Clutch and detection means for paintball marker loader

Abstract

A drive system for a paintball loader has a motor driven shaft rotatable about a central axis, a drive mechanism attached to the drive shaft, a feed mechanism carrier adjacent the drive mechanism and rotatable about the drive shaft. The drive shaft and the feed mechanism are engaged through a slip clutch and a sensor detects any slippage between them, and sends a corresponding disabling signal to the motor.

1 . A drive system for a paintball loader comprising: 
 a motor that drives a drive shaft rotatable about a central axis;    a clutch plate engaged to the drive shaft;    a drive cone that rotates about the central axis;    a controller that controls the motor;    wherein the clutch plate drives the rotation of the drive cone in a clutch-driven engagement;    wherein when the clutch plate slips against the drive cone, the controller receives a signal, and in turn transmits a signal to the motor that disables the motor.    
     
     
         2 . A drive system for a paintball loader comprising: 
 a motor that drives a drive shaft rotatable about a central axis;    a clutch plate engaged to the drive shaft and that drives a drive cone about the central axis in a clutch-driven engagement, the drive cone configured to direct paintballs from the loader to a paintball marker;    a controller that controls the motor;    wherein in response to the clutch plate slipping against the drive cone, the controller disables the motor for a predetermined time period.    
     
     
         3 . The drive system of  claim 2 , further comprising a sensor on the clutch plate that detects when the clutch plate slips against the drive cone and upon detection of the slippage, sends a corresponding signal to the controller.  
     
     
         4 . The drive system of  claim 2 , further comprising a sensor on the drive cone that detects when the clutch plate slips against the drive cone and upon detection of the slippage, sends a corresponding signal to the controller.  
     
     
         5 . The drive system of  claim 2 , further comprising a sensor that detects torque on the drive shaft, and upon detection of a predetermined amount of torque, sends a corresponding signal to the controller.  
     
     
         6 . The drive system of  claim 2 , further comprising a sensor that detects torque on the drive shaft, and upon detection of a predetermined change in torque, sends a corresponding signal to the controller.  
     
     
         7 . The drive system of  claim 2 , further comprising a sensor that detects torque on the motor, and upon detection of a predetermined amount of torque, sends a corresponding signal to the controller.  
     
     
         8 . The drive system of  claim 2 , further comprising a sensor that detects torque on the motor, and upon detection of a predetermined change in torque, sends a corresponding signal to the controller.  
     
     
         9 . A drive system for a paintball loader comprising: 
 a motor that drives a drive shaft rotatable about a central axis;    a clutch plate engaged to the drive shaft and that drives a drive cone about the central axis in a clutch-driven engagement, the drive cone configured to direct paintballs from the loader to a paintball marker;    a controller that controls the motor;    wherein in response to the clutch plate slipping against the drive cone, the controller operates the motor in reverse for a predetermined period of time.