Compressed gas gun front grip having battery access panel

A foregrip for a projectile launcher is disclosed. The foregrip includes a proximal longitudinal end mounted to a projectile launcher and a distal longitudinal end positioned away from a projectile launcher. An access panel is hinged to a battery compartment at the distal longitudinal end of the foregrip. A release button separates the access panel from the foregrip. The release button is located on the proximal longitudinal end of the foregrip.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of compressed gas guns, and more particularly, to a compressed gas gun having a foregrip or front grip with a releasable door panel for ease of access to a battery compartment and other internal components of the foregrip.

BACKGROUND

Batteries, such as a standard 9V battery, power various electronic and electromechanical components of a compressed gpas gun and require occasional replacement. The battery may be mounted and housed in a compartment of the foregrip, or in a cartridge-like holder that is removable from a compartment of the foregrip. In or near the battery compartment may be a circuit board and controls (such as a “tournament mode” switch, power on/off switch, etc.). The on/off switch and status indicator(s) (such as a battery power indicator) may be mounted externally proximate the battery and circuit board. Thus, a user (such as a paintball sport player) may have different reasons for accessing a battery compartment.

However, typical compressed gas gun battery compartments may be difficult to access. The compartment may have an access panel that is affixed by several small screws. Therefore, in a sport where compressed gas guns are used, such as paintball, a paintball sport player must stop and slowly proceed to remove the access panel. When in the field of play, this procedure is particularly difficult and problematic.

Thus, there is the need for a compressed gas gun battery access mechanism that provides quick access to the battery and related internal electronics in order to facilitate quick battery replacement along with easy maintenance, cleaning, and upgrading of the internal components.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides for a foregrip for a projectile launcher (compressed gas gun) having a proximal end, a distal end, a battery compartment, an access panel, and a release button. The proximal end is mounted to a projectile launcher and the distal end is positioned away from the projectile launcher. The release button is configured to separate the access panel from the foregrip. The release button is located on the proximal end of the foregrip.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a projectile launcher having a main body, a barrel removably mounted to the main body, and a foregrip mounted to the main body. The foregrip includes an internal battery compartment, an access panel, and a release button. The release button is configured to separate the access panel from the foregrip. The barrel in the mounted position on the main body prevents actuation of the release button, requiring the barrel to be removed prior to actuation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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. This terminology includes the words specifically noted above, derivatives thereof and similar words. 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” 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 term “substantially” means within ±5% of a given value or ±5 degrees from a given angle, as appropriate. The terms “about” and “generally” mean within ±10% of a given value, as appropriate.

At the outset, it is understood that this invention is not limited only to the particular embodiments, methodology, materials, and modifications described herein, and as such may vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.

FIGS. 1-2Bshow an exemplary embodiment of a compressed gas gun (gun)10, including a main body12with a rear handgrip14, a removable barrel40, and a foregrip50.

As shown inFIGS. 2A-3, the main body12of the compressed gas gun10further includes a connection16for a compressed gas cylinder, an inlet tube18leading to a firing chamber20in the interior of the main body12, a trigger22, and a trigger guard23. The foregrip50projects downwardly from the barrel40and provides an area for gripping by an operator of the compressed gas gun10. A compressed gas cylinder is typically secured to the connection16at the rear portion of the compressed gas gun10. The compressed gas cylinder normally contains CO2, although any compressible gas may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the main body12includes an upper body24and a lower body26, the lower body26including a frame28that extends into the foregrip50.

A foregrip50, such as one which may be used for the present invention, is shown inFIGS. 1-6and includes a body which houses a battery compartment52, a proximal end54, a distal end56, and two sides58,60. The foregrip50may be in two parts, a front62and a rear64that are removably attached as further discussed below.

As best shown inFIGS. 2B-6, the foregrip50includes a button housing65that receives a button66, also referred to as a release mechanism, for opening the foregrip. The button66allows the front62and the rear64to separate (fully or partially), allowing access to the battery compartment52. In a preferred embodiment, when the compressed gas gun10is assembled with the barrel40above the foregrip50, the button66is inaccessible to the user and cannot be accidentally pressed. The button66may be mounted to either the front62(as shown inFIGS. 3 and 6) or rear64(as shown inFIG. 4) of the handgrip50.

Generally, the front62may be considered a door or access panel of the foregrip50for accessing the battery compartment52. One skilled in the art would recognize that various structures may be utilized to attach the front62and rear64of the foregrip50. The front62may be hinged along a bottom edge68, a top edge70, or longitudinally along either side edge72,74. The hinge76may be a piano hinge, a living hinge, a pivot mechanism, a door/gate hinge, or the like. The hinge76may be spring-biased toward an open position or a closed position. As an alternative to a hinge, the front62may be completely removable from the rear64. In any such embodiment, it is preferable to provide a seal or gasket (not illustrated; e.g., rubber) along one or more of the edges68,70,72, and74to protect internal components from debris and moisture. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 6A, for the completely removable front62, a catch76holds the front62and rear64together at the distal end56, although various other clips and latches are contemplated.

