US3048159A

US3048159A - Compressed fluid-operated small arms weapons

Info

Publication number: US3048159A
Application number: US744968A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard M Kline; Kenneth R Pitcher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-06-27
Filing date: 1958-06-27
Publication date: 1962-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 1979-08-07

Description

Aug. 7, 1962 R. M. KLlNE ET AL 3,048,159

COMPRESSED FLUID-OPERATED SMALL ARMS WEAPON Original Filed Oct. 6, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet l Jill;-

7AM 72 M Aug. 7, 1962 R. M. KLINE EI'AL COMPRESSED FLUID-OPERATED SMALL ARMS WEAPON 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Oct. 6, 1955 INVENTORJ.

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Aug. 7, 1962 R. M. KLINE ETAL 3,048,159

COMPRESSED FLUID-OPERATED SMALL ARMS WEAPON 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Oct. 6, 1955 INVENTORS.

18/47/4601. 151' 4/4 15 KZA/A/[W/JE. f/ro/a/e JMMAZW United States Patent l 6 Claims. (Cl. 124-51) This invention relates to small arms, and particularly to pistols and rifles in which a valve is momentarily opened by an impact hammer for passing a predetermined quantity of pressurized gas from a cartridge to the barrel.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a device of this character in which the operating parts of the mechanism are conveniently and compactly arranged, and in which the number of operating parts is quite small. Accordingly, an air pistol or rifle as compact and as attractive as a comparably sized firearm is provided.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel and simple arrangement of parts that, without locking any parts, immobilizes the hammer when the charge of compressed fluid is exhausted or when a simple safety device is operable. This is made possible by a cocking and tripping link for the hammer, the hammer and link having normally engageable parts that are moved out of operative alignment either when the supply of compressed fluid is exhausted or when a safety lug moves the link away from its biased operative position.

Another object of this invention is to provide novel automatic mechanism for feeding missiles from the magazine to the barrel and for holding the missile in place when the hammer is tripped.

Another object of this invention is to provide feeding mechanism that picks up a missile from the magazine only if the preceding missile has been propelled or dislodged.

Still another object of this invention is to provide simple mechanism for ensuring against damaging any of the parts of the device if, for any reason, the missiles are not properly fed to the barrel.

Still another object of this invention is to ensure accurate positioning of the missile in the barrel at the time the hammer is tripped, all without requiring precise manufacturing tolerances.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a mechanism of this character in which the missiles are held in place without requiring any gaskets or other parts subject to wear or deterioration.

These objects are made possible by a novel slider structure that incorporates magnetic means for holding the missile in place until dislodged, either by the force of the compressed fluid or by a sharp tap. A novel resilient structure ensures that the missile is properly in place when the hammer is tripped without requiring precise manufacturing tolerances. The resilient structure also stores energy that would otherwise damage the parts in the event that missiles are not properly fed.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a device of this character in which the force of propulsion of the missile can be easily and accurately adjusted by discrete steps, whereby uniformly predictable operation can be achieved for any of the adjusted positions.

This application is a continuation of our prior application Serial No. 538,858, filed October 6, 1955, entitled Compressed Fluid-Operated Small Arms Weapon, and now abandoned.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and

3,048,159 Patented Aug. 7, 1962 parent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose, there is shown a form in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. This form will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of this invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of one of the complementary halves of a pistol body, some of the parts being shown in section;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken along the plane indicated by the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrammatic enlarged fragmentary views, some of the parts being shown in section, showing the operation of the actuating mechanism in successive positions, FIG. 3 illustrating the hammer being cocked, the phantom-line position illustrating the critical position; FIG. 4 illustrates the tripped position of the hammer;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing hte position of the actuating mechanism and hammer when the supply of compressed gases is exhausted;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing the position of the actuating mechanism and hammer when a safety lug is in operative position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of that portion of the other complementary half of the gun body mounting the safety lug; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view, taken along the plane indicated by the line 88 of FIG. 7.

The small arm illustrated in the drawings, in this instance, is a pistol. The pistol body comprises a main body part 10a, providing cavities for the elements of the apparatus, and a cover plate 10b (FIG. 2), cooperating with the main body part to enclose the elements.

The body 10a has a barrel 11 accommodating a barrel insert or liner 12.

