Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
PAINTBALL MARKER WITH SPLIT BODY
[0001]
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0602] This invention relates to the field of paintball markers, and
more
particularly, to a paintball gun with a split body.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Paintball, a popular sport that has developed over the years,
which uses
compressed gas guns (paintball markers or paintball guns), which utilize
compressed gas
to fire projectiles. Some examples of paintball guns are those offered under
the brand names
EMPIRETm, BTrm, and MINITM, and others shown and described in U.S. Patent Nos.
6,708,685; 4,936,282; 5,497,758; and U.S. Patent Application Nos. 11/183,548;
11/180,506; 11/150,002; 11/064,693; 10/313,465; 10/090,810. Players use the
paintball guns to shoot projectiles known as paintballs (projectiles and
paintballs may be
used interchangeably herein). These paintballs are spherical, frangible
projectiles normally
having gelatin shells that may rupture on impact filled with paint (coloring
or dye). The
shells break when impacting a target, allowing the paint within to splatter on
a target. A
player is eliminated from a game when the player is hit by a paintball fired
from an opposing
player's paintball gun. When the paintball hits a target such as a player, a
mark or "splat"
of paint is left on the player.
[0004] Paintball guns generally have two basic mechanisms working in
conjunction for firing a paintball from the marker during a firing operation.
One of
these mechanisms is for loading a paintball in the breech of a paintball
marker, and
usually involves a bolt that reciprocates from a loading position, allowing a
projectile
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into the breech, to a firing position. A valving system is employed to release
compressed gas from a source of compressed gas to fire the projectile from the
marker.
[0005] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary prior art paintball gun 130 is
illustrated having a gun body 132 with a rearward end 134 towards its grip 136
and a
forward end 138 towards its barrel 140 is shown. The gun body 132 includes a
generally cylindrical interior passage or space (a portion of which may be
considered a
breech area) for receiving at least some of the firing components (e.g., the
hammer and
valving components) of the gun 130. A hammer 144 (sometimes referred to in the
art as
a ram, striker or bolt) is disposed within the gun body 132 adjacent the
rearward end
134 of the gun body 132, the hammer 144 having a forward end 146 facing the
valve
160. The forward end 146 of the hammer 144 is adapted to contact a valve pin
148.
[0006] A main hammer spring 150 is disposed within the gun body 132 and
biases the hammer 144 toward the forward or firing position. The hammer 144 is
retained in a cocked or ready position by a sear 152 that pivots to engage a
portion of
the hammer 144. Actuation of a trigger 154 (such as by pulling the trigger)
disengages
the sear 152 from the hammer 144, allowing the hammer 144 to spring forward
under
the bias of the main hammer spring 130.
[0007] A bolt 156 is disposed within the gun body 132. A firing tube 158 is
partially disposed within the bolt 156, such that the bolt 156 coaxially
surrounds the
firing tube 158. A lateral screw 194 for adjusting the velocity of gas within
the firing
tube 158 protrudes as shown. Forward movement of the bolt 156 causes forward
movement and loading of a projectile 142.
[0008] A valve 160 is disposed within the gun body 132 between the hammer
144
and the bolt 156. The valve 160 includes a valve pin 148 extending rearward
toward
the hammer 144, the valve pin 148 including a contact end 162. A connecting
rod 64
connects the hammer 44 and the bolt 56 for synchronized movement of the hammer
44
and the bolt 56. A connecting rod 164 provides a mechanical linkage between
the
hammer 144 and the bolt 156. The valve 160 assembly includes a valve housing
166
and a valve body 168 disposed within the valve housing 166. The valve body 168
includes an inlet port 170 for receiving gas under pressure from a gas line
196. The
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valve body 168 includes an outlet port 176 for communicating gas under
pressure from
within the valve body 168 when the valve 160 is actuated or open. A valve
poppet 184
is disposed within the valve body 168. A sealing member such as a cup seal 186
is
provided to the valve poppet 184.
