Delivery shell using gyroscopic guiding system and methods of making the same

A projectile such as a paintball including a ball-shaped capsule and a round-shaped disc capable of facilitating accuracy of projectile travel direction is disclosed. The ball-shaped or substantial ball-shaped capsule, in one embodiment, having a head and a tail is able to store and deliver colored markers upon an impact between the projectile and an object. The round-shaped disc is positioned at a place so that allowing a portion of the round-shaped disc to extend above outer surface of the capsule. The disc is able to catch at least airflow when the projectile is launched. The round-shaped disc, in one example, uses the direction of the airflow to facilitate travel direction of the projectile.

FIELD

The present invention relates to projectiles carrying payloads capable of being propelled by launch systems or apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to ammunition capable of being launched by compressed gas guns.

BACKGROUND

With increasing applicability of projectile ammunitions launched by gas-powered guns, projectiles with enhanced accuracy and distance are in high demand. For example, gas-powered guns such as paintball guns loaded with various types of paintballs are often used in many different settings and environments, such as paintball tournaments, police and military trainings, special effects on movie shootings, riot controls, et cetera. A conventional gas-powered gun such as a paintball gun uses carbon dioxide (CO2) or compressed air to propel ammunition such as a delivery shell or paintball from its chamber to a target or object via its barrel.

A delivery shell or a paintball typically carries colored paint or marker and it breaks upon a high speed impact. To accurately reach an intended target, both the design of projectile and the power of paintball guns are important factors.

SUMMARY

A projectile such as a paintball including a ball-shaped or dome-shaped capsule and a round-shaped disc for improving accuracy and range of the projectile using gyroscopic approach is disclosed. The ball-shaped capsule, in one embodiment, having a head and a tail portion is able to store and deliver colored marker upon an impact between the projectile and an object. The round-shaped disc is positioned at a location to allow a portion of the round-shaped disc to extend above outer surface of the capsule. The disc is able to catch at least a portion of airflow when the projectile travels through the air after launching. The round-shaped disc, in one example, leverages airflows to facilitate and/or maintain travel direction of the projectile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention is described herein in the context of a method, system and apparatus of providing a delivery shell having a dome-shaped head portion and a disc capable of being launched by a gas-powered propelling system.

Those of ordinary skills in the art will realize that the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiment(s) is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of the exemplary embodiment(s) as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following detailed description to refer to the same or like parts.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “various embodiments,” “exemplary embodiment,” “one aspect,” “an aspect,” “exemplary aspect,” “various aspects,” etc., indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will, of course, be understood that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions may be made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with application- and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be understood that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skills in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

Various embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. Rather, the dimensions of the various features may be expanded or reduced for clarity. In addition, some of the drawings may be simplified for clarity. Thus, the drawings may not depict all of the components of a given apparatus (e.g., device) or method.

As used herein, the singular forms of article “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Also, the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

A delivery shell such as a projectile or a paintball including a ball-shaped capsule and a round-shaped disc for facilitating accuracy of projectile travel direction is disclosed. The ball-shaped or substantial ball-shaped capsule, in one embodiment, having a head and a tail is able to store and deliver colored markers upon an impact between the projectile and an object. The round-shaped disc is positioned at a place to allow a portion of the round-shaped disc to extend above outer surface of the capsule. The disc is able to catch airflow when the shell is launched. The round-shaped disc, in one example, uses airflows to facilitate travel direction of the projectile.

FIG. 1Aillustrates a delivery shell100having a ball-shaped capsule and a round-shaped disc in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Shell100can also be referred to as a paintball, projectile, aerodynamic projectile, ammunition, and the like. Shell100, in one embodiment, includes a ball-shaped capsule102and a round-shaped disc110, wherein disc110is configured in such a way that it is able to couple to capsule102almost seamlessly. Note that capsule102and disc110can be fabricated together onto a single unit. It should be noted that the underlying concept of the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention would not change if one or more components (or elements) were added to or removed from shell100.

