Rotary transfer device for a paintball marker

Abstract

The rotary transfer device assembly of the present invention has a cylindrical-shaped rotary transfer device, which rotates about a central shaft. About the circumference of the rotary transfer device are a number of chambers, each of which can accept a single projectile as it passes through a feed aperture. As the rotary transfer device rotates, it transports the projectiles from the feed aperture to the breech from where the projectile can be launched from the barrel of the launching device.

1 . A rotary transfer device assembly for a device for launching a projectile having a breech with a breech longitudinal axis, a barrel extending from the breech, and a feed aperture formed on the breech, said rotary transfer device assembly comprising:
 a rotary transfer device having a longitudinal axis and an outer circumferential surface, rotatably mounted within said breech and rotatable about the longitudinal axis;   the rotary transfer device defining a projectile seat in the outer circumferential surface; the rotary transfer device being rotatable between a closed position preventing a projectile from entering the breech from the feed aperture and an open position rotatably moving a projectile from the feed aperture into the breech in preparation for launching the projectile through the barrel;   a first sensor configured and arranged to detect the presence of a projectile within the projectile seat; and   a drive configured and arranged to rotate the rotary transfer device.   
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal axis is co-axial with the breech longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary transfer device is rotated about the longitudinal axis by pneumatics. 
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary transfer device is rotated about the longitudinal axis by electromagnetics. 
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary transfer device is rotated about the longitudinal axis by an impellor. 
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary transfer device is rotated about the longitudinal axis by a spring. 
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary transfer device is rotated about the longitudinal axis by electronics. 
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second sensor configured and arranged to detect the rotational position of the rotary transfer device.   
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a control unit connected to said first sensor and said drive to control the timing and speed of rotation of the rotary transfer device.   
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a control unit connected to said second sensor and said drive to control the timing and speed of rotation of the rotary transfer device.   
   
   
       11 . A rotary transfer device assembly for a device for launching a projectile, having a breech with a breech longitudinal axis, a barrel extending from the breech, and a feed aperture formed on the breech, said rotary transfer device assembly comprising:
 a rotary transfer device rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis and having an outer circumferential surface;   the rotary transfer device defining a plurality of projectile seats in the outer circumferential surface; the rotary transfer device being rotatable about the longitudinal axis to a first position to align one of the plurality of projectile seats with the feed aperture and a second position to move one of the plurality of projectile seats, with a projectile seated therein, into the breech in preparation for launching of the projectile through the barrel;   a first sensor configured and arranged to detect the presence of a projectile within the projectile seat; and   a drive configured and arranged to move the rotary transfer device between the first position and the second position.   
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the longitudinal axis is parallel with the breech longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the bolt is rotated about the longitudinal axis by pneumatics. 
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the rotary transfer device is rotated about the longitudinal axis by electromagnetics. 
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the rotary transfer device is rotated about the longitudinal axis by an impellor. 
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the rotary transfer device is rotated about the longitudinal axis by a spring. 
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the rotary transfer device is rotated about the longitudinal axis by electronics. 
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the bolt is rotatable to a third position corresponding to a second one of the plurality of seats aligned with the feed aperture. 
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a second sensor configured and arranged to detect the rotational position of the rotary transfer device.   
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a control unit connected to said first sensor and said drive to control the timing and speed of rotation of the rotary transfer device.   
   
   
       21 . The assembly of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a control unit connected to said second sensor and said drive to control the timing and speed of rotation of the rotary transfer device.   
   
   
       22 . A paintball marker, comprising:
 a breech;   a barrel extending from said breech;   a feed conduit for paintballs connected to said breech by a feed aperture;   a rotary transfer device rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis and having an outer circumferential surface;   the rotary transfer device defining a plurality of projectile seats in the outer circumferential surface; the rotary transfer device being rotatable about the longitudinal axis to a first position to align one of the plurality of projectile seats with the feed aperture and a second position to move one of the plurality of projectile seats, with a projectile seated therein, into the breech in preparation for launching of the projectile through the barrel;   a first sensor configured and arranged to detect the presence of a projectile within the projectile seat; and   a drive configured and arranged to move the rotary transfer device between the first position and the second position.   
   
   
       23 . The paintball marker of  claim 22 , wherein the longitudinal axis of the rotary transfer device is parallel with the breech longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       24 . The paintball marker of  claim 22 , wherein the rotary transfer device is rotated about the longitudinal axis by pneumatics. 
   
   
       25 . The paintball marker of  claim 22 , wherein the rotary transfer device is rotated about the longitudinal axis by electromagnetics. 
   
   
       26 . The paintball marker of  claim 22 , wherein the rotary transfer device is rotated about the longitudinal axis by an impellor. 
   
   
       27 . The paintball marker of  claim 22 , wherein the rotary transfer device is rotated about the longitudinal axis by a spring. 
   
   
       28 . The paintball marker of  claim 22 , wherein the rotary transfer device is rotated about the longitudinal axis by electronics. 
   
   
       29 . The paintball marker of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a second sensor configured and arranged to detect the rotational position of the rotary transfer device.   
   
   
       30 . The paintball marker of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a control unit connected to said first sensor and said drive to control the timing and speed of rotation of the rotary transfer device.   
   
   
       31 . The paintball marker of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 a control unit connected to said second sensor and said drive to control the timing and speed of rotation of the rotary transfer device.