Paintball marker with tool box

A paintball marker with a barrel that is coupled to a receiver. A valve arrangement is provided to selectively vent gas to propel projectiles through the barrel responsive to actuation of a firing mechanism. The marker may include a tool box that is capable of being coupled with the receiver. In some embodiments, the tool box resembles a magazine that feeds projectiles into the receiver.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to paintball markers, and like devices for firing frangible projectiles.

BACKGROUND

Paintball is a popular sport in which opposing sides attempt to seek out and “shoot” one another with paintballs. Players use paintball markers (also known as paintball guns) to propel the paintballs with compressed gas or combustible fuel. The paintballs are designed to break upon impact and leave a visible mark.

Since paintball games often simulate combat, paintball markers that resemble military equipment are desirable to increase the realism of the experience. For example, paintball markers have been modified to resemble assault rifles, sniper rifles, etc. In some cases, however, such modifications can be difficult to install and remove. Moreover, the modifications may detract from the marker's functionality and reliability.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, the invention provides a paintball marker with a barrel that is coupled to a receiver. A valve arrangement is provided to selectively vent gas to propel projectiles through the barrel responsive to actuation of a firing mechanism. The marker may include a tool box that is capable of being coupled with the receiver. Typically, the tool box resembles a magazine that feeds projectiles into the receiver. For example, the tool box could resemble an M-16 or AK-47 style magazine. In some embodiments, the tool box includes a storage compartment configured to hold one or more items for maintaining the marker.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a tool box for use with a paintball marker. The tool box may have a body with a proximate end capable of being detachably coupled with a receiver of a paintball marker and a distal end. In some embodiments, the body defines a storage compartment configured to hold one or more items for maintaining the marker.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included within this description and be within the scope of the invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein are illustrative, and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-9illustrate an example paintball marker100constructed according to an embodiment of the present invention. The invention could be implemented in a manual, semi-automatic, or automatic marker, even though a semi-automatic marker is shown for purposes of illustration. It should be appreciated that the marker100could use a variety of propellants to propel paintballs (or other projectiles) from the marker100. The term “propellant” is broadly intended to encompass both compressed gas, such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen, as well as combustible fuel, such as propane, butane, and methylacetylene-propadiene (“MAPP”).

In the example shown, the marker100includes a barrel102through which projectiles may be propelled. As shown, the barrel102is coupled with a receiver104, which defines an interior cavity dimensioned to house internal components of the marker100. As used herein, the term “coupled” is broadly intended to encompass both direct and indirect connections. Typically, the barrel102includes external threads that may be received by internal threads in the receiver104. By way of other examples, the barrel102may attach to the receiver104with an interference fit, frictional fit, or unitary formation. The receiver104may be formed from a variety of materials, such as aluminum, stainless steel, magnesium, or composites. In embodiments in which the receiver104is made of magnesium, it has been found that the production molds last substantially longer than that of aluminum. In some embodiments, the receiver104may have a clamshell-type body.

In the embodiment shown, the marker100includes a forestock106. As best seen inFIGS. 10 and 10A, the forestock106may include a bore107dimensioned to receive the barrel102. Preferably, the forestock106may be detachably coupled to the receiver104. In the example shown, a first pin108and a second pin110extend through holes111in the forestock106and holes113in the receiver104(FIG. 2), thereby coupling the forestock106to the receiver104. In this example, the forestock106may be detached from the receiver104by removing the pins108and110and sliding the forestock106off the barrel102. Conversely, a user may mount the forestock106to the marker100by sliding the forestock106over the barrel102such that the holes111in the forestock106and the holes113in the receiver104are aligned. The pins108and110may then be moved through the forestock106and receiver104to couple the forestock106to the receiver104. As best seen inFIG. 7, the pins108and110may include a bias member105to prevent accidental removal of the pins108and110. Although the first pin108and second pin110are shown for purposes of illustration, it should be appreciated that other quick connections may be used to couple the forestock106to the receiver104.

In some cases, the forestock106may be associated with a barrel adapter109. The barrel adapter109(best seen inFIG. 10A) allows a user to configure the marker100with barrels of different diameters. Consider a situation in which a user desires to use barrels with either a ⅞ inch diameter or a 1 inch diameter. The bore107could be dimensioned to receive the 1 inch barrel. If the ⅞ inch barrel is desired to be used, the user would place the barrel through the adapter109. In this example, the opening in the adapter109would be dimensioned to receive the barrel, which is ⅞ inches in this example. The outer diameter of the adapter109would be dimensioned to be received by the bore107, or 1 inch in this example. As shown, the adapter is received in a recess115formed in the forestock106.

