Electronic paintball marker

The present invention is directed to an electronically controlled paintball marker with magnetic control, having a trigger in communication with an electronic controller and a bolt configured to reciprocate in response to a magnetic force applied to a portion of the bolt during a firing sequence. Actuation of the trigger initiates a firing sequence activating electromagnets controlled by the electronic controller.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an electronically controlled paintball marker. In particular, it relates to a magnetic paintball firing control system.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the popularity of the combat game known as “Paintball” has increased dramatically. In one form of this game, players on two teams are each supplied with a paintball marker and a number of paintballs, that is, rounds of ammunition. The paintballs usually comprise a spherical gelatin or similar shell filled with a non-toxic, water-soluble, biodegradable paint. Paintball markers fire these paintballs using compressed gas as a propellant. These gas-propelled balls strike players and rupture, and in so doing, “paint” the target player and provide dramatic evidence of the hit, without substantially injuring the player.

A typical firing cycle of a paintball marker begins by a user manually cocking a bolt in the breech of the marker rearwardly, creating an opening through which a paintball from a loader in communication with the marker is able to fall, under the force of gravity, into the breech. Once the paintball is in the breech, the bolt slides forward to contact the paintball. When the trigger is pulled, a valve is momentarily opened releasing compressed gas through the bolt into the breech, forcing the paintball out of the barrel of the marker.

Semi-automatic paintball markers operate typically operate using a “blow-back” method wherein a first source of compressed gas discharges the paintball and a second source of compressed gas operates to return the firing mechanism to a ready -to-fire position. Such devices, however, require considerable compressed gas to fire and recoil the mechanism of the gun. An example of such a marker is shown in U.S. Publication No. 2004/0144377 to Dobbins, herein incorporated by reference, and shows a bolt that reciprocates using the compressed gas. Furthermore, such complex firing devices are often difficult to operate and maintain and often suffer breakdowns after extended periods of use. Paintball markers have also been developed that are automatic, i.e. fire repeatedly when the trigger is held back without manual recocking. The advent of automatic paintball markers has resulted in an increase in “ball chop.” Ball chop occurs when the bolt moves forward towards the paintball while the paintball is only partially within the breech. The result is the ball is cut or smashed within the breech of the marker, fouling the paintball marker often entirely disabling it, effectively ending a player's game.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electronic paintball marker comprising a breech having an inlet for receiving a paintball; first and second electromagnets disposed within the breech at a distance from each other; a sensor disposed within the breech for detecting the presence of a paintball; a processor in communication with the electromagnets and sensor; and a bolt moveable between the first and second electromagnets, wherein the bolt comprises an elongate body having first and second ends, each of said ends having a magnetic portion and wherein at least one of the electromagnets is actuated by the processor when the sensor detects a paintball, the actuation creating an attraction or a repulsion between the magnetic portion and the at least one electromagnet.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an electronic paintball marker comprising a breech having first and second ends and an inlet for receiving a paintball; an electromagnet disposed within one of the ends; a sensor for detecting a paintball disposed within the breech; a processor in communication with the electromagnet and the sensor; and a bolt moveable between the sensor and the electromagnet, wherein the bolt comprises an elongate body having first and second ends, at least one of said ends having a magnetic portion and wherein the electromagnet is actuated by the processor when the sensor detects a paintball, the actuation selectively creating an attraction or a repulsion between the magnetic portion and the electromagnet.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a bolt for a paintball marker comprising an elongate body having first and second ends, each end having a magnetic portion, wherein the bolt moves back and forth within a breech of a paintball marker by magnetic forces exerted on the magnetic portions of the bolt.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide for a paintball marker wherein the bolt moves by magnetic attraction or repulsion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

A paintball marker is usually a futuristic “gun-shaped” device having one or two grips for firing, a barrel from which a paintball is discharged, and a trigger for activating the marker to fire the paintball. The actual body and shape of the marker is not shown in the Figures because the invention discussed herein relates to only several components of a marker, and not the body of the marker itself. It should be understood that the invention herein could be adapted for use in almost any paintball marker body. In addition, it should be understood that the various components described herein may be mounted in or on the paintball marker.

