Shunning Smart Parts

[DeeEight]

Originally posted by Gabriel
Also, SP patented the Shocker in '96. That is NOT what this thread is about.

No they didn't, PVI filed in 1996 and that application was abandoned. Then SP refilled in 1997 and that patent was granted on march 16, 1999. But BE's patent on the rainmaker (filled in June 1998) was granted SEVEN DAYS before that, by the SAME primary patent examiner at the US patent office. Apparently a lot of folks (SP included, as well as the morons at the US patent office) don't understand what prior art is (much like the dweeb who patented powerfeeds several years after Tom invented them) when patents are granted.

See this patent

http://airsoldier.com/~haveblue/tech/patents/US005413083.pdf

It was filed in 1993 and granted in 1995 (so a YEAR before the first PVI shocker patent was filed) and covered a device to convert an existing paintball gun for multi-firing modes under an electronic circuit board control with an electric motor or servo to fire the gun. In fact, such a device did make it onto the market for Tippmann 98s. It attached over the trigger guard and had an electronic cam/motor to move the trigger, with a push button momentary switch to control it and allowed full auto firing.

[doc_Zox]

A buddy of mine is a Patent inspector and my sister used to work for a PA State Rpesentative in the Latrobe area.

Grassroots action could put a speed bump in SPs plans...