In some embodiments, the forestock106may include a bottom rail112, a side rail114, and/or a top rail116for mounting accessories, such as sites, scopes, etc. In the example shown, the marker100includes a front site118mounted to the top rail116. It should be appreciated that the marker100could be customized with other types of sites, such as those shown inFIGS. 21A-21B. By way of a further example, a vertical handle, such as shown inFIG. 22, could be attached to the bottom rail112.

Preferably, the user may select between a plurality of interchangeable forestocks, which each allow a suitable quick connection with the receiver104to customize the marker100. For example, if the receiver104includes holes113, each of the forestocks could include holes111to allow a quick connection using pins108and110. Example forestocks that could be used with the marker100are illustrated inFIGS. 19A-19E. It should be appreciated that other styles of forestocks could be used with the marker100.

In some embodiments, the marker100may include a tool box120for storing one or more items. In this embodiment, the tool box120is coupled with and extends from the receiver104. Typically, the tool box120is detachably coupled with the receiver104; however, the tool box120could be integral with or permanently affixed to the receiver104. Embodiments are also contemplated in which the tool box120could be an internal storage compartment in the receiver104that could be accessed by a user.

Preferably, the tool box120resembles a magazine that feeds projectiles into the receiver. Instead of feeding projectiles into the receiver104, however, the tool box120would typically hold tools for maintaining the marker100, including but not limited to hex wrenches or a tube of oil. As shown, the tool box120includes a slot122dimensioned to receive a first supply line124. In other embodiments, the tool box120could include a connection for coupling the first supply line124. Preferably, the first supply line124provides a source of compressed gas for a valve arrangement178within the marker100(seeFIG. 13). In some cases, if the marker100were a combustible fuel powered marker, the first supply line124may provide a supply of fuel, such as propane, to a combustion chamber within the marker100.

The tool box120may include an internal storage compartment for storing items, such as tools. In the example shown inFIG. 12, the tool box120includes a first side130and a second side132pivotally coupled with a bottom134. Although the embodiment shown includes an open top, the tool box120may be entirely closed since projectiles are not fed into the receiver104from the tool box120in this embodiment.

As shown, the tool box120includes a first hinge136and a second hinge138that allow the first side130and second side132to pivot, respectively. In this example, the hinges136and138are living hinges, but separate hinges could be coupled with the sides130and132and bottom134in some cases. It should be appreciated that other pivotal connections could also be used. Although this example shows the tool box120hinged at the bottom134, it should be appreciated that the tool box120could be hinged at the sides130and132or the top or not hinged at all.

In some cases, the tool box's120interior may include tool holders configured to receive a specific arrangement of tools (or other items). In the example shown, the tool box120includes slots140dimensioned to receive hex wrenches142in the first side130of the tool box120. The second side132includes complementary ridges144configured to close the slots140when the tool box120is closed, thereby holding the wrenches142in place. In this example, the first side130of the tool box120also includes an area for a tube of oil146that could be used to maintain the marker100. It should be appreciated that the internal cavity of the tool box120could be configured to hold a variety of tools, accessories, or other items.

In the example shown, the tool box120includes an opening143dimensioned to receive an internal latch145when the tool box120is closed. In this example, the tool box120includes an opening147dimensioned to receive a latch mechanism in a tool box mount121for detachably coupling the tool box120to the receiver104.

Referring again toFIGS. 1-9, the marker100preferably includes a tool box mount121configured to receive the tool box120. As shown, the tool box mount121includes a release button123(best seen inFIG. 5) that controls a latch mechanism associated with the tool box mount121. In the example shown, the latch mechanism engages the opening147in the tool box120to selectively release the tool box120from the tool box mount121. It should be appreciated that a variety of mechanisms could be used to detachably couple the tool120with the tool box mount121, such as an interference fit, fictional fit, magnets, etc.

In the example shown (as best seen inFIG. 2), the tool box mount121is coupled with the receiver104using an interference fit. As shown, the receiver104includes ridges129that extend from the receiver104. The top portion of the tool box mount121includes grooves125formed in a flange127that are configured to receive the ridges129. To couple the tool box mount121to the receiver104, the user would align the grooves125with the ridges129, such that the ridges129extend through the grooves125. The tool box mount121may then be moved toward the barrel102in the example shown such that the flange127creates an interference fit with the ridges129. The user may detach the tool box mount121by moving the tool box mount121in an opposite direction (away from the barrel102in this example) until the ridges129are aligned with the grooves125. Other mechanisms, such as a frictional fit, could also be used to couple the tool box mount121with the receiver104.

Preferably, a plurality of interchangeable tool boxes and tool box mounts may be provided to allow customization of the marker100. Typically, each of the tool boxes includes an interior cavity for storing items, such as tools. Examples of tool boxes that resemble magazines of types used for feeding projectiles into the receivers of actual firearms are shown inFIGS. 20A-20E. It should be appreciated that other styles could also be provided. The tool box120may be formed from a variety of materials, including but not limited to plastic, aluminum and magnesium.

