US3233600A

US3233600A - Gas charged repeater gun

Info

Publication number: US3233600A
Application number: US221012A
Authority: US
Inventors: Theodore W Spack
Original assignee: BENJAMIN AIR RIFLE CO
Current assignee: BENJAMIN AIR RIFLE CO
Priority date: 1962-09-04
Filing date: 1962-09-04
Publication date: 1966-02-08
Anticipated expiration: 1983-02-08

Description

Feb. 8, 1966 T. w. sPAcK GAS CHARGED REPEATER GUN 3 Sheets-Shea?l 1 Filed Sept. 4, 1962 V b NR www uw m R mm NS mW E ,R O D O E H T LMMM ATTORNEYS Feb. 8, 1966 T. w. sPAcK GAS CHARGED REPEATER GUN 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed sept. 4, 1962 INVENTOR.

: THEODORE W. SPACK ATTORNEYS Feb. 8, 1966 T. w. sPAcK 3,233,600

GAS CHARGED REPEATER GUN Filed sept. 4, 1962 s sheets-sheet s INVENTOR. THEODORE W. SPACK BY M MN;

ATTORNEYS Unite 3,233,600 Patented Feb. 8, 1966 die This invention relates to gas charged repeater guns generally and to CO2 cartridge type pellet or BB guns in particular.

The objects are to simplify the construction of guns of the indicated type so that maintenance of the operating mechanism is made easy; to provide improved means to regulate feed from the magazine to the breech end of the shot tube; to utilize movement of the shot tube to positively cut off the magazine and to operate a control valve in the CO2 pressure supp-ly chamber; to locate the control valve in an easily accessible place; and to provide a simple yet positive safety device.

A preferred embodiment of the improved gun which illustrates the presently preferred mechanism is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FiG. l is a fragmentary side elevational view of a gun incorporating the present invention;

FG. 2 is a top plan view of the gun;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal side view in fragmentary section showing the mechanism in cocked position, the usual stock or grip haivng been omitted;

PEG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the stationary portion of the mechanism such as the pressure chamber block, magazine tube, C62 cartridge retainer in exploded view, and valve mechanism;

FG. 5 is a longitudinal section View of the movable shot tube, hammer block and safety ring;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view seen at line fa- 6 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view seen at line 7-7 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion or" the stationary mechanism of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a perspective View of the movable mechanism FIG. l() is a fragmentary perspective view of the mechanism in FlG. 9 showing the safety ring in safety position; and

FlG. ll is a detailed view of the manner of assembly of the safety ring on the hammer block.

In FiGS. l, 2 and 3, the preferred gun includes the usual stoel: or grip l2 and trigger guard i3. The stock is recessed at t4 to provide an elongated seat for an axially elongated body consisting of the chamber tube l5 and gun barrel i6 which are secured at the tapered plug i7. The chamber tube l5 is provided with a threaded socket element lil which lits in a bore in the forepart of the stock l2 to receive the mounting scrc-w 19 which secures the parts in assembly. The breach end of the chamber tube l5 mounts a trigger pivot block which fits into a suitable recess in the stock l2 to align the parts in cooperation with the element l. The trigger 21 has a hammer catch 22 thereon, and a suitable trigger spring 23 biases the catch finger 2-2 into a slot 24 in the chamber tube 15.

The breech end of the chamber tube l5 slidably receives a chamber block 25', the outer end of which is threaded at 2.6 to secure the retainer 27 for the CO2 cartridge 23. The block 25 is formed with a chamber 29 to receive a v-alve 35i pressed onto a seat 3l by a spring 32. The spring 32 is retained by an O ring 33 at the mouth of the chamber 29, and the O ring 3.3 also functions to engage the neck portion 28a of the C02 cartridge 2S and seal the gas in the chamber 299. As the O ring 33 is easily accessible upon removing the retainer 27 it makes access to the valve 3d quite easy which. is a feature of this improvement.

