Abstract:
The present invention relates to a propellant charge magazine for setting tools and a setting tool for driving fasteners into a substrate. The propellant charge magazine of the invention comprises a housing ( 24 ) with an internal housing space for receiving a magazine strip with propellant charges ( 22 ). At least one output opening ( 26 ) for inserting and extracting the magazine strip ( 21 ) is arranged on the housing. A first space ( 27 ) for receiving a rolled up magazine strip ( 21 ) is provided on the propellant charge magazine ( 20 ) and a second space ( 28 ) in contact with the first space ( 27 ) via an opening ( 29 ) and for accommodating part ( 31 ) of the magazine strip ( 21 ) that is re-introduced into the propellant charge magazine ( 20 ) is provided on the propellant charge magazine ( 20 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present application relates to a propellant charge magazine for a setting tool for driving fastening elements such as nails, bolts, pins and the like into a substrate of the type disclosed in the superordinate concept of patent claims 1, 3 and 9. The aforementioned propellant charge magazines can be provided with powder charges in tablet or cartridge form as the propellant, which are fired in the setting tool for effecting the setting operation.  
           [0002]    In modern setting tools, the tablets or cartridges are grouped together in magazine strips on which a plurality of pill charges, in blisters, or powder charges, in cartridges, are arranged. The propellant charge magazine strips can be blister or cartridge strips.  
           [0003]    In use, the magazine strips are inserted into a feeder disposed on the setting tool and conveyed into the device (manually or automatically). One charge is brought into one cartridge holder respectively by the conveyance. The blister or cartridge strips are then automatically further transported in the device, when a setting operation is completed, so that the unused charge reaches the cartridge holder. DE 199 01 268 A1 discloses such a setting tool.  
           [0004]    Magazine strips of considerable length have been proposed to enable the user of setting tools to use as may setting operations as possible without having to change the cartridge, blister or magazine strips required for the setting operations. U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,473, upon which the present patent application is based, describes a cartridge strip having a plurality of powder charges, which is arranged in a magazine box. The cartridge or magazine strip is arranged in layers in the box.  
           [0005]    The drawback in this magazine arrangement is that the drawing force that is required to extract the strips from the magazine box is inconsistent. Moreover, an increased traction force must be expected when a loop lies directly in front of the output opening of the magazine. Furthermore, removing and returning a partially emptied magazine box results in the problem that the magazine strip in a majority of instances is in an undefined position, in which it cannot be transported by the transport mechanism of the magazine box. Once a magazine strip is removed from the magazine box it can be pushed back into the box only with difficulty because the strips left in the box take up the entire inner space of the magazine box due to the expansion of the strip material.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,108 discloses pill charges and powder charges disposed in blisters or magazine strips in cartridge strips, which can be spirally coiled and which can contain a plurality of charges. These magazine strips are supplied to a setting tool but without a protecting magazine case.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The object of the present invention is to provide a magazine for propellant charges, which avoids the aforesaid drawbacks and which provides simple and convenient use.  
           [0008]    The object is achieved according to the invention by a propellant charge magazine comprising at least two spaces. A first space receives a rolled up magazine strip and a second space in contact via an opening with the receiving space for the magazine strips, which can serve as a stowage area or receptacle for a part of the magazine strip. The second space cannot be rolled up again onto the magazine strip roll when the magazine strip is pushed back into propellant charge magazine. This part of the magazine strip can then be accommodated in the stowage area or receptacle. Thus, by virtue of this measure, it is possible for the propellant charges of the strip that are still unused and remain in the device to be conveyed back into the propellant magazine, so that upon removal of the propellant charge magazine no unfired propellant charges remain in the device, which could represent a risk to the user of the setting tool.  
           [0009]    In one advantageous embodiment of the propellant charge magazine, the first space is enclosed in an at least partially cylindrical guide surface, in which the opening to the second or to the receiving space is arranged. This arrangement enables easy rolling of the rolled up magazine strip and assures that the magazine strip roll, when it is partially unrolled, expands due to the tension inherent in the plastic material of the magazine strip and occupies the entire inside space of the propellant charge magazine. Such an arrangement prevents the magazine strip from being pushed back into the magazine.  
