Q Loader Patents

US 20040194772A1
(19) United States

(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0194772 A1
(43) Pub. Date:
Hamilton
(54)
MULTIPLE COLUMN HELICAL FEEDER
(76)
Inventor:
Jared L. Hamilton, Weaverville, CA
(US)
(22)
Filed:
10/391,942
Mar. 19, 2003
Publication Classi?cation
(51)
(52)
Int. Cl.7 ...................................................... .. F41A 9/61

US. Cl.
ABSTRACT
A loader stores and loads round objects is presented. The

loader includes a screW and a drive tube. The screW has a
Correspondence Address:
Douglas L. Weller
431 Magnolia Lane
Santa Clara, CA 95051 (US)
(21) Appl. No.:
(57)
Oct. 7, 2004
.............................................................. .. 124/45
11
helical groove. The helical groove Winds in a ?rst direction.

The drive tube has multiple helical grooves on an inner
surface of the drive tube. The multiple helical grooves Wind

in a second direction. The second direction is counter to the
?rst direction. The screW is located Within a center of the
drive tube along a length of the drive tube so that round

objects loaded Within the drive tube are each Within the
helical groove of the screW and Within one of the multiple
helical grooves on the inner surface of the drive tube. When
the drive tube rotates With respect to the screW, round objects
Within the drive tube are constrained to travel along the
helical groove of the screW and along one of the multiple
helical grooves on the inner surface of the drive tube.
Patent Application Publication
Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 1 0f 14
FIG. 1
(PRIOR ART)
US 2004/0194772 A1
Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 2 0f 14
US 2004/0194772 A1
Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 3 0f 14
FIG. 4 <
34
FIG. 6
US 2004/0194772 A1
Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 4 0f 14
US 2004/0194772 A1
gm
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Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 5 0f 14
US 2004/0194772 A1
Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 8 0f 14
US 2004/0194772 A1
6E2
m:
@m
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mm
Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 9 0f 14
US 2004/0194772 A1
FIG.12
516 435
FIG. 14
FIG. 15
Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 10 0f 14
US 2004/0194772 A1
Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 11 0f 14
US 2004/0194772 A1
EN
6Ei
2
Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 14 0f 14
US 2004/0194772 A1
240
241
241
241
FIG. 22
Oct. 7, 2004
US 2004/0194772 A1
MULTIPLE COLUMN HELICAL FEEDER

BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention pertains to feeders for round

objects and pertains particularly to a multiple helical feeder.
[0002] Paintball guns are used in games Where participants
?re at one another projectiles consisting of paint enclosed in
an outer layer composed of gel. The paintball guns use
pressuriZed gas to propel paintballs toWards an intended
target.
[0003] Generally, paintballs are stored in a bulk loader.
The bulk loader typically sits on top of the paintball gun and
utiliZes gravity to feed paintballs into the barrel of paintball
gun in preparation for ?ring at a target. Paintball guns are
typically semiautomatic and can be ?red as fast as a user can
pull a trigger. It is necessary, therefore, for bulk loaders to
alloW for quick and consistent loading of paintballs.

[0004] It is not unusual for paint ball guns to occasionally
jam during operation. This can often be remedied, for
example by a user shaking the gun upon detecting that a jam
has occurred. Alternatively, efforts have been made to place
anti-jamming devices Within paintball loaders. See, for

example, US. Pat. No. 5,282,454 issued to Roderick L. Bell,
et al. on Feb. 1, 1994 and US. Pat. No. 6,415,781 B1 issued
to Aldo Perrone on Jul. 9, 2002.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance With a preferred embodiment of the

present invention, a loader for storing and loading round
objects is presented. The loader includes a screW and a drive
tube. The screW has a helical groove. The helical groove
Winds in a ?rst direction. The drive tube has multiple helical
grooves on an inner surface of the drive tube. The multiple
helical grooves Wind in a second direction. The second
direction is counter to the ?rst direction. The screW is located
Within a center of the drive tube along a length of the drive
tube so that round objects loaded Within the drive tube are
each Within the helical groove of the screW and Within one
of the multiple helical grooves on the inner surface of the
drive tube. When the drive tube rotates With respect to the
screW, round objects Within the drive tube are constrained to
travel along the helical groove of the screW and along one of
the multiple helical grooves on the inner surface of the drive
tube.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006]
FIG. 1 shoWs an eXample of a paintball gun With
[0011] FIG. 6 shoWs paintballs arranged in an outer cap of

a paintball clip in accordance With a preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 7 shoWs a partially assembled paintball clip