The chamber block 25 is fixed in the chamber tube l5 by a set screw 34 (FIG. 3). This tube l5 is formed with a central tubular pass-age 35 (FIG. 4) and a radial passage 36 which opens thereto. An off-set parallel passage 3'7 receives one end of a magazine tube 38 which projects forwardly within the chamber tube 15 toward the tapered plug 1'7 and terminates in a side opening 39 which registers with a projectile loading port 4b in the chamber tube l5. The projectiles P (FIGS. 3 and 6) pass into the chamber block 25 to the radial passage 36 from the magazine tube 38 and are directed into the central passage 35 Where a small magnetic plug 41 is positioned to arrest the leading projectile P and block the movement of following projectiles. The magnetic plug 41 thereby suspends each projectile P in the central passage 35 and also serves to draw each succeeding projectile into proper firing position so that gravity feed is not entirely relied upon to properly position the same.

Thus far the parts and components described are fixed in position, except that the trigger 2l and valve 3i! are operatively movable. The block 25 is formed of a nonmagnetic material in order to make the magnetic plug 41 effective. lt is noted that the valve 3@ has a piercing clement lila which acts to pierce the nozzle end 2311 of the CO2 cartridge when the same is assembled in the retainer 27 and the latter is screwed down upon the threads 26 of the chamber block 25 (the threads 2d being exposed beyond the breech end of the chamber tube 15).

ln FIGS. 3, 5, 8, 9 and l0 there are shown certain operating parts of the assembly which comprise important features of the invention. An elongated projectile or shot tube 42 is provided with a plurality of side apertures d3 (four are shown) at the open breech end thereof, and spaced from this breech end is a hammer block 4d. The hammer block i4 has a longitudinal slot i5 formed in its upper side, the slot 45 having a hat bottom surface [t6 and a circumferential slot 47. The hammer block 4d is slidably received in the chamber tube l5 such that the elongated slot 45 receives the magazine tube 38 therein, and the breech end of the projectile tube i2 is received in the forward end of the chamber tube passage The muzzle end 4S of the projectile tube 42 is slidably guided in a bushing sleeve i9 located at the muzzle end of gun barrel i6. In this assembly the hammer block i4 has its inner end 44a adjacent the slot 24 in the chamber tube l5 such that when in cocked position the catch 22 has its catch projection 22a engaged with such end dita.

ln FGS. 3 and 9 the projectile tube 42 has a fixed abutment collar 5b thereon for the engagement of the drive spring 5l. The opposite end of spring Si engages a collar ring 52 slidable on the tube dit, and the ring S2 is held in abutment with a fixed collar 53 secured inside the barrel la. Since the collar 53 is fixed, the spring 51 urges the projectile tube 42 toward the chamber block 25 through its pressure upon the fixed collar Sti. lt can now be appreciated that the projectile tube 42 reciprocates in the gun barrel 16, being guided in the elongated sleeve i9 at the muzzle end 48 and by the fixed abutment collar S3 intermediate its length. The breech end of the projectile tube i2 is guided in the passage .35 in the chamber block 2.5, and the hammer block d4 also supports and guides the tube 42.

ln FIGS. l and 3 the chamber tube i5 is provided with an elongated slot 55 which permits the assembly of a cocking lever 56 by threading the same into a threaded socket 57 (FIGS. 9 and l0) in the side of the hammer block 44. The lever is normally at the rearward end of slot 55 when the gun is not cocked, and after discharge. When the gun is to be cocked the lever S6 is pushed against the spring Si. forwardly in slot 55 until the catch projection 22a snaps up behind the hammer block end A safety latch Sti (FIGS. 6, 9, l() and ll) is operatively mounted in the hammer block slot E? and is rotatable therein by means ot a lever S9 which moves in elongated slot 55 with the hammer block dfiand moves laterally into a latch slot 55a (FGS. l and 3) to lock the hammer block da in cocked poistion, as when installing a CO2 cartridge 23 to take the pressure of the projectile tube d2 off the valve Sti or prior to discharge of a projectile. The feature of the latch 58 is that a simple ring segment (FIG. ll) may be used in the slo-t, the ring being of the same outside diameter as the hammer block 44 so as to reciprocate with the block in the chamber tube i5. Since the block d4 is formed with a slot 45 of the magazine tube 38, the latch ring is cut away for part of its circumference to permit rotary operation in circular slot 47 without projecting into the slot 45' where it would strike the magazine tube Ring 53 is assembled or removed (FIG. ll) by aligning the gap space therein with the slot 47 such that the end 'face 69 will pass over the dat surface d6 at the bottom of slot 4:3' and the opposite end 6l will pass under the reduced diameter portion 62. of the hammer block 44. After assembly of the ring 58 in the manner shown in FlG. il, slight rotation in a clockwise direction will prevent its removal until the ends tft) and 6l are again aligned as for assembly. The latch ring 58 is provided with a threaded socket 63 rFlGS. 6 and ll) to mount the latch lever 59.

