US3724114A

US3724114A - Non-lethal home defense implement

Info

Publication number: US3724114A
Application number: US00103022A
Authority: US
Inventors: K Jones; E Richie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-12-31
Filing date: 1970-12-31
Publication date: 1973-04-03
Anticipated expiration: 1990-04-03

Abstract

A non-lethal home defense implement in the form of a projectile firing tube for firing a non-lethal type projectile, in which the tube nozzle end has a hand grip portion equipped with a hand operated contact closing member for energizing a target light beam directed in the direction of firing, and the other end of the implement is equipped with a hand grip portion including a trigger for firing the tube. The operator holds one end of the device in either hand and presses the contact closing member with the hand at that end of the implement to energize the contact beam for directing same at the target, with the trigger being actuated by the other hand to fire the implement. The implement electric circuiting is arranged so that both the contact bar and trigger must be depressed to fire the implement.

Description

United States- Patent [191 Jones et al.

[ 51 Apr. 3, 1973 541 NON-LETHAL HOME DEFENSE IMPLEMENT [76] Inventors: Kenneth W. Jones, 205' Railroad, Claredon Hills; Edward H. Richie, 4327 Elm St., Downers Grove, both of Ill.

[221 Filed: Dec. 31, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 103,022

52] us Cl ..42/84, 42/1 A, 42/1 N, 42/79 [51] Int. Cl ..F4lc 19/12, F410 21/14, F410 27/00 [58] Field of Search....42/84, l A, l N, 79; 89/l.70l; 240/65 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,597,565 5/1952 Chandler et al. ..42/1 A 2,496,316 2/1950 Skinner et al. ..42/84 6l8,90l 2/1899 Peterson ..42/79 57,751 9/1866 Milbum ..89/l2 3,455,047 7/l969 Hoag ..89/l 2,353,971 7/l944 Shaffer et al. ..42/74 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 836,792 1/1939 France ..89/l

Primary Examiner--Samuel Feinberg Assistant Examiner-C. T. Jordan Att0rneyMann, Brown & McWilliam & Bradway [5 7 ABSTRACT A non-lethal home defense implement in the form of a projectile firing tube for firinga non-lethal type projectile, in which the tube nozzle end has a hand grip portion equipped with a hand operated contact closing member for energizing a target light beam directed in the direction of firing, and the other end of the implement is equipped with a hand grip portion including a trigger for firing the tube. The operator holds one end of the device in either hand and presses the contact closing member with the hand at that end of the implement to energize the contact beam for directing same at the target, with the trigger being actuated by the other hand to tire the implement. The implement electric circuiting is arranged so that boththe contact bar and trigger must be depressed to tire the implement.

8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR3 191a SHEET 1 BF 2 D mm.

mwmvE E mm mo. q 0%. mm w| |1 mm 3 om Q @m ow mq g @m PA'TENTEDAPR 3 I975 SHEET 2 BF 2 QUE 5 Dn O T N E V N KENNETH W. JONES EDWARD H. RICHIE BY 7 M,M, WZ%W M ATTORNEYS NON-LETHAL HOME DEFENSE IMPLEMENT This invention relates to a non-lethal home defense implement, and more particularly, to a new type of fire arm for use as protection against intruders, which is especially arranged to fire a non-lethal projectile.

Conventional fire arms have the very great problem that if used against intruders, serious if not fatal injuries are the likely result. Nevertheless, it has become increasingly important to home owners to have available to them some sort of protective fire arm type device that may be used to discourage or drive off intruders without risking serious injury to anyone.

Our applicationSer. No. 88,687, filed Nov. 12, I970, discloses a non-lethal projectile and launcher therefor that is especially arranged for use in riot control. The instant invention is concerned with the provision of a fire arm type implement that'is especially suited for home defense purposes which utilizes the projectile of said application.

A principalobject of this invention is to provide a non-lethal home defense implement of the fire arm type that may be fired if necessary at intruders without endangering or seriously injuring them.

Another principal object of the invention is to provide a fire arm type implement that requires positive action by both the user's hands before it will fire. 7 Still other objects of the invention are to provide a fire arm that avoids the shoulder engagement problems of rifles, that is arranged to provide instinctive pointing or aiming when gripped for firing, that is arranged so that it cannot be readily fired accidentally, and to provide a home defense implement that is inexpensive of manufacture, convenient to set-up and use, and readily and safely stored until needed.

