US20080179369A1 - Paintball pod belt - Google Patents
Paintball pod belt Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080179369A1 US20080179369A1 US11/982,585 US98258507A US2008179369A1 US 20080179369 A1 US20080179369 A1 US 20080179369A1 US 98258507 A US98258507 A US 98258507A US 2008179369 A1 US2008179369 A1 US 2008179369A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- pod
- belt
- paintball
- compartment
- closure flap
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45F—TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
- A45F3/00—Travelling or camp articles; Sacks or packs carried on the body
- A45F3/14—Carrying-straps; Pack-carrying harnesses
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
- F42B39/00—Packaging or storage of ammunition or explosive charges; Safety features thereof; Cartridge belts or bags
- F42B39/02—Cartridge bags; Bandoleers
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
- F42B39/00—Packaging or storage of ammunition or explosive charges; Safety features thereof; Cartridge belts or bags
- F42B39/26—Packages or containers for a plurality of ammunition, e.g. cartridges
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45F—TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
- A45F3/00—Travelling or camp articles; Sacks or packs carried on the body
- A45F3/14—Carrying-straps; Pack-carrying harnesses
- A45F2003/144—Pack-carrying waist or torso belts
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45F—TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
- A45F2200/00—Details not otherwise provided for in A45F
- A45F2200/05—Holder or carrier for specific articles
- A45F2200/0566—Tubular, rod-shaped articles, e.g. batons
Definitions
- the pod compartment 14 may define a middle portion 50 (see FIG. 3 ) having a through hole sized and configured to receive the paintball pod 26 .
- the pod compartment 14 may further define a top portion 22 (see FIG. 3 ) fabricated from an elastic material.
- the closure flap 46 of the pod compartment 14 may be wrapped under and around the paintball pod 26 and attached to the middle portion 50 of the pod compartment 14 via a hooks and loops attachment system.
- the exterior surface of the middle portion 50 may have a first component 16 of the hooks and loops attachment system, as shown in FIG. 5 .
- the handle 48 When the handle 48 is pulled to traverse the closure flap 46 from the closed position to the open position, the handle 48 slides through the guide 58 and the distal end portion 60 of the closure flap 46 folds in two, as shown in FIG. 4 .
- the width of the closure flap 46 is greater than a width of the guide 58 . As such, the distal end portion 60 of the closure flap 46 does not escape out of the guide 58 when the handle 48 is pulled downward to traverse the closure flap 46 to the open position. Rather, the distal end 60 of the closure flap 46 is stopped by the narrow width of the guide 58 .
- first or the second side portion 70 , 72 be fabricated from an elastic material, but not both.
- first elastic portion stretches and the shell 68 pivots about the inelastic second side portion 72 defining a general pivot area to allow the pod compartment 14 to expand and receive the paintball pod 26 .
- the shell 68 is drawn toward the midsection 28 of the exterior layer by the first elastic side portion to reduced profile of the empty pod compartment 14 and the likelihood of the user being hit on the empty pod compartment 14 by paintball.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)
Abstract
An improved paintball pod belt is provided. The belt provides a means for urging the pod compartments upwards and adjacent to the lower back of the user despite strenuous physical maneuvers performed by the user. The belt further includes a means for providing an easily accessible handle for peeling a closure flap off of a middle portion of a pod compartment to remove or insert a paintball pod from or into the pod compartment. The belt may further include a means for reducing a side profile of the pod compartment to reduce the likelihood of being hit by a paintball on the empty pod compartment. The belt may further include a means for clipping the paintball pod into the pod compartment.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/856,194, filed on Nov. 2, 2006, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- Not Applicable
- The present invention relates to an improved paintball pod belt.
- During a paintball game, a first team made up of a plurality of players is placed in a playing field. A second team made up of a plurality of different players compete against the first team. The goal of the paintball game may be to capture a flag, find something, bring a flag or something back, or simply be the last person standing. Players of the first and second team are eliminated when hit by a paintball. To play a game of paintball, each of the players may be equipped with a goggle for eye protection, body protection, a paintball gun and a plurality of paintballs. Extra paintballs are typically held in a paintball pod. A plurality of paintball pods are then secured to a paintball pod harness worn by the player.
- During the paintball game, the player may have to run, slide, duck, jump, roll, or perform other physically strenuous maneuvers to escape from an opposing player or to gain a positional advantage over the opposing player. Unfortunately, a disadvantage of prior art paintball pod harnesses is that the prior art paintball pod harness may tend to slide downward about the user's hips and buttocks while the player performs the strenuous physical maneuvers. For example, when the prior art paintball pod harness is initially worn by the user, the prior art harness is tensioned about the waist of the user. During the paintball game, the user is performing strenuous physical maneuvers and inserting and removing paintball pods from the prior art paintball pod harness. These activities loosen the tension of the prior art paintball pod harness on the waist of the user. Accordingly, the prior art paintball pod harness may tend to slip downward about the hips or buttocks of the user. Such position is not optimal and may hinder the user's ability to perform the strenuous physical maneuvers discussed above.