Missiles in the form of round pellets or shots 15, normally contained in a magazine 16 at the lower end of the body 10, are passed to the rear end of the barrel bore through the upper portion of an elongate body cavity or recess 13. A small passage 16a, of such size and shape as to permit passage of the pellets 15 one by one, extends from the left-hand end of the magazine 16, as viewed in FIG. 1, into the body cavity 13. The passage 16a slopes downwardly at its opening into the recess 13 when the barrel is nearly horizontal. The opening of the passage 16a is located beneath the barrel bore.

In order to lift the pellets 15 one by one from the end of the passage 16a into registry with the barrel bore, a slider 17 is provided. The slider 17 generally conforms to the configuration of the cavity or recess 13, and is slidable longitudinally therein. The lower end 13a of the recess 13, which is located adjacent the base of the trigger guard 14, forms a stop, determining the downward limited position of the slider 17. The slider 17 has a through circular opening 17a that registers with the end of the magazine passage 16a when the slider is in this lower limited position. That pellet at the end of the magazine passage 16a falls by gravity into the slider aperture 17a. The wall of the body cavity 13 opposite the magazine passage 16a stops movement of the pellet. Assisting in drawing the pellet into the slider aperture 17a is a small permanent magnet 18 extending inwardly from the upper end of the slider 17. The magnet 18 has a polar area located adjacent the center of the slider aperture 17a.

When the slider is moved upwardly, the pellet 15 is carried therewith into registry with the barrel m et 12. In FIG. 1, the cartridge 27 has been pierced, and eer- The magnet 18 holds the pellet in place. During upward movement of the slider 17, the next pellet at the end of the magazine passage 16a remains in place, the vn'dth of the slider 17 and the recess 13 both being substantially equal to the diameter of the pellet 15.

The upper limited position of the slider17 corresponding to registry of theslider aperture 17a with the barrel liner is determined by a lateral lug 17b (FIG. 2) of the slider, engaging a shoulder 13b provided on the cover plate b, as well as by the upper end of the slider 17 engaging the upper end 130 of the recess 13.

Opening behind the slider 17 and in alignment With the barrel bore is a passage or port 19 (FIG. 4) provided in the body 1011 for conducting compressed gases to the firing chamber formed at the upper end of the recess 13.

A space formed by a sleeve 20 (FIG. 1), located in the grip or handle portion 22 of the device, contains compressed fluid that is passed to the body passage through a valve body 21. The valve body 21 has an enlarged flange 21a telescopically received in the upper end of the sleeve 20* for. closing this end of the sleeve. An O-ring 23 establishes a sealing relationship between the valve body 21 and the cylinder 20.

Opposite ends of the sleeve are accommodated in spaced circular recesses 51 and 52, each formed by the complementary body parts. The reduced upper portion of the valve body 21 projects through the reduced upper end of the circular recess 51 into a rear body cavity 53 beneath the magazine 16. i

The valve body 21 (FIG. 1) has a through passage 21b in which inlet and outlet ends are formed, respectively, at the lower and upper ends thereof by a raised, downwardly directed valve seat 210. A lateral port 21d of the body connects the outlet end of the valve with the conducting passage 19, the conducting passage 19 opening into the reduced end of the recess 51 in which the valve body 21 is accommodated. I

For controlling the flow through the valve passage, a valve closure assembly24 that momentarily opens the valve is provided.

A cup 24b, mounted on one end of the valve stem 24a, carries a resilient closure 24c'cooperable with the seat 21c. The stem 244 projects through the outlet end of the body passage 21b and into the rear body cavity 53. Theend of the valve'body passage 21b guides the closure assembly for axial movement, whereby the closure 240 may be moved toward or away from the seat 216.

' The valve stem 24a lias suitable clearance at that portion of the valve body 21 at which the connecting port 21d opens.

One end of a light coil spring urges the valve 24 upwardly and toward closing position. A ported nut 26, threadedly accommodated in the lower end of the valve body opening, seats the other end of the spring 25.

The container sleeve 2H for the compressed or liquefied fluid is supplied with a charge by a carbon dioxide cartridge 27, or the like, that is removably accommodated in the sleeve 20. The cartridge 27 is inserted and removed through the lower end of the sleeve 20 and the apertured butt end of the handle 22. This opening is closed by a removable plug 28 that has a reduced extension 28a telescopically received in the lower end of the sleeve 20. The outer end of the plug 28 threadedly engages the apertured butt end of the body. An O-ring 29, carried in a recess or extension 28a, establishes a sealing relationship between the plug 28 and the cylinder 20.

