IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,854,220
Granted Patent B1
US 7,854,220 · App. 11/801,331 · Granted Dec 21, 2010

Stretchable tension paintball agitator with deflecting arms and displacement tips

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,854,220
App. No.
11/801,331
Granted
Dec 21, 2010
Kind
B1
Abstract

A spring tensioned paintball agitator using a stretchable tension device providing increased maintenance and replacement access. A base frame and a finger frame are provided defining a movement limit device to prevent overextension of the spring while maintaining a minimum spring position. The agitator includes vertical ball displacement tips for increasing ball agitation inside the hopper and contact finger having a variable contact face for ball position control.

Claims (33)

1. A paintball agitator apparatus for use in a paintball hopper including a drive shaft and an exit port for directing a paintball, the agitator apparatus comprising:

a drive frame including an upward extension;

a finger frame including at least one contact finger outwardly radiating from the finger frame and the finger frame including a mating slot for the upward extension;

a stretchable tension storage device connecting the drive frame to the finger frame.

2. A paintball agitator apparatus for use in a paintball hopper including a drive shaft and an exit port for directing a paintball, the agitator apparatus comprising:

a drive frame;

a finger frame including at least one contact finger outwardly radiating from the finger frame each contact finger defining: a back face connected to the finger frame by a forward radius fillet, wherein the forward radius fillet is adapted to maintain the position of a paintball against the contact finger;

a stretchable tension storage device connecting the drive frame to the finger frame.

3. A paintball agitator apparatus for use in a paintball hopper including a drive shaft and an exit port for directing a paintball, the agitator apparatus comprising:

a drive frame;

a finger frame including at least one contact finger outwardly radiating from the finger frame each contact finger defining: a back face defining a reverse curvature end adapted to move the paintball out of the path of the contact finger when the agitator is driven backwards; and

a stretchable tension storage device connecting the drive frame to the finger frame.

4. A paintball agitator apparatus for use in a paintball hopper including a drive shaft and an exit port for directing a paintball, the agitator apparatus comprising:

a drive frame;

a finger frame including at least one contact finger outwardly radiating from the finger frame, the finger frame defining vertical ball displacement tips; and

a stretchable tension storage device connecting the drive frame to the finger frame.

5. A paintball agitator apparatus for use in a paintball hopper including a drive shaft and an exit port for directing a paintball, the agitator apparatus comprising:

a finger frame including at least one contact finger outwardly radiating from the finger frame;

each contact finger defining a varying contact face adapted to move the paintball, the varying contact face including a pushing section adapted to move the paintball out of the exit and a deflecting section adapted to move the paintball out of the path of the contact finger;

a conic upwardly extending from the finger frame; and

the finger frame defining an exterior rim extending past the conic.

6. A paintball agitator apparatus for use in a paintball hopper including a drive shaft and an exit port for directing a paintball, the agitator apparatus comprising:

a finger frame including at least one contact finger outwardly radiating from the finger frame;

each contact finger defining a varying contact face adapted to move the paintball, the varying contact face including a pushing section adapted to move the paintball out of the exit and a deflecting section adapted to move the paintball out of the path of the contact finger; and

the finger frame defining vertical ball displacement tips.

7. A paintball agitator apparatus for use in a paintball hopper including a drive shaft and an exit port for directing a paintball, the agitator apparatus comprising:

a finger frame including at least one contact finger outwardly radiating from the finger frame;

each contact finger defining a varying contact face adapted to move the paintball, the varying contact face including a pushing section adapted to move the paintball out of the exit and a deflecting section adapted to move the paintball out of the path of the contact finger and

a back face connected to the finger frame by a forward radius fillet, wherein the forward radius fillet is adapted to maintain the position of a paintball against the contact finger.

8. A paintball agitator apparatus for use in a paintball hopper including a drive shaft and an exit port for directing a paintball, the agitator apparatus comprising:

a finger frame including at least one contact finger outwardly radiating from the finger frame;

each contact finger defining a varying contact face adapted to move the paintball, the varying contact face including a pushing section adapted to move the paintball out of the exit and a deflecting section adapted to move the paintball out of the path of the contact finger and

a back face defining a reverse curvature end adapted to move the paintball out of the path of the contact finger when the agitator is driven backwards.