[0009] A problem with prior art paintball guns is that it is not always
easy to
gain access to the interior. For example, the body of the paintball gun is
usually held
together by various screws, bolts and pins, making it difficult to gain access
to the
interior contents to check or service the paintball gun. If a paintball
ruptures inside the
paintball gun, a player must gain access to the components to clean and/or
otherwise
service the paintball gun.
[0010] In addition, paintball sport players, as well as those who may
service a
paintball gun (collectively, any person who may maintain, service, access the
interior
of, clean or adjust a paintball gun referred to as a "user"), may want to
field strip a
paintball gun; that is, a user may wish to disassemble a paintball gun for
cleaning,
service, maintenance, adjustment and/or inspection. During a break from game
play, a
paintball sport player might wish to take their paintball gun apart to adjust
or
otherwise service it.
[0011] In order to field strip a paintball gun, many such known guns
require the
removal of numerous parts, and/or the process is difficult, inefficient and/or
time
consuming. For example, the bodies of many prior art paintball guns were
formed as
solid and/or one-piece units, having only an opening at one end. This provides
a very
limited access to the internal components such as the firing assembly of the
paintball
gun. Of course, the paintball gun then has to be put back together for use,
and that
too, may be time consuming in connection with prior art designs.
[0012] Accordingly, there is the need for a paintball gun having a body
that
provides efficient, simple and/or easy access to the interior contents,
SUMMARY
[0013] The present invention is directed to a paintball gun comprising a
body
with a forward end and a rearward end. The body is split substantially along a
central
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longitudinal axis into an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion
is
preferably attached to the lower portion by a hinge positioned preferably
adjacent to
the forward end of the body with the upper portion and the lower portion of
the body
moveable relative to each other via the hinge. Movement of the upper portion
relative
to the lower portion exposes a firing mechanism of the paintball gun for
maintenance.
[0014] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a
paintball
gun comprising a body with a forward end and a rearward end. The body is split
substantially along a central longitudinal axis into an upper portion and a
lower
portion. The upper portion is preferably attached to the lower portion by a
hinge
positioned adjacent to the forward end of the body and the upper portion and
the lower
portion are moveable relative to each other via the hinge. A valve assembly is
preferably secured to the lower portion and is configured to remain secured to
the
lower portion when the upper portion and lower portion are moved away from
each
other.
[0015] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a
paintball
gun comprising a barrel, a barrel adapter attached to the barrel, and a body
having a
forward end and a rearward end. The body is preferably split substantially
along a
central longitudinal axis into an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper
portion
is preferably attached to the lower portion by a hinge positioned adjacent the
forward
end of the body, the upper portion and lower portion moveable relative to each
other
via the hinge. A recess is positioned on the inner surface of one of the lower
portion or
the upper portion adjacent the forward end of the paintball gun. A barrel
gripping
piece configured to mate with the recess is configured to hold the barrel
adaptor in
place between the upper portion and the lower portion during operation.
[0016] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a
paintball
gun comprising a barrel having a bore dimensioned to receive a frangible
projectile, a
body including a plurality of walls defining an interior cavity with a breech
area, a
valve assembly configured to selectively allow flow between a supply of
compressed gas
and the breech area to propel the frangible projectile through the barrel, a
front bolt
moveable between a first position and a second position, a rear bolt connected
to the
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front bolt with a linkage arm and movable between a cocked position and a
firing
position, a drive spring configured to urge the rear bolt toward the firing
position, and
a firing mechanism configured to selectively release the rear bolt in response
to
actuation of a trigger. The front bolt is configured to push the frangible
projectile
towards the barrel as the front bolt moves from the first position to the
second position.
The rear bolt is configured to actuate the valve assembly when the rear bolt
moves
from the cocked position to the firing position. At least one wall of the body
is movable
with respect to one or more other walls of the body between an open position
that opens
the interior cavity to expose a top portion of the front bolt and a top
portion of the rear
bolt for servicing the gun and a closed position that blocks access to the
interior cavity.
