Patent Abstract:
A drive system for a regulating the rotation of a drive system or agitator in a paintball loader is disclosed. It is designed to regulate the rotation of a feeder, especially during a jam or when projectiles in a hopper become misaligned. This allows a user to quickly and effectively clear a jam and resume or continue rapid fire without damaging projectiles, the loader or the paintball marker.

Full Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/949,137, filed Jul. 11, 2007, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/548,588, filed Oct. 11, 2006, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/725,395, filed Oct. 11, 2005, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to the field of projectile loaders for feeding projectiles to, for example, compressed gas guns. Specifically, the present invention relates to an improved drive system for a paintball loader, and a paintball incorporating the improved drive system. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Paintball, a popular sport has developed over the years, which uses paintball markers (guns), which are guns utilizing compressed gas to fire projectiles. Some examples of paintball guns are those offered under the brand names 32 DEGREES™, EMPIRE™, DIABLO™, BT™ and INVERT MINI™, and others shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,708,685; 4,936,282; 5,497,758; and U.S. application Ser. Nos. 11/183,548; 11/180,506; 11/150,002; 11/064,693; 10/313,465; 10/090,810, the entire contents of which are all incorporated fully herein by reference. Players use the paintball guns to shoot projectiles known as paintballs (projectiles and paintballs are used interchangeably herein). These paintballs are spherical, frangible projectiles normally having gelatin or starch-based shells filled with paint (coloring or dye). The shells break when impacting a target, allowing the paint within to splatter on the target. The sport of paintball is often played like capture the flag. 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 target such as a player, a mark or “splat” of paint is left on the player. 
         [0004]    Paintball loaders (otherwise known as hoppers or magazines, and also referred to herein as “projectile loaders” or “loaders”) generally sit atop the markers and feed projectiles into the marker. These projectile loaders (the terms “hopper,” “magazine,” and “loader” are used interchangeably herein) store projectiles, and have an outlet or exit tube (outfeed tube or neck). The outlet tube is connected to an inlet tube (or feed neck) of a paintball marker, which is in communication with the breech of the paintball marker. Thus, the loaders act to hold and feed paintball projectiles into the breech of a paintball marker, so that the projectiles can be fired from the marker. 
         [0005]    Many loaders contain agitators or feed systems to mix, propel, or otherwise move projectiles in the loader. This mixing is performed by an impeller, projection, drive cone, agitator, paddle, arm, fin, carrier, or any other mechanism, such as those shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,213,110; 6,502,567; 5,947,100; 5,791,325; 5,954,042; 6,109,252; 6,889,680; and 6,792,933, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. In a “gravity feed” or “agitating” loader, an agitator mixes projectiles so that no jams occur at the exit opening of the outlet tube. In a “force feed” or “active feed” paintball loader, the agitator (drive cone, carrier, paddle or any other force feed drive system) forces projectiles through the exit tube. Because it is desirable to eliminate as many opposing players as possible, paintball markers are capable of semi-automatic rapid fire. Accordingly, the paintball loaders act to hold a quantity of projectiles, and ensure proper feeding, and feed rate of the projectiles to the marker for firing. 
         [0006]    Modern paintball loaders utilize projections, paddles, arms, carriers, drive cones, or other agitators to mix or advance paintballs. These agitators are operated by motors, which are usually electrical and powered by a power source such as a battery. 
         [0007]    One critical problem with current paintball loaders is when such loaders and the agitators in such loaders encounter a jammed paintball (such as when a paintball is jammed such as at an exit opening or cannot otherwise move), paintball breakage can occur. In addition, the motors may be damages if they cannot operate or become jammed. 
         [0008]    Thus, there is the need for a paintball loader that can continue to operate, even when a paintball jam occurs, and that will not break paint or damage the motor of a paintball agitator when encountering a jam or other disruption in operation. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The present invention is directed to a drive system for a paintball loader comprising a drive shaft rotatable about a central axis, a drive mechanism rotatable about a drive shaft, the drive mechanism including a first magnetic surface, a feed mechanism carrier adjacent the drive mechanisms including at least one magnetically attractable portion that is attractable to the magnet of the drive mechanism. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a drive system for a paintball loader comprising a drive shaft rotatable about a central axis, a drive mechanism attached to the drive shaft, the drive mechanism having a magnetically attractable portion, a feed mechanism carrier attachable to a feeder adjacent the drive mechanism and rotatable about the drive shaft, the feed mechanism carrier having at least one magnet that is attractable to the magnetically attractable portion of the drive mechanism. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a drive system for a paintball loader comprising a drive shaft rotatable about a central axis, having a magnet attached thereto, the drive shaft extending vertically through a hole in a feed mechanism carrier that is rotatable about the drive shaft, wherein the feed mechanism carrier has at least one magnetically attractable portion that is attractable to the magnet of the drive shaft. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a drive system for a paintball loader comprising a drive shaft rotatable about a central axis, having a magnetically attractable portion attached thereto, the drive shaft extending vertically through a hole in a feed mechanism carrier attachable to a feeder, the feed mechanism carrier rotatable about the drive shaft and having at least one magnet that is attractable to the magnetically attractable portion of the drive shaft. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a drive system for a paintball loader comprising a drive shaft rotatable about a central axis, a feed mechanism carrier connected to the drive shaft, the feed mechanism carrier having at least one sloped upper portion and a spring attached thereto, the feed mechanism carrier in contact with a feeder, a spring attached to the feeder, the spring contained and moveable within a spring guide. 
         [0014]    The present invention is further directed to a drive mechanism for a paintball loader, the loader having a feed mechanism including a first plate which rotates with a drive shaft of the paintball loader, the first plate having a magnetic or magnetically attractable portion. The feed mechanism also including a second plate magnetically attractable to the magnetic or magnetically attractable portion of the first plate. The second plate is in communication with a feeder that rotates independently of the drive shaft. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment, the present invention is a drive system for a paintball loader comprising a drive shaft rotatable about a central axis, a feed mechanism carrier connected to the drive shaft, the feed mechanism comprising a separate cover or cap for the feed mechanism carrier having at least one sloped upper portion. The feed mechanism carrier having a spring abutment which abuts an end of the spring, the feed mechanism carrier is also in contact with a spring housing coupled to the feeder, the spring contained and moveable within the spring housing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of an illustrative paintball loader operatively attached to a paintball marker illustrated in phantom. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a side cross sectional view of an embodiment of an illustrative paintball loader according to the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is an exploded isometric view of a first embodiment of a drive mechanism for a paintball loader according to the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is an exploded isometric view of a second embodiment of a drive mechanism for a paintball loader according to the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is an exploded isometric view of a third embodiment of a drive mechanism for a paintball loader according to the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are top plan views of drive shafts of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are bottom plan views of feed mechanisms of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is an exploded side elevational view of a fourth embodiment of a drive mechanism for a paintball loader according to the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a side cross sectional view of a further embodiment of an illustrative paintball loader according to the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 11-13 , taken together, are an exploded isometric view of a still further embodiment of a drive mechanism for a paintball loader according to the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a top plan view of a clutch plate of a drive mechanism according to the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is a top plan view of an alternate clutch plate of a drive mechanism according to the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is a top plan view of a further alternate clutch plate of a drive mechanism according to the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 17 and 18  are exploded isometric views of a still further embodiment of a drive mechanism of a drive mechanism for a paintball loader according to the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  is a top plan view of a base portion of the feed mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 20  is a bottom plan view of a base portion of the feed mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 21  is a bottom plan view of an alternate base portion of the feed mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 22  is a top plan view of an alternate base portion of the feed mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 23  is an isometric view of an alternative drive shaft of a drive mechanism for a paintball loader of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 24  is an isometric view of a base portion corresponding to the shaft of  FIG. 23 . 
