CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 11/264,362, filed on Nov. 1, 2005 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/623,932 filed Nov. 1, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the field of grenades used for sport that contain paint or dye, and are used for marking an opposing player.

BACKGROUND

The sport of paintball is a popular â€œcombat styleâ€ game played by players using guns (called markers) that fire projectile (paintballs) using compressed gas. The paintballs are substantially spherical capsules, filled with a washable colored liquid, such as non-toxic paint, dye or food coloring. The sport is played whereby players are split into teams, and players seek to capture an opposing team's flag. Once a player is struck with a paintball and marked, that player is out. Thus, a goal is to mark an opposing player with paint or dye.

These war games have increased in popularity and sophistication resulting in more elaborate equipment. In addition to paintball markers, other devices have been developed to mark paintball sport players. Thus, paintball mines and paintball grenades for spreading paint or dye exist, having various undesirable properties. Some known paintball grenades require complicated assemblies that are cost prohibitive, and are difficult to assemble. Other known paintball grenades are formed from a single rubber bladder. In addition, other known paintball grenades do not always rupture when thrown.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present invention is directed to a paintball grenade having an outer bladder and an inner bladder. The outer bladder has a first open end, an opposite second open end, and a cavity therethrough. The inner bladder has a closed end and an open end. The inner bladder is capable of being inserted into the outer bladder whereby the open end is adjacent the first open end of the outer bladder, and the closed end is adjacent the second open end of the outer bladder, the inner bladder being filled with a colored liquid. A securing element is used to secure the first open end of the outer bladder and the open end of the inner bladder.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of forming a paintball grenade. The method comprises providing an outer bladder having a first open end and a second open end, the outer bladder having a cavity therethrough; inserting an inner bladder having an open end and a closed end into the outer bladder whereby the open end is adjacent the first open end of the outer bladder, and the closed end is adjacent the second open end of the outer bladder; filling the inner bladder with a colored liquid via its open end; and securing the open end of the inner bladder and the first open end of the outer bladder concurrently with a securing element.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a paintball grenade having a single bladder. The bladder has a first end, an opposite second end, and a cavity formed therebetween. A first securing element is used to close the first end of the bladder. Once closed, an end cap is fitted over the first end and secured thereto by a pin. The bladder is then filled with a colored liquid from the open second end. Once filled, the second end is closed by a second securing element.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to another method of forming a paintball grenade. The method comprises providing a bladder having a first end, a second end, and a cavity formed therebetween; securing the first end of the bladder in a closed position with a first securing element; placing an end cap over the first end; inserting a pin through the end cap; filling the cavity with a colored liquid via the second end; and securing the second end in a closed position with a second securing element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows disassembled components of a paintball grenade according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows disassembled components of a paintball grenade according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a partially assembled paintball grenade according to the present invention, that is not yet filled.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross sectional view of an inner bladder of a paintball grenade according to the present invention disposed within an outer bladder of a paintball grenade according to the present invention, showing the direction of paint or dye filling the inner bladder.

FIG. 5 shows an end of a paintball grenade of the present invention being filled with a colored liquid.

FIG. 6 shows a paintball grenade according to the present invention with the inner bladder inflated by colored liquids, and a securing element securing one end of the paintball grenade.

FIG. 7 shows the paintball grenade of FIG. 6, with a securing element at one end, and a cap being fitted over an opposite end.

FIG. 8 shows a paintball grenade according to the present invention filled with paint and, with one end secured by a securing element, and the opposite end crimped for receiving a cap.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of an assembled paintball grenade according to the present invention, with one end tied, and the opposite end crimped and capped.

FIG. 10 shows a paintball grenade according to an embodiment of the present invention, with both ends capped.

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of a grenade according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows disassembled components of another embodiment of a paintball grenade according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows the grenade of FIG. 12 with a first end closed.

FIG. 14 shows the grenade of FIG. 12 with an end cap fitted over the first end.

FIG. 15 shows the grenade of FIG. 12 with a pin inserted through the end cap.

