Abstract:
Improvements in an airsoft kit to convert an airsoft gun to fire paintballs is disclosed. The airsoft kit to convert an airsoft gun to fire paintballs to fire paintballs. The firing of paintballs can be with firing individual paintballs, a burst of about three paintballs successive paintballs rapid fire as paintballs are sprayed in a general area of an opponent. The kit converts an airsoft gun to fire paintballs to handle feeding either airsoft projectiles or paintball projectiles depending upon the installed kit. The kit allows for a user to purchase a single reliable gun that can be used for either activity and then install or remove a fit that allows the gun to be used in either of the two activities. The conversion requires little or no tools and can be performed in the field as the user prepares for their next combat.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/036,543 filed Aug. 12, 2014 the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
         [0003]    THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
         [0004]    Not Applicable 
         [0005]    INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
         [0006]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0008]    This invention relates to improvements in a conversion kit for guns, including guns for use in the sport of airsoft and paintball. More particularly, the present conversion kit allows a gun used for airsoft to be converted to fire paintballs. The kit is reversible to allow the gun to fire airsoft projectiles. 
         [0009]    2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
         [0010]    Conventional firearms have a firing mechanism to fire a projectile and a barrel to direct the projectile in a desired direction. Guns are made for numerous purposes and include many designs, for example, rifles, shot guns, and hand guns. A broad array of different mechanisms for firing a projectile have been employed for various types of guns. For example, one type of gun is dependent on having a propellant combined with the projectile. In this type of gun, the firing mechanism detonates the propellant contained in the projectile, which launches the projectile along the barrel. This type includes shot guns, which fire cartridges comprised of shot packaged with explosive material, and conventional rifles, machine guns, and handguns, which shoot bullets comprised of a unitary slug packaged with explosive material in a casing. 
         [0011]    Another method of firing a projectile uses a propulsion source separate from the projectile, such as compressed gas, including air, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and others. Examples of such guns include, air riffles, BB guns, and paintball guns or “markers.” These guns either include a pump for compressing ambient air or are adapted to receive compressed air from a source, such as a compressed gas cartridge or gas cylinder. Conventional paintball guns rely on such cartridges or gas cylinders for supplying compressed gas, including air, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. 
         [0012]    A typical firearm is constructed to fire either airsoft projectiles or paintballs. Due to the different handling requirements for the different projectiles for airsoft and paintball guns a conversion kit for handling both of these types of projectiles does not exist. A number of patents have been made to address a gunpowder fired projectiles where the bullet or shotgun handling addresses these issues. Exemplary examples of patents that try to address this/these problem(s) are identified and discussed below. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,274 issued on Feb. 4, 2003 to Laszlo Vastag discloses a Removable System for Converting a Breach Loading Shotgun to a .22 Long Rifle. While this patent discloses changing the gun for different types of ammunition, the conversion only allows for firing a single projectile at a time and a user must individually load each bullet into the firearm. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,302,881, and 7,735,409 issued on Dec. 4, 2007 and Jun. 15, 2010 respectively, both to James A. Tertin disclose a Conversion Kit and Method for a Ruger 10/22 Semi-Automatic .22 Caliber Rim Fire Rifle to Shoot .17 Mach 2 Cartridges. Both these patents disclose firing bullets where the gun power is present in the cartridge. While the conversion allows the firearm to reload a projectile the gun powder in each bullet provides the forces to eject the fired shell and load another bullet. 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,562,478 issued on Jul. 21, 2009 to Laszlo Vastag discloses a Firearm Conversion System and Caliber Reducer with Hammer Safety Lock. This system is for a revolver and includes a caliber reducer that is placed into the barrel of the firearm and the rotatable cylinder is replaced to accept the smaller caliber bullet. While this system allows for the firearm to fire different caliber projectiles, gun power is still the driving mechanism for the projectile and new projectiles are not self-loaded into the firearm. 
         [0016]    U.S. Publication Number 2010/0059032 published on Mar. 11, 2010 to Lawrence J. Zadra discloses an Interchangeable Gun Barrel Apparatus and Method. In this publication the existing barrel of the firearm is removed and a completely new barrel is installed onto the firearm. 
         [0017]    What is needed is a firearm that is configurable as an airsoft firearm that uses compressed gas for expelling a projectile and for loading new projectiles, and further includes a conversion kit to allow the firearm to also fire and reload paintballs using the same compressed gas. The disclosure found in this document provides a solution. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    It is an object of the airsoft kit to convert an airsoft gun to fire paintballs to feed and fire airsoft projectiles. The airsoft market is much larger than the paintball market, and often a person who uses a paintball gun may also use an airsoft gun. For these people purchasing two different guns for the different activities can be expensive. This is especially true when the user purchases high quality guns. In addition to the expense, a person becomes accustom the characteristics of a particular firearm and switching guns can alter the aim and feel from the perspective of the user. 