           [0036]      FIGS. 25 and 26  are exploded isometric views of a still further embodiment of a drive mechanism according to the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 27  is a side sectional view of the feed mechanism shown in  FIGS. 25 and 26 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 28  is a sectional view taken along line  28 - 28  in  FIG. 27 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 29  is a bottom perspective view of an alternate feed mechanism. 
           [0040]      FIG. 30  is a top view of a feed mechanism of the present invention depicting rotation. 
           [0041]      FIG. 31  is an exploded view of loader utilizing the feed mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 32  is an exploded view of the drive assembly of the feed mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0043]      FIG. 33  is an isometric view of the feed mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0044]      FIG. 34  is an exploded view of the feed mechanism of  FIG. 33 . 
           [0045]      FIG. 35  is another exploded view of the feed mechanism of  FIG. 33 . 
           [0046]      FIG. 36  is an isometric view of the feed mechanism of  FIG. 33  shown with its cover removed. 
           [0047]      FIG. 37  is an isometric view of the feed mechanism of  FIG. 33  shown with its feeder removed, exposing the spring element. 
           [0048]      FIG. 38  is an isometric view of the feed mechanism of  FIG. 33  shown with its spring removed. 
           [0049]      FIG. 39  is a section view of the feed mechanism of  FIG. 33   
           [0050]      FIG. 40  is an isometric view of an exemplary carrier magnet coupled to a drive shaft. 
           [0051]      FIGS. 41   a - e  show isometric views of various drive configurations of the feed mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0052]      FIG. 42  is a plain view of a kit for a drive mechanism of the present invention, including interchangeable drive components. 
           [0053]      FIG. 43  is a side view of the paintball loader and feed system of the present invention operatively attached to a paintball marker. 
           [0054]      FIG. 44  is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the drive assembly of the feed mechanism of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0055]    As used herein, the term “binding element” refers to either a magnet or a magnetically attractable element. As used herein, a “magnetically attractable element” can be any element that is attracted to a magnet including, but not limited to, ferromagnetic materials such as iron, nickel, cobalt, neodymium, etc. As used herein, the terms “feeder”, “feed mechanism”, or “impeller” are used interchangeably to refer to any apparatus that impels, moves, pushes, agitates, or otherwise mixes projectiles within a loader or hopper, such as an agitator, arms, fins, paddles, paddle arms, spokes, drive cones, carriers, including, but not limited to, those shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,213,110; 6,502,567; 5,947,100; 5,791,325; 5,954,042; 6,109,252; 6,889,680; and 6,792,933, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein, and those used in commercially available paintball loaders such as the various HALO®) brand paintball loaders, the EMPIRE RELOADER™ paintball loaders, and any substitutes or equivalents thereof. 
         [0056]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a paintball loader  10  attached to a representative paintball gun  12  (illustrated in phantom). The paintball gun  12  includes a main body  14 , a compressed gas cylinder (gas tank)  16 , a barrel  18 , and a grip portion  20 . The paintball gun also includes an inlet tube  22  (also called a feed neck) leading to a firing chamber  23  (or breech) in the interior of the main body  14 , and a trigger  24 . The compressed gas cylinder  16  is typically secured to a rear portion of the paintball gun  12 . The compressed gas cylinder normally contains CO 2  or NO 2 , although any compressible gas may be used. 
         [0057]    An exemplary paintball loader  10  is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 1-2 . The paintball loader  10  includes a loader body  100  forming an interior area  104 . The loader body  100  may be divided into an upper portion  106  and a lower portion  108 . Generally, an exit portion  110 , such as an opening, leads from the lower portion  108  of the loader body  100  to an outfeed tube  112 , although the exit portion  110  may be positioned at another location in the loader body  100 . The exit portion  110  is positioned adjacent the inlet tube  22  of the compressed gas gun  12 . The paintball loader  10  includes a motor  66 . The motor  66  may be in communication with a controller  114  and/or microprocessor  116  for controlling at least one operation of the loader  10 . In addition, at least one sensor  118  may be provided in communication with the motor  66 , controller  114  and/or microprocessor  116 , or any combination of those, for detecting the presence or absence of projectiles  62  in the exit portion  110  or outfeed tube  112  of the loader  10 , or positioned at other locations within or about the loader body  100 . A power source such as a battery  117  may be provided for powering the motor  66 , controller  114 , microprocessor  116 , or any combination thereof. 
         [0058]    A first embodiment of a drive mechanism for a paintball loader according to the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 2-3 . A drive mechanism  26  according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a drive shaft  36  that rotates about a central axis  64 . The drive shaft  36  is coupled at its first end  67  to a motor  66  for rotating the drive shaft  36 , which may be an electrical motor, a stepper motor, a wind up or spring operated motor, or any other means for rotating or otherwise operating the drive mechanism  26 . The second end or upper portion  68  of the drive shaft  36  includes at least one binding element  32 . In the preferred embodiment, the binding element  32  is a magnet or a magnetically attractable insert, such as a ferrous metal, or other metal attracted to a magnet. 
         [0059]    As shown in greater detail in  FIG. 3 , the feed mechanism  40  is positioned adjacent the second end or upper portion  68  of the drive shaft  36 . The feed mechanism  40  may include arms  98  (fins, paddles, or other extensions) such as shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , adapted for mixing or moving paintballs contained with a paintball loader  10 . The feed mechanism  40  includes a lower portion  136  including at least one second binding element  138 . The second binding element  138  may be a magnet of different polarity as the binding element  32  (if the binding element  32  is a magnet), or may be a magnetically attractable insert (if the binding element  32  is a magnet), or may be a magnet of any polarity (if the binding element  32  is a magnetically attractable insert). 
         [0060]    The feed mechanism  40  includes an opening  140  for receiving a screw  142 . The screw  142  is preferably sized smaller than the opening  140 , and is received in a threaded opening  144  in the upper portion  68  of the drive shaft  36 . In this arrangement, the feed mechanism  40  is free to rotate about the screw  142 . A bushing (or bearing)  146  and/or washer  148  may be provided for assisting free rotation of the feed mechanism  40 . It is appreciated that a thinner diameter portion extension of the drive shaft  36  may extend though the opening  140 , and may be affixed in place with a screw or other connection means. 
         [0061]    When the motor  66  operates the drive shaft  36 , the drive shaft  36  will rotate in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about the central axis  64 . The binding element  32  and second binding element  138  will have a magnetic attraction to each other. Thus, when the drive shaft  36  rotates, the binding element  32  will impart (or have imparted upon it) a magnetic force (adhesion force) on the second binding element  138 , that will rotate in tandem the feed mechanism  40  when there are no jammed paintballs in the paintball loader  10 . 
         [0062]    If a paintball jam is encountered, or if the paintballs cannot be agitated or otherwise moved for some reason, the drive shaft  36  will continue to rotate. With the feed mechanism  40  unable to continue rotation, the binding element  32  will rotate past the second binding element  138  of the feed mechanism  40  when the force of the motor  66  on the drive shaft  36  cannot overcome the force holding the feed mechanism  40  in place. In this manner, the motor  66  will not be damaged, and the feed mechanism  40  will not be forced to break or otherwise rupture paintballs that cannot be agitated. 
         [0063]    Accordingly, the present invention provides for a magnetic clutch system. When the drive shaft  36  continues to rotate, the binding element  32  will again come into proximity to the second binding element  138 . The binding element  32  and second binding element  138  can be positioned at any location on or about the drive shaft  36  or the feed mechanism  40  to permit the binding element  32  and second binding element  138  to come into proximity and be in position so that a magnetic attraction occurs between the binding element  32  and second binding element  138 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , a binding element  32  may be positioned or otherwise formed in a side wall  150  of the drive shaft  36 , facing outwardly from the central axis  64 . The feed mechanism  40  may have the second binding element  138  positioned facing toward the opening  140 , or binding elements placed in the bottom portion of the feed mechanism  40  ( FIG. 50 ). The drive mechanism  26  will operate as previously with the magnetic clutch action described. Alternately, a portion of the drive shaft  26  can be formed from a magnet or magnetically attractable insert. 