In accordance with this invention, the implement provided by this invention is in the form of a firing tube to be similar to the manner in which one would hold a fighting staff, in which the tube muzzle end has a hand grip portion equipped with a hand operated contact closing member for energizing a target light beam directed in the direction of firing, and the other end of the implement is equipped with a hand grip portion including a trigger for firing a tube. The implement is elongate in nature, the operator holding the respective ends of the device in either hand, with one hand operating the contact closing member to energize the light beam, and the other hand operating the trigger to fire the implement when necessary. In one form of the invention, the implement has two firing tubes disposed back to back and similarly equipped so that when one tube has been fired, the implement may be inverted to fire the other tube in like manner. In another form of the invention, a single tube is employed having a recoil buffer applied at the breech end of the tube to protect those standing behind the user from injury.

Still other objects, uses and advantages will be obvious or will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the drawings in which like parts are given like reference numerals throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the invention, with parts being broken away;

FIG. IA is a fragmental plan view of the firing tube nozzle;

FIG. 2 is a plan view substantially along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is is a transverse cross-sectional view, largely diagrammatic in nature, taken substantially along line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through one of the implement firing tubes, taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmental cross-sectional view of the muzzle end of the implement, taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 1A;

' FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, but on an enlarged scale and with parts broken away to better illustrate some of the specific components that are employed in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 6;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmental exploded cross-sectional view of a muzzle end closing device for use in connection with this invention.

However, it is to be distinctly understood that the specific drawing illustrations provided are supplied primarily to comply with the requirements of the Patent Code, and that the invention may have other embodiments which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, which are intended to be coveredby the appended claims.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Reference numeral 10 of FIG. 1 and 6 generally indicates one embodiment of this invention which is adapted to fire a non-lethal projectile 12 (see FIG. 5) of the type disclosed in our copending application Ser. No. 88,687. As indicated in our said application, the projectile I2 for firing purposes is embodied in a round 14 (see FIG. 3) and includes a body 16 formed from a pliant resilient material compressed to projectile form and mounted within a restraining cup 18 that in turn is mounted in shell 20. The round 14 is fired by igniting explosive material 22 in the shell high pressure chamber 24 which creates a high pressure gas flow that projects the projectile 16 from the implement, the cup 18 being discarded in flight as the rear. end of the projectile expands to form a stabilizing fin arrangement, and the forward end of the projectile being retained in projectile configuration by mesh covering 26 that ruptures on impact so that the body 16 flattens out to absorb much of the energy of impact.

The implement 10 comprises a pair of

firing tubes

30 and 32 which are turned intoa receiver tube 34 to mount a round 14 in each of same at their firing

chamber forming ends

36 and 38, respectively, against a breech plug 40 containing suitable firing mechanism 42 for firing the respective rounds.

At the respective muzzle ends 44 and 46 of the

firing tubes

30 and 32, the upper and lower sides of the tubes may be slotted, as at 47 (see FIG. 5), in accordance with our said application Ser. No. 88,687, to limit and vent propelling pressure on the projectile; adjacent each

muzzle end

44 and 46, respectively, the

respective firing tubes

30 and 32 are provided with the respective

hand grip portions

48 and 50 equipped with the respective contact closing bars 52 and S4 and triggers 56 and S8.

As indicated in FIG. 6, the

contact bars

52 and 54 are shaped to house the

respective battery cells

60 and 62, with the arrangement being such that the

respective contact bars

52 and 54 are depressed to energize the respective target

beam lamp devices

64 and 66 with which each firing tube is equipped, while the actuation of the

respective triggers

56 and 58 serves to fire the round of the tube being aimed.

