PAINTBALL CONTAINER LID

Abstract

A lid for a paintball container is disclosed which comprises a body, a means for connecting said lid to said paintball container, aa first opening to transfer at least one paintball from said container into the lid, a second opening to transfer at least one paintball to outside of the lid; and a rotatable door for controlling the release of a paintball. The advantages of the present invention are that said lid can be operated rapidly and single handedly. It is a further advantage of the invention, that the lid does not require an adaptor or collar for use with the hopper of a paintball gun, the collar portion of the lid of the present invention being inserted into the hopper prior to opening thus preventing any individual paint balls being spilled during transfer from the pod to the desired location via the lid.

Claims

1. A lid for a paintball container, said lid comprising: a body; a connector for connecting said lid to said paintball container; a first opening to transfer at least one paintball from said container into the lid; a second opening to transfer at least one paintball to outside of the lid; and a rotatable door for controlling the release of a paintball.

2. A lid according to claim 1 further comprising a collar, said collar defining the second opening and providing a guide to align the second opening of the pod assembly with a receptacle into which the paintballs are to be transferred to assist in the transfer of at least one paint ball from the lid of the container to said receptacle.

3. A lid according to claim 1 further comprising a collar, said collar defining the second opening and providing a guide to align the second opening of the pod assembly with a receptacle into which the paintballs are to be transferred to assist in the transfer of at least one paint ball from the lid of the container to said receptacle, wherein the collar is inserted into the receptacle into which the paintballs are to be transferred prior to the opening of the lid.

4. A lid according to claim 1 further comprising a collar, said collar defining the second opening and providing a guide to align the second opening of the pod assembly with a receptacle into which the paintballs are to be transferred to assist in the transfer of at least one paint ball from the lid of the container to said receptacle, wherein said collar comprises a tapered cylindrical shape which may be directly received into an opening of a paintball gun hopper, loader or body.

5. A lid according to claim 1 wherein the rotatable door is located in between said first and second openings, and said rotatable door extends across said body in a closed position to prevent the paintballs from exiting the paintball container.

6. A lid according to claim 1 wherein the rotatable door is substantially circular in shape.

7. A lid according to claim 1 further comprising a stop, said stop being attached to the body to limit the rotation of said rotatable door.

8. A lid according to claim 1 wherein said rotatable door is attached to said body of the lid by a resilient member, which biases said rotatable door in an open position.

9. A lid according to claim 1 wherein said rotatable door is attached to said body of the lid by a resilient member, which biases said rotatable door in an open position, wherein said resilient member is a torsion spring.

10. A lid according to claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a protrusion which engages with a complementary recess on the rotatable door, said protrusion and said recess engaging to bias the rotatable door in a closed position.

11. A lid according to claim 1 wherein said lid can be fitted retrospectively to existing paintball containers.

12. A lid according to claim 1 wherein the lid body has a slot therein for receiving the rotatable door there through.

13. A lid according to claim 1 wherein the lid body has a slot therein for receiving the rotatable door there through and the rotatable lid is always in contact with the slot present in the body.

14. A lid according to according to claim 1 wherein the lid is made from moulded plastic.

15. A lid according to according to claim 1 wherein the first opening has inner and outer walls.

16. A lid according to claim 1 wherein the first opening has inner and outer walls and the connector attaches via an interference fit between the inner wall of the first opening of the lid and the outer circumferential wall of a paintball receptacle body.

17. A lid for a paintball container, according to claim 1 wherein the first and second openings define a passage running through said body to transfer at least one paintball into and out of said container.

18. A paintball container comprising: a lid according to claim 1; and a receptacle portion for holding and storing paintballs therein.

19. A lid for a paintball container, said lid comprising: a tubular member having a central passage, an upper end and a lower end, said tubular wall having a cut-out section between said upper end and said lower end; a closure member comprising a flat plate member, wherein in an open position, said plate member locates outside a main central passage of said tubular member, and which in a closed position said plate member locates across said central passage, thereby closing off said main central passage; said closure member being movable between said open and closed positions, such that said plate member passes through said cut-out section; said closure member being pivotally attached to said tubular member at a location on the outside of said tubular member; and a tab member having a protruding portion which at all times protrudes outside of said tubular member, wherein said tab member is movable between a first position in which said closure member is in said open position, and a second position in which said closure member is in said closed position; wherein movement of said tab member between said second position and said first position causes said closure member to move between said closed position and said open position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 is an illustration of the structure of a compressed gas paintball gun.