         [0064]    The second end  68  of the drive shaft  36  may include at last one or a plurality of binding elements  32 , as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , top plan views of different embodiments of the drive shaft  26 . Similarly, the feed mechanism  40  may include at last one or a plurality of binding elements  138 , as shown in  FIGS. 7-8 . The operation of the drive mechanism  26  can be controlled by varying the number of binding elements, the strength of any magnets, and the distance between the binding element  32  and the second binding element  138 , for example. 
         [0065]    The motor  66  may be controlled by the controller  114  such as an electronic control circuit that may include a microprocessor  116 . The paintball loader  10  may include at least one sensor  118  in communication with the motor  66  and/or controller  114  for detecting paintballs, such as an electromechanical sensor or switch, an optical sensor, and infrared (IR) sensor, a sound or shockwave sensor, or any other sensor as are known in the art. The controller  114  can control rotation of the motor  66  in either direction, providing for a reversible feed mechanism  40  operation. 
         [0066]    In an alternate embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the drive mechanism  26  includes a drive shaft  36  having an upper portion  68  that is contoured or angled. The lower portion  136  of the feed mechanism  40  is contoured complementary to the contour of the upper portion  68  of the drive shaft  36 . A spring  152  is provided between the attachment screw  142  and the feed mechanism  40 . At least one binding element  32  is positioned proximate the upper portion  68  of the drive shaft  36 , and at least one second binding element  138  is positioned proximate the lower portion  136  of the feed mechanism  138 , as previously described. In this arrangement, due to the complimentary contoured surfaces, the feed mechanism  40  is adapted for movement above and below its originally plane of movement if a projectile jam is encountered, in addition to the rotational movement of the feed mechanism  40  being driven by the drive shaft  36 . The spring  152  biases the feed mechanism  40  back to its original position. An additional or alternate  146  spring can be provided between the upper portion  68  of the drive shaft  36  and the lower portion  136  of the feed mechanism  40 . 
         [0067]      FIGS. 10-20  show an alternate embodiment of a drive mechanism according to the present invention for use in a paintball loader  10 . According to this embodiment, drive mechanism includes a clutch plate  28 , shown in detail in FIGS.  12  and  14 - 16 , having a keyed opening  30  therethrough, and including at least one binding element  32 . In the preferred embodiment, the binding element  32  is a magnet, but may also be a magnetically attractable insert. The clutch plate  28  may include one or a plurality of binding elements  32 , as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . The clutch plate  28  is preferably formed as a disc  34  with the keyed opening  30  shaped to accept a keyed portion  38  of a drive shaft  36 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . The opening  30  may be any shape for accepting the drive shaft  36 , as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , so long as the keyed portion  38  of the drive shaft  36  can rotate the plate  28 . The clutch plate  28  can be any size and/or shape suitable for its purposes as disclosed below, such as the alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 16 , and may be comprised of any metal, plastic, or other suitable materials. Preferably, the clutch plate  28  is formed from a plastic, or other non-metallic, non-magnetic material. It should be understood that the clutch plate  28  can also be permanently affixed and part of the drive shaft  36 . 
         [0068]    Alternatively, the plate  28  may be formed entirely from the material comprising the binding element  32 , such as a magnetic or magnetically attractable material. The plate  28  may also be formed with the binding elements  32  fashioned as rectangular inserts, as shown in FIGS.  12  and  14 - 16 . The binding elements  32  may be removable, or permanently affixed to the plate  28 . Through the variation of the binding elements, one is able to adjust the attractive forces to correspond with the specific properties of the projectile. 
         [0069]      FIGS. 13 ,  17 , and  18  show a drive shaft  36  for providing movement to agitate, mix or move the projectiles  62  in the loader  10 . The drive shaft  36  is adapted to rotate about its central axis under the force of a motor  66  to which it is coupled at its first end  67 , preferably an electric, battery operated motor, although any motor is acceptable. The drive shaft  36  has an upper portion  68 , which is preferably substantially circular and includes a threaded opening  144  for accepting a screw  142 , and a lower keyed portion  38  shaped to engage the opening  30  of the clutch plate  28 . Rotation of the drive shaft  36  by the motor  66  will in turn rotate the clutch plate  28 , due to the engaging fit between the keyed portion  33  of the drive shaft  36  and the keyed opening  30 . The drive shaft  36  may be constructed of various materials, such as molded plastic or metal, and is sized and shaped so that it is capable of passing through the opening  16  of the clutch plate  28  and the openings  22  of the paintball feed mechanism  40 . 
         [0070]      FIGS. 17-18  show a paintball feed mechanism  40  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The feed mechanism  40  shown may be similar in design and operation to the active feed assemblies disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,792,933 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,907, the entire contents of which are incorporated fully by reference herein, which are used in connection with the well known HALO B® or EMPIRE™ RELOADER™ B paintball loaders. It is noted that the present invention may be used with, in place of, or as an adjunct to any other feed mechanism, agitator, paddle or impeller of any kind. 
         [0071]    According to this embodiment of the present invention, the feed mechanism  40  includes an impeller portion  42 , and a base portion  44 . The impeller portion has an opening  46  therethrough and the base portion  44  has an opening  48  therethrough. The openings  46 ,  48  are sized to accept a portion of the drive shaft  36 , and to permit the feed mechanism  40  to freely rotate about the drive shaft  36 . At least one binding element  50 , preferably located on, formed in, inserted into, or affixed to the bottom surface  52  of the base portion  44 . FIGS.  11  and  17 - 20  show the base portion  44  substantially the same size and shape as the clutch plate  28 . The feed mechanism  40  may be larger or smaller than the clutch plate  28  or of a different shape. It is appreciated that the feed mechanism  40  can be provided as a single unit, with at least one binding element  50  positioned at any position to be attracted magnetically to the binding element  32  of the clutch plate  28 , such as on a lower wall  82  including one or a plurality of binding elements  50 , as shown in  FIG. 29 . 
         [0072]    In a preferred embodiment, the base portion  44  of the feed mechanism  40  may be formed as an open cylinder having an upstanding annular wall  54  and a floor  58 , as shown in FIGS.  11  and  17 - 19 . The base portion  44  is positioned below the impeller portion  42 . A gap or space  56  may be provided between the floor  58  of the base portion  44  and the lower face  60  of the impeller portion  42 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the base portion  44  is formed as an open cylinder  88 , having a base or floor  90  and an annular wall  92 . The floor  90  may be provided with at least one or a plurality of cavities  94  sized and shaped to receive corresponding binding elements  50 . The binding elements  50  can be sized and shaped to removably engaged the cavities  94  whereby the binding elements  50  will be sized to securely fit within the cavities  94  a shown in FIGS.  11  and  19 - 20 , so that they will not fall out of the cavities  94  during operation. By being able to interchange the binding elements  50 , magnetic attractive forces between the at least one magnetic portion of the drive shaft and the at least one magnetic or magnetically attractable portion of the feed mechanism can be varied and regulated. In this way the magnetic force is less than a rupture force of a paintball adapted to be loaded by the feed mechanism. 
