Chris A Goddard

US Patent:

6701907, Mar 9, 2004

Filed:

Mar 6, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/092220

Inventors:

James T. Christopher - Garland TX
Chris T. Goddard - Lewisville TX

Assignee:

National Paintball Supply, Inc. - Sewell NJ

International Classification:

F41A 961

US Classification:

124 48, 124 49, 124 50, 89 3316, 89 3317

Abstract:

A spring-loaded feed mechanism for a paintball loader. The feed mechanism includes an inner spool and an outer spool. A torsion spring is positioned between the inner and outer spools. The outer spool includes a pressure wall, from which the torsion spring is located on one end of the spring. A retaining wall is attached to the inner spool and is located at the opposite end of the torsion spring. When an operator of a paintball gun using the spring-loaded feed mechanism discontinues firing paintballs, the feed mechanism is stopped. Simultaneously, during the deceleration of the feed mechanism, the torsion spring is compressed, which allows the mechanical energy of the rotating feed mechanism to be stored within the compressed spring. When the operator desires to fire the paintball gun, the feed mechanism is accelerated to the requisite rotational speed. The compressed spring is release, thereby allowing the spring to assist in accelerating the feed mechanism to the necessary rotational speed.

US Patent:

6792933, Sep 21, 2004

Filed:

Sep 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/949440

Inventors:

James T. Christopher - Garland TX
Chris T. Goddard - Lewisville TX

Assignee:

National Paintball Supply, Inc. - Sewell NJ

International Classification:

F41B 1102

US Classification:

124 56, 124 48

Abstract:

A drive cone for use on a paintball loader loading paintballs into a conventional paintball gun. The drive cone is located at a bottom portion of the container and is rotated by a motor. The drive cone includes at least one fin which forms a gap for which a plurality of paintballs may fit. The drive cone feeds the paintballs into an exit tube located at the bottom of the container which feeds into the paintball gun.

US Patent:

6889680, May 10, 2005

Filed:

Apr 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/414134

Inventors:

James T. Christopher - Garland TX, US
Chris T. Goddard - Lewisville TX, US
David Michael Banks - Dallas TX, US

Assignee:

National Paintball Supply, Inc. - Sewell NJ

International Classification:

F41B011/02

US Classification:

124 511, 124 48, 124 52

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a ball feed mechanism for use in a paintball loader. The ball feed mechanism includes a feeder which conveys or impels balls toward a feed neck, and a drive member which is concentric with the impeller. The feeder is coupled to the drive member through a spring. The spring is configured to store potential energy which is used to rotate the feeder and, thus, drive the balls toward the feed neck. An electric motor is used to rotate the drive member to wind the spring. The feed mechanism includes sensors which detect the motion of the feeder and the drive member. A controller determines the spring tension based on the relative motion of the feeder and drive member, and actuates a motor when necessary.

US Patent:

7445002, Nov 4, 2008

Filed:

Apr 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/116774

Inventors:

James T. Christopher - Sachse TX, US
Chris T. Goddard - Lewisville TX, US
David Michael Banks - Dallas TX, US

Assignee:

KEE Action Sports I LLC - Sewell NJ

International Classification:

F41B 11/02

US Classification:

124 511

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a ball feed mechanism for use in a paintball loader. The ball feed mechanism includes a feeder which conveys or impels balls toward a feed neck, and a drive member which is concentric with the feeder. The feeder is coupled to the drive member through a spring. The spring is configured to store potential energy which is used to rotate the feeder and, thus, drive the balls toward the feed neck. An electric motor is used to rotate the drive member to wind the spring. The feed mechanism includes sensors which detect the motion of the feeder and the drive member. A controller determines the spring tension based on the relative motion of the feeder and drive member, and actuates a motor when necessary.

US Patent:

7958879, Jun 14, 2011

Filed:

Feb 29, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/040119

Inventors:

James T. Christopher - Sachse TX, US
Chris T. Goddard - Aubrey TX, US

Assignee:

Kee Action Sports I LLC - Sewell NJ

International Classification:

F41B 11/02
F41A 9/61

US Classification:

124 511, 124 49

Abstract:

A rapid feed paintball loader for use on a paintball gun for force feeding paintballs is provided. The paintball loader includes a container for holding a plurality of paintballs, a paintball agitator rotating about an axis and rotatably mounted in the container, the paintball agitator including at least two fins extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the fins spaced apart from each other forming a gap therebetween large enough to accommodate more than one paintball. At least two paintballs are positioned in the gap between the fins. A motor is configured to rotate the paintball agitator. The container includes an exit tube exiting from the bottom portion of the container and leading to an inlet tube of the paintball gun. A microprocessor and sensor may also be provided. The agitator may include a central dome-shaped area.

US Patent:

8047191, Nov 1, 2011

Filed:

Mar 18, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/050229

Inventors:

James T. Christopher - Sachse TX, US
Albert G. Schilling - Garland TX, US
Chris T. Goddard - Lewisville TX, US

Assignee:

KEE Action Sports I LLC - Sewell NJ

International Classification:

F41B 11/02

US Classification:

124 511

Abstract:

An active feed paintball loader for supplying paintballs to a paintball marker. The loader includes a container for storing a plurality of paintballs. An outfeed tube on the container is connected to an inlet tube on the marker. The loader further includes a drive shaft, a feeder rotatably disposed in the container for feeding paintballs into the outfeed tube, and a drive spring having first and second ends. The first end is engaged to the feeder to provide a driving force to rotate the feeder within the container. The second end is coupled to the drive shaft. The drive shaft operates to wind the drive spring to maintain sufficient tension on the drive spring to maintain a paintball stack in the outfeed tube. The loader further includes a mechanical drive handle accessible externally of the loader and connected to the drive shaft to manually wind the drive spring.

US Patent:

8061342, Nov 22, 2011

Filed:

Feb 29, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/040119

Inventors:

James T. Christopher - Sachse TX, US
Chris T. Goddard - Aubrey TX, US

Assignee:

Kee Action Sports I LLC - Sewell NJ

International Classification:

F41B 11/02
F41A 9/61

US Classification:

124 511, 124 49

Abstract:

A rapid feed paintball loader for use on a paintball gun for force feeding paintballs is provided. The paintball loader includes a container for holding a plurality of paintballs, a paintball agitator rotating about an axis and rotatably mounted in the container, the paintball agitator including at least two fins extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the fins spaced apart from each other forming a gap therebetween large enough to accommodate more than one paintball. At least two paintballs are positioned in the gap between the fins. A motor is configured to rotate the paintball agitator. The container includes an exit tube exiting from the bottom portion of the container and leading to an inlet tube of the paintball gun. A microprocessor and sensor may also be provided. The agitator may include a central dome-shaped area.

US Patent:

8104462, Jan 31, 2012

Filed:

Nov 3, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/264012

Inventors:

James T. Christopher - Sachse TX, US
Chris Terrence Goddard - Aubrey TX, US
David Michael Banks - Dallas TX, US

Assignee:

Kee Action Sports I LLC - Sewell NJ

International Classification:

F41B 11/02

US Classification:

124 511

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a ball feed mechanism and associated method for use in a paintball loader. The ball feed mechanism includes a feeder which conveys or impels balls toward a feed neck, and a drive member which is concentric with the feeder. The feeder is coupled to the drive member. An electric motor is used to rotate the drive member which in turn causes the feeder to rotate. The feed mechanism includes sensors which detect the motion of the feeder and the drive member. A controller determines the position of the feeder relative to the drive member and actuates a motor when necessary.