[0017] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a
paintball
gun comprising a barrel dimensioned to receive a frangible projectile, a body
having a
rearward end defining a grip and a forward end, wherein the barrel extends
from the
forward end of the body, a breech area defined by the body dimensioned to
receive a
frangible projectile for firing, a valve assembly disposed in the body and
operative to
selectively allow flow between a supply of compressed gas and the breech area
to propel
frangible projectiles through the barrel, and a firing mechanism configured to
actuate
the valve assembly in response to actuation of a trigger. A wall of the body
is movable
between an open position that allows access to internal components and a
closed
position.
[0018] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a
paintball
gun comprising a barrel having a bore dimensioned to receive a frangible
projectile, a
body defining an interior cavity with a breech area, wherein the body includes
a body
shell top portion, a valve assembly configured to selectively allow a flow
between a
supply of compressed gas and the breech area to propel the frangible
projectile through
the barrel, a front bolt movable between a first position and a second
position, a rear
bolt connected to the front bolt with a linkage arm and movable between a
cocked
position and a firing position, a drive spring configured to urge the rear
bolt toward the
firing position, and a firing mechanism configured to selectively release the
rear bolt in
response to actuation of the trigger. The front bolt is configured to push the
frangible
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projectile towards the barrel as the front bolt moves from the first position
to the
second position. The rear bolt is configured to actuate the valve assembly
when the
rear bolt moves from the cocked position to the firing position. The body
shell top is
configured to pivot between an open position that provides access to a top
portion of the
front bolt and a top portion of the rear bolt and a closed position that
blocks access to
the top portion of the front bolt and the top portion of the rear bolt.
[0019] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a
paintball
gun comprising a barrel having a bore dimensioned to receive a frangible
projectile, a
body including a plurality of walls defining an interior cavity with a breech
area, a
valve assembly configured to selectively allow flow between a supply of
compressed gas
and the breech area to propel the frangible projectile through the barrel, a
front bolt
movable between a first position and a second position, a rear bolt connected
to the
front bolt with a linkage arm and movable between a cocked position and a
firing
position, a drive spring configured to urge the rear bolt toward the firing
position, and
a firing mechanism configured to selectively release the rear bolt in response
to
actuation of a trigger. The front bolt is configured to push the frangible
projectile
towards the barrel as the front bolt moves from the first position to the
second position.
The rear bolt is configured to actuate the valve assembly when the rear bolt
moves
from the cocked position to the firing position. At least one wall of the body
is movable
with respect to one or more other walls of the body between an open position
that opens
the interior cavity to expose a top portion of the front bolt and a top
portion of the rear
bolt for servicing the gun and a closed position that blocks access to the
interior cavity.
[0020] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a body
for a
paintball gun. The body comprises a plurality of walls defining an interior
cavity with a
breech area and the plurality of walls includes a body shell top pivotally
connected to
the at least one other wall. The body also comprises a feed neck extending
from the
body shell top and defining an inlet into the breech area of the interior
cavity and the
body shell top is configured to move between an open position that provides
access to
the breech area and a closed position that blocks access to the breech area.
The body
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shell top longitudinally divides the body in an open position along plane that
intersects
with the breech area.
[0021] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method
of
servicing a paintball gun. The method includes the steps of providing a
paintball gun
with a split body having an upper portion movable between an open position
that
provides access to at least portions of at least some of the internal
components of the
paintball gun and a closed position that blocks access to at least portions of
at least
some of the internal components with the body in a closed position, and moving
the
upper and/or lower portions to an open position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary prior art paintball gun.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a paintball gun according to an embodiment of showing
external components of the paintball gun, from the left side, with the barrel
facing left.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a paintball gun according to an embodiment of the
invention
of FIG. 2, from the right side.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows a paintball gun according to an embodiment of the
invention
showing an example of a split paintball gun body with an upper portion and a
lower
portion.
[0026] FIG. 5 shows a paintball gun according to an embodiment of the
invention
showing an example of a barrel and a barrel adaptor configuration.
[0027] FIG. 6 shows a paintball gun according to an embodiment of the
invention
showing an example of a split body with exposed internal components.
[0028] FIG. 7 shows a paintball gun according to an embodiment of the
invention
showing an example of a split body with exposed internal components.
[0029] FIG. 8 shows a paintball gun according to an embodiment of the
invention
showing a top view of some of the internal components, with the body open.