- Another disadvantage of prior art paintball pod harnesses is that the pod compartments may not be easily accessible. By way of example and not limitation, the prior art paintball pod harnesses are worn with the pod compartments disposed about the lower back portion of the player's waist. To access a paintball pod, the player must reach behind his or her back (i.e., out of visual sight) and grasp the paintball pod. Certain prior art paintball pod harnesses may have a closure flap to securely hold the paintball pod in the pod compartment. The reason for the closure flap is to prevent the paintball pod from falling out of the pod compartment while the player is performing the strenuous physical maneuvers discussed above. Unfortunately, the handle for the closure flap is flush against the pod compartment. The player typically with a glove on his or her hand must reach behind his or her back, feel for the handle which is flush against the pod compartment and traverse the closure flap to the opened position. Because the handle is flush with the pod compartment and the player is typically wearing a glove, it is difficult to find the handle during the excitement of a game of paintball.
- Another disadvantage of the prior art paintball pod harness is that the prior art paintball harness is bulky. As discussed above, when the payer is hit by a paintball, the player is eliminated. This includes being hit by a paintball on a paintball pod of the prior art paintball pod harness.
- Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved paintball pod harness.
- The improved paintball pod belt discussed herein addresses the needs above, discussed below and those that are known in the art. The improved paintball pod harness may include one or more of the four aspects discussed herein, namely, 1) a means for urging the belt upward adjacent to the lower back of the user, 2) a means for easily finding a handle to traverse a closure flap to an opened position, 3) a means for reducing a side profile of a pod compartment, and 4) a means for clipping a paintball pod into a pod compartment.
- The means for urging the belt upwards adjacent to the lower back of the user may include a waist encircling layer and a pod compartment or a plurality of pod compartments attached to the waist encircling layer. The waist encircling layer is removably attachable to the waist of the user. When the waist encircling layer is disposed about the waist of the user, the pod compartment or plurality of pod compartments are disposed at the lower back of the user. The pod compartment(s) may be attached to an upper portion of a midsection of the waist encircling layer. A lower portion of the midsection of the waist encircling layer may be fabricated from an elastic material and may be disposable on the upper curved portion of the user's buttocks to lift the pod compartment(s) upward.
- The means for easily accessing a handle to traverse a closure flap from the closed position to an opened position may include a handle attached to the closure flap and oriented outward and away from a middle portion of the pod compartment. The handle may be inserted through a guide or between the guide and the closure flap for orienting the handle downward and below the pod compartment. In this manner, the user need only place his or her hand below the paintball pod to be removed with his or her palm facing outward. At this position, the handle may be disposed immediately in front of the palm of the user's hand. The user need only close his or her hand to grasp the handle.
- The means for reducing a side profile of the pod compartment may include a shell fabricated from a rigid or semi-rigid material. The shell may partially define the pod compartment along with a first side portion. The first side portion may be fabricated from an elastic material. The first side portion may be attached to the waist encircling layer and a first edge portion of the shell. The second edge portion of the shell may be indirectly attached to the waist encircling layer via a second side portion. The second side portion may be fabricated from an elastic material such that when a paintball pod is inserted into a pod compartment, the first and second elastic side portions stretch and the rigid shell is traversed away from the waist encircling layer to provide room for the paintball pod to be inserted into the pod compartment. Conversely, when the paintball pod is removed from the pod compartment, the first and second elastic side portions contract and traverse the shell toward the waist encircling layer to reduce the profile of the pod compartment. Alternatively, the second side portion may be fabricated from an inelastic material such that when a paintball pod is inserted into a pod compartment, only the first elastic portion stretches to provide room for the paintball pod to be inserted into the pod compartment. Conversely, when the paintball pod is removed from the pod compartment, only the first elastic side portion contracts and traverses the shell toward the waist encircling layer to reduce the side profile of the pod compartment.
- Alternatively, the second edge portion of the shell may be directly attached to the waist encircling belt such that the shell pivots about such direct attachment point and the elastic first side portion stretches to make room for a pod inserted into the pod compartment and contracts to traverse the shell closer to the waist encircling belt and reduce the player's side profile.
- A means for clipping the paintball pod into the pod compartment may include a locking member rotatable with respect to the pod compartment between a holding position and a released position.
