery pack. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of a loader apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 a  is a bottom plan view of the cartridge of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 2 b  is a top plan view of the cartridge of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 a  is a side view of the outlet portion of the cartridge of FIG.  1  and the inlet portion of the delivery conduit of FIG. 1, when the cartridge is removed from the base; 
     FIG. 4 b  is a side view of the outlet and inlet portions shown in FIG. 4 a , when the cartridge is mounted on the base; and 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a storage belt for cartridges and battery packs; 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a cartridge in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a base in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Reference is first made to FIG. 1 which illustrates a loader apparatus  10  made in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention and which will be used for the purposes of describing the operational aspects of the invention. 
     Loader  10  is used to hold paintballs  12  and load paintballs  12  into paintball marker  14 . Loader  10  comprises a paintball cartridge  16 , a base  18  and a delivery conduit  20  which communicates with paintball inlet  22  of paintball marker  14 . 
     Cartridge  16  is removable from base  18  so that when cartridge  16  is empty, a user or player may remove cartridge  16  and replace it with a new one upon base  18 . Cartridge  16  comprises a chamber  30  with an outlet  32 , a flow assistor  34  and a pressurizing member  36 . Chamber  30  holds paintballs  12 . An outlet  32  is included in the front wall of chamber  30  and communicates with delivery conduit  20 . Pressurizing member  36  maintains a force on paintballs  12  to push paintballs  12  towards outlet  32  of chamber  30 . Pressurizing member  36  comprises a pressure plate  38  which is slidable within chamber  30 , and a spring  40 . Spring  40  acts on pressure plate  38 , which contacts paintballs  12 , to maintain a compressive force on paintballs  12 . Spring  40  is conical shaped which reduces the compressed length of spring  40  thereby reducing the overall size of cartridge  16 . By maintaining a compressive force on paintballs  12  the loader apparatus eliminates unwanted noise that can occur from the jiggling of paintballs within a partially full loader of the prior art. Such unwanted noise can inadvertently give away a player&#39;s position during a paintball game. 
     The fixed end of spring  40  is connected to an end cap  42 . End cap  42  is removable from body  44  of cartridge  16  so that cartridge  16  is refillable with paintballs  12 , preferably when the player is not engaged in play. End cap  42  and body  44  are preferably joined using a bayonet-style connection  45 . However, any other style of connection that would enable end cap  42  to be removably attached is acceptable. Cartridge  16  also has an end wall  46  which has an opening  48  surrounded by a bearing portion  49 . 
     Flow assistor  34  is used to assist the flow of paintballs  12  out of outlet  32  by rotating, causing agitation of paintballs  12 . The agitation thereby prevents paintballs  12  from wedging at outlet  32 . Flow assistor  34  comprises a generally funnel-shaped agitation surface  50  which has a large end  52  which is slightly smaller in diameter than the inside diameter of chamber  30  and an annular small end  54  which is attached to a discharge tube  56 . Agitation surface  50  includes surface irregularities  58  which include bosses  60  and dimples  62 . Tube  56  passes through opening  48  in end wall  46  and is connected to an annular gear  66 . Tube  56  and gear  66  have an inside tubular surface  68 , the outlet of which is outlet  32 . Tubular surface  68  is of a larger diameter than paintballs  12  but small enough to prevent wedging of paintballs  12 . 
     Base  18  houses the drive and controls for flow assistor  34 . Base  18  comprises a motor  70  driving a driven means  72 , a controller  74  and a cartridge mounting surface  76 . As well, delivery tube  20  is formed integrally with base  18 . Base  18  mounts to paintball marker  14  by engaging delivery conduit  20  with marker inlet  22 . 
     Driven means  72  transfers rotational power from motor  70  to gear  66  for driving flow assistor  34 . Driven means  72  includes a drive pulley  80 , a driven pulley  82 , a belt  84 , a shaft  86 , and a gear  88 . Pulley  80  is driven directly by motor  70  and drives pulley  82  by means of belt  84 . Shaft  86  extends from the centre of pulley  82  connecting pulley  82  to gear  88 . Gear  88  contacts gear  66  when cartridge  16  is mounted on base  18 , to drive gear  66  and flow assistor  34 . Gear  66  is a second driven means for operatively connecting flow assistor  34  to motor  70 . 
     To assist in the meshing of gears  88  and  66  when cartridge  16  is mounted on base  18 , there is play in the fit between gear  88  and gear  66 . Furthermore gears  88  and  66  may also include chamfering of the edges of the gear teeth to further assist in their meshing. As well, because pulleys  80  and  82 , and belt  84  are incorporated into driven means  72 , gear  88  can be rotated as required, taking advantage of belt slippage, in order to further assist in the meshing of gears  88  and  66 . 
