Donald D Kulp

US Patent:

7617817, Nov 17, 2009

Filed:

Dec 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/311524

Inventors:

Donald Lee Kulp - Lititz PA, US

International Classification:

F41B 11/02

US Classification:

124 45, 124 511, 124 73

Abstract:

The invention is an improvement to an active paintball loader used to feed a supply of paintballs to the breech of a paintball marker wherein the loader is located remote from the marker breech to reduce the target profile of the paintball game player. The loader includes a conventional reservoir for storing a quantity of paintballs, a drive mechanism for moving individual paintballs out of the loader reservoir and into a feed tube where they are forced to the breech inlet of the marker. Locating the loader on the compressed gas storage cylinder reduces the frontal area of the marker/loader combination thereby reducing the target area of a competitor using the LRL during a paintball competition. The location also improves the balance of the combination marker, loader, gas cylinder apparatus making it easier for the player to handle during evasive maneuvers during paintball game play. The improved location of the loader relative to the breech inlet also allows use of a substantially straight feed tube which reduces the propensity for paintball rupture which reduces the chance that a paintball game player will be taken out of competition due to a paintball feed jam.

US Patent:

8312871, Nov 20, 2012

Filed:

Jan 9, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/351386

Inventors:

Donald Lee Kulp - Lititz PA, US
Michael J. Fiorill - Lancaster PA, US

International Classification:

F41B 11/02

US Classification:

124 511, 124 82, 310103, 31015402, 310181, 310189, 310191, 366219, 366241, 366273, 366274, 366279

Abstract:

An electronically controlled, brushless DC, electromagnetic induction drive apparatus for use in a paintball marker active loader capable of directly driving the feeder element in the active loader while providing user selectable torque transfer capability and rotational speed whether used to continuously or intermittently rotate the loader feeder element. A plurality of selectively polarity reversible electromagnets are disposed in the loader housing and act to move a plurality of magnetic drive elements disposed on the rotating feed cone to rotate the feed cone and cause paintballs to be fed into the paintball marker via a feed tube. A controller linked to the marker firing sequence manages the sequential polarity changes of the electro-magnets to cause the feed cone to rotate in response to movement of paintballs in the feed tube. The spatial relationship between the drive electromagnets and the driven magnetic elements is user adjustable to enable variation in the torque transfer of the drive apparatus to suit specific paintball characteristics.

US Patent:

8459245, Jun 11, 2013

Filed:

Oct 9, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/647689

Inventors:

Donald Lee Kulp - Lititz PA, US

International Classification:

F41B 11/02
F41B 11/53

US Classification:

124 511, 124 82, 310103, 31015402, 310181, 310189, 310191, 366219, 366241, 366273, 366274, 366279

Abstract:

An electronically controlled, brushless DC, electromagnetic induction drive apparatus for use in a paintball marker active loader capable of directly driving the feeder element in the active loader while providing independently user selectable torque transfer capability and rotational speed whether used to continuously or intermittently rotate the loader feeder element. A plurality of selectively polarity reversible electromagnets are disposed in the loader housing and act to move a plurality of magnetic drive elements disposed on the rotating feed cone to rotate the feed cone a predetermined amount for each polarity cycle and cause paintballs to be fed into the paintball marker via a feed tube. A controller linked to the marker firing sequence manages the number and frequency of the sequential polarity changes of the electro-magnets to cause the feed cone to rotate in response to sensed movement of paintballs in the feed tube.

US Patent:

20080047537, Feb 28, 2008

Filed:

Aug 25, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/467456

Inventors:

Donald Lee Kulp - Lititz PA, US
Robert E. Long - Willow Street PA, US
Donald A. McLean - Boiling Springs PA, US

International Classification:

F41B 11/02

US Classification:

124 511

Abstract:

A pneumatic drive for an active paintball loader capable of supplying paintballs to a paintball marker at a sufficiently high rate that is coordinated with firing the marker using compressed gas to a provide the motive power.

US Patent:

7559445, Jul 14, 2009

Filed:

Dec 17, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/311034

Inventors:

Donald Lee Kulp - Lititz PA, US

International Classification:

A45C 1/01

US Classification:

224627, 224673, 224674, 224682, 224684

Abstract:

The invention is a user-wearable caddy for carrying and dispensing a number of paintball supply tubes, known as pods, designed to be worn on the back of a paintball game participant. The invention carries multiple pods in a horizontal orientation on the wearer's back using elastic bands to grip the pods yet allow them to be removed from the pack. Vertically oriented guides enable elastic loops securing the pods to the pack to move vertically. As the player removes the lower-most pod from the pack, the pods above will descend along the guides, by the influence of gravity and by tension from an elastic band stretched from the top-most elastic loop to the bottom of the caddy structure, so that the next full pod will be positioned in approximately the same location as the previous pod. The invention enables the player to reach around to the same location each time to obtain a full pod, reducing the time needed to reload the paintball marker.