- These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a rear view of a paintball pod belt; -
FIG. 2 is a side view of the paintball pod belt shown inFIG. 1 worn by a user; -
FIG. 3 is a side view of a paintball pod compartment with a paintball pod inserted into the pod compartment and a closure flap traversed to a closed position, wherein the closure flap and a handle are fabricated from a unitary member; -
FIG. 3A is an alternate embodiment of attaching the handle to the closure flap; -
FIG. 3B is a further alternative embodiment of attaching the handle to the closure flap; -
FIG. 4 is a side view of the pod compartment shown inFIG. 3 illustrating the closure flap being peeled off of the pod compartment via the handle; -
FIG. 5 is a side view of the pod compartment shown inFIG. 3 with the closure flap detached from the pod compartment; -
FIG. 6 illustrates a pod compartment which compresses when the paintball pod is removed therefrom; -
FIG. 7 illustrates a paintball pod removed from the pod compartment with the pod compartment having a lower side profile compared to the side profile of the pod compartment shown inFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional configuration of the pod compartment shown inFIG. 7 wherein a shell is moved away from the belt to make room for the inserted paintball pod and traversed toward the belt when the paintball pod is removed from the pod compartment to reduce a side profile of the pod compartment and reduce the likelihood of being hit by a paintball pod; -
FIG. 7B is an alternate embodiment of the shell and means for attaching the shell to the belt; -
FIG. 7C is another further embodiment of the shell and a means for attaching the shell to the belt; -
FIG. 8 illustrates a first embodiment of a clip for holding the paintball pod in the pod compartment; -
FIG. 9 is an illustration of the pod compartment shown inFIG. 8 with the clip traversed to a released position for accessing or removing the paintball pod out of the pod compartment; -
FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the clip shown inFIG. 8 ; -
FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the clip shown inFIG. 9 ; -
FIG. 12 is a second embodiment of the clip for holding the paintball pod in the pod compartment; -
FIG. 13 is an illustration of the pod compartment shown inFIG. 12 with the clip traversed to the released position for accessing or removing the paintball pod out of the pod compartment; -
FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the clip shown inFIG. 8 ; and -
FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the clip shown inFIG. 8 . - Referring now to the figures, a
paintball pod harness 10 is shown inFIG. 1 . Thepaintball pod harness 10 is typically worn around a waist (seeFIG. 2 ) of the user while the user is engaged in a game of paintball. Thepaintball pod harness 10 may comprise aharness 10 and a plurality of pod compartments 14 which are attached to thebelt 12. Thebelt 12 may be worn around the waist of the user with the pod compartments 14 disposed at a lower back portion of the user. Theharness 10 may be removably attachable to the waist of the user via first andsecond components belt 12. A portion of thebelt 12 may have an elastic portion or in the alternative, theentire belt 12 may be fabricated from an elastic material such that thebelt 12 may contract or expand as the user's belly expands or contracts due to heavy breathing. The pod compartments 14 may be vertically oriented (as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 ). Each of thecompartments 14 may have a close-endedtop 22 and anopen bottom 24. Thepods 26 may be inserted and removed from the pod compartments 14 via theopen bottom 24. In use, thepaintball pod harness 10 is worn around the waist of the user with theopen bottom 24 of thepod compartment 14 facing downward and the pod compartments 14 disposed at the lower back of the user (seeFIG. 2 ). When the user needs to reload his paintball gun with additional paintballs, the user may reach behind and pull downward on the paintball pod 26 (after removing theclosure flap 46 discussed below) to remove thepaintball pod 26 from thepod compartment 14. Once thepaintball pod 26 is removed, the user may reload his paintball gun with additional paintballs. - In an aspect of the
paintball pod harness 10, theharness 10 may define amidsection 28,intermediate sections 30 and end flaps 20. When thepaintball pod harness 10 is worn around the waist of the user, the user may engage the end flaps 20 to each other to secure thepaintball pod harness 10 around the waist of the user (seeFIG. 2 ). Theintermediate sections 30 may be fabricated from an elastic material. As such, the user may adjust the amount of tension that theharness 10 applies to the waist of the user. The elasticintermediate sections 30 expand and contract as the user breathes in and out such that constant pressure may be applied to the waist of the user to hold thepaintball pod 26 in place at the lower back of the user. - To further maintain the position of the
paintball pod 26 at the lower back portion of the user's waist, alower portion 32 of themidsection 28 may be fabricated from an elastic material. The lowerelastic portion 32 of themidsection 28 mates with the outwardly curved portion 34 (seeFIG. 2 ) of the user's buttocks. The elasticlower portion 32 of themidsection 28 may be increasingly stretched from the upper edge 36 to thelower edge 38 of thelower portion 32 of themidsection 28 due to the outward curvature of theupper portion 34 of the user's buttocks. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , a side view of thepaintball pod harness 10 worn about the waist of the user is shown. The pod compartments 14 are disposed at the lower back portion of the user's waist. The end flaps 20 are attached to each other about a belly portion of the user's waist. The amount of tension that thepaintball pod 26 applies to the user's waist is adjusted by pulling harder on the belt end flaps 20 thereby stretching the elasticintermediate sections 30 and attaching the end flaps 20 to each other. The pod compartments 14 are attached to theupper portion 40 of themidsection 28. Theupper portion 40 of themidsection 28 may be fabricated from an inelastic fabric material. However, it is also contemplated that theupper portion 40 of themidsection 28 may be fabricated from an elastic material. With the pod compartments 14 disposed about the lower back portion of the user's waist, thelower portion 32 of themidsection 28 presses against theupper portion 34 of the user's buttocks. Due to the outward curvature of the user's buttocks, thelower portion 32 is increasingly stretched from the upper edge 36 to thelower edge 38 of the midsectionlower portion 32. Theupper portion 34 of the user's buttocks pushes upward on thelower portion 32 of themidsection 28. This also pushes themidsection 28 of thebelt 12 and the pod compartments 14 upward. Such configuration maintains the position of the pod compartments 14 at the lower back portion of the user's waist while the user may be running, ducking, rolling, jumping or performing other strenuous maneuvers during a paintball game. - The