[0032] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate prior art paintball containers.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a side view of a lid for a paintball container in closed configuration, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a side view of a lid for a paintball container in open configuration, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a deconstructed side view of the first embodiment of the body portion of the present invention which is a lid for a paintball container.

[0036] FIG. 7a is a plan view of rotatable door portion of the lid for a paintball container in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 7b is a plan view of torsion spring used in the hinge attachment of the rotatable door portion to the body of the lid of a paintball container, suitable for you in any embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lid for a paintball container, attached to a receptacle portion of a paintball container in open configuration, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 9 is a side view of a lid for a paintball container, attached to a receptacle portion of a filled paintball container in closed configuration, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 10 is a side view of a lid for a paintball container in closed configuration, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a lid for a paintball container in open configuration, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 12 is a deconstructed side view of the second embodiment of the body portion of the present invention which is a lid for a paintball container.

[0043] FIG. 13 is a deconstructed side view of the second embodiment of the body portion of the present invention which is a lid for a paintball container.

[0044] FIG. 14 is a deconstructed plan view of the door component of a lid for a paintball container, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 15 is a plan view of a lid for a paintball container, in open configuration, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0046] There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the inventor. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the description.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 4 herein there is shown a side view of a lid 400 for a paintball container in closed configuration, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The lid comprises a first opening 401 to transfer at least one paintball from said container into the lid and at a substantially opposing end of the lid a second opening 402 to transfer at least one paintball to outside of the lid. A rotatable door 408, attached to the lid body 403 by a connector in the form of a pin hinge 404 separates the first and second openings and controls the release of at least one paintball from the lid to outside of the paintball container.

[0048] The second opening 402 is defined by a collar 405 which is not of uniform diameter throughout the circumference of the second opening 402, said collar 405 being narrower than the diameter of the overall lid body 403. The collar extends from a lower region 406 which is substantially aligned with the hinge 404 of the container lid to a higher region 407 located at substantially 180 to the hinge 404. The optimum height of the collar at the lower region 406 is 0.5 cm and at the higher region 407 the optimum height of the collar is 4 cm. Essentially, the collar 405 forms a funnel to assist transfer of paintballs from the paintball container to the desired end location.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a side view of a first embodiment of the lid 400 for a paintball container in open configuration, there is shown a first opening 401 and at a substantially opposing end of the lid body 403 a second opening 402 and a rotatable door 408, attached to the lid body 403 by a torsion spring hinge 404. The rotatable door 408 is substantially circular in shape and separates the first 401 and second openings 402 and controls the release of at least one paintball from the lid to outside of the paintball container.

[0050] Approximately three-quarters of the perimeter of substantially circular door is surrounded by a lip 409 which protrudes both above and below the substantially flat circular door area 408a. The circular door area 408a is received into a slot 410 in the body 403 of the lid 400. The slot 410 is parallel with the first opening 401 and at an approximate 45 angle to the sloped perimeter of the collar 405 surrounding the second opening 402.

[0051] The body 403 also has lip 411 which is located above slot 410 and extends outwardly of the lid body 403. Said lip 411 is of substantially equal diameter as the lip 409 protruding from the flat region 408a of the circular door 408, such that the two lips 409 and 411 form a substantially singular lip, when the rotatable door 408 is in a closed position.

[0052] It will be understood that variations in lip 409 and 411 size and diameter will be apparent which would not substantially alter the function of the lid 400.

[0053] FIG. 6 herein shows a deconstructed side view of the first embodiment of lid for the paintball container 400 in which the lid body 403 has a slot 410 for receiving a door therein. The hinge 404 consists of a pin hinge with a fixed anchor point and 404b and a recess 404a for receiving the hinge pin therein, which interact with a rotatable door (as shown FIG. 7) to affect movement of said door. Fixed anchor point 404a of the pin hinge has a recesses therein for receiving a pin of the hinge pin mechanism, whilst said pin protrudes from fixed anchor point 404b through an aperture in the rotatable door into 404a.

[0054] FIG. 7a herein shows the rotatable door component 408 of the lid 400 subject of the first embodiment of the present invention. The door 408 comprises an aperture 412 for receiving the pin of fixed anchor point 404b there through, said aperture 412 is located in the lip 409 of the door.