FIGS. 1A and 1Bshow an electronic paintball marker10comprising at least one electronic controller32, typically a microprocessor, that can receive electronic signals from marker components and also control many marker functions. In the Figures, these electronic signals and control function relationships are shown by lines connecting components with the controller32.

Referring toFIGS. 1A and 1B, a paintball marker10according to a first embodiment of the invention has a body, a breech14with a forward end and a rear end, a barrel16forward of the breech, a feed tube18for loading paintballs19into the breech, a reciprocating bolt20moveable between first and second positions, a source of compressed gas22, an electronically actuated valve24, and a trigger26. These are common elements found on most paintball markers. In addition, all the embodiments can optionally have a ball sensor30positioned to detect the presence or absence of a ball in the breech14. The ball sensor may be configured to provide a signal output to a microprocessor32when a paintball is detected in the breech14, or when a paintball is absent in the breech.

The bolt20of the present invention has an elongate body with first and second ends and a through aperture. The bolt can also comprise at least one magnetic portion28. The magnetic portion can be formed from a magnetized material that will be attracted to or repelled from a magnet. Any ferrous metal or other material that can be magnetized is acceptable. The magnetic portion28may also have a core formed from lightweight plastic and have an outer coating of a ferrous metallic material. Alternately, only the front and rear walls of the magnetized portion28need have an outer coating of a ferrous metallic material.

In a “closed bolt” arrangement, as is known in the art of paintball sports, the firing sequence includes trigger pull, signal to move bolt from a firing position to a loading position, loading of paintball, moving bolt from a loading position to firing position, opening valve to allow compressed gas to travel through the aperture in the bolt. Exemplary paintball marker arrangements are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,474,326 and 6,637,421, the entirety of which are incorporated by reference herein.

A closed-bolt arrangement of the present invention is depicted inFIG. 1A. The “home” or starting position of bolt20is a forward position preventing paintballs19from exiting feed tube18into the breech14. When trigger26is actuated (pulled) by a user, a signal is provided to controller32indicating that a firing sequence should be initiated. The controller32then actuates first and second electromagnets40,42either simultaneously, intermittently or sequentially. The magnets are spaced apart from one another, one in a forward position and the other in a rearward position. The activation of the rearward electromagnet42creates an attractive force on magnetic portion28of the bolt20, causing the bolt to move in a rearward direction. In the meantime, the forward electromagnet,40is actuated to create a repulsive force on the magnetic portion28, this repulsive force facilitates the movement of the bolt towards the rearward electromagnet42. When the bolt20has moved rearwardly sufficiently to allow a paintball19to enter the breech14, the controller reverses the polarity of the electromagnets40,42causing the bolt to be attracted by the forward magnet40and be repulsed by the rearward magnet, thus causing the bolt to move in a forward position. The return to the “closed” position closes the bolt, preventing additional paintballs from entering the breech as well as moves the paintball to a firing position. Once in the firing position, the controller32momentarily opens valve24to release a controlled amount of gas from gas source22to fire the paintball from the barrel16. This timed firing sequence is pre-programmed and therefore the closed-bolt arrangement does not require the use of sensors to indicate to the controller that the sequence should be initiated.

In an open-bolt arrangement is depicted inFIG. 1B. A sensor30can be disposed within the breech14. Generally, the sensors can be one of several types (mechanical, movement, shock, optical), however, optical sensors are preferred. Optical sensors may use infrared light to detect the ball, and may comprise an emitter and a detector that form a light beam, the sensor being activated when an paintball19crosses the light beam. The emitter and detector may be positioned as required to detect a paintball within the breech. Or an optical sensor may detect a paintball when light emitted from the sensor is reflected back on the sensor.

When a user pulls the trigger26, indicating a firing sequence is being initiated, the controller32activates sensor30to determine if a paintball is in the breech. If it is determined that a paintball19is in the breech. The controller32will activate the electromagnets40,42to attract and repulse the magnetic portion28of the bolt20to move the bolt20in a forward direction. As above, once in the firing position, the controller32opens valve24to release a controlled amount of gas from gas source22to fire the paintball from the barrel16.