upper portion 40 of themidsection 28 may have a bowed configuration (seeFIG. 1 ). In particular, anupper edge 42 may have a convex configuration. Additionally, a lower edge 44 of theupper portion 40 may have a corresponding convex configuration to curve up and around the user's buttocks. The pod compartments 14 may be attached to theupper portion 40 of themidsection 28. - The
lower portion 32 may have an eyelet configuration (seeFIG. 1 ). In particular, the upper edge 36 of thelower portion 32 may mate with the lower edge 44 of theupper portion 40. In this regard, the upper edge 36 of thelower portion 32 may also have a convex configuration. However, thelower edge 38 of thelower portion 32 may have a concave configuration. Thelower portion 32 of themidsection 28 may be elastic in only the horizontal direction, only the vertical direction or both in the horizontal and the vertical directions. - In another aspect of the
paintball pod harness 10, aclosure flap 46 covering theopen bottom 24 of the pod compartments 14 for securing thepaintball pod 26 in thepod compartment 14 may be traversed to an opened position (seeFIG. 5 ) via ahandle 48 which is oriented outward and away from the pod compartment 14 (seeFIG. 3 ). Thehandle 48 is easily accessible to the user. The user does not have to search for thehandle 48 to make thepod compartment 14 accessible and remove thepaintball pod 26 therefrom. Rather, the user may easily place his or her hand underneath thepaintball pod 26 to be removed with his or her palm facing away from his or her body (seeFIG. 3 ). At this point, thehandle 48 is located in front of the user's palm. The user need only close his or her hand to grasp thehandle 48. - Once the user grabs the
handle 48, the user may pull downward on thehandle 48 to traverse theclosure flap 46 from a closed position (seeFIG. 3 ) securing thepaintball pod 26 in thepod compartment 14 to the opened position (seeFIG. 5 ) making thepaintball pod 26 accessible to the user such that the user may now remove thepaintball pod 26 from thepod compartment 14. - The
pod compartment 14 may define a middle portion 50 (seeFIG. 3 ) having a through hole sized and configured to receive thepaintball pod 26. Thepod compartment 14 may further define a top portion 22 (seeFIG. 3 ) fabricated from an elastic material. When thepaintball pod 26 is inserted into thepod compartment 14, thepaintball pod 26 is jammed into thepod compartment 14 so as to stretch thetop portion 22 of thepod compartment 14. Theclosure flap 46 of thepod compartment 14 may be wrapped under and around thepaintball pod 26 and attached to themiddle portion 50 of thepod compartment 14 via a hooks and loops attachment system. In particular, the exterior surface of themiddle portion 50 may have afirst component 16 of the hooks and loops attachment system, as shown inFIG. 5 . An interior surface of theclosure flap 46 may have asecond component 18 of the hooks and loops attachment system at the distal end 60 (seeFIG. 3A ) thereof, as shown inFIG. 5 . To attach theclosure flap 46 to themiddle portion 50 of thepod compartment 14, thesecond component 18 of the hooks and loops attachment system is engaged to thefirst component 16 of the hooks and loops system. The first andsecond components - The
handle 48 may be attached to theclosure flap 46. Preferably, thehandle 48 is attached at or about the start 52 (seeFIG. 3 ) of thesecond component 18 of the hooks and loops attachment system attached to theclosure flap 46. - An
elongate member 54 may be attached to left andright edges 56 a, b (seeFIG. 1 ) of theclosure flap 46 forming aguide 58. Thehandle 48 may be inserted through theguide 58 to direct thehandle 48 in a downward direction when theclosure flap 46 is in the closed position. Thehandle 48 may be sufficiently long such that thehandle 48 extends beyond theclosure flap 46 andpaintball pod 26 when theclosure flap 46 is in the closed position (seeFIG. 3 ). Theelongate member 54 may be fabricated from a rigid plastic material, a flexible cord, bungee cord or other suitable material. When thehandle 48 is pulled to traverse theclosure flap 46 from the closed position to the open position, thehandle 48 slides through theguide 58 and thedistal end portion 60 of theclosure flap 46 folds in two, as shown inFIG. 4 . The width of theclosure flap 46 is greater than a width of theguide 58. As such, thedistal end portion 60 of theclosure flap 46 does not escape out of theguide 58 when thehandle 48 is pulled downward to traverse theclosure flap 46 to the open position. Rather, thedistal end 60 of theclosure flap 46 is stopped by the narrow width of theguide 58. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , in the closed position, thehandle 48 projects outward and downwardly from thepaintball pod 26. The user places his or her hand below thepaintball pod 26 to be removed with his or her palm directed outward. The user may close his or her hand to grasp thehandle 48. Thereafter, the user may pull downward on the handle 48 (seeFIG. 4 ). Such downward motion peels theclosure flap 46 off of themiddle portion 50 of thepod compartment 14. More particularly, thesecond component 18 of the hooks and loops attachment system formed on theclosure flap 46 is peeled off of thefirst component 16 of the hooks and loops attachment system formed on themiddle portion 50 of thepod compartment 14. Further downward motion of the user's hand traverses theclosure flap 46 to the opened position (seeFIG. 5 ). At this point, the topelastic portion 22 of thepod compartment 14 pushes thepaintball pod 26 downward to an elevation below the remainingpaintball pods 26 so as to make the ejectedpaintball pod 26 more accessible to the user. The user may remove thepaintball pod 26 from thepod compartment 14 to refill his or her paintball gun with paintballs contained in the removedpaintball pod 26. -