[0055] At an opposing end 409a of the lip 409 to the aperture 412, there is located a tab 413 to assist in the operation and gripping of said door 408. On the inside perimeter of lip 409, there is a recess 414 for engaging with a protrusion present on the lid body to bias the door 408 in a closed position in a snap-fit mechanism.

[0056] FIG. 7b herein shows an enlarged illustration of a torsion spring 500 having an aperture 501 which is aligned with the aperture of the rotatable door 408 of the lid 400 for the paintball container. Said spring 500 has two outer ends 502 and 503 which protrude from a central coiled core and are biased in an opposing orientation. When the pin assembly of anchor point 404b is located in the center of aperture 501, outer end 502 abuts the body 403 of the lid 400, whilst outer portion 503 abuts the inner perimeter of the lip 409 on the rotatable door 408. In a resting position, this arrangement biases the rotatable door in an open position. When force is applied to the tab 413 of rotatable door 408, the torsion spring 500 is compressed, outer portions 502 and 503 of spring 500 are brought closer in proximity allowing recess 414 of the rotatable door 408 to engage with the protrusion of the lid body and thus maintain the rotatable door 408 in a closed position.

[0057] It will be understood that the pin hinge may be substituted with alternative pivoting means of means of rotation.

[0058] It will be understood that the pin hinge described in FIG. 7b is also suitable for use in the second embodiment of the present invention detailed in FIGS. 10 to 15.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 8 herein there is shown a perspective view of a first embodiment of a lid for a paintball container 400, attached to a receptacle portion of an empty paintball container 600 in open configuration, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A view into the mouth 601 of the receptacle portion is shown. The inference fit between protrusions 602 on the outer perimeter of the receptacle portion opening 601 and the inner perimeter of the first opening 401 of the lid 500 is evident.

[0060] It will be readily understood by the skilled person, that numerous alternative attachment means may be used in place of the inference fit between the outer perimeter of the outer protrusions 602 of the receptacle portion 600 and the inner perimeter of the first opening 401 of lid 400; for example a screw threaded means of attachment. Alternatively, the lid 400 may be permanently adhered to the receptacle portion 600, or the lid 400 and receptacle portion 600 may be molded as a single structure, rather than being two separate entities.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 9 herein there is shown a side view of a complete assembly 700 of first embodiment of a lid for a paintball container 400, attached to a receptacle portion 600 of a filled paintball container 600 in closed configuration, in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] The lid 400 may have a protrusion or tab 701 which is compatible with the molded plastic circumference of the receptacle portion 600, such that the lid 400 can be snap-fittably engaged over the outer portion of the receptacle circumference to obtain and inference fit.

[0063] It will be understood that the lid 400 may be supplied in conjunction with the receptacle portion 600 or as a complete paintball assembly 700.

[0064] Alternatively, the lid may be fitted retrospectively to existing receptacle portions 600 to minimize cost incurred to the paintball container user.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 10 herein there is shown a side view of a second embodiment of a lid 800 for a paintball container in closed configuration. The lid comprises a first opening 801 to transfer at least one paintball from said container into the lid and at a substantially opposing end of the lid a second opening 802 to transfer at least one paintball to outside of the lid. A rotatable door (see 803 FIG. 11) attached to the lid body 804 by a pin hinge 805 separates the first and second openings and controls the release of at least one paintball from the lid to outside of the paintball container.

[0066] The second opening 802 is defined by a collar 806 which is not of uniform diameter throughout the circumference of the second opening 802, said collar 806 being narrower than the diameter of the overall lid body 804. The collar 806 extends from the outer circumference of the second opening 802 in a curved incline to a lip approximately of the height of the overall lid body 804. The maximum height 807 of said collar 806 being substantially aligned with the hinge 805 of the container lid.

[0067] In the second embodiment of the invention, the optimum maximum height of the collar is between approximately 0.5 cm and 4 cm. Essentially, the collar 806 forms a funnel to assist transfer of paintballs from the paintball container to the desired end location.

[0068] When the second embodiment of the paintball lid 800 is viewed from the side in a closed configuration, closing tab 808 is visible extending through an aperture 809 in the lid body 804.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 11 herein, a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention shows the lid 800 for a paintball container in open configuration, there is shown a first opening 801, at a substantially opposing end of the lid body 804 a second opening 802 and a rotatable door 803, attached to the lid body 804 by a torsion spring hinge 805. The rotatable door 803 is substantially circular in shape and separates the first 801 and second openings 802 and controls the release of at least one paintball from the lid to outside of the paintball container.