           [0010]    The stowage space offers the advantage that the entire coil or the entire magazine strip roll need not be turned when the propellant charge strip is pushed back. The strip can be pushed back into the available stowage space with relatively little resistance. Such an arrangement reduces the necessary force required of the operator when using the device and consequently increases the operator&#39;s comfort.  
           [0011]    Preferably, the propellant charge magazine is provided with a retaining member for the end zone of the magazine strip, by which a complete extension of the magazine strip from the propellant charge magazine is prevented or at least blocked. As a result, the end zone, in which generally no propellant charges are disposed, is prevented from being drawn into the device and causing problems therein.  
           [0012]    Preferably, the opening in the cylindrical guide surface is configured such that one of its edges, particularly the edge arranged in the extension direction of the magazine strip, forms the retention member for the end zone of the magazine strip. The retention member can be configured in a simple fashion. In a further variant, the retention member is formed by an edge disposed at least on one guide ridge for the magazine strip.  
           [0013]    Preferably, stop or counter members are provided on the magazine strip situated in the propellant charge magazine, which co-operate with the retention members or engage them, when the magazine strip is pulled from the propellant charge magazine up to the end zone. Further drawing out of the magazine strip from the propellant charge magazine is prevented with the highest degree of reliability through the engagement of the stop or counter members with the retention member(s) arranged on the propellant charge magazine.  
           [0014]    A means is provided on the magazine strip for bringing about a no-load run of the forward feed mechanism of the setting tool. This means can, for instance, include an opening whose length is greater or equal to the transport stroke of each transport member of the forward feed mechanism of the setting tool. Through this feature, the forward feed of the magazine strip is ended by the setting device, when the means or the opening in the end zone of the magazine strip comes to rest over the transport member of the forward feed mechanism of the setting tool.  
           [0015]    Recesses are also provided on the propellant charge magazine for the transport of the magazine strip so that the transport member can reach through the magazine box.  
           [0016]    The propellant charge magazine according to the invention protects the propellant charge magazine strip from direct environmental factors (mechanical deformation, water, water vapor brake, undesirable effects of electrostatic charge). Furthermore, interface elements are provided on the propellant charge magazine, that enable simple charging and discharging of the setting tool. Geometrical elements for form-locking fastening of the box on the device (groove, pins, webs, rails) are included in said interface elements.  
           [0017]    A mechanism is provided on the propellant charge magazine for positioning the magazine strip. This positioning mechanism is used for holding the propellant charge strip, for example, during temporary removal from the setting tool in a defined position inside the propellant charge magazine. In this fashion, the correct position of the magazine strip is assured when reloading the setting tool with a propellant charge magazine already started. The positioning mechanism prevents the operator of the setting tool from unintentionally pulling the magazine strip from out of the box. During transport of the magazine strip or generally, when the propellant charge magazine is in the setting tool, the positioning mechanism is moved into a release position by a control element in the tool. The mechanism comprises a blocking element, which in a first position clamps the magazine strip and thus blocks a transport movement of the magazine strip and in a second position releases the magazine strip so that the magazine strip can be transported through the setting tool.  
           [0018]    In a preferred embodiment of the propellant charge magazine, the positioning mechanism is configured such that the locking element, on introduction of the propellant charge magazine into the magazine inlet of a driving tool, can automatically be switched over from the locked position to the release position.  
           [0019]    Preferably, the locking elements in the propellant charge magazine each have a locking member, which engages in or at least on a counter locking element on the magazine strip. These locking member can, for example, be configured as a mandrel, pin, or projection. If the locking elements are resiliently loaded in the direction of their locked position, for example, using a separate spring element or it is itself at least in part resiliently configured, then the locking elements alone can be switched, using the spring loading, back into their locked position when the propellant charge magazine is removed from the magazine inlet.  
           [0020]    The positioning mechanism assures that the propellant charge strip is always correctly positioned when the propellant charge magazine is inserted into the device such that the transport mechanism can consistently position the next unused propellant charge exactly in the cartridge holder and malfunction does not occur. Furthermore, propellant charges cannot be removed from the propellant charge magazine by improper handling. Transport movement-related shocks and vibrations also have no affect on the position of the first propellant charge.  