The foregoing description has disclosed the preferred construction for the improved gun, and has pointed out certain features thereof which satisfy the stated objects. The operation of the improved gun is as follows:

To charge the gun with a CO2 cartridge 23, the hammer block lever 56 is pushed forwardly (toward the gun muzzle) until the trigger catch projection 22a snaps up behind the hammer block end face dela. A slight further push will bring the latch lever 59 opposite the radial slot 55a such that the lever 59 can be rotated thereinto to put the hammer on safety. rthe retainer 27 is screwed off the threads 26 of the chamber block 25 and a CO2 cartridge 23 is slipped into the retainer and the same is screwed back in place to force the neck 23a of the cartridge 28 against the 0 ring 33 and to position the nozzle 28h in alignment with the piercing element 3io of the valve 30. The safety lever 59 may then be rotated out of the safety slot 55a into alignment with the elongated slot S5. Upon actuation of the trigger Zi, the compressed spring 51 drives the hammer block 44 backwardly to reciprocate the breech end of the projectible tube t2 in the passage 35 of the chamber block Z5 to strike the valve Sil and drive the piercing element 3io into the nozzle 28h of the cartridge Z8. This action charges chamber 29 and forces the valve 3d to seat tightly on the seat 31.

A plurality of projectiles P may now be loaded through the port #itl in the chamber tube Ilia to till the magazine tube 33. The leading projectile P will be drawn by the magnetic plug 41 into the passage 3S, the gun being cocked by pushing the lever 56 forwardly to set the catch projection 22a against the end 44a of the hammer block 44. Upon trigger actuation, the spring Si will drive the hammer block 4d rearwardly and reciprocate the projectile tube 42 such that the breech end of this tube picks ofi the leading projectile P and positively blocks oli" the radial feed passage 36 to prevent feed of the following projectiles. The leading projectile P is now trapped in the breech end of the tube 42 and the tube moves to strike and momentarily open valve 3l?. A charge of CO2 gas is released into the tube 42 at the end and through the side apertures 43 to propel the projectile P through the tube 42. Since the CO2 gas pressure is substantially greater than thc power of spring 5l, the valve fdl will close sharply and force the tube 42 to move forwardly sul'liciently to not continue to hold the valve 3i) open. The same operation occurs for each succeeding projectile P.

rthe foregoing description has set for the features of construction and operation of the improved gun. lt is pointed out that the assembly permits the easy and economical organization of parts within a single tubular casing and barrel which make the construction simple to manufacture. The arrangement of the chamber block locates the CO2 gas control valve 3@ in an easily accessible position for quick repair when needed. It is believed to be a novel feature to overlap the iixed magazine tube and reciprocating projectile tube in the hammer block to reduce the size of the "un, and to incorporate a simple ring safety catch encircling such assembly. it is another feature to utilize the momentum of a reciprocating projectile tube with a hammer block to actuate a gas valve, and to avoid the necessity for reciprocating other components as well as the retainer for the CO2 gas cartridge. The preferred assembly for the reciprocating projectile tube affords a plurality of spaced guides to maintain the alignment of such tube for accuracy. A still further feature of the improved gun is the arrangement of a projectile locating magnetic clement in the breech area or" the gun where the projectile can be easily and positively captured in the projectile tube prior to release of the gas charge, and where thcx projectile tube positively cuts off the following projectiles and prevents gas escape so that substantially no gas loss is experienced and there is no necessity to provide seals in the magazine portions of the gun.

