Patent Publication Number: US-2010126486-A1

Title: Compact paintball marker trigger mechanism

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a trigger mechanism for a paintball marker. Specifically, the trigger mechanism is for a paintball marker that has a handgun shape and a compact striker mechanism. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Paintball markers are shaped to resemble rifles having long barrels and housings. The long housings are necessary to accommodate the internal components of the marker including the striker mechanism and bolt mechanism. The housing of a paintball marker defines two parallel tubes in which these components may be disposed. The top tube or barrel includes a bolt that positions a paintball and directs airflow behind the paintball to propel the paintball. The paintball is inserted into the barrel from a loader that is positioned above the marker housing and has a feeding tube to guide the paintballs into the barrel. 
     The second tube is directly below the barrel and parallel to the barrel. The second tube contains a striker mechanism that repositions the bolt to load the next paintball after firing and readies the marker for the next firing. The striker mechanism also releases compressed gas into the barrel in response to the activation of a trigger mechanism. A valve is positioned in a distal end of the second tube. The valve controls the flow of gas into the second tube from the compressed gas container that is externally attached to the marker. The valve is activated by the striker mechanism in response to the trigger activation. The striker mechanism is spring loaded at a proximal end of the second tube and held in a compressed position by the sear in the trigger mechanism. 
     Depressing the trigger releases the striker, which advances into contact with valve due to the decompression of the spring. The striker mechanism is also coupled to the bolt. Advancing the bolt opens an airflow path into the barrel through the bolt and seals the barrel from the feeder tube of the loader. The contact with the valve releases compressed gas into the second tube and the barrel propelling the paintball out of the marker and pushing the striker mechanism back to a cocked position. 
     The size and layout of the trigger mechanism is one limit on the compactness and form of the marker. The trigger mechanism includes two components, a trigger and a sear. The trigger activates the sear, which releases the striker mechanism and initiates the firing of the paintball. The sear is positioned behind the trigger and is pivoted by the contact from the trigger when it is depressed. Thus, the striker mechanism is positioned behind the sear when engaged with the sear. As a result, the housing must have a length longer than the length of the striker mechanism and trigger mechanism to accommodate these components. To accommodate this structure the housing has an elongated shape and is typically manufactured to resemble a rifle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that different references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one. 
         FIG. 1A  is a diagram depicting a cross-section of one embodiment of a compact marker and trigger mechanism. 
         FIG. 1B  is a diagram depicting a cross-section of one embodiment of a compact marker and trigger mechanism where a trigger is pressed and sear released. 
         FIG. 1C  is a diagram depicting a cross-section of one embodiment of a compact marker and trigger mechanism where the striker mechanism is extended. 
         FIG. 1D  is a diagram depicting a cross-section of one embodiment of a compact marker and trigger mechanism where the sear and trigger are returned to their normal position. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of one embodiment of an exterior view of the marker with a cocking block in a rear position. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram of one embodiment of a process for manufacturing the compact marker. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, for the purpose of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, certain structures and devices are omitted or simplified to avoid obscuring the details of the various embodiments. 
     The following description and the accompanying drawings provide examples for the purposes of illustration. However, these examples should not be construed in a limiting sense as they are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of all possible implementations. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram depicting a cross section of one embodiment of a compact marker. In one embodiment, a maker propels paintballs in response to a pull of the trigger mechanism by a user. A marker can be used to mark trees, livestock or similar items at a distance or can be used in paintball sports where the user attempts to mark an opponent. The marker utilizes compressed gases as propellant for the paintballs. The marker can be a pump action, semi-automatic or fully-automatic device. For purposes of clarity the embodiments described herein relate to a semi-automatic device. One skilled in the art would understand that the principles and design are also applicable to other types of markers. 
     In one embodiment, a marker includes a housing containing multiple sub-assemblies including a trigger mechanism, a striker mechanism, a gas delivery mechanism, a paintball delivery mechanism and similar sub-assemblies or components. The housing defines a set of compartments or cavities for receiving the sub-assemblies or components of the marker. These spaces include a barrel  153  through which a paintball exits the marker. The barrel  153  can have any diameter and length. In one embodiment, the length of the barrel  153  and marker is less than ten inches in length or approximately 200 mm. In a further embodiment, the length of the barrel  153  and marker is less than eight inches in length. The diameter of the barrel  153  can be selected to match a size of a type of paintball or similar projectile (e.g., bb or foam ball) capable of pneumatic firing. For example, the barrel  153  can be designed to accommodate an 11 mm paintball. 
