Paintball gaming device, system, and associated methods

• US 7,475,879 B1
• Filed: 06/02/2004
• Issued: 01/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Entertainment Center Paintball Professional, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Entertainment Center Paintball Professional, Inc.
• Inventors: Alfonso, Robert J., Fernandez, Enrique
• Primary Examiner(s): Thai; Xuan M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ahmed; Masud
• Application Number:
  US10/859,049
• Time in Patent Office: 1,686 Days
• Field of Search: 273/371, 534/53
• US Class Current: 273/371
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 23/16 Testing mounts
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 11/00 Compressed-gas guns, e.g. air guns; Steam guns
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 3/00 Targets for arrows or darts, e.g. for sporting or amusement purposes targets for shooting or hurling games A63F9/0204
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/24 Targets producing a particular effect when hit, e.g. detonation of pyrotechnic charge, bell ring, photograph
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 7/00 Movable targets which are stationary when fired at
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 9/02 Land-based targets , e.g. inflatable targets supported by fluid pressure

Abstract

A system for playing a paintball game with fixed paintguns includes target objects. At least some of the target objects include an impact sensor and an element for issuing an alarm if the impact sensor detects an impact. At least some the target objects are movable about the game site. At least one rotatable paintgun mount that is adapted for receiving a paintgun is positioned for aiming a paintgun at the target objects. The paintgun mount has a passageway with an inlet for receiving a gas under pressure and an outlet connectable with a gas inlet port on a paintgun. A hopper has a receptacle for paintballs and a tube that extends from the receptacle to the paintgun mount, which is connectable to an ammunition port.

Claims

1. A paintball gaming system comprising:

a plurality of target objects, at least some of the target objects comprising at least one impact sensor and means for issuing an alarm if the impact sensor detects an impact on the target object;

means for moving at least some of the target objects about a site;

at least one rotatable paint gun mount adapted for receiving a paint gun and positioned for aiming a paint gun at the target objects, the paint gun mount having a passageway with an inlet adapted to receive a gas under pressure and an outlet connectable with a gas inlet port on a paint gun, the paint gun mount is adapted to receive an electronic paint gun, and further comprising a paint gun position sensor and means for deactivating the paint gun if the paint gun position sensor indicates that the paint gun has moved to a disallowed orientation;

a hopper comprising a receptacle for paintballs and a tube extending from the receptacle and affix able to a paint gun ammunition port when a paint gun is affixed to the mount, for delivering a predetermined number of paintballs to the paint gun; and

a washing system configured to, when a game is finished, automatically wash down the target objects.

2. The paintball gaming system recited in claim 1, wherein the impact sensor comprises one of a pressure sensor and a mechanical sensor.

3. The paintball gaming system recited in claim 1, wherein the paintgun mount comprises means for limiting a rotation of a paintgun mounted thereon to a predetermined angular range.

4. The paintball gaming system recited in claim 1, wherein the paintgun mount comprises height-adjustment means.

5. The paintball gaming system recited in claim 1, wherein the paintgun mount comprises means for adjusting a position of a paintgun mounted thereon for windage and elevation.

6. The paintball gaming system recited in claim 1, further comprising a base for supporting the target objects and a barrier between the base and the paintgun mount for preventing human access to the base, the barrier having an aperture configured to admit a barrel of a paintgun.

7. The paintball gaming system recited in claim 1, further comprising a control system for, upon receipt of a start signal, activating the moving means and for keeping score based upon a number of times the impact sensor detects an impact on a target object.

8. A method of controlling a paintball gaming system comprising the steps of:

transmitting a start signal to a processor, the processor having software resident thereon for, upon receipt of the start signal, activating a paint gun mounted on a movable paint gun mount and sending a signal to activate a plurality of target objects into motion;

loading the paint gun with a predetermined number of paintballs received from a hopper by way of the paint gun mount;

moving the paint gun within a predetermined range of motion to aim the paint gun at a target object, wherein the paint gun mount is provided with a paint gun position sensor and means for deactivating the paint gun if the paint gun position sensor indicates that the paint gun has moved to a disallowed orientation;

permitting a customer to shoot at least one paintball at a target object, a paintball striking a target object activating an impact sensor and an alarm, the paintball propelled under gas pressure applied from within the paint gun mount; and

after a game is finished, automatically initiating a washing down of the target objects.

9. The method recited in claim 8, further comprising the step of determining an orientation of the paintgun, and, if the orientation is outside the predetermined range of motion, deactivating the paintgun.

10. The method recited in claim 8, further comprising the step of counting a number of times a paintball strikes a target object.