         [0073]    In the embodiment of the drive mechanism  26  of the present invention, shown in  FIGS. 17-19  and  25 - 28 , the feed mechanism has a spring-assist or spring-loaded component for feeding projectiles. A first spring contact wall  72  projects from the annular wall  54  of the base portion  44  into the gap  56 . A second spring contact wall  74  projects from the lower face  60  of the impeller portion  42 . A spring  76 , preferably a torsion spring, is positioned within the gap  56 , and has a first end  78  positioned adjacent the first spring contact wall  72 , and a second end  80  positioned adjacent the second spring contact wall  74 . It should be understood however, that any suitable biasing member can be used in place of the spring, for example, an elastomer. When the base portion  44  turns for example in the counter-clockwise direction (looking at the base portion  44  from above the loader  10 ), and the impeller portion  42  is stationary (due to being blocked by, for example, stationary projectiles in a “paintball stack” (line of stationary projectiles) in the loader  10 ), or the impeller portion  42  is moved in the clockwise direction (looking at the impeller portion  44  from above the loader  10 ), the spring  76  will be compressed due to the relative movements of the first end  78  of the spring  76  against the first spring contact wall  72 , and the second end  80  of the spring  76  against the second spring contact wall  74 . The spring  76  compresses, storing potential energy for driving projectiles. This provides a “spring-loaded” drive mechanism, where spring tension is provided for force feeding projectiles during operation when the feed impeller portion  42  is free to move. 
         [0074]      FIGS. 17-19  show an embodiment of the drive mechanism  26  of the present invention in an exploded view of the various components. The base portion  44  is positioned between the impeller portion  42  and the clutch plate  28 . Where a spring is used, the spring  76  is positioned within the gap  56 . The drive shaft  36  extends through the drive mechanism opening  30  and the respective openings  46 ,  48  of the base portion  44  and impeller portion  42 . A screw  142  is threaded into the opening  144  of the drive shaft  36 , and the screw  142  preferably has a head larger than the diameter of the opening  46 , so that the feed mechanism  40  is held in place. The keyed portion  38  of the drive shaft  36  engages the keyed opening  30  of the clutch plate  28 , such that rotation of the drive shaft  36  by the motor  66  produces rotation of the clutch plate  28 . When the screw  142  is threadably engaged to the drive shaft  36 , the screw  142  is effectively an extension of the drive shaft  36  running through the opening  46  in the feed mechanism  40 . The feed mechanism  40  is free to rotate about the screw  142 . 
         [0075]    The binding element  32  of the clutch plate  28  is positioned to provide an attractive magnetic force when adjacent the binding element  50  of the base portion  44 . It is appreciated that the binding element  32  and binding element  50  may be any combination of elements producing magnetic attraction between them, for example: binding element  32  is a magnet of a first polarity, and binding element  50  is a magnet of a second an opposite polarity; binding element  32  is a magnet, and binding element  50  is a magnetically attractable insert attractable to the magnet; and/or, binding element  32  is a magnetically attractable insert, and binding element  50  is a magnet. 
         [0076]    The attractive magnetic force (also referred to herein as the “adhesion force”) between the binding elements  32 ,  50  is preferably such that when the drive shaft  36  rotates and turns the clutch plate  28 , the magnetic attraction between the binding element  32  and the binding element  50  correspondingly rotates the base portion  44  of the feed mechanism  40 , which in turn rotates the impeller portion  42  of the feed mechanism  40 . If a spring  76  is used, the rotation of the base portion  44  will be translated to the impeller portion  42  via movement of the first spring contact wall  72  against the end  78  of the spring  76 , as described in greater detail above. 
         [0077]    When the binding element  32  and the binding element  50  are aligned, the rotation of the clutch plate  28  drives the feed mechanism  40  by magnetic attraction between the binding elements  32 ,  50 . During operation, the projection  84  of the impeller portion  42  may encounter a stationary or jammed projectile  62 . In this instance, when the force of a stationary, jammed, or slow moving projectile  62  upon the feed mechanism  40  overcomes the magnetic force between the binding elements  32 ,  50 , the motor  66  will continue to rotate the drive shaft  36 , which will turn the clutch plate  28 . The binding element  32  of the clutch plate  28  will “slip” or otherwise move past the binding element  50  on the base  44 . The clutch plate  28  will continue to rotate independently of the feed mechanism  40 . During each rotation of the clutch plate  28 , the binding element  32  will be magnetically attracted to the binding element  50  of the base  44  when the binding elements  32 ,  50  are in proximity such that they are magnetically attracted. When the feed mechanism  40  is free to again rotate (such as when the paintball stack is moving, or a jammed projectile  62  is dislodged) the binding element  32  will again attract the binding element  50 , and the feed mechanism  40  will rotate to propel or otherwise mix projectiles  62 . 
         [0078]    Where a spring  76  is used as discussed in detail above, the binding elements  32 ,  50  should be selected such that the magnetic force (adhesion force) between the binding elements  32 ,  50  is strong enough to overcome the biasing force of the spring  76  on the walls  72 ,  74 , yet will “slip” when the spring  76  is compressed or otherwise wound to a certain selected degree or amount. A paintball stack may form, for example, when a paintball marker to which a paintball loader is attached has indexed projectiles  62  in the outfeed tube and feed neck  22 , but the paintball marker  12  is not being fired. Projectiles  62  back up forming a stack. When the projection  84  contacts the stationary paintball stack, the base portion  44  will continue to turn, by way of example, counter-clockwise, if the feeding direction is counter-clockwise. This will compress and increase tension in the spring  76  as the base portion  44  rotates relative to the impeller portion  42 . However, it may be desired that the drive mechanism will slip (the adhesion force between the binding elements  32 ,  50  is overcome) when the spring  76  is compressed to a certain degree or amount, which may be a user selected degree or amount. For example, the binding elements  32 ,  50  may be selected such that, when the base portion  44  rotates a certain angular distance relative to the point of contact between the projection  84  and the paintball stack, the binding elements  32 ,  50  slip. This is shown schematically in  FIG. 30 , which is a schematic bottom view of a projection  84  contacting a paintball stack. The angular distance can be selected by a user, and can be any angular distance, with a preferred distance being approximately about 340 to 360 degrees of rotation. 
         [0079]    Released from the forces of the attraction between the binding elements  32 ,  50 , the base portion  44  will unwind (in a clockwise direction in the example) as the spring  76  releases tension. A second binding element  32  may be positioned on the clutch plate  28 , to “catch” or attract the base portion  44  as it unwinds, so that the spring  76  does not fully decompress. In this manner, tension is retained in the spring  76  for propelling projectiles  62  once the stack begins to move. In addition, the slipping action of the drive mechanism will not force, break or otherwise crush or rupture projectiles. A plurality of binding elements  32  maybe provided on a clutch plate  28 . Each of the binding elements  32  will attract the binding element  50 , as the clutch plate  28  rotates. 
         [0080]    The operation of the novel drive mechanism of the prevent invention can be adjusted in several ways. For example, the force necessary to overcome the magnetic attraction between the binding elements  32  and  50  can be adjusted by utilizing magnets of varying magnetic strengths. The size of the magnets used for the binding elements  32 ,  50  can be varied. The distance between the clutch plate  28  and the bottom surface  52  of the feed mechanism  40  can also be varied, thus adjusting the interaction of the magnets and/or magnet and magnetically attractable inserts. A shim or other divider piece can be formed between the clutch plate  28  and the bottom surface  52  of the feed mechanism  40 . In addition, the spring  76  can further be selected having a particular tension. 
         [0081]    The number of binding elements  32 ,  50  can be varied, such as illustrated in  FIGS. 14-15  and  17 - 18 . A user of a paintball loader according to the present invention can adjust the operation by selectively inserting and positioning binding elements  50  within the cavities  94 . Alternately, a cylinder  88  can be provided with a preselected number of binding elements  50 , attached or affixed to, formed in, or formed on the floor  90  of the cylinder  88 . Several cylinders  88  may be included with a paintball loader kit, incorporating different numbers of binding elements  32  that may be user selected, based on operating conditions such as paintball shell brittleness. Similarly, as shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , the clutch plate  28  may be formed including at least one or a plurality of binding elements  32 . The binding elements  32  can be preformed on or affixed to the clutch plate  28 , or may be held within cavities formed in the clutch plate  28 . Several drive mechanism bases  28  having different binding element  32  configurations may be provided in a kit with a paintball loader according to the present invention. 