[0030] FIG. 9 shows a paintball gun according to an embodiment of the
invention
showing another top view of some of the internal components, with the body
open.
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[0031] FIG. 10 shows a paintball gun according to an embodiment of the
invention showing an expanded view of the internal components.
[0032] FIG. 11A shows a paintball gun according to an embodiment of the
invention listing showing various component parts.
[0033] FIG. 11B shows a paintball gun according to an embodiment of the
invention listing showing various component parts.
[0034] FIG. 12 shows a paintball gun according to an embodiment of the
invention showing a barrel gripping piece.
[0035] FIG. 13 shows a paintball gun according to an embodiment of the
invention showing an example of a split body.
[0036] FIG. 14 shows a paintball gun according to an embodiment of the
invention showing a top view of some of the internal components, with others
removed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0037] FIG. 2 shows the left side of an embodiment of a paintball gun
according
to the invention (with the barrel 1 facing left) showing the outside and
external
components of the paintball gun. The paintball gun illustrated in FIG. 2
includes a
body 39 with a forward end 75 and a rearward end 76, a barrel 1, and a barrel
adaptor
3 for receiving an end of the barrel. The paintball gun further includes an
upper
portion 77 (corresponding to a body shell top 35, which also may be referred
to as an
upper or top wall, and which also may be characterized as a "body shell top
portion")
and a lower portion 78 (corresponding to a body shell bottom 45, which also
may be
referred to as a lower or bottom wall, and which also may be characterized as
a "body
shell bottom portion") defining an interior area 197 and including a breech
area 198.
[0038] The paintball gun of FIG. 1 may further include a front or foregrip
43, a
bottom line adapter 85 for receiving a portion of a compressed gas supply such
as a
compressed gas tank, a gas line 49 for transmitting compressed gas from a
source of
compressed gas such as a compressed gas tank to components of the paintball
gun, a
trigger 53, grip frame 63 including a grip 62, and a trigger guard 68.
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[0039] A forward body projection 79 extends adjacent the forward end 75 of
the
upper portion 77 of the body 39, having a first side 86a on one side of the
body 39 and a
second side 87a on the other side of the gun body. Each of the first side 86a
and second
side 87b has holes 88a therethrough.
[0040] A rearward body projection 89 extends adjacent the rearward end 76
of
the upper portion 77, having a first side 86b on one side of the body 39 and a
second
side 87b on the other side of the gun body with each of the first side 86b and
second
side 87b having holes 88b therethrough. The front body projection 79 and rear
body
projection 89 may have a generally U-shaped cross section, having open
bottoms, as
shown, for example, in FIGS. 6, 10, 11B, 12, and 13. The front body projection
79 and
rear body projection 89 are configured to receive at least a portion of the
lower portion
77 when the paintball gun is in the closed position, as shown for example in
FIGS. 2,
3,4, and 6.
[0041] The lower portion 78 includes holes 200a corresponding to the holes
88a in
the forward body projection 79. The lower portion 78 further includes holes
200b
corresponding to the holes 88b in the rearward body projection 89. When the
paintball
gun is in a closed or assembled position, the holes 200a adjacent the forward
end 75 of
the lower portion 78 are aligned with the holes 88a in the front body
projection 79, and
the holes 200b adjacent the rear end 76 of the lower body portion 78 are
aligned with
the holes 88b in the rear body projection 89.
[0042] The lower body portion 78 is preferably attached to the grip frame
63, and
may be received in and partially fit in a space at the top of the grip frame
63 configured
to receive a part of the lower body portion 78, as shown, for example, in at
least FIGS.
6 and 11B. The grip frame 63 preferably includes holes 199b corresponding to
the holes
200b adjacent the rear end 76 of the lower body portion 78, and the holes 88b
in the
rear body projection 89, when the paintball gun is assembled. The grip frame
63 may
also include holes 199a adjacent a forward end of the grip frame.
[0043] A split line 90 runs generally along or near the middle of the body
39
where the upper portion 77 and lower portion 78 meet when the body 39 is
assembled.