           [0021]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a setting tool for receiving the propellant charge magazine according to the invention having a plurality of adjusting means arranged in the area of the magazine inlet, by which one or a plurality of locking elements that are disposed either directly on the propellant charge magazine or otherwise on the magazine strip and which prevent a transport movement of the magazine strip from its locked position in the locking elements, can be reversibly switched into a release position in which the locking element(s) release the magazine strip for transport. Easy handling of the setting tool is achieved using the propellant charge magazine according to the invention. Simple plugging in or insertion of the propellant charge magazine into the magazine inlet of the setting tool suffices since the operator does not need to perform any special procedures for unlocking the locking element on the propellant charge magazine. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]    The preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following description with reference to the drawings, wherein:  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 shows a setting tool according to the invention, in a partial longitudinal section, with a propellant charge magazine arranged in the magazine inlet;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 shows a propellant charge magazine according to the invention, in a magazine inlet of a setting tool;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 shows the propellant charge magazine of FIG. 2 with a partially inserted magazine strip;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 shows the propellant charge magazine of FIG. 2 in a magazine inlet of a setting tool with the magazine strip almost completely withdrawn;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of a propellant charge magazine in cut-out lateral view with a magazine inlet of a setting tool in partial section;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6 shows the propellant charge magazine of FIG. 5 that has been inserted into the magazine inlet;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7 shows the propellant charge magazine of FIG. 5 in a sectional view parallel to the magazine strip onto the magazine strip;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of a propellant charge magazine according to the invention in a cross-sectional presentation parallel to the magazine strip with a view onto the magazine strip.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of a propellant charge magazine according to the invention in section with cross-sectional presentation;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 10 shows the propellant charge magazine of FIG. 9 in the magazine inlet of a setting tool in cut-out presentation;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 11 a  shows a fifth embodiment of a propellant charge magazine according to the invention in cut-out presentation with a view onto the outlet opening for the magazine strip;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 11 b  shows the propellant charge magazine of FIG. 11 a  in a section taken along the Line XI-XI of FIG. 11 a.    
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 12 shows a sixth exemplary embodiment of a propellant charge magazine according to the invention in cross-section and in cut-out presentation;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 13 shows a seventh exemplary embodiment of a propellant charge magazine according to the invention in cross-sectional view;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 14 shows the end zone of a magazine strip according to the invention in a top view.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0038]    In FIGS.  1  to  4  a first embodiment of the propellant charge magazine according to the invention. In FIG. 1 a strongly schematized setting tool  10  is represented, which is described in the following as an example. This setting tool  10  has a housing  11 , in which the setting mechanism is situated, which contains a driving piston  12  arranged in a piston barrel  13  or piston chamber and a cartridge holder  14  for receiving a cartridge or a propellant charge  22 . If a propellant charge  22  disposed in the cartridge holder  14  is fired, then the driving piston  12  is driven away from the cartridge holder by the expanding explosion gases and can perform setting work  10  in such a fashion as, for example, driving a nail or bolt disposed in the bolt chamber of the setting tool  10  into a substrate. The device represented here further comprises a hand grip  16 , on which a trigger or switch is arranged and using which firing of a propellant charge  22  (not represented herein) disposed in the cartridge holder, can be initiated.  
         [0039]    The setting tool  10  represented here further possesses a magazine inlet  15 , in which a propellant charge magazine  20  according to the invention is arranged.  
         [0040]    Further, a transport mechanism for transporting the magazine strip  21  (not represented herein) is arranged in the setting tool  10 . Using this transport mechanism, the magazine strip can be transported in the extraction and feed advance direction  23  by the device, so that after performing a setting operation a fresh propellant charge  22  is consistently inserted in the cartridge holder  14  and can be accommodated therein. If the propellant charge magazine  20  is again removed from the setting tool, then the magazine strip  21  can again be moved into the reverse transport direction  23 ′, thus in the propellant charge magazine, using the transport mechanism of the setting tool.  