     A bolt  105  is disposed within the barrel  153 . The bolt  105  slides from a first position in the barrel  153  to a second position in the barrel  153 . The bolt  105  defines an airflow path that directs gas toward the paintball propelling it out of the barrel  153 . The bolt  105  defines an opening in its outer wall that can be aligned with an opening in the barrel  153  through which gas from the valve  109  can be received if the bolt  105  is in the second position. In the second position, the outer wall of the bolt  105  blocks a path from the feeding tube into the chamber of the barrel  153  preventing another paintball from entering the barrel  153  during a firing action. If the bolt  105  is in the first position the outer wall of the bolt  105  blocks the airflow path, preventing the escape of compressed air. In the first position, a paintball may also enter the barrel  153  or chamber of the marker. 
     In one embodiment, the bolt  105  is driven by a striker mechanism. The striker mechanism can include a striker  101 , a striker spring  129 , a striker spring housing  125  and a striker shaft. The striker  101  is situated in a first compartment  155  that is adjacent and parallel to the barrel  153 . The striker spring  129  and striker spring housing  125  are disposed in a second compartment  157 . The striker spring housing  125  and striker  101  are attached to one another by the striker shaft, which runs parallel with the barrel  153 , but is primarily external to the housing of the marker. 
     The striker  101  is coupled to the bolt  105  by a bolt pin  103 . As a result, if the striker  101  moves, then the bolt  105  moves in tandem. The striker  101  can have any size or shape that complements the size and shape of the first compartment  155 . For example, the first compartment  155  and striker  101  can be cylindrical. The size and weight of the striker  101  can be selected to balance the air pressure exerted against the striker and the force of the striker spring  129 . The striker  101  also moves between two positions: a cocked position and an activated position. In the activated position, the striker  101  contacts the valve  109  to activate the valve  109 . In the cocked position, the striker  101  is at a proximal position in the first compartment  155  and not in contact with the valve  109 . In this position, the valve  109  is closed and gas does not pass through the valve  109  into the bolt  105  and barrel  153 . 
     The valve  109  includes a body, cups seal  111 , cup seal spring  113  and cup seal pin  107 . The striker  101  opens the valve  109  by contacting the cup seal pin  107 . The cup seal pin  107  in turn pushes the cup seal  111  away from the valve body allowing gas to pass through the valve  109  into the first compartment and into the barrel  153  if the bolt  105  is positioned to open the airflow path. The cup seal spring  113  biases the valve to a closed position by pressuring the cup seal  111  into the valve body. 
     A second compartment  157  includes a striker spring  129  and striker spring housing  125 . A front compartment plug  119  seals the second compartment  157  and provides access to the second compartment  157 , if removed. The front compartment plug  119  can be screwed into or similarly attached to the second compartment  157  to seal it. In one embodiment, the front compartment plug  119  is made from a compressible material such as foam, fabric, elastomeric material or similar materials. The front compartment plug  119  compresses when the striker spring housing  125  is released by the sear  127  and decompresses when the striker spring housing  129  returns to a position where the sear  127  engages it. In other embodiments, the front compartment plug  119  is solid and disposed at the furthest extent of the striker spring housing  125  movement range. 
     In one embodiment, the striker spring  129  biases the striker  101  to an activated position by exerting a force on the striker spring housing  125  pushing it toward the distal end of the marker. The striker spring housing  125  is connected to the striker  101  by a striker shaft  151  and thereby transfers the biasing force of the striker spring  129  to the striker  101 . 
     The second compartment  157 , striker spring housing  125  and striker spring  129  can have complementary shapes and sizes such that the striker spring housing  125  can be slidably disposed within the second compartment  157  and the striker spring  129  can engage the striker spring housing  125 . The striker shaft can be dimensioned with sufficient length to connect the striker  101  with the striker spring housing  125  and sufficient width and material strength to transfer the force of the spring to the striker  101  in the first compartment. 
