US3478458A

US3478458A - Toy gun having a cylindrical magazine for accommodating a strip of cup-like caps

Info

Publication number: US3478458A
Application number: US673488A
Authority: US
Inventors: Giampiero Ferri
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1966-10-10
Filing date: 1967-10-06
Publication date: 1969-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 1986-11-18
Also published as: ES345924A1; GB1168741A; AT285383B; DE1553944A1; DE1553944B2

Description

Nov. 18, 1969 G. FERRI 3,478,458

TOY GUN HAVING A CYLINDRICAL MAGAZINE FOR ACCOMMODATING A STRIP OF CUP-LIKE CAPS Filed Oct. 6, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 V V V/--'-| VI/49 49,4 5 {:4 3i ZZCI 57 153 275 27 /X 23 2? :9 o "'1 MM y /X ATING Nov. 18, 1969 G. FERRI TOY GUN HAVING A CYLINDRICAL MAGAZINE FOR ACCOMMOD A STRIP OF CUP-LIKE CAPS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 6. 1967 Nov. 18, 1969 G. FERRI 3,478,458

TOY GUN HAVING A CYLINDRICAL MAGAZINE FOR ACCOMMODATING A STRIP OF CUP-LIKE CAPS Filed Oct. 6, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 18, 1969 G. FERRI 3,478,458

TOY GUN HAVING A CYLINDRICAL MAGAZINE FOR ACCOMMODATING A STRIP OF CUP-LIKE CAPS Filed Oct. 6. 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 F1920 H919 M27 27 7 xx/// 27 6 xm/ I65 47 57; ms

United States Patent US. Cl. 42-57 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A toy gun includes a magazine in which a roll of cuplike caps can be loaded. The magazine is detachable from the gun in one embodiment and in another embodiment forms part of the gun itself. In both embodiments the caps are indexed successively to a firing position and the firing pin is rigid with a part which has the effect of angularly indexing the magazine to the next cap.

This invention relates to a toy gun or other firearm arranged to fire caps of a cap strip by successively operating the trigger.

According to the present invention there is provided in a toy weapon capable of firing a succession of caps on a strip of caps, trigger means, firing pin means, and resilient means for effecting the firing stroke of the firing pin means, said trigger means being arranged to load said resilent means during a priming stroke, the improvement comprising means defining an annular magazine chamber within the toy gun for the accommodation of a stri of ammunition, means defining an opening into said chamber for the loading of the ammunition substantially tangentially into the magazine chamber, and indexing means for successively angularly moving the ammunition strip caps to a firing position for striking by the firing pin means and for displacing the spent caps subsequent to firing.

An embodiment for a toy gun or other firearm in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a toy gun in longitudinal section, the gun being illustrated in the rest position;

FIGS. 2 and 3 show fragmentary views similar to that of FIG 1, respectively in the configuration of the parts required for loading and unloading ammunition, and in the cofiguration instantaneously assumed immediately before firing; I

FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are respectively cross-sections according to lV-IV, V-V, VI-VI, and VII-VII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a section similar to that of FIG 7 with the magazine shown as an external view and partially removed from the loading of the ammunition;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section on line IX-IX of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 10 and 11 show the body of the magazine in two perspective views;

FIGS. 12 and 13 show in two perspective views an actuating element for strips of caps;

FIG. 14 shows the various parts comprising the magazine of FIGS. 10 to 13 in an exploded longitudinal sectional view;

FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 show respectively a view and two cross-sections of the magazine substantially on the lines XV-XV, XVI-XVI and XVIIXVII of FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 shows in section the magazine mounted substantially on the line XVI-XVI of FIG. 14;

FIGS. 19 to 23 show separately the striking of the gun 3,478,458 Patented Nov. 18, 1969 in a side view, in sections respectively along the lines XX-XX and XXLXXI of FIG. 19 and in views indicated by arrows XII-XXII and XXIII-XXIII of FIG. 19;

FIG. 24 shows separately a portion of the ammunition for use in the gun;