The marker100may include a grip assembly146. In the example shown, the grip assembly146includes a grip148that is dimensioned for a user to grasp. The grip assembly146includes a trigger150for actuation by the user to fire the marker100. The trigger150may mechanically and/or electrically selectively fire the marker100. In the example shown, the trigger150is surrounded by a trigger guard152. As shown, the marker100includes a safety154. In the position shown inFIG. 1, the safety154prevents the marker100from firing; if moved to a fire position, the safety154allows the marker100to fire projectiles. Although the example shown includes a lever for actuating the safety154, it should be appreciated that other forms of safety could be used.

In some embodiments, the grip assembly146may be detachably coupled with the receiver104. As shown, the grip assembly146includes a hole155that is alignable with a hole157in the receiver104through which a pin156may be received. By removing the pin156(and the lower pin170), the grip assembly146may be detached from the receiver104. In the example shown, the lower portion of the grip148includes an adaptor158configured to receive a propellant source, such as a canister of carbon dioxide or nitrogen. As discussed below, the adaptor158and first supply line124are optional, depending on whether the rear stock attached to the receiver104includes an internal passageway186for connection to a propellant source (SeeFIGS. 15-16).

In the example shown, a picatinny rail160is attached to a top portion of the receiver104. The picatinny rail160may be used to add risers, sites, handles, or other items to the receiver104. As shown, a rear sight161is coupled to the picatinny rail160. By way of another example, carry handles, such as shown inFIGS. 21C-21D, could be mounted to the picatinny rail160.

In the embodiment shown, the marker100includes a hopper162for holding a plurality of projectiles to be fired. As shown, the hopper162includes a lid164pivotably mounted to the hopper162to selectively open/close an opening to the hopper162. Preferably the hopper162has a low profile to reduce the target area of the user and allow a better line of site to fire the marker100. By way of example only, the hopper162may have a length that is more than three times its height in some cases (seeFIG. 3). As shown, the hopper162is offset from the receiver104to allow a better line of site for the user to fire the marker100. However, the hopper162could be coupled to the receiver104on the top (e.g., picatinny rail160) or other location of the receiver104.

In some cases, the hopper162may be coupled with a feed mechanism166that feeds projectiles into the receiver104. An example feed mechanism that could be used with the marker100is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,323, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Instead of a separate feed mechanism, the hopper162may include an integral feed mechanism in some embodiments. For example, the hopper162may be an agitating or force-fed hopper. In some cases, the projectiles may be gravity fed into the receiver104. For example, the lower portion of the hopper162may include a passage that is coupled directly with the receiver104, so that projectiles may be fed one-by-one through the passage into the receiver104. In some embodiments, the receiver104(or other portion of the marker100) may include an internal cavity for receiving a plurality of projectiles. By way of another example, the receiver104may be stick fed with projectiles.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-9, the marker100includes a detachable end cap168. If the user desires to have a rear stock, the end cap168may be removed and a rear stock coupled to the receiver104(seeFIGS. 14-16). In the example shown, pins170pass through projections172(seeFIGS. 2 and 13) in the end cap168and holes in the receiver104and grip assembly146. Removal of the pins170allows the user to detach the end cap168from the receiver104. In the example shown, the end cap168includes an optional ring174that user may grasp to remove the end cap168. As discussed below, a plurality of interchangeable rear stocks may be substituted for the end cap168to customize the marker100. Preferably, each of the rear stocks include similarly arranged holes such that the rear stocks may be attached to the receiver104using the pins170. Examples of rear stocks that could be used with the marker100are shown inFIGS. 18A-18C.

Referring now toFIG. 13, there is shown a detailed cross-sectional view of the marker100. As shown, a sear188is interposed between the trigger150and a rear bolt190. In this example, the sear188is disposed on pivot pin192and is biased by spring194toward engagement of the rear bolt190. When the marker100is in the cocked position, actuation of the trigger150releases the rear bolt190from the sear188. In the example shown, the marker100is in the cocked position when the rear bolt190is in a rearward position in which the sear188prevents forward movement of the rear bolt190. In the example shown, the marker100moves to a discharge position by releasing of the rear bolt190from the sear188due to user actuation of the trigger150. It should be appreciated that other trigger assemblies, both mechanical and electrical, may be suitable to selectively fire the marker100and are contemplated herein.

In the example shown, the rear bolt190moves under the bias of drive spring196upon actuation of the trigger150. A pin198is disposed within the spring196in the example shown. The rear bolt190is coupled to a front bolt200via a linkage arm202in the example shown. This causes concomitant movement of the front bolt200with the movement of the rear bolt190. The front bolt200is adapted to push a projectile into the barrel102during firing.