Capsule102has a head108and a tail116and has an approximately spherical or ball-shaped body. Depending on the applications, diameter120of capsule102should have a range of 0.40 to 0.75 inch or caliber. Inside of capsule102is hollow and is able to store or carry user defined substances, such as, but not limited to, non-lethal color marker, non-lethal payload, lethal payload, non-lethal chemical agent, combustible material, and the like. Depending on the payload, capsule102can be fabricated with stretchable semi-solid material, such as plastic, polymer, rubber, polyurethane, synthetic material, or a combination of plastic, polymer, rubber, polyurethane. Alternatively, capsule102can also be made by different synthetic as well as natural materials, such as plant/animal wax, paraffin wax, beeswax, and/or other biodegradable substances.

Disc110is configured to have a generally flat circular configuration, and it has a diameter122and a height106. Diameters120and122, in one example, are approximately the same. In one embodiment, disc110includes multiple blades or aerodynamic blades124wherein each of blades124has a blade tip edge, a blade body, and a blade exit edge. The blade tip edge, the blade body, the blade exit edge, and a portion of capsule surface form an air channel104for facilitating spinning motion for shell100. In one aspect, the exit edges have curved shapes, wherein portions of the exit edges are commonly joined at a flat base plane.

Shell100, in one embodiment, is a projectile capable of being launched by a paintball gun. Sell100includes a ball-shaped capsule102and round-shaped disc110. Capsule102having a head108and a tail116is able to store and deliver colored markers upon an impact with an object. Disc110is coupled to tail116of capsule102in such a way that it allows a portion of disc110to extend above outer surface of capsule102to catch airflow when shell100moves in the air. Disc110is able to leverage direction of airflows to facilitate or adjust travel direction of shell100. Disc110, in one example, includes a coupler, not shown inFIG. 1A, having a concave surface configured to receive tail116of capsule102. The concave surface of the coupler contains an opening that allows a portion of tail116to pass through for coupling or seating.

During operation, upon impact with a targeted object, capsule102breaks and delivers the payload such as colored marker to an area in the vicinity of the impact. It should be noted that when shell100moves in the air after it is launched by a paintball gun, airflow, for instance, may pass through air channels104which induces spinning motion of shell100. The lift force, for example, may create a torque causing spinning motion for shell100with a spinning axis coincided with the travel direction (or forward motion). Note that the spinning motion increases the stability or gyroscopic guiding motion to shell100whereby accuracy for shell100to hit a target is enhanced.

To be compatible with ammunition cartridge and launchers, diameter122and height106of disc110can be adjusted. For example, diameter122is configured to have the approximately the same size as diameter120of capsule102and height106may be about the radius of capsule102. Depending on the applications, other shell dimensions may be used.

FIG. 1Bis a diagram showing a delivery shell152having a groove for housing a driving band in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Shell152is similar to shell100illustrated inFIG. 1Aexcept that shell152includes two grooves156-158. In one embodiment, grooves156-158are configured to allow two driving bands, not shown in figure, to fit onto grooves156-158to enhance efficiency for gas-powered launcher as well as provide gyroscopic stability. It should be noted that the underlying concept of the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention would not change if shell152contains one groove156or additional grooves are added.

A driving band, not shown inFIG. 1B, is a circular strip capable of fitting into a predefined circular groove such as groove156of capsule152. Capsule152includes a circumferential groove156capable of receiving a driving band wherein a portion of the driving band extends above the surface of capsule152to catch at least a portion of airflow which will be used to guide the travel direction of shell152. Alternatively, when a shell with a driving band is loaded in the firing chamber, the driving band is able to seal at least a portion of space between the shell and the barrel to prevent gas leakage during the gas-powered launch.

FIGS. 2A-Care three-dimensional (“3D”) diagrams200-204illustrating an exemplary disc having multiple blades in accordance with one embodiment of the invention showing. Diagram200illustrates a disc viewing from a back angle showing a flat base plane224with an opening226and multiple blades212. Eight (8) blades212are shown in diagram200wherein a side of each blade212is attached or joined at flat base plane224. Diagram200shows airflow surface216associated with blades212. Diagram202illustrates a disc having a view of inner surface222used to attach to a capsule such as capsule102. Diagram204is a side view of disc showing airflow surface216.