The lower end of the plug 28 pivotally mounts a lever 30, to be described more fully hereinafter, that facilitates turning of the plug 28. One end of the lever 30 is located midway of a transverse slot in the end of the plug 28, and has an aperture through which a pin 31 extends. The other end of the lever is accessible for manipulation when it extends beyond either end of the end slot of the plug 28.

bon dioxide, having both a liquid and a gaseous phase,

is contained in the sleeve 20. In a manner to be described more fully hereinafter, only a small quantity of the fluid originally in the container space is permitted to pass through the valve at one time. The pressure in the space is substantially constant until the contents are exhausted. This follows sinc'ean equilibrium condition between gaseous and liquid phases exists in the space.

A recess 28b on the inner side of the plug 28 loosely receives the neck end of the cartridge 27. Spacers or ribs in the recess2t5b ensure communication between the sleeve proper and the cartridge opening at the end of the cartridge neck. A series of generally radially extending grooves 213 on the inner end of the valve body ensures communication between the sleeve 20 proper and the valve inlet 21b. 7

When the charge in the cylinder 20 is exhausted, the plug 23 is removed by manipulation of the lever and a new cartridge 27 is inserted. The plug 28 is then tightened down.

For operating the cartridge 27, a piercing pin 32 is provided. This pin is slidably mounted in a through opening of the plug '28. The inner end of the pin has a p1ercing projection 32a extending upwardly into the plug recess 28b for cooperation with the soft closure of the cartridge 27 at its neck. The other end of the piercing pin extends into the cross slot of the plug toward the lever mounting pin 31. The piercing pin 32 is advanced by angular movement of the lever 30 toward an'axial position relative to the pin and the plug 28. Advancement of the pin 32 is caused by a cam surface 39a provided on the end of the lever 30 adjacent the pin 31, successive portions of which engage the end of the pin 32 as the lever 30 isrotated.

After the soft cartridge closure is pierced, the lever 30 is returned to the transverse orientation illustrated.

An O-ring 53, located between an annular flange 32b of thepiercing pin 32 and a shoulder 28c located intermediate the end of the plug opening, establishes a seal between the piercing pin 32 and the plug 28 for all posi- I tionsof the piercing pin.

p 7 In order to release a quantity of, compressed fluid, the I valve 24 is "momentarily opened by a hammer 34 located ln the. rear body cavity 53. The hammer 34' is provided with a projection 34d ,engageable with the projecting end 1 of: the valve stem 24a. A pin 35 carried by the body the butt end of the grip portion 22 of the body.

10b mounts the hammer -34 for pivotal movement so that the valve stem 24a is. in. the path ofmovement of the proe jection 34a. A coil spring 36, located within the hollow portion of the grip 22, exerts a spring forceon the hammer 34, tending to move it in a counterclockwise or en- 1 gaging direction about its pivotal mounting; The spring 36 also stores energy when the hammer 34 is retracted, which energy, when suddenly released, is used to create a substantial impact necessary to unseat the valve against the seating force of the compressed fluid.

A link 37 connects one end of the coil spring 36 to a projection 38 on the hammer 34. This link 37 extends between the outer wall of the sleeve 20 and the rear wall of the body 16b at the grip portion thereof.

The opposite end of the spring 36 is connected to a post 39, the position of which may be adjusted to vary the amount of energy stored in the spring before the energy is released, and hence the extent of opening of the valves.

For this purpose, the lower enlarged end 39a of the post 39 is slidably receivable in a through opening 40 at A pin 41 carriedby' the body 16b extends radially inwardly of the recess 40 to form a stop engageable with the enlarged headed end 390 of the post 39. When the hammer 34 is moved away from the valve stem 24a, the coil spring 36 expands, the pin 41 preventing inward movement of the post 39.

In order to provide definite adjusted positions of the post, that surface of the post head 39a engageable with the pin 41 is formed as a continuous cam surface provided with discontinuities forming distinct angularly spaced seats 3%, any one of which may be positioned for cooperation with the pin 41 by rotation of the post 39. The seats 39b are located at diiferent axial positions along the length of the post 39, and accordingly determine .discrete adjusted positions of tension of the spring 36. Rotation of the post 39 for the purpose of positioning any one of the seats is facilitated by a slotted outer end of the post 39. The pin 41 and head 39a form cam and cam follower structures urged to engage each other by the spring 36.

