Projectile loader locking and operation mechanisms
A projectile loader is provided having a body split into two portions, a locking mechanism, a quick release carrier, and a retaining system. The locking mechanism is provided within the projectile loader for locking the two portions of the projectile loader body. The quick release carrier of a feed system is provided within the projectile loader for preventing jams, among other issues, within the projectile loader. The retaining system is provided within the projectile loader for ensuring the feed system remains secured within the body during use of the projectile loader.
1 . A projectile loader comprising:
a body including an upper shell and a lower shell defining an interior volume within the body, the upper shell is attachable to and removable from the lower shell;
an exit tube extending from a lower surface of the lower shell, the exit tube being configured to supply projectiles to a compressed gas gun; and
a locking mechanism disposed within the interior volume, the locking mechanism being configured to selectively permit detaching the upper shell from the lower shell, the locking mechanism comprising:
a lever coupled to the upper shell;
a lock coupled to the lower shell, wherein a first locking feature of the lock is configured to engage with a second locking feature of the lever when in a locked position; and
a latch positioned within the lower shell and movable relative to the lock and the lower shell, wherein an extension of the latch engages with the lever to secure the locking mechanism in the locked position.
2 . The projectile loader of claim 1 , wherein each of the lever, the lock, and the latch are positioned within a rear portion of the body of the projectile loader.
3 . The projectile loader of claim 1 , wherein a catch couples the upper shell to the lower shell such that the upper shell is attached to the lower shell.
4 . The projectile loader of claim 1 , wherein a biasing member is positioned between an inner surface of the upper shell and the lever, such that the biasing member biases the second locking feature of the lever into engagement with the first locking feature of the lock.
5 . The projectile loader of claim 1 , wherein the lever includes a protrusion extending from an outer surface of the lever on an opposite side of the lever as the second locking feature.
6 . The projectile loader of claim 5 , wherein the extension of the latch includes a recess extending into an end of the extension.
7 . The projectile loader of claim 6 , wherein the recess includes a complimentary mating shape with the protrusion of the lever.
8 . The projectile loader of claim 6 , wherein the recess is engaged with the protrusion when the locking mechanism is in the locked position, and wherein the recess is disengaged from the protrusion when the locking mechanism is in an unlocked position.
9 . The projectile loader of claim 1 , wherein the latch is translated towards the lever to lock the locking mechanism, and wherein the latch is translated away from the lever to unlock the locking mechanism.
10 . The projectile loader of claim 1 , wherein the first locking feature of the lock is a hook-shaped locking feature, and wherein the second locking feature of the lever is a hook-shaped locking feature.
11 . The projectile loader of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is disposed entirely within the interior volume.
12 . The projectile loader of claim 1 , further comprising an opening for loading projectiles into the projectile loader, wherein the locking mechanism is accessible via the opening.