Disc200includes eight (8) blades or aerodynamic blades212, wherein each blade has an airflow surface216and an inner surface222. Airflow surface216includes a blade tip218, an exit edge220, and a blade body wherein blade body is defined by an upper surface230, a lower surface234, and a side surface232. Side surface132joins upper surface230and lower surface234and extends to exit edge220. Note that blade exit edge220, blade tip218, blade body, and a portion of capsule surface form an air channel. When airflow travels through airflow surface216, the curvature of blade212allows airflow to generate spinning motion for the shell or projectile. Note that exit edges220of blades212have curved shapes and are commonly joined to flat base plane224. It should be noted that disc and capsule can be manufactured together as a single unit.

Each blade212is configured to have an aerodynamic shape for reducing air drag while redirecting airflow to generate spinning motion. Blades212as shown inFIG. 2Aare spaced in equal distance for creating air channels between two adjacent blades212. Upper surface230and lower surface234are converged at downstream of airflow to form exit edge220. Airflow surface216uses its aerodynamic surface to generate spinning force when the air stream passes over surface216.

Inner surface222is configured to seat at least a portion of capsule such as a tail end of capsule102shown inFIG. 1A. Note that the capsule is not limited to a spherical or ball shape capsule and it, for example, can be an elongated spherical or ellipsoid shaped capsule. It should be further noted that when the capsule is not spherical, inner surface122may be adjusted to the contours of capsule for coupling purposes. In one aspect, inner surface222is configured to have a contour closely matching with surface contour of capsule.

When a shell travels through the air, airflow surface216is shaped in such a way that it catches a portion of air stream. For example, when air stream passes through upper surface230and lower surface234, different air pressures between the surfaces are exerted whereby a torque is induced. The torque introduces spin motion for the shell. It should be noted that blades212are arranged in a circular formation and they can cause the shell to spin in a direction indicated by arrow228. The spin motion is created around an axis parallel to travel direction of shell through the air.

FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating a delivery shell300having a groove or grooves configured to house a driving band(s) in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Shell300includes capsule152which is illustrated inFIG. 1Band disc200which is illustrated inFIG. 2A. Capsule152is coupled with disc200to form a delivery shell wherein disc200, in one example, uses a set of blades to provide gyroscopic stability to improve accuracy of hitting the target. Depending on the applications, one or two driving bands can be installed in grooves304. It should be noted that the installed driving band(s) will be situated approximately perpendicular to the travel direction of shell300as indicated by arrow320. A function of driving band is that it further provides gyroscopic stability to improve accuracy and range. Another function of driving band is that it prevents gas leakage to the barrel during the launch process. Note that capsule152and disc200can be fabricated on a single unit.

FIGS. 4A-Dare diagrams illustrating a delivery shell having a driving band(s) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 4Aillustrates a delivery shell400having capsule402, disc200, and two driving bands410capable of being launched by a paintball gun. Capsule402, in one embodiment, has a round-shaped vessel capable of storing and delivering colored marker upon breakage of the vessel. In an alternative embodiment, Capsule402includes a dome-shaped head and a conical body configured to store and delivery colored marker upon breakage of the capsule.

Disc200having a propeller-shaped tail portion is coupled to capsule402. The propeller-shaped tail portion includes a set of curved blades which have aerodynamic surfaces capable of forming air channels between the curved blades and surface of capsule402. The air channels, in one example, guide airflows when the projectile is launched and travels through the air. Note that the set of curved blades facilitates or generates spin motion for the projectile or shell400whereby the accuracy of projectile to hit a target is enhanced.

Driving bands410, in one embodiment, are manufactured in circular rings with relatively flexible materials. Driving bands410are configured to fit into the installing grooves410. The outer diameter of driving band410is configured to approximately match the bore diameter of the barrel of the projectile launcher or paintball gun. A function of driving bands340is to provide a seal effect between shell400and the wall of barrel to prevent or reduce gas leakage to the barrel during the launch. Single band may be used. In one embodiment, driving band410may be opening rings.

A spinning track, in one aspect, is imprinted on the wall of barrel for creating a spinning motion of shell inside of barrel as the shell moves from the firing chamber to the opening of barrel. The spinning track receives a portion of driving band410and uses driving band410to spin shell400as shell400travels through the barrel. An advantage of using a driving band is that it improves compression ability and launch efficiency with gas-powered guns. Another advantage of using a driving band is to provide gyroscopic stability to enhance accuracy and range. In one embodiment, the driving band is made of biodegradable materials, such as expanded corn foams, wheat, sugar, wood, or the like.