While the disclosure herein has been given in connection with a presently preferred embodiment, it is of course understood that certain changes or modifications may be made after understanding the principles hereof. lt is, therefore, the intent to include all such changes or modifications within the scope of the invention as may be set forth in the annexed claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A pneumatic gun comprising a tubular chamber and a barrel tube tixed in axial alignment, said tubular chamber having an open end spaced from said barrel tube, a chamber block mounted in said open end of the tubular chamber and formed with an outwardly open valve cavity and a bore extending from said valve cavity axially toward said barrel tube, a projectile tube slidably mounted in said barrel tube and having a breech end supported by and movable in said bore, an elongated projectile magazine in said tubular chamber open to said chamber block to feed projectiles into said chamber block bore between said valve cavity and the breech end of said projectile tube, a valve operatively mounted in said valve cavity, pneumatic power supply means connected to said open end of said tubular chamber and normally causing said valve to remain closed, a hammer block fixed to said projectile tube and slidable in said tubular chamber, said hammer block having an elongated slot therein to receive said elongated magazine, said elongated slot guiding said hammer block in its slidable movement relative to said magazine, spring means operatively mounted in the gun and normally driving said hammer block and projectile tube out of a cocked position and in a direction to cause said breech end to strilre and open said valve, said breech end picking off a projectile in said chamber block bore and cutting off following projectiles from said bore, and trigger means operable to releasibly hold said hammer block in cocked position,

2. A pneumatic gun comprising an elongated tubular body with a breech end and a muzzle end, a chamber block and projectile magazine tube mounted as a unit in said body from the breech end, a projectile tube and hammer block mounted as a unit in said body also from the breech end, said chamber block having an open ended passage therein to receive one end of said projectile tube and said hammer block having an open ended slot to receive said projectile magazine tube such that said units fit together for assembly into said tubular body and said projectile tube and hammer block are moveable relative to said chamber block, means to connect said chamber block to said body, resilient means in said body operative to urge said one end of said projectile tube into said open ended passage, `and safety means for preventing projectile tube movement, said safety means comprising a rotary element on said hammer block, an angular slot in said body and an actuator extending through said slot and engaging said rotary element, said actuator being on safety in one end portion of said -angular slot.

3. A pneumatic gun comprising an elongated tubular body with la breech end and a muzzle end and an elongated slot intermediate said ends, the slot having an angular end portion, a projectile tube `and hammer block interconnected and forming a rst unit movably carried in said body, a magazine tube and `a chamber block interconnected and forming a second unit, said units being relatively movable and said hammer block having an elongated groove to receive said magazine tube therein `and act to guide said units during relative movement, the groove in said hammer block having a flat portion and said hammer block having a circular slot intersecting said elongated groove, said circular slot being movable with said hammer block so as to move adjacent 4to and away from the angular end portion of the body slot, and a safety latch element operatively mounted in said circular slot and movable angularly relative to said hammer block without interference from said magazine tube lying in said elongated slot, said latch element having an operating lever movable in said body slot and a cut-away portion of less length than the diameter of said circular slot, said dat portion in said elongated slot reducing the diameter of one portion of said circular slot such that said cut-away portion may pass over said ilat portion in mounting said latch element in said circular slot.

4. A pneumatic gun comprising: an elongated tubular 'body having a muzzle end and a breech end; a rst unit adjacent said breech end and including -a chamber block;

a valve therein and a projectile magazine tube projecting from said chamber block toward said muzzle end; a second unit in said body and including a projectile shot tube with an inlet end slidably supported in said chamber block and a hammer block thereon with a groove in a' side thereof to receive said magazine tube; said tubular body having an elongated slot in a side thereof adjacent said hammer block `and an angularly directed end portion for said slot, spring means in said tubular Ibody acting on one of said units, to move the latter relative to said other unit and cause said projectile shot tube inlet end to slide in said chamber block in a direction to open said valve; `and safety means for the gun including a rotary element carried by one of said units and a member engaged with said rotary element and extending through said body slot to the exterior, said member being engageable in the angnlarly directed end portion of said slot to hold said units against relative movement, said units being relatively movable with said member in said elongated side slot.

5. The gun set forth in claim 4 wherein a charged cartridge is mounted on said first uni-t and projects outwardly beyond said breech end of said body, and said valve is operatively retained in said chamber 'block by a spring and a deformable retainer, said deformable retainer acting on the cartridge as a seal against leakage past said cartridge.