In accordance with this invention, the implement is employed staff-like by the user as by grasping the respective

hand grip portions

48 and 50 in either hand, for instance, with the left hand engaging the hand grip portion 48 and the right hand engaging the hand grip portion 50, to dispose the implement at one side of the user and more or less horizontally disposed Assuming it is the firing tube 30 that is to be fired, the user aims the tube 30 in the general direction of the target and closes contact bar 52 with his fingers that are encircling the hand, grip portion 48 whereupon the target beam device 64 lights up and directs a light beam on the target. The firing tube 30 is fired by the user pulling the trigger 58 with a convenient finger of his right hand, the arrangement being such that contact bar 52 must also be held depressed to energize light 64 if the round in tube 30 is to be fired. When fired, the projectile 12 is projected at the target in the manner indicated in our said application, with the result that anyone hit by the projectile will be stunned or immobilized with no permanent injury resulting. As the device of this application is intended for home defense purposes and against persons having apparent criminal intent, slots 47 may be omitted to insure greater impact effect of projectile 12.

The tube 32 is fired in a similar manner by inverting the implement to bring the muzzle end 46 of the tube 32 up to the users left hand and the muzzle end 44 of the tube 30 back to the user's right hand, whereupon the operating sequence is repeated for firing purposes.

In the embodiment 70 of FIG. 7, the implement is of simplified form employing a single firing tube 72 provided with modified

hand grip portions

74 and 76 arranged to provide a firing sequence that is similar to the individual firing tubes of the implement 10, with the implement 70 being equipped with a recoil guard 78. The implement 70 is held in a manner similar to implement 10, guard 78 being provided to avoid injury to persons standing at the rear of the user, no recoil reducing slots 47 being employed in this embodiment. After firing, the muzzle can be gripped in the manner of a baseball bat to swing at the knees and shins of the intruder for purposes of crippling him.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8, an arrangement for closing the muzzle ends of the implements 10 or 70 is provided to avoid plugging up the firing tube by small objects being stuffed into same by children gaining access to the implement while it is in storage. Closing device 80 comprises a diaphragm 82 formed from a suitable plastic held in place over the muzzle by suitable retaining cap 84. The diaphragm 82 is formed to define fragmenting lines 86 of reduced thickness for ready rupture on firing of the implement.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION The

firing tubes

30 and 32 and receiver sleeve 34, as well as the respective

hand grip portions

48 and 50 of implement 10 are formed of suitable metallic materials.

The

ends

36 and 38 of the

respective firing tubes

30 and 32 and receiver sleeve 34 are threaded for threading into receiver sleeve 34 in a manner similar to that employed in many conventional shot guns (using the so-called interrupted threads 90 [see FIG. 4] for this purpose, with the sleeve being longitudinally slotted and axially and internally threaded to provide the 1/4th turn attachment action that is involved). As indicated in FIG. 3, the respective

firing tube ends

36 and 38 are turned against the flange 92 of the projectile shell 20 which in turn is seated against the breech block 40. The firing tubes should be proportioned in length such that when they are in place there is a length on the order of 40 to 50 inches between the respective

hand grip portions

48 and 50 and end of the implement l0 opposite same, to make it impossible to bring the implement to the shoulder.

The projectile assemblies 14 are fully described in our said application, and as there indicated, the high pressure chamber 24 of the shell is closed by primer plug 94 and it is suitably fitted with precussion or electrical elements to initiate the firing cycle. In the form shown, electrical elements are provided which are actuated by the firing plug assembly 42 which comprises a pair of firing contact pins 96 and 98, respectively, slidably mounted within insulating sleeves 100 and 102 suitably mounted in breech block 40 and biased in the direction of the respective firing tube firing chambers by the respective springs 104 and 106.

The general arrangement of the

hand grip portions

48 and 50 of the

respective firing tubes

30 and 32, and specifically the relation between the contact closing bars 52 and 54, the

triggers

56 and 58, the

target beam lights

64 and 66, and the firing device 42, is illustrated in FIG. 6. Hand grip portion 48 comprises a sleeve of a plastic or metallic material affixed to firing tube 30 in any suitable manner and having affixed thereto spaced

ridges

112 and 114 that define the hand gripping space 116. The contact closing bar 52 is suitably chambered as at to receive the battery 60 as well as one or more compression springs 122 which bias the bar 52 laterally of the firing tube 30. Bar 52 is formed to define trigger guard 124 and is journaled on pin 126 being suitably mounted in and extending between spaced ears 127 of the sleeve 110. Compression spring 128 is interposed between the trigger 56 and sleeve structure 110 to normally separate trigger contact 130 from trigger guard contact 132. Springs 122 normally separate closing bar 52 contact 134 from sleeve structure contact 136.