         [0082]    It should be appreciated that the drive system  34  operates as a clutch system to avoid or manage projectile jams, and to provide fine-tuning of paintball loader operation. If the feed mechanism  40  stops or slows its rotation relative to the rotation of the drive mechanism  26  and drive shaft  36  due to a jam, the system will not chop or otherwise break projectiles. Projectiles may back-up or otherwise block the outlet tube, and interfere with the rotation of the projections  84 , which slows or stops the feeder  36 . In the many loaders currently known in the art the feeder  36  continues to try to rotate with the force of the motor, and therefore, the projections  84  continue to try to impel projectiles through the loader. The continued impelling force from the feeder on the jammed projectiles can break the projectiles, the feeder  36 , the impellers  39 , and/or other parts of the loader. 
         [0083]    In the present invention, when the feed mechanism  40  stops rotating, the force of the rotation of the drive shaft  36  on the clutch plate  28  overcomes the magnetic attraction between the binding elements  32 ,  50 . This causes the feed mechanism  40  to move relative to, or slip past the base portion  44 . The drive mechanism  26  no longer rotates the feed mechanism  40 , which therefore, no longer rotates the feeder  36 . Thus, the feeder impellers  39  stop moving against the stationary, jammed or blocked projectiles. 
         [0084]    When the paintball jam is cleared (players often shake or jostle the hopper), and the feeder  36  and paintball feed mechanism  40  are free to once again rotate, the drive mechanism  26  binding element  32  will attract the paintball feed mechanism  40  binding element  50  and begin rotating the paintball feed mechanism  40  and the connected feeder  36  in conjunction therewith. 
         [0085]    In another embodiment of the present invention, an entire surface of the clutch plate  28  may be formed as a binding element, such as a magnet or a magnetically attractable material. In addition, in another embodiment, an entire surface of the floor  58  of the base portion  44  may be formed as a binding element, such as a magnet or a magnetically attractable material. 
         [0086]    In another embodiment of the present invention, shown in  FIGS. 21-26 , the drive shaft  36  may be formed to act as an additional slip clutch mechanism. Such an embodiment may be used in addition to the previously disclosed embodiments, or may replace the clutch plate  28  and base portion  44  as previously described. At least one binding element  120 , which may be a magnet or magnetically attractable insert, is provided on or within the drive shaft  36 , as shown in  FIG. 23 . 
         [0087]    A central portion  122  of the base portion  44  is adapted to rotate independently from the other portions of the base portion  44 . The central portion  122  includes at least one binding element  124 , which may be a magnet or magnetically attractable insert, positioned adjacent an annular wall  128  of the central portion  122 . Binding element  120  and binding element  124  are selected so that they are magnetically attracted to each other. 
         [0088]    The upper surface  130  of the floor  58  of the base portion further includes at least one binding element  132 , which may be a magnet or magnetically attractable insert. Binding element  132  is selected so that it is magnetically attracted to binding element  124 . 
         [0089]    In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 21-26 , a second slip clutch mechanism is disclosed. The binding element  120  of the drive shaft  36  will rotate when the drive shaft  36  is rotated by the motor  66 . Binding element  120  will magnetically attract binding element  124 , thus rotating the central portion  122  through magnetic attraction. The binding element  124  will in turn attract binding element  132 , thus turning, or assisting in turning, the balance of the base portion  44 . These additional binding elements  120 ,  124 ,  132  can be use as adjuncts to the previously described binding elements  32 ,  50 . Thus, binding element  32  will magnetically drive binding element  50 , acting as a first magnetic slip clutch system, and binding element  120  will magnetically drive binding element  124 , which in turn will magnetically drive binding element  132 , acting as a second magnetic slip clutch system. Any combination and positioning of the various binding elements may be used to achieve desired operation of the drive mechanism  26  of the present invention. 
         [0090]    A cross section of the feed portion  40  of the feed device  26  is shown in  FIGS. 27 and 28 . The base portion  44  houses the spring  76  having first and second ends  78 ,  80  that are biased against a first contact wall  72  of the base portion and a second contact wall  74  of the impeller portion  42 , respectively. It should be understood that other biasing members can also be used, for example, an elastomer. When sufficient tension is present in spring  76 , the impeller portion  42  is rotated such that impeller projections  84  contact a projectile  62  to urge it into a feed tube  112  of a loader  10  and into a breech of a gun  12 . 
         [0091]    In addition, in an alternate embodiment, the clutch plate  28  can be eliminated, and the drive shaft  36  will act as the clutch system for the drive mechanism  26 . Further, the central portion  122  can be eliminated, and the binding element  120  of the drive shaft  36  can be selected to directly magnetically attract the binding element  132  of the upper surface of the floor  130 . 
         [0092]      FIG. 31  is an exploded view of another embodiment of an exemplary paintball loader  200  of the present invention. The loader  200  includes a body  219  which may include left and right shell portions  202 ,  204  which, when joined, create an interior paintball chamber  203  for the storage of paintballs. The loader  200  includes a pivotally attached lid  206  which provides an opening through which paintballs are added to the interior chamber  203  of the loader  200  for feeding to a paintball marker. A floor insert  208  provides a bottom surface for the interior paintball chamber  203  and includes an opening through which paintballs move from the interior paintball chamber  203  into a cup assembly  201 . In a preferred embodiment, the contours of the interior surfaces of the shells  202 ,  204  may be formed to securingly mate with the cup assembly  201 , although it is appreciated that the cup assembly can be attached to interior of the loader  200  through any suitable means. 
         [0093]    As shown in detail in  FIG. 32 , the cup assembly  201  features a catch cup  212  positioned below the opening in the floor piece  208  that accepts paintballs from the interior paintball chamber  203  of the loader  200 . A feed mechanism  210  is placed into the catch cup  212 , with its shaft  211  inserted through the cup  212 . In use, the feed mechanism  210  is designed to feed projectiles from the catch cup  212  into the exit portion  281  of the outfeed tube  222 . 
         [0094]    A motor  226  is provided to drive the feed mechanism  210  and may drive the feed mechanism via drive system including a gear, gears or gearbox  224 . The motor  226  is preferably mounted adjacent the catch cup  212  as shown in  FIG. 32  and preferably comprises a DC motor, although any suitable motor or driving mechanism (such as a stepping motor) may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. The motor  226  may be controlled by a controller or circuit board  207  ( FIG. 31 ), such as electronic control circuitry that may include a microprocessor  251 . The paintball loader  200  may also include at least one sensor  252  in electrical or wireless communication with a motor  226  and/or controller  207  for detecting paintballs (such as by movement or position, for example) and/or movement or position of the feed mechanism  210 . The sensor  252  may be an electromechanical sensor, a switch, an optical sensor, a break beam sensor, and infrared (IR) sensor, a reflective sensor, a sound or shockwave sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, or any other sensor as are known in the art for detecting paintball movement or feeder movement. The controller  207  can control rotation of the motor  226  in any direction, providing for a reversal of the rotation of the feed mechanism  210  enhancing its ability to clear projectile jams. In operation, the user may actuate the controller  207  via a switch plate  209  locate on the exterior if the loader  200 , such as by pressing a button  282  on the switch plate  209 . In one embodiment, at least one power source such as a battery  213  is provided to power the motor and/or additional controls or sensors. The battery  213  is preferably stored inside of the loader  200 , and features a cover  205  to facilitate easy removal and replacement. 
         [0095]    In one embodiment, the gearbox  224  comprises a belt and pulley system having a first pulley  228 , a drive belt  234 , and a second pulley  232 . The second pulley  232  comprises an integral pinion gear  233  configured to drive a spur gear  236 . The shaft  211  of the feed mechanism  210  is preferably keyed into the spur gear  236  by means of a profiled portion  216  of the shaft  211  and complementary profiled opening  217  of the spur gear  236 , whereby the rotation of the spur gear  236  rotates the feed mechanism  210 . 