FIGS. 25, 26 and 27 show respectively partial sections similar to those of FIGS. 1, 7 and 9 of a modified gun, wherein a removable magazine is not provided.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, two shaped substantially

symmetrical shells

1, 3 are joined to each other along the plane denoted by A-A in FIGS. 5 and 9 and corresponding to the plane of the sections illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. A cover member 5 is secured on the two shaped bodies or

shells

1, 3 and taken as a whole, the

members

1, 3, 5 define the outer form of the toy gun or other arm. A trigger guard 7 is integral with the shell 1, and as can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 9 the other portion of the guard is is formed by the shell 3. By joining the

members

1, 3

slides

11, 13 and 15 (FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5) are formed, wherein a slide member 17 can slide which constitutes the trigger. The member 17 is hollow and in particular has an inner control surface 17A, the function of which will be explained hereinafter.

The two shaped elements or

half shells

1, 3 adjacent the cover member 5 form slides 19 (see especially FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, which serve to guide a striking mass to be described hereinafter. In the left-hand portion looking at FIG. 1, i.e. on the side of the barrel, the

shells

1 and 3 form a chamber 21 wherein a helical spring 23 is housed, which is intended to control the release of the striking mass to be described. The chamber 21 serves also as a guide for the striking mass. The two

shells

1, 3 form also two guide groves 25 (see FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6) for the striking mass 27.

The striking mass 27 is illustrated separately in FIGS. 19 to 23, and comprises a bent-over end 27A which is housed in the chamber 21, and on which the spring 23 acts. The striking mass further comprises extensions 27B (see also FIG. 4) that co-operate with the slides 19. The striking mass 27 further comprises an enlarged portion 27C towards the end opposite the end 27A, which portion 27 C is accommodated in a cavity 29 formed by both shells 1 and 3 (see especially FIGS. 6 and 9) and are formed in alignment with the guides 25. The portion 27C has lateral pins 27D that slide in the guides 25. The striking mass 27 has a thin triangular projection 27E (see also FIGS. 6) that extends into a slot 31 narrower than cavity 29 and lying along the join of both

shells

1 and 3. The striking mass also has an upper projection 27F with a heel 27G. A small metal plate 33 provided with an extension 33A is mounted on the projection 27F.

The striking mass assembly can be made of zinc and aluminium alloys with a high zinc content. The

members

1, 3, 5 and 17 are of thermoplastic or other synthetic resin material while the plate 33 is of metal and its asymmetrical extension 33A serves as the percussion or firing pin. The heel 27G serves as the reinforcement of the firing pin; the plate 33 can be secured by means of rivet pins, or screws or in any other suitable manner.

On the casing of the gun, formed by the shells l, and 3, a small shaft 35 is mounted, which on one end is externally integral with a small operation lever 37 (see FIG. 9) while internally of the slot 31, a cam member 39 is integral with the shaft 35, the member 39 being arranged to co-operate with the projection 27E of the striking mass 27, and so to act on the striking mass as to allow it partially to slide to the left, as viewed in FIG. 1 against the action of the biasing spring 23 to an intermediate position wherein the operations to be described can take place, for the extraction of the magazine and the loading of ammunition. The profile of the cam 39 is such that, counterclockwise rotation from the position of FIG. 1 to the position of FIG. 2, besides initiating the above-mentioned partial stroke, maintains the configuration of FIG. 2.

Both

shells

1, 3 also define two inclined slots 41 (FIGS. 3 and 5) wherein there are slidably engaged two opposite restraining pins 43A for the sliding and rotation of a lever member 43. The lever 43 at the lower end extends into the space defined by the guard of the trigger member 17 to co-operate with the surface 17A thereof. The lever 43 has an extension 43B at its upper end. A spring 45, seated at the bottom of a suitable cavity provides for it between the two

shells

1 and 3, biases the lever 43 clockwise (as shown in FIG. 3) so as to bias its lower end against the surface 17A and the pins 43A towards the upper portion of the slots 41. The upper end of the extension 43B co-operates with and is housed in a recess 27H in the striking mass 27, when the various members by action of the

springs

23 and 45 assume the position illustrated in FIG. 1 and when by action of the cam 39 the various members assume the position of FIG. 2.

When from the arrangement of FIG. 1, by acting in the direction of the arrow F (FIG. 3), the trigger 17 is moved towards the right-hand side as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3 to cause firing, the lever 43 is compelled to rotate about the pins 43A in the counterclockwise direction; thus the striking mass 27 is urged towards the left against the action of the spring 23 and by etfect of the upper corner of the extension 43B, which co-operates with the left-hand corner (as viewed in FIG. 3) of the recess 27H. When the members concerned in this function reach the configuration of FIG. 3, the extension 43B leaves the left-hand lower corner (FIG. 3) of the recess 27H, and therefore the striking mass 27 is freed and moves toward the right thus accomplishing the firing stroke, at the end of which the firing pin 33A strikes a cap in the explosion position, borne by the magazine to be described hereinafter. In this firing stroke of the striking mass 27, there is cooperation between the end of the extension 43B, a lower profile part 271 of the striking mass 27 adjacent the recess 27H and the profile of the slots 41, in such a manner that the spring 45 restores the lever 43 to the position of FIG. 1 after the pins 43A have moved a short distance downwardly along the slots 41.

The striking mass 27 has a lateral seat in the form of a depression 271, wherein a resilient metal lamina or plate 47 is partially housed, which is secured by riveted pins or other means to the striking mass and extends towards the right (as viewed in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 9) beyond the portion 27C of the striking mass to form a resilient extension arranged to cause the intermittent advance of the magazine, to be described hereinafter; for this purpose the plate 47 has an end tooth 47A.

The two

shells

1 and 3 form a transverse cavity or recess open on one side only, according to the drawing from the side of the shell 1; this cavity, which is partially formed in the shell 3 and partially as an aperture in the shell 1, is denoted as a whole by the reference 49; it has substantially cylindrical shape with a portion 49A (FIGS. 1 and 2) in the form of a shallow recess. Coaxially with the cavity 49, the shell 3 has a small diameter aperture 51. A resilient biased pin 53 projects inwardly from the wall of the cavity 49 and constitutes a means for defining the inserted position of the magazine to be described hereinafter and to exert a retaining effect such as to define the projecting position of said magazine, the pin 53 being adapted to allow the extraction of the magazine from the cavity 49.

The magazine is a body having a shape substantially complementary to that of the cavity 49 with the innermost portion completely cylindrical instead of having a profile corresponding to one including the shallow recess 49A. The magazine is defined externally, substantially, by two

parts

55 and 57. The part 55 has a profile with a projection 55A extending externally of the generally cylindrical shape of the part 55 itself. The part 55 has a substantially cylindrical cavity 55B, with a large peripheral opening 550 formed by a depression adjacent the corner of the projection 55A. In the bottom of the cavity 55B an annular channel 55D is formed which intersects the depression forming the opening 55C. In the bottom of the cavity 55, a circular depression 55E is further formed, provided with two short circular-section projections 55F. In the centre of the depression 55E an axial aperture 556 is formed. In the wall defining the cavity 558 a substantially rectangular opening or window 55H is provided through which the firing pin 33A can pass in order to fire the cap which is instantaneously in the firing position in front of the opening 55H. Externally the part 57 has over a portion of its periphery a profile 57A corresponding to the projection 55A and also with a partcylindrical profile. A step 57B is intended for insertion into the outer portion of the cavity 55B and thus for coupling the two

parts

55, 57 together. The part 57 has a central cylindrical recess 57C corresponding in diameter to that of the depression SSE, at the centre of which an aperture 57D is provided having a diameter larger than that of the aperture 55G. A transverse groove 57E is provided externally of one end of the part 57, while internally an annular channel 57F is provided having characteristics corresponding to the channel 55D of the part 55.

When the

parts

55, 57 are joined (see especially FIG. 7) they form a housing defined by the depressions 55E and 57C, are spaced from each other, and said housing is further completed by the hole 57D. In this housing an angularly movable actuation element is housed, which element comprises an inner part 61 and a control rod 63 provided with a control knob 63A. The part 61 has a larger diameter portion 61A for accommodation partially in the depression 55E, partially in the cavity 55B and partially in the recess 57C. The part 61 has, moreover, a smaller diameter portion 61B intended to enter into the hole 57D and ending with an end face toothed ring 61C arranged to project from the hole 57D into the transverse groove 57E. The teeth of the ring may be replaced by a ring of recesses. A spring 65 is accommodated in the recess 57C and biases the part 61 towards the bottom of the depression 55B and thus against the projections 55F.

The end of the portion 61A opposite the toothed ring 61C has a ring of depressions 61D, which are intended to cooperate with the projections 55F to define successive angular positions of the part 61 with respect to the magazine formed by the

parts

55 and 57. An axial aperture 61B is provided in the part 61. The rod 63 is inserted into the bore 556 and into the aperture 61E, and it is axially and angularly blocked by a transverse pin 67, which is inserted into transverse holes corresponding to each other in the portion 61B of the part 61 and in the rod 63. By means of this arrangement, the actuating element consisting of the

parts

61 and 63 is actuable externally through the knob 63A and can be moved stepwise owing to the cooperation between the depressions 61D and the projections 55F, under the action of the spring 65. The

assembly

61, 63 is intended to engage the ammunition, and for this purpose it has a bifurcated projection 61F, extending from the portion 61A. The projection 61F can move freely in the portion of the annular cavity 55B which is limited by the bottom of said cavity, by the part 57, by the outer cylindrical surface of the portion 61A of the part 61 and by the outer limiting wall of the cavity 55B. This portion of the cavity 55B thus forms an annular seat S for the ammunition, said annular seat S being flanked by the two

annular channels

55D and 57F. It should be noted that the channel 57F is interrupted at the opening 55C owing to the presence of a recess 576. Thus the

channels

55D and 57F constitute sliding guides for a continuous edge of strip ammunition 69, with suitable shapes which allow the formation of a substantially tangential opening with respect to the annular seat S for the ammunition.

The ammunition 69 (see especially FIGS. 12, 17, 18 and 24) may consist, of a series of caps 69A connected with one another as a strip by means of two flexible elongate small rods 69B connected with the caps 69A by relatively weak stalks, in such a manner that the caps, if desired, can be detached from the small rods 69B. The ammunition 69 can thus form a strip of ammunition that maintains its integrity during and after the firing of the caps. At one end of the strip two engaging or gripping apertures 69C are provided.

When the magazine projects as in the position indicated in FIG. 8, or when it is completely detached from the gun, the ammunition 69 can be introduced into the annular seat S through the tangential opening. For this purpose the fork 61F is brought in alignment with the tangential opening defined by the recesses 55C and 57G, and the end of the strip of ammunition 69 is engaged on the fork 61F, by means of the gripping apertures 690. Then the

assembly

63A, 63, 61 is rotated in the direction of the arrow F of FIG. 17, until it reaches the position of FIG. 18, wherein all the ammunition is housed in the annular seat S, the longitudinal edges formed by the flexible small rods 69B being regularly guided into the

channels

55D and 57F. The caps are arranged with the cavity of each cap facing outwardly and the bases lie on the cylindrical surface of the portion 61A of the part 61, which thus forms an anvil for the firing pin. Therefore, and advantageously, the part 61 can be made of metal. When the ammunition strip 69 is introduced into the annular seat, the cavities of the caps pass in front of the opening 55H on reaching the firing position. The cooperation of the projections 55F, depressions 61D and the spring 65 is such that successively the successive caps 69A reach the firing position on the magazine in front of the opening 55H.

The magazine can be fully engaged into the cavity 49, as shown in FIGS. 1, 7 and 9. In this position, the opening 55H is aligned with the firing pin 33A, while the end of the resilient plate 47 is housed in the transverse groove 57B and the tooth 47A can act on the end face toothed ring 610 of the part 61, along the lower arc of the toothed ring (as viewed in the drawing). The end of the rod 63 is seated in the aperture 51 and may project beyond it.

When the magazine is introduced into the cavity 49, it cannot rotate and moreover it is retained therein by the resiliently-biased pin 53, in a manner which will be further described hereinafter.

When the magazine is housed in its transverse cavity 49, the tangential access opening to the annular seat S for the ammunition, said opening being formed by the recesses 55C and 57G, is covered by the wall of the transverse cavity 49, and in particular by the wall portion formed by the shell 1.

In operation the successive firing of caps, is effected by the trigger 17, each actuation of the trigger causing a priming stroke of the striking mass 27 (to the left looking at FIG. 1). The spring 23 is thus progressively compressed and thus a rapid percussion or firing stroke of the striking mass to the right (as viewed in the drawing) is effected by the action of the spring 23. This movement of the striking mass also displaces the resilient plate 47 and in particular the tooth 47A inside and along the groove 57E. The size and positioning of the tooth 47A is such that from the rest position in FIG. 1 the first part of the stroke of the tooth 47A, during the priming stroke of the striking mass 27, represents an idle stroke and a stroke towtrds the tooth ring 610 During the first part of the stroke to the left of the striking mass 27, the firing pin 33A is withdrawn from the cap in which it had penetrated in order to allow it to explode. Approximately when the striking mass 27 and the firing pin 33A have reached the position 6 illustrated in FIG. 2 (but by the action of the trigger and not of the cam 39) the tooth 47A engages with a tooth of the toothed ring 61C, and by the continuation of the priming stroke causes an angular advance of one step of the

assembly

61, 63, and thus of the ammunition 69, the step or pitch being defined by the spacing between the successive caps of the ammunition. The advance is effected in the direction of the arrows of FIGS. 17 and 18, i.e. in the same direction in which the loading of the ammunition was effected. A fresh cap is thus brought into the firing position, i.e. into alignment With the opening SSH and with the firing pin 33A, and this fresh cap is fired when the striking mass is released for the rapid stroke to the right (as shown in FIG. 1), during which the firing pin 33A enters into the cap and causes the explosion of the charge.

It should be noted that the entry of the firing pin into the cap prevents possible spontaneous rotation of the assembly 61, 62 and of the ammunition, during the return movement of the tooth 47A. The cooperation between the depressions 61D and the projections 55F, as well as the suitable shaping of the tooth 47A and of the toothed ring 61C, are such as to prevent the rotation of the

assembly

61, 63 in a direction opposite to the arrows of FIGS. 17, 18 during the rapid movement to the right of the striking mass 27 and thus of the plate 47, which is free also to accomplish a slight resilient deformation, so that the tooth 47A overruns the toothed ring 61C during this stroke. Successive actions on the trigger cause successive explosions of all the caps until they are exhausted. The explosion gases escape within the casing 5 and out through openings 5A of the latter.

When an exhausted ammunition strip is to be replaced, the magazine is moved from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 8. In the latter position of the magazine, by means of the knob 63A the

assembly

61, 63 is rotated in a direction opposite that of the arrows shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, i.e. in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 18. By this operation, the fork 61F pushes the strip of caps (guided in the

channels

55D and 57E) in such a manner that the strip of caps comes out tangentially of its annular seat through the tangential opening formed in the magazine by the recesses 55C and 57G. Then a fresh strip of caps can be introduced.

It should be noted that in the configuration of FIG. 1, the magazine cannot be extracted owing to the position of the firing pin 33A inserted into a cap or otherwise projecting within the magazine through the opening 55H. For this reason the cam 39 is provided, the action of which (controlled by the external small lever 37) on the projection 27E of the striking mass 27 allows the displacement from the configuration of FIG. 1 to the configuration of FIG. 2 and thus the withdrawal of the firing pin from the opening 55H; the magazine can then be extracted.

It is to be noted that with the magazine inserted and containing the caps, no operation or movement of the knob 63A can be effected with the configuration of FIG. 1, owing to the engagement of the firing pin within the cavity of the cap which is in the firing position.

In order to retain the magazine in the assembled position, the resiliently-loaded pin 53 engages in a recess 73 of the part 55. A pull to the right as viewed in FIG. 7 on the knob 63A or alternatively a thrust on the projecting end of the rod 63 overcomes this retaining action. The pin 53 can slide along a groove 75 formed in the

parts

55, 57 for the extraction operation, up to an elbow 75A of the channel that defines the projecting position of the magazine. In this position of the magazine, only the cylindrical portion of its outer surface remains within the cavity 49. By rotating the whole of the body of the

magazine

55, 57 it is possible to disengage the magazine itself by means of disengagement of the bayonet joint formed by the pin 53 and by a Z-shaped profile 75B of the groove 75 beyond the elbow 75A. By removing the magazine this latter and the cavity 49 can be inspected.

In a modification, in place of the elbow 75A and Z- shaped profile 75B, i.e. instead of the bayonet joint, provision can be made for a longitudinal channel as a continuation of the groove 75 and for recess similar to 73 in the position corresponding to that of the elbow 75A,

In a further modification, on the outer surface of the portion 61A of the part 61, which forms the anvil to the firing pin, a set of projections can be provided or a set of shallow teeth which serves to engage the caps, thus facilitating the entraining of the strip of caps, said entraining being otherwise accomplished by the fork 61F only and by the friction of the cylindrical surface of the portion 61A.

In a still further modification, the anvil can be stationary and an entraining fork may be provided which is controlled by a knob similar to knob 63A, which projects into the annular seat S. However, a movable cylindrical surface similar to that of the portion 61A of the part 61 is preferable.

According to another modification the annular seat S can be provided directly in the casing instead of in a magazine which is removable, in order to project for loading and can be extracted for inspection purposes. In this modification the tangential window is formed in the casing of the gun and is not provided in the form of recesses 55C, 57G; this tangential opening for the loading and extraction of the ammunition should be advantageously, for safety reasons, such as to be covered by an appropriate pivoted linked gate, cover, lid or other means, or at least it should be sufficiently spaced from the firing position, for example by about 90, and this has the purpose of ensuring that the flames of an explosion do not propagate through the tangential opening.

FIGS. 25, 26- and 27 illustrate a construction having an annular cavity formed in the shells forming the casing of the gun. The shells 101 and 103 (corresponding to the

shells

1 and 3 of the first embodiment). The shell 103 forms a cavity 149 (corresponding to the portion of the cavity 49 formed in the shell 3). In the cavity 149, a member 157 is housed, which is substantially similar to the part 57. The shell 101 is shaped generally as the sum of the shell 1 and the opening 55C of the first embodiment, and therefore it forms a channel 155D similar to the channel 55D and an opening 155H similar to the opening 55H. By coupling the

shells

101 and 103, the annular seat S is obtained, which has a groove 155D opposite the groove 157F formed in the member 157 and similar to the channel 57F. The annular seat S is further defined by a part 161 similar to the part 61 and coupled with a rod 163 similar to the rod 63, with an operative head 163A projecting from the shell 101. The part 161 is resiliently biased and is able to assume predetermined angular positions, in the same way as described in the first embodiment. A groove 157E in the member 157 receives the resilient plate 47 which acts as hereinbefore described for the first embodiment. A peripheral opening 155C similar to the opening SSC is formed in the shell 101 to define the tangential opening for the introduction and extraction of the ammunition. The opening can be closed and opened by sliding of a lid 170 guided in opposite grooves provided in the

shells

101 and 103 disposed at opposite sides of the opening 155C.

According to a further unillustrated modification, the toy gun can include a seat for the magazine, which opens not laterally but substantially upwardly, and preferably with an arrangement with its axis substantially normal to the direction of movement of the striking mass 27 and thus also substantially normal to the axis of the toy gun barrel. In this modification the resilient plate 47 should be arranged lying in a direction normal to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 23 and with the advance tooth 47A directed upwardly as viewed in FIG. 1.