[0070] Approximately half of the perimeter of the substantially circular door is surrounded by a lip 809 which protrudes both above the substantially flat circular door area 803a. The circular door area 803a, and locking tab 808 are received into a slot 810 in the body 804 of the lid 800. The slot 810 is parallel with the first opening 801 and with the flat portion of the perimeter of the second opening 802.

[0071] It will be understood that variations in lip 809 and tab 808 will be apparent which would not substantially alter the function of the lid 800.

[0072] FIG. 12 herein shows a deconstructed side view of the second embodiment of lid for the paintball container 800 in which the lid body 804 has a slot 810 for receiving a substantially circular door therein. The hinge 805 consists of a pin hinge with two fixed anchor points 805a and 805b which interact with a rotatable door (as shown FIG. 14) to affect movement of said door. Fixed anchor point 805a of the pin hinge has a recesses therein for receiving a pin of the hinge pin mechanism. Said pin protrudes from fixed anchor point 805b through an aperture in the rotatable door into 805a.

[0073] FIG. 13 herein shows a deconstructed side view of the second embodiment of lid for the paintball container 800 in which the lid body 804 has a slot 810 for receiving a substantially circular door therein. A wall portion 811 extend approximately a third of the way into the diameter of slot 810. Said wall 811 abuts the perimeter of the substantially circular door shown I FIG. 14 which is absent of lip 809 to form a continuous barrier around slot 810 in a closed configuration.

[0074] The hinge 805 consists of a pin hinge with two fixed anchor points 805a and 805b which interact with a rotatable door (as shown FIG. 14) to affect movement of said door. Fixed anchor point 805a of the pin hinge has a recesses therein for receiving a pin of the hinge pin mechanism. Said pin protrudes from fixed anchor point 805b through an aperture in the rotatable door into 805a.

[0075] The lid 800 may have a protrusion or tab 812 on the bottom for affixing said lid 800 to a molded plastic circumference of a pod receptacle portion, such that the lid 800 can be snap-fittably engaged over the outer portion of the receptacle circumference to obtain and inference fit.

[0076] It will be understood that the lid 800 may be supplied in conjunction with a receptacle portion for holding individual paintballs or as a complete paintball assembly. Alternatively, the lid may be fitted retrospectively to existing receptacle portions to minimize cost incurred to the paintball container user.

[0077] It will be readily understood by the skilled person that numerous alternative attachment means may be used in place of the inference fit between the outer perimeter of the receptacle and the protrusion or tab 812 on the bottom of lid 800; for example a screw threaded means of attachment may be employed. Alternatively, the lid 800 may be permanently adhered to a receptacle portion for containing the individual paintballs, or the lid 800 and a receptacle portion may be molded as a single structure, rather than being two separate entities.

[0078] FIG. 14 herein shows a plan view of the rotatable door component 803 of the lid 800 subject of the second embodiment of the present invention. The door 803 comprises an aperture 813 for receiving the pin of fixed anchor point 805b there through, said aperture 813 is located in the lip 809 of the door.

[0079] Lip 809 extends continuously around approximately half of the perimeter of the door 803 and stops substantially opposite the aperture 813. A second lip 814 is present, covering approximately a quarter of the perimeter of door 803 and terminating in closing tab 808.

[0080] The second lip 814 is tapered and contains a protrusion 815 which interacts with the inner circumferential surface of wall 811 which protrudes into slot 810 (see FIG. 11) to maintain the lid 800 in a closed position (see FIG. 10).

[0081] FIG. 15 herein shows a plan view of a second embodiment of a lid for a paintball container 800, in an open configuration. A view into the mouth 802 of the lid is shown.

[0082] Lip 809 which protrudes both above the substantially flat circular door area 803a is visible in plan view. The locking tab 808 and hinge 805 are also visible. It will be understood that variations in lip 809 and tab 808 will be apparent which would not substantially alter the function of the lid 800.

[0083] Second lip 814 which covers approximately a quarter of the circumference of door 803, is slightly tapered and interacts with the inner circumferential surface of wall 811 which protrudes into slot 810 to maintain the lid 800 in a closed position (see FIG. 10).

[0084] The embodiments described herein are provided by way of non-limitative example only, and that alternative embodiments including the above inventive principle may be evident without limitation to these specific details as defined in the claims.