         [0041]    The propellant charge magazine  20  according to the invention will be more completely described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. In FIG. 2 the propellant charge magazine  20  of FIG. 1 and the magazine inlet  15  of the setting tool  10  is represented in an enlarged illustration. The propellant charge magazine  20  is comprised of a housing  24 —in the present exemplary embodiment configured as a rectangle—in which a guide surface  30  is arranged—in the present exemplary embodiment in the form of an open, flat cylinder. This guide surface  30  is arranged in the inside space  25  of the propellant charge magazine. It runs in the propellant charge magazine  20  substantially parallel to the roll axis  33  of a magazine strip  21  that is rolled up in the propellant charge magazine  20 —in the present exemplary embodiment represented as a blister strip. This magazine strip can, for example, be configured also as a cartridge strip. The individual propellant charges  22  contain tablets comprised of an explosive material, which can be detonated in the cartridge chamber.  
         [0042]    The guide surface  30  in the present exemplary embodiment encompasses a first space  27  which acts as the receiving space for the rolled up magazine strip  21 . An opening  29  is disposed in the guide surface  30  by way of which the space  27  is in contact with a second space  28 , which acts as the stowage or uptake space for a part  31  (compare FIG. 3) of the magazine strip  21  that has been pushed back in. The opening  29  is delimited by the edges  20  and  20 ′ of the guide surface  30 . The propellant charge magazine  20  has at least one outlet opening  26 , through which the magazine strip  21  moves out in the advance direction  23  from the propellant charge magazine  20  and over which it can be moved in the reverse transport direction  23 ′ back into the propellant charge magazine  20  (compare FIG. 3). In the end zone  36  of the magazine strip  21  a stop element  37  is further arranged—represented hook shape in the present exemplary embodiment. The function of this stop element will be more completely explained later with reference to FIG. 4.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 3 represents the propellant charge magazine of FIG. 2 but in the propellant charge magazine  20  herein represented the magazine strip  21  is transported back into the propellant charge magazine  20  in the direction  23 ′ indicated by the arrow. The returned part  31  of the magazine strip  21  is then accommodated in the stowage or uptake space  28  of the propellant charge magazine  20 . The return of the magazine strip  21  into the propellant charge magazine  20  therefore does not require great power input, but can be effected in a simple manner by the transport mechanism or manually by the operator. If necessary, a closure mechanism can be provided on the propellant charge magazine  20 , using which the outlet opening  26  of the propellant charge magazine  20  can be closed after complete insertion of the magazine strip  21 .  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 4 represents the propellant charge magazine  20  of FIG. 2 wherein the magazine strip  21  has now been completely moved out of the first space  27 . The stop element  37 , which is represented herein as a hook-shaped device, of the end zone  36  of the magazine strip  21  is, with further transport of the magazine strip  21 , run up to the retention element  32  or the first edge of the guide surface  30 , so that further transport in the advance direction  23  is no longer possible. The last three or four or even more empty blisters, in which there is no more propellant charge, found in the end zone  36 , cannot therefore be transported any farther into the setting tool. The magazine strip  21  can again be taken out of the setting tool  10  together with the propellant charge magazine  20  when same is removed from the tool.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 13 represent a further embodiment of a retention element on the propellant charge magazine  20  and a further stop element  37 ′ on the magazine strip  21 . In the lower area of the propellant charge magazine guide ribs or ridges  34  can be arranged, by means of which the magazine strip  21  is guided in front of the outlet opening  26 . The terminal edge  35  of the guide rib/guide ribs  34  can be configured as a retention element for a projection, hook or a thickening in the end zone  36  of the magazine strip  21 . Also in the case of this variant, the magazine strip  21  with its end zone  36  remains in the propellant charge magazine  20 , so that it can no longer be transported farther into the setting tool and it can be removed from the setting tool together with the propellant charge magazine  20 , after removal of the propellant charge magazine  20  from the setting tool, when the propellant charge magazine  20  is removed.