     In one embodiment, the striker spring housing  125  engages a trigger  133  through a sear  127 . The sear  127  catches the striker spring housing  125  to hold it in a proximal position in the second compartment  157  preventing it from advancing the striker  101  to activate the valve  109 . Activation of the trigger  133  by a user disengages the sear  127  from the striker spring housing  125  allowing the striker spring  129  to advance the striker spring housing  125  and the striker  101  thereby opening the valve  109  and releasing the gas to propel the paintball. 
     The trigger  133  is connected to the sear  127  by a connecting cable  171  and sear activator  173 . The connecting cable  171  is a stiff and resilient connector that can be pivotally coupled at each end to the trigger  133  and sear activator  173 . The connecting cable  171  can have any length sufficient to span the distance between the trigger  133  and the sear activator  173 . The connecting cable  171  has a diameter and material strength sufficient to transfer the load of the force applied to the trigger  133  to the sear activator  173 . 
     The sear activator  173  is pivotally coupled to the housing and rotates from a first position to a second position. The sear activator  173  is biased by a sear activator spring  175  to the first position. The first position is tied to the resting position of the trigger  133 . The biasing of the sear activator  173  also biases the trigger  133  via the connecting cable  171 . In the second position, the sear activator  173  engages the sear  127 . Engaging the sear  127  rotates the sear  127  to move it from a protruding position (i.e., protruding into the second compartment  157 ) to a retracted position (i.e., the whole of the sear is retracted from the second compartment  157  thereby disengaging the striker spring housing  125 ). 
     The sear  127  is pivotally coupled to the housing and a sear biasing spring  177 . The sear  127  is positioned forward or distally relative to the trigger  133 . The connection to the trigger  133  through the sear activator  173  and connecting cable  171  allow the sear  127  to be in this position. The sear can be positioned at any distance distally from the trigger  133  by selection of a connecting cable  171  of sufficient length and positioning of the sear activator  173 . The sear biasing spring  177  biases the sear  127  to the protruding position to engage the striker spring housing  125 . In one embodiment, the sear  127  includes a slide component  181 . The slide component  181  engages a rail or similar structure of the housing that allows the sear  127  to move laterally relative to the sear activator  173 . 
     The positioning of the sear  127  distal to the trigger  133  enables a design of the marker that is more compact as the length of the marker does not have to encompass a combined length of the trigger assembly and the sear  127 . The distal positioning of the sear  127  also enables the striker spring housing  125  and overall striker assembly to be positioned in a more distal position relative to the trigger and handle thereby enabling the length of the entire marker to be shortened. Further the biasing springs  175 ,  177  for the sear  127  and sear activator  173  also improves the reliability of the engagement of the striker spring housing  125  upon return after firing. This diminishes the frequency at which the marker must be manually cocked. 
     In another embodiment, the trigger assembly can include electronic components that enable automatic fire, multiple paintball firings per trigger pull or similar functionality. Electronic trigger components can include a trigger depression sensor, an integrated circuit for controlling the sear to affect the desired functionality and similar components. In one embodiment, motors, solenoids or similar mechanisms can be used to replace the biasing springs  175 ,  177  to allow an integrated circuit to directly position the sear  127  and sear activator  173  in response to user engagement of the trigger  133 . Electronic components can also provide other functionality or information related to the function of the marker or the operating conditions. For example, electronic components can include sensors for gas pressure, paintball count, temperature and similar conditions and electronic displays for displaying sensor information and similar electronic components. 
     In one embodiment, compressed gas can be provided as propellant for firing paintballs. The compressed gas can be compressed carbon dioxide, compressed air or similar compressed gas. The compressed gas can be stored in an internal storage device such as a sparklet or similar container. The container can be steel, aluminum, wound carbon-fiber or similar construction. The compressed gas container  149  can be disposed within a handle or similar cavity of the housing of the marker. The compressed gas container  149  can be held in position by a plug  147  or similar retaining mechanism. The compressed gas container  149  can engage the first compartment  155  of the valve  109  to supply pressurized gas into those spaces and components to be utilized to propel a paintball out of the marker. The compressed gas container  149  can be screwed into or similarly attached to the housing and the first compartment. 
