Systems and methods for easy-to-open paintball loader

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for an easy-to-open paintball loader housing. A housing is provided with a chamber for storing a paintball feeding system and a chamber for storing a supply of paintballs. The housing is separable such that the portion storing the supply of paintballs may be reached by a user's hand for cleaning.

1 . A loader for a paintball marker, comprising:
 a housing configured to be connected to the paintball marker and to hold a supply of paintballs;   a first chamber within said housing, wherein said first chamber is configured to accommodate a substantial entirety of a paintball feeding system; and   a second chamber within said housing, wherein said second chamber is configured to accommodate at least a substantial portion of the supply of paintballs,   wherein said housing is separable into a first piece and a second piece, which substantially correspond to said first chamber and to said second chamber, respectively.   
   
   
       2 . The loader of  claim 1 , wherein the paintball feeding system comprises a motorized rotating tray for moving paintballs from said second chamber to the paintball marker, an electronic control unit for operating the motor, and a battery for supplying power to the electronic control unit and the motorized rotating tray. 
   
   
       3 . The loader of  claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises an opening for loading the supply of paintballs into said loader, and wherein said loader comprises a closure sized and configured to close said opening. 
   
   
       4 . The loader of  claim 1 , wherein said first piece and said second piece are sufficiently separable to provide access to said second chamber whereby cleaning of said loader surfaces defining said second chamber is permitted. 
   
   
       5 . The loader of  claim 1 , wherein said loader comprises an interior wall at least partially separating said first chamber and said second chamber. 
   
   
       6 . The loader of  claim 5 , wherein said first piece comprises said interior wall. 
   
   
       7 . The loader of  claim 1 , wherein said first piece is separable into a plurality of pieces. 
   
   
       8 . The loader of  claim 1 , wherein said second piece and said first piece are connected by at least one fastener. 
   
   
       9 . A paintball loader, comprising:
 an upper piece; and   a lower piece, wherein said lower piece is configured to be connected to a paintball marker;   wherein said upper piece is removable from said lower piece to expose a substantial entirety of a space defined by said loader and configured to store paintballs.   
   
   
       10 . The paintball loader of  claim 9 , wherein said upper piece defines an opening sized to permit the loading of paintballs into said paintball loader housing. 
   
   
       11 . The paintball loader of  claim 10 , further comprising a lid sized and configured to close said opening defined by said upper piece. 
   
   
       12 . The paintball loader of  claim 9 , wherein said lower piece is sized and configured to house a paintball feeder system. 
   
   
       13 . The paintball loader of  claim 9 , wherein said upper piece is sized and configured to house a supply of paintballs. 
   
   
       14 . A paintball loader housing, comprising:
 a first piece configured to be connected to a paintball marker; and   a second piece configured to define a first opening sized to permit at least one paintball to be loaded into said housing;   wherein said second piece is movable to an open position relative to said first piece, wherein said first piece is capable of remaining connected to the paintball marker when said second piece is in said open position, and wherein when in said open position said paintball loader housing defines a second opening larger than said first opening.   
   
   
       15 . The paintball loader housing of claim of  14 , wherein said second piece is entirely removable from said first piece. 
   
   
       16 . The paintball loader housing of claim of  14 , wherein said first piece is sized and configured to house a paintball feeder system. 
   
   
       17 . The paintball loader housing of claim of  14 , wherein said second piece is sized and configured to house a supply of paintballs. 
   
   
       18 . A loader for a paintball marker, comprising:
 a housing configured to be connected to a paintball marker, wherein said housing defines a space for storing a supply of paintballs, wherein said housing is movable to an open position, wherein a portion of said housing remains connected to the paintball marker when said housing is in said open position, and wherein said open position directly exposes substantially an entirety of said space for storing the supply of paintballs such that said space may be reached by a user's hand.