6. A pneumatic gun comprising a .tubular chamber open at one end, a barrel tube mounted in the opposite end of said chamber and in axial alignment therewith, a chamber block positioned in said tubular chamber adjacent said one open end of said tubular chamber, said chamber block having a valve chamber in one end opening outwardly and a rst passage extending from said valve carnbcr inwardly toward said barrel .tube and in axial alignment therewith, said chamber having a second passage opening latenally from said first passage, means in said tubular chamber for storing and directing projectiles into said second passage in single tile succession for movement into said first passage, a projectile tube axially reciprocally movable in said tubular chamber and barrel tube, means between said projectile and barrel tubes to guide said projectile tube, said projectile tube having an open breech end movable in said rst passage past said second passage to receive and carry a projectile therein directed by said second passage into said first passage and close said second passage at each reciprocation, valve means in said valve chamber openable in response to impact engagement and in position to be engaged and opened by said breech end of the projectile tube in the direction of reciprocation to receive a projectile therein, pneumatic power supply means operatively mounted at said one end of the tubular chamber .to discharge pneumatic power to said projectile tube each time said valve is opened and to torce valve reclosure, a trigger, and trigger controlled means in said tubular chamber and barrel tube for reciprocating said projectile tube.

7. A pneumatic gun comprising an elongated tubular housing having an open breech end of enlarged diameter and a muzzle end oic smaller diameter, a chamber block fixed in said breech end and formed with an exposed end opening outwardly of the breech end and having a valve cavity accessible from said exposed end. and a bore open to said valve cavity and extending inwardly therefrom axially toward said muzzle end, means in said tubular housing to hold a supply of projectiles and to direct the projectiles into said bore in single file succession, a projectile tube having a projectile receiving inlet end slidable in said bore, hammer block means connected to said projectile tube and disposed in said tubular housing spaced from said chamber block, said hammer block being adapted tto slidably support said projectile tube for movement between cocked and projectile tiring positions, spring means normally driving said projectile tube toward tiring position, trigger means to control said hammer block and spring and movement of said projectile tube, pneumatic powder supply means removably carried on said gun at said exposed end thereof to supply pneumatic power to said valve cavity for flow into said bore and he inlet end of said projectile tube, said power supply means having a gas discharge end and an adjacent neck and a valve assembly mounted in said accessible valve cavity through said breech end oi said tubular housing and being adjacent said power supply means, said valve assembly including a valve element movable rearwardly toward said gas discharge end of said power supply means and forwardly toward the muzzle end to close said bore, spring means in said valve cavity adjacent said exposed open end normally urging said valve element forwardly to close said bore, an O ring retainer means for said spring means mounted in said exposed end of the chamber .block in position to engage in sealing relation with said neclf; on said power supply means and to `be engaged by the rearward end of said spring means and so as to be readily accessible upon removal or said power supply means, and a piercing element on said valve element directed rearwardly to pierce said gas discharge end of said power supply means and release the gas.

8. A pneumatic gun comprising an elongated tubular housing having an open breech end of enlarged diameter and a muzzle end of smaller diameter, ia chamber block fixed in said breech end and formed with a valve cavity accessible from said breech end and a bore open to said valve cavity and extending inwardly therefrom .axially toward Said muzzle end, means in said tubular housing to hold a supply of projectiles and to direct the projectiles into said bore in a single iile succession, a projectile tube having a projectile inlet end slidable in said bore, means in said tubular housing spaced from said chamber block to slidatbly support said projectile tube for movement between coclred and projectile ring positions, said slidable support means including a spring normally driving said projectile tube toward tiring position, trigger means to control said spring and movement of said projectile tube, pneumatic power supply means on said gun at the open breech end thereof to supply pneumatic power to said valve cavity for flow into said bore and the inlet end of said projectile tube, said pneumatic power supply means including a charged cartridge having an outlet end, and a valve assembly mounted in said accessible valve cavity through said breech end of said tubular housing, said valve assembly including a valve element movable to close said bore, spring means urging said valve element to closed position, and 0 ring retainer means for said spring means, said O ring retainer means being a resilient seal to be engaged by said cartridge outlet end to prevent leakage of the power charge from Said valve cavity.

9. A pneumatic gun comprising an elongated tubular body having a muzzle end and a breech end, pneumatic power supply means operatively mounted adjacent the breech end of said body, a projectile tube reciprocably mounted in said body and having an open breech end constituting a projectile inlet movable to pick-oliC projectiles and to actuate said power supply means, means connected between said body and projectile tube to reciprocate said tube and move said inlet to `pick-ott projectiles and to .actuate said power supply means, trigger on said body adapted to yreleasibly hold said projectile tube `from acting on the power supply means, projectile supply means in said body having a discharge end adjacent said projectile tube inlet in the cocked position thereof and a loading end remote therefrom, said projectile supply means discharge end passing projectiles one at a time into said body in the `path of movement of said projectile turbe `inlet and said projectile tube inlet closing said discharge end upon picking olic la projectile each reciprccation and n sans in said body to hold a projectile in position to be picked-oil.