     In one embodiment, the compressed gas container  149  can be removable and replaced when emptied. For example, the compressed gas container  149  can be a 12 g compressed CO 2  cartridges that can be replaced after it is expended. In another embodiment, the compressed gas container  149  can be refilled within the marker without removing it from the marker. In another embodiment, an external tank can be connected to the marker in place of a compressed gas container  149 . The connection for an external gas tank can be disposed through the plug  147  or similarly attached. The source of gas and the pressure of the provided gas can be compensated by adjustment of the type, size, placement or force of the springs in the marker. 
     In one embodiment, the paintballs can be fed into the marker by a charger  137 . The charger  137  can contain any number of paintballs. The charger  137  can feed the paintballs into the chamber or barrel  153  of the marker one at a time. The charger  137  can hold the paintballs in-line. In one embodiment, the charger  137  is disposed substantially vertical or at a slight angle to the barrel  153  and within a handle portion of the marker. In another embodiment, the charger  137  can attach to the marker from a horizontal disposition or similarly engage the marker. 
     A latch mechanism or similar mechanism can be used to hold paintballs in the charger when a paintball is already in the barrel  153 . The charger  137  can include a pusher, charger spring  143  and charger plug. The pusher can be coupled to the charger spring  143 , which exerts a biasing force on the pusher to push the paintballs into the barrel  153  of the marker. The charger spring  143  can press against the charger plug to compress the pusher into the chamber or barrel  153  of the marker. The charger  137  can hold any number of paintballs. In one embodiment, the charger  137  can be removably attached to the marker. For example, the charger  137  can be removed when empty and another full charger can be inserted in its place while the original is reloaded. The charger  137  can be disposed entirely within the housing of the marker or can protrude from the housing, e.g., from the bottom of the handle, or similarly have portions that are external to the housing. 
     In one embodiment, the housing of the marker can include a frame and body or similar components. The housing can have any number of sections that can be attached to one another to form a marker in the shape of a pistol or similar handgun. The components of the housing can be removably coupled to one another to allow access to the internal components to remove or maintain the internal components. 
     In one embodiment, a cocking block  115  can be attached to the marker over the housing. The cocking block  115  can have any shape or size sufficient to let a user grip the cocking block  115  to use it to ready the marker. The cocking block  115  can be used to move the striker mechanism and bolt from an activate position to a deactivated position if not automatically transitioned to that state during operation. 
       FIG. 1B  is a diagram depicting a cross-section of one embodiment of a compact marker and trigger mechanism where a trigger is pressed and sear released. When a lateral force is applied to the trigger  133 , the connecting cable  171  transfers the force to the sear activator  173 . The application of the force to sear activator  173  rotates the sear activator  173 , which engages the sear  127 . The sear activator  173  rotates the sear  127 , which is then disengaged from the striker spring housing  125 . The striker spring housing  125  is then subject to the expanding force of the striker spring  129  that biases the striker mechanism toward the distal end of the marker. The sear  127  holds the striker mechanism in place, but once disengaged from the striker mechanism, the striker mechanism moves to the distal position. 
       FIG. 1C  is a diagram depicting a cross-section of one embodiment of a compact marker and trigger mechanism where the striker mechanism is extended. At the time that the trigger  127  reaches or nears a completely depressed state, the sear activator  127  has rotated through its engagement with the sear  127 . The sear activator  173  can include a tip or similar portion that is positioned to engage the sear  127  through a portion of its arc of movement. After the sear activator  173  rotates passed this arc the tip disengages the sear  127 . 
     Once the sear  127  is disengaged from the sear activator  173 , the sear biasing spring  177  rotates the sear  127  back to an extended position (i.e., a position where the sear  127  protrudes into the second compartment). In one embodiment, the sear biasing spring  177  also biases a lateral position of the sear  127  in a track or railing mechanism that allows the sear  127  to move relative to the remainder of marker. The relative movement of the sear  127  can be utilized to disengage the sear  127  from the sear activator  173 . 