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[0044] The upper portion 77 is preferably secured to the lower portion 78
adjacent the forward end 75 by a pin which may be designated as a front body
pin 48
extending through holes 88a in the first side 86a and second side 87a of the
forward
body projection 79, and the holes 200a adjacent the forward end 75. The upper
portion
77 may be secured to the lower portion 78 (and also may be secured to the grip
frame
63) adjacent the rearward end 76 by a rear pin 92 extending through holes 88b
in the
first side 86b and second side 87b of the rearward body projection 89, the
holes 200b
adjacent the rearward end 76 of the lower body 78 and the corresponding holes
199b in
the rear grip frame 63.
[0045] The pin 48 preferably acts as a hinge 82 about which the upper body
portion 77 and lower body portion 79 can move relative to each other.
Accordingly, the
body shell top 35 may be hingedly connected to body shell bottom 45 by the pin
92
through the forward body projection 79 to form a hinge 82, and the body shell
top 35 is
movable relative to body shell bottom 45 to form an open or disassembled, or
closed or
assembled, position of the body 39. Preferably, the body shell top 35 and body
shell
bottom 45 pivot about hinge 82, as shown in the Figures and described in
greater
herein. The pins 48, 92 are preferably quick-release type pins or may be other
quick-
release fasteners as are known in the art. The pins may be, for example,
spring-loaded
pins, detent pins, push-pull pins, pin with spring clip, push pins, pull-pins,
clevis pin,
cotter pins, combinations of the foregoing, or any other similar quick release
attachments which those of skill in. the art will readily appreciate.
[0046] The use of quick release pins allows for opening of the body 39 is a
very
simple and easy manner. Removing just a single pin (rear pin 92), which may be
without the use of any tools, allows the body 39 to be moved to an open
position for
access or service. No other latches, screws or other types of attachments must
be
removed in order to open the body 39. Thus, the body may be opened in just one
or two
steps: removal of the pin 92, and moving, rotating and/or pivoting the upper
portion 77
about the hinge 82 relative to the lower portion 78.
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[0047] The forward end of the grip frame 63 also may be attached to the
lower
portion 78 by a forward grip frame pin 201a which may extend through grip
frame hole
199a and corresponding holes in the lower portion 78.
[0048] A feed port or feed neck 91 is shown adjacent the forward end 75 of
the
upper portion 77 for receiving a paintball loader or "hopper" as in known in
the art.
This feed port 91 connects to the feed outtake port of paintball loader or
"hopper," and
paintballs are fed into the breech of the paintball marker accordingly.
[0049] FIG. 3 shows the right side (with the barrel 1 facing right) of the
paintball
gun of FIG. 2. FIGS. 2 and 3 show the paintball gun body 39 in what may be
referred to
as a closed or assembled position.
[0050] At least FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 7, and 10 show an embodiment of a paintball
gun of
the present invention, with the upper portion 77 and lower portion 78 moved
away
from each other, which may be referred to herein as an open, split or
disassembled
position. In order for the paintball gun body 39 to be in the open position
shown in
FIGS. 4, 6, 7, and 10, the rear pin 92 must be removed. As shown in at least
FIGS. 4, 6,
7, and 10, movement of the body portions 77, 78 relative to each other, and in
particular, rotational or pivotal movement of the upper portion 77 about hinge
82,
exposes an internal portion or interior area 197 of the paintball gun,
including the
breech 198, with part of the internal components exposed, including a firing
assembly
80. The body shell top 35 is split from the body shell bottom 45 along the
split line 90,
such that upper portion 77 includes body shell top 35 and lower portion 78
includes
body shell bottom 45. The body shell top 35 and body shell bottom 45 are
preferably
sized and shaped having walls to accommodate the firing mechanism/assembly
components within the internal area of the body 39. As shown in at least FIG.
6, the
grip frame 63 may remain secured to and/or move along with the lower portion
78
when the body 39 is in the open position.