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 14 represents the end zone of a magazine strip  21  according to the invention. In this magazine strip means  39  are centrally arranged, which are used for advancing transport of the magazine strip in the advance direction  23  or in the reverse transport direction  23 ′ by means of a transport member  18  or  18 ′ of the transport mechanism of the setting tool. These means  39  are configured in the present embodiment exemplary as openings. In the area of the last propellant charge sleeve  22 ′ a means  38  configured as an opening is arranged, by which prevents the transport member  18  or  18 ′ from transporting the magazine strip even farther in the advance direction  23 . This is achieved in that the length  39 ′ of the opening  38  is greater than the maximum transport stroke  19  between the first position of the transport member  18 ′ and the second position of the transport member  18 . The transport member  18  runs thereafter into space, without effecting an advance of the magazine strip  21 . It must yet be noted at this point, that in lieu of the transport openings a serration or an adhesive strip can be provided on the magazine strip for transporting the magazine strip. At the end of the magazine strip then according to the invention no such transport means or opening would have been provided; at the point at which an appropriately configured transport element of the setting tool would have normally engaged.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 5 is a further embodiment of a propellant charge magazine  20  and a magazine receptacle according to the invention represented in partial view. In this instant exemplary embodiment a mechanism  40  for positioning the magazine strip is arranged in the bottom area of the propellant charge magazine  20  ahead of the output opening  26  for the magazine strip. This mechanism  40  includes a locking element  41 , which, as can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, is configured as a locking fork. In the first position, the locking position  44  of the locking element  41 , engages the latter with its locking members  46  on the propellant charge  22  configured as a counter locking member  47  of the magazine strip (compare FIGS. 5 and 7). On the setting tool, a locking means  17  is arranged, for example on the bottom surface of the magazine receptacle  15 , which is configured as a pin in the present exemplary embodiment. If the propellant charge magazine  20  is inserted into the magazine receptacle  15  of a setting tool (in the direction of the arrow  42 ), then the locking means  17  can pass through an opening  43  in the propellant charge magazine  20  and press against the locking element  41 . The locking element  41  has at least one resilient area  48 , so that it can be passed, as shown in FIG. 6, by passing the locking member upwards, from its locking position into its release position  45 . Transport of the magazine strip  21  is no longer possible.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 8 represents a further exemplary embodiment of a propellant charge magazine  20  according to the invention. The mechanism  40 ′ for positioning the magazine strip  21  includes in the present exemplary embodiment two locking elements  41 ′ configured as locking cams. These locking elements  41 ′ comprise a resilient area  48 ′ at which the locking members or projections  46 ′ are also disposed, which encompass propellant charges  22  configured as counter locking members  47  and fix them in their positions. If the magazine strips are further transported by the transport mechanism of the setting tool, then the spring force of the two locking cams  41 ′ must merely be overcome, in order to transport the magazine strip  21  by one propellant charge  22  farther into the setting machine.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIGS. 9 and 10 represent yet another embodiment of a propellant charge magazine  20  according to the invention. In the area of the output opening  26  of the propellant charge magazine  20 , a mechanism  40 ″ is arranged there for positioning the magazine strip  21 . This mechanism  40 ″ includes a locking element  41 ″ configured as a locking slider, at which a locking member  46 ″ configured as a locking eyelet is arranged. In the locking position  44  of the mechanism” the locking eyelet  46 : encompasses a propellant charge  22  occupying this position. The propellant charges of the magazine strip are also used simultaneously as counter locking members  47 . The locking slider  41 ″ is spring-biased using a spring element  48 ″ in the direction of its locking position. An edge  43 ″ is provided on the locking slider  41 ″ which co-operates with a locking means  17 ″, for example a counter edge, in the area of the magazine receptacle  15 , when the propellant charge magazine  20  is introduced into the magazine receptacle  15  of the setting tool. When this is done, both edges  17 ″ and  43 ″ move towards each other so that the locking slider  41 ″ is urged against the force of the spring element  48 ″ and in such fashion is moved into its release position  45  as shown in FIG. 10. The magazine strip  21  can be further transported in this position. If the propellant charge magazine  20  is again removed from the setting tool, then the locking slider  41 ″ again lowers, whereby the locking eyelet  46 ″ moves once again over a propellant charge  23 . The magazine strip  21  is thereby held in a definitive position so that the transport mechanism can again become operational immediately upon insertion of the propellant charge magazine  20  into the setting tool.