in accordance With a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013]
FIG. 8 shoWs inner cap of a paintball clip attached
to a spring in accordance With a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 9 shoWs a screW of a paintball clip in accor
dance With a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 10 shoWs a drive tube of a paintball clip in

accordance With a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are cut-aWay vieWs illustrat
ing operation of a paintball clip in accordance With a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 13 is another cut-aWay vieW illustrating

operation of a paintball clip in accordance With a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0018]
FIG. 14 shoWs a side vieW of a multiple heliX
arrangement of paintballs illustrating the Way paintballs are

stored in a paintball clip in accordance With a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 15 shoWs a top vieW of the multiple heliX

arrangement of paintballs shoWn in FIG. 13 in accordance
With a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 16 shoWs a close-up of rotation limiter in
invention.
[0021]
FIG. 17 shoWs an outer cap, ?tted on a contain
ment tube, having multiple ejection holes in accordance With

an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
[0022]
FIG. 18 shoWs a screW having multiple ridges in
accordance With an alternative embodiment of the present

invention.
[0023]
FIG. 19 shoWs a drive tube With straight ridges in

invention.
[0024]
FIG. 20 shoWs an outer cap ?tted on a containment
tube and having an alternative ejection hole location in

invention.
a prior art bulk loader.

[0025]
FIG. 21 shoWs a screW in accordance With an
[0007] FIG. 2 shoWs a paintball gun With a paintball

loader in accordance With a preferred embodiment of the
alternative embodiment of the present invention.
present invention.
[0026]
[0008] FIG. 3 shoWs an assembled paintball clip separated
present invention.
FIG. 22 shoWs an inner cap With multiple eXit
holes in accordance With an alternative embodiment of the
from a paintball transportation system in accordance With a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 4 shoWs a disassembled paintball transporta
tion system in accordance With a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 5 shoWs a disassembled paintball clip in

invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED

EMBODIMENT
[0027] FIG. 1 is a simpli?ed block diagram of a prior art

paintball gun 11. Paintball gun 11 is equipped With a
compressed air container 13 used to supply poWer to propel
paintballs toWards a target. Paintballs are stored in a bulk
loader 12.
Oct. 7, 2004
US 2004/0194772 A1
[0028] FIG. 2 shows bulk loader 12 being replaced With
[0037] FIG. 7 shoWs paintball clip 33 being partially
a paintball loader 21, attached as shown.
assembled. Within drive tube 52, paintballs 45 travel around

screW 53, proceed through one of six openings 71 in inner
cap 55 and through 68 Within outer cap 56.
[0029] Paintball loader 21 is shoWn in FIG. 3. An attach

ment mechanism 35 is used to physically secure paintball
loader 21 to paintball gun 11. Paintballs are stored in a
[0038]
paintball clip 33. During a ?ring session, paintballs exit
cap 55. Associated With each hole 71 is a ?ute denoted by
paintball clip 33 and travel through a delivery tube 34 before

loaded through an elboW joint 31 into paintball gun 11. A
clip holder 32 secures paintball clip 33 in place during use.
Clip holder 32 has a quick release to alloW quick and
ef?cient exchange of paintball clips. As further discussed
ridges 72 Which guide paint balls through holes 71.
beloW, a pin 36 Within clip holder 32 is used to disengage a
[0039]
FIG. 8 shoWs the arrangement of holes 71 in inner
FIG. 9 shoWs screW 53 having a single ridge 92
forming a single groove (channel) 192 along Which paint

balls travel. Square shaft 60 and ridge tip 65 are also shoWn.
spring restraint Within paintball clip 33 When paintball clip
[0040] FIG. 10 shoWs drive tube 52 having six inner

ridges 91 that form six grooves (channels) 191 along Which
33 is attached to clip holder 32.
paintballs travel.
[0030] As shoWn in FIG. 3, the exterior of paintball clip
[0041] As inner cap 55 (shoWn in FIG. 5) and drive tube
33 includes an outer cap 56 and a containment tube 51.
52 rotate With respect to screW 53 (shoWn in FIG. 9), outer
When paintball clip 33 is attached to clip holder 32, clip
cap 56 (shoWn in FIG. 5) and containment tube 51 (shoWn

in FIG. 5), ridges 91 of grooves 191 of inner cap 55 push
holder 32 holds outer cap 56, and thus containment tube 51,
?rmly, preventing disengagement or rotation of outer cap 56
and containment tube 51.
paintballs 45 (shoWn in FIG. 7) along groove 192 (shoWn in
[0031] FIG. 4 shoWs detail about hoW delivery tube 34 is