         [0096]    It is envisioned that this combination belt drive and gear arrangement could be replaced with any other suitable means to transmit the rotational force of the motor  226  to the feed mechanism  210  including direct, gear, belt, or fluid drives. It is also envisioned that the size of respective pulleys  228 ,  232  and gears  233 ,  236  could be varied in order to change the rotational speed of the feed mechanism  210 , thereby varying the feed rate of the balls into the marker, as well as the torque delivered by the shaft  211 . A motor  226  may also directly drive the shaft  211  of the feed mechanism  210 , without the use of additional gears or belts. Any arrangement for coupling the motor to the drive shaft to operate the drive shaft is contemplated as included within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0097]    The shaft  211  of the feed mechanism  210  may be supported on either side of the spur gear  236  by bushings or bearings  237 . In a preferred embodiment, one bearing  237  is positioned in or between each of the catch cup  212  and a gearbox cover  214 , and the spur gear  236 . 
         [0098]    The gearbox cover  214  preferably provides a generally sealed enclosure for the gear box assembly  224  and motor  226 , protecting the components from dirt, debris, and other objects which could potential jam the mechanism and/or inhibit its function. A cover  214  may be utilized to provide access to the gearbox assembly  224  to facilitate maintenance, inspection, or any other suitable use. 
         [0099]    The gearbox cover  214  is preferably secured to the bottom of the catch cup  212  by fasteners  238 . In one embodiment, the fasteners  238  comprise standard bolt and nut  239  combinations, however it is envisioned that other suitable attachment means may be utilized. In a more preferred embodiment, dowel pins  244  may be used in combination with the fasteners  238  to ensure the proper orientation of the gear box cover  214  with the catch cup  212 . 
         [0100]    An anti-jamming or manual winding wheel  242  is preferably provided on an end of the shaft  211  accessible outside of the loader  200  in order to provide a means to manually rotate the feed mechanism  210 , thereby facilitating the clearing of any jams in the system, or otherwise rotating the drive shaft based on a user&#39;s needs. Such an anti-jamming and/or manual reversing mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,343,909, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein. The wheel  242  is preferably keyed to the shaft  211  at a lower portion  216  and is secured by use of a retaining clip  243 , however, any suitable means of connection may be used. 
         [0101]    Additional means to prevent jamming include resiliently mounted beads  218  and/or an anti-jamming deflection spring  219  mounted to the interior of the loader  200 , adjacent the outfeed tube  222 . In one embodiment, these elements are mounted to an inner surface of the catch cup  212  adjacent the exit portion  281 , and aid in ensuring the proper positioning the projectiles onto the lip  253  of the feed mechanism  210 . 
         [0102]      FIG. 43  illustrates one embodiment of the integration between the loader  200  and a paintball marker  300 . The paintball marker  300  includes a main body  302 , a barrel  304 , a grip portion  306 , an inlet tube  308 , a firing chamber  310 , and a trigger  312 . The marker  300  is adapted it receive compressed gas from a source of compressed gas such as a CO2 or NO2 tank, as is will known in the art. As described above, the projectiles contained in the loader  200  are driven by the feed mechanism  210  into the outfeed tube  222 . The outfeed tube  222  is clamped using clamp  283  or other attachment means to the inlet portion  308  of the marker  300 . The outfeed tube  222  feeds the projectiles into the inlet portion  308  of a paintball marker  300 . From the inlet portion, the projectiles move into the firing chamber (or breech) where they are fired from the marker under the force of compressed gas. 
         [0103]    It is envisioned that the above-described cup assembly  201  could be integrated into a loader  200  specifically configured to accept such an assembly, or in an alternate embodiment, may be installed into an existing loader as part of a retrofitted kit. This embodiment would allow a user to enhance the performance of their present loader without requiring the purchase of the entire loader and cup arrangement. In such an arrangement, the cup assembly  201 , including the feed mechanism  210 , the gearbox  224  and the inlet cup  222  would be placed into the interior of an existing loader, and securely attached thereto. 
         [0104]      FIG. 33  is an isometric view of a feed mechanism  210  of the present invention completely assembled. The feed mechanism  210  comprises a feed mechanism carrier or feeder  220  and separate cover  280  that is capable of movement independent of the feeder  220 . The feed mechanism  210  shown may be similar in design and operation to the feed assemblies disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,792,933 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,907, the entire contents of which are incorporated fully by reference herein, which are used in connection with the well known HALO B® or EMPIRE™ RELOADER™ B paintball loaders. It is noted that the present invention may be used with, in place of, or in addition to any other feeder, feed mechanism, agitator, paddle, wheel or impeller of any kind. 
         [0105]    As shown in detail in  FIGS. 34-39  and  42  the feed mechanism  210  comprises a shaft  211  which may include a bearing  237 , which is coupled to a motor. A first plate  230  is keyed to matingly engage a keyed portion  215  of the drive shaft  211  so that rotation of the drive shaft  211  rotates the first plate  230 . The first plate  230  comprises a at least one or a plurality of openings  235  that are configured to receive binding elements  250 . For example, the openings  235  may receive either magnets, or magnetically attractable inserts. In a preferred embodiment, the openings  235  receive magnets which fit into openings. 
         [0106]    A second plate  240  formed from a magnetically attractable material is positioned about the drive shaft  211  adjacent the first plate  230 , and preferably above the first plate  230 , as shown in  FIG. 35 . The second plate  240  is magnetically attractable to the binding elements  250  of the first plate  230 , and is preferably formed from a ferrous metal or a magnetic material with a polarity opposite the binding elements  250  so that there is a magnetic attraction between the binding elements  250  and the second plate  240 . Moreover, it is noted that any combination of magnetic material, ferrous metal, or other suitable materials may be utilized in either the first or second plates  230 ,  240  without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the binding elements  250  could be magnetically attractable inserts formed of a ferrous metal, and the second plate  240  could be formed from a magnet attractable to the binding elements  250 . 
         [0107]    As shown in  FIGS. 34-35 , the second plate  240  is not keyed to match the keyed portion  215  of the drive shaft  211 , and is therefore free to rotate independent of the shaft  211 . The second plate  240  may be of any shape. Illustrative shapes are shown in  FIGS. 40-42  and will be described in greater detail herein. 
         [0108]    A housing  260  is positioned about the drive shaft  211 , and is preferably positioned above the second plate  240  as shown in  FIG. 35 . The housing  260  preferably includes a lower portion  254  having an underside  255  ( FIG. 39 ) with a space configured to receive the second plate  240  such that the housing  260  will rotate when the second plate  240  is rotated by the drive shaft  211 . As shown by the Figures, the second plate  240  and the lower portion  254  of the housing  260  have corresponding shapes, such that the second plate mechanically engages the housing  260  when fitted into the space of the underside  255 , such that movement of the second plate  240  will move the housing  260 . 
         [0109]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the housing  260  has an outer annular wall  257  and an inner annular wall  256  forming a receiving area  258  ( FIGS. 37-39 ) configured to receive, for example, a spring  270  or other biasing element. An extension wall  265  positioned within the receiving area  258  of the housing  260  acts as a contact point for one of the ends  275  of the spring  270 . The other end  276  of the spring  270  abuts a flange  226  ( FIG. 39 ) extending from a lower portion  259  of the feeder  220 . Accordingly, the spring  270  or another biasing member provides may provide biasing force on the feeder  220 . The rotational force of the housing  260  will be translated via the spring  270  to the feeder  220 . 