FIGS. 3 , 3A, and 3B illustrate three different attachment embodiments between thehandle 48 and theclosure flap 46. InFIG. 3 , thehandle 48 is fabricated from a unitary material with theclosure flap 46. InFIG. 3A , thesecond component 18 of the hooks and loops attachment system is formed at thedistal end portion 60 of theclosure flap 46. A portion 62 of thedistal end 60 of theclosure flap 46 is not formed with anysecond component 18 of the hooks and loops attachment system. Thedistal end 64 of thehandle 48 may be attached to such portion 62. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 3B , adistal end 64 of thehandle 48 may be attached to theclosure flap 46 at adistal end portion 66 or start 52 of thesecond component 18 of the hooks and loops attachment system. This increases the amount of downward force that the user must apply to thehandle 48 to peel thesecond component 18 of the hooks and loops attachment system formed on theclosure flap 46 off of thefirst component 16 of the hooks and loops attachment system formed on themiddle portion 50 of thepod compartment 14. The amount of pull down force that is required to peel theclosure flap 46 off of themiddle portion 50 of thepod compartment 14 may be adjusted by the position of the attachment point between thehandle 48 and theclosure flap 46. Generally, the deeper the attachment point with respect to thedistal end 66 or start 52 of thesecond component 18 of the hooks and loops system attached to theclosure flap 46, the greater pull down force required to peel theclosure flap 46 off of themiddle portion 50 of thepod compartment 14. - In another aspect of the
paintball pod harness 10, referring now toFIGS. 6-7C , themiddle portion 50 of thepod compartment 14 may be fabricated from ashell 68 and elastic first andsecond side portions 70, 72 (seeFIG. 7A ) to reduce a profile of anempty pod compartment 14. In particular, as shown inFIG. 7A , thepod compartment 14 may be defined by themidsection 28 of thebelt 12, first and second elastic side portions and ashell 68. When apaintball pod 26 is inserted into thepod compartment 14, thepaintball pod 26 stretches the first andsecond side portions pod compartment 14 may be large enough to receive the paintball pod 26 (see dashed lines inFIG. 7A ). When thepaintball pod 26 is removed from thepod compartment 14, the first and second elastic side portions contract and draw theshell 68 closer to the midsection 28 (see solid lines inFIG. 7A ). Beneficially, this reduces the side profile of thepod compartment 14 such that the user has less probability of being hit on theempty pod compartment 14 with a paintball. - It is also contemplated that either the first or the
second side portion FIG. 7B , when thepaintball pod 26 is inserted into thepod compartment 14, the first elastic portion stretches and theshell 68 pivots about the inelasticsecond side portion 72 defining a general pivot area to allow thepod compartment 14 to expand and receive thepaintball pod 26. When thepaintball pod 26 is removed from thepod compartment 14, theshell 68 is drawn toward themidsection 28 of the exterior layer by the first elastic side portion to reduced profile of theempty pod compartment 14 and the likelihood of the user being hit on theempty pod compartment 14 by paintball. - As an alternative embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 7C , thepod compartment 14 may be defined by themidsection 28, afirst side portion 70 and ashell 68. Thesecond side portion 72 may be eliminated. Theshell 68 may be pivotally attached to themidsection 28 directly as shown inFIG. 7C . The opposing distal end of theshell 68 may be attached to themidsection 28 via an elasticfirst side portion 70. When thepaintball pod 26 is inserted into thepod compartment 14, theshell 68 pivots about the pivot axis such that thepod compartment 14 enlarges and receives thepaintball pod 26. When thepaintball pod 26 is removed from thepod compartment 14, theshell 68 is drawn closer to themidsection 28 via the first elastic side portion to reduce the side profile of theempty pod compartment 14 and reduce the possibility of the user being hit on theempty pod compartment 14 by a paintball. - The first and
second side portions FIG. 7A-7C may be attached to themidsection 28 of thebelt 12 via stitching or other methods known in the art. As shown inFIG. 7A , anupper fabric 74 and alower fabric 76 may be stitched onto the first andsecond side portions shell 68. - The
shell 68 may be fabricated from a semi-rigid material. When thepaintball pod 26 is removed from thepod compartment 14, thesemi-rigid shell 68 flattens to a flat configuration. In contrast, when thepaintball pod 26 is inserted into thepod compartment 14, thesemi-rigid shell 68 is curved and bent to the configuration of thepaintball pod 26. In this sense, thesemi-rigid shell 68 may be fabricated from a malleable material but biased to a flat position to further reduce the side profile of anempty pod compartment 14. Alternatively, theshell 68 may be fabricated from a rigid material. Therigid shell 68 does not substantially deform. When thepaintball pod 26 is inserted into thepod compartment 14, therigid shell 68 is traversed away from themidsection 28 of thebelt 12 to provide room for thepaintball pod 26 and substantially maintains its shape. Also, when thepaintball pod 26 is removed from thepod compartment 14, therigid shell 68 is traversed toward themidsection 28 to reduce the side profile of thepod compartment 14, yet theshell 68 substantially maintains its shape (e.g., curved, flat, etc.). - In another aspect of the