attached to elboW joint 31 and clip holder 32. Paintballs 45
[0042] FIG. 11 is a cut-aWay portion of paintball clip 33

and clip holder 32. Outer cap 56 is shoWn having been
are shoWn as they Would exit from elboW joint 31.
[0032] FIG. 5 shoWs the disassembled parts of paintball

clip 21. The parts include a containment tube 51, a drive tube
52, a screW 53, a torsion spring 54, an inner cap 55 and an
outer cap 56. Torsion spring 54 is used to store torsion

energy. A compression spring 63 is used to store compres
sion energy betWeen screW 54 and thrust bushing 64. Torsion
spring 54 is attached to inner cap 55 at a square end 57.
[0033] Torsion spring 54 ?ts Within screW 53. When

paintball clip 51 is assembled, a square end 59 of torsion
spring 54 along With a square shaft 60 of screW 53, extends
through a hole 61 in drive tube 52 and is attached to
containment tube 51. This anchors screW 53 and square end
59 of torsion spring 54 to containment tube 51. Also, When

paintball clip 51 is assembled, inner cap is 55 is attached to
FIG. 9) of screW 53 (shoWn in FIG. 9).
snapped over containment tube 51. Inner cap 55 is shoWn
having been snapped Within drive tube 52. Square end 59 of

torsion spring 54 ?ts snugly Within square shaft 60 of screW
53. A square feature 133 of containment tube 51 also ?ts
snugly into square shaft 60 of screW 53. Square end 57 of
torsion spring 54 ?ts snugly Within square shaft 66 of inner

cap 55.
[0043] Torsion spring 54 Within screW 53 rotates inner cap

55 and drive tube 52 With respect to screW 53, outer cap 56
and containment tube 51. The six grooves 191 in drive tube
52 are aligned With the six ?utes on inner cap 55.
[0044] In FIG. 11, drive tube 52 is in a locked position

With respect to containment tube 51. In the locked position
a notch 113 of outer cap 56 is engaged. In FIG. 12, drive
tube 52 is in an unlocked position With respect to contain
drive tube 52 and outer cap 56 is attached to containment

tube 51. ScreW 53 has a single ridge 92 that forms a single
ment tube 51. In the unlocked position, as evidenced by a
groove (channel) 192 along Which paintballs travel until a
containment tube 51, alloWing drive tube 52 to alloW rota

tion around pin 36 With respect to containment tube 51. In
the unlocked position notch 113 of outer cap 56 is disen
gaged. ScreW 53 rotates in synchroniZation With contain
ridge tip 65 is reached.

[0034] When paintball clip 51 is assembled and attached
to clip holder 32, pin 36 (shoWn in FIG. 11) pushes inner cap
52, causing compression spring 63 to compress. The result
ing alignment of inner cap 55 to outer cap 56 alloWs rotation
of inner cap 55 and drive tube 52 With respect to outer cap
56 and containment tube 51. Drive tube 52 is driven by the
stored torsional energy of torsion spring 54. A rotation
limiter 62 alloWs torsion spring 54 to remain preWound to an
initial tension alloWing optimal performance of torsion

spring 54.
[0035] When paintball clip 51 is ?lled With paintballs, it is
the rotation of inner cap 55 and drive tube 52 With respect
to outer cap 56 and containment tube 51 that moves paint
space 114, drive tube 52 is pushed slightly deeper into
ment tube 51 so that the six grooves 191 are used to guide
paintballs 45 along groove 192 of screW 53, alloWing

paintballs to exit drive tube 51.
[0045] As shoWn in FIG. 13, the ?utes bordered by ridges

72 guide paintballs 45 out holes 71 of inner cap 55, along
ejection ramp 69, out of ejection hole 68 of outer cap 56 and
into feed delivery tube 34.
[0046]
FIG. 14 shoWs a side vieW of the multiple column
arrangement of paintballs Within paintball clip 33. Lines 131

represent the alignment of paintballs 45 along groove 192 of
balls out of paintball clip 51 and into delivery tube 34
screW 53 (shoWn in FIG. 9). Lines 132 represent the

alignment of paintballs 45 along grooves 191 of drive tube
(shoWn in FIG. 4).
52 (shoWn in FIG. 10).
[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates the path paintballs 45 take When