     Delivery conduit  20  has an interior surface  90  that defines a passageway  91 . Passageway  91  has a diameter larger than paintballs  12  but not so large as to allow the wedging of paintballs  12 . Sensors  92  are spaced along the entire length of passageway  91 , and are mounted flush with surface  90 . Sensors  92  sense the presence of paintballs  12  within passageway  91 . Sensors  92  may be infrared sensors or any other sensors that will detect a body such as a paintball  12 . Sensors  92  send signals to controller  74  through control lines  94 . Control lines  94  schematically represent a suitable electrical connection between sensors  92  and controller  74 . 
     On the bottom of base  18  is a battery pack mounting surface  98 , which has a flush-mounted magnetic plate  100  for the mounting of a battery pack  102 . Battery pack  102  is removably attached to base  18  and supplies power to controller  74  and to motor  70  through control line  104 . Battery pack  102  includes a housing  106  having a magnetic plate  108 , which mates with plate  100  on base  18 . The magnetic force between plates  100  and  108  help to hold battery pack  102  to base  18 . Control line  104  schematically represents a suitable electrical connection between battery pack  102  and controller  74 . 
     Controller  74  receives signals from sensors  92  and operates motor  70  to rotate flow assistor  34  when any of sensors  92  do not detect a paintball  12 , suggesting that passageway  91  is not full of paintballs  12 . Controller  74  also regulates the voltage of power from battery pack  98  to motor  70 . As well, controller  74  monitors the power level in battery pack  98 , and illuminates a warning light  110  giving notice to the user, so that the user can change the old battery pack  102  for a fresh one. Warning light  110  is preferably located towards the rear of base  18 , so that it can be viewed by the user, but is at least partially hidden from view by others. Warning light  110  is connected to controller  74  by control line  111 . Control line  111  schematically represents a suitable electrical connection between light  110  and controller  74 . 
     An on/off switch  112  is included on base  18 , and provides the player with manual control for turning controller  74  on and off. Power must pass through controller  74  to reach motor  70 . If switch  112  is in the ‘off’ position, then power is not sent to controller  74  and motor  70 , and if switch  112  is in the ‘on’ position, then power is sent to controller  74 , which can in turn send power to motor  70 . On/off switch  112  is shown schematically connected to controller  74  by a control line  113 . Control line  113  schematically represents a suitable electrical connection permitting manual control of controller  74  using switch  112 . 
     Reference is now made to FIGS. 2 a ,  2   b  and  3  which show cartridge  16  and base  18  separately. As shown in FIGS. 2 a  and  3 , the exterior of cartridge  16  includes a mating surface  114  which mates with mounting surface  76  of base  18 . Mating surface  114  includes a magnetic plate  116 , two locator bosses  118  and an activator boss  120 . Mounting surface  76  of base  18  includes a magnetic plate  122 , two locating recesses  124  for receiving locator bosses  118  and an activator switch  126  which is activated when contacted by activator boss  120 . Magnetic plates  122  and  116  are of opposite polarity so that they are attracted to each other and are positioned on base  18  and cartridge  16  respectively so that when cartridge  16  is mounted to base  18 , magnetic plates  122  and  116  are in contact, helping to retain cartridge  16  in position on base  18 . As well, locating bosses  118  and locating recesses  124  further assist in maintaining and positioning cartridge  16  on base  18 . Switch  126  effectively detects the presence of cartridge  16  by contact with activator boss  120  and signals the presence to controller  74 . 
     Referring to FIG. 1, when cartridge  16  is mounted on base  18  and boss  120  is in contact with switch  126 , a signal is sent to controller  74  through control line  127  indicating that a cartridge  16  is present and that motor  70  can be operated as required. When cartridge  16  is removed from base  18 , then controller  74  is notified that cartridge  16  is not present. In the event that controller  74  is prompted to actuate motor  70 , (for example, by sensors  92 ), motor  70  will only be actuated if controller  74  is signalled that a cartridge  16  is present. Switch  126  is connected to controller  74  by a control line  127 . Control line  127  schematically represents a suitable electrical connection permitting controller  74  to operate motor  70  when boss  120  contacts switch  126  and preventing the actuation of motor  70  when boss  120  does not contact switch  126 . 
     A summary description of the logic by which controller  74  operates motor  70  will now be provided. When switch  112  is ‘off’, when switch  126  is not contacted by activator boss  120 , or when battery pack  102  does not have enough power, then controller  74  cannot operate motor  70 . When switch  112  is ‘on’, when switch  126  is contacted by boss  120  and when battery pack  102  has enough power, controller  74  can operate motor  70 . When any of sensors  92  detect a gap between paintballs  12  in passageway  91 , then controller  74  operates motor  70  (and flow controller  34 ), provided that switch  112  is ‘on’, battery pack  102  has enough power, and switch  126  is contacted by boss  120 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 b , cartridge  16  includes a boss  128  which mates with a recess  129  on base  18 . Boss  128  and recess  129  together with magnetic plates  116  and  122 , and bosses  118  and recesses  124 , help keep cartridge  16  positioned on base  18 . 