As best shown inFIGS. 2B, 3, 5, 6A, and 6B, the button66is generally cylindrical and includes a head78, a body80, a waist82having a larger width/diameter than the body, a reduced waist portion84, and a foot86. The button may be formed from an upper portion66A and a lower portion66B that are interfitted. A spring88, such as a coil spring, biases the button66upward and opposite the direction of actuation. The button housing65retains the button66within the foregrip50and guides the button when depressed/actuated downward and when returned upward under bias of the spring88.

One skilled in the art would appreciate that depressing the button66moves the head80, waist82, and/or foot86out of engagement with one of the front62or rear64of the handgrip50such that it can be released from the other of the front62or rear64of the handgrip50in which the button66is slidably mounted. For example, as shown inFIG. 5, depressing the button66causes reduced waist portion84to align with the narrow part of a keyhole shaped slot67so that the front62can be pivoted forward and away from the rear64to access the battery compartment52. As noted above, if a hinge76is provided and has a spring bias, the front62may be biased to automatically open when the button66is pressed (i.e., actuated).

The battery compartment52holds a battery90and may contain a variety of additional components, such as, e.g., a control circuit or motherboard92as discussed further below, a battery connector94, sensors, an on/off switch, and the like. Likewise an additional battery (not illustrated) may be stored in the battery compartment, which may be electrically connected to the rest of the compressed gas gun20for additional power or may be held disconnected as a backup battery.

In operation, when it is desired to remove and/or replace a battery, the user removes the barrel40, presses the button66to release the front62from the rear64of the handgrip50, and moves the front62away from the rear64to reveal the battery compartment52. With the battery compartment52thus accessed, the battery can be easily removed or replaced as desired.

The battery compartment52may also contain various controls for operational settings and a “tournament lock” switch, which is generally known in the art to lock the various settings according to predetermined metrics so as to maintain a fair playing field.

In operating the compressed gas gun10, the trigger22is squeezed, thereby actuating the compressed gas cylinder (not shown) attached to the connection16to release bursts of compressed gas. The bursts of gas are used to fire paintballs outwardly through the barrel40. The projectiles (e.g., paintballs) are continually fed by a projectile loader (not shown) to the firing chamber. The battery90provides power for the control circuit92. The battery90also powers other electric, electromechanical, and electronic components throughout the compressed gas gun such as solenoids or other actuators for firing, and the like.

The control circuit92is, for example, a motherboard or other such processor for executing instructions stored in a memory. The control circuit92operates and monitors various electromechanical and electronic components of the compressed gas gun10and can control settings such as firing rate and gas pressure, as is known in the art. The control circuit92preferably consists of an integrated circuit which performs cycle control logic, an amplifier, a means of controlling valve coil current, e.g. a variable resistor with a “velocity control dial” protruding to the exterior of the control circuit, and a multi-position switch which can be used to disable the trigger54(one switch position), or select between semi-automatic (second switch position) and fully-automatic (third switch position) operation when the trigger22is pulled. The control circuit92may monitor battery power levels and provide indication when there is a lower battery, such as by a LED light, audible signal, or the like.

The arrangement of the present invention, having a releasable access panel62and strategically placed release button66, provides advantages over the prior art. The battery90and other internal electronics can be readily accessed without the use of tools (such as a screwdriver). At the same time, accidental opening is prevented. The present invention provides quick and easy use while in the field, particularly for replacing a used battery.

Additionally, the indirectly accessed release mechanism66allows for a simplified exterior with a streamlined aesthetic. It also protects the release mechanism from dirt, debris, or accidental actuation. The internal components are likewise protected from dirt and debris, but can be readily and fully accessed when desired. The hinge76allows the front62and rear64to stay attached when the body is opened, and likewise there are no small parts (such as screws) that can be lost.

It is to be appreciated that the operating characteristics of the compressed gas gun (i.e., compressed gas-powered projectile accelerator) of the present invention may utilize non-electronic or electronic components (for example, in the internal trigger mechanism) without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. Any electronic components, particularly solenoid valves, may be powered by the battery90(or multiple batteries) in the battery compartment52, and selectively energized by the control circuit92. It is also to be appreciated that additional, optional controls can be incorporated into the control circuit92of the preferred electronic embodiment of the compressed gas-powered projectile accelerator of the present invention without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein, such as additional switch positions controlling additional operating modes where the projectile accelerator accelerates finite numbers of projectiles, greater than one, generally known as “burst modes” when the trigger22is pulled, as compared to semi-automatic operation, where a single projectile is accelerated per trigger54pull, and fully-automatic operation, where projectile acceleration cycles continue successively as long as the trigger22remains pulled rearward. Additionally, the timing between cycles can be electronically controlled, and said timing can be made adjustable by the inclusion of an additional control dial in the control circuit92. The various controls and dials may be mounted inside the battery compartment52or externally on the foregrip50.

It is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover all modifications and combinations which are within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein and/or defined by the appended claims, the above description, and/or shown in the attached drawings. One skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes are possible. For example, the release button66could be located on different areas of the foregrip50, preferably with a two-stage actuation or the like to prevent accidental actuation.