exiting paintball clip 33 through outer cap 56. Paintballs 45
[0047]
FIG. 15 shoWs a top vieW of the multiple column
arrangement of paintballs 45 Within paintball clip 33. Hole
folloW ramp 69 around the diameter of outer cap 56 before
130 is the location of screW 53 in relation to the multiple
exiting through a hole 68.
column arrangement of paintballs 45.
Oct. 7, 2004
US 2004/0194772 A1
[0048] The multiple column arrangement of paintballs 45

allows for a signi?cantly reduced amount of Work (distance
equivalent to poWering rotation of the screW With respect to

the drive tube. Alternatively, the poWer for rotation of the
times friction) as the balls travel through paintball clip 33.
drive tube With respect to the screW can be supplied manu
This is because, as paintballs 45 travel around groove 192 of

screW 53, the paintballs are divided into siX helical columns,
divided by siX grooves 191 that simultaneously advance

paintballs 45 With respect to drive tube 52. As the paintballs
45 advance along the heliX formed by ridge 92, paintballs 45

simultaneously advance along the siX columns formed by
grooves 191. The resulting shorter path paintballs 45 travel
With respect to drive tube 52 results in minimal Work
(distance times friction) as paintballs 45 advance Within

drive tube 52.
[0049]
FIG. 16 shoWs a close-up of rotation limiter 62.
[0050] Various alternative embodiments of the invention

can also be utiliZed. For eXample, instead of a single ejection
hole in the outer cap, multiple ejection holes can be used.
This is illustrated in FIG. 17 Where an outer cap 203, ?tted
on a containment tube 202, has multiple ejection holes 204
Which are used to eject paintballs.
ally by a user.
[0056] The foregoing discussion discloses and describes

merely exemplary methods and embodiments of the present
invention. As Will be understood by those familiar With the
art, the invention may be embodied in other speci?c forms
Without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics
thereof. For eXample, While the preferred embodiment of the
present invention is described With regard to loading paint

balls into a paintball gun, the ideas presented can be used
effectively for loading round objects into any type of device.

Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is to be
illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention,
Which is set forth in the folloWing claims.
I claim:
1. A loader for storing and loading round objects, the
loader comprising:
a screW having a helical groove, the helical groove
[0051] For eXample, the screW can have multiple ridges

and multiple grooves instead of a single ridge and a single
Winding in a ?rst direction; and,
groove. This is illustrated in FIG. 18 Where a screW 220 is
a drive tube having multiple helical grooves on an inner
shoWn to have a ridge 221 With a ridge tip 223, and a ridge
222 With a ridge tip 224. Ridge 221 and ridge 222 form tWo
surface of the drive tube, the multiple helical grooves

Winding in a second direction, the second direction
being counter to the ?rst direction, the screW being
located Within a center of the drive tube along a length
of the drive tube so that round objects loaded Within the
separate grooves: a grove 225 and a groove 226.
[0052] In another alternative embodiment of the present

invention, the ridges of drive tube can be straight lines
resulting in vertical columns. This is illustrated in FIG. 19
Where ridges 221 of a drive tube 220 are straight. Never
theless, in the preferred embodiments, the ridges are helical
drive tube are each Within the helical groove of the

screW and Within one of the multiple helical grooves on
the inner surface of the drive tube;
52 is selected so that each roW of paintballs 45 around ridge

92 interlocks With the previous roW and the folloWing roW
of paintballs around ridge 92. This can be seen in the
Wherein When the drive tube rotates With respect to the

screW, round objects Within the drive tube are con
strained to travel along the helical groove of the screW
and along one of the multiple helical grooves on the
inner surface of the drive tube.
2. A loader as in claim 1 additionally comprising:
resulting interlocking pattern of paintballs 45 shoWn in FIG.
a containment tube Within Which the drive tube is placed,
in form as shoWn in FIG. 10. This alloWs for more ef?cient
packing of paintballs 45 Within paintball clip 33. Speci?

cally, the slope of ridges 91 (shoWn in FIG. 10) on drive tube
13.
[0053]
the containment tube remaining stationary Within

In other alternative embodiments, the containment
tube can be eliminated and the screW can be rotated With
respect to the screW When the drive tube is rotated With

respect to the screW.
respect to a drive tube having helical (or straight) grooves as
described herein. It is intended that the statement the screW
rotates With respect to the drive tube is equivalent to the

statement the drive tube rotates With respect to the screW.
[0054]
FIG. 20 shoWs an embodiment of the present
invention With an outer cap 231 ?tted over a containment
tube 230. A drive tube (similar to drive tube 52 shoWn in