FIG. 4Bis a diagram illustrating a paintball gun including a barrel452, a delivery shell400, and a gas-powered propeller450capable of using a driving band410in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Shell400is loaded to a firing or launch chamber wherein the top or outer portion of driving band410touches the inner wall454of barrel452to reduce or minimize gas leakage from propeller450into barrel452during the launch. During operation, when propeller450releases gas or CO2, shell400moves from the launch chamber toward the opening of barrel456in a direction indicated by numeral458. It should be noted that the driving band410improves the efficiency of gas-powered launch whereby driving band increases range of shell400.

FIG. 4Cis diagram illustrating a paintball gun including a barrel452, a delivery shell400, and a gas-powered propeller450capable of using a driving band410for spinning in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, barrel452includes a spiral track or spinning track462wherein spiral track462is able to house driving band410. When propeller450releases gas or CO2, shell400moves from the launch chamber toward the opening of barrel456in a direction indicated by numeral458. Since driving band410is fitted with spiral track462, track462causes shell to spin inside of barrel452with a direction indicated by numeral460. It should be noted that the driving band410causes shell400to spin before it leaves barrel452to create a gyroscopic stability for accuracy enhancement.

FIG. 4Dis a diagram illustrating a paintball gun including a barrel452, a delivery shell400, and a gas-powered propeller450capable of using a driving band410in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Once shell400leaves barrel452, driving band410, in one embodiment, begins to create a fire or combustion470having a burning effect. Driving band410not only provides a gyroscopic stability, but also provides a fire ball. Generating a fire ball effect can be helpful to create special effects for movie shootings. Other applications are possible. For example, fire delivery by shell400may be useful to provide fire control during a wildfire. Alternatively, driving band410can also deliver a sound effect such as whistling or playing music472as shell400flying or traveling through the air. It should be noted that depending on the applications, any number of driving bands may be used.

FIGS. 5A-Dare diagrams illustrating a delivery shell having a capsule with a dome-shaped head and cone-shaped body in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 5Aillustrates a delivery shell500having capsule502and disc200capable of being launched by a paintball gun.FIG. 5Billustrates shell500having a back angle view showing disc200. Capsule502, in one embodiment, has a round-shaped vessel capable of storing and delivering colored marker upon breakage of the vessel. In an alternative embodiment, Capsule502includes a dome-shaped head and a conical body configured to store and delivery colored marker upon breakage of the capsule. In one embodiment, shell500has a groove504capable of housing a driving band.

Disc200having a propeller-shaped tail portion is coupled to capsule502. The propeller-shaped tail portion includes a set of curved blades which have aerodynamic surfaces capable of forming air channels between the curved blades and surface of capsule502. The air channels, in one example, guide the airflows when the projectile is launched and travels through the air. Note that the set of curved blades facilitates a spinning motion for the projectile or shell500to enhance the accuracy of the projectile to hit a target.

Depending on the applications, various size or dimension of shell500may be fabricated. For example, to make shell500compatible with various types of existing launcher equipments, shell500may be configured to have height506of disc to be approximately the same as diameter508of capsule502.

FIG. 5Cis a 3D cross-sectional diagram550illustrating an exemplary internal structure of shell500having a dome-shaped head and a conical or cone-shaped body. For example, diagram550shows shell500containing a cavity560wherein cavity560is enclosed by a spherical dome-shaped base562and a conical body564. The vertex of conical body564, for instance, is coupled to base224of disc200. Cavity560is capable of carrying lethal payload such as explosives or chemical/biological agents. Alternatively, cavity560is able to carry non-lethal content such as marking dye and/or paint. The vertex of the conical body564, in one example, maybe truncated and can be opened through base224to provide access to cavity560.

FIG. 5Dis a 3D diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of shell508having a dome-shaped head and a conical or cone-shaped body. Shell508includes multiple grooves550capable of housing up to four driving bands. It should be noted that one driving band can installed at disc200.

FIGS. 6-7are diagrams illustrating a delivery shell having movable fins in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 6Aillustrates a shell600having four foldable blades or movable fins616wherein shell600is in an operation position. The operation position means all movable fins are fully extended for catching pass-by airflow to make shell600to spin when it is launched in the air.FIG. 6Billustrates shell600which is in a folding position before it is being launched. When movable fins616are in a closed position or folding position, fins616, in one aspect, are contained inside an outer perimeter of annular base632.FIG. 6Cis a side view of shell600in folding position.FIG. 6Dis a side view of shell600in operation position.