10. A pneumatic .gun comprising an elongated tubular body having a muzzle end and a breech end, pneumatic power supply means including a block, la normally closed valve in said block land a pressurized cartridge supported in said block at one side of said valve, said supply means being operatively mounted adjacent the breech end of said body, a projectile shot tube reciprocably mounted in said body with a projectile inlet end spaced from but movable to actuate said valve into open position, means connected between said body and shot tube normally acting in a direction to reciprocate said tube to actuate said valve to open position, trigger means on said body adapted to relcasibly hold said shot tube to prevent it from acting upon valve, projectile magazine means in said body including a tube having a discharge end in said block on the opposite side of said valve from said cartridge and a loading end remote therefrom, said projectile tube inlet end controlling said discharge end of said projectile magazine to pick-oit a projectile each reciprocation and close said discharge end momentarily, and magnetic means in said block to hold `a projectile in position to be `picked-oli.

11. A pneumatic gun comprising an elongated tubular body having a muzzle end and a breech end, a chamber block carried at the bre-ech end, a gas charged container removably carried by said tubular body, a valve and a valve spring in said chamrber block operatively mounted adjacent the breech end of said body, a projectile tube reciprocably mounted in said body and having a projectile inlet end movable upon reciproca-tion of said tube to actuate said valve, resilient means connected between said body and projectile tube to reciprocate said `tube to actuate said valve, trigger means on said body adapted to releasibly hold said projectile tube cocked against actuating said valve, projectile supply means in said body having a discharge end adjacent said pneumatic power supply me ans to deposit one projectile at a time adjacent said valve and a loading end remote therefrom, said projectile tube inlet end being open to pick-off a projectile and subsequentily strike said valve and actuate the same, while closing said discharge end momentarily, and means in said chamber lblock to be engaged by said charged container and act as a seal against leakage out of said chamber block, said means also retaining said valve and valve spring in position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 841,815 1/1907 Quackenbush 124-37 X 2,293,957 8/1942 Wells.

FOREIGN PATENTS 14,447 1907 Great Britain.

OTHER REFERENCES German application 1,094,631, December 1960.

RTCHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

LOULS R. PRNCE, Examiner.

Claims

11. A PNEUMATIC GUN COMPRISING AN ELONGATED TUBULAR BODY HAVING A MUZZLER END AND A BREECH END, A CHAMBER BLOCK CARRIED AT THE BREECH END, A GAS CHARGED CONTAINER REMOVABLY CARRIED BY SAID TUBULAR BODY, A VALVE AND A VALVE SPRING IN SAID CHAMBER BLOCK OPERATIVELY MOUNTED ADJACENT THE BREECH END OF SAID BODY, A PROJECTILE TUBE RECIPROCABLY MOUNTED IN SAID BODY AND HAVING A PROJECTILE INLET END MOVABLE UPON RECIPROCATION OF SAID TUBE TO ACTUATE SAID VALVE, RESILIENT MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID BODY AND PROJECTILE TUBE TO RECIPROCATE SAID TUBE TO ACTUATE SAID VALVE, TRIGGER MEANS ON SAID BODY ADAPTED TO RELEASIBLY HOLD SAID PROJECTILE TUBE COCKED AGAINST ACTUATING SAID VALVE, PROJECTILE SUPPLY MEANS IN SAID BODY HAVING A DISCHARGE END ADJACENT SAID PNEUMATIC POWER SUPPLY MEANS TO DEPOSIT ONE PROJECTILE AT A TIME ADJACENT SAID VALVE AND A LOADING END REMOTE THEREFROM, SAID PROJECTILE TUBE INLET END BEING OPEN TO PICK-OFF A PROJECTILE AND SUBSEQUENTILY STRIKE SAID VALVE AND ACTUATE THE SAME, WHILE CLOSING SAID DISCHARGE END MOMENTARILY, AND MEANS IN SAID CHAMBER BLOCK TO BE ENGAGED BY SAID CHARGED CONTAINER AND ACT AS A SEAL AGAINST LEAKAGE OUT OF SAID CHAMBER BLOCK, SAID MEANS ALSO RETAINING SAID VALVE AND VALVE SPRING IN POSITION.