FIG. 16 shows the grenade of FIG. 12 fully assembled and filled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A paintball grenade 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes an inner bladder 12 and an outer bladder 14, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The inner bladder 12 is formed from a flexible material such as rubber, silicone rubber, latex, PVC, or an acceptable elastic substitute, that will deform when filled with an appropriate colored liquid 42, such as a paintball dye or paint, as explained in more detail below. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inner bladder 12 has an open end 18 and closed at its closed end 20. In one embodiment, the inner bladder 12 is approximately 3-5 inches in length, and formed from a balloon, such as a latex rubber toy balloon, although any elastic bladder may be used. The inner bladder 12 has a cavity 34, or lumen, adapted to receive a liquid 42 which may be colored, paint, food coloring or dye (â€œcolored liquid 42â€ ).

An outer bladder 14 is provided as an open-ended tube. The outer bladder 14 has a first end 22 and a second end 24. The outer bladder 14 may be formed from a flexible latex rubber tube having a first open end 22 and a second open end 24. One of the ends 22, 24 may be closed in an alternate embodiment. The outer bladder 14 is formed from a tube of flexible material such as rubber, silicone rubber, latex, PVC, or an acceptable elastic substitute. Preferably, the outer bladder if of a heavier gauge material than the inner bladder 12. The outer bladder 14 has a cavity 36, or lumen, adapted to accommodate the inner bladder 12, so that the inner bladder 12 may be inserted into the cavity 36 of the outer bladder 14 through one of the ends 22, 24 of the outer bladder 14, so that the outer bladder 14 coaxially surrounds at least part of the inner bladder 12. In a preferred embodiment, the outer bladder 14 is formed from rubber tubing, and may be approximately 4-8 inches in length.

The diameter of the cavity 36 of the outer bladder 14 wall is sized and dimensioned to receive the inner bladder 12. The walls of the outer bladder 14 are preferably of a heavier gauge, or thicker size, than the walls of the inner bladder 12, such that the walls of the outer bladder 14 resist deformation to a greater degree than the walls of the inner bladder 12. The paintball grenade 10 of the present invention may be sized to any preferable length for use in the sport of paintball, and to accommodate any amount of colored liquid 42. Rubber tubing of different wall thicknesses may be used depending on a user's preference regarding ability of the grenade 10 to rupture.

To form a paintball grenade according to an embodiment of the present invention, the inner bladder 12 is inserted into the cavity 36 of the outer bladder 14, with the closed end 20 entering the cavity 36 first, as shown in FIGS. 6-7, with the open end 18 of the inner bladder 12 adjacent the first end 22 of the outer bladder 14, and with the closed end 20 of the inner bladder 12 adjacent the second end 24 of the outer bladder 14.

The inner bladder 12 is filled at its open end 18 with a colored liquid 42 such as paintball paint (or dye, or food coloring, or any other suitable marking liquid), or any other suitable colored liquid 42 as is known in the art, as depicted by the direction of the arrow shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. By way of example, a fill tube or hose 38 is inserted into the open end 18 of the inner bladder 12, and colored liquid 42 is pumped into the inner bladder 12. The inner bladder 12 expands as it is filled with colored liquid 42, applying pressure against the walls of the inner bladder 12, and forcing the inner bladder 12 against the walls of the outer bladder 14. The outer bladder 14 will expand at a slower rate than the inner bladder 12, and the wall of the inner bladder 12 will press against the walls of the outer bladder 14 when the cavity 34 of the inner bladder 12 is filled with colored liquid 42. The colored liquid 42 provides hydrostatic pressure against the walls of the inner bladder 12 and the walls of the outer bladder 14.

As the paintball grenades 10 are designed for being thrown or directed at persons, it is desirable that the colored liquid 42 be of a type that is easily washable from clothing and skin. It is also desirable for the coloring agent to be non-toxic. Food dye or a combination of food dye and polyethylene glycol (PEG) may be used. In one embodiment, vegetable dye such as food coloring is used as the coloring agent. Those persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other dyes or colored chalk would provide a suitable and acceptable substitution.