Trigger contact 130 is connected by a suitable lead 138 to firing pin 98 while trigger guard contact 132 is connected by a suitable lead 140 to battery 62. Closing bar contact 134 is connected to battery 60 by a suitable lead 142 while battery 60 is connected to light 64 by suitable lead 144, light 64 and contact 136 being grounded on the firing tube 30 as indicated by

leads

146 and 147.

As indicated at the left hand end of FIG. 6, the contact closing bar 52 is formed with a stop forming shoulder 148 adapted to engage ledge 150 of the sleeve structure 110 to form the normal or extended position of the bar 52 that is indicated in FIG. 1. InFlG. 6

bars

52 and 54 are both in their retracted, contact closing, positions.

The hand grip portion 50 and its associated parts are the same in nature, as indicated by corresponding reference numerals with the suffix A, though it is pointed out that the battery 60 is connected to contact 132A by suitable lead 154 while contact 130A is connected to firing pin 96 by lead 156.

Trigger guard contacts

132 and 132A are mounted on the

respective spring arms

160 and 162 while the contact closing

bar contacts

134 and 134A are mounted on

spring arms

164 and 164A; sleeve contacts 136 and 136A are mounted on

spring arms

166 and 166A, respectively.

The

target beam lights

64 and 66, which are only diagrammatically illustrated, preferably each comprise a suitable housing 170 connected to the

respective sleeve structures

110 and 110A by suitable arm 172. Contained within the housing 170 is a suitable lens 174 (see FIG. 6) colored at its mid portion 176 so that the middle portion 178 of the light beam 180 emitted by the respective lights is colored red and indicates the impact point for sighting; the remainder of the beam is of white light. The

lights

64 and 66 also each include a suitable light bulb 182 cooperating with the usual reflector 184, with the lens 174 of bulb 182 and reflector 184 suitably mounted within the housing 170.

It will therefore be seen that in order to fire either firing

tube

30 or 32, the contact closure bar (52 or 54) for the particular firing tube must first be gripped, and held gripped, toenergize the light of the firing tube in question, which also indicates whether or not the firing system'for the tube in question is operative.

Springs

122, 122A, 128 and 128A are made sufficiently strong so that only the strength of an adult can close the contacts separated by them to avoid accidental firing by a child having accidentally obtained access to same.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIG. 7, the firing tube 72 may be similar to firing tube 30, with the tube 72 having its firing chamber forming end suitably received in handle forming structure 76 equipped with a breech block of the type shown in FIG. 3 except only one firing pin is required. Handle forming structure 76 is formed with an extension 192 equippedwith a recoil guard 78, which includes pad 194 to protect someone who might be standing to the rear of user of implement 70 from injury due to recoil.

The hand grip portion 74 in the embodiment of FIG. 7 comprises a sleeve structure 196 mounted for limited rotational movement about the muzzle end 198 of tube 72 against the action of relatively stiff torsion spring 200 that has its

ends

201 and 203 anchored in sleeve 196 and tube 72, respectively. Electrical circuiting similar to that shown in FIG. 6 may be employed whereby when sleeve structure 196 is rotated to bring sleeve contact 204 against ground contact 206,light 64A will turn on, permitting trigger 210 to fire the weapon on being depressed. In this embodiment, sleeve structure 196 includes a lug 212 biased by spring 200 acting in compression into recess 214 of a suitable socket forming structure 216 fixed to tube 72, and sleeve 196 is formed with right angle slot 220 to permit same to move relative to ground contact 206. Thus, spring 200 normally keeps sleeve 196 locked against rotation due to lug 212 being lodged in recess 214, and the operator must press sleeve 196 both forwardly of the tube 72 and then circumferentially of same to condition the implement for firing. The battery (not shown) for providing the source of electrical power may be housed in extension 192, it being understood that the actual wiring arrangement employed, following the general arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, as modified to fire a single tube, may have any suitable specifics.

It will therefore be seen that we have provided a novel form of home defense implement which gives the impression of being a formidable weapon, but which in fact fires a projectile that has a potential to stun and immobilize any person forming the target for the implement.

The implement is adapted for ready storage until needed. Accidental firing is unlikely since two separate motions are required, and by different bands of the user, to fire the implement. Where slots 47 are employed, the firing tube muzzle cap, such as that shown in FIG. 8, should be suitably flanged to cover slots 47 when the implement is in storage.

