Projectile launcher with offset feed tube

Abstract

A launcher body defining with breech therein for receiving a projectile is provided. The breech defines a breech longitudinal axis through the center thereof. A feed tube is connected to the launcher body and defines a projectile feed bore. The projectile feed bore includes a projectile feed bore longitudinal axis through the center thereof. The breech longitudinal axis and the projectile feed bore longitudinal axis are configured to be offset from and not to intersect each other. A projectile is routed through the feed bore, such as from a hopper using gravity, and into the breech. The center axis of the projectile is substantially aligned with the breech longitudinal axis so that the projectile is prevented from bouncing back into the feed bore to avoid jamming of the projectile during firing.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is related to and claims priority from earlier filed provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 628,855, filed Nov. 17, 2004.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention generally relates to projectile launchers, including paintball markers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a new bore and feed tube configuration for projectile launchers, and, more specifically, paintball markers. [0003] It should be understood that the present invention relates to the general loading of a projectile into the breech of a projectile launcher. The present invention can be used in connection with any type of projectile launcher but is particularly well-suited for use in a paintball marker environment for launching paintballs. While reference may be made specifically to paintball markers for launching paintballs, this is just one of many different types of devices that can employ the present invention. It should...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] The present invention preserves the advantages of prior art projectile launchers and projectile feed systems, devices and methods. In addition, it provides new advantages not found in currently available systems and methods and overcomes many disadvantages of such currently available systems, devices and methods.

[0014] The invention is generally directed to the novel and unique projectile feed tube configuration that enables faster launching cycle times while avoiding jamming of projectiles during such launching.

[0015] The present invention includes a launcher body that defines a breech therein for receiving a projectile is provided. The breech defines a breech longitudinal axis through the center thereof. A feed tube is connected to the launcher body and defines a projectile feed bore. The projectile feed bore includes a projectile feed bore longitudinal axis through the center thereof. The breech longitudinal axis and the projectile feed bore longitudinal axis are configured to be offset from and not intersect each other. A projectile is routed through the feed bore, such as from a hopper using gravity, and into the breech. The center axis of the projectile is substantially aligned with the breech longitudinal axis so that the projectile is prevented from bouncing back into the feed bore to avoid jamming of the projectile during firing.

[0016] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved marker construction that prevent unwanted bounce-back of paintballs caused by gravity fed hoppers. There is a need to increase firing rates and cycle times without requiring extended wait times for a paintball to settle in the breech prior to bolt cycling or custom pre-loading systems. Thus, there is a need for an improved breech and feed tube construction to deaden the travel of a paintball upon entry into a breech to ensure that the paintball is properly positioned before the bolt cycles for launching.

Problems solved by technology

However, there are significant problems that can arise in current markers that have increased firing rates.

However, it will not likely fully reside within the breech 22 during the bounce back period, namely, when it is at position 16C.

If a paintball 16, which has been sensed within the breech 22, is in fact bouncing back and a pull of trigger 18 is executed, subsequent cycling of the bolt 24 will chop the ball in half, thereby damaging it resulting in serious problems.

However, this prior art attempt to solve this problem by waiting for the paintball to settle undesirably increases cycle time.

Also, these pre-loading systems do not use breech sensors.

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