# US 10,502,521 B2 · Projectile loader drive system

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- Number: US 10,502,521 B2
- Document ID: US10502521B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/036,094
- Filed: 2018-07-16
- Published: 2019-04-18
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2002-04-12
- Assignees: Gi Sportz Direct LLC
- Applicants: Gi Sportz Direct LLC
- Inventors: James T. Christopher; Chris T. Goddard; David M. Banks
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502521B2

## CPC

- F41B 11/53: the magazine having motorised feed-assisting means
- F41B 11/57: Electronic or electric systems for feeding or loading (F41B11/53 takes precedence)
- F41B: WEAPONS FOR PROJECTING MISSILES WITHOUT USE OF EXPLOSIVE OR COMBUSTIBLE PROPELLANT CHARGE; WEAPONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (projectiles for fishing, e.g. fish-spears, A01K81/00; sports implements for throwing A63B65/00, e.g. boomerangs A63B65/08; stationary apparatus for projecting sports balls, e.g. tennis balls, A63B69/40; throwing or slinging toys A63H33/18; knives, axes B26B; projectiles or missiles other than those incorporating springs as projecting means F42B6/00)

## 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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for feeding a projectile to a compressed gas gun via a projectile loader, comprising:
determining a motion of a moveable portion of the projectile loader via a non-contact sensor of the projectile loader;
controlling a movement of a component of a projectile feeder of the projectile loader in response to a signal from the sensor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of controlling comprises controlling operation of a motor.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising a controller in communication with the sensor, wherein the step of determining comprises the controller receiving a signal from the sensor corresponding to a movement of the moveable portion of a projectile loader.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the controller comprises a microprocessor.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to coordinate optimal projectile feeding.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to initiate movement of the component of the projectile feeder.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to stop movement of the component of the projectile feeder.

### Claim 8 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the non-contact sensor is one of an indexing sensor and an emitter with a receiver.

### Claim 9 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the non-contact sensor is an infrared emitter with an infrared receiver.

### Claim 10 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the step of controlling is performed by a microprocessor.

### Claim 11

A method for feeding a projectile to a compressed gas gun via a projectile loader, comprising:
determining a motion of a moveable portion of the projectile loader via a non-contact sensor of the projectile loader.

### Claim 12

A method for feeding a projectile to a compressed gas gun via a projectile loader, comprising:
controlling a movement of a component of a projectile feeder of the projectile loader in response to a signal from a non-contact sensor.