Device for securing a lighting apparatus to a paintball mask

Abstract

A device 10 for securing a lighting apparatus 11 to a paintball mask to promote night paintball includes a base member 12, a light support member 14 extending forward from an upper portion of the base member 12, a light positioning member 16 extending forward from a lower portion of the base member 12, the light support and light positioning members 14 and 16 cooperating to secure and position the lighting apparatus 11 with the base member 12 to focus light in a predetermined direction, a stabilizing clip 18 extending rearward from a lower portion of the base member 12, and a pair of apertures 20 disposed through opposing upper portions of the base member 12, the apertures 20 ultimately receiving therethough a support belt 72 that cooperates with the stabilizing clip 18 to maintain the position of the device 10 relative to the paintball mask during play of a night paintball game. An armband device 100 is used to identify night paintball players and the teams to which the players belong. The armband device 100 includes a deformable wrap member 106 having first and second ends 102 and 104 that are ultimately joined together via velcro hooks and loops are similar detachable securing members. The device 100 further includes a transparent pocket 120 disposed upon the wrap member 106 so as to be visible to other paintball players after the wrap member 106 is positioned about the players arm. The transparent pocket 120 removably receives a chemical light 128 that shines through the pocket thereby identifying the player during a night paintball game.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the united states is:  
     
         1 . A device for securing a lighting apparatus to a paintball mask comprising: 
 means for joining the lighting apparatus to a base member of said device;    means for positioning the lighting apparatus; and    means for connecting said base member to the paintball mask.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said joining means includes a light support member.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein said light support member includes means for maintaining a preselected orientation of the lighting apparatus in relation to said device.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein said maintaining means includes a plurality of ridges that engage cooperating portions of the lighting apparatus.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein said ridges are disposed upon an arcuate portion of said maintaining means.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said positioning means includes a light positioning member.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein said light positioning member spatially separates a corresponding portion of the lighting apparatus from said base member a relatively shorter distance than the spatial separation between a portion of the lighting apparatus attached to said joining means and a cooperating portion of said base member.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein said light positioning member adjusts the lighting apparatus such that a light beam emitted from the apparatus angles upward relative to said device.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said device is manufactured from low density polyethylene.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said connecting means includes means for receiving a belt therethrough.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein said belt receiving means includes opposing apertures in said base member.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein said apertures include slots angled such that corresponding upper portions are farther separated than corresponding lower portions.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said connecting means includes a clip portion.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein said clip portion is disposed vertically opposite from said belt receiving means.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13  wherein said clip portion receives a lower portion of the paintball mask therein.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said joining means and said positioning means include pairs of opposing recesses.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said base member forms substantially a “T” configuration when taking a front elevation view of the device.  
     
     
         18 . A paintball mask light support device comprising: 
 a light support portion;    a light orientation portion; and    a mask joining portion.    
     
     
         19 . A method of connecting a light fixture to a paintball mask, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing means for supporting the light fixture;    providing means for orientating the light fixture; and    providing means for joining said supporting and orientating means to the paintball mask.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said joining means includes a strap that is secured to the paintball mask.  
     
     
         21 . A night paintball game comprising: 
 multiple players or multiple teams of players;    a dark playing area;    a paintball mask having lighting means secured thereto;    a luminescent paintball;    means for projecting said luminescent paintball;    means for identifying the players or teams of players in the dark;    referees for controlling the game; and    a night paintball game plan whereby an ultimate winning player or winning team of players is decided.    
     
     
         22 . The night paintball game of  claim 21  wherein said playing area has predetermined boundary limits.  
     
     
         23 . The night paintball game of  claim 21  wherein said lighting means is designed to illuminate an area of play proximate to the player carrying said lighting means.  
     
     
         24 . The night paintball game of  claim 23  wherein said lighting means illuminates a distance in front of a player substantially about seventy-five feet.  
     
     
         25 . The night paintball game of  claim 21  wherein said luminescent paintball is visible to a player after the paintball is projected from said projection means.  
     
     
         26 . The night paintball game of  claim 21  wherein said projection means includes a paintball gun.  
     
     
         27 . The night paintball game of  claim 21  wherein said identification means includes a luminescent indicator.  
     
     
         28 . The night paintball game of  claim 27  wherein said luminescent indicator includes a luminescent armband.  
     
     
         29 . The night paintball game of  claim 21  wherein said game plan includes the elimination of players via opposing players projecting luminescent paintballs so as to engage said players thereby causing luminescent paint to be forcibly urged from said paintball and adhere to said players, said luminescent paint providing a visible means for eliminating players from a paintball game conducted in the dark upon an unlighted playing area.  
     
     
         30 . A method of playing paintball in the dark, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing multiple players or multiple teams of players;    supplying a playing area;    attaching lighting means to a paintball mask;    providing luminescent paintballs;    projecting said luminescent paintballs;    identifying the players or teams of players in the dark;    providing referees for controlling the game; and    establishing a night paintball plan whereby an ultimate winning player or winning team of players is decided.    
     
     
         31 . A luminescent paintball comprising: 
 a shell;    a liquefied substance being disposed within said shell; and    means for enabling said shell to glow in the dark.    
     
     
         32 . The luminescent paintball of  claim 31  wherein said enabling means includes means for enabling said liquefied substance to glow in the dark.  
     
     
         33 . The luminescent paintball of  claim 31  wherein said enabling means includes means for enabling an outer portion of said shell to glow in the dark.  
     
     
         34 . The luminescent paintball of  claim 31  wherein said enabling means includes means for enabling an inner portion of said shell to glow in the dark.  
     
     
         35 . A luminescent identifier for night paintball players comprising: 
 a deformable member that removably attaches to a night paintball player;    an indicator secured to said deformable member identifying a night paintball player as one of a team of night paintball players; and    means for enabling said indicator to glow in the dark.    
     
     
         36 . The luminescent identifier of  claim 35  wherein said deformable member includes an armband.  
     
     
         37 . The luminescent identifier of  claim 35  wherein said indicator includes screen print ink.  
     
     
         38 . The luminescent identifier of  claim 3   5  wherein said enabling means includes a phosphorus based powder.