Spring-Biased Gate Latching Loader for Paintball Markers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paintball loader mechanisms are difficult to quickly install and remove, and they often result in unwanted paintball loss during handling and installation due to the open path for paintballs, which can lead to interruptions in gameplay.
Innovation Solution
A latching/locking mechanism with a quick-release latch and a spring-biased gate in the loader's feed neck that prevents paintballs from falling out when not installed, and deflection posts in the feed collar that push the gate out of the way when the loader is attached, allowing paintballs to flow into the marker.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a direct pass-through is provided between the loader chamber and marker breech for gravity-fed paintballs, then paintball flow is enabled, but paintballs may undesirably fall out during loader handling and installation
Solution Approach 1:
A spring-biased gate is positioned to block the feed neck passage before paintball flow is needed. The gate automatically opens when the loader is installed on the marker due to engagement with the feed collar, and closes when removed, preventing paintball loss during handling while enabling flow during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gate is designed as a movable component that dynamically transitions between blocked and open positions. The spring bias provides automatic movement in response to loader installation/removal forces, eliminating the need for manual intervention to control paintball flow.
2Reliability
If traditional clamps or releasable mechanisms are used to secure the loader to the marker, then the loader is held in place, but the loader becomes difficult to quickly remove and replace during gameplay
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into separate functional elements: a feed collar on the marker and a corresponding interface on the loader. This segmentation allows for quick engagement and disengagement while maintaining secure attachment during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed collar and loader interface are pre-configured with complementary geometries that guide automatic alignment and engagement during installation, eliminating the need for manual adjustment or complex fastening operations during quick changes.
3Productivity
If the loader feed neck is open for gravity-fed paintballs, then paintballs can freely flow into the marker breech, but care must be taken during inversion to prevent paintballs from falling out
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-biased gate is positioned to block the feed neck passage before paintball flow is needed. The gate automatically opens when the loader is installed on the marker due to engagement with the feed collar, and closes when removed, preventing paintball loss during handling while enabling flow during operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid and secure attachment and detachment of the loader without tools, preventing paintball loss during handling and ensuring continuous gameplay by maintaining a secure seal when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-biased gate can be provided in the path of the paintballs, namely, in the feed neck of the loader. In an uninstalled state, the spring-biased gate can prevent paintballs from freely flowing through the neck of the loader due to, for example, gravity.
Implementation Method 2
When the loader/hopper is installed on the paintball marker, via a feed collar, deflection posts on the feed collar can push the spring-biased gate out of the paintball path in the feed neck of the loader so that paintballs may freely pass from the storage chamber of the loader and then into the breech of the paintball marker.
Implementation Method 3
a direct pass-through is provided between the chamber of the loader and the breech of the paintball marker so that paintballs may freely flow from the loader into the breech by gravity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The latching/locking loader mechanism of the present invention provides a quick-release latch mechanism where a user can unlock and lock the attachment of the loader to the paintball gun quickly and easily without the use of tools. The latching/locking mechanism stays locked or unlocked without further use of tools. A spring-biased gate is provided in the path of the paintballs, namely, in the feed neck of the loader. When the loader is installed on the paintball marker, via a feed collar, deflection posts on the feed collar push the gate out of the paintball path in the feed neck of the loader so that paintballs may freely pass from the storage chamber of the loader and then into the breech of the paintball marker. When not installed on a feed collar, the gate blocks the path of paintballs.