Reusable marker projectile

Abstract

In summary, a lower impact, reusable marker projectile for youth shooting sports as an acceptable alternative to the traditional sport of paintball. The projectile is fabricated from durable polymer material to conform to the circular bore of a barrel for discharge under the influence of a pneumatic or mechanical force. The projectile incorporates a marking agent retainer to carry a sufficient quantity of liquid or powder marking agent to leave a visual indication of impact location on a target. The projectile may alternatively be formed in a general cone-shape or a sphere-shape. The cone-shaped projectiles are capable of being nested without distortion and without wedging for the purpose of condensed storage.

1 . A reusable marker projectile to be propelled through the circular bore of a marker gun barrel, said projectile comprising: 
 a low velocity, aerodynamic projectile body fabricated of polymer material;    a marking agent retainer connected to said projectile body; and    a marking agent releasably carried by said retainer in sufficient quantity to leave visual indication on a target impacted by said projectile body,    whereby, after being discharged from the marker gun, said projectile body may be recovered and said retainer associated therewith may be recharged with marking agent to permit reuse.    
   
   
       2 . The reusable marker projectile as in  claim 1 , said projectile body configured for aerodynamically stable flight at a velocity under 150 feet per second (45 meters per second).  
   
   
       3 . The reusable marker projectile as in  claim 2 , said projectile body configured for aerodynamically stable flight within the velocity range of 75 to 150 feet per second (22 to 45 meters per second).  
   
   
       4 . The reusable marker projectile as in  claim 1 , said projectile body fabricated of polymer material selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl acetate, polyurethane and polyethylene.  
   
   
       5 . The reusable marker projectile as in  claim 1 , said projectile body having a generally cone-shaped configuration comprising a nosepiece and a skirt portion integrally joined to said nosepiece to define a tail cavity in said projectile body, wherein said skirt includes an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the bore of the marker gun barrel.  
   
   
       6 . The reusable marker projectile as in  claim 5 , said skirt portion having an outer diameter in the range of approximately 28 to 30 millimeters to frictionally engage the bore of the marker gun barrel.  
   
   
       7 . The reusable marker projectile as in  claim 5 , said projectile body including reinforcing webs within said tail cavity to aid the rigidity of said skirt portion and to resist distortion.  
   
   
       8 . The reusable marker projectile as in  claim 5 , wherein said projectile body may be nested with a like projectile body in a head-to-tail fashion with the nosepiece of one said projectile body positioned into the tail cavity of the other said projectile body for condensed storage of multiple projectile bodies.  
   
   
       9 . The reusable marker projectile as in  claim 8 , said projectile body further including wedge prevention structure as an integral part of said projectile body in order to prevent one projectile body from becoming stuck to an adjacent projectile body during nested storage.  
   
   
       10 . The reusable marker projectile as in  claim 9 , said wedge prevention structure comprising radial fins joined to said skirt portion and sized to engage the interior of said tail cavity to limit penetration of said nosepiece therein during nested storage.  
   
   
       11 . The reusable marker projectile as in  claim 9 , said wedge prevention structure comprising a nosepiece engaging surface within the interior of said tail cavity to limit penetration of said nosepiece therein during nested storage.  
   
   
       12 . The reusable marker projectile as in  claim 9 , said wedge prevention structure comprising a central axis projection within the interior of said tail cavity to limit penetration of said nosepiece therein during nested storage.  
   
   
       13 . The reusable marker projectile as in  claim 5 , said marking agent retainer comprising an absorbent pad connected to said nosepiece and adapted to releasably carry said marking agent, to expel said marking agent when said projectile impacts a target, and thereafter to absorb a recharge quantity of said marking agent.  
   
   
       14 . The reusable marker projectile as in  claim 5 , said marking agent retainer comprising a plurality of capillary grooves cut into the surface of said nosepiece and adapted to releasably carry said marking agent, to expel said marking agent when said projectile impacts a target, and thereafter to absorb a recharge quantity of said marking agent.  
   
   
       15 . The reusable marker projectile as in  claim 14 , said capillary grooves cut into the surface of said nosepiece a depth of at least approximately 2 millimeters.  
   
   
       16 . The reusable marker projectile as in  claim 1 , said projectile body having a generally sphere shaped configuration with a diameter substantially corresponding to the bore of the marker gun barrel.  
   
   
       17 . The reusable marker projectile as in  claim 16 , said projectile body having an outer diameter in the range of approximately 23 to 25 millimeters to frictionally engage the bore of the marker gun barrel.  
   
   
       18 . The reusable marker projectile as in  claim 16 , said marking agent retainer comprising a plurality of capillary grooves cut into the surface of said projectile body and adapted to releasably carry said marking agent, to expel said marking agent when said projectile impacts a target, and thereafter to absorb a recharge quantity of said marking agent.  
   
   
       19 . The reusable marker projectile as in  claim 18 , said capillary grooves cut into the surface of said nosepiece a depth of at least approximately 2 millimeters.  
   
   
       20 . The reusable marker projectile as in  claim 1 , said marking agent selected from the group consisting of liquids and fine powders.  
   
   
       21 . The reusable marker projectile as in  claim 1 , said marking agent selected from the group consisting of water and water soluble inks, dyes, pigments and paints.