paintball pod harness 10, referring toFIGS. 8-15 , thepaintball pod 26 may be secured in thepod compartment 14 via aclip 78 a, b. Theclip 78 a, b may be rotatably traversed between a holding position (seeFIGS. 8 and 12 ) and a released position (seeFIGS. 9 and 13 ). In use, the user may rotate theclip 78 a, b to the release position (seeFIGS. 9 and 13 ) to allow thepaintball pod 26 to be inserted into thepod compartment 14. The user inserts thepaintball pod 26 into thepod compartment 14. Thepaintball pod 26 is pushed into thepod compartment 14 until a cap of thepaintball pod 26 clears theclip 78 a, b. Theclip 78 a, b is then rotated to the holding position, as shown inFIGS. 8 and 12 . - In a first embodiment of the
clip 78 a (seeFIGS. 8-11 ), theclip 78 a may comprise a lockingmember 80 and around shaft 82. Theround shaft 82 may be received into ahollow tube 84. A first distal end 86 of theround shaft 82 may be secured to a first distal end 88 of anelastic member 90. A seconddistal end 92 of theelastic member 90 may be attached to thebelt 12,pod compartment 14 orhollow tube 84. Thehollow tube 84 and the seconddistal end 92 of theelastic member 90 does not move closer to or away from each other. Rather, thehollow tube 84 and seconddistal end 92 of theelastic member 90 stay spacially fixed with respect to each other. Theround shaft 82 may longitudinally slide through thehollow tube 84 under the force of the elastic member 90 (seeFIGS. 8 and 9 ). Also, theround shaft 82 may be rotatable within the hollow tube 84 (seeFIGS. 10 and 11 ).FIGS. 8 and 10 illustrate theclip 78 a at the holding position. In the holding position, the lockingmember 80 may be disposed over the cap of thepaintball pod 26. Theelastic member 90 is stretched and applies an upward force on thepaintball pod 26 to securely hold thepaintball pod 26 in thepod compartment 14. To release thepaintball pod 26 from thepod compartment 14, the lockingmember 80 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to the release position shown inFIGS. 9 and 11 . At the released position, the lockingmember 80 is moved away from thepaintball pod 26. Simultaneously, theelastic member 90 pulls theround shaft 82 inward and longitudinally through thehollow tube 84 as shown inFIG. 9 , and the elastictop portion 22 of thepod compartment 14 pushes thepaintball pod 26 outward such that thepaintball pod 26 to be removed is elevationally lower than the rest of thepaintball pods 26 in the pod compartments 14. The user may then remove thepaintball pod 26 from thepod compartment 14 and refill his paintball gun with additional paintballs. - A
biasing mechanism 94 may be attached to thehollow tube 84 which maintains theclip 78 a in the released position when traversed to the released position or in the holding position when traversed to the holding position. As shown inFIGS. 10 and 11 , theround shaft 82 may have first and secondflat surfaces ball 100 of adetent 94 may push against the firstflat surface 96 via aspring 102. Adetent 94 force may resist any rotational force created by theelastic member 90, user or other object. The user is able to rotate the lockingmember 80 or theclip 78 a in a counterclockwise direction to the released position. As shown inFIG. 10 , at the released position, the lockingmember 80 is rotated 90° and also theball 100 of thedetent 94 pushes against the secondflat surface 98 to hold the lockingmember 80 in the released position despite any rotational force created by theelastic member 90. - In a second embodiment of the
clip 78 b, referring toFIGS. 12-15 , theclip 78 b may be rotatable with respect to thepod compartment 14. Theround shaft 82 is rotatable in thehollow tube 84. However, theround shaft 82 is not longitudinally slidable through the hollow tube 84 (compareFIGS. 12 and 13 ). In particular, theclip 78 b may comprise a lockingmember 80 and around shaft 82. Theround shaft 82 may extend through thehollow tube 84 attached to thepod compartment 14. Retaining clips 104 (seeFIG. 12 ) may be attached to theround shaft 82 at opposing distal ends of thehollow tube 84. The retaining clips 104 permit theround shaft 82 to rotate within thehollow tube 84 but does not permit theround shaft 82 to longitudinally slide within thehollow tube 84. - In use, the
paintball pod 26 may be inserted into thepod compartment 14 with the lockingmember 80 in the released position (seeFIGS. 13 and 15 ). Thepaintball pod 26 is pushed further into thepod compartment 14 to stretch the elastictop portion 22 of thepod compartment 14. Thereafter, the lockingmember 80 is traversed to the holding position, as shown inFIGS. 12 and 14 . The lockingmember 80 may be retained or urged in the holding position via adetent 94 applying a holding force to theround shaft 82 of theclip 78 b. In particular, as shown inFIG. 13 , adetent 94 may be attached to thehollow tube 84. Theround shaft 82 may have first and secondflat surfaces ball 100 of thedetent 94 is pressing against the firstflat surface 96, the lockingmember 80 is urged or retained at the holding position, as shown inFIGS. 12 and 14 . To remove thepaintball pod 26 from thepod compartment 14, the lockingmember 80 is rotated and traversed to the released position as shown inFIGS. 13 and 15 . When the lockingmember 80 is traversed to the released position, theball 100 of thedetent 94 pushes against the secondflat surface 98 to maintain the lockingmember 80 in the released position. When the lockingmember 80 clears thepaintball pod 26, thepaintball pod 26 is slightly pushed out of thepod compartment 14 via the force of the elastictop portion 22 of the paintball pod 26 (seeFIG. 13 ). - The various features discussed herein, namely, the means for disengaging a
closure flap 46 from apod compartment 14, the means for lifting the pod compartments 14 upward and maintaining the pod compartments 14 about the lower back portion of the user's waist, and the means for reducing a profile of anempty pod compartment 14 and the means for retaining apaintball pod 26 in apod compartment 14 may be variously embodied and employed. By way of example and not limitation, the first means may be employed in thepaintball pod harness 10 along with the second, third and/or fourth means. Alternatively, the second means may be employed in thepaintball pod harness 10 along with the first means, third means, and/or fourth means. The third means may be employed in thepaintball pod harness 10 along with the first means, second means, and/or fourth means. The fourth means may be employed in thepaintball pod harness 10 along with the first, third and/or third means. - The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.