In one embodiment of the present invention, when the cavity 34 of the inner bladder 12 has been filled with colored liquid 42, the open end 18 of the inner bladder 12 and the first end 22 of the outer bladder are closed together, by a securing element 16, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. For example, a standard plastic electrical or cable tie (â€œtieâ€ ) may be used, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7. The securing element 16 is formed into a loop 26 for closing the open end 18 of the inner bladder 12 and the first end 22 of the outer bladder 14. It is appreciated that any type of closure may be used to close the ends 18, 22 and may be substituted for the securing element 16, such as wire closures, plastic twist closures, elastic bands, clamps, or other suitable substitutes. The securing element 16 should provide a substantially leak-proof closure that will retain the colored liquid 42 within the cavity 34 of the inner bladder 12.

The open end 18 of the inner bladder 12 may be folded back or crimped prior to being closed by the securing element 16. In one embodiment, the first end 22 of the outer bladder 14 and the open end 18 of the inner bladder 12 are closed with separate securing elements 16.

The second end 24 of the outer bladder 14 is either secured with a cap 28, or folded back upon itself or crimped and secured with a cap 28, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. As shown in FIG. 9, a cap 28 can be used to secure both ends 22, 24 of the outer bladder 14. The cap 28 is formed from a molded plastic or other acceptable elastic material that will grip the folded portion of the end 24 of the outer bladder 14. The cap 28 should frictionally engage at least one of ends 22, 24 of the outer bladder 14 so that the cap 28 does not accidentally fall off prior to being thrown. The cap 28 is used partially for appearance, since the securing element 16 acts to maintain the colored liquid 42 within the bladders 12, 14.

In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 11, the grenade 10, is secured with securing elements 16 at its first 30 and second 32 ends. The open end 18 of the inner bladder and first end 22 of the outer bladder 14 are crimped or folded, as shown in FIG. 11, and secured with securing element 16a. The second end 24 of the outer bladder is secured with securing element 16b. Caps may be provided at one or both ends 30, 32 of the paintball grenade 10, as shown in FIG. 11.

In use, when a paintball sport player, for example, wants to throw the grenade 10 at another player to mark the player, the cap 28 is removed from the second end 24 of the outer bladder 14. Upon impact, the resultant impact force and hydrostatic pressure exerted by the colored liquid 42 against the wall of the inner bladder rupture the closed end 20 of the inner bladder 12, discharging the colored liquid 42 and marking the target. It is appreciated that both ends 18, 20 of the inner bladder may rupture on impact, discharging the colored liquid 42 and marking the target. The thicker outer bladder 14 does not rupture in use, and thus, colored liquid 42 is forced out of primarily the non-secured closed end 20 of the inner bladder 12, and out the second end 24 of the outer bladder 14.

With reference to FIGS. 12-16, another embodiment of the paintball grenade of the present invention will now be described.

Generally referring to FIG. 12, the paintball grenade comprises a single bladder 112 having a first end 118, a second end 120, and a cavity 136 formed therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the bladder 112 comprises a portion of elastic tubing, such as that formed from rubber, silicone, latex, or PVC, and is approximately 3-5 inches in length. However, it is envisioned that the bladder may be formed from any suitable elastic material and may comprise a multitude of shapes and dimensions in order to accommodate varying volumes of liquid, such as the type described above with respect to the previous embodiments.

First and second securing elements 116, 117 are provided for closing the first and second ends of the bladder 112. In a preferred embodiment, the grenade also features an end cap 128 secured onto a first end of the grenade by a removable fastener such as a pin 150. Finally, first and second rings 160, 161 are provided to facilitate the removal of the pin and transportation of the grenade.

FIGS. 13-16 illustrate the grenade of the present invention as it would be assembled prior to use.