         [0110]    The first plate  230  acts as a binding element or magnet carrier or holder. The first plate  230  provides for the potential for various configurations of magnets  250  or binding/attraction points. In the illustrative first plate shown in  FIG. 40 , the first plate  230  has a six-pointed star shape, which six receiving openings  261  adapted to receive magnets at each point of the star shape in an outer configuration, and an inner configuration of six receiving openings  262  adapted to receive magnets. 
         [0111]    The second plate  240  is magnetically attracted to the binding elements  250  of the first plate  230 . Accordingly, when the drive shaft  211  rotates the first plate  230 , the second plate  240  will rotate due to the magnetic attractive force between the plates. 
         [0112]    The magnetic attraction force between the binding elements  250  of the first plate  230  and the second plate  240  is, in part, a function of the shape of the second plate  240 . Different binding element  250  configurations (such as by selective placement of a selected number of binding elements  250  in selected openings  261 ,  262  in the first plate  230 ) and different second plate  240  shapes will interact with differently positioned binding elements  250  to produce different magnetic attraction forces when the drive mechanism of a paintball loader of the present is in operation. 
         [0113]    By varying the shape of the second plate  240 , the magnetic attractive forces between the binding elements  250  of the first plate  230  and the second plate may be selectively varied. This may vary the “magnetic moment,” which is a measure of the torque exerted on a magnetic system (as a bar magnet or dipole) when placed in a magnetic field and that for a magnet is the product of the distance between its poles and the strength of either pole. 
         [0114]    The attraction area between the first plate  230  and the second plate  240  can be considered the total area where binding elements  250  can exert a magnetic attraction force on the second plate  230  at a given time. In one embodiment, the second plate  240  as shown in  FIG. 41   a,  generally has a similar six-pointed star configuration as the exemplary first plate  230 . This six-pointed plate  240 , when filled with binding elements, may maximize the magnetic attraction force between the first plate  230  and the second plate, providing the largest attraction area. That is, the magnetic force is maximized as a result of utilizing a plate  240  which incorporating several binding elements  250  over an increased attraction area. As the first plate  230  slips past the second plate  240  (such as when the magnetic attraction force between the binding elements  250  of the first plate  230  and the second plate  240  is overcome by the force of the motor on the drive shaft  211 ), the binding elements  250  in the outer ring O of the first plate  230  will “release” or “slip,” and will again “catch” (come adjacent to and be attracted to) the next point of the second plate after moving through an arc of about sixty degrees. Assuming all holes of the outer ring O are filled with binding elements, the first plate  230  and the second plate  240  will have the greatest attraction area each about sixty degrees of rotation of the first plate  230  relative to the second plate  240 , with an attraction between all points of the star shapes of the plates  230 ,  240 . 
         [0115]    Another exemplary plate  240 ′, shown in  FIG. 41   b,  is generally triangular in shape, and therefore the attraction area is reduced as a result of the plate  240 ′ configured to be positioned adjacent less binding elements  250  when the first plate  230  is in position holding (through magnetic force) the second plate  240 , in this example, with three binding elements  250  of the outer ring O adjacent the points of the triangular shape at a time. When the first plate  230  releases the second plate  240  or slips, the first plate  230  will travel along an arc of sixty (60) degrees before a next binding element  250  of the outer ring O is adjacent a point of the triangle of the second plate  240 ′ in the case of binding elements  250  being inserted into every hole  261  (as shown in  FIG. 41   b ), or through an arc of about one-hundred and twenty (120) degrees, if the every other hole  261  of the outer ring O is left empty. 
         [0116]    It is appreciated that exemplary shaped second plates  240  and  240 ′ have central portions that will remain adjacent any binding elements  250  of the inner ring portion I of the first plate  230 , even as the binding elements  250  of the outer ring portion O release or slip. Thus, the binding elements  250  of the inner ring portion I provide a substantially continuous magnetic attraction force between the first plate  230  and the second plate  240 , even as the first plate  230  moves relative to the second plate  240 . 
         [0117]    Exemplary plate  240 ″ shown in  FIG. 41   c  has an elliptical shape and provides two portions attractable to binding elements  250  of the outer ring portion O, as well as a central portion that is attractable to at least some of the binding elements  250  of the inner ring portion I. This configuration provides less of an attraction area than the arrangement described in  FIG. 41   b  as a result of additional holes  261  or binding elements  250  positioned non-adjacent the plate  240 ″. The arc distance that the first plate  230  travels through between magnetic “slips” and magnetic “catches” may be varied between about sixty (60) degrees, and about one-hundred eighty (180) degrees, depending on the placement of the binding elements  250 . 
         [0118]    The exemplary plate  240 ″′ shown in  FIG. 41   d  has an elliptical or oblong shape will a thinner central portion than the plate  240 ″ shown in  FIG. 41   c,  and will come adjacent two of the magnets  250  of the outer ring O and portions of four (4) magnets  250  of the inner ring I, resulting in a further reduction of the attraction area between the plates  240 ″′ and  230  compared to the previously described configurations. As indicated above, the arc distance that the first plate  230  may travel before binding elements  250  of the outer ring O come adjacent the points or ends of the second plate  240 ″′ may be between about sixty (60) degrees and about one-hundred and eighty (180) degrees, depending on binding elements placement  250 . For example, if only one binding element  250  is placed in one opening  261  of the outer ring O, the first plate  230  may rotate through an arc of about one-hundred eighty degrees to its original position before the one binding element  250  is brought adjacent a point or end of the second plate  240 ″′. 
         [0119]    Finally, the exemplary plate  240 ″″ of  FIG. 41   e  has an irregular shape having four end points or “points,” and configured to match the contour of the first plate  230  end with the points adjacent all but two (2) of the magnets  250  of the outer ring O. 
         [0120]    It should be appreciated that any shaped upper or lower plates  240 ,  230  may be utilized in combination with any arrangement of the binding elements  250  in order to achieve a desired attraction area or various magnetic forces through the magnetically attractive elements of the first plate and the second plate. It is also appreciated that the first plate may be formed as a magnet having a particular shape, or with magnets pre-formed and set in pre-selected positions. 
         [0121]    The drive mechanism of the present invention operates as a slip clutch for a paintball loader, providing a force for feeding paintballs to a paintball marker, while “slipping” to prevent paintball breakages. When a paintball loader including the drive mechanism of the present invention is coupled to a paintball marker, a user will fire the paintball marker, which will shoot a paintball from the marker. The marker will require constant replenishing of paintballs supplied by the paintball loader. 
         [0122]    In operation, when a paintball marker requires more paintballs, the sensor  252  and/or controller  207  may signal the motor  226  to operate to rotate the drive shaft  211 . The drive shaft  211  will in turn rotate the first plate  230  which engages the drive shaft  211  at the keyed portion  215 . The magnets  250  of the first plate will exert a magnetic attractive force on the second plate  240 . Thus, rotation of the first plate  230  will rotate the second plate  240  via magnetic force. 
         [0123]    The second plate  240  is coupled to the housing  260 . Rotation of the second plate  260  will rotate the housing  260 . This will wind the spring  270 , and a biasing force will be translated via the spring  270  to the feeder  220 . The feeder will rotate under the biasing force of the spring  270 . 
         [0124]    During operation, a paintball marker may cease firing, and a line of paintballs or a “paintball stack” may form in the outfeed tube  222  of the paintball loader. The motor  226  of the present invention can be set to continue to rotate, even though there is a stationary paintball stack. A fin  225  of the feeder  220  will contact a stationary paintball. The housing  260  may continue to turn, thus winding the spring  270  and creating increased tension spring and potential energy. The feeder  220  will then be forced by spring tension against the paintball stack, and will provide a driving force on the paintball stack for immediate feeding when a user again fires the paintball marker, and the paintball marker requires additional paintballs fed from the loader. When the paintball stack moves through the outfeed tube  222 , the spring tension and potential energy may be released by movement of the feeder  220 . 