[0051] The firing assembly 80 preferably includes a front bolt 5, a power
tube 6
about which the front bolt 5 is positioned, a rear bolt 17, a bolt plug 18, a
drive spring
20, an end cap 23, a linkage arm 37, and a valve assembly 81. In operation,
when the
trigger 53 is actuated, the drive spring 20 will provide a force to bias the
rear bolt 17
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forward to contact the valve assembly 81. Since the front bolt 5 is connected
to the rear
bolt 17 by a linkage arm 37, the front bolt 5 will also be biased forward to
chamber a
paintball. When the rear bolt 15 contacts the valve assembly 81, compressed
gas is
released (such as supplied to the paintball gun by a compressed gas tank), and
a
projectile is fired from the paintball gun. Movement of the upper portion 77
relative to
the lower portion 78 exposes the firing mechanism 80 of the paintball gun for
field
stripping, adjustments, service, or any maintenance.
[0052] As described, the body 39 is split horizontally along a
substantially central
longitudinal axis into the upper portion 77 and the lower portion 78. The
upper portion
77 is attached at its forward end 75 to the lower portion 78 by the hinge 82
positioned
adjacent the forward end 75 of the body 39. The upper portion 77 and lower
portion 78
generally each form approximately about one-half of the body 39.
[0053] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the valve
assembly 81
is preferably fixedly secured to the lower portion 78 within the body shell
bottom 45. At
least portions of the valve assembly 81 are configured to remain secured to
the lower
portion 78 when the upper portion 77 and lower portion 78 are moved away from
each
other. It is preferred that at least parts of the valve assembly 81 and the
lower portion
78/body shell bottom 45 are firmly secured together so that they do not move
relative to
each other when the body 39 is in the open position. Moreover, the valve
assembly 81
should remain in place unless a user completely disassembles that component,
if it can
be disassembled at all. For example, securing bolts 93 shown in FIGS. 3, 8,
and 9 may
be provided extending through the lower portion 78 and/or the body shell
bottom 45
and the valve body 15 or other portions of the valve assembly 81 to fixedly
secure at
least parts of the valve assembly 81 to the lower portion 78 within the body
shell
bottom 45. The valve assembly 81 would thus not move unless the securing bolts
93 are
removed. It may be that a user may move the body 39 to an open position while
a
compressed gas tank is still connected to the paintball gun, and therefore,
compressed
gas may flow into the valve assembly 81 when the paintball gun is in the open
position.
In such a situation, the valve assembly 81 should be secured to the lower
portion 78
with enough strength to overcome the force of compressed gas providing a force
to move
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the valve assembly 81 away from the lower portion 78/bottom body shell 45. The
valve
assembly 81 may be secured in any manner that maintains the valve assembly 81
in
place securely connected to the lower portion 77/body shell bottom 45 when a
source of
compressed gas is attached to the gun. The valve assembly 81 may be, for
example,
bolted to the lower portion 77/body shell bottom 45 as shown, glued to the
lower portion
77/body shell bottom 45, molded integrally with the lower portion 77/body
shell bottom
45, or other arrangements would those of skill in the art would appreciate.
[0054] In an embodiment of the present invention, the barrel 1 is connected
to or
otherwise secured to the body 39 of the paintball gun with a barrel adapter 3,
as shown
in at least FIGS. 5, 7, 8, and 10. Barrel 1 includes breach end 83 extending
from barrel
1 and barrel threads 84. The barrel adapter 3 preferably includes a threaded
opening
that threadedly engages the barrel threads 84, as shown for example in at
least FIGS.
5, 7, 8, and 10. The barrel adapter 3 is positioned within the body 39
adjacent the
forward end 75 of the body 39, in front of the front bolt 37. As shown in FIG.
5, when
the body 39 is in the closed position, the upper portion 77 and lower portion
78 clamp
down on the barrel adapter 3 to hold the barrel adapter 3 and barrel 1 in
place.
Preferably, the inner walls of the body shell top 35 and body shell bottom 45
include
recesses 93, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, which are shaped and sized to
accommodate,
hold and/or support the barrel adapter 3. Preferably, when the front bolt 37
is in a
forward or firing position, the front bolt contacts the rearwardly facing
portion of the
barrel adapter 3, and preferably provides a sealed area for compressed gas to
act upon
a projectile that has been chambered by the bolt.