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIGS. 11 a  and  11   b  represent a further embodiment of a propellant charge magazine  20  according to the invention. In the case of this propellant charge magazine  20 , too, in the forward area, adjacent to the output opening  26  for the magazine strips  21 , a mechanism  40 ″ is provided for positioning the magazine strip  21 . This mechanism  40 ″ encompasses firstly a swivel or locking lever  41 ′″ arranged within, in the propellant charge magazine  20 , which acts as a locking element and which is rotationally fixedly connected via a shaft disposed above on the lever (not visible herein) with a locking arm  43 ″ disposed externally on the housing  24  of the propellant charge magazine  20 . In the locking position  44  of the mechanism  40 ′″ the locking lever  41 ′″ encompasses with its locking member  46 ′″ the front and the back zone of a propellant charge  22 , which in this exemplary example acts again as the counter locking member  47 . A stop  49  is provided on the inside wall of the housing, said stop preventing a pivoting of the locking lever  41 ′″ beyond a certain position. In the opposing pivot direction the locking lever  41  ′″ is fixed using a snap-in point  49 ″ at which the locking arm  43 ′″ abuts is arranged on the outside of the housing  24 . This snap-in point  49 ″ can be passed by the locking arm  43 ′″ by the application of a slight force, so that the locking lever  41 ′″ passes from its locking position  44  into its release position  45  (represented in FIGS. 11 a  and  11   b  by the broken line). In order to prevent overshooting the release position a stop  49 ′ is arranged externally on the housing  24  of the propellant charge magazine  20 , up to which the locking arm  43 ′″ runs after it has completely passed the snap-in point  49 ″. For moving the locking arm  42 ′″ appropriate means are provided on the magazine receptacle of the setting tool such as, for example, providing a link way over which the lever is moved into the release position  45  when the propellant charge magazine is inserted into a magazine receptacle and using which is moved into the locking position  45  upon extraction of the propellant charge magazine from the magazine receptacle.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 12 represents a further embodiment of the propellant charge magazine  20  according to the invention. This propellant charge magazine  20  comprises a mechanism  40   iv  for positioning the magazine strip  21 . At the same time, this mechanism also serves for securing the end zone  36  of the magazine strip  21  in the propellant charge magazine  2 . The mechanism  40   iv  encompasses a locking element  41   iv  arranged on the floor of the propellant charge housing  24 , which projects upwards in the transport path of the magazine strip  21 . Transport openings are provided in the magazine strip  21  that simultaneously serve as counter locking members  47   iv . In addition, an opening is provided in the bottom of the housing  24  of the propellant charge magazine  20 , through which a locking means  17   iv  arranged on the magazine receptacle  15  can be passed, when the propellant charge magazine  20  is inserted into the magazine receptacle  15  of a setting tool, as represented in FIG. 12. the propellant charge magazine  20  is then in the release position  45  of the magazine strip  21 , in which the magazine strip  21  can be transported out of the propellant charge magazine  20  or can again be pushed back into same. This is done in that the magazine strip is raised over the locking means  17   iv , so that it passes over the locking element  41   iv  when being transported. When this is done, advantage is taken of the elasticity of the magazine strip  21 .  
         [0052]    If the propellant charge magazine  20  is removed from the magazine receptacle  15 , and the locking means  17   iv  moves out of the housing of the propellant charge magazine  20 , then the magazine strip  21  sinks, by virtue of its inherent tension in and the bilateral down pressure effected by the guide means  50 , so that the locking element  41   iv  engages with the counter locking member or with the opening  47   iv . In this locking position transport of the magazine strip is no longer possible (not represented in the drawing).  
         [0053]    If the end zone  36  of the magazine strip  21  reaches the mechanism  40   iv , then the magazine strip  21  is initially raised by the locking element  17   iv , but the magazine strip  21  again sinks as soon as the opening  38  is situated over the locking means  17   iv  and the locking element  41   iv , both of which pass into the opening  38  depending on their dimensions. Continued transport of the magazine strip  21  is thereafter no longer possible.  
         [0054]    It remains only to state that, for example, the retaining elements in the end zone of the magazine strip can be configured also, for example, by thickenings in the magazine strip in the end zone, by bending and bonding together two propellant charge sleeves or by adhering a separate piece, such as a piece of felt. Further still, it must be sated that the counter locking members  47  are not configured solely by the propellant charge  21  but can also be formed, for example, by openings in the magazine strip  21 , into which the locking elements of the magazine receptacle or the propellant charge magazine engage or by projections, pins, etc.