The bias of drive spring196on rear bolt190causes rear bolt190to depress an impact pin204on the valve assembly178, which causes the valve assembly178to release a quantity of compressed gas, thereby causing a projectile to be propelled out the barrel102. Another quantity of compressed gas may be released on the side of valve assembly178in which the rear bolt190is disposed, which will recoil the rear bolt190to the cocked position. Example valve arrangements and firing mechanisms that could be used are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,189,609, 5,722,383, and 6,550,468, which are each hereby incorporated by reference.

In the embodiment shown, a second supply line176can be seen. Preferably, the marker100may be configured such that either the first supply line124or the second supply line176may supply the valve arrangement178with a propellant with which the projectiles may be fired. Preferably, the first supply line124or the second supply line176provides compressed gas, such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen, to the valve arrangement178. As discussed above, however, the supply lines124or176could provide fluid communication with a supply of combustible fuel in some embodiments.

In this example, the marker100includes a coupling180associated with the first supply line124. Typically, the user would choose between the first supply line124and the second supply line176. If the user decided to use the first supply line124, the user would put the first supply line124and coupling180associated with the first supply line124into the receiver. This would supply compressed gas to the valve arrangement178via the first supply line124. A passageway is defined in the receiver104for receiving the second supply line176. Preferably, the passageway extends from the valve arrangement to the rear portion of the receiver104so that the second supply line176may be aligned with a passage with a rear stock which is in fluid communication with a supply of compressed gas. If the user desired to use the second supply line176, the first supply line and associated coupling180would typically be removed and the second supply line and an associated coupling180inserted into the passageway. The coupling180provides the valve arrangement178with a supply of compressed gas from the first supply line in the example shown.

In some cases, the coupling180may be configured to receive both the first supply line124and the second supply line176. For example, the coupling180may include a first check valve (not shown) at the inlet of the first supply line124into the coupling180and a second check valve (not shown) at the inlet of the second supply line176into the coupling180. With this arrangement, the inlets would only be open due to the supply of compressed gas to open a respective check valve. It should be appreciated that other mechanisms, both mechanical and electrical, could be used to selectively supply the valve arrangement176with a flow of compressed air from either the first supply line124or the second supply line176. In some embodiments, the coupling180could be configured to supply compressed air from both the first supply line124and the second supply line176. In the example shown inFIG. 13, the second supply line176does not supply compressed gas to the valve arrangement178due to the end cap178being connected to the receiver104. As discussed below, the second supply line176may continue flow through the rear stock, which may be connected with a source of compressed gas.

FIG. 14shows an example in which a rear stock182has been coupled with the receiver104. In the example shown, the rear stock182includes a projection184with holes dimensioned to receive the pins170. Accordingly, a user may customize a marker100with a plurality of interchangeable rear stocks that may be coupled to the receiver104. Examples of rear stocks that may be coupled to the marker100are shown inFIGS. 18A-18C. It should be appreciated that other types of rear stocks could also be provided.

FIGS. 15-16show the example embodiment ofFIG. 14with the rear stock182shown in sectional view. As shown, the rear stock182includes a passageway186that is in fluid communication with the second supply line176. The passageway186may be in fluid communication with the supply of compressed gas (or other propellant), thereby providing compressed gas to the valve arrangement178. In some cases, the rear stock184may include a recess205for receiving an end of the pin198.

FIG. 17shows the right half of an example receiver104. Although the example receiver104shown includes holes that could be used for quick connections of rear stocks, fore stocks, etc., this receiver104could also be used with a marker without such customization features. In some cases, the valve assembly178may be tapped to supply compressed gas for other functions associated with the marker100. For example, the feed mechanism166could be pneumatically actuated with compressed gas tapped off the valve assembly. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,323 shows a feed mechanism that may be pneumatically actuated. By way of another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,468 shows a trigger assist that may be pneumatically actuated. In receivers formed by two halves that are connected together, such as the example half shown, gas that is tapped off the valve assembly178tends to escape through the seam between the halves of the receiver104.

In the example shown, the receiver104includes a groove206dimensioned to receive a seal208, such as an O-ring. Preferably, the groove206is substantially elliptical is shape, which retains the seal208without a fastener or adhesive. The groove206and seal208are disposed within the receiver104preferably adjacent the portion of the valve assembly178that is tapped to prevent escape of gas through the seam in the receiver104. As shown, a first outlet port210and a second outlet port212, which are associated with tapped portions of the valve assembly178, are disposed within the groove. Additionally outlet ports (or a single outlet port) may be provided.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, from the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the invention and various changes and modifications may be made to adapt the various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.