[0055] As can be appreciated, when using a paintball gun, it is important
that
the barrel is tightly secured and does not move or wobble relative to the body
39, so
that the paintball gun fires accurately and the projectile travels through the
barrel
without disruption. In addition, when a moveably body of a paintball gun is
provided,
such as in the present invention, the body portions may not come together as
tightly to
clamp the barrel adapter 3 after continued use. Accordingly, to assist in
securing the
barrel adapter 3 in place and ensure a tight fit so that the barrel 1 does not
move or
otherwise wobble, a barrel gripping piece 38 is provided, as shown in at least
FIGS. 10
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and 12. The barrel gripping piece 38 preferably comprises a piece of elastic,
flexible
plastic, rubber or other material that acts to positively secure the barrel
adapter 3 in
place by, for example, a friction fit when the body 39 is in a closed
position. A recess 94
is preferably provided positioned on the inner surface 95 of one of the lower
portion 77
or the upper portion 78 adjacent to the forward end 78 of the paintball gun.
FIGS. 10
and 12 show the recess 94 in greater detail formed in the upper portion 77 of
the body
39. The barrel gripping piece 38 is configured to mate with the recess 94. The
barrel
gripping piece 38 holds the barrel adaptor 3 in place between the upper
portion 77 and
the lower portion 78 when the body 39 is in a closed position, and provides an
additional means for securing the barrel adapter 3 in place. Preferably, the
barrel
gripping piece 38 has a contoured outer wall 96, designed to engage the
contour of an
outer wall of the barrel adapter 3. Preferably, the barrel gripping piece 38
has some
give or play so that it may frictionally secure the barrel 1 in place. The
barrel gripping
piece may be positioned in a recess in either the upper portion 77 or lower
portion 78,
and multiple gripping pieces and recesses may also be provided.
[0056] FIGS. 6 and 7 show the body 39 in two different open positions. In
FIG. 6,
the barrel 1 is still engaged to the barrel adapter 3. The upper portion 77
can move
about 45 degrees in this position. In FIG. 7, the barrel 1 has been detached,
and the
upper portion 7 can rotate about 270 degrees. Thus, a user working on
maintenance of
a paintball gun according to the present invention has various access options
for
accessing the internal components.
[0057] As can be appreciated from, for example, at least FIGS. 4, 7, 8, and
9,
when the body 39 is in an open position, in an embodiment of the present
invention,
the top portions of the internal components can be exposed, observed, serviced
and/or
accessed. For example, in FIGS. 4 and 7, moving the upper portion 77 of the
body 39
exposes approximately at least about the top halves or upper portions of the
front bolt
5, valve assembly 81, rear bolt 17, rear bolt plug 18 and drive spring 20.
Thus, the
internal components can be readily seen and are readily accessible.
[0058] FIG. 8 shows a top view of the interior area 197 and internal
components
when the upper portion 77 has been more fully rotated to an open position.
such as in
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CA 02840455 2014-01-22
FIGS. 7 and 10. The barrel adaptor 3, body shell bottom 45, forward end 75,
rearward
end 76, lower portion 78 and firing assembly 80 with front bolt 5, power tube
6, rear
bolt 17, bolt plug 18, drive spring 20, end cap 23, linkage arm 37, and valve
assembly
81 may be easily seen and accessed. FIG. 8 shows the barrel adapter 3
disassembled
from the lower portion 75, and the other internal components can be removed
and/or
serviced as well. FIG. 9 also shows a top view of interior are 197 and
internal
components when the upper portion 77 has been more fully rotated to an open
position,
such as in FIGS. 7 and 10, with the front bolt 5 and linkage arm 37 removed.
[0059] FIG. 10 shows a view of a paintball gun according to the present
invention
from the front left, showing the upper portion 77 being more fully rotated to
an open
position, with the barrel 1 removed. Removal of the front bolt 5 from the body
shell
bottom 45 exposes a detent 40 held in a detent shell 41, that is received in a
recess 94
in the body shell bottom 45, which also may be readily accessed and serviced.