     Reference is now made to FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  which show a sectional side view of gear  66  and discharge tube  56 , and which show flow preventers  130  and  131 . As shown in FIG. 4 a , cartridge flow preventer  130  and base flow preventer  131  prevent the spillage of paintballs  12  from outlet  32  and from the inlet of passageway  91  respectively, when cartridge  16  is not mounted on base  18 . FIG. 4 b  shows flow preventers  130  and  131  when cartridge  16  is mounted on base  18 . 
     Cartridge flow preventer  130  comprises retractable stops. The stops extend radially inwards from surface  68  to prevent the flow of paintballs out from outlet  32 . The stops can be retracted, however, to permit the flow of paintballs out from the outlet  32 . The stops include a plurality of arms  132  which are made from a resilient flexible material. Such a material is preferably a resilient flexible polymer, which will not damage paintballs  12 . Arms  132  are mounted fixed at one end into surface  68  and include wedge shaped nubs  134 . Nubs  134  project into outlet  32  as shown in FIG. 4 a  when cartridge  16  is not mounted on base  18 , preventing the flow of paintballs  12  through outlet  32 . Cartridge flow preventer  130  therefore prevents the flow of paintballs  12  through outlet  32  when cartridge  16  is not mounted on base  18 . A recess  136  is included underneath the free end of each of arms  132 . Recess  136  is sized so that if arm  132  was depressed as shown in FIG. 4 b , no part of arm  132  or nub  134  would project into outlet  32 . As shown in FIG. 4 b , when cartridge  16  is mounted on base  18 , a passageway inlet tube  137  which projects from base  18  and which communicates with passageway  91 , projects into outlet  32 , pushing nubs  134  and arms  132  into recesses  136 , allowing paintballs  12  to flow through outlet  32 . 
     When cartridge  16  is removed from base  18 , the arms  132  return to their original position to extend radially inwards from surface  68 , due to their resiliency, so that they prevent the flow of paintballs from outlet  32 . 
     Base flow preventer  131  includes a leading edge surface  138  and a trailing edge surface  139 . Preferably as shown in FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b , surface  138  slopes smoothly from a diameter substantially equal to that of tubular surface  68 , to a diameter slightly larger than paintballs  12 . The trailing edge surface  139  of flow preventer  131  is preferably contoured to hold and partially cup a paintball  12 , to inhibit paintball  12  from rolling backwards out of the inlet of passageway  91 . Together, surfaces  138  and  139  permit the entry of paintballs  12  into the inlet of passageway  91 , but inhibit paintballs  12  from rolling out of the inlet of passageway  91 . 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which shows a belt  140  which can be worn by the player and which stores both spent and full replacement cartridges  16 . Belt  140  comprises a strap  142 , a closure  144  such as Velcro (TM), a plurality of mounting assemblies  146  for receiving spent or fresh cartridges  16 , and a plurality of mounting assemblies  148  for holding spent or fresh battery packs  102 . Mounting assembly  146  includes a magnetic plate  150  for contacting magnetic plate  116  on cartridge  16 , and two locating recesses  152  for receiving locating bosses  118  and a locating recess  154  for receiving activator boss  120 . As well, mounting assembly  146  includes an opening  156  for gear  66 . Mounting assembly  148  includes a magnetic plate  158  that is mounted in a receiving surface  160  for battery pack  102 . 
     Reference is now made to FIGS. 6 and 7, which show a cartridge  200  and a base  202  in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Cartridge  200  is similar to cartridge  16 , except as follows. Cartridge  200  has a body  204  that is generally cylindrical about an axis  206 . A magnetic plate  208  extends around the circumference of body  204 . A depression ring  210  extends around the circumference of body  204 . An activator flange  212  extends radially outwardly from depression ring  210 , and preferably does not extend radially past the outer diameter of body  204 . By having a flange  212  that does not extend past the outer diameter of body  204 , the flange is less prone to damage in the event that cartridge  200  is dropped. The forward end of cartridge  200  has a chamfered surface  214  that extends around the circumference of body  204 . 