         [0125]    The present invention provides a means for operation of the drive mechanism that provides for the application of force on the paintballs that may be continuous, near continuous or intermittent, while also providing for a slip clutch that prevents paintball breaks due to the application of too much force. The motor  226  may wind the spring  270  to a point where the spring  270  may provide a force on the feeder  220  that will provide a force on a paintball stack that could break a paintball, or otherwise break a paintball within the loader. The magnetic slip clutch of the present invention operates to prevent such breakages. When the housing is turned to a certain degree (a degree which can be adjusted by a user, set by the controller or otherwise varied), the force of the drive shaft  211  on the first plate  230  will be greater than the magnetic force between the binding elements  250  of the first plate  230  and the second plate  240 . In that case, the drive shaft  211  will rotate the first plate  230  so that the first plate “releases” or “slips” from its magnetic engagement of the second plate  240 , that is, the magnetic attractive force cannot hold the first plate  230  and second plate  240  in the same orientation as to each other. After slipping, the binding elements  250  will again “catch” and exert a magnetic attractive force on the second plate  240  each time the binding elements  250  are adjacent a portion of the second plate  240 . 
         [0126]    A user of a paintball loader of the present invention can select the configuration of magnets to meet the needs and operation of the user and the user&#39;s paintball marker. A variety of configurations of magnets  250  placed in the openings  235  of the first plate  230  provide a highly “tunable” coupling capable of varying the amount of force transferred to the second plate, and thus, the feeder  220 . An inner ring I is arranged for a maximum of six (6) magnets, in an embodiment, to provide a total holding force up to a point past total spring wind. After a slip occurs the magnets  250  may hold and not allow the feed mechanism&#39;s spring  270  to unwind. An outer, non-continuous binding configuration O provides extra force to be maintained. Once a slip is achieved, the holding force of the outer binding points  235   o  is released. The inner binding points  235   i  which remain adjacent a portion of the second plate  240  at all times, will continue to exert a force to prevent unwinding of the feed spring  270 . 
         [0127]    Various degrees of magnetic attraction or attraction areas can be achieved by the placement of magnets or binding elements  250  in the openings  253  of the outer ring O of the second plate  230 . Openings  235  receive magnets  250 , which, depending on the number and placement of the magnets  250 , will determine the amount of attractive force and attraction area between the first and second plates  230 ,  240 . Additional or varied attractive/holding forces can be achieved by moving magnets  250  further from center, adding multiple magnets  250  around the same circumference, and stacking magnets  250  to create a stronger field for a given binding area. By increasing attraction force, more rotational force is needed to overcome such attractive forces. The magnetic attractive force can be increased to complete motor stall which is the operational mechanical force limit of any feeding device. 
         [0128]    The housing  260  is rotated by movement of the second plate  240  resulting from magnetic attraction with the binding elements  250  of the first plate  230  that is in coupled rotation with the drive shaft  211 . The arrangement of the first plate  230 , which carries binding elements  250 , with the second plate  240 , which is integral in rotation with the housing  260 , acts a magnetic clutch or magnetic slip clutch. It is appreciated that the present invention could operate without the need for using a spring, in which case, the housing could be a part of or otherwise contact the feeder such that the feeder moves when the housing is rotated. 
         [0129]    As described above, the “slipping” of the magnetic clutch of the present invention can be adjusted by using fewer magnets  250  in the outer ring I in relation to how many potential contact points the various second plates  240 ,  240 ′,  240 ″,  240 ″′,  240 ″″ may comprise. In a first exemplary arrangement, six magnets  250  are placed in the outer ring O of the first plate  230 . If the second plate  240  (six-pointed) is used, there would be a high “slip” frequency. The magnetic force would release quickly, followed by a fast recovery at the next point. 
         [0130]    In an alternate illustrative arrangement, if the number of outer ring  0  magnets  250  was reduced to three (3), the hold force would decrease, however, the frequency would be the same due to the six-pointed plate  240  being deployed. However, in a further illustrative arrangement, if the second plate used is the three-pointed plate  240 ′ of  FIG. 41   b,  the frequency is reduced by one-half for any given rotation. Adjusting frequency of the force application allows the drive system to run very easy due to the motor being allowed to run up to speed before encountering the next “slip moment”. For comparison&#39;s sake, if the number of inner ring I magnets  250  is reduced, thereby decreasing the overall continuous holding power, then the slipping effect becomes more apparent. 
         [0131]    Feed mechanisms are sometimes inefficient when a loader is over-loaded or balls are misaligned due to the weight of the balls directly on top of the feeder. Since the top feed surface or cover  280  of the present invention is separate from the feeder  220 , the weight is borne by the cover  280  and does not weigh on the feeder  220 . The cover  280  is keyed to the top of the drive shaft  211  and held in place by a standard retaining screw  221 . The cover  280  is preferably in coupled rotation with the drive shaft  211 . Therefore, the feeder  220  does not bear the weight of the paintballs in the loader. 
         [0132]    The feed mechanism  210  rotates independently by the spring forces applied to it through the housing  260 . Without the extra weight of the balls being directly on top of the feeder  220 , the feed mechanism  210  operates much more efficiently. It responds quicker and is more efficient for a given amount of spring pressure. 
         [0133]    This separated top surface or cover  280  can be used to enhance any feed system using a paddle, drive cone or other type of agitator. The top cone  280  also provides protection from contaminates entering the mechanics of the feed mechanism area. 
         [0134]    The cover  280  can comprise selective raised or dimpled surfaces  285  to allow for agitation of the balls resting on top. The raised surfaces can be in the form of ribs, bumps, dimples, nubs, undulations, etc. In the embodiment shown, the cover  280  comprises bumps  285 . The bumps  285  allow the balls to be contacted from a variety of orientations allowing them to fluidize more efficiently. 
         [0135]    The separate top feeding surface, or feeder cap  280 , ensures that weight from over loading or misaligned balls does not affect the feeder  220  which rotates independently. The cap  280  is keyed to a keyed portion  115  of the drive shaft  211  and is in coupled rotation with it. Furthermore, the separated top feeding surface or cap  280  also provides agitation independent of the feeder  220  since it does not necessarily rotate with the feeder  220 . Since the weight of the paintballs is borne by the cap  280 , the feeder  220  responds more quickly due to the lack of weight it has to overcome. 
         [0136]    The separate feeder cap  280  can be utilized with or without a clutch mechanism and can comprise various types of bumps or ridges  285  to provide agitation in multiple directions. 
         [0137]    It is appreciated that the second plate  240 , in addition to or in an alternative to the first plate  230 , maybe provided with openings  235  for receiving binding elements  250 , and the first plate  230  may be formed being magnetically attractable to the binding elements of the second plate  240 . Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 44 , the first plate  230  may be formed as a magnetically attractable plate or having a magnetically attractable portion formed from, for example, a ferrous metal. The second plate  240  includes at least one or a plurality of openings  235  for receiving at least one or a selected number of binding elements  250 . The operation and selectable tuning of the magnetic clutch system would be as previously described, with the user selecting positions for placing binding elements  250  in the openings of the second plate  240 . The first plate  230  could be of any shape as the second plate as shown by the examples of  FIGS. 41   a  through  41   e.    
         [0138]      FIG. 42  shows the components of a kit  285  that can be offered to modify an existing paintball loader that does not have a drive mechanism of the present invention. Such a kit  285  may include one or more first plates  230 , one or more second plates  240  of various configurations, a housing  260  or  260 ′, a wheel  242 , replacement springs  270 , a feeder  220 , a cap  280 , a drive shaft  211 , a screw  221 , clips  243 , or any combination of the foregoing. 
         [0139]    Having thus described in detail several embodiments 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 the preferred embodiments are possible which do not alter, with respect to those parts, the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. The present embodiments 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 other embodiments and changes to these embodiments which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of said claims are therefore to be embraced therein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5