Shell600, in one embodiment, includes a capsule602, an annular base632, pivot pins640, and movable fins616. Capsule602having a round head and a conical body is capable of storing and delivery payload such as colored marker upon breakage of capsule602. Annular base632has an opening which is configured to allow a portion of capsule602to pass through such as a portion of the conical body. Pivot pins640are configured to anchor to annular base632, and movable fins616are coupled to pivot pins640. In one example, movable fins form a foldable curved propeller having four twisted blades able to form a substantially circular column around a cylindrical body618of annular base632before shell600is launched into air stream.

Movable fins616, in one embodiment, are used to enhance accuracy and/or travelling distance of shell600. Movable fins616can be configured as four twisted blades, wherein each blade has a helical surface620-622capable of generating a force in response to airflow that passes through the helical surface. When shell600is launched into the air stream, movable fins pivot open in operation position or mode capable of facilitating to cause or assist a spinning motion for shell600. In one example, movable fins616are able to extend beyond the circumferential boundary of annular base632when they are in operation position. Alternatively, when movable fins616are in folding position, movable fins616are contained within a circumferential boundary of annular base632.

Referring back toFIG. 6A, shell or projectile600includes a dome-shaped capsule602, a circumferential groove646adjacent to capsule602and a tail portion610. Tail portion610is attached to annular base632next to circumferential groove646. Dome-shaped capsule602may be used to carry lethal content such as explosives. Alternatively, capsule602is configured to carry non-lethal content such as marking dyes. Tail portion610includes cylindrical body612, movable fins616, and pivot pins640. The diameter of cylindrical body612, in one example, is smaller than the diameter of dome-shaped capsule602. Cylindrical body612, in one example, is connected to a center region of annular base632. Cylindrical body612, in one aspect, includes a right circular cylinder614and an open-ended, truncated circular cone618which is attached to a side of cylinder614opposite to annular base632. The open-ended, truncated circular cone618provides an access for entering internal space of dome-shaped capsule602. An access port626may be constructed to serve as an entry to the internal of shell600.

Movable fin616includes a fin body624having a top flow surface620and a lower flow surface622, and a pivoting base630connected to fin body624. Top flow surface620and lower flow surface622are aerodynamic surfaces. Pivoting base630contains a pivot hole642for engaging with a pivot pin640. Pivot pins640are attached to annular base632and are situated at equal or the same distance from cylindrical body612. Pivot pins640are also equally spaced circumferentially in annular base632. Movable fins616are pivotally attached to pivot pins640through pivot holes642in pivoting base630. Fin616is in operation position when fin body624pivots away from cylindrical body612. Fin616is in folding position when fin body624pivots to toward cylindrical body612.

Pivot hole642and pivot base630are shaped in such a way that when fins616pivot to a desired operation position, a locking between fins616and cylindrical body612is created to prevent any further opening movement of the aerodynamic fins616. Pivot hole642, in one example, is an oblong shaped hole which allows fin616to move in a circumferential direction of annular base632while swiveling around pivot pin640. In one aspect, a spring such as a torsional spring may be used to open fins616between pivot pin640and pivoting base630. The torsional spring is in a winded state when fins616are in folding position or in closed status.

FIGS. 6E-Fare 3D diagrams showing a delivery shell600with a driving band650in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Capsule602further includes a circular ring installed in a circular circumferential undercut groove between the hemispherical capsule and the annular base.FIGS. 6Eand F illustrate shell600having a dome-shaped capsule602, a tail portion, and movable fins616wherein fins616are in a folding position.FIG. 6Gillustrates a shell600in the operation position with a driving band650. When shells600are stored or loaded in a projectile launcher, fins616are in closed or folding position as shown inFIGS. 6Eand F. Fins616, in one example, remain in folding position until shell600is launched. When shell600leaves the barrel of a launcher, fins616swing open in operation position as shown inFIG. 6G. As shell600travels toward a target with a direction indicated by arrow654, air flows over the surface of dome-shaped capsule602to tail portion610via driving band650. The airflow generates a force via band650and movable fins616to cause shell600to spin.

