Modular Rail Conversion Kit for Paintball Markers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paintball and airsoft gun rail systems fail to fully simulate a real firearm, as they do not provide complete enshroudment and are not easily convertible between speedball and MILSIM setups, making it difficult to attach accessories and maintain the internal mechanisms without removing the rail kit.

Innovation Solution

A conversion kit that includes two shells with integrated rail systems and a lever latch mechanism, allowing easy installation, removal, and cleaning, while providing access to the internal components and allowing the attachment of various accessories, including Weaver, Picatinny, and NATO rails, without clamping onto the barrel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rail system is added to simulate a real firearm, then the realism and accessory mounting capability are improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of maintenance increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessory mounting capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rail system is segmented into modular components that can be independently installed and removed. The conversion kit includes separate shell halves with integrated rail systems that can be assembled around the marker body, allowing for easy maintenance by removing only the rail components rather than the entire marker.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rail system is designed with universal mounting capabilities that support multiple accessory types (scopes, lights, lasers, cameras) through standardized attachment points. The same rail infrastructure serves both aesthetic purposes (simulating a real firearm) and functional purposes (mounting tactical accessories).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a rail system is installed to enable MILSIM setup, then the versatility for different game types is improved, but the ease of conversion between setups deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion between game typesVSAvoidease of conversion
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rail system incorporates dynamic mounting mechanisms including lever latch mechanisms and quick-release screws that enable rapid attachment and detachment. The shell halves can be quickly assembled or disassembled around the marker body, allowing players to switch between speedball and MILSIM setups in minutes rather than requiring complete disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The conversion kit is divided into separable components (shell halves, rail systems, mounting mechanisms) that can be independently handled during conversion. This segmentation allows players to quickly attach or remove the rail system without affecting the core marker functionality, enabling easy switching between game types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the rail kit is made secure to prevent accidental detachment, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of maintenance and cleaning deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of rail attachmentVSAvoidease of maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The rail attachment system is segmented into distinct mounting components (latch mechanisms, screws, clips) that can be independently accessed during maintenance. Players can remove the rail system from the marker body without affecting the security mechanisms, allowing easy cleaning and maintenance of both the rail components and the marker internals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rail system is designed as a removable component that can be completely extracted from the marker body for maintenance. The shell halves and rail systems can be detached as separate units, allowing players to clean the rail components and access the marker internals without compromising the secure attachment mechanism when reinstalled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the rail system provides complete enshroudment to simulate a real firearm, then the realism is improved, but the accessibility to internal components deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverealism of firearm simulationVSAvoidaccessibility to internal components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shell halves provide complete enshroudment of the marker body to simulate a real firearm appearance. However, the shell design incorporates localized openings, access ports, and removable sections that provide accessibility to internal components such as the trigger mechanism, hopper, and barrel. This local quality differentiation allows the shell to simultaneously provide realism and maintenance access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The shell halves incorporate dynamic access mechanisms including removable panels, hinged sections, and detachable components that can be opened during maintenance and closed during play. This dynamic design allows the shell to transition between providing complete enshroudment for realism and providing access to internal components for maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2631587B1Conversion kit with a rail system for a paintball marker
Publication Date: 2017.07.12 PLANET ECLIPSE
  • EP2631587B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2631587B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2631587B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A convertible projectile launching device (11) includes a projectile launching device (11), such as a paint ball marker, a less than lethal launcher or an airsoft gun, to which a user can secure at least one shell (31a,31b) that changes the outer configuration or appearance of a projectile launching device (11) on which it is secured into a MILSIM style projectile launching device. Any type of fasteners (32) may be used to secure the shells (31a,31b) to the device (11). The surface of at least one shell (31a,31b) provides a rail system (38) for mounting objects to the projectile launching device (11). The shell (31a,31b)has a mating surface that engages a corresponding mating surface on the projectile launching device. A blanking plug (51) or a butt stock can be inserted into the rear of the shell.