     Base  202  is similar to base  18  except as follows. Base  202  includes a generally part-cylindrically shaped cartridge mounting surface  220  that is shaped to mate with the generally cylindrical shaped body  204  of cartridge  200 . A magnetic plate  222  that is generally part-cylindrically shaped is incorporated into mounting surface  220 . Magnetic plate  222  mates with a portion of magnetic plate  208  on cartridge  200  to help hold cartridge  200  on base  202  when cartridge  200  is mounted to base  202 . Mounting surface  220  also includes a pair of raised ridges  224 , which define a groove  226 . Inside groove  226  is an activation switch  228 . Ridges  224  fit within a portion of depression ring  210  on either side of flange  212  on cartridge  200 . Flange  212  is thus received in groove  226  and contacts activation switch  228 , to indicate to the controller (not shown) in base  202  that cartridge  200  is present. Base  202  also includes a chamfered hood portion  230 , which receives chamfered edge  214  on cartridge  200 . By having chamfered hood  214  and by having chamfered forward edge  214 , the mounting of cartridge  200  onto base  202  is facilitated. A hole  232  in base  202  receives gear  66  from cartridge  200 , so that gear  66  can connect to the internal drive mechanism (not shown) within base  202 . Battery pack  102  mounts as before to base  202 . 
     Cartridge  200  can be mounted onto base  202 , while cartridge  200  is in any circumferential orientation about axis  206 , thus facilitating the mounting of cartridge  200  onto base  202 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, activator flange  212  is recessed in depression ring  210 , and does not extend past the outer diameter of body  204 . Alternatively, however, body  204  may have no depression and activator flange  212  may extend from body  204 , thus extending past the outer diameter of body  204 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, delivery conduit  20  to be included integrally with base  18 , the loader can alternatively include a separate base and separate delivery conduit. In this alternative embodiment, the delivery conduit can mount to the inlet of a paintball marker separately, and the base can then mount to the delivery conduit, for receiving cartridges. Alternatively, the separate delivery conduit can mount to the base, and then the base/conduit assembly can mount to the inlet of a paintball marker. 
     Preferably, a plurality of sensors  92  are included within passageway  91 . Alternatively, a single sensor may be included in passageway  91 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, spring  40  and pressure plate  38  are used to urge paintballs  12  towards outlet  32 . Alternatively, any other pressurizing means can be used to maintain a compressive force on paintballs  12  and to urge them towards outlet  32  while ensuring that the compressive force is not so large as to damage paintballs  12 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, tube  56  rotates directly against bearing portion  49 . The apparatus can alternatively have a tube, a bearing portion and a bearing, (e.g. a ball bearing) in between the tube and the bearing portion. Any other suitable bearing means can be used. 
     In a preferred embodiment, flow assistor  34  includes agitation surface  50  with bosses  60  and dimples  62  in order to agitate paintballs  12  and assist flow. In an alternative embodiment, the agitation surface may include only bosses  60 . In another alternative, the agitation surface may include only dimples  62 . Alternatively, any other suitable flow assistance means may be used. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the loader apparatus includes a cartridge and base, the cartridge having paintball chamber and a flow assistor  34  mounted therein, the flow assistor being driven by a motor, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG.  1 . In this alternative embodiment however, the cartridge may be fixed permanently to the base, or may be removable therefrom. 
     In an alternative embodiment, not shown, cartridge flow preventer  130  comprises spring plungers, (eg. ball plungers), spaced circumferentially around surface  68 , instead of arms  132  and recesses  136 . The plungers would extend radially inwards in outlet  32  to prevent paintballs  12  from spilling out of outlet  32 , when the cartridge is not mounted to the base. The plungers would be compressed out of the way by passageway inlet  137 , when the cartridge is mounted to the base, so that the plungers would not inhibit the flow of paintballs. As another alternative, cartridge flow preventer  130  can comprise resilient, flexible wires that would be shaped substantially as a mirror image to flow preventer  131 . Such wires would preferably have a slope surface similar to surface  138 , so that they would be pushed radially out of the way by inlet  137  when the cartridge is mounted to the base. 
     In a preferred embodiment, magnets hold the cartridge on the base. Alternatively, a single magnet and a ferrous metallic plate could be used or a magnet and any other material that is attracted magnetically to a magnet can alternatively be used. Alternatively, another retaining structure may be used, such as a hook and loop fabric material (Velcro TM). Similarly, a magnet and a ferrous metallic plate, or a hook and loop fabric material can alternatively be used to hold the battery pack to the base. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the driven means include pulleys, a belt, and meshing gears between motor  70  and flow assistor  34 . Alternatively, different driven means may be incorporated, such as a magnetic drive, or simply two gears. 
     Providing a paintball loader apparatus with a pressurizing member to push the paintballs towards the outlet of the loader, reduces unwanted noise from the paintballs contained therein, and further allows the paintball marker to be fired while in any orientation. Furthermore, providing the apparatus with a base and a quickly removable cartridge provides the user with the utility of a quick, inexpensive way of refitting the marker with a fresh paintball supply, while maintaining the advantages inherent in a motorized discharging means. Furthermore, providing a quickly removable battery pack provides the user with the ability to quickly replace the battery pack to continue game play. 
     As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, various modifications and adaptations of the apparatus described above may be made without departure from the present invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.