FIG. 5) rotates With respect to a screW 233, shoWn in FIG.
21. An inner cap 240, shoWn in FIG. 22, has multiple eXits
holes 241. In this embodiment, paintballs travel along a
groove 235 of screW 233, go up a ramp 234 and eXit inner
cap 240 through one of eXit holes 241 and then eXits outer
cap 231 through a side hole 232.
[0055] While in various embodiments of the present

invention, a torsion spring is used to poWer rotation of the
drive tube With respect to the screW, other devices can be
used to provide poWer. For eXample, pressuriZed gas or an

respect to the screW When the drive tube rotates With
respect to the screW; and,

an outer cap that attaches to the containment tube, the
outer cap including a ramp that guides round objects

out of the loader through a hole in the outer cap.

an inner cap that attaches to the drive tube, the inner cap
including multiple ?utes, one ?ute for each of the

multiple helical grooves on the inner surface of the
drive tube, the ?utes guiding round objects out of the

drive tube through holes in the inner cap.
electric motor can be used to poWer rotation of the drive tube
With respect to the screW. It is considered that poWering

rotation of the drive tube With respect to the screW is

respect to the screW;
Oct. 7, 2004
US 2004/0194772 A1
drive tube, the ?utes guiding paintballs out of the drive

tube through holes in the inner cap; and,

drive tube through holes in the inner cap; and,
a spring placed Within a holloW area of the inner screW,
the spring having a ?rst end af?Xed to at least one of the
screW and the containment tube, and a second end
attached to the inner cap, the spring for providing

torsion tending to cause the drive tube to rotate With
a spring placed Within a holloW area of the inner screW,

the spring having a ?rst end af?Xed to at least one of the

9. A paintball gun comprising:

a paintball loader for storing and loading paintballs, the
paintball loader including:
a containrnent tube Within Which the drive tube is placed,
the containment tube rernaining stationary Within

outer cap including a ramp that guides round objects

out of the loader through a hole in the outer cap;


drive tube through holes in the inner cap; and,
a spring placed Within a holloW area of the screW, the
spring having a ?rst end affixed to at least one of the

7. A loader as in claim 1 Wherein the round objects are
paintballs.
8. Apaintball loader for storing and loading paintballs into
a paintball gun, the paintball loader comprising:
Winding in a ?rst direction;


located Within a center of the drive tube along a length
of the drive tube so that paintballs loaded Within the
drive tube are each Within the helical groove of the
screW and Within one of the multiple helical grooves on
the inner surface of the drive tube, Wherein When the

drive tube rotates With respect to the screW, paintballs
Within the drive tube are constrained to travel along the
helical groove of the screW and along one of the
drive tube;
a containrnent tube Within Which the drive tube is placed,
the containment tube rernaining stationary Within

outer cap including a ramp that guides paintballs out of

the paintball loader through a hole in the outer cap;
Winding in a ?rst direction, and


located Within a center of the drive tube along a
length of the drive tube so that paintballs loaded

Within the drive tube are each Within the helical
groove of the screW and Within one of the multiple
helical grooves on the inner surface of the drive tube;

screW, paintballs Within the drive tube are constrained
to travel along the helical groove of the screW and along

one of the multiple helical grooves on the inner surface
of the drive tube.
10. A method for loading round objects into a device, the
method comprising the folloWing steps:

(a) placing the round objects into a drive tube, a screW
Within the drive tube having a helical groove, the
helical groove Winding in a ?rst direction, the drive
tube having multiple helical grooves on an inner sur
face of the drive tube, including the folloWing substep:

(a.1) loading the round objects Within the drive tube so
that each round object is Within the helical groove of
the screW and Within one of the multiple helical
grooves on the inner surface of the drive tube; and,
(b) rotating the drive tube With respect to the screW,

causing the round objects Within the drive tube to travel
along the helical groove of the screW and along one of
the multiple helical grooves on the inner surface of the
drive tube in a direction to eXit the drive tube.
11. Arnethod as in claim 10 Wherein step (b) includes the
folloWing substep:
keeping a containrnent tube, Within Which the drive tube
is placed, stationary Within respect to the screW When
the drive tube rotates With respect to the screW.
12. A method as in claim 10 Wherein step (b) includes the
folloWing substeps:
the drive tube rotates With respect to the screW; and,
guiding the round objects along a ramp through a hole in