Claims (24)
1. A belt for holding a plurality of paintball pods about a waist of a user, the belt comprising:
a pod compartment;
a waist encircling layer removeably attachable to the waist of the user, the waist encircling layer defining an upper portion and a lower portion, the pod compartment being attached to the upper portion which is disposable adjacent the lower back of the user when the belt is worn around the waist of the user, the lower portion being disposable upon the upper curvature portion of buttocks of the user when the belt is worn around the waist of the user, the lower portion being fabricated from an elastic material so as to conform to the shape of the upper curvature portion of a user's buttocks for urging the pod compartment upward and maintaining the pod compartment adjacent to the lower back of the user despite the user performing strenuous physical maneuvers in a game of paintball.
2. The belt of claim 1 wherein the upper portion defines a lower edge having a curved configuration for wrapping a midsection of the waist encircling layer over and around the buttocks of the user.
3. The belt of claim 2 wherein the lower edge of the upper portion has a convex configuration.
4. The belt of claim 1 wherein the lower portion has an eyelet configuration.
5. The belt of claim 1 wherein the upper portion has curved configuration.
6. A belt for holding a plurality of paintball pods, the belt comprising:
a waist encircling layer removeably attachable to the waist of a user;
a pod compartment attached to the waist encircling layer sized and configured to receive a paintball pod, the pod compartment having:
a middle portion having a first component of a hooks and loops attachment system disposed on the middle portion;
a closure flap traversable between a closed position and an opened position, the closure flap having a second component of the hooks and loops attachment system attached to the closure flap, the closure flap blocks an entrance to the pod compartment when the closure flap is in the closed position, the closure flap allows access to the pod compartment when the closure flap is in the opened position, the first and second components of the hooks and loops attachment system being attached to eachother when the closure flap is in the closed position and being disengaged from eachother when the closure flap is in the opened position;
a handle attached to the closure flap for traversing the closure flap from the closed position to the opened position, the handle being attached to a distal end portion of the closure flap, the handle being oriented away from the pod compartment such that the user may easily find the handle.
7. The belt of claim 6 wherein the handle is oriented downward from the middle portion of the pod compartment.
8. The belt of claim 6 wherein the handle extends below a bottom of the pod compartment.
9. The belt of claim 6 wherein the handle is attached to a distal end of the closure flap.
10. The belt of claim 6 wherein the handle is attached to the closure flap between the distal end of the closure flap and a start of the second component of the hooks and loops attachment system disposed on the inner surface of the closure flap.
11. The belt of claim 6 wherein the handle is attached to the closure flap adjacent a starting portion of the second component of the hooks and loops attachment system disposed on the inner surface of the closure flap.
12. The belt of claim 6 wherein the closure flap and the handle are fabricated from a unitary material.
13. The belt of claim 6 wherein the handle and the closure flap are fabricated from separate materials.
14. The belt of claim 6 further comprising a guide attached to the closure flap, the handle being disposed between the guide and the closure flap for orienting the handle downward and below the middle portion of the pod compartment.
15. A belt for holding a plurality paintball pods, the belt comprising:
a waist encircling layer removably attachable to a waist of a user;
a pod compartment attached to the waist encircling layer, the pod compartment comprising:
a shell and a first elastic side portion, the first side elastic portion being attached to the shell and the waist encircling layer, the rigid shell being attached to the waist encircling layer;
wherein insertion of the paintball pod in the pod compartment stretches the first elastic side portion and traverses the shell away from the waist encircling layer to enlarge the pod compartment so as to receive the paintball pod, and removal of the paintball pod from the pod compartment contracts the first elastic side portion and traverses the shell closer to the waist encircling layer to reduce a side profile of the pod compartment and reduce a likelihood of being hit by a paintball during a paintball game.
16. The belt of claim 15 wherein a second edge portion of the shell is directly attached to the waist encircling layer.
17. The belt of claim 15 wherein the second edge portion of the shell is attached to the waist encircling layer via a second side portion.
18. The belt of claim 17 wherein the second side portion is elastic.
19. The belt of claim 17 wherein the second side portion is inelastic.
20. The belt of claim 15 wherein the shell is fabricated from a rigid material.
21. The belt of claim 15 wherein the shell is fabricated from a semi-rigid material such that the shell conforms to the outer diameter of the paintball pod when the paintball pod is inserted into the pod compartment and is biased in a flattened configuration such that the shell flattens out when the paint ball pod is removed from the pod compartment.