         [0019]    It is an object of the airsoft kit to convert an airsoft gun to fire paintballs to fire paintballs. The activity of combat with paintball guns has grown in great popularity. The accuracy of a paintball gun is critical for marking an opponent. The firing of paintballs can be with firing individual paintballs, a burst of successive paintballs in rapid fire. This burst is typically about three paintballs of rapid fire as paintballs are sprayed in a general area of an opponent. The paintball guns provide a realistic appearance and weight of the paintball gun to simulate an actual combat firearm such as an AR-15 type rifle. 
         [0020]    It is another object of the airsoft kit to convert an airsoft gun to fire paintballs to handle feeding either airsoft projectiles or paintball projectiles depending upon the installed kit. The kit allows for a user to purchase a single reliable gun that can be used for either activity and then install or remove a kit that allows the gun to be used in either of the two activities. 
         [0021]    It is still another object of the airsoft kit to convert an airsoft gun to fire paintballs. The conversion requires little or no tools and can be performed in the field as the user prepares for their next combat. While it is unlikely that a user will utilize both airsoft projectiles and paintballs at the same time, a user may use the different types of projectiles in a single day as they switch between the two activities. 
         [0022]    Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a launcher  10 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the launcher with the unique internal items removed. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-section of the launcher from  FIG. 2 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  shows an airsoft barrel. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  shows an airsoft sleeve module. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  shows a cross-section of the airsoft module from  FIG. 5 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  shows an assembly of the barrel from  FIG. 4  and the airsoft sleeve module from  FIG. 5 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  shows a cross-section of the barrel and sleeve assembly from  FIG. 7 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  shows an airsoft mag adapter. 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  shows a cross-section of the mag adapter from  FIG. 9 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  shows a cross-section of the paintball sleeve module. 
           [0034]      FIG. 12  shows a cross-section of the assembled airsoft launcher. 
           [0035]      FIG. 13  shows a cross-section of the assembled paintball launcher. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]      FIG. 1  show a perspective view of a launcher  10 . The projectile launcher  10  may support pneumatic actuation of one or more components thereof. For example, a launcher  10  may support pneumatic actuation or manipulation of an action thereof. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, pneumatic forces may be responsible for propelling a projecting out of a launcher  10   
         [0037]    In selected embodiments, a launcher  10  may have an exterior look and feel that mimics, substantially matches, or matches the look and feel of a particular firearm (e.g., rifle, pistol, or the like). For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a launcher  10  may match or substantially match the exterior dimensions, look and feel, or the like of an AR-15 type rifle. A launcher  10  may also have external controls that match or substantially match the exterior controls of an AR-15 type rifle. Accordingly, a launcher  10  may provide an effective simulation or training platform. 
         [0038]    For example, a launcher  10  may include a trigger  12 , charging handle  14 , magazine release  16 , forward assist  18 , butt stock  20  (e.g., adjustable butt stock), grip  22 , fore grip  24 , magazine  26 , bolt release  28 , trigger guard  30 , selector-switch, or the like or a combination or sub-combination thereof that collectively or individually match or substantially match the operations, sizes, shapes, and/or relative positions of comparable components on an AR-15 type rifle. In certain embodiments, all such components may be functional. In other embodiments, certain components (e.g., a forward assist  18  and/or bolt release) may be provided merely to maintain aesthetic realism, but may otherwise be non-functional. 
         [0039]    In certain embodiments, various components of a launcher  10  may be actual AR-15 parts. For example, in selected embodiments, a butt stock  20 , grip  22 , fore grip  24 , trigger guard  30 , or the like or a combination or sub-combination thereof may be actual AR-15 parts (e.g., “milspec” parts, aftermarket parts, or the like). Accordingly, a user may customize his or her launcher  10  in the same manner and/or with the same parts as he or she would with an actual AR-15 type rifle. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the launcher  10  with the unique internal items removed and  FIG. 3  shows a cross-section of the launcher  10  from  FIG. 2 . From  FIG. 3  the entire barrel  50  inside of the fore grip  24  and the breach area  60  is clear to accept the transportation and firing components that allows the launcher  10  to fire either paintballs or airsoft projectiles. The trigger  12  under the trigger guard  30  and the firing mechanism that transports compressed gas stored in the chamber  40  in the butt stock to behind a projectile remains essentially intact. Even the grip  22  is the same in both versions. This allows a user to hold and fire either type of projectile from the same weapon shell. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  shows an airsoft barrel. This barrel has the breach  73  on the lower right portion of this figure. Connected to the breach  73  the airsoft inner barrel  72  is secured. The airsoft inner barrel  72  is then connected to the airsoft barrel  71  that is then connected to the muzzle break  70 . Inside these components in a hollow inside diameter where an airsoft pellet passes when fired. The diameter of the barrel reduces the inside diameter from a diameter that can pass a paintball to a diameter that can pass an airsoft pellet. The airsoft pellet is loaded and fired from the breach. The breach  73  is installed into the airsoft sleeve shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The inner diameter of said launcher is between .43 caliber and .68 caliber for the paintballs. .68 caliber or 0.68 inches in diameter being the most common. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  shows an airsoft sleeve module  80  and  FIG. 6  shows a cross-section of the airsoft sleeve module  80  from  FIG. 5 . The airsoft sleeve module controls the passage of pressurized gas from the gas cartridge to load and propel an airsoft pellet. The entire airsoft sleeve module  80  is configured to fit within the diameter of the gun that would normally allow a paintball to pass through the same diameter. Starting at the back of the airsoft sleeve module  80  there is a rear cap  81  that fits within the body of the firearm. A rear cap pin  100  secures the outside of the sleeve  91  to a striker cushion and the rear cap  81 . A striker spring  82  is shown in the cocked orientation. The striker cushion  99  softens impact of the striker onto the rear cap  81 . 