The implement of this application provides a fire arm that is handled in the manner of a staff, and which fires a projectile that is non-lethal, though when fired at close range the projectile will render a severe blow that may result in bruising and swelling, but it will not penetrate the target persons body. The proportioning of parts is such that it requires a person of mature arm size and strength to operate, thereby making accidental firing by children difficult.

The foregoing description and the drawings are given merely to explain and illustrate the invention and the invention is not to be limited thereto, except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, since those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before themwill be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

We claim: 1. A launcher for a non-lethal projectile, said launcher comprising:

an elongate implement including a firing tube open at one end of the implement and including a firing chamber portion adapted to receive an ammunition round that includes the projectile,

means for electrically firing the round when the round is in said chamber portion and including trigger means adjacent the other end of said implement for manually actuating said firing means,

with said firing tubeopening forming the muzzle of said tube, said implement at said one end thereof including means for directing a target light beam parallel to said firing tube muzzle and in the direction of aim of said muzzle,

and hand operable switch means adjacent said implement one end for manually selectively actuating said beam directing means, 7 q

said implement being formed adjacent said trigger means with a first hand gripping portion adapted to be gripped by one of the users hands and being formed adjacent said switch means with a second hand gripping portion adapted to be gripped by the other of the users hands for holding said implement fighting staff style for aiming and firing purposes,

said trigger means and said switch means being hand actuatable by the user when his hands respectively grip the respective hand gripping portions of said implement,

and electric circuit means for interconnecting said firing means and said beam directing means including means for electrically energizing same and means for making said firing means operative, for firing a round received in said implement, only when both said switch means and said trigger means are hand actuated by the user to respectively actuate said beam directing means and fire the round that is received in said implement for firing purposes.

2. The implement set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said implement includes a second firing tube in substantial axial alignment with the first mentioned tube and extending in the opposite direction,

said second firing tube being open at said other end of the implement and including a firing chamber portion adapted to receive a round that includes one of the projectiles,

means for electrically firing the round of said second tube when such round is in said second tube chamber portion and including trigger means adjacent said one end of said implement for manually actuating said second tube firing means,

with 'said second firing tube opening forming the muzzle of said second tube,

said implement at said other end thereof including means for directing a target light beam parallel to said second firing tube muzzle and in the direction of aim thereof,

and hand operable switch means adjacent said implement other end for manually selectively actuating said second tube beam directing means,

said second tube trigger means and switch means being hand actuatable by the user when his hands respectively grip the respective hand gripping portions of said implement,

said electric circuit means including means for interconnecting said firing means and said-beam directing means of said second tube including means for making said firing means of said second tube operative only when said second tube trigger means and switch means are both hand actuated by the user to respectively actuate said second tube beam directing means and fire a round received in said second tube for firing purposes.

3. The implement set forth in claim 2 wherein:

adjacent ends of said tubes are removably received in either end of a center sleeve,

said center sleeve including a breech plug including a firing contact pin for each of said tubes,

and means for biasing the respective firing pins against rounds disposed in the respective tube chambers,

said firing pins being incorporated in said circuit means.

4. The implement set forth in claim 2 wherein said switch means each comprise:

an elongate contact member secured to said implement for movement toward and away from said implement,

means for biasing said contact members for movement away from said implement, said contac members each including an electrical contact disposed for engagement with a corresponding electrical contact carried by said implement,

said contacts being incorporated in said electrical circuit means and being closed by the user on manually actuating said beam directing means.

5. The implement set forth in claim 4 wherein:

said trigger means each comprise a trigger member mounted for pivotal movement about an axis extending laterally of said implement,

said contact members being respectively pivoted to said implement for pivoting movement about the axis of the trigger means adjacent same.

6. The implement set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said implement one end hand grip portion comprises a sleeve received over said implement and carrying an electrical contact,

stop means fixed with respect to said implement,

means biasing said sleeve for pivotal movement about said implement to bring said sleeve into engagement with said stop means, i

said implement including an electrical contact adapted to be engaged by said sleeve contact when the user grips said sleeve and turns same in opposition to said biasing means, a

said contacts being incorporated insaid circuit means,

said sleeve comprising said switch means,

and means for releasably locking said sleeve against its said pivotal movement.