       FIG. 1D  is a diagram depicting a cross-section of one embodiment of a compact marker and trigger mechanism where the sear and trigger are returned to their normal position. Once the force depressing the trigger  133  is removed, the sear activator spring  175  rotates the sear activator  173  to a rest position. The connecting cable  171  transfers this force to the trigger  133 , which then rotates back to its rest position. The marker is then ready to automatically re-cock once the force of the released CO 2  on the striker mechanism moves it back to a proximal position and engages the sear  127 , thereby returning the state of the marker to that depicted in  FIG. 1A . 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram of the external housing of one embodiment of the compact marker. In one embodiment, the external housing  203  can have any number of individual sections, plates or similar components. The housing can be constructed from metal, plastics, resins or similar materials or combinations thereof. The housing can be shaped to define a handle portion and projection portion. 
     In one embodiment, the housing defines a space that allows the striker shaft  251  to move between two different positions. Similarly, the cocking block  115  can cover or sheath a portion of the housing. The cocking block  115  can be slidably coupled to the marker through an opening defined by the housing, allowing the cocking block  115  to engage the bolt mechanism in a back position. The cocking block  115  can have any shape, size or dimensions suitable for being gripped by the user to ready the marker for firing. In one embodiment, the cocking block  115  can define a set of sights or similar structures common to markers. 
     A cocking block  115  can be advanced to a back or proximal position by the application of lateral force by a user. This movement causes the cocking block return spring to be compressed against the protrusion of the housing. If the manual force is removed, then the compressed spring will bias the cocking block  115  back to the front position. 
     The cocking block  115  engages the bolt pin in the back or proximal position. As a result, the bolt can be advanced to a cocked position. A protrusion on the lower surface of the cocking block  115  engages the bolt pin. This mechanism can be referred to a snap catch mechanism. In other embodiments, other types of mechanism for advancing the bolt to the cocked position without tying it to the movement of cocking block in both directions can be utilized. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram of one embodiment of a process for manufacturing the compact marker. In one embodiment, a marker manufacturer can be responsible for the assembly of the marker. In another, embodiment, the manufacturer can also fabricate at least some of the parts of the marker. The marker can be mass produced by automated or manual assembly. 
     In one embodiment, the assembly process begins with the assembly or partial assembly of the housing of the marker (block  301 ). The individual components of the housing can be fabricated out of metals such as aluminum, steel and similar metals, plastics, resins and similar materials. The components can be combined by machining, attachment mechanisms such as snap fit, screws, interlocking parts, welding or similar techniques. 
     In one embodiment, the striker assembly can then be inserted into the housing or partially constructed housing (block  303 ). The striker assembly components can be fabricated from metals, plastics, resins and similar materials. The components of the striker assembly may include a set of O-rings that prevent the leakage of gas around them thereby forming an airtight compartment. The striker assembly can be calibrated or similarly tested to ensure that the striker assembly is properly balanced against the air pressure supplied to the marker to ensure that the marker will recover properly. 
     In one embodiment, the trigger assembly can then be added to the housing (block  305 ). The trigger assembly can include any combination of mechanical or digital components including those described herein above. Different models can have different components. For example, high end models may have digital components and features that allow for multiple paintballs to be fired in succession with any action by the user or similar functionality. Low end models may have entirely mechanical triggering mechanisms. The sear, sear activator, biasing springs and similar components of the trigger assembly can be formed from any combination of polymer, resin, metal or similar material. The components can be manually or automatically assembled. 
     In one embodiment, the cocking block is attached to the bolt of the marker over the top portion of the marker (block  307 ). The cocking block can have any shape or dimensions. In one embodiment, electronics such as temperature gauges, compressed air gauge, firing control and similar components can be added to the marker (block  309 ). These components can be programmed prior to installation or after installation. 
     In one embodiment, the manufacturer can also assemble the gas delivery components (block  311 ). The main container can be placed in the handle of the marker. The container can be removed for filling and locked back into place using the plug. In other embodiments, the gas delivery components can be fixed in the system or external to the system. 
     In one embodiment, a ball charger can be added to the marker (block  313 ). The ball charger can be added as integral part of the housing and components of the charger can be placed within the housing. In another embodiment, the charger can be added by a user after retail purchase. 
     In the foregoing specification, the embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.