FIG. 6Hillustrates an alternative embodiment of a delivery shell having a capsule688and a disc698in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Diagrams680-686illustrate an exemplary process of changing shell's physical configuration as it is being launched by a gas-powered launcher such as a paintball gun. Diagram680illustrates a shell in a folding position. When the shell is in folding position, it has a dimension that will fit for any standard loading magazines before launching. Diagram682illustrates the shell has been launched from the firing chamber. As the shell moves through the barrel, capsule688extends a portion of its body as indicated by numeral690. As soon as the shell exits the barrel, a portion of movable fins swings open as indicated by numeral692as shown in diagram684. After movable fins are in operation position, the movable fins move along pivot pin away from capsule688as indicated by numeral696in diagram686. When capsule688is extended and movable fins are in their full operation mode, extended capsule688and disc698with movable fins optimize weight distribution of shell as well as structural balanced whereby shell's accuracy and distance can be improved.

FIG. 7is a two-dimensional (“2D”) cross-sectional diagram700illustrating an exemplary internal structure of delivery shell or projectile600in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Diagram700shows shell600having a capsule602wherein capsule602contains a cavity660. Cavity660, in one embodiment, includes a dome-shaped base664and a conical shaped body662. In one embodiment, cavity660is used to contain lethal agent such as explosive or chemical agents. Alternatively, cavity660carries non-lethal content such as marking dyes or paint. An access port626is located at the vertex of cone-shaped cavity660. Port626is accessible via the opening of truncated cylindrical body618. During fabrication, access port626may be used to load material such as marking dyes into cavity660. In one example, the height710of shell700is equal or approximately equal to the diameter712of capsule602.

FIGS. 8A-Dare diagrams illustrating an alternative exemplary shell800having a capsule and a disc in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Shell800, in one embodiment, includes a ball-shaped capsule802and a round-shaped disc820. Shell800is capable of being launched by a paintball gun. Ball-shaped capsule802has a head806and a tail808, and is hollow inside able to store and deliver colored markers upon an impact with an object. Round-shaped disc820is coupled to tail808of capsule802and is configured to position disc820to a location so that it allows a portion of round-shaped disc820to extend above outer surface of capsule802. Disc820is able to catch at least a portion of airflow when shell800moves through the air. Disc820is able to utilize direction of the airflow to facilitate the travel direction of shell800.

Disc820further includes a coupler810having a concave surface configured to receive tail808of capsule802. A guiding ring812which can be part of disc820is coupled to coupler810. Guiding ring812, in one embodiment, has multiple openings816allowing air to pass through for guiding travel direction of the projection. Openings816of guiding ring812are configured to facilitate spinning motion of shell800. The spinning motion, in one aspect, enhances travel distance and accuracy of projectile direction. The concave surface of coupler810contains a hole (not shown in figure) that allows a portion of tail808of ball-shaped capsule802to pass through.

FIGS. 8C-Dare diagrams illustrating an alternative exemplary shell800having a capsule capable of housing driving band(s), and a disc.

FIG. 9is a diagram900illustrating a gas-powered gun able to receive a magazine having multiple delivery shells in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Diagram900includes a projectile or shell propelling system912and a magazine916, wherein magazine916further includes a U-shaped storage channel918, a follower906, and a spring910. The U-shaped storage channel918is able to house multiple projectiles or shells902wherein shells902are pushed or managed by follower906mounted at one end of spring910. When magazine916is loaded with shells902, all of shells, projectiles, or paintballs902travel through U-shaped storage channel918before they are being launched. It should be noted that dimension908of U-shaped storage channel918can and should change according to types of ammunition used. An advantage of using the magazine illustrated in diagram900is to maximize the usage of available space in the magazine.

Shells902, in one embodiment, are similar to shell100shown inFIG. 1A, shells300shown inFIG. 3, shells400shown inFIG. 4A, shells500shown inFIG. 5A, shells600shown inFIG. 6A, or shell800shown inFIG. 8A. Alternatively, storage space in magazine916may include one straight storage column or two straight storage columns instead U-shaped storage channel918. It should be noted that delivery shells capable of delivery payload are configured with certain dimensions whereby they can be launched by existing launch equipments such as gas-powered paintball guns.