[0060] FIG. 11A shows components of an embodiment of a paintball gun of the
present invention, that may include a barrel 1, barrel o-ring 2, barrel
adaptor 3, front
bolt o-ring 4, front bolt 5, power tube 6, valve snap ring 7, internal valve o-
ring 8, front
valve seat 9, valve spring 10, plunger cup 11, cup seal 12, valve stem 13,
rear valve
seat 14, valve body 15, valve and bolt 0-ring 16, rear bolt 17, bolt plug 18,
dowel pin 19,
drive spring 20, drive spring pin 21, shock absorber o-ring 22, end cap 23,
dowel pin 24,
handle cocking 25, spring ext 26, screw 27, cover handle spring 28, valve lock
screw 29,
pin spring 30, nut receiver 31, sight rear RH 32, sight rear LH 33, long
receiver bolt 34,
body shell top 35, logo 36, linkage arm 37, and support barrel adaptor top 38.
[0061] FIG. 11B shows components of an embodiment of a paintball gun of the
present invention, that may include a detent 40, detent shell 41, screw 42,
front grip
43, nut receiver 44, body shell bottom 45, velocity screw 46, pin spring front
pivot 47,
front body pin 48, gas line 49, trigger plate 50, trigger plate spacer 51,
trigger plate
return spring 52, trigger 53, trigger pin 54, trigger slide spring 55, trigger
plate dowel
pin 56, trigger slide 57, sear 58, safety with o-ring 59, sear spring 60,
screw 61, grip 62,
frame 63, plug grip frame 64, grip support mechanic 65, screw 66, screw 67,
trigger
guard 68, trigger guard grip screw 69, ASA nut 70, ASA adaptor 71, long ASA
bolt 72,
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short ASA bolt 73, and pin spring front grip 74. Any combination of the
components
shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B may be used as part of a paintball gun of the
present
invention having a split body.
[0062] In addition to the capability of rotating the upper portion 77 of
the body
39 relative to the lower portion 78 of the body 39 about the hinge 82, the
entire upper
portion 77 also may be removed. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 13, removing
both the
front body pin 48 and also the rear pin 92 may allow a user to completely
remove the
upper portion 77. The grip frame 63 may also be completely removed by removing
the
respective pins.
[0063] It is preferred that one or both of the pins 48, 92 are removable
without
the use of tools, and such a design is designated herein as "tool-less." Thus,
a user (e.g.,
paintball sport player or person performing maintenance on a paintball gun)
may
readily field strip the paintball gun of the present invention, without having
to carry a
set of tools with them, or without having to use a tool. The user may simply
extract or
otherwise push out, for example, front body pin 48, and the body 39 may be
opened. As
shown for example in FIG. 13, front body pin 48 may be a spring pin which may
be
removed without tools. Alternately, only one or a few tools (e.g.,
screwdriver) or other
implements (e.g., a key) might be needed to remove the pins 48, 92. In any
case, the
paintball marker may be easily disassembled and serviced.
[0064] FIG. 14 shows the lower portion 78 of the body 39, including the
body
shell bottom 45 with only the valve body 15 (which in an embodiment may have
the
power tube 6 integrally formed) in place. The other components of the firing
assembly
80 have been removed. The valve body 15 remains in place, and is preferably
secured to
body shell bottom 45 by, for example, bolts.
[0065] A method of servicing a paintball gun according to an embodiment of
the
present invention, the method comprising the steps of providing a paintball
gun with a
body 39 having a body shell top 35 movable between an open position that
provides
access to at least portions of at least some of the internal components of the
paintball
gun, and a closed position that blocks access to at least portions of at least
some of the
internal components of the paintball gun, wherein the body shell top 35 may be
secured
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CA 02840455 2014-01-22
in the closed position, releasing the body shell top 35 to allow movement
towards the
open position, and moving the body shell top 35 to the open position to expose
at least
portions of at least some of the internal components of the paintball gun.
[0066] It is
understood that this invention is not limited to the particular
embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover all modifications and
combinations
which are within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein
and/or
defined by the appended claims, and/or shown in the attached drawings.
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