Alternately, the open-bolt configuration may not rely on a sensor. Thus a firing sequence is initiated when a user pulls the trigger26. The controller32will activate the electromagnets40,42to attract and repulse the magnetic portion28of the bolt20to move the bolt20in a forward direction. As above, once in the firing position, the controller32opens valve24to release a controlled amount of gas from gas source22to fire the paintball from the barrel16.

The marker10of the present invention may also comprise bumpers52,72which serve to protect the magnetic portion28from excessive wear from contact with the electromagnets40,42. The bumpers can be of an elastomeric material such as rubber and also serve to reduce noise and provide greater comfort to a user.

As shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the bolt20can also comprise a second magnetic portion29. The addition of a second magnetic portion29provides greater attraction to the electromagnets40,42and therefore reduces the power requirement for the electromagnets40,42.

FIGS. 3A and 3Bdepict an embodiment having only one electromagnet42. In this embodiment, the forward electromagnet has been replaced with a bumper72that also serves to stop the forward motion of the bolt20when it is moving forward. As in the previous embodiments, a user pulls trigger26to initiate a firing sequence. The controller32receives the signal from the trigger and actuates the electromagnet42to attract the bolt20. Once the bolt20has moved rearward sufficiently to allow a paintball19to fall into the breech14, the controller reverses the polarity so that the bolt is repelled from the electromagnet in a forward direction. The movement and valve control may be regulated by the controller using preset or user modifiable timing parameters (e.g. software included with the microprocessor of the controller).

A fourth embodiment is depicted byFIGS. 4A-4C. In this embodiment, the paintball marker10has a bolt carrier cylinder62essentially parallel to the breech14, and a bolt carrier piston54contained in the cylinder62. The bolt20and bolt carrier piston54are linked via mechanical linkage60passing through a slot in the cylinder. Such assemblies, where a cylinder carrying a “ram,” “hammer,” or piston attached to a bolt of a paintball marker are well known in the art. The bolt carrier piston54is adapted to slide between a rear position and a forward position. The bolt carrier piston54is made of or coated with a magnetic material, or has a magnetic portion. The bolt carrier cylinder has a first electromagnet56at its forward end, and a second electromagnet58at its rear end (FIG. 4C). As described above, the controller32will selectively energize the electromagnets in a sequence that will first move the piston54rearward. Because the bolt20and piston54are mechanically coupled, the bolt20will be carried forward when the piston54moves forward. Selective activation of the magnets to reverse the magnetic field will move the bolt rearward. This embodiment operates essentially the same as the operation of the embodiment ofFIG. 1Adiscussed above. As shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B, a single electromagnet may be used to move piston54back and forth. In this embodiment a spring70assists with the returning of the piston54to its home position. The spring can be a helical spring, a cup spring and elastomer, etc. The embodiment ofFIGS. 4A-4Calso provides a channel74in the bolt20and an inlet76for compressed gas to flow from source22. It is appreciated that the channel74and inlet76can be arranged according to many variations within the body of a marker10, so long as compressed gas is supplied to the breech as necessary to fire the paintball marker.

FIGS. 5A-5Cdepict an arrangement having two electromagnets40,42and a spring70to assist in the return of the bolt20to its home position.FIG. 5Cshows the bolt20in a forward position closing feed tube18and moving the paintball19into firing position. When springs are used, power requirements of the electromagnets are reduced, thereby prolonging battery life.

FIGS. 6A-6Cshow an arrangement having a single electromagnet either forward42or rearward46and a spring70to facilitate the return of the bolt20to its home position. Bumpers72act as stops to restrict the forward and rearward movement of the bolt20.

The firing sequence may include different steps depending on the embodiment of the paintball marker of the present invention. In simple terms, the firing sequence for a “closed bolt” arrangement may be: (a) trigger actuation; (b) bolt moved rearward to load paintball; (c) bolt moved forward; and (d) valve opened to fire paintball. The firing sequence for an “open bolt” arrangement may be: (a) trigger actuation; (b) bolt moved forward; (c) valve opened to fire paintball; and, (d) bolt returned to “home” (or rearward) position. The movements are controlled by the controller, and the bolt is moved at least in part by magnetic force. Where a spring is used, the spring will bias the bolt or piston to one of either the rearward or forward positions, depending on the arrangement of the magnets and springs.

It should also be contemplated that the bolt can comprise an electromagnet rather than a magnetic portion.