22. A belt for holding a plurality of paintball pods, the belt comprising:
a waist encircling layer removably attachable to a waist of a user;
a pod compartment comprising:
a middle portion sized and configured to receive a paintball pod;
a clip rotatably traversable between a holding position for securing a paintball pod in the pod compartment and a released position for removing the paintball pod from the pod compartment or inserting the paintball pod into the pod compartment.
23. The belt of claim 22 wherein the clip is longitudinally traversable with respect to the pod compartment.
24. The belt of claim 22 wherein the clip is biased upwardly.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/982,585 US20080179369A1 (en) | 2006-11-02 | 2007-11-02 | Paintball pod belt |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US85619406P | 2006-11-02 | 2006-11-02 | |
US11/982,585 US20080179369A1 (en) | 2006-11-02 | 2007-11-02 | Paintball pod belt |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20080179369A1 true US20080179369A1 (en) | 2008-07-31 |
Family
ID=39666808
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/982,585 Abandoned US20080179369A1 (en) | 2006-11-02 | 2007-11-02 | Paintball pod belt |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20080179369A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100089294A1 (en) * | 2008-10-15 | 2010-04-15 | Rodrigo Medina | Paintball Work Table |
US20110032405A1 (en) * | 2009-08-07 | 2011-02-10 | Omnivision Technologies, Inc. | Image sensor with transfer gate having multiple channel sub-regions |
USD881404S1 (en) * | 2018-02-02 | 2020-04-14 | Lingchuan Wang | Belt |
IT201900001345A1 (en) * | 2019-01-30 | 2020-07-30 | Fausti Zpt S R L | CARTON FOR CHARGER AND ITS MANUFACTURING METHOD |
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US5002214A (en) * | 1989-12-26 | 1991-03-26 | Caranci Mark W | Medical spray container carrying case |
US5477999A (en) * | 1993-11-12 | 1995-12-26 | Blankenship, Jr.; William F. | Spray container carriage and retrieval system |
US5511703A (en) * | 1993-08-24 | 1996-04-30 | W.G.H., Inc. | Tradesman's tool belt |
US5913640A (en) * | 1997-10-22 | 1999-06-22 | Bortner; R. Blake | Weight drop pocket for SCUBA divers |
US6158642A (en) * | 1999-12-28 | 2000-12-12 | Herbage; Charles Edward | Modular carrier assembly adapted for paintball |
US6568576B1 (en) * | 2000-08-03 | 2003-05-27 | Travel Caddy Inc, | Cell phone pouch |
US6718558B1 (en) * | 2003-01-22 | 2004-04-13 | Joey And Jc Corp. | Paint ball game pellet supply belt with retractable closure |
US20040144823A1 (en) * | 2002-02-01 | 2004-07-29 | Obatake Derrick Shigeo | Paintball harness |
US7100810B1 (en) * | 2003-11-14 | 2006-09-05 | Bosch John P | Paintball pod holder systems |
-
2007
- 2007-11-02 US US11/982,585 patent/US20080179369A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US4068785A (en) * | 1976-02-23 | 1978-01-17 | Icon American International, Inc. | Ball holder connector |
US5002214A (en) * | 1989-12-26 | 1991-03-26 | Caranci Mark W | Medical spray container carrying case |
US5511703A (en) * | 1993-08-24 | 1996-04-30 | W.G.H., Inc. | Tradesman's tool belt |
US5477999A (en) * | 1993-11-12 | 1995-12-26 | Blankenship, Jr.; William F. | Spray container carriage and retrieval system |
US5913640A (en) * | 1997-10-22 | 1999-06-22 | Bortner; R. Blake | Weight drop pocket for SCUBA divers |
US6158642A (en) * | 1999-12-28 | 2000-12-12 | Herbage; Charles Edward | Modular carrier assembly adapted for paintball |
US6568576B1 (en) * | 2000-08-03 | 2003-05-27 | Travel Caddy Inc, | Cell phone pouch |
US20040144823A1 (en) * | 2002-02-01 | 2004-07-29 | Obatake Derrick Shigeo | Paintball harness |
US6718558B1 (en) * | 2003-01-22 | 2004-04-13 | Joey And Jc Corp. | Paint ball game pellet supply belt with retractable closure |
US7100810B1 (en) * | 2003-11-14 | 2006-09-05 | Bosch John P | Paintball pod holder systems |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20100089294A1 (en) * | 2008-10-15 | 2010-04-15 | Rodrigo Medina | Paintball Work Table |
US20110032405A1 (en) * | 2009-08-07 | 2011-02-10 | Omnivision Technologies, Inc. | Image sensor with transfer gate having multiple channel sub-regions |
USD881404S1 (en) * | 2018-02-02 | 2020-04-14 | Lingchuan Wang | Belt |
IT201900001345A1 (en) * | 2019-01-30 | 2020-07-30 | Fausti Zpt S R L | CARTON FOR CHARGER AND ITS MANUFACTURING METHOD |
WO2020157667A1 (en) * | 2019-01-30 | 2020-08-06 | Fausti Zpt S.R.L. | Magazine pouch and production method thereof |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |