Patent Publication Number: US-2005121485-A1

Title: Secure paintball harness attachment system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)  
      This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/498,444, filed Aug. 28, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
      This invention relates to paintball sport equipment, and more particularly, to improved attachments between items of paintball sport equipment and paintball harnesses.  
     BACKGROUND  
      Paintball is a sporting game having two teams of players usually trying to capture one another&#39;s flag. The sport is played on a large field with opposing home bases at each end. Each team&#39;s flag is located at the player&#39;s home base. In addition, all of the players have paintball markers that shoot paintballs. These paintballs are generally spherical gelatin capsules filled with paint. During play of the sport, the players on each team advance towards the opposing team&#39;s base in hopes of stealing the opposing team&#39;s flag, without being eliminated from the game. A player is eliminated from the game when the player is hit by a paintball fired from an opposing player&#39;s marker. When the paintball hits a player, a “splat” of paint is left on the player.  
      Participating in the sport of paintball requires several pieces of equipment for carrying, transporting, storing, and utilizing the paintball ammunition. Paintballs are held in paintball carriers, often referred to as “guppies” or “pods”, and are typically cylindrical tubes. Participants wear paintball harnesses with several compartments for holding the various pieces of equipment a participant would need, such as extra paintballs, spare goggles, flashlight, and cleaning wipes.  
      A common paintball harness holds a paintball carrier by inserting the carrier into a pocket, and then closing a flap or strap secured by hook-and-loop fasteners or snaps. This system of carrying paintball carriers is not ideal. Paintball is a sport in which time is an important factor. When a player stops to reload their paintball marker, they are vulnerable to being marked an opposing player. The reloading process is difficult in itself because the player&#39;s vision is obscured by goggles, and their dexterity hindered by gloves. If the player has to further find the correct pocket, open the flap, and reach in and extract the paintball carrier, valuable time is lost.  
      Shown in  FIGS. 1 and 1   a  are two examples of prior art harnesses. The harnesses  30  have straps  32  for securing the harness to a paintball sport player&#39;s body. Pockets or pouches  34  are provided for holding, for example, a paintball sport carrier  36  or other paintball sport item. Straps  38  may also be provided for securing, for example, a paintball sport item such as an air tank  40 . In some cases, the pockets merely grip the paintball sport items with an elastic material, holding them only by friction.  
      It is also a known practice to connect all of a player&#39;s paintball carriers together, and then attach the entire bundle of carriers to the player&#39;s harness with a buckle, flap or strap secured by hook-and-loop fasteners or snaps. This is even less desirable. With this system, a player has to stop, release the strap securing the bundle, remove a carrier, load the marker, then replace the carrier, and strap the bundle to their back again. This process is even more time consuming, especially considering the difficulties and challenges to dexterity caused by wearing paintball gloves and a paintball face mask.  
      Accordingly, there is a need for a way of attaching a paintball carrier to a paintball harness such that the carrier can be released and replaced quickly with low vision and dexterity requirements.  
     SUMMARY  
      Briefly stated, the present invention is directed to a system of attaching a paintball carrier to a paintball harness using magnets.  
      A system for attaching a paintball carrier or other paintball sport item to a paintball harness according to the present invention comprises an item of paintball sport equipment, and a receiving portion on the harness for receiving the paintball carrier. At least one of the harness receiving portion and the item of paintball sport equipment includes a first magnetic portion. The other of the harness receiving portion and the paintball carrier includes at least one of a second magnetic portion or a magnetically attractable insert. The second magnetic portion or the magnetically attractable insert is positioned to magnetically engage the first magnetic portion when the paintball carrier is placed in the harness receiving portion.  
      A paintball harness according to the present invention comprises at least one receiving portion for receiving an item of paintball sport equipment. A first magnetic portion is provided adjacent the receiving portion. A second magnetic portion or magnetically attractable insert is provided on the outer surface of the item of paintball sport equipment.  
      A method for attaching an item of paintball sport equipment to a paintball harness according to the present invention is also disclosed. An item of paintball sport equipment is attached to a receiving portion of a paintball harness using a combination of magnets and/or magnetically attractable inserts. At least one of the harness receiving portion and the item of paintball sport equipment is provided with a first magnetic portion. The other of the harness receiving portion and the item of paintball sport equipment is provided with at least one of a second magnetic portion or a magnetically attractable insert. The second magnetic portion or the magnetically attractable insert is positioned to magnetically engage the first magnetic portion when the item of paintball sport equipment is placed adjacent the receiving portion.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)  
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a standard paintball harness known in the prior art.  
       FIG. 1   a  is an isometric view of another version of a standard paintball harness known in the prior art.  
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a portion of a paintball harness and item of paintball sport equipment according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a paintball harness and item of paintball sport equipment taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the paintball harness of  FIG. 3  carrying an item of paintball sport equipment.  
       FIG. 5  is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the paintball harness having a pocket and an item of paintball sport equipment of the present invention, with a cut-out view of a first magnetic portion within the pocket.  
       FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the embodiment of the paintball harness of the present invention of  FIG. 5  depicting an item of paintball sport equipment in place within the paintball harness pockets.  
       FIG. 7  is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention having receiving portions extending from a surface of a paintball harness.  
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the alternate embodiment depicted in  FIG. 7 , taken along line  8 - 8 .  
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the alternate embodiment depicted in  FIG. 8  with a paintball container secured to the paintball harness.  
       FIG. 10  is a top cross-sectional view of an item of paintball sport equipment having a magnetic portion or magnetically attractable insert embedded in its surface.  
       FIG. 11  is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of an item of paintball sport equipment with a receiving sleeve of the present invention.  
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a paintball harness and item of paintball sport equipment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 13  is a top cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a paintball harness and item of paintball sport equipment according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)  
      Certain terminology is used in the following detailed description for convenience only and is not considered limiting. The word “upper” and “lower” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Additionally, the terms “a” and “one” are defined as including one or more of the referenced item unless specifically noted.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a first embodiment of a paintball harness  10  is shown. The paintball harness  10  has at least one receiving portion  12  for receiving an item of paintball sport equipment, such as a paintball carrier  14 , which is discussed in greater detail below. A paintball carrier is used herein by way of example of an item of paintball sport equipment, and not by way of limitation. It is appreciated that the arrangement of the present invention for securing an item of paintball sport equipment to a paintball harness as described herein may be used to secure any item of paintball sport equipment to a paintball harness. For example, items of paintball sport equipment include, but are not limited to, valve pins, front bolts, velocity adjusters, expansion chambers, barrels, paintball grenades, trigger frames, barrel adaptors, power feed adaptors, marker scopes, marker covers, marker holsters, cocking bolts, sight rails, springs, gladiator cradles, O-rings, turbo valves, air tanks, ball detents, sears, actuator rods, air block screws, shafts, push pins, air regulators, grips, elbows, butt plates, face masks, loaders, guppies, harnesses, throat deflectors, chest deflectors, knee pads for athletic use, and elbow pads. Any of these items of paintball sport equipment may be equipped with a magnetic portion or magnetically attractable insert  18 , for securing to a paintball harness of the present invention having a magnetic portion or magnetically attractable insert, as described herein. Within the scope of the present invention are any arrangements where a paintball harness and paintball sport item are equipped to provide a magnetic attraction between at least a portion of the paintball sport harness, and at least a portion of the paintball sport item, with sufficient magnetic attraction to provide a firm but releasable connection between the item and the harness.  
      The receiving portion  12  may be formed as a recess or indentation in the main body of the harness  10 , formed to receive an item of paintball sport equipment. The receiving portion  12  includes at least one first magnetic portion  16  for securing the paintball carrier  14  to the paintball harness  10 . The first magnetic portion  16  may be attached to and extend from a surface of the receiving portion  12 , or it may be held in a pocket on, or otherwise molded into the surface of, or disposed within, the receiving portion  12 . For example, the harness may be made from a cloth, fabric, nylon, neoprene, canvas, or any other acceptable material, and the magnetic portion  16  may be sewn into the harness  10  or otherwise embedded within the harness when the harness is fabricated. The first magnetic portion  16  may be formed as an insertable or securable magnet of appropriate size, or a strip or swatch of magnetic material, and may cover any desired area of the receiving portion  12  to accomplish the goals of the present invention. In addition, it is appreciated that a plurality of first magnetic portions may be positioned at various locations adjacent the receiving portion.  
      An item of paintball sport equipment such as a paintball carrier  14  is provided with at least one second magnetic portion  18  or magnetically attractable insert that is sized and positioned to magnetically engage the first magnetic portion  16  when the paintball carrier  14  is placed adjacent the receiving portion  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In addition, it is appreciated that a plurality of second magnetic portions may be positioned at various locations about the item of paintball sport equipment.  
      In one embodiment, the second magnetic portion  18  extends from the outer surface of the item of paintball sport equipment such as a paintball carrier  14 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . In an alternate embodiment, the second magnetic portion  18  is embedded in the surface of the paintball carrier  14 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . In another embodiment, the second magnetic portion  18  may be carried by a sleeve  75 , which is placed about the paintball carrier  14 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . The sleeve  75  may be removable, and may be secured to the an item of paintball sport equipment through any known means, such as being formed from an elastic material and frictionally held in place, or strapped in place by hook and loop fasteners, snaps, or buckles. The second magnetic portion  18  may be a magnet secured or otherwise held by or within the sleeve, or may be a strip or swatch of magnetic material comprising a portion of the sleeve  75 .  
