This question relates (specifically) to paintball gun technology and
(generally) to pneumatically launched projectiles. I'm looking for a
description of a paintball gun where all of the following are present:
1) A chamber which is "charged" or filled electronically (not by
pumping) to preasure prior to firing of the gun.
2) Electrically releasing the gas from the above chamber, thus firing
the projectile. Again, electrically not mechanically.
3) Electrically loading a projectile into a chamber. Again not
mechanically but electrically.
4) The description or reference you find must have been published or
printed or disclosed prior to January 16, 1996.
You get the idea, not a mechanical or pump action paintball gun, but
one that is fully and electrically automated.
Some hints for you, I have already done a fairly extensive review of
the patents in this area so I think your time is best spent in other
areas such as, brochures, technical manuals, articles, webpages,
etc...Also, if all of the above exist but it is not for a paintball
gun, that may be close enough.
Ask as many questions as you like, good luck and thank you. |
Clarification of Question by
the_answers_are_here-ga
on
20 Aug 2003 07:34 PDT
This may help. This is a patent infringement case and the following
claims are the ones I hope to invalidate with a reference, or
references, before 1/16/1996.
1) An electronically controllable paintball gun comprising:
a body;
a firing chamber located within said body, the firing chamber
configured to selectively receive compressed gas from a compressed gas
source;
a bolt for loading a paintball into the firing chamber during a
loading operation;
a valve configured to selectively allow the compressed gas from the
compressed gas source to enter the firing chamber to launch the
paintball during a firing operation; and
an electrical circuit for controlling one or more of the operations of
the paintball gun, wherein the electrical circuit is configured to
control the loading operation of the paintball gun by permitting or
causing a quantity of compressed gas to move the bolt to an open
position.
2) A grip for a paintball gun, said grip comprising:
a trigger-actuated switch; and
an electrical circuit mounted within the grip in electrical
communication with the switch, wherein the electrical circuit is
configured to initiate a launching sequence of the paintball gun in
response to a trigger pull, and wherein the electrical circuit is
further configured to control a loading operation of the paintball gun
by sending an electrical signal to a solenoid.
3) A method for pneumatically launching a projectile from an
electrically controllable launching device having at least first and
second interconnected chambers, comprising the following steps:
A. electrically controlling the filling of said first chamber of said
launching device with compressed gas having a selected pressure;
B. electrically controlling the launching of said projectile from said
second chamber by releasing said compressed gas from said first
chamber into said second chamber; and
C. electrically controlling the loading of a projectile into said
second chamber.
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Request for Question Clarification by
jbf777-ga
on
20 Aug 2003 09:23 PDT
Hello -
Couple questions:
A) What if the answer is, "this item doesn't exist?" Is this
acceptable?
B) Can you expound upon your last clarification? Where did you find
that information?
Thank you,
jbf777-ga
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Clarification of Question by
the_answers_are_here-ga
on
20 Aug 2003 09:46 PDT
Hi and thanks for taking this on.
A) What if the answer is, "this item doesn't exist?" Is this
acceptable?
Sorry, I will need the reference or references showing that it did
exist prior to 1/16/1996 to provide the award.
B) Can you expound upon your last clarification? Where did you find
that information?
US Pat 5967133 (claim 15)
US Pat 6474326 (claims 4, 7)
Thank you,
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Request for Question Clarification by
jbf777-ga
on
20 Aug 2003 10:07 PDT
Hello -
Due to the nature of this sort of request, I don't think a researcher
would be willing to do this if there is a possibility that "the item
doesn't exist" might be an actual answer. I.e., prior art searching
as a service is paid for services rendered, not for the outcome of the
service. Unless, you are absolutely positive that somewhere there is
a reference to this sort of item prior to 1/16/96. A researcher could
conceivably spend days searching, and conclusively determine that
there is no prior art, yet not be rewarded for his time. Does that
make sense?
jbf
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Request for Question Clarification by
jbf777-ga
on
20 Aug 2003 13:45 PDT
My apologies for the way my last clarification was written; it could
be read to sound derisive. The last sentence should read, "Does what
I'm saying make sense?"
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