The cam arrangement ensures rapid adjustment that accurately controls the spring tension. Operation of the device is accurately predictable since the adjusted positions of the post are definite and since the pressure in the space is substantially uniform irrespective of the amount of fluid remaining.

The hammer is moved away from the valve stem 24a to store energy in the spring 36 by a longitudinally reciprocable link 42. One end of the link 42 extends into the rear body cavity 53, and the other end of the link extends into a forward body cavity 54 beneath the rear end of the barrel. The link 42 extends across the open side of the slider recess 13. The link 42 also clears the narrowed lower end 170 of the slider 17, as shown in FIG. 2.

The hammer 34 has an eccentric projection or cocking pin 43 in the path of movement of the end surface 42a of the link 42. By movement of the link 42 rearwardly or toward the right, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3, the hammer 34 is rotated and its valve-engaging projection 34a is retracted.

For moving the link 42, a pivoted trigger 44 is provided in the forward body cavity 54. The trigger 44 is pivotally mounted about an axis transverse to the body 20 by a pin 46 passing through an aperture in the upper portion of the trigger 44.

For mounting the link for operation by the trigger 44, the left-hand or forward end of the link 42 is pivotally connected eccentrically of the trigger 44. For this purpose, an aperture 42b of the link 42 engages a pin 45 projecting from the trigger 44.

By counterclockwiseanovement of the trigger 44, as by manipulation of a depending fingerpiece 49, the link is moved and the hammer cocking pin 34a is rotated.

For normally retracting the link 42 and for moving the fingerpiece 49 forwardly, a coiledtension spring 47 is provided. One end of the spring is fastened to a pin 48 of the body b, and its other end is secured to the lefthand or forward terminal portion of the link 42.

The pin 48, mounting the fixed end of the link-biasing spring 47, is located so that a clockwise torque is exerted on the link 42 about the trigger pin 46. This causes an intermediate portion of the lower edge 42c of the link to move into engagement with an abutment 50 formed on the body 101;. In this position, the end surface 42a of the link 42 is so located that it will engage the cocking pin 43 upon retraction of the link 42.

In the position shown in full lines in FIG. 3, the link 42 is partially retracted and the hammer 34 is lifted from the valve stem 24a. In this position, the direction of movement of the cooking pin 43 corresponds to the direction of movement of the operating link 42. Upon further movement, the cocking pin 43 moves downwardly in a path diverging from that of the link 42; the reaction between the cocking pin 43 and the end surface 42a of the link 42 is then so directed as to cause the link to rotate upwardly away from the abutment 50 against the force of the spring 47.

In the phantom-line position shown in FIG. 3, the cocking pin 43 is located at the end edge of the link surface 42a. Further movement of the link 42 will cause the link to clear the cooking pin 43. The hammer 34 is then tripped (FIG. 4) and the energy stored in the spring 36 is suddenly released. The impact is suflicient momentarily to open the valve closure assembly 24 against the high force of the compressed fluid in the space. A definite quantity of compressed gas, depending upon the adjustment of the spring 36, is passed through the conducting passage 19 of the body to the barrel. When the energy of the spring 36 is spent, the pressure of the liquid in the sleeve 20 returns the closure and the hammer 34 to the position shown in FIG. 1.

After the hammer has been tripped, the cocking pin 43 slides along the lower edge 420 of the link 42. By releasing the fingerpiece 49, the link 42, under the action of the spring 47, will move forwardly until the end of the link 42 clears the cocking pin 43, and the mechanism is again in condition for operation by manipulation of the trigger.

In order to ensure that the slider 17 positions a pellet 15 in the barrel before the link 42 is moved to the critical tripping position, an overriding connection between the trigger 44 and the slider 17 is provided.

The trigger 44 has a rearwardly extending lug 60 entering an elongate slot or opening 17d of the slider 17 (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 3). The trigger-biasing spring 47 causes the end of the lug 60 to engage the bottom surface of the slider recess 17d, ensuring retraction of the slider 17 upon retraction of the link 42 and trigger 44.

When the slider 17 reaches its lower limit of travel in the recess 13, forward movement of the trigger 44 and link 42 is correspondingly limited by virtue of the interengagement of the lug 6i and the slider 17. In this position, there is a definite spacing between the end surface 42a of the link 42 and the cocking pin 43.