Referring generally to FIG. 13, the bladder 112 is closed on a first end 118 by a first securing element 116. Preferably, the first end 118 is folded back or crimped and the first securing element 116 is placed over folded portion of the first end 118. It is preferred that the first securing element 116 is removably attached to the first end 118 rather than permanently attached. Accordingly, the first securing element 116 preferably comprises an elastic band, which may be formed from a segment of the same material used to form the bladder 112. However, it is envisioned that other suitable fastening means may be used, such as plugs, caps, wire or twist closures, or clamps without departing from the scope of the invention.

Once closed, an end cap 128 is fitted over the first end 118 and the first securing element 116 (FIG. 14). The end cap 128 ensures that first securing element 116 remains in place over the first end 118, preventing the inadvertent or premature discharge of the contents of the grenade. As shown in FIG. 15, once the cap 128 is in place, pin 150 is inserted through an aperture 151 provided in the cap 128, through a crease 125 formed by the folded first end 118 of the bladder 112, and exits the cap 128 through a second aperture 151. The pin ensures that the cap 128 remains in place over the first end 118 and the first securing element 116. In a preferred embodiment, a first ring 160 is placed through an eye of the pin 150 prior to its insertion through the end cap 128. The ring 160 provides a means to grasp and subsequently pull the pin 150 from the cap 128 during use. Moreover, the ring 160 may be used to secure the grenade to the player's body or equipment while being carried in the field.

In another embodiment, the first securing 116 element can be eliminated in its entirety, and the first end 118 sealed only by the fold formed therein, and the end cap 128.

In addition to providing a means to secure the cap 128, the use of the pin 150 provides the player with a more realistic â€œcombat styleâ€ experience, as the processes of pulling the pin from the grenade prior to throwing mimics the steps required to operate a traditional hand grenade.

Once closed on the first end 118, the cavity 136 of the bladder 112 may be filled through an opening in the second end 120 of the bladder 112 with liquid such as that described above with respect to the previous embodiments. The bladder 112 expands as it is filled by the pressure exerted on the interior walls of the cavity 136 by the liquid. Once filled, the bladder 112 is closed on the second end 120 by a second securing element 117 in a substantially leak-proof fashion. As a result, the liquid is contained under the pressure exerted by the walls of the bladder 112 in a ready-to-use state.

In a preferred embodiment, the second securing element 117 comprises a tie, such as a cable tie, fitted around the second end 120 of the bladder 112. More preferably, the second end 120 is folded back or crimped prior to being closed by the securing element 117 in a similar manner to that described with respect to the first end 118. It should be appreciated that any means to close the second end 120, such as plugs, caps, elastic bands, wire or twist closures, or clamps may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In a more preferred embodiment, a second ring 161 is preferably attached to the second end 120, preferably in the crease formed by the folding of the second end 120, prior to the attachment of the second securing element 117. The second ring 161 may be used to secure the grenade 100 to the player's body or equipment, such as to a vest, equipment belt, or to any other suitable location while in use in the field. It should be noted that the second securing element 117, unlike the first securing element 116 is configured to provide a more permanent attachment to the second end 120, as distinct from the first securing element 116, which is configured to allow the liquid to be expelled from the bladder 112 as described below.

In use, the user removes the pin 150 from the cap 128 by pulling on the first ring 160. Once the pin is removed, the user throws the grenade toward a desired target. The force generated upon impact, coupled with the internal pressure within the bladder 112, results in the first securing element 116 and end cap 128 being discharged from the first end 118 of the grenade. This allows the colored liquid to disperse over the target area propelled by the internal pressure created by the walls of the bladder 112.

It should be noted that none of the components of this embodiment are damaged through the normal use of the paintball grenade. Accordingly, in addition to being cost effective, this embodiment offers reusability not found in other offerings in the market.

Having thus described in detail several embodiments of the present invention, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes, only a few of which are exemplified in the detailed description of the invention, could be made without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. It is also to be appreciated that numerous embodiments incorporating only part of the preferred embodiment are possible which do not alter, with respect to those parts, the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. The present embodiment and optional configurations are therefore to be considered in all respects as exemplary and/or illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all alternate embodiments and changes to this embodiment which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of said claims are therefore to be embraced therein.