      The second magnetic portion  18  is of opposite polarity as compared to the polarity of the first magnetic portion  16 , such that when the item of paintball sport equipment such as a paintball carrier  14  is placed the receiving portion  12 , the first magnetic portion  16  and second magnetic portion  18  hold the item of paintball sport equipment securely on the harness  10  through magnetic attraction. If a magnetically attractable insert is used, it may be formed as a metallic insert, preferably of a magnetically attractable ferrous metal.  
      The receiving portion  12  of the harness  10  may be any area of the harness  10  provided with a magnetic portion or plurality of magnetic portions.  FIGS. 2-4  show an embodiment of the present invention in which the receiving portion  12  is in the form of a recessed groove in the surface of the paintball harness  10 , shaped to receive an item of paintball sport equipment, for example, a paintball carrier. The surface  13  of the receiving portion  12  has a shape that may be complementary to at least a portion of the exterior surface  15  of the paintball carrier  14  to help ensure that the first and second magnetic portions  16 ,  18  may be placed adjacent one another. In a carrying position, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a portion of the paintball carrier  14  protrudes from the paintball harness  10 , enabling the user to remove the paintball carrier  14  by simply grabbing the protruding portion and applying enough force to overcome the magnetic attraction. This can be done quickly, even with a gloved hand, without having to fumble with pockets, flaps or other closures.  
      As shown in  FIG. 13 , the first magnetic portion  16  may be disposed below the surface  44  of the harness  10 , and accessible through an opening  46  formed in the surface  44 . An item of paintball sport equipment such as a paintball sport carrier  48 , has a second magnetic portion  18  which extends from it. The second magnetic portion  18  fits within the opening  46 , and is therefore aligned with the first magnetic portion  16  for magnetic engagement. Alternately, the first magnetic portion  16  may protrude from the surface of the harness, and the item of paintball sport equipment may have the second magnetic portion within a recess. This alternate arrangement provides a similar engagement.  
      In another embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the receiving portion  42  is in the form of an open pocket  42 . The pocket  42  does not need a closure flap or other form of end cover since the paintball carrier  44  is held securely within the pocket  42  by a first magnetic portion  46  and second magnetic portions  48 , or one magnetic portion and one magnetically attractable insert. In a carrying position, as shown in  FIG. 6 , a portion of the paintball carrier  44  protrudes from the pocket, enabling the user to remove the paintball carrier  44  quickly and easily without having to fumble with closures by grabbing the protruding portion and overcoming the magnetic attraction. Unlike known paintball harnesses which secure paintball carriers or other items of paintball sport equipment only by friction or elastic material, the magnetic attraction provided by the arrangement of the present invention provides an additional means to maintain the item of paintball sport equipment  14  secured to the harness  10 , so that the item does not fall off during paintball sport play.  
      In another embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , the receiving portion extends from the surface of the harness, such as in the form of a cradle  52 . The cradle  52  maybe formed of plastic or another acceptable material. The surface  53  of the cradle  52  may be formed to have a shape that is complementary to at least a portion of the exterior surface  55  of the paintball carrier  54  to help ensure that the first  16  and second  18  magnetic portions can be placed adjacent to one another. In a carrying position, as shown in  FIG. 9 , a portion of the paintball carrier  54  is readily accessible in the cradle  52 , enabling the user to remove the paintball carrier  54  quickly and easily without having to fumble with closures by simply grabbing the protruding portion and applying enough force to overcome the magnetic attraction.  
      In an alternate embodiment, shown in  FIG. 12 , a magnetically attractable insert  60  may be provided in place of the first magnetic portion or second magnet portion, so long as a corresponding magnetic portion is provided on the other of the harness and item being secured, in order to create an attraction for securing the item of paintball sport equipment  62  to a paintball harness  66 . The magnetically attractable insert  60  may be formed as a metallic insert, preferably of a magnetically attractable ferrous metal. As shown in  FIG. 12 , a magnetically attractable insert  60  may be provided sized and positioned on an item of paintball sport equipment  62  to magnetically engage a first magnetic portion  64  provided on a paintball harness  66 . The magnetically attractable insert  60  will attract the first magnetic portion  64  when the item of paintball sport equipment  62  is adjacent the paintball harness  66 . Alternately, the paintball harness may include a magnetically attractable insert  60 , which is positioned to magnetically engage a magnetic portion on a paintball container or other item of paintball sport equipment.  
      Having thus described in detail several embodiments of the attachment system of the present invention, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes, only a few of which are exemplified in the detailed description of the invention, could be made without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. It is also to be appreciated that numerous embodiments incorporating only part of a preferred embodiment are possible which do not alter, with respect to those parts, the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. The present embodiment and optional configurations are therefore to be considered in all respects as exemplary and/or illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all alternate embodiments and changes to this embodiment which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of said claims are therefore to be embraced therein.