A bow spring 61 (FIG. 1) maintains the lower end of the slider slot 17d in engagement with the lug 60. The right-hand end 61a of the bow spring 61 extends into a small recess 17c immediately beneath the recess 17d into which the lug 60 projects. The opposite end 611) of the bow spring 61 projects beneath an overhanging wall of a recess in the upper portion of the trigger 44. An upwardly extending surface 44d near the axis of the trigger engages the lower side of the bow spring 61 and imparts a suitable upwardly bowed configuration to the spring 61 so that the end 61a thereof exerts an upward thrust on the slider 17.

When the trigger 44 reaches the intermediate position shown in FIG. 3 the slider 17 has moved to its upper limited position. The hammer, however, has not yet been tripped. Further retraction of the trigger 44 causes the lug 60 to move away from the lower surface of the recess 17d. The slider 17 is, however, held in its upper limited position by the bow spring 61, the end 610 of the bow spring exerting an upward thrust thereon.

Retraction of the fingerpiece 49 past the position shown in FIG. 3 to the tripping position shown in FIG. 4 causes increased flexure of the bow spring 61. This follows since the overhanging wall anchoring the opposite end 61b of the spring 61 is moved downwardly about the relatively stationary fulcrum surface 44d. An increasing force is thereby applied to the slider 17 to maintain it in its upper limited position for firing.

By fixing one end of the bow spring on the trigger, a positive holding thrust is applied to the slider 17.

The slot or recess 17d, lug 60 and the bow spring 61 provide the overriding connection between the trigger 44 and slider 17. On release of the trigger 44, these elements form a lost motion connection.

When the trigger is released, the lug 60 moves downwardly until it engages the lower end of the recess 17d. Thereafter, the slider is retracted through positive engagement between the lug 60 and the slider 17.

The resilient connection ensures against damage of the parts in the event that the pellets 15 are not properly fed. If the feeding mechanism tends to jam, the lug 60 immediately will move away from the end surface of the slider slot as the trigger is retracted. Noticeably high resistance will be encountered by virtue of immediate increased flexure of the bow spring 61. The increased resistance will warn that the apparatus is jammed, and appropriate remedial measures can be taken before damage to any of the parts occurs.

As the available pressurized fluid is exhausted, the hammer loading spring 36 will overpower the very slight seating force exerted by the retainer spring 23, and will move the valve 24 to open position, as shown in FIG. 5. In this position,the cocking pin 43 is rotated forwardly toward the link 42 to an extent in excess of the usual spacing between the link and the pin. The link 42 will be prevented from dropping over the end of thecocking pin 43 as the trigger is released, Should the fingerpiece 49 thereafter be manipulated, the end of the link 2 2; will pass over the upper surface of the cocking pin 43. Operation of the hammer 34, when the charge in, the sleeve 2% is exhausted, is accordingly prevented, avoiding unnecessary,

wear on the parts.

When a new cartridge 27 is inserted and opened, the pressure will urge the closure 24 to seat, and the stem 2411 will lift the hammer 34, thereby permitting the link ll to return to the initial operating position illustrated in FIG. 1 under the influence of the biasing spring 47.

-In order to provide a safety position for the apparatus, the link 42 is lifted so that it clears the cocking pin. For this purpose, a safety lug 62 is provided. The lug 62 projects inwardly through an elongate slot 65 in the cover plate 10b beneath the link '42. A bow spring 6 3 on the inside or the plate ltlbengages a surface intermediate the length of the lug 62 to urge it inwardly and hold it in place. A fingerpiece 64 fastened to the outer end of the lug limits inward movement.

By moving the fingerpiece 64 upwardly in the slot 65 from the position shown in FIG. 8, the lug 62 rotates the link 42 to the position shown in FIG. 6. In this position, the end surface 42a and the lug will clear the cocking pin 43 of the hammer 34 whenever the trigger .is retracted.

By moving the fingerpiece 64 downwardly in the slot 65, the link 42 is permitted to rotate back to operative position in which the link engages the abutment St The safety device ensures against operation of the apparatus without physically restraining any of the parts.

