Magazine

Abstract

A magazine for storing and feeding paintballs to a paintball marker is disclosed. The magazine includes at least one channel that is open to an opening and a follower configured to travel within the at least one channel and contact a column of paintballs. The magazine can further include a door biased to cover the opening so as to prevent the paintball from passing through the opening. The magazine can include a retainer that is movable between at least a first position and a second position. The retainer prevents the follower from moving towards the opening when in the first position and allows the follower to move towards the opening when in the second position.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The invention relates generally to feed systems for paintball markers, and, more particularly, to quick release magazines for use with bottom fed paintball markers.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]This invention relates to pneumatic paintball markers, which typically are used for target practice and in mock war games. The markers use a compressed gas, such as air or nitrogen, to propel spherical projectiles called paintballs out of the barrel of the device. Paintballs are typically comprised of a colored liquid enclosed in a fragile casing made from materials including gelatin and polystyrene. The casing can have different outer shapes. For example, paintballs have a round shape with a diameter of 0.50″ or 0.68″. Other paintballs have a front hemisphere for carrying the colored liquid and a hollow rear cylindrical section. The paintballs are designed to rupture upon impact to mark the target. Further, in military style war g...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a magazine for a paintball marker. The magazine has a casing with at least one opening near one end and a channel within the casing for holding paintballs. There is also a follower biased to move towards the opening and a member disposed to cover the opening. The magazine also includes a retainer which can be moved between at least two positions to selectively prevent the follower from moving towards the opening. There are also sliding doors and movable retainers, which can be coupled together via a linkage. The technical effects of this patent include improved storage and feeding of paintballs to a paintball marker, as well as easier alignment and adjustment of the magazine with the paintball marker.

Problems solved by technology

However, the loader often blocks the sightlines down the marker and provides a large target for the other team to hit.

A reason to provide a feeding mechanism is that the feeding of paintballs only by force of gravity does not always work satisfactorily.

Another disadvantage of a conventional loader is that they are generally permanently affixed to the marker, meaning that the only way to reload paintballs once the loader is empty is to flip open a cap and pour paintballs into the loader.

Further, it requires dexterity to pour paintballs from the storage container into the loader.

Paintballs are therefore often wasted when they are dropped on the ground during reloading.

Thus, providing a magazine which has a lower profile, can accept different shaped paintballs, and can be quickly engaged and disengaged from the marker remains a significant challenge in the paintball industry.

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