         [0043]    A screw  84  passes through the sleeve  91  and into the striker  87 . Screw  84  is located in a slot to allow the striker  87  to move in the sleeve  91 . An O-ring  98  seals the movement of the striker  87 . On the other side of the O-ring  98  a striker front  97  is located. The striker front  97  is secured with the airsoft bolt  85  that secures the striker front  97  to the screw  95 . Roll pin  86  is for timing and orientation of the airsoft bulkhead  90  and the airsoft bolt  85 . A bolt shaft O-ring  96  seals the airsoft bolt  85  within the airsoft sleeve module  80 . A screw  95  passes into the inside diameter of the airsoft bolt  85 . 
         [0044]    A brass tube  88  is fitted into the bolt spring  89  where a cross pin  94  hold the inner bolt spring to the brass tube  88 . At the opposing end of the airsoft sleeve module  80  the bolt tube  93  is secured in the airsoft sleeve module  80  with a retainer  92 . When the trigger is pulled air passes into the airsoft sleeve module  80  to launch an airsoft pellet. The same internal area is used to propel a paintball in a similar manner. Airsoft pellets airsoft pellets have a diameter of essentially either 6 mm or 8 mm. 
         [0045]      FIG. 7  shows an assembly of the barrel from  FIG. 4  and the airsoft sleeve module from  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 8  shows a cross-section of the barrel and sleeve assembly from  FIG. 7 . These components are secured within the barrel and body of the paintball launcher to allow the paintball launcher to launch an airsoft pellet. From the right side of the figure the airsoft sleeve module  80  module is shown connected to the breach  73 . On one side of the airsoft sleeve module  80  the airsoft Mag adapter  69  is shown. 
         [0046]      FIG. 9  shows an airsoft mag adapter  59  and  FIG. 10  shows a cross-section of the airsoft mag adapter  59  from  FIG. 9 . The airsoft mag adapter  59  has a lower adapter plate  53  that forms the majority of the body of the airsoft mag adapter  59 . A locator plate  58  both locates and helps to secure the airsoft mag adapter  59  on the airsoft sleeve module and within the launcher. 
         [0047]      FIG. 11  shows a cross-section of the paintball sleeve module  180 . The paintball sleeve module  180  controls the passage of pressurized gas from the gas cartridge to load and propel a paintball. The entire paintball sleeve module  180  is configured to fit within the diameter of the gun where the airsoft module could be located. Starting at the back of the paintball sleeve module  180  there is a rear cap  181  that fits within the body of the firearm. A rear cap pin  200  secures the outside of the sleeve  191  to a striker cushion and the rear cap  181 . A striker spring  182  is shown in the cocked orientation. The striker cushion  199  softens impact of the striker onto the rear cap  181 . 
         [0048]    A screw  184  passes through the sleeve  191  and into the striker  187 . Screw  184  is located in a slot to allow the striker  187  to move in the sleeve  191 . An O-ring  198  seals the movement of the striker  187 . On the other side of the O-ring  198  a striker front  197  is located. The striker front  197  is secured with the airsoft bolt  185  that secures the striker front  197  to the screw  195 . A bolt shaft O-ring  196  seals the bulkhead  185  within the paintball sleeve module  180 . A screw  195  passes into the inside diameter of the bulkhead  185 . The bulkhead  185  retains the bolt  193  within the bulkhead sleeve  191 . An O-ring seals the bolt  193  in the bulkhead sleeve  191 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 12  shows a cross-section of the assembled airsoft launcher. This figures shows the breach  73  connected to the airsoft inner barrel  72  with the airsoft sleeve module  80 . The airsoft inner barrel  72  is then connected to the airsoft barrel  71  that is then connected to the muzzle break  70 . The airsoft sleeve module  80  is secured with screw  120  that is accessed through the ammunition loading opening. An airsoft mag adapter is also used with the configuration. 
         [0050]      FIG. 13  shows a cross-section of the assembled paintball launcher. The paintball sleeve module  180  is shown within the launcher. Again screw  120  secures the paintball sleeve module within the launcher. There is no inner barrel due to the diameter of a paintball. This figure further shows a clip feeding mechanism  110  that feeds paintballs into the paintball sleeve module  180 . 
         [0051]    Thus, specific embodiments of an airsoft kit to convert an airsoft gun to fire paintballs have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. 
       SEQUENCE LISTING 
       [0052]    Not Applicable.