The inventors claim:

1. In a small arms weapon: a body having a barrel,

said body having a recess extending transversely of the barrel; a member slidable in the recess for feeding missiles to the barrel; a movable trigger member; one of said members having means forming a recess, and the other of said members having a projection received in the recess to form a lost motion connection between the members; resilient means acting between the members for urging the projection and one end of the recess toward each other and urging the slidable member toward the barrel; and means limiting movement of the slidable member toward the barrel and eifective to cause the projection and the said end of said recess to move away from each other upon movement of the trigger member in one direction, the trigger movement in said one direction imposing increasing force on said limiting means.

2. In a small arms weapon: a body having a barrel, a passage for guiding missiles one by one, and a recess between the barrel and the passage, the axes ofthe openings of the barrel and the guiding passage at the recess Cit being spaced from each other; a member reciprocable I in the recess, and having an aperture registrable with the guiding passage and the barrel at opposite limiting positions of the member in the recess respectively; means for passing a quantity of pressurized fluid intothe end of said barrel; a trigger for operating said fluid passing means upon sufficient retraction of the trigger; elements forming a lost motion connection between the trigger and the member for moving the member toward one limiting position corresponding to registry of said guiding passage and said aperture upon movement of the trigger to releasing posiforce on said member upon further retraction of said trigger. I g

3. In a small arms weapon having a body provided with a straight barrel, a passage beneath the barrel for. guiding missiles one, by'one, and a recess between the barreland the passage, the axes of the openings of the barrel and the guiding passage atthe recess being spaced from each other, the combination therewith of a slider in therecess and having an aperture registrable with the passage and the barrel; means forming opposite limits to the movement of the slider at which the slider aperture is registrable with the passage and the barrel respectively; said slider having an end extending beneath the barrel and the passage by the aid of which the slider is reciprocated; said slider end having a recess; a pivoted trigger; a spring urging the trigger to an inactive position; said trigger having a lug entering the recess and engageable with one end thereof, said spring causing the lug to engage said recess end to move the slider toward one limit in which the slider aperture registers with the passage, the inactive position of the trigger being correspondingly determined; 'a second spring attached at opposite ends to the trigger and the slider respectively to urge the said one end of the recess toward the lug; said lug moving away from the said recess end as the slider'a'rrives at aposition corresponding to registry of its aperture with said barrel, and upon continued movement of the trigger against the force of said second spring.

4, The combination as set forth in claim 3 in which the second spring is a leaf spring generally paralleling the lug, the trigger and the slider having means receiving opposite ends of the leaf spring.

5. In a small arms weapon: a body having a straight barreha passage for guiding missiles one by one, and a recess between the barrel and the passage, the axes of the openings of the barrel and the guiding passage at the recess being spaced from each other; a slider reciprocable in the recess; means determining opposite limits to the ,reciprocating movement of the slider in said recess; said slider having an aperture registrable with said passage when the slider is at a first of said limits, and registrable with said barrel when the slider is at the second of said limits; a trigger movable in a path; means determining opposite limits to movement of the trigger in its path; a spring returningthe trigger to one of its limits; a connection between the trigger and the slider and operable upon movement of the trigger away from itssaid one limit to move the slider from its said first limit to its said second limit; said connection being yielding to permit further movement of the trigger away from its said one limit after said slider reaches its said second limit; means normally operable only after such further movement of the trigger for passing a propelling quantity of pressurized fluid to said barrel; and a magnet attached to said slider and located laterally of said aperture for attracting missiles from said guiding passage and for releasably holding the missile in the barrel during the said further movement of said trigger and inadvance of said fluid passing means. 6. In a small arms Weapon: a body having a barrel, a passage for guiding missiles one by one, and a recess between the barrel and the passage, the axes of the openings of the barrel and the guiding passage at the recess etweenspaced from each other; a member reciprocable 1n the recess, and having an aperture registrable with the guiding passage and, the barrel at opposite limiting positions of the member in the recess respectively;- means for passing 'a quantity of pressurized fluid into the end of said barrel; a trigger for operating said fluid passing means upon sufiicient retraction of the trigger; a spring carried by the trigger and connecting the trigger and the reciprocable member, said spring transmitting a force to said reciprocable member upon retraction of said trigger to move said member from a first limiting position corresponding to registry relationship With said guiding passage to a second limiting position corresponding to registry relationship with said barrel; said trigger being capaisle of further retraction after said member arrives at said second limiting position to impose an increasing force on said member and to store energy in said spring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS