US3207143A - Trigger safety mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 21, 1965 R. M. KLINE ETAI.. 3,207,143

TRIGGER SAFETY MECHANISM Original Filed Oct. 6, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 4free/@$41,

Sept. 21, 1965 R. M. KLINE ETAL,

TRIGG'ER SAFETY MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTUM. JB/c'f/fze/llZ//m JZ/V/Vfrf/ Je. P/rc//f/e w W gn# rraeA/fs/.n

Original Filed Oct. 6, 1955 Sept. 2l, 1965 R. M. KLINE ETAL 3,207,143

v TRIGGER SAFETY MEGHANISM I Original Filed Oct. 6, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 A j3d 9 y@ W Mw United States Patent O 3,207,143 TRIGGER SAFETY MECHANISM Richard M. Kline, 9413 Sawyer St., Los Angeles, Calif., and Kenneth R. Pitcher, 5881 (Messa,y Encino, Calif. Application .lune 27, 1958, Ser. No. 744,968, now Patent No. 3,048,159, dated Aug. 7, 1962, which is a continuation of abandoned application Ser. No. 538,858, Oct 6, 1955. Divided and this application July 14, 1961, Ser. No. 124,126

6 Claims.

This application is a division of our prior application Serial No. 744,968, iled June 27, 1958, and entitled Compressed Fluid-Operated Small Arms Weapon, now Patent No. 3,048,159 which was a continuation of our abandoned prior application Serial No. 538,858, led Oct. 6, 1955, and entitled Compressed Fluid-Operated Small Arms Weapon.

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 rearm 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 uid 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.

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 invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent 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 lmechanism in successive positions, FIG. 3 illustrating the hammer being cocked,

ICC

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 the 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 8-8 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 1t), are passed to the rear end of the barrel bore through the upper portion of 4an 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 lmagazine 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 liner 12. The magnet 18 holds the pellet in place. During upward movement of the slider 17, the next pellet at the end of the magazine passes 16a remains in place', the width of the slider 17 and the recess 13 both being substantially equal to the diameter of the pellet 1S.

The upper limited position of the slider 17 corresponding to registry of the slider aperture 17a with the barrel liner is determined by a lateral lug 1711 (FIG. 2) of the slider, engaging a shoulder 13b provided on the cover plate 10b, as well as by the upper end of the slider 17 engaging the upper end 13C 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 10a for conducting compressed gasses to the ring 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 uid that is passed to the body passage through a valve body 21. The valve body 21 has an enlarged `ange 21a telescopically received in the upper end of f., da

the sleeve 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.

The valve body 21 (FIG. l) has a through passage 21h in which inlet and outlet ends are formed, respectively, at the lower and upper ends thereof by a raised, downwardly directed valve seat 21C. 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.

For controlling the flow through the valve passage, a valve closure assembly 24 that momentarily opens the valve is provided.

A cup 24b, mounted on one end of the valve stem 24a, carries a resilient closure 24e cooperable with the seat 21C. The stem 24a projects through the outlet end of the body passage 2lb and into the rear body cavity 53. The end of the valve body passage 2lb guides the closure assembly for axial movement, whereby the closure 24e1 may be moved toward or away from the seat 21C.

The valve stem 24a has 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 20 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.

In FIG. 1, the cartridge 27 has been pierced, and carbon dioxide, having both at 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 since an equilibrium condition between gaseous and liquid phases exists in the space.

A recess 28h on the inner side of the plug 28 loosely receives the neck end of the cartridge 27. Spacers or ribs in the recess 28b ensure communication between the sleeve proper and the cartridge opening at the end of the cartridge neck. A series of generally radially extending grooves 21C on the inner end of the valve body ensures communication between the sleeve 20 proper and the valve inlet 2lb.

When the charge in the cylinder 20 is exhausted, the plug 28 is removed by manipulation of the lever 30 and a new cartridge 27 is inserted. The plug 23 is then tightened down.

For opening 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 piercing projection 32a extending upwardly into the plug recess 28]; 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 30a 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 is rotated.

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

An O-ring 33, located between an annular flange 32b of the piercing 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 positions of the piercing pin.

In order to release a quantity of compressed fluid, the valve 24 is momentarily opened by a hammer 34 located in the rear body cavity 53. The hammer 34 is provided with a projection 34a engageable with the projecting end of the valve stem 24a. A pin 35 carried by the body 10b mounts the hammer 34 for pivotal movement s0 that the valve stern 24a is in the path of movement of the projection 34a. A coil spring 36, located within the hollow portion of the grip 22, exerts a spring force on the hammer 34, tending to move it in a counterclockwise or engaging direction about its pivotal mounting. The spring 36 also Vstores 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 iluid.

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 2t) and the rear wall of the body 10b at the grip portion thereof.

The opposite end of the spring 36 is connected to av 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 46 at the butt end of the grip portion 22 of the body. A pin 41 carried by the body 10b extends radially inwardly of the recess 40 to form a stop engageable with the enlarged headed end 39a 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 39h, 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 different 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 thev adjusted positions of the post are denite 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 stern 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 17C 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. l 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 42h of the link 42 engages a pin 45 projecting from the trigger 44.

By counterclockwise movement of the trigger 44, as by manipulation of a depending iingerpiece 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 coiled tension spring 47 is provided. One end of the spring is fastened to a pin 48 of the body 10b, and its other end is secured to the left-hand or forward terminal portion of the link 42.

The pin 48, mounting the xed 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 b. 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 stern 24a. In this position, the direction of movement of the cocking 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 cocking pin 43. The hammer 34 is then tripped (FIG. 4) and the energy stored in the spring 36 is suddenly released. The impact is sufficient 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 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 42e 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 lslider 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. l, 2 and 3). The trigger-biasing spring 47 causes the end of the lug 6@ 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. Y

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 and the slider 17. In this posi* tion, there is a denite spacing between the end surface 42a of the link 42 and the cocking pin 43.

A bow spring 61 (FIG. l) 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 17e immediately beneath the recess 17d into which the lug 60 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 conguration 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 61a of the bow spring exerting an upward thrust thereon.

Retraction of the iingerpiece 49 past the position shown in FIG. 3 to the tripping position shown in FIG. 4 causes increased lexure of the bow spring 61. This follows since the overhanging wall anchoring the Iopposite end 61h of the spring 61 is moved downwardly about the relatively stationary fulcrum surface 44d. An increasing force iS thereby applied t-o the slider 17 to maintain it in its upper limited position for ring.

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 Iof 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 ilexure 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 rom dropping over the end of the `cocking pin 43 as the trigger is released. Should the fingerpiece 49 thereafter be manipulated, the end of the link 42 will pass over the upper surface of the cocking pin 43. Operation of the hammer 34, when the charge in the sleeve 20 is ex- 'i' hausted, 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 24a will lift the hammer 34, thereby permitting the link 42 to return to the initial operating position illustrated in FIG. 1 under the influence of the biasing vspring 47.

In order to provide a safety position for the apparatus, the link 42 is lifted so that it clears the cooking pin. For this purpose, a safety lug 62 is provided. The lug 62 projects inwardly through an elongate slot 65 in the cover plate ltlb beneath the link 42. A bow spring 63 on the inside of the plate b engages a surface intermediate the length of the lug 62 to urge it inwardly and hold it in place. A iingerpiece 64 fastened to the outer end of the lug limits inward movement.

By moving the fngerpiece 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 cock-ing pin 43 of the hammer 34 whenever the trigger is retracted.

By moving the ngerpiece 64 downwardly in the slot 65, the link 42 is permitted to rotate back to operative position in which the link engages the abutment 50. The safety device ensures against operation lof the apparatus without physically restraining any of the parts.

The inventors claim:

1. In a small arms device: a body having a barrel; means forming a chamber for containing a compressed lluid; passage forming means for conducting Huid under pressure from the chamber to the barrel; a normally closed valve controlling the communication between the passage and the chamber and having a part accessible exteriorly of the chamber; a movable impact hammer member engageable with said accessible part for momentarily opening the valve; resilient means urging the hammer member toward engaging position, and capable of storing energy when the hammer member is moved away from engaging position; a link member; a trigger pivotally connected to the link member; means positioning the link member in one relative angular orientation so that it moves in one path upon operation of the trigger; said link member having an element engageable with an element of the hammer member for retracting said hammer member when said link member moves in said one path; the element of said hammer member moving in a course diverging from the course of the link element for tripping of said hammer member upon critical movement of the link member in said one path; and selectively 0perable means moving the link member to another angular orientation for determining an alternate path of movement in which its element clears the hammer member element upon operation of the trigger.

2. In a small arms weapon: means forming a chamber for containing fluid under pressure; a valve having a valve operating member accessible eXteriorly of the chamber; the pressure of uid in the chamber normally maintaining the valve operator in valve closing position; a movable impact member engageable with the valve opertor for opening the valve only upon sufficient impact between the valve operator and the impact member; resilient means urging the impact member to valve operator engaging position and capable of storing energy when said impact member is retracted from engaging position; said impact member having an abutment; a movable link; a movable trigger pivotally mounting one end of the link; means biasing the link toward one limited angular position for movement in a path in which the surface of the other end of said link is engageable with said abutment for retracting said impact member upon retraction of said trigger; the abutment moving beyond the said end surface upon sucient retraction of said trigger for tripping said impact member; the pivotal mounting of said link causing the link to be cammed away from said angular position by said abutment upon tripping movement of the impact member; said biasing means, upon release of the trigger, causing said other end of said link to pass over said abutment and return to said limited angular position for repeated engagement with said abutment upon repeated retraction of the trigger; and a selectively operable safety lug engageable with the link for moving the link away from its limited angular position and determining an alternate path of movement of the link in which said other end of said link clears said abutment upon retraction of the trigger.

3. In a small arms weapon: a barrel through which a missile is adapted to be projected; means providing a magazine for supplying missiles to the barrel; power means for propelling the missile; a hammer mechanism for intermittently actuating said power means, including a trigger and a movable link operated by the trigger to cock the hammer mechanism; and a selectively movable member for determining alternate paths of movement of the link; said movable member determining alternate positions of the link for each position of the trigger; the hammer mechanism being in only one of the paths of movement of the link.

4. In a small arms device: a body having a barrel; means forming a chamber for containing a compressed luid; passage forming means for conducting uid under pressure from the chamber to the barrel; a valve controlling the communication between the passage and the chamber and having an actuator accessible exteriorly of the chamber; a movable impact hammer member engageable with said actuator for momentarily opening the valve; resilient means urging the hammer member toward engaging position, and capable of storing energy when the hammer is moved away from engaging position; the pressure of iluid in the chamber urging said valve to close and overpowering said resilient means when said hammer is at rest; the resilient means, when the hammer is at rest, causing the hammer member to maintain the valve open when the supply of pressurized fluid in the chamber is exhausted; a link mem ber; a trigger pivotally connected to the link member; means positioning the link member in one relative angular orientation so that it moves in one path upon operation of the trigger; said link member having an element engageable with an element of the hammer member for retracting the hammer member when said link member moves in said one path; the element of said hammer member moving in a course diverging from the course of the link element for tripping of said hammer member upon critical movement of the link member in said one path; selectively operable means moving the link member to another angular orientation for determining an alternate path of movement in which its element clears the hammer member element upon operation of the trigger; the element of said hammer member being out of both paths of movement of said element of said link member when said hammer member is in valve opening position.

5. In a small arms weapon: means forming a chamber for containing iluid under pressure; a valve having a valve operating member accessible eXteriorly of the chamber; the pressure of uid in the chamber normally maintaining the valve operator in the valve closing position; a movable impact member engageable with the valve operator for opening the valve only upon suicient impact between the valve operator and the impact member; resilient means urging the impact member to valve operator engaging position and capable of storing energy when said impact member is retracted from engaging position; said impact member having an abutment; a movable link; a movable trigger pivotally mounting one end of the link; means biasing the link toward one limited angular position for movement in a path in which the surface of the other end of said link is engageable with said abutment for retracting said impact member upon retraction of said trigger; the abutment moving beyond the said end surface upon sufficient retraction of said trigger for tripping said impact member; the pivotal mounting of said link causing the link to be cammed away from said angular position by said abutment upon tripping movement of the impact member; said biasing means, upon release of the trigger, causing said other end of said link to pass over said abutment and return to said limited angular position for repeated engagement with said abutment upon repeated retraction of the trigger; the resilient means causing the impact member to move the valve operator to valve opening position when the chamber is exhausted, the abutment then being located out of the path of movement of said other end of said link; and a selectively operable safety lug engageable with the link for moving the link away from its limited angular position and determining an alternate path of movement of the link in which said other end of said link clears said abutment upon retraction of the trigger.

6. In a small arms weapon: a hammer movable between a ring position and a retracted position; a spring urging the hammer to tiring position; a trigger movable between limits in a path; a linkage between the trigger and the hammer for retracting the hammer against the force of said spring upon movement of the hammer away from one limit; said linkage and said hammer having abutting parts for transfer of retracting force to said hammer; trip means operative upon predetermined retraction of the hammer by movement of the trigger towards its other limit for moving said parts out of abutting relationship for unrestricted movement of the hammer to firing position under the influence of said spring; and means for optionally disengaging the linkage while permitting movement of the trigger in both directions throughout its path.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,085,698 2/ 14 Nelson 42-70.5 1,136,247 4/15 Lewis 42-70.5 2,037,313 4/ 36 Duncanson 124-37 2,659,994 11/ 53 Yale 42-69 2,881,752 4/59 Blahnik 124-36 RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

JAMES W. LOVE, LOUIS R. PRINCE, Examiners.

Claims (1)

1. 6. IN A SMALLY ARMS WEAPON: A HAMMER MOVABLE BETWEEN A FIRING POSITION AND A RETRACTED POSITION; A SPRING URGING THE HAMMER TO FIRING POSITION; A TRIGGER MOVABLE BETWEEN LIMITS IN A PATH; A LINKAGE BETWEEN THE TRIGGER AND THE HAMMER FOR RETRACTING THE HAMMER AGAINST THE FORCE OF SAID SPRING UPON MOVEMENT OF THE HAMMER AWAY FROM ONE LIMIT; SAID LINKAGE AND SAID HAMMER HAVING ABUTTING PARTS FOR TRANSFER OF RETRACTING FORCE TO SAID HAMMER; TRIP MEANS OPERATIVE UPON PREDETERMINED RETRACTION OF THE HAMMER BY MOVEMENT OF THE TRIGGER TOWARDS ITS OTHER LIMIT FOR MOVING SAID PARTS OUT OF ABUTTING RELATIONSHIP FOR UNRESTRICTED MOVEMENT OT THE HAMMER TO FIRING POSITION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF SAID SPRING; AND MEANS FOR OPTIONALLY DISENGAGING THE LINKAGE WHILE PERMITTING MOVEMENT OF THE TRIGGER IN BOTH DIRECTIONS THROUGHOUT ITS PATH.

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