The gun hereinbefore described can be adapted for repeated operation in the manner of a machine gun.

I claim:

1. In a toy firearm capable of firing a succession of cup-like caps arranged as a strip,

trigger means,

firing pin means, and

resilient means for effecting the firing stroke of the firing pin means,

said trigger means being arranged to load said resilient means during a priming stroke,

the improvement comprising;

means defining a cylindrical magazine chamber within the firearm for the accommodation of said strip of caps,

a cylindrical anvil member located coaxially within said magazine chamber to cooperate with said firing pin means, said anvil member defining an annular space with said chamber for accommodating said caps,

means defining an opening into said chamber to enable the feeding of a strip of caps into the magazine chamber, and

indexing means for successively moving said strip of caps to a firing position for striking by the firing pin means, and for displacing the spent caps subsequent to firing,

resiliently loaded pin means for retaining the magazine chamber in the firearm, and

means for rendering said resiliently loaded pin means ineffective to retain the magazine chamber in the firearm.

2. A toy firearm according to claim 1, wherein said indexing means comprise a member carrying the firing pin means,

a resilient extension on said member,

means defining an indexing tooth on said resilient extension, and

means defining a plurality of teeth on said anvil member arranged to cooperate with said indexing tooth,

each priming stroke of the member carrying the firing pin means causing the retraction of the firing pin means from the previously fired cap and subsequently the indexing of the cap strip by engagement of the indexing tooth with one of said plurality of teeth,

internal cam means arranged to effect the retraction of the firing pin means from the spent cap, and

a cam control lever arranged to hold the internal cam means in such a position that the magazine can be removed from the firearm.

3. A toy firearm according to claim 1, wherein said means defining the magazine chamber comprises means defining opposed grooves,

said grooves serving for guiding lateral edges of said cap strip.

4. In a toy firearm capable of firing a succession of cup-like caps arranged as a strip,

trigger means,

firing pin means, and

resilient means for effecting the firing stroke of the firing pin means,

the improvement comprising;

means defining a laterally opened cylindrical cavity of the firearm,

a substantially cylindrical magazine defining a cylindrical magazine chamber for the accommodation of a strip of caps, said magazine being designed to be accommodated in said cavity of the firearm to be partially removable laterally from the firearm and to enable the loading of the strip of caps to be fired and the removal of the strip of caps after firing,

resiliently loaded pin means for retaining the magazine in the firearm,

means for rendering said resiliently loaded pin means ineffective to retain the magazine in the firearm,

means defining an opening into said cylindrical magazine chamber for the loading of said strip of caps substantially tangentially into the magazine chamber,

indexing means for successively moving the caps of said strip of caps to a firing position for striking by the firing pin means, and for displacing the spent caps subsequent to firing, and

a cylindrical anvil member located coaxially within said magazine chamber for cooperating with said firing pin means, said caps being loaded into the magazine with the bases thereof substantially in contact with said anvil member.

5. A toy firearm according to claim 4, wherein said anvil member includes teeth for successively engaging the strip of caps.

6. A toy firearm according to claim 4, wherein said cylindrical magazine includes means defining recesses for successively engaging the strip of caps.

7. A toy firearm according to claim 4, wherein said indexing means comprise a member carrying the firing pin means,

a resilient extension on said member,

means defining an indexing tooth on said resilient extension, and

removed from the firearm.

8. A toy firearm according to claim 4, wherein said magazine chamber comprises means defining opposed grooves,

said grooves serving for guiding lateral edges of said cap strip through said chamber.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 228,682 6/1880 Rose 4257 660,517 10 /1900 Lewis et a1. 4254 751,039 2/ 1904- Altermatt 4257 2,045,369 6/1936 Rickcnbacher 4257 2,087,193 7/1937 Jones 4258 2,866,287 12/1958 Ryan 4258 3,304,644 2/ 1967 Ferri et a1 42-54 BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner CHARLES T. JORDAN, Assistant Examiner