an outer cap, the ramp being part of the outer cap and
the outer cap being attached to the containment tube.
Oct. 7, 2004
US 2004/0194772 A1
13. Arnethod as in claim 10 wherein step (b) includes the
following substep:
using ?utes on an inner cap to guide the round objects out
of the drive tube through holes in the inner cap, the
inner cap attaching to the drive tube and having one
?ute for each of the multiple helical grooves on the
inner surface of the drive tube.
folloWing substeps:
the drive tube rotates With respect to the screW;

inner surface of the drive tube; and,

the outer cap being attached to the containment tube.
folloWing substeps:
the drive tube rotates With respect to the screW;

inner surface of the drive tube;

the outer cap being attached to the containment tube;
and,
using a spring to provide torsion to cause the drive tube

to rotate With respect to the screW, the spring being
placed Within a holloW area of the screW, the spring
having a ?rst end affixed to at least one of the screW and
the containment tube, and a second end attached to the

inner cap.
16. Arnethod as in claim 10 Wherein the round objects are
paintballs.
17. A paintball loader for storing and loading paintballs
into a paintball gun, the paintball loader including:
Winding in a ?rst direction; and,

a drive tube having multiple colurnn grooves on an inner
surface of the drive tube, the screW being located Within

a center of the drive tube along a length of the drive
tube so that paintballs loaded Within the drive tube are
each Within the helical groove of the screW and Within
one of the multiple colurnn grooves on the inner surface
of the drive tube;

screW, paintballs Within the drive tube are constrained
to travel along the helical groove of the screW and along
one of the multiple colurnn grooves on the inner surface
of the drive tube.
18. Apaintball loader as in claim 17 Wherein the multiple
colurnn grooves on the inner surface of the drive tube spiral
around the inner surface of the drive tube.
19. Apaintball loader as in claim 17 Wherein the multiple

colurnn grooves on the inner surface of the drive tube do not
spiral around the inner surface of the drive tube.

20. Apaintball loader as in claim 17 Wherein the screW has
an additional helical groove.
21. A paintball loader as in claim 17 Wherein the helical

groove is one of multiple helical grooves of the screW.
*

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US 20040194772A1

(19) United States

MULTIPLE COLUMN HELICAL FEEDER

Jared L. Hamilton, Weaverville, CA

Int. Cl.7 ...................................................... .. F41A 9/61

A loader stores and loads round objects is presented. The

(21) Appl. No.:

helical groove. The helical groove Winds in a ?rst direction.

surface of the drive tube. The multiple helical grooves Wind

drive tube along a length of the drive tube so that round

Patent Application Publication

Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 1 0f 14

Patent Application Publication

Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 2 0f 14

Patent Application Publication

Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 3 0f 14

Patent Application Publication

Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 4 0f 14

Patent Application Publication

Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 5 0f 14

Patent Application Publication

Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 8 0f 14

Patent Application Publication

Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 9 0f 14

Patent Application Publication

Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 10 0f 14

Patent Application Publication

Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 11 0f 14

Patent Application Publication

Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 14 0f 14

MULTIPLE COLUMN HELICAL FEEDER

[0001] The present invention pertains to feeders for round

pull a trigger. It is necessary, therefore, for bulk loaders to

alloW for quick and consistent loading of paintballs.

anti-jamming devices Within paintball loaders. See, for

[0005] In accordance With a preferred embodiment of the

FIG. 1 shoWs an eXample of a paintball gun With

[0011] FIG. 6 shoWs paintballs arranged in an outer cap of

[0012] FIG. 7 shoWs a partially assembled paintball clip

FIG. 8 shoWs inner cap of a paintball clip attached

to a spring in accordance With a preferred embodiment of the

[0015] FIG. 10 shoWs a drive tube of a paintball clip in

preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 13 is another cut-aWay vieW illustrating

FIG. 14 shoWs a side vieW of a multiple heliX

arrangement of paintballs illustrating the Way paintballs are

[0019] FIG. 15 shoWs a top vieW of the multiple heliX

FIG. 17 shoWs an outer cap, ?tted on a contain

ment tube, having multiple ejection holes in accordance With

FIG. 18 shoWs a screW having multiple ridges in

accordance With an alternative embodiment of the present

FIG. 19 shoWs a drive tube With straight ridges in

accordance With an alternative embodiment of the present

FIG. 20 shoWs an outer cap ?tted on a containment

tube and having an alternative ejection hole location in

a prior art bulk loader.

FIG. 21 shoWs a screW in accordance With an

[0007] FIG. 2 shoWs a paintball gun With a paintball

alternative embodiment of the present invention.