7. The implement set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said implement other end includes a recoil guard.

8. The implement set forth in claim 1 including:

a frangible diaphragm for closing said tube muzzle,

and means for clamping said diaphragm to and across said muzzle.

Claims

1. A launcHer for a non-lethal projectile, said launcher comprising: an elongate implement including a firing tube open at one end of the implement and including a firing chamber portion adapted to receive an ammunition round that includes the projectile, means for electrically firing the round when the round is in said chamber portion and including trigger means adjacent the other end of said implement for manually actuating said firing means, with said firing tube opening forming the muzzle of said tube, said implement at said one end thereof including means for directing a target light beam parallel to said firing tube muzzle and in the direction of aim of said muzzle, and hand operable switch means adjacent said implement one end for manually selectively actuating said beam directing means, said implement being formed adjacent said trigger means with a first hand gripping portion adapted to be gripped by one of the user''s hands and being formed adjacent said switch means with a second hand gripping portion adapted to be gripped by the other of the user''s hands for holding said implement fighting staff style for aiming and firing purposes, said trigger means and said switch means being hand actuatable by the user when his hands respectively grip the respective hand gripping portions of said implement, and electric circuit means for interconnecting said firing means and said beam directing means including means for electrically energizing same and means for making said firing means operative, for firing a round received in said implement, only when both said switch means and said trigger means are hand actuated by the user to respectively actuate said beam directing means and fire the round that is received in said implement for firing purposes.

2. The implement set forth in claim 1 wherein: said implement includes a second firing tube in substantial axial alignment with the first mentioned tube and extending in the opposite direction, said second firing tube being open at said other end of the implement and including a firing chamber portion adapted to receive a round that includes one of the projectiles, means for electrically firing the round of said second tube when such round is in said second tube chamber portion and including trigger means adjacent said one end of said implement for manually actuating said second tube firing means, with said second firing tube opening forming the muzzle of said second tube, said implement at said other end thereof including means for directing a target light beam parallel to said second firing tube muzzle and in the direction of aim thereof, and hand operable switch means adjacent said implement other end for manually selectively actuating said second tube beam directing means, said second tube trigger means and switch means being hand actuatable by the user when his hands respectively grip the respective hand gripping portions of said implement, said electric circuit means including means for interconnecting said firing means and said beam directing means of said second tube including means for making said firing means of said second tube operative only when said second tube trigger means and switch means are both hand actuated by the user to respectively actuate said second tube beam directing means and fire a round received in said second tube for firing purposes.

3. The implement set forth in claim 2 wherein: adjacent ends of said tubes are removably received in either end of a center sleeve, said center sleeve including a breech plug including a firing contact pin for each of said tubes, and means for biasing the respective firing pins against rounds disposed in the respective tube chambers, said firing pins being incorporated in said circuit means.

4. The implement set forth in claim 2 wherein said switch means each comprise: an elongate contact member secured to said implement for movement toward and away from said implEment, means for biasing said contact members for movement away from said implement, said contact members each including an electrical contact disposed for engagement with a corresponding electrical contact carried by said implement, said contacts being incorporated in said electrical circuit means and being closed by the user on manually actuating said beam directing means.

5. The implement set forth in claim 4 wherein: said trigger means each comprise a trigger member mounted for pivotal movement about an axis extending laterally of said implement, said contact members being respectively pivoted to said implement for pivoting movement about the axis of the trigger means adjacent same.

6. The implement set forth in claim 1 wherein: said implement one end hand grip portion comprises a sleeve received over said implement and carrying an electrical contact, stop means fixed with respect to said implement, means biasing said sleeve for pivotal movement about said implement to bring said sleeve into engagement with said stop means, said implement including an electrical contact adapted to be engaged by said sleeve contact when the user grips said sleeve and turns same in opposition to said biasing means, said contacts being incorporated in said circuit means, said sleeve comprising said switch means, and means for releasably locking said sleeve against its said pivotal movement.

7. The implement set forth in claim 1 wherein: said implement other end includes a recoil guard.

8. The implement set forth in claim 1 including: a frangible diaphragm for closing said tube muzzle, and means for clamping said diaphragm to and across said muzzle.