Sensing systems for paintball loaders

Abstract

There is a loader for a paintball gun. The loader includes a container for holding a supply of paintballs, a motor operated drive for feeding paintballs from said container through an exit tube communicating with said gun and sensing means associated with a segment of said exit tube. The sensing means is adapted to control the operation of said drive motor in accordance with pressure by or on a static column of paintballs in said exit tube.

1 . A loader for a paintball gun said loader including a container for holding a supply of paintballs, a motor operated drive for feeding paintballs from said container through an exit tube communicating with said gun and sensing means associated with a segment of said exit tube wherein said sensing means is adapted to control the operation of said drive motor in accordance with pressure exerted by or on a static column of paintballs in said exit tube. 
     
     
         2 . The loader as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the segment of exit tube is curved or arcuate. 
     
     
         3 . The loader as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said pressure is detected by detecting deflection of said static column of paintballs in said arcuate segment of the exit tube. 
     
     
         4 . The loader as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said sensing means includes a lever pivotally disposed in or adjacent a gap in an outer wall of said arcuate segment of the exit tube. 
     
     
         5 . The loader as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said sensing means further includes a switch engageable by said lever. 
     
     
         6 . The loader as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said switch is spring biased to a closed position and is operable by a plunger to an open position against said spring bias when engaged by said lever. 
     
     
         7 . The loader as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said container is a hopper and said hopper includes a floor with a spring loaded ramp and a sunken race. 
     
     
         8 . The loader as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said race is configured to receive paintballs forced around by a motor operated drive to enter said exit tube. 
     
     
         9 . The loader as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said motor operated drive includes an impeller operated by an electric motor powered from one or more batteries. 
     
     
         10 . The loader as claimed in  claim 9  wherein power for said electric motor is controlled by means of a circuit board and power button. 
     
     
         11 . A paintball gun when fitted with a loader as claimed in  claim 1